December 31st
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Such a Pen as I saw yesterday at Union Farm, would, if the Cattle were kept in it one Week, destroy the whole of them.
Washington Plantation Map
Library of Congress (click here to enlarge)
WASHINGTON’S LAST KNOWN LETTER & DIARY ENTRIES
To James Anderson
Mount Vernon, 13 December 1799*
Mr Anderson,
I did not know that you were here yesterday morning until I had mounted my horse, otherwise I should have given you what I now send. As Mr. Rawlins was going to the Union Farm, to lay off the Clover lots, I sent by him the Duplicate for that Farm to his brother; and as I was going to River Farm myself, I carried a copy for that Farm to Dowdal. Both of them have been directed to consider them attentively, and to be prepared to give you their ideas of the mode of arrangeing the Work when they are called upon.
Such a Pen as I saw yesterday at Union Farm, would, if the Cattle were kept in it one Week, destroy the whole of them. They would be infinitely more comfortable in this, or any other weather, in the open fields; Dogue run Farm Pen may be in the same condition. It did not occur to me as I passed through the yard of the Barn to look into it. I am Your friend &ca
G:o Washington
* Washington suffered from a sore throat this day; he died the following night. “This is the last known letter that Washington wrote.” — Fitzpatrick, et al., WGW
“Morning Cloudy. Wind at No. Et. and Mer. 33. A large circle round the Moon last Night. About 10 o’clock it began to snow, soon after to Hail, and then to a settled cold Rain.’ Mer. 28 at Night.”
George Washington, 1793
Yale University Art Gallery
THE DIARIES OF GEORGE WASHINGTON
1799
DECEMBER
1. Mr. Foot dined here.
2. Lord Fairfax, Lady, Daughter and Miss Dennison dined here.
3. Mrs. Stuart and Daughter went away after breakfast.
4. Morning clear. Wind at No. Wt. and Mer. at 36. From 10 oclock until 2 very like for Snow, it then cleared and became mild and pleasant. Mer 38 at N:
5. Morning raining, and continued to do so moderately through the day with the Wind at So. Et. Mer 38 in the Morning and 36 at Night.
7. Rainy Morning, with the Wind at No. Et. and Mer at 37 afternoon clear and pleasant wind westerly. Mer 48 at Night. Dined at Lord Fairfax’s.
9. Mr. Howell Lewis and wife set off on their return home after breakfast, and Mr. Lawe. Lewis and Washington Custis on a journy. to N. Kent.
10. Morning clear and calm Mer at 31 afternoon lowering. Mer at 42 and wind brisk from the southward. A very large hoar frost this Morng.
11. But little wind and Raining. Mer 44 in the Morning and 38 at Night. About 9 oclock the Wind shifted to No. Wt. and it ceased raining but contd. Cloudy. Lord Fairfax, his Son Thos. and daughter, Mrs. Warner Washington and son Whiting, and Mr. Jno. Herbert dined here and returned after dinner.
12. Morning Cloudy. Wind at No. Et. and Mer. 33. A large circle round the Moon last Night. About 10 o’clock it began to snow, soon after to Hail, and then to a settled cold Rain.’ Mer. 28 at Night.*
13. Morning Snowing and abt. 3 inches deep. Wind at No. Et., and Mer. at 30. contg. Snowing till 1 O’clock, and abt. 4 it became perfectly clear. Wind in the same place but not hard. Mer. 28 at Night.**
* Washington rode to his farms on horseback this day; the following day he was home with a sore throat.
** “This entry for December 13th is, most probably, the last writing of Washington.” — Fitzpatrick, et al., DGW
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