89071To George Washington from John Langdon, 28 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
The Convention of this State met the 13 Ins⟨t⟩. to take into Consideration the fœderal plan of Government; contrary to the expectation of almost ev’ry thinking man, a small majority of (say four persons) appeared against the system. this was the most astonishing to ev’ry man of any information, as Massachusets had accepted it, and that this State in particular had ev’ry thing to gain and...
89072From George Washington to Rufus King, 29 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have received the letter with which you were pleased to honor me from Boston, and pray you to accept my thanks for, & congratulations on, the important information it contains. Happy, am I, to see the favorable decision of your Convention upon the proposed Government; not only on acct of its adding an important State to the number of those which have already accepted it, but because it must...
89073From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 29 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your three letters of the 3d 6th & 9th int. The information conveyed by the last was extremely pleasing to me, tho’ I cannot say it was altogether unexpected, as the tenor of your former letters had in some measure, prepared me for the event, but the conduct of the minority was more pleasing and satisfactory than could have been looked for from the debates....
89074From George Washington to John Pendleton, 1 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
When Doctor Stuart was in Richmond I sent a number of public securities to him that he might receive the interest due upon them; among them was a Certificate for a Negro executed in the year with Interest due from the date, which he informs me he left in your hands to have the Interest paid thereon and transmitted to me as it could not be done while he was there. As I find, by the Revenue act,...
89075From George Washington to Anthony Singleton, 1 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
Two of the enclosed Certificates dated Jany 4th 1788 were received at the Auditors office on my acct by Doctor Stuart when he was in Richmond, but as he was, by some means or other, prevented from having the necessary business respecting them transacted at the Treasurer’s Office before he left that place, and has informed me that you will be so good as to do whatever is proper to be done...
89076From George Washington to James Madison, 2 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
The decision of Massachusetts, notwithstanding its concomitants, is a severe stroke to the opponents of the proposed Constitution in this State; and with the favorable determinations of the States which have gone before, and such as are likely to follow after, will have a powerful operation on the minds of Men who are not actuated more by disappointment, passion and resentment, than they are...
89077From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 3 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
If this should reach you before the sailing of the vessel which you informed me in your last was bound to Alexandria, I must request you to put on board her, on my acct two good Linnen Wheels, one dozn good strong wool-Cards with strong teeth, and one hundred pounds of Clover seed in addition to the quantity which I have before desired you to get. I am, Dear Sir, Yr most obedt Hbe Servt P.S....
89078From George Washington to John Jay, 3 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
In acknowledging the receipt of your obliging favor of the 3d Ult., permit me to thank you for the Rhubarb seed which accompanied it. To the growth of which, if good, a fair trial shall be given. I have two imported female asses from the Island of Malta; which, tho’ not quite equal to the best Spanish Jennies, will serve to establish a valuable breed of these animals in this Country. Besides,...
89079From George Washington to Henry Knox, 3 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
I pray you to accept my acknowledgements of your favors of the 10th and 14th Ulto and congratulation on the acceptance of the new Constitution by the State of Massachusetts—Had this been done without its concomitants, and by a larger Majority the stroke would have been more severaly felt by the antifederalists in other States. As it is, it operates as a damper to their hopes, and is a matter...
89080To George Washington from James Madison, 3 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
The Convention of N. Hampshire has afforded a very disagreeable subject of communication. It has not rejected the Constitution, but it has failed to adopt it. Contrary to all the calculations that had been made it appeared on the meeting of the members that a majority of 3 or four was adverse to the object before them, and that on a final question on the merits, the decision would be in the...
89081To George Washington from Chavannes de La Giraudière, 4 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
4 March 1788. This letter is almost illegible. From what can be read it appears to be a reprise of his letter to GW of 10 July 1787 . ALS , DLC:GW .
89082From George Washington to Richard Peters, 4 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
When I had the pleasure to be at your house last Summer you shewed me a triangular harrow with trowel tines for the purpose of cultivating your dell Crops. The appearance was preposs[ess]ing. But I forgot whether you spoke of its merits from theoritical, or practical knowledge. If the latter, will you permit me [to] request the favor of you to direct your workmen to furnish me with one...
89083From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 5 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
In your letter of the 3d of February you mentioned Messrs Dunlap & Claypole having put into your hands one Vol. of their News Papers for the years 1785 & 86, which they desired might be forwarded to me and my acceptance thereof requested. I must now beg the favor of you to return them my best thanks for their politness, and, at the same time, to inform them that I beleive they misunderstood me...
89084To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 5 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
I shipd the Grass seed and volume of Newspapers on bd the Sloop Charming Polly Capn Ellwood for Alexandria who was on the point of Sailing but a severe frost again closed our River and the Navigation is stopped, probably for some Days [to] Come but the Vessel will sail on the first opening—the Bill for the Seed is inclosed. Yesterday I recd from Thomas Smith Eq. one hundred ninety two pounds...
89085From George Washington to Thomas Smith, 5 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 5th Ulto came duly to hand—The sum of £50 which you and Mr Ross have received for bringing and prosecuting my Ejectments is perfectly satisfactory to me, I only wish it may be so to you—if it is not I must repeat my request that you will satisfy yourself. I find that the greatest part of the money which you have received on my acct has been paid without suits being brought...
89086To George Washington from John Pendleton, 6 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
I enclosed lately the Warrants on your claim for a negroe executed to Mr Henderson of Dumfries requesting he would forward them by the first safe conveyance; I am sorry Sir, the delay in transmitting them occasioned yo. the trouble of an Application but begg you’ll be assured it did not proceed from inattention to the business. The Appropriation Law passed October Session ’84 (the first which...
89087To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 7 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed with this you will receive two Books which I recd some considerable Time since at Richmond; but being then about to depart for this Place, brought them hither in the Hope of an Opportunity to send them direct to Mount Vernon. Failing in that Expectation, I now put them in the Office; as I recollect you will not have to pay the Postage which otherwise would be worth at least as much as...
89088From George Washington to William Deakins, Jr., 8 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
This will be handed to you by my overseer who goes to George Town to procure a quantity of twine suitable for making a Sein, as there is none in Alexandria fit for that purpose. Should you have any such as he may chuse, I will thank you to let him have 150 lb.; and if the Balance of the Bond assigned to me by Mrs Kirk has not yet been paid into the hands of Colo. Simms, you will please to...
89089To George Washington from William McWhir, 8 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of an unexpected addition to my family and the smallness of my house it will be inconvenient for me to accommodate Master George and Laurence any longer than their quarter is out. I should have changed my house in order to accommodate them but find it neither suits them nor me—I’m under the necessity of being often out: Then they like other boys will do as they please. Again my...
89090From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, Jr., 9 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
If my last letter to you, containing the Bond of the deceased Mr Dandridge on which you were requested to bring suit, was not sufficiently explanatory of the intention, I now beg leave to inform you that my meaning is after Judgement shall have been obtained and execution levied on the Slaves belonging to the estate of the decd Gentn that you, or Mr John Dandridge, in behalf of his Mother, wd...
89091To George Washington from Samuel Chamberline, 10 March 1788 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Samuel Chamberline, 10 Mar. 1788. On 3 April GW wrote Chamberline : “I have been favored with your letter of the 10 Ulto.”
89092From George Washington to Thomas Cushing, 10 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 12th Ulto inclosing the recommendatory Amendments to the proposed plan of Government by your Convention, did not come to hand till last Saturday, or it should have had an earlier acknowledgement. The adoption of the Constitution by the State of Massachusetts will undoubtedly have a very happy influence upon the decision of those States which have yet to determine upon the...
89093To George Washington from Henry Knox, 10 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 11th ultimo was duly received. The publication signed Publius is attributed to the joint efforts of Mr Jay, Mr Maddison and Colo. Hamilton It is highly probable that the general conjecture on this case is well founded. I have not written to you since the untoward event of New Hampshire⟨.⟩ The conduct of the convention was so contrary to expectations of every person who...
89094From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 10 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 20th Ult., and the papers accompanying it came duly to hand; I believe none of your letters to me have miscarried as I have received the Gazettes containing the debates of your Convention very regularly. I am sorry to hear that the issue of the proposed Government in New-Hampshire is, in any measure, dubious: Our accounts from that quarter have been favorable in the highest...
89095To George Washington from Auguste, Comte de Grasse, 11 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
The real grief, which the death of my Father occasioned me, prevented me from having the honour of imparting to your Excellency the news, in the first moments of the melancholy event. The friendship which he professed for you was founded upon esteem, & I fondly flatter myself that the friendship you accorded him was established upon a basis equally solid. It was by your means my Father...
89096To George Washington from Thomas Smith, 11 March 1788 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Thomas Smith, 11 Mar. 1788. On 3 April GW wrote Smith of “the reception of your letter of the 11th Inst.” GW should have written “ulto.”
89097To George Washington from James Wilson, 11 March 1788 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from James Wilson, 11 Mar. 1788. On 4 April GW thanked Wilson for his “favr of the 11 Ulto.”
89098To George Washington from Richard Peters, 12 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
It is with the greatest Pleasure that I recieve your Commands respecting the Harrows. I have in Consequence spoke to the Smith & pointed out some Improvements, where I think mine has Defects. I never had seen one in the Construction of mine & therefore the Idea was theoretical but it has answered in Practice to my utmost Expectations. I have never however applied it on so large a Scale as to...
89099Richard Butler to GW, 13 March 1788 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: Richard Butler to GW, 13 Mar. 1788. On 3 April GW wrote Butler : “I have received your letter of the 13th ulto.”
89100To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 16 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
My last of 5 covered four hundred Dollars in Bank Post Notes which I hope Came safe to your Hands since whch I am favd with yo[ur]s of 3 & 5d—I have accordingly put on bd the sloop Polly Ellwd in addition to the Volume of Newspapers & 2 Casks Grass seed, 2 Spinning wheels & 1 Box of 12 Wool Cards—this Vessel has staid much longer than expectd but as she has at last sail’d this Day I hope she...
89101To George Washington from Samuel Hanson, 16 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have just been informed by Mr McWhir that it will be utterly inconvenient to him to accommodate your Nephews any longer. After your late indulgence of me upon this Subject, it will appear extraordinary that I should so soon apply to you to let me have them again. The fact is the Gentlemen whom I had engaged, have quitted me; one, on acct of his marriage; the other, to make an unexpected...
89102To George Washington from Thomas Smith, 17 March 1788 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Thomas Smith, 17 Mar. 1788. GW wrote Smith on 3 April : “your letter of the 17th ulto has come to hand.”
89103From George Washington to Samuel Hanson, 18 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 16th Inst. was handed to me yesterday in Alexandria as I was going to dinner: previous to that I had seen my Nephew George Washington, and asked him if he had heard of any suitable place for himself and Lawrence to board at after their quarter with Mr McWhir expired; he told me that it was probable a place might be obtained at a Mrs Sandford’s; I desired him to inform...
89104To George Washington from Lafayette, 18 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
I wish I Could Begin this letter With the Aknowledgement of a late favour from You, But None Having Come to Hand I Have No other Comfort But to Attribute it to ill fortune and Not to Any fault of Yours. I am so Happy to Hear from You, My Beloved General, and so Uneasy When I do not, that I Hope You Will Never Willingly deprive me of a Satisfaction so dear to me, Yet so short of the Happy...
89105To George Washington from Carl von Leuchsenring, 18 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
The known fame throughout the World of your Excellencies humanity, emboldens me to Address myself to you; and altho unknown to recommend me to your particular favors. from various papers I have remark’d that the United States intending to establish a Chore of Six thousand regular Infantry Troops, I have therefore determind within my self, that should I receive a favorable account from the...
89106To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 19 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
I was this morning honoured with the receipt of your Excellencys favor of the 29th Ulto. Nothing very material has taken place since the convention was dissolved, saving the meeting of our General court. An attempt was made by some in the house of representatives, in a proposed answer to the Governours speach, to reprobate the doings of the convention held at Philadelphia and of the one in...
89107To George Washington from Battaile Muse, 19 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
I stand Indebted in acct Current with you at this Time about Seventy pounds on acct of my Collection of rents—I wish it was in my Power To Convey the money as it’s on hand—I shall be down the First of may and Expect with the above Sum I shall be able To Pay £130 altho what is not in hand is Very [un]Certain—if you have not Paid in your Propotion To the Potomack Company—Mr Hartshorne Drawing on...
89108To George Washington from Edward Pemberton, 21 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
The Distinguishd Rank which You will hold in the Annals of Mankind, might rather descourage me from an address of this kind to Yr Excellency, was it not, that Your Merit as a Man, is not inferior to that of a Statesman or Soldier. I know that Your Excellency is above Flattery which You stand not in need of, as I am above Flattering. What I have said in the few Verses, which I have herewith...
89109From George Washington to Nathaniel Ingraham, 22 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
When I requested you to procure a Gardener for me in Holland, which you was so obliging as to promise to do, I fear I was not explicite enough with respect to the terms &c. upon which I would wish to have him. If one properly qualified for the business, could be obtained to come over in the nature of a redemptioner or which will be more certain, who will indent himself for a certain term years...
89110To George Washington from Edward Newenham, 22 March 1788 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Edward Newenham, 22 Mar. 1788. On 29 Aug. GW wrote Newenham : “your obliging letters of the 22th and 25th of March afforded me particular satisfaction.”
89111To George Washington from Samuel Hanson, 23 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 18th Inst. did not come to hand ’till last Night; an account that has given me some concern, lest you should have concluded that my Silence has been owing to any difficulty in replying to the charges made by the Boys. with respect to the 1st “their being obliged to go sometimes to School without breakfast” I will not deny that it has been sometimes the Case. that it has not...
89112From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 24 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 16th Inst. enclosing the Bill of Lading & Certificate of the Articles shipped on my Acct came duly to hand. The Packet has not yet arrived unless she passed by here yesterday. I thank you for your attention to the letters which I committed to your care. As I do not know whither you may have received the Interest due upon my Certificate in your hands, and some charges will...
89113To George Washington from James Rumsey, 24 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
With this you will Receive five pamphlets Respecting My Boat and other plans, the Subject is not handled Quite to my wish as I was Obliged to get a person to Correct my Coppys In Doing which my Ideas in Several places ware new modled but not So much as to Injure the truths I wished to Introduce, But has made Sum things Rather Obscure. I hope Sir that the nessisaty there was of Such an...
89114To George Washington from Richard Bland Lee, 25 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
After what passed between your Excellency and Col. Lee, and our subsequent conversation touching my undertaking to write a memoir of the events of the late revolution, for some time past you may have expected my determination: and undoubtedly I should have written to you long ago, if I could have removed those struggles in my mind, which were excited by the grandeur of the subject, and the...
89115To George Washington from Edward Newenham, 25 March 1788 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Edward Newenham, 25 Mar. 1788. On 29 Aug. GW wrote Newenham : “your obliging letters of the 22th and 25th of March afforded me particular satisfaction.”
89116From George Washington to Moustier, 26 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have received the letter wch your Excellency did me the honor of addressing to me by the hand of Mr Madison. While I am highly gratified with the justice you do me in appreciating the friendly sentiments I entertain for the French Nation; I cannot avoid being equally astonished & mortifyed in learning that you had met with any subject of discontent or inquietude since your arrival in...
89117To George Washington from John Ettwein, 28 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
May it please your Excellency to spend a few moments in kind remembrance of Bethlehem in Pensilvania and to accept as a Small Token of my continuing thankfulness for your Excellencys kindness during the War, a copy of some remarks or annotations concerning the customs, Language &c. of the Indians, which I took from the memoirs of our Missionaries, to gratify an enquiring Gentleman; As also a...
89118From George Washington to Henry Knox, 30 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 10th came duly to hand, and by Mr Madison I had the pleasure to hear that you had recovered from a severe indisposition, on which event I sincerely congratulate you. The conduct of the State of New Hampshire has baffled all calculation, and happened extremely mal-apropos for the election of delegates to the Convention of this State; For be the real cause of the adjournment to...
89119From George Washington to John O’Connor, 30 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
I was favored with your polite letter, and ticket of admittence to Mr OConners lecture on Elequence, at a time yesterday when it was not in my power to give it an acknowledgment. Business (and indeed disinclination to leave my own bed when I am within a few miles of it) would not permit my attendence at the lecture last evening for the invitation to which you will please to accept the thanks...
89120From George Washington to Francis Speake, 30 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
Mr Lee requested that the enclosed letter and bag accompanying it, might be sent to your care which is the cause of the trouble you now receive from me. I cannot omit the occasion of communicating a piece of information I have received—to wit—that your Boat is engaged to meet passengers on this side to take them to the other by which I am deprived of the Ferriages—I hope the practice will not...