Title: [Diary entry: 10–11 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

[March 10 1775]. On the 10th. of March when the Cherry buds were a good deal Swell’d, & the White part of them beginning to appear, I grafted the following Cherries viz. In the Row next the Quarter & beginning at the end next the grass walk, 13 May Duke & next to those 12 Black May Cherry both from Colo. Masons and cut from the Trees yesterday. In the Row next to these 6 Cornation, and 6 May Cherry from Colo. Richd. Lees but I do not know which is first as they were not distinguishd. March 11th. At the head of the Octagon—left hand side—in the first Row, next the gravel walk 5 Peach Kernals fine sort from Philadelphia. In the next 4 Rows to these 130 Peaches also of a fine kind from Phila.—same as Colo. Fairfax white Peach. Row next these 25 Missisippi Nuts—something like the Pignut—but longer, thiner shelld & fuller of Meat.


Title: Memm. [March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

[March 10 1775]. On the 10th. of March when the Cherry buds were a good deal Swell’d, & the White part of them beginning to appear, I grafted the following Cherries viz.
In the Row next the Quarter & beginning at the end next the grass walk, 13 May Duke & next to those 12 Black May Cherry both from Colo. Masons and cut from the Trees yesterday.
In the Row next to these 6 Cornation, and 6 May Cherry from Colo. Richd. Lees but I do not know which is first as they were not distinguishd.
March 11th. At the head of the Octagon—left hand side—in the first Row, next the gravel walk 5 Peach Kernals fine sort from Philadelphia. In the next 4 Rows to these 130 Peaches also of a fine kind from Phila.—same as Colo. Fairfax white Peach. Row next these 25 Missisippi Nuts—something like the Pignut—but longer, thiner shelld & fuller of Meat.

   octagon: GW had four small octagonal buildings incorporated into the newly finished brick walls of his upper (north) and lower (south) gardens. Two of these were located on either side of the west lawn near the mansion house. The other two were at the far end of the two garden walls facing the lawn. GW referred to these houses variously as garden houses, seed houses, and necessaries.

   mississippi nuts: Carya illinoensis, pecan. GW also called this species the Illinois nut and “pekan.”


Title: [Diary entry: 1 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

Aprl. 1. At home all day, Mr. Magowan came here.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. At home all day. Mr. Magowan went to church & returnd to Dinner. Mr. Wilper came in the Afternoon—as did Captn. Curtis also.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Mr. Tilghman Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Herbert, Mr. Danl. Carroll & Mr. Fitzgerald came down to Dinner & the two last returnd in the Aftern.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. At home all day with the above Gentleman.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. All the above Gentlemen except Mr. Magowan went away after Breakfast. Mr. R. Adam came in the Evening & stayd all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Mr. Magowan went away after Breakfast. Mrs. Washington & self rid to the Mill.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Went to Pohick Church & returnd to Dinner. Doctr. Craik and Mr. Danl. Jenifer came in the Afternoon and stayed all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. At home. Captn. Saunders came and lodged here.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Captn. Saunders went away after Dinner. A Lloyd from Pen[n]s[ylvani]a Came to Dinner & stayd all Night. Mr. Andw. Stewart also came to Dinr. & returnd.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

 13. Mr. & Mrs. Custis, & Mrs. Newman came to Dinner. Mrs. Slaughter also.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Doctr. Rumney Mr. Adam & Captn. Broadstreet came to Dinner. The two first stayd all Night—the other went away.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Went up to Alexandria to the Muster of the Independt. Company. Returnd late at Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. At home all day. Genl. Lee Mr. Harry Lee Junr. Mr. Geo. Mason, Mr. Thompson, & Mr. McDonald came to Dinner. The three last went away afterwards. Colo. Mason came in the Afternn.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Colo. Mason & myself went up to Alexa. to a Committee & to a New choice of Delegates. I returnd at Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Walkd with Genl. Lee to Mr. Adams’s Fishing Landg. Mrs. Blackburn & Mrs. Brown Dined & stayd all Night here.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Mrs. Blackburn & Mrs. Brown went away after Dinner. Mr. Rutherford who came yesterday to Dinnr. went away after Breakfast today. Dr. Rumney came in the Afternn.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Genl. Lee, & Doctr. Rumney both went away after Breakft.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. Captn. Curtis dind here. In the Afternoon my Brother Jno. Billy Washington, & George & Charles Lewis came.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. I rid with my Brother to Alexa. & returnd to Dinner.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. At home all day. In the afternoon Mr. Leitch & his Wife & Mr. Robt. Adam came.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

 24. My Brother John, Mr. Adam & Mr. Leitch & his Wife went away. I continued at home.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. At home all day. A Mr. Johnson—a Muster Master dind here & went away afterwds. Thos. Davis came Express & returnd.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Went up to Alexa. to meet the Indt. Company. Mr. Hepburn came home with me & Mr. Loyd I found there.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. At home all day—those Gentlemen continuing.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. At home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Wind in the same place, and weather Cool.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. Wind at No. Wt.—fresh & Cool all the forepart of the day—latter part moderate—Wind Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Misting, & Raining more or less all day with but little Wind and that Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. Wind very fresh and Cold from the No. West all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. A hard frost—day colder & wind harder from the same Quarter than yesterday.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

 7. Pleasant forenoon, but rather cool & Raw afterwards notwithstandg. the Wind was Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Again Cool, & Wind still at No. East.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Lowering all day with the wind at No. Et.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. Misting all day and a good deal of Rain in the Night—with the Wind at No. Et.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Raining in the forenoon but clear afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. Clear but Windy from the No. West & Cool.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Very Cool & Wind very hard at No. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Very pleasant. Wind what little there was Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Wind very fresh from the Southwest with Rain in the Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. A little Rain in the Morning but clear, & the wind hard, & cold from the Westward afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Wind hard from the same Quarter till Night & clear.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Not much Wind in the forenoon but pretty fresh afterwards from the Southward and very warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. Wind Southerly and very warm all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Wind, what little there was of it, Easterly but warm notwithstanding.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

 25. Wind fresh from the Westward all day & rather hard from thence in the Morng.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Clear & pleasant but rather warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Lowering & Misting with rain at Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Wind Southerly & warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 April 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. Lowering—Wind Easterly with Showers of Rain.


Title: Acct. of the Weather in April [1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

Apl. 1. Cool, with the Wind at No. Wt.

2. Wind in the same place, and weather Cool.

3. Wind at No. Wt.—fresh & Cool all the forepart of the day—latter part moderate—Wind Southerly.

4. Misting, & Raining more or less all day with but little Wind and that Southerly.

5. Wind very fresh and Cold from the No. West all day.

6. A hard frost—day colder & wind harder from the same Quarter than yesterday.

7. Pleasant forenoon, but rather cool & Raw afterwards notwithstandg. the Wind was Southerly.

8. Rather Cool, Wind, what there was of it at No. East.

9. Again Cool, & Wind still at No. East.

10. Lowering all day with the wind at No. Et.

11. Misting all day and a good deal of Rain in the Night—with the Wind at No. Et.

12. Raining in the forenoon but clear afterwards.

13. Clear but Windy from the No. West & Cool.

14. Very Cool & Wind very hard at No. West.

15. Very pleasant. Wind what little there was Southerly.

16. Warm & towards the Evening lowering. Wind very fresh from the So. West.

17. Wind very fresh from the Southwest with Rain in the Night.

18. A little Rain in the Morning but clear, & the wind hard, & cold from the Westward afterwards.

19. Wind hard from the same Quarter till Night & clear.

20. Wind very hard from the Southwest. Clear.

21. Wind more moderate from the Eastward.

22. Not much Wind in the forenoon but pretty fresh afterwards from the Southward and very warm.

23. Wind Southerly and very warm all day.

24. Wind, what little there was of it, Easterly but warm notwithstanding.

25. Wind fresh from the Westward all day & rather hard from thence in the Morng.

26. Clear & pleasant but rather warm.

27. Lowering & Misting with rain at Night.

28. Clear and a little warm. Wind Southerly.

29. Wind Southerly & warm.

30. Lowering—Wind Easterly with Showers of Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

May 1. Went up to Alexa. to meet the Independt. Company. Mr. Herbert came at Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Messrs. Hendks. Dalton & others Breakfasted here & Majr. Gates & Mr. B. Fairfax dind & lodgd here.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Set out for the Congress at Phila. Dind in Alexa. & lodgd at Marlborough.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. At Baltimore all day. Reviewd the Companies there & dind at an Entertainmt. given by the Townsmen.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

9th. Breakfasted at Chester, & dined at the City Tavern Phila. Supped at Mr. Jos. Reads.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Dined at Mr. Thos. Mifflins & spent the Eveng. at my lodgings.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Dined and Supped at the City Tavern.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. Dined at the City Tavern with the Congress. Spent the Eveng. at my Lodgings.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. Dined at the City Tavern & Spent the Evening at Doctr. Shippens.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Dined at the City Tavern, and attended a Comee. afterwards at the State House.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

 19. Dined at Mr. Allans. Spent the Evening in my own lodgings.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Dined at the City Tavern & Spent the Evening at my Lodg.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Dined at Mr. Griffins & spent the Evening at my Lodgings.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Dined at Mr. Meridiths and Spent the Evening at the City Tavern.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Dined at the City Tavern & spent the Evening at my own Lodgings.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Rid out to the Provence Island & dind there in Compy. with sevl. other Gentlemen.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Dined at the City Tavern. Spent the Evening in my own Room.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. Dined at Mr. Mease’s, & after setting a while with the Boston Gentlemen retird to my own Room.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

May 1st. Exceeding hot. Wind southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Very warm indeed with but little wind & clear.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. Again very Warm with a violent Gust abt. 5 Oclock in the Evening.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Somewhat Cool. Wind Easterly.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Cool & pleasant. Wind Northerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Still Cool & lowering with Rain now and then.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Clear & pleasant. Wind Westerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Clear and pleasant not being very warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. Clear but rather Cool wind being Westerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. Lowering with a little Rain in the forenoon. Clear afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Clear & pleasant—rather warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. Clear & pleasant. Evening a little Cool.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Clear and Warm all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Clear & warm in the forenoon, but lowering & Cool afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. Clear in the forenoon with a good deal of Rain afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Lowering in the forenoon with Rain in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. Lowering most part of the day.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

24th. Clear and pleasant with but little Wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. Clear & pleasant but growing warmer.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Clear and Warm. Wind Southerly but not fresh.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Warm with some appearances of Rain but none fell.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. Lowering all day & warm. Wind fresh from the So[uth]ward.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 May 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

31. Warm, & somewhat lowering. Wind pretty fresh from the Southward.


Title: Acct. of the Weather in May [1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

May 1st. Exceeding hot. Wind southerly.

2. Also warm, but not so hot as yesterday.

3. Again warm & clear. Wind Southerly.

4. Very warm indeed with but little wind & clear.

5. Again very Warm with a violent Gust abt. 5 Oclock in the Evening.

6. Somewhat Cool. Wind Easterly.

7. Cool & pleasant. Wind Northerly.

8. Still Cool & lowering with Rain now and then.

9. Clear & pleasant. Wind Westerly.

10. Clear and pleasant not being very warm.

11. Clear but rather Cool wind being Westerly.

12. Clear & pleasant, but rather Cool.

13. Lowering with a little Rain in the forenoon. Clear afterwards.

14. Clear & pleasant—rather warm.

15. Clear in the afternoon. A little lowering in the forenoon.

16. Clear & pleasant. Evening a little Cool.

17. Clear and pleasant in the forenoon but Cloudy & dropping of Rain afterwds.

18. Clear and Warm all day.

19. Clear & warm in the forenoon, but lowering & Cool afterwards.

20. Clear and pleasant. Rathr. cool.

21. Clear in the forenoon with a good deal of Rain afterwards.

22. Lowering in the forenoon with Rain in the Afternoon.

23. Lowering most part of the day.

24th. Clear and pleasant with but little Wind.

25. Clear & pleasant but growing warmer.

26. Clear and Warm. Wind Southerly but not fresh.

27. Clear and very Sultry. Wind still Southerly.

28. Clear and warm. Wind pretty fresh from the South.

29. Warm with some appearances of Rain but none fell.

30. Lowering all day & warm. Wind fresh from the So[uth]ward.

31. Warm, & somewhat lowering. Wind pretty fresh from the Southward.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 June 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

June 1. Dined at Burns’s and Spent the Evening in my own Room.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 June 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Dined at Mr. Josh. Shippens & spent the Evening at Mr. Tilghman’s.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 June 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. Dined at the City Tavern & spent the Evening at my lodgings.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 June 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Dined at Mr. Robt. Morris’s on the Banks of Schoolkill & Spent the Eveng. at the City Tavn.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 June 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. Dined at Mr. Richard Penns. On a Committee all the Afternn.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 June 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. At Mr. Willm. Hamiltons & Spent the Evening at my Lodgings.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 June 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Dined at Mr. Dickensons and spent the Evening at home.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 June 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Dined at Mr. Saml. Pleasants and went to hear Mr. Piercy preach.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 June 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Dined at Mr. Saml. Griffens. Spent the Evening in my own Room.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 June 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

11th. Went to Church in the forenoon & then went out & Dined at Mr. H. Hills. Returnd in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 June 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Dined at Mr. Saml. Merediths. Spent the Evening at home.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 June 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Dined at Burns’s in the Field. Spent the Eveng. on a Committee.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 June 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. Dined at Doctr. Cadwaladers. Spent the Evening at my lodgings.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 June 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Dined at Burns’s in the Fields. Spent the Evening at my Lodgings.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 June 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Dined at Mullens upon Schoolkill. Spent the Evening at my lodgings.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 June 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Dined at Colo. Rieds. Spent the Evening at Mr. Lynch’s.


Title: [June 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

June 1. Dined at Burns’s and Spent the Evening in my own Room.

   GW’s committee on ways and means of supplying ammunition and military stores to the colonies read its report, which was referred to the committee of the whole (JCCWorthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37., 2:74).

2. Dined at Mr. Josh. Shippens & spent the Evening at Mr. Tilghman’s.

   Shippen was probably Joseph Shippen, Jr. (1732–1810), son of Edward and Sarah Plumley Shippen of Lancaster, Pa. He had graduated from Princeton in 1753 and served as an officer in the Pennsylvania Regiment during the French and Indian War. He was with Gen. John Forbes on the Fort Duquesne expedition and probably knew GW at that time. From 1762 until its dissolution in 1775, Shippen served as secretary of the Pennsylvania council and in 1786 was appointed a judge of the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas (SHIPPEN“Military Letters of Captain Joseph Shippen of the Provincial Service, 1756–1758.” Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography 36 (1912): 367–78, 385–463., 36:367; BALCH [2]Thomas Willing Balch. “The English Ancestors of the Shippen Family and Edward Shippen, of Philadelphia.” Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography 28 (1904): 385–402., 28:399).

3. Dined at the City Tavern & spent the Evening at my lodgings.

   Congress appointed a number of committees, including one composed of GW, Philip Schuyler, Silas Deane, Thomas Cushing, and Joseph Hewes, “to bring in an estimate of the money necessary to be raised” (JCCWorthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37., 2:79–80).

4. Dined at Mr. Robt. Morris’s on the Banks of Schoolkill & Spent the Eveng. at the City Tavn.

   Robert Morris (1734–1806), born in England, came in his youth to Maryland where his father was engaged in the tobacco export business. The younger Morris settled in Philadelphia and in 1754, as a partner in the firm of Willing, Morris & Co., eventually became one of America’s wealthiest

merchants. Morris signed the nonimportation agreement in 1765 and in 1775 was a member of the council of safety. He was a member of the Continental Congress Nov. 1775–78, and he served as superintendent of finance 1781–84. After the Revolution, Morris and his wife, Mary White Morris of Maryland, became close friends of the Washingtons. At the convening of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, GW gratefully accepted the hospitality of the Morrises, and later they gave up their handsome town house for the use of GW and his family during the presidential years. Morris’s country home, called The Hills, where GW dined on this day, is located on the east side of the Schuylkill River, in what is now Fairmount Park.

5. Dined at Mr. Richard Penns. On a Committee all the Afternn.

   This was the committee appointed on 3 June to estimate the amount of money needed to be raised.

6. At Mr. Willm. Hamiltons & Spent the Evening at my Lodgings.

7. Dined at the City Tavern and spent the Evening at home.

   GW’s committee to estimate the amount of money to be raised today gave its report, which was referred to the committee of the whole (JCCWorthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37., 2:81). GW made a number of purchases on this day, including “5 Books—Military” (Cash Memoranda, DLC:GW).

8. Dined at Mr. Dickensons and spent the Evening at home.

9. Dined at Mr. Saml. Pleasants and went to hear Mr. Piercy preach.

10. Dined at Mr. Saml. Griffens. Spent the Evening in my own Room.

11th. Went to Church in the forenoon & then went out & Dined at Mr. H. Hills. Returnd in the Afternoon.

12. Dined at the City Tavern & Spent the Evening at my lodgings.

13. Dined at Burn’s in the Fields. Spent the Evening at my Lodging’s.

14. Dined at Mr. Saml. Merediths. Spent the Evening at home.

   After Congress resolved that “six companies of expert rifflemen, be immediately raised in Pensylvania, two in Maryland, and two in Virginia . . . That each company, as soon as compleated, shall march and join the army near Boston, to be there employed as light infantry, under the command of the chief Officer in that army,” it named GW, Schuyler, Deane, Cushing, and Hewes to a committee to draw up rules for the regulation of the army (JCCWorthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37., 2:89–90).

15. Dined at Burns’s in the Field. Spent the Eveng. on a Committee.

   Congress resolved today “that a General be appointed to command all the continental forces, raised, or to be raised, for the defence of American liberty” (JCCWorthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37., 2:91). GW, nominated by Thomas Johnson of Maryland, was unanimously elected. For a discussion of GW’s election and the reasons behind it, see FREEMANDouglas Southall Freeman. George Washington: A Biography. 7 vols. New York, 1948–57., 3:432–40; ADAMS [1]L. H. Butterfield, ed. Diary and Autobiography of John Adams. 4 vols. Cambridge, Mass., 1961., 3:321–23.

   The committee which occupied GW all the evening was the one on drafting army regulations.

16. Dined at Doctr. Cadwaladers. Spent the Evening at my lodgings.

   GW was informed officially in Congress of his appointment as general and commander in chief, and he read his acceptance speech “standing in his place.” He refused the salary which Congress had voted, asking only that his expenses be paid. Other resolutions on this day set up an establishment of major generals, brigadiers, aides, secretaries, etc. (JCCWorthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37., 2:92–94).

17. Dined at Burns’s in the Fields. Spent the Evening at my Lodgings.

18. Dined at Mullens upon Schoolkill. Spent the Evening at my lodgings.

   Thomas Mullen opened a tavern called Vauxhall, at Passyunk on the Schuylkill River, in 1775. His wife, Peggy Mullen (d. 1774), had run the famous Beefsteak House on Water Street which GW probably had visited the previous year (see entry for 12 Oct. 1774; JACKSONJoseph Jackson. “Washington in Philadelphia.” Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography 56 (1932): 110–55., 122; SCHARF [1]J. Thomas Scharf and Thompson Westcott. History of Philadelphia. 1609–1884. 3 vols. Philadelphia, 1884., 2:996).

19. Dined at Colo. Rieds. Spent the Evening at Mr. Lynch’s.

   Thomas Lynch, Sr. (1727–1776), a South Carolina planter, was a member of the Continental Congress 1774–76. He had served for many years in the South Carolina legislature and was a member of the Stamp Act Congress in 1765. Silas Deane, a Massachusetts delegate for Congress, wrote that Lynch was “plain, sensible, above ceremony, and carries with him more force in his very appearance than most powdered folks in their conversation” (LMCCEdmund C. Burnett, ed. Letters of Members of the Continental Congress. 8 vols. 1921–36. Reprint. Gloucester, Mass., 1963., 1:18).

   On 18 June, perhaps while he was alone in his room during the evening,

GW wrote to Mrs. Washington: “My Dearest: I am now set down to write to you on a subject, which fills me with inexpressible concern. . . . Believe me my dear Patsy . . . that I should enjoy more real happiness and felicity in one month with you, at home, that I have the most distant prospect of reaping abroad, if my stay was to be seven times seven years. . . . I shall rely therefore, confidently, on That Providence which has heretofore preserved, and been bountiful to me, not doubting but that I shall return safe to you in the fall” (owned by Armistead Peter 3rd, Washington, D.C.). In the letter GW enclosed his will.

   On 19 June, John Hancock, president of the Continental Congress, signed GW’s commission as “General and Commander in Chief of the army of the United Colonies” (DLC:GW). Meanwhile, GW was writing more letters home to Virginia, including one to his closest brother, John Augustine, wherein he “bid adieu to you, & to every kind of domestick ease, for a while. I am Imbarked on a wide Ocean, boundless in its prospect & from whence, perhaps, no safe harbour is to be found. I have been called upon by the unanimous Voice of the Colonies to take the Command of the Continental Army. An honour I neither sought after, nor desired, as I am thoroughly convinced, that it requires greater Abilities, and much more experience, than I am Master of” (20 June 1775 DLC:GW).

   During this week, while Congress was choosing 13 new generals, drafting GW’s initial instructions, and deciding how to finance the campaign, GW was preparing for his trip to Massachusetts to form the thousands of citizen-soldiers surrounding Boston into an army of the united colonies. He chose Joseph Reed as his secretary and Thomas Mifflin as his first aide-de-camp. He queried the Massachusetts delegates about what arrangements their government had made for supporting the army and whom he would be dealing with (Massachusetts Delegates to GW, 22 June 1775, DLC:GW). And he sent his chariot home.

   On 23 June the new commander in chief left Philadelphia, accompanied by Generals Charles Lee and Philip Schuyler and their aides. While he was but “a few Minutes of leaving this City” and “surrounded with Company to take leave of me,” GW wrote again to Mrs. Washington: “My Dearest. . . . I could not think of departing . . . without dropping you a line. . . . I retain an unalterable affection for you, which neither time or distance can change. . . . I go fully trusting in that providence, which has been more bountiful to me than I deserve, & in full confidence of a happy meeting with you some time in the fall” (ViMtvL). He then rode off to a campaign that would last for more than seven years, during which he saw Mount Vernon only in his 1781 visits during the Yorktown campaign.

   For the period between 19 June 1775 and January 1780, no diaries of GW have been found; his opening remarks in his 1781 Yorktown diary indicate that no other war journals were kept.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 June 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

June 1st. Warm and clear in the forenoon—Cool afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 June 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Clear & rather Cool.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 June 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

 3. Clear and tolerably pleasant.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 June 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Lowering in the Forenoon, & Raining in the Afternoon. Cool all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 June 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Lowering all day—especially in the Evening. Cool.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 June 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Lowering in the forenoon but clear afterwards and warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 June 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Clear after the Morning and very warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 June 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Lowering Morning but clear afterwards. A


Title: [Diary entry: 11 June 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. Very warm with little or no wind in the forenoon—a thunder gust in the Afternoon & cooler.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 June 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Warm with Showers about Noon—Cooler afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 June 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

13th. Clear but somewhat Cool.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 June 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Very warm—being clear & the wind Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 June 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Clear, and Cooler than Yesterday.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 June 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. Cooler, wind Easterly, & somewhat lowering.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 June 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Clear and warm with but little Wind & that So.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 June 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Very warm, and but little wind—clear.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 June 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Very warm in the forenoon but cooler much afterwds. Wind shifting Northerly.


Title: Acct. of the Weather in June [1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

June 1st. Warm and clear in the forenoon—Cool afterwards.

2. Clear & rather Cool.

3. Clear and tolerably pleasant.

4. Lowering in the Forenoon, & Raining in the Afternoon. Cool all day.

5. Raining more or less all day. Wind abt. No. Et.

6. A little lowering and in the Mid day warm.

7. Lowering all day—especially in the Evening. Cool.

8. Lowering in the forenoon but clear afterwards and warm.

9. Clear after the Morning and very warm.

10. Lowering Morning but clear afterwards. A

11. Very warm with little or no wind in the forenoon—a thunder gust in the Afternoon & cooler.

12. Warm with Showers about Noon—Cooler afterwards.

13th. Clear but somewhat Cool.

14. Very warm—being clear & the wind Southerly.

15. Clear, and Cooler than Yesterday.

16. Cooler, wind Easterly, & somewhat lowering.

17. Clear and warm with but little Wind & that So.

18. Very warm, and but little wind—clear.

19. Very warm in the forenoon but cooler much afterwds. Wind shifting Northerly.


Title: Editorial Note
From:
To:

editorial note: The following weather diary for the first five months of 1780 was kept at Morristown, N.J., during GW’s second winter encampment there during the Revolution. It is one of the two surviving diaries for the war period. It represents one of the earliest instances of GW’s interest in keeping a weather record while away from Mount Vernon. The manuscript is neat, uniform, showing some attempt at decorative lettering, and appears to be copied from an earlier original. Because it shares some calligraphic characteristics with the 1781 diary, we assume that both were rendered into fair copies by GW after 1781—probably after the war. In terms of hardship and the bitterly cold weather, the winter at Morristown (1779–80) was the story of the earlier Valley Forge experience all over again. Many persons who lived through both encampments declared that it was far worse. The blizzard of 2–4 Jan. was one of the most severe on record, with high winds and heavy drifts. Although GW shows little inclination to dwell upon the rigors of the storm in his notations for early January, his correspondence adds a few details. He wrote to Congress 5 Jan. that the late violent storm “has so blocked up the Roads that it will be some days before the scanty supplies in this quarter can be brought to Camp” (DNA:PCC, Item 152). And to the Magistrates of New Jersey, 8 Jan.: “The distress we feel is chiefly owing to the early commencement and uncommon rigor of the Winter, which have greatly obstructed the transportation of our supplies” (DLC:GW). As spring approached, GW looked back on a period of remarkable travail and wrote to Lafayette, 18 Mar.: “The oldest people now living in this Country do not remember so hard a Winter as the one we are now emerging from. In a word, the severity of the frost exceeded anything of the kind that had ever been experienced in this climate before” (DLC:GW).  He was describing the only winter in recorded American history during which the waters around New York City froze completely and closed down navigation for several weeks. Jefferson reported that Chesapeake Bay froze solid from its head to the mouth of the Potomac (LUDLUMDavid M. Ludlum. Early American Winters, 1604-1820. Boston, 1966., 111–18).


Title: [Diary entry: 1 January 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

1st. Clear—cold & freezing with little wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 January 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

2d. Very cold—about noon it began to Snow, & continued without intermission through the day, & night. The wind high & variable, but chiefly from the west & No. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 January 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

4th. Very cold with high winds from the west & No. West and intermitting Snow.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 January 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

5th. Cloudy till the afternoon—when the Sun appeared.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 January 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

6th. Snowing & Sunshine alternately—cold with the Wind and west & No. West & encreasing—Night very stormy. The Snow which in general is Eighteen Inches deep, is much drifted—roads almost impassable.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 January 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

7th. Very boisterous, from the West & No. West & sometimes Snowing, which being very dry drifted exceedingly. Night intensely cold and freezing—Wind continuing fresh.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 January 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

8th. Morning cold & Windy from the No. West. Mid-day and afternoon more moderate and less Windy—Weather clear. After Sunset it again turned very cold the Wind freshning from the No. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 January 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

9th. Morning clear and cold the Wind (though not high) from the No. West—Mid-day moderate with but little Wind—the evening cold though the wind had shifted to the Southward.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 January 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

10th. Morning clear and Mild—Wind at So. East. Before noon it clouded & about two began to Snow & continued to do so all the afternoon & evening.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 January 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

11th. Clear and moderate with little or no Wind in the foren[oo]n but rather cloudy—variable Wind in the afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 January 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

 12th. Variable weather with a little Snow in the day & more in the Night. In the whole a fall of about three Inches. In the afternoon it turned very cold.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 January 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

13th. Wind fresh at No. West and exceeding cold. Weather clear and frost very severe.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 January 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

15th. Wind at No. West—Weather clear but not cold. Of a sameness through the day.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 January 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

16th. Fine morning, and pleast. day though cool—but little Wind & that Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 January 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

17th. Morning cloudy and great appearances of Snow. Mid day clear with a disposition to thaw, but the wind shifting to No. West it turned exceeding cold & froze hard.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 January 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

18th. Clear & cold—Wind at No. Wt. but not very fresh.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 January 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

19th. Clear—Morning tolerably pleasant—Evening cold—Wind at No. West but not very fresh.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 January 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

22d. Tolerably pleasant with but little wind from the westward. At Night it grew cold & froze severely.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 January 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

23d. Wind westerly & little of it. Air fresh & no thawing even in the Sun South of the House.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 January 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

25th. Clear and pleasant, yet cold—wind contg. to the Westwd.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 January 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

 26th. Wind for the most part of the day Southerly—but cold & sharp air notwithstanding—Weather clear.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 January 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

27th. Cold in the Morning with a little Snow—clear Midday & afternoon with the Wind at West.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 January 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

28th. Very cold—the Wind being fresh from the No. West—Frost severe.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 January 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

29th. Clear and cold without much wind—which in the forenoon was Westerly & in the afternoon to Southwd.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 January 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

30th. Warm and clear in the forenoon with the Wind at South & thawing fast—afternoon cold & freezing. Wind getting to the No. West and blowing fresh particularly in the Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 January 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

31st. Very cold & freezing—Wind being fresh from the No. West the whole day.


Title: January [1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

1st. Clear—cold & freezing with little wind.

2d. Very cold—about noon it began to Snow, & continued without intermission through the day, & night. The wind high & variable, but chiefly from the west & No. West.

3d. The same weather as yesterday—to wit cold & stormy—wind from the same point.

4th. Very cold with high winds from the west & No. West and intermitting Snow.

5th. Cloudy till the afternoon—when the Sun appeared.

6th. Snowing & Sunshine alternately—cold with the Wind and west & No. West & encreasing—Night very stormy. The Snow which in general is Eighteen Inches deep, is much drifted—roads almost impassable.

7th. Very boisterous, from the West & No. West & sometimes Snowing, which being very dry drifted exceedingly. Night intensely cold and freezing—Wind continuing fresh.

8th. Morning cold & Windy from the No. West. Mid-day and afternoon more moderate and less Windy—Weather clear. After Sunset it again turned very cold the Wind freshning from the No. West.

9th. Morning clear and cold the Wind (though not high) from the No. West—Mid-day moderate with but little Wind—the evening cold though the wind had shifted to the Southward.

10th. Morning clear and Mild—Wind at So. East. Before noon it clouded & about two began to Snow & continued to do so all the afternoon & evening.

11th. Clear and moderate with little or no Wind in the foren[oo]n but rather cloudy—variable Wind in the afternoon.

12th. Variable weather with a little Snow in the day & more in the Night. In the whole a fall of about three Inches. In the afternoon it turned very cold.

13th. Wind fresh at No. West and exceeding cold. Weather clear and frost very severe.

14th. Clear & cold—Wind steadily from the West—but not hard.

15th. Wind at No. West—Weather clear but not cold. Of a sameness through the day.

16th. Fine morning, and pleast. day though cool—but little Wind & that Southerly.

17th. Morning cloudy and great appearances of Snow. Mid day clear with a disposition to thaw, but the wind shifting to No. West it turned exceeding cold & froze hard.

18th. Clear & cold—Wind at No. Wt. but not very fresh.

19th. Clear—Morning tolerably pleasant—Evening cold—Wind at No. West but not very fresh.

20th. Intensely cold & freezing—Wind very fresh from the No. West the whole day.

21st. In the Night the Wind shifted to the Southward & the severity of the cold abated. The day pleasant with but little Wind & that abt. So. Wt. till the evening when it got more to the Westward blew fresh, & grew colder.

22d. Tolerably pleasant with but little wind from the westward. At Night it grew cold & froze severely.

23d. Wind westerly & little of it. Air fresh & no thawing even in the Sun South of the House.

24th. Clear in the forenoon and cloudy afternoon—Cold but little or no Wind—but that Westerly—No thaw.

25th. Clear and pleasant, yet cold—wind contg. to the Westwd.

26th. Wind for the most part of the day Southerly—but cold & sharp air notwithstanding—Weather clear.

27th. Cold in the Morning with a little Snow—clear Midday & afternoon with the Wind at West.

28th. Very cold—the Wind being fresh from the No. West—Frost severe.

29th. Clear and cold without much wind—which in the forenoon was Westerly & in the afternoon to Southwd.

30th. Warm and clear in the forenoon with the Wind at South & thawing fast—afternoon cold & freezing. Wind getting to the No. West and blowing fresh particularly in the Night.

31st. Very cold & freezing—Wind being fresh from the No. West the whole day.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 February 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

1st. More mild—especially in the forenoon. Wind variable but mostly Southerly. Afternoon chilly with appearances of Snow.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 February 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

2d. Clear & tolerably pleasant in the Morning. In the afternoon a keen air from the Westward.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 February 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

3d. Moderate—rather warm & thawing—Wind for the most part of the day Southerly. Eveng. cold.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 February 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

4th. Clear and cold—Wind Westerly—little or no thawing.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 February 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

5th. Wind at No. West & cold—frost very severe. In the evening the Wind shifted to the Southward & moderated.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 February 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

6th. Clear and tolerably pleasant—wind rather South of West—Snow melting.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 February 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

7th. Clear, mild and moderate in the forenoon but little Wind—afternoon rather lowering and cooler.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 February 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

9th. Wind fresh in the Night from the Westward—day clear & not very cold. The wind continued Westerly all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 February 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

10th. Wind Southerly—Weather moderate but somewhat lowering.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 February 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

11th. Wind at So. West and pretty fresh—forepart of the day very lowering & dropping rain—Snow much softened & beginning to dissolve. Afternoon clear & pleasant.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 February 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

12th. Clear & pleasant with but little wind—rather cooler than yesterday—Snow dissolving a little—Frost at Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 February 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

13th. Clear and pleasant with but little wind & that at No. East thawing a little in the middle of the day.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 February 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

14th. Air keen, though but little Wind—forenoon clear, afternoon a little lowering.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 February 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

15th. A kind of Sleet in the Morning, & moderate rain all the remaining part of the day with but little wind—Snow much dissipated.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 February 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

16th. Clear & quite warm in the forenoon. Snow yielding fast to the Sun. Much Water in the roads & brooks and the thick beds of Snow over which good sleighing had been were now too soft to bear and too difficult & dangerous to Horses to pass. Afternoon lowering.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 February 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

17th. Clear and pleasant with but little wind—thawing all day pretty considerably.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 February 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

18th. Wind fresh from the No. West but moderate with respect to cold, notwithstanding it continued to blow from that quarter all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 February 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

19th. In the Morning it was a little Cool. In the afternoon somewht. raw, but upon the whole pleasant. Wind at West & No. Wt. but not fresh.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 February 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

21st. Ground where bare, and top of the Snow pretty hard frozen. But little wind in the morning or any part of the day—the first part of which was clear. The latter part lowering.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 February 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

22d. Wind at No. Et. and raining moderately all day—beginning about 7 Oclock with fine hail. In the Night the Wind freshned from the same quarter.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 February 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

23d. Lowering Morning with a little snow in the forenoon—Wind at So. West. But shifting to the No. West abt. 3 Oclock & blowing hard it cleared and grew cold and began to freeze very hard.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 February 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

24th. Hard frost—flying clouds in the forenoon but clear afterwards. Wind fresh from the No. West & very cold. No thawing even in the Sun at Mid day though the roads & fields in many places were uncoverd.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 February 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

25th. Perfectly clear—Wind westerly, fresh, & cool but thawing nevertheless.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 February 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

27th. Clear and pleasant morning with the wind at west—the day much of a sameness throughout. Thawing pretty considerably.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 February 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

28th. A great Hoar frost—quite clear. Wind still westerly and pleasant—thawing—the Snow having dissipated very considerably in the course of the last two or three days.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 February 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

29th. Clear, warm and exceeding pleasant with but little Wind & that Southerly. Snow almost wholly gone off the fields & Roads—the latter of which is beginning to get deep.


Title: February [1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

1st. More mild—especially in the forenoon. Wind variable but mostly Southerly. Afternoon chilly with appearances of Snow.

2d. Clear & tolerably pleasant in the Morning. In the afternoon a keen air from the Westward.

3d. Moderate—rather warm & thawing—Wind for the most part of the day Southerly. Eveng. cold.

4th. Clear and cold—Wind Westerly—little or no thawing.

5th. Wind at No. West & cold—frost very severe. In the evening the Wind shifted to the Southward & moderated.

6th. Clear and tolerably pleasant—wind rather South of West—Snow melting.

7th. Clear, mild and moderate in the forenoon but little Wind—afternoon rather lowering and cooler.

8th. A fall of nine or 10 Inches Snow in the Night from the No. Et. Wind continuing in the same quarter all the forenoon with a

little Snow and some rain. In the afternoon the wind got westerly & in the evening cleared.

9th. Wind fresh in the Night from the Westward—day clear & not very cold. The wind continued Westerly all day.

10th. Wind Southerly—Weather moderate but somewhat lowering.

11th. Wind at So. West and pretty fresh—forepart of the day very lowering & dropping rain—Snow much softened & beginning to dissolve. Afternoon clear & pleasant.

12th. Clear & pleasant with but little wind—rather cooler than yesterday—Snow dissolving a little—Frost at Night.

13th. Clear and pleasant with but little wind & that at No. East thawing a little in the middle of the day.

14th. Air keen, though but little Wind—forenoon clear, afternoon a little lowering.

15th. A kind of Sleet in the Morning, & moderate rain all the remaining part of the day with but little wind—Snow much dissipated.

16th. Clear & quite warm in the forenoon. Snow yielding fast to the Sun. Much Water in the roads & brooks and the thick beds of Snow over which good sleighing had been were now too soft to bear and too difficult & dangerous to Horses to pass. Afternoon lowering.

17th. Clear and pleasant with but little wind—thawing all day pretty considerably.

18th. Wind fresh from the No. West but moderate with respect to cold, notwithstanding it continued to blow from that quarter all day.

19th. In the Morning it was a little Cool. In the afternoon somewht. raw, but upon the whole pleasant. Wind at West & No. Wt. but not fresh.

20th. Clear & pleasant Morning. Wind about So. West in the forepart of the day, but shifted to the west & No. West afterwards & tho’ pleasant got a little cooler.

21st. Ground where bare, and top of the Snow pretty hard frozen. But little wind in the morning or any part of the day—the first part of which was clear. The latter part lowering.

22d. Wind at No. Et. and raining moderately all day—beginning about 7 Oclock with fine hail. In the Night the Wind freshned from the same quarter.

23d. Lowering Morning with a little snow in the forenoon—Wind at So. West. But shifting to the No. West abt. 3 Oclock & blowing hard it cleared and grew cold and began to freeze very hard.

24th. Hard frost—flying clouds in the forenoon but clear afterwards. Wind fresh from the No. West & very cold. No thawing even in the Sun at Mid day though the roads & fields in many places were uncoverd.

25th. Perfectly clear—Wind westerly, fresh, & cool but thawing nevertheless.

26th. Hazy & lowering in the Morning—clear about Noon—but moderately raining by intervals afterwards till eight Oclock at Night when it cleared & the wind blew pretty fresh from the westward. There was but little wind in the day and that Southerly.

27th. Clear and pleasant morning with the wind at west—the day much of a sameness throughout. Thawing pretty considerably.

28th. A great Hoar frost—quite clear. Wind still westerly and pleasant—thawing—the Snow having dissipated very considerably in the course of the last two or three days.

29th. Clear, warm and exceeding pleasant with but little Wind & that Southerly. Snow almost wholly gone off the fields & Roads—the latter of which is beginning to get deep.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 March 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

1st. Raining in the morning and drizling all day with very little Wind but a thick fog. Roads very deep.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 March 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

2d. Wind coming out very fresh at West. In the Night it cleared, & froze a little. Continued boisterous thro’ the day & towards evening grew cold.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 March 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

3d. Ground hard frozen. Morning clear & pleasant with but little wind and that from the South. Mid-day cloudy & lowering—variable afterwards—sometimes snowing, at other times Sunshine—Wind getting westerly. The Northern lights or aurora Borealis was seen last evening but not in a very conspicuous degree.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 March 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

4th. Cloudy in the Morning with flying clouds all day. Wind Westerly and pretty fresh in the forenoon. Less so afterwds. and milder.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 March 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

5th. Clear—warm and pleasant with but little wind—that however was Westerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 March 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

6th. A little rain fell in the Night. Morning lowering but clear & warm afterwards without wind except a little breeze from the Southwestward. Roads deep.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 March 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

7th. Morning soft and lowering without Wind. About 11 O’clock it began to rain with the wind from the No. East & continued to do so & at times hard through the day. In the evening it cleared the wind shifting to the westward without blowing hard.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 March 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

8th. Flying clouds—wind pretty fresh from the westward but not cold.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 March 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

9th. Lowering Morning—Wind at No. East all day, but not fresh. A little rain in the forenoon, afterwards Sunshine then cloudy with a good deal of rain in the Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 March 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

10th. Wind and Weather variable but upon the whole warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 March 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

11th. A hoar frost. Morning clear & pleasant with the Wind Westerly. Mid-day cloudy with the Wind at East. Afternoon very lowering & cold. Roads very deep.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 March 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

 12th. Snowing & hailing in the Night, with the Wind fresh from the No. East. In the Morning the ground was covered about two Inches deep. The wind continuing in the same place was accompanied by a rain and mist the whole day. In the evening it cleared the wind having shifted to the Westwd.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 March 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

13th. Clear and pleasant morning with but little wind & that at west. Variable afterwards with squals of rain & wind from the same quarter. In the Night it became very high and turned colder.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 March 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

14th. Ground pretty hard froze. Morning clear and cool. Wind fresh from the Westward & continued so through the day, with flying clouds.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 March 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

16th. Ground was frozen again. About Sunrise it began to Snow from the North or North a little westerly and continued without intermission the whole day—at the same time cold. Snow abt. 9 Inchs. deep.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 March 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

19th. Morning clear, but raw & lowering afterwards—Wind southerly. The grd. was pretty hard froze in the morning. In the evening the wind shifted to the Westward & blew hard all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 March 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

20th. Rather cool in the Morning but the Wind getting to the Southward it grew warmer. The ground was hard froze in the morning.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 March 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

21st. Wind Southerly but not high—clear & pleasant in the forenoon—lowering afterwards or rather hazy. In the Night it shifted to the West or No. West & blew fresh. Ground froze.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 March 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

 22d. Clear but rather cool the wind being pretty fresh from the No. West all day. Ground froze again.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 March 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

24th. Lowering Morning and Wind at East. About Noon it began to rain and continued drizzling all the latter part of the day and till some time in the night the wind continuing to blow pretty fresh.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 March 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

25th. Morning fine, being clear, warm, pleasant—the Trees and Earth being glazed looked beautiful. About the hour of nine the wind came fresh from the West & shifting to the No. West blew very hard & became very cold towards Evening.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 March 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

26th. Ground very hard frozen & day cool. The Wind continuing rather fresh from the No. West—Weather clear. Towards evening the wind seemed to be shifting round to the Southward.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 March 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

27th. Morning lowering & raw the wind being pretty fresh from South. About Noon it blew exceeding hard from the same point with much appearances of Rain. After Sun down the wind shifted round to the West or No. West blew fresh—cleared & became cold.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 March 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

28th. Clear & cool—Wind fresh from the No. West, all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 March 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

29th. Ground hard frozen—Morning clear & cold, wind fresh from the Westward—the Northern light conspicuous.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 March 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

31st. Snowing more or less all day & generally pretty fast. Wind tho not much of it abt. No. East.


Title: March [1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

1st. Raining in the morning and drizling all day with very little Wind but a thick fog. Roads very deep.

2d. Wind coming out very fresh at West. In the Night it cleared, & froze a little. Continued boisterous thro’ the day & towards evening grew cold.

3d. Ground hard frozen. Morning clear & pleasant with but little wind and that from the South. Mid-day cloudy & lowering—variable afterwards—sometimes snowing, at other times Sunshine—Wind getting westerly. The Northern lights or aurora Borealis was seen last evening but not in a very conspicuous degree.

4th. Cloudy in the Morning with flying clouds all day. Wind Westerly and pretty fresh in the forenoon. Less so afterwds. and milder.

5th. Clear—warm and pleasant with but little wind—that however was Westerly.

6th. A little rain fell in the Night. Morning lowering but clear & warm afterwards without wind except a little breeze from the Southwestward. Roads deep.

7th. Morning soft and lowering without Wind. About 11 O’clock it began to rain with the wind from the No. East & continued to do so & at times hard through the day. In the evening it cleared the wind shifting to the westward without blowing hard.

8th. Flying clouds—wind pretty fresh from the westward but not cold.

9th. Lowering Morning—Wind at No. East all day, but not fresh. A little rain in the forenoon, afterwards Sunshine then cloudy with a good deal of rain in the Night.

10th. Wind and Weather variable but upon the whole warm.

11th. A hoar frost. Morning clear & pleasant with the Wind Westerly. Mid-day cloudy with the Wind at East. Afternoon very lowering & cold. Roads very deep.

12th. Snowing & hailing in the Night, with the Wind fresh from the No. East. In the Morning the ground was covered about two Inches deep. The wind continuing in the same place was accompanied by a rain and mist the whole day. In the evening it cleared the wind having shifted to the Westwd.

13th. Clear and pleasant morning with but little wind & that at west. Variable afterwards with squals of rain & wind from the same quarter. In the Night it became very high and turned colder.

14th. Ground pretty hard froze. Morning clear and cool. Wind fresh from the Westward & continued so through the day, with flying clouds.

15th. Ground frozen again. Morning cold & a little cloudy with the wind fresh from the No. Wt. where, & westerly, it continued briskly & cool all day. About Noon it grew very cloudy with appearances of Snow, & towards dusk turned warmer.

16th. Ground was frozen again. About Sunrise it began to Snow from the North or North a little westerly and continued without intermission the whole day—at the same time cold. Snow abt. 9 Inchs. deep.

17th. Lowering in the morning but clear afterwards. Wind Westerly & rather cool.

18th. Ground hard froze. Morning clear & rather cool. Warmer afterwards, wind getting to the Southward. Afternoon lowering with much appearance of Rain—spitting Snow.

19th. Morning clear, but raw & lowering afterwards—Wind southerly. The grd. was pretty hard froze in the morning. In the evening the wind shifted to the Westward & blew hard all Night.

20th. Rather cool in the Morning but the Wind getting to the Southward it grew warmer. The ground was hard froze in the morning.

21st. Wind Southerly but not high—clear & pleasant in the forenoon—lowering afterwards or rather hazy. In the Night it shifted to the West or No. West & blew fresh. Ground froze.

22d. Clear but rather cool the wind being pretty fresh from the No. West all day. Ground froze again.

23d. Pleasant Morning but rather cool. Wind in the forenoon westerly afterwd. Easterly & raw with much appearance of Rain.

24th. Lowering Morning and Wind at East. About Noon it began to rain and continued drizzling all the latter part of the day and till some time in the night the wind continuing to blow pretty fresh.

25th. Morning fine, being clear, warm, pleasant—the Trees and Earth being glazed looked beautiful. About the hour of nine the wind came fresh from the West & shifting to the No. West blew very hard & became very cold towards Evening.

26th. Ground very hard frozen & day cool. The Wind continuing rather fresh from the No. West—Weather clear. Towards evening the wind seemed to be shifting round to the Southward.

27th. Morning lowering & raw the wind being pretty fresh from South. About Noon it blew exceeding hard from the same point with much appearances of Rain. After Sun down the wind shifted round to the West or No. West blew fresh—cleared & became cold.

28th. Clear & cool—Wind fresh from the No. West, all day.

29th. Ground hard frozen—Morning clear & cold, wind fresh from the Westward—the Northern light conspicuous.

30th. Clear & cool—Wind continuing to blow from the same pt.—Ground froze again.

31st. Snowing more or less all day & generally pretty fast. Wind tho not much of it abt. No. East.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 April 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

1st. The Snow which fell yesterday & last night was about 9 or 10 Inches deep upon a level. The Morning and remainder of the

day clear & pleasant overhead. Wind Westerly but thawing nevertheless. Pretty good Sleighing in the forenoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 April 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

2d. Hard frost—clear & very cold—wind fresh from the No. West & continued so all day. Towards evening it began to freeze hard. The Snow but little dissipated.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 April 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

3d. Clear and more moderate than yesterday—though the ground was very hard froze in the morning. Wind still fresh from the West & No. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 April 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

4th. Lowering in the Morning with little or no Wind. Clearer afterwards with the wind pretty fresh from the No. East.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 April 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

5th. Morning clear & rather cold wind being pretty fresh from the No. East. In the evening it turned warmer.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 April 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

6th. Grey morning and warm—clear afterwards and rather hot, there being but little wind & that Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 April 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

7th. Warm & pleasant morning. About Noon the Wind began to blow pretty fresh from the southward.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 April 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

8th. Clear & pleasant in the morning with little or no Wind. Afterwards the Wind freshned from the Eastward. Grew rather cool and in the evening began a misty kind of Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 April 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

9th. In the night there fell a good deal of Rain accompanied with lightning & thunder. The day vareable—sometimes sunshine & clear—at other times cloudy & rain. Wind though not much of it, was for the most part westerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 April 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

10th. Wind fresh from the West or No. West & cold—the ground being pretty hard froze.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 April 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

11th. Cold—raw & cloudy in the forenoon with the Wind fresh from the westward. Afternoon it began to rain, & continued to do so moderately till 9 or 10 O’clock at Night when it cleared.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 April 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

15th. Cold & raw—Wind very fresh from the Eastward. Weather lowering with appearances of Snow or Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 April 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

16th. Lowering all the forenoon with rain afternoon. Cold and raw again. Wind northerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 April 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

17th. Wind at No. West & cold—day clear. Frost in the Morning.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 April 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

18th. Morning clear and tolerably pleasant. Mid-day warm and afternoon very lowering & very likely to rain. Wind also at No. East.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 April 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

19th. A little rain fell last night. This day lowering & dripping quite throughout, with the Wind, for the most part disagreeably fresh from No. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 April 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

20th. Wind still at No. West & fresh; the Morning lowering and dripping, but clearer afterwards and cold.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 April 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

21st. Clear & cool—Wind fresh from the No. West all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 April 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

22d. Morning a little lowering but clear afterwards. Wind about West.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 April 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

23d. Wind Westerly and very fresh—at the same time clear & cold for the Season.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 April 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

24th. Wind in the same place but not fresh; day clear & pleasant but rather cool.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 April 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

25th. Morning very pleasant but cold raw and cloudy afterwards with appearances of rain. Wind fresh from the Southward or So. Et. afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 April 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

 27th. Cold in the Morning and Evening but warm about Midday. In the Morning the Wind was fresh from the Westward. In the Evening it had got Easterly.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 April 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

30th. Morning pleasant and clear, with the Wind Southerly—afternoon Showery and foggy.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 May 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

2d. Foggy & misting all day at the same time cold & raw. Wind still in the same quarter as yesterday.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 May 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

4th. Very pleasant and clear. Wind being Southwardly & Warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 May 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. Clear & pleasant—Wind being rather variable, it was cooler than could be wished. In the Morning the Wind was Northerly & southerly in the afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 May 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

6th. The forenoon was clear & Warm with little or no Wind. In the afternoon the Wind was fresh from the Eastward & became raw & cold.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 May 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

7th. Clear morning, & not unpleasant but rather cool. Mid-day lowering & raw. Wind at East.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 May 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

8th. Lowering all day with the Wind at East, or So. East & a small sprinkle of Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 May 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

9th. Clear, warm, and pleast. with the Wind at South, and in the evening pretty fresh.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 May 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

 10th. Morning very pleasant & warm. Wind fresh from the Southward afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 May 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

11th. Clear but too cool for the Season the Wind being fresh from the No. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 May 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

12th. As yesterday in Wind and Weather.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 May 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

15th. Clear and pleasant Wind, though not much of it hanging to the Southward & growg. warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 May 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

16th. A very great dew & fog. With little wind in the forenoon & very warm. In the afternoon it was pretty fresh from the Southward and about dusk came out from the Northward.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 May 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

17th. Clear (except being smoky) & morning rather cool—wind being Northerly—but shifting afterwards to East it grew raw & disagreeably cool.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 May 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

18th. Heavy & uncommon kind of Clouds—dark & at the same time a bright and reddish kind of light intermixed with them—brightning & darkning alternately. This continued till afternoon when the sun began to appear. The Wind in the Morning was Easterly. After that it got to the Westward.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 May 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

20th. Wind Southwardly with some appearances of Rain but none fell—day warm & very dusty.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 May 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

21st. Appearances of Rain but none fell—warm and dry.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 May 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

22d. Very little wind and rather Warm in the forenoon but cooler afterwards the Wind coming out pretty fresh from the Northward.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 May 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

 23d. Lowering with some drops of Rain, but not enough to lay the dust. The Wind what there was of it was Northerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 May 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Clear Morning with but little wind, but pretty fresh afterwards and from the Eastward.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 May 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

25th. Warm—The Wind blowing fresh from the West, or So. West—Exceeding dry and dusty with appearances of rain in the afternoon—but none fell.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 May 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

26th. Wind fresh from the Westwd. Very warm—dusty & dry—Also hazy with appearances of Rain but none fell.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 May 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

27th. Very warm and extreme⟨ly⟩ dusty. The Wind in the forepart of the day blew fresh from the South West. Afterwards it got more to the West or No. West. Clouds & appearances of Rain but none fell here.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 May 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

28th. Clear morning and rather Cooler than yesterday—the wind being pretty fresh from the No. West—but warm afterwards with but little of it.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 May 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

29th. Clear with but little wind in the forenoon, but more refreshing afterwards, tho’ from the Southward—exceeding dry & dusty—grass beginning to decline.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 May 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

30th. Warm with appearances of Rain but none fell here but little wind & that at So. or So. West.


Title: May [1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

1st. Raining moderately all the forenoon with a little thunder—thick and misty afterwards—wind Northerly.

2d. Foggy & misting all day at the same time cold & raw. Wind still in the same quarter as yesterday.

3d. Close and misting—the Wind being at West in the Morning & continuing so all day. Abt. 9 it cleared.

4th. Very pleasant and clear. Wind being Southwardly & Warm.

5. Clear & pleasant—Wind being rather variable, it was cooler than could be wished. In the Morning the Wind was Northerly & southerly in the afternoon.

6th. The forenoon was clear & Warm with little or no Wind. In the afternoon the Wind was fresh from the Eastward & became raw & cold.

7th. Clear morning, & not unpleasant but rather cool. Mid-day lowering & raw. Wind at East.

8th. Lowering all day with the Wind at East, or So. East & a small sprinkle of Rain.

9th. Clear, warm, and pleast. with the Wind at South, and in the evening pretty fresh.

10th. Morning very pleasant & warm. Wind fresh from the Southward afterwards.

11th. Clear but too cool for the Season the Wind being fresh from the No. West.

12th. As yesterday in Wind and Weather.

13th. Clear & more pleasant, being warmer till the afternn. when it again turned cool. Wind in the forenoon tho there was not much of it was Southerly. In the afternoon it got more to the Eastward.

14th. Pleasant & clear, being neither cool nor warm—Wind southerly.

15th. Clear and pleasant Wind, though not much of it hanging to the Southward & growg. warm.

16th. A very great dew & fog. With little wind in the forenoon & very warm. In the afternoon it was pretty fresh from the Southward and about dusk came out from the Northward.

17th. Clear (except being smoky) & morning rather cool—wind being Northerly—but shifting afterwards to East it grew raw & disagreeably cool.

18th. Heavy & uncommon kind of Clouds—dark & at the same time a bright and reddish kind of light intermixed with them—brightning & darkning alternately. This continued till afternoon when the sun began to appear. The Wind in the Morning was Easterly. After that it got to the Westward.

19th. Lowering with but little Wind and that Southerly—weather grown warmer.

20th. Wind Southwardly with some appearances of Rain but none fell—day warm & very dusty.

21st. Appearances of Rain but none fell—warm and dry.

22d. Very little wind and rather Warm in the forenoon but cooler afterwards the Wind coming out pretty fresh from the Northward.

23d. Lowering with some drops of Rain, but not enough to lay the dust. The Wind what there was of it was Northerly.

24. Clear Morning with but little wind, but pretty fresh afterwards and from the Eastward.

25th. Warm—The Wind blowing fresh from the West, or So. West—Exceeding dry and dusty with appearances of rain in the afternoon—but none fell.

26th. Wind fresh from the Westwd. Very warm—dusty & dry—Also hazy with appearances of Rain but none fell.

27th. Very warm and extreme⟨ly⟩ dusty. The Wind in the forepart of the day blew fresh from the South West. Afterwards it got more to the West or No. West. Clouds & appearances of Rain but none fell here.

28th. Clear morning and rather Cooler than yesterday—the wind being pretty fresh from the No. West—but warm afterwards with but little of it.

29th. Clear with but little wind in the forenoon, but more refreshing afterwards, tho’ from the Southward—exceeding dry & dusty—grass beginning to decline.

30th. Warm with appearances of Rain but none fell here but little wind & that at So. or So. West.

31st. Raining more or less all day. The showers were moderate & exceedingly refreshing as the Earth imbibed the moisture as it fell & the Earth became well penetrated. Very little wind accompanied the Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 June 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

1st. Clear and very pleasant being also warm. But little Wind & that Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 June 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

2d. Clear & cooler than yesterday—the wind in the forenoon being abt. No. West & continued in the same way all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 June 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

 3d. Rather cool—Wind fresh from the Westward with a little Rain about 3 Oclock.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 June 1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

4th. Clear and rather Cool—Wind being fresh from the Westward.


Title: June [1780]
From: Washington, George
To:

1st. Clear and very pleasant being also warm. But little Wind & that Southerly.

2d. Clear & cooler than yesterday—the wind in the forenoon being abt. No. West & continued in the same way all day.

3d. Rather cool—Wind fresh from the Westward with a little Rain about 3 Oclock.

4th. Clear and rather Cool—Wind being fresh from the Westward.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 May 1781]
From: Washington, George
To:

May 1st. Induced by pressing necessity—the inefficacy, & bad tendency of pushing Military Impresses too far and the impracticability of keeping the Army supplied without it, or money, to pay the transportation I drew for 9000 dollars of the Sum sent on by the State of Massachusetts for payment of their Troops; and placed it in the hands of the QM General with the most positive orders to apply it solely to this purpose. Fixed with Ezekiel Cornell Esqr. a member of the Board of War (then on a tour to the Eastward to inspect some of the Armoury’s &ca.) on certain articles of Cloathing—arms and Military Stores which might be sent from hence to supply the wants of the Southern Army. Major Talmadge was requested to press the C——s Senr. & Junr. to continue their correspondence and was authorized to assure the elder C—— that he should be repaid the Sum of 100 Guineas, or more, with interest; provided he advanced the same for the purpose of defraying the expence of the correspondence, as he had offered to do. Colo. Dayton was also written to, and pressed to establish a correspondence with New York, by way of Elizabeth Town for the purpose of obtaining intelligence of the Enemys movemts. and designs; that by a comparison of Accts. proper & just conclusions may be drawn.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 May 1781]
From: Washington, George
To:

May 2d. No occurrence of note. A very fresh and steady gale of Wind all day from the So. East. Upon its shifting (about dusk) it blew violently, & continued boisterous through the Night or greatest part of it.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 May 1781]
From: Washington, George
To:

5th. Accounts from Brigadr. Genl. Clinton at Albany, dated the 30th. ulto. & 1st. Inst., filled me with anxious fears that the Garrison of fort Schuyler would be obliged to evacuate the Post for want of Provisions and that a Mutiny in the other Troops was to be apprehended. In consequence of this alarming information, I directed the Q. M. Gl. to send 50 Barls. of flour & the like qty. of Salted Meat immy. up for the Garrison of Fort Schuyler—but of the latter there being only 24 in Store, no more could be sent.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 May 1781]
From: Washington, George
To:

6th. Colo. Menonville, one of the Adjutt. Generals in the French Army came to Head Quarters by order of Count de Rochambeau to make arrangements for supplying the Troops of His Most Christian Majesty with certain provisions contracted for by Doctr. Franklin. This demand, tho’ the immediate compliance with it, was not insisted upon, comports illy with our circumstances; & is exceedingly embarrassing. The D[eputy] Q[uarter] M[aster] at Sussex C[our]t House,

conceiving that the Provision Magazine, & other stores at that place were exposed to a surprize, and in danger of being destroyed by the Indians & Tories who were infesting the Settlement at Minisink, I directed Colo. Dayton to send a guard there from the Jersey Brigade near Morristown. Mr. John Flood (at present a liver at lower Salem) whom I had sent for to obtain from him an acct. of the Harbours in the Sound from Frogs point Eastward, arrived; and gave the information wch. is filed in my Office. Other letters arriving this Evening late (more expressive of the wants of the York Troops at Albany, & the Posts above) I ordered 100, out of 131 Barrls. of Flour which were in Store, to be immediately sent up; & again called upon the Q. M. Genl. in the most pointed terms to send active men to forward on, by every means they could devise, the Salted provs. in Connecticut; & flour from Sussex Ct. Ho. &ca. That the States might not only know our Wants, which my repeated & pressing letters had recently, & often communicated, but, if possible, be impressed with them and adopt some mode of Transporting it to the Army, I resolved to send Genl. Heath (2d. Offr. in Commd.) to make to the respective legislatures East of York State, pointed representations; & to declare explicitly that unless measures are adopted to supply transportation, it will be impossible to subsist & keep the Troops together.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 May 1781]
From: Washington, George
To:

10th. The Q. M. Genl. representing, that it was not in his power to get the Salt Meat of Connecticut transported—even for the Money that was put into his hands for this purpose—the people now alledging that they had no forage—when the badness of the roads was an excuse when they were called upon by the Executive of their State in the Month of March and that nothing but Military force could affect the transport for our present wants. Parties were ordered out accordingly and the Officers commanding them directed to receive their Instructions from him.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 May 1781]
From: Washington, George
To:

 11th. Major Genl. Heath set out this day for the Eastn. States, provided with Instructions, and letters couched in strong terms—representing the distresses of the Army for want of provisions and the indispensable necessity of keeping up regular supplies by the adoption of a plan, which will have system & permanency in’t. This day also I received advice from Colo. Dayton that 10 Ships of the line, and 3 or 4000 Troops had sailed from New York. The intelligence was immediately communicated to Congress, and to the French Genl. & Admiral at R. Isld.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 May 1781]
From: Washington, George
To:

12th. Colo. Dayton’s intelligence, so far as respected the Sailing of Troops, was confirmed by two sensible deserters from Kingsbridge; which place they left yesterday Morning at two Oclock. They add the detachment consisted of the Grenadrs. (Bh.)—the Corps. of Anspach (two Battalions) & the 37th. & 43d. British regiments, amounting, as is supposed, to about 2000 Men under the Command of Majr. Genl. Redeisel.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 May 1781]
From: Washington, George
To:

13th. Received Letters from Count de Rochambeau advising me of the arrival of his Son & from Count de Barras informing me of his appointment to the Command of the French Squadron at Rhode Island—both solliciting an Interview with me as soon as possible. Appointed, in answer, Monday the 21st. Inst. & Wethersfield, as the time & place of Meeting.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 May 1781]
From: Washington, George
To:

14th. About Noon, intelligence was recd. from Genl. Patterson at West point, that the Enemy were on the No. side of Croton in force—that Colo. Green, Majr. Flag, & some other officers with 40 or 50 Men were surprized & cut off at the Bri⟨dg⟩e & that Colo. Scammell with the New Hampshire Troops had Marched to their assistance. I ordered the Connecticut Troops to move in & support those of New Hampshire. In the evening, information was brot. that the enemy (consisting of about 60 horse, & 140 Infantry) had retreated precipitately & that several of our Soldiers had been inhumanly murdered.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 May 1781]
From: Washington, George
To:

 15th. Information, dated 12 oclock yesterday reports 15 Sail of Vessels & a number of Flatboats to be off Fort Lee. Ordered a detachment of 200 Men to March immediately to support the Post at Dobbs’s. ferry—countenance the Militia, & cover the Country in that Neighbourhood. Intelligence from C—— Senr., dated 729—a detachment is expected to Sail tomorrow from New York, & said to consist of the Anspach Troops’s 43d. B. Regiment, remainder of the 76th., 80th., 17th. Dragoons, & Infantry of the same—to be conveyed by 7 Ships of the line, 2 fifties, & 3 forty fours which are to cruize of the Capes of Virginia. He gives it as the opinion of C—— Junr. that the above detachmt. does not exceed 2000 Men—that not more than 4000 remain—wch. is only (he adds) to be accounted for on the supposition of their expecting a reinforcement immediately from Europe.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 May 1781]
From: Washington, George
To:

16th. Went to the Posts at West point. Received a particular acct. of the surprize of Colo. Green & the loss we sustained which consisted of himself & Major (Flag) killed—three officers & a Surgeon taken prisoners (the latter & two of the former wounded)—a Sergeant & 5 R[ank] & F[ile] killed—5 left wounded & 33 made Prisoners & missing—in all 44 besides Officers. The report of the number of Shipping &ca. at Fort Lee was this day contradicted in part—the number of Vessels being reduced, & said to be no higher than Bulls ferry. In consequence of this intelligence Lt. Colo. Badlam who marched with the detachment of 200 Men pursuant to the order of Yesterday & had reached Stony point halted—but was directed not to return till the designs of the enemy were better understood.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 May 1781]
From: Washington, George
To:

17th. Received a letter from Captn. Lawrence, near Dobbss ferry, informing me that abt. 200 Refugees were building a block house & raising other works at Fort Lee. Order’d the detachment

which had halted at Kings Ferry & another forming under Colo. Scammel to advance down & endeavour to annoy, if they could not prevent them. A Letter from Genl. Foreman of Monmouth (dated the 14th. Instt.) informs me that the British fleet from New York consisting of Seven Ships of 60 Guns & upwards—12 large Transport Vessels, & 10 topsail Schooners & Sloops made Sail from Sandy hook the 12th., with the wind at So. East. but veering round to the Southward, & Westward, it returned within the hook & lay there till 10 o’clock next day when it again Sailed. By two oclock it was clear of the hook and steering Southward.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 May 1781]
From: Washington, George
To:

18th. Received Letters from Generals Schuyler and Clinton giving an acct. of the threatened Invasion of the Northern Frontier of this State from Canada, and of the unfavourable prospects from Vermont and of the destruction of the Post of Fort Schuyler—the indefensible State of the Works occasioned thereby & submitting for considn. the propriety of removing the Garrison to the German Flatts which he (that is Clinton) was requested to do if it appear’d to be the sense of the Governor & other principal Gentn. of the State that it would be eligable. Set out this day for the Interview at Weathersfield with the Count de Rochambeau & Admiral Barras. Reached Morgans Tavern 43 Miles from Fishkill Landing after dining at Colo. Vandebergs.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 May 1781]
From: Washington, George
To:

19th. Breakfasted at Litchfield—dined at Farmington & lodged at Weathersfield at the House of Joseph Webb Esqr. (the Quarters wch. were taken for me & my Suit).


Title: [Diary entry: 20 May 1781]
From: Washington, George
To:

20th. Had a good deal of private conversation with Govr. Trumbull who gave it to me as his opinion that if any important offensive operation should be undertaken he had little doubt of our obtaining Men & Provision adequate to our wants. In this opinion Colo. Wadsworth & others concurr’d.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 May 1781]
From: Washington, George
To:

 21st. The Count de Rochambeau with the Chevr. de Chastellux arrived about Noon. The appearance of the British Fleet (under Adml. Arbuthnot) off Block Island prevented the attendance of the Count de Barras.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 May 1781]
From: Washington, George
To:

22nd. Fixed with Count de Rochambeau upon a plan of Campaign—in Substance as follows. That the French Land force (except 200 Men) should March so soon as the Squadron could Sail for Boston—to the North River & there, in conjunction with the American, to commence an operation against New York (which in the present reduced State of the Garrison it was thought would fall, unless relieved; the doing which wd. enfeeble their Southern operations, and in either case be productive of capital advantages) or to extend our views to the Southward as circumstances and a Naval superiority might render more necessary & eligable. The aid which would be given to such an operation in this quarter—the tardiness with which the Regiments would be filled for any other—the insurmountable difficulty & expence of Land transportation—the waste of Men in long marches (especially where there is a disinclination to the Service—objections

to the climate &ca.) with other reasons too numerous to detail, induced to this opinion. The heavy Stores & Baggage of the French Army were to be deposited at Providence under Guard of 200 Men (before mentioned) & Newport Harbour & Works were to be secured by 500 Militia.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 May 1781]
From: Washington, George
To:

23d. Count de Rochambeau set out on his Return to Newport, while I prepared and forwarded dispatches to the Governors of the four New England States calling upon them in earnest & pointed terms, to compleat their Continental Battalions for the Campaign, at least, if it could not be done for the War or 3 Years—to hold a body of Militia (according to the Proportion given them) ready to march in one Week after being called for and to adopt some effectual mode to supply the Troops when assembled with Provisns. & Transportation. I also sollicited the Governors of the States of Massachusetts & Connecticut earnestly for a Loan of Powder & the means of Transporting it to the Army.  A Letter from Genl. St. Clair came to hand with accts. of an apparent intention of the enemy to evacuate New York.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 May 1781]
From: Washington, George
To:

24th. Set out on my return to New Windsor—dined at Farmington and lodged at Litchfield.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 May 1781]
From: Washington, George
To:

25th. Breakfasted at Squire Cogswells—dined at Colo. Vandeburgs & reached head Quarters about Sunset where I found letters from Generls. Schuyler & Clinton, full of uncertain information respecting the enemys landing at Crown point & intention to penetrate on the Hudson & Mohawk Rivers. This uncertainty respects the number, not the fact—the latter seeming to be beyond a doubt. In consequence of this information I ordered the Companies of Vanscaicks Regiment at West point to hold themselves in readiness to Move at an hours warning.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 May 1781]
From: Washington, George
To:

26th. Received a Letter from the Honble. Jno. Laurens Minister from the United States of America at the Court of Versailles—informing me that the Sum of 6,000,000 of Livres was granted as a donation to this Country—to be applied in part to the purchase of Arms—Cloaths &ca. for the American Troops and the

ballance to my orders, & draughts at long sight and that a Fleet of 20 Sail of the Line was on its departure for the West Indies 12 of which were to proceed to this Coast where it was probable they might arrive in the Month of July. He also added that the Courts of Petersbg. & Vienna had offered their Mediation in settling the present troubles wch. the King of France, tho’ personally pleas’d with, could not accept without consulting his Allies. A Letter from Doctr. Lee—inclosing extracts of one from his Brother Wm. Lee Esqr. dated the 20th. of Feby. holds out strong assurances of Peace being restored in the course of this Yr.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 May 1781]
From: Washington, George
To:

28th. The Commanding Officer of Artillery & the chief Engineer were called upon to give in estimates of their wants for the intended operation against New York. The intention of doing this was also disclosed to the Q. M. General who was desired to give every attention toward the Boats, that a number of them might be prepared; & provide other matters necessary to such an undertaking—especially those things which might be called for by the Artillery, & the Engineering departments.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 May 1781]
From: Washington, George
To:

31st. A Letter from Count de Rochambeau informed me that the British fleet had left Block Island—that Adml. de Barras would Sail with the first fair Wind for Boston (having 900 of his Soldiers on Board to Man his fleet) and that he should commence his March as soon as possible, but would be under the necessity of Halting a few days at Providence. A Letter from Major Talmage, inclosing one from C—— Senr. & another from S. G. dated the 27th. were totally silent on the subject of an evacuation of New York; but speak of an order for Marching the Troops from Long Island and the Countermand of it after they had commenced their March; the cause for either they could not assign. Neither C. Senr. nor S. G. estimate the Enemys regular force at New York or its dependencies at more than 4500 men including the New Levies; but C—— says it is reported that they can command five & some add 6,000 Militia & refugees. S. G. disposes of the Enemys force as follow.

At Fort Washington & towards New York—2 Hessn. Regts.
2

Laurel Hill—Fort George. 57th B.
1

Haerlam—at a place called Laurel Hill—38 Do.
1

At Hornes hook, & towds. the City—22d. & 42d. B. Regts.
2

In the City Hessian Regimts.
2

On Staten Island
2

Total on this Isld. . . . . . 1200

On Long Island

1st. B. Grenadrs. . . . New Town
1

2d. . . . . Ditto . . . Jamaica
1

Worms Hessian Yagers (called by him 6 or 700) No. side of the Plains
1

Light Dragns. . . . 17th. Regt. at Hempstead Plains
1

Loyds Neck—detachmets. from New Corps Abt. 6, or 700
14

 The detachment which left Sandy hook the 13th Instt. according to the S. G.’s acct.—consisted of the Troops on the other side

—though it is thought he must be mistaken in naming the 46th. & 86th. Regimts.—the first of them being a convention Regimt. and the other not in America. By Accts. from Deserters the 37th. Regt. went with the detachment and must be in place of the 46th. as the 80th. must be that of the 86th.

suppos’d

43 British Regiments
300

Anspach—2 Battalions
700

part of the 86th.
150

part of the 46th.
150

Hessian Yagers—abt.
150

1450