1From 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...
2From George Washington to Alexandria General Assemblies Managers, 12 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
Mrs Washington and myself have been honoured with your polite invitation to the Assemblies in Alexandria, this Winter; and thank you for this mark of your attention. But alas! our dancing days are no more; we wish, however, all those whose relish for so agreeable, & innocent an amusement, all the pleasure the Season will afford them. and I am Gentlemen Your Most Obedient and Obliged Humble...
3From George Washington to Wilson Allen, 17 June 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 29th ulto has been duly received, and would have been earlier acknowledged had I not been in daily expectation of seeing Mr Bushrod Washington on his Circuit. Fearing he may have taken another route, or passed by without calling, I delay no longer to declare; that I think as you do, that his advice was given on mistaken ground; and in that case, a Deed from General Lee to me...
4From George Washington to Wilson Allen, 26 May 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Wilson Allen, 26 May. On 29 May Allen wrote GW that he had received “Your letter of date the 26th inst.”
5From George Washington to James Anderson, 8 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
Mrs Washington passed a good night—is clear of a fever to day—and is taking the Bark—which I hope will prevent a return of it. I am much hurried, and pressed with one thing—or another, but do what humanity requires for Roberts: who ought not to have engaged, in the situation he is in, without first informing me of it. Doctr Craik is not now here, nor expected if Mrs Washington should not...
6From George Washington to James Anderson, 1 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
When you intimated to me your son’s wish to Rent my Distillery & Mill next year, and your inclination to join him therein—and in that case to relinquish the management of my business; I informed you that I had made Mr Lawrence Lewis (after you had declined taking them) an offer of both; together with the Farm at Dogue-run; and that until I received his answer, I did not conceive I was at...
7From George Washington to James Anderson, 10 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
In a hasty note which I wrote to you on Sunday last, I informed you, that as soon as time and circumstances would permit, I would be more full on a subject which I could then, but barely touch upon. The latter of these has not, yet, put it so fully in my power as I could wish to fulfil this promise. I shall, however, endeavour to explain my meaning without further ⟨delay⟩. I have, for more...
8Enclosure: 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...
9From George Washington to James Anderson, 16 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
The indisposition of Mrs Washington—Dispatches of a troublesome kind, which required all my attention—and the house never being clear of company—have put it out of my power to take any notice of your letter of the 13th instant, until now. Health, being amongst (if not the most) precious gift of Heaven; without which, we are but little capable of business, or enjoyment; and as you seem to be...
10From 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...
11From George Washington to John Avery, 25 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 2d instt came duly to hand; but previous thereto, I had written to Mr Jno. Francis of Philadelphia (who report had engaged the houses to, I was building in the Federal City) to know in explicit terms whether he meant to take them, or not, on the conditions I offered them, namely—Seven and an half percent on the whole cost; to which, taxes, if any, and Insurance against fire,...
12From George Washington to Burgess Ball, 22 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 16th instt has been received, informing me of the death of my brother. The death of near relations, always produce awful, and affecting emotions, under whatsoever circumstances it may happen. That of my brother’s, has been so long expected, and his latter days so uncomfortable to himself, must have prepared all around him for the stroke; though painful in the effect. I was...
13From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, Jr., 11 August 1799 (Washington Papers)
Sometime ⟨between illegible ⟩ment to the walks of ⟨private illegible ⟩ girl*, the body servant of Mrs Washington⟨,⟩ absconded without the least pr⟨ovocation⟩ and without our having ⟨ illegible sus⟩picion of such, her intention ⟨ illegible ⟩ whither she had gone. At length, we learnt ⟨ illegible ⟩ got to Portsmouth in New H⟨ampshire; in⟩ consequence of this information ⟨ illegible ⟩ authentic)...
14From George Washington to William Baynham, 30 July 1799 (Washington Papers)
The bearer of this ⟨letter⟩ my Ploughman, has, for ⟨some months⟩ past, been afflicted with a tumour which has occasioned partial, and threatens (if relief can not be obtained) total blindness. He has been under the care of Doctor Craik & others, without receiving much, if any benefit; and being desirous of relieving him from so serious a malady, if ⟨you⟩ can accomplish it, I send him to you....
15From George Washington to William Baynham, 27 August 1799 (Washington Papers)
By my Servant Tom, I was honored with your letter of the 21st instant. I am persuaded that, all ⟨the⟩ benefit which the nature of his case would admit he has, or will receive from your treatment of the affliction under which he labors and if it is incurable, I must be satisfied that I have neglected nothing to restore his sight to him. It was an imposition to ask you for money, (for I gave him...
16From George Washington to William Berkeley, 29 July 1799 (Washington Papers)
On monday the fifth of August the annual, General Meeting of the Potomac ⟨Compy is⟩ to be held in George Town ⟨ illegible ⟩. Recollecting that at ⟨ illegible ⟩ meeting ⟨illegible⟩ last year, Colo. Fitzgerald ⟨mutilated em⟩powered to represent the interests of this Commonwealth therein, had doubt of the validity of that as your late worthy Predecessor in office was then no more; I take the...
17From 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...
18From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 21 April 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 21st of March and 11th instant are both before me. By the first, it appears that you had shipped by Captn Hand for Alexandria, on my a/c, 12 lbs. of white Clover Seed and the like quantity of Lucerne; but none has been delivered by him at the Custom house, or elsewhere that I can discover, which is a considerable disappointment to me; for depending thereon I enquired for no...
19From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 6 June 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 18th & 21st Ulto have been duly received. In reply to them, so far as it respects the raking machines, I agree perfectly with Mr J. Williams, that they will not answr on Stoney, stumpy, or rough land of any kind, for the reason he has assigned; but I am equally well persuaded, that on level & smooth land (which for the most part my fields are) they would be found useful...
20From 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...
21From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 13 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive by the enclosed Invoice & Bill of Lading, that two Pipes of old Madeira Wine, & two Boxes of Citron have been Shipped by Charles Alder and Co. for my use, on Board the Ship Lavinia, James Cook Masr, bound for Philadelphia. As the original letter, enclosing these papers, has been received (via Philadelphia) It is presumed that the Wine is safe in that Port. I have to request...
22From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 28 April 1799 (Washington Papers)
Since my last I have receiv’d the Seeds which you sent me by Captn Hand—after several fruitless enquiries after them. There was a Manufactury of Machines for raking Meadows, and Harvest fields after they are cut, at Kensington while I resided in Philadelphia—These are worked by a horse, and were, in my opinion useful impliments on a Farm, for expeditiously gleaning the fields of the scattered...
23From George Washington to Archibald Blair, 24 June 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 19th instt enclosing the copy of a letter from our deceased friend Patrick Henry Esqr., to you, dated the 8th of Jany last, came duly to hand: for this instance of your polite attention to me, I pray you to accept my thanks, and an assurance that the latter shall find a distinguished place in my Beaureau of Public Papers. At any time I should have recd the account of this...
24From 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...
25From George Washington to William Booker, 6 May 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to William Booker, 6 May 1799. On 15 May Booker wrote GW : “Your letter of the 6 Inst. I duly receivd.”
26From George Washington to Elias Boudinot, 13 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 8th instt was received by the last Mail to Alexand[ri]a. At the sametime, a letter from the House of Alder & Co. came to hand, announcing his shipment of two Pipes of Old Madeira Wine, on my account, on Board the Lavinia Captn James Cook, by Direction of Mr Pintard, for Philadelphia. Presuming on the arrival of it at that Port, I have requested Colon[e]l Clem: Biddle to pay...
27From George Washington to Elias Boudinot, 22 June 1799 (Washington Papers)
When I had the pleasure of seeing you in Philadelphia last winter, I mentioned my intention of writing to Mr Pintard for a fresh supply of wine, as my stock was getting low, and you were so good as to offer to furnish me with a pipe from some which you expected from Mr Pintard for your own use. At that time I had no doubt but I should be able to get a s[u]pply from Madeira befor this; but,...
28From George Washington to John Marshall, Edward Carrington, and William Heth, 12 May 1799 (Washington Papers)
Although the letter, of which the enclosed is a copy, is of old date, it has but just been received from the Secretary of War. Without aid, it will be impossible for me to carry his views into effect; which, & the confidence I place in you, is the best apology I can make for asking you to assist me, in the business required. I have, with the exception of short intervals, been so many years...
29From 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...
30From George Washington to Charles Carroll (of Carrollton), 21 July 1799 (Washington Papers)
Having received a printed letter myself, from the President & Directors of the Potomack Company dated the 2d instant the presumption is, that it is a circular Address to the Stockholders: and much indeed is it to be wished that all of them would attend in person, rather than by substitution. Greatly is it to be regretted that an Undertaking productive of—or rather promising such immense...