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DIARY 
 
 OF 
 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON 
 
 ] 
 
 September-December 
 
 1785 
 
 EDITED BY 
 
 WORTHINGTON CHAUNCEY FORD 
 
 » 'J 
 
V 
 
 \ 
 
/ 
 
 DIARY 
 
 OF 
 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON 
 
 Septeimber-December 
 
 1785 
 
 EDITED BY 
 
 WORTHINGTON CHAUNCEY FORD 
 
 REPRINTED FROM 
 
 THE PUBLICATIONS 
 
 OF 
 
 €1)0 Colonial ^ocictv' of JtH^assacljusctts; 
 Vol. VII. 
 
 BOSTON 
 PRIVATELY PRINTED 
 
 1902 
 
1 
 
 250 copies printed. 
 
 muitofrsitD press: 
 John Wilson and Son, Camuridge, U.S.A. 
 
 
s--' 
 
 r.r 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 The following Diary was presented to The Colonial 
 Society of Massachusetts, at its meeting in February, 1901, 
 md is reprinted from its Transactions. As a record of 
 SVashington's daily life at Mount Vernon, in the few years 
 of rest accorded to him after the Revolution, it possesses a 
 peculiar interest. As a minute account of his agricultural 
 (Operations and experiments, it shows how much in advance 
 lof his time he was, and marks the economic development 
 in Maryland and Virginia which was making the employ- 
 ment of slaves ruinously costly and hopelessly inefficient. 
 As the Diary for later years is published, it will be recog- 
 nized that Washington was a true pioneer in the betterment 
 of Virw-inian ac^riculture. 
 
 W. C. F. 
 
DIARY OF GEORGE WASHINGTON. 
 
 27 September- 31 December, 1785. 
 
 SEPTEMBER— 1785. 
 
 Tuesday, ^7'A 
 
 Thermometer at 57 in the Morn"g. — 50 at noon — and 62 at 
 Night. Wind fresh from the N? West with flying clouds, and cold. 
 
 DoctF [James] Craik who came here last Night, returned this 
 jMorning to Maryland. 
 
 Wednesday, 2S'A 
 
 Thermometer at 68 in the Morn'g. — 60 at Noon and 62 at 
 Night. Morning lowering, with appearances of rain, but evening 
 clear, wind still to the NPward. 
 
 Doctr [Walter] Jenifer and his wife came here to Dinner and 
 went away after it, to Col? MPCarty's. 
 
 Mr. Taylor having finished the business which brought him 
 here, I sent him up to Alexandria to take a passage in the Stage, 
 for New York.^ 
 
 1 Congress was about to bring before the British Government the losses of 
 pi'operty by citizens of the States at the time of the evacuation of New York. 
 A number of negro slaves and servants had been sent or allowed to go to Nova 
 /Scotia and other places, a loss which concerned more particularly the Soutliern 
 states. Washington held the papers and correspondence which passed between 
 lim and the British commander in chief, the "good" Sir Guy Carleton, and it 
 i'as to obtain copies of the more important that Mr. Taylor, a clerk in the 
 jffice of Foreign Affairs, had been sent to INIount Vernon. Washington wrote 
 to Jay on September 27tli : — 
 
 " Mr. Taylor presented me the lioiior of j-our favor of the 25th ultimo, and f^ave mc 
 the pleasure of hearing that Mrs. Jay, yourself, and family were well when he left New 
 Vork. Upon your safe return to your native coixntry, after a long absence and the im- 
 portant services you have rendered it iu many interesting negotiations, I very sincerely 
 congratulate you and your lady. It gave me great pleasure to hear of your late ap- 
 pointment as secretary of the United States for the department of foreign affairs. A 
 !liapi)ier ciioice, in my opinion, could not have been made ; and I shall always rejoice at 
 any circumstances, that will contribute either to your honor, interest, or convenience. 
 
 " Having completed his nnssion, Mr. Taylor returns to you with the proceedings and 
 report of the commissioners, who were sent into New York to insjject the embarkation, 
 
Thursday, £?y^. 
 
 Thermometer at 60 in the Morning — Qq at noon— and QQ at 
 night. Day clear, and not much wind, especially in the Afternoon. 
 
 Mr. Sanders, an undertaker in Alexandria, came down between 
 breakfast & Dinner to advise a proper mode of shingling, putting 
 Copper in the Gutters between the Pediments & Dormants, and the 
 Roof and to conduct the water along the Eves to Spouts, & pro- 
 mised to be down again on Tuesday next to see the work properly 
 begun : — 
 
 Friday, 30'A 
 
 Thermometer at 60 in the Morn'g. — 68 at noon — and 70 at 
 night. Day clear, wind pretty brisk from the Southward — till 
 the evening when it veered more to the Eastward. 
 
 Mr. Hunter, and the right Hon"° Fred: von Walder, Cap*P in the 
 Swedish Navy —introduced by M"; Rich:^ Sodarstrom i came here 
 to Dinner and returned to Alexandria Afterwards, —in the eve- 
 ning a Mf Tarte, introduced by a letter from M": Dowry of Black 
 river came in to request my sentiments respecting some entry's 
 they, in Partnership, had made in the Great Dismal Swamp, which 
 I gave unreservedly, that they had no right to. 
 
 One of the Howard Bitches W^.'> was sent to me from France ^ 
 brought forth 15 puppies this day ; 7 of which (the rest being as 
 many as I thought she could rear) I had drowned. 
 
 Run round the ground which I designed for the Paddock for 
 Deer & find it contains, 18a 3r 20P. Began again to smooth the 
 Face of the Lawn, or Boiling Green on the West front of My 
 House — what I had done before the Rains proving abortive. 
 
 OCTOBER. 
 
 Saturday, first. 
 
 Thermometer at QQ in the morning— 70 at noon — and 72 at 
 night. Southerly wind and clear. i 
 
 which. },y the by, was little more than a farce, as they inspected no more property thaii^ 
 the Hritish chose they should be witness to the embarkation of. It will always -ive mf 
 plea.sure to hear from you. Mrs. Washington joins me in most respectfnl comprimeuts 
 and best wishes for yourself and Mrs. Jay, and I am, dear Sir, yours, &c." ; 
 
 • Swedisli consul at Boston. 2 ^ gift from Lafayette. 
 
]>egan to raise a scaffold for shingling the Front side of my 
 House, next the Court Yard. Rid to my River, Muddy hole, and 
 Dogue run Plantations. 
 
 Doct^ [David] Stuart ^ came in whilst we were at Dinner & stayed 
 all night.2 
 
 Sunday, 2-. 
 
 Thermometer at 70 in the Morning — 76 at noon — and at 
 night. Weather warm — forenoon clear, afternoon lowering. 
 
 Went with Fanny Bassett, Burwell Bassett, Doct^ [DavidJ 
 Stuart, G[eorge] A[ugustine] Washington, M!" [William] Shaw^ k 
 Nelly Custis to Pohick Church ; to hear a Mf Thompson preach, 
 who returned home with us to Dinner where I found the Rev*^. 
 Mr Jones,* formerly a Chaplain in one of the Pennsylvania 
 Regiments. 
 
 After we were in Bed (about eleven o'clock in the evening) 
 M^ Houdon, sent from Paris by Doctl' Franklin and Mr. Jefferson 
 to take my Bust, in behalf of the State of Virginia, with three 
 young men assistants, introduced by a MT Perin a French Gentle- 
 man of Alexandria, arrived here by water from the latter place.^ 
 
 ^ Stuart had married Eleanor Calvert, the widow of .lohii Parke Custis. 
 
 2 See letter to Jonathau Trumbull, p. 60, post. 
 
 ^ William Shaw who served as Washington's secretary from 2G July, 1785, 
 to the arrival of Tobias Lear in May, 17SG. 
 
 * Probably Rev. David Jones, who was appointed, 27 April, 1776, chaplain 
 of the Foui'th Pennsylvania Battalion (Colonel Anthony Wayne's). On 1 
 January, 1783, he was transferred to the Third Pennsylvania, served as 
 chaplain of the Northern army under Wayne in 1794, and was chaplain in 
 the war of 1812. lie died 5 February, 1S20, aged 8-4. 
 
 ^ Iloudon had come to the United Status in the vessel with Dr. Franklin, 
 reaching Philadelpliia on the fourteenth of September. Franklin wrote to 
 Washington on the twentieth of September : — 
 
 " He is here, but the materials and instruments lie sent down the Seine from Paris 
 not being arrived at Havre when we sailed, he was obliged to leave them, and is now 
 busied iu supplying himself here." 
 
 Washington, in acknowledging Franklin's letter, wrote on the twenty-sixth : — 
 
 " Wlien it suits M. Houdon to come hither, I will accommodate him in the best man- 
 ner I am able, and shall endeavor to rcuder his stay as agreeable as I can." 
 
 On the same day he wrote to Iloudon : — 
 
 "By a letter, which I have lately had tlie honor to receive from Dr. Franklin at 
 Philadelphia, I am informed of your arrival at that place. Many letters from very 
 
Monday, 3^. 
 
 Thermometer at 70 in the Morning — 68 at noon — and QQ at 
 night. Wind at S? West, weather variable until noon when it be- 
 came more cloudy & dripping towards evening it began to Rain 
 and the night was wet. 
 
 The two Reverend Gentlemen who dined and lodged here, went 
 away after breakfast.^ 
 
 Tuesday, Jf,-. 
 
 Thermometer at 63 in the Morning — 62 at noon. — and 60 at 
 night. Wind at S? West, veering more Westerly. JMorning, 
 wet, and till noon dripping clear afterwards, and wind fresh. 
 
 Wednesday , 5. 
 
 Thermometer at 60 in the morn'g. — at noon — and 68 at night. 
 Brisk wind from the Southward all day. Weather clear. 
 
 Stripped the Shingles of the South Side of the Pediment of the 
 West front of the House, in expectation of Mr, Sanders's coming 
 to direct the shingling of it, bat he never appeared. 
 
 ColP Ramsay introducing a M^ M'^Comb, <fe a M^ Lowry ; dined 
 
 here and went away afterwards. Mr. Perin went from this after 
 
 Breakfast, 
 
 Thursday, 6-. 
 
 Thermometer at 65 in the morning — 65 at noon — and 66 at 
 night. Flying Clouds and a Rainbow, in the Morning with but 
 little Wind ; drippings of rain, more or less all day. 
 
 Mf Burwell Bassett, and Mf [William] Shaw set out after Break- 
 fast for Dumfries. 
 
 The appearance of the day and the impracticability of giving 
 on ace? of the clammyness of the Earth an even face to any more 
 
 respectable characters in France, as well as the Doctor's, inform ine of the occasion ; for 
 which, though the cause is not of my seeking, I feel the most agreeable and grateful 
 sensations. I wish the object of your mission had been more worthy of the masterly 
 genius of the first statuary in P^urope ; for thus you are represented to me. 
 
 " It will give me pleasure, Sir, to welcome you to this seat of my retirement ; and 
 whatever I have, or can procure, that is necessary to your pur])oses, or convenient and 
 agreeable to your wishes, you must freely command, as inclination to oblige you will bo 
 among the last things in which I shall be found deficient, cither on your arrival or dur- 
 ing your stay. With sentiments of esteem, I am. Sir, &c." 
 
 ^ See letter to John Page, p. 61, post. 
 
9 
 
 of my lawn, until tlio gr'-, sliould q-o(; dryer of wliicli there is no 
 iinnicdiiite prospect, I sowed what was levelled & smoothed of it, 
 with English grass seeds ; — and as soon as the top was so dry, as 
 not to stick to the Roller, I rolled and cross rolled it ; — first with 
 a light wooden roller, and then with a heavy wooden roller, with 
 a view of compressing the ground — -smoothing the Surface of it, & 
 to bury the seeds. 
 
 Mr Sanders not coming according to expectation I began with 
 my own people to shingle that part of the Roof of the House w'^'' 
 was stripped yesterday, & to copper the Gutters, &c'^ 
 
 Friday, 7-. 
 
 Thermometer at 62 in the morning — 64 at noon — and — at 
 night Wind Southwardly all day, and weather clear, warm & 
 pleasant. 
 
 Sat today, as I had done yesterday, for Mf Iloudon to form my 
 bust. 
 
 jM" Jenifer, wife of DoctT Walter Jenifer, dined here and re- 
 turned afterwards; and Doct' [James] Craik came here in the 
 afternoon, and stayed all night. 
 
 AP [William] Shaw and M^ Bassett returned from Dumfries 
 about noon. — & Doct^ Brown came in the afternoon to visit a sick 
 servant of the M!" Bassetts, & returned. 
 
 Finished trenching my Lawn the spading of which had rec'? 
 several interruptions by odd Jobs intervenhig. the ground get- 
 ting a little drier I began again to level tt smooth it. Plowed 
 up a Cow pen in order to sow the ground with orchard grass 
 seeds. 
 
 Saturday/, <V^. 
 
 Thermometer at 63 in the Morning — 66 at Noon. — and 68 at 
 night. But little wind — weather clear and exceedingly pleasant. 
 
 Sowed the ground which was plowed yesterday, and which 
 might amount to about a quarter of an acre, with near half a 
 Bushel of the Orchard grass seeds, which was neitlier very clean 
 nor I fear not very good. Also sowed with English grass seeds, 
 as much more of the Lawn as I could get levelled & smoothed and 
 rolled it in the same manner as that on Thursday last was done. 
 
10 
 
 Sunday^ 0'-. 
 
 Thermometer at 64 in the Morn'g. — 70 at noon — and 70 at 
 night. Morning and Evening lowering. Midday tolerably clear, 
 warm & pleasant. 
 
 Accompanied by M f Houdon and the two Mr. Bassetts attended 
 the Funeral of M^ Manley at the Plantation of M": Will™ Triple tt 
 and returned to Dinner. 
 
 3Iondaij, KM. 
 
 Thermometer at G8 in the morn'g. — 70 at noon — and 74 at 
 night. Thunder about day. Morning threatening, but clear & 
 pleasant afterwards. 
 
 A M^ Jn? Lowe, on his way to Bishop Seabury for ordination 
 called and dined here. Could not give him more than a general 
 certificate founded on information, respecting his character; — 
 having no acquaintance with him ; nor any desire to open a cor- 
 respondence with the nrw ordained Bishop. 
 
 Observed the process for preparing the Plaister of Paris & 
 mixing of it, according to M^PIoudon. The oven being made 
 hotter than it is usually heated for Bread. The Plaister which 
 had been previously broken into lumps — that which was hard, to 
 about the size of a pullets egg ; and that which was soft, and 
 could be broken with the hands larger ; was put in about Noon, 
 and remained until night ; where, upon examination, it was fur- 
 ther continued until the morning without any removal of the heat 
 in the oven, which was close stopped. Having been sufficiently cal- 
 cined by this operation, it was pulverized (in an iron Mortar) & sifted 
 for use through a fine lawn sieve, & kept from wet. When used, it 
 is put into a Bason, or other vessel with water sifted through the 
 fingers, 'till the water is made as thick as Loblolly — or very thick 
 cream. as soon as the plaister is thus put into the water, it is 
 beat with an Iron spoon (almost flat) until it is well mixed, and 
 must be immediately applied to the purpose for which it is in- 
 tended, with a Brush or whatever else best answers, as it begins to 
 turn hard in, four or five minutes, and in seven or ten cannot be 
 used, & is fit for no purpose afterwards, as it will not bear wetting 
 a second time, for this reason no more must be mixed at a time 
 than can be used within the sj^ace just mentioned. The brush 
 
11 
 
 (common painters) must be put into water as soon as it is used, and 
 the plaister well squeezed out, or this also becomes very hard, in 
 this case to clear it, it must be beaten till the plaister is reduced to 
 a powder, & then washed. 
 
 Tuesday, IP^. 
 
 Thermometer at 68 in the Morning — 70 at Noon — and 71 at 
 night. A very heavy fog until near 10 O clock, with very little 
 wind from the eastward, from thence till five P. M. it was toler- 
 ably clear ; when it clouded again, & looked like rain. 
 
 Sowed more English grass seed on all the ground that had been 
 levelled, & smoothed on the Lawn. 
 
 Began the foundation of the House at the Southwest corner of 
 the South Garden. 
 
 Mr Dulany, Mf Sanderson and MF Potts dined here and returned 
 afterwards to Alexandria. 
 
 After dark it began to rain and continued to do so fast more or 
 less, all night — which appeared to have washed all the seeds (at 
 least all the Chaff with its contents) which had been just sowed 
 from the ground, and carried it to the lowest parts of it. 
 
 Wednesday, 13^. 
 
 Thermometer at G6 in the Morning — 64 at noon — and 62 at 
 night. 
 
 The Kain which fell last night had made the ground so wet that 
 I could neither level, or in any manner work it. I was obliged 
 therefore to employ the labourers thereon in other Jobs. 
 
 Mr. Livingston (son of Peter Vonbrugh Livingston of New York) 
 came to Dinner & stayed all night, and in the evening M^ [James] 
 Madison arrived. 
 
 Wind at N? E^ and thick weather all day ; and fine rain with 
 intervals. 
 
 Thursday, 13'A 
 
 Thermometer at 62 in the Morning — 62 at Noon — and 62 at 
 Night. Wind at N? E* all day and raining more or less, some- 
 times hard. 
 
 Mr Livingston, notwithstanding the Rain, returned to Alexan- 
 dria after dinner A Suspension of all out doors work. 
 
12 
 
 Fridaij, L^<h. 
 
 Thermometer at 62 in the Morning — 65 at noon — and 66 at 
 night. Lowering most of the day, but no Avind. 
 
 Mr. Madison went away after Breakfast, My Chariot which went 
 up for, brought down Miss Sally Ramsay & Miss Kitty Washing- 
 ton, to be Bridesmaid to-morrow at the wedding of Miss [Frances] 
 Bassett. 
 
 Mr George [Augustine] Washington & M' Burwell Bassett, 
 went to the Clerk's office & thence to Col? Mason's for a license & 
 returned to Dinner, having accomplislied their business. 
 
 The ground being too wet, I employed the labourers who had 
 been levelinfr the Lawn in cleaning: & weeding the Shrubberies. 
 
 Satnrday^ 16-. 
 
 Thermometer at 66 in the Morn'g. — 68 at noon — and 68 at 
 night. A Heavy lowering Morning with the wind at South — 
 clear afternoon and fine evening. 
 
 The Reverend Mr, Grayson, and Doct!" Griffith, Lund Washing- 
 ton, his wife, & Miss Stuart came to Dinner, all of whom, remained 
 the evening except^ L. W. After the candles were lighted George 
 Aug. Washington and Frances Bassett were married by Ah\ Gray- 
 son. 
 
 The ground continuing too wet to level, the labourers worked in 
 the Shrubberies. Put two thousand of the Common Chestnuts 
 into a box with dry Sand, a layer of each — & two hundred of 
 the Spanish Chestnuts in like manner to plant out in the Spring. 
 These were put into Sand in a day or two after they were taken 
 from the trees. 
 
 Sunday^ IG'-. 
 
 Thermometer at 66 in the Morn'g. — 68 at noon — and 72 at 
 night. Morning thick and lowering, with appearances of rain 
 which vanished about noon, after which it was clear and very 
 pleasant — wind continuing at South. 
 
 Mr. Grayson went away very early in the morning, & Mr. 
 Griffith, M"" Lund Washington and Miss Stuart after Dinner. 
 
Monday^ 17'-^. 
 
 Thermometer at 68 in the INIorning — at Noon and at 
 
 Night. Foggy and lowering Morning witli but little wind — 
 clear afterwards, and wind at N'? West & Cool. 
 
 Set out to meet the Directors of the Potomack Navigation i at 
 George Town. Where having all assembled, we proceeded to- 
 wards the Great Falls, and dispersing for the convenience of ob- 
 taining quarters, Govf [Thomas] Johnson and I went to W. Bryan 
 Fairfax. Govf [Henry] Lee, Col" [John] Fitzgerald, Mr. Potts 
 the Secretary, Mr. Rumsay2 the Manager, & I\P Stuart the assist- 
 ant, went to a Ml' Wheelers near the G* Falls. Col" [George] 
 Gdpin — I should have said before had proceeded on to prepare 
 the way for levelling kc\ at that place, in the Morning. 
 
 Tuesday, 1,S'A 
 
 Thermometer at — in tlie Morning — at noon — and — at night. 
 
 After an early breakfast at M^ Fairfax's, Gov": [Thomas] Join- 
 son & I set out for the Falls (accompanied by Mr. Fairfax) where 
 we met the other Directors and Col" [George] Gilpin in the opera- 
 tion of levelling the ground for the proposed cut or canal from the 
 place where it is proposed to take the water out to the other 
 where it will be let into the river again. In the highest of 
 which, and for near 70 rod, it is between five & seven feet 
 higher than the surface of the water at the head. After which it 
 descends, & for at least 300 yards, at the lower end rapidly — this 
 cut upon the whole, does not appear to be attended with more 
 difficulty than was apprehended, for tho' the ground is higlierthan 
 was expected, it appears from some experiments of sticking a 
 spiked stake down in those parts, that there is two or 3 feet of soft 
 earth at Top, & the lower end of the canal well calculated to re- 
 ceive locks to Advantage ; as also to dam the water to throw it 
 back into the canal & thereby reduce the digging w*=^ may also be 
 done at the head by loose stones being thrown into the River to a 
 Rocky Island. The length of the cut from the work of today, is 
 found to be about 2400 yards, a little more or less upon exact 
 measure west. 
 
 1 See letter to Richard Henry Lee, p. 58, post. 2 j^mes Rumsey. 
 
14 
 
 Took a view of the River from the Spout, or Cateract to the pro- 
 posed entrance of the canal below, to see if I could discover (as 
 some supposed there was) the advantage of a canal on the Mary- 
 land side in preference to one on this, — but saw no likely appear- 
 ances of it. About 400 y*^' below the Cateract, there is a cove 
 into which emptys a small part of the river, tho' deep & steep 
 rocks on both sides which is a good defence to it, and some little 
 distance below this again, is another cove but how a canal was to 
 be brought thither I could not (having the river between) dis- 
 cover — however at and below both — is rapid water, one little, if 
 any inferior to the Spout at Shanondoah. Having taken a rough 
 level of the proposed cut, — formed general ideas for the Canal, 
 determined to go on with it this winter, as soon as our operations 
 on the water on ace* of the season must cease & come to some 
 resolutions respecting the hire^ of negros, we broke up after dark 
 & I returned to Mf Fairfax's. 
 
 Wednesday, 19-. 
 
 Tliermometer at — in the Morn'^. at noon — and — at night. 
 Wind which had been at N? W yesterday, & clear — had now 
 shifted to the S!' E* and lowered till night, when it began to rain, 
 which it did more or less through the night, the wind blowing 
 fresh. 
 
 Immediately after breakfast I sat out for my return home at 
 which I arrived a little after noon, and found my Brother J\\° his 
 Wife,i Daughter Milly,^ & Sons Bushrod ^ & Corbin,* & the wife 
 of the first. M^ Will": Washington ^ & his wife & 4 children, & 
 Col° [Thomas] Blackburn, to whom was added in the evening Mf 
 Will'" Craik. 
 
 Mr Iloudon having finished the business which bro* him liitlier, 
 went up on Monday with his People, work, and impliments in My 
 
 1 Hannah Bushrod, daughter of Colonel John Bushrod, of Westmoreland 
 County. 
 
 2 Mildred, who married Thomas Lee. 
 
 8 Bushrod, married in 1783, Anne, daughter of Colonel Thomas Blacklmrn, 
 of Prince William County. Died without issue. 
 
 * CorVjin, married Hannah, daughter of Richard Henry Lee. 
 
 ^ Probably the son of Augustine, the uncle of the General. William married, 
 in 1780, Jane, daughter of John Augustine Washington, and died about 1792. 
 
15 
 
 Barge to Alexandria, to take a Passage in the stage for Pliiladel- 
 pliia the next luoniing. 
 
 Sowed (after making good the vacancies of tlie former) about a 
 pint of the Cape of Good Hope wheat sent me by M!' [Samuel] 
 Powell of Philadelphia, in 14 rows alongside of the other in tlie 
 enclosure behind the stables. Also, sowed about a table spoonful 
 of the Buffaloe or Kentucke River sent me b}^ Doct' [David] 
 Stuart alongside of the Guinea grass at the foot of the above 
 wheat & continuance of the rows thereof. 
 
 Tlmrsday, 20^. 
 
 Thermometer at 67 in the Morn'*'. 06 at noon — and 65 at 
 night. Wind fresh at South east and weather threatening, 
 with Showers of rain (some pretty heavy) through the day. 
 
 George [Augustine] Washington & his wife, Bushrod Washing- 
 ton his wife, Sister & Brother, the two M^ Bassetts,i M^ [William] 
 Craik and Mr [William] Shaw notwithstanding the weather set 
 out for the races at Alexandria, and were disappointed of seeing 
 them, as they were put off they did not return. 
 
 Friday^ £?i^. 
 
 Thermometer at 57 in the morning — 55 at noon — and 53 at 
 night. Flying Clouds and cold with appearances of snow, wind 
 being at N*; West. 
 
 My Brother, My Will™ Washington and his wife went up with 
 me to this days races at Alexandria — We dined at CoP. Ramsays 
 & returned in the evening with the company who w^ent from here 
 the day before, except M' W" Washington the two Mr. Bassetts 
 
 and M": Shaw. 
 
 Saturday ^2^. 
 
 Thermometer at 52 in the Morning — 52 at Noon — and 52 at 
 night. Wind at N? West and fresh, & cold with appearances of 
 unsettled weather. 
 
 Went up again today, with My Brother and the rest of the 
 Gentlemen to the Race & dined at M^ Herberts, all returned ex- 
 cept Mr Jn" Bassett who got hurt in the race field, & M! Shaw. 
 Mr. Will'" Scott came here in the evening, from Alexandria. 
 
 1 Juliii and IJurwell. 
 
16 
 
 Sunday, 33-^. 
 
 Thermometer at 50 in the INIorn''^', 06 at Noon — and 59 at 
 Night. Fine & pleasant all day with the wind at South. no 
 frost as was expected. 
 
 My Brother, his wife, Daughter and son ; Mf Will™ Washington 
 his wife & 4 Children; M^ Bush rod Washington & wife ; and MF 
 [William] Scott all went away after Breakfast. M^ Jn°. Bassett & 
 Mr Shaw came home in the forenoon, and Mr. Fitzhugh of Chatham, 
 Gen! [Alexander] Spots wood, M^ McCarty of Pope Creek, and a 
 Col*^ Middleton of South Carolina came here to dinner, & went away 
 afterwards. 
 
 Perceived the Orchard Grass seeds which I sowed on the 8*5 
 Instt. in the same inclosure of the Turnips, to be coming up thick 
 and well. 
 
 MondaT/, 3J^. 
 
 Thermometer at 56 in the Morning — 58 at noon — and 58 
 at night. Variable & squally — with a little rain — wind at 
 South in the Morning and Westerly afterwards. 
 
 The two M^ Bassetts (Burwell and John) left this after break- 
 fast to return home. In the Afternoon Doct^ [James] Craik 
 came in, and stayed all night. 
 
 I rid to my Plantations at the Ferry, Dogue run, and Muddy 
 hole, found the orchard grass seeds which had been sowed at Dogue 
 run come up very well — as — the Timothy also had — and that 
 my cornfield now that the Fodder was taken off, looked miserably 
 bad. the wheat on the other hand very good. 
 
 Tuesday, 35th. 
 
 Thermometer at 54 in the Morn'*^. 58 at noon — and 56 at 
 night. Forenoon clear and serene and pleasant; but the afternoon 
 windy & cold, with flying clouds — wind about West. 
 
 Doct^ [James] Craik went away before Breakfast — he intended 
 to Alex? but was to call upon John Alton. 
 
 Rid to my Plantation in the neck — found my corn & Wheat there 
 similar with those at the other plantations as described yesterday. 
 Finding the seeds of the Honey locust had come nearly or quite to 
 a state of maturity although the thick part of the pod still retained 
 
17 
 
 its green colour I had them gathered lest when ripe they should 
 be gathered by others, to eat. 
 
 Wednesdaij, 26'A 
 
 Thermometer at 50 in the Morn'*^ — 50 at noon — and 56 at 
 Night. A large white frost this morning Wind brisk and cold 
 from the N^West all the day, after 9 "'clock. 
 
 Took the cover off my dry well to see if I could not fix it 
 better for the purpose of an Ice House, by arching the Top, and 
 planking the sides. 
 
 Having received by the last Northern Mail advice of the arrival 
 at Boston of one of the Jack Asses presented to me by His Catho- 
 lic Majesty, I sent my overseer, John Fairfax, to conduct him, and 
 his keeper, a Spaniard home safe, addressing him to Leiut* Gov- 
 ernor [Thomas] Gushing, from whom I received the information. 
 
 Sent to ]\Iorris (Overseer of My Dogue run Plantation) a 
 Bushel of clover seed (reserving, six pounds to sow as fast as he 
 could get the ground which is intended for the reception of it, in 
 order. Yesterday I transplanted a carnation cherry tree, an apri- 
 cot tree, which were within the Lawn before the door into the 
 North Garden, little expecting that either will live, the first being 
 33 inches in circumference the latter 21 inches and a good deal 
 decayed. 
 
 Finished the shingling on the West front of the House. 
 
 Thursday, 37th. 
 
 Thermometer at 50 in the Morn'*''. 56 at noon — and 58 at 
 night. A remarkably great white frost and the ground a little 
 frozen Wind Southerly all day, after it rose in the morning, but 
 not very fresh. forenoon clear — but the afternoon, especially 
 toward the Suns setting a little hazy & lowering. 
 
 M^ Battaile Muse came here before dinner but would not stay 
 to it. After finishing some business with me respecting my 
 Tenants — and my agreeing to allow him Six p'' C* for collecting 
 my Rents, he went up to Alexandria. Purchased 1000 Bushels 
 of Wheat of him, to be delivered as fast as he could have it bro* 
 down, at My Mill — for wliicli I am to give six shillings in March 
 next, or when he comes here in April. 
 
18 
 
 Began to put up my Hogs at the different Plantations, to fatten 
 for Porke. 
 
 Friday, SS'\ 
 
 Thermometer at 54 in the Morning — GO at Noon — and 62 at 
 Night. Wind Southerly ; clear and pleasant all day. 
 
 Finished levelling and Sowing the lawn in front of the H° in- 
 tended for a I)olling Green as far as the Garden Houses. Also 
 began to sow Clover seeds at Dogue Run Plantation. 
 
 Saturday, 29tJi. 
 
 Thermometer at 50 in the Morning 64 at noon — and 65 at 
 night. Morning clear, calm, and very pleasant — about noon it 
 began to lower a little, and continued to do so all the afternoon. 
 
 Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry and Dogue run — at the last 
 of which finished sowing the Clover seed which I sent there the 
 26^. With this I mixed 9 Bushels of the pounded Plaister of Paris ; 
 and sowed the whole on about 4^ acres of Ground (on the side of 
 the run along the old mill race.) as near as I could judge from 
 stepping it. 
 
 Sunk the inner well in the Dry well now fitting up for an ice 
 house, about 8 feet untill I came to a pure sand. 
 
 W^. [David] Stuart & Child Naney, »& Miss. Allan came here 
 this evening. 
 
 Sunday, 30th. 
 
 Thermometer at 64 in the Morning — 63 at noon — and 60 at 
 night. Thunder and lightning about day Break and Raining 
 More or less all day, attended in the forenoon with very high 
 wind from the Westward. 
 
 MF [William] Shaw went up to Alexandria after Breakfast, & 
 stayed all night. 
 
 Monday, 31-^. 
 
 Thermometer at 52 in the Morn'? 54 at noon — and bQ at 
 Night. A raw and moist air, with a Westerly wind — & lowering 
 Sun. 
 
 M' Shaw returned to Breakfast & M"".* [David] Stuart, Miss. 
 Allan &C'' went away after it. 
 
 A Cap* [Richard] Fullerton came here to Dinner on business, 
 
19 
 
 of the State Society of the Cincinnati of Pensylvania, for whom I 
 signed 250 Diplomas as President. Went away after. 
 
 Sent half a Bushel of Clover Timothy seed to Morris — to sow 
 at Doeg run Plantation. 
 
 NOVEMBER. 
 
 Tuesday, 1^. 
 
 Thermometer at 50 in the Morning — 5G at Noon — and 50 at 
 night. A white frost. — and damp kind of a Morning, with but 
 little wind, rather hazy all day & towards evening lowering. 
 
 Rid to my Plantations at Dogue run and Muddy hole — at the 
 former preparing, & sowing Ground with Timothy seed. 
 
 ]\P? Fendall, M"".^ Lee & Miss Flora Lee, daughter of the former 
 with DoctF Skinner came here to Dinner, and stayed all night. 
 
 A Mr Sacket from Tygers Valley on the monongahela, and 
 another person came here before Dinner and showed me some 
 propositions they had to make to Congress for a large territory of 
 Country West of the Ohio, which I discouraged them from offer- 
 ing, as I was sure they never would be acceded to by that body. 
 
 Wednesday, fi*^. 
 
 Thermometer at 58 in the Morn'^ 58 at Noon — and — at 
 night. A very thick, damp morning & heavy Fog until about 
 9 O'clock when it began to Rain ; & continued to do so until 
 noon, when it thinned and looked as if it would be fair, but soon 
 recommenced raining, which last-, until near Night. 
 
 Perceived the wheat from the Cape, which had been sent to me 
 by AP [Samuel] Powell of Philad? »fc which I sowed on the 19'? 
 of last Month had come up very well. The Guinea Grass in my 
 Botanical garden was as much injured b}' the frosts which we 
 have had, and the colour of the blade as much changed, as those 
 of Indian corn would have been from the same cause. Could per- 
 ceive none of the Guinea Grass up which I sowed in the In- 
 closure behind Stable (old vine yard) on the 1".* day of Sep'. 
 
 Thursday, S-, 
 
 Thermometer at 54, in the Morning — 60 at Noon — and 58 at 
 night. ^Morning clear, calm, and very pleasant ; but the wind 
 
20 
 
 springing up about 10 O Clock in the jS'!' West, & blowing pretty 
 fresh, it turned cool towards evening. 
 
 Borrowed a scow from Col? [George] Gilpin, with which to 
 raise mud from the Bed of the river or Creek, to try the efficacy of 
 it as a Manure, and sent it to the river Plantation for that purpose, 
 went over there Myself to mark off a piece of ground to spread it 
 on after it should get mellowed by frosts of y^ winter. 
 
 ]Mrs. Feudal, Mr^ & Miss [Flora] Lee & Docf Skinner went away 
 breakfasting, first. 
 
 Took up 11. Fines of a large size & planted them in the green 
 brier hedge & circle at the extremity of the Lawn within the Gate. 
 
 Friday, J^tli 
 
 Thermometer at 52 in the Morn'^. at noon — and 60 at night. 
 Lowering, and the wind very brisk from the S" West in the Morn- 
 ing ; but clear, calm warm, and very pleasant afterwards. 
 
 Raised the heavy frame in my House today — and planted 16 
 Pines in the avenues on my Serpentine Walks. 
 
 Rid to ray Dogue run Plantation, where they were still prepar- 
 ing ground for, & sowing of Timothy seed — went from thence to 
 i\P Lund Washingtons, on a visit to M!' Rob* Washington who 
 was gone up to Alexandria. Returned home by the way of 
 Muddy hole. 
 
 In the evening a M^ Jn° Fitch came in, to propose a draft & 
 
 model of a Machine for promoting navigation, by means of a 
 
 Steam. 
 
 Saturday, 5-. 
 
 Thermometer at 60 in the MornX 64 at noon — and 65 at 
 Night. Morning a little lowering with the wind pretty brisk from 
 the Southward until about noon when it became calm & clear. 
 
 Went over the Creek to see how my people went on in raising 
 mud from the bed of the Creek — their progress but slow. 
 
 ]M^ Robert Washington of Chotanck — ]\P Lund Washington & 
 Mr. Lawrence Washington dined here, as did CoP [George] Gilpin 
 and M' Noah Webster — the 4 first went away afterwards — the 
 last stayed all night — in the afternoon a M' Lee came here to 
 soUicit Charity for his Mother who represented herself as having 
 nine Children, a bad husband, and no support. He also stayed the 
 evening. 
 
21 
 
 Sunday, C'-^^ 
 
 Thermometer at 64 in the morning— G8 at noon -and 68 at 
 night. Clear, Calm, and remarkably pleasant all day — Sun set 
 in Hank. 
 
 iAK Webster and W Lee went away after breakfast. AP Geo 
 [Auo-ustinc] Washington & wife went to Church at Alexandria' 
 as did M^ [William] Siiaw- the two first, returned to dinner, the' 
 other not till some time in the night, after the family were in bed 
 altho it was omitted in the occurrences of Yesterday. 
 
 I tried 2 quarts of the pulverized plaister of Paris ; one of them 
 burned the other unburnt, upon two sections of the circle in front 
 of the House, from the Dial Post to the Center post opposite to 
 the pavem^ leading to the gate by the quarter. The section 
 nearest the House was sprinkled with the burned Plaister These 
 sections are only from one post to another in the circle, and do 
 not contain more than about 145 square ft. A quart therefore on 
 each IS at the rate of 8 Pushels to tlie Acre. This was the poorest 
 part of the circle. 
 
 Monday, 7-. 
 
 Thermometer at 66 in the MornX 69 at noon - and 60 at 
 night. Clear, calm, and remarkably pleasant all day, but rather 
 too warm for the season. 
 
 M- [William?] Peake and Miss Eagland dined here and re- 
 turned in the even'*-'. 
 
 Employed since 1 first began to supply the dead Trees in the 
 Serpentine walks which I compleated this day except with the 
 lime (or powder) and horse chestnut, neither of w-^ I have or 
 could easily get at. The number represented are as follows — 
 of Pme 19 - of Elm 2 of Poplar 18 - of the black Gum 17 ~ of the 
 Aspan 2, -of the Mulberry 5 -Ash 2 - and of the Maple 
 
 none 
 
 Tuesday, H'^. 
 
 Thermometer at 60 in the Morning _ 66 at noon -and 66 at 
 night. A very heavy fog (with little or no wind) until near noon 
 when it dispelled, became clear, warm & pleasant. 
 
 Kid to Dogue run & Muddy hole Plantations - the first pre- 
 
22 
 
 paring ground, & sowing Timothy seed. Began to replace the 
 dead Trees in my Shubberies. 
 
 Doct!" [James] Craik first, and a Cap* Lewis Littlepage after- 
 wards came here to Dinner; the first went away after it — The 
 otlier stayed all night. This Capt" Littlepage has been Aid de 
 Camp to the Duke de Crillen — was at the sieges of Fort S' Phil- 
 lip (or the Island of Minorca) and Gibralter, and is an extraordi- 
 nary character. 
 
 In the Evening Doctr Grifiith came, & stayed all night. 
 
 Wednesday^ 9-. 
 
 Thermometer at 64 in the morning — 60 at noon — and QQ at 
 night. A red & watery sun in the morning, which about noon 
 was obscured, slow rain afterw'^.*. Wind Southerly, all day ; and 
 at night appeared to be getting to the Westward 
 
 Mr. Griffith went away after Breakfast, and Cap* Littlepage 
 after Dinner. 
 
 Having put in the heavy frame into my Ice House I began this 
 day to seal it with Boards, and to ram straw between these boards 
 and the wall — all imaginable pains was taken to prevent the 
 straw from getting wet or even damp but the moisture in the air 
 is very unfavourable, 
 
 Thirsday^ 10^^. 
 
 Thermometer at 59 in the Morning — at noon — and — at night. 
 
 There having fallen so much rain in the night as to convince me 
 that the straw which I had placed between the Ceiling & the wall 
 of My Ice House, must have got wet, and being in some doubt 
 before of the propriety of the measure lest it should get damp, 
 heat, & rot, I had it all taken out, leaving the space between un- 
 filled with anything. 
 
 Went up to Alexandria to meet the Directors of the Potomack 
 Company. Dined at Mr Fendalls (who was from home) and 
 returned in the evening with M? Washington. M! George 
 [Augustine] Washington & his wife — who accompanied us re- 
 maining to a Ball. 
 
 Planted 8 of the Hemlock Pine which were brought from 
 Neabsco in my Shrubberies — more still wanting to make up the 
 deficiencies. 
 
23 
 
 Friday^ 11'-^. 
 
 Thermometer at 56 in the INlorn'^. 64 at noon — and 55 at 
 night. Wind at N° E' and fiesh all day — very cloudy, and 
 sometimes drip])ing-. at Night it began to fall a little more seri- 
 ously, but in no great q"^. 
 
 Sent My carriage up for and brought George [Augustine] 
 Washington & his wife down after dinner. 
 
 Saturday^ 12. 
 
 Thermometer at 54 in the Morn'*^. 58 at noon — and 60 at 
 night. Wind a little West of the N° and pretty fresh all the fore- 
 noon, and Cloudy. Afterwards clear, still & very pleasant. 
 
 Received 215 apple trees (red strick) from Major Jenifer wh!^ I 
 sent to the river plantation in the neck, to be planted. At the 
 same time and from the same place received two New Town — & 
 2 Golden Pippin Trees — two of the Bury, & two S* Germain 
 Pea[ch] Trees, and two duke Cherry Trees. 
 
 Rid to my Plantations at the Ferry — Dogue run and Muddy 
 hole, at the second of which they were yet preparing ground, & 
 sowing grass Seeds — at the last gathering corn. 
 
 Covered my exotic plants in that section of my Botanical Gar- 
 den between the Salt House & the House next the circle, & began 
 to cover the Guinea grass, which two daj^s before I had cut of near 
 the crown. but did not finish it. 
 
 Sunday, IS-. 
 
 Thermometer at 59 in the Morning — 65 at noon — 65 at 
 night. Clear all day — Morning calm & very pleasant, but windy 
 afterwards from the No. West. 
 
 MT Saml Hanson and his wife, M' Tho!* Hanson and their two 
 Sisters, & M"".^ Dulany wife to Walt!" Dulany, lately from England 
 came to Dinner & stayed all night. 
 
 Monday, IJ^K 
 
 Thermometer at 58 in the morning 64 at noon — and 62 at 
 night Calm, clear & pleasant Morning Wind pretty brisk after- 
 wards from the N" W', but fine notwithstanding. 
 
24 
 
 The company who came to din!* yesterday, & lodged here last 
 night went away after breakfast — upon which I went to my neck 
 Plantation in y® Neck with intention to take a descriptive list of 
 My Horses, Cattle, Sheep, Working Tools &c? but the forenoon 
 being far spent I could only do it of the Horses & Tools. 
 
 Began to plant the apple Trees which were brought from Major 
 Jenifers on Saturday. Finished covering the Guinea grass in my 
 Botanical garden except 6 Rows of it which I left uncovered, — and 
 uncut — to try the effect of the Winters frosts & snows upon it. 
 
 In the Evening Mf Will™ Craik returned from his trip over the 
 Alligany Mountains having effected no business for his father or 
 me, being disappointed of seeing those with whom he had it to 
 transact. 
 
 Tuesday, 15. 
 
 Thermometer at 54 in the Morning — 56 at noon — and 60 at 
 night. Wind southerly and pretty fresh — weather somewhat hazy 
 and smoaky. 
 
 Went to my Neck Plantation and compleated the ace* of My 
 Stock there except that of the Hogs. Which stand thus. 
 
 Horses. 
 
 A grey dray Stallioi 
 Buck, a sorrel 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 16 yr old ■ 
 
 1 
 
 Gilbert, a black . 
 
 
 
 
 17. " do 
 
 
 Randolph, a grey 
 Docf, a grey . . 
 Prentice, a Bay . 
 Jolly, a Black 
 Dick, a White . 
 
 
 
 
 7. H do. 
 
 7 'i Do 
 10 " D° 
 
 9 " Do. 
 12 n Do 
 
 o 
 
 5 
 
 Grunt, a Bay 
 Pompey, a Bay . 
 Diamond, White 
 
 
 
 
 9 " D". 
 
 14 u Do. 
 
 9 u Do. 
 
 o 
 
 <-s 
 m 
 
 CO 
 
 Possum, Grey 
 Jack — Black 
 
 
 
 
 10 " Do. 
 10 .. Do , 
 
 13 
 
25 
 
 Kit a l)lack marc .... o 
 Fly, Dark brown .... 
 
 Patience 
 
 Betty — White Stock^.^ . . 9 
 Pnncli grey flea bitt" . . . 
 Jenin^ light grey .... 9 
 
 BroAvn 11 
 
 Fanny — Black 9 
 
 Overs' — Black 
 
 Do 
 
 Do. 
 
 Do. 
 Do 
 ])■. 
 
 Black spring colt 
 In all . 
 
 Cattle. 
 
 Bulls, ys 
 
 Working Oxen .... 
 
 Fatting Steers in cornfield 
 
 Cows 
 
 Heifers . . . G y"^^" old 
 3 y'.^ old 
 2 y". old 
 1 y: old 
 
 Spring — cow — calves . 
 
 6 
 15 
 11 
 
 7 
 19 
 
 A Brown Horse 5 
 
 Bright Bay rising 3 
 
 Black . . Do 3 
 
 Brown mealy co'^ Do 3 
 
 Black .... Do 3 
 
 Black . . small Do 3 
 
 Ditto Do 2 
 
 Iron Grey . . Do 2 
 
 Black bold Pan. n 2 
 
 A grey spring colt 
 
 Dark bay 9 
 
 Sorrel 5 
 
 Brown 6 
 
 Black — rising 3 
 
 Dark l)rown 3 
 
 Grey 3 
 
 Black risino; 2 
 
 $ 
 
 p 
 
 d 
 
 M 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 40 
 
 o 
 
 7 
 
 5 
 
 41 
 
 58 
 
26 
 
 Steers ■ 
 
 full grown . . . 
 
 . 18 
 
 4 y" old . 
 
 2 
 
 3 y". old . 
 
 4 
 
 2 y". old . 
 
 7 
 
 1 yl old . 
 
 3 
 
 ull calves .... 
 
 . 11 
 
 Cows bro' to the House ") 
 for milk & to go back ) 
 
 Total Cattle 
 
 45 
 
 159 
 - 8 
 
 167. 
 
 Sheep. 
 
 Rams 7 
 
 Ewes 92 
 
 Weathers 12 
 
 Ditto in cornfield 16 
 
 127 
 
 Weathers bro^ to H': H*: 42 
 
 Total 169 
 
 Tools & Implim}^- 
 
 A Waggon Saddle and ^ 
 
 Gier for 4 Horses. . i 
 An Oxe Cart — good 1 
 
 Ditto not good 1 . 2 
 
 Oxe Chains . . ._ 2 
 
 Bolts for Tongues 2 
 
 Yokes, Rings &r 
 
 Bar Shear Plows 9 
 
 Two p^ Iron traces to each 18 
 
 Old bridles for ditto 18 
 
 N. B. These Traces serve the waggon 
 Hitting Hoes helved .... 20 
 Unhelved pretty g') . . . . 3 
 
 indifferent 2 
 
 At the Smiths shop 2 . 27 
 
27 
 
 Mattocks but intliff' ..... G 
 Ditto said to have ) 
 
 come to the Home H" j . . . 7 . 13 
 
 Grubbing Iloes indiff' 3 
 
 Axes 7 
 
 Ditto at Smiths shop 1 
 
 Ditto old Irou 1 . 9 
 
 Iron Wedges — pairs 3 
 
 Open iron wire sieve 1 
 
 Sand Sieve 1 . 2 
 
 , Note these to be sent to the Home H°. 
 
 Harvest Rakes — 5 only g'^ 13 
 
 Pitch forks 1 
 
 Half Bushels — new .... 1 
 
 Old — D° 1 . 2 
 
 Plantation Gun 1 
 
 Wednesday^ 10'-. 
 
 Thermometer at 58 in the Morn'^. 66 at noon — and — at 
 niglit. A large circle round the moon last night, a red & iingry 
 looking sky at the Suns rising and a brisk Southerly Wind all day 
 with rain in the evening and night. 
 
 Finished the arch over my Ice House today. 
 
 Went early in the morning to take an ace* of my stocks &c? at 
 Dogue run & Muddy hole Plan! 
 
 AT THE FIRST. 
 
 Horses. 
 
 Height 
 
 Dabster 
 Buck . . 
 
 Nancy . 
 From Camp 
 Fly . . . 
 Brandy 
 Fancy . . 
 
 a grey 
 • Bay 
 
 Bay 
 
 Ditto 
 Ditto 
 Ditto 
 Black 
 
 141 
 14 
 
 14 
 
 U\ 
 13 
 13^ 
 13 
 
 age. 
 
 G 
 
 old 
 
 old 
 
 Workers 
 2 
 
 o 
 
 Carried over 
 
 o 
 
28 
 
 . , . brought over 5 
 
 . . . Sorrel 13. old 1 
 
 . . . Ditto 13 M 1 
 
 Bonny — Bay — very old .... 1 
 
 Engl'! Hunter Brown 
 Grey Mare bo' at Bristol 
 Dray — Black . . . . 
 
 Bay. likely in foal . . 
 Bay. Roan — white face 
 
 Sorrel 
 
 Black-snip on yf nose . 
 Iron grey — dark . . . 
 Black . . from Husten 
 Black-star & snip likely . 
 Bay — White face . . 
 Black — long star . . 
 Bay near hind foot wh . 
 Bay small star .... 
 Bay, (blood) near hind fw! 
 Bay. star & snip . . . 
 
 14.C) 
 
 14.5 
 
 14^ 
 
 13. 
 
 14.3 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 o 
 
 d 
 
 d 
 
 A Grey . . snip . . 14 . . 3 
 
 *Bay Roan . wh, face .... 1 
 
 *Sorrel . . . snip 1 
 
 *Dark Grey 1 
 
 Grey Colt, fr'" Bus"^ m sp^ 
 
 * It is not certain whether these .are horses or 
 mares not having distinguished them on the 
 spot at the time. 
 
 a- 
 o 
 
 O 
 
 13 
 
 In all 31 
 
 Cattle. 
 
 AVorking Oxen 7 
 
 Fatting Steers in Meadow 2 
 
 Cows 15 
 
29 
 
 Ileifors . . 
 
 . 4-y-oia . 
 
 . . 5 
 
 
 3 y^.^ old . . 
 
 . . 3 
 
 
 2 y^ old . . 
 
 . . G 
 
 
 lyfold . . 
 
 2 
 
 Spring Calves 
 
 own .... 
 
 . . G 
 
 Steers — full gi 
 
 . . 7 
 
 
 3 y? old . . 
 
 . . 1 
 
 
 2 y'? old . . 
 
 . . 2 
 
 
 1 y! old . . 
 
 . . 7 
 
 Spring Calves 
 
 
 . .5 . 
 
 
 
 Bulls . . . 
 
 
 Total 
 
 
 
 22. 
 
 22 
 
 Rams 
 
 L,\V( 
 
 Sheep. 
 
 ,-QS 
 
 Weathers .... 
 Ditto in meadow fat? 
 
 Total 
 
 Old cows in 3'e. Mead' 
 
 N. B. The Tools, not being got up no ace' 
 was taken of them at this time. 
 
 14 
 53 
 
 MliDDY HOLE PLANTATION. 
 
 Horses. 
 
 Height Age. 
 
 10/ 
 
 Jockey — . 
 
 . a black 
 
 • 134- . 
 
 Diamond . 
 
 . Ditto 
 
 . . 14 . 
 
 Rankins — 
 
 
 . 14 . 
 
 Fly . . . 
 
 . a Grey 
 
 . 14'. 
 
 Jenny — Brown . . 
 
 . 131. 
 
 Finwiek D; 
 
 m Sorrel . 
 
 . 13^. 
 
 Fancy — G 
 
 rey . . . 
 
 . 13.1 • 
 
 10' 
 
 8 
 
 8 )r 
 
 7 
 9 
 
30 
 
 White 
 
 Bay — small star &c^ . 
 Bay — loug blaze . . 
 Bay — very small star 
 Dark. Bay sml Star &' Sr 
 Dark Brown Simson . 
 Bay . . midl'^ likely 
 Bay. small star spring 
 Black, sm! star — spring 
 
 13 
 
 13 
 13 
 13 
 13 
 13i 
 
 71 
 5 
 
 Brown Bay, crook*? blaze 
 13 hands high 5 y" old 
 
 Grey — unlikely 2 
 
 Bay — sml star unlikely 
 Grey natural paean, spf 
 
 o 
 
 O 
 
 Total 
 
 20. 
 
 Cattle. 
 
 Working Oxen 4 
 
 Cows 10 
 
 Heifers ... 1 y' old 1 
 
 Cow Calves — this Spring 1 
 
 Steers, full grown 8 
 
 2 years old 2 
 
 1 year old 1 . 1 1 
 
 Iklale Calves __£ 
 
 Total 31 
 
 Sheep. 
 
 Rams . 5 
 
 Ewes 39 
 
 Lambs H 
 
 Total 50 
 
oi 
 
 Tools & Impliments. 
 
 A good oxe Cart — 2 Oxe Yokes ) 
 
 & Iron Rings — Compleat ) . . . 1 
 
 Oxe Chain 1 
 
 Bar shear plows 3 
 
 Iron Traces . . . pairs G 
 
 Haims, Collars, Bridles Si(f Comp"] 
 
 2 spare Colters 2 
 
 Mattoxs 5 
 
 Axes, includ''? 1 at the Home 11? .... 4 
 
 Iron Wedges — pairs 1 
 
 Hilling Hoes 11 
 
 I'itch fork 1 
 
 A Wheat Fan 1 
 
 Half Bushel 1 
 
 The Hogs at all the Plantations running in the 
 Woods after the mast, no acet. could be taken 
 of them. 
 
 Richard Henry Lee, lately President of Congress ; his son Lud- 
 well, Col? [John] Fitzgerald, and a Mf Hunter ( March') of Louden 
 came here to Dinner & stayed all night. 
 
 The Stock at the Ferry not being got up Postponed taking the 
 acc^ of them until they sho^ be got together. 
 
 Thursday, 17'\ 
 
 Thermometer at 58 in the morning 60 at noon — and 62 at 
 night. 
 
 Col° Lee & all tlie company went away after Breakfast. M"". 
 [William] Shaw went up to the assembly in the afternoon at 
 Alexandria. 
 
 Morning a little foggy & thick but clear afterwards with the 
 Wind at N? West and Cool. 
 
 Friday, IS'A 
 
 Thermometer at 49 in the Morning — 54 at noon — and 50 at 
 night. Morning clear & severe — a white Frost and ground froze 
 — Ice an eighth of an Inch thick — ^ Wind at No. W' & pretty fresh 
 until the after noon when it was almost calm. 
 
6^ 
 
 Began to take up a number of small Pines to replace the dead 
 ones in my wildernesses got them with much dirt about the Roots. 
 Took an account of the Horses, Cattle & Sheep at Home. viz. 
 
 Horses. 
 
 Magnolia — an Arabian 
 Nelson — Riding Horse 
 Blue skin . . Ditto 
 
 Carried over . . 
 
 
 
 n 
 
 Brought 
 
 over . . 
 
 . 
 
 . 
 
 3 
 
 
 Height 
 
 age 
 
 
 
 Partner — A Bay . . 
 
 . 15 . 
 
 . 12 
 
 
 
 Ajax — light Bay 
 
 . 15 . 
 
 . 11 
 
 o 
 
 
 Chatham, dull Bay 
 
 . 15 . 
 
 . 8 
 
 c-t- 
 
 
 Valiant, Yellow Bay . 
 
 . 143. 
 
 . 16 
 
 
 
 English . . Bay . 
 
 . 15vei 
 
 •y old 
 
 
 M-^Intosh . . Bay . 
 
 . Ui. 
 
 . 9 
 
 o' 
 
 
 Careless. Bay . . . 
 
 . IH. 
 
 . 5 
 
 rt- 
 
 
 Young . . . Bay . 
 
 
 • 
 
 ^ 
 
 8 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 Dragon . . Black . 
 
 . 15. . 
 
 . 6 
 
 ■<5 
 
 
 Jolly . . . Ditto . 
 
 . 15. . 
 
 .14 
 
 • 3 
 
 
 Chichester Bay . . . 
 
 . 141 
 
 
 w 
 
 
 Jock — Grey .... 
 
 . 141. 
 
 . 5 
 
 o 
 
 4 
 
 Black — Mare Dray . . 
 
 . 15 . 
 
 . old ' 
 
 o 
 
 p 
 
 
 Black. Horse Ditto . . 
 
 . 14 . 
 
 .old 
 
 
 
 Used in Tumblers . 
 
 
 • 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 A Brown Bay . . . . 
 Chevalier — dull bay 
 Brown Bay, Muddy hole 
 Columbus, br: D? . . 
 
 Total . . . 
 
 H 
 
 14 
 
 14J 
 
 14 
 
 61 ^ 
 
 21. 
 
33 
 
 Cattle. 
 
 AVorkiiig Oxen .... old . . 2 
 
 Ditto — U.' .... Young . . 2 . \ 
 
 Brought over 4 
 
 Cows, from Camp 4 
 
 Kiv! riant" « 
 
 Dogue run D" fi 
 
 Ferry . D'! • 3 . 21 
 
 Bull 1_ 
 
 In all 2G. 
 
 Note. One of the cows that came from the River Plant"? (making 
 the above 9) got mired this Fall and died, and of the above, the 4 cows 
 from Camp — two from the Ferry — three from Dogue run — and one 
 from the neck are ordered to be detained here, and all the rest to be sent 
 to their respective places. 
 
 Sheep. 
 
 Weathers 40 
 
 Ewes, Sucking Lambs 4 
 
 Lambs . . for killing .... 4 . 48. 
 
 Befjan to take up my summer Turnips at the House, got 
 ab! half up to day. Sent to IVIr. [Dudley] Digges for Papaw 
 Bushes to replace tlie dead ones in my Shrubberies. Coming 
 late I had not time to plant them but put the Roots in the 
 ground until tomorrow. Planted the two duke cherries — 
 sent me by Major Jenifer in the two gardens — one under each 
 wall, ab* 30 feet from the Garden Houses — and planted the 
 Bury & 2 S^ Germain Pairs also sent me by him in the N? Garden, 
 new part thereof one of each kind on the Circular walk and the 
 other two on the strait walk. Put the Box with the INLagnolia, & 
 other exotics from S? Carolina — and that with the Kentucke 
 Coffee tree under a bush cover in the open part of the Green H« 
 — and began to cover the Palmetto Royal at the Front gate with 
 Brush with the leaf on — but got a small part only south of the 
 gate & South part thereof done before night. 
 
34 
 
 Saturday, 19'A 
 
 Thermometer at 46 in the Morning — 54 at noon — and — at 
 night. Wind at N? West and cold all day, with clouds which 
 threatened snow in the evening. Ground very hard frozen. 
 
 Finished digging my Summer Turnips and putting them in a 
 cellar. Also finished covering the Palmetto royal at the front gate, 
 except a small piece on the South side, nearest the gate for which 
 brush could not be got in time. 
 
 My Ice House Walls except the Pediment over the outer 
 door and the inner walls of the arch were compleated this day 
 likewise. 
 
 Doctr [James] Craik whom I had sent for to visit York George 
 (in the neck) who is much afflicted with the gravel came here 
 about sundown and stayed all night. 
 
 Simdai/, 30'-^. 
 
 Thermometer at 48 in the Morning 54 at noon — and 54 at night. 
 Clear and calm all day, but the air keen notwithstanding. 
 
 George [Augustine] Washington & wife & Mf [William] Shaw 
 went to Lund Washingtons to Dinner & returned in the afternoon. 
 Col? [Robert Hanson] Harrison (Judge) came here to Dinner — 
 and Doctr [James] Craik (who went away early this Morning) at 
 night. 
 
 My Nephew Law? Washington came here with a letter to day 
 from Mr Bailey respecting their Board, &c? ^ 
 
 3Iondai/, 21'-^. 
 
 Thermometer at 48 in the Morning, at noon — and — at N. 
 Lowering Morning, with the wind at N*'. E' — about half after ten 
 A. M. it began to snow & continued to do so (of a wet kind) un- 
 til night, when it ceased tho' the ground was not covered more 
 than an Inch thick. 
 
 Col? [Robert Hanson] Harrison & Doctf [James] Craik left this 
 after Breakfast, and I went up to Alexandria with G. [Augustine] 
 Washington to meet the Directors of the Potomack Com? and to 
 
 ^ See letter to the Rev. Mr. Balch, p. G2, post. 
 
a Turtle feast (the Turtle given by myself to the Gentlemen of 
 Alex;*) 
 
 Returned in the eveniug and found the Count Doradour recom- 
 mended by, & related to the Marq* de la Fayette here as also the 
 Rev? Mr. [Walter] Magowan. 
 
 Tuesday, ^'PJ. 
 
 Tliermometer at 40 in the Morning 40 at noon — and 52 at 
 night. Clear and cold Wind at N° West jdl day — the snow ex- 
 cept on the N!' side of Hills & Houses had dissolved. 
 
 The Count Doradour and M^ [Walter] Magowan went away 
 after Breakfast. The ReX MT Keith of Alexandria and a Mr Bowie 
 of Philadelphia came to Dinner and returned to Alexandria in the 
 evening. 
 
 Gave my peoi)le their cloathing pi" list taken. 
 
 Removing earth today as Yesterda3% to cover my Ice H!' 
 
 Wednesday, 2S-. 
 
 Tliermometer at 48 in the Morn'^. 54 at noon — and — at night. 
 Clear, warm, and pleasant, with the wind at South. 
 
 Finished all the Brick work of My Ice House today. 
 
 Miss Kitty Washington, Gen! [Benjamin] Lincoln, Colonels 
 Hooe & Lyles M' Porter, Capt" Goodwin, Doctf Swift, M-: Potts, 
 Mf Dalby, W. Morshur, M' Williams, M' Philips & a M^ Cramer or 
 Cranmur, came here to Dinner, and all of them returned in the 
 evening except Kitty Washington. 
 
 Sent ^Ir. [William] Shaw through Alexandria to agree for the 
 schooling & Board of my nephews George and Lawrence Washing- 
 ton now at the Acadamy at George Town — & thence to the latter 
 place to conduct them to the former for the purpose of going to 
 School at the Alexandria Academy. 
 
 Thursday, :2Jfth. 
 
 Thermometer at 48, in the Morn'"^. 50 at noon — and 55 at 
 night Clear, warm & pleasant, wind being still Southerl3\ 
 
 Immediately after Breakfast rid to my Phintation at the Ferry 
 & took the following acct. of my Stock. Viz. 
 
36 
 
 Horses. 
 
 Price a black Horse. 
 Ditto — a Sorrel Do. 
 
 Jenny, bla. Mare . 
 Peggy — AVhitc D". 
 Fly — Dai-k grey Do. 
 Kitty, Small bay Do. 
 Bonny — Sorrel Do. 
 Nancy — black Do. 
 
 banc?. 
 . 14 
 
 . ui 
 
 . Ui, 
 . 14 
 . 13i 
 . 13 
 . 14 
 . smi , 
 
 A Black INIare. Steady . . 13^ 
 A Sorrel Ditto Leonidas Do. . 
 A bay — D. very small . . 
 
 20 1 
 
 old f K 2 
 
 old! 
 10 
 
 15 ^ "^^ 
 
 . 10 
 . 12 
 
 1—1 
 
 41 g 
 
 A bla. IIo 
 
 Spring J S 
 
 "j rt 
 rse unlikely 4 I s 
 
 A Small bay — Leonedas — likely . 1 i K 
 A black — bald face Spi*? . . 
 
 Total 14 
 
 • Cattle. 
 
 age 
 Darling — a red & W. Ox . . . . 6 
 
 Bembo, white & red ox 9 
 
 Mark black & White Do 11 
 
 Duke red brindle — very old 4 
 
 Cows 14 
 
 Heifers . 4 years old 1 
 
 3 y'^' 2 
 
 2y'- 2 
 
 calves this sp? .... 5 .. 10 
 
 Steers — full grown 2 
 
 4 years old 2 
 
 3 years old "j 
 
 2 years old 3 
 
 1 years old 1 
 
 Spring calves 7 . 20 
 
37 
 
 Bulls — 2 years old 1 
 
 Beeves in Corn field 2 
 
 Total 51 
 
 Sheep. 
 
 Rams 1 
 
 Ewes 9 
 
 "Weathers 5 
 
 Total 15 
 
 Tools & Implements. 
 
 A good Cart — 
 
 2 Yokes with Rings. 
 
 A Cain . . 
 
 Wheat Fans 1 
 
 Wire Riddles — coarse 4 
 
 Sand Sieves 1 
 
 Coarser size 1 . 6 
 
 Plows Bar Shears 4 
 
 Iron Traces . . . pairs 8 
 
 Haims, C'lars, Bridle «S:c. 
 Compleat for them 
 
 Weeding Hoes 1 
 
 Hilling — Ditto 13 
 
 Grubbing — Ditto 1 
 
 INIattock, 4 
 
 Axes 5 
 
 Iron Wedge . . . • ^- pairs .... 
 
 From the Ferry I went to the Plantation at Dogue run and took 
 the following account of the Tools there — being omitted when I 
 was there last : Viz : — 
 
 Oxe Carts 1 
 
 At the H? for repairs 1 2 
 
38 
 
 Oxc Yokes with rings 4 
 
 Oxe Chains 2 
 
 Wheat Fans 1 
 
 Riddles — viz 
 
 1 open & tolerable good 
 
 1 Sand sieve & much Avoru 
 
 Axes 3 
 
 Mattocks C 
 
 Grubbing Hoes fi 
 
 Hilling, Ditto 10 
 
 Iron Wedges — pairs 4 
 
 Spades — good 1 
 
 Bar Shear Plows 4 
 
 Iron Traces 8 
 
 Haims, C'lars, Bridles ) 
 SiC" Complete . . ) 
 
 Spare Colters 3 
 
 Adze, 1 
 
 Drawing knife 1 
 
 Hand Saws 1 
 
 Froes — 1 
 
 Broad Chissels 1 
 
 Narrow D' 1 
 
 Guage 1 
 
 Auger — ^ Inch 1 
 
 Recapitulation of all my Stocks of Horses, Cattle & Sheep. 
 
 Horses. 
 
 Stud Horse — Magnolia 1 
 
 Ditto Dray .... 1 • • 2 
 
 Riding Horses 2 
 
 Chariot Horses 8 
 
 Hack Horses 4 
 
 Waggon Horses . Home H'.' . . 4 
 
 Cart . Ditto . . D" D" . . . 1 . . 5 
 
 I'low . . Ditto . riant"' 18 
 
 Cart . . jNIare Home If: . 1 . 
 Plow . . Ditto Plan'." . .28 . 29 
 
39 
 
 Broke Ditto not worked f) 
 
 Unbroke D" ove. 4 y? old .... 13 
 
 Ditto 3 yrs 5 
 
 Ditto 2 yrs 3 
 
 Ditto 1 8 
 
 Ditto. Colts 3 —68. 
 
 Unbroke Horses 4 & upw''' . ... 3 
 
 Ditto Ditto 3 yrs 6 
 
 Ditto D"^ 2 Ditto .... 4 
 
 Ditto D" 1 Ditto .... 4 
 
 Ditto D': Spring Colt . . . 6 . 23 
 
 In all 130 
 
 Note. In the above ace'; are included 2 English mares and their 
 colts, the one a Horse and the other a mare which by being at a meadow 
 had not been included in any of the foregoing lists. Of the above 
 mares 16 may go to IMagnolia, and 33 to the Jack- Ass if he should 
 arrive safe, and both of them be in order at the proper Season for 
 coverinir. 
 
 Cattle. 
 
 r.ulls .... aged . . 
 2 y"- old . 
 
 1 y- old . 
 
 Drought oxen 
 
 
 2 
 
 . . 2 
 . . 2 . 
 
 Steers — full grown . . . 
 4 y^; old . 
 3 y'^ old . . 
 2 y^- old . 
 1 y^ old . . 
 Calves . . 
 
 Cows 
 
 
 35 
 . 4 
 10 
 14 
 12 
 27 . 
 
 Heifers ... 6 yrs. old 
 
 4 y'**- old . , 
 3 yrs. D: . . 
 
 
 . 6 
 . 6 
 
 20 
 
 6 
 
 26 
 
 102 
 
 101 
 
40 
 
 2 yrs D" . . . 19 
 1 yr. D" . . . 10 
 
 Calves 31 . 02 
 
 327 
 
 Beeves fattinii 
 
 111 all 33G 
 
 Sheep. 
 
 Rams 19 
 
 Ewes 167 
 
 Lambs IS 
 
 Weathers o9 
 
 Ditto — fatting 23 . 82 
 
 lu all 283. 
 
 Friday, 25'K 
 
 Thermometer at 50 in the MornX — at noon — and — at night. 
 Wind Westerly & Cooler than it had been the two days proceed- 
 ing about noon a black cloud arose to the Westward out of which 
 came a mixture of Snow and Rain — this disappearing the sun 
 shone but the day upon the whole was variable & unpleasant. 
 
 Set out after breakfast, accompanied by Mr. G. [Augustine] 
 Washington, to make Mf Mason at Colchester a visit, but hearing 
 on the road that he had removed from thence I turned into Guns- 
 ton Hall 1 where we dined and returned in the evening & found 
 Col? Henry Lee his & lady here. 
 
 Mr [William] Shaw returned having removed George & Law* 
 Washington to the Alexandria Academy & fixed them at the 
 Widow Dade.^ 
 
 Saturday, 2CA. 
 
 Thermometer at 44 in the Morning — 57 at noon — and 50 at 
 night. Wind Westerly and rather Cool in the Morning but less of 
 it & warmer afterwards — day variable — Clouds & sunshine. 
 
 ^ Residence of George Mason. 
 
 ^ See letter to Sir Edward Newonhain, p. 63, post. 
 
41 
 
 Col? Lee & his Lady went away after breakfast — crossing to 
 INIaryland on their way home. 
 
 Sunday, '27-. 
 
 Thermometer at 46 in the Morn'? — 52 at noon — and 50 at 
 night. Very little wind all day but smoaky with some clouds and 
 rather chill3^ 
 
 General [Benjamin] Lincoln and Col? [David] Henley Dined 
 here & returned in the afternoon. 
 
 Monday, 2S'A 
 
 Thermometer at 46 in the Morning 50 at noon — and — at 
 Night. Thick Smoak and clouds in the Morning & groat appear- 
 ances of snow until one O clock, when the Sun came out and was 
 more pleasant but cold notwithstanding. 
 
 ^yent with G. [Augustine] Washington to dine with Coli* Lyles 
 in Alexandria returned in the evening. 
 
 Tuesday, 29'A 
 
 Thermometer at 44 in the Morning — 54 at noon — and 54 at 
 night. A large hoar from frost followed by southerly wind and 
 some clouds — but upon the whole tolerably clear & pleasant. 
 
 Sent my Boat to Alexandria for a Hhd. of Common Rum and 
 some articles brought from Boston for me by General Lincoln — 
 May. G. [Augustine] Washington were [ ? went] up to receive 
 them. 
 
 Went out after Breakfast with my hounds from France, & 
 two which were lent me, yesterday by young Mr Mason, found a 
 Fox which was run tolerably well by two of the Fr? Bitches & one 
 of Mason's dogs, the other French Dogs showed but little dis- 
 position to follow, and with the second dog of Mason's got upon 
 another Fox which was followed slow and indifferently by some 
 & not at all by the rest until the eve : became so cold that it 
 c? not be followed at all. 
 
 Wednesday, 30'-^. 
 
 Tliermomcter at 45 in the Morning — 52 at noon — and 55 at 
 night. Morning very thick with clouds & smoak — about 
 
42 
 
 9 O'clock it began to snow very moderately which neither con- 
 tinued long, nor lay on the ground — at one the sun came out, 
 and the afternoon became clear and pleasant, the wind tholigh 
 not much of it, being Southerly all day. 
 
 On the AVheat which was given to me by Col? Spaight from the 
 Cape of Good hope and which having been sowed forward had be- 
 come very forward — full half leg high and jointed I determined 
 to try an experiment and accordingly on three Rows next the 
 fencing on the East side the Inclosure I cut it within four Inches 
 of the ground just above the crown of the plant from whence the 
 shutes had issued, the remainder I suffered to remain in its ex- 
 uberant state to try the difference.^ 
 
 dfxe:\iber. 
 
 Thursday^ i^. 
 
 Thermometer at — in the Morning — at noon — and 52 at 
 night. White frost and clear Morning — very little wind all day 
 and that Southerly. 
 
 Took the hounds out before sunrise — and about 8 O clock 
 after being upon several drags, or the same drag several times 
 put up a Fox which the dogs run very indifferently — being very 
 much dispersed, and often at cold Hunting until about 12 or be- 
 tween that and one when the Scent had got so cold that they 
 could follow it no longer 3 or 4 of the French H'l*^ discovered no 
 greater disposition for Hunting to day than they did on Tuesday 
 last. 
 
 Miss Kitty Washington went from this after Breakfast, to Alex- 
 andria — and Mr [Williamj Shaw who with G. [Augustine] Wash- 
 ington went out a Hunting with me meeting her in the Road 
 accompanied her to that place. 
 
 In order to try the difference between burning Spermacite and 
 Tallow Candles — I took one of each. 
 
 The 1- weighing . . . . . 3 oz : 10 pwt : 6g : 
 
 2 . . Ditto 5. 2 
 
 and lighted them at the same instant — the first burnt 8 hours and 
 21 minutes; when of the latter their remained 11 penny weight, 
 
 1 See letters to James Madison and David Stuart, p. 65, post. 
 
wliicli continued to burn one liour and a quarter longer, mak- 
 ing in all 9 hours and 36 minutes. Vyy which it ap])ears (as 
 both burnt with out flairing) that, estimating Spirmeciti candles 
 at 3/ pi" lb. & Tallo\y candles at 1/. pr lb. the former is dearer than 
 the latter as 30 is to nearly 13. In other words more than 2| 
 dearer.^ 
 
 Friday^ 0. 
 
 Thermometer at — in the Morning 56 at noon — and 56 at 
 night. 
 
 Col" &: M''^ iNPcarty came here to Dinner — as did Colonels 
 [John] Fitzgerald and [George] Gilpin — and Mr Cha" Lee & 
 Doct^ Baker. 
 
 Wind Southerly all day — clear & pleasant, 
 
 Saturday^ 3-. 
 
 Thermometer at 50 in the Morning 56 at noon — and 61 at niefht. 
 The day very pleasant until the afternoon when it began to lower 
 — the Wind in the Morning was Westerly, & in the Evening 
 Easterly but not much of it. 
 
 Employed all day at my writing Table on business of the Poto- 
 mack company — bro^ 2 Hounds fr™ Col? M'^Carty. 
 
 George Washington & wife went up to Abingdon after Break- 
 fast Doctf Brown dined here and went away afterwards. 
 
 Finished covering My Ice House with dirt & sodding of it. 
 
 Sunday, //-• 
 
 Thermometer at 53 in the Morn'*^. 56 at noon — and 50 at 
 night. A thick fog, or rather mist in the Morning, with out any 
 wind until about 10 O'clock, when it turned to a slow rain, 
 which ceased about noon and assumed the appearance of fair 
 weather, but about 4 O'clock it began to drip again. 
 
 Last night Jn". Alton, an Overseer of mine in the neck an old 
 and faithful servant who had lived with me 30 odd years died of 
 an imposthumus in liis thigh after lingering for more than four 
 months with it, and being reduced to a mere skeleton and this 
 evening the wife of Tho' Bishop, another old servant Avho had 
 lived with me an equal number of years also died. 
 
 ^ See letter to tlie Count de riochanibeau, p. G7, post. 
 
44 
 
 Monday, 5th. 
 
 Thermometer at — in the Morning — 58 at noon & 58 at night. 
 Lowering all day — with very little wind and that Northerly. 
 
 It being a good scenting morning I went out with the Hounds 
 (carrying the two had from Co]° M'^Carty, run at different two 
 foxes but caught neither — my French Hounds performed better 
 to day, and have afforded hopes of their performing well, when 
 they come to be a little more used to Hunting, and understand 
 more fully the kind of game they are intended to run. 
 
 When I returned home w''? was not until past three O'clock found 
 a Docf Baynham here recommended to me by CoP [George 
 William] Fairfax of England. 
 
 George [Augustine] Washington and his wife returned in the 
 Evening from Abingdon. 
 
 My Overseer [John] Fairfax also returned this Evening with 
 Jack Ass, and his Keeper a Spaniard from Boston. 
 
 Tuesday, 6'-. 
 
 Thermometer at 52 in the JNlorn'^. 57 at noon — and 59 at 
 night. Morning clear and very pleasant with but little wind — 
 before noon it sprang up from the Westward, and afterwards be- 
 came cloudy but the sun set clear. 
 
 Finished getting in the Wood the Posts & railing for the fen- 
 cing of my paddock. 
 
 Made another experiment of the difference in expense between 
 burning Spirraaciti & Tallow candles which showed that a Tallow 
 candle weighing 3oz lip" W* burned 5 Hf 48 M. A Spirmaciti 
 D? weighing 3 oz.9 P. W. 18 gv")' burned 7 H? & 28 M. which is 
 an hour and forty mint® longer than the Tallow candle & of which 
 when the latter was burned out there remained 14 penny W' 
 6 gr*^ Hence, reckoning as in the former instance. Tallow at 1 / pr 
 lb, & Spurmaciti at 3/. pf lb. the latter is dearer than the former 
 as 31^ is to ten & an half or ^ 
 
 Wednesday, 7th. 
 Thermometer at 52 in the Morning & 59 at noon — but removing 
 it afterwards out of the room where the fire was, into the East 
 
 ^ See letter to William Gordon, p. 68, post. 
 
45 
 
 Entry leading into my study, this circumstance with the encrease 
 of the cold fell the ^Mercury to 42. INIorning clear calm & pleas* 
 but the wind coming out violently from the N" West about half 
 after eight O'clock, it turned cold & uncomfortable. 
 
 DocT Baynham went away after Breakfast. 
 
 Sent M^ [William] Shaw to Alexandria to discharge Lieu* Gover- 
 nor [Thomas] Cushings draft on me for 300 silver Dollars in 
 favor of Mr ! the order being in the hands of j\I^ Taylor and 
 
 to do other business. 
 
 Took away the supports to the Arch over my Ice house. 
 
 Thursday^ S-. 
 
 Thermometer at 30 in the Morning 38 at noon — and — at 
 night. Wind to the eastward of North in the Morning, and cold 
 — ground hard frozen — afterwards it died away in a great meas- 
 ure and shifted more to the Westward backing. 
 
 Finished removing the earth for covering of, and the way in to 
 My Ice House. and again set the people to taking up and plant- 
 ing small Pines in the Wilderness on the Right of the lawn. 
 
 Also sent to Col? Mason's Quarter and got young Crab trees for 
 the shrubberies — but not getting them home in time to plant, the 
 Roots were buried until they could be planted in the places de- 
 signed for them tomorrow or &c? 
 
 Capt" Sullivan, of a ship at Alexandria, agreeably to my request 
 came here to dinner, to interpret between me & the Spaniard who 
 had the care of the Jackass sent me — My questions, and his an- 
 swers respecting the Jack are committed to writing — Capt" 
 Sullivan returned after dinner & Capt" Fairley ^ of New York 
 came here in the Afternoon. 
 
 Friday, O'A 
 
 Thermometer at 36 in the Morning 39 at noon — and — at 
 night. Not much wind — thick and misting all day — toward 
 night it began to rain & continued to do so until day. 
 
 Planted the Crab trees which were brought here yesterday and 
 more 3'oung pines. 
 
 1 James Fairlie. 
 
46 
 
 Saturday^ 10th. 
 
 Thermometer at 36 in the Morning 38 at Noon — and 40 at 
 night. Little or no wind all day but thick and Mizling as yes- 
 terday till night when it began to rain fast again. 
 
 Opened a drain into the that goes from the cellars to re- 
 
 ceive the water from the gutters and spout from the House top 
 that it may be carried of under ground. 
 
 Flooring the Ice House. Preparing with the Negros for Kill- 
 ing Hogs on Monday. 
 
 Simday, 11th. 
 
 Thermometer at 38 in the Morn'^. 50 at noon — and 58 at 
 niglit. A heavy mist all day with little or no wind — at or before 
 dusk it began to rain fast, and about 9 at night it cleared with a 
 puff of wind from the Southward and the moon & stars appeared. 
 
 My Wilson, Mr Sanderson and a Mr Hugh Mitchel dined here 
 and went away in the afternoon.^ 
 
 Monday^ 12th. 
 
 Thermometer at — in the morning — at noon — and 58 at night. 
 Morning cloudy and soft with out any wind. In the evening it 
 began to mizzle and after dark to rain fast and continued to do so 
 until I went to bed and how much longer I know not. 
 
 Maj!' [James] Farlie went away before breakfast, with 251 
 Diplomas which I had signed for the Members of the Cincinnati of 
 the State of New York, at the request of General [Alexander] 
 MfDougall, President of that Society. 
 
 After an early breakfast George [Augustine] Washington Mr 
 [William] Siiaw & Myself went in to the woods back of muddy 
 hole Plantation a hunting and were joined by Mr, Lund Washing- 
 ton and Mr. William Peake. About half after ten Oclock (being 
 first plagued with the dogs running Hogs) we found a fox near 
 Col° Masons Plantation on little Hunting Creek (west fork) having 
 followed on his Drag more than half a mile, and run him with 
 eight Dogs (the other 4 getting, as was supposed after a second 
 Fox) close and well for an hour — when the Dogs came to a fence 
 
 ^ See letters to Alexander irainilton and General Knox, pp. 09, 70, j)ost. 
 
47 
 
 and to cold Hunting until 20 minutes after 12 when being joined hy 
 the missing Dogs they put him up a fresh and in ahout i'iO minutes 
 killed up in an open field of Col? Mason's, every rider and every 
 Dog being present at the Death. Two Hounds which were lent, 
 and sent to me yesterday by M!" Chichester — viz — a Dog named 
 Rattler, & a Bitch named June, behaved very well. My French 
 Dogs also came on — all except the JJitch which raized Puppies 
 running constantly whilst the Scent was hot — 
 
 Mr. [William] Peak & Lund Washington came home to dinner 
 
 as with us. 
 
 Tuesduj/, IS^. 
 
 Thermometer at — in the MornX 47 at noon — and — at night. 
 Wind Westerly — fresh, & air turning cold, flying clouds all da3s 
 but clear at night and still. 
 
 Finished killing My Hogs — the number & weight of whicli are 
 
 as follow. 
 
 No. w. 
 
 River Plant" 41 . . . 6814 
 
 Dogue run. D? .... 28 . . . 400;3 
 
 Muddy Hole Do. ... 30 . . . 3G38 
 
 Ferry " Do. ... 26 . . . 2930 
 
 Total .... 128 .. . 17385 
 
 out of the above Tho? Bishop & Tho? Green are each to have 500 
 Hesikiah Fairfax has had 480 & Morris 416 — and Davy 414. 
 leaving for family use 150751b which with 4 Hogs killed for early 
 Bacon (in October) weighing 8101b make in all 15,885tb laid up for 
 the consumption of my table — use of my people and the poor 
 who are distressed for it. 
 
 M^ [Abraham] Baldwin formerly a Chaplain in the Armj from 
 Connecticut - — -now a Lawyer in the State of Geoi-gia called here on 
 his way to the last but would not stay dinner. 
 
 A M' Douglas came here to rent my Land on Difficult run for 
 which I asked him X58 p'' ann. and to which he is to give an 
 answer after consulling his Brother in Alexandria. 
 
 Wednesday^ IJ/ih. 
 Thermometer at 30 in the ]\Iorn'^. at noon — and 42 at night. 
 Morning and day clear & pleasant — Wind at S? East Crround a 
 little froze in the IMornintr- 
 
48 
 
 Mr George [Augustine] Washington and his wife set off to 
 visit her friend in New Kent &c? MF Bassett's carriage & Horses 
 having come up for them on Sunday night last. 
 
 Rid to the Ferry Pkmta' the Mill, and Dogue run Plantation 
 and went & came by the place (in front of the H°) where Muddy 
 hole were at work. 
 
 Thursday, 15th. 
 
 Thermometer at 40 in the MornX 45 at noon — and — at 
 night. Moderate & clear all the forepart of the day with the 
 wind at S° East, but not fresh — In the Afternoon it began to lower 
 at Dusk turned ver}'^ cloudy — and in the night set in to a con- 
 stant rain. 
 
 Mi' [William] Shaw went up to Alexandria after dinner, to 
 a Ball I presume, and in the evening Joseph Winzor & Will™ 
 Kirchewall 2 of my tenants from Frederick came in & stayed all 
 night. » 
 
 Friday, 10'-^. 
 
 Thermometer at 50 in the Morn'^ 56 at noon — and 56 at 
 night Rainy Morning and an Easterly wind but not much of 
 it Drizzling all day — and towards night it began to rain again and 
 threatened a wet night, very light wind all day. 
 
 Before dinner Joseph Hickman, another of my Tenants from 
 Frederick came in to whom and those that came yesterday and 
 — Williams, I passed Leases for the Land on which they live, 
 all went away after it. MT [William] Shaw returned before din- 
 ner from Alexandria. 
 
 Saturday, 17th. 
 
 Thermometer at 56 in the Morn'^. at noon — and — at night. 
 Rainy Morning, wind though not fresh at N'' West which after- 
 wards more to the N? & East & continued raining off & on all 
 day. 
 
 Went to Alexandria to meet the Trustees of the Academy in 
 that place, and offered to vest in the hands of the said Trustees, 
 when they are permanently established by Charter, the sum of 
 one thousand pounds, tlie interest of which only, to be applied 
 towards the establishment of a charity school for the education 
 of Orphan and other poor cliildren. which offer was accepted, 
 
49 
 
 returned again iu tlie evening^ — Roads remarkably wet and 
 bad. 
 
 Snndaij, 7,9^. 
 
 Thermometer at 44 in the Morning — 54 at noon — and 52 at 
 night. Morning perfectly clear tfc pleasant, with but little wind 
 and continued so through the day, severe, moderate and pleasant. 
 
 Monday, .19'-^. 
 
 Thermometer at 42 iu the Morn'^, 5Q at noon — and 52 at night. 
 Calm and pleasant all day especially iu the morning, towards eve- 
 ning the wind, though very little of it, came from the Eastward & 
 the weather lowered. 
 
 Rid to the Mill, and to Dogue Run Plantation — took the 
 Hounds with me, and in the Pincushion found a fox which the 
 Dogs runs very well for an hour — after which coming to a fault 
 — they to6k (as I presume) the heel & in Muddy hole found a 
 fresh Fox which was only run by part of the Dogs — the others 
 did not seem inclined to hunt. 
 
 Davy a Mulatto man who has for many years looked after my 
 INIuddy hole Plantation, went into the neck to take charge of the 
 River Plantation in the room of Jn!* Alton deceased, and Will (Son 
 of Doll) was sent to Muddy hole as an overseer in his place. 
 
 Both My Mills stopped — & repairing. 
 
 Tuesdaij, SO'-K 
 
 Thermometer at 42 in the Morn'^. 47 at night — and 45 at 
 noon. Morning tolerably clear, but a red sky at the place of the 
 suns rising (which is an indication of dirty weather) and the wind 
 (tho' not fresh) atN" East The day continued tolerably clear and 
 pleasant until the evening when it began to lower.^ 
 
 Dispatched at his own req* the Spaniard who had the cha'c of 
 my Jack from Spain, sent him with Mf [William] Shaw to Alexan- 
 dria to go in the Stage to New York. 
 
 ^ See Washington's letter to the Trustees, 17 December, 1785, in Sparks, ix. 
 159. 
 
 - See letters to Governor Johnson and Lund Washington, pp. 71, 1'l, pout. 
 
50 
 
 Brought some Carts and Cutters from My Plantations to assist 
 in laying in a Stock of Firewood for Christmas. 
 
 Mr. [William] Shaw returned in the evening accompanied by my 
 Nephew Ferdinando Washington.^ 
 
 Wednesday, 21^. 
 
 Thermometer at 44 in the Morning — 44 at noon — and 46 at 
 night. Lowering all day with but little Wind and that easterly. 
 
 Mf Dan' Dulany (son of Dan!) M^ Benj" Dulany Mess. Sara! & 
 Tho! Hanson, M'' PhilP Alexander, and a ]Mr Moursher came here 
 to Dinner and stayed all Xight. 
 
 Finished measuring my corn at the several Plantations, which 
 stand thus. 
 
 River — Plantation, viz. . . . Barrels 
 
 Large end of Corn &"= 203 
 
 Small end of Ditto L35 
 
 Fatting Hogs have eat .... 44 
 
 For Mr. Alton 6 . 388 
 
 Muddy hole Plant"? viz. 
 
 In the Corn House .... 112 
 . Given to yf fatt'f Hogs. . . 28 . 140 
 
 Dogue Run Plant" viz. 
 
 In corn House 45 
 
 Given to the Hogs 30 . 75 
 
 Ferry Plantation — viz. 
 
 In the Corn House 85 
 
 Fatting Hogs 28 
 
 Overseers share 14 . 127 
 
 Total 730 
 
 Deduct. 
 Corn already exp'! on Hogs, . . 130 
 Overseers shares 20 . 150 
 
 Remaining for all my purp', only . . . 580. 
 
 ^ Son of Samuel Wasliin^^ton. 
 
51 
 
 Went a Fox linntiiiq- witli the Gontlcincn who came here yester- 
 day together with Ferdinaudo Washington and Mr. [William] 
 Shaw, after a very early breakfiist. found a Fox just back of 
 Muddy hole Plantation and after a chase of an hour and a quarter 
 w:^n my Dogs, & eight couple of Doctor Smiths (brought by Mr 
 Phil-Alexander) we put him into a hollow tree, in which we fast- 
 ened him, and in the Pincushion put up another Fox which in an 
 hour and 13 minutes was killed — we then after allowing the Fox 
 in the hole half an hour put tlie Dogs upon his Track & in half 
 a mile he took to another hollow tree and was again put out of it 
 but he did not go 600 yards before he had recourse to the same 
 shift — finding therefore that he was a conquered Fox we took the 
 Dogs off and all came home to Dinner except Ml" Dan! Dulany 
 who left us in the Field after the first Fox was treed — Lu nil 
 Washington came home with us to dinner. Doctf Brown who had 
 been sent for to Philip Bateman — came to Dinner and returned 
 afterwards as did all the Gentlemen except the two Mr Hansons & 
 ]\l!" Alexander. 
 
 The Morning of this day indeed all the forenoon was very lower- 
 ing but the evening was clear & very pleasant. 
 
 Friday, 23A 
 
 Thermometer at in the Morn's. 44 at noon — and 42 at night. 
 Morning cloudy, with the wind at West, which shifting to the No. 
 E^ produced strong and encreasing appearances of falling weather 
 before the evening. 
 
 Went out with the two Mr Hansons & W Alexander when they 
 set out on their return after breakfast, with tlie Dogs; just to try 
 if we could touch on a Fox as we went along the Road — they 
 homeward and I to My Plantation in the neck, this we did, but the 
 scent being Cold, and seeing no great prospect of making it out the 
 Dogs were taking off and the Gentlemen went home — and I to 
 Muddy hole Plantation instead of the neck — it being too late to 
 go to, and return froni the former before Dinner. 
 
 Saturday, ^Jf.th. 
 
 Tliermometer at 38 in the Morn'«. 34 at night— and 36 at noon. 
 Wind at N? East with rain in the Morning (a good deal of w<=.*' ap- 
 
52 
 
 peared to have fallen in the night.) About 10 O'clock it began 
 to snow & continued to do so nntill about 2 Oclock when it ceased 
 just covering the Ground the snow being wet. 
 
 Sunday, 2oth. 
 
 Thermometer at 34 in the Morn'^ — 42 at noon — and 42 at 
 night. Morning perfectly clear and fine without wind — about 9 
 O'clock it sprang up from the Southward and blew fresh with 
 various appearances of weather sometimes much like rain & then 
 clearing at night the wind shifted to the Westward and before 
 Morning got to N? West blowing hard all the while. 
 
 Connt Castiglioni, Col? Ball and Mr. Will"? Hunter came here to 
 dinner — the last of whom returned to Alexandria afterwards, 
 
 Monday, 30^. 
 
 Thermometer at 32 in the Morning — 40 at Noon — and 38 at 
 Night. Clear and cold in the Morning with the wind high at N? 
 West which moderated a little towards Night. 
 
 Tuesday, 27-. 
 
 Thermometer at 38 in the morning 44 at noon — and — at 
 night Clear with the wind very liigh from the Southward until 
 the evening when it shifted to the Westward & blew equally hard 
 but did not get to be very cold. 
 
 Wednesday, 3S'A 
 
 Thermometer at 36 in the Morning 38 at noon — and — at 
 n ight. 
 
 Col? Ball went away yesterday, after breakfast, tho' it was un- 
 noticed in the occurrences of the da,j. 
 
 Wind exceedingly high from the N? West & clear. 
 
 A Mr. Israel Jenny of Loudon County came here in the after- 
 noon, respecting some land which he has been endeavouring to ob- 
 tain under an idea of its being waste, but which he finds to be 
 within the lines of my Chattin run tract in Fauquier County, 
 though claimed by Mr Robert Scott, who has put a tenant upon it 
 of the name of Jesse Ilite, who has now been upon it three years 
 
 * 
 
53 
 
 and thereafter to pay Rent. AF. [nattaile] Muse my Collector to 
 be written to on this subject as also concerning My land in Ashbys 
 Bend part of \v'=.*' is claimed by Mr Landon Carter. 
 
 Thursday, 20^. 
 
 Thermometer at 29 in the Morning — at Noon — and 40 at 
 night. Morning clear with very little wind and that from the 
 South — pleasant all day until the evening when it began to lower 
 and about 8 at night set in to raining with a strong Southerly 
 Wind wfh continued through the night. 
 
 Count Castiglioni went away after breakfast, on his tour to the 
 Southward. M": [Israel] Jenny also left this at the same time. 
 
 After which I went to My Dogue run Plantation to measure, 
 with a view to new model, the Fields at that place — did not re- 
 turn until dark nor finish my survey. 
 
 Mr [William] Shaw went to Alexandria to the Assembly. 
 
 Friday, 30'\ 
 
 Thermometer at 46 in the — at Noon — and — at night. A 
 good deal of rain fell in the night which ceased about day break 
 but the wind from the Southward continued to blow very hard all 
 day with flying clouds. 
 
 Went to Dogue run again to compleat my surveys of the Fields 
 which I did about 2 O'clock, and upon my return Found Miss Sally 
 Ramsay, Miss Kitty Washington — M' Porter and Docf Craik 
 Jun^ here. ^If [William] Shaw also returned from Alexandria 
 before Dinner. 
 
 Saturday, Sl^. 
 
 Thermometer at — in the Morning — at noon — and 37 at night. 
 A Raw Wind from the Eastw^ blew in the forenoon — afternoon 
 calm, but chilly, with appearances now & then of a Change in 
 the weather. 
 
 Rid to my Plantations in the neck Afuddy hole, and Ferry, 
 George Steptoe Washington came here to Dinner — and after it 
 went away the Comi)any that came yesterday. 
 
 Landed 230 Bushels of oats today from an Eastern shore vessel 
 
54 
 
 — and by her had brought from Alexandria the Picture drawn by- 
 Mr. [Robert Edge] Pine of Fanny Bassett now Washington and 
 the young [George Washington Parke] Cnstis. 
 
 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS.^ 
 
 1785. 
 
 Jan. 10'!" The white thorn full in berry. 
 
 20. Began to clear the undergrowth in the Pine grove. 
 
 Feb. 12. Renewed the Work in the Pine grove, it having been long 
 interrn|)ted by snow on the ground. 
 
 16. Transplanted Ivy under the wall of the N? Gard. with as much 
 dirt to the root as could be taken up. 
 
 18. Transplanted d"? [Ivy] under the wall of the S? Garden, north 
 side. 
 
 Mar. 2. Began to cart dung upon the ground adjoining the Pine 
 groves intended for clover and orchard grass seeds. 
 
 7. Finished plowing the ground, adjoining the Pine groves, for 
 clover and orchard grass seeds, which was begun in december last. 
 
 11. Planted Hemlock Pine from occoquan. 
 
 12. A Bushel of the Plaister of Paris pounded and sifted weighs 
 82 lbs. 
 
 April 6. Sowed holly berries back of and immediately adjoining to, 
 the green brier hedge on the N? side the gate in front of the house in 3 
 drills. 
 
 6. Sent the shad sein to the Ferry to commence fishing for shad. 
 
 7. Sowed half the lower semicircle with holly berries in drills as 
 above. 
 
 7. Assembled a number of Plows to prepare for sowing the clover 
 & orchard grass seeds by the Pine groves, but rain soon stopped them. 
 
 8. Hoed the ground back of tlie greenbrier hedges to prepare it for 
 sowing grass seeds with diff! quantities of the Plaister of Paris, to try 
 the etHcacy of it as a manure. 
 
 ^ A memorandum in Washington's writing of his agricultural operations 
 during the year. 
 
55 
 
 8. Scattered 2.} lUishols of tliis plaisler on \ the circle in the C! yard, 
 N? side. 
 
 9. Laid off t acres of gr'.' at Muddy hole, & sj)'.' Dung thick on it for 
 clover from the farm 3'ard and began to break it u\) and prepare it for 
 sowing. 
 
 11. The Plows (tho' the gr'.' was not in good order being too wet) 
 were again set to work by the Pine grove, & the I Iocs in the piece 
 adjoining. 
 
 12. Sowed Holly berries in drills (3 rows) from tlie Kitchen to the 
 ha! ha! — and from the servants Hall to the Smith's shop [^ivords 
 illegible.^ 
 
 12. Plowing, rolling, & harrowing the ground for grass seeds at 
 home, by the Pine grove. 
 
 14. Sowed the above 4 acres at IMmldy hole with clover seed, 40 lbs. 
 — the ground had been twice plowed — once harrowed & gone over with 
 Hoes to break the clods, a bush harrow and \^iUegihlp.'] followed. 
 
 14. Sowed ()0 lbs. of clover seed in the ground by the Pine grove 
 (ui)pcr side by ditch) — leaving a space of 6 feet — • sowed half a 
 Bushel of orchard grass seed and o pints of clover seed mixed together, 
 in a breadth quite through the field — then leaving another interval of 
 G feet, 4^ pecks of the orchard grass seed unmixed were sown and the 
 whole harrowed in with a bush harrow. Note, the ground before it was 
 sowed, had been 3 times plowed — twice harrowed, and twice rolled, 
 upon the last of which the seed was sown — and considering the bad 
 weather of the Winter & spring, was in tolerably good order. 
 
 14. Sowed 3 bushels of orchard grass seed on 3 acres of wdieat at 
 Muddy hole, adjoining the clover : & six bushels of the Plaister of Paris 
 in powder along with it — both rolled in; but it was observed that the 
 gr? had received very little benefit from the rolling ; the seed not being 
 buried at all, on ace! of the hardness & dryness thereof ! 
 
 16. Sow^ed If Bush'r of the Albany Pease behind the stable. 
 
 18. Sowed the point (after grubbing and taking the Tussocks and 
 other trash off and burning it) below the clover & orchard grass from 
 a d*"!" chestnut tree downwards, with Parley had from Col'.' Henry Lee — 
 The East side of this was sprinkled with 2 bushels of Plaister of Paris 
 (Powxlered) and harrowed in along with the Barley — After w".'' orchard 
 grass was sown thereon and harrowed in wdth a bush harrow. On the 
 west side of this point. Barley was also sowed and harrowed in with 
 the Iron harrow as on the east side, & the orchard grass seed harrowed 
 with the bush — but the Plaister was sown last and not touched to try 
 the difference betw" burying & letting it lye on the surface — and to 
 try also the virtues of the Plaister as a manure. The gr'.' adjoining 
 
56 
 
 this point, along the fence of the hops, was also sowed with the 
 same Barley & orchard grass seed this day, the gr'.' being first man- 
 ured with stable & farm yard dung, 
 
 20. Again rolled the 3 acres of wheat at Muddy hole, on which the 
 orchard grass seed were sown the 15"' — This rolling (tho after rain) 
 was but of little service, as the hills of the last year's corn prevented 
 much, if any good effect. 
 
 25. Having got the gr!^ on the N? side of the gate, between the 
 brier hedge & ditch in a good state of preparation for the grass 
 seeds intended to be sown in it, for making experiments with the 
 Plaister of Paris, it was divided into equal sections from the outer 
 ditch, pointing to the center of the old gate, the outer part of which, 
 at the ditch was 18^ feet (the inner at the edge of the holly berries 
 16 feet) — each of these sections contained 655 sq^ feet — on the first 
 of which, next the road, 5, on the next 4, on the next 3, on the next 2, 
 & on the next 1 pint of the Plaister of Paris was sprinkled — the 
 uext section had none — Then 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 & nothing again — and 
 so a third time, which made as it were 3 grand divisions — The first 
 named of which the Plaister vras harrowed in with a heavy harrow — 
 The 2^ with a bush. — and the 3*^ was only rolled without harrowing. 
 This was done to try whether burying the Plaister deep, shallow, or 
 not at all, was best, and to ascertain the qt^ proper to an acre; — tlie 
 above being at the rate of 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 bushels to the acre. The 
 whole, after the Plaister was treated in this manner, was sown with 
 orchard grass seeds, about 8 quarts. 
 
 26. The circle on the south side of the gate, was treated in every 
 respect as the other, beginning with the greatest quantity of the plaister 
 next the road. 
 
 26. The Barley and Pease were perceived to be coming up. — tlie 
 
 first very generally — the latter first making their appearance- 
 May 7. The Barley & Pease seem to have come on well. The 
 
 clover had advanced but little — The first sown orchard grass seeds 
 
 were making their appearance ; — but none of the second were to be 
 
 seen. 
 
 7. Discovered no benefit from the Plaister which was ])ut on the 
 
 circle in the C' yard — nor from that which had been spread on the 
 
 wheat at Muddy hole. 
 
 10. Quitted fishing at the Ferry landing. 
 
 18. Finished planting corn at Muddy hole. — only began to plant it 
 
 at the Ferry on 12'!' and at Dogue run the 18^'' inst*, owing to the 
 
 constant wet & cold spring. 
 
67 
 
 25 Pease were brought to Table Un- the first tune in the season 
 to(.h\y. 
 
 June 3. Opened my Ice House. 
 
 17. Cut down (with scythes) the weeds which had siiot up, very 
 rank in the ground which had been sown witli clover & orchard grass 
 seeds at the Home House — as also those in the circles by the gate. 
 
 20. Began to gather seed from the blew or English grass. 
 
 July 27. Cut my Pease which grew from the Albany seed. 
 
 29. Again (for the 2'.' time) cut the weeds among tlie clover at the 
 Home House & for the hrst time those in the clover field at Muddy 
 hole. 
 
 Aug! 15. Obliged to discontinue sowing wheat in corn ground — 
 the drought being so great that the existence of the corn was endan- 
 gered by stirring the earth. 
 
 24 Measured round the ground intended for a deer paddock — ilnd 
 the fence will be about 1600 yards in length that incloses it. 
 
 27. Planted about 1000 grains of the cape wheat below my stables 
 in 2 feet rows and 5 inches distant in the rows. 
 
 30. The latter rains had revived the corn and occasioned a numljer 
 of fresh shoots — but it is apprehended that there was not of the 
 farina suflf' in the Tassel to impregnate the grain. 
 
 30. Remarked that corn and wheat grow as well under Persiinon 
 trees as in open exposures, which proves the value of them for shades, 
 and for their fruit w'^.'' may be distilled &c°^ 
 
 31. The Cape wheat was coming up today. 
 
 Sep. 1. Planted aW 1400 more grains of the Cape wheat along side 
 of the former in rows similar thereto — the 2 quantities about ^ a gill. 
 
 17. Transplanted turnips ou a rod sq' 1 foot apart cutting the 
 tap root. 
 
 Oct. 7. Plowed a cowpen in front of the House, containing about a 
 quarter of an acre for orchard grass. 
 
 8. .Sowed it with near half a busliel of seed, (which was neither 
 clean, nor appeared to be good.) 
 
 19. Planted, after making good the deficiencies of the former about 
 a pint of the cape of good hope wheat (sent me by Mf Powell) in 14 
 rows alons side of the other in the inclosure behind the stables. 
 
58 
 
 23. The orchard grass seeds sowed ou the 8'.'' inst. was coming up 
 thick and well. 
 
 24. A small spot of orchard grass seed, sowu ou low laud at Dogue 
 run the was coming up very well. 
 
 28. Put up Hogs to fatten. 
 
 Nov^ 2. The Cape wheat (of M"" Powell's) was coming up very well. 
 
 5. Put powdered Plaister of Paris, 2 quarts, viz. 1 burnt ; the other 
 unburnt, on two sections of the circle in the court yard, from the deal 
 post to the center post of the street to the Quarter, which is at the rate 
 of 8 bush'? to the acre, being the poorest part of the circle. The west 
 section was spread with the unburnt. 
 
 30. The first sowed cape wheat having become very rank at least 
 half leg high and jointed, I cut 3 rows on the East side within 4 Inches 
 of the gr'? just above the crown of the plant. 
 
 Dec. 1. Experiment on the difference between spirmaceti candles 
 and Tallow related. 
 
 6. Another experiment for the same purpose 
 
 13. Killed my Hogs that had been put up to fatten. 
 
 21. Finished measurius; Coru at all the Plantations — see ace! of it. 
 
 LETTERS OF WASHINGTON, 1785. 
 ' I. 
 
 TO RICHARD HENRY LEE. 
 
 Mount Verxon, August 22, 1785. 
 
 Dear Sir — In my al)sence with the directors of the Potomac navi- 
 gation, to examine the river, and fix a plan of operations, your favour 
 begun ou the 23*^, and ended the 31st of July, came to this place. I am 
 sorry to hear of your late indisposition, but congratulate you ou your 
 recovery; hoping that the re-establishment of your health will be of 
 long continuance. Tlie packet which you were so obliging as to send 
 me, came safely, and I thank you for your care of it ; but for want of 
 knowledge of the language, I can form no opinion of my own of the 
 dramatic performance of Monsieur Serviteur le Barbier. 
 
 The currency of my imformatiou from France is, that the dispute 
 between the emperor and Holland, will be accommodated without 
 
59 
 
 bloodshed; but after the explicit deelarations which have been made 
 on both sides, I do not see how either (especially the first) can recede 
 from his claims. To save api)earant'es, and to let the contending 
 parties down handsomely, say some of my letters, is now the greatest 
 ditliculty ; but all agree, that a spark may set the whole in llames ; 
 indeed Bavaria, it is expected, will yet do this. 
 
 It is to be hoped that our minister at the court of London, will bring 
 that government to an explanation respecting the Western posts, which 
 it still retains on tlie American side of tlie line, contrary to the spirit, if 
 not to the letter, of the treaty. JNIy opinion from the first, and so I 
 declared it, was, that these posts Avould be detained from us, so long as 
 they changed it, though I wish for cause to do so, as it may ultimately 
 become a serious matter. However singular the opinion may be, I can- 
 not divest myself of it, that the navigation of the Mississippi, at this 
 time, ought to be no object with us ; on tlie contrary, till we have a 
 little time allowed to open and make easy the ways between the 
 Atlantic States and the western territory, the obstructions had better 
 remain. There is nothing which binds one country, or one state, to 
 another, but interest ; without this cement, the western inhabitants 
 (which more than probably will be composed in a great degree of 
 foreigners) can have no predilection for us; and a commercial connexion 
 is the only tie we can have upon them. 
 
 It is clear to me that the trade of the lakes and of the river Oliio, as 
 low as the Great Kanhawa (if not to the falls) may be brought to the 
 ports on the Atlantic, easier and cheaper, (taking the whole voyage to- 
 gether) than it can be carried to New Orleans ; but once open the door 
 to the latter, before the obstructions are removed from the former ; let 
 commercial connexions (which lead to others) be formed, and the habit 
 of that trade be well established, and it will be found no easy matter 
 to divert it : and vice versa. 
 
 When the settlements are stronger and more extended to the west- 
 ward, the navigation of the river Mississippi will be an object of im- 
 portance; and we shall be able then (reserving our claim) to speak a 
 more efficacious language than policy, I think, should dictate at 
 present. 
 
 I never have, and I hope never shall hear, any serious mention of a 
 paper emission in this state, yet such a thing may be in agitation. 
 Ignorance and design are productive of mucli mischief, (the first is the 
 tool of the latter,) and are often set to work as suddenly as unex- 
 pectedly ; those with whom I have conversed on this subject, in this part 
 of the state, reprobate the idea exceedingl3\ 
 
 We have lately had the pleasure of Miss Lee's and Miss Hannah's 
 
CO 
 
 company at this place ; they were both well five days ago. IMrs. 
 Washington prays you to accept her compliments ; and with sentiments 
 &c &c &c &c 
 
 Gko. Washington. 
 P. S. 
 
 Your name, I well remember, stands amongst those of the subscribers 
 for a share in the Potomac Company. 
 
 G.W. 
 
 II. 
 
 TO JONATHAN TRUMBULL. 
 
 Mount Veunon, 1 October, 178.'). 
 
 My D"? Sill — It has so happened, that your letter of the first of last 
 month did not reach me until Saturday's post. 
 
 You know too well the sincere respect & regard I entertained for 
 your venerable Father's public & private character to require assurances 
 of the concern I felt for his death ; or of that s^-mpathy in your feelings 
 for the loss of him, which is prompted by friendship : — Under it how- 
 ever, great as your pangs may have been at the first shock, you have 
 every thing to console you. A long & well spent life in the service of 
 bis Country, justly entitled him to the first place among patriots. In 
 the social duties he yielded to none ; & his lamp, from the common course 
 of nature, being nearly extinguished — and worn down with age & 
 cares ; but retaining his mental faculties in full vigor ; — are blessings 
 which rarely attend advanced life : — All these combining have secured 
 to him universal respect & Love here ; & no doubt immeasurable 
 happiness hereafter. 
 
 I am sensible that none of these observations can have escaped you, 
 & that I can offer nothing which your own reason has not already 
 suggested on this occasion ; & being moreover of Sternes opinion that — 
 "Before an affliction is digested, consolation ever comes too soon; — 
 and after it is digested it comes too late : — there is but a mark between 
 these two, as fine almost as a hair, for a comforter to take aim at." I 
 rarely attempt it — nor shall I add more on this subject to you ; as it 
 would only be a renewal of sorrow, by recalling afresh to your 
 Remembrance things which had better be forgotten. 
 
 My principal pursuits are of a rural Nature, in which I have great 
 delight ; especially as I am blessed with the enjoyment of good health. 
 M'f Washington on the contrary is scarcely ever well, but thankful for 
 
61 
 
 your Kind remembrfince of her, & joins mc in every gcrod wish for you, 
 Mrs. Trumbull & your family — Be assured that, with sentiments of the 
 purest esteem & regard, 
 
 I am &f 
 
 G: Washington. 
 
 III. 
 
 TO JOHN PAGE. 
 
 Mount Vernon, 3 October, 1785. 
 
 Soon after I returned from Richmond in May last, I spoke to a Dutch 
 merchant in Alexandria on the subject of importing Germans ; but not 
 receiving any satisfactory information from him, tho' he was perfectly 
 willing to oblige, I requested him, as he was on the eve of a journey 
 thro' Baltimore to Boston, at both which Dutch Houses are established, 
 & in the last he is concerned ; to make every enquiry he could respect- 
 ing the mode — the terms, & practicability of obtaining the number we 
 want : — but meeting with no precise information here neither — I wrote 
 some little time ago to M. De Neuf ville, a Gentleman of very respectable 
 character at Amsterdam, with whom I have long corresponded, for full 
 information ; & to know also, if £5000 could be borrowed for the use of 
 the Company ^ on such terms, & upon such securities as it proposed to 
 give. Herein also I have been unlucky, for soon after I had written 
 & had sent my Letter to New York to obtain a passage by the Packet, 
 I received an account of this Gentlemans arrival at Boston. These 
 delays following the enquiries which I only considered as auxiliary to 
 those of the Managers, to whom I intended to communicate the result, 
 will be unlucky if they have taken no steps in the mean while them- 
 selves — Would it not be advisable in case ni}' good Sir, for you as one 
 of them to go fully into the matter whilst you are at Philadelphia, 
 where, it is to be presumed, the best information on this side the 
 Atlantic is to be obtained; & the most likel}^ place to enter into con- 
 tracts — unless a person in behalf of the Company, should be sent to 
 Holland expressly for this purpose; or a gentleman there, in whom 
 confidence could be placed would undertake it. 
 
 But unless M": Anderson should succeed in negotiating the loan he 
 was requested to obtain — or the like sum could be borrowed in Holland, 
 
 ^ The Potomac Canal Company. 
 
62 
 
 — we sluill be without funds to carry the Plan into effect, & conse- 
 quently cannot advance beyond the limits of enquiry — or pi'eliminary 
 agreement. 
 
 Mrs Washington joins me in respectful compliments to Mrs. Page, 
 who we hope will reap all the benefits which are expected from the 
 change of climate. 
 
 With very great esteem &*! 
 
 G. Washington. 
 
 IV. 
 
 TO THE KEV. MR. BALCH. 
 
 Mount Veknon, 22 November, 1785. 
 
 Eev? Sir, — The expence attending the residence of my Nephews at 
 Georgetown so far exceeds the idea I was led to entertain when they 
 went there, that, in behalf of their Guardian, I am compelled to remove 
 them. 
 
 AVhen they were sent to the Academy under your management, I Avas 
 informed by Col? Fitzhugh, that the charge for schooling & Board (if I 
 am not mistaken) was £31 — each — Cloathing if judiciously applied & 
 properly attended to, I knew could not be a very great expence, for 
 boys of their standing. 
 
 But to my surprize, I have already paid Mr Stoddert £67 — 18 . 6 — 
 Mr. Bayle £55 .5.2. — & yesterday in a letter from the latter, I am 
 informed that there is half a years board due to him for each — & an 
 acco! of cloathing besides, yet to be exhibited. 
 
 The leading motive Sir, which influenced me to send them to George- 
 town — was, their boarding with you, & I expected from what had 
 passed between us, — after the intervention which had occasioned the 
 suspension of it, they would have returned to you : — but now Mf Bayle 
 writes me that he also declines boarding them after the 24'?' inst. & 
 points out a third Person. 
 
 These several circumstances combining, added to a conviction founded 
 in experience, that I can not restrain the profuse & improper advances 
 of Goods for them at a distance, have induced me to bring them to 
 Alexandria, where I shall be a witness to their wants, and can supply 
 their necessities upon more advantageous terms, than they have been 
 hitherto — 
 
 I am rev'' Sir ifcc. 
 
 G. Washington. 
 
63 
 
 V. 
 
 TO SIR ED WARD NEWEXIIAM. 
 
 MoiNT Veuxox, 25 November, 1785. 
 
 Deau Sik, Since I had the honor of writing to you on the 20'.'' of 
 March, which was done in haste (having but little notice of Capt. 
 Bayles intended departure, before the time appointed for his sailing — 
 & then to send my dispatclies to Richmond 125 miles) — I have been 
 favored with your letters of the 3'.' of March, 25'!' of May, & 23'.' of 
 July. The first was forwarded to me by Capt° Bibby, whom I have 
 not yet had the pleasure of seeing; tho' he gives me assurances of 
 it, & to whom I shall have pleasure in rendering any services iu my 
 power consistently — if it should be found necessary. 
 
 The opposition which the virtuous characters of Ireland have given to 
 the attempts of a British Administration's interfering with its manu- 
 factures, fettering its connnerce, restraining the liberties of its subjects 
 by their plan of reform &" &% will hand their names to posterity with 
 that reputation & respect to which their amor patriae entitles them. 
 
 Precedents, as you justly observe, are dangerous things — they form 
 the arm which first arrests the liberties & happiness of a Country. 
 
 In the first approaches they may indeed assume the garb of plausi- 
 bility & Moderation, & are generally spoken of by the movers as a 
 chip in porrage (to avoid giving alarm) — but soon are made to speak a 
 language equally decisive and irresistible ; which shews the necessity of 
 opposition in the first attempts to establish them, let them appear under 
 what guise or courtly form they may ; — & proves too that vigilance & 
 watchfulness can scarcely be carried to an excess in guarding against 
 the insidious arts of a Government founded iu corruption. 
 
 I do not think there is as much wisdom & sound policy displayed in 
 the different Legislatures of these States as might be; yet I hope every- 
 thing will come right at last. In republican Governments it too often 
 happens that the people (not always seeing) rami feel before they Act: 
 — this is productive of errors & temporary evils — but generally these 
 evils are of a nature to work their own cure. 
 
 The situation of affairs in Ireland, whilst the propositions were pend- 
 ing in the Parliament of it, would, I concluded, be a means of postpon- 
 ing your voyage to this country ; — but as these seem to have met 
 their quietus, I hope nothing else will intervene to prevent your ful- 
 filling your expectation of coming in the Spring ; — the season will 
 then be favourable for crossing the Atlantic. 
 
64 
 
 Had I been present & apprized of yonr iiiloiitioii of makino; an aerial 
 voyage with Mona' Potain, I should have joined iny entreaties to those 
 of I^ady Nevveuham to have prevented it. As yet, I see no object to 
 warrant a gentleman of fortune (happy in himself — happy in a family 
 w''.'' might be rendered miserable by a disaster, against which no human 
 foresight can guard) running such a risk. It may do for young men 
 of science & spirit to explore the upper regions : — the observations 
 there made may serve to ascertain the utility of the first discovery, & how 
 far it may be applied to valuable purposes. To such alone I think 
 these voyages ought at present to be consigned — & to them handsome 
 public encouragements should be offer'd for the risk they run in ascer- 
 taining its usefulness, or the inutility of the pursuit. 
 
 I have neither seen nor heard of Mr. Thorpe the s[t]ucco worker 
 mentioned in your letter of the 23? of July. A good man acquainted 
 with that business would have come very opportunely to me, as 1 had, 
 & now have a large room which I am about to finish in this way. I 
 have at length engaged a person to do it; — who from having no rival, 
 imposes his own terms, which I think are exorbitant — good workmen 
 of any profession would meet encouragement in these States. For 
 the many marks of attention which you have been pleased to bestow 
 upon me — I feel myself your Debtor : — could my picture which is 
 placed in a groupe with Dr. P'ranklin, the Marq! de la Faj'ette & others 
 in your library, speak the sentiments of the original, it would salute 
 you every morning with its acknowledgements, I have never seen 
 more than one picture of Gen! Green, & that a Mezzotinto print sent 
 to me a few days ago only, by the publisher a Mr. Brown at N? 10 
 George Yard, Lombard Street, London ; taken it is said from a painting 
 done at Philad* 
 
 The Magazines, Gazettes &? which you had the goodness to forward 
 to me, came safe ; & I pray you to accept my thanks for them — My 
 best respects, in which Mrs. Washington joins, are presented to Lady 
 Newenham & yourself. 
 
 With sentiments of great esteem & regard, 
 
 I am &? 
 
 G : Wasuington. 
 
65 
 
 VI. 
 
 TO JAMES MADISON. 
 
 As printed by Mr. Sparks (ix. 146), Washington's letter to Madison, 
 dated Mt. Vernon, 30 Nov. 1785, omits after the paragraph ending witli 
 the word " desirable" the following lines : — 
 
 " It gives me great pleasure to hear that our Assembly were in a way 
 of adopting a mode for establishing the cut between Elizabeth River & 
 Pasquotanck which was likely to meet the approbation of the State of 
 N. Carolina. It appears to me that no Country in the Universe is bet- 
 ter calculated to derive a benefit from inland navigation than this is, 
 and certain I am that the conveniences to the citizen individually, & the 
 sources of wealth to the country generally which will be opened thereby 
 will be found to exceed the most sanguine imagination. The mind can 
 scarcely take in at one view all the benefits which will result therefrom. 
 The saving in draught cattle, preservation of Roads, &c, &c, will be 
 felt most interestingly. This business only wants a beginning. Rappa- 
 hanock, Shannondoah, Roanoke and the branches of York River will 
 soon perceive the advantages which water transportation (in ways hardly 
 thought of at first) have over that of land and will extend navigation 
 to almost every man's door." 
 
 VI r. 
 
 TO DAVIJ) STUART. 
 
 MoLNT Verxon, .30 November, 1785. 
 
 Dr Sir, Your favor of the IC^^ came duly to hand, cS: I thank you for 
 its several communications. The resolutions which were published for 
 consideration, vesting Congress with powers to regulate the commerce 
 of the Union, have I hope been acceded to. If the States individually 
 were to attempt this, an abortion, or a many headed Monster would be 
 the issue. If we consider ourselves, or wish to be considered by 
 others as a United people, why not adopt the measures which are char- 
 acteristic of it, & support the honor & dignity of one? If we are 
 afraid to trust one another under qualified Powers there is an end of the 
 Union — why then need we be sollicitous to keep up the farce of it? 
 
 It gives me pleasure to hear that there is such an accordance of 
 sentiments between the Eastern & Western parts of this State — ISly 
 
66 
 
 opinion of the separation lias always been, to meet them half way, upon 
 fair & just grounds ; & part like friends disposed to acts of brotherly 
 Kindness thereafter — I wish you liad mention'd the territorial line 
 between us. 
 
 The port liill ; the Assize Law (or any substitute for the speedy 
 administration of Justice; being established; — good faith with respect 
 to treaties, preserved by public acts ; taxation continued & regularly 
 collected, that justice to one part of the community may keep pace with 
 relief to the other, & our National character for Justice, thereby sup- 
 ported; — a due attention to tlie Militia, and encouragements to extend 
 the inland navigation of this Commonwealth where it is useful & practi- 
 cable, (which will not only be of amazing convenience & advantage to 
 its citizens, but sources of immense wealth to the country through some 
 of it Channels) — are among the great & important objects which will 
 come before you, & a due attention to them will, I hope, mark the 
 the present epocha for having produced able statesmen, sound patriots 
 & liberal minded men. 
 
 At a late Meeting of the Directors of the Potomac Navigation at the 
 great Falls, & from a critical examination of the ground at that place ; 
 we unanimously determined to petition the Assemblies of the two States 
 to be relieved from the expence of sinking our canals four feet deep ; 
 as a considerable expence, & no advantage that we could discover, was 
 likely to.attend it. As the petition which is herewith sent under cover 
 to you & Col? Syme recites the reasons on which it is founded I shall 
 not repeat them : — the public as well as the Company's interest calls for 
 an CEConomical use of the fund which is subscribed for this undertaking ; 
 — the enemies therefore (if there are any) to the navigation, are equally 
 bound with its friends, to give it support. 
 
 I should be much obliged to you for desiring the public printer to 
 send me the Journals of the present Session from its commencement, — 
 & to do it thro' the session as fast as they are printed, by the Post. 
 I pray you to pay him for them, «fe for My Gazette (if Hay is the pub- 
 lic printer) & I will repay you with thanks when you return. 
 
 I am very glad to hear you have got so well over your fever — 
 Mrs. Stuart has had a bad cold but is getting better — All here join mc 
 in best wishes for you & I am &.". 
 
 G: Wasiiinotox. 
 
67 
 
 VIII. 
 
 TO COUNT DE ROCIIAMBEAU. 
 
 Mount Vernox, 1 December, 1785. 
 
 jNIy Dear Couxt, Your letter of the 2d of June, whicli you had 
 the goodness to write me at the moment of your taking leave of the 
 venerable Dr. Franklin, now lies before me ; and I read the renewed as- 
 surances of your friendship with sentiments of gratitude and pleasure, 
 short of nothing but the satisfaction I should feel at seeing you, and the 
 recollection of the hours in which, toiling together, we formed our friend- 
 ship, a friendship which I hope will continue as long as we shall continue 
 to be actors on the present theatre. 
 
 A man in the vigor of life could not have borne the fatigues of a pas- 
 sage across the Atlantic with more fortitude, aud greater ease, than the 
 Doctor did ; and since, instead of setting himself down in the lap of 
 ease, which might have been expected from a person at his advanced age, 
 he has again entered upon the bustling scenes of public life, aud in the 
 chair of state is endeavouring to reconcile the jarring interests of the 
 citizens of Pennsylvania. If he should succeed, fresli laurels will crown 
 his brow ; but it is to be feared, tliat the task is too great for human 
 wisdom. I have not yet seen the good old man, but have had inter- 
 course with him by letters. 
 
 Rumors of war still prevail, between the Dutch and the E^mperor, 
 and it seems, if newspaper accounts are to be credited, to be near at 
 hand. If this event should take place, more powers must engage in it, 
 and perhaps a general flame will be kindled ere the first is extinguished. 
 America may think herself happy in having tlie Atlantic for a barrier ; 
 otherwise a spark might set her a blazing. At present we are peaceable, 
 and our governments are acquiring a better tone. Congress, I am per- 
 suaded, will soon be vested with greater powers. The conunercial in- 
 terests throughout the Union are exerting themselves to obtain these, 
 and I have no doubt will effect it. We shall be able then, if a com- 
 mercial treaty is not entered into with Great Britain, to meet her on the 
 restrictive and contracted ground she has taken, and interdict her ship- 
 ping and trade in the same manner she has done those of these States. 
 This, and this only, will convince her of the illiberality of her conduct 
 towards us ; or that her policy has been too refined and overstrained, 
 even for the accomplishment of her own purposes. 
 
 MvH. AVashington is thankful for your constant remembrance of her, 
 and joins me in every good wish for you and Madame de Rochambeau. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. 
 
68 
 
 IX. 
 
 TO WILLIAM GORDON. 
 
 MooNT Vernon, 6 December, 1785. 
 
 D? Sir, Altbo' I am so great a delinquent in the epistolary way, I 
 will not again tread over the usual ground for an excuse, but ratber 
 silently throw myself upou your philanthropy to obtain one. 
 
 In reading the Memoir which passed thro' my hands to you (for I have 
 no copy of it) I do not recollect that I was struck with any exagerations 
 or improprieties in it ; ■ — nor is it in my power to give you a precise de- 
 tail of the facts about which you enquh-e, without unpacking my papers, 
 & entering upou a volumiuous research therefor ; which might not after 
 all elucidate the poiuts. 
 
 Whether G-en! Howe commanded in person at the intended surprize & 
 attack of the Marq? de la Fayette at Baron Hill, I am unable positively 
 to say : — I would suppose however that he did — first, because the narra- 
 tive says so — 2*^1^ because he did not relinquish the command until with- 
 in a few days of the evacuation of Philadel? & 3''.'^, because the British 
 Army came out in full force. That the column on the right commanded 
 by Gen! Grant was strong, can admit of no doubt ; (and report to the 
 best of my recollection made the number 7000) because it was desigu'd 
 to turn the Marquis's left flank, get into his rear, & cut off his retreat by 
 the nearest & most direct roads ; whilst he was to have been attacked 
 in front, & on his right (which was next the Schuylkill) by the Com- 
 mander in Chief, & light infautry ; — by the first in front, by the other 
 on the flank. 
 
 The French troops which were landed from on board the fleet, formed 
 a junction with the American Troops before, & were all under the Com- 
 mand of the Marquis till my arrival. The position at Williamsburgh 
 was taken I believe, with a view to form tlie junction, being favorable 
 to it ; — the defile between the College Creek which empties into James 
 river, & Queen's Creek which empties into York river, being very 
 narrow, & behind the former of which the French landed in perfect 
 security. 
 
 My excursions up this river (for I have had several) have afforded me 
 much satisfaction, as we find the undertaking to extend & improve 
 the navigation of it, is not only practicable ; but that the difficulties 
 which were expected to be met with, rather decrease than Multiply 
 upon us. 
 
 I come now, my good Doctor, to acknowledge in a particular Man- 
 
69 
 
 ner the receipt of your obliging favor of the 7'!' ult?, & and to thauk 
 you for your kind & vahiable present of Fish which is very fine & had 
 a more successful passage than the last, no aceo' of which having ever 
 yet been received. 
 
 I have too Mrs. Washington's particular thanks to offer you for the 
 flower roots & seeds, which she will preserve in the manner directed. 
 I have put into a box with earth, shrubs of tiie Redwood (or red-bud) & 
 Fringe tree, which General Lincoln i)romiscd his vessel should heave to 
 & take for you as she passed by. I was going to send otiier flowering 
 shrubs, but upon mentioning the names of them, the Gen! & Col'.' Henley 
 said your Country already abounded with them. I forgot however, to 
 ask them if you have the Magnolio ; — if you have not, I can send some 
 by another opportunity. 
 
 I hope this letter will find you quite relieved from the feverish com- 
 plaint you had when you wrote last, & Mrs. Gordon in perfect health, 
 to whom & yourself Mrs. Washington & the family (who are all well) 
 join me in every good wish — Fanny Bassett & my nephew Geo: A. 
 Washington have fullfiled an engagement of long standing & are uow^ 
 one bone, and one fiesh. 
 
 With great esteem, &': 
 
 G : Washington. 
 
 X. 
 
 TO ALEXANDER HAMILTON. 
 
 Mount Vkrnon, 11 December, 178"). 
 
 D? SiK, I have been favor'd with your letter of the 25'." of Nov. by 
 Majr Farlie. Sincerely do I wish that the several State Societies had, 
 or would adopt the alterations which were made & recommended by 
 the General Meeting in May 1784. I then thought & I have had no 
 cause since to change my opinion, that if the Society of the Cincinnati 
 mean to live in peace with the rest of their fellow citizens, they must 
 subscribe to the Alterations which were at that time adopted. That 
 the jealousies of, & prejudices against this Society were carried to an 
 unwarrantable length, I will readily grant, & that less than was done 
 ought to have removed the fears which had been imbibed, I am as clear 
 in, as I am that it would not have done it. But it is a matter of little 
 moment whether the alarm which seized the public mind was the result 
 of foresight, envy, jealousy or a disordered imagination — the effect of 
 
70 
 
 perseverance would have been the same ; & wherein would have been 
 found an equivalent for the separation of interests which from ray best 
 information (not from one State onl}', but many) would have inevitably, 
 taken place ? 
 
 The fears of the people are not yet removed — they only sleep, & 
 a ver}' little matter will set them afloat again. 
 
 Had it not been for the predicament in which we stand, with respect 
 to the foreign officers, & the charitable part of the institution, I should 
 on that occasion, as far as my voice would have gone, have endeavoured 
 to convince the narrow minded part of our countrymen that the Amor 
 patriae was much stronger in our breasts than in theirs ; & that our 
 conduct thro' the whole of this business was actuated by nobler & more 
 generous sentiments than was apprehended by abolishing the Society at 
 once with a declaration of the causes & the purity of its intention : — 
 but the latter may be interesting to many, & the former is an insuper- 
 able bar to such a step. 
 
 I am sincerely sorry to find by your letter that the B— n,' is again 
 in straightened circumstance. I am much disinclined to ask favors of 
 Congress, but if I knew what the objects of his wishes are, I should 
 have much pleasure in rendering him any services in my power, with 
 such Members of that Body as I now & then correspond with. I had 
 flattered myself, from what was told me some time ago, that Congress 
 had made a final settlement with the B — n much to his satisfaction. 
 
 My compliments & best wishes, in which Mrs. Washington joins, are 
 presented to Mrs. Hamilton. 
 
 I am &" 
 
 G : AVashington. 
 
 P. S. When you see fienl Schuyler & family, I pray you to offer my 
 best respects to them. 
 
 XI. 
 
 TO GENERAL KNOX. 
 
 Mount Verxon 11'^ Dec. 178.'). 
 My Dear Sir, Majf Farlie gave me the pleasure of receiving your 
 letter of the 22? Ins* & thereby knowing that you, Mr" Knox & the 
 family are all well. 
 
 It has always been my opinion you know, that our Affairs with respect 
 to the Indians would never be in a good train whilst the British Garri- 
 sons remained on the American side of the territorial line — & that these 
 
 1 Baron Steuben. 
 
71 
 
 Posts would not be evacuated by them, as long as any pretext could be 
 found to with-hold them. They know the importance of these Posts 
 too well to give them up soon, or quietly. their trade with the 
 Indians in a great measure depend upon the possession of them, 
 knowing full well that all the assertions of our Comm'.'= with respect 
 to the Articles of Peace, & their obligations to surrender them, is 
 no more than chaff before the wind when opposed by the scale of 
 possession. 
 
 I am sorry the State Societies should hesitate to comply with the 
 recommendation of the General Meeting of the Cincinati, holden at 
 Phil* in 1784. I then thought, & have no cause since to change 
 my opinion, that nothing short of what was then done would appease 
 the clamours which were raised against this Institution. Some late 
 attacks have been made upon it ; amongst which a Pamphlet written by 
 the Count de Mirabeau, a French Gentleman, has just made its appear- 
 ance. It is come to my hands translated into English, but I have not 
 had time yet to read it. 
 
 I am sorry you have undergone any chagreen on ace' of the lime- 
 stone. I have got through my summers work without any disappoint- 
 ment therefrom ; having had it in my power at all times, when wanted, 
 to buy Shells, nor would I wish to have any sent me now, unless by 
 contract not to exceed one shilling and three pence at the ships side in 
 Alexandria, or opposite to my House; and this I do not expect, as 
 Stone lime is oftener higher at the former place. 
 
 It is unnecessary to assure you of the pleasure I should feel at seeing 
 you at this place, whenever business or inclination may bring you to 
 this State. Every good wish in which M':' Washington joins me, is 
 offered to you, M""." Knox and the children. 
 
 With every sentiment of friendship & regard, 
 I am, My dear Sir, 
 
 V: affec' H''.'"' Serv! 
 
 G? Washington. 
 Ma.i" Gen'. Knox. 
 
 XII. 
 
 TO THOMAS JOHNSON. 
 
 Mount Vernon, 20 December, 1785. 
 
 D"! Sir, It so happened that your letter of the 4'." ult'.' with its enclos- 
 ures, did not meet a quick passage to me, & that some delays after- 
 
72 
 
 wards, more the effect of accident than neglect, prevented the petition 
 & Bill (which you were so obliging as to draw) from getting to the 
 Assemblies of the two States, so soon as were to be wished ; however 
 they are now before them ; & from that of Maryland, I am informed by 
 a gentleman to whom 1 had written on the occasion, that the business 
 could meet with no opposition there ; — & from that of this State that 
 it was reported reasonable Acts, it is to be hoped, will therefore pass, 
 conformably to our desires. 
 
 I feel myself much obliged by the calculations you have been at the 
 trouble to make & to transmit to me ; & at all times shall be happy in a 
 full & unreserved communication of your sentiments on this, or any 
 other business. This in particular is a new work — stands in need of 
 all the information we can obtain, & is much indebted to you for many 
 estimates, & ideas which have been ver}^ useful. 
 
 It is to be apprehended, notwithstanding the great encouragements 
 which have been offered by the Directors of the Company for the hire 
 of Negroes, that we shall not succeed in obtaining them. An idea is 
 entertained by the proprietors of them, that the nature of the work will 
 expose them to dangers which are not compensated by the terms. 
 Servants I hope are purchased ere this ; — Col" Fitzgerald was to have 
 gone yesterday to George town for this purpose. If the appearance 
 of the people is at all favorable, the price at which Col? Deakens offers 
 them will be no obstacle. 
 
 This letter, handed to the care of Col" Deakens, will be accompanied 
 by a small bag of Spanish Chesnuts — half of which you will please to 
 accept, & the other contrive to M"^ Lee — they were sent to the Alex- 
 andria races in October to be given to him, but the delivery was neg- 
 lected. It might be well perhaps to put them in sand to prevent an over 
 drying to the injury of vegitation. 
 
 With very great esteem &•: 
 
 G : Washington. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 TO LUND WASHINGTON. 
 
 Mount Vernon, 20 December, 1785. 
 
 D" Lund, Having come to a fixed determination (whatever else may 
 be left uridone) to attend to the business of my plantations ; and having 
 enquired of Geo: Washington how far it would be agreeable to him & 
 his wife to make this place a permanent residence, (for before it was 
 
73 
 
 only consklered as their temporary' abode, until some plan could be 
 settled for them) & finding it to comport with their inclinations, I now 
 inform you that it will be in my power to comply with j'our wishes with 
 less inconvenience than appeared when you first proposed to leave my 
 emploj'uient. 
 
 The business of the Mill is what both of us, will be most at a loss 
 about at first; & as the people wanting flour are in the habit of applying 
 to you for it, it would be rendering me a service to give your attention 
 to this matter, until he can become a little acquainted with the mode of 
 managing it ; & your advice to him afterwards in this & other affairs 
 may be useful. 
 
 The mode of paying the taxes, the times of collection, & in what 
 kind of property it is most advantageous to discharge them, — & the 
 amount of them, is another business in which he will be to seek ; & I 
 have not sutiicieut knowledge of the practice to instruct him. 
 
 Nothing else occurs to me at this time in which it is essential to give 
 you any trouble after the present year; for if I should not be able to 
 visit the plantations as often as I could wish, (owing to company or 
 other engagements) I am resolved that an account of the stock & every 
 occurrence that happens in the course of the week shall be minutely 
 detailed to me every Saturday. Matters cannot go much out of sorts 
 in that time without a seasonable remedy. For both our interests, the 
 wheat remaining in the straw should be an object of your care. 
 
 I am &? 
 
 G : WASiiixaxoN. 
 
 Mr. Charles K. Bolton exhibited and read an anony- 
 mous contemporary manuscript belonging to the Boston 
 Athenaeum, of which the following is a copy : — 
 
 An elegy on the death of General 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON. 
 
 1. 
 
 "What m.ournful strains invade our ears? 
 Whence those sad plaints, those copious tears ? 
 This solemn silence woeful pause ! 
 All, all bespeak some deep felt cause. 
 A deep felt cause ! a nation weeps. 
 In dust Columbia's Guardian sleeps. 
 
74 
 
 A nation's prayers his life to save, 
 To heav'n in clouds of incence rose, 
 A nation's tears bedew his grave, 
 And angels gaurd his sweet repose. 
 The PATRIOT 's dead ! a nation weep. 
 In dust Columbia's Gaurdian sleeps. 
 
 When Albion's proud insulting foe 
 Aim'd our best rights to overthrow. 
 His arm, out stretch'd in conquering might 
 Their veteran army put to flight. 
 The HERO 's dead ! a nation weeps, 
 In dust Columbia's Guardian sleeps. 
 
 4. 
 
 The peace obtain'd so long desir'd, 
 To Vernon's shades the Chief retir'd. 
 But faction's cruel feud arose, 
 And broke the Farmer's hop'd repose. 
 Our FRIEND is dead! a nation weeps, 
 In dust Columbia's Guardian sleeps. 
 
 5. 
 
 His Country's voice once more he hears, 
 And in the Council he appears, 
 The mighty Charter of our land, 
 Is sanction'd by our Moses' hand. 
 Our CHIEF is dead ! a nation weeps 
 In dust Columbia's Guardian sleeps. 
 
 6. 
 
 With equal laws he rules the state 
 Supports the weak, directs the great ; 
 Then jields the helmn, retires to rest 
 By all his Country lov'd and blest. 
 The SAGE is dead ! a nation weeps 
 In dust Columbia's Guardian sleeps. 
 
75 
 
 Again his ready sword he draws ; 
 Unmov'd he stands in Freedom's cause ; 
 Nor shrinks to heed the marshal band, 
 Should hostile foes invade the laud. 
 Our GEXEKAL 's dead ! &c 
 
 8. 
 
 Thy ways King of Kings is just 
 Or when we live or turn to dust; 
 Then cease from man, look up on high, 
 Our only hope's al)ove the sky. 
 We all must die and turn to dust, 
 Tho' Man is mortal God is just. 
 
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