George Washington Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/02-07-02-0054

From George Washington to Robert Cary & Company, 3 November 1761

To Robert Cary & Company

Williamsburg Novr 3d 1761.

Gentn

I came to this place last Night, and find that the Articles containd in the Inclosd Invoices are wanted for mine and Master Custis’s Plantation’s on York River, please therefore to send them as there directed and charge the amounts to our respective Accounts.1

We have little or no News stirring, our Assembly is at present Convend to grant Supplies for carrying on the War against the Cherokee Indian’s shoud they choose to continue it, but this I am perswaded they are by no means Inclind to do, nor are they prepard for it as they have been solliciting Peace for sometime past. I wish the Powers of Europe were as well disposd to an accomodation as these poor Wretches are a stop woud soon be put to the Effusion of Human Blood and Peace and Plenty woud resume its Empire again to the joy and content (I believe) of most Ranks and degrees of People. I am Gentn Yr Most Obedt Hble Servt

Go: Washington

ALB, DLC:GW. At the bottom of his copy of the letter, GW wrote, “Sent By the Liverpool—Captn [Caleb] Birch for Liverpool. Copy—Gave Mr James Hunter of Fredericksburg.” The Liverpool departed from Hampton on 16 Nov. 1761. James Hunter, Sr. (d. 1785), was a prominent merchant and planter in the Fredericksburg area.

1GW’s letter-book copy (DLC:GW) of the invoice of goods to be sent “to Mr Joseph Valentine[,] York River, for the use of George Washington” included: “250 Ells Oznabrigs, 250 Yards Cotton, 6 dozn pair plaid Hose, 1 dozn Monmouth Caps, 10 lb. brown thread, 10 lb. Shoe thread, 3 dozn Hilling Hoes, ½ dozn Narrow Axes, 10M 8d. nails, 10M 10d. Ditto, 3 Grind stones.” In the order for John Parke Custis, he doubled the amount of each of these items and added “2 dozn hair Sieves, 20 Bags Salt—from Liverpl, 6 Stock Locks, ½ dozn broad Axes.” At the bottom of the page following the two invoices, GW wrote, “Note—Let the Bills of Lading come Inclosd to Mr Valentine.” On 10 April 1762 Cary shipped the goods ordered on 3 Nov. 1761, and the ship carrying the goods came into the York River on 12 July 1762.

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