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...
61From George Washington to James Anderson, 8 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
Mrs Washington passed a good night—is clear of a fever to day—and is taking the Bark—which I hope will prevent a return of it. I am much hurried, and pressed with one thing—or another, but do what humanity requires for Roberts: who ought not to have engaged, in the situation he is in, without first informing me of it. Doctr Craik is not now here, nor expected if Mrs Washington should not...
62From George Washington to James Welch, 1 December 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your proposition to Lease my several tracts of Land on the Great Kanhawa, containing by the Patents 23216 acres, being handed to me by Mr James Cooper while I had company, and was just going to dinner, allowed me scarcely time to make a few hasty remarks then; nor am I much better enabled now I have considered them, to answer your propo[sa]l —first, because I do not understand the principle...
63[Diary entry: 19 February 1799] (Washington Papers)
19. Mer. at 30 in the Morning and at Night. Very Cloudy in the forenoon and spitting Snow from 8 Oclock until Noon—clear afterwards.
64[Diary entry: 16 October 1799] (Washington Papers)
16. Morning clear & calm. Mer. 52. A brisk So. westerly Wind afterwds. Mer. 62 at Noon & 63 at Night—appearances of Rain.
65[Diary entry: 9 March 1799] (Washington Papers)
9. Morning clear but lowering, and, at times raining through the day. Major Pinckney came in the Evening. Mer. 40 and wind Southerly. Thomas Pinckney was returning home to South Carolina from a session of the United States Congress in Philadelphia. He was interested in experimental farming, and during this visit one of the topics of discussion was GW’s jackasses, two of which were for sale (...
66[Diary entry: 6 November 1799] (Washington Papers)
6. Set out from thence after 8 Oclk. being detained by sprinkling Rain, & much appearance of it until that hour. Reached Wiley’s Tavern near Difficult Bridge to Breakfast and then proceeded to Survey my own Land. The day clearing & the weather becoming pleasant. wiley’s tavern : James Wiley was licensed by Fairfax County to keep a tavern from as early as 1790 until at least the second decade...
67[Diary entry: 23 February 1799] (Washington Papers)
23. Morning clear & very cold. Mer. at 12 & wind at No. Wt. which afterwards shifted to the Southward but still continued cold. Mr. Davis retd. after dinner.
68[Diary entry: 20 October 1799] (Washington Papers)
20. Morning very heavy. Wind Southerly & Mer. at 54. A Struggle all day between the Sun & the Clouds—but no rain fell. Mer. 62 at Night. Doctr. Stuart wife & three daughters and young Danl. McCarty came to dinner & stayed all Night.
69From George Washington to John Lambert, 20 November 1798 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to John Lambert, 20 Nov. 1798. Lambert’s letter to GW of 24 Oct. : “Answd Nov. 20 1798.”
70From George Washington to Julius Burbidge Dandridge, 25 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed came undercover to me a few days ago, and not knowing into whose hands better to place it than yours, I forward it to you accordingly. The doing so, furnishes an opportunity of condoling with you, and the other friends of Mr John Dandridge, on his death; an event I sincerely regretted. From the Superscription, I know the enclosed letter is from your brother Bartholomew; who, no...
71[Diary entry: 13 March 1799] (Washington Papers)
13. Mer. at 17 in the Morning and 20 at Night. Snowing all day—sometimes fast, at other times slow with very little wind.
72[Diary entry: 10 November 1799] (Washington Papers)
10. Still remarkably fine, clear & pleasant; Wind Southerly; Returned home about Noon. Mr. Law, Mr. Barry Mr. White & Doctr. Thornton came to Dinner & stayed all Night. Mer. 55 at Night.
73From George Washington to Robert Lewis, 4 June 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 23d Ulto has been received. Mr Airesss draught on Mr Russell (of Alexandria) has been presented, & accepted, payable in ten days. I am glad to hear of your good luck, with the eloped tenant in Berkeley county. Recovery of the Tenement is of more importance, than the security of the Rents. I am not disposed to lease it for more than Seven years, and if you could let it for a...
74[Diary entry: 3 April 1799] (Washington Papers)
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 mile run to run round my land there. Got on the grd. about 10 Oclock and in Company with Captn. Terret and Mr. Luke commenced the Survey on 4 mile run & ran agreeably to the Notes taken. In the evening went to Alexa. & lodged myself at Mr. Fitzhughs. my land there...
75[Diary entry: 9 January 1798] (Washington Papers)
9. Very foggy with little or no Wind in the morning. Mer. at 32—at the highest 42 and at Night 30 the Wind having got to No. Wt. abt. Noon.
76From George Washington to Thomas Peter, 3 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
Have you succeeded, or are you likely to succeed, in procuring the Hemp seed I required? The fly has got into my Wheat, very generally this Fall; and I lay my account for great ravages thereon next Spring; which makes me more desirous of laying (to use a Sea term) an anchor to windward for something else. I congratulate you and Patcy on the birth of a “Manchild” —My best wishes attend the...
77From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 15 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
I know not how it has happened, but the fact is, that your favour of the 8th of Novr, last year, is but just received; and at a time when both public & private business pressed so hard upon me, as to afford no leisure to give the “view of the causes & consequences of the American Revolution” written by you, and which you had been pleased to send me, a perusal. For the honor of its Dedication,...
78[Diary entry: 25 September 1799] (Washington Papers)
25. Clear & calm. Mer. at 52 in the Morning—but little wind all day. Mer. 66 at highest and 63 at N. Mrs. & Miss Fairfax & Miss Dennison dined here & returned & Doctr. Stuart came in the Evening.
79[Diary entry: 13 January 1798] (Washington Papers)
13. Clear & no wind in the morning. Mer. at 28—greatest height 48—in the evening at 43. Calm & pleasant all day.
80From George Washington to William Herbert, 21 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed are Two negociable Notes, sent to the Bank of Alexandria for collection. The amount of which, when received, to be placed to my credit. I begin to feel the necessity more clearly, of renewing my note, than I do a prospect of receiving what is due to me from others. I mention it now that measures for accomplishing of it may be taken in time. Having forgot the name of the person who has...