1From George Washington to Robert Townsend Hooe, 18 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
Hearing that you have a Vessel bound to some port in Spain, I am induced to ask if it is safe & practicable to bring from thence a good Jack Ass, to breed from—The late Don Juan de Miralles, resident from the Court of Spain at Philadelphia, promised to procure one for me; but in his death I met a disappointment. Another Gentleman of his nation, not long since, has also given me a promise—but...
2To George Washington from Robert Townsend Hooe, 18 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the honor of your letter of this day, and let me assure you that I will do every thing in my power to procure such a Spanish Jack as you describe —Mr Harrison will with pleasure receive and execute the order and all will be done in that fair open and honorable manner you direct. I could wish you had communicated your desire a few days Sooner that I might have given...
3To George Washington from Jeremy Belknap, 19 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
Great and Good Sir, After the multitude of addresses which have been presented to you in the course and at the conclusion of the late war, it would be needless for an obscure individual to repeat the voice of admiration and gratitude which has resounded from every part of America for the eminent services which you have rendered to this country. It shall be my part, Sir, to ask your acceptance...
4From George Washington to Walter Magowan, 20 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
Not knowing of whom the vestry of Peccawaxon is composed—or that I have the honor of being acquainted with a single member of it; there would be I conceive, an impropriety in my addressing them on the subject of your application—otherwise I would with great pleasure join my recommendations of you to those of Majr Jenefer. If my best wishes, however, can contribute to the success of your...
5To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 20 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
Since my letter of the last week, I have inquired into the fruit of your chances in Colo. Byrd’s lottery, from Mr James Buchanan, of this town, the only person, on whose information I can depend for such a subject. No. 265, the prize of the ticket 4965 is a lot in Manchester; the value of which is unknown, and is therefore in all probability as yet of scarcely any. No’s. 270, 138, 237, 257,...
6From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, 22 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your favor of the 2d—What you have asked of the Secretary at War, if obtained, is all I conceive essential to illucidate the accounts of the old & present impositions on the public—the rolls in the pay office might serve as checks to those of the Musters; but where all these are to be met with, I know not, as the Troops of Virginia were, by order of Congress,...
7To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee, 22 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
The letter that you did me the honor to write to me on the 12th of June last, I did not receive until two days ago. I impute this to my having been obliged to leave the Assembly, by the ill state of my health, a fortnight before it was adjourned. The very great respect that I shall ever pay to your recommendations, would have been very sufficient to have procured my exertions in favor of Mr...
8From George Washington to William Skilling, 22 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your letter of the , & this answer will be lodged on the road by Colo. Bassett. I cannot afford to give the wages you ask, nor can I find out the meaning of Mr Randolphs offering you Sterlg money, as it is altogether unusual, & little understood by workmen—& subject to misunderstandings & disputes. Colo. Bassett is sure there must be a mistake in the case—for that you only...
9To George Washington from John Augustine Washington, 24 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of June the 30th came to hand on the 9th Instant, a Vessel saild the second day after for Alexandria the skipper promised to come too of[f] Mt Vernon and deliver a Letter I wrote you by his in answer to yours —this will be handed to you by one of my Sons, the youngest comes to pay his respects to you for a few days, and Bushrod after spending a few days with you at Mt Vernon...
10To George Washington from George Augustine Washington, 25 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
In my Letter to You, by the fair American, which was the first; and only conveyance I have had of writing, I intimated my apprehensions of this Climate, and the probability their was of my changeing it for that of Bermuda, which I very sincerely lament not having given the preferrence in the first instance, as I have experienced the utmost inconvenience, and I fear injury from this —I have now...
11To George Washington from Henry Knox, 26 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
A fear of intruding upon your more important concerns has prevented my writing to you since my return. I found here your kind favor of the 2d of June, with its enclosure for General Putnam which I delivered. The measures taken by Congress respecting the western posts must defeat themselves by their own imbecillity. I cannot say but that I am well satisfied to be excluded from any...
12To George Washington from Tench Tilghman, 27 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of writing to you a few days ago, I have met with a House Joiner, in a Ship just arrived from Ireland—He says much for himself, and the Captain says he is a well behaved Man. His price is £22.10/ Curry for 3 years and the Expences from hence to Alexandria by the Stage £1.14.8—I send him to the Care of Colo. Fitzgerald—I could not get his Indentures properly assigned in...
13From George Washington to Wakelin Welch, 27 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 26th of Jany, & duplicate thereof, both coming by the way of James river, were long getting to hand. I return the Power of Attorney signed before the first Master & Mariners I could find, bound for the Port of London; and trust that no further difficulty will arise to prevent your drawing the money which had been deposited in the Bank, out of the same & placing it to my...
14From 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,...
15To George Washington from William Skilling, 28 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
I Receivd your letter of the 22nd of July wherein you inform me that Col: Bassett thinks that mr Randolph made a mistake in offering me thirty pounds Sterling pr year. it could not be any mistake of the genleman, as he wrote me two different Letters—in the first he offerd me thirty pounds Currency & on my refusal he Sent me the other—Which I enclos’d to you in my firist letter—I am at present...
16From George Washington to Tench Tilghman, 29 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your favor by Captn Bradstreet came to hand too late in the Afternoon of yesterday to send up for the Carpenter. The bearer now comes for him. Be so good as to let me know the amount of the expences you may have been at, on his acct, and I will thankfully repay them at meeting, or before, if an oppertunity presents. With sincere esteem & regard I am—Dear Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt ALS , owned...
17To George Washington from Jacob Read, 30 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
The very Short Stay the post makes at Annapolis precludes me the pleasure of acknowledging in the Manner I wou’d with the receipt of your favour of the 28th and of giving you the Information that an hours leizure might enable me to extract from the public dispatches &ca. Having Several public Letters to finish for South Carolina & Which I must dispatch by this post I pray you’l be so good as...
18To George Washington from Hugh Hughes, 31 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
In Obedience to your Excellency’s verbal Order, which was delivered to me by Colonel Joseph Trumbull, on the twenty seventh of August one Thousand seven Hundred and seventy six, the Quarter Master General acting, on that Day, as one of your Excellency’s Aid de Camps, I impressed all the Sloops, Boats and Water Craft, from Spyghtenduyvel, in the Hudson, to Hellgate, in the Sound, by which Means...
19To George Washington from Gilbert Simpson, 31 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
This Comes to inform you that I Got Safely home the Saturday after I lef you and found Every thing well and undesturved thanks be to almighty God for his mercys which Remain So at this time and I have never felt much of that faintness only onst in my meadow when on a Sudden I had nearly falen of the top of the fens as I was setting on it loocking at my wheat—I have Saved more Grass than I have...
20To George Washington from Thornton Washington, 1 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
after my most respectkfool compliments to your self and lady I must beg lieave to lay before your considerashion A matter that interests me in A verry particular manner the plantashion whareon I now live sayd to contain two hundread acrees I purchast of my father for which I have his obligation for the mentaining me in the fool wright of. it is the land purchast of Colo. Phillup Pendleton I am...
21From George Washington to Charles Washington, 2 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed came to my hands from Philadelphia last night. I am sorry to find by George’s letter to me, that he had not received the benefit from the Sea Air he expected, but as his passage was not good and he in a manner but just landed, no Judgment at the time he wrote could be well formed of the effect the voyage would have upon his complaint; as he writes you himself there can be no doubt...
22From 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 .
23To George Washington from Pierre-Charles L’Enfant, 4 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
having since my arrival at this place been informed that a number of foreigner claimes the Reight to be reconnised Cincinnati, and being all so confident that many of those who applayed to the marquis de la fayette and whose demands were rejected by a colected body of members of the society as Expressed in my last account of our prociding. and considering a great number of person which held...
24From George Washington to Tench Tilghman, 4 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
The House Joiner you bought for me has arrived. I like his age, professions, and appearance very well and am obliged to you for procuring him. His Indentures may be sent at any time. As the Season for working in Mortar will soon be over, and that of intermittants is now approaching, I pray you unless a very good Bricklayer should offer, not to purchase one for me after the 15th of this month....
25To George Washington from John Ariss, 5 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
Permit me to Address your Excellency for a place to live at during Mrs Ariss and my Own Life. I am under the Necessity of Giving Up the place I now live at at the End of this Year, and have not as yet provided my Self with a place, nor do I know of any to be had in these parts, my Infirm Crazy Indisposition puts it Out of my Power to go any Great distance[.] Your Excellency may possibly Assist...
26To George Washington from Jacob Read, 6 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
The Inclosed Copy of a Letter which I do myself the honour to inclose to you will perhaps give you some as Curious information as any you have had for a long time on the subject of Pollitics on the other side of the Water—The Intelligence is I believe to be relied on—You will do me the favour to return the ⟨sd⟩ Letter by next post and I must request you will not let it by any means transpire,...
27To George Washington from Warner Washington, 7 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
At the request of Mr Henry Whiting a Neighbour and Relation of mine I write to you in his Name to beg you would be kind enough to allow Him to give up his Lease as the keeping it two Years longer would he says, be certain ruin to Him. He does not desire to make any advantage from it, either by selling or any other way neither does he make one farthing towards paying his Rent—I am informed Mr...
28From George Washington to John Ariss, 8 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your letter of the 5th, I have to inform you that I have no untenanted Lands in the Counties of Berkley or Frederick, except two lotts Nos. 5 & 6—the first containing 346½ acres, & the 2d—224½—in the latter, which I bought at the Sale of Colo. George Mercers Estate, in the year 1774—& for which I have had many persons applying to become Tenants. My intention was, after I had...
29From George Washington to William Gordon, 10 August 1784 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to William Gordon, 10 Aug. 1784. On 30 Aug. Gordon wrote to GW : “Your obliging letter of the 10th instt was recd the last thursday.”
30To George Washington from Lafayette, 10 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
I Have Already Had the pleasure to Acquaint You with My Arrival in America, and am Endeavouring to Reach Mount Vernon as soon as possible—My first plan was only to Stay here two days, but the Affectionate Reception I Have met with in this City, and the Returning some Compliments to the Assembly Render it Necessary for me to Stay one day longer—on friday I will Be at the Head of elk—the next...
31From George Washington to Jacob Read, 11 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
I return the letter you were so obliging as to send me & thank you for the perusal of it—no copy has been taken—nor will any part of its contents transpire from me. Although Mr Ls intelligence may come from a man of information, and tho’ it is undoubted, that the British Cabinet wish to recover the United States to a dependence on that government, yet I can scarcely think they ever expect to...
32From George Washington to Tench Tilghman, 11 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
I shall essay the finishing of my Green Ho. this fall; but find that neither my own knowledge, or that of any person abt me, is competent to the business. Shall I, for this reason, ask the favor of you to give me a short detail of the internal construction of the Green House at Mrs Carrolls? I am perswaded now, that I planned mine upon too contracted a Scale—My House is (of Brick) 40 feet by...
33To George Washington from George Augustine Washington, 11 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
Anxious to procure a conveyance to write my friends I called on the Naval Officer to make the inquiry, where I met with a Capt. clearing out for Philadelphia but could not think of suffering Him to depart without informing You of my arrival tho’ I have only time to write a line—happy should I be could I inform You of my recovery, but the fatigues of my passage to the West Indies and the...
34To George Washington from David Humphreys, 12 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
Finding there was a Vessel in this port destined for Virginia, I could not take my departure for Paris without informing my dear General of my safe arrival in france after a most delightful passage of twenty four days; and as I cannot give a better discription of the excellent accomodations & beautiful weather which we have had during the whole of our voyage, than I have already given in a...
35To George Washington from Francis Mentges, 12 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
Having been in expectation of being appointed to command the Troops to be raised by this state but the arrival of Colonel Harmar (who will get the appointment) disappointed my hopes —I have now no other resource left but to return to Europe and Seek to be employed in the service of the Elector of Palatine or by the Emperor. I therefore take the liberty to request of your Excellency a testimony...
36To George Washington from Jacob Read, 13 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
This days post brought me your favour of the 11th, which I have the pleasure of Answering from Annapolis—having been prevented leaving Maryland by a Variety of Occurrencees in the last Week—I think however I Shall at all events get away in the Course of the next week & probably So early as to Compleat my Journey to Philadelphia. I thank you for your Opinions, they Concur perfectly with my own...
37To George Washington from William Smith, 13 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
Being at this Place, on a Journey for the Purpose of collecting in the former Subscriptions, & raising some new Ones for our College, I met the Bearer, Mr David Arell, who lives at Alexandria, & gives me an Opportunity of enclosing & forwarding for your Perusal, the printed Account of Washington-College, the List of Subscribers & present State of the Seminary. The Design of the Publication is...
38To George Washington from Jean Le Mayeur, 14 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
among the many civilities I had the honor of reciving in your Excellencys family there was one which little master George frequently showed in lending me his blue horse when I had occasion to ride—I have been so fortunate since my return to this City as to meet with a little red horse which I beg to have the pleasure of presenting to him as a token of my regard. this little horse is just big...
39To George Washington from George Augustine Washington, 14 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
On the 11th Inst. I wrote You a few lines by an accidental conveyance which left this for Philadelphia—You are before this I hope acquainted with my having left the West Indies destined for this place as I wrote You on the day of my departure. I much lamented the necessity, as nothing was omit’ed to render my time agreeable, and I experinced as much pleasure as the situation of my health and...
40To George Washington from David Humphreys, 18 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
A direct opportunity for America having offered itself thro’ the medium of Colo. Franks I again indulge myself in writing to my dear General; and take the most heartfelt satisfaction in acknowledging the receipt of the Dispatches which were so obligingly addressed for me to the care of Govr Jefferson—who arrived in this City about ten days before me. Tho I dare not undertake to say in this...
41To George Washington from James Mercer, 18 August 1784 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from James Mercer, 18 Aug. 1784. On 25 Aug. GW wrote to Mercer : “My Sister handed me your favor of the 18th.”
42To George Washington from Tench Tilghman, 18 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your Excellency’s letters of the 4th and 11th. The first inclosing Bank Bills for 90 dollars which I beleive is more than sufficient—but Mr Peters has been so ill, that I have not been able to procure the Cost of the wheat Fan. My Clerk remembers shipping the Handle from hence. I am glad your Carpenter is like to please you—Having not met with a Bricklayer, I shall desist looking...
43From George Washington to Chastellux, 20 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
The Marqs de la Fayette, who I had been long looking for with the eyes of friendship and impatience, arrived here on Tuesday last and presented me your favor of the 16th of June. I thank you My Dr Sir, for every testimony of your recollection of me, and every fresh assurance you give me of the continuation of your friendship is pleasing: it serves (to borrow an Indian phraze) to brighten the...
44From George Washington to James Crane, 20 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed letter which is left open for your perusal, will give you my sentiments respecting the sale of the Widow Bartletts Lease. Please to seal, before you send or deliver it. I shall have no objection to a transfer of the purchaser, if likely to fulfill the objects I had in view—& the conditions of the Lease are complied with. I am Sir &c. LB , DLC:GW . James Crane of Berkeley County,...
45From George Washington to William Drew, 20 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
My inducements to lease Land were, to encourage emigration & to improve my property by planting industrious settlers on it; who, while they were working the soil would, for their own convenience, add value to the Tenements by buildings &c.—with this view I restrained the sale of my leases without my consent. Having premised this, I wou’d next ask if you mean to build & reside on the Land, you...
46From George Washington to Duportail, 20 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
The Marqs de la Fayette who arrived at this place on tuesday last, gave me the pleasure of receiving your letter dated at Paris the 16th of June—& of learning from it, that you had not relinquished the idea of visiting a Country, on whose theatre you have acted a conspicuous part. Be assured Sir, that at whatever time, & under whatever circumstances this may happen, I shall be among the first...
47From George Washington to La Luzerne, 20 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
The letter your Excellency did me the honor to write in the moment of your departure from this Country, conferred the highest honor upon me, & is not more flattering to my vanity, than it is productive of my gratitude. I shall ever reflect with pleasure Sir, on the readiness with which your communications to me have been made; & the dispatch & ability with which you have conducted business in...
48From George Washington to Rochambeau, 20 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for your favor of the 16th of June by the Marquis de la Fayette, who arrived here three days ago—and for your other letter of the 4th of May which, also came safe, permit me to offer you my sincere congratulations on your appointment to the Government of Picardy. It is an honorable testimony of the approving smiles of your Prince, & a just reward for your Services & merit. Should...
49To George Washington from Stephen Sayre, 20 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
The importance of clearing the river & the necessity of doing so immediatly induces me to offer Some thoughts on it to your Excellencys Consideration to prevent the Fatall consequ[e]nces of delay. I wish any kind of Navigation or Mode of bringing down productions by Water May be adopted, that no time may be lost in removing prejudices, which are worce than the Rocks in our way, or advantages...
50To George Washington from George William Fairfax, 23 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
Tho I had resolved to avoid being further troublesome to you an occasion has occur’d which obliges me to request that you’l be so good to look into my Deeds and over all my Papers (if they remain in your hands) for the Lord Proprietors discharge, for all arrears of Quitrents which He gave me the last time he was at Belvoir, just before I left Virginia. The importance of this small Scrip of...