1From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 8 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 23d Ulto and 1st instant have both been received. the part which relates to Mr Custis’s pay—as an Officer in the Cavalry—has been given to him, and he writes you himself on the subject. I have naught therefore to add on it. Captn Ellwood had not arrived at Alexandria yesterday, from hence I conclude he was to have touched at Norfolk; otherwise his passage will have been...
2From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 24 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
A considerable time ago, in consequence of some applications from Officers of Cavalry, to know in what manner they were to draw pay, I wrote to the Secretary of War on the Subject; & received for answer—that as no Pay master was appointed to that Corps, they were to draw on the Pay master General. Mr Custis (cornet in the Light Dragoons) being one of those alluded to, above, drew an order, as...
3From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 13 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive by the enclosed Invoice & Bill of Lading, that two Pipes of old Madeira Wine, & two Boxes of Citron have been Shipped by Charles Alder and Co. for my use, on Board the Ship Lavinia, James Cook Masr, bound for Philadelphia. As the original letter, enclosing these papers, has been received (via Philadelphia) It is presumed that the Wine is safe in that Port. I have to request...
4From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 6 June 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 18th & 21st Ulto have been duly received. In reply to them, so far as it respects the raking machines, I agree perfectly with Mr J. Williams, that they will not answr on Stoney, stumpy, or rough land of any kind, for the reason he has assigned; but I am equally well persuaded, that on level & smooth land (which for the most part my fields are) they would be found useful...
5From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 28 April 1799 (Washington Papers)
Since my last I have receiv’d the Seeds which you sent me by Captn Hand—after several fruitless enquiries after them. There was a Manufactury of Machines for raking Meadows, and Harvest fields after they are cut, at Kensington while I resided in Philadelphia—These are worked by a horse, and were, in my opinion useful impliments on a Farm, for expeditiously gleaning the fields of the scattered...
6From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 21 April 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 21st of March and 11th instant are both before me. By the first, it appears that you had shipped by Captn Hand for Alexandria, on my a/c, 12 lbs. of white Clover Seed and the like quantity of Lucerne; but none has been delivered by him at the Custom house, or elsewhere that I can discover, which is a considerable disappointment to me; for depending thereon I enquired for no...
7From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 17 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
On the 18th Ulto, I remitted you in a letter, One hundred Dollars in Bank Notes of the United States. Having received no acknowledgement of the letter’s getting to hand; and being yet without the Lucerne Seed, therein mentioned, (as well as in former letters) I am not entirely free from apprehension of a miscarriage, although I have heard of no accident to the Mail. As the Season of sowing...
8From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 18 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter and a/c current, with the Bills enclosed, have been duly received; and under cover of this letter I send you One hundred Dollars to be placed to my Credit. Ellwood has not yet called upon me, nor is he arrived at Alexandria that I have heard of. I thank you for the information respecting the price of Flour; and shall be obliged by your mentioning of it occasionally; especially if...
9From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 1 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 27th Ulto was received last Night. As the whole quantity of Blue-grass seed was purchased before my last letter to you got to hand, it may be sent on without diminution. Let it be accompanied, if to be had fresh and good, with twelve pounds of White clover seed; and the like quantity of Lucern. You will remark how pointed I am with respect to the goodness & quality of the...
10From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 20 January 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 13th Inst. has been duly received. It would oblige me very much if you could procure, and send ⟨me⟩ by the first opportunity which may offer, one bushel of English, or blue grass seeds, Fresh & good —without which, or if it be defective, or foul, my purpose—which is to sow a Lawn before my door, would not be answered. If Blue grass-seeds cannot be obtained, send white clover...
11From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 10 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 11th Ulto was received in the usual course of the Post. That the City of Phila. should again be visited by that dreadful malignant fever which has made such impressions upon it heretofore, is matter of sore regret and that it should baffle more & more the skill of the Physicians adds poignancy to the misfortune. The only intention of giving you the trouble to receive a...
12From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 13 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you I have received your letter of the 31st Ulto enclosing a Statement of the A/c betwn us—and have also received the Pictures and Books in good order. When I sent Doctr Bartons Note to you, I accompanied it with information, that there was no other way of dealing with him than to obtain security for payment of the money at a future day—for if I was to bestow the epithet on...
13From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 29 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 9th ulto (to which I replied on the 17th following) is the last I have received from you. And nothing more have I heard of the Pictures from Mr Savage, & the last Vol[um]e of the Encyclœpediæ which you say you were then about to ship in a Vessel loading for Alexandria. For my sentiments respecting the old Coach, & Table Ornaments, I refer to my last of the above date—17th...
14From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 17 June 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 9th instant is received. I am sorry to find that the old Coach is likely to find so bad a Market. This was slipped by Mr Dandridge, at the time I left Philadelphia. As the case now is, it will be better to break it up for the old Iron than keep it longer on expences. And if, after trying the Table Ornaments a while longer—at a reduced price—they will not sell, I must give...
15From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 28 May 1798 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed you will receive my Power of Attorney to sell the sum of three thousand four hundred and ninety four dollars and thirty one cents, Six pr Cent stock of the United States, which stands in my name on the Books in Philadelphia, and also the certificate of sd Stock. This ⟨stock⟩ is loaned by me for the use of the Potomack Company, and in the application thereof you ⟨will be⟩ pleased to...
16From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 8 April 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 25th Ulto is before me, but I have not yet heard of the arrival of Captn Tice at Alexandria. Not being able to wait any longer for Oznabrigs, I have made the purchase of what I stood in need of, in Alexandria—further enquiry therefore after this article, and the price of it, may be discontinued by you, in Philadelphia, on my Account. The Bills for the other articles,...
17From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 19 March 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 11th instant has been received; and I shall depend upon receiving samples of the Oznabrigs & Ticklenbirgs, with the prices annexed, so soon as you are enabled to give them; as I cannot much longer delay purchasing the quantity I want, and am now making partial purchases to supply immediate calls, & not on good terms. By the first regular Packett from Philadelphia I shall...
18From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 3 March 1798 (Washington Papers)
Since writing to you on the 27th & 28th Ulto, your letter of the 22d has been received. I should be glad to know, as soon as you are enabled to furnish me with the means of judging, whether it will be best to buy Oznabrigs or Ticklenbergs in Alexandria, or to send to Philadelphia for them; and to know it, I shall await the result of your enquiries and information. I have already left it to...
19From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 28 February 1798 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Clement Biddle, 28 Feb. 1798. On 3 Mar. GW wrote to Biddle of “writing to you on the 27th & 28th Ulto.”
20From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 27 February 1798 (Washington Papers)
In the latter end of Jany I acknowledged the receipt of your letter of the 16th of that month; writing you fully relative to several matters; on some of which (one in particular respecting the price of the best German Oznabgs) I was in hopes I should have received an immediate answer to. Not having heard of the miscarriage of any mail, I am at a loss to what cause to ascribe your silence; and...
21From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 29 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 16th has been received, & the Music Strings came safe. If you conceive any advantage will result from a delay in the sale of the old Coach, until the Spring, it will be quite agreeable to me that it should be postponed. To avoid the accumulating expence of Ho. room, and the injury such articles sustain by lying, & often by neglect & tossing about was my inducement to the...
22From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 10 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
By leaving the enclosed letter to Mr Kitt (who was my household Steward in Philadelphia) open for your perusal, it supercedes the necessity of my saying more on the subject than to beg your attention to, and aid in the measure which is requested therein. Mr Kitt lives, I believe, at the United States Bank, and if not, Mr Wolcot, I am persuaded can inform you of the place of his residence. Pray...
23From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 28 November 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have lately received a letter from a Mr Small of Philadelphia, informing me that the Coach I used in the City, was yet unsold; that it was accumulating expence; and not more than two hundred dollars had been offered for it; when, according to his acct $300 was the value fixed thereon. I intended to have sent his letter to you, but it has been mislaid, or lost. I shall beg the favour of you,...
24From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 15 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 28th ulto has been received, and I sincerely regret the continuance of the malady which afflicts the City of Philadelphia, and other Seaport Towns; but hope the frosts which we have lately had, & the approaching cold, will eradicate the disorder. The Season rendering the Room for which I wanted a stove in a manner useless for the purpose it was designed without one, I have...
25From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 15 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
The picture frames are received, and without the smallest injury to the glasses, for the careful packing of which I feel myself obliged. I pray you to send me four more gilt frames, at a dollar a foot running measure for paintings; no glasses; the size of the frames, to shew the canvass one foot 7¾ Inches, by 1.4¼ within the frame. Upon a more careful examination of the place for which the...
26From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 6 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 30th Ult. was received by the last Post. As the Encyclopædia might be useful, to have by me (though wanting the last Volume or two) I would if the binding business goes on as usual, request Mr Dobson to have all that are published, neatly bound and sent to me, except the last vole which may be retained as a sample to bind the remainder by. I do not recollect, but suppose the...
27From 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...
28From 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...
29From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 14 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
Not having anything to communicate of sufficient moment to give you the trouble of receiving a letter from me, I have delayed until now, to acknowledge the receipt of your favors of the 10th & 25th Ulto. When I left Philadelphia, Mr Lear & Mr Dandridge who remained, were directed to dispose of my Household furniture (such parts I mean as were not packed for a removal to this place) but from...
30From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 3 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
I presume my letter, enclosing the Power of Attorney, had reached your hands before your favor of the 20th Ulto was dispatched, altho’ the rect thereof was not acknowledged; and that the latter has enabled you to draw the interest of my Certificates at the Bank. Presuming on this, the letter to Mr McAlpan is sent, and open for yr perusal. Mr Morse having sent me his American Gazetteer,...
31From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 8 June 1797 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is the Power of Attorney (you sent me) executed before, and authenticated by a Notary public in Alexandria. Let me request ⟨the favor⟩ of you to inform Mr A⟨itkens Cabinet⟩ maker in Chestnut Street, ⟨that no Key⟩ came for the upper part of ⟨the Secreta⟩ry (writing desk) he sent me⟨; and that⟩ part of one of the side Tables ⟨also⟩ wanted a key. Whether it is in his power now to remedy...
32From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 28 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
The business I shall have to transact in Philadelphia will, more than probable, be of so piddling & trifling a nature, as to produce more trouble, than profit from the Commission, to whomsoever undertakes it. Notwithstanding (this being premised) as it has always been done by you, while I was not myself in Philadelphia as a Resident [,] I could not think of applying to another without first...
33Tobias Lear to Clement Biddle, 3 October 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favored with your letter of the 27th Ultimo and this morning Captain Albertson handed me your favor of the 23d. One hundred and sixty dollars is the lowest Captain Alberson will take for his vessels; and this exclusive of the Cabin, which he says was never comprehended in his conversation with you; and that it is always considered as seperate from the vessel when a vessel is...
34From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 9 September 1790 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Clement Biddle, 9 Sept. 1790. On Tuesday, 14 Sept. 1790, Biddle mentioned in a letter to Tobias Lear that he “had a few Lines from the President at Baltimore dated on Thursday.” GW’s letter to Biddle probably covered his 9 Sept. 1790 letter to David & Francis Clark (see Tobias Lear to GW, 26 Sept. 1790, n.7 ).
35Tobias Lear to Clement Biddle, 17 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
I acknowledge the rect of your favor of the 11th Inst.—and will thank you to get & deliver to Mr Lewis, the Presidents Nephew who will have the pleasure to deliver this, a German & English Dictionary for the Presidents German Gardner —and charge the same to the President’s Acct. The President went on Saturday to R. Island —he will return in about 8 days & I think will leave this for Virginia...
36Tobias Lear to Clement Biddle, 22 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
New York, 22 July 1790. Encloses a draft on the Bank of North America for $200 to be credited to GW’s account. ALS , PHi : Washington-Biddle Correspondence; ADfS , ViMtvL ; LB , DLC:GW . Biddle acknowledged receipt of the bank check on 26 July 1790 ( PHi : Clement Biddle Letter Book).
37From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 20 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
The first request of this letter is that you would burn it as soon as you have read it and keep the contents to yourself; at least for the present. Some months ago farms lately in the tenure of Mr Abel James were advertised for sale by you and Mr Henry Drinker —These farms I have seen; but not, it is to be acknowledged with the eyes of a Purchaser—The ⟨one⟩ near Frankfort you inform the public...
38Tobias Lear to Clement Biddle, 11 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge your favors of the 24th of June and the 4th & 8th of the present month; the former enclosing the Account of coach hire &c. paid by you—and the latter covering Mr Hare’s bill & rect for Porter sent to Mount Vernon. The President will thank you to inform me if plated waiters, suitable for carrying tea round to company, can be had with you—their sizes & cost—There are some...
39Tobias Lear to Clement Biddle, 3 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
New York, 3 June 1790. “The Cook arrived and entered upon his duty on the 1st of may; he gives us good dinners, and the Steward says he conducts himself well. We are much obliged by your agency in obtaining him.” ALS , PHi : Washington-Biddle Correspondence; copy, in Lear’s writing, ViMtvL ; LB , DLC:GW . For the search for a cook for the presidential household, see Tobias Lear to Daniel...
40William Jackson to Clement Biddle, 2 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
On Sunday, 9 May 1790, GW recorded in his diary that he was “Indisposed with a bad cold, and at home all day writing letters on private business.” His condition worsened overnight, and the next day he was confined to bed, apparently suffering from a bad case of influenza that developed into pneumonia. GW described the illness as “a severe attack of the peripneumony kind.” James Madison, who...
41Tobias Lear to Clement Biddle, 5 March 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your letters of the 16th & 23d ultimo. We are furnished with a Carpet for the room which I had described to you; but are therefore no less obliged to you for the trouble you have had in making inquiries respecting it. The President will thank you to make an addition of two hundred bushels to the quantity of Buckwheat you have procured for him. It is probable that it...
42Tobias Lear to Clement Biddle, 14 February 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favoured with your letters of the 9th and 10th inst. —the latter enclosing the President’s acct as it then stood with you. In reply to your wish to know the President’s birth day, it will be sufficient to observe that it is on the 11th of February Old Style; but the Almanack-makers have generally set it down opposite to the 11th day of the present Style. How far this may go...
43Tobias Lear to Clement Biddle, 21 December 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge your three favors of the 22d & 30th of Novr and 10th of Decr—all of which have been duly laid before the President, who now directs me to request that you will be so good as to inform me in your next, at what price per bushel 350 bushels of Buckwht could be delivered at Alexandria if sent in bags, includg the cost of the Buckwheat—the bags—commission on purchasing—freight...
44William Jackson to Clement Biddle, 7 December 1789 (Washington Papers)
The letter for Mr Holker, which encloses one for the Person, applying to be Steward of the Household, is, by the Presidents desire, committed to your care for conveyance. Be so good as to give it an early transmission. I shall take the liberty to write to you on my own account within a few days. The President and Mrs Washington are in perfect good health. I am, very respectfully, Dear Sir,...
45Tobias Lear to Clement Biddle, 17 November 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 5th ultimo, in which you mention your having given the memo. contained in my letter of the 2d of October to a nephew of Mr Bartram who would deliver it to his uncle; but I have not since received any information relative to the plants & shrubs, my absence from New York with the President has undoubtedly been the cause of it. The President...
46Tobias Lear to Clement Biddle, 2 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 30th ultimo came to hand last evening accompanied with the Padusoy for Mrs Washington, the bill of which was enclosed. The President will thank you to get from Mr Bartram a list of the plants & shrubs which he has for sale, with the price affixed to each, and also a note to each of the time proper for transplanting them, as he is desireous of having some sent to Mount Vernon...
47Tobias Lear to Clement Biddle, 28 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your much esteemed favors of the 16th & 25th instts are before me. The President’s acct contained in the former is right. Mrs Washington will thank you to get for her and send on here, 15 Yards of Padusoy of the enclosed Pattern. The President wishes to procure a considerable quantity of Clover seed; I will, therefore, thank you to inform me at what price a quantity can be had with you—and the...
48Tobias Lear to Clement Biddle, 16 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
The President has sent to Virginia a German who is to be a Gardener for him there. As he cannot speak the English Language and is unacquainted with the Country—I have paid his passage in the Stage to Philadelphia; and have written to Mr Inskeep—proprieter of the Stage there, to forward him from thence to Alexandria, and have informed him that the Amount of his Passage to the latter place would...
49Tobias Lear to Clement Biddle, 14 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have now before me your several favors of the 15th, 19th and 29th of August, and 2d of September. The Prayer-Books came safe to hand, and were much approved of by Mrs Washington. As there is, at present, no opportunity from this place to So. Carolina by water, I have taken the liberty to commit the enclosed letter to your care, requesting that you will be so good as to have it put on board...
50From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 18 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Mrs Washington proposing to leave Mount Vernon as this day, will, I expect, be in Philadelphia on Thursday; and as she proposes to lodge at Mr Morris’s I would be obliged to you for having the enclosed letter for her lodged there against her arrival as she may find it necessary to write to me by Fridays Post. I am Dr Sir Yr most obedt Servt ALS , PWacD . Letter not found. Mrs. Washington...