American Historical Ephemera & Photography

DANDRIDGE, Bartholomew, Jr. Retained copy of autograph letter signed ("B.D.") as private secretary to Washington, 2pp, 7 1/2 x 8 3/4 in., "Philadelphia," 17 May 1792. Addressed to "Sir." Docketed on verso "To the President US / 17 May 1792."

Dandridge writes to the President inquiring about a plow that was left at the Washington's Philadelphia home by a man from Frankfort, indicating that he accepted it on Washington's behalf and is sending it to him. Washington had a profound love for his land, and was known for his study of and preoccupation with modern advancements in agricultural practices. This letter is not recorded independently in Founders Online, National Archives, correspondence, and The Papers of George Washington Digital Edition, however, it is referenced in the annotation of the letter from Enoch Edwards to Washington, 1 May 1792.

DANDRIDGE, Bartholomew. Retained copy of autograph letter signed ("B.D.") as private secretary to Washington, 4pp, 7 1/2 x 9 in., 4 July 1795. Addressed to "Dear & respected Sir." Docketed at top right of first page "To President / July 4th 1795."

Dandridge notifies Washington of his intent to resign his post as secretary due to poor health, and requests Washington's financial assistance. This letter is recorded in Founders Online, National Archives, and The Papers of George Washington Digital Edition, Presidential Series, Volume 18, 1 April - 30 September 1795.

DANDRIDGE, Bartholomew, Jr. Retained copy of autograph letter signed ("B. D."), 7pp, 7 1/2 x 9 in., The Hague, 11 May 1798. Addressed to "My dr Sir." Docketed on verso "To Genl Washington / 11 May 1798."

Dandridge responds to a letter from Washington, answering questions about a Joiner and explaining accounting discrepancies dating to Dandridge's time as Washington's personal secretary. This letter is recorded in Founders Online, National Archives, and The Papers of George Washington Digital Edition, Retirement Series, Volume 2, 2 January 1798 - 15 September 1798.

DANDRIDGE, Bartholomew, Jr. Retained copy of autograph letter signed ("B. Dandridge"), 11pp, 7 3/4 x 9 3/4 in., London, 17 October 1799. Addressed to "Dear Sir." Docketed on verso "To Genl. Washington / 17 Oct 1799."

Dandridge writes to Washington discussing "the advantages & disadvantages of a diplomatic life" as well as his planned commercial business pursuits. He closes with an assessment of European relations, indicating that "both England & France want nothing but the power & an opportunity to annihilate our independence and we ought to be equally on our guard against open or secret attacks of either." This letter is not recorded in Founders Online, National Archives, correspondence or in The Papers of George Washington Digital Edition. It is, however, recorded in Retirement Series (4 March 1797 - 13 December 1799), Volume 4 (20 April 1799 - 13 December 1799).

All letters in generally good condition with expected folds and toning, some with light chipping at edges and scattered ink smears or other markings.  Provenance: By descent through a Richmond, Virginia, family.

[With:] "Programme of Arrangements in Honor of the Memory of James Monroe, Fifth President of the United States, On the Occasion of the Removal of his Remains from New York to Virginia, Under the direction of the Municipal Authorities of the City of New York, on Friday July 2, 1858." 4 3/4 x 7 1/4 in., 4pp (creasing, chipping, small tears along folds, light soil).

[Also with:] A group of approximately 25 documents associated with Walter Russell "W.R." Bowie (1854-1894), a lawyer, notary public, and businessman from Richmond, Virginia. Documents are primarily of a business nature and include receipts, insurance contracts, a "Memoranda of Agreement," some stock certificates, and a small amount of correspondence. -- A leather bound document holder identified to "W.R. Bowie & Co. / Real Estate Agents / No. 7 North 10th Street." 

Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr. (ca 1774-1802) was the son of Bartholomew Dandridge (1737-1785), a wealthy planter, attorney, politician, and judge, and the brother of Martha Dandridge Custis Washington (1731-1802). Likely through the close personal relationship his family had with the Washingtons, the younger Dandridge secured a position as private secretary to President George Washington. He held this position nearly continuously from 1791 to 1797, a period constituting the bulk of Washington's two terms as President. In 1797 Dandridge travelled to The Hague to serve as secretary to William Vans Murray, then in 1799 Dandridge moved to London to serve as secretary to Rufus King, minister plenipotentiary to Great Britain. He died of yellow fever in 1802 while serving as American consul at Santo Domingo, Haiti.