George and Martha Washington to Samuel and Elizabeth Willing Powel, 13 February 1793
George and Martha Washington to Samuel and Elizabeth Willing Powel
[Philadelphia] Wednesday 13th Feby [1793]1
Genl & Mrs Washington return Complimts to Mr & Mrs Powell,2 & beg leave to inform them, that they are engaged to Dine with Mr Jacob Morris on Saturday next3—where, in conformity to custom, they will be obliged to drink Tea, and consequently must be deprived of the pleasure intended them by Mr & Mrs Powell.
AL, ViMtvL. The cover of this letter is addressed to “Mr Powell.”
1. The only year during GW’s presidency in which 13 Feb. fell on a Wednesday was 1793.
2. The Powels’ invitation has not been found.
3. New York merchant Jacob Morris (1755–1844) was the son of Lewis Morris, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. A Revolutionary War veteran, he served as clerk of Otsego County, N.Y., and as a member of the New York state legislature during the 1790s. He had visited GW at Mount Vernon in November 1786 ( , 5:63–64).