The roads in Maryland were still in very bad condition after the recent torrential rains. The journey from Bladensburg, where GW breakfasted, to Van Horne’s, where he dined, was only nine miles. It was probably on this stretch of road that the horses became mired and GW had to pay £1 7s. 6d. to have them extricated (GW’s Cash Memoranda, 29 Sept. 1794–17 Aug. 1797, RPJCB).