G. Washington Connections Abound! Edmund Randolph ALS Addressed to Washington's Future Stepson-in-Law & Almost Certainly Referring to Washington's Stepson "Custis"

A 1p autograph letter signed by Edmund Randolph (1753-1813), then serving as a Virginia delegate to the Continental Congress, as "Edm: Randolph" at lower right. Written in Richmond, Virginia on September 25, 1780 on cream laid paper. Expected wear including toning and discoloration. Of the flattened folds, there is a minor closed tear found at upper right. The letter is hinged at left to a modern paper strip. Else good to very good. 7.5" x 8.75."

This letter demonstrates the dizzying interconnectedness of eighteenth-century American colonial society and politics. The linchpin of the letter is none other than 1st U.S. President George Washington (1732-1799), who is linked by either business or marriage to three of the historical personages involved in this letter. The author of the letter, Edmund Randolph, would serve as U.S. Secretary of State during George Washington's first presidential term. The recipient of the letter, Dr. David Stewart (alternately spelled Stuart) (1753-1814), would marry George Washington's step daughter-in-law, Eleanor Calvert Custis (1757/58-1811) as well as serve as a political advisor and work on special presidential projects. In the body of the letter, Randolph refers to one "Mr Custis," almost certainly John Parke Custis (1754-1781), George Washington's stepson who would die of "camp fever" just 14 months later.

Edmund Randolph wrote Dr. David Stewart in full, with original spelling and usage:

"Richmond Sepr 25. 1780.

Dear sir

Not having returned hither, 'till the few days past, I could not answer your favor of the 12th ulto. earlier.

The law, which Mr. Dulany wishes cannot be had but by transcription. I should have inclosed a copy by this opportunity, were it not, that I cannot procure one in the hurry of business, which always precedes a term of the general court.

I really have not the state which I gave Mr. Custis: not can I now retrace the subject. But with the narrative, of which Mr D is possessed, added to the law, which may be found at Alexa. and copied, I trust, that we shall meet with no difficulty in obtaining that gentleman's opinion.

I am D Sr
Yr. mo. ob. ser.
Edm: Randolph

Dr. David Stewart
Abingdon
near
Alexandria."

Edmund Randolph had served as George Washington's aide-de-camp during the Revolutionary War. Between 1779 and 1782, Randolph served as one of eleven Virginia delegates to the Second Continental Congress, while also attending to Washington's occasional legal affairs. Randolph succeeded Thomas Jefferson as U.S. Secretary of State, performing that function between January 1794 and August 1795. Randolph had previously accepted Washington's appointment as U.S. Attorney General, ensuring the peace between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton.

Dr. David Stewart received his medical education in Paris, St. Andrews, and Edinburgh, returning to the colonies to begin a medical practice at Alexandria. In 1783, Stewart married Eleanor Calvert Custis, John Parke Custis's young widow, and the couple would later have sixteen children. Dr. Stewart served as the Fairfax County delegate to the Virginia House of Delegates from 1785-1789. From 1791-1794, Stewart served as one of the Washington-appointed commissioners overseeing the development of the "new federal city." In his will, George Washington bequeathed his "large shaving and dressing table, and my telescope" to his close friend Dr. Stewart.

John Parke Custis was the oldest surviving son of Martha Washington; the 4-year-old became stepson to George Washington after the couple's 1759 marriage. During the period that this letter was written, 1780, Custis represented Fairfax County in the Virginia House of Delegates. Dr. David Stewart would not only marry Custis's widow, but also join the same legislative body, representing the same county, four years after Custis's death!

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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