401[Diary entry: 16 August 1797] (Washington Papers)
16. Clear wind varying from No. W. to S. W. Mer. 73.
402To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 16 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday at the Great Falls, when Frederick informed me that he could calculate with certainty upon getting two hundred bushels of Rye, and perhaps more, from 4/6 to 5/ pr bushl. The farmers will begin to get it out in a few days, and as soon as there may be enough received to make it an object to send for it, he will give me information thereof. I am, my dear Sir, most respectfully &...
403[Diary entry: 17 August 1797] (Washington Papers)
17. Wind inclining to the Westward—Mer. 73. Weather clear. Went with the family to Alexa. Dined with Mr. Potts. Doctr. Stuart came home with us in the evening. Mr. Potts is John Potts, Jr., formerly of Pottsgrove (Pottstown), Pa. (see entry for 11 Sept. 1785 ).
404Clement Biddle to GW, 17 August 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: Clement Biddle to GW, 17 Aug. 1797. In his letter to Biddle of 23 Aug. GW refers to “your letter of the 17th instant.”
405To George Washington from Harry Dorsey Gough, 17 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor to receive this morning your Letter by Mr John Anderson. I wish it was in my power to send the Sheep you desire; some few years ago I took much Delight in that part of my Stock and brought it to great perfection, but they have unfortunately been since deseased and so much degenerated that I would not recommend their introduction on your Farm. I flatter myself that you will...
406To George Washington from Nathaniel Ramsay, 17 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter by Mr Anderson I received Yesterday Afternoon, before which I had sufficiently ascertained that the sheep you mentioned could be had of Mr Gough, Your Carriage therefore proceeded immediately on. Colo. Howard shewed me a letter a few days agoe in which Mr Gough expressed a wish to present you with one of his Bull Calves and requesting his advice as to the best mode of having it...
407[Diary entry: 18 August 1797] (Washington Papers)
18. Wind Southerly—Clear—Mer. at 79. Doctr. Stuart went away.
408To George Washington from William Deakins, Jr., 18 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the pleasure of seeing you I have made enquiry for Rye & find no Quantity can be had at a reasonable Price our Farmers Ask one Dollar ⅌ Bushel & cannot engage to deliver it sooner than the Middle of October. I have therefore declined to make any engagements for it—I set out for the Allegany to day & will make one more ⟨ mutilated ⟩ to get you the Genuin Glade Oats. I am with Great...
409To George Washington from Nathaniel Ramsay, 18 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
The letter which accompanis this was wrote yesterday before your Cart had returned from Mr Gough’s. The Calf which was drove in from his House was so very much fatigued and his feet appeared so sore that I have recomme[n]ded it to Mr Anderson to give it one days rest, and its being in the same pasture with the other one will make them somewhat acquainted, and perhaps drive better together. The...
410[Diary entry: 19 August 1797] (Washington Papers)
19. Wind Southerly all day. Mer. at 82. Some app[earanc]e of Rain.
411To George Washington from Thomas Macdonald, 19 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
It gave me pleasure to be made the bearer of a volume of Reports from the British Board of Agriculture, to be presented to you on the part of the Board, and which was delivered to me for that purpose by Sir John Sinclair, with the enclosed letter—As it was only just finished at the Press when I left London, it was sent me in loose sheets which have been bound up here—Coll Innes who left town...
412To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 19 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
After messages without number, Mr Anthony has brought me your copying press with the new brass rollers, for which he has charged ten dollars more than he at first mentioned as the probable price. The reason he assigns, is the greater weight of brass, increasing the founders bill to twenty one dollars. I have paid him, and inclose his receipt for $35, after endeavouring to reduce his demand....
413[Diary entry: 20 August 1797] (Washington Papers)
20. But little wind & that variable. Weather clear. Mer. 79.
414From George Washington to Newburgh Burroughs, 20 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 22d of May last, from Belfast, and wish it was in my power to give you a more satisfactory statement of the decd Mrs Savage’s affairs in this country than I am about to detail. True it is I was one of that unfortunate lady’s trustees; and as true, that while I was in a situation to render her any services I performed them (jointly with the other trustee) as...
415To George Washington from Anthony Heusler, 20 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to your Exelencies ordre I have the honnour to informe you that I am rady to go into your service, and Dew not pretant to pointe out to you anny new Rouls, but will satisfay my self white the same apointements as your other Gardner Injoire now, only white that Tiferance, to Recive frome your Exelencies an Ecquivalent of the amaunte of seele mad Yearly which will not bee any more. I...
416From George Washington to John Searson, 20 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 2d instt came duly to hand, and I wish with all my heart you could meet with such employment as your talents are suited to; but if you cannot obtain this in Philadelphia where your character is best known, it is not likely you would succeed better where you are less acquainted, and in places less populous. There is none within my view, in this quarter, in any of the lines to...
417[Diary entry: 21 August 1797] (Washington Papers)
21. Clear with little or no wind. Mer. at 80.
418From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 21 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
Since writing to you on the 14th Inst. I have received your letter of the 12 th with the cost of the Picture frames and Glasses; to receive which soon would be convenient and agreeable to me. The large Plated wine cooler reserved from sale in my last, I pray you to have carefully packed up and sent with the letter enclosed by a safe conveyance to Colo. Hamilton of New York. I am in want of an...
419George Washington Parke Custis to GW, 21 August 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: George Washington Parke Custis to GW, 21 Aug. 1797. On 29 Aug. GW wrote “Your letter of the 21st Instt came to hand.”
420From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 21 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
Not for any intrinsic value the thing possesses, but as a token of my sincere regard and friendship for you, and as a remembrancer of me; I pray you to accept a Wine cooler for four bottles, which Coll Biddle is directed to forward from Philadelphia (where with other articles it was left) together with this letter, to your address. It is one of four, which I imported in the early part of my...
421To George Washington from David Longworth, 21 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
Perhaps your Excellency will be disposed to pardon, & think it a laudable ambition, which has stimulated me to endeavor to make my publication appear worthy your patronage—The whole of the materials & execution of the edition of Telemachus, now presented you, are entire american, my mode of hot pressing is on an entire new principle from that practised in Europe —under these considerations I...
422[Diary entry: 22 August 1797] (Washington Papers)
22. Clear & warm. Wind small & variable. Mer. 79.
423To George Washington from Ferdinando Fairfax, 22 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
Upon more particular Inquiry respecting the Cook of whom I was speaking to you, he is said to possess some ill qualities that might probably disqualify him for your Service; therefore it wou’d not be adviseable to calculate on getting him, if you can be otherwise supplied with a good Cook. My near neighbour Mr Robt Baylor (at whose house Mr Payton Gwynn, his master, stay’d, when up the...
424[Diary entry: 23 August 1797] (Washington Papers)
23. Very little wind rather inclining to the Westward. Mer. 80. Mr. Richd. Randolph & Mr. Carter Beverly came to dinner & Captn. Blackburn & lady in the Afternoon. Clouds but no R. Richard Randolph, Jr. (c.1758–1799), of Curles in Henrico County was married to Maria Beverley Randolph (1764–1824), daughter of Robert Beverley (1740–1800) and Maria Carter Beverley (1745–1817) of Blandfield....
425From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 23 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
I am extremely sorry to find by your letter of the 17th instant, and the Philadelphia Gazetters of that date, that the Yellow fever has again made its appearance; and devoutly wish that it may soon be removed, from your City. Your motive for delaying the sale of my Table furniture is not only good as it respects the yellow fever, but if you think any advantage would result from the measure, it...
426From George Washington to Harry Dorsey Gough, 23 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
I feel, sensibly, your kind & polite attention to me, in the presentation of a bull calf of your improved breed. A very fine one indeed it is, and merits my particular thanks, which I pray you to accept. My stock of all sorts has been much neglected during my eight year⟨s⟩ residence from home, and will take more time than in the usual course of nature will be allowed me, to improve them much;...
427GW to Alexander Spotswood, 23 August 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: GW to Alexander Spotswood, 23 Aug. 1797. On 13 Sept. Spotswood wrote GW : “I got from the post office your favr of the 23d of August.”
428To George Washington from Lawrence Augustine Washington, 23 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the pleasure to see you, I have become engaged to be married to a young lady near Winchester. Her name is Wood. The daughter of Mr Robt Wood. She has been brought up in the habit of domestic œconomy & industry & to consider the true excellence of a farmers wife to consist in a minute attention to the œconomy of her family & a continued reguard to her husbands domestic interests....
429[Diary entry: 24 August 1797] (Washington Papers)
24. The latter Gentn. & lady went away after breakfast & the former after dinner. Calm. Mer. at 80.
430To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 24 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have to-day delivered to the Attorney General, in one packet, the two bundles of papers of reports & opinions of the Heads of Departments &c. which you left in my hands. I have delivered him another packet from Sir John Sinclair, which I received to-day from General Kosciusko; and now inclose the General’s letter to you, with another which was under the ⟨string⟩ of the packet from Sir John...
431[Diary entry: 25 August 1797] (Washington Papers)
25. Very warm with but little Wind in the forenoon—Mer. at 82. Mr. Wilson & Mrs. Ramsay—Mr. & Mrs. Potts & two daughters dined here. Mr. Wilson is William Wilson, merchant, of Alexandria (see entry for 17 April 1785 ). Mrs. Ramsay is Mrs. Elizabeth Ramsay, mother of Eliza Ramsay Potts and widow of Patrick Ramsay, a Scottish merchant of Blandford, Prince George County. At the beginning of the...
432[Diary entry: 26 August 1797] (Washington Papers)
26. Mrs. Washington dined here and in the afternoon Genl. & Mrs. Spotswood—Captn. Spotswood Miss Spotswood & Miss Thornton came. But little wind & great appearances of Rain. Mer. 81. Mrs. Washington is undoubtedly Lund Washington’s widow, Elizabeth Foote Washington, of nearby Hayfield. Alexander Spotswood of New Post and Nottingham, both in Spotsylvania County, and his wife, Elizabeth...
433GW to James Craik, 26 August 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: GW to James Craik, 26 Aug. 1797. On 28 Aug. Craik wrote GW : “Your favour of the 26th Instant was handed me by Mr [James] Anderson.”
434To George Washington from William Vans Murray, 26 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
Though I did myself the honour of writing very lately to you, the pleasing event of which a letter this morning from Hamburgh gives a prospect, induces me rather to trespass upon your patience than to omit for a moment the intelligence that there is every reason to expect the liberation of M. Fayette. I will extract part of Mr Williams’s (the Consul’s) letter of 22d Augt —he says that “Mr...
435[Diary entry: 27 August 1797] (Washington Papers)
27. Clear, with the wind at No. W. all day. Mer. at 78.
436To George Washington from Henry Lee, Jr., 27 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have not time to pay my respects as I intended, in as much as I cannot leave town this evening & my long absence from home forbids my loosing another day. My demands on Philadelphia unless the yellow fever interrupts the Philadelphians will be settled in Septr. I then shall have some of Wilsons money, on which fund I counted when I bought yr land. I now enclose a negotiable note for 1000 Ds....
437To George Washington from William Pearce, 27 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have Receved your Letter of the 14th Instant—and I shall always be happy To have It in my Power to Serve you; but as yet, I have not been so fortunate as to Git an overseer for you, for those who would answer your purpose are so very high In thare demands In wages that they are far above what you are willing to Give, for the Lowest that I Can Git one who could be depended on for is £85 this...
438[Diary entry: 28 August 1797] (Washington Papers)
28. Clear—Mercury at 80. Wind Southerly.
439To George Washington from James Craik, 28 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 26th Instant was handed me by Mr Anderson, but from the hurry of business which at that time demanded all my attention I was prevented from answering it untill now —For the Check on the Bank of Alexandria please to accept my warmest Acknowledgements the present of Turnips I receve also with Gratitude. In regard to my Account with you I find upon examination of my Book’s that...
440To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 28 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
The receipt two days since of your letter of the 21 instant gave me sincere pleasure. The token of your regard, which it announces, is very precious to me, and will always be remembered as it ought to be. Mrs Hamilton has lately added another boy to our Stock. She and the child are both well—She desires to be affectionately remembered to Mrs Washington & yourself. We have nothing new here more...
441To George Washington from Richard Parkinson, 28 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
Having for some Time past had an Intention of going to America, which having been intimated to my good Friend Sir John Sinclair Bart, he desired me to write to you, by the first Conveyance to inform you; that he intended reccommending me to you, as an English Farmer, to take one of your Farms, on the Potomac, of which Farms he has sent me the Plans, Conditions &ca. Accordingly I take this the...
442[Diary entry: 29 August 1797] (Washington Papers)
29. Clear—Wind Southerly. M. at 80. Mr. Bushd. Washington Mr. Fieldg. Lewis & Wife and Miss Dade dined here & went away afterwards. Bushrod Washington had moved his law practice from Alexandria to Richmond in 1790. Fielding Lewis, Jr., was married to Nancy Alexander, daughter of Gerard and Mary Dent Alexander of Fairfax County. The Miss Dade who accompanies the Lewises is undoubtedly one of...
443From George Washington to George Washington Parke Custis, 29 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 21st Instt came to hand by the last Post; and, as usual, gave us pleasure to hear that you enjoyed good health; were progressing well in your Studies; and that you were in the Road to promotion. Senior class having left, or being on the point of leaving College—some of them with great eclat—ought to prove a strong stimulus to those who remain to acquire equal reputation...
444From George Washington to Ludwell Lee, 29 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
General Spotswood, Mrs Miss & Captn Spotswood, and Miss Thornton of Culpeper (all relations I believe of yours) are now here. They, Mrs Washington and myself, would be glad to see you, Mrs Lee Miss Armistead & any others of your family, at Dinner tomorrow. With esteem & regard I am Dear Sir Your Obedt Hble Servt ALS , owned (1996) by Mr. Joseph Rubinfine, West Palm Beach, Florida. Alexander...
445From George Washington to Thomas Macdonald, 29 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 19th, and the Vol[um]e of Reports which accompanied it, have been duly received. For your care of the latter, and particularly for having it bound, I pray you to accept my best thanks; and an assurance that, if inclination or business should induce you or Mr Rich to visit the State of Virginia, I should think myself honored in seeing of you at my Seat. Little doubt can be...
446From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 29 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your favours of the 9th, 10th, & 19th instant have been duly received; for your care of my European letters, and attention to the copying Press, Laws of the U.S. and journals of Congress, I feel myself obliged. If the Vessel has not already left Philadelphia, the Tryal, Captn Hand, is up for Alexandria; and will afford a good conveyance for the above articles, as it has other small matters on...
447[Diary entry: 30 August 1797] (Washington Papers)
30. Clear, with the Wind, tho little of it Southerly. Mercury 80. Ludwell Lee Esqr. & Lady & Miss Armistead dined here. Richard Henry Lee’s eldest son, Ludwell Lee (1760–1836), served in the Virginia House of Delegates 1787–90 and was now speaker of the Virginia Senate. His first wife, Flora Lee, had died, and he was married again on 30 May 1797 to Elizabeth (Betsey) Armistead, daughter of...
448Clement Biddle to GW, 30 August 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: Clement Biddle to GW, 30 Aug. 1797. On 6 Sept. GW wrote Biddle : “Your favor of the 30th Ult. was received.”
449To George Washington from Benjamin Goodhue, 30 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
I am fearfull you may have thought me unmindfull of my pleasing obligation to see you supply’d with Cod fish, but be assured I shall never be forgetfull of the honour and interest I feel in executing any commands you may ever impose—on my return from Congress in March I apply’d to Mr Daniel Sargent of Boston who is the most reputed person for procuring the best of fish who informed me it could...
450To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 30 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
The immediate publication of Govr Blount’s letter to Carey, after the receipt of the copy sent you by Colo. Henley seemed to render of little consequence this copy, which, however, I return, agreeably to your request on its transmission. To morrow I move my family and office to Trenton. Not that I think the danger of the contagious fever in any measure considerable: but persons are...