1From George Washington to George McCarmick, 12 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
Genl Washington requests Mr McCarmick to set up the Advertisements herewith enclosed at the following places. Leesburgh—Shepherdstown—Hagerstown—Martinsburg—Warm springs, and the Oldtown, or thereabouts. The above to be of those which have the writing in the Margin. The others to be set up along the road above the Oldtown, and at such other places over the mountains as Mr McCarmick may think...
2From George Washington to Stephen Sayre, 15 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
General Washington presents his Compliments to Mr Sayre and requests the favor of his Company at Dinner tomorrow—and any Gentleman of his acquaintance in Alexandria he may incline to bring with him. AL , ViHi : James Ambler Johnston Papers. Sayre was staying in or about Georgetown, Md., in the late summer and early autumn of 1784. See his letters to GW of 20 Aug. and 15 Oct. 1784 . See also...
3From George Washington to Benjamin Walker, 12 March 1784 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Benjamin Walker, 12 Mar. 1784. On 3 April Walker wrote to GW : “Your favor of the 12th of March reached me the day before yesterday.”
4From George Washington to Thomas Richardson, 28–29 June 1784 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Thomas Richardson, 28–29 June 1784. On 5 July GW wrote to him : “This day se’night a letter for you covering Bank Notes for 150 Dollars was lodged in the hands of Mr Watson.” On 10 July Richardson wrote: “Your favos. of 29th June & 5th Instant came to hand.”
5From George Washington to Robert McCrea, 10 March 1784 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Robert McCrea, 10 Mar. 1784. On 13 Mar. McCrea wrote to GW : “I never open’d yours of the 10th Inst, till this Moment.”
6From George Washington to John Foulke, 17 May 1784 (Washington Papers)
Genl Washington presents his Compliments to Doctr Foulke—thanks him for his polite Card, & Ticket—and would with great pleasure attend his Lecture on Pneumatics; but the business which brought him to this City does not leave him at liberty, as the Members of the Cincinnati are anxious to bring it to a close. AL , DSI : National Air and Space Museum. John Foulke (1757–1796), a graduate in 1780...
7From 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...
8From George Washington to Tench Tilghman, 27 April 1784 (Washington Papers)
I came to this place to day, tomorrow (wind permitting) I shall cross the Bay on my way to Philadelphia—Hearing that a Ship with Servants is gone up to Baltimore, and fearing from your answer to my letter (written some time ago from Mount Vernon) that I had not sufficiently explained my meaning I beg leave to inform you that tho’ I should have preferred German Servants, yet I did not mean to...
9From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., 4 April 1784 (Washington Papers)
The choice of your delegates to the General Meeting of the Cincinnati gave me pleasure, & I wish very sincerely that you would all attend;—Let me impress this upon you, with a request that you would impress it upon your Brothers of the delegation. This meeting, taking into consideration the prejudices and jealousies which have arisen, should not only be respectable in numbers, but respectable...
10From George Washington to La Luzerne, 25 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellys favor of the 18th from Annapolis covering a letter from the Marqs de la Fayette, for the trouble of doing which be pleased to accept my thanks. I regret exceedingly that the weather and roads shou’d have deprived me of the honor of seeing you at my retreat—I shall look however, with pleasure for your return to Annapolis, when I shall expect the fulfilment...
11From 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...
12From 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...
13From George Washington to Steuben, 15 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have perused with attention, the plan which you have formed for establishing a Continental Legion, and for training a certain part of the Arms bearing men of the Union as a Militia, in times of Peace—and with the small alterations which have been suggested & made, I very much approve of it. It was no unpleasing and flattering circumstance to me, to find such a coincidence of ideas as appear...
14From George Washington to William Hamilton, 6 April 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your letter of the 20th of Feb. & pray you to accept my thanks for the information contained in it. I expect to be in Phila. the first of May, but if, in the meanwhile, you should be perfectly satisfied of the skill of Mr Turner and the efficiency of his work you would add to the favor already conferred on me by desiring him not to be engaged further than to yourself...
15From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 12 June 1784 (Washington Papers)
After a long silence, more the effect of great hurry & business, than want of inclination; permit me to recall myself to your mind, by introducing to your recollection Mr Paine, the author of Commonsense, the Crisis &c. To say what effect the writings of this Gentleman has had on our public affairs at the epochas at which they were given to the world, would, to a person of your information, be...
16From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 3 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
The last Post brought me the enclosed letter, under cover from the Marquis de la Fayette. If you have any News that you are at liberty to impart, it would be charity to communicate a little of it, to a body. It is unnecessary, I hope, to repeat to you the assurances of the pleasure I should feel at seeing you at this retreat, or of the sincere esteem & regard with which I am—Dear Sir—Yr Most...
17From George Washington to Simeon DeWitt, 3 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
By the interruptions of the post, your letter dated the 12th of Jany never got to my hands until Sunday last. I have urged, not only in public, but private conversations with individual members of Congress, the policy, indeed necessity of having accurate Maps of the United States—& they know full well my opinion of your worth, and ability to execute them. All seem sensible of these, but the...
18From George Washington to Richard Henry Lee, 12 June 1784 (Washington Papers)
Unsolicited by, and unknown to Mr Paine, I take the liberty of hinting the Services, and distressed (for so I think it may be called) situation of that Gentleman. That his Common Sense, and many of his Crisis[e]s were well timed and had a happy effect upon the public mind, none I believe, who will recur to the epocha’s at which they were published, will deny. That his Services hitherto have...
19From George Washington to Robert Morris, 3 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is your Warrant on Mr Hilligas, endorsed—I thank you for the trouble you have taken to negotiate the matter with Govr Clinton, & have the honor to be with all possible regard, Dr Sir Your Most obedt & affecte Servant LB , DLC:GW . See GW to Morris, 4 Jan., n.1 , George Clinton to GW, 27 Feb. , and James Milligan to GW, 9 Mar., n.3 . Michael Hillegas (1729–1804) was United States...
20From George Washington to James Wood, 12 June 1784 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your favor of the 5th, I have to inform you that I can find nothing in my letter or orderly books confirmatory or disapproving the arrangments which have been made of the Virginia line of the army in the year 1782—the presumption therefore is, if they ever came to hand, that they either obtained a silent acquiescence, or that I did not care to intermeddle in them at all, as part...
21From 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...
22From George Washington to John Lloyd and Hugh Rutledge, 28 May 1784 (Washington Papers)
It was not until the 24th Instt (after my return from Philadelphia) that I had the honor to receive your Joint favor of the 10th of Feby. If the happiness I feel from the restoration of Peace, after a long and arduous struggle for the rights & liberties of our Country, sweetened by the enjoymt of domestic life, could be much encreased by any additional circumstance, it certainly would be so by...
23From George Washington to John Rumney, Jr., 5 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
As you pass by, Mr Lund Washington will put a sheep or two on Board your vessel in aid of your Sea Stores—My best wishes for a pleasant voyage & happy meeting with Mr Rumney & your friends attend you. I am with esteem Sir yr most Obdt Servt L (photocopy), DLC:GW . In October 1911 Goodspeed’s catalog, no. 88, advertised an “autograph letter written and signed by Washington,” with several words...
24From George Washington to Francis Johnston, 22 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have the Certificates for Captns Pashke, De Mercellan & Le Roy returned, with my Seal & Signature; but if I recollect right, they must be countersigned by the Secretary General to give them validity. They only came to my hands yesterday, or you should have had them sooner. With great esteem I am—Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt ALS , owned (1979) by Mr. Steve Barnett, Provo, Utah; LB ,...
25From George Washington to James Craik, 10 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have come to a resolution (if not prevented by anything, at present unforeseen) to take a trip to the Western Country this Fall, & for that purpose to leave home the first of September—By appointment I am to be at the warm-springs the 7th of that month; & at Gilbert Simpsons the 15th—where, having my partnership accounts, with some of very long standing to settle, & things to provide for the...
26From George Washington to La Luzerne, 5 May 1784 (Washington Papers)
It was not until Capt: Hardwine deliver’d the Claret your Excellency was so obliging as to spare me, that I had the least knowledge of its being sent. In consequence of your kind offer to furnish me with three hogsheads, I wrote to Colo. Tilghman (at Baltimore) requesting him to receive & forward it to me; & obtained for answer, that before Your Excellys order had reached your Agent at that...
27From George Washington to Benjamin Franklin, 6 May 1784 (Washington Papers)
Mr Tracy the bearer of this, is a Gentleman of Fortune from Massachusettsbay—on a visit to Europe. His political character, and character for benevolence & hospitality are too well established in this Country to need any other recommendation, notwithstanding I have taken the liberty of giving him this letter of introduction to you. With very great esteem and regard—I am—Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt...
28From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 12 June 1784 (Washington Papers)
At my return from Philada I met your favor of the 15th ulto—& since, have received that of the 28th. The rough draft of the conveyance from Colo. Bassett to me, appearing to be just in recital, &, I presume, legal in form; I return it with a wish that the business may be finally accomplished as soon as circumstances will permit. With respect to the Suit of Doctr Savage, you will be so good as...
29From George Washington to Mary Bristow, 15 June 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your letter & the duplicate of it—dated the 27th of last November with the petition to the Assembly of this State, only came to my hands the 10th Instant. By the following Post I transmitted them to the Governor, as the Legislature was then sitting at Richmond. What effect the application may have on that body, is not for me, at this time, to announce; it is to be feared however, as the Lands...
30From 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...
31From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 24 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 15th came to my hands the 2 2d—at the moment the Governor & some other company came in. I can do no more at present than to acknowledge the rect of it, but will take the first leisure moment to write fully to you on the points it contains. Capt. Barney informs me that he has two packages on board, from the Marqs de la Fayette; the enclosed to him contains a request to land...
32From George Washington to Lee Massey, 10 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your letter of June 30th—I thank you for the friendly style of it, & pray you to be assured that I shall, at all times, be glad to see you at Mount Vernon. Business, & old concerns of the War, with which I have now nothing to do, are still pressed upon me. This, and Company, has left me little liezure hitherto to look into matters which more immediately relate to...
33From 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...
34From George Washington to Chastellux, 2 June 1784 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive a short letter from you by Majr L’Enfant —My official letters to the Counts D’Estaing & Rochambeau (which I expect will be submitted to the members of the Society of the Cincinnati in France) will inform you of the proceedings of the Genl Meeting held at Philada on the 3d inst:; & of the reasons which induced a departure from some of the original principles and rules...
35From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 2 June 1784 (Washington Papers)
It was not until I had arrived at Annapolis, on my way home, that I heard of Colo. Humphrys’s appointment as Secretary to the Commissioners for forming Commercial Treaties in Europe. Permit me now Sir, to recommend him to your countenance and friendship, which I would not do, did I not think him deserving of both. In him you will find a good Scholar, natural & acquired abilities, great...
36From 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...
37From 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...
38From George Washington to Robert Morris, 2 June 1784 (Washington Papers)
A brother of mine (Father to Mr Bushrod Washington, who studied Law under Mr Wilson) is desireous of entering his other Son in the commercial line; the inclination of the young Gentleman also points to this walk of life—he is turned of twenty—has just finished a regular education—possesses, I am told (for he is a stranger to me) good natural abilities—an amiable disposition, & an uncommon...
39From George Washington to Tench Tilghman, 14 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
A nephew of mine, Brother to the young Gentleman who studied Law under Mr Wilson, is inclined to enter into a Mercantile walk of life, & his Father is desirous he should do so. He has just compleated a regular Education—is about twenty years of age—Sober & serious—sensible, and I am told, remarkably prudent & assiduous in the comple[tion] of whatever he takes in hand. This is the character he...
40From 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...
41From George Washington to d’Estaing, 15 May 1784 (Washington Papers)
I cannot my dear General express to you all the gratitude which I feel for your very great politeness manifested for me in your letter of the 25th of Decr—which I now have the honor & pleasure to acknowledge. The very tender & friendly regards which you are pleased to mention as possessing your mind, for my person & character, have affected me with the deepest sensibility; & will be forever...
42From George Washington to William Herbert, 19 June 1784 (Washington Papers)
With pleasure I received the invitation of the Master & Members of Lodge No. 39, to dine with them on the Anniversary of St John the Baptist; if nothing unforeseen at present interfere’s, I will have the honor of doing it. for the polite, & flattering terms in which you have expressed their wishes, you will please to accept my thanks. Your Servant (who has been detained on Acct of some...
43From 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...
44From 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...
45From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 10 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
Since last post I have received the Lace & two-pole chain, accompanied by your favors of the 22d & 29th ulto for which I thank you. From what you have written concerning the Sieves, it is to be feared I did not sufficiently explain myself in speaking to the sizes of the meshes —You say, “the largest is of iron wire, as there was none of brass so coarse in Town”—& again, “the second & third are...
46From George Washington to Laurence Muse, 11 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
Having luckily found some printed blank Deeds, I am enabled to dispatch your business sooner than I expected. The return of these Deeds to me, executed before proper Evidences, will entitle you to receive the Sum I expressed a willingness to pay you, on Accot of your Fathers expences to the Ohio. Should Deeds (which I do not believe is the case) have been executed before for the 3323 acres...
47From 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...
48From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 15 May 1784 (Washington Papers)
It was with great pleasure & thankfulness, I received a recognizance of your friendship in your letter of the 20th of last month. It is indeed a pleasure, from the walks of private life to view in retrospect, all the meanderings of our past labors—the difficulties through which we have waded—and the fortunate Haven to which the ship has been brought! Is it possible after this that it should...
49From 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...
50From George Washington to Rochambeau, 17 May 1784 (Washington Papers)
From the official letters and other proceedings of the general meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati, held at this place, and of which you have copies; you will obtain a thorough knowledge of what the Society have been doing, and the ground upon which it was done; to enter therefore into a further detail of the matter, in this letter, would be mere repetition—alike troublesome &...