1To George Washington from Robert Adam, 13 January 1774 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with yours, as Also for Mr Young which I have delivered him; he seems Satissfyed with your proposal and senceable that he will save more than he Could in Such a place as Bladensburgh from the Wages he had there, And now waits upon you himself —I have Dropt two lines to the Doctr desereing to let me know if there was any particular reason for his leaveing his Employ when I receive...
2To George Washington from Robert Adam, 16 September 1773 (Washington Papers)
The Pall or Black Cloath that was sent down to you on a late Occation Mr Carlyle Informs me was Originally your property, but as we are yet unprovided with one in town we must request the favour of you to send it by the bearer—Our Friend and Accquantance Mr Joseph Wattson Departed this life last night about Eleven oClock of a Bloody Flux, he neglectd himself much in the begining of the...
3To George Washington from Robert Adam, 12 January 1774 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with yours and Observe the Contents I am very senceable of the dissadvantages a person must Labour under who wants experimental knowledge in any undertakeing whatever & more especially in the plan that you have to execute at present. And that James Clievland is by farr a properer person for such Bussiness, but what Induced me to think of recomending Mr Young, was you mentioning...
4To George Washington from Robert Adam, 14 February 1774 (Washington Papers)
In regard to your Design of importing Palantines into Virginia I beleve it would be attended with some difficulty from severall Circumstances, they are in generall much prejudiced against comeing into Virginia or Maryland as in either they are not allowed the same liberty of Concience in enjoying their own Religion, this Naturealy Inclines them more to Pensilvania, as well as the Number of...
5To George Washington from Robert Adam, 9 January 1774 (Washington Papers)
The bearer hereof Mr Young is a young man that came a perfet Stranger to me about three years ago enquireing for employmt as an Assistant or Clerk And from his appearance then I thought there was something promiseing in his looks or that bid fair for doing well haveing at that time no occation for any person my self I recomended him to Doctr Ross who I had heard say wanted such a person, he...
6To George Washington from Daniel Jenifer Adams, 3 October 1772 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Daniel Jenifer Adams, 3 Oct. 1772. GW wrote in his account with Daniel Jenifer Adams (printed as note 2 in GW to Robert McMickan, February 1773 ): “In a Letter dated Kingston Jamaica Octr 3d 1772 he [Adams] accts for.”
7To George Washington from Thomas Addenbrooke, 26 July 1773 (Washington Papers)
In December 1771 I took the liberty to write to you requesting the Favour of you to Enquire After An Estate in Virginia that I had a right to not being favour’d with your Answer makes Me imagine my letter Miscarried. by some papers in my Custody I find my Great Grandfather (by my mothers side) Walter Broadhurst left a Widdow who married Mr John Washington of Westmoreland County I suppose an...
8To George Washington from Edward Anderson, 13 August 1773 (Washington Papers)
Col: Thomas Colvill having bequeathed “unto the Youngest Daughter of Mr William Anderson Merchant in London the Sum of Eighty Pounds Sterling”—I beg leave to inform you that Harriot Rebecca Anderson is the youngest Daughter of Mr William Anderson, & that her Guardian Mrs Rebecca Anderson has sent me a Power of Attorney to receive that Legacy. As it would be inconvenient for me to wait upon you...
9To George Washington from John Armstrong, 17 August 1773 (Washington Papers)
Such is the uncertainty of human affairs, that I have again the unexpected occasion of giving you a letter on Some business, which if it is to be done at all, it seems must be transacted in your Government. Sundry Gentlemen who had formerly held Military Commissions in the Pay of Pennsylvania & Serv’d in conjunction with the Establish’d Troops, have lately fallen upon a method of asking their...
10To George Washington from John Armstrong, 24 December 1773 (Washington Papers)
Your favours of the 28th Sepr from Annapolis, and that of the 10th Octobr from your Own House, I now most gratefully acknowledge, and shou’d have done it Sooner, had any promising conveyance occur’d. I have communicated your Sentiments and representation of the matter in question to sundry Gentlemen in Pennsylvania belonging to our reduc’d Tribe, who are all thankfully Sensible of that obvious...
11To George Washington from Samuel Athawes, 12 February 1774 (Washington Papers)
As my Friend the Honble George Wm Fairfax Esqr. has long since acquainted you with his arrival & of his Situation at York my Congratulations on the occasion will come very late however they are very Sincere & the Proverb says better late than never. By a Letter which I have lately received from him I find both himself & his Lady have had a kind of seasoning, indeed we have had a very...
12To George Washington from John Aylett, 1 January 1774 (Washington Papers)
There is a deed of gift from your Lady, for several Slaves, to her Brother Bartholomew Dandridge, in Trust, for the Joint use of her decd Sister and her Sister Aylett, recorded in new Kent county court. The deed expresses the Slaves were alloted to her, by her Brother W. Dandridge, as, and for a proportionable, or Childs part, of the value of the Slaves, of Colo. Dandridges estate. I shall be...
13To George Washington from Francis Baker, 15 December 1772 (Washington Papers)
At the time Capn Posey was in this Goal, his Son St Lawrence was in a Starving Condition about the Town—from mear pitty I took him into my House, and a Small time after Sent him with my own Children, to the Free school, where he Continued till his Father Left this place for Virginia, who then told me the Boy should be under my Care till he himself or his friends sent for him; till which time...
14To George Washington from James Balfour, 10 May 1772 (Washington Papers)
A power of Attorny has just come to hand from the heir of Magdalin Stott, who claims under the Will of Thos Colvill deced by virtue of the enclos’d paragrapth of his will. I shall be extremely Oblig’d to you to drop me a line of information as I am perfectly unaquainted in this affair—what steps I ought to take in behalf of the claimant, and whether any money on Account of the Residuary...
15To George Washington from Burwell Bassett, 5 February 1773 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Burwell Bassett, 5 Feb. 1773. GW wrote Bassett on 15 Feb. : “Your favour of the 5th came to my hands. . . last Thursday.”
16To George Washington from Burwell Bassett, 13 May 1772 (Washington Papers)
We got to Eltham the third day after we left you & found the Children & family pritty will, my Eyes was so much afected by the dust that I was afraid I should have lost my sight they are a little Better now Mrs Bassett and Betsey have been very unwell since we left you But are better now the other Children are very well, I did not get to town before Colo. Fairfax had left it or should have...
17To George Washington from John Baynes, 14 November 1772 (Washington Papers)
The 23d of this Month I must Attend at our Court, therefore it will not be in my power to meet at Fredericksburgh. But whatever is Concluded on by you and the other Gentn that may be there, I will on Acct of the Heirs of James Towers, be agreeable to And what Money may be wanting for there part towards defraying any Expence I will Advance for them, when I see you to know how much it is. I am...
18To George Washington from William Black, 16 November 1773 (Washington Papers)
Being somewhat unwilling to run the Risque of Captain Parker’s offer, which perhaps might be the Case, Shoud his Messenger have return’d without a determined Answer, I therefore sent yesterday over to the Boat Man who had a few Oats to deliver at Urbanna, That if he wou’d wait till wednesday morning, I wou’d pay him 20/ which he having Consented to, I have now sent my Son over with this other...
19To George Washington from Sarah Bomford, 27 September 1773 (Washington Papers)
As neither Mrs Savage nor I have had the honor of hearing from you since your Letter of the 20th of Sepr Seventy two, we begin to apprehend her affairs are not in that prosperous situation we had reason to hope from your favors of that date, from this reflection, and from Mrs Savages anxiety on account of her Circumstances being on so precarious a foundation, Life is almost a burthen to heavy...
20To George Washington from Jonathan Boucher, 22 May 1772 (Washington Papers)
I send Joe over on purpose to let you know that The Govr & Mrs Eden will not wait on you this Trip: Some unforeseen occasions call them again to Annaps sooner than They expected; they therefore desir’d Me to beg your Excusing Them at this Time. They still talk, if it be practicable, that they will visit you before Mrs Eden leaves the Country; but, of This shou’d I chance to get notice, as I...
21To George Washington from Jonathan Boucher, 2 August 1773 (Washington Papers)
I persuade myself, You & Mrs Washington, as well as the hospitable & good Family You are in, will readily excuse my not waiting on You, when I assure You that Nothing shou’d have prevented me, but my being in a Situation, which renders me totally unable. It is but the third Time, I ever had the Tooth Ache: & no Ideas I had form’d how painful so slight a Cause cou’d be, were adequate to what I...
22To George Washington from Jonathan Boucher, 15 January 1772 (Washington Papers)
I now take the Liberty of enclosing to You Mr Custis’s Account for the Year & half that He has spent in Maryland. Undoubtedly, it makes a formidable Appearance, and, at first View, may go nigh to Scare You: I cannot, however, believe, that, when You come to descend to Particulars, You will think it very extravagant, unless it be in the Article of Clothes, which He got by your Permission. I...
23To George Washington from Jonathan Boucher, 21 February 1772 (Washington Papers)
I congratulate You, & the World with Us, on our Restoration to a temperate Zone: for, in Truth, We have had a kind of a Greenland Winter. And, for my own Part, I own to You, I now have a much stronger Idea of the Nature of a Winter pass’d in a Cave, than I could ever have learn’d from Books alone. I sometimes almost regretted, We could not become quite torpid, & sleep out the whole dreary...
24To George Washington from Jonathan Boucher, 19 January 1773 (Washington Papers)
It is certainly expedient to remove Mr Custis to some Place of publick Education, and speedily. And when there is so noble, so princely an Institution of this sort, in his own Country, it is lamentable to find there still shou’d be a Necessity for sending Him to Another. I had, as You know, been endeavouring to believe the many Stories We are perpetually hearing of the Mismanagement at Wm &...
25To George Washington from Jonathan Boucher, 5 March 1772 (Washington Papers)
At length I have seen an Abstract of the Will of The Lord Baltimore: more absurd, & more vexing than You will easily believe. It appears to have been made Fifteen months before his Death, in Venice, & is as follows. To Mrs Browning (Sister of Mrs Eden) & Mrs Eden, each—£10,000 on condition, that They sign a Release to all Claim on the Province. To Robt Eden, Robt Morris (a busy Lawyer, &...
26To George Washington from Jonathan Boucher, 8 April 1773 (Washington Papers)
I hardly remember ever to have been more surpris’d, than I was a few days ago, on being informed by the Governor of the Engagement that had taken Place between Mr Custis, & Miss Nelly Calvert; and, I beg Leave to assure You, on my Word & Honour, that, never till that moment, had I the most distant Suspicion of any such Thing’s being in Agitation. It gives Me great Uneasiness to learn, from the...
27To George Washington from Jonathan Boucher, 10 February 1774 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Jonathan Boucher, 10 Feb. 1774. On 15 Feb. GW wrote Boucher and referred to “your Letter of the 10th.”
28To George Washington from Robert Brent, 19 February 1774 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of both Your Letters to Wm Brent Esqr. & Self—That you have not reciev’d an answer sooner to your first, be kind enough to admit of the following Apology. It was deliver’d to me by the Bearer on my way to Dumfries; as he had to proceed to Aquia, I desir’d him to stay till I came home; I met him early the next Morning. On his return, fearful of being detain’d...
29To George Washington from Benedict Calvert, 8 April 1773 (Washington Papers)
I Received the favour of yours of the 3d Instant by Mr Custis which I feel myself highly honoured by, and am truly happy in your Approbation of that young Gentlemans future Union with my Second Daughter. I should be dead to Parental feelings, were I untouched with the polite manner in which you are pleased to compliment Nellys Qualifications; Being her father, it would illy become me to sound...
30To George Washington from Benedict Calvert, 25 August 1773 (Washington Papers)
I Received yours by Major Jennifer at Annapolis and have given Orders to my Deputy to look out for such a person as you want. He tells me that Tradesmen well recommended sell very high. I have desired him to buy none but such. I was in hopes to have had the pleasure of attending the Governor to Mount Vernon, but some business at my Office on the Eastern Shore obliges me to set off on Sunday. I...
31To George Washington from Matthew Campbell, 4 August 1772 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Matthew Campbell, 4 Aug. 1772. On 7 Aug. GW wrote Campbell : “In reply to your Letter of the 4th.”
32To George Washington from John Carlyle, 20 July 1772 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Brodie woud Inform you the reason I did not Call on You, If he did not I Assure You it was for no Other reason but the great Company I See & heard of at Yr house & I thought myself & my little Companion not In A proper Dress for Straingers You or Yr family I woud have made free with, Therefor hope for Yr Excuse. The Captain Comeing Up this Evening Surprised me & tells me You wanted bills...
33To George Washington from Daniel Carroll, 1 September 1773 (Washington Papers)
In the winter 1771 I receivd a letter from a Mercht of my acquaintance in Galway, in Ireland, strongly recommending, some Irish families, who had embark’d for America: These poor people, finding they cou’d not live under the exactions of their Landlord, on their leases falling, resolv’d to venture into this part of the world, were able to pay their passages; & bring with them some family...
34To George Washington from Edward Charlton, 19 June 1773 (Washington Papers)
I recd Your letter this day, and sent it ⅌ Captn Younghusband for Liverpool, Colo. Lewis recd £200 from me at first, then Exchge was not settled, but before he left town, I Paid him the remaining £8. I suppose he sent you the Accot before, is the reason of his not accounting with you for it. I am Sr Yr Humble Servt ALS , DLC:GW . GW’s letter has not been found. See GW to Fielding Lewis, 20...
35To George Washington from Joseph Chew, 10 March 1774 (Washington Papers)
though it is a long time since I have had the pleasure of writing to you, it is not so, with Respect of my inquires of your health and Happiness and the accounts my Lord Sterling gave me last summer were very agreable his Lordship informed me he spent Some time with you in Virginia Very Happily. I am informed my Lord Dunmore is now Granting lands to the Officers who served in the Virga...
36To George Washington from John Connolly, 18 September 1772 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the pleasure of seeing you here, some apparent favourable Circumstances induced Me to re-visit the Western World, & cursorily to feast upon, the various Novelties afforded, in so ample a Speculative Field. In my return from the Illinois I could not refrain from accompanying Majr Hamilton & the other Gentn on a Visit to the great Licks, where the Elephant’s Bones render them more...
37To George Washington from John Connolly, 29 June 1773 (Washington Papers)
Since my return from the Illinois Country, where his Majesty’s business, as well as my own private Affairs had called me, I have had the honor of two Letters from you; I have also had the pleasure of Mr Wood’s company here, & esteem him a very proper person for the accomplishment of your purposes, whose abilities (I conceive) will direct him to the proper choice of Country, when he has once...
38To George Washington from John Connolly, 1 February 1774 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you from Fredericksburgh on my return into this Country, apologizing for my not waiting on you, as I could have wished, & conformable to my promise —I hope you will excuse me for thus intruding upon you, when warranted by so slight an Acquaintance; but the importance of the Subject, with the desire I have to further our intimacy, (I flatter myself) will render me pardonable. When we...
39To George Washington from John Connolly, 29 August 1773 (Washington Papers)
I have lived some time past in the greatest hope of seeing you at this place; but whatsoever might have deterred my happiness in that respect must be attributed to purposes superior to my expectations; tho. if consistent with your happiness nothing inferior to my warmest Wishes. Lord Dunmore hath done us the honour of a visit, I dare not presume to give my opinion touching the Character of so...
40To George Washington from John Connolly, 23 December 1773 (Washington Papers)
I am extremely sorry that I am forced to debar myself the pleasure of waiting upon you agreeable to my proposal & wish; but when you consider the Season of the year, & the distance I have before me, I hope I shall stand exculpated in your opinion. I have very luckily succeeded as far as I could well have expected, so that I have the satisfaction to find my Fatigue & trouble hath not been for...
41To George Washington from Myles Cooper, 10 January 1774 (Washington Papers)
I have received your’s and Mr Custis’s Letters of the 15th of December. For the many polite Expressions of Regard, in Both, I beg Leave to return my just Acknowledgements. I hope and earnestly wish, the young Adventurer may enjoy every Pleasure, in his new State, which his Imagination hath already formed: and, from every Account of the young Lady’s Disposition and Qualifications, and from my...
42To George Washington from Myles Cooper, 20 September 1773 (Washington Papers)
Dr Cooper presents his most respectful Comps. to Coll Washington; & returns him his Son in Law, without any vices that he knows of, and with many Virtues, wherewith he is perfectly acquainted. His Assiduity hath been equal to his Rectitude of principle; and it is hoped his Improvements in Learning have not been inferior to either. AL , DLC:GW . John Parke Custis probably delivered Cooper’s...
43To George Washington from Myles Cooper, 2 July 1773 (Washington Papers)
I recd Your’s the day before Yesterday Unfortunately, Mr Custis himself, having taken it from the Man employ’d by the Post Master to carry Letters about, brought it to me: so that I gave the inclosed to him immediately, little suspecting the mournful Contents. The Shock, You may suppose, was severe: however he is grown much more composed; & I hope his good Sense and Christian Fortitude, in a...
44Agreement with David Cowan, 11 January 1773 (Washington Papers)
Articles of Agreement made this Eleventh day of January one thousand Seven hundred & Seventy three, Between David Cowan late of Fredericksburg Gardener of the one part, and George Washington of Mount Vernon in Fairfax County Gentleman of the other part, Witnesseth; that the said David Cowan for the hire, and other consideration’s hereafter mentioned, doth Covenant & agree to serve the said...
45To George Washington from John Cox, 25 July–9 October 1773 (Washington Papers)
having dispos’d of Three bbls of flour as pr Sales Furnishd, the neet proceeds of which I have Remitd as pr advice of Mrs Washington, in the brigtn. Charming Nancy my self Master, the Danger of the Sea & Seizure Exceptd, Which when Reced place to the Credit of your Humble Servt m. Rais Sales of Two bbls of Supr fine flour weighg 14 Ruves ⟨&⟩ 9 lbs. @ 300 Rais pr Ruve 12.853 Do. of one bbl of...
46To George Washington from William Crawford, 15 March 1772 (Washington Papers)
I Received yours of the 6th of Decmr I Should have had your Land Run out at the Great medows but Mr McClain is not com up from his fathers as yeat but is to be up in a few days and I will have it don and Send you a Draft of the hole by the first oppertunity I would have had it done as soon as I cam up but he co[u]ld not do it before he went to Philedephia As to Craughans Claim of the Land near...
47To George Washington from William Crawford, 15 November 1772 (Washington Papers)
I should be Glad to know Maters was Setled at Fredriksburgh at the Last Meeting of the Officers in regard to our Lands under his Majesties Proclamation. You may Depend on my taking Every Steep in my Power to finish the soldiers Land this fall and winter and as soon as any can be don it shall be sent to you by the hand of som person ho shall bring it to you Emedetly. I waited on Colo. Mason on...
48To George Washington from William Crawford, 15 January 1774 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is the Expences of Last sumers Trip a survaying the soldiers Land, and two Small things omited in the former Acounts four Bags Roted out the first Trip in the wett weather and the Kaggs was let go on the Difrent times com up for Provision to people and maid use of going Down to put flower and salt in. Should you have setled with the Company for the hole never mind them you may strick...
49To George Washington from William Crawford, 3 December 1772 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you by V. Crawford I was indebted to Mess. Jacob Hitte & Son a Sum of mony whch I have not the mony to pay and afraid I Shall be Sued for it. If you can answear they sum in the enclosed order and Charge it in my wages for Survaying the Land of the Officers it would much oblidge Sir your Most Hume Sarvant ALS , DLC:GW . See Crawford to GW, c.15 Nov. 1772, n.4 . Valentine Crawford...
50To George Washington from William Crawford, 1 May 1772 (Washington Papers)
I have Still Keept your Land but With much dificulty I turnd six men of in the first of March ho had built a house and cleared about 2 or 3 Acres for which paid them five pounds and I have Built houses on each part, four in all and Cleared som Land and hired a man to stay and Keep possesion till I Return as nothing will do now but parsision and hardly that I do not find I can get you the...