Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1827-05-22
From the National Mtelligeacer.
WESTINGHOUSE PAPERS.
LETTER /.
From Mr. Jared Sparks 10 the Honorable Joseph
5s.t iyOTu,

LETTER /.
From Mr. Jared Sparks TO the Honoarabte Joseph
5b Story.
Mourn VEANoN, May 4, 1927.
Dear Sir Since have been at this place, en-
gagged in examining Gen. Westinghouse papers, have
thought it ADVISABLE to defer replying to your kind
inquiries, respecting the progress and probable re-
suits of my investigations, till | should be able to
sneak with some degree Of certainty and confidence.
After two months of assiduous application to the
task, am now prepared to state such particulars as
will give you all outline of the subject, but in re-
gard to the extent and character Of the papers. and
to my own plan for bringing them before the public
You are already aPPrised OF my arrangement with
Judge Washington, by which am to have access to
all the papers in the archieyes at mount Vernon, that
belonged to General Washington, and to select and
prepare for the press such parts shall be best suit
ed for that purpose With this view have employ
ed in general survey of the materials, and in ar
ranging them for future examination and use. 1t
was habit adopted by General Washington at an
early stage Of his life, to preserve copies of all his
important letters, as well those of private, as Of
public nature. Before the Revolution this was
Troublesome labour to him, as the copies were usual
" taken by his own hand and this even during the
active years Of his military command on the Virgin
ia frontier but after the Revolution, he was sell
dom without Secretary, who transcribed his let
ers into letter books. as they were written For
several of the latter years of his life he used copy
ing press, and the impressions thus taken are still
preserved, although these letters also are for the
most part recorded in volumes, so that in many
cases, duplicate copies are retained. Such having
been his habit during long life of extraordinary &C
tivity, large portion Of which was devoted to pur
suits various in their character and of the highest
moment, it may reasonably be supposed, that his
papers accumulated rapidly under bis hands, and
that amongst them are many materials worthy OF a
G,ta fbafo haip tn,ttfrD
Of the world, and of lasting preservation,
than can be secured to them in the condition Of
perishable manuscripts.
The earliest written document of much impor-
lance from the hand of Washington, was the jour
nal of his tour TO the Western Country, performed
by the order of Governor Dinwtldie. This was
printed at the time, both in this country and England,
and was much appauded, as indicating discretion
and spirit OF uncommon enterprise in so young a
man, he being hardly twenty one years old Ful
several years previously TO this period, he had fol-
lowed the profession Of practical surveyor, in the
employment of Lord Fairfax, and had surveyed
numerous tracts Of wild lands in the upper counties
Of Virginia, on both sides Of the Blue Ridge. In
this occupation he seemed to have peculiar pleasure
and in the end it proved of essential service. as
opened to him a knowledge Of the country, which
was afterwards to be the theatre Of his early militia
ry career and it Injured him to hardshps and pri
vatons. There are now remaining journals, am
fragments Of journals, in his own hand writing, o
some of these surveying expeditions. A small vol
ume. in particular, records the events of tour o
this kind among the Allegany mountains, when h
was but sixteen years old. In addition to diar
Of the principal incidents of each day, this volum
contains his field book, minutes Of surveys, an
original drafts Of letters to his friends.
But the time at which his papers begin to assum
an Importance worthy of special notice, as clamin
rank in history, is when he engaged in the can
paisn with General Braddock. He had already ri
turned from the affair of the Great Meadows, an
been appointed, by the Governor of Virginia,
command body of new forces Immediately to
raised and despatched to the frontier. But as tn
Assembly broke up without appropriating any mi
niey to carry the scheme into effect, Washingto
resigned the command, and went back to his farm
Braddock shortly after landed in Virginia, and il
yited him to Join his family as volunteer and Aid-t
Camp Front this date his papers have been preser
ed in detail, to the last day Of his military serslc
under the Virginia authorities.
These papers were recorded in letter books al
copied out by himself when written. They consl
of his correspondence with Governor Dinwlddic,
Speaker Of the Virginia Assembly, the Earl OF Lo
doun, General Forbes, Governor Sharpe, Colon
Stanwix, Lord Fairfax, and with the subordlna
officers under his command also with his mothe
brothers, and other private friends. There is, MOI
over, in Westinghouse hand writing, and entire CO
Of Braddock's General Orders, as they were ssu
daily, from the time he entered Virginia till the
tai defeat, except few days, while Washington "
confined with fever, and unable to be on duty.
ter his return from that expedition and appointing
to the command of the Virginia forces, his lette
orders, and instructions, are minutely and fully
corded. The whole collection extends throu
four volumes, embracing not only his public
private letters and exhibiting complete histt
Of the operations in which ne was engaged. I