17301From George Washington to Daniel Morgan, 4 September 1784 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Kennedy has owed me £28 these many years. Enquiring yesterday where he lived—& into his circumstances—I was told that he had lately sold land or houses in Winchester, to you; & that it might be in your power to obtain the balance which appears upon the enclosed accot due to me. If this should be the case, you would very much oblige me, as the money has been long due & I have always found...
17302[Diary entry: 8 April 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 8th. Mercury at 47 in the Morning— at Noon and 52 at Night. Morning clear, wind fresh from the No. West, which rather decreased wth. the Sun’s altitude and in its decline, became nearly calm. The ground being too wet to stir where it had been before plowed or worked, I was unable to touch that which I had been preparing for grass; and therefore began to hoe that wch. lyes between the...
17303[Diary entry: 5 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 5th. Thermometer at in the Morning—58 at Noon & 58 at Night. Lowering all day—with very little wind and that Northerly. It being a good scenting morning I went out with the Hounds (carrying the two had from Colo. McCarty). Run at different two foxes but caught neither. My French Hounds performed better to day; and have afforded hopes of their performing well, when they come to be a...
17304[Diary entry: 16 July 1787] (Washington Papers)
Monday 16th. Dined at Mr. Morris’s, & drank Tea at Mr. Powells.
17305From George Washington to David Stuart, 6 December 1786 (Washington Papers)
If Mr Newton of Norfolk should offer you money on my acct, I wd thank you for bringing it. I have a tenant—one Edward Williams—who I want to punish, because I believe him to be a bad man. I pray you therefore to send me a General Court Writ for him. The case I shall relate—and leave the nature of the writ, & quantum of damages to be filled up by better judges than myself—to frighten—not really...
17306From George Washington to Annis Boudinot Stockton, 30 June 1787 (Washington Papers)
At the same time that I pray you to accept my sincere thanks for the obliging letter with which you honored me on the 26th Ulto (accompaned by a poetical performance[)] for which I am more indebted to your partiality than to any merits I possess, by which your muse could have been inspir’d. I have to entreat that you will ascribe my silence to any cause rather than to a want of respect or...
17307From George Washington to George Clinton, 28 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
After as prosperous a journey as could be expected at this season of the year, I arrived at my seat the day before Christmas, having previously divested myself of my official character—I am now a private Citizen on the banks of the Potomack, where I should be happy to see you if your public business would ever permit and where, in the meantime, I shall fondly cherish the remembrance of all...
17308[Diary entry: 22 March 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 22d. Mercury at 45 in the Morning, 52 at Noon and 51 at Night. Mizling Morning and very little Wind. About 8 Oclock it sprung up at No. West, & encreasing, blew hard all the remaining part of the day from that point & West. Mrs. Grayson sent me 8 Yew & 4 Aspan trees & Colo. Mason some Cherry Grafts. Planted the intermediate holes round the Walk in the Wilderness on the right and filled...
17309April 1787 (Washington Papers)
Sunday. first. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 50 at Night. Wind at No. West in the Morning and Southerly afterwards but not very fresh at any time of the day—Weather clear. At home all day. Mr. Hunter, Mr. Rumney, Mr. Porter, Doctr. Craik and a Captain Nixon dined here—all of whom except Mr. Hunter went away after it. In the evening, one Young who lives on Colo. Balls place, a...
17310[Diary entry: 30 June 1787] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 30th. Dined at a Club of Genn. & Ladies at the Cool Spring—Springsbury and spt. the Evening at home.
17311[Diary entry: 6 August 1787] (Washington Papers)
Monday—6th. Again met in Convention agreeably to adjournmt. & recd. the report of the Com[mitt]ee. Dined at Mr. Morris’s and drank Tea at Mr. Meridiths.
17312From George Washington to Samuel Powel, 24 November 1788 (Washington Papers)
Permit me to introduce the bearer, Mr Fairfax, to your acquaintance & civilities. He is the Son of the Revd Mr Fairfax—nearly related to Lord Fairfax—and God-son to your Hble servant. But that which will be his best recommendation, is his own merits—He is a young Gentleman of fortune and goes to Philadelphia for the laudable purpose of compleating his Studies. With respectful compliments and...
17313[Diary entry: 12 April 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 12th. Mercury at 50 in the Morning, 58 at Noon and 66 at Night. Clear all day; Wind until late in the afternoon, pretty fresh from No. West—Sunset red with appearances of dry Weather. Plowing, rolling, and Harrowing my ground for grass seeds. Sowed on the inner side of the Post & rail fences running from the Kitchen to the South Haw, ha! & from the Servts. Hall to the North Haw ha!...
17314From George Washington to George Clinton, 15 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
By this Express, your Excellency will receive the requests of the Pay Master and Quarter Master, Generals, for the Loan of One thousand Dollars each, to enable them to supply the present necessities of the Army—if the terms of their proposals are agreeable, I should be very happy in your Excellency’s compliance with their requests. I have the honor to be Your Excellency’s Most Obedt Servant...
17315[Diary entry: 20 July 1787] (Washington Papers)
Friday—20th. Dined at home, and drank Tea at Mr. Clymers.
17316[Diary entry: 9 October 1787] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 9th. Thermometer at 56 in the Morning—59 at Noon & 57 at Night. Clouds, Mists & Sunshine alternately. Wind at So. Et. & So. Rid with Mr. & Mrs. Powell to view the Ruins of Belvoir. Called on my return at Frenchs where I had begun with grass Scythes (a cradle having been found not to answr.) to cut the Pease which had been sown broadcast. The first sowing of these appeared pretty ripe,...
17317[Diary entry: 19 September 1784] (Washington Papers)
19th. Being Sunday, and the People living on my Land, apparently very religious, it was thought best to postpone going among them till tomorrow —but rode to a Doctr. Johnsons who had the Keeping of Colo. Crawfords (Surveying) records—but not finding him at home was disappointed in the business which carried me there. These settlers were Seceders, a Presbyterian sect that had broken with the...
17318[Diary entry: 26 January 1787] (Washington Papers)
Friday 26th. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—46 at Noon and 46 at Night. In the Morning early it rained—about 9 Oclock the weather seemed disposed to break but sooned thickened again and rained more or less from abt. Noon till Night when the weather again seemed inclined to clear. Wind tho’ not much of it, was at So. Wt. in the Morning & more Westerly in the afternoon. Mr. Madison & Mr. Griffith...
17319[Diary entry: 2 May 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday—2d. Mercury at 54 in the Morning—56 at Noon and 56 at Night. Received and accepted an invitation to dine with the Sons of Saint Taminy, at Mr. Andersons Tavern, and accordingly did so at 3 Oclock. About Noon, having Assembled a sufficient number of the Proprietors of the Swamp, we proceeded to business in the Senate Chamber; & continued thereon till dinner, when we adjourned till nine...
17320From George Washington to William Irvine, 18 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 27th Ulto and to thank you for the information contained in it. As a Communication between the waters of lake Eire and those of the Ohio is a matter which promises great public utility, and as every step towards the investigation of it may be considered as promoting the general interest of our Country I need [not] make an apology to you...
17321[Diary entry: 10 August 1787] (Washington Papers)
Friday—10th. Dined and drank Tea at Mr. Binghams. Spent the evening at home.
17322From George Washington to William Brown, 30 June 1786 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your favor of the 27th written at the request of the Trustees of the Alexandria Academy, I have the honor to inform you that the education of boys for the purposes mentioned in my letter of the 17th of December, was what I had principally, if not wholly in view at that time. But if it shall appear to the Trustees that there are girls who may Fitly share the benefits of the...
17323[Diary entry: 16 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Friday 16th. Mercury at 28 in the Morning 52 at Noon and 50 at Night. Very clear and pleasant in the Morning with little or no Wind. About 9 Oclock it Sprung up at No. Wt. and seemed inclined to blow hard—but before Noon it died away and came out afterwards at So. Wt. Mr. Dandridge went away after an early breakfast and G. A. Washington set out for Berkley. I rid to all the Plantations....
17324[Diary entry: 13 October 1787] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 13th. Thermometer at 52 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 56 at Night. Cloudy in the Morning and clear afterwds. with the Wind at No. Wt. Rid to Dogue run, French’s & the ferry Plantns. At the two first took an Acct. of the Horses Cattle and Sheep wch. are as follow—viz.— At French’s sowed a narrow slipe of the grd. off which Pease had been taken next the Meadow Ditch with Wheat. The...
17325From George Washington to John Canon, 15 September 1788 (Washington Papers)
As I have not received a line from you for more than fifteen months, and am altogether in the dark respecting the business which was committed to your care —I would thank you for information respecting the tenements—the Rents &ca of my Lands in Fayette and Washington Counties. And, as the latter—that is the Rents—may have been received in specific articles I should be glad to know they are...
17326[Diary entry: 23 September 1784] (Washington Papers)
23d. Arrived at Colo. Philips abt. five oclock in the afternoon 16 Miles from Beason Town & near the Mouth of Cheat Rivr. The land thro’ wch. I rid was for the most part tolerably level—in some places rich—but in general of a second quality. Crossed no water of consequence except Georges Creek. An Apology made to me from the Court of Fayette (thro’ Mr. Smith) for not addressing me; as they...
17327[Diary entry: 30 January 1787] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 30th. Mercury at 32 in the Morning—38 at Noon and 32 at Night. Foggy and warm with very little or no Wind the greater part of the day. In the evening it became clear. Rid to the Ferry, & French’s Plantation, and intended to have gone further but getting wet in passing a Mirey place at French’s I returned home to get on dry cloaths. Sent Danl. Overdonck to Muddy hole again who with a...
17328[Diary entry: 6 March 1787] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 6th. Mercury at 32 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 48 at Night. Wind at No. West tho’ not very fresh but raw and Cold; the Sun seldom appearing. Rid to all the Plantations; No appearance of the first sowed Oats coming up in the Neck—Women, there, putting up a fence by Williams’s house—at all the other places working as yesterday. On my return home found Colo. Ball here and soon after...
17329[Diary entry: 3 November 1787] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 3rd. Thermometer at 34 in the Morning—48 at Noon and 47 at Night. Clear weather & very pleasant with but little wind. Rid to all the Plantations. Digging Potatoes at the River, Muddy hole, and Frenchs—at all of which the Plows were also at work. Treading Wheat at D. Run & Oats at the Ferry.
17330Statement concerning George Mercer’s Estate, 1 February 1789 (Washington Papers)
From such parts of the following statement of facts (as are applicable to the case) the answer of George Washington must be drawn, to the Bills of complaint exhibited by both Brown and Owens. Colo. George Mercer when he left this Country for England vested (as I have been informed, and as the proceedings of the General Court I believe will prove) his brother, James Mercer Esqr., with a power...
17331[Diary entry: 20 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 20th. Mercury at 40 in the Morning—35 at Noon and 30 at Night. The Wind in the Night sprung up at No. West and blew very hard all day and till within Night. Ground froze this Morn. Went with Mrs. Washington to Mr. Fendalls to make a visit to Colo. and Mrs. Lee. Dined and returned home in the Evening. Found Doctr. Craik here.
17332From George Washington to Anthony Wayne, 14 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have only time before my departure from this City to acknowledge the receipt of your two favors of the 1 Novr and 14 December with the several inclosures which I will take an opportunity of laying before Congress at as early a period as possible. I should have been very happy to have seen you—here—and am sorry your health did not permit it—I hope however I shall soon have that pleasure at...
17333From George Washington to James Madison, 10 January 1788 (Washington Papers)
I stand indebted to you for your favors of the 20th & 26th Ult.; and I believe for that of the 14th also, & their enclosures. It does not appear to me that there is any certain criterian in this State, by which a decided judgment can be formed of the opinion which is entertained by the mass of its Citizens with respect to the New Constitution. My belief on this occasion is, that whenever the...
17334From George Washington to Thomas Smith, 10 September 1785 (Washington Papers)
My last letter to you was so full, that I should not have troubled you again at this early period, but to observe as I did before, that upon reading the Proclamation which I then enclosed (and which I had scar[c]e time to run over before it was dispatched), it appeared to me that as it forbid in general terms, the settlement of Lands upon the western waters, it might be necessary for me to...
17335[Diary entry: 10 March 1787] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 10th. Mercury at 44 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 59 at Night. A clear and pleasant Morning with the Wind at So. after wch. it shifted to the No. Wt. and blew fresh but not cold. Towards evening it became calm and exceeding pleasant. A violent [wind] in the Night with storms of rain. Rid to all the Plantations. Found that much rain had fallen and that the sowing of Oats was stopped at...
17336From George Washington to Mathew Carey, 29 October 1787 (Washington Papers)
The last post brought me your letter of the 22d —your application to me for the loan of £100 is an evidence of your unacquaintedness with my inability to lend money. To be candid—my expenditures are never behind my income—and this year (occasioned by the severest drought that ever was known in this neighbourhood) instead of selling grain which heretofore has been my principal source of revenue...
17337From George Washington to Francisco Rendon, 19 December 1785 (Washington Papers)
This letter will be handed to you by Mr Peter Tellez, who attended the Jack Ass, which arrived safe, to this place: for want of an Interpreter I have not been able to understand him perfectly; but as far as his wishes have been explained to me, they are, that he may be permitted to return to Spain as soon as possible; that it is proper he should go by the way of New York to see his Excellency...
17338[Diary entry: 28 August 1787] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 28th. In Convention. Dined, drank Tea, and spent the evening at Mr. Morris’s.
17339[Diary entry: 18 September 1787] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 18th. Finished what private business I had to do in the City this forenoon. Took my leave of those families in wch. I had been most intimate. Dined early at Mr. Morris’s with whom & Mr. Gouvr. Morris I parted at Grays ferry and reached Chester in Company with Mr. Blair who I invited to a seat in my Carriage ’till we should reach Mount Vernon.
17340[Diary entry: 6 July 1786] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 6th. Mercury at 71 in the Morning—77 at Noon and 76 at N. Morning hazy, with thunder & rain in the afternoon. Rid to Muddy hole and into the Neck; found that the Rye at the first had been cut down yesterday and that the wheat was entered upon and that the grain being wet this Morning, it could not either be shocked, or bound. The rakers were therefore employed in succouring the...
17341From George Washington to John Rumney, Jr., 5 June 1786 (Washington Papers)
Since my last of the 15th of May to Messrs Robertson Sanderson & Rumney, I have been favoured with your letter of the 16th of April by Captn Aitkinson—The cost of the Flags is finally settled, with other articles had from your store in Alexandria—and I again thank you for the trouble you have had in this business—more so—as neither Commission nor freight are charged, nor would be...
17342From George Washington to Richard Sprigg, 1 April 1787 (Washington Papers)
It is, I believe, beyond a doubt that your Jenny is with foal by my Spaniard. As I have two imported female Asses (very fine) which will be put to my Jacks this Season, & from which I may expect the pure breed; you are very welcome to the produce of your own, & the sooner you send for her the better, and less risk will be run in removing her. At present she is in very fine order having been...
17343From George Washington to Joshua Holmes, 2 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
The testimony of your satisfaction at the glorious termination of the late contest, and your indulgent opinion of my Agency in it, afford me singular pleasure & merit my warmest acknowledgments. If the Example of the Americans successfully contending in the Cause of Freedom, can be of any use to other Nations; we shall have an additional Motive for rejoycing at so prosperous an Event. It was...
17344[Diary entry: 29 January 1788] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 29th. Thermometer at 35 in the Morning—47 at Noon and 47 at Night. Wind at So. Wt. and moderate all day. A good deal of rain fell in the course of the Night which with the dissolution of the Snow, occasioned much water in the Brooks and places from whence [it] had no discharge. The Thaw also to day was great⟨er than it has been since the 10th.⟩ of Decr. and yet the top of the ground...
17345[Diary entry: 22 September 1787] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 22d. Breakfasted at Bladensburgh and passing through George Town dined in Alexandria and reached home (with Mr. Blair) about Sunset after an absence of four Months and 14 days. The following Is a diary of the Weather, occurrances on, and management of, my farms; together with the progress of the Crops thereon, during my absence; as taken & reported to me by my Nepw. G. A. Washington....
17346From George Washington to John Nicholson, 23 January 1787 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 9th instant, together with a statement of the Finances of the State of Pennsylvania, came duly to hand. You will accept of my best thanks for your attention & politeness in transmitting to me the above Statement. The prosperity of any part of the Union gives me a singular pleasure, & I cannot but express the satisfaction I feel at the happy situation of your Finances. I am...
17347[Diary entry: 10 July 1786] (Washington Papers)
Monday 10th. Mercury at in the Morning—82 at Noon and 82 at Night. Very warm all day, and calm till the evening, when a breeze from the Southward sprung up. More appearances of rain in the morning than the evening, but none fell. Rid to the Neck, Muddy hole & Dogue Plantations. Began harvest at the latter this morning with the people belonging to the place; the Muddy hole hands finished theres...
17348[Diary entry: 28 December 1786] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 28th. Mercury at 28 in the Morning—55 at Noon and 50 at Night. Calm, clear, warm, and very pleasant all day; towards evening it began to lower a little in the So. Western horizon—A very white frost in the Morning. At home all day.
17349[Diary entry: 19 February 1788] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 19th. Thermometer at 25 in the Morning—40 at Noon And 38 at Night. Morning clear with the wind, tho’ not much of it at West & Cool tho’ it thawed a good deal in the middle of the day. Visited the Plantations in the Neck and at Muddy hole. At the first the Men were getting & preparing for fencing. The Women, some were grubbing and others throwing down old fences in order to erect them a...
17350From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 4 January 1789 (Washington Papers)
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...