101To George Washington from Middleton Balt, 7 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
By this will Informe you of a Brother in Law of mine who has been bred a Military Enginere in the Tower of London and may Probably understand Something of inland navigation I am Desirous to Know from his Excey and the Directors Whether Such a person would meet with Encourgemt In the proposd Undertaking to render Potomac River navigable and Also what Incouragemet He might meet with from the...
102From George Washington to Thomas Corbin, 8 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday afternoon I had the honor to receive your favor of the 24th of June; covering a letter from Colo. Fairfax of Bath, dated in Mar: last. The latter speaks of the injurious treatment you have met with, & of the aspersion of your character in England—for which I am exceedingly sorry; but as he draws no conclusion, & your letter is silent, I am a little at a loss to discover the tendency...
103From George Washington to William Shaw, 8 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 4th I receiv’d on the 6th. Altho’ the sum stipulated is above the mark I had prescribed myself yet, in consideration of the good character given of you by Mr Montgomerie—the idea I entertain of your knowledge of Accots, & the hope that you may answer my purposes in other respects; I accede fully to the terms of your letter, with this condition only—that in payment of this...
104From George Washington to William Grayson, 9 July 1785 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to William Grayson, 9 July 1785. GW wrote in his diary on 9 July that on that day he wrote and gave Arnold Henry Dohrman a letter to Grayson ( Diaries Donald Jackson and Dorothy Twohig, eds. The Diaries of George Washington . 6 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1976–79. , 4:163 ).
105From George Washington to Richard Henry Lee, 9 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
Mr Dohrman who does me the honor of presenting this letter to your Excellency, is represented to me as a Gentleman of great merit; and one who has rendered most benevolent & important Services to the injured Sons of America, at a period when our Affairs did not wear the most favorable aspect. He has some matters to lay before Congress which he can explain better than I. the justice due to...
106To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 9 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
With this you will receive a copy of the proclamation, authenticated by the register’s seal. I was indeed hopeful to add the testimonials of the state: but the lieutenant governor, not being in town nor expected until the departure of the post, I thought it adviseable rather to send the inclosed, than delay you. I believe that this will answer your purpose; but for fear of cavil, I will...
107From George Washington to James Wilson, 9 July 1785 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to James Wilson, 9 July 1785. GW wrote in his diary on 9 July that on that day he wrote and gave to Arnold Henry Dohrman a letter to Wilson ( Diaries Donald Jackson and Dorothy Twohig, eds. The Diaries of George Washington . 6 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1976–79. , 4:163 ).
108To George Washington from George Gilpin, 10 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
on Sunday the 3d of this month I went within one mile of the Seneca falls it then rain’d very fast which prevented me from going nearer, on monday the 4th I went to Mr Gideon Moss’s who lives the nearest to the Falls of any person on the Virginia Side and who Issued provisons to the hands that workd under Johnston & Clapham last year, I then Crossed over the river Just above the falls to the...
109To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 10 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
Mr Houdon would much sooner have had the honour of attending you but for a spell of sickness which long gave us to despair of his recovery & from which he is but recently recovered. he comes now for the purpose of lending the aid of his art to transmit you to posterity. he is without rivalship in it, being employed from all parts of Europe in whatever is capital. he has had a difficulty to...
110To George Washington from William Augustine Washington, 10 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your favour by Francis Herbert together with a Gross of Bottles came safe to hand —I thank you for the information, of the demand of 5 Pr Ct upon each Share, from the Proprietors of the Potomck Company; I have for some time past waited with impatience, for an opportunity to Alexandria, by which I might contrive my quota, but none offering, have determined to send my servant as far as your...
111To George Washington from William Shaw, 12 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 8th Inst. Came duly to hand, & am Sorry you think the Sum mentioned in my last, above what you intended giving. But I Still leave you at liberty, & wish, that you will reward me, only as my Services may deserve. I am Sorry that I Cannot be with you, So Soon as I intended, as Bussiness obliges me to be at Fredricksburgh, the end of this Week, & Beginning of next, which will...
112To George Washington from Catharine Sawbridge Macaulay Graham, 13 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
The intemperate heat of the air which prevailed on the morning when we parted with our illustrious friends accompanied us during the whole of our journey from Mount Vernon to New York. When I arrived in this city I found my self too much indisposed to embrace so early as inclination prompted, the honor Sir of obeying the most obliging command you could have laid on me. When we address...
113To George Washington from Thomas Johnson, 13 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
Mr Richardson Stewart, who waited on you at the last Meeting, intends to present himself again at the next. I believe I mentioned him at the former Meeting as a very ingenious Man, of a strong mechanical Turn, sober and active, and as I had heard used to conduct those under him well—he has not been practiced in clearing Rivers one who had and earned a Character would undoubtedly justly claim a...
114From George Washington to William Fitzhugh, 14 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 4th came to me on the 12th: at the time of writing it you could not have received my letter dated in the latter part of June, covering one for Richard Boulton—not knowing how, otherwise, to get one to him, I took the liberty of addressing it to your care. In that letter I informed him, that if he did not immediately enter upon the execution of his Contract, I would put the...
115To George Washington from Lafayette, 14 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
Before I leave the borders of france, I wish once more to Remind you of your absent friend, and to let You Hear that I am well and just Begining my German travels—I Have Been lately Visiting Some french towns where I Spoke grat deal about American trade, and fully Answered the views I Had the Honour to Communicate in a former letter —Now I am on my way to the deux ponts where Resides our...
116From George Washington to Thomas Smith, 14 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 9th of Feby was long on its passage to me; but my answer would not have been delayed ’till now, had not much time been spent in obtaining the several enclosures herewith sent you: a very necessary voucher however, viz.—the British Kings proclamation, properly authenticated, forbiding the settlement of the Western Lands, in defiance of which the Defendants took possession of...
117From George Washington to Alexander White, 14 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
Mr Fraunces’s letters to you & to me, the last of which I also enclose for your perusal, are so expressive of his wants as to render it unnecessary for me to add ought, on the occasion of them. He has been considered (tho’ confined within the british lines) as a friend to our cause: It is said he was remarkably attentive to our prisoners in the City of New York; supporting them, as far as his...
118To George Washington from Darrot, 15 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
Allow me the honor of recalling myself to your remembrance, and asking the news of you. Tho I have frequent opportunities by your Countrymen, who touch at this isle, (of which I am Governor) of learning this; yet I cannot resist the desire I have, of paying my respects to you, and solliciting a continuation of the kindnesses with which you loaded Coll Darrot while he had the honor of serving...
119From George Washington to Israel Shreve, 15 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 22d of June came safely to hand. I have no Lands in the Western Country which I incline, at this time, to make actual sale of. Between the two Kanhawa’s on the banks of the Ohio, I hold (bounded by the river, & of rich bottom with good Mill Seats) about 10,000 Acres of as valuable land as any in that region; and on the Gt Kanhawa, from near the mouth upwards, I have about...
120To George Washington from William Fitzhugh, 16 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor of your favor of the 25th Ulto Covering one for Mr Bolton—It did not come to Hand until last thursday Evening. & I yesterday sent Boltons L[ette]r to Colo. Platers, in hopes of obtaining His Answer to forward Herewith from Annapolis—where I Expect to be on Monday next & to return Home at the end of the Week. My address of last week in Answer to your favor of the 21st of May,...
121To George Washington from John Tucker, 16 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
The sensible pleasure I feel at being Personally known to you, has Induced me to send you the Inclosed Dissertation on the Revolutions of States and Empires. It is the performance of a Worthy Clergyman of this Island; a Gentleman of a most amiable Character, and who I have the Happiness of being Intimately acquainted with. As this Treatise Breaths Liberal sentiments, Favourable to the Future...
122From George Washington to Michael Hillegas, 17 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed packet contains necessary & valuable papers, in a Suit which I have depending in Washington County in the State of Pennsylva., under the management of the Gentn to whom they are directed. Mr Smith requested me (tho’ by a circuitous rout) to address them to your care, & he should be certain of getting them: this must be my apology for the trouble I am giving you, & for which I hope...
123To George Washington from David Humphreys, 17 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
I cannot permit M. Houdon to depart for Mt Vernon without being the bearer of a line from me. I am very happy Mr Jefferson has been able to procure him to make the voyage, because I am persuaded he will be able to transmit an excellent likeness of you to the remotest ages. He is considered as one of the ablest statuaries in Europe & has performed some capital peices for the Empress of Russia....
124To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 17 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
Permit me to add, what I forgot in my former letter, a request to you to be so kind as to communicate to me what you can recollect of Bushnel’s experiments in submarine navigation during the late war, and whether you think his method capable of being used successfully for the destruction of vessels of war. It’s not having been actually used for this purpose by us, who were so peculiarly in...
125To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 17 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed certificate will, I believe, authenticate the acts of Mr Harvie in his official character, to the fullest extent. This is the earliest moment, in which I could procure it. I am Dear sir with great truth yr affectionate friend & serv. ALS , NhD . The certificate has not been found, but see Randolph to GW, 9 July .
126From George Washington to Tench Tilghman, 17 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
By Mr Gouverr Morris I sent you the amount of the cost of plank, which you were so obliging as to send me from Baltimore. The packet enclosed with this, for Mr Hilligas contains necessary & valuable papers for Mr Thos Smith, in a suit I have been obliged to commence in Washington County, State of Pennsylva., against sundry persons who taking adavantage of my absence & peculiar situation during...
127To George Washington from John Augustine Washington, 17 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
Previous to my setting off to Mt Vernon and Alexandria the last time I was up, a great Coat of yours that you had been kind enough to lend my son Corbin when he was last at your House, and a book that my Wifes maid the time before the last that she was there had put up supposing it to be her Mistreses, as she had one in the Chariott to read on the road, was carefully sowed up in a bundle and...
128To George Washington from John Paul Jones, 18 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
I avail myself of the departure of Mr Houdon to transmit to your Hands two sets of Certificats in favor of Captain Stack and Captain McCarty, who in consequence of their Service under my Orders pray to be admitted as Members of the Society of Cincinnatus. Although Count de Rochambeau has made difficulties about giving those Officers his Certificate to support their pretentions, I am persuaded...
129To George Washington from Noah Webster, 18 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
If the request I am now to make should need any apology but such as will naturally be suggested by its own importance, I am sure it will find it in your candour. The favourable reception of my grammatical publications in the northern States, has induced me to offer them for sale in the Southern; and I am happy to find they meet with the approbation of those literary Gentlemen, with whom I have...
130To George Washington from William Jackson, 19 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by the Pennsylvania State Society of the Cincinnati to inform you, that the diplomas which were signed by you, and intended for our State Society, were lost in the transmission from Mount Vernon to Baltimore—and I am likewise directed to request that you would be pleased to point out such mode, as may be most acceptable to yourself, to obtain the recovery of them. It would seem...
131To George Washington from Battaile Muse, 19 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you some Time ago respecting the Debt due you by Mr Henry Whiting[.] Least the Letters Fail’d I have to inform you that I expect to receive the money from the Sheriff in this County the Last week in Septr. When received I shall waite on you Immediatly I shall endeavour to Collect the money and be at Mount Vernon before the middle of October next. I am Sir your Obedient Humble...
132From George Washington to Samuel Powel, 19 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
Consequent of your first letter respecting Mr Vancouver, & his proposed publication, I wrote to him, and declined the honor of his dedication—I thank you for your second Acct of his performance, which confirms me in the propriety of the measure. It would have given me pleasure to have seen a Gentlemn of Doctr Moyes[’]s eminence; and I shall hope for the endulgence of it when he returns from...
133From George Washington to Samuel Powel, 19 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
The honor which the Society for promoting agriculture, lately established in the City of Philada, have done me by electing me an honorary member, is highly pleasing & flattering to me; the strongest assurances of which I pray you, at the next meeting, to communicate with my respectful compliments to the Society: Accept at the same time Sir, my acknowledgement of the flattering expression, with...
134To George Washington from Arthur St. Clair, 21 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
This is accompanied by a Letter from the State Society of the Cincinnati which was written to you more than a Year ago, and by some inadvertance of the under Secretary was never forwarded. I am very sorry that it has so happened, because it would have been some satisfaction to you to have known, at an early period, that this State Society had come into the proposed Alterations—It was not...
135Enclosure: From Arthur St. Clair, 9 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
The circular letter from the General Society of the Cincinnati addressed to the several State Societies on the 15th of May 1784 has been received, and laid before the Society of this State, and they have at their annual meeting held on the 5th of July, and continued by adjournment, agreed to accept the Institution, as altered and amended, that accompanied the said letter: But Sir, it is their...
136From George Washington to John Fitzgerald, 23 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
If there is any ship in the Port of Alexandria by which the enclosed Letters could receive a proper conveyance, you would much oblige me by giving them a passage—if not, by returning them. If I do not hear from my Lawyer in the Western Country before the first of August, it will be out of my power to proceed with the Directors (from the General meeting) to the Survey of the River. If my Suit...
137To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee, 23–31 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
I lately had the honor of forwarding a packet for you by Post that came enclosed to me from France, by the author of a Dramatic piece on the former situation of Capt. Asgil. The subject is not a bad one, but the Author of this work seems not to have made the most of it. On the 1st of May Mr Du Mas writes us, that the parties still continue to negotiate the peace in a very threatening manner...
138To George Washington from Edward Newenham, 23 July 1785 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Edward Newenham, 23 July. GW wrote Newenham on 25 Nov. : “I have been favored with your letters of the 3d of March, 25th of May, & 23d of July.”
139From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 23 July 1785 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Edmund Randolph, 23 July. On 29 July Randolph wrote GW : “Your favor of the 23d instant came duly to hand.”
140From George Washington to George Weedon, 23 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
It is some time since I received the enclosed Bill, under cover from the Drawer: among a multiplicity of other letters it got buried & forgot; until a line from Mr de Marbois the other day, forwarding the third bill of same tenor & date, reminded me of it. As I do not know who the Treasurer of the Society of the Cincinnati of this State is, I take the liberty of committing the Bill to your...
141To George Washington from William Fitzhugh, 25 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor of Your favr of the 14th Currt—it came to hand Yesterday—I return’d on Saturday last from Annapolis, where I placed for You a Letter in the Post Office to which, as I have no doubt of its safe Passage I beg leave to refer —Your Excellencys Letters of the 21st of may & the 14th Inst. so clearly Ascertain The Building materials that I shall be at no loss to select those which are...
142To George Washington from William Grayson, 25 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed letters were handed to me the other day by young Mr Adams, son of Mr John Adams, who has arrived in the last packett, and no private opportunity offering, I do myself the honor of transmitting them by Post. Congress are informed by a letter from Mr Adams, that he has been introduced to the King of G.B. in due form, and recieved, as a public Minister from the U.S. of America. They...
143From George Washington to David Humphreys, 25 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you I have received your letters of the 15th of Jany and (I believe) that of the 15th of Novr; & thank you for them both —It always gives me pleasure to hear from you; and I should think, if amusements would spare you, business could not so much absorb your time as to prevent your writing to me more frequently; especially as there is a regular & safe conveyance once a month,...
144From George Washington to Lafayette, 25 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge & thank you for your several favors of the 9th of February—19th of March & 16th of April, with their enclosures; all of which (the last only yesterday) have been received since I had the honor to address you in February. I stand before you as a Culprit; but to repent & be forgiven are the precepts of Heaven: I do the former—do you practise the latter, & it will be...
145To George Washington from Alexander White, 26 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of your Excellencys letter 16th instant enclosing Mr Frauncis’s which I have answered by this Post —As your Excellency has no knowledge of Mr Frauncis’s demand it would be impertement in me to trouble you with my opinion of it—I can only say, that I am anxious to discharge every just debt, and that your Excellencys Countenance afforded to Mr Frauncis will induce me to pay...
146From George Washington to Otho Holland Williams, 26 July 1785 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Otho Holland Williams, 26 July. On 15 Aug. Williams wrote to GW and referred to “Your Letter dated Mount Vernon July 26th.”
147From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 27 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 5th. came duly to hand, and should have been acknowledged sooner, if it had been in my power, conveniently. I thank you for your attention to the Certificates which I committed to your care; and will obtain an order from Gilbert Simpson, by which the Interest may be received. This money is all I am likely to get for a Mill which he ran me to the Expence of £1200 hard money...
148To George Washington from Thomas Freeman, 27 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
In my last to you I informed you of my Necessity of Advertising for the Rebuilding and repairing the Mill, the meeting of the Undertakers to be the first Ult. I had the Mortification to find myself disappointed by none, at least none to undertake meet me, so that the Mill is not doing any good at all I have some Inclination to try a Second Advertisement on the same Acct but shall wait for your...
149From George Washington to Battaile Muse, 28 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
A few days ago by a Mr Hickman, who either is, or wants to be a tenant of mine in Frederick County—I sent you a dozen blank Leases. The tract on which he says he is fixed, is part of two Lots which I purchased at the sale of Colo. George Mercer’s Estate, in the year 1774; a plat of which I send you, that the whole may be arranged into four tenements—as conveniently disposed as water &c. will...
150To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 29 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 23d instant came duly to hand. But I am sorry to be unable to execute the request contained in it. The council-books are destroyed. The general restriction of settlement on the western waters does, I acknowledge, extend to military rights, as well others. But it continues only, until the King’s further pleasure should be known. The patent in your hands is abundant evidence,...