Fields, Joseph E. 'Worthy Partner': The Papers of Martha Washington. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1994.

Mount Vernon Ladies' Association

The Speaker of the Senate of Pennsylvania will have the Honor to wait on the President of the United States and Mrs Washington on Thursday next.

Mrs. Powel has the Pleasure to present her respectful Compliments to them and to express her Regrets that she cannot have the Honor of dining with them upon that Day.
Friday 8 June 1792

Autograph Letter Signed

Fields, Joseph E. 'Worthy Partner': The Papers of Martha Washington. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1994.

Feinstone Collection, David Library of the American Revolution, Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania

My dear Fanny                                      Philadelphia April the 22 1792

I am happy to find by your last Letter that your dear little Babes are all well, so young as they are it is quite as well, if they do not take the Hooping cough at this time - the season is favorable and it is provable they would have the complaint very light - yet it is not desirable that they should have it while they are so small - I wish you would let me know in your next which you will reather have chocolate in cakes or the shells I should suppose the expence of boath is the same and I will send that you like best and everything that we shall want, how are your stock of spices nutts are so dear hear that we must do with the indian wallnutt if Frank has taken care to put up a good many of them, sugar is also very high - as is every thing else is it was a very careless trick in Mrs Stuarts maid, to let the children break the Looking glass if one is necessary you can get it in Alexandria as cheap as hear, and as I have no choice get such a glass as you like yourself as it is a matter of indefference to me what kind of glass it is - I am sorry my dear Fanny - you should feel a moments uneasiness for the rose water - 1 know it was not wanted with you and there is a great deal got hear to use in the way of cooking, and sent for it the mint water - I want myself (as I) have often of late had the cholick and pepper mint water is not to be had hear, I beg you will when the season comes to still mint have some desilled in time when the pepper is in blume and have it duble desilled for me - I have been unwell for some weeks with chollick complaints - I dont say by - yet I am not well - I think it would be well to have the cotton for the table cloths wove as soon as you can as they will be wanting for servants when we come home - The President talks of coming to Mount Vernon about the middle of next month - it would give me pleasure to come with him -but as he is to return in a few days - 1 must let it alone till the vacation of the schools when I can bring the children with me - I should be truly unhappy to leve Washington least the fever he had last summer should (retur)n again. I am sorry to find (in) your letter that the Major is indisposed I wonder he is not more cautious when he so often suffer by neglect of himself - my love to him & Harriot - kiss the little ones for me and believe me my Dear

Fanny your
most affectionate
M W (ashington)

Mrs Harrison has
just heard of her brother
Adams death which has
affected her very much

(Address) Mrs Washington
(Docketed)
From Mrs. M Washington
April 1792

Autograph Letter Signed

Fields, Joseph E. 'Worthy Partner': The Papers of Martha Washington. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1994.

George Washington Papers, Library of Congress

Honored Madam,                                       New York 22nd March 1792

Enclosed is a receipt for two Barrells of Newtown Pippins which I have shipped on board the Sloop New York Packet, and I have to beg your acceptance of them, when they arrive. Mrs. Lamb presents her most respectful compliments to yourself, and his Excellency, the President, to whom you will be pleased to make my best wishes acceptable - and permit me to subscribe myself.

With sentiments of
the highest respect
Honored Madam
Your most obedient
and very humble Servant
John Lamb

The Honorable Mrs. Washington
(Address)
Tobias Lear
Secretary to the President
Philadelphia
(Docket)
Genl Lamb
22 March 1792

Autograph Letter Signed

Fields, Joseph E. 'Worthy Partner': The Papers of Martha Washington. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1994.

George Washington Papers, Library of Congress

Mrs. Washington,

A few nights since I had the honour of leaving a few lines for your perusal signed Anonymous - 1 now request you will be pleased to give an answer thereto -

I hope Madam that pity will direct your heart to grant the Boon I have ask'd & I shall, as in deity bound ever pray

Yr. Mo. Obedt Sert
Anonymous

Philada 7 Feby, 1792.

Autograph Letter Signed

Fields, Joseph E. 'Worthy Partner': The Papers of Martha Washington. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1994.

George Washington Papers, Library of Congress

Mrs. Washington,
Madam,

I am induced from your well known generosity of heart, and charitable disposition, to intrude for a moment on your patience - the object of these lives is to crave a Boon which the writer hopes your benevolence of Soul (manifest on every occasion of this nature) will not refuse to grant to a person whose necessities compel1 him to make this uncommon request - a request which Madam, is as distressing to his feelings as it may appear to you extra-ordinary, for an Anonymous Signature to make -

A young man of genteel connections in this city, from unforseen circumstances, is likely to be involved in difficulties which if not speedily prevented will be greatly to his disadvantage - if not his utter ruin, his case is of so delicate a nature that he would sooner suffer death, than make it known to the circle of his Friends - 30 Dollars would relieve him from the most inconceivable distress - & to you Mrs Washington as the patroness of distress'd merit he submits his case presuming on that beneficence of mind which is the greatest ornament of human nature & with which Madam, you are so eminently endowed to extricate him from a Scene of (ruin) that will inevitably ensue unless your friendly hand will be pleased to administer that relief which he now humbly sollicits. -

I am Madam
Yr Most Obedt & hum Sert
Anonymous

Philad a 2 Feby 1792

Autograph Letter Signed

Fields, Joseph E. 'Worthy Partner': The Papers of Martha Washington. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1994.

Mount Vernon Ladies' Association

My Dr. Aunt                                                        Pamocra Septr. 6, 91

I was very sorry to hear of Washington illness sometime ago, by a letter from Bart, as well (for your account as on my) - I hope he is well by this time & that you are enjoying the pleasure of his recovery -

I expected to have heard (illegible) Bart (illegible) in the presidents' Family, from you before this & I now request you to afford me your information on that subject - Bart is very well pleased with his situation I find by his letters, & I hope he will endeavor to please every body he acts for - I trust you will exercise your authority as a relation as well as your advisor to inforce on him a proper sense of his Duty, & to guard him from being led astray by the temptation to idleness & extravagance which surround him -

I now find I shall not be able to raise out of my fathers estate enough to pay all in Debt - The property I had to sell has depreciated in value below any suspicisions, & I have not collected anything due to him in his life, as he kept but four regular accounts & vouchers & those few were burnt in his house - worth £550- paid as security to one (Quarter?) I have also lost as the president perhaps expected that my Mother would be able to pay for the negroes he had lent her hitherto, I have thought it necessary to undeceive him, & I have accordingly write to on the subject - the loan of so many negroes is too much for her to expect, & as she must be reduced to it sometime or other, she had better begin to accomodate herself to the want of them at once - I really thought that I should have been able to buy some of them for her, or I should not have written to you as I did in 1788 - I fear the president may suspect that I meant to deceive him by exciting expectations of payment, which I knew were not well founded: however I assure you, I have till lately been mistaken in my opinion of my Fathers Estate, & I take this early opportunity of informing you & him of it - I would give every farthing I have to my Mother & work myself for the support of her & her little children sooner than I would practise such a Deceit knowingly on any one much less on a benefactor -

We are well except my mother who has still a hectic disorder - The Family join in sending their Love & duty to you the Children Th(?)

I am My Dear aunt yrs.
dutifully & affcty
J Dandridge

Let me hear from you
shortly

Draft

Fields, Joseph E. 'Worthy Partner': The Papers of Martha Washington. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1994.

Dr. Walter Ostromecki, Panorama City, CA

My dear Fanny                                      Philadelphia June the 5th 1791

Your letter of the 29th of May, did not reach my hands till yesterday - I was then very sick having got cold by the change of weather; - or I would have got and sent by Hercules the silk and & - I will as soon as I am well enough to go out make the best collection I can and send it by a safe hand. I believe they are to be had in this city. As to fine muslin I have never been able to find a yard of fine Jaconet muslin in this place. nor is the Book fine - I will lay the money out in the best way I can. - 1 sent by Hercules some rufles for my little Boys bosom which I beg you will make Chariot hem - and ship them ready to sew on and send me six at a time as his old ruffles are worne to raggs - Hercules comes home to be ready for his master - I have got several things for kitchen use but - the vessel will not sail in time to be there as soon as he will - 1 also send some East India sugar - it seems to be clean and while I was in hopes it would have arrived in time to preserve and dry cherreys - 1 have had letters from the President from savanna - and expect he will be with you by this day week. I should be very happy to come on to see you and meet him but that is out of my power, I am not well enough to bear the journey - and if I was - I could not come so long a way without a gentleman - and Mr. Lear could not leave this to come with me - if you can get timothy for half a crown in town it is much cheaper than it can be had hear - the last India vessels has brought nothing but tea and nankeens and the very coarse set kind of callacos - and such muslin that sells for four and five shillings a yard - I was thinking to get some of the coarse cotton to make her under coats she must have them of some kind or other - it would be well for the major to mention it to the General - I sent to Betty Custis a pr. of stays which Mrs. Stuart says will fit her and she sent them to Mr. Snow to return to me if they will suite Miss Harriet she may as well keep them - as to have a pair made for her - I have seen no timothy hear sold for less than four & six pence and that but one piece - I got what was left and sent it to the girls.

Batt Dandridge arrived hear yesterday he is as yellow as a mulato, - he is inoculated this day for the small pox - Mr. Lear's child has got quite well, and grows finely - the children are both well - and so is all our family except myself - and god only knows wheather - I shall ever be in tolerable health again -I am sorry to hear that your little Boy is not in good health - worms is the cause of all complaints in children - I have sent three Butter printers send one of the larger ones to Mrs. Stuart and - keep the others until I come. - my love to the major - kiss the children. - and believe me my dear Fanny.

Your most affectionate
M Washington

Autograph Letter Signed

Fields, Joseph E. 'Worthy Partner': The Papers of Martha Washington. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1994.

Mount Vernon Ladies' Association

My dear Fanny                                   Philadelphia April the 19th 1791

By Austin who is come home to see his friends - I have the pleasure to tell you we are all tolerable well - I have never heard from the President since he left Mount Vernon - nor from you, - some day last week I wrote to you and inclosed some muslin borders for Charlot to hem - when they are done be so god as to send them back to me by Austin when he comes as his stay will be short indeed I could but illy spare him at this time but to fulfill my promise to his wife - the children join me in love to you the Major and children - you must let me know if you are in a certain way and when the event will happen, as it must be very inconvenient to you for us to come home about the time - our stay will be short and I wish to have all well if possible, at this time - 1 expect to be coming home some time about the first of August - how are your Brothers, is B. Lewis married

adue my dear Fanny &
believe me your
most affectionate
M Washington

Autograph Letter Signed

Fields, Joseph E. 'Worthy Partner': The Papers of Martha Washington. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1994.

Boston Public Library

Dear Madam                                    Philadelphia January the 29th 1791

I must trust to your goodness to receive the apology I shall offer for this late acknowledgement of your letter of the 26th of October, - I received it but a few days before I left Mount Vernon, and you will redily conceive that my time and my mind were so fully occupied with and about my friends there as to afford me little opportunity for writing; and since my arrived in this place the business of settling in a new habitation receiving and returning visits have left me no time for myself while in health; and for some weeks past a very severe cold has rendered me incapable of doing anything - I am thank god now recovering.

Having offered the reasons for this delay in answering your letter permit me madam to congratulate you upon your safe arrival in your native country and to the arms of your friends, none but those who have been as long absent as you have, and at so great a distance from their friends can conceive of the sensations which are experienced upon meeting them again; I dare say your feelings on that occasion were not to be described - and that you returned from Europe with all your prejudices in favor of America I have no doubt; for I think our country affords every thing that can give pleasure or satisfaction to a rational mind, I never apprehended that your good sence would be so far overcome by the splendour and hurry which you might see abroad as to make a return to your native Country unpleasant -

I beg you will be asured that I have a greatful sence of the affectionate terms in which you express your regret at not finding us in New York - I have been so long accustomed to conform to events which are governed by the public voice that I hardly dare indulge any personal wishes which cannot yield to that - But whare ever I may be my friends may always relay upon a greatful and affectionate remembrance; and and altho I will not give up the expectation of seeing you again; yet in any event you will be remembered with friendship and will have my best wishes

I beg you will present my kind regards to your mother and sisters - the President writes with me in congratulations on your return and presents his complements to you

with very great regard
I have the honor to be
Dr. Madam your
most obdt Hble
M Washington

Autograph Letter Signed

Fields, Joseph E. 'Worthy Partner': The Papers of Martha Washington. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1994.

Woodlawn Plantation, Mount Vernon, VA

Mrs Washington, presents her compliments to Mrs Adams, - if it is agreable to her, to Let Miss Smith come to dance with Nelly & Washington, the Master attends Mondays Wednesdays and Frydays at five oclock in the evenings.

Mrs Washington will be very happy to see Miss Smith

Tuesday morning
January 25 (1791)

Autograph Letter Signed