Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-05-25

q comeiee history OF the operations IN which re
was engaged The value set by Washington on
these psper- may be inferred from the circumstances
that, several years afterwards. he coirec ed the
language by crasures and in, eIline atoms and
had them all transcribed anew. Both The origin
ais, thus corrected, and the transcripts. are pre-
served.
From the end of these military services, till the
FIRST moments of the Revolution, Washington !ved
in retirement, al Mount Vernon, not otherwise
pipgling in public affairs, than occasional
member of the House OF Bursesses, in Vmgnis.
He was devoted TO the cultivation of his farms.
During this space OF fifteen years, therefore, few
papers found of muc general interest or value,
except as showing the nature of his pursuits, and
the traits OF mind and character that marked his
private life. There are several volumes pertaining
10 this period, chiefly in his own hand riting,
which contain letters to bis mercantile correspon-
dents In London, invoices Of articles shipped and
ordered journals of daily accounts ledSers, let
tiers TO tenants and AGENT and entrances of all the
minute details of business, incident to personal
management of his large plantations. In those
days II was the custom OF the Southern planters
10 ship their produce directly to the London mar
iSet, and receive from that place. twice a
year, by special crdei, all the articles of importa
'ion necessary for family use, thus acting In the
double capacty OF merchant ard farmer This
practice was followed many years by Washing
ton, and his papers will sbew, ,hst he pursued it
with skill and attention, that proved him no,
less acquainted with The various branches OF bu
'ine->, than prompt and diligeni in prosecuting
them.
We are now arrived at the opening scenes OF
the Revolution, af er which. almost every day of
Washing on's lie affords matter fer history; and
happily, nom that Gate, the records Of he ~ ca,
events IN which he bore so conspicuous part,
'hc testimonials NJ his acts, opinions, and motives,
are numerous, weil-pTeserved, ard atessd by the
sanction OF his own hand. Being ac,ua,ed by
single aim TO public good, which lei; him nothing
'n conceal, and apparently anticipating the eager
mss with which po-ierIty would trace his foot
steps a"d search iuto his deeds, Isis hahi;ual eau
uon 10 preserve every document that could 10 any
manner help TO lay Omen his conduct TO the broad
Inspection OF the world, seemed TO increase with
the responsible oil hts station, and The wider
sphere OF his dn'ies. There was probably no i'm
portant public act, either performed by HIMSELF or
win his counsel or appreciation, for which his
motives and purposes may not be easily gathered
from some OF III, papers; and 80 regardless was he
oil any discoveries, which the prying eye of curI>
rsi'y might make in this respect, that he seems to
nave taken no pains to separate private from what
In'gh' be more properly called public papers, any
tnr'her than circumstances NIGH; suggest TO aim
the prudence OF such measure, for a temporary
period. In whaierer s'ation he was placed hy
h.n
conscience, and oieying no other guide than the
iec'itude OF hi- own heart, he never souah, 10
shield hi- conduct from the most rigid scru;iny OF
mankind, nor To withhold or Disguise auy tesiimo-
ny ina might De u-ed Ia faithful narrative Of his
actions ihI- brilliant gem In the crown of Wash.
'"S'o" glory, ms S'ern virtue, ard unmingled
parity OF uo'Ive, at the same time it exa!is his
1t we ABOVE every other that bar been called q eat
communicate, to Gis historical chaIacjera reality
n him, aln
has lett behind hun with indeiibe marks of truth.
As no country has been 80 f,.Iiuha,e ~ our own,
In the hero that achieve IL national existence and
greatness, 50 none could rely with such assurance
on the facts which narFsIe the story Of its early
stusse- and growing renown.
WdShi"gIon's Revolutionary Pspers have ii!
oeenF'ranscribed in!o sIs - ioIo volumes. smounl-
'"S TO ioT'y-iour IN numnef, a." artanged accord.
ing TO tbs following elias -iitcation
l. Letters TO the Congress of the United States.
to Committees OF Congress; 20 the American
Ministers Firnipoienu|y al Foreign Cour's,
to md vIdual Members OF Congress In their pub
lie Characters. Th!s class coniains zen vo.
lumes.
2 Letter to Officers of the Line, Of every rank:
10 Officers oil he Staff; and to all other mill
taTy characters OF every DENOMINATION
Sixteen volumes.
J Letters to Conventions and Committees of
Safety end Core pondsuce, TO Coy errors.
Presidents, and oiher EXECUTIVES OF 5 ates, TO
ClVIi Magistrates aud citizens Of every de
nomination. Five volumes
/. Letters 10 Foreign Ministers: TO suhiccis OF 70
reign nations In the immediate service of The
United States. but not in virtue of con.Inl--
sIo"s from Congress; to foreign Officers of ali
other cercription I.o volumes
.. i'e'iers 10 Officers # every rank and cenomins
Ion IN the service OF the enemy; to Brush
sub ects of every Character ,yi,h ,nc ecer,,.
to persons arrIying for PERMISSION to 20 TO
the enemy. One volume
o Proceedings and opinions OF Councils of .var
a"d Opinions oi tue General OiiceIs respect-
ihs the various Joints on which they were
consulted from time TO time by the Commands
er III Chief Thee volumes
4 PTivase Correspondence during The Revolution.
being letters written 10 persons 10 Ia in prl-
Va'e and public stations, but on subjects of
private nature. Three volumes.
3. Orderly Books, containing all the orders TO the
Army entered deiaH from the nav he took
command OF it at Cambridge, till he left il a,
Newburgh, at the end OF the War Seven
volumes
these volumes arranged with remarkable
eXaclness OF methrG, copied with elegance and
care, and written throughout in uniform and neat
syie OF penmsnship. Each class of subjects Is
Drought together IN srict chronological order.
and coplUus index is added 10 every yolrme-
The whole was executed under the inmecIa,. di-
fecIiOu Ol Nj. Richard Varick, who yasstpoin,.
ed, towards the close of the war, Recordjns Sc
cTeiary 10 he Commander in Chief. He was en-,
lIoyed nearly two years and hall, wI;h the aid OF
lhree assistant Clerk, VA arranging and transcrit-
ing these Papers. Ii hsuce appears, that there sre
TWO distinct copies OF every letter. and other pa.
per-, from the beginning 10 the end Of The
Neyo'uuoo. The originate or copies of first