1Circular Letter to the State Societies of the Cincinnati, 1 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
After taking all the various circumstances into mature consideration, I have thought proper to appoint the City of Philadelphia to be the place for the general meeting of the Society of Cincinnati on the first monday in May next, agreeably to the original Institution—The object of this Letter is to communicate timely information thereof, that proper notice may be given to the Delegates of your...
2From George Washington to Richard Varick, 1 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
From the moment I left the City of New York until my arrival at this place, I have been so much occupied by a variety of concerns that I could not find a moment’s leizure to acknowledge the receipt of your favors of the 4th & 7th Ultimo. The public and other Papers which were committed to your charge, and the Books in which they have been recorded under your inspection, having come safe to...
3From George Washington to Brühl, 3 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
In forwarding the Letter of the Count de Solms you have done a most acceptable office by bringing me acquainted with so venerable & dignified a character; You have also given me an occasion of experiencing your great politeness, & of expressing my obligations for it. I must now take the liberty of committing to your charge a Letter directed to the Count; it is the harbinger of the Portrait...
4From George Washington to Solms, 3 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
The Letter which you did me the honor to write from Konigstein on the gh of July last came safely to my hands a few days ago, accompanied by one from Monsr le Conte de Bruhl. I must entreat, my General, that you will accept my best acknowledgments for the favorable opinion you are pleased to express of my military character, as well as for your great politeness in proposing to introduce my...
5From George Washington to Robert Morris, 4 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
Herewith I give you the trouble of receiving the account of my expenditures in Philadelphia, & on my journey home. If I recollect right, Colo. Cobb told me this was the mode you had suggested to him, as proper for my proceeding in this matter. The hurry I was involved in the morning I left the City, occasioned my neglecting to take a memorandum of the amount of the last warrt which I drew on...
6From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., 5 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your obliging letter of the 15th of Novr did not reach me untill some days after we had taken possession of the City of New York—The Scene that followed of festivity, congratulation, Addresses, and resignation must be my apology for not replying to it sooner. I sincerely thank you for the Copy of the Address of Govr Trumbull to the Genl Assembly & Freemen of your State—The Sentiments contained...
7From George Washington to Jean de Neufville, 6 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your Letter bearing date the 19th of August & find myself exceedingly indebted to your partiality in favor of my Country & myself, both personally, & as a citizen of the United States of America. The disaster which has happen’d to the House with which you was connected must be very affecting to every true American, especially as your great zeal in the cause of...
8From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 8 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
Be so good as to send me by the Post, or any other safe & expeditious conveyance, 70 Yards of livery lace three quarters, or Inch wide; or any width between—Direct it to the care of the Postmaster in Alexandria. The lace should be red & white. I will thank you also for sending me, if an oppertunity should offer soon by Water, one hundred weight, or even a Barrel of good Coffee. Pray forwd the...
9From George Washington to Robert Morris, 10 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
I will thank you for putting the letter herewith enclosed into a proper channel of conveyance. The Count de Bruhl is informed by it that my Portrait (which I have begged the Count de Solms to accept) will be forwarded to his care by you, so soon as it is finished, & I request the favor of you to do it accordingly. Mr Wright is desir’d to hand it to you for this purpose. & as he is said to be a...
10From George Washington to Joseph Wright, 10 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
When you have finished my Portrait, which is intended for the Count de Solms, I will thank you for handing it to Mr Robert Morris, who will forward it to the Count de Bruhl (Minister from his Electoral Highness of Saxe at the Court of London) as the Channel pointed out for the conveyance of it. As the Count de Solms proposes to honor it with a place in his collection of Military Characters, I...
11From George Washington to Edward Hand, 14 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
When I left Philadelphia I hoped to have had the pleasure of seeing you at Annapolis before my departure from thence, and to have had an oppertunity (previous to my resignation) of expressing to you personally, amongst the last acts of my Official Life, my entire approbation of your public conduct, particularly in the execution of the important duties of Adjutant General. Notwithstanding I...
12From George Washington to David Humphreys, 14 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your letter of the 6th—Be assured that there are few things which would give me more pleasure than opportunities of evincing to you the sincerity of my friendship, & disposition to render you services at any time when it may be in my power. Although all recommendations from me to Congress must now be considered as coming from a private character, yet I enter very...
13From George Washington to Thomas Mifflin, 14 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure to receive your Letter of the 28th ulto by Mr Godin, & beg your Excelly to be persuaded, that I shall always be happy in opportunities of shewing every suitable attention to foreigners, & Gentn of such distinction, as those you do me the honor to introduce to my acquaintance. I am truly sensible Sir, that the Extract from the instructions of the Executive of...
14From George Washington to Thomas Mifflin, 14 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
The goodness of Congress, in the assurances they were pleased to give me of charging themselves with the interests of those confidential Officers who have attended me to the resignation of my public Employments; and the request of your Excellency to Colonel Humphrys (after I had been honored with my public audience) that, if any thing should occur to him in consequence of what had just been...
15From George Washington to Samuel Vaughan, 14 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
The torpid state into which the severity of the season has thrown things—the interruption of the post, occasioned by bad roads, and frozen rivers—& a want of other conveyance consequent thereof, must plead my excuse for not thanking you sooner for the polite attention you were pleased to shew me, while I was in Philada, & for the friendly offers you obligingly made me, before I left that...
16From George Washington to William Hamilton, 15 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
If I recollect right, I heard you say when I had the pleasure of seeing you in Philadelphia, that you were about a Floor composed of a Cement which was to answer the purpose of Flagstones or Tiles, and that you proposed to variegate the colour of the squares in the manner of the former. As I have a long open Gallery in Front of my House to which I want to give a Stone, or some other kind of...
17From George Washington to Bushrod Washington, 15 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 22d Ulto—the former one, accompanying my Trunks, also came safe. When I came to examine the Chimney pieces in this House, I found them so interwoven with the other parts of the Work and so good of their kind, as to induce me to lay aside all thoughts of taking any of them down—for the only room which remains unfinished I am not yet fixed in my own mind but...
18From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 17 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
On the 8th I wrote to you for 70 Yards of livery lace (red & white, 3/4 or Inch wide, or any width between) to be sent by the Post; or any other safe & expeditious conveyance. Lest that letter should have miscarried I repeat my request, as I am in immediate want of the article. I did, at the sametime desire that one hundd weight, or a Barrl of good Coffee might be sent me by the first Vessel...
19From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, 18 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have just had the pleasure to receive your letter of the 8th—for the friendly & affectionate terms in which you have welcomed my return to this Country & to private life; & for the favourable light in which you are pleased to consider, & express your sense of my past services, you have my warmest & most grateful acknowledgments. That the prospect before us is, as you justly observe, fair,...
20From George Washington to Thomas Mifflin, 19 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
In a Letter which I did myself the honor to write to your Excellency, on the 21st of Decr, amongst other matters which were submitted to the consideration of Congress, I mentioned the case of Brigr Genl Michael Jackson, and informed you that having mislaid the papers relative to it, I could only state the facts from my recollection—having now found the original documents I take the liberty to...
21From George Washington to John Davidson, 20 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
The address from the Yankee Club of Stewartstown coming through your hands to me, I give you, without an apology for the trouble, the care of transmitting the enclosed answer to the Chairman thereof. I am Sir Yr most Obt Humbe Sert LB , DLC:GW . Parke-Bernet catalog no. 1825 (29–30 April 1958, item 441) quotes from a letter of GW to Otho Holland Williams, 20 Jan. 1784: “The enclosed re [to]...
22From George Washington to Tankerville, 20 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
I do not know how it happen’d but the fact is, that your Lordships favor of the 15th of July did not reach my hands until the latter part of Decr whilst I was on my return to this Seat of retirement—The Letter however which I had the honor of writing to Lady Tankerville, duplicate of which, for fear of accidents, I now inclose; will have informed her Ladyship, & I persuade myself, you My Lord,...
23From George Washington to Heintz, 21 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
As soon as I had the honor of receiving your Letter containing a proposal of the order of the Knights of Divine Providence; I referred the subject of it to the decision of Congress, in my letter to that august Body dated the 28th of August last, a copy of which is enclosed. Whereupon the United States in Congress assembled, were pleased to pass their Act of the 5th Inst: which is properly...
24From George Washington to Philip Schuyler, 21 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 20th of December found me as you conjectured by that fire side, from which I had been too long absent for my own convenience; to which I returned with the greatest avidity the moment my public avocations would permit; and from which I hope never again to be withdrawn. While I am here solacing myself in my retreat from the busy scenes of life, I am not only made extremely...
25From George Washington to James Nourse, 22 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday gave me the honor of your favor of the 11th from Annapolis. I thank you for the trouble you have taken to bring me acquainted with the affairs of my deceased Brother of Berkly. It would give me great pleasure to render any service to his children; & as far as I can do it by paying attention to those two who are in my Neighbourhood with Mr Griffith, I will; but to concern myself in...
26From George Washington to Charles Thomson, 22 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
The original letter & other Papers from the Chevr de Heintz respecting the order of the Knights of Divine Providence, were transmitted to Congress without a Copy being taken; I am a little at a loss therefore in what manner to direct my letter to him, more especially as I have a feint recollection that their is a mode pointed out for the address by the Secretary himself—Let me pray you...
27Enclosure: Members of the Dismal Swamp Company, 24 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
David Jemeson for Samuel Gist & Self Shares 1 David Mead for Self & Mr[s] William Waters 1 ½ Mr John Lewis for his Father & Nathaniel Bacon 2 Thomas Newton for Colo. Tucker & Major Fairly 2 Mr Man Page of Mansfield ½ Mr William Nelson & Brother 1 Mr Secretary Thomas Nelson 1 Your self 1 Thomas Walker & Joseph Hornsby 1 11 David Jemeson york
28From George Washington to Chastellux, 1 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your favor of the 23d of August from L’Orient. I hope this Letter will find you in the circle of your friends at Paris, well recovered from the fatigues of your long & wearisome inspection on the frontiers of the Kingdom. I am at length become a private citizen of America, on the banks of the Potowmac; where under my own Vine & my own Fig tree—free from the...
29From George Washington to Lafayette, 1 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
At length my Dear Marquis I am become a private citizen on the banks of the Potomac, & under the shadow of my own Vine & my own Fig tree, free from the bustle of a camp & the busy scenes of public life, I am solacing myself with those tranquil enjoyments, of which the Soldier who is ever in pursuit of fame—the Statesman whose watchful days & sleepless Nights are spent in devising schemes to...
30From George Washington to Lauzun, 1 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure to receive your favor of the 11th of Octor from L’Orient: every testimony which you give of my holding a place in your remembrance, is as pleasing as it is flattering to me; & I pray you not to deprive me of them. After seeing the British forces withdrawn from New York, & Civil Government established there, I repaired to Congress (at Annapolis) & surrendered into their...
31From George Washington to Samuel Lewis, 1 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
After an absence of near nine years I am returned to my own home again, & am begining to look into my private concerns, which have undergone an almost total suspension during that period. In my researches after papers, I find Memorandums of warrants, which had been put into the hands of the Surveyor of Bottetourt to execute; particularly one in my own right, under the Royal Proclamation of...
32From George Washington to Thomas Lewis, 1 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
After an absence of almost nine years, & nearly a total suspension of all my private concerns, I am at length set down at home, & am endeavouring to recover my business from the confusion into which it has run during that period. Among other matters which require my attention, indeed in which I need information, is the state of the Lands which I am entitled to in my own right, & by purchase...
33From George Washington to Rochambeau, 1 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
Having resigned my public trust, and with it all my public cares into the hands of Congress; I now address myself to you in the character of a private Citizen on the banks of the Potomack, to which I have been retired (fast locked in Frost and Snow) since Christmas Eve. The tranquil walks of domestic life are now unfolding to my view; & promise a rich harvest of pleasing contemplation—in which...
34From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 5 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
On the 8th of last month I wrote to you for 70 yards of Livery Lace, of which I was in immediate want, and requested to have it sent by the Post to Alexandria—As there is some reason to believe the Post has hardly gone through, yet, I beg leave to repeat my want of it, & to pray it may be sent as soon as possible—The lace should be red & white, Inch, or 3/4 of an Inch wide, or any where...
35From George Washington to Walter Stewart, 5 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 26th Ulto did not reach me untill this day a little before dinner—The Servant says he was detained three or four days at George Town. If the letter herewith enclosed can be of any Service to you, it will afford me pleasure, as I wish you all imaginable success in your attempt to recover the property which has been withheld from your House at the Havana. The letters under...
36From George Washington to John Harvie, 10 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
After an absence of almost nine years from home, & a total suspension, as it were to all my private concerns during that period, I am now endeavouring to obtain a knowledge of my Affairs & to put my business in some kind of order again. The deranged situation of my papers (occasioned by frequent hasty removals of them out of the enemy’s reach) makes it more difficult to affect these, than it...
37From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 10 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
A short time before I came home I received a power of Attorney from the Earl of Tankerville, & his Brother, the Honorable Mr Bennett; authorising Colo. Hooe, (miscalled Howe,)yourself & me, to dispose of property belonging to the latter in this State. Letters, from Lord Tankerville & the Countess his Mother, to me, accompanied the Power, expressive of their wishes that I would accept the...
38From George Washington to Jacob Read, 12 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
Sundays Post brought me your favor of the first; covering a letter from the late President—Mr Boudinot—for your care of which I thank you. It is not in my power to speak to the question you have propounded respecting Colo. Humphryss Inclination to either of the Offices now vacant, but as he is at Annapolis he can answer for himself—I have no doubt of his abilities being adequate to the duties...
39From George Washington to William Drew, 13 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
In the course of the last eight months, I have addressed two or three letters to you, praying an authenticated copy of the deceased Major Genl Lee’s Will: this I did consequent of a request from his Sister in England to me. Not having received the copy wrote for, nor any acknowledgment of my Letters, I presume the latter have never reached your hands. I therefore give you the trouble of this...
40From George Washington to Gilbert Simpson, 13 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
Having closed all my transactions with the public, it now behooves me to look into my own private business, no part of which seems to call louder for attention, than my concerns with you. How profitable our partnership has been, you best can tell; & how advantageous my Mill has been, none can tell so well as yourself. If however I am to credit the report, not only of one, but every body from...
41From George Washington to John Stephenson, 13 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
After condoling with you on the unhappy fate of your Brother William, which I do very sincerely; & upon the Death of your brother Valentine, I should be glad to get a copy from both their Books, or Memos, of the accounts as they stand between us; which are of long standing, & I fear not a little intricate. I write to you Sir, because I do not know (if you are not one yourself) who are the...
42From George Washington to the Citizens of Fredericksburg, 14 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
With the greatest pleasure, I receive in the character of a private Citizen, the honor of your Address. To a benevolent Providence, and the fortitude of a brave and virtuous army, supported by the general exertion of our common Country, I stand indebted for the plaudits you now bestow. The reflection however, of having met the congratulating smiles and approbation of my Fellow-Citizens, for...
43From George Washington to John Lewis, 14 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
G. Washington would be obliged to Mr Lewis for delivering or causing to be deliver’d by a safe hand, the Letter accompanying this, to Mr Gilbert Simpson, & if he goes by his house to Fort Pitt; for observing the size, & condition of his Plantation:& the condition of the Mill—& for enquiring how many Tenants he has placed on the Land, for how long a term, & upon what Rents. Whether there is any...
44From George Washington to Boinod & Gaillard, 18 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your polite & obliging Letter of January the 20th, & thank you for the many flattering sentiments contained in it. To encourage Literature & the Arts, is a duty which every good Citizen owes to his Country, & if I could be instrumental in promoting these, and in aiding your endeavours to do the like, it would give me pleasure. Your Books being chiefly in a foreign...
45From George Washington to Elias Boudinot, 18 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
With equal emotions of pleasure & gratitude I received your very polite Letter of the 11th ulto from Elizabeth-town, the late acknowledgment of which is owing to the interruption of the post, & a visit to my aged Mother; the last of which engaged me several days, & from which I only returned yesterday. The private congratulations of freindship, upon my safe return to a peaceful abode, & the...
46From George Washington to James Milligan, 18 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
The intemperance of the weather, & the great care which the Post riders seemed disposed to take of themselves, while it continued severe, prevented your Letter of the 13th of last month from reaching my hands ’till the 10th of this. I now acknowledge the receipt of it, with the accounts as they stand stated in the Treasury Books; for your trouble in transcribing which (it being unusual) you...
47From George Washington to Annis Boudinot Stockton, 18 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
The intemperate weather, and very great care which the Post Riders take of themselves, prevented your letter of the 4th of last month from reaching my hands ’till the 10th of this. I was then in the very act of setting of on a visit to my aged Mother, from whence I am just returned. These reasons, I beg leave to offer, as an apology for my silence until now. It would be a pity indeed, My dear...
48From George Washington to Henry Knox, 20 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
The bad weather, and great care which the Post Riders take of themselves, prevented your letters of the 3d & 9th of last Month from getting to my hands ’till the 10th of this. Setting of next Morning for Fredericksburgh to pay my duty to an aged Mother, and not returning ’till yesterday, will be admitted I hope, as a sufficient apology for my silence ’till now. I am much obliged by the trouble...
49From George Washington to Daniel McCarty, 22 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
It is not convenient for me to be at Colchester tomorrow; and as I shall no longer act as a vestryman, the sooner my place is filled with another the better. This letter, or something more formal if required, may evidence my resignation, & authorize a new choice. I shall be very sorry if your apprehensions on account of the poor should be realized—but have not the Church-Wardens power to...
50From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 22 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 29th of Jany in answer to my circular Letter of the 28th of Dec. is at hand. I am sorry to find by it, that so many Delegates from your State Society are likely to be Nonattendants at the General meeting in May. It would have an odd appearance (whatever may be the causes) for the Society of the State, in which the General meeting is held, to be unrepresented upon such an...