Dear Sir—It would be the greatest Satisfaction
Memorandom[53] to have my Coat made by the following Directions to be made a Frock with a Lapel Breast the Lapel to Contain on each side six Button Holes and to be about 5 or 6 Inches wide all the way equal and to turn as the Breast on the Coat does to have it made very Long Waisted and in Length to come down to or below the bent of the knee the Waist from the armpit to the Fold to be exactly as long or Longer than from thence to the Bottom not to have more than one fold in the Skirt and the top to be made just to turn in and three Button Holes the Lapel at the top to turn as the Cape of the Coat and Bottom to Come Parrallel with the Button Holes the Last Button hole in the Breast to be right opposit to the Button on the Hip[54]
[53] The minuteness of detail is very characteristic of the writer. While Washington was observant of the proprieties of life and of good taste in dress, there was not the least leaning to foppishness. But it was a principle with him to have whatever he bought, consonant with good taste and of the best quality.
[54] At this point in the book there are 18 blank pages.
Dear Richard
The Receipt of your kind favour of the 2d of this Instant afforded me unspeakable pleasure as I am convinced I am still in the Memory of so Worthy a friend a friendship I shall ever be proud of Increasing you gave me the more pleasure as I receiv'd it amongst a parcel of Barbarians and an uncooth set of People the like favour often repeated would give me Pleasure altho I seem to be in a Place where no real satis: is to be had since you receid my Letter in October Last I have not sleep'd above three Nights or four in a bed but after Walking a good deal all the Day lay down before the fire upon a Little Hay Straw Fodder or bearskin whichever is to be had with Man Wife and Children like a Parcel of Dogs or Catts & happy's he that gets the Birth nearest the fire there's nothing would make it pass of tolerably but a good Reward a Dubbleloon is my constant gain every Day that the Weather will permit my going out and some time Six Pistoles[55] the coldness of the Weather will not allow my making a long stay as the Lodging is rather too cold for the time of Year I have never had my Cloths of but lay and sleep in them like a Negro except the few Nights I have lay'n in Frederick Town.
[55] A Pistole.—This coin was worth, at the time Washington wrote this journal, about $3.60. A doubloon was worth twice that amount.
Mem To Survey the Lands at the Mouth of Little Cacapehon[56] & the Mouth of Fifteen Mile Creek[57] for the Gentlemen of the Ohio Com:[58]
[56] Cacapehon, now generally written Capon.—There are two streams in the same vicinity known by this name, and to distinguish them, one is called "Great Capon" and the other "Little Capon." Both are tributaries to the Potomac.