Title: To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 15 July 1794
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Washington, George

                  Philadelphia July 15th 1794.

               The Secretary of State has the honor of reporting to the President of the United States, as follows.
               1. The resolutions from Kentucky of the 24th of May, upon which the address to the President and Congress is founded, involve very momentous matter.

               The temper of that country is roused to an extreme. They entertain suspicions that it is not the wish of every state in the Union that they should enjoy the Mississippi, or should continue members of the union. Great allowance is therefore made for their sensibility. Still the resolutions and address ought not to receive a formal answer. These are the reasons.
               1. Altho’ individuals, of whatsoever number, great or small, have a right to petition, memorialize or remonstrate for a redress of grievances, there is a respect, which every Government ought to exact for itself. To charge the General Government with design in not adopting effectual measures for attaining the navigation—to intimate, that its measures have been uniformly concealed from the people of Kentucky, and veiled in mysterious secrecy, and that civil liberty is prostituted, when the servants of the people are suffered to tell them, that communications, which they may judge important ought not to be intrusted to them; as if the Executive was bound to promulge, what it might deem injurious to the public interest to be known; to demand that Spain be compelled to acknowledge their right, or that an end be put to all negotiations on that subject; to censure the President for tame submission, and to exclaim against the want of protection, after all that has been done; These things have no claim upon a formal answer; many of them being unfounded, and all untenable upon principle.
               2. The resolutions even as far as they go, are those of a part of the state who seem to have begun the business, only that the sense of the whole state may be taken.
               3. It is impossible to satisfy the expectations expressed in the 5th resolution; without establishing a precedent for throwing open the archives of the Executive to the whole world, on all occasions.
               4. As much has been already communicated to the Governor of Kentucky in the letter of the 29th of March last as can be with propriety, except what may be added in consequence of the recommendation of the two houses of Congress.
               5. That letter has not yet been acknowledged by the Governor; and we do not know, whether it was generally circulated at the time of the meeting of the 24th of May.
               The Secretary of State is therefore of opinion, that a letter be written to the Governor of Kentucky in pursuance of the

                  resolutions of the Senate and House of Representatives; and if in the course of writing it, any matter can be interwoven, which may obviate the complaints, which have been uttered, without appearing to be intended as answers to the resolutions, and without violating the degree of secrecy due to negotiations existing, or the respect due to the Government, that it ought to be attended to.

                  Edm: Randolph.


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 15 July 1794
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Washington, George

                  (Private)
                  Thursday, 15th July 1794

               E. Randolph presents his respects to the President; and having this morning written the inclosed letter to Colo. Nicholas, he takes the liberty of submitting it to the President’s perusal.


Title: To George Washington from William Pearce, 16 July 1794 [letter not found]
From: Pearce, William
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from William Pearce, 16 July 1794. On 20 July, GW wrote Pearce: "Yesterday brought me your letter . . . dated the 16th instt."


Title: To George Washington from Richard Peters, 16 July 1794
From: Peters, Richard
To: Washington, George

                  Dear Sir
                  Belmont [Pa.] 16th July 1794

               The Accounts given to the British Board of Agriculture are in general drawn up in a masterly Manner; so, as I should suppose (especially after being circulated for Correction) fully to answer the Expectations formed in the excellent Plan which produced them.  They exhibit as well beneficial Practices, as Defects in Agriculture. They contain a Fund of Information, useful in political Œconomy & serviceable to all Countries. A great Deal is to be admired & not a little to be reprobated. It is to be regretted that the Country accounted the most perfect as to its general State of Agriculture; produces more of bad than of good Farming. In particular Instances Nothing can exceed. But the greater is either mediocre or bad. Some of the Profession of Husbandmen are great. But the best Stile of Husbandry is in the Hands of the least Number, & many of these not Agriculturists by Profession. Those of the Nobility, the Gentry & Clergy, who devote themselves to this delightful Persuit, are among the most eminent. Commons—Tithes—Tenantry, of which we feel Nothing here, are in the List of the great Impediments to Perfection in English Farming. Taxes are heavy Deductions—They farm more expensively than we do, calculating even Difference of Product. Too many Horses (the most costly Animals on a Farm)—Drivers & Servants—Oxen but partially used—Cumbrous, expensive & complicated Instruments—Not so much done, with the same Power, as with us—Better done where it is well—But on the whole my former Opinions are confirmed by a Perusal of these Papers—Their farm-Buildings, tho’ some excellent, more generally bad than otherwise, & great Numbers ill

                  situated—the best, as to Preservation, where Property is divided, & occupied by its Owner—the worst where Farms are engrossed by Mesne or intermediate Renters—Farms too often badly arranged as to arable, Pasture & Connexion, owing to vile Customs & local Circumstances. We can farm with more Comfort, live better, & are more independent, tho’ our Product is much less. The Government—the Church—the Poor, as well agricultural Paupers as worn out Manufacturers—the Landlord—(who lives in a Stile of Shew & Expence & looks to immediate Revenue more than permanent Improvement) & those who intervene between him & the actual Cultivater—eat up the English Farmers who toil not for themselves. A few get rich, by Combinations of which Agriculture is the Basis; but the great Body of them live not so well, nor are their Circumstances so good, as the same Proportion of ours. The Ejaculation "O fortunati nimium &c." applies, with the most Truth to the American Farmers. And yet place him in Britain, with his present Habit & he would soon become a Beggar. So much does private Happiness depend on public Arrangements—So permanently prosperous is the Man "who sits under his own Vine & his own Fig Tree—where there is none to make him afraid."
               We have Millions of Acres like their Sheep Downs, with which Farming, as with them, may be combined. These Wastes, now called Barrens, generally lying in the Vicinity of good Land. One Day <or> other (not in ours) these will be brought into Use. The English have an Advantage, as to Sheep as well as other Branches of Husbandry, in the Mildness & Shortness of their Winters; & some Benefits, tho’ many Misfortunes, from their dripping Seasons. The better Stile of Agriculture gives those who practice it, more green Fodder, which may be consumed on the Ground. But our periodical Rains in Times of Vegetation, & our clear Skies, & in general, settled Weather at the Seasons for collecting our Crops ballance the Severities of our Winters. And when our Successors are compelled by over Population to go into Manufactures, we’ll consider, by Anticipation, that the American Character will shew its Versatility & Fertility in Expedients by overcoming all Difficulties of Climate. A Breed of Sheep may be had which can be habituated to our Country. Their Cheviot & original Stock of Wiltshire & several other Breeds of Sheep are hardy, but the former live very hard. They scrape away the

                  Snow from bleak Mountains, on which they browze, to get at their Food. He "who tempers the Wind for the shorn Lamb," naturalizes after a Time, every Animal to the Situation in which it is to live. Human Means may forward, but cannot successfully oppose Nature. Let us, not only as to Sheep but other Animals made for our Use, keep in Mind the benevolent Assistance we may count on to our own Endeavors. We should banish Foppery & Vanity from our Fields. We should not aim at the finest & most comely Breed, but studiously endeavor to obtain that best fitted for our situation & agricultural Capabilities. I perceive that the Pride of Stock is an Obstacle to Improvement, as it relates to Profit, among the best Breeders & Agriculturists in England. A Minuteness of Attention in this Particular would be wise. We should not only study what Breed will best suit Districts of Country, but even particular Farms. Nature either enlarges or reduces the Animal according to the Food & Treatment it receives. In short Bites—cold Climates—poor Lands—the Animals are small, & will become so let the original Stock be what it may. This we call degenerating. But it is, in Fact, an Habituation to Situation & Circumstances, wisely & benevolently dictated by the Author of Nature, which we often overlook & vainly strive to counteract. This Train of Thought happened to strike me, from a Recollection of some Observations in one of the Papers. I wish it were more apposite in this Country. Most of our Farmers are too inattentive to anything like Improvement to be tinctured with Vanity on the Subject. But where I have seen Attempts made, the Object has been pretty generally mistaken. I know how essential & practicable it is to improve the Breed of our domestic Animals But then we ought to set out radically right; & meliorate that Breed best adapted to our Circumstances.
               English farming & rural Œconomy (for as to Welsh, Scotch & Irish Agriculture, with some Exceptions both local & personal, it is infamous) is more comparatively than positively great Yet in the whole it seems better than in other Parts of the World. Much Flemish & some German Farming is quite as good if not in some Particulars better. England has many Advantages over the Low Countries & Germany. The Island of Britain has been, during a long Period, for the most Part, internally quiescent. Whereas the Countries on the Continent have, in some Instances, more rapacious & arbitrary Governments; & are more subject to repeated

                  Ravages produced by Wars, of which one Part or other is incessantly the Theatre. The Sword & the Plough share never move well together.
               You may say, with Truth & Justice, everything your Politeness suggests of the Plan devized & executing by Sr John Sinclair & his Assotiates. They deserve the Thanks of every Friend to Mankind. Their Merit & Usefulness will be extensively felt, not only in their own but in all Countries. History would be better employed in recording the Actions & Characters of such Men, than in celebrating those she too generally selects for her Subjects. They are entitled to our Esteem & Admiration who encrease both the Numbers & Happiness of their Species, by facilitating & multiplying the Means of Subsistence. But those should be held up only for Execration who too often acquire Fame, while they are engaged in extirpating, or reducing to Misery & Bondage the human Race!  I am Sir with very sincere Esteem & Respect Your obedt Servt

                  Richard Peters

                  An American Milk House, built over a Spring, would be a valuable Improvement & a Curiosity in Britain.
                  Their Practice of flooding their Meadows produces great but coarse Vegetation, yet is useful for early & late Pasturage. The first for Sheep, the last for Cattle. The Custom we have of drawing our Springs & smaller Streams over declining Grounds, is very rare in G. Britain. Our Method of irrigating, where it is well attended to, is better than theirs; the Hay being of the best Quality. But the Hay of their flooded Grounds is of the worst Kind & only fit for dry & hardy Cattle—I mean not, in any of my Observations, to compare our Husbandry with that of the English. It will not justify the Comparison. But it is exhilarating to discover, amidst our Mass of negligent & unthrifty Management, any thing valuable. Our greatest Comfort is that we can live well in a Country that will bear bad farming; for in Europe they must farm well to live at all.


Title: To George Washington from Richard Potts, 17 July 1794
From: Potts, Richard
To: Washington, George

                  Sir
                  Frederick Town [Md.] July 17, 1794

               I was yesterday informed of the death of General Williams in Virginia on his way to the Sweet Springs, and take the Liberty of requesting the Appointment to the office of Collector of the Port of Baltimore thereby become vacant. My distance from the

                  seat of the State Government will prevent my attempting to accompany this my application with a recommendation from others, nor do I suppose that material in cases of Applicants known to yourself—My Conduct in the public Trusts with which I have been honoured must have marked my Character either favorably or otherwise, and I could not expect that an impression on that foundation would be affected by the representation of my friends—Professions on my part would probably have as little Weight, I will only say that if I am successfull in this Application a sense of duty to the public and my own security in a place of such important trust would determine me to execute the Office in person as far as I could, and that I should endeavour to discharge the duties of it with advantage to the public and reputation to myself—A change of family circumstances subsequent to my accepting a seat in the Senate of the United States, and that attention of an infant family rendered indispensable by their late Loss of their other Parent, had determined me to leave that Station at an earlier period than that for which I was elected, before the Event now contemplated took place—Those considerations will to the State justify my resolution, and I trust to you excuse this application although it should not receive your countenance.  With Sentiments of the most respectfull consideration I have the Honor to be Your most obed. & very humble Servt

                  Richard Potts


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 17 July 1794
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Washington, George

                  July 17. 1794.

               The Secretary of State has the honor of reporting to the President of the United States, upon the letter of James Seagrove, bearing date the 4th of June 1794, as follows:
               1. The first point of his information is, that "a very considerable body of people in the upper part of Georgia have associated for the purpose of setting up an independent government for themselves."
               New States may be formed with the consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned and of Congress.  But To begin a plan for a new state, is probably contrary to the laws of that state.
               However unless the State chooses to resort to the general government for aid in subduing it, the general government cannot of its own accord interfere in a case of domestic violence. For this is to be done, "on application of the legislature or of the executive (when the legislature cannot be convened)."
               The same restriction is imposed by the law for calling out the militia, in case of an insurrection.
               Even in combinations against judicial process, the militia cannot be drawn forth, but upon a notification of the President by an associate or the district Judge.
               When too it is considered, how delicate and uncertain it would be to array one part of the militia of a state against another; that the militia of other states cannot be summoned, but on the application of the legislature or executive of the State, an associate or the district Judge; that for the mere act of attempting an independent government, without something else being done against the United States, the regular force of the United States cannot be used, it appears adviseable to take, as yet, no strong compulsory steps upon that ground only.
               2 Seagrove however says, that the independent government,

                  which is meditated, is to be set up on the territory belonging to the Creek Indians.
               To make a settlement on lands belonging to any Indian Tribe, is punishable by fine and imprisonment; and it is lawful for the President to take such measures, as he may judge necessary, to remove from lands belonging to any Indian Tribe, any citizens or inhabitants of the United States, who may make or attempt to make a settlement thereon.
               Hence so far as mere power is concerned, it is presumed that the President may call forth the militia of Georgia or of any other State, or the regular force, which may be spared from other duty, and which are not by law directed to special purposes.
               3. The plan is said to be to erect six strong forts from the Oconee to the Oahmulgee.
               The mere erection of a fort is not treason, though it is probably an offence of a lesser nature.
               To keep actual possession of a fort by force against the public troops is levying war.
               But if a fort be erected with a direct purpose against the United States, this may be a levying of war. What the purpose is, however, must depend upon evidence.
               4. What is to be done?  The Secretary of State takes the liberty of suggesting the following measures:

               1. To inform the Governor of Georgia, that the President will give aid to the State, against those, who attempt a new government, if applied for, according to the constitution or law.
               2. To urge him to discourage the attempt without delay by proclamation and every other means in his power, if the allegations be true.
               3. To request information whether they be true, in order that the President may adopt the measures, which shall be found necessary.
               4. To ascertain by previous inquiry from the Governor of Georgia, whether the militia of his state, or of the neighbouring state be sufficient and convenient for removing the offenders from the Indian territory; or whether the regular military force must be resorted to.
               The letter which shall be written to the Governor deserves great care, not only from its matter, but also with a view to its publication to the world.

               The Secretary of State thinking, that the allusion, in Seagrove’s letter, to Spain, deserves to be incorporated in an answer, now in hand, to the Spanish commissioners, upon a similar subject, has written to the Secretary of war for copies of the papers.
               The answer of the Governor of Georgia will be the best guide as to a proclamation from the President, and other steps; and therefore the consideration of them seems proper to be postponed at present.

                  Edm: Randolph


Title: From George Washington to Burgess Ball, 18 July 1794
From: Washington, George
To: Ball, Burgess

                  Dear Sir,
                  Philadelphia July 18th 1794

               Since my last to you, from Mount Vernon, I have seen & conversed with Mr Morris on the subject of a person to Manage a Tilt-hammer for you. He says it is difficult to get one who understands the business, & in other respects is worthy of confidence. The Person he had, he was obliged to discharge, on account of his inebrity, & knows not where to supply his place but by importation; which is uncertain, and on account of the restrictive regulations in Great Britain, dangerous.
               I will continue my enquiries, but conceive, as I mentioned in my last, that your best chance of getting one is to consider well the terms on which you would engage—advertise these in the parts from whence the artist is most likely to be obtained—describe the advantages of your situation—desire them to apply by letter, or otherwise, by a certain day—and add that none need offer who cannot produce unquestionable evidence of his skill—his honesty—sobriety & industry. Your prospect of getting a good Tilt man unless some such measure as this is adopted, I think bad; for those who are in want themselves, are not the first who will recommend these people, & being out of the line of others, it is not probable they should do it.
               Give my love (in which Mrs Washington unites) to Mrs Ball & your family—& with very great esteem & regard I am—Dear Sir Your Affectionate Servt

                  Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Martin Eichelberger, 18 July 1794
From: Eichelberger, Martin
To: Washington, George

                  Sir.
                  Baltimore July 18th 1794

               By the death of Genl Williams the Office of Collector has become Vacant an event long expected. as it is Natural in cases of

                  this kind for Officers to expect preferment. I beg leave (through the Encouragement of the respectable part of the Citizens of Baltimore) in case of a Vacancy in the surveyors Office for this Port to renew my former application & to refer your Excellency to my recommendations, actuated by no other motive than a wish for a permanency.  I hope my application will meet your Excellencys approbation—With every sentiment of attachment and respect, I have the honour to be Your Excellencys most Obt Servant

                  M. Eichelberger


Title: From George Washington to Robert Lewis, 18 July 1794
From: Washington, George
To: Lewis, Robert

                  Dear Sir,
                  Philadelphia July 18th 1794.

               If in a letter, not long since written to you, you were authorized to rent the Small tract of land I hold on Difficult run, in Loudoun County, I now desire that you will not do it. I have had some Overtures for the purchase of it; and have been offered five pounds an Acre, giving credit, which I was willing to do; but the thing that parted us at that time, and may possibly do so forever, was interest, the person wanted credit without paying this, to which I would not consent.  But as land thereabouts is rising fast in value, I have no doub<t> of obtaining the price & terms, & even more, by keeping it up; provided it is not incumbered with a Lease.
               I authorised you in my last, to lay out the money, collected on my behalf, for Rents due me, in purchasing in the Leases; but restricted this operation, not to exceed (if I recollect rightly) the first of November.  I now prolong it until the first of January (which closes the present year;) beyond which you are not at liberty to apply money to this purpose, without further instructions from me.

               You must be very particular in examining into the real state and condition of the Leases; for if the accounts of the Tenants (without this enquiry) is to govern, the lives will never expire. It is essential also to know, if transfers have taken place, under what authority they ha<ve> happened; as there is a clause, or covenant in the leases (if my memory serves me), restraining this, without written permission of the Landlord.  And if it shall appear, by any of the leases, that an alteration of names, from the original instrument, has taken place, to learn, with precision, by what means it had taken place. I shall expect written evidence of these facts. a verbal explanation without, from the Tenants, will not satisfy me. My love to Mrs Lewis in wch your Aunt joins. With affecte friendship I am Yours

                  Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Mifflin, 18 July 1794
From: Mifflin, Thomas
To: Washington, George

                  Sir.
                  Phila. 18th July 94

               I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency’s answer to my letter of the 15. instant, communicated in a letter from the Secretary at war, dated yesterday: and it is with peculiar regret that I perceive the embarrasment of my situation, relatively to the Presqu’ isle establishment, increasing with every addition to the correspondence which the subject has produced. I certainly, Sir, have hitherto proceeded upon the presumption, that, whatever form of words may have been employed, it was your request, that the execution of the Presqu’ isle law should, for the present, be suspended; and, as you possessed all the information, upon which that request was founded, I have thought, likewise, that you would readily assume the responsibility attached to a prompt and confidential compliance

                  with it. But when the Secretary at war remarks that you never contemplated carrying your opinions upon the subject, farther than to state them as strongly as they were conceived; he leaves it to be inferred, that for all the consequences of the suspension, without possessing the information, or perhaps entertaining the sentiments that led to the measure, I am deemed to be exclusively responsible. This idea, Sir, claims and justifies, on my part, the utmost circumspection: and, I am persuaded that while the Executive of the Genl Govt is solicitous to avoid reproach for inattention, or a neglect to make full representations of any danger which is apprehended to the interests of the Union; a similar solicitude in the Execut. of a particular Government, to avoid reproach either for transgressing the constitutional boundaries of his authority, or for sacraficing the interests of the State, will be equally approved and indulged.
               Hence, Sir, I have been induced, in order satisfactory to compare your opinions on this occasion, with my constitutional and legal powers, to take the advice of the Attorney General of Pennsylvania; and I have the honor to inclose a copy of the letter in which his sentiments are expressed.  From this document you will perceive, that, although any delay consistent with the performance of the duties enjoined upon me, may be permitted, a delay, which will prevent the execution of the Law within the time prescribed, will not be justifiable. It is of importance, therefore, to know how long the temporary obstacles, which induced you to advise the suspension of the establishment of Presqu’-isle are expected to continue; for if they should not be shortly removed, I must either direct the Commissioners to proceed in laying out the town, or (resorting to the alternative suggested by the Attorney General) convene the Legislature upon the occasion. The latter measure, however, I shall not think it expedient to adopt, unless you expressly request it.
               Though the title of the State, to the jurisdiction and soil, of the territory, on which she proposes to form her settlements, can admit of no just controversy, I would cheerfully, as far as my power extends, co-operate in any amicable proceeding, to conciliate the minds, of the Six Nations: but I have no authority to appoint a Commissioner to treat with them upon the subject; and, indeed, the Secretary at war has misunderstood the purport of my conversation in that respect, since he ascribes to me

                  an opinion that, under the present circumstances all differences may be accommodated by Treaty. The truth, is, that if a sense of justice influenced the conduct of those Indians, no opposition would have been made to our improving the lands which we had fairly bought, and the sale of which they have repeatedly acknowledged: and if they act (as I believe they do) under the direction and controul of British Agents, their opposition must be expected to last as long as the policy by which it is excited. If, however, Sir, you should be pleased, on the part of the United States, to authorise a Treaty to be held, I shall think it my duty to furnish you with all the documents, that relate to the title of Pennsylvania, and its repeated recognitions by Corn-planter, and the other Indians, who now presume to deny it.  I am, with perfect respect, Sir, Your Excellency’s Most Obedt Servt

                  Tho. Mifflin


Title: To George Washington from Copeland Parker, 18 July 1794
From: Parker, Copeland
To: Washington, George

                  Sir
                  Surveyors office Smithfd [Va.] July 18. 1794

               By an Act of Last Session of Congress, I find your are Vested with power to make what additions you may think propper to the Sallaries of the different Officers, and as I have the honor of Holding two Offices, by your Commissions (rec’d) I beg leave to mention that I have never rec’d any Kind of Compensation for my Office as Inspector, as their is Seldom any Vessells that trade to forreign Ports from this place, and their is not a port in the State where Smugling has been Carried on with greater Success, My Office as Surveyor brings me only one hundred dollars ⅌ annum, and the Law Obliges me to live in Town and find an office Stationay &Ct. out of that Small Sum, I hope you will Excuse the Liberty; taken to make Known to you the particular Situation of my Offices, When you Consider that you alone Can redress Our Grieveances and Alter Our Situations with Convenience, notwithstanding if it does not appear reasonable to you, I am willing to Submit, and do my duty to the utmost of my Abilities, but I trust you will Allow me Something as Inspector Considering me as a publick Officer liable to Insult and Abuse for Serveing my Country. In the Interim I beg leave to Subscribe myself your Very Ob. Servant

                  Copeland Parker Survy. P. Smithd


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 18 July 1794
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Washington, George

                  Philadelphia July 18. 1794

               The Secretary of State has the honor of submitting to the President the draught of an answer to Mr Hammond on the affair at Rhode Island.


Title: Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to John Suter, 18 July 1794
From: Dandridge, Bartholomew Jr.
To: Suter, John

                  Sir,
                  Philada 18 July 1794.

               As the President passed thro’ Geo: town on his way from Mount Vernon to this place he was told that the time for which the boy who was bound to you & called Billey, had expired & that he had left your service, If this is really the case, & you have nothing to say against the boy’s honesty, sobriety, industry &c. or anything else to his disadvantage, & he is still unemployed, the President would be glad to employ him, as good servants are not to be had here. For this purpose the President begs the favor of you to let him know as soon as you can conveniently the character of Billey & whether he can be had. If you have no objections to him as to character or otherwise you may engage him at once & send him on, to this City, if he will come upon the same terms as those we now employ—that is 8 dollars per month & a full suit of Livery clothes annually.  I hope will excuse this trouble, & believe that I am Sir, Your most Obt Servt

                  Bw Dandridge


Title: To George Washington from William Buchanan, 19 July 1794
From: Buchanan, William
To: Washington, George

                  Sir
                  Lexington, Baltimore County, 19th July
                     1794

               The D[e]ath of Our late Worthy friend Genl Williams may Probably give Rise to many Applications for the Collectors Place at the Port of Baltimore, from few Perhaps with fairer Claim, Or fainter hope than my Self, Tho in Point of Execution, & a Uniform Attachment to Government, I yield to none, yet

                  Nevertheless, there is a Certain Unexplained Circumstance, of long Standing, even now at variance, for, & against my Application. Thwarted, Sir, as I was in the commissariate, with a Single eye to the Service, & Persecuted thence without Any Inquiry into the Causes of the Defects complained of in that Department, & to yours Embarrassing, the Authors thereof were Suffered to escape, & the Effects, by Implication, Transfered to me, but with what general, or Particular Impression, I have yet to learn, Early did I discover that this Department, under my Direction, was Aimed at to Perplex, & finally not only at but through it to an higher, which first determined me on Resigning, Relying Nevertheless On a Previous Inquiry for marking Some of the Abettors, not a few nor of Inferior Rank, both in and Out of Door, in this however I was most Cruelly disapointed, long was I Amused with the Repeated Orders of Congress for an Offical Inquiry Pursuant to my Reieterated Applications, nor was I Remiss in Reminding the Committees thereon Appointed, untill wearied Out with the most Palpable Evasions, thence Sir, an Inquiry So Essential. & in equal Justice Due to the Service & my Self, thus withheld. What Remained for me but in Silence to withdraw, Exposed to Imputation & Excluded from Redress, Justifyed however in this, my Complaint, by the minutes of Congress, by my Applications & Terms of Resignation filed, you will not be Offended with this late Effort & last Probable Chance for Removing a grievance long boren with & Sensibly felt, Not Sir, that I by Any means Consider it as a Claim upon you, but Counting Solely On your Liberality, as Circumstances may appear to Justify, If haply in favour of my Application, the Blot is thence expunged by this Public mark of your Acquittance, more valued than for the emoluments annexed, tho few I believe Could have Suffered in a much greater Proportion by the Unavoidable effects of Our Revolution, & fewer Still with less murmur, tho far exceeding the Profits of Such appointment to Compensate, this however apart, & whatever the Result of my Present Application, I hope you will believe me with Submissive and Sincere Respect. Sir your most Obedt & most humble Servt

                  Wm Buchanan


Title: To George Washington from Samuel Chase, 19 July 1794
From: Chase, Samuel
To: Washington, George

                  Dear Sir.
                  Baltimore Town. 19th July 1794.

               I have, for some time, wished to be employed by the National Government; and I now, Sir, make you a respectful Offer of my Services. my per<so>nal Respect and Attachment for your private and public Character, and my Desire to render your Administration as happy as possible, united with a Resolution to support the present Government, will, I flatter Myself, be a sufficient Apology for my present Application. The Office lately held by General Williams is the Object of my Wishes, and if your Excellency should think proper to bestow it on Me, I shall be highly gratified; and You may be assured, that I will endeavour to execute the Duties of the Office with Fidelity & Diligence.
               I take the liberty to present my most respectful Compliments to Mrs Washington, and I have the Honour to subscribe Myself With every Sentiment of Respect and Esteem Your Affectionate and Obedient servant

                  Samuel Chase


Title: To George Washington from Daniel Delozier, 19 July 1794
From: Delozier, Daniel
To: Washington, George

                  Profound Sir
                  Baltimore, July 19th 1794

               The death of General Williams, Collector of this port, I presume has been anounced to your Excellency before this, the

                  event took place on tuesday last, about thirty miles on the road from Winchester towards the sweet-springs.
               It is probable that your Excellency will receive many applications for the Office of the deceased, and amongst them will be one from Mr Robert Purviance, the present Naval Officer; this gentlemen, from his age respectabliity and situation, seems to have well founded expectations, and in the event of his being appointed, I beg leave to solicit the Office which he at present holds: But shou’d your Excellency see cause not to promote that gentleman, and be of opinion that my experiance in the Customs, first as Deputy Collector and at present Surveyor of the Port, entitles me to the appointment of Collector, I shall be gratefull for the obligation, and will uniformly pay that attention to the business which the importance of the Office requires.  I have the honor to be, with great veneration, Your Excellency’s Most Ob: & very Humble Servant

                  D. Delozier


Title: To George Washington from Josias Carvil Hall, 19 July 1794
From: Hall, Josias Carvil
To: Washington, George

                  Sir
                  Havre de Grace [Md.] July 19th—1794

               On the Death of Genl Williams late Collector for the Port of Baltimore there has been many Applications for that Office, I have no Doubt, & from my Situation & Circumstances I am induced, tho’ with great Difficulty & Reluctance, to add to the Number. I know you can gratify only one: But whether favored or not I shall as usual acquiesce in the Justice & Propriety of your Choice. I do not boast great Services done my Country But I have ever had a Disposition to render all in my Power & not without some Sacrifices. When I entered the Army I left a

                  sufficiently lucrative Business which I have not since been able to regain. My Patrimony suffered so much by my Abscence, not by extravagance or negligence, that I was obliged to sell a considerable Portion of it on my return. My Paper for the same Reason I disposed of, at the market Price—tho’ considerably below its nominal Value I have a young & growing Family whose Introduction into Life with favorable Prospects of being useful to themselves & Country, now bound my Wishes. Their Education on a frugal Plan is considerable & increasing. I do not trouble You or my Friends with Intercessions in my Favor; because I have the Honor to be known to you & I do not expect either there or my necessities will have more than their proper Weight with you Sir. If I should have the good Fortune to have your approbation in this Instance I can give Security for the faithful Discharge of the Duties of the Office. With the greatest Respect & Veneration I am Sir Your Most Obedient Servt

                  Jo. Carvil Hall


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 19 July 1794
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

                  Sir.
                  [19 July 1794]

               I have the honor to submit to you a form of a Commission which it may be proper to give to the Chickasaw Chiefs they being extremely desirous of something of the sort.
               I also enclose a letter just received from Captain Williamson of the Genessee Country.  I am, Sir, Most respectfully, Your obedt Servt

                  H. Knox


Title: To George Washington from James McHenry, 19 July 1794
From: McHenry, James
To: Washington, George

                  Sir.
                  Baltimore 19 July 1794.

               It having been intimated to me that two of the commissioners for the federal City intended soon to resign, and that Major Davidson of the Council of this State was desirous to devote his time to the duties of that trust if appointed, I beg leave at the request of the gentleman who gave me this information to state, that Mr Davidson has been a member of the council for several years, and deservedly in my opinion possessess public confidence; and from his habits of business and industry appears to me very well calculated to give satisfaction as a commissioner. I have the honour to be with sincere respect Sir Your most obedient & hble servt

                  James McHenry


Title: To George Washington from Robert Purviance, 19 July 1794
From: Purviance, Robert
To: Washington, George

                  Sir,
                  Naval Office, Baltimore, 19th July 1794

               The death of General Williams which I sincerely regret as a loss to the public necessarily gives to your Excellency the appointment of a successor, Being in the same department I at first thought only of stating my peculiar situation and repeating to you my gratitude for your past kindness to a Young and helpless family, and to have pray’d that you would still further extend your protection to them & me; but it having occurred to me, that in a case like the present, you might with some proofs of the light in which I may be viewed by my fellow Citizens, who have had daily & the best opportunity of Judging of my official conduct, I have inclosed a certificate containing their opinion, Should this testimonial & my past conduct through life and the Office you assigned me meet with your approbation, I shall carry with me to the grave the greatness of the Benefit I hope for in this occasion and leave behind me Children whom I flatter myself will never forget what they owe to their Benefactor. With the most unfeigned respect and veneration, I have the honor to be Sir, Your Most Obedt huml. Serv.,

                  R. Purviance


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 19 July 1794
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Washington, George

                  Sir
                  Philadelphia July 19. 1794.

               Not being able to consult the Secretary of the Treasury, as to his sense of the act, granting a million of dollars for foreign intercourse, I have examined the laws myself; and find, that this sum is in no manner appropriated to the naval armament, as you seemed to suppose in the last conversation, which I had the honor of holding with you on our Algerine affairs.
               Permit me therefore to suggest, that the 800,000 dollars, which are directed to be borrowed under this act, be expended in the ransom of our fellow citizens and a peace. Should this idea accord with your sentiments, I beg to be informed, that I may report a plan for its expenditure. A vessel, which Sails this evening for Lisbon, will carry a letter giving Colo. Humphries reason to expect instructions upon this head, as soon as possible.  I have the honor, sir, to be with the highest respect yr mo. ob. serv.

                  Edm: Randolph


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 19 July 1794
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Washington, George

                  Philadelphia July 19. 1794.

               The Secretary of State has the honor of inclosing to the President an account of expenditures at the mint, this day forwarded by the Director; and to request his instructions as to the warrant, asked for.


Title: To George Washington from Richard Dobbs Spaight, 19 July 1794
From: Spaight, Richard Dobbs
To: Washington, George

                  Sir
                  No. Carolina New Bern 19th July 1794

               On the 10th day of June I appointed Wm E. Atkins to superintend the actual execution of the works to be erected on Cape Fear river he being recommended to me as a man capable of fulfilling the duties of that appointment. Mr Joshua Potts mentioned by Genl Knox, had been previously appointed by the collector of Wilmington agent for the same bussiness.
               Mr Martinon is of opinion that the fort at the place where fort Johnston stood will not be sufficient for the protection either of the trade of that river or of the town of Wilmington as a privateer could come in over the new inlet (on which bar there is 11 feet at high water), and go up to Brunswick and Wilmington without going near that fort and he suggests the necessity of a battery of 4 guns some where near Brunswick as absolutely necessary for the safety of the shipping lying at the flats as of the two towns.
               As I suppose he has made returns to the War Office of the actual situation of those places from the view which he has taken, I expect he will write more fully upon the subject than I can at this distance from the place.
               The Secretary of War mentioned in one of his letters to me that the collector of Edenton would appoint some person who would contract for mounting the cannon at that place. I accordingly wrote to him to know if he had made the appointment. By the last weeks post I received his answer informing me that he had received no instructions respecting it.  I have therefore agreed with Mr Jacob Blount of Edenton who engages to have them mounted at the average price of what simular carriages will cost at Philadelphia, New York and Baltimore which considering the higher price of iron and labour here will be as little as they can be done for.
               Though the cannon at Edenton, appear well it is the opinion

                  of some people that they are not good which has induced me to think it would be safe to prove them previous to their being mounted. I have the honor to be etc.

                  R.D. Spaight


Title: From George Washington to Mary Dabney Anderson, 20 July 1794
From: Washington, George
To: Anderson, Mary Dabney

                  Madam,
                  Philadelphia July 20th 1794

               Not before the 8th instant had I the honor to receive your favor of the 17th of May, accompanied with a piece of Silk of your own manufacture.
               Contrary as it is to an established maxim of mine—not to accept a Present from any one—yet, considering this as a mark of your peculiar attention to me and as an evidence of what our climate, aided by industry, is capable of yielding, I receive, and thank you for this effort of your skill.
               I shall have it made up—and will wear it as a memento of your politeness having the honor to be Yr Most Obedt & obliged Hble Servt

                  G. Washington


Title: To George Washington from James McHenry, 20 July 1794
From: McHenry, James
To: Washington, George

                  Sir.
                  Fayetteville [Md.] 20th July 1794

               Before my setting out for the springs which will be on wednesday permit me again to bring into your recollection Mr George Salmon whose worth and qualities as a citizen has been the cause of my having heretofore ventured to solicit you in his behalf.  I am very sensible to the difficulties attendant on your situation and the serious embarrassments you must frequently experience in deciding between opposite combinations in favour of competitors for office, where you do not yourself possess a full knowlege of their respective characters talents and pretensions, at the same time I hope that some occasion may occur when there will be no impropriety in your wieghing the pretensions of Mr Salmon with those who may appear with a more numerous train of recommendations. Mr Salmon is much esteemed by his fellow citizens, and I believe no one could obtain a stronger general certificate in his behalf, were such a certificate considered indispensible, or necessary as an evidence of their esteem or proof of his talents; but permit me to add, that I am sincerely persuaded that you will be directed should any vacancy occur in the customs or naval office by the removal of Mr Purviance, by those disinterested and just rules and motives which have heretofore distinguished your official determinations in like cases.
               I intreat you to forgive me for this tribute to a worthy and deserving citizen, and believe me to be with wishes for a continuance of your health very truely your most obt & humbl. st

                  James McHenry


Title: From George Washington to William Pearce, 20 July 1794
From: Washington, George
To: Pearce, William

                  Mr Pearce,
                  Philadelphia July 20th[-21] 1794.

               Yesterday brought me your letter, & the Reports of the preceeding week; the first dated the 16th instt & the other the 12th.
               Frequent Rains at this season, if they do not fall too heavily, nor are of too long a continuance, will be the making of the Corn & Buckwheat; but if they are of such a nature as to prevent plowing it will be bad; however, it may so happen, that if you cannot plow in one place you may, nevertheless, do it in another; and so pressing as this work is, it would be better to shift from one field, or part of a field to another, than to let it be at a stand.
               As I do not perceive by the Reports that any part of the Wheat is drawn in, or stacked, let the shocks be frequently examined to see that no injury is sustained by the Sprouting of the grain which (however well shocked) it is apt to do, when rains are more frequent than Sunshine.
               How does the quantity, & quality of the Oats appear to turn out, since harvesting of them?  And how does the New Meadows look, and appear to have been taken with grass, since they have been cut. I wish much to have them well covered with Timothy, or Timothy & clover according to the nature of the ground.
               Remember to give John the Gardener a dollar, the last day of every Month, provided he behaves well—letting him know that it is on that express condition he is to receive it. and if a suit of Cloaths of tolerable good cloth, made to his own taste, will keep him in good humour, let him be endulged with them.  If by his conduct he merits these things, I shall not begrudge them to him.

               I am glad to hear your daughter is better—’Tis possible her disorder may have come to a crisis, & taken a favorable turn; but it will be best, notwithstanding, to make up your mind for the worst, unless the appearances are unequivocal, lest they should prove delusive, which is not uncommon in a case like hers.
               What is the matter with Betty Davis, & Doll at Union Farm, that they are—more than half their time—placed on the sick list?
               I hope particular care has been taken of the Grass Seeds in the little garden by the Salt house—and of those also in the Vineyard—that a fair experiment may be made of the value of them. I am of opinion that the everlastg Pea wd make a good Hay also. I remain Your friend

                  Go: Washington

                  P.S. July 21st The writer of the enclosed note has just been with me, and is to call this Afternoon with his Vouchers, when I shall have further conversation with him.  He is a tolerably good looking man and has the appearance of an active one—but how far any man, unacquainted with Negros, is capable of managing of them, is questionable. But let me know whether you have made any agreement yet with Crow, McKoy, or Butler or any others, as overseers—and if not suspend doing it till you hear further from me, which probably may be by next Wednesdays post.


Title: From George Washington to Richard Potts, 20 July 1794
From: Washington, George
To: Potts, Richard

                  Sir,
                  Phila. July 20th 1794

               A person has just called upon me (by direction he says) for an answer to your letter of the 17th Instt.

               I can do no more than acknowledge the receipt of it. It conveys the first information of the death of the late Collector of the Port of Baltimore; & I never decide in the first moments of such information, on a Successor; being desirous (& having so determind from the beginning of my administ.) always, to obtain a full knowledge of circumstances before I either nominate or in the recess of the Senate, appoint, Persons to Office—with great esteem—I am Yr Most Obedt Ser.

                  Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Christopher Richmond, 20 July 1794
From: Richmond, Christopher
To: Washington, George

                  Sir
                  Collectors Office Baltimore 20th July 1794

               It is with concern and regret, that I announce to Your Excellency, the Death of General Otho H. Williams late Collector of this Port. He died on Tuesday Morning the 15th instant at a place about thirty miles beyond Winchester on his way to the Sweet Springs.
               If, Sir, in the new Arrangement of the Custom House; which will of course follow from the demise of the late Collector; I may be found worthy or eligible to hold a place—I beg leave to assure you that no endeavors on my part shall be wanting, to do, and to procure to be done; every possible thing for the Interest of the Revenue of the United States.  I have the Honor to be with very high respect Sr Your most obedient Servant

                  C. RichmondDepy Collector Port of Baltimore


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 21 July 1794
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

                  Sir.
                  War department. July 21st 1794.

               I have the honor to submit to your consideration, the draft of an answer to the letter from the Governor of this State, dated the 18th instant; and also a draft of Instructions to Col. Pickering—The Secretary of State and the Attorney General concur in the approbation of these papers—If the outlines of the instructions should receive your approbation, arrangements and instructions, in pursuance thereto, for General Chapin, shall be prepared.  I am, Sir, Most respectfully, Your obedt Servt

                  H. Knox.


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 21 July 1794
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Washington, George

                  Monday evening. [21 July 1794]

               E. Randolph has the honor of submitting to the President the draught of the parts of the letter to Mr Hammond. The errors in writing will be corrected in the fair copy.


Title: To George Washington from James Blanchard, 23 July 1794
From: Blanchard, James
To: Washington, George

                  sir
                  Philadelphia July 23d 1794

               The Constitution of the United States having invested the Chief Magistrate with the power of enforcing the laws, I make application to you on behalf of Captain Peter Perrit, captured at Fort Washington in November 1776 and after his return from

                  Captivity, gave notice to the executive of the State of Connecticut of his exchange and readiness to return to his duty. & was registered in his former rank, as an officer belonging to the Connecticut line, within the time limited & repeatedly applied to General Parsons to join the regiment to which he belonged, agreeably to the resolve of Congress of November 24th 1778, but from his place being filled in his absence by another, he could not be admitted. and by the arrangement of the Army, in 1781, he was considered as supernumerary, and retiring from service, with those Officers entitled to the emoluments promised by Congress by their Acts of November 24th 1778, October 3d 1780, and January 1st 1781.
               Captain Perrit came forward last year, for a settlement, but was rejected, & petitioned Congress, who referred his case to the Secretary at War.
               Among other documents, he stated: That all officers of his description, and registered agreeable to the Act of November 24th 1778, was considered from the 13th article of War, as belonging to the continental army, until cashiered by a Court martial, or dismissed by order of Congress, in the arrangement of the Army in 1780 and 1781, and that all Officers have been invariably settled with Accordingly.
               I therefore requested, that the settlements made with a number of officers might be p[r]oduced, as a precedent, and applied to Mr Howell for a sight of the papers and a copy, by order of the Secretary at War, but Mr Howell pointedly refuses to give me my information, and pointedly assumes a determination against the applicant.
               From Mr Howell being either deficient in ability or strength of nerves, he resigned at an early period Of the war, and having no claim to commutation is as I apprehend, the cause of his prejudice and violence in the present case.
               In all courts of Justice contending parties are admitted to a knowledge of the public records, and when they are denied, superior authority is applied to. The Secretary at war Observed, that he had no controul over Mr Howell’s papers; I therefore apply to you as Chief Magistrate, and the source of Mr Howell’s appointment, and pray that I may see the settlements made with Colonel Ethan Allen, Major Francis Murray, Captains Crafford, Stratton and Patton, Lieutenants Dover, Robinson and Jenny:

                  and have a copy impartially taken to deliver to the Secretary at War, to add to the documents now before him, to report in the case of Captain Perrit.

                  James Blanchard

                  P.S. I will wait on your Secretary for an answer.


Title: To George Washington from John Kilty, 23 July 1794
From: Kilty, John
To: Washington, George

                  Sir,
                  Annapolis, July 23rd 1794.

               I beg leave once more respectfully to present myself to your Excellency among the Candidates for the Collectorship of the Port of Baltimore, made vacant by the death of General Williams, and to lay before you the enclosed Letter from the Chancellor of Maryland, which with the Testimonials I had the honour to transmit on a former occasion, must form the whole foundation of my hopes on this—Considerations of delicacy, of which it would be improper at this time to trouble your Excellency with an explanation, have prevented me from procuring more extensive recommendations.
               I hope Sir that I shall not be thought either so presumptuous or so simple as to entertain any very confident expectations of succeeding to an Office which I am told will excite the competition of many Gentlemen who, joined to great merit and the necessary talents, have the advantage of that kind of respectability which is derived from wealth and extensive connections; and some of whom have also had the happiness to render eminent public services. But although I am not of this fortunate description of Men, I should wrong the respectable persons who have advocated my pretensions, and I should wrong my own consciousness of having faithfully and zealously discharged every duty in which I have hitherto been engaged, if I wholly disclaimed any view to the important office in question: nevertheless, it is almost needless to say that if the disposition of this Office should be such as to create another vacancy in the revenue department, I should be inclined thankfully to receive the post thus vacated.
               Loth as I am Sir to trespass on your attention, I cannot pass

                  over the only occasion I may ever have of discharging my mind of an uneasiness which I have suffered on account of my letter written to Coll Howard and with my permission forwarded to your Excelly.  A judicious friend to whom I communicated such a copy as my recollection enabled me to make of that Letter, found in it a degree of impatience not justified by the occasion, and improper to be exhibited to the person on whose act it was the design of the letter to comment. If it can be supposed that there was any intentional disrespect in the observations I used, I will readily agree that apologies are unseasonable and impertinent. But allow me Sir to hope that the Testimonials which I have laid before you will if they do me no further service, protect me from the suspicion of offering at this time an interested explanation of the Letter in question Indeed notwithstanding the querulous style into which my feelings, suffering under a sense of humiliation as well as disappointment, drew me, I think the whole context of that letter will shew that I did not controvert the propriety of your Excellency’s decision on the materials before you, but that I blamed only the too great facility of Gentlemen in furnishing those materials indifferently to the first comer; a weakness remarkably prevalent in this State: which confounds all degrees of merit, and too effectually bars the avenues of public favour to those who cannot stoop to the practice of importunity, and who from constitutional diffidence and reserve are incapable of making great efforts in any matter that regards their own interests. On the whole Sir I entreat that whatever petulance appeared in that Letter may be imputed to a mortified state of mind, arizing principally from an apprehension that I had failed of success for want of greater exertions; and I hope to obtain credit when I profess that no ill fortune of my own can ever tempt me for a moment to doubt the purity of your views or the justice of your decisions.
               I shall only add Sir that this Letter with the one accompanying it, contains the whole of the means I employ on the present occasion as I deem it a derogation from your Excellency’s character and constitutional power, to use any indirect methods for obtaining an appointment, or in a word, to ask for public employment of any but the person whom the public has authorized to confer it. If this mode of acting does not on this or some future occasion procure me the notice of the General Government, I

                  must still drudge for a pittance in my present employment; But I cannot help indulging a hope that the singularity of my fortune in being reduced (not by the loss of public confidence but by a necessary regard to the interests of a young family) to become the Clerk of a Board at which I have presided, will interest your Excellency’s generosity in my behalf. In all events Sir I beg you to pardon the freedom I have used in troubling you with so tedious a Letter, and to do me the Justice to believe that I am with the greatest and most sincere Respect Sir, Your Most Obedient humble Servant

                  John Kilty


Title: From George Washington to John Page, 23 July 1794
From: Washington, George
To: Page, John

                  Dear Sir,
                  Philadelphia July 23. 1794.

               Not knowing how, with certainty, to get the enclosed letter safely to its address, I have taken the liberty of putting it under cover to you, as the Gentlemen lives, I am told, in the County you do.

               I hope you have recovered your health perfectly, & that Mrs Page & your family are well.  With very great esteem & regard I am—Dear Sir Your Obedt Hble Servt

                  Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from William Pearce, [letter not found]
From: Pearce, William
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from William Pearce, 23 July 1794. On 27 July, GW wrote Pearce: "Your letter of the 23d and the reports, have been duly received."


Title: To George Washington from Richard Peters, 23 July 1794
From: Peters, Richard
To: Washington, George

                  Dear Sir
                  Belmont [Pa.] 23d July 1794

               By Mistake I did not send the Papers herewith returned when the Rest of Sr J. Sinclair’s Agricultural Communications were returned to you.
               I have glanced over them again & see Nothing necessary (with Deference to your better Opinion) for you, Sir, to answer but a general Acknowledgment & some approbatory Remarks, as general as may be. To descend into Particulars would take up much of your Time & perhaps involve some Questions of relative Policy between the two Countries. Dr Edwards will no Doubt take upon him the Answers to the Papers addressed to him.  Some of the Points stated to him I am not perfectly acquainted with. They are as follow—
               1 Watering Meadows.
               Our Process is simple. All agree in the general Use but there are a Variety of Opinions about the Details. Some let the Water run in more Months of the Year than others. For my Part I find it does more Harm than Service in hot Weather, unless it is attended to with an Exactness which only suits a small & careful Farmer. The Winter & early Spring Water are the best. Care is necessary even as to these. Too much Water bursts the Vessells of the tender Grass. None but the coarser Kinds will stand over flooding. After the last of April I generally take off the Water—Save that I use it occasionally according to Circumstances. Our

                  Water is always from Springs or Brooks & drawn over hilly & declining Grounds. The nearer the Spring Head we esteem the better.
               2 Gypsum.
               I have somewhere a lengthy Account of this Manure, but I cannot now lay my Hands on it. I believe I have had as much Experience of it as any other Person. It is 25 Years since I first tried it; & I still continue to approve of it; tho’ not its indiscriminate Use. It is best sowed in the Autumn if a dry & frosty Winter does not succeed. But I have generally scattered it the Beginning of March, & then it depends much on a moist Season. Light dry Soils are the most proper for it. The French Plaister is most in Request, but I have had some from Nova Scotia quite as good. The Quantity 4 to 6 Bushells an Acre. Some Soils will bear 10. I find it a violent Stimulant & very whimsical in its Operations. It must have some vegetable or Animal Substances to feed on, & I have always seen that Lime is also the better for such Assistants. I have prolonged the Effects of the Gypsum by ploughing in Buckwheat, or scattering Dung lightly. With these Auxiliaries it will do to repeat it. Tillage should intervene between the Plaister Dressings, tho’ I have repeated it with Effect without ploughing. It is the best as a Top Dressing. What its Analysis may be I know not—farther than that it is a calcareous Earth & has all the Qualities of that Tribe in a very strong Degree—The Dews will remain on plaistered Ground Hours after they have left other Places. It answers for Grasses & all leguminous Plants & many Sorts of Garden Vegetables—For Turnips, Cabbages, Melons, Beets—Peases—it answers well. I have also had great Success with it on Hemp & Flax—Also on Buckwheat. As to culmiferous Crops I have never found any Use in it (except Buckwheat which is a Sort of Legume) tho’ some say they have.
               Drills 3.
               I know little about American Drills. Dr Edwards has lived in a Neigbourhood where they are used & approved of. I am no great Friend to the Drill Husbandry—especially here. But our American Drills (of which I have seen many) are a Kind of Hermaphrodites & used as Assistants to the Broad-Cast Husbandry. They deposite the Seed equally & with Facility. They are light & may be fixed to any common Plough. They are cheap & simple—the reverse of English Drills.

               Timothy Grass. 4.
               Is well known here. Fit for low wet Soils. Excellent if cut in a proper Stage. If suffered to grow too old—good for Nothing but its Seed. It is not a permanent Grass. I believe it to be more no more durable than Clover. A Biennial or Triennial at most.
               Buffeloe Clover. 5.
               I know Nothing of this Plant.
               Spring Houses. 6
               Are far superior in Point of Cheapness & Use to the artificial ones I saw in England. The Water is constantly changing as our Springs flow thro’ the Channells cut in the Floor of our Spring Houses, without the Labour & Expence attending an English Milk House. Few here are as well contrived as they might be, but must answer the Purpose. Our Butter is generally made from the Cream. Some churn the Milk but it is very rarely done.
               Making Hay. 7.
               We never ted or spread our Clover here as they do in England, but make it in small Grass Cocks or Wind rows, stirring it frequently to admit Air. It is certainly superior to the English Hay. But we owe this more to our Suns & better Weather than to superior Pains or Management. I think our Clover Crops are greater in Quantity, & better in Quality than those in England. Clover bears wet worse than any other Hay & our Seasons are favorable, as they are not so dripping as in England.
               Salting Hay. 8.
               This is an excellent Practice both for good & bad Hay. We allow about half a peck or something more to a Load or Ton, which is scattered, as the Hay is mowing, on the Stack; & it soon pervades the whole Mass. Salted Straw is better for rough Cattle than coarse Hay without Salt.
               Flax. 9.
               I believe Sr J. Sinclair’s Opinion is right according to existing Circumstances.  But if we pull our Flax green & sacrifice the Seed we can have as fine Fabrics as any Flax of any Country will produce. Thread sufficiently fine for fine Cambrics has been spun here. It is not yet our Day for these Things. Flax is a very uncertain Crop & a great Exhauster; as are all oleaginous Plants.
               Iron. 10.
               We have as good & as bad Iron as in any other Part of the World. That fused with Charcoal is always esteemed the best.

                  Labour here is too high, to give us a complete Advantage, in Competitions with European Manufacturers. The Mines & Forrests here are inexhaustible, & any Quantity could be made.
               Timber. 11.
               Our Woods are to be had of any Size, from the largest Mast to the smallest Article. When our interior Navigations are more attended to, this Trade will encrease prodigiously.
               Bark. 12.
               I know little about this Article. But I hear some Plans are on Foot for grinding & exporting considerable Quantities; & there is a Scheme in Operation for extracting its Essence. How it succeeds I know not.
               Hides & Tallow 13
               We have none to spare But when our Grazing Countries are better populated, the Provision Branch will become great, as we have every requisite to carry it on extensively.
               Wax & Honey 14
               These may be much encreased, but are now produced on a small Scale.
               On the Subject of Agricultural Encouragement from Government, I gave my Thoughts, in a Kind of Preface to a Copy of our Plan for a State Society of Agriculture, which I took the Liberty to send you sometime ago.  I am with very Sincere Esteem & Respect Your obedt Servt

                  Richard Peters


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 24 July 1794
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

                  Sir
                  War department July 24th 1794

               I have the honor to submit for your information two letters from the frontiers of Georgia one from Lt Colonel Gaither and the other from Constant Freeman both confirmative of the design of the usurpation of the Indian lands.  I have the honor to be with the greatest respect Your obedient Servant

                  H. Knox


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 25 July 1794
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

                     Sir.
                     War department—July 25th 1794.

                  I have the honor to submit, enclosed, a sketch of the Uniform proposed for the Officers of the Navy of the United States, and which has been made by the Captains present—An Idea was held out for embroidery; but I have suggested the impropriety of that additional and expensive ornament for a Republican Navy—It has therefore been left out. I am Sir, Most respectfully, Your very humble Servt

                     H. Knox


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 25 July 1794
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

                  Sir,
                  War department July 25. 1794

               The case of the late Captain Perrit has been referred to me by the house of representatives with instructions to report thereon to the next session of Congress—It is therefore under consideration.
               Upon reconsidering the subject Mr Howell will have no objection of showing to Mr Blanchard, the decisions upon the cases which he mentions and of delivering to me for the use of Congress and to enable me to judge upon the case, copies of such decisions. But it is conceived that Copies ought not otherwise to be furnished—In all cases a Claimant or his Agent may have a copy of his own account but not the Copies of the accounts of other persons.  I have the honor to be with perfect respect Your obedient Servant

                  H. Knox secy of war


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 25 July 1794
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

                  Sir
                  War department. July 25th 1794

               In obedience to your directions respecting the papers transmitted by Augustus George Christian Elholm in a letter dated the State of Georgia July the 9th 1794 I have the honor to state my opinion thereon as follows,
               First. That the President of the United States cannot with propriety hold direct correspondence with the self constituted body which Mr Elholm says he shall represent.
               Second That such correspondence would be inconsistent with the dignity of the President and humiliating to the legal authorities of the State of Georgia.
               Third, That Mr Elholm be told informally by the head of the department who shall be charged with his Affairs that the President of the United States will always hear with the utmost readiness and redress as far as in his power any grievances exhibited to him by the executive or legislative of a State But that they only can represent the situation of a State and to such only can any answer be given. I have the honor to be with perfect respect Your obedient Servant

                  H. Knox


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Sim Lee, 25 July 1794
From: Washington, George
To: Lee, Thomas Sim

               (Private)
               Dear Sir,Philadelphia July 25th 1794.
               This letter will accompany an official one from the Secretary of State—written to you by my desire—It is unnecessary therefore for me to repeat what is contained in his letter; but I shall express with frankness, a wish that it may comport with your

                  convenience to accept the proffered appointment—provided your health, inclination & habits, would enable you to discharge the duties of the office with activity.
               Experience has evinced the propriety—indeed the indispensible necessity—that the Commissioners of the Federal District should reside within the City, or so near to it, as by a daily attendance to see that every thing moves with regularity, œconomy & dispatch. The year 1800 is approaching by hasty strides; equally so ought the public buildings to advance towards completion. The prospect before them, it must be confessed, is flattering; the crisis, nevertheless, is as delicate as it is important. The places of those gentlemen who are retiring from office must be filled with others, of respectibility & decision.
               For these, and other reasons, the enumeration of which would be more fit for oral than written details, I have contemplated you & Mr Potts of Frederick Town (to whom the Secretary of State now writes) as the successors of Mr Johnson & Doctr Stuart; & to hear that the offer is accepted, would give me pleasure. If this be the case, I shall have many opportunities of filling up the out lines of the communication; if it should not, I have said more than is necessary, already.
               Candour however, requires I shd add, that the inducement to giving Salaries to the Commissioners, is, that they should live in the City or borders of it; & by doing so, and an arrangement among themselves, the necessity, and of course the expence of employing a general Superintendant of the business, may be avoided.
               It has been suggested, and I believe with propriety, that one of the Commissioners ought to be well read in law.  This, among other inducements, has brought Mr Potts more immediately into my view. The non-residence of the Commissioners in the City, has, I am persuaded, been attended with many disadvantages; and has been the source of those unpleasant disputes between them and the proprietors; the Superintendants; the workmen; &ca &ca—Their periodical meetings, & intermediate calls, although extremely fatieguing, & oftentimes very inconvenient, have not answered all the purposes of their appointment. A primary one being, that of seeing their own regulations, and orders, executed in the time, manner & spirit, they were conceived. another, hardly second to the first, is, that by being always on the Spot, they are at hand to embrace offers, & to avail themselves

                  of opportunities which frequently present, but will not wait, not only to purchase materials and to engage artizans, but to interest foreigners & Strangers who may view the City, in the purchase of lots; but who, otherwise, know not where to apply; & are unwilling to remain until one of the stated meetings shall revolve; and equally so to call a Special one. With very great esteem and regard I am—Dear Sir Your Most Obedt Sert

                  Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 25 July 1794
From: Morris, Gouverneur
To: Washington, George

               (private)
               My dear SirSainport 25 July 1794
               Since I had the Honor of writing to you on the 14th of last April I have receiv’d yours of the 13th June 1793. It was a little more than a Year on it’s Passage. Before it reached me Madame de la fayette (who in Common with most others of the Nobility had been confined in her Province) was brought on to Paris where she is now imprisoned. As soon as I heard it, which was the Day of her Arrival, I took the Steps which appear’d to me most proper for preventg the Catastrophe which is to be apprehended.  Since that period, finding that whatever may be the Inclination of Individuals every one remains silent for Fear of compromising himself, I have written to the Commissioner of exterior Relations an unofficial Letter on the 29th of last month, to which as yet I have receiv’d no Answer.  I tell him that I know not whether she is brought up to be tried or only as to a safer Place of Confinement, and that moreover I do not pretend to meddle with Matters foreign to my Mission; but think it proper to prove on that Occasion my Attachment to the Cause in which the french are embark’d &ca. I then assure him that my Letter (directed to him by the bye as a Citizen and not as Commissioner) is not official but amical, and dictated by friendly Sentiment &ca After which I state that the Family of Lafayette

                  is belov’d in America. That without examining his Conduct in this Country, which would doubtless be condemned, my fellow Citizens confine themselves to the grateful Remembrance of the Services he has rendered us: and therefore the Death of his wife might lessen the Attachment of some among them to the french Republic. That it would furnish the Partisans of England with means of misrepresenting what passes here. That I cannot but think her Existence of very little Consequence to this Government, and that I am sure it’s Enemies will rejoice at the Destruction of any Thing which bears the Name of Lafayette. I conclude by the Assurance that I have taken that Step from what I conceive to be the true Interest of the french Republic. What may be the Effect of this Application I know not, but if she is preserved for some Time I shall have Hopes: the more so as I conceive the present Rage for Executions must at length terminate. The Gazettes will give you the Details on that Subject & spare me the Pain of dwelling on it. I will here however mention to you what I have done for this unfortunate Family of Lafayette. She wrote to me last Summer desiring I would officially pledge the United States as Security for certain Sums due by his Estate, & which not being exactly within the Line mark’d out for the Creditors of Emigrants, might not be allow’d in Liquidation; and she stated that his Honor and her’s stood pledg’d &ca. You will readily conceive that I did not comply with that Request, but at the same time your Goodness will feel that a flat Denial would add Sorrow to Distress. In this Dilemma I inform’d her that it was inconsistent with the Dignity of Government to appear in such Affairs, & moreover I had not any Right to dispose of the public Property; but as far as my own could go for her Relief she might count on every Aid in my Power.  Not to fatigue you with a long Story, this Engagement ended by paying her in November last one hundred thousand Livres when the Assignats were at par (or indeed for Silver under Par) and when by the Obstacles thrown in the Way of all Negotiations it became to me an Object of very serious Inconvenience. However I had taken the Engagement and it was necessary to keep it or break my word. When she was brought up to Paris she sent a Person to me to communicate her Situation, and that of her Children, and to propose an Advance of Credit to the Amount of one hundred and fifty thousand livres, in order to compleat some Arrangements which they had imagin’d at Chavagnac. This Advance I declin’d, not

                  only because the Plan they had form’d appear’d to me unwise, but because I had not the money to dispose of, and have learnt long ago that to lend Credit generally ends by Paying the money for which the Credit was pledged, or else by mean and shuffling Tricks to avoid the Payment. Being hard prest for an Opinion of consolatory Nature to those poor Orphan Children, I authorizd the Person employ’d to assure them of my Conviction that the United States would take Care of them. This I cannot doubt of, and I flatter myself that they may all of them be yet united at some future Day in our hospitable Regions, and that they will have Cause to speak with Gratitude of the Bounty of America.
               I will not speak to you respecting public Affairs in this Place, because I have lately written to Mr Randolph pretty much at large: moreover I do not yet know by what Opportunity this Letter will be transmitted. I hope it may speedily find you in the Enjoyment of Health and of all earthly Blessings. Believe me ever my dear Sir very truly yours

                  Gouv. Morris


Title: To George Washington from Jeremiah Nicols, 25 July 1794
From: Nicols, Jeremiah
To: Washington, George

                  Sir
                  Chester Town Maryland July 25th 1794

               In the Year 1790, thro’ the Intercession of my good Friend Mr James Tilghman You thought proper to nominate Me to the Collectorship of the Port of Chester, this Gentleman being now

                  no more I beg leave to refer You to his Son Mr William Tilghman, Genl Dickinson, Colo. Cadwallader, Mr Edward Tilghman and the Mr Chews of Philadelphia for any Information which You deem necessary to my private Charecter, to the Gentlemen of the Treasury Department for my Conduct as an Officer, and in addition to these permit Me to assure You that I have endeavoured to support the strictest Impartiality and have given the closest Attention to the Duties of the Office with little or no Compensation. The Death of the Collector of the Port of Baltimore induces Me once more to claim your Attention, and if no Applicant for the Office more worthy in your Estimation, to solicit his Appointment I have the Pleasure to believe that the best Security will be given for my faithfull discharge of the Duties of the Office. I am Sir, with the greatest Respect your most obt and very hum. Sert

                  Jeremiah Nicols Collr of the Port of Chester.


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 25 July 1794
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Washington, George

                  Philadelphia July 25 1794.

               The Secretary of State begs leave to submit to the President of the United States the following observations on the arrangement of the 800,000 dollars, directed to be borrowed for Algerine purposes.
               Mr Lamb was supposed to have offered for the ransom of twenty one American Citizens 59,496 dollars; that is, about 2833 dollars each.
               Mr Simpson is said to have contracted in the Deys own books, under the direction of Messrs Bulkeleys of Lisbon for the ransom of fourteen American Citizens, 34,729 dollars, that is, about 2480 dollars each.
               The instructions to Captain Paul Jones limited the ransom of thirteen American Citizens to 27,000 dollars, something better than 2000 dollars each.
               The Dutch have lately redeemed their captives at 1000 sequins, or about 2000 dollars each.

               Supposing our remaining citizens to be one hundred and twelve, the ransom would be 224,000 dollars.
               As to a peace, our objections have been hitherto decided against the payment of a large sum in gross.
               Annual payments have been preferred; and the expression to Captain Jones on the part of the President has been, that he would be pleased with 10,000 dollars annually; contented with 15,000; think 20,000 a very hard bargain; but would go as far as 25,000 if it be impossible to get it for less; but not a copper further, this being said to be the then limit of the law—naval stores were positively forbidden to be stipulated for.
               Upon these facts, the Secretary of State has the honor of suggesting.
               1. That ransom and peace go hand and hand, if practicable; but that if peace cannot be obtained, a ransom be effected without delay.
               2. That the negociator after endeavoring to obtain a ransom at the lowest possible rate, be at liberty to go as far as three or even four thousand dollars per man; it being probable that this heavy expense need not be repeated, if either Portugal continues her enmity to Algiers, or the American frigates should be successful.
               3. That the peace may be purchased at any sum not exceeding fifteen thousand dollars per annum, and a douceur of twenty five thousand dollars in hand.
               4. That a Consul be immediately dispatched, according to the advice of Colo. Humphreys, if a qualified man can be found, and the Dey will receive him. There is a Mr Gabriels of Norfolk in Virginia, a Dutch merchant, well qualified for such an office.
               Summary of the foregoing sums.
112 Captives ...... at 2000 ...... 224,000. dollars
                    at 3000 ...... 336,000.
                    at 4000 ...... 448,000.
Say then that the ransom may amount to ........  448,000. dolrs
Add to be paid in hand as a douceur
for peace ....................................... 25,000.
                                                 473,000.
               Balance of 800,000 .............. 327,000.
               Now taking 300,000. dollars, as the principal at 5 per Cent (the probable rate of the loan) for the 15,000 dollars to be paid

                  annually, and the other 27,000 dollars for contingent charges, the whole sum of 800,000 dollars will be consumed.
               5. However, if by any modification of the 800,000 dollars a peace and ransom can be obtained, except by the payment of an excessive sum in hand, it may perhaps be adviseable to permit the negociator to modify accordingly; restricting him notwithstanding to the foregoing sums for a ransom.

                  Edm: Randolph


Title: To George Washington from Richard Dobbs Spaight, 25 July 1794
From: Spaight, Richard Dobbs
To: Washington, George

                  sir
                  No. Carolina New Bern 25 July 1794

               I have the honor to enclose you herewith a copy of the Acts and resolutions of the last General Assembly of this State.
               I have not been furnished yet with authenticated copies of the Acts entitled, "An Act to cede to the United States of America certain lands upon the condition therein mentioned" And "An Act for raising the proportion of Militia required of this State agreably to the Act of Congress of the U.S. entitled" An Act directing a detatchment from the Militia of the United States.  So soon as I receive them from the Secretary of the State I will forward them to you.
               There being no Arms or amunition in this State with which the detatchment of Militia to be raised here can be furnished, it is the request of the Legislature that the United States should provide them in such manner as you may think best. I am &c.

                  R.D. Spaight


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 26 July 1794
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

                  Sir.
                  War department July 26th 1794

               I have the honor to submit a letter just received from the Secretary of this Commonwealth containing information of measures taken in behalf of the Executive of Pennsylvania relatively to the commotions in Allegheney County.  After you have perused them I pray that they may be sent to the Secretary of State who has the other papers relating to the same subject. I have the honor to be with perfect respect Sir Your obedient Servant

                  H. Knox


Title: From George Washington to Burgess Ball, 27 July 1794
From: Washington, George
To: Ball, Burgess

                  Dear Sir,
                  Philadelphia July 27th 1794.

               Eight or ten days ago I wrote to you concerning a Manager for the Tilt hammer which you contemplated the erection of; since which I have received your letter of the 15th instant; in which, doubts of going on with it are expressed. As I am equally ignorant of the expence of erecting, & the profit when erected, I can say nothing encouraging or discouraging of the measure: but if from an apprehension that the tract you bought is sickly,

                  or from any other cause, you are disposed to part with it—it is possible the United States would become the purchaser, on which to establish an Arsenal. The person who was employed by the War department, to explore the water conveniences on the Margin of the River, above the Great Falls, (best calculated for this work) seems to have given a preference to yours, although others are favorably mentioned.
               With respect to your enquiries into the character of Crow, as an Overseer, I will relate what I know of him, fully; but it ought to be premised, that he became the Overlooker of my Union farm after I left home in 1789, and that my only opportunities of forming an opinion of him, has been from the occasional visits I have made to Mount Vernon since. The ideas I have formed of him are these—That he has good & bad qualities; but if he is to act under your own eyes, the former would preponderate, if you are strict, & will keep him with your people; and others from his house. With me (who could not look into my own business, & his disregard of those who superintended it) he was too often from home, & had too much company with him when at it; although rigidly restricted from both, by written articles; the consequence of wch (supposing the negros had been idle during his absence) was, that he and his charge were perpetually at varience. This, & inattention to the Stock, & farming impliments (not more however than usual with men who have these things provided at the expence of another) are the exceptionable parts of his character. On the other hand, he is active, understands farming full as well, perhaps better, than most of his Countrymen who have not been regularly trained to it; and possesses more judgment in conducting the business of a farm than you generally meet with among that class of people. In a word, my best crops have been raised by him; but from the causes I have mentioned (& possibly from a hasty temper) I had too frequent complaints of ill treatment, though I must acknowledge I never discovered any marks of abuse. & the whole may be summed up in this—if you can keep him always with your people he will make you a good Overseer; & without it, neither he or any other man will. With me, it is an established maxim, that an Overseer shall never be absent from his people but at night, and at his meals; and if he is intended to be under your own eye I do not conceive it would be any difficulty to accomplish this,

                  having it so expressed in a written agreement, with a penalty annexed.
               I am glad to hear that you are getting much better, and that your family are well. My love to them, in wch Mrs Washington joins. I am—Dear Sir Your Affecte & Obedt Servt

                  Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to William Pearce, 27 July 1794
From: Washington, George
To: Pearce, William

                  Mr Pearce,
                  Philadelphia July 27th 1794.

               Your letter of the 23d and the reports, have been duly received.
               The ideas which I expressed in one of my late letters, respecting the cultivation (in Corn) of the lots in the Mill swamp, were not intended to forbid the practice in all parts where it was necessary, to cleanse & prepare them for grass; but to let you see that Corn was not so much an object with me, as meadow; and that I did not want the old parts of those lots so much exhausted by cultivation, in Corn, as to be made unfit for the produce of grass—or at least of becomeing good pasture. Knowing this to be my plan, & my desire, I have no objection to your cultivating any part, and every part of the lot which is in Corn this year, again in that article, that may require it, & fit it better for the purpose it is ultimately intended. But I must again express my desire that the work be compleated as you go; if the Seasons (which I know are all in all in this business) will permit it; for to have part of the inclosure in grass and part in rushes, alders & other Shrubs, is not only an eye sore, but is a real disadvantage; as they are continually encroaching on the mowing ground. This is the case in the lot nearest the Mill Road—and in the one next above, which you talk of laying to grass this fall. These places (adjoining the Mill

                  race) more especially, it is, I want to have tended in Corn, until they are perfectly reclaimed; that the whole of the lots may be in good grass, & have a uniform appearance; even the very bed of the run I could wish to have cleared up, so as to leave no growth there, to extend its influence. After giving you this explanation of my wishes, I leave it altogether to your own judgment what parts to tend next year; & what not, in Corn.
               Does your Corn continue to grow, shoot well, & look promising?  The season is now come when rain, or drougth, is to make or mar the Crop; a drougth even now, when the Corn is beginning to fill, will produce a very scanty crop.
               Let particular care be taken of the seed of the rare ripe corn I sent home; it will be fine for the wet grounds which cannot be planted early, next Spring.
               I would not have you forego engaging any Overseer you may stand in need of, on acct of the farmer I mentioned to you in my last.  I should be affraid to commit one of the farms to his management without some previous trial; and as there will be no opening for him before Christmas, it could not suit him to wait; and besides, upon the enquiry I have made into his late pursuits, I find he has been a good deal of a Rover. Was Butler away, he might suit the home house very well, as he appears to be (though middle aged) an active man; and says, if he was put on a place he would not stir from it from years end to years end. He appears, from his vouchers, to have been a sort of household Steward, as well as farmer, & might therefore be useful at the mantion house if Butler was not engaged at that place.
               Was grass seeds sown with the Flax at Union farm?  or do you propose to sow the whole of that inclosure at one & the sametime?
               How does Mr McNeil (Oneil I believe I should have said) like the appearance of the Quarry at Mount Vernon as he uncovers it?  and has he begun yet to raise Stone?
               If you will pay particular attention to the conduct of the Overseers, or plowmen, with respect to the treatment of the young Mules, I have no objection, when there is a real necessity for it, to their being used, gently, at three years old, because they ought to be handled at that time, to prevent their becoming obstinate, & restive; but to use them as mine hitherto have been, is to all intents & purposes their inevitable destruction. A Mule does not

                  come to his strength until he is eight or nine years old; nor said to be in his prime until he is 12 or 15; to put them in the plough therefore when they are rising three, & work them as my Overseers have done mine, as they would have done a dray horse in his prime—is, in one word, an infallible mean to prevent me from raising any to be valuable: whereas with proper usage, & due care, they would serve well for thirty odd years.
               Is there any thing particular in the cases of Ruth, Hannah, & Pegg, that they have been returned sick for several weeks together?  Ruth I know is extremely deceitful; she has been aiming for some time past to get into the house, exempt from work; but if they are not made to do what their age & strength will enable them, it will be a very bad example to others—none of whom would work if by pretexts they can avoid it.
               Having said nothing of your daughters health, in your last letter, I hope she is better. I wish you both well, and am Your friend

                  Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from George Clinton , 28 July 1794
From: Clinton, George
To: Washington, George

                  Sir
                  New York 28 July 1794

               In order to furnish you with the earliest and fullest Information of the Proceedings of the Commissioners appointed by this State to fortify our Northern and Western frontier,
               I take the Liberty to enclose various communications made by them to Me: Previous to their entering upon the Business I explained to them your Ideas on the Subject as contained in a Letter from the Secretary of war of the 20th May last and I flatter myself that the measures adopted by them are conformable thereto.
               The enclosed papers as well as other accounts I have occasionally received evince an unfriendly disposition in our neighbouring Indians & should they proceed to actual Hostilities the want of Arms especially in our frontier Settlements is greatly to be regretted.
               Every mean In the Power of the State has been used to supply the Deficiency but without Effect nor can I hope that it will be accomplished but by the slow and precarious mode of Importation unless it can be done by the general Government. In which Case the most satisfactory arrangements will be made for their Return in equal good Order. Some Pieces of Small Ordinance will be also necessary for the different Posts that the Commissioners are about to erect. Which I cannot seasonably supply without the same Assistance. I have the Honor &c.

                  Geo. Clinton