Biddle, Clement, 1740-1814

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A.D.S. 1 page. Bill for Bailey's English and German Dictionary at £2.5.0. Autograph document signed, fragment, laminated, docketed twice, "No. 256 Receipt Charles Cist £2.5 19th Augt. 1790" and "Acct. for a Dictionary Augt. 19. 1790."

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Bill. D.S. 1 page. Philadelphia. A receipted bill in the amount of $152.13 for a library bookcase for Gen. Washington and 282 feet of casing. Receipted by John Douglass. Document signed, in unknown hand.

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Bill. D. 1 page. A receipted bill for $11.23 (or £ 11.23.0) for a picture frame 16 feet 4 inches -- made out to Clement Biddle "for Genl. Washington" by John McEllwee, and the receipt signed by John Rorke. Document, fragment, in hand of John Rorke. Date on original catalog card appears [1798] [Dec. 19].

Scope and Contents Contains copies of letters written in the course of Clement Biddle's business dealings in Philadelphia. Includes copies of letters to George Washington (28 in number), Henry Knox, James Wilkinson, and Timothy Pickering, and others. The Washington letters concern his efforts to procure household goods, furniture, agricultural implements and supplies for the Washington family, providing a record of the development of the Mount Vernon estate in the period between the Revolutionary War and...

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1 page docketed. Laminated. This cover came with all the letters to Biddle from Lear.

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Manuscript Architectural Plan of a room in the garret of Mount Vernon sent from George Washington to Clement Biddle when purchasing a stove for the room.

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A.L.S. 1 page. Mount Vernon. Concerning the collection of funds due George Washington's estate in Philadelphia. "What ever money you may receive please credit the Estate of Genl. Washington with it as also any money that may be paid you by Judge Bushrod Washington, a statement of which please forward me at this place." Autograph letter signed, integral cover.

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Washington acknowledges Biddle's resignation from his position and praises Biddle's duty as an officer.

Scope and Contents Washington writes to Biddle to note that the picture frames arrived unbroken--asks Biddle to send 4 gilt frames without glass for paintings, giving measurements for these--also gives corrected dimensions for stove ordered earlier--encloses autograph plan of the room for which it is intended [see drawing under same date]--the new quarter's interest on his certificates will pay for these things--asks Biddle to insert enclosed advertisement, and to send the history of the United States by...

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Lear writes for widow Martha Washington referring to a previous request for some black kid gloves and now adds to it a request "a pair of blk silk and a pair of blk kid shoes made by Mr. Fenton ..." Asks Biddle to write to one of George Washington's executors, Lawrence Lewis, to settle his account with George Washington's estate.

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A.L.S. 1 page. Orders muslin for Mrs. Washington--requests Dunlap and Claypole's paper sent regularly to Major [G.A.] Washington--send Will [to N.Y.] when he's able to travel. Autograph letter, laminated, docketed by Lear(?) "These letters were recorded by H.[owell] Lewis. Name does not appear on original manuscript.

Scope and Contents A.L. initial S. 1 page. New York. President would like Billy [Lee] sent to Mt. Vernon when he can be moved safely, for he cannot be of use here--"But if he is still anxious to come on here the President would gratify him altho he will be troublesome--He has been an old and faithful Servt. this is enough for the Presidt. to gratify him in every reasonable wish"--if Major W. needs buck wheat from Phila. he will let you know--G. W. wishes Dunlop and Claypool's paper sent to N.Y., and will...

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A.L. initial S. 1 page. New York. President desires to have Billy [Lee] sent to N.Y. since Billy earnestly desires it--send stays and shoes to Mrs. F[anny Bassett] W-n at Mt. V.--send Mrs. M. W.'s to [N.Y.] and charge all to President's account--she overpaid for altering some gowns--Billy's expenses to be pd. by G.W. thru Biddle (mentioned in Writings in footnote). Autograph letter initial signed, docketed, incomplete watermark. Name on original manuscript appears as "T. L."

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A.L. initial S. 1 page. New York. "The President will thank you to put into the hand of Mr. Wm. Hunter Junr. of Alexa. thirty five Guineas, for him to deliver to Mr. John Campbell of Bladensbg. ... in payment for a Horse sent by Mr. Campbell to the President." Autograph letter initial signed, laminated, docketed. Name on original manuscript appears as "T. L." Writings, XXX, 342-343. [Mr. Hunter was on his way back to Alexa. from N.Y., and stopping in Phila.].

Scope and Contents A.L.S. 1 page. New York. Inquiries about table ornaments--" ... and if the large and small Glasses of M. Dela Croix are of the same set, he [the President] will thank you to procure them..."--"The President has a French man with him who is said to be a compleat Confectioner and professes to understand everything relative to these ornaments, so that the Glasses only are wanting." Autograph letter signed, laminated, docketed, watermark (L. Munn). Name on original manuscript appears as "T....

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A.L.S. 1 page. New York. Received his several letters--slippers came safely to hand, also the bill for them--£70 received from Mr. Thomas Smith on acct. of the President--send 2 prayer books to Mrs. W. Autograph letter signed, docket, incomplete watermark.

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A.L. 1 page. New York. Received bill from Dunlop and Claypoole--forward the enclosed answer to an address to Bethleham--procure 20 bushels of good winter barley for seed from reputable farmer--last procured from R.I. was not good--Mrs. W. wants Mr. Hazelhurst's bill for Chintz--charge to president's acct.--she also wants another prayer book added to 2 already requested. Autograph letter, docketed by Lear(?), watermark. Name does not appear on original manuscript.

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A.L.S. 2 pages. New York. Prayer books came safely--encloses letter to Nicholas Eveleigh(?) in S. Carolina--put it on first boat to that place--"Mrs. Washington wishes you to send 25to ... of chocolet shells to Mt. Vernon ..."--send statement of President's account. Autograph letter signed, docketed by Lear, partial watermark.

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A.L. 2 pages. New York. President is getting a German gardner from Phila.--he doesn't speak English or know the country--pay and charge to President's account the amount of his passage in stage from Phila. to Alexandria. Autograph letter, docketed by Lear, incomplete watermark (LVG surmounted by powder horn). Name does not appear on original manuscript. [Gardener was John Christian Ehler, sent from Germany by Henrick Wilmans of Bremen].

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A.L.S. 1 page. New York. Mrs. W. wants a gown of color like that enclosed in Tabby, ducape or Padusoy [paduasay]--send samples and price. Autograph letter signed, laminated, docketed by Lear, incomplete watermark (armed figure). Name on original manuscript appears as "T. Lear."

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A.L.S. 1 page. New York. G.W.'s acct. [from Biddle] is right--Mrs. W. wants 15 yds. of Padusoy of enclosed pattern--G.W. wants prices on clover seed and early delivery--suffered greatly last year because of late delivery of seed--congratulations on apptmt. as Marshal of District of Pennsyl. Autograph letter signed, laminated, docketed by Lear, incomplete watermark.Name on original manuscript appears as "T. Lear."

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A.L. initial S. 1 page. New York. Mrs. W.'s Padusoy [dress material] and bill for it received--President wants list of plants and prices from Mr. Bartram, and when they should be transplanted--wishes to send some to Mt. Vernon. Autograph letter initial signed, docketed by Lear, watermark. Name on original manuscript appears as "T. L."

Scope and Contents A.L.S. 1 page. Has heard nothing from Mr. Bartram regarding plants and shrubs--has been away from N.Y. with President--"The President will thank you to pay to the Honb. Robt. Morris Esq. livres 32-12-2 being a balance due to Gouvr. Morris Esq. for something which he purchasd in France for the Presid. - and also to know from him (R.M.) the amount of some floor matts and a pr. of blk sattin brot. from India the summer before last in one of Mr. Morris's ships and pay the same"--find out price...

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A.L.S. 2 pages. New York. President desires to know prices of buckwheat delevered to Va. in bags, and in barrels--if cheaper there or in back counties of Va.--requests information by next week so he can write Major W. what to do--probably can't be sent down rivers until spring thaws--Mrs. Reinagle, who taught Miss Custis music, to send some music proper for her thru the winter--mentions his approaching marriage. Autograph letter signed, docketed, watermark.

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A.L.S. 2 pages. Received music from Mr. Ranigle -- Send 200 bushels of buckwheat to Mt. Vernon in bags marked G.W. -- compliments of the season from President and Mrs. Washington. Autograph letter signed, docketed by Lear, watermark incomplete.

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A.L.S. 1 page. New York. President wants some superfine bolting cloth to be sent to Mt. Vernon-for a reel 9'2" in length and 5'6" in circumference -- have cloth chosen by Mrs. Lewis or a skillful miller. Autograph letter signed, docketed.

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A.L.S. 2 pages. New York. [Washington] has written Major [George A.] W-n regarding the bolting cloth--G.W. arranged thru Col. Hartley of Lancaster to have breeding mares sent to Mt. Vernon--money to be paid thru Biddle. Autograph letter signed, docketed by T. Lear "Jany 17. 1790." Dated incorrectly 1789 in heading, incomplete watermark. Not in Writings; Vol. XXX, p. 507, has footnotes mentioning this letter. Date on original catalog card appears [1790] Jan. 17.

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A.L.S. 1 page. New York. A draft enclosed, drawn by Samuel Meredith on the Bank of North America for $1066.66 -- to go to the account of the President -- is to pay for breeding mares bought through John Miller and Paul Zantzinger. Autograph letter signed, docketed, corrections added in G.W.'s hand, watermark.

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A.L.S. 1 page. Major Washington has sent size of bolting cloth now in the mill [see under same date, separate document] -- send by earliest conveyance to Mt. Vernon -- send president's account when convenient. utograph letter signed, docketed, incomplete watermark, [scratched on paper is name "Polly Long," Lear's fiance at this time and later his first wife].

Scope and Contents A.L.S. 1 page. New York. President wishes carpet, pea green ground with white flowers or spots -- carpeting would be better than a carpet -- can find no carpet in N. Y. to fit the room, nor good carpeting -- Scotch carpeting is almost only kind to be found there. Autograph letter signed, docketed by Lear, (written on reverse on a cover directed to "The Secretary of the President of the United States"). Writings, XXXI, 8-9; Minor variations. Name on original manuscript appears as "T....