541From George Washington to Elias Boudinot, 26 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
Early in Novr I had the pleasure, by Post, to congratulate you & Mrs Boudinot on the Marriage of your daughter; & on her restoration to health; both of which we (Mrs Washington & I) heard with much satisfaction. I took the liberty, at the sametime, to request the favor of you, if it could be done without much inconvenience to yourself, to procure for me as much of the Orchard grass Seed as...
542[Diary entry: 27 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 27th. Mercury at 32 in the Morning—the same at Noon & 37 at Sunsetting. Wind at No. West & clear all day—air pretty sharp in the forenoon. Made Mr. & Mrs. Lund Washington a mornings visit—from thence I went to Belvoir and viewed the ruined Buildings of that place. In doing this I passed along the side of Dogue Creek & the river to the white Ho[use] in search of Elm & other Trees for...
543[Diary entry: 28 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 28th. Mercury at 32 this Morning—42 at Noon and the same at Night. Wind pretty fresh from the Southward, with Sun shine, and appearances of rain alternately. In the evening it lowered very much. Road to day to my Plantations in the Neck—partly with a view to search for Trees; for which purpose I passed through the Wood and in the first drain beyond the Bars in my lower pasture, I...
544[Diary entry: 29 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 29th. Mercury at 42 in the Morning and the same at Noon & Night. Raining until about 10 Oclock when it ceased. About 12 the Sun appeared and the day became exceedingly pleasant afterwards. The Wind, until some time after noon came from the Southward but not very fresh. Towards the evening it inclined to the westward more—blew fresh & grew cold.
545[Diary entry: 30 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 30th. Mercury this morning at 26 at Noon 32 and at Night 28. Wind fresh from the No. Wt. & Cold—day clear. In the Afternoon Mr. Willm. Scott with the two Miss Blackburns came in and stayed the Night. William Scott (c.1751–c.1787) was a son of Rev. James and Sarah Brown Scott of Dettingen Parish, Prince William County, and the uncle of the Blackburn girls. Scott lived at Strawberry Vale...
546From George Washington to Joseph Wright, 30 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
It has so happened that your card of Septr 1st, with the Bust which accompanied it, did not get to my hands until some time in the course of last month: & that a letter from your good mother dated Decr 8th 1783, only reached me the 12th of last December. For the first you will please to receive the united acknowledgements & thanks of Mrs Washington & myself. The large one she prays may give...
547From George Washington to Patience Wright, 30 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
By what means it came to pass, I shall not undertake to devise; but the fact is, that your letter of the 8th of December 1783, never got to my hands until the 12th of the Same Month in the year following. This will account for my not having acknowledged the receipt of it sooner—and for not thanking you as I now do, before, for the many flattering expressions contained in it. If the Bust which...
548[Diary entry: 31 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 31st. Mercury at 22 in the Morning 28 at Noon & 29 at Night. Wind at No. Wt. & pretty fresh in the forenoon—less of it & from the Eastward in the afternoon. Day clear until the Evening when it lowered & after dark turned very cloudy. About one oclock Mr. Wm. Hunter of Alexa. with a Mr. Hadfield (a Manchester Mercht.) recommended by Colo. Sam Smith of Baltimore & Colo. Fitzgerald & a Mr....
549From George Washington to Elias Boudinot, 31 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
Under a full persuation that my letter of Novr, to you, had miscarried, I wrote to you again by the last Post and recited the contents of it. After having done so, I was honored with your favor of the 14th of last Month. At the sametime that I thank you for your attention to my request respecting the Orchard grass Seeds, I have to lament that it should be the means of taking from you, what you...
550From George Washington to Udny Hay, 31 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
The interruption of the Post, by the frost, will occasion a delay of this answer, which otherwise would have been avoided. Not being able to decypher the name of the Merchant in London, to whose care you desired my letter to your brother might be addressed, I send the enclosed certificate for him, under cover to you. I thank you for your kind and friendly wishes, & with Mrs Washington’s...
551From George Washington to William Paca, 31 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
Altho’ I have no doubt but that your Excelly has been, or will be, informed of the Act of the Virginia Assembly respecting the Potomack Navigation from the Governor of the State, yet, as the Act could not be printed at Richmond in time for the use of the Managers, and was brought to Alexandria for that purpose—and as a pressure of other public matters may, possibly, have delayed the official...
552February—1785 (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 1st. Mercury at 29 in the Morning, 28 at Noon and 34 at Night. Snowing, raining, or Hailing all day & Night and very disagreeable. Wind at No. Wt. and West the whole time. Wednesday 2d. Mercury at 28 in the Morning 32 at Noon and at Night. The Snow this morning is about 9 Inches deep & pretty well compressed. Wind at No. West and very cold. Mr. Scott went away after Breakfast. Employed...
553[Diary entry: 1 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 1st. Mercury at 29 in the Morning, 28 at Noon and 34 at Night. Snowing, raining, or Hailing all day & Night and very disagreeable. Wind at No. Wt. and West the whole time.
554From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 1 February 1785 (Washington Papers)
In a letter of the 14th of Decr from Mr Boudinot (which only came to my hands by the last Post) he informs me that he should send Six bushls of the Orchard grass Seeds to your care, for my use. If this has been done, I pray you not to forego the first opportunity of forwarding it to me, as it ought to be sowed as soon as the ground can be prepared, which I am now getting in order for its...
555From George Washington to Robert Morris, 1 February 1785 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your letter of the first of last month, by Doctr Gilpin & Mr Scott—Mr Colby, they informed me remained indisposed at Baltimore—It will always give me pleasure to see any Gentleman of your introduction—No apology therefore need ever accompany it. Having begun a letter to you, I will take the liberty of suggesting a matter for your consideration; which, if it strikes...
556From George Washington to Robert Lewis & Sons, 1 February 1785 (Washington Papers)
You may think me very troublesome—and the reason I assign for being so (that I am of opinion you can serve me better than any other) no good apology for the liberty I take. My Miller (William Roberts) is now become such an intolerable sot, and when drunk so great a madman, that however unwilling I am to part with an old Servant (for he has been with me 15 years) I cannot with propriety or...
557[Diary entry: 2 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 2d. Mercury at 28 in the Morning 32 at Noon and at Night. The Snow this morning is about 9 Inches deep & pretty well compressed. Wind at No. West and very cold. Mr. Scott went away after Breakfast. Employed myself (as there could be no stirring without) in writing Letters by the Post and in Signing 83 Diplomas for the members of the Society of the Cincinnati and sent them to the care...
558From 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...
559From George Washington to Otho Holland Williams, 2 February 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 24th ulto with eighty three Diplomas came to my hands on Monday last. I have signed and returned them to Colo. Fitzgerald to be forwarded to you. It would be hard indeed upon Majr Turner & Captn Claypoole not only to give them the trouble of producing the Diplomas, but to saddle them with the expence of it also. Was there no provision made therefor at the General Meeting? Do...
560[Diary entry: 3 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 3d. Mercury this morning at 22 at Noon and at Night 28. Wind at No. West all day but it did not blow hard—clear & cold. Mr. Benja. Dulany came here to Dinner & returned afterwards. We concluded a bargain which has been long in agitation for the Exchange of his Land in this Neck which he & his wife have the reversion of for the tract I bought of Messrs. Adam Dow & McIver on Hunting...
561[Diary entry: 4 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 4th. Mercury at 22 in the Morng.—28 at Noon and at 32 at Night. Calm, clear, and very pleasant over head, all day. The Snow began to melt a little. The two Miss Blackburns left this after breakfast, in order to return home—but it is to be feared they would meet with some difficul⟨ty⟩ at the ferry at Occoquan.
562[Diary entry: 5 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 5th. Mercury at 25 in the Morning—32 at Noon & 32 at Night. Day lowering with appearances of Snow. In the Morning the Wind (tho’ there was not much of it) was at No. West. At Noon there was scarce any and towards night that which did blow came from the No. East.
563From George Washington to John Beckley, 5 February 1785 (Washington Papers)
Here with you will receive the ingrossed Bill which was forwarded to me by Colo. Grayson for the purpose of getting printed copies taken. I hope it will get safe to your hands—that I may be satisfied of this, be so good as to inform me thereof. I am Sir &c. LB , DLC:GW . See GW to William Grayson, 22 Jan. 1785 , and note 1 . Beckley acknowledged receipt of GW’s letter on 11 February .
564From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 5 February 1785 (Washington Papers)
Not until within these few days have I been favored with your letter of the 18th of Octr introductory of Mr Porter. I beg you to be assured that I shall have pleasure in shewing him every civility in my power while he makes this region the place of his residence—as I shall to any other, to whom you may give letters recommendatory. A few days ago I received from on board some vessel in the...
565From George Washington to Battaile Muse, 5 February 1785 (Washington Papers)
I have lately received two letters from you, one of the 14th & the other of the 25th of last month. The Bonds which you have taken from Mr Whiting had better remain in your hands until they are discharg’d. And by the time you propose to be at Belvoir, in April—I will endeavour to prepare a proper rental for you, if it shall be in my power, from the pressure of other matters. It was always my...
566From George Washington to Benjamin Vaughan, 5 February 1785 (Washington Papers)
I pray you to accept my acknowledgement of your polite letter of 31st of October; & thanks for the flattering expressions of it. These are also due in a very particular manner to Doctr Price, For the honorable mention he has made of the American General, in his excellent observations on the importance of the American revolution—“Addressed to the free and united States of America” which I have...
567From George Washington to Samuel Vaughan, 5 February 1785 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that the Chimney piece is arrived, & by the number of Cases (ten) too elegant & costly by far I fear for my own room, & republican stile of living—tho’ it encreases the sense of my obligation to you for it. The Ship arrived at her Port just as this second frost set in, so that it has not been in my power to send up for these cases by water, & I would not hazard...
568[Diary entry: 6 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 6th. Mercury at 31 in the morning—38 at Noon and 39 at Night. Morning lowering with appearances of Snow or rain. Abt. Noon the Sun came out—but soon disappeared and became thick & lowering. No Wind. Doctr. Brown was sent for to Frank (waiter in the House) who had been seized in the Night, with a bleeding of the Mouth from an Orifice made by a Doctr. Dick who some days before attempted...
569From George Washington to Josiah Parker, 6 February 1785 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Josiah Parker, 6 Feb. 1785. On 24–28 Feb. Parker wrote to GW : “I feel myself much honored with your very friendly polite letter of the 6th Ultimo.”
570[Diary entry: 7 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 7th. Mercury at 39 this morning—44 at Noon and 48 at Night. Day clear, perfectly calm, Warm & pleasant. The Snow began to dissolve fast.
571From George Washington to David Humphreys, 7 February 1785 (Washington Papers)
Editorial Note A letter written by George Washington on 7 Feb. 1785, and printed in John C. Fitzpatrick’s standard edition of Washington’s writings, was overlooked by the editor of the second volume in the Confederation Series of this edition of Washington’s Papers. It is printed here, at the end of 1785. In my last, by the Marquis de la Fayette, I gave you reason to believe that when I was...
572[Diary entry: 8 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 8th. Mercury at 39 in the morning—42 at Noon—46 at Night. Morning lowering—clear at Noon, & cloudy afterwards. Wind in the forenoon abt. So. East. Afterwards it veered more Easterly, & blew fresher. Thawed a good deal. Finding that I should be very late in preparing my Walks & Shrubberies if I waited till the ground should be uncovered by the dissolution of the Snow—I had it removed...
573From George Washington to Richard Henry Lee, 8 February 1785 (Washington Papers)
Since my last I have had the honor to receive your favors of the 26th of December, & 16th of January. I have now the pleasure to inform you, that, the Assemblies of Virginia & Maryland have enacted Laws for improving & extending the Navigation of Potomk of which the inclosed is a copy—They are exactly similar in both States. at the sametime, and at the joint & equal expence of the two...
574[Diary entry: 9 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 9th. Mercury at 44 in the morning—at Noon 50 and at Night 56. Morning lowering—but clear, calm, warm & pleast. afterwards which with the rain that fell last night had uncovered the ground in many places & was dissipating the Snow very fast. Transplanted an English Walnut tree from the Corner near where the old School house stood to the opposite side wch. with the one that was moved...
575[Diary entry: 10 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 10th. Mercury this Morning at 46 at Noon and at Night 52. Day clear, calm, & pleasant until the Evening when it grew a little hazy & the Sunset in a bank. The little wind that stirred came from the Southward. Road up to Alexandria today and dined with Colo. Fitzgerald.
576[Diary entry: 11 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 11th. Mercury at 46 this Morning—51 at Noon and the same at Night. The first part of the Morning was hazy & rather cool. Before Noon it grew clear, warm, and pleasant and towards the Evening it lowered & the Sun set in a bank. The Wind in the Morning was Northwardly. Afterwards it got round to the Southward but there was very little of it. Employed all day in marking the ground for the...
577[Diary entry: 12 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 12th. Mercury at 44 this Morning, 44 at Noon and 44 at Night. Planted Eight young Pair Trees sent me by Doctr. Craik in the following places—viz. 2 Orange Burgamots in the No. Garden, under the back wall—3d. tree from the Green House at each end of it. 1 Burgamot at the Corner of the border in the South Garden just below the necessary. 2 St. Germains, one in each border (middle...
578[Diary entry: 13 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 13th. Mercury at 34 this Morning, 38 at Noon, & the same at Night. Wind at No. West all day but not fresh—clear & not unpleasant—ground hard froze.
579[Diary entry: 14 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 14th. Mercury at 31 in the Morning—34 at Noon and 33 at Night. Morning clear and calm—Ground hard froze. Wind afterwards, fresh from the No. West with flying Clouds which gave a rawness & chill to the air. In company with Mrs. Washington made a visit to Colo. McCarty & family. Dined there and returned home afterwds.
580[Diary entry: 15 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 15. Mercury at 28 this morning—at noon not observed, but at Night 36. Morning fine, wind Southwardly, which shifted to the Eastward & grew colder. Abt. Noon it began to Snow, & continued to do so until past 3 oclock. Went this day to ascertain the quantity of Land given to, and received from Mr. Willm. Triplett by way of exchange & to run a dividing line betwn. him & the Land I let Mr....
581From George Washington to Lafayette, 15 February 1785 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure to receive your affectionate letter of the 21st of December—dated on board the Nymph Frigate in the harbour of New York; & felt all that man could feel from the flattering expression of it. My last to you, if I recollect right, was dispatched from Annapolis; whither I went at the request of this State to settle a plan (to be mutually adopted by the Legislatures of both...
582[Diary entry: 16 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 16th. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—45 at Noon & 49 at Night. Wind Southwardly & pretty fresh in the forenoon—calm afterwards and somewhat lowering. Transplanted along the So. side of the Wall of the No. Garden, the Ivy; which I had taken up with as much dirt about the roots of it as I could obtain. Weather soft and thawing—the Southwardly having dissolved all the Snow that fell...
583[Diary entry: 17 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 17th. Mercury at 39 in the Morng.—46 at Noon and 49, at Night. Wind at No. West all day but not hard. Clear and cold in the Morning. More moderate about Noon & very pleasant in the Afternoon being calm. In the morning early I went to Mr. L. Washingtons (to Breakfast) in order to finish the Work I had began on Tuesday last but after having plotted & measured the slipes which were to be...
584[Diary entry: 18 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 18th. Mercury at 36 this Morning, 40 at Noon and 44 at Night. Not much Wind. In the forenoon, the little that blew was Northwardly—in the afternoon Eastwardly. The two Doctr. Jenifers went to Alexandria after breakfast. Planted border of Ivy under the No. side of the So. Garden wall. Also four Lime or Linden Trees, sent me by Govr. Clinton of New York which must have been out of the...
585[Diary entry: 19 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 19th. Mercury at 40 in the Morning, 43 at Noon, and 48 at Night. Morning lowering, but the Clouds dispelling about Noon, it became warm & pleasant afterwards. The Sun set in a bank. Little or no wind at any time of the day. Went to Mr. Tripletts and rectified the mistakes in running the Lines and finished the business respecting the quantities of Land given in Excha. and the partition...
586[Diary entry: 20 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 20th. Mercury at 43 in the Morning, 47 at Noon and 50 at Night. Wind pretty fresh all day from the Southward. Morning lowering. About Noon great appearances of rain—but towards sunsetting the clouds dispersed and the Sun came out. A large, but not a very distinct circle about the moon.
587From George Washington to Charles Lee, 20 February 1785 (Washington Papers)
My Servant did not return with your letter, and the Papers therewith, until Nine o’clock last Night; so that I have scarcely had time to read the several Conveyances—In that from Mr & Mrs Dulany to me there is a capitol error. the Land held by the deceased Mr French, under the Proprietors Deed to Stephens and Violet, is no part of the Land exchanged. The original grant to Spencer & Washington,...
588[Diary entry: 21 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 21st. Mercury at 42 in the Morning at Noon, and 46 at Night. Wind at No. West, and pretty fresh all day—weather clear and very pleasant. Went to Alexandria with Mrs. Washington. Dined at Mr. Dulany’s and exchanged Deeds for conveyance of Land with him & Mrs. Dulany—giving mine, which I bought of Messrs. Robt. Adam, Dow & McIvor for the reversion of what Mrs. Dulany is entitled to at the...
589From George Washington to William Hartshorne, 21 February 1785 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to William Hartshorne, 21 Feb. 1785. On 25 Mar. Hartshorne wrote GW : “Your favor of the 21st inst. came.”
590[Diary entry: 22 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 22d. Mercury at 36 in the Morning, 42 at Noon and the same at Night. Wind pretty fresh all day from the No. Wt. and Cool. Weather perfectly clear—ground hard froze. Removed two pretty large & full grown Lilacs to the No. Garden gate—one on each side, taking up as much dirt with the roots as cd. be well obtained—also a Mock Orange to the Walk leading to the No. Necessary. I also removed...