GW at Mount Vernon. GW wrote to Georgetown, Md. merchants William Deakins, Jr. and Benjamin Stoddart requesting updated information on their work of establishing the federal capital. GW wrote to Secretary of War Henry Knox, approving him to appease the Indians concerning their tribe members who had been murdered by an American officer. GW also wrote to Thomas Jefferson, asking him to settle the hostilities with British troops near Lake Champlain and to be updated if matters deteriorated further. Finally, GW wrote to Hannah Fairfax Washington, who was married to his cousin, explaining he could not give an office to the man she had recommended.

GW’s secretary Tobias Lear wrote updating GW on the state of affairs in his Philadelphia residence. Lear explained that the gardens were put into better order, promised to choose quality household staff, and to make sure that GW’s wife had enough money.