George Washington

We are accustomed to thinking of the modern office as uniquely laden with paper. But the eighteenth-century "office"--whether that of a merchant, representative to a colonial assembly, or, a president of the United States--was just as burdened with paper proliferation. An eighteenth-century correspondent was compelled, more than we are today, to respond to every single letter he or she received. A response was often the only way a writer had of knowing that a …

…in the individual collections of Washington's numerous correspondents, scattered over many institutions and repositories. Where recipients' copies have not survived the centuries, letterbook copies supply their place. That Washington regarded his letterbooks as a rich historical archive is indicated by his efforts in creating and maintaining them. He also cared deeply about their preservation, making particular efforts during the Revolution, the most difficult period of his life, to safeguard his papers from injury or destruction.