To George Washington from William Hambly, 17 February 1797
From William Hambly
Falmo[uth, England] Feb. 17th 1797
Hond Sir
Some time since I did myself the pleasure to wait on you through the Medium of my Friends Messrs Thompson & Veitch, with the present of an old Cheshire Cheese.1
The gracious manner in which you was pleased to receive it—and the growing respect I feel for your Character—influences me to supplicate your Condescension, to receive another at my hands—which I hope you will be pleased to do.2
At this Moment the Eyes of all the World are fixed on N. A.—and I hope those who wish her ill, will be greatly disappointed.
I hope kind Heaven will be graciously pleased to lengthen out your days—and to make your last Moments your most tranquil ones. May nothing arise in your political Horizon to ruffle your Temper—or disturbe your Retirement—is the most sincere prayer of your Excellencies most Obedient Humble Servant
W: Hambly
ALS, DLC:GW.
William Hambly conducted business as a merchant and trader in both Falmouth and at Great Bell Alley, Coleman Street, in London. He served as mayor of Falmouth from 1798 to 1799.
1. Hambly may have sent GW the Cheshire cheese for which GW thanked the Alexandria, Va., firm of Thompson & Veitch in an unfound letter dated 3 Aug. 1795.
Jonah Thompson and Richard Veitch were partners in the firm Thompson & Veitch from the 1790s until December 1801, when the partnership dissolved. Their firm sold a variety of goods, including imported wine, watches, linen, and hardware (see , 2:184–87, 206).
2. In July 1798, GW wrote Hambly, acknowledging “the very fine Cheeses” that he had sent. As a token of gratitude, Martha Washington gifted Hambly several Virginia hams of “her own curing.” Hambly again sent GW a Cheshire cheese in April 1799 (GW to Hambly, 28 July 1798, and n.1 to that document, in , 2:459; see also Hambly to GW, 13 April 1799, in , 3:481).