American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1827-06-08

These instances are mentioned oniy as examples
they indicate the habit, and it is unnecessary tt
add more. For a time he kept an agriculture
journal, and was engaged in experiments on rota
ton of crops noting down for series of years tn
crops Of each lot, with remarks the comparative
success of different rotations. He was at mucf
pains to stock his farms with the best breeds o
animals, and his grounds were adorned with rare
and curious trees and shrubs, collected from va
rious parts of the United States, aud from toreigl
countries. His correspondence with SIR John Sin
clair. Mr.. Anderson and Arthur Young, on agri
culture. has been printed. 1t is not my intention
to select much for publication under this head. bu
such papers will be included, and such illustration
appended, as will exhibit in their due proportions
the character of Washington on his farm, and his
attention to the humber concerns of life.
Here bring to close what proposed to say
in reply to your inquiries, and if your patience
has carried you along with me thus far, you will
possess as full aud accurate an account OF the
present condition of the papers OF General Wash
ington, and the manner in which they are to be
prepared for publication, as have been enabled to
embrace within the limits which prescribed to
myself. You will observe that the great object
is to publish such a collection OF Washneton's
writings, rs will hold a permanent place ~ the
historical literature of the country, and transmit
to posterity in one body the best memorials OF his
character and actions, and the best fruits Of RS
mind, that we're recorded by himself | will add,
that the letters received by him, constitute mass
Of materials mure extensive and important than
would be inferred from the casual manner III which
/ have alluded to them, and that they will afford
me very essential aids throughout the work..
They amount in number TO more than tnenfy
thOusalm, and the literary merits OF a portion Of
them are of much higher order than is common
in letters Of the same promiscuous character; CON-
paratiyey few persons wrote to Washington on
trfng subjects, and few without more than OF
binary care in regard to ideas and style. At No
distant day it is presumed a selection from these
letters will be published. Each volume Of tine
work in contemplation will probably have an APP
pendix, in which extracts from them viii occasion.
ally be inserted. hardly need repeat 10 YOU what
YOU know already, that Chief Justice Marshall most
cordially approves my undertaking, and will fayo
me with such assistance by his counsel and other
wise, as his intimate knowledge OF the papers will
make it easy for him to render.
If you ask me how large the work viii be. when
finished on the above plan, | cannot reply witt
certainty to your question. may venture to
predict. however, that it Will not be less than
eight volumes nor more than twelve; and these
bounds have suggested themselves il accordance
with the principle heretofore stated that il wl
Hut w duNlsdDit " pIliil 81 much dS ~
IN proper economy Of purse and time IL the
,eader, nor so little as 10 leave materials Of sub
,tantial value behind. If YOU ask again, when
the publication will be closed, I am equally at d
loss for definite answer. | have nearly compile
ted general assortment Of the papers, and pre-
pared them for a removal to Boston, where | Shall
apply myself to the task with a much expedtlan
as the nature Of the undertaking and my other
pursuits will admit
As the work is Of a Kind to have an equal ia
terest with readers III every part OF the United
States. it will be published by subscription, and
every person 50 disposed will have an opportunity
Of procuring a copy with facility from the hands
OF agents to be employed for the purpose With
" few weeks a prospectus will be issued and
put in circulation. Ii is intended that the ,tyl"
OF printing shall be handsome, and worthy of thu
subject. but net 50 expensive as to impose an un
easonable tax on the purchasers, The volumes
will be published one, two or three ut a time, and
at such periods as circumstances may render con
venlent.
work thus comprising the best Of " ASKING
tons writings, faithfully prepared in its licrary
execution, and published in the form and manner
here described will have claims. it is hoped, to
general appreciation, and to a liberal pat onage
from the American public. am, sir, &c.
JARED SPARKS.
Hon. JosEpn SToRY.
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