WASHINGTON, George (1732-1799). Manuscript document signed ("Go:Washington"), Georgetown, 1 August 1785.

Two pages, 193 x 128mm.

George Washington authorizes payment for "One Ton of Bar Iron assorted for the use of the Potowmack Compy," on the verso of an invoice from the Antietam Iron Works, dated 18 July 1785. £45 was charged for the iron and an additional fee 7 shillings 6 pence for the services of John Henderson "for drawing particular Iron." Henderson acknowledges receipt of the payment on 9 August.

The authorization for payment is additionally signed by the other directors of the Potomac Company including Thomas S. LEE (1745-1819) the second Governor of Maryland; John FITZGERALD (c. 1799) who served as an aide-de-camp to Washington during the War of Independence, and later served as Mayor of Alexandria; Thomas JOHNSON (1791-1793) the first Governor of Maryland who later served as a Justice on the Supreme Court; and George GILPIN (1740-1813) who also served as one of Washington's aides-de-camp during the war, and later as the Mayor of Alexandria, and finally as a pallbearer at Washington's funeral.

Washington, together with the aforementioned signatories formed the Potomac Company in 1785 to improve the navigation of the Potomac River to foster commerce.