901To George Washington from Lewis Peabody, 7 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
Pardon the liberty an unknown person, assumes, by calling you brother; we are so by nature, having one common father, which is Adam; but we are particularly so, in being both members of an order, as ancient as it is honourable—whose principles are “brotherly love relief and truth”—whose ornaments are “wisdom strength and beauty.” Emboldened by the last consideration, I hesitate not in...
902From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 25 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
I do not know how it happened but so it is, that a considerable interval always takes place between the date of your letters to me, and my receipt of them; notwithstanding I send regularly to the Post Office every other day, and frequently every day, when I have reason to expect letters on business. Premising this, I have to add, that your letter of the 15th instant enclosing one from Mr Short...
903To George Washington from William Adamson, 5 February 1798 (Washington Papers)
I cannot resist the impulse of my feelings to express my grateful acknowledgment of the polite & kind reception wch I met with at Mount Vernon, and beg to assure thee that amongst the many whose curiousity, or admiration for the dignified character of the great proprietor of that seat of domestic felicity, lead to visit it, none can retain a deeper sense of the honor of having enjoy’d so happy...
904To George Washington from ——, 10 June 1798 (Washington Papers)
The time was, when I thought of you with the Reverence of a son, looking up to its venerable parent—blended with the tenderness of a fond father looking down on its infant, the fruit of ardent and virtuous love! had you sir, retired at the close of the first congress, the same ideas wd probably have attended you, by thousands, by millions! to the close of your days; and handed down to...
905To George Washington from William Thornton, 5 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
In answer to the Letter which I had the honour of receiving from you Yesterday I have the pleasure of informing you that there is nothing to be paid for the Fruit Trees in addition to what you subscribed to Leflet, therefore if you will be pleased to specify the numbers of each Sort omiting any kinds you may not be inclined to have & calculating what you take at 1s. Maryld Cury ⅌ Tree to the...
906From George Washington to Henry Gird, Jr., 19 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
Having had time to reflect more at leisure on the application made to me yesterday by you & your brother, for a tract of land of which I am possessed on the Ohio—containing by the patent two thousand four hundred & forty eight acs. I have determined to offer it to your father on the following terms, viz.— First—At ten dollars an acre, provided it has nothing more than its situation, & the...
907From George Washington to James McHenry, 7 February 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your two letters, both dated the 1st instant, came to hand yesterday only. I thank you for giving me the perusal of their enclosures; and as I am upon the point of setting out to a meeting of the Stockholders of the Potomack Navigation, and may be from home two or three days, I return them without delay. I had, it is true, entirely forgot my old Coach until reminded thereof by Mr Small; upon...
908From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 30 September 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Your obliging favour of the 24th instant has duly come to hand. I see in it a new proof of sentiments towards me which are truly gratifying. But permit me to add my request to the suggestion of your own prudence, that no personal considerations for me may induce more on your part than on mature reflection you may think due to public motives. It is extremely foreign to my wish to create to you...
909From George Washington to James Lloyd, 13 June 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have received, and thank you, for your favour of the 6th instant and its enclosure. It is very consoling to perceive such an expression of the spirited feelings of the Yeomanry, and other description of the people of this Country as appears in the Addresses, going from all quarters, to the President of the United States, and to Congress; and it is peculiarly pleasing to find that this Spirit...
910From George Washington to James Ewing, 26 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
The Columbian Alphabet which you were so polite as to send me, came safe, and for which I pray you to accept my thanks. It is curious, and if it could be introduced, might be useful for the purposes proposed; but it will be a work of time, it is to be feared, before it shall be adopted, generally. I am Sir Your most Obedt Hble Servant ALS (letterpress copy), NN : Washington Papers; LB , in...
911From George Washington to William Thornton, 2 July 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 25th has been received; but you have mistaken the case entirely with respect to the Asses who were sent to my Jacks; charging you nothing for the services of the latter, was not designed to lay you under obligation, but a feeble effort to repay the kindnesses you have heaped upon me. Colo. Gilpin has forwarded the wrong box of glass to Baltimore, and soon will, I hope,...
912To George Washington from William Hartshorne, 4 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
By desire of the Subscribers to the Bridge on Duke Street I now enclose the Subscription paper for thy consideration—I am ready to acknowledge that things of this kind should be done by the public without burdening Individuals in this way, but in the present instance this could not be done—Some of the Country Gentlemen have contributed and we therefore take the Liberty to ask the like from...
913From George Washington to Gustavus Scott, 19 June 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the ⟨16th Inst.⟩ enclosing the letter of Mr Walt⟨er Smith,⟩ to you, has been received. ⟨If Messrs Reed⟩ and Ford trifle much lo⟨nger with me⟩ in the transfer of the ⟨deficient shares,⟩their conduct shall ⟨be exposed in the⟩ light it deserves. Nothing I more ⟨wish than to⟩ improve the Breed of my Cattl⟨e and Sheeps⟩ and to affect the former, had c⟨aused en⟩quiry to be made of Mr...
914From George Washington to Jane Dennison Fairfax, 4 July 1799 (Washington Papers)
General Washington presents his Compliments to Mrs Fairfax, and havg received a letter from Mr Fairfax, dated the 28th of April last, in which he says that he was better at that time, than he had been for months before; he could not refrain from giving Mrs Fx the pleasing account of it (in case Mr Fairfax’s letters to her self should not have got to hand)—especially too, as in another part of...
915To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 27 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Since writing the enclosed letter to you yesterday, I have received a letter from Colo. Parker, and one from Mr. Mackey, Agent for the War Department at Harper’s Ferry; stating the impracticability of procuring plank &c. sufficient for covering the huts intended to have been built for three Regiments at Harper’s Ferry. In consequence of this information I have again written to Colo. Parker,...
916From George Washington to William Augustine Washington, 5 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed letter was written, as you will perceive, to go by General Lee; who I know is at George Town, and promised to call here on his way down. But as his ways are not like the ways of other men, and Jerry has called here on his return from Corbin Washington’s, I embrace his, as the most speedy & certain conveyance of the two. All those who have lots in the Federal City, contiguous to...
917To George Washington from Thomas Marshall, Jr., 4 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
When I was at my fathers in the Month of June last he directed me to pay two years taxes on two Surveys of yours on Rough Creek into the treasury which I did to wit for the years 1796 & 1797 One third of the amount of the last years Taxes being reduced by our last Assembly it amounted to only £6.8. the Auditors rect for these I left at my fathers, and at the same time I entered your Lands with...
918From George Washington to John Quincy Adams, 20 January 1799 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with a letter from you, dated at Berlin the 29th of Octr last; covering one from a namesake of mine, & who, very probably, may be a distant relation; as our families were from the same Country. Mine earlier than his; two brothers migrating during the Commonwealth of England. or rather, during the troubles of Charles the First. Not knowing through what other medium to...
919From George Washington to William Herbert, 8 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for the information contained in your letter of the 5th instant & will avail myself of your kind offer, if circumstances shd render it expedient for me to have recourse to the Bank of Alexandria. Either of the sums mentioned therein, is more than I shall want; and if I could receive what I ought to do, I shall have no occasion for any from that source. I will inform young Mr...
920From George Washington to James Washington, 20 January 1799 (Washington Papers)
Through the goodness of Mr Adams, the American Minister at Berlin, I am indebted for the safe conveyance of your letter dated the 19th of Octr in that City: and through the same medium I have the honour to present this acknowledgement of it. There can be but little doubt, Sir, of our descending from the same stock, as the branches of it proceeded from the same Country. At what time your...
921From George Washington to James McHenry, 27 March 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of——came safe, and in due time; for the information contained in it I thank you; your request was immediately complied with, as every one of a similar nature shall be. A Report is circulated in Alexandria and its vicinity, transmitted (it is said) in private letters from Philadelphia, that a correspondence has been discovered, or more properly, letters have been intercepted from...
922From George Washington to Thomas Marshall, 30 March 1798 (Washington Papers)
General Spotswood, in my behalf, has requested Mr Short to purchase a small piece of land (from a Mr Hite) adjoining one of the tracts I hold on Rough Creek, in the State of Kentucky; and wch, it is said, would add much to the value of mine. Should this purchase take place, and a good & sufficient conveyance thereof be made, & duly executed to your satisfaction, I hereby authorise you to draw...
923From George Washington to William Hickman, 15 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
If, unfortunately, this Country should be engaged in hostilities, soon, the probability is, that it will be with France. In which case I do not suppose that Mr Frignet would incline to take an active part against his own Country—Or that it would be the policy of this to employ him —I am—Sir Your Very Hble Servant ALS (letterpress copy), NN : Washington Papers. Hickman may be the same William...
924To George Washington from William Tazewell, 14 August 1799 (Washington Papers)
A few days ago in Norfolk, I was informed that it was contemplated by government to establish a marine hospital there. I had received similar information in Europe & mentioned the subject to Colo. Pickering, immediately on my arrival in America, who informed me that Congress had defered taking the business into consideration so late in the last cession, that it was necessarily put off till the...
925To George Washington from Thomas Hatfield, 5 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
Being impressed with your ardent desire to promote the Arts, and Sciences, in America; Allow me Sir to address you on the subject of establishing a Manufactory of Cotton in the City of Washington. I have conversed on the practicability of it, with several respectable Gentlemen, who feel anxious that a manufacture may be introduced there. On the first proposal of the Columbianum for the...
926To George Washington from John Sevier, 25 December 1798 (Washington Papers)
I am in suspense as to the probable, or improbability of being called into the Army, a Station I would prefer to Any other that, of being in arms to defend an injured and Grossly insulted Country. Being Under Such impressions, I hope I shall be Neither thought ambitious or restless as to appointment, filling at present the most honorable, my Countrymen have in their power to confer;...
927From George Washington to James McHenry, 5 May 1799 (Washington Papers)
Private My dear Sir, Mount Vernon 5th May 1799 Your private letter of the 29th Ulto was received yesterday, and requires but a short reply. From an observation of yours, in answer to my letter of the 23d Ulto, I perceive my meaning with respect to the settlement of relative Rank, has been misunderstood; or, if taken properly, I must adhere to the opinion I gave of the injustice which would be...
928To George Washington from Henry Lee, Jr., 26 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
In reply to your letr by your servt this evening, I can only say, that my recollection of the lands sold to you, authorizes me to consider every fair attempt to wrest your title to them as the result of error—In Kentucky, I am told, too often are efforts of another sort made to deprive real owners of their property. I know that all the money due on the purchase of the lands you hold thro me...
929From George Washington to James Ross, 6 November 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 2d Ulto with its enclosure came duly to hand, and I feel myself very much obliged by the favourable footing on which you have placed matters with Colo. Shreve. These are perfectly satisfactory to me, and of which I should have informed you sooner, had I not supposed that the most certain—though perhaps not the quickest way of making it known to you would be to lodge my...
930To George Washington from Peyton Short, 1 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
Immediately after my arrival in this Country I waited on Coll Marshall to know if he had paid up the full amt of your taxes on the two tracts of Land on Rough Creek mentioned in your letter of the 16th July—Having answered me in the affirmative & informed me that he had drawn on you for the same, I conceived it necessary to make no farther enquiry into that subject. I had occasion not long...
931To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 28 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
(private) Sir, Philadelphia Feby 28. 1799. I am happy to inform you, that altho’ the evil of the original nomination of a minister to treat with France cannot be wholly cured, it has since been palliated, by the nomination of Chief Justice Elsworth, Patrick Henry, and Mr Murray, “to be Envoys Extraordinary & ministers plenipotentiary to the French Republic, with full powers to discuss and...
932From George Washington to Thomas Peter, 18 May 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 16th, and its contents, came safe, as you will perceive by the enclosed receipt for the money. As neither your letter of the 16th nor Patsey’s of the 15th, has taken any notice of one written to her by Mrs Washington of the 14th and committed to the care of Mr White (Commissioner) we are left in doubt as to the receipt of it —I shall just mention, therefore that the purport...
933From George Washington to William Booker, 7 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 3d instant from Richmond was recd by the last Post, and I embrace tomorrow’s Mail, the first since its arrival, to thank you for your attention to my request; to inform you that I shall be much pleased to see you here between the 20th & 27th according to promise; and that the Scantling got for the old, shall either be accomodated to the new Thrashing Machine, or other...
934To George Washington from James McHenry, 29 July 1799 (Washington Papers)
Mr Bordley left the inclosed collection of his works with me with a request that I should forward it to you. There are some useful things in the book, but I believe little of it his own. Francis has procured the Sword for our young warrior, and tells me, the helmit will soon be finished, when the whole will be forwarded. It appears by a letter from Mr Murray to the Secy of State, that he had...
935From George Washington to William Price, 20 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 15th instant, in answer to my letters of the 7th & 8th, addressed to the Surveyor General of the Land Office (wch proves the necessity there was for my plea of ignorance) came duly to hand; with the Land Office Treasury Warrant; for your obliging attention to which, I pray you to accept my thanks. Perceiving by your letter that Willm Shepherd has made a Survey, & returned it...
936From George Washington to William Thornton, 1 August 1799 (Washington Papers)
I shall be obliged to you for letting Mr Blagden know, that I forsee nothing, at present, that will prevent my being at the Union Tavern in George Town on Monday next (the 5th instant) by eleven Oclock. When & where, if he will attend I shall be provided with, & ready to pay him, a thousand Dollars in Columbia Notes. I thank you for the information, & sentiments given in your last favour of...
937To George Washington from Thomas Dockery, 25 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
You may think strange to see the enclosed, but I beg your patience, to view what comes from my trembling hand, being in the 80th year of my age; and having a ⟨turn⟩ from my youth, to a Military life, I made use of the first opportunity which offered in the year 1746 leaving a beloved wife, & dear young daughter to keep house, while I thought to distinguish my self before the walls of Quebec....
938From George Washington to John O’Donnell, 4 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
I am going to take a liberty with you, for which I rely more on your goodness, than on any excuse I can make for pardon. A person of the name of Anthony Heusler, a German (in the vicinity of Baltimore) has offered himself to me as a Gardener. He professes to understand that business in all its branches, and well in each, representing himself moreover as a person of some property, and very...
939From George Washington to the District of Columbia Commissioners, 22 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 18th instt, enclosing a letter from Mr Blagdin of the same date, came duly to hand; and although I am perfectly satisfied that by doing the Carpenters & Joiners work with my own People, by a correct Bill of the materials required, & obtained from a reputable Mill on the Eastern Shore to suit the buildings, that I could save a thousand dollars under that head alone—yet, to...
940From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 16 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Different reasons have conspired to prevent my writing to you since my return to New York —the multiplicity of my avocations, an imperfect state of health and the want of something material to communicate. The official letter herewith transmitted will inform you of the disposition of our military affairs which has been recently adopted by the Department of War. There shall be no want of...
941To George Washington from James McHenry, 12 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
McAlpin called upon me this morning to inform me finally, that after the most diligent inquiry for gold thread, both here and at New York, he has not been able to procure a sufficient quantity to complete the embroidery of the coat; and that of course it will be necessary to suspend making it up until after the arrival of the Spring ships in which the article is expected. As yet the...
942To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 26 April 1798 (Washington Papers)
I, unfortunately lost one of my working Steers a few days since, and having none to match the one left, and a large quantity of manure yet to haul out on my Corn hills, I applied to Mr Stewart to know if there were any on your River Farm that had not been, and would not be used this year, that would be likely to match mine. He informed me there were a number of that description; but that he...
943From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 18 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Unwilling to take the liberty to ask you to give yourself any particular trouble on the subject I have written the enclosed letters. I beg you to dispose of them as you suppose will best answer the end in view—that is to obtain a speedy distribution of the State into Districts and sub-districts. With the truest attachment I have the honor to be My Dear Sir Your obed servant ALS , George...
944To George Washington from Paul Ferdinand Fevot, 28 April 1798 (Washington Papers)
I just now receive the letter Your Excellency has had the condescindency to write to me. I am happy to find Your Excellency has forgotten the words I thought I ought to complain of. I will make bold to follow so noble an example. But I must respectfully entreat leave of Your Excellency who does not perceive what has been the object of my letter to observe that the letter of the Magistrate of...
945To George Washington from James McHenry, 25 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
I inclose you the abridged rules and regulations for the formations, field-exercise and movements of his Britannic Majesty’s forces; also some letters I have received and copies of the answers thereto on the subject of supplying you with aids de camp. I shall employ the Inspector General in revising what I have prepared relative to a system of discipline and police for the armies of the United...
946To George Washington from John Trumbull, 25 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
The Letter which you did me the Honour to write to me on the 12 th of January came to my hands some days ago, together with its enclosures: The Letter for Mr John Carey was conveyed to him as soon as I could learn his place of residence. I beg leave to return my thanks to Mrs Washington, for the Honor of her Letter, and for the very flattering sentiments she has been pleased to express towards...
947To George Washington from William Deakins, Jr., 18 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the pleasure of seeing you I have made enquiry for Rye & find no Quantity can be had at a reasonable Price our Farmers Ask one Dollar ⅌ Bushel & cannot engage to deliver it sooner than the Middle of October. I have therefore declined to make any engagements for it—I set out for the Allegany to day & will make one more ⟨ mutilated ⟩ to get you the Genuin Glade Oats. I am with Great...
948From George Washington to John McDowell, 5 March 1798 (Washington Papers)
Consequent of a letter which I have lately received from Mr Geo: Calvert, this letter will be presented to you by Doctor Stuart; who is so obliging as to accompany young Mr Custis to Annapolis for the purpose of entering him at College, under your auspices; and for making such arrangements respecting his boarding; the proper line of conduct for him to observe; and course of Studies, as you &...
949From George Washington to Edward Rutledge, 9 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
Brigadier General Washington called upon me on Saturday night and went off again on Sunday morning—His anxiety to get to Carolina as soon as possible (having been detained to the Eastward longer than he expected) prevented his passing more time with me. He gave me the model of the Cannon which you was so good as to present to me, and by him I wrote a hasty line to you acknowledging the receipt...
950From George Washington to Felix Frestel, 4 December 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your conjunct letters from New York, and 2nd of Novr from Sea, and your separate letter of the 22d of October from the former place, have all been received with that satisfaction which I shall always feel in hearing that you are well, & happy; as I sincerely wish you may be in a meeting of your friends in the bosom of your native Country. For the flattering terms in which you have expressed...