1From 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...
2To George Washington from William Baynham, 21 August 1799 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the honor to inform you in my last that I had operated on your Servant Tom’s Eyes, that I had not very sanguine hopes of rendering him essential relief, and that the result would be ascertained in a fortnight. I am sorry that present appearances afford me no reason to alter my opinion. The tumor in the left Eye is, I am convinced, incurable; and a growing film in the right...
3To George Washington from William Baynham, 10 August 1799 (Washington Papers)
I returned last evening from a visit to Gloucester, and found your servant, Tom, who had arrived on the day after I left home, waiting with your letter of the 30th July. I have this morning operated on both Eyes, although, I must confess, with no very sanguine expectations of the boy’s deriving essential relief by the operations: but I have thereby given him the only chance, which the case...
4From 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....