George Washington Papers

To George Washington from Robert Morris, 18 May 1788

From Robert Morris

Richmond May 18th 1788

Dear Sir

The enclosed letter will probably deprive you of the Company of your guests sooner than you expected, & my partiality for them leads me to believe you will feel a disapointment in that event.

But by way of attonement we must pass a few days with you on our return. The business which has detained me so long being now in such train that I cannot leave it, and my presence for a Couple of Weeks longer likely either to finish it entirely, or so near as to render further attention unnecessary I determine to ⟨sort⟩ it out at all events. My anxiety to see my Family after so (unexpectedly) long absence, is surely excusable & I have desired Mrs Morris to come on,1 the journey is not long and they may make it easy by coming Thursday to Mr Fitzhughs, on Friday to the Bowling Green (where if I can I will meet them that Evening) & the next day here.2 They will have an opportunity of seeing more of this Country & of making some valuable acquaintances and can pass their time very agreably untill I am ready to return. Mr G. Morris joins in my request to be remembered most respectfully to Mrs Washington as also in the assurance of the esteem & regard with which I have the honor to profess myself Dr Sir Your most obedient & humble Servant

Robt Morris

ALS, DLC:GW.

1Mary White Morris, two of her sons, and a daughter arrived at Mount Vernon on 17 May and left for Richmond on 22 May after she received the letter that her husband had enclosed for her. On 12 July Robert Morris, his wife and children, and Gouverneur Morris came up to Mount Vernon from Richmond and remained there until 15 July, before continuing their journey to Philadelphia (Diaries description begins Donald Jackson and Dorothy Twohig, eds. The Diaries of George Washington. 6 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1976–79. description ends , 5:326, 329, 360, 361).

2This is William Fitzhugh who lived at Chatham across the river from Fredericksburg. Bowling Green is between Fredericksburg and Richmond, about forty miles from the latter.

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