1801[Diary entry: 15 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
15. Dined at Burns’s in the Field. Spent the Eveng. on a Committee. Congress resolved today “that a General be appointed to command all the continental forces, raised, or to be raised, for the defence of American liberty” ( JCC Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789 . 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. , 2:91). GW, nominated by Thomas Johnson of...
1802From 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...
1803Observations [July 1768] (Washington Papers)
July 2d. Finishd going over my Corn ground in the Neck—both with the Plows & Hoes. 4. Began to cut my Wheat at the Mill—but upon examination, finding it too green desisted. Note, upon looking into my Wheat the Rust was observd to be more or less in it all—but, except some at Doeg Run it was thought no great damage woud follow as the Wheat was rather too forward. 5. Jonathan Farmer coming down...
1804George Washington to William Smith, 8 May 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I learn with much satisfaction from your letter of April 28. that you propose to undertake a history of the American revolution, and shall with pleasure procure you any aids I can towards the faithful execution of the work. I will therefore desire the heads of the Executive departments to communicate to you such papers of useful information in their respective offices as they, in their...
1805George Washington to the Committee of Cooperation, 12 June 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Springfield [ New Jersey ] June 12, 1780 . Asks committee to check rumor that some states are not attempting to complete their quotas of men. Discloses that force requested is as small “as can give us any prospect of a decisive effort.” Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
1806From George Washington to William Pearce, 5 September 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 31st of Augt from Chester Town, came duly to hand; but as you did not acknowledge the receipt of the one I wrote you from hence, this day week, I presume it had not got to hand; Owing, I conceive to a misapprehension of mine as to the time of closing the Mail for the Eastern shore which I find is an hour and an half earlier than those which go Southerly or Easterly. I put my...
1807From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 11 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your several Letters of 26th Febry—1st—4 & 4th of March. I know no Objections to the Arrangement of the Virginia Line as transmitted to me from your Office—It has my Approbation—& may pass into Record. Whatever of Cloathg can be obtained for the Army, I wish to have forwarded with as much dispach as possible—Mr Morris, knowg our Circumstances, & his own Abilities, or rather...
1808From George Washington to John Robinson, 25 October 1757 (Washington Papers)
John Robinson esqre—Speaker Dear Sir, [Fort Loudoun] October 25th 1757. I applied to the Governor for leave to come down in order to settle my accompts before he left the country, and to represent the melancholy situation of our distressed frontiers—which no written narrative can so well describe, as a verbal account, to a judicious person, inclined to hear. In a verbal account, the questions...
1809Order of March, June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Order of March for the Right Column of the American Troops who are to move by the Right. Colo. Scammell Colo. Sheldon 1st Sheldons Infantry 2 York Levies 3 Sheldons Cavalry Scammell 4 Light Infantry N.B.—This is the order of March during night in the day the
1810[Diary entry: 28 October 1770] (Washington Papers)
28. Meeting with Kiashuta & other Indian Hunters we proceeded only 10 Miles to day, & Incampd below the Mouth of a Ck. on the west the name of wch. I know not. GW had met Guyasuta during his journey to the French commandant in 1753 (see entry for 30 Nov. 1753, n.49 ). After joining the French in 1755, Guyasuta had actively engaged in hostilities against the British during the French and Indian...
1811General Orders, 15 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
As it is proper the mode of performing and receiving the Grand rounds, should be the same throughout the Army, as well for the sake of security, as uniformity and order. In future the following is that, which is to be pursued. The Field officer of the grand rounds, before he begins his visits, to procure such an escort as he chuses, not exceeding a Serjt and six—Accompanied by these, he is to...
1812From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 26 June 1798 (Washington Papers)
Mr Anderson requesting that the boy who was going to the Post Office yesterday, might call & deliver a letter to you, from him, concerning flour—Availing myself of that conveyance, I sat down, and was in the act of writing the hasty lines you received from me by him, when I was summoned to dinner. In my hurry to close and Seal it, I omitted the enclosure then refered to, and which is now...
1813From George Washington to Mordecai Buckner, 16 December 1755 (Washington Papers)
The Recruits now in this town are to remain here until the arrival of the vessel with the Stores, &c. and to be under the same directions as before ordered. So soon as the Stores arrive, you are, with all possible dispatch, to procure a sufficient number of Waggons to carry them to Winchester; whither they are to be sent, under the escort of the Soldiers now here: except the Suits of Clothes;...
1814From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 30 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
By Mr Custis I took the liberty of requesting the favor of you to set a value upon the Stock of every kind belonging to me at Claibornes except the Horses & Plantation Utensils which I gave him —I have since wrote to him (of this date) proposing that he shd take all the Corn, wheat, & Provender for the Cattle, so soon as it can be ascertained, at such prices as you shall affix; and if he...
1815From George Washington to James Anderson, 1 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
Circumstances may render it necessary for me to make a journey to the Seat of Government: and letters which I expect every Post day, will determine whether I shall take it or not. If I go, my departure will be sudden, and how long I may be absent from home, is uncertain; I do not expect however, that it can exceed four, or at most five Weeks. With respect to the Farms and Meadows I shall say...
1816[Diary entry: 19 December 1769] (Washington Papers)
19. Misting & Raining by turns all day—the Wind being at No. East.
1817From George Washington to John Didsbury, 24 October 1763 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you a Letter of the 27th Ulto in which I desired that you woud send for my own wear 2 pair of thin rashd Pumps and 2 pr of Stitched and bound Shoes; but I have now altered my Mind, and instead of these pray send me Six pair of neat, light, and thin Calf, with the flesh side out—let them be (if you please) a small size larger than those you sent me last for upon further tryals of them I...
1818[Diary entry: 21 April 1769] (Washington Papers)
21. Wind fresh from the No. West & very raw & cold all day—more moderate at Night.
1819From George Washington to Elias Dayton, 21 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
I inclose to your Care my Answer to the Address of the Magistracy and Inhabitants of the Borough of Elizabeth which I pray you will have the goodness to communicate to them. With great esteem and regard I have the honour to be &c. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
1820George Washington to Brigadier General Jedediah Huntington, 28 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May 28, 1779 . States that arrangement of the Army has been transmitted to Board of War. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
1821From George Washington to Henry Knox, 19 June 1791 (Washington Papers)
My letter of the 15th inst. mentioned that I had not received any letters from you between the 15th and the 30 of May—it should have been the 15th of April and 30th of May. By the last post from the southward I received yours of the 17th of April—which renders a duplicate of that letter unnecessary. As it appears to be alike requisite to the satisfaction of the public mind and to General...
1822From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 24 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency’s Letter of the 18th of this Month with one for the Marquis de Vaudreuil which was sealed and forwarded by express immediately, and I am exceedingly obliged to your Excellency for the communication of its contents—As the Marquis informs me he should sail the 22d . I am fearfull that Baron Fuchs who passed this place the 23d in the...
1823From George Washington to Lund Washington, 15 October 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Lund Washington, 15 Oct. 1775. On 5 Nov. Lund Washington wrote to GW : “I have just reciev’d two letters from you Octbr 15th & 23d.”
1824[Diary entry: 17 April 1772] (Washington Papers)
17. Clear, & Cool in the forenoon wind at Northwest—Warmer afterwards.
1825From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 10 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 30th September enclosing a Contract entered into by the Collector of Wilmington in North Carolina with James McStephens & Henry Toomer for the stakage of the shoals of Cape Fear river, I have duly received. As I approve of the Contract, I have transmitted the same with my approbation to the Collector of Wilmington. I wrote to you from the head of Elk, informing you of my...
1826[Diary entry: 10 October 1770] (Washington Papers)
10. Having purchasd two Horses, and recoverd another which had been gone from me near 3 Years, I dispatchd my boy Giles with my two Riding Horses home, & proceeded on my journey; arriving at one Wises (now Turners) Mill about 22 Miles it being Reckond Seven to the place where Cox’s Fort formerly stood; 10 to One Parkers; & five afterwards. The Road from the South Branch to Pattersons C[ree]k...
1827General Orders, 1 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
This day giving commencement to the new-army, which, in every point of View is entirely Continental; The General flatters himself, that a laudable Spirit of emulation, will now take place, and pervade the whole of it; without such a Spirit, few Officers have ever arrived to any degree of Reputation, nor did any Army ever become formidable: His Excellency hopes that the Importance of the great...
1828[Diary entry: 17 May 1787] (Washington Papers)
Thursday. 17th. Mr. Pinkney of So. Carolina coming in from New York and Mr. Rutledge being here before formed a representation from that State. Colo. Mason getting in this Evening from Virginia compleated the whole number of this State in the delegation. Dined at Mr. Powells and drank Tea there.
1829[Diary entry: 14 August 1772] (Washington Papers)
14. Rid to the Ditchers at the Ferry and Mill. Mrs. Cox went away about 12 Oclock.
1830From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 24 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
The letter herewith enclosed came under cover to me in a packet from Mr Lear, accompanied with the following extract of a letter, dated—London February 12th 1794. “A Mr Bartraud, a famous Agriculturalist belonging to Flanders, put into my hands a few days ago several papers for Mr Jefferson on the subject of manuring & vegitation, requesting that I would forward them to him by some vessel...
1831George Washington to Comte de Rochambeau, 15 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] February 15, 1781 . Makes proposal for a joint land and sea venture to capture Benedict Arnold. Asks Rochambeau’s opinion. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
1832From George Washington to James Lovell, 1 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for the trouble you have taken in forwarding the intelligence which was enclosed in your Letter of the 11th of March—It is by comparing a variety of information, we are frequently enable to investigate facts, which were so intricate or hidden, that no single clue could have led to the knowledge of them in this point of view, intelligence becomes interesting, which from but its...
1833From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, Sr., 30 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
I thank you very sincerely for your kind congratulations on the close of the War, & the glorious Peace which is held out to us, but not yet made definitive; I return them with great cordiallity & heartfelt pleasure; & only wish that the business was so far wound up as that I might return to the walks of private life & in retirement enjoy that relaxation & repose which is absolutely necessary...
1834From George Washington to Brigadier General Mordecai Gist, 2 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
Under the present situation of things it appears necessary to place the Maryland division under your command in the most perfect state of readiness to move at the shortest notice. It will be indispensible that all guards at a distance should be drawn in—All soldiers that may be servants with officers not belonging or attatched to the troops recalled, and every other previous arrangement in...
1835[Diary entry: 18 June 1799] (Washington Papers)
18. Morning calm & clear. Mer. at 74. So. Wt. wind afterwards. Mer. 91 at Noon & 84 at Night. Mrs. Washington came to dinner.
1836Advertisement for Williamsburg Area Plantations, 2 April 1767 (Washington Papers)
T he subscriber would R ent , for a term of years, two P lantations , which he holds in right of his wife, within a mile or two of the city of Williamsburg , and adjoining the Capitol bridge, whereon are all convenient houses, and from 15 to 20 hands have usually been worked. There is 1000 acres of land belonging to these places, 100 or more of which is firm hard marsh, supporting a numerous...
1837[Diary entry: 8 March 1775] (Washington Papers)
8th. The above Gentlemen went away after Breakfast. Docter Craik came to Dinner & wt. away afterwards.
1838[Diary entry: 5 January 1771] (Washington Papers)
5. My Brother & Mr. Lawe. Washington set of for Frederick. I went a hunting with the two Mr. Triplets and Mr. Peake but killd nothing.
1839From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 26 August 1795 (Washington Papers)
I discovered, after my letter of the 24 with its enclosure, was sent to the Post Office, that it would have to remain in Baltimore until friday, before it would be taken up by the cross-post for Frederick Town. This will occasion a delay on which I had not calculated: and as the return Post from the last mentioned place may not be immediate, the intention of this letter is to request the favor...
1840George Washington to Brigadier General Louis Le Bèque Du Portail, 27 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, July 27, 1779. Discusses appointment of officers in Company of Sappers and Miners. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
1841From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel John Taylor, 19 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of the 17th and am exceedingly obliged to you for the intelligence it contains. I send inclosed two half Johannes. Should you expend any more for the same purposes I will immediately remit it to you. Be pleased to endeavour to learn whether the Vessels, preparing to take the Cavalry on board, are square rigged, or sloops and schooners; we may judge of the Voyage by being...
1842From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 16 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
Whilst I was in Wilmington waiting breakfast to day, I made the best enquiry time & circumstances would permit, for some fit character to fill the office lately held by Doctr Latimer. Several persons were mentioned, but the weight of information was in favor of one Andrew Barratt. He was spoken of by Mr Vining as a man of respectable character, of decision and temper. He now is, or lately has...
1843From George Washington to Nathanael Greene, 31 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you the 24th instant, which went on thro’ the Hands of Genl Sumner in No. Carolina—previous to which I had permitted Colo. Lee to inclose to you a Copy of the Articles of Capitulation, which were dispached, with an Injunction that they should not be printed. I have delayed writing further, waiting the Return of Colo. Lee, who I am informed has taken a Tour to Port Royal. It now...
1844From George Washington to Marinus Willett, 20 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your Pay Mastr will inform you that besides the usual proportion of Cloathing, a number of Articles have been issued ostensibly, for the use of Olney’s & your Regt—but in reality, they are designed only for the object you have in contemplation; unless it is attempted, I would not have any of the Woolen Socks , Caps , or Mitts distributed among the Troops, I have ordered them all therefore to...
1845From George Washington to the United States Senate, 7 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
I submit to your consideration the report of the Secretary of State which accompanies this, stating the reasons for extending the negotiation proposed at Madrid to the subject of commerce, and explaining, under the form of instructions to the Commissioners lately appointed to that Court, the principles on which commercial arrangements with Spain might, if desired on her part, be acceded to on...
1846[Diary entry: 5 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
5. Raining more or less all day. Wind abt. No. Et.
1847An Acct.—of the Weather—in April [1769] (Washington Papers)
Apl. 1st. Raining all the forenoon with but little Wind & weather warm. In the Afternoon it ceasd but continued cloudy. 2. Clear, still, warm and very pleasant growing weather. 3. Clear, Warm and pleasant. Wind southwardly. 4. Clear & warm. Wind in the same place & fresh. 5. Cloudy & Lowering. Wind strong from the So. West. At Night very squally with a little Rain when the Wind shifted to No....
1848[Diary entry: 13 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 13th. Mercury in the Thermomiter at 26 about Sunrise—30 at Noon & 32 at Night. Morning clear & cold, the Wind being fresh from the No. West, Which, about Noon, died away and grew moderate. Was envited, & went to the Funeral of Mr. Peake who died on Tuesday night. Returned to Dinner, accompanied by the Revd. Doctr. Griffith. Found a Mr. Dalby (an English Gentleman) here—both of whom...
1849From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 16 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Congress have been pleased to appoint Elisha Sheldon Esqr. of your State to be Lieut. Colonel and Commander of a Regiment of Cavalry. For the purpose of raising them he now sets off for Connecticut—Having to pass through an Enemy’s Country on his way there—I cannot think it prudent to advance him the sum necessary for his immediate use. I have to request you will furnish him with what...
1850From George Washington to James Mercer, 15 March 1787 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 10th came duely to hand, and with very sincere concern I read the acct of your ill health; but if your other complaints have left you, the Asthma, though troublesome & distressing, is not a dangerous one; I will hope therefore that the agreeable Season which is fast approaching, will perfectly restore you good health. Under cover with this, you will receive the original Deed...