1From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 30 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 23d Inst. and am in hopes that the Buckwheat will arrive in season. I will thank you to send me, by the first post after this reaches you, fourteen yards of Livery lace agreeably to the enclosed pattern; and let it be directed to me, or, in my absence, to Major George Augne Washington at this place. With great regard, I am, Dear Sir, Yr most Obedt Hble Servt...
2From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 15 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have now before me your letters of the 16th Ulto & the 5th & 8th Inst. Mrs Washington’s Slippers and Clogs have come safe to hand, the latter, however, are not such as she wished to have—she intended to have had leathern Gloshoes made, and will, by the first convenient opportunity, return the Clogs to Mr Palmer and get a pair of Gloshoes. I am very sorry that you did not get the quantity of...
3From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 11 February 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have now before me your letters of the 19th Ultimo & 1st Inst. The Vessels from Philadelphia have arrived, and the articles shipped on my Acct come safe to hand. You inform me in your’s of the 19th of January that the freight of Buckwheat will be 3/ per barrel; but I do not know whether you mean that a barrel is to contain 5 bushels, as we measure Corn here, or only the quantity of a common...
4From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 20 January 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letters of the 27th Ulto and 4th Inst.—the former enclosing an acct of the Herrings, which I am sorry did not turn out better—however I am certain there was nothing wanting on your part to dispose of them to the best advantage. Neither of the Vessels on board of which you shipped articles for me have arrived. If they got out of the Delaware they could not have reached...
5From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 4 January 1789 (Washington Papers)
I shall want to procure about 250 Bushels of Buck Wheat, in addition to what I now have, to sow the ensuing spring & summer—and will thank you to inform me (as soon as may be after receiving this) upon what terms I could obtain the above quantity in Philadelphia, and what would be the freight of it round here, that I may know precisely the cost of it—and determine, upon the receipt of your...
6From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 26 December 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have but just time to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 14th Inst.—to inform you that the Vessel on board of which the Clover seed was shipped has not yet arrived, and as the River is shut up it is uncertain when she will reach Alexa. —and to beg the favor of you to forward the enclosed to Mr Smith—It is a duplicate of one which I committed to your care in Septr last and as the...
7From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 27 November 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have now before me your letters of the 16th & 26th of October and 16th of November. The articles sent by Captn Ellwood arrived in good order and agreeable to the Invoice. Captn Ingraham has not yet arrived but is hourly expected. I think the Irish Linen @ 8/2 is very high, and as there has been a late importation of Linens into Alexandria I will endeavour to supply myself at that place; if I...
8From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 15 October 1788 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed ought to have accompanied my last letter to you but in the hurry of making up my dispatches by the mail it was omitted. I am Dr Sir Yr Obedt Servt P.S. If the Black India Paduasoy’s are strong and lasting, Mrs Washington begs you will send her as much (of that which is good) as will make her a Gown without a Petticoat. ALS , CSmH ; LB , DLC:GW . See GW to Biddle, 13 Oct. 1788 ....
9From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 13 October 1788 (Washington Papers)
I was duly favored with your letter of the 2d inst. and am much obliged by your attention to the letter which I requested you to forward to Mr Smith. I will thank you to pro-cure for me and send by the first opportunity 175 lb. of Seine twine as near the sample herewith sent as you can get it, and likewise two pieces of Linen not coarser than the enclosed pattern—for the payment of which and...
10From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 6 October 1788 (Washington Papers)
It was intended, tho’ omitted in my last, to have requested you to ask the Brewers in your City what they will give for spring Barley delivered at my Landing—or in Philadelphia—and in the latter case for you to have known what the freight would be. My Barley is raised from the Seed you obtained for me from Mr Haynes; and is, as I mentioned to you in a former letter, mixed in some degree with...
11From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 2 October 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 17th Ulto came duly to hand, and the one enclosed therein from Mr Dubey has received an answer. In my last letter to you I requested that you would not put yourself to any trouble in procuring Winter barley for me as I expected to get a supply from the brewer in Alexandria. You will oblige me by forwarding the enclosed letter to Pittsburg —and also by informing me, in your...
12From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 16 September 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have your letters of the 24th Ulto & the 5th inst. now before me. The articles sent by Captn Ellwood arrived safe and agreeable to the invoice. If you have not already purchased the Winter Barley I would not wish you to do it, for I think it is very probable that I may be able to get the quantity which I shall want of the Brewer in Alexandria in exchange for Spring Barley, or if I should be...
13From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 25 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 13th & 17th instt are both at hand, but the Packet is not yet arrived. The Iron written for in one of my last letters, was no other than the common Sheet iron (about as thin as Sheet copper) which is rolled at the Trenton Mills. The use for which I wanted it being, to cover the Mould boards of my Ploughs to prevent the Wood from wearing by the friction. If that which you...
14From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 10 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
Should this letter get to your hands in time for the Sailing of Captn Ellwood—and you can readily procure 25 bushls of the best kind of Winter Barley I beg you to send it by him that I may try the success of it—The continual rains destroyed my Crop of spring Barley this year—but, if it had been otherwise, the Barley which you sent me the year before was so mixed with Oats (a circumstance I did...
15From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 4 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 30th Ulto came to my hands by the last mail. Let me request that those articles which you propose to send me by Captn Ellwood may be accompained by 200 lbs. of Sheet Iron from the Trenton Works (proper for plating the Mould boards of Plows)—and a Jarr of best Spirma ceti Oil for House Lamps—That is a clear fine Oil which does not foul them—The Velvet Ribbon came safe and was...
16From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 20 July 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your favors of the 26th of May, 13th of June and 7th instt are before me; and I believe unacknowledged—The several Articles sent by the Packet came safe, except one of the Wheels belonging to the harrows which was not landed by Captn Ellwood who dropped them at my landing as he passed by in the Night returning. Whether the omission was in him or in putting them on board in Philadelphia I know...
17From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 29 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is a bill of lading for Ten Barrls of Shad, and Forty Barrls of Herrings which you will please to dispose of on Commission to the best advantage for the benefit of—Your Most Obedt Hble Servant LB , DLC:GW . The shad remained unsold at summer’s end; see Biddle to GW, 24 Aug. , and GW to Biddle, 16 September .
18From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 12 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have received your two letters of the 29 of April & 4th of May. Since my application to you for the prices of Linen & Blankets I have had an opportunity of supplying myself with both, upon pretty reasonable terms, but am no less obliged to you for the trouble of your inquiries respecting them. The Philadelphia Packet has not yet arrived, but if she sailed at the time you mention she may be...
19From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 14 April 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 3d inst. and the news-papers accompanying it came to hand by the last mail. In my letter to you of the 11th inst. I requested you to procure a wheat fan for me, but since that time I have found one more than I then knew of[,] which compleated the number of my several farms and supersedes the necessity of your sending the one which I wrote for, provided this letter reaches you...
20From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 11 April 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favor of the 31st Ulto enclosing a letter & some seeds from Mr Peters, and will thank you to send me, by the first Vessel bound this way, a good Wheat-fan (if there have been any late improvements on the common sort, which have been found useful, I shall prefer one with such improvements)—and a steel-plated Whip-saw of the best kind, seven & an half feet long; if you are not a...
21From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 4 April 1788 (Washington Papers)
The articles which you shipped on my Acct on board of the Charming Polly have arrived safe & in good order. As I am under the necessity of purchasing, every year, a quantity of coarse Linen, Blanketings &ca for the clothing of my negroes, and sundry other articles for various purposes, and Goods of every kind being sold in Alexandria at a high advance, I am desireous of knowing if I could not...
22From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 24 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 16th Inst. enclosing the Bill of Lading & Certificate of the Articles shipped on my Acct came duly to hand. The Packet has not yet arrived unless she passed by here yesterday. I thank you for your attention to the letters which I committed to your care. As I do not know whither you may have received the Interest due upon my Certificate in your hands, and some charges will...
23From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 5 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
In your letter of the 3d of February you mentioned Messrs Dunlap & Claypole having put into your hands one Vol. of their News Papers for the years 1785 & 86, which they desired might be forwarded to me and my acceptance thereof requested. I must now beg the favor of you to return them my best thanks for their politness, and, at the same time, to inform them that I beleive they misunderstood me...
24From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 3 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
If this should reach you before the sailing of the vessel which you informed me in your last was bound to Alexandria, I must request you to put on board her, on my acct two good Linnen Wheels, one dozn good strong wool-Cards with strong teeth, and one hundred pounds of Clover seed in addition to the quantity which I have before desired you to get. I am, Dear Sir, Yr most obedt Hbe Servt P.S....
25From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 22 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
If this letter should get to your hand in time, I beg you would send me five bushels of clean and fresh red-clover seed, and the like quantity of Timothy by the Vessel which you say would sail for Alexandria, soon after the Delaware should be freed from Ice. By a letter which I have just received from Mr Smith of Carlisle dated the 5th Instt I am informed that he had at that time £200 of my...
26From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 24 January 1788 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you on the 3d Ulto and as I have not received any answer to my letter of that date, I am led to suspect that it never reached your hands; I therefore enclose you a duplicate of it. My reason for requesting you to pay Mr Pettit £18.5s.1d. (as mentioned in the enclosed duplicate) when I was not certain of your having money of mine in your hands to that amount, was in consequence of...
27From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 3 December 1787 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 23d of Septr & 15th of Novr came duly to hand. You may inform Mr Haines that my Barley, this year, shared the same fate with my other crops. The drought during the summer was so excessive that I cannot form any just opinion of what it might produce in a seasonable year; it yielded about 14 bushls to the acre which was a proportionate crop to any other kind of Grain which I...
28From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 19 September 1787 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday before I left the City, I wrote to Captn Morris requesting the favor of him to furnish me with a description of the hounds he was so good as to give me, that I might know how to apply the names contained in the list you sent me; for without, though I had eight names, I might not apply one right; Whether Captn Morris sent the discription, or not, I will not say, but it did not come to...
29From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 15 September 1787 (Washington Papers)
Genl Washington prests his Compliments to Colo. Biddle & would be glad to know if the Vessel for Alexandria is gone. The lowest price the best dutch (striped) Blankets sell at, by the piece. and how his acct stands since the late purchases made by him as he has expectations that the business of the Convention will be brought to a close, or nearly so this day. AL , PHi : Washington-Biddle...
30From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 10 September 1787 (Washington Papers)
I have received both your Notes of this Morning, and thank you for Notice of the Vessels sailing. The Books, I perceive, are only small treatises upon education, referred to by Doctr Rush, which I can get, & carry in my Trunk. remember the clothes baskets. I send a small box containing a Lamp—it is a present, but could not have cost 20/. If the hounds presented to me by Captn Morris are not...
31From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 22 August 1787 (Washington Papers)
Since I came to this City, if I recollect rightly, you asked me if I now had, or could put up, a quantity of Herrings next season, for Sale. Having revolved the matter in my mind, I wish in turn to be informed, if there is any responsible character who would enter into a contract for a number, to be delivered next Season? What number of Barrls he would contract for?—and at what price; to be...
32From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 7 August 1787 (Washington Papers)
In addition to the articles contained in the Memo. given to you some time since, I pray you to procure, and send by Captn Steward the following. A Wimble bit—compleat. Pickled Walnuts & India Mangoes none were sent before. Thompsons Seasons and Gutheries Geography and the Art of Speaking. Some Pamphlets which have been sent to me since I came to Town; and Books purchased for my amusement...
33From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 12 July 1787 (Washington Papers)
Genl Washington’s Complimts to Colo. Biddle and would thank him for sending the Upholsterer—Davis—to him as he is desirous of having one of the Venetian blinds made as soon as may be. AL , PHi : Washington-Biddle Correspondence. Written after “Thursday,” in another hand, is the date “July 12. 1787.” On 15 July GW wrote George Augustine Washington that he was having a Venetian blind made to...
34From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 28 June 1787 (Washington Papers)
By the Post of Yesterday, I received the enclosed Memo.—If you can comply with them in time, for the Alexandria Packet it wd oblige me. If the Hatt is already got for Washington, it will be unnecessary to exchange it; If not, he prefers a black one, with such ornaments as would suit a boy of his age & the colour of the hat. I beg leave to remind you of the Linnen—two pieces—from Mr...
35From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 14 March 1787 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 20th and 27th Ulto are both before me. The Barley & other things by the Dolphin are arrived—and by the return of this Vessel I consign you, as per bill enclosed, 45 Barrls of Herrings, which you will be pleased to dispose of to the best advantage, and place the proceeds to my credit. It is hardly necessary to add that, the sooner these fish are disposed of the higher the...
36From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 14 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
I forgot, in the letter I wrote to you the day before yesterday, to request the favour of you to send 6 Screw Augers, that will bore holes 2½ inches.—I want them for Posting and railing—If this size is not sufficiently large they may be made bigger—for this, or indeed any kind of work I am informed that Screw Augers are much preferred. I am, Dear Sir, Yr. Most Obedt. Servt., William J....
37From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 11 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
As we are now on the verge of the middle of Feby and the season is fast approaching when the ground should be in readiness to receive spring grain, permit me to remind you of the Barley you were so obliging as to procure for me—and beg (as I have been disappointed in another expectation) that the 50 bushels may be encreased to one hundred, if in your power to do it conveniently. At any rate...
38From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 5 December 1786 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 15th of Octr and 5th of Novr are both before me, and I shall reply to them in their order. For your trouble in negotiating my Certificate I thank you. If it is necessary (in order) that you may receive the half yearly interest thereon I would wish you to keep it. If you can draw this without it may be sent to me. In the meantime inform me if you please if this certificate...
39From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 28 October 1786 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Clement Biddle, 28 Oct. 1786. On 5 Nov. Biddle wrote GW : “I have your Esteemed favour of 28th ulto.”
40From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 23 September 1786 (Washington Papers)
It is sometime since my window curtains were sent to you to get dyed; I should be glad to have them back as soon as an opportunity offers of forwarding them to me. Let me beg you to send by Mr Porter, (who will deliver you this letter) if he can bring it, or with the curtains if he cannot—16 yards of Stuff of the same kind & colour of the curtains, to cover two dozen chairs, the front of which...
41From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 18 August 1786 (Washington Papers)
This letter serves to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 13th & to inform you that I have this day, sent a small box to Alexandria to go from thence by the Packet, or first conveyance to Philada to your address. It contains two window curtains which I pray you to get new dyed of the same color, green, & returned to me as soon as may be. I am obliged by your care of my letters; &...
42From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 31 July 1786 (Washington Papers)
Majr Gibbes handed me your letter of the 24th ulto with the accounts enclosed. Necessity alone ought to compel me to loose the difference between £50:18.9 and 339 53/80 Dollars; because the last mentioned sum (but a very little while since) was, [(]if I recollect rightly) considered as the specie value of the Commissary’s Certificates for which it was issued by Mr Stelle, and was accordingly...
43From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 21 June 1786 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is a copy of my last—It is so long since it was dispatched (without an acknowledgment of it) that I begin to fear some accident must happened, altho’ it was sent to the Post Office in Alexandria by a very safe hand. Should this be the case, I pray you to notify the Office of the loss of the Certificate which was enclosed, that neither principal nor interest may be paid to the bearer...
44From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 18 May 1786 (Washington Papers)
Your favors of the 19th of Feby & 16th & 19th March, are before me; And would have been acknowledged Sooner, had any thing material, occurred. The Clover Seed, Boots &c. came in Season; but I must take care to be earlier in my application another year, as the Expence of getting heavy articles from Baltimore by land, comes high; I was charged forty odd Shillings for the Transportation of those...
45From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 10 February 1786 (Washington Papers)
A hasty letter which I wrote to you by Colo. Grayson was accompanied with ten half Johans.—the application of which I informed you shd be directed in a subsequent letter. Let me now request the favour of you to send me the following articles if to be had. A pair of Boots, and two pair of Shoes, to be made by Mr Star (who has my measure) agreeably to the enclosed Memo. Young’s Six Months tour...
46From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 30 January 1786 (Washington Papers)
I embrace the good & safe oppertunity afforded me by Colo. Grayson to send you Ten half Johan[ne]s—the application of which shall be the subject of a Letter by the Post, when I have more leizure to write—not being able to mention the purposes for which they are intended at this time —With much truth I am Dr Sir Yr Obedt Hble Servt ALS , PHi : Washington-Biddle Correspondence. The letter was...
47From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 11 December 1785 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 29th Ulto and thank you for your repeated offer of Services in Philadelphia. By Major Fairlie I send you Six pounds Pensylvania Curry and would thank you to pay Mr Cary Printer for his Paper—and to pay Oswald for his—I know not upon what footing he sends them. by no order of mine do they come, and it is only now and then, I get one. yet I do not want to lay...
48From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 7 September 1785 (Washington Papers)
The man who at present lives with me in the capacity of a Housekeeper, or Household Steward, will leave me in a day or two; which (until his place can be supplied) will throw a great additional weight on Mrs Washington. I therefore beg, if you, or Mr Moyston, should have met with a person whom you think would answer my purposes (as described in my former letters) that you would engage him (or...
49From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 17 August 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 8th came safely by last Post —I will, the first time I go to Alexandria, get an order from Colo. Hooe, Mr Hartshorne, or some other who has dealings in Philadelphia (for I have none, & know of no direct and safe opportunity of sending Money) to the amount of the Sum which you have lately paid on my Acct to Mr Boudinot. The inclosed is to Edward (I do not know his Surname)...
50From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 27 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 5th. came duly to hand, and should have been acknowledged sooner, if it had been in my power, conveniently. I thank you for your attention to the Certificates which I committed to your care; and will obtain an order from Gilbert Simpson, by which the Interest may be received. This money is all I am likely to get for a Mill which he ran me to the Expence of £1200 hard money...