George Washington Papers

From George Washington to Robert Cary & Company, 25 January 1762

To Robert Cary & Company

Mount Vernon 25th January 1762.

Gentlemen,

By way of Whiteha[ve]n I am furnished with an oppertunity of desiring the favour of you to place the last half years Interest due on Bank-Stock at Michaelmas, to the credit of Miss Patcy Custis’s Account and that you will for the time to come appropriate the said Interest as it arises to the same use that Stock being Assigned her in part of her Fortune.1

If this Letter shoud reach your hands in time please to add to my Invoice of October the 12th the following Articles2—Viz.

  • 15 yards of handsome Stuff for a Gown for Mrs Washington
  • 3 pieces of Ribbon for trimg a Negligee—Inclosd colour
  • 2 handsome garland Stomachers
  • 50 yards of Small Cord proper for Leading Lines
  • 1 dozn Plow Bridles of the very cheapest sort
  • 15 yards thick Duffield—light colour
  • 2 pr of Sheep Sheers
  • 1 Hunting Whip
  • 1 dozn Iron Potts—to hold from 4 to Ten Gallon’s
  • 1 Cross cut Saw—best sort
  • 10 lb. Isinglass3
  • 4 pair best large Bed Blankets
  • 1 piece of blue and white cotton Holland

A Report prevails here that Captn Coverdale (by whom I Shipd you twelve Hhds Tobo) is taken—but I am in hopes your next will contradict it.4 I am Gentn Yr Most Obedt Hble Servt

Go: Washington

ALB, DLC:GW. At the end of his copy of the letter, GW wrote, “By the Welcome—Captn Crosswaite—Whitehaven. Copy Philadelphia.” Crosswaite was probably William Crossthwaite.

1In the final settlement of the estate on 5 Nov. 1761, stock in the Bank of England valued at £1,650 sterling was assigned to Martha Parke Custis as part of her inheritance. See doc. IV and doc. IV-C in Settlement of the Daniel Parke Custis Estate, 20 April 1759–5 Nov. 1761.

2These items were included with those GW ordered on 12 Oct. 1761 in Cary’s invoice of 10 April 1762.

3Isinglass was used in making jellies and glue and for clarifying liquors.

4For the shipment of twelve hogsheads of tobacco aboard the Sarah, Norrisson Coverdale captain, see GW to Cary, 5 July 1761.

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