11Enclosure: Washington’s Plans for His River, Union, and Muddy Hole Farms, 10 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
River-Farm Crops for, & operations thereon, for the year 1800 Field No. 1—Is now partly in Wheat. Part thereof is to be sown with Oats. another part may be sown with Pease, broadcast. Part is in meadow, and will remain so. and the most broken, washed, & indifferent part, is to remain uncultivated; but to be harrowed & smoothed in the Spring, and the worst parts thereof (if practicable) to be...
12[Diary entry: 9 December 1799] (Washington Papers)
9. Morning clear & pleasant, with a light Wind from No. W. Mer. at 33. Pleasant all day—afternoon Calm. Mer. 39 at Night. Mr. Howell Lewis & wife set off on their return home after breakfast and Mr. Lawe. Lewis and Washington Custis on a journy. to N. Kent.
13To George Washington from Robert Boggess, 9 December 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Robert Boggess, 9 Dec. 1799. GW wrote Boggess on 10 Dec. : “In answer to your letter of yesterday’s date. . . .”
14To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 9 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
During a late Visit to New York, I learnt that the leading federal Characters (even in Massachusetts) consider Mr Adams as unfit for the Office he now holds. Without pretending to decide on the Merits of that Opinion, which will operate alike whether well or illfounded, it appeared necessary to name some other Person. You will easily conceive that his Predecessor was wished for and regretted,...
15[Diary entry: 8 December 1799] (Washington Papers)
8th. Morning perfectly clear, calm and pleasant; but about 9 oclock the wind came from the No. Wt. and blew fresh. Mer. 38 in the morning and 40 at Night.
16From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 8 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 23d Ulto and 1st instant have both been received. the part which relates to Mr Custis’s pay—as an Officer in the Cavalry—has been given to him, and he writes you himself on the subject. I have naught therefore to add on it. Captn Ellwood had not arrived at Alexandria yesterday, from hence I conclude he was to have touched at Norfolk; otherwise his passage will have been...
17From George Washington to John Mason, 8 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 4th instant, enclosing a Resolution of the Legislature of Maryland to take, on account of the State, one hundred & thirty shares in the augmented Capital of the Potomak Company, and thank you for your politeness in forwarding of it to me. Altho’ this mode of obtaining money to complete the Navigation of the River, differs from the plan adopted at the last...
18To George Washington from the President and Directors of the Potowmack Company, 8 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed we have the honor to hand two Resolutions which were passed last week by the Legislature of this State; by a calculation noted at foot, to which we beg to refer you, we find it will be a great Object to obtain the transfer of this Stock before the 15th of this month, at which time the Books are shut, & no transfer can be made untill after the 1st of January when a Dividend of 3½ p. Ct...
19From George Washington to William Thornton, 8 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
For the communications contained in your letter of yesterday, I thank you. As a citizen of the United States, it gives me pleasure, at all times, to hear that works of public ⟨uti⟩lity are resolved on, and in a state of progression—wheresoever adopted, and whensoever begun. The one resolved on between the Chesapeake and Delaware is of great magnitude, and will be, I trust, the Precursor of...
20From George Washington to Alexander White, 8 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of yesterday I received this morning. Altho’ the Legislature of Maryland has taken up the business of the Potomack Company upon different ground, than on that which was adopted at the last General meeting of the Stockholders, and less advantageous for them if they could have carried their mode into effect; yet, as my primary wish, is to see the work completed, I rejoice that the...
21[Diary entry: 7 December 1799] (Washington Papers)
7. Rainy morning, with the Wind at No. Et. & Mer. at 37. Afternoon clear & pleasant wind westerly. Mer. 41 at Night. Dined at Lord Fairfax’s.
22To George Washington from Thomas Waters Griffith, 7 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I take the Liberty to leave you a Letter of recommendation with which I was favord by Mr St John de Crœvecœur of Normandy, who I saw well in May last, and who desired to be respectfully rememberd to you, your Lady & Family. I also beg leave to present to you a copy of a Work on the Commerce of the United States, which I wrote and published at paris during the residence there of the...
23From George Washington to Robert Lewis, 7 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 10th of Septr came duly to hand, but as there was nothing contained in it that required to be acted upon immediately, I postponed acknowledging the receipt of it at an earlier period. The death of Mr Airess, of which I have been informed—and the direct conveyance, afforded by your brother Howells return, have induced me, to write you at this time. What prospect the death of...
24From George Washington to William Thornton, 7 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 5th instant was received last night. Not sending up to the Post Office every day, is the cause of its not getting to hand in time for my answer by the Mail of this day. Enclosed is a list of such fruit Trees as my Gardener has chosen. Be so good as to have them sent to the care of Colo. Gilpin in Alexandria, who will receive—take care of—and give me notice of their arrival:...
25To George Washington from William Thornton, 7 December 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Thornton, 7 Dec. 1799. GW thanked Thornton on 8 Dec. for “the communications contained in your letter of yesterday.”
26To George Washington from Alexander White, 7 December 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Alexander White, 7 Dec. 1799. GW wrote White on 8 Dec. : “Your favour of yesterday I received this morning.”
27[Diary entry: 6 December 1799] (Washington Papers)
6. Morning heavy, with appearances of clearing now & then, but about 2 oclock it set in to raining. Mer. 34 in the morning & 37 at Night.
28[Diary entry: 5 December 1799] (Washington Papers)
5. Morning raining and it continued to do so moderately through the day with the Wind at So. Et. Mer. 38 in the Morning & 36 at Night.
29To George Washington from William Thornton, 5 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
In answer to the Letter which I had the honour of receiving from you Yesterday I have the pleasure of informing you that there is nothing to be paid for the Fruit Trees in addition to what you subscribed to Leflet, therefore if you will be pleased to specify the numbers of each Sort omiting any kinds you may not be inclined to have & calculating what you take at 1s. Maryld Cury ⅌ Tree to the...
30[Diary entry: 4 December 1799] (Washington Papers)
4. Morning clear—wind at No. Wt. and Mer. at 36. From 10 oclock until 2 very like for Snow. It then cleared & became mild & pleasant. Mer. 38 at N.
31To George Washington from John Mason, 4 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
Knowing the great Interest you have always taken in the promotion of the Navigation of the Potomak—I lose not a moment to inform you that I have at length suceeded to get this great Object aided by a grant of the Legislature of this State to the full amount contemplated by the Company—and it is with extreme Pleasure I have it in my Power to enclose a Resolution to that Effect which has this...
32[Diary entry: 3 December 1799] (Washington Papers)
3. Morning extremely foggy. Mer. at 38 and wind what there was of it Southerly. Abt. 2 oclock the fog dispelled and it became extremely pleasant. Mrs. Stuart & daughters went away after breakfast.
33From George Washington to James McHenry, 3 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of enclosing a letter from Colo. Parker to Mr Lear, in which he requests that I will write to the proper department, to have arrangements made for the payment of two thousand one hundred & seventy five dollars and one third, being the amount of the purchase of one hundred and ninety six acres of land, bought, for the United States, adjoining the public ground at Harper’s...
34To George Washington from James McHenry, 3 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your private letter of the 17th Novr ulto, since which I have been very closely engaged in business. The inclosed news paper contains the Presidents speech delivered to-day. You will find it nearly what it ought to be, I had feared he would have entered into reasoning upon a certain measure which had he would most assuredly have attracted to the subject a very pointed direct or...
35From 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...
36To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 3 December 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Timothy Pickering, 3 Dec. 1799. GW’s letter of 24 Nov. to Pickering is docketed by Pickering, “answd Decr 3d.”
37[Diary entry: 2 December 1799] (Washington Papers)
2. Rained in the Night. Morning heavy. Wind Southerly and Mer. at 36. Afternoon calm, & less clouded. Mer. 38. Lord Fairfax, Lady, Daughter & Miss Dennison dined here.
38To George Washington from Burwell Bassett, Jr., 2 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
To communicate to our friends agreable incidents we are readily promptd by the pleasure it gives but it is duty alone which can lead us to be the communicators of uncomefortable tidings Tis this that impels me to inform my friends at Mount Vernon that Mrs Henley was attacked about ten days since with a severe bilious pleurisy her weak constitution was unequal to the shock and in five days she...
39From George Washington to Edward Carrington, 2 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
Since you mentioned the Plaster of Paris which was for Sale in Richmond, (but after you left this) it occurred to me, that as it was not a saleable article with you, it might be my cheapest mode to purchase there to supply my want of this article next year on my Farms around me. Permit me, for this reason, to ask the favour of you to learn from the Gentleman who has it for Sale, what quantity...
40From George Washington to William Price, 2 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favoured with your letter of the 25th Ulto, enclosing a copy of the Survey made for William Shepherd, for four & three quarter acres, and the form of a Caveate against the issuing a Patent therefor. I cannot from the survey, discover with precision where this land lays, and therefore shall give no further opposition to the Grant of it. If it be, where I suspect, it is within...
41[Diary entry: 1 December 1799] (Washington Papers)
1. Morning clear & but little Wd.—that Southerly. Mer. 26. Lowering towards evening. Mer. 36. Mr. Foot dined here.
42To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 1 December 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Clement Biddle, 1 Dec. 1799. GW wrote Biddle on 8 Dec. : “Your letters of the 23d Ulto and 1st instant have both been received.”
43From George Washington to James Piercy, 1 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your letter of the 27th Ulto —If you have no Vessel passing below this (from whence the Sugar could be landed with very little trouble or delay) I request that it may be deposited at Colo. Gilpin’s, in Alexandria. Let the cask in which it is packed, be well secured; the Sugars hitherto had from you, has, sometimes, fallen short in weight. I am Sir—Your very Hble Servant ALS...
44From George Washington to William Thornton, 1 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 30th Ulto, enclosing Mr Blagdens dimensions of the rooms in my houses in the City, came to my hands this morning; With a list of the different kinds of Fruit trees in the Frenchmans Garden; to whom I was a subscriber. The terms on which the subscription was set on foot, have entirely escaped me; my motive for subscribing—namely—to encourage a nursery of that sort, still...
45November [1799] (Washington Papers)
1. Morning clear. A little breeze from the northward. Mer. at 55. Clear all day, & calm in the Afternoon. Mr. Craik went away after Breakfast. Mer. 49 at Night. 2. Morning clear. Mer. at 45. Wind at So. Wt. Afternoon a little hazy with indications of Rain. Mr. Jno. Fairfax (formerly an overseer of mine) came here before dinner and stayed all Night. John Fairfax resigned from GW’s employ in...
46[Diary entry: 30 November 1799] (Washington Papers)
30. Morning cloudy—but no appearance of Rain. Wind So. W. but soon Shifted to No. Wt. Mer. at 24 in the morning & 31 at Night. Colo. & Mrs. Carrington went away after B[reakfas]t.
47From George Washington to Bryan Fairfax, 30 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for the courses of so much of your land on Difficult, as had any relation to my small tract at the Bridge, over that stream, and for the communications contained in your favour of the 28th Instt. The information derived from these sources, has satisfied me that the opinion of the Borderers on my land that it extended to Tankervilles line; and my own opinion (when I found the lines...
48To George Washington from William Thornton, 30 November 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Thornton, 30 Nov. 1799. GW wrote Thornton on 1 Dec. : “Your favour of the 30th Ulto . . . came to my hands this morning.”
49[Diary entry: 29 November 1799] (Washington Papers)
29. Morning until about 9 Oclock Snowing—but not to lay on the grd. Mer. at 33 and wind at No. Wt. but neither hard nor cold. Afterwards it increased & turned colder. Young D. McCarty came to dinner and Mr. Howell Lewis & wife after dinner. Howell Lewis’s wife was Ellen Hackley Pollard Lewis (1776–1859).
50[Diary entry: 28 November 1799] (Washington Papers)
28. Morning Cloudy—Wind Southerly and Mer. at 32. About 2 oclock it began to rain & continued to do so all the afternoon. Mer. 33 at Night. Colo. & Mrs. Carrington came to Dinner.
51To George Washington from Bryan Fairfax, 28 November 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Bryan Fairfax, 28 Nov. 1799. In a letter to Fairfax of 30 Nov. , GW refers to Fairfax’s “favour of the 28th Instt.”
52To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 28 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is a copy of a letter which I have written to the Secretary of War on the subject of a military Academy. Two reasons have prevented me from communicating it to you at an earlier day. My avocations rendered it impossible for me to complete the letter till very lately, and I had had opportunities of knowing your opinion on the subject generally. Any alterations in the plan which you may...
53From George Washington to Charles Little, 28 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
Mr Johnston delivered me your favour of yesterday, and a map of the Land—formerly Lord Tankervilles; but as he came late in the afternoon, and said he was obliged to return that evening, I did not incline to detain him until I could examine, & get such information from the plat as was necessary for my purpose. I therefore dispatched him, & took the liberty of detaining the latter until this...
54From George Washington to Samuel Sommers, 28 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Little forwarded your letter of the 25th instant to me, yesterday evening; & I have now to request (if it is not already done) that my Entry may be made in the County Surveyors Book of Record, and the Treasury Warrant deposited therewith. Not having the Laws of this Commonwealth (since the Revolution) by me, I am entirely unacquainted with the regular mode of proceeding with respect to...
55[Diary entry: 27 November 1799] (Washington Papers)
27. Morning clear—Wind Southerly and Mer. at 30. Wind, and appearances of Clouds afterwards, variable. Mer. 34 at Night. Doctr. Craik who was sent for to Mrs. Lewis (& who was delivered of a daughter abt. oclock in the forenoon) came to Breakfast & stayed [to] dinner. Mr. Dublois dined here, and both went away afterwards. Eleanor Parke (Nelly) Custis Lewis’s daughter was named Frances Parke...
56To George Washington from Charles Little, 27 November 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Charles Little, 27 Nov. 1799. GW wrote Little on 28 Nov. : “Mr Johnston delivered me your favour of yesterday.”
57To George Washington from James Piercy, 27 November 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from James Piercy, 27 Nov. 1799. On 1 Dec. GW wrote Piercy “In answer to your letter of the 27th Ulto.”
58[Diary entry: 26 November 1799] (Washington Papers)
26. Morning clear. Mer. at 31—wind at No. Wt. Cold & fresh all day. Mer. 30 at Night.
59From George Washington to Bryan Fairfax, 26 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
In the early part of this month, I went up to Difficult-run to examine with more accuracy than I had ever done before, the small tract of Land you were so obliging (many years ago) to accomodate me with, for a Stage for my Waggons whilst I had plantations in Berkeley County; to see if it would now (having many years since removed my people from those Lands) answer for a small Farm; those...
60From George Washington to John Gill, 26 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
Under cover with this, you are furnished with the Invoice of such goods as I require. As it was not so much in my power to fix the prices, as to designate the quality of the Goods, the amount of the cost of them may exceed, or fall short, of the sum due from you to me. If the first, the balance shall be paid by me; if the latter, I shall look to you for the deficiency. I have drawn up, and...