From George Washington to Daniel Carroll, 11 March 1791
To Daniel Carroll
Philadelphia March 11th 1791
Dear Sir,
I write to you by this post in conformity with my promise so to do.1 But it is not yet in my power to determine whether I can set out on Monday or not. If I find the roads do not mend much between this time and that, I shall not be anxious about beginning my journey on that day, even if business would permit. As my fixing the day for meeting the Commissioners at George Town must depend upon my departure from this place, I cannot determine upon the former until the latter is decided. I shall write to you again by the Monday’s post, and in that letter shall be able to say with certainty when I leave this city.2 With very great esteem, I am Dear Sir, Your most Obedt Servt
Go: Washington
LS, DLC: Presidential Manuscripts—General; LB, DNA: RG 42, Records of the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, Letters Sent; LB, DLC:GW.
1. Carroll initially declined to serve as one of the three commissioners of the federal district but accepted the appointment after his term in the House of Representatives expired on 4 Mar. 1791 (see Commission, 22 Jan. 1791). He apparently left Philadelphia within a few days of receiving his commission and reached Baltimore on 13 Mar. 1791. On that date he replied to GW: “In expectation, indeed with hopes, on account of the bad State of the roads, that this may find you in Phila., I do my self the honor of acknowled[g]eing the receipt of your favor of the 11th Instant—I did not reach this place untill 12 o’Clock this day—& shall remain here, or in the neighbourhood untill wednesday morning—I shall therefore receive the further information with which you propose honoring me by tuesday night, & shall act accordingly” (DNA: RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters).
2. GW apparently did not write to Carroll on Monday, 14 Mar. 1791, as he promised and did not provide Carroll with a date for the meeting with the commissioners in Georgetown until 17 Mar. 1791 (see GW to Carroll, 17 Mar. 1791).