501From George Washington to Philip Schuyler, 21 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 20th of December found me as you conjectured by that fire side, from which I had been too long absent for my own convenience; to which I returned with the greatest avidity the moment my public avocations would permit; and from which I hope never again to be withdrawn. While I am here solacing myself in my retreat from the busy scenes of life, I am not only made extremely...
502From George Washington to James Nourse, 22 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday gave me the honor of your favor of the 11th from Annapolis. I thank you for the trouble you have taken to bring me acquainted with the affairs of my deceased Brother of Berkly. It would give me great pleasure to render any service to his children; & as far as I can do it by paying attention to those two who are in my Neighbourhood with Mr Griffith, I will; but to concern myself in...
503From George Washington to Charles Thomson, 22 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
The original letter & other Papers from the Chevr de Heintz respecting the order of the Knights of Divine Providence, were transmitted to Congress without a Copy being taken; I am a little at a loss therefore in what manner to direct my letter to him, more especially as I have a feint recollection that their is a mode pointed out for the address by the Secretary himself—Let me pray you...
504To George Washington from Barras, 23 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
I receivd the Letter which you did me the honor to write me, as well as the institution of the Cincinnatus Society formd by the American Army, I am much flatterd to be comprisd in a military Society the members of which have with So much glory concurrd under the Orders of your Excellency to establish American Liberty, but it gives me great pain to See, that all the General Officers of the Sea,...
505To George Washington from Robert Stewart, 23 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
As I purpose to do myself the Honour and great pleasure of writing to you soon, by a direct opportunity from hence to Virginia, in answer to the Letter which you did me the honr to write to me the 10th of last August, from the State of New York, this only serves to entreat you will pardon the liberty I take in Introducing to Your Excellency, the Bearer Doctor Ross, who after a long residence...
506To George Washington from Vioménil, 24 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
Le Baron d’angélly qui ma Servi d’aide de camp pendant les campagnes que j’ay faites en amérique desirant tres vivement d’etre aggregé a la Société que préside Votre Exelence, cest avec la plus grande confiance que je la Supplie de vouloir bien luy procurer cet agrément, il étoit colonel attaché au corps de La marinne, L’orsque nous sommes arrivés a newport, m. le cte de barras La employé en...
507To George Washington from Thomas Walker, 24 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
The language I am acquainted with being in my opinion too poor to do justice to your merrit I shall be silent on that head. The present business is respecting the Dismal, the Company having Shewed the value of those Lands, many are so mean as to wish for what is most undoubtedly their property. During Mr John Washintons mannaging for us he applyed to Mr Cooper the then surveyor to survey the...
508Enclosure: Members of the Dismal Swamp Company, 24 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
David Jemeson for Samuel Gist & Self Shares 1 David Mead for Self & Mr[s] William Waters 1 ½ Mr John Lewis for his Father & Nathaniel Bacon 2 Thomas Newton for Colo. Tucker & Major Fairly 2 Mr Man Page of Mansfield ½ Mr William Nelson & Brother 1 Mr Secretary Thomas Nelson 1 Your self 1 Thomas Walker & Joseph Hornsby 1 11 David Jemeson york
509To George Washington from Walter Stewart, 26 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
Shortly before the Close of the War the House in which I am Connected sent a very large Property to the Havannah which went into the hands of a Merchant at that place. We have long, And with great Anxiety look’d for remittance, but none has Yet Arriv’d And the Silence of the Gentleman on the Subject Adds not a little to our Embarrasment And Apprehensions. The Property is so Extensive And its...
510To George Washington from Wakelin Welch, 26 January 1784 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Wakelin Welch, 26 Jan. 1784. On 27 July 1784 GW wrote to Welch : “Your letter of the 26th of Jany, & duplicate thereof, both coming by the way of James river, were long getting to hand.”
511To George Washington from Elias Dayton, 29 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s letter of the 28th Ult. appointing Philadelphia to be the place of meeting for the general society of the Cincinnati. I have since been particular in complying with your Excellency’s request, by making that appointment known to the representatives of the society of this State and by urgeing in the most expressive terms, their punctual attendance. With...
512To George Washington from Rochambeau, 29 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
Give me leave my dear Général to intrust you with friendship in one observation Which did not Escape to the regiments that composed our army. They find that the général society has given too much or too little extent to its favour, in granting it to all the Colonels and Stoping to them. I do not ask it for the Lieutenant colonels and majors because it is to the choice or favour that they owe...
513To George Washington from Arthur St. Clair, 29 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
In Answer to your Circular Letter of the 28th ulto I have the Honor to inform You that Notice has been communicated to all the Delegates of the Society of this State (except Major Edwards) of the Time and Place which your Excellency has fixed for the general Meeting of the Cincinnati agreeably to the original Institution. It would be very proper that all the Delegates should attend, but I fear...
514To George Washington from Edward Newenham, 30 January 1784 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Edward Newenham, 30 Jan. 1784. On 10 June GW wrote to Newenham : “I had the honor to receive . . . your favors of the 30th of Jany & 15th of March.”
515From George Washington to Chastellux, 1 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your favor of the 23d of August from L’Orient. I hope this Letter will find you in the circle of your friends at Paris, well recovered from the fatigues of your long & wearisome inspection on the frontiers of the Kingdom. I am at length become a private citizen of America, on the banks of the Potowmac; where under my own Vine & my own Fig tree—free from the...
516To George Washington from La Bretonnière, 1 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
Le Vte De La Bretonniere Capitaine des Vaisseaux du Roy à L’honneur de representer à Votre Excellence, qu’il commandoit La fregatte La Tourterelle En 1779, & 1780, Avec La quelle II à d’abord Escorté Un convoy de Douze Batimens Americains, & plusieurs Batimens francois chargés De Munitions & d’officiers qui arriverent à Boston. Ses ordres Luy prescrivoient de Se rendre directement à st...
517From George Washington to Lafayette, 1 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
At length my Dear Marquis I am become a private citizen on the banks of the Potomac, & under the shadow of my own Vine & my own Fig tree, free from the bustle of a camp & the busy scenes of public life, I am solacing myself with those tranquil enjoyments, of which the Soldier who is ever in pursuit of fame—the Statesman whose watchful days & sleepless Nights are spent in devising schemes to...
518From George Washington to Lauzun, 1 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure to receive your favor of the 11th of Octor from L’Orient: every testimony which you give of my holding a place in your remembrance, is as pleasing as it is flattering to me; & I pray you not to deprive me of them. After seeing the British forces withdrawn from New York, & Civil Government established there, I repaired to Congress (at Annapolis) & surrendered into their...
519From George Washington to Samuel Lewis, 1 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
After an absence of near nine years I am returned to my own home again, & am begining to look into my private concerns, which have undergone an almost total suspension during that period. In my researches after papers, I find Memorandums of warrants, which had been put into the hands of the Surveyor of Bottetourt to execute; particularly one in my own right, under the Royal Proclamation of...
520From George Washington to Thomas Lewis, 1 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
After an absence of almost nine years, & nearly a total suspension of all my private concerns, I am at length set down at home, & am endeavouring to recover my business from the confusion into which it has run during that period. Among other matters which require my attention, indeed in which I need information, is the state of the Lands which I am entitled to in my own right, & by purchase...
521To George Washington from Jacob Read, 1 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
By the post which arrivd from the Northward yesterday I had the honour to receive under Cover to myself the Letter I now do Myself the pleasure to inclose to you. As we have been for a Considerable time Without a post to or from the Southward I have preferred Sending this Letter to Mount Airy to be forwarded by any Conveyance that May offer from that place by a private hand and if none at...
522From George Washington to Rochambeau, 1 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
Having resigned my public trust, and with it all my public cares into the hands of Congress; I now address myself to you in the character of a private Citizen on the banks of the Potomack, to which I have been retired (fast locked in Frost and Snow) since Christmas Eve. The tranquil walks of domestic life are now unfolding to my view; & promise a rich harvest of pleasing contemplation—in which...
523To George Washington from Armand, 4 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
being intrusted by Grl duportail, the officers of his corps & thoses of the legion with the management of their final settlement of accounts, I came to this place near three weeks ago; my intention was to lay our affairs before Congress, & while they had them under their consideration, to go and pay my respects to your Excellency. I was to that point, when Colonel humphrey told us that you...
524From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 5 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
On the 8th of last month I wrote to you for 70 yards of Livery Lace, of which I was in immediate want, and requested to have it sent by the Post to Alexandria—As there is some reason to believe the Post has hardly gone through, yet, I beg leave to repeat my want of it, & to pray it may be sent as soon as possible—The lace should be red & white, Inch, or 3/4 of an Inch wide, or any where...
525From George Washington to Walter Stewart, 5 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 26th Ulto did not reach me untill this day a little before dinner—The Servant says he was detained three or four days at George Town. If the letter herewith enclosed can be of any Service to you, it will afford me pleasure, as I wish you all imaginable success in your attempt to recover the property which has been withheld from your House at the Havana. The letters under...
526To George Washington from Samuel Vaughan, 5 February 1784 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Samuel Vaughan, 5 Feb. 1784. On 6 April 1784 GW wrote to Vaughan : “Your favor of the 5th of Feby was long on its way to me.”
527To George Washington from Charles Thomson, 7 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
The bearer being just setting out for your seat I have detained him, till I could inform you that I have received the letter which you honored me with by Col. Humphreys. The letter enclosed therein for the chev. de Heintz I put under cover to Monsr Rothenbourg banquier a Danzic and sent the same to Mr R. Morris with a request to take the charge of forwarding it by a safe conveyance either with...
528From George Washington to John Harvie, 10 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
After an absence of almost nine years from home, & a total suspension, as it were to all my private concerns during that period, I am now endeavouring to obtain a knowledge of my Affairs & to put my business in some kind of order again. The deranged situation of my papers (occasioned by frequent hasty removals of them out of the enemy’s reach) makes it more difficult to affect these, than it...
529From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 10 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
A short time before I came home I received a power of Attorney from the Earl of Tankerville, & his Brother, the Honorable Mr Bennett; authorising Colo. Hooe, (miscalled Howe,)yourself & me, to dispose of property belonging to the latter in this State. Letters, from Lord Tankerville & the Countess his Mother, to me, accompanied the Power, expressive of their wishes that I would accept the...
530To George Washington from William Smallwood, 10 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your Letter dated the 28th December last, and agreeable to your request, communicated the Objects contained therein to the Delegates of our State Society of the Cincinnati—and to obviate a possibility of failure in the communication, requested them to acknowledge the receipt of my Letters by the earliest Opportunity. I have anxiously waited for an Opportunity of contriving...
531To George Washington from the South Carolina Legislature, 10 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
It is with inexpressible pleasure that we transmit your Excellency the Address of the Legislative body of the State of So. Carolina. We are peculiarly happy, in the Opportunity afforded us, of testifying the high sense we entertain, of the consummate abilities and unparalleled virtue, that you have displayed in a long, and arduous Contest—a Contest! that altho it often placed you, in the most...
532From George Washington to Jacob Read, 12 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
Sundays Post brought me your favor of the first; covering a letter from the late President—Mr Boudinot—for your care of which I thank you. It is not in my power to speak to the question you have propounded respecting Colo. Humphryss Inclination to either of the Offices now vacant, but as he is at Annapolis he can answer for himself—I have no doubt of his abilities being adequate to the duties...
533To George Washington from Dolphin Drew, 13 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
Mr Albion Throckmorton a young Gentleman of my Acquaintance purchas’d late last Fall a Lease of one Collet one of your Tenants of about 200 Acres upon Bullskin. Since this Mr Throckmorton to his great Surprize has discoverd that Collet had no right to sell him the Lease, it being against one of the Covenants. As however Mr Throckmorton has paid Collet his Money & enter’d upon the premises &...
534From George Washington to William Drew, 13 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
In the course of the last eight months, I have addressed two or three letters to you, praying an authenticated copy of the deceased Major Genl Lee’s Will: this I did consequent of a request from his Sister in England to me. Not having received the copy wrote for, nor any acknowledgment of my Letters, I presume the latter have never reached your hands. I therefore give you the trouble of this...
535To George Washington from Samuel Low, 13 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to offer the enclosed piece to your perusal, requesting your Excellency’s permission to publish the same with a Poem, intitled Winter Display’d your Excellency’s immediate answer on this head will be very acceptable. I flatter myself, your Excellency will not be displeas’d with any commendatory expressions in the enclos’d, as I am confident of their truth, & be assured, sir, that...
536To George Washington from Rochambeau, 13 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
here is, my Dear Général, one demand for the order of Cincinnatus of the most remarkable Kind, and which appears to me deserve the attention of the Society, here is inclosed the letter that M. de Lilancourt, before a general commander in St Domingo, has wrote to me upon this Subject. all the facts are exact in it, and you Know perfectly, well as me, how much obligations we owe to him for...
537From George Washington to Gilbert Simpson, 13 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
Having closed all my transactions with the public, it now behooves me to look into my own private business, no part of which seems to call louder for attention, than my concerns with you. How profitable our partnership has been, you best can tell; & how advantageous my Mill has been, none can tell so well as yourself. If however I am to credit the report, not only of one, but every body from...
538From George Washington to John Stephenson, 13 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
After condoling with you on the unhappy fate of your Brother William, which I do very sincerely; & upon the Death of your brother Valentine, I should be glad to get a copy from both their Books, or Memos, of the accounts as they stand between us; which are of long standing, & I fear not a little intricate. I write to you Sir, because I do not know (if you are not one yourself) who are the...
539To George Washington from Alicia Bennett, the Countess of Tankerville, 13 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
I Am, favor’d with yours, and am very sorry it is not Convenient to you to Accept of the Trust, my Sons took the liberty of offering to you, I wish’d to give you as little trouble as the Nature of the business wou’d admit of. the Chief thing I look’d to, was the Sanction and Honor it wou’d be to my Son Henry to be under your protection. I have for near twenty years had great trouble and...
540To George Washington from the Citizens of Fredericksburg, 14 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
While applauding millions were offering you their warmest congratulations on the blessings of Peace, and your safe return from the hazards of the Field, We The Mayor & Commonalty of the Corporation of Fredericksburg, were not wanting in Attachment and wishes to have joined in public testimonies of our Warmest gratitude & Affection, for your long and Meritorious Services in the Cause of...
541From George Washington to the Citizens of Fredericksburg, 14 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
With the greatest pleasure, I receive in the character of a private Citizen, the honor of your Address. To a benevolent Providence, and the fortitude of a brave and virtuous army, supported by the general exertion of our common Country, I stand indebted for the plaudits you now bestow. The reflection however, of having met the congratulating smiles and approbation of my Fellow-Citizens, for...
542From George Washington to John Lewis, 14 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
G. Washington would be obliged to Mr Lewis for delivering or causing to be deliver’d by a safe hand, the Letter accompanying this, to Mr Gilbert Simpson, & if he goes by his house to Fort Pitt; for observing the size, & condition of his Plantation:& the condition of the Mill—& for enquiring how many Tenants he has placed on the Land, for how long a term, & upon what Rents. Whether there is any...
543To George Washington from Robert Morris, 14 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
In acknowledging your Letters of the fourth & tenth of last month I must pray you to accept my Thanks for the Expressions of Kindness Contained in them. Mr Wright has promised that your Portrait should speedily be Compleated, but hitherto his Promise is unperformed. Whenever it shall be received I will obey your Orders in the Disposition of it. Your Accounts with the Explanation of them, were...
544To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 16 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of receiving your letter of the 28th of December last, and having had the Honor of being appointed President of the Cincinnati of Rhode Island, I embrace the earliest opportunity of giving you an Answer. General Varnum, Major Lyman, and myself, are in the appointment to attend the annual General meeting of the order. It is not expected more than One will attend the meeting....
545From George Washington to Boinod & Gaillard, 18 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your polite & obliging Letter of January the 20th, & thank you for the many flattering sentiments contained in it. To encourage Literature & the Arts, is a duty which every good Citizen owes to his Country, & if I could be instrumental in promoting these, and in aiding your endeavours to do the like, it would give me pleasure. Your Books being chiefly in a foreign...
546From George Washington to Elias Boudinot, 18 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
With equal emotions of pleasure & gratitude I received your very polite Letter of the 11th ulto from Elizabeth-town, the late acknowledgment of which is owing to the interruption of the post, & a visit to my aged Mother; the last of which engaged me several days, & from which I only returned yesterday. The private congratulations of freindship, upon my safe return to a peaceful abode, & the...
547To George Washington from La Luzerne, 18 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
I had flattered myself that my Stay in Annapolis would procure me an opportunity of waiting upon Your Excellency, but the roads are so bad and the Snow so deep that I am obliged to renounce to this happiness untill my return to this place, which, I hope, will be towards the middle of next month. I hope then to take hold of the favorable moment, which I have lost in this Season, and to enjoy...
548From George Washington to James Milligan, 18 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
The intemperance of the weather, & the great care which the Post riders seemed disposed to take of themselves, while it continued severe, prevented your Letter of the 13th of last month from reaching my hands ’till the 10th of this. I now acknowledge the receipt of it, with the accounts as they stand stated in the Treasury Books; for your trouble in transcribing which (it being unusual) you...
549From George Washington to Annis Boudinot Stockton, 18 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
The intemperate weather, and very great care which the Post Riders take of themselves, prevented your letter of the 4th of last month from reaching my hands ’till the 10th of this. I was then in the very act of setting of on a visit to my aged Mother, from whence I am just returned. These reasons, I beg leave to offer, as an apology for my silence until now. It would be a pity indeed, My dear...
550To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 19 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 10th instant, which I this day received, is not the first information concerning Lord Tankerville’s power of attorney. I was written to by Lady Tankerville and his Lordship, as early as November last: and immediately desired Colo. Hooe to state to me the particulars of this new office. He answered me, that he was ignorant of the duty, expected from us, and must remain so,...