To George Washington from John Tayloe, 26 March 1799
From John Tayloe
Mannsfield [Spotsylvania County]
26th March 1799
Dear Sir
After getting thus far on my way to your house—I have been taken with a fever & a severe indisposition—which obliges me to return home as quickly as possible—I pray you therefore to excuse me for not returning you in person many thanks for your civilities—& marked attention. & assure yourself I will embrace the earliest opportunity in doing so1—T’was my intention to have set out for Phi[ladelphi]a ten days ago—but for the enclosed letter—which I enclose for your perusal—In this business I shall not act untill I can have an interview with you2—If at your leisure—I could have the pleasure of an acknowledgement of this3 you will confer an obligation on—Your respectfull & obliged Servt—
John Tayloe
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. Mannsfield was the house of Mann Page, Jr. (c.1749–1803). Page was married to Mary Tayloe Page (b. 1759), the sister of John Tayloe of Mount Airy in Richmond County who wrote this letter. Mannsfield was near Fredericksburg in Spotsylvania County. Tayloe visited Mount Vernon 17–18 April 1799 (, 6:342–43).
2. For the possible nature of the “business” to which Tayloe refers, see Tayloe to GW, 10 Feb., and GW’s response of 12 February.