To George Washington from Betty Washington Lewis, 23 March 1794
From Betty Washington Lewis
March 23th 1794
My Dear Brother
Your letter of the 17th Came safe to hand the inclos’d letter will meet with a Convayance in a few dayes by my Son George as he will Call on Robert in his way to Kaintucky he sets of in a few daye on Busness, at the same time takes Negroes to settle a Place there, and I believe in a few years intends liveing there as Chief of the Property he Possessis is in that Part of the World,1 I am inform’d that the Vessel that brings Harriots Box is in the River,2 we are Extreamly alarm’d here for fear of a War the Merchants here say that it is Inevitable I Expect it is to raise the Price of Goods which has allredy taken Place in regard to Westindia goods, I wish to here from you as I then shall be satisfied of the truth of it, I was in hopes I should never live to see any more of those troublesome times.3
My Dear Brother I am going to ask a great favour of you that is to give me a Mule, if you have one that you Can spear without disfirnishing your self if you Can let me have one & I will send for it.4 I am Joind in love by the Girls to you and my Sister Washington with the family your Affectionate Sister
Betty Lewis
ALS, MH: Jared Sparks Collection.
1. GW’s letter to Betty Washington Lewis of 17 March has not been found. For the letter to be conveyed by George Lewis, see GW to Robert Lewis, 16 March. George Lewis (1757–1821) was the fourth son of Betty Washington Lewis and her husband, Fielding Lewis. During the Revolutionary War he served as the captain of GW’s Life Guard in 1776 and in the 3d Continental Dragoons, 1777–79. He did not settle permanently in Kentucky because in 1797 he purchased Marmion Plantation in King George County, Va., where he resided until his death.
2. For the contents of the box sent to Harriot Washington, which was now aboard a vessel in the Rappahannock River, and for its receipt, see Harriot’s letters to GW of 5 and 24 March.
3. GW’s reply of 30 March has not been found (see Betty Washington Lewis to GW, 13 April).
4. For GW’s gift of a mule, see Betty Washington Lewis to GW, 13 April.