GW at Philadelphia. GW responded to Martha Dangerfield Bland, widow of former soldier Dr. Theodorick Bland, explaining that he could not help her recover her runaway slave.

Thomas Jefferson apologized for enclosing a long letter when GW was so busy preparing for his southern tour, but thought its view on United States commercial matters was important for GW to see. The letter, from chargé d’affairs William Short, commented on the possibility of finding an accommodation with Spain over Mississippi River navigation through the French court. The next day, GW gave permission for Short and Lafayette to press for a settlement with Spain.

Secretary of War Henry Knox sent to GW a draft of his instructions to Northwest Territory Gov. Arthur St. Clair, as well as Attorney General Edmund Randolph’s opinion concerning the legal owner of Fort Pitt.