3851[May 1760] (Washington Papers)
Thursday May 1st. Got over early in the Morning and reachd home before Dinnertime and upon enquiry found that my Clover Field was finishd sowing & Rolling the Saturday I left home—as was the Sowing of my Lucerne: and that on the they began sowing the last field of Oats & finishd it the 25th. That in box No. 6, two grains of Wheat appeard on the 20th.; one an Inch high—on the 22d. a grain of...
3852From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 1 May 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I embrace most gladly my dear Friend’s Proposal of a Subject for our future Correspondence; not only as it will occasion my hearing from her more frequently, but as it will lay me under a Necessity of improving my own Knowledge that I may be better able to assist in her Improvement. I only fear my necessary Business and Journeys with the natural Indolence...
3853[Diary entry: 1 May 1760] (Washington Papers)
Thursday May 1st. Got over early in the Morning and reachd home before Dinnertime and upon enquiry found that my Clover Field was finishd sowing & Rolling the Saturday I left home—as was the Sowing of my Lucerne: and that on the they began sowing the last field of Oats & finishd it the 25th. That in box No. 6, two grains of Wheat appeard on the 20th.; one an Inch high—on the 22d. a grain of...
3854[Diary entry: 2 May 1760] (Washington Papers)
Friday May 2d. Cold, & strong Westerly Winds. My English Horse Coverd the great bay Mare. GW had bought an English colt from Col. Bernard or Thomas Moore in Mar. 1759 for £17 10s. ( General Ledger A General Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers. , folio 55).
3855From Benjamin Franklin to Lord Kames, 3 May 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Scottish Record Office Your obliging Favour of January 24th. found me greatly indispos’d with an obstinate Cold and Cough accompany’d with Feverish Complaints and Headachs, that lasted long and harass’d me greatly, not being subdu’d at length but by the whole Round of Cupping, Bleeding, Blistering, &c. When I had any Intervals of Ease and Clearness, I endeavour’d to comply with your...
3856[Diary entry: 3 May 1760] (Washington Papers)
Saturday May 3d. Wind got Southerly, but blew fresh and Cool. The Stallion coverd Ranken—and afterwards breaking out of his pasture Coverd the great bay Mare again.
3857[Diary entry: 4 May 1760] (Washington Papers)
Sunday May 4th. Warm and fine. Set out for Frederick to see my Negroes that lay Ill of the Small Pox. Took Church in my way to Colemans where I arrivd about Sun setting.
3858[Diary entry: 5 May 1760] (Washington Papers)
Monday May 5th. Reach’d Mr. Stephenson in Frederick abt. 4 Oclock just time enough to see Richd. Mounts Interrd. Here I was informd that Harry & Kit, the two first of my Negroes that took the Small Pox were Dead and Roger & Phillis the only two down with it were recovering from it. Lodgd at Mr. Stephenson. Richard Stephenson (d. 1765) of Frederick County married the widow Onora Grimes...
3859[Diary entry: 6 May 1760] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday May 6. Visited my Brother’s Quarter, & just calld at my own in my way to Winchester where I spent the day & Evening with Colo. Byrd &ca. The Court was held to Day at Stephen’s Town but adjournd to Winchester to Morrow. Because of the smallpox epidemic in Frederick County, the county court was moved, by order of the governor 3 July 1759, to Stephensburg, “during the time the small pox...
3860From Benjamin Franklin to [Peter Franklin], 7 May 1760 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Benjamin Franklin, Experiments and Observations on Electricity (London, 1769), pp. 379–80. ******It had, indeed, as you observe, been the opinion of some very great naturalists, that the sea is salt only from the dissolution of mineral or rock salt, which its waters happened to meet with. But this opinion takes it for granted that all water was originally fresh, of...
3861[Diary entry: 7 May 1760] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday May 7. After taking the Doctrs. Direction’s in regard to my People I set out for my Quarters and got there abt. 12 Oclock—time enough to go over them and find every thing in the utmost confusion, disorder & backwardness my Overseer lying upon his Back of a broken Leg, and not half a Crop especially of Corn Ground prepard. Engagd. Vale. Crawford to go in pursuit of a Nurse to be ready...
3862Defense of the Canada Pamphlet, [8–15 May 1760] (Franklin Papers)
Draft (fragment): American Philosophical Society The London Chronicle for April 24–26 contains a long and highly favorable review of The Interest of Great Britain Considered , calling it a “masterly performance” which “shows the writer to be perfectly acquainted with his subject and possessed of the happy talent of expressing himself with clearness, strength, and precision.” Most of the...
3863[Diary entry: 8 May 1760] (Washington Papers)
Thursday May 8th. Got Blankets and every other requisite from Winchester & settld things upon the best footing I coud to prevt. the Small Pox from Spreading—and in case of its spreading for the care of the Negroes. Mr. Vale. Crawford agreeing in case any more of the People at the lower Quarter getting it to take them home to his House—& if any of those at the upper Quarter gets it to have them...
3864[Diary entry: 9 May 1760] (Washington Papers)
Friday May 9th. Set out on my return Home. The Morning drizzling a little. Calld at the Bloomery and got Mr. Wm. Crawford to shew me the place that has been so often talkd of for erecting an Iron Work upon. The Convenience of Water is great—first it may be taken out of the River into a Canal and a considerable Fall obtained—& ⟨then⟩ a Run comes from the Mountain on which the largest Fall may...
3865[Diary entry: 10 May 1760] (Washington Papers)
Saturday May 10. Arrivd at home abt. 10 Oclock where I found my Brother Jno. And was told that my great Chesnut folded a Horse Colt on the 6 Instt. and that my Young Peach trees were Wed according to Order. The Oats, & in short every thing else seemd quite at a stand, from the dryness of the Earth which was remarkably so partly for want of Rain and partly by the constant drying Winds which...
3866[Diary entry: 11 May 1760] (Washington Papers)
Sunday May 11th. Mrs. Washington we[nt] to Church. My black pacing Mare was twice Coverd. Proposd a purchase of some Lands which Col. F[airfa]x has at the Mouth of the Warm Spring Run joing. Barwicks bottom. He promisd me the preference if he shd. sell but is not inclind to do it at prest.
3867From Benjamin Franklin to Alexander Small, 12 May 1760 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Benjamin Franklin, Experiments and Observations on Electricity (London, 1769), pp. 381–3. Agreeable to your request, I send you my reasons for thinking that our North-East storms in North-America begin first, in point of time, in the South-West parts: That is to say, the air in Georgia, the farthest of our colonies to the South-West, begins to move South-Westerly...
3868[Diary entry: 12 May 1760] (Washington Papers)
Monday May 12th. Fine Rain began in the Morning and continued by Intervals all day. Sent Cook Jack & my Horses to get in Stephens Corn. Black Mare was coverd again to day. Mr. Alexander sent a Mare but She refusd the Horse. corn: Zea mays , Indian corn. GW’s principal variety was probably Virginia Gourdseed, a coarse, white dent corn with a red cob and soft and starchy kernel ( SINGLETON W....
3869[Diary entry: 13 May 1760] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday May 13th. Cloudy with some slight Showers of Rain. People all working at Muddy hole getting in Stephens’s Corn. My Brother Jno. returnd from Difficult. difficult: Difficult Run, which empties into the Potomac River between the Great Falls and the Little Falls. From 1757 until 1798 it was the upper half of the boundary between Loudoun and Fairfax counties.
3870[Diary entry: 14 May 1760] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday May 14th. Wind at No. Wt. fresh and drying. Visited at Belvoir. People & Plows at Muddy Hole.
3871To George Washington from Robert Stewart, 14 May 1760 (Washington Papers)
Three Days after I parted with you I got a Man to Inlist in the room of Allen, for about 50/. Expence, and wheneve[r] the Companies from Augusta arriv’d I found out Allen, but every argument I could use could not prevail upon him to engage for more than two years, nor would he take less than £20 ⅌ ann. his Terms are so extremely unreasonable that I have not apply’d for his Discharge, as I’m...
3872To Benjamin Franklin from Hugh Roberts, 15 May 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am convinced thou thinks it a Duty to pay those Debts, Custom as well as friendship has introduced, in answering Epistle from thy numerous set of Acquaintance; and tho’ thou art bless’d with a large stock, yet the great demands on thee, must engage a considerable part of that Time, which thou art endeavouring to employ in promoting a general Benefit....
3873[Diary entry: 15 May 1760] (Washington Papers)
Thursday May 15th. Drying Winds—People at Muddy hole again.
3874[Diary entry: 16 May 1760] (Washington Papers)
Friday May 16th. Still Cool and Windy—my People yet continuing at Muddy hole. My Brother Jno. left this and I got Nations Estate Appraisd by Messrs. McCarty Barry & Triplet—as follows viz. One old Gun & lock 7.6 1 Small Bell 2.6 1 Suit of Cloaths viz. } a Coat Waistt. Breechs. Shirt, Hat, Shoes & Garters
3875From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 17 May 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Feehan Memorial Library, St. Mary of the Lake Seminary; transcript (part MS , part printed): Library of Congress. I send my dear good Girl the Books I mention’d to her last Night. I beg her to accept them as a small Mark of my Esteem and Friendship. They are written in the familiar easy Manner for which the French are so remarkable, and afford a good deal of philosophic and practical...
3876[Diary entry: 17 May 1760] (Washington Papers)
Saturday May 17th. Mulatto Jack returnd from King William with 3 Yoke of Oxen & lost Punch the Horse he rid. Sent up 16 Hydes to Mr. Adams at Alexa. viz. 12 large & 4 Small ones to be Tan’d. Brought a Pipe of Wine from there wch. Captn. McKie brought from Madeira also a Chest of Lemons and some other trifles. Began weeding my Trefoil below the Hill. The Great Bay was coverd. Got an Acct. that...
3877To Benjamin Franklin from the Earl of Bessborough, 18 May 1760 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Lord Bessborough Complements to Mr. Franklin and desires the favour of his Company at Dinner next Sunday. William Ponsonby, 2d Earl of Bessborough ( c. 1704–1793), succeeded to his father’s title, July 4, 1758. He was an Irish M.P., 1725–58, and privy councilor, 1741; a British M.P., 1742–54; lord of the Admiralty, 1746–56; and joint postmaster general, July...
3878[Diary entry: 18 May 1760] (Washington Papers)
Sunday May 18th. Set out in Company with Mr. George Johnston. At Colchester was informd by Colo. Thornton and Chissel that the Assembly wd. be broke up before I could get down. Turnd back therefore & found Colo. Fairfax and his Family and that Lightning wch. had attended a good deal of Rain had struck my Quarter & near 10 Negroes in it some very bad but with letting Blood they recoverd. George...
3879To George Washington from Christopher Hardwick, 18 May 1760 (Washington Papers)
we are disopinted in sending two Wagings down Magnis Tate has declind Coming down & Mr Crafords waginner Refusd to Carey the two mars down So that I was fosed to send down nat with them which I Cud very elley spare! I am in hops I Shall soon be able to see about my beseness we have no more people taken with the Small pox as yet nor I am in hops Shant I have prepared them a Cording to your...
3880To George Washington from Anthony Strother, 18 May 1760 (Washington Papers)
I reciev’d yours, in answer to which I can only say that I think that Land was conveyd to your Father by Mr John Grant and his wife, and the money there ariseing was paid to me as Guardian to my Brothers Children to whom I paid it as the[y] came of age, so that I fear I shall be brought in my self, however as your right seems to be very clear, I only desire youl let it lye till I can consult...
3881[Diary entry: 19 May 1760] (Washington Papers)
Monday May 19th. Went to Alexandria to see Captn. Littledales Ship Launchd wch. went of extreamely well. This day was attended with slight shower’s. Colo. F[airfa]x had a Mare Cover’d. So had Captn. Dalton. In 1760 Isaac Littledale was establishing his trade between his home in Whitehaven, Eng., and the Potomac River valley. For this trade the Hero , a 200–ton ship which required 14 hands, was...
3882[Diary entry: 20 May 1760] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday May 20th. Being Court day Mr. Clifton’s Land in the Neck was exposd to Sale and I bought it for £1210 Sterlg. & under many threats and disadvantages paid the Money into the Comrs. hands and returnd home at Night with Colo. Fairfax & Famy. Captn. Dalton’s Dun Mare again Covd. The final decree of the General Court in chancery (decree, Clifton v. Carroll et al., 12 April 1760, NjWdHi )...
3883[Diary entry: 21 May 1760] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday May 21. Wrote to Messrs. Nicholas & With for Advice how to act in regard to Clifton’s Land. Sent the Letter by the Post. A good deal of Rain in the Night. Colo. Fairfax went home. Began shearing my Sheep. ⟨Dalton’s sorrel⟩ Mare coverd. In their reply of 27 May 1760 Robert Carter Nicholas and George Wythe stated they were “sorry to find you are likely to be involved in so much...
3884From George Washington to Robert Carter Nicholas and George Wythe, 21 May 1760 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Robert Carter Nicholas and George Wythe, 21 May 1760. On 27 May Nicholas and Wythe wrote to GW : “Yesterday we received your Letter of the 21st Instant.”
3885[Diary entry: 22 May 1760] (Washington Papers)
Thursday May 22d. Continued shearing my sheep. A good deal of Rain at Night—and Cool as it has been ever since the first Reign on the 12th. Captn. Dalton had a sorrell Mare coverd. My Black Mare that came Frederick was Coverd Yesterday & the day before. Captn. McCarty had a Mare Coverd the 20th. Memms. To have 600 Tobo. Hills Marld at Williamsons quarter—to try the Virtues of it—to do it more...
3886[May 1760] (Adams Papers)
Spent the Evening at Mr. Edd. Quincy’s, with Mr. Wibird, and my Cozen Zab. Mr. Quincy told a remarkable Instance of Mr. Ben. Franklin’s Activity, and Resolution, to improve the Productions of his own Country, for from that source it must have sprang, or else from an unheard of Stretch of Benevolence to a stranger. Mr. Franklin, happening upon a Visit to his Germantown Friends, to be at Mr....
3887Monday May 26th 1760. (Adams Papers)
Spent the Evening at Mr. Edd. Quincy’s, with Mr. Wibird, and my Cozen Zab. Mr. Quincy told a remarkable Instance of Mr. Ben. Franklin’s Activity, and Resolution, to improve the Productions of his own Country, for from that source it must have sprang, or else from an unheard of Stretch of Benevolence to a stranger. Mr. Franklin, happening upon a Visit to his Germantown Friends, to be at Mr....
3888Tuesday [27 May]. (Adams Papers)
At home. Read, in Naval Trade and Commerce.
3889To George Washington from Robert Carter Nicholas and George Wythe, 27 May 1760 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday we received your Letter of the 21st Instant & are sorry to find you are likely to be involved in so much Trouble by your late Purchase of Clifton’s Neck, & the more so, because we don’t find ourselves able, even after the maturest Deliberation, to point out such Measures for you to conduct yourself by, as can with any Certainty be relied on; however, as you desire it, we ⟨&⟩ will...
3890To George Washington from Joseph Valentine, 27 May 1760 (Washington Papers)
I this day Recd a Letter ⟨ illegible ⟩ hand of Mr Nicholas⟨;⟩ have also Recd a Letter from him to ⟨you⟩ which I send ⟨off⟩ immediately to you by George from King Wm who I think ⟨is the⟩ safest hand I Can send it By —I also Recd your Letter the 18th sent by melato Jack and will do my ⟨truest⟩ endeavours to get an over seer to sute you —Ass to Colo. Johnson I Cant get one farding of money from...
3891Wednesday [28 May]. (Adams Papers)
Loitered the forenoon away upon this Question in Arithmetic. 3 men give 20 shillings for a Bushell of Corn. A pays in the Proportion of one half, B in the Proportion of 1/3 and C in the Proportion of 1/4. Now how many shillings and Pence does each one pay? I put x, an Algebraicall Expression, for that unknown Quantity, whose 1/2 1/3 and 1/4 added together would make 20 shillings. In the...
3892To George Washington from Joseph Valentine, 28 May 1760 (Washington Papers)
I in tended to sent old George but when I cam to Rones George was sick and I was obligd to send Stephen ass I was a fraid to send any but what had had the Small pox ass I understood it was in the way ass they Came they have a prospect of a fine Crop heare if please God the year permits. I am Sir your Most Humble Servant ALS , ViHi : Custis Papers. For George’s probable identity, see Valentine...
38931760. May 29. Thurdsday. (Adams Papers)
Rose and breakfasted. Have done nothing yet to day, and God only knows what I shall do. The Question of the Pipe. A Pipe of Wine has 3 Cocks, one of which would discharge it in 1/4 of an hour, another in 1/2 an hour and the 3rd in 3/4 of an hour all open and running at once. Quere in what Time, all three together will empty the Cask? Let me Note these Proportions for the Present. Perhaps this...
3894Draft of a Letter on the Evils of Licensed Houses, 29 May 1760 (Adams Papers)
Braintree, 29 May 1760. Printed: JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 1:128–129 . For the context of this draft and its three sequels, Jan.? – May? 1761, none apparently published at the time, see note in same, p. 129–130 , and JA ’s MS map of taverns, same, facing p. 65 , with description and...
3895May 30 1760. Friday. (Adams Papers)
Rose early. Several Country Towns, within my observation, have at least a Dozen Taverns and Retailers. Here The Time, the Money, the Health and the Modesty, of most that are young and of many old, are wasted; here Diseases, vicious Habits, Bastards and Legislators, are frequently begotten. Nightingale, Hayden, Saunders, J. Spear, N. Spear, Benoni Spear, would vote for any Man for a little...
38961760 May 31th. Saturday (Adams Papers)
Read in naval Trade and Commerce, concerning Factors, Consuls, Embassadors, &c., and the South Sea Company, &c. Went into Water. Talked with Wm. Veasey about Church &c. He will not allow that Dr. Mayhew has any uncommon Parts. He had haughty Spirits, and Vanity &c.—How the Judgment is darkened and perverted by Party Passions! Drank Tea with Zab. Ran over the past Passages of my Life. Little...
3897To George Washington from Robert Cary & Co., 31 May 1760 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Robert Cary & Co., 31 May 1760. On 28 Sept. 1760 GW wrote to Robert Cary & Co. : “Your Letter of the 31st May Via Bristol came to hand.”
3898Cash Accounts, June 1760 (Washington Papers)
Cash June 9— To Ditto [cash] of Jno. Gist for Smiths Acct for self & Mother £1.13.9 To Ditto of Mr Sampson Darrel—for Ditto 1.11.0 21— To Ditto of Captn Possey—Balle Accts 5.17.6 To Ditto of Mr Piper for 20,602 lbs. Tobo @ 20/ prCt 206. 0.5 Contra June 2— By Mr Mercer. A fee for his Opinion in Cliftons dispute 5. 0.0 By Cash gave Widow Nation’s 0.10.0 5— By ditto gave Jno. Askew 20/ 1. 0.0
3899[June 1760] (Adams Papers)
Read 2 Odes in Horace. Spent the Evening at the Coll’s. While we were at supper, the Coll. received Letters from Mr. Turner of London, with a Bill of Lading and Invoice of about £150 sterlings worth of Glass and Hinges and Nails, and Locks &c. for a House. These were the Value of a sum of the Coll’s. Money, which Mr. Turner had retained, in his own Hands, about seven Years since, to satisfy a...
3900June 1st. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Read 2 Odes in Horace. Spent the Evening at the Coll’s. While we were at supper, the Coll. received Letters from Mr. Turner of London, with a Bill of Lading and Invoice of about £150 sterlings worth of Glass and Hinges and Nails, and Locks &c. for a House. These were the Value of a sum of the Coll’s. Money, which Mr. Turner had retained, in his own Hands, about seven Years since, to satisfy a...