301[Diary entry: 6 June 1798] (Washington Papers)
6. Morning—Mer. at 65. Calm & thin clouds; thunder abt. 10 Oclock & Showers at a distance. In the Afternoon Rain for near an hour. Mer. 64 at Night. Mr. Law went away this morning & Dr. Stuart Mrs. Stuart & three daughters came to breakfast & dinner. According to Niemcewicz, the Stuarts arrived in a coach and four with two postilions and two men on horseback ( niemcewicz , 103). The Stuarts’...
302From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 19 June 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 7th instant, with its enclosures, has been duly received. I am very glad to learn that the recruiting business, so far as it has been put in Operation, succeeds agreeably to your wishes. It has commenced in Virginia, and I am informed that, in this vicinity (and I have no intelligence from the more distant parts of the State) its progress is very flattering. A supply of...
303From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 6 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 30th Ult. was received by the last Post. As the Encyclopædia might be useful, to have by me (though wanting the last Volume or two) I would if the binding business goes on as usual, request Mr Dobson to have all that are published, neatly bound and sent to me, except the last vole which may be retained as a sample to bind the remainder by. I do not recollect, but suppose the...
304[Diary entry: 25 May 1798] (Washington Papers)
25. Very brisk So. Westerly wind with misting showers at Intervals from about Noon. Rain in the afternoon. Mrs. Peaks fam. dined here.
305[Diary entry: 9 November 1797] (Washington Papers)
9. Calm, clear & remarkably pleasant. Mer. 52.
306From George Washington to Thomas Marshall, Jr., 22 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 4th of August came safe to my hands under cover from Mr Colston—whom I have authorised to draw upon me for the full balance as stated in the a/c transmitted by you. It dwells however upon my mind (but not perfectly) that the first item therein—viz.—£8.17.3 has been paid to some person who appeared authorised to receive it; but as My voluminous Papers (brought from...
307[Diary entry: 23 October 1797] (Washington Papers)
23. Very clear & pleasant—M. 56. Went with the family to dine with Mr. Potts in Alexandria.
308[Diary entry: 10 June 1798] (Washington Papers)
10. Morning—Wind pretty fresh from No. Et. but clear—Mer. 70. Very lowering in the Evening—Mer. 66. Doctr. Stuart returned, & Mr. Lear dined here.
309[Diary entry: 16 March 1797] (Washington Papers)
16. At home all day alone. Wind at East & very cloudy all day.
310[Diary entry: 13 November 1797] (Washington Papers)
13. Clear, calm & remarkably fine & pleasant—Mer. 55 a 65. The British Envoy Mr. Liston & his Lady—Mr. Marchant & his lady & her Son Mr. Brown and Mr. Athill Speaker of the Assembly of Antigua came to Dinner as did a Doctr. Pinckard. The last went afterwards. Robert Liston (1743–1836) served as British minister and ambassador at several important posts before being appointed in 1796 as envoy...
311From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 26 April 1798 (Washington Papers)
If Stuart can spare a Steer, you may keep the one you got from thence and pay for him in kine. Fishing, hitherto, has been very unsuccessful at my landing. More were caught last night and this morning (since I have not heard from thence) than in the same space at any time before since it commenced; & unless it continues for some days my expences will not be reimbursed. Have you written to...
312From George Washington to James Anderson (of Scotland), 25 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 8th of February came safe, and would have received an earlier acknowledgment if anything had sooner occurred, worthy of communication. I hope you have not only got relieved of the fever from which you were then recovering, but of the langour with which it had affected you; and that you are now engaged in the literary pursuits of which you gave the outlines—and which with...
313[Diary entry: 3 December 1797] (Washington Papers)
3. Wind hard and cold all day from No. Wt. Mer.—From 28 to 18.
314[Diary entry: 20 March 1797] (Washington Papers)
20. Cool in the morning with the wind still at No. W. but very moderate afternoon.
315From George Washington to Charles Fenton Mercer, 25 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter with its enclosures have been received; whether in the ordinary course of the Mail I am unable to inform you, as you have omitted to give it a date. From the copies of yours to Doctr Smith, and his to the President, which are dated the 9th & 10th of June, It is to be feared that there has been much delay in the case. From the very sincere regard I entertained for your deceased...
316[Diary entry: 28 September 1797] (Washington Papers)
28. A small white frost; clear, Calm & very pleasant. Mer. at 65. Mr. Edmd. Lee Mr. Scudder—Doctr. English & brother dined here. Edmund Jennings Lee (1772–1843) was the fifth son of Henry Lee of Leesylvania. He and his wife had settled in Alexandria where he practiced law. Mr. Scudder may be a son or brother of Nathaniel Scudder (1733–1781) of Monmouth County, N.J., who had been a member of...
317From George Washington to Jedidiah Morse, 26 May 1799 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for your Sermon “Exhibiting the present dangers, and consequent duties of the Citizens of the United States of America” which came to hand by the last Post: and which I am persuaded I shall read with approbating pleasure, as soon as some matters in which I am engaged at present, are dispatch’d. With esteem and regard I am, Revd Sir, Your Obedt & obliged Humble Servant ALS , owned...
318From George Washington to Benjamin Fendall, 6 March 1798 (Washington Papers)
Mrs Washington has been long in expectation of receiving what you took away unfinished, and was to have completed and sent to her; and prays that it may be done with out further delay, as she is in want of them; & must apply elsewhere if not done. I am Sir Your Obedt Hble Ser. ALS (letterpress copy), DLC:GW . The dentist Benjamin Fendall of Cedar Hill in Charles County, Md., was at Mount...
319From George Washington to James Anderson, 10 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
In a hasty note which I wrote to you on Sunday last, I informed you, that as soon as time and circumstances would permit, I would be more full on a subject which I could then, but barely touch upon. The latter of these has not, yet, put it so fully in my power as I could wish to fulfil this promise. I shall, however, endeavour to explain my meaning without further ⟨delay⟩. I have, for more...
320From George Washington to John Marshall, 4 December 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your very interesting and obliging favour of the 15th of September from the Hague, came duly to hand, and I thank you sincerely for the important details with which it is fraught, & pray for the continuance of them. I congratulate you too on your safe arrival from Ship-board; and, as the Newspapers tell us, at Paris; and I wish, a little while hence, I may have it in my power to do the same on...
321From George Washington to William White, 30 May 1799 (Washington Papers)
The Sermon on the duty of Civil obedience as required in Scripture, which you had the goodness to send me, came safe a Post or two ago; and for which I pray you to accept my grateful acknowledgments. The hurry in which it found me engaged, in a matter that pressed, has not allowed me time to give it a perusal yet: but I anticipate the pleasure & edification I shall find when it is in my power...
322Enclosure: Washington’s Plans for His River, Union, and Muddy Hole Farms, 10 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
River-Farm Crops for, & operations thereon, for the year 1800 Field No. 1—Is now partly in Wheat. Part thereof is to be sown with Oats. another part may be sown with Pease, broadcast. Part is in meadow, and will remain so. and the most broken, washed, & indifferent part, is to remain uncultivated; but to be harrowed & smoothed in the Spring, and the worst parts thereof (if practicable) to be...
323From George Washington to Benjamin Dulany, 12 September 1799 (Washington Papers)
If Mrs French or yourself, have come to any determination respecting the proposal I made in a letter addressed to you on the 15th of July last, it would be obliging to inform ⟨me of⟩ the result; as the season is fully ⟨arri⟩ved when my arrangements for the ensuing year must be ⟨made.⟩ Knowing that Mrs ⟨French⟩ had rented her Farm, I did ⟨not illegible ⟩ expect that it would have suited her to...
324From George Washington to Rufus King, 6 December 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 6th of September has been duly received, and for the information contained in the enclosure, respecting Genl Lafayette, I offer you my thanks. The footing on which his releasement is placed by the Emperor, & the succeeding event in Paris, on the 4th of September, renders his proceedings after he gets to Hamburgh, problematical. Should these circumstances (for it is not easy...
325[Diary entry: 26 October 1799] (Washington Papers)
26. Morning very heavy with drippings now & then of Rain. Wind Southerly & Mer. at 58. Clear afterwards—wind in the same place & Mer. 61 at Night. Doctr. Stuart & family, and young McCarty returned here to Dinner.
326From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 9 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
Thus far we have arrived safe, but found it disagreeably cold. To give the greater surety to the large looking Glasses, and such other articles as are liable to be injured by the jolting of a dray; be so good as to have taken down by hand, and stowed where they will not be trod on; or tossed about in the Vessel’s hold. The grate (from Mr. Morris’s) pray have packed first in some of the old...
327[Diary entry: 19 March 1799] (Washington Papers)
19. Calm in the Morning, & somewhat lowering afterwards, Wind Southerly & Mer. at 34 at Night.
328[Diary entry: 16 November 1799] (Washington Papers)
16. Clear & calm all day. Mer. at 42 in the morning & 52 at Night. Doctr. Craik came here in the afternoon on a visit to sick people.
329[Diary entry: 30 October 1799] (Washington Papers)
30. Morning again clear & calm, Mer. at 43. Calm all day, and Mer. 50 at Night.
330[Diary entry: 9 April 1799] (Washington Papers)
9. In the morning Mer. at 56. Wind very fresh from South & very likely for Rain. Shifted abt. 9 Oclock & blew violently at No. W. turned cold. Mer. 32 at Night. Mrs. Washington of H: came. mrs. washington of h : Elizabeth Foote Washington of Hayfield.
331From George Washington to Lawrence Lewis, 2 December 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 21st Ulto has been duly received. In reply, I have to observe that, the end of my enquiry into the cause of my not seeing you the morning I left Mount Vernon, has been altogether mistaken. It was not from a supposed disrespect on your part, but not being able to recollect whether you were at breakfast, and the apparent slight, if you had been too unwell to leave your room,...
332[Diary entry: 6 December 1799] (Washington Papers)
6. Morning heavy, with appearances of clearing now & then, but about 2 oclock it set in to raining. Mer. 34 in the morning & 37 at Night.
333[Diary entry: 23 March 1799] (Washington Papers)
23. Mer. at 35 in the Morning and 34 at Night. Wind at No. Wt. all day and cool. Mr. & Mrs. Lawe. Lewis returned from the Federal City.
334[Diary entry: 20 November 1799] (Washington Papers)
20. Morning clear & cold. Wind at No. Wt. and Ice. Mer. at 27. Calm in the afternoon & Mer. 34 at Night. Mr. McCarty went away after breakfast and Mrs. Summers—Midwife for Mrs. Lewis came here abt. 3 Oclk.
335From George Washington to George Washington Parke Custis, 13 June 1798 (Washington Papers)
It is now near four weeks since any person of this family has heard from you, although you were requested to write to some one in it, once a fortnight, knowing (as you must do) how apt your Grandmama is to suspect that you are sick, or some accident has happened to you, when you omit this? I have said, that none of us have heard from you, but it behooves me to add, that from persons in...
336George Washington to James McHenry, [13 December 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Since my arrival at this place I have been closely engaged, with the aid of Generals Hamilton and Pinckney, in fulfilling the objects of your letter of the 10th of November. The result is now submitted. The two first questions you propose, respecting the appointment of the Officers and men of the troops to be raised in virtue of the act of Congress of the 16th. of July last among districts and...
337[Diary entry: 13 April 1799] (Washington Papers)
13. A little rain fell last night. Wind at No. Wt. & Mer. 45 in the Morning—contd. at No. Wt. all day—but not hard. Mer. 50 at Night.
338To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 10 April 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Mount Vernon, April 10, 1799. “I have received your letter of the 27th. ulto., enclosing a design of dividing the State of Virginia into Divisions, & Subdivisions, for the head quarters of the Rendezvouses in each: asking my opinion of the proper distribution of them, for the convenience of the Recruiting Service. The Grand division of the State, I conceive to be well allotted and with …...
339[Diary entry: 10 December 1799] (Washington Papers)
10. Morning clear & calm. Mer. at 31. Afternoon lowering. Mer. at 42 and wind brisk from the Southward. A very large hoar frost this morng.
340[Diary entry: 19 January 1798] (Washington Papers)
19. More lowering & likely to snow than yesterday. Wind still Northerly—And Mer. at 26 in the morning—the same at Night & only raised two degrees in the course of the day. Afternoon threatned Snow much.
341[Diary entry: 3 May 1799] (Washington Papers)
3d. Wind fresh from No. Et. & very Cloudy. Mer. at 50 in the morning. About 9 Oclock it began to rain & contd. to do so until near 2 Oclk. when it ceased & became a clear afternoon. Mer. 43 at night.
342[Diary entry: 9 February 1798] (Washington Papers)
9. Returned home to Dinner—hard freezing the three last Nights. Weather still cold. Wind No. Easterly. Mer. at night 20. Found Mr. Geo. Calvert here.
343From George Washington to John Mason, 8 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 4th instant, enclosing a Resolution of the Legislature of Maryland to take, on account of the State, one hundred & thirty shares in the augmented Capital of the Potomak Company, and thank you for your politeness in forwarding of it to me. Altho’ this mode of obtaining money to complete the Navigation of the River, differs from the plan adopted at the last...
344[Diary entry: 6 October 1798] (Washington Papers)
6. Morning clear—Very little Wind Mer. at 60. Clear all day. Mer. 65 at Night. Mr. Bushrod Washington & Captn. Blackburn came to dinner & Mr. Thos. Peter returned in the afternoon from New Kent. Bushrod Washington had, just a week earlier, been appointed by John Adams to the Supreme Court of the United States to fill the vacancy left by the death of James Wilson. The appointment was confirmed...
345[Diary entry: 23 January 1798] (Washington Papers)
23. Snow, just sufft. to cover the ground, fell in the Night. Wind at No. Wt. in the Morning & Mer. at 30—at Noon 25 & at night 20. Wind fresh all day. Mr. Howell Lewis came to Dinner. Howell Lewis (1771–1822), of Culpeper County, was the youngest child of Fielding and Betty Washington Lewis. In 1793 he served GW as an interim manager of Mount Vernon until GW found and hired William Pearce.
346From George Washington to James McHenry, 27 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed letters, from Genl Morgan and Captn G. S. Washington, recommending the Revd Mr Hill, as Chaplin to the Troops about to be stationed at Harper’s Ferry, have come to my hands, and are now forwarded for your inspection. I do not observe in the “Act for the better organizing the Troops of the U.S. &c.” that any provision is made for Chaplins. Whether they are provided for in any other...
347[Diary entry: 13 February 1798] (Washington Papers)
13. A sprinkle of Snow fell in the Night. Wind at No. Et. Raw & threatning a fall of Weather all day. Returned home to dinner. Mer. 30 at Night.
348[Diary entry: 10 October 1798] (Washington Papers)
10. and eleventh absent—in the Federal City—Weather warm & dry the whole time. Mr. Welch & Mr. Tracy came in the afternoon. James Welch’s visit was for the purpose of persuading GW to accept some of Welch’s other lands in place of a portion of the Elk Creek tract as security for his payment on GW’s Kanawha lands. Welch thought he had a buyer for some of the Elk Creek lands, and he needed the...
349From George Washington to John Mason, 2 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
I am just informed by the President of the Potomac Company, that the application to the Maryland Assembly on behalf of that Company, for aid to complete their works, has met with much delay, and even at this time, is uncertain in its event—a circumstance which I learn with no small regret. Understanding also, from the same source, that some persons have expressed a doubt whether I still...
350From George Washington to James McHenry, 7 July 1799 (Washington Papers)
I have considered, with attention, the Rules adopted by the President of the U.S. relative to rank & promotion in the Army, which were enclosed in your letter of the 2d inst. wherein you request me to suggest any alterations which may appear proper, to make them more perfect. These Rules meet my full approbatn, and I see no inconvenience that can arise from the establishment of them unless it...