161From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 26 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Upon a presumption that a part of the intended operations against the Indians will be carried on by a Body of Men from the Waters of the Susquehannah it will be necessary to be well informed of the Situation of the principal Villages of the hostile tribes and the number of fighting Men that each may contain. We will suppose Chemung on the Cayuga Branch the first post to be attacked and...
162[Diary entry: 19 January 1772] (Washington Papers)
19. At home all day. In the Afternoon Majr. Wagener and Mr. John Barnes with Doctr. Craik came here. John Barnes, eldest son of Abraham Barnes (d. 1777) of St. Mary’s County, Md., had recently gone bankrupt as a tobacco merchant in Port Tobacco, Md. After settling his firm’s affairs, he moved to western Maryland, where he eventually developed a prosperous plantation called Montpelier (...
163From George Washington to John Hancock, 28 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I last night received the favor of your Letter of the 26th with the Resolves to which it alludes. The views of Congress in sending General Officers to the Eastward, to hasten on the Troops, have been long anticipated. Genl Poor is in New Hampshire for the purpose; General Heath in Massachusets Bay, with Brigadrs Nixon, Glover and Patterson; General Varnum in Rhode Island, and Genl Parsons in...
164[Diary entry: 8 August 1770] (Washington Papers)
8. Dined at Colo. Lewis’s. GW apparently clubbed at Weedon’s again this evening and played cards, winning 5s. ( General Ledger A General Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers. , folio 320).
165From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 29 May 1754 (Washington Papers)
To answer your Honour’s Letter of the 25th by Mr Birney —I shall begin with assuring you, that nothing was farther from my intention than to recede, thô I then pressd and still desire that my Services may be voluntary rather than on the present Pay—I am much concernd that your Honour should seem to charge me with ingratitude for your generous, and my undeserved favours, for I assure you Honble...
166[Diary entry: 1 October 1768] (Washington Papers)
Octr. 1. Clear and pleasant. Still forenoon but brisk Southwestwardly Wind afterwds.
167Memorandum of Campaign Plans, 1 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Scotts light Infantry 1000—A Detachment of the same Number under Wayne & the whole Commanded by Genl McDougal to Imbark at and land opposite to Morriss House at Hærlem—A Detachment of Men from this body to Land in the Cove under Fort Washington & endeavour to surprize it—some Germans to be with this party to answer if hailed in that language & signify that it is a party from Spiting devil by...
168From George Washington to John Hancock, 23 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment received your Excellen[c]y’s polite letter of today—and have the honor to inform you that in consequence of suggestions made by the Gentlemen from Boston and the Depy Adjut. Genl (whom I met at Worcester this morning) that it would make it more convenient for the troops, many of which lived at a distance from the place of parade, if I should pass through Cambridge at an...
169From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 28 October 1786 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Clement Biddle, 28 Oct. 1786. On 5 Nov. Biddle wrote GW : “I have your Esteemed favour of 28th ulto.”
170[Diary entry: 2 August 1786] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 2d. Mercury at 65 in the Morning—70 at Noon and 70 at N. Much rain had fallen in the Night. The day was variable, but generally cloudy with fine rain about 10 or 11 Oclock which lasted more than an hour—after which the Sun came out but for a short duration. Rid to Muddy hole, but proceeded no further as, at the time I was there the appearances of a wet day were greatest.
171General Orders, 9 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Particular Brigade returns to be made to the orderly Office on Monday next agreeable to a form which will be given by the Adjutant General. Regimental Returns to be delivered in the same day by the Brigade Majors containing every Article of Cloathing in Possession of the non commissioned Officers and soldiers discriminating the good and serviceable from the bad and unserviceable; These returns...
172From George Washington to William White, 1 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with two notes from yo⟨u⟩ of this date—the last, in time to prevent the mistake which the first would have led me into. The mode which you have suggested for imparting the small pittance my resources will enable me to contribute towards the comfort of the needy in this City appears to be a very eligable one, and as you have been so obliging as to offer to place it in...
173Orders to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 21 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Having countermanded the March of the three Eastern Regiments under the Command of Lieutt Colo. Vose and directed them to Halt at Morris Town in the Jerseys where I am informd that Colo. Ford at the head of a body of Militia has taken Post. You are to repair immediately to that place & take upon you the Command, not only of the above Regiments, but of the Militia also, and therewith to give...
174[Diary entry: 27 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Friday 27th. Thermometer at 30 in the Morning— at Noon and at Night. Clear and pleasant all day; Wind at No. West in the forenoon and Eastwardly afterwards, but not much of it. Mrs. Washington set out after breakfast for Abingdon—to see Mrs. Stuart who is ill. I rid to my Mill and to the Plantation at Dogue run—also to the places where the Muddy hole & ferry people were at Work. Mr. Shaw...
175From George Washington to William Heath, 3 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
By the Contents of Sir Guy Carletons Letter which came inclosed in yours of this Day, I find it is unnecessary for you to proceed to Phillips’s House—Sir Guy being disappointed in not obtaing Passports for M. Chief Justice Smyth to come out, he will not, he says, trouble an Officer of your Rank to be the Bearer of a Bundle of papers only—but adds that they shall be sent out in the ordinary...
176From George Washington to William Duke Moore, 3 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Mrs Bingham has done me the honor to deliver me your Letter of the 15 March with the Seal you have been so polite as to present to me—and for which you will please to accept my thanks I could only wish the object had been more worthy the great talents shewn in the invention and execution of the Seal. You will however believe that I feel my self extremely flattered by this mark of attention and...
177From George Washington to Henry Peyton, 4 June 1756 (Washington Papers)
I was pleased to hear of your alertness in marching to Pattersons Creek upon the last alarm; and doubt not but you will continue to be vigilant and active in the service of your Country; as that is the most certain road to merit applause. I am informed that Mr Parker continues on his place, and has a quantity of Grain: If this be true, I would advise that a party of about twenty or twenty-five...
178[Diary entry: 13 June 1797] (Washington Papers)
13. Very Warm with a brisk Southerly wind—a slight Shower of Rain. Mercury 83.
179[Diary entry: 30 March 1791] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 30th. The parties to whom I addressed myself yesterday evening, having taken the matter into consideration saw the propriety of my observations; and that whilst they were contending for the shadow they might loose the substance; and therefore mutually agreed, and entered into articles to surrender for public purposes, one half of the land they severally possessed with in bounds which...
180[Diary entry: 3 February 1773] (Washington Papers)
3. Ground very hard froze which thawd but little being Cloudy & like for falling weather all day—with the wind what little there was of it Southerly.
181From George Washington to William Thornton, 16 June 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 5th instant came duly to hand. Mr Blagdens last call for $1000 is, I must acknowledge, sooner than I had contemplated; but I will make arrangements with the Bank of Alexandria to meet it by the first of next month. If his progress in the buildings, & faithful execution of the work, keep pace with his demands (and this is all I require) he shall have no cause to complain of my...
182From George Washington to Robert Stewart, 17 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
Ensign Crawford has referred a dispute to me concerning his rank in the Army. I must determine in his favour: and allow their officers to rank by the dates and dignity of their Commissions. For these reasons—vizt That Companies, tho’ esteemed and called Scouts, are raised and supported upon the same funds as those of the Regiment; have the same pay—entitled to the same priviledges and...
183From George Washington to William Pearce, 30 November 1794 (Washington Papers)
As the experiment of grinding a hundred bushels of Wheat into flour, is found more profitable than to sell the like quantity in grain; I would have you proceed in the manufactury of what little I have made. and I desire the particulars of the experiment may be sent to me. and the Miller must be careful that he keeps up to it. or I may be deceived thereby. Caution Sally Green against dealing...
184[Diary entry: 28 February 1770] (Washington Papers)
28. Clear and pleasant with but little Wind & that Southwardly.
185From George Washington to Philip Schuyler, 13 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received last night your favour of the 8th Instant. I hope General Clinton is now moving by the Routes and according to the Orders he has received from General Sullivan, under whose command he has been entirely placed for some time past—and of which I advised him by Two different conveyances, besides writing to him through the hands of General Sullivan: As it was conceived best, that the...
186From George Washington to Edward Rutledge, 16 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
I can but love & thank you, and I do it sincerely, for your polite & friendly letter of the 11th of November, which came to my hands only the day before yesterday. The sentiments contained in it are such as have uniformly flowed from your pen and are not more pleasing than they are flattering to me. The present Congress can sit no longer than the 3d of March; and should it not be found...
187Farm Reports: Statement of Crops for 1789 (Washington Papers)
AD , DLC:GW . For background to this document, see Farm Reports, 6–12 Dec. 1789, source note . A balk is a ridge or strip of ground left unplowed as a boundary between two furrows. Root of scarcity ( Beta vulgaris or mangel-wurzel) is a coarse beet grown primarily as cattle fodder. For additional information on GW’s cultivation of this plant, see Diaries Donald Jackson and Dorothy Twohig, eds....
188[Diary entry: 25 May 1770] (Washington Papers)
25. Dined at the Palace & attended a Committee of the Association at Hayes. Spent the Eveng. there. A general meeting of the Virginia nonimportation association had been held in Williamsburg 22 May, and a committee of 20 gentlemen, including GW, had been appointed to revise the agreement that the associators had signed the previous year ( Va. Gaz. , R, 3 May 1770; carter [3] Jack P. Greene,...
189General Orders, 21 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
[Officers] For the day Tomorrow[:] Brigadier General Patterson[,] Lieutenant Colonels Littlefield[,] Olney[,] Brigade Major Oliver. For Guard[:] Major Leavensworth The regimental Paymasters will bring their Payrolls and Abstracts made up to the 1st Instant to the Deputy Paymaster General for Examination They will also call on him for the amount of the Pay and subsistence for the respective...
190[Diary entry: 4 March 1760] (Washington Papers)
4. High Westerly Wind—clear & cool.