1From George Washington to David Humphreys, 14 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your letter of the 6th—Be assured that there are few things which would give me more pleasure than opportunities of evincing to you the sincerity of my friendship, & disposition to render you services at any time when it may be in my power. Although all recommendations from me to Congress must now be considered as coming from a private character, yet I enter very...
2From George Washington to David Humphreys, 2 June 1784 (Washington Papers)
I very sincerely congratulate you on your late appointment—It is honorable, & I dare say must be agreeable. I did not hear of it until I arrived at Annapolis, where I remained but one day, & that occasioned by the detention of my Carrige & horses on the Eastern shore. Genl Knox not reaching that place before I left it—your letter of the 18th, only got to my hands on Sunday last, by the Post. I...
3From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 21 June 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I find on my arrival here that there is no vessel going for France from any Eastern port. There is a new brig of Mr. Tracy’s which sails for London in about ten days; but besides the objection to the place of her destination, another arises to that crowd of passengers to which we should be exposed in merchant ships without corresponding accomodations. I here learn that the French packet sails...
4From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 27 June 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I mentioned in my letter to you that there was one circumstance which might induce me to take my passage from hence in a ship of Mr. Tracy’s. This was the obtaining a tolerable probability of being set ashore on the coast of France. Since my return from Portsmouth (which was the night before last) I have seen Mr. Tracy, and I think the probability of being landed at Brest, tho’ his ship goes...
5From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 4 July [1784] (Jefferson Papers)
A letter which I wrote you by express to bring you on here will have informed you of the circumstances which have occasioned me to sail from hence. A tissu of unfortunate events has deprived me of the pleasure of your company. We have waited till this moment in expectation of your joining us, but the return of the express now informs us you had left New-haven and therefore we sail in the...
6From 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 &...
7From George Washington to David Humphreys, 7 February 1785 (Washington Papers)
Editorial Note A letter written by George Washington on 7 Feb. 1785, and printed in John C. Fitzpatrick’s standard edition of Washington’s writings, was overlooked by the editor of the second volume in the Confederation Series of this edition of Washington’s Papers. It is printed here, at the end of 1785. In my last, by the Marquis de la Fayette, I gave you reason to believe that when I was...
8From George Washington to David Humphreys, 25 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you I have received your letters of the 15th of Jany and (I believe) that of the 15th of Novr; & thank you for them both —It always gives me pleasure to hear from you; and I should think, if amusements would spare you, business could not so much absorb your time as to prevent your writing to me more frequently; especially as there is a regular & safe conveyance once a month,...
9From George Washington to David Humphreys, 1 September 1785 (Washington Papers)
In the latter part of July I wrote to you very fully, since which I have received your favor of May. As nothing has occurred since that period worthy of observation, except that the Indians, supposed to be instigated thereto by the B—— are getting more & more our of humour, this letter will be shorter than I usually write to you. I find by your last that your time has been more occupied by...
10From George Washington to David Humphreys, 30 October 1785 (Washington Papers)
Since my last of the 1st of September I have received your favor of the 17th of July, which was brought to this Country by Mr Houdon; to whom, tho I had no Agency in the matter, I feel great obligation for quitting France, & the pressing calls of the Great Ones to make a Bust of me, from the life. I am not less indebted to the favourable opinion of those who you say are anxious to perpetuate...