George Washington Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-18-02-0048

From George Washington to William Augustine Washington, 21 April 1795

To William Augustine Washington

Mount Vernon 21st April 1795

My dear Sir,

On the 16th instt, at Baltimore, I met your letter of the 10th; and the next day forwarded it to Mr Cabot, as the most certain mode of making your ideas known to Judge Philips; who seemed desirous of being made acquainted with your determination respecting your sons, as soon as the nature of the case would admit.1

Whether the information was conveyed in Judge Philipss letter to Mr Cabot (enclosed to you),2 or in an oral conversation between the latter and me, I am not now certain—but certain I am, that from one, or the other, I have understood that by the institution of the Andover Academy beyond a limited number of Students there cannot be any admitted. What this number is, I am not positive; but think the School is not to exceed Sixty five. I hint this, as there may be for I cannot say there is, a hazard of there not being an opening for more than your own Sons, as the enquiries were confined to them. But there is another Academy at a place called Hingham, about the same distance, but in a different direction from Boston that Andover is, which is well spoken of; and might, if a disappointment should be met with at the former, be a succedaneum.3 For mere consideration, these matters are brought to view.

I shall direct this letter to the particular care of the Postmaster in Fredericksburgh. It was not my intention to have put you to the expence of an Express from that place, to convey the last.4 I then thought, and still think, that a mail goes through Leeds; from whence a messenger would have cost little.

Enclosed I send you a few letters of introduction to some acquaintances of mine, both in Boston & New York.5 I have not done this to the Governors thereof; but think it would be proper that you should pay both, the respect of calling upon them. To get introduced cannot be difficult with the letters that are enclosed. With affectionate regard I am ever Yours

Go: Washington

ALS, PPRF.

1William A. Washington, GW’s nephew, desired to enroll two of his sons—Augustine and Bushrod Washington, Jr.—in Phillips Academy at Andover, Massachusetts. For GW’s efforts to obtain information from George Cabot about the school, see his letters to Washington of 18 Feb. and 31 March. Washington’s letter to GW of 10 April has not been found. GW’s cover letter to Cabot, if any, has not been identified.

2The letter of Samuel Phillips to Cabot has not been identified. GW forwarded that letter with his letter to Washington of 31 March.

3GW used this term to mean a substitute and referred to the Derby School (later Derby Academy) at Hingham, Massachusetts.

4GW most likely referred to his letter to Washington of 31 March.

5GW’s letters of introduction for his nephew were dated this same day. He requested Alexander Hamilton to offer his “kind attentions to” William A. Washington if he should travel through New York on his way to Boston (ALS, NN: Emmet Collection). GW asked Benjamin Lincoln to assist his nephew’s efforts to enroll his two sons at Phillips Andover Academy “or any thing else he may stand in need.” GW added a postscript to suggest that “If my Nephew should desire it,” Lincoln introduce him to the governor of Massachusetts (ALS [photocopy], DLC:GW, ser. 9). GW’s note to Cabot stated, “For any civilities you may shew him I shall feel myself obliged” (ALS, MWiW). GW also wrote to Rufus King of New York on the same topic (ALS, sold by Charles Hamilton Galleries, Inc., Auction Number 48: the Waldorf Astoria, Park Avenue at Fiftieth, 25 March 1971, item 339).

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