151To George Washington from Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., 20 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
The increasing feebleness of my health rendering it impossible for me to discharge the duties of Secretary to Mr Murray in a manner which I can reconcile to myself, has induced me to come to a determination to return to America. I conceived it to be my duty, Sir, to inform you of this determination to quit a situation in wch your goodness had placed me; and a fear lest Mr Murray should, from...
152To George Washington from John Parker, 9 February 1798 (Washington Papers)
Permit me, great sir, to address you and solicit the honor of your name and patronage to the work which I am now engaged in— “The Journals of Congress” from the year 1775 to the present time, including the reports of the Heads of Departments &c. My undertaking has met with the encouragement of Mr Jefferson & the Committee of Congress to whom the printing the old Journals was referred—The...
153To George Washington from Julian Ursyn Niemcewicz, 14 June 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your hospitability & Kindnes, impress me with stronger sensation than my knowledge of the Language enable me to convey. After quitting the unhapy scenes of my own country, the prosperity & tranquility of this made a most pleasing contrast & I exclaimed with the Poet who expresses the Sentiments of America O Meliboe Deus [nobis]—haec otia fecit Namque erit ille mihi semper Deus (Virgil’s...
154To George Washington from Bushrod Washington, 20 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 12th inst. I duly recieved. Colo. Heth is very highly esteemed here by all men of respectability, who are not in opposite politics with himself. I have always heard him spoken of as a man of business, and as being both sober & prudent. Tho’ I do not believe that he has been favored with a very liberal education, I consider him as possessed of a very strong mind, and of...
155To George Washington from William Thornton, 6 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have sent the Section of Square No. 21, with an Alteration made by the red Line, which is allowing as much as the Surveyor, on attentively considering the Ground, thinks can be made with propriety. I have directed the general plan of the Levels to be made correspondent. I request you will be pleased to accept a Dozen Bottles of what may be truly called The heart of Oak. It is old Spirit that...
156To George Washington from James Anderson, 21 June 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of 18th gave me much Satisfaction every alteration which You think well of will be attended to in the Planing & executeing the Improvement of Your Estate. And as much Grass seeds as possable saved for every purpose proposed. Your Excellency’s approbation and mark thereof in allowing me £140 Hire is very agreable for this & future times. It will please me better than any share, for...
157To George Washington from Tadeusz Kościuszko, 8 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
I return You my warmest thanks for the Honour You have done me —If the situation of my health would admit my travelling so far, I would immediatly pay you my Respects and my personal Homage; it was my first intention, and I hope I shall at last accomplish it. Your High Character, Reputation and the Goodness of Your Heart, may give me the liberty to mention a circumstance concerning me and is...
158To George Washington from Bushrod Washington, 7 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
I recieved a few days ago; a letter from Mr John Nicholas in which after speaking of the violence of a certain party in that County, and the lengths to which they go he says, “among other things, you will see in Davis’s paper of the 24th July a hint at the affair with which you are acquainted from the celebrated John Langhorne himself. I am hinted at as the ‘dignified character of an...
159To George Washington from Nathaniel Luff, Jr., 3 March 1798 (Washington Papers)
I am a second time called to address a few lines to Thee, awakened in the night season, or previous to the dawn of day, for that purpose, (I believe,) the sentiments in the first instance that impressed my mind, not being inscribed on paper, are lost. I have in the second instance been more attentive to the impulse, (I will not call it divine) but am as to myself, fully satisfied of that...
160To George Washington from John Trumbull, 5 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honour to receive your favour of the 25th of June last, some weeks ago; I am very much obliged to you for what you have done respecting the Prints but sorry that you should have had so much trouble with them. The wonderful Events of this Campaign in Europe have entirely contradicted my speculations of last Spring, and have at least removed to a greater distance the Danger which I...
161To George Washington from Daniel Morgan, 8 October 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Daniel Morgan, 8 Oct. 1799. In one of two letters that GW wrote Morgan on 26 Oct. he referred to Morgan’s “favour of the 8th instt.”
162To George Washington from Isaac Price, 5 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
I send you inclosed a pamphlet entitled a Jerseymans Common Sense. if it is approved by you and you think it prudent at this criticle Juncture that such sentiments should be publick, I shall have a number more printed But if discerning men deem it imprudent—and not conducive of harmony and unity—I shall desist—I assure you sir that my motive is purely from a principle of love to my countrey,...
163To George Washington from David Stuart, 27 December 1798 (Washington Papers)
I expect you have not had an opportunity of seeing the inclosed address—written by Mr Evans on the subject of the alien and sedition bills—It is so excellent in my judgement, that tho’ it is borrowed, I cannot refuse taking the liberty of furnishing you with it —It is much to be lamented, it did not appear sooner, as it could not have failed I think of dissipating the fears of many well...
164To George Washington from Samuel Washington, 29 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
I recd your kind Letter of the 12th Instant and am happy in having an opportunity to return to you my most sincere thanks for your offer of Assistance and for your good Advice, which I can Assure you was very Acceptable as there is no person fonder of receiving Advice than what I am. Your Observations respecting the borrowing of Money I have reason to Attend to. for a Considerable part of the...
165To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 21 August 1799 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your letter of the 14th instant. The recommendations of Captains Taylor and Blue will not fail to be considered when the situation of things is mature for the appointment of Brigade Inspectors. Inclosed you will find a General Abstract of the recruiting returns, which at its date were received at the Office of the Adjutant General. Other Information induces me to...
166To George Washington from Bushrod Washington, 8 November 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have conversed with Mr Brooke respecting Mrs Forbes and am enabled to get you the following history of that person. She is a widow—a Native of England & without a family—about 50 yrs of age—active & spirited in the execution of her business—sober & honest—well acquanted with Cookery & in his opinion capable of ordering & setting out a table—her appearance is decent & respectable & such is...
167To George Washington from Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., 8 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
The Letter which you were pleased to write to me of the 3d inst. was not put into my hands ’till late on thursday evening, which prevented my answering it on friday morng as by some new arrangement the Mail for Alexa. is closed at ½ past 7 in the morning. The Lustre was taken down, well packed, and (with the Boat awning, Sail, &ca) put on board the Tryal, Capt. Hand, who sailed early on Monday...
168To George Washington from Thomas Peter, 6 May 1799 (Washington Papers)
I received yours of the 5th by the Hands of Washington Custis, enclosing a Note of Tobacco, nett weight 912 lb. which I disposed off this Morning at Six dollars ⅌ Hd & a dollar for the cask, there was but one person in Town that would give more than 5¾, it being under a thousand; a Mr Williams sold this day ⟨5⟩0 Hhds all weighing upwards of 1000 at a Credit of 60 dy for Six & a half dollars....
169To George Washington from Thomas Peter, 2 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your last cover’d a Receipt for Seventy Nine Dollars & two Hhds Tobacco. I have inquired the Cash price & Credit Prices of Tobacco; they are as follow 7¼⟨$⟩ 7¾ @ 60 days & 8.120, if you are not in immediate want of the Money, the Gentn who offers 7¾ dollars can be rely’d on, & from the present prospect of things perhaps you could not do better with it. Mr & Mrs Law were here Yesterday I think...
170To George Washington from Henry Knox, 4 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have received your two favors of the 21st and 23d ultimo. They breathe a spirit of friendship and affection which has ever been ardently reciprocated by me. The appointment of the third Major General having been explicity declined by me I have nothing to add on that subject but one single observation. To wit that you are the only decided personal friend who has advised my acceptance of it....
171To George Washington from James McHenry, 10 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
(Confidential) My dear General Trenton [N.J.] 10th Sepr 1798 If any change should take place in settling the relative rank of the majr Generals you hope and expect to be informed of it. The inclosed letters will shew you the progress and state of the Question. You will return them, and I am sure will duly respect this confidence. It will be proper you should deliberate upon the part which will...
172To George Washington from Henry Hill, 4 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
The pleasing sensations produced on this anniversary are so connected with you, that my forwardness to pay it any mark of respect I hope may find indulgence—I should have been happier to have seen you & thrown myself at the feet of Mrs Washington and miss Custis, saving you the care in that case, which as it is, I must intreat you would undertake of gracing my Complimts to these Ladies. A very...
173To George Washington from William Gordon, 25 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your friendly letter of 15th Ocr last was highly acceptable, but before I enter upon a particular answer I mean to transcribe one of our friend Monsr La Fayette’s dated two days before. Upon hearing He was safe in the neighbourhood of Hamburgh I wrote to him on the 9th of Novr to which he answered from Lehmkhul near Ploin, as follows “My dear Sir With heart-felt satisfaction I have received...
174To George Washington from Robert Lewis, 23 May 1798 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you will receive a draught on Mr James Russel of Alexandria (Mercht) for the amount of Mr Ariss’s last years rent. Mr Ariss’s great infirmities has prevented his making any exertions to obtain this money earlier & has induced me at his earnest request to depart from my usual mode of collection & your instructions—If this money is not paid immediately on demand, or assurances given...
175To George Washington from George Washington Parke Custis, 29 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
Words cannot express my present sensations, a heart overflowing with joy at the success of conscience over disposition is all I have to give—Dearest Sir did you but know the effect your letter has produced it would give you as consummate pleasure, as my former one did pain —My very soul tortured with the sting of conscience at length called reason to its aid and happy for me triumphed, the...
176To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 12 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
Private Dear sir Charlotte [County] feby 12th 1799 Your Favor of the 15th ulto reached me a few Days since. I sincerely thank you for it, & for the flattering Sentiments you entertain for me—But most highly do I thank & honor you for your unremitting Care of the public Welfare—Think not Sir that I mean to flatter when I say that the wise Caution which avoided an Increase of Connection with the...
177To George Washington from William Roberts, 21 June 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 17th of June is now Before Me & I Must Confess Am Much Surprised To think your Excellency woud think Me worth Notis after All the Misfortuens I have went through. To Right Me Such A Letter of Comfurt As to Once More think of Imploying Me Again in your Generous & worthe Imploy—Now Sir if you Can Place Any Confedence in Me As usel, I hope it will be in My power to Give you...
178To George Washington from Thomas Pinckney, 23 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
The fear of missing my Brother upon the road after an absence of between six and seven years has impelled me to take the liberty of sending the inclosed letter under cover to you. As I know of no place where propriety and affection will unite so powerfully in inducing him to stop as at Mount Vernon, I have little doubt of his receiving this letter in safety. The election of representatives in...
179To George Washington from William Taylor, 12 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
I have taken the Liberty to send for your Acceptance a small cask of early pottatoes for planting, (if you think them worth notice); they are ship’d on board the Felicity of Alexandria and addres’d to Mr John Potts of that place, by whom myself and Mr Cripps were introduc’d to you on the sixth of May Last. there is two sorts of them Viz. early Dwarf and d[itt]o Champion, both of which are as...
180To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., 22 June 1799 (Washington Papers)
I take much pleasure in complying with a request of my Brother Colo. John Trumbull, to communicate to you a Copy of a political Letter, which he has lately written to me from London. His project you will find is a great One. But—were the moral powers of our Country, equal to her physical force, so far from starting at the magnitude of the Object, some of her Sons I presume, would not hesitate...
181To George Washington from John O’Donnell, 9 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
I am duly honored with your letter of the 4[t]h inst. and should have made an earlier reply to it, had I not delayed in making such necessary inquiries, as added to my own Knowledge of Anthony Heusler, might enable me more particularly to give you the information request’d respecting him. ⟨And⟩ altho’ he has been my tenant for about 3 years, yet have I been very little indeed acquainted either...
182To George Washington from George Washington Parke Custis, 5 May 1798 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Fitzgerald arrived here about an hour ago and has politely offered to convey a letter to you. Nothing material has occurred since my last letter only that we now attend College at six in the morning which is by no means disagreable, and conduces to health. With respect to what I mentioned of Mr Carroll in my last I had no other foundation but report which has been since contradicted....
183To George Washington from James Ash, 8 March 1798 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of inclosing you, my proposals for printing, a Digest of, the Laws of Maryland, from 1785 to the time of publication. The manifold Services, which you have rendered our Country, in the walks of public and private life—the love and veneration to which your character is so deservedly entitled, renders it an incumbent duty, approved by the warmest affections of my heart, to...
184To George Washington from John Nicholas, 9 December 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your’s of the 30th Ultimo came safe to hand; and altho’, from a view of the papers inclosed, Mr Langhorne was not so direct in his scheme for extracting something from you to answer the purposes of those to whom I know him to be a servile tool; yet from the fulsome contents of his letter to you, & my knowledge of his sentiments being in direct contradiction to those contained in that letter,...
185To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 4 December 1798 (Washington Papers)
Mr Boudinot presents his most respectful Compliments to Lieutenant Genl Washington and informs him that the Wine he mentioned to him, is all sold—Mr Boudinot has sent money to Madeira to purchase a few Pipes of the best wines the Island affords—He expects they will be shipped in January for this port, and if they arrive safe, and answer his Expectation, Mr B. will let the General know it, and...
186To George Washington from James McHenry, 9 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday after hearing councel the Senate expelled Mr Blount. Mr Tazewell voted against his expulsion upon very frivolous ground. The affair makes a good deal of noise I mean talk without the plot or project being understood. You will see by the inclosed reports to the President the further disclosure of French projects. It would seem as if nothing short of a dismemberment of the union, and...
187To George Washington from Alexander Addison, 22 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of yours of 9th ulto. I am perfectly satisfied with your demand of interest because though what is called compound interest is not recoverable in a Court of Justice I have always thought it ought to be. But as the interest of others was concerned I thought it my duty to submit it to your consideration and at the same time to be guided by your decision. I annex an account that...
188To George Washington from Thomas Peter, 13 February 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have called on Mr Davidson to enquire the business his Nephew’s are suitable for, & whether they were not looking out for places to be engaged in; to this he answered one of them was taken by the Potowmack Compy & the Other at my service—I then mentioned you were wanting a Young Man who could keep accounts, write a plain round Hand (as you had much Recording to do) & who must be entirely at...
189To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 23 June 1797 (Washington Papers)
Haveing already wrote you respecting your lands purchased of general Lee, Laying on Rough Creek—shall now only observe, that I arrived on them with the gentlemen, mutually chosen by Lee and myself, to Vallue the Same; on the 25 of may after traceing the lines so as to Keep us within the bounds of the two tracks; we proceeded to Traverse the Same, and found the two tracts to consist of as...
190To George Washington from Louis La Colombe, 5 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
The letters by the John from Hambg having been saved & I have at length recd mine by them, I have had news of all my Esteem’d friends who were confined in the austrian Bastilles. I am happy sir, to have the honor of forwarding to you the enclosed letter from our mutual Friend Genl De Lafayette whose greatest happiness I’m well assured, was to avail himself the pleasure to write you on the...
191William Thornton to GW, 8 October 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: William Thornton to GW, 8 Oct. 1797. On 10 Oct. GW wrote Thornton : “Your favours of the 6th & 8th instant have both been received.”
192To George Washington from Allyn Prior, 30 October 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Allyn Prior, 30 Oct. 1799. On 1 Nov. GW wrote Prior : “Your letter of the 30th Ulto came to my hands yesterday afternoon.”
193To George Washington from William Augustine Washington, 13 July 1799 (Washington Papers)
Judge Washington intending to Mount Vernon I imbrace the opportunity of acknowledging rect of your Letter of the 10th Ulto with Mr Andersons, incl⟨os⟩ing the Acct between us for Corn; which is very accurate, & satisfactory—On the 15th June I drew on you in favr of Walker Roe & Co. for £⟨ illegible ⟩ payable 60 days after sight, and yesterday I d⟨rew⟩ in favr of Robt Patton for £100 pay 30 days...
194To George Washington from Samuel Knox, 10 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
Being About to publish, by subscription an Essay on the best Method of Introducing an Uniform System of Education adapted to the United States, I Beg leave to solicit the favour of your permission to prefix to it an Introductory address to you. Though I own this Request is dictated by a share of vanity in presuming to be ambitious of so high a recommendatory sanction to my Essay; yet I truly...
195To George Washington from Robert Morris, 8 August 1798 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Robert Morris, 8 Aug. 1798. On 19 Aug. GW wrote Morris : “Your favour of the 8th Instt was received the 16th.”
196To George Washington from James McHenry, 3 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed are the rules which have been adopted by the President of the United States relative to rank and promotion in the Army. It is requested that you will as speedily as the nature of the case and circumstances admit determine the relative rank of the field officers of the Regiment of Cavalry, and of the 12 regiments of Infantry raised in pursuance of the Act of the 16 July 1798. For your...
197To George Washington from Mildred Thornton Washington, 13 October 1798 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Mildred Thornton Washington, 13 Oct. 1798. On 18 Oct. GW wrote Mildred Washington : “Your favour of the 13th instt came duly to hand.”
198To George Washington from Alexander White, 1 April 1798 (Washington Papers)
I am honoured with your favour of 25 Ul[t]o It is with real concern that I am obliged to state the affairs of the Federal Seat in a more unfavourable light than heretofore—The Bill which passed the House of Representatives after having been twice under consideration of a Committee of the Senate was reported without amendment, but with strong symptoms of disapprobation from three of the Members...
199To George Washington from Paul Ferdinand Fevot, 4 April 1798 (Washington Papers)
The unexpected Circumstances which have attended my journey to Your Seat force me to trouble Your Excellency with this. I had the honour of imparting to You from New York the reasons of my departure from Switzerland in May last resolved on by me on account of the ungratefulness of the Sovereign of Bern, & the firm persuasion that our Country being not able to withstand an invasion which I...
200To George Washington from Thomas Parker, 9 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to Receive your letter of the 28th Ultimo on Saturday last accompanied by one from Genl Hamilton. I fortunately met with Colo. Lear at this place yesterday morning & with him Carefully examined the different Situations in the Vicinity of the arsenal at Harper’s ferry. After the most mature deliberations I have with the intire Concurrence of Colo. Lear Given a Dicided preference...