Skip to main content

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.

From George Washington, 22 April 1798

My dear Bushrod,

Enclosed are Deeds from me to General Lee, and from him to me. They were copied from his original Deed to me, without my previous examination of it, supposing (I understood it was drawn by Mr Charles Lee) that it was correct in all its parts. When we were about to execute the New ones I found that his title to the old one was not recited— whether this is essential to the conveyance I know not, as the Lands are accurately described and he has, as he says, Doctr Skinners conveyance to him wch he will send me.

From George Washington, 23 Feb. 1794

Dear Bushrod,

     Your letter of the 13th instt with the enclosures, came duly to hand. I thank you for draughting the answer which I have put my signature to; and with the Bill, now return.

     If I mistake not, my renunciation of the Executorship of Colo. Fairfax's Will already stands on record in the Genl Court, on some former occasion; be this however as it may, I have always refused, & never intended—directly nor indirectly, to have any agency in the Administration of the affairs of that Estate.

To George Washington, 19 March 1789

Recipient

Dr Uncle

     I was very sorry that Business at Court obliging me to be in Town on Monday last, prevented me from calling at Mount Vernon on my way up. since then I have been, & I suppose shall continue to be under the necessity of attending Court all the week; should you not leave Home before Sunday, I shall on that day wait on you.

To George Washington, 20 Oct. 1797

Recipient

Dear Uncle

     I now enclose you my opinion upon the points stated in your letter of the 9th.

     As you may possibly wish to submit it to the consideration of your Counsel, I have left out of it, such parts of the subject as are unconnected with the cause, & need only be communicated confidentally to yourself.

To George Washington, 29 Feb. 1796

Recipient

Dear Uncle

     I rec: your letter of the 10th with a bundle of papers which I have examined. I had before issued a Subpœna from the Court of Chancery, and I wish to file the Bill, during the present Session that I may be enabled to obtain an order to be inserted in the Gazette warning the residuary Legatees to come forward with their respective pretensions. Your great object I know is to close this business, and obtain a quietus from all parties concerned.

To George Washington, 9 Jan. 1798

Recipient

My dear Uncle

     I have at length procured from the Auditors office a rough Statement of Yr Taxes in Kanawa for the 6 years mentioned in Aldersons order, by which you will discover that they differ £1.11.7 from the amount there stated. But as the difference is trifling, and the Auditor may very probably have made a mistake in the calculation (for he did it in a hurry) it would probably be better to pay it, (tho' too much) than run the risque of a forfeiture or having them sold.

Subscribe to Bushrod’s Law Office in Alexandria and Richmond