To George Washington from David Stuart, 10 September 1798
From David Stuart
Hope Park—10th Sepr [17]98.
Dear Sir,
I have at length recieved a letter from Mr King dated the 26th Augt informing me that a vessell of Mr Chamberlayne’s was then landed and ready to sail with 246 barrells of corn for you—I presume she must be arrived before this—More would have been sent, if the vessell could have brought it—If you wish another load you will be pleased to inform Mr King of it1—I hope you feel yourself perfectly recovered—I am with perfect respect Your Affecte & Obt Serv.
Dd Stuart
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. See Stuart to GW, 22 August. As early as 1788 a vessel belonging to Edward Pye Chamberlayne (1758–1806) of King William County was bringing up the Potomac to Mount Vernon corn from the Custis plantations on York River. See, for instance, , 5:315. King may have been Thomas King who lived on Cohoke Creek in King William County and was a neighbor of Chamberlayne. Thomas King was the son-in-law of James Hill (1736–1802), the former manager of the Custis plantations. There were other men by the name of King in the area, brothers and cousins of Thomas.
GW responded on this date: “Dear Sir As your Servant came late this afternoon, and requests to return early in the morning, I shall not be able to inform you of Mr Anderson’s wants—but no time shall be delayed in giving Mr King notice of them.
“I have had no return of my fever since you left this, and am regaining my lost weight fast.
“I was sorry to hear of your indisposition, but glad to find you are able to ride about again. Mrs W., Nelly & Washington (who I shall keep at home, & get Mr Lear who I have taken as my Military Secretary to attend to his reading) are well, and unite with me in affecte regard for the family at Hope Park. I am Dear Sir Yours affectionately Go: Washington” (ALS, owned [1984] by Miss Mary Benjamin, Scribner Hollow, New York).