To George Washington from William Cushing, 2 February 1792
From William Cushing
Newyork Feby the 2d 1792.
Sir,
I take the liberty to inform you, that being on my journey to attend the Supreme Court, which is to sit next Monday, I have had the misfortune to be stopt here, since Friday last, by a bad cold attended with somewhat of a fever, so that the probability, at present, seems against my being able to reach Philadelphia by the time court is to sit. Assoon as my health permits, however, I design to proceed there. The travelling is difficult this Season: I left Boston the 13th Jany in a Phaeton, in which I made out to reach Middleton as the Snow of the 18th began, which fell so deep there as to oblige me to take a Slay, & now again wheels seem necessary. If Judge Blair & Judge Johnson attend there will be a Quorum, I suppose, as two other Judges are upon the Spot. The Chief Justice, I perceive, cannot be present this term.1
I left Mrs Cushing at Middletown, who desired her respects to you & Mrs Washington.2 I hope Mrs Washington enjoys good health, as I have the pleasure to hear that you do. I have the honor to be, with the highest respect, Sir, your most Obedient, humble Servant,
Wm Cushing
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. For the absence of John Jay from the February session of the U.S. Supreme Court, see Jay to GW, 27 Jan. 1792. Thomas Johnson was also absent from the session, due to illness (see David Stuart to GW, 26 February). A quorum was not reached until Cushing took his seat on 10 February.
2. Hannah Phillips Cushing (1754–1834), a native of Middletown, Conn., married William Cushing in 1774.