Title: To George Washington from John Armstrong, 3 November–20 December 1767
From: Armstrong, John
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Carlisle [Pa.]3d Novembr[—20 December] 1767

With particular pleasure I acknowlege the receit of your favour of the 21st Septr but know not when it may meet with a Safe conveyance, I shall detain the letter a little, and if none appear, shall risque it by the way of Winchester or Philada.
Your Information that part of the Lands on the Yaughyaughghany & Monongahela formerly conceiv’d to lie within the bounds of yr Governmt is now likely to fall within the Limits of Pensylvania may I think prove very true; but that part of it that respects the making of Entries or issuing Grants at Carlisle, is entirely vauge & without foundation, that Office being alwais restricted to Philadelphia & kept by the Proprietari⟨es⟩ Secretary (at present James Tilghman Esqr.) who in extraordinary Cases consults the Governor & Board of Property—wch Board are only Assistants to the Governor he being Sole Commissioner of Property. nor is the Governor himself as yet by any

means at Liberty to grant any Lands beyond the Aleghany Mountains until they are first purchas’d of the Six-Nation Indians which purchase has been on foot for some time past & it’s said will be concluded by Sir Wm Johnston this ensuing Spring or Summer, at which time ’tis also said Sir Wm will make a Purchase on behalf of the Crown, of larger extent than the limits of Pensylvania, perhaps West of Virginia, but of this I have no certainty—so that at present Sir, you may firmly depend that nothing cou’d be farther attempted than a distant or conditional application to Governor Penn for a Tract or two, on them Waters when the Purcha⟨se⟩ shall be confirm’d, which done in your Polite manner & under good pretentions too, I’m persuaded cou’d give no Offence, nor easily fail of Success—and if any Offices of mine either on the present or any other Occasion, may be of the least use I beg you wou’d freely command them, as they are now tenderd and shall be chearfully employ’d as often as you shall give me leave. and pe⟨r⟩haps on the first opportunity I have of going to Town I may take the Liberty of feelling his Honrs Pulse & at least assist the foundation for any application you may afterwards think proper to make.
As to the mode of taking up or having Lands granted in ou⟨r⟩ Province, it has been considerably loose—the general intention of the Proprietaries has been a Competant Plantation of 2, or 300 to each settler more especially since the Government became populous; but this Rule for various reasons has not been generally adher’d to, nor cou’d it well be, and however just in itself as a general guide, has been much eluded especially of late when the Artifice of borrowing Names, or taking Out Warrants & Orders of Survey in the names of other People as tho’ they were for their use & afterward procuring conveyances from those whos names they had made use of, has so much prevail’d that many & not of the most deserving has ingross’d large quantities. this occasion’d some noise among the populace, has made the Governor and Agents very uneasy & indeed pr[e]vents the moderate gratification of many deserving persons to whom some distinction is due; for the cry is that we shall have no strong Settlements backward because of those ingrosers. In locating of Lands we generally describe the Spot as nearly as we can, and the Surveys are expected to be made as regular as the nature of the Land will any way admit, that is by a four

lin’d figure in order to pr[e]vent Culling, but our Mountanious Country Seldom admits a regular Survey, and the discretion of the Surveyor must take place.
As to the expence of Our Proprietary Lands the terms are now somewhat different from what they have been, £15.10s: Currency consideration Money ⅌ hundred acres & One halfpenny Sterling ⅌ acre ground Rent per annum, has formerly been the price, but latterly they have fix’d the Consideration money per hundred acres only at £5 Sterling & the yearly Quit Rent is rais’d to One penny Sterling ⅌ acre—what the Next purchase beyond the Mountains may be I cannot tell but immagin it will be on the terms last describ’d above, as Landed people seldom come down Stairs, and indeed there are so many desirous of taking up lands, that they know very well their terms will be comply’d with tho’ so distant from trade & other conveniencies of life. In regard to the line now running betwixt us and Maryland—it will very probably be establish’d, but that in my opinion, must at least be pronounc’d by the Commissioners on each Side the question, or perhaps be confirm’d by the Partys on the other Side the Atlantick before it be a final boundary to these provinces, and how far that consideration may happen to retard the grant of Lands near the line may be questionable. I know a Certain Case depending near the line, where neither Province at present, seem willing to assume the Jurisdiction. I’m sorry these Subjects had not happen’d to occur when I last had the pleasure of seeing you—but here permit a Single remark flowing from Old friendship, and it shall be on the infatuating Game of Card-playing, of which on thirty Years observation I am not able even to say so much good, as a witty person Once did of what he Censur’d as a Culpable & extravagant piece of Dress that it cover’d a multitude of Sins; but that game always unfriendly to Society, turns conversation out of Doors, and curtails our opportunities of mutual good. I can easily presume on your good nature to forgive this piece of unfashionable freedom, and Believe me to be with great respect Dear Sir Your Most Obedt And Most humbl. Servt

John Armstrong

P.S. Mrs Armstrong and my Self beg you’ll please to present our best respects to your Lady & also to yr worthy Neighbours,

Coll Fairfax & Lady. we have both I hope been better’d by the Warm Springs, except some returns of the Rheumitism that attend Mrs Armstrong, which I apprehend is so constitutional that we can scarcely expect a perfect cure.

J: A:
   20th Decembr
We have just recd information that Genrl Gage has wrote Governor Penn, that Sir Wm Johnson apprehends the Indians will break out this ensuing Spring—and that the Generals letter is conceiv’d in such terms as has mov’d the Governor to advise in Council whether the Assembly shou’d be call’d? but as they Sit early in Janry the Governor has not issu’d a Summons—May God avert such a Calamitous Scene; for shou’d it happen a third time so near together, Our Frontier People appear to be undone. Capt. Callender has very lately recd a letter from a Trader at the lower Shawna Town, who says that them Indians are at present very quiet, but express some fears of your Government ’tis also said that Mr Croghan has lately had an amicable interview wth various Tribes at Detroite. these last appear to be agst Sir Wms Intelligence.

J: A:


Title: From George Washington to Capel & Osgood Hanbury, 3 November 1767
From: Washington, George
To: Capel & Osgood Hanbury

Gentn
Williamsburg Novr 3d 1767

I have just drawn upon you (of this date) for One hundred pounds Sterlg in favour of Mr James Gibson which please to pay & place to Acct of Mr Jno. Parke Custis. I am Gentn Yr Most Obedt Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Robert Cary & Company, 4 November 1767
From: Washington, George
To: Robert Cary & Company

Gentn
Williamsburg Novr 4th 1767

I have just drawn upon you (of this date) for Fifty pounds Sterg in favour of James Cocke Esqr. which please to pay & place to Acct of Mr Jno. Parke Custis. I am Gentn Yr Most Obedt H. Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Richard Starke, 22 November 1767 [letter not found]
From: Starke, Richard
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Richard Starke, 22 Nov. 1767. On 14 Dec. GW wrote to Starke: “Your letter of the 22d Ulto by Post did not reach my hands . . . till a few days ago.”


Title: Cash Accounts, December 1767
From: Washington, George
To:

[December 1767]

Cash

Decr 5—
To Do of Mr Jos. Thompson on Acct of Rent
£  6. 0. 0

7—
To Do of Peter St Clair for weavg 9¾ yds
0. 9. 9

To Do of Captn Posey by Mrs Posey
2.19. 0

To Do won at Cards
5. 3. 6

Contra

Decr 5—
By my Brother John lent
25. 0. 0

By my Exps. at Snickers
0. 7. 6

6—
By Ditto at Wests Ordy
0. 2. 0

By Lund Washington for 12 Bls Oysters bot by him
0.12. 0

14—
By Patcy Custis for Pocket Money
0.12. 0

By Mr[s] Washington
2. 2. 3

19—
By Servants 4/4½—a pr of Mittens 1/6
0. 5.10 1/2

By Cash gave my Mother £10—Ferriage 2/
10. 2. 0

24—
By Edwd Wms lent 12/6—pd Bishops wife 10/
1. 2. 6

By Cranburies & Fish 12/—Gave Morris 50/
3. 2. 0

26—
By Cash paid Jno. Alton
6. 0. 0

By Cash paid Colo. Fairfax Novr 15th last
42.10. 0

By Balle
207.12. 5


Title: To George Washington from Capel and Osgood Hanbury, 10 December 1767
From: Capel & Osgood Hanbury
To: Washington, George

Esteem’d Friend
London Decemr 10th 1767

We Wrote thee the 20 Octobr last ⅌ Capt. Johnson to which refer since then we have not reced any of thy favours—The Estates 8 Hhds Tobo ⅌ the Hanbury are not yet dispos’d of as the buyers do not come up to the price we think them worth, however hope that after Xmass the Market will be brisker—As the Bearer Capt. Esten will in all probability be an early Ship in the Country we flatter ourselves in case our Friends give him dispatch he will Arrive here to a good Market wch is an event we much wish for as it will enable us to render such Accot sales as we make no doubt will give satisfaction—Thy kind assistance to him wth some of thy own Tobacco & Friendly influence in procuring a larger share of the Estates Consignmts to us by him will be always thankfully remembred We intend to send a small Ship in the Spring to James River wch if thee can assist in the dispatch of we shall esteem a further favor conferd on us who are wth great regard & Esteem Thy Assurd Friends

C. & O. Hanbury


Title: From George Washington to Richard Starke, 14 December 1767
From: Washington, George
To: Starke, Richard

Dear Sir
Mount Vernon 14th Decr 1767.

Your letter of the 22d Ulto by Post did not reach my hands (being in Frederick County) till a few days ago, and knowing of no oppertunity of conveying an answer to you soon, otherwise than by Post, you will please to receive what follows by that channel, as my further Sentiments of the Subject you wrote upon.
That I shoud be glad to make the place convenient to you for the sake of having it in the occupation of a good Tenant, and for the gratification of Mrs Starke who you say is pleasd with its retired situation, I do not scruple to declare; but that I shoud fall from one concession to another in order to obtain these advantages is really not to be expected—Sufficient it ought to be, I think, that I have lowerd the Rent from £45 to Thirty five pounds pr Ann: in order to engage your acceptance of it, and to rid myself of all further trouble about these Lotts till Master Custis comes of age—and sufficient it might also be to remove any doubts of the unreasonableness of requiring you or any other Person to keep the place in such Tenantable repair as your own conveniency made necessary during that term; for certain it is the considerations of engaging a good Tenant for a length of time and easing myself of all further trouble with the Lotts were my declard motives for abating in the Rent how then it coud be a matter of doubt with you whether I was really in earnest when I insisted upon these Conditions I can not conceive the one being a consequence of the other. As to the advantages & disadvantages of the Brick House you who have examined into them must be a better judge than I who never bestowd a thought upon them, but excepting the House itself (which may be larger) I never apprehended before that it had half the conveniencies of those Lotts you now live on—If they

have pray what may the Rent be? for this I presume should come into the Acct. However, to put an end to all further Controversy—to remove every future doubt—and to enable you to determine at once of the utility of going or staying—I will upon condition of your keeping the place till Master Custis comes of Age Post & Rail in the Lott (next Summer) in the manner I mentioned to you some time ago, and allow any Sum not exceeding Ten pounds out of the first Rent (which is as much as you seem to think woud be requird in 7 Years an Acct of which to be renderd) towards making such other repairs as you may find necessary for the benefit & convenience of the place, after which I shall expect that the Lotts & Houses will not only be kept from the destruction they have hitherto sustaind but in such decent repair as time &ca will reasonably admit of and that Leases may pass at our first meeting expressive of these purposes.
If you Incline to continue longer than the year (for which you took the place) upon these terms it is well—if not please to let me know that I may have time to seek out another Tenant. I am Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: Mississippi Land Company Minutes of Meeting, 16 December 1767
From: Mississippi Land Company
To:

[16 December 1767]

At a General Meeting of the Mississippi Company at Stafford Court House in Virginia December 16th 1767.

Present

Richard Parker
Francis Thornton

Richard Henry Lee
William Brent

William Fitzhugh
John Augustine Washington

Francis Lightfoot Lee
William Fitzhugh Junr

Thomas Ludwell Lee
William Beale Junr

George Washington
William Lee

Richard Parker Esqr chosen President this meeting
It is resolved that Messr Robt Brent, Richard Graham, Philip Thomas Lee, William McGachin, and George Plater be excluded from the Company for not having paid their Quota agreeable to the original Articles.
It is resolved that Mr Edwd Key deceased was not a member of this Company, having never signed the Original Articles or paid any money.
It is resolved that Majr Thomas Addison, is not a member of this Company, but that application shall be made to him to become a member.
It is resolved that Mr John Hite is not a Member of this Company having never signed the Articles or paid any money.
It is resolved that Mr Samuel Washington be admitted as a Member of this Company on complying with the Articles thereof.
It is resolved that Messrs John Baylor, Bernard Moore and Thomas Walker, be admitted as members of the Company on their complying with the Articles thereof.
It is resolved that Mr Chas Digges have full power and Authority to sell or dispose of his share in this Company to Mr Thomas Montgomer⟨ie⟩ or any other person that the Company shall hereafter approve of.
It is resolved that application shall be made to Mr Warner Lewis and Doctor Arthur Lee to become members of this Company.
It is the opinion of the Company, and so it is ordered, that the Treasurer of the Company, call a general meeting of the Company according to the Rules of the Company for that purpose, on the 21st day of March next ensuing, and if at that time a number of Members sufficient to form a general Meeting shall not be assembled, that in that Case the Comittee already appointed by the Company or the Treasurer of the Company

being so directed by the Committee, shall have full power and Authority to demand and receive of each Member of the Company the Sum of £13.11.0 Sterling, amounting in the whole to the Sum of £54 ⟨illegible⟩ Sterling, which Sum the said Committee are impowered to dispose of in employing an Agent to proceed immediately to Britain, there to solicit the Company’s Grant, as fully, speedily, and effectually as the nature of the Business will admit.
It is resolved that Wm Lee Esqe the Treasurer, has presented his Account to this Company which is admitted.
It is resolved that Wm Lee Esqe be continued Treasurer to this Company.
It is resolved that the Treasurer pay the Expence of this meeting.


Title: To George Washington from Robert Cary & Co., 22 December 1767 [letter not found]
From: Robert Cary & Company
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Robert Cary & Co., 22 Dec. 1767. On 5 May 1768 GW wrote to them: “I have just time before I leave this place to acknowledge the receipt of your Letters of the 22d of Decr by Eston, and 1st of Feby by Captn Outram.”


Title: From George Washington to John West, Jr., December 1767
From: Washington, George
To: West, John Jr.

Dear Sir,
[December 1767]

Having Perusd the Contents of Mr Bernards Letter Inclosd, I am of Opinion that, if the scope of it is to draw an answer from us (as Executors of Colo. Colvills Will) signifying (that as we are not in Cash, and probably shall be sometime without a sufficiency to discharge the several Legacies he has left) that we will, so soon as we can with propriety, pay Mrs Bernards Fortune to him or his order I shall have no objection to giving such an assurance; because it woud be the most consistent reply we coud make to such a demand if made, and the natural consequence of his Letter; but if any thing more than this is required, I shall, from the light I view it in at present, beg leave to enter my dissent; because I do not see what better, or indeed what other Security we can give than the Testator himself already has given—Or how we who are only the Exrs of another Mans Will, can adopt any Measure that may anticipate its operation, and be safe in doing so. Whenever the money is raisd it of course becomes due and payable to whomsoever has a right in Mrs Bernard to demand it; and before this I do not see what more is to be expected of Us than to raise it as fast as we can. this is the light in which the matter appears to me upon a general re-view of it, but I am open to conviction, and shall always recede from error so soon as I am convincd that I am in one. I am Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: Memorandum List of Quitrents, 1767
From: Washington, George
To:

1767. “A List of Lands belonging to G: Washington in the Northern Neck on wch Quitrents became due Michaelmas 1767.”


Title: Cash Accounts, January 1768
From: Washington, George
To:

[January 1768]

Cash

[January]—
To Cash upon hand Balle of last years Acct
£208. 3.1

Contra

By Cards 4/—Jany 12th Ditto 8/9
£  0.12.9

[Jan. 13]
By William Skilling
1. 0.0

16—
By Bryan Allisons Acct in full
2. 1.0

By Cards 3/6—Club at Mr Arrols 4/8
0. 8.2

18—
By Mr Jno. Muirs Acct to the date
4. 1.8

By Cards 11/3—Servants 5/
0.16.3

28—
By Servants at Colo. [George William] Fairfax
1.10.0


Title: Cash Accounts, February 1768
From: Washington, George
To:

[February 1768]

Cash

Feby 14—
To Ditto [cash] recd of Messrs Carlyle & Adam
£75. 0.0

To Ditto of Mr Humphrey Peake
1.13.0

Contra

Feby 10—
By Alexander McKenzie—Taylors Acct
1. 6.0

13—
By Mr Tomison Ellzey lent
10. 0.0

15—
By Lund Washington
10. 0.0

16—
By Mr Arrols Acct
4. 9.9


Title: From George Washington to Scott, Pringle, Cheap, & Company, 23 February 1768
From: Washington, George
To: Scott, Pringle, Cheap, & Company

Gentn
Mount Vernon Virga February 23d 1768.

By Captn Dent bound to the Madeira’s (a careful honest Man) and, who will return with his Vessel to this River again, I shoud be obligd to you for sending me a Butt (of about One hundred and fifty Gallns) of your choicest Madeira Wine—A Small box, not exceeding 15 or 20 lbs. of Citron—And, if there is nothing improper, or inconsistant in the request a few setts or cuttings of the Madeira Grape (that kind I mean of which the Wine is made) but if in requiring this last Article there be any sort of Impropriety I beg that no notice may be taken of it. On Robt Cary Esqr. & Co. (of London) you will please to draw for Cost of these things, who shall be advertizd thereof by the first oppertunity that may offer.
The Butt of Wine which you sent me by Captn Montgomery in Augt 1766 came safe to hand, and will, I hope, proove good (having made no use of it yet). By coming safe to hand I woud be understood to mean that it did not appear to have undergone any kind of Adulteration; there was a good deal of ullage indeed—and what I dislikd still more was, a large Tap in the head of the Cask which left me in doubt whether it was done on the Passage (which occasiond the difficiency) or was in the Cask before Shipping of it (as the Sailors, who deliverd it to me, affirmd).
Having the Pleasure of Mr Murrays acquaintance whilst in Virginia, I beg his acceptance of my best wishes if he is returnd to the Island—and am Gentn Yr Most Obedt Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to James Gildart, 25 February 1768
From: Washington, George
To: Gildart, James

Sir
Mount Vernn Virga Feby 25th 1768

Your not sending me the Goods requird in a Letter of the 21st of July 1766, nor acknowledging the receipt, neither of that Letter, nor one of the 22d of Septr following (both of which were sent by the Fryer Captn Pollard) has given ⟨r⟩ise to a suspicion (knowg he got safe home) not altogether favourable to the Character of that Gentleman—which is this—that he has nevr deld my Letters nor the Tobo to you for Reasons easily conceivd from the Copies of those Letters wch I now send. This is the only way I can Acct for your Silence, havg never recd a Line from you since the 22d of April 1766.
I now Inclose you Captn Pollards Second Bill of Lading, relying on yr kind assistance in transacting the Affair for me. If my Suspicions are well founded, Captn Pollard has not only treated me very injuriously, but at the same time acted with a good deal of Ingratitude as I was amg a very few who did not take advantage of a failure of his (in point of time for his arrival) to withhold my Tobo from him, but complied strictly with my part of the Contract altho. it was inconvenient for me to do so; expecting long, very long before this, to have had the Salt and Sacks there Orderd (free from freight accordg to Engagemt) for want of wch I hitherto have, & now do, suffer exceedingly, especially for the latter, whh I now beg may be made up 50 & numberd as tho. they had Salt in them & were distinct parcels—If on the other hand the Captn has deld my Letter, & Tobo & made good any damage it might have Sustaind agreeable to his promise I freely ask his pardon for my uncharitable Suspicions wch took rise from the causes aforementd. I am Sir Yr Most Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Gabriel Jones, 25 February 1768 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Jones, Gabriel

Letter not found: to Gabriel Jones, 25 Feb. 1768. On 3 May Jones wrote to GW: “I acknowledged the receipt of your’s of 25th February.”


Title: Cash Accounts, March 1768
From: Washington, George
To:

[March 1768]

Cash

Mar. 12—
To Ditto [cash] of Mr Magowan Balle Acct
£0. 6.10

21—
To Captn Hanson Marshall for weaving
0.12. 0

30—
To Gilbert Simpson Junr weavg 8 Yds Cotton
0.12. 9

Contra

Mar.  3—
By Servants
0. 3. 9

4—
By Thos Bishops wife delivg Sarah
0.10. 0

12—
By Doctr Rumney
5. 0. 0

13—
By Boys Expences to Essex
0. 2. 6

21—
By my own Expences at Arrols
0. 8. 6

25—
By my Brother’s boy’s ferriage at Poseys
0. 2. 0

26—
By Servants
0. 1. 3

31—
By Alexander Cleveland in full for his share of Hemp made in 1765
0.10. 0


Title: Advertisement, 10 March 1768
From: Washington, George
To:

To Any of the Name of Stot, Wills, Richardson, or Smith In Durham, In England
Alexandria Virg. March 10th 1768
The Executors of Colo. Thomas Collvill, late of Alexandria in Virginia, hereby intend notice to the Parties concernd, that, in the last Will of that Gentleman made Octr the 8th 1766 the following clause was inserted, and recorded in the County Court of Fairfax in the Colony aforesaid.
And Whereas &ca—here the whole Clause relative to the above Persons was inserted at large.
The Executors as yet, cannot even guess what may be the Surplus money of this Estate, when the Debts (which are of a complicated nature) and Legacies, are dischargd; but as it is more than probable there will be a residue, and there being a time limited for entering the Claims, and prooving the Relationship as above; this Second notice is given to the Parties that they may be timely advisd thereof by.

Frances Colvill

Executrix

G. Washington
}
Executors

John West Junr

Note, The above Letter I sent by Mr W. Magowan, when he went to England for Orders; with particular injunctions to put it into the hands of some Person who had corrispondants in Durham, that proper enquiry might be made after these People, and I satisfied with having dischargd my Duty as an Executor.

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Robert Cary & Company, 10 March 1768
From: Washington, George
To: Robert Cary & Company

Gentn
Mount Vernon March 10th 1768.

This Letter will, I expect, be delivered to you by Mr Walter Magowan, who for many years has livd in my Family a Tutor to Master & Miss Custis, and now comes to England to get admittance into Holy Orders—Any little Civilities therefore which you may occasionally shew him during his short stay there, or assistance give, woud be very obliging as he is perfectly a Stranger, and may need a little Introduction, althô he comes provided with proper Certificates &ca to the Bishop.
He has Fifty pounds Sterling due to him on Acct of his last years Wages, which please to pay and charge equally to Master & Miss Custis—Besides this you will please to advance him any Sum on the particular Acct of Master Custis not exceeding Forty pounds Sterlg with which he is to purchase Sundry Books &ca for the young Gentleman and other things for his Musick Master &ca who having commissiond Mr Magowan on this head desird he might have a credit to answer the purposes—Whatever money therefore you may advance in consequence of this order you will please to charge as I have just directed because I shall know what Sum to Debit each party with, & what to give him Credit for, when I come to settle with Mr Magowan upon his return wch is intended to be in a very short space of time.
Having a very good oppertunity a few days ago directly from my own door to the Madeira & back I desird Messrs Scott,

Pringle, Cheape and Company to send me a Butt of Wine, & one or two & ⟨other⟩ trifling things, and draw upon you for the amount which I hope will be paid.
Captn Johnstown is arrivd, but having been Sometime in York and James River I have not got my Goods by him, though hourly expect them. At present I shall add nothing more than that I am Gentn Yr Most Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Stewart & Campbell, 10 March 1768
From: Washington, George
To: Stewart & Campbell

Gentn
[Mount Vernon] Virginia March 10th 1768

The bearer Mr Walter Magowan has an order upon you for £13.0.9 being the proceeds of two Hhds of my Tobacco consignd you in the Thornton Captn McGachin in the year 1765. Please to make payment and oblige Gentn Yr Most Obedt Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Robert Stewart, 10 March 1768
From: Stewart, Robert
To: Washington, George

My Dear Sir
Kingston in Jamaica March 10th 1768

In my last from London I gave you a detail of the various schemes I had form’d and of the great disappointments I had experienced in endeavouring to carry them into execution, I was at length appointed Comptroller of his Majesty’s Customs in this place, an Office which I was inform’d was a very reputable one and worth at least a thousand Sterling ⅌ ann:—the first part of the information I found Just, but I have the mortification to find that the value of my Office is by the openning the free Ports in this Island and by some late regulations in the Revenues diminished near a half; however even what I enjoy would in some Countries do very well for a Batchelor in my way, but in this extravagant and very expensive place where all the necessaries and most of the conveniences of Life are exorbitantly dear, it is barely sufficient to support me in a decent manner. I likewise informed you that your old Acquaintance and my very good Friend Mr Macleane had directed me to desire you would Draw upon him at sixty days sight for the amount of the money you was generously pleas’d in the handsomest and most Friendly manner to advance to me, before I left N. America, for which and your invariable and polite attention to my welfare my heart will never cease to glow with the most lively ardour of the strongest Friendship and genuine gratitude, and allow me My

dear Col. to assure you with sacred truth that few things could yield me more pleasure than opportunities of evincing that these are the sincere sentiments of a heart that will ever love and esteem you; I likewise desired that you would please address your Bills for that Sum to Lauchlin Macleane Esqr. in Queen ann Street, Cavendish Square London.
A few days after date of my last I embarked in the Ship Trent Capt. Gillis and had a Passage of 14 weeks from Gravesend—our very tedious passage was rendered doubly disagreeable, whilst in Northern Climates by a great deal of bad weather and on our getting to the Southd by Calms not less alarming from the dreadfull consequences a continuance of them would inevitably have produced—We stopt near two weeks at Madeira, an African Island peopled by and under the Dominion of Portugal, that Island so well knowen by it’s excellent wines is in a most delightfull Climate where extremes of heat and cold are never felt, it is covered with an eternal verdure which runs up even to the summit of its immense high Mountains, which branch out into a variety of odd Figures that, form many Vallies now converted into rich vineyards which produce no less than twenty three different species of Grapes from which nineteen thousand Pipes of wine are annually made—Citrons, Lemons, Oranges, Aples, Peaches and in short most of the Tropical and European Fruits grow there to perfection—It’s principal Town Fench Hall stretches along a spacious Bay nearly in the form of a Crescent it is defended by a number of Forts & Batteries which the Portuguese think very formidable but in reality they are but triffling it contains near twenty thousand Inhabitants the whole number in the Island is eighty thousand (Blacks included) Their houses are quite white in the outside, in Town as well as on the many Plantations on the Face of the Mountains, the whole yields a prospect perfectly Romantic and as charming as the imagination can well conceive—The British Factory chiefly composed of Scotch are about thirty Families and Live in the utmost harmony and socibility, they have Card and Dancing Assemblies, Parties to the Country, and they participate of every amusement that retired Mountanious place will admit of, By their frequent excursions to the Country and an emulation to excell, the Ladies ride their little Horses and Mules with a spirit and tranquillity, precipes that the very sight of would strike an American or

English Lady with terror and amazement. The Portuguese Ladies do not associate with our Ladies nor even with their own Gentlemen, their Churches which are open every day are the only public places at which their rigourous Customs permits them to appear, thither I sometimes went to gratify my curiosity and tho’ they were generally filled, chiefly by Females, I did not see one fine woman amongst them, some of them are tolerably genteel, severals have good Eyes and Teeth and they in general have very fine hair which they dress in a taste peculiarly pleasing—A few days before I left that Island a man of war arrived from Lisbon with a new Governor, all the Men in the Island were ordered under Arms to receive him, they cut but an indifferent Figure and made very awkward irregular Fires both from their Artillery and Musketry; The Govr went immediatly to the principal Fort, and his Lady to Church, she appears not above fifteen, was drest in a man’s hat fiercely Cocked with a broad Gold Lace and her hair in a Bag with a Sollitaire, she was attended with an English and French Lady—The next day the old Governr embarked; a venerable looking man, he was double the usual time Govr and went off poor, nor did he live splenditly but employed all his money in acts of charity and humanity, he was attended to the waterside by all the Inhabitants of the Island the whole in Tears, praying for his happiness, a sight as moving as uncommon especially in an arbitrary Governmt.
As you must be tired with the very tedious length of this scrawl I defer saying any thing about Jamaica till my next when I hope to be a little better qualified to write about it for at present my knowledge of it is very superficial and imperfect—I beg you will do me the honr to present my respectfull Complements, in the warmest, most obliging and Affectionate terms to your Lady and beleive to be with the highest Esteem and most perfect Regard My Dear Colo. Your unalterably Affectionate & Most obliged hble Servt

Robert Stewart


Title: To George Washington from Gabriel Jones, 25 March 1768
From: Jones, Gabriel
To: Washington, George

Dear sir
March 25th 1768

I have only time to inform you, that I received your’s at Frederick last Court, & have communicated the Contents to Mesrs Madison & Lewis my Neighbours, they agree with me, of

the right of your demand agt Mr Strother’s estate, & as soon as you fix the sum paid, you may draw on me for our proportionable parts, Mesrs Henry Tyler, Francis Tyler & John Frogg are the other person’s who married Mr Strothers daughters. I am with True esteem & respect Dear sir Yr most Obedt, humble Servt

Gabriel Jones


Title: Cash Accounts, April 1768
From: Washington, George
To:

[April 1768]

Cash

Apl  5—
To Cash of Messrs Carlyle & Adam by Mr Matthew Campbell
£121.11. 9 1/2

15—
To Cash of Mr Hanson Marshall
3. 0. 0

18—
To Ditto of Messrs Carlyle & Adam
144.12. 6

Contra

April 2—
By William Skilling
1. 0. 0

5—
By Wm Crawford
20. 0. 0

By a Cask of Mercers Beer pr Andw Wales
3. 9. 4

12—
By Jno. Alton
5. 0. 0

18—
By Robt Jones for 2 Yrs of the Maryld Gazette &ca
1.17. 0

By Dinner & Club at Arrols
0. 5.10

22—
By Alexander McKenzies Acct
2. 0. 0

By Do Do for Jno. P. Custis
3. 6. 0

By Andrew Robinson Balle of Accts
0.18. 0

25—
By Mrs Washington 20/. By Jacky & P. Custis Do 17
1.17. 0

26—
By Exps. at Colchester
0. 6. 3

27—
By Exps. at Aquia & Fredg
0.10. 9

28—
By Mendg Jacky Custis’s 8/9. Servants 2/3
0.11. 0

29—
By Exps. at Hubbards 26/6. Do at Todds 19/
0.19. 0

30—
By Do at the Causey 21/6
1. 1. 6

By Doctr Lee for Patcy Custis
2. 3. 9


Title: To George Washington from George Mason, 9 April 1768 [letter not found]
From: Mason, George
To: Washington, George

	Letter not found: from George Mason, 9 April 1768. The letter is listed in the Henkels catalog no. 657, item 45, 10 Dec. 1890. According to the catalog, the letter was docketed by GW on 23 Feb. 1789: “The Lines to which this letter has reference were settled by & between Col. Mason and myself the 19 of April, 1769, as will appear (if there should ever be occasion to recur to it) by a Survey thereof made on that day in his presence and with his approbation—Entered among other proceedings of a like sort and tied up in a Book with a green parchment cover, which Book is deposited along with my Land Papers.”
   The lines settled by the 19 April 1769 survey were the lines between the part of the old Thompson patent owned by George Mason and a small 300–acre tract, originally a part of the same patent, which GW had bought in 1757 from Sampson Darrell. See Mason to GW, 14 Oct. 1769 and note 2, Darrell to

    GW, 28 Dec. 1757 and 9 Oct. 1759, and notes, and the map and chart: The Growth of Mount Vernon, 1754–1786, in DiariesDonald Jackson and Dorothy Twohig, eds. The Diaries of George Washington. 6 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1976–79., 1:240–41. The survey has not been found, nor has the “Book with a green parchment cover,” but a memorandum of an agreement written in Mason’s hand and signed by GW on 21 April, two days later, settling the boundary lines gives some idea of the problems involved in getting clear title to land, because of variations in surveys, missing deeds, the disappearance of identifying trees, and so forth: “It is agreed this 21st day of April 1769, between the Subscribers that an ancient mark’d Line from Dogues Run to little Hunting Creek formerly run by Thomas Hooper Surveyor of Stafford County as the upper Line of Matthew Thompson’s Sale to Charles Rose for three hundred Acres of Land, now in possession of the Subscriber George Washington, shall for ever be established as the dividing Line between the Subscriber’s Lands in the Neck between Dogues Run & the South Branch of little Hunting Creek, the sd Line beginning upon Dogues Run side at an old stooping white Oak near two or three small sweet Gums, & a red oak now newly mark’d, & a large sweet Gum formerly mark’d, & running across the Neck (by a Line of ancient mark’d Trees as aforesaid) N. 76 d. 30 m. Et 668 poles to two Spanish Oaks & two white Oaks now newly mark’d, standing in the main South Branch of little Hunting Creek; and that the Subscriber George Mason shall make a Deed of Release unto the Subscriber George Washington for the three hundred Acres formerly sold by the sd Matthew Thompson unto the sd Charles Rose to be bounded by the said Line, notwithstanding it contains more than this Quantity; and the sd George Washington agrees to pay unto the sd George Mason twenty shillings Virginia Currency for every Acre of Land more than five hundred & twelve Acres which shall be found to be contained from the Meanders of Dogues Run & the main South Branch of little Hunting Creek between the sd Line, & the upper Line of the Land commonly called Spencer’s patent, as the same was formerly established in a Suit in the General Court between Thomas Marshall plaintif & Sampson Darrell Defendant” (ViMtvL).
 On 24 Oct. 1769, as the agreement provided, Mason gave GW a release for what seems to be the same 300–acre tract that had previously been sold to GW by Sampson Darrell. At the same time GW paid Mason £100 for one hundred extra acres of land found to be contained in the tract. The Fairfax County Deed Book for 1769 is missing, but GW’s own copy of the release of 24 Oct. 1769 from Mason was sold in the Birch sale of 1891, catalog no. 667, item 33. See also General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 61, Sampson Darrell to GW, 28 Dec. 1757, 9 Oct. 1759, and notes, and Mason to GW, 14 Oct. 1769, and notes.


Title: To George Washington from James Gildart, 12 April 1768
From: Gildart, James
To: Washington, George

Sir
Leverpoole [England] April 12th 1768

⟨Mutilated⟩ Refering to my last of the 16th July ⅌ the Oak Capt. McDaniel Since wch have not been favoured wth any of yours. as yet have only Sold one of Mr J. P. Custis’s 4 hhds Tobo ⅌

the JnoSon & that At 2½ ⅌ being part mixed Stemed & leafe the price ⟨mutilated⟩ advanced & now from 2½ to 3½ ⅌. It was luckey for my Friends I did not Sell on the Ships Arrivall As then the Cargoe would not have yielded 2d. ⅌ ⟨mutilated⟩ & now we sell nothing under 2½ or ⅝ ⅌ Altho. the last years Importation was very poor & ordinary the D. P. C. are the very worst I ever had from the Estate, I can Scarce Cred. their being the growth of York River the Gentlemn that use to buy them would not look at them depend the best shall be made of them that can be[.] we had last year a la⟨rge⟩ Importn of Hemp from America but so very Ill dressed that the price has declined ⟨many a parcell of illegible⟩ from Maryd Sold at ⟨mutilated⟩ ⅌ Ton. If your Farmers wont take more pains to Clean it I am Aprehensive our Officers will not Allow the bounty in short its not Marchanable[.] Wheat continues very high in England & likely to be so till our harvest. we are now Importing America Grain from Spain & Italy whose Marketts you have over Stocked. Some Cargoes are expected from Philad. but I hear of none from you or Maryd they would now pay extreamly well being from 6/ to 6/4 ⅌ 70 Lb. & its a grain that Never heats or damages in the Passage If in good Cond. when Shipt as we have no Stocks in England It will Certainly be wanted the Next year that I wish your Country may be able to Supply us & am Respy Sir Yr Most Obt Sert

Jam. Gildart


Title: To George Washington from Gabriel Jones, 3 May 1768
From: Jones, Gabriel
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
May 3d 1768 Winchester

I acknowledged the receipt of your’s of 25th February & recommended it to the care of Colo. F. Lewis in hopes it might meet you in your way to the Assembly in March, but whether it did I have not as yet learned. & least a miscarriage should have happened, I write this to inform you of my acquainting Mesrs Lewis & Madison with your proposal of paying what you had advanced for the deficiency of the Land purchased from Mr Strother Executor, they as well as my self do readily agree to advance our proportionable parts as soon as you let me know what it is. I am with much esteem & respect Dr Sir Yr most Obedt humble Servt

Gabriel Jones


Title: From George Washington to Capel & Osgood Hanbury, 5 May 1768
From: Washington, George
To: Capel & Osgood Hanbury

Gentn
Williamsburg 5th May 1768

Your Letters to Master Custis & myself of the 10th of Decr by Captn Eston are both come to my hands and I have directed Ten Hhds of the young Gentns Tobo to be put on board his Ship to your Address; which, considering the very short crop we made last year is a larger proportion of his Tobo than you have had

yet—On this quantity you will please to Insure £10 pr Hhd & carry the proceeds to his Credit. Having discontinued the growth of Tobo myself, except at a Plantation or two upon York River, I make no more of that Article than barely serves to furnish me with Goods this is the Reason therefore why I send it undivided to Messrs Cary & Co. as it is from that House I always get the necessaries wanted for my Family’s use.
I shoud be very glad if you woud make it an invariable Rule (while our corrispondance in behalf of Mastr Custis to whom I am Guardian continues) to send me in his Acct Currt once a year; this, besides the satisfaction of comparing them with my own Accts is necessary in Settling my Administration Accts annually with the Genl Court. I am Gentn Yr Most Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Robert Cary & Company, 5 May 1768
From: Washington, George
To: Robert Cary & Company

Gentn
Williamsburg 5th May 1768

I have just time before I leave this place to acknowledge the receipt of your Letters of the 22d of Decr by Eston and 1st of Feby by Captn Outram. By the Latter I shall send you all my own Tobo consisting of Fifteen Hhds and about Twenty-five of Mastr Custis’s—on both which parcels please to Insure Ten pounds pr Hhd. As the scarcity of Tobo, and high prices thereof in the Country are facts too well known to be doubted of, it consequently becomes unnecessary for me to add that unless the Sales with you are high, we shall be a considerable looser by adhering to our usual custom of assisting your Ships here, this

we hope you will endeavour to avoid, and make the advantages reciprocal; at least that we do not suffer by our Attachment to your House.
Herewith you will receive a Bill of Exchange drawn by James Kirk on Messrs Crosbies & Trafford for One hundred and Seven pounds ten shillings Sterlg—as also two other Bills of Mr J. Wales’s drawing on Messrs Farrel & Jones of Bristol amounting together to One hundd and twenty pounds Sterg—which Sums when receivd please to give my Acct credit for—At present I shall only add that I am Gentn Yr Most Obedt Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to John Blair, 17 May 1768
From: Washington, George
To: Blair, John

Honble Sir
May 17th 1768

At present the Road from Fort Cumberland to Pittsburg is very thickly Inhabited—so much so at least—as to render the communication easy & convenient for Travellers, & for the transportation of Provisions &ca from the Frontiers of this Colony to the last mentioned Garrison, and to the Settlers that now are, or may hereafter be fixed on the Ohio; but if the People on the other side of the Alligany shoud be totally removed, the difficulties of that communication of consequence becomes augmented, and Our Frontier Inhabitants (by odds the most contiguous, and best adapted for the purpose of furnishing the King’s Troops with Provisions & such like things) subjected to Inconveniencies the Contrary of which the People of Pensylvania enjoy in the greatest degree by having Garrisons established all along their Road: So sensible are our Frontier People of this, that several of them in talking to me upon the subject, did request, that I woud lay the matter before your Honour; hoping that, by means of your representation, Stages might be permitted (I mean some of the Inhabitants suffer’d to remain only) at three or four different places along the Road (that Our Assembly levied money towards the opening of) to the end that Travellers, drivers of Cattle, Hogs, Pack Horses, &ca might be accomodated with halting Places and Provision, to sustain themselves and Cattle in a March so tedious, & often incommoded by the swelling of many large Waters which they are compeld to cross—To this request I promised a compliance, in full assurance, that if the matter appeard in the same light to your honr, it does to me, you woud readily lay the Circumstances of it before his Excellency Genl Gage, whose powers, I apprehend, can regulate these matters; & who, I am perswaded, in

consideration of the benefits which his Majesty’s Troops will derive from ready Supplies to his Garrisons, woud chearfully come into a measure of this kind; which, from its nature can give no offence to the Indians, nor any one else; unless there be People in the world, so selfish, as to aim at a Monopoly of those advantages which may follow a Trade to Pittsburg & the Country round it. I hope I shall stand excused for the liberty I have taken in laying this affair before your Honr. With great respect I remain Yr Honrs Most Obedt Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Joseph Valentine, 17 May 1768
From: Valentine, Joseph
To: Washington, George

Sir
may 17th 1768

I have sent the Boy with Mrs Washingtons things from mrs deavenports and have paid her Charge which is 27/6d.
I like wise Saw mr Starke yesterday and he promist me to give

his Bond this day for me to Bring to you But when I Came to his house he was gon to Sussex Cort and left a letter which I Send to you with severall other Letters[.] the tobaco in New Kent & King William is inspected and gon on Bord of Ship the weight is very good Excepting dite Howls two hogsheds which are two Light—ass soon ass I Can get the Rest inspected and Caried on Bord of Ship I will Send you an Exact List of the weights and Quantity and the ships it is gon on Bord and Ever will do my Best indeavers for your benefit and Remain Sir your most humble Servent

Joseph Valentine


Title: From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 30 May 1768
From: Washington, George
To: Boucher, Jonathan

Revd Sir
[Mount Vernon] May 30th 1768.

Mr Magowan who lived several years in my Family a Tutor to Master Custis (my Son in law & Ward) having taken his departure for England leaves the young Gentleman without any master at all at this time I shoud be glad there fore to know if it woud be convenient for you to add him to the number of your Pupils. He is a boy of good genius, about 14 yrs of age, untainted in his Morals, & of innocent Manners. Two yrs and upwards he has been reading of Virgil, and was (at the time Mr Magowan left him) entered upon the Greek Testament, thô I presume he has

grown not a little rusty in both; having had no benefit of his Tutor since Christmas, notwithstanding he left the Country in March only.
If he comes, he will have a boy (well acquainted with House business, which may be made as useful as possible in your Family to keep him out of Idleness) and two Horses, to furnish him with the means of getting to Church, and elsewhere as you may permit; for he will be put entirely, and absolutely under your Tuition, and direction to manage as you think proper in all respects.
Now Sir, if you Incline to take Master Custis I shoud be glad to know what conveniencies it may be necessary for him to bring, & how soon he may come, for as to his Board & Schooling (Provendar for his Horses he may lay in himself) I do not think it necessary to enquire into, and will chearfully pay Ten or Twelve pounds a year extraordinary to engage your peculiar care of, and a watchful eye to him, as he is a promising boy—the last of his Family—& will possess a very large Fortune—add to this my anxiety to make him fit for more useful purposes, than a horse Racer &ca.
This Letter will be sent to you by my Brother at Fredericksburg, and I shoud be obligd to you for an answer by the first Post to Alexandria, near to which place I live; I am Sir Yr Most Obedt & Hble Servt

Go: Washington

P.S. If it is necessary for him to provide a Bed, cou’d one be purchased in your Neighbourhood? it woud save a long carriage.


Title: Cash Accounts, June 1768
From: Washington, George
To:

[June 1768]

Cash

June 1—
To Ditto [cash] of Henry Taylor
£ 0. 2.6

To Weaving of Jno. Elliot 15 yds cotton birdeye
0.18.9

To Cash of Mr Wm Triplet for Weavg
1. 6.0

20—
To Ditto of Gilbt Simpson on Acct of Rent
2. 8.0

23—
To Ditto for 7 M Shingles
6. 2.6

Contra

June 2—
By Mr [John] Stedlar for Mastr & Miss Custis
10.16.0

6—
By James Oram for a Horse for Mastr Custis
15. 0.0

7—
By a Sturgeon 6/—By Lemons 8/9
0.14.9

15—
By Rachel McKeaver
0. 6.0

17—
By Charity 12/
0.12.0

By Jno. Snowden £7.7.6. By Charity 21/6
8. 9.0

20—
By Mr [James] Kirk Balle of Acct
2. 5.0

24—
By Exps. at Arrols 20/9. Jno. P. Custis 41/6
3. 2.3

By Sundry’s for the use of Mr Custis
2.13.9


Title: From George Washington to Laughlin Macleane, 6 June 1768
From: Washington, George
To: Macleane, Laughlin

Sir,
Mount Vernon in Virginia June 6th 1768.

In a Letter of the 10th of March which I recd from Colo. Robt Stewart in Jamaica, he directs me to draw upon you for a sum of money which I lent him in 1763—I accordingly do so in favour of Robt Cary Esqr. & Co. for £302 Sterg which was the nett amount of two Bills (exclusive of Intt wch I have no intention of charging) remitted him at that time.
Among the number of your Acquaintance & well wisher’s, none coud be better pleased at hearing of the notice taken of your merit—nor will more rejoice at yr future prosperity than Dr Sir, Yr Most Obedt Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Robert Cary & Company, 6 June 1768
From: Washington, George
To: Robert Cary & Company

Gentn
Mt Vernon 6th June 1768

My old Chariot havg run its race, & gone through as many stages as I coud conveniently make it travel, is now renderd incapable of any further Service; The intent of this Letter therefore is to desire you will bespeak me a New one, time enough to come out with the Goods (I shall hereafter write for) by Captn Johnstoun, or some other Ship.
As these are kind of Articles, that last with care a gt number of years, I woud willingly have the Chariot you may now send me made in the newest taste, handsome, genteel, & light; yet not slight & consequently unserviceable. To be made of the best Seasond Wood, & by a celebrated Workman. The last Importation which I have seen, besides the customary Steel springs have others that play in a Brass barrel, & contribute at one & the

sametime to the ease & Ornament of the Carriage; One of these kind therefore woud be my choice; & Green being a colour little apt, as I apprehend, to fade, & grateful to the Eye, I woud give it the preference unless any other colour more in vogue & equally lasting is entitled to precedency in that case I woud be governd by fashion. A light gilding on the mouldings (that is round the Pannels) & any other Ornaments that may not have a heavy & tawdry look (together with my arms agreeable to the Impression here sent) might be added, by way of decoration. A lining of a handsome, lively col[ore]d leather of good quality, I shd also prefer; such as green, blew, or &ca as may best suit the colr of the outside. let the box that slips under Seat, be as large as it conveniently can be made (for the benefit of Stoage upon a journey) and to have a Pole (not Shafts) for the Wheel Horses to draw by—together with a handsome sett of Harness for four middle sized Horses orderd in such a manner as to suit either two Postilions (without a box) or a box & one Postilion—The Box being made to fix on, and take of occasionally, with a hammel Cloth &ca suitable to the lining. On the Harness let my Crest be engravd.
If such a Chariot as I have here describd cd be got at 2d hand little or nothg the worse of wear, but at the sametime a good deal under the first cost of a new one (& sometimes tho. perhaps rarely it happens so) it wd be very desirable; but if I am obligd to go to near the origl cost I wd e’en have one made; & have been thus particular, in hopes of gettg a handsome Char[io]t through yr direction, good taste, & managt—Not of Copper how[eve]r for these do not stand the powerful heat of our sun.
Inclosd you will receive a Bill of Excha: on Laughlin Mcacleane Esqr. for £302 Sterg out of wch this Char[io]t may be paid for, & the Balle carrd to the Credit of my Acct Currt—At the sametime you pres[en]t the Bill be pleasd to delivr the Letter also. I am Gentn Yr Most Hble Servt

Go: Washington

P.S. The Origl of this was sent by the Keith to Glasgow and the Copies by Captn Johnstoun.


Title: To George Washington from Jonathan Boucher, 16 June 1768
From: Boucher, Jonathan
To: Washington, George

Sir
Caroline, June 16th 1768

Altho’ I have already return’d an Ansr to yr obliging Letter of the 30th ult: by a Servt of The Revd Mr Addison’s who went from hence a Day or two ago, yet as You seem’d desirous to hear from Me as soon as possible, & as Collo. Lewis now informs Me that He can furnish Me wth an Oppty directly to your House, I am desirous to convince You, that I have not been inattentive to the Matter of yr Request. In my former Lr, I have inform’d You of my Expectations of removing shortly to Annaps, where I propose also to continue to take Care of a few Boys, & have left it to Yrself to Judge whether, in that Case, it wou’d be agreeable to You & Mrs Washington, that Mastr Custis shd accompany Me thither, as, unless He shou’d, I imagin’d You wou’d hardly think it worth while to send Him abroad to a School, wc. may probably be broke up in a very few Months. I added also, that shd You approve of This, I shou’d be glad He might come down hither, in the Manner You have propos’d, immediately; which, I suppose, He may easily do, as there will be no Occasion for his making much Preparation; since, if I shd be so unfortunate as to be again disappointed in Maryland, & be obliged to remain still where I now am, it will be as Easy for You hereafter to furnish Him wth any Thing He may happen to want; and in the mean Time, it will be no Inconvenience to Me to let Him use one of my Beds &c. And This is all, or nearly all, I yet have it in my Power to give You for ansr: I sincerely wish the Uncertainty of my present Prospects wou’d allow Me to speak more positively.
Ever since I have heard of Mastr Custis, I have wish’d to call Him one of my little Flock, and I am not asham’d to confess to You, that, since the Rect of yr Letter, I have wish’d it much more. Engag’d as I have now been for upwards of seven Years in the Education of Youth, You will own it must be mortifying to Me to reflect, that I cannot boast of having had the Honr to bring up one Scholar. I have had, ’tis true, Youths, whose Fortunes, Inclinations & Capacities all gave Me Room for the most pleasing Hopes: yet I know not how it is, no sooner do They arive at that Period of Life when They might be expected more successfully to apply to their Studies, than They either marry, or are

remov’d from School on some, perhaps even still, less justifiable Motive. You, Sr however, seem so justly sensible of the vast Importance of a good Educatn that I cannot doubt of your heartily concurring in every Plan that might be propos’d for the Advantage of yr Ward: And what I am more particularly pleased with, is, the ardent Desire You express for the Cultiva[tio]n of his moral, as well as his intellectual Powers, I mean that He may be made a Good, as well as a learned & a sensible Man. That Mastr Custis may be both, is the Sincere Wish of Sir, Yr most Obedt & most Humble Servt

Jonan Boucher


Title: From George Washington to John Didsbury, 20 June 1768
From: Washington, George
To: Didsbury, John

Sir,
Mt Vernon Virga 20th June 1768.

You will please to send me the following Shoes and charge them respectively—I have also sent my measure for a pair of light thin Boots for Summer wear, which let come with the Shoes—As it will save me the trouble of preparing a fresh measure every time I may have occasion for New Boots I shoud be glad if you woud keep the measure now sent, by you.

One pair of Boots as above
4 pr of neat Shoes for myself
6 pr of bla: Calla Pumps for Mrs W——n.

For Mastr Custis. pr Measure sent

6 pr of neat & strg Shoes
4 pr of neat Pumps
4 pr of course strg & midlg la. Shoes for his Servant

Miss Custis. pr Meae sent

4 pr of Leather Pumps
6 pr bla. Calla Ditto
1 pr bla. Sattin Do
1 pr white Do Do

As Mrs Washington’s Shoes (last sent) did not fit her well She now sends her measure again, and desires I will add, they were

made out of bad materials having no last in them. I am Sir Yr Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Charles Lawrence, 20 June 1768
From: Washington, George
To: Lawrence, Charles

Mr Lawrence
[Mount Vernon] Virginia June 20th 1768.

This is to desire you will send me a Suit of handsome Cloth Cloaths—I have no doubts but you will choose a fashionable colourd Cloth as well as a good one & make it in the best taste to sit easy & loose as Cloaths that are tight always look aukward & are uneasy to the Wearer. As I have sent you my measure once or twice I presume you can be at no loss for want of one but I think you have generally sent my Cloaths too short & sometimes too tight for which Reason I think it necessary again to mention that I am full Six feet high which may be a good direction to you as to the length and as I am not at all inclind to be corpulent you might easily come at my size even if your measure of me shoud be lost—let the Breeches be made long.
You are also desired to send the following Cloaths for Mastr Custis—to wit—a handsome Suit of fashionable Cloth—Also a riding dress of green Cloth—and two Suits of fine Jean’s—the Cloaths you sent him last year fit very well except the Sleeves, whch are 4 Inches at least too short; but you must make allowe for his growg since those were made, he being now 15 Yrs of age & growing fast. Let the Jean Suits be without Linings—I shoud be glad if you woud have his Breeches made rather long, and get him a pair of Leather Breeches as you can direct the size—and likewise send for his Man a Suit of blew Livery—the Servt is abt five feet 8 Inches high & Slender. Robt Cary Esqr. & Co. will pay the respective Acct & you must make them out distinct. I am Sir Yr Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Capel & Osgood Hanbury, 20 June 1768
From: Capel & Osgood Hanbury
To: Washington, George

Esteemd Friend
London June 20th 1768

We have now before us thy favor of 5th May the contents of which are duly noticed—The Insurce on the 10 Hhds Tobacco belonging to J. P. Custis on board the Hanbury shall be made—inclos’d is our Letter to him left open for thy perusal to which refer respecting the state of his Account under our care—If at any time thee should have Tobacco to spare, we should be

oblig’d to thee for thy Consignments—We avoid mentioning any thing of political matters, being too unpleasing a subject to write upon, therefore have only to add that, we are with much Esteem Thy assured Friends

C. & O. Hanbury


Title: Enclosure: Capel & Osgood Hanbury to John Parke Custis, 20 June 1768
From: Capel & Osgood Hanbury
To: Custis, John Parke

Esteemd Friend,
London June 20th 1768

Inclos’d we send the Sales of thy 8 Hhds Tobacco ⅌ the Hanbury, Nt proceeds £114. ⟨Mutilated⟩, hope they will meet with thy approbation, of which it will give us pleasure to be inform’d. We have just had the satisfaction of receiving our friend Geo: Washingtons favor of 5th May The Insurance therein directed on 10 Hhds of thy Tobacco by Capt. Esten, shall be duly made, and no endeavours of ours shall be wanting in the disposal of the Tobacco when it arrives—On the other side is a sketch of thy Account as it stands in our Books, and as we are drawing out our friends Accots Currt and intend forwarding them very soon; thy regular Accot will then be sent. We are with great Esteem Thy assured Friends

C. & O. Hanbury


Title: Memorandum List of Tithables and Taxable Property, 20 June 1768
From: Washington, George
To:

[c.20 June 1768]

A List of Tithables in Truro Parish—Fairfax—Also of the Wheel Carriages—given in June 20: 1768
George Washington
Lund Washington, Willm Skilling, Thos Davis. Ho. Servants: Breechy, Billy, Julius, Harry, Schomberg, Doll, Jenny, Betty, Moll, Sall, ⟨Phillis⟩, Kate, Winney, Sarah, Giles. Home Plantn: Joe, Jack, Ben, Jack, Arlington, George, Sarah, Frank, Lydia, Phœbe. Tradesmen: Will, Michael, Davy, Tom, George, Sam, Ned, Jupiter, Peter, Natt, George, Lewis. Doeg Run: Morris, Matt, Essex, Ben, Jupiter, Robin, Bob, Paul, Hannah, Sue, Betty, Jone, Moll. Muddy hole: Thoms Bishop, Will, Adam, Will, Sam, Kate, Nan, Sarah, Jenny. Mill Plantn: Jno. Alton, Davy, Ned, Robin, Judy, Lucy, Jenny. In all—70.
One Chariot 20/, One Chair 10/1.

List of Tithables in Fairfax Parish
James Cleveland [River Farm]
Frederick, Ben, Natt, Will, Neptune, Abram, Walley, Schomberg, Ruth, Peg, Murria, Doll, Cloe, Nan, Daphne, Judy, Milly, Sarah. In all—19.


Title: From George Washington to James Gildart, 25 June 1768
From: Washington, George
To: Gildart, James

Sir,
Mount Vernon 25th June 1768

Your Letter of the 16th of July 1767 accompanied with 25 Bags of Salt came to my hands sometime in April last after I had given over all expectation of receiving this Supply from you and after I had laid in a Stock from a Liverpool Ship (in this River) abt a Month before.
I think I have great cause to complain of this delay, but the

most aggravating circumstances attending the disappointment are that scarce any of the Sacks containd four Bushels (which I conceive they ought to have done) and not one of the Bags worth a Shilling, nor ever coud be so no two being alike—some extreamely wide—others very narrow—and all, or mostly all, made of old, Slaizy, & patchd Cloth. That I was much at a loss to Acct for the detention of it from July till April (notwithstanding the Ship went to Baltimore) and for the ordinary quality of the Bags, without Marks, or numbers, when both were expressly desired; and when, to get good, exceeding good ones, was almost the sole motive which induced me to send for the Salt, is easy to be imagined, & woud readily have been admitted as sufficient Reason for rejecting the whole; however this I did not do, but have acquiesced under the disappointment and loss, in hopes I may never be subjected to the like Inconvenience again.
I am obligd to you for the part you acted in respect to the Tobacco shipd in Pollard—I expected it woud come to a poor Market, being well convinced of the damage it had sustaind in the Country; which, had I consulted my own Interest, the Captn ought to have paid for here, or taken the Tobacco upon himself, paying me the Country price for it, which woud have amounted to £50 Curry (equal to £40 Sterlg) instead of £26.17.3½ which I have got. I shoud be gla⟨d⟩ to have your Accts Currt regularly rendered, especially with Master Custis, as his are necessary to my annual Settlement with our General Court. I am Sir Yr Most Hble Servt

Go. Washington


Title: To George Washington from Joseph Valentine, 25 June 1768
From: Valentine, Joseph
To: Washington, George

Sir
Yorke County June 25th 1768

our tobaco is all gon on bord of the ship Exepting the Eastern shore tobaco which is not Come over yet But I Expect it Every

day I was told By Mr Bigges neigh bours he had three hhds of tobo and it was gon on bord of Eastin I desired Capt. outtrems people to in Quire ass ⟨mutilated⟩ by the Ship and they told me it was true and I Sent all the tobo on bord of outtrems ⟨Ex⟩cept Taylors 7 hhds sence that I have had a letter from Biggs and their is But two hhds by that means Eastin ⟨mutilated⟩ have But nine hhds which is out of my power now to help—I was in great hops of haveing a good Chance for a Crop a small while ago but sence we have had a Spel of dry Cold windy weather which has ben Very hurtful Boath to the ⟨mutilated⟩ tobo the worms has Cut a great deel of the tobaco off and it perishes away and ⟨mutilated⟩ the hi⟨ll⟩ and the Corn is Very low and sorry but if providence favours us with a good season soon we shall have our Crops all in a good way and if weather favours us shall be in hopes of a good Crop.
⟨D⟩eavenport had a prittey good Chance for plants has planted a good deel of his Crop and I hope one good Season more he will get it all in Cluded.
Sir I can not do any thing with Mr Starke but hav in Closd his Letter to you I have asked him for his Rent but had very small in curagement though he sad he wod try to get it—I asked the president if ⟨he⟩ had a mind to Send a letter in answer to your Letter I deliverd him but he made me no Reply and I have heard no more of it.
⟨I⟩ have no more to ad at present But Remain Sir your most Humble Sert

Joseph Valentine


Title: From George Washington to Margaret Savage, 28 June 1768
From: Washington, George
To: Savage, Margaret

Madam,
June 28th 1768

If the most solemn asseverations of a man are sufficient to give credit to his report—If the honor and veracity of a Gentleman are things sacred enough to extort the truth, we have all the reason imaginable to conclude that Doctr Savage is entirely ignorant of the part you act in respect to the bond given in Trust to Mr Fairfax & myself for your use; because these several assurances he has given, of your willingness (if he can form any opinion from your words) to release him from the condition of it, and that it is not only with your approbation he makes the demand, but in consequence of your repeated requests that he does it. Consider then, I beseech you, the tendency of such conduct, and in what light (under these circumstances) our refusal must appear; what difficulties you throw upon Mr Fairfax & myself to account for the motives of our conduct, if the true motive, & which in fact may prove the only justifiable one, lyes longer concealed. True it is we did refuse (at our last Court) to execute a Deed of releasment which was presented to us with your privy Examination annexed; and assigned, at that time, two reasons for doing so; the one, an apprehension that the trust cou’d not be legally dissolved—the other, a persuasion that however things might be in appearance, yet we could not conceive that the relinquishing such a provision could be agreeable to you—in short that we had some reasons to believe it was not: In answer to the latter, the Doctor appealed to the evidence of your public examination, and to the reiterated private acknowledgements which you had made him, for his belief, at least, of your willingness to give up the Bond: and to satisfy us in respect to the other point, he said Mr Mercer had already given his opinion, & offered to procure that of any other we might choose, to evince the propriety of the measure; but it was unnecessary, indeed it wou’d have been very disengenuous, to run him to this expence, when we were well convinced, there was another, and more effectual bar to his desires, and therefore evaded the offer ’till we could inform you of our hope & expectation, that you wou’d become a little more frank in your declaration to the Doctr, as it is requisite, as well for our justification, as to avoid any litigeous consequences which may follow, to let

the Doctor know from whence our denial proceeds—Indeed it becomes more immediately necessary to do so at this time, because the first payment of the Bond being due & demandable, I have with the advice of Mr Fairfax wrote for it accordingly for the purposes therein expressed, which of course must bring things to a full explanation.
Upon the whole, we (I say we, because I have reasons to believe that Mr Fairfax & myself are in the same sentiments) recommend to your consideration, that there are but two Plea’s that can justify our holding fast this Bond—if one of them be removed, and it is a natural presumption, that the Doctor (if he has already been advised by so able a judge as Mr Mercer, that it can) will spare no pains to accomplish it; the whole stress will then fall upon the other, i.e. upon your assent. how we are to act in that case, and how a conduct suspected of double dealing, or chargeable with disingenuity can stand the test of examination, your own breast is to determine, for my Share I am desireous of acting an open and consistent part throughout the whole, desirous whilst I am resisting the solicitations on one hand, to have good reasons to account for my conduct on the other. I am, Madam Your mo: Obedt Servt

G: Washington


Title: From George Washington to William Savage, 28 June 1768
From: Washington, George
To: Savage, William

Sir
June 28th 1768.

In compliance with the Bond given to Mr Fairfax and myself, as Trustees for the use of Mrs Savage, we think it incumbent on us to request payment of the sum therein stipulated, for the purposes therein expressed. This demand we are induced to make, on full conviction that it is not in our power to release the Bond (of which, possibly, you may hereafter be convinced) without forfeiting the Trust with which we are invested. These are also the sentiments of Mr Fairfax, and it is with his approbation and desire I now make demand of the £100 due last January. I am, Sir, Your most hble Servt

G: Washington


Title: Cash Accounts, July 1768
From: Washington, George
To:

[July 1768]

Cash

July 28—
To Cash recd from Valentine Crawford
£ 1. 7. 3

Contra

July  1—
By grindg Razor’s 1/3. Exps. to Fredg 6/3
0. 7. 6

By Cash pd Rachel McKeaver in Apl & neglected to be chargd
3.15. 0

4—
By Thos Bishop 50/. 1 dozn Ducks 9/
2.19. 0

By Mrs Simpson bringing Lidia & Judy to Bed
1. 0. 0

By Charity 25/—By Wm Skilling £4.0.0
5. 5. 0

9—
By Andw Jones & Abner Roberts for Cradling
3. 1. 6

17—
By David Kinsey Cradling 2 Days
0.10. 0

By Wm Black 1¾ ditto
0. 8. 9

By Robt Langley for 6½ days Do
1.12. 6

21—
By Mrs Washington
2.10. 0

By Alexr McKenzie for self
3. 2. 0

By Do Do for Mastr Custis
0.10. 0

25—
By Mr Harry Piper for a Servt Michael Treacy Bricklayer
18. 4. 0

26—
By Eliab Roberts for Cradling
5.13. 0

28—
By a Bricklayer’s Trowell
0. 1. 8

By Charity
0. 6. 0

28—
By Captn Wm Crawford for Land bot for me
8. 0. 0

30—
By Jonathen Palmer for 18 days Cradg 5.8.0 4 days Mowg @ 3/ 12[s.] Gave Do in considn of his gd behaviour [£]1.4.
7. 4. 0

By Edmund Palmer 1 day cradg & 4 Mowing
0.17. 0

By Edwd Williams Balle of Acct
3.16.10


Title: From George Washington to Margaret Savage, 4 July 1768
From: Washington, George
To: Savage, Margaret

Madam,
Mount Vernon July 4th 1768

Your Note without name or date to it I have just now received by your maid. The contents (knowing it to be your hand writing) I shall communicate to Mr Fairfax, & concur with him, in pursuing such measures for recovery of the money, as the Bond directs; in the mean time, I beg you will be settled in your purposes, & no longer tantalize Doctor Savage, by giving him expectations of your surrendering the Bond, when you are fully resolved he never shall possess it. This becomes absolutely necessary as, from hence forward I shall not scruple to devulge the reasons for my refusal, that my conduct may not stand the reproach of incincerity or want of candour. I am Madam Your Most hble Servt

G: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Robert Cary & Company, 7 July 1768
From: Washington, George
To: Robert Cary & Company

Gentn
[7 July 1768]

On the other side you will receive Invoices of such Goods as are wanted for Mr Custis’s Plantation’s and mine on York River which please to send out in the usual manner—to the care of Mr Joseph Valentine.
To the young Gentleman’s Invoice for Potomack please to add a pair of Stone knee Buckles. I am Gentn Yr Most Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Joseph Valentine, 8 July 1768
From: Valentine, Joseph
To: Washington, George

Sir
yorke July 8th 1768

I Recd yours of the 20th of June but had Rote a letter to you be fore I Recd yours with an ac[coun]t of the Crops of tobaco and what goods are wanting for the plantations and to acquaint you of the prospect of our Crops at that time although it has Ben Very seasonable in maney places yet we have not had a Rain on the plantations in yorke to wet the ground sence the first of June tel this weake we had a good Season we have planted our Crops all over and made them good again which had ben planted twice over before and disstroyed by the worms and dry weather it is all standing now and that ass stood before is a growing very well and will soon be in the top and if the weather purmits I shall have good Crops at Every place I was at King Wm plantation a monday last and I think deavenport has a better prospect of a Crop of tobaco then had ben their for severl years they have not sufferd for Rain their the plantations in New Kent are tolarable well off their Crops are planted and in a good way—have sold all your Corn at K. Wm Qurt at 10/ pr Barel to Mr Thos Claiborn the money to be paid in octr next I Remain Sir your most humble Servant

Joseph Valentine


Title: To George Washington from Jonathan Boucher, 15 July 1768
From: Boucher, Jonathan
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir,
Caroline, July 15th 17⟨68⟩

I have just Time to put a Cover over The Enclosed, & to add to the Informa[tio]n I suppose Mastr Custis himself has given You, that He has enjoy’d perfect Health ever since You left Him, exceptg two or three Days that He complain’d of a Pain in his Stomach, which I at first took for the Cholic, but since think it more likely that it might be owing to Worms. As it easily went off, by two or three Medicines I gave Him, and as He has had no Returns, I did not think it necessary to consult ⟨Dr Mer⟩cer; which however I shall immediately do if You ⟨desire⟩ it.
You will oblige us by looking into yr Books for a work of Cicero’s, De officiis, or his Familiar Epistles—& ⟨mutilated⟩ Livy: & sending Them down by the first Opportunity that ⟨of⟩fers.
Be so obliging to Me as to excuse the Shortness of this Letter—it shall not be long, ere I will write to You more ⟨fu⟩lly—The Messenger, who is to carry This to the office, now waits for Me. I am, very respectfully, yr most Obedt Hble Servt

Jona[tha]n Boucher


Title: To George Washington from Bryan Fairfax, 20 July 1768
From: Fairfax, Bryan
To: Washington, George

Dear sir
Alexandria July the 20th 1768

I have received Your favor of the 20th and am the more confirmed in the Opinion I had of Doctor Savage’s being fully persuaded that his Wife really & sincerely desires the Relinquishment of the Bond, and therefore am not at all surprised that he should in such case desire it also. The Week before the last she sent to me desiring that I would make a demand for the money, and also that I would meet her at Green-hill; and by the return of the Messenger I wrote to Mr Savage & in plain terms told him that his Wife was averse to the giving up the Bond, and that I informed him of it to save him any further trouble about it, and that I might not be under any Necessity of giving another Refusal; at the same time making a demand for the Money due. When I met her on Thursday last she shewed me my Letter to the Dr and told me it had given her vast uneasiness, and gave me to understand that she was notwithstanding to ask me again for the Bond at that meeting; which must certainly in my opinion be her own proposal to him. I told her I wished the Bond was given up, being heartily tired of it, and again begged of her to be frank & candidly own her Sentiments, which She seemed to promise; but the manner in which she proposed to declare her Sentiments, convinces me that she will not own her real Inclination, and moreover makes me doubtful whether she will not deny that she ever expressed her Desire to keep the Bond—I see nothing to blame in him about it, for it is very reasonable that he should join with her Desire to obtain it, but from some circumstances I am apt to think he looks upon me as interested, and for that reason if you have no Objection I should be glad if You would also satisfie him with regard to her real Inclination that we may be no more plagued about it. Upon proviso however that You believe with me that she is in no fear of her Life, which is the only thing that can excuse her present Conduct.
I shall be very glad of your Company at Towlston when it is convenient to spend three or four days or more—I can’t say my hounds are good enough to justifie an Invitation to hunt, but out of that Regard I have always entertained & which I perceive encreases with Time I shall be extremely glad of your Company and we may then partake of that diversion or not as it may seem

agreeable; in the former Case a Change of dress would be very necessary. I shall be at home from the 1st of August ’till our Court except the Monday & tuesday of Loudon Court, and if in that time it should be convenient & You should have an Opportunity of seeing Doctor Romney or any other You choose to attend You No one will be more proud of your Company than sir Yr most obedt Servt

Bryan Fairfax


Title: From George Washington to Bryan Fairfax, 20 July 1768 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Fairfax, Bryan

Letter not found: to Bryan Fairfax, 20 July 1768. On 20 July Fairfax wrote to GW: “I have received Your favor of the 20th.”


Title: To George Washington from Joseph Valentine, 23 July 1768
From: Valentine, Joseph
To: Washington, George

Sir
July 23d 1768

when I Rote to you Last I had a very good prospect of a Crop at Every plantation But the Case is mutch alterd now accashioned by gusts of wind and Rain & hail in sum places wich happend Last weak where I live if my Crop had Ben forrod should made very little Corn or tobo it wod ben all disstroyed by the wind and hail the wind Blew very hard and the Hail very Large and a prodegus heavey Rain with it Laid the Corn all down flat and the hail tore it all to peces had the Corn ben large a great part wod Ben Broke off it took down a great parte of my Corn field fences and one house the tobaco that was grown to any Bigness was shatterd all to peces and a good ⟨d⟩eel of it Coverd up in water and Continued so a day or two I have ben at Every Quarter Sence—they had no hail with them nor the wind not Excessif hard but the heavey Ranes has hurt their tobaco and Sum of the Corn at old Quarter is drownded and the tobaco

on the low grounds their is sum forrod tobo at Rockahock which I think is greatly hurt by the wet I Came from Deavenports yesterday and he has a peace of tobo that is prittey forrod and it is Quite over done with the wet in many places it is turnd yeallow and stakey and when it is so it never will make good tobo if it is accassond by the wet we had a powerful Rain last night which Coverd Sum of my Tobo under water again if their was ass mutch their I am afraid it has drownded that peace of tobaco—I will let you no in a little time how those Crops are likely to turn out which at this time are but bad prospect have no more to ad Sir but Remain your Most hble Sert

Joseph Valentine


Title: To George Washington from Bryan Fairfax, 30 July 1768
From: Fairfax, Bryan
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Towlston July the 30th 1768

Since I wrote to You last I have received a Letter from Dr Savage wherein he says that his Wife acknowledges that she had once in a discontented Mood expressed a Dislike to parting with the Bond, but that she fully convinced me at our last meeting of her earnest desire to relinquish it: At the same time Mrs Savage also wrote to me begging a thousand pardons of You & me for the trouble she had given us, and mentions her Intention of going to Ireland immediately, and desires the Bond may be given up. I am to acknowledge Your favor of the 25th and entirely agree with You in Sentiments—I have thought proper to mention the contents of the two last Letters tho’ I don’t know that it can make any Alteration in our proceedings to obtain the Sum due. I remain Dr sir Your most obedt Servt

Bryan Fairfax


Title: From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 31 July 1768
From: Washington, George
To: Boucher, Jonathan

Revd Sir,
Mount Vernon July 31st 1768

Your favor of the 15th Inst. covering Master Custis’s Letter to his Mother came to hand a few days after date.—In looking over the Books I find Cicero: De Officies and send it, as also his own Grammer which he forgot—a Livy I cannot find.—If the pain which he complained of in his stomach should return, with any other Symptoms of worms, it might be very proper for Doctr. Mercer to prescribe something to remove them, in the meantime we are much obligd to you for your own care of him, in the last complaint.
We should be very glad to hear how he is reconciled to an absence from home, unusual to him ’til now, and if there is any thing you may have discovered he wants, which we did not recollect at the time of his departure from hence; that it may provided and sent accordingly—two pair of sheets he already has with him, which I forgot to mention when I had the pleasure of seeing you last and as you were obliging enough to inform me of a bed or two belonging to some of your late Pupils which might be bought, I have not looked out for one since being very willing to pay for any of them for his use.—
It has been a matter of some concern to me since I parted with you least you should conceive that by asking your particular care of, and attention to Master Custis, I meant to bespeak any peculiar Indulgence, or partiality in respect to his manner of living—this was by no means my intention; on the contrary, as he is healthy, and of a good constitution, I rather wished that he might lead a life of as little Indulgence and dissipation as should be thoght necessary to relax, and keep his spirits in their full strength and vigour; hoping that by having him more immediately under your own eye, he might be benefitted by the influence of yr. example, & restrain’d from the practice of those follies & vices which youth, & inexperience, are but too naturally led into the commission of, as he is now advancing into a fit time of life to imbibe the strongest Impressions of good or evil: but herein I may have ask’d too much—the sollicitude of every Parent havg prompted them, I suppose, to make the same request, and therefore I beg yr. excuse for the trouble I have given you on this head.

Your Letter to the Revd. Mr. Addison was committed to the care of Doctr. Rumney the day after I came home, who told me he could contrive it to Oxon Hill immediably from whence I suppose it could not fail of a ready passage, otherwise I should have sent a special messenger with it myself—With very great esteem I am Revd Sir Yr. Most Hble Servt.

Go. Washington


Title: Cash Accounts, August 1768
From: Washington, George
To:

[August 1768]

Cash

Augt 20—
To Cash of Far[re]l Littleton for Mr Jno. Washington
£10. 0. 0

To Ditto won at Cards
0. 3. 9

Contra

Augt  1—
By Captn [Thomas] Dent for Freight of a Butt of Madeira Wine qty 145 Gals. 2.0.0 Duty to the Crown £4 Sterg 5.0.0
7. 0. 0

[5]
By Charity 6/—Exps. at Cameron 11/6
0.17. 6

By Messrs Purdie and Dixon’s Acct
2. 5. 0

By mendg a pr of gold Button’s
0. 2. 6

By Jonathan Palmer
0.10. 0

15—
By Lund Washington
10. 9. 7

By Club at Arrols
0. 6. 3

17—
By Jno. Crook for Balle of Acct
3. 3.10

19—
By Pierce Bayly
1.15. 3

By Cards 20/—lent my Bror Sam. 20/
2. 0. 0

20—
By Rachael McKeaver 12/. Ferry at Saunders 12/
1. 4. 0

28—
By Cash paid my Br. Jno. on Acct F[arrell] Littleton
10. 0. 0

29—
By Servants 3/9—By Cards £3.5.9
3. 9. 6

By Doctr Mortimer for Jno. P. Custis
1. 13. 6


Title: To George Washington from Jonathan Boucher, 2 August 1768
From: Boucher, Jonathan
To: Washington, George

Sir
St. Mary’s [Va.] August 2d 1768.

I do not recollect that Mastr Custis has had any Return of the Pain in his Stomach, which I told You I suspected to be occasioned by Worms: but as it is but too probable that He may have a little of the Ague & Fever in This or the next Month, this Complaint it is not unlikely, may return; and if it does, in any considerable Degree, Dr Mercer shall be consulted.
Mastr Custis is a Boy of so exceedingly mild & meek a Temper, that I meant no more by my Fears, than a Doubt that possibly He might be made uneasy by the rougher Manners of Some of his Schoolfellows. I am pleas’d, however, to find that He seems to be perfectly easy & happy in his new Situation; and as the first Shock is now over, I doubt not but He will continue so. You know how much the Questn has been agitated between the

Advantages of a private & a public Educan: & this young G—— man has afforded Me Occasion to reflect upon it rather more than I had done before. His Educan hitherto may be call’d a private one: & to This prhaps chiefly, He owes that peculiar Innocence & Sanctity of Manners wc. are so amiable in Him: but then, is He not, think you, more artless, more unskill’d in a necessary Address, than He ought to be, ere He is turn’d out into a World like this? In a private Seminary, his Passions cou’d be seldom arouzed: He had few or no Competitors; and therefore cou’d not so advantageously, as in a more public Place, be inured to combat those little oppositions & Collisions of Interest, wc. resemble in Miniature the Contests that happen in the grt School of the World. And let our Circumstances in the World be what They will, yet, considering the thousand unavoidable Troubles that human Nature is Heir to, This is a Part of Educan, tho seldom attended to, wc. I think of more Importance than almost all the Rest. When Children are taught betimes to bear Misfortunes & cross Accidents wth be comg Fortitude, one half of the Evils of Life, wth wc. others are dejected, afflict not Them. Educan is too generally considered merely as the Acquisn of Knowledge, & the Cultivan of the intellectual Powers: And agreeably to this Notion, w[he]n We speak of a Man well-educated, We seldom mean more than that He has been well instructed in those Languages wc. are the Avenues to Knowledge. But, surely, This is but a partial & imperfect Acct of it: & the Aim of Educan shd be not only to form wise but good Men, not only to cultivate the Understanding, but to expand the Heart, to meliorate the Temper, & fix the gen’rous Purpose in the glowing Breast. But whether This can best be done in a private or public School, is a Point, on wc. so much may be said on both sides, that I confess myself still undetermined. Yr Son came to Me teeming wth all the softer Virtues: but then I thought, possess’d as He was of all the Harmlessness of the Dove, He still wanted some of the Wisdom of the Serpent: And This, by the Œconomy of my Family, He will undoubtedly sooner acquire here than at Home. But how will You forgive Me if I suffer Him to lose in Gentleness, Simplicity, & Inoffensiveness, as much as He gains in Address, Prudence, & Resolu[tio]n? And I must assure you fm Experience, that This is a Dilemma by no means so easily avoided in Practice, as it may seem to be in Theory.

Upon the Whole, however, I can honestly give it as my opinion (and, as it must give you & Mrs Washington much comfort & Pleasure to hear it, I Hope you will not suspect that I cd be so mean as to say so, if I did not think so) that I have not seen a Youth that I think promises fairer to be a good & a useful Man than John Custis. ’Tis true, He is far fm being a brilliant Genius; but This so far from being considered as a Reflexion upon Him, ought rather to giv⟨e⟩ you Pleasure. Parents are generally partial to grt Vivacity & Sprightliness of Genius in thr Children; whereas I think, that there cannot be a Symptom less expressive of future Judgement & Solidity: as it seems thoroughly to preclude not only Depth of Penetra[tio]n, but the Attenn & Applican wc. are so essentially requisite in the Acquisin of Knowledge. It is, if I may use the Simile of a Poet, a busy Bee, whose whole Time passes away in mere Flight fm Flower to Flower, witht restg upon Any a sufft Time to gather Honey.
He will himself inform You of the Accident He lately met with; and as He seems to be very apprehensive of yr Displeasure, cd I suppose it necessary, I wd urge You & his Mamma, to spare Rebukes, as much as He certainly deserves Them. Mrs Washington may believe Me that He is now perfectly well. He seem’d to expect Me to employ a Doctr, but as He met wth the Accident by his own Indiscren, & as I saw there was no Danger, I thought it not amiss not to indulge Him. The calling in a Physician upon every trifling Occasion, I think, is too likely to render Children needlessly timorous & cowardly.
I did not misunderstand the Meaning of yr Request, in the Matter wherein You suspect I possibly might; being persuaded that You know as well as I do, that such prticular Attention is not only unnecessary, but impracticable. He will probably inherit a much more considerable Fortune, than any other Boy here; and I thought it by no means an improper or unreasonable Request that a prticular Attenn shd be bestowd on a Youth of his Expectans. But as any Partiality to Him in the trifling Circumstances of his Diet or other Accomodans wd be rather disserviceable to Him than otherwise, I have taught Him not to expect it. The only prticular Attenn You cd wish for, I also think Him entitled to; & that is, a more vigilant Attenn to the Propriety & Decorum of his Behavr, & the restraing Him fm many Indulgences, wc. I shd willingly allow prhaps to ano[the]r Boy, whose Prospects in

Life do not require such exalted Sentim[ents] the allowg Him more frequently to sit in my Company, & being more careful out of the Company of Those, who might probably debase or taint his Morals. Had I my Choice, believe Me, it wd be more agreeable to Me to superintend the Educan of two or three promisg Lads, than to lead a Life of the most voluptuous Indolence: but the Truth is, oblig’d as I was to engage in it by Necessity, & not by Choice, I have often found myself so ill-requited & the office itself considered as so low, & so often taken up by the very lowest Fellows one knows of, that after havg laboured in it for upwards of seven years, witht havg added much either to my Fortune or Reputa[tio]n, I am almost resolv’d to drop it entirely. Yet, whilst it continues to be agreeable to You to let Mastr Custis remain wth me, it will be a Pleasure [to] Me to have the Managemt of Him: nor can I indeed come to any decisive Resolun as to the other Matter, till I know more certainly the Fate of my Expectans in Maryland.
Be so obliging as to find some speedy & safe conveyance for a Lr to Mr Addison, wc. I take the Liberty of recommendg to yr prticular Care, as it might be of much Detriment to Me, shd it fall into ill Hands, as has been the Case once before.
I beg Pardon for this very tedious Letter, wc. I have tax’d You wth the Perusal of, and, wth Mine & my Sister’s Compts to Mrs Washington I am, Sr yr most Obedt & most Hble Servt

Jonan Boucher


Title: From George Washington to Robert Stewart, 5 August 1768 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Stewart, Robert

Letter not found: to Robert Stewart, 5 Aug. 1768. On 25 Jan. 1769 Stewart wrote to GW: “I had the immense pleasure to receive both your Affectionate and most acceptable Favors of the 5th August via Barbados and of the 1st Novemr.”


Title: To George Washington from Robert Cary & Co., 12 August 1768 [letter not found]
From: Robert Cary & Company
To: Washington, George

 Letter not found: from Robert Cary & Co., 12 Aug. 1768. On 25 July 1769 GW wrote them: “I observe what you have mentioned in a Letter of the 12th of August, last year.”


Title: To George Washington from Joseph Valentine, 13 August 1768
From: Valentine, Joseph
To: Washington, George

Sir
Williams Burg august 13th 1768

I have Just Ben over all the plantations and give you ass true an account ass I Can of the prospect of the Crops which I hope if the weather purmits will be Tolarable good at Rockahock and old Quarter the tobo is very mutch hurt by great Rains Sum of it is drownded at old Qur and at Rockahock sum of it fires be for it Can make any thing although it is fine Large tobo but if it is dry weather I hop their will be prity good Crops at Boath places they have very fine Corn dite Howls Crop is not hurt by the Rane his tobo is a good deel of it Latter but if the weather Sutes I think he will make a good Crop and like wise the Quarters be low the Corthouse has a better prospect then has ben their for many years Deavenport has a pritty good Crop of tobaco though sum of hisen has ben over done with the great Rains purticular his forrod tobo but if the weather Sutes I think he will make a better Crop of tobo then you have Ever had their yet I think his Crop of Corn is not So good ass it was last year.
our Crops in yorke is greatly amended Sence the wind and hail Sum of our tobo in the low bottoms is drownded but hope if weather Sutes we shall make a good Crop have no more to ad at present but Remain Sir your most hble Sert

Joseph Valentine


Title: From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 19 August 1768
From: Washington, George
To: Boucher, Jonathan

Revd Sir
Mount Vernon 19th Augt 1768.

Your Letter to the Revd Mr Addison was sent to him immediately upon its getting to my hands—Inclos’d you will receive an answer to it. Being confind to Company till this moment, I mean for two or three days past, & the bearer obligd to depart (in order to meet us in time at my Brothers in Stafford) I have only time to request the favour of you, to permit Mastr Custis to meet us there also tomorrow (that is, Saturday) and if you think it will be of no great prejudice to him, to give him the further indulgence of accompanying us to Westmoreland where we shall stay (I expect) about 8 or 10 days—Very respectfully I remain Revd Sir Yr Most Obedt Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: Cash Accounts, September 1768
From: Washington, George
To:

[September 1768]

Cash

Septr 16—
To Ditto [cash] recd from Jno. Ward pr his wife
£1. 1.8

Contra

Septr  2—
By Cash pd Robt Donaldson disabled Soldier
5. 0.0

By Servants 3/9. By Jno. & M. Custis’s Ferriages 15/10
0.19.7

[5]
By Saunders for Ferriages &ca
0.13.3

11—
By Rachael McKeaver Balle of Acct
2.12.6

15—
By Joseph Neale for Weaving
0.17.6

19—
By a pair of Leathr Breeches for Billy
1. 4.0

20—
By Play Tickets £3.12.6 By Mr [John] Baynes for 70 Bushels of Coals £2.5.6
5.18.0

By Servants 1/3—By Mrs Washington 24/
1. 5.3

29—
By Mr Robt Sandford for Pacing my House
0.12.0

By Expences at the Accatinok race
0.12.6


Title: From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 4 September 1768
From: Washington, George
To: Boucher, Jonathan

Revd Sir,
Stafford Cty Septr 4th 1768

Mastr Custis was so much disorder’d by an intermitting fever, attended with billeous vomittings, that we were oblig’d (whilst in Westmoreland) to send for Doctr Mortimer to him—He is now better, but not clear of slow fever’s, & very weak & low (being much reduced) which induces his Mamma to take him home with us, till he is perfectly restord. His Man comes with advice of this matter, & to fetch such parts of his Cloathing &ca as he wants. Our Compliments attend Miss Boucher & yourself ⟨mutilated Rev⟩d Sir ⟨mutilated⟩ Servt

⟨Go: Washingto⟩n

Jacky informs us ⟨mutilated⟩ he apprehended ⟨mutilated⟩ were to leave Se⟨mutilated⟩ on acct of the agu⟨mutilated⟩ Situation was subject ⟨mutilated⟩ when they are to return & I ⟨mutilated⟩able.


Title: To George Washington from Joseph Valentine, 10 September 1768
From: Valentine, Joseph
To: Washington, George

Sir
September 10th 1768

I now rite to you to let you no the affars of our Crops and how they are at this time it is almo⟨st⟩ five weaks sence we have had any Rain at all and then we had sutch a heavy Rain that it drownded our tobaco and two mutch at that time for the Corn and sence sutch a great drouth has Causd the tobaco to be very sorrey and hardley good for any thing[,] that ass was forrod fired all away and hardley worth housing and the latter is Quite perished up with the drouth so I am afraid our Crops will be very sorrey though it is not in my power to tel how they will turn out yet for moderate R⟨ai⟩n wod make a great alteration in them yet we had a greater Crop planted then Ever was on the plantations before our Corn was very likely tel now and it is perishing and Burning up with the drouth and Cant fill[.] have no more to add at this time but will do all in my power to make the best of the Crops I Can and Remain Sir your most humble Servant

Joseph Valentine