1From George Washington to William Pearce, 1 January 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to William Pearce, 1 Jan. 1797 . GW wrote James Anderson on 8 Jan. : “My last letter (this day week) to Mr Pearce.”
2From George Washington to William Pearce, 18 December 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 11th, with the enclosures, came to my hands yesterday; and I am sorry to find by it that so late as that , you were still without rain. I hope what has fallen to day, will have extended to you: here it has rained the whole day without ceasing. I do not know whether I understand Mr Alexr Smiths proposition, with respect to putting the note for 4839 dollars in the Bank, to be...
3From George Washington to William Pearce, 11 December 1796 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you was dispatched, I have received your letters of the 30th of Novr and 4th inst. I am sorry to hear that your Wheat begins to heat. If it does this in a degree to do it much injury, it ought to be disposed of for the best price you can get; but otherwise, as I have waited so long to grind it, & shall have occasion for the Bran, I had rather Manufacture it myself. It is a...
4From George Washington to William Pearce, 4 December 1796 (Washington Papers)
Getting no letter from you by the Post of yesterday—nor receiving any account from home, leads me to conclude that something more than common has happened, as your last letter is dated the 17th of November. Hearing nothing of the state, in which my business is, for so long a time, especially too as the weather, for the Season, has been severe —I have but little to found my letter upon at this...
5From George Washington to William Pearce, 27 November 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 17th under cover from Mr Lear came duly to hand, as did the Weekly reports of the 19th yesterday. I am disposed to let Mr Smiths debt stand upon the security you have placed it—unless before the 24th of next month any circumstances should occur to render other measures necessary—or, on that day he should be unprepared to make payment & require further indulgence. In either...
6From George Washington to William Pearce, 20 November 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 13th instt, and the Reports of the preceeding week, were received yesterday. I am sorry to hear that the growing Wheat is suffering for want of Rain—but hope you had some on Tuesday last (three days subsequent to the date of your letter). If the fact however is otherwise, let the ground in which the Egyptian Wheat was deposited, be watered, & continu’d to be so until the...
7From George Washington to William Pearce, 14 November 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 6th was received (with the Reports) on Saturday; but I do not clearly understand by it, whether James Wilkes reembarked with, or without a bed, or is yet at Mount Vernon. If the latter, he had better (if his health is sufficiently restored) offer himself to Mr Law as A Coachman; for before he could get here, and be well settled, I shall be making my arrangements to return to...
8Memorandum for James Anderson and William Pearce, 5 November 1796 (Washington Papers)
I shall communicate such directions as have occurred to me since I left Mount Vernon, and are necessary to be followed, in this way; that such of them as may not be executed, or executed in part only, by Mr Pearce, may be consigned over & compleated, or attempted to be completed by his Successor, Mr Anderson. The Plan for the Crops of next year (as handed to me by Mr Pearce) may be adopted: or...
9From George Washington to William Pearce, 26 October 1796 (Washington Papers)
Cyrus was obliged to come on to this place, in order to take the horses back, which Mr Frestal & Mr La Fayette rode, which is the cause of his delay. Mrs Washington desires me to inform you that there was some Butter left in the Cellar, and some Beef in a Tub which (after supplying James ) may be applied to any uses you think proper. Let my Study be cleaned out, & the Room afterwards locked...
10From George Washington to William Pearce, 11 September 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 4th instt came to my hands yesterday, and the one you wrote me from Chester Town has also been received. My last would have informed you of the reason, which, probably, prevented your receiving a former one at that place, but which I expect has got to hand ’ere this; as the Postmaster was requested, in case you had left it to send it by the Mail to Alexandria. As your letter...
11From George Washington to William Pearce, 5 September 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 31st of Augt from Chester Town, came duly to hand; but as you did not acknowledge the receipt of the one I wrote you from hence, this day week, I presume it had not got to hand; Owing, I conceive to a misapprehension of mine as to the time of closing the Mail for the Eastern shore which I find is an hour and an half earlier than those which go Southerly or Easterly. I put my...
12From George Washington to William Pearce, 28 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 23d instt with the Reports, came to my hands yesterday; and this will be put into the Post office tomorrow for Chester Town. From what you have said of the person I wa⟨s⟩ enquiring after, I am well Satisfied h⟨e⟩ would not answer my purposes, as a Manager. Propensity to gaming, & running about, are such disqualifications in ⟨m⟩y estimation, as scarcely to find a...
13From George Washington to William Pearce, 19 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
At this place I have seen Mr Thos Ringgold, who is very desirous of availing himself of your testimony in his pending suit. I have told him, that my consent to this measure has been freely given—and that it depended entirely upon yourself, and the state of your health, whether you attended or not. Mentioning to him the probability of your quitting the Superintendance of my business, he said it...
14From George Washington to William Pearce, 5 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
Since my last I have received your letters of the 22d & 29th of last Month—The first came to hand on Tuesday, the other on Saturday, as usual. On Wednesday last Congress closed their Session; but there is yet a good deal for me to do, before I can leave the Seat of the Government. My present expectation however is, that I shall be able to do this on tomorrow week: but as this is not certain,...
15From George Washington to William Pearce, 29 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
No Mail beyond Baltimore (Southerly) was received at the Post Office in this City yesterday; consequently, I got no letter from you; what may have been the cause I know not, unless the considerable falls of rain which happened here during last week, may have rendered the waters between Alexandria and Baltimore (if they extended so far) impassible. You have never mentioned in any of your late...
16From George Washington to William Pearce, 22 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 15th instt, enclosing the Reports of the preceeding Week, came duly to hand. I am glad to hear that the weather has been Seasonable of late; but sorry indeed, to find by your letter that the grain & grass has received so little benefit from the rains which have fallen; here, in great abundance. And it is peculiarly unfortunate after giving so high a price for clover Seed,...
17From George Washington to William Pearce, 15 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 8th, with the Reports, are at hand; and I am glad you sowed all the Peas (except the small reserve mentioned in your letter) and the Chiccory; as I think it better than withholding them, until next Seed time. I am glad also that you have got your flour off hand (as warm weather and accidents were against keeping it longer) altho’ I am convinced that if I had held it up a...
18From George Washington to William Pearce, 8 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
I am glad to find by your letter of the first instant, that the rain wch fell here on the 27th Ulto had extended to you. The cold & drying Winds I knew would deprive the plants of some of its good effects; but benefit must have resulted to them notwithstanding. If the frosts which accompanied those Winds have injured the fruit (as you fear) it will be a circumstances much to be regretd altho’...
19From George Washington to William Pearce, 1 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 24th Ulto has been received, and I am sorry to find by it that the drought still continued with you. On this day week there was a very good rain here, and on wednesday following a great deal fell; but the weather has been windy, cold and disagreeable ever since—notwithstanding which, the Grain and grass in these parts look extremely well. I am glad to find that you were, at...
20From George Washington to William Pearce, 29 April 1796 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to William Pearce, 29 April 1796. GW wrote Pearce on Sunday, 1 May: “I wrote you on friday last.”
21From George Washington to William Pearce, 24 April 1796 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry to find by your letter of the 17th instant, accompanying the reports of the preceeding week, that the drought continued; and that the prospect for good crops of small grain was so unpromising. I should hope, however, that they cannot be so much injured yet, as not to be recovered by seasonable weather. If the grain stands sufficiently thick on the ground, I shall not regard the...
22From George Washington to William Pearce, 17 April 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 10th instt with a Postcript three days later, came to hand in due course of Post. I am sorry to hear that Maria continues unwell—& that Charles Washington was siezed with a fever: Let them want for nothing, and whenever it is needful get Doctr Craik to attend them. It would be unlucky, as my crop of Wheat last year turned out but indifferently, and the prospect of a good one...
23From George Washington to William Pearce, 10 April 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 3d instant, with the Weekly reports, was received yesterday; and I have also seen Mr Lear, who arrived here yesterday about the sametime. As there is no prospect from the last European accounts (down to the first of March) of Peace; but on the contrary, every appearance of a vigorous prosecution of the War—at least for another Campaign—and they speak (tho’ flour is low in...
24From George Washington to William Pearce, 3 April 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 27th Ulto, with a Post[s]cript of the 29th, came duly to hand yesterday. As I have expectation that by the time this letter will have reached you, a Vessel from Liverpool called the Commerce will have arrived at George Town with eight bushels of the field Pea; as much of the Chiccory as will sow four Acres of land; and eight bushels of the Winter Vetch—for, and on my...
25From George Washington to William Pearce, 27 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday brought me your letter of the 20th instant, with the Reports of the preceeding week. I am sorry to find by it that your winter grain has changed its appearance, for the worse; and that your fences have been so much deranged by the high wind you have had—in a greater degree I think than it was here—tho’ it was very violent with us also. These being acts of Providence, & not within our...
26From George Washington to William Pearce, 20 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 13th instt and the reports of the preceeding week came duly to hand yesterday—and will, I presume, do so regularly through the course of the Spring & Summer. I am sensible that by dividing my farms into small tenements I add very much to the consumption of my Timber, (and perhaps of the fuel) until hedges sufficient against every thing but Hogs could be raised (which of...
27From George Washington to William Pearce, 13 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 28th of Feby (as I mentioned in a short letter written to you on Wednesday last) did not reach my hands until tuesday evening; and I had it not in my power next morning, before closing the Mail, to mention some things which I am about to do in this letter. The scarcity of Corn, & high price of that article in all the Southern states, and in the Southern & western parts of...
28From George Washington to William Pearce, 9 March 1796 (Washington Papers)
As I did not receive your letter of the 28th Ulto, until eight o’clock last night; and am hurried this morning in preparing other letters for the Post—I shall do no more than inform you, that besides the Cask of Clove[r] Seed by Captn Hand, there went a small box of Apple grafts for the Gardener. The apples are of a most extraordinary large size, & good for eating. Desire Ehler (as I hope he...
29From George Washington to William Pearce, 28 February 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 21st instt with the Reports of the preceeding week came to my hands yesterday. I do not recollect that I have missed writing to you by Mondays Posts since you returned from the Eastern shore. I have no doubt of your having many applications to Rent, both my farms and Mill; but I question if it be from such persons, or on such terms, as I would chuse to engage; for which...
30From George Washington to William Pearce, 21 February 1796 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you, I have received your letters of the 7th & 14th Instant. I am under no apprehension of flour falling; but keep me advised of the Alexandria price. The fears expressed by the purchasers, of its falling, is calculated to alarm the Sellers. They know full well, it is not likely to happen. The scarcity and demand being so great. As I wish, after this Crop of Wheat is...
31From George Washington to William Pearce, 7 February 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter, begun on the 31st of last month, and ended the 2d of this, came, with the Reports enclosed, duly to hand yesterday; together with the list of Dower Negros which are taken exactly as I wished. I now wish you would forward to me a list of all the remaining Negros on the Estate; distinguishing French’s from the others; & both made out in the manner of the last—giving the ages &ca....
32From George Washington to William Pearce, 31 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 24th inst. with the reports, came to hand, at the usual time, yesterday. and I am sorry to find by them that sickness is so prevalent among the people. It is occasioned I presume by the changeableness of the weather; and will I hope, be carried off by the steady cold which seems to be now setting in. Had your grain been covered with Snow? If not, how does it, and is it...
33From George Washington to William Pearce, 27 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 17th Instt which I expected on Saturday, came to hand by the Post of yesterday. These delays are, I presume, occasioned by the extreme badness of the Roads, wch by all accounts never were worse. I am very sorry for the death of Mr Davenport on many accts; and not the least on acct of his poor family; who must, I am sure, be left in great distress. for this reason I request...
34From George Washington to William Pearce, 25 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
The letter which accompanies the two parcels of Rice herewith sent, gives all the information I am able to transmit, respecting the cultivation of them: and to which I request you to pay particular attention. As these small things may be laid by, & forgot when the season for sowing or preparing ground for them arrives; and even after sowing them, may be forgotten in the due cultivation of...
35From George Washington to William Pearce, 17 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 3d & 10th instt are both before me; the last came yesterday, & the first on tuesday. I should be sorry if Davenports disorder should prove fatal to him; it would be a heavy stroke upon his family at any time, and unlucky for me at the present. I am under no concern for the fall which has taken place in the price of flour—that it will be up again, and higher than ever in the...
36From George Washington to William Pearce, 10 January 1796 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to William Pearce, 10 Jan. 1796 . On 17 Jan., Pearce wrote GW: “I Receved your Letter of the 10th Inst.”
37From George Washington to William Pearce, 3 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 27th with the reports came to hand yesterday —and I am glad to find you have met with a supply of twine in Alexandria, as there is no prospect that has yet opened, of getting it from hence in time and I have no doubt that under all chances fishing yourself will be more profitable than hiring out the landing for Sixty pounds. I am not disposed to take any thing less for my...
38From George Washington to William Pearce, 20 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
Having received neither the weekly reports nor a letter from you yesterday, as usual, I fear you are unwell, or something else is the cause of it, as I got other letters by the Southern Mail. Flour keeps up to 13½ dollars pr barl. If I have any therefore on hand, to dispose of, I wish it were sold at that price, on a reasonable credit; allowing for the freight to this place; which is all that...
39From George Washington to William Pearce, 13 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 6th instt, enclosing the weekly reports, has been duly received. I am glad to find by it that the sickness among my people is abating. If Cyrus continues to give evidence of such qualities as would fit him for a waiting man, encourage him to persevere in them; and if they should appear to be sincere & permanent, I will receive him in that character when I retire from public...
40From George Washington to William Pearce, 6 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 29th Ulto with the Weekly reports of the 6th and 28th of November. I wish you to make the most you can of the materials you have within yourself, for hedging; for I do not believe you will get any berries of the white thorn from Newcastle; for the reason given in one of my letters after I arrived at this place, from Mount Vernon last. I hope the Cedar berries...
41From George Washington to William Pearce, 29 November 1795 (Washington Papers)
The Post of yesterday brought me your letter of the 26th instt, and the weekly reports of the 14th & 21st preceeding. I am sorry to find by them that you have had much sickness among the Negros; and that the prospect of a good crop of corn as well as a tolerable one of Wheat, is diminishing. As the latter of these is got out, and the horses more at liberty, I hope every diligence will be used...
42From George Washington to William Pearce, 22 November 1795 (Washington Papers)
I received no letter from you yesterday, nor the Saturday before; nor have I written to you for several weeks, on account of your proposed journey to the Eastern shore; postponing it until the time I expected your return from thence. In one or two of the letters I have written to you since I left Mount Vernon, it was intimated that I should be more full on the subject of Hedging whenever I was...
43From George Washington to William Pearce, 25 October 1795 (Washington Papers)
The Post of yesterday, brought me your letter of the 21st instant, and the Reports of the preceeding Week. I am sorry to hear you have been sick, but glad to find you have recovered. That the fly should be much in your Wheat is to be regretted; but proves the necessity of converting it as speedily as possible into flour: or even selling it in grain, if it cannot be ground in time; & a good...
44From George Washington to William Pearce, 19 October 1795 (Washington Papers)
Owing to the bad weather, and the sickness on the road of both Washington and one of the Postilions (Joe) I am no farther advanced yet; & do not expect to reach Philadelphia at soonest, before tuesday afternoon. As my Wheat would be a heavy loss to me, if the Weavil should get much into it; I must again request that no time may be lost in getting it out of the straw, and ground up as fast as...
45From George Washington to William Pearce, 6 September 1795 (Washington Papers)
I was glad to find by your letter of the 30th of August, and the reports of the preceeding week, that you had recommenced seeding, ⟨w⟩ith more favorable weather. If the latter should continue good, and the ground can be put in tolerable order, all the Wheat, sowed by the middle of this month will be in the ground in good Season; and if the Autumn is favorable, any time before the end of it,...
46From George Washington to William Pearce, 30 August 1795 (Washington Papers)
I have written to you so fully of late, that little remains to be said in this letter, beyond the acknowledgment of yours of the 23d instant. I shall however add, that late as it is to be, in a manner, beginning to Sow wheat, I would rather have it delayed still longer than to be sowed in ground that is too wet; or in other respects unfit for its reception. No seed will ever yield well when...
47From George Washington to William Pearce, 28 August 1795 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed letter for Miss Betcy Custis relates to a matter, respecting which, I have made some enquiry in her behalf — Put it into her own hands, if she is at Mount Vernon—and as she might wish, perhaps, to revolve the subject a little, before she communicates the contents to any oth⟨ers⟩ give it to her when she is alo⟨ne⟩⟨ mutilated ⟩ letter also, which only serves to cover it. I am Your...
48From George Washington to William Pearce, 23 August 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 16th instant, covering the ⟨wee⟩kly reports, came to my hands yesterday. As ⟨you⟩ have begun upon what is called Davy⟨’s field⟩ at Dogue-run, I do not wish any change; and when to this is added the high, and dry parts of the Mill swamp Corn, & one of the lots by the Barn, the quantity of ground in wheat, at that farm, will be pretty well. But I wish your sowing had kept pace...
49From George Washington to William Pearce, 16 August 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your letter, begun on the 9th and ended on the 12th instt, with its several enclosures, came to my hands yesterday. It is to be regretted that the frequent, & hard rains should have involved you in such difficulties. But all that can be don⟨e⟩ in cases that are not to be guarded against, or avoided, is to do the best under them that circumstances will admit. More ought not to be expected; and...
50From George Washington to William Pearce, 12 August 1795 (Washington Papers)
I forgot to ask you, what prospect there was of your saving clover seed, sufficient for your next years purposes? If it is a good one, there will be no occasion of buying, if it is not, the sooner I am informed thereof, the better. I hope you will, not only of this kind of seed, but of all others, endeavor to save as much as will answer my own demands, as the purchase of them falls heavy upon...