To George Washington from Elizabeth Willing Powel, 7 December 1798
From Elizabeth Willing Powel
[Philadelphia] Friday Decr 7th 1798
My dear Sir
The amount of the Articles purchased you will find to be Seventy Four dols. & a half.1 I must request the Favour of you to deliver the enclosed Letter to Mrs Law.
My Heart is so sincerely afflicted and my Idea’s so confused that I can only express my predominant Wish—that God may take you into his holy keeping and preserve you safe both in Traveling and under all Circumstances, and that you may be happy here and hereafter is the ardent Prayer of Your affectionate afflicted Friend
Eliza. Powell
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. Pasted onto the manuscript is a notation, in Elizabeth Willing Powel’s hand, indicating that she paid $65 for a “Piece of Muslin,” $2.50 for “A Doll,” and $7 for a “Thread Case.” On 13 Dec. GW paid $62 for a gold watch and key bought for Washington Custis (). Other items that he purchased in Philadelphia for his family appear in his list of expenditures, printed in GW to James McHenry, 6 Jan. 1799, n.2.