Title: To George Washington from James Hill, 2–3 July 1773
From: Hill, James
To: Washington, George

Sir
Yorke County 2d[–3] July 1773

I have been very uneasey relative to the Shiping the Tobo since I have recd your instructions to put 10 on board Easten but yr Letter got Mislaid in the office for I applyd the 25th or 26th of May & the young man Appeard to be at a stand But at last said there was none & Capt. Peterson hastend me to put what Tobo I had on board immediately & by your Shiping to no other person last year Made Shure you intended it all for the same agn as Easten Applyd last year & yo. let him have none for I have put my Self to a Great deel of Trouble since I got your Instructions for Just as I returnd from up the Country from havg an Acct of the flat being loaded there was abt that Quty left & I immedately after recg Yr Letter went up to Stop that Quty but was two Late which hope it will Make no Great difference with you As I have Acted & don for the best—The inclosed is the Wts & Numbers of the Tobo that was shipd; at the time I sent & took the Wts from Litlepages Trowers Tobo Was not then put on Board only

one & there was one Hhd of Richd Streets that was not heavey Enough wch I had reprised to a 1000 Which is since Shipd & Trowers too & one Hogshead of Hanover Tobo for the rent of that Land in Hanover 1005 Wt to the Best of my recollection I woud have sold it in the Country but they gave me a Tollerable Carrecter of it & Tobo Sold Low; I had Purchased the overseers Tobo Before your letter got to hand at 2d. the Tobo in New kent & Davenports in K. Wm the overseers below did not care to take that Price & agreed to take what Wm Graves Gave the overseers in that Estate which is not yet Setled—Joseph Davenport & my Self had some Conversation when I was up last respecting his Lay he has Always had the 8th of what was made in Corne & Tobo & a 3d. of the Butter wch I refused Givg & he desired it might be referd to you & that he hoped you woud not think of Alterring his Lay the agremt with what men I have employd has been A Shair for Every 8 hands & he thinks its two little & Likewise what part of Butter you woud think of Givg as you have A list of the Hands & there Ages please to give me yr Opinion he says you know what Business he left to come in your employ. You desire me to inform you how our Crops come on I think they are tollerable Considerg the Poverty of the Land & the Sickness of the people I am in Hopes to make a Crop of wheat but have had the most Trouble with my Harvest I ever had in all my life the people at Mill Quarter has lost a pardious deel of time with the Measles which has put that Plantation much behind hand I expect to make a very Good Crop my own Place where I live I am in hopes of makg between 4 & 5 Hundred Bushls wheat & our oats are pretty Good but not in yet, I sowd 35 Bushels at home & Near that Quty at the Quarter over the mill our wheat is much Better below than above our Corne is Low & the Tobo all Standg Very well & looks Very well only Small we have some Just acomg in the Top.
I woud have Sent you an Acct of the Tobo Shipd before this but have Waited for to know if the Eastenshore Tobo was come over I spoke to Capt. Peterson at K. William Court & it was not come then & he informd that he had his load for some time & only waited for that Tobo which woud fill him up & they wrote me from the Easten shore that Wilkinss Vessell was Expected in Every day which woud be Sent of immediately with the Tobo which was abt the 10th June & I have tryed Every Vessell that I

saw at the Cap[ita]l Landg & coud not get one some two Small in the Hole & those that were larger Were otherways engaged & no one on the Easten shore will undertake but Wilkins there Vessells Genally two Small but hope he wont let us meet with Another Disappointmt as he promisd a second time at the last meetg as he had disapptd Last he woud be shure to send it now however Capt. Peterson said if it come two late for him they had another Ship in Jas River which he woud have it sent on board of her, I wrote over yesterday to know the reason of its not comg tho. much Expect it is on board but had not an oppertunity of Seeg the Capt. since K. Wm Ct.
Relative to an Invoice Please to look at the Last years invoice & Quty of Oznabgs fell Short 80 Ells wch was obliged to purchase & 20 yds of Cotton there Woud abeen Cotton Enough or near it but the man I got to Cut out Cut several Suits two Small which will do for this year & as I shall have a good deel of Woollen Cloth Spun hope we shall have some negro Cotton to spare & as you Sent for no Blankets must have it Cut up into Blankets for the wenches with Child & those who have young Children & make it go as far as it will & as to Nails hoes, & Rakes there was Just Enough & not any to spare I have sent you a list of what other Nessaryes I think will be wantg or what I can at this time recollect—the above I wrote yesterday & Sent to town for yr Letter on Satterday morng & in answer you desire I will give year [ear] to what yr Direction Which be that you think I have ⟨Invented⟩ a falcity abt yr Letter being Mislaid in the office as Ive above Mentiond I applyd the 25 or 26 of May & they Sd there was none for which reason I supposed you Intended the Tobo to go as it did Last year to Cary & Coy & as to followg yr Direction there is no man has ever endeavourd to come up to any Direction more then I have to yrs in Every respect, & there is no man Born that has undergone more to Serve you & the Estate then I have done & as to a falcity I Scorne to tell one as much as any man Breathg, which I told you when I took the Business that if you thought I did not answer every Purpose I was willing to give up to those you thought answerd the Business Better, it was no advantage to me to Send the Tobo contrary to your Instructions I last year told you that Capt. Easten applyd for abt 10 Hhds wch you Sd you formely let him have the Easten Shore Tobacco but if you think Proper for me to continue I

never will ship one Hhd without yr Direction nor woud not now only the Capt. desired I woud make all the Despatch I Possably coud & I expected you was to the Norw’d & by my Getg no Instruction thought it might be a disappointmt to wait till you returnd.
I have had the Misfortune to Loose the Miller dyed a satterday last which obliges me to put one of the old Carpenters old ned which by his Caracter when he was there Before I came in the Estate was not approved of by the Custommers therefore I think it the Best way to Continue him Till the Mill is rebuilt this fall as the Person employd Will be Idle while the mill is buildg—I am Likely to make a Tollerable Crop of wheat & whether you woud like of my Geting of two wheat Fans to clean the wheat I think to the Best of recollection Colo. Sym told me his was 5£ 5 or there Abts wch I did not care to Engage two of them till I acquaintd You, wch please to direct whether I must get one for the upper Plantations & one for the Lower; I have been so busily Engaged for this fortnight Past with my Harvest the people provg sickly & the rest so very Auquard [awkward] that I have been feteauged almost out of my Life that I at this time recollect nothing more then if Mrs Washgton & yrSelf woud let ⟨memey⟩ & her Famyly Come down as its so vastly Ilconvenient at these Busy times to spare a boy & horse to send the cloaths up to be made as She cant Spin that wench Beller that you were Lookg at when at the white house I have down & put her under the Doctor & She begd to go up to see her Children & She ant able to go into the Crop so she is a spinner & thought they did not do so much there as if they were down & proposed Bringg them down & it seems like death to them to be removed wch I think if they were down it might be an advantage to the Estate for the seemsters & Spinners all to be up there dont as half as much as to be down. Yr Very Hble Servt

James Hill


Title: From George Washington to John West, Jr., 4 July 1773
From: Washington, George
To: West, John Jr.

Dear Sir,
Moun⟨t⟩ Vernon ⟨July the⟩ 4th ⟨1773⟩

The Bond pass’d from Montgomerie and others to Us has been due since the first of last Month, but my not returning till the 8th from New York, & the unhappy Event, which has happend in this Family since, put it out of my head till now—should we not immediately call upon these People for Payment? & what do you think of requiring them to meet us in Alexandria at our coming Court to adjust these matters finally? if you approve of the measure please to forward a Letter by this days Post to Montgomerie with this request, & contrive one to Stewart in George Town to the same purpose—Is not this about the time Moody was to pay for the Land by his last Solemn Engagement? Have you heard anything lately of the Suit against Sidney Geo⟨rge⟩? I am very anxious to get the Affairs of this Estate brought to a conclusion. I am Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Newton, 5 July 1773 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Newton, Thomas Jr.

Letter not found: to Thomas Newton, Jr., 5 July 1773. On 22 July Newton wrote GW: “I Received your favors of the 5th & 10th of this month.”


Title: To George Washington from John Parke Custis, 5 July 1773
From: Custis, John Parke
To: Washington, George

Hon’d Sir
Kings College [New York] July 5th 1773

Pardon me for having thus impos’d upon your good Nature by not writeing to you sooner, I neither could nor had it in my power to say any thing with certainty concerning my establishment here till now. It gives me Pleasure that I now have it in my Power to inform you how agreably every thing is settled. there has nothing been omitted by my good Friend Doctor Cooper which was necessary to my contentment in this Place, And Gratitude as well as Truth oblidges me to say, that the other Professors are not the least remiss in their Duty but give all the assistance they can consistant with the Duty, they owe to the other students. I attend at stated Hours the Professors, in Mathematicks, Languages, moral and experimental Philosophy. & I Hope the Progress I make in ⟨the⟩se useful branchs of knowledge will redown not only to my own Credit, but to the Credit of those who have been instrumental in placeing me here, & in particular render you some compensation & Satisfaction for the parental Care and Attention you have always & upon all occasions manifested towards me, & which demand my most grateful thanks & returns, to make which shall be the constant Care of J. P. Custis.
I found great dificulty in disposing of my Grey Horse. his

Colour made so much against him that I was oblidged (to avoid expence) to sell him at public Vendue for only 34 pounds this Curr[enc]y a price tho. below his value I was oblidged to take. The Bay I have kept & shall keep unless I hear from you to the contrary. He is a Horse I know to be good, & one I have a vast effection for & except riding; there is no other exercise to be us’d here, which makes it necessary either for me to keep a Horse or hire a poor miserable hack to take an airing twice or thrice a Week, the distance of 4 or 5 miles into the Country for the Benefit of my Health.
There is nothing now, which interrupts my tranquilyty, but the melancholy Subject of your last Letter, & the uneasiness I fear my poor Mother suffers on that account, I myself could not withstand the Shock, but like a Woman gave myself up entirely to melancholy for several Days, I shou’d most gladly have answer’d your Favor when Doctor Cooper did, & have endeavoured to administer some comfort to my distrest Parent, but my Mind was too much agitated to admit a thought, & was illy capable to give others what it stood so much in need of itself. But I am perswaded your Goodness left no stone unturn’d to render this Shock as easy as possible, and I think the only & most effectual means to remove from Her Mind the Impressions of my Poor Sister, is to carry her from home for some considerable Time, for every thing at Mount Vernon must put Her in mind of her late Loss. shoud this thought of mine be approv’d of, the seeing of you at this Place would render me extremely Happy and answer fully the end of Her Comeing. Doctor Cooper was speaking to me on this Head the other Day, & said then, that He would write to you to that effect, and recommend it as strongly as He could. if you should approve of this Scheme, & will let me know beforehand I will exert myself in getting you Lodgeings, & every thing else convenient. Dr Cooper has some thoughts of takeing a tour to the Southward & of makeing you a Visit this Fall, which if he does I shall accompany him, as there is a Vacation then of four or five Weeks.
before I conclude I must beg you to write me immediately on the receipt of this Letter, as I am extremely anxious to hear how my Mother bears this Misfortune, & of your own Health, & be certain that I shall do every thing in my Power; to prevent your

good advice being thrown away upon me. I am with sincere regard & effection your’s

John Parke Custis


Title: To George Washington from Fielding Lewis, 7 July 1773
From: Lewis, Fielding
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
July 7th 1773

On examining my papers I find that Mr Charlton paid me only Two hundred pounds owing to my mistake in returning him part of the Money he had paid me for the whole Bills wch he was to have had, I must endeavour to convince him of the matter when I go down or I must lose it; Mr Montgomery gave me no reason for not paying the Money, only that he could not advance it. Mr Whiting will pay it on demand I dare say. I only sent you the Acct of my last transaction at Wmsburg by Mr Washington I should have stated the whole Acct and sent the Ballance but as there was between Twenty & Thirty pounds to pay Mr Fras Thornton for pailing the Lott I immagin’d we might settle at our next meeting.
I am a Stranger to Mr Mercers Affairs but am apprehensive the heavy debts his Father left with his Brother Georges long stay in England must have distressed him greatly, as the Mortgage he gave you was not recorded I think he cannot refuse to give another, or other satisfactory Security for its difficult to say who at present is safe, I am likely to suffer Two hundred pounds by Mr Roger Dixon who used to say he was worth £20,000—indeed I think where any person refuses to give undoubted security for Money but the principle should be got as soon as possible. Our ⟨Crop⟩ Wheat is large, the quallity not so

good as last I finish’d on Munday & I think there may be on an Average Twenty grains in a head thro’ my Crop, its said here you will make nine Thousd bushls I wish it may be so, it will make a pritty Sum after grinding, I can’t immagine Mr Adams’s motive for giving 5/ for Wheat, as our last advises from Urope were that the Crops were promissing, The distress of the Merchts in England will prevent any Commrs or very few will be sent over to buy Wheat, indeed times are so very precarious that I dont know any body that would chuse to purchase on Commn as the risque is more than equal to the Comn Money very scarce, no person this way will engage for any & the Crops on James River are I am told near double, so that I cannot account for Mr Adams conduct, perhaps the frost has destroy’d the Wheat in Pensylvania & the Jerseys wch I think we must have heard off was it so; Flower is a drug in the West indies and in Virginia no Money to be had for it, in short I am determind to give no more than 4/ untill I am convinced it will be my Int. to give more wch I do not expect, Mr Adams cannot buy all the Wheat let him get his Quantity and he will be satisfied. As the heat of the weather will damage your flower I think you had best get clear of it as soon as you can the Biscuit Stuff will sell readily at Norfolk at 10/ Corn on this River may be bought at 10/ no purchasers for ⟨Money⟩ at any price, Corn & Flower has been very high as I a⟨m mutilated⟩ but you may depend by the time you could send the m⟨mutilated⟩ be as bad as any in the West indies, I should prefer ⟨mutilated⟩ but if you chuse to have Bills I advise the sending of it to Lisbon or Cadiz and order the proceeds to be remitted to yr Friend in London tho’ I had rather take 10/ than Ship it any where if it was mine, You cannot get the best wines from Madeira for Corn, or flower, Bills only will command the best sort; You may get of the New York Quallity which is the best they will send you for goods alltho’ You Order the highest price to be given, I intend to be in Frederick the beginning of August on my way to the Springs but must dispatch my Brigg before I go she being just come up & is to load Tobo for Liverpoole. Poor Patsys death must have distressed Mrs Washington very much, but when she considers the unhappy situation she was in and the little probability of ever getting well, she must conclude that it’s better as it is, as there was little appearance of her ever being

able to enjoy Life with any satisfaction. I am Dr Sir your most Affectionate Hume Servt

Fielding Lewis


Title: From George Washington to Gilbert Simpson, 8 July 1773 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Simpson, Gilbert

Letter not found: to Gilbert Simpson, 8 July 1773. Simpson wrote GW in July: “I Receved your Letter of the 8 of Junly.”


Title: From George Washington to John Didsbury, 10 July 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Didsbury, John

Sir,
[Mount Vernon] Virginia July 10th 1773.

Please to send me the following Shoes and Boots; & make out your Bill as under. Messrs Cary & Co. will pay the whole amount and I am Sir Yr Very Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Gibson, 10 July 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Gibson, Thomas

Mr Gibson,
[Mount Vernon] July 10th 1773

This Letter is intended to desire you to make me a genteel Suit of Second Mourning, such as is worn by Gentlemen of taste, not those who are for running into the extreame of every fashion. Make these Cloaths of Broad Cloth, but at the sametime send me a proper kind of Waistcoat & Breeches to wear with the Coat when the Weather is warm.
The Cloaths you sent me last year (agreeable to my last directions) fitted tolerably well except being rather too short in the Sleeve, from the Elbow downwards—I am Sir Yr Very Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Newton, Jr., 10 July 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Newton, Thomas Jr.

Sir,
[Mount Vernon] July 10th 1773.

I have receivd your favour of the 30th June, & observe what you say in respect to the Midlings—As the Sale of it seems to be so dull in Norfolk I approve of your shipping it to Madeira, and

beg that it may be consignd on my behalf to Messrs Lamar Hill Bisset & Co. who you will please to direct to apply the proceeds to my Credit, & wait my order for wines by Captn Conway who is to take some Superfine Flour of mine to that House for this purpose—As the returns for these Midlings will be in wine by Conway please to signifie it in a Letter to that House as I shall not write to them till Conway Sails—Be pleasd also to let me know by return of the Post when your Vessell will Sail.
I have directed Mr James Hill who looks after my business on York River to you at the Meeting of the Merchts in Williamsburg this Month ⟨per⟩ the Money which is to be paid for the Ship-stuff & Herrings—please to pay him after deducting Commission & Freight, & furnish him with the Acct—I am well satisfied you have made the most of the several Articles Consignd you and am Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Robert Cary & Company, 10 July 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Robert Cary & Company

Gentn
Mount Vernon [10 July 1773]

Inclosed you have an Invoice of such Goods as I want for my own use, which please to send by the first Ship to this River as many of the Articles will be wanted by the time they can arrive; among which the Second Mourning for Miss Custis, who we had the misfortune to loose on the 19th Ulto will be necessary—Your Acct against this young Lady may remain as stated in your Books till further advise, in the meanwhile please to send me an exact transcript thereof. As I shall have occasion soon, I expect, to send for many Articles preparatory to Mr Custis’s Housekeeping, when he returns from College, no Goods are sent for on his Acct by this oppertunity, but a small Invoice of Sundries for Mr Lund Washington is forwarded that they may be dispatchd with mine.

The Shoes by Captn Grig are safe arrivd; so are the Goods by Peterson, saving a Bale of Cotton (of mine) which Mr Hill writes me is damaged, but as he is not particular in the Acct I do not know to what degree, or whether worth speaking of; I have wrote to him however on this head, & expect his answer, when I shall be better able to inform you—He complains a good deal of the enormous size of the Grindstones; adding that, some of them (if they had been of the proper quality) were full large enough for Millstones.
I have directed him to put all my Tobo on Board of Peterson, as also Mr Custis’s except a few Hhds for Mr Hanbury; but as he has not yet furnished me with the respective quantities, it is not, at this time, in my power to order Insurance. As soon as it is I will advise you thereof, and shall hope notwithstanding the Stagnation, and indeed Consternation which the trading World seems to have been thrown into of late that you will endeavour to render us agreeable Accts of Sale for these Tobacco’s, for if a steady adherence to one House carrys any merit along with it none I am Sure has a better claim to your particular Attention than my Ward and self hath.
As I shall probably have occasion to write to you again in a few days for Insurance &ca I shall add no more at present than that I am Gentn Yr Very Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: Enclosure: Invoice to Robert Cary & Company, 10 July 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Robert Cary & Company

10th July 1773

Invoice of Goods to be Shipped by Robt Cary Esqr. & Co. for the use of George Washington—Potomk River Virga viz.
8 pieces of best Rolls
9 ps. of best Oznabrigs
1 ps. of good Doulas
2 ps. of Irish Linnen @ 1/3
1 ps. of Do Do 2/
2 ps. of Do Do 4/
1 ps. of Do Do 5/
1 ps. of Cambrick 6/
3 yards plain Gauze
2 yds figurd Do Cheap sort
1 ps. of very pretty dark ground Callico @ 3/
A Black Silk Sacque & Coat propr for Second Mourning
1 Suit of fashe Linnen to wear with it (containg 2 Caps)
A White Silk Bonnett
6 Bunches of Cap Wire
6 Skeleton Do
A Womans long Cloak (red) with a Hood to suit a Tall Woman
20 lb. of Shoe thread
25 lb. of Brown Ditto
5 lb. of Colourd Do
2 lb. Whited brown Do
4 Oz. 8d. Do
4 Oz. 12d. Do
4 Oz. 2/ Do
2 Oz. 3/ Do
2 Oz. 4/ Do
4 M large Pinns
4 M Midling Do
2 M Minikan Do
8 pr Women’s white kid Mitts—to fit a small hand & pretty large Arm
4 pr white kid Gloves—to suit Do
2 pr Mitts—& 2 pr Gloves of washd Leathr
2 pr Men’s best Doe Gloves for a large hand
4 pr white French Kid Do for Do
2 pr of brown thread
4 thrd Do
3 ps. red tying up Tape
1 handsome Fan propr for Second Mourning
6 pr black Callimanca Pumps of Gresham pr Measure sent last year, but not so high heeld
1 pr of Black & 1 pr white Silk Do pr the same Measure
2 pr Calli[manc]a Pumps @ 4/, 4 pr leathr Do—Small fives
A pr of Womns Clogs with Toes—la: Foot
3 pr of Strong—& 3 pr of Neat Shoes pr my Measure, wch Mr Didsbury has
1 pr of Clogs to fit the above Shoes
A pr of Boots—see Letter

3 ps. of best white Welch Cotton
3 ps. of best brown Do Do
6 ps. of Kendal Do
2 ps. of Fustian—colour & finess of the Inclosd—but rather darker
2 dble groce plain Plated Silver Butt. at abt 8 or 9/
6 double groce pln whe Mettal Butt⟨ons⟩
3 ps. of best Duffield Blanketting
3 Dozn pr best pld Hose No. 3
5 dozn pr Do Do Do 4
5 dozn pr Do Do Do 5
1 Mans best Beaver Hatt for a pretty large head
6 Papers Patent Cake Ink Powder
A large Folio Paper Case with a lock
½ Rheam best large Folio Papr Cut
½ Rheam large course folio Do Do
½ Rheam best 4to Post Do
½ Rheam best Do Do Do Mournig
3 Quire largest Elephant Do
All the Numbers of the Covent Garden Magazine
1 Box of the largest & best kind of red wafers
6 Dozn very best Harry Cards
6 Books of best leaf gold
20 lb. Sulpr of Brimstone
5 lb. Glauber Salts
1 Quart Camphd Spirit of Lavendr
1 pint Spirit of Salvolatili
2 Quarts Spirit of Turpentine
2 Oz. White Vitriol
2 lb. Conserve of Roses
25 lb. Salt Petre
10 lb. Pepper
4 lb. White Ginger
½ lb. Nutmegs
¼ lb. Mace
¼ Cinnamon
¼ lb. Cloves
2 lb. Fig Blew 250 Weight Single refind Sugar
150 Wt Dble Do Do
1 Jarr best Raison’s
1 Do Do Currants
30 lb. best Jordan Almonds
1 Pottle Bottle Anchovies
2 Do Do Capers
2 Pottle Bottles of Walnuts
4 Do Do French Olives
3 Do Do Lucca Do
6 Bottles best Durham Mustard
1 Gallon best Sweet Oil
5 Ditto Do Lamp Oil
6 Barrls Lamp black
6 best blacking Cakes for Shoes
2 lb. of French Chalk
2 best dble Gloster Cheeses abt 50 lbs.
1 best Cheshire Do abt Do
2 Groce best Porter—that sent last year very Indifferent
10 groce best Corks
1 ⟨Lookers⟩ best Razor Strop
6 Leather Halters
6 Horse Collars
2 Turkey, or other fashe saddle Cloths
6 dble Girths
1 dble Reind Bridle
2 Snaffle Do
3 Cirsingles
6 pr Stirrup Leathers long & strong
1 large & loud Hunting Horn—lapd & securd in the strongest manner
1 Gallon best Maravat Peas
1 Gallon earliest kind of Do
1 Oz. Winter Cabbage Seed
1 Oz. Summr Do Do
1 Oz. of Savoy Do
1 Oz. Cauliflower Do
1 Oz. Cauliflower Broccila 1 Oz. Early Cucumber
1 pr best Leather Breeches pr Measure of
3 large Drum Lines
60 fathom of Sash Line
100 fathom of Deep Sea

Line
1 Small Keg of Green Paint ground in Oil
3 Kegs contg about 300 Wt of white Lead ground in Do
2 Kegs contg abt 200 of Red Led grd in Do
2 doz. Painters Brushes—propr size & finess for laying on the above Paint
3 Tin Pots propr size for mixing the above Paint in
50 lb. largest Bristol Drop Shott
50 lb. of the smallest Mould Shott
25 lb. of Drop shott No. 2
25 lb. of Do Do 3
A Suit of Second Mourning pr Letter to Mr Gibson
3 Cowpers Axes
3 Ditto Adzes
3 Ditto Howels
4 best Steel plated Carpenters Handsaws
2 Carpenters Iron Squares with Inchs &ca Markd thereon
6 large Carpenters Adzes
1 dozn Inch headg Chissels
1½ doz. Inch & ¼ Do
1 dozn 2 Inch Do all for Morticg
1 dozn Scyths pr Letter—to whom you may direct it
1 dozn large & best Garden Spades
3 pair Flat Irons, for Ironing Clths
100 Spaeing Needles—difft Sizes
30 M 3d. Nails
50 M 8d. Ditto
25 M 10d. Ditto
25 M 20d. Ditto
1 dozn grind stones of a good grit & 2½ feet Diameter
1 Eighty fathom Sein, 1 Ditto Do Do—pr Letter to Bradshaw
1 Cask Common Pipes
1 Small Box of the best kind of long ones
150 lights of Window glass 8 by 10 Midling quality
20 lbs. of Putty

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 12 July 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Bassett, Burwell

Dear Sir
Mount Vernn July 12th [1773]

Abel set of on Friday last to return, but his Horse fell lame and he came back before he reachd Colchester—I thought it better to keep him a day or two to see if the Horse could travel, than send him of upon one of mine; but finding the swelling in his Leg no better, I have fixd him of upon a small thing of mine which you will please to send over to Claiborne’s. In the mean while your Horse shall be taken care of and sent down by the first oppertunity that offers. I am Dr Sir Yr Most Affecte

Go: Washington

P.S. By a Letter from Doctr Cowper, President of the College in New York, dated the 2d Instt we are informd that Jno. Custis was in good health & well fixd in the College there.


Title: From George Washington to Robert Cary & Company, 12 July 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Robert Cary & Company

Gentn
Mount Vernon July 12th 1773

I had but just closed my Letter of the 10th which goes by this oppy, & contains my Invoices, when I receivd advice from Mr Hill of the Tobaccos which he either had, or intended to put on board the Rising Sun; but as it seemd to be a matter of doubt whether the Eastern Shore Crop either had, or would be got to the Ship, I do not know how to ascertain the Insurance of Mr Custis’s Tobo by the Hogshead, as he will, if Peterson receives

the whole, have 74 Hhds in that Ship, & but 64 if the above Crop is left out; I would therefore have you Insure Five hundred pounds upon this Tobo be it more or less. My quantity on board of Peterson amounts to Fifteen Hogsheads, on which you may Insure about One hundred pounds.
Inclosed you have Invoices of such Goods as are wanted for Mr Custis’s Estate & Mine upon York River, which please to send as there directed. I imagine the Bale of Cotton which Mr Hill sometime ago wrote me word was damaged cannot be much injurd as he has said nothing further on this Subject in his last Letter.
Should my Neighbour and Friend Colo. Fairfax apply to you for a few Guineas not exceeding Ten or a dozn to assist in buying some Rings and other Mourning Trinkets for Miss Custis please to let him have it and you will very much oblige Gentn Yr Most Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Lamar, Hill, Bisset, & Company, 15 July 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Lamar, Hill, Bisset, & Company

Gentn
Mt Vernn Virga July 15th 1773.

Inclosed you have a Letter from Mr Henry Hill respecting some Flour which I proposd Shipping to your House. You have

also a Bill of Lading for Eighty Barrels of it with the Invoice by the Molly Thomas Conway which I expect will be found of the best quality—In return for this please to send me four Pipes of your particular, or best Wines, as it is for my own drinking I want it, and understand that the last years Vintage was remarkably fine. I expect you will likewise, from Mr Newton of Norfolk, receive Ninety Barrls of Burr Midlings belonging to me, which in my opinion makes better Bread than common Flour—These you will also dispose of for Wines of good quality, & Ship me the whole by the return of Captn Conway who comes directly to my own Door, & is a Person on whose care I can rely.
If, contrary to my expectation, it should happen that, Mr Newton has disposd of these Midlings before my Order for Shipping of them gets to hand, and the Eighty Barls of Superfine Flour should not amt to the cost of four Pipes of Wine of the first quality, you will please nevertheless to send them, & draw upon Robt Cary Esqr. & Co. of Londn for the difference.
By the first good opperty to York River please to send for the use of Mr John Parke Custis my Ward (who is approaching towards the age of 21 yrs) four Pipes also of your very best Wine, & consign them to his Steward Mr James Hill at the Capitol Landing, near Williamsburg. Inclosd is an Order upon Robt Cary Esqr. & Co. as above for the Cost. I hope I shall meet with no disappointment in the quality of these wines & am Gentn Yr Most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington

P.S. Please to send me a large Box of Fresh Citron.


Title: From George Washington to James Mercer, 19 July 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Mercer, James

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon July 19th 1773

As I neglected to have the Mortgage which you gave me on the  day of March twelvemonths (of Sundry Negroes therein mentioned) Recorded in time by which the efficacy so far as others are concernd is lost to me, I should be obliged to you for renewing of it, or giving me such other security for the Sum then due as shall be adequate to the purpose. The Duty which urges me to make this request will I am perswaded plead my excuse with you for the doing of it, as I have been told that both your Fathers & Brothers Affairs are a good deal Involvd in perplexity and distress towards which I do not want to contribute further than is necessary to my own justification & Security.
As Negro’s are a very uncertain & precarious Security, and as you seem unwilling to ask any Gentleman to become personally bound, is there any Land unincumberd that you could give a Mortgage on? if there is, I had rather have it, if the Title is clear and indisputable and of sufficient value than Negroes; but am content notwithstanding to have a fresh Mortgage on the same Negroes if they are still living and under no legal disability—

Please to let me hear from you on this Subject by the Post, and you will very much oblige Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Newton, Jr., 22 July 1773
From: Newton, Thomas Jr.
To: Washington, George

Sir
Norfolk July 22 1773

I Received your favors of the 5th & 10th of this month, shall take care to follow your directions in shipping the midlings &

hope you’l have a good sale of them. the vessel will sail in fifteen or sixteen days from this she has been detaind longer that I expected owing to some necessary repairs. I shall be glad to know if you’d choose to have these midlings insured & whether it shoud be done here, the insurance from this to Madeira is from two & half to three ⅌ Ct we have no sale for Indian Corn at present I do not think we cou’d get 10/ Cash for it & unless a hurricane happens in the West Indies I realy believe it will fall very much. I will apply to Mr Hill and pay him the money I receive for the goods sold on your acct and give him the accts sales. I am Yr Most Obt

Thomas Newton Jr.

P.S. I shou’d have answerd your letters before but have been very sick. I also receved yours inclosing an order for wine for your ward you may depend that I will take perticular care to send it as you direct.


Title: To George Washington from John Cox, 25 July–9 October 1773
From: Cox, John
To: Washington, George

Sir
Lisbon 25th of July 1773[–9 Oct. 1773]

having dispos’d of Three bbls of flour as pr Sales Furnishd, the neet proceeds of which I have Remitd as pr advice of Mrs Washington, in the brigtn. Charming Nancy my self Master, the Danger of the Sea & Seizure Exceptd, Which when Reced place to the Credit of your Humble Servt

John Cox

m. Rais

Sales of Two bbls of Supr fine flour weighg 14 Ruves ⟨&⟩ 9 lbs. @ 300 Rais pr Ruve
12.853

Do. of one bbl of Burr midlings 7 Ruves @ 600 pr Ruve
4.200

Do. of Two lb. of Bees Wax @ 300 Rais pr lb.
0.600

 17.653

Shipt in Returns

To one box of Ittalian Flowers, Contng 31 flowers
6.200

To one black Satin peticoat
5.600

To Two Alqrs of Spanish Nuts
2.960

To 400 Walnuts
1.600

To Dispatch the above Articles
0.240

To freight of 3 bbls
0.600

To Custom house Charges, porterage & brokerage, Commis⟨sion⟩
0.600

 17.860

P.S. The Ruve is 32 lbs. & they make a Deduction of

2 pr Ct in weighing.
mill. Rais

The half Joe is
6.400

The Moidore is
4.800

A Guinea is
3.600

Philadelphia 9th of October 1773

Mrs Washington will please to Excuse my not buying more nuts, Reasons & Figgs. it happen’d to be a Scarce Time of the Year, the new had not Come in, the fruit Baskits I was Disapointd in by Reason of my Short Stay, but Shall bring them next Voiage. Rose water is in no Demand in Lisbon. I Should be glad of a line from you, my Compliments to all the Family. I hope to Come your way again, from yours Sincearly

John Cox

P.S. I have Sent 2 Curious work Baggs as a preasent to Mrs Washington. one was Enten’d for Miss Pattsey, the other for Miss A. posey—I am now Loading outwards for Lisbon & the West Indies.


Title: From George Washington to Robert Cary & Company, 26 July 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Robert Cary & Company

Gentn
Mount Vernon July 26th 1773

Since writing my Invoice of the 10th Instt my Gardiner has furnish’d me with a compleat list of such Seeds as he will want, which please to send instead of the few then wrote for. I have also recollected some other Articles as underneath which I should be glad to have added to my Invoice & forwarded along with the other Goods, which will much oblige Your Most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to William Crawford, 27 July 1773 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Crawford, William

Letter not found: to William Crawford, 27 July 1773. On 12 Nov. 1773 Crawford wrote GW: “I Received yours of July 27th.”


Title: To George Washington from John Tayloe, 31 July 1773 [letter not found]
From: Tayloe, John
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from John Tayloe, c.31 July 1773. On 20 Aug. 1773 GW wrote Tayloe: “Your favour of the last of July . . . came to my hands a few days ago.”


Title: To George Washington from Gilbert Simpson, July 1773
From: Simpson, Gilbert
To: Washington, George

honoerd Sr
Loudoun July the ⟨mutilated⟩ 1773

I Receved your Letter of the 8 of Junly in which I Find you are much disturevd and I am Reyley Sorrey that you Should be so much uneasey at a thing of that kind before you know that you

are a Loosing anything I Full well know I must bear all the blame and Sure I am to bear all the Loos tho. verey ill able to bere any for I know my self to be a great Looser in this present year and not only so but I verely beleve I am a greatter by not going to yor Land for good but what must becom of that house that devids against its self for my wife never Let me fairly know her intencions untell your Negros and other thngs Came to me and then I thoug it was best to gooe out and settle in hoops she would Com in to another way of thinking but the more I strove to persuad the Further She semd to be of and to Give a person so Nearly Connected as a wife is uneasenes perhaps all there days I Could not so I thnk my self at this time to be in a fare uneaseyr way than what you Can have any Right to be in For Sr I am going Let you know why I think you Can be at no los in the first plase you Furnish me with two hands as Sorrey as they Could well be for the fellow is a worthless hand and I beleive allways will be so Sum occasiond by his feet and sum Natural in his boons as for the garl She knew nothing of work but I beleive She will make a fine hand after two or three years in the next plase I Saved you teen or twelve pounds by Settleing on yor Land as I did for it was taxt as uncultavated Lands but Capt. Crawford told me that my Coming on the Land he would have the tax taken off in the Next plase there is a hansom Little improvement made on your Land according to the time and hands For I Neve Lit of harder work nor did more of it in the time than I did ther for I find the Clearing is as hard there as any where for tho. the grubing is Lite the Cuting is vastly heavey occasiond by the Great Number of old trees Lying on the Earth tho. I Got Six acers in Corn and under good fens from the 6 of aprel unteel the 7 of may and the ground well brook up and Cleard two acres more and had my Corn all hild up before I Came a waye which was a bot the first week in June which was a fort night Sooner than intended to Com in but had I not a Com when I did I mus have Lost my horses by the Great Number of Flyes and no paster to keep them in and as I had a good deel of harvisting at home I Could not a stayd above a fortnight Longer and as for the work going on I am not the Least affrade for I Laid off anuf to bee don and am nowise affrade of its being don according to the Goodnes of the hands for I allwise found my fellow faithful to his trust and to do more when I was from him thn when I was present and as I Got

a nye Neibur to Com onst a day to derect them I think there is but Little daynger of the work Going on by which meens Sr I think your Land 50 better this day than it was the first day I set feet on it for to Consider the hardship of Going into the woods and haveing Every mouthfull of bread to buy and not noing wheare to buy it for sum time Concidrable and no house to put ones head in Except an old bark Cabbin of Nine feet SQuair in which I was forst to Remain for fifteen days and Nights occasiond by bad wether which had Like to have been my Last by Catching bad Colds unteel it flung me into fevers but now the worst is over there is a good Large Cabben of Eighteen feet SQuair and the inside hulld all down and in Good order to make a Qurter of or to take of ruff and to put a Shingeld on whch was the in tent of it at first So to Concider all thngs I beleive Sr you will not find your Self at Such a Loos as you Complan of as for I am Certain that ther is not such another plase to be found as yours is booth for the goodness of the Land and the Convenans of the plase for I do beleive had I a been provided with Corn and oats and pastering that I Could have maid fifte⟨y⟩ pounds this Spring by Travelers and a been at Little trouble so your plase is now in a fine begining way and I do verely beleive that you may see more profit in seven years time by keeping of six hands and stock on that plase with an overser if he be a fathfull person than you would by twelve hands on any of your other Lands otherwise if you was to Rent it out I Look on it to wor⟨th⟩ Six or Eight pounds a year from the Jump and your han⟨ds⟩ Could be brought baik and all your other affairs Could be Sold to a great advantage so that I am sorrey You should Complain before you Consider the matter wright it is true you may be at a Loos to get a proper person to under take your buysness for you tho. there is ma[n]y will offer of which this Letter Coms by one of the Name Richard Stogdon from the North and a utter Strainger to me by whos hands I hope you will sen me a Line or tow mor to Let me know whether yo⟨u⟩ will bee at home at your august Cort or not for then I would Com down to alexandria I would have Com to you Long sens but I have been Tormened with boyls insomch that I Could not Ride never sense I have been at home but Sr my advise to you is to get an overseer if you Give him Standing wags [wages] for depend it will bee more to your profit than to bee in partnership with any person for the profits

ariseing from tha plase must bee Great I would bee Glad to know waether you perpose to take any part or all my things or not So Sr I Remain you humble Ser.

Gilbt Simpson


Title: Cash Accounts, August 1773
From: Washington, George
To:

[August 1773]

Cash

Augt 16—
To Cash recd from Mr Montgomerie difficient in Dollars paid me formerly
£ 4. 0.4

Contra

3—
By Servants
0. 3.0

By Cash paid David Cowan in part of Wages
5. 0.0

5—
By Ditto paid Jonn Palmer Do Do
8. 0.0

9—
By Jno. Sheridine for his Lease
6.15.0

12—
By Cash paid Robt Conway for 8216 feet of Inch Pine Plank @ 6/
24.13.0

16—
By ditto paid John Alton
5. 0.0

By Ditto in lieu of 2 bad Bills
2. 0.0

By Mr Chas Turner on acct of Colo. Colvills Estate
4. 9.9

By Cash advancd Gilbert Simpson
6. 0.0

18—
By Colo. Fairfax’s Gardner
0. 5.0

22—
By Cash paid Mr Robt Hooe pr Mr Richd Harrison a Fee to Mr Thos Johnson
2. 8.0

24—
By Cash sent by Gilbert Simpson to Captn Crawford to pay the assessment of my Land on Youghiogany £11.5. Pensa
9. 0.0

26—
By Cash paid Chrr Shade
8. 0.0

By ditto paid Jno. Brickay for 368 Bls Oystr sh.
3. 6.3

By Servants
0. 3.0

28—
By Cards
3. 4.0

31—
By Aaron Sterlg for 2003 feet Inch & ¼ Plk @ 1d.
8. 7.0


Title: To George Washington from Jonathan Boucher, 2 August 1773
From: Boucher, Jonathan
To: Washington, George

My dear Sir,
2d Augt 1773.

I persuade myself, You & Mrs Washington, as well as the hospitable & good Family You are in, will readily excuse my not waiting on You, when I assure You that Nothing shou’d have prevented me, but my being in a Situation, which renders me totally unable. It is but the third Time, I ever had the Tooth Ache: & no Ideas I had form’d how painful so slight a Cause cou’d be, were adequate to what I have Felt, & still feel. I have gone thro’ all the nostrums, to no Purpose: Like Macbeth, it has murder’d Sleep beyond the Power even of Laudanum to recall.
Making sure of being with You last Ev’ng, on the Saturday, I drew out Mr Custis’s Acct, which, if it be right, You will much oblige me by leaving me a Bill on London, for the Amount of. You spoke, last Year, I remember, of my being to allow you somethg on the Score of Exchange; but, I see, I have made a Mem: in yr Letter, that the State of it then was in Annaps, as I had said. You will now please to be guided by the Informatn You may receive fm his Excellency, & Mr Calvert. The enclosed Lrs

from Jack, may not be unacceptable to Mrs Washington, nor, perhaps to—somebody else: at the same Time that it gratifies a little, I hope, not unbecomg Pride in me. I have often own’d, wth Shame & Sorrow, that I did not do so much for Him, as I could & ought—but, I really did more, than, I have fear’d, You thought—or, than many wou’d, who appear more regular & attentive.
It is peculiarly vexing to Me, to be interrupted & disappointed in the Pleasure I had promised myself from this Visit to a family, & some Friends, I am proud to rank, by far the nearest to me. Your Humanity will plead my Apology to Them: &, in the horrid, distracted Condition I am forced to write, excuse my adding [no] more than that I am, with the greatest Gratitude & Esteem, Dr Sir, Yr Frd & Servt

Jonan Boucher


Title: From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 2 August 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Boucher, Jonathan

Dear Sir
Mount Airy Augt 2d 1773

I am sorry to be deprivd of the pleasure of seeing you—& concernd at the painful cause of it; which, if every other remedy faild I should be for drawing.
Your Acct I dare say is perfectly right, & I will either leave Bills to the amount of it, under cover with Mr Calvert, or send them to you in a day or two after I get home; drawn at Par, which the Govr tells me is rather less than might be had, if offerd for Sale.
Jacks situation at New York gives me a great deal of real, & sincere satisfaction—his mother & myself have receivd Letters of the same Import. The Govr waiting I shall not enlarge, or add more than with best respects to Mrs & Miss Boucher in

which Mrs Washington joins I am with very great truth Dr Sir Yr Most Affecte Hble Sert

Go: Washington


Title: Advertisement, 4 August 1773
From: Washington, George
To:

[4 August 1773]

TO BE RENTED
The plantation whereon Mr. William Clifton formerly lived, lately possessed by Mr. Samuel Johnston, and at present in the tenure and occupation of his daughters; this plantation, or farm, is very pleasantly situated on Patawmack River, about five miles below Alexandria, and contains about 200 acres of cleared land, very good for grain of every kind, and tobacco; as also one of the largest and best springs on this side the Blue Ridge, within twenty yards of the door; it has a front upon the river of near a mile and an half, affording several good fishing landings; one of which only rented last spring, during the shad and herring season, for Twenty-five Pounds; to this belongs a well accustomed Ferry, upon the most direct road leading from Annapolis through Colchester, Dumfries, and Fredericksburg to Williamsburg; on the premises are a dwelling-house, with two brick chimnies and seven rooms, a kitchen, smoke-house, &c.

George Washington.


Title: From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 5 August 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Boucher, Jonathan

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon Augt 5th 1773.

Under cover with this Letter I send you a Bill of Excha: on Robt Cary & Co. for £65 Sterlg, which is the amount of your acct at 66⅔, more than which the Govr told me might be had for good Bills. I have made no deduction for the sums of £1.5.0 & £2.6.0 Virga Curry paid Rind & Purdie on your Acct nor of £1.4.0 York Cy paid Gaine, Whose receipt I now Inclose; as, to the best of my recollection, I formerly did the other two—these Sums you can pay me at some other time. In the meanwhile please to give me a receipt at the foot of Mr Custis’s Acct (Inclos’d) for the Sum now paid.
I hope this Letter will find you easd of the Pains, you complaind of in your last, and that you may find it convenient, if Govr Eden Inclines to make me a visit from your House to accompany him. Mrs Washington joins me in Affecte Compliments to Mrs Miss Boucher and your self & I am with very great regard Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Robert Cary & Company, 5 August 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Robert Cary & Company

Gentn
Mount Vernon August 5th 1773

I have some reasons to fear that by an unlucky mistake, my Letter of the 12th Ulto (among other things) ordering Insurance on Mr Custis’s Tobo & mine in the Rising Sun was put into the hands of Captn Peterson. If so, the Tobo, & order for Insurance on it will probably go by the same Ship; I therefore again desire (if this Letter gets to hand in time) that five hundred

pounds may be Insured on Mr Custis’s Tobo (which I now learn amounts to 75 Hhds) and One hundred pounds on mine in this ship.
Of this date I have drawn upon you for Sixty five pounds Sterg (on Acct of Mr John Parke Custis, & in favour of the Reverd Mr Boucher, his late Tutor) which please to pay and place it to the debit of the above Acct. I am Gentn Yr Most Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from George William Fairfax, 5 August 1773
From: Fairfax, George William
To: Washington, George

My Dear Sir
York Town Augt 5th 1773

You may be surprized to receive a Letter of this date from me, as we might have reasonably Expected to have been half our Passage, over. The Ship fell down, a day or two after I wrote to you from Ceeleys compleatly Loaded, But the chief mate and most of the Sailors were Sick, the latter has recruted fast since being in the Salts, but the Mates life is dispared off, however the Captain says he shall certainly Sail the first fair Wind.
Knowing that a House & Furniture, suffers much, by being uninhabited, I have directed Mr Willis if any offers should be made to Rent the whole, to take your Advise, or the House with what Land may be wanted seperate. If neither should offer, would it not be the best way to Advertise, the furniture? giving six or twelve month’s Credit. It would be a pitty to break the sett, of either the Dining, or Dressing Room Furniture, and unless it will fetch Currency for Sterling, I had rather it should be kept, for I can hardly suit those Room better, with any I could bring in. We have spent this long time, with our friends at Ceeleys, Hampton, and here, fearing to go to stay in Williamsburg on Accot of the disorder there.
Never was there a more dismal prospect of Crops, than when I came down, all nature seem’d to be at a standstile within these two or three days past, some most delighfule Rains but the Planters say its to late to Recover the Corn, the Tasile being quite

dead at many Plantations. I trust in God, it has not been quite so bad above, and that We shall make something.
Mrs Fairfax joins with Me in most respectfull Compliments to you, good Mrs Washington, and Mr Custis, wishing that you may enjoy a series of good Health, and every Felicity this wor’d can give, and am Dear sir Your Most Obedt and ever Obliged humble Servt

Go: Wm Fairfax

In looking over some of my Papers, I found the enclosed Papers, which ought to be left, and particularly the Receipt from his Lordship the Proprieter for Arrears of Quit Rents, which I think had better be Paisted on the inside of the cover of my Ledger for fear of accident.


Title: From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 9 August 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Bassett, Burwell

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon Augt 9th 1773

As I wrote to you by the last Post, and nothing New has happend since, this Letter only serves to cover the Inclosed to Mrs Bassett. The Horse Abel left here, is got quite well of his Lameness, but not recoverd of an exceeding swelld, & sore back which he received in coming up—This, and the boy telling me you did not work, or put him to any particular kind of Service, is the Reason why I have not sent him down before—If he is wanted, please to let me know by the Post & I will contrive him down to you before we may come ourselves, as it will be in October before this can happen—I hope this Letter will find Mrs Bassett in better health, & more composed under her losses, than when you wrote last—My best wishes ⟨atten⟩d her, yourself & Family, as also Mrs Dandridge & other Friends, and I am Dr Sir Yr Most Affecte Friend & Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to James Mercer, 9 August 1773 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Mercer, James

 Letter not found: to James Mercer, 9 Aug. 1773. On 11 Aug. Mercer wrote: “Your favour of the 9th Instant was received late last night.”


Title: To George Washington from John Posey, 9 August 1773
From: Posey, John
To: Washington, George

Sir
Rovers Dilight Augt 9th 1773

You have grant’d me many Favours since I have been Acquaint’d with you—I am now Reduc’d Very Low—and Advanc’d in years—I have noe Person in the world to Apply to, for Assistance—and Really am not Able to work—Pray would you be kind Enough to Let me have the Some about £50—Maryland Currancy I think with that some I could fix my self for Life, and not to want Again—If I should not Succeed with my Plan—you may Depend I will Return the first of Aprill—And Doe any kind buisness for you that I can—If I Die in Few month you will Luse Principle & Intrust If not you would be shore of ⟨it.⟩ I want’d to mention’d this Affaire to you when I was at Your house—but I could not have the Face to Doe—I am to Return by first next month If I can—You have never mention’d St Laurance to me since I have been at yr house—I suppose you heard he was in a Barr—If you knew the Truth I am not soe much to blame, as you may think for, while I was over here Last summer St Laurance was taken sick at Mr Potters—Mr Wm Minor Living neare there having Regard for me, and St Laurance—he took him home—he tend’d I beleave in Minors Barr for near three months—yr Letter that you kindly wrote Mr Francis Baker that you would Pay Broad & schooling for St Laurance—I never gave it Mr Baker—I beleave I have Lost it Baker acquainted me he wrote you & sent his Acct you ⟨illegible⟩ to Pay Baker. Mr Moor Pd him in June Last—I am yr obt B⟨r.⟩

Jno. Posey


Title: To George Washington from Edward Anderson, 13 August 1773
From: Anderson, Edward
To: Washington, George

Sir
Annapolis 13th August 1773.

Col: Thomas Colvill having bequeathed “unto the Youngest Daughter of Mr William Anderson Merchant in London the Sum of Eighty Pounds Sterling”—I beg leave to inform you that Harriot Rebecca Anderson is the youngest Daughter of Mr William Anderson, & that her Guardian Mrs Rebecca Anderson has sent me a Power of Attorney to receive that Legacy.
As it would be inconvenient for me to wait upon you at present, & my residence on the Eastern Shore will prevent my seeing you, when you may be in this Province, I shall be obliged to you to pay that Money into the Hands of Mr Anthony Steuart of this Place; & you will please to write to him by return of Post whether you can make immediate Payment, or whether you judge it necessary for me to take any further Steps previous to your paying the Money. I am Sir Your obedt humb: Servant

Edward Anderson


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Newton, Jr., 13 August 1773
From: Newton, Thomas Jr.
To: Washington, George

Sir
Williamsburg August 13th 1773

I have Just time to inform you I have paid Mr Hill one hundred and ninety five pounds, and one hundred & ten dollars in the whole two hundd & twenty eight pounds. I am sorry that I cou’d get no more but am in hopes the whole sales will be paid at the next meeting. I have not been home since I received yours for examining the seconds but will follow your direction’s and make the most of them shou’d they prove bad. I am Sir Yr Hble Servt

Thomas Newton Jr

Mr Hill has the Sales of Flour & herrings.


Title: From George Washington to John Tayloe, 20 August 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Tayloe, John

Dear Sir
Mount Vernon Augt 20th 1773

Your favour of the last of July, advising of your having receivd a power of Attorney from Colo. Mercer & his Mortgagees, to dispose of his Shannondoah & Bullrun Estates came to my hands a few days ago, the contents of which Colo. Mason is acquainted with; and, as you will probably see him at Stafford Court House the 27th Instt you can furnish him with the Papers; till which, it is almost impossible to deliver any opinion with propriety, as I fear, from what I have heard of this matter that some disagreeable Circumstances must attend the transaction. I must think as you do, that, this Power by being Witnessed ought to be recorded; and if recorded, that the Genl Court is the proper place to do it in as the Lands lay in different Counties. I shall add no more at present than that I am with very great Esteem—Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Glascock, 22 August 1773
From: Glascock, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Sir
Richmond County Augt 22. 1773

I have seen your Advertizement in the Gazate for the disposal of your lands on the Banks of the Ohio and the Kanhawa’s. You have not been so particular as to mention that the Leases are to be for Years or lives, but I am willing to suppose they are intended for Life or Lives, and therefore (as I am now in the Gout, And consequently cannot be at the meeting of the Ohio Company, where I might probably see you in person) Write, and desire that you will lay me out 500 Acres of as good land as I may have a right to expect, and as near the supposed intended seat of Government as possible, to which (as soon as I can receive advice that it is really done and where) I will repair, with the remains of my shattered fortune, and shall farther hope that the Lease will be for my life at least, and one or two I shall hope for, Of this you will be kind enough to advise me as soon as may be that I may sell out and be ready for movement as soon as may be, in the Interim I am Sir Your devoted hble Sert

Thomas Glascock

P.S. Could I serve you in the Capacity of a Clerk, (tho’ my pain now vexes me) or in any other capacity, (so that there may not be too much travelling) I shall hope for your favours. T.G.


Title: To George Washington from James Mercer, 23 August 1773
From: Mercer, James
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
St James’s 23d Augt 1773

As I expect a good Opportunity by your Neighbour Colo. Mason from the meeting of the Ohio Compy I shall inclose you the Mortgage I made you agreeably to your last favour, which was on the day of the date delivered to Mr Sims in trust for you—this gives it an opperation from that day, I shou’d have kept it to be recorded in Stafford Court—but for a blank in it which I can’t take on my self to fill up without your consent. it is the time of paying the principal Sum, by no day being expressed it becomes immediate & so far the Deed is complete without any thing further, but I have left a blank in that part to be filled up by yourself in doing this I hope you will give me some distant time, for in truth I do not expect to pay the money soon, as it cant be done but out of Slaves a Sale of which will absolutely ruin all the young Family—I am fully senseable that I need not bargain with you for any Indulgence, as I am confident, you will be as much so as you can but need I mention to you how uncertain yours or any Life is—little doubt have I in the Humanity of any person you may choose for your Representative, but remember a Trustee must be stricter, than if he acted for himself, and shou’d this money be payable immediately, and an event happen which God forbid, I may be confined in Goal for it in three months after a demand, a situation I can Judge better of now than I ever expected, for in truth had there been a Goal in this County, I shou’d gone there immediately after the General Court for a Judge of James City Court, obtained in ninty Days for a Debt not my own—from the Covenants in this Deed I am as much bound

as by the bond I gave you with the former, so you’ll please destroy both the Deed & Bond upon receet of this—You may rely on a punctual payment of the Interest without the trouble of asking for it and in two Crops I will begin to make large payments towards the principal.
As there is an attachment with proclamation issued in the Suit of Dunbar, to prevent surprise it may not be amiss to inform you it is of no Consequence—inclosed you have Master Custis’s answer which as it needs only your Name to it without an affidavit may be completed & returned to me—Yours & Lady’s Plea Demurrer & answer are prepared but as the matters of Plea & Demurrer are collected out of the old Proceedings it cant be completed without you & Lady attending Mr Pendleton or myself to convince you that the former Records are properly cited, for without this convinction neither of you can swear to your answer, a circumstance not to be dispensed with—remember to fill up the age of Master Custis—you may remember I told you that attachments were only in terrorem—& that you cou’d not be affected by any Proceeding except a Decree, & that disregarded for two Months after made—from this you may observe that you may take a leisure & Convenient opportunity to attend for the purpose of swearing to your Answer—of which however I wish to have previous Notice, the whole Record being now with Mr Pendleton.
Upon reflecting on your late advertizement about the Settlement of your Ohio Lands & knowing my Brother was under the same predicament, it has occurred to me, that a Settlement is not necessary unless it can be done on reasonable terms, for considering the motives for the granting these Lands & that some of the Grantees are out of the Colony I have not the smallest doubt but that the assembly will, on a petition for that purpose, pass an Act to enlarge the time of Cultivation notwithstanding the condition of the Pattent, this is not without precedent, which establishes the power, grant the power, & surely the Reasons will be abundantly sufficient.
I wrote to some time ago about dealing with you for wheat I wish to know if you want any & the price ⟨mutilated⟩ gives Mr Wm Fitzhugh 5/ for 5000 bushells) I shall set about waggoning down immediately, you may depend it will be ⟨mutilated⟩ any Frederick

County affords—I am Dear Sir Yr much obliged & very huble Servant

Js Mercer

P.S. The Slaves included in your mortgage are equal to any in the Colony, for which I wou’d not take double the Sum they are engaged for.


Title: To George Washington from Benedict Calvert, 25 August 1773
From: Calvert, Benedict
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Mount Airy [Md.] Augst 25th 1773

I Received yours by Major Jennifer at Annapolis and have given Orders to my Deputy to look out for such a person as you want. He tells me that Tradesmen well recommended sell very high. I have desired him to buy none but such. I was in hopes to have had the pleasure of attending the Governor to Mount Vernon, but some business at my Office on the Eastern Shore obliges me to set off on Sunday. I expect to be back the last of next Week. If you have any commands there shall be glad to execute them.
I am very much obliged to you for the Wheat you was so kind as to spare me I wish mine in return had been better. Everybody

here joyn in their respectfull Compliments Nelly who goes with the Governor will deliver hers in person. I am Dear Sir Your Most Obedt Servt

Benedt Calvert


Title: To George Washington from John Connolly, 29 August 1773
From: Connolly, John
To: Washington, George

Dr Sir.
Pittsburgh August 29th 1773.

I have lived some time past in the greatest hope of seeing you at this place; but whatsoever might have deterred my happiness in that respect must be attributed to purposes superior to my expectations; tho. if consistent with your happiness nothing inferior to my warmest Wishes. Lord Dunmore hath done us the honour of a visit, I dare not presume to give my opinion touching the Character of so considerable a Personage, but I flatter myself I shall not widely differ from your sentiments if I conclude him to be a Gentleman of benevolence & universal Charity, & not unacquainted with either Man or the World. I have his Lordships promise for 2000 Acres of Land at the Falls of the Ohio, which will induce me to wait upon his Excellency this Fall at Williamsburgh, & in the excursion, I have the satisfaction to hope I shall have the agreeable opportunity of enjoying your Company on my Journey thither, in making your house a Stage.

I have been at the expence of sending a person from this place to survey the Falls, not having a sufficient dependance upon Capt. Bullit, whose Aerial schemes have urged him to act in an extravagant manner; laying off Towns, & Townships every sixty miles upon the river; & corresponding to his Ideas has concluded the Falls to be a proper place for such intention, amongst others. The Bearer of this Mr Wilper a german Gentleman has been with him & reports him to be so extraordinary a Genius, that I am glad I have had his Lordships permission to appoint a person to transact my business in that Country. Comparing the date of this Letter with my expectations of your arrival here, urges me to think that I must postpone the pleasure of seeing you, untill I may have the honor of giving you a personal Visit, which will at any rate, be highly satisfactory to him who is with respect Dr Sir your most obedt Servt

Jno. Connolly


Title: To George Washington from Daniel Carroll, 1 September 1773
From: Carroll, Daniel
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Rock Creek [Md.] Sepr 1st 1773

In the winter 1771 I receivd a letter from a Mercht of my acquaintance in Galway, in Ireland, strongly recommending, some Irish families, who had embark’d for America: These poor people, finding they cou’d not live under the exactions of their Landlord, on their leases falling, resolv’d to venture into this part of the world, were able to pay their passages; & bring with them some family goods, & working utensils; besides the particular, & strong recommendation I receivd, they will show you the testimony given in their Favor by the Mayor, & principal inhabitants of Galway. They have had house room, & fireing on my land since their arrival: The men have work’d abroad, & by their conduct, justified the recommendations given of them, & I am certain will be of singular Service whereever they settle, particularly in making meadows to which they have been chiefly accustom’d: Thus much in justice to these poor people, I have thought propper to say, as they have an intention of treating with you about some of yr back land; Three of these men have been as far back as Buffaloe land over the Monongahela—Upon their report, they had all concluded, to move with their families & occupy lands, as many others have done, in expectation of haveing the refusal, when the property is ascertain’d; but on seeing your advertisement, I adviz’d them to wait on you, & know your terms. I have reason to expect, if these people settle themselves to their Satisfaction, a very considerable number of their relations will be soon with them, who are now only waiting to hear from them: It wou’d not I aprehend be bad pollicy in those who may possess large tracts of land to lay out a Glebe for a Clergyman, this wou’d have considerable weight with many Irish Roman Catholicks, who woud probably bring their own Clergyman with them. I intended myself taking a trip into these new Countries as they are call’d, & purchasing some land if the terms & title were agreable, in hopes of making it turn to advantage, as my Connections in Ireland, enable me to procure a number of very industrious settlers, & among them some of property with whom, I correspond. I have lately receivd a letter dated New York July 26th from Mr Foxcroft one of the 72 intended proprietors, by which I find the Charter was not then

obtaind: shou’d matters be settled, time enough this fall, I shall putt my resolution into execution, & if you intend to make an excursion that way, shall be glad to attend you—& am, Sir with esteem, Yr most Obt Servt

Daniel Carroll


Title: To George Washington from Francis Willis, Jr., 6 September 1773 [letter not found]
From: Willis, Francis Jr.
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Francis Willis, Jr., 6 Sept. 1773. Thomas Birch’s Sons catalog 663, item 73 lists: “Letters from Francis Willis, Jr., to Col. Geo. Washington, Leesburg, August 16, September 6, October 17, and December 22, 1773; and September 1, December 6, 1774.”


Title: From George Washington to Lord Dunmore, 12 September 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Dunmore, John Murray, fourth earl of

My Lord,
Mount Vernon Septr 12th 1773.

By the time this Letter can reach Williamsburg, I hope I may be permitted to congratulate your Lordship on your safe return to the City, from a Tour through a Country, if not well Improv’d, at least bless’d with many natural advantages. I was exceedingly sorry, and disappointed in not having the honour of your Lordships Company in your way out, especially as it was my Intention to have waited on you part of the way, and done every thing in

my power to have render’d the remaining part convenient and agreeable; as also, to have lent every assistance I could towards facilitating any Schemes your Lordship might have of procuring Lands to the Westward of us, for yourself—In truth My Lord, my Inclinations followd you closely in this Excursion (which I expected you would have extended a little further to the Westward than Fort Pitt) and had your Lordship done me the honour to call here, I cannot now say, how far I should have been tempted to accompany you. ’Till I heard of your Lordships intended Rout through Augusta, I flatter’d myself with the hope of your visiting the Banks of Potomack on your Return.
I have lately heard my Lord, that Captn Bullet has begun to Survey Lands below the Western boundary talk’d of for the New Colony on the Ohio; and that your Lordship hath signified your Intention of Granting Patents for those Lands, to the Officers & Soldiers claiming under his Majestys Proclamation of Octr. 1763. If the latter part of this Information be true (the former I know is) I presume it must be in consequence of some late advices (probably of the Order of Council, at St James’s, on the 7th of April last) as your Lordship did not seem, when I had the honr of speaking to you last, on this Subject, to think yourself at liberty to Grant Lands upon the Western Waters further than to carry into Execution Govr Dinwiddies Proclamation of 1754. I say, if it be true, that Your Lordship will now Grant Patents for these Lands, I shall receive the advice of it as a particular favr; because nothing but the apprehension of your not doing it, Induced me to apply to your Lordship for a Certificate of my Services, & Right; that in case Mr Wood, who intended to view the Lands of West Florida should like the Soil, Climate, &ca he might locate my quantity in that Government; and having done this, I think it my duty to mention it, least your Lordship might think it a Bar to my Right of Surveying here, notwithstanding I have but little expectation of success from Mr Woods Trip (admitting he gets safe to Florida) as I have confined him to Lands upon such a part of the Mississipi, as I am now satisfied from the last Accts from that Country, are not to be had; being entirely engross’d by the Emigrants which have lately gone there to Settle: If then I am to wait the result of Mr Woods Expedition, I shall, in case of his failure more than probably be thrown out in both places, as, no sooner is it known that your Lordship will

give Patents for the Lands on Ohio than the Officers of Pensylvania, (who I am told have already Surveyed 300,000 acres for themselves) Maryland, Carolina &ca &ca will repair here in Shoals; whilst I, hung in Suspence between two chances, shall, more than probably, fall through in both; which I take the liberty of suggesting to your Lordships Consideration, at the sametime that in point of Candour, I thought myself obliged to mention my Commission to Mr Wood; from whom, as I have before observd, I have little expectation, as my Instruction’s to him were guarded with many Provis⟨os⟩.
If your Lordship’s attention to business of greater Consequence will afford leizure to honour me with a Line or two by the Post, on ⟨the⟩ Subject of this Letter, it will be doing me a very acceptable favour. I am with the greatest respect Yr Lordships Most Obedt and Most Hble Servt

Go: Washington

P.S. Since finishing this Letter Govr Eden has given me the pleasure of hearing that your Lordship is returnd to Williamsburg in good health.


Title: To George Washington from Lamar, 13 September 1773 [letter not found]
From: Lamar, Hill, Bisset, & Company
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Lamar, Hill, Bisset, & Co., 13 Sept. 1773. On 22 Feb. 1774 Lamar, Hill, Bisset, & Co. wrote GW: “Since our last respects to you under 13th Septr last We are not favored with any of yours.”


Title: To George Washington from Francis Willis, Jr., 15 September 1773
From: Willis, Francis Jr.
To: Washington, George

Sir
1⟨5⟩ September 1773

Possible you may not readily ackount for my paying an Overseer Seven pounds—and allow him his Proportion of the Crop,

those four Overseers are to be setled in the woods are by Bargain compeld to make nothing but Corn. which, I chose for this reason with Colo. Fairfax’s consent. the Land now cleard is very near worne Out Which is to be sown in wheat rye & timothy as soon as posible, and if we ware to attemp to make Tobo next year we should want corn a year longer. I am with my Complements to your Family Your very Obedient

Francis Willis Junr


Title: To George Washington from Robert Adam, 16 September 1773
From: Adam, Robert
To: Washington, George

Sir
Septr 16th 1773

The Pall or Black Cloath that was sent down to you on a late Occation Mr Carlyle Informs me was Originally your property, but as we are yet unprovided with one in town we must request the favour of you to send it by the bearer—Our Friend and Accquantance Mr Joseph Wattson Departed this life last night about Eleven oClock of a Bloody Flux, he neglectd himself much in the begining of the dissorder & only begin to think seriously of it when too late—We have in generall been very Sickly but most people are now on the mending hand. I am Respectfully Your Most Humb: Servt

Robert Adam

he is to be intered this Evening about 5 oClock.


Title: To George Washington from Myles Cooper, 20 September 1773
From: Cooper, Myles
To: Washington, George

King’s Coll: New York, 20th Sepr 1773.

Dr Cooper presents his most respectful Comps. to Coll Washington; & returns him his Son in Law, without any vices that he

knows of, and with many Virtues, wherewith he is perfectly acquainted.
His Assiduity hath been equal to his Rectitude of principle; and it is hoped his Improvements in Learning have not been inferior to either.


Title: To George Washington from John Vardill, 20 September 1773
From: Vardill, John
To: Washington, George

Sr
King’s College Septr 20 1773

I have taken the Liberty of addressing a Letter to you, on a Subject extremely agreeable to me, & which, I am sensible, must be particularly so to you. The Conduct of your Son, during his Residence at this Seminary, has been such, as that it would be injustice to deny him the Tribute of Approbation he deserves, & you Sr the Satisfaction which a generous Parent must receive from the Reputation of one he loves. At a Period of Life in which the Passions are most violent he has discover’d a remarkable purity of Morals, & when Gaiety invited him to pleasure, has with such constancy devoted himself to his Studies, as to give us the surest ground to expect that he will hereafter attain to that excellence which his natural powers render him capable of. When I inform you, that his Affability & Courtesy have endear’d him to mine, as well as to the Affection of all who are concern’d in his Education, you may suspect me of partiality: But this Friendship itself would prompt me to the strictest Sincerity in this Description, least I might injure one whom I esteem, by imprudently lulling Parental Caution into a dangerous Security. If the Intrusion of this Letter wants an Apology, I can only confess, that I could not deny myself the satisfaction of giving this testimony to Merit, of presenting my humble respects to you Sr & your amiable Lady, of congratulating Her on the hopes that

her Precepts & Example of Piety will be practis’d & imitated by her Son, & of professing myself, with all sincerity, Sr your friend & humbe servt

John Vardill


Title: To George Washington from Lord Dunmore, 24 September 1773
From: Dunmore, John Murray, fourth earl of
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Will[iamsbur]g 7ber 24th 1773

I last Post received yours of the 12 instant wherein you beg to be informed whether I propose granting Patents on the Ohio to such Officers and Soldiers as Claim under His Majesties Proclamation in 8ber 1763. I do not mean to grant any Patents on the Western Waters, as I do not think I am at Present impowered so to do. I did indeed tell a poor old German Lieut. who was with me & inform’d me he was very poor & had ten Children that I possibly might grant him a Patent contiguous to that which he had under Mr Dinwiddies Proclamation, which I suppose is what may have given rise to the report you have heard; as to Capt. Bullet I know nothing about His surveying any Lands, & did when I was at Fort Pitt write to him adviseing him to return again immediately. I beg my best Respects to Mrs Washington & I am Dear Sir your most Obet & very Hble Se[rvan]t

Dunmore


Title: From George Washington to Samuel Athawes, 25 September 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Athawes, Samuel

Sir,
Mount Vernon Septr 25th 1773

Your Letter of the 30th of March to Colo. Fairfax, never came to my hands (as his Attorney in Fact) till the middle of this Month—So much thereof as relates to the mismanagement of his Tobo I shall communicate to his Steward—the other parts respecting his Affairs in England you, doubtless, long before this have had an oppertunity of communicating yourself, as he with his Lady Imbarkd for London about the 10th of last Month.
According to his desire, I take the liberty of addressing the Inclosd Letter to your care & am Sir Yr Most H: Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to William Crawford, 25 September 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Crawford, William

Dr Sir,
Mount Vernon 25th Septr 1773

Since writing the enclosed, I have further understood that the Governor, from some displeasure at Capt: Bullet’s conduct, (whether for surveying at all, or for other persons, besides those claiming under the Proclamation; or whether for a speech & engagement wch he entered into with the Indians,) has order’d him in—If the Govrs displeasure proceeded from the last mention’d cause, I should be glad (in case of your going down the river in pursuit of your own Land) if you could obtain a license from him to survey my quantity of 10,000 acres, as I will endeavour

to get him to authenticate it, in order that I may proceed to Patenting of it, if the Govr thinks himself at liberty to grant one.
I have wrote to Bullet to this effect, & though I know I gave him mortal offence, by interesting myself in procuring the commission I did, for you, yet I have some expectation of his complying with my request. If he does comply, you must know from him, what surveys he has made, as also what Entries are lodged, in order that you may steer clear of them; and I would recommend it to you to use dispatch, for depend upon it, if it be once known that the Governor will grant Patents for these Lands, the Officers of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Carolina &c. &c., will flock there in Shoals, & every valuable spot will be taken up, contiguous to the river, on which, the Lands, unless it be where there are some peculiar properties, will always be most valuable. I am as before Dr Sir Your very humble Servt

G: Washington


Title: From George Washington to George William Fairfax, 25 September 1773 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Fairfax, George William

Letter not found: to George William Fairfax, 25 Sept. 1773. On 10 Jan. 1774 Fairfax wrote: “Your very Obliging favour of the 15th of October, covering a Copy of one dated 25th of Septr last is just come to me.”


Title: From George Washington to James Tilghman, Jr., 25 September 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Tilghman, James Jr.

Dear Sir
Mount Vernon Sepr 25th 1773

If you propose to go to the Annapolis Races—will accept of a Seat in my Phaeton—&, if the weather permits be here this afternoon I can give you a lift there & shall be glad of your Company. I shall, if I can, take an even start with the Sun tomorrow so as to reach Annapolis in good time.
I hope this Letter will find you in better health than when I saw you last. I am with very sincere regard Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to James Tilghman, Jr., 25 September 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Tilghman, James Jr.

Dear Sir
[25 September 1773]

Scarce an hour ago, I wrote to you, making an offer of a Seat in my Phaeton; which I hope is unnecessary for me to repeat but if it be more convenient to you to go in a single Chair from Alexandria, than to come here this Evening, my Chair is at your Service, & brought up accordingly. I do not know that I can answer for the wheels. you will examine them, & judge for yourself. I am Yrs Sincerely

Go: Washington

P.S. I shall return on Saturday, or Sunday at furthest. In case of your going with me, you will want your Servant as we shall probably lodge in different Houses.


Title: From George Washington to Michael Cresap, 26 September 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Cresap, Michael

Sir,
Mount Vernon Septemr 26th 1773

In my Passage down the ohio in the Fall of the year 1770 I made choice of a piece of Land, being the first bottom on the So. East side the river above Capteening, as also a little above a place where the effects of a hurricane appear among the Trees, & opposite to a Creek on the other side near the upper end of the bottom, call’d Pipe Creek. The next Spring, when Capt: Crawford went down the Ohio to survey, I desired him to run out this Land for me, which he accordingly did, & returned me the Plat of it, as you may see by the inclosed copy, intending as soon as a Patent could be obtained, to apply for one. The Summer following, hearing that Doctor Brisco had taken possession of this bottom, (altho’ inform’d of my claim to it) I wrote him a letter, of which the inclos’d is a copy. And within these few days I have heared (the truth of which I know not) that you, upon the Doctors quitting of it, have also taken possession of it. If this Information be true, I own I can conceive no reason why you, or any other person should attempt to disturb me in my claim to this Land, as I have not, to my knowledge, injur’d, or attempted to injure, any other Man in his pretensions to Land in that Country, it is a little hard therefore upon me, that I cannot be allowed to hold this bottom (which is but a small one) in peace & quietness, ’till a legal right can be obtained, which I always have been, & still am ready to pay for, as soon as I know to what office to apply. I would feign hope that my information respecting your taking possession of this Land, is without foundation; as I should be sorry to enter into a litigation of this matter with you, or any other Gentleman; but as I conceiv’d that I had as good a right to make choice of this bottom, as any other person had; as I am sure that I am the first that did so, & have had it survey’d so as to ascertain the bounds, upwards of two years ago, I am resolved not to relinquish my claim to it. But if you have made any Improvements thereon, not knowing of my claim, I will very readily pay you the full value thereof, being Sir Your Most humble Servant

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Sarah Bomford, 27 September 1773
From: Bomford, Sarah
To: Washington, George

Sir
Dublin, Fishamble Street Sepr 27th 1773

As neither Mrs Savage nor I have had the honor of hearing from you since your Letter of the 20th of Sepr Seventy two, we begin to apprehend her affairs are not in that prosperous situation we had reason to hope from your favors of that date, from this reflection, and from Mrs Savages anxiety on account of her Circumstances being on so precarious a foundation, Life is almost a burthen to heavy for her to bear, She still exists on this hope that good Coll Washington will not let her be betray’d into the hands of her persecutor, nor suffer him by the Chicanery of the Law to ruin her intirely, and by that means bring down a Head now in the decline of Life (and formerly supported in the utmost ease and affluence) with Sorrow to the Grave, I am at this present vastly distress’d, and really and truly at a Loss how to make a proper appoligy to Coll Washington for the many troublesome Letters I have been under the necessaty of writing to him on this subject, for ’tho a literary Correspondence with Mr Washington, wou’d, I’m sensible, do me great honor, and also be a most particular gratification, yet I’m well convinc’d Letters on Business are not agreeable either to receive or answer, I must therfore Sir, request your forgiveness on this occasion,

and implore you on Mrs Savages account, who is at present in good health, but in the utmost misery and distraction of mind to let her hear from you in the speediest manner, that is—by the Post, she, unhappy woman objects to this method of conveying Letters because of the expence, but that for the future shall not deprive us, of the pleasure of hearing from you, as Coll Washington’s Letters give much satisfaction, Mr Bomford will most chearfully pay the Postage, the last inteligence we received from Virginia did not come to hand for six Months after date, and now six Months more are past, and not the least prospect of Letters by the way of Whitehaven, this Sir, if you wou’d please to recollect is an Age in Mrs Savages time of Life, I therefore shall for the future take the liberty of sending my Letters by the Packet, and humbly hope, you will, in pitty to her Misfortunes give her the satisfaction of hearing from you as soon as possible—I am Sir, with great respect, Your obedient, humble Servant

Sarah Bomford


Title: To George Washington from Charles Yates, 27 September 1773
From: Yates, Charles
To: Washington, George

Sir
Fredsburg Septr 27th 1773

If it is not now too late, nor any former claim has been made in behalf of the Heirs of James Towers for a proportion of the Lands granted to the Virginia Troops who first went out with you—I beg this may be noticed as such and that you will be so good as inform me what is necessary to be done on my part to serve his relations—I think Mr Towers was a Lieutenant, whatever his share may be—please advise me what you think it will probably sell for two or three Years hence, that I may comunicate it the decaseds friends. I am very respectfully Sir Your obedt hble servt

Chs Yates

⅌ Post & Postage Paid


Title: To George Washington from Richard Thompson, 30 September 1773
From: Thompson, Richard
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Philee Septr 30th 1773.

In Answer to your Favour of the 22d Current, I really find myself much discouraged by the Terms you propose to rent or lease out Lands on, that are situated on the Waters of the Ohio; and must confess that I think it impracticable for any one to comply with them, and to me they appear to be entirely inadmissible. My Objections are not confined to any particular Article, but if you please, I will make a few Observations, which, when duly considered, will, I am almost convinced, induce you in some Measure to coincide with my Opinion.
Will it not Sir, be readily admitted that the Increase or Population of a Country is in a great Degree owing to it’s wholesome Laws and good Government? and as there is still a great Uncertainty with Respect to the Foundation of any Government at all where those Lands of your’s lie; Can there be a Probability that People of Property or only in moderate Circumstances, will settle so remotely from some civil Authority? except such as do not regard any Authority at all. This Consideration must deter those of a quiet and peaceable Disposition, and who wou’d be willing to become good Subjects of that or any other Province or State, from embarking on such a hazardous Enterprize. Others indeed, less scrupulous in those Matters and probably in desperate Circumstances, might venture themselves to the following End, to get a Home for a Time and desert it at Pleasure, without paying any Rent to, or performing the Services enjoined by, their Landlord. This wou’d have a double bad Effect, as the leased or rented Lands would be deserted, and the industrious,

honest People who staid behind, would find a Scarcity of Supplies in the commercial Way, on Account of this Depopulation, and that wou’d unavoidably deprive them of the Means to discharge their Rents.
Indeed from many unfavourable Accounts already received from Travellors, I am induced to prophecy, that the Population of the Country round Fort Pitt has encreased with more Rapidity for the last seven Years, than that down the River will for three times seven to come.
I should be apt to think, that when you consider this Matter, you will be content to procure Tenants for your Lands on much easier Terms to them than those you now propose. But to the Point.
If you can think of listening to such Terms as the following, which I wou’d be thought to infer are nearer in Proportion to the intrinsic Value of the Land at this Time, and what in all Probability they may be worth twenty or thirty Years hence than those I am favor’d with from you; there may be a Prospect of our coming to some Agreement.
1st It is proposed to have a Lease on a Quantity of Lands, not less than 5000 Acres, for thirty one Years, and then, at the Discretion of the Lessee, his Heirs or Assigns, renewable to the Period of ninety nine Years from the first Date of the Lease, and thence forward for ever, on performing the following Articles and Conditions—Viz.
2dly That the whole be Rent free to the Lessee, so long as it is Quit-Rent free to you; and no Conditions or Performances enjoined him the sd Lessee, or his Heirs more than settling and cultivating one particular Plantation on the whole during that Time; and from the Time that the Quit-Rents become payable, to pay you Rent for the first or next ensuing seven Years, at the Rate of twenty Shillings Sterling for every hundred Acres and the Quitrents of the whole likewise,—for the next seven Years, 30/ Sterling & Quitrents,—for the then remaining Part of the 31 Years, 40/ Sterl: and Quitrents,—for the Residue of the 99 Years 50 Shillings Sterl: & Quitrents, and from the Period of the 99, Years £5 Sterl: ⅌ Ct & Quitrents for ever.
3dly The Lessee, his Heirs &c. shall from the Commencement of the Lease, have full and ample Liberty to place on the said 5000 Acres, as many Sub-Tenants as he, his Heirs &c. may

think proper, provided that no more than three taxable Persons, in any one Year after 20 Acres for every 100 thereof are cleared, shall be suffered to work on any Tenement of 100 Acres, and so in Proportion for a greater or smaller Quantity; and they shall all be enjoined by the said Lessee from Time to Time, to make such Improvements thereon as your other Tenants who may hereafter rent Lands of you belonging to the same Tract or contiguous thereto, under a Penalty to be agreed on. But this shall never be understood to compel the Lessee or his Heirs to make any Improvements on the said Land further than they may think proper, and shall only be construed to relate to the Sub-tenants he or they may at any Time contract with, either on Lease or otherwise.
But the Plan I have next in View, and which I humbly conceive will be very conducive to your Interest in Future as well with Regard to the immediate Benefit resulting therefrom, as to the promoting a quick Settlement of your Lands in that remote Part of the World (though I do not presume to dictate) wou’d be your establishing a small Trade at the Place you are at present most desirous to have cultivated: and this is the Part I wou’d gladly embark in on your Account, if you are intent on adopting the Scheme. I have just thrown those few hints together for your Contemplation, and if countenanced, will readily enter into a Detail of Matters agreeable to my own Sentiments; but fearing I may be deficient in Matters that may occur to you, I am in Hopes you will be kind enough to set me right where I may err, and to pardon the Errors likewise.
As this is only intended by Way of Introduction to a personal Conference, I must premise to you, that I must beg the Favour of you to keep the whole Matter a profound Secret until the Dissolution of my present Copartnership, as it might tend to do me an Injury if revealed and that I am confidant is neither your Wish nor Intention. I therefore subscribe myself very respectfully Sir your most obedt Servant

Richard Thompson


Title: Cash Accounts, October 1773
From: Washington, George
To:

[October 1773]

Cash

Octr 6—
To Cash for Smiths Work
£ 0. 4. 0

14—
To Ditto recd from Mr Hooe for my Battoe
12. 0. 0

To Ditto recd from Mr Craven Peyton on Colo. Geo. Fairfax’s Acct
52. 0. 0

16—
To Cash recd from Mr Willm Shaw
20. 2. 0

18—
To ditto recd of Mr Jno. Baynes on Acct of [James] Towers’s Land
10.15. 0

Contra

2—
By a pair of Black silk Hose
0.18. 0

By Cash paid Mr Thos Triplet
20. 0. 0

By Freight of a Barrl of Seed from Annapolis
0. 6. 0

9—
By Cash paid Caleb Stone
6. 0. 0

By Charity
1. 3. 9

12—
By Josh Cash for 58¾ B: Wheat @ 4/ Mill
11.15. 0

By Cash pd Do for 177 lbs. Tobo over his Rent
1. 0. 0

15—
By Charity to Captn [John] Posey
4. 0. 0

By Mr [John] Baker Surgeon Dentist
5. 0. 0

16—
By Cash paid John Hagan
1.16. 0

18—
By Ditto paid Gilbert Simpson
30. 0. 0

By Mr John Hough for Quit Rents pr Quitrent & Rect Book
16.17. 1

By Mr Frans Willis on Colo. Fairfax’s acc.
10. 0. 0

By a pair of Leather Breeches for Giles
1. 2. 0

19—
By Cash paid David Cowan in full
12. 7.10

By Ditto pd Dominicus Havenor [Gubner] Do
20. 0. 0

By travellg Exps. to Williamsburg
4.11. 9

By Servants
0. 6. 3

22—
By Cash paid my Mother
15. 0. 0

27—
By Ditto paid Doctr [John] Baker
3. 0. 0

By Ditto gave Colo. [Edmund] Pendleton moving for Settlemt of my Guardianship Acct
1. 0. 0

By Taylor
0. 3. 3

30—
By Cash gave Billy Bassett
0. 6. 0

By an Almanack
0. 2. 6


Title: To George Washington from Gilbert Simpson, 1 October 1773
From: Simpson, Gilbert
To: Washington, George

Sr
Youghagahanay [Pa.], October the 1: 1773

This is To Let you know That I have paid your money To Capt. Crawford who says it has been alreydey paid and I have Found all my affairs out heare well but very hard seet To Get any Carpenters work don and seems as hard seet To Get wagons To move me out and very dear if I Geet aney and I am affraid I shall not Com down before you seet out for Williamsburg but as our out Goings is Great at First I hope in almighty God the inCom Will be Great at Last and I Sr beg you would Leeve money To support The parnership at present For as yet I do nont know how money will stand with me unteel I Return home For I Expect To be under nesessaty to Credet out the Greatest part of my affairs at home For sum months and Sr pray let me have Two Negros of the kind I wrot To you For and Sr please To Leeve The money For the mill For I believe ther is no dout of her Going Teen months out of Twelve and I shall want 5000 Nails and Eight bushels of salt Four of Fine and Fore Cors I Should be very glad To see you but my being disapointed of geting Carpenters has put me To a Great unplus but I do Expect To be down by the 20 of the month and shall bring you Letters From Capt. Crawford so Sr I Remand your humble Servant

Gilbt Simpson


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Oliver, 2 October 1773
From: Oliver, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Sr
Marlbrough 2d Octr 1773

I had forgot to request the favour of you To order down by the vessel that comes For the Wheat a Cask of the best flower. It will save me the trouble of sending to Mr Brent’s Mill which in winter is sometimes daingerous. You’l Much Oblige Sr your Obt Humle Sart

Thos Oliver


Title: From George Washington to John Armstrong, 10 October 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Armstrong, John

Dear Sir
Mount Vernon Octr 10th 1773.

Upon my return home from the Annapolis Races (from whence I wrote you, committing the Letter to the care of Captn McGachen of Baltimore Town, who assured me it should be forwarded the Week after) I receivd a Letter from Lord Dunmore our Governor, containing the following Paragraph, which I inclose for your information, agreeable to my promise.

I last Post receiv’d yours of the 12th Instt (that is Septr) wherein you beg to be informed whether I propose granting Patents on the Ohio to such Officers & Soldiers as claim under his Majesty’s Proclamation in 8ber 1763. I do not mean to grant any Patents on the Western Waters, as I do not think I am at present empowered so to do. I did indeed tell a poor old German Lieutt who was with me, and informed me he was very poor & had ten Children that I possibly might grant him a Patent contiguous to that which he had under Mr Dinwiddie’s Proclamation, which I suppose is what may have given rise to the report you have heard.

I was suspicious, as I think I wrote you in my last, that the report of Lord Dunmores granting Patents was rather premature; for after declaring to the Officers of his own Government that, he did not conceive himself at liberty to Issue Patents for Lands on the Western Waters, I could scarce think he would change his opinion without giving them some intimation of it, either in a publick, or private manner; and yet, there are some words in his Letter (which I have markd) which seem to Imply an expectation at least of doing it. It remains therefore to be considered, whether the Officers claiming under his Majesty’s Proclamation of 1763 have a better chance of securing their lands elsewhere; and if they have not, whether the known equity

of their claims, the prevailing opinion that Bullet is proceeding by authority in the surveys he is now making, and the united endeavors of the officers to obtain patents for the lands actually surveyed, may not discourage other emigrants from settling thereon; and, in the end, induce government to comply with their just requisitions by fullfilling its own voluntary promises. I own it is a kind of lottery, and whether the chance of a prize is not worth the expense of a survey, is the point in question. As subjects and individuals of the community at large, we are at least upon a par with those who are occupying the country; but whether any of these pleas, under the present discouragements of government, will avail anything, is a mere matter of speculation, on which every person must exercise his own powers of reflection.


Title: From George Washington to James Gildart, 12 October 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Gildart, James

Sir,
Mount Vernon October 12th 1773

Upon a Review of my Books, there appears to be a Balle due from you, to me, on my own private Acct. of £34.6.9½. Please to examine how this matter stands on your Books, and if found right remit the money to Robt Cary Esqr. & Co. Merchants in London whose discharge will be good against Sir Yr most Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Samuel Athawes, 15 October 1773 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Athawes, Samuel

Letter not found: to Samuel Athawes, 15 Oct. 1773. On 12 Feb. 1774 Athawes wrote GW: “I am now to acknowledge the receipt of your several Favors of the 25th Sepr & 15th octor last.”