From Mount Vernon, GW wrote Clement Biddle, to whom he trusted his Philadelphia business interests. He lamented that Biddle did not ship the buckwheat he wanted as fertilizer. He said he would return the clogs sent to Mrs. Washington, then placed an order for four flax wheels and a box of Havannah sugar. Further settling business matters, GW wrote Embree & Shotwell a chastising letter because they failed to send the clover seed he ordered. If it did not arrive soon, GW would be at a disadvantage during the coming planting season.

GW also wrote Betty Lewis, his sister, and offered her son Robert a position at Mount Vernon recording letters in books. Robert eagerly accepted a few days later.