1From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 20 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
The last Post brought me your favor of the 17th. I am sorry Mr Morris did not pay the money at the time and in the manner I expected—Inclosed I send you Eight Hundred Dollars in Bank Notes, & will write to you more fully in a day or two; business prevents me from doing it at this moment. I am Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
2From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 2 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
On the 20th of last month, I wrote you a few lines, & send therewith Eight hundred Dollars in Bank Notes, which (tho’ I have heard nothing from you since) I hope got safe to hand. Such articles of the Linen kind as yet remain unpurchased (of the Invoice transmitted to you the 15th of May last) I wish to have postponed ’till Mrs Washington comes to Philada, which will be in a few days, that she...
3From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 14 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Gen: Washington’s Complimts to Colo. Biddle—Begs to know if the Vessel for Alexandria will Sail today—and whether Colo. Biddle has procured the Articles required. If more money is wanted Colo. Biddle will please to name the Sum—and the Genl would be glad to receive the Acct. PHi : Washington-Biddle Correspondence.
4From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 8 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
Be so good as to send me by the Post, or any other safe & expeditious conveyance, 70 Yards of livery lace three quarters, or Inch wide; or any width between—Direct it to the care of the Postmaster in Alexandria. The lace should be red & white. I will thank you also for sending me, if an oppertunity should offer soon by Water, one hundred weight, or even a Barrel of good Coffee. Pray forwd the...
5From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 17 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
On the 8th I wrote to you for 70 Yards of livery lace (red & white, 3/4 or Inch wide, or any width between) to be sent by the Post; or any other safe & expeditious conveyance. Lest that letter should have miscarried I repeat my request, as I am in immediate want of the article. I did, at the sametime desire that one hundd weight, or a Barrl of good Coffee might be sent me by the first Vessel...
6From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 5 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
On the 8th of last month I wrote to you for 70 yards of Livery Lace, of which I was in immediate want, and requested to have it sent by the Post to Alexandria—As there is some reason to believe the Post has hardly gone through, yet, I beg leave to repeat my want of it, & to pray it may be sent as soon as possible—The lace should be red & white, Inch, or 3/4 of an Inch wide, or any where...
7From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 10 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
Since last post I have received the Lace & two-pole chain, accompanied by your favors of the 22d & 29th ulto for which I thank you. From what you have written concerning the Sieves, it is to be feared I did not sufficiently explain myself in speaking to the sizes of the meshes —You say, “the largest is of iron wire, as there was none of brass so coarse in Town”—& again, “the second & third are...
8From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 6 May 1784 (Washington Papers)
You will do me a favr by executing the enclosed Memms. The reason why I had rather the wine (had of the Chevr de la Luzerne) should be paid for by a third person, shall be given to you when I see you. To send the articles wanted by the first Vessel bound to Alexandria, would be very convenient, & you wd do me a kindness to agree for, & express what the frieght shall be. I have suffered great...
9From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 7 May 1784 (Washington Papers)
As the oppertunity to Potomack will be good, I return the Box you sent me the other day, in order that it may go by the Ship Fortune with the other things—As my purchase of any of the sorts of Wine (enumerated in my letter of yesterday) will depend upon the price, which sometime ago I heard was incredibly low, you would oblige me, if you know the rates they are at present, by the information—I...
10From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 18 May 1784 (Washington Papers)
Rather than wait, & thereby hazard delay, I would purchase Copper at the present price for all the purposes mentioned in your estimate, the Spouts, or Trunks excepted—the want of these, as they do not retard the Work may remain a while longer. Pray let me have your Acct before Nine oclock, as I hope to set off soon after that hour & wish to pay the Balle before I go. I am Yr Obedt & affe Servt...
11From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 30 June 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 10th Instt covering an Invoice of Goods shipped by the Betsey Captn Broadhurst is come safe to hand—the Vessel is also arrived at Alexandria; and I shall send up this day for the things—I wish the Mattrasses had all been among them as the Season is wasting fast in which they are most useful. I have perused the accts you have delivered in at sundry times and find the debits &...
12From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 28 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
The Mulatto fellow William who has been with me all the War is attached (married he says) to one of his own colour a free woman, who, during the War was also of my family—She has been in an infirm state of health for sometime, and I had conceived that the connection between them had ceased—but I am mistaken—they are both applying to me to get her here, and tho’ I never wished to see her more,...
13From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 4 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you, I have obtained from Baltimore (by means of Colo. Tilghman) a House-Joiner—and as the season for working in mortar will soon be over; & that of intermitants is approaching—I pray you to decline purchasing either the Joiner or Bricklayer formerly requested. I am Dr Sir &c. LB , DLC:GW . See Tench Tilghman to GW, 27 July , and GW to Biddle, 30 June 1784 .
14From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 3 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have not yet received a statement of my Acct with you. It would give me pleasure to have it at full length—and soon. I wish you would add to it 100 lbs. of fresh & good (red) clover seed, to be sent by the first vessel to Alexandria, as I should be glad to receive it before Ice may impede the navigation of this or Delaware river. I requested the favor of Mr Bourdinot (late president of...
15From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 1 February 1785 (Washington Papers)
In a letter of the 14th of Decr from Mr Boudinot (which only came to my hands by the last Post) he informs me that he should send Six bushls of the Orchard grass Seeds to your care, for my use. If this has been done, I pray you not to forego the first opportunity of forwarding it to me, as it ought to be sowed as soon as the ground can be prepared, which I am now getting in order for its...
16From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 2 February 1785 (Washington Papers)
The Writer of the inclosed letter, in person & character, is entirely unknown to me. I have been at a loss therefore to determine what notice to take of it—at length I concluded to write the answer which is also enclosed; and to request the favor of you to send it to him, or return it to me, as you should just best from the result of your enquiries; or from your own knowledge of the author, or...
17From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 16 May 1785 (Washington Papers)
I stand indebted to you for your several favors of the 7th of March, and 12th & 19th of April. Believe me, Sir, the first was not productive of more surprize than real concern. The acct of your failure was as much regretted, as it was unexpected by me; and I feel for the causes of it—and for your present situation. You are sensible that my Commissions have been more troublesome than profitable...
18From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 27 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 5th. came duly to hand, and should have been acknowledged sooner, if it had been in my power, conveniently. I thank you for your attention to the Certificates which I committed to your care; and will obtain an order from Gilbert Simpson, by which the Interest may be received. This money is all I am likely to get for a Mill which he ran me to the Expence of £1200 hard money...
19From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 17 August 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 8th came safely by last Post —I will, the first time I go to Alexandria, get an order from Colo. Hooe, Mr Hartshorne, or some other who has dealings in Philadelphia (for I have none, & know of no direct and safe opportunity of sending Money) to the amount of the Sum which you have lately paid on my Acct to Mr Boudinot. The inclosed is to Edward (I do not know his Surname)...
20From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 7 September 1785 (Washington Papers)
The man who at present lives with me in the capacity of a Housekeeper, or Household Steward, will leave me in a day or two; which (until his place can be supplied) will throw a great additional weight on Mrs Washington. I therefore beg, if you, or Mr Moyston, should have met with a person whom you think would answer my purposes (as described in my former letters) that you would engage him (or...
21From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 11 December 1785 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 29th Ulto and thank you for your repeated offer of Services in Philadelphia. By Major Fairlie I send you Six pounds Pensylvania Curry and would thank you to pay Mr Cary Printer for his Paper—and to pay Oswald for his—I know not upon what footing he sends them. by no order of mine do they come, and it is only now and then, I get one. yet I do not want to lay...
22From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 30 January 1786 (Washington Papers)
I embrace the good & safe oppertunity afforded me by Colo. Grayson to send you Ten half Johan[ne]s—the application of which shall be the subject of a Letter by the Post, when I have more leizure to write—not being able to mention the purposes for which they are intended at this time —With much truth I am Dr Sir Yr Obedt Hble Servt ALS , PHi : Washington-Biddle Correspondence. The letter was...
23From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 10 February 1786 (Washington Papers)
A hasty letter which I wrote to you by Colo. Grayson was accompanied with ten half Johans.—the application of which I informed you shd be directed in a subsequent letter. Let me now request the favour of you to send me the following articles if to be had. A pair of Boots, and two pair of Shoes, to be made by Mr Star (who has my measure) agreeably to the enclosed Memo. Young’s Six Months tour...
24From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 18 May 1786 (Washington Papers)
Your favors of the 19th of Feby & 16th & 19th March, are before me; And would have been acknowledged Sooner, had any thing material, occurred. The Clover Seed, Boots &c. came in Season; but I must take care to be earlier in my application another year, as the Expence of getting heavy articles from Baltimore by land, comes high; I was charged forty odd Shillings for the Transportation of those...
25From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 21 June 1786 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is a copy of my last—It is so long since it was dispatched (without an acknowledgment of it) that I begin to fear some accident must happened, altho’ it was sent to the Post Office in Alexandria by a very safe hand. Should this be the case, I pray you to notify the Office of the loss of the Certificate which was enclosed, that neither principal nor interest may be paid to the bearer...
26From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 31 July 1786 (Washington Papers)
Majr Gibbes handed me your letter of the 24th ulto with the accounts enclosed. Necessity alone ought to compel me to loose the difference between £50:18.9 and 339 53/80 Dollars; because the last mentioned sum (but a very little while since) was, [(]if I recollect rightly) considered as the specie value of the Commissary’s Certificates for which it was issued by Mr Stelle, and was accordingly...
27From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 18 August 1786 (Washington Papers)
This letter serves to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 13th & to inform you that I have this day, sent a small box to Alexandria to go from thence by the Packet, or first conveyance to Philada to your address. It contains two window curtains which I pray you to get new dyed of the same color, green, & returned to me as soon as may be. I am obliged by your care of my letters; &...
28From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 23 September 1786 (Washington Papers)
It is sometime since my window curtains were sent to you to get dyed; I should be glad to have them back as soon as an opportunity offers of forwarding them to me. Let me beg you to send by Mr Porter, (who will deliver you this letter) if he can bring it, or with the curtains if he cannot—16 yards of Stuff of the same kind & colour of the curtains, to cover two dozen chairs, the front of which...
29From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 28 October 1786 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Clement Biddle, 28 Oct. 1786. On 5 Nov. Biddle wrote GW : “I have your Esteemed favour of 28th ulto.”
30From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 5 December 1786 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 15th of Octr and 5th of Novr are both before me, and I shall reply to them in their order. For your trouble in negotiating my Certificate I thank you. If it is necessary (in order) that you may receive the half yearly interest thereon I would wish you to keep it. If you can draw this without it may be sent to me. In the meantime inform me if you please if this certificate...
31From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 11 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
As we are now on the verge of the middle of Feby and the season is fast approaching when the ground should be in readiness to receive spring grain, permit me to remind you of the Barley you were so obliging as to procure for me—and beg (as I have been disappointed in another expectation) that the 50 bushels may be encreased to one hundred, if in your power to do it conveniently. At any rate...
32From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 14 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
I forgot, in the letter I wrote to you the day before yesterday, to request the favour of you to send 6 Screw Augers, that will bore holes 2½ inches.—I want them for Posting and railing—If this size is not sufficiently large they may be made bigger—for this, or indeed any kind of work I am informed that Screw Augers are much preferred. I am, Dear Sir, Yr. Most Obedt. Servt., William J....
33From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 14 March 1787 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 20th and 27th Ulto are both before me. The Barley & other things by the Dolphin are arrived—and by the return of this Vessel I consign you, as per bill enclosed, 45 Barrls of Herrings, which you will be pleased to dispose of to the best advantage, and place the proceeds to my credit. It is hardly necessary to add that, the sooner these fish are disposed of the higher the...
34From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 28 June 1787 (Washington Papers)
By the Post of Yesterday, I received the enclosed Memo.—If you can comply with them in time, for the Alexandria Packet it wd oblige me. If the Hatt is already got for Washington, it will be unnecessary to exchange it; If not, he prefers a black one, with such ornaments as would suit a boy of his age & the colour of the hat. I beg leave to remind you of the Linnen—two pieces—from Mr...
35From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 12 July 1787 (Washington Papers)
Genl Washington’s Complimts to Colo. Biddle and would thank him for sending the Upholsterer—Davis—to him as he is desirous of having one of the Venetian blinds made as soon as may be. AL , PHi : Washington-Biddle Correspondence. Written after “Thursday,” in another hand, is the date “July 12. 1787.” On 15 July GW wrote George Augustine Washington that he was having a Venetian blind made to...
36From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 7 August 1787 (Washington Papers)
In addition to the articles contained in the Memo. given to you some time since, I pray you to procure, and send by Captn Steward the following. A Wimble bit—compleat. Pickled Walnuts & India Mangoes none were sent before. Thompsons Seasons and Gutheries Geography and the Art of Speaking. Some Pamphlets which have been sent to me since I came to Town; and Books purchased for my amusement...
37From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 22 August 1787 (Washington Papers)
Since I came to this City, if I recollect rightly, you asked me if I now had, or could put up, a quantity of Herrings next season, for Sale. Having revolved the matter in my mind, I wish in turn to be informed, if there is any responsible character who would enter into a contract for a number, to be delivered next Season? What number of Barrls he would contract for?—and at what price; to be...
38From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 10 September 1787 (Washington Papers)
I have received both your Notes of this Morning, and thank you for Notice of the Vessels sailing. The Books, I perceive, are only small treatises upon education, referred to by Doctr Rush, which I can get, & carry in my Trunk. remember the clothes baskets. I send a small box containing a Lamp—it is a present, but could not have cost 20/. If the hounds presented to me by Captn Morris are not...
39From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 15 September 1787 (Washington Papers)
Genl Washington prests his Compliments to Colo. Biddle & would be glad to know if the Vessel for Alexandria is gone. The lowest price the best dutch (striped) Blankets sell at, by the piece. and how his acct stands since the late purchases made by him as he has expectations that the business of the Convention will be brought to a close, or nearly so this day. AL , PHi : Washington-Biddle...
40From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 19 September 1787 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday before I left the City, I wrote to Captn Morris requesting the favor of him to furnish me with a description of the hounds he was so good as to give me, that I might know how to apply the names contained in the list you sent me; for without, though I had eight names, I might not apply one right; Whether Captn Morris sent the discription, or not, I will not say, but it did not come to...
41From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 3 December 1787 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 23d of Septr & 15th of Novr came duly to hand. You may inform Mr Haines that my Barley, this year, shared the same fate with my other crops. The drought during the summer was so excessive that I cannot form any just opinion of what it might produce in a seasonable year; it yielded about 14 bushls to the acre which was a proportionate crop to any other kind of Grain which I...
42From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 24 January 1788 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you on the 3d Ulto and as I have not received any answer to my letter of that date, I am led to suspect that it never reached your hands; I therefore enclose you a duplicate of it. My reason for requesting you to pay Mr Pettit £18.5s.1d. (as mentioned in the enclosed duplicate) when I was not certain of your having money of mine in your hands to that amount, was in consequence of...
43From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 22 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
If this letter should get to your hand in time, I beg you would send me five bushels of clean and fresh red-clover seed, and the like quantity of Timothy by the Vessel which you say would sail for Alexandria, soon after the Delaware should be freed from Ice. By a letter which I have just received from Mr Smith of Carlisle dated the 5th Instt I am informed that he had at that time £200 of my...
44From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 3 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
If this should reach you before the sailing of the vessel which you informed me in your last was bound to Alexandria, I must request you to put on board her, on my acct two good Linnen Wheels, one dozn good strong wool-Cards with strong teeth, and one hundred pounds of Clover seed in addition to the quantity which I have before desired you to get. I am, Dear Sir, Yr most obedt Hbe Servt P.S....
45From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 5 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
In your letter of the 3d of February you mentioned Messrs Dunlap & Claypole having put into your hands one Vol. of their News Papers for the years 1785 & 86, which they desired might be forwarded to me and my acceptance thereof requested. I must now beg the favor of you to return them my best thanks for their politness, and, at the same time, to inform them that I beleive they misunderstood me...
46From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 24 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 16th Inst. enclosing the Bill of Lading & Certificate of the Articles shipped on my Acct came duly to hand. The Packet has not yet arrived unless she passed by here yesterday. I thank you for your attention to the letters which I committed to your care. As I do not know whither you may have received the Interest due upon my Certificate in your hands, and some charges will...
47From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 4 April 1788 (Washington Papers)
The articles which you shipped on my Acct on board of the Charming Polly have arrived safe & in good order. As I am under the necessity of purchasing, every year, a quantity of coarse Linen, Blanketings &ca for the clothing of my negroes, and sundry other articles for various purposes, and Goods of every kind being sold in Alexandria at a high advance, I am desireous of knowing if I could not...
48From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 11 April 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favor of the 31st Ulto enclosing a letter & some seeds from Mr Peters, and will thank you to send me, by the first Vessel bound this way, a good Wheat-fan (if there have been any late improvements on the common sort, which have been found useful, I shall prefer one with such improvements)—and a steel-plated Whip-saw of the best kind, seven & an half feet long; if you are not a...
49From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 14 April 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 3d inst. and the news-papers accompanying it came to hand by the last mail. In my letter to you of the 11th inst. I requested you to procure a wheat fan for me, but since that time I have found one more than I then knew of[,] which compleated the number of my several farms and supersedes the necessity of your sending the one which I wrote for, provided this letter reaches you...
50From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 12 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have received your two letters of the 29 of April & 4th of May. Since my application to you for the prices of Linen & Blankets I have had an opportunity of supplying myself with both, upon pretty reasonable terms, but am no less obliged to you for the trouble of your inquiries respecting them. The Philadelphia Packet has not yet arrived, but if she sailed at the time you mention she may be...