Title: To George Washington from George Crocker Fox & Sons, 8 April 1785
From: George Crocker Fox & Sons
To: Washington, George

Falmouth [England] April 8. 1785

George C. Fox & Sons, very respectfully, beg leave to inform General Washington that the inclosed letter from their Friends Rolland & Co. Amsterdam, was receiv’d a few days too late for the March Mail, but now goes forward ⅌ the Halifax Packet for Newyork.
If they can be useful to Genl Washington in forwarding any letters he may have occasion to send to Europe thro’ this Post, it will give them pleasure to obey his commands.


Title: To George Washington from Christopher Richmond, 8 April 1785
From: Richmond, Christopher
To: Washington, George

Sir
Annapolis [Md.] 8th April 1785

I had the honour of receiving your Letter of the 6th Instant, this day. In answer to that part of it relating to the depreciation on Continental Loan Office Certificates—I have to inform you, that the value of them is calculated from, and by, a table published by order of Congress; which commences the First day of September 1777 at par, and from that day, daily varying to the Eighteenth day of March 1780; when the Value of One hundred Continental, was Two Dollars and forty five Ninetieths of a Dollar—or Forty, for one, to this Table the Act of Assembly of Maryland directing its officers to liquidate Loan Office Certificates; both Continental and State, refers—I hope, I have been accurate in taking the Rates off the table abovementioned, for those belonging to you—however in the Manner you calculated

them by the monthly rates of Depreciation, it is very likely, there would be the difference mentioned in your Letter.
I most heartily wish, I could give an Account of a much larger Subscription for the opening Potowmack, than this District has afforded, or is likely to do. Enclosed is a Copy of the Subscription as it now stands, which I think would be considerably encreased, were not many persons detered from subscribing by their Fears of not being able to make good their Payments at the Times prescribed by the Acts of Assembly.
I have been lame for Eight Weeks past, so that I could not waite upon several Persons who I believe will subscribe. I will not neglect them when able to walk about. With the highest Respect I have the Honor to be Sir Your obedient hble servant

Chrisr Richmond


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Freeman, 11 April 1785
From: Washington, George
To: Freeman, Thomas

Sir,
Mt Vernon April 11th 1785.

Not having heard a tittle from you since I left Mr Simpsons in Septr last, I wish for the detail of your proceedings in my business since that period, particularly with respect to applications, if any, for my Lands in your neighbourhood or elsewhere, & what has been done with the mill. I have obtained, some time since, a Patent for the round bottom above Captenon, which may be rented upon the terms of my printed advertisements.
Mr Smith (especially as he lives at a distance, & is only in the County at the assizes) should have every assistance in hunting up the evidence necessary for the prosecution of my ejectments in the Court of Washington, particularly as they respect the improvements in my behalf, antecedent to the possession of the Land by the present occupants; & the notices given them of its being mine, at, or immediately after the Settlements made by them. Colo. John Stephenson, Mr Marc[u]s Stephenson & Mr Danl Morgan are, I shou’d suppose, most likely to be acquainted with Colo. Crawfords proceedings in this business. It is of consequence to ascertain all the improvements which were made for my use & benefit previous to the settlements of the present possessors. Colo. Crawford in a letter to me says, he built four houses on different parts of the Land; or made four improvements of some kind: if this can be proved it would defeat my opponents upon their own ground.
I should be glad to hear frequently from you—Letters lodged in the Post Office at Baltimore or Alex[andri]a, will not fail of getting safe to my hands. I am &c. &c.

G: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 12 April 1785
From: Biddle, Clement
To: Washington, George

Dear General
Philadelphia April 12. 1785

By a Schooner Capt. McLean which saild last week for Alexandria I sent a barrel which I received from Mr Boudinot with Orchard Grass seed—it went to the Care of Colo. Hooe to whom I forwarded the Captains receipt—this was the first Conveyance I could hear of since it came to hand.
I shall pay Mr Boudinots Account & send you the same with his receipt.
Inclosed is your account Current previous to my failure ballance £2.3.0½ which you will please to examine if right especialy the sums paid to Mr Richardson which I have from his Books.
Major Storey is appointed an additional Auditor to settle the Accounts in this state against the United States & is expected here to act in a few days therefore I thought it more prudent to keep the Accounts you inclosed me to lay before him than to trust them to Lancaster or Carlile where the other Auditor now attends.
Mr Paine being in town I Shewd your Letter to Mr Lamont to him & he advised that I should not deliver it without your further Order, As the Author of the Poems might say it was dedicated by your Permission when the work might not merit it. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect Your Excellencys Most Obedient & very humle servt

Clement Biddle


Title: From George Washington to Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, 12 April 1785
From: Washington, George
To: Jenifer, Daniel of St. Thomas

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 12th Apl 1785.

The Post preceeding the last, brought me your favor of the 31st Ulto—The next day I waited upon Colo. Hooe with your order, but he was confined to his bed & unable to do business. Two days after he sent me a Bill on New York for 2500 Dollars, payable at fifteen days sight; & gave me assurances that he wd pay the Balle shortly.
In consequence, you have my receipt for £1069.1.7 specie at the foot of the enclosed list. I have given it for specie because you desired it; in full confidence however, that if the Bill shd not be duely honored; or that I should meet with delays, or difficulty in receiving the Balle, that it will be null, or have proper attention paid to the circumstances; for, otherwise, the interest of this money which was intended to pay a debt at New York will, cease, when a higher interest there, will be accumulating that debt & defeat my intention.
I had taken up an idea, that, depreciation was the same thro’ he Mo.; & had calculated my demand accordingly. Mr Richmond varies the depreciation every day; by which his acct & mine differ £64.14.7⅛. I suppose he is right, & that I must submit to the disappointment.
I am exceedingly obliged to you for your ready, & pointed attention to this business. Mrs Washington & Fanny Bassett present their Compliments to you; & I pray you to be assured of the sincere esteem & regard with which I am, Dear Sir, Your Most Obedt and Affectionate Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Lafayette, 12 April 1785
From: Washington, George
To: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de

My dear Marqs
Mount Vernon April 12th 17⟨85⟩

Your letter of the 15th of Septr last year, introductory of Mr Duchi, I had the honor to receive a few days since.
However great that Gentleman’s merits are, and however much I might be inclined to serve him, candor required me to tell him, as I now do you, that there is no opening (within my view) by which he could enter, & succeed in the line of his profession, in this Country.
Besides being a stranger, and unacquainted with the language of these States—perfectly—many of them, to prevent an inundation of British Attorneys of which they were apprehensive, & of whose political principles they entertained not the most favorable sentiments; have passed qualifying Acts, by which residence & study in them for a specific time, is made essential to entitle a Lawyer to become a practitioner in our Courts of justice.
Therefore, should Mr Duchi incline, notwithstanding, to settle, altogether, or spend any Considerable portion of his time in this Country, his friends cannot serve him better than by obtaining for him some appointment in the Consular department; for the discharge of which, I presume he must be well qualified. With great attachment and the most Affectionate regard I am—My dear Marqs Yr sincere friend and Obedt Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Robert Lewis & Sons, 12 April 1785
From: Washington, George
To: Robert Lewis & Sons

Gentlemen,
Mount Vernon 12th Apl 1785.

I have received two letters from you—one of the 8th of March—the other the 5th instt—& thank you for both.
I acquiesce readily to the conditional terms you have made on my behalf with Joseph Davenport. His demand of Wages are as high as the best Mills in this Country afford; & the priviledges for wch he stipulates, shall be granted him with this addition, that his fire wood shall be Carted to his door, at my expence; and he may raise Poultry for his own eating at my cost; but under no pretence whatever to sell any.
I wish the charge of removing him could be stipulated, & made as reasonable as possible; otherwise the addition of it to his Wages & priviledges for a year only, will make him come high to me. for this reason, if you entirely approve of him as a Miller & man of character, I had rather the contract should be for two years than one, if he can be engaged for that term. At present my Mill has the reputation of turning out superfine flour of the first quality; it commands a higher price in this Country & the West Indies than any other, & I should be unwilling it should loose its character from ignorance, or bad management of the Miller.
William Roberts (my present Miller) for skill in grinding & keeping a Mill in order, is inferior to No Man—Owing to this—to the times—and to the aversion I have to frequent changing of people, I have submitted for more than Seven yrs to his impositions. He is an excellent Cooper & Millwright—He has lived with me near 15 years, during which period I have not paid a shilling for repairs —He came to me with a full grown Apprentice—for both I only paid £80 Pensa Cy pr Ann: but during my absence he was continually encreasing his wages and previledges, in proportion as he faultered in his Services; so

that I had determined, now that I could look a little into my own business, even if there had been an entire reformation in his conduct, to have reduced his wages & previledges (or parted with him) to the very standard of your letter; which I believe is as high as the best, & most extensive Manufacturing Mills in this State afford. Mine is but a poor stream, wanting water near half the year; for which reason, if Davenport (being a Cooper) is to work at this business (there being a very good shop within 50 yds of the dwelling Ho. & Mill) when he is not engaged in grinding, Packing &ca, I wish it to be specified. In short, whatever is expected of either, by the other party, I pray may be explicitly declared, to avoid all disputes, misconceptions, afterclaims, & uneasinesses. You know full well what I ought to expect from a Miller, and whatever you engage on my behalf, shall be religiously fulfilled.
As you must have incurred expence on my Acct, in this business, I am ready, & willing, to discharge it with many thanks for the trouble you have been at, to serve me—and if it should ever be in my power to render you any return, I should be happy in doing it. I am Gentn Yr Most Obedt & obliged Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Charles Washington, 12 April 1785
From: Washington, George
To: Washington, Charles

Dear Brother,
Mount Vernon ⟨12⟩th April ⟨17⟩85.

The enclosed is the last letter I have had from your Son George—why it is so, I cannot r⟨eadil⟩y Acct, except ⟨for⟩ the irregularity of the Post Office ⟨which⟩ seems to be under very bad management. Another letter of his, of the ⟨mutilated⟩ to a young Lady of this family ⟨mutilated⟩ reason to look for him here the latter ⟨end⟩ of this, or beginning of next Month.
I lend our Nephew Geo: Steptoe Washington a horse Saddle & Bridle to visit his ⟨moth⟩er’s, of which he seems desirous—it would be well for you to have attention to his return in time. Mr

Balch, Master of the Academy at which he is, speaks of him in favorable terms.
Immediately upon receipt of the ⟨mon⟩ey I informed Mr Balch that I was ready to discharge any Expences which had been incurred on Acct of the Boys—the enclosed letter from him is the only answer I have got to it. As they have been there near Eight Months the Sum you sent me will not, I expect, discharge what may be due for Schooling, Board & Cloathing. I therefore wish to have more sent me as my own expenditures are too great to allow me to be in advance for them. I have desired Mr Balch to receive the Boys into his own family again as soon as his house is in order for it. Mrs Washington joins in love to my Sister & yr family. And I am Yr Affecte

Go: Washington

How does yr Subscriptions to the Potomk Navigation go on?


Title: To George Washington from William M. Roberts, 14 April 1785
From: Roberts, William M.
To: Washington, George

Sir
14th of April [1785]

your Exsellency has Got in A Pasion with Me Which I am Vary Sorry for, & Taking Me at anon plush in Many Respects I always thought From the Bisoness I Call my Salf Master of I aught To have the wages you have Genaresty paid Me, but As your Stream is Light & I at this Time Know Not Whare to Go I woud Take 70 pound a year if youd Agree to Imploy Me for 10 years if its pleas God To Continew you & Me So Long, And As for my folley of Drinking I Shall Sollomly Decline As its hurtful To Me in this Life As wall As that to Come—Pray Consider my Destress & how Unwelling I am To Leve you. From Sir your Exsellencys Most Obt Servt

   W:M. Roberts


Title: To George Washington from Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, 15 April 1785
From: Jenifer, Daniel of St. Thomas
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Intendants Office [Annapolis, Md.] Apl 15. 1785

Should you meet with delay, or disappointments from Col. Hooe in payment of my Order; the Interest shall be allowed on any sum that he may be tardy in paying, but to prevent this being the case, I wish that Mr Lund Washington would put the Colo. in mind of the promise he made me, that you should not be disappointed.
Mr Richmond has calculated the depreciation on your Certs. agreeably to the scale laid down by our Law. With my respectful Compliments to the Ladies I am my dear Sir Your most affectionate friend and Obedient Servant

Dan. of St Thos Jenifer


Title: To George Washington from Adrienne, Marquise de Lafayette, 15 April 1785
From: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de
To: Washington, George

sir,
paris ce 15 april 1785

every mark of your kindness, is very precious to me, and amidst all my feelings at the marquis’s return, I received an additional joy, by the obliging Letter, he brought me from you. I hope that during this Late stay at mount vernon, where he was so happy, he has found an opportunity, in some of your conversations, about domestic Life, to mention his wife and his children, and speak to you of the Sentimens, of attachment and tender respect to you, that grows with them, and with which their mother is so strongly impressed. how happy should I be, to meet with mrs Washington, to recall together, all the circumstances of the war, every period of our anguish, and of your glory, and to see our children playing together. wishing for so happy a moment, anastasie and Georges beg Leave, to send to the two youngest, miss Custis a toilett and a doll that is two play things with which my daughter is more delighted since two months, she is in possession of that she hopes, that her remembrance being some time mingled, with their entertainements, she may obtain some part in their frienship, whose she is so desirous of.
for the eldest miss Custis, we have so exalted an idea, of her reason and gravity, that we have only dared send to her a neeting bag, because she may with it, keep mrs Washington company, because I hear that she Likes this kind of work. we send master Georges also, an optick with different wiews; but we have been moved by a personal interest, making him this gift. I hope that Looking at it, he will become fond of travelling that his travels will conduct him, into france, and perhaps he may bring you and mrs Washington here. this idea is too delightful, to fix my mind upon it, without a founded hope. permit me only to Lament here that the marquis, could not obtain this favour, from you. at Least I hope to go my Self to america, at the marquis’s first journey. he is returned Loaded with every mark of kindness, and goodness, from all the united States, his heart is full of gratitude, and the mine partak it. I should be delighted to be a Witness of all this favours, but one of my greatest pleasure, would be to present to General Washington the hommage of the gratitude, and all the sentimens of the

great affection and regard with which I have the honour, to be sir your most humble and very most obedient servant

noailles de la fayette

Should I dare, beg you to pay my respects to your mother, I will certainly receive, an additional pleasure, in america, to present my self in person my respectful hommage.


Title: To George Washington from Lafayette, 16 April 1785
From: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de
To: Washington, George

My dear General
St Germain Near Paris April the 16th 1785

To My Great disappointement I Had no letter from You By this packet—it is However the only Regular Way to Get intelligences, and Mercantile Opportunities are not By far So much to Be depended on—I warmly Beg, my dear General, you will not let me Be Uneasy for want of a line from You—the distance is already so great in itself, and So much Greater for the feelings of the tenderest friendship, that the only means ought to Be Scrupulously observed that tend to Alleviate the Cruel Separation—Since my last letter, there is Very little News —Warlike preparations Have not Been Given up—But the Negotiations are Come to this point Which leaves no probability of a War—the proposition to Exchange Baviera for the Austrian low Countries, With the title of Kingdom of Austrasia, Has not Been Accepted—a New object for disputes Might Be the Election of a King of the Romans, which you know is the title which marks the Successor to the Empire—the Emperor’s interest will Be in favour of His Nephew the Young arch duke Francis of tuscany—England and ireland are negotiating with each other, and will Be puzzled to agree, unless the Volonteering flame once spent out Ceases to Support their Country—the British Governement Seems in no Hurry to make a treaty of Commerce—much less so, if possible, to give up the posts—I Have

Had a Conference With the duke de la vauguion who is gone to Madrid Respecting the Mississipy—But the Spaniards are still obstinate, and You Will Have full time to oppen Your Navigation, which I Consider as the first political, Mercantile, and National plan which Can now Employ the United States—there are Great Complaints of the Merchants Against the Arrêt du Conseil in favour of the West india trade—altho’ flour and sugars are Excepted—But the Ministry will stick By it, and More Cannot Be Got for the present—Every thing in Europe More and More Convinces me of the Necessity there is for the States to give Congress power to Regulate trade.
By mr Ridout’s Vessel my children Have Sent to yours at Mount Ve[r]non a few trifles which are very indifferent But may Amuse them two or three days —English dogs are so much in fashion Here that the King who likes to Ride fast Has no french Hounds which, says He, are Very Slow—at last I Have discoverd a tolerable good Breed of them, which young M. Adams will take with Him in the Next packet —a jack ass Has Been Sent to You from Cadix—I expect one from the isle of Maltha and will forward it.
in the Course of the Summer I will Visit the prussian and Austrian troops—I will Have the pleasure to speack much of You—But Had Rather Speack with you—and instead of those German troops, I wish I could once more Give you a dinner with my light infantry friends.
Adieu, My dear General, Be So kind as to present My Most tender Respects to Mrs Washington—Mention me to the Young ones—mrs Stuard, the doctor, m. Lund W., Miss Basset if she is with you—I am Uneasy about George—My Respects wait Upon Your Respected Mother, and all the family—Remember me to our friends—mde de Lafayette Begs you and mrs Washington to accept Her most Affectionate Compliments—Adieu, My dear General, think often of your Bosom friend, your adoptive son, who loves you So tenderly, and who is with every Sentiment of Respect, Gratitude, and Affection Your devoted friend

Lafayette

The queen and Her second son are in perfect Health.


Title: To George Washington from Henry Lee, 16 April 1785
From: Lee, Henry
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Leesylvania [Va.] April 16th 1785

I have Sent you by your Servant 2½ bushels of the Naked Italian Barley wch will be Enough for your ground as it branches much I never Sewed it very thick; it requires Strong Land, & never grows tall, has a thick Stem & large luxuriant heads, wch hangs near the Earth, and if Cut there is a great waste of the grain in harvesting; therefore I have it pulled up by the hand, and as it is a rear ripe grain to Prevent the birds (who are very fond of it) from distroying it I Sow it in the Neighbourhood of Oats—I have also Sent you a few of Madzays Italian Peas wch are fine for the table I think nearly equal to the Marrowfat—you will also receive 14 of the Cotton Scions wch require Low sunken ground, Mrs Lee joins in best Wishes for Mrs Washington & yourself With the greatest Esteem & regard I am Dr Sir Your Most Obt hble Servt

Henry Lee


Title: To George Washington from Robert Morris, 17 April 1785
From: Morris, Robert
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Philadelphia April 17th 1785.

I received in due time the Letter you were so obliging as to write me of the 1st February and am quite ashamed that I should have suffered so long a period to elapse, without acknowledging its Receipt, but this was owing to my having delivered it to some of my Friends for their Perusal who detained it longer than I expected, and have only now, returned it to me.
The Extent of inland Navigation therein pointed out is amazing indeed, and if brought to perfection cannot but be productive of the greatest advantage to the neighbouring Country, and indeed to all America. I think Alexandria must in that case, become a very flourishing City, where such an Establishment as you mention, I have no doubt would meet with very great Success, but for my own part I have no Intention at present to form other Connections in a Commercial Line than those I already hold. I shall make it a point to promote the undertaking by every means in my Power and particularly by recommending my Friends to become adventurers and shall subscribe some Shares for my Children, who, if the Plan succeeds will reap the Benefit thereof at a future day.
Be assured Sir, that I am sensible of the pure & disinterested motives which have induced you to take the trouble of giving me the very useful Information contained in your Letter—I know that none others can enter your mind, and I request you will accept my warmest acknowledgements.
Mrs Morris and the Family are well and join me in affe. Regards

to Mrs Washington and yourself. With Sentiments of the most perfect Attachment I am Dear Sir Your most obedient & humble Servant

Robt Morris

P.S. I yesterday took the liberty to give Mr Pine, an Historical & portrait painter of some Eminence, a line of Introduction. He is drawing some interesting parts of our History and your Portrait is indispensably necessary to his Werks.


Title: To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 19 April 1785
From: Biddle, Clement
To: Washington, George

Dear General
Philad[elphi]a April 19. 1785

Since my last I paid Mr Claypoole your account for Advertisements for which the receipt is enclosed—he again assures me the papers have been Constantly sent & their miscarriage must be owing to the post Office.
I wrote to a Gentleman at New York to pay Mr Boudinots Account at Elizabeth Town.
I hope the last Grass seed by Capt. McClean has come safe to hand. I could not procure any of the other Kind of seed tho’ the different Collectors of seeds, here promised if any came in to let me have it—Major Storey has not yet Opend his Office. I am with the greatest respect Your Excellencys Mo: Obedt & very hume sert

Clement Biddle

Mr Claypoole could not make out the Account for the papers but will soon furnish it.


Title: From George Washington to Mathew Carey, 20 April 1785
From: Washington, George
To: Carey, Mathew

Sir,
Mount Vernon Aprl 20th 1785.

I have received your letter of the 30th Ulto —If it should ever be in my power to render you any Service, I shall be ready, & happy to do it. With the Gentlemen of my acquaintance in Philadelphia, I persuade myself you stand as well, as my introduction could place you. If there are any here, to whom the mention of your case would be of any avail, I should have pleasure in doing it.
I thank you for your kind offer of forwarding, with safety, the Gazettes of Philadelphia; but believe there will be no occasion for giving you the trouble at present. I am Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to George Clinton, 20 April 1785
From: Washington, George
To: Clinton, George

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 20th April 1785.

I promised you a letter by the last Post, but it was not in my power to fulfill it, business not my own, & with which I really ought not to be troubled, engrosses so large a portion of my

time (having no assistance) that that which is essential to me, is entirely neglected.
I now send you Hooe & Harrisons second Bill upon Mr Sylvanus Dickenson; altho’ I hope, & expect the first will have been paid before it reaches. I also send you a statement of the payments, as they ought to have been made to you, & should be obliged to you for comparing them with your own receipts, & for informing me of their correspondence —The money now remitted I wish to have placed to the credit of my Bond; & the balance, if any, carried to that of the accot sent me in December last—I should be glad also to have as early & long notice of the call for this last sum, as can knowingly and conveniently be given; for I find it (under my present circumstances) very difficult to raise money equal to the pressure of my wants: those who owed me before the commencement of hostilities, having taken advantage of my absence & the tender laws, to discharge their debts with a shilling or six pence in the pound: & those to whom I owed money, I have now to pay in specie at the real value.
I have to thank you my dear Sir, for the duplicate Deed, & plan of our purchase in the Ochriskeney Patent; & pray you to take the trouble of doing with my moiety the same as you would do with your own at all times & in all respects.
The lime trees which you were so obliging as to send me last November were unfortunate; they lay at Norfolk until the frosts were entirely over, & only came to my hands the 18th of Feby: I immediately planted, & have since been nursing them; they have yet the appearance of feeble life, but I have no expectation of their living. My thanks nevertheless are equally due for these—for the nutts, the corn & the pease; the last of which I sowed yesterday: if I am too late in doing it, the Spring (which has been the most unfavourable I ever knew)—& not me, is to blame; if too early, it is from ignorance & my neglect in not making the necessary enquiry for the proper season. The corn I shall begin to plant in a few days & will renew the seeds occasionally.
I will rely upon your Excely for the seeds of the Balm tree, White & Spruce Pine—I believe it is the most certain way of raising them: most of the trees evergreen, not sowed where they are to stand, or not raised in Nurseries & early transplanted,

are unsuccessful; & tho’ our impatience will not suffer us to adopt the practice, it is the opinion of Miller (in his Gardeners Dy) who seems to understand the culture of Trees equal to any other writer I have met with, that it is the most expeditious method of rearing them. As a quantity of these seeds would be bulky in the cones, they would be equally good taken out & packed in dry sand; & is the method I would beg leave to recommend. To them I should be glad to have added some of the Hemlock—& indeed any other seeds of trees which are not common in this climate. I shall make no apology for the trouble I know this request must give you, because I persuade myself you will have pleasure in contributing to an innocent amusement. I have planted within these few days many of the hickory nuts which you sent me, not doubting their successful growth here. Mrs Washington desires me to present her compliments & thanks to you, for your care of the case of Grotto work—it came very safe—She also joins me very sincerely in congratulating Mrs Clinton & yourself on her restoration to health, & in wishing it may be of long continuance.
I am sorry for the loss of my Vines, they were of the first quality in France; & sent to me by one of the first characters in it, for abilities, respectability & his curious attention to these things. I was in hopes there had been an abundance, & that you would have participated in the fruit of them.
As you are at the source of intelligence, it would be idle in me to reverberate what is brought by the packets, & we have little of a domestic nature worthy of attention. There are plans in agitation for improving and extending the inland navigation of this country; & opening roads of communication between the heads of the rivers Potomac & James, & the western waters. They have received public countenance & support—but I cannot at this moment speak decisively to the issue—we flatter ourselves it will be favourable, but may be mistaken. Mrs Washington joins me in very best wishes for you & all your family. With regard & attachment I am Dr Sir, Yrs &c.

G: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Otho Holland Williams, 20 April 1785
From: Williams, Otho Holland
To: Washington, George

Sir
Baltimore [Md.] 20th April 1785

I have not had the honor of a line, or message from you since I forwarded, to Mount Vernon, the Parchments which Major Turner sent to me from Philadelphia, and I was uncertain of your intentions respecting the Diplomas ’till about ten days ago, a gentleman Mr Hamilton, ⟨(⟩of this town) desired me to look at two blanks to which your name was subscribed—they were Diplomas, and upon enquiry I found they had been taken from a fellow suspected of a theft—He was in prison and I used every means in my power to know how he came by them, but to no effect—He said he found them in a particular part of the Town. I went there, but to no purpose; it was the residence of Vice, and my researches were fruitless—I concluded that the packet of parchments had been sent by the Stage Waggon and [I] went to the Stage office to know if it had not been stolen from thence, but no bill or entry of it could be found there I am now in doubt about the cause of the miscarriage and think it incumbent on me to give you the trouble of this information. I am most respectfully Sir, your Most obedt & mo: Hble Servt

O.H. Williams


Title: To George Washington from John Harvie, 22 April 1785
From: Harvie, John
To: Washington, George

Sir
Richmond [Va.] April 22nd 1785

Upon my Researches into the Ordinances of Convention and Acts of Assembly to see if I could discover any General principle in either, Effective of your Title to the 2813 Acres of patented Land, that is the present Subject of your Ejectments, I can find no Law or Ordinance, in my Opinion Materially applicable, except the Act of Assembly that pass’d in the year 1779, Intitled an Act for Adjusting and Settling the Title of Claimers to Unpatented Lands under the present and former Government previous to the Establishment of the Commonwealths

Land Office—in the first Section of which Act, Surveys upon all Military Rights are declar’d good and Valid, in a Subsequent clause indeed of the same Law it is provided that where Locations upon Military Warrants shall Interfere with the Rights of Settlers, in such Cases the latter shall be prefer’d, but this Rule is Specially confin’d to Locations—and cannot apply to Warrants Carry’d into Effect by actual Survey, and much less so to Patents which have been Regularly Obtain’d under our former Government; for it is well known to you Sir, that the King of Englands Instructions to his Governors in Virginia in and after the year 1763 restrain’d them from Granting or Signing patents for any Lands on the Western Waters—except upon Surveys for such Lands as was given as Bountys for Military Service, and from the date of the proclimation in 1763 untill the time of opening the Commonwealths Land Office in the year 1779 No County Surveyor could receive or admit an Entry on his Books for such Lands upon any other Right, and so farr from the Settlers on the Western Waters being Countenanced by Government they were by repeated proclimations Order’d off from those Lands—wherefore Titles by Occupancy was in no Instance whatever Recognized by the Laws of Virginia till the Convention of 1775—when Occupants were put on the footing of Freeholders as to Electing or being Elected Members of the Convention—in the years 1776 & 1777 other Resolutions pass’d still farther declaratory of their Rights and Subjecting them to the payment of Taxes for such Lands as they had Mark’d out as the Limmits of their respective claims in right of Settlement—in the year 1778 another Resolution pass’d forbidding any farther Settlement of the Western Lands untill a Land Office for the Commonwealth should be Establish’d—in the year 1779 the Commonwealths Land Office was Open’d and as a Variety of rights had taken rise upon the Western Waters from the time the Governors had refus’d to Sign patents, the Law under the Title I have first mention’d preceded the Land Law, by which all such Rights as appear’d to be just and Reasonable were Confirmed & Establish’d, & others declar’d Void & of no Effect—but where Lands had been Patented under the former Government, the Legislature most Carefully Avoided any Interference, not Conceiveing they had the Power to destroy a Title Convey’d by the Crown whose perogative it was to Grant

those Lands when & to whom the King should think proper—and here it may not be amiss to observe that by the Laws of this Country when a Legal Title is Vested by Patent, such Title cannot ever be call’d in Question in the Courts of Common Law, but the party who Supposes himself Injur’d must Resort to the Chancery Court for Relief, the previous Title Act, directs the Appointment of Commissioners to adjust the claims to all Unpatented Lands lying on the Western Waters (patented Lands not comeing under their Jurisdiction) which Commissioners were also Impower’d to hear and determine all Disputes between Partys Contending, and upon a Right of Settlement founded upon a Residence of twelve Months or raiseing a Crop of Corn in the Country, being Establish’d, the Commissioners were directed to Grant a Certificate of such Right to the person Intitled—which Certificate was Sufficient authority for the Surveyor of the County where the Lands were to lay off and Survey the Land therein Described, and upon a Survey therefor being return’d to the Land Office, and lying Six Months open to the Caveat of any person who should lay claim to the whole or any part thereof—if no Caveat should be Enter’d in that time a Grant was Ex Officio to issue to the person in whose Name the Survey was made—such Settler was also Intitled to the preemption of 1000 Acres adjoining his Settlement upon his first paying the price that the State demanded for other Lands Sold by them—and takeing from the Land Office a Warrant under the Register⟨s⟩ Hand and Seal for the same, which Warrant should Intitle him to an Entry with the County Surveyor where the Land lay—and upon a Survey being Return’d and lying in the Office as above mention’d a Grant shall issue—As the Commissioners for the District of Monongalia Yohogany and Ohio had several meetings and Continued to sit till they went through all Business that came before them under their Commission—putting your patent Intirely out of the Question—the Occupants who are Contending with you could no otherways acquire Titles to those Lands than by Submitting their Rights to the Commissioners and Obtaining from them Certificates Agreable to the directions of this Law, and if they could have made such Submission, as your first Settlement and Improvement preceeded theirs your Right to 1400 Acres of the tract must have been prefer’d—but no such Submission could have been by

them Legally made as the patent is Conclusive as to the Title—and as your Opponents set up a Right to the Land the Law was Open to them, for they had it in their Option to Enter a Caveat against a patent issueing to you, till the Matter of right should be determin’d between you, and as they fail’d to do this, I must again observe that your Title under the Patent in a Court of Common Law seems to me to be Unimpeachable—what I have here Stated to you are the Laws, Rules & Regulations for Acquireing Landed property upon the Western Waters in this State, and by which I Conceive your Title must be determin’d, as the Resolution I now Inclose you fixing a Temporary Boundary between the States of Virginia and Pensylvania—which was Consented to and Adopted by the State of Pensylvania[,] Saves the private property and Rights to all persons who may have Acquir’d Titles under either Country Respectively previous to the Asscertaining and Running such Boundary although they should be found to fall within the Other—thus Sir have I endeavour’d to give you Information respecting the Land Rights of Settlers or Occupants on our Western Waters and wish Sincerely that it may in any Measure Illustrate the permenancy of your Title—the Law of 1779 that I have particularly Refer’d to, if you have it not—may I immagine be Easily obtain’d from any Gentleman of the Law in your Neighbourhood[.] however if this should not be the Case, and either you, or Mr Smith who Advocates your Title, should think it Necessary to be produced on the Tryal, I will at any time forward it to you, I have to Lament that the Original Survey upon which your Patent issued with a Number of other Publick papers fell into the Hands of the Enemy and were destroy’d by them, wherefore the date of Capt. Poseys Warrant assign’d to you cannot be asscertain’d in the Land Office—if any farther Enquiry dureing the prosecution of this Business should Occur to you, I beg that you will at all times Command my Attention to it without Reserve—for believe me Sir that it will ever afford me the highest Gratification to be in any Respect whatever Useful or Convenient to you. I have the Honour to be Sir Yr Most Obt & Very Humble Servt

John Harvie


Title: To George Washington from John Baylor, 25 April 1785
From: Baylor, John
To: Washington, George

Dr Sir
Newmarket [Va.] Ap⟨ril the⟩ 25 1785—

I am just returned from Richmond, where by appointment, I was to have met Mr Dandridge and to have fixed upon some Mode of settling the Debt due from my Father’s Estate to Mr Custis’s, as his Death prevents that settlement and the only Administrator —as I am informed. I should now bee happy to have an interview with you, I should have waited upon you, but by your Advertisment, I find you are to be in Richmond in a few Days, therefore hope if not inconvenient, that I may either have the pleasure of your Company here or meet you at the Bowling Green the Day that you will be there —This sum is to be raised by my Brother George’s Estate, I have given a replevy Bond for upward of thirty three hundred Pounds, and if the affair is rigorously enforced, it would greatly prejudice my Brother’s Estate, he has directed by his Will that as much of his Land shall be sold as will pay his proportions of my Father’s and his own Debts, I would also give up as many Negroes at present as would prevent Mr Custis’s Estate from falling into any disagreeable Situation—Mr Dandridge in a late letter did observe that if I could raise about one fourth Part of the Sum this Month, that he could wait for the Ballance  I very much wish to see you—I have the Honor to be Dr Sir Yr

John Baylor


Title: From George Washington to William Grayson, 25 April 1785
From: Washington, George
To: Grayson, William

Dr Sir,
Mt Vernon 25th Apl 1785.

I will not let your favor of the fifteenth, for which I thank you, go unacknowledged, tho’ it is not in my power to give it the consideration I wish, to comply with the request you have made; being upon the eve of a journey to Richmond to a meeting of the Dismal Swamp company, which by my own appointment is to take place on monday next; & into that part of the country I am hurried by an express which is just arrived with the accot of the deaths of the mother & Brother of Mrs Washington—in the last of whose hands (Mr B. Dandridge) the embarrassed affairs of Mr Custis had been placed, & call for immediate attention.
To be candid, I have had scarce time to give the report of the Committee, which you did me the honor to send me, a reading—much less to consider the force & tendency of it. If experience has proven that the most advantageous way of disposing of Land, is by whole Townships, there is no arguing against facts; therefore, if I had had time I shou’d have said nothing on that head: but from the cursory reading I have given it, it strikes me that by suffering each State to dispose of a proportionate part of the whole in the State, that there may be State jobbing: in other words, that the Citizens of each State may be

favored at the expence of the Union; whilst a reference of these matters to them has, in my opinion, a tendency to set up seperate interests; and to promote the independence of individual States upon the downfall of the fœderal government, which in my opinion is already too feeble, much too humiliated & tottering to be supported without props.
It is scarcely to be imagined that any man, or society of men, who may incline to possess a township, would make the purchase without viewing the Land in person or by an agent—wherein then lies the great advantage of having the sale in each State, & by State officers? for from the same parity of reasoning, there should be different places in each State for the accommodation of its citizens. Would not all the ostensible purposes be fully answered by sufficient promulgation in each State, of the time & place of Sale to be holden at the nearest convenient place to the Land, or at the seat of Congress. Is it not highly probable that those who may incline to emigrate, or their Agents would attend at such time & place? and (there being no fixed prices to the Land) would not the high or low sale of it depend upon the number of purchasers & the competition occasioned thereby; & are not these more likely to be greater at one time & place than at thirteen? One place might draw the world to it, if proper notice be given: but foreigners would scarcely know what to do with thirteen—to which, or when to go to them. These are first thoughts—perhaps incongruous ones, & such as I myself might reprobate upon more mature consideration: at present however, I am impressed with them—and (under the rose) a penetrating eye, & close observation, will discover thro’ various disguises a disinclination to add new States, to the confederation, westward of us; which must be the inevitable consequence of emigration to, & the population of that territory: and as to restraining the citizens of the Atlantic States from transplanting themselves to that soil, when prompted thereto by interest or inclination—you might as well attempt (while our Governmts are free) to prevent the reflux of the tide, when you had got it into your rivers.
As the report of the Committee goes into minutiæ, it is not minute enough, if I read it aright; it provides for the irregular lines, and parts of townships, occasioned by the interference with the Indian boundaries, but not for its interference with

Lake Erie, the western boundary of Pennsylvania (if it is governed by the meanders of the Delaware) or the ohio river which separates the ceded Lands from Virginia—all of which involve the same consequences.
I thank you for the sentiments & information, given me in your letter of the 10th of March, respecting the Potomac navigation. My present determination is, to hold the shares which this State has been pleased to present me, in trust for the use & benefit of it: this will subserve the plan—encrease the public revenue, & not interfere with that line of conduct I had prescribed myself. I am &c. &c.

G: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 25 April 1785
From: Greene, Nathanael
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Charleston [S.C.] April 25th 1785

Some little time ago Capt. Gunn formerly an officer in the horse sent me a challenge to fight him upon the footing of equality as Citizens. His reasons for it are he says I injured him in a tryal while I was in command in this Country. He sold a public horse and was called to account for it. To avoid breaking him I refered the matter to a board of Officers in preference to a Court Martial. I was at the time charitably disposd to think he had done the thing partly through ignorance. His pretence was that the public owed him a horse and that he thought he had a right to sell their property to pay himself. Such a precedent in our service would have given a fatal stab to the very existence of the Army—for soldiers might with the same propriety sell their Arms as Officers their horses. But to my very great surprise the Board of Officers reported that Captain Gunn had a right to sell a public horse. I disapproved of the opinion of the board in General Orders and refered the matter to Congress. They also condemned the proceedings of the board, confirmed my sentiments on the subject, and pointedly censured Capt. Gunn and

directed him to return the horse. Capt. Gunn thought himself injured because I did not confirm the opinion of the board of officers and urged it very indecently both by letter and language for which I gave him a reprimand. It is for this he says he thinks himself entitled to satisfaction affecting to discriminate what was in the line of my duty as an officer and what was other wise. I refused to give him any satisfaction having done nothing more than my public duty imposed upon me in support of the dicipline of the Army. If a commanding Officer is bound to give satisfaction to every Officer who may pretend he is injured and the pretence would not be wanting to try to wipe off the disgrace of a public tryal and condemnation, it places him in a much more disagreeable situation than ever had occured to me before. But as I may have mistaken the line of responsibility of a commanding officer I wish for your sentiments on the subject. It is possible you may be placed by the ignorance of sum or the impudence of others in the same predicament tho I believe few will be hardy enough to try such an experiment. If I thought my honor or reputation might suffer in the opinion of the World and more especially with the Military Gentlemen I value life too little to hesitate a moment to answer the challenge. But when I consider the nature of the precedent and the extent of the mischief that it may produce I have felt a necessity to reject it. Thus far I have offered nothing but my public reasons; but the man is without reputation or principle. Indeed he is little better than a public nuisance being always engaged in riots and drunken fl⟨aunts⟩. I do not wish these circumstances to have any influence upon your Opinion. Because if they were the only objections I would fight him immediately.
I am still embarassed with Banks affairs and God knows when I shall be other wise. Present me affectionately to Mrs Washington and the family. I am dear Sir with esteem & affection Your Most Obed. humble Sert

Nathl Green


Title: To George Washington from John Murray & Co., 25 April 1785
From: John Murray & Company
To: Washington, George

Sir
Alexandria [Va.] April 25th 1785

Agreable to your request have sent you twelve yard of the Calicoe you pick’d out when up here, being the Amot of the money sent by your Servant.
The enclosed was left with us by a person from N. England. Very respectfully and Yr Excellency Most obedt Servts

John Murray & Co.


Title: To George Washington from Charles-Louis de Montesquieu, 25 April 1785
From: Montesquieu, Charles-Louis de Secondat, baron de La Brède et de
To: Washington, George

General,
Paris 25th April—1785

I recieved at Paris, the letter Your Excellency did me the honor of addressing to me, in behalf of Mr Ridout —I regret much, I was not at Bourdeaux, at the time he arrived there—But, if he passes any time there, I shall still have the pleasure of seeing him; and making him acquainted with my friends—I have written to my Father, to make amends for my absence from Boudeaux, by being as useful as possible to Mr Ridout—But I have to lament, from his great age, and unhappy loss of sight, he cannot be so serviceable to him, as I would wish him to be; and, as he will himself wish to be, on the reciept of my letter —Your Excellency’s remembrance of me, flatters me much—I shall never forget the kindnesses with which I have been loaded by you. It will ever be a new source of pleasure to me, to call to mind, the time I have spent, near the greatest,

and, most virtuous man of his Age. I beg you will not consider this as flattery—it is the real sentiment of my heart; and, I have not renounced the hope of again seeing America, and admiring the Author of her liberties.
I shall depart for Metz, about May, to my Regiment; where, I shall often with my Officers, drink to your Excellency’s health—All who have been under your orders in America, would get drunk with pleasure to this toast. We all love, and respect you—Such is the effect of Virtue. She maintains her empire over all men, notwithstanding their profligacy, and corruption.
It will not be in my power to be at Bourdeaux, ’till October; when I shall have the pleasure of conversing with Mr Ridout about you—But, I percieve, my letter is already too long; and that I ought not to trespass so much, even on your leasure. I beseech you to be persuaded of the respect, and unalterable attachment, with which, I am General, Your very Humble & Ob[edie]nt servant

Montesquieu.


Title: To George Washington from Samuel Powel, 25 April 1785
From: Powel, Samuel
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Philadelphia 25 April 1785

Tho’ I am apprehensive that you may be fatigued with Letters of Recommendation, yet I cannot suffer the Bearer hereof, Dr Moyes, to leave this City on his intended Tour to the southern States, without requesting Permission to introduce him to your Notice. To General Greene I am indebted for an Introduction to this Gentleman, & hold myself his Debtor for remembering me on the Drs Subject, from whose interesting Conversation I have derived both Amusement & Instruction. His Lectures, on the Philosophy of chemistry & natural History, in this City, have been much frequented & greatly approved; & he is, I believe, universally esteemed to be both a rational & agreeable Companion, by those who have had the Opportunities of knowing him best.
Mrs Powel begs Leave to join her best Wishes, for Mrs Washington & yourself, to those of Dear Sir Your most obedt humble Servt

Samuel Powel


Title: To George Washington from Lyonel Bradstreet, 26 April 1785
From: Bradstreet, Lyonel
To: Washington, George

Ship Potowmack Apl 26 1785

It is with Pleasure that I now forward your Excellency a Case which was delivered to my Care in London, & for which I paid 16/ Sterlg for Custom House Charges &C. it being foreign, I hope it will be delivered to you in Safety. I am with the utmost Respect Your Excellencys Mo: Obt Servt

Lyonel Bradstreet.


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Newton, 27 April 1785 [letter not found]
From: Newton, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Thomas Newton, 27 April. GW wrote Newton on 3 Sept.: “I have suffered your letter of the 27th April . . . to remain . . . unacknowledged.”


Title: To George Washington from William Fitzhugh, 2 May 1785
From: Fitzhugh, William
To: Washington, George

Dear General
Maryland. Millmont May 2 1785

My delay to Address you on the the subject of Mr Bolton, & his to wait on you before the 25 ulto as you desir’d—Have proceeded from his being absent on an Excursion to Baltimore when I return’d from Virga—I have seen Him to day, and He promises to wait on you about the 20th of this Month the time I supposed you wou’d be return’d from Richmond—He will then carry a List of Materials which I have Imported from England, for a Larger Building than I now intend to Execute—such as Crown Glass 10 Inches by 12—white lead—Oil—paint, Nails, Sprigs Brads Hinges Gross window Lead—Line and pullies with Brass Boxes—Particularly Large Brass Spring Hinges which may suit your doors & I shall not want—such of these Articles as are wanting You may have at cost & charges.
Bolton I believe is one of the first trademen in America  & particularly calculated for the work you want Executed—He has since my return from Virga lost His wife, so that he has now no Family Except a Negro Lad an apprentice.
Mrs Fitzhugh Joins in respectful Complts to you your Lady & Family. I have the Honor to be with Perfect Esteem & respect Dear General Your affect. & oblig’d Hle Sevt

Willm Fitzhugh


Title: To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste de Montesquieu, 2 May 1785
From: Montesquieu, Jean-Baptiste de
To: Washington, George

Bordeaux [France] 2d May 1785

My Son has Order’d me to Send to your Excellency One Hundered & Twenty Bottles of White Wine, made at Bordeaux. he Told me that during his Stay in America, He never had Seen So good a Sort of Nutts, as those in France, I have Sent at all events Some Nutts of a very fine Sort, although the Season for Sowing them is over. There will be possibly Some one that will Spring up & will Produce a Tree, Provided there be Some Care taken of it, as Soon as Your Excellency will receive them, you must make them be Steep’d in Water, for the Space of Two or Three Days. Directly Sow them in Good Earth Mouldered, or Sifted, Water them very often, & keep them from the Excessive Burning heat of the Sun. I am very happy of this opportunity to Offer my Respect, the most Profound, to the Hero of the World, who has Reunited, all the Virtues of Ancient Rome, with all the Politeness of the Grand World.


Title: Resolutions of the Dismal Swamp Company, 2 May 1785
From: Dismal Swamp Company,Washington, George
To:

[Richmond, 2 May 1785]

That the money, which can at present be raised, be put into the hands of some proper person, and such person be empowered to engage as many German, or other labourers at Baltimore, or any other part of this continent, as the money will procure.

That, if this scheme should prove wholly or in part abortive, the managers hire as many negroes as they may think proper, untill they can import from Holland, Germany, or some other Country of Europe, any number (not exceeding 300) labourers, acquainted with draining, and other branches of agriculture, which they are hereby required to do.
To carry the last resolutions into execution, Resolved that Mr Wm Anderson be, and ⟨he⟩ is hereby empowered to borrow ⟨the sum of⟩ £5,000. sterlg for ⟨a term not less than seven years at an interest not exceeding five pr Ct to be paid annually⟩ [for] the use of the company, and that the managers ⟨or any three of them⟩ be and are hereby authorized to execute a bond ⟨or bonds⟩ to secure the repayment of the ⟨principal & interest of the Sum so borrowed⟩ and the members ⟨of the sd Co. do hereby jointly⟩ and severally bind themselves, their heirs, executors &c. to indemnify the managers therein, in proportion to their respective interests.


Title: To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee, 3 May 1785
From: Lee, Richard Henry
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir,
New York May 3d 1785

I have long had a letter prepared for you in answer to your last favor which I have kept for the honorable Mr Sitgreaves to be the bearer of, as he proposed to visit you on his return to North Carolina; and the more especially as his stay has been occasioned by the necessity of seeing the very important ordinance passed for selling the western lands, which I wished you to have in its perfected state —The principal design of this letter is, to introduce to you Mr Graham, and his Lady the justly celebrated Mrs Macauley Graham, whose reputation in the learned world and among the friends to the rights of human nature is very high indeed. Her merit as an Historian is very great, and places her as an Author in the foremost rank of writers. I am well pleased to find that she, as well as all other judicious foreigners, think themselves when in America, however distant from Mount Vernon, obliged to pay their respects to you. I believe that this has been her only motive for going so far South as Virginia. We are amused here with an account that does not indeed come officially to us, but however, in such a way as to merit attention—It is, a plan of the Emperor of Germany, which seems calculated to quiet his quarrel with Holland, altho perhaps it may not prevent a war in Europe—He is said to have made a treaty with the Elector of Bavaria, by which he exchanges his Netherland dominions for those of Bavaria, and transfers with the exchange, all his rights and claims upon Holland: reserving Namure and Luxembourg with a district of country around, as a doucœur to France for obtaining the consent of that Court to the exchange. The Bavarian dominions being much more contiguous to the Austrian than those of the Netherlands, must greatly increase the Emperors power by a concentration of his force, heretofore so much divided, as to render the Netherlands of no great aid in case of war. This however, by increasing the Austrian power, must of course excite greatly the jealousy of Prussia in particular, whose King will probably risk a war rather than see his rival thus strengthened. Holland in the mean time will be relieved, by injurious claims being transferd from a strong to a weak hand, and the Emperor may find himself brought to a more equal contest by

combating one, instead of three powers lately combined against him. What may be the issue of this new System, time must develope. I wish that I may be enabled by Mr Sitgreaves to furnish you with the final sense of Congress upon the momentous business of selling the western lands, in doing which, the first and greatest object seems to be, the discharging effectually the great weight of debt that the war has created, and which obstructs so effectually every arrangement for future security. I have the honor to be, with sentiments of the sincerest respect and esteem dear Sir Your most obedient and very humble servant

Richard Henry Lee


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Marshall, 3 May 1785 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Marshall, Thomas

Letter not found: to Thomas Marshall, 3 May. On 12 May Marshall wrote GW: “Your favor of the 3d Inst. I received by my Son.”


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Bibby, 4 May 1785
From: Bibby, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Sir
New York 4th May 1785

The enclosed letter and a parcell which accompanies it was entrusted to my care by Sr Edward Newenham, to be delivered to Your Excellency; I regret much the not having it in my power to present them myself, an honor which the situation of my affairs in this state deprives me of. I have hopes however before my return to Europe, to be enabled to receive in person any Commands Your Excellency may please to honor me with

for that part of the World. I have the honor to be with respect Your Excellency’s most Obedient humble Servant

T: Bibby Captn Royl Brit[is]h Fuzileers


Title: To George Washington from William Grayson, 4–8 May 1785
From: Grayson, William
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir.
New York [c.4–8] May 1785.

I have recieved your letter of the 25th of Aprill, for which I am much oblig’d to you; I am sorry for the melancholy occasion which has induc’d you to leave Mount Vernon, and for the affliction which the loss of such near relations must involve Mrs Washington in.
The Ordinance for disposing of the Western territory has been under consideration ever since I wrote you last & has underwent several alterations, the most considerable of which is that one half the land is to be sold by sections or lots, & the other half by intire Townships; & the dimension of each township is reduc’d to six miles; I now expect the Ordinance will be completed in a few days, it being the opinion of most gentlemen that it is better to pass it in it’s present form nearly, than to delay it much longer & incur the risque of losing the country altogether. As soon as it is finished I shall do myself the honor to inclose you a copy, and though it will be far from being the best that could be made, yet I verily believe it is the best that under present circumstances can be procured: There have appeared so many interfering interests, most of them imaginary, so many ill founded jealousies & suspicions throughout the whole, that I am only surpris’d the ordinance is not more exceptionable; indeed if the importunities of the public Creditors, & the reluctance to pay them by taxation either direct or implied had not been so great I am satisfyed no land Ordinance

could have been procured, except under such disadvantages as would in a great degree have excluded the idea of actual settlements within any short length of time; This is not strange when we reflect that several of the states are averse to new votes from that part of the Continent & that some of them are now disposing of their own vacant lands, & of course wish to have their particular debts paid & their own countries settled in the first instance before there is any interference from any other quarter. With respect to the different places of sale, it is certainly open to the objections you mention, but it was absolutely necessary to accede to the measure, before we could advance a single step. Since the receipt of your letter I have hinted to some of the members the propriety of altering this part, but find that the idea of allowing the Citizens of each State an equal chance of buying the good lands at their own doors, was one of the strongest reasons with them for consenting to the Ordinance. As to the individual states interfering in the sale, it is guarded against; and in case the loan Officer who is responsible only to Congress, cannot dispose of the land in a limited time, it is to be return’d to the Treasury board: With respect to the fractional parts of Townships the Ordinance has now provided for all cases which can occur, except with respect to the Pensylvania line—The Course of the new state from the Ohio will be due North, and the dispute with Pensylvania will be open to discussion hereafter. I am sorry to observe that throughout this measure, there has been a necessity for sacrificing one’s own opinion to that of other people for the purpose of getting forward. There has never been above ten States on the floor & nine of these were necessary to concur in one sentiment, least they should refuse to vote for the Ordinance on it’s passage. The price is fix’d at a dollar the acre liquidated certificates, that is the land is not to be sold under that; The reason for establishing this sum was that a part of the house were for half a dollar, and another part for two dollars & others for intermediate sums between the two extremes, so that ultimately this was agreed upon as a central ground. If it is too high (which I am afraid is the case) it may hereafter be corrected by a resolution.
I still mean to move for some amendments which I think will not only advance the sale, but increase the facility of purchasing

to foreigners, though from present appearances I own I have but little hopes of success.
After this affair is over, the requisition for the current year will be brought forward The article of 30,000 dollars for the erection of fœderal buildings at Trenton I have already objected to, & shall continue to oppose by every means in my power, as I look upon the measure to be fundamentally wrong, & I am in hopes nine States cannot be found to vote for it; should those in opposition to the measure be able to put off the execution for the present year it is to be expected that the Southern States will open their eyes to their true interests & view this subject in a different light. What I at present fear is, that failing to get this article allowed in the requisition they will attempt to draw the money from Holland by a vote of seven States inasmuch as a hundred thousand dollars were voted at Trenton for that purpose although no particular fund was assigned. I own this matter has giv’n me some disgust, as I see an intemperate ardor to carry it into execution before the sense of the Union is know’n; and I have no doubt that some gentlemen have come into Congress expressly for that purpose.
I take the liberty of introducing Mr StGreave—a delegate from North Carolina a gentleman of great worth who is travelling through our state to his own Country: He will be very happy to communicate to you the news of this place. I inclose you the report of a Comm[itte]e for altering the first paragraph of the 9[t]h article of the confederation, & which embraces objects of great magnitude, & about which there is a great difference of sentiment. I have the honor to be with the highest respect yr Affect, frd & Most Obdt sert

Willm Grayson


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 5 May 1785
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

My dear Sir.
New York 5 May 1785

It has been my intention ever since I have been in this City which is fourteen days to have written to you, but my business has been such as to prevent this gratification.
Congress have directed 700 Men to be raised for three years, to be apportioned upon the states of Connecticut New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, for the protection of the Western

frontiers, to defend the Settlers on the lands belonging to the united States from the depredations of the Indians, and to prevent unwarrantable intrusions thereon, and for guarding the public Stores. As This Corps is to be under my direction as secretary at War, I should be extremely obliged by your Excellencys opinion, with respect to the posts they ought to occupy on the frontiers—I suppose about thirty or forty men and two officers will be retained at Westpoint for guarding the public Stores, and the remainder will be sent to the Westward. The nu⟨mber⟩s must be small at any point, but I imagine that circums⟨tances⟩ will hereafter dictate the necessity of Keeping up an efficient force in that Country.
I expect to be at Boston about the first of June, and to return here again with my family by the first of July. I hope Mrs Washington and her grand Children are well, and I request that you would be pleased to present my best respects to her.
The celebrated Mrs McAuley Graham and her husband Mr Graham are now in this City on their way to visit you and Mrs Washington. I am my dear Sir With the highest respect and affection Your most obedient humble Servant

H. Knox


Title: To George Washington from Ruthey Jones, 7 May 1785
From: Jones, Ruthey
To: Washington, George

Worthy Sir
Belfast Georgia may the 7—1785

Last December twelve months—I had the honour of receiveing your Excellencys’ Letter by major Fishbourn being the first that ever Got safe to my hands. I should have returned an earlier answer to it, had a Conveyance on which I Could have depended offered before the present—I am at a loss to express the Satisfaction I felt when major Fishbourn informed me he had a letter from You—it can be better felt then discribed, as I had long flattered my Self with the hope of seing you before I

died, in preference to the Greatest Monarch on earth, had the Visit been ever so short: But how soon did that hope Vanish, when I perrused the Contents! The disappointment was the Greatest I ever met with, as I had ever been taught from my Infancy by the old People of South Carolina (where I was born) to consider you as a Relation. But if I have committed an Error in Claiming an affinity to you, I flatter myself you will forgive me, and be assured, my Dear Sir, that it was not done with a view of imposeing on you, had this been the case—was you to forgive me—I never shoud have forgiven myself—but as I always conceived you were acquainted with the circumstances that related to my Grand Father. Mr Jonathan Bryan, a Gentleman of Reputation and long standing here, assures me that my Grand Father, Mr John Washington, and Mr James Washington were full Brothers, and that they Came to South Carolina together about the year 1707; that my Grand Father married, but his Brother remained single until he went to Virginia, that my Mother (who was the only Child of my Grand Father who lived to a mature age[)], She perfectly remembered my Grand uncle during his residence in Carolina, and that some time before my Grand Fathers Death he haveing been killed by his own waitingman—in the year 1714, his Brother left him and removed to Virgina where he married and had tow Sons, From this last Circumstance, you have ever been considered as one of them, as I am now in the decline of life, and find myself incapable of encountering much fatigue, I almost dispair of ever haaveing the happiness of seeing you, unless you should come to the southward. I beg therefore you will accept of my unfained Good wishes for your helth and prosperity, and I shall offer my Prayers to Heaven that you may long enjoy boath. I wish to prevent your Excellencys harbouring a suspicion that I had misrepresented matters to you, and have accordingly been particular, I earnesly beg your goodness will Pardon me should I be mistaken—in my opinion of your being a Decendant of my Grand uncles—Should I ever be so happy as to be honoured with a line from you again as nothing would offord me so much pleasure, as one soft word from you, which time nor Distance shall never efface the Greatfull rememberance of any thing you may be pleased to cummunicate, will come safe to me by being Sent to Mr John Habersham at Congress a worthy friend of

mine, who takes Charge of this to you  I now beg leave to wish you all the happiness that this world can offord, and may Heaven Grant, that—happiness to be crowned with the best of Blessings is the Sincear and most Respectfull Sentiments of Dr Sir your affectionate Friend

Ruthey Jones

I cannot think of Sealing my Letter before I acquaint you of a most unfortuneate circumstance, a friend of mine had made me a compliment of your picture which I was to send for—but the house was burnt that night with every thing in it, which has been no Small disappointment to me, that has so Long wisht to se it in Vaine—I am my Dr Sir yours with the Greatest affection as before R. Jones


Title: To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee, 7 May 1785
From: Lee, Richard Henry
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir,
New York May 7th 1785

This will be delivered to you by the honorable Mr Sitgreaves a very worthy delegate to Congress from N. Carolina; who has been long detained by his desire to see the Land Ordinance passed, but he is obliged at last to quit us before it is finally so—The reasons he can give you. I had some time ago written a letter for you in answer to your last faver & kept it to go by this Gentleman, whose detention has been so long as to render a new letter more fit. I have now the honor to enclose you the Ordinance above alluded to, which meets the assent of nine States & every member of these Nine States, except one Man, who keeps the Ordinance from passing by the joint causes, as he alleges, of indisposition & dislike. I incline to think, however, that it will pass in the form you now receive it, with very little alteration, if any. I think there is no doubt of the agreement having been made for change of dominions between the Elector of Bavaria & the Emperor as mentioned in my last, yet, altho we have letters from our Ministers in Europe of the 9th of february, we are yet in the dark upon the question whether there will be war between the Emperor & the Dutch, or whether it will settle finally between the former & the King of Prussia. The public papers, as you will see by the enclosed, make War very certain. I had lately the honor of writing to you by Mr Graham, & his Lady Mrs Macauley Graham the celebrated Historian of England, who go to Virginia, I believe solely to pay their respects to you. I beg leave to refer you to Mr Sitgreaves for our foreign and domestic news, which indeed is not much.
My respects if you please to your Lady, whose health I hope is perfectly restored—I am, with the truest respect, esteem, and regard, dear Sir your most obedient and very humble servant

Richard Henry Lee.


Title: To George Washington from Jacob Read, 8 May 1785
From: Read, Jacob
To: Washington, George

Sir
Charles Ton [S.C.] May 8th 1785

Mr Charles Philips who does me the Honour to charge himself with the delivery of the present Letter is my most particular friend, permit me to introduce him to your Acquaintance and friendship as such—He is a Gentleman of very ample fortune in the West Indies and is now on his return to Europe after visiting his Estates—a very principal reason for Mr Philips’s making a journey from this State to New York by land is to have the pleasure of Seeing and in person paying his respects to your Excellency, to which he is probably the more Strongly inclined from his being a native of York Town in your State. Tho’ educated in Europe where he has Spent the greatest part of his life—I beg leave to assure you that I shall feel a particular obligation for any Attentions Shewn Mr Philips of whose virtues and merit I have the highest Sense and with whom I have had the honor to be on the most intimate terms of friendship for many years past.
I did myself the honour of addressing a letter to you in the beginning of March from New York about which time my private affairs obliged me to make a visit to this State—Shall however return to Congress about the beginning of June.
I unexpectedly Saw and only had the pleasure of transiently Seeing Major Washington in this City at the point of time when he was about to Embark on his return to Virginia and when the Excessive illness of my Mother prevented my having it in my power to pay him that Attention to which his own Merit entitled him and my wishes & Inclinations Strongly prompted me. a like situation will not I hope happen again and with great truth I assure you Sir, I Shall feel the utmost pleasure in tendering every Service in my power to any of your friends and much Satisfaction in Executing any Commands with which you may honour me either in this State or elsewhere.
I pray you’l do me the favour to present my most respectful Compliments to Mrs Washington and believe that I am with the greatest respect & regard Sir Your Excellency’s most obedient and most Humble Servant

Jacob Read


Title: To George Washington from David Humphreys, 10 May 1785
From: Humphreys, David
To: Washington, George

My dear General
Paris May [10] 1785

Since I had the honor to receive by the last Packet your favor dated in Feby last I have been unwell with a slight fever, & tho recovered at this moment it has retarded my public business in such a manner, as will prevent me from writing so particularly as I wished to have done by the present opportunity.
I am extremely concerned & mortified to find that you have been under the necessity of being so much occupied with unimportant & tedious applications. I hope you will have been able to procure some assistance before this time, and that you will not ultimately & altogether lose sight of the object I have more than once had the honor of suggesting to your Excellency.
For my own part I have not eat the bread of idleness—I have been pretty constantly employed in writings of one kind or another. Besides the correspondencies which have been opened with Russia, The Emperor, Prussia, Denmark, Sweden, Saxony, Sicily, Sardinia, Venice, the Pope, Tuscany, Spain, Portugal & England—and the reports which have been made in consequence to Congress, I have kept an accurate Record of the Proceedings of the Ministers, the minits of which have already more than half filled a large folio Volume—Tho’ Treaties have proposed to be entered into with all the beforementioned Powers (except Sweden to whom a supplementary Treaty has been proposed) yet none of them appear to be near a completion except with the King of Prussia & the Grand Duke of Tuscany—Several of these Powers however, who have no commercial Treaties whatever, have declared that our vessels shall be recd in their ports in the most friendly manner & that we shall be upon equal terms with the most favored Nation.
I am happy to learn Congress have appointed Mr Adams their Minister at the Court of London, it was a measure which had become indispensably necessary to prevent growing trouble & perhaps an open rupture between the two Nations—I am pleased to find that the appointment of Secry has been given to one of your Aids de Camp.

Upon my leaving America Mr Morris invested me with the power of procuring the several honorary presents which had been voted by Congress to different Officers in their service during the late War—The Royal Academy of Inscriptions & Belles Lettres to whom I addressed a Letter on the subject, have furnished me with the following device & inscriptions for the Gold Medal which is to be executed for your Excellency—“On one side the head of the General[,] Legend: Georgio Washington supremo Duci Exercituum adsertori Libertatis Comitia Americana. On the reverse: taken possession of Boston. The American Army advances in good order towards the Town, which is seen at a distance, while the British army flies with precipitation towards the shore to embark on board the vessels with which the harbour is covered. In the front of the American Army appears the General on horseback, in a groupe of officers, whom he seems to make observe the flight of the Enemy. Legend: hostibus primo fugatis. Exergue: Bostonium recuperatum die XVII Marti: MDCCLXXVI.”
I think it has the character of simplicity & dignity which is to be aimed at in a memorial of this kind, which is designed to transmit the remembrance of a great event to posterity. You really do not know how much your name is venerated on this side the Atlantic.
I have been fortunate in making several literary & noble acquaintances, by whom I have been treated with vastly more attention & hospitality than by any officers who served in America, & I except the Marquis la Fayette & one or two more.
It is pretty well decided now that there will be no war this summer.
We have had a remarkably long & distressing winter, many cattle have died for the want of forage, & the present want of rain threatens the most disastrous consequences. With my most respectful & affectionate regards to Mrs Washington & Complts to all the family I have the honor to be my Dr General Your sincere friend & hble Servt

D. Humphreys


Title: To George Washington from Christopher Richmond, 10 May 1785
From: Richmond, Christopher
To: Washington, George

Sir
Annapolis [Md.] 10th May 1785

Not having had any communication with the persons appointed by the Act of Assembly of Maryland to receive subscriptions for extending the Navigation of Potowmack, upon the Subject of advertising a Meeting; and being at a Loss how to proceed in the Business, I have taken the Liberty of addressing Your Excellency upon it.
It is but a few days since I saw the Act of Assembly for the first time—the Maryland Printer not having published, and delivered it, until the begining of the present Week—This circumstance has prevented Mr Davidson or myself from writing to the other Managers upon the subject; and as we are totally ignorant of the Ideas of the Gentlemen of Virginia, respecting the Meeting of the Subscribers; I have troubled you with this, to request your Advice thereon, and if you please direction how to proceed. The Weather has been so indifferent for sometime past, that few People have left their Homes to come to this Place. Our General Court is now sitting—The Races will be next Week, and it is probable that some Subscriptions may be obtained during these Times. I have asked the advice of Major Jenifer and Mr Chase, and in consequence of it, have determined to keep the Subscription Book until the End of this Month; unless I have some directions to the contrary. Enclosed I send the present State of it; and shall esteem it as a favor that you will please to write me on the Subject by the next Post. It would have given me pleasure to have waited on the Subscribers on the 17th Instant, but my Health has so long been in a precarious State—and I have been so long unused to travelling; that I dare not undertake the Journey. Mr Davidson is also prevented by having lately received a Cargo of Goods which he is now opening.

Should it be necessary that the original Subscription be had at the Meeting of the Subscribers, it shall be sent by Express. With the highest Respect I have the Honor to be Sir Your obedient hble Servant

Chrisr Richmond


Title: To George Washington from W. Symmes, 10 May 1785
From: Symmes, W.
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Fredericksburg [Va.] May 10. 1785.

I have considered well the terms your Excellency mentioned at your sisters as the best you could allow me, & find on comparing them with my present prospects in another line that I cannot with any justice to myself accept them. My views must be professional, or if I exchange them, ’tis natural to expect some compensation. The salary I receive from Mr Mercer, is perhaps the least advantage I derive from living in his family, & therefore should not, methinks, be made a rule in any other case where those additional advantages must all be given up, & perhaps the benefit I have already received thereby entirely lost.
My education, Sir, has been expensive, & I am now at that stage of it when 65£ is no equivalent for a year of my time. When your Excellency’s wants were first made known to me, I conceived them to be such as would entitle me to an hundred guineas a year; & for this, with the improvement & satisfaction I made no doubt of finding in your Excellency’s family, I predetermined to undertake the fatigues & application of the Office to which I had the honour to be invited. But I am certain that the sum your Excellency mentioned will not support me in the manner I should choose, though perhaps some other man may be found who can live within it. Of this, however, I am persuaded by experience, that no young man of a genteel character,

I mean one who is received among persons of rank & distinction & would not appear unworthy that reception, ever can.
After what your Excellency said, I must suppose that the treaty will cease upon this declaration. However, I will mention at large the terms on which I will with pleasure obey your summons & exert myself to the utmost in your service. My first condition is that I shall have 120£ P. Annum, payable quarterly—with board, washing, & mending: my second that I shall be at liberty to attend the Gen. Court & Court of Appeals; & the last, that when I ride on your Excellency’s business & am obliged to be out more than one day, I shall have a servant with me. If your Excellency should accede to these conditions, you will be sure of a person who will on all occasions consult & defend your interests committed to his care as if they were immediately his own.
I have only now to request that your Excellency will not think hardly of me for this proposal, which is the most moderate that I can possibly make. My views extend only to a bare support, & my professional interest, which I must not wholly abandon. Were it not for these two insuperable motives, I should esteem the honour of being in your family, & enjoying some part of your confidence, a compensation amply sufficient for all the services that I could render you. I have the honour to be, with great respect, Sir, Your Excellencys most obedient humble servant

W. Symmes.


Title: To George Washington from Jaquelin Ambler, 12 May 1785
From: Ambler, Jaquelin (Jacquelin)
To: Washington, George

Sir
Richmond [Va.] 12th May 1785

Still flattering ourselves with an expectation that some encouragement would be given here to the Scheme for opening and extending the navigation of Potowmack River, we were induced to delay closing the Subscription to the latest day which the Act admitted of: It is matter of real regret to us that our endeavours have proved unsuccessful.
My whole attention being necessarily engrossed by the duties of the Treasury, it will be impracticable for me, without manifest injury to that Department, to attend at Alexandria on Tuesday next; I am constrained, therefore, to adopt the alternative given me by the Act, and take the liberty to express my hope that you will be pleased to represent the State at the Meeting on that day: when, most probably, Subjects of the greatest import to the Success of the Scheme will be discussed, and on which my knowledge and judgment are very inadequate to enable me to give a voice. Pardon this freedom, and believe me Sir, with the most grateful esteem, and most perfect respect, Your most obedient Servant

J: Ambler


Title: From George Washington to Barbier de La Serre, 12 May 1785
From: Washington, George
To: Barbier de La Serre, Arsenne-Guillaume-Joseph

Sir,
Mt Vernon 12th May 1785.

The letter which you did me the honor to write to me the 20th of last month, I found at this place when I returned from Richmond a few days ago; but it had been previously lost in the high way, & came to me open & without a cover: by what means it met with this accident, I am unable to learn—a neighbour of mine picked it up in the condition I have mentioned, & sent it to me.
I pray you to be assured Sir, that I should have great pleasure

in presenting you with a letter to the Count de Vergennes if I cou’d suppose that my recommendation would have any weight at the Court of Versailles, & if I had ever opened a correspondence with the Minister thereof on a subject of this nature: but not having the vanity to suppose the first, & never having attempted the latter; I persuade myself I shall meet a ready excuse for not complying with your request in this instance.
Not being under such delicate circumstances with my intimate acquaintance & friend the Marqs de la Fayette, I have communicated your wishes to him; & as no language can do it more emphatically than your own, I have taken the liberty of enclosing your letter to me, to him. I have the honor to be &c.

G: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Marshall, 12 May 1785
From: Marshall, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Dear General
Fauquier [Va.] May the 12th 1785.

Your favor of the 3d Inst. I receiv’d by my Son & will with the greatest pleasure execute the small commission you are pleas’d to honor me with, by collecting & sending you the different seeds agreable to the list you inclos’d me. The Crown imperial

—Tulip bearing Lawrel, & Cardinal flower, I am not acquainted with, but shall I dont doubt find them out by enquiry.
In consiquence of a resolution of the last Assembly made in favor of such Officers as were in service in 79 & 80 and thereby deprived of the benefit of the act of Assembly allowing time for locateing Military Warrants, I have got your warrt as Assignee of Rootes, exchanged, shall carry it out with me & hope soon to give you a good account of it. I have the honor to be with the most respectful esteem Dear General Your most obedt Servt

T. Marshall


Title: To George Washington from William Fitzhugh, 13 May 1785
From: Fitzhugh, William
To: Washington, George

Dear General
Maryl[an]d Millmont May 13th 1785

This will be hand ⟨to⟩ You by Mr Bolton. The Person I recommended to Finish your Large Room—He is a masterly Hand, & I believe will Execute your work in an Elegant Manner at least equal to any in America—When I had the Honor to be with you & first Mention’d Mr Bolton, I told you His Foible as well as His Merrit & that I had lately discharg’d Him from my service, into which He Enterd in June last at a Dollar pr Day with two Negro Boys—& I to Find his Family in provission, Six in Number Inclusive—I Put under his direction four of my own Negro Carpenters—& the Scantlin Plank &c. was to be got from the woods—I did not remove to the—until the 4th of Janry last, when I found there had been Great Neglect. My Carpenters had done very Little and my work in every Part Backward. I then Expected my presence wou’d alter the Case, but

Mr Bolton His Wife & Family during my Absence had got such a Habit of Entertaining Idle Visitors, that I still found my work did not go on & that he had be Led rather into Excess of Drinking, which had not been his Custom & therfore Discharged Him—Indeed my work, considering that the whole was first to be taken from the woods, & that he had four Negro Carpenters of mine to Overlook, was by no means Sutable to him—Had it been otherwise He probably wou’d have gone on well with his work, as he is by no means an Idle Person, or subject to Liquor unless Tempted by Improper associates—His wife & Daughter too were fond of Company which often Occasioned their meeting—The wife is dead & the Daughter maried, & there is now only himself & one Negro apprentice.
Mr Bolton carries an Invoice of Materials, of which you may have the marble Slabb, largest window Glass—Large Brass Spring Hinges, If wanting & one half of any or all the other Articles, as the other Half will be plenty for my Use, & I beg you will only Command such articles as you have Occasion for —I hope you will Pardon this Scrawl & wish you may be able to read it—The morning is cloudy & my sight so defective, that it is with much Difficulty I can see to write.
Mrs Fitzhugh joins with me in respectful Complts to you, your Lady & Family. I have the Honor to be with perfect Esteem & Respect your Excellencys Affect. & oblig’d H[umbl]e Sert

Willm Fitzhugh


Title: To George Washington from John Harvie, 13 May 1785
From: Harvie, John
To: Washington, George

Sir
Land office [Richmond, Va.] May 13th 1785

You will receive with this Letter a copy of the previous Title Law that pass’d in the year 1779 —I also Inclose you a Certificate

of the loss of your Original Survey for the 2813 Acres of Land —likewise a copy of the Grant that issued to you and General Lewis for the Burning Spring —I do not Recollect that any application has been made for the Round Bottom by Cresups Heirs or any other person since your Grant Issued. I have the Honour to be Sir Yr Most Obt Servt

John Harvie


Title: To George Washington from Lafayette, 13 May 1785
From: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de
To: Washington, George

My dear General
Paris May the 13th 1785

My Correspondance With You Will this time Be in two Volumes and Young Mr Adams, John Adams’s Son, Has taken Care of a letter which I Hope He will Safely forward—Your kind favour february the 15th only Came in the last Packet—I Need not telling You, My dear General, How Happy I was to Hear from You, and How Happy You will Make me By an Exact Correspondance and an Attention to Send the Letters in time for the Sailing of the Packets which now will Arrive in France at the Havre a place very Near paris at the Mouth of the Seine River—I am Very Glad to Hear Your Pottowmack Business Has Succeeded—it is Highly important, and I feel doubly Happy By Reflecting this Good is owing to the part You Have taken in the affair—the Compliment the State of Virginia Have paid You is No doubt perplexing—I feel for You, and With you, My dear General, on the Occasion—Your Reluctance to Receive

Such a present is the More pleasing to me, as I want it to Be Said in Your History—General Washington Got Every thing for His Country—and Would not Receive Any other Reward—But on the other Hand, You Certainly Wish to Avoid Every Step which Could appear a Slight, a want of proper Respect, or of Gratitude for the Compliment which a Nation pays to an Individual—You Better know what to do than I Can tell—But if it Can Be gently turned towards Some public popular Establishement, You May perhaps Avoid a deviation from Your plan, and the Appearance of Slight or ostentation —I will look out for Subscribers when the Matter Comes to Be a little Better known—and will Have an Eye upon Your Recommendation Respecting the Engeneer.
There is not much News for the Present in this Country—Dutch affairs seem to Be in a Good train of Pacification—But if we Believe the Rumours that were Spread Yesterday, Baviera Would Be Invaded, or Rather, with the Consent of the Elector, taken Possession of By the Imperial troops—it is true that Elector is a Complete fool, and His Ministry are Bought By the Emperor—But I Cannot think the Report is true—altho’ that Baviera, or the ottoman Empire are Now more probable Grounds of a future war than the provinces of Holland—duke de choiseuîl died a few days Ago—Some think He was not Without Hopes, and Worked pretty Hard to Reenter the Ministry.
French Hounds are not Now Very Easely got Because the king Makes use of English dogs as Being more Swift than those of Normandy—I However Have got Seven from a Normand Gentleman Called Monsieur le Comte doilliamson the Handsomest Bitch Among them Was a favourite with His lady who Makes a present of Her to You—as He was very active in procuring the Best Blooded dogs, I Beg leave to propose Your writing a line to Him, containing a thankfull notice of the Comtesse, who Seems to take much pride in Being mentionned to You.
M[ar]quis de st Simon Has once writen a letter to You the Answer to which did not arrive—I think a Copy, or an Antidated letter would do the Business, and the Whole Will Be attributed to Naval Accidents.
M. adams Has taken with Him Some proposals for a Contract about Whale oils which I think to Be Very advantageous to the Commerce of America, and will produce an Envoice of about 800,000 french livres. I Have Been very Busy in Bringing it on,

and it is the Consolation I Had for failing in My Endeavours to obtain a General exemption of duties upon those oils —You Have Been Very Right Not to purchase the Spanish jack ass—the Best ones Come from the Isle of Maltha—Admiral Suffrein who goes there Has promised He would within these Six months Send me the Handsomest in the island with a female and the Whole Will not amount to more than fifty guineas.
My wife, children, and myself are in perfect Health, and all join With me in Most affectionate Respects to You, to Mrs Washington, and we Send our love to the Young ones—I was very Happy to Hear George Arrived at Charlestown in a Better State of Health—Remember me to Him, to all your family, to my friends about you, or any of them you Happen to Meet—adieu, My dear General, I grieve to think we are Now Separated By this Immense Ocean—But my Heart is With You in Every Moment, My dear General, and I am Happy when I Can once more Mention to You the Sentiments of Respect, Gratitude, Unbounded affection which for Ever Render me, My Beloved general, Your Most devoted friend

lafayette


Title: To George Washington from John Swan, 13 May 1785
From: Swan, John
To: Washington, George

Sir
Baltimore [Md.] May 13th 1785

When I was in England my friends Messrs Harrison Ansley & Co. of London gave me Charge of a power Attorney and several authentic papers from, and proving, the Heirs and legatees of Mr Thos Colvill of Fairfax County, who appears to have made a Will and died some time in October 1766, by which will You are appointed one of the Executors. I Shall esteem it a particular favor, If you will take the trouble of giving me any information respecting the Effects & Affairs of the said Thos Colvill, and the prospect the Heirs or Legatees have of receiving any part of his Estate and to what amount.
I beg you will excuse me for this request—the Heirs are of Opinion they are intitled to some thing, which I assured them they would receive if any Property was bequeathed them and in any instance Came under Your Care I have the Honor to be with great respect and Esteem Your Excellencys most obedient and very Hble servant

John Swan


Title: From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 16 May 1785
From: Washington, George
To: Biddle, Clement

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon May 16th 1785.

I stand indebted to you for your several favors of the 7th of March, and 12th & 19th of April.
Believe me, Sir, the first was not productive of more surprize than real concern. The acct of your failure was as much regretted, as it was unexpected by me; and I feel for the causes of it—and for your present situation.
You are sensible that my Commissions have been more troublesome than profitable to you; and as they are growing more trifling than ever, to continue them, might add to your embarrassments; otherwise, I do assure you, I should continue them with pleasure.
For the many friendly offices you have rendered me, I pray you to accept my thanks—The grass Seeds are all at hand (tho’ late coming)—Mr Lewis has engaged me a Miller—The method you have taken to get the accts of the Indian Meal & Flour adjusted, is perfectly agreeable to me. and I approve of what you have done respecting my letter to Mr Lamont (the author of the Poems which were proposed to be dedicated to me).
I have never received a paper from Messrs Claypool & Dunlap since your mention of their intention to forward them regularly; and think my self so ungenteelly treated by them, in this

business, that I do not intend ever to take another of their Gazettes. If they had really sent them, I can conceive no reason why they should not have got to hand, as safe, as those from Carey—and others from Boston—&ca.
The Balle of your Acct Currt £2.3.0½ I have given to Genl Moylan who will pay it to you, or to your Assignees—I have done the same with respect to Claypools receipt, for £3–15.—Cost of printing my advertisement. If you have not already paid his acct for the Gazettes, do me the favor, & justice to let him know (when it is done) that I am paying for what I have not had; and that it is my request that the acct may be finally closed between us; as I do not mean, unless I can be better satisfied than I am at present, to stand longer on their Books.
Mrs Washington joins me in every good wish for you, Mrs Biddle and family—and we both hope that fortune may be more propitious to you in future. If it should ever be in my way to render you any Services, I should have pleasure in doing it, being Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt Hble Servt

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