The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-26
GEORGE WASHINGTON ON RECORD
Letter Written by the Leading Jinpo
of His Day

O'SoA WIAotoh Dy the Leading JinpO
of His Day.
In the manuscript department of the
british Museum in London there are
slowed away hundreds of autographic let
tiers OF men famous in modern ana ancient
history. While in London last summer
v. y. Stealy of Louisville found among
these old letters an autograph letter from
George Washington, written from phila-
delphla, April q, 1893, to the Earl of
bncnan. a part of the letter refers to for
elgn complications and furnishes an inter
estlng chapter at this time. In the letter
was the following note written by the
Ear OF Buchan, brother of LORD Erskine
On the 18th OF January, 1898 wrote to
MI. Washington on the happy prospects
America might entertain if BY any means
IL could abstain from mingling in Euro
pean politics. laid before him the vanity
ana folly of preferring the indulgence Of
National pride, vanity and resentment to
the slow but certain benefits to be perma-
nently obtained by peace and internal
prosperity. l ventured also to recon-
mend as great objects to the Executive of
America peace and union with the red
natives and attention to National educa-
tlon. 10 these sentiments the President
answered IN the following letter."
Inc nrst part OF the letter related to pri-
Vate affairs and indicates that General
Washington and Lord Buchan were old
ana intimate friends. Then the letter pro-
ceeos TO the sublect-matter as follows:
Inc favorable wishes which your lordshin
nus expressed TOT the prosperity OF this young
anu rising country cannot but be gratefully
lt-one means TO the contribution which and
lts happiness is very judiciousIy portrayed in
Lne I9lloWlng words or your letter-"to lie little
e~rp 81 IN the great world OF politics." These
Moros' can assure your l0rdsh1p, are express
sive OF my sentiments on this mead :
ana believe it is the sincere wish
OF united America to have nothing to
do with the political intrigues or the
50 uaoOles OF European nations; but, on
the contrary, to exchange commodities and
at ~ III peace and unity with the Inhabitants
OF the earth, and this, am persuaded, they
Will do II rightlully it can be done To admin
lster justice TO and receive it from every power
Win Whom they are connected viii, hope, be
Always found the most prominent feature in
the administration OF this country; and flat
ter myself that nothing short of imperious
necessity can occasion breach with any of
tHeHl' Un0er such system, if we are allowed
10 pursue II, agriculture and the mechanical
arts, the wealth and population OF these States
VIII increase with that degree of rapid .ty as to
DaIne all calculations and must surpaSs any
IDEA your lordship can hitherto have enter
talneu on the occasion.
TO evlnce tnat our views whether realized
or not) are expanded, | take the liberty of
sehdlng you the plan OF a new city, situated
about the center OF the union of these States,
which Is designed for the permanent seat OF the
Government, and we are at this moment dee Div
engaged and far advanced i'll extending The
lnland navigation by the river (Hotomicl on
winch 1t stands aud the branches thereof
through tract OF as rich country for hundreds
OF miles as any in the world. or is this soll-
tary instance OF the attempts OF the kind, al
though 1t is the only one which is near
completion, and in partial use. Several
other important ones are commenced and
little doubt is ntertained that in ten
years, If left undisturbed. we shall open
communication by water with all the lakes
northward and westward OF us with which we
have territorial connections, and an inland
navigation in a few years more from Rhode
Island to Georgia inclusively, partly by cuts
between the great bays and sounds and partly
between Islands and sandbankS and the main
from Albemarle Sound to the River ST. Marys
To these may be also added the erection of
bridges over considerable rivers and the com-
mencement OF turnpike roads as further indi-
cation of the Improvements in nand.
With great esteem and respect, have the
honor TO be your lordship's most obedient,
honorable servant. G. WAsHINGToN
Mr.. Steady took a copy of the letter and
it is not believed that it has ever been
printed in this country.-W Washington cor
respondence OF Chicago Inter Ocean.