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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 Corbin Washington, 4 Feb. 1795

My dear Brother

     You will now receive enclosed the Power of Attorney altered and put exactly in the form you desired, which I have been very much puzzled to get done in time to go down by Mr Jones— After I had picked out the Sheep & Cattle at Bushfield that were to go down by your Man, and had settled the mode of conducting the Journey, I satt of[f] for Haywood upon the above business, leaving orders with my Overseer to deliver your Man four of our likeliest Cows which he seemed to think he could very easily drive; however, on my return from Haywood, I meet the drove from Bushfiel

From George Washington, 19 Jan. 1798

My dear Bushrod,

Your letter of the 8th instant came to hand opportunely, as Mr Augustus Woodward (in whose favour the Sheriff of Kanhawa had drawn for the taxes of my lands in that County) was here on his return from Philadelphia, and received the full amount of his draught.

I am perfectly at a loss to know what is meant by the Auditors A/c as coming from "The Sheriff of Greenbrier who says he has returned a tract of land the property of Genl George Washington Esqr., amounting to 15,940 Acres for non-payment of the Revenue tax due thereon, for the year 1789. The tax is £35:17:3."

From George Washington, 7 Feb. 1798

My dear Bushrod,

Your letter of the 1st instant came to my hands by Saturdays Post; with the Auditors Receipts. If no bad consequences flow from the delay, in that Office, it is immaterial when I obtain the result of his investigation of the state of my taxes, on the Western Waters; but to prevent it, let me request you, to keep his enquiries alive. The tract of 587 Acres lyes I presume, in the County of Harrison; or if divided, in the part taken therefrom, below, on the River Ohio, lying about 15 miles below Wheeling. The other tract, on the Ohio, is situated 3 or 4 Miles below the Mo.

From George Washington, 10 Jan. 1798

My dear Bushrod,

When you send me the Auditors Account of the taxes due on my land in Kanhawa County, be so good as to forward, at the same time, Genel Lee's Deed of conveyance to me, of two tracts of land in the State of Kentucky, one for two, and the other for 3000 acres. They were, I believe, included in one Deed of Bargain and Sale, and recorded in the General Court Office. It is the original Deed I ask for.

     We are all well, and send best wishes to you, and yours. I am your sincere friend and Affectionate Uncle

From George Washington, 18 Dec. 1797

My dear Bushrod,

Your letter of the 26th Ulto came safe in the usual course of the Mail, and about a week ago Mrs Forbes arrived; and from her appearance, and conduct hitherto, gives satisfaction to your Aunt. Having, as she says, obtained ten dollars of you, to defray her expences to this place; I herein return them, with thanks for the aid it afforded to get her here. and as you may have paid for the copies of sundry papers taken from the Records of the General Court, let me know the amount, and it shall be remitted also.

From Isaac Roberdeau et al., 10 Feb. 1790

Dear Sir

I find that I have so fully investigated the Subject of the lost Pier, that I cannot add any thing for illustration to the Papers denominated "Statement of incontrovertible Facts, strictures relating to a Pier—and suggestion respecting the Pier—Since they were written I have investigated the Causes of the fate of said Pier and my sentiments have been confirmed by Thomas Davis an Thomas Connavor Simon of Philadelphia, and Jesse Hollingsworth of Baltimore by Prontin having built several, they will each Prove that the defects in Workmanship as well as principle rendered

From George Washington, 8 Feb. 1792

Dear Bushrod,

Owing to some new arrangement of the Post Office, your letter of the first instant did not reach my hands until yesterday afternoon.

I leave it to yourself to prosecute the trespassers upon my four mile run tract in my name (if it is necessary to make use of it) & in Whatsoever manner you shall think most effectual.

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