From George Washington to Beverley Robinson, 27 September 1762
To Beverley Robinson
Mount Vernon 27th Septr 1762
Dear Sir,
Collo. Carlyle, the bearer of this, going to New York to dispose of some English Horses which he has been encouraged to carry thither, affords me the best of oppertunity’s to present my Compliments to your Lady, self, & Family & to ask how you have all done during an Interval of 3 or 4 years spent in profound silence with each other; thô not without constant enquiries on my side after a family from whom I have received such distinguishing marks of Civility.1
I have been told that refined Sugar & Spirma-ceti Candles come at very easy rates from New York if you will please therefore to accept of a small Commission from me I woud beg the favour of you to send me
- 200 weight of Sugar
- 2 Boxes Spirma-ceti Candles
- 2 Boxes white Bisquet—not buttered—&
- 3 Barrels of best Apples2
We have little or no domestick News. none howevr at this time that can give entertainment, and all other kinds which comes to our knowledge is thrô your Chanl. I have only to desire therefore that you will please to accept of my sincere good wishes for yourself & Family and that you will make a tender of my best respects to Mrs Philips, and Mrs Morris4 when you see her. I am Dr Sir Yr mo. obedt hble servt
Go: Washington
ALB, DLC:GW.
Beverley Robinson (c.1723–1792) was the brother of John Robinson, speaker of the Virginia House of Burgesses and treasurer of the colony. He was married to the former Susannah Philipse and lived in New York.
1. GW was the guest of the Robinsons in 1756 when he went north to consult with Gov. William Shirley of Massachusetts about military matters. See John Robinson to GW, 27 Jan. 1756. The most recent surviving letter of their correspondence is Beverley Robinson’s letter of 21 May 1758.
2. Some or all of these items were what GW paid Peter Robinson for in 1763. See GW to Beverley Robinson, 8 May 1763.
3. Col. Robert Tucker (d. 1767) was a merchant in Norfolk.
4. During his visit to the Robinsons in New York in 1756, GW was much taken with Mrs. Robinson’s sister, Mary Eliza (Polly) Philipse, who not long after married GW’s fellow officer in the Braddock campaign, Capt. Roger Morris.