51From George Washington to Richard Harrison, 20 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 10th of July together with the two Toledo Blades sent by Captn Sullivan. I am much obliged to Mr Carmichael for this polite mark of attention to me; but hope I shall have no occasion to use them. I should have been happy Sir, to have received them from you in person; but as your business will not yet permit you to return to your native Country, I must...
52[Diary entry: 29 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 29th. Mercury at 69 in the Morning—74 at Noon And 76 at Night. Clear & pleasant all day except being warm. Wind Westerly. Messrs. Philips and Edwards, and Mr. Booth & Mr. Hawkins left this after Breakfast. Colo. Bassett his two Sons, Fanny Bassett, and Nelly & Washington Custis, followed soon after for Abingdon. Mr. George Lee & Doctr. Craik came here to breakfast and after Dinner...
53To Benjamin Franklin from George Washington: Résumé, 9 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress ⟨Philadelphia, December 9, 1783: Dr. Witherspoon, whom you know, is going to Great Britain on business and may possibly travel to France. I recommend him to your civility and attention.⟩ In the hand of GW ’s clerk Tobias Lear. There is no evidence that Witherspoon ever delivered the letter (now missing). John Witherspoon, president of the College of New Jersey, had...
54From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., 4 April 1784 (Washington Papers)
The choice of your delegates to the General Meeting of the Cincinnati gave me pleasure, & I wish very sincerely that you would all attend;—Let me impress this upon you, with a request that you would impress it upon your Brothers of the delegation. This meeting, taking into consideration the prejudices and jealousies which have arisen, should not only be respectable in numbers, but respectable...
55[Diary entry: 1 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 1st. Mercury at 29 in the Morning, 28 at Noon and 34 at Night. Snowing, raining, or Hailing all day & Night and very disagreeable. Wind at No. Wt. and West the whole time.
56From George Washington to Tench Tilghman, 11 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
I shall essay the finishing of my Green Ho. this fall; but find that neither my own knowledge, or that of any person abt me, is competent to the business. Shall I, for this reason, ask the favor of you to give me a short detail of the internal construction of the Green House at Mrs Carrolls? I am perswaded now, that I planned mine upon too contracted a Scale—My House is (of Brick) 40 feet by...
57[Diary entry: 19 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 19th. Thermomiter at 70 in the Morng.—74 at Noon and 76 at Night. Very little Wind through the day, and in general clear. Rid to the Plantation in the Neck—to Muddy hole, and to Dogue run at the last of which they were cutting grass and at the first just begin[nin]g.
58From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 1 August 1786 (Washington Papers)
The letters you did me the favor to write to me on the 4th & 7th of Jany have been duly received. In answer to your obliging enquiries respecting the dress, attitude &ca which I would wish to have given to the Statue in question—I have only to observe that not having a sufficient knowledge in the art of sculpture to oppose my judgment to the taste of Connoisseiurs, I do not desire to dictate...
59[Diary entry: 27 October 1787] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 27th. Went to the Woods back of Muddy hole with the hounds. Unkennelled two foxes & dragged others but caught none. The dogs run wildly & ⟨were⟩ under no command. Passed through Muddy hole Plantation and ordered grass Seeds to be sown in the following places, manner, & quantities—viz.—taking a breadth from field No. 4 across to No. 3 of eql. width with the farm yd. & containing abt. 5...
60From George Washington to John Francis Mercer, 24 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
Your servant having this moment put your letter of the 20th inst. into my hands, & appearing to be in great haste; I shall not detain him, especially as it is neither my wish nor intention to enter on the justification of my last to you. The evidence, on which the charge of unfairness &ca was grounded, you have enclosed in Colo. Symm’s own hand writing—(the amount of the other bonds in his...
61[Diary entry: 9 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 9th. Thermometer at 68 in the Morning—72 at Noon and 74 at Night. Having provided a light & convenient Boat—hired two hands to work her and laid in some Stores, Colonels Fitzgerald & Gilpin, and myself embarked in it, leaving Mr. Rumsey to engage more hds. & to set those he had to work about 6 Oclock P.M. In this Boat we passed through the Spout, and all the other Falls and rapids, and...
62From George Washington to La Luzerne, 25 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellys favor of the 18th from Annapolis covering a letter from the Marqs de la Fayette, for the trouble of doing which be pleased to accept my thanks. I regret exceedingly that the weather and roads shou’d have deprived me of the honor of seeing you at my retreat—I shall look however, with pleasure for your return to Annapolis, when I shall expect the fulfilment...
63[Diary entry: 23 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 23d. Mercury at 79 in the Morning—78 at Noon and 80 at Night. Wind Westwardly in the forenoon, but quite calm afterwards; afternoon cool. Rid to Muddy hole and River Plantations. Finished my Hay Harvest in the Neck. Perceived a few Plants of the Pride of China (the Seed of which were Sowed on the 13th. of June) to be coming up. And also the Jien pien Cou fa—between the 8 & 9 pegs and...
64From George Washington to Gardoqui, 20 January 1786 (Washington Papers)
The letter which your Excellency did me the favor to write to me on the first of this month does me great honor: the sentiments which you have been pleased to entertain of my conduct are very flattering; and the friendly manner in which they are expressed is highly pleasing. To meet the approbation of a gentleman whose good wishes were early engaged in the American cause, & who has attended to...
65From George Washington to Henry Knox, 21 February 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a letter from Monsr Cottineau de Kerloquin requesting an admission into the Society of the Cincinnati—and one from the Chevalier D’Anmours setting forth the services of that Gentleman and his pretensions to admission. Both of which I must beg you to lay before the Society at their next General Meeting that they may take the necessary steps thereon; unless it shall...
66[Diary entry: 31 October 1787] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday. 31st. Clear pleasand & warm in the forenoon. Towards Noon it grew cold. Wind hard at No. West. Rid to all the Plantns. In the Neck 6 plows were at work & 2 more were put at it this morning one of wch. broke immediately. The other hands were getting Irish Potatoes in the further cut (Tob. Ho.) in Timber landg. f[iel]d. At Muddy hole—finished Sowing Wheat 12½ bushls. in the cut right...
67From George Washington to William Tudor, 18 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your friendly letter of the 26th of July, together with the History of the Insurrections in Massachusetts; and cannot delay to return you my thanks for these tokens of your regard. Though I have not yet had time to look through the book, from the interesting nature of the subject, and the judicious manner in which it seems to be handled, I anticipate considerable amusement...
68From George Washington to William Washington, 30 June 1785 (Washington Papers)
My nephew delivered me your letter of the 21st of April. For the kind attention shewn him by Mrs Washington & yourself he entertains a grateful sense, & I offer you my sincere thanks, which I should be glad to renew to you both, in person at this place. He enjoys a tolerable share of health, but is gone to (what are called in this Country) the Sweet Springs, to obtain a better stock to fit him...
69[Diary entry: 13 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 13th. Thermometer at 80 in the Morng.—84 at Noon and 86 at Night. Rid to my Muddy hole and Neck Plantations, and beheld Corn in a melancholy situation, fired in most places to the Ear with little appearance of yielding if rain should soon come & a certainty of making nothing if it did not. Attempts had been made at both these Plantations to sow Wheat, but stirring the ground in the...
70From George Washington to Charles Washington, 28 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter dated the 15th of January (which I presume must be a mistake, as the bearer says he left your House the day before yesterday) came to my hands last Night. I thank you for your kind congratulation on my return to private life, which is highly pleasing to me. Your Son George went down with me the 11th of this Month to Fredericksburgh, where I left him. In a day or two after, he...
71From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, Jr., 3 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
Mr Dandridge for reasons which he can better explain to you than I, have requested that the enclosed Bonds may be put in Suit. I beg it may be done accordingly. Upon so great a change as has lately taken place in your career of life I ought, possibly to have begun this letter with compliments of congratulation but as they are not less sincere on account of there being made the second Paragraph...
72From George Washington to Thomas Bedwell, 7 June 1786 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 27th ulto with the patterns enclosed, I have received. I am sorry for the misfortunes which you have met with in the course of your business, & heartily wish that your future attempts to carry on any useful manufactory, may succeed; but I think Sir, that it would be presumption in me to recommend to any Gentleman in the State of South Carolina, a person from Philada with...
73[Diary entry: 27 May 1787] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 27th. Went to the Romish Church—to high Mass. Dined, drank Tea, and spent the evening at my lodgings. romish church : Of the two Roman Catholic chapels in Philadelphia at this time GW probably attended the larger, St. Mary’s, on Fourth below Spruce Street. The chapel had been extensively renovated in 1782 ( SCHARF [1] J. Thomas Scharf and Thompson Westcott. History of Philadelphia....
74[Diary entry: 3 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 3d. Mercury at 65 in the Morning—66 at Noon and 66 at Night. Much such a day as yesterday until the Evening when the Sun made a feeble effort to appear and the clouds began to thin and disperse. In the Evening James Madison Esqr. came in.
75From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 23 May 1785 (Washington Papers)
It would have given me much pleasure to have seen you at Richmond; and it was part of my original plan to have spent a few days with you at Eltham whilst I was in the lower parts of the Country; but an intervention of circumstances not only put it out of my power to do the latter, but would have stopped my journey to Richmond altogether had not the meeting, the time, and the place been of my...
76[Diary entry: 17 June 1787] (Washington Papers)
Sunday. 17th. Went to Church. Heard Bishop White preach, and see him ordain two Gentlemen Deacons—after wch. rid 8 Miles into the Country and dined with Mr. Jno. Ross in Chester County. Returned in the Afternoon. William White (1748–1836), a native of Philadelphia, was the assistant minister and then, during the Revolution, the successor to Jacob Duché as minister for Christ and St. Peter’s...
77To James Madison from George Washington, 22 October 1785 (Madison Papers)
I thank you for the perusal of the enclosed reports—Mr Jay seems to have laboured the point respecting the Convention. If any thing should occur that is interesting, & your leizure will permit it, I should be glad to hear from you on the subject. Printed copy (Stan. V. Henkels Catalogue No. 686, 1892). Letter and enclosures not found. Listed in DLC : Madison Miscellany. JM appears either to...
78[Diary entry: 31 May 1787] (Washington Papers)
[Thursday 31st.] The State of Georgia came on the Floor of the Convention to day which made a representation of ten States. Dined at Mr. Francis’s and drank Tea with Mrs. Meredith. the state of georgia : In his Philadelphia diary GW specified William Houstoun (1757–1812), who was an active convention participant, and William Pierce (d. 1789), who participated little but left some notes of the...
79[Diary entry: 7 July 1787] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 7th. Attended Convention. Dined with the Club at Springsbury and drank Tea at Mr. Meridiths.
80From George Washington to Robert Lewis & Sons, 12 April 1785 (Washington Papers)
I have received two letters from you—one of the 8th of March—the other the 5th instt—& thank you for both. I acquiesce readily to the conditional terms you have made on my behalf with Joseph Davenport. His demand of Wages are as high as the best Mills in this Country afford; & the priviledges for wch he stipulates, shall be granted him with this addition, that his fire wood shall be Carted to...
81[Diary entry: 21 June 1787] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 21st. Attended Convention. Dined at Mr. Pragers, and spent the evening in my Chamber. Mr. Prager is probably Mark Prager, Sr., a member of the Jewish mercantile family that came to Philadelphia shortly after the Revolution. The firm, at first called Pragers, Liebaert & Co., was some time before 1791 changed to Pragers & Co. GW had written William Fitzhugh on 23 July 1784 introducing...
82From George Washington to James Madison, 10 October 1787 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for your letter of the 30th Ult. It came by the last Post. I am better pleased that the proceedings of the Convention is handed from Congress by a unanimous vote (feeble as it is) than if it had appeared under stronger marks of approbation without it. This apparent unanimity will have its effect. Not every one has opportunities to peep behind the curtain; and as the multitude often...
83[Diary entry: 27 September 1786] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 27th. Mercury at 66 in the Morning—80 at Noon and 78 at Night. Clear, calm, and warm all day. Colo. Bassett his Son & George Washington took a ride to Alexandria. I rid into the Neck, by Muddy hole, to measure a piece of ground intended for Corn another year & to new model my fields. Took up the flax that had been spread to rot at the latter place. Engaged at every plantation in...
84[Diary entry: 11 July 1787] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 11th. Attended Convention. Dined at Mr. Morris’s and spent the evening there.
85From George Washington to John Dandridge, 11 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your letter of the 2d Instt—and in replying to it, again assure you, with great sincerity, that whatever my own wants of money may be if you think more than £800 can (by waiting till times get a little better) be had for your Land in Gloucester County it will be perfectly agreeable to me to let the debt due to me from your fathers Estate remain on its present footing. For...
86[Diary entry: 17 October 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 17th. Mercury at 68 in the Morning—64 at Noon and 59 at Night. Wind Southerly and raining till about 9 Oclock when it chopped round to the No. Wt.—blew hard & cleared. At home all day. Began to set a brick kiln.
87[Diary entry: 1 August 1787] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 1st. About 11 oclock, after it had ceased raining, we all set out for the City and dined at Mr. Morris’s.
88From George Washington to George Taylor, Jr., 18 May 1786 (Washington Papers)
You will excuse me I hope, for not having acknowledged the receipt of your favours of the 21st & 25th of Feby at an earlier period. The truth is, I have been much hurried, and a good deal from home, since they came to this place. I thank you for your obliging attention to the apples, which were very good & arrived safely, and Mrs Washington joins me in thanking you also for your kind present...
89From George Washington to William Gordon, 3 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
The last post brought me your favor of the 18th ulto, & gave me the pleasure to hear you were well. My return from our Western territory was sooner than I expected when I left home. The Indians from accounts were in too discontented a mood to have rendered an interview with them agreeable, if chance should have thrown us together. I therefore returned from the Neighbourhood of Fort Pitt, where...
90[Diary entry: 7 November 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 7th. Mercury at 53 in the Morning—60 at Noon and 59 at Night. Clear mild & very pleast. all day—Calm in the forenoon & a light Southerly breeze after Noon. Rid to all the Plantations to day. In the Neck the people had just finished gathering and measuring the Pease which in all amounted to only 80 Bushels. They were, in places, very much missing to which this short quantity is...
91[Diary entry: 21 October 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 21st. Mercury at 50 in the Morning—58 at Noon and 55 at Night. Wind at No. Et. all day with various appearances—sometimes threatning Rain—at other times promising to be fair. Colo. Richard Henry Lee with his daughter Nancy, who came here yesterday to dinner, going away after breakfast, I rid into the Neck, and to Muddy hole & Dogue run Plantations. At the first the People had finished...
92To John Jay from George Washington, 15 August 1786 (Jay Papers)
I have to thank you very Sincerely for your interesting letter of the 27 th . of June, as well as for the other communications you had the goodness to make at the same time. I am sorry to be assured, of what indeed I had little doubt before, that we have been guilty of violating the treaty in some instances. What a misfortune it is the British should have so well grounded a pretext for their...
93To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 18 October 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
I am favoured with your two letters of the 30th September. The debate on Indian Affairs which I believe is got through, and that on the residence of Congress wch. is yet in agitation has entirely thrown aside for sometime the consideration of the peace establishment. When it is resumed I will take care that your application comes into view and shall be happy if any thing in my power may...
94From George Washington to Neil Jamieson, 20 May 1786 (Washington Papers)
Messrs Balfour & Barraud of Norfolk died indebted to me in a pretty considerable sum. Meeting with Mr Newton a few days ago at richmond, he informed me that the books of that Company had been in the hands of a Mr Schau deceased, to whom you were an Executor; and that it was highly probable you could in this character, give me some clue by which I could recover my Debt; for he added, that he...
95From George Washington to Moustier, 15 December 1788 (Washington Papers)
I am now taking up my pen to acknowledge the receipt of the two letters, which your Excellency did me the honor of writing to me on the 21st & 26th of last Month. While I request you to receive my thanks for the Memoirs on the trade to the West Indies, for the memorandum concerning the different kinds of Coal Tar, & for the desertation on Cements proper for the preservation of perishable...
96[Diary entry: 27 January 1789] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 27th. Thermometer at 42 in the Morning—42 at Noon and 44 at Night. Much rain fell in the course of last Night—heavy forenoon, with the Wind at No. Et.—At Night a good deal of Rain. At home all day.
97[Diary entry: 11 November 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 11th. Mercury at 41 in the Morning—45 at Noon and 42 at Night. Morning clear and cool, with the wind pretty fresh from the No. Wt. By noon it became calm & very pleasant. Rid to the Mill, and to Dogue run & Muddy hole plantations. At the first named Plantation finished plowing for Rye in the Morning, but there remained of it 8 or 10 acres to sow & harrow in. By Night the ground from...
98From George Washington to George Steptoe Washington, 6 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
It was with equal pain and surprize I was informed by Colo. Hanson on Monday last, of your unjustifiable behaviour in rescuing your brother from that chastisement which was due to his improper conduct; and which you know, because you have been told it in explicit language, he was authorized to administer whensoever he should deserve it. Such refractory behaviour on your part, I consider as an...
99[Diary entry: 2 January 1788] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 2d. Thermometer at 21 in the morning—30 at Noon and 25 at Night. Clear Morning but variable afterwards—not much wind, but that Southerly & cold—at least raw. Colo. Humphreys & Myself accompanied Mr. Paradise and his lady to Alexandria. Dined with Mr. Charles Lee and returned in the Evening—leavg. Mr. & Mrs. Paradise there. On the ride home GW contracted “a very severe cold” and for...
100[Diary entry: 1 December 1786] (Washington Papers)
Friday 1st. Mercury at 36 in the Morning— at Noon and at Night. Wind Southerly and pretty fresh—clear and pleasant all day. Employed as yesterday, running round the Lands of Manley and French. Geo. Washington and his wife returned home in the Evening. Received 50 Bushels of Buck Wheat from Colo. Leven Powell of Loudoun. Leven (Levin) Powell (1737–1810), a Loudoun County merchant, was a major...