511[Diary entry: 19 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 19th. Mercury at 48 in the Morning—the same at Noon and at Night. Day clear & fine. The Wind at No. West & Cool. Employed until dinner in laying out my Serpentine road & Shrubberies adjoining. Just as we had done dinner a Mr. Watson—late of the House of Watson & Cossoul of Nantes—and a Mr. Swift Merchant in Alexandria came in, and stayed all Night. Elkanah Watson (1758–1842), born in...
512[Diary entry: 20 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 20th. Mercury at 40 in the Morning—42 at Noon and 45 at Night. Wind at No. Et.—day raw—lowering—damp & disagreeable. Mr. Watson and Mr. Swift went away after breakfast. I continued my employment of yesterday—arranging the Walk &ca. Began to grub & clear the under growth in my Pine Grove on the margin of Hell hole.
513[Diary entry: 21 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 21st. Mercury at 52 in the Morning—54 at Noon & 55 at Night. More or less rain all night and variable wind—which, at times, blew exceedingly hard. In the Morning the wind was at No. Et. attended with rain. Before Noon it shifted to the Southward—blowing pretty fresh. The weather then cleared. This day a large Ship went up—on Tuesday last 4 square rigged vessels also went past wch. was...
514[Diary entry: 22 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 22d. Mercury at 45 in the Morning—the same at Noon & 44 at Night. Clear weather—the wind being at No. West all day. In the Evening Doctr. Craik Junr. came here & stayed all Night. James Craik, Jr. (died c.1803), was the son of Dr. James Craik. His company, Jas. Craik & Co., did some business with GW in 1786 ( General Ledger B General Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George...
515From George Washington to Matthew Campbell, 22 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
Understanding that Mr Wilson of Alexandria was empower’d to sell the plaister of Paris which you had sent to that place—I informed him by Mr L. W——of the mistake under which a vessel Load of it had been landed at my wharf—but that, as it was there, I was willing to pay for it at the same rate as that which was in Alexandria should sell—To this, some considerable time after (if my memory...
516From George Washington to William Grayson, 22 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your letter, with the Books, Potomac bill & other papers, did not reach this until past eleven o’Clock on monday forenoon; at which hour having set off for Alexandria—I did not receive the dispatches until my return in the evening. The next morning I forwarded the Bill to Messrs Fitzgerald & Hartshorn to act upon, & to get a number of copies struck for promulgation, & the benefit of those who...
517From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, 22 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
It is not easy for me to decide by which my mind was most affected upon the receipt of your letter of the 6th inst.—surprize or gratitude: both were greater than I have words to express. The attention & good wishes which the Assembly have evidenced by their act for vesting in me 150 shares in the navigation of each of the rivers Potomac & James, is more than mere compliment—there is an...
518From George Washington to Bushrod Washington, 22 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed letter was brought here some days ago. I desire you will present Mr Ryan’s note to him for payment; which, if not immediately made, or such assurances as you can rely on, that he will make in a very short time, return it to me or to Mr Rumsey, if he is in Richmond, as I do not incline to transfer the debt from him to Ryan. It was not my intention to receive an order upon any one,...
519[Diary entry: 23 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 23d. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—38 at Noon & 42 at Sun setting. Clear & quite calm all the forenoon. Towards evening the Wind sprung up from the Eastward. Doctr. Craik left this after breakfast—attending Miss Bassett to his Fathers—to the wedding of his Sister Sally. Sarah (Sally) Craik, daughter of Dr. James Craik, was married 25 Jan. 1785 to Dr. Daniel Jenifer, Jr. (1756–c.1809).
520[Diary entry: 24 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 24th. Mercury at 41 in the morning—57 at Noon & 54 at Night. Drizzly at intervals all day—Fresh wind from the South. Renewed my labors on the Walks, Shrubberies &ca.—but was much interrupted by the unsettledness of the weather. In the Night it rained pretty much.
521[Diary entry: 25 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 25th. Mercury at 46 in the Morning 38 at Noon—and at Night. In the Morning early it rained a little, but the wind coming out from the No. West it soon cleared—blowing hard until night when it moderated & soon ceased. A little before Dinner a Doctor Gilpin & a Mr. Scott—two West India Gentlemen came here introduced by a letter from Mr. Rob. Morris of Philadelphia and a little after them...
522From George Washington to Thomas Clarke, 25 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
In your name & behalf Mr Laurens, as he passed thro’ this State last Month on his way from the seat of Congress to Charleston —presented me a very handsome gold headed cane: & accompanied it with such favorable sentiments of your good wishes towards the American revolution—& the flattering opinion you entertained of me, as to induce me, contrary to my usual custom, to accept of it. With this...
523From George Washington to James Jay, 25 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
By means of the frost, & the consequent interruption of the Post, your favor of the 20th of December did not come to my hands until the 17th instant—It is to be regretted that Lady Huntingtons communications were not earlier made to the several Legislatures to whom they were addressed; for if the circumstances of any will allow them to be adopted, it will be found that a year will have been...
524[Diary entry: 26 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 26th. Mercury at 29 in the Morning, 38 at Noon & 39 at Night. But little Wind and that from the Southward—day clear & very pleasant overhead, but sloppy & disagreeable under foot, after it began to thaw—the ground having been hard froze in the Morning—which freezings & thawings it is apprehended, will be very injurious to the Winter grain.
525From George Washington to Elias Boudinot, 26 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
Early in Novr I had the pleasure, by Post, to congratulate you & Mrs Boudinot on the Marriage of your daughter; & on her restoration to health; both of which we (Mrs Washington & I) heard with much satisfaction. I took the liberty, at the sametime, to request the favor of you, if it could be done without much inconvenience to yourself, to procure for me as much of the Orchard grass Seed as...
526[Diary entry: 27 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 27th. Mercury at 32 in the Morning—the same at Noon & 37 at Sunsetting. Wind at No. West & clear all day—air pretty sharp in the forenoon. Made Mr. & Mrs. Lund Washington a mornings visit—from thence I went to Belvoir and viewed the ruined Buildings of that place. In doing this I passed along the side of Dogue Creek & the river to the white Ho[use] in search of Elm & other Trees for...
527[Diary entry: 28 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 28th. Mercury at 32 this Morning—42 at Noon and the same at Night. Wind pretty fresh from the Southward, with Sun shine, and appearances of rain alternately. In the evening it lowered very much. Road to day to my Plantations in the Neck—partly with a view to search for Trees; for which purpose I passed through the Wood and in the first drain beyond the Bars in my lower pasture, I...
528[Diary entry: 29 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 29th. Mercury at 42 in the Morning and the same at Noon & Night. Raining until about 10 Oclock when it ceased. About 12 the Sun appeared and the day became exceedingly pleasant afterwards. The Wind, until some time after noon came from the Southward but not very fresh. Towards the evening it inclined to the westward more—blew fresh & grew cold.
529[Diary entry: 30 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 30th. Mercury this morning at 26 at Noon 32 and at Night 28. Wind fresh from the No. Wt. & Cold—day clear. In the Afternoon Mr. Willm. Scott with the two Miss Blackburns came in and stayed the Night. William Scott (c.1751–c.1787) was a son of Rev. James and Sarah Brown Scott of Dettingen Parish, Prince William County, and the uncle of the Blackburn girls. Scott lived at Strawberry Vale...
530From George Washington to Joseph Wright, 30 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
It has so happened that your card of Septr 1st, with the Bust which accompanied it, did not get to my hands until some time in the course of last month: & that a letter from your good mother dated Decr 8th 1783, only reached me the 12th of last December. For the first you will please to receive the united acknowledgements & thanks of Mrs Washington & myself. The large one she prays may give...
531From George Washington to Patience Wright, 30 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
By what means it came to pass, I shall not undertake to devise; but the fact is, that your letter of the 8th of December 1783, never got to my hands until the 12th of the Same Month in the year following. This will account for my not having acknowledged the receipt of it sooner—and for not thanking you as I now do, before, for the many flattering expressions contained in it. If the Bust which...
532[Diary entry: 31 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 31st. Mercury at 22 in the Morning 28 at Noon & 29 at Night. Wind at No. Wt. & pretty fresh in the forenoon—less of it & from the Eastward in the afternoon. Day clear until the Evening when it lowered & after dark turned very cloudy. About one oclock Mr. Wm. Hunter of Alexa. with a Mr. Hadfield (a Manchester Mercht.) recommended by Colo. Sam Smith of Baltimore & Colo. Fitzgerald & a Mr....
533From George Washington to Elias Boudinot, 31 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
Under a full persuation that my letter of Novr, to you, had miscarried, I wrote to you again by the last Post and recited the contents of it. After having done so, I was honored with your favor of the 14th of last Month. At the sametime that I thank you for your attention to my request respecting the Orchard grass Seeds, I have to lament that it should be the means of taking from you, what you...
534From George Washington to Udny Hay, 31 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
The interruption of the Post, by the frost, will occasion a delay of this answer, which otherwise would have been avoided. Not being able to decypher the name of the Merchant in London, to whose care you desired my letter to your brother might be addressed, I send the enclosed certificate for him, under cover to you. I thank you for your kind and friendly wishes, & with Mrs Washington’s...
535From George Washington to William Paca, 31 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
Altho’ I have no doubt but that your Excelly has been, or will be, informed of the Act of the Virginia Assembly respecting the Potomack Navigation from the Governor of the State, yet, as the Act could not be printed at Richmond in time for the use of the Managers, and was brought to Alexandria for that purpose—and as a pressure of other public matters may, possibly, have delayed the official...
536February—1785 (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 1st. Mercury at 29 in the Morning, 28 at Noon and 34 at Night. Snowing, raining, or Hailing all day & Night and very disagreeable. Wind at No. Wt. and West the whole time. Wednesday 2d. Mercury at 28 in the Morning 32 at Noon and at Night. The Snow this morning is about 9 Inches deep & pretty well compressed. Wind at No. West and very cold. Mr. Scott went away after Breakfast. Employed...
537[Diary entry: 1 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 1st. Mercury at 29 in the Morning, 28 at Noon and 34 at Night. Snowing, raining, or Hailing all day & Night and very disagreeable. Wind at No. Wt. and West the whole time.
538From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 1 February 1785 (Washington Papers)
In a letter of the 14th of Decr from Mr Boudinot (which only came to my hands by the last Post) he informs me that he should send Six bushls of the Orchard grass Seeds to your care, for my use. If this has been done, I pray you not to forego the first opportunity of forwarding it to me, as it ought to be sowed as soon as the ground can be prepared, which I am now getting in order for its...
539From George Washington to Robert Morris, 1 February 1785 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your letter of the first of last month, by Doctr Gilpin & Mr Scott—Mr Colby, they informed me remained indisposed at Baltimore—It will always give me pleasure to see any Gentleman of your introduction—No apology therefore need ever accompany it. Having begun a letter to you, I will take the liberty of suggesting a matter for your consideration; which, if it strikes...
540From George Washington to Robert Lewis & Sons, 1 February 1785 (Washington Papers)
You may think me very troublesome—and the reason I assign for being so (that I am of opinion you can serve me better than any other) no good apology for the liberty I take. My Miller (William Roberts) is now become such an intolerable sot, and when drunk so great a madman, that however unwilling I am to part with an old Servant (for he has been with me 15 years) I cannot with propriety or...