George Washington Papers
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From George Washington to Richard Sprigg, 28 September 1787

To Richard Sprigg

Mount Vernon 28th Septr 1787.

Dear Sir,

I have this moment been favoured with your letter without date from Prince George County, and have ordered the Jennies to be delivered to Mr Dove—hoping both will prove with foal. Royal Gift never fails—the other is a young hand, but I hope will be equally sure.1

I am glad to hear that the Jenny you sent to R. G. last year has produced a Jack2—and that you have been so successful in your importation of Deer. My Country Does have brought Fawns, & I have a buck and doe of those given me by Mr Ogle; yet if you shd be successful, I would thank you for a pair (male or female) of yours.3

My best respects, if you please to Mrs Sprigg, and thanks for your kind congratulations on my safe return home, after a long absence from it. I am Dear Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington

ALS (photocopy), DLC:GW. GW wrote on the cover of the letter: “By Mr Dove.”

1Sprigg’s letter has not been found. Samuel Dove and Richard Dove both lived in Prince Georges County at this time. GW’s bill, dated 8 Sept. 1787, shows charges of £10 for “2 Jennis covered by Royal Gift & the Knight of Malta at 5£ each” and £2.14 for “pasturage of the above Jennies from the 6th of June to the 8th of September, 9 weeks @ 3/ each per week” (DLC:GW). Tobias Lear’s receipt on behalf of GW for the payment of £12.14 is dated 27 Sept. (DLC:GW; see also Ledger B description begins General Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers. description ends , 248).

2Sprigg sent two jennies to Mount Vernon in May 1786 to be mated with Royal Gift, the jackass sent to GW by the king of Spain (Sprigg to GW, 1 June 1786; GW to Sprigg, 28 June 1786). On 1 April 1787 GW wrote Sprigg that a jenny of his seemed to be with foal and asked that Sprigg remove her from Mount Vernon.

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