From George Washington to Mary Dabney Anderson, 20 July 1794
To Mary Dabney Anderson
Philadelphia July 20th 1794
Madam,
Not before the 8th instant had I the honor to receive your favor of the 17th of May, accompanied with a piece of Silk of your own manufacture.1
Contrary as it is to an established maxim of mine—not to accept a Present from any one—yet, considering this as a mark of your peculiar attention to me and as an evidence of what our climate, aided by industry, is capable of yielding, I receive, and thank you for this effort of your skill.
I shall have it made up—and will wear it as a memento of your politeness having the honor to be Yr Most Obedt & obliged Hble Servt
G. Washington
ALS, PU; LB, DLC:GW; copy, Vi. This letter may have been the enclosure with GW’s letter to John Page of 23 July.
Mary Dabney Anderson (1749-1820), a daughter of George Dabney of Virginia, was the wife of Mathew Anderson (1743-1806) of Exchange in Gloucester County ("Old Tombstones in Gloucester County," WMQ, 1st ser., 3[1895]:185-86).
1. An unsigned note dated 17 May 1794 in GW’s papers reads: "7⅜ yards of Silk, with Sewing Silk to make it up &c. Manufactured from the Silk Worm by Mrs Anderson (Consort of Citizen Matthew Anderson of Gloucester County Virginia) and by her presented for Acceptance to the President of the United States" (DLC:GW).