2301[Diary entry: 20 August 1797] (Washington Papers)
20. But little wind & that variable. Weather clear. Mer. 79.
2302Washington’s Slave List, June 1799 (Washington Papers)
The list of Mount Vernon slaves which GW drew up, probably some time in June 1799, included those slaves owned by him outright, those who were controlled by him as part of Martha Washington’s dowry, and a number who were rented by him in 1786 by contract with Mrs. Penelope French at the time he acquired her life rights to land that she owned on Dogue Run. The slaves Washington owned in his own...
2303Farm Reports, 16–22 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
1797 April 16 in the Morning 54 S.E. & Rainy 56 S.E. & rain 54 S.E. & rain 17 56 S.E. & clear 60 S.E. clear 57 S.E. & rainy 18 51 N.W. cloudy 53 N.W. cloudy 51 N.W. clear 19 45 N.W. cloudy 47 N.W. clear 45 N.W. cloudy 20 46 N.W. cloudy 48 N.W. clear
2304[Diary entry: 17 January 1799] (Washington Papers)
17. Clear & calm in the Morning & a white frost. Mer. 30 in the Morning & 40 at Night. Clear all day with very little wind—that Easterly.
2305[Diary entry: 10 September 1797] (Washington Papers)
10. Clear & Cool Wind at No. Et. Mer. 68. Mr. Jno. Bassett—wife & 3 Childn. came here to Dinnr. Martha Washington’s nephew John Bassett and his wife, Elizabeth Carter Browne Bassett, had at least four children at this time.
2306To George Washington from Ralph Wormeley, Jr., 12 May 1799 (Washington Papers)
I am about to ask a favour of you, which I think it probable you may refuse, the frequency of applications of this sort having induced a resolution, on your part, never to comply with any; I mean, “Letters of recommendation”—in June I propose to embark at Norfolk for New York in my way to Boston; my business is to settle my second son as a student at Harvard College Cambridge. I am not...
2307To George Washington from Nathaniel Ramsay, 7 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that the Calf you expected from the Eastern Shore arrived yesterday. It is a beautifull formed Animal and well grown Calf, but not near as large as some I have seen of Mr Gough’s raising at the same Age. It is said to be about five months old. The person who brought it over, says there was no particular pains taken with it, and that it had only the common fare...
2308To George Washington from William Augustine Washington, 30 August 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Augustine Washington, 30 Aug. 1799. On 7 Oct. GW wrote William Augustine Washington : “Strange as it may seem, it is nevertheless true, that your letter of the 30th of August never got to my hands until the 4th instant.”
2309[Diary entry: 7 February 1799] (Washington Papers)
7. Clear & pleasant all day. Mer. at 20 in the Morning but little Wind and that Easterly. Doctr. Thorn. & Majr. Turner came to dinner. Major Turner is probably Dr. William Thornton’s good friend George Turner. Turner, originally from South Carolina, had served as a lieutenant and captain in the 1st South Carolina Regiment during the Revolution and in 1778 became an aide to Maj. Gen. Robert...
2310[Diary entry: 4 October 1799] (Washington Papers)
4. Morning again, heavy & lowering. Mer. 68—quite calm through the day. Mer. 75 at highest & 73 at Night. Mrs. Peak dined here and in the Afternoon Colo. Jno. Waker & Mr. Hugh Nelson came here. colo. jno. waker : John Walker. Hugh Nelson (1768–1836), son of Gov. Thomas Nelson (1738–1789), graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1780, served in the Virginia General Assembly and later...
2311To George Washington from James McHenry, 6 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
I am to receive tomorrow the Presidents letter to you, and leave this in the mail stage on monday, and continue with it to Alexandria. I shall not of course sleep much after getting into it till I see you. To facilitate this event, I have to request, if it can be done without inconvenience, that one of your servants may be at Alexandria to serve as a pilot for me to Mount Vernon. Adieu, most...
2312From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 10 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
Queries—propounded by the Commander in Chief To Majors Genl Hamilton & Pinckney. 1st Is an Invasion of the United States, by France, to be apprehended whilst that Power continues at War with Great Britain? 2d In case such an Invasion should take place, what part of the United States, in their opinion, is most likely to be first attacked? 3d Is it probable that the French will, in the way of...
2313[Diary entry: 21 January 1799] (Washington Papers)
21. Morning clear. Mer. at 32. Wind hard & cold from the No. Wt. till Noon, when it moderated. Went up to Court, and to an Election of Bank Directors in Alexandria—was chosen Guardian by Miss Eleanor Parke Custis & gave in my Suffrage for Directors. Dined at Mr. Fitzhughs. On 23 Jan., GW wrote Lawrence Lewis of his errand to Alexandria, “whither I went to become the guardian of Nelly, thereby...
2314From George Washington to Oliver Evans, 20 July 1798 (Washington Papers)
Finding more difficulty than I apprehended in getting a Miller from Northward, I have again engaged my present one, on the terms he was before, rather than delay the matter any longer. I make this communication to prevent further inquiries on your part, on my behalf; and that I may thank you for the trouble you have taken in this affair to procure one for me. I am etc. Fitzpatrick, Writings of...
2315From George Washington to William Thornton, 14 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
As the season for transplanting Trees is passing away, and this business cannot be much longer delayed with propriety, or safety to the Plants, I embrace the going up of Colo. Lear to the City, to send you the scaley bark hiccory trees promised you sometime since. They are from the large Nut grown in Gloucester County, of this State. I put such of the Spanish Chesnut as I could save last...
2316[Diary entry: 11 February 1799] (Washington Papers)
11. A little lowering—W. in the Morning—Wind Southerly and Mer. at 27. Went up to Alexandria to the celebration of my birth day. Many Manœuvres were performed by the Uniform Corps and an elegant Ball & Supper at Night. Participating in the maneuvers were the Alexandria Silver Grays, the “Volunteer Troop of Light Dragoons,” and the Alexandria Dragoons ( Columbian Mirror [Alexandria], 9 Feb....
2317[Diary entry: 29 July 1799] (Washington Papers)
29. Morng., Mer. at 74—But little wind, and that Southerly. Weather clear thro’ the day. Mer. 87 at highest & 83 at Night.
2318Notes on an Interview with George Logan and Robert Blackwell, 13 November 1798 (Washington Papers)
Mr Lear, my Secretary, being from our lodgings on business, one of my Servants came into the room where I was writing, and informed me, that a Gentleman in the Parlour below, desired to see me; his name was sent up. In a few minutes I went down, and found the Revd Doctr Blackwell, & Doctr Logan there. I advanced towards, & gave my hand to the former; the latter did the same towards me, I was...
2319From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 17 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
On the 18th Ulto, I remitted you in a letter, One hundred Dollars in Bank Notes of the United States. Having received no acknowledgement of the letter’s getting to hand; and being yet without the Lucerne Seed, therein mentioned, (as well as in former letters) I am not entirely free from apprehension of a miscarriage, although I have heard of no accident to the Mail. As the Season of sowing...
2320[Diary entry: 1 March 1799] (Washington Papers)
1. Snowing fast. Mer. at 30. More or less snow through the day with the wind though but little of it at No. Et. Snow 6 In. deep.
2321[Diary entry: 19 August 1799] (Washington Papers)
19. Morning Cloudy Wind at No. Et. & Mer. at 65—at highest 75 and at Night 69. Wind brisk at No. Et. all day.
2322From George Washington to George Thacher, 27 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
It is not long since the Papers herewith sent have been in my possession, altho’ from the date they bear, one would be led to think otherwise. If the statements are just, the case merits attention; and as Mr Goodwin has mistaken the road by which the application (if redress can be afforded) is to be made, I have taken the liberty of transmitting them to you, on the supposition that he is a...
2323To George Washington from Medad Rogers, 27 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
My Brother Washington, I heartily rejoice with thee, that a door is fully opened for retiring from a station, which nothing caused thee to hold, but the free voice of fellow citizens and the desire of doing them all the good which the abilities God had bestowed on thee would permit. Envy never once rose in my breast at thee in they public station, but pity and prayer: knowing thy pillow was...
2324From George Washington to Joseph Hopkinson, 27 May 1798 (Washington Papers)
An absence of more than eight days from home (on a visit to our friends in the Federal City) is offered as an apology for my not giving your polite, and obliging favour of the 9th instant, an earlier acknowledgment. I pray you now, my good Sir, to accept my best thanks for the Pamphlet and Song, which accompanied it; and still more, for the favourable sentiments you have been pleased to...
2325To George Washington from Charles Little, 27 November 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Charles Little, 27 Nov. 1799. GW wrote Little on 28 Nov. : “Mr Johnston delivered me your favour of yesterday.”
2326From George Washington to James McHenry, 10 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
Private & confidential My dear Sir, Mount Vernon 10th Augt 1798 You will consider this letter as private & confidential. Dictated by friendship, and flowing from the best intentions. If then, any thing should be found therein wch may have too much the appearance of plain dealing, look to the motives, and manner of the communication, & my apology will be sought for in yr candor. From the moment...
2327[Diary entry: 9 September 1799] (Washington Papers)
9. Morning heavy & at times raining. About noon the Sun came out warm and the weather appeared to be clearing but in the afternoon it rained again as it did last night. Mer. 70 in the morning & 73 at night. Wind still Easterly.
2328[Diary entry: 23 August 1799] (Washington Papers)
23. Morning quite calm & tolerably clear. Mer. at 68–80 at highest & 66 at Night. Wind Southerly & clear after the Morning. Mr. & Mrs. Law came here to Dinner.
2329To George Washington from Rufus King, 29 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor today to receive your Letter concerning young la fayette, who arrived at Calais about three weeks since—this I have learnt from an american who saw him there. As it was well known in France that his father & family are in Holstein, I presume that the young man must have left France, and gone to his family—I understand that General La fayette intends imbarking for america Early...
2330To George Washington from Thomas Law, 10 August 1799 (Washington Papers)
I hope you arrived well & that the Sun & fatigue did not encrease the bile —Dr Thornton has applied to Mr Carroll who will not take less than 15d. or 15 Cents—which in truth the Lot is worth —A Gentleman from Baltimore has been with me to day for a Lot to build upon, & the Stenographer (or short hand writer) to Congress is going to build on one of my Lots in the small Square above my stable &...
2331To George Washington from Daniel Morgan, 30 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
This will be handed to you by Mr James Welch of greenbryor county who is Desirous to lease your conhaway lands—I am Not acquented with Mr Welsh myself only from History and by sight I Know he is in trade at greenbreor court house, he brought letters from some of my acquintance in augusta wishing me to Introduce him to you by a line. I set out for congress on Wednesday week, old Robin my old...
2332From George Washington to Joshua Sands, 29 May 1798 (Washington Papers)
The last Northern Mail brot me your favour of the 24th Instt. As the tin box therein mentioned, has not the addition of President annexed to the direction, there can be no doubt of its being addressed to me, in my private character, although I have received no other advice relative thereto than what you have been so obliging as to give. From the size of it—as described by you—it must be too...
2333From George Washington to Charles Little, 28 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
Mr Johnston delivered me your favour of yesterday, and a map of the Land—formerly Lord Tankervilles; but as he came late in the afternoon, and said he was obliged to return that evening, I did not incline to detain him until I could examine, & get such information from the plat as was necessary for my purpose. I therefore dispatched him, & took the liberty of detaining the latter until this...
2334From George Washington to Thomas Peter, 12 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 9th was handed to me yesterday—enclosing one from Colo. Deakins, and a Tobacco Note as below—for which I transmit a receipt. I am ignorant of the principle, on which I am called upon to pay for picking a Tenants tobacco; but presuming it was proper, I thank you for having done it. And I pray you to add to the expence as much Tobacco as will make the Hhd sufficiently heavy:...
2335[Diary entry: 13 September 1799] (Washington Papers)
13. Morning clear—wind Southerly. Mer. at 76—at highest 84 and at Night 76. Wind Southerly & clear till afternoon. Then cloudy & about 6 Oclock Rain, with a good deal of Lightening & thunder, but none severe. Mr. & Mrs. Law went away after breakfast & Doctor Thornton came to dinner.
2336To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 6 June 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inclose two letters received yesterday from Europe, to your address. I was informed that to-day the House of Representatives concurred with the bill sent down from the Senate to prohibit the exportation of arms and military stores. Notwithstanding the persevering opposition given by nearly half the members of the House to some important sentences in the reported address...
2337[Diary entry: 1 January 1798] (Washington Papers)
1. Much rain fell last night & a thick fog, with a Southerly Wind continued all the forenoon, clear afterwards. Mer. abt. 32.
2338[Diary entry: 19 June 1798] (Washington Papers)
19. Morning Wind still at East & Mer. at 70. Slow rain on & off all the forenoon—then clear—afterwds. cloudy & misting—Mer. .
2339To George Washington from Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 25 June 1799 (Washington Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your favour of the fifth instant—The Communications made you from Mulberry Grove were by no means troublesome to me. It will always give me pleasure to keep you regularly informed of the situation of the command entrusted to me; and I solemnly assure you I meant no compliment, but it is my most sincere & earnest desire to be favoured from time to time with your...
2340From George Washington to George Pearson, 15 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 12th of May has been received, but not until within these few days: to which you will please to consider the following as a reply. Having been long in public life, and but little in this State for the last five and twenty years; and moreover, having had but very little agency in the Administration of the deceased Colo. Thomas Colvils affairs even antecedant thereto, no...
2341[Diary entry: 9 July 1798] (Washington Papers)
9. Clear morning wind at No. West Mer. 66–72 at Night—clear all day.
2342To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 8 June 1797 (Washington Papers)
By Mr W. Bowie of Georgetown, who Undertakes to forward them, I have sent you the Unguent delamere and Smiths Comparative view of the Constitutions’—The picture frames are in forwardness and shall come by the first Opportunity by Water. I am very respectfully Your most Obedt & very huml. servt Morse’s Gazetteer is not yet published but daily expected here from New York. ALS , DLC:GW ....
2343From George Washington to James Anderson, 17 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
I am not certain that I perfectly understood (when I was speaking to you on the subject the other day) what parts of the Banks in Union Farm Meadow, were sowed with Clover; and therefore make the enquiry now; first, because I am strongly impressed with an idea that that part which is in Wheat, on the North Side of the Branch from the Barn lane downwards (especially as far as the rough plowed...
2344[Diary entry: 23 June 1798] (Washington Papers)
23. Morning very lowering with the Wind at So. Wt. & light sprinkling of Rain. Mer. 74—at Night 80.
2345From George Washington to Samuel Mickle Fox, 26 June 1799 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for the prompt answer to my enquiries respecting Ritchie and Shreves Bonds, deposited in the Bank of Pennsylvania for collection. I pray you to inform me, whether the circumstances attending the deposit of the $250 to Mr Ross’s credit—my Agent as he was called—were such as to enable me to transfer or rather would authorise the Bank to pay, the same to my draught, or not. If nothing...
2346To George Washington from Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 19 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your favour by General Marshall arrived safe, and I was highly flattered by your approbation of my conduct whilst in France. Before I determine on any public measure I always consider in what way it is probable you would act if you were to decide, & govern myself according to what I conceive would be your judgment. I am charmed with my Colleague Genl Marshall, and am fortunate enough to agree...
2347From George Washington to John Gill, 19 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
Sending every other day only to the Post Office (unless something special makes it expedient to send oftener) your letter of the 16th did not reach my hands until the 17th at night. Herewith, the Plat lent you by Mr Swift, is returned. But as my land is not laid down in connection therewith, I have derived but little information from the examination thereof; and as you remark “it does not...
2348[Diary entry: 26 November 1797] (Washington Papers)
26. Wind fresh from No. West all day & clear. Mr. Russel went away after breakfast. Mr. Lear came to dinner & Mr. & Mrs. Law at Night.
2349From George Washington to James McHenry, 30 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have lately received information, which, in my opinion, merits attention. It is that the brawlers against Governmental measures in some of the most discontented parts of this state, have, all of a sudden, become silent; and, it is added, are very desirous of obtaining Commissions in the Army, about to be raised. This information did not fail to leave an impression upon my mind at the time I...
2350[Diary entry: 13 July 1798] (Washington Papers)
13. Lowering in the Morng. No Wind Mer. 70. Clear afternoon Mer. 66.