2651To George Washington from Battaile Muse, 6 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
My Father Sold me 2100 Acres Land Lying in the Knaway River—2000 of which was to be Conveyed by Colo. William Branaugh—which I am Told is done. As Far as I am informed I expect you may give up Colo. W. Branaughs His Bond that he gave you for the Conveyance of the 2000 acres Land as I have before wrote you—In the execution of the devetion of the Lands I expended 50/—which my Father Told me you...
2652GW to Bartholomew Dandridge, 5 April 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: GW to Bartholomew Dandridge, 5 April 1797. On 8 April Dandridge wrote GW : “About 2 o’Clock your letter of the 5th was put into my hands.”
2653To George Washington from Thomas Hatfield, 5 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
Being impressed with your ardent desire to promote the Arts, and Sciences, in America; Allow me Sir to address you on the subject of establishing a Manufactory of Cotton in the City of Washington. I have conversed on the practicability of it, with several respectable Gentlemen, who feel anxious that a manufacture may be introduced there. On the first proposal of the Columbianum for the...
2654To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 5 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
Capt. OBrien arrived here last Saturday from Lisbon. The Dey of Algiers is entirely our friend. Tripoli has agreed to a perpetual peace, for 40,000 dollars & some peace presents, without an annual tribute. In January last Mr Barlow mentions his expectations that peace would soon be effected with Tunis. The Dey of Algiers is now so warmly attached & has such entire confidence in the Honesty of...
2655To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 5 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
Of the letters received from Mr King, those which I forwarded this morning were addressed to General Washington: two others, one addressed to the President of the U.S., and one to G.W. President of the U.S., I retained, under the idea that they were official, and presented them to Mr Adams: but he was inclined to think them intended for you personally; and therefore I now do myself the honor...
2656To George Washington from Isaac Price, 5 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
I send you inclosed a pamphlet entitled a Jerseymans Common Sense. if it is approved by you and you think it prudent at this criticle Juncture that such sentiments should be publick, I shall have a number more printed But if discerning men deem it imprudent—and not conducive of harmony and unity—I shall desist—I assure you sir that my motive is purely from a principle of love to my countrey,...
2657From George Washington to George Washington Parke Custis, 3 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 25th Ulto has been duly received; and as your Grand Mamma or Sister, will write to you by the Post, I shall leave it to them to furnish you with the details of our journey, and the occurances since our arrival. It gives me singular pleasure to hear that your time has been so well employed during the last Winter, and that you are so sensible of the good affects of it...
2658From George Washington to Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., 3 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
Mr Lear informs me the President has declined, finally, to take any part of the furniture in the Green drawing room—and that you will be requested to have the lustre in the middle of it packed up & sent round to this place. If the latter should not have taken place before this letter reaches your hands, let it be sent to Mrs Morris, who I beg will receive it as a present; and to whom I will...
2659From George Washington to James McHenry, 3 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
Private Dear Sir, Mount Vernon 3d April 1797 Your letter of the 24th Ulto has been duly received, and I thank you for the information given in it: Let me pray you to have the goodness to communicate to me occasionally, such matters as are interesting, and not contrary to the rules of your official duty to disclose. We get so many details in the Gazettes, and of such different complexions, that...
2660To George Washington from Priscilla Beale, 2 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have been called on repeatedly by Mr Hezekiah Veach your Collector for the Rents Due you I have Long since sent some wheat to Baltimore for the Purpose of paying you the Rents due you. But when I sent it there wheat had fallen in Consequence of which I stowed it for a better markett. since Then I have been Afflicted with a very sick Family. one of my sons have been Down with the Consumtion...
2661From George Washington to Henry Lee, Jr., 2 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
If this letter should happen to find you in Philadelphia, the intention of it is to bring you acquainted with the situation of Messrs Reed & Ford’s engagement to transfer (after the 28th of March) seventy shares in the Bank of Columbia on your account for my benefit. On my way home, I placed their obligation in the hands of a Gentleman within the District of Columbia, for the purpose of having...
2662George Lewis to GW, 31 March 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: George Lewis to GW, 31 Mar. 1797. On 9 April GW wrote Lewis : “Your letter of the 31st Ult. from Culpeper County, came to my hands.”
2663To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 31 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 26 inst. Covering a copy of your favr dated Philada 1st feby 97 (the rect of which I really thought I had in my last to you acknowledged, but now find, I neglected so to do—) came to hand yesterday. Since the rect of yours dated philada I have rode to town four times to see and Converse with Majr Lewis as you requested, but never have been so fortunate as to find him at home, and...
2664To George Washington from Joseph Fay, 30 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 19th Ulto enclosing proposals for selling your Virginia Lands, came duly to hand, I have deferrd any reply until I gained an opportunity to consult several of my friends who proposed being concerned with me in the purchase; we have considered your proposals, and we find several obstacles in the way of closing with them. we should find much difficulty in making the first...
2665To George Washington from John Sinclair, 29 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor herewith to transmit to Your Excellency The account which I have Just printed of The origin of The Board of Agriculture and its progress for three years after its establishment, by which you will perceive the nature of our Exertions for the Internal Improvement and general benefit of the Country. I shall much esteem your casting an Eye over this paper when your leisure...
2666To George Washington from James Gillis, 28 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
Brothers Ramsay & Marsteller wait upon You with a Copy of an address which has been prepared by the unanimous desire of the Antient York Masons of Lodge No. 22. It is their earnest request that You will partake of a Dinner with them and that You will please appoint the time most convenient for You to attend. I am most beloved Brother Your most Obedt hble Servt ALS , DLC:GW . James Gillis...
2667March [1797] (Washington Papers)
1. Mercury at 24. Wind Westerly and cold all day. 2. Wind as yesterday; cloudy, cold & Raw all day. Towards night it began to Snow. Mercury at 26. 3. Mercury at 34. Morning very lowering & threatning but clear & pleasant afterwards. Wind fresh from the So. Wt. 4. Much such a day as yesterday in all respects. Mercury at 41. 5. Not unlike the two preceding days. M. at 50. 6. The wind Shifted to...
2668[Diary entry: 27 March 1797] (Washington Papers)
27. A little rain fell last Night. Wind Southerly in the Morning & violently all day afterwards & night from No. Wt. Omitted to enter the Acct. of the Weather & Occurrences the remainder of this month.
2669[Diary entry: 26 March 1797] (Washington Papers)
26. Wind varying from No. Et. to So. Et. and blowing very fresh.
2670From George Washington to Elizabeth Willing Powel, 26 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
A Mail of last week brought me the honor of your favor, begun the 11th, and ended the 13th of this instant. Had it not been for one circumstance, which by the bye is a pretty material one—viz.—that I had no love letters to lose—the introductory without the explanatory part of your letter, would have caused a serious alarm; and might have tried how far my nerves were able to sustain the shock...
2671From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 26 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 22d instant has been received, by which I find you have fixed the commencement of your journey to Kentucky to the 3d of next month. Although some passages in your letter lead me to conclude that mine to you of the first of Feby had got to hand, yet, as you have not acknowledged the receipt of it, I am left in doubt, and having a press copy thereof by me, I forward a...
2672[Diary entry: 25 March 1797] (Washington Papers)
25. Wind for the most part Southerly—and clear.
2673To George Washington from William Bingham, 25 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
Amongst the Number that experience the Hospitalities of Mount Vernon, there are none whose personal Merit (independent of their Education, their Rank & Pretensions) more deservedly entitle them to this attention, than my Friends Mons’ d’Orleans, Mons’ de Montpensier & Mons’ de Beaujolois. Your previous Acquaintance with these Gentlemen, renders it unnecessary to recommend them more pointedly...
2674To George Washington from George Washington Parke Custis, 25 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
A letter from my Sister this morning informed me of your safe arrival at Mount Vernon, which has hitherto prevented me from writing—I congratulate you on a thing so ardently wished for by all those interested in your welfare—The marks of approbation and esteem manifested in the manners of the different States thro which you passed must have been highly gratifying and satisfactory, and the...
2675From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 25 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 20th instt, with the Bill of lading for the Goods in the Sloop Salem, and another letter of the 15th are both received; and I hope this will find you safely arrived in the Federal City. I have got Painters at work in order to prepare my rooms for the furniture which is expected; but I find I have begun at the wrong end, for some joiners work (of the deficiency of which I was...
2676[Diary entry: 24 March 1797] (Washington Papers)
24. Wind at So. Et. with Rain more or less all day.
2677To George Washington from James McHenry, 24 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
Once more at home, and I flatter myself recovered from the fatigues of your journey. You have witnessed on your route the great affection and attachment of the people and the sound part of the community, which is still visible in every company I go into, and which I am persuaded will not diminish, though the external marks of it may gradually be less strongly expressessed. This is the least...
2678[Diary entry: 23 March 1797] (Washington Papers)
23. Cool in the morning but clear & very pleasant afterwards with but little Wd.
2679[Diary entry: 22 March 1797] (Washington Papers)
22. Wind still Southerly and fresh with appearances of Rain. In the Afternoon wind came out brisk at N. W.
2680To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 22 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
I most Sincerely Congratulate you & Mrs Washington on your Return, to Mt Vernon—and to that Domestic & Rural life, in which Real happiness & peace of mind is only to be found—and you both have my Sincere wishes, that the Remainder of yr days may be long, and that they may be enjoyed, in an uninterupted sceene of health & felicity. On the 3d day of april I take my departure for Kentucky—if you...
2681To George Washington from John Turberville, 22 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
Sometime between the years 1740 & 1758, a Richard Magraw, of Fairfax County, Sold a Tract of Land, Containing 296 Acres, to Major Lawrance Washington of Mount Vernon, Which land, the Said Magraw, took up as waste land, in the year 1740 as by the proprietors Deed Specifies. The Land was adjoining to the Land taken up by Colo. Wm Fairfax, of Belvoir in the name of Anne Fairfax his Daughter Who...
2682[Diary entry: 21 March 1797] (Washington Papers)
21. Wind Southerly and fresh all day—clear.
2683To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 21 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
On the 18th I was honoured with your letter of the 14th covering an instrument directing the transfer of the streets and public lots in the City of Washington from Messrs Beall & Gantt to the Commissioners for that city: The seal of the United States has been affixed to it; and by to-morrow’s mail I shall send it to the Commissioners, as you desire. Dr Edwards has handed me the inclosed...
2684To George Washington from Gustavus Scott, 21 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
I received whilst at Baltimore from Genl Swan 10 Pounds of the Chiccorry or Succourry Grass seed, just from England, fresh, & I believe of excellent Quality. His request to me was to distribute it among those most likely to ensure its propagation; & to forward one half of the whole Quantity to Mount Vernon. You will be pleased to say to whose Care at Alexandria I shall address it. The vast...
2685[Diary entry: 20 March 1797] (Washington Papers)
20. Cool in the morning with the wind still at No. W. but very moderate afternoon.
2686To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 20 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose you a bill of Lading for the Articles ship’d on board the Sloop Salem, which was chartered to take your things around to Mount Vernon. She sailed Yesterday with a good wind, and I think the chance is that she will be in the Potomac by this day week. She is entirely filled with your things; and a few are yet remaining, which will be put on board a Vessel that sails...
2687To George Washington from Francis Peyton, Jr., 20 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by the Council of this Town, to solicit the honor of your company, with the Gentlemen of your family, to dine with the Citizens of Alexandria, at Gadsby’s tavern on thursday next at two oclock. If the time proposed should not meet your convenience I should be happy to know at what time you can favour us with your presence. I am Sir with respect Yr Ob. Servt ALS , DLC:GW . Francis...
2688[Diary entry: 19 March 1797] (Washington Papers)
19. Wind at No. Wt. and fresh after the morning continuing so all day & cold.
2689[Diary entry: 18 March 1797] (Washington Papers)
18. Clear—with the Wind fresh from So. Wt. in the forenoon and at No. Wt. in the afternoon.
2690[Diary entry: 17 March 1797] (Washington Papers)
17. Wind in the same place with rain from 10 oclock until 12—clear afterwards.
2691[Diary entry: 16 March 1797] (Washington Papers)
16. At home all day alone. Wind at East & very cloudy all day.
2692[Diary entry: 15 March 1797] (Washington Papers)
15. Recd. the Compliments of the Citizens of George Town as I had done the day before of those of the City of Washington. Stopped in Alexa. & got to Mt. V. to dinner. city of washington : The Washington Gazette on this day reported that “Yesterday George Washington (God bless him) passed through the city on his way to Mount Vernon. When he reached the Capitol the company of Artillery, under...
2693To George Washington from Thomas Erskine, 15 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have taken the liberty to introduce your August & immortal name in a short sentence (see Page 58) which is to be found in the Book I send to you. I have a large acquaintance amongst the most valuable & exalted classes of men; but you are the only Human being for whome I ever felt an aweful reverence. I sincerely pray God to grant a long and serene evening to a life so gloriously devoted to...
2694To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 15 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have before me your respected favers of the 9th, 10th & 12th inst. which have been received in due course. The directions contained in these several letters shall be duly attended to & the articles therein mentioned, forwarded. We have been fortunate in getting the things on board the Vessel without any injury and they are well stowed. A few more are to go down this morning (if rain should...
2695[Diary entry: 14 March 1797] (Washington Papers)
14. Dined at Mr. Laws & lodged at Mr. Thos. Peters. Day warm. mr. laws : Thomas Law (1759–1834), son of Edmund Law, bishop of Carlisle, was in India from 1773 to 1791 in the service of the East India Company, where he held several important administrative positions and acquired a sizable fortune. Apparently sometime during his stay in India, Law was married, for when ill health forced his...
2696From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 14 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
The pressure of business in the last days of my administration, occasioned my dispatching the enclosed Instrument to the Commissioners of this City without the Seal of the United States (as certified); and I should not have known it wanted this evidence, had not those Gentlemen (upon my arrival here) informed me of the omission. I now forward it for the purpose of having this defect remedied;...
2697To George Washington from Elizabeth Willing Powel, 11–13 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
Like a true Woman (as you will think) in the Moment of Exultation, and on the first Impulse (for you know we are never supposed to act Systematically or from attentive Consideration,[)] I take up my Pen to address you, as you have given me a complete Triumph on the Subject of all others on which you have I suppose thought me most deficient, and most opposite to yourself; and what is still more...
2698[Diary entry: 13 March 1797] (Washington Papers)
13. Breakfasted at Spurriers & dined & lodged in Bladensburgh. Morning lowered but clear afterwards. Spurrier’s was “much resorted, not because it is well kept but because there is no other; the lodging is bad—the eating tolerable ... better for lodging than eating. At Bladensburgh nine miles beyond a good house is kept by one Ross (sign of the Indian Queen)” ( GW to Elizabeth Willing Powel,...
2699To George Washington from John Fitzgerald and James Craik, 13 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
A number of the Inhabitants of this town & its Vicinity wish to have the pleasure of meeting you on your entrance into the State & escorting you to Mt Vernon[.] As they flatter themselves that this token of their sincere affection & esteem will not meet your disapprobation, they have dispatched the bearer & request you will let them know at what time you will probably cross the ferry that they...
2700To George Washington from Edmund Pendleton, 13 March 1797 (Washington Papers)
However as a citizen I may depricate the consequences of your retirement from the helm of our political barque in the present lowering season, yet as your friend I sincerely congratulate you on having eased your body and mind of that heavy and anxious weight, & returned to a tranquil private life with both in full vigor enabling you to enjoy the sweets of domestic ease and social converse,...