From George Washington to Bushrod Washington, 15 January 1784
To Bushrod Washington
Mount Vernon Jany 15th 1784
Dear Bushrod,
I have received your letter of the 22d Ulto—the former one, accompanying my Trunks, also came safe.1
When I came to examine the Chimney pieces in this House, I found them so interwoven with the other parts of the Work and so good of their kind, as to induce me to lay aside all thoughts of taking any of them down—for the only room which remains unfinished I am not yet fixed in my own mind but believe I shall place a Marble one there, at any rate I shall suspend the purchase of any of those mentioned in your letter, & would not wish Mr Roberts to hold either of them in expectation of it.2
My best wishes attend you in which your Aunt joins—My Complimts to Mr & Mrs Powell.3 With much truth & Affection I am Yrs
Go: Washington
ALS, PHi: Dreer Collection. GW wrote on the cover, “Favored by Colo. Humphreys.”
Bushrod Washington (1762–1829) was the son of GW’s brother John Augustine Washington. With GW’s financial support and on his recommendation he had begun the study of law under James Wilson in Philadelphia. Later in this year Bushrod went with GW on his western trip. A United States Supreme Court justice at the time of GW’s death, this nephew was heir to GW’s papers and, at Martha Washington’s death, to Mount Vernon.
1. Neither of these letters has been found.
2. Samuel Vaughan wrote GW on 5 Feb. that he was ordering a marble chimneypiece for GW’s New Room, which later arrived and was installed in 1785. See GW to Vaughan, 6 April 1784. Mr. Roberts has not been identified.
3. Samuel and Elizabeth Willing Powel of Philadelphia were friends of GW.