271From George Washington to George Washington Parke Custis, 29 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 21st Instt came to hand by the last Post; and, as usual, gave us pleasure to hear that you enjoyed good health; were progressing well in your Studies; and that you were in the Road to promotion. Senior class having left, or being on the point of leaving College—some of them with great eclat—ought to prove a strong stimulus to those who remain to acquire equal reputation...
272From George Washington to Ludwell Lee, 29 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
General Spotswood, Mrs Miss & Captn Spotswood, and Miss Thornton of Culpeper (all relations I believe of yours) are now here. They, Mrs Washington and myself, would be glad to see you, Mrs Lee Miss Armistead & any others of your family, at Dinner tomorrow. With esteem & regard I am Dear Sir Your Obedt Hble Servt ALS , owned (1996) by Mr. Joseph Rubinfine, West Palm Beach, Florida. Alexander...
273From George Washington to Thomas Macdonald, 29 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 19th, and the Vol[um]e of Reports which accompanied it, have been duly received. For your care of the latter, and particularly for having it bound, I pray you to accept my best thanks; and an assurance that, if inclination or business should induce you or Mr Rich to visit the State of Virginia, I should think myself honored in seeing of you at my Seat. Little doubt can be...
274From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 29 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your favours of the 9th, 10th, & 19th instant have been duly received; for your care of my European letters, and attention to the copying Press, Laws of the U.S. and journals of Congress, I feel myself obliged. If the Vessel has not already left Philadelphia, the Tryal, Captn Hand, is up for Alexandria; and will afford a good conveyance for the above articles, as it has other small matters on...
275[Diary entry: 30 August 1797] (Washington Papers)
30. Clear, with the Wind, tho little of it Southerly. Mercury 80. Ludwell Lee Esqr. & Lady & Miss Armistead dined here. Richard Henry Lee’s eldest son, Ludwell Lee (1760–1836), served in the Virginia House of Delegates 1787–90 and was now speaker of the Virginia Senate. His first wife, Flora Lee, had died, and he was married again on 30 May 1797 to Elizabeth (Betsey) Armistead, daughter of...
276[Diary entry: 31 August 1797] (Washington Papers)
31. Appearances of rain in the Morning—clear & warm afterwards. Mer. at 84. Genl. Spotswoods family & ours dined with Mr. Ludwell Lee. And Mr. Nichs. Fitzhugh & his wife came here to dinner & Mr. Lawe. Lewis in the evening. dined with mr. ludwell lee : at Shuter’s (Shooter’s) Hill, Lee’s home just outside Alexandria. Nicholas Fitzhugh (1764–1814), one of 14 children of Henry Fitzhugh...
277From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 31 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
The last Mail brought me your favour of the 24th instant, covering a letter from General Kosciuszko. And presuming that the Attorney General is on his way to Virginia, I hope to receive, soon, the Packets you committed to his charge. Not knowing where Genl Kosciuszko may be, I pray your care of the enclosed to him, as it is probable his movements will be known to you. It is with extreme regret...
278September [1797] (Washington Papers)
1. Clear & extremely warm being calm—Mer. at 90. 2. Calm in the forenoon & very warm—Mer. being at 91. In the afternoon a little rain fell here for a few minutes & apparently a good deal elsewhere. 3. A sprinkle of rain for a few minutes—Wind at No. Wt. Mer. at 79. Mr. & Mrs. Fitzhugh went away after breakfast & Mr. Lear came to dinner. 4. Wind at No. Wt. & clear—Mer. 77. Genl. Spotswood &...
279[Diary entry: 1 September 1797] (Washington Papers)
1. Clear & extremely warm being calm—Mer. at 90.
280From George Washington to Israel Shreve, 1 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 30th of July has been received, but not until within the last three days. Your judgment Bond was, long before, sent to Mr Ross to bring suit on. What he has done in the matter I know not. To sue, cannot be more unpleasant and disagreeable to you, than it is to me, but as the want of money, and a punctual payment of it, were the only motives to sell my lands in the Counties...
281[Diary entry: 2 September 1797] (Washington Papers)
2. Calm in the forenoon & very warm—Mer. being at 91. In the afternoon a little rain fell here for a few minutes & apparently a good deal elsewhere.
282[Diary entry: 3 September 1797] (Washington Papers)
3. A sprinkle of rain for a few minutes—Wind at No. Wt. Mer. at 79. Mr. & Mrs. Fitzhugh went away after breakfast & Mr. Lear came to dinner.
283From George Washington to Lawrence Augustine Washington, 3 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 23d of the last, was received on the first day of the present month. In the interesting event which you have announced, I sincerely wish you and the lady who is to be the partner of your future fortunes, all imaginable happiness. To attain which, depends very much upon the parties themselves: and from the character you have drawn of Miss Wood, and from what I have heard of...
284[Diary entry: 4 September 1797] (Washington Papers)
4. Wind at No. Wt. & clear—Mer. 77. Genl. Spotswood & family went away after breakfast.
285From George Washington to John O’Donnell, 4 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
I am going to take a liberty with you, for which I rely more on your goodness, than on any excuse I can make for pardon. A person of the name of Anthony Heusler, a German (in the vicinity of Baltimore) has offered himself to me as a Gardener. He professes to understand that business in all its branches, and well in each, representing himself moreover as a person of some property, and very...
286[Diary entry: 5 September 1797] (Washington Papers)
5. Clear—Mercury at 79.
287[Diary entry: 6 September 1797] (Washington Papers)
6. Clear—Do.—72.
288From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 6 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 30th Ult. was received by the last Post. As the Encyclopædia might be useful, to have by me (though wanting the last Volume or two) I would if the binding business goes on as usual, request Mr Dobson to have all that are published, neatly bound and sent to me, except the last vole which may be retained as a sample to bind the remainder by. I do not recollect, but suppose the...
289From George Washington to William Pearce, 6 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
. . . but as the Season is now far advanced, and you have hitherto been unsuccessful, and the wages of those you think good, are besides high; I shall, rather than run a risk of doing worse, engage Cask [Cash], who seems to be a sober, active & obliging man, for the coming year, which will complete my wants. . . . The Collector, nos. 9–11 (1962), item r420. Only this printed fragment of the...
290[Diary entry: 7 September 1797] (Washington Papers)
7. Do.—Do. 70. Dined, with all the family, at Mr. Willm. Wilsons & returnd in the Even.
291[Diary entry: 8 September 1797] (Washington Papers)
8. Clear—Wind varying from No. Et. to So. Et. Mercury at 68.
292From George Washington to Henry Lee, Jr., 8 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 27th Ult. with its enclosures, came safe to hand. When the negociable note for $1000 is paid, and the 30 barrels of Corn are received, the amount of both will be carried to your credit. I am told that the present price of Wheat in Alexandria is 8/ but I can fix no price now for what may be delivered 2, 3, 4 or even 6 months hence, or, perhaps, not at all (if you depend upon...
293[Diary entry: 9 September 1797] (Washington Papers)
9. Very great appearances of Rain in the Morning with some mist—but not to lay the dust. Mer. at 68. Wind at No. Et. all day.
294[Diary entry: 10 September 1797] (Washington Papers)
10. Clear & Cool Wind at No. Et. Mer. 68. Mr. Jno. Bassett—wife & 3 Childn. came here to Dinnr. Martha Washington’s nephew John Bassett and his wife, Elizabeth Carter Browne Bassett, had at least four children at this time.
295From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 10 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have almost determined to build the Walls of the House intended for a Distillery (at my Mill) of Stone, for the sake of expedition; as the Carpenters work can be carrying on at the same time. Having this in contemplation, I would thank you for informing at what price foundation Stone from the Falls could be delivered to a Boat as near to my Mill as the Vessel could get and whether any person...
296[Diary entry: 11 September 1797] (Washington Papers)
11. Wind at No. Et. & Cool. Mer. 70—Colo. Sam Griffin and Lady came to dinner.
297From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 11 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 8th instant was given to me yesterday by Mr Jno. Bassett. If you had intimated a wish to Lease my River Farm a month or two ago, all matters might, with ease, have been arranged before this; but as I had heard nothing in that time from the English Farmer who had been in Treaty for it, I had relinquished the idea of letting it next year, & in consequence, have engaged Stuart,...
298[Diary entry: 12 September 1797] (Washington Papers)
12. Wind at So. Et. Mer. 70. Appearances of Rain in the Eveng. but none fell. Col. Otway Byrd, Doctr. Barraud came to Dinr. & Mr. Saml. Washington in the Afternoon. Francis Otway Byrd (1756–1800), son of William Byrd III (1729–1777) and his first wife, Elizabeth Hill Carter Byrd, resigned his post in the British navy at the beginning of the Revolution to take the position of aide to Maj. Gen....
299[Diary entry: 13 September 1797] (Washington Papers)
13. Some appearances of Rain in the evening but none fell. Wind southerly. Mer. 72. All the company went after breakfast.
300[Diary entry: 14 September 1797] (Washington Papers)
14. Wind at So. Wt. Mer. at 74, a Shower for abt. 6 Minutes in the afternoon.
301[Diary entry: 15 September 1797] (Washington Papers)
15. Great appearances of R. with light drippings in the forenoon—Mer. 78. In the Afternoon abt. 6 Oclock it began a sober rain & cond. till 11 Ock.
302From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 15 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
The picture frames are received, and without the smallest injury to the glasses, for the careful packing of which I feel myself obliged. I pray you to send me four more gilt frames, at a dollar a foot running measure for paintings; no glasses; the size of the frames, to shew the canvass one foot 7¾ Inches, by 1.4¼ within the frame. Upon a more careful examination of the place for which the...
303From George Washington to George Pearson, 15 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 12th of May has been received, but not until within these few days: to which you will please to consider the following as a reply. Having been long in public life, and but little in this State for the last five and twenty years; and moreover, having had but very little agency in the Administration of the deceased Colo. Thomas Colvils affairs even antecedant thereto, no...
304[Diary entry: 16 September 1797] (Washington Papers)
16. Clear, with the Wind at No. W. but neither hard, nor cold. Mer. at 68. Mr. Lear came to dinner.
305[Diary entry: 17 September 1797] (Washington Papers)
17. Clear & calm. Mercury at 72. Mr. Lear went away after breakfast.
306[Diary entry: 18 September 1797] (Washington Papers)
18. Raining in the forenoon and afternoon—Mer. at 69. Wind Southerly.
307From George Washington to Anthony Heusler, 18 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
I should have written to you at an earlier period, but for the following reasons. First, because as I informed you, I had written to Scotland for a complete Gardner under Indentures; and expected every day to learn the result of my application. I could not therefore, enter into engagements with another without hazarding a disappointment to one of the parties, or a surplusage of men in that...
308[Diary entry: 19 September 1797] (Washington Papers)
19. Clear all day and Wind fresh from No. Wt. Mer. 66. Mr. Geo. Lee of Loudoun dined here. George Lee (c.1768–1805) was a son of Thomas Ludwell Lee (1730–1778).
309[Diary entry: 20 September 1797] (Washington Papers)
20. Clear with little or no wind. A slight white frost. M. 64.
310From George Washington to Augustine Davis, Matthew Brown, and Leonard Yundt, 20 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
Be pleased to insert the enclosed advertisement four times in your Paper with proper intervals between —and consider me as a Subscriber to it from the first of next Month at which time you will begin to forward them to Sir Your Very Hble Servt ALS (letterpress copy), NN : Washington Papers. Augustine Davis had been editor of the Virginia Gazette, and General Advertiser in Richmond since 1790....
311[Diary entry: 21 September 1797] (Washington Papers)
21. Clear & very pleasant—slight white frost. Wind Easterly. Mer. 68.
312[Diary entry: 22 September 1797] (Washington Papers)
22. Cloudy all day, with the Wind at No. Et. Mer. 67.
313[Diary entry: 23 September 1797] (Washington Papers)
23. Just such a day as yesterday. Mer. at 64. Wind at No. E.
314[Diary entry: 24 September 1797] (Washington Papers)
24. The same. Wind in the same quarter with a little sprinkling of Rain. Mer. at 62. Went to Church in Alexa.
315From George Washington to William Triplett, 24 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have examined my land papers, but find I possess none which relate to my purchase from Mr Simon Pea[r]son, all of them having been turned over, with my transfer, to Mr Lund Washington. I can form no idea of what Grafton Kirk &ca are to exhibit in evidence on this occasion. I sincerely believe that all the proceedings in, & docking of, the entail of the land to which Mr Thos Pearson now sets...
316[Diary entry: 25 September 1797] (Washington Papers)
25. Wind at No. West and clear. Mer. at 72. Went to Alexandria on business.
317[Diary entry: 26 September 1797] (Washington Papers)
26. Clear in the forenoon lowering afterwards & turning cold. Wind brisk from the No. Wt. The Attorney Genl. Lee & Lady & Mrs. Edmund Lee dined here. Charles Lee was appointed attorney general of the United States in 1795. He served in this post until 1801, then returned to his law practice. His last years were spent at his Fauquier County home near Warrenton. Lee was married in 1789 to Anne...
318[Diary entry: 27 September 1797] (Washington Papers)
27. Cold No. Wt. Wind in the Morning—more moderate afterwards. Mer. at 62. Mr. H. Peake & a Romh. Priest—Mr. Caffray dind here. Mr. H. Peake is Henry (Harry) Peake, son of Humphrey and Mary Stonestreet Peake. mr. caffray : Anthony Caffrey (McCaffrey), a Catholic priest who came from Ireland in 1792, was the founder and first pastor of St. Patrick’s Church in Washington. In 1794 he bought the...
319[Diary entry: 28 September 1797] (Washington Papers)
28. A small white frost; clear, Calm & very pleasant. Mer. at 65. Mr. Edmd. Lee Mr. Scudder—Doctr. English & brother dined here. Edmund Jennings Lee (1772–1843) was the fifth son of Henry Lee of Leesylvania. He and his wife had settled in Alexandria where he practiced law. Mr. Scudder may be a son or brother of Nathaniel Scudder (1733–1781) of Monmouth County, N.J., who had been a member of...
320[Diary entry: 29 September 1797] (Washington Papers)
29. A very thick & heavy fog with appearances [of rain] but none fell. But little wind & that at No. Wt. Mer. 65. Col. Gilpin & Mr. Hartshorne dined here.