Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-02-29
NO. 81.
MISCELLANEOUS READING.
AMUSING AND INTERESTING REMIN
ISCENCE.


Editors Of tie Norfolk Herdtd:-Think
ing that the publication in your paper oi The
following contract, made in 1887, between
George Washington and Philip Barter, will
interest and amuse many Of your readers,
who perhaps might otherwise never see u,
have taken the trouble Of copying il for
your columns from the Private Memoirs
Of Washington" BY Custs:
This is one, and not the least characters
tic, among the many illustrations that exist
of Washington's well-known particularly
and method in all his business transactions,
and exemplifes his habit of reducing to wri-
ting even such bargains and understandings
as, from their apparent want of Importance,
would by most men be trusted to memory
only. For full understanding of the mat
ter, it must be promised that Barter had
been for some time prior to this contract, ia
the service Of Washington, and had on sew
eral occasions manifested 50 decided a pre-
dilection for the bottle, as 10 have establish
ed the fact Of its being confirmed habit
with him, and thus TO have induced Wash
ington TO draw up the bond specifying the
particular occaaions on which Barter could
get drunk, and how long at each occasion he
might remain 50, as well as prescribing the
number of his ordinary daily drains.
That Washington must have had in his
composition, considerable spice Of sly hu-
NOR, is evident from his having used for
such a trifing matter the prolix verbose, le-
gal forms usually employed in important
contracts, instead Of brief, simple memo
randum; and from his having called in such
man as Tobias Lear 10 formally attest a
bargain in which matters Of no greater i'm
port were involved than a gardeners food
and clothing for one year, and eight dollars
to be expended in sprees on certain specified
occasions within that period. ScEUTAToR.
Articles Of agreement made this twelfth
day Of April, Ammo Domini one thousand,
seven hundred and eighty-seVen, BY and be-
tween George Washington, esq, Of the par
ish Of Turo, in the County Of Fairfax State
Of Virginia, on the one part, and Philip Bar
ter, gardener, on the other-witness, that
the said Philip Barter, for and in consldera
ton Of the covenants hereafter mentioned
doth promise and agree to serve the said
George Washington for the term Of one year,
a. 4 gardener and that be will, during the
said time, conduct himself soberly, dilligent
" and honestly; and that he viii faithfully
and industriously perform al and every
part Of his duty as a gardener to the best "
his knowledge and abilities, and that he
will not at any time suffer himself to he dis
guised with liquor except On times herein
after mentioned.
In consideration Of these things being
well and duly performed on the part Of said
Philip Barter, the said George Washington
doth agree 70 ALLOW him Ithe said Philip
the same kind and quality Of provisions he
has heretofore had, and likewise, annually 4
decent suit Of clothes, beftting q man IA
his station; to consist Of coat. vest and breech-
es; working jacket and breeches of home
spun, besides two white shirts; three check,
do two linen overhalls; as many pairs Of
shoes as are necessary for him. four dollars
at Christmas, with which he may be drunk
four days and four nights; two dollars at Is
ter to effect the same purpose; two dollars
Whitsuntide to be drunk for two days; and
a dram in the morning and drink of grog
at dinner at noon.
For the true and faithful performance Of
all and each part Of these things, the parties
have hereunto set their hands this twenty
third day Of April, Ammo Domini, 1881
His
"PHILMP BARTER, y
Marx
GEORGE WASHIEGToS