To George Washington from William Peacey, 2 February 1787
From William Peacey
Northbeach [England] Feby 2d 1787
Hond Sir
Your favor of the 5th August and that of the 16th of novembr came safe to hand the former on the 6th of Decemr the latter on the 12th Jany last It was great Joy to me to hear that my Old Servant (James Bloxham) was with your Excellency—I sincerely hope he may answer Your Expeactation as he was throw me recomended to Your Excellency by The Honle G. W. Fairfax[.] James Bloxham’s first Letter (in august) was ritten in Bad Spirits on acount of Being at so great a distance from his fammily—his Last of November the 12 was Vearry Plaseing1 he have Ritten for his wife and Two Daughters to come over to him, his two Sons to be left hear to have some Learning—according to Your Desire I have Opend a Corrispondence with Wakelin Welch Esqr. who have beene Verry kinde in procuering a Passage for Mrs Bloxham and hur two Daughters—I have Inclosed you a bill of the Seeds I have Sent—am Sorry it is not in my Power to Send the plows by this convayance—the plows we use have Wheel’s, and Bloxham have written for Plows without a Wheel I have had Plows made but am doutfoll of thair answering so well as some I have Seene in the Ragland Parts of Worcestershire, I have written to a frend to Send me two but thay will be too Late for this convayance. Mr Welch in forms me that thare is a Vessel that will Sail Soon.2 Your Excellency may Depend on the plows Coming by the next Vessel—Caleb Hall have not made up his Mind to Leve this Kingdom. I have had three Blacksmiths who have a great Desire to Embark for America if Your Excellency should have Ocasion of one of that Trade.3
I have no Dought but I could Send a Wheelright if Your Excellency wold wish to have one from England. I shall be Verry happy in doing any thing in the Farming way for Your Excellencey in England. I am Hon. Sir Your Most Oblig’d and Duty foll Sarvant
William Peacey
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. James Bloxham’s letter to Peacey of 23 July 1786 is printed as an enclosure in GW’s letter to Peacey of 5 Aug. 1786; Bloxham’s letter to Peacey of 12 Nov. 1786 is referred to above in GW’s letter to Peacey of 16 November.
2. Wakelin Welch wrote to William Peacey on 17 Jan. informing him that “a fine Vessel,” Mary, John Andrews, master, would depart from London in February and asked Peacey if he should engage passage for Mrs. Bloxham and her children. Peacey replied in the affirmative sometime before 23 Jan. when Welch again wrote, saying that he had reserved a cabin for Mrs. Bloxham and her two children at a price of thirty guineas which included “found with fresh Provision & Wine during the Voyage.” The ship was “Brittish & one of the first Characters” and Captain Andrews “a very good Man.” Welch advised Mrs. Bloxham to bring extra bedding for the cabin and plenty of clothing and goods from England with her since they were “very dear” in Virginia. The packages of seeds that GW had ordered were also to be sent on the same ship. Both letters are at ViMtvL.