6921From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 18 August 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to John Parke Custis, 18 Aug. 1777. When writing to GW on 11 Sept. , Custis says: “Your kind Favour of the 18th Ult. came safe to Hand.”
6922From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 26 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 11th Instt with a Deed to Mr Henry came safe by Mr Lund Washington—In lieu of the latter, I have executed a Deed to you, conveying all the right title and Interest which I, or any person claiming by, from, or under me can have to the Land. More than this cannot be expected, as I purchased the Land at your own desire; by the advice of your friends; and without intending, or...
6923From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 12 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have now—at your request—given my full consent to the Sale of the Lands wch I hold in right of Dower in a Tract in the County of York—to a Water Grist Mill thereon—To Lotts in the City of Williamsburg—and others in James Town—As also to your Renting, or otherwise disposing, of the other Dower Lands & Slaves which I am possessed of in the County of King William upon the terms which have been...
6924From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 20 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I should have acknowledged the receipt of your letter of the 12th Ulto long since but for the many important matters which have claimed my attention. My letter which missed you on its passage to Williamsburg will acquaint you (as there is little doubt of its having got to hand long ’ere this) of the footing I proposed to put the valuation of the Cattle upon that you had of me —I only wished to...
6925From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 3 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 15th Ulto from New Kent came to my hands by the last Post, and gave me the pleasure of hearing that you, Nelly, & the little ones were well. You should not delay recording my Deed to you, because you cannot, I am told, make a proper conveyance to Henry till this happens the postponing of it therefore may not be a pleasing circumstance to him. As you seemed so desirous of...
6926From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 28 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
If you will accept a hasty letter in return for yours of last month I will devote a few moments for this purpose, and confine myself to an interesting point, or two. I do not suppose that so young a Senator—as you are—little versed in political disquisitions can yet have much influence in a populous assembly; composed of Gentn of various talents and of different views—But it is in your power...
6927From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 31 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
(On Saturday last I returned from a Conference held with the Count de Rochambeau at Weathersfield, and found Mrs Washington very unwell, as she had been for five or six days preceeding, & still continues)— Her complaint was in the stomach, billious, and now turned to a kind of jaundice, but she is better than she has been, though still weak & low. As she is very desirous of seeing you— and as...
6928From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 22 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 7th came to my hands a few days ago, and brot with it the pleasing reflection of your still holding me in remembrance. The misfortune of short Inlistments, and an unhappy dependance upon Militia, have shewn their baneful Influence at every period, and almost upon every occasion, throughout the whole course of this War. at no time, nor upon no occasion were they ever more...
6929From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 28 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 11th Instt came to my hands yesterday. It was always my Intention, if agreeable to your Mother, to give you the offer of Renting her Dower Estate in King William during my Interest therein, so soon as you came of age to act for your self. On two Accts I resolved to do this; first, because I was desirous of contracting my own business into as narrow a compass as possible—and...
6930From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 10 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 7th of last Month came duly to hand—& should have been acknowledged sooner but for the load of business which has pressed upon me of late. With respect to the valuation of the Cattle (by Colo. Bassett) wch you had of me last Fall I do not conceive there will be real occasion for any dispute. I want nothing but justice and as you declare yr willingness to do this we cannot...
6931From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 30 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Letter herewith sent for Mr Hill is left open for your perusal; after reading which, Seal & cause it to be safely delivered. He will find my sentiments fully expressed, and I hope will make no further appeals to me on the Subject of his Wages. You had better take the whole Crop of Corn Fodder &ca so soon as measured, at such a price as Colo. Bassett shall fix, and if the same thing was...
6932From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 23 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to John Parke Custis, c.23 Sept. 1778. GW wrote Richard Henry Lee on 23 Sept. : “I think it likely that Mr Custis (& Colo. Bassett) may be in Phila. at the time this Letter may come to your hands—if so, I will thank you for causing to be delivered to him, a Letter herewith addressed to your care” (see also Richard Henry Lee to GW, 5 Oct. 1778 ).
6933From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 25 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 11th, covering certain proposals which were made by you to Mr Robt Alexander, came safe by the last Post—I read the latter with attention, and as far as I can form a judgment without seeing the mortgage, or having recourse to the original agreement, and the missive, which may have passed, think they are founded on principles of liberality & justice. How far the purchase on...
6934From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 24 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you two or three Posts ago, since which your Letter of the 10th Instt is come to hand. with respect to the proposed exchange of Lands with Colo. Thos Moore, I have not a competent knowledge of either Tract, to give an opinion with any degree of precission; but from the situation of Moore’s Land, and its contiguity to a large part of your Estate, and where you will probably make your...
6935From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 4–8 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for your cordial and affectionate congratulations on our late success at Monmouth, and the arrival of the French Fleet at the hook —the first might, I think, have been a glorious day, if matters had begun well in the Morning; but as the Court Martial which has been setting upwards of a Month for the tryal of Genl Lee, is not yet over, I do not choose to say any thing on the...
6936From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 19 June 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have been called upon by the unanimous voice of the Colonies to take the command of the Continental Army—It is an honour I neither sought after, or was by any means fond of accepting, from a consciousness of my own inexperience, and inability to discharge the duties of so important a Trust. However, as the partiallity of the Congress have placed me in this distinguished point of view, I can...
6937From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 4 June 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to John Parke Custis, 4 June 1776. On 10 June John Parke Custis wrote to GW : “Your Favor of the 4th inst. . . . came to Hand last Saturday.”
6938From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 1 March 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to John Parke Custis, 1 Mar. 1778. On 3 April, Custis wrote Martha Washington: “My Affecte Regards to the General. . . . I return Him many Thanks for his Letter of the 1st of which got to my Hands on Tuesday last” ( Fields, Papers of Martha Washington Joseph E. Fields, ed. “Worthy Partner”: The Papers of Martha Washington . Westport, Conn., and London, 1994. , 178–79).
6939From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 6 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 26th of July came to my hands yesterday & I thank you for the acct given of the proceedings of the Assembly—If you had not adopted the Finance scheme, I should have thought the omission unpardonable; as it must, in a manner, have set our money afloat again; when every measure which human policy is capable of devising ought to be adopted to give it a fixed, & permanent value....
6940From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 2 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 12th of last Month from Williamsburg is got safe to hand, & I am obliged to you for the Deed which you have got from the Secretary’s Office in Richmond & purposed bringing to Lund Washington. You say I shall be surprized at the slow progress made by your Assembly in the passage of the Bills through both Houses. I really am not, nor shall I, I believe, be again surprized at...
6941From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 26 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
If my Brother, to whom the Inclosed is addressed, should not be a Member of Assembly, & in Williamsbg, I should be glad if you would contrive it to him by a safe hand. The Enemy still continue to keep us in suspence, & baffle all conjecture—they have five or Six thousand Men at this time actually on board transports, lying in New York bay; and a fleet of more than a hundred Sail left the Hook...
6942From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 1 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I will just write you a few lines in acknowledgment of your Letter of the 14th Ulto; which was detaind by the Posts not being able to cross Susquehanna, till the Evening before last. I congratualte you upon the birth of another daughter, & Nelly’s good health; & heartily wish the last may continue, & the other be a blessing to you. The money received for your Land was, I think, well applied,...
6943From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 28 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to John Parke Custis, 28 Sept. 1777. Custis refers in his letter to GW of 26 Oct. 1777 to “Your two Letters of the 28 Ult.”
6944From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 14 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 26th Ulto came to my hands in due course of Post. I observe what you say respecting the Renting of Claibornes. It is not my wish to Lett it for any longer term than your Mama Inclines to, and at no rate for her life, unless it is perfectly agreeable to her—this I did conceive would have been the case (as I think she informd me) to you; but if it is not, I am equally well...
6945From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 24 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your Letter of the 11th Instt I candidly acknowledge I am at a loss what advice to give you—with precision—respecting the Sale of your Estate upon the Eastern shore; but upon the whole, in the present uncertain state of things should were I in your place postpone the measure a while longer. Your own observation must have convinced you of the rapid depreciation of the paper...
6946From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 8 July 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to John Parke Custis, 8 July 1776. Custis wrote GW on 8 Aug. : “Your Letters of the 8th & 24th Ulto came safely to Hand.”
6947From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 26 October 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to John Parke Custis, 26 Oct. 1776. The Custis Papers at the Virginia Historical Society include a “List of Washington’s letters sent to B[enjamin] Lossing,” one of which is a letter to John Parke Custis of “26 Oct. 1776” written at New York.
6948From George Washington to Jacob Cuyler, 16 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
By a letter from General Schuyler I am informed that he has purchased one thousand Barrels of Flour for the Army by order of Mr Morris. 500 are sent down here and the remainder are detained at Albany untill I give further directions concerning them—You will be pleased to deliver them to the order of Brig. Genl Clinton for the use of the troops to the Northward—I have taken the liberty to...
6949From George Washington to John C. Cuyler, 30 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I sincerely thank you for your Congratulations on my arrival in this place. Whilst I join in adoring that Supreme being to whom alone can be attributed the signal successes of our Arms. May the same providence that has hitherto in so remarkable a manner Envinced the Justice of our Cause, lead us to a speedy and honorable peace—& may its attendant Blessings soon restore this, once flourishing...
6950Board of Trade to Penet, D’Acosta Frères, 6 November 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Williamsburg ] 6 Nov. 1779 . The governor has written the Board to authorize Oliver Pollock of New Orleans to draw on Penet, D’Acosta Frères to the amount of 65,814 ⅝ Spanish milled dollars. This engagement was entered into by Peter Penet, and the order has been transmitted to Pollock. Signed (in clerk’s hand) by “J. Answer” [error for Ambler] and Dun[can] Rose, and countersigned (in clerk’s...
6951From George Washington to Mary Dagworthy, 6 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Some time since I was honored with your letter of the 17th July, with a sum of money the result of your subscriptions at that time. So much patriotism, while it is a pleasing and fresh proof of the spirit of the ladies of Jersey, entitles them to every applause. The army feel most sensibly both the design and the benefaction. I have to request the ladies that till it is known in what manner...
6952From George Washington to Mary Dagworthy, 9 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure to receive Your favor of the 29th of Decr and have given directions to Colonel Nelson to deliver the three hundred and eighty pr of Stockings for the use of the Troops of the State of New Jersey. This Gratuity of the Ladies, I am persuaded, will be very acceptable at this season: and will produce every expression of gratitude to the generous Donors, from those who are...
6953From George Washington to Janet Dalgleish, 15 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have lately been favord with a Letter from you dated 28th of Feby in the present year; and as it is impossible for me, by any personal enquiries or application, to assist you in the recovery of your Brother ’s Debts, I have transmitted your Letter and Acct to an acquaintance of mine in Norfolk in Virginia, Thos Newton Esqr.—a Gen’man of character; & one who must have been intimately...
6954From George Washington to Richard Dallam, 5 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of this Morning from Bristol. As the most considerable part of the Army is like to be in this Town and its Neighbourhood, I think you better remove the Treasury as near as possible on the pennsylvania Side of the River, when you have fixed upon a House, a proper Guard shall be appointed. It is very inconvenient for Officers to go for Money, which is wanted every Moment for one...
6955From Benjamin Franklin to John Dalton et al., 28 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Upon the Receipt of your Letter dated at Cudent the 11th. Instant, I immediatly apply’d to the Minister in your Behalf, who has given Orders that you Should be set at Liberty. You did not mention whether the Boat you came over in was one you hired, or that you took. If the Latter, you are at Liberty to sell the same and divide the Money among you to furnish your...
6956From Benjamin Franklin to John Dalton et al., 22 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 9th. Instant. Herewith you have the Order of Mr. de sartine for your Discharge. For your present Relief, and to bear your Expences to Nantes, you may draw a Bill upon me for two Hundred and forty Livres, which shal be paid here upon Sight. Be frugal and make the most of it. Your friend and servant. Sartine must have acted immediately on BF ’s...
6957From John Adams to Tristram Dalton, 23 February 1780 (Adams Papers)
Since my Arrival in this City, which was on the 9th. of this Month I had the Pleasure of your Letter concerning your Vessel which was sunk in the West Indies. I immediately waited on Dr. Franklin who informed me that he had received a similar Letter from you and in the Time of it applied to Court and obtained an order for your Compensation, which he transmitted to you, and which I hope you...
6958From Benjamin Franklin to Tristram Dalton, 17 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received Lately your Letter of the 13th. of may, with the Papers relative to the Loss of the Brigantine fairplay. I had on the first Intelligence of that accident from the west Indies, made application to the Minister of the marine in favour of the sufferers, and received from him the answer of which I formerly Sent you a Copy; but as that may have miscarried, I now...
6959From Benjamin Franklin to Tristram Dalton, [11] August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I wrote to you the 17th. of October last, on the Subject of your unfortunate Brig. I suppose you received that Letter, as the Vessel I sent it by arrived. I now enclose a Copy of the Answer I some time since received to my Application on your Behalf, together with a Copy of a Letter I wrote immediately on receiving that Answer. I have since heard nothing more of the...
6960From George Washington to Count de Damas, 6 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
Monsieur Dumat Aide De Camp to His Excellency the Count de Rochambeau and Aide Quarter Master to the French Army, being dispatched to reconnoitre the Ferries on the Susquehannah River; it is requested that all Persons well affected to the Cause of America, & the success of the Allied Armies will afford him their best information, aid, and assistance, in the prosecution of his duty....
6961From John Adams to Francis Dana, 30 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have received yours of 19. I have your Form of the Constitution and Some News Papers, none later than those you have. These I shall send by the first private opportunity. I forwarded your Letters by the last Post or two. The Constitution will probably be accepted, at least that is the opinion of all the Americans here. Last night I had an Account of Mr. Stephens’s Letter to Lloyds Coffee...
6962From Alexander Hamilton to Francis Dana, 10 August 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
The last post brought me your letter of the 25th of July, which I transmitted to Colonel Brooks, accompanied by some inquiries that appeared to me necessary. A copy of my letter to him, and of his answer, are enclosed. You will see that he insists positively on your having made the offensive observation before imputed to you; adds several aggravating particulars to his first relation; and...
6963From George Washington to Francis Dana, 9 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured with a resolution of Congress of the 4th Inst., by which you are appointed to assist in the arranging of the army. As so important a matter ought not to be delayed I would be glad to see you at camp as soon as possible; and to know when I can have that pleasure. I am &c. Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . The resolution is printed in JCC...
6964From John Adams to Francis Dana, 12 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
In the Lists of the House and Board, I was as much pleased to find your Name among the latter as I was chagrined to find it omitted in the former. This is one among numberless Advantages of a Middle Branch of the Legislature, that a Place may be found in it, for such distinguished Friends of their Country, as are omitted by the People in the Choice of their Representatives. This is an...
6965From John Adams to Francis Dana, 29 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday your favor of 26th. Augst: OS. with Duplicates and Triplicates of a former letter and one original. These shall be sent by different vessells, as you desire. I agree to your Condition to make a minute of the postage, but you may inclose your letters to any one of the six following Gentlemen at Amsterdam and direct them to charge the postage to the U. S. viz Wilhem or Jan...
6966The American Peace Commissioners to Francis Dana, 12 December 1782 (Adams Papers)
We have the Honour to congratulate you, on the Signature of the preliminary Treaty of Peace, between his Britannic Majesty and the United States of America, to be inserted in the definitive Treaty, when France and Britain Shall have agreed upon their Terms. The Articles, of which We do ourselves the honour to inclose you a Copy, were compleated, on the thirtieth of last Month. To Us, at this...
6967From John Adams to Francis Dana, 17 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 1. of this month and the Packetts you Sent with it, by Mr. Appleton. The arrival of the Convoy, at Bourdeaux is a fortunate Circumstance for Commerce: but I want to know the News and whether any of those Vessells were upon public Account, and whether any thing is sent to Us. I have taken a cursory View of Brussells, Antwerp, Rotterdam, Delft, the Hague,...
6968From John Adams to Francis Dana, 13 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
Yours of April 12/23 is just come to hand: Last night, for the first time, I Slept in this House, and I hope that the Air of the Hague will have a good Effect upon my Health, otherwise I must embark for the blue Hills. The Independance of America, has been acknowledged by this Republick, with a Solemnity and Unanimity, which has made it, in a peculiar Sense the National Act. The Publication of...
6969From John Jay to Francis Dana, 19 August 1780 (Jay Papers)
Your Favor of the 5 th . Inst was delivered to me Yesterday Morning. I am happy to hear M r Adams is gone to Holland. He will I am persuaded be very useful there. Accept my thanks for the Intelligence communicated in your Letter, and be so obliging as to continue the Correspondence you have begun. The Character I heard of you at Congress induced me to wish for an Occasion of commencing it, and...
6970From John Adams to Francis Dana, 18 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
I am at no Loss, what Advice to give you, in answer to the Questions in your letter of this day, because they relate to a Subject, on which I have long reflected, and have formed an opinion, as fully as my Understanding is capable of. I think then that it is necessary for you to prepare for a Journey to Petersbourg without Loss of Time, that you travel in the Character of a Gentleman, without...