George Washington Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-19-02-0247

To George Washington from John Mitchell, 21 February 1779

From John Mitchell

Philada 21st February 1779

Dr Sir

I have the honor of Your Excellencys favor of the 17 Instant I have made inquirey for a Sett of Queens ware, but am affraid it will be difficult if not impossible to procure them.1 I will do all in my power to get them as quick as possible—the Candlesticks I hope to procure Tomorrow—the fur is prepairing & will I expect go by the bearer. if not will send it by the Waggon which caries the papers from the Board of War. it will set off on Monday or Tuesday with a proper escort2—Mr Parish is at work to make you the best Hatt in his power. when done it shall be carefully forwarded to you, & hope it will please[.]3 Yesterday all your Tickets were in the Wheel but one wch is a Blank—the Lottery is very rich & much in favor of the Tickets not yet drawn.

I sent Eleven Table Cloths at different times. they went by three several persons. General Green had some each time, & it was particularly noted to the Quarter Master, at the Quarter Master Generals Store in Camp.4

I have made particular inquirey about the keys of the Trunks, General Green has got what Trunks he wants & there is one here for Col: Harrison, those you have were for your use[.] my Nephew says he saw no Other keys but the Padlocke ones, & that he only lock’d the Padlocks, the man I bought them off, says the other keys were tied to the Trunks, I hope they are not lost.

Mrs Mitchell Joins me in most respectfull Compliments to you & Mrs Washington, begs leave to Acknowledge the receipt of her Letter, & hopes to have the honor of waiting on Mrs Washington in Camp, before we have the pleasure of her Company here—the Starch goes by the Waggons. I have the honor to be with great respect and esteem Your Excellencys Most Obedient and most hum. Servt

Jno. Mitchell

LS, DLC:GW.

1GW quoted this sentence in his letter to Nathanael Greene of 8 March, in which he asked Greene to try to obtain the china in New Jersey. Unknown to GW, however, it had been sent by Mitchell from Philadelphia two days earlier along with the candlesticks and snuffers that GW had requested (see Mitchell to GW, 6 March).

2The following Monday and Tuesday were, respectively, 22 and 23 February. For GW’s request that a box of adjutant general’s papers in the war office at Philadelphia be sent to him, see his second letter to Richard Peters of 17 Feb. (see also Timothy Pickering to GW, 16 Jan.). Mitchell says in his letter to GW of 6 March that he had previously sent the fur by express.

3For a brief description of this hat in a receipt dated 3 April, see GW to Mitchell, 17 Feb., n.4.

4GW quoted this paragraph in his letter to Nathanael Greene of 8 March, in which he inquired about four missing tablecloths. For Mitchell’s previous sending of the tablecloths, see Mitchell to GW, 3 Nov. 1778, and GW to Mitchell, 11 Nov. 1778.

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