721To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 26 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
Last evening I received from Mr John Parish, our former Consul at Hamburg, a letter dated the 3d of August, from which I transcribe the last paragraph, as follows. “Permit me, before concluding, to request that you will do me the honor of representing to General Washington, that an old servant of the United States would be happy to send from hence any thing which he may think will in the...
722To George Washington from George Washington Motier Lafayette and Felix Frestel, 25 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
at the moment of embarking on board of the vessel which is to carry us to France, I snatch a few minutes to inform you that when you receive these few lines we will be on our way to our native country where we will carry a deep sense of all which we owe you, and where I hope to be able to tell my parents all their own as well as my own obligations to you. we are this moment setting out to go...
723To George Washington from Bushrod Washington, 25 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
I now enclose you a Copy of the Grant you wrote for. The Inquisition cannot be found. I have directed the Clerk to continue his search, and if he should succeed, a Copy shall be immediately forwarded, if you can give a more particular description of it, from any papers in your possession, it may assist in the discovery. with love to my Aunt I am my dear Uncle Most Sincerely Yr Affect. Nephew...
724To George Washington from William Hodgson, 24 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
Agreeably to your desire I subjoin the advances I charge on the different Goods, at the usual Credit of six Months, and for Cash. For the present I am deficient in Irish Linens & but a few pieces of the coarser Linens remain—the former however I am in daily Expectation of being supply’d with. With great Respect I am Sir Your mo. Ob. Servt ALS , DLC:GW . William Hodgson (1765–1820) came from...
725To George Washington from Felix Frestel, 22 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have never been in my life more deeply convinced than in this particular occasion, that I ought to renounce for ever to express to you in a language which I am so little master of, any of the thoughts of my mind, any of the feelings of my heart. I have failed so often in the attempt, that I cannot hope to be now more successful. however I am confident that, although the expressions of my...
726To George Washington from George Washington Motier Lafayette, 22 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
allow me once more to take up your time and to make use of the permission you have given me to trouble you from time to time with a letter. Immediately after putting in the post office my letter of the 21st inst. we waited upon the French consul in this city, where we learnt that there was a vessel ready to sail for Havre de grace in France. the consul had been so polite as to bespeak already...
727To George Washington from George Washington Motier Lafayette and Felix Frestel, 21 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
being after a tiresome journey of six days arrived in New-york, I take, according to the wish you so kindly expressed, the opportunity of the first post day after our arrival to inform you of it, and to renew to you the assurances of a gratitude which words can but imperfectly express. the sense of all my obligations to you, and the remembrance of the paternal care with which you have always...
728To George Washington from Jacob Valentine, 21 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
You will please excuse me for the Liberty I have taken in my present address. I with a great deal of pleasure inform you that I was one that had the Honour to serve under you as Commander in Chief of the Army of the United States during the Revolution in America in the Rank of a Captain in the Regiment commanded by Colo. George Gibson. I am by Birth the Son of Jacob Valentine decd who served...
729To George Washington from Matthias Slough, 20 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honour to acknoledge the receipt of your Esteemed favour of the 14th Currt by your Domestick Christopher and to mention to you that I paid Imediate attention to its Contents by writeing to a Friend at Lebanon where Mr Stoy resides to render every assistance to the Lad which may be Necessarry during his Stay With the Docter and to pay any Expence attending the Cure, He has however...
730To George Washington from Bushrod Washington, 20 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
I now enclose you my opinion upon the points stated in your letter of the 9th. As you may possibly wish to submit it to the consideration of your Counsel, I have left out of it, such parts of the subject as are unconnected with the cause, & need only be communicated confidentially to yourself. Mr Swan’s demand for defending the suit, I think very extravagant. We seldom recieve such fees in the...
731To George Washington from William Stoy, 19 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
your Excellency’s kind letter dated octobr 14th hath been handed to me by Christopher your man. he is in no danger on account of that bite, Since he hath taken my medicin. I have cured more than five hundred Simply bit, and more than 20 people that felt all the Symptoms of Madness, you may rest assured Christopher is Safe, he hath taken his dose very well in my presence for the first time,...
732To George Washington from Paul Ferdinand Fevot, 16 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
Though I have not the honour of being known personally to Your Excellency Yet I flatter myself you will grant me your protection in consideration of a letter of recommendation which Marechal Count of Rochambeau has been kind enough to give me for Your Excellency. I hope that when you’ll be further informed of my circumstances & character Your Excellency will comply with my Protector’s wishes...
733To George Washington from Thomas Coleman Martin, 16 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 3d instant and it will afford me great satisfaction if the answer I am giving shall contribute to yours. I have invented a machine for seperating the grain from the straw of wheat & other small grain which bears but a small degree of analogy either to the Scotch machine or Mr Bookers as I had no knowledge of either at the time...
734To George Washington from Hannah Bushrod Washington, 15 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
It was fully my intention to have spent part of my time whilst at my son Corbin’s at Mount Vernon, but the very day I had fixed for that pleasing visit, I received a melancholy letter from Col. Washington of this place informing me, that his sons had returned from Andover, & the eldest in a deep decline with a breast complaint, he intreated me to return immediat’ly to pay that attention to my...
735To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 14 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry to inform you, with all my exertions I have not been Able to procure a household Steward. I have applied to three persons either of whoom would have Suited, but I could not prevail on either to Engage. Mr Hoomes whose assistance I Solicited in this business, has just wrote me word, that his enquieries for a Suitable person, has not been crown’d with Success—nor did he know of any...
736To George Washington from Thomas Lewis, 13 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
The bearer of this, Mr Thomas Alsbury is a person who has resided in this County for a considerable time. In the wars with the savages he has evinced his bravery, and has experienced their revenge in many instances, they having at one time, plunder’d & afterward burnt his house—He informs me that he has heretofore serve’d in your family, and wishes that the rememberance of him may not be...
737To George Washington from William Herbert, 10 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
In Answer to your favor of this date, I Have to Inform you, that the Notes of the Bank of Columbia are Received as payments here, with equal Currency to our Own. As to the Stability of our Bank, I feel no Difficulty in giving you as my decided opinion, that it is perfectly Safe, this Arises, from the Mode of doing Business, which Requires an Approved Endorser on every Note that is Discounted....
738To George Washington from William Herbert, 9 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
I received the letter you did me the Honor to Write to me this day. Mr La Fayette Shall be Accommodated With the Kind of Gold that he wants. The next Dividend in our Bank, will be declared the first Week in January, & paid in a very few days after—Bank Stock sold lately, at ten ⅌ Cent below par, I think the Number of Shares you mention, may be, at this period, purchas’d at the Same price. If...
739To George Washington from William Vans Murray, 9 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
The day before yesterday I recieved a letter from Mr Williams, consul at Hamburgh, in which he informs me that M. La Fayette and his family were expected there on the next day—the Fourth Inst. —That all the family, except Madame la Fayette & one of her daughters, were well; & that they would probably embark in the Ship John, for America, if the health of the ladies permitted. I had written to...
740To George Washington from Elizabeth Foote Washington, 9 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
My authority for accusing Mr Triplett with an intention of not concerning in the suit proceeded from Capt. Johnston, who I got to apply to Mr Triplett, now whether he made a true report or not I Cant say, but sure I am those were Johnstons Ideas from what he said to me when the affair first came out, & perhaps he might wish to get Mr Triplett to think so, because when it was mention’d to him...
741To George Washington from Tadeusz Kościuszko, 8 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
I return You my warmest thanks for the Honour You have done me —If the situation of my health would admit my travelling so far, I would immediatly pay you my Respects and my personal Homage; it was my first intention, and I hope I shall at last accomplish it. Your High Character, Reputation and the Goodness of Your Heart, may give me the liberty to mention a circumstance concerning me and is...
742William Thornton to GW, 8 October 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: William Thornton to GW, 8 Oct. 1797. On 10 Oct. GW wrote Thornton : “Your favours of the 6th & 8th instant have both been received.”
743To George Washington from Elizabeth Foote Washington, 7 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
Enclos’d is a memorandum of papers that is required respecting Pearson’s claim against us, how they are to be got from Richmond I know not, without you can get your Nephew Mr Bushrod Washington to procure them. I have not been able to bring Capt. Johnston or Mr Triplett to any agreement as yet—I suspect their intention is that you & myself shall bear the burden—indeed I may say it is more then...
744To George Washington from Lafayette, 6 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
I am the Happier to Be able to inform You, as I am Sure You Shall Be Happy to Hear that on the 19th September My two friends, family, and Myself Left the olmutz Bastille, and that to Morrow Morning We Shall Be on danish Territory out of the Reach of the Coalitionary Powers—in Vain Would I Attempt, My Beloved General, to Express to You the feelings of My filial Heart, when, at the Moment of...
745To George Washington from William Thornton, 6 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have sent the Section of Square No. 21, with an Alteration made by the red Line, which is allowing as much as the Surveyor, on attentively considering the Ground, thinks can be made with propriety. I have directed the general plan of the Levels to be made correspondent. I request you will be pleased to accept a Dozen Bottles of what may be truly called The heart of Oak. It is old Spirit that...
746To George Washington from Samuel Williams, 5 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have the honour to inform you, that I had, yesterday, the happiness of embracing our beloved Friend, General La Fayette, accompanied with his Lady & Daughters, Messrs Latour Maubourg & Bureau de Puzy & their families, all in pretty good health, excepting Madame La Fayette, who mends daily. The General retains his ardent affection & respect for you, Sir, & for our Country. Madame La Fayette’s...
747To George Washington from William Hartshorne, 4 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
By desire of the Subscribers to the Bridge on Duke Street I now enclose the Subscription paper for thy consideration—I am ready to acknowledge that things of this kind should be done by the public without burdening Individuals in this way, but in the present instance this could not be done—Some of the Country Gentlemen have contributed and we therefore take the Liberty to ask the like from...
748To George Washington from James McHenry, 2 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
I was too much hurried with business before leaving Philada to answer your last letter of the 14th of Augt and since my arrival here I have had a bilious fever, and more business than if I had remained in Philada, according to which reasoning I ought not to answer it now. The fact is I perhaps should have suspended the pleasure a little longer, if I had not received to-day the enclosed letter...
749To George Washington from James Ross, 2 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
The fever which continues to rage in Philadelph[ia] has made it impossible to get bills of Exchangfe] on that place negotiated here, & a great portion of your money hav[i]ng been paid to me in silve[r] I cannot transmit it immediately but you may be assured that no opportunity will be lost of sendg it forwa[r]d to the Bank of Pennsa. and informing you of its arrival. I hope Col Shreve will in...
750To George Washington from Jean Luzac, 30 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
If my use of the English language to write it with purity, was extensive enough that I might dare to approach by means of it to a person as illustrious by his actions as General Washington, & who writes himself in that language with a force & an energy so difficult to express, I should not take the liberty of speaking to you an idiom which is more familiar to me. never Sir should I have even...
751To George Washington from Thomas Law, 28 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
If you approve of the enclosed plan, you will be kind enough to give it some aid, & with the fostering support of your name no doubt all the Shares will be taken—should you disapprove you will tear it & excuse the liberty I take to which I am prompted by a wish to adopt every means for the promotion of this new Establishment. A good Tavern will answer to the keeper of it & will encourage a...
752To George Washington from Francis Walker, 28 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
Will you be so obliging as to give me information respecting the interest my Father held with yourself & Mr Lewis in some lands near Suffolk, & by what title—It has become my duty as Exr to dispose of the part belonging to the estate, which I wish to do, in the way most agreable to you, or perhaps you may wish to purchase —Pardon me Sir for this trouble—Please to accept the most sincere...
753To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 27 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
In my last I gave you my reasons for not haveing your advertisement for a housekeeper, or household Steward Published sooner. This day I saw Eastice—but he haveing lately had a Legacy left him, declines entering into the Service of any person. I shall now write to Mr Hoomes at the Bowling Green, & describe such a person as you want, and beg his assistance—in a few days I shall go to...
754To George Washington from John Langhorne [Peter Carr], 25 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
When a man of distinguished worth suffers unmerited calumny, it has the same effect as an eclipse of the sun, which serves only to make it admired the more. While it shines in unvaried light, and splendor, it shines unnoticed; but when it is obscured by some sudden and unexpected darkness, it attracts our attention, and emerges with an unusual and superior eclat. Such will be the only effect...
755To George Washington from John Bassett, 23 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
We arrived here in safety on the 18th Inst. after a pretty sultry Journey from Mount Vernon, which was protracted by the fatigue of Mrs Bassett and the Children, that obliged us to lay by a day or two. It was with the deepest regret we left so soon the Company of our good Aunt and yourself. But our sollicitude to return to our domestic Avocations could be restrained only for a few days to...
756To George Washington from George Washington Motier Lafayette, 23 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
I take the opportunity of Mr Lewis’s return to Mount-Vernon to trouble you with a few lines. by letters from France I have had at last the long wished for conformation of my father’s liberation, an old friend of my father’s brought them to me, and I can entertain no more doubts on that article. their arrival in France is not yet mentioned, but the particulars in these private news coincide so...
757To George Washington from Richard Randolph, Jr., 20 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
On my return from Mount-vernon, to Culpeper, I found Mrs Randolph so much indisposed as to detain me there till’ a few days ago which will account for your not hearing from me sooner. Agreeably to your request, on my arrival here I applied to Colo. Finnie respecting his Cook, and have to inform you that your information is erroneous—he is not for sale, & if he were, the same objection exists...
758To George Washington from Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 19 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your favour by General Marshall arrived safe, and I was highly flattered by your approbation of my conduct whilst in France. Before I determine on any public measure I always consider in what way it is probable you would act if you were to decide, & govern myself according to what I conceive would be your judgment. I am charmed with my Colleague Genl Marshall, and am fortunate enough to agree...
759To George Washington from William Vans Murray, 17 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
In the haste of Captain Izard’s departure the copy of a letter of which I spoke was omitted in mine of the date of yesterday—but as he waits at Rotterdam for a wind, the copy which was not quite ready when he left this place, goes under cover in this. The letter as you will see is without place of Date, except the Initial & concluding letters of the word Paris, from whence it came ⟨ mutilated...
760To George Washington from William Vans Murray, 16 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
The late event which has taken place at paris will probably tend too much to the injury of America not to be extremely interesting to you. The storm which the Directory have for several months excited against the council of Five hundred has at length burst & the papers & letters announce the arrest of Fifty Four members of that body by order of the Directory on the Fourth inst. The two members...
761To George Washington from John Marshall, 15 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
The flattering evidences I have receiv’d of your favorable opinion, which have made on my mind an impression only to wear out with my being, added to a conviction that you must yet feel a deep interest in all that concerns a country to whose service you have devoted so large a portion of your life, induce me to offer you such occasional communications as, while in europe I may be enabled to...
762To George Washington from John Searson, 13 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
I lately had the Honor of Receiving your Condescending favour of the 20th ult. for which you have my most sincere and Grateful thanks. I wrote some time in the Receiver General’s office in Philadelphia. But the Books for nine years past being Unposted & Regulated, Caus’d some Altercation between the Keeper of the office and the State, had to resign it for want of proper Encouragement. I left...
763To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 13 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
A promise to Spend two days with Mr Brent: delaid my arriveal in Frederickburg until the Seventh Inst., when I got from the post office your favr of the 23d of August covering your advertisement for a house keeper, or household Steward. Shortly after and on the same day I had the Pleasure of Being in Company with Mrs Corbin, and enquired about the health and good Character of the person who...
764To George Washington from John O’Donnell, 9 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
I am duly honored with your letter of the 4[t]h inst. and should have made an earlier reply to it, had I not delayed in making such necessary inquiries, as added to my own Knowledge of Anthony Heusler, might enable me more particularly to give you the information request’d respecting him. ⟨And⟩ altho’ he has been my tenant for about 3 years, yet have I been very little indeed acquainted either...
765To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 8 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the pleasure to see you last I have contemplated very fully the subject of renting your River Farm, provided you should be disposed to let it upon the terms which I understood you had offered it to a person who was speaking to you on the subject some time ago, which, if I mistake not, was for 1200 bushl Wheat the first year—15 or 1600 the second year and 1800 for the succeeding...
766To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 8 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have removed my family & office to this place; and we are all very well. I have received your letter inclosing $35 for the rollers of your copying press. The workman spoke of the goodness of the rollers: but I tried them and found one not sufficiently true in the turning, and made him put it in his lathe to turn it more exactly. On fixing them in the frame, I got Mr Taylor to make an...
767To George Washington from Rufus King, 6 September 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your Letter of the 15 of June; and having a few minutes before the Mail for New York is dispatched, I employ them in sending you inclosed the copy of a Letter that I received a few days past from our Consul at Hamburgh, which announces the approaching release of General La Fayette. Knowing the friendship that you have uniformly had for him, and recollecting...
768To George Washington from Burgess Ball, Sr., 31 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
This will be handed to you by Capt. Washington. I have lately been apply’d to by Mr Chs Carter (who was a Fellow Student with my Son Burges who died with the Fever in Philadelphia) for a Ballance due him for monies paid for my Son. Since his application I’ve found a Letter of his acknowledging the rect of money from Mr Dandridge, & mentioning that “he had then paid off the last Accot.” I think...
769To George Washington from William Gordon, 31 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have enjoyed peculiar pleasure in looking over Fenno’s Gazettes from last Sepr to June 14th 1797: for I have noticed how respectfully & cordially the several States, in their legislative bodies, cities, towns, societies, & united citizens of different denominations, have acknowledged the benefit of your presidency, during the eight years you was at the head of the American Government: & have...
770Clement Biddle to GW, 30 August 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: Clement Biddle to GW, 30 Aug. 1797. On 6 Sept. GW wrote Biddle : “Your favor of the 30th Ult. was received.”