From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 27 February 1798
To Clement Biddle
Mount Vernon 27th Feby 1798
Dear Sir
In the latter end of Jany I acknowledged the receipt of your letter of the 16th of that month;1 writing you fully relative to several matters; on some of which (one in particular respecting the price of the best German Oznabgs) I was in hopes I should have received an immediate answer to. Not having heard of the miscarriage of any mail, I am at a loss to what cause to ascribe your silence; and yet, none appearing so likely, as a mishap to the letter, I forward a duplicate of it.
Ellwood arrived about the date of my last, and the articles sent by him were delivered in good order. By the first Vessel bound to Alexandria, I pray you to send me the several articles mentioned in the enclosed list, addressed to the care of Colo. George Gilpin of that place.2 I am—Dear Sir Your Obedient Hble Servant
Go: Washington
ALS (letterpress copy), DLC:GW; LB, DLC:GW.
2. At the end of the letter, GW wrote and signed this list:
“Sundries, to be sent from Philadelphia by Colo. Clement Biddle, for, & on A/c of George Washington; and addressed to Colo. Geo: Gilpin in Alexandria.
“A small box, say 20 a 30 lbs. of the best Imperial, or Hyson Tea.
“Two Jars, or small boxes of best Raisons.
“A barrel, or about 50 lbs. good Currants.
“50 lbs. of Almonds in the shell.
“Half a bushl or bushel of the Ground Pease, or Pindars as they are called.
“A barrel, or smaller quantity of the best kind of Shell bark Hiccory Nuts or Kiska Toms as some call them. Go: Washington.”