89071To George Washington from George Morgan, 31 July–5 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency is no doubt informed of the Ravages made in Connecticut, New York & New Jersey by the Hessian Fly, whose History is given in various Publications: As this Insect is now advanced to the Neighbourhood of Philadelphia, & its Progress southward is alarming to the Farmer, I have taken some Pains to inform myself of its Manners & Life, & to make several Experiments to oppose its...
89072From George Washington to Noah Webster, 31 July 1788 (Washington Papers)
I duly received your letter of the 14th instant, and can only answer you briefly, and generally from memory: that a combined operation of the land and naval forces of France in America for the year 1781, was preconcerted the year before: that the point of attack was not absolutely agreed upon, because it would be easy for the Count de Grasse, in good time before his departure from the West...
89073From George Washington to Thomas Newton, Jr., 1 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 14th & 19 Ulto came duly to hand, as did the sample of Shingles by Captn Slacum. I did not conceive that under the present dearth of Cash that the price of this article would have been so high as you mentioned. Capt. Slacum, with whom I have conversed on this subject, thinks as you do, that Juniper Shingles would answer my purpose as well as any other would—and suggested...
89074To George Washington from William Pierce, 1 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
I enclose you a small pamphlet which contains an Oration that I delivered in Savannah on the 4th ultimo. Independant of the common ceremony practised on these occasions I present it to you with the highest sentiments of respect and esteem. With honor I subscribe myself Your obedient servant ALS , DLC:GW . William Pierce’s pamphlet An Oration, Delivered at Christ Church, Savannah, on the 4th...
89075To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 1 August 1788 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Stephens Smith, 1 Aug. 1788. GW wrote Smith on 30 Aug. : “I was favoured, a few days ago, with your letter, dated the first day of this Month.”
89076From George Washington to George Gilpin and John Fitzgerald, 2 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
As Monday next is the day on which the Directors, by the Constitution of the Company, are to make their report—and it has generally fallen to the lott of those on the Virginia side of the river to do this; I beg that you would from the minutes to which you are accessable—or from memory, bring forward the occurrences which may be proper to report at the General Meeting, about to be held. If...
89077From George Washington to John Jay, 3 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
The letters which you did me the favor of writing to me on the 17th & 23d of last Month from Poughkeepsie, came duly to hand, & claim my particular acknowledgments. With peculiar pleasure I now congratulate you on the success of your labours to obtain an unconditional ratification of the proposed Constitution in the Covention of your State; the acct of which, was brought to us by the mail of...
89078From George Washington to James Madison, 3 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your favors of the 21st & 27th of last month came duly to hand. The last, contained the pleasing—and I may add (tho’ I could not reconcile it with any ideas I entertained of common policy) unexpected account of the unconditional ratification of the Consitution by the State of New York—That No. Carolina will hesitate long in its choice I can scarcely believe; but what Rhode Island will do is...
89079From George Washington to Thomas Nelson, Jr., 3 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 19th Ulto came duly to hand and could I have been of any service in the affair to which it refers no apology would have been necessary for requesting it. I have no white Ditcher with me at present but a Dutch Redemptioner —Nor has there ever lived with me one—to the best of my recollection—of the name of Clarke. Last year I employed a man who called himself James Lawson—He...
89080To George Washington from Annis Boudinot Stockton, 3 August 1788 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Annis Boudinot Stockton, 3 Aug. 1788. On 31 Aug. GW thanked Mrs. Stockton for her “kind letter of the 3d instant.”
89081From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 4 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 30th Ulto came to my hands by the last mail. Let me request that those articles which you propose to send me by Captn Ellwood may be accompained by 200 lbs. of Sheet Iron from the Trenton Works (proper for plating the Mould boards of Plows)—and a Jarr of best Spirma ceti Oil for House Lamps—That is a clear fine Oil which does not foul them—The Velvet Ribbon came safe and was...
89082From George Washington to James Craik, 4 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
With this letter you will receive the Horse I promised you; And which I now beg your acceptance of. He is not in such good order as I could wish, but as good as my means would place him. I also send you Thirty pounds Cash for one years allowance for the Schooling of your Son G.W. I wish it was in my power to send the like sum for the other year, which is now about, or near due; and that could...
89083To George Washington from Charles Pettit, 5 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
On a Subject so pleasing as the Prospect of an established Government on Principles which bid fair to secure the Benefits of Society to the Citizens of the United States, Your Excellency will excuse me in approaching you with my hearty Congratulations. The excellent Sentiments conveyed to the World in your circular Letter of the 18th of June 1783, confirmed and methodized in my Mind Ideas...
89084From George Washington to Hector St. John Crèvecoeur, 6 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed packet came under cover to me, yesterday; The Box which ought to have accompanied it is yet on Ship-board, in the lower part of this River. I have requested that it may be forwarded to me without delay. When it arrives I will send it to the Stage Office and desire that particular attention may be paid to it. Conceiving it to be best not to detain the letters for the arrival of the...
89085From George Washington to Samuel Hanson, 6 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
On my return home last night I found my Nephew Lawrence here—who said he was affraid to remain at your House and offered to shew me some bruises he had received. Being prepared for it, I was going this morning to correct him, but he begged so earnestly, and promised so faithfully that there should be no cause of complaint against him for the future that I have suspended the Punishment. The...
89086To George Washington from Thomas Smith, 6 August 1788 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Thomas Smith, 6 Aug. 1788. On 15 Sept. GW wrote Smith : “Your favour of the 6th Ult. came duly to hand.”
89087From George Washington to George Steptoe Washington, 6 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
It was with equal pain and surprize I was informed by Colo. Hanson on Monday last, of your unjustifiable behaviour in rescuing your brother from that chastisement which was due to his improper conduct; and which you know, because you have been told it in explicit language, he was authorized to administer whensoever he should deserve it. Such refractory behaviour on your part, I consider as an...
89088To George Washington from Samuel Hanson, 7 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your favour, per Mastr Lawrence, was handed to me last Night. Any “bruises” he may be able to shew, were not, as he well knows, given by me with design, but may be the consequences of the struggle which ensued upon my attempt to take him into a room for chastisement. I am certain he did not receive more than 3 strokes, and these with a Whip. Whether they could occasion any bruises, you, Sir,...
89089To George Washington from George Richards Minot, 7 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
Permit me to offer for your perusal, a copy of the History of the late Insurrections &. in Massachusetts. The share which you had, in the great and glorious events of America, must interest your feelings in all subsequent transactions; and, I hope, this little narrative will not be unacceptable to you, as a continuance of information, upon the important subject of domestick History. The...
89090To George Washington from Thomas Newton, 8 August 1788 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Thomas Newton, Jr., 8 Aug. 1788. On 10 Oct. GW wrote Newton about “Your letter of the 8th of August.”
89091To George Washington from George Steptoe Washington, 8 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter from Col. Hanson, and after considering the contents, think it necessary to transmit to you an account of the late occurrence, in which you have been informed I acted an improper part; my object in writing this letter is not to exculpate m[y]self, it is only to state matters as they really were; whither my conduct was justifiable in doing what I have, I am not a judge,...
89092To George Washington from Samuel Powel, 9 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
On board Capt. Ellwood, who sails for Alexandria Tomorrow, I have shipped an Arm-Chair for you, which he has promised to deliver at Mount-Vernon, if practicable, or to a Gentleman at Alexandria to whom, he says, he commonly delivers any Articles he carries from hence for you. It is a neat chair, & will, I hope, please you. Mrs Powel desires me to apologize for it’s having been so long delayed....
89093From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 10 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
Should this letter get to your hands in time for the Sailing of Captn Ellwood—and you can readily procure 25 bushls of the best kind of Winter Barley I beg you to send it by him that I may try the success of it—The continual rains destroyed my Crop of spring Barley this year—but, if it had been otherwise, the Barley which you sent me the year before was so mixed with Oats (a circumstance I did...
89094To George Washington from Brissot de Warville, 10 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
Not knowing precisely at what time I shall be able to go to Virginia to pay my respects, I take the resolution to address by the Post to you the annexed Letter, which the Marq. de la Fayette hath sent to me & in which he makes mention of me —as it may contain news that may be interresting to you, I hasten to forward it. I have the honor to be &c. Translation, by David Humphreys, DLC:GW ; ALS ,...
89095To George Washington from James Madison, 11 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favored with yours of the 3d instant. The length of the interval since my last has proceeded from a daily expectation of being able to communicate the final arrangements for introducing the new Government. The place of meeting has undergone much discussion as you conjectured and still remains to be fixed. Philada was first named, & negatived by a voice from Delaware. N. York...
89096To George Washington from Charles Love, Jr., 12 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer has my instructions to deliver you 50–Barrels of Corn on a/c of Wm Hunter Junr Esqr. which I hope will get to hand in time to answer your purpose although much later than I wished or expected when I last had the pleasure of seeing you—However Sir should you be supplyed be pleased [to] order the Skipper to proceed on to Alexandria, as it will be no Inconvenience to Mr Hunter or...
89097To George Washington from Neil McCoull, 12 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have your Bond ⅌ £450 dated 12th Decemr 1774 & payable 10th Novemr 1775 to Mr Alexr Blair & myself—Mr Blair being since deceased I am to request you will write me how soon it will be convenient to you to take up this Bond and am very respectfully—Sir Your mo: Obt hu: Servt ALS , DLC:GW . GW wrote to James Mercer from Mount Vernon on 17 Aug.: “Dear Sir, By the last Post I received the...
89098To George Washington from Thomas Thomson, 12 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
The distress’d Situation of a Family in who’s welfare & happiness I am much interested, must plead my apology for thus addressing a person to whom I am unknown But the people of America both collectively and as individuals have long been taught to look up to your excellency for Assistance & protection against the worst of all evils, that of Slavery. The circumstance that has induced me to...
89099To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 13 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
By Capt. Ellwood who sails this day I have shipped the single & double refined Sugar, a Jug with two gallons of Spermaceti Lamp oil, two barrels containing six dozen of Porter, as Mr Hare advised leaving the remaining 18 dozen to be shipped next trip as it is now rather too brisk to ship and I shall send 1 Cwt of the plate Iron only for plow moulds as I have asked Mr Morris if he knew the kind...
89100To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 13 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Cochran of the British navy has requested my aid in recovering a family watch worn by his brother, who fell at York Town, (and now in the possession of —— ——). In compliance with this request I have written the letter herewith to —— —— which I take the liberty to convey through you, in hope that if you see no impropriety in it, you would add your influence to the endeavour to gratify...
89101From George Washington to Joseph Caverly, 14 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have not yet been able to examine the drifted wood on my shores—but as I am informed you have been a considerable sufferer by the Storm —you shall be welcome to all that now lays from the Gut which formerly divided Simpsons plantation and Johnsons, to the point of Pocoson opposite to the mouth of Piscataway Creek—excepting Walnut logs. or such pieces as will do for the framing of a...
89102From George Washington to John Marshall, 15 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 10th Ulto to Doctr Stuart enclosing a Summons for L. Washington &c. did not come to my hand till lass Night. I am at a loss what step to take in this matter, and should be glad of your advice. Luther Martin is the Attorney Genl of Maryland and lives in Baltimore. Elizabeth and Sarah Cresap I have always understood live with one Jacobs who Married there Mother, and is said to...
89103To George Washington from Thomas Ridout, 15 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
I presume that your Excellency has heard that I had the misfortune to be taken by a party of Indians on my way to the Falls of the Ohio—although I lost every thing I was possessed of, I may reckon myself fortunate in having my life preserved—after remaining rather more than three months amongst the shawanese, I was brought into Detroit and there given up to a Trader for a debt of 340 dollars...
89104From George Washington to Charles Pettit, 16 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge with much sensibility the receipt of your letter, dated the 5th instant, in which you offer your congratulations on the prospect of an established government, whose principles seem calculated to secure the benefits of society to the Citizens of the United States; and in which you also give a more accurate state of fœderal Politics in Pennsylvania than I had before...
89105To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 17 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
By last post, I forwarded a Letter from Mrs Morris which Came with a pair of Stays. The stays I put in charge of Capt. Ellwood who promised great Care of them, inclosed is the Bill of loading of sundry Articles by said Captain of which a Certificate was delivered him to save the Duties. the Invoice & of Course the Account Current lays open for want of Mr Hare’s bill for the Porter which have...
89106From George Washington to John Beale Bordley, 17 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
The letter with which you honord me, dated the 31st Ult.; together with the Wheat, Barley and Madder came safe to hand. For your kindness in presenting them, I pray you to accept my best acknowlegments and thanks. Agriculture being my favourite amusement I am always pleased with communications that relate to it. To these the great improvemts in Husbandry, of late years, in England, may be...
89107From George Washington to James Madison, 17–18 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
Although the letter of Mr Pleasants and its enclosure will appear under date of the 25th of July, it never got to my hand till friday last. Tomorrow is the first Post by which I could forward it. It is now sent with thanks for the perusal. I shall write to the Count de Moustier, but in pretty general terms—giving the substance rather than the detail of this business. That the circular letter...
89108From George Washington to Moustier, 17 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
In the letter which I did myself the honor to address to your Excellency on the 26th of last March, I intimated that as soon as I should have obtained more particular information concerning the commercial intercourse between France and the United States, I would most willingly communicate the result. Ill prepared as I still am to treat of a subject, so complicated in its nature and so...
89109To George Washington from Thomas Ruston, 17 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
Will your Excellency permit me to congratulate you on the acceptance of the new constitution by eleven of the States? An event that I think must be highly pleasing to your Excellency, for as there is no one who has contributed so much towards the establishment of the liberty and independence of this Country, so I am convinced that there are none who have her happiness and prosperity more at...
89110From George Washington to Hector St. John Crèvecoeur, 18 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
Will you permit me to take the liberty of addressing the enclosed Letters to your care, to be forwarded when a conveyance shall offer for France? I will make no apology for the freedom, because you have encouraged me to use it. With sentiments of esteem & consideration I have the honor to be Sir Yr Most Obedt and Most Hble Servt ALS , DLC : Crèvecoeur Papers; LB , DLC:GW . GW also wrote to...
89111From George Washington to Christopher Gadsden, 18 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
I take the earliest opportunity of acknowledging the receipt of the letter, which you did me the favor to write to me on the 5th of June last; and of informing you that I have received and forwarded the letters of Mr Warville, in conformity to your desires. You have done perfectly right in appreciating the full value of the esteem and attachment by which I am connected with that amiable young...
89112From George Washington to Auguste, Comte de Grasse, 18 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
The letter which you did me the honor to write on the 11th of March last is before me, and affords an occasion of testifying the sincerity of my regrets for the distressing event announced in it. Be persuaded, Sir, I should do injustice to my feelings, if my disinterested friendship did not sympaithize with your filial duty, in expressions of the most genuine grief, for the death of your...
89113To George Washington from John Mary, 18 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
your Excellency will hardly remember of me, but when i will mention to you that i was secretary to the Consulate general of France under Mr Gerard’s orders during the late war, & that i had the honour of dining there with you & your lady several times, then likely you will recollect me. however give me leave to wish you a very good health, your lady & all that belongs to you. I have lately...
89114From George Washington to James Swan, 18 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 5th of June from Havre de Grace. The measure you took, in recommending to Mr Cadson the transmission of the Marqs de la Fayette’s letters for Mr Crevecœur through my hands, was very acceptable to me and did not stand in need of an apology. About the time I was occupied in forwarding the Packet to New York, I had the satisfaction to hear of Mr Warville’s safe...
89115From George Washington to William Tudor, 18 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your friendly letter of the 26th of July, together with the History of the Insurrections in Massachusetts; and cannot delay to return you my thanks for these tokens of your regard. Though I have not yet had time to look through the book, from the interesting nature of the subject, and the judicious manner in which it seems to be handled, I anticipate considerable amusement...
89116To George Washington from Thomas Hanson Marshall, 21 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your Farmer applyed to me on Sunday last, to know if I had any Wheat for sale, which you wanted for seed, I have not any out, nor will it now be in my power, conveniantly, to have aney ready, for that purpose, until about the first of next month weather &c. permiting: I will let you have, as fast as can get it out &c. from the above mention’d time, Two hundred Bushels at Five shillings...
89117From George Washington to John Fitzgerald and George Gilpin, 22 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
It is of so much consequence to the Company, that necessary and legal measures should be pursued to obtain Judgments againts its delenquent members at the ensuing General Court—now little more than five weeks distant—that I beg a moment may not be lost in complying with the requisition of Mr Lee for this purpose. In the mean time, if one of two things must take place which seem very likely—a...
89118To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 24 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is your Account Currt (including the Goods ⅌ Cap. Ellwood) balance in my favour £5.3.8 —If you choose to have the barley please to inform me & I will procure it by Capt. Ellwoods return—the price is not yet ascertained —I have not yet disposed of the herrings but have the preference from two vessels intended for Hispaniola if they load any—they have been very low in that Island which...
89119To George Washington from James Madison, 24 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favored with yours of the 17th 18th under the same cover with the papers from Mr Pleasants. The Circular letter from this State is certainly a matter of as much regret, as the unanimity with which it passed is matter of surprize. I find it is every where, and particularly in Virginia, laid hold of as the signal for united exertions in pursuit of early amendments. In Pennsylva....
89120From George Washington to Thomas Hanson Marshall, 24 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
Upon receipt of your letter of the 21st instant I sent up to Alexandria to know what the cash price of wheat was at that place; and am informed that the hig[h]est that has been offered is four Shillings and sixpence for wheat at 60 lb. to the Bushel—all Cash or 4/9 part Goods. As I do not incline to exceed the market price I cannot give 5/ unless it should rise to that; and whether this is...