From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 4 January 1789
To Clement Biddle
Mount Vernon 4 Jany 1789.
Dear Sir,
I shall want to procure about 250 Bushels of Buck Wheat, in addition to what I now have, to sow the ensuing spring & summer—and will thank you to inform me (as soon as may be after receiving this) upon what terms I could obtain the above quantity in Philadelphia, and what would be the freight of it round here, that I may know precisely the cost of it—and determine, upon the receipt of your answer, whether it will be best for me to procure it there or in this neighbourhood.
I found I could obtain Clover-seed in New York upon much better terms than it could be had in Philadelphia and have therefore written for a supply from that place.1 You will, however, accept my thanks for the trouble you have been at in making inquiries about it.2 With great esteem, I am, Dear Sir, Yr most Obedt Hble Servt
Go: Washington
P.S. By a letter that I lately recd from Mr Smith I expect he will shortly deposit some money in your hands on my acct.3
LS, PHi: Washington-Biddle Correspondence; LB, DLC:GW.
2. See Biddle to GW, 14 Dec. 1788.
3. This was probably Thomas Smith’s letter to GW of 29 Nov. 1788, which has not been found. See GW to Smith, 26 Dec. 1788.