Title: From George Washington to Thomas, Lord Fairfax, 4 February 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Fairfax of Cameron, Thomas Fairfax, sixth baron

My Lord,
Mount Vernor 4th Feby 1773.

I have just been informed of Isaac Larews having enter’d in your Lordship’s Office, a Tract of Land survey’d for my deceas’d Brother, Lawrence, in the name of Richd Sanford, twenty odd years ago. The circumstances attending which, to the best of my recollection, will be found upon enquiry, to stand thus. This Land being survey’d just before the Death of my Brother, a Patent never issued for it; but the quantity appearing in the List of his other Lands in Frederick County, devised to my younger brothers; they proceeded to a division by that List, & this tract among others, falling to the share of the youngest of them, was always thought to lay differently from what it does, & has had the Quit-rents arising on it (as I have been told) regularly paid, ever since the division took place; at the time of which, I well remember it was thought wonderful what had become of the Patent, & your Lordship’s Office in vain searched for it, nor was it till of late known, that the missing Land was the Tract surveyed in the name of Richard Sanford, but conceived to be in the possession of Mr Chas Dick under purchase from Robt Worthington, who it was groundlessly conjectur’d, when the Land could not be found, had taken some advantage of my Brother’s death, & his own neglect in not passing Deeds, to sell it a second time, to Mr Dick. In short, various were the conjectures but nothing certain cou’d be hit upon, to accot for the loosing of the Land. Upon discovery, however, of the mistake, application was made to your Lordship for a Patent, & I believe the issuing of it was postponed on accot of Mr Sanford, as the Survey was made in his name, & who I am well satisfied, tho’ I have never spoke to him on the occasion, has not the most distant thought of getting it.

I am no ways interested My Lord, nor can I be affected by the Grant either to one or the other, but as I am persuaded that your Lordship wou’d not wish under this state of the case, which I have not intentionally exagerated, grant the Land to Larew, without givg the other Claimants an opportunity of being hear’d—I thought it an act of Justice, as well as brotherly Kindness to apprize your Lordship of the circumstances, which will apologize, I hope, for my giving your Lordship the trouble of receiving this letter, being with the greatest respect Your Lordships Most Obt humble Servt

G: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Samuel Washington, 4 February 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Washington, Samuel

Dear Brother
Mount Vernon Feby 4th 1773.

On the 1st Instt I receivd a Letter from Mr Snickers informing me that Isaac Larew had Enterd the Land calld Sanford’s, Claimd by my Brother Charles, or some of you, and will push for a Deed from Lord Fairfax for it—I should suppose (tho. Snickers adds it is carrying on very slyly) that you cannot be altogether unacquainted with his design, but for fear you should, this Letter is intended to give you notice of it, that you may enter a Caveat till the matter can be fully enquir’d into. I have, in your behalfs, wrote to Lord Fairfax on the occasion, but Letters so often miscarry, that I would not have you depend upon that—indeed I cannot help further observing, that, you are all of you very negligent in this matter, to have it left open so long; and well it is, if you do not suffer by the neglect. I forwarded my Letter under cover to Mr Snickers, who promisd to take it to Lord Fairfax so soon as it came to hand; but the question is, as I had no direct conveyance to the former, whether it will get safe to him, or not.
The Month of Jany is past, and your promise not fulfilld, which leads me again to say, that, I shall never expect to see you till you make your appearance; you are not to be surprizd therefore, if business calls me out, at not finding me at home whenever you do come, as you have kept me in continually expectation of seeing you here, for near 18 Months.
If you should have an oppertunity, I shall be much obliged to you for giving my Tenants notice, that they will save themselves, & me, a good deal of trouble by paying their Rents between this and the first of March, as the next application after that, will be made to them by the Sheriff; as I am determind for the time to come, to have the Rents regularly paid—the two Lotts above, Kennedy’s, originally Granted to Peterson & Fry but conveyd contrary to an express Covenant in the Leases Since, to whom I know not, have Rents due on them.
Mr Pendleton who has been here since Christmas, drew a Deed to you for the Land I Sold him, which I executed, but not I believe before a sufficient number of Evidences—this however I am ready to do at any time. we have nothing new in this part of the World, except that our great Toast, Miss French, is to become

the Wife of Mr Ben: Dulany, Second Son of Danl Dulany ⟨mutilated⟩, on Wednesday ⟨mutilated⟩ Our best Wishes attend my sister, yourself, & Family, & I am Dr Sir Yr Most Affecte Brother

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Burwell Bassett, 5 February 1773 [letter not found]
From: Bassett, Burwell
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Burwell Bassett, 5 Feb. 1773. GW wrote Bassett on 15 Feb.: “Your favour of the 5th came to my hands. . . last Thursday.”


Title: To George Washington from James Hill, 5 February 1773
From: Hill, James
To: Washington, George

Sir
Yorke County the 5th Feby 1773

I recd your letters in the office the 30th of Jany one dated the 21st Decr & the other Jany 11 which I understood had been in the office for upwards of Eight or 10 Days as I did not Expect a letter from you till the meetg of the Mercts made no inquerary & was up at the Quarters in the ⟨time⟩ however there was nothing very matererall in them only yr Directions to Mr Everand which I went to immediately & deliverd & his answer was that the Patents has ⟨bee⟩n made out ever since the 15th of Decr to the Best of Memory ⟨mutilated⟩ to the Mill Stones we have no great deel of Custom in wheat ⟨mutilated⟩ have contrived to fix them so as to grind what wheat has Come without complaint as yet, tho. they are but sorry & hope to make them do till we take her up to rebuild which will be the first dry Spell that comes for I have been geting in readiness to rebuild her Every opportunity the Carpenters is had since you was down I have had all the frameing

got ready in case She Brakes or dry Spell for we have a very good run of Custom in corne provided ⟨your⟩ mill did not waist her wa⟨ter⟩ in the Manner she does, we could make a good deel of corne in a year by her but she waists near as much water as she Grinds with—I have Attended this Meetg of the Mercts in order to receive the money for yr corne & part of the Estates money for corne at the same time that was sold; but did not receive one farthing for there was so much bad money of the New koin that I coud not receive it with Safety therefore woud not receive any for they woud not agree if it was bad to take it again therefore made the man underwrite his note of Hand to pay intrest till Apl.
I have sold the Porke for 27/6 Nt but have not recd the money for it yet Mrs Dandridge has had of yrs 10 Hogs Gross 1536 to Mr Jo. Fox 1098 lb. Nt at what I sold owrs below at wch is 27/6 Nt & Mr Thos Avera 337 Wt at same & 17 of the indifferentest the overseer had & what they weigh over 600 Nt he is to pay for & two has been catchd out of the Marsh Since a sow & a Barrow & the sow has Piggd since She has been put up to fatten that I dont Suppose we shall make Sail of her this year I have had 14 Muttons & two Beeves of yrs Brot from the Quarter to make Sail of to this Meetg but have sold but 6 mutns @ 6d. ⅌er & one beef almost @ 4d. the others Still remain here unsold as they broke up so soon coud not get vent for them. therefore Keep an acct of what Hominy they Eat & charge you with it if its agreable it shoud be so done please to let me know when you write again—whether they shoud be Kept for the Next Market in Apl or whether you woud have them sent back the young man Livg with me when you was down left me Just before Chrismas so that I was oblged to Stay at home abt the time of Negroes Hireing that I had not time to look out for any for & one of the two that I Kept to ditchg is run away & has been ⟨mutilated⟩ Some time so that I have only one at it; whch makes us go on very slow with our Ditchg the fellow that is run away is n⟨amd⟩ Coachman Jamey which is one of the Greatest Raschals I ⟨mutilated⟩ lookd after in all my life he went of without an angry word o⟨r⟩ a blow from any one, which woud Recommend it to Mr Custis & you to part with him in the same Manner you did the other for there is no getg of him to do any thing more then he Pleases & he only corrupts the Rest & if you dont conclude to Sell him am determin⟨ed⟩

to send him to the Eastn Shore that he never Shall Strike a Stroke this side while I stay in the Estate & if he runs away there will have a pr Iron Spancels for him if agreable to you for its of no ⟨mutilated⟩ to put them on Here for the negro Blacksmiths in town will soon file them off wch he will not have the same oppertunity on the Eastn Shore & will have one Brot over in his Sted if agreable to you & Mr Custis I cant write you any thing relative to the Quantity of corne made at your Place for am Just agoing to have it measurd but am in Hopes it will turn out very well for there appears to be a large Bulk of it I intended to ahad it measurd When I was in New Kent But was obliged down with the Expectation of receiveing the money for ⟨that⟩ corne sold at Norfolk—the inclosed is Wts & number⟨s of⟩ the Tobo Shipd last year they all went on board of one Ship wch was to Cary & Co. & one Hhd of Hanover Tobo for the Rent of that Place wch Weighd 1010 Nt to the Best of Memory—tho. by what I can learn am in Hopes of seeing you down very Shortly for it is Expected the Assembly will be Calld together on Acct of this Counterfit money—I had one five pound Bill & had Just Paid it away before they were found to be bad & did agree that if it was bad I woud take it again it has not come back yet So by that I am in Hopes its good or it woud abeen returnd before this & think my Self very Luckey that I had made no better a Collection then I have for 2 thirds of the money is Counterfit now Circulating that I dont know well what to do in receveg Unless its gold & Silver & a good deal of that is bad of Dollars that I dont know well what to do that if I have any in the House that is bad or shoud receive any bad hope you wont think of Makeing me Stand to the loss of it as I shall do for the best haveing nothing more at this time to add that I can recolect only am at this time ⟨have⟩ a very bad cold & pain in the Head & Remain yr Mo. Obet & Humble Servt

James Hill


Title: From George Washington to Robert McMickan, 12 February 1773
From: Washington, George
To: McMickan, Robert

Sir,
Mount Vernon Virga Feby 12th 1773.

On the 12th Ulto I troubled you with a Letter respecting my Consignment of Flour to D: J: Adams in the Brig Fairfax to which I beg leave to refer; since the date thereof I have been advis’d to send a more Authentick power of Attorney; which I now do, and shall, if you can serve me in this affair acknowledge it as a very singular favr.
It is not in my power to make out an Acct with any precision against Mr Adam’s—The 273 Barrels of Flour weighd 63308 lbs. Nett, and in one of his Letters to me he says he had sold 220 Barrls of them at 20/ a hundd and should sell the residue immediately at the same price—His debt to me on Acct of Herrings sold him I gave you a full acct of in my last. I am Sir, Yr Most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Newton, Jr., 12 February 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Newton, Thomas Jr.

Sir,
Mount Vernon Feby 12th 1773

By the Betcy Schooner, John Thompson Master, you will receive in good Order I hope 137 Barls of Superfine Flour—40 Ditto of Burr Midlings—70 Ditto of Ship or Bisquet-stuff—and 41 Ditto of Herrings pr Invoices Inclosed, which please to dispose of for April, July, or October Pay, as you find my Interest can be advancd by it, and when sold advise me upon what terms, that I may govern my own Contracts thereby—As I never yet have sold Bread Barrels (the Size of which my Bisquet stuff is in) for less than 2/ I could not well avoid mentioning of it to you.
To the Inclosed Power of Attorney, I should be obliged to you for obtaining the Mayor of Norfolk’s Seal of Office (calling upon John Thompson to witness my acknowledgement of it) and then to forward it in the most expeditious manner you can under cover with my Letter to Mr McMickan as it is the best chance I have to save about £750 worth of Flour &ca which I, a little unfortunately, put into the hands of a certain Danl Jenifer Adams to sell for me. I am Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 15 February 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Bassett, Burwell

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon Feby 15th 1773

Your favour of the 5th came to my hands in course of Post, last Thursday, and fill’d us with no small concern at the Indisposition of yourself and Family—equally concernd am I to hear of the unhappy state of our Paper Currency, and that the Interposition of the Assembly is thought necessary—should this measure be resolvd on, be so good as to advise Me, whether it be intended that the Country business, generally, shall be proceeded on, or this alarming affair of the money only, taken into Consideration—In the former case I shall come down—in the latter, as the Session will be short, and my business obliges me to the Genl Court I believe I shall decline it.
Could there have been anything fav⟨or⟩able said on the Subject of Corn, I should not have neglected advising you of it till this time. I have scarce heard the name of Corn mentiond since I left Williamsburg; & nothing can contribute more towards keeping down the price than the Mildness of the Winter hitherto; having had no Snow to Cover the ground here yet, & but little hard Weather—I have a few hundred Barrels of my own to sell but have met wit⟨h⟩ no offers for it as yet.
Our celebrated Fortune, Mr [Miss] French, whom half the world was in pursuit of, bestowd her hand on Wednesday last, being her birthday; (you perceive I think myself under a necessity of accounting for the choice) upon Mr Ben: Dulany who is to take her to Maryland in a Month from this time—mentioning of one wedding puts me in Mind of another, thô of less dignity, this is the Marriage of Mr Henderson (of Colchester) to a Miss More (of the same place) remarkable for a very frizzled Head & good Singing; the latter of which I shall presume it was that captivated our Merchant.
Mrs Washington, Patcy Custis, & Jack, who is now here, are much as usual; & the Family in general not sicklier than common; hoping this will find you perfectly restord, & the rest of the good Folks of Eltham in better health than when you wrote last, I am, with best wishes to Mrs Bassett, yourself, & the Children; in which all here join Dr Sir Yr Affecte Friend, & Obedt H. Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from George William Fairfax, 22 February 1773
From: Fairfax, George William
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Belvoir Feby 22d 1773

Altho’ I can hardly hold a Pen, yett this is to acknowl. the Receipt of yours, with a Letter for your Brother, and Colo: R: H: Lee in Westmoreland, which I hope they will Rece. this Week, as I am determined as soon as this very inclement touch of Weather is over (for I think I never felt any more severe) and I

can pass the River to sett off, and heartily wish you and Company good sport a Hunting, and hope you’l come into this Neck then, and at all times without Ceremony.
I hope the Pistols I have will do, if not will take the liberty of sending for yours. What you have done respecting the bound. of the Seventy two Acres of Land, is very satisfactory.
Our Complements, and best wishes, attend you, Lady, and Miss Custis, and am Dear sir Your Most Obedt humble Servt

Go. Wm Fairfax

I felt another touch of the Gout last Night, but hope its only the Effect of the Weather.


Title: From George Washington to Craven Peyton, 23 February 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Peyton, Craven

Sir,
Mount Vernn 23d Feb: 1773

Mr Gilbert Simpson of your County and I, are upon a Scheme of settling some Lands of mine upon Youghiogany in Partnership—& as it is more convenient for each of us to lay in Sundry Articles which we are already possessd off than to make a joint purchase of them it becomes necessary to have these Appraizd; for this Reason, and, in as much as the Appraisement will either be at Mr Simpsons own House, or in Leesburg I have taken the liberty to request the favour of you to Act in my behalf and with Mr Simpson to make choice of Appraisers to Value two Negro’s which I have sent up—one of his—a Waggon—some Horses, and such other things as Mr Simpson may furnish having no fix’d and determinate value to them in order that each may know how he stands indebted to the other on acct of the joint Concern—I am sorry to give you any trouble in this affair but if

it should ever lay in my power to make you a return I shall not be unmindful of the favour you will thereby confer on Sir Yr Very Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Gilbert Simpson, 23 February 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Simpson, Gilbert

Mr Simpson
Mount Vernon Feby 23d 1773

As the Negro Fellow I bought In Alexandria will by no means consent to leave this Neighbourhood and as you did not seem Inclind to take him without I have sent a young Fellow which I bought last Spring in his room—In coming from Boston here he got Frost Bit & lost part of his Toes—which prevents his Walkg with as much activity as he otherwise would but as they are quite well, and he a good temperd quiet Fellow I dare say he will answer the purpose very well—I also send you a fine, healthy, likely young Girl which in a year or two more will be fit for any business—her principal employment hitherto has been House Work but is able, or soon will be to do any thing else.
These Negro’s along with the one you carry out had better be valued by the same Appraisers; for the Cost of them is nothing to the purpose as I bought them with my own Money & for ready Cash no ways Connected till Appraisd with our joint Interest I have wrote to Mr Craven Peyton to act in my behalf, you and he therefore may agree on proper Persons to appraise these Negros but your Waggon-Horses—& other things which have not a regular and fix’d value of themselves.
Inclose you have a List of such Articles as are furnishd from my own Store & Smiths Shop—the prices affixd are as low as I could buy at in any of the Stores for ready Cash—Lund Washington who is now going up to Alexandria will Inclose you an Acct of what things he will get there with the prices of each respective Article all of which I hope will not only get safe to your hands, but safe to the Land of Promise; for which the

Sooner you Imbark After the Weather will permit the Better as you will have more of the Spring before you to prepare for the Summers Crop.
I have wrote to Captn Crawford to assist you with any thing you may want and I will see him paid—Vole. Crawford I am perswaded will also aid you in any matters in his power and I would advise you to lay in your Provision of Corn &ca upon your first getting out as it is more than probable the prices of them will Increase as the Spring advances.
Let me have a List of all the Articles you furnish with the sevl Prices annexd that I may be acquainted with our respective advances and be enabled thereby to state the Accounts. I do not recollect any thing more at present to add except in general to advise you to look beyond a year or two & not suffer any present or immediate convenience in clearing Land or doing other things to break in upon any regular or settled Plan which may be beneficial hereafter—for this reason it is I would recommend it to you to examine the Land well & begin to Build & clear in that part of it which is most likely to answer the general end & design of your going there—so in like manner concerning your Houses letting those you do Build be good of their kind and in the end you will find them Cheapest. I heartily wish you your health, and success and am Yr Friend & Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Charles Mynn Thruston, 25 February 1773 [letter not found]
From: Thruston, Charles Mynn
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Charles Mynn Thruston, 25 Feb. 1773. GW wrote to Thruston on 12 Mar.: “Your favor of the 25th ulto by Mr Watson came duly to hand.”


Title: From George Washington to Robert McMickan, February 1773
From: Washington, George
To: McMickan, Robert

Sir,
Mt Vernon Virga Feby 1773

You will be surprizd perhaps at the frequency of my Letters—I wish I had less cause to be troublesome to you—but having receivd Information of late, that my Affairs in the hands of Mr D: J: Adams are in a very desperate way, & vigorous measures necessary to be pursued, I send you a Copy of the power of Attorney which I forwarded on the 12th Inst. to Norfolk (in order to get the Seal of the Borough affix’d to it) with the Seal of the County I live in, & the Clerks Certificate thereto; hoping that by Virtue of one or the other you may, if occasion requires it, be sufficiently empowerd to Act with Propriety.
I also send you a state of my Acct against Mr Adams; made out, and proovd, in the best manner the nature of the case will admit of for it is to be observd that he has never renderd me any regular acct of the Sales of my Flour, I have only the words of a Letter therefore as transcribd into the Inclosd acct to support my charge against him. If he should not have left the Island of Jamaica before this Letter &ca gets to hand I shall hope to receive some benefit from your Endeavours and am Sir Yr Most Obedt H. Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to John Fry, 10 March 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Fry, John

Sir,
Williamsburg March 10th 1773.

Not knowing with certainty who to apply to for the Quota of the Expences due from Colo. Fry’s Estate towards prosecuting our claim to the Lands under Govr Dinwiddie’s Proclamation of 1754 I have wrote to yourself, & brother, alternately on this head, without receiving any answer. The Lands which have been surveyed & allotted by an order of Council of the 6th of Novr (as you may see by my publication in Rinds Gazette of the 14th of January) are now patented as there directed & in my possession; you therefore, or the person claiming the Land, now Patented in your name, stands indebted to me thus.

To your propon of the sum voted at the meetg in Winchester March 1771
£11.5.0

To yr propn of the contingent accot exhibited at the meetg in Fredericksburg, Novemr 23d 1772
7.9.4

To the Surveyors fees—Surveyg the Lands patented in yr name, vizt 4149 acres—2084 acres & 1525 acres.
12.6

£31.0.4

Besides this, I have been necessarily involved in some expences (in getting the Patents passed) which I shou’d be glad also to receive, as it is really hard, not only to saddle me with the whole trouble of this business, but to lay me under the necessity of making the incidental advances or suffer the whole proceedings to stop. If no opportunity offers sooner of remitting the money to me, I shou’d be glad to receive it at the April Genl Court, about the 25th of the month, at which time I expect to be in this place, or to get Colo. Fieldg Lewis to transact my business.
If you have any inclination to part with the whole, or any part of your property in these Lands, I should be glad to be advised of it, & upon what terms, as I know of some Gentlemen that want to buy Lands upon the Ohio. I am Sir, Your Most Obt Servant

G: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Robert Eden, 11 March 1773
From: Eden, Robert
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir,
Annapolis 11th March 1773

I took the Liberty, when with you last, of mentioning a Scheme Colo. Fitzhugh & I have of introducing Tom Eden into the Virginia Trade; You was so obliging as to say that altho’ you was no Tobacco Maker, yet you would be glad to do him any Service in Your Power that way. Since I saw you, I have recieved Letters from Captn Eden, informing me he will be in early in April, and is determined to make two Voyages this year, I.E. to sail from hence early in June, and to return in all Octo.—he leaves to Colonel Fitzhugh, Mr Calvert and myself to settle the Plan of his getting loaded so quickly the 1st Time, and we are of Opinion that, his Ship being so large, careying 650 Hhds And Our Tobacco being so late, it will be difficult to dispatch him so early in Our Province, we propose therefore consulting our Virginia Freinds, and if we find he can get half his Lading there, shall recommend it to him to enter in each of the Tobacco provinces.
From the many Civilities I have recieved from you, I venture to hope for an Addition to them, in requesting your Influence with a few of Your Freinds on this Occasion in behalf of my Brother: for whom I shall only say that I know him to be an honest Man, and think that in these troublesome Times he may as safely be trusted as any Mercht in the Trade, as he has not gone into Credit, as many have, and, what is more, never intends it. Such Gentlemen therefore as generally, on Shipping 2 or 3 Ton of Tobacco, draw for trible its Value, will not find it their Interest to be concerned with him, as it woud not answer Their purpose or his—Those, whose Business he undertakes, may depend on his executing all Commissions with punctuality, and being allowed for all Drawbacks, as well as Interest for any Cash remaining in his Hands, after settling Acco. Currt.
I coud wish at your Leisure to be favoured with your Sentiments relative to this Scheme, which I hope will have your

Approbation & Encouragement. I intend being near you, on our Side patowmc next Week, and shoud I hear you are returned from Wmsbg will have the pleasure of paying my Respects to Mrs Washington, Miss Custis & you at Mount Vernon.
Colo. Fitzhugh, who desires to be joined with me in best Compliments, is now writing to Colonel Frank Thornton on the above Subject.
Your Freind Boucher is in Town, and also lodges with me; the Lawyers & he have not done yet; and as several new Combatants have entered the Lists, there is little Appearance of Harmony being soon established in Annapolis, which is at present in political Distraction. Believe me, Sir, to be with great Truth Your obliged Freind & Obedt humble Servant

Robt Eden


Title: From George Washington to Charles Mynn Thruston, 12 March 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Thruston, Charles Mynn

Revd Sir,
Williamsburg 12th March 1773.

   Your favor of the 25th ulto by Mr Watson came duly to hand; in answer to it I must beg leave to inform you, that the short allotment of Land to Mr Andw Wagener was not the result of any determination of the Officers who met at Fredericksburg on the 23d of Novemr (for they had nothing to do, either in settling the proportions, or distributing the Land.) but was a solemn Act of the Govr & Council, on the sixth preceeding (adopted after having a full state of the several advances laid before them, & in my opinion, upon the most just & equitable principles). If Mr Wagener therefore, is injur’d, or thinks himself injured, he must

appeal to that Board as the only Tribunal which can afford him redress.
From your statement of the case, however, it would appear that you have been deceived by Mr Wagener’s representation of this matter—he has been a Culprit in respect to his contributions, from the very beginning as thus. In August 1770 a meeting of all the principal Claimants, was required in Fredericksburg: accordingly Mr Wagener, among others, attended, and exhibiting the nature of his claim, was consider’d as the representative of his uncle Thos Wagener. An advance was then voted—his proportion call’d for—but not paid ’till many months after.
In March 1771 another meeting of the Claimants was summoned in Winchester, (for by, or before this time, it is necessary to be remarked, that our affairs, never in a very promising way, began to grow very alarming, from the sollicitation of a large Grant on the Ohio, by some of the most powerful Men in England, & by Lord Bottetourt, notwithstanding the order of council of the 15th December 1769 expressly forbiding the Surveys to go on) at this meeting, the few that attended maugre all the discouragements, resolved, as the only chance left, to proceed at all hazards to surveying; altho’ they were sensible that the expence would be great, & would inevitably light on their own heads, if it failed; accordingly another sum was voted, & Mr Wagener calld upon in an earnest & pressing manner to advance his proportion: and what has he done? why, not paid one shilling of it to this hour; so that it was not for his nonattendance at Fredericksburg in Novr last (where, give me leave to add, if other business was an excuse for this negligence, no man could plead it with more propriety than myself, having left all my business in Williamsburg undone, by reason of the late coming in of the merchants, in order to be up there.) that he was curtaild of his Land in the first distribution, but, for want of his money to make the Surveys, the effecting of which could not be done without. whether this neglect proceeded from a disinclination to advance more under the circumstances as they then appeared—from disability, or any other cause, his own Breast can best determine; sufficient it is, that he was call’d upon on the 4th of March 1771 to make this deposit, & that it is not done yet:

The Council seeing, & having no reason to disbelieve these things, not only as they respected Mr Wagener, but all others under the like predicament, thought it very just & reasonable, that those who, rather than give up their hopes, had waded thro’ every difficulty & expence, should be first considered, and therefore determin’d (without a dissenting voice, that I have hear’d of) that, of the first Surveys, every one shou’d receive in the proportion he had advanced; being well satisfied that this work could not have gone on without money, & that it never was expected nor could with propriety be expected that I, who had had so much trouble in other respects, was to ride about as a Collector, to receive five pounds of this man, ten pounds of that, & so on; it being sufficient for the Parties to be apprized of their quotas, & to whom to pay it. To what I have here said, I must take the liberty of observing further, by way of explanation of my own meaning & the Councils intention, that my offer which you hint at had no allusion to an alteration of the kind you apply for—for the matter under contemplation at the time of insertg that saving clause, was the quality of the Soil, it being supposed that the difference therein might cause an unequal division, tho’ each man shou’d obtain his quantum of Land.
These, Sir, are facts, & but part of the reasons which govern’d in the determination of this matter, under which you may judge how far Mr Wagener has just cause of complaint. Colo. Fry, Lt Savage &c. have shared the same fate; & Captns Stobo, Vanbraam & others who have contributed nothing, have had no part of the Lands already Survey’d, allowed them, but left to come in at the second distribution, when I dare say the Govr & Council will measure their justice by the same Rule they observ’d upon the last occasion if the same causes prevail; as they are left at large, by the Proclamation of 1754 under which we derive our claim, to divide the Land in any manner they think proper. That Mr Wagener, or the greatest delinquent of the whole shou’d be now ready & willing to pay up their difficiencies, & take a share of the patents, I neither wonder at or doubt; Many men have objections to the purchase of Lottery tickets (in which light this Grant of ours, to the most sanguine of us all, has appear’d) that would be fond enough of partaking in the prizes; but let it be asked, would the deliquents have been ready & willing to have paid up their quotas, if the Scheme had fallen through? (as it

most assuredly would have done if a few had not stood forth in support of the Claim) & where will be the answer? It does not need the gift of prophecy to make it; for if the money could not be got whilst there was the chance of a prize, there wou’d be little hopes of receiving it in case of a Blank.
What kind of Land may be included in the next surveys, I cannot undertake to determine; but should think it hard, if the District allow’d us, never yet half explored, shou’d not be able to afford more than 127,000 acres of good, the quantity now patented. I have rather exceeded the bounds of a letter, by endeavouring to give you some idea of this matter; after which I have only to repeat, that I have no power to redress the complaint, even if I had adjudged it reasonable, which in truth I do not, as I have declared upon this, & shall do upon every other occasion, when call’d upon. Notwithstandg I am informed, that you have been pleased to complain of the advantage which Doctr Craik & I (why not Colo. Fry & Colo. Mercer also) have reaped in a distinct allotment; the reasons of which I endeavour’d, in as clear & distinct a manner as I could to account for; and as far as I was concern’d in the distinction, if it is considered in this light, with openness & candour; with what propriety am I accused then? Did it matter anything, whether Doctr Craik, Mr West or Mr Polson was left out of the large Survey, so far as the general end respecting quantity was answered by it? And if it did not, was there any person better entitled to the indulgence than the Doctor, considered in every point of view? I think not; and admitting that by fixing my Lott in this Survey, & turning others out, the amount of the claims had corrisponded as nearly as now with the quantity of the Survey; was there any reason for doing of it? if not, why shou’d it have happened.
I did not on the one hand, pick the Surveys that were assigned me, either from the excellency of the Land, or convenience of situation; If I had, I should have avoided the largest Tract I now have (composing a full moiety of my quantum) as every inch of it, from the Surveyors account, is subject to be overflowed: nor did I, on the other, object to the fifty thousand on account of the Land, for if I had had my choice of the whole Country, I should have fixed in this Survey; but because I thought (after the Land became patented) if any additional trouble was to be encounter’d (from the strange manner of granting it) it might as well

fall upon others, as me; as my shoulders had supported the whole weight heretofore; and in as much as, I might add without much arrogance, that if it had not been for my unremitted attention to every favourable circumstance, not a single acre of Land would ever have been obtained. I am Revd Sir Your humble Servant

G. Washington


Title: To George Washington from Osgood Hanbury & Company, 13 March 1773
From: Osgood Hanbury & Company
To: Washington, George

Esteemed Friend
London 13th March 1773

We are sorry to find ourselves without any of thy favors last year the principal occasion of the present being to enquire of thy Welfare, & to inclose a Letter for our Friend John Park Custis covering Accot Sales of the 14 Hhds Tobacco consigned us by the Hanbury ⟨of⟩ 1771 ⟨mutilated⟩ of the ⟨mutilated⟩ the p⟨rices⟩ of Tobacco at present are rather unfavorable being from 2¼d. to 3d. ⅌ lb. for ⟨Ex⟩portation, & from 9 to 11d. for home Consumption. We have again sent Capt. Esten in the Hanbury & flatter ourselves our Friends will give him a quick dispatch so that his Cargo may arrive to an early Market, a circumstance which is always agreable to us as it may thereby afford us an oppo. of selling our Friends’ Tobacco to good advantage—As we shall not send any other Ship to James River this year we flatter ourselves that such of our Friends on that river who intend favouring us with their Tobacco, will ship it on board the Hanbury Capt. Esten, to whom we have given directions for receiving it—We remain with best wishes for thy Health & Welfare—Thy Assured Friends

Osgood Hanbury & Co.


Title: To George Washington from John Gizzage Frazer, 16 March 1773
From: Frazer, John Gizzage
To: Washington, George

Sir
King William C[our]t Ho[use] Mch 16th 1773

I shou’d have spoke to you on Sunday last as you returned from Williamsbg concerning your suit against me in our Court, but had desired Mr Wm Aylett to speak to you when at Wmsburge and not hereing from him prevented me: I am not able at this time to discharge my Debts, meeting with several misfortunes at Sea and elsewhere has occasioned it, and am now prevented from going about my business, keeps me from geting in anyway to discharge my Debts so soon as I wish. I have a Letter of License on foot only to give me Liberty three year’s to pay up, which I am sure of doing if I have my Liberty and Health; every Gentleman I have applyed to yet has willingly signed it, and hope you will signify as much to Mr Lyons or me by a line, wch will infinitely oblige y⟨r Hble Servt

J. G. Framutilated⟩


Title: From George Washington to John Washington, 20 March 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Washington, John

Dear Sir
Mount Vernon Mar: 20th 1773

I thank you for the trouble you have had in purchasing a Gardener for me—the Man promises fair, & I hope will answer, thô chance too often directs in things of this sort.
By the bearer Mr Franklin Syms I send You £6.16.9, amount of the charges of Transporting the Servant up. Your Draft favour ⟨of M⟩r Hodge shall be paid by me, or my ⟨mutilated⟩ the April Genl Court next—I have nothing to add but my Compliments to Mrs Washington in which my wife joins & to assure you that I am Dr Sir Yr Most obedt Hble Servt

Go: Washington


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

Sir
Norfolk March 22. 1773.

I am very sorry to inform you that we have very slow sale for flour at this time, owing to the large quantity’s from every part of the country, together with a report of the best superfine selling with you at 14/ ⅌ Ct. I have not sold as yet above sixty barrels of your best kind & not one of the inferior sort, but do not doubt of disposing the whole of it payable at the July & October meetings, as yours has the preference of any at this market. we have had no arrivalls lately that I cannot inform you of the state of the markets abroad for the sale of flour much depends on the accts from Spain & Portugall & as the ports of Britain are opened I doubt not of many buying on speculation, which will occasion a rise here. I will inform you if any demand shou’d happen this way, that you may govern your Contracts thereby. I am Yr Most Hble Servt

Thos Newton Jr


Title: From George Washington to James Tilghman, Jr., 23 March 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Tilghman, James Jr.

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 23d Mar. 73

I expect Govr Eden, and some Gentlemen from Maryland here this afternoon—If you are disengaged, I should be glad if you would come down & stay with us a day or two, or as long as they remain with Yr Most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Peter Chester, 25 March 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Chester, Peter

Sir,
Virginia March 25th 1773.

Mr Wood the bearer of this is a Gentleman of Virginia upon a Tour to Florida—He proposes before his return to explore some of the ungranted Lands in your Government; and, as I have never yet been able to Locate the Lands which I am entitled to under his Majesty’s Proclamation of October 1763 has promised that, if he meets with such Lands as he thinks will answer my purpose to have 10,000 acres Surveyd for me 5,000 of which I am entitled to in my own Right by virture of that Proclamation, the residue by purchase—Certificates of which Claims will be presented to your Excellency by Mr Wood under the hand and Seal of Lord Dunmore our present Governor.
The entire ignorance I profess to have of the Climate & Soil—the advantages & disadvantages, of the Country of West Florida is the Reason why his Lordships certificates are Couchd in such general terms; and of my giving Mr Wood a discretionary power to locate, or not, as he may be influenced by these appearances—should he meet with a spot however favourable to my wishes, I have no doubt of your Excellency’s Granting the Land with such Indulgences as have been practiced in similar Cases, agreeable to His Majesty’s gracious Intention, the terms of which I shall endeavour, strictly to comply with, as I shall do for a greater quantity, if Mr Wood should be able to procure it of such a quality, & under such favourable restrictions as he shall conceive advantageous; the matter being left to him to judge of, from observation and enquiry.
Could I, a stranger Sir, undertake with any degree of propriety to recommend Mr Wood, I should briefly add that, he is a Gentleman well esteemd in Virginia, and, I am perswaded would not disgrace any little Civilities you might please to bestow on him—I have the honour to be with very great respect Yr Excellency’s Most Obedt & Most Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Robert McMickan, 29 March 1773 [letter not found]
From: McMickan, Robert
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Robert McMickan, 29 Mar. 1773. On 14 June GW wrote McMickan: “Your favours of the 29th March . . . are now before me.”


Title: From George Washington to James Wood, 30 March 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Wood, James

Dear Sir,
Mt Vernon Mar. 30th 1773.

I intended to have had a little further conversation with you on the subject of the Florida Lands, but my haste to leave Williamsburg & your Dining out the day I did do so prevented it—I addressd a short Letter to you by way of Memm & left it with Mr Southall—I hope you receivd it, that I may be satisfied you did so, please to advise me as the Govrs Certificates of my Claim was Inclosd therein.
These Certificates will be sufficient Authority for the Govr of West Florida to warrant the Surveys, and if any scruple is entertaind of my purchases from Mr Thruston, & Captn Posey I shall remove it by transmitting their Bonds which should have accompanied this Letter could I have been assurd of its reaching your hands before your departure.
You will readily perceive by the Tenor of my last that it is good Land, or none I am now in pursuit of; and that, I could wish to have it procurd in such a part of the Country as from your own Observation aided by information you shall judge most valuable, althô in accomplishing of it I pay a little more—For these Reasons it is I avoid particular directions—I shall place a generous confidence in your Integrety; having no doubt either of your ability, or Inclination to serve me—By meeting with Mr Gist, and others of your old acquaintances you will have it in your power of forming from their accts, a pretty general & perhaps just Idea of the nature of the Country; and of determining

by your own observation’s on them whether the Lands on the Mississipi—the Mobile—or elsewhere promises in Futuro, to become Most valuable—not till after which I would I recommend it to you to fix on your Locations—Doctr Connelly is curious in his observation’s & sensible in his remarks, to him therefore I have wrote (as he has been pleasd to sollicit my corrispondance) requesting his assistance to you—I have also taken the liberty of writing to the Govr of West Florida expressing my hopes of obtaining this Land (& more) in case you should think proper to Locate it in that Government, agreeable to the Tenor of his Majestys Proclamation; mentioning at the sametime your intended Tour, and the discretionary power I had vested you with; & as Lord Dunmore promis’d me, that he would give you an Introduction to him, I hope you receivd it.
It would appear to me from the words of his Majesty’s Proclamation of October 1763 that those who obtain Land under it, are not only entitled to an exemption of Quitrents for ten years, but exempt also from Cultivation & Improvemt for the same term; of this Latter however, please to be informd from the best Authority, as, in the event of it, I should be strongly [inclined] to extend my views beyond the quantity I here claim, especially as the time allowd for doing it is not short & difficult to be complied with—this therefore is a matter I would beg leave to refer to your consideration; requesting in case you find the Country from a comparative view of it, desirable—good Lands, easy to be obtaind—& not difficult to keep under the establishd Rules of Government, that you would Increase my quantity to Fifteen, Twenty, or Twenty five thousand Ac[re]s—In short I could wish to have as much good Land Located in a Body or contiguous together (for the convenience of a Superintendant) as I could save without much difficulty or expence, even if the first Ten thousand should be subject to the same Laws of Cultivation with the rest.
Various are the reports concerning the Quit-rents & purchase money of these Lands, but it appears evident to me, from the strict Sense & Letter of the Proclamation, that, the Governor has no right to exact more than is demanded in Virginia or any other of his Majestys Colonies; in none of which, I believe, more than two Shillings Sterling Rent, & ten Shillings right money is requir’d. My Letter to Govr Chester is under a flying Seal which

please to Inclose before delivery—I heartily wish you an agreeable Tour, and safe return being Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


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

[April 1773]

Cash

Aprl 10—
To Cash recd for Fish
£ 1. 2.0

17—
To Ditto won at Cards
1. 5.0

19—
To Ditto recd from Colo. Adam Stephen on Acct of the Grant of 200,000 Acs. of Ld
16.11.3

To Ditto recd from Captn [Peter] Hog on same acct
16.11.3

20—
To Ditto recd from John Ward for three days Waggonage @ 12/6
1.17.6

To Ditto recd from Do short pd for Fish 1772
0. 1.6

21—
To Ditto recd from Mr Jno. West on Acct of the 200,000 Acs. of Land
5. 0.0

24—
To Ditto Won at Cards
1. 4.0

28—
To Ditto recd from Thos Logan pr Wm Shaw
29. 7.6

Contra

4—
By Ditto [cash] bear Wills Exps. to Baltimore
0.14.0

By Ditto to bear Giles’s to Stafford
0.12.0

8—
By Cash for a Parrot
0. 6.0

9—
By Ditto paid John Alton
12. 0.0

10—
By Ditto paid Jonathan Palmer
4.16.0

By Expences in Annapolis
1. 1.4

By Mr Custis’s Do
0.18.0

By Ferriages going & returng there
0. 8.6

By Servants there
1. 1.0

By Charity
0. 1.6

17—
By Fee to Mr Thos Johnson in my attachment agt D. Jenifer Adam
2. 5.0

By Cash paid for a Horse
8. 0.0

By Ditto to Mr Custis
4.12.0

19—
By Ditto paid Mr Thos Kirkpatrick in full for Balle of an Acct
17. 4.3

20—
By 5½ lbs. of Bees Wax
0. 8.3

By 1 Nest of Tubs & Pails
0.10.0

By 16 lbs. of Feathers @ 2/
1.12.0

By a Flag Matt
0. 2.0

By Mr Jno. Ward for 107 Bush[el]s Wheat 5/
26.15.0

By a Barrel of Cyder & Cask
0.18.0

24—
By Servants
0. 2.6

By Cards
0. 7.6

28—
By Cash paid for a Horse for the Neck
16. 0.0


Title: From George Washington to Benedict Calvert, 3 April 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Calvert, Benedict

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon April 3d 1773.

I am now set down to write to you on a Subject of Importance, & of no small embarrassment to me. My Son in Law & Ward, Mr Custis, has, as I have been informd, paid his Addresses to your Second Daughter, & having made some progress in her Affections required her in Marriage—How far a union of this Sort may be agreeable to you, you best can tell, but I should think myself wanting in Candour was I not to acknowledge, that Miss Nellys amiable qualification’s stands confess’d at all hands; and that, an alliance with your Family, will be pleasing to his.
This acknowledgement being made, you must permit me to add Sir, that at this, or in any short time, his youth, inexperience, and unripened Education is, & will be insuperable obstacles in my eye, to the completion of the Marriage—As his Guardian, I conceive it to be my indispensable duty (to endeavour) to carry him through a regular course of Education, many Branches of which, sorry I am to add, he is totally difficient of, and, to guard his youth to a more advancd age before an Event, on which his own Peace, & the happiness of another is to depend, takes place; not that I have any doubt of the warmth of his affection, nor I hope I may add, any fears of a change in them; but at present, I do not conceive that he is capable of bestowing that due attention to the Important consequences, of a Marriage State, which is necessary to be done by those who are Inclind to enter into it; & of course am unwilling he should do it till he is—If the affection which they have avowd for each other is fixd upon a Solid Basis, it will receive no diminution in the Course of two or three years, in which time he may prosecute his Studies, and thereby render himself more deserving of the Lady & useful to Society; If unfortunately (as they are both young) there should

be an abatement of affection on either side, or both, it had better preceed, than follow after, Marriage.
Delivering my Sentiments thus, will not, I hope, lead you into a belief that I am desirous of breaking of the Match—to postpone it, is all I have in view; for I shall recommend it to the young Gentleman with the warmth that becomes a Man of honour (notwithstanding he did not vouchsafe to consult either his Mother, or me, on the occasion) to consider himself as much engagd to your Daughter as if the indissoluble Knot was tied; and, as the surest means of effecting this, to stick close to his Studies (in which I flatter myself you will join me) by which he will, in a great measure, avoid those little Flirtation’s with other Girls which may, by dividing the attention, contribute not a little to divide the affection.
It may be expected of me perhaps, to say something of Fortune, But, to discend to particulars, at this time, may seem rather premature—In general therefore I shall inform you, that, Mr Custis’s Estate consists of abt 15,000 Acres of Land, good part of it adjoing to the City of Wmsburg, & none 40 Miles from it; sevl Lotts in the said City; between two & three hundd Negroes; and about Eight or ten thousd Pounds upon Bond, & in the hands of his Merchts—this Estate he now holds independant of his Mothers Dower, wch will be an acquisition to it at her Death, & upon the whole such an one, as you will readily acknowledge ought to entitle him to a handsome Portion in a Wife; But, as I shd never require a Child of my own to make a Sacrafice of himself to Interest, so, neither do I think it incumbt on me, to recommend it as a Guardian; but as I know you are full able, I should hope, & expect, if we were now upon the point of Settling these Preliminaries, that you would also be willing to do something genteel by your Daughter.
At all times when you, Mrs Calvert, or the young Ladies can make it convenient to favour us with a visit we should be happy in seeing you at this place. Mrs Washington & Miss Custis join me in respectful Compliments, and I am Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Jonathan Boucher, 8 April 1773
From: Boucher, Jonathan
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Prince George’s County [Md.] 8th Apl 1773.

I hardly remember ever to have been more surpris’d, than I was a few days ago, on being informed by the Governor of the Engagement that had taken Place between Mr Custis, & Miss Nelly Calvert; and, I beg Leave to assure You, on my Word & Honour, that, never till that moment, had I the most distant Suspicion of any such Thing’s being in Agitation. It gives Me great Uneasiness to learn, from the same Authority, that You think Me, in some measure, to blame. To this, I can only reply, that, if I have err’d, the Error was of the Head, & not of the Heart. Mr Custis will do Me the Justice to own, that I have repeatedly warn’d Him of the Hazard every Man must necessarily run, who precipitates Himself into so important an Attachment, ere the Judgement be fully matured. He has Reason to be thankful, that He runs as little as any One can. The peculiar & extraordinary Merits of the Lady He fortunately, has singled out to place his Affections on, assure Me He never will have Cause to repent it, from Her: I wish, I cou’d be half so sure, that his own future Conduct & altered opinions, may never tempt Him to wish, that He had let it alone, a little longer.
You will remember, I always thought, that He was enamoured of Miss Betsey; tho’ even in that, I suspected not, that there was any Likelihood of its becoming so serious, without my first knowing more of it. Why, He has carried it so far, without ever deigning to pay Me that common Compliment, which, I think, my Friendship for Him well entitled Me to, He best can tell: I will not, however, impute it to a worse Cause than a false Shame. If He had consulted Me, He would have found Me in that, as I hope, He has, in other Things, candid & indulgent. But, when I recollect, that He neglected also to inform You, I forbear my Murmurings, asham’d to insist too much on a Breach of Friendship,

with your Example before Me, who have Forgiven a Breach of Duty.
I beg You to recall to your Mind, what my Conduct has been in other Instances respecting this young Gentleman: and I am sure You will do Me the Justice to own, that my not having advertis’d You of This also, has been owing solely to my not knowing it, myself. However infatuated I may have been in my political Pursuits, I wou’d not have been wanting in so essential an Instance of Duty. I therefore, will hope, that, You will not continue to judge harshly of my Negligence, in as much as I again assure You, that, if I have been to blame, I have been so unintentionally.
I shou’d belie my real Opinion, were I not to say, that, I think, it had been better for Mr Custis not to have engag’d Himself: but, since This could not be, I should hardly belie it less, not to own, that I think He cou’d nowhere have enter’d into a more prudent Engagement. Miss Nelly Calvert has Merit enough to fix Him, if any Woman can: and I do, from the fullness of a warm Heart, most cordially congratulate his Mother & Yourself, as well as Him, on the Happiness of his having made this most pleasing of all Connexions, with this the most amiable young Woman I have almost ever known. I know Her well, and can truly say, She is all that the fondest Parent can wish for a darling child. Warmed with the Ideas of her Merit, I can almost persuade myself to believe, that the Advantages which may be derivd to his Morals from this Engagement, rash as it has been, are enough to compensate for the ill Influence it may be supposed to have on his intellectual Pursuits. There is a Generosity, a Fortitude, a Manliness & Elevation of Mind, which such true Gallantry inspires, that is not so easily otherwise taught. As I will not suffer myself to think, but for a Moment, that He will ever be wanting in Honour or Integrity, so as to tempt Him to shrink from an honourable Engagement, I trust, He will also consider Himself as not less bound in Honour, to avoid all those sordid & less noble Pursuits, which wou’d debase, & render Him unworthy of Her. Nay, I trust, that He will find Himself enabled to collect the dissipated Powers of his Mind, & apply with Earnestness to his Studies, which, it seems, He now confesses, He has not been able to do these twelve months, owing to the Impression of this Passion. Upon the whole, it appears to Me, considering

his Temper & Situation, that his Friends have rather Reason to rejoice, than be uneasy, at this Engagement.
I enclose You a Letter from Dr Cooper, which, I assure myself, will not be displeasing to You. He is a Man of True Merit, in every Sense of the Word; and You may safely depend on his doing every thing becoming such a Man. You see, You have all this & the next Month before You: He shou’d be there, before their Commencement in June, that He may not lose a Term And, as his Friend & old Companion Carr, has some thoughts of accompanying Him thither, on the same Errand, I will be obliged to You, if without Inconvenience to Yourself, You can give Him three weeks or a Month, to consult his Friends, & get ready.
I am told, You have Business to our Provincial Court, the next week; I hope to see You either agoing, or returning. The Govr, Mr Calvert, the chief Justice, & Mr Dulany dine here on Monday: shou’d You set out on that Day, You know, You can be here in Time to Dinner. I am, most truly & cordially, Dr sir, Yr most obedt Hble servt

Jonan Boucher


Title: To George Washington from Benedict Calvert, 8 April 1773
From: Calvert, Benedict
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Mount Airy [Md.] Apl 8th 1773

I Received the favour of yours of the 3d Instant by Mr Custis which I feel myself highly honoured by, and am truly happy in your Approbation of that young Gentlemans future Union with my Second Daughter. I should be dead to Parental feelings, were I untouched with the polite manner in which you are pleased to compliment Nellys Qualifications; Being her father, it would illy become me to sound her praise, perhaps I might be deemed partial—I shall therefore only say, That it has ever been the Endeavour of her Mother and me, to bring her up in such a manner, as to ensure the happiness of her future Husband, in which, I think, we have not been unsuccessfull—if we have, we shall be greatly dissappointed. I intirely agree with you, that it is, as yet, too early in life for Mr Custis to enter upon the matrimonial State, and hope his being placed at New York—may be attended with every advantage to him which, you and Mrs Washington can, at present, desire, or I could hope for, in the future happiness which I sincerely wish him and my Daughter long to enjoy, to which that must, as you observe; greatly contribute. Permit me at the same time to hope with you, that this Seperation will only delay, not break off, the intended Match.
Mr Custis I must acknowledge, is, as a match for my Daughter much superior to the sanguine hopes which a parents fondness may have at any time encouraged me to indulge; He is luckily so circumstanced in point of fortune, that the Inconsidableness of the portions, I shall be able to bestow on my Daughters, is, in this Alliance, a mere matter of a very secondary consideration—And that circumstance seems to prognosticate great happiness to Nelly, being a clear proof of the young Gentlemans disinterested affection for her—I can only add, on this subject, that, from the largeness of my family (having ten Children) no very

great fortune can be expected: What that may be depends upon the Issue of my present depending Claim. Of this, Sir, however be assured, nothing in my power shall be left undone to promote so pleasing an Union—Nellys portion, as far as my personal Estate will go, shall, at least, be equal to any of my other Children, nor will you, Sir, I am sure, desire more—I shall at all times, when convenient, be happy in bringing my family to wait on Mrs Washington and equally glad to see her & Miss Custis with you at Mount Airy, where I hope it will suit you to call (next week early) in your way to Annapolis, and I will have the pleasure of attending you thither. I am Dear Sir Your Most Obedt & humble Servt

Benedt Ca⟨lvert⟩

P.S. I expect the pleasure of the Governors & Mr Haywoods Company a Saturday Evening, they stay with me till Monday Morning, when they set off for Mr Bouchers where they purpose to dine, and then go for Annapolis. I shall attend them there & return home in the Evening, without it will sute you to come here on Sunday and go up with them. B.C.


Title: From George Washington to Lord Dunmore, 13 April 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Dunmore, John Murray, fourth earl of

My Lord
Mount Vernon 13th of Apl 1773

In obedience to your Lordship’s request, I do myself the honour to inform you that, by Letters this day receivd from Doctr Cooper of Kings College in New-York, I find it will be about the first of May before I shall set of for that place; and that it will be June, perhaps the middle of it before I return—

Harvest then coming on, and seldom ending till after the middle of July I could almost wish to see it accomplish’d; but if the delay in doing of it, is attended with any kind of inconvenience to your Lordship, I will, at all events, be ready by the first of July to accompany you through any, and every part of the Western Country you may think proper to visit.
I beg the favour therefore of your Lordship to inform me, as near as you can, of the precise time you will do me the honour of calling me here, that I may regulate my other matters accordingly, and give Mr Crawford (if your Lordship purposes to take the Rout to Pitsburg) who I took the liberty of recommending as a good Woodsman, and well acquainted with the Lands on that Quarter, notice of it; that he may be disengaged when we get to his House which is directly on that Communication; being perswaded that such a person, will be found necessary in an excursion of this sort, from their superior knowledge of the Country, and the Inhabitants which are thinly scattered over it.
No Person can be better acquainted with the Equipage, and Simple provision necessary to a Journey of this sort than your Lordship; & therefore, it would be impertinent in me to undertake to mention them; but if your Lordship should find it convenient to have any thing provided in this part of the Country, and will please to honour me with your Commands, they shall be punctually obeyd—as also, if your Lordship chooses to have an Indian engaged, will I write to Colo. Croghan (deputy Indian Agent) who lives near Pittsburg, to have one provided.
The intent of my Journey to New York my Lord, is, to carry my Son in Law, Mr Custis, to Kings College—should your Lordship therefore, have any Letters, or Commands, either to that place, or Philadelphia, I should think myself honourd in being the bearer of them, as well as benefitted by means of the Introduction. I am with the greatest respect Yr Lordships Most Obedt & Most Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 20 April 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Bassett, Burwell

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon, Apr. 20 ⟨1773⟩

The interruption of the Post for several Weeks, prevented our receiving the melancholy account of your loss till within these few days. That we sympathize in the misfortune, and lament the decree which has deprivd you of so dutiful a Child, & the World of so promising a young Lady, stands in no need, I hope, of argument to proove; but the ways of Providence being inscrutable, and the justice of it not to be scand by the shallow eye of humanity, nor to be counteracted by the utmost efforts of human Power, or Wisdom; resignation, &, as far as the strength of our reason & religion can carry us, a chearful acquessence to the d[iv]ine will is what we are to aim at: & I am perswaded that your own good sense will arm you with fortitude to withstand the stroke, great as it is and enable you to console Mrs Bassett whose loss, & feelings upon the occasion, are much to be pitied.
By Letters from Doctr Cooper, Presidt of the College in New York, my departure for that place is now fixd to about the 8th of May, which puts it out of my power to attend the Meeting in Williamsburg this Court; I have therefore, by Mr Henderson, Inclosd several Letters to, & drafts upon, different People for money, to Colo. Fielding Lewis, who wrote me that he should be in Wmsburg; but if sickness, or any other unforeseen accident should prevent his attendance, I should take it very kind of you to ask for, & open my Letter to him and comply with the Contents in respect to the receivg & paying of money.
Mrs Washington in her Letter to Mrs Bassett informs her of Jack Custis’s engagemt with Nelly Calvert, Second daughter of Benedict Calvert Esqr. of Maryland; I shall say nothing further therefore on the Subject than that I could have wish’d he had postpond entering into the engagement till his Studies were finishd, not that I have any objection to the Match, as she is a girl of exceeding good Character but because I fear, as he has discoverd much fickleness already, that he may either change, and

therefore injure the young Lady; or, that it may precipitate him into a Marriage before, I am certain, he has ever bestowd a serious thought of the consequences; by which means his education is Interrupted, & he perhaps, wishing to be at liberty again before he is fairly imbarked on those important duties. My Sincere good wishes attend Mrs Bassett & the Family and I am Dr Sir Yr Most Affecte Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Fielding Lewis, 20 April 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Lewis, Fielding

Dear Sir
Mount Vernon April 20th 1773

As it would be very inconvenient to me to set out for New York as soon as I returnd from Williamsburg, I have resolvd to postpone my journy to the last mentiond place, & of course to give you the trouble of doing my business there; I have therefore by the bearer, Inclos’d you some Bonds, and Orders for Money, which I beg the favour of you to receive for me—The Account against Mr Mattw Whiting Mr Montgomerie is to pay, as you may see by my Letter to him, left open for your perusal—should Mr Montgomerie contrary to my expectation, refuse to allow for the loss I sustaind by my Brothr Charles’s receivg 340 Dollars at 6/. please to take care of the Paper which contains a List of the different kinds of Money in his own handwriting, as it was paid, for I am determin’d not to submit to it; as Mr Montgomerie, after neglecting to pay the Money in Williamsburg, had no right to impose Dollars at that value—whatever Sum you receive from him, on acct of Mr Whitings Bond, will go towards lessening my Claim upon Armisteads Estate, which you may see by the Inclosd Acct & Protest, & which I beg the favour of you to endeavour to receive for me. Messrs Buckners Bond (Inclosd) is accompanied by a Letter to them, pressing payment of the money to you, as I have very urgent occasion for what money I can collect—You also have a Letter to Colo. Bannister requesting him to pay you £32.10 & I have wrote to young Mr Edmd Pendleton, & also to Colo. Carter Braxton (one of Colo. Bernd Moores Trustees) and to Mr Armistead for £401.11.0 sterg due from the said Moore’s Estate for Intt of the Bond to which Colo. Baylor was Security; & hope that it will be paid, as I have informd them that the Bond will be put in Suit without. I have some hopes likewise, that Mr John Fry (or Mr John Nicholas in his behalf) will pay you the Sum of £31.0.4 which he stands indebted to me for his proportion of the expences of Patenting the Ohio Lands, & I should be obliged to you to ask Mr Norton if Mr Thruston has not desird him to pay me £12.1.9 on the same Acct, & to receive it if he did—Mr Thruston informs me that, he has desird Mr Norton to pay this Sum to me, at this Court. Should you go over to Gloucester—or, if there is any Body that does business in Wmsburg for your Brother, please to

know if it will be convenient to pay the £40 due last October for the Interest of his Bond, and ask Mr Hill for what Money he collects, for me. Out of which several Sums please to pay the following Drafts, which I expect will be there against me (or you in my stead) Mr Hodge for a Servant (Gardner) bought of him £35 Cy Mr Robt Washington £60 in part for the two Negroes mentiond in my last, bought of him. The rest of the Money be so good as to bring up for me, as I shall be a good deal distressd to comply with my wheat, and other engagements, if I meet with a disappointment in these several payments to you—as soon as matters in respect to them, are reducd to a certainty, be so good as to write me from Wmsburg by the Post (preferable to any other conveyance, as I know where to send for these Letters) what it is I have to rely on; and as soon as you return home, advise me thereof, that I may send for the needful. I had like to have forgot that it is possible Captn Page (or Mr Carr in his behalf) may demand £14.14.0 Sterg which I promisd to pay in Apl; if it is demanded of you, please to discharge it, if not, take no notice of it yourself. and be so good also as to receive the Inclosd small acct at the Treasury. I have left all my Letters open, that by perusing them you may be the better acquainted with my expectations, and of course transact it with greater ease—Inclos’d you have a List of the several Sums which I expect to receive, and pay, agreeable to the several Order’s; and in case I should recollect any other business, I should be obliged to you whilst in Williamsburg, to enquire at the Post Office, on Saturdays, for Letters, as I shall write to you by the Post if I do. I am Dr Sir with our best wishes Yr Most Affect. Hble Servt

Go: Washington

P.S. Please to let me know by the first Post if this Letter & papers have got safe.

N.B. I wrote the foregoing Letter in much haste, expecting to send it by a person who, I was informd, would take Fredericksburg in his way to Williamsburg, a few days ago; wishing it to get to hand before you set of on the 18th as advis’d. I now forward it by Mr Henderson, to be deliverd in Williamsburg, being disappointed in my first expectation; and have to request that, after being satisfied of the collection you will make on my acct if the

amount (when the several Sums of £35 £60 £14.14 Sterg and a further Sum of £50 assumd to Wm Crawfords Order, in favr of John Hite are paid) falls short of £300 that you will make up that Sum as near as you can, by selling the Inclosd Bills, and remit it to me by Mr Henderson; as I shall not, otherwise, receive it before my departure to New York which is now fixed to about the 8th of next Month; if you can, on the other hand collect, or find you can collect, as much money as will make those payments, & furnish me with £300 besides, then, & in that case, please to return the Bills to me again—if you could contrive to provide half Joes for me (but remember there are a great number of forged ones in Circulation) it would suit my present purposes best—Let me know to whom each of the within Bills are sold, if you dispose of them at all, that I may know to give advice properly—I am as before Yrs &ca. G. W——n


Title: Enclosure: Account with Fielding Lewis, 20 April 1773
From: Washington, George
To:

[20 April 1773]

A List of Sundrie Sums expected to be recd, & pd, by Colo. F. Lewis

Sterling
Currency

From Messrs Buckners

£616.13.0

Trustees of Colo. B: Moore or Exrs of Colo. Baylor
£401.11.0

Mr Armisteads Estate
108. 8.9

Treasury

12. 2.6

Colo. Bannister

32.10.

Mr Montgomerie

32. 1.7

Colo. Warnr Lewis

40.

Mr Norton for Mr Thruston

12. 1.9

Mr John Fry

31. 0.4

Mr Hill suppose

100.

 £509.19.9
 £876. 9.2

Note—The Sum paid by Mr Montgomerie, be it little, or much, will go in discharge of my Claim upon Armisteads Estate and of course lessen the above Balle of £108.8.9 Sterlg.

Sterlg
Curry

To be paid to Mr Ths Hodge

£ 35. 0.0

Mr Robt Washington’s ordr

60.

Captn Page if demd
£14.14.0

£14.14.0
£ 95. 0.0

To Wm Crawfords order in favr of Jno. Hite I beleive to Ths Lawson

50.

         Brot up
         £509.19.9
         £ 876. 9. 2

         Captn Kenn[ed]y
         150

         Thos Logan
          52.15. 8

         £509.19.9
         £1079. 4.10

£14.14.0
145. 0.0

Wren
40.

Dr Ross
44.

Dr Johnn
30.

Mr B.
75.

Church
30.

Colvill
550.

£14.14
£914.

Note, If Colo. Lewis’s Collections would not pay the within Sums of £35, 60 & £50 Cury & £14.14 Sterg, & enable him to remit me, over and above the further sum of £300 he is in that case to raise the

Difficiency by a Sale of Bills for wch purpose three Sets were sent to wit one of £100—one of £80—& one of £60 Sterlg all drawn upon Robt Cary Esqr. & Co. at 60 days sight the 20th of Apl 1773.


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

[May 1773]

Cash

May
To Cash recd from Mr Ramsay viz. 4 half Joes & £4.10. Jersey Money
£ 13. 4. 0

To Ditto recd of Doctr Carter for a years Interest of his Bond due
10.16. 0

To Ditto recd from the Exrs of Mr [Philip Whitehead] Claiborn Do
14. 0. 0

To Ditto recd from Mr Frans Foster Do
33. 8. 0

To Ditto recd from Mr Thos Prosser Do
7. 5. 9

To Ditto recd from Colo. Warner Lewis Do
40. 0. 0

To Ditto recd from Edd Charlton for 2 Setts of Excha. dated 20th Apl 1773 One Sett for £60 the other for £100
200. 0. 0

To Cash recd of the Treasury
12. 2. 6

To Ditto recd of the Revd Mr Thruston on acct of Andw Wagener
12. 1. 9

To Ditto recd from Mr James Hill on acct
132.15. 4

Contra

7—
By Servants
0. 1. 3

By Cash paid Mrs [Elizabeth] Simpson
1. 0. 0

By my Expences (Including Mr Custis’s) going to, & returng from New York & fixing him at the College there £50.14.3 Pensa equal to
40.11. 5

By Cash given Mr Custis at Phila. & New York £27 Pensa equal to
21.12. 0

[Pa. currency]

By Charity
0. 7. 6

By Cards
3. 2. 6

By 2 pr white Silk Stockgs
2.18. 0

By Mr Hugh Gain for Mr [Jonathan] Boucher
1. 4. 0

By a Cucumber Slicer
0.18. 0

By a Case of Printing Materials
2. 0. 0

By a Paper of Cake Ink
0. 1. 0

By Doctr Wetherspoon for Mr Ramsay
48.16. 0

By Cash given to George & Charles Lewis & Willm Ramsay
4. 2. 6

By Cash pd Jno. Priestly for a Grey Mare
40. 0. 0

By a Bay horse bot at Vendue Phila.
23. 0. 0

By Charity
2. 5. 0

By Ditto
0.10. 0

129. 4. 6

deduct 25 prCt
25.16.11

[Va. currency]
103. 7. 7

[Va. currency]

By Cash paid my Mother pr Mr Lund Washington
10. 0. 0

By Ditto paid Mr Thos Hodge pr Colo. [Fielding] Lewis for my Gardr Philp Bateman
35. 0. 0

By Ditto pd Mr Robt Washington pr Do
60. 0. 0

By Ditto pd Captn [James] Page for Thos Davis
19. 2. 2

By Ditto pd Captn Wm Crawfords ordr in full
50. 0. 0


Title: To George Washington from Reese Meredith, 5 May 1773
From: Meredith, Reese
To: Washington, George

Esteemed FriendPhiladelphia May 5th 1773
Colonel Washington
From the little acquaintance I had with thee formerly, I take the liberty of recommending the Bearer Capt. John Harper who is in partnership with William Hartshorne—John Harper comes down in order to see the Country, if he likes it, they propose to come down and settle with you; they are Men that have a very pretty Interest—Wm Hartshorne lived with me some Time—They are Industrious, Careful, Sober Men; If Capt. Harper should want to draw on this place for Five hundred Pounds I will engage his Bills shall be paid—Any Civilitys shewn him will be return’d by Thy Friend

Reese Meredith


Title: To George Washington from Fielding Lewis, 8–9 May 1773
From: Lewis, Fielding
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Saturday May 8th or 9th 1773

Buckner was here last Tuesday and promis’d to do the needfull if possible, left the Town on Wednesday and I am this Evening inform’d by Mr Whiting that he would not return, and as I hear’d a Gentleman this day say he was to receive Three hundred pounds from Buckner I conclude you will get no Money, have therefore agreed for your Bills to Mr Charlton at the Currt Exchg. wch is not setled as the drawers expect 30 ⅌Ct & the buyers offer 25 ⅌Ct am now going to get the £300 to send you to the care of your Brother Charles as wrote you by Mr Henderson have paid all demands agst you and have recd & paid as ⅌ Margin, Mr Mongomery will not pay the Balle of Whitings Bond Colo. Banister says he will pay before he leaves Town Warner Lewis have not seen shall go that way John Fry not in Town, Armistead not in Town, Trustees of Bernard More will pay as soon as possible but no money at this time, in short disappointments so general that I never before have seen so little business done nor one Tenth so many disappointmts. I was fearfull from the beginning that Buckner would disappoint as I know Gloster County to be the worst in Virginia to have any Money matters to collect from, I wish You a good Journey, as you pass Prince Town call and see my Son⟨s⟩ who will I am sure have great pleasure in seeing You I am Dr Sir Yr most Affectionate Hume Servt

Fielding Lewis

P.S. Since writing the above Mr Hill informs me that he w⟨ill⟩ be able to pay a farther Sum of money, so that I have retu⟨rn’d⟩ one of your Bills £80.0.0.


Title: To George Washington from Walter Magowan, 9 May 1773
From: Magowan, Walter
To: Washington, George

Sir
May 9th 1773

Yours of the 7th Inst. is just come to hand: The Tickets in Lord Sterlings Lottery which I had of you are all disposed of, and indeed I am sorry that I did not advise you of this before now. Wishing you an agreeable journey, I am Sir Your Obliged Hble Servt

Walter Magowan


Title: To George Washington from Gilbert Simpson, 20 May 1773
From: Simpson, Gilbert
To: Washington, George

Honoerd Sr
Yougagahanay [Pa.] May the 20: 1773

I have Sent you Two Letters before but wheather they Ever Retcht your hands or not I do not know the perport of them was to acquaint you of the Great aversion my wife had in Coming over the mountains and I do not Like the Cuntry well anufe myself to Live in it but if you Chuse to Continue your hands on the Land you may have all belonging to me at the vallue of them as they are all Reydey on your Land and as it is not Conveniant for me to moove my family over I will undertake to Com out once or twise a year To Serve you and if you Chuse I Should and Could Serve Several other Jentel men besids in Coming out Spring and fall and Contrive and plan of ther affairs for them for your Land is vastly fine for medo and Corn I Shall be down at home in about four weeks time from this and I Beg Sr you would send me a leter about that time or after a while to let me know what you would do for I Shal not Com out again until the Latter End of Summer and then [if] you have a mind to send out more Slaves and a horse or two and winter Close for those that are out heare I Shall be Reydey to Conduct them a long and if you Should want to purchas Stock and will Send money and let me know what you want I will indevor to Sute Everything in the Best manner as I Can no more but I Remain your humble Servant to Command.

Gilbt Simpson


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Pendleton, Jr., 23 May 1773
From: Pendleton, Edmund Jr.
To: Washington, George

Sir
May 23. 1773

I received your favour at Wmsburg, and deferred answering of it until I could see Mr Armistead. The money arising from the Sales of those Negroes Mortgaged by Colo. Moore to Colo. Baylor, is not sufficient to discharge Colo. Baylor’s engagements by near £3000. and the debts due him, got in only as fast as will

make easy with his own Creditors; The Executors could wish you would wait til next Spring, for that they intend to sell some of the Estate this fall payable then. If it is out of your power to wait that time, you will please take the further trouble of writing me another Letter, that I may advise the Executors of your determination. I am Sir Your very Humble Servant

Edm: Pendleton jr


Title: From George Washington to Myles Cooper, 31 May 1773
From: Washington, George
To: Cooper, Myles

Revd Sir,
New York May 31st 1773.

Inclos’d you have a sett of Bills for one hundred pounds Sterling which please to sell at the prevailing Exchange and retain the money in your own hands to answer Mr Custis’ Expences at College, & such calls as he may have for Cash to defray the Incident expences of his abode in this City—In respect to the first Article of Expence, I submit the matter wholely to your better judgement, under a firm belief of your adopting such measures as will contribute, most likely, to promote the principal end of Mr Custis’s coming here, not regarding an extra: charge incurrd in the accomplishment of it—In regard to the Second as I do not know what Sum he ought, with propriety, to expend in such a place as New York, I shall not undertake to liquidate it, but hope if, contrary to my expectation, you should find him inclind to run into any Act of extravagence you will be so good by your friendly admonition’s to check the progress of it.
As Mr Custis may, probably, want Cloathing, & other necessaries, you will please to establish a Credit, in his behalf, with such Merchants as you can recommend, and when the deposit now lodgd with you is expended in this, and other payments be so good as to transmit me a Copy of the disbursements & I shall furnish you with other Bills whereby to lay in a new fund. I have nothing further to add at present than that at next vacation, or at any other time I shall think myself very happy in seeing you in Virginia & that I am with very great respect & Esteem Yr Most Obedt Hble Servt

Go: Washington

P.S. Please to let my Letter to Robt Cary & Co. accompany the Bills.


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

[June 1773]

Cash

June 23—
To Ditto [cash] recd in part of David Kennedys Rent of Mr Geo: Johnston
£104. 8.3

To Ditto recd from Captn Law[renc]e Sanford for 10 Barls of Flour sold at Phila.
14. 8.3

Contra

12—
By ditto pd Edwd Williams
1. 4.0

15—
By Servants
0. 3.0

By Cash paid John Keene for Barrl Staves £38 Maryd Cury equal to
28.12.9

By ditto paid for 5 dozn course Mett: But[tons]
0. 3.9

20—
By Cash pd the Revd [Lee] Massey readg the Service over Miss Custis
2. 6.3

23—
By Charity
0. 6.0

By Mr [William] Belmains Acct
1. 4.2

By James Connells Acct for a Coffin &ca for Miss Custis
7.17.9

24—
By Cash paid Mr [David] Hoops of Phila. for a Phaeton bot of him £50 Pena
40. 0.0

By Cash paid Thos Bishop
9. 0.0

By Charity
0. 3.9

By Cash paid Colo. [John] Carlyle for Governor [Robert] Eden
12.15.0


Title: Memorandum List of Tithables, 9 June 1773
From: Washington, George
To:

[c.9 June 1773]

A List of Tithables—in—Truro Parish Fairfax County—9th June 1773.
Geo: Washington, Lund Washington
Thos. Bishop, John Alton, Jonn Palmer, Chrr Shade, Caleb Stone, David Cowan, Andw Judge, Phil: Bateman. [House servants] Breechy, Will, Frank, Giles, Herculas, Doll, Jenny, Betty, Moll, Sall, Alice, Lucy, Sarah, Alice. [tradesmen] Frank, Davy, Tom, George, Ned, James, Isaac, George, Jack, Anthony. [Home house] Schomberg, Peter, Jack, Lewis, Bacchus, Harry, Lydia, Jone, Winney, Sarah, Phœbe, Daphne. [Ferry farm] Michael, Cæsar, Sam, Cupid, Peter, Moll, Lucy, Betty, Doll, Daphne. [Mill farm] Davy, Sam, Ben, Moll, Jenny, Moll, Priscilla. [Muddy Hole] Will, Adam, Will, Jupiter, Dundee, Kate, Nan, Sarah, Jenny. [Dogue Run] Morris, Matt, Bath, Robin, Bob, Morris, Hannah, Sue, Betty, Lucy.

In all—
82.

Ferrymen—
 2

80

A Chariot—a Chair—& Phæton.
Tythables—in Fairfax Parish—9th June 1773.
Alexr Cleveland
Frederick, Essex, Ben, Natt, Will, Neptune, Abram, George, Schomberg, Dick, Robin, Arlington, Ned, George, Ruth, Peg,

Murria, Doll, Daphne, Cloe, Nan, Judy, Milly, Frank, Judy, Sue, Kitt, Hannah, Nell. In all—30.


Title: From George Washington to Robert McMickan, 14 June 1773
From: Washington, George
To: McMickan, Robert

Sir,
Mount Vernon June 14th 1773.

Your favours of the 29th of March, and 8th of April are now before me, but did not reach my hands till the 10th Instt as I only returnd from New York the 8th after an absence of 30 odd days from home.
I think myself exceedingly obliged to you for the care and attention you have given to the business I took the liberty of employing you in but fear it will avail me little. Mr Carlyle in my absence, dispatchd a Person to Edenton to Attach the Brig Ann & Elizabeth &ca but by means of a discontinuance, or Suspension (as it is said) of the Attachment Law in that Government he was disappointed in his aim—His Messenger however Succeeded in procuring a detention of the Vessell in that Port for the space of four Weeks, in order, as he could not Attach that Mr Carlyle might have time to be advisd of the disappointment & concert other measures—at the expiration of which, if nothing further was done (which I understand is the case) the Master has engaged to Sail with the returns immediately for Jamaica where if you cannot Invest the Property for my use I have little to

expect from that Quarter. It is true indeed I have attachd what Effects I could meet with of Adams’s in Maryland; but from the best Accts I can get, they will proove inadequate to my claim, & as to his Bond, which you say is the only Security he seems disposed to offer I would not give one farthing for an hundred of them.
I cannot comprehend by what devise it is Mr Adams has contrivd to reduce my Claim upon him to £587.16.6¾ (Includg £86.5.0 Virga Curry for 115 Barrls of Herrings). He surely does not recollect that he has already acknowledged, under his hand, that 220 Barrls of the Flour actually sold at 20/ prCt and that he should sell the rest immediately at the same price; nor can he, one would think, avoid knowing that the Invoice or Manifest will shew that the average weight of the Flour pr Barrl was upwards of 231 lbs. Nett—How then he has managed to make the whole 273 Barl yield no more than £491.19.10¾ when 220 by the Acct renderd me at this average comes to £510.3.4 I am much at a loss to discover as he never Intimated by the most distant Insinuation that the Flour had Sustaind the least Damage but leaves me to infer from his manner of writing that he had been endeavouring to get a better price for the residue & not that he had any doubt of closing the Sales at the same Rates—As to the Credit which he has been pleasd to give for the Fish, the price of them he knew was fixed by a specifick Agreement which could be proovd Incontestably so that it was to little purpose to make any alteration there otherwise as he has afforded so many ample proofs of his good Intentions to serve me in other Instances I should have had no doubt of his attempting it here also; but why Virginia Money should be turnd into Jamaica Cury at 9 prCt difference I know not; Our Exchange when Adams had the Fish of me was at 20 PrCt—But throw this out of the question He knew that I should not have receivd Dollars in this Country had he paid me here at more than 5/9 which undoubtedly will cause a greater difference than 9 prCt—I shall add no more at present than that I am Sir Yr Most Obedt & Obligd Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Newton, 14 June 1773 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Newton, Thomas Jr.

Letter not found: to Thomas Newton, Jr., 14 June 1773. On 30 June Newton wrote GW: “I received yours of 14th.”


Title: To George Washington from Gilbert Simpson, 14 June 1773
From: Simpson, Gilbert
To: Washington, George

Sr
Loudown June the 14: 1773

this Coms to acQuaint your honour that I am Returnd home from youghagahanay and have Left all well when I Came from there I left provision Enuf for the people to Eat and work anuf to do and I have Got a nye neibour to have an Eye over them and there work. tho. my fellow is Sufficent to take Care and is as trusty I beleive as most white men and will Carrey on work as well as most when Laid down to him Sr I Should be glad to get a fwe Lines from you to know what you determine upon wheather you take my part of things or not as I have wrote you about and Sr I want to know whether you will be at Leesburg any time this Summer or not for it would save me the troble of Coming down to you for I have been Saddeld with a great del of trouble and hard Ship alreydey and Should not be fond of much more unteel I Goe out again which perpose to do about the first of September when I think the flies is a Little more moderate and then if you perpose to send more hands and horses and Clothing for them that is there I Shall if God willing be a going out and pray Sr send me in your Letter whether you are Going from home ths Summer to Stay any lenth of time or not that I may not mis seeing of you when I Com down I Send you in the inclosed a true account to Shew you how your meney is Laid ⟨out⟩ and sum more to it So no more but Remains your umble Servant to Command

Gilbt Simpson

N:B: I understand that Mr Lun Washingtons overseeer has got 15 acers of Land in Corn and I heard Just before I Came away that one of the negros had thrasht the overcer but no great hurt on Either side.


Title: From George Washington to Reese Meredith, 17 June 1773 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Meredith, Reese

Letter not found: to Reese Meredith, 17 June 1773. On 22 June Henry Hill wrote GW: “I have perused the Letter you favor’d Mr Meredith with of the 17th.”


Title: To George Washington from James Hill, 19 June 1773
From: Hill, James
To: Washington, George

Sir
19 June 1773.

Not havg five Minutes to write by the Post your first Letter got Mislaid in the Office so as I never got it till the 16th June & by not havg yr Instructions how the Tobo was to be Shipd I have put it all on board of Peterson & after recg Yr Letter went up in order to stop the Quantity you orderd but was two Late so there is none but the Easten shore Tobo which is Expected Every hour to Peterson all our People at Mill Quarter are now down with the Measles & Expect all ours to have it every hour havg no time Prevents my writeing to you more fully you never Mentiond any thing abt the Tobo in the letter by Colo. Lewis the Post Obliges me to conclude Yr Most Obt Servt

Jas Hill


Title: From George Washington to Lord Dunmore, 20 June 1773 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Dunmore, John Murray, fourth earl of

Letter not found: to Lord Dunmore, 20 June 1773. On 3 July Dunmore wrote GW: “I received the favour of yours of the 20th of last Month.”


Title: To George Washington from Henry Hill, 22 June 1773
From: Hill, Henry
To: Washington, George

Sir
Philada 22d June 1773

I have perused the Letter you favor’d Mr Meredith with of the 17th and am obliged by your inclination to correspond with my partners at Madeira—Altho’ it’s not usual to ship fine wine but for bills of Excha. I have inclosed a letter to the house requesting they wou’d comply with your orders for a few pipes of that quality for your own use & take the payment in flour as you propose—It’s an article likely to answer your purpose as well as I can judge—I think if the quality is very good it will not clear less than 15 ⅌ Ct or more—& Corn as much—for the proceeds of the last your returns may be order’d in wines most salable with you of any denomination except particular.

In every part of the transaction at Madeira I have so much reliance on my partners’ skill & integrity that you may freely consider me as accountable to you for whatever ought to be expected from good factors.
You will please to insert in the Bill of Loading frt payable in wine of any kind except particular or Bill wine: and shou’d the owners be disengag’d to any house there I shall thankfully acknowlege your interposition to get the vessel & remainder of the Cargo consign’d to your frds which as a considerable shiper only you’ll have some right to apply for.
Your Congratulations on my happy marriage are extremely acceptable to Mrs Hill who joins me in presenting our best respects to you & your’s—I am, Sir Your most obedt friend & Servt

Henry Hill


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Newton, Jr., 30 June 1773
From: Newton, Thomas Jr.
To: Washington, George

Sir
Norfolk June 30. 1773.

I received yours of 14th will take care that your Letter to Mr M Mikin shall be forwarded by a vessell that will sail in a few days. I

now send you the prices of the flour herrings & ship stuf sold for which I hope you’l approve off. the first quantity is not all sold yet tho. there is but few barrels left. I am realy at a loss what I shall do with the midlings as the Bakers will not touch them & they will not answer at the West India markets. I am now fitting a vessell for Madeira where I have been inform’d they will answer, if you incline to send them I will ship them for you, your answer will much oblige me by the first post as I expect the vessell will sail in a few weeks. We have no demand for ship stuff at present but if you incline to send what you have on hand imagine I cou’d get ten shillings & freight down for it. I am yr Hble Servt

Thomas Newton Junr


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

[July 1773]

      Cash

July 8—
To Cash recd from Colo. [George William] Fairfax for Smiths work
£ 5. 1.4

To Ditto recd of Do Taylor’s acct
0.15.0

10—
To Ditto recd of Thos Logan in acct with Colo. [John] Carlyle
23. 8.2

13—
To Ditto recd from Colo. Carlyle Balle of Waggonage Acct
5. 4.9

24—
To Cash recd for 10 lbs. of Wool
0.12.6

Contra

3—
By John Cannon for Balle of an Acct
5.19.4

By Ditto on acct of Mr [John Parke] Custis
0. 3.5

4—
By John Prescot making Shoes
4. 2.6

10—
By Mr William Roberts
12. 0.0

13—
By Messrs Carlyle & Dalton’s acct
10.15.2

By a Taylor 1 day Working
0. 3.0

16—
By Servants
0. 2.6

17—
By Charity
1. 0.0

By Bryan Allison Balle of acct
0.15.4

By Ditto against Mr Custis
0.15.0

23—
By Willm Ogden for 6 B[ushe]ls of Wheat—M.
1. 4.0

By Lawson Parkers Wife delivg Silla
0.10.0

By Cash to Mrs Washington
5. 0.0

28—
By Cash paid Mrs Roberts for Mr Custis
0.12.0

By Ditto paid Bryan Allison for J.W.
0. 6.0

By Mrs Washington
0. 7.6


Title: To George Washington from Myles Cooper, 2 July 1773
From: Cooper, Myles
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir,
King’s College, New York, 2d July 1773.

I recd Your’s the day before Yesterday Unfortunately, Mr Custis himself, having taken it from the Man employ’d by the Post Master to carry Letters about, brought it to me: so that I gave the inclosed to him immediately, little suspecting the mournful Contents. The Shock, You may suppose, was severe: however he is grown much more composed; & I hope his good Sense and Christian Fortitude, in a reasonable Time will perfect the Cure.
He lives now altogether in the College, and dines with the Professors and myself in the College-hall. He has fitted up a Room in a neat plain Taste, attends his Instructors punctually,

and I doubt not will make a Proficiency equal to the warmest Wishes and Expectations of his best Friends. At present, indeed, as must be expected, his Mind is not in a State to admit of any Intenseness of Application; but I am persuaded, as his Grief wears off he will do every Thing that is reasonably to be expected from a young Gentleman in his Situation. He has already gained much upon the Affections of his Instructors; which is a Circumstance that cannot fail of producing very beneficial Effects, with Regard both to his Learning and Happiness, during his Residence in this place.
I fancy he will not chuse to write to You himself for a few Days; but he has desired me to inform You that his Situation among us is perfectly agreeable. I have the Honour to be, good Sir, yr most obedt and obliged Servt &c.

M. Cooper