Title: To George Washington from Daniel Jones, 23 November 1796
From: Jones, Daniel
To: Washington, George

                            Sir
                            No. 272 High Street, 23d Novr: 1796

                        After having devoted the choicest years of your life as a free will offering in
                            the service of your country, the period is now arrived in which you have seen fit to
                            relinquish all your public functions; and to resolve that the remnant of your days shall be
                            occupied among the sweets of domestic retirement. As this determination appears to be the
                            result of deliberate judgment, and not the capricious effect of immature thought, your
                            fellow citizens are constrained to submit, many of them with painful reluctance, to this
                            your final decession from public office.
                        Among the number of these the author of this letter reckons it an honor to be
                            enroled. And though he does not presume to imagin that the opinions of an obscure individual
                            resideing at the distance of a hundred miles west of Philadelphia, can augment or deminish
                            your fame, he begs leave to tender you his warmest and most explicit thanks, for the many
                            great and precious blessings which, as the chosen instrument of heaven, you have procured
                            for our common country.

                        The practical influence of these blessings, however seldom it is noticed by
                            some, is nevertheless so substantially enjoyed by all your fellow citizens, that, in his
                            opinion, it is their individual duty explicitly to acknowledge it. He even thinks this duty
                            indispensible; and therefore takes the liberty to assure you, Sir, that, in subordination to
                            the supreme governance of heaven, he considers himself and family your debtors for his
                            little temporal all, and even recognises your name as if it were actually inscribed on all
                            his possessions.
                        With pleasing assiduity he endeavours to persuade his children to embrace his
                            sentiment; and among the means made use of for this purpose, he has presumed to call his
                            youngest child, a boy of four years of age, Washington, that, by a frequent repetition of
                            the name, the memory of your virtues and services may be kept alive in their bosoms. Suffer him
                            to express a wish that with your name, this child may also inherit your virtues. Your memory
                            shall then be perpetuated in his family, not merely by the reiteration of an empty sound,
                            but by the good effects of those amiable quallities, which, alone, have placed your character
                            so high in the estimation of their father.
                        Imagin not, Good Sir, that these are the dictates of impertinent adulation; or
                            even the more pardonable effusions of intemperate enthusiasm. They are the irresistible
                            ebullitions of a heart that scorns to give flattering titles to any man; and that would, if
                            it could, teach every citizen of the United States to love you as much, and as sincerely, as
                            does it’s owner.

                        He laments that any of his fellow citizens have embraced contrary sentiments:
                            especially that they have caused the press to disgorge a torrent of the most indigested, and
                            therefore most offensive abuse, against the purity of your intentions, as well as against the
                            wisdom of your administration. He hopes, however, that this illiberal conduct is not the
                            genuine growth of an american mind; and that however such persons may have
                            been led astray by selfish motives, or foreign influence, time and cool reflection will
                            correct the error: at least that it will illegible
                             with respect to its authors though perhaps the wounds which they have crually
                            inflicted on your feelings, as a man, may not in every instance, be
                            entirely healed.
                        Be this as it may he has not a doubt that conscious integrity does, and ever
                            will, shield you against the mortal venom of such unprovoked attacks. How
                            comfortable, Worthy Sir, at all times, is the reflection, and especially now you are about
                            to close the service of so many useful years, that you are amenable for
                            your conduct to another and a better Judge than a creature of yesterday,
                            whose eye is often jaundiced with malevolent passions, and whose opinions, from the very
                            nature of its constitution is necessarily adjusted by the unstable rule
                            of external appearance, a Judge who is incapable of being influenced by any bple, and who can, and actually does, look into all the naked recesses of
                            the heart—a Judge in whose benevolent eye,  intentions supply the
                            place of fortunate deeds, and with whom well meant endeavours will ever
                            find the same acceptance as the most successful actions.

                        May the presence and approbation of this best of friends and most impartial of
                            Judges, be the constant companion of your declineing years and when your
                            heart and flesh shall fail may they be the joy of your heart  and your
                            portion forever. With reitterated gratitude and affection believe me to be Worthy Sir your
                            highly obliged Fellow Citizen

                            Daniel Jones


Title: From George Washington to Daniel Jones, 24 November 1796
From: Washington, George
To: Jones, Daniel

                            Sir,
                            Philadelphia 24th Novr 1796..

                        I beg of you to accept my thanks for the favourable Sentiments you have been
                            pleased to express for me in your letter of yesterday’s date.
                        Whether the approbation of my past Services proceeds from public bodies, or
                            individual citizens, it cannot, at the moment I am about to close the scene of political
                            life be otherwise than agreeable & consoling. In this light I
                            consider your address, and request you to be assured of the sensibility
                            with which the sentiments contained in it,, are received by Sir Your Obedt Hble Servt

                            Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Judith Sargent Stevens Murray, 24 November 1796
From: Washington, George
To: Murray, Judith Sargent Stevens

                            Madam,
                            Philadelphia. 24 Nov. 1796

                        The letter with which you were pleased to honor me—dated the 5th instant, came
                            duly to hand, and is entitled to my grateful acknowledgments for the favourable sentiments
                            your partiality has led you to express for me; and for the services I have endeavoured to
                            render our common country.
                        I wish both were more deserving of the eulogium you have bestowed thereon.
                        Mrs Washington adds her name to mine as a Subscriber to your works, and with
                            Miss Custis (who is with us) unites in best wishes for the success of it and for your
                            personal happiness with Madam Your most Obedt and very Hble Servt

                            Go: Washington

                            P.S. Enclosed is a five Dollar Bank note on acct of the Subscription.


Title: From George Washington Craik to John Stiles, 24 November 1796
From: Craik, George Washington
To: Stiles, John

                            Sir,
                            Philadelphia 24th Novr 1796

                        I am directed by the President of the United States to acknowledge the receipt
                            of your letter of the 8th of October. For the favourable sentiments you have therein been
                            pleased to express for him, he offers you his thanks. To receive the approbation of his
                            fellow Citizens at a time when he is about to retire from public service is a circumstance
                            truly gratifying; and that not less so when expressed by an individual Citizen. I am Sir
                            Your Mo. Obedt Servt

                            Geo. W. Craik


Title: To George Washington from Gustavus Scott, 25 November 1796
From: Scott, Gustavus,Thornton, William
To: Washington, George

                            Sir,
                            Washington, 25th November 1796

                        We do ourselves the honor of inclosing, a Letter received from Mr Covachichi,
                            one of the partners of Messrs Lynch & Sands in the late purchase from
                            Bailey—Wishing, ardently, to preserve harmony among all City proprietors, we have paid the
                            earliest attention to this gentleman’s Letter—A copy of our Letter to him, and an Extract
                            from the contract of Morris & Greenleaf, alluded to, by Mr Covachichi, are also
                            inclosed—We forbear to make any observations on this Subject—We are making the necessary
                            arrangements for negotiating a Loan at Annapolis, that the business may be set on foot as
                            soon as we hear from you—The Session is already far advanced, and we think, much longer delay
                            may be injurious to the success of the application—We are &c.

                            G. Scott
                            W. Thornton
                            A. White


Title: From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 25 November 1796
From: Washington, George
To: Lear, Tobias

                            My dear Sir,
                            Philadelphia 25th Novr 1796.

                        Your letter of the 20th instt was received yesterday, and the principal design
                            of this is to cover the copy of a letter from Mr Van Vleck to me, respecting the reception
                            of Maria at the School for young Ladies in Bethleham. It will be necessary for you to fix
                            (for I presume it will be necessary that Mr Van Vleck should know) precisely, when she will
                            enter; for as he is pressed by others, and receiving Maria may be considered as a favour (at
                            this time) I would wish the matter to be regulated with punctuality.
                        As you, and Mr Pearce both, seems to think that the Security offered by Mr
                            Alexr Smith is, under present appearances, good, I will not now,
                            ask for any other, but as it may be in your way to discover without much enquiry or trouble,
                            how matters work in Alexandria before March; I would thank you for advice, if, in your
                            judgment, it shd become expedient for me to resort to further means for the security of the
                            sum which will be due to me at that time from him.

                        I am sorry to hear your crop of Wheat turned out so indifferently—mine I expect
                            will be, proportionably, no better. But all these things only serve as evidences to convince
                            me, that if we were to reduce our cultivation, or rather grounds, to half the present
                            quantity, and manure & till that half well, that our profits would be greater; while
                            the other half would be improving. But this is a subject too copious for my present
                            occupations, to allow time to enter upon: and therefore I will add nothing further at this
                            time than that the family are all (except Mr Frestal) well, & unite in best wishes
                            for you & yours, with Dear Sir Your Sincere friend & affectionate Servt

                            Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from John Cosens Ogden, 26 November 1796
From: Ogden, John Cosens
To: Washington, George

                            Sir,
                            Lansingburgh, Novr 26th 1796

                        I know not what apology to make for writing this, nor where to begin. So many
                            disagreeable events crowd upon the mind, when I recollect the causes, which have conspired to
                            produce misery to a venerable Lady, that I should be forever silent, on the subject, did not
                            humanity for suffering virtue direct me to proceed.
                        Madam Wooster, at a time of life when the infirmities of age are taking fast
                            and deep root, is without any other support, than such as the good will of her friends may
                            afford. A long series of unavoidable occurrences, have done this. Industrious, economical and
                            frugal during her whole life, the events of war, such as taxes, deprivation of public
                            securities, delayed public justice as to her half pay, and the falling of the value of her
                            real estate, joined to eighteen years destitution of any considerable annual income, and the
                            plundering by the British army, have swept away her patrimony.

                        The last property she held was a farm, whose income was scarcely a competency
                            for her sustenance from year to year; this has been taken from her, and sold to satisfy a
                            demand of Colol Talmage, the President of the order of the Cincinnati in Connecticut. By art
                            and persuasion he led her to become security for her son, in his absence, and without his
                            knowledge or consent, for a property which was totally useless to her son. Colol Talmage
                            after this insisted upon a mortgage, and, then, by the regular process of courts, disposed
                            of her farm by execution. This property she always held so dear and sacred, that when she once
                            before embarked for her son, upon the expectation of his half pay, she suffered Genl
                            Parsons, to cast her into the common prison rather than give it up to him. She informed Colol
                            Talmage, that it was her all. But the address and severrity of this officer, who was
                            young in years, when Genl Wooster was old in public services, have taken it from her. A
                            man of great wealth obtained by speculation consequent upon that loss of life and
                            fortune, which General Wooster experienced by his valor & patriotism has done this,
                            and there is no redress.
                        The daughter of President Clap, one of the first ornaments and greatest
                            benefactors to literature, is thus cast upon the good will of a too hard hearted world. The
                            Widow of a General Officer is now made the subject of that bounty and charity, which, I
                            trust, all who embarked with him in the war and revolution will gladly bestow.

                        General Wooster had not returned from his expedition into Canada, before he was
                            ruined in his fortune. His British half pay was then forfeited. Governor Trumbull had given
                            the naval office to another, and Vermont had deprived him of his military lands.
                            Notwithstanding this, he continued in the service, and bravely lost his life, leaving sorrow
                            & misery to his family for eighteen years. We have enjoyed no public places. I never
                            sought for one. My incomes for several years have been too small to enable me to provide
                            fully for my family. By their united industry, economy, retirement from company and
                            society, they have hither to preserved themselves from distress. By these means their
                            venerable parent Madam Wooster shares with them in their comforts, and is preserved from
                            wretchedness. If in the distribution of your alms, Your Excellency should extend your care
                            and bounty in a small degree to that aged Lady whom I now mention with diffidence and
                            reluctance, your Excellency will bestow a favor upon one who wants but little, and will not
                            want that little long.
                        Her sons errors or misfortunes have been blameably exaggerated to the great
                            injury of his mother, his family and himself. Too sanguine, too unsuspecting of the honor
                            and integrity of others. Depending upon handsome patrimonial expectations, and the gratitude
                            and justice of the public to his fathers memory and the family, he has been plunged into
                            trouble wantonly, and needlessly . A Mother’s prudence was not proof against the
                            calls of young dependants and the idol of her fathers and husband hearts. Such was her
                            son with these two illustrious Characters. I have the honor to be Your Excellencys devoted
                            Servt

                            John C. Ogden


Title: From George Washington to Gustavus Scott, 27 November 1796
From: Washington, George
To: Scott, Gustavus,Thornton, William

                            Gentlemen,
                            Philadelphia 27th Novr 1796.

                        Your letter of the 21st instant, with its enclosures, came duly to hand;
                            previous to which, I had dispatched the Power, authorising an application to the Legislature
                            of Maryland, for the loan of money; accompanying it, however, with a request that, it might
                            not be carried into operation until you should have learnt the result of an application
                            contemplated to be made by the Secretary of the Treasury to a Mr Hope of Amsterdam. This
                            application has been made; the result was to be known to day; and by the Mail of tomorrow
                            you are to be informed thereof, So says Mr Wolcott to me.
                        The Memorial, relative to the Establishment of a University in the Federal
                            City, I shall retain until the meeting of Congress, and then dispose of it as circumstances
                            may dictate.

                        The dissensions, & controversies which so frequently happen in that
                            City, are extremely to be regretted; and nothing, I am persuaded, will contribute more to
                            appease them, and to remove the jealousies which, without, will forever exist, than the
                            residence of the Commissioners within the City; for which reason I do, in behalf of the
                            public, give it as my decided opinion that they ought, and as my expectation that they will,
                            remove into it, before the building operations of the ensuing year commences. It would, I
                            conceive, be submitting to a novel doctrine, to have the Commissioners of any City non-residents thereof, How much greater then must it be
                            in one, where there are such a variety of objects to attend to? and such incessant calls
                            upon their activity? I am persuaded, that upon due consideration of the decisive opinion
                            (only the repetition of a former one) now given, you will, equally with others, see the
                            propriety of enforcing it; as well for the purpose of answering the public expectation,
                            & causing Jealousies to subside, as from the intrinsic benefits which must result
                            from the measure, in many points of view.
                        Mr Walkers attack, appears to me to be as impolitic, as it is indecent and
                            intemperate; but as the issue of Indictments (as far as my observations have gone) have not
                            often answered the ends of the prosecution, I thought it expedient to require the opinion of
                            the Attorney General of the United States on the question you propounded to me; enclosed is
                            the copy of it. Having done so, I submit the course to be pursued to your own judgments. To
                            prosecute in this City, if Mr Walker has become a Resident of it,
                            would, I presume, be duly considered before it is undertaken. With very great esteem
                            & regard I am—Gentlemen Your Obedt Servant

                            Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to George Washington Parke Custis, 28 November 1796
From: Washington, George
To: Custis, George Washington Parke

                            Dear Washington
                            Philadelphia 28th Novr 1796.

                        In a few hasty lines, covering your Sister’s letter and a comb on Saturday
                            last, I promised to write more fully to you by the Post of this day. I am now in the act of
                            performing that promise.
                        The assurances you give me of applying diligently to your studies, and
                            fulfilling those obligations which are enjoined by your creator and due to his creatures,
                            are highly pleasing and satisfactory to me. I rejoice in it on two accounts; first, as it is
                            the sure means of laying the foundation of your own happiness, and rendering you (if it
                            should please God to spare your life) a useful member of Society hereafter; and second, that
                            I may, if I live to enjoy the pleasure, reflect that I have been in some degree instrumental
                            in effecting these purposes.

                        You are now entering into that stage of life when good, or bad habits are
                            formed: when the mind will be turned to things useful &
                            praiseworthy, or to dissipation and vice. Fix on whichever it may, it will stick by you; for
                            you know it has been said and truly, "that as the twig is bent, so it will grow" This, in a
                            strong point of view shews the propriety of letting your inexperience be directed by
                            maturer advice; and in placing guards upon the avenues which lead to idleness and vice. The
                            latter, will approach like a thief, working upon your passions; encouraged perhaps by bad
                            examples; the propensity to wch, will increase in proportion to the practice of it and your
                            yieldings. This admonition proceeds from the purest affection for you but I do not mean by
                            it, that you are to become a Stoic, or to deprive yourself in the intervals of study of any
                            recreation, or manly exercise, which reason approves.
                        ’Tis well to be on good terms with all your fellow students, and I am pleased
                            to hear you are so; but while a courteous behaviour is due to all, select the most deserving
                            only for your friendships, and before this becomes intimate, weigh their dispositions
                            & character well. True friendship is a plant of slow growth; to be sincere there
                            must be a congeniality of temper & pursuits. Virtue & vice cannot be allied;
                            nor can industry and idleness; of course, if you resolve to adhere to the two former of
                            these extremes, an intimacy with those who incline to the latter of them, would be extremely
                            embarrassing to you; it would be a stumbling block in your way; and act like a Millstone hung
                            to your neck: for it is the nature of idleness & vice to Obtain as many votaries as
                            they can.

                        I would guard you too against imbibing hasty, & unfavourable
                            impressions of any one: let your judgment always balance well, before you decide; and even
                            then, where there is no occasion for expressing an opinion, it is best to be silent; for
                            there is nothing more certain than that it is, at all times, more easy to make enemies, than
                            friends. And besides, to speak evil of any one, unless there is unequivocal proofs of their deserving it, is an injury for which there is
                            no adequate reparation; for as Shakespear says—"he that robs me of my good name, enriches
                            not himself, but renders me poor indeed"—or words to that effect.
                        I have said thus much, before I mention any thing relative to the unpleasant
                            situation you seem to be placed in with Mr . This character as you must believe could only be known to me from report; and that Report
                            was received from Doctr Smith, who could have had no interest in making an erroneous one;
                            nor is it likely he could have been deceived in the literary abilities, if he had been so in
                            the moral character, of that young man. If however you are not likely to receive any benefit
                            from being in the same Chamber with Mr  (which was the great object
                            with me) or feel any particular inconvenience from having two others (instead of one, as is
                            usual) in the same room with you, and above all, if you perceive any thing indecent, or
                            immoral in his conduct, & will repeat to me your wish to be removed, I will write to the
                            President of the College requesting him to do it accordingly; but remember I must give the
                            reasons with which you furnish me, and that these, to avoid the imputation of whim, or
                            caprice, ought to be just.

                        Keep another thing also in mind, that scarcely any change would be agreeable to
                            you at first from the sudden transition, & from never
                            having been accustomed to shift or rough it. and moreover, that if you meet with Collegiate
                            fare, it will be unmanly to complain—My paper reminds me that it is time to conclude which I
                            do.

                            P.S. I presume you received my letter covering a ten dollar Bill, to pay
                                for your Gown &ca although it is not mentioned—to acknowledge the rect of
                                letters is always proper to remove doubts of their miscarriage.


Title: To George Washington from James McHenry, 28 November 1796
From: McHenry, James
To: Washington, George

                            Sir.
                            War-Office November 28th 1796.

                        The Indian Chiefs named Mus-qua-ca-nokan or Red pole, Wey-a-pur-sen-waw, or Blue
                            Jacket, She-me-kum-ne-sa or soldier, Ase-me-the, and Muc-ca-le-wa-saw or Black chief,
                            stiling themselves the representatives of the Wyandots, Delawares, Shawanoes Ottawas,
                            Chipwas, Putawatimes, Miamis, Eel River, Weas, Kickapoos, Piankashaws, and Kaskaskias have
                            informed the Secretary of War in a talk delivered by Red pole, at the War-Office the 26
                            inst: that they had come a great way to see their Father the President; that they had long
                            listened to the British; that they had discovered their error; that they had made peace with
                            the Fifteen Fires; (meaning the United States), and in future would only listen to their
                            great Father the President; that they were now waiting till they could hear what advice he
                            had to give them, which they would follow; and that they would on their part try to keep the
                            path open between their people, and the people of the United States. That finally, they
                            wished to hear the President’s advice, as soon as possible, having a great way to go to get
                            to their nations.
                        To this Blue Jacket added, that what had been spoken by Red pole was the sense
                            of all the warriors present. That he rose to mention this, and give a particular proof of
                            his own sincerity, by delivering to his great Father, the commission he had received a long
                            time ago from the British; that he now broke it, and would hereafter serve faithfully the
                            United States.
                        The Secretary of War replied to this talk, that he would communicate what they
                            had said to the President, and hoped that their father would find leisure to give them his
                            advice on tuesday next the 29th instant; but that they should be informed more certainly
                            respecting it, after he had an opportunity to see him.
                        The Secretary has subjoined certain points, upon which it would appear proper
                            to offer them advice, all which is respectfully submitted.

                            James McHenry


Title: From George Washington to Joseph Whipple, 28 November 1796
From: Washington, George
To: Whipple, Joseph

                            Sir
                            Philadelphia 28th Novr 1796.

                        Upon my return to this City the latter end of October, after an absence of some
                            weeks at Mount Vernon, Mr Wolcott presented me with your letter of the 4th of that month.
                        I regret that the attempt you made to restore the girl (Oney Judge as she
                            called herself while with us, and who, without the least provocation absconded from her
                            Mistress) should have been attended with so little success. To enter into such a compromise,
                            as she has suggested to you, is
                            totally inadmissible, for reasons that must strike at first view: for however well disposed
                            I might be to a gradual abolition, or even to an entire emancipation of that description of
                            People (if the latter was in itself practicable at this Moment) it would neither be politic
                            or just, to reward unfaithfulness with a premature preference; and thereby discontent,
                            beforehand, the minds of all her fellow Servants; who by their steady adherence, are far
                            more deserving than herself, of favor.

                        I was apprehensive (and so informed Mr Wolcott) that if she had any previous
                            notice, more than could be avoided, of the intention to send her back, that she would
                            contrive to elude it; for whatever she may have asserted to the contrary, there is no doubt
                            in this family, of her having been seduced and enticed off by a Frenchman, who was either
                            really, or pretendedly deranged; and under that guize, used frequently to introduce himself
                            into the family; & has never been seen here, since the girl decamped. We have indeed
                            lately been informed, through other channels, that she did go to
                            Portsmouth with a Frenchman, who getting tired of her, as is presumed left her, and that
                            she had betaken herself to the Needle—the use of which she well understood—for a livelihood.
                        About the epoch I am speaking, she herself was desirous of returning to
                            Virginia; for when Captn Prescot was on the point of Sailing from Portsmouth for the Federal
                            City with his family, she offered herself to his Lady as a waiter—told her she had lived
                            with Mrs Washington (without entering into particulars)—and that she was desirous of getting
                            back to her native place & friends. Mrs Prescot either from having no occasion for
                            her services, or presuming that she might have been discarded for improper conduct
                            (unluckily for Mrs Washington) declined taking her.

                        If she will return to her former Service, without obliging me to resort to
                            compulsory means to effect it, her late conduct will be forgiven by her Mistress; and she
                            will meet with the same treatment from me, that all the rest of her family (which is a very
                            numerous one) shall receive. If she will not, you would oblige me, by pursuing such measures
                            as are proper, to put her on board a Vessel bound either to Alexandria or the Federal City;
                            Directed in either case, to my Manager at Mount Vernon, by the door of which the Vessel must
                            pass; or to the care of Mr Lear at the last mentioned place, if it should not stop before it
                            arrives at that Port.
                        I do not mean however, by this request, that such violent measures should be
                            used as would excite a mob or riot, which might be the case if she has adherents, or even
                            uneasy sensations in the minds of well disposed Citizens. rather than either of these shd
                            happen, I would forego her services altogether; and the example also, which is of infinite
                            more importance. The less is said before hand, and the more celerity is used in the act of
                            Shipping her, when an opportunity presents, the better chance Mrs Washington (who is desirous
                            of receiving her again) will have to be gratified.
                        We had vastly rather she should be sent to Virginia than brought to this place;
                            as our stay here will be but short; and as it is not unlikely that she may, from the
                            circumstance I have mentioned, be in a state of pregnancy. I should be glad to hear from you
                            on this subject, and am Sir Your Obedt Hble Servt

                            Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 29 November 1796
From: Boudinot, Elias
To: Washington, George

                            Mint of the United States 29th November, 1796

                        The Director of the Mint of the United States, respectfully reports to the
                            President of the United States, on the state of the Mint.
                        That during the experience of twelve months, he has turned his attention (as
                            far as has been in his power) to the Institution under his care: He has seen, with regret,
                            an opinion generally prevailing, that the Establishment is unnecessarily expensive, and less
                            productive than was rationally expected by its advocates and friends.
                        The Director, finding some foundation for the charge, has endeavoured to
                            discover the cause, as nothing appears in the general nature of the institution, to warrant
                            the idea.
                        The issue of the inquiry is, that the extraordinary expenses attending the
                            mint, are in a great measure owing to its original plan, and the principles on which it was
                            established. Among others, the whole coinage, including the refinement of the precious
                            metals, was directed by Law to be executed at the public expence, the Depositor being fully
                            indemnified from all charges whatever; on this principle, not only the original cost of the
                            works, and the salaries of the stated officers fall on the public; but also the whole amount
                            of the workmanship, with the alloy, wastage, & contingent losses.

                        The want of experimental knowledge in the business at the first establishment
                            of the mint, prevented any tolerable precise estimate of the expenses necessarily attending
                            the process; but soon after the commencement of the business, it was found impracticable to
                            proceed with propriety, unless an addition was made to the establishment, by the appointment
                            of a Melter and refiner.
                        This important and necessary officer, is not known in foreign mints, as the
                            precious metals are there generally deposited of the proper standard, or above it; or they
                            are purchased by the mint, and become public property, there being professional refiners
                            independent of the mints, whose business it is to purify metals under standard; but there
                            being no such artists in this City who follow the business, it became indispensibly
                            necessary to execute this service in the mint.
                        This circumstance was not foreseen, or, if foreseen, was considered as included
                            in the duties of the assayer; but the necessity of so essential a check on that officer,
                            forbad this measure, had it been otherwise practicable. This added, considerably, to the
                            annual expenses of the mint.

                        Formerly, the Director could not make any charge for this process against
                            Depositors; the whole expense, therefore, fell on the public. Thus, on assaying one deposit
                            of about 96,000 oz. of Silver Bullion, it turned out near 24,000 oz. under standard; to
                            refine which, it cost the United States upwards of £500; so that the Depositor really gained
                            that sum, by bringing his bullion to the mint. This operated, very unequally among
                            Depositors. The citizen who brought Bullion in this debased state to the mint, received as
                            much coin for the standard silver therein, as he whose Bullion was previously refined equal
                            to the standard, and ready for coining at a very trifling expense.
                        Again, the institution of the mint, without any appropriation of Capital,
                            either to purchase the precious metals in Bullion, anticipate payments due on
                            deposits, or to coin for the public, has been another cause of very considerable expence:
                            depending upon Depositors alone for the precious metals, it became necessary, for their
                            encouragement and satisfaction, to coin every deposit as soon as possible after it came into
                            the Treasury of the mint, to prevent its remaining unproductive to the Depositor, by which
                            means the clippings and grains were obliged to be melted and coined as they arose, often
                            three or four times for one deposit.

                        Thus, the melting, refining, and coining a deposit of 200 oz. of Silver, or 20
                            oz of Gold, would cost the public nearly as much as 1,000 oz. of either, and a much greater
                            proportional wastage; whereas, could the Bullion be purchased for the public at the market
                            price, and kept in the Vaults till a large quantity might be coined at once, or a capital of
                            about ten thousand dollars be allowed to the mint, so as to anticipate the payments to
                            depositors, without being obliged to an immediate coinage on every occasion, a very great
                            public saving would take place, not only as to the wastage, but in the expenditure of the
                            materials and labour used in the process, and no injury done to the United States, but in
                            the loan of the money for a short time. In a word, the difference would be much the same, as
                            between the wholesale merchant and the Huckster.
                        This measure would also have a tendency to fix the price of Bullion, and
                            indemnify the public for some part of the expense of coinage. The only question that would
                            arise, is whether, on the principles of political Economy, it would be a prudent measure on
                            the part of Government? Suppose the expenses of coinage, including wastage to be fixed
                            at 3 ⅌ Centum to the depositor, while in foreign countries it costs nothing—The
                            consequence would be, that bullion in America, might vary its price 3 ⅌ Cent, according to
                            the ballance of trade, while bullion in those countries must be supposed invariable in its
                            price, let the ballance of trade stand as it will. Bullion, then, in those countries, will
                            always be at the highest price it ever can be at in America, since it is the price of coin;
                            but in America it may be 3 ⅌ Cent lower. If, therefore, the United States, by coining free
                            of all expense, contribute to keep the price of bullion higher than it is in countries where
                            the coinage is paid for, a voluntary expense is created, of which there can be no just
                            reason to complain.

                        A representation of some of these difficulties, with the dangerous situation of
                            the mint, for want of protecting Laws to secure the Instruments of coinage, the metals and
                            the coin, as also to prevent counterfeits, has been heretofore made by the officers of the
                            mint, with but little other success, than a Resolution of Congress, enabling the Director to
                            retain the expense of refining the precious metals under standard; but the wastage, alloy,
                            and coinage, are still dead charges on the public Treasury.
                        While, therefore, this policy on the whole, is considered as beneficial to the
                            United States, the complaints against the mint for its heavy expenses to the public, are
                            without solid foundation, as it is impossible to carry on an institution of this nature,
                            under these circumstances, and which requires from 15 to 20 workmen and labourers to attend
                            it, without great expense. Add to this, that the alloy of Silver and Copper, with the loss
                            by necessary wastage, must unavoidably rise to a considerable annual amount.

                        But, notwithstanding these and other difficulties attending an infant
                            institution, especially in the late great advance in the prices of materials and labour, the
                            aggregate expenses of the Mint are greatly reduced, either from the superior knowledge of
                            the persons employed, gained by experience, or from new arrangements found to be more
                            advantageous than those made on the spur of the occasion: This will appear more evident, by
                            a review of the progressive reduction of the contingent expenses in the quarterly accounts,
                            rendered into the Treasury Department, and it is hoped that there will be a further progress
                            in this disirable economy.
                        When the present Director entered upon the administration of the mint, there
                            was no appropriation of money for the purchase of copper, for the coinage of Cents. This, he
                            clearly foresaw, would prove a source of further expence, by often leaving the workmen
                            without employ. He made application to Congress, by their committee on this subject, but all
                            that was obtained was thirteen thousand dollars, which was coined into Cents and returned
                            into the public Treasury, or remitted for the purchase of copper before the rising of
                            Congress the last Spring. No further appropriation was made, till it was too late to procure
                            the necessary importation of copper for the Summer’s coinage, whereby much time has been
                            lost, and some considerable expence of workmen has been added to the summer’s account.
                        It is now hoped, from the present arrangement, no such inconvenience will arise
                            hereafter, but a continual and ample supply of copper coinage be produced adequate to the
                            public wants.

                        As the Laws relative to the mint now stand, the officers are obliged to pay to
                            each Depositor, the coins arising from his deposits, in strict order, and to reserve three
                            pieces of coin from each mass, yet no appropriation has been made to replace the reserves,
                            or to make good the wastage. It is, therefore, impossible for the officers of the mint to
                            comply with the Law, and the Depositors complain of being kept out of their property, till
                            provision is made by Congress for their relief.
                        By a number of new half Joannes’s brought to the mint for assaying, said to
                            have been coined in the United States, it appears that a coinage for that purpose is carried
                            on in some State in the Union. some of these are found to be under standard in their
                            quality, and between two and three pennyweights less than their true weight. These are facts
                            which the Director thinks it his duty to communicate to the President. From the various
                            experiments made since the establishment of the mint, it is found unnecessary to make use of
                            Silver in alloying of Gold, unless it is for the purpose of beautifying the coin, in which
                            case it should be composed at the proportion of one third silver, to two thirds copper.
                        By the following abstracts of the Bullion and Coin received and issued from the
                            mint since its first establishment, may be seen, as well the nature of the deposits made, as
                            the coins returned to the Treasury, and the dates of the receipts and issues to this day,
                            with the amount of the copper coinage.

                        From this it appears that there is due for wastage, during that period, the
                            quantity of fifteen hundred and ninety-nine ounces, sixteen penny weights and fifteen grains
                            of Silver, equal to eighteen hundred and forty five dollars ninety-five cents and five
                            mills. Besides a deficit of eight hundred and forty four ounces, seventeen penny weights and
                            five grains of silver, equal to nine hundred and seventy-four dollars, seventy five cents
                            and five mills—making, in the whole, two thousand eight hundred and twenty dollars and
                            seventy one cents, for which an appropriation ought to be made by Law, to satisfy a
                            deficient deposit.
                        The Director thinks it necessary to mention, in exculpation of the former
                            officers of the mint, that, by a report made on this subject, it appears that there is yet a
                            considerable quantity of old pots and test bottoms, from which it is expected that nearly
                            the amount of the deficient silver, as stated above, will be extracted.

                            Elias Boudinot.


Title: To George Washington from James Montgomery, 29 November 1796
From: Montgomery, James
To: Washington, George

                            Sir
                            Philadelphia November 29th 1796

                        I did myself the Honour of transmiting the originals of the Inclosed to you at
                            your then Residence at Mount Vernon to which I have received no answer through any Channell
                            whatever the Cutter is now Launched and things remain the same if Mr Secretary Wollcott or
                            Mr Collector Delany have any thing against me why do they not come froward and explain their
                            Reasons for the Insult they have given me Perhaps they wait for a New President of the
                            United States who may not know me for which Reason I solicit your Excellency to know what I
                            have to Depend on as the Situation I am in at present is so entirely disagreable to my own
                            feelings and so totally undeserved that I must request an explanation of what appears to me
                            such unaccountable Conduct on the Part of the Secretary and Collector The Severer the
                            Scrutiny into every Part of my Official Duty the more Satisfaction will arise to Myself and
                            I flatter myself the redressing the Injuries of a man who without arrogating undue merit to Himself has certainly a right to assert he has
                            deserved different Treatment will give Pleasure to your Excellency I have the Honour to be
                            with every Sentiment of the Highest Respect your Excellency’s most Devoted Humble Servant

                            James Montgomery


Title: To George Washington from Gustavus Scott, 30 November 1796
From: Scott, Gustavus,Thornton, William
To: Washington, George

                            Sir,
                            Washington, 30th Novr 1796

                        Your Instructions to Messrs Beall & Gantt to convey to us all the Lands
                            in the City of Washington, vested in them, in trust, by the original proprietors; have been
                            duly considered, with a reference to carrying the same into effect; in which some
                            difficulties occur—That part of the Land which is held for the use of the United States, we
                            consider, as in a very different predicament from those parts which are to be reconveyed to
                            the original proprietors, or sold, in order to raise money for the purpose of erecting the
                            Federal buildings—The first ought to be conveyed to the Commissioners for the use of the United States, by virtue of the 3rd Section of the
                            Act of Congress, intituled, "An act for establishing the temporary and permanent Seat of the
                            Government of the United States"—The others may be conveyed to any person or persons whom
                            the president shall appoint; and although he has, in this instance, appointed the
                            Commissioners; yet we conceive the last description of Land must be conveyed to us in our
                            individual, and not in our official capacity, because, not being a corporation, we cannot
                            take an estate to hold to us and our Successors—If we are right in this opinion, there
                            ought to be different conveyances for the different descriptions of Land—The public
                            property to be conveyed, no doubt, consists of the Streets and Squares delienated on the plan,
                            but we should hestitate to advise a conveyance from the Trustees to ourselves; agreeably to
                            the Act of Congress, above-mentioned, without a more explicit and particular declaration
                            from the President, respecting the Lands to be appropriated; than has hitherto been made—We
                            presume the plan of the City will enable You to point out the appropriations, with
                            sufficient accuracy, for the purpose of making such declaration—When this is done, we will
                            call on the Trustees, for a conveyance agreeably thereto, but as we intimated, in our Letter
                            of October 1st, that this, being a great national object, we did not wish the completion of
                            it to rest solely on our opinions; it would Still be agreeable to us to have the direction,
                            or approbation of the executive, who, we presume, will advise with the Attorney General with
                            regard to the mode to be pursued, and that the Attorney may be enabled to form an opinion we
                            have sent a Copy of One of the Deeds of trust.
                        The vacant spaces which appear on the plan of the City at the intersection of
                            the Streets and Avenues and which are composed of the Streets themselves and by striking off
                            the points which those intersections necessarily form, so as to give a degree of regularity
                            to the adjacent buildings, we have not considered as Squares or parcels appropriated to
                            public use, but some of the proprietors now insist that they ought to be paid, not only for
                            the points thus struck off, but for the Streets themselves, so far as they pass through
                            these vacant Spaces; or that those points should be laid off in building Lots—This
                            suggested the propriety of running a Street of 150 feet width round each of those spaces and
                            appropriating the center to public use; which may be enclosed by handsome palisades, be sown
                            with grass, and ornamented with fountains, Statues &c., to the great embellishment
                            of the City, when it becomes populous: This, however, we only suggest; but we believe Some
                            decision of the Executive on the subject, is absolutely necessary to silence clamour, and
                            perhaps, to prevent litigation—We are extremely sorry, at this momentous crisis to take up
                            any part of your time on the affairs of the City; but hope that the importance of the
                            objects of our correspondence may be our apology. With Sentiments of perfect respect, &c.

                            G. Scott
                            W. Thornton
                            A. White

                            P.S. A Deed is sent, for want of time to make a Copy; it may be returned,
                                when perused by the Attorney General.


Title: To George Washington from John Laurance, 30 November 1796
From: Laurance, John
To: Washington, George

                            sir
                            Philadelphia Novr 30 1796

                        The Legislature of the State of New York, having appointed me a Senator, to
                            represent that State in the Senate of the United States, in the Room of Mr King; it has
                            become necessary, for me, to resign my Office of District Judge of the United States, for
                            New York District, which I now do; and shall consider myself after this day, as no longer in
                            that Station. I am With great Respect Your obedt Servant

                            John Laurance


Title: From George Washington to William Pearce, November 1796
From: Washington, George
To: Pearce, William

                                November 1796

                        Get a Scythe & cradle from the Eastern shore of Mr Pearce, by wch to
                            make others for catching the Grain, as cut, in the hand.
                        See the Letters to Mr Christopher & Mr Jno. Cowper dated the 4th of
                            Septr 1794 for Informn respg the payment for Norfleets Land.
                        Also the Letter to Mr Jno. Lewis on the same subject on whom a call is to be
                            made for settlem.—8th Sep. 1794.
                        A Letter to the Honble Jas Ross dated 13th Sepr 1794 acknowledges the rect of
                            £267 on acct of Colo. Cannons Bond. In a letter to Mr Lear of the 22d Decr 1794 some old Papers relative to
                            the River Potomack—ask for them.
                        Colo. John Cannon in a letter written to him the 27th June 1795 is directed to
                            deliver to Mr Ross, the surveys of all my lands, and entreated to make a final settlement of
                            matters with Mr Chas Morgan.
                        Mr Chas Morgan in a letter written to him 28th June 1795 Is requested to press
                            Colo. Cannon for this settlement & to tell the Tenants that delivering Wheat at his
                            Mill will not exonerate them from paymt of their Rents.

                        Wrote on the 14th of Novr 1796 to my Nephew Colo. W. A. Washington for the
                            Genealogical descent from L. Washington & the Inscriptions on the Tombs at Bridge
                            Creek without havg recd any Answer—to send to Sir J.H.


Title: From George Washington to Gustavus Scott, 1 December 1796
From: Washington, George
To: Scott, Gustavus,Thornton, William

                            Gentlemen,
                            Philadelphia 1st Decr 1796

                        Your letter of the 25th Ulto came to hand on tuesday last, but it was not in my
                            power to give it an earlier acknowledgement: and now, I must do it without resorting to
                            papers (to be perfectly correct)—The pressure of my business with the different Departments,
                            previous to the meeting of Congress; and my own preparation for that event, leave me but
                            little time to attend to other matters.
                        The discontents with which you are assailed by one or other of the Proprietors
                            in the Federal City, must, unquestionably, be very disagreeable & troublesome to
                            you, for they are extremely irksome to me.
                        In the case however before us, I conceive Mr Covachichi might have received a
                            definitive answer, without refering the matter to the Executive. On what part of the
                            Contract with Greenleaf he has founded an opinion that a site was designated for a
                            University, and has built his complaint—or how it came to pass that any allusion to such a
                            measure should have found its way into that Contract, I have no more recollection than I
                            have a conception, of what could have induced it; for your Clerk has omitted sending the
                            Extract.

                        It is a well known fact, or to say the least, it has been always understood by
                            me, that the establishment of a University in the Federal City depended upon several
                            contingencies; one of which, and a material one too—was donations for the purpose. Until
                            lately, this business could scarcely be said to have advanced beyond the wishes of its advocates, although these wishes were accompanied,
                            generally, with expressions of what might be expected; and whenever the names of Mr Blodget
                            and the proprietors of that vicinity, were mentioned in relation to this
                            business, the idea (expressed or implied) always was—that they meant to give the ground.

                        Is this the intention of Mr Covachichi relative to the object he is now
                            contending for? if it is, and a sufficient space of ground, on these terms, can be obtained
                            there for this purpose, without interfering with the property of Orphans, my opinion is,
                            that the University ought to be placed there. But, if this is not
                            the design, can that Gentleman, or any other expect that the public will buy (for an
                            exchange is a purchase, and may be of the most troublesome kind) when it has unappropriated
                            ground nearly as convenient? and why do this? because a site has been loosely talked of?
                            because a proprietor, to enhance the sale of his property has coloured the advantages of it
                            as highly as he could? or because the purchaser, omitting to investigate matters beforehand,
                            wants the public to encounter an expence—it is unable to bear—by way of redress for his own
                            incaution? What would have been the answer of the Commissioners. if he had previously
                            applied to them, to know if a University would be placed where he is now contending for?
                            Certainly, that he ought not to calculate upon it. If that would have been the answer then
                            (and unless there are facts which have escaped my recollection) I can conceive no other
                            could have been given, it is not inapplicable at present.
                        A University was not even contemplated by Majr L’Enfant in the plan of the City
                            which was laid before Congress; taking its origen from another source. This plan you shall
                            receive by the first safe hand who may be going to the Federal City. By it you may discover
                            (tho’ almost obliterated) the directions given to the Engrs by Mr Jefferson, with a pencil,
                            what parts to omit. The principle on which it was done, I have communicated to you on more
                            occasions than one. With esteem & regard I am—Gentlemen Yr Obedient Servant

                            Go: Washington

                            P.S. Since writing the foregoing, I have received the extract, omitted to
                                be enclosed in your letter of the 25th ulto.
                            I do not recollect ever to have seen, or heard of it before. Nor do I see
                                any cause to change my opinion since I have done so, unless upon the Condition which is
                                mentioned in the body of this letter. that is, receiving the ground for the proposed
                                Site, as a donation.


Title: To George Washington from James Madison, 1 December 1796
From: Madison, James
To: Washington, George

                            Philada Decr 1. 1796

                        J. Madison presents his respectful compliments to the President &
                            returns the Treatise on small Canals &c., with his acknowledgments for the perusal of
                            it. He is not enough conversant with such subjects to decide on the merits of the various
                            plans & machinery recommended by the Author. In general his principles appear to be
                            both effective & practicable; but the question of their utility must be decided by a
                            very accurate comparison of expence & saving, which can not easily be made without
                            partial experiments at least; and which must vary also in different countries, &
                            different situations of Society. The author however is certainly entitled to much praise for
                            his ingenuity & laudable zeal for improvement; and has probably by his work really
                            contributed to it, either immediately, or by the use that may be made of his ideas by others.


Title: To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 2 December 1796
From: Lear, Tobias
To: Washington, George

                            My dear Sir,
                            Washington, December 2d 1796

                        Nothing but my absence from home (to which place I returned last Evening) could
                            have prevented an immediate acknowledgement of your respected & kind favor of the
                            25th ultimo.
                        I am pleased to find, by Mr Van Vleck’s letter (of which you had the goodness
                            to enclose me a copy) that my Maria can be admitted into the School at Bethleham; and the
                            time which he mentions for her acception is more agreeable to me than the present; for the
                            season had advanced so far, that, considering her delicate constitution, I should not have
                            wished to have hazarded a trip with her so far as Bethleham this winter; I, therefore, took
                            advantage of the fine roads and have carried her to spend the winter with her Aunt Ball (which
                            was the cause of my absence from home).
                        As Mr Van Vleck says he will endeavour to accommodate Maria in two or three
                            months I presume if she is there by the first of April it will meet the arrangement of the
                            School, and I can then take her there without her suffering the inconvenience of travelling
                            in cold or bad weather; but it should be more agreeable to Mr Van Vleck to have her come on
                            sooner  I will take care she shall be there at any time he will fix. In the mean
                            time I shall be glad to know the terms of her admission & continuance, as also in
                            what manner she is to be provided with Clothing &c.
                        I should feel a greater reluctance than I do, my Dear Sir, in giving you all
                            this trouble, did I not know that you will feel as much satisfaction in doing good for this
                            poor little Orphan as I do in having it done. Her situation this winter will not, I trust,
                            be unprofitable to her. I am much prepossessed in favor of Mrs Ball’s domestic arrangements
                            respecting her Children, and a tutor in the family will be of great advantage to her. I am
                            sure she will experience every kind & proper attention; and if a place can be
                            procured for Colo. Ball’s daughter (who is a very fine girl about a year older than Maria)
                            at Bethleham in the Spring, they are anxious she should go there also.
                        I shall certainly attend to the circumstance which you mention respecting Mr
                            S.’s security and give you due advice if there should appear any reasons for altering it. At
                            present I should not require better.
                        I left Maria & Colo. Ball’s family well on tuesday—My mother and the
                            little boys are in good health and unite in respectful & best wishes for yourself,
                            Mrs Washington & the family with, My dear Sir, Your grateful & affectionate
                            friend & servant

                            Tobias Lear.

                            P.S. The River has been closed at George Town since sunday last, and bids
                                fair to continue.
                        		 The power of Attorney which I mentioned in my last should have been
                                prepared & sent on had not my absence from home prevented its being made out. It
                                shall be done soon.


Title: To George Washington from Arthur St. Clair, 2 December 1796
From: St. Clair, Arthur
To: Washington, George

                            Sir,
                            Pittsburgh 2d Decr 1796

                         As there is a vacancy in the General Court of the north western Territory from the appointment of General Putnam to the Office of Surveyor General, should you think proper to fill it by a Person residing in that Country, I beg permission to mention to you the name of Joseph Gilman Esquire of Marietta in the County of Washington.
                            Although he is not a Lawyer by Profession, he is a Man of much general information, of the strictest integrity, and most amiable manners; and is beloved and respected by all who know him  and has ever since General Putnams elevation to that Bench, presided in the Courts of common Pleas and Quarter Session for the County with great dignity, and given universal satisfaction. With the greatest Respect, I have the honor to be Sir, Your obedient Servant

                            Ar. St Clair


Title: To George Washington from Gustavus Scott, 3 December 1796
From: Scott, Gustavus,White, Alexander
To: Washington, George

                            Sir
                            Washington 3rd December 1796

                        We are honored with your Letter of 27th Ulto, and on friday, agreeably to your
                            expectations, we received a Letter from Mr Wolcott, informing of the failure of his
                            negotiation with Mr Hope—The board therefore, immediately authorised Mr Scott to repair to
                            Annapolis, and to negotiate a Loan with the Legislature of Maryland, agreeably to the terms
                            of your act, authorising that measure—On an event So momentous; we conceive nothing ought to
                            be omitted, which may tend to secure a favorable issue—With that impression on our minds, we,
                            with great deference, submit the propriety of your addressing the Assembly, on the
                            Subject—We are of opinion, and we find it is the opinion of the best friends of the City,
                            that it would have a decided effect, if your interposition is judged expedient, the earlier
                            the communication of your sentiments is received, by the Legislature, the better, as the
                            Session will soon be drawing to a close.
                        We think it of so much consequence, as to induce us to send this Letter by
                            express, to Baltimore; that a post may be thereby gained—We are with Sentiments &c.

                            G. Scott
                            A. White

                            P.S. Doctor Thornton had rode to his farm, before it occurred to the
                                board to address the President on the subject of the above Letter.


Title: From George Washington to James McHenry, 3 December 1796
From: Washington, George
To: McHenry, James

                            Sir,
                            Philadelphia 3d Decr 1796

                        I have read all the letters of General Wayne, and their enclosures; as I have
                            also done those of Captn Bruff and others, which you have laid before me.
                        Note such matters (in all of them) as require particular directions, which I
                            shall be ready to give whenever they are laid before me.
                        The other parts, which call only for Office attention, will, I am persuaded,
                            meet with prompt & ready dispatch. It is my wish to keep the business of the
                            Departments up, leaving no burthen on my Successor that ought, of right, to be executed
                            while I am in Office.

                            Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Robert Lewis, 4 December 1796
From: Lewis, Robert
To: Washington, George

                            Hon. Uncle,
                            Spring Hill Fauquier County Dec. 4th 1796

                        As some of your leases which were given for the term of ten years, on the
                            Goose-Creek tract of Land in the County, will expire the 25th of this month, and as you
                            seemed undetermined when I was last at Mount Vernon, whether you wou’d let them for a term
                            as long as in the first instance, or by the year only; I have suspended giving the tenants
                            in possession any encouragement with respect to new leases, until I shou’d hear from you—It
                            is my wish to have your opinion on this subject as soon as you can make it convenient. I am
                            daily importuned by the tenants for some reply. You supposed when we convers’d upon this
                            business, that as the tenancies which wou’d become vacant this fall, would generally be
                            improved, and of more value than, when originally let, it was best to rent them by the year
                            only, if good tenants could be had; This I fear will be a difficult point to accomplish, as
                            those who are esteemed punctual good men, will not be fixed in a situation of so much
                            uncertainty, and for the short space of one year; therefore, I am, the more willing to adopt
                            another opinion (with your concurrance) which you supposed wou’d be equally advantageous,
                            that is to give a lease for a term not exceeding seven years, with absolute covenant on the
                            part of the tenant not to sell, waste, or use more timber than what is necessary for
                            fire-wood and inclosures, and further, that no additional clearings shall be made without
                            the consent of the Landlord or his agent. Many there are who have cleared every acre they
                            were entitled to, and many more who have greatly exceeded the limits prescribed in the
                            leases by cutting into their reserve lands very considerably. I
                            wou’d also suggest another article that might be added with as much propriety as either of
                            the former (Viz.) Every tenant shall lay his farm off into three fields, and shall oblige
                            himself under the forfeiture of his lease, not to cultivate either of those fields more than
                            once in three years in Indian corn; and moreover, shall agree to sow the same field down in
                            some kind of small grain, in the course of the year in which the corn shall be made. By this
                            mode of cultivation your land will improve yearly, and be of far greater value when
                            surrended by the tenant at the expiration of his lease. Notwithstanding most of them have
                            tolerable improvements, yet the land is much inferior to what it was formerly, owing to
                            their mode of cultivation.
                        They have but two fields which are eternally under tillage, & by this
                            practice, and on land which is naturally wavy, with a thin soil, the lotts have been so worn
                            as to supersede the idea of raising the rents, more than thirty shillings per hundred acres;
                            and this can only be warranted by the prices of all kinds of produce, which are still high
                            comparing them with former years.

                        Shortly after my arrival here from Mount Vernon, I applied to Wm Garner (who I
                            recommended to you as a good house-joiner) but a previous engagement prevented our
                            bargaining.

                        I have completed a survey on the land which you were so good as to give me on
                            Deeprun, and find there will be some part of it disputed, as one Savage a Surveyor sold a
                            hundred and fifty acres of it to a man by the name of Earl, who sold it to another by the
                            name of Barber who has had it in possession fifty one years; and I am told by the laws of
                            this State he is entitled to it by possession; this being the case I have come to a
                            determination to compromise, and sell him my right; the value of which is to be ascertained
                            by three disinterested Gentlemen, I find also by my Grandfathers Will that you are entitled
                            to one half of 4663 acres, and my Uncle Samuel Washington to the other half, which is said
                            to have been run by Mr Lawrence Washington senior of
                                Chotank, who claims by purchase from you; as these are circumstances
                            which you never informed me of, and as the purchasers from Mr Washington
                            can produce no title from you, nor does their deeds recite how he came by the land; I have thought proper to write to you respecting it, and to beg you
                            will give me some information more satisfactory than what I can collect from these men. I am
                            well convinced (unless you were present when these lines run) that fair
                            play has not been exercised in the division in regard to you: as the lower end of the land
                            which is claimed by Warner Washington (as a purchaser from my Uncle Samuel) which lies in
                            the main fork of Deeprun, is worth at least double as much as the upper end which is said to
                            have been laid off as your part. Again in the division between you and Mr L. Washington
                            there is no comparisson between the two tracts in regard to their quality. Mrs Lewis unites with me in love to my Aunt—I remain your much obliged and
                            affectionate nephew—

                            Robt Lewis


Title: From George Washington to William Pearce, 4 December 1796
From: Washington, George
To: Pearce, William

                            Mr Pearce
                            Philadelphia 4th Decr 1796.

                        Getting no letter from you by the Post of yesterday—nor receiving any account
                            from home, leads me to conclude that something more than common has happened, as your last
                            letter is dated the 17th of November.
                        Hearing nothing of the state, in which my business is, for so long a time,
                            especially too as the weather, for the Season has been severe—I have but little to found my
                            letter upon at this time.

                        Enclosed you have a bill of lading, and Invoice of Goods shipped on board of
                            Captn Ellwood, on my account. Let the Oil & paint be put into some secure Cellar,
                            there to remain until I come home; And such of the Oznabrigs as is necessary for cloathing
                            the people (most wanting) to be cut out, and made up as fast as circumstances will permit—In
                            doing this, I beg every care and attention may be used to prevent waste or embezzlement in
                            the Act of cutting out; and by taking a list, to be left, of all who are served; otherwise
                            the same persons, if they thought they could succeed, would apply over and over again. Give
                            out but one roll of Oznabrigs at a time, & see how that is cut, worked up, and
                            disposed of, before another piece is delivered. How far  the Gardeners wife, or Allisons
                            wife is to be depended upon in a business of this sort, I know not; but this I know, it is
                            as little as either of them can do for the inconvenience I sustain by their living there,
                            and the attendance they receive from my People.
                        The enclosed letter to the Gardener, relative to the planting of shrubs, seal
                            & deliver to him after you have read it; and if such freezing weather should arrive,
                            before your departure, as I have described, give him all the assistance you can to improve
                            it; and in case it does not, let Mr Anderson know what my wishes are respecting this matter.
                            I repeat to you my solicitude to have the Ice house prepared for, & well filled, & rammed, when Ice is formed. It will be of
                            immense importance to me when I get home.
                        I hope Frank has taken particular care of the Tarriers. I directed him to
                            observe when the female was getting into heat, and let her be immediately shut up, and no
                            other than the male Tarrier get to her. I wish you well, and am Your friend

                            Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 4 December 1796
From: Pickering, Timothy
To: Washington, George

                            Sunday Evening, Decr 4. 1796.

                        Captain Cathcart’s vessel, laden with stores for Algiers, he expects will sail
                            to-morrow. The Secretary of State therefore respectfully lays before the President this
                            evening the draught of a letter to the Dey, and a letter for Mr Barlow. The letter from the
                            Dey is inclosed; together with the letters from Mr Barlow to which the answer draughted by
                            the Secretary of State refers. These are too voluminous for a present perusal, entire: but
                            the Secretary believes his referrences to them are exact.
                        If the letters to the Dey & Mr Barlow meet the President’s approbation,
                            the Secretary will be glad to receive them to-morrow morning by nine o’clock, that the
                            former may be copied fairly for the President’s signature.
                        The mediterranean passes mentioned by the Dey (or rather the indented margins)
                            will be forwarded to Mr Barlow, with some entire specimens of the passports.

                            T. Pickering.


Title: To George Washington from William Thornton, 5 December 1796
From: Thornton, William,White, Alexander
To: Washington, George

                            Sir,
                            Washington, 5th December 1796.

                        We have the honour of your Letter of the first Instant; the plan of the City
                            also, came safe to hand. It is with extreme regret that we intrude on your time, which, we
                            are sensible, is devoted, particularly at this crisis, to the consideration of more important
                            objects; but the importunity of applicants, renders it indispensably requisite—Mr Covachichi
                            is gone to Annapolis, when he returns, we shall inform him of your sentiments respecting the
                            Site of the University—Mr Scott is gone to Annapolis, & Mr White purposes, shortly,
                            to set out for Virginia, and to remain there, till after New–Year. We are, with sentiments of
                            the highest respect, &c.,

                            William Thornton
                            A. White


Title: To George Washington from Bartholomew Dandridge, 5 December 1796
From: Dandridge, Bartholomew
To: Washington, George

                            My dear sir
                            5 Decemr 1796. Philadelphia

                        Your preparations for leaving this City and the period drawing nigh when that
                            event will take place, reminds me that it is time for me to prepare some plan for myself by
                            which I may obtain a livelihood after that shall happen; and impels me (tho’ with very great
                            reluctance) to intrude on your usual indulgence for a moment. And that I may take up as
                            little of your time as possible, I will briefly state to you the only plans I have yet
                            contemplated, and beg your advice respecting them. 1st—If you should be disposed to divide
                            & sell out your lands on the Kanhawa; I would with pleasure do every thing in my
                            power to promote your advantage in that respect & for this end would
                            willingly take up my residence at the Kanhawa. In this way I conceive the Land would produce
                            you more than in any other. I could, I expect, at the same time dispose of some coarse
                            merchandise to advantage. If you should not think proper to dispose of the lands in this way—perhaps then you would cause a settlement on your
                            own account to be made on some part of them, to increase their value, & in which I
                            might find employment.
                        2dly I have thought of purchasing Goods at this place of the
                            large wholesale dealers—& sending them to Alexandria to establish a retail store. With
                            industry & attention, I think this would be profitable.

                        3dly That which I should most prefer, & wch would be most congenial to
                            my disposition, would be to obtain the management of some small tenement of your’s, either of
                            part of the land you had of Mercer, or of any of your’s  in Berkely or Frederic. These are the
                            outlines of plans on which whatever consideration you are pleased to bestow, will command my
                            gratitude; and I beg you to accept, Dr Sir my sincere respect &
                                affection.

                            B. Dandridge


Title: From George Washington to James Maury, 5 December 1796
From: Washington, George
To: Maury, James

                            Sir,
                            Philadelphia 5th Decr 1796.

                        I have received several letters from you in the course of this year, but as
                            none of them required a particular acknowledgment—and as my time is generally much occupied
                            I have been silent until now.
                        The object of my writing to you now, is to request that the balance of £105.8.7 due
                            to me, as appears by your account current dated the 23d of February in the present year may
                            be remitted in the articles contained in the Invoice enclosed herewith.
                        I pray you to send them (Insured) by the first good opportunity to Alexandria
                            or George Town on Potomac. Accept my thanks for the Tarriers you had the goodness to send me
                            by Captn Butts who took great care of them, & delivered them in good order—With
                            esteem—I remain Sir—Your Most Obedt Servt

                            Go: Washington

                        				       				Philadelphia 5th Decr 1796.
                            Invoice of Goods to be shipped for, and consigned to, the Subscriber at Mount
                                Vernon in Virginia by James Maury Esqr. and sent by the first Vessel bound to the Port
                                of Alexandria, or George Town on Potok.
                        300 Wt of White lead ground in Oil
                            2 pieces of very fine Cambrick
                            2 Ditto—Irish linnen @ 4/. pr yd Sterlg
                            2 Ditto Do Do 3/. Do Do4 Ditto   Do     Do   2/.1   Do       say 60 yds   5/4. Sheeting—fine
                            6 large & handsome Table cloths—All to be of the same size, fineness and figure.
                            2. dozn handsome Napkins to suit Ditto.
                            The surplus of the balance of £105.8.7 due to me, pr your acct current
                                after Commission & charges—freight and Insurance on the above Goods are added to the
                                cost thereof, is to be sent to me in good British Oznabrigs.

                    Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 5 December 1796
From: Washington, George
To: Pinckney, Charles Cotesworth

                            My dear Sir,
                            Philadelphia 5th Decr 1796

                        Not being able to recollect with certainty, whether I expressed to you my ardent
                            desire that no favourable occasion might be omitted, by you, of Signifying how much it was
                            my wish, and the wishes of the People of this country, that that friend to it—Mr de la
                            Fayette—could be liberated from his confinement, is the cause of my giving you the trouble
                            of this address.
                        Not in my public character, have I conceived myself authorised to move in this
                            business; but in my private one I have used, and shall continue to use, every exertion in my
                            power to effect this much desired object. For surely if a hard fate has attended any one,
                            the fortunes of this gentleman has met it.
                        It would give me much pleasure to hear of your safe arrival after an agreeable
                            passage; and that your reception from the French Directory has been favourable.
                        Of politics, or on matters of public concern, I shall say nothing—because you
                            are too recently from this country to need information on the first subject—and from the
                            Office of State you receive all that can be given on the second.
                        In presenting compliments to Mrs and Miss Pinckney, Mrs Washington unites hers
                            along with those of My dear Sir Your most Obedt and Affectionate Servt

                            Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Charles Morgan, 6 December 1796
From: Morgan, Charles
To: Washington, George

                            Pittsburgh 6th December 1796

                        I have Receiv’d all the Rents for you, that Colo. Cannon put into my hands
                            Except Nine pounds Sixteen Shillings, Which he had Receivd previous to delivering me the
                            Accts—I have forwarded the Money to you by Mr Ross—and have Inclos’d the acct—Colo. Cannon
                            will not come to any Settlement with me Respecting what he owes you—he Says he Chuses to
                            Settle with your self.
                        on my Way from Kentuckey last Spring in passing through your land at the Round
                            Bottom I observd the people from Grave Creek have been making vast quantities of Shugar on
                            it, for about three years past, and Destroyd Timber &c. I am your Humbe Servt

                            Charles Morgan

                            P.S. I Shall Collect the Rents due from the Millers Run Estate which I
                                contracted for as quick as possible and forward it to you &ca.

                            George Washington president of the U.S.1796Dr.Contra Cr.OctobrTo Cash Sent you by Mr Ross on Acct of Shreves Notes, Including
  debt & Interest£228.3.9
By two Notes on Israel Shreve, put  into my hands by Colo. Cannon
  Interest228.3.9DecembrTo Cash Sent by Mr Ross on Acct of the Millers Run Lands,
  Which accts Was put into my
  hands by Colo. Cannon Including
  Interest &c.22.17.3By Notes and Accts put into my  hands by Colo. Cannon, on
  Acct of Rents for the
  Millers Run land Including
  Interest &c. 45.17.6To an Acct deliverd to me by  Cannon which he had Recd
  himself9.16.0£274.1.3To Collecting £264..5..9—at five ⅌Ct 13.4.3£274.1.3

                            E. Excepted
                            Charles Morgan