1To George Washington from George Steptoe Washington, 7 August 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from George Steptoe Washington, 7 Aug. 1799. On 14 Aug. Tobias Lear wrote George Steptoe Washington: “The General has received your letter of the 7th inst.” ( DLC:GW ).
2To George Washington from George Washington Parke Custis, 12 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
My not receiving any favour from you in answer to my last, and having received one from Doctor Steuart subsequent to that, in which he mentions but little respecting the affair (which you expressed a desire of becoming acquainted with) has given me hopes to beleive that my confession of both the circumstances of the case, and my error, has obliterated from your mind all unfavourable...
3From George Washington to George Washington Parke Custis, 23 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 14th instt has been duly received, and gives us pleasure to hear that you enjoy good health, & are progressing well in your Studies. Far be it from me to discourage your Correspondence with Doctor Stuart, Mr Law, Mr Lear or Mr Lewis; or indeed with any others, as well disposed and capable as I believe they are, to give you specimens of correct writing, proper subjects, and...
4To George Washington from George Turner, 14 January 1799 (Washington Papers)
Conscious of my very limited pretensions to military acquirements, I cannot, without great diffidence, presume to offer my Services to the Commander in Chief, as one of his Aides: Yet, Sir, if attachment to your person and the Service, and a wish to improve under your auspices in the Field, may be considered as an Earnest towards the attainment of other needful Qualifications, I would beg...
5To George Washington from George Washington Motier Lafayette and Felix Frestel, 21 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
being after a tiresome journey of six days arrived in New-york, I take, according to the wish you so kindly expressed, the opportunity of the first post day after our arrival to inform you of it, and to renew to you the assurances of a gratitude which words can but imperfectly express. the sense of all my obligations to you, and the remembrance of the paternal care with which you have always...
6From George Washington to George Washington Parke Custis, 22 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
Having heard nothing from you, or of you, since you left the Federal City, but hoping you got safe to Princeton, the sole intention of this letter is to cover the enclosed. The one from your Sister will, I presume, detail the little occurences which have happened since you left us. and the other arrived after your departure —We are much in the same situation as when you left us. AL , ViHi :...
7To George Washington from George Washington Parke Custis, 23 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
Since my last I have collected all my accounts which I transmit for your perusal the only article I apologise for is an umbrella which I was unavoidably obliged to procure as I lost one belonging to a gentleman. College breaks up on Saturday and I shall be ready at any time that you may send I will look over every thing belonging to me and have them adjusted. I am very well and at variance...
8To George Washington from George Washington Parke Custis, 20 May 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your last letter arrived by the ordinary course of the mail and conveyed the pleasing tidings of your health a theme allways acceptable to my grateful heart. With respect to my expenses I did not mean to insinuate that I was actualy in want but thought that you had lodged money in some one’s hands, to whom I was to apply—I have opened accounts with a shoemaker, tailor, and other persons of...
9To George Washington from George Gilpin, 27 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
A Servant of yours a few days ago request’d to be inform’d if there was any Vessell at Alexandria bound for Philadelphia there was no Vessell then at this Town bound to Philadelphia, but Capt. Ellwood is now here his packet will Sail for that plaece in a few days. I made enquiry for a joiner as you desired I found Several that would have taken some 5 and others 6/ ⅌ day but on enquiry they had...
10To George Washington from George Washington Motier Lafayette and Felix Frestel, 25 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
at the moment of embarking on board of the vessel which is to carry us to France, I snatch a few minutes to inform you that when you receive these few lines we will be on our way to our native country where we will carry a deep sense of all which we owe you, and where I hope to be able to tell my parents all their own as well as my own obligations to you. we are this moment setting out to go...
11From George Washington to George Washington Parke Custis, 13 June 1798 (Washington Papers)
It is now near four weeks since any person of this family has heard from you, although you were requested to write to some one in it, once a fortnight, knowing (as you must do) how apt your Grandmama is to suspect that you are sick, or some accident has happened to you, when you omit this? I have said, that none of us have heard from you, but it behooves me to add, that from persons in...
12To George Washington from George Washington Parke Custis, 29 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
Words cannot express my present sensations, a heart overflowing with joy at the success of conscience over disposition is all I have to give—Dearest Sir did you but know the effect your letter has produced it would give you as consummate pleasure, as my former one did pain —My very soul tortured with the sting of conscience at length called reason to its aid and happy for me triumphed, the...
13From George Washington to St. George Tucker, 30 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 24th Ulto, from Winchester, came duly to hand; but presuming you were on a Circuit, I have allowed time for the completion, to offer you my acknowledgment of its receipt. My Sollicitude for the establishment of a National University in this Country, has been great, and unceasing; but as the sentiments of the Legislature have not been in unison therewith, I had postponed the...
14To George Washington from George Washington Parke Custis, 5 May 1798 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Fitzgerald arrived here about an hour ago and has politely offered to convey a letter to you. Nothing material has occurred since my last letter only that we now attend College at six in the morning which is by no means disagreable, and conduces to health. With respect to what I mentioned of Mr Carroll in my last I had no other foundation but report which has been since contradicted....
15From George Washington to George Lewis, 9 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 31st Ult. from Culpeper County, came to my hands late at night on the 5th instt; and the enclosure for your brother Fielding was sent to him early next morning. The melancholy occasion of your writing has filled me with inexpressable concern. The debt of nature however sooner or later must be paid by us all, and although the seperation from our nearest relatives is a heart...
16To George Washington from George Lewis, 9 May 1799 (Washington Papers)
Being anxious to get a Command in the immediate Army, I wrote to a friend in Congress at an early day on the subject, expressing my desire to be with the Army, and requested him to signify the same to the Secretary of War, or so arrange the business as I might be considered a candidate for a Command—to this letter I have never received a reply, and am now inform’d by a friend, that my name is...
17From George Washington to George Washington Parke Custis, 10 May 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter by Colo. Fitzgerald has been received—and I shall confine my reply at present, to the query contained in ⟨mutilated⟩ Postscript—viz.—“to whom I am to apply for money in case of want.” This has the appearance of a very early application, when it is considered that you were provided, very plentifully it was conceived, with necessaries of all sorts when you left this (two months ago...
18To George Washington from George Washington Parke Custis, 17 June 1798 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter by mamma at this place, where I had come on my uncle’s horses, and with Mr. McDowell’s permission, in hopes of meeting her. She arrived the same day that I did, and informed me particularly respecting the subject of your letter, which appeared to set heavy on your mind. The report, as mamma tells me, of my being engaged to the young lady in question, is strictly...
19To George Washington from George Lewis, 15 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 9th Inst, was taken from the office by my Brother John, and only handed me on thursday evening, too late for friday’s mail, since then I have been makeing every exertion in my power, to procure for you such a workeman as you wishd, and am sorry to say without effect. the blacks in this neighbourhood are generally hired in the fall for the year, and there times will not expire...
20To George Washington from George Blagdin, 18 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
The Commissioners handed me your letter of the 17th this morning, in which you propose providing Glass—Painting & Ironmongery yourself—and allow for the residue 10,500 d. which sum I think too little. having revis’d the Estimate with the greatest care—The lowest terms that I cou’d possably engauge on is 11,000 dollors, for which sum I will undertake to do the work in a compleate & workmanlike...
21To George Washington from George Washington Parke Custis, 21 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
By the returning mail I ⟨hartily⟩ acknowledge your last favour, and am sincerely happy in having given you full satisfaction in an affair so interesting and mutually effecting to both my friends & myself. I this day finish the six books of Euclid and with that the course marked out for me while in Annapolis[.] College breaks up Monday week the 30th and I shall allways be ready when you may...
22From George Washington to George Ball, 17 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
It is somewhat singular, that instead of receiving Three hundred and three pounds in April of the last year, as per agreement for the land I sold you (lying in Gloucester County of this State) that I should never have seen, nor heard a tittle from you, respecting this payment, at the time it became due, nor since for near a year. The first Instalment of the residue will become due the 10th of...
23From George Washington to George Washington Parke Custis, 19 March 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 12th instt has been received; and it gives me, and your friends here much pleasure to find that you are ⟨agree⟩ably settled, and disposed to prosecute your studies with zeal & alacrity. Let these continue to be your primary objects & pursuits; all other matters, at your time of life, are of secondary consideration, for it is on a well grounded knowledge of these your...
24To George Washington from George Washington Parke Custis, 25 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
A letter from my Sister this morning informed me of your safe arrival at Mount Vernon, which has hitherto prevented me from writing—I congratulate you on a thing so ardently wished for by all those interested in your welfare—The marks of approbation and esteem manifested in the manners of the different States thro which you passed must have been highly gratifying and satisfactory, and the...
25From George Washington to George Washington Parke Custis, 15 April 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 2d instant came duly to hand, and gave us the pleasure (as you may naturally conceive from our solicitude for your well doing) at hearing that you had got over a slight indisposition; was happy in your present situation; and going on well in your studies. Prosecute these with deligence & ardour, and you will sometime hence, be more sensible than now, of the rich harvest you...
26From George Washington to George Deneale, 19 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
You will please to grant a license for the Marriage of Eleanor Parke Custis with Lawrence Lewis, and this shall be your authority for so doing from—Sir Your Very Hble Servt ALS , NNPM ; ADf , DLC:GW ; LB , in hand of Albin Rawlins, owned (1976) by Miss Penissa Wills and Mr. L. J. Wills, Halesowen, England. GW had Thomas Peter and George Washington Parke Custis witness his application to the...
27To George Washington from Felix Frestel and George Washington Motier Lafayette, 2 November 1797 (Washington Papers)
We meet a vessel going to Philadelphia and coming from bourdeaux. we have Seen by all the newspapers, that there has been fresh disturbances in france. but our confidence is not abated; the Same purity of motives which always animated us directs Still our Motion! the liberation of General lafayette is confirmed and nothing more of him is known by the Passengers of this Ship. be So kind as to...
28To George Washington from St. George Tucker, 24 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
The solicitude which you have expressed in several of your communications to Congress for the establishment of a National University, & the apparent unwillingness of that body to act upon the subject, gave rise to the enclosed short essay, which I beg leave to submit to your perusal. Permit me to wish you many years of health and happiness, and to assure you of the most perfect esteem. I am,...
29From George Washington to George Washington Parke Custis, 24 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 21st Instt was received ⟨last night⟩ The question, “I would thank you to inform me whether I leave it entirely, or not, so that I ⟨may⟩ pack up accordingly,” really astonishes me! for it would seem as if nothing I could say to you made more than a momentary impression. Did I not, before you went to that Seminary, and since by letter, endeavour to fix indelibly on your mind,...
30From George Washington to George Washington Parke Custis, 3 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 25th Ulto has been duly received; and as your Grand Mamma or Sister, will write to you by the Post, I shall leave it to them to furnish you with the details of our journey, and the occurances since our arrival. It gives me singular pleasure to hear that your time has been so well employed during the last Winter, and that you are so sensible of the good affects of it...
31To George Washington from George Washington Motier Lafayette, 22 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
allow me once more to take up your time and to make use of the permission you have given me to trouble you from time to time with a letter. Immediately after putting in the post office my letter of the 21st inst. we waited upon the French consul in this city, where we learnt that there was a vessel ready to sail for Havre de grace in France. the consul had been so polite as to bespeak already...
32From George Washington to George Washington Motier Lafayette, 5 December 1797 (Washington Papers)
With that pleasure which I shall always feel at hearing from you, or of any thing which may contribute to your happiness, I received your several letters from New York—dated in October, and that of the 2d of November from Sea, by Mr Latimer. If my best vows would have contributed to a prosperous Voyage, and a happy meeting with your Parents and Sisters in France, both must have happened to the...
33To George Washington from George Washington Parke Custis, 11 June 1798 (Washington Papers)
⟨mutilated⟩ transmitted my last letter to you by the way of a gentleman who was going to Baltimore that it might arrive a little sooner and quiet your mind on the subject which you mentioned in yours preceeding viz.—on the subject of expence, if however it did not arrive I will in my next if you please transmit the same detail. The class which I joined have at length finished their course of...
34To George Washington from George Richards Minot, 10 February 1798 (Washington Papers)
It is with eagerness I find an apology for presenting myself to your notice in your second retirement. My only solicitude is, that you may not think the occasion which I make, a sufficient justification of my intrusion upon you. The volume accompanying being a continuation of Massachusetts history, necessarily embraced many general transactions in the late British Colonies. In these you were...
35To George Washington from George Washington Parke Custis, 30 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
It is with pleasure I acknowledge the receipt of your obliging favour of the 23d instant, and must congratulate you on the enjoyment of your health, the preservation of which should allways be a principal aim in all men and I have no doubts that as long as you are able to take your accustomed exercise that you will enjoy perfect health. Mr Z. Lewis has kept up the correspondence I mentioned in...
36From George Washington to George Washington Parke Custis, 7 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
System in all things should be aimed at; for in execution, it renders every thing more easy. If now & then, of a morning before breakfast, you are inclined, by way of change, to go out with a Gun, I shall not object to it; provided you return by the hour we usually set down to that meal. From breakfast, until about an hour before Dinner (allowed for dressing, & preparing for it, that you may...
37To George Washington from George Washington Parke Custis, 2 April 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter arrived by the ordinary course of the Mail which goes by Baltimore and gave me sincere pleasure in hearing that you were in good health and likewise the family. I was somewhat unwell for sometime after coming here owing to the water but that is entirely removed and I am very well again—I am going on the College with the class and likewise the French master who is I beleive very...
38From George Washington to George Washington Parke Custis, 10 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 1st instant was received by the last mail (on friday) and your other letter of the 8th of June remains unacknowledged; owing principally to engagements without doors, in my Harvest fields, and to company within; for we have scarcely been alone a day for more than a month; and now have a house full, among whom are your Sisters Law & Peter. To hear you are in good health, and...
39From George Washington to George Lewis, 13 November 1797 (Washington Papers)
The running off of my Cook, has been a most inconvenient thing to this family; and what renders it more disagreeable, is, that I had resolved never to become the master of another Slave by purchase; but this resolution I fear I must break. I have endeavoured to hire, black or white, but am not yet supplied. A few days ago, having occasion to write to Mr Bushrod Washington on other matters, I...
40To George Washington from George Washington Motier Lafayette, 26 May 1798 (Washington Papers)
I Just received your kind letter of the 5th of December it was taken at sea by a French privateer, and brought to Mr Murray at the Hague. this gentleman very politely sent it to us. it made me very happy to see that you still preserved for me that kindness whose effects I so often experienced when with you. I am now extremely happy. I am with my parents and sisters who love me as I love them...
41To George Washington from George Gilpin, 14 December 1797 (Washington Papers)
Peter has been with me to enquire my Opinion about the State of the navigation with respect to the Ice, one Ship and two brigs & Several other Vessells have waited for Some days for the River to Clear to morrow they intend to try, but I think it is not Safe for a Scow to Venture[.] two days hence if this weather hold I think She may Venture. I tryed for three days past to get a Craft to go to...
42To George Washington from George Washington Parke Custis, 14 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your kind favour of the 10th ultimo, together with the enclosed, for all of which accept my thanks. 1 congratulate you on the enjoyment of your health and prospects of future felicity, which, that you may attain and experience is my fervent prayer. The gentlemen whose correspondence I have submitted to your inspection, and if you should think necessary would immediately...
43From George Washington to George Thacher, 27 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
It is not long since the Papers herewith sent have been in my possession, altho’ from the date they bear, one would be led to think otherwise. If the statements are just, the case merits attention; and as Mr Goodwin has mistaken the road by which the application (if redress can be afforded) is to be made, I have taken the liberty of transmitting them to you, on the supposition that he is a...
44From George Washington to George Pearson, 15 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 12th of May has been received, but not until within these few days: to which you will please to consider the following as a reply. Having been long in public life, and but little in this State for the last five and twenty years; and moreover, having had but very little agency in the Administration of the deceased Colo. Thomas Colvils affairs even antecedant thereto, no...
45To George Washington from George Washington Parke Custis, 12 March 1798 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here in due season after a very agreable journey; I found all my relations well and Annapolis a very pleasant place. I visited the principle inhabitants while the Doctor was here and found them all very kind—Mr McDowell is a very good and agreable man he has examined me and I am now pursuing Natural Philosophy and hope to destinguish myself in that branch as well as others Arithmetic...
46To George Washington from George Washington Parke Custis, 1 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
Since my last, nothing material has occured; the weather is excessively sultry the thermometer being generally at 98º which makes study and confinement very disagreable—we sometimes go to a shade but the attractions to take up your attention almost exceed the coolness of the thing itself; my studies with the class are by no means difficult cheifly consisting in antient history which I studied...
47From George Washington to John Fitzgerald, William Herbert, and George Gilpin, 22 November 1797 (Washington Papers)
On Monday last, in Alexandria, Colo. Marstellar applied to me to rent my lot with the house on it in that place for three years, from the expiration of the year for wch it is now engaged (at Sixty pounds until Feby). I answered, that I was well disposed to receive him as a tenant and for the term above mentioned, but was unable to fix the rent then; being unacquainted with such as were usual...
48To George Washington from George Washington Motier Lafayette, 21 December 1797 (Washington Papers)
You will I have no doubt be surprized, to receive a letter from me dated from an English port, and I myself little expected to have wrote to you, from this place, we have had a very long and disagreable passage. In the Ocean we had a contrary wind, for twenty days together which at last carried us to the north of the scilly Islands. we had then to sail back again round them to enter the...
49From George Washington to George Washington Parke Custis, 29 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 21st Instt came to hand by the last Post; and, as usual, gave us pleasure to hear that you enjoyed good health; were progressing well in your Studies; and that you were in the Road to promotion. Senior class having left, or being on the point of leaving College—some of them with great eclat—ought to prove a strong stimulus to those who remain to acquire equal reputation...
50To George Washington from George Washington Motier Lafayette, 23 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
I take the opportunity of Mr Lewis’s return to Mount-Vernon to trouble you with a few lines. by letters from France I have had at last the long wished for conformation of my father’s liberation, an old friend of my father’s brought them to me, and I can entertain no more doubts on that article. their arrival in France is not yet mentioned, but the particulars in these private news coincide so...