157111From George Washington to Bushrod Washington, 17 November 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 9th came to my hand last night. What the abilities of my deceased brother Samls Estate towards paying his debts, may be, I am unable to say; but I much fear that the management of it is in very bad hands; as the hours of your Uncle Charles are—I have reason to believe—spent in intoxication. This circumstance, added to a natural indolence, leaves too much to the Steward to...
157112[Diary entry: 12 October 1774] (Washington Papers)
12. Rather warm being clear with but little Wind.
157113From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 14 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
With the detachment of light troops under your command you are to take post in front of our camp and in such a position as may appear best calculated to preserve the security of your own corps and cover this army from surprise. For the better execution of these purposes you will make yourself master of all the roads leading to the enemies lines. You will keep up a constant succession of...
157114[Diary entry: 12 September 1799] (Washington Papers)
12. Morning clear—wind brisk from the Southward and Mer. at 72–84 at highest & 80 at N. Clear all day. Cap: Truxton came to dinner. Thomas Truxtun (Truxton; 1755–1822) was owner and master of several privateers during the Revolution and later was a merchant trading with the Orient. In 1794 he was appointed captain in the United States Navy. In Feb. 1799 Truxtun, commanding the frigate...
157115[Diary entry: 29 October 1769] (Washington Papers)
29. At home all day. Captn. McCarty came in the Afternoon.
157116[Diary entry: 2 April 1775] (Washington Papers)
2. At home all day. Mr. Magowan went to church & returnd to Dinner. Mr. Wilper came in the Afternoon—as did Captn. Curtis also. Philip Curtis was the captain of GW’s brig Farmer , just arrived at Mount Vernon from a voyage that had carried 4,000 bushels of “Indian Corn” to Lisbon and returned with 3,000 bushels of salt from the Turks Islands in the Caribbean ( P.R.O. , T.1/512, ff. 196, 197).
157117From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favoured with yours of the 10th instant. You intirely misconceived my intention, with respect to the mode proposed of furnishing your division with shoes. I did not mean, that a shoe manufactory should be established for the purpose; but only, that you should contract with private persons, in the way of barter, to furnish you with such a number of shoes, and to be paid for...
157118From 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...
157119From George Washington to Peter Wagener, 9 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
Instead of having the Militia of this County (who I am informed are now assembled) march immediately to join the Marquis de la Fayette; I could wish they Might be employed in repairing the Roads from George Town to the Ford of Occoquan—To do this without a moments loss of time, is of such essential importance that I cannot but repeat in the most earnest manner my desire to have it done—The...
157120From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 22 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since writing the inclosed your several letters (acknowledged in my public one of this date) are come to hand—all of them except that of the 12th arrived at Hd Quarters within the course of one hour. The reasons assigned in some of your letters—and others which have occurred to me—chiefly of a political nature—assure me that great advantages will be derived from your being wherever the French...
157121Orders, 23 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
LB , DLC:GW .
157122From George Washington to Thomas Griffin Peachy, 24 September 1793 (Washington Papers)
The resolutions of the Inhabitants of the Town of Petersburg and its vicinity, were transmitted to me from Philada by the Secretary of State. The zealous & firm declaration of my Fellow Citizens of Petersburg & its vicinity, of their conviction of the necessity of peace in order to the preservation of our present state of tranquillity and prosperity, while the people of Europe are distressed...
157123From George Washington to Francis Adrian Van der Kemp, 28 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
The letter which you did me the favor to address to me on the 15th of this instt from New York has been duly received, and I take the speediest occasion to well-come your arrival on the American shore. I had always hoped that this land might become a safe & agreeable Asylum to the virtuous & persecuted part of mankind, to whatever nation they might belong; but I shall be the more particularly...
157124From George Washington to Edmund Pendleton, 28 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
I write to you, my dear Sir, on a subject which has engaged much of my reflection, and to which I am persuaded I shall obtain your ready and candid attention. Regarding the due administration of Justice as the corner stone of good government, I have considered the first arrangement of the judicial department as essential to the happiness of our country, and to the stability of its’ political...
157125[Diary entry: 21 April 1768] (Washington Papers)
21. Cool—Cloudy & Raing. more or less all day. Wind at East.
157126From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 14 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Soon after dispatching my last letter to you, your favor dated at Paramus was put into my hands by Colo. Gouvion—Yesterday brought me your letters of the 4th 5th & 5th in the Evening—and this day I have received another of the 9th. The Chevr De la Luzerne’s Dispatches came in time for the Post, which is the only means left me for conveyance of letters—there not being as much money in the hands...
157127From George Washington to Francis Peyton, 3 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 12th Ulto enclosing your Account with me—The Balance of £12.9.4½ due to you, I shall direct to be paid as soon as I can make it convenient—The reason of its not having been discharged before must be owing to the order being involved (in my books) with the Account of Colonel Mercers Estate from whence the wheat was brought and of course not coming so...
157128[Diary entry: 17 April 1771] (Washington Papers)
17. Wind till about an hour or two by Son in the Morning was Southerly—then hard at No. West but not very cold—clear also.
157129From George Washington to Thomas West, 6 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
From the last application which was made to you, I expected the papers so long promised, a fortnight ago. If you have any objection to my receiving them in order to effect a final settlement of the Admn of Colo. Thos Colvill’s Estate, I beg you will have candour enough to declare it; that I may know what further steps are necessary for me to take to bring this business to a close. I think I...
157130[Diary entry: 7 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 7th. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—30 at Noon and 32 at Night. A good deal of rain fell in the Night. About Sun rise it began to Snow and continued to do so, more or less all day. Continued at home.
157131[Diary entry: 14 July 1771] (Washington Papers)
14. Still, & very warm in the Forenoon. In the Afternoon much Rain & Wind from the So. West. At Colo. Bassetts.
157132[Diary entry: 26 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 26th. Thermometer at 63 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 60 at Night. Clear day, and calm Morning but brisk wind afterwards from the No. West. Went up to Alexandria to meet Colonels Gilpin & Fitzgerald on business of the Potomack Compa. Doctr. La Moyer, Mr. B. Bassett and G. A. Washington accompanied me the first of whom remained there. Dined at the New Tavern, kept by Mr. Lyle. Brought...
157133From George Washington to Brigadier General John Neilson, 4 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your two favors of yesterdays date; and am obliged to you for the intelligence they contain. The fort which Armstruther alluded to, was a small detached work on the East side of Kings ferry with about 50 men. It surrendered on the 2d instant. It is not yet perfectly evident, what are the enemy’s real intention in this movement. We however are in motion towards the North...
157134From George Washington to the United States Senate, 17 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
Since your last Session I have appointed Robert Morris Judge of the District of New Jersey, in place of David Brearly deceased; and John Heth of Virginia an Ensign in the Troops of the United States, in place of Richard Archer who has declined his appointment. As these appointments expire with your present Session, I nominate Robert Morris to be Judge of the District of New Jersey, in place of...
157135[Diary entry: 4 October 1787] (Washington Papers)
Thursday. 4th. Thermometer at 50 in the Morning 60 at Noon and 60 at Night. Clear all day, Wind Northerly in the forenoon & Southerly afterwards. Dined at Abingdon and came home in the afternoon. Brot. Fanny Washington with us. Found two more plows from Frenchs at work at Muddy hole.
157136From George Washington to Brigadier General Francis Nash, 22 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
You will immediately proceed with your Brigade & Colo. Proctor’s Corps of Artillery to Chester. If you can readily procure Craft to transport the Troops by Water you will: If you cannot, you will March by Land & send your Baggage by water if there shall be Vessels sufficient to carry it. Shou’d you be disappointed in this also, it must go by land in such Waggons as you can get for the purpose....
157137From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 15 February 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 8th instt conveys very pleasing information, and I feel obliged by the communication. Although you did not give your letter the stamp of privacy, I did not think myself at liberty to mention the purport of it to some good Federal characters who were dining with me at the time I received it, and who would have thought it the best Desert I could have offered. Hence forward, I...
157138From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 25 June 1756 (Washington Papers)
I doubt not but your Honour will be as much surprized, as I have been concerned and vexed at my stay here. When I left Williamsburgh, I did it with a design to proceed with the utmost expedition to Fort Cumberland. In order thereto, I arrived at Fredericksburgh to Dinner, the day after I left your Honour, at one o’clock; and gave the officer, posted at that place, a list of such tools as were...
157139[Diary entry: 11 October 1771] (Washington Papers)
11. Still at home all day Plotting & Measuring the Surveys which Captn. Crawford made for the Officers & Soldiers.
157140[Diary entry: 18 June 1798] (Washington Papers)
18. Morning—lowering, wind Easterly & Mer. at 62. Afternoon slow Rain—Mer. 70.
157141General Orders, 8 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
At a General Court-Martial held near Fish-Kill November 9th 1778. Colonel John Neville President. Colonel Thomas Price commanding the 2nd Maryland Regiment, was tried on the following charges (viz.) 1stly—Cowardice on York-Island in the face of the Enemy. 2ndly—Disgraceful behaviour in refusing to take command, at Hackinsack of the regiment late Smallwoods when ordered to Fort-Lee....
157142From George Washington to William Herbert, 25 June 1799 (Washington Papers)
In expectation of receiving considerable sums of money for Lands sold for the express purpose of raising it, I have (being able hitherto to get along without it) forborne to apply to the Bank for aid. But out of $15,000 which ought to have been paid by the first of June 1798, and nearly the same sum this month for Lands, sold by me I have recd $1700 only. This disappointment, and calls upon me...
157143From George Washington to John Jay, 1 December 1789 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States hath read with attention the Papers herewith returned, relating to our Affairs in Morocco: and as far as he can form an opinion without knowing the contents of Guiseppe Chiappe’s Letters of the 25th of April & 18th of July 1789 —no translation thereof being sent—approves the Draft of the Letters to the Emperor and Guiseppe & Francisco Chiappe; and wishes, as...
157144[Diary entry: 8 March 1774] (Washington Papers)
8. I set of for Berkley &ca. & to Meet Mr. James Mercer at Bull run, on a div[isio]n of that Land between him and his Brothers. Dined at Moss’s & lodgd at Leesburg. GW was a court-appointed trustee for James Mercer’s brother George, who was in England. GW took the main road from Alexandria to Leesburg. Later that same year Nicholas Cresswell, in taking the same route, found the road to be...
157145To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 8 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The answer to Mr. Hammonds letter is conformable to the measures which have been advised—and of course is approved. RC ( DLC ); addressed: “The Secretary of State”; endorsed by TJ as received 8 Aug. 1793. Recorded in SJPL . Enclosures: George Hammond to TJ , and TJ to Hammond, both 8 Aug. 1793 .
157146[Diary entry: 5 July 1774] (Washington Papers)
5. Went up to Alexandria to a Meeting of the Inhabitts. of this County. Dined at Arrells & lodgd at my own Ho[use]. The date for the convention in Williamsburg had been set as late as 1 Aug., so that each burgess might “have an Opportunity of collecting the Sense of their respective Counties” (see main entry for 31 May 1774 ), and it was for this purpose that GW attended this Fairfax County...
157147From George Washington to Henry Bouquet, 2 September 1758 (Washington Papers)
Your Letters of the 30th and 31st Ulto I was favourd with in the Evening Yesterday—not time enough tho. to prepare my answer till to day and for safety I have detaind the Express for the Cover of Night. I enclose you an exact return of all the Ammunition & Provisions wch we have at this place that you may be judge what supply is necessary to send here —If the Pork is in Keggs of a 100 Wt & the...
157148General Orders, 4 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
For the day tomorrow Brigadier General Huntington Lieutenant Colonel Johnston For Picquet Major Maxwell Inspector Captain Remick The Waggon Master General is to make an immediate Return of all Horses and Oxen employed in his Department including the riding horses. The Quarter Masters of Brigades and seperate Corps are to make Returns of all Horses therein and of the names (and ranks of...
157149[Diary entry: 14 September 1784] (Washington Papers)
14th. Remained at Mr. Gilbert Simpsons all day. Before Noon Colo. Willm. Butler and the Officer Commanding the Garrison at Fort Pitt, a Captn. Lucket came here. As they confirmed the reports of the discontented temper of the Indians and the Mischiefs done by some parties of them and the former advised me not to prosecute my intended trip to the Great Kanhawa, I resolved to decline it. This day...
157150From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 7 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favd with yours of the 5th I take it for granted that the measures you mean to pursue for cutting off the intercourse between the Country and the enemy will be such as will [be] justified by circumstances, and not incompetent with the laws which the state of Jersey have passed for that purpose. It will be well to inform yourself particularly of the laws which are in force on...
157151From George Washington to Brigadier General John Lacey, Jr., 2 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday recd yours of the 27th Feby. I had heard of the loss of the Cattle before it came to hand, and I am sorry to say that the loss is imputed to your having refused to let the drovers have a guard when they applied for one. I shall be glad to know whether it is so, and if true, what could be your reason for refusing. I desire you to send a party of 150 Men, under a good Officer, well...
157152[Diary entry: 2 November 1774] (Washington Papers)
2. The Gentlemen went away after Breakfast. I rid to the Mill. Mr. Ben. Dulany & Wife came here to Dinner & stayd all Night as did Mr. R. Thompson. Richard Thompson was living on the Maryland side of the Great Falls of the Potomac, where he was trying to establish a business in the manufacturing and sale of smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, and snuff. In 1774 he was appointed to be the clerk...
157153From George Washington to Colonel Stephen Moylan, 24 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy’s Fleet having left the Hook and gone to Sea, I am to request, that you will immediately repair with your Regiment to the City of Philadelphia and put yourself under the direction of the Commanding Officer there—You will not lose a Moments Time, and will order your Baggage to follow under a proper Guard. I am Sir Yr Humble servant LS , in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DSoC ; Df ,...
157154From George Washington to William Greene, 24 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
By the plan of operations settled between His Excellency the Count de Rochambeau and myself, the French Army, except a Guard over Stores at providence, is to march as soon as circumstances will admit and form a junction with the American upon the North River: But as it has been deemed of importance to keep possession of the valuable Works which have been thrown up upon Rhode Island for the...
157155From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 14 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
As the object of the enemy is now reduced to an absolute certainty, and they are bending their whole force, with great vigor, to the Southward, it can no longer answer any valuable purpose to keep a body of Continental troops in your state, whose presence in the further progress of the Campaign will probably be essentially necessary in this quarter. You will therefore, on receipt of this,...
157156General Orders, 13 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
A General Court Martial to sit to morrow morning to try Col. John Mansfield of the Massachusetts Forces, accused by three of his Officers of high Crimes and Misdemeanors: One Brigadier General, and twelve Field Officers, to compose the Court. President Brigdr Gen: Green Col. James Ried Col. Patterson Col. James M: Varnum Col. Woodbridge Lt Col. [Isaac] Wyman Lt Col. [Samuel] March Lt Col....
157157[Diary entry: 20 October 1769] (Washington Papers)
20. Raining in the Night and Misty all day. Wind still Eastwardly.
157158[Diary entry: 21 January 1787] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 21st. Mercury at 37 in the Morning—42 at Noon and 42 at Night. A very heavy thick fog till 10 Oclock—Cloudy & lowering Most part of the day afterwds. though the sun made feeble efforts to shine. Evening clr.—but little wind and that at No. Et. Major Swan (of Boston) & Mr. Hunter of Alexandria came here to dinner & stayed all nig[ht].
157159[Diary entry: 14 February 1768] (Washington Papers)
14. At home alone.
157160[Diary entry: 9 December 1768] (Washington Papers)
9. Rid to Muddy hole, Doeg run, & the Mill.