To Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton
Mt Verno<n> Novr 27. 1818
Dear Madam
I have Just returned from Phila. when your favor of the 28th Sept. was put into my hands.
Immediately after your left Mt Vernon I wrote to the Chief Justice & enclosed a list of the letters1 which I had not been able to find in the trunks at this place, with an earnest request that he would with all possible expedition search for them amongst the papers in his possession & forward them to you. I have not since heard from him upon this subject, but shall immediately write again & enclose your letter to me, with a repetition of my former request.
I trust, my worthy friend, that you cannot for an instant doubt the sincerity of my promise to furnish you with the papers you desired so far as a compliance was in my power, or suspect that either the C.J. or myself can feel a motive for withholding them.2 I think it highly probable that the C.J. got the papers into some disorder whilst he was preparing the Materials for the life of G.W. and now finds it a task of no ordinary Difficulty to make a successful Search through them for any particular papers which may be called for. If this be the case <mutilated> his having possession <of> the papers, puts it out of my power <to> relieve him from <the> trouble of making the desired examination. [New parag.] I forb<ear> to make any observations upon that part of your letter which respects Genl Washingtons farewell address.3
Your kind recollection of the visit with which you favoured us last Summer, & which I shall always think of with the most sincere pleasure is highly gratifying to us. I ardently wish for & solicit a repetition of it as often4 your Convenience will permit. Mr & Mrs Herbert are in Alexa. and will not visit us I fear until about Xmas— They are well and Bushrod as merry & entertaining as when you saw him.
Should I ever visit N.Y. you may be well assured that I shall not be so much my own enemy as not avail myself of your friendly invitation.
Please offer my affect. regards to your daughter & Son and believe me to be with the highest respect and esteem Dear Madam yr faithful & ob. Servt
Bush. Washington
P.S. Mr William left a part of the Cog of his carriage here, which I wish it were in my power to forward to you— I shall endeavour to do so.
Source Note
ADfS, ViMtvL: Bushrod Washington Family Papers. BW docketed his draft "2<8> Nov. 1818 Mrs E. Hamilton Copy." There are some numerical calculations beneath the signature.
1. Here BW deleted the words, "you wished to recieve."
2. BW then wrote but deleted, "I regret at the same."
3. BW inserted this sentence at a later point, indicating in brackets that it should start a new paragraph.
4. BW originally wrote "whenever."
Note: Because this document is only a verified first-pass transcription, it and the document metadata may still contain errors.