The following collection contains letters related to Bushrod's legal education in Philadelphia. Bushrod lived in the city from 1782 to 1784, and when not studying, he enmeshed himself in Philadelphia's high society, including frequent visits to his close friend Eliza Willing Powel and her husband Samuel. Bushrod worked as an apprentice to James Wilson, a seasoned lawyer who would eventually become the first professor of law at the College of Philadelphia as well as a Supreme Court Justice. Bushrod financed this education with the assistance of his uncle, President George Washington.
You ask me to give you a detailed, choronological Sketch as near as I can of my life. This is impossible at this time & at this place.… Continue Reading To Joseph Delaplaine, 12 March 1818
In answer to your letter, I beg leave to assure you that neither from the papers of Genl Washington, nor from any conversation with him during his life, had I cause to suspect that he considered your father as having been unfriendly to him at any… Continue Reading To Bird Wilson, 26 Oct. 1822
Since I came to Virginia, I have generally been so buryed in Retirement as to want opportunities of writing to Philadelphia— You Sir, are the first, to whom my respects are due; permit me to return you my sincere thanks and ackno… Continue Reading To James Wilson, 25 Feb. 1785
To anyone but yourself my first words would utter murmurs of complaint for this long, unexpected and disagreeable silence; but as I am too well acquainted with your sentiments of affection & attention to your children t… Continue Reading To Hannah Bushrod Washington, 11 June 1782
Had I not a great deal of fortitude to leave Philadelphia on Good Friday, although so much happiness was promised me if I had staid?
I ret'd1 to Town yesterday Evening and in Fredg, found2 your Note of the, 6 of august in the Post office of that place; this will account for its not having been sooner answered[.] I am this moment furn… Continue Reading To Unknown, 6 Aug. 1787
Necessity obliges me to give you my promissary Note instead of the deposit of a hundred Guineas— I will take it up as soon as I can.
You will be surprized perhaps at receiving a letter from me—but if the end is answered for which it is written, I shall not think my time miss-spent.
The bearer Mr Bushrod Washington—a Nephew of mine—is sent at his own desire to this City to study the Law— His Father having requested me to get him properly fixed, it would give me much pleasure to see hi… Continue Reading George Washington to James Wilson, 19 March 1782
I had the pleasure to recieve your favour of the 21st Jany by Mr Lee which he was so obliging as to send by a Servt on the 8th Inst— it gives us infinite pleasure to hear from you frequently and to hear yo… Continue Reading From John Augustine Washington, 17 Feb. 1783
Some days past I heard that Colo. Richd Henry Lee was going to Philadelphia & wrote immediate a letter to you and sent it to Chantilly, since I have seen Colo.
I got to this place this day too late to write by the post but a Servant of Mr Chas Carters is this instant setting of to Philadelphia after a Chariott as I am told— I am short of time to say more then… Continue Reading From John Augustine Washington, 18 March 1783
There is no one to whom I am so much indebted in the Letter way as yourself, and I'll assure there are few Debtors who take so much pleasure in discharging these accounts As I do when you are Creditor— I am not only contente… Continue Reading To Hannah Bushrod Washington, 1 July 1783
I wrote you by Mr McClure as Merchant of Baltimore about three weeks past in which letter I think I inform'd you that I return'd from Berkley abt the 21st of decr.
Your Mother began her letter, to which this is annexed, before the arival of Phill.