George Washington Papers
Documents filtered by: Author="Washington, George" AND Period="Confederation Period"
sorted by: relevance
Permanent link for this document:
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/04-05-02-0171

From George Washington to George Augustine Washington, 17 May 1787

To George Augustine Washington

Philadelphia May 17th 1787.

Dear George,

After short stages and easy driving, I reached this City on Sunday afternoon.1 Only 4 states—viz. Virginia, South Carolina, New York and the one we are in, are as yet, represented; which is highly vexatious to those who are idly, & expensively spending their time here.

I hope the fine rains which have watered this part of the Country were not confined to it; or rather, that the Clouds which produced them, were not unproductive as they hovered over you. All nature seems alive from the effe⟨ct⟩ of them, about this City; and the Grain appears very differently from ours.

As we have not commenced the business yet, it is impossible to say when it will end. I have not even a hope, that it will meet with dispatch. for which reason I shall be anxious for the weekly remarks—These you will have time to transcribe between Saturday and Monday Night; by which time your letter should be in the Post Office, in order that it may come off with the Mail on Tuesday Morning & be here on Friday—If any thing should occur I shall write to you by return of it.2

If you or Fanny should want any thing here, or think of any thing in which I can be of service it would give me pleasure to oblige you—My best wishes attend her. and remembrances to Mr Lear. I am Yr Affectly

Go: Washington

P.S. Your letter of the 12th is this instt put into my hands and I am hurried to get this to the Post office in time.3

ALS, NjMoHP.

1For GW’s record of his journey to Philadelphia from 9 to 13 May, see Diaries description begins Donald Jackson and Dorothy Twohig, eds. The Diaries of George Washington. 6 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1976–79. description ends , 5:152–56, and Philadelphia Cash Accounts, 9 May–22 September.

2None of George Augustine Washington’s letters to GW in Philadelphia has been found, but GW’s letters to his nephew confirm that George Augustine followed the instructions to make weekly reports. GW’s surviving letters to George Augustine during the summer of 1787 are dated 17, 27 May, 3, 10, 15 June, 1, 8, 15, 24, 29 July, 12, 26 Aug., and 2, 9 September. Information about what George Augustine wrote not only comes from GW’s letters but also can be found in the weekly farm reports that he prepared for GW (see Farm Reports, 26 Nov. 1785–16 April 1786, editorial note).

3Letter not found.

Index Entries