The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1906-03-03

TowsoN, MD, Feb. ed, 1905.
Mess7s Editors Of The Union Il enclose copy
of letter written by General Washington the
year after he retired from the Presidency, to
Mr. William Vans Murray, a relative of mine
who at that time was the q. S. Minister at the
Hague Thinking that it might prove interest
ing to those who, at this time of the year. have
ven some little reverence for the memory of
the Father of our country, send you copy.
Yours truly, r. GRAs0N GEORGE.
MOUNT VERNON, 10th August, 1796.
Dear Sir II doubt not but that you have al
ready set me down as an Improbable correspon-
dent and with too much truth, perhaps. but not
with as much culpability on my part as appear
ances may indicate.
have written you several letters and having
put one or two for Mr.. cambridge under your
covers, without receiving any acknowledgment
of them, the presumption is that they have fall
len into other hands. Nothing, however, was
contained in either of them that could entitle
them to the honor of place in the Bureaus OF
France to which several of my prtuate letters. it
seems have found passage, and but for the
improperly of such conduct, and the depriva-
ton and invasion of another's right, all might
go, as write nor say nothing wish to conceal
from that nation. my policies being straight and
my views undisguised towards it and all others.
In examining my pile of unanswered letters l
find two of yours dated the 9th of October and
1st of November among them in acknowledge
ing the receipt of which permit me to thank you
for the interesting communications which are
detailed therein, and to express wish that, In
your moments of leisure, you would favor me
with continuation of matters so satisfactory
to be informed of. should have wrote oftener
TO- IN. rotfr matter
cient for amusement, but revolving days pro-
ducing similar scenes of domestic and rural oc-
currences. none interesting except to those who
were engaged in them; knowing that all things
of public concern, together with the "Gazettes"
of different compilations were regularly trans
mitted to you from the proper department, and
knowing also that you had friends near the
Fountain of Intelligence who were in the habit
of corresponding with You, / conceived that de-
tails of the latter kind from me might be less
correct and at least second hand information.
and therefore avoided giving you the trouble to
receive it. But new and unexpected scenes
opening upon US, and all my plans OF retirement
likely to be married by the domineering spirit
and boundless ambition of a nation whose tur-'
pitude has set all obligations, divine and human,
at naught, may in time to come enable me to
communicate some things more interesting than
are to be found within the circle of my present
perambuations. In doing which shall always
feel pleasure. Little did expect, when my
valedictory address was presented to the people
of the United States that any event would oc-
cur in my day that could draw me from the
peaceful walks and tranquil shades of Mount
Vernon, where had fondly hoped to spend the
remnant of life worn down with public cares
in Illuminating on the varigated scenes through
which have passed, and in contemplation OF
others which are yet in embryo.
l will hope. however. when the despots of
France find how much they have mistaken the
American character, and how much they have
been deceived by the partisans among US, that
their senses will return to them, and an appeal
to arms for the purpose of repelling an Invasion
at least will be rendered unnecessary.
To be prepared for them, however, is the most
certain and, perhaps, the least expensive mode
of averting the evil. Neither they nor their
abettors here expected, believe, that such
spirit would be reused as the occasion has mani
tested amongst all classes of our citizens. except
the leaders of the opposition upon their obtain
ing correct statements of the treatment they
have received from their good and nodgndntDaous
allies The difficulty under which they will find
themselves lies in tracing back their steps, but
Envoy Logan may be sent to help them out of it,
or which is to me fully as likely to direct them
in another course to attain the same end.
Present me, if you please. to Mrs. Murray, in
which Mrs. Washington and Miss Custis unite,
as they do to yourself and in remembrance to
Mr.. cambridge, and be assured of the sincere re-
regard and esteem of Dear Sir,
Your most obedient, affectionate
and humble servant,
G. WASHINGTON.
WILLIAM VANS MURRAY, ESQ.