Title: To George Washington from George William Fairfax, 10 January 1774
From: Fairfax, George William
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir,
York [England], January the 10th 1774

Your very Obliging favour of the 15th of October, covering a Copy of one dated the 25th of Septr last is just come to me, the Original Letter, I have not received. After perusing yours, I am ashamed to find that my affairs gives you so much trouble, it was not my Intention to add to the multiplicity of business. I know you are engaged in more than I could possibilly avoid, which I endeavoured to express in Writing, when I asked your Permission to leave a Power of Attorney with you, as I thought it was absolutely necessary to have it in the hands of a Person of Probity and consequence, for the purposes mentioned in that Letter, and least you should think I intended to put the labouring Oar into your hand, I carefully avoided any mention of those matters you are so kind to inquire into, but I must own, was it not from the apprehension of being so troublesome there is not a Gentn in Virginia I should think myself so happy in having the direction of my Estate. And since you are so kind to

desire me, I will endeavour to be as Explicit in what I wish should be done with my Interest as possible.
In the first place, then my good Sir, the Chancery business, I came here to Prosecute, will probably detain me some Years, and to You my Friend, I will speak still more plain, and say at present I have no thoughts of returning to Virginia at any distance of time, nothing will carry me over, except I find this Climate disagrees with me, and at present I have no reason to think that will happen, as I have been vastly well ever since I landed. But in Case I should ever return, I should not choose to live at Belvoir, but would fix myself in the Southern part of the Country, and nearer to the Metropolis, at a Place of my Wife’s Brothers. Therefore, I have no Objections to letting Belvoir for a Term of Years, seven, eleven, or fourteen, but would not choose to exceed that time, as I don’t expect to Live to see the Lease expire, and as the Value of Lands is every Year increasing, I think the term above is a sufficient encouragement for any Renter.
I am willing the House, Garden, Pasture, and any quantity of arrable Land, the Leaser shall choose, shall go together. The Fishery at the branch also, provided the Person who Rents the House will give as much for it as others, but I think tis probable, the Fishery will Rent best alone, and am willing to Farm it by the Year, or give a Lease for five of [or] seven Years, as may be choose by the Person that desires to take it, I think the Fishery is well worth Fifty Pounds a Year, but must sollicit the favor of you to Lett it to the best bidder, for what it will give, and where there is a probability that the Rent will be paid.
As to my complying with your desire in fixing a Price upon Belvoir, tis absolutely out of my power, and therefore Intreat you to do it for me, as you are upon the Spot, and will know what Land may be wanted with the House & Gn but provided you do not choose to fix the Rent yourself, I beg that you’l prevail with any two impartial Gentn to do it, and I shall be Content and thankfull. I would not choose to Rent the Negroes, but wish to remove them to Berkley. As to Mr Wageners offer, I never thought of that, farther than I believe it was intended to take in J. Carlyle, before whom He made it, but ’tis to be considered that the three hundred a Year was  for the House, Lands, Servants, and all the Workers at that time on the Farm. The

Stock may be removed, or lett, with the House as you please. As Furniture is not the better for keeping, I could wish it should be sold and would have it sett up, at that in Currency, which it cost sterling, by which means it will bring as much more as the Purchaser pleases to bid. I left with Mr Willis an Inventory of all things as they then stood, particularried by the Rooms, they where in, also the Ship Notes, that He should know the Value of this Furniture, and If I am not greatly mistaken, a Writen direction for the Sale, also an Exact Acct of what I had engaged to Mr Bushrod, Doctor Brooke, and my Sister Washington. It was hinted to me by many People, that Lord Dunmore would be very glad to Rent Belvoir, as a Summer retreat. If He or any other Person of abilities is desirous of taking all the Lands, with the Liberty of cutting Fire wood, getting Timber for the use of the Premises, and clearing Land for tillage, I am also willing to lett it in that way, with the Stock provided the Rent is proportionable, but West point, with its Fishery, I could wish to gratify Daniel Stone, by letting it to him. He offered me a very good Rent for it, and as it’s so far from the Mantion House, I can’t think the Person inhabiting it, can have any reasonable objection to his living there. As the Store House, and lower Landings are both very good Fisherys, and must go with the House, I am sorry it is not in my power to answer Mr Willis’ Letter, I find it was enclosed in yours that miscarried, I must trust to his Prudence to make the Disbursments of the Berkley affair as easy to me as possible, for here I am at great Expense, every necessary of Life being now near double since I was an Inhabitant of this Place eleven years ago.
Least it should increase your trouble (which in every instance I endeavour to avoid) I fixed with Mr Lane, to remitt me the Fees of Office in Bills of Exchange, but if I find him tardy in his Payments, and you are so good as to give me leave, I shall direct him to pay into your hands.
In the Escritoir, I left in my little Room (and directed should be sent to Mount Vernon) was some Bonds, in a small left hand drawer of the Desk part. Mr Warner Washington I intended should lay till it was convenient to Him to pay or my necessity oblige me to call it in. A Bond of Col. Carlyle’s also I desired may lay till M[ess]rs Dalton, Piper and M. Campbell have settled the Bloomery Company Acct also my Private Acct with that Gentn.

I had a Bond of Colonel Stephens’s, but am uncertain whether I left it, in the same drawer or put it in Mr Peyton’s hand, with others for him to Collect, in the same drawer I left a memorandom of all the Bonds, Notes of hand (etc.). My Book of Accounts, I left with Messr Adam and Campbell, who kindly undertook to ⟨draugh of⟩ a list of Ballances, and then to deliver them, with the Book to you. Except the two Bonds before mentioned, the sooner all other Debts are Collected, the more agreeable to me. I shall be much obliged to you, if you wont mention or hint my design of ending my days in England, ’tis obvious that if I declared it many Person would endeavour to superceed me in my Office, which I desire to hold as long as I can gett leave of absence.
The Parliament has just mett, and from the Throne, We here of nothing but pasificts dispositions in all the Princes of Europe (except Russia and the Porte). This is not altogether Credited by the Subjects. Poore Ireland is vastly to be Pitied, as it is thought she is greatly oppressed. The Gentn of the I. Kingdom often compare Notes with me, but I tell them that America has rather the advantage, by being at such a distance, and having it in their power to prevent becoming Slaves to Ministers.
It would make me vastly happy to have it in my Power to Show you by Action, and not by words only, that I am grateful for your kindness to me, and I beg if its in my way to serve you, on this side of the Water, you will freely command me. Mrs Fairfax joins me in our most Respectful Compliments to you, good Mrs Washington, Mr Custis, and all our old neighbours, and remain Dear Sir Your Most Obedt and very humble Servt

G.W. Fairfax


Title: To George Washington from James Hill, 10–12 January 1774 [letter not found]
From: Hill, James
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from James Hill, 10–12 Jan. 1774. GW wrote Bartholomew Dandridge c.12 Feb.: “I had receivd . . . an imperfect acct of your Interview with Mr [William] Black from Mr Hill (dated the 10th or 12th of Jany).”


Title: From George Washington to George Young, 13 January 1774 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Young, George

	Letter not found: to George Young, c.13 Jan. 1774. On c.13 Jan. 1774 Robert Adam wrote to GW: “I am favoured with yours, as Also for My Young.”


Title: To George Washington from Robert Adam, 13 January 1774
From: Adam, Robert
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
[c.13 January 1774]

I am favoured with yours, as Also for Mr Young which I have delivered him; he seems Satissfyed with your proposal and senceable that he will save more than he Could in Such a place as Bladensburgh from the Wages he had there, And now waits upon you himself—I have Dropt two lines to the Doctr desereing to let me know if there was any particular reason for his leaveing his Employ when I receive an Answer I shall Comunicate it to you.
In regard to the duty if it was petitioned for to be local Im doutfull some dificulty would Arise in transporting Rum from on[e] district to another by which it might Injure the trade of the Other Rivers in the Same way we are Situated with Maryland it is Coustoomary to transport Rum from One District to Another with a permitte, that, it has been Legally entered & paid the duty Suppose this District was exempted from duty & that sum made good in the manner proposed, Any Rum transported from this River to any other the permitte could Only express that it had been entered but no duty paid, it must therefore be Subject to the duty if carryed to any other district, or be Runn in to these Rivers in the same manner it is from Maryland here, And this Im Affraid would be too much the Case, but were there no inconveniences of this kind Im Certain the Mode proposed would Raise a larger Sum than is at present Colected at the Office, and was it possible to have the Tax made Generall Im Confident it would Raise more than is at present Colected from all the Offices but this might be better Acertained upon a further enquiry Should the Plan proposed not take it might be the means of introduceing some other wc. might answer the same purpose I wish some thing Effectuall could be done, its both a pity & a Shame that this River & Countray Around Should be so Eftually debared from Carrying on a Trade that must benifite

allmost every Individual and its Natural Channel should be from the West Indies here, and not the Round about way from Philadelphia here at Second hand, I am in hopes some plan may be falln on for our Relief And I hope you will Interest your self in our behalf till we may be perseverence perhaps gain some Relief. I am Sir Your Most Humb: Servant

Robert Adam


Title: To George Washington from William Crawford, 15 January 1774
From: Crawford, William
To: Washington, George

Dr Sir
Spring gardin [Pa.] Jany 15th 1774

Inclosed is the Expences of Last sumers Trip a survaying the soldiers Land, and two Small things omited in the former Acounts four Bags Roted out the first Trip in the wett weather and the Kaggs was let go on the Difrent times com up for Provision to people and maid use of going Down to put flower and salt in.
Should you have setled with the Company for the hole never mind them you may strick them out of the account.
I do not Remember wheather I mentioned Coll Muses Account to you in my other letters; he Drew an order to me on you which Sum is the Expence of Deviding the Ld and I know he intends Charging you more, but I do not think he Ought to be paid any Other, as he has Expended Double as much as there was any Occasion for.
I have Drawn an order on you in fever of John Hite for fifty pounds, which pay when it suts you; I have wrote him I must wait your time; as you had not got your affairs Setled, I cold not Draw Emedetly on you for Cash, as I did not now that You had Recieved any part of the mony.
I Should be Glad if you can help my Brother Vale. Crawford to any mony or any thing he wants without Disoblidgeing your self; and any thing you want in the spring that I can help you to, it shall be Ready for you, if you will let me know by the first Opertunity.
I Intend Publick house Keeping and I am propeard for it now; As I can Live no Longer without that, or Ruining my self, Such number Constantly Traveling the Road and no body Keeping any thing for horses but my self, som Days now If I had Rum I cold mak three pounds a day: I have sent for Rum by V. Crawford, and can Suply you with what you want as Cheep as you can bring it hear for, if you Cary it your self. Your faviour done me now among others Shall be thankfully Repaid by your most Humb. Sarvt

Wm Crawford


Title: From George Washington to William Black, 17 January 1774
From: Washington, George
To: Black, William

Sir,
Mount Vernon 17th Jany 1774

I was not a little surprized when informed by your own letter, as well as from Mr Hills, of Mrs Black’s having refused to acknowledge her right of Dower in the Lands I bought of you. Did you not repeatedly assure me, that she was ready at all times, to relinquish her right? And did she not signify as much to me herself, as I brought her from Williamsburg to Colo. Bassett’s? From whence then does this sudden change proceed? Is it because I placed more confidence than I ought, & to make things agreeable to you, & convenient to your Creditors, paid the money in Williamsburgh, when I was not obliged to do it ’till the Title was effectually secured, & had ’till the 25th of Decr to do this in? A generous mind wou’d recoil at such a thought; & yet, what other construction can I put upon this change. You say, “I tell her, she only wants the customary compliment:” for my own part, I know of no compliment established by Custom; I have bought many pieces of Land before these, & never had a demand of the kind; nor can I harbour so unfavourable an opinion of Mrs Black, as to think she is influenced by so low & pitiful a consideration; however, if I misjudge the matter, and the custom is, as you say, you must have comply’d with it yourself; whatever therefore you have given to others, for these very Lands, I will (tho’ I think myself under no obligation to do it) give to Mrs Black, which will remove that objection. But if I was surprized at this refusal of Mrs Blacks, how much more so ought

I to be, at your attempting, According to Mr Hills account, to withhold the Mill’s, which is solely an act of your own? Under what pretext is this done? Do you not remember, that by our agreement you were to deliver possession of the Plantations, Mills & every thing thereunto belonging, immediately after the 25th of Decemr; & that you are bound to do this in a Bond of £11,000? But this bond you tell me must be given up to you, before you can surrender possession of the premises, when one of the express conditions of it, is to enforce a compliance: Is not your request therefore, a very reasonable & proper one? To convince you that it is so, I enclose you a copy of the Bond (as you certainly have forgot it) accompanied with this assurance, that I shall hold fast the original ’till you have complyed with the conditions of it; after which, as it is not intended, nor can have any further operation, it is a matter of moonshine in whose hands it is lodged, or what becomes of it.
Thus much respecting the Dower & Detainer in general, I shall observe further to you, that though it never was my intention on desire, to hasten Mrs Black out of the House, whilst the weather continued unfavourable, yet, when you applyed for this & some other indulgencies, did I not always tell you, that I thought myself under no obligation to enter into a second contract on this head? And did I not moreover refuse to sign an instrument of writing which you had drawn, declaratory of your wants because I chose to be govern’d by circumstances, & the future conduct of your people; not that I had any objection, (as I dare say I might tell you) to your Negroes staying on the plantations to finish your crops, & take care of your stocks, provided there was room for my people, & yours behaved themselves well, neither disturbing of us in our operations, nor committing of waste; so in like manner respecting the Vessell: but these things being apply’d for as matters of indulgence, after you had enter’d into a Solemn contract to deliver up the whole, on or before the 25th of December; whence comes it, that, after having fulfilled every tittle of the Contract on my part, you should conceive yourself at liberty to withhold the Mills, & talk of not delivering up possession, ’till I should first surrender a Bond, whch is the only security I have for your doing of it, & for indemnifying me against Mrs Blacks claim; after I have paid every farthing of the purchase money.

Is there honour, justice or equity in such kind of proceedings? No Sir, there is not, & to cut the matter short, I have directed Mr Hill to wait upon you, & before evidences to demand immediate possession of the two Mills—to view & note down, before the same evidences, the order & condition of the houses &c., occupied by you & your people—to require you to hasten the finishing of your crops, that all your people, except such as are necessary for the care of your stocks may be transported—and lastly, that you may remove yourself & Family, as soon as the weather will permit Mrs Black to go with convenience, that my people may have the free & uninterrupted management of the whole purchased premises. And to this, I have to add by way of hint to you, that, whatever accident or damage, comes to the Mills Mill-Dams, or any house, houses, or other things in your occupation; I shall look to you for full & ample reparation for the same; as I also do, for the profits of the Mill ’till surrender’d, which can easily be ascertained by your own advertisements. It was far from my expectation, & much further from my desire, to enter into a litigation of these points, but I shall conceive it a duty incumbent on me to assert a just right, and to see that the bargain which we have made, is reciprocally complied with.
I do not incline to take any part of your household furniture—the fixtures appurtaining to the houses, I expect will remain entire—but if Mr Hill should choose (I do not know that he does) to take any part, or all of your Stocks, & you & he can agree upon the terms, he has my consent: but as to the Negro Miller & wife, I shall not interfere in the purchase of them, for if Mr Hill shou’d like the Negroes & price, I suppose he will buy them; if he does not, he would be to blame to do it. I am, Sir Your very humble Servant

G: Washington

P.S. The Bond from Col: Byrds Trustees to me, I have by this opportunity sent to Mr Wythe, from whom you can get it, so soon as he thinks it ought to be given up: the other may also be surrender’d, so soon as you have comply’d with the conditions of it. G. W.


Title: From George Washington to George Wythe, 17 January 1774
From: Washington, George
To: Wythe, George

Sir,
Mount Vernon Jany 17th 1774

I find my trouble is not like to be at an end with Mr Black; Mrs Black (by his procurement I think I could almost venture to say) has refused to execute the Deeds you drew from them to me; and which is still more extraordinary, he himself has denied possession of the Mills (as Mr Hill informs me) & the other premises generally, as you may see by his letter to me, forwarded to Mr Hill, ’till I have first surrendered his Bond, which is the only security I have for his doing of that, & indemnifying me against the Claim of his Wife’s Dower; (unless I relinquish the Bargain altogether, & resort wholely to Colo. Byrds Trustees for a return of the 5,000 pounds & to Black for the remaining £500, which I have no inclination to do, as I presume you were satisfied with the title)—Under these circumstances I have directed Mr Hill to wait upon you for your advice: he can inform you of matters as they stand, between him and Mr Black, & shew

you a letter which I have wrote to the latter, & sent open to him, that he may bear testimony to the contents, & execute my directions therein contained, provided you approve of them; otherwise to follow any other you may think proper to give him. You will also judge, Sir, from what you may hear from Mr Hill—what I have wrote Mr Black—& the whole matter in its present state (which you are pretty well acquainted with) whether I ought to give up the enclosed Bond, as I have accepted of Blacks title, tho’ the conditions of the Contract, on his part, are not complied with; & resort wholely to his own bond, endeavouring under that to enforce a compliance; or whether with propriety, I can, or ought to hold both. Please to drop me a few lines, with your sentiments on this matter by the Post to Alexandria, & in the mean while advise Mr Hill in what manner to proceed, if you disapprove of my direction to him. I am, with very great esteem Sir, Your mo: Obt humble servt

G: Washington

Jany 17th. 1774
P.S. If Black’s Bond can have no operation against him (respecting Dower) ’till dower is actually claimed by Mrs Black, in case she should be the Survivor, and the Bond from Colo. Byrds trustees is not render’d void, by my not declaring myself dissatisfied with Blacks title, & reclaiming my money before the 25th of Decr; query—whether, if Black is pleased with his purchase of the Falls Estate, the keeping hold upon these Gentlemen’s Bond, & requesting them not convey ’till Mrs Black has first done it, may not prove the most effectual means of obtaining her consent. I only ask for information; if upon considering the matter, this should be your opinion, please to let the Speaker know how the matter stands between Black & myself, that they may not be imposed upon by him, as I believe he will stick at nothing to carry his points. Yrs as before. G. W—n


Title: From George Washington to Emmanuel Jones, 25 January 1774 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Jones, Emmanuel Jr.

Letter not found: to Emmanuel Jones, Jr., 25 Jan. 1774. On 18 Feb. Jones wrote GW: “Your favour of the 25th Jany I receiv’d last night.”


Title: Cash Accounts, February 1774
From: Washington, George
To:

[February 1774]

Cash

Feby 2—
To Ditto [cash] recd from Mr Geo: Johnson on Acct of David Kennedys Rent
[£] 35.10.3

To Ditto recd from Bryan Allison Smiths wk
0. 2.0

4—
To Ditto recd from Govr Eden—on acct of the money wch I paid Colo. Carlyle & Mr Campbell for him
32.15.0

19—
To Ditto of Mr John Baynes on acct of James Towers’s Land
5.12.2

21—
To Cash recd from Captn [Thomas] Conway
40. 0.0

To Ditto recd from Messrs Jenifer & Hooe for 200 Barls Supr fine Burr Flour Nett weight 40906 @ 2d. & Cask
357.11.0

25—
To Ditto recd from Doctr Craik his Propn of the Exps. of Suryg the Ohio Lds
8. 3.4

To Cash recd from Mr Thos Gist
0.12.0

28—
To Ditto won at Cards
2.10.0

Contra

Feby 2—
By a pattern of Velveret for Breeches
0.16.4

By Cash paid John Alton
6. 0.0

By Ditto paid Bryan Allison 9 days wk
1.10.0

4—
By Ditto paid Mr [Benedict] Calvert the Price of a Joiner bought by him for me
36. 0.0

By Servants
0. 9.0

12—
By Colo. [George] Muse’s order to Captn Wm Crawford
22.16.8

21—
By Cash pd Mr Jas Mercers order to Mr William Brent
125. 0.0

22—
By Sundry Charges in Mr [Robert] Hooes acct
6. 6.0

By Cash paid Mr Thomas Flemming
6. 0.0

By Cash paid Mr [John] Fitzgerald for a Sattin cloak £3 and 2 lbs. Hyson Tea £2
5. 0.0

By 20 Bushls of Oysters
1. 0.0

26—
By Cash paid Captn [William] Crawford
13.15.6

By Ditto—paid Willm Roberts
7. 0.0

By Chas Turner Cleaning my watch
0. 3.0

28—
By Cash paid Captn Pollock
50. 0.0

By 12 lbs. Hyson, & 1 lb. Congo Tea @ 16/ & 12/
10. 4.0

By Travelling Exps. up to, & down from Berkeley &ca Including £2.0.5 Tavn Exps. at Thos Wests & 12/ pd for takg up my Horses wch were lost there
4.15.7

By Servants in the above journey
0. 9.0


Title: To George Washington from John Connolly, 1 February 1774
From: Connolly, John
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Westmoreland Goal [Pa.] Feby 1st 1774.

I wrote you from Fredericksburgh on my return into this Country, apologizing for my not waiting on you, as I could have wished, & conformable to my promise—I hope you will excuse me for thus intruding upon you, when warranted by so slight an Acquaintance; but the importance of the Subject, with the desire I have to further our intimacy, (I flatter myself) will render me pardonable.
When we slightly touched upon the Pennsylvania Claim to this Western Country, (which I could have wished to have enlarged upon) I was at that time, before, & often since much surprized at the neglect of your Country, in allowing their Claim here, to lie dormant; when every equitable pretension can be urged in her favour. There is now an ample field open for you, & as I think a foundation which will admit of a valuable superstructure. As the Agents of Pennsylvania have latterly extended their Jurisdiction as far West, as the Settlements are formed; the Inhabitants being grievously oppressed, by the enormous expence attending such a course of Justice, applied to His Excellency Lord Dunmore to afford them relief; As I was well convinced that Pittsburgh, Red-Stone, & all the other Western Settlements, could not properly be within the Limits of Pennsylvania; & despising usurpation, as well as feeling the destress of the poor People, I urged the matter warmly to his Lordship, & He hath been pleased, to appoint a number of Magistrates at Pittsburgh, & to the Westward, determining to concert such measures with the Honorabl: House, as might bring the Pennsylvanians to some equitable determination of their Western Boundary; which his Lordship conceived could not be more effectuelly accomplished than by erecting a New Coun⟨ty⟩ to include Pittsburgh. As I was an Officer appointed, I have been committed to Goal for denying the Jurisdiction of Pennsyla at

Pittsburgh, & attempting to act under a Commission from Virginia—You may now observe (Sir) what an extraordinary field you have to look into, & examine your Rights here, compared with Pennsylvania, which most undoubtedly hath usurped Jurisdiction, as well as Territory, (in my humble opinion) affrontive to a Royal Colony. How dangerous to admit of such proceedings, permit me to shew you, by transcribing part of Lord Campden’s opinion on the dispute between Conneticut & Pennsylva.
“If all the Colonies of North America were to remain at this day bounded, in point of right, as they are described in the original Grants of each, I do not beleive there is one Settlement in that part of the Globe, that has not, in some measure, either been encroached upon, or else usurped upon, its Neighbours; so that if the Grants themselves were the only Rule between the contending Plantations, there never could be an end of their disputes, without unsettling large Tracts of Land, when the Inhabitants have no better Title to produce, than either possession, or posterior Grants, which, in point of Law would be superseded by prior Charters. Hence I conceive, that many other Circumstances must be taken into consideration besides the Parchment Boundary; for that may at this day be extended or narrowed by Possession, Acquiescence, or agreement; by the situation & condition of the Territory at the time of the Grant as well as by various other matters.”
This opinion was given in the Year 1761, & from hence you may observe the Scheme of the Proprietaries; which indeed their officers do not fear to conceal; the[y] say as Willm Penn’s Grant by King Charles could not be properly executed, owing to a prior Grant of King James’ to Lord Baltimore, which prevented him from extending as far South, as the Charter specified, & therefore obliged Him to purchase the deficiency from Lord Baltimore; by Virtue of occupancy to the Westward, & the extension of their Jurisdiction, they will insist upon an adequate proportion of the Crown’s Lands, on the Ohio. How equitable this Claim may be, as well as modest, I submit to your opinion, but I am certain however, that if Virginia doth not vigorously exert herself upon this occasion, notwithstanding the just pretensions of that Colony, by prior occupancy, Grants, & Conquest, yet I am sure Pennsylvania will carry the point, by a steady

& politic adherence to her Interest. As you (Dear Sir) have had a principal part in defending this his Majesty’s Territory against the attacks of an open, & publick Enemy, you will also (I flatter myself) contribute no small assistance, in defeating the same sinister designs of a private One. I am Dear Sir your Fd & most obedt Servt

John Connolly

N:B: Please to make my Compliments to Col: Mason your Neighbour, & if you judge proper, you may shew my Letter. I am to be enlarged To Morrow on my Parole of honor, to surrender myself to the Sherrif when demanded, & shall set off for Pittsburgh.


Title: To George Washington from Edward Snickers, 2 February 1774
From: Snickers, Edward
To: Washington, George

Dr Sir
Febry 2 1774

I Receved youres Dated 15 of Desembr the 30 of Jenery and as Soon as the wether is Good as waggins Can travile I Shall Send

you three or fore hundrid Bushils of Good whete and more if I find I have it to Spare and if you Can not make payment in april I must weaight till you Can as I have purchised Mr Huges Rigt Land I Shold be much obliged to you if in youre power to Send me by the Baror Mr Gist a surtifecat that he wase an ofiser under you and Shold be much obliged to you to Derect me in what manner to prosed as he is Confined in fredrick Gale in mereland and I no not when he will be Gate oute or how youre Dereckshons in the above will Graitley oblige youre most obedent Humbil Sarvnt

Ed Snickers


Title: To George Washington from Francis Willis, 7 February 1774
From: Willis, Francis
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
February the 7 1774

Mr Alexanders Deed being not recorded caused some anxiety & uneasiness both to Mr Alexander & myself, Colenel George Fairfax hearing it, in order to be a means of bringing matters to a proper light, gave me the inclosed paper with an injunction not to forget sending it to You, a riddle I cannot comprehend, however here it is: I heartily & sincerely wish your good Lady to whom pray tender my best respects every happiness upon the approaching occasion which by common Fame (& frequently that is not over & above charitable) She has from her Son & Miss Calvert a very promising Aspect in their Union. I promised my Landlord who was with me for my Rent within a few Days of its becoming due to be with him this Month, & as I intended myself the Pleasure of waiting on You, I will postpone it till after the hurry of Mr Custis’s wedding is over, for I am too old to Dance, & very well know, when Old People act out of Character, by desiring to appear Young, Men of Sense justly despise them, &

Young People laugh at them. I am told my Ward formerly & near Relation Lewis Willis made much such a trip on Mrs Frenches account as Your Humble Servant, but of the two, rather worse, for he even never see her, a Scheme I have given over, for it often happens better to go to bed Master & rise Mistress, which under the Rose, is, not always the case when a Man is hampered. I Am, Sir Your Most Obedient Ser. to Command

Francis Willis


Title: To George Washington from Jonathan Boucher, 10 February 1774 [letter not found]
From: Boucher, Jonathan
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Jonathan Boucher, 10 Feb. 1774. On 15 Feb. GW wrote Boucher and referred to “your Letter of the 10th.”


Title: From George Washington to Lord Dunmore, 11 February 1774
From: Washington, George
To: Dunmore, John Murray, fourth earl of

My Lord,
Mount Vernon Feby 11th 1774

Application’s for Certificates, under particular circumstances obliges me to give your Lordship more trouble than I could wish to do in reciting matters specially. This is the case at present in respect to Messrs Valentine Crawford and Hugh Stephenson; the first of whom serv’d as Waggon Master for sevl years, and sometimes had the care of his Majesty’s Stores on the Southern department committed to his charge, in conducting of which he gave general Satisfaction and for his trouble receivd Ten shillings pr Day. The other, Mr Hugh Stephenson, Commanded a Company of Volunteers in the year 1764, wch he rais’d without any expence to the Country and behav’d much to the satisfaction of Colo. Bouquet who thought himself under great obligation to his Services, & his Majesty’s Interest greatly promoted by the activity & good behaviour of that Company. Under these Circumstances My Lord, they respectively address your Lordship for his Majestys Bounty of Lands—I have thought it a piece of justice due them, to offer this testimony of their pretensions; that your Lordship may be enabled to determine the equity of their Claims.
I take the liberty of congratulating your Lordship upon the safe arrival of Lady Dunmore, & the rest of your Right Honble Family at New York, & to make a tender of my Carriage, Horses, & best Services, in case her Ladiship should travel by Land when the Roads & Weather will permit, being with the greatest respect My Lord Yr Lordship’s Most Obed. H. Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 12 February 1774
From: Washington, George
To: Bassett, Burwell

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon, 12 Feby. 1774

I find there will go some matters from this country, which will make my attendance at the Assembly necessary; this I cannot possibly do and go over the Mountains this Spring. I have therefore determined, much against my Inclination & Interest, to postpone my Trip to the Ohio till after Harvest (as I cannot well be absent from home at that Season.) As March therefore (at least the first of it) is a disagreeable Season to travel our Roads In, and as I am obliged ⟨illegible⟩ to run land about the 20th of the month of March, and from thence proceed into Frederick and Berkeley I hope it will be agreeable and convenient to Mrs. Bassett and you to give us the pleasure of seeing you here after that time; the Roads and Weather will be then good: our Fisheries will be then come on, and I think you will have more satisfaction than in an earlier visit.
The Letter herewith Inclosed for Mr. Dandridge contains Black’s Bond which Mr. Wythe has advised me to lodge in some safe hands to be tendered to that pritty Gentleman upon his complying with the Conditions of it. As the care of it is a thing of the utmost Importance, I should be obliged to you (if Captn. Crawford should not go to Mr. Dandridge’s himself) to send the letter by Abram, or some careful Person, least the Bond should get lost.
As I am very much hurried just now, by business of different kinds, and as I presume my Wife has informed Mrs. Bassett of Jack’s Marriage, and all the other little occurrences she can think of, I shall only request you to make my affecte. Complements to her, and the rest of the Family, and believe me to be with great truth.


Title: From George Washington to an Unidentified County Surveyor, 12 February 1774
From: Washington, George
To: Unknown

Dear Sir
Mount Vernon Feby 12th 1774

Satisfied as I am, of the many application’s you must have had made to you, for assistants to Survey the Officers & Soldiers Lands undr the Proclamation of Octr 1763, I can not help taking the liberty of mentioning my Friend & acquaintance Captn Thos Rutherford to you, as one—To say anything in favour of a Gentleman, whose Character is well known, is useless—to you, altogether unnecessary, as you are as well acquainted with Captn Rutherford as I am; I shall only add therefore, that, your favours to him, on this occasion, will be considerd in the light of an obligation conferd on Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Samuel Athawes, 12 February 1774
From: Athawes, Samuel
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
London 12th Feby 1774.

As my Friend the Honble George Wm Fairfax Esqr. has long since acquainted you with his arrival & of his Situation at York my Congratulations on the occasion will come very late however they are very Sincere & the Proverb says better late than never. By a Letter which I have lately received from him I find both himself & his Lady have had a kind of seasoning, indeed we have had a very extraordinary variable Winter one day a severe Frost & the next sometimes very close & Foggy however they were both pretty well recovered & seem in very good Spirits.

I am now to acknowledge the receipt of your several Favors of the 25th Sepr & 15th octor last & to acquaint you that the Letters they coverd & the two Packages from Capt. Boucher are forwarded to your Friend Mr Fairfax at York.
If there should be any Tobo for the Neptune this year I shall take it as a particular Favor if you would write to my Friend Colo. Nelson at York that Capn Punderson on his arrival knowing the Quantity may immediately dispatch Craft for them I hope to get him away sometime in March.
I know not whether my Friend the Revd Mr Burnaby & yourself hold any Correspondence but I am confident he holds you very gratefully in his remembrance & very truly in his Esteem—he called upon me a few days since, was very particular in his Enquirys respecting your Health & expressd no small Satisfaction at the acct I was enabled to give him from your Letters & from what I had heard Colo. Fairfax say of you when he left Virginia. I am with Esteem Dear Sir Your very Obedt Sert

Saml Athawes


Title: To George Washington from Robert Adam, 14 February 1774
From: Adam, Robert
To: Washington, George

Sir
Alexandria Feby 14th 1774

In regard to your Design of importing Palantines into Virginia I beleve it would be attended with some difficulty from severall Circumstances, they are in generall much prejudiced against comeing into Virginia or Maryland as in either they are not allowed the same liberty of Concience in enjoying their own Religion, this Naturealy Inclines them more to Pensilvania, as

well as the Number of their Countrey men Allready settled in that Goverment, they are generally brought in there by Return ships that have Carryed Sugar or Rice to some port of Holland. And I am informed the[y] have not the same Liberty of transporting themselves they useually had, and that the same Number does not come to Pensila there formerly did, they are brought off now as it were by Stealth, and not suffered to bring any Effects with them—there are no Cargoes that can be shiped from this Countrey to Holld till they are first Landed in some port of England. As many of the Glassgow ships go there with Tobo, if you intended such a plan it would be best to engage one of them to bring them out, on the best terms you could they are generally put on Board at so much a freight a full grown person makes a freight under Sixteen years of Age three persons make two freights and Children in proportion, the Vessels make them pay I believe about Eight pound Sterling a freight after they come into this Countrey but if the Money was Advanced them in Holland I suppose better terms might be made perhaps between 4 or 5£ a freight, there would be a necessity for you to send a trusty Dutch Man or German home to engage the people & make them fully accquanted with the encouragement you intend them in Order to help to wipe of the generall Dissgust they have at comeing to this Countrey—but I should imagine the Scotch or Irish Farmer would Suit you as well & would be much easeyer gott in, many of them Might be gott here at this time, as they are much disstressed in their own Countrey—I shall endeavour to inform my self better of the Palantine Trade & inform you hereafter.
There is no Currant to be had in town nor D[ouble] Refined Sugar[.] I have sent two Loaves of Single Refd & a ps. Common ⟨Cheepe⟩ which I suppose will Answer the purpose you intend it. The Mollasses I bespocke for you some time ago is gone Mr Henly says Mr Washington was to Advise him in a day or two if he took it and not hearing from him dissposed of it, Capt. Conway has none I can gett you a Hhd from Mr Hartshorn, he says very good but I have not yet seen it, there is Reasins to be gott if they will do in place of the Currants. I am Resspectfully Sir Your Most Humb: Sert

Robert Adam

your boy has been detained a little as I have but just now received the letter, wc. he had me mention.


Title: To George Washington from John Page, 14 February 1774
From: Page, John
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir,
Febry 14th 1774

I have at last purchas’d Mr John Rootes’s Land for you. He this Day assign’d the Governors Warrant for it, to me, for your Use. I don’t chuse to inclose it, for fear my Letter may miscarry, and am in hopes it will suit your Purpose as well, to receive it at Fredericksburg, the first Day of April; when I expect to have the Pleasure of meeting with you there. No Money will be requir’d of you, ’til I see you, and you think the Land sufficiently secur’d. I am Sir, Your very Servt

John Page


Title: From George Washington to Jonathan Boucher, 15 February 1774
From: Washington, George
To: Boucher, Jonathan

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon Feby 15th 1774

Before Mr Beall deliver’d me your Letter of the 10th, which came to hand later than I expected (under a supposition of his willingness to undertake my business on the Ohio) I had conditionally agreed with Mr Vale Crawford for this purpose; who you must know, had Imbark’d in a Courting Scheme (in this neighbourhood) and, as I conceiv’d the task of pleasing a Master & Mistress, equal to that of two Masters, I made a point of his settling this business some how or other with the Lady—before he undertook mine; and this he did unfavourably to his wishes, the very day Mr Beall came here & was at liberty for ⟨me⟩.
I should have mentioned this to you by Mr Beall, but was a good deal hurried just at that time by sevl Person’s on business, who chanc’d to fall in here just as he did. Mrs Washington Desires me to thank you for your kind congratulations on her Son’s Marriage; & with Complimts to Mrs, Miss Boucher, & yourself in which we both join, I remn Dr Sir Yr Most Obt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Lewis, 17 February 1774
From: Washington, George
To: Lewis, Thomas

Sir,
Mount Vernon Feby 17th 1774.

Whilst I was in Williamsburg, which place I left a few days before the sitting of the Oyer Court in Decemr last; I heard that you, your brother & Colo. Preston, were expected in Town about that time. I took the liberty therefore to address a pretty long letter to my old friend & acquaintance Colo. Andw Lewis respecting some landed matters of my own, & to request him (as it seemed to be the determination of the Govr & Council, that the Officers warrants should be executed by the County Surveyor) to use his interest with you, to obtain a deputation for Capt: Wm Crawford to survey in the District between the Monongahela & Ohia, from Fort Pitt downwards, as far as you might choose to extend it. By an unlucky mistake, & in a hurry, the letter which the Colo. intended for you, he put under cover to me, which I shall be the more concern’d at, if when he made the discovery, he did not address you a second Letter, by the conveyance he intended the first, & to the same purport. I now send his letter by express, having had no opportunity which I chose to embrace of doing it. It would not have been delayed so long, but

for my waiting the coming in of Capt: Crawford, who never arrived here ’till yesterday; & who now earnestly joins your Brother & me, in solliciting the above favor; which, be assured Sir, I shou’d not interest myself in, if I did not view him in the light of a very deserving man, strugling in that western Territory for a livelihood, after rendering his country the best Services he was capable of, during the War.
Your Brothers letter to you, & to myself (both enclos’d) will inform you of his reasons for returning my warrants. I am satisfied with the propriety of his conduct therein, tho’ I am concern’d at the delay; because I propose presently to inform you of the motive which induced me to wish for my Certificates with as much expedition as possible. for this purpose I now enclose you a warrant for 50,000 acres of Land, as also the surveys which Capt. Crawford has made for me in that country: these I intended, if the New Colony had taken place on the Ohio, to have patented in that Governmt, if I could not obtain them under the Proclamation of 1763; for this reason it was, I had them survey’d. If therefore Sir, you will do me the favour to Grant a Certificate (by which I can apply for & obtain a Patent for the Tract of 2913 acres, which may, as I am content, be call’d 3,000) I shall acknowledge myself exceedingly obliged to you, & you may rest assured, I would not ask you to do this, if I thought there was any impropriety, or that there could be any imposition in the matter. The other survey of 515 acres, I am at a loss what to do about it; the quantity is too small to locate a 1000 acres upon, and yet, rather than lose it, I must do so: Permit me to ask then, if the matter can be so managed upon your Entry book, as to secure this tract against the attempts of any other, upon condition of my surrendering one thousand acres of my claim for it, in case of any other application, but yet for me to have the privilege, of redeeming it as it were, by purchasing up sundry small claims to the amount of the Tract, & locating of them upon that spot. If this can be done, I should much prefer it as I must otherwise lose near 500 acres of Land, or obtain it of mountain: but as I said before, rather than not secure this tract of 515 acres, I wish to do it at the expence of 1000 acres of my claim; as there has been an unjustifiable attempt made to take it from me.
I shall upon getting Patents for these Lands (on your Certificates)

pay you the same Fees, as if actually surveyed by yourself, or Deputy; & the reason which makes me so anxious to have them returned into the office (as hinted before) is honestly this. Mr Wood who went into the Government of West Florida last summer, was commanded by me among others (as I saw little prospect at that time of obtaining a Grant for Lands under the royal Proclamation) to locate my quantity there; but he was inform’d by Govr Chester (who had left England not long before) it was Lord Hilsborough’s opinion, that Provincial officers were not comprehended in that Proclamation. This, altho’ it is not the only proof of his Lordship’s malignant disposition towards Americans, may yet, if known to our Governor, though it ought not to be any rule for his conduct, as he has never been so instructed, set on foot an enquiry by which the proceedings here may be suspended. This, believe me Sir, as I conceive the services of a Provincial Officer as worthy of reward as those of a regular one, & can only be withheld from him with injustice, is the only reason of my wishing to hasten my Certificates into the office, for otherwise the disadvantage of doing it, is apparent, on account of the short time allow’d for cultivation & improvement. I am, Sir yr very humble Servant.

G: Washington


Title: From George Washington to James Tilghman, Jr., 17 February 1774
From: Washington, George
To: Tilghman, James Jr.

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 17th Feby 1774

I am going to give you a little trouble because I am perswaded you will excuse it—no good reason you’ll say, but it is the best I have to offer. Interested, as well as Political Motives, render’s it necessary for me to Seat the Lands which I have Patented on the Ohio in the cheapest, most expeditious, and effectual manner. Many expedients have been proposed to accomplish this; and none, in my judgment, so likely to succeed as by the Importation of Palatines: but how to do this upon the best terms, is the question; Few of these kind of People ever come to Virginia; whether because it is out of the common course of its Trade, or because they, themselves, object to it, I am unable to determine; & shall therefore take it very kind of you to resolve me the following question’s, which I am perswaded you can do with precission, by enquiring of such Gentleman as have been engaged in this Business.
1st Whether there is any difficulty in getting them in Holland? and from whence does it proceed?
2d Whether they are to be had at all times; particular times only; and the Season?
3d In what manner are they procured in Holland? are they engaged previous to the arrival of the Ships there; or do Vessels go there upon uncertainty?
4th Upon what terms are they generally engaged, & how much pr Poll do they commonly stand the Importer deliverd at Philadelphia every charge Included.
5th Is it customary to send an honest & Intelligent German in the Ship which is designed to bring them.
6th Can Vessells go immediately to Holland for them, from hence? and if they can, what articles suit that Market best?
7th If they cannot, what round is best? & Cargo most likely to succeed? In short what Plan would the knowing ones recommend to me as the best to Import a full freight of these German’s? say from one to three hundred Families.
8th And in case of a full freight of them how are their numbers generally proportioned to the Tonnage of a Vessell?
Your favour in getting these several queries answered, with any other Information which you may think necessary to give, I

shall gratefully receive; as I am totally unacquainted with every thing of the kind.
The hard, & continued Frost since the Middle of December has confind every body to their own homes, so that I have nothing New to entertain you with—Wheat in Alexandria has been in brisk demand all the year, and kept almost invariably at 5/ pr Bushel—Flour has also met with a pretty ready Sale at 12/. Jack Custis could not be content till he had got a yoke fellow in Nelly Calvert, to whom he was Married the 3d Instt. I hope althô you have remov’d from this part of the World, you do not mean to forsake us altogether, and that it is unnecessary to add that, I shall at all times be happy in seeing you, & yours, at this place. My best respects attend your good Father, Sisters, & Brothers and with very sincere regard I remain Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington

P.S. After making the above enquiries, be so good as to ask some of the Palatine Importers, what they would deliver two hundred Families (not much incumberd with Children) at Alexandria for—or even at Philadelphia. Also enquire, whether a request of mine, to my Corrispondant in London to send me a parcel of these people, would be a ready method of getting them—You may perceive I am for trying all things.


Title: To George Washington from Benjamin Stoddert, 17 February 1774
From: Stoddert, Benjamin
To: Washington, George

Sir
Blad[ensbur]gh [Md.] 17th Feby 1774

I have a Tickett No. 5272 in Lord Stirlings Lottery, the Gentn from whom I bought it, tells me the Lottery is drawn, & that you wou’d be kind enough to inform me of the success of my Tickett, which if you do, by a Line directed to me at Bladensburgh, You will much Oblige Sir Yr Obedt Sert

Benja. Cana. Stoddert


Title: To George Washington from Emmanuel Jones, Jr., 18 February 1774
From: Jones, Emmanuel Jr.
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir,
Brafferton 18th Feby 1774.

Your favour of the 25th Jany I receiv’d last night, & am sorry to tell You that my Voice was long since engaged to Mr Madison (our Professor of Mathematics) for his Brother: had my good friend Col: Washington made the least mention to me of Capn Crawford, he might have been assur’d, I would gladly have oblig’d him. The Revd Mr Thruston the 1st Instant wrote to me recommending Capn Wm Rutherford (who deliver’d the letter) and Capn Crawford; I told Capn Rutherford, that I should take great pleasure in serving them both, but was afraid I could not, as I had heard Capn Bullett’s ill conduct had occasion’d an order of Council not to appoint any more Extra-Surveyors how true this report may be, I cannot with certainty affirm.
The best method that I can point out for Capn Crawford is to get a Deputation from the Surveyor of the County in whose Precinct the Part he desires is contain’d; if he can do that, I hope he will succeed, especially if he is expeditious in his Application. Our City has long expected the Arrival of Lady Dunmore: Bonfires, Illuminations &c. have been order’d these ten Days, but

none yet lighted. My best respects attend Mrs Washington, who I should be very glad in having the pleasure once more to see. I am Dr Sir, Yr most obedt humble Servt

Emmanuel Jones


Title: To George Washington from Robert Brent, 19 February 1774
From: Brent, Robert
To: Washington, George

Sir
Aquia, Feby 19th 1774

I have to acknowledge the receipt of both Your Letters to Wm Brent Esqr. & Self—That you have not reciev’d an answer sooner to your first, be kind enough to admit of the following Apology. It was deliver’d to me by the Bearer on my way to Dumfries; as he had to proceed to Aquia, I desir’d him to stay till I came home; I met him early the next Morning. On his return, fearful of being detain’d by the Weather, and expecting to find me in Dumfries, I orderd him to acquaint his Mistress, I propos’d sending the following week a messenger with an Answer to your Letter, and intended to Fairfax January Court. The immediate severity and badness of the Weather prevented my compliance with either the one or the other Mr Wm Brent depended on my answering it.

Its with the greatest reluctance, I must still entreat your accepting the Trust and Qualifying under the Will. I am very sensible of the Multiplicity of your business, and coul’d wish my situation was such, and I coul’d ease you of this. But for many reasons it Will be totally out of my power. Of This, Sir, I made my Aunt Sensible, the Last time I saw her. and begg’d she would appoint some one else, who woul’d have it in their power to Serve her more effectually, than I was sensible I coul’d. Its true, amongst others I principally recommended her to you on the occasion[.] She declar’d that with pleasure she woul’d appoint you to the trust, coul’d she be satisfied you woul’d accept of it. But did not care to do any thing in the matter, before you were consulted. It was on this occasion I waited on you. I must acknowledge your then reluctancy in agreeing to have your name inserted, and was but too sensible of the cogency of your reasons on the Occasion—Indeed As matters has turn’d out, I could have wishd you had refus’d altogether, in that case, another woul’d have been appointed, who, tho. I am convinc’d, woul’d not have Managed the affairs better, than they’ll be, if undertaken by You, yet woul’d have more time and Leisure to attend to them. It gives me much uneasiness, that I should be any ways the cause of taking you from your family or depriving You in any part of your recreation or pleasure—I flatter myself the matter will give you not any great trouble—It’s more than probable Mrs Slaughter from this time will Live in a state of Seperation from her Husband. If that is the case, the trust may be said in some measure to have ceas’d, as it does on her becoming a Widow.
I did intend up to Fairfax this Court: But the uncertainty of the Magistrates sitting added to the deepness of the Roads has caus’d me to defer till March, When I will most undoubtedly be up. I am with the greatest respect Dr Sir Yr most Obt H[umbl]e Sert

Rob. Brent


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 20 February 1774 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Johnson, Thomas

Letter not found: to Thomas Johnson, 20 Feb. 1774. Johnson wrote GW on 21 Feb.: “A Servant just now delivered me your Letter of Yesterday.”


Title: From George Washington to James Wood, 20 February 1774
From: Washington, George
To: Wood, James

Dear Sir
Mount Vernon Feby 20th 1774

I have to thank you for your obliging acct of your trip down the Mississipi, containd in a Letter of the 18th of Octobr from Winchester—the other Letter therein referd to, I have never yet received, nor did this come to hand till sometime in November, as I was returning from Williamsburg.
The contradictory Accts given of the Lands upon the Mississipi, are really astonishing—some speak of the Country as a terrestrial Paradise, whilst others represent it as scarce fit for any thing but Slaves & Brutes—I am well satisfied howe⟨ver⟩ from your description of it that I have no cause to regret my disappo⟨int⟩ment. The Acct of Lord Hilsboroughs Sentiments of the Proclamation of 1763, I can view in no other light than as one, among many other proofs, of his Lordships malignant disposition towards us poor Americans; founded equally in Malice, absurdity, & error; as it would have puzzled this noble Peer, I am perswaded, to have assignd any plausible reason in support of this opinion.
As I do not know but I may shortly see you in Frederick & assuredly shall ⟨at⟩ the Assembly, I shall add no more than that, it will always give me pleasure to see you at this place whenever it is convenient to you, & that with Complimts to your good Mother I remain Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt and Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from John Parke Custis, 20 February 1774
From: Custis, John Parke
To: Washington, George

Hond Sir
Mount Airy Feby 20th 1774

How to express fully my Thankfulness, for the many kind Offers you have lately made Nelly & myself; I find great Loss of Words; and shall endeavour by my future Behaviour & Actions to testify the sincere & just Regard I entertain of them, it would give me great Uneasiness to lay under such irreparable Obligations, were I not confident that they proceeded from a Generous & disinterested Mind, and that the only returns required, were Effection and regard—both of which did not I posses in the highest Degree for You; I should look upon myself to be the most insensible & Ungrateful Being on Earth; and shall strenuously endeavour by my future Conduct, to merit a Continuance of your regard and Esteem.
I had resolv’d to send Joe over tomorrow, to enquire about your Healths, but the Arrival of Giles has agreably alter’d my Plan, and satisfied me in that Particular, about which I grew anxious. I shall dispatch Joe up to Annapolis tomorrow with your Letters, the Answers to which I shal forward to you, as soon as I receive them, which I hope will on Monday, & you will receive them on Tuesday.
All the Family present their respectful Complements & return Thanks; for your kind Enquiry after their Healths they are all well, & expect to see you on Tuesday 1[s]t of March, if the Weather permits. Nelly joins me in Love to Mamma & Yourself, and am with true regard & Effection your much oblig’d

John Parke Custis


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Johnson, Jr., 21 February 1774
From: Johnson, Thomas Jr.
To: Washington, George

Sir.
Annapo[lis] 21 February 1774

A Servant just now delivered me your Letter of Yesterday and told me he was to go out of Town in a few Hours. I expect Mr Calvert will be here Tomorrow or the next Day at farthest by whom I imagine I may cont[r]ive you a more particular and

satisfactory Answer than I can instantly—If you have the Instrumt by which Mr Adams engaged his Vessel for your Security or a Copy of it I should be obliged to you if an Oppty offers witht any extraordinary Trouble that you would send it to me. Your Attachment was renewed instantly on the Return of it.
I have a particular pleasure in your Approbation of our Grant of £3000 for the Western Roads—the ⟨Commrs⟩ are left very much at large. indeed we were not well enough acquainted with the Circumstances of the Country to be very precise in directing the Expenditure of the Money—I have the Honr to be one of seven intrusted in laying out the Money and am so far from a Self sufficiency in the Matter that I shall most gladly receive any Information on the Subject—permit me to assure you I think myself honoured by any Mark of your Confidence or Attention and that instead of thinking your Hints unseasonable I should be very much obliged by an enlargemt on the Subject—I made a shew of pushing for a further Sum for improving the River with a View to secure more certainly the £3000 for the Road for some people look on any Thing less given than requested as so much saved we had a smart struggle for the 3000£ but I have not been idle since[.] I have been endeavouring and I hope with Success to impress my Ideas of the Advantages and practicability of Water Carriage we are to have a Session about the 20th of next Month and I now expect we shall then do something effectual—I am determined never to cease tiezing till some thing is done—As soon as the Bill passed I took my Measures to give an Impression in the Back Country that the laying out the Money on the Road was left much in the Discretion of the ⟨Comrs⟩ who would govern themselves much by the Spirit & Exertion of the Back people I have the pleasure to understand it has so far answered my Expectation that 4 or 500£ is already subscribed to be laid out in assisting with the Road I wish there may be a Surplus not that I think any saving in £3000 is of much Consequence to the Province but if any Thing is saved I think there will be no Difficulty in getting the Application changed to the River—If I was less interested in Carriage from above and an easy Communication with the Back Country I dare say I should be better attended to but being fully satisfied of the general Advantage of cheap and easy Carriage through Potowmack it would be a false Delicacy not to attempt a public Good for fear of Suspicion of

my being actuated solely by private Interest. I purpose to write you fully by Mr Calvert—and remain Sir Your most obedt humble Servt

Ths Johnson Junr


Title: From George Washington to Henry Riddell, 22 February 1774
From: Washington, George
To: Riddell, Henry

Sir
Mount Vernon Febry 22d 1774

Mr Young, hearing me express a desire of Importing Palatines to settle on my Lands on the Ohio, tells me, that, in discoursing of this matter in your company, you suggested an expedient which might, probably, be attended with success; and, if I Inclined to adopt it, wish’d to be inform’d before the sailing of your Ship.
The desire of seating and Improving of my Lands on the Ohio, is founded on interested, as well as Political views; but the intention of importing Palantines for this purpose, was more the effect of sudden, and undigested thought than mature Consideration; because I am totally unacquanted with the manner, as well as expence of doing it; and was led into the notion, principally, from a Report of either this or some other ship of

your’s, being blamed for not taking an offerd freight of these Germans at Forty shillings Sterling—This induced me to think if this charge was not much accumulated by other Expences, that I could fall upon no better expedient to settle my lands with Industrious people, than by such an Importation.
The Terms upon which I have thought of Importing Palatines, or People from Ireland, or Scotland (both of which have been recommended to me) are these—

To Import them at my expence, when they are unable to transport themselves at their own, into this River, and from hence to the Ohio.
To have them in the first case engaged to me under Indenture; In the second, by some other contract equally valid, to become Tenants upon the Terms hereafter mentioned: as without these securities, I would not encounter the Expence, trouble, and hazard of such an Importations. but
To make Matters as easy, and as agreeable as possible to these Emigrants, I will engage on my part, that these Indentures shall be considered in no other light than as a security for reimbursing me every Expence I am run to (with Interest) in importing them—removing them to the Land & supporting them there, till they can raise a Crop for their own subsistance. Giving up the said Indentures, and considering them altogether as freemen and Tenants, so soon as this shall happen; not to each person or Family respectively, but when the whole Accumulated Expence is discharged; as I must for my own safty, consider them as jointly bound to this payment till the Expiration of the Indented Terms, otherwise I must be an inevitable looser by every death, and other Accident; whilst they cannot (in the worst light) be consider’d as more than servants at Large, during the Indented term.
I can also engage to set them down upon as good Land as any in that Country; and, where there is neither house built, nor Land clear’d, will allow them an Exemption of Rent four Years; and, where there is a house Erected, and five Acres of land clear’d and fit for Cultivation, two Years.
I will also engage the Land to them upon lease for Twenty one Years under the usual Covenants; and also at an annual Rent (after the first becomes due) of Four pounds Sterling for each Hundred Acres; allowing each Family to take more or less as Inclination and conv[en]ience may prompt them. And I will

moreover engage to renew the leases at the Expiration of the above Twenty one years; and in like manner at the end of every seven Afterwards, upon an Increased Rent to be agreed on between the Land-lord and tenant; or, in order to fix the matter absolutely, if this shall be more agreeable, the Rent may be Increasd at these periods in Proportion to the increased value of that, or the adjoinining Lands, possessd of equal advantages of soil and Situation.

These are the Terms on which I thought to Import, and Plant People on my Ohio Lands, which are for the Quantity, equal if not superior to any in that Country; laying altogether upon the Ohio or Great Kanhawa; two fine Inland Navigable Rivers (resembling the Rhine in Germany) and abounding in Fish and Wild fowl of all sorts, as the Lands do in wild Meats of the best kind.
From Alexandria to the Navigable waters of ohio along a much frequented road used by Waggon’s, is, according to the computed distance 200 Miles. This Land Carriage if the Inland Navigation of Potomack should be effected, than which I think nothing easier, will be reduced to sixty miles as matters now stand; some say 40; and others are of Opinion to twenty miles; but call it the greater distance, any Commodity made upon any part of these Lands (of mine) may be transported along a very easy water Communication to the Settlement of Red-stone where the Land carriage at this time begins; To say nothing therefore of the advantages of raising stock of all kinds, and Horses, which will carry themselves to Market, and are now and will, from the Nature of things Continue to be in great demand in the Interior parts of this Great Continent; Hemp, Flax, Pottash, Indigo &ca &ca will well afford the Expence of this Land Carriage (admitting it never is reduced) and can be cultivated to Great Advantage on the River bottom’s in that Country, as most, indeed all, of these Lands of mine consist.
Having thus exhibited a general view of my design, I shall now be obliged to you Sir, to Inform me with as much Precission as you can what certainty there is of your ships gowing to Holland? what probable certainty there is of its getting Palatines if it does go there? when they might be expected in this Country? What would be the freight, and as near as you can Judge the

whole Incident Expence attending each person deliverd at Alexandria? And Moreover whether it would be expected that the whole of these Charges (Including freight) should be paid down immediately upon the arrival of the Ship here, as it must Appear rather hard, to make a Certain provision for an uncertain Event.
I was near forgetting to observe that, I should not choose to be Incumberd with a great number of small people (children) because they will add greatly to my trouble and Expence, at the same time that they contribute nothing to my design. I do not however by this mean to be totally exempt from them; but in case of choice, to avoid those Families which have too many of the small fry in them. It may not be amiss further to observe, that I see no prospect of these People being restraind in the smallest degree either in their Civil, or Religious principles; which I take nottice of, because these are Priviledges which mankind are sollicitous to enjoy, and Emigrants must be Anxious to know.
I had wrote to Philadelphia by the last post (previous to the receipt of your Message) for full information of the manner and Charge of Importing these people from Holland. And if your Account in answer to this Letter should prove agreeable to my wishes; I could send a more descriptive Account of the Lands, I want to settle, as well as Copies of the plots and do any other matter or thing which might be judgd necessary to further the design. And am Sir Yr Most Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Lamar, Hill, Bisset, & Company, 22 February 1774
From: Lamar, Hill, Bisset, & Company
To: Washington, George

Sir
Mad[ei]ra, 22 Febry 1774

Since our last respects to you under 13th Septr last We are not favored with any of yours—The Purport of this is principally to forward you the Sales of the 80 Barrs. of Flour you was

pleased to consign us last Septr ⅌ the Sloop Molly Capt. Conway, the Nt proceeds being 421525 that Sum is to your Credit in your Accot Currt also inclosed Balanced by Our Bill of this Date on Messrs Robt Cary & Co. of London for £19.3.3 Stlg Exa. @ ⅚ ⅌ rs is 69685—Our Market is glutted with every Article usually imported here from the Continent, insomuch that your Virga Corn will not rise above the price of 250 ⅌ Alq[ui]re this Season & Wheat 500rs—Should the prospect become better We shall take the Liberty to advise you of it—We are with great regard—Sir Your most obedient humble Servants

Lamar Hill Bisset & Co.


Title: To George Washington from Henry Riddell, 24 February 1774
From: Riddell, Henry
To: Washington, George

Sir
Piscataway [Md.] 24th February 1774

I was unluckily from home, when Mr Young brought your Letter of the 22d to this place, otherwise an answer would have been sent you by him.
When Mr Young mentioned in conversation your desire of importing Palatines to settle your Lands on the Ohio, the remembrance of Capt. Hyndmans haveing refused to accept a freight of 500 of these people, produced in me a thought, that perhaps through the channell of our Companys Agent at Rotterdam, the number you want might be procured; and as our Ships frequently come from thence to this Country, the importing of them might be of advantage to both of us—This reflexion induced me to acquaint you by Mr Young, that a trial of this kind could be made, which if agreeable to you, I would do my utmost to make successfull. But here it is necessary to inform you that my only view of profit in this Scheme, is from the freight—I have no other—I would propose, that you should be charged with the money advanced for procuring the Palatines—if imported at your expense, and to be liable for Interest on that money till paid—also to be accountable for the freight when the people are landed here, which is customary.
With regard to the success of this Scheme I can give you no certainty—The Captn who refused the freight abovementioned, told me, that the German Princes whose Territorys lie upon the Rhine, had prohibited their Subjects from emigrating to America, but that the people get away privately, come down the Rhine in famillys, and Land at Rotterdam, where they wait for Shipping—the 500 Palatines or Germans offered him were such people as above described—they had money sufficient to bring them here, and offered two Guineas ⅌ Poll freight, they to lay in their own Provisions—a Ship bound to Philadelphia accepted the offer.
The only way I can point out for making a trial of this kind, is; for you to write a Letter of Instruction, in which can be inserted the terms on which you would chuse to contract with Germans—the provision you have in view for them, and any other thing which may tend to bend the minds of these People to a

Settlement in Virginia, and also to point out the distinction in making contracts with those who may have money sufficient to bear their charges—and those who may not. This Letter of Instruction I would forward immediately, that means may be used to engage the People, before the Ships arrival at Rotterdam, and if the Plan succeeds, I will agree to transport them to this Country for Two pounds Sterling ⅌ Poll, you to be at the expense of laying in their Provisions and Stores, we to find them Ship room, and to land them either at your Landing, or at Alexandria.
I can certainly say that some of our Companys Ships will go to Rotterdam this ensuing Summer, and it is probable this will be the destination of the Ship to load at the Mouth of Piscataway Creek, if so, her arrival in this Country from thence, may be in August or September; But I cannot with precission say, what the Germans may cost you landed here. For my own part, I am unacquainted with the Business, any further than the information which Capt. Hyndman gave me last Summer—from what he said, I conjecture that the Germans imported into this Country lately, have paid their own Charges, but how they are provided for, or dispose of themselves after being imported, is what I am entirely ignorant of, however this I could know by writing to Philadelphia.
It would give me pleasure to be of service to you in this importation—And I am Sir Your very hble Servt

Henry Riddell


Title: To George Washington from Craven Peyton, 27 February 1774 [letter not found]
From: Peyton, Craven
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Craven Peyton, 27 Feb. 1774. This letter is listed in Thomas Birch Sons catalog no. 663, item 68, 21–23 April 1891.


Title: Cash Accounts, March 1774
From: Washington, George
To:

[March 1774]

Cash

Mar. 12—
To Cash of John Reiley for Rent
[£] 6. 0. 0

To Ditto recd from Colo. Saml [Washington] for Rents recd by him of Alexr Fryer, Anthy Gholson & Saml Scratchfield
14.15. 0

To Ditto recd from Anthy Gholson—Rent
4. 0. 0

20—
To Ditto recd of Josh Kerlin—Rent
6. 0. 0

25—
To Cash recd of Michl Henry for Rent of Mr Wm Ellzey
5. 0. 0

26—
To Ditto recd of Richd Lee Esqr. of Maryld pr Doctr Craik for 3 Barrls of Flour
5.11. 2

31—
To Ditto Recd from Mr Geo: Johnson on Acct of Captn Kennedy’s Rent
13.17. 5

Contra

Mar. 12—
By a Clerks Note Berkeley
0. 7. 3

19—
By Cash given away
0.10. 0

By Mr Young’s Exps. to Fincastle &ca
3. 0. 9

By Charity
4. 6. 0

22—
By Cash pd Gilbt Simpson Balle acct
61. 7. 0

By Ditto lodgd with Do to defray the Exps. of buildg a Mill on Yougy
60. 0. 0

25—
By Mr Robt Washington
30. 0. 0

By Cash paid Levin Fullin for 1125 feet of extra 1¼ Inch Flooring Plank
5.12. 6

By Ditto paid Do for 5838 feet of comn 1½ Inch Do
25.13. 9

28—
By Cash pd Mr Thos Price for a Bricklayer named Isaac Web £30 Md Cy
24. 0. 0

By 5 Horses bought at Frederick Town [Md.]

viz. A Sorrell Horse
£23.10.0

Chestnut Ditto Flaxen Mane & Tail
20.

Sorrell Mare with a White Main & Tail
18.

2 White Horses
32.

Expences in gettg & bringg them
  2.11.6

96. 1.6

deduct 25 prCt Excha.
 19. 4.3

76.17. 3

By Mr Vale Crawfords Exps. to Baltimore after Servants £6.6.10 Pena.
5. 1. 6

By Ditto towards conductg my Business on the Ohio
30. 0. 0

By Peter Luke & Mabrey Maddin two Wagoners £4 each
8. 0. 0

By Cash pd William Stevens
4. 2.10

By Ditto pd Bennet Jenkins
0.12. 0


Title: From George Washington to Henry Riddell, 1 March 1774
From: Washington, George
To: Riddell, Henry

Sir,
Mount Vernon March 1st 1774

On Sunday afternoon, your favour of the 24th Ulto came to my hands—as you profess to know but little of the expence attending the Importation of Palatines, and it being a business I am totally ignorant of myself I am affraid to plunge into it without further consideration & advice; and therefore, must lay aside my Scheme, either altogether or in part for the present; But as I have already given you a general view of my Plan to wch I beg leave to refer, I would first ask whether, it is of Importance enough to any of your Ships coming from Rotterdam hence, to take in a freight of about 80 or an hundred of these German’s provided that number of Men, or Men & their Wives with not more than one Child to a Family, could be had under the usual Indenture? If this could be done I would, at all events, make tryal of that number & kind; but do not incline to encounter the Inconvenience & expence of Families incumberd with many Children as these would only add to my expences without contributing to my design. I will either consider these People as my property during the Indented term, affording them a reasonable,

& necessary support & maintenance & receive the fruits of their labour during the stipulated Servitu⟨de⟩ or, if they will be jointly bound for each other and let their Indentures remain as Security (wch is all the security the nature of the case will admit of) that all the expence I am put to in Importing, Planting, & supporting them on the Land, till they can raise a Crop for themselves, shall be repaid me with Interest, they may be considerd as free People, & appropriate the fruits of their labour (having regard to my disbursements) in any manner they please. In the latter case, they must be considerd from the first, as Tenants, upon the terms mentiond in my last—In the first case they will go to the Land under the favourable Circumstances, and assurance of becoming Tenants at the expiration of their Indented term, upon the very farms they have been making so that in Fact, they ultimately reap the benefit of their own labour, bestowd at my expence during their Servitude. Thus much for the Indented People. as to those who are able & desirous of paying the expence of their own Passages, I can be under no Ingagement to them unless it be a reciprocal one; that is, I will encounter no expence, or engage in no promise to them if they are left at large with me; although I could undertake upon their engaging to become Tenants upon the Terms mention’d in my last, to provide them in good Land in the Neighbourhood of the other’s, so as that they might form an entire settlement of their own, there being Land enough (belonging to me) to afford comfortable farms for 300 Families.
If you think you can supply me with this number of Palatines, of these kinds, & upon these terms, I should be glad to know it between this and Saturday; as I shall then undertake a journey, from which I shall not be returnd till the 20th of March; and in whatever manner you think a more formal proposition or declaration of my Intention (than is containd in this, & my former Letter) should be made please to point it out, & to whom it is to be addressd & I will endeavour to do it. In the mean while, I have to thank you Sir for yr obliging offers to serve me in this matter, & to assure you that I am, Yr Most Obedt Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Henry Riddell, 2 March 1774
From: Riddell, Henry
To: Washington, George

Sir
Piscataway [Md.] 2d March 1774

I cannot certainly engage to import the number of Germans mentioned in your Letter of the 1st, for owing to my ignorance of the Trade, I have no consistant principle, or any thing like a certainty, to induce me, to enter on a positive Agreement, for the delivery of these people here. But should you chuse it, I can forward to Rotterdam the terms you offer such Germans as are able to export themselves, and also the terms you offer those who are not, and therefor must come under Indenture before exportation. Should the people accept of these terms—the Ship will bring them out—if not, you will be subjected to no other inconvenience than a delay in the settlement of your Land for a few Months, With regard to those people who are able to export themselves—no money will be required from you or us to set them down here; but in exporting the Indented Servants, some charges which do not now occur to us, may be required—would it not therefor be proper that you inform me of the price ⅌ Poll you would be satisfyed to give, for the delivery of such Servants here, that in calculating the expense, my Friend might keep within your limits. Altho. the number you mention is small, yet if you chuse to be troubled with no more for the present, I will endeavour to get you these, but can make no positive Agreement to deliver them here. It will be necessary that you mention the number of years the Indented Servants must agree for, and should you relish this Plan, I will give orders that no others than such as you describe, shall be engaged. I am Sir Your most obedt Servant

Henry Riddell


Title: To George Washington from Robert Cary & Co., 5 March 1774 [letter not found]
From: Robert Cary & Company
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Robert Cary & Co., 5 Mar. 1774. On 1 June GW wrote Cary: “Your letter of 5th of Mar: . . . came to my hands.”


Title: To George Washington from William Preston, 7 March 1774
From: Preston, William
To: Washington, George

Sir
Fincastle March 7th 1774

I recd your Letter Inclosing a Warrant for 2000 Acres, & a Certifate of Mr Crawfords for 2050 Acres in the Fork of the great Kanhawa and Cole River, by favour of Mr Young.
Be assured Sir that nothing could have given me greater Pleasure than to have complied with your Request had it been in my Power; and the rather as I see nothing in it that is unreasonable or unprecedented. When I was last at Wmsburg his Lordship presented me with two Platts of 2000 Acres each one for Doctr Connilly & the other for one Warrenstaff and requested, nay even urged me to sign them; as they had been Accurately Surveyed by Mr Douglas, an Assistant to Capt. Bullet who had been regularly appointed by the College, I with some Reluctance Signed the Certificates by which those Gentlemen immediately obtained Patents. This Transaction has made a great deal of Noise; & indeed it is the Opinion of many good Judges that the Patents are altogether illegal. This alone is my Reason for not complying with your Request, and the promise I then made to Colo. Lewis on your Behalf; for at that Time I could not forsee any ill Consequence that could attend such a Step.
I have Advertized the Officers who obtained Warrants from Lord Dunmore to meet my Assistants at the Mouth of New River the 14th of April. Two of the Assistants will go from hence down the River, and not far from the mouth of Cole River

they intend to provide Canoes to proceed down the Ohio. I can think of no better Method than what Colo. Lewis has proposed; which is, that one of them on his way down shall Survey the Land and by the first Opportunity send me the Plan to be recorded. Colo. Lewis says he will endeavour to perswade his Son to go, or send a Surveyor, to lay off the Tract you have in Botetourt, & that he will return from thence imediately: Should the Colo. Succeed in this, then my Assistant could send up the Plan & by that Means & Mr Lewis & myself might have it in our Power to send you the Certificates before the rising of the next Session of Assembly. If Mr Lewis can neither go, or send down the River at that Time, I shall leave no method in my Power unattempted to have your Survey made and returned to you before the Assembly rises, or to Colo. Bassett afterwards, who I suppose will transact the Business for you. In the mean time I shall Enter the Land on my Book & send you a Copy this I suppose will secure it to you untill it can be legally Surveyed.
The 2000 Acres on Salt River which Capt. Bullet mentioned to you & which he laid off last year, has been Entered some Time ago by Capt. Christian. Mr Young has a Copy of the Entry. I beleive all the Salt Springs discovered in that Country have been Entered.
I am sorry it was not in my Power to comply with your Request, but for the Reasons I have given I hope you will excuse me, and the more so as I shall do all I can to have your Land Surveyed early in the Season, for which purpose I have kept Mr Crawfords Certificate that it may be laid off accordingly. I am with great Regard Sir Your most Obedt hble Servt

Wm Preston


Title: To George Washington from Andrew Lewis, 9 March 1774
From: Lewis, Andrew
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir,
Richfield Botetourt County March 9th 1774

Your favour by Mr Young I recd and am Sorry, As Matters have turned out that I did not insted of returning You Your

Warants &c. Put them in the hands of the diffrant Surveyers which would have saved you the expence of this Express. however this is the Only loss You can sustain on that Account As fare as I can judge for I have keept it a secreat, that those two Surveys You Send the Work of are not part of the 200000 Acres—My Son Who is Surveyor of this County is Out on Green-Brier Surveying & will not return from that Quarter for sume time. however as I am soon to go out to that place Shall Put Your Warant in his hand and as he will have other Lands to survey in that Quarter shall desire that he or his Assistant shall go down and survey Yours in Particular so that if Possable the Works may be sent down to You in Williamsburg before the last of the Approching Session of Assembly If you will take the trouble To look in to the Law with regard to the appointment of Surveyers And theire duty in that Office. You will with me be of Opinion that a Patent Procured on the Works which You desire to be signed, would be ilegal and Voyd to all intents & purposes If ever it came to be disputed, not to mention Any thing of the surveyer forfeting is Bond. Doctr Connolys Obtaining a Patent in a way similar to what You desire, has made so great a Noise that it is in every bodys Mouth, & in Particular the Lawyers who say that it may be set a side at any time, and indeed a man who has a Warant for two thousand acres has entred the Very Land that the Docter Obtained a Patent for, & I am told is incuraged & inclined to disput the matter. So that on the whole My Dr Sir I would advise You by all means to strictly follow the Steps of the Law that your title afture Obtaining it may be Proof aganst the Artifices of Designing Men. I have wrote by Mr Young to Colo. Preston and desired him in case he should think you and himself unsafe in immediately signing a certificat of the Work as done by Mr Crawford to Order one of his surveyers as they go down to the Ohio to survey the Lands by the Works You have sent him and to send you the certificat so that you may have it at Williamsburg. Apriel the 14th day is the time Advertised in the Gazet for the Diffrant Claiments to met the Surveyers at the Mouth of the Great Kanawa, so that by all Probability an Oppertunity will offer of sending the Field work to Colo. Preston so that You may have the Certificat as above. As soon as I see the Clark of this County I shall direct him to apply to the Aprl Court for we have no Court this month, for an Order to Value Your Improvements.

but whether the Court will Issue it Blank or not is the doubt, it is customary to Name the Persons in the Order. but a still greater Objection stands in the way. that of having the Men who Makes the Valuation sworen by a Majestrate of this County, and indeed I do not at Present know of any that will be in that quarter about that time. If no such Opportunity should offer it would be best, to have the Men sworn before A Justice at Fort Pitt as I understand there are several in that quarter added to the dedemos of Augusta. This would not be exactly according to Law but it is the Only remedde I can think of.
For sume days past we have had repeted advices by travolars that the Creeks Cherokees & Chocktaws have Joined in a war aganst Our Southeran Provences, that a Number of familys were cut off that since that first strock several Battles have been fought in the most of which the Indians had the Advantage. At first I payed but little regard to those reports. but since I wrote the Above I am from certant Infermation persweded that it is a Melancoly truth several Persons who has been Eye Witnesses of the dredfull effects of Savage Cruelty, & they further add that five-hundred Creeks are at this time amongst the Cherokees prepared to make a stroke, but where no person can tell. so allarming is the Accts that Our Settlers on the Holston & other Rivers in that quarter are Forting up & scouts are Keept out to watch the approch of the Enemie. Indeed I am afread that the Ohio Indians are in the Plot at least I am confident that they were acquented of the designs of the Southeran Indians. And that nothing deters them from Joining the others but theire being so Near Neghbours to Our Settlements below Fort Pitt. They ought to be strictly watched from Fort Pitt & if it can be discovered that they are about to Move theire familys they may be expected Open Enemies. If those troubles encress or even continue it will put a stop to Our designs On the Ohio. I was Obleged to Lay aside this Letter for an houer or two in Order to Make the Governor Acqueanted with the Reports. as Capt. Russell of Fincastle is on his way in behalf of Our Holston Settlements.
I hop to have the Pleasure of seeing You in Williamsburg On the Assembly. Were it not for that Meeting I should have thought, and indeed was fully determined to take a trip down the Ohio, as well to see the Country in general as to have my

5000 Acres Layed off, but how fare we might be Justifieable in laying Ourselves at the Merce of the Saveges, as Matters are like to turn Out, is to be considred. however in a short time we shall be able to judge better of thire dispositions & conections.
I hop to be able to discharge the Acct you inclosed Me on Our Meeting in May at which time I shall mention my thoughts as to the Manner Mr Crawford has Layed of Our Lands Sume of us has suffered exceedingly by the takeing in bad Lands with out his being under the Least Necessity of so doing only that the Surveying it to Advantage would have taken a little more time & trouble, I shall be more particuler When I see You. I heartely wish that John Smiths Lot which I payed him for had been Patented in my Name or reather that I had been Mentioned in the Patent as Assignee of John Smith. I have been told that he has been temped by A Man Who I know to be a Villian to sell it, but perhaps My Not leaveing Smiths Assignment with You may be the cause of Smiths Name being in the Patent in⟨mutilated⟩ of mine. this may give me sume trouble tho. I think ⟨mutilated⟩ loose the Lands I shall put an end to a letter s⟨mutilated⟩ to an unreasonable Lenth by saying that I am with ⟨mutilated⟩ Regard Dr Sir Youre Most Obedt Servant

Andw Lewis


Title: To George Washington from Joseph Chew, 10 March 1774
From: Chew, Joseph
To: Washington, George

Dear sir
Johnson Hall [N.Y.] March 10th 1774

though it is a long time since I have had the pleasure of writing to you, it is not so, with Respect of my inquires of your health and Happiness and the accounts my Lord Sterling gave me last summer were very agreable his Lordship informed me he spent Some time with you in Virginia Very Happily.
I am informed my Lord Dunmore is now Granting lands to the Officers who served in the Virga Regements during last war, my Poor Brother Colbys Services and Misfortune will I should think intitle his heir who I am to a Grant, and as it is Very inconvenient for me to attend Upon his Lordship my Self I have

desired my friend and Relation Mr Madison to make the application and for fear of any Objections my Excellent friend and Benefactor Sir William Johnson has wrote a few Lines to my Lord on the subject I flater my Self I may Claim your favour and friendship in this matter, and the more so when I inform you that for some years I have met with such Losses and Misfortunes that I have been oblidged to begin the world anew, and have fixed upon this part of the Country for no other Reason than the Countinance and Favour of sir William, I am sure if a Grant is Otained in my favour you will Extend your kindness and give Mr Madison your Advice when to make the survey.
I should be Very Happy to have the Honnour of a few Lines from you and know your sentiments of the New Government on the Ohio, which I believe gives the Indians much unneasiness as they are more in fear of our Countrymen than all the Rest of the Colonies, and therefore dread their Neighbourhood—I wish the Breach that’s made to the southward may not Extend further to the North. I am sure Sr William is much afraid of it and takes Every step he possibily Can to prevent it.
I know your goodness will Excuse this Liberty in an unfortunate old Acquaintance who is with the greatest Esteem Respect and best Wishes for your Happiness Dear sir your most Obedt Hble Servt

Jos. Chew


Title: To George Washington from William McGachen, 13 March 1774
From: McGachen, William
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Baltimore March 13th 1774

I received your very agreeable favour by Mr Crawford I have done my self the pleasure to give him every assistance in my power and has purchased for you Four men convicts four Indented servants for three years and a man & his wife for four years the price Is I think rather high but as they are country likely people and you at present wanted them Mr Crawford said he imagined you would be well satisfied with our Bargain I have agreed to pay £110 Sterling for them the first of next may which I hope you will be pleased with should you want any more there is a ship expected this month with country convicts I suppose six months credit may [be] got for a parcel of them on the same terms I have bought the parcel now sent you as they are at present scarce and in demand I shall always take pleasure in doing every thing in my power to serve you here I am respectfully Dear sir Your most Obdt Hum. Servt

Will. McGachen


Title: To George Washington from Henry Riddell, 18 March 1774
From: Riddell, Henry
To: Washington, George

Sir
Piscataway [Md.] 18th March 1774

I return you Mr Ross’s Letter, and will think no further of importing Germans, the difficulty attending it being so great. I am with Esteem Sir Your most hble Servt

Henry Riddell


Title: From George Washington to Peter Hog, 21 March 1774
From: Washington, George
To: Hog, Peter

Sir,
Mount Vernon 21st March 1774.

The design of my giving you the trouble of this Letter, is to request the favour of you to aid Captn Crawford in qualifying, & giving Security, to his Commission as assistant Surveyor to Colo. Thomas Lewis. He is informed by that Gentleman, that there will be no Court in Augusta to do business in the next Month, but that, if he will get there a few days before (which he strongly urges both to Captn Crawford & myself) he has no doubt but through your Means, a few of the Magestrates, & Clerk, may be convend to do this business, for the accomplishment of which I heartily wish. As Captn Crawford may not be well acquainted in your County, & consequently at a loss to obtain Security, I should be obliged to you to join him in the Bond, and this Letter shall bind me to hold you indemnified on this head. Lord Dunmore hath Interested himself a good deal in behalf of this appointment of Captn Crawfords, recommending him, himself, by Letter to Colo. Lewis. his immediate qualification therefore, to Act, is highly necessary.
As I wrote you a very long Letter sometime ago, respecting our Landed matters in the western world, I have little to add on that score, as you have doubtless receiv’d it though detaind even longer than I had any Idea of, by the Waters preventing Captn Crawfords getting to the intended Meeting of the Sandy Creek Claimts at Winchester the 5th Instt. I am Sir Yr Most Obedt Serv⟨t⟩

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Hugh Mercer, 21 March 1774
From: Mercer, Hugh
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir,
Fredg 21 March 1774

Ever since I understood that the Land whereon Mrs Washington lived joining Mr Hunters was for Sale I have had an Inclination to purchase it, but till now was not in circumstances to propose the matter to you—I have heard that the Tract contains about 600 Acres and that it is held at £3 ⅌ Acre—If these are your lowest terms, I would not dispute them, were my terms of Payment agreable to you—that is one third of the purchase Money to be paid in a Twelvemonth after the Sale & the Same Sum yearly afterwards till the Whole is discharged—Interest to commence from the Sale. I should be glad to have a line from you on this Subject and am with great Esteem Dear Sir Your most obedt St

Hugh Mercer