52601To George Washington from Hugh Martin, 8 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
A desire of serving my Countrey, from a motive of doing what little was in my power to procure her freedom, first induced me to Join the Army. a Natural inclination for the investigation of knowledge and the Attention I paid to my Duty as Surgeons Mate, for several Campaignes, procured for me promotion to a Regimental surgeon, which Commission I held to the end of the War—In the time of Actual...
52602To George Washington from Matthew Neely, 8 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I Humbly beg you will pardon the Liberty I take in troubling you who by the Blissing of god is now Amongist the Sons of men the greatist And often have I petition’d that Omnipotent being for your Success And Ashures your Excellency And can prove I made two Attemps During the war to come to America to fight under your Banner And would have been happy in So doing though I have been Some years in...
52603To George Washington from Patience Lovell Wright, 8 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
My Friends Write to Me from America that Joseph Wright ( my Son ) "has Painted a Likeness and also moddel’d a Clay Bust of General Washington which will be a very great honour to My Famaly." I most heartly thank my god for Sparing My life to See this hapy day. I joyne with all My friends in the pleasing prospect that Posterity will See, and behold the Statue of the man who was apointed by his...
52604To George Washington from George William Fairfax, 9 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
From your very Wise resolution of retiring to your own Estate and biding adieu to public life for ever, made me determine not to break into that Felicity, with and affairs of my own, much more about that of others. But I have been so repeatedly sollicited by Mr S: Athawas, a worthy & steady friend to me, and the American cause, for a line to your Excellency, that I trust, and hope you’l be so...
52605From George Washington to Benjamin Franklin, 9 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Doct: Witherspoon I believe is known to you, consequently it is unnecessary for me to inform you that he is among the most respectable Citizens we have in the United States. Business carries him to Gt Britain, & business or inclination may possibly lead him to France—in which case I persuade myself he will partake of those Civilities and attentions, which you bestow so liberally upon every...
52606From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 9 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of introducing to your acquaintance, Doct: Witherspoon President of the College of New Jersey & the bearer of this letter—It is with pleasure I can recommend him to your notice, as a Gentleman well known on this side the water for his Abilities & Literature; I therefore the more readily take the liberty of presenting him to you as worthy of your civilities. We have just now my...
52607To George Washington from Charles Willson Peale, 9 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Mr Chas W. Peale’s most respectful compliments to His Excellency Genl Washington and requests to know at what hour tomorrow it will be most convenient, to favor Mr Peale with a Sitting. PWacD : Charles Willson Peale Papers.
52608To George Washington from George Gray, 9 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
In your return from the Supreme command of the Armies of the United States to private life, accept that gratitude and respect which your unexampled conduct justly creates in the breasts of a free and happy people. In our own names Sir, and in the names of the citizens of Pennsylvania whom we represent in General Assembly, we embrace this opportunity of transmitting to posterity the just and...
52609From George Washington to George Gray, 9 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I consider the approbation of the Representatives of a free and virtuous People as the most enviable reward that can ever be conferred on a public Character. A sense of duty impelled me to contribute, whatever My Sword or my Pen could effect, towards the establishment of our Freedom & Independence—The smiles of Providence on the united exertions of my fellow Citizens have compleated our...
52610To George Washington from John Dickinson, 9 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your return in Safety and Health to this City (from which you first set out commissioned to defend the Liberties of your Country), and after so successful a performance of that high Trust, affords us a most Sincere Joy. We heartily congratulate You on the late honorable Peace, by which the Freedom Sovereignty and Independence of the United States are acknowledged, their Territorial Rights...
52611From George Washington to Pennsylvania Legislature, 9 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am duly affected by the wellcome reception I have met with on my return to this City; & with unusual pleasure accept your obliging congratulation. But I feel myself particularly indebted to you Gentlemen, for that delicate sensibility, which hath spared my feelings, and by suppressing your sentiments of my conduct, placed it in but too fair a point of light. It is from a heart overflowing...
52612To George Washington from Charles Pettit, 9 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
We beg leave to present to your Excellency our Congratulations on the perfect Establishment of American Independance. We cannot look back upon past Events, nor compare them with present Prospects, without feeling a Glow of Gratitude and Joy. The Boldness of the Attempt and the Success of our Efforts have equally surprized Mankind. But amid the various Orders of Citizens who have contended for...
52613From George Washington to Charles Pettit, 9 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
The perfect establishment of American Independence is indeed an event of such infinite importance as to fill the mind with gratitude & joy; and afford the fairest occasion for mutual congratulations. The honorable sentiments you are pleased to express respecting the Merits of the Army, the just idea you entertain of their bravery, sufferings, and magnanimity; and the honest desire you manifest...
52614From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 9 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to introduce to the honor of your acquaintance Doctr Witherspoon president of the College in New Jersey, & formerly member of Congress. a Gentleman whose abilities exerted in favour of America, have obtained him much credit & esteem. Any civilities you may have it in your power to shew him whilst in France, will greatly oblige Dr Sir Yrs &ca DLC : Papers of George Washington.
52615To George Washington from Elhanan Winchester, 9 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
You will perhaps be surprized to receive a letter from such a poor unworthy creature as I am, and one with whom you have no acquaintaince, but I can assure you, Worthy Sir, that you will find the language of gratitude and respect without disguise or flattery in these lines; and therefore permit me among Millions, (even the happy Millions of the Inhabitants of the united States, who owe their...
52616From George Washington to James McHenry, 10 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
After seeing the backs of the British Forces turned upon us, and the Executive of the State of New York put into the peaceable possession of their Capitol, I set out for this place. On Monday next I expect to leave the City, and by slow traveling arrive at Baltimore on Wednesday, where I will spend one day and then proceed to Annapolis and get translated into a private Citizen. I am y’r...
52617To George Washington from William Shippen, Jr., 10 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Doctr Shippe n s most respectful Compliments to Genl Washington And instead of waiting upon his Excellency in the present ceremonious form takes this method of expressing the great Satisfaction & Joy he feels in his Excellency’s preservation through the manifold, difficult distressing and dangerous exercises he has long been engaged in for his country. And rejoices with him in the...
52618To George Washington from Charles, marquis de La Rouërie Armand Tuffin, 11 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Although I intend to remains some months in america in order to obtain from Congress some advantage & justice for the officers of the legion in their final settlement of accounts, it is of the greatest importance to the succés of my future military life to receive at this time from your Exellency a recommendation to the Court of france for my services & conduct in America—from the letters I...
52619To George Washington from Samuel Hodgdon, 11 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Want of time this Morning prevented my giving the reasons that operated in my mind against the delivery of the duplicate Cannon inscribed for Count De Grass—duty obliges me to inform your Excellency that the two pieces ordered by Congress were executed in this City and forwarded by the Ship Washington previous to any knowledge of those now on hand being preparing in the vicinity of camp—On...
52620To George Washington from American Philosophical Society, 12 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
The American Philosophical Society, which boasts the name of your Excellency in the list of their Members, are happy in this opportunity of presenting their Congratulations on the establishment of Peace. While they anticipate the influence of this event on the important object of their institution, they contemplate with pleasure, that the Arts and Sciences, those friends to learning and...
52621To George Washington from Martha Deberdt, 12 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
You did me great Honor the other Morning in Calling on me, and I was not a little mortifide I was not at home. I could not leave America without paying you my Compliments of Congratulations on your great Success. And now My dear Sir you have one more Battle to fight, the good fight of Faith, may that God: who has Enabled you to Conqure your Natural Enemies, give you his Grace to Conquer your...
52622To George Washington from Decabanes, 12 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
The veneration I entertain for your Excellency, from your great feats as Citizen, and General; with wc., all Europe resounds; causes me to take the freedom of proposing to you a plan of a Republic wc. I had composed at the time of your revolution; and, if I had been happy enough to have done it then, would have prevented the effusion of much blood. Your Country would not have been long...
52623To George Washington from James Irvine, 12 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s late happy return to this City, after so much personal hazard and eminent service is an event, upon which the Militia Officers of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia cannot possibly be silent. It has been reserved for your Excellency to unite in the most eminent degree the Characters, of the Citizen and the Soldier, and exhibit a new and glorious spectacle in the annals of...
52624From George Washington to James Irvine, 12 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
The honorable manner in which you are pleased to notice my return to this City, is particularly acceptable to me. It would have been a proof of the want of Patriotism and every social Virtue, not to have assumed the character of a Soldier when the exigency of the Public demanded, or not to have returned to the Class of Citizens when the necessity of farther Service ceased to exist—I can...
52625From George Washington to American Philosophical Society, 13 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
While you recall to my mind the honor formerly done me by enrolling my name in the List of the Members of your Society, you greatly heighten the pleasure of your present congratulations. For if I know my own inclination, it is to be the friend and associate to men of Virtue & philosophical knowledge; or if I have a wish ungratified, it is that the Arts & Sciences may continue to flourish with...
52626From George Washington to Charles, marquis de La Rouërie Armand Tuffin, 13 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 11th inst: has been delivered to me—I am extremely sorry to be obliged to deny any request which comes from you; but never having opened a corrispondence with the Minister of War in France, & having refused the like application from other Officers, it is impossible to comply with it in this instance. I shall however be very happy in giving you a Certificate or letter,...
52627To George Washington from William Clajon, 13 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
A disorder, equally troublesome and painful, prevented me from personally presenting my Respects to your Excellency. General Gates, in his Letter of the 29th of last July, recommended me to Your Excellency, that your Support might enable me to obtain the Commission of Major in the Army of the United States, with the Instruments of the Officer of that Rank. My Appointment, as a Staff Officer,...
52628To George Washington from John Ewing, 13 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Dr Ewing presents his most respectful Complemts to his Excellency Genl Washington, and informs him that Dr Khun one of the Medical Professors of the university was prevented, by an unavoidable Accident, from signing his Excellency’s Diploma, before the Faculty had the Honour of presenting it, & that Dr Ewing will be much obliged to the General for permitting this young gentleman to carry it to...
52629To George Washington from Samuel Hodgdon, 13 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Cannon and Carriages are delivered—Your Excellency will please to Sign the inclosed Order for their delivery—I have sent two truncks you will please to keep that one that answers best—The silk with the bill is in the smallest trunk, should be glad to know what other Articles your Excellency leaves to be forwarded, with those now on hand. DNA : RG 93—War Department.
52630From George Washington to Samuel Hodgdon, 13 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Trunk, & two boxes or Cases which you brought from New York for me, with a few other Articles which I shall send to you tomorrow, I would have go on by Land as my Papers, & other valuable things are contained in them. The Boxes & other parcels which were sent from Rocky hill by Colo. Morgan, may go by Water to Alexandria, for which place a Vessel (Colo. Biddle informs me) is just on the...
52631From George Washington to Armand-Louis de Gontaut Biron, duc de Lauzun, 13 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Doct: Witherspoon president of the college in New Jersey, will have the honor to deliver you this Letter. This Gentn by a very early exertion of his abilities in favor of this Country obtained a seat in Congress, where he served with much credit during some of the most critical periods of the late contest. As he is now going to Europe, I have taken the liberty to introduce him to the honor of...
52632From George Washington to Hugh Martin, 13 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
As I have been & still am extremely occupied in closing my public & private Affairs in this City, it is not in my power to make any farther observations on the subject contained in your letters of the 3d of Novr & 8th of Decr, than just to remark, that in my opinion it would be very unfortunate to lose the knowledge of any discovery which tended to prevent or remove the calamities of human...
52633To George Washington from Hugh Martin, 13 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Being Elated with the pleasure of Seeing your Excellency added to the appearance of real joy in every Countenance on his Arival here, Induced me to come before you without any formal introduction, Although I Acknowledge I was in suspence whether you remembered me or not, as I have grown Considerably Since 79 when I had the honor of being introduced to you, at the time we lay at Middle Brook...
52634To George Washington from John Ewing, 13 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
We beg leave to congratulate your Excellency on the happy conclusion of the War. At length the hazardous Conflict is over, The Blessings of Peace and Independence are ours, And we approach your Excellency as you retire from the field, with the mingled Emotions of Joy, Gratitude & Affection. Let others, Sir, recount your military Atchievments, and draw the honorable Comparison between them &...
52635From George Washington to John Ewing, 13 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I entreat you to accept my grateful thanks for your affectionate Address; and to be assured that the kindness & partiality of your sentiments respecting me, as well as the elegance & urbaninity of your expressions; have made an impression on my mind, never to be effaced. Conscious of no impropriety in wishing to merit the esteem of my fellow Citizens in general; I cannot hesitate to...
52636To George Washington from Plunket Fleeson Glentworth, 13 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Magistrates of the City of Philadelphia, in Behalf of themselves and their Associates the Magistrates of the County—beg Leave to present to Your Excellency our Congratulations on the present happy AEra, which confirms to the United States of America the inestimable Blessings of Peace, Liberty and Independance. The great Share Your Excellency has had in obtaining these Blessings, demands...
52637From George Washington to Plunket Fleeson Glentworth, 13 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have great occasion to be satisfied with the proofs you have now given of regard for my person, and approbation of my Services. Nothing could have been more proper on this occasion than to atrribute our glorious successes in the manner you have done, to the bravery of our Troops, the assistance of our Ally & the interposition of Providence. Having by such means acquired the inestimable...
52638To George Washington from Samuel Sterett, 13 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Trustees and Faculty of the University of the State of Pennsylvania view with peculiar joy the conclusion of the war, and congratulate your Excellency on the establishment of Peace. When they consider how many important interests were involved in the late Contest, they cannot suppress their acknowledgments to your Excellency, under whose Auspices it has been so happily conducted. In this...
52639From George Washington to Samuel Sterett, 13 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I experience a singular satisfaction in receiving your congratulations on the establishment of Peace and the security of those important interests which were involved in the fate of the War. Desirous of being considered the friend, and (as far as consists with my abilities), the Patron of the Arts & Sciences; I must take the liberty of expressing my sense of the obligations I am under to the...
52640Washington’s Account, 28 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Drs. The United States in acct with G: Washington Cr. 1783 Dollars ab/ 1783 Dollars ab/ th th Decr 13 To Balle of Acct given in this day £ 217.
52641To George Washington from Charles, marquis de La Rouërie Armand Tuffin, 14 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I had requested your Exellency to wrait to the ministre at war because I was assured it would be much favorable to me through the honor which a lettre from you would Confer on him—from my observations during my last journey to france, I am Certain it would have been the Case—but your Exellency knows best and whatsowever may be my interest, what general washington does, is in my eyes the best...
52642From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 14 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Gen: Washington’s Complimts to Colo. Biddle—Begs to know if the Vessel for Alexandria will Sail today—and whether Colo. Biddle has procured the Articles required. If more money is wanted Colo. Biddle will please to name the Sum—and the Genl would be glad to receive the Acct. PHi : Washington-Biddle Correspondence.
52643To George Washington from William Clajon, 14 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
It is very distressing to me that it is not within the Line of Your Excellency’s Power to issue a Warrant in my Case; for, I am confident you feel Pleasure, when you can relieve. I am sensible that I have not the Advantage of being personally known to you; but if you would honour me with a Letter to Congress, grounded on General Gates Recommendation of me to Your Excellency, it is not...
52644From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 14 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have just received a Letter from General McIntosh in Georgia praying me to use my intrest with your Excellency in favor of a young frenchman under the name of Du Coins whose situation is explained in the Letter I now do myself the honor to enclose. Tho’ I am unacquainted with the young Gentleman otherwise than by that Letter, yet having served with Credit in our Army, and being represented...
52645To George Washington from Anthony Wayne, 14 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
long want of health, occasioned by the extreme of fatigue & loss of blood, in assisting to Vindicate the rights & liberties of America from her coldest , to her hotest sun, deprived me the honor & pleasure, of attending your Excellency into New York, & now adds to my unhappiness, by preventing me from paying you my personal respects in the City of Phila., however I have one consolation i.e....
52646From George Washington to Anthony Wayne, 14 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have only time before my departure from this City to acknowledge the receipt of your two favors of the 1 Novr and 14 December with the several inclosures which I will take an opportunity of laying before Congress at as early a period as possible. I should have been very happy to have seen you—here—and am sorry your health did not permit it—I hope however I shall soon have that pleasure at...
52647To George Washington from George Weedon, 14 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of addressing a letter to Your Excellency from Baltimore on the Subject of our state proceedings respecting the Order of Cincinnati. I have never been able to procure the printed Copies till lately which are now inclosed with a Copy also of the proceeding of the Georgia line. Wishing You the compliments of the season. Am with every Sentiment of Esteem Your Most Obt Servt DSoC .
52648From George Washington to Charles, marquis de La Rouërie Armand Tuffin, 15 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Among the last acts of my public life none afford me more pleasure than to acknowledge the assistance I have received from those worthy men whom I have had the honor to command & whose exertions have so much contributed to the safety & liberty of my Country. In the number of these, you my dear sir, cannot pass unnoticed: the great zeal, intelligence & bravery you have shewn, & the various...
52649From George Washington to George Clinton, 15 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
It was with exceeding great concern I heard by Mr Gouvr Morris that you had had a return of your Fever—I hope it was slight, and that you are now perfectly restored to health—No man wishes it more sincerely than I do. I have been able to negotiate a matter with Mr Robt Morris by which about Seventeen hundred pounds York Currency will be thrown into your hands on my Acct which sum, when...
52650From George Washington to Lachlan McIntosh, 15 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have within a few days past received your two favors of the 15 October and 1st Novr the latter inclosing your application to Congress. Inclosed is my Letter to the Minister of france on the subject of Captain Du Coins—I have yet no answer, if it comes before I close this, I will send it you. Tomorrow I set off for Annapolis on my way home and will deliver your application with the other...