From George Washington to Richard Washington, 10 September 1757
To Richard Washington
Fort Loudoun 10th Septr 1757
Dear Sir
The Inclosd addresses Copy of mine of the 15th April by a Vessel which I find has mistaken her Rout and got to France.1
On board the Integrety Captn Thompson I shipd 14 Hogsheads of best Sweet-Scented Tobo for 4 of which and no more I was allowd liberty of Consignment; and these four I Shipd to you—the other ten together with 8 more in Captn Younger are sent to Mr Bacon; of whom please to demand the neat proceeds.2
The Alexandria Captn McKay is preparing with all possible dispatch to Sail with the Convoy: On Board her I have put eight Hhds consignd to yourself3 and I have orderd my present Crop (which at this time wears a very favourable Aspect, and without some Signal Stroke of Providence will equal my most Sanguine expectations) to be got ready for the first Ships, after these which are just taking their Departure; and for as many as I can get liberty I will ship to yourself, but it is with concern I tell you, we have very little choice.4
I have receivd your favour of the 2d of April,5 and find Insurance so exorbitantly high, that I have determind to risk my Tobo as it is conveyd in several bottoms—But my Goods, unless they come under Convoy (and even then if you think proper) I woud choose to ensure—In the Invoice Mr Carlyle sent you for me I think ⟨mutilated⟩6 for a Small Sword of 8 or 10 Guins. price. this is of 12 Months standing, which gives me cause to fear, having heard no mention of it by you, that his Letter has miscarried—if this is really the case please to embrace the earliest oppertunity of complying wt. this desire & sendg spare Scabds & Slips wt. it.7 I am Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt & Affecte
Go: Washington
LB, DLC:GW. The copy of the letter is in GW’s hand.
1. The goods Richard Washington sent to GW in November 1757 (see Richard Washington’s Invoice, 10 Nov. 1757) were to fill the order (see Invoice, 15 April 1757) that GW enclosed in his letter to Richard Washington, 15 April 1757.
2. See GW to Anthony Bacon & Company, 10 Sept. 1757, n.1. GW instructs Bacon to pay Richard Washington the “Nett proceeds,” which because of the loss of Capt. John Thompson’s Integrity came to only £57 16s. sterling for the eight hogsheads in Captain Younger’s Endeavour. Apparently the ship captains had some arrangement with Anthony Bacon & Company about the consignment of the tobacco being transported to London.
3. These eight hogsheads of tobacco are perhaps some bought for GW by John Carlyle (see Carlyle to GW, 2 Dec. 1756) or tobacco of his tenants. GW entered in his ledger, October 1757, £37 19s. 6d. sterling for the eight hogsheads shipped aboard Capt. James Mackie’s Alexandria (, folio 15). He also at some time in 1757 shipped eight hogsheads of tobacco to Thomas Knox (see GW to Knox, 26 Dec. 1757).
4. GW was unable to consign any of his 1757 crop to Richard Washington; it all went to Thomas Knox. See GW to Richard Washington, 26 Dec. 1757, and to Thomas Knox, same date.
5. Richard Washington’s letter has not been found.
6. Four or five lines are missing, having been cut out of the letter book perhaps for the sake of GW’s signature in his copy of his letter of this date to Anthony Bacon.
7. Richard Washington’s Invoice of 10 Nov. 1757 includes among other things a “fine” sword with “spare & false Scabbard &ca.”