1851[Diary entry: 30 August 1762] (Washington Papers)
30. Began Sowing wheat at Muddy hole. Began cutting Creek Meadow.
1852To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [19 March 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Pay or cause to be paid to the Secretary of State Forty thousand Dollars to be applied to the purposes of the Act, intitled “An Act providing the means of Intercourse between the United States and foreign Nations,” for which this shall be your warrant. Given under my hand at Philadelphia the nineteenth day of March, in the year one thousand seven hundred & ninety one. LC , George Washington...
1853From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 18 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received New York papers confirm⟨ing⟩ the arrival of Rodney with 10 sail of the line. Major Jammison says 8 and adds that Clinton has ordered the whole flying army to New York and that 70 transpor⟨ts⟩ were ready to receive them —West Point I fou⟨nd⟩ is very weak. I would have you move the army to the vicinity of Tappan ⟨in order to⟩ be nearer all the points that interest us—The garrison...
1854From George Washington to John Hancock, 20 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with yours of the 15th instant with the sundry Resolves inclosed in it. If that respecting the Continental Currency is carried strictly into execution, it cannot fail of fully re-establishing its Credit. I have no objection to the three Gentlemen who are recommended for Feild Officers in the New Hampshire Regiment, they seem fully intitled to it, as they have raised the Regiment....
1855From George Washington to Henry Knox, 28 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dr Sir. [Philadelphia] Thursday Morning Feby 28th 1793 It is much to be regretted that the subject of Rations (encreased) had not been thought of and considered at an earlier period! It is to be feared a proposition at this time would be received with an ill grace. probably no attention paid to it. At the meeting you are about to have it might be well to mention the matter and know...
1856[Diary entry: 20 October 1770] (Washington Papers)
20. Misty—but the Evening clear tho somewhat Cool.
1857From George Washington to Robert Morris, 23 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am obliged to you for the Copy of the Contract you have been pleased to send me under cover of your Favor of the 15th Instant—It came very opportunely, as I have already been applied to for a Determination upon the points which are submitted to my Decision. I am very glad to find that an Intendant, appointed by you, is to attend the Army, & to hear & decide on Causes of Complaint or...
1858From George Washington to La Luzerne, 28 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
It is with pain I inform your Excellency that Mr de Miralles is worse to day—He had a restless night, and his fever is increased—His Throat is now so sore that it is with difficulty he can be nourished—and besides these, his respiration is bad. Symptoms so unfavourable in the advanced stages of a disorder afford little hope of recovery, especially in a person of Mr de Miralles’s age. Permit me...
1859From George Washington to Captain William Scull, 5 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
William Erskine Esqr. who is appointed Military Surveyor and Geographer is now here, endeavouring to arrange that department—fix upon the proper number of Deputies—and settle their Pay, appointments &ca. To do this, he would wish to see and consult you. I therefore desire you to come down immediately upon the receipt of this. If the movement of the Enemy from Philada should oblige the Army to...
1860From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 4 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
If you see any objections to the propositions contained in the enclosed pray furnish me with them as soon as convenient as I want to return an answer without delay. Yours &ca ALS , DLC : Jefferson Papers. According to Jefferson’s docket, he received this letter later this date. For the enclosed letter, see Alexander Hamilton to GW, 3 June . For Jefferson’s reply, see his letter to GW of 5 June .
1861From George Washington to John Hancock, 23 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was honoured with your favor of the 20th by Yesterdays post, since which and my Letter, nothing of moment has occurred. The Ships mentioned in my Letter of the 21st to have been in the Offing, got in that day, and are supposed to be part of the Scotch fleet, having landed some Highlanders Yesterday. Inclosed I have the honor to Transmit you Copies of a Letter, and Sundry Resolutions which I...
1862June [1799] (Washington Papers)
1. Wind still fresh from No. Wt. & cold for the Season—sd. to be a frost. Dined & lodged at Mr. Laws. 2. Growing warmer, & cloudy—likely for Rain, but none fell. Returned home to dinner—takg. Church at Alexa. in my way. Found Doctr. Stuart here. 3. Mer. at 60 in the Morning and 64 at Night. Wind Easterly—great appearances of Rain without any falling. Doctr. Stuart went away after Breakfast. 4....
1863[Diary entry: 14 February 1769] (Washington Papers)
14. Went a fox hunting—but started nothing. The two Colo. Fairfax’s dind here.
1864George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 12 December 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] December 12, 1779 . Reports that Major General Benedict Arnold’s court-martial is to be held at Morristown on December 20, 1779. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
1865From George Washington to Bushrod Washington, 29 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
You have not informed me what or whether any thing has been done in the Court of Chancery (in this State) for bringing the acct of my administration of Colo. Colvills Estate to a close, that my hands may be entirely clear, of it. I therefore give you the trouble of this enquiry: as I am extremely anxious to be acquitted. The balance due from me, (and at present lodged in the Bank of...
1866General Orders, 11 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . GW arrived at Swede’s Ford, Pa., sometime after noon on 11 Dec. and headquartered there for two days.
1867From George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 30 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received the letters directed to Colonel Rumsey, and Major Parker, and inclosed by you. Though I don’t entertain a doubt of a strict attention being paid to the directions given you, respecting a diligent and constant watch being kept on the motions of the enemy, yet such is the importance of our having early notice of their beginning to [move, that I must] repeat to you the necessity there...
1868[Diary entry: 17 September 1771] (Washington Papers)
17. Rid to the Mill—from thence to Doeg Run, and Muddy hole before Dinner. After Dinner Rid into the Neck.
1869From George Washington to Hancock Eustace, 18 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
You are, until further Orders, appointed to act as Lieutenant in Captain Joshua Lewis’s Company, and are to observe such Orders as you shall receive from him, unless contradicted by your Recruiting Instructions, or any Orders which you shall receive from me hereafter. You are to proceed to any Place where your Captain shall send you; and are to use your utmost Endeavours in recruiting Men for...
1870[Diary entry: 14 July 1790] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 14th. Exercised on horseback from 5 until near 7 Oclock. Had some further conversation to day with the Chief Justice and Secretary of the Treasury with respect to the business on which Majr. Beckwith was come on. The result—To treat his communications very civilly—to intimate, delicately, that they carried no marks, official or authentic; nor, in speaking of Alliance, did they convey...
1871From George Washington to William Washington, 9 February 1794 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 6th Ulto by way of New York, has been lately received; That you should be without any of my letters in answer to your former favors, is matter of extreme surprize to me, as the receipt of them had been regularly acknowledged. The Bill on Mr Bell of this City for six hundred and seventy eight dollars and 64/100 came safe to my hands, and was punctually paid. Of this I wrote...
1872[Diary entry: 22 February 1775] (Washington Papers)
22. Quite warm with little or no Wind and Clear.
1873From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 8 March 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have received from his Excellency Joshua Clayton President of the State of Delaware the articles proposed by Congress to the Legislatures of the several States as amendments to the Constitution of the United States; which articles were transmitted to him for the consideration of the Legislature of Delaware, and are now returned with the following Resolutions annexed to them—viz. The General...
1874[Diary entry: 14 December 1771] (Washington Papers)
14. Went a fox hunting with John Parke Custis Lund Washington & Mr. Manley—killed a Fox.
1875From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 21 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of the 20th—The disposition you have made of the troops at and near West point is agreeable to me. The two small Regiments at present at King’s Ferry were purposely stationed there, because they could not be Brigaded with convenience—They are shortly to be reformed and incorporated, and had therefore best remain where they are untill that time. Genl Greene had proposed to...
1876From George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 26 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
When I first ordered troops to the Minisinks, Coles fort on the Delaware was recommended to me, as a proper place for them to be posted at, covering at the same time a part of the Frontier of New York, New Jersey and Pensylvania, agreeable to which, my directions to Count Pulaski were given. But the Count, on his arrival in that quarter, has represented to me, the impossibility of taking post...
1877From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 9 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
General Schuyler having requested me in the most pressing manner, to send him a General Officer to assist in the command in the Northern department, you will, as soon as possible, after the receipt of this, repair to Albany and take his commands. As the situation of our Affairs in that Quarter, may demand your immediate aid, I should hope you will not delay going a moment longer than you can...
1878From George Washington to Henry Knox, 12 April 1793 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 8th instt with its enclosures came duly to hand. It is painful, after the exertions Government have made to keep the Southern Indians quiet, & the expence that has been incurred to effect it, to receive such unfavorable accts from that quarter as are contained in the letters of Mr Seagroves which you have forwarded to me. From Genl Waynes Representation of the want of...
1879From George Washington to John Jay, 8 June 1789 (Washington Papers)
Although, in the present unsettled state of the Executive Departments under the Government of the Union, I do not conceive it expedient to call upon you for information officially; yet I have supposed that some informal communications from the Office of Secretary for Foreign Affairs might neither be improper or unprofitable. For finding myself, at this moment, less occupied with the duties of...
1880[Diary entry: 4 August 1772] (Washington Papers)
4. Still Cool with the Wind Easterly.
1881From George Washington to Edward Hand, 3 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
In ansr to yours of last Eveng I should advise, that the Return of Hazens Regt be sent back, that the Commanding Officer be informed that unless the Alterations respectg the promotion of Officers between the present & last Return is made on good authority the Return cannot be accepted, that the Officer signing becomes responsible for the veracity of it, and must abide the consequences of the...
1882From George Washington to Captain Richard Varick, 10 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 5th Inst. with its several enclosures is safe to hand, and I now enclose you a List from the Colo. of Artillery and Quarter Master General of what is and will be forwarded from this place, which is all that can be procured, there was some Duck arrived at Providence out of which I have requested Gove[r]nor Cooke to supply the Northern Army provided it’s not otherways disposed...
1883From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 7 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
In a letter from Genl Putnam of the 13th ulto he informed me that there were two large Scows and several Gun Boats upon hand and that the timber for two floating Batteries was cut but the work not began. I must beg your attention to the compleating of these several kinds of Craft and to the repairing of any others that may want it. We shall have occasion for the common Boats to transport men,...
1884[Diary entry: 29 June 1769] (Washington Papers)
29. Wind getting to the Northward, this day was something more temperate & yet warm. In the Night abt. 11 Oclock a fine Rain.
1885George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, 13 June 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Springfield [ New Jersey ] June 13, 1780 . Refuses Trumbull’s request to write to Congress concerning the payment of Connecticut cattle feeders. Appreciates Trumbull’s efforts “to give relief to our distresses.” States that the enemy is still at “Elizabeth Town point.” Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. The letter sent is dated June 14, 1780.
1886[Diary entry: 1 November 1772] (Washington Papers)
Novr. 1st. At Colo. Bassetts all day.
1887From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 4 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
To day being the anniversary of independence you will be pleased to have it taken notice of by discharging thirteen peices of cannon at one oClock. I wish we had it in our power to distribute a portion of rum to the Soldiers, to exhilerate their spirits upon the occasion; but unfortunately our stock is too scanty to permit. I am Dear Sir Your most Obedt servt P.S. Major Beauman told me...
1888From George Washington to John Hancock, 19 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was honoured this Morning with your Favors of the 17th & 18th, with their Inclosures. I am much obliged to Congress for the late instance of their Confidence, expressed in their Resolution of the 17th, and shall be happy if my conduct in discharging the Objects, they had in view should be such as to meet their approbation. I am now repassing the Schuylkill at Parkers Ford, with the Main body...
1889From George Washington to Major General William Howe, 23 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
I flatter myself you have been m[is]inform’d as to the Conduct of the Men under my Command complained of in yours of yesterday. It is what I should highly disapprove & condemn. I have not the least Objection to put a Stop to the Intercouse between the two Camps either totally or partially. It obtained thro. the pressing Sollicitations of Persons cruelly separated from their Friends &...
1890[Diary entry: 8 July 1799] (Washington Papers)
8. Morning clear with very little wind. Mer. at 71–84 afterwards at highest, & 78 at Night. Wind Southerly & weather clear.
1891[Diary entry: 17 May 1795] (Washington Papers)
17–18. Cool & cloudy, with the Wind easterly. Same till the 21st.
1892From George Washington to John Cochran, 16 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have asked Mrs Cockran & Mrs Livingston to dine with me to morrow; but ought I not to apprize them of their fare? As I hate deception, even where the imagination only is concerned—I will. It is needless to premise that my table is large enough to hold the ladies—of this they had occular proof yesterday—To say how it is usually covered is rather more essential, & this, shall be the purport of...
1893From George Washington to the Charleston Merchants, 3 May 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your congratulations on my arrival in South Carolina, enhanced by the affectionate manner in which they are offered, are received with the most grateful sensibility. Flattered by the favorable sentiments you express of my endeavors to be useful to our country, I desire to assure you of my constant solicitude for its welfare, and of my particular satisfaction in observing the advantages which...
1894[Diary entry: 26 September 1769] (Washington Papers)
26. Clear and pleasant with but little wind.
1895From George Washington to Colonel Christopher Greene, 4 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am led to believe from the conversation I have had with Lieut. Colo. Green, that you have made Fort Mercer impregnable against an assault, and that nothing is to be feared but from regular approaches, and Shells. to guard against the first, it will be found necessary to have some out works, which time may, possibly, allow you to raise. to secure the Garrison against the second, some Bomb...
1896From George Washington to William Pearce, 23 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
The weekly reports, and your letter of the 18th instant, came regularly to hand. The insufferable neglects of my Overseers in not plowing as they ought to have done in the Fall, begins now to be manifest; for I perceive by the account given of the plowing, that I am driven to the alternative of putting my Oats into ground not half plowed, & prepared, & thereby little to expect from it; or, in...
1897[Diary entry: 2 October 1795] (Washington Papers)
2. Wind Easterly—clear & pleasant.
1898[Diary entry: 23 December 1769] (Washington Papers)
23. Exceeding cold Morning. Very cloudy with great appearance of Snow. Wind Northwardly.
1899From George Washington to Colonel David Forman, 12 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of the 9th and am obliged by your remarks and observations upon the most probable places of the enemy’s endeavouring to obstruct the passage into the harbour of New York—My accounts from thence announce the approach of the French Fleet, in consequence of which Maj: Lee moved down to Monmouth yesterday with his whole Corps of Horse to protect the pilots and to keep open...
1900From George Washington to Brigadier Generals Peter Muhlenberg and William Woodford and Colonel James Wood, 19 September … (Washington Papers)
I have herewith troubled you with a Warrant for the purpose of reinlisting the Virginia Troops in your Brigade, and when you send it to the Paymaster Genl if you will direct the Officer who may carry it to call at Head Quarters, I will transmit you the necessary instructions or if an earlier opportunity offers I will do it then. I am Sir Yr Mo. Obet Servt p.s. Do not delay a moment in sending...