541From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 2 February 1785 (Washington Papers)
The Writer of the inclosed letter, in person & character, is entirely unknown to me. I have been at a loss therefore to determine what notice to take of it—at length I concluded to write the answer which is also enclosed; and to request the favor of you to send it to him, or return it to me, as you should just best from the result of your enquiries; or from your own knowledge of the author, or...
542From George Washington to Gardoqui, 1 December 1786 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive the letter which your Excellency did me the favor of writing to me on the 18th ulto together with the enclosure from the Prime minister of Spain, for which, and the translation, I pray you to accept my grateful thanks. Besides the pleasure I feel in making these acknowledgements, one object that prompts me to them at this early period, is, to beg that your...
543From George Washington to James Mercer, 25 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
My Sister handed me your favor of the 18th. 1 thank you for the advice respecting the mode of conveying a title for the Lands I purchased at your Brother’s Sale, & will pursue it; but necessity will oblige me to postpone the matter until I return from my Western jaunt; as, from Company & other circumstances, no leizure is left me to rummage for Papers before. My letter to your Brother John...
544From George Washington to John Francis Mercer, 12 August 1786 (Washington Papers)
The Clerks notes in the Suits ordered by you on the Bonds taken at Colo. Geo: Mercer’s sale, are (many of them) brought against me; some of wch without adverting thereto, I have paid, supposing them to have arisen on distresses made by Mr Muse for my rents. A few days ago a Bill from the Clerk, I believe, of Berkley, was handed to me amounting to near six hundred pounds of Tobacco, which not...
545From George Washington to Thomas Stone, 16 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 30th Ulto came duly to hand. To give an opinion in a caus of so much importance as that which has warmly agitated two branches of your legislature, and which, from the appeal that is made, is likely to create great, and perhaps dangerous divisions, is rather a delicate matter; but as this diversity of opinion is on a subject which has, I beleive, occupied the minds of most...
546From George Washington to Fielding Lewis, Jr., 4 December 1786 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 11 th of Octor never came to my hands ’till yesterday. Altho’ your disrespectful conduct towards me, in coming into this country & spending weeks therein without ever coming near me, entitles you to very little notice or favor from me; yet I consent that you may get timber from off my Land in Fauquier County to build a house on your Lott in Recter town. Having granted this,...
547From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 16 May 1785 (Washington Papers)
I stand indebted to you for your several favors of the 7th of March, and 12th & 19th of April. Believe me, Sir, the first was not productive of more surprize than real concern. The acct of your failure was as much regretted, as it was unexpected by me; and I feel for the causes of it—and for your present situation. You are sensible that my Commissions have been more troublesome than profitable...
548From George Washington to David Stuart, 5 February 1786 (Washington Papers)
The Vessel which brought the inclosed, has delivered the 800 Bushels of Oats for which you contracted with Mr Savage—Besides these, I have taken 100 more; for which I am to pay Flour. L. Washington has taken anothr & the remaining 200 hundred are taken to Alexandria for you. I have engaged this Man to bring the Corn from York River—He expects to stay no longer than Monday (to morrow) at...
549From George Washington to Henry Knox, 2 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
I beg you to accept my acknowledgment of and thanks for your obliging favors of the 12th 16th & 19th of last month, and particularly for the trouble you have had in procuring and forwarding for me a suit of the Hartford Manufacture. It is come safe, and exceeds my expectation. I will take an early opportunity of paying the cost of it. The result of the late Elections will not only soon be...
550From George Washington to Thomas Barclay, 31 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have received a letter from a Doctr Thomas, of Westmoreland in this State, requesting me to make enquiries respecting Dr Spence and his Lady, who were supposed to be lost at sea, several years ago, and who are now reported to be in slavery among the piratical States of Barbary. As I knew of no person more likely to give information on the subject than yourself, I have taken the liberty of...
551From George Washington to Thomas Cushing, 26 October 1785 (Washington Papers)
The last Post gave me the honor of your favor of the 7th inst: for which & your care of the Jack and his Keeper, I pray you to accept my grateful thanks. As the Jack is now safely landed, & as I am unwilling to hazard him again at Sea, I have sent a man in whom I can confide, to conduct him & the Spaniard to this place by Land. The person I send has not the smallest knowledge of the Spanish...
552From George Washington to Thornton Washington, 22 June 1786 (Washington Papers)
Mr Throckmorton delivered me your letter of the 6th inst: I am under no apprehension that the title to the land on which you live can be affected by the decision lately had in favor of Messrs Hites & others. Such papers as I can readily find respecting this tract, I send you. The patent from the proprietors office, granted to Captn George Johnston of whom I bought the land, particularly...
553From George Washington to Elias Dayton, 6 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
Presuming you are Presidt of the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of New Jersey, I give you the trouble of the enclosed address. If I am mistaken, you will be so good as to hand it to the right person. Months ago, I received a number of blank Diplomas for my Signature, which was affixed & held in readiness for Mr Peck or his order. No call has yet been for them. If a good conveyance...
554From George Washington to William Peacey, 7 January 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 2d of Feby 1787. I am much obliged to you for your attention in sending me the seeds, which arrived agreeable to the bill. Mrs Bloxham received of Wakelin Welch Esqr. of London £10.1.10, which sum, she informed him, was what she paid you for the seeds on my account. I am not sorry that Caleb Hall did not come out, for I proposed his coming more to please...
555From George Washington to La Vallée, 1 October 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored with your letter dated in Philadelphia, accompanied by one from the Marqs de la Fayette and another from the Marqs de Bouille. Whensoever your affairs will induce you to make the visit you propose to Virginia, I shall be happy to be favored with your company at Mount Vernon and to bestow the attentions due to your merits and their recommendations. I take the liberty of...
556From George Washington to Tench Tilghman, 2 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Chevr de la Luzerne, hearing me the other day enquire after Claret, informed me that he had a quantity of it at Baltimore—more than he wanted—& would spare me some. I am, in consequence, to have two or three Hhds of this Stock. I requested him to direct his Corrispondent at that place, to commit them to your care, on the Supposition that you are a Resident of Baltimore, and I have to beg...
557From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 17 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday, & not before, I received authentic information, that the Assembly of this State had passed a similar Act & resolutions, with those of your Legislature, and have fixed upon the 8th of Feby to open Books for the purpose of receiving subscriptions in the City of Richmond & Towns of Alexandria & Winchester: which Books are to be kept open until the 10th day of May following. They have...
558From George Washington to John Ewing, 13 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I entreat you to accept my grateful thanks for your affectionate Address; and to be assured that the kindness & partiality of your sentiments respecting me, as well as the elegance & urbaninity of your expressions; have made an impression on my mind, never to be effaced. Conscious of no impropriety in wishing to merit the esteem of my fellow Citizens in general; I cannot hesitate to...
559From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 8 January 1788 (Washington Papers)
The letter which you did me the honor of writing to me on the 27th Ulto, with the enclosure, came duly to hand. I receive them as a fresh instance of your friendship and attention. For both I thank you. The diversity of Sentiments upon the important matter which has been submitted to the People, was as much expected as it is regretted, by me. The various passions and medium by which men are...
560From George Washington to Samuel Sterett, 13 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I experience a singular satisfaction in receiving your congratulations on the establishment of Peace and the security of those important interests which were involved in the fate of the War. Desirous of being considered the friend, and (as far as consists with my abilities), the Patron of the Arts & Sciences; I must take the liberty of expressing my sense of the obligations I am under to the...
561From George Washington to Robert Morris, 2 June 1784 (Washington Papers)
A brother of mine (Father to Mr Bushrod Washington, who studied Law under Mr Wilson) is desireous of entering his other Son in the commercial line; the inclination of the young Gentleman also points to this walk of life—he is turned of twenty—has just finished a regular education—possesses, I am told (for he is a stranger to me) good natural abilities—an amiable disposition, & an uncommon...
562From George Washington to David Humphreys, 25 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure to receive two letters from you since your arrival in France, and cannot let the Marquis de la Fayette depart without an acknowledgement of them, altho’ his doing it is Sudden, & I at the same time am surrounded with Company. When I have a little more leizure (if that ever should be) I will give you all the occurrences of this quarter that have come under my view &...
563From George Washington to Caleb Gibbs, 1 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
By His Excy G. Washington Esq. Gen. & Commander in Chief of the Forces of the United States &c. In consequence of the zeal & well–known services of MajorC. Gibbs, I have thought proper to Certify that the Said Major Gibbs entered the American service as a Volunteer & was at the Battle of Lexington April 19th 1775, On the 24th of the same Month was appointed an Adjutant; in June 1776 was...
564From George Washington to Henry Knox, 1 June 1786 (Washington Papers)
The Post of last week brougt me (by way of New York) a letter, of which the inclosed is a Copy. I transmit it, not only for your perusal, but for information, and advice. All the papers respecting the Soci[e]ty of the Cincinnati being in possession of the Secretary Genl or the Assistant Secretary, and my memory very defective, I cannot speak with precision to Mr Jefferson, or decide on any...
565From George Washington to Philip Nagel, 1 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
While you speak the language of my heart, in acknowledging the magnitude of our obligations to the Supreme Director of all human events; suffer me to join you in celebration of the present glorious and ever memorable Æra, and to return my best thanks for your kind expressions in my favour. I cannot but rejoice sincerely that the national dignity & glory will be greatly encreased, in...
566From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 10 April 1786 (Washington Papers)
The violent rains, and consequent freshes, have given such interruption to the Stages in this part of the world, as to prevent your favor of the 15th Ulto getting to my hands till Saturday last. I accede to the sum of Two hundred Dollars in addition to the stipulations mentioned in my last, as compensation for Mr Lear’s Services a year; and shall be glad to receive him into my family as soon...
567From George Washington to Thomas Newton, Jr., 7 July 1788 (Washington Papers)
I am in want of a quantity of good eighteen Inch shingles and am informed that they will come better & cheaper from Norfolk than from the Eastern shore. Be so good, therefore, as to advise me by the first Post after you shall have received this letter if I can be supplied with 100,000 from the former. In what time—and at what price; delivered at my landing distinguishing between what is called...
568From George Washington to William Drayton, 25 March 1786 (Washington Papers)
The Letter which you did me the honor to write to me on the 23d of November last, came safely; tho’ not at so early a period as might have been expected from the date of it—I remark this by way of apology for my silence ’till now. I feel very sensibly, the honor conferred on me by the South Carolina Society for promoting & improving agriculture & other rural concerns, by unanimously electing...
569From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste-Joseph, comte de Laumoy, 18 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have recid your Letter of the 14 of this month and now inclose you the Certificate you request—With my best wishes I am Sir Yours &c. Certificate Brigadier General LaumoyEntered the Service of the United States in October 1777 with the rank of Lieut. Colonel of Engineers, in November following he was promoted to the rank of Colonel in the same Corps and in September last had the Brevet...
570From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 18 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am informed that there are at Philadelphia Six or Eight Officers and about one Company of the Invalid Regiment—that some of the Officers by the loss of Limbs and other inabilities are rendered totally incapable of acquiring by their own exertions a support in life others are in a degree debilitated whilst some are recovered from their Wounds and enjoy a good State of Health—the Men also must...