GW at Philadelphia. Scientist John Macpherson wrote soliciting GW’s thoughts on a plan he had created for the federal city. If GW liked it, he said he would find someone with two arms to redraw it--Macpherson had lost an arm during the French and Indian War.

Secretary of War Henry Knox sent a draft of instructions for Brig. Gen. Charles Scott concerning his upcoming expedition against the northwestern Indians for GW to approve. Businessman Governor Morris, who had been unofficially reporting on Europe’s affairs to GW, updated GW on the state of the turbulent French government and added his belief that the United States’ political progress would impress Europe.