1From George Washington to Burgess Ball and Charles Carter, 18 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
Having set out on a tour through the Eastern States, it was at this place your letter of the 8th Instt overtook me. Not having my fathers Will to recur to when I wrote to my Sister, nor any recollection of the Devises in it, I supposed she was entitled to a Childs part of the Negros; but if they were otherwise disposed of by that Will (as I believe is the case) she is certainly excluded; and...
2From George Washington to Burgess Ball, 18 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 26. of December came duly to hand, but occurences of various kinds have prevented an acknowledgement of it till this time. I am not at all uneasy at the delay, or impatient for the settlement of the estate accounts of my deceased Mother; I am persuaded they will be rendered in due time, and to the satisfaction of all concerned—To pay all she owed is my first wish—to render...
3From George Washington to Burgess Ball, 19 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 7th instt came duly to hand, but the multiplicity of matters that pressed upon me at the time, prevented an earlier acknowledgment. I write to you now respecting an exchange of Lands because you wished to hear from me soon, on that subject—not because I think there is the least probability of such an exchange taking effect; I judge so from the ideas I have formed (from the...
4From George Washington to Burgess Ball, 21 July 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have in due course of post, been favoured with your letter of the 11th instant. I thank you for the prompt compliance with my request—as I do Mr Fitzhugh also for the ready belief he yielded that I would do nothing unfriendly, or ungenteel in the case you were desired to mention to him. Before the receipt of your letter, I had dispatched Howell Lewis (who was first to go to Fredericksburg...
5From George Washington to Burgess Ball, 4 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
Previously to the receipt of your letter of the 25th Ulto, some persons had been mentioned to me as well qualified for the superintendence of my business at Mount Vernon; and until something is decided with respect to them (letters having passed on the subject) I can say nothing further with respect to Mr Lawrence Lewis. So much am I engaged in public business, and so little haveg it in my...
6From George Washington to Burgess Ball, 24 November 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your letter of the 16th Instant, from Leesburgh. In answer to which, respecting the purchase of Buck Wheat, I send you a Bank note for two hundred dollars; being more disposed to give two & six pence pr Bushel in Loudoun than depend upon the purchase here, & the uncertainty of getting it round in time. What the Waggonage of it to my house from thence (as fast as it is...
7From George Washington to Burgess Ball, 3 February 1794 (Washington Papers)
In due course of the Post I have received your letters of the 17th of December & 21st of the last month; and congratulate you on the birth of a Son—and the passage of your family through the Small Pox. As you had acknowledged the receipt of the needful for purchasing the Buck Wht, and had assured me that no disappointment should follow, I have not given you the trouble of a letter until now,...
8From George Washington to Burgess Ball, 24 February 1794 (Washington Papers)
I am glad to find by your letter of the 13th instant that the bracelets were received, & pleased. The chocolate shells which you request shall be procured and sent when the Clover Seed goes, which I hope will now soon happen, as the navigation is once more just opened; and because it is high time that both you and my Manager had received the latter; that is the clover Seed. No Vessel is yet up...
9From George Washington to Burgess Ball, 16 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
At length your clover-seed, and chocolate Nut shells, are on Ship board for Alexandria; consigned to the care of Colo. Gilpin. The Vessel was to have sailed this day, but whether she is gone, or not, I am unable to say—she has been going every day for ten days, but I would not put your things nor my own Seeds on board until the last moment, lest they should get heated in the hold. yesterday...
10From George Washington to Burgess Ball, 23 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
By a letter I have just received from my Manager, Mr Pearce, dated the 18th instt I find he had received no more at that time, than 131 bushls of the Buck Wheat you were to procure for me. I hope there will be no disappointment of the remainder. It would fall hard upon me, as I have not the quantity of Seed Oats necessary to carry my plan into affect this year; a failure of both would leave my...
11From George Washington to Burgess Ball, 18 July 1794 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you, from Mount Vernon, I have seen & conversed with Mr Morris on the subject of a person to Manage a Tilt-hammer for you. He says it is difficult to get one who understands the business, & in other respects is worthy of confidence. The Person he had, he was obliged to discharge, on account of his inebrity, & knows not where to supply his place but by importation; which is...
12From George Washington to Burgess Ball, 27 July 1794 (Washington Papers)
Eight or ten days ago I wrote to you concerning a Manager for the Tilt hammer which you contemplated the erection of; since which I have received your letter of the 15th instant; in which, doubts of going on with it are expressed. As I am equally ignorant of the expence of erecting, & the profit when erected, I can say nothing encouraging or discouraging of the measure: but if from an...
13From George Washington to Burgess Ball, 10 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
We removed to this place about twelve days ago to avoid the heat of Philadelphia, & probably may remain at it until the middle of next month. It was here I received your letter of the 5th instant, which came to my hands yesterday. The business of establishing Arsenals, and providing proper places for them is within the Department of War; the Secretary of which (General Knox) set out on Friday...
14From George Washington to Burgess Ball, 25 September 1794 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 10th instt from the Sulpher Springs has been recd. When General Knox (who for several days has been expected) returns, I will deliver your letter to him —and from him (in whose department the business lyes) you will receive an answer to your proposition. I hear with the greatest pleasure of the spirit which so generally pervades the Militia of every State that has been...
15From George Washington to Burgess Ball, 2 March 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 19th of December and 9th Ulto came duly to hand in the usual course of the Posts. I was not unmindful of the contents, altho’ I did not acknowledge the receipt of them. Genl Knox, who was in Office when the first came to hand, said (as well as I recollect) that nothing could be done in the matter without an Act of the Legislature of Virginia, consenting to the purchase of...