George Washington Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-26-02-0498

To George Washington from Esther De Berdt Reed, 4 July 1780

From Esther De Berdt Reed

Philada July 4th 1780

Sir

The Subscription set on foot by the Ladies of this City for the use of the Soldiery is so far compleated as to induce me to transmit to your Excelly an account of the Money I have received, to which, altho it has answered our Expectations, it does not equal our Wishes but I am perswaded will be received as a proof of our Zeal for the great Cause of America, & our Esteem & Gratitude for those who so bravely defend it1—The amount of the Subscription is 200,580, Dolls. & £625.6.8 in Specie, which makes in the whole in Paper Money 300,634 Dolrs.

The Ladies are anxious for the Soldiers to receive the benefit of it & wait your Directions how it can best be disposed of—We expect some considerable additions from the Country—& have also wrote to the other States in hopes the Ladies there will adopt a Similiar plan to render it more General & Beneficial.2

With the utmost pleasure I offer any further Attention & care in my power to compleat the execution of the Design, & Shall be happy to accomplish it agreable to the intention of the Donors & your Wishes on the Subject.3

The Ladies of my Family Join me in their Respectful Compliments & sincerest prayer for Your Health Safety & Success. I have the honor to be With the highest Respect Your Obt hume Servt

Esther Reed

ALS, DLC:GW.

1. For more on this subscription initiated by a voluntary association of women in Philadelphia, see Reed, Joseph Reed description begins William B. Reed. Life and Correspondence of Joseph Reed, Military Secretary of Washington, at Cambridge; Adjutant-General of the Continental Army; Member of the Congress of the United States; and President of the Executive Council of the State of Pennsylvania. 2 vols. Philadelphia, 1847. description ends , 2:260–63.

2. These letters have not been identified.

3. GW replied to Reed on 14 July proposing the purchase of “course Linnen” to be made into shirts for the soldiers (RBrHi).

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    Washington Papers
    Title
    To George Washington from Esther De Berdt Reed, 4 July 1780
    Author
    Reed, Esther De Berdt
    Recipient
    Washington, George
    Date
    4 July 1780

    Reference

    Cite as
    “To George Washington from Esther De Berdt Reed, 4 July 1780,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-26-02-0498. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 26, 13 May–4 July 1780, ed. Benjamin L. Huggins and Adrina Garbooshian-Huggins. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2018, p. 649.]

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