Title: To George Washington from Alicia Bennett, the Countess of Tankerville, 13 February 1784
From: Tankerville, Alicia Astley Bennett, countess of
To: Washington, George

Sir
upper Gros[venor] St. [London] febry the 13—1784

I Am, favor’d with yours, and am very sorry it is not Convenient to you to Accept of the Trust, my Sons took the liberty of offering to you, I wish’d to give you as little trouble as the Nature of the business wou’d admit of. the Chief thing I look’d to, was the Sanction and Honor it wou’d be to my Son Henry to be under your protection. I have for near twenty years had great trouble and Vexation About the Virginia property, and I did lately flatter myself, with your Assistance, I shou’d have the pleasure of seeing my Son Enjoy a good fortune independant, but how Vain are all our wishes & Expectations in this world. I have the Honor to be with the greatest Respect Sir your Most Obedient Humble Servant

A: Tankerville


Title: To George Washington from the Citizens of Fredericksburg, 14 February 1784
From: Citizens of Fredericksburg
To: Washington, George

Sir
[Fredericksburg, Va., c.14 February 1784]

While applauding millions were offering you their warmest congratulations on the blessings of Peace, and your safe return from the hazards of the Field, We The Mayor & Commonalty of the Corporation of Fredericksburg, were not wanting in Attachment and wishes to have joined in public testimonies of our

Warmest gratitude & Affection, for your long and Meritorious Services in the Cause of Liberty; A Cause Sir, in which by your examples and exertions with the Aid of your gallant Army, The Virtuous Citizens of this Western World, are secured in freedom and Independance. And altho: you have laid aside your Official Character we cannot Omit, this first Opportunity you have given us, of presenting with unfeigned hearts, Our Sincere Congratulations on your safe return from the Noisy Clashing of Arms, to the Calm Walks of Domestic ease; and it affords us great joy, to see you Once more at the place which claims the Honor of your growing infancy, the Seat of your venerable and Amiable Parent & Worthy Relations. We want language to express the happiness we feel on this Occasion, and which cannot be surpassed, but by Superior Acts (if possible) of the Divine Favor.
May the great and Omnipotent Ruler of Human events, who in blessing to America hath Conducted you thro: so many dangers, continue his favor and protection, thro: the remainder of your life in the happy society of an Affectionate and gratefull people. I have the Honor to be (in behalf of the Corporation)with every sentiment of esteem & Respect Your Excellencys Most Obt & most Hble Servant

William McWilliamsMayor


Title: From George Washington to the Citizens of Fredericksburg, 14 February 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Citizens of Fredericksburg

[Fredericksburg, Va., c.14 February 1784]
To the Worshipful the Mayor and Commonality of the Corporation of Fredericksburgh.Gentlemen,

With the greatest pleasure, I receive in the character of a private Citizen, the honor of your Address.
To a benevolent Providence, and the fortitude of a brave and virtuous army, supported by the general exertion of our common Country, I stand indebted for the plaudits you now bestow.

The reflection however, of having met the congratulating smiles and approbation of my Fellow-Citizens, for the part I have acted in the Cause of Liberty and Independence, cannot fail of adding pleasure to the other sweets of domestic life; and my sensibility of them is heightened by their coming from the respectable Inhabitants of the place of my growing Infancy and the honorable mention which is made of my revered Mother; by whose Maternal hand (early deprived of a Father) I was led to Manhood.
For the expressions of personal affection & attachment, and for your kind wishes for my future Welfare, I offer grateful thanks, and my sincere prayers for the happiness and prosperity of the Corporate Town of Fredericksburg.

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Robert Morris, 14 February 1784
From: Morris, Robert
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Philadelphia 14th February 1784

In acknowledging your Letters of the fourth & tenth of last month I must pray you to accept my Thanks for the Expressions of Kindness Contained in them. Mr Wright has promised that your Portrait should speedily be Compleated, but hitherto his Promise is unperformed. Whenever it shall be received I will obey your Orders in the Disposition of it. Your Accounts with the Explanation of them, were handed (in the usual

Course) to the Comptroller of the Treasury, and I have issued a Warrant for the Amount of his Certificate being Eight hundred and Fifty Seven Dollars and Fifty Two Ninetieths. This Warrant is enclosed for you to put your name on the back of it and in the mean time Governor Clinton is informed that he may draw for the Amount and that his Bills shall be answered. Mrs Morris joins me in presenting our warmest Respects to yourself and Mrs Washington, and I pray you to beleive that with every Sentiment of Friendship & regard I am Your most obedient Very humble servt

Robt Morris


Title: To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 16 February 1784
From: Greene, Nathanael
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir,
Newport [R.I.] Feby 16th 1784

I had the pleasure of receiving your letter of the 28th of December last, and having had the Honor of being appointed President of the Cincinnati of Rhode Island, I embrace the earliest opportunity of giving you an Answer. General Varnum, Major Lyman, and myself, are in the appointment to attend the annual General meeting of the order. It is not expected more than One will attend the meeting. I intend to be in South Carolina before that time.
General Varnum or Major Lyman will attend, and I have the pleasure to communicate to your Excellency that the measures necessary for the establishment of the Order is fully gone into, and all the officers appointed agreeably to the Institution. With esteem and affection, I am, dear Sir, Your most obedient humble servt

Nath. Greene


Title: From George Washington to Boinod & Gaillard, 18 February 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Boinod & Gaillard

Gentlemen,
Mount Vernon 18th Feby 1784

I have been favored with your polite & obliging Letter of January the 20th, & thank you for the many flattering sentiments contained in it.
To encourage Literature & the Arts, is a duty which every good Citizen owes to his Country, & if I could be instrumental in promoting these, and in aiding your endeavours to do the like, it would give me pleasure.
Your Books being chiefly in a foreign Language (which I do not understand) & my Library containing the most valuable of those which are named in the English catalogue, my demand will be small, but if those mentioned below are yet in your Store, they may be laid by, or sent to me as occasion offers, & the cost shall be paid to your Order. I am Gentlen Your Most Obt &ca

G: Washington

An Accot of the New Northn Archipelago by M.J. Von Stræhlin 8Vos.
The Histy of the Ud Provinces of the Netherlands by Wm Lothian 4to
A review of the characters of the principal Nations in Europe—2 Vols. 8vo.
Hermes, or a phlol enquiry, concerning Languages &ca by J.H. 8vo.
The true French master, or rules for the Fh tongue by Mr Cheneau of Paris, 8vo.
The New pocket Dicty of the Fh & Eng: langs. by Thos Nugent 2 vols. 8vo.

A course of Gallantries, translated from the Freh of Mr Duclos.2 parts—8vo.
The rise, progress & prest state of the Northn Govts by J. Williams Esqr. 2 Vols—4to.


Title: To George Washington from La Luzerne, 18 February 1784
From: La Luzerne, Anne-César, chevalier de
To: Washington, George

Sir.
Annapolis [Md.] Febr. 18th 1784.

I had flattered myself that my Stay in Annapolis would procure me an opportunity of waiting upon Your Excellency, but the roads are so bad and the Snow so deep that I am obliged to renounce to this happiness untill my return to this place, which, I hope, will be towards the middle of next month.
I hope then to take hold of the favorable moment, which I have lost in this Season, and to enjoy longer Your Excellency’s Society in renewing the assurances of the respectful attachment with which I have the honor to be, Sir, Your Excellency’s Most obedient and very humble Servant

le che. de la luzerne

P.S. I beg leave to enclose a Letter from the Marquis de la Fayette. He gives me some hopes to be here in the Spring.


Title: From George Washington to James Milligan, 18 February 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Milligan, James

Sir,
Mount Vernon 18th Feby 1784

The intemperance of the weather, & the great care which the Post riders seemed disposed to take of themselves, while it continued severe, prevented your Letter of the 13th of last month from reaching my hands ’till the 10th of this. I now acknowledge the receipt of it, with the accounts as they stand stated in the Treasury Books; for your trouble in transcribing which (it being unusual) you will please to accept my thanks, as the possession of them is pleasing, & may be useful to me.
The charge of fifty Guineas paid James McCall Esqr. for the Revd Mr Smith, is perfectly just, & ought not to have been omitted by me, for I well recollect it was the desire of Mr Morris, that this sum might be carried to the credit of my public accots, & I certainly meant to do it, altho’ it has been omitted. For the act of justice which you have rendered, in allowing me interest upon 591 31/90 Dollars, I am much indebted to you: the same reason which induced an allowance of interest on the Ballce of my Accot to Jany 1777, prevailed in this case also; but as the principal was rescued from error, & brought into a subsequent accot, I never thought about interest; & am altogether indebted to your attention & correctness for the discovery and credit.
In the statement of my accots, I thought a note had accompanied the articles charged, where the money had been accounted for; but in this I am either mistaken, or do not perfectly comprehend your manner of entry; from which, to me it would seem, that Saml B. Webb, Ebenr Gray, Josiah Fessendon, Elijah Bennet, Capt. Calmly & John Philips in accot A—Colo. Weedon, for 500 Dollars (but this sum is again credited)—Wm

Dunn, Jos[ep]h Hunter, Hugh Mooney, John Miller & Chas Tatum, in Accot C—and Capt. Colfax & Lt Howe in Accot D, were to be charged in accots raised, or to be raised, with the several sums annexed to their respective names; whereas the money in every one of these enumerated instances has been paid for services actually performed, or upon accots which have been settled with me.1 am thus particular Sir, because it would give me pain, if thro’ any inaccuracy in my statement, either of these persons should be involved in trouble, difficulty or expence, by a future call upon them. Captn Colfax, as you may perceive from his Accots which I render’d as vouchers to my own, gave the public credit for all the sums he stands charged with by me; among which is that for £ 171.18. & closes the whole with a transfer of the money in his hands to Mr Howe. Mr Howe also, as will appear in his accounts, settled the Expenditures for family purposes with me in November last; at the time I broke up House-keeping & discharged my household; & if I recollect right, was a Creditor instead of a Debtor to the public.
I shall take notice in this Letter, because it is not my wish to encrease the troubles of your Office by making a distinct application hereafter, that in Accot B. I stand charged with the sums of £124.7.8 and £133.16.0 which have no existence in the Treasury Books, or elsewhere. The first sum I well remember to have received; the time & circumstances of it being too remarkable ever to be forgotten by me. But the other sum of £133.16—I must confess I have no recollection of the receipt of it; but having found in my pocket Memo. Book, a short & blind entry to that effect, I placed it to the credit of the public Acot, altho’ no trace of it remained in my memory, or any Accot of it could be found elsewhere; with a request (in a Note at bottom)that the matter might be enquired into, & justice done. It occurs to me, that about the period of that credit, I borrowed a sum in specie of the Marqs de la Fayette (as I had done of others when the exigencies of the public pressed) & that he & my Nephew Geo. Augte Washington set off for Philadelphia a few days afterwards: ’tis possible therefore I might have written for money by him, & that that sum may have been charg’d to his accot—but if this is not the case, and no such sum can be found charged to me in any of the public Offices, of that date, under any form whatsoever—I submit it to the consideration of yourself,

or to the Superintendant of Finance whether I ought to be debited with it at all: because it is as likely that the error may have originated in a wrong credit on my part, as in the omission to charge it, on that of the public—especially as I have received several sums at different times on my private account, as well as other sums for the use of Colo. Fairfax (whose business I had in my hands several years before the War), all of which I applied to public uses, whenever the public had a call for it, without attending to the property, or propriety of the measure. Upon this state of the matter, which is a very candid one, I should be glad to have your sentiments, & those of the Financr. I am perfectly willing to give the public credit for every thing that is due, but it does not comport with my circumstances to do more, or even to lie out of money which I may with propriety call to my aid.
The Account of my expenditures in Philadelphia & on my return home, I transmitted many days previous to the receipt of your Letter to Mr Morris, & presume it is in your Office long before this; & that I shall have the pleasure of receiving, as in the case of the former, an official statement of it from the Treasury books.
For the honor of your kind congratulations on the great events which have taken place, & my return to domestic life, be pleased to accept my grateful thanks, & best wishes, in return. I am, Sir, Your Most Obt &ca

G: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Annis Boudinot Stockton, 18 February 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Stockton, Annis Boudinot

Dear Madam,
Mount Vernon Feby 18th 1784

The intemperate weather, and very great care which the Post Riders take of themselves, prevented your letter of the 4th of last month from reaching my hands ’till the 10th of this. I was then in the very act of setting of on a visit to my aged Mother, from whence I am just returned. These reasons, I beg leave to offer, as an apology for my silence until now.
It would be a pity indeed, My dear Madam, if the Muses should be restrained in you; it is only to be regretted that the hero of your poetical talents is not more deserving their lays: I cannot, however, from motives of false delicacy (because I happen to be the principal character in your Pastoral) withhold my encomiums on the performance—for I think the easy, simple, and beautiful strains with which the dialogue is supported, does

great justice to your genius; and will not only secure Lucinda & Aminta from Wits & Critics, but draw from them, however unwillingly, their highest plaudits; if they can relish the praises that are given, as highly as they must admire the manner of bestowing them.
Mrs Washington, equally sensible with myself, of the honor you have done her, joins me in most affectionate compliments to yourself, the young Ladies & Gentlemen of your family. With sentiments of esteem, regard and respect I have the honor to be Dr Madam Yr Most Obedt & Most Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 19 February 1784
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Richmond [Va.] Feby 19. 1784.

Your favor of the 10th instant, which I this day received, is not the first information concerning Lord Tankerville’s power of attorney. I was written to by Lady Tankerville and his Lordship, as early as November last: and immediately desired Colo. Hooe to state to me the particulars of this new office. He answered me, that he was ignorant of the duty, expected from us, and must remain so, until your return to Mount Vernon. I waited for a further communication with him before I resolved on the part, which I ought to take. As you decline the undertaking, I shall immediately acquaint Colo. Hooe with my determination, to join him, if the services expected from me can be performed here. For it is impossible, that I should be active in the affair. I shall address Lady and Lord Tankerville to the same effect.
I had prepared a letter to you, on the subject of three petitions, now depending in the general court, in the name of Colo. Bassett against yourself. They were intended, I presume, to cover some forfeiture of lands for noncultivation, or nonpayment of quitrents. Will you be so good, as to let me know, how the cases are circumstanced, that I may be able to decide, what conduct I ought to pursue concerning them?
I left the form of an answer in Savage’s suit against you and Mr B. Fairfax with the latter gentleman, in hopes of receiving it executed in a proper manner, that I might put the most expeditious end to the business. I am dear sir with the sincerest affection yr much obliged obt servt

Edmund Randolph


Title: To George Washington from William Hamilton, 20 February 1784
From: Hamilton, William
To: Washington, George

Sir
Bush Hill [Pa.] February 20th 1784

I receiv’d your favor of the 15th January, & shall be happy in affording you all the information in my power respecting its contents. Just before I had the pleasure of seeing your Excellency in philada I engaged a person of the name of Turner, newly arrived from England, to do some Stucco work at Bush Hill. It was not long before he proved himself a Master in that Business, & has since compleated a cornice & ceiling, which are allowed by all who have seen them, to be in point of taste & execution, far Superior to any thing of the kind that has been done in this Country.
While he was at this work I frequently talk’d with him about the different compositions now so much used in England, particularly that for covering floors, Roofs, & fronts of Houses. He profess’d to understand the method of preparing & applying it, & wished me to encourage him in giving a Specimen. To this, I at length consented; and he undertook to make a variegated floor in my Green House, one for an open portico in the front of my House on the Schuylkill, and to cover the flats of two Bow windows, that have for these ten years baffled every attempt to tighten them. The price agreed for, was at the rate of eight pence sterling for every square foot that should be of any one colour, and a Shilling sterling for the same quantity, done in compartments of different colours, he finding himself in provisions &c. & in all materials whatever.

The Winter soon after set in, & has since continued so extremely severe as to put a stop to the work for the present. I am however very sanguine as to the Success, nor do I found my opinion merely on the account given me by Turner himself I have enquired of Mr Vaughn & several other english gentlemen who say great things of it. I find it may be adapted to every kind of Ornament—can be done at any season of the year (in dry weather) & is impenetrable to Water, Heat, & frost. It would give me great Satisfaction to let you know what are the component parts of this Cement, & I have for that purpose taken all possible pains to obtain a knowledge of them from the man who has undertaken to make it, but he is determined to keep the matter secret, in expectation of thereby making a living. As soon as the Spring opens, & the Season will admit, I shall proceed in the experiments abovementioned, and the moment I can form a Judgement with certainty, shall give myself the pleasure to inform your Excellency of the result. If in consequence you should desire to have Mr Turners Assistance in any kind of work you wish to have done in his Business, he will chearfully attend you on the same terms, that he is now with me. I have the honor to be with great regard & the most perfect respect Your Excellencys most obedt humble Servant

W. Hamilton


Title: To George Washington from Lilancour, 20 February 1784
From: Lilancour-Taste (Lilancourt), Jean-Baptiste, comte de
To: Washington, George

Monsieur
Par Bordeaux a Clairac Le 20 fevrier 1784.

L’admission dans La Confraternité de Cincinnatus, des of- ficiers francais (jusqu’au Grade de Colonel) qui ont Eu Le bonheur de Contribuer au Succés des Armes Des Etats unis de

l’amérïque est trop honnorable pour eux; pour que ceux qui peuvent Etre auctorisés a y aspirer par Leurs Services, ne Les Recherchent pas avéc LEmpressement Le plus vif.
j’ai Lhonneur Monsieur, dEtre Brigadier des Armées du Roy, et j’avais celui de Commander en chef La Colonie de Saint domingue, Lorsque M. Le Cte de Grasse en 1781 Sur Les instances de Votre Excellence et celles de M. Le Cte de Rochembeau; vint au cap me demander Les Secours que LEtat des affaires vous Rendait Indispensables, et les porter au Continent.
trois cent Batimens chargés dans La Rade de cette ville plus que Susceptibles D’attirer Les forces Ennemies qu’il Laissait derriere Lui; ne me Permettaient de me démunir sans mexposer; et Rendaient ma Position dautant plus délicate que dénué D’ordres de la Cour, il fallait prendre Les Evenemens Sur moi. consultant cependant moins une timide Prudence que L’utilité de la Cause commune; je n’hëzittai pas a Lui fournir 3700 hommes dont je donnai Le Commandement a M. Le Mis de St Simon, votre Excellence est mieux Instruite que personne, Monsieur, de Lheureux Effet de cette Resolution combien elle a contribué a La gloire des Armes alliées et a la Paix honorable qui en a eté Le fruit.
tel est Monsieur, Le titre que j’ai prié M. Le cte de Rochembeau de vouloir bien Recommander a Votre Excellence, du moment que j’ai Eté Instruit de LEtablissement de La confraternité. La Reponse que j’En ai Recu jointe a La Lettre que je Lui avais Ecrit, dont jai Lhonneur de mettre Les copies Sous Ses yeux me donnent tout Lieu Desperer que Lappréciation qu’il fait de ma Conduite dans cette Circonstance critique et Le soin quil veut bien prendre de vous en Rapeller Lutilité; disposeront favorablement Votre Excellence en faveur de ma demande; et quelle voudra bien me procurer—Lhonneur que je Sollicite de Sa justice. Je suis avéc Respect Monsieur De Votre Excellence Le Tres humble et tres obeissant Serviteur

Lilancour

ozerais je Monsieur Supplier votre Excellence de vouloir bien faire parvenir a M[onsieu]rs de la Societé Generale le pacquet je prends La Liberté de mettre Sous Son couvert.


Title: To George Washington from Winthrop Sargent, 20 February 1784
From: Sargent, Winthrop
To: Washington, George

Boston Feby the 20th 1784

Desirous of contributing to the Amusement of your Excellency I do myself the honor to Transmit you a Poem of Eulogy on the Institution of The Society of Cincinnati—I hazard it to your Excellency’s Judgment without more Preface than an Extract from its accompanying Letter.
If your Excellency & Mrs Washington (to whom I beg Leave to present my Respects) deign to grant the approbating Smile I shall have great Joy in that Felicity which I know it will bestow on the fair Poetess—with Sincere & warm Wishes for your Excellency’s Happiness I have the Honor to be Dear Sir your most obedient Humble Servant

Winthrop Sargent


Title: To George Washington from John Harvie, 21 February 1784
From: Harvie, John
To: Washington, George

Sir
Richmond [Va.] Feby 21st 1784

I have Caus’d the Records and Return of Surveys in the Land Office to be accurately Searched to Collect proper Information respecting the Tracts of Land you mention in your Letter, and am sorry that my researches will produce you so little Satisfaction, amongst the Surveys (not patented) turn’d over to me by the Secretary, I find two of yours of which I inclose you Copys, they only wait your Orders for Grants to issue upon them, I can discover no Survey of General Andrew Lewis that Includes a Bituminous Spring —neither is there any Survey in this Office that I can find for the Land at the Confluence of the little Kanhawa and Ohio, yet I think I have heard that the Commissioners for adjusting the Claims to Unpatented Lands in the District of Monongahela Yohagany and Ohio gave Doctor Briscoe a preemption Certificate for that Tract of Land, but in this particular I may be Mistaken as it is only founded upon a faint Remembrance—there has been no Survey in the Name of Michael Cresap returnd to this Office. it would have given me the greatest pleasure if I could have Satisfactorily traced out your Claims to Lands, under the several Rights you mention, as the long Inattention to your private property from the Motive of Publick Service so Eminently display’d, fills every Generous Mind with an alacrity on even the most trivial Occasion to pay you sir such Tribute of Gratitude and Esteem as only can be felt for a Patriot whose Virtues are Unrival’d under the Impression of these Sensations I have the Honour sir of Subscribing myself Yr most Obt & very Humble sert

John Harvie


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 21 February 1784
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

Boston February 21, 1784

Agreably to my promise my dear sir, I write you from this place, and flatter myself with the hope, that although my letter contains no important intelligence, yet it may not be unpleasing to you.
Your calm retreat, of mount Vernon, must be a source of ineffable delight to you. you can from thence, take a retrospective view, of the critical exigencies of the War, and see a thousand ways, by which, the issue might have been the reverse of what it is. And your happiness, must be in proportion, to the extreme difficulties, and dangers, of the contest, and the immense blessings secured to your country, by the glorious peace, contrasted with the miseries consequent upon an unfortunate termination.
We have little or no politicks—all commerce frozen up, by the uncommon severity of the season, but better prospects in the Spring—These are now upon the stocks in different parts of the state, for the fisheries and other branches of trade, upwards of 800 Vessels which will be at Sea, early in the summer.
New Hampshire and this State have come into the impost exactly as proposed by Congress—and it appears to be pretty certain that Rhode Island and Connecticut, will be induced to come into it. Many sensible men are for the powers of the union being Legislated but no measures are proposed to effect it.
The Cincinnati appears (however groundless) to be an object of jealousy. The idea is, that it has been created by a foreign

influence, in order to change our forms of Government and this opinion is strengthened by a letter from one of our Ministers abroad. Burkes pamphlet has had its full operation The cool dispassionately sensible men, seem to approve of the institution generally, but dislike the hereditary descent. The two branches of the Legislature of this State vizt the Assembly, and Senate, have chosen a committee, “To inquire into any associations, or combinations, to introduce undue distinctions into the community, and which may have a tendency to create a race of hereditary nobility, contrary to the confederation of the United States, and the spirit of the constitution of this commonwealth.” They have not yet reported, and perhaps they will not —The same sentiments, pervade New England—The society here have had a respectable meeting in Boston, on the 18th instant at which Genl Lincoln presided—Genl Heath was not present. A Committee was chosen to attend the General Meeting at Philadelphia next may. Genl R. Putnam—Colo. Cobb, Colonel Hull, Major Sargent and myself—probably only two will attend. It was thought prudent, not to make any honorary members at present—The officers and soldiers conduct themselves in an exemplary manner, and are generally as industrious as any part of the community.
I wrote your excellency from West point on the 3d ultimo enclosing the returns, and a particular account of matters there which I hope met your appprobation—and I also wrote You a line on the 9th of the same month the day I sat out from thence—We reside at Dorchester about five miles from Town & in a very agreable situation. I shall hope for the pleasure of hearing from you at your leisure. Mrs Knox presents her sincere and ardent affection to Mrs Washington, and proposes to write particularly to her soon, and I also beg my respectful compliments may be added—I am my dear sir Your truly respectful and affectionate humble Servant

H. Knox


Title: To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 22 February 1784 [letter not found]
From: Biddle, Clement
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Clement Biddle, 22 Feb. 1784. On 10 Mar. 1784 GW wrote to Biddle: “I have received the Lace & two-pole chain, accompanied by your favors of the 22d & 29th ulto.”


Title: To George Washington from Isaac Collett, 22 February 1784
From: Collett, Isaac
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Berkeley County head of Bullskin [Va.]February the 22nd 1784

I make free to trouble your Excellency with a few lines relating to the conveyance or transference of the lease or Tenement of Land Guaranteed to Moses Collett of sd Couty As he has

some time been dead, his sons during the war has bee mutch in the Army, since that mutch dispersed into the back Country’s, his only survivor his eldest son who was his chief Executor who held the place having failed been afflicted this long time by a lingering disorder—under these circumstances it being not convenient for us to hold it. The young Gentleman that has purchased congratulates you upon the same, your Excellency not being at home at the time to Obtain consent at the time And opportunity not permitting to send before though it being contrary to your lease to sell without. Yet I hope you will give your Approbation At this time, under the circumstances laid before your Excellency’s consideration. In assenting to the same you’ll mutch favour your Excellency’s very humbl. and most obt Servant

Isaac Collett


Title: To George Washington from Fielding Lewis, Jr., 22 February 1784
From: Lewis, Fielding Jr.
To: Washington, George

Dr Uncle & Godfather
Frederick [County, Va.] 22d Feby 1784

Inclosed I have Sent you my Fathers letters wharein you will See his intention Before his death, of releiveing me out of my distressis, Occasioned by my youthfull Folley.
Since which it has pleased God to take him out of this transetorey life, before he had Compleated his Intention, tharefore I have taken the Freedom and liberty, of beging of you to Assist me through them, for which Kinderness I shall be willing to give you A Mortgage on my land as Securety, for what Evor Sum or Sums you will be Able to lend me, And Shall Annually remitt you my Crops till the hole is Returned to you again, as Nothing I think in this life So disagreeable as to be drag’ed About by the Sherrifs, and being in Confinement, Which Situation I am in at preasent or Should have wateid on you in person,

that I might have had the pleasure of Seeing you Since your returne, With my love to my Aunt, I remain yours with Evrey Esteem and Regarde

Fielding Lewis

N.B. The young man I have Sent down Is A Sober Carefull person, who May be trusted if in your power to Assist me, and Should be glad after your perrusal of the inclosed letters, you would return them by the bearer. F.L.


Title: From George Washington to Daniel McCarty, 22 February 1784
From: Washington, George
To: McCarty, Daniel

Dr Sir,
Mount Vernon 22d Feby 1784.

It is not convenient for me to be at Colchester tomorrow; and as I shall no longer act as a vestryman, the sooner my place is filled with another the better. This letter, or something more formal if required, may evidence my resignation, & authorize a new choice.
 I shall be very sorry if your apprehensions on account of the poor should be realized—but have not the Church-Wardens power to provide for their relief? And may not those Vestrymen who do meet, supposing the number insufficient to constitute a legal Vestry, express their sentiments on this head to the Wardens? Nay go further, & from the exigency of the case, give directions for the temporary relief of the needy & distressed. As a Vestryman or as a private parishioner, I should have no scruple to do either under such circumstances as you have described.
Mrs Washington joins in compliments & best wishes for you, Mrs McCarty & family with Dr Sir Your Most Obedt &ca

G. Washington


Title: From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 22 February 1784
From: Washington, George
To: St. Clair, Arthur

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 22d Feb. 1784

Your favor of the 29th of Jany in answer to my circular Letter of the 28th of Dec. is at hand. I am sorry to find by it, that so many Delegates from your State Society are likely to be Nonattendants at the General meeting in May. It would have an odd appearance (whatever may be the causes) for the Society of the State, in which the General meeting is held, to be unrepresented upon such an occasion; and it would give me concern I confess, to find any so; for it is my wish that the first meeting (at least) may be full.
Not only for the purpose of bare representation then, but that the abilities of the Society of Cincinnati may be convened at that time, I hope your business elsewhere may, without much inconvenience, be made to yield to this call for your attendance. With great truth & sincerity—I am Dr Sir Your most Obedt & Affecte Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Richard Varick, 22 February 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Varick, Richard

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 22d Feb: 1784.

The intemperate Season and irregularity of the Post, withheld your letter of the 15th Ulto from me ’till within these few days. There needed no apology for the delay, in the adjustment of your Accts. Your punctuallity is too well known to admit a doubt that, this would happen without sufficient cause.
I received great pleasure from the Acct which you have given me of Doctr La Moyeur’s operations on you; and congratulate you very sincerely on the success. I shall claim your promise of

relating the Sequel; for I confess I have been staggered in my belief of the efficacy of transplantation—being more disposed to think that, the Operator is partial to his own performances, and the Operatee’s, in general, are inclined to compliment, or having submitted to the Operations, are somewhat unwilling to expose the truth—Your Acct I can—I shall rely upon.
If contrary to expectation this Letter should find Doctr La Moyeur in New York, let me pray you to present my Compliments to him; and tell him that, his Letter of the 20th is at hand. That I should have answered it but for the information given therein, of his intention of setting off in a few days for Virginia—and that I shall, whenever it is convenient to himself, & not before, be very glad to see him at this Seat where he—as you would at all times—meet a cordial, & welcome reception.
I thank you very sincerely for your kind congratulations on my return to the tranquil walks of private life. I shall always be glad to hear from you, and shall depend upon you for a relation of the remarkable occurrences in your Hemisphere. Mrs Washington joins me in best wishes for yourself, & compliments to the Governor Mrs Clinton & family. I am with great esteem & regard Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt & affecte Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Francis Johnston, 23 February 1784
From: Johnston, Francis
To: Washington, George

Sir
Philada Feby 23d 1784.

At the request of Captain Paschke of the Light Dragoons and, Captains De Marcellin and Le Roy late of the 2d P. Regt; I beg leave to inform Your Excellency that they are going to Europe and are desirous of receiving from your own hand a Certificate of their being Members of the Cincinnati Society—they have all signed the Institution in due form and lodged with me an Order on the Paymaster General for a Months-pay respectively—this being the case I hope they will not fail in their present application. My most respectful Compts attend Mrs Washington & am with the highest sentiments of Esteem Your Excellency’s Most Obt & Very Hble Servant

F. Johnston Treasr of the Cincinnati Societyof Penna and Secy ⅌ tem


Title: To George Washington from Fock, 24 February 1784
From: Fock, Jean-Henric, baron de
To: Washington, George

My Dear General
Paris the 24 fevr. 1784

The many favors, and particular marks, of His Excellencis Kindness, and oblidging conduct, towards me, during the whole time, I spent in America, Gives me reason, to hope You will honor me with the order of Cincinnatus, of wich Your Excellency

is the President. As I was not a Colonel during the war, I cannot get the order, wich is Conferred only on Generals or Colonels in General Rochambeaus Army, without Your Excellencis interposition.
Count defersen, and I were the only two of our Nation, wich hat the Happiness, to be under His Excellencis command, therefore I hopes my request will be Most graciously granted, by His Excellency, and will be to me the Highest Satisfaction, in my Native Country, and an eternal remembrance, of His Excellency, for Whom I have the greatest regard and attachment. All my wishes are, to be once my own master, to pay my respects to His Excellency in America, in the mean time, I pray Him, to give My most respectfull Compliments, to Your Lady Mrs Washington, and be sure that I am for Ever, with the Highest esteme and devotion Your Excellencis Most Obedient and Humble Sarvant

Baron de Fock

My direction are à Paris à L’hotel de Monsieur L’Ambassadeur de Svede, à la Cour de france, Que. de ⟨B⟩aque


Title: To George Washington from Henry Babcock, 25 February 1784
From: Babcock, Henry
To: Washington, George

Stonington [Conn.] 25th Feby 1784

Great illustrious, Sir! I have for these several Years set down to my desk to congratulate Your Excellency, upon your unparreled Successes in Arms.
There is a Gentleman that lives in Northampton who studies under the great Doctor Stiles, President of Yale College, in the State of Connecticut; has a true Poetick Vain, superior to any Man, I am acquainted with, who would (if possible[)] do Justice to your matchless Achievements, perhaps equal to Alexander Pope, Swift or Driden, when arrived to the Years of Homer would equal his Poetry: I intend writing him upon the Subject—If he could be informed from your own Cabinet; it would be better Information; than any History yet wrote, not excepting Mr Gordons history of the american Revolution; It would be read with Great Avidity, thro out the Globe; If it could, as & if translated into the language of Ciceronian Latin, which, Mr Dwight could easily do. He certainly is one of the most learned Gentleman I am acquainted with. I certainly should be greatly indebted to Your excellencey, for the acknoleding of my Letter. This I certainly can say that the Minister of Great Britain did send to America; the very best Generals they had: And notwithstanding there great Superiority in Numbers, of veteran Troops, your Excellency out generald them all. had General Bradock attended to your advise, he would with your Assistance been triumpant; and those that remained, owed their lives to your great Exertions; otherwise, there would scarce been a Messenger to inform the Pub[l]ick. I have the Honor to be with every Sentiment of Esteem, & profoundest Respect, Your Excellencys most obedient & most humble Servant

Henry Babcock


Title: From George Washington to Dolphin Drew, 25 February 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Drew, Dolphin

Sir,
Mount Vernon 25th Feby 1784

Yesterday evening brought me your favor of the 13th.
Two things induced me to Lease my Lands in small tenements; the first was to accommodate weak handed people who were not able to purchase, thereby inviting & encouraging a number of useful Husbandmen & mechanicks to settle among us: The other, that I might have them restored to me at the expiration of the term for wch they were granted, in good order & well improved—One step towards which was to prevent a shift of property without my consent, and a covenant was inserted in the Leases accordingly.
From the first I laid it down as a maxim, that no person who possessed Lands adjoining, should hold any of mine as a Lessee, and for this obvious reason, that the weight of their labour, & burden of the crops, whilst it was in a condition to bear them, would fall upon my Land, and the improvement upon his own, in spite of all the covenants which could be inserted to prevent it. Having no cause to depart from this opinion, & without meaning to apply the observation particularly to Mr Throckmorton, whose person & character are entirely unknown to me, he must excuse me for declaring in very explicit terms, that I will not suffer his purchase of Collet, to be carried into effect, of this, Mr Lund Washington who was acquainted with my sentiments on these matters, and who superintended my business, informs me he acquainted Mr Throckmorton (hearing he was about to purchase) either directly or by means of his acquaintance in September last: he has not paid his money therefore, or erred in this business, without warning of the consequences.
A good price & ready money might induce me to part with

the fee-simple of Collet’s Lot—perhaps of the other also. Without these I do not incline to sell as Lands are rising very fast in their price; which will be enhanced by the emigration of Foreigners, & the demand for them. I am Sir Your most Obt Servant

G: Washington


Title: From George Washington to La Luzerne, 25 February 1784
From: Washington, George
To: La Luzerne, Anne-César, chevalier de

Sir,
Mount Vernon 25th Feby 1784

I have been honored with your Excellys favor of the 18th from Annapolis covering a letter from the Marqs de la Fayette, for the trouble of doing which be pleased to accept my thanks.
I regret exceedingly that the weather and roads shou’d have deprived me of the honor of seeing you at my retreat—I shall look however, with pleasure for your return to Annapolis, when I shall expect the fulfilment of your promise. It would be a gratification to express to you under my own roof the great respect attachment & regard with which I have the honor to be &ca

G: Washington


Title: To George Washington from George Clinton, 27 February 1784
From: Clinton, George
To: Washington, George

My dear Sir
New York 27 Feby 1784

I with great pleasure embrace the first direct opportunity that has offered, to acknowledge the receipt of your Letters of the 15th and 28th December; the former covering Mr Morris Notes to the amount of 2080 80/90 Dollars. Mr Gouv. Morris has also informed me that a Warrant in your favor for 857 52/90 is lodged in the Office of Finance, with directions to transmit it to me —I will take care to procure this money as soon as possible, and have both sums carried to your Credit.
It afforded me much pleasure to hear that after all the toils of a public life you was once more in the perfect possession of Domestic happiness, which that you may enjoy long and uninterrupted will be the constant prayer of every good Citizen of these States.
Altho the termination of the War has put a period to many of the fatiguing parts of my duty, I have still such a Croud of public business as to allow me very little time for private enjoyments, besides which, my ill State of Health (having had three returns of the fever) and the indisposition of my family, some of whom have been continually Sick through the Winter, has prevented my having much pleasure since I saw you—the family are now pretty well—except that I am laid up with a violent cold and Washington with a broken thigh—an accident he had the misfortune to meet with about a Week ago, I am however in great hopes it will not be attended with and bad consequences.
As I understand you propose being in Philadelphia in May next I am in hopes, you will find it not inconvenient to extend your journey as far as this place—I need not say how much satisfaction such a visit will give to all your friends.
Mrs Clinton joins me in our best Compliments to Mrs Washington. I am Dear Sir with the most perfect Respect & Esteem your Affectionate Humble Servt

Geo. Clinton


Title: From George Washington to Fielding Lewis, Jr., 27 February 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Lewis, Fielding Jr.

Dear Fielding,
Mount Vernon Feb. 27th 84

You very much mistake my circumstances, when you suppose me in a condition to advance money.
I made no money from my Estate during the nine years I was absent from it, and brought none home with me. Those who owed me—for the greater part—took advantage of the depreciation & paid me off with Six pence in the pound. Those to whom I was indebted, I have yet to pay, without other means, if they will not wait, than selling part of my Estate—or distressing those who were too honest to take advantage of the Tender Laws to quit scores with me.
This relation of my circumstances, which is a true one, is alone sufficient, without adding that my living under the best œconomy I can use, must, unavoidably, be expensive, to convince you of my inability to advance money.

I have heard with pleasure that you are industrious—convince people by your mode of living that you are Sober and frugal also, and I persuade myself your Creditors will grant you every indulgence they can. It would be no small inducement to me, if it ever should be in my power, to assist you.
Your Fathers advice to you, in his Letter of the 8th of Octobr is worthy the goodness of his own Heart, and very excellent to follow. If I could say any thing to enforce it, it should not be wanting.
I shall always be glad to see you here; your Aunt joins me in best wishes, and I am your Affecte Uncle

Go: Washington

P.S. There was a great space between the 23d of Septr 1778 when you were called upon by your Father for a specific list of your Debts; and his death: How happened it, that in all that time you did not comply with his request? and what do they amount to now? His letters to you are returned, & I hope will get safe to hand.

G. W——n


Title: From George Washington to John Harvie, 29 February 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Harvie, John

Sir,
Mount Vernon 29th Feby 1784

I have received, & thank you for your obliging favor of the 21st in answer to my letter of the 10th—I will write to the Surveyors of Augusta & Botetourt for information in those matters which the Land office is unable to give me: for sure I am, I have warrants somewhere which ought, long ’ere this, to have been

executed. The two Surveys of which you sent me copies, I should be glad to have patents for, reciting the right under which I hold them, as soon as it is convenient to yourself. I have the honor to be &ca

G: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 29 February 1784 [letter not found]
From: Biddle, Clement
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Clement Biddle, 29 Feb. 1784. On 10 Mar. 1784 GW wrote to Biddle: “I have received the Lace & two-pole chain, accompanied by your favors of the 22d & 29th ulto.”


Title: To George Washington from Samuel Fraunces, 1 March 1784
From: Fraunces, Samuel
To: Washington, George

Sir
[New York] March 1st 1784

I have the honor of Conveying by an unexpected opportunity my most sincere & dutifull respects to your Excellency & a gratefull heart that is Fully sensible of the innumerable obligations your unmerrited favours has laid me under, therfor your Excellency’s native goodness will pardon any presumption that may seem in this; My prayers shall at all times be most devoutly, for the health & happiness of your Excellency & family[.] My Wife & Daughters begs to be remembered likewise with every sentiment of esteem—they send Mrs Washington a couple “utensils For cutting paste” the best that could be procured & hopes will meet with approbation—they present their most respectfull Compliments to her in the mean time I remain with unfeigned sincerity Your Excellencys Most obedient and most devoted Humble Servant

Saml Fraunces


Title: To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 2 March 1784
From: Lincoln, Benjamin
To: Washington, George

Dear sir
Hingham [Mass.] March 2d 1784

Since I was honored with the receipt of your favor of  this State society of the Cincinnati have had a meeting & have made choice of General Knox Genl Putnam Colo. Cobb Colo. Hull & Majr Serjeant to represent them in the General Meeting to be held at Philadelphia on May next. they are notified to attend I expect that two or three or more will have the pleasure of meeting your Excellency then—Our Citizens seem alarmed at the constitution of the Cincinnati & our General Court have the matter now under consideration. I will do my self the pleasure of communicating to your Excellency their doing. With great esteem I have the honor to be your Excellencys most ob. servant

B. Lincoln


Title: From George Washington to Simeon DeWitt, 3 March 1784
From: Washington, George
To: DeWitt, Simeon

Dr Sir,
Mount Vernon 3d March 1784

By the interruptions of the post, your letter dated the 12th of Jany never got to my hands until Sunday last.
I have urged, not only in public, but private conversations with individual members of Congress, the policy, indeed necessity

of having accurate Maps of the United States—& they know full well my opinion of your worth, and ability to execute them. All seem sensible of these, but the want of funds I suppose, stops this, as it does many other wheels which ought to move.
The propositions contained in your Mem[oi]r of the 12th to Congress, appear to me exceedingly reasonable & just: these sentiments I will express to a very valuable & much respected member of that Body to whom I am now writing. I am, with great esteem Dr Sir Your Most obt Servt

G: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Duportail, 3 March 1784
From: Duportail, Antoine-Jean-Louis Le Bègue de Presle
To: Washington, George

Dear general
Paris march 3th 1784

I Cannot let so fine opportunity as major l’enfants going escape without Recalling me to your excellency’s memory—probably this letter will find you on the bancs of potoomak; after having ascertained the liberty of your Country, and the fame of your name, you enjoy the Tranquill pleasures of the Rural Life like the patron of our society which you Represent more than any defensor of the Country—however there are Certainly great differences between the dictator and your Excellency, and one of them is that the Country which he defended was not then so large as the smallest of the 13 united states, but I am sorry I Cannot wish these last should act in future so great a part in the world proportionnately as Rome did, for it Cannot be but at our own expence—but I hope the americains will be wiser and more moderate in their ambition than the Romans, they shall be happier too—I leave to marquis delafayette to tell your Excellency the news of this Country. the succes of the society of Cincinnatus—your Excellency will judge of it by the demands presented by the marquis as well as by Count de Rochambeau. I have been Requested by many to support their demands with your Excellency. but I Refused to do it as perfectly inutile. I know very [well] that if the demands are just or if the society is disposed to favours, your Excellency will follow equal principles, and so those who have the same Rights (or the same Rights to favours) shall be treated in the same manner.

I saw yesterday for the first time a man in the Clouds and with Colonel gouvion we Regretted that you Could not enjoy so extraordinary view. eight days ago I was busy about preparing a description of that new art for your Excellency and Translating what we have best in that Respect, but I met since with a description made in england and reported in the magazin, so I do not doubt that you shall have it in america et that will spare me the trouble which was indeed great. Since I left america I had neglected to write or Read any thing in english and I am exceedingly surprised of the difficulty which I experience in writing english and for fear of fatiguing your Excellency with my bad Stile I must end this letter, in wishing you all the happiness you deserve so well. I have the honour to be with great Respect your Excellency’s the most humble and obedient Servant

duportail

permit me dear general, to present my best Respects to Mrs Washington.


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 3 March 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Jefferson, Thomas

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon Mar. 3d 1784

The last Post brought me the enclosed letter, under cover from the Marquis de la Fayette.
If you have any News that you are at liberty to impart, it would be charity to communicate a little of it, to a body.
It is unnecessary, I hope, to repeat to you the assurances of the pleasure I should feel at seeing you at this retreat, or of the sincere esteem & regard with which I am—Dear Sir—Yr Most Obedt & very Hble Servt

Go: Washington

P.S. Has not Congress received a Memorial from Mr DeWitt, now, or lately Geographer to the Northern Army? The propositions

which are contained in the Copy, which he sent me, seem founded in equity. and with respect to himself, I can assure you that he is a modest, sensible, sober, and deserving young man—Esteemed a very good Mathematician, & well worthy encouragement.

G.W.


Title: To George Washington from George Muse, 3 March 1784
From: Muse, George
To: Washington, George

Excellent Sir:
Caroline County [Va.] March 3th 1784

I now being Destressed for cash must colicite your favour to settle with my son Laurence Muse for my Exspences in going to Pitsburge on my way Down the Ohio To secure my Titled to Certain Lands, Agreable to your Derections, my Exspences in going To Pitsburge, which is Computed To be three hundred Miles, and from home again with a servent and three Horses, cost me forty pounds, which your Excellency has Never been charged with. the inclemency of the weather Ocationed my Exspences to be Considerable it being in height of Winter. your Derections to me by letter was to attend in person or legally auther[ize] some person To attend To the Devision of lands we were intitled To on the ohio which agent could not have been imployed without a considerable Exspence To your Self. Agreable To your bond you Were To be at all the Exspences Occuring, to the saveing & secureing the Said lands, Seating and Setling only Excepted. Your bond you will Receive of my son on Setling With him. it would have given me infinite Satisfaction To have waited on your Excellency my self, but my infirmitys will not allow me at present. I flatter myself of haveing The Honour of being in your Excellency’s Company in my Antient days. I am your Excellences Most Obt & very Hume Servt

Geo. Muse


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Bee, 5 March 1784
From: Bee, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Sir
Charleston [S.C.] 5 March 1784

The Charleston Library Society desirous of Testifying their Esteem for your Excellency, and at the same time of having the Opportunity to Inroll your Name as one of their Members, Did, by an Uninimous Vote at their last Anniversary Meeting, Elect you, an Honorary Member of their Society, as will appear by the inclosed Certificates, which as their President, I have now the Honour of Transmitting to your Excellency.
This Institution was formed about Thirty years ago, with an immediate view, to the Extension of Learning and Science amongst the Inhabitants of this New World, and ultimately, for the purpose of Endowing a College in the Neighbourhood of this City. The ravages of war have for a time suspended these Intentions, but the repose we have now the prospect of Enjoying, in the procuring of which, your Excellency has borne so distinguished a part, makes us look forward with pleasing satisfaction to the Completion of our Plan.

It is the wish of the Society that this Mark of their respect may prove acceptable to your Excellency, and it will be an infinite gratification for them to receive from you Sir, any hints or Observations for the improvement of their plan, or that may in any way contribute to the advancement of knowledge, or benefit of Mankind. with the most sincere respect and Esteem I have the honour to be your Excellency’s most Obt & most humble Servt

Tho. Bee


Title: To George Washington from Joshua Barney, 6 March 1784 [letter not found]
From: Barney, Joshua
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Joshua Barney, 6 Mar. 1784. On 24 Mar. GW wrote to Barney: “Your Letter of the 6th only came to hand the 22d.”


Title: To George Washington from Chastellux, 6 March 1784
From: Chastellux, François-Jean de Beauvoir, marquis de
To: Washington, George

Dear general
Paris March 6 1784

When major l’enfant leaves Europe a second time to go to america, I cannot help troubling your excellency with a few lines. the further I find myself from the time I had the happiness of seeing you, the more also I feel a desire to tell you how much I am attached to you. I think, moreover, my dear general, that being retired for the future to mount vernon, and your modesty making you fear to look back upon what is vast, and which must appear to your eyes with all that bright glory

with which you have covered your self, your mind may give it self up intirely to sentiments of friendship, and I flatter my self, you will then indulge me to retain the privileges you have granted me a right to. perhaps when this letter reaches you, it may find you sitting under the shade of those trees you have planted, surveying with delight the magnificent view of patomack. Why cannot I partake of your leisure, as I have done with toils, and enjoy the company of the immortal Washington, who after having saved a whole nation, is contented with making the happiness of a few individuals? I have the honor to be dear general your most humble and obedient servant

le Chr de Chastellux

All the military gentlemen with the rank either of general or colonel, who have been to america, wear at present the order of Cincinnatus, and the nation sees the decoration with pleasure, as it recalls to their mind the most advantageous war, as well as the most valuable Alliance they ever made. I am persuaded that this establishment being confined in proper bounds, will triumph over all the enemies it meets in america and I hope your country will understand how to unite the glory of the military to the liberty of the citizens.
Permit me to present my compliments to Mrs Washington and to Mrs Custis as well as to all your family and friends who partake of my attachment for you.


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 6 March 1784
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Annapolis [Md.] Mar. 6. 1784.

Your favor of the 3d is this moment put into my hands, and as the post does not usually stay here above an hour, it leaves me time to scribble a few lines only, scarcely admitting them to be prefaced with an acknowlegement of the pleasure it will give me to be permitted to communicate with you occasionnally. we received dispatches from Europe yesterday, by Capt. Barney. there is no news but in one from Dr Franklin of Dec. 25. and another from the Marquis Fayette of Dec. 26. the Doctor tells

us only of the movements of our ministers, that mr Laurence was about sailing from England for America, mr Adams about setting out from England for the Hague, and mr Jay at Bath. he gives a picture of the disposition of England towards us; he observes that tho’ they have made peace with us, they are not reconciled to us nor to the loss of us. he calls to our attention the numerous royal progeny to be provided for, the military education giving to some of them, the ideas in England of distraction among ourselves, that the people here are already fatigued with their new governments, the possibility of circumstances arising on the Continent of Europe which might countenance the wishes of Gr. Britain to recover us, and from thence inculcates a useful lesson to cement the friendships we possess in Europe. The Marquis tells us the Turks & Russians will be kept apart for awhile, probably for another year, but that they must in the end come to decision. that mr Fox & Ld North were both out of the ministry, & this by a maneuvre of the king’s, who got them compromitted fairly with their E. India bill & contrived to get it rejected in the Lords; & that mr Pitt & E. Temple would come in. The Marquis himself will sail for America in the spring. The present hurry forbids me to write to you on a subject I have much at heart, the approaching & opening the navigation of the Ohio & Patowmac. I will trouble you by the next post. De Witt’s petition happens to be in my possession as member of a committee who have not yet reported on it. I was happy to learn from you something of the man. I have the honour to be with the most sincere esteem & respect Dr Sir Your most obedt & most humble servt

Th: Jefferson


Title: To George Washington from Lafayette, 9 March 1784
From: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de
To: Washington, George

Sir
Paris March the 9th 1784

Your Excellency Has Been Acquainted With my first Measures Respecting our Society—To My Letter Xbr the 25th  I Beg Leave Particularly to Refer and Entrust this with Major l’Enfant Who is Returning to America.
Having in a Body Waited Upon Count de Rochambeau, we delivered Him and His officers the Marks of the Assossiation—A Resolve of theirs for a Volontary Subscription Will Arrive in time to Be debated in the Grand Assembly.
Many Claims Have Been Raised By french officers, Which it is not My Business to Present—But I Beg Leave to observe that Some of them, Like in Chevalier de Lameth’s Case, are Entitled to Consideration—Count de Rochambeau, I am told, is writing on the Subject.
Former dispatches Have Apologized for the Part We Have taken Respecting Count d’Estaing’s officers—The Neglect, We know, Was not Intended—and, as Also in Mr de Vaudreuil’s Case, it Would Have Produced a Bad Effect. The Captains in the Navy, Ranking as Colonels, Have Set up a Claim to the Assossiation—Some of them, la Peyrouse, la Touche, Tilly, Acted as Commodores —it May Be Observed that American trade Will Have to do With Naval Officers.
At a Board of Officers Met at My House, the Claims of Several Gentlemen Were Introduced—Our Opinions are Submitted to the Assembly, and With them I enclose a list of Members who Have Signed and Paid, or to Whom, on Account of their Dispersion, the Institution are Yet to Be Sent —Clel du Plessis Convinced us He Had not Resigned.
Our Brotherly Assossiation Has Met With General Applause—Not a dissenting Voice to Be Heard But on the Point of Heredity that Creates a debate Wherein Most of the Americans take the other Part —Who Can Question But What We do not on Any Account Wish to Injure those Sacred Republican Principles for which We Have Fought, Bled, and Conquerd? and What Sacrifice Has not Been Made By us, in Support of those principles? which, I am Sure, we are Ready to Repeat Upon Every Occasion?

There is an Unanimous Opinion of the officers Here which they Beg Leave to Present, Viz.—that all American Officers in Europe Ought to Resort to a Committee of which this City is a Natural Center, and that the Committee Be Instructed to Correspond with the Grand Assembly.
It Had Been My Fond Hope that I Could Have Arrived in time for the Begining of May—But American Concerns, an Account of Which I Give to Congress, detain me for a few Weeks—and Now When I think this Letter Will Be Read Among Representatives from all the lines of the Army, My Heart is Glowing With all the Most Unbounded Sentiments of Affection and Gratitude—How Pleasing it is for me, to Recollect our Common toils, dangers, turns of fortune, our So Glorious Successes and that Lively Attachement Which United us With Each other Under our Beloved General—Never Can My Heart forget the Return of Affection I Have Particularly Obtained, the Numberless Obligations I am Under to My dear Brother Officers, and the Happy Hours, the Happiest in My Life, Which I Have Past in their Compagny—Before the Month of June is Over, I shall, thank God, Be Again With them, and Am Panting for the instant When I May Be Blessed with a Sight of the American Shore. With the Highest Respect and Unbounded Affection I Have the Honour to Be Sir Your Excellency’s Most obedient Humble Servant

Lafayette


Title: To George Washington from Lafayette, 9 March 1784
From: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de
To: Washington, George

privateMy dear General
Paris March the 9th 1784

Mr du Bouchet formerly a Major in our Service Having Presented me With His Claims to Our Assossiation, I found Myself Obliged to tell Him that His Pretensions Were Groundless—So far was He Convinced of it, that He did not think it Proper to Apply to our Committee, But Has determined Upon Going Himself to America—I Candidly Represented Him that there Was a Good share of Madness in His plan, and that a Refusal Will Set Him in a very disagreeable Situation—I Hoped He Was Converted When on a Sudden I Hear He Now takes up again His Resolution—and After I Have done My Best to discourage

Him, I Cannot Refuse Him this Introductory letter to You, Least it might Be thought the Silence of the Committee is Owing to Particular Motives—Indeed, Mr du Bouchet’s zeal is Great, and we Cannot But Be sensible of His Wishes to Become a Member of the Society—He is as Eager a Cincinnatus, as He Has Been a Rifleman in the Northern Army. With the Highest Respect and tenderest Affection I Have the Honour to Be My dear General Your obedient Humble Servant

Lafayette


Title: To George Washington from Lafayette, 9 March 1784
From: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de
To: Washington, George

My dear General
Paris March the 9th 1784

Had I Not So perfect a Confidence in Your friendship, I Would Very Much fear to tire You with My Scribbling of this day—But Cannot leave My Penn Before I Have Again Mentionned My tender Respectfull Affection to My dear General—I want to tell you that Mde de lafayette and My three Children are Well, and that all of us in the family Heartly join to Present their dutiful Affectionate Compliments to Mrs Washington and Yourself—Tell Her that I Hope Soon to thank Her for a dish of Tea at Mount Vernon—Yes, My dear General, Before the Month of June is over You will see a Vessel Coming Up Pottowmack, and out of that Vessel Will Your friend jump With a Panting Heart and all the feelings of Perfect Happiness —I intended to Have Gone Sooner, But a few Commercial Matters still Keep me Here—for since no Body Middles With them, I Have Undertaken in My Private Capacity to do What is possible for one Who Has Neither Title, or instruction—it is at least a

Confort that in my Private Capacity I Cannot Commit Congress, and that I never speak But of What I Know—four ports Having Been declared free, I send Mr Morriss a Letter Respecting the duties to Be paid there—and I Hope Congress Will also publish that all duties Have Been Removed from the Exportation of Brandies.
Most of the Americans Here are indecently Violent Against our Assossiation—Wadsworth Must Be excepted, and doctor Franklin Said little—But Jay, Adams, and all the others Warmly Blame the Army—You easely guess I am not Remiss in opposing them—and However if it is found that the Heredity Endangers the Free Principles of democrasy, I am as Ready as Any Man to Renounce it—You Will Be My Compass, my dear General, Because at this distance I Cannot judge—in Case Upon Better Consideration, You find that Heredity Will injure our democratic Constitution, I join with You By proxy in Voting Against it—But I so much Rely on Your judgement that if You think Heredity is a proper scheme I Will Be Convinced that Your Patriotism Has Considered the Matter in the Best point of View—to You alone, I would Say so much, and I Abide By your opinion in the Matter—let the foregoing Be Confidential, But I am sure Your disinterested Virtue Will Weigh all possible, future Consequences, of Hereditary distinctions.
There are No News in this Moment that are Worth Relating—What Respects Balons, Mr l’enfant Will tell—the present English disputes are Some what Ridiculous—they Must end in a dissolution of Parliament or an Union Betwen pitt and fox. Adieu, My dear General, Accept with Your Usual Goodness the Affectionate tribute of a Heart So Entirely devoted to You that No words Can Ever Express the Respect, the Love, and all the Sentiments With Which You know it is glowing for You, and that Make me Untill my last Breath Your obedient humble Ser. and afectionate friend

lafayette

My Compliments Wait Upon George and all the family at Mount Vernon—Be so Kind My dear General as to Remember me to all our friends—I am very Sorry the Hurry I was in to leave You Occasioned My sending So Soon the plated wares—adieu, my dear General.

I Had forgot to Mention that Major Lomagne is on Every Respect Entitled to Become a Member of the Assossiation—But Reports Having Been Spread Respecting the Manner in Which He left Armand’s legion I Have Suspended Admiting of Him Untill He is Cleard By the information You May think proper to take—He Says Gnl Armand is His personal Ennemy.
duplessis Has a little Surprised our Simplicity—I Wish He may Have Been Himself Mistaken—But He is gone out of Europe.


Title: From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 10 March 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Biddle, Clement

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 10th March 1784

Since last post I have received the Lace & two-pole chain, accompanied by your favors of the 22d & 29th ulto for which I thank you.
From what you have written concerning the Sieves, it is to be feared I did not sufficiently explain myself in speaking to the

sizes of the meshes —You say, “the largest is of iron wire, as there was none of brass so coarse in Town”—& again, “the second & third are of brass wire, & there is no wire finer than of thirty meshes to an inch.” The coarseness, or finess of the wire was not what I had in contemplation, but the size of the meshes which were to be formed by that wire: you therefore have misunderstood me, or I misunderstand you—unless (which is more probable, & if the case is so, all things are yet right), the wire being imported in its woven state, was only to be had of the sizes mentioned in your letter, & which, with as much of the kind for boulting (32 to the inch) as will make one sieve, will answer all my purposes very well. Be so good as to let me know what you call a packet of edging; which you say is at various prices, from one to three Dollars—& how many yards, that is, what length a packet will cover—also the price of the plain blue, green, & yellow paper pr piece, with the number of yards in a piece —when I get your answer to these queries, I will determine at once whether to buy, or not to buy.
Mrs Washington joins in best wishes to Mrs Biddle & Mrs Shaw with, Dr Sir Your Most Obedt Servant

G: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Robert McCrea, 10 March 1784 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: McCrea, Robert

Letter not found: to Robert McCrea, 10 Mar. 1784. On 13 Mar. McCrea wrote to GW: “I never open’d yours of the 10th Inst, till this Moment.”


Title: To George Washington from Gerard Vogels, 10 March 1784
From: Vogels, Gerard
To: Washington, George

Sir
Philadelphia 10 March 1784.

Tho’ personally unknown to your Excellency I have the Honor to inclose an Address in Verse sent by a Lady in Holland who never dedicated her Poems but to Virtue and Heroism, & who after having sung the great deeds of the Roman Warrior Germanicus in her Native tongue, thought it just to offer up her last poetical Breath in praise of an Hero who is esteemed by All to have equalled either ancient or modern Ones.
Wishing the Remainder of your Excellency’s days as well as

those of your amiable Consort may be as Happy as the former have been Glorious. I remain with the highest Esteem Your Excellency’s Most Obedient & Most Humble Servant.

Gerard Vogels.


Title: From George Washington to John Witherspoon, 10 March 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Witherspoon, John

Revd Sir,
Mount Vernon 10th March 1784

The recourse which I have had to my papers since I returned home, reminds me of a question which you asked me in Philadelphia, respecting my Lands to the westward of the Allighaney mountains; to which I was unprepared, at that time to give a decided answer, either as to the quantity I had to let, or the terms upon which I would Lease them.
Upon examination, I find that I have Patents under the signature of Lord Dunmore, (while he administered the Govermt of this State) for about 30,000 acres; & Surveys for about 10,000 more; Patents for which were suspended by the disputes with Gt Britain, which soon follow’d the return of the warrts to the Land office.
Ten thousand acres of the above thirty lie upon the Ohio—the rest on the Great Kanhawa; a river nearly as large, & quite as easy in its navigation as the former—The whole of it is rich bottom land, beautifully situated on these rivers & abounding plentiously in Fish, wild fowl, and Game of all kinds.
The uppermost tract upon the Ohio (which I incline to lease) contains 2314 Acres, & begins about four miles below the mouth of the Little Kanhawa (there are two rivers bearing that name, the uppermost of which is about 180 miles below Fort Pitt by water) & has a front on the water of more than five miles. The next is 18 miles lower down, & contains 2448 acres; with a front on the river, & a large creek which empty’s into it, of four miles & upwards. Three miles below this again (on the same river) & just above what is called the Big Bend in Evans’s map, is a third tract of 4395, acres, with a river front of more than five miles.
Then going to the Great Kanhawa distant about twelve miles by land, but thirty odd to follow the meanders of the two rivers, and beginning within three miles of the mouth, I hold Lands on the right & left of the river, & bounded thereby, forty eight & an half miles; all of which (being on the margin of the river, & extending not more than from half a mile to a Mile back) is, as has been observed before, rich low grounds.
From this description of my Lands, with the aid of Evans’s or Hutchins’s map of that Country, a good general knowledge of

their situation may be obtained by those who incline to become adventurers in the settlement of them; but it may not be improper to observe further, that they were surveyed under the royal Proclamation of 1763 (granting to each commisioned & non-commissioned officer, according to his rank, & to the private Soldier, certain quantities)—and under a yet older proclamation from Mr Dinwiddie, then Lieutt Governor of the Colony; issued by the advice of his Council to encourage & benefit the military adventurers of the year 1754, while the Land office was shut against all other applicants: It is not reasonable to suppose therefore, that those who had the first choice; had five years allowed them to make it; and a large District to survey in; were inattentive either to the quality of the Soil, or the advantages of situation.
But supposing no pre-eminence in quality, the title to these Lands is indisputable; & by laying on the South East side of the ohio, are not subject to the claims of the Indians—consequently will be free from their disturbances; & from the disputes, which the settlers on the No. West side (when the Indians shall permit any), & even on the same side, lower down, will be involved in with one another; for it should seem, that there is already location upon location, & scarce any thing else talked of but land-jobbing & monopolies, before Congress have even settled the terms upon which the ceded Lands are to be obtained.
Having given this account of the Land, I am brought to another point which is more puzzling to me than description.
I have been long endeavouring to hit upon some mode, by which the Grantor & Grantees of these Lands, might be mutually considered, & equally satisfied; but find it no easy matter; as it is to be presumed that all adventurers, especially emigrants from foreign Countries, would not only chuse, but expect Leases for a long term. In this case, it is difficult in an infant Country, where lands rise progressively, & I might add rapidly in value, to fix upon a rent which will not in the first instance, startle the Tenant by its magnitude, or injure the Land-lord in the course of a few years by the inadequacy of it. What course then is to be taken?
To advance the rent periodically, in proportion to the supposed increasing value of the Land, is very speculative—And to leave it to the parties or their representatives—or to persons to

be chosen by them, at like stated periods to determine the increase of it, would not only be vague & uncertain, but more than probable open a door for many disputes, & prove very unsatisfactory to both sides. Yet, difficult as the case is, private & public considerations urging me thereto, I have come to a resolution which I am going to promulge in the Gazettes of this Country, by inserting an advertisement, of which the enclosed is a copy —leaving it optional in the Grantees to make choice of either.
Whether the terms there promulged, are sufficiently encouraging to the people of this Country, & inviting to strangers; or whether the latter might think so in the first instance, & change sentiments afterwards, upon seeing a wide, a wild & an extensive country before them, in which they may for ought I know, obtain good—tho’ not so valuable & pleasant spots, upon easier terms; is not with me to decide—experiment alone can determine it—But it is for me to declare, that I can not think of separating forever, from Lands which are beautifully situated upon fine navigable rivers; rich in quality & abundantly blessed with many natural advantages—upon less beneficial terms to myself.
The Leases for short tenures, if these should be preferred to either of the other two, could be attended with no great injury to me, because the improvements which (according to the conditions of them) are to be made thereon, will enable me, if I am not too sanguine in my expectation, to rent them thereafter upon more lucrative terms than I dare ask for either of the other two at present.
It has been my intention in every thing I have said, & will be so in every thing I shall say on this subject, to be perfectly candid; for my feelings would be as much hurt, if I shou’d deceive others by a too favourable description, as theirs would be who might suffer by the deception.
I will only add, that it would give me pleasure to see these Lands seated by particular Societies, or religeous Sectaries with their Pastors—It would be a mean of connecting friends in a small circle, & making life, in a new & rising Empire (to the Inhabitants of which, & their habits new comers would be strangers) pass much more agreeably, than in a mixed, or dispersed situation.
If a plan of this sort should be relished, it would be highly

expedient for an agent, in behalf of such Societies, to come out immediately to view the Lands & close a bargain; for nothing is more probable, than that each of the Tracts here enumerated may, if the matter is delayed, have settlers upon it; an intermixture with whom might not be agreeable.
The number of Families which these tracts agregately, or each one separately would accommodate, depends more upon the views of the occupiers, than on any other circumstance. The soil is capable of the greatest production, (such as Europeans have little idea of): for mere support then, the smallest quantity would suffice; which I mention in this place, because a plan for the settlement of them (under the information here given of the quantity, quality & situation) can be as well digested in Europe, as on the Land itself—so far as it respects support only; & is to be prefered to a waste of time in ascertaining on the spot, the number it would receive, & what each man shall have, before the association is formed.
I will make no apology, my good Sir, for the length of this Letter; presuming from your enquiries, when I had the pleasure of seeing you last in Philadelphia, that you would not be displeased at the information I now give you, & might have a wish to communicate it to others—My best wishes attend you; with sentiments of great esteem & respect I am revd Sir Your most obt & very humble Servant

G: Washington


Title: Enclosure: Advertisement: Ohio Lands, 10 March 1784
From: Washington, George
To:

Mount Vernon [c.10] March 1784

The Subscriber Would Lease about 30,000 acres of land on the Ohio & Great Kanhawa, for which he has had Patents ten or twelve years. Ten thousand of these, in three Tracts, lie upon the Ohio, between the mouth’s of the two Kanhawa’s; having a front upon the river of 15 miles, & beautifully border’d by it. The remaining 20,000 acres, in four other Surveys, lie upon the great Kanhawa, from the mouth, or near it, upwards. These four Tracts (together) have a margin upon that river, (by which they are bound) of more than forty miles.
After having said thus much of the Land, it is almost superfluous to add that the whole of it is river low grounds of the first quality—but it is essential to remark that a great deal of it may be converted into the finest mowing ground imaginable, with little or no labour. Nature, & the water-stops which have been made by the Beaver, having done more to effect this, than years of hard labour in most other rich soils; and that the Land back of these bottoms, must forever render the latter uncommmonly profitable for Stock, on account of the extensiveness of the range; as it is of a nature (being extremely broken) not to be seated or cultivated.
These lands may be had on three tenures: First—until Jany 1795, & no longer; Second—until Jany 1795, renewable every ten years forever. Third—for 999 years.
The Rents, conditions & priviledges as follow. First, An exemption from rent three years upon condition that five acres for every hundred, & proportionably for a greater or lesser quantity contained in the Lease, shall within that space be cleared & tilled, or in order for the latter; and a house, fit for the comfortable accommodation of the Tenant, erected on the premises.
Second, That before the expiration of the term of the Leases of the first tenure; or the first ten years of those of the second & third; a dwelling house of Brick or Stone, or of framed work

with a stone or brick chimney; & a good Barn, suited to the size of the Tenement shall be built thereon—an Orchard of good fruit, to consist of as many trees as there are acres specified in the lease, planted & enclosed; And five acres for every hundred, & proportionably for a greater or lesser quantity, improved into meadow; which—or the like quantity, shall always be retained for mowing.
Third—The land to be accurately measured to each grantee; who will be allowed to take in regular form (with an extension back proportioned to the front on the river) as much as his inclination, & ability may require; which quantity shall be secured to him and his Heirs, by Lease in the usual form, with proper clauses binding on Landlord & Tenant, for the performance of covenants.
Fourth. A Spanish milled Dollar of the present coin, shall pass in payment of the rent for six shillings; & other current Gold & Silver coin, in that proportion.
Fifth—The Staple commodity, or other article of produce (for the greater ease & convenience of the Tenant) may be substituted in lieu of money rents in the Leases, if the Parties, at, or before the first rent shall become due, can agree upon a medium value for it.
Sixth. If the exigency or policy of the State in which these Lands lie, should at any time impose a tax upon them, or their appendages; such tax is to be borne by the Tenant.
Seventh. These conditions &ca being common to the Leases of the three different tenures, the rent,
Of the First. Will be four pounds per ann: for every hundred acres contained in the Lease; & proportionably for a greater or lesser quantity.
Of the Second—one shilling for every acre contained in the Lease, until the year 1795. one shilling & six pence for the like quantity afterwards, ’till the year 1805. two shillings afterwards ’till the year 1815. And the like increase per acre every ten years ’till the rent amounts to, & shall have remained at, five shillings for the ten years next insuing—after which it is to increase three pence pr acre every ten years for ever.
Of the Third—Two shillings for every acre therein contained; at which it will remain for 999 years—the term for which it is granted.

The situation of these Lands is not only pleasant, but in any point of view in which they can be considered, must be exceedingly advantageous—for if the produce of the country, according to the ideas of some, shou’d go down the Mississippi, they are nearly as convenient for that transportation, having the Stream without any obstruction in it to descend, as those which are now settling about the Falls of the Ohio, & upon Kentuckey, (to the choice of which, among other reasons, people were driven by the Grants to the Officers & Soldiers, of which these are part, in the upper country, & from the impracticability of obtaining Lands in extensive bodies elsewhere) If it shou’d come by way of Fort Pitt, to Potomac, (which is the most  or to the Susquehannah—by the Great Kanhawa to James river—or by the Lakes Erie & Ontario to New York, they are infinitely more so—being, according to Hutchins’s table of distances, 422 miles, all of which is against the Stream, nearer to those markets than the Settlements last mentioned—And what, in the present situation of things, is a matter of no triffling consideration, no other claims can interfere with these—patents having been long granted for the Land, & the property of it well known; and besides, by laying on the So. East side of the Ohio can give no jealousy to the Indians—the proprietors of it therefore, may cultivate their Farms in peace, & fish, fowl & hunt without fear or molestation.
Altho’ I do not lay any stress upon it, the presumption being that the Indians during the late war, have laid all in ruins—yet it is of record in the Courts of Bottetourt & Fincastle (in which Counties the land did lay) that buildings, Meadows & other improvements which were made thereon in the years 1774 & 1775. designedly for the accommodation of Tenants, cost the subscriber, as appears by the oaths of sworn appraisers conformably to the directions of an act of the Assembly, of Virginia for seating and cultivating Lands, £1568:18:7½ equal to £1961.3.3—Maryland, Pennsylvania or Jersey currency.
These Lands being peculiarly well adapted for small Societies who may incline to live detached & retired; any such applying in a body or by their pastors or Agents, shall have every assistance & encouragement, which can with convenience & propriety be given by,

G: W——n


Title: From George Washington to Laurence Muse, 11 March 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Muse, Laurence

Sir,
Mount Vernon 11th March 1784

Having luckily found some printed blank Deeds, I am enabled to dispatch your business sooner than I expected.
The return of these Deeds to me, executed before proper Evidences, will entitle you to receive the Sum I expressed a willingness to pay you, on Accot of your Fathers expences to the Ohio.
Should Deeds (which I do not believe is the case) have been executed before for the 3323 acres specified in those now sent, no bad consequences can follow the second signing of them, as both would express the same thing but it would induce, & warrant my paymt of the above mentioned money, from which good may result.
I hope the Witnesses will be such as expect to attend the next Generl Court, that there may be no hazard of the proof—& the sooner I can get them returned to me the better, as the time is now short, or, instead of bringing them back to me, a letter from my friend Colo. Edmd Pendleton, assuring me that they are in his hands, properly executed, & that he will carry or send them to the Court for recording, will be preferable.
If no Deed should have passed for the 2000 acres in the other tract adjoining (which I am entitled to by purchase from Mr William Bronaugh) & which was to have been in exchange, with other considerations for the 3323 herein mentioned, I will, without delay, cause them to be executed; and, in the mean time, pass my Bond for the title. But from what you said respecting this matter, and from the tenor of your Fathers Letter to me of the 6th of Jany 1775—which I shewed you, there can

be little doubt of its having happened already. I am, Sir Your very humble Servt

G: Washington

PS. Not knowing whether your father has a wife living or not, I have drawn the release on that supposition.


Title: To George Washington from Francis Lightfoot Lee and Ralph Wormeley, Jr., 12 March 1784
From: Lee, Francis Lightfoot,Wormeley, Ralph Jr.
To: Washington, George

Sir—
Mount Airy [Va.] 12th march 1784

The inclosed letters were received last summer, but, as your public engagements, at that time, did not permit your return to Mount Vernon, nor give you leisure to advert to transactions of private concernment, we postponed laying them before you, till you had withdrawn yourself from those public and official engagements.
we are totally ignorant of the part Col. Tayloe took in this affair, which is the subject of Mr Montagu’s letter: we know the estate was sold, but, how it has been paid for; in what money; what has not been paid; and whether, any of the purchasers, may not have paid, be men of responsibility, are what we know not of; we should therefore esteem it a favor, if, you would inform us, as fully as you can, relative to this business, that from your knowledge and authority we may give Mr Montagu every light, that they may diffuse, we are with every degree of respect, and the highest esteem, Sir, your most obedient and most humble Servants

Francis Lightfoot Lee
Ralph Wormeley junr


Title: To George Washington from Bartholomew Dandridge, 13 March 1784
From: Dandridge, Bartholomew
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
New Kent [Va.] 13th March 1784.

It has given me great pleasure to hear you are arrived at home in safety & good health, I most sincerely congratulate you on this happy Event, and all others that have contributed to it, and wish you a long continuance of every Happiness you can desire.
I have endeavored to arrange the Affairs of Mr Custis’s Estate in such a manner as I judged most for it’s Interest, but I must own I have not succeeded in it agreably to my wishes or expectations, but when I have done the best I could I hope I may not be blamed for Consequences that I could not guard against. I have from time to time informed Mr Lund Washington of every material Circumstance that has attended the Estate since I took charge of it, of which I doubt not he has informed you and from that and my present Letter to him, you will have a full view of the present situation of Mr Custis’s Affairs. I endeavored to avoid troubleing you with them when you were at a distance and engaged in Matters of so much greater consequence, If you have now leisure to point out to me any thing that you think will be of advantage to Mr Custis’s Estate or Family, I shall be much obliged to you and will endeavor to conform to your directions.
I believe I can now spare the Young Stud Horse, & hope it will suit you to take him in part for your demand against Mr Custis’s Estate. I don’t doubt but we shall readily agree in the Price, and the Estate is not yet able to make you any other Payment.
Posey has fully answered your predictions of him, he has long since lost all sense of shame, and altho I was guarded against him, yet I could not prevent (even with much trouble), his injuring the Estate greatly in many respects. I am still pursuing such methods as I can to bring him to Justice, but his cuning is considerable, and his villany more than I can describe or you can conceive.
If you should ever Visit this part of the Country I hope for the pleasure of seeing you, if not I hope I shall be able to wait on you (about June next) when we may finally conclude what is

best to be done with Mr Custis’s Affairs. I have not heard from Doctor Stuart or his Lady since their Marriage. I have wrote to him & refered him to Mr Washington for an Account of the situation of the Estate, & expect soon to know his views & Intentions. The Estate in Fairfax & all transactions there I have always left to the management & care of Mr Washington who has been kind enough to comply with every request I have found it necessary to make to him.
My Mother and all our Family desire to be joined with me in a tender of their Esteem, Respect & Affection for you. I am Dear Sir Your most obedt Servt

B. Dandridge

Sir I imagine you can tell Mr Custis’s situation with Cary & Co. I have reed no Letter from that House.


Title: To George Washington from Robert McCrea, 13 March 1784
From: McCrea, Robert
To: Washington, George

Sir
Alex[an]d[ri]a [Va.] 13th March 1784

I never open’d yours of the 10th Inst, till this Moment, & all
I can say relative to the contents, is That I observe those Letters for your Excellency from the genl Post office comes free, & therefore I shall send yours free from this office untill there is orders, or reason, to the Contrary.
there was however one or two from other offices Marked, but have taken no Notice thereof. Your Dollar is returned by Your Excellencys Most obedt

Robert McCrea

One oClock
P.S. the post is Just Arrived from the South, but cannot proceed North for the river.


Title: To George Washington from Armand, 14 March 1784
From: La Rouërie, Armand-Charles Tuffin, marquis de
To: Washington, George

Sir
Philadelphia 14th march 1784

I have received a lettre from Grl duportail dated from paris the 24th decembre last in which, he gives me the following account of the succes which the order & society of the Cincinaty have in france.
The order of the Cincinaty has had great succes here, till this instant, the king has permitted the french officers who belong to it to wear the badge of it—every man would wishes to have it, & thoses who have not served the necessary time in the americain army endeavour to give a turn to their brevets & furlough which may obtain them the honor of wearing it—I assure you that it has made and make now more noise [t]here than it does in america, & the fact is, that there are many more for it than against—the officers of the french army are much flattered by that honorable distinction, & the Count de rochambeau make a superiore affair of it—the Mquis de la fayette who is Commissioned by the ordere to receive in it the french officers who served in america, receive dayly applications on the subject from persons who ought to be sensible that they have no right to be admitted.
as the character of cincinatus, so well marked by nature, acquired habilities & succes, in that one of your Exellency is the most part & honorable fundation of the order, I thought that the relation of my friend would be agreeable to you—and indeed to say or do any thing that may be agreeable to your Exellency, is the superior wishe Governing in my heart.
I have allmost finish’d & with succes the affaire of the legion & ingeneers, which give me the Expectation of being able to go

soon & pay my respects to your Excellency—in all probability it will be towards the later end of this month.1 have the honor to be with the highest respect Sir Your Exellency’s the most obdt hble svt

C. armand


Title: To George Washington from de Grasse, 15 March 1784
From: Grasse, Alexandre-François-Auguste de Grasse-Rouville, comte de (marquis de Tilly)
To: Washington, George

My Dear General
L’Orient [France] the 15th March 1784

I can not at this time answer the friendship with which you honor me unless it is by a proof of my confidence in you and I give it with pleasure.
I have the honor to send to you the memorials which I have submitted to the consideration of the Court Martial for their better information of my conduct.
The sincere desire I have to make you judge of this affair induces me to deviate from the order I have received not to communicate those memorials in print. I request you not to shew them to any body, or if you think proper to make use of them I wish you would have them transcribed.
I hope, my dear General that when you have read them with attention, you will be sensible that I have not deserved that you should change your opinion of me; But that all my fault on the 12th day of April 1782 was being unfortunate.
The Court martial assembled in this place for the determination of this affair will, I hope, determine soon.
I request your leave, my dear General to acquaint you with the issue whatsoever it may be.
I am waiting to hear from you with that impatience arising from the most sincere friendship; Do me the favour to let me hear from you the soonest possible. Depend always on the tender and respectful attachment with which I have the honor to be My Dear General Your Excellency’s Most obedient Humble Servant

The Count De Grass.Associated in the Cincinnati