From George Washington to John Mitchell, 8 April 1780
To John Mitchell
Morris-town April 8th 1780.
Dr Sir,
Your letter of the 4th did not reach this place till late last Night—some particular engagements this morning prevented my attending to the contts of it & when I come to enquire for the Express in the afternoon behold! he was gone—the Gentn in the Office viewing him in the light of a common Express asking as usual for Phila. dispatches of wch there were none ready dismissed him—this is the cause of his returning without my answer.
From your description of the two Chariots I prefer that wch is in the hands of Mr Brinkhurst on acct of the size although it will take longer time to finish it—I shall thank you therefore for engaging it for me—for requesting dispatch—& when convenient for yr attending a little to the execution—The painting I hope will be well done, & in a tastety stile with respect to color (in wch I have no particular choice)—Though I prefer a plain Chariot it may not be amiss to Ornament the Mouldings with a light airy gilding—this will add little to the expence & much to the appearance—The Harness I would have stout & strong, at the same time neatly made—ornamented & of good leather.
By the last Post I wrote to Mr Lund Washington respecting Specie but the workman will meet with no disappointment, although there should be a little delay in my receiving it from home1—The pocket money wch Mrs Washington has, & some I can borrow here, added to what you are kind enough to offer will enable me to pay the full sum at any hour even if I should not receive the needful from home by the time the Chariot is ready for delivery.
The Several Articles from Don Juan came safe.2 the Mop—Jug—& Jarrs are, it seems, left somewhere on the road.3 If it is for an Earthern—or Queens ware bowl the 180 Dollars is asked, I shall decline the purchase for I think it is high time to check such extravagance.4 I am—Dr Sir—Yr Most Obedt Servt
G. W——n
ADfS, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. No earlier letter from GW to Lund Washington “respecting Specie” to purchase a chariot (carriage) has been found, but see his letter to Lund Washington of 15 April. GW probably dissembled to Mitchell about this financial inquiry to his farm manager.
4. Mitchell replied to GW from Philadelphia on 17 April: “When Your Excellencys favor of the 8th Instant came to hand, I was confined to my Chamber by an indisposition wch continued all last Week this prevented my Answering you sooner—& hope will be an apoligy for what might have apeared neglectfullness, wch wou’d be inexcusable, and what I shou’d not pardon myself for.
“The Carriage is in great forwardness, & Mr Bringhurst assures me he will finish it in the Genteelest & neatest manner Possible, the Lining will be the best that can be got here, and of a Light Colour—as the Chariot will be at the Painters next Week woud wish your Excellency to inform me of the Colour you wou’d chuse it to be, also whither you wou’d chuse the Leading Harness to hook to the Wheel Horses Harness, or by a Swingle tree fixed to the Pole—& if you wou’d chuse brass boxes to the Hobs of the Wheels.
“There is not a piece of Silk Shag of any Colour to be got in the City, and am told there has been none here for a considerable time, I tried every place that it was likely to find such an Article but without Success—have now sent your Excellency three Yards of Marciells Quilting being the Patterin for a Weastcoat & Breeches, it cost 190 Dollars ⅌ yard, there is some of what is called double Dimond which they ask 360 Dollars ⅌ yard for. If you wou’d chuse any of this kind I will send it Immediately.
“There is some China Punch Bowls wch I can procure at 260 Dollars for the Gallon & 300 Dollars for the 6 Quart Bowl they are blue & white, I wou’d send them now, but have not a good Oportunity.
“Mrs Mitchell Joins me in most respectfull Complimts to Mrs Washington” (ALS, DLC:GW). Mitchell managed GW’s chariot (carriage) purchase until its completion (see his letters to GW of 19 May, 26 June, and 19 July, all DLC:GW; see also GW to Mitchell, 26 July, DLC:GW).