1To George Washington from William Gordon, 16 February 1789 (Washington Papers)
Ringwood in Hampshire (97 miles from London) My Dear Sir Feby 16. 1789 I have at length finished that arduous undertaking, in which I have been engaged for many past years. I shall have peculiar pleasure in learning that it meets with your Excellency’s approbation; & that you are not disappointed in that reliance you exercised on my honor & prudence, when you admitted me to a free inspection...
2To George Washington from William Gordon, 28 October–1 November 1788 (Washington Papers)
The leisure I have enjoyed for a few weeks past, has enabled me to look over my letters, from which I have learned that your remittance was for forty two sets. They will be sent accordingly to your Excellency the first opportunity that offers. The plates I expect will be finished this week: have sent a specimen of the maps & plans already wrought off. If you should observe any material errors,...
3To George Washington from William Gordon, 24 September 1788 (Washington Papers)
I send under cover to Mr Hazard, that so it should not be known at the Coffee house, that I correspond with your Excellency; & pray you not only to have any direction to me written in some other hand than your own, but the letter sealed with the seal of another. When you write again, introduce the Key in some sentence when it may appear natural, with a stroke underneath it. The reason of the...
4To George Washington from William Gordon, 3 April 1788 (Washington Papers)
I had proposed writing by the present opportunity, before I received your letter of Jany the 1st on tuesday last. Return you my most sincere thanks for your good wishes. The second volume will be printed off I expect by the end of the week after next. The first begins with the settlement of the several colonies, & comes down to & takes in the Lexington engagement. The second finishes with the...
5To George Washington from William Gordon, 6 September 1787 (Washington Papers)
I rejoice to find that your Lady has of late been troubled less than formerly with the bilious cholick. May She be wholly freed from it, & all prescriptions become unnecessary! Thank you for your kind wishes, they are still needful. No settlement has yet offered. I am going on with my History, & toward the latter end of next month shall begin printing. Health & strength permitting, shall...
6To George Washington from William Gordon, 20 January 1787 (Washington Papers)
I take the opportunity of a vessel for Boston, that so I may send in the speediest way some seeds which I procured from a gentlewoman of my acquaintance at Ipswich, where I was first settled & remained thirteen years. I have likewise added some seed of the rocket double larkspur, which I saw in blow the last year, & was much pleased with on account of their beauty. I am yet unsettled, which...
7To George Washington from William Gordon, 28 September 1786 (Washington Papers)
It is with concern I learn, that the old leaven, which brought on the late American troubles, still exists in the present ministry; & that so many falsehoods are propagated to keep up an unfriendly disposition toward the United States, & no more pains taken to contradict them. Among other reports it is said, that the settlement at Kentucky is made up wholly of the scum & refuse of the...
8To George Washington from William Gordon, 13 July 1786 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of Apr. 20th was forwarded from Boston in May, & was received the beginning of this week, upon my returning from Ipswich in Suffolk, where I had the pleasure of hearing that a complete farmer had been forwarded to you, in whom I hope you will have satisfaction, though not capable of filling up Mr Lund Washington’s place. Such a steward as you have described & wish to have, is not...
9To George Washington from William Gordon, 9 April 1786 (Washington Papers)
This will probably be the last letter, you will receive from me till I have crossed the Atlantic. Should I get safe to London, through the kind orderings of Providence, shall take the first opportunity of writing to you. Expect to sail next Wednesday wind & weather permitting. Shall take your present with me, to remind me of your friendship. The honour your Excellency has done me in confiding...
10To George Washington from William Gordon, 16 February 1786 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I recd from Boston the box with the shrubs. They look as well as I could expect, & am greatly obliged to you for them. How far the severe frosts may have damaged them, must be left to the approaching spring to discover. I have some thoughts of taking a number of them with me to London. Should Providence fix me in that spot or neighbourhood, shall endeavour to furnish your garden &...