From George Washington to Robert Townsend Hooe, 27 November 1786
To Robert Townsend Hooe
Mount Vernon 27th Novr 1786.
Dr Sir,
The plank I want is to floor a room 24 by 32 feet. It must be 24 feet long & 1½ inches thick—all of a colour, and entirely free from Knots & sap. More than the nett quantity is requisite, for allowances. If it were seasoned, so much the better; but this is hardly to be expected in plank of this particular kind.1
If Mr Swift can supply me, it will be better than to send to the Eastern shore; if he can not, I then beg the favor of you to engage Messrs Peterson & Taylor (I think the names are) to furnish me agreeably to the above Memo[randu]m—as soon as possible2—With much esteem, I am &ca
G: Washington
LB, DLC:GW.
1. This was for the flooring of the New Room at Mount Vernon. See GW to George Digges, 28 December.
2. Jonathan Swift (d. 1824) was a merchant in Alexandria, who in September 1785 married Ann Roberdeau. GW in 1788 bought lumber from the firm of Peterson & Taylor in Alexandria. The enclosed memorandum has not been found.