To George Washington from John Mitchell, 6 March 1779
From John Mitchell
Philada 6 March 1779
Dr Sir
It has not been from want of atention to your Excellencys commands that I have not sent you the several Articles you wrote for, long ere this; but it has not been in my power to procure them sooner.1 I have sent the Queens ware, Candle-sticks & Snuffers by a Waggon who setts off this day, they are as carefully packed as I cou’d get them, & hope they will get safe to Head Quarters the extravagent price of the Articles, will no doubt astonish you, but there was no alternitive, give the price or leave them was all cou’d be Obtained from the Holders—with much difficulty they cou’d be got at any price,2 I have given orders for a Sett for the President of Congress, & doubt much if they can be got on any Terms—I sent the Fur for your Cloths, & the Starch by Express, hope they got safe, and that the Fur answered your Intention—it was the best I cou’d procure—Your Excellencys Hatt is not yet finished, as soon as it is ready it shall be sent you by Express3—hope to have the pleasure of seeing you before the Campaigne opens, but at present, the preperations for that event, confines me to this City—Mrs Mitchell intends herself the honor of waiting on Mrs Washington as soon as the Roads will admit of Traveling—she is at present in the Country and tho’ but about Twenty Miles distant, is confined on Accot of the Road, & weather, permit me to request you wou’d present my most respectfull Compliments to your Lady. I have the honor to be with the greatest esteem & respect Your Excellencys Most Obedt and most hume Servt
Jno. Mitchell
There is paper & sealing Wax, sent to General Greene for your Excellency.
LS, DLC:GW.
1. Mitchell is referring to GW’s letter to him of 17 February.
2. Mitchell enclosed an undated invoice, found in DLC:GW, that reads:
“Mr John Mitchell D.Q.M. Gl
“For his Excelly Genl Washington
“1779 | Bought of Henry Pratt | |
“Febry 23d | 11 Dishes Qeens Ware | 47.12.6 |
6 Doz. of do Plates @ £15 ⅌ Doz. | 90. 0.0 | |
6 Pint Mugs @ 15/⅌ piece | 4.10.0 | |
2 Quarts do @ 5 Dollars ⅌ piece | 3.15.0 | |
8 Salts at 3/9 ⅌ piece | 1.10.0 | |
4 Dishes | 15.15.0 | |
163. 2.6 |
“Colo. John Mitchell D.Q.M.G.
“For his Excelly Genl Washington
“1779 | Bought of John Cook | |
“Febry 24th | Trimings for a Coat & Jacket | |
15 Yards—at 2 Dollars ⅌ Yd | 11. 5.0 | |
11. 5.0 |
“Mr John Mitchell D.Q.M.G.
“For his Excelly Genl Washington
“1779 | Bought of Henry Pratt | |
“March 4th | 14 Qeens Ware Dishes Differt Sizes | |
2 do @ 14 Dollars each | 10.10.0 | |
2 do at 13½ do do | 10. 2.6 | |
2 do at 12½ do do | 9. 7.6 | |
2 do @ 11½ do do | 8.12.6 | |
2 do @ 10½ do do | 7.17.6 | |
2 do @ 9½ do do | 7. 2.6 | |
2 do @ 8½ do do | 6. 7.6 | |
60. 0.0 | ||
“Carr[ie]d forward— | £234. 7.6 | |
“Amount brought forward | £234. 7.6 |
“John Mitchell Esqr. D.Q.M.G.—for Genl Washington
“1779 | Bot of Deborah & Hannah Mitchel | ||
“March 4th | 5 Dozen plates @ | £15⅌ doz. | £75. 0.0 |
2 Turreens | £12 each | 24. 0.0 | |
4 Dishes | £4.10 do | 18. 0.0 | |
2 Do | 4 do | 8. 0.0 | |
2 do | 22/6 d[o] | 2. 5.0 | |
127. 5.0 |
“Colo. John Mitchell D.Q.M.G.
“for his Excelly Genl Washington
“1779 | Bought of Sarah Crawford |
“March 6th 3 pair’s Brass Candlesticks@ £9.5 ⅌ | 27.15.0 |
£389. 7.6 |
1 pair of Snuffers @ [ ]”
Mitchell also apparently enclosed an undated “Inventory of China ware &c.,” found in DLC:GW, that reads:
“6 large round dishes
“6 do plain
“6 do Ovel
“18 small do of various kinds
“7 doz. of plates
“4 do of soup plates
“2 large tooreens
“8 Salt sellers
“3 dekanters
“4 small kans
“6 Candlesticks, brass
“3 pr snuffers.”
3. For a brief description of this hat in a receipt dated 3 April, see GW to Mitchell, 17 Feb., n.4.