Title: To George Washington from Rufus Putnam, 28 February 1791
From: Putnam, Rufus
To: Washington, George

Sir
Marietta [Northwest Territory] February 28th 1791

Since the affair of the 2d of January several Wyandot men & women have ben into Fort Harmer To Trade. they approched with Shyness, and in truth our people ware at a loss how to treat them. but on the whole it was thought best, and they ware recived & treated in the same frindly maner as here to fore: althoe Sculking parties were at the Same time discovered houvering round Some of our Settlements, the accounts these indians give of the affair at the Big-Bottom, are various—the first reported that they Saw their trail on their return & that by mar⟨ks⟩ they left on certain trees they ware 76 in number & had 20 Scalps. the next account was from one Geroto a Wyandot man who Said he was told by a man who Saw them, that they consisted of about 30 and that they had Some prisoners as well as Scalps—that they came from a Village on the ⟨Tawa⟩ river—and another account we have from a Wyandot who Said he Saw the party on their return neer Sandusky, that they ware chiefly Mingos consisted of about 30 and had 5 prisoners: the Indians who have ben in, all agree that a great many Indians are going to war, but pretend that the Wyandots & Dellawars are not, and that we must expect a great many here in a few weeks—about ten days ago a Soldier was taken within 60 rods of Fort Harmer but he had the good fortune to make his escape the first night, and the next day came in to the Settlement at Belle-prie, the Soldier said that he was first taken by three and caried a few miles when they came to 4 others, that one of them Spake good English and was very perticuler in his enquieries respecting the number of men at Fort Harmer, Marietta, & Belle-prie.
the night after the Soldier got into Belle-prie, a party of Indians (Supposed to be the Same who took the Soldier) brook open a number of Deserted houses in the lower part of Belle-prie

Settlement, but they did no damage to any of the property except killing one Sheep and two fat hogs a part of which they took of—Our people have nearely compleated their works of Defence, and I have no great apprehentions for the imediate Saifty of their persons but their forage Corn & Cattle Still remain exposed as they have not ben able ⟨illegible⟩ to remove them to places of Security.
The present Crisis appears to me important, not only as it respects the inhabitants of these frontiers but the united States in general—for Should Government take efectual ⟨means⟩ to bring the natives to Submission, & for the protection of those who have Settled under her authorety, She may fairly calculate on a rapid Sale of her lands, by which She may Sink many millions of her National Debt—but on the Contrary Should She leve her Citizens to be insulted & murdered by the Savages, I think it dos not require the Spirit of prophecy to foretell the consequence. No more lands will be purchased but will probably be Seized on by privit adventurers who will pay little or no reguard to the laws of the United States or the rights of the natives—It is a fact Sir, well known that imediately after the conclusion of the war in 1783 privet adventurers, in a perticuler way, located & by building Cabbens, girdling trees or planting a few hills of Corn, took possestion of all the most valuable lands in the Muskingum, Hockhocking, and other rivers as well as on the ohio for Several hundred mils, nor Must it be forgot that numbers of these people were driven off by the federal Troops at the point of the Bayonet, their houses burnt & corn destroyed—When therefore it Shall be known that Congress have given up the protection of the Country, what are we to expect but these people, with others of like principle, will return like a flood & Seize the country to them Selves, and should this be the case is it probable that the united States will ever be able to reduce them to obediance without incuring a much greater expence then the chastizin⟨g⟩ the Indians in a proper maner & the necessary establisht for the protection of the Settlements can posably ⟨merit⟩.
All the Settlements in Virginia bordoring on the Ohio in our neighbourhood are erecting defences.
We ⟨heare⟩ that 7 persons ware killed about two ⟨weeks⟩ near Short Creek the account of which probably re⟨ached⟩ you before

this. Major Sargent I hear is at Fort Pitt—I have the honour to be with the highest possable Sentements of Respect Sir your most obedient & most humble Servent

Rufus Putnam


Title: Editorial Note
From:
To:

GW began considering the schedule and route of his intended Southern Tour at least as early as the fall of 1790. William Blount, governor of the Southwest Territory, who visited Mount Vernon in September 1790, reported to his brother John Gray Blount in a letter of 20 Sept. 1790 that GW planned to tour the South in March, April, and May 1791, adding that the president would “proceed by the lower Road, and return by the uper or the Reverse and from what fell in the Course of Conversation on the Subject I think he will proceed Via Norfolk, Edenton, Washington, New Bern, Wilmington, Charleston, Savannah then up to Augusta and return by Way of Columbia, Campden, Charlotte, Salisbury thence the most direct Road to Richmond leaving Petersburg to the Right.” This was generally the route Washington followed in the spring of 1791, although he proceeded from Richmond to Petersburg rather than to Norfolk on his way southward, and on his

return he traveled through Charlotte Court House, Va., directly to Fredericksburg, passing to the west of both Petersburg and Richmond. GW was entirely unacquainted with the roads through the Carolinas and Georgia, never having traveled farther south than the Great Dismal Swamp region in the northwestern corner of North Carolina. He consequently sought the advice of southern members of Congress and Associate Justice James Iredell of the Supreme Court regarding the best routes through these states. Among the documents preserved in the Washington Papers in the Library of Congress are six distinct memoranda providing the distances between various points on the route between Philadelphia and Augusta. GW and his secretaries apparently used these memoranda, and perhaps others, to devise a draft itinerary for the Southern Tour. None of these documents is signed or dated, and supplying dates for them is problematic. GW arrived in Philadelphia for the final session of the First Congress with his route clearly in mind and may have begun making inquiries about the best roads immediately. Most of the memoranda probably were drafted in January or February, since GW had explained in his letter to William Washington of 8 Jan. 1791 that he did not intend to stay in private houses, a determination that could not be rigidly adhered to, as GW undoubtedly learned as he collected information about the roads and available accommodations from southerners in Philadelphia. Southern members of Congress departed for home in the first week of March, and GW’s itinerary was completed by that time. The focus of the Southern Tour was to be GW’s visit to Charleston, S.C., and GW was determined to reach that city by the most expeditious route. When he arrived in Philadelphia, GW apparently had not yet decided whether to proceed southward through Edenton, N.C., and then south through the North Carolina tidewater to New Bern or to take the more direct route to New Bern through Halifax. North Carolina congressman Hugh Williamson provided GW with a memorandum comparing the distances of the two routes (Document I). This document was accompanied by a simple sketch map tracing the two routes. Williamson also provided GW with a memorandum outlining the mileage between Philadelphia and Lamprier’s Ferry, just northwest of Charleston, S.C. (Williamson rendered this name “Lamprieres”), based on the inland route to New Bern via Halifax, which he seems to have been recommending. Williamson reported that the route from Petersburg to New Bern via Halifax was 192 miles, while that through Edenton was 224 miles, exclusive of ferries, adding considerably to the time required to reach New Bern via Edenton. GW received a similar memorandum comparing the distances southward via Halifax, N.C.,

and Edenton from John B. Ashe (Document III). James Iredell provided GW with a memorandum providing the distances from Richmond, Va., to Edenton, N.C. (Document IV). This memorandum may have been directed to GW’s secretary William Jackson. Iredell wrote a second memorandum to Jackson describing the route southward from New Bern to Georgetown, S.C., in considerable detail (Document V). Iredell confessed ignorance of the route from Georgetown to Charleston and asserted that he had no knowledge of the route from Savannah to Augusta, Georgia. Using these memoranda, and such other information as he could obtain in Philadelphia, GW and his secretaries developed an itinerary for the Southern Tour. Based on the comparative information about the roads to New Bern via Halifax and Edenton, N.C., GW decided to proceed southward by the faster, more direct, but probably less populous route to New Bern through Halifax, North Carolina. Document VI, a draft itinerary on the route from Savannah to Augusta, Ga., probably was prepared before he drafted his final itinerary. The writer of the Georgia itinerary has not been identified. The final itinerary (Document VII) probably was completed sometime in the last week of February or the first week of March. It is entirely in GW’s hand and bears a notation on the reverse, also in his hand, apparently added after the tour, which reads: “Route & Stages of G. Washington in the yr 1791 Which he performed at the time & in the manner therein enumerated: except (on acct of the extreme badness of the Roads) he went from Wilmington in the Delaware State by way of the Eastern Shore & Annapolis instead of Baltimore[.]” This itinerary was based on the presumption that GW would leave Philadelphia on or about 10 Mar., a date that probably could not have been decided on before the middle of February. In addition to the deviation GW mentioned in his note, he departed from his planned route after leaving Guilford Court House, N.C., from which he proceeded by the most direct route to Fredericksburg, Va., bypassing Hillsborough, N.C., Petersburg, and Richmond, Virginia. The decision to amend the latter part of the itinerary in this way seems to have been made while GW was at Mount Vernon in the first week of April, since he wrote to his department secretaries on 4 April that he would return through “Guilford, Hillsborough, Harrisburg, Williamsburg to Taylor’s ferry on the Roanoke, and thence to Fredericksburg by the nearest and best road.” The change was probably the result of the unexpected delay in the trip at Mount Vernon occasioned by the pressing need to complete arrangements for the organization of the Virginia levies for the impending expedition against the hostile Indians in the Northwest. All seven of the documents, and Hugh Williamson’s

sketch map, are in DLC:GW. No revised itinerary reflecting the changes imposed by GW’s late start and his unexpectedly long delay at Mount Vernon has been found and it seems unlikely that one was prepared. GW wrote to Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and Henry Knox on 4 April to advise them of his departure from Mount Vernon and informing them that he expected to reach Fredericksburg on 8 April, Richmond on 11 April, Petersburg on 14 April, Halifax, N.C., on 16 April, Tarboro on 18 April, New Bern on 20 April, Georgetown, S.C., on 29 April, and Charleston on 2 May, where he expected to remain five days, before reaching Savannah on 11 May. This is very close to the schedule GW maintained on his tour. He explained to his department heads that he expected to remain in Savannah, Ga., for two days before proceeding to Augusta, where he added that he expected to obtain information about the best upland route to take on his return northward. GW’s route on his Southern Tour is extensively documented in the published edition of his diaries, which includes detailed annotation on people he encountered, roads and ferries he used, as well as towns and accommodations along his route.


Title: I: Memorandum of Hugh Williamson Comparing Distances from Petersburg, Va., to New Bern, N.C., via Edenton and Halifax, N.C., February 1791
From: Williamson, Hugh
To: Washington, George

via Edenton and Halifax, N.C.

            Distances

            m.

            From Petersburg
            to Cabin Point
            26

            to Smithfield
            37

            to Suffolk
            22
            85

            to Riddicks
            12

            to Mitchels
            21

            to Edenton
            21
            54

            Across the Ferry
            12

            to Jacksons
            25

            to Washington
            20

            to Custiss ferry
            30

            to New Bern
            10 Exclus. of ferry

            85

            224

            From Petersburg
            to Olivers
            28

            to Hicks’s ford Andrew’s
            19

            to Halifax
            28

            To Tarborough
            36

            Green Ville
            25

            Blount Hall
            16

            Custis’s ferry
            30

            New Bern
            10
            19


Title: II: Memorandum of Hugh Williamson on the Route from Philadelphia to Lamprier’s Ferry, S.C., February 1791
From: Williamson, Hugh
To: Washington, George

            Miles

            Philadelphia to
            Chester
            15

            to
            Xtien Bridge
            21

            Head of Elk
            9

            Susquehanna Ferry
            18

            Bush Town
            11

            Baltimore
            25
            99

            Petapsco Ferry
            3

            Widow Ramsays
            12

            Annapolis
            12
            126

            London Town Ferry
            4

            Queen Annes bridge
            9

            Upper Marlbro’
            9

            Piscataway
            16

            Hoes Ferry
            13

            Port Royal
            18

            Bowling Green
            13

            Richmond
            25
            243

            Osbornes Warehouse
            15

            Petersburg
            10
            268

            Halls Ordinary
            21

            Landers Ordinary
            18

            Hickss ford
            7

            Stantons Ordinary
            15

            Halifax
            11
            360

            Cottons
            25

            Tarborough
            15

            Daviss
            11

            Peacocks bridge
            17

            Nehanty
            9

            Harrisons
            9
            446

            Whitfields
            13

            Smiths
            13

            Rutledges
            13

            Dicksons
            4
            489

            To
            Blakes
            15

            Johns
            13

            Wilmington
            25
            542

            Bells
            37

            Allstons (private)
            23

            Lewis
            10
            612

            W. Allston (private)
            29

            P. Simmons (private)
            5

            George Town Ferry
            16

            Lamprieres Ferry
            57
            719


Title: IV: Memorandum of James Iredell on Distances from Richmond, Va., to Edenton, N.C., February 1791
From: Iredell, James
To: Washington, George

Route from Richmond in Virginia to Edenton in North Carolina

            miles
            miles

            Richmond to Petersburg
            25
            viz.

            Richmond to Osborne’s
            15

            Osborne’s to Petersburg
            10

            25

            Petersburg to Suffolk
            81
            viz.

            Petersburg to Geary’s
            15

            Geary’s to Cabin Point
            11

            Cabin Point to McIntosh’s
            14

            McIntosh’s to Smithfield
            19

            Smithfield to Suffolk
            22

              81

            Suffolk to Edenton
            54
            viz.

            Suffolk to Riddick’s
            12

            Riddick’s to Mitchell’s
            21

            Mitchell’s to Edenton
            21

            160
            miles.
            54


Title: V: Memorandum of James Iredell on the Route through the Carolinas, February 1791
From: Iredell, James
To: Washington, George

Memorandum for Major Jackson concerning the Road through North and South Carolina.
I am not acquainted with the Road from Petersburg to Halifax, nor with that from Halifax, by way of Tarborough, to Newbern. But at Petersburg the best information can be obtained of the former and at Halifax of the latter.
Road from Newbern to Wilmington
The Road I am best acquainted with between these two places, and which I believe is really the best, is a⟨s⟩ nearly as I can recollect as follows. It is usually called the middle Road.

            miles

            From
            Newbern to Collier’s (a tolerable house)
            8

            Collier’s to Trenton (I am not well acquainted with this stage)
            12

            Note; within about 3 miles of Trenton lives one Clifton, who has a very small indifferent house, but usually keeps good provender for horses.

            Trenton to ⟨Shine’s⟩ (one of the best)

            9

            Shine’s to Mrs Williams’s (Indifferent)

            7

                  Mrs Williams to
                  }
                  (Do)

                   at what they call the chappel

            4

            The Chappel to Foy’s (but tolerable) I believe
            about
            13

            Foy’s to Sage’s (a good stage)

            19

            Sage’s to Jennett’s (Indifferent)
            about
            11

            Jennet’s to Wilmington

            17

Wilmington to Georgetown
The accomodations on this road are, in general, very bad. It will be better to obtain at Wilmington fuller information than I can give. The stages, such as they are, which I am acquainted with, are as follow

            miles

            From
            Wilmington to Daniel’s at Town Creek (a very indifferent house indeed)
            10

            Daniel’s to Russ’s (also very indifferent)
            16

            Russ’s to William Cope’s (Do)
            13

            Cop’s to the Boundary (no public house)
            10

            Note: a Ch. Dupree lives near this, a very obliging hospitable Man, but who lived in a very small house when I was last there. He did live at the Boundary House, which is a pretty good one, and I think he ⟨attended⟩ to others ⟨again;⟩ but am not certain. It would be very desirable to rest some where about this place, as a result of the distance necessary to go upon the next stage, & the uncertainty as to the proper time of crossing the Long Bay. It may be proper to enquire here about a proper house to stop at next.

            miles

            From the Boundary To the Long Bay
            16 or 15

Note: one Vareen lived on this side near the long Bay, and a little out of the Road, where a public house was formerly kept. But I believe there is none there now. The Son lives at the house, which is a wretched one. But I believe there are one or two others on this side the Bay, tho’ not public ones that I know of. Nor am I at all acquainted with them.
It will be necessary to make enquiry as to the proper time of tide for crossing the Long Bay. It is a sand Beach on the Seaside, and at low water it is delightful to cross it. You ride about 16 miles upon it.

            miles

            Over the Long Bay to McGill’s (a tolerable house)
            15

            After this I know none but private houses to Winyaw.

             McGill’s to Mr B. Nixon’s
            11

             B. Nixon’s to Colo. Heriott’s (on Winyaw Bay)
            17

            This gentleman is extremely respectable and hospitable, and is a Man of large Fortune. He will undoubtedly meet the President long before he reaches his house; if he should go that way. I know not the way by the common Ferry, nor what accomodations there are there.

            Across the Bay from Colo. Heriott’s

            to George-Town
            about 2 or 3

There will be no doubt of your obtaining at George-Town full information of the Road from there to Charleston upon which the stages are better than before.

At Charleston there will be the fullest information of the Road to Savannah.
The Road from Savannah to Augusta I am not acquainted with.
The only Road from Augusta through South & North Carolina that I am acquainted with is by Columbia and Camden in South Carolina and Fayette-Ville in North Carolina. But in general the accomodations are very wretched and the country a very miserable one, and I don’t doubt the upper road that goes through Charlotte & Salisbury in North Carolina (and which I am told the President intends taking) is preferable. of that I can give no particulars.


Title: VI: Itinerary from Savannah to Augusta, Ga., February 1791
From: Washington, George
To:

From Savannah to Augusta

            Miles

            first Day to
            Spencers
            15
            Miles
            15

             15

            Dashers
            5

            20
             20

            Ebenezer
            5

             25

            Russells
            5

             30

            Ravotts
            8

             38

            Lundys
            8

             46

            Garnetts
            2

             48

            second Day to
            Pierces
            12

            45
            40
             60

            Skinners
            15

             75

            Bells
            11

             86

            Lamberts
            5

             91

            third Day to
            Waynesborough
            11

            42
            42
            102

            McBean
            16

            118

            fourth day to
            Augusta
            16

            32
            32
            132

            134
            134


Title: VII: Itinerary for the Southern Tour, February 1791
From: Washington, George
To:

If the President of the United States should be able to commence his tour through the Southern States on the 10th of March it will be regulated as follow

            March
            th

            miles

            Thursday
            10

            Chester
            14.4

            Friday
            11

            Head of Elk
            32.6

            Saturday
            12

            Hartford
            27.6

            Sunday
            13

            Baltimore
            24.3

            Monday
            14

            Annapolis
            28
            127.4

            Tuesday
            15
            }
            Halt 2 days

            Wednesday
            16

            Thursday
            17

            Georgetown
            38

            Friday
            18

            Mount Vn
            16
            54

            Halt 9 days

            Monday
            28

            Dumfries
            20

            Tuesday
            29

            Frederickg
            25
            45

            Halt 1 day

            Thursday
            31

            Head Lynchs
            35.4

            April
            1

            Richmond
            32
            67.4

            Halt 2 days

            Monday
            4

            Petersburgh
            28

            Tuesday
            5
            }
            Hallifax
            75
            103

            Wednesday
            6

            Halt 1 day

            Friday
            8

            Tarborough
            36

            Saturday
            9
            }
            New Bern
            81
            117

            Sunday
            10

            Halt 1 day

            Tuesday
            12
            }
            Wilmingtn

            Wednesday
            13

            95

            Thursday
            14

            Halt 1 day

            Saturday
            16
            }
            Georgetown

            127

            Sunday
            17

            Monday
            18

            Tuesday
            19

            Halt 1 day

            Thursday
            21
            }
            Charleston

            62

            Friday
            22

            Halt 5 days

            Thursday
            28
            }
            Savanna

            119

            Friday
            29

            Saturday
            30

            May
            1

            Halt—2 days

            Wednesday
            4
            }
            Augusta

            120

            Thursday
            5

            Friday
            6

            Saturday
            7

            Halt 2 days

            Tuesday
            10
            }
            Columbia

            Wednesdy
            11

            82

            Thursday
            12

            Halt 1 day

            Saturday
            14

            Campden
            35

            Sunday
            15
            }
            Charlotte

            Monday
            16
            75

            Tuesday
            17

            110

            Wednesd.
            18

            Halt 1 day

            Thursd.
            19

            Salisbury
            40

            Friday
            20

            Salem
            35

            Saturd.
            21

            Guilford
            25
            100

            Halt 1 day

            Monday
            23
            }
            Hilsbo: 45  Harrisburg40 Willimsburg 12

            97

            Tuesd.
            24

            Wedny
            25

            Halt 1 day

            Friday
            27
            }
            By Taylrs ferry 10 toPetersburgh 83

            93

            Saturd.
            28

            Sunday
            29

            Halt 1 day

            Tuesd.
            31

            Richmond
            28

            June
            1

            Head Lynchs
            32

            Thursd.
            2

            Frederksburgh
            35½
            95½

            Halt 1 day

            Saturd.
            4

            Mt Vernon

            45

            Halt 8 days

            Mondy
            13

            Bladensburgh
            24

            Tuesdy
            14

            Baltimore
            34

            Wedny
            15

            Susquehanna
            36

            Thursd.
            16

            Wilmington
            35½

            Friday
            17

            Philadelpa
            27½
            157

            Total
            1816½


Title: From George Washington to John Adams, 1 March 1791
From: Washington, George
To: Adams, John

Philadelphia March 1st 1791.

Certain matters touching the public good requiring that the Senate shall be convened on Friday the 4th Instant, I have desired their Attendance, as I do yours by these Presents, at the Senate Chamber in Philadelphia on that day, then and there to receive and deliberate on such Communications as shall be made to you on my part.

Go: Washington.


Title: To George Washington from Joseph Anderson, 1 March 1791
From: Anderson, Joseph
To: Washington, George

Sir
Ph[iladelphi]a 1st March 1791

I take the liberty of inclosing to Your Excellency, a letter I receiv’d from Mr Vining, in answer to One, I address’d to him, on the Subject of a letter he a few days since receivd from Mr Jaquet. By which Your Excellency will see that Mr Jaquet is Contradicted, in what he has said in his letter to Mr Vining, and that by a person who wrote the Certificate, and attested it.
The Certificate had for its basis, an Original receeipt, and Contains only a State of facts, Containd in that receipt—The receipt being at too great a distance to Obtain speedily—The Certificate was ask’d—With respect to what Major Bush Says, Concerning his Considering, the additional Contracts, as a Consequence rather than a Condition of my appointment, I wou’d beg leave to Observe That I agreed with Mr Jaquet, as I ⟨had⟩ rather have the Land Warrants he receiv’d of me, at the prices he recev’d them, than the money—that If he wou’d keep them, I wou’d impower my friend Major Bush, to purchase them of him, for my use—And that to Enable him to do it—I wou’d impower Major Bush to receive money To my Use for that purpose—Your Excellency will please to Observe that Mr Vining says in his letter, that Major Bush mention’d, I had not given Jaquet any Power of Attorney, to receive part of my Sallary in Case I shou’d receive the appointment—which he says he beleives Jaquet had mentiond in his letter—meaning that I had given him such power.
Upon the whole, Your Excellency will I trust, see this business,

in its true point of View, and that in the Circumstance of my agreeing to purchase the land Warrants of Major Jaquet at the price he receivd them of me—was neither a Deviation from Princepal nor integrety—But Compatible with duty to myself—The Warrants being Worth more to me at this period, than what he allowed me for them. In further Support of my Private Character, I beg leave to present a letter, to your Excellency from a Gentleman now of this City—who has known me and my family from an early period of my life—his Character is well know to Both Mr Read and Mr Vining—I am Sir with Very great respect—your Very Obedt Servt

Jos. Anderson


Title: To George Washington from Catherine Sawbridge Macaulay Graham, 1 March 1791
From: Graham, Catharine Sawbridge Macaulay
To: Washington, George

Sir
Bracknal Berks [England] 1 March. [17]91

The reports in Europe some months ago respecting yr Excellencies health gave the admirers of yr virtues and the friends to American liberty much concern. We are happy to heer that health is again restored to you.
Some ⟨time in⟩ the course of the last summer I did my self the

honor of sending you my thoughts on the important subject of education. I now send you my observations on Mr Burkes reflections on the French revo[lution] a work which has been much used in England both on account of the importance of the subject and the virulent manner in which the Author has abused the French Legislators and supported all those unjust distinctions in society which have so long oppressed and humbled mankind. When you have read Mr Burke yr Excellency will not be surprised that he has a large party in this country as it comprehends the Court the Dignified Clergy the Aristocratists and their dependants.
The French Revolution I thank God yet stands firm, to the great mortification of the European Aristocratists, and to the great joy of all those who like my self are zealous friends to equal liberty.
Mr Graham joins me in most respectful compliments to yr self and Mrs Washington and all those of yr family whom we have the honor to be acquainted with I am yr Excellencies Most Obedt Humble Servt

Cath. Macaulay Graham


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 1 March 1791
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

Sir.
War department, March 1st 1791

By the resolves of Congress of the 20th of October 1786, certain officers were appointed and commissioned for the troops to

be raised by virtue of the said resolves, but before the said troops were completed, or ordered upon service, Congress on the 9th day of April 1787 directed they should be disbanded, excepting two companies, the occasion having ceased for which they were required.
In the appointments about to take place, it is probable that several of the officers of the said troops, may be comprehended.
It is agreeably to justice and the principles which you have been pleased to direct respecting the relative rank of officers—“that officers of the same grade and of original appointments, are to take relative rank according to the dates of the resolves of Congress by which they were raised, commencing with the resolve of Congress of the 1st of April 1785”—This principle secures the relative rank of the officers of the same grades now in service—That is—All officers now in service will be senior in their respective grades to the officers of the new appointments.
But, it will probably be made a question, whether the appointments of officers by virtue of the Acts of Congress of October 20th 1786, and disbanded by the Acts of Congress of the 9th of April 1787, was of such a nature as equitably to alter, or change the relative rank, which was established during the war among the officers about to be appointed under the Acts about to be passed.
On consideration of this subject I am of opinion that the appointments of officers under the aforesaid acts of October 20th 1786, and who were disbanded in April 1787, ought not to be estimated of more value than the service performed by the troops or militia raised for one year, under the resolve of Congress of the 3rd of June 1784.
And you have been pleased to decide that the service of officers of the troops last mentioned, is not to be considered as equivalent to reverse the relative rank of officers established during the late war.
It is important to decide upon this point previously to the appointments, and to inform the officers that the relative rank of the late war is to govern the new appointments in the same grades as far as the same shall be applicable.
And there will be another question of considerable importance in the business of relative rank, which requires decision, and that is whether the promotion to field officers shall upon

the establishment of a second regiment or any greater number of regiments be lineal, or whether it shall be regimental.
In order to be perfectly understood on this point it will be necessary to explain it.
It is proposed to introduce a number of old captains of the late war into the new regiment—These officers may be induced to enter the service if they see a prospect of promotion in their own regiment—But if the promotion is to be lineal, the rules already established to secure the rank of the officers now in service will have the operation to make them all field officers before any of the captains of the new appointments shall be promoted.
The above rule to secure the officers of the troops in service their rank was to prevent them being superceded in their respective grades by new appointments of old officers of the late war—so far it is just.
But, it is easy to forsee if the promotion is to be lineal from the captains to field officers the public will for-ever be precluded from availing itself of the services of the old officers of the late war.
In order to avoid so great an evil, it would seem proper to establish, a new rule—that promotion should be regimental entirely; in the same manner as the promotion now is between the artillery and infantry—each rising in his own corps.
The officers of the old regiment would preserve the seniority acquired by their services since 1785, and would take rank of officers of new appointments upon courts martial, and on command.
There seems to be more justice in a regimental, than a lineal Promotion, as the officers always obtain the promotion arising from their own service—I have the honor to be with the highest respect Sir Your obedient Servant

H. Knox


Title: Tobias Lear to Henry Knox, 1 March 1791
From: Lear, Tobias
To: Knox, Henry

United States March 1st 1791.

By the President’s command, T. Lear has the honor to transmit to the Secretary of War the enclosed letter, which has just come to the President’s hands; signed by a number of the Inhabitants of Washington County in the State of Pennsylvania, expressing their apprehensions of the depredations of the Indians in that quarter.
The President requests that the secretary will give the subject that consideration which it may merit, and report to the President his opinion of what ought to be done on the occasion.

Tobias Lear
S. P. U. S.


Title: From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 1 March 1791
From: Washington, George
To: Randolph, Edmund

March 1st 1791. 11 o’clock, A.M.

The President of the United States requests that the Attorney-General will give the question which accompanies the petition of Samuel Dodge, and which is herewith transmitted, a full consideration, and report his opinion thereon as soon as possible.


Title: To George Washington from Benjamin Bourne, 2 March 1791
From: Bourne, Benjamin
To: Washington, George

Sir
Philadelphia March 2d 1791

I take the liberty to acquaint your Excellency That I am requested by several Gentlemen at Rhode Island to mention To your Excellency Major John S. Dexter as a fit object of Appointment for the Collection of the additional duties on Spirits. Major Dexter having the Honor of being personally known to the President I presume he stands in no need of a Recommendation of his Character. I am well assured that Should he be appointed Supervisor for the District of Rhode Island The appointment will give very general Satisfaction. I have the honor to be with great Respect your Excellency’s most obedt Servt

Benjn Bourn


Title: From George Washington to Louis XVI, 2 March 1791
From: Washington, George
To: Louis XVI (of France)

[Philadelphia, 2 March 1791]
Very great and good Friend, and Ally.

I have received the letter wherein you inform me that you have thought proper to give a new Mission to the Sieur de Moustier, and thereby to put an end to his Functions as Minister plenipotentiary here. His conduct during the Time of his residence in this Country, has been such as to meet my entire approbation and esteem, and it is with great pleasure I render him the Justice of this testimony. He carries with him my wishes, that in continuing to serve your Majesty faithfully, he may continue to enjoy your Favor and protection. I renew sincere assurances of the friendship and affection which I bear to your Majesty and your Nation, and I pray God to have you, very great and good

friend and Ally, in his holy keeping. Written at Philadelphia the second day of March 1791. Your good Friend and Ally

Go: Washington
By the PresidentTh. Jefferson


Title: To George Washington from Benjamin Contee, 3 March 1791
From: Contee, Benjamin
To: Washington, George

Sr
3⟨r⟩d March 1791

Major Benjamin Brookes has ⟨bound⟩ me to make application in his behalf for an Appointment under the “Act” for repealing the duties “on spiritieous liquors, & laying others in their stead &c.” commonly called the Excise Law. This Gent. resides in upper Marlbro’ in Prince Georges County, Mary land, I believe he has merited well of his country heretofore, & I doubt not but that he will be attentive to the duty which may be required by the above acts if to you he may appear to be a fit person & you shall be pleased to confer an Appointment on him. But of this Sir you are the proper Arbiter to determine. I am Sr with highes⟨t⟩ consideration and respect yr Hble & Obt Servt

Ben. Contee


Title: To George Washington from Hannah Gordon, 3 March 1791
From: Gordon, Hannah Meredith
To: Washington, George

Sir
North Brittain AberdeenMarch 3rd 1791

I hope Your Excellency will permit an American Lady to inform you that I am the Widow of the late Coll Harry Gordon

of the Royal Engineers of Brittain and that when I was last in America in 1781 to which place I was ordered on account of my health, my late Husband having put into my hands at the beginning of the War all his papers Bonds and Bills to recover payment of what was due, I did apply to Mr James Hanums for the ballance of the price of our Brandywine plantation being four Hundred pounds for which he had granted four Bonds and having demanded payment of the same Mr Hanums (a very honest Quaker) did not refuse provided Congress would allow him I did apply to Congress and they readily agreed to permitt payment provided I would remain in Philadelphia which it was impossible for me to do as all my family were then in Brittain and I have never hitherto recovered any part of the above Sum At the same time I made application to Congress for the lands belonging to my late husband Collonel Harry Gordon which had been forfieted by the Name of Henry Gordon and I did recover them on account of the misnomer, but after I left Phidelpha to return to England Doctor Rush with whome I had quarreled on account of other Family matters and particularly his bad behaviour to a Son whome I had left with him for Education had interest enough with Congress to have the lands forfieted a Second time.
When I left America I deposited three of the Bonds before mentioned in the hands of Race Meredith merchant and the other with Andrew Forsyth Grocer to be given to Samuel Meredith son to the said Race Meredith who was dead and now the four Bonds for the Ballance of the Price of the Brandywine plantation due by Mr Hanums will be found in the Custody of Samuel Meredith.
The Lands that were forfieted are in Bedford Couty and Province of Pensylvania The above is a true State of my affairs in America which I humbly lay before your Excellency and now I hope the Lenity of the Laws of my native Country by your assistance and derection will procure relief and redress to a Widow far removed from any other aid then your goodness and humanity may bestow. I have the Honor to be with much respect and real Esteem Sir Your Excellecys most Obedient Humble Servant

Hannah Gordon

If you do me the Honor of an answer Please address Mrs Coll Gordon at Aberdeen North Brittain.


Title: To George Washington from Josiah Parker, 3 March 1791
From: Parker, Josiah
To: Washington, George

Sir
Philadelphia March 3rd 1791

The Excise Bill being passed with a weighty provission for you to appoint a Number of Officers for carrying it into effect it may be my duty to nominate persons in the district of the United States I represent worthy of carrying into effect the Law, consequently I shall take the liberty of doing so, at the same time Confess that I am not authorised by either of the Characters or any one in the district to apply for an appointment under the above Law but as I deem the Characters I shall name more proper than any others in the different Counties I shall take the liberty to name them as follows.

            Surry County
            Colo. Richard Cocke

            Southampton
            Hartwell Cocke Esqr.

            Isle of Wight
            Colo. Emanuel Wills

            Nansemond
            Majr Josiah Riddick

            Norfolk
            Colo. Willis Willson

            Princess Anne
            Thos Wishart Jr Esqr.

            Northampton
            Thomas Parramore Esqr.

            Accomack
            Major Thos Parker

to the Military department I take the liberty of recommending Lemuel Riddick Esqr. as an Officer of Nansemond County. to the Secretary of War last session I mentiond him in terms that I supposed would have insured success.
beleive me sir I have no personal views to gratify in those nominations, having no relation or Connection amongst them. with every Sentiment of respect and Esteem I have the honor to be your most Obedient and very humble servant

J: Parker


Title: To George Washington from Joseph Stanton and Theodore Foster, 3 March 1791
From: Stanton, Joseph,Foster, Theodore
To: Washington, George

May it please your Excellency,
Philadelphia March 3d 1791

The Act establishing the New Revenue System, imposing Duties on Spirits imported, and those distilled within the United States, requires a Supervisor to be appointed in each State, for carrying it into Execution, and considering it a Duty that we owe to the State which we have the Honor to represent in the National Legislature, to recommend to your Excellency such a Character for this Office as we suppose would best serve the Public, and give the most general Satisfaction we have taken the Liberty to address you on the Subject hoping that the Circumstances of the Close of the Session and the Shortnys of the Time for making the Nominations will apologize for the present Application.
As the Place of the Residence of the Supervisor in each District should be such as would render it most convenient for the Public and most easy for him to overlook the whole in order to the faithful Discharge of the Duties of the Office the first Enquiry will be, In what Part of the State he ought to reside? and the next, Who is a suitable Person to be appointed?

The Two principal Towns of the State of Rhode Island are Newport and Providence. They are both Commercial Towns nearly equal in Number of Inhabitants, and Thirty Miles distant from each other, Newport being on Rhode Island and Providence on the Main. As there are no other Towns, in the State of equal Importance, with these we suppose it will be deemed proper that the Supervisor should reside in one or the other of these Towns. It seems reasonable that the Town where the most Business is done and which will raise the greatest proportion of the Duties if ⟨as⟩ conveniently Situated, should have the Preference, because the Supervisor being on the Spot and immediately superintending the Business can be better enabled, to insure the due Collection of the Revenue by keeping a Watchful Eye over the Surveyor and constantly inspecting the Distilliries. This Argument being admitted it will bring the Town of Providence in to Veiw as the Place where the Supervisor should reside. For in that Town are the Gin Distilliries of Messrs Brown & Francis & Col. Tillinghast, and of Messrs Clarke and Nightingale and Col. Ephraim Bowen, being the only one of the kind we believe in the United States, and also the great Rum Distilliries of those Gentlemen and of Messrs Philip and Zachariah Allen, of Messrs Browns and Benson, of Mr Job Smith, &c. at which several Distilleries, as the Business is extensively carried on great Quantities of Spirits are annually distilled—we Suppose more than double the Quantity, to that of all the State beside. And as in Addition to these circumstances the Town of Providence is at the Head of the Narraganset Bay conveniently Situated to hold a Constant Correspondence at all Seasons of the Year with all the other Towns round the Bay on both sides of which a Post travels once a Week through which also passes the Mail Stage from Philadelphia to Boston, we are therefore of Opinion that this Town is the most Suitable Place for the Residence of the Supervisor.
And as a Clause was purposely inserted in the new Revenue Act to enable your Excellency to appoint such of the Present Officers of the Customs as it should appear proper to your Excellency to appoint under this Act, a Matter as we humbly conceive worthy of Attention, on the Principles of Oeconnomy good Policy, where the Business of the Customs, in any of the Districts, will not be Sufficient to pay a Person for devoting his Time to it,

and as it appears from actual Statements from the Records of the Collectors Office of Providence District that the whole Fees and Emoluments of the Naval Officer, from the 21st Day of June to the 31st Day of December last amounted only to Two Hundred and Forty Six Dollars and Ninety Two Cents and one Half from which deducting the Naval Officers proportion of the Expence of Stationary, &c. during that Period being Ninety one Dollars and Seventy Nine Cents & an half there remained for the Naval Officer, for the Services of himself and Clerk only One Hundred and Fifty Five Dollars and an half being at the Rate of between Three and Four Hundred Dollars per Annum, a compensation so Small for constant Attention to an Office at all Hours that it has proved very discouraging even so much so as to induce him to think of resigning his Appointment a circumstance which would be disagreeable, and as he may be further compensated by annexing an Office under the New Revenue System to the one he now holds and as he is an Officer of Integrity, Respectabil[it]y, and worth esteemed and confided in by all Parties in the State, having faithfully discharged the Duties of the Naval Office since his Appointment, we think ourselves under Obligations to recommend the Present Naval Officer for the District of Providence, Viz., Ebenezer Thompson Esqr. for Nomination, as Supervisor of the Revenue in the District of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, as we Suppose there will be but one District in the State.
It will be unnecessary for us to remind your Excellency of the Testimonials produced the last Summer from the Governor—the Upper House of Assembly and a great Number of the most respectable Characters in the State in Favour of the Reputation, Integrity Abilities and Firmness of Judge Thompson, who was collector of the District of Providence, under an Appointment from the State at the Time of the Adoption of the Constitution, and as he has resigned the Office of Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, in the County of Providence for the Sake of holding the Naval Office, and as we think it will be for the Public Good to annex the Office of Supervisor of the Revenue in the District of Rhode Island to that of the Naval Office in Providence District and that Mr Thompson wi⟨th⟩ Assuiduity, Integrity, Mildness, Descretion, and Firmness execute the Duties of the Office as well as any Man and perhaps better than any other

Person ⟨ever being thought⟩ of in the State and as he has a dependent Family, and has Sufferred greatly by the Depreciation of the Continental Money and public Securities transferred when at a low Value, we cannot but hope that your Excellency will Pardon any Improprieties of this Representation in his Behalf and that you will be pleased to nominate him to the before mentioned Office of Supervisor which we know will be pleasing to the Governor and Legislature of the State and we believe it will be so to the People in General and will greatly oblige Mr Thompson, as well as Your Excellency’s most Obedient and most humble Servants

Jos: Stanton jr
Theodore Foster


Title: From George Washington to the United States Senate, 3 March 1791
From: Washington, George
To: United States Senate

Gentlemen of the Senate
United States 3rd March 1791.

Certain vacancies having taken place in the Offices of the Troops established by an Act passed on the 30⟨th⟩ of April 1790, I nominate, to fill those vacancies, the persons whose names are in the annexed list under the head of the first Regiment. I likewise nominate the persons to fill the Offices affixed to their names in the annexed list under the head of the Second Regiment, agreeably to a Law passed this day.

Go: Washington


Title: Enclosure: Nominations for Vacancies, 3 March 1791
From: Washington, George
To: United States Senate

March 3d 1791

Nominations for Promotions and Appointments.
First Regiment.
Major David Zeigler vice Wyllys killed.
Major Richard Call vice Parker declined. Virginia.
Captains.
Thomas Doyle vice Zeigler promoted.
John Armstrong vice Mercer resigned.
John Pratt vice Heart promoted.
Lieutenants.
Cornelius Sedam vice Doyle promoted.
John Jeffers vice Frothingham killed.
Abner Pryor vice Armstrong promoted.
Asa Hartshorne vice Heart promoted.
Thomas Seayres vice Steele declined.

            Ensigns.

            Appointments
            Daniel Britt Pennsylvania.

            Hamilton Armstrong ditto

            Bartholomew Shomburg promoted from Serjeant Major

            Bernard Gaines Virginia

            John Wade Pennsylvania

            Ross Bird ditto.

            Second Regiment

            Appointments

            Lieutenants Colonel Commandant

            John Doughty New Jersey

            1. Major

            Lemuel

            Trescott Massachusetts.

            2. Major

            John

            Burnham ditto

            3. Major

            Jonathan

            Heart Connecticut

Captains.
1 Robert Kirkwood Delaware.
2 Thomas Hunt Massachusetts.
3 John Mills ditto
4 John Pray ditto
5 Richard Brooke Roberts South Carolina.
6 John H. Buell Connecticut.
7 David Sayles Rhode Island.
8 Jonathan Cass New Hampshire.
9 Constant Freeman Massachusetts.
10 Patrick Phelon ditto
11 Thomas H. Cushing ditto
12 Joseph Shaylor Connecticut

Lieutenants.
1 Samuel Newman Massachusetts.
2 Bezalael Howe New Hampshire.
3 Henry Sherman junr Rhode Island.
4 Daniel Bradley Connecticut
5 John Platt Delaware
6 William Richard Massachusetts.
7 Richard Surcomb Howe ditto

8 Richard Humphrey Greaton Massachusetts
9 John Higgenson ditto
10 Winslow Warren ditto
11 Russell Bissell Connecticut.
12 Francis Huger South Carolina.

Ensigns.
1 Martin Brimmer Sohier Massachusetts.
2 Richard Edwards ditto
3 Edward Miller Connecticut
4 John Thomson ditto
5 George Tillinghast Rhode Island.
6 Joseph Smith Gilman New Hampshire.
7 Joseph Peirce junr ditto
8 David Cobb junr Massachusetts.
9 Joseph Dickinson South Carolina.
10 Thomas Duff Delaware
11 Edward Turner Massachusetts
12 Theodore Sedgwick 3d ditto

Surgeon William Eustis Massachusetts.
Surgeons Mate Joshua Sumner Connecticut.
Surgeons Mate John F. Carmichael New Jersey.

            The Battalion of Artillery.

            Major Commandant William Ferguson vice Doughty promoted.

            Captain Mahlon Ford vice Ferguson promoted.

            Lieutenants
            Daniel McLane vice Moor dead

            Abimael Youngs Nicholl vice Fowle dead.

            George Ingersoll vice Ford promoted.

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to the United States Senate, 4 March 1791
From: Washington, George
To: United States Senate

Gentlemen of the Senate,
United States March 4th 1791.

The Act for the admission of the State of Vermont into this Union having fixed on this, as the day of its admission, it was thought that this would also be the first day on which any Officer of the Union might legally perform any act of authority relating to that State. I therefore required your attendance to receive

nominations of the several Officers necessary to put the federal Government into motion in that State.
For this purpose I nominate
Nathaniel Chipman to be Judge of the District of Vermont—
Stephen Jacobs to be Attorney for the United States in the District of Vermont—
Lewis R. Morris to be Marshall of the District of Vermont—and
Stephen Keyes to be Collector of the Port of Allburgh in the State of Vermont.

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to the United States Senate, 4 March 1791
From: Washington, George
To: United States Senate

Gentlemen of the Senate,
United States 4th March 1791.

In pursuance of an Act intitled “An Act for raising and adding another Regiment to the Military establishment of the United States, and making further provision for the protection of the frontiers.” I nominate for the following Offices therein mentioned,
Major General Arthur St Clair.
Quarter Master Samuel Hodgdon.
Chaplain John Hurt.

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to the United States Senate, 4 March 1791
From: Washington, George
To: United States Senate

Gentlemen of the Senate,
United States 4th March 1791.

Pursuant to the powers vested in me by the Act intitled “An Act repealing after the last day of June next the duties heretofore laid upon distilled Spirits imported from Abroad, and laying others in their stead, and also upon Spirits distilled within the United States, and for appropriating the same”, I have thought fit to divide the United States into the following Districts—namely—
The District of New Hampshire, to consist of the State of New Hampshire.
The District of Massachusetts, to consist of the State of Massachusetts.
The District of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, to consist of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
The District of Connecticut, to consist of the State of Connecticut.
The District of Vermont, to consist of the State of Vermont.
The District of New York, to consist of the State of New York.
The District of New Jersey, to consist of the State of New Jersey.
The District of Pennsylvania, to consist of the State of Pennsylvania.
The District of Delaware, to consist of the State of Delaware.
The District of Maryland, to consist of the State of Maryland.
The District of Virginia, to consist of the State of Virginia.
The District of North Carolina, to consist of the State of North Carolina.
The District of South Carolina, to consist of the State of South Carolina.
The District of Georgia, to consist of the State of Georgia.

And I hereby nominate as Supervisors of the said Districts respectively the following persons—viz.

            For the District of New Hampshire
            Joshua Wentworth.

            For the District of Massachusetts
            Nathaniel Gorham.

            For the District of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
            John S. Dexter.

            For the District of Connecticut
            John Chester.

            For the District of Vermont
            Noah Smith.

            For the District of New York
            William S. Smith.

            For the District of New Jersey
            Aaron Dunham.

            For the District of Pennsylvania
            George Clymer.

            For the District of Delaware
            Henry Latimer.

            For the District of Maryland
            George Gale.

            For the District of Virginia
            Edward Carrington.

            For the District of North Carolina
            William Polk.

            For the District of South Carolina
            Daniel Stevens.

            For the District of Georgia
            John Mathews.

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Robert Coram, 5 March 1791
From: Coram, Robert
To: Washington, George

Sir
Wilmington [Del.] March 5. 1791

I take the liberty herewith to request your acceptance of a Small Pamphlet which I have wrote on the Subject of Education I wrote it chiefly with a design of being useful to my country, which I hope will in some measure apologize for the errors you may find in it. I have the honor to be &c. your Excellencys most obedt humble Servant

Robert Coram


Title: Tobias Lear to William Deakins, Jr., 5 March 1791
From: Lear, Tobias
To: Deakins, William Jr.

Sir,
Philadelphia March 5th 1791

The President has directed me to enclose the within advertisement to you—and request that you will be good enough to hand one to the Printer at Georgetown, and forward the other to the Printer at Frederick Town, to be inserted in their papers for six weeks. I am Sir, very respectfully, Your most obedient Servant

Tobias Lear.


Title: To George Washington from Nathaniel Pendleton, 5 March 1791
From: Pendleton, Nathaniel
To: Washington, George

Sir.
Savannah Georgia. March 5th 1791.

I am informed Mr Rutledge has lately accepted the appointment of Cheif Justice of the State of South Carolina, which will of course oblige him to resign his office of Assistant Justice in the supreme Court of the United States.
When I solicited the Appointment of Judge of this District, I imagined Congress would have made a more ample provision for their Judges; but having, at my own solicitation had the honor to be nominated by you, I could not with propriety refuse serving: altho it will readily be admitted by those who knew the extant of my practice at the bar, that the salary allowed me, is but a small compensation—nor is it indeed an adequate provision for a family in this Country.
Permit me however, Sir, to assure you I feel with equal Sensibility, and gratitude the honorable proof you were pleased to give of your approbation of my Character and Conduct on that occasion—An honor I hope always to merit, as far as fidelity and diligence can merit it, whenever I shall be so happy as to be distinguished by your nomination to a public office.
Under the impression of these ideas, permit me to communicate my wish that it may be agreeable to you, to put me in nomination to succeed Mr Rutledge. I should not perhaps indulge so flattering a hope, on this subject, but from an idea that you will probably nominate some person residing in the Southern Circuit—in which I now have the honor to be the oldest district Judge.
If I were to make a particular profession of the personal respect and admiration, I have always had for your Character and public services, it might have the appearance perhaps on this occasion, of flowing from other than the real motives—yet, having served under you as my General from a few weeks after your appointment to that important trust, to the end of the War, I hope to have the credit of sincerity, when I profess to be, with Sentiments of the most respectful, and unalterable Attachment, Sir, Your most Obedient, and most humble Servant

Nathl Pendleton


Title: To George Washington from Wakelin Welch & Son, 5 March 1791
From: Wakelin Welch & Son
To: Washington, George

London 5 March 1791

Prior to our being honored with your Excellency’s Letter of 22d Jany Messrs Fenwick Mason & Co. of Bourdeaux drew on us for £20.13.7 on your account which we immediately paid.
We offered to repay Messrs Phyn & Co. the £60 but they say they knew nothing about it. should Gov. Morris draw on them they will call on us but do not chuse to receive it before. Therefore it may so happen, that Mr Morris might not draw on them but prefer receiving it from us in either case the money shall be forthcoming. And when paid your Excellencys Accot will be as under

            Dr.

            Cr.

            To Mason & Co[’]s.

            By so much in hand

             Exchg
            £ 20.13.7

            £ 4.16.

            "  G. Morris order when

            "  Bill on Phyn & Co.
            60.

              called for
            60.
            "  Balance due us
            16.14.

            "  Postage & Negotiating

              £140 Bills
            16.5

            £ 81.10.

            £ 81.10.

Leaving Bal. in our favor Sixteen Pounds forteen shillings. Your Excellency’s Much Obliged Servt

Waken Welch & Son


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 6 March 1791
From: Washington, George
To: Jefferson, Thomas

Sunday, the 6th March 1791.

The P. would thank Mr Jefferson for placing all, or such of the enclosed Papers (after he has perused them) in the hands of the Attorney General, as he shall deem necessary for the purpose of drawing the several conveyances of the ceded Lands, or, the form of one.
For the former, it is conceived farther information than the enclosures contain, is wanting. For the latter, the agreement, and perhaps the Plat to which it refers, is all that is necessary; but the plat referred to, does not apply to the subsequent purchases.


Title: To George Washington from Lafayette, 7 March 1791
From: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de
To: Washington, George

My dear General
Paris March the 7th 1791

Whatever Expectations I Had Conceived of a Speedy termination to our Revolutionary trouble, I Still am tossed about in the Ocean of factions and Commotions of Every Kind—for it is My fate to Be on Each Side, With Equal Animosity Attacked, Both By The Aristocratic, Slavish, Parliamentary, Clerical, in a Word By all Ennemies to my free and levelling doctrine, and on the other Side By the orleanoise, factious, Anti Royal, licentious, and Pillaging Parties of Every Kind, So that My Personal Escape from Amidst so Many Hostile Bands is Rather dubious, Altho’ our Gr[e]at and Good Revolution is, Thank Heaven, Not only

Insured in France, But on the Point of Visiting other Parts of the World, provided the Restoration of Public order is Soon obtained in this Country, where the good People Have Been Better taught How to Overthrow despotism than they Can Understand How to Submit to the Law—to You, My Beloved General, the Patriarch and Generalissimo of Universal liberty, I Shall Render Exact Accounts of the Conduct of Your deputy and Aid in this Great Cause.
You Will Hear that the National Assembly Have Permitted the Cultivation of tobacco throughout the Kingdom, as it Was Already established in the frontier Provinces—to Which they Have Been Induced in those Accounts, 1stly Because they thought a Prohibition Inconsistent With the Principles of the Bill of Rights 2dly Because the Removal of the excise Barriers to the Extremities of the Empire Made it Necessary to Have one General Rule—3dly Because the departements formerly Called Alsace and Flanders Being Greatly Contamined By a foreign and Aristocratic Influence, there Was No doubt of the Impending Attack of the Rebel princes Condi and Artois taking place, and Being Countenanced Even By the Country farming people, Had We Cut them of from that Branch of Cultivation, all of a Sudden.
But What is Greatly Exceptionable is a duty fixed on the Introduction of American tobacco, with a premium in favour of the french vessels, and a duty Much too High, altho’ it Was lately lessened, on American Whale oil—But I Beg You, and all citizens of the United States Not to be discouraged By that Hasty, and ill Combined Measure, Which I Hope Before long to be Rectified in Consequence of a Report of the diplomatic Committee, including the Whole at once, and for Which My friends and Myself Have Kept our Arguments—I shall send You the Report, the debate, and the Resolve—Should we obtain An Easy introduction of American tobacco, No Cultivation of Any importance Can take place in france, and it Will Be the Better for Both Countries.
M. de ternant Has Been Named Plenipotentiary Minister to the United States—I Have Warmly Wished for it Because I Know His Abilities, His love for liberty, His early, steady, and Active Attachement to the United States, His Veneration and love for you—the More I Have Known ternant, the More I Have

found Him a Man of Great Parts, a Steady, Virtuous, and faithfull friend—He Has deserved a Great share in the Confidence of the National Assembly, the Patriotic Side I Mean, The King Has a true Regard for Him, in a Word I Hope He will on Every Account Answer Your purposes, and Serve America as zealously in the diplomatic line, as He did when in the Army.
Adieu, My Beloved General, My Best Respects Wait on Mrs Washington—Remember me Most Affectionately to Hamilton, jefferson, Knox, jay and all friends—Mde de Lafayette And children Beg their tender Respects Being joined to Mine for You and the family—Most Respectfully and tenderly I am My dear General Your filial friend

Lafayette

Inclosed is letter which ternant Has Requested I would join to Mine.
You Have Made Mr Poirey the Happiest Man in the World for which Mde de Lafayette and Myself are Very thankfull.


Title: To George Washington from Christopher Richmond, 7 March 1791
From: Richmond, Christopher
To: Washington, George

Sir
Philadelphia 7th March 1791

It is with great diffidence that I address Your Excellency, upon the subject I now do, but being encouraged by the good opinion

expressed by my Friends Governor Johnson, Major McHenry, and Mr D. Carroll in their Letters enclosed, I take the liberty to solicit, that when any Office becomes vacant, either at the Seat of Congress, or in the State of Maryland; you will be pleased to favor me so far, as to nominate me to such a one under the United States; as in your judgment I may be fit to execute.
I am induced to make this Application, from an Idea that I am too far advanced in life, to enter into a precarious branch of business as a Merchant, and also in consideration, that as my present appointment is only temporary; it becomes necessary for me to aim at procuring a Post which may be permanent.
I have for some days past expected Letters of recommendation to Your Excellency, from Colonel Plater Colonel Fitzhugh, Chancellor Hanson, Mr Paca, and others; but as I am informed you will leave this City in a few days; I have taken the liberty of presenting the enclosed without waiting for their arrival. With the highest respect, I have the Honor to be, Sir, Your obedient and very hble Servant

Chrisr Richmond


Title: To George Washington from George Augustine Washington, 7 March 1791
From: Washington, George Augustine
To: Washington, George

Honored Uncle
Mount Vernon March 7th 1791

Being informed by Giles who arrived this morning that You expected being here as soon as he would or shortly after I cannot suppose that this will find You in Philadelphia unless You are unexpectedly detain’d—Very contrary to my expectation and wish I have been prevented returning untill last night. I was on my way as far as Westmoreland and should have been here by the time I mentioned in a Letter I wrote You from Eltham but the death of Mrs McCarty preventing Mr Bassett attending his Sister up and hearing also that the small pox was in Dumfries and concieving it probable that it would become general in this part of the Country though it advisable to hasten back and bring them up with me which I have done not having had the happiness of hearing from You since my absence I knew not of Your being expected in so soon and I have just had the pleasure of being informed by Mr Lund Washington that it is the prevailing report in Alexandria that You are to be in anapolis on Thursday next but in case of Your being delay’d I have coverd the Report and I know it is always Your wish to receive it and refer You to it for information as I came home so late that I have not had time this morng to visit the plantations but shall immediately after dispatching this—Fanny joins me in tenderest regards for You my Aunt and the Children and believe me to be Your truly affectionate Nephew

Geo. A. Washington


Title: To George Washington from George Clymer, 8 March 1791
From: Clymer, George
To: Washington, George

Sir—
March 8, 1791

I sought the earliest occasions, after my late appointment, to make you my personal acknowledgements; but on Saturday and Monday I found you either engaged in business or from home, and I am to day too much indisposed my self to go abroad—unwilling, however, any longer to defer a necessary duty, I beg, Sir, you will be pleased to accept, from me, in this form those acknowledgments, which are most sincere and respectful. I have, sir, the honour to be your most obedt hum. servant


Title: To George Washington from Charles Pinckney, 8 March 1791
From: Pinckney, Charles
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
March 8: 1791 In Charleston [S.C.]

Upon my return to this City I found your obliging letter of introduction which had been previously left by Colonel Trumbull at my house during my absence in attending the meeting of the Legislature at Columbia. As soon as I am sufficiently recovered from my present indisposition arising from the accident of a fall from my carriage, I shall make a point of seeing him & endeavouring to make this place as agreeable to him as possible.
I had it in idea at the conclusion of my term of office to have gone to Europe & to have done myself the honour of paying you my respects & those of Mrs Pinckney, as it was my intention to have embarked by the way of New York, but the establishment

of our new constitution having made me re-eligible for two Years longer, & it seeming to be the general Opinion of the Legislature that I should continue—my sense Of public duty would not permit me to think of refusing—after the end however of the present two years I am ineligible for four, when I shall endeavour at least to pay a Visit to the Northward—in the interim we hope much for the honour of your company in this city—it is said you will probably be here about the 20th of April. if so permit me to request that you will stay at my house during Your residence, where you may be assured no Exertion of mine shall be untried to make every thing as agreeable as we can—On this point suffer me to request the favour of a Line from you, as your friends are extremely anxious to know whether they are to expect you in the spring or fall.
So much has been said on the Subject of the Creek Treaty and the Assumption of the State Debts that I shall only observe to you in confidence, that they are both measures which very highly meet the Approbation, & would I am sure if necessary, very chearfully recieve the Support of this state upon every Occasion⟨—⟩ at least this is my Opinion as far as I have been able to collect the sentiments of those who are the most concerned & who Speak the most disinterestedly.
You will certainly before this have recieved Mr Rutledge’s resignation as a federal Judge, on his having been appointed Chief Justice of this state. the reasons which induced this step he has no doubt fully & satisfactorily stated, and if the friendship which you have always honoured me with, may be considered as giving me a licence to say so much, permit me to wish that his vacancy may be filled by some other Gentleman from this state. I do not say this from any local or partial motives, but from an idea that the very great weight & importance of this country in a commercial view will probably engage more of her citizens in concerns with ⟨foreigners⟩ than any other state in the Union & that it would, I should suppose, always be pleasing to them to reflect that when their suits were taken from one tribunal and carried to another acting under a different authority, that still a citizen of their own was one of the Judges. but to your better Judgement this is very properly left & I trust your goodness will excuse my even having said as much as I have—I know the people of this country wish it—so do I—but both they & I ought with

pleasure to acquiesce As I am sure I shall in any appointment you may concieve proper. With my best wishes for your health & happiness I am with Respect & Regard Dear Sir Yours Truly

Charles Pinckney


Title: To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste de Ternant, 8 March 1791
From: Ternant, Jean-Baptiste, chevalier de
To: Washington, George

Dear General
Paris 8th of March 1791

Permit me to join a few lines to Pages of our friend Mr de la fayette—I think I cannot, under better auspices, express to your Excellency my heart-felt Satisfaction on being appointed Minister plenipy of france near the United States. It was under your comand, I begun my public life and learned to value and defend the cause of liberty: and it will be my constant endeavour in the new Station to which the confidence of the king has called me, to render myself particularly agreable to your Excellency, and by my Steady attention and unremitting zeal in promoting the mutual advantage of france and america, to shew myself Still deserving of your particular approbation and friendship.

Under those feelings I beg your Excellency will now accept my private Salutations, before I offer those of the public man to the President of the united States, which will be I hope towards the latter end of June. With great respect, Beleive me Dear General your Excellency’s most obediant & very humble servant

Ternant


Title: From George Washington to William Gordon, 9 March 1791 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Gordon, William

Letter not found: to William Gordon, 9 Mar. 1791. GW wrote to Gordon, 19 July 1791: "I am . . . able to . . . refer you to a letter which I wrote on the 9 of March."


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 9 March 1791
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

Sir
War office 9th March 1791

I submit to your Consideration a draft of instructions for Brigadier General Charles Scott. And I will wait upon you in one hour for the purpose of receiving your orders upon this subject. I am Sir with the highest respect Your Obedient Servant

H. Knox


Title: To George Washington from John Macpherson, 9 March 1791
From: Macpherson, John
To: Washington, George

Honourable, and deservedly Esteemed Sir.
March 9th 1791

May it please your Exclency to let me know, your opinion of my plan for the Federal City. If your Excelency approves of it, I will as soon as possible get one done by a person with two Arms. I mean to draw a plan for the whole City. I now form ideas, what it will be a Hundred years hence; nor, do I think, I am too sanguine, in firmly beleaving that if built as I hope it will be, it’s inhabitants, will be warmer in Winter, and cooler in summer, then any other people on Earth that live in the same latitude! That firers will be easier extinguished in it, then in any other City in the World and if your Excelency permit me the Organ in God’s Church! shall play my tune by a peice of Machiniom, the whole, will not cost, fifty pound. and water alone shall be the Organist.

I should do my self the Honour of wating upon your Excelency if my coat was not so raged! I am Honourable Sir your fathful subject and very Humble Servant

John Macpherson


Title: To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 9 March 1791
From: Morris, Gouverneur
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Paris 9 March 1791

I am to acknowlege the Receipt of yours of the seventeenth of December which reached me several Days ago, but no good opportunity then presented itself to convey a Reply. The Idea you formed of the british Cabinet was I am perswaded perfectly just. This Government has lately taken some Steps which cannot but be advantageous to their Rivals for I am perswaded that the late Decrees laying a heavy Duty on Oil, giving a great Preference of Duty on Tobacco imported in french Ships, and declaring that none but those built in france shall be reputed french Bottoms will excite much ill Humor in America. Those who rule the Roost here seem to think that because the old Government was sometimes wrong, Every thing contrary to what they did must be right; like Jack in the Tale of the Tub who tore his Cloaths to Pieces in pulling off the fringe Points and Trimmings that Peter had put on, or like the old Congress in its young Days who rejected the Offer of valuable Contracts and employed a Host of Commissaries and Quarter Masters because Great Britain dealt with Contractors. In the Debate on this Subject one of the Lameth’s gave it as his Opinion that America was not in a situation to be either sought or feared for some time to come. This, which is not however the Sentiment of the Party occasioned some Hints in the Close of Observations I sent to Monsieur de Montmorin and of which a Copy has been transmitted to Mr Jefferson. I hope that the Congress will not act precipitately in Consequence of these Decrees, for I beleive that proper Representations at a proper Moment will produce a Change,

and really in the present Effervesence, very few Acts of the Assembly can be considered as deliberate Movements of national Will. There still continue to be three Parties here. The Enragées, long since known by the Name of Jacobins, have lost much in the public Opinion, so that they are less powerful in the Assembly than they were, but their Committees of Correspondence, called Societés patriotiques, spread all over the Kingdom have given them a deep strong Hold of the People. On the other Hand the numerous Reforms, some of them unnecessary, and all either harsh precipitate or extreme, have thrown into the aristocratic Party a great Number of discontented. The Military, who as such look up to the Sovereign, are somewhat less factious than they were; but yet they are rather a Mob than an Army, and must I think fall either to the aristocratic or Jacobine Side of the Question. The middle then are in a whimsical Situation. In the Senate they follow the Jacobine Counsels rather than appear Connected with the other Party. The same Principle of Shamefacedness operates on great Occasions out of Doors but as the Aristocrats have been forced down by a Torrent of Opinion from the Heighth of their absurd Pretensions, and as the middle Men begin to be alarmed at the Extremities to which they have been hurried, these two Parties might come together if it were not for personal animosities among the Leaders. this middle Party ⟨would⟩ be the strongest if the Nation were virtuous, but alas! this is not the Case and therefore I think it will only serve as a Stepping Stone for those who may find it convenient to change Sides. In the Midst however of all their Confusions, what with confiscating the Church Property selling the Domains curtailing Pensions, and destroying Offices, but especially by that great Liquidater of public Debts a paper Currency, ⟨the⟩ Nation is working it’s Way to a new State of active Energy which will ⟨I⟩ think be displayed as soon as a vigorous Government shall establish itself. The intervening Confusions will probably call forth Men of Talents to form such Government and to exert it’s Powers.
In a Letter I had the Honor to write on the twenty second of November I mentioned a Treaty made between the Balic Powers. I do not know whether I drew this Idea from Information or Conjecture, but ⟨it⟩ was in my Mind and still continues there. While in England waiting at Whitehall for the Duke of Leeds

who was accidentally prevented from keeping his Appointment, I had a long Conversation with Mr Burgess who seemed desirous of convincing me that he was an efficient Man in the Office of foreign Affairs. I asked him whether such Treaty existed, insinuating that he must certainly be informed of every Movement, in that as in every other Quarter. He assured me possitively that it did not, but that Assurance did not alter my Opinion. Indeed the Object of my question was to discover whether they were at all upon Terms with Sweden, and from what afterwards passed I am perswaded that they are not. I must add that my Enquiries here have been answered in the same Way, but yet I beleive that such a Treaty exists. We spoke a good Deal of the Convention with Spain and I declared freely my Opinion which being favorable to Administration drew from him in Support of it a History of the Negotiation. It ended (as he said) in this remarkable Manner. The Count de florida blanca upon hearing the Revolt of the french Marine told the british Embassador “You insist on the Terms to which I am now about to agree not because they are just but because I am compelled to it. If france could assist us I would never submit, but we are not able singly to cope with you and therefore you must do as you please.” You will judge, my dear Sir, how long such a Treaty is likely to last.
I am delighted with the Account you give me of our public Affairs. There can be no Doubt that a Publication of the Census and a clear State of our finances will impress a Sense of our Importance on the Statesmen of Europe. We are now getting forward in the right Way, not by little skirmishing Advantages of political Manœuvre but in a solid Column of well form’d national Strength. Like Father Mason’s aristocratic Screw, which you doubtless remember, at every Turn we shall now gain, and hold what we get. It is no Evil that you should have a little of the old Leaven. I have always considered an Opposition in free Governments as a kind of national Consciences which prevent Administration from doing many Things thro’ Inadvertence which they might have Reason to repent. By their Means both Man and Measures are sifted, and the Necessity of appearing as well as of being right conforms and consolidates the good Opinion of Society. I expect and am indeed certain that this good Opinion will live with you during Life and follow weeping to

your Grave. I know you will continue to deserve it, and I hope you may long live to vex your Enemies by serving your Country. Adieu my dear Sir Beleive me always I pray you very sincerely yours

Gouvr Morris


Title: To George Washington from Samuel Turbett, 9 March 1791
From: Turbett, Samuel
To: Washington, George

Sir
Wednesday ½ past 7 P.M. [9 March 1791]

I take the earliest Opportunity after arriving in Town, of laying before you the within recommendation, and have the Honor to be with the greatest respect Your Excellencies Obedient Humble servt

Saml Turbett


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 10 March 1791
From: Washington, George
To: Jefferson, Thomas

Thursday 3 Oclock, [10 March] 1791

The P. has given the enclosed letters an attentive reading & consideration, and has found nothing in them but what is just, and in the hands of a prudent user proper; but at the end of the words of the letter to Mr C. “this wrong” 2d page 10th line may it not be well to add—“yet with that prudence & circumspection which will not commit the Government to the necessity of proceeding to extremity.” And may not the expression of the last page be too strong for events and the interest of this Country? reconsider them.

G.W.


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 10 March 1791 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Jefferson, Thomas

Letter not found: to Thomas Jefferson, 10 Mar. 1791. In his Summary Journal of Public Letters (DLC: Jefferson Papers) of 10 Mar. 1791, Jefferson recorded that GW returned Jefferson’s draft instructions to Thomas Barclay regarding his mission to Morocco and Jefferson’s draft letter to the new emperor of Morocco with a covering note, which has not been found.


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 10 March 1791
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

Sir
War-department, March 10th 1791.

I have the honor to submit, to your consideration, dispatches received from Governor Blount. It will be perceived, that his

  idea of a boundary is materially different from the one suggested in his instructions; a draft of which is herewith submitted.
Without deciding positively at this time upon the justness of his suggestions, as it respects the boundary, or the force of his reasons, to disregard the treaty of Hopewell, and form an entire new treaty—I am inclined to believe, that such an attempt, at this moment, combined with the attempts of the Georgia companies, would have pernicious effects.
The people of Georgia, would be apt to complain, that the general government were impairing the rights of that State, and extending their own.
The Cherokees would complain, and with justice, that all the assurances given by the new government to their mission, under Nantawaky, who returned with General Lincoln, and the other Commissioners to Georgia, were deceptions, and calculated to ensnare them.
The Creeks would complain, that we had deceived them, as it respects the Cherokees: For, Mr McGillivray was consulted upon the greater part of the boundary proposed in Governor Blounts instructions, and promised to use his influence, with the Little Turkey, and other principal chiefs of the Cherokees, to have it effected.
The Chickasaws and Choctaws would be apt to think, by such a grasp as is proposed by Governor Blount, that the Georgia companies had been acting, by the direction of the general government.
For it is to be observed, that part of the lands mentioned by Governor Blount are claimed, by the Chickasaws and perhaps the Creeks, as common hunting grounds.
After Sir, you shall have read the communications of Governor Blount, I shall wait upon you, to make any explanations that may be necessary; and as Mr Hawkins is about going out of town, and is well acquainted with this important subject, I submit the propriety of your consulting him on the subject.
The Governor’s estimates, for the treaty, appear reasonable, and ought, in my opinion, to be furnished in the manner pointed out; and in addition, it might be proper to add some silver ornaments with the arms of the United States thereon, to the value of five hundred dollars, for the principal chiefs of the Cherokees, Chickasaws, and Choctaws.

The Governor appears to have mistaken the intention of the annual stipulation of a thousand dollars—The effects expected from that sum, are a regular renewal of their expectations, their dependencies, and as far as may be expected, their gratitude. I have the honor to be Sir, with the greatest respect, Your very humble Servt

H. Knox
Secy of War


Title: To George Washington from Edward Newenham, 10 March 1791
From: Newenham, Edward
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
10 March 1791

In January last I had the Honor of writing to you & committed it to the Care of a Gentleman, who was to have gone directly to New Yorke on Board the Tristram Captain Warner, therefore you may easily Judge my Surprize at having my Letter returned this day, with a Note, that the Tristram was still in Harbour & was bound to Rhode Island; the Captain advertized for New York & that He would Sail the first Week in February last—I had Collected all the papers & pamphlets & Sent them with the Enclosed Letter, but they have not returned either the papers or the pamphlets—however I will trouble you with the enclosed in order to prove that I seize every opportunity of paying my respects to you.
Never was there a more oppressive or a more corrupt Administration

than the present; they boldly allow that Peerages for 2 Members of the House of Commons—and after having declared that they would pass Laws to prevent the immoderate use of Spirituous Liquors, they only Taxed them in order to raise a Revenue of £67,000 a year, but which Tax will not Lessen the Consumption among the Lower order of the People; this was a Compleat Deception; so flagrant an act of Hypocrisy, induced Mr Latouche, a Man of Considerable weight & consequence, to quit their Banner & join us; on 4 great Questions, we divided 87 to 141—Eleven of our Freinds were not, as yet, come up to Dublin; of the 141—122 were placemen or Pensioners, & are the sons or near Connections of Ministerial officers & 4 are promised Peerages; so that there are 6 real Independant Men among the Mercenaries—there never was, in the annals of the Irish or British Parliament, such good Speaking or more real oratory. There is one Member Mr George Ponsonby who has been many years in Parliament, sometimes in opposition & sometimes holding an office under the Crown, yet never made a decent speech, never replyed or shewed the Least Knowledge of Law, Commerce or Constitution, but, on a Sudden, has appeared Equal in oratory, Superior in Argument, and ready at Reply, to any Senator, that ever sat in an Irish Parliament; he has astonished the Nation; he was hitherto looked upon, as Dull, Phlegmatick & void of Spirit—he has no set Speech, nor does he take Notes, yet will reply to every Member that Spoke before him—I allow, that Flood & Grattan have a fine flow of words & Metaphorical Expressions, but neither of them argue so Close as he does; in his manner he is not ungracious.
Our Great dispute (at present) is—to Scrap from our Annual Revenue Bill, that Clause which enacts, that we shall not purchase tea, but from the East India Company or English Merchants, by this absurd Clause we are prevented from Trading to Nootka Sound, though all the world have that Liberty; we agreed to give Men & Money to Support England on the ⟨late⟩ Threatned war about Nootka Sound, yet we are debarred from the advantages now derived from our joint Exertions, De Lolme says that every Man under the British Constitution has a right to Enjoy all the Various profits of his own Industry & the Gifts of Fortune, why then should we be debarred from the Means of Trading to any place which is not fortified or Colonized by other

Nations? are we Subjects or Agents for the East India Phalanx of Monopolizers? it is too degrading—too humiliating for this Nation to Submit to—I am inclined to think a Very few Years will see this Shackle removed—the Claim will be brought forward Session after Session untill the whole Nation demand it, as was the Case in 1780–81 & 82 for a free Trade & Free Constitution—the Cup of Ministerial Iniquity is nearly full—another Session will make it overflow.
I have been absent several Days from Parliament on account of a Violent Cold I got, by being forced to walk home, after 10 hours debate at 4 in Morning, & it rained the whole time & I had a mile of ground to walk; there was no Chair or Carriage to be Got, nor had I a great Coat, never having (as yet) worn one.
There were 21 Elections to be tryed before the select Committees of the House of Commons according to the Grenville Bill; That Bill is an Additional Charter to the rights of the People—on the late Contest for the County of Dublin; the other 2 Candidates were against me for the 3 first days, but finding they could not oust me, they Quarrelld & I then gave Some of my Interest to Mr Finlay, but Mr Talbot by obtaining 240 bad & infamous Votes was returned to Parliament; the real freeholders petitioned against him, & the Committee though composed of Ministerial Men Voted him unduly Elected & returned Mr Finlay; this is the first Time, that our Interest has been able to return 2 Members for the County & 2 for the City at the same Time. I am sure it cost my opponents at Least £5500 each; the Election in the Country for the County of Down Cost at least £15000 to the popular Candidates & £30,000 to the Ministerial one, & as it is now trying before a Select Committee it will cost at least £3000 more to Each—These contests before Select Committees are very Expensive; Each witness is allowed 4d. per day while attending & 3d. a mile for his Travelling Charges, & these witness’s amount to many hundreds.
In reading, with Care, the Last ten years of the reign of Charles the first, & comparing it with the affairs of France since October 1784, I think there is a great & Striking Similitude, the Resolution for redress of Grievances, the mode of having Different Committees for every department, the Seizure of Church Revenues, the annihilating the power of the Bishops & the regulating the Army.
There is a Stop to many of our Letters to & from France, but

whether in London or Paris, I cannot pretend to say, but I do not get, nor my friends recieve, half of our Letters; at present matters seem to go on in favor of the Revolution, but no account is, as yet, arrivd here in respect to Chusing new Bishops in the Room of the Refractory—it is imagined here, that the Body of the Nation will Support the old Clergy. if so, there will be a Civil War, & France will be Drenched in Blood, for the Revolutionards cannot Expect Safety but in Conquest—they woud feel Royal Vengeance & Papal Fury. I am a most Zealous Advocate for their Success, though I think they have erred in not having 3 Estates, as in England & I may say in America, for it will be a most difficult matter to manage so large a Kingdom without a third power—it appears to me, that, at present, there is only one power—the Assembly.
We are now at rest from Storms & Rain, the sun begins to shew its benign rays, but the dreadfull winter we have had will require much Warmth to restore the Corn, & Cure the Sheep of the distemper the wet has given them—Mutton that used to be only 3d. or 3½d. a pound, is now 5d.—Pork that was generaly at 3d. is now 5d.—& though we have plenty of Corn, there is only 9 lb. for 1s.—& we expect it will be Dearer.
Mrs Montgomery has sent me over a sample of sugar made from the Maple Tree at New Yorke; if your states should make Sugar to Supply themselves, it will be a real fund of Wealth, but I should think the consumption of Trees would be such, as would require too much Land to answer the Expence; for I suppose the Trees must be 15 or 20 years Growth before they are fit for tapping—and I beleive New Yorke is rather a Cold Climate to Expect the rapid Growth of Timber.
I fear I have both tired Excellency & wasted those moments that might be better employed than in reading an uninteresting & tedious Epistle; My Excuse is my wish to convince your Excellency how Sincerily I have the Honor, to be, Dear Sir, with perfect respect & Esteem Your most Obt & Very Humble Sert

Edward Newenham


Title: To George Washington from William Deakins, 11 March 1791 [letter not found]
From: Deakins, William Jr.,Stoddert, Benjamin
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from William Deakins, Jr., and Benjamin Stoddert, 11 Mar. 1791. In his letter to Deakins and Stoddert of 17 Mar. 1791, GW wrote: “In order to avail the public of the willingness expressed by the inhabitants of Washington-County, as mentioned in your letter of the 11th to sign a paper ceding their lots in Hamburg. . . .”


Title: To George Washington from John Jay, 11 March 1791
From: Jay, John
To: Washington, George

Sir
New York 11 March 1791

I have the Honor of transmitting to you herewith enclosed, a Packet which I received last Evening from Ab. Ogden Esqr. the Attorney of the united States for New Jersey District. It contains three papers.
(1)A Letter from Mr Ogden to me, mentioning the apprehension of a Doctr Freeman, on a charge of forgery &ca and his offer of giving Evidence against others, on an assurance of Pardon.
(2) Freeman’s Confession.
(3) A Memorandum of what passed on the subject between Mr Ogden & Freeman, & Freeman’s Counsel.
Had you been at such a Distance, as that an Application for your orders, would have been attended with Delays which the circumstances of the case would not admit of, I should have taken the Liberty of giving Mr Ogden the advice he requests. If Freeman be used as a Witness, I think a Pardon will be proper. As it is probable that the State of the Roads detains you still at Philadelphia, it appears to me most delicate & proper to lay these papers before you; that thro’ the Attorney General or in any other manner which you may prefer, your Pleasure on the Subject may be made known to Mr Ogden. With perfect Respect & Esteem I have the Honor to be Sir your most obedient & very humble servant

John Jay