31[Diary entry: 30 October 1789] (Washington Papers)
Friday 30th. A Little after 8 Oclock I set out for Newbury-Port and in less than 2 Miles crossed the Bridge between Salem and Beverly, which makes a handsome appearance, and is upon the same plan of those over Charles & Mistick Rivers; excepting that it has not foot ways as that of the former has. The length of this bridge is 1530 feet and was built for about £4500 lawful money—a price...
32[Diary entry: 31 October 1789] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 31st. Left Newbury-port a little after 8 Oclock (first breakfasting with Mr. Dalton) and to avoid a wider ferry—more inconvenient boats—and a piece of heavy Sand, we crossed the River at Salisbury two Miles above; and near that further about—and in three Miles came to the Line wch. divides the State of Massachusetts from that of New Hampshire. Here I took leave of Mr. Dalton and many...
33[November 1789] (Washington Papers)
November 1st. Attended by the President of the State (Genl. Sullivan) Mr. Langdon, & the Marshall; I went in the fore Noon to the Episcopal Church under the incumbency of a Mr. Ogden and in the Afternoon to one of the Presbeterian or Congregational Churches in which a Mr. Buckminster Preached. Dined at home with the Marshall and spent the afternoon in my own room writing letters. Rev. John...
34[Diary entry: 1 November 1789] (Washington Papers)
November 1st. Attended by the President of the State (Genl. Sullivan) Mr. Langdon, & the Marshall; I went in the fore Noon to the Episcopal Church under the incumbency of a Mr. Ogden and in the Afternoon to one of the Presbeterian or Congregational Churches in which a Mr. Buckminster Preached. Dined at home with the Marshall and spent the afternoon in my own room writing letters. Rev. John...
35[Diary entry: 2 November 1789] (Washington Papers)
Monday 2d. Having made previous preparations for it—About 8 Oclock attended by the President, Mr. Langden & some other Gentlemen, I went in a boat to view the harbour of Portsmouth; which is well secured against all Winds; and from its narrow entrance from the Sea, and passage up to the Town, may be perfectly guarded against any approach by water. The anchorage is also good & the Shipping may...
36[Diary entry: 3 November 1789] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 3d. Sat two hours in the forenoon for a Mr. Painter of Boston, at the Request of Mr. Brick of that place; who wrote Majr. Jackson that it was an earnest desire of many of the Inhabitants of that Town that he might be endulged. After this setting I called upon President Sullivan, and the Mother of Mr. Lear and having walked through most parts of the Town, returned by 12 Oclock when I...
37[Diary entry: 4 November 1789] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 4th. About half after seven I left Portsmouth, quietly & without any attendance, having earnestly entreated that all parade & ceremony might be avoided on my return. Before ten I reached Exeter 14 Miles distance. This is considered as the 2d. Town in New-Hampshire and stands at the head of the tide water of Piscataqua River but Ships of 3 or 400 Tonns are built at it. Above (but in...
38[Diary entry: 5 November 1789] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 5th. About Sun rise I set out, crossing the Merimack River at the Town over to the Township of Bradford and in nine Miles came to Abbots Tavern in Andover where we breakfasted, and met with much attention from Mr. Philips President of the Senate of Massachusetts, who accompanied us thro’ Bellarika [Billerica] to Lexington, where I dined, and viewed the Spot on which the first blood...
39[Diary entry: 6 November 1789] (Washington Papers)
Friday 6th. A little after Seven oclock, under great appearances of Rain or Snow, we left Watertown, and Passing through Needham (five Miles therefrom) breakfasted at Sherburn which is 14 Miles from the former. Then passing through Holliston 5 Miles, Milford 6 More, Menden 4 More, and Uxbridge 6 More, we lodged at one Tafts 1 Miles further; the whole distance of this days travel being 36...
40[Diary entry: 7 November 1789] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 7th. Left Tafts before Sunrise, and passing through Douglas wood breakfasted at one Jacobs in Thompson 12 Miles’ distant—not a good House. Bated the Horses in Pomfret at Colo. Grosveners, distant 11 Miles from Jacobs and Lodged at Squire Perkins in Ashford (called 10 Miles, but must be 12). The first Stage with a small exception is intolerable bad Road, & a poor and uncultivated...
41[Diary entry: 8 November 1789] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 8th. It being contrary to Law & disagreeable to the People of this State (Connecticut) to travel on the Sabbath day and my horses after passing through such intolerable Roads wanting rest, I stayed at Perkins’s Tavern (which by the bye is not a good one) all day—and a meeting House being with in a few rod of the Door, I attended Morning & evening Service, and heard very lame discourses...
42[Diary entry: 9 November 1789] (Washington Papers)
Monday 9th. Set out about 7 Oclock and for the first 24 Miles had hilly, rocky and disagreeable Roads. The remaining 10 was level and good, but in places Sandy. Arrived at Hartford a little before four. We passed through Mansfield (which is a very hilly Country and the Township in which they make the greatest qty. of Silk of any in the State) and breakfasted at one Brighams in Coventry....
43[Diary entry: 10 November 1789] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 10th. Left Hartford about 7 Oclock & took the Middle Road (instead of the one through Middleton which I went). Breakfasted at Worthington in the Township of Berlin, at the House of one Fuller. Bated at Smiths on the plains of Wallingford 13 Miles from Fullers, which is the distance Fullers is from Hartford—and got into New Haven which is 13 Miles more, about half an hour before...
44[Diary entry: 11 November 1789] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 11th. Set out about Sunrise, and took the upper Road to Milford, it being shorter than the lower one through West haven. Breakfasted at the former—Bated at Fairfield and dined and lodged at a Majr. Marvins 9 Miles further; which is not a good House, though the People of it were disposed to do all they cou’d to accomodate me. Ozias Marvin’s tavern was located “on the Westport-Norwalk...
45[Diary entry: 12 November 1789] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 12th. A little before Sunrise we left Marvins and breakfasting at Stamford 13 Miles distant, reached the Widow Havilands 12 Miles further; where, on acct. of some lame horses, we remained all Night. The badness of these Rds. having been described as I went, I shall say nothing of them now.
46[Diary entry: 13 November 1789] (Washington Papers)
Friday 13th. Left Mrs. Havilands as soon as we could see the Road and breakfasted at Hoyets Tavern this side Kings-bridge and between two and three Oclock arrived at my House at New York where I found Mrs. Washington and the rest of the family all well. And its being Mrs. Washington’s Night to receive visits a pretty large Company of Ladies and Gentlemen were present.
47[Diary entry: 14 November 1789] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 14th. At home all day—except taking a Walk round the Battery in the Afternoon. At 4 Oclock received and answered an Address from the President & Corporation of Dartmouth College and about Noon sundry visits.
48[Diary entry: 15 November 1789] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 15th. Went to St. Pauls Chapel in the forenoon and after returning from thence was visited by Majr. Butler Majr. Meridith and Mr. Smith So. Cara. Received an Invitation to attend the Funeral of Mrs. Roosevelt (the wife of a Senator of this State) but declined complying with it—first because the propriety of accepting any invitation of this sort appeared very questionable and secondly...
49[Diary entry: 16 November 1789] (Washington Papers)
Monday 16th. The Commissioners, who had returned from the proposed Treaty with the Creek Indians before me, to this City dined with me to day, as did their Secretary Colo. Franks and young Mr. Lincoln who accompanied them. During the summer of 1789 an increasing stream of reports came from state officials and frontier settlers telling of Indian attacks by war parties from southern tribes,...
50[Diary entry: 17 November 1789] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 17th. The Visitors at the Levee to day, were numerous.
51[Diary entry: 18 November 1789] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 18th. Took a walk in the forenoon, & called upon Mr. Jay on business but he was not within. On my return paid Mr. Vaughan Senr. a visit—informal. Sent a Commission as District Judge of So. Carolina to the Honble. William Drayton of that State. Samuel Vaughan (1720–1802), formerly a London merchant, had been living in Philadelphia since 1783 where, with his son John, he was conducting...
52[Diary entry: 19 November 1789] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 19th. The following Company dined here today—viz.—Mrs. Adams (Lady to the Vice President) Colo. Smith & Lady & Miss Smith Mrs. Adams’s Niece—Govr. Clinton and Lady & Miss Cornelia Clinton and Majr. Butlar, his Lady and two Daughters. Gov. George Clinton’s wife, whom he had married in 1770, was Cornelia Tappen Clinton, a connection of the prominent Wynkoop family of Ulster County, N.Y....
53[Diary entry: 20 November 1789] (Washington Papers)
Friday 20th. The Visitors of Gentn. and Ladies to Mrs. Washington this evening were numerous & respectable.
54[Diary entry: 21 November 1789] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 21st. Received in the Afternoon the Report from the Commissioners appointed to Treat with the Southern Indians. Gave it one reading & shall bestow another and more attentive one on it. See entry for 16 Nov. 1789 .
55[Diary entry: 22 November 1789] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 22d. Went to St. Pauls Chappel in the forenoon—heard a charity Sermon for the benefit of the Orphans School of this City. Had a good deal of conversation in the Evening with the above Commissioners on the more minute part of their transactions at the Treaty with the Creek Indians and their opinion with respect to the real views of Mr. McGillivry—The principles of whose conduct they...
56[Diary entry: 23 November 1789] (Washington Papers)
Monday 23d. Rid five or Six miles between Breakfast & dinner. Called upon Mr. Vanberkel & Mrs. Adams. Franco Petrus Van Berckel had succeeded his father as minister to the United States from the Netherlands in Aug. 1788 and presented his credentials in May 1789 (Van Berckel to Jay, 11 May 1789, letter of credence, 1 Aug. 1788, DNA:PCC , Item 126). He was generally popular in New York, although...
57[Diary entry: 24 November 1789] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 24th. A good deal of Company at the Levee to day. Went to the Play in the Evening. Sent Tickets to the following Ladies and Gentlemn. & invited them to Seats in my Box viz.—Mrs. Adams (Lady of the Vice-President) Genl. Schuyler & Lady, Mr. King & Lady, Majr. Butler and Lady, Colo. Hamilton & Lady Mrs. Green—all of whom accepted and came except Mrs. Butler who was indisposed. The play...
58[Diary entry: 25 November 1789] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 25th. Exercised on Horse-back between Breakfast & dinner—in which returning I called upon Mr. Jay and Genl. Knox on business and made informal visits to the Govr., Mr. Izard, Genl. Schuyler, and Mrs. Dalton. The following Company dined with me. viz. Doctr. Johnson & Lady and daughter (Mrs. Neely)—Mr. Izard & Lady & Son—Mr. Smith (So. Carolina) & Lady—Mr. Kean & Lady and the Chief...
59[Diary entry: 26 November 1789] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 26th. Being the day appointed for a thanksgiving I went to St. Pauls Chapel though it was most inclement and stormy—but few people at Church. On 25 Sept. 1789 the House of Representatives resolved that the president should recommend a day of thanksgiving and prayer to the people of the United States acknowledging divine favor and especially the “opportunity peaceably to establish a...
60[Diary entry: 27 November 1789] (Washington Papers)
Friday 27th. Not many Visitors this evening to Mrs. Washington.
61[Diary entry: 28 November 1789] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 28th. Exercised on Horseback.
62[Diary entry: 29 November 1789] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 29th. Went to St. Pauls Chapel in the forenoon.
63[Diary entry: 30 November 1789] (Washington Papers)
Monday 30th. Went to the Play in the Evening and presented Tickets to the following persons—viz.—Doctr. Johnson and Lady—Mr. Dalton & Lady—The Chief Justice of the United States and Lady—Secretary of War & Lady—Baron de Steuben and Mrs. Green. On 30 Nov. 1789 the Old American Company gave a benefit performance of Cymon and Sylvia , an “Opera or Dramatic Romance,” at the John Street Theatre (...
64[December 1789] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday Decr. 1st. A pretty full Levee to day—among the Visitors was the Vice President and all the Senators in Town. Exercised on Horseback betwn. 10 and 12. Read the Papers relative to our Affairs with the Emperer of Morocco and sent them to Mr. Jay to prepare answers to them. Presumably GW is referring to papers submitted by Jay 1 Dec. concerning United States relations with the emperor of...
65[Diary entry: 1 December 1789] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday Decr. 1st. A pretty full Levee to day—among the Visitors was the Vice President and all the Senators in Town. Exercised on Horseback betwn. 10 and 12. Read the Papers relative to our Affairs with the Emperer of Morocco and sent them to Mr. Jay to prepare answers to them. Presumably GW is referring to papers submitted by Jay 1 Dec. concerning United States relations with the emperor of...
66[Diary entry: 2 December 1789] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 2d. Exercised in the Post Chaise with Mrs. Washington. Visited on our return the Vice-President and family. Afterwards walked to Mr. Kings—Neither he nor his Lady were at home; or to be seen.
67[Diary entry: 3 December 1789] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 3d. The following Gentlemen & Ladies dined here—viz.—Genl. Schuyler, his Lady & daughter (Mrs. Ranselaer)—Mr. Dalton and his Lady, the Secretary of the Treasury & his Lady—Genl. Knox and Lady & Mrs. Green—Baron de Steuben, Colo. Osgood (Postmaster Genl.) & the Treasurer Majr. Meridith. mrs. ranselaer : The Schuylers’s third daughter, Margaret (Peggy) Schuyler, was born in 1758. In...
68[Diary entry: 4 December 1789] (Washington Papers)
Friday 4th. A great number of Visiters (Gentlemen & Ladies) this evening to Mrs. Washington. The Governor of New Jersey and the Speaker of the House of Assembly of that State presented an Address from the Legislature thereof and received an answer to it—after which they dined with me. The letter of congratulation to GW from the New Jersey legislature was signed, 1 Dec. 1789, by Gov. William...
69[Diary entry: 5 December 1789] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 5th. Exercised on Horseback between 10 and 12 oclock. The Vice President & Lady and two Sons—Colo. Smith & Lady & his Sister, & Mrs. Adam’s Niece dined here. The two sons who accompanied the Adamses today were Charles Adams and Thomas Boylston Adams (1772–1832). William Stephens Smith had several sisters. The one who dined with GW today may have been Sarah Smith (1769–1828) who...
70[Diary entry: 6 December 1789] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 6th. Went to St. Pauls Chapel in the Forenoon.
71[Diary entry: 7 December 1789] (Washington Papers)
Monday 7th. Walked round the Battery in the afternoon.
72[Diary entry: 8 December 1789] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 8th. Finished my Extracts from the Commissioners Report of their proceedings at the Treaty with the Creek Indians and from many other Papers respecting Indian matters and the Western Territory. A full Levee today. GW had received the report of the commissioners appointed to negotiate with the southern Indians on 21 Nov. (see entry for that day). His 18–page extract of material found in...
73[Diary entry: 9 December 1789] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 9th. Walked round the Battery.
74[Diary entry: 10 December 1789] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 10th. Exercised on Horseback—between 10 and 12 Oclock. The following Company dined here to day—viz.—Mrs. King and Mrs. Few—Mr. & Mrs. Harrison—Mr. & Mrs. Wolcot—Mr. Duer, his Lady and Miss Brown—Mr. Griffin & Lady and Lady Christiana and her daughter. Catherine Few was the wife of Sen. William Few of Georgia and the daughter of Comdr. James Nicholson. harrison : probably Richard...
75[Diary entry: 11 December 1789] (Washington Papers)
Friday 11th. Being Rainy and bad no person except the Vice-President visited Mrs. Washington this evening.
76[Diary entry: 12 December 1789] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 12th. Exercised in the Coach with Mrs. Washington and the two Children (Master & Miss Custis) between Breakfast & Dinner—went the 14 Miles round. the 14 miles round : A favorite excursion for New Yorkers was the ride around a portion of Manhattan Island, covering a distance of approximately 14 miles. Although the route varied somewhat, the path frequently taken led up the Bloomingdale...
77[Diary entry: 13 December 1789] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 13th. Went to St. Pauls Chapel in the forenoon.
78[Diary entry: 14 December 1789] (Washington Papers)
Monday 14th. Walked round the Battery in the afternoon.
79[Diary entry: 15 December 1789] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 15th. Exercised on horseback about 10 Oclock. Called on the Secretary for the Department of War and gave him the heads of many Letters to be written to characters in the Western Country relative, chiefly, to Indian Affairs. Visitors at the Levee today were not very numerous, though respectable.
80[Diary entry: 16 December 1789] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 16th. Dined with Mrs. Washington and all the family (except the two Children) at Governor Clintons—where also dined the Vice-President, his Lady Colo. & Mrs. Smith—The Mayor (Colo. Varick) and his Lady and old Mr. Van Berkel and his Daughter. Richard Varick (1753–1831) was born in Hackensack, N.J., and moved to New York City in 1775 to practice law. During the Revolution he was...