101From 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...
102From George Washington to Elias Boudinot, 3 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
Mrs Washington & I have heard with great pleasure of Miss Boudinot’s restoration to health, & change of condition; on both which events we join in sincere compliments of congratulation to you, Mrs Boudinot & the young couple. Will you permit me my good Sir, to request the favor of you (if it should not be attended with inconvenience) to purchase as much of the Orchard grass seed for me, as...
103From George Washington to William Gordon, 3 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
The last post brought me your favor of the 18th ulto, & gave me the pleasure to hear you were well. My return from our Western territory was sooner than I expected when I left home. The Indians from accounts were in too discontented a mood to have rendered an interview with them agreeable, if chance should have thrown us together. I therefore returned from the Neighbourhood of Fort Pitt, where...
104From George Washington to Battaile Muse, 3 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 12 th of Septr only came to my hands a few days ago. You can best tell how far the collection of my Rents in Berkeley, Frederick, Fauquier & Loudoun would interfere with the business you have to execute for Colo. Fairfax. If it can be made to comport with his, and the Gentleman who employed you to look after it would signify as much I should be very willing to commit my...
105From George Washington to Jacob Read, 3 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
The last Post gave me the honor of your letter of the 22d Ulto from New York and the little Tract which it enclosed. for both, you have my thanks. My tour to the Westward, was less extensive than I intended. The Indians, it was said, were in too discontented a mood, for me to expose myself to their insults; as I had no object in contemplation which could justify any risk; my property in that...
106To George Washington from John Preston, 6 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of receiving your Excellency’s favour dated Rockingham Octr 1st 84, I gave the necessary attention due to your business, & have examined all the records of my Office deligently, but find nothing relating to your Lands only the enclosed Warrent of 2000 Acres, a copy of the entry & survey thereon: All warrents granted by Lord Dunmore agreeable to the Proclamation of 1763, Which...
107To George Washington from David Humphreys, 11 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
Colonel le Maire who is this moment Setting off for Virginia affords an opportunity for communicating the latest & most important intelligence respecting European politics. The Emperor & the Dutch have gone so far in their quarrel about the navigation of the Scheld that there is hardly a possibility that either should recede—indeed the act of recalling their Ministers amounts in the estimation...
108To George Washington from George Clinton, 12 November 1784 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from George Clinton, 12 Nov. 1784. On 25 Nov. GW wrote to Clinton : “A few days ago I had the pleasure to receive your favor of the 12th Instt.”
109To George Washington from Normand Bruce, 13 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
There being many reasons to believe that our Specie has been much lessened not only during the War but ever since the Peace—It is not however to be doubted, but that much has been also imported during these periods, but it cannot bear any proportion to the Exports—Not only the difference of Exchange, which has uniformly since the Peace, been so far above Par, but, the large Exportations of...
110To George Washington from Benjamin Harrison, 13 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
I was in great hopes of seeing you here before this that I might have acknowledged the rect of your favor of the 10th of last month in person, and have told you how much I approve your plan for opening the navigation of the western waters. The letter was so much more explicit than I could be that I took the liberty to lay it before the assembly, who appear so impress’d with the utility of the...
111To George Washington from Henry Lee, 15 November 1784 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Henry Lee, 15 Nov. 1784. On 18 Nov. Lee wrote to GW : “I did myself the pleasure of writing to you on the 15th.”
112From George Washington to Officials of the City of Richmond, 15 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
I derive great honor from your congratulatory address; the language of which, is too flattering not to have excited my utmost gratitude. To the Smiles of Heaven—to a virtuous & gallant Army—and to the exertions of my fellow Citizens of the Union—(not to superior talents of mine) are to be ascribed the blessings of that liberty, Independence, & Peace, of wch we are all now in the enjoyment....
113From George Washington to Virginia House of Delegates, 15 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
My sensibility is deeply affected by this distinguished mark of the affectionate regard of your honble House. I lament upon this occasion that my powers of utterance will not do justice to my feelings; and shall rely upon your indulgent report to supply the defect; at the sametime I pray you to present for me the strongest assurances of unalterable affection & gratitude for this last pleasing...
114To George Washington from Charles Washington, 16 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
The Death of Mr Nourse, renders it Necesary, for some Person to Succeed him in the guardian Ship of the two Little Boys, who I understand are at School at George Town. wishing them not to be Neglected, am Prevailed upon by my Brother John, to undertake that Office. but the distance being great, aded to some Infurmatives which I labour under, makes it very Inconveniant for me [to] Ride that...
115To George Washington from Richard Claiborne, 17 November 1784 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Richard Claiborne, 17 Nov. 1784. On 15 Dec. GW wrote to Claiborne : “I have received your letter of the 17th ulto.”
116To George Washington from Henry Lee, Jr., 18 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the pleasure of writing to you on the 15th Since which the meeting have concluded their business. they determined to send the petition to the representatives of this county, I beleive, & to trouble you with their bill for perusal, & then to place it in proper hands. However the express who will deliver this, is sent purposely by the meeting with our papers, & will bear a letr to...
117To George Washington from Arthur Lee, 19 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure of enclosing you a Copy of the treaty lately concluded with the Six Nations, in which the carrying place & the fort of Niagara, together with a competent district round Oswego are securd to the U.S. By attempting a speedier rout down the Susquehannah, we have been thrown greatly back as to the time appointed for the 2d treaty. But I hope we shall have compleated that by the...
118To George Washington from Fontenille, 20 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
I am to Sensibly affected at the gratefull hommage you so Justly receive from the state of Virginia to resist the desire of Expressing you My Joye upon this occasion; the good fortune I have had of being able to Say you mine Will engage you, I hope My General, to Excuse the Liberty I take to Congratulate upon this Opportunity, and of assuring you, that the Gratitude and Admiration I am...
119To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee, 20 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
I should sooner have done myself the honor of writing to you, if it had been in my power to have communicated any thing agreeable—But I could only have informed you that we had not, have not, nor can we say when, Members enough will be assembled to make a Congress. As yet we have but four States convened. This lassitude in our public councils must afflict our friends, and encourage the hopes...
120To George Washington from Henry Knox, 23 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
Heaven forbid my dear Sir, that you should measure my affection for you by the frequency of my letters. I have been absent from this place, a considerable part of the summer and upon my return I learned that you had gone to the Western Waters, and would not return untill the beginning of this month. There is another reason which I confess has had its influence. I considered you as overwhelmed...
121From George Washington to Henry Lee, Jr., 24 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
Accompanied by the Marquis de la Fayette, Captn Grancheau & the Chevr Caraman, I am just arrived at this place. The Marquis joins me in wishes to see you—come then to Dinner tomorrow, or as soon as you can make it convenient. I have heard since I came home, indeed at Dumfries, of some dispatches which went down for me from the Commee; but none have yet got to hand. I should be glad to receive...
122From George Washington to George Clinton, 25 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
A few days ago I had the pleasure to receive your favor of the 12th Instt. Altho’ I felt pain from your Silence, I should have imputed it to any cause rather than a diminution of friendship. The warmth of which I feel too sensibly for you, to harbour a suspicion of the want of it in you, without being conscious of having given cause for the change—having ever flatterd myself that our regards...
123From George Washington to David Humphreys, 25 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure to receive two letters from you since your arrival in France, and cannot let the Marquis de la Fayette depart without an acknowledgement of them, altho’ his doing it is Sudden, & I at the same time am surrounded with Company. When I have a little more leizure (if that ever should be) I will give you all the occurrences of this quarter that have come under my view &...
124From George Washington to Anastasie de Lafayette, 25 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
Permit me to thank my dear little correspondent for the favor of her letter of the 18th of June last, & to impress her with the idea of the pleasure I shall derive in a continuation of them. Her Papa is restored to her with all the good health, paternal affection & honors, her tender heart could wish. He will carry a kiss to her from me, (which might be more agreeable from a pretty boy) & give...
125From George Washington to Adrienne, Marquise de Lafayette, 25 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
If my expression was equal to my sensibility, I should in more elegant language than I am Master of, declare to you my sense of the obligation I am under for the letter you did me the honor to write me by the Marqs de la Fayette, & thanks for this flattering instance of your regard. The pleasure I received in once more embracing my friend could only have been encreased by your presence, & that...
126From George Washington to Friedrich Anton Mesmer, 25 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
The Marqs de la Fayette did me the honor of presenting to me your favor of the 16th of June; & of entering into some explanation of the Powers of Magnetism—the discovery of which, if it should prove as extensively beneficial as it is said, must be fortunate indeed for Mankind, & redound very highly to the honor of that genius to whom it owes its birth. For the confidence reposed in me by the...
127To George Washington from William Roberts, 25 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
This is to acquint your Exsellency that I maid Aplacation to Mr Lund Washington Near three Months ago to Know if I was to Stay a nother Year in your Imploy or not, his Reply was that he New Nothing to the Contrary that He Amagend I was to Contenew As you had Said Nothing Conserning My Going Away, Which Caused me to Rest Quiet—But to acquint your Exsellency that in your Absence to Richmon My...
128From George Washington to William Washington, 25 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
From a letter dated the 9th of last month from my Nephew Geo: Augte Washington then at Burmuda, I have reason to believe he is ’ere this at Charleston. The poor fellow is travelling about in pursuit of health, which, it is to be feared he will never obtain. His determination at the time he wrote to me was, to procure a passage, which he thought might happen in a fortnight or three weeks, for...
129From George Washington to George Augustine Washington, 26 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have received two letters from you at Barbadoes, & three from Burmuda. The last informing me of your intention to embark for Charleston, which I much approve of. I have not wrote to you since you left Mount Vernon, first because I did not know where to direct to you & next because I was on the Western waters when your first letters from Burmuda came to this place. My best wishes however have...
130From George Washington to James Madison, 28 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
After the several conversations we have had on the subject of inland navigation; and the benefits which would, probably, be derived from a commercial intercourse with the Western territory; I shall make no apology for giving you the trouble of the enclosed. It is matter of regret to me, however, that I cannot accompany them with some explanations & observations. It was intended these Papers...
131To George Washington from Charles MacIver, November 1784 (Washington Papers)
If Affairs of infinite Consequence had not engaged your Excellency’s Time & Attention an Address on the following Subject would probably have been directed to you at an earlier Period. Had I the Honour of your Acquaintance, most probably it would have first sought your Patronage. Your Excellency will now give me Leave to acquaint you that I was early imbued with certain Principles repugnant to...
132To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 2 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
Mr Watson by whom this will be handed you having some things for you brought with him from England and having it in contemplation to call at Mount Vernon it gives me an opportunity to inform you of my safe arrival with my family. I found Mrs Greene and the children all in good health. I hope the Marquis arrivd safe in Virginia. A report prevails here that his Frigate is cast away near the...
133To George Washington from Richard Varick, 2 December 1784 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Richard Varick, 2 December. On 26 Sept. 1785 GW wrote Varick : “I have received your other letter of the 2d of December.”
134To George Washington from William Carmichael, 3 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
In the course of the last month I reed a letter from Mr Richard Harrison established at Cadiz requesting me to use my endeavours to procure the permission to extract a Jack Ass of the best breed, which you wished to import into America. In consequence of this application, I mentioned in a Conversation with his Excy the Ct de Florida Blanca the Minister of State, my desire to render you this...
135Enclosure: Floridablanca to William Carmichael, 24 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
The King has not only condescended with pleasure to permit the extraction of the Jack Ass which you sollicit on acct of General Washington But further his Majesty desirous that this Commission should be executed to the entire Satisfaction of so distinguished a personage, has ordered me to look out for & place at your orders two of the best of those Animals, in case that an accident should...
136From George Washington to James Madison, 3 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
Gentlemen: I returned yesterday from Annapolis, having conducted the Marquis La Fayette that far on his way to New York, and left him proceeding on the road to Baltimore, on Wednesday last. This trip afforded me opportunities of conversing with some of the leading characters in the different branches of the Legislature of Maryland, on the subject of inland navigation, and the benefits which...
137To George Washington from John Filson, 4 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
Permit me by these lines to express the sentiments of a grateful heart, in testifying the happiness I sensibly feel in addressing your Excelly. I am not So happy as to have a personal acquaintance with you Sir, and hope you will excuse the freedom of my pen. I inform You Sir, that I have the pleasure to be the author of a late publication in Substance a Narrative and Map of Kentucke; I made...
138From George Washington to Henry Knox, 5 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
Apologies are idle things: I will not trouble you with them—that I am your debtor in the epistolary way I acknowledge—and that appearances indicate a disposition to remain so, I cannot deny; but I have neither the inclination nor the effrontary to follow the example of Great Men or St—s to withhold payment altogether. To whatever other causes therefore my silence may be attributed, ascribe it...
139From George Washington to La Luzerne, 5 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your early attention to me after your arrival at the Court of Versailles, amidst scenes of gaiety & the gratulations of friends, does me great honor & excites my warmest acknowledgments. That your august Sovereign, his amiable consort, & the Princes his brothers, should deign to interest themselves in, & wish to be acquainted with the circumstances of my life, is one of the most flattering...
140From George Washington to George Clinton, 8 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
When the Marqs de la Fayette left this place, he expected to embark abt the 14th or 15th Instt on board the Nymph frigate, at New York, for France. Therefore, as this event may have taken place before this letter gets that far, I take the liberty of putting the enclosed packet under cover to you, with a request, if he should have Sailed to forward it by the first French Packet which follows....
141From George Washington to Lafayette, 8 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
The peregrination of the day in which I parted with you, ended at Marlbro’: the next day, bad as it was, I got home before dinner. In the moment of our separation upon the road as I travelled, & every hour since—I felt all that love, respect & attachment for you, with which length of years, close connexion & your merits, have inspired me. I often asked myself, as our Carriages distended,...
142From George Washington to George Augustine Washington, 8 December 1784 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to George Augustine Washington, 8 Dec. 1784. On 25 Feb. 1785 George Augustine wrote to GW : “I received with inexpressible pleasure Your two friendly Letters of the 26th of Novr, and 8th of Decr.”
143To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 10 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
Every thing on this side the water seems to indicate a certainty of war. the Emperor seems decided in not receding from the right to navigate the Scheld; & the Dutch as determined not to yeild it. I suppose that this court & that of Berlin will take part with the Dutch, the Turks of course become parties in a war against the Emperor: & it seems as probable that the Empress of Russia will join...
144To George Washington from James Madison, 11 December 1784 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from James Madison, 11 Dec. 1784. On 28 Dec. GW wrote to Madison : “I have been favored with your letter of the 11th.”
145From George Washington to George Plater, Charles Carroll, John Cadwalader, and Samuel Chase, 11 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
The Gentn who will have the honor of presenting this letter to you, is a Nephew of mine, heir to my Brother who was one of the Partners in the Principio Company, and to whose Will I was appointed an Executor, though circumstances put it out of my power to qualify. He is about to offer a petition to your honble Assembly, from the Execrs of my Brother, to obtain the Estates proportion of the...
146To George Washington from Chastellux, 12 December 1784 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Chastellux, 12 Dec. 1784. On 5 Sept. 1785 GW wrote Chastellux : “I am your debtor for two letters—one of the 12th of Decemr.”
147From George Washington to George Mason, 13 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
My brother John is much in want of four, five or six hundred pounds which he is desirous of borrowing on Interest. If it is in your power to supply him, I will become security for the fulfilment of his agreement. He seems to have little expectation that money in these times, can be had at the common interest; & his own words will best express what he is willing to allow. “I believe I mentioned...
148To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 14 December 1784 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Elias Boudinot, 14 Dec. 1784. On 31 Jan. 1785 GW wrote to Boudinot : “I was honored with your favor of the 14th of last Month.”
149From George Washington to Richard Henry Lee, 14 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
The letter which you did me the honor to write to me on the 20th of last Month, only came to my hands by the Post preceeding the date of this. For the copy of the treaty held with the Six Nations at Fort Stanwix, you will please to accept my thanks. These people have given, I think, all that the United States could reasonably have asked of them; more perhaps than the State of New York conceive...
150From George Washington to George Chapman, 15 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
Not until within a few days have I been honor’d with your favor of the 27th of Septr 1783 accompanying your treatise on Education. My sentiments are perfectly in unison with yours sir, that the best means of forming a manly, virtuous and happy people, will be found in the right education of youth. Without this foundation, every other means, in my opinion, must fail; & it gives me pleasure to...