From George Washington to Richard Washington, 20 September 1765
To Richard Washington
Mount Vernon 20th Septr 1765.
Sir,
Having wrote very fully to you in September 17631 in answer to yours by Mr Fairfax and heard nothing from you since I despair of getting any further satisfaction respecting the Box of Cloaths which you wrote me were sent by one Captn Ross, and delivered to Mr Middleton of Annopolis; whose Letter denying the receipt of any such things, or knowledge of the Captn I sent you at the same time I shoud therefore be glad to receive a copy of our Acct Currt that I may direct the application of the Ballance.2
There is an overcharge in the Premium of £50 Insurd on Six Hhds of Tobacco pr Captn Thompson, only four being sent, which ought to come to my credit: also an allowance for Goods retaken in Captn Downs.3 Captn John Johnstoun, the bearer of this, will receive any Letter you may design for Sir Yr Most Obedt Hble Servt
Go: Washington
ALB, DLC:GW. GW noted, “Sent by Captn John Johnstoun.”
1. GW’s letter is dated 27 Sept. 1763.
2. In his account with Richard Washington, GW entered the items to his credit in 1763, showing a balance due him from Richard Washington of £35.6.4 sterling, and then wrote in the ledger: “Note. this Acct to be credited by Sundry Cloaths which were orderd 20th Octr 1761—provided it can be made appear, that those things were really sent; which I fancy cannot be done, & that the charge is nothing less than a juggle as will almost appear from his own Letters & the Cloaths not comg to Land nor no Acct of them—see my Letters—& his on the Subject” (, folio 15). See also GW to Richard Washington, 27 Sept. 1763.
3. After showing the balance of £35.6.4 due him (see note 2), GW noted that no account had been rendered either for what was owed him for this overcharge on insurance or for the retaken goods. In 1759 GW has this entry on the contra, or debit, side of the ledger: “By Ditto shipd pr Captn Downs, which were taken, & retaken, & carried into Bristol—[£]15.18.1” sterling (, folio 15). For the capture of Downs’s ship in 1759, see GW to Hanbury, 10 Aug. 1760, n.2.