1To George Washington from Edward Moyston, 4 April 1787 (Washington Papers)
As the Convention of the States is expected to meet in this City in the next Month, I make bold to request your influence with such Gentlemen of your acquaintance as may want Accommodations. I have fitted up Chambers in the most convenient manner, and am certain that they will find it more agreeable than any private Lodging House in Town, as they will always have more Attendants, should their...
2To George Washington from Lafayette, 3 August 1787 (Washington Papers)
I Have Received Your first favour from Philadelphia with the Greater Satisfaction, as it promises me the pleasure to Hear Again from you Before long —a pleasure, My Beloved General, which Your friend’s filial Heart wants to Anticipate, and Enjoys most Affectionately—I Have not Been surprised to Hear of Your Attendance at the Convention, and would indeed Have wondered at a denial—on the success...
3From George Washington to Peterson & Taylor, 11 December 1787 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Peterson & Taylor, 11 Dec. 1787. Peterson & Taylor wrote GW on this date : “yours ⅌ the boy came safe to hand.”
4To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 11 March 1787 (Washington Papers)
I must call upon your friendship to excuse me for again mentioning the convention at Philadelphia. Your determination having been fixed on a thorough review of your situation, I feel, like an intruder, when I again hint a wish, that you would join the delegation. But every day brings forth some new crisis, and the confederation is, I fear, the last anchor of our hope. Congress have taken up...
5From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 7 August 1787 (Washington Papers)
In addition to the articles contained in the Memo. given to you some time since, I pray you to procure, and send by Captn Steward the following. A Wimble bit—compleat. Pickled Walnuts & India Mangoes none were sent before. Thompsons Seasons and Gutheries Geography and the Art of Speaking. Some Pamphlets which have been sent to me since I came to Town; and Books purchased for my amusement...
6From George Washington to Charles Carter, 14 December 1787 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 21st of Octr would not have remained so long unacknowledged could I with any degree of precision have answered your quæries sooner. I wish it was in my power to do it satisfactorily now. The drought of last Summer in this neighbourhood was so unconsionably severe, that the experiments I contemplated were by no means conclusive—the result such as it is—I will give you. In...
7From George Washington to Henry Lee, Jr., 4 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for asking my commands to Fredericksburg. It is not my wish to be your competitor in the purchase of any of Mr Hunters tradesmen: especially as I am in a great degree principled against increasing my number of Slaves by purchase and suppose moreover that Negros sold on creadit will go high. yet if you are not disposed to buy the Bricklayer which is advertized for Sale, for your own...
8To George Washington from Henry Knox, 8 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
My last to you was of the 1st instant since which I have received your favor of the 25 Jany. You will probably have received mine long before this time of the 14th ultimo which will satisfy you that I received duly your favor of the 26th December. I now enclose you (in confidence) three Copies of letters written by our friend Lincoln to Govr Bowdoin which will shew you in a more connectd State...
9To George Washington from Essarts, 1 May 1787 (Washington Papers)
It is well known to all the world that your Excellency, after having fought for the liberty of the thirteen States, like a true Fabius, supported with an indefatigable zeal those laws & establishments which might tend to advance the happiness of your Country. Admiring your virtues, I am persuaded that the inclinations of a great man will not be averse to the reading of the works of one of the...
10From George Washington to James Madison, 10 October 1787 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for your letter of the 30th Ult. It came by the last Post. I am better pleased that the proceedings of the Convention is handed from Congress by a unanimous vote (feeble as it is) than if it had appeared under stronger marks of approbation without it. This apparent unanimity will have its effect. Not every one has opportunities to peep behind the curtain; and as the multitude often...
11To George Washington from Henry Knox, 14 September 1787 (Washington Papers)
presuming that you will not set out from Philadelphia untill Monday the 17th I write you a line to congratulate you on the termination of your arduous business & to wish you a happy sight of Mrs Washington and your family. In every event respecting the reception of the propositions of the convention you will enjoy the high satisfaction of having performed every thing that could possibly be...
12From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, Jr., 24 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
I have reed your letter of the 24th Ulto & the receipt for Messrs Josiah Watson & Co. bill of exchange which was enclosed in it. I am much obliged to you for the Acct of the political situation of your State which you gave me, and am very happy to find, by later advices, that matters are soon likely to terminate entirely in favor of Government by the suppression of the insurgents, and it adds...
13From George Washington to George Augustine Washington, 1 July 1787 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 24th, with the report, is before me; & such observations as occur, shall be handed to you. In plowing the drilled Corn, it is to be remembered, that throwing the furrow always to the plant, will leave the land in high ridges; and make it more liable to wash, & run into Gullies; to avoid wch, was one of my principal motives for introducing the Hoe & common Iron toothed...
14To George Washington from Bryan Fairfax, 16 November 1787 (Washington Papers)
This is to acknowledge Your Favor in sending me an Accot of my Brother’s Will and also the Receipt of the Watch by Mr Muse. It can’t be expected that You should act as an Executor upon this Occasion amidst that multiplicity of Business you are engaged in. In a few Instances I was so circumstanced that I could not comply with Ld Fx’s desire as well as my Brother’s tho’ I had a great Regard for...
15To George Washington from Henry Knox, 27 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
My last to you was on the 22d instant, in which I stated my apprehensions respecting the proposed disfranchisement in Massachusetts. I did not mean to find fault with the measure. I am persuaded circumstances have rendered it necessary, and proper. But any rigorous chastisement of the rebels, will enflame them and render it right and expedient for the government to provide for its own safety...
16To George Washington from William Rawle, 6 July 1787 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit to you as President of the Convention, a resolve of the directors of the Library Company in this City. I am Sir with perfect respect your most obedient humble servant LS , DNA : RG 360, Records of the Federal Convention. William Rawle (1759–1836), who returned to Philadelphia from London in 1782 and was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in 1783, became a member of...
17To George Washington from Archibald Johnston, 30 October 1787 (Washington Papers)
Some time past I saw your Advertisement forbidding all persons from hunting on your lands without leave first being obtain’d from you —Should esteem it a singular favour if you wou’d grant me the indulgence of hunting from the Tumbling Dam to your Mill, some Ponds in the White Oak Swamp and a small part of your River Shores such as you shall think proper, the strictest attention shall be paid...
18To George Washington from James McHenry, 1 June 1787 (Washington Papers)
I have just received an express from Baltimore informing me that my brother lays dangerously ill, in consequence of which I set out immediately for that place. I wish to communicate this circumstance to your Excellency that it may be mentioned to the convention should my absence without leave be taken any notice of. With the greatest respect I have the honor to be your Excellency’s ob. st ALS...
19To George Washington from William Deakins, Jr., 2 November 1787 (Washington Papers)
The bearer Peter felix Mauger, has been Informed that a Horse he has is an Exact Match for one of your’s, he has not yet paid the Amount of his Bond to Mrs Kirk, but is now Anxious to do it, if he can make Sale of his Horse, I beleive he finds it difficult to raise the Cash, I have pressed him hard to get this debt paid—& I hope he will soon Accomplish it—I am Very Respectfully Your Obt Servt...
20To George Washington from Benjamin Franklin, 3 April 1787 (Washington Papers)
I have often thought that the Number of People, who by Curiosity and the Admiration of your Character are drawn to call at Mt Vernon, must be very troublesome to you, and have therefore generally declin’d giving any introductory Letters. But my Nephew Mr Jonathan Williams, who was a faithful and active Agent of the United States during the whole War, in shipping Stores, Arms, Ammunition &c....
21To George Washington from George Turner, 5 April 1787 (Washington Papers)
At the Request of the Cincinnati of South-Carolina, I have the honour to forward herewith, for the Favour of your Excellency’s Signature, an Hundred and two Diplomas. The Box containing them, encloses, also, a Return of the Members for whom they are intended: The additional Diplomas are meant for those who may chuse to have Duplicates; excepting one, which is designed for Lieutenant-Colonel...
22From George Washington to Chastellux, 16 September 1787 (Washington Papers)
Mr Pinkney will do me the favor of presenting this letter to you —He is a Gentleman of fortune, family & character in South Carolina—A member of Congress, and delegate to the Fœderal Convention, now sitting in this City. As he proposes to visit your Country I take this liberty of introducing him to your acquaintance and attentions—and this I do with pleasure⟨.⟩ I persuade myself that you will...
23To George Washington from Gilles de Lavallée, 13 March 1787 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the honor to write to your Excellency upon the subject of manufactures, & enclosed a Copy of a recommendation from Mr Jefferson; you was pleased to return me an answer by which your Excellency informed me that you had forwarded my memorial to the Legislature of Virginia to know their determination upon the matter, which you would do me the favor to send to me. I have waited until...
24To George Washington from Joseph Davenport, 15 December 1787 (Washington Papers)
Major Washington tells me that you will not Concent for me to keep a horse—but Sir if I pay you What is reasenable and Customary Your Excelency Can not think hard of it—farr be it from me to ask aney thing out of reason—Sir you know to Sell him at this Season of the year. I Cannot Get the worth of him. to winter him out I may as well have none—Sir I Did not Get this horse because I thought You...
25From George Washington to James Mercer, 15 March 1787 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 10th came duely to hand, and with very sincere concern I read the acct of your ill health; but if your other complaints have left you, the Asthma, though troublesome & distressing, is not a dangerous one; I will hope therefore that the agreeable Season which is fast approaching, will perfectly restore you good health. Under cover with this, you will receive the original Deed...
26To George Washington from Thomas Clagett & Company, 10 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
Having established a House in this City with a view of transacting business on Consignment we beg leave to make you a tender of Our Services, and to Solicit a share of your confidence and favours. Being determined to enter into no Engagements which might deprive us of the means of executing on the very best terms the Business entrusted to our care, We mean, therefore, cautiously to avoid...
27To George Washington from Lafayette, 5 May 1787 (Washington Papers)
Altho’ I Cannot omit an opportunity of writing to You, my letter will not Be so long and Minuted as I would like to make it, Because of the Constant Hurry of Business occasioned By the Assembly—every day, Sundays excepted, is taken up with General Meetings, Committee’s, and smaller Boards—it is a pretty extraordinary sight at Versailles, the more so as great deal of patriotism and firmness Has...
28To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee, 11 October 1787 (Washington Papers)
I was unwilling to interrupt your attention to more important affairs at Phila. by sending there an acknowledgement of the letter that you were pleased to honor me with from that City; especially as this place afforded nothing worthy of your notice. We have the pleasure to see the first Act of Congress for selling federal lands N.W. of Ohio becoming productive very fast—A large sum of public...
29From George Washington to Lund Washington, 7 May 1787 (Washington Papers)
Company, and several other matters which pressed upon me yesterday, and which has obliged me to postpone my gourney a day longer is the reason why I did not acknowledge the receipt of your letter by Ned. I need not tell you, because a moments recurrance to your own accounts will evince the fact, that there is no source from which I derive more then a sufficienty for the daily calls of my...
30From George Washington to Charles Pettit, 14 October 1787 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed ought to have accompanied the letter and the box by Capt. Ellwood. That it did not was an omission. In addition to the Plates there written for, let me request two others; th[r]ee feet nine each square, I want them for a Green house and would have quite plain and full as thick as they are usually cast for Chimney backs. I am Sir, Yr Most Obed. Servant LB , DLC:GW . GW wrote Pettit...