251From George Washington to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 5 June 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 20th Ulto from Mulberry Grove, came duly to hand, and would have received an earlier acknowledgment had I not allowed time for the completion of your visit to the Frontier Posts, in the State of Georgia. I thank you for the interesting details you took the trouble of communicating in that letter, and its enclosures; but it was not, nor is it, my wish to inflict such...
252From George Washington to James Keith, 13 March 1798 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir, Mount Vernon 13th Mar. 1798 A few days ago I received the enclosed letter and Papers from Mr Lear, but before I execute the Deed to the President of the Potomack Company alone, I wish to be informed from you (as one of the Directors) whether this would be agreeable to the letter of the Resolutions, on which the measure is founded —and if not strictly so, whether the Act of...
253From George Washington to Roger West, 19 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
Sometime ago the Servant who waits upon me, named Christopher (calling himself Christopher Sheels) asked my permission to marry a Mulatto girl belonging to you. As he had behaved as well as servants usually do, I told him I had no objection to the union, provided your consent (which was necessary) could be obtained. This I presume happened⟨,⟩ because I understand they are married. I was in...
254From George Washington to John Greenwood, 7 December 1798 (Washington Papers)
What you sent me last answer exceedingly well; and I send the first to be altered & made like them, if you can. Your recollection of these—with the directions and observations contained in my two last letters—the latter especially—supercedes the necessity of being particular in this. I will however just remark that the great error in those (now returned to you) is, that the upper teeth & bars...
255From George Washington to Robert Goodloe Harper, 10 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
By the last Post I was honoured with your “observations on the dispute between the United States and France” and for your polite attention in sending them to me I pray you to accept my best acknowledgments. Being on the point of celebrating Harvest [at] home, I must be allowed, as a Farmer, to make every other matter yield to the accomplishment thereof; that being over, the Pamphlet, I am...
256From George Washington to Benjamin Stoddert, 31 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
This letter will be presented to you by Burwell Bassett Esqr. one of the Senate of this Commonwealth—and a Nephew to Mrs Washington—whom I beg leave to introduce to your civilities. Mr Bassett will mention to you the wish of another of Mrs Washingtons Nephews—Mr Robert Henley—to obtain a birth as Midshipman in one of our Frigates (if youths of Sixteen are admitted). I am not, myself,...
257From George Washington to Alexander Smith, 17 June 1798 (Washington Papers)
For such Plank & Scantling as Captn Walters delivered, I have paid, at the rates mentioned in your letter of the 5th Inst.; of which I give you notice, having done it reluctantly, as you did not direct it in your letter, and he could produce no order to that effect. It was customary, he said, for him to receive payment; knew you expected it in this instance; that you wanted the money; and that...
258From George Washington to John Gassaway, 28 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 20th Instant, with other letters, were brought to this place at a time when I was not in a situation to acknowledge the receipt of them. A fever with which I was seized on the 18th could not be checked before the 24th at night; and has left me a good deal debilitated. I mention this circumstance as an apology for your not hearing from me at an earlier period. As I shall have...
259From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 3 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your private & confidential letter of the 24th Ulto came duly, and safely to hand. Its contents, I confess, surprised me. But as men will view the same things in different lights, I would now , fain hope that the P——has caught the true one; and, that good will come from the Mission, which is about to depart. These are my wishes, and no one is more ardent in them; but I see nothing in the...
260From George Washington to William Booker, 26 June 1797 (Washington Papers)
From the good report I have had of your improved threshing machine, I am desirous of getting one or two of them erected; and as expeditiously as possible. The Scantling for two, upon the Plan of Mr Jefferson & others, of the Scotch machine, had been got before I received the account of yours; and may, I presume, be appropriated to the latter. The purpose therefore of this letter, is to know if...
261From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 14 July 1799 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for the enclosure in your letter of the 1st instant, and for forwarding my letters to England, under cover to Mr King. Since the receipt of the above, General Pinckney has given me the whole of Major Mountf[l]orence’s letter to him. Surely La Fayette will not come here on such an errand, and under such circumstances as are mentioned in that letter. And yet—I believe he will, if the...
262From George Washington to James McHenry, 5 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
At the earnest request of General Hamilton, that I would give instructions for having the eighth, ninth and tenth Regiments of Infantry provided with Winter Quarters, which it was very desireable should be at Harper’s Ferry, I have departed from the resolution which I had formed, not to take charge of any military operations, unless the Army should be called into the Field, so far as to Order...
263From George Washington to Oliver Evans, 8 April 1798 (Washington Papers)
As you have some knowledge of my Mill: and much in the way of being acquainted with Millers, I have taken the liberty of asking, if you could recommend a good one, of honest sober character, to me. My present one stands engaged to the middle of August only, and it is not probable the agreement will continue longer: because, altho’ he is a pretty good Miller, & I have no charge against his...
264From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 15 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
Since writing to you on the 29th ultimo, I have received a letter from Colo. Parker, informing me that he had fixed upon a spot, on the public Ground, at Harper’s Ferry, as the most eligable place for cantoning the 7th, 8th and 9th Regiments, agreeably to your instructions, and the ideas which I communicated to him. And, I presume, measures are now taking to provide huts at that place for...
265From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 10 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 5th instt with its enclosures, and also one of prior date, forwarding (at the request of Doctr Edwards) a Pamphlet from Sir John Sinclair have come duly to hand. For your kindness in sending these, & particularly for the information given in your letter of the 5th I feel myself very much obliged. The conduct of the French Directory towards General Pinckney is, I believe,...
266From George Washington to Lawrence Lewis, 4 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 24th Ulto has been received, and I am sorry to hear of the loss of your Servant; but it is my opinion these elopements will be much more, before they are less frequent; and that the persons making them should never be retained, if they are recovered, as they are sure to contaminate and discontent others. I wish from my Soul that the Legislature of this State could see the...
267From George Washington to Mason Locke Weems, 29 August 1799 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favored with your letter of the 20th instant—accompanying “The Philanthropist.” For your politeness in sending the latter, I pray you to receive my best thanks. Much indeed is it to be wished that the sentiments contained in the Pamphlet, and the doctrine it endeavours to inculcate, were more prevalent. Happy would it be for this country at least, if they were so. But while...
268From George Washington to John Marshall, Edward Carrington, and William Heth, 12 May 1799 (Washington Papers)
Although the letter, of which the enclosed is a copy, is of old date, it has but just been received from the Secretary of War. Without aid, it will be impossible for me to carry his views into effect; which, & the confidence I place in you, is the best apology I can make for asking you to assist me, in the business required. I have, with the exception of short intervals, been so many years...
269From George Washington to James McHenry, 13 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
I observe by the concluding paragraph of your letter of the 10th instant that you contemplate conferences between the Secretaries of State and of the Treasury and myself, for the purpose of obtaining auxiliary information from their departments—Several of the questions which you state seem indeed to require such information. But on reflection, it has occurred to me as most regular, that you...
270From George Washington to Winthrop Sargent, 27 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
A few days since, a Mr Jos[ep]h Massey (said to be a Surveyor) of the North Western Territory, passed through Alexandria on his way to Philadelphia, and there said to a Gentleman, without assigning reasons, or having them asked, that I should lose my lands on the little Miami in that Country. Never having heard of any claim to it, or being able to conjecture on what ground it can be...
271From George Washington to William Thornton, 26 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
For, and on account of Mr Blagden, I enclose you a Post note of the Bank of Columbia, for ninety three dollars forty three cents, and a check on the Bank of Alexandria for nine hundred and six dollars and fifty seven cents. Together, amounting to one thousand dollars, requested by Mr Blagden. With esteem and regard I am Dear Sir Your Obedt Humble Servt Let me request the favour of you to...
272From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 15 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 8th instt conveys very pleasing information, and I feel obliged by the communication. Although you did not give your letter the stamp of privacy, I did not think myself at liberty to mention the purport of it to some good Federal characters who were dining with me at the time I received it, and who would have thought it the best Desert I could have offered. Hence forward, I...
273From George Washington to William Herbert, 25 June 1799 (Washington Papers)
In expectation of receiving considerable sums of money for Lands sold for the express purpose of raising it, I have (being able hitherto to get along without it) forborne to apply to the Bank for aid. But out of $15,000 which ought to have been paid by the first of June 1798, and nearly the same sum this month for Lands, sold by me I have recd $1700 only. This disappointment, and calls upon me...
274From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 8 June 1797 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is the Power of Attorney (you sent me) executed before, and authenticated by a Notary public in Alexandria. Let me request ⟨the favor⟩ of you to inform Mr A⟨itkens Cabinet⟩ maker in Chestnut Street, ⟨that no Key⟩ came for the upper part of ⟨the Secreta⟩ry (writing desk) he sent me⟨; and that⟩ part of one of the side Tables ⟨also⟩ wanted a key. Whether it is in his power now to remedy...
275From George Washington to James McHenry, 16 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed letter from Major Lawrence Lewis requires explanation, and it is the purpose of this letter to give it. He had, it seems, been making Overtures of Marriage to Miss Custis some time previous to the formation of the Augmented Corps in November last, at Philadelphia; without any apparent impression, until she found he was arranged as a Captain in the Regiment of Light Dragoons, and...
276From George Washington to Anthony Heusler, 18 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
I should have written to you at an earlier period, but for the following reasons. First, because as I informed you, I had written to Scotland for a complete Gardner under Indentures; and expected every day to learn the result of my application. I could not therefore, enter into engagements with another without hazarding a disappointment to one of the parties, or a surplusage of men in that...
277From George Washington to James McHenry, 1 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
You will be at no loss to perceive, from my private letter to you of the 16th ulto, extracts from which you sent to the President of the United States; and from my representation to him, dated the 25th following, the rough draught of wch was enclosed in my last, what my determination is, if he perseveres in his Resolution to change the order of the Major Generals, and to disregard the...
278From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 4 January 1799 (Washington Papers)
If you should have conceived, that the letters I have written to you since my retirement from the Chair of Government, worth the room they would take up in your Beaureau; and can readily lay your hands upon one written on the 6th of February in the past year, I would thank you for a copy of the last page thereof. A Press copy was taken of that letter; and all of it, except the last page,...
279From George Washington to William Hayward Foote, 7 June 1799 (Washington Papers)
In searching old Memos., I found notes of which the enclosed is a Copy. I was uncertain at the time of running the meanders of the run, on which side the body of the water went, of course, as the Run is the boundary, it was then, and still may be, uncertain, to whom the Island belongs. But if my memory serves me, I think it was claimed by George Ashford; and the courses will, I believe,...
280From George Washington to Thomas Law, 21 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
In acknowledging the receipt of your note—which came to hand two days since, without date—I shall only observe, that whenever it suits the convenience of yourself & Mrs Law to visit Mount Vernon, we shall be happy in seeing you. I had a desire (not a strong one) to possess the corner lot belonging to Mr Carroll on New Jersey Avenue, merely on account of its local situation; but have...
281From George Washington to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 17 December 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 24th Ulto has been duly received; but one cause or another has prevented the acknowledgment until now, when I thank you for the Presidents Speech which it enclosed, and your obliging offer to render me any services I might need, in Phila. One reason why I did not sooner notice the offer of a Mr Barker—to pay you on my A/c $500 in behalf of Colonl Shreve, was my expectation...
282From George Washington to Roger West, 23 April 1799 (Washington Papers)
I will answer the queries contained in your letter of this date, to the best of my recollection. In the morning visit you did me the honor to make, sometime last Autumn, at which you delivered me a letter from Colo. Hooe, intimating your desire to engage in the Military Service of our Country, I understood, from the conversation that passed on that occasion, that your object was to enter into...
283From George Washington to John William Bronaugh, 11 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed you will receive a copy of the courses and distances of my tract of 7276 acres of Land on the Great Kanhawa, adjoining Poketallico Creek. I am obliged to you for giving me the offer of 2000 Acres of your Land in that quarter, but my own want of money induced me to sell two tracts of near 5000 Acres in the Counties of Washington and Fayette in the State of Pennsylvania for much less...
284From George Washington to Doddridge Pitt Chichester and Daniel McCarty Chichester, 25 April 1799 (Washington Papers)
I shall be obliged to you, or either of you, who may be in the practice of hunting, or driving Deer on my land, for desisting from that practice. My Lands have been Posted, according to Law, many years; and never has, nor while I possess them, will be revoked. Besides this, in order to have the notification better understood by those who bordered on me, I had (as you will perceive by the...
285From George Washington to Thomas Peter, 28 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
Just as I was on the point of sending the letter which covers this note, to the Post Office, Mr Law came in; I therefore detained it, for his conveyance; & hearing of some very extravagant—indeed almost incredible prices of Tobacco shipped to London (for instance three hundred & ninety odd pounds paid for five hogsheads) I have been disposed if my Six hogsheads (when the last is made of sufft...
286To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 25 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been duly favoured with your letter of the 15th instant. When the disposition was contemplated for assigning to Major General Pinckney and to yourself your respective districts of superintendence, I was of opinion (as you will see by the enclosed copy of a letter which I wrote to the Secretary of War on my way from Philadelphia to this place) that the whole of General Wilkinson’s...
287From George Washington to Charles Carter, Jr., 26 June 1797 (Washington Papers)
When you informed me that Mr Booker was erecting a threshing machine for some Gentleman in your neighbourhood, I expressed a wish that he would come hither; but intended before we parted to have been more pointed in my request on this head; but your trip to the Federal City and early departure the morning after you returned, were the occasions of my forgetting to do so. Let me now ask the...
288From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 10 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
By leaving the enclosed letter to Mr Kitt (who was my household Steward in Philadelphia) open for your perusal, it supercedes the necessity of my saying more on the subject than to beg your attention to, and aid in the measure which is requested therein. Mr Kitt lives, I believe, at the United States Bank, and if not, Mr Wolcot, I am persuaded can inform you of the place of his residence. Pray...
289From George Washington to Benjamin Dulany, 15 July 1799 (Washington Papers)
As I grow no Tobacco, and probably never shall, I have it in contemplation to make some material changes in the œconomy of my Farms. To accomplish this object, a reduction of the present force on them is necessary; of course, the means by which it is to be effected, must have undergone consideration. Presuming then that it might be agreeable to Mrs French—or to you—to whom they will ultimately...
290From George Washington to William Thornton, 10 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your favours of the 6th & 8th instant have both been received, and I pray you to accept my best thanks for the rare & valuable present you have made me. Being the produce of your own Estate renders it more acceptable, and nothing will add more to the go’vt of it, than your coming sometimes to parcipitate in the taste—fog, or no fog. I have no doubt but that the section of Square No. 21 is...
291From George Washington to Samuel Washington, 31 January 1799 (Washington Papers)
Into what channel you put your letter of the 7th of November—is not for me to say, but this I can add, that it never came to my hands until the 13 th Instant; when, if you had put it into any Post-Office, it would have been received at this place in three or four days, and whilst I was in Philadelphia in three or four days more. It is of little avail, to investigate now, what has produced the...
292From George Washington to Hugh West, 11 April 1798 (Washington Papers)
In reply to your letter of this date, I inform you that when I left the Chair of Government, I resolved not to intermeddle in any appointments which should take place by vacancies, in offices, thereafter. From this determination I have not departed in any instance, although sollicited for recommendations in an hundred. If the certificate of your good behaviour (while you wrote in my Office in...
293From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 4 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
In a late letter from the Attorney General (Lee) he has requested a copy of the opinion he gave relative to the recall of Mr Monroe. Among the Packages most likely (as I conceived) to produce it, I have searched for the Original in vain; nor among these do I find the opinions of the Heads of Departments on various other subjects. How to account for this I am unable, unless the bundle...
294From George Washington to Zechariah Lewis, 30 August 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 15th instant accompanying the Oration of the Honble Mr Daggett, and that delivered by yourself, have been duly received, and read with pleasure. For your polite attention in sending them to me, I pray you to accept the thanks of Revd Sir Your Most obedient Humble Servt ALS (photocopy), DLC:GW . Letter not found. David Daggett (1764–1851), a staunch Connecticut Federalist,...
295From George Washington to Thomas Attwood Digges, 31 August 1799 (Washington Papers)
Genl Washington presents his compliments to Mr Digges, and will, with pleasure, exchange 20 bushels of the early white wheat with him when he gets it out of the straw; which is not the case at present—nor can be until the latter end of next week or beginning of the week following: which would be full early for sowing that kind of Wheat—Indeed any time in September is in good season. The...
296From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 17 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
I have been induced (in convenient as it is to my Finances) to build two houses in the Federal City—near the Capital—to accomodate a person who means to lay himself out for the accomodation of the members of Congress; when that body shall have removed to the permanent Seat of the Government. For those buildings I shall want Glass, in quantity, quality & size, as per enclosed list; and being...
297From George Washington to James McHenry, 28 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
Knowing that the War Office has an Agency in the Western Lands, I take the liberty of putting the enclosed letters to General Putnam and Colo. Sargent under cover to you, open. By doing so, it supercedes the necessity of a repetition of what is therein mentioned. Another reason for giving you this trouble, is, that if Mr Massey is a Surveyor in the Northwestern Territory, it is highly probable...
298From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 28 May 1798 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed you will receive my Power of Attorney to sell the sum of three thousand four hundred and ninety four dollars and thirty one cents, Six pr Cent stock of the United States, which stands in my name on the Books in Philadelphia, and also the certificate of sd Stock. This ⟨stock⟩ is loaned by me for the use of the Potomack Company, and in the application thereof you ⟨will be⟩ pleased to...
299From George Washington to James McHenry, 10 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
The letter from Mr Ames to Mr Bent, containing further evidence to his good character, I send. The other letter from Mr Carter (who married a Niece of mine) though private, I send also but request it may b⟨e⟩ returned; what he says of a cert⟨ain⟩ character—may be treasured up, but reported as coming from him. His brother is an utter stranger to me, and therefore I can add nothing to what he...
300From George Washington to Frederick Kitt, 29 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 15th instant has been duly received, and we were glad to hear that you & Mrs Kitt were well, and had escaped the malady with which the City has been afflicted. But sorry to be informed that two, who had been my domestics, had fallen victims to it. Continue your enquiries, I pray you, after Herculas; and if you should find it necessary, hire some one who is most likely to be...