1021[Diary entry: 22 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 22d. Thermometer at 52 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 52 at Night. Wind at No. West and fresh; & Cold with appearances of unsettled weather. Went up again to day, with my Brother, and the rest of the Gentlemen to the Race, & dined at Mr. Herberts. All returned, except Mr. Jno. Bassett, who got hurt on the race field, and Mr. Shaw. Mr. Willm. Scott came here in the Evening, from...
1022From George Washington to James Madison, 22 October 1785 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for the perusal of the enclosed reports—Mr Jay seems to have laboured the point respecting the Convention. If any thing should occur that is interesting, & your leizure will permit it, I should be glad to hear from you on the subject; Printed in Henkels catalog no. 694, item 30, 6–7 Dec. 1892; copy, MH : Jared Sparks Collection. The editors of the Madison Papers (8:380–81)...
1023To James Madison from George Washington, 22 October 1785 (Madison Papers)
I thank you for the perusal of the enclosed reports—Mr Jay seems to have laboured the point respecting the Convention. If any thing should occur that is interesting, & your leizure will permit it, I should be glad to hear from you on the subject. Printed copy (Stan. V. Henkels Catalogue No. 686, 1892). Letter and enclosures not found. Listed in DLC : Madison Miscellany. JM appears either to...
1024[Diary entry: 23 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 23d. Thermometer at 50 in the Morng. 56 at Noon and 59 at Night. Fine & pleasant all day, with the Wind at South. No frost as was expected. My Brother, his wife Daughter and Son; Mr. Willm. Washington his wife & 4 Children; Mr. Bushrod Washington & wife; and Mr. Scott all went away after Breakfast. Mr. Jno. Bassett & Mr. Shaw came home in the forenoon and Mr. Fitzhugh of Chatham, Genl....
1025[Diary entry: 24 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 24th. Thermometer at 56 in the Morning—58 at Noon and 58 at Night. Variable, & squally with a little rain. Wind at South in the Morning, and Westwardly afterwards. The two Mr. Bassetts (Burwell and John) left this after breakfast, to return home. In the Afternoon Doctr. Craik came in, and stayed all Night. I rid to my Plantations at the Ferry, Dogue run, and Muddy hole—found the Orchard...
1026[Diary entry: 25 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 25th. Thermometer at 54 in the Morng. 58 at Noon and 56 at Night. Forenoon clear and serene, and pleasant; but the Afternoon Windy & cold, with flying clouds. Wind about West. Doctr. Craik went away before Breakfast—he intended to [go to] Alexa. but was to call upon John Alton. Rid to my Plantation in the Neck. Found my Corn & Wheat there similar with those at the other plantations as...
1027[Diary entry: 26 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 26th. Thermometer at 50 in the Morng. 56 at Noon and 56 at Night. A large white frost this morning. Wind brisk and cold from the No. West all the day, after 9 O’clock. Took the cover off my dry Well, to see if I could not fix it better for the purpose of an Ice House, by Arching the Top, and planking the sides. Having received by the last Northern Mail advice of the arrival at...
1028From George Washington to Thomas Cushing, 26 October 1785 (Washington Papers)
The last Post gave me the honor of your favor of the 7th inst: for which & your care of the Jack and his Keeper, I pray you to accept my grateful thanks. As the Jack is now safely landed, & as I am unwilling to hazard him again at Sea, I have sent a man in whom I can confide, to conduct him & the Spaniard to this place by Land. The person I send has not the smallest knowledge of the Spanish...
1029From George Washington to John Fairfax, 26 October 1785 (Washington Papers)
You will proceed in the Stage from Alexandria to Boston, without losing a day that can possibly be avoided; & when arrived at the latter place, deliver the Letter herewith given you to the Hone Thos Cushing, Lieut: Governor of the State of Massachusetts, who resides in the town of Boston, & whose directions you are to follow. The intention of your going thither is, to bring one—perhaps two...
1030[Diary entry: 27 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 27th. Thermometer at 50 in the Morng. 56 at Noon and 58 at Night. A remarkably great white frost and the ground a little frozen. Wind Southerly all day, after it rose in the Morning, but not very fresh. Forenoon clear but the afternoon, especially towards the Suns setting, a little hazy & lowering. Mr. Battaile Muse came here before dinner but would not stay to it. After finishing...
1031From George Washington to Battaile Muse, 27 October 1785 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Battaile Muse, 27 Oct. 1785. In the Thomas Birch’s Sons catalog no. 683, April 5–6, 1892, this letter is described as “Acknowledging the purchase of 1000 bushels of wheat from Battaile Muse, for which he agrees to pay 6 shillings per bushel.”
1032[Diary entry: 28 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 28th. Thermometer at 54 in the Morning—60 at Noon and 62 at Night. Wind Southerly; clear and pleasant all day. Finished levelling and Sowing the lawn in front of the Ho[use] intended for a Bolling Green—as far as the Garden Houses. Also began to sow clover seed at Dogue run plantation.
1033[Diary entry: 29 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 29th. Thermometer at 59 in the Morning 64 at Noon and 65 at Night. Morning clear, calm, and very pleasant. About Noon it began to lower a little, and continued to do so all the Afternoon. Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry and Dogue run—at the last of which finished Sowing the Clover Seed which I sent there the 26th.; With this I mixed 9 Bushels of the pounded Plaister of Paris; and...
1034From George Washington to George Gilpin, 29 October 1785 (Washington Papers)
As you were so obliging sometime ago as to offer me the use of your Scow to enable me to get mud from the bed of the River to try the efficacy of it as a manure; I would thank you, if it is convenient, for the lent of it next Week, & will send up for it on Monday, if you will let me know to what place, and of whom it is to be had. I will avail myself also of your kind offer of getting me a...
1035From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 29 October 1785 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I give your Excellency the trouble of receiving an official letter from me, which I beg the favor of you to lay before the General Assembly. Your letter of enclosing the appointment of Colo. Neville, in the room of Majr Massey, came duly to hand; & the latter was forwarded by a safe convey[anc]e. I have never yet seen the report of the Commissioners for examining the best course for a...
1036From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 29 October 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency having been pleased to transmit me a copy of the Act appropriating to my benefit certain shares in the Companies for opening the navigation of James and Potomack Rivers, I take the liberty of returning to the General Assembly through your hands, the profound & grateful acknowledgments inspired by so signal a mark of their benificent intentions towards me. I beg you, Sir, to...
1037From George Washington to James Madison, 29 October 1785 (Washington Papers)
Receive my thanks for your obliging favor of the 20th—with its enclosure—of the latter I now avail myself in a letter to the Governor, for the General Assembly. Your delicate sensibility deserves my particular acknowledgements: both your requests are complied with—the first, by congeniality of sentiment; the second because I would fulfil your desire. Conceiving it would be better to suggest a...
1038From George Washington to Charles Washington, 29 October 1785 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Charles Washington, 29 Oct. 1785. On 23 Nov. Charles Washington wrote GW : “Your Letter of the 29 of Octr, I recd by Mr Muse.”
1039To James Madison from George Washington, 29 October 1785 (Madison Papers)
Receive my thanks for your obliging favor of the 20th. —with its enclosure—of the latter I now avail myself in a letter to the Governor, for the General Assembly. Your delicate sensibility deserves my particular acknowledgements: both your requests are complied with—the first, by congeniality of sentiment; the second because I would fulfil your desire. Conceiving it would be better to suggest...
1040[Diary entry: 30 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 30th. Thermometer at 64 in the Morning—63 at Noon and 60 at Night. Thunder and lightning about day Break and Raining more or less all day, attended in the forenoon with very high Wind from the Westward. Mr. Shaw went up to Alexandria after Breakfast, & stayed all Night.
1041From George Washington to David Humphreys, 30 October 1785 (Washington Papers)
Since my last of the 1st of September I have received your favor of the 17th of July, which was brought to this Country by Mr Houdon; to whom, tho I had no Agency in the matter, I feel great obligation for quitting France, & the pressing calls of the Great Ones to make a Bust of me, from the life. I am not less indebted to the favourable opinion of those who you say are anxious to perpetuate...
1042[Diary entry: 31 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 31st. Thermometer at 52 in the Morng. 54 at Noon and 56 at Night. A raw and moist air, with a westerly wind & lowering Sun. Mr. Shaw returned to Breakfast, & Mrs. Stuart, Miss Allan &ca. went away after it. A Captn. Fullerton came here to Dinner on business of the State Society of the Cincinnati of Pensylvania; for whom I signed 250 Diplomas as President. Went away after. Sent half a...
1043November [1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday first. Thermometer at 50 in the Morning—56 at Noon and 56 at Night. A White frost and damp kind of a Morning, with but little Wind. Rather hazy all day, & towards evening lowering. Rid to my Plantations at Dogue run and Muddy hole—at the former preparing, & Sowing Ground with Timothy seed. Mrs. Fendall, Mrs. Lee & Miss Flora Lee, daughters of the former with Doctr. Skinner, came here...
1044[Diary entry: 1 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday first. Thermometer at 50 in the Morning—56 at Noon and 56 at Night. A White frost and damp kind of a Morning, with but little Wind. Rather hazy all day, & towards evening lowering. Rid to my Plantations at Dogue run and Muddy hole—at the former preparing, & Sowing Ground with Timothy seed. Mrs. Fendall, Mrs. Lee & Miss Flora Lee, daughters of the former with Doctr. Skinner, came here...
1045From George Washington to George Gilpin, 1 November 1785 (Washington Papers)
After I had written to you on Saturday, I saw Lund Washington, who informed me that he had seen you the day before, & understood from you, that it would not be convenient for you to spare your Scow until next Week—as your letter to me says it may be had tomorrow I fear, in order to accomodate me, you have been induced to put your self to an inconvenience. To prevent which, I give you the...
1046[Diary entry: 2 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 2d. Thermometer at 58 in the Morng. 58 at Noon and at Night. A Very thick, damp Morning, & heavy Fog until about 9 Oclock, when it began to Rain; & continued to do so until Noon, when it thinned, and looked as if it would be fair, but soon recommenced raining, which lasted until near night. Perceived the Wheat from the Cape, which had been sent to me by Mr. Powell of Philada., &...
1047From George Washington to Samuel Powel, 2 November 1785 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your favor of the 10th ulto together with the wheat from the Cape of Good Hope; which you were so obliging as to send me by the revd Mr Griffith; for both I thank you. The latter shall have a fair trial in the same inclosure with some presented to me by Colo. Spaight, (a Delegate in Congress from No. Carolina) which had been planted, & had obtained a vigorous...
1048From George Washington to Tench Tilghman, 2 November 1785 (Washington Papers)
I had heard—with great concern—before your favor of the 13th Ulto came to hand, of your indisposition; and congratulate you very sincerely on your recovery. I shall be much obliged to you for causing the enclosed letter to be safely delivered to Mr Rawlins—who, when here, promised to furnish me in nine days, with a plan and estimate for my new Room; since which (near, or quite as many weeks) I...
1049[Diary entry: 3 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 3d. Thermometer at 54 in the Morning—60 at Noon and 58 at Night. Morning clear, Calm, and very pleasant; but the wind springing up about 10 Oclock in the No. West, & blowing pretty fresh, it turned cool towards Evening. Borrowed a Scow from Colo. Gilpin, with which to raise Mud from the Bed of the river or Creek, to try the efficacy of it as a Manure, and sent it to the river...
1050From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 3 November 1785 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Patrick Henry, 3 Nov. 1785. The ALS was advertised by Charles Hamilton, sale no. 98, item 298, 29 July 1976.