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Fantastic George Washington document signed as ”late Commander in Chief of the American Army” regarding his disgraced mentor, Jacob Vanbraham, a mercenary soldier who instructed Washington in the use of military weapons and then served under Washington in the French and Indian War before fighting against Washington and for the British during the Revolutionary War. In this document Washington acknowledges a payment he received from James Mercer to offset costs that Washington incurred lending money to Vanbraham; this money was used by Vanbraham to secure his claim to back pay and land due to him for fighting in the French and Indian War. The land was previously denied because Vanbraham notoriously mis-translated the word ”assassination” in describing the death of French officer Joseph Coulon de Villiers de Jumonville by Washington’s men at the Battle of Fort Necessity, which ignited the French and Indian War. Document is datelined Mount Vernon, 10 January 1786 and boldly signed Go. Washington, acknowledging the payment from Mercer to Washington of ”currency for the use of Jacob Vanbraham Esq late of Virginia formerly a Capt in the Virginia Regiment…for securing the said Vanbraham’s quota of lands…under the proclamation of the Honble. Robert Dinwiddie…” Verso of document contains letter by James Mercer to Vanbraham, dated 21 May 1786 requesting that Vanbraham repay him the amount owed plus interest. Document measures 7.25” x 8.75”, framed in dark green suede with a descriptive plaque and engraving of Washington to a total size of 42” x 24”. Light spotting and folds, with some tissue repair to verso over Mercer’s signature; though Washington’s signature is bold, it’s written over a fold which has an unrepaired split bisecting the signature and a small hole at fold. Overall very good condition. Previously sold at California Book Auctions on 18 November 1998, lot 5747, and referenced in the ”Writings of George Washington”, Volume 28. Sold for $12,500.