This collection relates to Bushrod’s experiences when he operated his own private law office. Having recently completed his apprenticeship under James Wilson, Bushrod returned to Virginia in 1784 and opened the office the next year. He relocated to the city of Alexandria in 1789, followed by a move to Richmond in 1792. These cases required him to appear before the Virginia Court of Appeals and the Court of Chancery. He continued in the practice until he became a Supreme Court Justice in 1798. As a result, these letters provide a deeper understanding of the types of contracts, disputes, and suits that were common in late eighteenth-century Virginia.
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Without reciting here, the substance of the correspondence between Mr Robert Carter and his Sons & Sons in Law respecting the disposition of his Virginia estate amongst them, I will only observe that… Continue Reading Legal Opinion, 24 March 1798
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Your suit will probably be tried this Court. One of the pleas is fully administer'd.
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I wish I could give you the Satisfaction you wish as to the time when your case will be finally decided.
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I wrote you a long letter in February last but do not know whether you recieved it.
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This is the third Letter I have wrote to you, directed to Richmond, but have not recieved an answer, in one of which, I Enclosed Hodsons Rect for £5.6— agreeable to your directions, I also wrote to Mr Tin… Continue Reading From William Henry Washington, 15 Jan. 1794
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In tracing the title of the protestant Episcopal Church to the Glebes, churches, and other property appertaining thereto I do not deem it necessary for its advocates to rely upon the laws which passed upo… Continue Reading Opinion on Glebes and Churches, 27 Dec. 1797
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I received your Favor on Saturday last inclosing an Attachment & two Dedimus's against my troublesome Neighbor George Chapman for which I am exceedingly obliged to you, as I expect it will put a Stop… Continue Reading From William Henry Washington, 24 Feb. 1795
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Recd of Bushrod Washington Notes of James Swan to Robt Young for $10,909 which I promise to retain in my hands untill Robert Young & Co.… Continue Reading From Henry Lee Jr., 21 Jan. 1796
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Some months ago a subpoena in Chancery at the suit of mr Banks1 was served on me as former governor of Virginia, calling on me & others not named (but I suppose the Counsellors… Continue Reading From Thomas Jefferson, 1 Oct. 1795
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Upon a full consideration of the papers which have been laid before me & of the situation in which the Swearingens are placed by the several decrees in the case of Hite and others agt Fairfax… Continue Reading Legal Opinion, 29 July 1794
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Inclosed is a copy of so much of a record of a suit between Crisp and Holiman in Cumberland County Court, as contains the point now in controversy, and which is submitted to you, on this question—Ca… Continue Reading From Creed Taylor, 7 Feb. 1796
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E[ncl]osed you have an attested Copy of the Notice give[n] Weston, <mutilated> be pleased to request of the District-Court of De<mutilated> award of Commissioners with Libert… Continue Reading From Daniel Roberdeau, April 1791
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My opinion upon the case you submitted to me at Fredg has been long since forwarded to you, and it is probably in the post office at Fredg or Culpepper if you have a post to yr County.… Continue Reading To Charles Carter, 21 June 1796
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You have not informed me what or whether any thing has been done in the Court of Chancery (in this State) for bringing the accts of my Administration of Colo.
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From a variety of reasons which have for some time past operated upon my mind, It has become in my Judgment necessary for me to remove from this part of the Country, and to fix in some Town.… Continue Reading To George Washington, 20 Nov. 1788
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I take this opportunity by Mr Packet (who goes up with my furniture) to return you my very grateful thanks for the offer you were pleased to make me of your House, rent free.
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Your letter of the 22d instt came to my hands yesterday afternoon.
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I am sorry to think I have cause to accuse you of inattention to my requests.
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I have long suspected—but, such has been my situation for some years back, that I have not been able to ascertain the fact—that a tract of about 1200 acres wch I hold on four mile-run near Alexandria has… Continue Reading From George Washington, 8 Jan. 1792
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I had heard with much concern, before your letter of the 21st instant was received, of your illness; and congratulate you on your recovery.