From George Washington to Robert Carter Nicholas, 2 November 1779
To Robert Carter Nicholas
Hd Qrs West point Novr 2d 1779.
Dear Sir,
Colo. Fairfax before he left Virginia last, vested me with powers to superintend his interest in that Country; and till I accepted the command of the American Army, I attended to it accordingly.1
So soon as I found that private attentions would no longer comport with public duty, and that it was not in my power to do justice to the trust which he had been pleased to repose in me, I acquainted him of it, and in repeated letters requested, that he would appoint some other for his Attorney.2
A few days since, letters from him 3d of Augt 1778 & 23d May 17793 of which I take the liberty to inclose you copies, were presented to me by Mr Willm Lee—The original of the first I have not yet seen.
These letters are so expressive of the desires of our mutual friend, that I can say nothing in addition to them, unless you will permit me to observe, that the declining state of Colo. Lewiss health (from the Accts I have of it) afford little prospect of an acceptance on his part in case of your refusal; and that I shall be at a loss in making my next application.4
My best respects attend Mrs Nicholas & the rest of yr family5—With much esteem & regard I am Dr Sir Yr &c.
G. Washington
ADfS, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. For GW’s acceptance of George William Fairfax’s power of attorney in 1773, and his unwillingness to continue in that capacity upon becoming general, see GW to Fairfax, 19 Jan. 1773, in 9:159–60, and 26 July 1775; see also Fairfax to GW, 3 Aug. 1778.
2. See, for example, GW to Fairfax, 11 March 1778.
3. GW is referring to Fairfax’s letter to him of 25 May; see also Sarah Cary Fairfax and George William Fairfax to GW, 12 Aug., and n.3 to that document.
4. For GW’s services as power of attorney for Fairfax, and his unsuccessful efforts to delegate that responsibility, see GW to Fairfax, 30 June 1786, in 4:135–41.
5. Nicholas and his wife, Ann Cary, had five sons and two daughters.