Read Washington's Letter to Edward Rutledge, Sept. 1799
Read the full text of George Washington's 1799 letter to his old friend Gov. Edward Rutledge of South Carolina, written just three months before the death of the first U.S. president.
Apr 27, 2026
At the May 2025 ANTIQUES ROADSHOW event at Grant's Farm in St. Louis, a guest brought in a letter bearing what looked to be George Washington's signature, framed between two period portraits, one of Washington and the other of South Carolina Gov. Edward Rutledge.
Books & Manuscripts appraiser Tim Luke explained to the guest that the former president and Rutledge had shared a long and collegial friendship spanning all the way back to the days of the Revolutionary War and the Continental Congress, when at just 26, Rutledge had been the youngest delegate to sign the Declaration of Independence in the summer of 1776.
In the letter, Washington thanks him for a model gun carriage that Rutledge had apparently sent the aging former president in retirement at his Mt. Vernon home. The model was intended to demonstrate improvements to existing artillery technology, and Washington expresses a characteristic forward-thinking vision for the young nation he had been so instrumental in founding — approving of the new design and recommended its swift adoption.
Although insofar as ANTIQUES ROADSHOW was aware at the time of publishing, the guest's letter had yet to be professionally authenticated by an independent expert, appraiser Tim Luke shared his opinion that on initial inspection it appeared to be authentic, and as such estimated the auction value at between $15,000 and $20,000.
You can read the full text of the letter below.
George Washington to Edward Rutledge, September 8, 1799
Mount Vernon Septr 8th 1799
My dear Sir,
I have received, by the hand of Genl. W. Washington, the model of an improvement made on Gun Carriages which you have been so good as to present me;—and I pray you will accept my sincere thanks for this token of your friendship, which will always be dear to me.—
I see many advantages in this improvement on Gun Carriages, and I think every thing of this kind ought to be adopted by us, so far as they can be usefully applied; for it will be much easier to introduce valuable improvements in the commencement of our Military establishments, than after we shall have been long accustomed to certain habits & things to deviate from them.
In best wishes for the health and happiness of yourself & Mrs. Rutledge Mrs. Washington unites with
My dear Sir Yr Affecte & Obedt Servt
G: Washington
His Excelly Govr Rutledge
Related info
A draft of this letter can also be seen in the digital archives of the George Washington Presidential Library at Mt. Vernon.
Luke Crafton is ANTIQUES ROADSHOW's director of digital content and managing editor of the series website. Luke has been a producer with ROADSHOW since 2006.
