Washington, George (1732-1799) to Burwell Bassett re: poor crops, election to House of Burgesses, Stamp Act
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04441 Author/Creator: Washington, George (1732-1799) Place Written: Mount Vernon Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 2 August 1765 Pagination: 1 p. 23.3 x 18.8 cm
Writes about the dry weather's effects on crops, his loss of wheat to rust, etc. Washington also notes receipt of the Governor's proclamation proroguing the assembly
Notes: Published with variations in Fitzpatrick, Writings of Washington, 2: 424.
Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
Mount Vernon 2nd of Augt 1765
Dear Sir
By <d>raft sent round by Captn. Boyes we had the pleasure to hear you were all well, but suffering with the drought as we are. We have never had the Ground wet in this neighbourhood [sic] since the heavy rains which fell about the first of May; in June early we had a Shower that refreshed the Corn, & gave a little start to Hemp; but the dry weather which followed, & hath since continued, renders our prospects truly melancholy; however not 10 Miles from hence, in the Forest, they are perfectly seasonable, & have promising Crops of Corn & Tobacco which is a favourable circumstance for us, as our wants of Bread may be supplied, from thence. To render my misfortunes more compleat [sic], I lost most of my Wheat by the Rust, so that I <shall> undergo the loss of a compleat [sic] Crop here, & am informed that my expectations from below are not much better.
I have not yet heard how you succeeded in Electioneering, but there was little room to doubt of yours; I changed the Scene from Frederick to this County, & had an easy & creditable <poll>. & was preparing to attend, when the Proclamation fo<r pro>roguing the Assembly came to hand (on the 28th ult.). <I am> convinced [sic] at the sametime that the Governor had no Incli<na>tions to meet an Assembly at this Juncture. The bearer <w>aits, I have only time therefore to add my Compli<ments> to Mrs. Basset & Family, & to assure you that with <gr>eat sincerity I am
Dr Sir Y[our] Most Obedt &Affecte
Go: Washington
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