George Washington to Richard, January 1, 1749
[1749–1750]
Dear Richard
The Receipt of your kind favor of the 2d of this Instant 1 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 Barbarian–s 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: be had since you receid my Letter in October Last 2 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 bairskin which ever 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 and Dubbleloon 3 is my constant gain every Day that the Weather will permit my going out and sometime Six Pistoles 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.