From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 26 December 1788
To Clement Biddle
Mount Vernon 26th Decr 1788.
Dear Sir,
I have but just time to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 14th Inst.—to inform you that the Vessel on board of which the Clover seed was shipped has not yet arrived, and as the River is shut up it is uncertain when she will reach Alexa.1—and to beg the favor of you to forward the enclosed to Mr Smith—It is a duplicate of one which I committed to your care in Septr last and as the receipt of it is not acknowledged in a letter which I lately reed from Mr Smith, I fear it has miscarried.2 With very great esteem, I am, Dear Sir, Yr most Obedt Hble Servt
Go: Washington
LS, PHi: Washington-Biddle Correspondence; LB, DLC:GW.
1. Fairfax County was experiencing one of its worst winters in many years. On 22 Dec. GW noted in his diary that by noon the temperature had only risen to sixteen degrees and “this morning the river was closed except holes in places.” GW’s carriage, sent to Dumfries for visitors to Mount Vernon, was forced to return without its passengers because of the ice (, 5:436–37).