Title: To George Washington from Samuel Meredith and Thomas Barclay, 27 August 1780
From: Meredith, Samuel,Barclay, Thomas
To: Washington, George

						Sir
						Trenton August 27th 1780—Sunday

					On Friday we recd 122 Barrels Flour & 37 Bundles contg 4 Tents each, which yesterday we sent on, all but 4 Barrs.—these with about 20 at the Mill will be forwd’d on Monday, & we are promissed 20 more in a few days—The Shallop was detained some time in expectation of a load from Christeen but the Delaware State have stopt Flour passing thro, Mr Francis we understand intended to apply to Congress to see if it could not be prevented—You have below an extract of his Letter dated Augst 21st & will be enabled to Judge (if not inform’d by the Directors of the Bank) what dependance can be placed on us.
					“I have just now dispatched J. Brown to Easton with a sum of Money, & orders to purchase 1000 Barrs. Flour in that Quarter, & forwd it to our Army, I flatter myself he will succeed in the Attempt—There’s no dependance on getting timely supplys from the Southward on accot of the Cursed foolish Laws of the Lower Counties therefore must look to the Northward & Westward.”
					He engaged 500 Barrs. from York County part of which ought to be in Philade. in a Short time—We are extreamly mortified not be able to forwd a Quantity sufficient for your necessitys—& are with the greatest regard & esteem—Your Excellencys Most Obedient Humble Servts

						Saml Meredith forThos Barclay & Self


Title: To George Washington from John Rutledge, 27 August 1780
From: Rutledge, John
To: Washington, George

						Dr Sir
						Philadelphia August 27: 1780

					I fully intended for several Weeks past, to pay my Respects, in person to your Excellency, but, am obliged to deny myself that pleasure, having been detained here much longer than I expected, & being anxious to return to Carolina.
					Tho’ I have no Doubt that the Matter committed to your Excellency, by a Resolve of Congress, of the 5th Instant, has already engaged your Attention, & that you will order the most proper Plan for effecting so desireable a Measure to be carried into Execution, as soon as the more immediate Object of the present Campaign will admit, yet I cannot forbear representing, that the State of South Carolina & Georgia is such, as demonstrates the absolute Necessity of expelling the Enemy, from those Countries, as speedily as possible, & that this cannot be done, with[ou]t a considerable Naval force, & a large Number of regular Troops—I therefore flatter myself, that, as soon as the intended Operations against New-York shall be terminated, either, successfully, (as I hope they will be,) or, by the Season’s not admitting a Continuance of them, or, if an Attack on that City should not be deemed expedient, your Excellency will send such a Force to the Southward.
					Congress have requested the Minister of France to use his Influence, to cause the Plan of Operations which you may form, or the Measures which you may recommend to be undertaken by the forces of their most Christian & Catholick Majesties, in Consequence of the Resolve above mentd, to be carried into Effect—He is heartily disposed, & has promised to do so—Should your Excellency require Aid from the French Forces in the West-Indies, I have good Reasons to beleive, it will be afforded, unless the Commanders there are expressly limited to acting in the Islands, which I cannot conceive they are—In that Case, I am

persuaded that your Application to the Court of France would obtain a Revocation of such orders, & that his most Christian Majesty would grant any Assistance which you may require, either from his Kingdom, or his Islands—Thinking that it is, thus, in your Power, & convinced that it is your earnest Wish, to restore Peace & Safety, to the two Southernmost States, I hope those Blessings will be speedily obtained.
					A Consideration of the difficulty & delay attending the Collecting any considerable Quantity of Provisions, will, I am sure, induce your Excellency to give timely Notice, of what Magazines you wish to have established, in the Carolinas.
					I shall take the Liberty of transmitting to your Excellency, from Time to Time, any Intelligence which may appear material, & shall be happy to hear, from you, that the Prospect of compleat Relief, to my distressed Country, is not far distant. I have the Honour to be, with the greatest Esteem & Respect dr Sir yr obedt & very hble servt

						J: Rutledge


Title: From George Washington to Colonel Elisha Sheldon, 27 August 1780
From: Washington, George
To: Sheldon, Elisha

						Sir
						Head Quarters Bergen County 27th Augt 1780

					I have been informed that one of our Expresses has lately been taken at Pine’s Bridge and carried into New York—I shall be exceedingly anxious untill I hear whether he was charged with any public dispatches. To guard agt such an accident in future, I think it will be prudent to shift some of our Stages. Instead therefore of going to Stratford by the present Route—I would have you withdraw the Dragoons from Stamford and Greens farms and place them upon the Road from Kings ferry to Ridgfeild and from thence to Stratford—This being higher up will be less exposed—Be pleased to inform the Quarter Master at Kings ferry where you establish the Stage between that place and Ridgfeild, that he may know how to forward the dispatches which are sent to him—You will make the change as speedily as possible. I am &.


Title: To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 27 August 1780
From: Stirling, Lord (né William Alexander)
To: Washington, George

						Camp [Bergen County, N.J.]August 27th 1780 one oClo’ P.M.
						Dr Sir

					I am Just returned from Visiting the Lower & Upper Closter Landings, I find there will be no manner of Occasion for the Regiment to remain at the lower one, If a Capt. & 40 go every other day to each of them, I belive they will be quite Secure, the Militia in their Vicinity will be a good Support to them in such ruff Craggy ground, but I would not trust them as a Constant Vigilant Guard. No appearance of a picket at Phillips’s, nor of any troops above Spiten Devil. I am your Excellency’s Most Humble Servt

						Stirling


Title: Circular Letter to the State Societies of the Cincinnati, 1 January 1784
From: Washington, George
To: State Societies of the Cincinnati

Sir
Mount Vernon Jany 1st 1784

After taking all the various circumstances into mature consideration, I have thought proper to appoint the City of Philadelphia to be the place for the general meeting of the Society of Cincinnati on the first monday in May next, agreeably to the original Institution—The object of this Letter is to communicate timely information thereof, that proper notice may be given to the Delegates of your State Society, whose punctual attendance will be expected at the time & place before mentioned.
Having made this communication, I have only to suggest that it may perhaps be preferable to give the necessary notice to your Delegates by Letter, rather than by a public Notification; I would however wish that whatever mode is adopted, measures may be taken to prevent a possibility of failure in the communication. I am &ca

Go: W——n

RS. Be pleased to acknowledge the receipt of this Letter.


Title: From George Washington to Brühl, 3 January 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Brühl, Aloys Friedrich, Graf von

Sir,
Mount Vernon 3d Jany 1784

In forwarding the Letter of the Count de Solms you have done a most acceptable office by bringing me acquainted with so venerable & dignified a character; You have also given me an occasion of experiencing your great politeness, & of expressing my obligations for it.
I must now take the liberty of committing to your charge a Letter directed to the Count; it is the harbinger of the Portrait which is intended to be presented to him, in conformity to his request & your permission, & which will be likewise addressed to your care by my friend the Honorable Robt Morris of Philadelphia. I have the honor to be &ca

G: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Robert Morris, 4 January 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Morris, Robert

Dear sir,
Mount Vernon 4th Jany 1784

Herewith I give you the trouble of receiving the account of my expenditures in Philadelphia, & on my journey home. If I recollect right, Colo. Cobb told me this was the mode you had suggested to him, as proper for my proceeding in this matter.

The hurry I was involved in the morning I left the City, occasioned my neglecting to take a memorandum of the amount of the last warrt which I drew on the Paymaster General, & obliges me now to exhibit two accounts that I may be sure that one of them is right. The reason is this—I gave Colo. Cobb the balance which was due to me on the last account, vizt £7.16.8. to found the warrant, but in the hurry we were both in, he neither asked, nor did I tell him that it was lawful money (that is, Dollars at 6/)& from the recollection of a circumstance which I did not advert to at the time I signed the warrant, I have reason to believe he considered it Pennsylvania money, & drew the warrant accordingly.
Should this be the case, the account No. 2. is the one which ought to be presented at the Auditors Office, & vice versa. I must request the favor of you therefore my good Sir, to let one of your clerks examine the warrant which I drew, or  the Books of the Pay office to determine this point: and I shall be obliged to you for throwing the balance which may be found due to me on either, into the hands of Governor Clinton as soon as it is convenient; as he was kind enough to borrow money to answer my wants, for which I am now paying an interest of seven per Cent.
Equally unexpected by them, as it appeared just in my eye  to do it, I have given my late Aids who attended me from the seat of my military command, one hundred dollars each, to bear their expences home—I could not think it reasonable that from their attachment to me, or from motives of etiquette, they should incur this charge themselves. Their finances I well knew were unable to bear it, altho’ I had some difficulty to prevail on them to accept this aid. Cobb I would not suffer, (on account of his domestic & other concerns) to proceed any further than Philada with me, but his distance from thence home would be equal to those of the other Gentlemen, from this place—all stand therefore upon an equal footing in my allowance.
I cannot close this Letter without a renewal of those sentiments of friendship & regard which I have always felt & professed for you; nor without those expressions of my sensibility for the many instances of polite attention & civilities which I have received from Mrs Morris & yourself, as result from a susceptible mind; particularly during my late stay in Philada.

I flatter myself it is unnecessary to repeat the assurances of the pleasure it would give Mrs Washington & me, to see you & Mrs Morris at this retreat from my public cares—& yet, if I obey the dictates of my inclination & wishes, I must do it: My best wishes, & respectful compliments, in which Mrs Washington joins me, are offered to you both; & with sincere & affection I am Dear sir, Your most obedient & very humble servt

G: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Annis Boudinot Stockton, 4 January 1784 [letter not found]
From: Stockton, Annis Boudinot
To: Washington, George

 Letter not found: from Annis Boudinot Stockton, 4 Jan. 1784. On 18 Feb. GW wrote to Stockton: “The intemperate weather . . . prevented your letter of the 4th of last month from reaching my hands ’till the 10th of this.”


Title: To George Washington from d’Estaing, 8 January 1784
From: Estaing, Charles-Hector Théodat, comte d’
To: Washington, George

[8 January 1784]

The Count De Estaing has the Honor to submit to His Excellency Gl Washington the four Memorials which have been sent to him since the last Letters He had the honor to address to him on the 25th of December 1783.
Mr De Choin Colonel of Dragoons
Count De Kergariou Locmaria Captain of the Navy
Count Edwd Dillon, Colonel
Count Castellane Majestres, Captn of the Navy, are [not] the only Gentlemen who solicited Count De Estaing to present their demand.
To participate the honor of this association inflames equally all the French Officers; and the motive for which I solicit in favor of the others are mentioned in the list of General Officers under whom they served.


Title: To George Washington from Benjamin Harrison, 8 January 1784
From: Harrison, Benjamin
To: Washington, George

Richmond [Va.] Jany 8th 1784

I congratulate you my dear sir on your safe return to your native country and to that domestic ease and happiness you have so long earnestly wish’d for. Your disinterested virtue and patriotism have raised you to a height of glory which no human being can exceed, and stamp’d a value on your character superior if possible to the laurels you have gaind in the field, and the glorious independence you have establish’d for your country. That you may long enjoy in health and happiness the plaudits of an admiring world, and the gratitude of your country, are wishes too near my Heart to be withheld on the present occasion, altho’, from the perfect knowledge I have of you, I should fear the communication even from a friend might be construed into flattery, if that friend was not too well known to you, to induce a suspicion of his being capable of such a vice. That you have placed happiness within our reach is certain, but whether we shall secure it or not seems to me problimatical; almost every power in the union from Congress downwards appearing to have lost sight of the greater objects, and our critical situation, and to have given themselves over to an indolent security, to party disputes, or to pursuits unworthy of a great nation. By what means an alteration of conduct is to be brought about Heaven alone can tell, or perhaps can bring about by another friendly interposition. Examples are not wanting of confusions producing order and happiness to nations, yet the experiment is too dangerous to be tried, because they are not also wanting to prove it has sometimes ended in despotism, Slavery, and every human evil; the latter is much to be dreaded by us, as the eyes of the world are on us, and tho’ we were once the wonder and envy of all, we are now sinking faster in esteem than we rose, and without a total alteration of system, shall soon be the object of their entire contempt which will revive the hopes of Britain, and cause other nations to entertain thoughts that are

at present far from them; our safety will then alone depend on the rival powers not being able to agree on a division of the spoil. This is an interesting subject, and in a gloomy moment I may have carried it too far, tho’ I think I am not altogether without a foundation for my fears, the example of Poland is too recent to be forgotten, or not to create apprehensions, that the same causes may produce the same effects.
A letter from Mr Jefferson dated the 24th of last month tells me that all business in congress is at an end by the going away of one member, and That they had but little hopes of geting nine States together to ratify the treaty in time for the stipulated exchange of it, and that it is to be apprehended if it is not done, that a variety of difficulties will arise before Great Britain can be brought to the same point again, be this as it may, it certainly behoves the States whose members are absent, and have so shamefully neglected their duty, to call them to account, and hold them up to that contempt and resentment they so richly deserve, for running the risk of again involving their country in war, and devastation, for the trifling consideration of a few weeks domestic enjoyments.
I have much more to say to you but this scrawl being already too lengthey, I shall postpone the rest till I have the pleasure of seeing you at mount Vernon, which I intend to do in the first part of the next month, in the meantime I tender you and your good lady the compliments of the season, and am with sentiments of the most perfect esteem Dr Sir your most Obedient and most Humble Servant

Benja. Harrison


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 9 January 1784
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

My dear General
West Point [N.Y.] 9th Jany 1784

I wrote you particularly on the 3d instant and enclosed you my report to Congress with the various returns. I have now finished the necessary arrangements for the winter and in a few hours I shall set out for Boston—The public interest has been my actuating principle in the cou[r]se of this business and I flatter myself will meet your approbation. I have found it necessary

to direct that a few officers who are inevitably detained should for the present be permitted to draw their rations, as there is not any contract to my knowledge.
I shall hope for the pleasure of receiving a line from you at Boston. I beg you to present my sincere regards to Mrs Washington and I am my dear General Your Affectionate

H. Knox


Title: To George Washington from Lafayette, 10 January 1784
From: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de
To: Washington, George

My dear General
Paris january the 10th 1784

The departure of the Washington Has Been So Sudden that I Could not get in time on Board the Particular letter which you ought to Have Received—So that My Correspondance Has Been Confined to an official Cincinnati letter, and a Bill of plated wares, which was not By Any means my intention—inclosed I Send you a duplicate of the letter Respecting our Assossiation —Major L’enfant tells me a tolerable Number of Eagles will Be made on thursday, when After Having Called together the American officers Now Here, and Examined their Claims to the Marks of the Institution, We shall in a Body, and with ⟨our⟩ American Regimentals wait Upon Count de Rochambeau, and the Admirals of the french troops, and present them with the Badges they are to wear—You will Receive many Applications On that Subject, and I Need Not telling you old Rochambeau wants to Be as Conspicuous as He Can in that, as You Know He does in Every other Affair —But as Nothing Can Be decided Before the Month of May I will timely write, and I Hope I will myself tell you my opinions in the Several instances that will Be Submitted to You—in Case the Badge is Multiplied, it will loose its price in Europe—and yet, there are some instances who are Entitled to Regard.
By our last Accounts from America, my dear General, We Hear that Newyork is Evacuated, and that our Army, our Virtous and Brave Army Now are disbanded —its dissolution, However Expected and proper it is, Has not Been Heard of By

me Without a Sigh—How Happy I Have Been at the Head quarters of that Army! How Affectionately Received in Every tent I Had a Mind to Visit! My Most fortunate days Have Been Spent With that Army—and Now that it is ⟨no⟩ more, my Heart shall Ever Reverence and Cherish its Memory—God Grant our Brother officers May Be treated as they deserve! Will not the Country Remember what Evils that Army Have guarded Her Against, What Blessings they Have insured to them? I am told there is a peace Establishement of 800 Men—and My dear general Now is at Mount Vernon where He Enjoys those titles Every Heart Gives Him, As the Saviour of His Country, the Benefactor of Mankind, the Protecting Angel of liberty, the pride of America, and the Admiration of the two Hemispheres—and Among all those Enjoyements I know He Will Most tenderly feel the pleasure of Embracing His Best His Bosom friend, His Adopted Son, who Early in the Spring Will Be Blessed With a direct Course to the Beloved landing that leads to the House at Mount Vernon.
There are no Great News in France, But it is Not the Case in England Whose people Seem as it Were distracted—Pitt’s party Have for the Moment Got in place, But the Majority in the Commons are So much Against them that it is Impossible for them to Remain in the Ministry—it is probable we will In a few days See Mr Fox and Lord North Restored to their former power, when they will Undo Every thing the others Have Done —M[ess]rs Jay, Adams, and Laurens are Either at London or Bath, Mr Barklay is in England, and our old friend Doctor Franklin is Confined to His House By the Gravel —Under those Circumstances I thought it My duty not to Neglect the Affairs of America—But as I Have no Instructions, Nor Any public Authority, I Can only Advise and influence Such Preparatory Measures, as I thing May Be Agreable to the United States—Some time Ago I presented a Memorial, Which, together With Some letters from the Ministers I Have on the 26th of last Month Enclosed to Mr Moriss —in Consequence of those, and of Several Conferences I Had with the Ministers, they Have determined to put a final Hand to the Affair of L’Orient, which I Had long Ago taken Upon Myself to Begin, and which Wanted a definitive Conclusion—By a letter of this day to Mr Moriss I Send Him some further Parts of a Correspondance

With the Ministry, Wherein it is officially Announced that Dunkirk, L’Orient, Bayonne, and Marseilles are the four free ports Given to the trade of America —this Evening I Return to Versailles, where there is to Be a Conference Betwen the foreign affairs, Naval, and finances Ministers and Myself—As I Am little Acquainted With those Matters, I Consult upon them with Wadsworth —in all this America Neither promises Nor Asks for Any thing, So that she Cannot Be Committed—and Her Ministers Being either Sick or Abroad, do not, Betwen Us, So much as to Mention an earnest Word of the Mercantile interest of America in France. European Affairs are about the Same as when I wrote You last—There is No probability of an impending War—at least for Next Year—The Emperor is in Italy as a traveller—Unless I Am Honoured With Some Particular Commands from Congress, I intend embarking for America Early in the Spring, and I Hope to Arrive in time for the Grand Cincinnati Meeting—Mde de Lafayette, Your Son George, and my daughters join in the Most Respectfull Compliments to You, and Mrs Washington —I Give Her joy upon Your Peacefull Retirement into Private life—I Beg, My dear general, You will Remember me to George, Mead, Mr and Mrs Lund Washington, to all your friends and Relations —Adieu, My dear general, Your Most Respectfull and affec⟨mutilated⟩ friend

Lafayette


Title: From George Washington to Robert Morris, 10 January 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Morris, Robert

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 10th January 1784

I will thank you for putting the letter herewith enclosed into a proper channel of conveyance. The Count de Bruhl is informed by it that my Portrait (which I have begged the Count de Solms to accept) will be forwarded to his care by you, so soon

as it is finished, & I request the favor of you to do it accordingly. Mr Wright is desir’d to hand it to you for this purpose. & as he is said to be a little lazy, you would oblige me by stimulating him to the completion. By promise, it was to have been done in five or six weeks from the time I left Philadelphia, near four of which are expired. I am sorry to give you trouble about trifles, but I know you will excuse it, in this instance. With sentiments of high esteem & regard I am Dr Sir Your most obt & affte servt

G: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Henry Pendleton, 10 January 1784
From: Pendleton, Henry
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Charleston [S.C.] January 10th 1784

I take the Liberty of Introducing to you Mr Shuttleworth a Gentleman of very ancient Family and Large fortune in England who arrived here in his own Yacht about two months since and proposed to make a kind of maritime tour thro’ America by sailing coastways and up the principal rivers as far as the Water will suffer his vessel to go; His Family in Yorkshire & Lancashire has several members in Parliament, all of whom have uniformly reprobated and opposed the Conduct of the English Ministers in the prosecution of the American War, and venerate the band of American patriots who have triumped over their flagitious designs, he is very desirous to pay his respects to the man who stands at the head of these, to whom he thinks England is nearly as much indebted for the preservation of her Liberties as America the loss of the Latter by Military Subjugation necessaryly producing that of the former by Ministerial power & Corruption. I have taken the Liberty to announce him, as he will sail up Potowmack by Mount Vernon as far as Alexandria.
Amid the General Joy and Congratulations which every where meet you from an Empire, almost entirely owing its Political existence to your Courage and Virtues, I beg leave to add my own, and to wish you every happiness of which human Nature is Capable. I request the honor of my most respectfull

Complts to Mrs Washington, & to be permitted to assure you that I am with every Sentiment of Respect & Esteem Yr Mo. Obedt and Most Hble Servt

Hy Pendleton


Title: From George Washington to Joseph Wright, 10 January 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Wright, Joseph

Sir,
Mount Vernon 10th Jan. 1784

When you have finished my Portrait, which is intended for the Count de Solms, I will thank you for handing it to Mr Robert Morris, who will forward it to the Count de Bruhl (Minister from his Electoral Highness of Saxe at the Court of London) as the Channel pointed out for the conveyance of it.
As the Count de Solms proposes to honor it with a place in his collection of Military Characters, I am perswaded you will not be deficient in point of execution. Be so good as to forward the cost of it to me, & I will remit you the money. Let it (after Mr Morris has seen it) be carefully packed to prevent injury. With great esteem—I am Sir, Yr Most Obedt Servant

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 11 January 1784
From: Boudinot, Elias
To: Washington, George

My very Dear Sir
Eliz[abe]th Town [N.J.]Jany 11th 1784

We have recovered the most sensible pleasure on the News of your safe return to Mount Vernon and your anxious family at it is with the Warmest affection & attachment, that rejoice the United Voice of your Country, in Congratulating your & our Mrs Washington on this happy & interesting Event—You must permit me sir—tho’ it may be lost a midst the public Testimonies on this occasion from a thousand more important Sources to add my individual, tho’ most sincere & affectionate Wishes for your happiness & prosperity; for it would be doing violence to my feelings, while again enjoying the sweets of Domestic Life on my little Estate here rescued from the Hands of a Powerful Enemy after a seven year expulsion, to perswade myself to be silent, however trifling the Tribute, or refrain from grateful acknowledging those invaluable & laborious services by which I am thus reinstated in the most essential and important Comforts of rational Life—I need not add the sense of obligation I feel myself under for the many kind marks of personal attention & confidence expressed towards me during the War, and I shall ever esteem it one of the greatest Honors on

my life that I have served my Country in conjunction with & under the Direction of Genl Washington—You have our most ardent Prayers to almighty God for your happiness & prosperity in this Enjoyment of the fruits of your own Labour and of every domestic Bliss; and that after a long Period of extensive usefulness here, you may be prepared for & receive the glorious reward of eternal Life in the World to come. Mrs B. & Miss S., whose health is rather declining, join me in every respectful & Effectionate Wish, and beg to be very particularly remembered by Mrs Washington. I have the Honor to be with every sentiment of Esteem Dr Sir &c.

E. Boudinot


Title: To George Washington from James Nourse, 11 January 1784 [letter not found]
From: Nourse, James
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from James Nourse, 11 Jan. 1784. On 22 Jan. GW wrote to Nourse: “Yesterday gave me the honor of your favor of the 11th.”


Title: To George Washington from Simeon DeWitt, 12 January 1784
From: DeWitt, Simeon
To: Washington, George

Sir
New Windsor [N.Y.] January 12th 1784

I have enclosed to Your Excellency a Copy of a Letter to the President of Congress containing such proposals respecting the publication of Maps from the Surveys we have made during the War As I thought would be the least objectionable—I wish some Additions could be made to them, but as the Expence which would attend them was probably the reason why my first proposals were not accepted I have now made them otherwise. If any other mode practacable with me could be suggested I would with pleasure adopt it.

I thought it necessary to give this information to clear myself in Your Excellency’s Opinion if the Country loose the satisfaction of seeing our works published.I am with the Greatest esteem Sir Your Excellency’s Most Obedient Humble servant

S: DeWitt


Title: From George Washington to Edward Hand, 14 January 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Hand, Edward

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon Jany 14th 1784

When I left Philadelphia I hoped to have had the pleasure of seeing you at Annapolis before my departure from thence, and to have had an oppertunity (previous to my resignation) of expressing to you personally, amongst the last acts of my Official Life, my entire approbation of your public conduct, particularly in the execution of the important duties of Adjutant General.
Notwithstanding I have been disappointed in that expectation, & have it now in my power—only as a private character—to make known my sentiments & feelings respecting my Military friends; yet I cannot decline making use of the first occasion after my retirement of informing you, My dear Sir, how much reason I have had to be satisfied with the great Zeal, attention, and ability manifested by you in conducting the business of your Department; and how happy I should be in oppertunities of demonstrating my sincere regard & esteem for you; It is unnecessary I hope to add with what pleasure I should see you at this place—being with great truth My dear Sir, Yr real friend & most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Mifflin, 14 January 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Mifflin, Thomas

Sir,
Mount Vernon 14th Jany 1784

The goodness of Congress, in the assurances they were pleased to give me of charging themselves with the interests of those confidential Officers who have attended me to the resignation of my public Employments; and the request of your Excellency

to Colonel Humphrys (after I had been honored with my public audience) that, if any thing should occur to him in consequence of what had just been suggested, that he would communicate it to you in a letter; induce me to take the liberty of bringing the wishes of that Officer before Congress.
Having devoted the last Seven or Eight years to the Service of his Country, he is desirous of continuing in the walk of public life, although he is ignorant—as I also am—of the Offices which Congress have to bestow and may think him competent to—Two things however, seem likely to occur: either of which I am perswaded he would fill with as much advantage to the public as reputation to himself. The one is a Regiment; in case a Continental peace Establishment should be resolved on: The other, official Secretary to an Embassy abroad, if new appointments should be made, or a vacancy happen in the old ones.
There is a third thing which I barely hint at, with all possible deference, and with a diffidence which proceeds more from a doubt of the propriety of my suggesting it, than from any question which arises in my Mind of his competency to the duties; and that is Secretary of Foreign Affairs, if Congress should think it expedient to make another appointment; and should find all those requisites in him which are necessary to constitute a Minister for that department —For his ability, integrity, punctuality, and sobriety I can fully answer.
If I have gone too far, Congress will please to excuse it; and attribute the error to my wishes to serve a worthy character. With great respect I have the honor to be Sir, Yr Excellys most Obedt & Hble Servant

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Samuel Vaughan, 14 January 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Vaughan, Samuel

Sir,
Mo[un]t Vernon 14th Jany 1784

The torpid state into which the severity of the season has thrown things—the interruption of the post, occasioned by bad roads, and frozen rivers—& a want of other conveyance consequent thereof, must plead my excuse for not thanking you sooner for the polite attention you were pleased to shew me, while I was in Philada, & for the friendly offers you obligingly made me, before I left that city—But though my acknowledgements of them come late, I pray you to be persuaded that they are not less sincere, nor are they less gratefully offered on that account.
Colo. Humphreys (one of my late Aid de Camp’s) who accompanied me to Virginia, & is now on his return home, will do me the favor of presenting this letter to you, & of handing Mr Higgins’s observations on Cements, which you were pleased to lend me, & from which I have extracted such parts as I mean to carry into practice.
I found my new room, towards the completion of which you kindly offered your house-joiner, so far advanced in the wooden part of it—the Doors, Windows & floors being done, as to render it unnecessary to remove your workman with his Tools (the distance being great) to finish the other parts; especially as I incline to do it in s[t]ucco, (which, if I understood you right, is the present taste in England), & more especially as you may find occasion for him in the execution of your own purposes as the Spring advances. And now my good sir, as I have touched upon the business of stuccoing, permit me to ask you if the rooms with which it is encrusted are painted, generally; or are they left of the natural colour which is given by the cement made according to Mr Higgins’s mode of preparing it? And also, whether the rooms thus finished are stuccoed below the surbase (chair high) or from thence upwards only? These are trifling questions to trouble you with, but I am sure you will have goodness enough to excuse, & answer them. Please to make a tender of my best respects to Mrs Vaughan & the rest of the family, & accept the compliments of the season from Mrs W——n & myself who join in expression of the pleasure we shou’d feel in seeing you under our roof. I am &a

G: Washington


Title: From George Washington to William Hamilton, 15 January 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Hamilton, William

Sir,
Mount Vernon 15th Jan. 1784.

If I recollect right, I heard you say when I had the pleasure of seeing you in Philadelphia, that you were about a Floor composed of a Cement which was to answer the purpose of Flagstones or Tiles, and that you proposed to variegate the colour of the squares in the manner of the former.

As I have a long open Gallery in Front of my House to which I want to give a Stone, or some other kind of Floor which will stand the weather; I would thank you for information respecting the Success of your experiment—with such directions and observations (if you think the method will answer) as would enable me to execute my purpose. If any of the component parts are scarce & expensive, please to note it, & where they are to be obtained—& whether all seasons will do for the admixture of the Composition.
I will make no apology for the liberty I take by this request, as I persuade myself you will not think it much trouble to comply with it. I am Sir Yr most obedt Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Richard Varick, 15 January 1784 [letter not found]
From: Varick, Richard
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Richard Varick, 15 Jan. 1784. On 22 Feb. GW wrote to Varick: “The intemperate Season and irregularity of the Post, withheld your letter of the 15th Ulto from me ’till within these few days.”


Title: From George Washington to Bushrod Washington, 15 January 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Washington, Bushrod

Dear Bushrod,
Mount Vernon Jany 15th 1784

I have received your letter of the 22d Ulto—the former one, accompanying my Trunks, also came safe.
When I came to examine the Chimney pieces in this House, I found them so interwoven with the other parts of the Work and so good of their kind, as to induce me to lay aside all thoughts of taking any of them down—for the only room which remains unfinished I am not yet fixed in my own mind but believe I shall place a Marble one there, at any rate I shall suspend the purchase

of any of those mentioned in your letter, & would not wish Mr Roberts to hold either of them in expectation of it.
My best wishes attend you in which your Aunt joins—My Complimts to Mr & Mrs Powell. With much truth & Affection I am Yrs

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Charles Washington, 15 January 1784 [letter not found]
From: Washington, Charles
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Charles Washington, 15 Jan. 1784. On 28 Feb. GW wrote Charles Washington: “Your Letter dated the 15th of January . . . came to my hands last Night.” The letter may have been misdated.


Title: From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 17 January 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Biddle, Clement

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 17th Jany 1784

On the 8th I wrote to you for 70 Yards of livery lace (red & white, 3/4 or Inch wide, or any width between) to be sent by the Post; or any other safe & expeditious conveyance. Lest that letter should have miscarried I repeat my request, as I am in immediate want of the article. I did, at the sametime desire that one hundd weight, or a Barrl of good Coffee might be sent me by the first Vessel bound for the Port of Alexandria.
I pray you now, my good Sir, to send me as soon as a conveyance offers, four brass wired Sieves, of the common size in the rim, but exactly one eighth, one sixteenth, and one thirtieth of an Inch in the Meshes—the fourth to be finer than the last mentioned—I want these to prepare materials to compose a Cement of which I propose to make some experiments—exactness

therefore in the different sizes is required of the maker of them.
I have seen rooms with gilded borders; made I believe, of Papier Maché fastned on with Brads or Cement round the Doors & window Casings, surbase &ca; and which gives a plain blew, or green paper a rich & handsome look—Is there any to be had in Philadelpa?—and at what price?—Is there any plain blew & green Paper to be had also?—the price (by the yd & width). With great regard—I am Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Commissioners of Embarkation at New York, 18 January 1784
From: Commissioners of Embarkation at New York
To: Washington, George

Sir,
New York 18th January 1784

The british Troops being wholly withdrawn from this Place, it only remains to the closing the Business under your Excellency’s Commission to us of the 8th of May Ulti.—that we should report our Proceedings.
We presume it will be needless to recapitulate our former Communications, and therefore take the Liberty of referring to our Letters to your Excellency of the 30th of May, 14th and 18th of June last with their respective Inclosures.
As Sir Guy Carleton did not, except in one or two instances, answer our Representations, we forbore to make further Representation. We interpreted his silence into a determination that all future application from us should remain equally unnoticed, and therefore presumed that they [would] be not only fruitless but also derogatory to the dignity of the Sovereignty by whose authority we were commissionated.
From our first arrival in this City hitherto we have whenever we were formally requested by the British Commissioners assisted them in superintending Embarkations. These Embarkations were always made in Vessels in the Pay and Service of the

Crown of Great Britain, and the superintendance consisted in visiting the Ships after they were laden and ready for sailing, and taking an account of the Negroes which the Captain informed us were on board, and which were also produced to us. The Captains were then asked whether they had any other american Property on board, they all answered in the Negative, and this was received as Evidence, without further Scrutiny, or Examination—A descriptive List of Negroes your Excellency will receive with this —This List as to the names of the Negroes and places of residence of their masters is formed from the declarations of the Negroes themselves made to the british Commissioners in our presence.
We conceive it requisite to inform your Excellency that Sir Guy Carleton retained and exercised the authority of entering and clearing out Merchant Vessels, at this Port, which were never submitted to any Inspection, and Consequently it is impossible for us to determine for a certainty the number of Negroes or the Amount of other Property belonging to the Citizens of the United States which were carried away in those Vessels, neither do we know that any Measures were used by the british Government to ascertain these points—Sir Guy Carleton effected to distinguish between the Cases of such Negroes as came within the British Lines in Consequence of the Promises of Freedom, and Indemnity held out in the Proclamations of his predecessors, and such as came in, either previous to the Proclamations or subsequent to the Cessation of Hostilities. Negroes of the first Description he supposed not included in the Treaty, as the public Faith had prior to the Treaty been pledged to them for their Security against the Claims of their former Masters. Admitting this distinction to be just, We would mention a Circumstance to your Excellency which we suppose no otherwise material than to shew that Sir Guy Carleton, or at least that his subordinate Officers did not intend to observe the Treaty even agreeable to their own limited construction of it.
Whenever the Negroes at an Inspection of an Embarkation were examined, they always, except in a very few Instances, produced a printed Certificate from the Commandant of the City countersigned by his Secretary, purporting that they came within the british Lines in consequence of the Proclamations issued by Sir Henry Clinton and others. We were sensible as

there was no mode prescribed for investigating these matters, that it was impossible the Commandant, or his Secretary could in every case have sufficient Proof of the time of the Negroes coming in, and therefore concluded there must be an abuse. In this we were not deceived, for it appears that Certificates with Blanks were given by the Commandant to Individuals to be filled up as their Convenience might require—One of these Blank Certificates have fallen into our Hands, and we transmit it to your Excellency.
Sir Guy Carleton during the whole of the time from our arrival in this City until his departure on the 25th of November exercised the same kind of Jurisdiction in this City, and on Long Island and Staten Island, and as fully as his Predecessors in Command had at any Period of the War, and in the Exercise of this Jurisdiction he retained the Regulation of the Commerce of this Port, continued to Lease and receive the Rents of a number of Houses in this City which had been previously taken, and the Rents appropriated by the british Government here as belonging to persons residing without their Lines, and by them therefore declared as being in Rebellion, he refused, except in a very few Instances to restore Persons, who were desirous of returning to their former Habitations, the possession of their Estates, and caused several Citizens of the United States to be apprehended and tried by Courts Martial. A Considerable Embarkation of Negroes took place the Day this City was evacuated—The hurry of business on the part of the Britons is the ostensible reason why we were not invited to the Inspection, as appears by a Letter from Captain Gilfillan.✻ We have the Honor to be, Your Excellency’s Most Obedient Humble servants

Egbt Benson
W.S. Smith
Danl Parker

✻Mr Gilfillan’s letter to Col. Smith of 19th Feby 1784.


Title: From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, 18 January 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Harrison, Benjamin

My Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 18th Jany 1784

I have just had the pleasure to receive your letter of the 8th—for the friendly & affectionate terms in which you have welcomed my return to this Country & to private life; & for the favourable light in which you are pleased to consider, & express your sense of my past services, you have my warmest & most grateful acknowledgments.
That the prospect before us is, as you justly observe, fair, none can deny; but what use we shall make of it, is exceedingly problematical; not but that I believe, all things will come right at last; but like a young heir, come a little prematurely to a large inheritance, we shall wanton and run riot until we have brought our reputation to the brink of ruin, & then like him shall have to labor with the current of opinion when compelled perhaps, to do what prudence & common policy pointed out as plain as any problem in Euclid, in the first instance.
The disinclination of the individual States to yield competent powers to Congress for the Foederal Government—their unreasonable jealousy of that body & of one another—& the disposition which seems to pervade each, of being all-wise & all-powerful within itself, will, if there is not a change in the system, be our downfal as a Nation. This is as clear to me as the A, B.C.; & I think we have opposed Great Britain, & have arrived at the present state of peace & independency, to very little purpose, if we cannot conquer our own prejudices. The powers of Europe begin to see this, & our newly acquired friends the British, are already & professedly acting upon this ground; & wisely too, if we are determined to persevere in our folly. They

know that individual opposition to their measures is futile, &boast that we are not sufficiently united as a Nation to give a general one! Is not the indignity alone, of this declaration, while we are in the very act of peace-making & conciliation, sufficient to stimulate us to vest more extensive & adequate powers in the sovereign of these United States? For my own part, altho’ I am returned to, & am now mingled with the class of private citizens, & like them must suffer all the evils of a Tyranny, or of too great an extension of fœderal powers; I have no fears arising from this source; in my mind, but I have many, & powerful ones indeed which predict the worst consequences from a half starved, limping Government, that appears to be always moving upon crutches, & tottering at every step. Men, chosen as the Delegates in Congress are, cannot officially be dangerous—they depend upon the breath—nay, they are so much the creatures of the people, under the present Constitution, that they can have no views (which could possibly be carried into execution), nor any interests, distinct from those of their constituents. My political creed therefore is, to be wise in the choice of Delegates—support them like Gentlemen while they are our representatives—give them competent powers for all federal purposes—support them in the due exercise thereof—& lastly, to compel them to close attendance in Congress during their delegation. These things under the present mode for, & termination of elections, aided by annual instead of constant Sessions, would, or I am exceedingly mistaken, make us one of the most wealthy, happy, respectable & powerful Nations, that ever inhabited the terrestrial Globe—without them, we shall in my opinion soon be every thing which is the direct reverse of them.
I shall look for you, in the first part of next month, with such other friends as may incline to accompany you, with great pleasure, being with best respects to Mrs Harrison, in which Mrs Washington joins me, Dear Sir, Your Most Obedt & affecte hble servant

G: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Tankerville, 20 January 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Tankerville, Charles Bennett, fourth earl of

My Lord,
Mount Vernon. 20th Jany 1784.

I do not know how it happen’d but the fact is, that your Lordships favor of the 15th of July did not reach my hands until the latter part of Decr whilst I was on my return to this Seat of retirement—The Letter however which I had the honor of writing to Lady Tankerville, duplicate of which, for fear of accidents,

I now inclose; will have informed her Ladyship, & I persuade myself, you My Lord, of the impracticability of my taking an active & responsible part in the disposal of Mr Bennets Estate in this Country; but if my advice, & occasional assistance to the Gentlemen who accept the trust, can be of any avail, they shall be afforded with great pleasure. Could I say more, without feeling conscious of giving assurances I should be unable to comply with, such is my willingness to serve your Lordship, & your right Honorable mother, I would do it most chearfully.
Much as I expected to find my own private concerns deranged; & intricately involved as I knew those of some others (which had been committed to my care) must be, I shall realize more trouble and perplexity than I apprehended (before I began the investigation) in restoring them, if it be practicable, to order. An almost entire suspension of every thing which related to my own Estate, for near nine years, has accumulated an abundance of work for me.
The second person named, My Lord, in the Power of Attorney, is miscalled: it should be Hooe, instead of Howe. Not adverting to the probability of this circumstance, at the time I was writing to her Ladyship, must account for, & will be received I hope, as an apology for that paragraph of my Letter which professed ignorance of such a person—So soon as I discovered the mistake I arrested the Power in its progress to the Attorney General, Mr Randolph & have now placed it in the hands of Colo. Hooe, who is an exceeding good man, & very competent to the execution of the trust which he accepts —Mr Little, whose character I have enquired into since I came home, stands exceeding well in his reputation, & may from his peculiar knowledge of the Estate, be very serviceable in the disposal of it to the best advantage.
I beg you to be assured My Lord, that no apology was necessary for the request you made to me—that I shall always feel pleasure in obliging your Lordship whenever it may be in my power: & that with great consideration & respect I have the honor to be Your Lordship, &a

G: Washington


Title: To George Washington from James Tilton, 20 January 1784
From: Tilton, James
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Annapolis [Md.] 20th Jany 1784.

It was with pleasure I received your communication of the 28 December 1783, appointing the city of Philadelphia to be the place for the general meeting of the society of Cincinnati, on the first monday in may next, agreeably to the original institution.

I am convinced, sir, you may rely on the punctual attendance of the delegates of the delaware state society. It was not without mature deliberation in several meetings, that the officers of the delaware line entered into the association, and not before they had considered the objects of it as laudable, and the means of attainment as adequate to the ends proposed. I know therefore the delegates will consider themselves as inexcuseable for the least neglect. I have written a notification to Major James Moore (late Captn Moore) who is one of the two appointed to represent our little society. He is a man of excellent character and can attend without inconveniency. And having myself the honor to be the other representative, I shall be ambitious to attend the first general meeting. I have the honor to be, sir, with all the respect that I ought, Your most obt servt

James Tilton


Title: From George Washington to Heintz, 21 January 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Heintz, Jean, chevalier de

Sir,
Mount Vernon 21st Jany 1784

As soon as I had the honor of receiving your Letter containing a proposal of the order of the Knights of Divine Providence; I referred the subject of it to the decision of Congress, in my letter to that august Body dated the 28th of August last, a copy of which is enclosed. Whereupon the United States in Congress assembled, were pleased to pass their Act of the 5th Inst: which is properly authenticated by their Secretary, & which I have the honor of transmitting herewith.
Notwithstanding it appears to be incompatible with the principles of our national Constitution to admit the introduction of any kind of Nobility, Knighthood, or distinctions of a similar nature, amongst the Citizens of our republic, yet I pray you will have the goodness to make known to the Illustrious Knights of

the order of Divine Providence, that we receive with the deepest gratitude & most perfect respect this flattering mark of their attention & approbation. For the polite manner in which you have communicated the pleasure of the order, you will be pleased to accept my best acknowledgments. I have the honor to be with very great consid[eratio]n &ca

G: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Philip Schuyler, 21 January 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Schuyler, Philip

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 21st Jany 1784

Your favor of the 20th of December found me as you conjectured by that fire side, from which I had been too long absent for my own convenience; to which I returned with the greatest avidity the moment my public avocations would permit; and from which I hope never again to be withdrawn.
While I am here solacing myself in my retreat from the busy scenes of life, I am not only made extremely happy by the gratitude of my Countrymen in general, but particularly so by the repeated proofs of the kindness and approbation of those who have been more intimately conversant with my public transactions—and I need scarcely add that the favorable opinion of no one, is more acceptable than that of yourself.
In recollecting the vicisitudes of fortune we have experienced, and the difficulties we have surmounted, I shall always call to mind the great assistance I have frequently received from you, both in your public & private character. May the blessings of Peace amply reward your exertions, may you, & your family (to whom the compliments of Mrs Washington and myself are affectionately presented) long continue to enjoy every species of happiness this World can afford. With sentiments of sincere esteem, attachment, & affection I am—Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt & very Hble Servant

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to James Nourse, 22 January 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Nourse, James

Sir,
Mount Vernon 22d Jany 1784

Yesterday gave me the honor of your favor of the 11th from Annapolis. I thank you for the trouble you have taken to bring me acquainted with the affairs of my deceased Brother of Berkly.
It would give me great pleasure to render any service to his children; & as far as I can do it by paying attention to those two who are in my Neighbourhood with Mr Griffith, I will; but to concern myself in the smallest degree with the management of their Estates, I cannot. It would be undertaking a trust which I could not discharge properly—consequently it would be wrong to engage in it. I have not only the derangement of nine years in my own private concerns to emerge from, but (what gives me infinitely more concern) those of others, for whom I have acted as Executor, by Powers of Attorney &ca to extricate also, if it be practicable—Here then it is evident I have sufficient employment (more indeed than comports with that ease & freedom from trouble & care which I wish to enjoy) without undertaking any new matter.
It gave me concern to hear that my Brothers Estate is so much involved, I had no conception of it. nor do I know upon what terms he obtained the Land I sold a Mr Pendleton. Not a farthing of the purchase money has ever yet been paid to me, nor have Deeds passed from me to any one —I wish this may be all—it is to be feared many of my rents will be found in his hands when I come to a final settlement with my Tenants—they having been told, his receipts would exonerate them, while he has been requested to receive any rents which might be offered to him on my behalf. If his Books are in your hands I shall be obliged to you for a transcript of the account between us, as it stands thereon.
I shall receive nothing which may fall to me as Heir at Law to

his youngest son. But if the Lawyers are clear that the right is in me, it may not be amiss to consider, whether such property had best be given to any one, or to all his children in equal proportions—or whether still better pretensions may not be in some other.
I thank you for your kind congratulations upon my return to domestic life, & am Sir, Yr most obedt servt

G: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Charles Thomson, 22 January 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Thomson, Charles

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 22d Jany 1784

The original letter & other Papers from the Chevr de Heintz respecting the order of the Knights of Divine Providence, were transmitted to Congress without a Copy being taken; I am a little at a loss therefore in what manner to direct my letter to him, more especially as I have a feint recollection that their is a mode pointed out for the address by the Secretary himself—Let me pray you therefore, my good Sir, to examine into this matter, and after giving my letter another cover, to put it into the proper channel for conveyance.
If my Commission is not necessary for the files of Congress I should be glad to have it deposited amongst my own Papers. It may serve my Grand Children some fifty or a hundd years hence for a theme to ruminate upon, if they should be contemplatively disposed.
We have been so fast locked in Snow & Ice since Christmas, that all kinds of intercourse have been suspended; & a duty which I owed my Mother, & intended ’ere this to have performed, has been forced to yield to the intemperence of the Weather: but, as this again must submit to the approaching Sun, I shall soon be enabled, I expect, to discharge that duty on which nature & inclination have a call; and shall be ready afterwards to welcome my friends to the shadow of this vine & Fig tree; where I hope it is unnecessary to add, I should be exceedingly happy to see you, and any of my late Masters—now representatives.
Mrs Washington, if she knew I was writing to you in the stile of Invitation would, I am certain, adduce arguments to prove that I ought to include Mrs Thompson; but before she should have half spun the thread of her discourse, it is more than probable I should have nonplused her, by yielding readily to the force of her reasoning. With sentiments of sincere regd & esteem. I am—Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Robert Stewart, 23 January 1784
From: Stewart, Robert
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
London Janry 23d 1784

As I purpose to do myself the Honour and great pleasure of writing to you soon, by a direct opportunity from hence to Virginia, in answer to the Letter which you did me the honr to write to me the 10th of last August, from the State of New York, this only serves to entreat you will pardon the liberty I take in Introducing to Your Excellency, the Bearer Doctor Ross, who after a long residence [in] Turkey, and visiting many other Countries, intends going to America, and ardently wishes for the honr of being known to Your Excellency. Docr Ross’s great merit and extensive knowledge will, I hope in some degree, plead my excuse for the freedom I now presume on, at the earnest request of Mr Dempster, a Member of the British Parliament, a great admirer of yours, that has long honoured me with his particular Freindship & whose uncommon goodness of heart, distinguished abilities, and sterling worth render him, all partiallity aside, a valueable Member, and real ornament of Society.
May I likewise beg you will do me the Honour to present my most respectfull Compliments to Your Lady and be persuaded of the high esteem and sincere attachment with which I have the Honr to be—My Dear General Your ever affectionate & faithful humble Servant

Robert Stewart


Title: To George Washington from Vioménil, 24 January 1784
From: Vioménil, Antoine-Charles du Houx, baron de
To: Washington, George

Monsieur
a paris Le 24 Janvier 1784

Le Baron d’angélly qui ma Servi d’aide de camp pendant les campagnes que j’ay faites en amérique desirant tres vivement d’etre aggregé a la Société que préside Votre Exelence, cest avec la plus grande confiance que je la Supplie de vouloir bien luy procurer cet agrément, il étoit colonel attaché au corps de La marinne, L’orsque nous sommes arrivés a newport, m. le cte de barras La employé en cette qualité et cest avec Lagrement du ministre de ce departément que je prend La liberté de demander bonté, et protection a Votre Exelence pour le Succes de ma recomandation, ma reconnoissance Sera vive et tout aussi durable que les Sentiments du tendre et respectueux attachement avec Les quels jay lhonneur detre Monsieur, De Votre Exelence Le tres humble et tres obeissant Serviteur

Vioménil


Title: Enclosure: Members of the Dismal Swamp Company, 24 January 1784
From: Washington, George
To:

[24 January 1784]

                  David Jemeson for Samuel Gist & Self Shares
                  1

                  David Mead for Self & Mr[s] William Waters
                  1 ½

                  Mr John Lewis for his Father & Nathaniel Bacon
                  2

                  Thomas Newton for Colo. Tucker & Major Fairly
                  2

                  Mr Man Page of Mansfield
                   ½

                  Mr William Nelson & Brother
                  1

                  Mr Secretary Thomas Nelson
                  1

                  Your self
                  1

                  Thomas Walker & Joseph Hornsby
                  1

                  11

                  David Jemeson york

                  David Mead near Westover

                  Mr Lewis Fredericksburg

                  Thomas Newton Norfolk

                  Man Page near Fredericksburg

                  William Nelson york

                  Secretary Thomas Nelson near Hanover Court House

                  Joseph Hornby Williamsburg

                  Thomas Walker Castle Hill Albemarle


Title: To George Washington from Wakelin Welch, 26 January 1784 [letter not found]
From: Welch, Wakelin
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Wakelin Welch, 26 Jan. 1784. On 27 July 1784 GW wrote to Welch: “Your letter of the 26th of Jany, & duplicate thereof, both coming by the way of James river, were long getting to hand.”


Title: To George Washington from Rochambeau, 29 January 1784
From: Rochambeau, Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de
To: Washington, George

Paris January 29th 1784.

Give me leave my dear Général to intrust you with friendship in one observation Which did not Escape to the regiments that composed our army. They find that the général society has given too much or too little extent to its favour, in granting it to all the Colonels and Stoping to them. I do not ask it for the Lieutenant colonels and majors because it is to the choice or favour that they owe their advancement as Well as the Colonels, but I think it Would be convenient to grant for ever and ever the marck of Cincinnati, not to the person, but to the office of the first Captain, actually in Service under the colours of every regiment Which has Served in america under your orders and mine. I deliver up this reflexion, my dear Général, to your friendship, to use of it just as it will be most agreeable to you. I am With the most inviolable and respectfull attachment, my Dear Général your most obedient and very humble servant.

le cte de Rochambeau


Title: To George Washington from Edward Newenham, 30 January 1784 [letter not found]
From: Newenham, Edward
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Edward Newenham, 30 Jan. 1784. On 10 June GW wrote to Newenham: “I had the honor to receive . . . your favors of the 30th of Jany & 15th of March.”


Title: To George Washington from Steuben, January 1784
From: Steuben, Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, baron von
To: Washington, George

My dear General
[January 1784]

The letter of december 23d which I have had the honor of receiving from Your Excellency is the most honorable testimony which my serving could have received. My first wish was to approve myself to Your Excellency & in having obtained it my happiness is complete.
The Confidence Your Excellency was pleased to place in my integrity & ability Gained me that of the Army & of the United States—Your approbation will secure it.
A Stranger to the language & customs of the Country, I had nothing to offer in my favor but a little experience & great good will to serve the United States, If my endeavours have succeeded I owe it to Your Excellencys protection, & it is a sufficient reward for me to know that I have been usefull in Your

Excellencys Operations—which always tended to the good of Your country.
After having studied the principles of the military art under Frederick, & put them into practice under Washington, after having deposited my sword under the same trophies of Victory with Yours, & finally after having received this last public testimony of Your esteem, there remains nothing for me to desire.
Accept my sincere thanks, My dear General for the Unequivocal proofs of Your friendship which I have received since I had first the honor to receive Your orders; & believe that I join my prayers to those of America for the preservation of Your life, & for the increase of Your felicity, with every sentiment of respect, I have the honor to be Your Excellencys Obdient


Title: From George Washington to Chastellux, 1 February 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Chastellux, François-Jean de Beauvoir, marquis de

My Dear Chevr
Mount Vernon 1st Feby 1784.

I have had the honor to receive your favor of the 23d of August from L’Orient. I hope this Letter will find you in the circle of your friends at Paris, well recovered from the fatigues of your long & wearisome inspection on the frontiers of the Kingdom.
I am at length become a private citizen of America, on the banks of the Potowmac; where under my own Vine & my own Fig tree—free from the bustle of a camp & the intrigues of a Court, I shall view the busy world, “in the calm lights of mild philosophy”—& with that serenity of mind which the Soldier in his pursuit of glory, & the Statesman of fame, have not time to enjoy. I am not only retired from all public employments;

but I am retireing within myself & shall tread the private walks of life with heartfelt satisfaction.
After seeing New York evacuated by the British Forces on the 25th of Novembr, & civil Government established in the City, I repaired to Congress, & surrendered into their hands, all my powers, with my Commission on the 23d of Decemr and arrived at this Cottage on Christmas eve, where I have been close locked up ever since in Frost & Snow. Mrs Washington thanks you for your kind remembrance of her, & prays you to accept her best wishes. With sentiments of pure & unabated friendship, I am My Dr Chevr Yours &ca

G: Washington


Title: To George Washington from La Bretonnière, 1 February 1784
From: La Bretonnière, Louis-Bon-Jean de La Couldre, comte de
To: Washington, George

Monsieur
Paris Le 1er fevrier 1784

Le Vte De La Bretonniere Capitaine des Vaisseaux du Roy à L’honneur de representer à Votre Excellence, qu’il commandoit

La fregatte La Tourterelle En 1779, & 1780, Avec La quelle II à d’abord Escorté Un convoy de Douze Batimens Americains, & plusieurs Batimens francois chargés De Munitions & d’officiers qui arriverent à Boston.
Ses ordres Luy prescrivoient de Se rendre directement à st Domingue D’ou Il Escorta au mois de Juin 1780 Un Second Convoy de Batimens americains Jusqu’a La Bermude, ou Il S’Empara des Deux Corsaires Anglois La Bellone de 28 Canons, & L’Ambuscade De 18, & de deux prises qu’ils avoient faites dont Il remit En possession Les Proprietaires americains.
Il n’y avoit point D’Escadre francoise à L’Amerique à Cette Epocque dont La fregatte La Tourterelle fut Detachée, Ce qui met Le Sr Vte de La Bretonniere dans Le Cas de presenter Luy même Cette Adresse à Votre Excellence, II Juge qu’elle Voudra Bien regarder Ses Services rendus au Commerce des Etats Unis avec La même faveur que Ceux des Capitaines Commandas Les Vaisseaux Des Escâdres En Station à L’Amerique, qui Comme Colonels reclament, & Sollicitent L’honneur d’Etre associés à L’ordre de Cincinnatus. J’ay L’honneur d’Etre avec respect Monsieur Votre trés humble & trés Obeïssant Serviteur

Vte de la Bretonniere


Title: From George Washington to Lafayette, 1 February 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de

Mount Vernon 1st Feby 1784

At length my Dear Marquis I am become a private citizen on the banks of the Potomac, & under the shadow of my own Vine

& my own Fig tree, free from the bustle of a camp & the busy scenes of public life, I am solacing myself with those tranquil enjoyments, of which the Soldier who is ever in pursuit of fame—the Statesman whose watchful days & sleepless Nights are spent in devising schemes to promote the welfare of his own—perhaps the ruin of other countries, as if this Globe was insufficient for us all—& the Courtier who is always watching the countenance of his Prince, in hopes of catching a gracious smile, can have very little conception. I am not only retired from all public employments, but I am retireing within myself; & shall be able to view the solitary walk, & tread the paths of private life with heartfelt satisfaction—Envious of none, I am determined to be pleased with all. & this my dear friend, being the order for my march, I will move gently down the stream of life, until I sleep with my Fathers.
Except an introductory letter or two, & one countermanding my request respecting Plate, I have not written to you since the middle of Octobr by Genl Duportail. To inform you at this late hour, that the City of New York was evacuated by the British forces on the 25th of Novembr—that the American Troops took possession of it the same day, & delivered it over to the civil authority of the State—that good order, contrary to the expectation & predictions of G[enera]l Carleton, his Officers & all the loyalists, was immediately established—and that the harbour of New York was finally cleared of the British flag about the 5th or 6th of Decemr, would be an insult to your intelligence. And to tell you that I remained eight days in New York after we took possession of the City—that I was very much hurried during that time, which was the reason I did not write to you from thence—that taking Phila. in my way, I was obliged to remain there a week—that at Annapolis, where Congress were then, and are now sitting, I did, on the 23d of December present them my Commission, & made them my last bow—& on the Eve of Christmas entered these doors an older man by near nine years, than when I left them, is very uninteresting to any but myself. Since that period we have been fast locked up in frost & snow, & excluded in a manner from all kinds of intercourse, the winter having been, & still continues to be, extremely severe.
I have now to acknowledge, and thank you for your favors of

the 22d of July & 8th of September, both of which, altho’ the first is of old date, have come to hand since my letter to you of October. The accounts contained therein of the political & commercial state of affairs as they respect America, are interesting, & I wish I could add that they were altogether satisfactory; & the Agency, you have had in both, particularly with regard to the Free ports in France, is a fresh evidence of your unwearied endeavours to serve this Country; but there is no part of your Letters to Congress My Dear Marquis, which bespeaks the excellence of your heart more plainly than that, which contains those noble & generous sentiments on the justice which is due to the faithful friends & Servants of the public; but I must do Congress the justice to declare, that as a body, I believe there is every disposition in them, not only to acknowledge the merits, but to reward the services of the army: there is a contractedness, I am sorry to add, in some of the States, from whence all our difficulties on this head, proceed; but it is to be hoped, the good sense & perserverance of the rest, will ultimately prevail, as the spirit of meanness is beginning to subside.
From a letter which I have just received from the Governor of this State I expect him here in a few days, when I shall not be unmindful of what you have written about the bust, & will endeavour to have matters respecting it, placed on their proper basis.I thank you most sincerely My Dear Marqs for your kind invitation to your house, if I should come to Paris. At present I see but little prospect of such a voyage, the deranged situation of my private concerns, occasioned by an absence of almost nine years, and an entire disregard of all private business during that period, will not only suspend, but may put it forever out of my power to gratify this wish. This not being the case with you, come with Madame la Fayette & view me in my domestic walks—I have often told you, & I repeat it again, that no man could receive you in them with more friendship & affection than I should do; in which I am sure Mrs Washington would cordially join me. We unite in respectful compliments to your Lady, & best wishes for your little flock. With every sentiment of esteem, Admiration & Love, I am, My Dr Marqs Your Most Affecte friend

G: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Lauzun, 1 February 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Lauzun, Armand-Louis de Gontaut Biron, duc de

My Dear Duke,
Mount Vernon 1st Feby 1784

I have had the pleasure to receive your favor of the 11th of Octor from L’Orient: every testimony which you give of my holding a place in your remembrance, is as pleasing as it is flattering to me; & I pray you not to deprive me of them.
After seeing the British forces withdrawn from New York, & Civil Government established there, I repaired to Congress (at

Annapolis) & surrendered into their hands all my public employments—I am now a private Citizen on the banks of the Potomac, meditating amidst Frost & snow (which at present encompass me) upon the structure of walks for private life; in any of which I should be happy to meet you, but in none with more pleasure than at this seat of retirement from the bustle of the busy world.
As I feel myself interested in every thing that concerns you, permit me to congratulate you with the warmth which friendship dictates, upon your late promotion; & to assure you that I derived much pleasure from the Accot you have given me of it. Mrs Washington accepts your kind remembrance of her with gratitude, & offers best wishes in return. My Compliments are presented to Count Dillon, & the other officers of your Corps with whom I have the honor of an acquaintance; & with sentiments of the greatest regard & esteem, I have the honor to be Your Graces, &ca

G: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Samuel Lewis, 1 February 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Lewis, Samuel

Sir,
Mount Vernon 1st Feby 1784

After an absence of near nine years I am returned to my own home again, & am begining to look into my private concerns, which have undergone an almost total suspension during that period.
In my researches after papers, I find Memorandums of warrants, which had been put into the hands of the Surveyor of Bottetourt to execute; particularly one in my own right, under the Royal Proclamation of 1763 for 5000 acres, which appears

to have been executed in part on the 6th of Novr 1774 by a survey for 2950 on the Great Kanhawa, adjoining to (what is commonly called) the Pokitellico Survey for 21,941, acres. And in a Letter of the 15th of Feby 1779, from Genl Lewis (whose death I sincerely regret) I find a paragraph containing these words:
“With regard to what you ask respecting Lands, no patents have been granted for any by the Proclamation of 63, but one which Doctr Connelly obtained by favor of Lord Dunmore, tho’ there seems no doubt of our obtaining such rights, as soon as the Land office be opened, which is expected next meeting of the Assembly. The burning Spring is surveyed in your & my names, I shall put the plat in the office, when opened, with some others I have in readiness. It will, for the quantity, make a good stock place, as a great proportion may be turned into meadow. The ground off the river, from the mouth of Cole river up, & particularly about the burning Spring is very high, uneven & barren, so much so that no Settlement can be made off the low-grounds of the river.”
I have now to beg the favor of you Sir, to give me such further information respecting the application of my warrants which have come into your office, as it may be in your power to do; & to inform me at the same time whether the Survey of 2950, acres made for my benefit, has ever been returned to the Secretarys office: Also, whether a patent for the Tract including the burning Spring has ever been obtained—for what quantity of acres—what improvements are on it, with such other particulars as may be interesting for me to know—particularly, in what County it lies—how far it is from the Kanhawa in the nearest part—& from the mouth of Cole river, where it forms its ju[n]ction with the latter.
A Letter directed to any of your acquaintances in Fredericksburg or Richmond, with a request to put it into the post office, will be sure of getting to hand—other conveyances, more than probable will be precarious. I am—Sir Your most obt Servant

G: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Lewis, 1 February 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Lewis, Thomas

Sir,
Mount Vernon 1st Feby 1784

After an absence of almost nine years, & nearly a total suspension of all my private concerns, I am at length set down at home, & am endeavouring to recover my business from the confusion into which it has run during that period.
Among other matters which require my attention, indeed in which I need information, is the state of the Lands which I am entitled to in my own right, & by purchase under the Royal Proclamation in 1763, (west of the mountains). My papers are so mixed, & in such disorder at this time, occasioned by frequent hasty removals of them out of the way of the Enemy, that I cannot, (it being likely too, that some of them are lost) by the assistance of my memory, come at a thorough knowledge of that business. In a Letter which I have come across, from Capt.

William Crawford, who appears to have acted as your Deputy, dated the 8th of May 1774, I find these words—“Inclosed you have the Drafts of the round Bottom & your Shurtees Land, done agreeably to Mr Lewis’s direction.” For the latter, I have found a patent signed by Lord Dunmore the 5th day of July 1774, for 2813 acres. but the other is yet in my possession —& I am unable from any recollection I have of the matter to account for it, unless it should have been arrested there by some very ungenerous, & unjustifiable attempts of different people, at different times, to disturb me in my right to it—a right, I will venture to say, which is founded upon the first discovery of the Land—the first improvement of it; the first survey, & for ought I know the only report by authority that ever was made of it; which will be found in the words of the enclosed copy; the recital of which, if I mistake not, is in your own hand writing, & the whole with your signature.
I have an imperfect recollection that in the year 1774 I sent a young man (of the name of Young, who at that time lived with me) to you on the business of these Lands; but not having as yet met with any letter from you, or report from him on the subject, I am unable with precision, to recollect the particular matters with which he was charged, or the result of his journey. This then is one of the points on which I want information, & it is one of the inducements to my giving you the trouble of this letter. Another is, to know if I have any warrants in your hands unexecuted—it appearing from two Bonds in my possession, one from a Capt. Roots for 3000 acres; the other from Lieut: (now, or lately the Revd Mr) Thruston for 2000 more; that I ought (if I have not been neglectful in taking them out) to have warrts somewhere for 5000 acres under the proclamation of 1763—of which no locations, that have come to my knowledge, have yet been made.
Another thing of which I wish to be informed is, whether there are any surveys or locations in your Office, for the Land immediately at the point of fork between the little Kanhawa (upper side) & the Ohio; & in that case, in whose names they are made. The reason for the latter enquiry is, that Capt. Crawford in a letter of the 12th of Novr 1773, (an extract from which I herewith enclose, as I also do a copy of the survey, which he actually made at that place) proposed to locate this

spot for his own benefit & mine. And I am the more sollicitous in this enquiry, as it appears by a subsequent Letter of his to me, that there was some difficulty in the way of his obtaining a warrant from Lord Dunmore for the part he expected to get himself —If this difficulty continued to exist until his death, so as to prevent his location; & provided there are no better pretensions than mine; I should be glad to lay the two warrants before mentioned (to wit, Roots’s and Thruston’s) on this spot. I would be understood however, explicitly to mean, that it is not my wish, in the smallest degree to injure my much regretted friend Crawford, or any person claiming under him by this application; but if the road is open, to learn only from you, by what mode I am to obtain it; having the above rights for 5000 acres, which were in whole or part designed for this very spot, yet to locate.
It might seem proper, before I conclude to make an apology for the trouble the compliance with these several requests will give you, but persuading myself you will consider the situation I have been in for many years, as a reasonable excuse, I conceive it is altogether unnecessary My good Sir to offer one. I shall only request the favor therefore, of an answer, & your care of the inclosed letter to your nephew, (who I find has made one survey for me in Bottetourt) or to the Surveyor of that County.
On the Death of your Brother, Genl Lewis, I most sincerely condole with you, as I had, while he was living a sincere friendship and regard for him. I am Sir Your very humble Servt

G: Washington

P.S. An answer under cover to some acquaintance of yours in Fredericksg or Richmond, with a request to put the Letter into the Post office, will be certain of getting to hand—otherwise, unless an opportunity shou’d offer directly to Alexandria, the chances are against my ever receiving it.


Title: To George Washington from Jacob Read, 1 February 1784
From: Read, Jacob
To: Washington, George

Sir
Annapolis [Md.] 1st Feby 1784

By the post which arrivd from the Northward yesterday I had the honour to receive under Cover to myself the Letter I now do Myself the pleasure to inclose to you.
As we have been for a Considerable time Without a post to or from the Southward I have preferred Sending this Letter to Mount Airy to be forwarded by any Conveyance that May offer from that place by a private hand and if none at present Shoud offer then to be put into the post office at Marlboro.
By the desertion (for it deserves no other name) of one of the Delaware Delegates Congress are again left to do little more than meet and adjourn de die in diem. & I do not hear of any other Delegation Coming forward. Colonel Humphry’s late of Your family is here—our Situation has not admitted of our

thinking of any thing in behalf of that Gentleman and others in his Situation.
Two very good and I think honorable places are now Vacant Vizt the place of Under Secr[e]tary of foreign Affairs and of Deputy Secratry of Congress. You know the abilities and genius of Col. Humphry’s I wou’d be obliged to you for your Opinion Whether you think either of those wou’d Suit that Gentleman? and whether you Wou’d recommend his acceptance of either—The Latter is 1000 Dollars the former 800 per Annum. Do me the honour to present my most respectful Compliments to your Lady and believe that I am with the gratest respect and Esteem Sir Your Most obedient and most Humble Servant

Jacob Read

P.S. The Minister of France Monssr Marbois are here. Also Genl Armand and a Number of other Officers asking what we cannot grant I pity & feel for them, but this is almost all than Can be afforded them.


Title: To George Washington from Armand, 4 February 1784
From: La Rouërie, Armand-Charles Tuffin, marquis de
To: Washington, George

Sir
anapolis [Md.] february 4th 1784

being intrusted by Grl duportail, the officers of his corps & thoses of the legion with the management of their final settlement of accounts, I came to this place near three weeks ago; my intention was to lay our affairs before Congress, & while they had them under their consideration, to go and pay my respects to your Excellency.
I was to that point, when Colonel humphrey told us that you were Going to frederickbourg & to return only, in 10–or–12 days, during that time Congress have determined agreeable to our request, & the distressed Condition of the officers concerned in their resolve, oblige me to make all haste in my power

towards Philadelphia, less the thaw should prevent my being there for some weeks, which delay would be Extremely hurtfull to thoses Gentlemen who at this instant are destitute of resources.
although thoses Circumstances deprive me at present of the honor to pay a visit to your Excellency, I am happy in the idea that as soon I have finally settled with the Superintendant of finance, I shall take a Journey to Virginia, the whole purpose of which will be to see once more the man which I shall love, respect & admire all my days.
General mifflin who intended to pay you a visit with me has posponed the Journey & will go with the chevalier de la Luzern —I inclose here a lettre that was Confided to my Care. I have the honor to be with the highest respect your Excellency’s Sir—the most obdt hble st

C. Armand


Title: From George Washington to John Harvie, 10 February 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Harvie, John

Sir,
Mount Vernon 10th Feby 1784

After an absence of almost nine years from home, & a total suspension, as it were to all my private concerns during that period, I am now endeavouring to obtain a knowledge of my Affairs & to put my business in some kind of order again. The deranged situation of my papers (occasioned by frequent hasty removals of them out of the enemy’s reach) makes it more difficult to affect these, than it otherwise would be; but by some Memo[randu]ms I have lately met with, it would seem that several Land Warrants which I had obtained from Lord Dunmore in my own right, & by purchase from Capt. John Roots & Lieut:(now, or lately the Revd Mr) Thruston under the Royal Proclamation of 1763, amounting in the whole to 10,000 acres, have, or ought to have been placed in the hands of the Surveyor of Augusta, Bottetourt or Fincastle, or partly in all, for execution;  but having come across nothing as yet which points precisely to the appropriation of them, and as the offices for those Counties are at a great distance from me, & possibly the Surveyors of them unknown, as there may have been changes within the period above mentioned to which I am a stranger; I

take the liberty to enquire of you, Sir, whether any Surveys, consequent of these warrants, have been returned to the Land Office since the beginning of the year 1774, in my name; besides one for 2813 acres which I have found a patent for, previous to that date —There were many Surveys made by Capt:Wm Crawford, (specially appointed for the purpose) & for which Patents have issued; they being for the 200,000 acres granted by the Proclamation of Govr Dinwiddie in the year 1754; which I mention that you may not be misled in your researches, by a discovery of these.
If upon examination of the Surveyors reports you should find any Surveys subsequent to the above date, in my name, or in partnership with others, (for I expected to be joined with Genl Andrew Lewis in a small tract on the waters of the Great Kanhawa, including a burning Spring; & with Wm Crawford in a tract at the confluence of the little Kanhawa & Ohio) I shall thank you for information thereof. And as there was some difficulty in the way of the latter, I shou’d be obliged to you for acquainting me if a survey of this spot has ever been returned, in the name of any other person, to the office—It being at the point of fork, will render the search easy, & as one Doctr Brisco set up a claim to it, his name, or that of Michael Cresap of Maryland who appears to have had pretensions of some kind or another to every good spot in the country, may render the search more easy. You will please to advert to the circumstance of there being two Kanhawa’s; & that this is distinguished by the appellation of the Little Kanhawa.
Having mentioned the name of Cresap, it reminds me of another matter which I must also request the favor of you to give me information upon—it is, whether if he has had any Surveys returned to the Land Office of this State, among them is one for about five or six hundred acres for a tract which is well known, & distinguished by the name of the round bottom on the Ohio, opposite to Pipe Creek, & a little above a creek call Capteening? He has, I find, arrested my Survey of it for 587 acres, made under all the legal forms & upon proper warrants, for no better reason that I could ever learn, than because it was a good bottom & convenient for him to possess it, & had it in his power to do it with impunity.
The length of time which I have been out of the State, & the changes which may have happened in the Constitution of it

since, may render these requests to you Sir, altogether improper; should this really be the Case, it makes an apology to you on my part necessary for the trouble of this application; but I must still pray your compliance with the requests; presuming, if the Land office should have been separated from that of the Secretary’s, it is nevertheless kept at Richmond, where you can have recourse to the records of it without much trouble, the doing of which would save time to me, & render a second application from me to any other office unnecessary. I am Sir Your Most obt &c.

G: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 10 February 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Randolph, Edmund

Dear sir,
Mount Vernon 10th Feby 1784

A short time before I came home I received a power of Attorney from the Earl of Tankerville, & his Brother, the Honorable Mr Bennett; authorising Colo. Hooe, (miscalled Howe,)yourself & me, to dispose of property belonging to the latter in this State. Letters, from Lord Tankerville & the Countess his Mother, to me, accompanied the Power, expressive of their wishes that I would accept the trust; but the deranged situation of my own private concerns, which have in a manner undergone a complete suspension of almost nine years, and the intricately involved Affairs of some others, which, unfortunately for them, & painful in the reflection to me, were committed to my care; puts it absolutely out of my power to engage in any new

matters, without violence to my own convenience, & injury to those I have in hand. Of this I have informed her Ladyship & my Lord; at the same time I assured them that the trust could not be reposed in better hands than Colo. Hooe’s (who consents to act & has the Power) & yours, who I took the liberty to say, would either accept the appointment or inform them of the contrary. Mrs Washington joins me in best respects to Mrs Randolph, & with great truth & sincere friendship, I am, Dear sir, Your most Obedt & affecte Servant

G: Washington


Title: To George Washington from the South Carolina Legislature, 10 February 1784
From: South Carolina Legislature
To: Washington, George

Sir
Charleston So. Carolina february 10th 1784

It is with inexpressible pleasure that we transmit your Excellency the Address of the Legislative body of the State of So. Carolina.
We are peculiarly happy, in the Opportunity afforded us, of testifying the high sense we entertain, of the consummate abilities and unparalleled virtue, that you have displayed in a long, and arduous Contest—a Contest! that altho it often placed you, in the most dangerous, and difficult situations, served only, to discover the inexhaustible sources of your Genius, and invincible fortitude, and administer to you fresh occasions of Glory.
When we consider how much, the United States are indebted to your Excellency for their Freedom, Independence, and Peace; words are wanting to convey the warmth, and sincerity of our esteem, and grateful respect.
May you, Sir, ever possess the united affections of a Great, and free People, and long live to enjoy in domestick felicity, and tranquility, the pleasing satisfaction, of having conscientiously, discharged your duty, to your Country, in rescuing it, from Tyranny, and, arbitrary Domination. We have the honor to be, with the highest respect Your Excellency’s most Obedient Servants

John LloydPresident of the Senate
Hugh RutledgeSpeaker of the House of Representatives


Title: From George Washington to Jacob Read, 12 February 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Read, Jacob

Sir,
Mount Vernon 12th Feb. 84.

Sundays Post brought me your favor of the first; covering a letter from the late President—Mr Boudinot—for your care of which I thank you.
It is not in my power to speak to the question you have propounded respecting Colo. Humphryss Inclination to either of the Offices now vacant, but as he is at Annapolis he can answer for himself—I have no doubt of his abilities being adequate to the duties of either of the places, if Congress should offer & he accepts, because he is a man of erudition & judgment—of great honor & integrity—and equally sober & circumspect in all his conduct.
The intemperence of the Weather has obliged me to postpone from one day to another for more than a month—a visit which I am called upon by duty & inclination to make to my Mother—I am now however in the very act of setting off for Fredericksburg where she lives —I expect to be gone 6 or 8 days—after which I should be happy to see you & any other Gentlem⟨en⟩ of my acquaintance in Congress at this place, in your hours of recess, or inactivity; of which, from your account, there are likely to be many—occasioned by the sudden—departure

of one of your body—Mrs Washington is obliged by your kind remembrance of her and prays you to accept her Compliments. I am Sir Yr Most Obedt & very Hble Servt

Go: Washington

P.S. I will thank you for offering my best respects to the Chevr de la Luzerne, Mr Marbois & Genl Armand—I shall hope if the weather permits to see them here before they return to Phila.


Title: From George Washington to William Drew, 13 February 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Drew, William

Sir,
Fredericks[bur]g [Va.] 13th Feby 1784

In the course of the last eight months, I have addressed two or three letters to you, praying an authenticated copy of the deceased Major Genl Lee’s Will: this I did consequent of a request from his Sister in England to me. Not having received the copy wrote for, nor any acknowledgment of my Letters, I

presume the latter have never reached your hands. I therefore give you the trouble of this Letter by Mr Throckmorton who has promised the safe conveyance of it to your office. I wish to be favored, as soon as convenient, with the Will in the manner she requires; the cost of which I will pay when you exhibit the charge. I wou’d send the money by Mr Throckmorton if I knew what would be the amount of the charge. I am sir Your Most Obedt servt

G: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Rochambeau, 13 February 1784
From: Rochambeau, Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de
To: Washington, George

Paris february 13th 1784.

here is, my Dear Général, one demand for the order of Cincinnatus of the most remarkable Kind, and which appears to me deserve the attention of the Society, here is inclosed the letter that M. de Lilancourt, before a general commander in St Domingo, has wrote to me upon this Subject. all the facts are exact in it, and you Know perfectly, well as me, how much obligations we owe to him for having Sent to us the detachment under the marquis de St Simon’s orders, that he was Strongly authorised, by the Silence of his instructions, to refuse us. I cannot then but particulary recommend his asking to your Excellency and to the general society. I am with respect Sir of your Excellency the most obeident and very humble Servant.

le cte de Rochambeau


Title: From George Washington to John Stephenson, 13 February 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Stephenson, John

Dear sir,
Fredericks[bur]g [Va.] 13th Feby 1784

After condoling with you on the unhappy fate of your Brother William, which I do very sincerely; & upon the Death of your brother Valentine, I should be glad to get a copy from both their Books, or Memos, of the accounts as they stand between

us; which are of long standing, & I fear not a little intricate. I write to you Sir, because I do not know (if you are not one yourself) who are the Executors or Administrators of those deceased Gentlemen. There were also some Land transactions, in partnership & otherwise between your Brother William & me, which I wish to have an account of. If it is in your power therefore, or you should have come across any warrants, Entries, Memoms or papers relative to this business, which can give me insight into the matter, I shall be much obliged to you for the information.
There is also a Bond in my possession from your deceased brother Hugh (for whose Death I am also very much concerned) with your name, or that of your brother James’s to it (I am not certain which as I am from home, & have accidentally met with this good & direct opportunity) for a Sum of money due to me from your Fathers Estate; which I wish to know when it can be settled & paid, as the situation of my private Affairs makes it absolutely necessary to close my Accounts & to receive payment as soon as possible.I am, with great esteem Your very hble servant

G: Washington