100151From George Washington to William Augustine Washington, 7 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
Strange as it may seem, it is nevertheless true, that your letter of the 30th of August never got to my hands until the 4th instant. But it is not unusual for letters by private hands, to be thus delayed; and often to miscarry. By the Post they are certain of getting to hand, & in time. You will not be surprised after receiving this information, that your request in favour of Mr James Digges...
100152To George Washington from Daniel Morgan, 8 October 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Daniel Morgan, 8 Oct. 1799. In one of two letters that GW wrote Morgan on 26 Oct. he referred to Morgan’s “favour of the 8th instt.”
100153To George Washington from William Augustine Washington, 8 October 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Augustine Washington, 8 Oct. 1799. On 29 Oct. GW wrote his nephew : “Your letter of the 8th instant has been duly received.”
100154To George Washington from Thomas Parker, 9 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to Receive your letter of the 28th Ultimo on Saturday last accompanied by one from Genl Hamilton. I fortunately met with Colo. Lear at this place yesterday morning & with him Carefully examined the different Situations in the Vicinity of the arsenal at Harper’s ferry. After the most mature deliberations I have with the intire Concurrence of Colo. Lear Given a Dicided preference...
100155To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 9 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
(private) Sir, Trenton [N.J.] Oct. 9. 1799. I received yesterday the inclosed letter from Mr Murray. The President is on his way to this place. Govr Davie has been here a week; and Mr Ellsworth writes me, in a letter recd this morning, that he will arrive himself by Friday morning. The question about the mission to France will, I expect, be then settled. The state of the President’s mind, when...
100156From George Washington to John Gill, 13 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 28th Ulto came duly to hand, and I have sent my Manager, Mr Anderson, twice to Alexandria to receive from you, some explanation of your meaning respecting it. If it be, to pay the Rents that are due, up to June last, according to contract, I shall consent to cancel the bargain wch you entered into for my Land on Difficult run; although it is not a usual practice with me to...
100157To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 14 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed abstract was founded on returns actually received in the office of the Adjutant General. From subsequent letters it appears that many recruits have been enlisted since the date of those returns. With the Highest respect I have the honor to be Sir your obt Set LS , DLC:GW ; Df , DLC : Hamilton Papers. Hamilton wrote GW again from Trenton on 17 Oct. before returning to New York on...
100158From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 15 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
Since writing to you on the 29th ultimo, I have received a letter from Colo. Parker, informing me that he had fixed upon a spot, on the public Ground, at Harper’s Ferry, as the most eligable place for cantoning the 7th, 8th and 9th Regiments, agreeably to your instructions, and the ideas which I communicated to him. And, I presume, measures are now taking to provide huts at that place for...
100159To George Washington from John Gill, 16 October 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Gill, 16 Oct. 1799. On 19 Oct. GW wrote Gill indicating that he had received Gill’s “letter of the 16th.”
100160To George Washington from Benjamin Stoddert, 16 October 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Benjamin Stoddert, 16 Oct. 1799. On 20 Oct. GW wrote Stoddert: “Your favor of the 16th instant was received this morning.”
100161To George Washington from Bartholomew Dandridge, 17 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
I ought ’ere now to have acknowledg’d the receipt of & to have returned you my most grateful thanks for your very kind letter of the 26 June, which came to my hands about the middle of Augt at Brighton (a bathing place on the channel ) whither I had gone for a few weeks relaxation. Its coming to me at that place, a desire to examine thoroughly the path which I shd follow in consequence of it,...
100162From George Washington to John Gill, 19 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
Sending every other day only to the Post Office (unless something special makes it expedient to send oftener) your letter of the 16th did not reach my hands until the 17th at night. Herewith, the Plat lent you by Mr Swift, is returned. But as my land is not laid down in connection therewith, I have derived but little information from the examination thereof; and as you remark “it does not...
100163To George Washington from John Gill, 19 October 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Gill, 19 Oct. 1799. On 22 Oct. GW wrote Gill : “I have been duly favoured with your letter of the 19th instant.”
100164To George Washington from Daniel Morgan, 19 October 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Daniel Morgan, 19 Oct. 1799. On 26 Oct. GW wrote Morgan : “I have been duly favoured with your letter of the 19th instant.”
100165From George Washington to Elizabeth Dandridge Aylett Henley, 20 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive by the Enclosed, which is left open for your perusal before it is forwarded, that your son John, is appointed a Mid-shipman in the Navy of the United States. You will press him to take the oath of Office, required by the Secretary of the Navy, without delay; and forward it to that Gentleman in the manner he directs—Enclosing it in a letter couched in some such terms as you...
100166From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 20 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
Private Dear Sir, Mount Vernon Octr 20th 1799 Your letters of the 29th Ult. and 9th instant, have been duly received; and for the information given in them, I feel myself obliged. In a note which I have just recd from Mr Stoddert, to whom I had occasion to write on business, is added in the close thereof “The President has decided that the Mission to France shall proceed without delay. The...
100167From George Washington to Isaac Weatherinton, 20 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter ⟨of the 20th⟩ of August is but just come to hand. I thank you for the information contain⟨ed in it⟩ of the Tresspasses which are committed on the small piece of land which I have adjoining to yours, & Squire McCrakin’s. It would, in future ⟨be⟩ friendly and obliging in you, or him (as my Land adjoins your tracts) to endeavour to prevent such invasion of private property; or if this...
100168To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 21 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
On my return from Trenton, the day before yesterday, I found your private letter of the 13th as well as yr public letter of the 15th instant. The News papers have probably informed you that poor Avery is dead of the yellow fever. The President has resolved to send the commissioners to France notwithstanding the change of affairs there. He is not understood to have consulted either of his...
100169To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 21 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt two days since of your letter of the 15th instant, at which time I also received one from Col: Parker, informing me of the selection of ground which he had made. You will see by the enclosed letter to him the impression which his communication has made on my mind. I trust that it must be erroneous, since my supposition does not agree with the spirit...
100170From George Washington to William Herbert, 21 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed are Two negociable Notes, sent to the Bank of Alexandria for collection. The amount of which, when received, to be placed to my credit. I begin to feel the necessity more clearly, of renewing my note, than I do a prospect of receiving what is due to me from others. I mention it now that measures for accomplishing of it may be taken in time. Having forgot the name of the person who has...
100171From George Washington to John Gill, 22 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favoured with your letter of the 19th instant. The sample of the Survey which you sent me will not answer my purpose; for which reason and because I am indisposed to throw difficulties in the way of your wish to cancel our agreement respecting my land on Difficult run, I will agree to take your small tract in discharge of the two years Rent which you are owing me; Provided it...
100172To George Washington from Thomas Parker, 24 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
In Concequence of the arrangements that I had previously made I arrived here on the 22nd Instant & proceeded Immediately to Cuting Timber for Huting the Troops. on making an estimate of the Timber & Boards or plank that will be necessary for Covering the three Regiments, I find It utterly Impracticable to procure a Sufficiency, as the Rivers are Too low to Transport it by water from the upper...
100173To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 24 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
(Private) (& Confidential) Sir, Trenton [N.J.] Oct. 24. 1799 I am this evening honoured with your letter of the 20th. When I last wrote you, I had grounds to expect, on the President’s arrival; that the mission to France would be suspended, until the fate of its government should be known. This great question I supposed (& my colleagues had formed the same expectation) would be a subject of...
100174From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 26 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your letter of the 21st instant, enclosing a letter to Colo. Parker, which I have forwarded to him, and at the same time repeated my instructions for hutting the Troops, in conformity with the idea which you originally suggested. I presume that the impression made on your mind by Colo. Parker’s letter, respecting Winter Quarters for the three Regiments, must have been...
100175From George Washington to Daniel Morgan, 26 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 8th instt came duly to hand, and I should have given it an earlier acknowledgment, but waited to see Mr Law[renc]e Lewis, whom I expected here every day, before I did so. He is now arrived, and informs me that his brother John (as Executor of his father’s Will) is determined not to pay your demand against that Estate unless he is compelled to it; and that he has requested a...
100176From George Washington to William Vans Murray, 26 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
Within the space of a few days, I have been favoured with your letters of the 26th of July, and duplicate of one of the 7th of April (the original is missing)—and of those dated the 9th and 17th of August, with their enclosures. For the information given in these, and for your kindness in sending me a sketch of the Water throwing Mill, I feel much obliged, and thank you for the trouble you...
100177From George Washington to Thomas Parker, 26 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
(Copy) Sir, Mount Vernon, Octr 26th 1799. You will perceive, by the enclosed letter from General Hamilton, that he has taken up an idea, founded upon your communication to him on the subject, that you had substituted Barracks, instead of huts, for the Winter Quarters of the three Regiments ⟨at⟩ Harper’s Ferry. I presume that Genl Hamilton must have had an erroneous impression made on his mind...
100178From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 27 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
Since writing the enclosed letter to you yesterday, I have received a letter from Colo. Parker, and one from Mr Mackey, Agent for the War Department at Harper’s Ferry; stating the impracticability of procuring plank &c. sufficient for covering the huts intended to have been built for three Regiments at Harper’s Ferry. In consequence of this information I have again written to Colo. Parker,...
100179From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 27 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
To my official letters I refer you for my communications with Colo. Parker. I have no conception however, that such difficulties as are ennumerated in his and Mr Mackie’s letters, can exist in the erection of simple Hutts, (such as served us last War); and so I am about to inform the former. I am averse to the seperation of the 8th 9th and 10th Regiments under any circumstances which exist at...
100180From George Washington to James McHenry, 27 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed letters, from Genl Morgan and Captn G. S. Washington, recommending the Revd Mr Hill, as Chaplin to the Troops about to be stationed at Harper’s Ferry, have come to my hands, and are now forwarded for your inspection. I do not observe in the “Act for the better organizing the Troops of the U.S. &c.” that any provision is made for Chaplins. Whether they are provided for in any other...
100181From George Washington to Thomas Parker, 27 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you very fully yesterday on the subject of hutting the Troops at Harper’s Ferry, and enclosed a letter from General Hamilton on the same subject. The messenger who took that letter to the Post Office, brought from thence your letter of the 24th inst., and one of the same date from Mr Mackey. As these letters contain information which may make it proper to countermand, in some...
100182From George Washington to Benjamin Ogle, 28 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
It having been determined to station three Regiments of the United States Troops at Harper’s Ferry, orders were given to provide huts there for their winter Quarters; but, from the Report of Colo. Parker, the Officer to whom this business was committed, it appears impracticable to provide the materials, in due season, to build the huts at that place. It therefore becomes necessary to procure...
100183From George Washington to Thomas Parker, 28 October 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Thomas Parker, 28 Oct. 1799. On 31 Oct. Parker wrote : “I last evening Received your letters of the 26th 27th & 28th Instant.”
100184From George Washington to William Augustine Washington, 29 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 8th instant has been duly received, and this letter will be handed to you by Mr Lawe Lewis, to whom I have rented my Mill & Distillery, and who comes into your parts to see if he can procure (on reasonable terms) grain with which to keep them employed. Your advice and aid in enabling him to obtain these would be serviceable to him, & obliging to me. Mr Lewis is a cautious...
100185To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 30 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
I arrived at this place yesterday afternoon, and finding that Colo. Parker had gone to Winchester I dispatched a messinger for him (one of the Soldiers). He got here this afternoon, when I delivered him your letters. The huts for the 8th Regt are in a state of forwardness; 22 of them are finished to the roofs; several of which are now covering, they are 16 feet sqr. and intended for 12 men...
100186To George Washington from Allyn Prior, 30 October 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Allyn Prior, 30 Oct. 1799. On 1 Nov. GW wrote Prior : “Your letter of the 30th Ulto came to my hands yesterday afternoon.”
100187To George Washington from Thomas Parker, 31 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
I last evening Received your letters of the 26th 27th & 28th Instant. I Cannot Recollect any expression in my letter to Genl Hamilton which I supposed Coud have Induced him to Suppose that I meant to Substitute Barracks instead of Hutts. I merely Informed him that as there was not on the Public Ground materials Sufficient to Cover the whole of The Troops that I had Requested Mr Mackie to...
100188From George Washington to Allyn Prior, 1 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 30th Ulto came to my hands yesterday afternoon. As I propose, next Spring to have my lands on the Ohio critically examined by a Person in whose integrity ⟨and⟩ judgment I can confide, I am indifferent with respect to the sale of any of them, at this time, especially of that tract on Mill Creek which I conceive must be particularly fine, or possessing some valuable...
100189From George Washington to Leven Powell, 2 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
I am informed that you have in use, a cutting box upon a New Construction; which, in execution, far exceeds the common kind; and is also simple in its works. If this be the case, and you entirely approve of the Machine, I would thank you for procuring (as soon as may be) one of the best sort; and causing it to be forwarded to Colo. Gilpin in Alexandria, for me. The cost, & charges, shall be...
100190From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 3 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your private & confidential letter of the 24th Ulto came duly, and safely to hand. Its contents, I confess, surprised me. But as men will view the same things in different lights, I would now , fain hope that the P——has caught the true one; and, that good will come from the Mission, which is about to depart. These are my wishes, and no one is more ardent in them; but I see nothing in the...
100191From George Washington to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 3 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the ⟨ illegible ⟩d inst. from New Port, came duly to hand, and gave Mrs Washington (who continues to be much indisposed but ⟨hopes soon to be⟩ well again) and myself much pleasure to hear of Mrs Pinckney⟨’s⟩ encreasing health. A little time ⟨ illegible the⟩ fine settled weather we enjoy at present, will, we hope, restore it entirely. The Rout from Trenton, or Philadelphia to...
100192To George Washington from Ralph Wormeley, 3 November 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Ralph Wormeley, Jr., 3 Nov. 1799. On 18 Nov. GW wrote Wormeley : “Your favour of the 3d Instant came duly to hand.”
100193To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 4 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
In obedience to your orders I left Mount Vernon on Monday the 28th of Octr to communicate to Colo. Parker your instructions respecting hutting the Troops at Harper’s Ferry. I reached the Camp at Harper’s Ferry on the eveng of the 29th; and finding that Colo. Parker was gone to Winchester, I sent an Express for him immediately. In the afternoon of the 30th Colo. Parker arrived in Camp, when I...
100194From George Washington to James McHenry, 5 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
At the earnest request of General Hamilton, that I would give instructions for having the eighth, ninth and tenth Regiments of Infantry provided with Winter Quarters, which it was very desireable should be at Harper’s Ferry, I have departed from the resolution which I had formed, not to take charge of any military operations, unless the Army should be called into the Field, so far as to Order...
100195To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 5 November 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Timothy Pickering, 5 Nov. 1799. GW wrote Pickering on 24 Nov. : “Your favour of the 5th instant came to hand in due course.”
100196From George Washington to William Price, 7 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
I came from Mount Vernon to this place in order to run out some land which I hold in this County, near this place. In doing which, I have discovered—or think I have discovered—some vacant land between my lines, the lines of the late Thomas Lord Fairfax, and those commonly called Tankervilles; now in the occupation of others; to whom they were sold by his Agent. Having been but little in this...
100197To George Washington from Alexander Addison, 8 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
The other week the disputed line of the land you sold to Matthew Ritchie was run by Mr Morgan and another surveyor and settled by consent of Mr Reid who contended. There was very little difference between it and that last marked by Mr Morgan. An old line had been run probably a line of experiment and Reid had run his lines by it. The quantity may be considered as in Morgan’s survey. Some time...
100198To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 8 November 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Elias Boudinot, 8 Nov. 1799. On 13 Nov. GW wrote Boudinot : “Your favour of the 8th instt was received by the last Mail to Alexand[ri]a.”
100199From George Washington to William Price, 8 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
Since writing the enclosed, I have discovered that a Mr William Shepherd who was with me on the Survey, and who has acted a very disingenuous part upon the occasion, either has made, or pretends to have made, an Entry of the Vacancy (if there be such) which I have therein requested you to enter on my behalf, of land always reputed, and believed by the Neighbours, to be mine. I therefore...
100200To George Washington from James McHenry, 10 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
My attention, for some time past, has been so completely engrossed, that notwithstanding my earnest wish to communicate with you upon several subjects, I could not without neglecting some urgent business devote any moments to that purpose. In truth, the stone, however near I may seem to get it to the summit of the mountain, is perpetually upon the recoil, and demands constant exertion and...