11[Diary entry: 23 May 1797] (Washington Papers)
23. Wind Easterly & rather Cool.
12[Diary entry: 13 June 1797] (Washington Papers)
13. Very Warm with a brisk Southerly wind—a slight Shower of Rain. Mercury 83.
13From George Washington to William Thornton, 16 June 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 5th instant came duly to hand. Mr Blagdens last call for $1000 is, I must acknowledge, sooner than I had contemplated; but I will make arrangements with the Bank of Alexandria to meet it by the first of next month. If his progress in the buildings, & faithful execution of the work, keep pace with his demands (and this is all I require) he shall have no cause to complain of my...
14From George Washington to Thomas Parker, 28 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
In a letter from General Hamilton, enclosing the one I now forwd to you, I am requested to change, or modulate his directions to you, in any manner which to me shall appear most conducive to the Public Service. His directions comport with my ideas; but I shall be more pointed in drawing your attention to the Site at, or as near, as one can possibly be obtained, to the Arsenal which is...
15[Diary entry: 3 July 1797] (Washington Papers)
3. Clear in the forenoon with a slight shower for a few minutes about 2 Oclock; afternoon Wind Southerly Mer. 81.
16To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 13 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Incon⟨venient as it was to⟩ my finances, I have been ⟨induced⟩ to erect convenient to the ⟨Capital, in the⟩ Federal City, two houses which have ⟨the⟩ exterior of one, but by an ⟨arrangement of commu⟩nication may, according to the ⟨desire⟩ of the occupant, or occupants—may have all the conveniencies of one, or be entirely seperate & distinct. For these buildings a person of the name of John...
17From 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...
18From George Washington to William B. Harrison, 10 April 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 28th of last month has been duly received, and is entitled to my thanks for the details it contains; and for the assurance you have given me ⟨o⟩f a preference in Renting yr Land. But as there is not the smallest probability of my Renting, or buying, while you hold both at the rates which have been mentioned, I by no means desire that you should miss an opportunity of doing...
19[Diary entry: 26 May 1799] (Washington Papers)
26. Clear with the Wind at No. Wt. but not cold. Mer. at 64 in the Morng. and 66 at Night. Mr. & Mrs. Peter went away after breakfast. Mr. & Mrs. Nichols came to dinner & Majr. Geo. Lewis & Doctr. Welford came in the afternoon.
20From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 25 June 1798 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive by the enclosed in what manner I am disappointed in receiving the Rent for my house in Alexandria. These things put you, the payer & myself, in an awkward situation; for it must seem strange to demand what has been paid. I must therefore request, in explicit terms, that you will receive no more monies due to me; a⟨nd⟩ I should be glad to have a statement of the a/c as it...
21[Diary entry: 30 October 1798] (Washington Papers)
30. Morning clear & Cold Mer. 27. Wind Southerly & fresh all day afterwards. At Night M. 37.
22From George Washington to James Athill, 4 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive by Captn Evelett, in the Brig Philanthropist, your very polite and obliging favor of the 21st of July—accompanying five Sheep, and a number of Exotic Plants: of which the Captain appears to have been carefull, although a number of the latter have died. Those which have survived look lively, & probably will do well, as all possible care shall be taken of them. This...
23[Diary entry: 16 June 1799] (Washington Papers)
16. Morning clear & calm. Mer. at 62—calm all day. Mer. 74 at Night. Doctr. & Mrs. Stuart & their 3 daughters came here to dinner.
24April [1799] (Washington Papers)
1. Clear (except being smoky). Mer. at 46. Wind Northerly—afterwds. Easterly and towards Night lowering. 2. Very thick mist—afterwards Raining with the Wind at East & Mer. at 48 in the Morning. In the afternoon the wind shifted to No. Wt. Blew fresh & turned cold. 3. Extreme cold (but forgot to see what the Mercury was). Wind very high from the No. Wt. and continued so all day. Went up to four...
25[Diary entry: 30 May 1799] (Washington Papers)
30. Morning clear—Wind Southerly and Mer. at 64. Great appearances of Rain all the forenoon & a fine shower (of an hour) in the afternoon. Mer. 64 at Night.
26[Diary entry: 21 November 1798] (Washington Papers)
21. Dined at Majr. Reeds—Senator’s. Jacob Read (1752–1816) was a Federalist United States senator from South Carolina for one term (1795–1801).
27[Diary entry: 6 July 1799] (Washington Papers)
6. Morning very heavy with great appearances of Rain—but little Wind & Mer. at 80–87 at highest & 84 at Night. Doctors Tazewell & Thornton came in the evening.
28From George Washington to William Augustine Washington, 26 June 1798 (Washington Papers)
If you could have foreseen the length of passage, to which your letter of the 23d of April was destined, there would have been no occasion to have hurried yourself in writing it in order to receive a conveyance by the brother of Mr Neale: for Saturday last was (and by the way of Richmond too) the first of its appearance, in my hands. Knowing that Mr Corbin Washington had arrived safe in...
29[Diary entry: 20 June 1799] (Washington Papers)
20. Morning cloudy—Mer. at 76 and Wind So. Easterly and fresh all day towards night appearances of Rain. Mer. at 71 only. The following company dined here—Chief Justice of the U.S. Ellsworth Mr. & Mrs. Steer Senr.—Mr. & Mrs. Steer Junr. Mr. Van Havre—Mr. & Mrs. Ludwell Lee—Mrs. Corbin Washington Mr. & Mrs. Hodgson & Miss Cora. Lee Mr. & Mrs. Geo. Calvert and a Captn. Hamilton & Lady from the...
30[Diary entry: 19 December 1798] (Washington Papers)
19. Stopped at Doctr. Thorntons and Mr. Peter’s & dined at home. Snow having fallen about 3 Inches deep in the Night.
31From George Washington to David Henley, 3 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 11th Ulto from Knoxville has been duly received, and for the kind & affectionate sentiments expressed therein towards Mrs Washington & myself, we pray you to accept our best acknowledgments, and an assurance of our esteem & regard for you. Should you ever pass, or repass this road, we should be glad to have an opportunity of repeating them to you in person, at this retreat...
32From George Washington to Francis Deakins, 15 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 28th of Decr with a P.S. of the 7th instt was delivered to me the 12th by Mr Lear, with ninety one dollars enclosed therein on A/c of Rent due from Mrs Beall, together with a statement of the A/c against her by Mr Veatch. I ought also, though late, & indeed to my shame for the delay, to acknowledge that your obliging letter of the 26th of Decr 1796 came safe to my hands; but...
33[Diary entry: 26 March 1798] (Washington Papers)
26. Morning—Clear—Wind at No. Wt. & Mer. 40. Afternoon wind shifted to So. W. & lowered. Mer. 50 at Night 51 hight.
34[Diary entry: 25 November 1798] (Washington Papers)
25. Ditto at my Lodgings.
35From George Washington to Sarah Cary Fairfax, 16 May 1798 (Washington Papers)
Five and twenty years, nearly, have passed away since I have considered myself as the permanent resident of this place; or have been in a situation to endulge myself in familiar intercourse with my friends, by letter or otherwise. During this period, so many important events have occurred, and such changes in men and things have taken place, as the compass of a letter would give you but an...
36[Diary entry: 10 July 1799] (Washington Papers)
10. Morning perfectly clear with very little wind. Mer. at 66—clear all day. Mer. 74 at Night. Mr. and Mrs. Law and a Mr. Dunn came here to dinner.
37[Diary entry: 16 April 1798] (Washington Papers)
16. Morning Calm & clear Mer. at 40. Afterwards Wind at No. Wt. & variable & weather also, Cold and disagreeable. Mer. at Night 32. 40 at highest. Doctr. Stuart went away. I went to Alexa. to an Election of Delegates for the Cty. of Fairfax—voted for Messrs. West & Jno. Herbert—returned to Dinner. Mr. Fitzhugh came in the Afternoon. Roger West (d. 1801), son of Col. John West, and John Carlyle...
38[Diary entry: 23 December 1798] (Washington Papers)
23. Clear—wind at No. West. Mercury at 20 in the Morning.
39From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 3 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
The enclosure, contained in Colo. Henleys letter to me (which with the letter itself is forwarded) needs no comment. Had it come to me as a confidential communication, the transmission of it to you, might have been attended with some embarrassment; but as it is free from this, I have no hesitation in making the government acquainted with this transaction. The presumption indeed, and I hope the...
40[Diary entry: 30 March 1798] (Washington Papers)
30. Morning tolerably clear Wind abt. South Mer. 49. Clear & warm all day, wind in the same place. Mer. 64 at Night & 67 at highest. Doctr. Flood dined here.
41[Diary entry: 6 May 1798] (Washington Papers)
6. Morning—perfectly clear with a light breeze from the Westward—Mer. 62. High wind from No. West afterwards—Mer. 67 thro’ the day. A Mr. Tayler & a Mr. Crips—introduced by Mr. Potts dined here as did Mr. T. Peter & Mr. Lear. All except Mr. Peter went away after dinner.
42From George Washington to William Thornton, 18 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 13th inst: came duly to hand. I am now making arrangements at the Bank of Alexandria for obtaining money. When this is accomplished, I will forward a check, on that Bank, for the $1000 required by Mr Blagden, & hope it will be in time to answer his purposes. I have no objection to Mr Blagden’s frequent calls for money; but I fear the work which is not ennumerated in the...
43[Diary entry: 20 April 1798] (Washington Papers)
20. Morning—lowering—wind Southerly & Mer. at 54. Variable weather all day. Mer. 62 at Night, & 64 at highest. Mr. Peter went away after breakfast and Mr. Townshend Dade & Mr. Nichs. Fitzhugh came to Din. Nicholas Fitzhugh’s sister Susannah Fitzhugh Dade (1757–1808) was married to Col. Townshend Dade of King George County.
44[Diary entry: 9 October 1797] (Washington Papers)
9. Wind brisk from the No. Wt. & turning cold—Mer. 64. Mr. Lear & Mr. Peter went awy.
45From George Washington to James McHenry, 4 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
Presly Thornton, who is appointed a Captain in one of the Virginia Regiments, and in the list of Officers handed to you, is placed the first Captain in Colo. Bentley’s Regiment, and designated of Northumberland, informs me there has been a mistake in your office with respect to him; as a Relation of his, bearing the same names, & living in Caroline County, is understood by you to be the person...
46[Diary entry: 10 May 1798] (Washington Papers)
10. Morning—clear & calm—Mer. at 52. Lowering all the afternoon with the Wind Southerly, but no Rain fell.
47[Diary entry: 13 October 1797] (Washington Papers)
13. I returned home to dinner. Captn. Huie dined here & went away afterwards. Mer. at 5⟨ ⟩. Wind Southerly. Captain Huie may be Capt. James Huie of the Dumfries firm of Smith, Huie, Alexander & Co. ( Fitzpatrick, Diaries John C. Fitzpatrick, ed. The Diaries of George Washington, 1748–1799 . 4 vols. Boston and New York, 1925. , 4:261, n.3).
48From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., 6 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
By the Ship Nancy from London, just arrived at Alexandria, I have received four copies of the Prints of the Deaths of Montgomery & Warren (the number of setts I presume I subscribed for)—sent me by your Brother. It is my wish to make him a remittance agreeably to the terms of the Subscription; but having taken no copy of it, and not being able to recollect what is to pay, must be my apology...
49[Diary entry: 6 March 1797] (Washington Papers)
6. The wind Shifted to the No. Wt. and turned Cold M: 24.
50[Diary entry: 3 November 1797] (Washington Papers)
3. Calm, Clear & pleasant—Mer. at .
51From George Washington to Patrick O’Flynn, 15 April 1798 (Washington Papers)
About the middle of August, the term of my present Miller will expire, and it is not probable the agreement will be renewed; first, because he wants to have his wages raised, next, because the work of the Mill will not afford it; & lastly, because though a good Miller, he is far from being an industrious man. The wages, & allowances I now give, and am willing to continue, are $166⅔ pr Ann:...
52[Diary entry: 10 March 1797] (Washington Papers)
10. Dined & lodged at Elkton. Tolerably pleasant all day. “At Elkton . . . Hollingsworth’s is a quiet orderly Tavern, with good beds, and well in other respects” ( GW to Elizabeth Willing Powel, 26 Mar. 1797 , ViMtvL ). “We encountered no adventures of any kind, & saw nothing uncommon, except the light Horse of Delaware, & Maryland, who insisted upon attending us through their states” (Eleanor...
53From George Washington to Bushrod Washington, 22 April 1798 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed are Deeds from me to General Lee, and from him to me. They were copied from his original deed to me, without my previous examination of it, supposing (I understood it was drawn by Mr Charles Lee) that it was correct in all its parts. When we were about to execute the New one⟨s⟩ I found that his title to the old one was not recited—whether this is essential to the conveyance I know...
54[Diary entry: 28 August 1797] (Washington Papers)
28. Clear—Mercury at 80. Wind Southerly.
55From George Washington to William Temple Broome, 24 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 18th Instt has been received, and I thank you for the tender of your Services in my family if I should take the field; but as the Gentlemen about me, in that event, must be composed of experienced characters, candour requires that I should inform you my purposes would not be answered by receiving those who are not so. I am Sir Your very Hble Servt ALS (letterpress copy),...
56[Diary entry: 18 September 1797] (Washington Papers)
18. Raining in the forenoon and afternoon—Mer. at 69. Wind Southerly.
57From George Washington to Paul Revere et al., 24 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry that the enclosed answer to the Affectionate Address of the Grand lodge of Ancient, Free and accepted Masons, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts—transmitted under your Signatures—should appear so much out of season; but from the lapse of time between the date & reception of the Address (from what cause I know not) it was not to be avoided, and is offered as an apology for the...
58[Diary entry: 29 January 1799] (Washington Papers)
29. Mer. at 23 in the Morning wch. was lowering with the wind what there was of it at No. Wt.
59[Diary entry: 22 September 1797] (Washington Papers)
22. Cloudy all day, with the Wind at No. Et. Mer. 67.
60From George Washington to William Pearce, 14 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 24th of July has been received, and I thank you for your ready compliance with my request; but recollecting how I was served last year, I must remind you that the season will not allow me to wait long for your decisive answer—especially too, as persons are now applying in this quarter. I must repeat in this, what I said, or meant to say in my last—that is—that I do not wish...