51From George Washington to Patrick O’Flynn, 15 April 1798 (Washington Papers)
About the middle of August, the term of my present Miller will expire, and it is not probable the agreement will be renewed; first, because he wants to have his wages raised, next, because the work of the Mill will not afford it; & lastly, because though a good Miller, he is far from being an industrious man. The wages, & allowances I now give, and am willing to continue, are $166⅔ pr Ann:...
52[Diary entry: 10 March 1797] (Washington Papers)
10. Dined & lodged at Elkton. Tolerably pleasant all day. “At Elkton . . . Hollingsworth’s is a quiet orderly Tavern, with good beds, and well in other respects” ( GW to Elizabeth Willing Powel, 26 Mar. 1797 , ViMtvL ). “We encountered no adventures of any kind, & saw nothing uncommon, except the light Horse of Delaware, & Maryland, who insisted upon attending us through their states” (Eleanor...
53From George Washington to Bushrod Washington, 22 April 1798 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed are Deeds from me to General Lee, and from him to me. They were copied from his original deed to me, without my previous examination of it, supposing (I understood it was drawn by Mr Charles Lee) that it was correct in all its parts. When we were about to execute the New one⟨s⟩ I found that his title to the old one was not recited—whether this is essential to the conveyance I know...
54[Diary entry: 28 August 1797] (Washington Papers)
28. Clear—Mercury at 80. Wind Southerly.
55From George Washington to William Temple Broome, 24 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 18th Instt has been received, and I thank you for the tender of your Services in my family if I should take the field; but as the Gentlemen about me, in that event, must be composed of experienced characters, candour requires that I should inform you my purposes would not be answered by receiving those who are not so. I am Sir Your very Hble Servt ALS (letterpress copy),...
56[Diary entry: 18 September 1797] (Washington Papers)
18. Raining in the forenoon and afternoon—Mer. at 69. Wind Southerly.
57From George Washington to Paul Revere et al., 24 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry that the enclosed answer to the Affectionate Address of the Grand lodge of Ancient, Free and accepted Masons, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts—transmitted under your Signatures—should appear so much out of season; but from the lapse of time between the date & reception of the Address (from what cause I know not) it was not to be avoided, and is offered as an apology for the...
58[Diary entry: 29 January 1799] (Washington Papers)
29. Mer. at 23 in the Morning wch. was lowering with the wind what there was of it at No. Wt.
59[Diary entry: 22 September 1797] (Washington Papers)
22. Cloudy all day, with the Wind at No. Et. Mer. 67.
60From George Washington to William Pearce, 14 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 24th of July has been received, and I thank you for your ready compliance with my request; but recollecting how I was served last year, I must remind you that the season will not allow me to wait long for your decisive answer—especially too, as persons are now applying in this quarter. I must repeat in this, what I said, or meant to say in my last—that is—that I do not wish...
61From George Washington to James Anderson, 8 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
Mrs Washington passed a good night—is clear of a fever to day—and is taking the Bark—which I hope will prevent a return of it. I am much hurried, and pressed with one thing—or another, but do what humanity requires for Roberts: who ought not to have engaged, in the situation he is in, without first informing me of it. Doctr Craik is not now here, nor expected if Mrs Washington should not...
62From George Washington to James Welch, 1 December 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your proposition to Lease my several tracts of Land on the Great Kanhawa, containing by the Patents 23216 acres, being handed to me by Mr James Cooper while I had company, and was just going to dinner, allowed me scarcely time to make a few hasty remarks then; nor am I much better enabled now I have considered them, to answer your propo[sa]l —first, because I do not understand the principle...
63[Diary entry: 19 February 1799] (Washington Papers)
19. Mer. at 30 in the Morning and at Night. Very Cloudy in the forenoon and spitting Snow from 8 Oclock until Noon—clear afterwards.
64[Diary entry: 16 October 1799] (Washington Papers)
16. Morning clear & calm. Mer. 52. A brisk So. westerly Wind afterwds. Mer. 62 at Noon & 63 at Night—appearances of Rain.
65[Diary entry: 9 March 1799] (Washington Papers)
9. Morning clear but lowering, and, at times raining through the day. Major Pinckney came in the Evening. Mer. 40 and wind Southerly. Thomas Pinckney was returning home to South Carolina from a session of the United States Congress in Philadelphia. He was interested in experimental farming, and during this visit one of the topics of discussion was GW’s jackasses, two of which were for sale (...
66[Diary entry: 6 November 1799] (Washington Papers)
6. Set out from thence after 8 Oclk. being detained by sprinkling Rain, & much appearance of it until that hour. Reached Wiley’s Tavern near Difficult Bridge to Breakfast and then proceeded to Survey my own Land. The day clearing & the weather becoming pleasant. wiley’s tavern : James Wiley was licensed by Fairfax County to keep a tavern from as early as 1790 until at least the second decade...
67[Diary entry: 23 February 1799] (Washington Papers)
23. Morning clear & very cold. Mer. at 12 & wind at No. Wt. which afterwards shifted to the Southward but still continued cold. Mr. Davis retd. after dinner.
68[Diary entry: 20 October 1799] (Washington Papers)
20. Morning very heavy. Wind Southerly & Mer. at 54. A Struggle all day between the Sun & the Clouds—but no rain fell. Mer. 62 at Night. Doctr. Stuart wife & three daughters and young Danl. McCarty came to dinner & stayed all Night.
69From George Washington to John Lambert, 20 November 1798 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to John Lambert, 20 Nov. 1798. Lambert’s letter to GW of 24 Oct. : “Answd Nov. 20 1798.”
70From George Washington to Julius Burbidge Dandridge, 25 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed came undercover to me a few days ago, and not knowing into whose hands better to place it than yours, I forward it to you accordingly. The doing so, furnishes an opportunity of condoling with you, and the other friends of Mr John Dandridge, on his death; an event I sincerely regretted. From the Superscription, I know the enclosed letter is from your brother Bartholomew; who, no...
71[Diary entry: 13 March 1799] (Washington Papers)
13. Mer. at 17 in the Morning and 20 at Night. Snowing all day—sometimes fast, at other times slow with very little wind.
72[Diary entry: 10 November 1799] (Washington Papers)
10. Still remarkably fine, clear & pleasant; Wind Southerly; Returned home about Noon. Mr. Law, Mr. Barry Mr. White & Doctr. Thornton came to Dinner & stayed all Night. Mer. 55 at Night.
73From George Washington to Robert Lewis, 4 June 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 23d Ulto has been received. Mr Airesss draught on Mr Russell (of Alexandria) has been presented, & accepted, payable in ten days. I am glad to hear of your good luck, with the eloped tenant in Berkeley county. Recovery of the Tenement is of more importance, than the security of the Rents. I am not disposed to lease it for more than Seven years, and if you could let it for a...
74[Diary entry: 3 April 1799] (Washington Papers)
3. Extreme cold (but forgot to see what the Mercury was). Wind very high from the No. Wt. and continued so all day. Went up to four mile run to run round my land there. Got on the grd. about 10 Oclock and in Company with Captn. Terret and Mr. Luke commenced the Survey on 4 mile run & ran agreeably to the Notes taken. In the evening went to Alexa. & lodged myself at Mr. Fitzhughs. my land there...
75[Diary entry: 9 January 1798] (Washington Papers)
9. Very foggy with little or no Wind in the morning. Mer. at 32—at the highest 42 and at Night 30 the Wind having got to No. Wt. abt. Noon.
76From George Washington to Thomas Peter, 3 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
Have you succeeded, or are you likely to succeed, in procuring the Hemp seed I required? The fly has got into my Wheat, very generally this Fall; and I lay my account for great ravages thereon next Spring; which makes me more desirous of laying (to use a Sea term) an anchor to windward for something else. I congratulate you and Patcy on the birth of a “Manchild” —My best wishes attend the...
77From 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,...
78[Diary entry: 25 September 1799] (Washington Papers)
25. Clear & calm. Mer. at 52 in the Morning—but little wind all day. Mer. 66 at highest and 63 at N. Mrs. & Miss Fairfax & Miss Dennison dined here & returned & Doctr. Stuart came in the Evening.
79[Diary entry: 13 January 1798] (Washington Papers)
13. Clear & no wind in the morning. Mer. at 28—greatest height 48—in the evening at 43. Calm & pleasant all day.
80From George Washington to William Herbert, 21 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed are Two negociable Notes, sent to the Bank of Alexandria for collection. The amount of which, when received, to be placed to my credit. I begin to feel the necessity more clearly, of renewing my note, than I do a prospect of receiving what is due to me from others. I mention it now that measures for accomplishing of it may be taken in time. Having forgot the name of the person who has...
81[Diary entry: 3 February 1798] (Washington Papers)
3. Wind brisk from No. Wt. & Mer. 42 in the Morning—clear and but little of it afterwards. Mer. 44 at highest & 38 at Night. A Mr. Adamson from Hamburgh & Doctr. Stuart came to Dinner. William Adamson wrote GW a letter on 5 Feb. 1798 thanking him for “the polite & kind reception” that he had received at Mount Vernon ( DLC:GW ). Dr. David Stuart was at Mount Vernon to discuss with GW what was...
82GW to Rufus King, 15 June 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: GW to Rufus King, 15 June 1797. On 6 Sept. Rufus King wrote to GW from London: “I have had the honor to receive your Letter of the 15 of June.”
83From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 1 July 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favours of the 11th of May and 4th Ulto have come ⟨late⟩ to hand. The last the day before yesterday only. The cost of the Glass therein enclosed, shall be immediately paid to Messrs Solomon Cotton & Co. Merchts in Baltimore—and for your agency in this business I pray you to accept my thanks. The mistake will, I trust, soon be rectified as the wrong box of glass was returned to Baltimore...
84From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 26 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your letter of the 21st instant, enclosing a letter to Colo. Parker, which I have forwarded to him, and at the same time repeated my instructions for hutting the Troops, in conformity with the idea which you originally suggested. I presume that the impression made on your mind by Colo. Parker’s letter, respecting Winter Quarters for the three Regiments, must have been...
85[Diary entry: 25 July 1798] (Washington Papers)
25. Morng. Clear—Wind Southerly Mer. 74. In the Afternoon Rain below us—but none fell here. Mer. 78 at Night. This family & Mr. Daltons dind with Mr. Le[a]r. Tristram Dalton was a business partner of Tobias Lear (Fairfax County Deeds, Book B–2, 39–42, Vi Microfilm).
86[Diary entry: 28 December 1797] (Washington Papers)
28. Clear with but little Wind. Mer. from 15 to 34. Mr. Lear went away after breakfast. Began to fill my Ice house.
87[Diary entry: 15 August 1798] (Washington Papers)
15. Morning—Cloudy, wind southerly Mer. . A slight shower in the evening. Mer. 78 at Night. Mr. & Mrs. Ludwell [Lee] & Miss Armistead & Mr. Fielding Lewis dined here & returnd.
88From 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...
89[Diary entry: 5 September 1798] (Washington Papers)
5. Morning clear & Cool—Afternoon clouds, & a light shower. Mer. at in the Morning 62 at Night. Genl. Marshall & Mr. B. Washington went to a dinner in Alexa. given to the former by the Citizen’s there & returned. dinner in alexa. : “Every preparation and arrangement for the day was elegant and patriotic. The dinner was served in the best style, and the good humor and conviviality of the...
90[Diary entry: 25 May 1797] (Washington Papers)
25. Very brisk Southerly wind & still great appearances of Rain but none fell here.
91From 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...
92[Diary entry: 15 June 1797] (Washington Papers)
15. Same Wind, & heat as yesterday.
93From George Washington to John Cropper, Jr., 17 June 1799 (Washington Papers)
Was I not well assured of your Patriotism and firm attachment to the Government of our Country, I should think it necessary to apologize for the trouble I am about to give you. The Secretary of War has signified to me that the President of the United States thinks it highly expedient that no time should be lost in selecting proper Characters to Officer the twenty four Regiments of Infantry...
94From George Washington to Samuel Lewis, Sr., 29 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for the trouble you have taken to explain the omission in the regularity of forwarding the Gazettes. I had ascribed it to the cause you have mentioned before the receipt of your letter of the 20th instant. I am not anxious to complete a file of the Aurora. If however, when Colo. Lear (my Secretary, & at present absent) returns, any of the numbers are missing, I may, probably, give...
95From George Washington to John Adams, 13 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour on the evening of the 11th instant to receive from the hands of the Secretary of War, your favour of the 7th announcing that you had with the advice and consent of the Senate appointed me “Lieutenant General and Commander in Chief of all the armies raised, or to be raised for the Service of the U. S.” I cannot express how greatly affected I am at this New proof of public...
96[Diary entry: 5 July 1797] (Washington Papers)
5. Cool in the morning with the Wind at No. Wt.—calm afterwards. Mery. 79.
97From George Washington to James Anderson, 1 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
When you intimated to me your son’s wish to Rent my Distillery & Mill next year, and your inclination to join him therein—and in that case to relinquish the management of my business; I informed you that I had made Mr Lawrence Lewis (after you had declined taking them) an offer of both; together with the Farm at Dogue-run; and that until I received his answer, I did not conceive I was at...
98From George Washington to Richard Peters, 23 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
Receive my thanks for the information given in your letter of the 3d of July, and for the offer you have obligingly made, of procuring for me, seed of the Yellow bearded Wheat. Influenced by the opinion, which prevailed some years since that that kind of Wheat would resist the Hessian fly, I then procured seed of it, & have kept my self in stock ever since, to make use of it upon a larger...
99From George Washington to Daniel Morgan, 10 April 1799 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure to receive your letter of the 3d instant, covering the Copy of a letter from Captn A.C. Randolph to yourself, expressing a wish to be removed from the Infantry to the Cavalry. These letters I have forwarded to the Secretary of War, who, I have no doubt, will, considering the favourable auspices under which Captn Randolph is introduced, make any arrangement he can, consistent...
100From George Washington to John Francis, 14 August 1799 (Washington Papers)
It is reported, & generally believed, that the Houses I am building in the Federal City are engaged to you. To your having the houses I have no objection, nor should I have any to the prevalence of the report, if a specific agreement had ever taken place. But as this is not the case, and until it happens may, & doubtless will be injurious to me, inasmuch as they may prevent applications from...