27511From George Washington to James McHenry, 28 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
From a mistaken idea, numberless applications for appointments in the Army of the U. States are made to me. Where the applicants are known, or come under favourable auspices, I shall think it a duty incumbent on me to transmit them to the War Office. Mr Triplet’s family are respectable—of his medical or Surgical abilities I have no knowledge; Colo. Little whose letter I enclose, is the...
27512From George Washington to Alexander Addison, 29 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 11th Instant, dated in Philadelphia, has been received; accompanied by one from Colo. Pickering, advising me of his having received, from you, on my A/c, the Sum of Seventeen hundred dollars as part of the Installment due the 1st of June last, on the deceased Colonel Matthew Ritchie’s Bond. For want of the Bond, which was deposited in the Bank of Pennsylvania, at Colo....
27513From George Washington to James Ash, 29 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored with the receipt of your favour of the 23d Instant. As you are known to, and have a reliance on the friendship of the Secretary of War, there can be no doubt but that his recommendation of you to the President of the United States would ensure you a Commission in the line of the army. With respect to the Gentlemen who are to compose my family as Aids de Camp, so many...
27514From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 29 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 9th ulto (to which I replied on the 17th following) is the last I have received from you. And nothing more have I heard of the Pictures from Mr Savage, & the last Vol[um]e of the Encyclœpediæ which you say you were then about to ship in a Vessel loading for Alexandria. For my sentiments respecting the old Coach, & Table Ornaments, I refer to my last of the above date—17th...
27515From George Washington to James McHenry, 29 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 25th instt came to Alexandria Yesterday evening, and was put into my hands this morn. For the Rules & regulations accompanying it, I thank you; and will read them attentively, if I am allowed time; but this is questionable, as I am assailed from all quarters, and by all descriptions of People, for Commissions, Introductions, recommendations, &ca to all of which common...
27516From George Washington to Richard Clough Anderson, 30 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
In the course of last Wint⟨er⟩ A Mr Massay passed through Alexandria on his way to Philadelphia, & reported a⟨t⟩ the former place, that I should lose my la⟨nd⟩ in the Northwestern Territory—on the little Miami. Not perceiving how this coul⟨d⟩ happen, fairly —and not supposing th⟨at⟩ it would be taken from me otherwise, ⟨&⟩ without allowing me a hearing; I paid but little attention to the...
27517From George Washington to John McDowell, 30 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
Being very much engaged of late in a manner I little expected, I have not only suffered your favor of the 19th instant to remain unacknowledged, but not attending to the time of the vacation of St. John’s college, I have suffered that also to arrive, or to approach too near for the enclosed remittances to defray the expenses of Mr. Custis, before it is probable he left Annapolis. Allow me the...
27518From George Washington to James McHenry, 31 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
To a person as well acquainted with the writers of the letters herewith enclosed, as you are, it is hardly necessary to add a word in further recommendation of Major Parker to an appointment in the augmented army. and yet, there is some thing so singularly meritorious in his whole family as Military men that I shd think I was not doing Justice to the Service were I not to advise—if in...
27519From George Washington to James McHenry, 1 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
The letters herewith, from Colonels Fitzgerald & Simms, conveys all the information I am enabled to give you relatively to the characters of Captn Piercy (who is a good looking man—apparently turned of Forty) and Mr Bent. Where applications are made to me by persons whom I know, or from the Report of those in whom I can confide, believe are deserving, I shall pass them on to your Office; with...
27520From George Washington to Charles Carroll (of Carrollton), 2 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your favour of the 29th Ulto, and feel much flattered by the tender of Mr Carrolls services as one of my Aids de Camp. Indeed, nothing can be more grateful to my Sensibility, than the numberless offers of a similar kind from Gentlemen of the first families, fortunes and expectations, in all parts of the U.S. But you know, my good Sir, that my coming forward, or...
27521From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 2 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
I was glad to hear by Charles that you were much better than when we saw you last. If you have missed the Ague, care, & Bark, is necessary to prevent a relapse; & this prudence requires. Monday next being the day fixed on by the Constitution of the Potomac Company for its annual meeting, & as you seem resolved to relinquish your present Office of President, I wish you would turn your thoughts...
27522From George Washington to James McHenry, 2 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
Private Dear Sir, Mount Vernon 2d Augt 1798 Finding that I was not altogether correct, in giving the Uniform of the Company of Greyheads in the Town of Alexandria, I amend, as soon as possible, the mistake, by transmitting the letter of the Captn thereof—Colo. Simms—to Mrs Washington. Have you received my letter of the 22d of July? The enquiry there made, respecting the Quarter Master General...
27523From George Washington to Thomas Nelson, 2 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 27th Ulto came to my hands by the last Post, and I thank you for the Offer you have made me of your Services as one of my Aids de Camp; But as you will have seen by the reservation made in my letter to the President of the U. States (which I perceive is published in the Gazettes) that my coming forward depends upon contingencies; so, the appointing of my Aids, will be...
27524From George Washington to James Mease McRea, 4 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
The letters enclosed, were sent up to your Office yesterday afternoon, and were returned to me. It is not the first, nor second time I have been served in this manner; but it may be considered as an evidence of the inattention with which the duties of your Office are discharged. I am Sir Your Hble Servant ALS (letterpress copy), DLC:GW . James Mease McRea (c.1765-1809) served as postmaster at...
27525From George Washington to James McHenry, 4 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed letter from Doctr Brown (of Port tobacco) to Doctr Craik, was this day put into my hands by the latter; who speaks favourably of the Medical abilities of the former. I wish to be considered in no other light than as a Vehicle of the application to the President, through you; for of Doctr Brown I have no knowledge, and of his fitness I can say nothing. One thing however, merits...
27526From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 4 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 12th Ulto came duly to hand, but the expectation that Congress would rise sooner than it really did, in the first place; and the supposition that Mr Craik would return home, so Soon as [it] did rise in the next, have delayed my acknowledgment of its receipt, and giving direction relative to the money paid you on my A/c by Judge Addison, until now. But learning from Doctr...
27527From George Washington to Edward Carrington, 5 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your consent to accept the office of Quarter Master General to the armies of the United States, gave me sincere pleasure. Not finding—after the arrangement of this matter with the Secretary of War—your name in the list of nominations and appointments (announced by the Papers)—I wrote to him to be informed of the cause; and received the following answer. “I inclose the Act to augment the army...
27528From George Washington to William Fitzhugh, 5 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
My present want of a riding horse is great, but if I should be called to the field it will be much greater. As I am much out of the way of seeing, or hearing of such as would answr my purposes—especially in the latter case—and know that you are a good judge of the parts, and general symmetry of a horse of figure. You would do me a favour if such an one as hits your own taste should fall in...
27529From George Washington to William Heth, 5 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 30th Ulto was brought me by fridays Post. The sentiments you have expressed, relatively to the qualifications which ought to be possessed by the Aids de Camp of the Commander in Chief, or Officer Commanding a separate army (to go no further) accord precisely with my own. And although I do not chuse to be under any engagement, lest something might occur that would render...
27530From George Washington to Archibald McClean, 6 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
The annual meeting of the Potomack Company requires my attendance in Alexandria to day. It will be held, I presume, at Gadsbys; If so, I shall be there from ten O’clock until three and shall be ready to see you at any hour between: the earlier the better. Enclosed is the Patent for the 587 acre tract (with a plat thereof on the back); and a memorandum of my understanding of our agreement; by...
27531From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 9 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
Private My dear Sir, Mount Vernon 9th Augt 1798 By the same Post which brought me your favour, began in Philadelphia and ended in New York the 1st instant, I received a letter from General Knox dated the 29th Ulto, in answer to one I had written him on the 16th of that month. In confidence, and as a proof of my frankness & friendship, I send both of them to you, together with my reply of this...
27532From George Washington to Henry Knox, 9 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
Private My Dear Sir Mount Vernon 9th Augt 1798 Your letter of the 29th Ulto has filled my mind with disquietude, and perplexity in the extreme; but I will say nothing in reply, intentionally, that shall give you a moments pain. Indeed from the tenor of your letter, it would seem as if nothing I could say, now, would be of any avail—after the open, candid and I think friendly communications in...
27533From George Washington to Lewis Murarius, 9 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your favour of the 16th Ulto and thank you for your politeness in offering to become a member of my Military family. But as I do not mean to form One until the time is near at hand when I shall take the Field, and then a variety of circumstances must combine in my choice—It is my wish that you may not forego any other prospects in expectation of being admitted...
27534From George Washington to James McHenry, 10 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
Private & confidential My dear Sir, Mount Vernon 10th Augt 1798 You will consider this letter as private & confidential. Dictated by friendship, and flowing from the best intentions. If then, any thing should be found therein wch may have too much the appearance of plain dealing, look to the motives, and manner of the communication, & my apology will be sought for in yr candor. From the moment...
27535From George Washington to James McHenry, 10 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
The letter from Mr Ames to Mr Bent, containing further evidence to his good character, I send. The other letter from Mr Carter (who married a Niece of mine) though private, I send also but request it may b⟨e⟩ returned; what he says of a cert⟨ain⟩ character—may be treasured up, but reported as coming from him. His brother is an utter stranger to me, and therefore I can add nothing to what he...
27536From George Washington to William Vans Murray, 10 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
I doubt not, but that you have already set me down as an unprofitable correspondent, and with too much truth perhaps; but not with as much culpability on my part, as appearances may indicate. I have written you several letters, and having put one or two for Mr Dandridge under your covers, without receiving any acknowledgment of them, the presumption is, that they have fallen into other hands....
27537From George Washington to Thomas Peter, 12 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 9th was handed to me yesterday—enclosing one from Colo. Deakins, and a Tobacco Note as below—for which I transmit a receipt. I am ignorant of the principle, on which I am called upon to pay for picking a Tenants tobacco; but presuming it was proper, I thank you for having done it. And I pray you to add to the expence as much Tobacco as will make the Hhd sufficiently heavy:...
27538From George Washington to Bushrod Washington, 12 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 7th instant, giving an extract of Mr Nicholas’s letter to you. With respect to the request contained in it, I leave the matter entirely to his own discretion with your advice to advance, or halt, according to the tenableness of his ground, & circumstances. If he could prove, indubitably, that the letter addressed to me, with the signature of Jno. Langhorne,...
27539From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 13 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you I have received your letter of the 31st Ulto enclosing a Statement of the A/c betwn us—and have also received the Pictures and Books in good order. When I sent Doctr Bartons Note to you, I accompanied it with information, that there was no other way of dealing with him than to obtain security for payment of the money at a future day—for if I was to bestow the epithet on...
27540From George Washington to James McHenry, 13 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
Private My dear Sir, Mount Vernon 13th Augt 1798. It was not (as you will perceive by the letter herewith) until after I had written my private, & confidential letter of the 10th, to you, that I was favoured with the details contained in your letter of the 8th—The receipt of which, and finding that my ideas accorded so well with the measures you had suggested, for the consideration of the...
27541From George Washington to James McHenry, 13 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
The Messenger that carried my letters of the 10th to the Post Office brought me your favour of the 6th—and yesterday I received that of the 8th. It gave me sincere pleasure to find by the latter, that you had suggested to the President, prompt & decisive measures for Organizing and recruiting the twelve Regiments of Infantry, &ca; and the propriety also of requiring the Services of the...
27542From George Washington to David Stuart, 13 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
If you, or Mrs Stuart could, by indirect means, discover the State of Washington Custiss Mind, it would be to be wished. He appears to me to be moped & Stupid. says nothing—and is always in some hole or corner excluded from Company. Before he left Annapolis, he wrote to me desiring to know whether he was to return there, or not, that he might pack up accordingly—I answered, that I was...
27543From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 15 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
I know not how it has happened, but the fact is, that your favour of the 8th of Novr, last year, is but just received; and at a time when both public & private business pressed so hard upon me, as to afford no leisure to give the “view of the causes & consequences of the American Revolution” written by you, and which you had been pleased to send me, a perusal. For the honor of its Dedication,...
27544From George Washington to Thomas Peter, 18 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
If this letter should get to your hands, it will be presented by Mr William Booker of Richmond, who, last year, erected my Wheat Machine, and has lately made some alterations therein—by which, yesterday, in two hours and a quarter, it got out Sixty eight bushels of Oats; And it is supposed will, with ease where the Wheat is good, & tolerable well laid, get out one hundred bushels of the latter...
27545From George Washington to Henry Gird, Jr., 19 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
Having had time to reflect more at leisure on the application made to me yesterday by you & your brother, for a tract of land of which I am possessed on the Ohio—containing by the patent two thousand four hundred & forty eight acs. I have determined to offer it to your father on the following terms, viz.— First—At ten dollars an acre, provided it has nothing more than its situation, & the...
27546From George Washington to Robert Morris, 19 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 8th Instt was received the 16th, and the purport of it shall be communicated to the Secretary of War by ⟨the⟩ Mail of tomorrow. In what state the organization of the artillery & Infantry Corps are, under the late acts of Congress, I know not. Not I fear in the forwardness they ought to be, to prepare, & fit them for the active Service they may have to encounter. It is with...
27547From George Washington to Jacob Read, 19 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
The Mail of yesterday brought me your favour of the 13th Instant. For the flattering compliment you have been pleased to make me, therein, you have all my gratitude and thanks. With respect to the supposed injury done Mr George Izard, in the Organization of the New Corps of Artillery, I can say nothing,—1. because I had no knowledge of the arrangement, and 2. because I am unacquainted with the...
27548From George Washington to James McHenry, 20 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
I was very glad to find by your letter of the 13th instant that you had got well enough to resume your seat in the Office. On this circumstance I sincerely congratulate you. You must know as much of Mr Hoops as I do, and have it more in your power to obtain correct information of his character & fitness for the place that is suggested; but from respect to Mr Morris, and in justice to Mr Hoops,...
27549From George Washington to Thomas Peter, 27 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
I am much as you left me yesterday—Weak, but (I hope) gathering strength. You have a receipt, at the foot of your A/c for the money paid me yesterday—In the one sent you some time ago to be forwarded to Mr Veatch it was mentioned that the 18/9 was to be charged to the A/c of Chas McDeavitt. Doctr Thorntons plan is returned with thanks; our love to Patsy & the Children; to Mrs Law also—with...
27550From George Washington to Bushrod Washington, 27 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
At the time your letter of the 20th instant (with others) was brought to this place, I was not in a situation to acknowledge the receipt of it: and no Post has happened since, by which I could do it. That of tomorrow, of which I shall avail myself, will be the first which offers. On the 18th at night, I was siezed with a fever; of which I took little notice until the 21st; when I was obliged...
27551From George Washington to John Gassaway, 28 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 20th Instant, with other letters, were brought to this place at a time when I was not in a situation to acknowledge the receipt of them. A fever with which I was seized on the 18th could not be checked before the 24th at night; and has left me a good deal debilitated. I mention this circumstance as an apology for your not hearing from me at an earlier period. As I shall have...
27552From George Washington to Thomas Peter, 28 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
Just as I was on the point of sending the letter which covers this note, to the Post Office, Mr Law came in; I therefore detained it, for his conveyance; & hearing of some very extravagant—indeed almost incredible prices of Tobacco shipped to London (for instance three hundred & ninety odd pounds paid for five hogsheads) I have been disposed if my Six hogsheads (when the last is made of sufft...
27553From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 30 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have, at length, received the President’s answer (through the Secretary of War) to my request to be allowed a Secretary, who gives it as his opinion that I have an undoubted right to one, or all of my military family, if I find it convenient, and that their pay &c. will be allowed. And the Secretary having thrown a mass of Papers upon me which I have not looked into (being this moment...
27554From George Washington to Thomas Peter, 1 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 29th Ulto came duly to hand. I had no expectation of getting such a price as I mentioned to you in my last, for the little Tobacco I possess: but rather than take 7 a 10$ pr hundred, I would (as it has been obtained without any advance of Cash) ship it, and run the hazard of a foreign Market. But you have not informed me whether there be, at George Town, any Vessell that...
27555From George Washington to John McDowell, 2 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 13th Ulto with the accounts, came duly to hand; and I thank you for the trouble you have had in paying and taking receipts therefor. The small balance of £1.3.5½ may, if you please, be given to Mr Custis. It was my intention to have written fully to you by the return of this young Gentleman to College, but the debilitated state into which I have been thrown by a fever, with...
27556From George Washington to Edmund Jennings Lee, 3 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
General Washington presents his compliments to Mr Edmund Lee, and requests the pleasure of his company to dine today with Genl Marshall and Mr Bd Washington. Typescript, ViMtvL . Apparently Edmund Jennings Lee did not accept GW’s invitation. GW wrote in his diary on 3 Sept.: “In the Morning to breakfast came Genl. [John] Marshall & Mr. Bushrod Washington and to dinner the Atty. Genl. Chas. Lee...
27557From George Washington to James McHenry, 3 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 25th Ulto has been duly received. The list of applicants from the Southern States, and two large bundles of letters—from these I presume—came at the sametime, & in good order. My last to you was dated the 20th of August; two days previous to which I had been siezed with a fever which I endeavoured to shake off by pursuing my usual rides & occupations, but it continued to...
27558From George Washington to James Athill, 4 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive by Captn Evelett, in the Brig Philanthropist, your very polite and obliging favor of the 21st of July—accompanying five Sheep, and a number of Exotic Plants: of which the Captain appears to have been carefull, although a number of the latter have died. Those which have survived look lively, & probably will do well, as all possible care shall be taken of them. This...
27559From George Washington to Thomas Peter, 4 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of yesterdays date was received last night; & I consent to Ship the 4 Hhds of Tobacco which I have in the Warehouses at George Town, & the 2 at Nanjemoy, in Mr Carltons Ship, & to his friends in London; supposing them to be good men—for they are strangers to me. I shall rely on him to order Insurance thereon. The freight & Primage seems high, but if it is paid by Messrs Wilson &...
27560From George Washington to Citizens of Greene County, Tennessee, 8 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
Having once more engaged in the arduous duties of public life, (after I had retired therefrom with the most ardent wishes and pleasing hopes that no circumstances would occur to call me from my peaceful abode during the few remaining years of my life) I cannot be insensible to the approbation of my fellow Citizens. And, while I thank you, Gentlemen, for your warm & friendly Address, permit me...