From George Washington to David & Francis Clark, 17 September 1790
To David & Francis Clark
Mt Vernon Sep: 17th 1790
Sir,
From the best judgment I can form of the repairs and alterations to be made in my old Coach (under the statement & opinions given in your letter of the 13th instt) I feel most inclined to give you the following directions for your procedure that no delay or disappointment may happen.
The colour is to be as at present; but to be neatly painted and highly varnished.
The Seasons (which are now on the Carriage) is to be continued on the Doors, front & back—and my crest without any cypher is to be on the 4 quarter pannels; all to be enclosed by the original ovals—If it is thought best that the crests should be painted (as Silver does not show on a light ground) they may be painted.1
The Seasons (if they should require it, and a masterly hand can be employed) must be repaired, or at least freshned in their appearance to make them corrispond with the fresh painting of the Coach, & as festoons were on the Coach before ought they not [to be there again if the seasons &c. are retained.]2
I approve of the pattern sent as lining for the Coach & desire you may use it.
Plated handles to the doors—plated Brace buckles—and plated mouldings around the roof should be added to make one part correspond with the other.
A Glass in front must unquestionable be provided. In all other respects you are to observe the directions which was given when I saw you in Phi.3
ADf, DNA: RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB, DLC:GW.
For the background to this letter, see GW to Lear, 5 Sept. 1790 and note 9, and David & Francis Clark to GW, 13 Sept. 1790.
1. GW keyed the following note along the left-hand margin of the first page of the draft to this point in the text of the letter: “But quere, if some ornamental painting within the Oval, & around the Silver crests, the colours of which should form a contrast to the Silver & not be incons[isten]t with other parts of the work not look well? This is only suggested. for you may have painted, or Silver crests put on according to your own judgment of the propriety & uniformity.”
2. The bracketed material is taken from the letter-book copy.
3. GW probably sent this letter under cover to Clement Biddle and asked his friend to deliver it to the Clarks, as he had with an earlier letter to the carriage makers (see David & Francis Clark to GW, 13 Sept. 1790, n.1, GW to Biddle, 9 and 23 Sept. 1790, and Lear to GW, 26 Sept. 1790, n.7).