201[Diary entry: 1 October 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...
202From George Washington to James Anderson, 1 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
When you intimated to me your son’s wish to Rent my Distillery & Mill next year, and your inclination to join him therein—and in that case to relinquish the management of my business; I informed you that I had made Mr Lawrence Lewis (after you had declined taking them) an offer of both; together with the Farm at Dogue-run; and that until I received his answer, I did not conceive I was at...
203From George Washington to William Thornton, 1 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed are Messrs McLeod and Lumleys prices for painting my Houses in the City. Theirs, as you will perceive, is extended in Virginia currency; that mentioned by you, I presume, is Maryland; and if so, the prices are nearly the same. Wherefore, if the Painter in the City will—finding all materials—do the Windows & Cornice, & Doors, in short all the exterior of the Buildings, the roof...
204September [1799] (Washington Papers)
1. A brisk Southerly wind in the Morning—clear & Mer. at 70 and at night 83. Cloud, thunder, lightning & Rain to the Northward of us but none fell here. Doctr. Craik dined here—sent for to Mrs. Washington who was sick. 2. Morning very likely for Rain being very cloudy with a brisk Southerly wind. Rain all around us but only [a] sprinkle here. Mer. 76 in the Morning 84 at highest and 83 at...
205[Diary entry: 30 September 1799] (Washington Papers)
30. Morning clear wind Northerly and Mer. at 50—at highest 66 and at night 60. Clear all day wind in the same place. Doctr. Craik went away after Break.
206To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 30 September 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Alexander Spotswood, 30 Sept. 1799. On 27 Oct. GW wrote Spotswood : “Your letter of the 30th ulto came duly to hand.”
207[Diary entry: 29 September 1799] (Washington Papers)
29. Morning cloudy—Wind at So. W. & Mer. at 62. Wind changed to No. Wt. & blew pretty fresh. Mer. 65 at night. Doctr. Craik came to dinner on a visit to Mrs. Wash. & stayed all night.
208From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 29 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 23d instant was received the 27th; and this day will proceed in the Mail to Winchester—the nearest Post Town to Colo. Parker’s residence, if he should be at his own house, the letter enclosed for him. There being no person in my view more eligable than Colo. Parker to carry your Instructions into effect: unless Colo. Carrington had been in office as Quarter Master General, I...
209From George Washington to Samuel Lewis, Sr., 29 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for the trouble you have taken to explain the omission in the regularity of forwarding the Gazettes. I had ascribed it to the cause you have mentioned before the receipt of your letter of the 20th instant. I am not anxious to complete a file of the Aurora. If however, when Colo. Lear (my Secretary, & at present absent) returns, any of the numbers are missing, I may, probably, give...
210To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 29 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
(confidential) The most ⟨satisfactory⟩ communication I have it in my power now to make, is the probability that the mission to France will at least be suspended. This morning I recd a letter dated the 26th from Judge Ellsworth, in which he says—“The following is an extract of a letter I have just ⟨been⟩ honoured with from the President—the convulsions in France, the change of the Directory,...
211From George Washington to William Thornton, 29 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 24th instant, enclosing a note from Mr Blagden, came to my hands on thursday last; the next day I sent up to Alexandria to see if a Painter could be had to execute the Painting of my houses in the City, and on what terms. The principal Painters in that place, Messrs McLeod & Lumley, promised (one or the other of them) to repair to the buildings the next day (yesterday) and...
212[Diary entry: 28 September 1799] (Washington Papers)
28. Clear & calm. Mer. at 60 in the morning—70 at the highest & 66 at night. Clear & calm all day.
213To George Washington from John Gill, 28 September 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Gill, 28 Sept. 1799. On 13 Oct. GW wrote Gill : “Your letter of the 28th Ulto came duly to hand.”
214From George Washington to Lawrence Lewis, 28 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed letter was written agreeably to the date, and sent up to the Post Office in Alexandria—but owing to an accident, it missed the Western Mail and was returned to me again. Since which Mr Anderson (in Partnership with his son John) has discovered an inclination to Rent my Distillery & Mill: and for reason which I shall disclose to you, but do not wish them to be made public, I am...
215From George Washington to Thomas Parker, 28 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
In a letter from General Hamilton, enclosing the one I now forwd to you, I am requested to change, or modulate his directions to you, in any manner which to me shall appear most conducive to the Public Service. His directions comport with my ideas; but I shall be more pointed in drawing your attention to the Site at, or as near, as one can possibly be obtained, to the Arsenal which is...
216[Diary entry: 27 September 1799] (Washington Papers)
27. Clear, with the wind Northerly; Mer. at 62 in the morning—70 at highest & 66 at Night. Governor Davie on his way to the Northward to Embark as Envoy to France called, dined & proceeded on. Mr. T. Peter came. William Richardson Davie (1756–1820), a distinguished veteran of the southern campaigns in the American Revolution and a strong Federalist, was elected governor of North Carolina in...
217To George Washington from Tench Francis, 27 September 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Tench Francis, 27 Sept. 1799. On 7 Oct. GW wrote Francis : “Your favr of the 27th Ulto is just recd.” See James McHenry to GW, 24 Aug. 1799, n.1 .
218[Diary entry: 26 September 1799] (Washington Papers)
26. Clear & calm in the Morning. Mer. at 63—at highest 70 and at Night 64. But little wind all day.
219[Diary entry: 25 September 1799] (Washington Papers)
25. Clear & calm. Mer. at 52 in the Morning—but little wind all day. Mer. 66 at highest and 63 at N. Mrs. & Miss Fairfax & Miss Dennison dined here & returned & Doctr. Stuart came in the Evening.
220From George Washington to John Avery, 25 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 2d instt came duly to hand; but previous thereto, I had written to Mr Jno. Francis of Philadelphia (who report had engaged the houses to, I was building in the Federal City) to know in explicit terms whether he meant to take them, or not, on the conditions I offered them, namely—Seven and an half percent on the whole cost; to which, taxes, if any, and Insurance against fire,...
221[Diary entry: 24 September 1799] (Washington Papers)
24. Morning clear & calm. Mer. at 50. A small white frost—clear all day with but little wind. Mer. 63 at highest & 58 at Night. Mr. Thos. Peter went away after break[fas]t.
222To George Washington from William Thornton, 24 September 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Thornton, 24 Sept. 1799. On 29 Sept. GW wrote Thornton : “Your letter of the 24th instant . . . came to my hands.”
223[Diary entry: 23 September 1799] (Washington Papers)
23. Morning clear—wind No. Wt. & continued so all day. Mer. at 60 in the morning—and 58 at night. Mr. White went away after breakfast.
224To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 23 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of receiving in due time your letter of the 15th instant. The Suggestions it contains will be maturely weighed. I postpone any thing definitive, till the return of General Wilkinson which is momently expected. The other Documents, besides No. 8, which accompanied his letter, were not material to the consideration of its contents, or they would have been forwarded—Even Number...
225[Diary entry: 22 September 1799] (Washington Papers)
22. Morning a little cloudy. Wind at No. Et. & Mer. at 62. Wind shifted to No. Wt. Mer. 62 at Night.
226From George Washington to Burgess Ball, 22 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 16th instt has been received, informing me of the death of my brother. The death of near relations, always produce awful, and affecting emotions, under whatsoever circumstances it may happen. That of my brother’s, has been so long expected, and his latter days so uncomfortable to himself, must have prepared all around him for the stroke; though painful in the effect. I was...
227From George Washington to Samuel Washington, 22 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter, announcing the death of my Brother, came to hand last night. One from Colo. Ball, informing me of that event, arrived the evening before. I very sincerely condole with your mother and the family on this occasion. But as death, in this case, was regular in its approaches; and evident, long before it happened; she, and all of you, must have been prepared for the stroke. Of course,...
228From George Washington to William Augustine Washington, 22 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 15th instt from New Post, has been received. I am sorry to be disappointed of the visit you promised us; and regret the cause of it. In the Spring, and at all times, when your health will permit, and it suits your convenience, we shall be happy in seeing you & Mrs Washington under our Roof. Are there any Crops of Wheat for Sale in your Neighbourhood? I want to keep my Mill...
229[Diary entry: 21 September 1799] (Washington Papers)
21. Morning cloudy—Wind Northerly—and Mer. at 63. Variable all day. Mer. 66 at Night. Mr. Alex. White came to dinner.
230From George Washington to Thomas Law, 21 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
In acknowledging the receipt of your note—which came to hand two days since, without date—I shall only observe, that whenever it suits the convenience of yourself & Mrs Law to visit Mount Vernon, we shall be happy in seeing you. I had a desire (not a strong one) to possess the corner lot belonging to Mr Carroll on New Jersey Avenue, merely on account of its local situation; but have...
231From George Washington to Mary White Morris, 21 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
We never learnt with certainty, until we had the pleasure of seeing Mr White (since his return from Frederick) that you were at Winchester. We hope it is unnecessary to repeat in this place, how happy we should be to see you and Miss Morris under our roof, and for as long a stay as you shall find convenient, before you return to Philadelphia; for be assured we ever have, and still do retain,...
232[Diary entry: 20 September 1799] (Washington Papers)
20. Morning cloudy—Wind at No. W. and Mer. at 60—at Night 66 & clear. Mr. Ludwell Lee, and Messrs. Stanton & Parker from the Eastern shore of Virginia and a Mr. Hilton dined here & went away afterwards. stanton & parker : probably John Stratton and Thomas Parker. Stratton, of Elkington, near Eastville in Northampton County, was in the salt business on the Eastern Shore in the 1790s, while...
233From George Washington to Lawrence Lewis, 20 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
From the moment Mrs Washington & myself adopted the two youngest children of the late Mr Custis, it became my intention (if they survived me, and conducted themselves to my satisfaction) to consider them in my Will, when I was about to make a distribution of my property. This determination has undergone no diminution, but is strengthened by the connexion which one of them has formed with my...
234Enclosure: A Plan of Part of Mount Vernon Lands, 20 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
North West of the Road leading from the Gum-spring, on Little hunting Creek, to the Ford of Dogue run. Beginning at three marked red oaks on a rising therein, opposite to the old road which formerly passed through the South end of Muddy hole Farm. Including that part of Chapel land which belongs to the Subscriber. As also the Mill & Distillery. Shewing the shape, contents, & relative situation...
235[Diary entry: 19 September 1799] (Washington Papers)
19. Raining in the Morning early and by 8 oclock storming with a heavy fall of rain. Mer. at 70—wind at So. Et. Afterwards shifted to the No. Wt. and cleared. Mer. 70 at highest and 64 at Night.
236To George Washington from James Anderson, 19 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of 16th is before me, And have duely considered the same, I will beg leave to trouble You with a very short reply—Well knowing You have but little time to Spare. As You in the Spring on Muddyhole ground, & in the field in the which Davies House stands spoke to me respecting continuing. And that the Sickly season is nearly gone, I have made no Arrangements for the next Year. And...
237From George Washington to Roger West, 19 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
Sometime ago the Servant who waits upon me, named Christopher (calling himself Christopher Sheels) asked my permission to marry a Mulatto girl belonging to you. As he had behaved as well as servants usually do, I told him I had no objection to the union, provided your consent (which was necessary) could be obtained. This I presume happened⟨,⟩ because I understand they are married. I was in...
238[Diary entry: 18 September 1799] (Washington Papers)
18. Morning very heavy—Wind Easterly and Mer. at 70. Towds. Night the appearance of a Storm increased. Mr. George Peter went away after breakft.
239[Diary entry: 17 September 1799] (Washington Papers)
17. Morning clear—but little wd. & that No. Westerly. Mer. 66—calm all day. Mer. 80 at highest & 74 at Night. Doctr. Thornton went away after breakfast & Mr. Thos. Peter & his brother Lieutt. Peter came to Dinner. lieutt. peter : George Peter had been appointed a second lieutenant in the 9th Infantry on 12 July 1799 ( HEITMAN [3] Francis B. Heitman. Historical Register and Dictionary of the...
240[Diary entry: 16 September 1799] (Washington Papers)
16. Morning clear—no wind. Mer. at 64 at highest 76—and at Night 73. Clear & but little wind all day.
241From George Washington to James Anderson, 16 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
The indisposition of Mrs Washington—Dispatches of a troublesome kind, which required all my attention—and the house never being clear of company—have put it out of my power to take any notice of your letter of the 13th instant, until now. Health, being amongst (if not the most) precious gift of Heaven; without which, we are but little capable of business, or enjoyment; and as you seem to be...
242To George Washington from Burgess Ball, 16 September 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Burgess Ball, 16 Sept. 1799. On 22 Sept. GW wrote Ball : “Your letter of the 16th instt has been received.”
243To George Washington from Presly Thornton, 16 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
It is with inexpressible concern I communicate to you that I last Post recieved a letter from Genl Pinkney informing that the alarming state of Mrs Pinkney’s health was at such heighth that her Physicians recommended a sea trip to Rhode Island, as the only probable means of saving her life, that he had consequently availed himself of leave granted him by the Secretary at War, & requests all...
244[Diary entry: 15 September 1799] (Washington Papers)
15. Day omitted through mistake.
245From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 15 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
Mrs Washington’s indisposition (being confined eight or ten days)—and other circumstances, would not allow me to give your letter of the 9th instant, and the Reports, Journals &c. &c. which accompanied it, an earlier consideration. Having done this, however, with as much thought as I have been able to bestow, under the circumstances mentioned, I can see no cause (with the limited force which...
246From George Washington to James McHenry, 15 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 3d instant, with the papers accompanying it, did not get to my hands ’till the 11th—At the same time I received a long letter from Genl Hamilton, with voluminous references, to which he requested my immediate attention, and the communication of my sentiments thereon. These circumstances will account for your not having received an answer before this time. The Rules which...
247To George Washington from William Augustine Washington, 15 September 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Augustine Washington, 15 Sept. 1799. On 22 Sept. GW wrote his nephew: “Your letter of the 15th instt from New Post, has been received.”
248[Diary entry: 14 September 1799] (Washington Papers)
14. Morning clear—Mer. at 72. Wind Westerly through the day & clear.
249From George Washington to James McHenry, 14 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
Private Dear Sir Mount Vernon 14th Sepr 1799 I feel much obliged, and accordingly thank you, for your kind intention of ordering me two months pay; and I shall not suffer false modesty to assert, that my finances stand in no need of it; because it is not the time, nor the attention only; which the Public duties I am engaged in require; but their bringing upon me Applicants—recommenders of...
250[Diary entry: 13 September 1799] (Washington Papers)
13. Morning clear—wind Southerly. Mer. at 76—at highest 84 and at Night 76. Wind Southerly & clear till afternoon. Then cloudy & about 6 Oclock Rain, with a good deal of Lightening & thunder, but none severe. Mr. & Mrs. Law went away after breakfast & Doctor Thornton came to dinner.