From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 3–10 February 1770
To Jonathan Boucher
Mount Vernon Feby 3d[–10] 1770
Revd Sir,
The uncertainty of your return from Maryland (as we heard that Potomack was Froze below Cedar Point) added to the difficulty, & indeed danger of crossing the Waters between this and your House are the Reason’s of Jackys detention here so long. We therefore if he shoud be too late in comg hope your excuse for it.1
He brings down several pair of very good London made Shoes, which being too small for him, it woud be acknowledged as a favour if you coud give him any assistance in changing of them for those of larger Size.2 Our Compliments are offered & I am Revd Sir Yr Most Hble Servt
Go: Washington
10th The bad Weather has detaind Jacky to this time from the date above.
ALS, NN: Washington Collection.
1. Boucher left Mount Vernon on 30 Dec., but John Parke Custis stayed behind, not returning “to Mr. Bouchers to School” until 10 Feb. ( , 2:204, 214).
2. GW for some years had been ordering shoes for himself and John Parke Custis from the London bootmaker John Didsbury through Robert Cary & Co., but shoes were not on the list of goods that Cary was instructed to purchase for Custis in 1769. An entry for 7 Feb. in GW’s Cash Accounts shows a payment of seven shillings “for a pr of Shoes for J.P.C.”