101From George Washington to John Gill, 12 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
I am just returned from Difficult-Run, whither I went to examine your land, and to see how it was situated in connexion with mine, to ascertain the quantity in the part you had offered to me, Its quality—&c. When you proposed to reserve all that part of lot No. 10 which lyes on the East side of Difficult run, I presume you were unacquainted with three circumstances attending it—1st, that you...
102[Diary entry: 11 November 1799] (Washington Papers)
11. Morning a little lowering & wind Southerly. Mer. 55 at Night. The Gentlemen above mentioned went away after breakft.
103[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.
104To George Washington from James McHenry, 10 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
My attention, for some time past, has been so completely engrossed, that notwithstanding my earnest wish to communicate with you upon several subjects, I could not without neglecting some urgent business devote any moments to that purpose. In truth, the stone, however near I may seem to get it to the summit of the mountain, is perpetually upon the recoil, and demands constant exertion and...
105[Diary entry: 9 November 1799] (Washington Papers)
9. Morning & whole day clear warm & pleasant. Set out a little after 8 Oclock. Viewed my building in the Fedl. City. Dined at Mr. Laws & lodged at Mr. Thos. Peter’s.
106[Diary entry: 8 November 1799] (Washington Papers)
8. Morning very heavy and about 9 oclock it commenced Raining which it continued to do steadily through the day—notwithstanding which I proceed to ascertain by actual measurement the qualities. This being finished betwn. 12 & 1 oclock I returned to Wiley’s Tavern & stayed there the remainder of the day. the qualities : GW was unimpressed by Gill’s land. The 85 acres Gill specifically was...
107To George Washington from Alexander Addison, 8 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
The other week the disputed line of the land you sold to Matthew Ritchie was run by Mr Morgan and another surveyor and settled by consent of Mr Reid who contended. There was very little difference between it and that last marked by Mr Morgan. An old line had been run probably a line of experiment and Reid had run his lines by it. The quantity may be considered as in Morgan’s survey. Some time...
108To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 8 November 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Elias Boudinot, 8 Nov. 1799. On 13 Nov. GW wrote Boudinot : “Your favour of the 8th instt was received by the last Mail to Alexand[ri]a.”
109From George Washington to William Price, 8 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
Since writing the enclosed, I have discovered that a Mr William Shepherd who was with me on the Survey, and who has acted a very disingenuous part upon the occasion, either has made, or pretends to have made, an Entry of the Vacancy (if there be such) which I have therein requested you to enter on my behalf, of land always reputed, and believed by the Neighbours, to be mine. I therefore...
110[Diary entry: 7 November 1799] (Washington Papers)
7. Weather remarkably fine. Finished Surveying my own Tract & the Land belonging to Gill—returning, as the Night before to Wileys Tavern. John Gill’s land lay on both sides of Difficult Run near the bridge. For this surveying GW brought along a surveyor and several local residents to help find old boundary markers ( GW to John Gill, 12 Nov. 1799 , DLC:GW ).
111From George Washington to William Price, 7 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
I came from Mount Vernon to this place in order to run out some land which I hold in this County, near this place. In doing which, I have discovered—or think I have discovered—some vacant land between my lines, the lines of the late Thomas Lord Fairfax, and those commonly called Tankervilles; now in the occupation of others; to whom they were sold by his Agent. Having been but little in this...
112[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...
113[Diary entry: 5 November 1799] (Washington Papers)
5th. Morning and the whole day calm—clear & pleasant. Set out on a trip to Difficult-run to view some Land I had there & some belonging to Mr. Jno. Gill who had offered it to me in discharge of Rent which he was owing me. Dined at Mr. Nicholas Fitzhughs and lodged at Mr. Corbin Washingtons. difficult-run : On his 15 Oct. visit John Gill offered to sign over some of his own land on Difficult...
114From George Washington to James McHenry, 5 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
At the earnest request of General Hamilton, that I would give instructions for having the eighth, ninth and tenth Regiments of Infantry provided with Winter Quarters, which it was very desireable should be at Harper’s Ferry, I have departed from the resolution which I had formed, not to take charge of any military operations, unless the Army should be called into the Field, so far as to Order...
115To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 5 November 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Timothy Pickering, 5 Nov. 1799. GW wrote Pickering on 24 Nov. : “Your favour of the 5th instant came to hand in due course.”
116[Diary entry: 4 November 1799] (Washington Papers)
4th. Morning clear—Wind (though but little of it) No. Wt. and Mer. 34. A very large & white frost—remarkably clear & fine all day and nearly calm. Mer. 50 at Night. A Mr. Teakle from Accomack County dined here & returned as did Doctr. Craik. Mr. Lear returned from Berkeley. mr. teakle : There were several families named Teackle in Accomack County. This is probably either John Teackle of...
117To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 4 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
In obedience to your orders I left Mount Vernon on Monday the 28th of Octr to communicate to Colo. Parker your instructions respecting hutting the Troops at Harper’s Ferry. I reached the Camp at Harper’s Ferry on the eveng of the 29th; and finding that Colo. Parker was gone to Winchester, I sent an Express for him immediately. In the afternoon of the 30th Colo. Parker arrived in Camp, when I...
118[Diary entry: 3 November 1799] (Washington Papers)
3. Morning Cloudy. Wind at No. Et. & Mer. at 42. Clear Evening. Mer. at 42. Mr. Valangin came to dinner.
119From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 3 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your private & confidential letter of the 24th Ulto came duly, and safely to hand. Its contents, I confess, surprised me. But as men will view the same things in different lights, I would now , fain hope that the P——has caught the true one; and, that good will come from the Mission, which is about to depart. These are my wishes, and no one is more ardent in them; but I see nothing in the...
120From George Washington to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 3 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the ⟨ illegible ⟩d inst. from New Port, came duly to hand, and gave Mrs Washington (who continues to be much indisposed but ⟨hopes soon to be⟩ well again) and myself much pleasure to hear of Mrs Pinckney⟨’s⟩ encreasing health. A little time ⟨ illegible the⟩ fine settled weather we enjoy at present, will, we hope, restore it entirely. The Rout from Trenton, or Philadelphia to...
121To George Washington from Ralph Wormeley, 3 November 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Ralph Wormeley, Jr., 3 Nov. 1799. On 18 Nov. GW wrote Wormeley : “Your favour of the 3d Instant came duly to hand.”
122[Diary entry: 2 November 1799] (Washington Papers)
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 Dec. 1790 and settled in Monongalia County, where he became a justice of the peace in 1794 and later represented that county in the Virginia House of Delegates...
123From George Washington to Leven Powell, 2 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
I am informed that you have in use, a cutting box upon a New Construction; which, in execution, far exceeds the common kind; and is also simple in its works. If this be the case, and you entirely approve of the Machine, I would thank you for procuring (as soon as may be) one of the best sort; and causing it to be forwarded to Colo. Gilpin in Alexandria, for me. The cost, & charges, shall be...
124[Diary entry: 1 November 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.
125From George Washington to Allyn Prior, 1 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 30th Ulto came to my hands yesterday afternoon. As I propose, next Spring to have my lands on the Ohio critically examined by a Person in whose integrity ⟨and⟩ judgment I can confide, I am indifferent with respect to the sale of any of them, at this time, especially of that tract on Mill Creek which I conceive must be particularly fine, or possessing some valuable...
126October [1799] (Washington Papers)
1. Morning a little lowering. Mer. at 55 and air from the No. West. Clear afterwards. Mer. 65 at high. Mrs. Fairfax sister & daughter and Mrs. Herbert & Mrs. Nelson—Mr. Jno. Herbert & two of Mrs. Washington of Fairfields Sons dined here. Mrs. Fairfax &ca. went away after dinner—the others remained. Mrs. Herbert was Sarah (Mrs. William) Herbert, mother of the John Carlyle Herbert mentioned...
127[Diary entry: 31 October 1799] (Washington Papers)
31. Clear morning—wind at So. Et. & Mer. at 48. Afterwards the wind got to So. Wt. & blew pretty fresh. Mer. 56 at Night. Colo. Griffen & Mr. Law went away after breakfast and Mr. William Craik came here in the Afternn.
128To George Washington from Thomas Parker, 31 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
I last evening Received your letters of the 26th 27th & 28th Instant. I Cannot Recollect any expression in my letter to Genl Hamilton which I supposed Coud have Induced him to Suppose that I meant to Substitute Barracks instead of Hutts. I merely Informed him that as there was not on the Public Ground materials Sufficient to Cover the whole of The Troops that I had Requested Mr Mackie to...
129[Diary entry: 30 October 1799] (Washington Papers)
30. Morning again clear & calm, Mer. at 43. Calm all day, and Mer. 50 at Night.
130To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 30 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
I arrived at this place yesterday afternoon, and finding that Colo. Parker had gone to Winchester I dispatched a messinger for him (one of the Soldiers). He got here this afternoon, when I delivered him your letters. The huts for the 8th Regt are in a state of forwardness; 22 of them are finished to the roofs; several of which are now covering, they are 16 feet sqr. and intended for 12 men...
131To George Washington from Allyn Prior, 30 October 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Allyn Prior, 30 Oct. 1799. On 1 Nov. GW wrote Prior : “Your letter of the 30th Ulto came to my hands yesterday afternoon.”
132[Diary entry: 29 October 1799] (Washington Papers)
29. Morning perfectly clear and Calm. Mer. at 44. Extremely pleasant all day. Mer. 52 at Night. Colo. Griffen Mr. Law and a Mr. Valangin (an Engh. Gentleman introduced by Mr. Barthw. Dandridge). The latter went away afterwards. Charles W. Valangin, the son of Dr. de Valangin of London, came to the United States with the intention of making it his permanent residence. He planned to travel...
133From George Washington to William Augustine Washington, 29 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 8th instant has been duly received, and this letter will be handed to you by Mr Lawe Lewis, to whom I have rented my Mill & Distillery, and who comes into your parts to see if he can procure (on reasonable terms) grain with which to keep them employed. Your advice and aid in enabling him to obtain these would be serviceable to him, & obliging to me. Mr Lewis is a cautious...
134[Diary entry: 28 October 1799] (Washington Papers)
28. Morning very cloudy with the wind at No. Wt. & Mer. at 52. Clear afterwards and Mer. at 53. A Mr. Ridout an English Gentleman and his Lady dined here as did Mr. G. W. Craik. Mr. Lear set out for Harpers Ferry to make some arrangement with Colo. Parker respecting Cantoning the Troops. Col. Thomas Parker (d. 1820) was in charge of establishing the winter quarters for three of the new United...
135From George Washington to Benjamin Ogle, 28 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
It having been determined to station three Regiments of the United States Troops at Harper’s Ferry, orders were given to provide huts there for their winter Quarters; but, from the Report of Colo. Parker, the Officer to whom this business was committed, it appears impracticable to provide the materials, in due season, to build the huts at that place. It therefore becomes necessary to procure...
136From George Washington to Thomas Parker, 28 October 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Thomas Parker, 28 Oct. 1799. On 31 Oct. Parker wrote : “I last evening Received your letters of the 26th 27th & 28th Instant.”
137[Diary entry: 27 October 1799] (Washington Papers)
27. Morning heavy, with the Wind at No. Et., and Mer. at 54. Same weather & wind thro’ the day. Mer. 52 at Night. Doctr. Stuart & family and Mr. Lawe. Washington & young McCarty all went away after breakfast.
138From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 27 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
Since writing the enclosed letter to you yesterday, I have received a letter from Colo. Parker, and one from Mr Mackey, Agent for the War Department at Harper’s Ferry; stating the impracticability of procuring plank &c. sufficient for covering the huts intended to have been built for three Regiments at Harper’s Ferry. In consequence of this information I have again written to Colo. Parker,...
139From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 27 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
To my official letters I refer you for my communications with Colo. Parker. I have no conception however, that such difficulties as are ennumerated in his and Mr Mackie’s letters, can exist in the erection of simple Hutts, (such as served us last War); and so I am about to inform the former. I am averse to the seperation of the 8th 9th and 10th Regiments under any circumstances which exist at...
140From George Washington to James McHenry, 27 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed letters, from Genl Morgan and Captn G. S. Washington, recommending the Revd Mr Hill, as Chaplin to the Troops about to be stationed at Harper’s Ferry, have come to my hands, and are now forwarded for your inspection. I do not observe in the “Act for the better organizing the Troops of the U.S. &c.” that any provision is made for Chaplins. Whether they are provided for in any other...
141From George Washington to Thomas Parker, 27 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you very fully yesterday on the subject of hutting the Troops at Harper’s Ferry, and enclosed a letter from General Hamilton on the same subject. The messenger who took that letter to the Post Office, brought from thence your letter of the 24th inst., and one of the same date from Mr Mackey. As these letters contain information which may make it proper to countermand, in some...
142[Diary entry: 26 October 1799] (Washington Papers)
26. Morning very heavy with drippings now & then of Rain. Wind Southerly & Mer. at 58. Clear afterwards—wind in the same place & Mer. 61 at Night. Doctr. Stuart & family, and young McCarty returned here to Dinner.
143From 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...
144From George Washington to Daniel Morgan, 26 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 8th instt came duly to hand, and I should have given it an earlier acknowledgment, but waited to see Mr Law[renc]e Lewis, whom I expected here every day, before I did so. He is now arrived, and informs me that his brother John (as Executor of his father’s Will) is determined not to pay your demand against that Estate unless he is compelled to it; and that he has requested a...
145From George Washington to William Vans Murray, 26 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
Within the space of a few days, I have been favoured with your letters of the 26th of July, and duplicate of one of the 7th of April (the original is missing)—and of those dated the 9th and 17th of August, with their enclosures. For the information given in these, and for your kindness in sending me a sketch of the Water throwing Mill, I feel much obliged, and thank you for the trouble you...
146From George Washington to Thomas Parker, 26 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
(Copy) Sir, Mount Vernon, Octr 26th 1799. You will perceive, by the enclosed letter from General Hamilton, that he has taken up an idea, founded upon your communication to him on the subject, that you had substituted Barracks, instead of huts, for the Winter Quarters of the three Regiments ⟨at⟩ Harper’s Ferry. I presume that Genl Hamilton must have had an erroneous impression made on his mind...
147[Diary entry: 25 October 1799] (Washington Papers)
25. Morning a little lowering—brisk wind from South and Mer. at 46. At Night it was 59. Mr. & Mrs. Liston and Mr. Gilmar left this after breakfast and Mr. Lawe. Washington Junior came here at night.
148[Diary entry: 24 October 1799] (Washington Papers)
24. Morning clear—Wind at No. Et. and Mer. 39. Calm afterwards. Mer. 46 at Night. Mrs. Swanwick dined here. Mrs. Stuart & family went up to Alex.
149To George Washington from Thomas Parker, 24 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
In Concequence of the arrangements that I had previously made I arrived here on the 22nd Instant & proceeded Immediately to Cuting Timber for Huting the Troops. on making an estimate of the Timber & Boards or plank that will be necessary for Covering the three Regiments, I find It utterly Impracticable to procure a Sufficiency, as the Rivers are Too low to Transport it by water from the upper...
150To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 24 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
(Private) (& Confidential) Sir, Trenton [N.J.] Oct. 24. 1799 I am this evening honoured with your letter of the 20th. When I last wrote you, I had grounds to expect, on the President’s arrival; that the mission to France would be suspended, until the fate of its government should be known. This great question I supposed (& my colleagues had formed the same expectation) would be a subject of...