51[Diary entry: 1 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 1st. Thermometer at 34 in the Morning—34 at Noon and 32 at Night. A very disagreeable mixture of Rain and fine hail fell all day, with a fresh and cold No. easterly wind. Towards night and in the Night it snowed. Few days or Nights this year have been more inclemt. and disagreeable than this.
52[Diary entry: 27 September 1788] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 27th. Thermometer at 60 in the morning—68 at Noon and 72 at Night. Clear Morning with the Wind at No. Wt. Calm afterwards, or very little wind from So. Et. Rid to the Ferry, Frenchs and Dogue run Plantations. The same work at all three, as in the days preceeding—with the Muddy hole hands in aid at the latter. Turned the Mares & Colts from the Pasture at the home house into that at the...
53[Diary entry: 7 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 7th. Road to my Mill, Ferry, Dogue run, & Muddy hole Plantations. Preparing my dry well, and the Well in my New Cellar for the reception of Ice. But little wind, and that Southwardly. Day very pleasant—tho’ it thawed but little. The well in the new cellar was to prove unsatisfactory (see entry for 5 June ). The dry well that GW used as an icehouse was first mentioned in 1773, when it...
54To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 11 March 1787 (Washington Papers)
I must call upon your friendship to excuse me for again mentioning the convention at Philadelphia. Your determination having been fixed on a thorough review of your situation, I feel, like an intruder, when I again hint a wish, that you would join the delegation. But every day brings forth some new crisis, and the confederation is, I fear, the last anchor of our hope. Congress have taken up...
55To George Washington from Robert Morris, 26 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with the Receipt of your Excellencys Letter of the 18th Inst. and in Consequence shall send this to the City of New York which I hope and expect is now in our possession. It is unnecessary to assure you Sir how pleasing it would be, to comply with the Wishes of the Officers now in Service, as expressed in their Memorial of the 17th Inst. because I am sure both you and they...
56To George Washington from Jacob Read, 9 March 1785 (Washington Papers)
When I had the pleasure to See you last Summer at Mount Vernon I believe I informed you in answer to a question on the Subject that Congress had received a Copy of the Roll of Negroes &Ca taken by the Commissioners for Superintending the Embarkations at New York at the time of the removal of the Refugees and British Garrison from this City—I now find I was mistaken and that the one I had Seen...
57To George Washington from John Tucker, 16 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
The sensible pleasure I feel at being Personally known to you, has Induced me to send you the Inclosed Dissertation on the Revolutions of States and Empires. It is the performance of a Worthy Clergyman of this Island; a Gentleman of a most amiable Character, and who I have the Happiness of being Intimately acquainted with. As this Treatise Breaths Liberal sentiments, Favourable to the Future...
58From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 7 August 1787 (Washington Papers)
In addition to the articles contained in the Memo. given to you some time since, I pray you to procure, and send by Captn Steward the following. A Wimble bit—compleat. Pickled Walnuts & India Mangoes none were sent before. Thompsons Seasons and Gutheries Geography and the Art of Speaking. Some Pamphlets which have been sent to me since I came to Town; and Books purchased for my amusement...
59From George Washington to James Wilkinson, 20 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 30th of December, written at George-Town. I am very sorry that your business was so pressing as to deprive me of the pleasure of seeing you at this place, while you was in the neighbourhood of it. Doctor Stuart handed me the Indian fabricks which you did me the honor to send by him, and for which I beg you to accept of my warmest thanks. Altho’ they are not...
60To George Washington from William Fitzhugh, 2 November 1785 (Washington Papers)
I beg Leave to return you my Thanks for the Loan of Peter—and I am happy that I have it in my Power to send him Home unhurt. Tarquin has recover’d the Laurells he lost at Alexandria—His Opponents were, old Cumberland, and Herod, the Property of Doctr Ross; both which he beat with great Ease. I have a fine 2 year-old Doe, perfectly tame, which I beg your Acceptance of. She shall be sent with...
61From George Washington to Charles Carter, 14 December 1787 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 21st of Octr would not have remained so long unacknowledged could I with any degree of precision have answered your quæries sooner. I wish it was in my power to do it satisfactorily now. The drought of last Summer in this neighbourhood was so unconsionably severe, that the experiments I contemplated were by no means conclusive—the result such as it is—I will give you. In...
62From George Washington to John Ariss, 8 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your letter of the 5th, I have to inform you that I have no untenanted Lands in the Counties of Berkley or Frederick, except two lotts Nos. 5 & 6—the first containing 346½ acres, & the 2d—224½—in the latter, which I bought at the Sale of Colo. George Mercers Estate, in the year 1774—& for which I have had many persons applying to become Tenants. My intention was, after I had...
63[Diary entry: 15 May 1787] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday—15th. Repaired to the State Ho. at the hour appointed. No more States represented, tho’ there were members (but not sufficient to form a quoram) from two or three others—viz. No. Carolina, & Delaware as also Jersey. Govr. Randolph of Virginia came in to day. Dined with the Society of the Cincinnati.
64From George Washington to Henry Lee, Jr., 4 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for asking my commands to Fredericksburg. It is not my wish to be your competitor in the purchase of any of Mr Hunters tradesmen: especially as I am in a great degree principled against increasing my number of Slaves by purchase and suppose moreover that Negros sold on creadit will go high. yet if you are not disposed to buy the Bricklayer which is advertized for Sale, for your own...
65From George Washington to Samuel Hodgdon, 6 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
Mrs Washington, accompanied by Doctr Craik, are on their way to Virginia—Business of mine will require their stay in Philadelpa— perhaps a week—during this time they will rely upon you for the care & expence of keeping their Horses while they are in the City ; and I shall thank you for such other assistance as Mrs Washington may require & shall call upon you for. I am Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt...
66From George Washington to Thomas Clarke, 25 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
In your name & behalf Mr Laurens, as he passed thro’ this State last Month on his way from the seat of Congress to Charleston —presented me a very handsome gold headed cane: & accompanied it with such favorable sentiments of your good wishes towards the American revolution—& the flattering opinion you entertained of me, as to induce me, contrary to my usual custom, to accept of it. With this...
67[Diary entry: 11 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 11th. Mercury at 38 in the Morning 40 at Noon & 44 at Night. Until Noon it was foggy, with but little wind. Afternoon it cleared, & was very pleasant. The wind pretty fresh from the So. West—which bringing the Ice to the Shore again I renewed the Work of filling my dry Well with it by assembly Carts & hands from my Plantations.
68From George Washington to Richard Harrison, 20 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 10th of July together with the two Toledo Blades sent by Captn Sullivan. I am much obliged to Mr Carmichael for this polite mark of attention to me; but hope I shall have no occasion to use them. I should have been happy Sir, to have received them from you in person; but as your business will not yet permit you to return to your native Country, I must...
69[Diary entry: 29 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 29th. Mercury at 69 in the Morning—74 at Noon And 76 at Night. Clear & pleasant all day except being warm. Wind Westerly. Messrs. Philips and Edwards, and Mr. Booth & Mr. Hawkins left this after Breakfast. Colo. Bassett his two Sons, Fanny Bassett, and Nelly & Washington Custis, followed soon after for Abingdon. Mr. George Lee & Doctr. Craik came here to breakfast and after Dinner...
70From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., 4 April 1784 (Washington Papers)
The choice of your delegates to the General Meeting of the Cincinnati gave me pleasure, & I wish very sincerely that you would all attend;—Let me impress this upon you, with a request that you would impress it upon your Brothers of the delegation. This meeting, taking into consideration the prejudices and jealousies which have arisen, should not only be respectable in numbers, but respectable...
71[Diary entry: 1 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 1st. Mercury at 29 in the Morning, 28 at Noon and 34 at Night. Snowing, raining, or Hailing all day & Night and very disagreeable. Wind at No. Wt. and West the whole time.
72From George Washington to Tench Tilghman, 11 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
I shall essay the finishing of my Green Ho. this fall; but find that neither my own knowledge, or that of any person abt me, is competent to the business. Shall I, for this reason, ask the favor of you to give me a short detail of the internal construction of the Green House at Mrs Carrolls? I am perswaded now, that I planned mine upon too contracted a Scale—My House is (of Brick) 40 feet by...
73[Diary entry: 19 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 19th. Thermomiter at 70 in the Morng.—74 at Noon and 76 at Night. Very little Wind through the day, and in general clear. Rid to the Plantation in the Neck—to Muddy hole, and to Dogue run at the last of which they were cutting grass and at the first just begin[nin]g.
74From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 1 August 1786 (Washington Papers)
The letters you did me the favor to write to me on the 4th & 7th of Jany have been duly received. In answer to your obliging enquiries respecting the dress, attitude &ca which I would wish to have given to the Statue in question—I have only to observe that not having a sufficient knowledge in the art of sculpture to oppose my judgment to the taste of Connoisseiurs, I do not desire to dictate...
75To George Washington from Henry Knox, 8 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
My last to you was of the 1st instant since which I have received your favor of the 25 Jany. You will probably have received mine long before this time of the 14th ultimo which will satisfy you that I received duly your favor of the 26th December. I now enclose you (in confidence) three Copies of letters written by our friend Lincoln to Govr Bowdoin which will shew you in a more connectd State...
76To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 4 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
I mentioned yesterday, to some of the members of Congress, that I thought it would be very satisfactory to your Excellency to know the ideas of Congress relative to the number of troops to be reclaimed on the evacuation of New York—on this point a motion was made in Congress by Mr Gerry & seconded by Mr McHenry "That the commander in chief be authorized and directed after the evacuation of New...
77To George Washington from Samuel Hanway, 26 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
In a Short time after you left my office I Examin’d the falls of Cheat river agreeable to your request and find that it will be Imposible to effect a navigation up it through the Laurell Hill, I have made the stri[c]test Enquiry whare the most advantagious and nearest Communication by Land can be had from the north branch to the Western Waters, and find it Will be to the falls of the Tyeger...
78[Diary entry: 27 October 1787] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 27th. Went to the Woods back of Muddy hole with the hounds. Unkennelled two foxes & dragged others but caught none. The dogs run wildly & ⟨were⟩ under no command. Passed through Muddy hole Plantation and ordered grass Seeds to be sown in the following places, manner, & quantities—viz.—taking a breadth from field No. 4 across to No. 3 of eql. width with the farm yd. & containing abt. 5...
79From George Washington to John Francis Mercer, 24 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
Your servant having this moment put your letter of the 20th inst. into my hands, & appearing to be in great haste; I shall not detain him, especially as it is neither my wish nor intention to enter on the justification of my last to you. The evidence, on which the charge of unfairness &ca was grounded, you have enclosed in Colo. Symm’s own hand writing—(the amount of the other bonds in his...
80To George Washington from George Martin, 15 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
With the purest Sentiments of Esteem and respect I took the earliest Opportunity of acknowledging the Honor of your Letter by the hands of My Nephew Mr Geo: Martin who was preparing to embark for Virginia from England, but I since find that unexpected Occurrences have detain’d him so long that it is more than probable this Letter will reach your hands before he can present his—give me leave...
81[Diary entry: 9 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 9th. Thermometer at 68 in the Morning—72 at Noon and 74 at Night. Having provided a light & convenient Boat—hired two hands to work her and laid in some Stores, Colonels Fitzgerald & Gilpin, and myself embarked in it, leaving Mr. Rumsey to engage more hds. & to set those he had to work about 6 Oclock P.M. In this Boat we passed through the Spout, and all the other Falls and rapids, and...
82From George Washington to La Luzerne, 25 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellys favor of the 18th from Annapolis covering a letter from the Marqs de la Fayette, for the trouble of doing which be pleased to accept my thanks. I regret exceedingly that the weather and roads shou’d have deprived me of the honor of seeing you at my retreat—I shall look however, with pleasure for your return to Annapolis, when I shall expect the fulfilment...
83To George Washington from Battaile Muse, 1 November 1788 (Washington Papers)
If my waggone Comes to this Place Next Friday—or before, as I have directed—I Shall waite on you For Colo. Fairfaxes Desk and Papers—I have no order for them—the Executors said it was not Necessary—as my Power of attorney was Sufficient To Call for them —If you think it Necessary To List the Papers I Shall be Glad it Could be done before I Come down—Should any accident Prevent my going To...
84[Diary entry: 23 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 23d. Mercury at 79 in the Morning—78 at Noon and 80 at Night. Wind Westwardly in the forenoon, but quite calm afterwards; afternoon cool. Rid to Muddy hole and River Plantations. Finished my Hay Harvest in the Neck. Perceived a few Plants of the Pride of China (the Seed of which were Sowed on the 13th. of June) to be coming up. And also the Jien pien Cou fa—between the 8 & 9 pegs and...
85From George Washington to Gardoqui, 20 January 1786 (Washington Papers)
The letter which your Excellency did me the favor to write to me on the first of this month does me great honor: the sentiments which you have been pleased to entertain of my conduct are very flattering; and the friendly manner in which they are expressed is highly pleasing. To meet the approbation of a gentleman whose good wishes were early engaged in the American cause, & who has attended to...
86From George Washington to Henry Knox, 21 February 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a letter from Monsr Cottineau de Kerloquin requesting an admission into the Society of the Cincinnati—and one from the Chevalier D’Anmours setting forth the services of that Gentleman and his pretensions to admission. Both of which I must beg you to lay before the Society at their next General Meeting that they may take the necessary steps thereon; unless it shall...
87[Diary entry: 31 October 1787] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday. 31st. Clear pleasand & warm in the forenoon. Towards Noon it grew cold. Wind hard at No. West. Rid to all the Plantns. In the Neck 6 plows were at work & 2 more were put at it this morning one of wch. broke immediately. The other hands were getting Irish Potatoes in the further cut (Tob. Ho.) in Timber landg. f[iel]d. At Muddy hole—finished Sowing Wheat 12½ bushls. in the cut right...
88From George Washington to William Tudor, 18 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your friendly letter of the 26th of July, together with the History of the Insurrections in Massachusetts; and cannot delay to return you my thanks for these tokens of your regard. Though I have not yet had time to look through the book, from the interesting nature of the subject, and the judicious manner in which it seems to be handled, I anticipate considerable amusement...
89From George Washington to William Washington, 30 June 1785 (Washington Papers)
My nephew delivered me your letter of the 21st of April. For the kind attention shewn him by Mrs Washington & yourself he entertains a grateful sense, & I offer you my sincere thanks, which I should be glad to renew to you both, in person at this place. He enjoys a tolerable share of health, but is gone to (what are called in this Country) the Sweet Springs, to obtain a better stock to fit him...
90[Diary entry: 13 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 13th. Thermometer at 80 in the Morng.—84 at Noon and 86 at Night. Rid to my Muddy hole and Neck Plantations, and beheld Corn in a melancholy situation, fired in most places to the Ear with little appearance of yielding if rain should soon come & a certainty of making nothing if it did not. Attempts had been made at both these Plantations to sow Wheat, but stirring the ground in the...
91From George Washington to Charles Washington, 28 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter dated the 15th of January (which I presume must be a mistake, as the bearer says he left your House the day before yesterday) came to my hands last Night. I thank you for your kind congratulation on my return to private life, which is highly pleasing to me. Your Son George went down with me the 11th of this Month to Fredericksburgh, where I left him. In a day or two after, he...
92II. Winthrop Sargent’s Journal, 4–18 May (Washington Papers)
Tuesday the 4th of May. 1784. ⟨Assembled at the City Tavern, & after choosing a committee of three to examine the credentials of gentlemen who should present themselves as delegates to the General Meeting, adjourned till 9 o’clock tomorrow morning:—⟩ [Wednesday, May 5th, 1784.] Convened at nine:—Reced the report of the committee, as follows; Properly elected for N. H. Henry Dearborn....
93From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, Jr., 3 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
Mr Dandridge for reasons which he can better explain to you than I, have requested that the enclosed Bonds may be put in Suit. I beg it may be done accordingly. Upon so great a change as has lately taken place in your career of life I ought, possibly to have begun this letter with compliments of congratulation but as they are not less sincere on account of there being made the second Paragraph...
94To George Washington from William Brown, 7 October 1785 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Brown, 7 Oct. 1785. GW wrote Brown on 24 Nov. : “I am really ashamed, at this late hour to have the receipt of your favor of the 7th of Octor, to acknowledge.”
95From George Washington to Thomas Bedwell, 7 June 1786 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 27th ulto with the patterns enclosed, I have received. I am sorry for the misfortunes which you have met with in the course of your business, & heartily wish that your future attempts to carry on any useful manufactory, may succeed; but I think Sir, that it would be presumption in me to recommend to any Gentleman in the State of South Carolina, a person from Philada with...
96To George Washington from Benjamin Hawkins, 10 June 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have the honour to enclose to your Excellency some acts passed the last Session of our Legislature—by which you will see in some measure the disposition of this State to comply with the views of Congress; as well as, to grant such further powers as may render the Confederation more competent to the purposes of the Union. The Act for levying our proportion of one million five hundred thousand...
97To George Washington from Francis Adrian Van der Kemp, 15 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
Being honoured with a recommendatory letter of the Marquis de La Fayette to your Excellency, in view to adsist my endeavours to Settle my in this commonwealth with my wife and two children, who followed their husband and father from the Unhappy Nethelands I thougth it my duty to Sent that letter to your Excellency, as soon Possible. Althoug I lost the greatest part of my fortune in the defence...
98To George Washington from George William Fairfax, 23 January 1786 (Washington Papers)
Being but just now informed that a Vessell is to Sail in a very few days from Bristol for Baltimore Town, I have only time to say, that I have received your favor dated the 30th of June last, and that I immediately applyed to Mr Rack, the Secretary to the Bath Agriculture Society (who corresponds with most of the Societys in this Kingdom) for his friendly assistance in makeing the enquiry for...
99[Diary entry: 27 May 1787] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 27th. Went to the Romish Church—to high Mass. Dined, drank Tea, and spent the evening at my lodgings. romish church : Of the two Roman Catholic chapels in Philadelphia at this time GW probably attended the larger, St. Mary’s, on Fourth below Spruce Street. The chapel had been extensively renovated in 1782 ( SCHARF [1] J. Thomas Scharf and Thompson Westcott. History of Philadelphia....
100[Diary entry: 3 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 3d. Mercury at 65 in the Morning—66 at Noon and 66 at Night. Much such a day as yesterday until the Evening when the Sun made a feeble effort to appear and the clouds began to thin and disperse. In the Evening James Madison Esqr. came in.