101From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 16 December 1770 (Washington Papers)
According to appointment Jacky Custis now returns to Annapolis—His Mind a good deal relaxed from Study, & more than ever turnd to Dogs Horses & Guns; indeed upon Dress & equipage, which till of late, he has discoverd little Inclination of giving into. I must beg the favour of you therefore to keep him close to those useful branches of Learning which he ought now to be acquainted with, & as...
102From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 3 October 1769 (Washington Papers)
On the 26th Instt I expect to be at Fredericksburg on my way to Williamsburg—Mrs Washington and Patcy accompanies me down—the former of whom being desirous that Jacky should embrace the oppertunity of seeing his Relations for a short space, I shoud be glad if you woud permit him to attend us down, & to meet at Fredericksburg for that purpose on the day abovementioned. We shoud be obliged to...
103From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 24 April 1769 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 17th came to my hands this day; the contents of which, or the Letter itself, shall soon reach Mr Addison’s hands —In respect to the Dancing Gentry, I am glad to find you have such choice of them, and that Newman has got the start of his Rival Spooner, because I have heard him well spoken of as a teacher in that Science—The other’s Misfortunes might recommend him to the...
104From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 19 August 1768 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter to the Revd Mr Addison was sent to him immediately upon its getting to my hands—Inclos’d you will receive an answer to it. Being confind to Company till this moment, I mean for two or three days past, & the bearer obligd to depart (in order to meet us in time at my Brothers in Stafford) I have only time to request the favour of you, to permit Mastr Custis to meet us there also...
105From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 7 January 1773 (Washington Papers)
From the best enquiries I could make whilst I was in, and about Williamsburg I cannot think William & Mary College a desirable place to send Jack Custis to—the Inattention of the Masters, added to the number of Hollidays, is the subject of general complaint; & affords no pleasing prospect to a youth who has a good deal to attain, & but a short while to do it in. These consideration’s, added to...
106From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 30 May 1768 (Washington Papers)
Mr Magowan who lived several years in my Family a Tutor to Master Custis (my Son in law & Ward) having taken his departure for England leaves the young Gentleman without any master at all at this time I shoud be glad there fore to know if it woud be convenient for you to add him to the number of your Pupils. He is a boy of good genius, about 14 yrs of age, untainted in his Morals, & of...
107From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 15 August 1770 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 13th this Instant came to hand, & we have to thank you for your care of the Medicines sent by Mr Johnson —We are glad to hear that you and Jack were well—Patcy has been very unwell since we had the pleasure of seeing you, not only with her old complaint, but the Ague and fever also, but from the latter she has recoverd. Miss Boucher favourd us with her Company at...
108From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 19 May 1771 (Washington Papers)
Meeting with your Letter of the 9th Instt upon the Road & being uncertain whether I can get this into the hands of the Post in time, I only mean to inform you, that, it woud be convenient enough to me to pay the Sum you ask, either to Colo. Thornton or Mr Maurey was I to go up that way, but as I set out to morrow for Nomony, in order to spend a few days with my Brother, & purpose to proceed...
109From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 5 June 1771 (Washington Papers)
I should have set Mr Custis off for Annapolis as soon as I heard of your passing by (being very unwilling that he should loose any time from School that [is] possible to be avoided) but it was thought necessary to [keep] him till his cloaths could be Washd & got in readiness [to] take with him, which has detained him till now.—By him I send you £50 Maryld Curry the Sum wrote for [in] your...
110From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 4 December 1769 (Washington Papers)
Jacky will inform you of the Reasons why he brings not the Books you wrote to me for, and to him I refer—perhaps all, or most of them, were Included in the Catalogue I sent to England for him, and if so, I expect they will be in, in less than three Months. The Printer has promisd to have a Musick Book Rul’d for Mr Boucher agt I come up, if so it shall be brought—Jack’s stay has been longer...
111From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 9 July 1771 (Washington Papers)
From several concurring causes, which have assembled upon the eve of my departure for Williamsburg, I have both my head and my hands too full of business to allow me time to write more than a hasty undigested answer to your letter of the 4th. This, however, I shall attempt to do. In my last I informed you, (as well as I can recollect the contents of the letter) that the friends (I do not...
112From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 3 February 1771 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Robert Fairfax, with whom I have often talk’d, & who much approves, of Jacks intended Tour for Improvement, purposes to leave this on his return to England sometime in March; before his doing of which he is desirous of seeing Jacky and has instructed me to say, that he shoud be very glad of seeing you with him. The warmth with which he has made a tender of his Services, & the pressing...
113From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 18 August 1772 (Washington Papers)
Harvest, Company, and one thing or another, equally unforeseen and unavoidable, has hitherto prevented Mrs Washington & myself from paying our respects to Mrs Boucher and you; but if nothing happens more than we at present know of, you may expect to see us the first Week in September, perhaps the middle of it—This I have mentiond, that, in case you should have any call out abt that time you...
114From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 13 July 1769 (Washington Papers)
As we have fixed upon the 27th Instt for our departure to the Frederick Springs, & Mrs Washington is desirous of seeing her Son before she leaves home, I am now to request the favour of you to permit him to come up for that purpose so soon as this Letter gets to hand (by Mr Stedlar, which I am told will be eight days after date). Nothing new in this part of the Country worth a recital, and...
115From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 13 May 1770 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 9th came to hand last Night, but I do not think myself prepared at this time, to give any conclusive answer to the questian you propounded, respecting Mr Custis’s travelling to perfect his Education. It is a matter of very great consequence, and well deserving of the most serious consideration, especially by one who stands in the degree of Affinity to him that I do—A natural...
116From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 2–9 June 1770 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 21st Ulto containing very judicious remarks on the advantages of Travelling (to youth who have a turn to Improvement) served to convince me of the Utility of the measure. but when I came to converse with sevl Gentlemen who have had some experience of the expence, and of whose judgments I entertaind a better opinion of than my own, I find myself embarrassed; Not because I...
117From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 26 January 1769 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 11th coming to my hands but a few days ago, and Miss Custis’s Indisposition since, are the reasons of Jacky’s detention from School till this time; before your Letter came to hand we were in hourly expectation of the pleasure of a visit from you and are sorry for the disappointment, and concernd for the cause of it, as I can with pleasure assure you that your Company at...
118From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 21 May 1772 (Washington Papers)
Inclination having yielded to Importunity, I am now, contrary to all expectation under the hands of Mr Peale; but in so grave—so sullen a Mood—and now and then under the influence of Morpheus, when some critical strokes are making, that I fancy the skill of this Gentleman’s Pencil, will be put to it, in describing to the World what manner of Man I am. I have no doubt of Mr Peales meeting with...
119From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 4 April 1771 (Washington Papers)
My detention at Dumfries on Doctr. Ross’ & Mr. Semple’s affairs, has been the principal cause of Jack’s remaining here till this time. If you find him in the humour to be innoculated when he returns to you, I beg that he may proceed immediately to Baltimore, so that there may be time to hear of his recovery before I set out for Williamsburg; otherwise, I am satisfied it will be the means of my...
120From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 15 February 1774 (Washington Papers)
Before Mr Beall deliver’d me your Letter of the 10th, which came to hand later than I expected (under a supposition of his willingness to undertake my business on the Ohio) I had conditionally agreed with Mr Vale Crawford for this purpose; who you must know, had Imbark’d in a Courting Scheme (in this neighbourhood) and, as I conceiv’d the task of pleasing a Master & Mistress, equal to that of...
121From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 23 May 1772 (Washington Papers)
The foregoing Letter was designed to go by Jack Custis, who intended, as he said, but afterwards altered his Mind; to take the benefit of a Ball at Alexandria on Thursday Evening, in his own home the next day. In the interim, Joe brought me your favour of the 21st, forbidding us any longer to hope for the pleasure of Govr Eden & Lady’s Company; which we had been flattering ourselves with the...
122From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 2 August 1773 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry to be deprivd of the pleasure of seeing you—& concernd at the painful cause of it; which, if every other remedy faild I should be for drawing. Your Acct I dare say is perfectly right, & I will either leave Bills to the amount of it, under cover with Mr Calvert, or send them to you in a day or two after I get home; drawn at Par, which the Govr tells me is rather less than might be...
123From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 5 August 1773 (Washington Papers)
Under cover with this Letter I send you a Bill of Excha: on Robt Cary & Co. for £65 Sterlg, which is the amount of your acct at 66⅔, more than which the Govr told me might be had for good Bills. I have made no deduction for the sums of £1.5.0 & £2.6.0 Virga Curry paid Rind & Purdie on your Acct nor of £1.4.0 York Cy paid Gaine, Whose receipt I now Inclose; as, to the best of my recollection, I...
124From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 20 April 1771 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 10th conveyd an unexpected piece of Intelligence, thoô a very agreeable one —Jack left this place with so many doubts, and difficulties abt going to Baltimore, to be Innoculated with the Small Pox, that we all concluded nothing was more foreign from his Intention—Mrs Washington having fully adopted this opinion, I have withheld from her the Information you gave me in respect...
125From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 3–10 February 1770 (Washington Papers)
The uncertainty of your return from Maryland (as we heard that Potomack was Froze below Cedar Point) added to the difficulty, & indeed danger of crossing the Waters between this and your House are the Reason’s of Jackys detention here so long. We therefore if he shoud be too late in comg hope your excuse for it. He brings down several pair of very good London made Shoes, which being too small...
126From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 4 September 1768 (Washington Papers)
Mastr Custis was so much disorder’d by an intermitting fever, attended with billeous vomittings, that we were oblig’d (whilst in Westmoreland) to send for Doctr Mortimer to him —He is now better, but not clear of slow fever’s, & very weak & low (being much reduced) which induces his Mamma to take him home with us, till he is perfectly restord. His Man comes with advice of this matter, & to...
127From George Washington to Henry Bouquet, 25 July 1758 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you by Colo. Stephen, since which I have been favourd with your kind and agreable Letter of Yesterday. We have advice that our Second Convoy of Seventy odd Waggons (contents you were informd of in my last) will be at the South Branch to day, where I expect they will be joind by some Waggons with Forage—the number I cant ascertain—and all proceed to this place immediately. On Friday I...
128From George Washington to Henry Bouquet, 3 July 1758 (Washington Papers)
Since closing mine of this date a dispute has arose between an Assistant Commissary of Mr Hoops (namely Mr Joseph Gailbraith) and I, abt Salt —Our Stock of Meat is mostly Fresh and he refuses to provide Salt for it—whether it is his duty or not to do it, I can’t say—but unless it is done, the Men must inevitably be visited with fluxes and other Disorders that may render them incapable of...
129From George Washington to Henry Bouquet, 3 July 1758 (Washington Papers)
Your favours of the 27th Ulto and first Inst. I have had the Honour to receive. According to Order I Marchd from Winchester the 24th and arrivd at this place Yesterday in the Afternoon with five Companies of the first Virginia Regiment and a Company of Artificers of the Second, as you may observe by the Inclosd return. My March by bad Teams, and bad Roads (notwithstanding I had sent the...
130From George Washington to Henry Bouquet, 28 August 1758 (Washington Papers)
Your favour by Mr Hoops has in some measure revivd a hope that was almost extinguishd—of doing something this Campaign —We must doubtless expect to encounter many difficulties in opening a new Road thrô bad Grounds in a Woody Country of which the Enemy are possest but since you hope our point may be carried I woud feign expect the Surmounting these obstacles—’tis a melancholy reflection thô to...
131From George Washington to Henry Bouquet, 19 July 1758 (Washington Papers)
Your obliging favour of this date, I just now had the pleasure of receiving. You make me quite happy by your coinciding in opinion with me, relative to the proposd Expedition. Captn Dagworthy’s Party returnd hither Yesterday, in consequence of Orders from Sir Jno. St clair forwarded by the Commanding Officer at Fort Frederick. I have directed him to finish a Bridge at this place, which I...
132From George Washington to Henry Bouquet, 28 July 1758 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of Yesterday I had the pleasure of receiving last Night. I detaind the Party till my Adjutants return from Rays Town (which I hourly expected) imagining something by him might arrive, that woud require answering by it. I have informd Captn Dagworthy of the Orders for His March, he will depart therefore so soon as he can draw in his Men from the Grass Guard. Inclosd is a return of...
133From George Washington to Henry Bouquet, 19 August 1758 (Washington Papers)
This afternoon the Party Commanded by Capt. McKinzie return’d without being able to discover anything of the Enemy’s motions, they waylaid the Road for several days near the great Crossings and intended to have advanc’d quite to that Post, had not their Provisions entir’ly spoil’d, notwithstanding every method and the utmost pains for it’s preservation was taken; some of their advanc’d Sentrys...
134From George Washington to Henry Bouquet, 7 July 1758 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Byrd with 8 Companies of his Regiment arrivd here Yesterday. He left many Sick Men behind him as may be seen by the Inclosd return —this diminution, together with the Company Posted at Edwards’s & Pearsalls reduces our strength considerably. I am a good deal at a loss therefore to know how to Act for the best, since your last Orders for joining you at Rays Town were not positive, and...
135From George Washington to Henry Bouquet, 18 August 1758 (Washington Papers)
I am favourd with yours of Yesterday, intimating the probability of my proceeding with a Body of Troops on G[eneral] B[raddock’s] R[oa]d and desiring my retaining for that purpose a Months Provisions at this place, a thing which I shoud be extreme fond of, but as I cannot possibly know what quantity of Provisions may be necessary for that time, without knowing the Number of Men I may probably...
136From George Washington to Henry Bouquet, 2 September 1758 (Washington Papers)
Your Letters of the 30th and 31st Ulto I was favourd with in the Evening Yesterday—not time enough tho. to prepare my answer till to day and for safety I have detaind the Express for the Cover of Night. I enclose you an exact return of all the Ammunition & Provisions wch we have at this place that you may be judge what supply is necessary to send here —If the Pork is in Keggs of a 100 Wt & the...
137From George Washington to Henry Bouquet, 29 November 1758 (Washington Papers)
It has been represented to the Genl that it will be very inconvenient for the Virginia Troops to March along Genl Braddocks Road as their necessaries of every kind are at Loyal hannon (Men as well as Officer’s) and that the advantages proposd in pursuing the old Road; viz. that of opening it, are very trivial; as this can always be done faster than a Body of Men can March (a little repair...
138From George Washington to Henry Bouquet, 13 July 1758 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 11th by Doctr Johnston I had the pleasure to receive the same day. nothing extraordinary since my last has occurd. By a Party from Colo. Mercer to this place for Provisions I find, they have opend the Road only 6 Miles; and that they proceed much slower in this Service than I expected: this possibly may arise from the pains they take to make the Road good, and from the width...
139From George Washington to Henry Bouquet, 24 July 1758 (Washington Papers)
The Inclosd came to my hands a few hours after I dispatchd my last by Mr Frazer. I did not know but it might enable you to determine better, what shoud be done with the Waggons, and therefore send it. If we are to lye at this place any time, perhaps you may think it advisable to send the Waggons down for another Convoy. I shoud not choose to propose any thing that might seem officious: but...
140From George Washington to Henry Bouquet, 13 June 1758 (Washington Papers)
Sundry matters on which Colo. Bouquets directions is desird. As the 22th Inst. is fixd upon for me to begin my March from Winchester I am in hopes we shall all be ready for that purpose—but if I shoud not be able to get Arms and Blankets for the Men—are we to wait any longer for them, or to march of at all events? After the first division of Colo. Birds Regiment has Marchd to Fort Cumberland...
141From George Washington to Henry Bouquet, 7 August 1758 (Washington Papers)
Captn Waggoner with 50 Men & 19 Waggon’s wait upon you for Provisions agreeable to my Yesterday’s Return. A Letter which I have just receivd from Mr Walker tells me, that the Convoy may be expected at Pearsalls the 15th; and desires that the Escort (already consisting of 75 Men) may be reinforcd; as the Waggon’s and Cattle will cover a large space of Ground. Pray what will you have done with...
142From George Washington to Henry Bouquet, 24 August 1758 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 21st Instt accompanied by the 20 Pack Horses with about 3000 lbs. of Salt Pork came safe to hand. I had the pleasure likewise of receiving yours of the 23d the Generals happy recovery affords me vast Satisfaction, and am glad the New Road turn’s out so much to your Liking. The Convoy from Winchester arrivd here yesterday in the Evening—they set out with 468 Beeves, 9 were...
143From George Washington to Henry Bouquet, 16 July 1758 (Washington Papers)
I was favour’d with your’s of the 14th Inst. at 11 oClock last night: the Express who brought it informs me he was Fir’d at twice by 6 Indians, and oblig’d to abandon his Horse. There’s three Party’s gone from hence towards the Enemy’s Country within these few days; the largest of them (consistg of an Officer and 18 Cherrokees) March’d 3 days ago; I always send out some white people with the...
144From George Washington to Henry Bouquet, 13 August 1758 (Washington Papers)
The Waggon’s met with all possible dispatch in loading, but being assurd that the Horses were not able to return till today, I did not Order them of sooner. My Soldiers Cloathing, unluckily, are sent to this place. if I March that way I shall take them along; with those of that part of the Regiment now under my care, since we are likely to make so late a Campaigne of it. I sent Orders to Captn...
145From George Washington to Henry Bouquet, 17 November 1758 (Washington Papers)
I have not time to write you fully for which reason I inclose the Generals Letter to you—please to read, Seal, and deliver it if you are together—and forward it on, if you are Marchd —You will see my anxiety on Acct of Indians and my Bullocks; employ your Interest therefore my Dr Sir in dispatching them to me—I have been sadly puzzled for want of a guide & the Service has sufferd by it—I...
146From George Washington to Henry Bouquet, 2 August 1758 (Washington Papers)
Those matters we talkd of relative to the Roads, has since our parting been the object of my closest attention: and so far am I from altering my opinion, that the more time and attention I give thereto, the more I am confirmd in it; as the validity of the Reasons for taking the old Road appear in a stronger point of view. To enumerate the whole of these Reasons woud be tedious: and to you who...
147From George Washington to Henry Bouquet, 9 July 1758 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of Yesterday was deliverd me last Night. I immediately directed all your Orders to be executed[.] The Waggons (save those attending the Road cutters) go of to day. three Companies under Colo. Mercer proceeds on the Rays Town Road, which we began to open Yesterday; they carry 6 days Pro[visio]ns with them, and are to apply to you for more if that don’t suffice—Captn Dagworthy & the...
148From George Washington to Henry Bouquet, 21 July 1758 (Washington Papers)
Before Colo. Stephen came to this place last Night, I had abandond all thoughts of attending Personally at the Election in Winchester—determining rather to leave the management of that matter to my friends, than be absent from my Regiment when there is a probability of its being calld upon. I am now much pleasd that I did do so. Colo. Byrd has given me your Letter of Yesterday, in consequence...
149From George Washington to Henry Bouquet, 21 August 1758 (Washington Papers)
Thirty Cuttawba’s came here this Evening. and the Convoy may be expected on Wednesday, as it was at Pearsalls last Night. Governor Sharpe I am told will be here in a day or two—I am at a loss to know how he Ranks, and whether he is entitled to the Command. In the Army he Ranks as Lieutt Colonel only—but what his pretensions as Governor in his own Provence is, I really dont know, or whether he...
150From George Washington to Henry Bouquet, 6 November 1758 (Washington Papers)
You will be surprisd (till I give you a reason for it) at receiving a Letter from a Person in the same Camp with you, and who has free access at all times to your Tent. but when I tell you that we were interrupted while conversing on a very important matter, and that I did not certainly know whether I might have another oppertunity of renewing the Conversation till you had some how or other...