501From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 1 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
Since my last, written about a fortnight ago, and put into the hands of General Duportail to be conveyed to you, I have been honored with your favor the 24th of April from Paris—Be assured, My dear Sir, that these repeated assurances of your friendship, and frequent of your affection for me are pleasingly grateful and make a deep impression on my Mind. Could I so far flatter my vanity as to...
502From George Washington to William Heth, 6 April 1786 (Washington Papers)
An honest confession of the truth, is the best apology I can make for my not acknowledging the receipt of your favor of the 24th of Decr before this. The fact is, the letter was mislaid, and entirely forgot, till chance recovered it. I now send you Colo. De Corny’s third Bill of Exchange on Colo. Wadsworth. his second I have never (I believe) seen, the first you have. With esteem I am—Dear Sir...
503From George Washington to Henry Knox, 2 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure to reply to your Letter of the 15th of October to go by the Post before the last, but by some neglect my letter was left out of the Mail and remained in the Post office untill the Evening before the last Post should have gone, when it was, with all the Easter Mail, stolen from thence—unfortunately too, all the Copies of my letters up to that day met with the same accident,...
504From George Washington to John Rumney, Jr., 22 June 1785 (Washington Papers)
I stand indebted to you for two letters, one of the 8th of September—the other of the 9th of Feby—the first should not have remained so long unacknowledged, but for the expectation I had of the second—the second led me to expect a third, upon the receipt of which I meant to give you but one trouble by replying to them all at the same time. Permit me to thank you Sir, for your attention to my...
505From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 24 January 1788 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you on the 3d Ulto and as I have not received any answer to my letter of that date, I am led to suspect that it never reached your hands; I therefore enclose you a duplicate of it. My reason for requesting you to pay Mr Pettit £18.5s.1d. (as mentioned in the enclosed duplicate) when I was not certain of your having money of mine in your hands to that amount, was in consequence of...
506From George Washington to Otho Holland Williams, 25 September 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 15th of Augt from Bath, only got to my hands on Sunday last. The one alluded to, of April, as giving an acct of the miscarriage of the Diplomas, & the best information you could obtain respecting them, nor any other since that which accompanied the Parchments, and wch received an immediate acknowledgement, have reached me at all. In a word, I never had the least intimation;...
507From George Washington to Hector St. John Crèvecoeur, 5 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
The letter with which you were pleased to honor me, dated the 17th ult., & the enclosure, came safe. For your attention & care of the latter I pray you to accept of my best thanks, at the sametime that I entreat you to pardon the liberty I now take in requesting the favor of you to forward the letters herewith sent by the Packet, or any other safe Conveyance. With sentiments of great esteem I...
508From George Washington to Tench Tilghman, 7 January 1786 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 30th Ulto did not reach me until last night. Except it is by chance, letters by the Stage never get to my hands so quickly as they do by the Post; nor so safely, because I send regularly every post day to the Office in Alexandria, whilst those by the Stage getting into private hands await accidental conveyances from that place. I mention this circumstance as a reply might...
509From George Washington to Steuben, 10 November 1787 (Washington Papers)
The letter with which you were pleased to honor me, dated the 26th Ult., came duly to hand. By the same Post, I received a letter from Mr Secretary Thompson (by order of Congress)requesting a copy of the report of a Committee which was transmitted to me by Mr President Laurens, in Feby 1778. This is accordingly sent, and is the counterpart of the paper I herewith enclose, for your own...
510From George Washington to Thomas Blackburn, 19 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
The Express who brought me the resolves of our Assembly, & is going to Annapolis with dispatches for Govr Paca, informs me that he deliver’d others to you —It only remains therefore for me to add, that Thursday next, the 23d is the day appointed for the commissioners to meet at Annapolis. I shall go to our Court tomorrow, & proceed from thence. I am Dr Sir &c. LB , DLC:GW . Thomas Blackburn,...
511From George Washington to John Rawlins, 13 April 1787 (Washington Papers)
I have received the freizes for the doors and windows which I think are very pretty together with your letter sent by Capt. Man, but I did not think proper to comply with the contents of it at this time. Altho’ it is not my desire to enter into any dispute respecting the payment of the money, yet before I do it I wish you to view the work, that you may, yourself judge of the execution—My sole...
512From George Washington to Henry Lee, 20 January 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 17th enclosing two Patents for 5000 Acres of Land on Rough Creek in Jefferson Couty (and rough indeed they appear principaly to be) came duly to hand, but I am sorry to say that the specialty of the conveyance proposed by you neither meets my inclination nor expectation. I neither buy nor sell (and I have done both) without a general Warrantee. If their is no dispute with...
513From George Washington to Bryan Fairfax, 6 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Sometime ago Mr Muse informed me by letter—that he expected an order for the delivery to him of the Papers belonging to the Estate in my possession —I answered they were subject to, and ready for that order whenever presented but as a friend I would advise him to let them remain in your hands and draw out such only as he might want. To this he seems perfectly agreeable and I mention the matter...
514From George Washington to Alexander Henderson, 20 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
I will thank you for presenting the enclosed. If it is not immediately paid, or a moral certainty that it will be before you leave the Assembly: be so good as to return it to Mr Rumsey if in richmond, or to me if he is not, by Post —I persuade myself you will excuse this trouble, & believe that I am &c. LB , DLC:GW . Alexander Henderson, a merchant in Colchester, was in Richmond attending the...
515From George Washington to Thomas Smith, 8 May 1786 (Washington Papers)
Vale Crawford died indebted to me—say One hundred pounds Virginia Curry—more or less. Previously thereto, he wrote me the letter dated Jacobs Creek, May 8th 1774 and accompanied it with the Bill of Sale herewith transmitted dated May 8th 1774. Quære, Is this Bill now valid? Will it secure my debt? This is all I want. And can it be recovered without hazarding a defeat which may add cost without...
516From George Washington to James Tilghman, 2 September 1786 (Washington Papers)
If the Account I handed to you respecting the treatment of Captn Asgill (in confinement) has not passed from you, I should be obliged to you for withholding, & suffering no copies to be taken from it; to counteract such an injurious & ill founded calumny which obtains credit as it rolls on. I have it in contemplation to inspect my registers, & to give something from authentic documents...
517From George Washington to Thomas Montgomerie, 6 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 29th Ulto came duly to hand, since which I have received a letter from Mr Dunlop informing me that he had about £600 Sterling which he was ready to pay on account of the Bond of Messrs Montgomerie, Stewart[,] Wilson &ca but that he had been instructed to do this in Current Money at the par of Exchange. The meaning of which I know not unless there is an act of Assembly...
518From George Washington to Robert Hanson Harrison, 28 July 1788 (Washington Papers)
The bearer hereof—the Honble Judge Harrison of Maryland—is hereby authorized to take possession of Houses and lotts in the Town of Bath in the County of Berkeley, and to have the Free and uninterupted use of them during his stay at that place who ever may have them in care or occupation is requested to surrender them accordingly. Given under my hand this 28th day of July 1788 LB , DLC:GW ....
519From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 5 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
On the 8th of last month I wrote to you for 70 yards of Livery Lace, of which I was in immediate want, and requested to have it sent by the Post to Alexandria—As there is some reason to believe the Post has hardly gone through, yet, I beg leave to repeat my want of it, & to pray it may be sent as soon as possible—The lace should be red & white, Inch, or 3/4 of an Inch wide, or any where...
520From George Washington to Trustees of the Alexandria Academy, 17 December 1785 (Washington Papers)
That I may be perspicuous & avoid misconception, the proposition which I wish to lay before you is committed to writing; & is as follows; It has long been my intention to invest, at my death, one thousand pounds current money of this State, in the hands of Trustees—the interest only of which, to be applied in instituting a school in the Town of Alexandria for the purpose of educating orphan...
521From George Washington to John Fitzgerald, 9 September 1786 (Washington Papers)
Have you heard from Annapolis since Monday? Have the Commercial Commissioners met? Have they proceeded to business? How long is it supposed their Session will last? and is it likely they will do anything effectual? Is Colo. Gilpin returned? Was there a meeting of the Board? What was the result of the enquiry into the charges exhibited against Stuart? I hope Mrs Fitzgerald & yourself are quite...
522From George Washington to William Hartshorne, 30 August 1787 (Washington Papers)
The Gentleman who will present this letter to you is Major Baylies of Massachusetts—Son in Law to Genl Lincoln. He is on business to Virginia, and at his request, I give you the trouble of receiving it as introductory of him, believing him to be a man of character and worth. I understand, that the subscribers to the Potomack Navigation has been called upon for another advance, my proportion of...
523From George Washington to John Jay, 3 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
In acknowledging the receipt of your obliging favor of the 3d Ult., permit me to thank you for the Rhubarb seed which accompanied it. To the growth of which, if good, a fair trial shall be given. I have two imported female asses from the Island of Malta; which, tho’ not quite equal to the best Spanish Jennies, will serve to establish a valuable breed of these animals in this Country. Besides,...
524From George Washington to John Paul Jones, 2 September 1787 (Washington Papers)
Should this letter reach you in time, the purport of it is, to beg your care of the enclosed to the Marqs de la Fayette; and to inform you that all the letters, Memorials, and Papers of every kind which had been transmitted to me as President General of the Society of the Cincinnati, were forwarded (not expecting to attend it myself) to the last General meeting holden in this City but how they...
525From George Washington to Richard Peters, 4 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
When I had the pleasure to be at your house last Summer you shewed me a triangular harrow with trowel tines for the purpose of cultivating your dell Crops. The appearance was preposs[ess]ing. But I forgot whether you spoke of its merits from theoritical, or practical knowledge. If the latter, will you permit me [to] request the favor of you to direct your workmen to furnish me with one...
526From George Washington to Rochambeau, 20 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for your favor of the 16th of June by the Marquis de la Fayette, who arrived here three days ago—and for your other letter of the 4th of May which, also came safe, permit me to offer you my sincere congratulations on your appointment to the Government of Picardy. It is an honorable testimony of the approving smiles of your Prince, & a just reward for your Services & merit. Should...
527From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 2 February 1785 (Washington Papers)
The Writer of the inclosed letter, in person & character, is entirely unknown to me. I have been at a loss therefore to determine what notice to take of it—at length I concluded to write the answer which is also enclosed; and to request the favor of you to send it to him, or return it to me, as you should just best from the result of your enquiries; or from your own knowledge of the author, or...
528From George Washington to Gardoqui, 1 December 1786 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive the letter which your Excellency did me the favor of writing to me on the 18th ulto together with the enclosure from the Prime minister of Spain, for which, and the translation, I pray you to accept my grateful thanks. Besides the pleasure I feel in making these acknowledgements, one object that prompts me to them at this early period, is, to beg that your...
529From George Washington to James Mercer, 25 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
My Sister handed me your favor of the 18th. 1 thank you for the advice respecting the mode of conveying a title for the Lands I purchased at your Brother’s Sale, & will pursue it; but necessity will oblige me to postpone the matter until I return from my Western jaunt; as, from Company & other circumstances, no leizure is left me to rummage for Papers before. My letter to your Brother John...
530From George Washington to John Francis Mercer, 12 August 1786 (Washington Papers)
The Clerks notes in the Suits ordered by you on the Bonds taken at Colo. Geo: Mercer’s sale, are (many of them) brought against me; some of wch without adverting thereto, I have paid, supposing them to have arisen on distresses made by Mr Muse for my rents. A few days ago a Bill from the Clerk, I believe, of Berkley, was handed to me amounting to near six hundred pounds of Tobacco, which not...
531From George Washington to Thomas Stone, 16 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 30th Ulto came duly to hand. To give an opinion in a caus of so much importance as that which has warmly agitated two branches of your legislature, and which, from the appeal that is made, is likely to create great, and perhaps dangerous divisions, is rather a delicate matter; but as this diversity of opinion is on a subject which has, I beleive, occupied the minds of most...
532From George Washington to Fielding Lewis, Jr., 4 December 1786 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 11 th of Octor never came to my hands ’till yesterday. Altho’ your disrespectful conduct towards me, in coming into this country & spending weeks therein without ever coming near me, entitles you to very little notice or favor from me; yet I consent that you may get timber from off my Land in Fauquier County to build a house on your Lott in Recter town. Having granted this,...
533From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 16 May 1785 (Washington Papers)
I stand indebted to you for your several favors of the 7th of March, and 12th & 19th of April. Believe me, Sir, the first was not productive of more surprize than real concern. The acct of your failure was as much regretted, as it was unexpected by me; and I feel for the causes of it—and for your present situation. You are sensible that my Commissions have been more troublesome than profitable...
534From George Washington to David Stuart, 5 February 1786 (Washington Papers)
The Vessel which brought the inclosed, has delivered the 800 Bushels of Oats for which you contracted with Mr Savage—Besides these, I have taken 100 more; for which I am to pay Flour. L. Washington has taken anothr & the remaining 200 hundred are taken to Alexandria for you. I have engaged this Man to bring the Corn from York River—He expects to stay no longer than Monday (to morrow) at...
535From George Washington to Henry Knox, 2 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
I beg you to accept my acknowledgment of and thanks for your obliging favors of the 12th 16th & 19th of last month, and particularly for the trouble you have had in procuring and forwarding for me a suit of the Hartford Manufacture. It is come safe, and exceeds my expectation. I will take an early opportunity of paying the cost of it. The result of the late Elections will not only soon be...
536From George Washington to Thomas Barclay, 31 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have received a letter from a Doctr Thomas, of Westmoreland in this State, requesting me to make enquiries respecting Dr Spence and his Lady, who were supposed to be lost at sea, several years ago, and who are now reported to be in slavery among the piratical States of Barbary. As I knew of no person more likely to give information on the subject than yourself, I have taken the liberty of...
537From George Washington to Thomas Cushing, 26 October 1785 (Washington Papers)
The last Post gave me the honor of your favor of the 7th inst: for which & your care of the Jack and his Keeper, I pray you to accept my grateful thanks. As the Jack is now safely landed, & as I am unwilling to hazard him again at Sea, I have sent a man in whom I can confide, to conduct him & the Spaniard to this place by Land. The person I send has not the smallest knowledge of the Spanish...
538From George Washington to Thornton Washington, 22 June 1786 (Washington Papers)
Mr Throckmorton delivered me your letter of the 6th inst: I am under no apprehension that the title to the land on which you live can be affected by the decision lately had in favor of Messrs Hites & others. Such papers as I can readily find respecting this tract, I send you. The patent from the proprietors office, granted to Captn George Johnston of whom I bought the land, particularly...
539From George Washington to Elias Dayton, 6 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
Presuming you are Presidt of the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of New Jersey, I give you the trouble of the enclosed address. If I am mistaken, you will be so good as to hand it to the right person. Months ago, I received a number of blank Diplomas for my Signature, which was affixed & held in readiness for Mr Peck or his order. No call has yet been for them. If a good conveyance...
540From George Washington to William Peacey, 7 January 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 2d of Feby 1787. I am much obliged to you for your attention in sending me the seeds, which arrived agreeable to the bill. Mrs Bloxham received of Wakelin Welch Esqr. of London £10.1.10, which sum, she informed him, was what she paid you for the seeds on my account. I am not sorry that Caleb Hall did not come out, for I proposed his coming more to please...
541From George Washington to La Vallée, 1 October 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored with your letter dated in Philadelphia, accompanied by one from the Marqs de la Fayette and another from the Marqs de Bouille. Whensoever your affairs will induce you to make the visit you propose to Virginia, I shall be happy to be favored with your company at Mount Vernon and to bestow the attentions due to your merits and their recommendations. I take the liberty of...
542From George Washington to Tench Tilghman, 2 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Chevr de la Luzerne, hearing me the other day enquire after Claret, informed me that he had a quantity of it at Baltimore—more than he wanted—& would spare me some. I am, in consequence, to have two or three Hhds of this Stock. I requested him to direct his Corrispondent at that place, to commit them to your care, on the Supposition that you are a Resident of Baltimore, and I have to beg...
543From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 17 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday, & not before, I received authentic information, that the Assembly of this State had passed a similar Act & resolutions, with those of your Legislature, and have fixed upon the 8th of Feby to open Books for the purpose of receiving subscriptions in the City of Richmond & Towns of Alexandria & Winchester: which Books are to be kept open until the 10th day of May following. They have...
544From 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...
545From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 8 January 1788 (Washington Papers)
The letter which you did me the honor of writing to me on the 27th Ulto, with the enclosure, came duly to hand. I receive them as a fresh instance of your friendship and attention. For both I thank you. The diversity of Sentiments upon the important matter which has been submitted to the People, was as much expected as it is regretted, by me. The various passions and medium by which men are...
546From 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...
547From George Washington to Robert Morris, 2 June 1784 (Washington Papers)
A brother of mine (Father to Mr Bushrod Washington, who studied Law under Mr Wilson) is desireous of entering his other Son in the commercial line; the inclination of the young Gentleman also points to this walk of life—he is turned of twenty—has just finished a regular education—possesses, I am told (for he is a stranger to me) good natural abilities—an amiable disposition, & an uncommon...
548From George Washington to David Humphreys, 25 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure to receive two letters from you since your arrival in France, and cannot let the Marquis de la Fayette depart without an acknowledgement of them, altho’ his doing it is Sudden, & I at the same time am surrounded with Company. When I have a little more leizure (if that ever should be) I will give you all the occurrences of this quarter that have come under my view &...
549From George Washington to Caleb Gibbs, 1 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
By His Excy G. Washington Esq. Gen. & Commander in Chief of the Forces of the United States &c. In consequence of the zeal & well–known services of MajorC. Gibbs, I have thought proper to Certify that the Said Major Gibbs entered the American service as a Volunteer & was at the Battle of Lexington April 19th 1775, On the 24th of the same Month was appointed an Adjutant; in June 1776 was...
550From George Washington to Henry Knox, 1 June 1786 (Washington Papers)
The Post of last week brougt me (by way of New York) a letter, of which the inclosed is a Copy. I transmit it, not only for your perusal, but for information, and advice. All the papers respecting the Soci[e]ty of the Cincinnati being in possession of the Secretary Genl or the Assistant Secretary, and my memory very defective, I cannot speak with precision to Mr Jefferson, or decide on any...