1To George Washington from Elizabeth Parke Custis, 7 September 1794 (Washington Papers)
My Sister’s success in her application to you for your Picture, gives me courage to make the same request, and as I have no other wish nearer my heart than that of possessing your likeness; I hope you will believe me sincere when I assure you, it is my first wish to have it in my power to contemplate, at all times, the features of one, who, I so highly respect as the Father of his Country and...
2To George Washington from Elizabeth Parke Custis, 1 February 1796 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Elizabeth Parke Custis, 1 Feb. 1796 . On 10 Feb., GW wrote Custis: “I have obeyed your injunction in not acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the first instant until I should hear from Mr Law.”
Ca. 22 January 1811. Wishes to be “the humble instrument to serve my country; and you, Sir, by telling you the claims of a good Man, and securing to you an honourable Agent in a foreign land.” Is not “so vain as to imagine that the President of the United States will let me dictate who he shall depute to serve him” but wishes to seek his “protection and patronage” for David Bailie Warden....
4To James Madison from Elizabeth Parke Custis, 6 April 1816 (Madison Papers)
In this quiet place where I came to attend the sickbed of a relation, I address once more my Dear & Honrd friend Mr. Madison with almost ruin’d health, & a mind long harass’d by deep affliction, few causes could induce me to intrude upon your time, but friendships sacred claims impel me to do so, & I trust to your oft experienced kindness for my excuse. You possess the enviable power to serve...