From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 28 November 1797
To Clement Biddle
Mount Vernon 28th Novr 1797
Dear Sir,
I have lately received a letter from a Mr Small of Philadelphia, informing me that the Coach I used in the City, was yet unsold; that it was accumulating expence; and not more than two hundred dollars had been offered for it; when, according to his acct $300 was the value fixed thereon.1
I intended to have sent his letter to you, but it has been mislaid, or lost. I shall beg the favour of you, however, to sell, or cause it to be sold, for whatever it will fetch. Who limited the price to $300 I know not, but took it for granted that it had been disposed of many a day ago.2 Receive, and place the proceeds to the credit of Dear Sir Your obedient Hble Servt
Go: Washington
ALS (letterpress copy), NN: Washington Papers; LB, DLC:GW.
1. The letter from William Small has not been found. GW’s Presidential Household Accounts show Small after GW’s departure from Philadelphia receiving payments of $17.61 on 16 Mar. 1797 “for repairg plate &c.” and $30.70 on 25 Mar. “for sundries pr bill.”
2. For the disposition of GW’s “old coach,” see GW to Biddle, 23 Aug., n.2.