1George Washington to Colonel Clement Biddle, 20 November 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] November 20, 1778 . Orders Biddle to impress forage for troops. LS , in writing of H, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Biddle was commissary general of forage.
2From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Clement Biddle, 20 December [1778] (Hamilton Papers)
Headquarters [ Middle Brook, New Jersey ] December 20 [ 1778 ]. Requests minutes of trials of Charles Lee and Arthur St. Clair so that they can be published in general orders. ALS , Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Lee was “suspended from any command in the Armies of the United States of North America for the term of twelve months.” St. Clair was acquitted ( GW John C....
3From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Clement Biddle, 3 June 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
I inclose you a letter for Mr. Writtenhouse accompanied by a Theodolite which you will be pleased carefully to forward him for The General. (Now on my own account) Gibbs informs me you were obliging enough to promise that care should be taken of my mare and her colt at your place. I leave her in charge of Mr. Wallace as my servant will be too much employed while we stay to carry her to your...
4From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Clement Biddle, [20 August 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Laurence who will deliver you this, is I am informed, a character that by his attachment to the cause, his suffering, &c. has a claim to all the indulgence we can show him with consistency. All his grass is gone. He expects soon to have his hay taken away and then he says his cattle and his family in consequence must starve. If you can manage to spare him without incurring the charge of...
5From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Clement Biddle, [16 September 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
There is to be an interview at Elizabeth Town the 19th. between General Lincoln General Philips, The British & American Commissaries of Prisoners. You will endeavour to provide them, with forage, and for this purpose if you please, take the directions of General Lincoln. Yr Obed serv. ALS , Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Major General Benjamin Lincoln had been taken prisoner...
6From Alexander Hamilton to Clement Biddle, 10 August 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I had concluded to offer you the Agency for providing all such supplies for the War Department as are not objects of direct contract with the Treasury. The compensation about 800 Dollars a year. But it occurred to me, that you were engaged in the business of broker; and hence an apprehension has been excited, lest a connection of the kind contemplated with this department should be...
7From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Clement Biddle, [17 June 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
The whole army immediately to strike their tents, pack them up, and get themselves in every respect ready for an instant march. The Quarter Master General to have every thing in his department ready. Colonel Biddle will communicate the above order, to the Commissary & Pay Master General & Judge advocate. ALS , MS Division, New York Public Library. Although George Washington anticipated a...
8Warrant to Colonel Clement Biddle, 26 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby authorized to impress all the Blankets, Shoes Stockings and other Articles of Clothing for the use of the Army, that can be spared by the Inhabitants in the Counties of Bucks Philada and Northampton, paying for the same at reasonable Rates, or give Certificates. Given at Camp near Potts Grove this 26th day of Septemr 1777. Df , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick...
9From George Washington to Colonel Clement Biddle, 28 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
As the Season advances when falling weather and the badness of Roads will be almost insurmountable obstacles to the transporting forage from any distance—you are without delay to form magazines for our winters Supply contiguous to the Rear of the Camp—and to take every favorable opportunity of keeping them amply furnished—so that even in case of a series of bad Weather there may be no...
10From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 29 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received a Copy of Your Letter of the 27th Instant to Major General Greene, Quarter Master General upon the subject of forage. Your representation upon this head is very distressing and I scarcely know how to direct you upon the occasion. It is my wish that every possible respect should be paid in all cases to the Laws of this and every other State—and a sacred regard to the property of...
11From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 16 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Whereas by the sudden Movement of the Army to winter quarters it will be difficult to procure the necessary Supplies of Forage, which by your representation Cannot be furnishd unless you are Authorised to impress the same, therefore you are hereby Authorised where Forage & pasture Cannot otherwise be procured, by yourself or Assistants & Forage Masters to impress the Necessary Forage for the...
12From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 8 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
Our prospects, with regard to Grain Forage, are so very alarming, that I think it incumbent upon me to transmit the substance of the Reports of your different deputies to Congress—You will therefore be pleased to furnish me with such Extracts from the inclosed, as relate directly to the scarcity of Forage and the means which seem principally to occasion the want —I shall issue a general order...
13From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 23 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favour of this date, inclosing a Copy of Mr Blanes letter requesting you to furnish him, for the Commissaries department with a quantity of the Indian Corn laid in for the use of your own —Notwithstanding the loss of some horses as you observe may be the consequence of affording him the supply—the present distress of the Army for the want of flour is such, that I cannot...
14From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 27 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
From the opinion I entertained of your services I was sorry to hear in the first instance when the matter was communicated to me, that You were about to leave the Army & had actually resigned your Commission to the Quarter Master General. An event is soon to take place which will still encrease my concern on this head. We have every reason to expect, that an Armament composed of Land & Sea...
15From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 29 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received Your Letter of the 28th. The Honourable the Committee in a circular Letter they have written to the States, have pressed them in the strongest terms, to furnish the supplies required of them by Congress, by their Act of the 25th of February; and the places for depositing the forage as well as other Articles, which had been agreed on, had been communicated to them before, by...
16From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 8 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
Be so good as to send me by the Post, or any other safe & expeditious conveyance, 70 Yards of livery lace three quarters, or Inch wide; or any width between—Direct it to the care of the Postmaster in Alexandria. The lace should be red & white. I will thank you also for sending me, if an oppertunity should offer soon by Water, one hundred weight, or even a Barrel of good Coffee. Pray forwd the...
17From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 17 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
On the 8th I wrote to you for 70 Yards of livery lace (red & white, 3/4 or Inch wide, or any width between) to be sent by the Post; or any other safe & expeditious conveyance. Lest that letter should have miscarried I repeat my request, as I am in immediate want of the article. I did, at the sametime desire that one hundd weight, or a Barrl of good Coffee might be sent me by the first Vessel...
18From 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...
19From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 10 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
Since last post I have received the Lace & two-pole chain, accompanied by your favors of the 22d & 29th ulto for which I thank you. From what you have written concerning the Sieves, it is to be feared I did not sufficiently explain myself in speaking to the sizes of the meshes —You say, “the largest is of iron wire, as there was none of brass so coarse in Town”—& again, “the second & third are...
20From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 6 May 1784 (Washington Papers)
You will do me a favr by executing the enclosed Memms. The reason why I had rather the wine (had of the Chevr de la Luzerne) should be paid for by a third person, shall be given to you when I see you. To send the articles wanted by the first Vessel bound to Alexandria, would be very convenient, & you wd do me a kindness to agree for, & express what the frieght shall be. I have suffered great...
21From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 7 May 1784 (Washington Papers)
As the oppertunity to Potomack will be good, I return the Box you sent me the other day, in order that it may go by the Ship Fortune with the other things—As my purchase of any of the sorts of Wine (enumerated in my letter of yesterday) will depend upon the price, which sometime ago I heard was incredibly low, you would oblige me, if you know the rates they are at present, by the information—I...
22From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 18 May 1784 (Washington Papers)
Rather than wait, & thereby hazard delay, I would purchase Copper at the present price for all the purposes mentioned in your estimate, the Spouts, or Trunks excepted—the want of these, as they do not retard the Work may remain a while longer. Pray let me have your Acct before Nine oclock, as I hope to set off soon after that hour & wish to pay the Balle before I go. I am Yr Obedt & affe Servt...
23From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 30 June 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 10th Instt covering an Invoice of Goods shipped by the Betsey Captn Broadhurst is come safe to hand—the Vessel is also arrived at Alexandria; and I shall send up this day for the things—I wish the Mattrasses had all been among them as the Season is wasting fast in which they are most useful. I have perused the accts you have delivered in at sundry times and find the debits &...
24From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 28 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
The Mulatto fellow William who has been with me all the War is attached (married he says) to one of his own colour a free woman, who, during the War was also of my family—She has been in an infirm state of health for sometime, and I had conceived that the connection between them had ceased—but I am mistaken—they are both applying to me to get her here, and tho’ I never wished to see her more,...
25From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 4 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you, I have obtained from Baltimore (by means of Colo. Tilghman) a House-Joiner—and as the season for working in mortar will soon be over; & that of intermitants is approaching—I pray you to decline purchasing either the Joiner or Bricklayer formerly requested. I am Dr Sir &c. LB , DLC:GW . See Tench Tilghman to GW, 27 July , and GW to Biddle, 30 June 1784 .
26From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 3 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have not yet received a statement of my Acct with you. It would give me pleasure to have it at full length—and soon. I wish you would add to it 100 lbs. of fresh & good (red) clover seed, to be sent by the first vessel to Alexandria, as I should be glad to receive it before Ice may impede the navigation of this or Delaware river. I requested the favor of Mr Bourdinot (late president of...
27From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 1 February 1785 (Washington Papers)
In a letter of the 14th of Decr from Mr Boudinot (which only came to my hands by the last Post) he informs me that he should send Six bushls of the Orchard grass Seeds to your care, for my use. If this has been done, I pray you not to forego the first opportunity of forwarding it to me, as it ought to be sowed as soon as the ground can be prepared, which I am now getting in order for its...
28From 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...
29From 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...
30From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 27 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 5th. came duly to hand, and should have been acknowledged sooner, if it had been in my power, conveniently. I thank you for your attention to the Certificates which I committed to your care; and will obtain an order from Gilbert Simpson, by which the Interest may be received. This money is all I am likely to get for a Mill which he ran me to the Expence of £1200 hard money...
31From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 17 August 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 8th came safely by last Post —I will, the first time I go to Alexandria, get an order from Colo. Hooe, Mr Hartshorne, or some other who has dealings in Philadelphia (for I have none, & know of no direct and safe opportunity of sending Money) to the amount of the Sum which you have lately paid on my Acct to Mr Boudinot. The inclosed is to Edward (I do not know his Surname)...
32From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 7 September 1785 (Washington Papers)
The man who at present lives with me in the capacity of a Housekeeper, or Household Steward, will leave me in a day or two; which (until his place can be supplied) will throw a great additional weight on Mrs Washington. I therefore beg, if you, or Mr Moyston, should have met with a person whom you think would answer my purposes (as described in my former letters) that you would engage him (or...
33From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 11 December 1785 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 29th Ulto and thank you for your repeated offer of Services in Philadelphia. By Major Fairlie I send you Six pounds Pensylvania Curry and would thank you to pay Mr Cary Printer for his Paper—and to pay Oswald for his—I know not upon what footing he sends them. by no order of mine do they come, and it is only now and then, I get one. yet I do not want to lay...
34From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 30 January 1786 (Washington Papers)
I embrace the good & safe oppertunity afforded me by Colo. Grayson to send you Ten half Johan[ne]s—the application of which shall be the subject of a Letter by the Post, when I have more leizure to write—not being able to mention the purposes for which they are intended at this time —With much truth I am Dr Sir Yr Obedt Hble Servt ALS , PHi : Washington-Biddle Correspondence. The letter was...
35From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 10 February 1786 (Washington Papers)
A hasty letter which I wrote to you by Colo. Grayson was accompanied with ten half Johans.—the application of which I informed you shd be directed in a subsequent letter. Let me now request the favour of you to send me the following articles if to be had. A pair of Boots, and two pair of Shoes, to be made by Mr Star (who has my measure) agreeably to the enclosed Memo. Young’s Six Months tour...
36From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 18 May 1786 (Washington Papers)
Your favors of the 19th of Feby & 16th & 19th March, are before me; And would have been acknowledged Sooner, had any thing material, occurred. The Clover Seed, Boots &c. came in Season; but I must take care to be earlier in my application another year, as the Expence of getting heavy articles from Baltimore by land, comes high; I was charged forty odd Shillings for the Transportation of those...
37From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 21 June 1786 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is a copy of my last—It is so long since it was dispatched (without an acknowledgment of it) that I begin to fear some accident must happened, altho’ it was sent to the Post Office in Alexandria by a very safe hand. Should this be the case, I pray you to notify the Office of the loss of the Certificate which was enclosed, that neither principal nor interest may be paid to the bearer...
38From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 31 July 1786 (Washington Papers)
Majr Gibbes handed me your letter of the 24th ulto with the accounts enclosed. Necessity alone ought to compel me to loose the difference between £50:18.9 and 339 53/80 Dollars; because the last mentioned sum (but a very little while since) was, [(]if I recollect rightly) considered as the specie value of the Commissary’s Certificates for which it was issued by Mr Stelle, and was accordingly...
39From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 18 August 1786 (Washington Papers)
This letter serves to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 13th & to inform you that I have this day, sent a small box to Alexandria to go from thence by the Packet, or first conveyance to Philada to your address. It contains two window curtains which I pray you to get new dyed of the same color, green, & returned to me as soon as may be. I am obliged by your care of my letters; &...
40From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 23 September 1786 (Washington Papers)
It is sometime since my window curtains were sent to you to get dyed; I should be glad to have them back as soon as an opportunity offers of forwarding them to me. Let me beg you to send by Mr Porter, (who will deliver you this letter) if he can bring it, or with the curtains if he cannot—16 yards of Stuff of the same kind & colour of the curtains, to cover two dozen chairs, the front of which...
41From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 28 October 1786 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Clement Biddle, 28 Oct. 1786. On 5 Nov. Biddle wrote GW : “I have your Esteemed favour of 28th ulto.”
42From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 5 December 1786 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 15th of Octr and 5th of Novr are both before me, and I shall reply to them in their order. For your trouble in negotiating my Certificate I thank you. If it is necessary (in order) that you may receive the half yearly interest thereon I would wish you to keep it. If you can draw this without it may be sent to me. In the meantime inform me if you please if this certificate...
43From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 11 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
As we are now on the verge of the middle of Feby and the season is fast approaching when the ground should be in readiness to receive spring grain, permit me to remind you of the Barley you were so obliging as to procure for me—and beg (as I have been disappointed in another expectation) that the 50 bushels may be encreased to one hundred, if in your power to do it conveniently. At any rate...
44From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 14 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
I forgot, in the letter I wrote to you the day before yesterday, to request the favour of you to send 6 Screw Augers, that will bore holes 2½ inches.—I want them for Posting and railing—If this size is not sufficiently large they may be made bigger—for this, or indeed any kind of work I am informed that Screw Augers are much preferred. I am, Dear Sir, Yr. Most Obedt. Servt., William J....
45From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 14 March 1787 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 20th and 27th Ulto are both before me. The Barley & other things by the Dolphin are arrived—and by the return of this Vessel I consign you, as per bill enclosed, 45 Barrls of Herrings, which you will be pleased to dispose of to the best advantage, and place the proceeds to my credit. It is hardly necessary to add that, the sooner these fish are disposed of the higher the...
46From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 28 June 1787 (Washington Papers)
By the Post of Yesterday, I received the enclosed Memo.—If you can comply with them in time, for the Alexandria Packet it wd oblige me. If the Hatt is already got for Washington, it will be unnecessary to exchange it; If not, he prefers a black one, with such ornaments as would suit a boy of his age & the colour of the hat. I beg leave to remind you of the Linnen—two pieces—from Mr...
47From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 12 July 1787 (Washington Papers)
Genl Washington’s Complimts to Colo. Biddle and would thank him for sending the Upholsterer—Davis—to him as he is desirous of having one of the Venetian blinds made as soon as may be. AL , PHi : Washington-Biddle Correspondence. Written after “Thursday,” in another hand, is the date “July 12. 1787.” On 15 July GW wrote George Augustine Washington that he was having a Venetian blind made to...
48From 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...
49From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 22 August 1787 (Washington Papers)
Since I came to this City, if I recollect rightly, you asked me if I now had, or could put up, a quantity of Herrings next season, for Sale. Having revolved the matter in my mind, I wish in turn to be informed, if there is any responsible character who would enter into a contract for a number, to be delivered next Season? What number of Barrls he would contract for?—and at what price; to be...
50From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 10 September 1787 (Washington Papers)
I have received both your Notes of this Morning, and thank you for Notice of the Vessels sailing. The Books, I perceive, are only small treatises upon education, referred to by Doctr Rush, which I can get, & carry in my Trunk. remember the clothes baskets. I send a small box containing a Lamp—it is a present, but could not have cost 20/. If the hounds presented to me by Captn Morris are not...