1771 Letters

London, ENG - 5 February 1771

The doctrine of the right of Parliament to lay taxes on America is now almost generally given up here, and one seldom meets in conversation with any, who continue to assert it.

London, ENG - 5 February 1771

I am very sensible of the honour done me by your House of Representatives, in appointing me their Agent here. It will make me extreamly happy, if I can render them any valuable Service.

London, ENG - 5 February 1771

In the same Confidence I send you the inclosed Extract from my Journal, containing a late Conference between the Secretary and your Friend, in which you will see a little of his Temper

London, ENG - 10 February 1771

I have not now before me your letter, which came with the sample of silk, having put it into the hands of Mr. Walpole with the sample, who has promised me full and particular answers to all your queries, after the silk has been thoroughly examined.

London, ENG - 10 February 1771

I am glad to hear that you have good Workmen in the Stucco Way, and that it is likely to take place of Wainscot.

London, ENG - 5 March 1771

Notwithstanding the ample Recommendations brought over by M r Winter, the Bishop of London has refused him Ordination, for two Reasons, as I understand, his mechanical Education, and his Connection with M r Whitefield & the Methodists.

London, ENG - 5 March 1771

I suppose Jonathan has told you, that the lottery is drawn, and your two new tickets had the same success as the former, namely, one twenty-pound prize, and one blank. Would you go on any further?

London, ENG - 5 March 1771

I received your kind Letter with your Sons. They are, I assure you, exceeding welcome to me ; and they behave with so much Prudence, that no two young Men could possibly less need the Advice you would have me give them.

London, ENG - 20 April 1771

The Board are not favourably disposed towards your Insolvent Acts, pretending to doubt whether distant Creditors, particularly such as reside in England, may not sometimes be injured by them.

London, ENG - 22 April 1771

It gave me Pleasure to hear, that tho' the Merchants had departed from their Agreement of NonImportation, the Spirit of Industry and Frugality was likely to continue among the People.

London, ENG - 15 May 1771

I think one may clearly see, in the system of customs to be exacted in America by act of Parliament, the seeds sown of a total disunion of the two countries, though, as yet, that event may be at a considerable distance.

London, ENG - 17 May 1771

A good general Rule in travelling foreign Countries, is, to avoid as much as possible all Disputes, & to be contented with such Provisions and Cookery, as you meet with in the Inns

London, ENG - 5 June 1771

The Joy was in a fair way of being doubled on the same Day, for the Queen was deliver' d early this Morning of another Prince, the eighth Child, there being now six Princes and two Princesses, all lovely Children.

London, ENG - 10 June 1771

All Views or Expectations of drawing any considerable Revenue to this Country from the Colonies are, I believe, generally given over, and it seems probable that nothing of that kind will ever again be attempted.

Mount Vernon, VA - 15 June 1771

The very obliging offer your Lordship was pleased to make, the day I left Williamsburg, in behalf of the officers and soldiers, who, under the faith of government, lay claim to two hundred thousand acres of land

London, ENG - 24 June 1771

I have taken the Liberty of sending by the Southampton Stage, which goes to-morrow, a Parcel directed to your Lordship, to be left at the Turnpike next beyond Winchester, containing one of my Books for Miss Georgiana

London, ENG - 3 July 1771

I see by the newspapers that your new Assembly is also dissolved. I am sorry for these differences, which must be uncomfortable to you and all that wish the welfare of the province.

London, ENG - 4 July 1771

I was disappointed till lately, when I had a meeting with Mr. Patterson, esteemed one of the best judges of that commodity, who favoured me with the enclosed paper, and, in conversation, with the following particulars.

Mount Vernon, VA - 9 July 1771

In my last I informed you, that the friends (I do not by this confine myself to the relations only) of Mr. Custis were divided in opinion, as to the propriety of his travelling

London, ENG - 12 July 1771

Yesterday a very odd accident happened, which I must mention to you, as it relates to your grandfather.

London, ENG - 17 July 1771

As to your pension, there is not, I believe, the least reason for you to apprehend its being stopped. I know not who receives it for you here, or I should quicken them in writing to you.

London, ENG - 18 July 1771

The European silk I understand is all yellow, and most of the India silk. What comes from China is white.

London, ENG - 25 July 1771

I SHOULD have been happy in accompanying your Lordship on that agreable Party, or in being at Twyford instead of this dusty Town; but Business kept me here longer than I expected.

London, ENG - 14 August 1771

I am glad to hear of all your Welfares, and that the Pictures &c. were safe arrived. You do not tell me who mounted the great one, nor where you have hung it up.

Princeton - 9 October 1771

I was so particular in my last with regard to my determination about staying in PRINCETON this winter coming, that I need say nothing more in this place, my sentiments being still the same.

Edinburgh, SCT - 27 October 1771

But that excellent Christian David Hume, agreable to the Precepts of the Gospel, has received the Stranger, and I now live with him at his House in the new Town most happily.

Williamsburg, VA - 7 November 1771

Since you first left this country, I have been favored with two letters from you ; one of them serving to enter your own, and the claims of Captains Stobo and Vanbraam, to part of the two hundred thousand acres of land

Edinburgh, SCT - 17 November 1771

I have been at Blair Drummond on a visit to my friend Lord Kames, thence I went to Glasgow, thence to Carron Works, viewing the Canal by the way.

Preston, ENG - 25 November 1771

I thank you for your Intelligence about my Godson. I believe you are sincere, when you say you think him as fine a Child as you wish to see.