51From George Washington to George Ball, 7 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
By the Post of friday I received, with no small degree of surprise, your letter dated the 24th Ulto with a Post mark on the back dated Lancaster Courthouse the 29th. Had not the matter you complain of been discussed and explained, at the time our bargain was closed for the Gloucester Land there might, in appearance, have been more cause for the observations you have been pleased to make than...
52From George Washington to George Ball, 17 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
It is somewhat singular, that instead of receiving Three hundred and three pounds in April of the last year, as per agreement for the land I sold you (lying in Gloucester County of this State) that I should never have seen, nor heard a tittle from you, respecting this payment, at the time it became due, nor since for near a year. The first Instalment of the residue will become due the 10th of...
53From George Washington to George Ball, 6 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is the copy of a letter I wrote to you in answer to yours from Lancaster, & to that place directed it supposing your residence to be in that County. This letter will be directed to the care of the Postmaster in Fredericksburgh, but as you are not particular in designating the place at which you are to be found, it may not, any more than the former, find its way to you. The receipt of...
54From George Washington to James Barry, 26 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
Since you left this, yesterday I have conversed with my Manager on the subject of flour, according to your desire. The result is, that on Tuesday next, provided immediate notice is given, he could have fifty barrels of Superfine at Alexandria. It would however, employed as my Boats are in getting materials together for my Distillery, be vastly more convenient for me to deliver it to a Vessel...
55From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 13 December 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Burwell Bassett, Jr., 13 Dec. 1797. On 22 Dec. Bassett wrote GW : “Yours of the 13th reached me to day.”
56From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, Jr., 11 August 1799 (Washington Papers)
Sometime ⟨between illegible ⟩ment to the walks of ⟨private illegible ⟩ girl*, the body servant of Mrs Washington⟨,⟩ absconded without the least pr⟨ovocation⟩ and without our having ⟨ illegible sus⟩picion of such, her intention ⟨ illegible ⟩ whither she had gone. At length, we learnt ⟨ illegible ⟩ got to Portsmouth in New H⟨ampshire; in⟩ consequence of this information ⟨ illegible ⟩ authentic)...
57From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, Jr., 10 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 22d Ulto came duly to hand. As Mr Burwell is disinclined to part with his Cook, & Colo. Finnie’s is too much incumbered with a family, I must make the best shift I can with those I have; and indeed, with a housekeeper that understands that business, I believe it is best that I should do so. As you kindly offered to become the purchaser of Corn for me, in case I should need...
58GW to Burwell Bassett, 10 July 1798 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: GW to Burwell Bassett, Jr., 10 July 1798. Sold by Sotheby, Parke-Bernet, catalog no. 4481M, item 282, 24 Nov. 1980. According to the catalog entry, the letter was an order for samples of bran and pollard.
59From George Washington to William Baynham, 30 July 1799 (Washington Papers)
The bearer of this ⟨letter⟩ my Ploughman, has, for ⟨some months⟩ past, been afflicted with a tumour which has occasioned partial, and threatens (if relief can not be obtained) total blindness. He has been under the care of Doctor Craik & others, without receiving much, if any benefit; and being desirous of relieving him from so serious a malady, if ⟨you⟩ can accomplish it, I send him to you....
60From George Washington to William Baynham, 27 August 1799 (Washington Papers)
By my Servant Tom, I was honored with your letter of the 21st instant. I am persuaded that, all ⟨the⟩ benefit which the nature of his case would admit he has, or will receive from your treatment of the affliction under which he labors and if it is incurable, I must be satisfied that I have neglected nothing to restore his sight to him. It was an imposition to ask you for money, (for I gave him...
61From George Washington to Andrew E. Belknap, 8 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 20th Ult. came duly to hand. William Herbert Esqr. of Alexandria will receive, distribute, & collect the money agreeably to the subscription I sent you; but it will be necessary to accompany the Books with the original Paper, or a copy thereof for his information with respect to the subscribers; & Instructions. You will please to recollect that I am in possession already of...
62From George Washington to Jeremy Belknap, 15 June 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 29th Ulto accompanying the Discourse delivered on the day recommended by the President of the U. States to be observed for a Fast, was received in the usual course of the Mail, from Boston; and the copies therewith sent, were forwarded agreeably to your desire. My best wishes attend the prosecution of your American Biography, and (not recollecting whether the request was...
63From George Washington to Jeremy Belknap, 12 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
Agreeably to the promise contained in my last, I put your “Proposal for continuing and enlarging the Subscription for the American Biography &ca” into the hands of a friend of mine in Alexandria, for the purpose of obtaining Subscribers, and enclosed you will receive the result. With great esteem & respect I am Sir Your Obedt & Very H. Ser. ALS , MHi : Belknap Papers; ALS (letterpress copy),...
64From George Washington to Bennett & Watts Co., 12 May 1798 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Bennett & Watts Co., 12 May 1798. Sotheby Parke-Bernet in catalog 4158, item 213, advertises a five-line letter to Bennett & Watts Co. in which GW sent for “half a pound of best Indigo, & a stock lock of middling size and quality.”
65From George Washington to William Berkeley, 29 July 1799 (Washington Papers)
On monday the fifth of August the annual, General Meeting of the Potomac ⟨Compy is⟩ to be held in George Town ⟨ illegible ⟩. Recollecting that at ⟨ illegible ⟩ meeting ⟨illegible⟩ last year, Colo. Fitzgerald ⟨mutilated em⟩powered to represent the interests of this Commonwealth therein, had doubt of the validity of that as your late worthy Predecessor in office was then no more; I take the...
66From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 20 January 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 13th Inst. has been duly received. It would oblige me very much if you could procure, and send ⟨me⟩ by the first opportunity which may offer, one bushel of English, or blue grass seeds, Fresh & good —without which, or if it be defective, or foul, my purpose—which is to sow a Lawn before my door, would not be answered. If Blue grass-seeds cannot be obtained, send white clover...
67From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 10 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 11th Ulto was received in the usual course of the Post. That the City of Phila. should again be visited by that dreadful malignant fever which has made such impressions upon it heretofore, is matter of sore regret and that it should baffle more & more the skill of the Physicians adds poignancy to the misfortune. The only intention of giving you the trouble to receive a...
68From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 28 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
The business I shall have to transact in Philadelphia will, more than probable, be of so piddling & trifling a nature, as to produce more trouble, than profit from the Commission, to whomsoever undertakes it. Notwithstanding (this being premised) as it has always been done by you, while I was not myself in Philadelphia as a Resident [,] I could not think of applying to another without first...
69From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 6 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 30th Ult. was received by the last Post. As the Encyclopædia might be useful, to have by me (though wanting the last Volume or two) I would if the binding business goes on as usual, request Mr Dobson to have all that are published, neatly bound and sent to me, except the last vole which may be retained as a sample to bind the remainder by. I do not recollect, but suppose the...
70From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 24 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
A considerable time ago, in consequence of some applications from Officers of Cavalry, to know in what manner they were to draw pay, I wrote to the Secretary of War on the Subject; & received for answer—that as no Pay master was appointed to that Corps, they were to draw on the Pay master General. Mr Custis (cornet in the Light Dragoons) being one of those alluded to, above, drew an order, as...
71From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 21 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
Since writing to you on the 14th Inst. I have received your letter of the 12 th with the cost of the Picture frames and Glasses; to receive which soon would be convenient and agreeable to me. The large Plated wine cooler reserved from sale in my last, I pray you to have carefully packed up and sent with the letter enclosed by a safe conveyance to Colo. Hamilton of New York. I am in want of an...
72From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 21 April 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 21st of March and 11th instant are both before me. By the first, it appears that you had shipped by Captn Hand for Alexandria, on my a/c, 12 lbs. of white Clover Seed and the like quantity of Lucerne; but none has been delivered by him at the Custom house, or elsewhere that I can discover, which is a considerable disappointment to me; for depending thereon I enquired for no...
73From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 6 June 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 18th & 21st Ulto have been duly received. In reply to them, so far as it respects the raking machines, I agree perfectly with Mr J. Williams, that they will not answr on Stoney, stumpy, or rough land of any kind, for the reason he has assigned; but I am equally well persuaded, that on level & smooth land (which for the most part my fields are) they would be found useful...
74From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 29 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 16th has been received, & the Music Strings came safe. If you conceive any advantage will result from a delay in the sale of the old Coach, until the Spring, it will be quite agreeable to me that it should be postponed. To avoid the accumulating expence of Ho. room, and the injury such articles sustain by lying, & often by neglect & tossing about was my inducement to the...
75From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 8 June 1797 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is the Power of Attorney (you sent me) executed before, and authenticated by a Notary public in Alexandria. Let me request ⟨the favor⟩ of you to inform Mr A⟨itkens Cabinet⟩ maker in Chestnut Street, ⟨that no Key⟩ came for the upper part of ⟨the Secreta⟩ry (writing desk) he sent me⟨; and that⟩ part of one of the side Tables ⟨also⟩ wanted a key. Whether it is in his power now to remedy...
76From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 10 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
By leaving the enclosed letter to Mr Kitt (who was my household Steward in Philadelphia) open for your perusal, it supercedes the necessity of my saying more on the subject than to beg your attention to, and aid in the measure which is requested therein. Mr Kitt lives, I believe, at the United States Bank, and if not, Mr Wolcot, I am persuaded can inform you of the place of his residence. Pray...
77From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 28 May 1798 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed you will receive my Power of Attorney to sell the sum of three thousand four hundred and ninety four dollars and thirty one cents, Six pr Cent stock of the United States, which stands in my name on the Books in Philadelphia, and also the certificate of sd Stock. This ⟨stock⟩ is loaned by me for the use of the Potomack Company, and in the application thereof you ⟨will be⟩ pleased to...
78From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 15 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 28th ulto has been received, and I sincerely regret the continuance of the malady which afflicts the City of Philadelphia, and other Seaport Towns; but hope the frosts which we have lately had, & the approaching cold, will eradicate the disorder. The Season rendering the Room for which I wanted a stove in a manner useless for the purpose it was designed without one, I have...
79From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 1 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 27th Ulto was received last Night. As the whole quantity of Blue-grass seed was purchased before my last letter to you got to hand, it may be sent on without diminution. Let it be accompanied, if to be had fresh and good, with twelve pounds of White clover seed; and the like quantity of Lucern. You will remark how pointed I am with respect to the goodness & quality of the...
80From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 28 November 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have lately received a letter from a Mr Small of Philadelphia, informing me that the Coach I used in the City, was yet unsold; that it was accumulating expence; and not more than two hundred dollars had been offered for it; when, according to his acct $300 was the value fixed thereon. I intended to have sent his letter to you, but it has been mislaid, or lost. I shall beg the favour of you,...
81From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 28 February 1798 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Clement Biddle, 28 Feb. 1798. On 3 Mar. GW wrote to Biddle of “writing to you on the 27th & 28th Ulto.”
82From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 14 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
Not having anything to communicate of sufficient moment to give you the trouble of receiving a letter from me, I have delayed until now, to acknowledge the receipt of your favors of the 10th & 25th Ulto. When I left Philadelphia, Mr Lear & Mr Dandridge who remained, were directed to dispose of my Household furniture (such parts I mean as were not packed for a removal to this place) but from...
83From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 3 March 1798 (Washington Papers)
Since writing to you on the 27th & 28th Ulto, your letter of the 22d has been received. I should be glad to know, as soon as you are enabled to furnish me with the means of judging, whether it will be best to buy Oznabrigs or Ticklenbergs in Alexandria, or to send to Philadelphia for them; and to know it, I shall await the result of your enquiries and information. I have already left it to...
84From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 8 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 23d Ulto and 1st instant have both been received. the part which relates to Mr Custis’s pay—as an Officer in the Cavalry—has been given to him, and he writes you himself on the subject. I have naught therefore to add on it. Captn Ellwood had not arrived at Alexandria yesterday, from hence I conclude he was to have touched at Norfolk; otherwise his passage will have been...
85From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 17 June 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 9th instant is received. I am sorry to find that the old Coach is likely to find so bad a Market. This was slipped by Mr Dandridge, at the time I left Philadelphia. As the case now is, it will be better to break it up for the old Iron than keep it longer on expences. And if, after trying the Table Ornaments a while longer—at a reduced price—they will not sell, I must give...
86From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 8 April 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 25th Ulto is before me, but I have not yet heard of the arrival of Captn Tice at Alexandria. Not being able to wait any longer for Oznabrigs, I have made the purchase of what I stood in need of, in Alexandria—further enquiry therefore after this article, and the price of it, may be discontinued by you, in Philadelphia, on my Account. The Bills for the other articles,...
87From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 15 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
The picture frames are received, and without the smallest injury to the glasses, for the careful packing of which I feel myself obliged. I pray you to send me four more gilt frames, at a dollar a foot running measure for paintings; no glasses; the size of the frames, to shew the canvass one foot 7¾ Inches, by 1.4¼ within the frame. Upon a more careful examination of the place for which the...
88From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 29 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 9th ulto (to which I replied on the 17th following) is the last I have received from you. And nothing more have I heard of the Pictures from Mr Savage, & the last Vol[um]e of the Encyclœpediæ which you say you were then about to ship in a Vessel loading for Alexandria. For my sentiments respecting the old Coach, & Table Ornaments, I refer to my last of the above date—17th...
89From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 23 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
I am extremely sorry to find by your letter of the 17th instant, and the Philadelphia Gazetters of that date, that the Yellow fever has again made its appearance; and devoutly wish that it may soon be removed, from your City. Your motive for delaying the sale of my Table furniture is not only good as it respects the yellow fever, but if you think any advantage would result from the measure, it...
90From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 17 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
On the 18th Ulto, I remitted you in a letter, One hundred Dollars in Bank Notes of the United States. Having received no acknowledgement of the letter’s getting to hand; and being yet without the Lucerne Seed, therein mentioned, (as well as in former letters) I am not entirely free from apprehension of a miscarriage, although I have heard of no accident to the Mail. As the Season of sowing...
91From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 13 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you I have received your letter of the 31st Ulto enclosing a Statement of the A/c betwn us—and have also received the Pictures and Books in good order. When I sent Doctr Bartons Note to you, I accompanied it with information, that there was no other way of dealing with him than to obtain security for payment of the money at a future day—for if I was to bestow the epithet on...
92From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 18 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter and a/c current, with the Bills enclosed, have been duly received; and under cover of this letter I send you One hundred Dollars to be placed to my Credit. Ellwood has not yet called upon me, nor is he arrived at Alexandria that I have heard of. I thank you for the information respecting the price of Flour; and shall be obliged by your mentioning of it occasionally; especially if...
93From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 27 February 1798 (Washington Papers)
In the latter end of Jany I acknowledged the receipt of your letter of the 16th of that month; writing you fully relative to several matters; on some of which (one in particular respecting the price of the best German Oznabgs) I was in hopes I should have received an immediate answer to. Not having heard of the miscarriage of any mail, I am at a loss to what cause to ascribe your silence; and...
94From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 13 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive by the enclosed Invoice & Bill of Lading, that two Pipes of old Madeira Wine, & two Boxes of Citron have been Shipped by Charles Alder and Co. for my use, on Board the Ship Lavinia, James Cook Masr, bound for Philadelphia. As the original letter, enclosing these papers, has been received (via Philadelphia) It is presumed that the Wine is safe in that Port. I have to request...
95From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 28 April 1799 (Washington Papers)
Since my last I have receiv’d the Seeds which you sent me by Captn Hand—after several fruitless enquiries after them. There was a Manufactury of Machines for raking Meadows, and Harvest fields after they are cut, at Kensington while I resided in Philadelphia—These are worked by a horse, and were, in my opinion useful impliments on a Farm, for expeditiously gleaning the fields of the scattered...
96From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 3 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
I presume my letter, enclosing the Power of Attorney, had reached your hands before your favor of the 20th Ulto was dispatched, altho’ the rect thereof was not acknowledged; and that the latter has enabled you to draw the interest of my Certificates at the Bank. Presuming on this, the letter to Mr McAlpan is sent, and open for yr perusal. Mr Morse having sent me his American Gazetteer,...
97From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 19 March 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 11th instant has been received; and I shall depend upon receiving samples of the Oznabrigs & Ticklenbirgs, with the prices annexed, so soon as you are enabled to give them; as I cannot much longer delay purchasing the quantity I want, and am now making partial purchases to supply immediate calls, & not on good terms. By the first regular Packett from Philadelphia I shall...
98From George Washington to Archibald Blair, 24 June 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 19th instt enclosing the copy of a letter from our deceased friend Patrick Henry Esqr., to you, dated the 8th of Jany last, came duly to hand: for this instance of your polite attention to me, I pray you to accept my thanks, and an assurance that the latter shall find a distinguished place in my Beaureau of Public Papers. At any time I should have recd the account of this...
99From George Washington to Robert Boggess, 10 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your letter of yesterday’s date, I have to observe that you, as well as others, have mistaken my real situation very much when it is supposed that I have it in my power to lend money. The truth is, that my receipts of this article, for some years back, have fallen so far short of my expenditures—without having made any purchases to increase my property (excepting a lot or two in...
100From George Washington to William Booker, 6 May 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to William Booker, 6 May 1799. On 15 May Booker wrote GW : “Your letter of the 6 Inst. I duly receivd.”