1To George Washington from William Russell, 20 December 1798 (Washington Papers)
I returnd Home a few days ago after more than a month’s absence & assure you I was deeply mortified upon finding that your Ram and Straw Machine were still here—I very much regret that different attempts to Send them forwards have been ineffectual & that three several conveyances for their passage engag’d at Hartford have each of them been violated—As I found our River froze up. I fear they...
2From George Washington to William B. Harrison, 10 April 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 28th of last month has been duly received, and is entitled to my thanks for the details it contains; and for the assurance you have given me ⟨o⟩f a preference in Renting yr Land. But as there is not the smallest probability of my Renting, or buying, while you hold both at the rates which have been mentioned, I by no means desire that you should miss an opportunity of doing...
3To George Washington from David Shepherd Garland, 24 December 1798 (Washington Papers)
I am informed that there is a quantity of Land lying between the Great Kanhawa and Sandy River in this State which was set a part for the payment of some Officers and Soilders who was on an Expedition Against the Indians about or before Braddocks Campain; which Land still remains undevided. I am some what interested in that claim, but from it’s antiquity can meet with no person who can give me...
4To George Washington from William Washington, 30 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
Since my Letter of the last Post, John Parker of Charleston, the Son of William, has expressed a desire of entering the Army; He is a young Man of good Character and I think that he may with propriety be placed on the List of Ensigns. John Green of Augusta in Georgia has lately been strongly recommended to me, by General Glascock & Colonel Gordon of that State, as a person well qualified for...
5To George Washington from Bushrod Washington, 19 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
Upon my return to this place I met with a Commission from the President of the United States appointing me one of the Judges of the supreme Court. This appointment I have accepted, and was induced thereto by the strongest motives. I was very unwilling to abandon a profession, to which I was much attached, and to the study of which I had devoted the greatest part of my life. A situation which...
6From George Washington to James McHenry, 4 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
Presly Thornton, who is appointed a Captain in one of the Virginia Regiments, and in the list of Officers handed to you, is placed the first Captain in Colo. Bentley’s Regiment, and designated of Northumberland, informs me there has been a mistake in your office with respect to him; as a Relation of his, bearing the same names, & living in Caroline County, is understood by you to be the person...
7To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 20 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
Recollecting your anxiety that General Pinckney might [not] feel satisfied with the military arrangements of General officers proposed by you, I seize the first moment to relieve you from it. This morning Mr McHenry has received from Genl Hamilton a letter dated yesterday, in which is the following passage: After mentioning the arrival of General Pinckney, Genl Hamilton says— “You will learn...
8From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., 6 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
By the Ship Nancy from London, just arrived at Alexandria, I have received four copies of the Prints of the Deaths of Montgomery & Warren (the number of setts I presume I subscribed for)—sent me by your Brother. It is my wish to make him a remittance agreeably to the terms of the Subscription; but having taken no copy of it, and not being able to recollect what is to pay, must be my apology...
9To George Washington from John Trumbull, 18 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
By the Ship Nancy, Captain Davidson bound to Alexandria, I have sent a small Box, addressed to you, and containing the Four Pair of Prints for which you did me the honour to subscribe so long since, and two Volumes which I was requested by my friend Mr West to forward to you with his best Respects: the prints are the finest impressions and, for security are rolled, and enclosed in a Tin Case....
10To George Washington from Bushrod Washington, 21 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have lately recieved a letter from Mr Thomas Turner of King George, in which he expresses an ardent desire to enter into the service of his Country in the military line, and requests that I would mention him to you. This I do with much pleasure, because a long and intimate acquaintance with him assures me that there are few candidates who can possess more worth than he does. Warmly and I...
11To George Washington from Philip Rootes, 16 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
I was at Mountvernon Some time ago but was disappointed in seeing you. the caus of my tiakning this liberty is to beg the favour which I waited on you to ask, I will unfold the subject matter to you, my Father John Rootes made the Campaigns of 1757 and 1758 in Colo. William Byrds Regiment and was a Capt. in the said Regiment during the Campaigns—this is Certified by Colo. William Bronaugh, my...
12To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 24 March 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Tobias Lear, 24 March 1799. On 26 Mar., GW wrote Lear : “Your letter of the 24th. Inst. . . . was delivered to me last night.”
13From George Washington to John Lambert, 20 November 1798 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to John Lambert, 20 Nov. 1798. Lambert’s letter to GW of 24 Oct. : “Answd Nov. 20 1798.”
14From George Washington to Julius Burbidge Dandridge, 25 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed came undercover to me a few days ago, and not knowing into whose hands better to place it than yours, I forward it to you accordingly. The doing so, furnishes an opportunity of condoling with you, and the other friends of Mr John Dandridge, on his death; an event I sincerely regretted. From the Superscription, I know the enclosed letter is from your brother Bartholomew; who, no...
15To George Washington from James Anderson, 25 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
Received Bu. Bu. lb. 1798 Novr 122 by Measure And by Weight 109 15 p. Bu. 8/2 53 139 by do And by do 127 25 p. do 56 1799 Feby 16 177 by do And by do 163 1 p. do 8/6 55 438
16To George Washington from Henry Lee, 5 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
Mr Custis presented me with yr letr last night. Be assured I shall offer you no property not clear in title unless I may be imposed on, to prevent which am I here daily engaged in exploring the truth. I have a tract of land near gunston recd from W. Steptoe at valuation for money lent to him some years past. this I propose to offer among other property all of which will be submitted to you...
17To George Washington from George Turner, 14 January 1799 (Washington Papers)
Conscious of my very limited pretensions to military acquirements, I cannot, without great diffidence, presume to offer my Services to the Commander in Chief, as one of his Aides: Yet, Sir, if attachment to your person and the Service, and a wish to improve under your auspices in the Field, may be considered as an Earnest towards the attainment of other needful Qualifications, I would beg...
18To George Washington from Israel Shreve, 21 December 1798 (Washington Papers)
Although you forbid me Writeing any more to you in your Last Letter to me dated the 1st of Octr Last But my Situation is So intolerable I cannot forbear[.] my aproaching Punishment is Greater than any crime I have Committed, the Cruel Change of times in respect to the Circulating of Cash is the whole cause of my failure of Punctuality [.] at this time I have as I have Said before as much money...
19From George Washington to Daniel Morgan, 10 April 1799 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure to receive your letter of the 3d instant, covering the Copy of a letter from Captn A.C. Randolph to yourself, expressing a wish to be removed from the Infantry to the Cavalry. These letters I have forwarded to the Secretary of War, who, I have no doubt, will, considering the favourable auspices under which Captn Randolph is introduced, make any arrangement he can, consistent...
20To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 24 December 1798 (Washington Papers)
I received a letter last Week from Mr Short, dated Novr 1st—he Says Mr Hites absence from home, has prevented his doing any thing towards the purchase of Andrew Woodrows Survey—but so Soon as hite returns, he will have the bussiness closed to your Satisfaction. I have also recd a letter from Mr Feild, he acknowledges the Rect of mine, covering Sundry papers to enable him to find out the...
21To George Washington from James Anderson (of Scotland), 15 April 1799 (Washington Papers)
Isleworth, near London, April 15th, 1799. In a very long and repetitious passage Anderson expounds on the military, naval, and commercial advantages to Britain, and disadvantages to France, of France’s public policy. He then writes: “To such persons as believe that the stability of States, and the happiness of a people, are to be measured exactly by the amount of their wealth, and the extent...
22From George Washington to James Anderson, 1 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
Circumstances may render it necessary for me to make a journey to the Seat of Government: and letters which I expect every Post day, will determine whether I shall take it or not. If I go, my departure will be sudden, and how long I may be absent from home, is uncertain; I do not expect however, that it can exceed four, or at most five Weeks. With respect to the Farms and Meadows I shall say...
23To George Washington from Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 2 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
Many thanks, my dear Sr, for your very friendly congratulations on my return to my Country —The apprehensions you mention I have reason to think would have been realized had not our Government followed up the publication of the dispatches by energetic measures. My Daughter’s health (thank God) is restored—Mrs Pinckney & myself are both well. I enclose you a copy of a Letter which I wrote to...
24From George Washington to William B. Harrison, 6 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 24th Ulto, and thank you for your kind assurance of suffering no tenant to remain on your land (near my mill) who is a nuisance to me. But it was from a thorough conviction in my mind that no person, or persons, who meant to get a livelihood by dint of labour—In short who did not depend more upon slight of hand, and unwarrantable shifts than labour, for a...
25From George Washington to John Adams, 21 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
The letter with which you were pleased to honor me—dated the 9th instant—was received by the last Mail; and demands my particular acknowledgments. It was with sincere concern I received the account of Mrs Adams’s low state of health, and your consequent indisposition. If my fervent wishes would restore her, and you, to perfect health, this object would soon be accomplished: and in these...
26From George Washington to James McAlpin, 10 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
Having requested in a former letter, that you would make me a uniform suit of Cloaths by such directions as the Secretary of War would give; of such kinds of Cloth as I mentioned to you in that letter; and moreover, that they might be with me by the 22d of the present month; I hope my desire in all these particulars will be complied with. If Mr Washington, one of the Judges, has not left...
27To George Washington from John C. Ogden, 20 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
More than ten years have elapsed, since from time to time, I have most respectfully and circumstantially, stated the doings of Calvinists in The United States, in their concerted endeavors to defeat that liberty, toleration and protection in religion, which our laws establish, and upon which our national honor, happiness and safety depend. The moderation, caution, prudence, polite & respectful...
28To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 23 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
My last—dated I think on the 16—informed you, that my overseer had accepted your Terms—but that he Should Take the farm in preference to the home house—should Rhodes decline Takeing yr bussiness—From Whoom I have recd no answer to my Several letters, the first of which I am certain was lodged at his house—Consequently you had better look out—but should Rhodes come to my house, or write me...
29To George Washington from Alexander Addison, 21 November 1798 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Alexander Addison, 21 Nov. 1798. GW wrote Addison on 6 Dec. 1798 that he had received “your favor of the 21st Ulto.”
30From George Washington to James McHenry, 25 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
You will not only consider this letter as a private one, but as a friendly one, from G: W. to J: M. And if the sentiments which you will find in it, are delivered with more freedom and candour than are agreeable, say so; not by implication only, but in explicit language; and I will promise to offend no more by such conduct; but confine myself (if occasion should require it) to an Official...