1I, 15 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
The following circumstantial account of the last illness and death of General Washington was noted by T. Lear, on Sunday following his death, which happened on Saturday Eveng Decr 14th 1799 between the hours of ten and eleven. On Thursday Decr 12th the General rode out to his farms about ten o’clock, and did not return home till past 3 oclk. Soon after he went out, the weather became very bad,...
2II, 14 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
This day being marked by an event which will be memorable in the History of America, and perhaps of the world, I shall give a particular statement of it, to which I was an eye witness. The last illness and Death of General Washington On thursday Decr 12th—the General rode out to his farms about ten o’clock, and did not return home ’till past three. Soon after he went out the weather became...
3From George Washington to James Anderson, 13 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
I did not know that you were here yesterday morning until I had mounted my horse, otherwise I should have given you what I now send. As Mr Rawlins was going to the Union Farm, to lay off the Clover lots, I sent by him the Duplicate for that Farm to his brother—and as I was going to River Farm myself, I carried a copy for that Farm to Dowdal—Both of them have been directed to consider them...
4From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 12 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your letter of the 28th ultimo, enclosing a Copy of what you had written to the Secretary of War, on the subject of a Military Academy. The Establishment of an Institution of this kind, upon a respectable and extensive basis, has ever been considered by me as an Object of primary importance to this Country; and while I was in the Chair of Government, I omitted no proper...
5From George Washington to Robert Boggess, 10 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your letter of yesterday’s date, I have to observe that you, as well as others, have mistaken my real situation very much when it is supposed that I have it in my power to lend money. The truth is, that my receipts of this article, for some years back, have fallen so far short of my expenditures—without having made any purchases to increase my property (excepting a lot or two in...
6Enclosure: Washington’s Plans for His River, Union, and Muddy Hole Farms, 10 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
River-Farm Crops for, & operations thereon, for the year 1800 Field No. 1—Is now partly in Wheat. Part thereof is to be sown with Oats. another part may be sown with Pease, broadcast. Part is in meadow, and will remain so. and the most broken, washed, & indifferent part, is to remain uncultivated; but to be harrowed & smoothed in the Spring, and the worst parts thereof (if practicable) to be...
7To George Washington from Robert Boggess, 9 December 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Robert Boggess, 9 Dec. 1799. GW wrote Boggess on 10 Dec. : “In answer to your letter of yesterday’s date. . . .”
8To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 9 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
During a late Visit to New York, I learnt that the leading federal Characters (even in Massachusetts) consider Mr Adams as unfit for the Office he now holds. Without pretending to decide on the Merits of that Opinion, which will operate alike whether well or illfounded, it appeared necessary to name some other Person. You will easily conceive that his Predecessor was wished for and regretted,...
9From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 8 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 23d Ulto and 1st instant have both been received. the part which relates to Mr Custis’s pay—as an Officer in the Cavalry—has been given to him, and he writes you himself on the subject. I have naught therefore to add on it. Captn Ellwood had not arrived at Alexandria yesterday, from hence I conclude he was to have touched at Norfolk; otherwise his passage will have been...
10From George Washington to John Mason, 8 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 4th instant, enclosing a Resolution of the Legislature of Maryland to take, on account of the State, one hundred & thirty shares in the augmented Capital of the Potomak Company, and thank you for your politeness in forwarding of it to me. Altho’ this mode of obtaining money to complete the Navigation of the River, differs from the plan adopted at the last...
11To George Washington from the President and Directors of the Potowmack Company, 8 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed we have the honor to hand two Resolutions which were passed last week by the Legislature of this State; by a calculation noted at foot, to which we beg to refer you, we find it will be a great Object to obtain the transfer of this Stock before the 15th of this month, at which time the Books are shut, & no transfer can be made untill after the 1st of January when a Dividend of 3½ p. Ct...
12From George Washington to William Thornton, 8 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
For the communications contained in your letter of yesterday, I thank you. As a citizen of the United States, it gives me pleasure, at all times, to hear that works of public ⟨uti⟩lity are resolved on, and in a state of progression—wheresoever adopted, and whensoever begun. The one resolved on between the Chesapeake and Delaware is of great magnitude, and will be, I trust, the Precursor of...
13From George Washington to Alexander White, 8 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of yesterday I received this morning. Altho’ the Legislature of Maryland has taken up the business of the Potomack Company upon different ground, than on that which was adopted at the last General meeting of the Stockholders, and less advantageous for them if they could have carried their mode into effect; yet, as my primary wish, is to see the work completed, I rejoice that the...
14To George Washington from Thomas Waters Griffith, 7 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I take the Liberty to leave you a Letter of recommendation with which I was favord by Mr St John de Crœvecœur of Normandy, who I saw well in May last, and who desired to be respectfully rememberd to you, your Lady & Family. I also beg leave to present to you a copy of a Work on the Commerce of the United States, which I wrote and published at paris during the residence there of the...
15From George Washington to Robert Lewis, 7 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 10th of Septr came duly to hand, but as there was nothing contained in it that required to be acted upon immediately, I postponed acknowledging the receipt of it at an earlier period. The death of Mr Airess, of which I have been informed—and the direct conveyance, afforded by your brother Howells return, have induced me, to write you at this time. What prospect the death of...
16From George Washington to William Thornton, 7 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 5th instant was received last night. Not sending up to the Post Office every day, is the cause of its not getting to hand in time for my answer by the Mail of this day. Enclosed is a list of such fruit Trees as my Gardener has chosen. Be so good as to have them sent to the care of Colo. Gilpin in Alexandria, who will receive—take care of—and give me notice of their arrival:...
17To George Washington from William Thornton, 7 December 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Thornton, 7 Dec. 1799. GW thanked Thornton on 8 Dec. for “the communications contained in your letter of yesterday.”
18To George Washington from Alexander White, 7 December 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Alexander White, 7 Dec. 1799. GW wrote White on 8 Dec. : “Your favour of yesterday I received this morning.”
19To George Washington from William Thornton, 5 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
In answer to the Letter which I had the honour of receiving from you Yesterday I have the pleasure of informing you that there is nothing to be paid for the Fruit Trees in addition to what you subscribed to Leflet, therefore if you will be pleased to specify the numbers of each Sort omiting any kinds you may not be inclined to have & calculating what you take at 1s. Maryld Cury ⅌ Tree to the...
20To George Washington from John Mason, 4 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
Knowing the great Interest you have always taken in the promotion of the Navigation of the Potomak—I lose not a moment to inform you that I have at length suceeded to get this great Object aided by a grant of the Legislature of this State to the full amount contemplated by the Company—and it is with extreme Pleasure I have it in my Power to enclose a Resolution to that Effect which has this...
21From George Washington to James McHenry, 3 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of enclosing a letter from Colo. Parker to Mr Lear, in which he requests that I will write to the proper department, to have arrangements made for the payment of two thousand one hundred & seventy five dollars and one third, being the amount of the purchase of one hundred and ninety six acres of land, bought, for the United States, adjoining the public ground at Harper’s...
22To George Washington from James McHenry, 3 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your private letter of the 17th Novr ulto, since which I have been very closely engaged in business. The inclosed news paper contains the Presidents speech delivered to-day. You will find it nearly what it ought to be, I had feared he would have entered into reasoning upon a certain measure which had he would most assuredly have attracted to the subject a very pointed direct or...
23From George Washington to Thomas Peter, 3 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
Have you succeeded, or are you likely to succeed, in procuring the Hemp seed I required? The fly has got into my Wheat, very generally this Fall; and I lay my account for great ravages thereon next Spring; which makes me more desirous of laying (to use a Sea term) an anchor to windward for something else. I congratulate you and Patcy on the birth of a “Manchild” —My best wishes attend the...
24To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 3 December 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Timothy Pickering, 3 Dec. 1799. GW’s letter of 24 Nov. to Pickering is docketed by Pickering, “answd Decr 3d.”
25To George Washington from Burwell Bassett, Jr., 2 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
To communicate to our friends agreable incidents we are readily promptd by the pleasure it gives but it is duty alone which can lead us to be the communicators of uncomefortable tidings Tis this that impels me to inform my friends at Mount Vernon that Mrs Henley was attacked about ten days since with a severe bilious pleurisy her weak constitution was unequal to the shock and in five days she...
26From George Washington to Edward Carrington, 2 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
Since you mentioned the Plaster of Paris which was for Sale in Richmond, (but after you left this) it occurred to me, that as it was not a saleable article with you, it might be my cheapest mode to purchase there to supply my want of this article next year on my Farms around me. Permit me, for this reason, to ask the favour of you to learn from the Gentleman who has it for Sale, what quantity...
27From George Washington to William Price, 2 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favoured with your letter of the 25th Ulto, enclosing a copy of the Survey made for William Shepherd, for four & three quarter acres, and the form of a Caveate against the issuing a Patent therefor. I cannot from the survey, discover with precision where this land lays, and therefore shall give no further opposition to the Grant of it. If it be, where I suspect, it is within...
28To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 1 December 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Clement Biddle, 1 Dec. 1799. GW wrote Biddle on 8 Dec. : “Your letters of the 23d Ulto and 1st instant have both been received.”
29From George Washington to James Piercy, 1 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your letter of the 27th Ulto —If you have no Vessel passing below this (from whence the Sugar could be landed with very little trouble or delay) I request that it may be deposited at Colo. Gilpin’s, in Alexandria. Let the cask in which it is packed, be well secured; the Sugars hitherto had from you, has, sometimes, fallen short in weight. I am Sir—Your very Hble Servant ALS...
30From George Washington to William Thornton, 1 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 30th Ulto, enclosing Mr Blagdens dimensions of the rooms in my houses in the City, came to my hands this morning; With a list of the different kinds of Fruit trees in the Frenchmans Garden; to whom I was a subscriber. The terms on which the subscription was set on foot, have entirely escaped me; my motive for subscribing—namely—to encourage a nursery of that sort, still...
31From George Washington to Bryan Fairfax, 30 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for the courses of so much of your land on Difficult, as had any relation to my small tract at the Bridge, over that stream, and for the communications contained in your favour of the 28th Instt. The information derived from these sources, has satisfied me that the opinion of the Borderers on my land that it extended to Tankervilles line; and my own opinion (when I found the lines...
32To George Washington from William Thornton, 30 November 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Thornton, 30 Nov. 1799. GW wrote Thornton on 1 Dec. : “Your favour of the 30th Ulto . . . came to my hands this morning.”
33To George Washington from Bryan Fairfax, 28 November 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Bryan Fairfax, 28 Nov. 1799. In a letter to Fairfax of 30 Nov. , GW refers to Fairfax’s “favour of the 28th Instt.”
34To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 28 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is a copy of a letter which I have written to the Secretary of War on the subject of a military Academy. Two reasons have prevented me from communicating it to you at an earlier day. My avocations rendered it impossible for me to complete the letter till very lately, and I had had opportunities of knowing your opinion on the subject generally. Any alterations in the plan which you may...
35From George Washington to Charles Little, 28 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
Mr Johnston delivered me your favour of yesterday, and a map of the Land—formerly Lord Tankervilles; but as he came late in the afternoon, and said he was obliged to return that evening, I did not incline to detain him until I could examine, & get such information from the plat as was necessary for my purpose. I therefore dispatched him, & took the liberty of detaining the latter until this...
36From George Washington to Samuel Sommers, 28 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Little forwarded your letter of the 25th instant to me, yesterday evening; & I have now to request (if it is not already done) that my Entry may be made in the County Surveyors Book of Record, and the Treasury Warrant deposited therewith. Not having the Laws of this Commonwealth (since the Revolution) by me, I am entirely unacquainted with the regular mode of proceeding with respect to...
37To George Washington from Charles Little, 27 November 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Charles Little, 27 Nov. 1799. GW wrote Little on 28 Nov. : “Mr Johnston delivered me your favour of yesterday.”
38To George Washington from James Piercy, 27 November 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from James Piercy, 27 Nov. 1799. On 1 Dec. GW wrote Piercy “In answer to your letter of the 27th Ulto.”
39From George Washington to Bryan Fairfax, 26 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
In the early part of this month, I went up to Difficult-run to examine with more accuracy than I had ever done before, the small tract of Land you were so obliging (many years ago) to accomodate me with, for a Stage for my Waggons whilst I had plantations in Berkeley County; to see if it would now (having many years since removed my people from those Lands) answer for a small Farm; those...
40From George Washington to John Gill, 26 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
Under cover with this, you are furnished with the Invoice of such goods as I require. As it was not so much in my power to fix the prices, as to designate the quality of the Goods, the amount of the cost of them may exceed, or fall short, of the sum due from you to me. If the first, the balance shall be paid by me; if the latter, I shall look to you for the deficiency. I have drawn up, and...
41From George Washington to William Thornton, 26 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
For, and on account of Mr Blagden, I enclose you a Post note of the Bank of Columbia, for ninety three dollars forty three cents, and a check on the Bank of Alexandria for nine hundred and six dollars and fifty seven cents. Together, amounting to one thousand dollars, requested by Mr Blagden. With esteem and regard I am Dear Sir Your Obedt Humble Servt Let me request the favour of you to...
42To George Washington from Samuel Sommers, 25 November 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Samuel Sommers, 25 Nov. 1799. On 28 Nov. GW wrote Sommers : “Colo. Little forwarded your letter of the 25th instant to me, yesterday evening.”
43To George Washington from William Price, 25 November 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Price, 25 Nov. 1799. GW wrote Price on 2 Dec. : “I have been duly favoured with your letter of the 25th Ulto.”
44From George Washington to Alexander Addison, 24 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 8th instant came duly to hand. Whatever is found to be the contents of the Land I sold to the deceased Colo. Ritchie, by ⟨firm⟩ and actual measurement I shall abide by. I have not heard a tittle from Mrs Ritchie nor her brother in law on the subject of the Instalment, due me, and with pain I add, that if payment of what is due thereon is not immediately made, my own want of...
45From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 24 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
A considerable time ago, in consequence of some applications from Officers of Cavalry, to know in what manner they were to draw pay, I wrote to the Secretary of War on the Subject; & received for answer—that as no Pay master was appointed to that Corps, they were to draw on the Pay master General. Mr Custis (cornet in the Light Dragoons) being one of those alluded to, above, drew an order, as...
46From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 24 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 5th instant came to hand in due course; and the manner in which you proposed to dispose of my letter to Mr Murray, was perfectly agreeable to me. Knowing nothing of the writer of the enclosed letter, and unwilling to be hasty in encouraging proposals of this sort, without some information of the characters who are engaged in the Work; I take the liberty of enquiring, through...
47To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 23 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
Before I had received your favor of 13th inst. I had on information from the Custom house entered the two pipes of wine & two boxes of Citron & shipped them in the Harmony Capt. Ellwood for Alexandria by which Vessel which left this Yesterday I also forwarded two boxes of spermaceti Candles and two bags of the best Java Coffee which is what they have sold as Mocoa but I beleive there is none...
48From George Washington to Hepburn & Dundas, 23 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 19th was recd yesterday. If my attendance at Mr Heiskill’s in Alexandria on the 26th could render you any real Service, I would do it with pleasure. But all that I could relate would be hearsay whilst means exist, to obtain (I presume) positive proofs of the facts you wish to establish. With respect to the division of the tract, of (what you call) 51,302 acres, I am as...
49From George Washington to Benjamin Goodhue, 22 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 3d of Octr never came to my hands until last night. ⟨On⟩ hearing that Captn Hammond had arrived at Alexandria, I shall send up for the Fish, and pay him the cost of them—nine dollars. For your kind recollection of my want of this article, I thank you. They came very opportunely; and just as I was thinking of writing to you for a fresh supply. Without expressing any opinion...
50From George Washington to Charles Little, 20 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
The week before the last, I went up to Difficult Run to Survey a small tract of land which I hold thereon, at the Bridge; and to view a lot (No. 10) which Mr Jno. Gill, late of Alexandria, purchased as part of the land formerly belonging to the Earl of Tankerville, and which he (Gill) had offered to me in discharge of a demand I had upon him. I was plagued, and indeed unable to find, either...