1. GW had requested a Narragansett horse (see his letter to Wadsworth, 11 Feb., and n.2 to that document).

Developed in Rhode Island, the Narragansett pacer was a breed of saddle horse noted for speed, endurance, and an easy gait. It disappeared around 1800. For an account of the breed’s history, see Dimon, American Horses, description begins John Dimon. American Horses and Horse Breeding: A Complete History of the Horse from the Remotest Period in History to Date. … Hartford, 1895. description ends 52–55; see also Charlotte Carrington-Farmer, “The Rise and Fall of the Narragansett Pacer,” Rhode Island History 76 (2018): 1–38.

2. GW replied to Wadsworth from Mount Vernon on 26 June: “Your letter of the 12th instt found me at this place; having left Philadelphia on the 13th.

“I thank you for the purchase of a Naraganset on my Acct; and pray, unless a good and safe opportunity shd offer, by which he could be sent to my Stables in Philadelphia (by the same hand) that you would commit him to the care of some honest farmer in your neighbourhood (to be well fed) until my return to the Seat of Government; which will happen before the last of August. Whatever expence is incurred for the feed—pasturage—& care of him, shall be paid the moment the account of them is presented.

“On, or before my arrival in Philadelphia (if the above event should not take place previous thereto) I will request him to be sent on in the manner you have suggested, and will forward a servant to meet him at New York; being apprised of the day he will be there.

“It may happen, though it is not within the chances, that some person (in whom you could confide) having business in the Federal City, or Alexandria, might find it convenient to ride him there, rather than travel in the Stage; should this happen, it would suit me better than either of the former modes.

“You have made a cheaper purchase than I expected; and if there is any person in this part of the Country, or Philadelphia to whom you would have the hundred & thirty dollars paid, it shall be immediately done; or if you would have it in promisary Bank notes of the United States, under cover of a letter, that sum shall be transmitted to you, in this manner, by the first Post after I receive the advice.

“If I should not be embarked on some other Journey, two or three years hence, I shall remember your promise to furnish me with a Naraganset of your own raising. My best respects are presented to Mrs Wadsworth and the family” (ALS, Ct: Joseph Trumbull Papers).

GW subsequently wrote Secretary of the Treasury Oliver Wolcott, Jr., from Mount Vernon on 18 July: “Private … Let me request the favor of you to pay (out of the money I left in your hands) One hundred and thirty dollars to Mr Thos McEwen, agreeably to the direction contained in the enclosed letter from Colo. Wadsworth to me; and take his receipt for the same on the back of the letter.

“Colo. Wadsworth was obliging enough to offer me a Naraganset of his own breeding—which he thought would be fit for use in two or three years—this I accepted, provided I was not in the prosecution of a journey to the Land of Spirits (before that time) in which he might be of no service to me” (ALS, CtHi: Oliver Wolcott, Jr., Papers; see also GW’s first letter to Wolcott, 13 June, and Wolcott to GW, 23 July). The enclosed letter from Wadsworth to GW has not been found.

Thomas McEuen (McEwen; c.1765–1822) worked as a broker in Philadelphia. He later represented the city in the Pennsylvania legislature.

GW later wrote Wadsworth from Philadelphia on 23 Aug.: “Be so good as to inform me of the precise time, and at what place in the City of New York, the horse you were so obliging as to procure for me can be delivered; and a person shall be there in order to receive him: and the sooner, the more convenient it will be for me.

“Let the account of his expences for feed & pasturage; and whatever you shall agree to give the Post Rider (or whoever brings him to New York) for his trouble, & the expence of doing it, be mentioned in your letter; and the person who goes for him shall be furnished with money to pay the whole. The One hundred and thirty dollars—the cost of him, has, as I presume you have been advised, been paid to —— agreeably to your desire. My best respects attend Mrs & Miss Wadsworth” (ALS, CtHi: Washington Letters and Papers).

Wadsworth replied to GW from Hartford on 27 Aug.: “your favor of the 23d came so late last night, that there was no possibility of replying by the same Post: otherwise your Horse would have been at New York on Wednesday evening, of next week. as it is he will be there on the evening of Wednesday the 7th of September—at Powels Stable about twenty Yards from the Ferry Stairs on the North River. the charges on the Horse are as under and may be paid to Thos McEwen & Co. Chesnut street Philadelphia as it is possible your servant may not meet with the post—Mrs & Miss Wadsworth beg your acceptance of their respectfull compliments and pray you to present them to Mrs Washington … one of my Yearling mare Colts of the Narraganset breed is very handsome and will be for you when fit to ride ” (ALS, DLC:GW). The postscript with this letter showed charges for “10 Weeks Hay & Grass” at £1; 8 bushels of “Oats 2/6” at £1; and “Post to New York 3 doll.” The charges totaled £2.18, or $9.67. A record in GW’s household accounts under 6 Sept. indicates payment of this sum to McEuen.