11Address of Baltimore City Council, 12 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
To partake of the prosperity arising from your unwearied attention to the Welfare of our Country—To admire that firmness which has never been disconcerted in the greatest difficulties, and which has acquired vigor in proportion to the exigency. To feel that honorable ascendancy you have obtained in the well founded opinion of your fellow Citizens by a Wise administration, and the exercise of...
12To George Washington from Landon Carter, 12 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your favr of the 27th ulmo came to hand three days ago just when I was puting into the Office a Letter of congratulation to meet you at your assylum from the Labors of a weighty Trust. Abstracted from self I can withdraw from an high Idea of the importance of our Loss and am capable of exulting in the calm delights of the Man I love and whom e’er long I may have permission to call by the...
13To George Washington from John Fitzgerald and James Craik, 13 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
A number of the Inhabitants of this town & its Vicinity wish to have the pleasure of meeting you on your entrance into the State & escorting you to Mt Vernon[.] As they flatter themselves that this token of their sincere affection & esteem will not meet your disapprobation, they have dispatched the bearer & request you will let them know at what time you will probably cross the ferry that they...
14To George Washington from Edmund Pendleton, 13 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
However as a citizen I may depricate the consequences of your retirement from the helm of our political barque in the present lowering season, yet as your friend I sincerely congratulate you on having eased your body and mind of that heavy and anxious weight, & returned to a tranquil private life with both in full vigor enabling you to enjoy the sweets of domestic ease and social converse,...
15To George Washington from Thomas Erskine, 15 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have taken the liberty to introduce your August & immortal name in a short sentence (see Page 58) which is to be found in the Book I send to you. I have a large acquaintance amongst the most valuable & exalted classes of men; but you are the only Human being for whome I ever felt an aweful reverence. I sincerely pray God to grant a long and serene evening to a life so gloriously devoted to...
16To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 15 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have before me your respected favers of the 9th, 10th & 12th inst. which have been received in due course. The directions contained in these several letters shall be duly attended to & the articles therein mentioned, forwarded. We have been fortunate in getting the things on board the Vessel without any injury and they are well stowed. A few more are to go down this morning (if rain should...
17To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 20 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose you a bill of Lading for the Articles ship’d on board the Sloop Salem, which was chartered to take your things around to Mount Vernon. She sailed Yesterday with a good wind, and I think the chance is that she will be in the Potomac by this day week. She is entirely filled with your things; and a few are yet remaining, which will be put on board a Vessel that sails...
18To George Washington from Francis Peyton, Jr., 20 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by the Council of this Town, to solicit the honor of your company, with the Gentlemen of your family, to dine with the Citizens of Alexandria, at Gadsby’s tavern on thursday next at two oclock. If the time proposed should not meet your convenience I should be happy to know at what time you can favour us with your presence. I am Sir with respect Yr Ob. Servt ALS , DLC:GW . Francis...
19To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 21 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
On the 18th I was honoured with your letter of the 14th covering an instrument directing the transfer of the streets and public lots in the City of Washington from Messrs Beall & Gantt to the Commissioners for that city: The seal of the United States has been affixed to it; and by to-morrow’s mail I shall send it to the Commissioners, as you desire. Dr Edwards has handed me the inclosed...
20To George Washington from Gustavus Scott, 21 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
I received whilst at Baltimore from Genl Swan 10 Pounds of the Chiccorry or Succourry Grass seed, just from England, fresh, & I believe of excellent Quality. His request to me was to distribute it among those most likely to ensure its propagation; & to forward one half of the whole Quantity to Mount Vernon. You will be pleased to say to whose Care at Alexandria I shall address it. The vast...
21To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 22 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
I most Sincerely Congratulate you & Mrs Washington on your Return, to Mt Vernon—and to that Domestic & Rural life, in which Real happiness & peace of mind is only to be found—and you both have my Sincere wishes, that the Remainder of yr days may be long, and that they may be enjoyed, in an uninterupted sceene of health & felicity. On the 3d day of april I take my departure for Kentucky—if you...
22To George Washington from John Turberville, 22 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
Sometime between the years 1740 & 1758, a Richard Magraw, of Fairfax County, Sold a Tract of Land, Containing 296 Acres, to Major Lawrance Washington of Mount Vernon, Which land, the Said Magraw, took up as waste land, in the year 1740 as by the proprietors Deed Specifies. The Land was adjoining to the Land taken up by Colo. Wm Fairfax, of Belvoir in the name of Anne Fairfax his Daughter Who...
23To George Washington from James McHenry, 24 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
Once more at home, and I flatter myself recovered from the fatigues of your journey. You have witnessed on your route the great affection and attachment of the people and the sound part of the community, which is still visible in every company I go into, and which I am persuaded will not diminish, though the external marks of it may gradually be less strongly expressessed. This is the least...
24To George Washington from William Bingham, 25 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
Amongst the Number that experience the Hospitalities of Mount Vernon, there are none whose personal Merit (independent of their Education, their Rank & Pretensions) more deservedly entitle them to this attention, than my Friends Mons’ d’Orleans, Mons’ de Montpensier & Mons’ de Beaujolois. Your previous Acquaintance with these Gentlemen, renders it unnecessary to recommend them more pointedly...
25To George Washington from George Washington Parke Custis, 25 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
A letter from my Sister this morning informed me of your safe arrival at Mount Vernon, which has hitherto prevented me from writing—I congratulate you on a thing so ardently wished for by all those interested in your welfare—The marks of approbation and esteem manifested in the manners of the different States thro which you passed must have been highly gratifying and satisfactory, and the...
26To George Washington from James Gillis, 28 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
Brothers Ramsay & Marsteller wait upon You with a Copy of an address which has been prepared by the unanimous desire of the Antient York Masons of Lodge No. 22. It is their earnest request that You will partake of a Dinner with them and that You will please appoint the time most convenient for You to attend. I am most beloved Brother Your most Obedt hble Servt ALS , DLC:GW . James Gillis...
27To George Washington from John Sinclair, 29 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor herewith to transmit to Your Excellency The account which I have Just printed of The origin of The Board of Agriculture and its progress for three years after its establishment, by which you will perceive the nature of our Exertions for the Internal Improvement and general benefit of the Country. I shall much esteem your casting an Eye over this paper when your leisure...
28To George Washington from Joseph Fay, 30 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 19th Ulto enclosing proposals for selling your Virginia Lands, came duly to hand, I have deferrd any reply until I gained an opportunity to consult several of my friends who proposed being concerned with me in the purchase; we have considered your proposals, and we find several obstacles in the way of closing with them. we should find much difficulty in making the first...
29George Lewis to GW, 31 March 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: George Lewis to GW, 31 Mar. 1797. On 9 April GW wrote Lewis : “Your letter of the 31st Ult. from Culpeper County, came to my hands.”
30To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 31 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 26 inst. Covering a copy of your favr dated Philada 1st feby 97 (the rect of which I really thought I had in my last to you acknowledged, but now find, I neglected so to do—) came to hand yesterday. Since the rect of yours dated philada I have rode to town four times to see and Converse with Majr Lewis as you requested, but never have been so fortunate as to find him at home, and...
31Farm Reports, 2–8 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
When in November 1785 GW himself took over for a few months the direct, day-to-day supervision of his several farms at Mount Vernon, he devised the general format for the weekly reports that successive farm managers thereafter followed. The reports of the farm manager were based upon the reports that the overseers of the individual farms made to him each week and often included reports from...
32To George Washington from Priscilla Beale, 2 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have been called on repeatedly by Mr Hezekiah Veach your Collector for the Rents Due you I have Long since sent some wheat to Baltimore for the Purpose of paying you the Rents due you. But when I sent it there wheat had fallen in Consequence of which I stowed it for a better markett. since Then I have been Afflicted with a very sick Family. one of my sons have been Down with the Consumtion...
33To George Washington from Thomas Hatfield, 5 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
Being impressed with your ardent desire to promote the Arts, and Sciences, in America; Allow me Sir to address you on the subject of establishing a Manufactory of Cotton in the City of Washington. I have conversed on the practicability of it, with several respectable Gentlemen, who feel anxious that a manufacture may be introduced there. On the first proposal of the Columbianum for the...
34To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 5 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
Capt. OBrien arrived here last Saturday from Lisbon. The Dey of Algiers is entirely our friend. Tripoli has agreed to a perpetual peace, for 40,000 dollars & some peace presents, without an annual tribute. In January last Mr Barlow mentions his expectations that peace would soon be effected with Tunis. The Dey of Algiers is now so warmly attached & has such entire confidence in the Honesty of...
35To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 5 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
Of the letters received from Mr King, those which I forwarded this morning were addressed to General Washington: two others, one addressed to the President of the U.S., and one to G.W. President of the U.S., I retained, under the idea that they were official, and presented them to Mr Adams: but he was inclined to think them intended for you personally; and therefore I now do myself the honor...
36To George Washington from Isaac Price, 5 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
I send you inclosed a pamphlet entitled a Jerseymans Common Sense. if it is approved by you and you think it prudent at this criticle Juncture that such sentiments should be publick, I shall have a number more printed But if discerning men deem it imprudent—and not conducive of harmony and unity—I shall desist—I assure you sir that my motive is purely from a principle of love to my countrey,...
37To George Washington from James McHenry, 6 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have received to-day your letter of the 3d inst. which contained the agreeable account of your safe arrival at home, and the objects with which you are surrounded. I am not sorry to hear that you have found so immediate employment; for altho’ I wish the hammering business was over and the smell of the oil gone I do not think either so great an enemy to happiness as having nothing to do. I...
38To George Washington from Battaile Muse, 6 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
My Father Sold me 2100 Acres Land Lying in the Knaway River—2000 of which was to be Conveyed by Colo. William Branaugh—which I am Told is done. As Far as I am informed I expect you may give up Colo. W. Branaughs His Bond that he gave you for the Conveyance of the 2000 acres Land as I have before wrote you—In the execution of the devetion of the Lands I expended 50/—which my Father Told me you...
39To George Washington from Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., 8 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
The Letter which you were pleased to write to me of the 3d inst. was not put into my hands ’till late on thursday evening, which prevented my answering it on friday morng as by some new arrangement the Mail for Alexa. is closed at ½ past 7 in the morning. The Lustre was taken down, well packed, and (with the Boat awning, Sail, &ca) put on board the Tryal, Capt. Hand, who sailed early on Monday...
40Farm Reports, 9–15 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
1797 April 9 in the Morning 50 N.W. clear 52 N.W. clear 50 W. cloudy 10 41 N.W. clear 46 N.W. clear 42 N.W. clear 11 52 W. clear 56 S.W. clear 52 S.W. clear 12 *62 S. clear 64 S. clear 62 S. clear *began Planting Corn on River Farm 13 62 S. cloudy
41To George Washington from John Eager Howard, 10 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
Since my return home Mr Gough has been generally in the Country at his farm which prevented my making enquiries of him respecting his cattle, until a few days ago. He at present has but one to dispose of that he would recommend to you—a young bull about nine months old, which he says will weigh at eighteen months, a thousand weight—I presume he means alive. But I am apprehensive you will think...
42To George Washington from James McHenry, 10 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday Mrs Murray Mr Murray and Mr Dandridge left this City for Amsterdam. Mr Dandridge had reced your letter on Saturday. He has left a thermometer with me for a post in Jersey. It is a present from you, but what is the name of the post, and where does he live? I believe in my hurry I have not detailed the facts to you respecting Gen. Pinckney as particular as I ought. The principal are as...
43To George Washington from Robert Morris, 10 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
I forwarded by Post the letter mentiond in the annexed from Mr Parish, under a Blank Cover to your address (being then hurried). You will judge wether the Contents of the annexed will be any gratification to Mr La Fayette to whom I pray my Compts. Mrs Morris & Maria desire their best & affectionate regards to Mrs Washington & Miss Custis. We were happy in the Company of Master Custis yesterday...
44To George Washington from Alexander Smith, 10 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
Herewith You will receive by Capt. Walter the different kinds of plank agreable to Your Memo. forwarded to me by Mr Henry from Philadelphia —the quantity of Inch plank has fallen a little short of what was expected. The only reason that can be assign’d for the Vessel not being with you in the first week of this month, there was some dificulty arose in carting the plank to the landing. The cost...
45To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 11 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose another letter from Colo. Humphreys which came in some of his late letters from Lisbon, & which among a mass of dispatches was overlooked. I have yet met with no private conveyance for the case with the buckles mentioned in my last. A letter of January 12 th reed this day from Mr Adams at the Hague, contains his conjectures on the motives of the extraordinary...
46To George Washington from Henry Lee, Jr., 15 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
On reaching this place I called on Mr Lingan to whom R. & F. referred me. The inclosed paper shews the determination to transfer 41 shares—letters are daily expected from R. & F. which will lead to the transfer of the ballance. As my election comes on next monday I fear my hurry will be such as to compel me to ⟨pass⟩ you & therefore I do now that by letr which I meant to have done personally....
47To George Washington from George Lewis, 15 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 9th Inst, was taken from the office by my Brother John, and only handed me on thursday evening, too late for friday’s mail, since then I have been makeing every exertion in my power, to procure for you such a workeman as you wishd, and am sorry to say without effect. the blacks in this neighbourhood are generally hired in the fall for the year, and there times will not expire...
48Farm Reports, 16–22 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
1797 April 16 in the Morning 54 S.E. & Rainy 56 S.E. & rain 54 S.E. & rain 17 56 S.E. & clear 60 S.E. clear 57 S.E. & rainy 18 51 N.W. cloudy 53 N.W. cloudy 51 N.W. clear 19 45 N.W. cloudy 47 N.W. clear 45 N.W. cloudy 20 46 N.W. cloudy 48 N.W. clear
49To George Washington from William Heath, 17 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
When you first ascended the highest seat in the Government of the United States, I could not but address you on an event so auspicious to our Country—Perhaps you might then think that I was pressing myself into notice or seeking for a place—But be assured my honorable Friend, that my heart is now as much attached to you on your retreat from Public Life, as when you Commenced a Career, which...
50To George Washington from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 19 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
I intended to have availed myself before this time of the permission you was pleased to give me, at a moment which I shall never forget; but indisposition & an uncommon pressure of business have prevented. The last accounts from France mention that General Pinckney had gone to Amsterdam in consequence of orders from the Directory. The treatment he recd was rude and insolent in the highest...
51To George Washington from Reed & Forde, 20 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
We should have answered your favour of the 31st of March earlier but waited for information from George Town the Power of Attorney we forwarded to transfer parts of the Columbia shares being informal has been returned to us, we have since sent a power properly authenticated and expect that on application to Mr Walter Smith the Shares will be transfered agreeable to our obligation. we are with...
52To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 21 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
To-day a Jerseyman called on me to enquire whether I knew of any agent of yours in this city, who could receive money for you. He said Colo. Israel Shrieve had formerly purchased some land of you at Red-Stone, which the Colo. sold to the Enquirer’s brother, in whose behalf he had come to pay two hundred pounds. Not knowing of any such agent, I told the man I would inform you of his...
53To George Washington from William Charles Cole Claiborne, 22 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
Permit an individual from a remote part of America, to address you, an individual little known in public Life, and whose personal Acquaintance with you is very confined: The freedom I thus take illy-becomes me; but when I recollect, that the Character I write to, is the great friend of Mankind, his Goodness to pardon an honest intention is my best excuse. The object of this Letter, is to...
54To George Washington from Elizabeth Foote Washington, 22 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have flatter’d myself should have got what fine herrings I want from your fishing Landing, but am inform’d I cannot, which has put me to a great nonplus to know what to do, or where to apply—for not doubting but what I should get them there (as it had been the custom) I never applied any where else. I have already had four hands waiting at the ferry Landing for near a week & got only three...
55Farm Reports, 23–29 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
1797 April 23d Morning 57 Thunder & Rain 59 W. Rain 57 W. cloudy 24 57 N.E. cloudy & rain 58 N.E. cloudy & showers 56 S. cloudy 25 57 S. & Rain 60 W. & clear 58 S. clear 26 60 W. clear 62 W. clear 60 W. clear 27 62 S.E. clear 64 E. clear
56To George Washington from Gustavus Scott, 23 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor of your favor of the 22d Instt with the Inclosures. In this and in every other Instance within my small Powers it will give me infinite pleasure to obey your Commands. I will wait on Messrs Lingham and Smith this day & if no unforeseen difficulties occur close the business tomorrow. & forward a Certificate of the Transfer by the earliest Mail after the Transfer is made. I have...
57To George Washington from George Ball, 24 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
Upon considering the writing more attentively, which pass’d between us, respecting the land—I think a part of it meterially improper—and I am confident when I state some facts you will think with me—the writing says I shall pay six Pr centum upon the purchase money from 1789 untill the whole is discharged. Your letter to Geo: Fitzhugh states that your terms are eight hundred pounds with...
58To George Washington from Joshua Humphreys, 24 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
Before you left this City you mentioned you wanted a pump for raising water about sixty feet, if you have not one provided and will please to give me the height the water must be raised, the quantity to be delivered, and also the use it is to be applied to, I will endeavour to find out and transmitt to you the best plan for having one made, and what the cost will be. The Frigate U. States will...
59To George Washington from St. George Tucker, 24 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
The solicitude which you have expressed in several of your communications to Congress for the establishment of a National University, & the apparent unwillingness of that body to act upon the subject, gave rise to the enclosed short essay, which I beg leave to submit to your perusal. Permit me to wish you many years of health and happiness, and to assure you of the most perfect esteem. I am,...
60To George Washington from Elizabeth Foote Washington, 24 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
I should not have mention’d my disappointment in not geting fish had I thought there had been justice done me—be assured I want no more, when I made application for fish, I was told that there was only two before me, Voilett & Cash—when they were supplied my turn should be next, I then waited patiently until word was sent me to send hands to receive my fish, I sent four which stay’d there near...