15601[Diary entry: 29 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 29th. Set out from the Bowling green a little after Sun-rising—breakfasted at General Spotswoods—Dined at my Sister Lewis’s in Fredericksburgh and spent the evening at Mr. Fitzhughs of Chatham. One of my Chariot Horses having got lame going to Richmond, but forced back to Genl. Spotswoods (not however without much difficulty) was left there with a Servant who was ordered to proceed...
15602[Diary entry: 19 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Friday 19th. Thermometer at 55 in the Morning—65 at Noon and 60 at Night. Wind at No. West in the Morning and indeed through the day—the forepart of which was cool—the Middle and latter part moderate—the whole pleasant. Rid to Muddy hole, Dogue Run, & Neck Plantations; the harrow plow was stopped at the first, by the Rain which fell yesterday and which had made the grd. too wet, & too heavy to...
15603From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, Jr., 9 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
If my last letter to you, containing the Bond of the deceased Mr Dandridge on which you were requested to bring suit, was not sufficiently explanatory of the intention, I now beg leave to inform you that my meaning is after Judgement shall have been obtained and execution levied on the Slaves belonging to the estate of the decd Gentn that you, or Mr John Dandridge, in behalf of his Mother, wd...
15604[Diary entry: 27 May 1788] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 27th. Thermometer at 68 in the Morning—69 at Noon And at Night. Clear day, with the Wind at North in the Morning, and very fresh from So. W. all the remaining part of the day. Rid to all the Plantations. In the Neck. Two harrows were preparing for, and putting in Buck Wheat. Seven plows and one harrow—Weeding Corn & preparing for the reception of Potats. between the Rows—the other...
15605From George Washington to Lamar, Hill, Bisset, & Company, 18 November 1785 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have a copy of my last—Since which I have been honored with your favor of the 22d of Augt—This Letter will be conveyed to you by —— in the ——, which will return immediately to this river & afford a safe & good conveyance for the Wine ordered by Mr Hill—the cost of wch as soon as I am advised of it shall be paid by a Bill on London. I am Gentn &c. LB , DLC:GW . For the...
15606[Diary entry: 24 January 1789] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 24th. Thermometer at 36 in the morning—40 at Noon and 40 at Night—Morning heavy & lowering with the Wind at So.—Moderate all day with Sun shine at times. Went into the Neck—measured some fields there and laid off 8 Acres for Tobacco.
15607From George Washington to James Mercer, 18 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
In receiving you cannot feel more pain than I do by communicating the following information; but as necessity, it is said, has no law, we both must submit to it. It is now several years since I have been looking for payment of the debt which is due to me from the estate of your deceseased father John Mercer Esquire —I have been promised it is true considerable sums from time to time by Colonel...
15608[Diary entry: 9 June 1786] (Washington Papers)
Friday 9th. Mercury at 70 in the Morning—77 at Noon and 74 at Night. Morning clear and pleast. with the Wind at No. West but not fresh, nor had it changed the air cooler. Mr. Wallace went away after breakfast and I rid to Muddy hole & river Plantations. The heaviness of the Plowing, and wetness of the land had encreased by the late Rains. Nothing indeed but the backwardness of the season and...
15609[Diary entry: 17 June 1788] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 17th. Thermometer at 67 in the Morng.—78 at Noon and 77 at Night. Morning and evening clear, midday cloudy. Visited all the Plantations except that in the Neck. Examined the grain at each, and find the fields as follow. At Muddy hole, the Wheat in No. 2, as might be expected from the exhausted state of the Land, was generally thin, and in some places scarcely worth reaping. The Rye (in...
15610From George Washington to Jean de Neufville, 6 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your Letter bearing date the 19th of August & find myself exceedingly indebted to your partiality in favor of my Country & myself, both personally, & as a citizen of the United States of America. The disaster which has happen’d to the House with which you was connected must be very affecting to every true American, especially as your great zeal in the cause of...
15611[Diary entry: 23 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 23d. Thermometer at 60 in the Morng.—60 at Noon and 58 at Night. Misting in the Morning and very cloudy & cold all day with the Wind at No. Et. Rid to Muddy hole and Neck Plantations. Ordered the grd. allotted for Cabbages, to be prepared at both places; and plants to be taken from my garden to set it with. This preparation consisted of another listing (or plowing with three furrows)...
15612From George Washington to George Augustine Washington, 9 September 1787 (Washington Papers)
This, in acknowledgment of your letter of the 2d of this Month, is probably the last letter I shall write you from this place; as the probability is, that the Convention will have compleated the business which brought the delegates together, in the course of this Week. God grant I may not be disappointed in this expectation, as I am quite homesick. As Mr McPhearson’s glass (if good) is cheaper...
15613From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 10 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 20th Ult., and the papers accompanying it came duly to hand; I believe none of your letters to me have miscarried as I have received the Gazettes containing the debates of your Convention very regularly. I am sorry to hear that the issue of the proposed Government in New-Hampshire is, in any measure, dubious: Our accounts from that quarter have been favorable in the highest...
15614[Diary entry: 31 May 1788] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 31st. Thermometer at 60 in the Morning— at Noon And at Night. A good deal of Rain fell in the Night. The Morning very cloudy with the Wind at So. Et. and towards 10 Oclock pretty smart Showers. The ground being wet, I transplanted the remains of my plants of the Scarcity Root (to make good the dificiency of the last transplanting) except some of the smallest of them which were...
15615From George Washington to Charles Vaughan, 18 November 1785 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your favor of the 25th of Septr by Mr Corbett. I am at a loss to express my sense of the great attention of Mr Vaughan (your good father) to me, or of the obliging manner in which you have executed his request. The Puncheon of rum is safe arrived. & I pray you to receive my acknowledgments of, and to present my thanks for it, to your generous Parent. I wish I...
15616[Diary entry: 7 July 1788] (Washington Papers)
Monday 7th. Thermometer at 71 in the Morning—82 at Noon And 82 at Night. Morning clear with the wind pretty fresh from South, which continued all day. About Sundown a cloud from the Westward produced a hard rain for 12 or 15 minutes with strong wind. Some thunder and lightning. After dinner—Mr. Madison, and the Son of Mr. Lee went (in my Carriage) to Alexandria in order to proceed on to New...
15617From George Washington to James Madison, 23 June 1788 (Washington Papers)
Since my last, acknowledging the first letter you did me the favor to write to me after your arrival in Richmond, I have received your subsequent ones of the 13th & 18th instant; which, tho’ less favourable than the former, are more pleasing than suspence. I will yet hope that the good sense of this Country, maugre all the arts of opposition, will ultimately decide right on the important...
15618[Diary entry: 26 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 26th. Thermometer at 50 in the Morng. 56 at Noon and 56 at Night. A large white frost this morning. Wind brisk and cold from the No. West all the day, after 9 O’clock. Took the cover off my dry Well, to see if I could not fix it better for the purpose of an Ice House, by Arching the Top, and planking the sides. Having received by the last Northern Mail advice of the arrival at...
15619[Diary entry: 13 June 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 13th. Mercury at 68 in the Morning 75 at Noon and 73 at Night. Rid to the River, Muddy hole & Dogue run Plantations. At the first found the plows in the Eastermost cut of drilled Corn; where they had begun yesterday morning and were going over it the 2d. time. The hoes, which had got into it yesterday about 2 Oclock (after having finished replanting Corn) were following in the same...
15620[Diary entry: 21 June 1788] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 21st. Thermometer at 62 in the Morning—72 at Noon And 71 at Night. Weather clear, Wind at No. Wt. in the forepart of the day & at North the latter part. Visited all the Plantations. In the Neck, the Plows were employed in preparing for Pease, & the Harrows putting them—one plow weeding the Potatoes in hills—all the Hoes in the Corn. At Muddy hole—both Plows & Hoes were weeding Irish...
15621From George Washington to Lucy Flucker Knox, 30 June 1787 (Washington Papers)
Genl Washington presents his Compliments and best wishes to Mrs Knox. Business in the earlier part of the Morning, and company since, having deprived him of the pleasure of taking a personal leave of her begs leave, before he goes to the Convention; to wish Mrs Knox a pleasent Journey, and happy meeting with her family in New York. LB , DLC:GW . Henry Knox left Philadelphia for New York in...
15622[Diary entry: 19 March 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 19th. Mercury at 40 in the Morning—42 at Noon and 43 at Night. Wind at No. Et. all day; and more or less rain mixed in sml. degree with Snow; which with what fell in the Night made the ground so wet that I could plant no trees to day. Many of those planted yesterday yielded to the Wind & Wet, and required propping. Received a Swan, 4 Wild Geese, & two Barrels of Holly Berries (in...
15623[Diary entry: 16 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 16th . Thermometer at 58 in the Morng. 66 at Noon and at Night. A large circle round the Moon last night—a red & angry looking sky at the Suns rising and a brisk Southerly Wind all day with rain in the Evening and Night. Finished the Arch over my Ice House to day. Went early in the Morning to take an acct. of My Stocks &ca. at Dogue run & Muddy hole Planns. N.B. The Tools not being...
15624[Diary entry: 27 June 1787] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday. 27th. Dined at Mr. Morris’s drk. Tea there, & spent the Evening in my own room.
15625[Diary entry: 11 July 1788] (Washington Papers)
Friday 11th. Thermometer at 72 in the Morning—85 at Noon And 82 at Night. Clear Calm in the Morning, with the Wind at So. Wt. afterwards & clear all day. Visited the Ferry, Frenchs, Dogue run & Muddy hole Plantations and after going to the last returned back by the former on my way home. The Wet occasioned by the Rain of yesterday afternoon, and the very heavy dew of this morning rendered it...
15626From George Washington to Edward Snickers, 4 September 1784 (Washington Papers)
Several persons have been with me this day to rent the Land I bought at the sale of Colo. George Mercer’s Estate; but I find it is essential that some one, or more of them, should engage for the whole rent; or, that I should delay renting it until the Land can be divided to the best advantage—so as that each Lot may have water, & a proportionate quantity of good Land. for these reasons I mean...
15627[Diary entry: 30 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 30th. Thermometer at 64 in the Morning—63 at Noon and 60 at Night. Thunder and lightning about day Break and Raining more or less all day, attended in the forenoon with very high Wind from the Westward. Mr. Shaw went up to Alexandria after Breakfast, & stayed all Night.
15628[Diary entry: 9 April 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 9th. Mercury at 47 this morning—52 at Noon and 50 at Night. Morning calm & clear. Abt. Nine Oclock the wind sprung up at No. West, with flying Clouds and abt. Noon shifted to the So. West, & looked showery; but only a few drops of rain fell. Laid of a piece of my Wheat field, containing 2 A[cres] 3 R[ods] 22 P[erches] At Muddy hole, & part of the adjoining field, containing 4 A[cres]...
15629From George Washington to Guy Carleton, 14 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor, Yesterday, to receive by Majr Beckwith your Excellencys favor of the 12th—To day, I will see the Governor of this State, and make concert with him the necessary arrangements for taking Possession of the City of New York & other Posts mentioned in your letter at the times therein specified—for the information of which you will please to accept my thanks. I have the honor to be...
15630[Diary entry: 6 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 6th. Thermometer at 52 in the morng. 57 at Noon and 59 at Night. Morning clear & very pleasant with but little wind. Before Noon it sprang up from the Westward and afterwards became cloudy but the Sun set clear. Finished getting in the Woods the Posts & railing for the fencing of my paddock. Made another experiment of the difference in expence between burning Spirmaciti & Tallow...
15631[Diary entry: 17 July 1787] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday—17th. Dined at Mrs. Houses, & made an excursion with a party to Grays Ferry to Tea.
15632[Diary entry: 1 August 1788] (Washington Papers)
1st. Thermometer at 68 in the Morning—75 at Noon—and 74 at Night—Not much wind, and that at So. Et.—Morng. clouded but tolerably clear afterwards. Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Frenchs, Dogue Run and Muddy hole. At the Ferry—the same plows as yesterday were at work in the B. Wheat. The other hands, except the Carter, who was drawing rails to the Wheat yard, were Hoeing Corn. At French’s...
15633[Diary entry: 23 March 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 23d. Mercury at 40 in the Morning—40 at Noon and 40 at Night. Wind fresh and cool all day from the No. West. Very clear. Finished Planting the Pine trees in the wilderness on the left and planted 4 of the live Oak Trees (which I had received from Norfolk) in the Shrubberies on the right and left on the grass plat in front of the House. Staked most of the Pines that had been planted.
15634[May 1787] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday—May first. Mercury at in the Morng.— at Noon and at Night. Wind Southerly with appearances in the forenoon of rain but the Wind shifting to the No. Wt. it cleared. Notwithstanding my fatiegue I rid to all the Plantations to day. The Ditchers in the Neck had compleated about 500 yards of the 5 feet ditch—or in other words about 2 rods each pr. day. The Drill plow would about finish the...
15635[Diary entry: 20 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 20th. Thermometer at 48 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 54 at Night. Clear and calm all day, but the Air keen notwithstanding. George Washington & wife & Mr. Shaw went to Lund Washingtons to Dinner & returned in the afternoon. Colo. Harrison (Judge) came here to Dinner and Doctr. Craik (who went away early this Morning) at Night. My Nephew Lawe. Washington came here with a letter today...
15636From George Washington to Wilson Miles Cary and George Nicholas, 15 November 1787 (Washington Papers)
A few days ago, the letter herewith sent from Mr Athawes, accompanying the will of our much esteemed and greatly to be lamented friend, the Honble George Wm Fairfax Esqr. came to my hands—on which melancholy occasion I sincerely condole with you. The small package containing the watch (which is mentioned in the Will) and the two letters spoken of in Mr Athawes letter (one for Thomas Fairfax...
15637[Diary entry: 7 August 1787] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday—7th. Dined at Mr. Morris’s and drank Tea no where. Spent the evening at home.
15638From George Washington to David Stuart, 25 November 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 15th & thank you for the communications contained in it. In my next I will be more full—The chief, indeed the only object of this letter is, in behalf of Mrs Washington, to request the favor of you to send her by the first Stage, addressed to the care of Mr McCrea, 12 yards of good black crape for a Gown. Neither Alexandria or Annapolis (from the last of which...
15639From George Washington to Edward Snickers, 25 June 1784 (Washington Papers)
Upon my return from Philada, I found your favor of the 17th of May at this place. For your kind intention to make me a visit, I thank you, & shall always be glad to see you when it is convenient. With respect to the other matters mentioned in your letter, all that business is now in the hands of the Honorable Mr John Mercer, by a decree of the high Court of Chancery of this State. I have...
15640[Diary entry: 13 April 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 13th. Mercury at 56 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 61 at Night. Wind variable. In the morning it was Eastwardly. About 10 Oclock it came from the Southward and after Noon fresh from the No. West. Clear all day. Received from Colo. Henry Lee of Westmoreland 12 Horse Chesnut Trees (small) and an equal number of cuttings of the Tree Box. They appeared to have been sometime out of the...
15641[Diary entry: 10 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 10th. Thermometer at 36 in the Morning—38 at Noon and 40 at Night. Little or no wind all day but thick and Mizling as yesterday till Night when it began to rain fast again. Opened a drain into the Shoar that goes from the Cellers, to receive the water from the Gutters, and spout from the House top that it may be carried of under ground. Flooring the Ice House. Preparing with the...
15642[Diary entry: 21 July 1787] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 21st. Dined at the Cold Spring Club, and went to the Play in the afternoon.
15643[Diary entry: 20 September 1784] (Washington Papers)
20th. Went early this Morning to view my Land, & to receive the final determination of those who live upon it. Having obtained a Pilot near the Land I went first to the plantation of Samuel McBride, who has about 5 Acres of Meadow & 30 of arable Land under good fencing—a Logged dwelling house with a punchion roof, & stable, or small barn, of the same kind—the Land rather hilly, but good,...
15644[Diary entry: 27 January 1787] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 27th. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—40 at Noon and 36 at Night. A good deal of Rain falling in the Night, the ground was very wet; after 9 oclock it became clear with little or no Wind till towards Sundown, when it came out pretty brisk from the No. West. Rid to all the Plantations and to the Ditchers whom I found had made a mistake and instead of working on the line dividing the...
15645[Diary entry: 3 May 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 3d. Mercury 54 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 58 at Night. Raining more or less all day, with the wind fresh at East. Met according to adjournment & finished the business by 3 oclock. Dined at the Governors.
15646From George Washington to Benjamin Walker, 12 March 1784 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Benjamin Walker, 12 Mar. 1784. On 3 April Walker wrote to GW : “Your favor of the 12th of March reached me the day before yesterday.”
15647[Diary entry: 11 August 1787] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 11th. Dined at the Cold Spring Club and after Tea returned & spent the evening at home.
15648From George Washington to George William Fairfax, 30 June 1786 (Washington Papers)
Better late than never, is an adage not less true, or less to be respected, because it is old. The letter I am now about to write to you, ought to have been written many a day ago; but however strange it may seem, it is nevertheless true, that I have not had leizure (though more than two years have elapsed since my return to what the world calls retirement) to overhaul papers, & inspect...
15649From George Washington to Thomas Richardson, 28–29 June 1784 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Thomas Richardson, 28–29 June 1784. On 5 July GW wrote to him : “This day se’night a letter for you covering Bank Notes for 150 Dollars was lodged in the hands of Mr Watson.” On 10 July Richardson wrote: “Your favos. of 29th June & 5th Instant came to hand.”
15650[Diary entry: 17 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 17th. Mercury at 32 in the Morng.—48 at Noon and 42 at Night. Wind Southerly and warm all day. Towards night it lowered. Went into the Neck to Mark some lines for fences. Finished this Evening plowing the orchard for Barley. Received, before I had done a message acquainting me that Colo. Wadsworth and a Mr. Chaloner were here which brought me home. Jeremiah Wadsworth (1743–1804), of...