Forensic Accountants Dig Through George Washington's Financial Records

Washington Post:

One day in 1791, President George Washington received a bill for 60 pounds, 1 shilling and 7 pence from his physician friend James Craik, who regularly made the rounds at Mount Vernon. The invoice ran two pages:

"Anodyne Pills for Breachy . . . Laxative Pills for Ruth . . . syphilic Pills for Maria . . . oz 1 Antiphlogistie Anodyne Tincture . . . Bleeding Charlotte . . . oz 4 Powdered Rhubarb . . . Extracting one of your Negroes tooth . . . a Mercurial Purge for Cook Jack . . ."

This brief glimpse of life in the 18th century is contained in what historians say is a vast and underappreciated cache of financial documents from the life of the first president.

Read the whole story: Washington Post

Comments

[Lee Andrew]

Very interesting read indeed. President Washington was a man of vision which I admire sans the slaveowner part.

[HekmabaJuzimax]

Slavery should be reinstated in the United States, because at least the slaves will have free health care.

[alkh3myst]

So you're volunteering to become a slave? I need good help.

[Nicon]

Cool we get to be surprised all over again when we find out that our first POTUS grew both Hemp and Marijuana at to help support the family.

[jws2346]

Holy crap, if they get G. Washington for tax evasion (is tax evasion like murder, no statute of limitation?) ole' Charlie Rangel don't stand a chance (how many shillings are in $75,000 dollars?) No medicare for them dentists back them either.

[marcain]

Maria had syphilis. Who was she and who gave it to her?

[october2009]

It's not shocking at all that our first American president was wealthy...

Most people who get into positions of power and influence are always knowledgeable and hard working...­. And hard workers usually end up creating products and/or services that other people like.

[folktraveler]

Hey October2009
He married the money.

[HeevenSteven]

"Most people who get into positions of power and influence are always knowledgeable and hard working...­."

Yeah, like that other George W guy; what a genius he was. Made his dough on the back of his dad's hard work and a taxpayer funded stadium.

[Stokes]

The only hard work the father of George W. did was to teach his sons how to destroy this once great country..