1From George Washington to Robert Adam, 13 January 1774 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Robert Adam, c.13 Jan. 1774. On c.13 Jan. 1774 Adam wrote to GW : “I am favoured with yours.” GW’s missing letter of c.13 Jan. was in answer to a letter from Adam dated 12 January .
2From George Washington to Daniel Jenifer Adams, 12 January 1773 (Washington Papers)
As there appears to be a good deal of Inconsistency between your Letters to me and those to Colo. Carlyle respecting the Sale of the Brig, and as you have changd the Destination of the Vessell contrary to the Original Intention of the Voyage, and contrary to the expectation of the Owner here (to my very great Inconvenience) and as some other reasons might be added, if necessary, still more...
3From George Washington to Daniel Jenifer Adams, 20 July 1772 (Washington Papers)
If the price of Superfine Flour in Barbadoes is not under Twenty five Shillings prCt I would have mine sold there rather than hazard any other Market; but if it should be lower than this, I would in that case, take the chance of some of the other Islands (if you should call at them in your way to Jamaica) in any of which, if you can get such a price as to nett me two pence a pound Virga Curry...
4From George Washington to Edward Anderson, 10 September 1773 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 13th of last Month came to my hands a few days ago. you will be pleas’d Sir, for the justification of Colo. Colvills Exrs, to have the Powr of Attorney sent you by the Guardian of Miss Harriot Rebecca Anderson recorded in the Court of this County (Fairfax) after which the Money shall be paid to you or your Order. This step we are told, is essential to our justification, and...
5From George Washington to John Armstrong, 28 September 1773 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to John Armstrong, 28 Sept. 1773. On 24 Dec. Armstrong wrote GW : “Your favours of the 28th Sepr from Annapolis . . . I now most gratefully acknowledge.”
6From George Washington to John Armstrong, 10 October 1773 (Washington Papers)
Upon my return home from the Annapolis Races (from whence I wrote you, committing the Letter to the care of Captn McGachen of Baltimore Town, who assured me it should be forwarded the Week after) I receivd a Letter from Lord Dunmore our Governor, containing the following Paragraph, which I inclose for your information, agreeable to my promise. I last Post receiv’d yours of the 12th Instt (that...
7From George Washington to Samuel Athawes, 15 October 1773 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Samuel Athawes, 15 Oct. 1773. On 12 Feb. 1774 Athawes wrote GW : “I am now to acknowledge the receipt of your several Favors of the 25th Sepr & 15th octor last.”
8From George Washington to Samuel Athawes, 25 September 1773 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 30th of March to Colo. Fairfax, never came to my hands (as his Attorney in Fact) till the middle of this Month —So much thereof as relates to the mismanagement of his Tobo I shall communicate to his Steward—the other parts respecting his Affairs in England you, doubtless, long before this have had an oppertunity of communicating yourself, as he with his Lady Imbarkd for...
9From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 20 April 1773 (Washington Papers)
The interruption of the Post for several Weeks, prevented our receiving the melancholy account of your loss till within these few days. That we sympathize in the misfortune, and lament the decree which has deprivd you of so dutiful a Child, & the World of so promising a young Lady, stands in no need, I hope, of argument to proove; but the ways of Providence being inscrutable, and the justice...
10From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 9 August 1773 (Washington Papers)
As I wrote to you by the last Post, and nothing New has happend since, this Letter only serves to cover the Inclosed to Mrs Bassett. The Horse Abel left here, is got quite well of his Lameness, but not recoverd of an exceeding swelld, & sore back which he received in coming up—This, and the boy telling me you did not work, or put him to any particular kind of Service, is the Reason why I have...
11From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 12 July 1773 (Washington Papers)
Abel set of on Friday last to return, but his Horse fell lame and he came back before he reachd Colchester—I thought it better to keep him a day or two to see if the Horse could travel, than send him of upon one of mine; but finding the swelling in his Leg no better, I have fixd him of upon a small thing of mine which you will please to send over to Claiborne’s. In the mean while your Horse...
12From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 12 February 1774 (Washington Papers)
I find there will go some matters from this country, which will make my attendance at the Assembly necessary; this I cannot possibly do and go over the Mountains this Spring. I have therefore determined, much against my Inclination & Interest, to postpone my Trip to the Ohio till after Harvest (as I cannot well be absent from home at that Season.) As March therefore (at least the first of it)...
13From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 15 February 1773 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 5th came to my hands in course of Post, last Thursday, and fill’d us with no small concern at the Indisposition of yourself and Family —equally concernd am I to hear of the unhappy state of our Paper Currency, and that the Interposition of the Assembly is thought necessary—should this measure be resolvd on, be so good as to advise Me, whether it be intended that the Country...
14From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 20 June 1773 (Washington Papers)
It is an easier matter to conceive, than to describe, the distress of this Family; especially that of the unhappy Parent of our Dear Patcy Custis, when I inform you that yesterday removd the Sweet Innocent Girl into a more happy, & peaceful abode than any she has met with, in the afflicted Path she hitherto has trod. She rose from Dinner about four Oclock, in better health and spirits than she...
15From George Washington to William Black, 17 January 1774 (Washington Papers)
I was not a little surprized when informed by your own letter, as well as from Mr Hills, of Mrs Black’s having refused to acknowledge her right of Dower in the Lands I bought of you. Did you not repeatedly assure me, that she was ready at all times, to relinquish her right? And did she not signify as much to me herself, as I brought her from Williamsburg to Colo. Bassett’s? From whence then...
16Bond to William Black, 30 November 1773 (Washington Papers)
Know all men by these presents that I George Washington of the county of Fairfax esquire am held and firmly bound unto William Black of the county of King and Queen merchant in the full and just sum of eleven thousand pounds of current money of Virginia to be paid to the said William Black or to his executor’s administrator’s or assign’s to the which payment well and truly to be made I bind...
17From George Washington to William Black, 18 November 1773 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your letter of the 16th; I have to inform you that, I cannot accede to your proposals. I have taken some pains to bring myself as well acquainted with the value of your Lands in the counties of King & Qeen & King William, as I can; & having also been at some trouble to know the sentiments of Mr Custis’s friends in respect to the purchase, I have come to the following resolution,...
18From George Washington to William Black, 6 December 1773 (Washington Papers)
I expect all the Papers respecting your Title to the Lands I purchased of you will shortly be in Mr Wythe’s possession, when he will be satisfied whether your title is good or not and if he thinks you have a good title he will draw a proper conveyence which will be tendered to you by the Bearer Barthw Dandridge and he will see it properly executed by you and Mrs Black. Whenever this conveyance...
19From George Washington to John Blair, 4 December 1772 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to John Blair, Jr., 4 Dec. 1772. On 9 Dec. 1772 the Exec. Journals of Virginia Council H. R. McIlwaine et al., eds. Executive Journals of the Council of Colonial Virginia . 6 vols. Richmond, 1925–66. (6:516) reported: “Col. Washingtons Letter of the 4th, Inst. to the Clerk, and the Resolves (therein inclosed) of the Commissioned Officers of the first Virginia Regt. at a...
20From George Washington to Sarah Bomford, 23 December 1773 (Washington Papers)
Your tender feeling on account of the distressed Mrs Savage is exceedingly praiseworthy; & your last favor of the 21st of Septr, which is just come to hand, exhibits a pleasing specimen of your humanity, & benevolent way of thinking. Apologies, in a cause like this, are entirely unnecessary; especially to a person, who conceives himself honored by your corrispondence, though begun, & like to...
21From George Washington to Sarah Bomford, 20 September 1772 (Washington Papers)
The tender concern you shew to the distressed is sufficiently exemplifyed in the case of Mrs Savage, & will be attended, I am persuaded, with more pleasing reflections, than the acknowledgments of the Lady, or the thanks of her friends are capable of affording. Brutal as the Doctrs behaviour must appear to the feeling of every dispassionate mind, he is unwilling to be thought the Culprit he...
22From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 4 May 1772 (Washington Papers)
After a tiresome, and in my opinion, a very unimportant Session, I return’d home about the middle of last Month accompanied by Colo. Bassett &ca. The expediency of an American Episcopate was long, & warmly debated, and at length rejected. as a substitute, the House attempted to frame an Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, to be composed of a President and four other Clergymen, who were to have full...
23From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 18 December 1772 (Washington Papers)
I send my Carriage up but cannot undertake to promise for the Horses bringing you down, as two of them are unused to drawing, & but one Postilion accustomd to drive, the other, with my lame Horses not being return’d from Williamsburg—Mrs Washington &ca join in Compliments to Mrs & Miss Boucher, who, together with yourself, we shall expect to see at Dinner —I am Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt ALS...
24From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 5 May 1772 (Washington Papers)
As I wrote to you yesterday, I should scarcely have found any thing to have said today, had not Mr Ballendine’s desire of laying before Govr Eden & the Gentlemen of Annapolis, a Scheme which he has been encouraged to adopt, of visiting the Duke of Bridgewaters Works, & other things of the kind in England, with a view of bringing himself better acquainted with the true principles of that sort...
25From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 2 October 1772 (Washington Papers)
I snatch a few moments from Company to inform you, that it is my intention at present to be with you on Sunday, in my way to Annapolis—perhaps I may dine with you, but as I have a Gentleman here (Colo. Robt Burwell) who has ninety nine minds to see the Races for one to attend his Duty in Williamsburg; and who, tho. beating about for excuses, is not willing to have it thought that his presence...
26From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 7 January 1773 (Washington Papers)
From the best enquiries I could make whilst I was in, and about Williamsburg I cannot think William & Mary College a desirable place to send Jack Custis to—the Inattention of the Masters, added to the number of Hollidays, is the subject of general complaint; & affords no pleasing prospect to a youth who has a good deal to attain, & but a short while to do it in. These consideration’s, added to...
27From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 18 August 1772 (Washington Papers)
Harvest, Company, and one thing or another, equally unforeseen and unavoidable, has hitherto prevented Mrs Washington & myself from paying our respects to Mrs Boucher and you; but if nothing happens more than we at present know of, you may expect to see us the first Week in September, perhaps the middle of it—This I have mentiond, that, in case you should have any call out abt that time you...
28From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 21 May 1772 (Washington Papers)
Inclination having yielded to Importunity, I am now, contrary to all expectation under the hands of Mr Peale; but in so grave—so sullen a Mood—and now and then under the influence of Morpheus, when some critical strokes are making, that I fancy the skill of this Gentleman’s Pencil, will be put to it, in describing to the World what manner of Man I am. I have no doubt of Mr Peales meeting with...
29From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 15 February 1774 (Washington Papers)
Before Mr Beall deliver’d me your Letter of the 10th, which came to hand later than I expected (under a supposition of his willingness to undertake my business on the Ohio) I had conditionally agreed with Mr Vale Crawford for this purpose; who you must know, had Imbark’d in a Courting Scheme (in this neighbourhood) and, as I conceiv’d the task of pleasing a Master & Mistress, equal to that of...
30From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 23 May 1772 (Washington Papers)
The foregoing Letter was designed to go by Jack Custis, who intended, as he said, but afterwards altered his Mind; to take the benefit of a Ball at Alexandria on Thursday Evening, in his own home the next day. In the interim, Joe brought me your favour of the 21st, forbidding us any longer to hope for the pleasure of Govr Eden & Lady’s Company; which we had been flattering ourselves with the...
31From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 2 August 1773 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry to be deprivd of the pleasure of seeing you—& concernd at the painful cause of it; which, if every other remedy faild I should be for drawing. Your Acct I dare say is perfectly right, & I will either leave Bills to the amount of it, under cover with Mr Calvert, or send them to you in a day or two after I get home; drawn at Par, which the Govr tells me is rather less than might be...
32From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 5 August 1773 (Washington Papers)
Under cover with this Letter I send you a Bill of Excha: on Robt Cary & Co. for £65 Sterlg, which is the amount of your acct at 66⅔, more than which the Govr told me might be had for good Bills. I have made no deduction for the sums of £1.5.0 & £2.6.0 Virga Curry paid Rind & Purdie on your Acct nor of £1.4.0 York Cy paid Gaine, Whose receipt I now Inclose; as, to the best of my recollection, I...
33From George Washington to John Bradshaw & James Davidson, 15 July 1772 (Washington Papers)
That I may have my Seins Nett exactly agreeable to directions this yr I give you the trouble of receivg this Letter from me to desire that 3 may be made—One of them 80 fathom long another 70—& the 3d 65 fathom—all of them to be 12 feet deep in the Middle & to decrease to 7 at the end when Rigged & fit for use—to be so close Meshd in the Middle as not to suffer the Herrgs (for wch kind of...
34From George Washington to John Briscoe, 3 December 1772 (Washington Papers)
I have been inform’d, that a Survey which Captain Crawford made for me on the Ohio (being the first bottom on the So. East side of the river) above Capteening, & nearly opposite to Pipe Creek, at my particular request, you have either gone, or intend to go, & take possession of; Such a step as this, I cou’d hardly have expected from you However as it is a piece of Land I viewed in Novr 1770...
35From George Washington to Benedict Calvert, 3 April 1773 (Washington Papers)
I am now set down to write to you on a Subject of Importance, & of no small embarrassment to me. My Son in Law & Ward, Mr Custis, has, as I have been informd, paid his Addresses to your Second Daughter, & having made some progress in her Affections required her in Marriage—How far a union of this Sort may be agreeable to you, you best can tell, but I should think myself wanting in Candour was...
36From George Washington to Matthew Campbell, 7 August 1772 (Washington Papers)
In reply to your Letter of the 4th I think it a piece of Justice due to you to acknowledge that I was not lead to enquire into the price of the Goods I had purchased of your already, & might hearafter take from any thing that passed between us at the time I offered to discontinue my own Importations (upon Condition I could get my Goods at nearly what they would cost to Import them myself)—I...
37From George Washington to James Carter, 27 April 1772 (Washington Papers)
As it has been your usual Custom to discharge the Interest of your Bond at the April Genl Court I have directed Mr James Hill to call upon you for it as I can not be down myself & he is directed in respect to the application of the Money. His receipt with this Letter will be equal to one passed from Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt ALS , owned (1993) by Mr. Robert Gardner. For James Carter’s annual...
38From George Washington to James Carter, 20 April 1773 (Washington Papers)
As you have usually paid the Intt of your Bond at this Court, I have taken the liberty of requesting you to do it now to Mr James Hill, as it is not convenient to me, to be down at the Meeting of Merchants—Mr Hills receipt for the Ten pounds Sixteen Shillings due at the foot of this Letter will be the same as if pass’d from Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt ALS , NjMoHP . For Dr. Carter’s annual payment...
39From George Washington to Peter Chester, 25 March 1773 (Washington Papers)
Mr Wood the bearer of this is a Gentleman of Virginia upon a Tour to Florida—He proposes before his return to explore some of the ungranted Lands in your Government; and, as I have never yet been able to Locate the Lands which I am entitled to under his Majesty’s Proclamation of October 1763 has promised that, if he meets with such Lands as he thinks will answer my purpose to have 10,000 acres...
40From George Washington to Myles Cooper, 15 December 1773 (Washington Papers)
The favourable account you was pleas’d to transmit me of Mr Custis’s conduct at College, gave me very great satisfaction; & I hoped to have felt an increase of it by his continuance at that place under a Gentleman so capable of instructing him in every branch of useful knowledge, as you are: but these hopes are at an end; & at length, I have yielded, contrary to my judgment, & much against my...
41From George Washington to Myles Cooper, 31 May 1773 (Washington Papers)
Inclos’d you have a sett of Bills for one hundred pounds Sterling which please to sell at the prevailing Exchange and retain the money in your own hands to answer Mr Custis’ Expences at College, & such calls as he may have for Cash to defray the Incident expences of his abode in this City—In respect to the first Article of Expence, I submit the matter wholely to your better judgement, under a...
42From George Washington to Lord Dunmore and Council, 3 November 1773 (Washington Papers)
The whole quantity of 200000 Acres of Land granted by the Hon: Robt Dinwiddie’s Proclamation of the 19th of Feby 1754 being now fully obtaind (within the number of Surveys limitted) and the last Certificates thereof lodgd in the Secretarys Office, I take the liberty, humbly to inform your Excellency and Honrs that the Surveys formerly made, are already Patented agreeably to an Order of Council...
43From George Washington to Valentine Crawford, 27 December 1773 (Washington Papers)
I have just obtained an order of council to grant lands under the King’s proclamation of October, 1763, to the officers and soldiers, by which a lieutenant is entitled to 2000 acres, but that the Governor would not grant his warrants of survey to any that did not personally apply for them. Numbers, however, are obtaining these warrants, and locating them with the surveyors of Augusta,...
44From George Washington to William Crawford, 27 July 1773 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to William Crawford, 27 July 1773. On 12 Nov. 1773 Crawford wrote GW : “I Received yours of July 27th.”
45From George Washington to William Crawford, 25 September 1773 (Washington Papers)
I have heared (the truth of which, if you saw Lord Dunmore in his way to or from Pittsburg, you possibly are better acquainted with than I am) that his Lordship will grant Patents for Lands laying below the Scioto, to the Officers & Soldiers who claim under the Proclamation of October 1763. If so, I think no time shoud be lost in having them surveyed, lest some new revolution should again...
46From George Washington to William Crawford, 25 September 1773 (Washington Papers)
Since writing the enclosed, I have further understood that the Governor, from some displeasure at Capt: Bullet’s conduct, (whether for surveying at all , or for other persons , besides those claiming under the Proclamation; or whether for a speech & engagement wch he entered into with the Indians,) has order’d him in —If the Govrs displeasure proceeded from the last mention’d cause, I should...
47From George Washington to Michael Cresap, 26 September 1773 (Washington Papers)
In my Passage down the ohio in the Fall of the year 1770 I made choice of a piece of Land, being the first bottom on the So. East side the river above Capteening, as also a little above a place where the effects of a hurricane appear among the Trees, & opposite to a Creek on the other side near the upper end of the bottom, call’d Pipe Creek. The next Spring, when Capt: Crawford went down the...
48From George Washington to John Dalton, 15 February 1773 (Washington Papers)
I am obligd to you for the notice you have given me of an intended meeting of your Vestry on Tuesday next—I do not know however that it will be in my power to attend, nor do I conceive it at all necessary that I should, as I am an avowd Enemy to the Scheme I have heard (but never till of late believd) that some Members of your Vestry are Inclind to adopt. If the Subscription to which among...
49From George Washington to Bartholomew Dandridge, 12 February 1774 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 30th of Decr was long on its passage to this place, not arriving till I had receivd, and answer’d, an imperfect acct of your Interview with Mr Black from Mr Hill (dated the 10th or 12th of Jany) —I thank you heartily for the trouble you took in attempting to settle the business with that worthless Sc——l, who seems to be an adept in every species of Artifice and...
50From George Washington to Bartholomew Dandridge, 6 December 1773 (Washington Papers)
Upon enquiry of Davenport (who went up to the King William Office last Week) I am convinced that, Black has never receivd any conveyance at all, for the Land that was Grisley’s; and I much doubt whether he has ever receivd any for the Mill Tract. What is proper to be done under these Circumstances, I am really at a loss to determine; I think the purchase too advantage for Mr Custis to give up...