1From George Washington to Francis Hopkinson, 13 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
Your good humour of the 3rd, which made me laugh heartily, has fairly driven me out of the field, not, indeed, into the Potowmac, but into a resolution not to strain my wits in making one word of reply, except in sober earnest. This preliminary being settled—I will tell you all I have to say, in three words: though one might perhaps suffice, for you know they say “a word to the wise is...
2To George Washington from Francis Hopkinson, 3 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
I could, if the Subject was worth so much Attention, justify my Musick against your Complaints —for I insist that it is as good melting Musick as could be expected at that severe Season of the Year, and would have found its way to you by water if you had but allowed a reasonable Time. A Lover who is all over Flames will require two & sometimes three years to melt the frozen heart of his...
3From George Washington to Francis Hopkinson, 5 February 1789 (Washington Papers)
We are told of the amazing powers of musick in ancient times; but the stories of its effects are so surprising that we are not obliged to believe them, unless they had been founded upon better authority than Poetic assertion—for the Poets of old (whatever they may do in these days) were strangely addicted to the marvellous; and if I before doubted the truth of their relations with respect to...
4To George Washington from Francis Hopkinson, 1 December 1788 (Washington Papers)
There is all the Difference in the World between a Thing done, & a Thing to be done. A Thing to be done is exposed, like our new Constitution, to all Manner of Criticisms, Objections, Oppositions, Reasonings true & false, with Arguments & Apprehensions founded on future Consequences, possible and impossible. On the Contrary, a Thing done, unless it is a very bad thing indeed, is not only...
5From George Washington to Francis Hopkinson, 16 May 1785 (Washington Papers)
In for a penny, in for a pound, is an old adage. I am so hackneyed to the touches of the Painters pencil, that I am now altogether at their beck, and sit like patience on a Monument whilst they are delineating the lines of my face. It is a proof among many others, of what habit & custom can effect. At first I was as impatient at the request, and as restive under the operation, as a Colt is of...
6To George Washington from Francis Hopkinson, 19 April 1785 (Washington Papers)
Encouraged by the friendly Notice with which you have upon every Occasion been pleased to honour me, I take the Liberty of recommending to your kind Attention my Friend Mr Pine, an Artist of acknowledged Eminence, & who has given the World many pleasing & forcible Specimens of Genius. Zeal for the American Cause has brought him over from England, to secure, whilst it is yet possible, faithful...
7From George Washington to Francis Hopkinson, 28 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with yours of the 16th and 24th instants the first inclosing sundry papers relating to the Case of Capts. Robinson and Galt who have been detained after going into Philada under the sanction of a Flag. I have made a demand of Capt. Robinson as he was previously named and a passport regularly obtained for him. I have also endeavoured to procure the release of Capt. Galt who I...
8To George Washington from Francis Hopkinson, 24 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you about a Week ago respecting the arbitrary Conduct of Genl Howe in confining Capt. Robinson & Capt. Galt who went in to the City under the Sanction of a regular Flag —altho’ I have no Doubt but your Excellency will do whatever is proper in the affair, yet, as I have not had the Satisfaction of hearing any thing further, I am not a little anxious about it. We have certain...
9To George Washington from Francis Hopkinson, 16 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I take the Liberty of forwarding the enclosed Papers by Express; earnestly requesting your Excellency would be so good as to take the most immediate & effectual Steps for the Enlargement of Captain Robinson & Captain Got. You will see by the Letters, numbered according to their Dates, the Train of Authority under which a Flag was sent in to the City with Supplies for our People Prisoners...
10From George Washington to Francis Hopkinson, 27 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 22d Instant by Captain Alexander, to whom I have given an order to take several pieces of Cannon with a proper supply of Ammunition, that he, in conjunction with the other Gentleman of the Navy, may endeavour to interrupt the Enemy’s Shipping in their Passage up and down the river. Having never found an opportunity of conveying the Letter, which you some time ago...