24 APRIL 1982, Page 19

A lie about Washington?

Sir: For those of us who have not sat op- posite Mr Alastair Forbes at a dinner party, his review of All the President's Kin (17 April) was our first opportunity to read his witty (if painfully disorganised and jumbl- ed) bons mots and anecdotes about recent Presidents.

However, if he wishes to avoid another Anglo-American war, he may wish to retract his assertion that George Washington was 'NorthamptonSrhire-born'. As Mr Forbes made sure that we knew that he was Franklin Roosevelt's cousin, he might have learned from his family that the Constitution prevents anyone not native- born from serving as President. Washington was born in Virginia.

David Wurtzel

3 Dr Johnson's Buildings, Temple, London EC4