George Washington to Thomas Johnson , Thomas Sim Lee

Presuming that Colo. Fitzgerald according to his promise has communicated to you the vote of the Potomack Co. passed at the last general Meeting, held at George Town, and the measures consequent of it, taken by the directors, I shall trouble you with no more than the result which you will find in the enclosed authenticated Act of the Assembly of this State.

It is scarcely necessary to observe to you, Gentlemen, that unless a similar one is obtained from your Assembly, during its present Session that the work of navigation will soon be at a stand. You know what steps have been taken, and how ineffectually, to collect the dividends from the tardy members. The others think it hard to be further called on and some indeed have announced they will advance no more until the arrearages are paid up. To recover these will be a work of immense time under the existing law.

You know best under what form to bring this matter before your Assembly. If by way of Petition you will please to have one drawn, and if it is necessary the name of the President should be affixed thereto, I hereby authorize you to give it my signature

with great esteem I am, etc.¹