22951[Diary entry: 21 September 1784] (Washington Papers)
21st. Accompanied by Colo. Cannon & Captn. Swearingin who attended me to Debores ferry on the Monongahela which seperates the Counties of Fayette & Washington, I returned to Gilbert Simpson’s in the Afternoon; after dining at one Wickermans Mill near the Monongahela. Colo. Cannon, Captn. Sweringin & Captn. Richie all promised to hunt up the Evidences which could prove my possession &...
22952[Diary entry: 22 September 1784] (Washington Papers)
22d. After giving instructions to Major Thomas Freeman respecting his conduct in my business, and disposing of my Baggage which was left under the care of Mr. Gilbert Simpson—consisting of two leather & one linnen Valeses with my Marquee & horseman’s Tent Tent Poles & Pins—all my bedding except Sheets (which I take home with me)—the equipage Trunk containing all that was put into it except the...
22953[Diary entry: 23 September 1784] (Washington Papers)
23d. Arrived at Colo. Philips abt. five oclock in the afternoon 16 Miles from Beason Town & near the Mouth of Cheat Rivr. The land thro’ wch. I rid was for the most part tolerably level—in some places rich—but in general of a second quality. Crossed no water of consequence except Georges Creek. An Apology made to me from the Court of Fayette (thro’ Mr. Smith) for not addressing me; as they...
22954From George Washington to Thomas Freeman, 23 September 1784 (Washington Papers)
The situation of my affairs on the Western Waters in the State of Pennsylvania & Virginia, requireing a Superintendant; & you having been pleased to accept the appointment, I must beg leave to point out to you the performance of such duties as are particularly necessary. These will be to settle Tenants upon my Land; collect the rents which will arise therefrom—the Debts which will proceed from...
22955[Diary entry: 24 September 1784] (Washington Papers)
24th. And crossed it at the Mouth, as it was thought the river was too much swelled to attempt the ford a little higher up. The fork was about 2 Miles & half from Colo. Philups, & the ground betwn. very hilly tho’ rich in places. The Cheat at the Mouth is about 125 yds. wide—the Monongahela near dble. that. The colour of the two Waters is very differt., that of Cheat is dark (occasioned as is...
22956[Diary entry: 25 September 1784] (Washington Papers)
25th. Having obtained the foregoing information, and being indeed some what discouraged from the acct. given of the passage of the Cheat river through the Laurel hill and also from attempting to return by the way of the Dunkers bottom, as the path it is said is very blind, & exceedingly grown up with briers, I resolved to try the other rout, along the New road to Sandy Creek; & thence by...
22957[Diary entry: 26 September 1784] (Washington Papers)
26th. Having found our Horses readily (for they nevr. lost sight of our fire) we started at the dawning of day, and passing along a small path much enclosed with weeds and bushes, loaded with water from the overnights rain, & the showers which were continually falling, we had an uncomfortable travel to one Charles friends, about 10 Miles; where we could get nothing for our horses, and only...
22958[Diary entry: 27 September 1784] (Washington Papers)
27th. I left Mr. Logston’s a little after day-break. At 4 Miles thro’ bad road, occasioned by Stone, I crossed the Stony River; which, as hath been before observed, appears larger than the No. Branch. At ten Miles I had by an imperceptible rise, gained the summit of the Alligany Mountain and began to desend it where it is very steep and bad to the waters of Pattersons Creek which embraces...
22959[Diary entry: 28 September 1784] (Washington Papers)
28th. Remained at Colo. Hite’s all day to refresh myself and rest my Horses, having had a very fatieguing journey thro’ the Mountains, occasioned not more from the want of accomodation & the real necessaries of life than the showers of Rain which were continually falling & wetting the bushes—the passing of which, under these circumstances was very little better than swimming of rivulets. From...
22960[Diary entry: 29 September 1784] (Washington Papers)
29th. Having appointed to join Doctr. Craik and my Baggage at Colo. Warner Washington’s, but finding it required only one day more to take the rout of Mr. Thos. Lewis’s (near Stanton) from whose Office I wanted some papers to enable me to prosecute my ejectments of those who had possessed themselves of my Land in the County of Washington, State of Pensylvania; and that I might obtain a more...
22961[Diary entry: 30 September 1784] (Washington Papers)
30th. Set out early—Captn. Hite returning home and travelled 11 or 12 Miles along the River, until I had passed thro’ the gap. Then bearing more westerly by one Bryan’s —the widow Smiths and one Gilberts, I arrived at Mr. Lewis’s about Sundown, after riding about 40 Miles—leaving Rockingham C[our]t House to my right about 2 Miles. From Brocks Gap, GW rode southwest for several miles along the...
22962[October 1784] (Washington Papers)
October 1st. Dined at Mr. Gabriel Jones’s, not half a mile from Mr. Lewis’s, but seperated by the South fork of Shannondoah; which is between 80 and a hundred yards wide, & makes a respectable appearance altho’ little short of 150 Miles from its confluence with Potomack River; and only impeded in its navigation by the rapid water & rocks which are between the old bloomery and Keys’s ferry; and...
22963[Diary entry: 1 October 1784] (Washington Papers)
October 1st. Dined at Mr. Gabriel Jones’s, not half a mile from Mr. Lewis’s, but seperated by the South fork of Shannondoah; which is between 80 and a hundred yards wide, & makes a respectable appearance altho’ little short of 150 Miles from its confluence with Potomack River; and only impeded in its navigation by the rapid water & rocks which are between the old bloomery and Keys’s ferry; and...
22964[Diary entry: 2 October 1784] (Washington Papers)
2d. I set off very early from Mr. Lewis’s who accompanied me to the foot of the blew ridge at Swift run gap, 10 Miles, where I bated and proceeded over the Mountain. Dined at a pitiful house 14 Miles further where the roads to Fredericksburgh (by Orange C[our]t House) & that to Culpeper Court House fork. Took the latter, tho in my judgment Culpeper Court House was too much upon my right for a...
22965[Diary entry: 3 October 1784] (Washington Papers)
3d. Left Quarters before day, and breakfasted at Culpeper Court house which was estimated 21 Miles, but by bad direction I must have travelled 25, at least. Crossed Normans ford 10 Miles from the Court Ho[use] and lodged at Captn. John Ashbys occasioned by other bad directions, which took me out of the proper road, which ought to have been by Elk run Church 3 or 4 Miles to the right. GW took...
22966[Diary entry: 4 October 1784] (Washington Papers)
4th. Notwithstanding a good deal of rain fell in the night and the continuance of it this morning (which lasted till about 10 Oclock) I breakfasted by Candlelight, and Mounted my horse soon after day break; and having Captn. Ashby for a guide thro’ the intricate part of the Road (which ought, tho’ I missed it, to have been by Prince William old Court Ho[use]) I arrived at Colchester, 30 Miles,...
22967From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, 10 October 1784 (Washington Papers)
GW’s letter to Governor Harrison marks his return to public life as the leader of a movement to form a public company for improving the navigation of the upper Potomac and linking it with the waters of the Ohio. He first became deeply involved in schemes for opening up the Potomac in the early 1770s (see particularly the source note and its references in Thomas Johnson to GW, 18 June 1770 )....
22968From George Washington to Sidney Lee, 20 October 1784 (Washington Papers)
The letter you did me the honor to write to me on the 23d of May last, came to my hands in the moment of my departure for our Western territory. Knowing that I should be in the walks of Mr White, and intending if I did not see him, to write to him on the subject of your letter, I thought it best to decline giving you any trouble until one of those events should have happened. Fortunately I saw...
22969From George Washington to George Plater, 25 October 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 20th did not reach me until yesterday afternoon. I am now set down to acknowledge it, and shall be happy if from any information I can give, you should derive satisfaction, or the public benefit. To describe the usefulness of water transportation, would be a mere waste of time, every man who has considered the difference of expence between it, & land transportation, and the...
22970From George Washington to George Rindfleisch, 25 October 1784 (Washington Papers)
Herewith is a copy of the Plat you desired. Permit me to remind you that this tract, & my other Lands in the neighbourhood of it, have been offered to be leased, and may soon, in part, be engaged. The sooner therefore you determine whether to take it or not, the better chance there will be of having it wholly for your own use, or the benefit of your friends, which, no doubt would be more...
22971From George Washington to Stephen Bloomer Balch, 30 October 1784 (Washington Papers)
If you will now, or at any other time, furnish me with an account of the expences which have been incurred for schooling, boarding & clothing of my Nephews, I will transmit you the money. Such of the latter as are proper for them, I hope will be obtained on the best terms, as the cost of them shall be regularly paid. I think it would be very proper to have them taught the French language &...
22972From George Washington to Robert Anderson, 3 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 15th of Octor is at hand, & is the first I have ever received from you. Persons as well acquainted with Husbandry, in its various branches, as you profess yourself to be, & have credentials of, must no doubt be an acquisition to any Country, & meet with encouragement in this. I should be glad to employ a Man who has a perfect knowledge of Agriculture—skilled in the rotation...
22973From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 3 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have not yet received a statement of my Acct with you. It would give me pleasure to have it at full length—and soon. I wish you would add to it 100 lbs. of fresh & good (red) clover seed, to be sent by the first vessel to Alexandria, as I should be glad to receive it before Ice may impede the navigation of this or Delaware river. I requested the favor of Mr Bourdinot (late president of...
22974From George Washington to Elias Boudinot, 3 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
Mrs Washington & I have heard with great pleasure of Miss Boudinot’s restoration to health, & change of condition; on both which events we join in sincere compliments of congratulation to you, Mrs Boudinot & the young couple. Will you permit me my good Sir, to request the favor of you (if it should not be attended with inconvenience) to purchase as much of the Orchard grass seed for me, as...
22975From George Washington to William Gordon, 3 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
The last post brought me your favor of the 18th ulto, & gave me the pleasure to hear you were well. My return from our Western territory was sooner than I expected when I left home. The Indians from accounts were in too discontented a mood to have rendered an interview with them agreeable, if chance should have thrown us together. I therefore returned from the Neighbourhood of Fort Pitt, where...
22976From George Washington to Battaile Muse, 3 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 12 th of Septr only came to my hands a few days ago. You can best tell how far the collection of my Rents in Berkeley, Frederick, Fauquier & Loudoun would interfere with the business you have to execute for Colo. Fairfax. If it can be made to comport with his, and the Gentleman who employed you to look after it would signify as much I should be very willing to commit my...
22977From George Washington to Jacob Read, 3 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
The last Post gave me the honor of your letter of the 22d Ulto from New York and the little Tract which it enclosed. for both, you have my thanks. My tour to the Westward, was less extensive than I intended. The Indians, it was said, were in too discontented a mood, for me to expose myself to their insults; as I had no object in contemplation which could justify any risk; my property in that...
22978From George Washington to Officials of the City of Richmond, 15 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
I derive great honor from your congratulatory address; the language of which, is too flattering not to have excited my utmost gratitude. To the Smiles of Heaven—to a virtuous & gallant Army—and to the exertions of my fellow Citizens of the Union—(not to superior talents of mine) are to be ascribed the blessings of that liberty, Independence, & Peace, of wch we are all now in the enjoyment....
22979From George Washington to Virginia House of Delegates, 15 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
My sensibility is deeply affected by this distinguished mark of the affectionate regard of your honble House. I lament upon this occasion that my powers of utterance will not do justice to my feelings; and shall rely upon your indulgent report to supply the defect; at the sametime I pray you to present for me the strongest assurances of unalterable affection & gratitude for this last pleasing...
22980From George Washington to Henry Lee, Jr., 24 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
Accompanied by the Marquis de la Fayette, Captn Grancheau & the Chevr Caraman, I am just arrived at this place. The Marquis joins me in wishes to see you—come then to Dinner tomorrow, or as soon as you can make it convenient. I have heard since I came home, indeed at Dumfries, of some dispatches which went down for me from the Commee; but none have yet got to hand. I should be glad to receive...
22981From George Washington to George Clinton, 25 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
A few days ago I had the pleasure to receive your favor of the 12th Instt. Altho’ I felt pain from your Silence, I should have imputed it to any cause rather than a diminution of friendship. The warmth of which I feel too sensibly for you, to harbour a suspicion of the want of it in you, without being conscious of having given cause for the change—having ever flatterd myself that our regards...
22982From George Washington to David Humphreys, 25 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure to receive two letters from you since your arrival in France, and cannot let the Marquis de la Fayette depart without an acknowledgement of them, altho’ his doing it is Sudden, & I at the same time am surrounded with Company. When I have a little more leizure (if that ever should be) I will give you all the occurrences of this quarter that have come under my view &...
22983From George Washington to Anastasie de Lafayette, 25 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
Permit me to thank my dear little correspondent for the favor of her letter of the 18th of June last, & to impress her with the idea of the pleasure I shall derive in a continuation of them. Her Papa is restored to her with all the good health, paternal affection & honors, her tender heart could wish. He will carry a kiss to her from me, (which might be more agreeable from a pretty boy) & give...
22984From George Washington to Adrienne, Marquise de Lafayette, 25 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
If my expression was equal to my sensibility, I should in more elegant language than I am Master of, declare to you my sense of the obligation I am under for the letter you did me the honor to write me by the Marqs de la Fayette, & thanks for this flattering instance of your regard. The pleasure I received in once more embracing my friend could only have been encreased by your presence, & that...
22985From George Washington to Friedrich Anton Mesmer, 25 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
The Marqs de la Fayette did me the honor of presenting to me your favor of the 16th of June; & of entering into some explanation of the Powers of Magnetism—the discovery of which, if it should prove as extensively beneficial as it is said, must be fortunate indeed for Mankind, & redound very highly to the honor of that genius to whom it owes its birth. For the confidence reposed in me by the...
22986From George Washington to William Washington, 25 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
From a letter dated the 9th of last month from my Nephew Geo: Augte Washington then at Burmuda, I have reason to believe he is ’ere this at Charleston. The poor fellow is travelling about in pursuit of health, which, it is to be feared he will never obtain. His determination at the time he wrote to me was, to procure a passage, which he thought might happen in a fortnight or three weeks, for...
22987From George Washington to George Augustine Washington, 26 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have received two letters from you at Barbadoes, & three from Burmuda. The last informing me of your intention to embark for Charleston, which I much approve of. I have not wrote to you since you left Mount Vernon, first because I did not know where to direct to you & next because I was on the Western waters when your first letters from Burmuda came to this place. My best wishes however have...
22988From George Washington to James Madison, 28 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
After the several conversations we have had on the subject of inland navigation; and the benefits which would, probably, be derived from a commercial intercourse with the Western territory; I shall make no apology for giving you the trouble of the enclosed. It is matter of regret to me, however, that I cannot accompany them with some explanations & observations. It was intended these Papers...
22989To James Madison from George Washington, 28 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
After the several conversations we have had on the subject of inland navigation; and the benefits which would, probably, be derived from a commercial intercourse with the Western territory; I shall make no apology for giving you the trouble of the enclosed. It is matter of regret to me, however, that I cannot accompany them with some explanations & observations. It was intended these papers...
22990From George Washington to James Madison, 3 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
Gentlemen: I returned yesterday from Annapolis, having conducted the Marquis La Fayette that far on his way to New York, and left him proceeding on the road to Baltimore, on Wednesday last. This trip afforded me opportunities of conversing with some of the leading characters in the different branches of the Legislature of Maryland, on the subject of inland navigation, and the benefits which...
22991To James Madison from George Washington, 3 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
I returned yesterday from Annapolis, having conducted the Marquis La Fayette that far on his way to New York, and left him proceeding on the road to Baltimore, on Wednesday last. This trip afforded me opportunities of conversing with some of the leading characters in the different branches of the Legislature of Maryland, on the subject of inland navigation, and the benefits which might arise...
22992From George Washington to Henry Knox, 5 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
Apologies are idle things: I will not trouble you with them—that I am your debtor in the epistolary way I acknowledge—and that appearances indicate a disposition to remain so, I cannot deny; but I have neither the inclination nor the effrontary to follow the example of Great Men or St—s to withhold payment altogether. To whatever other causes therefore my silence may be attributed, ascribe it...
22993From George Washington to La Luzerne, 5 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your early attention to me after your arrival at the Court of Versailles, amidst scenes of gaiety & the gratulations of friends, does me great honor & excites my warmest acknowledgments. That your august Sovereign, his amiable consort, & the Princes his brothers, should deign to interest themselves in, & wish to be acquainted with the circumstances of my life, is one of the most flattering...
22994From George Washington to George Clinton, 8 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
When the Marqs de la Fayette left this place, he expected to embark abt the 14th or 15th Instt on board the Nymph frigate, at New York, for France. Therefore, as this event may have taken place before this letter gets that far, I take the liberty of putting the enclosed packet under cover to you, with a request, if he should have Sailed to forward it by the first French Packet which follows....
22995From George Washington to Lafayette, 8 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
The peregrination of the day in which I parted with you, ended at Marlbro’: the next day, bad as it was, I got home before dinner. In the moment of our separation upon the road as I travelled, & every hour since—I felt all that love, respect & attachment for you, with which length of years, close connexion & your merits, have inspired me. I often asked myself, as our Carriages distended,...
22996From George Washington to George Augustine Washington, 8 December 1784 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to George Augustine Washington, 8 Dec. 1784. On 25 Feb. 1785 George Augustine wrote to GW : “I received with inexpressible pleasure Your two friendly Letters of the 26th of Novr, and 8th of Decr.”
22997From George Washington to George Plater, Charles Carroll, John Cadwalader, and Samuel Chase, 11 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
The Gentn who will have the honor of presenting this letter to you, is a Nephew of mine, heir to my Brother who was one of the Partners in the Principio Company, and to whose Will I was appointed an Executor, though circumstances put it out of my power to qualify. He is about to offer a petition to your honble Assembly, from the Execrs of my Brother, to obtain the Estates proportion of the...
22998From George Washington to George Mason, 13 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
My brother John is much in want of four, five or six hundred pounds which he is desirous of borrowing on Interest. If it is in your power to supply him, I will become security for the fulfilment of his agreement. He seems to have little expectation that money in these times, can be had at the common interest; & his own words will best express what he is willing to allow. “I believe I mentioned...
22999From George Washington to Richard Henry Lee, 14 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
The letter which you did me the honor to write to me on the 20th of last Month, only came to my hands by the Post preceeding the date of this. For the copy of the treaty held with the Six Nations at Fort Stanwix, you will please to accept my thanks. These people have given, I think, all that the United States could reasonably have asked of them; more perhaps than the State of New York conceive...
23000From George Washington to George Chapman, 15 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
Not until within a few days have I been honor’d with your favor of the 27th of Septr 1783 accompanying your treatise on Education. My sentiments are perfectly in unison with yours sir, that the best means of forming a manly, virtuous and happy people, will be found in the right education of youth. Without this foundation, every other means, in my opinion, must fail; & it gives me pleasure to...