Autographs
Two Signed “David Redick” Excellent Letters from the Earliest History of Washington, Pennsylvania 1782 & 1784
DAVID REDICK (1750-1805). Commissioner Appointed by President George Washington to negotiate with the “Whiskey Rebellion” Insurgents in Western Pennsylvania in 1794.
June 23, 1782 and November 1784-Dated, Two fine Historical Content Autograph Letters Signed, “David Redick”, Choice Very Fine. David Redick was a Pennsylvania surveyor, attorney and Politician who surveyed Washington County, Pennsylvania, the seat of the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794. Redick was serving as clerk of courts during the revolt and although he opposed the actions of the whiskey rebels, he presented their formal surrender document to George Washington and Alexander Hamilton at Carlisle in October 1794.

This Pair of fine Historical Content Letters concerning the administration of Washington, Pennsylvania, and the encroachment of Virginia upon Pennsylvania territorial lands. He writes in an A.L.S. 2 page, legal folio, at Carlisle (PA.), to John Lukens, the Surveyor General of Pennsylvania. Redick writes, in part:

"… We presume that the County of Washington will not average at above 40 or 50 miles by 30 at most so that the Diviing it into four Districts would make each, very inconsiderable… As to the combination of Influences against the Virginians suggested in your Letter, we Presume, that as the other Gentlemen has no acquaintance with the people can have but small Influence at first when it will be principally needed -- we have no other Objection to being Concer'd with Mr. John J. Hodge as he possess much of our Friendship altho we could have wished he had treated us Differently from what he did prior to his departure to Philadelphia… What shall we do previous to our entering on business as Qualification Shall the Warrants granted by the Virginia Land Officer be Executed, if so, when they Jar with Pensya. orders who to proceed…"

Nov. 1784-Dated, The second A.L.S. 1 page, legal folio, at Washington County, is also addressed to Lukens. It reads, in part:

"… Am told Council has resolved in favor of Virginia Certificates; if so, would gladly be instructed, whether (sic) the usual Allow(anc)e. of 6p. Cent (percent) will be given to them, and where thy call for lands to Include a Settlement, when no such settlement ever was made, may Surveys be made where the possessors of Such Certificiates may direct. I know many people Imposed on the Commissioners, by providing Settlements when nothing more than what is called a Tomahawk(in)g. was made; and I imagine Warrants have issued for some such, Since the opening of the present Land office…"

Two excellent content historical Letters from the earliest history of Washington, Pennsylvania. Both Letters have usual folds, with some minor separations and marginal wear, else very nice and readable. (2 Letters)
David Redick was deeply involved in varied activities of on the early Western Frontier of America. The letters provides a picture in miniature of the development of the old frontier. Redick was involved in land development, speculation and surveying, and laid out the town of Washington, Pennsylvania.

Redick was a lawyer and went on to hold a variety of politically appointed public jobs in Washington County, and have considerable involvement in the political life of western Pennsylvania. He played a prominent role in the “Whiskey Rebellion” and in its suppression. Redick wrote a manuscript letter to George Washington containing early intelligence on the subject.

He was active in promoting the Abolition of Slavery and in helping escaped Slaves from Virginia fleeing north. Redick played an important role in the development of other institutions on the frontier, most notably in the founding and development of Washington Academy, which is now known as Washington and Jefferson College.

Redick corresponded with a variety of prominent and important individuals in the history of Pennsylvania, the development of its and Ohio's early frontier, and the early National period, including Albert Gallatin, Alexander James Dallas, William Findley, Samuel Finley, John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg, William Irvine, Henry Muhlenberg, Hugh Henry Brackenridge, Matthew Irwin, and George Washington, amongst others.