1From George Washington to Melancton Smith, 20 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 27th of October came to my hands the 14th inst: the box of Plate is not yet arrived. It would have been very obliging in you, & would have done me an essential kindness, had you as soon as this Box arrived at New York (which you say was the latter part of summer) given me notice thereof by Post; altho’ there might have been no opportunity at that time, or in any short time...