351From George Washington to Lund Washington, 11 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
I do not blame you for the wages which you gave Evans; I have no doubt of your having engaged him upon as good terms as you could, and as it was my wish to have the work forwarded, this was all I had a right to expect. In one of your letters (speaking of the difficulty of getting workmen) you recommend it to me to engage some of the Enemy who were prisoners with us—Many of whom you say, are...
352[Diary entry: 6 March 1797] (Washington Papers)
6. The wind Shifted to the No. Wt. and turned Cold M: 24.
353[Diary entry: 21 June 1787] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 21st. Attended Convention. Dined at Mr. Pragers, and spent the evening in my Chamber. Mr. Prager is probably Mark Prager, Sr., a member of the Jewish mercantile family that came to Philadelphia shortly after the Revolution. The firm, at first called Pragers, Liebaert & Co., was some time before 1791 changed to Pragers & Co. GW had written William Fitzhugh on 23 July 1784 introducing...
354[Diary entry: 3 November 1797] (Washington Papers)
3. Calm, Clear & pleasant—Mer. at .
355From George Washington to Patrick O’Flynn, 15 April 1798 (Washington Papers)
About the middle of August, the term of my present Miller will expire, and it is not probable the agreement will be renewed; first, because he wants to have his wages raised, next, because the work of the Mill will not afford it; & lastly, because though a good Miller, he is far from being an industrious man. The wages, & allowances I now give, and am willing to continue, are $166⅔ pr Ann:...
356From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 14 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your two letters of the 10th came to hand last Night—In mine of the 11th I informed you as fully as it was prudent to do upon paper, that there was at present little or no prospect of an operation in the quarter you seem to wish—The Contingencies appeared to me so remote in the Conversations I had with Count Rochambeau that I could not justify myself in withdrawing a detachment already so far...
357From George Washington to James Madison, 10 October 1787 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for your letter of the 30th Ult. It came by the last Post. I am better pleased that the proceedings of the Convention is handed from Congress by a unanimous vote (feeble as it is) than if it had appeared under stronger marks of approbation without it. This apparent unanimity will have its effect. Not every one has opportunities to peep behind the curtain; and as the multitude often...
358From George Washington to George Weedon, 27 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favors of the 25th and 26th together with the examination of the Deserters. I am now making application to the Count de Grasse for some of the Mariners of the Fleet; should they be landed to assist in our Operations (as I expect they will be) they will then be employed on the Gloster side—in that case an Officer senior to the Duke de Lauzun or yourself will be appointed to...
359From George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, 10 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 8th last evening by Express—’Tho you have not met with the success you deserved, & probably would have obtained had the Enterprize proceeded, yet I cannot but think your whole conduct in the affair was such as ought to entitle you still more to my confidence & esteem—for however it may be the practice of the world, & those who see objects but partially or thro’ a...
360[Diary entry: 12 October 1789] (Washington Papers)
Monday 12th. Received the Compliments of the Count de Pentheve, commanding his most Christian Majestys Squadron in the harbour of Boston—these were sent by the Marquis de Traversy in the Active Frigate; who with all his Officers, were presented by the French Minister about One clock. A squadron of the French navy consisting of two ships of 74 guns and four frigates, under the command of Henri...
361From George Washington to Elias Dayton, 7 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favor of the 30th ulto. I take if for granted that this letter will meet you upon your march from Morris Town. Should you not have advancd too far towards Kingsferry to turn off towards Dobb’s without much Disadvantage, you will be pleased to do it, & inform me of your Arrival upon the West Side, where you will remain till further Orders. I believe I before mentioned my Desire...
362[Diary entry: 20 February 1797] (Washington Papers)
20. Cloudy with a little rain in the forenoon—variable afterwards. Wind So. West. Mercury 39. Another third of the Penna. Reps. dined here.
363[Diary entry: 27 September 1786] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 27th. Mercury at 66 in the Morning—80 at Noon and 78 at Night. Clear, calm, and warm all day. Colo. Bassett his Son & George Washington took a ride to Alexandria. I rid into the Neck, by Muddy hole, to measure a piece of ground intended for Corn another year & to new model my fields. Took up the flax that had been spread to rot at the latter place. Engaged at every plantation in...
364From George Washington to Gouverneur Morris, 28 July 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have now before me your favors of the 22d of November—the 1st & 24th of December 1790—and of the 9th of March 1791. The Plateaux which you had the goodness to procure for me, arrived safe; and the account of them has been settled, as you desired, with Mr R: Morris. For this additional mark of attention to my wishes, I pray you to accept my thanks. The communications in your several letters,...
365[Diary entry: 11 July 1787] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 11th. Attended Convention. Dined at Mr. Morris’s and spent the evening there.
366From George Washington to John Dandridge, 11 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your letter of the 2d Instt—and in replying to it, again assure you, with great sincerity, that whatever my own wants of money may be if you think more than £800 can (by waiting till times get a little better) be had for your Land in Gloucester County it will be perfectly agreeable to me to let the debt due to me from your fathers Estate remain on its present footing. For...
367From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 13 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 2d came to Hand by the last post. Before this Time, you will have seen the report I made to Congress of the Interview with Sir Guy Carleton—I am very sorry the result proved so indecisive—that this, however, arises from the Cause you mention, I am not fully persuaded—I believe, a want of Information from his Court, which had been for some Time without an Administration, has...
368From George Washington to the Society of Quakers, 13 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
I receive with pleasure your affectionate address, and thank you for the friendly Sentiments & good wishes which you express for the Success of my administration, and for my personal Happiness. We have Reason to rejoice in the prospect that the present National Government, which by the favor of Divine Providence, was formed by the common Counsels, and peaceably established with the common...
369[Diary entry: 2 November 1789] (Washington Papers)
Monday 2d. Having made previous preparations for it—About 8 Oclock attended by the President, Mr. Langden & some other Gentlemen, I went in a boat to view the harbour of Portsmouth; which is well secured against all Winds; and from its narrow entrance from the Sea, and passage up to the Town, may be perfectly guarded against any approach by water. The anchorage is also good & the Shipping may...
370From George Washington to William Irvine, 6 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowlege the Receipt of your two Letters of the 1st & 11th of July—the former containg the plan of a proposed Expedition, of which you mention your being solicited to take the Command, & covering a Copy of your Letter to the Secretary at War on that proposition—I have not given you my Ideas on this Expedition, as the plan, if adopted, must probably have began its Execution, before...
371From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 12 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to transmit to you, Copies of a Memorial of sundry Officers of the Invalid Regiment, and the Opinion of a Board of Inspection on their several Cases; which you will be pleased to lay before Congress for their Consideration & Determination. With great Regard and Esteem I have the Honor to be Dear Sir Your most Obedient & humble Servant, DNA : Item 149, Letters and Reports from...
372[Diary entry: 10 March 1797] (Washington Papers)
10. Dined & lodged at Elkton. Tolerably pleasant all day. “At Elkton . . . Hollingsworth’s is a quiet orderly Tavern, with good beds, and well in other respects” ( GW to Elizabeth Willing Powel, 26 Mar. 1797 , ViMtvL ). “We encountered no adventures of any kind, & saw nothing uncommon, except the light Horse of Delaware, & Maryland, who insisted upon attending us through their states” (Eleanor...
373[Diary entry: 9 October 1781] (Washington Papers)
9th. About 3 o’clock P.M. the French opened a battery on our extreme left, of 4 Sixteen pounders, and Six Morters & Hawitzers and at 5 oclock an American battery of Six 18s & 24s; four Morters & 2 Hawitzers, began to play from the extremity of our right—both with good effect as they compelled the Enemy to withdraw from their ambrazures the Pieces which had previously kept up a constant firing....
374From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 20 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 12th & 13th instant, with their enclosures, were received by Mondays Mail, the 18th. The duplicate Commission for John Trumbull; the blank Commissions for the Revenue Officers; and the Patents passed by the Attorney General; are all signed & returned under cover with this letter. The want of funds to carry on Commerce with the Indian Tribes (agreeably to a late Act of...
375From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 14 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
The day following the one on which I wrote to you last, your letter of the 10th instt was received. It is to be regretted, exceedingly, that delegated powers are, oftentimes, so little regarded; and that trusts of an important nature, the neglect of wch may be attended with serious consequences, should be suffered to sleep in the hands of those who ought to carry them into activity. such, from...
376[Diary entry: 17 October 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 17th. Mercury at 68 in the Morning—64 at Noon and 59 at Night. Wind Southerly and raining till about 9 Oclock when it chopped round to the No. Wt.—blew hard & cleared. At home all day. Began to set a brick kiln.
377From George Washington to St. John’s College Faculty, 26 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
The satisfaction which I have derived from my visit to your infant Seminary is expressed with real pleasure, and my wishes for its progress to perfection are preferred with sincere regard. The very promising appearance of its infancy must flatter all its friends, (among whom I entreat you to class me,) with the hope of an early, and at the same time a mature manhood. You will do justice to the...
378From George Washington to Bushrod Washington, 22 April 1798 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed are Deeds from me to General Lee, and from him to me. They were copied from his original deed to me, without my previous examination of it, supposing (I understood it was drawn by Mr Charles Lee) that it was correct in all its parts. When we were about to execute the New one⟨s⟩ I found that his title to the old one was not recited—whether this is essential to the conveyance I know...
379[Diary entry: 28 August 1797] (Washington Papers)
28. Clear—Mercury at 80. Wind Southerly.
380[Diary entry: 25 May 1791] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 25th. Set out at 4 ’Oclock for Cambden (the foundered horse being led slowly on). Breakfasted at an indifferent house 22 miles from the town (the first we came to) and reached Cambden about two oclock, 14 miles further where an address was recd. & answered. Dined late with a number of Gentlemen & Ladies at a public dinner. The Road from Columbia to Cambden, excepting a mile or two at...
381[Diary entry: 1 August 1787] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 1st. About 11 oclock, after it had ceased raining, we all set out for the City and dined at Mr. Morris’s.
382From George Washington to John Pierce, 6 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
The speedy settlement of the Accounts of the Army being a matter of the utmost consequence, I cannot help repeating to you my earnest desire and expectation, that the greatest diligence will be used in accomplishing it—And I will venture to give it as my opinion, that so many hands as can be made use of, after you have fully digested & settled the principles, ought to be employed in the...
383From George Washington to Charles Morgan, 28 June 1795 (Washington Papers)
Business, and other circumstances, have prevented my acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 23d of April until now, that I do it by Mr Ross. I have seen Colo. Cannon, and in strong terms have represented to him the impropriety of his delay in furnishing you with a statement of the concerns between him (in my behalf) and the tenants in the Counties of Fayette & Washington, & in not...
384From George Washington to William Temple Broome, 24 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 18th Instt has been received, and I thank you for the tender of your Services in my family if I should take the field; but as the Gentlemen about me, in that event, must be composed of experienced characters, candour requires that I should inform you my purposes would not be answered by receiving those who are not so. I am Sir Your very Hble Servt ALS (letterpress copy),...
385From George Washington to George Taylor, Jr., 18 May 1786 (Washington Papers)
You will excuse me I hope, for not having acknowledged the receipt of your favours of the 21st & 25th of Feby at an earlier period. The truth is, I have been much hurried, and a good deal from home, since they came to this place. I thank you for your obliging attention to the apples, which were very good & arrived safely, and Mrs Washington joins me in thanking you also for your kind present...
386From George Washington to Louis-Philippe de Rigaud, marquis de Vaudreuil, 5 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
Since my letter of yesterday, I have received the inclosed (Genl. Fromans letter of Septr 3d) intelligence from the Coast of New Jersey—from that, and from the inclosed New York Paper, it would seem as if the whole of the British Fleet that sailed from the West Indies, were not intended to remain upon this Coast—I shall continue to transmit you further intelligence as it comes to my hands. I...
387From George Washington to William Gordon, 3 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
The last post brought me your favor of the 18th ulto, & gave me the pleasure to hear you were well. My return from our Western territory was sooner than I expected when I left home. The Indians from accounts were in too discontented a mood to have rendered an interview with them agreeable, if chance should have thrown us together. I therefore returned from the Neighbourhood of Fort Pitt, where...
388[Diary entry: 7 November 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 7th. Mercury at 53 in the Morning—60 at Noon and 59 at Night. Clear mild & very pleast. all day—Calm in the forenoon & a light Southerly breeze after Noon. Rid to all the Plantations to day. In the Neck the people had just finished gathering and measuring the Pease which in all amounted to only 80 Bushels. They were, in places, very much missing to which this short quantity is...
389[Diary entry: 18 September 1797] (Washington Papers)
18. Raining in the forenoon and afternoon—Mer. at 69. Wind Southerly.
390[Diary entry: 29 June 1791] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 29th. The Deeds which remained unexecuted yesterday were signed to day and the Dowers of their respective wives acknowledged according to Law. This being accomplished, I called the Several subscribers together and made known to them the Spots on which I meant to place the buildings for the P. & Executive departments of the Government and for the Legislature of Do. A Plan was also...
391From George Washington to the Citizens of Portsmouth, 2 November 1789 (Washington Papers)
I am sensibly impressed with your friendly welcome to the Metropolis of New Hampshire, and have a grateful heart for your kind and flattering congratulations on my election to the Presidency of these United States. I fear the fond partiality of my countrymen has too highly appreciated my past exertions, and formed too sanguine anticipations of my future services—If the former have been...
392[Diary entry: 6 January 1796] (Washington Papers)
6. Rain in the Night and violent Storm—variable wind & a little Snow.
393[Diary entry: 21 October 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 21st. Mercury at 50 in the Morning—58 at Noon and 55 at Night. Wind at No. Et. all day with various appearances—sometimes threatning Rain—at other times promising to be fair. Colo. Richard Henry Lee with his daughter Nancy, who came here yesterday to dinner, going away after breakfast, I rid into the Neck, and to Muddy hole & Dogue run Plantations. At the first the People had finished...
394To John Jay from George Washington, 15 August 1786 (Jay Papers)
I have to thank you very Sincerely for your interesting letter of the 27 th . of June, as well as for the other communications you had the goodness to make at the same time. I am sorry to be assured, of what indeed I had little doubt before, that we have been guilty of violating the treaty in some instances. What a misfortune it is the British should have so well grounded a pretext for their...
395From George Washington to Laurent De Saxÿ & Laurent De Verneüil, 26 December 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your letters of the 6th & 10th of the present month, but not in due time. I wish my resources were equal to the relief of the distresses which you, and many others under like circumstances have described. But the truth is, my private purse is inadequate, & there is no public money at my disposal. Such as the first was competent to, I placed early in the hands of a...
396To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 18 October 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
I am favoured with your two letters of the 30th September. The debate on Indian Affairs which I believe is got through, and that on the residence of Congress wch. is yet in agitation has entirely thrown aside for sometime the consideration of the peace establishment. When it is resumed I will take care that your application comes into view and shall be happy if any thing in my power may...
397From George Washington to Guy Carleton, 7 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellencys Letter of the 31st of March—enclosing an Extract of a Letter from General Haldimand, accompanied with an Extract of a Speech of the Indians of the Six Nations. The speech I conceive to be rather uncandid—having good reason to believe that the severities the Indians have experienced have been drawn upon themselves by their own barbarous Conduct. But as...
398From George Washington to John Greenwood, 20 February 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your last letter, with its accompaniment, came safe to my hands on tuesday last. Enclosed you will receive Sixty dollars in Bank notes of the United States. In addition to which, I pray you to accept my thanks for the ready attention which you have at all times, paid to my requests; and that you will believe me to be, with esteem, Sir Your very Hble Servt ALS , DLC:GW , series 9; copy, DLC :...
399To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 28 November 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, November 28, 1795. Second letter of November 28 not found. ] In the “List of Letters from G—— Washington to General Hamilton,” Columbia University Libraries, two letters to H from Washington for November 28, 1795 , are listed.
400From George Washington to Neil Jamieson, 20 May 1786 (Washington Papers)
Messrs Balfour & Barraud of Norfolk died indebted to me in a pretty considerable sum. Meeting with Mr Newton a few days ago at richmond, he informed me that the books of that Company had been in the hands of a Mr Schau deceased, to whom you were an Executor; and that it was highly probable you could in this character, give me some clue by which I could recover my Debt; for he added, that he...