Letter from General William Washington to General George Washington
Permanent ID:
10574Date:
July 23 1796Image Description:
Letter from General William Washington (1752-1810) to his cousin, General George Washington. This letter notably makes mention of George Washington's prized donkey, "Royal Gift," which was gifted to Washington by Charles III, King of Spain, in 1785. In the eighteenth century, the most prized mules were sired by Spanish donkeys and, hearing of Washington's desire to mate donkeys with his mares to create so-called "super mules," King Charles sent two Spanish jacks to Washington. Only "Royal Gift" survived the cross-Atlantic trip to Boston and subsequent journey to Mount Vernon. According to an official in Massachusetts who received the donkey, "Royal Gift" was "a fine Creature, just fifty Eight Inches high, & the largest that I believe ever came into this Country."Format:
CorrespondenceCollection:
Simon Gratz collectionRelated People or Organizations:
George Washington, 1732-1799 (correspondent)Washington, William, 1752-1810 (author)