91To George Washington from Patrick McCarty, 26 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
According to Your directions I have Enquired in George town about the Stoves but there is no Such things in it, when You Send for them be Particular in Getting the pipes to them, as they Seldom have any Made but Such as have an open flew behind to Go into the Chimney. I am Sir with the Greatest respect Your Obedt Servt ALS , DLC:GW . On 22 April GW paid Patrick McCarty £13.10 “in full for...
92To George Washington from George Gilpin, 27 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
A Servant of yours a few days ago request’d to be inform’d if there was any Vessell at Alexandria bound for Philadelphia there was no Vessell then at this Town bound to Philadelphia, but Capt. Ellwood is now here his packet will Sail for that plaece in a few days. I made enquiry for a joiner as you desired I found Several that would have taken some 5 and others 6/ ⅌ day but on enquiry they had...
93To George Washington from Miles King, 27 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
From my Early Acquaintance with you I have taken the liberty of Addressing you in an Appointment of Importance to my large and growing Family—having Spent Upwards of Twenty Years in the Service of my Country and Eighteen Years in the Assembly of Virginia Acquainted with business being all my life in the Merchantile line and knowing the Duty of the office which I Wish to gett, my Aid in...
94To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 27 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
Not meeting myself with any private conveyance, I have committed to the Atty Genl the care of forwarding the packet with your buckles; and also mentioned it to Mr Harrison, whose wife will shortly go to her father’s, & who will carry it, if Mr Lee should not find a conveyance. Mr Barlow sent by Capt OBrien a parcel of Barbary mellon seeds, addressed to the Society of Agriculture of...
95From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 28 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
Owing to my not sending to the Post Office in Alexandria with the regularity I used to do whilst I was in the exercise of public duties, I did not receive your favor of the 21st instt until yesterday:nor have I before, acknowledged the receipt of your letter of the 11th, which also came safe. Not expecting to have much business to transact in Philadelphia I appointed no Agent there; and if...
96GW to Gustavus Scott, 28 April 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: GW to Gustavus Scott, 28 April 1797. On 29 April Scott wrote “I had the Honor of your favor of the 28th.”
97To George Washington from Gustavus Scott, 29 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor of your favor of the 28th so late on Friday that I cou’d not answer it by Post, not having returned from the City untill the Mail was dispatched. The inclosed Letter from Mr Smith will give the true state of Messrs Reed and Fords funds in this place. The paper he aludes to will I think ensure after some time the number of Shares still due on their Contract & Mr Smith asures me...
98From George Washington to John Eager Howard, 30 April 1797 (Washington Papers)
Not sending to the Post office in Alexandria with the regularity I used to do (while I was in the discharge of public duties) I did not receive your favor of the 10th instant so soon as I should otherwise have done; & is the reason why the acknowledgment of it has been delayed. I thank you for making the enquiries relative to the Cattle of Mr Gough, wch you have taken the trouble to detail;...
99From George Washington to Enoch Edwards, 1 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
No good opportunity ’till now, afforded by Mr Craik, has offered to return the Pamphlets you were so obliging as to send me by Mr Jefferson. I now do it with thanks for the perusal of them. and with compliments to Mrs Edwards am Sir Your Obedient Hble Servt ALS , owned by Mr. Peter V. Daniel, Sweet Briar, Virginia. A native of Ireland and Dr. Benjamin Rush’s first pupil, Enoch Edwards...
100From George Washington to Mary White Morris, 1 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
The lustre which stood suspended in our large Drawing Room in Philadelphia, I pray you to accept from Mrs Washington and me, as a small testimony of our affectionate regard for you, Mr Morris & family. To bring it from Philadelphia, and then to send it back, carries with it an appearance so singular, as to require explanation—the following, though uninteresting, & may appear tedious in detail,...
101To George Washington from William Herbert, 2 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
On looking over mr Lears Account in the Bank Books, this morning, I find that He has Drawn the Money for Smiths Note, & that he has only Ninety Eight Dollars, at this Time in Bank. I Am—With great respect & regard—Dr Sir—yr Most Hble Servt ALS , DLC:GW . William Herbert (1743–1818) replaced William Hartshorne as president of the Bank of Alexandria early in 1796. On 4 Oct. 1796 Alexander Smith...
102To George Washington from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 2 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
I embrace the earliest opportunity to transmit a Copy of the documents refered to in the Presidents Speech. We hear nothing further that is interesting. It is remarkable that all the foreign Nations with whom we have public intercource bring forward their claims for Gratitude, even the Spaniard contends for his Share. With perfect respect & attachment I remain Dear Sir, your obedt servt ALS ,...
103From George Washington to George Ball, 7 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
By the Post of friday I received, with no small degree of surprise, your letter dated the 24th Ulto with a Post mark on the back dated Lancaster Courthouse the 29th. Had not the matter you complain of been discussed and explained, at the time our bargain was closed for the Gloucester Land there might, in appearance, have been more cause for the observations you have been pleased to make than...
104From George Washington to James McAlpin, 7 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
Mr Custis will present you with an order for Cloaths, &ca which please to have made according to his directions—and the amount of cost shall be paid on demand. Finding I shall have occasion for an Agent to do such little matters as I shall want in Philadelphia, I shall soon appoint one, who will be instructed to pay your Account. By depending on you to procure the dozen pieces of Nankeens I...
105To George Washington from Mary White Morris, 9 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
I do most Chearfully accept from your self and Mrs Washington, as a testimony of so valued a Regard for me, Mr Morris, & my family, the Lustre you have Presented me With, a gift in it Self so hansome will nevertheless to us all Derive its greatest merit as coming from such valued Friends, as an affectionate Remembrance, and give it in our Eyes Estimation, and value, very Superior to that of...
106To George Washington from Ludwell Lee, 11 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
Two English farmers, who wish to farm Lands in this part of the Country, have desired an introduction to you; understanding that you have an inclination to rent some part of yours—I have undertaken this in the first instance, tho I hope, their knowledge, & capability for the business they profess, will recommend them to you more than any thing I can say in their favor. I believe them however,...
107To George Washington from Gustavus Scott, 11 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have seen Mr Smith and had Conversation with him respecting Reed & Ford, & the Probability of their producing the Residue of the shares due to you. They intimate in their Correspondence no Idea of obtaining them any other way than by their funds in this place due 11 or 12 months hence. How far their earlier Necessities may compel them to part with these I know not; but Mercantile Men who...
108To George Washington from George Pearson, 12 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
As you have got yourself released from the Burthen of the exalted public Station you had long held with the highest Honor to yourself, and Benefit to the People over whom you presided, you will now, I trust, have Leisure to attend a little to a more private Duty in which you were engaged even before your public one commenced, & which is not yet completed; and having Leisure, & Opportunity, I...
109To George Washington from James McHenry, 14 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
I think it probable that there will be a house of representatives to-morrow and perhaps a Senate on tuesday, the speech of course will be on Wednesday. The speech will state the circumstances which have induced to the call of Congress; express a sincere desire that accommodation may take place; inform, that a fresh attempt will be made to endeavour to effectuate the object; recommend in the...
110To George Washington from James McAlpin, 15 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
I received your much esteemed favor of the 7th Inst. ⅌ Mr Custis on Wednesday last—also an Order for Cloths &c. which was compleated on Saturday, and delivered to him. In your letter you mention your depending on me for procuring one Dozn peices Nankeen & trimmings for the Cloths, this as well as the other part of the order which I received from Mr Dandridge, was punctualy executed by me, and...
111From George Washington to Stephen Milburn, 15 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
Having in a great measure given up the idea of Renting my Farms (from an apprehension that I could not dispose of the whole of them, & that unless I did this my objects wd not be answered) I was not as explicit as I might have been in my answers to some of the questions you asked on friday last. Revolving on the matter since, & believing if I wait until an offer is made for the whole—I may not...
112From George Washington to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 15 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for the information contained in your letter of the 19th Ulto; and infer from it, with pleasure, that you must be better, if not quite recovered of the indisposition of which you complained, by your being enabled to write. To know this however would give me satisfaction as I entertain an affectionate regard for you. Various conjectures have been formed relatively to the causes...
113To George Washington from James Angell, 16 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
The above account would have been forwarded ere this had I not been absent from America. You will oblige me by forwarding the amount to any person you please in this town, to whom I will give a receipt. I have no agent at present in Alexandria. I am Sir with respect Your Humble Servant ALS , DLC:GW . In August 1789 William Goddard made his wife’s brother James Angell (d. 1797) of Rhode Island...
114To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 16 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have made inquiry concerning Colo. Biddle. He is apparently wealthy, at this time, and is building a large house: but he has failed, I am told, three times, and once after paying away, in the course of a year, of the money of his honest creditors, about six thousand pounds to usurers, in enormous interest. You doubtless take some Philadelphia papers: but lest at this interesting moment yours...
115To George Washington from Landon Carter, 18 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
In pursuance to a conversation I had with you at Mt Vernon I have proceeded as near as I could your wish upon the occasion. I postponed the thing thus long because I thought a personal enquiery would be preferrable to an epistolary one. Upon a question to your Nephew George L. if he had any probable chance of accomodating you, he assured me that he had no prospect at all and advised me to...
116Samuel Stanhope Smith to GW, 18 May 1797 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: Samuel Stanhope Smith to GW, 18 May 1797. On 24 May GW wrote Smith : “Your favour of the 18th instt was received by the last Post.”
117To George Washington from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 18 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure to receive your favour of May 15th—and while I rejoice that you enjoy that repose & tranquillity so richly earned by a life of services and benefits for mankind, the reflection, that he who so long directed public opinion, and whose council at this time would possess and deserve universal confidence, is a private Citizen, encites mixed emotions, which I am unable to...
118From George Washington to Reed & Forde, 19 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 20th Ult. came duly to hand, and through the medium of a friend in George Town to whom I sent it & who made application to Mr Walter Smith for the fulfilment of your obligations, I have obtaind followg result. “I have seen Mr Smith and had conversation with him respecting Messrs Reed & Ford, and the probability of their producing the residue of the shares due to you. They...
119From George Washington to William Heath, 20 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your kind and friendly letter of the 17th Ulto has been duly received, and I beg you to accept my sincere thanks for the affectionate sentiments you have been pleas’d to express for me, therein. I can assure you, Sir, I never ascribed a motive to the letter you wrote me, on my Election to the Chair of Government, so unworthy of you as to suppose it was written with a view of: “Pressing...
120To George Washington from William Neil, 21 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will justly think this address a piece of presumption, the nature of the business will I hope, plead an apology. Born near Belfast in the North of Ireland and bred a manufacturer of Linen, at fifty years of age I embarked for America (through the advice of a Son of mine resident in Boston) & brought a large family with me. My fortune at that time, which was eighteen months ago,...
121To George Washington from Newburgh Burroughs, 22 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
I am encouraged to address this letter to you, not only from the great & amiable Character which the Universe allows you, but also from your being acquainted with the transaction concerning which I take the liberty to trouble you. You may recollect a Correspondence which Mrs Bomford had the honor of holding with you about sixteen Years ago, in consequence of some kindnesses she shewed to a Mrs...
122From George Washington to George Washington Parke Custis, 22 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
Having heard nothing from you, or of you, since you left the Federal City, but hoping you got safe to Princeton, the sole intention of this letter is to cover the enclosed. The one from your Sister will, I presume, detail the little occurences which have happened since you left us. and the other arrived after your departure —We are much in the same situation as when you left us. AL , ViHi :...
123To George Washington from William Hartshorne, 24 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
The deed thou enclosed to me for 15 Shares in the Potomack Company has been recorded and is now enclosed for which thy account is charged one dollar. I am Respectfully Thy friend ALS , DLC:GW . William Hartshorne (1742-1816), a merchant in Alexandria, had been a commissioner of the Potowmack Company and its treasurer since it was organized in 1785 under the presidency of GW. Hartshorne...
124From George Washington to Samuel Stanhope Smith, 24 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 18th instt was received by the last Post —the contents of which, relatively to Mr Custis, filled my mind (as you naturally supposed it would) with extreme disquietude. From his infancy, I have discovered an almost unconquerable disposition to indolence in every thing that did not tend to his amusements: and have exhorted him in the most parental and friendly manner, often,...
125To George Washington from Thomas Dockery, 25 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
You may think strange to see the enclosed, but I beg your patience, to view what comes from my trembling hand, being in the 80th year of my age; and having a ⟨turn⟩ from my youth, to a Military life, I made use of the first opportunity which offered in the year 1746 leaving a beloved wife, & dear young daughter to keep house, while I thought to distinguish my self before the walls of Quebec....
126From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 28 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
The business I shall have to transact in Philadelphia will, more than probable, be of so piddling & trifling a nature, as to produce more trouble, than profit from the Commission, to whomsoever undertakes it. Notwithstanding (this being premised) as it has always been done by you, while I was not myself in Philadelphia as a Resident [,] I could not think of applying to another without first...
127From George Washington to Thomas Pinckney, 28 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
I rely more upon your goodness than upon any excuse I can make, for not having given an earlier acknowledgment to the receipt of your obliging letters of the 10th of January & 12 th of Feby. The truth is, they were rather long on their passage; but a more weighty reason than this is, they arrived towards the closing scenes of my public life, when every moment of my time was occupied either in...
128To George Washington from George Washington Parke Custis, 29 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
Words cannot express my present sensations, a heart overflowing with joy at the success of conscience over disposition is all I have to give—Dearest Sir did you but know the effect your letter has produced it would give you as consummate pleasure, as my former one did pain —My very soul tortured with the sting of conscience at length called reason to its aid and happy for me triumphed, the...
129From George Washington to James McHenry, 29 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
I am indebted to you for several unacknowledged letters, but ne’er mind that; go on, as if you had them. You are at the source of information & can find many things to relate, while I have nothing to say that could either inform, or amuse a Secretary of War in Philadelphia. To tell him that I begin my diurnal course with the Sun; that if my hirelings are not in their places at that time I send...
130From George Washington to Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 29 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 18th instant with its enclosures, and thank you for both. The President has, in my opinion, placed matters upon their true ground in his speech to Congress. The crisis calls for an unequivocal expression of the public mind, and the Speech will, mediately, or immediately, bring this about. Things ought not, indeed can not remain longer in their present state;...
131From George Washington to William Charles Cole Claiborne, 30 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 22d Ult. has been duly received, and I pray you to accept my thanks for the favourable sentiments you have been pleased to express for me, and of my Administration of the Government. If all our Citizens were actuated by the principles you profess, it would much promote the happiness and prosperity of our Country. I have not unpacked the Papers yet, which I brought from...
132From George Washington to St. George Tucker, 30 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 24th Ulto, from Winchester, came duly to hand; but presuming you were on a Circuit, I have allowed time for the completion, to offer you my acknowledgment of its receipt. My Sollicitude for the establishment of a National University in this Country, has been great, and unceasing; but as the sentiments of the Legislature have not been in unison therewith, I had postponed the...
133To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 31 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
Mr Peter informs me that you wish to know more particularly respecting the Carpenters engaged for you than what I communicated on Saturday last. Since that time I have seen Frederick, who tells me that the letter from his brother was dated at Amsterdam on the 7th of March, in which he states, that he had engaged for you two very good House Carpenters & Joiners, who would come out in the Ship...
134To George Washington from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 31 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to acknowledge your favour by the Alexandria mail of May 26th. On applying to the Bank of Pensylvania I was told that no monies had been lodged on your account, by Colo. Shreve or any other person—on shewing your Letter to Mr James Ross, he paid me on account of Colo. Ritchie 3409 20/100 Dollars which I now remit in four Treasury drafts on Mr Fitzgerald endorsed in your...
135To George Washington from Charles Landon Carter, 2 June 1797 (Washington Papers)
With diffidence I now address you, in consequence of having failed, after my first Voyage from China, to return the two hundred Dollars you favored me with the Loan of—Be assured, Dr Sir, that I left goods unsold, at the time of my Departure from Philadelphia the second Voyage, & directed that the money arising therefrom should be paid to you, but, the Integrity of my Agent did not prove to be...
136To George Washington from Callohill Mennis, 2 June 1797 (Washington Papers)
Such a length of time having elapsed since I had the pleasure of seeing you last, that I shou’d not be in the least surprised, if you had entirely forgotten that you ever had such an officer as myself under your command in the late continental army. But were I to be assured that I still lived in the remembrance of my old commander, the reflection wou’d communicate to me the most pleasing &...
137From George Washington to George Washington Parke Custis, 4 June 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 29th Ulto came to hand by the Post of Friday, and eased my mind of many unpleasant Sensations, and reflections on your account. It has indeed done more, it has filled it with pleasure, more easy to be conceived than expressed; and if your sorrow, and repentence for the disquietudes occasioned by the preceeding letter, and your resolution to abandon the ideas which were...
138To George Washington from Reed & Forde, 5 June 1797 (Washington Papers)
We duely received your communication of the 19th and in consequence shall immediately take the necessary means to have the balance of the Columbia Shares transferd to your order, at furthest they shall be sent from this in all next week if not previously obtaind at George Town. We consider’d that we held as many shares in the Columbia Bank as would have compleated your quantity but there has...
139To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 6 June 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inclose two letters received yesterday from Europe, to your address. I was informed that to-day the House of Representatives concurred with the bill sent down from the Senate to prohibit the exportation of arms and military stores. Notwithstanding the persevering opposition given by nearly half the members of the House to some important sentences in the reported address...
140From George Washington to Daniel Jenifer, Jr., 7 June 1797 (Washington Papers)
A person of the name of Perry called upon me yesterday concerning the exchange mentioned in the enclosed letter, and seemed very desirous of effecting it. I told him that whatever Mr Craik had done, or should do respecting it, I would abide by; or as his return from Congress must be uncertain as to time, if you were acquainted with the circumstances of this case (which indeed is more than I...