Title: From George Washington to William Thompson, 18 March 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Thompson, William

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 18th Mar: 1799

Colo. Thos Lee (of Loudoun) is possessed, I am informed, of a tract of about 400 acres of Land within a mile of Colchester, which he is disposed to sell.
Let me request the favour of you to describe it to me as accurately as you can from your own knowledge, or from the information of others on whose judgment you can rely.
In doing this, say what the kind & quality of the Soil is; Whether level or broken; What the nature of growth is; what proportion is in Wood; How timbered; What tenements are on it; the condition of them; whether much worn & gullied, or in good heart; and whether they are tenants at Will or on leases, & what kind of leases, with the kind of improvements. How watered also.
To this catalogue of enquiries, permit me to ask, what, in your opinion, and the opinion of such as are acquainted with the value,

& prices of Land in that neighbourhood, & situated as it is, it is worth in Cash—also on credit, and what credit.
I will offer no apology for giving you the trouble to make these enquiries, but shall thank you for answering them; as I have an object in requesting this kindness from you—With esteem I am Dear Sir Your obedient Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from William Thornton, 18 March 1799
From: Thornton, William
To: Washington, George

Dr Sir
City of Washington 18th March 1799

I received your Favour of the 14th Inst. with the present of the three valuable Trees with which you have honored me by Coll Lear—The weather was so bad that he could not send them till the Day before yesterday, so that they were two Days out of the Ground, and there was no mould round them. I know as a Farmer that good mould is very scarce in some places. As soon as I got the Trees I planted them myself with great care, for I value them as

Trees, but a thousand times more as your Gift, and hope to crack of this present many years hence.
I am of your opinion that it is best not to disturb the chesnuts till they have made some progress. Please to accept my thanks for the present already received, and for your kind promise of a participation of the chesnuts.
Colo. Lear complained of one of his Legs very much. I examined & found it in a very bad state, but promised if he would stay with me for a week to attempt to render him some Service. He said he could not stay—you would have occasion for him, but I told him you could have no occasion for a person who was defective in his understanding. If it should not be inconvenient to favour him with a furlough he will favour me with his company for a few Days. I am delighted with his attachment and devotion to your service. All your families here are well. I am—dear Sir with my best respects to your Lady your obliged and affectionate friend W.T.


Title: From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 20 March 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Pickering, Timothy

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 20th March 1799

I am indepted to you for two letters—28th of the last, and 11th of the present month. For the information given in both—particularly the latter—I feel gratified and obliged. I hope the measure communicated therein will eventuate beneficially for this Country.
I lately received the German letter, herewith forwarded to you; as I do the Box also, which accompanied it—unopened.
The writer, as far as I have been enabled to understand the purport of the letter, seems to have been actuated by very benevolent motives. His desire, that his name may not appear, is an evidence that they were not ostentatious. For these reasons, and because Doctor Ramnitz seems to be under the impression of my being in the Administration of the Government, but above all, from an ardent wish that the Medicine might prove efficatious in that dreadful calamity with which our principal Towns have been visited, I send it, and his letter, to you, to be disposed of in such a manner

as in your judgment is most likely to try the experiment which is suggested by the apparently, well meaning Author.
The letter enclosed, is an acknowledgment of the receipt of these things with information of the measure I have taken, consequent thereof—Let me ask you to put it under cover of your own dispatches to Berlin, when you may have occasion to write to our Minister at that Court. With sincere esteem, & Affecte Regard, I am—Dear Sir Your Most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to John Frederick Ramnitz, 20 March 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Ramnitz, John Frederick

Sir
Mount Vernon in Virginia20th March 1799

Your letter of the 31st of October last, with a Box of Medicine, which you con⟨sidered⟩ would prove efficatious in the dreadful fever with which our large Sea Port Towns have been visited, got safe to my hands—and conveys a strong, and pleasing evidence of your human and benevolent intention, & wishes to afford relief to the suffering Inhabitants of them.
Having for more than two years been seated in retirement on my paternal Estate—remote from the scenes of public life, & far removed from the calamity which has pressed sorely on Philadelphia and New York, I could do no more than commiserate their situation—unable to point out a remedy for it. If your Medicine, on trial, will afford this, happy indeed will it be for those places and mankind in general, that you have discovered it—and the blessings of thousands would attend you.
Being, as I have observed above, no longer in the walks of Public life, and far removed from Philadelphia, I have sent your letter & medicine to Colo. Pickering (our Secretary of State) who resides in that City, and one in whom I can place entire confidence, to act, as you requested I would, with the latter—concealing your name. I can do no less, however, than to offer you my thanks in behalf of all those who may receive benefit by the application; and to assure you of the sense I entertain of your benevolent intentions

in forwarding of the Medicine to Sir Your Most Obedient and Very Humble Servant

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 21 March 1799
From: Biddle, Clement
To: Washington, George

Dr Sir
Philada March 21st 1799

Your favor inclosing the hundred Dollars came duly to hand and I should have acknowledged it but was in daily expectations of the river, which was unseasonably stopd by the ice, opening & to find an opportunity to send the Grass seed which did not Offer until Captain Hand a regular trade⟨r⟩ by whom I had shipped the 12 lb. of white Clover Seed and 12 lbs. of Lucern Grass Seed of which the bill of Loading is inclosed cost 13 Ds. to your Debit. The white Clover seed the seller says can be thoroughly depended on—the Lucern seed is imported & landed within a few days but being imported the seller is not so certain of but tis the latest and none was in town before—I shall attend to forwarding small packages in future by stage but the present were shipped & I expect have sailed & were directed to be left at the Custom house in Alexandria. I am very respectfully Yr mo. obedt & very humle Serv.

Clement Biddle

Flour is superfine 9¼ Ds. Common 8¾ Ds. ⅌ bbl., rather dull, but from the numerous Arrivals expected to be in more demand—Wheat according to the Quality 10/ to 12/6 ⅌ bushel & the best Virginia wheat would Command 13/—this Information from a principal flour factor.


Title: To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 24 March 1799 [letter not found]
From: Lear, Tobias
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Tobias Lear, 24 March 1799. On 26 Mar., GW wrote Lear: “Your letter of the 24th. Inst. . . . was delivered to me last night.”


Title: To George Washington from John Trumbull, 24 March 1799
From: Trumbull, John
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
72 Welbeck StLondon March 24th 1799.

I have duly received the Letter which you did me the honour to write on the 10th Decr last, with its enclosure of the 25th July, the original of which never came to hand. I beg to offer my thanks for the very obliging and friendly expressions with which you honor me in both. On the 18th of September I again wrote to you by the Nancy, Davidson, bound to Alexandria, and by her sent a small Box directed to you, & containing the Four pairs of Prints for which you was so good as to subscribe so long ago: I hope they have reached you safe.
New Scenes are indeed bursting upon us at every moment of this eventful Period; and I trust, Sir! that you are now destined to act a more important part, in this great Drama, than you have done in the former period of your Life: to save again your Country, and to establish her Security and Greatness upon a Basis broad and firm as is the Continent of which She forms a part. I beg your pardon but I cannot refrain from hazarding to you some political speculations, which I hope you will not think impertinent.
A few Months since, Portugal was threatned with the immediate

vengeance of France, preparations were made for the invasion, a passage for Troops was demanded from Spain. & the establishment of the Iberian Republic upon the Ruins of those two Kingdoms seemed inevitable and at hand: but the negotiations with Russia, the Porte, and at Rastadt assumed a more threatning aspect during the Winter, and France accepted a considerable Sum of Mony from the two devoted Nations, as the purchase of another year’s existence.
Hostilities are now recommenced on the side of the Alps, with doubtful success; but the Activity of the one party who always attack, and the slow movements, and incorrigible Error of the other in always acting on the defensive, and in Detachments, leave us but too much reason to apprehend a new Series of Disasters.
The publication, by the French, of the secret articles of the Treaty of Campo Formio, scarcely leaves to France any longer the superiority in Perfidy and Baseness; it shews the World that the conduct of the Emperor has been equally flagitious as theirs; and is admirably calculated to encrease the mutual want of confidence among the Allies.
Russia enters the field feebly with 25,000 men. the Porte is nerveless. Prussia smiles at the approaching & increased Calamities of her Rival—And England alone, of all the European powers display any of that Fortitude and Energy which alone can save them: She may survive the ruin of her Continental neighbours; but distracted with mutual Jealousy, depressed by repeated ill success, and these Evils rendered still more dangerous by the want of any great mind capable of suspending their Effects—they appear to be devoted to early ruin: and the coming Winter will probably see the French Republic, again Victorious, and more tremendous than ever.
Should the Campaign end in this manner, France will then be at leisure to attend to Spain and Portugal; and so thoroughly are they prepared that their fall will be as rapid as those at Sardinia, Naples & Switzerland, and their subversion require little more time than is necessary to the march of an unresisted army: And the Government of the new Republic being organized, Hosts of supernumerary & hungry French and Iberian Jacobins will hasten to secure the rich dependencies of America.
Two years ago the best Politicians of France regarded the possession of Louisiana and the Floridas, as sufficient to hold the

Spanish Colonies in check, “and to influence the Affairs of the United States” but with their unexampled success their ambitious views have extended, and when Spain & Portugal shall have been revolutionized, where will be the difficulty of diffusing the same principles and influence over all the American Possessions of those Powers? Countries where Oppression has long since prepared the Minds of Men for change, where Liberty and Independance are the Objects of all Men’s Wishes, and where they who shall first offer those Blessings, will be received with Rapture.
What will be the situation of the United States, when they shall have Fifteen Millions of Jacobins at their Doors, intimately connected with, and disposeable by a Power whom we have exasperated beyond the possibility of forgiveness, by the disclosure of their infamous personal Corruption & base principles of negotiation, as well as by the subsequent Addresses and Answers? Shall we then rely upon our distance from the Danger? or upon the protection of foreign Navies? or will the infant State of our own be sufficient to secure us? I may appear to exaggerate; these Objects may appear too vast to be brought into operation with such rapidity. But what Miracles have we not witnessed within a few Years? and what is there too vast not to be feared from Men whose infinite Industry, Talents Activity and Ambition are allied with principles which give them friends in the Bosom of every Nation, and who are seconded by all the desperadoes, & profligate poor, in every Country?
I certainly do not exaggerate when I say that Europe is rotten to the Heart. and that, in Europe, America has not one friend, on whose support She can rely. (so true is this, that I should apprehend little less danger to my Country, under another form, from the Ruin than from the Successes of the French Republic)—instead then of looking to Europe for safety, or Connexion of any kind, other than with this Nation for a temporary purpose: does it not appear that the true object of American Policy is nearer home? The Emancipation of our Southern neighbors, the establishment, among them, of wise and just Governments, on the Principles of rational Liberty—the diffusion of knowledge, and the cultivation of the Friendship and Affection of those whom Providence has destined to be necessarily & intimately connected with us, either as Friends or Foes: these appear to me to be Objects worthy of all the Attention and all the Energy of great, of honest, of enlightened

& benevolent Minds; Objects which if properly pursued will lead our Country with rapidity to a degree of solid power and honest Fame, equally superior to Danger and to Reproach.
It may be said to be imprudent to aid in establishing Empires which may soon become our Rivals or our Enemies. true they may become our Enemies, even if we aid to establish them; but if we do not assist them, and the work is left to France, they must become so. A Revolution may very soon take place there—the seed is sown, and the fruit will inevitably ripen. if that Revolution be conducted on Jacobin principles, those vast Countries, drenched with the Blood of all that is rich or eminent, or virtuous, will, with all their wealth become irresistible instruments in the hands of France, of spreading Tyranny and Desolation over the remainder of the Earth; and We shall be the first to sink under such an accumulated Weight of Power: but if we have wisdom & Energy to abandon our Defensive System, which has proved fatal to every Nation which has adopted it during the present Contest; and to anticipate the views of the Enemy; We not only deprive him of the immense resources which He even now derives from that source, through the medium of Spanish and Portuguese contributions, but we secure ourselves from the most serious and imminent danger to which we are exposed; We establish the Glory of our Country, with its Security; We add to both an inexhaustible source of future commercial prosperity and maritime Greatness; And We give to Liberty, to real and rational Liberty, a secure and wide asylum, where men unpolluted by the bloody Crimes, the base corruption, & the shameless profligacy of Europe may rest in Peace.
To accomplish this great and splendid object, the renewed confusions of Europe leave us ONE YEAR more. I pray God that We may improve that short period with all our Energies; for I see no other means of securing ourselves from the common Ruin which hangs over the Heads of all civilized Nations.
I hope to have the Happiness of seeing the Evening of your Life more useful and more glorious than its Noon, and of saluting you, my Dear Sir, not merely as the Father of the United States, but of the United Empires of America.
I trust that you will not think I have been forward or officious in thus freely communicating to you my Ideas of the dangers of our common Country, and of the means of averting them—living amidst Scenes of daily and astonishing change, and a near witness

to the boundless and succesful Ambition of France, and of the Perfidy, the mutual Jealosies, the Distraction and the Weakness of the rest of Europe: I look with encreasing Anxiety to my Country when I see her pursuing the same Defensive System which has lead so many Nations to successive Ruin. This is no time for common Policy or temporizing measures—the Danger is imminent, the Plans of our Enemy are vast as the World; and we must oppose to them Policy equally vast—Activity equally indefatigable & Courage equally ardent—these honestly and earnestly exerted in the Cause of real Liberty and Virtue, will Triumph over all the Arts and Power of Vice.
May Heaven long preserve a life & Health from which human Nature has received so much, and from which She has still so much to hope and to Expect.
I beg you to present my respectful remembrance to Mrs Washington, and to accept the assurances of the encreased Respect gratitude and Veneration of Dear Sir your much obliged & faithful servant & friend

Jno. Trumbull


Title: To George Washington from John Churchman, 25 March 1799
From: Churchman, John
To: Washington, George

March 25th 1799.

John Churchman presents his respectful compliments to General Washington, & altho almost out of Season, he wishes to make an apology for a certain Transaction which he understood was made known to the General, just before he resigned the important Office of President, a Transaction which might have done J. Churchman some Honor had he acted with caution, but he is afraid it has been construed to the contrary, therefore as his reputation is concerned which is dearer to him than life, he begs Liberty to State the case, & hopes to be pardoned for so doing.
After J. Churchman had got on Ship Board, he received under cover directed to himself, from the American Consul at Bordeaux,

a Packet directed to Timothy Pickering Esqr. Secretary of State, Seeing the cover was directed to J. Churchman, he first broke the outside Seal; & without taking time to examine he broke the Seal of the Letter to the Secretary of State before he suspected it was for any other person besides himself, for as he had a short time before received through the hands of the American minister then at Paris, & the Consul at Bordeaux, a Copy of a Diploma from an European Academy of Sciences, he expected this Letter contained the original Diploma, & immediately after he discovered his error, he Sealed up the Letter & delivered it in Person to a Servant at the Door of the Secretary on the evening of the Day on which he Landed. Altho a Stranger to him he would have been very glad to have Spoken to the Secretary at that time, only on account of a tedious Voyage he happened to be scarce of clean Linen. A few days after this, J. Churchman introduced himself to the Secretary of State as the Bearer of his Letter, at which the Secretary said (in such a manner that alarmed him) that he was glad to hear it for the Letter had been opened, at this J. Churchman was at first afraid of being prosecuted, & said he did not open the Letter, neither did he for he only broke the Seal, but soon after on the same day J. Churchman took fresh courage, called on the Secretary of State again, & explained the whole affair to him, & was treated so Politely by him, that J. Churchman was very sorry he had not the resolution to have been so candid at the first interview.
N.B. A copy of the above was shewn to the Secretary of State some time past with a very little Variation.


Title: From George Washington to Julius Burbidge Dandridge, 25 March 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Dandridge, Julius Burbidge

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 25 Mar. 1799

The enclosed came undercover to me a few days ago, and not knowing into whose hands better to place it than yours, I forward it to you accordingly.
The doing so, furnishes an opportunity of condoling with you, and the other friends of Mr John Dandridge, on his death; an event I sincerely regretted.
From the Superscription, I know the enclosed letter is from your brother Bartholomew; who, no doubt, has therein, informed of his present situation; should I be mistaken however, in this conjecture, he is now Secretary to our Minister (Mr King) in London; a Post as honourable, as it may ultimately prove advantageous to him in his passage through life. The family at this place are all well, and offer you there best wishes. With esteem I am Dear Sir Your Obedient & Hble Servant

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 25 March 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Dear Sir
Mount Vernon 25th Mar: 1799

Your letter of the 14th instant with its enclosures, came to hand by the last Post.
In the present State of the Army (or more properly the Embryo

of one, for I do not perceive from any thing that has come to my knowledge that we are likely to move beyond this) and until the Augmented force shall have been Recruited, Assembled and in the Field, the residence of the Paymaster Genl (I did not know there was one until your letter announced it) will be found most eligable at the Seat of the General Government; and you will please to give such Orders respecting it, as you shall think proper, for I am unwilling to issue any.
Under this Cover, you will find a letter which I have just received from Colo. Hamtramck, with a short acknowledgment of its receipt; which you will be so good as to forward with your dispatches for the Western Army. With very great esteem & regd I am Dr Sir—Yr Most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 25 March 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Spotswood, Alexander

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 25⟨th⟩ Mar. 1799

I do not know how it happened but so it is, that a considerable interval always takes place between the date of your letters to me, and my receipt of them; notwithstanding I send regularly to the Post Office every other day, and frequently every day, when I have reason to expect letters on business.
Premising this, I have to add, that your letter of the 15th instant enclosing one from Mr Short (which I return) did not reach me until yesterday.
When you shall have occasion to write to that Gentleman, you would oblige me, by offering him my thanks for the trouble he has been at to ascertain Mr Abrahm Hite’s price for Woodrows Survey; and at the sametime he is informed of my declining the purchase, I cannot but feel pleasure in finding that lands on Rough Creek look so high; for as you have justly observed, if Mr Hites land is valued at 10$ pr acre, mine which surrounds it, ought, by analogy, to bear some proportion thereto. When I authorised Mr Short to

proceed to the amount of 20/ pr acre, I conceived I had stretched the value to its utmost limits; the result of his negociation will have a tendency to make me enquire a little more minutely into the value of my own: for although I am not able to give such prices for Lands in that part of the world, I should have no objection to receiving them, if persons can be found who are inclined to become purchasers on similar terms.
I thank you for the Paragraph cut out of Greens Paper, although I had seen it before. What the tale of the Tubs has turned out to be, I have not heard; but the manner in which it was concealed, is strongly evinsive that it was intended for the select only. Many tales of this kind have been, and will continue to be related whilst we have a Party in this Country who are disposed to give them efficasy. One similar to this (just before I left the Administration of the Government) was concealed in a parcel of Tobo on the Ohio, but unfortunately was not known until it was too late. Yet, the Laws of self perservation against these People are set to view in the most odious light. Except colds, we are all well here—& unite in every good wish for you & Yours, with Your Affece frd.

⟨Go: Washington⟩


Title: From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 26 March 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Lear, Tobias

Dear Sir,
MOUNT VERNON 26th. March 1799.

Your letter of the 24th. Inst. enclosing one from Major Rivardi was delivered to me last night.
It gives me pleasure that you are recovering from your lameness, and repeat the wish contained in my last that you would use the means for perfect restoration, and remain as long with Doctr. Thornton as he may conceive advisable.
With respect to the letter from Major Rivardi, it would be proper to send it, by my direction, to Genl. Hamilton that he may issue such orders in consequence thereof as to him shall appear to suit the occasion; informing the Major thereof. Refering him to

my former letter for the mode of his communications in future.
Mrs. Washington has had (it is now better) a very bad Cold in other respects the family are as well as usual, & unite with me in good wishes for you & Complts. to Doctr. Thornton’s family. I am Yr. Sincere friend & Affecte. Servt.
P.S. If you should happen to see Mr. Blagden, pray ask him when he expects to be in mortar—in other words, when he expects to lay the foundation stone.


Title: To George Washington from John Tayloe, 26 March 1799
From: Tayloe, John
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Mannsfield [Spotsylvania County]26th March 1799

After getting thus far on my way to your house—I have been taken with a fever & a severe indisposition—which obliges me to return home as quickly as possible—I pray you therefore to excuse me for not returning you in person many thanks for your civilities—& marked attention. & assure yourself I will embrace the earliest opportunity in doing so—T’was my intention to have set out for Phi[ladelphi]a ten days ago—but for the enclosed letter—which I enclose for your perusal—In this business I shall not act untill I can have an interview with you—If at your leisure—I could have the pleasure of an acknowledgement of this you will confer an obligation on—Your respectfull & obliged Servt—

John Tayloe


Title: To George Washington from Mason Locke Weems, 26 March 1799
From: Weems, Mason Locke
To: Washington, George

Very honord Sir.
Dumfries March 26 [17]99

I was t’other day in Norfolk where a very particular friend of mine Captn James Tucker a man of merit and money, begd me to ask a favor of you which we both concluded your goodness wd readily grant.
Captn Tucker is a Wealthy Merchant of Norfolk, largely in the importing line. He has lately been applied to for a quantity of Merchandize on credit by a Gentleman who calls himself Major James Welch and who says moreover that he is the man who purchasd your excellency’s Western lands of which report says you sold so much some time ago.
Captn Tucker wishes to know whether a Major Welch did purchase your excellency’s lands or a part of them, and whether he met your excellency’s expectations in the way of Payment.
If your excellency will condescend to honor me with a line on this subject it will be very gratefully acknowledgd both by Captn Tucker & his and your Excellency’s much Obligd

M. L. Weems.


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 27 March 1799
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

PrivateDr Sir
New York March 27. 1799.

At length we are on the point of commencing the recruiting service in five of the States, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey,

Pensylvania & Delaware. It is hoped, that it will not be long in successively embracing the others, where officers have been appointed. But in our affairs ’till a thing is actually begun, there is no calculating the delay, which may ensue. You have been informed that the recruiting service has been put under my direction, but for many matters of detail I must go to the Secretary for a sanction and it is not always that it is rapidly obtained. Things however are at last getting into such a state that this business may be expected to progress without interruption.
The letter some time since sent you for General Lee was intended to be left open. It respected the division of Virginia into four districts and Twenty sub-districts or company rendezvouses, designating a place in each for the head Quarters of the rendezvous—I have as yet had no acknowledgement of it.
Before General Morgan left Philadelphia, I got him to give me a plan. Inclosed is a copy. If you think a better arrangement can be made, shall I ask the favour of you to have it done⟨.⟩ For I cannot now rely on the success of my resort to General Lee in any reasonable time. Very respectfully & Affecly I have the honor to be Sir Your obed. serv.

A. Hamilton

Will you have the goodness to put the letters herewith in a train to reach their destination with certainty. They are open that you may perceive their object.


Title: To George Washington from William B. Harrison, 28 March 1799
From: Harrison, William B.
To: Washington, George

Dr Sir
March 28th 1799 Leesburgh

This day I met with your Letter of the 4th Instant in the office of this place I do not know precisely the number of Acres I hold

in the track of Land aloded to my Self I did under take to Survey it once at which time you did me the Honor to ride & Show me the Beginning Corner & after that you Left us we proceeded to search for Lines & Corners for two days at last quit witht doing any thing & have never attempted it Since[.] I Recivd a Letter from a Mr Beal in 91 informing me of A Survey that was Likely to take place of Lands that Joind the Chappel Lands Calld for the Corners running with the Lines &c. and woud Consequently Establish mine, and that Colo. mason & Mr Chicester woud be present, it was out of my power to attend, I am told the survey did actually take place & the Corners were provd to the Satisfacton of the parties present So that I have only to survey agreable thereto to Ascertain my quantity which I mean to do this Spring, as for the Rent being 2000 lbs. of tobacco, you are misinformd the Rent has been Ever Since the Old Lease was out 2500 lbs. & Eight pounds Cash which I have Recivd Commonly about the time it becom due, and was offerd 3000 lbs. of tobacco by John Robinson and five pounds of fish two of Shad & three of herings which was to have been delivd in Alexandria I did not choose to take it for Reasons I assignd you in a former Letter, & as for asking a Rent that is un Reasonable from you or taking much Less it is not my Intention or desire but to the Contrary If either Extream it shall be the Latter for Reasons assignd in yours of the 4th of Novmbr, I never have been offrd twelve dollars Cash pr a[c]re for those Lands I was Offerd twelve & a half by a good man if I woud give three years Credit for part of the money which part was to have been divided in three annual payments the Last at the End of the third year I have also been offerd 2400 pounds on a Mr Welch the gentleman that offerd it woud not Garrantee the Bonds for Reason he did not make a practice to do so & I woud not take them with out, I was also offerd twenty five hundred pounds which was to have been on a Mr Hambleton who formally Lived in Alexandria 20/ of the money pr acre was to have been paid down the other part to be on Long Credit, after the first payment it was proposd that I shoud make a Title this I Refused & have had several other offers not worth mentioning, I woud not wish to deal in the way pointed out in yours to me if I take paper at all it must be yours for no Other will do, If you incline to Rent my Lands you may have a Lease During your Life & your La[d]y’s on the terms I proposed

in my former Letter to you I mention this Circumstance being diferent, and as what might be thought a high Rent now woud in all probality be in a few a very few years Low one and it is to be observd that I might have had a Considerable more Rent from the same set of tenants if I had given them a Lease for any Length of time, they have only held the Same from year to year, I knew nothing of your proffer to Genl Lee & it is more than probable I may have barterd Mr Sims with my Lands as I all ways found him the Night of the market in Alexandria and very punctual as far as we have delt as you have said in a former Letter you must & shoud improve them from your own Lands I am ⟨mutilated⟩nd to give you the Refusial not with standing it may be of Great disadvantage to me in parting with or Renting them for I might meet with a man that woud wish to purchase Decisively a way & before I coud give you the Refusial he Could not wait & might Consequently Choose to be off I am with All the Respect A mortal Can frame yours &c.

Wm B. Harrison

N.B. please observe the Refusial is intended to Extend only to Renting & if I discover on further Examining & surveying my Lands that I can or ought to take Less you shall amediately hear from me. Wm B. H.


Title: To George Washington from Samuel Washington, 28 March 1799
From: Washington, Samuel
To: Washington, George

Dear Uncle
Chas Town March 28th 1799

I received your kind Letter by Coll Lear but never had it in my power to Answer it untill know being Oblige to Leave home, you ware kind enough to Mention if you recd the Money you expected that you would Let me have some I am know in the greatest want of it as the Executions that I mention’d to you in my former letter have come out against me to the Amount of Three or four hundred pound which I am affraid will take nearly all my Negroes to pay them, not Only the Loss of my Negroes but I shall Lose the Makeing of a crop which is all the way I have to support two Families. Know My Dear Uncle could you posibly Lend me that sum you will be the means of releasing me from the hands of the Sheriff for ever for if I am Once Clare I will warrant never to owe one Dollar as Long as I Live there is but one Suit besides those Executions against me, and that I shall be able to discharge this fall by the sale of my Land which I am in hopes of doing by that time. I will then return you the whole you are good enough to Lend me, I wished to have paid you a Visit, but my Father has been so Ill and still continues unwell that I am affraid to Leave him could you do any thing for me I shall thank to enclose the check on the Bank to me by the first post, which I can turn it here in to Money for I am affraid I cant keep the Sheriff of much Longer, I remain Dear Uncle you Affecton⟨e⟩ Nephew

Saml Washington


Title: From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 31 March 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Lear, Tobias

Dear Sir,
MOUNT VERNON 31st. March 1799.

If perchance you should happen to see Mr. Blagden before you leave the City, be so good as to get from him a statement of the preparations for my buildings therein. I do not find by inquiry of Mr. Lewis, that there is much show of this on the ground! I advised strongly that the foundation stone and lime, should be laid in last Autumn, when the Roads were good;—had this been done the Work might have commenced (without the hazard of disappointment) with the opening of Spring. Now, bad Roads, & multiplied excuses may be a plea for the backwardness of the Work.
I pray you also to enquire if there be any advice of the arrival of the Ship Hamilton (on board of which I had six Hhds. of Tobo.)

at London. We all unite in best wishes for you—and I am Your Affecte friend

Do not forget my Gardener’s Dictionary at Mr. Laws.


Title: To George Washington from James McHenry, 31 March 1799
From: McHenry, James
To: Washington, George

My dear Sir.
Philadelphia 31 March 1799

This is sunday, and I shall employ, a part of it, in returning my acknowledgments for the candor, friendship and sincerity which is evidenced in your letter of the 25th instant.
In answering to your questions I shall follow your own order.
You ask in the name and in behalf of the officers who have been appointed, and of the army intended to be raised, what keeps back the commissions and arrests the recruiting service.
Let me observe in the first place that the officers appointed by the President out of the list which you recommended, were written to on the 10th of January last and requested to signify, whether they accepted or not their appointments. Out of the number then appointed and written to, there are ninety five from whom no answers have been received, twenty one of which number belong to the State of Virginia.
Considering the number appointed, and that a sufficiency of time has not yet elapsed to receive answers of acceptance or non acceptance from them, it will not be supposed, when this circumstance is called into view and fairly examined, that any officer has a right to complain of neglect, or that his commission has been unnecessarily detained.
In the second place, you will recollect, that the nominations for the Regiment, whose officers were to be drawn from Connecticut, did not take place ’till the last days of the late session of Congress, and that it is not yet one month since these have been appointed.
In the third place, the officers who have been notified of their

appointment ought to have understood, that it was not contemplated to settle the question of their relative rank until after the whole appointments for the additional Regiments should be completed. Each of them, has been expresly told, “that until a complete nomination & appointment of the whole number of officers for the troops to be raised, took place, the President had thought it adviseable to reserve the subject of relative rank for future arrangement.[”]
Has this event yet happened? Far otherwise. It was only the 16th inst. I received from Major General Pinckney the names furnished him by Governor Davie, of persons for the officers agreed to be drawn from the States of North Carolina, Kentucky & Tenessee. I forwarded these the same day to the President requesting authority to signify to them their being appointed. As for the officers to be taken from South Carolina and Georgia General Pinckney has not yet forwarded their names.
It was intended by you and the General officers, that the last appointed of the new Regiments, were to stand precisely upon the same ground as it respected rank, as those first appointed. Why then should officers, knowing this, wish to anticipate commissions, previous to their relative rank being determ[in]ed?
Further, if the officers are men of sense, they must know, that being in possession of the letter of appointment, their appointment is as complete as if they were commissioned; and that where no exception to their being intitled to pay, ’till called into service, has been expressed in their letter of appointment they will receive from the date of their letter of acceptance, the pay & emoluments of their office.
I hope this exposition will, at least, be satisfactory to you. Perhaps you will recollect, a relative circumstance under one of my predecessors; The officers for the army directed to be raised March the 5th 1792, were not commissioned for twelve months after they had been appointed. I do not know whether this occasioned any uneasiness among the officers, or censures upon the then Secretary of war. If it did not, I have only to lament, that where there is so much less reason for censure, I should be the sufferer.
While on this subject I must intreat you to say to me with your usual candor and friendship, whether you think I should have done right in ordering a partial issue of commissions?

But, what is it arrests the recruiting service.
You know what prevented it from being commenced last year. that it was not until the 15th of October, the relative rank of the Major Generals could be decided, and, that the difficulties and obstructions prescribed by the treasury department disenabled me from making any provision of Cloathing. You know also, that the situation in which two of our large Cities were placed by a pestilential disease, had there been a sufficiency of money at my disposal, would not have permitted of purchasing the necessary cloath for the army, or the making of it up could it have been procured. In addition—the United States cannot at this moment furnish a sufficient quantity of white cloath for vests and overalls for the army to be raised.
What have I done? I have at an early day directed the Purveyor to purchase a sufficiency of cloath for the army of the old and new establishment; and have had at work as many hands as he could obtain to make it up. This mode was preferrd to obtaining the cloathing by Contract, as more expeditious and perhaps more œconomical. the work is going forward with great alacrity, and I am assured that there will be turned into store from henceforward a weekly supply adequate to the calls of the recruiting service however vigorously conducted.
What more have I done? I have as you will see in my instructions to Major Generl Hamilton dated the 4th of Febry, ulto, confided to this officer the sole direction of the recruiting service. I have invited him, “to lose no time in dividing the states from which officers have been lately appointed, into as many districts, as there are companies to be raised in them, and forwarding to the officers to be employed respectively in each district, through the commandant their recruiting instructions, with orders, either to hold himself prepared to enter upon the service, the moment he receives your ulterior directions, or to engage provisionally, as many recruits as are willing to enrol themselves on his list, and who may be promised pay from the day of their being enrolled and sworn, with their bounty upon the officers receiving his final instructions, or (which perhaps is safer) upon their arrival at the general rendezvous.”
The existing recruiting instructions to Recruiting officers were referrd to him for revision or such additional articles as he might deem necessary; and he was desired to indicate to me as soon as

possible, the several stations where rations must be provided that measures may be taken accordingly.
I received on the 23 of March an arrangement of districts for the States of Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. I also received from him—
On the 30th inst. or yesterday an arrangement of Virginia into districts.
He has also informed me, that a plan for the two Carolinas & Georgia has been asked of General Pinckney, but that there has not been time to obtain his reply.
I have also received from the General the recruiting instructions revised, and have had them reprinted with some additions and forwarded to him. Inclosed is one of them.
I have also directed two parcels of cloathing nearly equal to a requisition made by him, for the Connecticut and New York recruiting Districts and expect to have a sufficiency for the other Districts ready to answer his calls as they arise.
Could either the General, or the Secretary of war, have done more, or done it sooner, to commence the recruiting service? If you think we could not, let me intreat you, to prevent the operation of any censure, which may be attempted in your presence to be fixed upon either; or which you may have in your power to dissipate.
I shall make but one other reflexion on this subject. I lament as much as you, the oppertunities we have lost, to raise an army of the best men, and that it is too probable we must accept of such men as in general are found to compose the great bulk of every army. When I spoke of the time we had lost, after all my proposals for organising the army had been rejected or procrastinated, what was the reply of the President on the 28th of October 1798. He observed. “As to the recruiting service, I wonder whether there has been any enthusiasm, which would induce men of common sense to inlist for five dollars a month, who could have fifteen when they pleased by sea or for common work at land? There has been no rational plan that I have seen as yet formed for the maintenance of the army. One thing I know, that Regiments are costly articles every where and more so in this Country than in any other under the sun. If this nation sees a great army to maintain without an enemy to fight, there may arise an enthusiasm, that seems to be little foreseen. At present there is no more prospect of seeing a French army here, than there is in heaven.”

Recall after reading this, my propositions, respecting the appointment of officers, the arrangement for the recruiting the men &c., to the President which you had approved of, and which was communicated to him by letter on the 4th of August 1798, and make your own reflexions.
I find I have too little time left me to-day, to go fully into some other points in your letter. I must therefore reserve what I have to detail to another opportunity. Let therefore a few words suffice for the present.
It was not one representative alone who opposed the appointment of Gibbs; but every influencial member from Massachusetts in both branches; to which is to be added both Mr Wolcott and Mr Pickering.
Mercer has been pressed upon the President in a manner which could not be resisted.
This is all I have time to say.
You will no doubt perceive, that the situation in which I have been thrown during the last year, by others, who prevented all those measures from being carried into effect, which the public expected would necessarily take place, in conformity to the laws, could not fail to attach to me much censure and excite in the minds of persons, who could not be informed of the facts, that I wanted capacity for the proper conducting of my department. What could I do in such a case? I have submitted, to a censure which those who know all the case, ought to relieve me from, on every fair occasion when it can be done with propriety.
Be assured I shall attend to my little friends promotion the moment I can find a vacant nich above that which he now fills.
Accept once more of my sincere thanks for your letter, and let me intreat you to continue to give me such proofs of your friendship as often as you think they will be useful to apprise me of the public expectations, or any omissions or faults into which I may fall. Sincerely and most affectionately I am my dearest Sir your ob. st

James McHenry

Excuse any thing in this letter which may have proceeded from the haste in which it has been written. It is the first draught, and I have not read over.


Title: From George Washington to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 31 March 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Pinckney, Charles Cotesworth

My dear Sir
Mount Vernon 31st Mar: 1799.

When Major Pinckney was here (returning from Philadelphia) he expressed the earnest wish of the Gentlemen of South Carolina to get into the breeding of Mules from good Jacks—I said, but I believe not in a way to be understood, that I should part with some of my young Jacks (three of which he saw) descendents from Royal Gift, out of Imported Jennies.
In a letter which I have written to General Washington I have mentioned this circumstance that if your brother, himself, or any other of their friends are disposed to purchase they may know where, and on what terms they can be supplied with these valuable animals.
I sent him a correct discription of two young Jacks—copy of which, for Major Pinckney’s information, I enclose as it is probable my namesake may be on his journey hitherwards before my letter may have reached Charleston. With much esteem I am always Your Affectionate ⟨Servt⟩

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Benjamin Stoddert, 31 March 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Stoddert, Benjamin

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 31st March 1799.

This letter will be presented to you by Burwell Bassett Esqr. one of the Senate of this Commonwealth—and a Nephew to Mrs Washington—whom I beg leave to introduce to your civilities.
Mr Bassett will mention to you the wish of another of Mrs Washingtons Nephews—Mr Robert Henley—to obtain a birth as Midshipman in one of our Frigates (if youths of Sixteen are admitted).
I am not, myself, acquainted with this young Gentleman; but on Mr Bassetts report of him, ⟨who is⟩ you may entirely rely. I have the honor to be with esteem & respect Dear Sir Your Obedt Hble Servant

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to John Tayloe, 31 March 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Tayloe, John

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon Mar. 31st 1799

Your favour of the 26th from Mansfield, with its enclosure (which I return) came duly to hand.
I regret your not being able to proceed further than Mansfield,

on your journey hither, and still more the cause, which, ’ere this, I hope is entirely removed.
At all times, and upon all occasions, I should be glad to see you under my Roof—and with best respects to Mrs Tayloe, in which Mrs Washington joins I remain with esteem & regard Dear Sir Your Obedt & Very Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Mason Locke Weems, 31 March 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Weems, Mason Locke

Sir,
Mount Vernon 31st March 1799

Your letter of the 26th instt came duly to hand. In answer thereto, I inform you that, my sale to Mr James Welch, of the Lands I hold upon the Great Kanhawa, is conditional only.
He has a Lease of them at a certain annual Rent—which if punctually paid, for Six years, and at the end thereof shall pay one fourth of the sum fixed on as the value of them; and the like sum by Instalments the three following years, and this without any let or hindrance—that then, and in that case only, I am to convey them in Fee simple—not else.
This is the nature of the agreemt between Mr Welch and Sir—Your very Hble Servant

Go: Washington

P.S. It may not be amiss to add that the first years Rent (due in Ja[nuar]y last) is not yet paid.


Title: From George Washington to Samuel Washington, 2 April 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Washington, Samuel

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 2d April 1799.

Your letter of the 28th of last Month came to my hands last night.
Inconvenient as it is to me (and nothing can be more so, than it is at this time) to part with what little money I have in the Bank of Alexandria; yet, rather than suffer your Negros to be taken in Execution, and sold perhaps at half price, I will answer your draughts to the amount of One thousand dollars, but not one cent beyond;

as that sum will take nearly every farthing I have in the Bank, & is insufficient to meet demands which, every moment, I expect will be made upon myself.
The reason why I chuse to answer your draughts, instead of sending you a check on the Bank; is, because the latter is too hazardous to risk by the Post. A check is always made payable to the bearer, consequently if my letter was to get into improper hands, you might derive no benefit from it, whilst I should lose it altogether; and neither of us be acquainted with the fact until it would be too late to apply a remedy: for the bearer would receive the money without any questions being asked; the check would be a voucher at the Bank that it had been paid; I should be charged therewith; and until a settlement with you, should never know whether you had received it, or not. On the other hand, an order drawn upon me, in favour of any one, that person, or his Assignee, will receive a Check to the amount thereof, on the Bank: and no risk is run, by the draugher, or payer.
Nothing but the desire of preserving you, from what you say would be your ruin, has induced me to advance this money; for I have not only not received the money I wrote you I expected, but am now convinced I shall not do it without going into a Court of justice, to recover it; while taxes (and very heavy ones); unavoidable expences; and buildings which I was importuned (on Public considerations) to erect in the Federal City (and by contract am to advance money to carry on when demanded) will drive me to the necessity (if I can obtain it at all) of borrowing at the ruinous interest it is loaned, at the Bank.
I cannot conclude this letter without remarking, that Building such a house as I am told you have (under such circumstances as you were) was an extremely imprudent act; whether done with the money you borrowed from me, or obtained by other means. Knowing that you had made yourself liable for your fathers Debts, the discharge of them ought to have been your first consideration; or, at any rate, if to build was indispensable, a small house, or house upon such a plan as might have become part of a whole, when compleated, ought to have contented you. What has happened however cannot now be undone, and the object of these remarks is to advise caution.
It would be convenient to me, to draw your Orders at as long a day as you can obtain; but I will pay at sight, rather than you shd

suffer. If orders upon me will not be received, or received with reluctance, you must either come down yourself, or send some one in whom you can confide, for the money. At any rate write me, without delay, that I may know what to expect, & be prepared. I am sorry to hear that your father has been so much indisposed; My best wishes & love are offered to all the family, and I am Dear Sir—Your affecte Uncle

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 3 April 1799
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Private
Dr Sir
New York April 3. 1799

Agreeably to your letter of the 25 of March, which with its inclosures have come duly to hand, I have written to the Pay Master General to repair to the Seat of Government. Your letter to Col. Hamtranck goes by the same opportunity.
The arrangements for beginning to recruit in the States of Connecticut, New York, Jersey, Pensylvania and Delaware, are so mature that it will be very extraordinary, if the business does not actually commence in a Week. Nothing in my power will be omitted to press it forward in the other States. The prospect of success in the middle and Northern States is not bad.
I get nothing very precise about the Insurrection. But every thing continues to wear the character of feebleness, in respect to the measures for suppressing it. And though I hope it will not become very serious, yet it will not be astonishing, if from mismanagement, it should become more troublesome than it need to be. With greatest respect & attachment I remain Dr Sir Your Obed. Sr.

A. Hamilton


Title: To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 3 April 1799
From: Lincoln, Benjamin
To: Washington, George

Boston [April] 3d 1799

I received yesterday, My Dear General, your favour of the 17th Ulto—I have seen the Manufacturer of Glass and have given to him the different sizes you have written for and the Number of each. He cannot accomodate you, at this moment, with the largest panes of the best kind of Glass he therefore wishes three week in which time he will have the whole ready boxed for Shiping; After I [s]hall embrace the earliest opportunity of forwarding it.
I conversed respecting the place of payment thereon, found that if the money should be paid at Baltimore it would be equal to its being paid here. With the Acct you will have the name of the house there to which it is to be paid. With the greatest esteem I am my dear General your most obedient servant

B. Lincoln


Title: To George Washington from Charles Demoumonier, 5 April 1799 [letter not found]
From: Demoumonier, Charles
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Charles Demoumonier, 5 April 1799. On 6 April Tobias Lear wrote Demoumonier: “General Washington has received your letter to him dated the 5 inst. . . .”


Title: From George Washington to William Booker, 7 April 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Booker, William

Sir,
Mount Vernon April 7th 1799

Your letter of the 31st Ulto has been duly received.
The first of June will answer my purposes very well, for you to be here; and I shall expect you at that time, or by the 10th accordingly.
It will not, I presume, require much time to erect the Mill, and if done before the Water of my Grist Mill fails, it is all I require. In the meanwhile the Scantling shall be prepared agreeably to your directions. With esteem I am Sir Your Obedt Hble Servant

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to James McHenry, 7 April 1799
From: Washington, George
To: McHenry, James

Private
My dear Sir,Mount Vernon 7th April 1799
When your letters of the 30th & 31st Ulto were brought here, I was on a Survey of some land I hold in the vicinity of Alexandria; on which, as I was informed, & as the fact proved, considerable trespass had been committed. To complete this business I was employed near three days; and now, company will allow me to do but little more than to acknowledge the receipt of those letters.
Two things, however, I shall not forbear mentioning at this time. The first is, that while I was at Phila. & since, when I heard your conduct arraigned for not having the Augmented Force organized

sooner, & for the consequent delay in Recruiting; I did then, & on all other proper occasions, declare that circumstances over which you had no controul, were the causes thereof; & that no blame ought to be attached to you. The other matter is, that if the issuing of Commissions to those who have accepted their Appointments, is to be suspended until you hear from all those who have not acknowledged the receipt of your Circular letter, or some missive (if the Circular is not competent thereto) is not given by which the accepting Officers may know what they have to rely on—be entitled to pay—and be authorized (when they shall be so Instructed) to enter on the Recruiting Service, that it may be months—nay a year—before this will happen.
Those who live in Post Towns—near Post Offices—or who are in the habit of enquiring at these places for letters, would have been enabled to answer your Address to them in time; but a number of others may be uninformed of your letter to them at this hour; especially as many of them may have been sent to wrong Offices, & will only be heard of by the Advertisement of them.
Let me ask then, if there would be any ineligibility in inserting in the Gazettes of the respective States, the names & grades of those belonging thereto, who have returned no answer—requesting a yea—or nay—without further delay; assigning the reason for such a mode of application.
A notification of this kind would reach them through the medium of some friend, even if they did not see the Gazettes themselves; & accomplish in a short time what may be tedious without. I will add no more at present than that I am always Your Affece

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to James McHenry, 7 April 1799
From: Washington, George
To: McHenry, James

Sir,
Mount Vernon Apl 7th 1799

Enclosed are two letters of application for Appointments in the Army of the United States—One from Genl Morgan covering a

letter from Capt. A. C. Randolph applying for an office in the Cavalry instead of the Infantry where you will find him among the newly appointed Captains. I have little or no personal knowledge of Capt. Randolph; but from the manner in which Genl Morgan speaks of him, and the opportunities he must have had of forming an opinion of him & his qualifications from observation, I have no doubt but his recommendation will have great weight.
The other letter is from Mr Theoderic Lee, a brother to Majr Gen. Henry Lee. With this Gentleman I have had no opportunity of forming any personal knowledge. He lives in Berkley County in this State and has been married about 4 or 5 years. His brother the Atty Genl of the U.S. or some other persons of his acquaintance may be able to give you any information respecting Mr Lee if it shd be desired. I have the honor to be very respectfully Sir Yr Mo. Ob. St

G. W——


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Law, 9 April 1799
From: Law, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir,
Washington April 9th 1799.

I am honoured with your obliging note by Mr Lear, the “Barclay” is arrived at Philadelphia Mr Miller sends by Mr Simpson on the same ships two bags, one countg 30 lb. of grain, and the other 40 lb. of a different kind, together with some 12 or 14 smaller seeds of the cold weather for the purpose of food for mare and horse. There are 175 parcels of different seeds all marked with the scientific names &ca.
We are all occupied in the city by gardening. Eliza desires her most afft. regards & I remain With unfeigned esteem and respect, Your afft. humble servt

Thos Law


Title: From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 10 April 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Private
My dear Sir,Mount Vernon 10th April 1799
I have received your letter of the 27th ulto, enclosing a design of dividing the State of Virginia into Divisions, & subdivisions, for the head quarters of the Rendezvouses in each: asking my opinion of the proper distribution of them, for the convenience of the Recruiting Service.
The Grand division of the State, I conceive to be well allotted—and with the following alterations, the sub-division of it may be so likewise: but of the latter, I can speak with no precision, because of the number of New Counties which have been established, the situation of which I know not, and even the names of some were unknown to me before.
The alterations I propose, are as follow—1st to make Hobbshole, instead of the Bolling Green, the 8th Rendezvous (refering to the plan you sent me)—because, as you will perceive by the Map of Virginia, Caroline County is the uppermost in that subdistrict, and the Boiling Green lyes at the upper corner of the said County. 2d Let Fairfax & Loudoun Counties (which were formerly one) form a subdivision in place of Fairfax & Fauquier, which are seperated by other Counties. Alexandria, or Leesburgh may be the head quarters of that Rendezvous. The first is, (comparatively), large & populous, & on Navigation; the other is 40 miles above Navigation, & a small Village—both are healthy, and well supplied with provisions &ca. 3d Prince William and Fauquier ought to be annexed, instead of Prince William & Loudoun, which join at the extreme corners only. Dumfries in Prince William, or Fauquier Court Ho. might be the Rendezvous. The first is on Navigation; the latter 40 miles above, & more central. 4th York Town is more in the centre of the 6th subdivision than Williamsburgh; & 5th Northumberland Court House is too low for the 9th subdivision; either Westmoreland or Richmond Court Houses in point of centrality, would be more eligable.
General Lee’s absences from home, canvassing for the ensuing Election of Representatives to Congress, and an indisposition with which he has (as I have lately heard) been siesed, from it, has been, I presume, the cause of your not having received an answer to your letter; for I am certain Mr Bushrod Washington wd have

left it at his house as he returned home, agreeably to his promise to me.
Your letters to Colonels Parker and Bently I have forwarded by the Post; the 1st under Cover to General Morgan, to whom Parker is a neighbour; the other to Colo. Carrington who will be able to give it a safe Conveyance from Richmond; to the Post Office in which, it must have proceeded.
Not an Officer in this State (that has come to my knowledge) has yet received his Commission; to the great dissatisfaction of all, & relinquishment of many; who would no longer remain in a state of suspence and idleness. With great truth, I remain My dear Sir Your Affecte Hble Servant

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to William B. Harrison, 10 April 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Harrison, William B.

Sir,
Mount Vernon 10th April 1799

Your letter of the 28th of last month has been duly received, and is entitled to my thanks for the details it contains; and for the

assurance you have given me ⟨o⟩f a preference in Renting yr Land. But as there is not the smallest probability of my Renting, or buying, while you hold both at the rates which have been mentioned, I by no means desire that you should miss an opportunity of doing either, on my Account.
It is not for me to say, by what means others would be enabled to pay a Rent of more than two hundred dollars pr Annum; for admitting there were only 300 acres in the tract, & rating these at $12 pr acre the interest thereof would come to $216 dollars, & as this is your mode of fixing, and asking a Rent of me—I must decline it. It is not, I say, for me to pronounce what others can do in this way. but I will aver that I could not pay that Rent by any thing I could raise on the land, as I think you would have no hesitation in acknowledging, if you were to examine the situation of it with accuracy. Nor would I be concerned with it at all, unless I could have a lease of it for a certain term of years because, if I am not more mistaken than I believe I am, there is not wood on it to supply fencing & firing three years (if that) and because, therefore, I should have surrounded it with a large & deep ditch—probably with a hedge also—which would cost more money than ought to be laid out upon uncertain contingencies. And moreover, because $216 is ⟨illegible⟩ more than 2500 lbs. of Tobacco or 3000 either, can be estimated at; even with the addition of 5 bls of Fish.
Who Jno. Robinson is, I know not, with certainty, but if it is the person I conjecture, I believe it may be said without much impropriety that there is a wide difference between engaging a Rent, and paying it: that, however, is no look out of mine. Nor do I know who the person is that offered you £2400 for the Land, payable in Welch’s Bonds, but you may receive it ⟨from⟩ me as a fact, that he had better reason for not warranting those Bonds than he disclosed to you, as I could make you sensible of, if it was necessary & proper, to go into the detail. I know Welch, WELL—I have good reason to know him—and believe if you had been disposed to have laid out Cash, or any thing else of real value, for those Bonds, you might have got a great bargain if the sound of a large nominal price instead of a small real one, would have constituted it.
As to Mr Hamilton, you perhaps are as well, if not better acquainted with him than I am, and therefore I shall add nothing concerning this person but will make the same observation on purchasing, as I did on Renting, namely that contracting is one

thing—& fulfilling an engagement is another; but, if payment however is well secured, it may be good at last—and as Hudibras says every thing is worth what it will fetch—If you can get the interest of twelve dollars an acre as Rent, or that sum per acre on a Sale of the Land, and the one, or the other actually paid, the Land is worth that sum to you. The Tenant, or Purchaser is to consider what the value of it is to him, & the man who means to pay, will do so. You observe that what may be deemed a high Rent now, will prove a low one some years hence; in general, the observation is true; but it applies more particularly to New lands, lands in the interior part of the Country, or Lands under particular circumstances—and capable of improvement; But not to old & worn out land, devoid of Timber & Wood, without a prospect of pro⟨duci⟩ng either—and no earthly means of improving it. These fall, or are left for new lands.
I never heard of Colo. Mason’s and Mr Chichester’s Survey of the Lands hereabouts; but as you talk of getting yours run round this Spring, if you will come & take a bed at my house, I have a Clerk (living with me) who Surveys very well & shall do it for you without cost, the next day. and on account of the putting out of the Leaves of the Trees, the sooner it is done the better. The lines between you & me, I know perfectly—the others no doubt can be found—With esteem I am—Sir—Yr Very Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to James McHenry, 10 April 1799
From: Washington, George
To: McHenry, James

Sir,
Mount Vernon April 10. 1799

Enclosed is a letter and sundry Certificates which have been handed to me by a Monsr Demoumonier, a French Gentln who is desirious of entering into the service of the United States in the military line.

I forward this letter & these documents to you as I have done all of a similar nature which have come to my hand; but how far it may comport with the line of policy marked out by the Govt of the U.S. to admit a foreigner i[n]to its Service, and particuliarly a Frenchman at this time, you know better than myself. I shall therefore make no observation on the subject. I have the honor to be very respectfuly Sir your mo. ob. st

G. Washington


Title: From George Washington to Daniel Morgan, 10 April 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Morgan, Daniel

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon April 10th 1799

I had the pleasure to receive your letter of the 3d instant, covering the Copy of a letter from Captn A.C. Randolph to yourself, expressing a wish to be removed from the Infantry to the Cavalry. These letters I have forwarded to the Secretary of War, who, I have no doubt, will, considering the favourable auspices under which Captn Randolph is introduced, make any arrangement he can, consistent with the good of the service, to promote his wishes.
I take the liberty to enclose to your care a letter from General Hamilton, the Inspector General of the Armies of the United States, to Colo. Thomas Parker. This letter relates to the recruiting service, which is under the direction of the Inspector General, and

it is desireable that it should get to Colo. Parkers hands as soon as possible: I have, therefore, put it under cover to you as being the most sure and direct mode of conveyance.
I assure you, my dear Sir, it gave me not a little pleasure to find the account of your death in the new’s papers was not founded in fact—and I sincerely pray that many years may elapse before that event takes place, and that in the meantime, you may be restored to the full enjoyment of your health, and to your usefulness in Society, being, with very great regard Your sincere friend & servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Bushrod Washington, 10 April 1799
From: Washington, Bushrod
To: Washington, George

My dear Uncle
Walnut-farm April 10. [17]99near the Cross roads

The deed from Genl Lee to you has been duly executed, acknowledged and certified, so as to entitle it to be recorded in the General Court. I shall in a few days send it down to the clerk of that Court, to record it in June. I enclose your deed to Lee, that you may have it proved in Fairfax Court this month, and being certified by the Clerk you will immediately enclose it to “Mr—— Allen clerk of the General Court—Richmond” with a request that he will in June have it admitted to record.
I wish I could speak of the Congressional election in this District with any sort of confidence. The general opinion is, that the majority either way will be very inconsiderable, and this I believe will be the event. Indisposition has obstructed Genl Lee’s exertions very much to his injury. The favorable moments were improved by the enemies of the Government, and deep[e]r rooted impressions were made against him by the most scandalous and unfounded aspersions upon his private character. No misrepresentation of the views & conduct of the Government was too monstrous to deter its enemies; but as this would of itself have been ineffectual, it was deemed necessary to assasinate his reputation as much as possible. He is now making great exertions, and is successful in removing many prejudices. There is but a small part of this County affected by Jacobin principles; I have been to every house in that neighbourhood, and endeavoured to expose the many ridiculous and scandalous misrepresentations which had been made of the Government. I hope I was not entirely unsuccessful. Argument in public is carefully avoided by those Men, because they have not truth to support the facts upon which they reason in secret. There is very little doubt, but that this County will send fœderal men to the assembly.
I am informed that Mr Tayloe intends to resign his commission in the army. Under this idea, Mr Thomas Turner has applied to me to mention to you his wishes to get into the Cavalry, supposing that the above resignation will render the exchange of his present office for a Captancy in the Cavalry, not improper. Whether this be the case or not, I cannot say; but as his application originally

was for an appointment in this service, and as he considers himself better fitted for this than the infantry, I shall be very happy if he could be gratified. I am intimately acquainted with him, and am persuaded that he will make a valuable officer. He is an ardent and an useful friend of the Government in this part of the Country, and is besides a young man of high honor. Nancy unites with me in love to yourself & my Aunt—Believe me to be most sincerely My dear Uncle your Affect. Nephew & much obliged Sert

B. Washington

Since writing the above I recd by Colo. Ball your Letter and your present of the F⟨ederalist⟩ for which I return you many thanks. B.W.


Title: To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 11 April 1799
From: Biddle, Clement
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Philad. April 11 1799

I have received $25.82 Interest for 1 April On your funded debt which is to your credit.
Mr Latimer our Collector informed me there were four packages in the Custom house directed for you Which he would deliver

to me as he knew I did your business—Capt. Ellwood being ready to sail I have put them on board his Vessel and you have the bill of Loading inclosed. I am with Great respect Dr Sir Your very hu. Serv.

Clement Biddle


Title: To George Washington from James Anderson (of Scotland), 15 April 1799
From: Anderson, James
To: Washington, George

Isleworth, near London, April 15th, 1799. In a very long and repetitious passage Anderson expounds on the military, naval, and commercial advantages to Britain, and disadvantages to France, of France’s public policy. He then writes: “To such persons as believe that the stability of States, and the happiness of a people, are to be measured exactly by the amount of their wealth, and the extent of their foreign trade and manufactures, these facts will be deemed of the most soothing nature for Britain; but to me they convey not any such idea. Nations, like individuals, have not their happiness augmented in proportion to the increase of their riches. They generally act with much more propriety when they are in moderate circumstances, than when superabounding in wealth. Power engenders pride, haughtiness, and a most intolerable self-sufficiency; this disgusts those with whom they must have dealings, and encourages rivals. It creates enemies at the same time; enemies, whose ill will is only displayed at the first in secret; but by and by they become open and declared as such. Wars of course follow, and many evils which it would be painful to enumerate. These evils will be, to you, very obvious, and might have been (or rather may be) foreseen by our rulers, whose duty it should have been to counteract their influence. This, I am sorry to say, has not been done. Owing to the greater profits that are to be made in trade or manufactures than in agriculture, at the same time that such persons are more independent of others, and at greater liberty to act as occasion may require, young men of spirit and enterprise naturally prefer the first, and neglect the last. Fiscal regulations might easily be adopted to counteract in some measure this evil; but this has not been attended to. Some late taxes, particularly the salt tax and the income tax, have a direct contrary effect; for they press much more heavily on country gentlemen and farmers, than on those who are engaged in trade and manufactures: bad is thus made worse, and a spirit of turbulence and insubordination is disseminated among the lower orders of society, which must break out on the first check that business, in their particular line, experiences; and this must give rise to a system of coercive government that is only productive of general misery, and individual distress; not to mention the discontents that are the never failing attendants on the occasional recurrence of years of scarcity, which are inevitable where this system of economy is adhered to.
“None of these effects would have been experienced if the less brilliant but more steady operations of agriculture had been duly cherished and encouraged. There would have been no difficulty in finding other sources of productive taxes here, had they been fought for; but it too often happens in financial arrangements, that men overlook the only

certain means of augmenting the revenue, viz. that of adopting measures to promote the health of the body politic in all its members; and, instead of supplying the goose with plenty of nourishing food to make her with certainty lay abundance of golden eggs for many years to come, in their eagerness to get all the eggs at once, they kill the goose herself, and thus cut off the source of that future supply which would have been certain. Such, Sir, are the reflections which occur to my mind, when I contemplate this important subject: but I interfere not with the department of any one. Of too little importance to have any influence on the political system, I see these things as if I saw them not; and quietly go forward in my retired course of life, without annoying others, or perplexing myself about things that I cannot mend.
“Having in some measure regained my usual state of health, I have, at last, begun the work that I had in contemplation, the first number of which will accompany this; and which (entitled, Recreations in Agriculture, Natural History, Arts, and Miscellaneous Literature) I beg you will honour with your acceptance, as a small testimony of the most respectful esteem and warmest attachment on my part. It can lay claim to that honour on no account but one, which is, that, however my judgment may err, it is my sincerest wish that every line in it may be calculated, in one way or other, to promote the welfare or happiness of some human being; and it shall be my uninterrupted study to make it do so. At my time of life (now declining into the vale of years) disengaged as I am from all those worldly pursuits which excite the active energies of most men, things appear under a very different aspect from what they did in the morning of life: feeling not the smallest tincture of ambition, nor the stimulating impulse of the love of gain, I stood in need of some object that could give a little activity to the mind, so as to suffer the thread of life to be spun out till the period of its termination shall arrive, without experiencing in too strong a degree that languid apathy which is the unavoidable attendant upon total inactivity. In casting about for this kind of stimulus to exertion, I could discover none that promised to be either so steady in its effects, or so pleasing in its operation, as that which I have chosen. For as I have come under certain obligations to the public, I cannot consider myself to be at liberty, in case of any fit of indolence, to abandon it; and therefore must go on, unless very powerful reasons shall oppose it. As the mind must thus be steadily directed at all times towards an object that has ever been strongly interesting to me, I hope it will prove an agreeable recreation to myself at least; to insure which, I have determined, that while it is continued, not one word shall be admitted into it that does not appear to me to be calculated to answer the purpose above stated. It is, therefore, probable, that the work will assume a tone somewhat different from most publications, the authors of which are in general

actuated by considerations that can have scarcely any effect upon me. How far the public may relish a performance conducted in this manner, or whether I shall be able to carry it into effect in the way I propose, remains to be ascertained. In all events my part is taken; nor shall I on that account be subjected to any embarrassment. Should the sale be such as not fully to indemnify the expense of carrying it forward in a proper manner, I shall, without hesitation or struggle of any sort, relinquish the work; conceiving that to be the most unequivocal criterion that can be adopted, either that the plan is improper, or the execution deficient; and I shall in this respect be directed by the public.
“The succeeding numbers of this work shall be forwarded to you as soon as an opportunity offers after the publication of each: I am only at a loss to know through what channel they may with most safety be sent. Will you have the goodness to let me know the name of your bookseller in Philadelphia? They might be forwarded to his care.
“It gives me much satisfaction to learn, that the gardener behaves himself properly; for I was anxious on that account. A good servant is, in this country, a rare acquisition. It does not always happen that a good master meets with such; but he has a much better chance for it than others. I hope he will continue to please.”


Title: From George Washington to Henry Lee, Jr., 18 April 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Lee, Henry Jr.

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 18th April 1799

Your favor of the 28th of Feby came duly to hand. On the subject of which I shall say nothing until I have the pleasure of seeing you in May, as promised.
The intention of this letter is to enquire—as you have frequently offered it—whether you have, at this time, any Corn for Sale.

I want more than my Nephew of Westmoreland can furnish me with, and will allow for what you can spare the same price I am to give him—that is—the Alexandria Cash price, at the time of delivery (sharing the freight equally)—or, I will allow fifteen shillings per barrel—the now, as I am informed, marked price, & what Mr Tayloe informs me he has just received for a vessel load he had sent to Baltimore.
Pray write me by first post—whether I may expect any from you, or not; how much; and when; Yours always, & sincerely ⟨&⟩ Affectionately

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from John Searson, 18 April 1799
From: Searson, John
To: Washington, George

Sir,
City Washington 18th April 1799

’Twas from the Amiable Caracter I had heard of your Excellency, (even in Europe) for Benevolence, and Humanity, that Induc’d my application, when I last arriv’d in Philadelphia in Anno 1796 and presented to your Excellency Poem on Down-Hill, (the Seat of the Earl of Bristol) you then being President of the united States: Since that period, have publish’d in Philada and New York by a Subscription of 1200 Subscribers, Poems on various Occasions, which was well received, and one of which, was forwarded (by desire of your Excellency) by Colonel Biddle to Mount Vernon; And Since that Obtain’d subscriptions for 1000 Copies, at Baltimore, Alexandria, and City of Washington for the Publication of a Book never publish’d here before Call’d The Art of Contentment in prose and Verse but at my advanced years, find my Self Inadequat for the Business, the fatigue of travelling for Subscriptions, and returning the Books, being more than I Can well bear. As I am now so near Mount Vernon, I hope in a little time to do my Self the Honor of waiting on your Excellency, so as to Obtain an Adequate Idea of Mount-Vernon, and should I return to

Europe, Publish a Poem on it there. I was about 20 years chiefly in the Business of a Wholesale Mercht in Philadelphia but was unfortunately Subjected to a failure from a series of Noted losses and misfortunes in Trade, And in my youthful days, have been Tutor in one of the most reputable familys in New york, And Master of some of the best English Academys or Schools in this Country as well as Europe, have in London Now, two respectable Relations Who have both Seats in the House of Commons; offer’d obtaining for Me Clerk’s place in one of the first East India Stores, But my Wish to visit America before my decease was so great as to Induce my Visiting it, having Spent the greater part of my Life in so fine a Country, but alas! on my return, found my old friends, and Acquaintance, all deceas’d or Mov’d, so that my Case Seem’d that of Humanity. And Governor Jay Could not Consistent with his Sphere of Acting, prefer me to any office without a Superior Interest here: Thus situated I have had no place of Settlement since my Arrival, nor support, but by my little Publications—Perhaps your Excellency from Humane & Benevolent Principles, might think of Some little place of Support in Some Sphere of Life in this Country, suitable to my years and Qualifications. I have to beg your Excellencys pardon for a few thoughts on my reduc’d Situation—I leave this City in a few days for Alexandria. Mrs Law near the Capitol (the other day) took a Book, and was glad to hear her say your Excellency and lady were well. May that omnipotent Ruler of the universe, ever Surround you and yours, with every real and permanent felicity is the sincere Prayer of (may it please your Excellency) Your Ever Devoted And Obedient Servant

John Searson


Title: To George Washington from Jesse Simms, 19 April 1799 [letter not found]
From: Simms, Jesse
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Jesse Simms, 19 April 1799. On 22 April GW wrote Simms: “I shall give no definitive answer to your letter of the 19th instant.”


Title: To George Washington from William Thornton, 19 April 1799
From: Thornton, William
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
City of Washington April 19th 1799

When Colonel Lear was here he said you were desirous of knowing if Mr Blagdin had laid in all the materials requisite for your Houses, as you thought they would not only be likely to rise, but probably be difficultly obtained properly Seasoned. I called on him, but not meeting with him I went the Day before yesterday to his Partner Mr Lenthall, who informed me that every Contract was made, and every material provided for. The Lumber is not yet delivered, but Mr Littleton Dennis, of the Eastern Shore, Maryland, who regularly supplied us, has been engaged in preparing what they will want, and I think he may be depended on. I visited the workmen the Day before yesterday, & they progress to my Satisfaction. I took the liberty of directing Stone Sills to be laid, instead of wooden ones, to the outer Doors of the Basement, as wood decays very soon, when so much exposed to the damp; but I desired Mr Blagdin would do them with as little expense as possible. If wooden Sills could easily have been renewed I should not have directed them of Stone, but he informed me they could not without much trouble.
Mr J. Tayloe of Virga has contracted to build a House in the City near the President’s Square of $13,000 value.
Mr Van Stophorst from Holland, and several respectable Characters from Baltimore, paid me a visit this morning; & mean to do themselves the honor of paying you their respects tomorrow.
Poor Miss Dalton was interr’d yesterday—She died the Day before by a sudden mortification. She rode out two Days before.
All your Friends here are well. I hope Colonel Lear recovers. Accept, dear Sir, my most affectionate good wishes & highest respect.

William Thornton


Title: Martha Washington to Mary Stead Pinckney, 20 April 1799
From: Washington, Martha
To: Pinckney, Mary Stead

My dear Madam,
Mount Vernon 20th April 1799

I have received with grateful sensibility, your obliging favours of the 16th & 28th of last month; and thank you for the Mellon seeds which you had the goodness to send me & which came safe, & very oppertunely.
It gave me, and all our family much pleasure to hear of your safe arrival, & happy meeting with your friends, in Charleston, after so long & tiresome a journey as you performed in the depth of Winter. In the weather, however, except the few first days of January, you were much favoured; as it was remarkably fine for the Season here. We had only to regret the shortness of your stay at Mount Vernon, a place at which we shall always be gratified in seeing General Pinckney yourself or any of the family; to which let me add a hope, if his Military duties should call him to the State of Virginia, that you will always consider as your head quarters during your abidance in it.
Long ’ere this, I hope the General is safely returned from his

Military Excursion to Georgia, and no one can unite more heartily with you than I do in wishing that the newly proposed Negociation may arrest more serious movements; but from a faithless Nation, whose injustice & ambition know no bounds short of its power to accomplish them little is expected from this Negociation (if the proposi[ti]on should be acceded to ⟨at all⟩ by Tr⟨eaty⟩ by those who wish for a permanent Treaty—Arrogance, or deception, as is best calculated to promote the views of the Directory seem to be the only Rule of the French Government at present—of course nothing ⟨is⟩ to be expected from their domineering spirit when uncontrouled by events—as too many unhappy Nations of Europe and recently, the poor Italians have experienced to the entire annihilation of their Government.
By the first fit conveyance, I will with pleasure send you the Profiles of the General & myself, & feel the compliment of their being asked. They could not go by the Post without folding, & consequent injury or they would have accompanied this letter—a small one however, of his, is herewith enclosed requesting your acceptance of it.
The General’s birth day (22d of Feby) united the fortunes of Mr Lewis (who you saw here) and Nelly Custis. They are at present, & have been for sometime, at her Mothers or she would most cordially have united with the General & me in reciprocating all the good wishes of yourself & Miss Eliza, & would rejoice to hear of the happiness of her friend Mrs Harriot Rutledge. With sentiments of perfect esteem & regard I am, my dear Madam, Your Most Obedient Hble Ser.

M: W——n.


Title: From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 21 April 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Biddle, Clement

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 21st April 1799

Your letters of the 21st of March and 11th instant are both before me.

By the first, it appears that you had shipped by Captn Hand for Alexandria, on my a/c, 12 lbs. of white Clover Seed and the like quantity of Lucerne; but none has been delivered by him at the Custom house, or elsewhere that I can discover, which is a considerable disappointment to me; for depending thereon I enquired for no other; and now, the season for sowing them is too far advanced to go in pursuit of any, elsewhere.
I am obliged to you for Shipping, by Ellwood, the Packages deposited at the Custom Ho. in Phila. for me. I presume they were recd there from the George Barclay from the East Indies, if so, they contain Seeds & exotics from that Country—and ought now, to be in the ground. With esteem & regard—I am Dr Sir Your Obedt

Go: Washington

What are the present prices of Flour and Wheat in Philadelphia?


Title: To George Washington from Caleb Gibbs, 21 April 1799
From: Gibbs, Caleb
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Boston 21th April 1799

Having observed a List of appointments in which my name was not inserted has filled me with disquiting apprehensions lest for some reason or other it may be entirely omitted.
Although it was the opinion of some of my friends that I might have rested securely on the honorable testimonials of services during the late war from yourself and other respectable characters which were transmitted [to] the Secretary of War, yet in a matter of so much moment I Judged it expedient to repair to Philadelphia for the purpose of renewing my respects to yourself and Major General Hamilton personally and to endeavour to obtain if not possitive assurances, yet some evidence which would prevent or remove, all uneasiness as to the certainty of an appointment. And in fact such was the sort of approbation I received both from yourself and General Hamilton that all my doubts were removed and I returned to this place impressed with the belief that I should not be neglected. But with the chagrin of having performed an unpleasant and expensive Journey I find that my hopes deceived me.

The state of my mind in consequence of an unsuccessful application supported by the documents of yourself and other officers of rank may be immagined and therefore is unnecessary to be further explained. It is not for me to arraign the policy which has dictated a different choice, a comparison of myself with others is a circumstance too delicate to be made.
The Regimental engagements having now been compleated in this quarter leave no hope for me to succeed in my wished for expectation. It is therefore my desire if possible to be arranged in the staff. The Deputy Quarter Master General is a place I flatter myself I could discharge with propriety as activity, arrangement and œconomy are the criterion of that department.
I did myself the honor to visit the President of the United States a few days since, and after recapitulating my disappointment in the Line of the Army, I mentioned to him my ideas respecting this appointment on the staff. he observed to me, that with you Sir as Commander in Chief would orriginate those nominations and advised me without delay to write you on this subject, he expressed a wish to render me every service observing at the same time, that whatever your nominations were he should chearfully coincide in.
Under the circumstance of the case I flatter myself that I may be permitted without offence to appeal to your friendship in Order to obtain the appointment I now solicit—With the greatest regard respect and esteem I have the honor to be Dear Sir Your most Obedient humble servant

Caleb Gibbs


Title: From George Washington to William Thornton, 21 April 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Thornton, William

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 21st April 1799

Your favor of the 19th is before me, and for the details it contains respecting my buildings in the City, I thank you. As I do for directing the exterior door Cills thereof to be made of Stone. I never attended so closely to the specification of the work, as to know they were, originally, intended to be of Wood; On the contrary, as the Frontispiece was to be of Stone I took it for granted that the Cills were to be of Stone also.
By the first Vessel from Boston, I expect the Glass for those houses, which is promised to be good, and of the sizes given in by Mr Blagden.
We hear with much regret, of the death of Miss Dalton. Mr Lear not having returned according to his expectation, & having heard nothing from him since he left this place, we were apprehensive he was sick—and are in the dark yet, respecting it. With esteem & regd I am—Dear Sir—Your Obedt Servt

Go: Washington

P.S. Since writing this letter Mr Lear has popped in having been sick at his own Farm.


Title: From George Washington to Jesse Simms, 22 April 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Simms, Jesse

Sir
Mount Vernon 22d April 1799

Until I see General Lee (which according to his promise may be expected early in next month), I shall give no definitive answer to your letter of the 19th instant.

It may not be improper, however, in the meantime to add, that your deceptious treatment of me, has not impressed me with the most favorable sentiments of your candour; and if a report which I hear has been propagated by you, or some person in your behalf, that I have been speculating in your notes, be true; such injurious insinuations place you on worse ground than before, in my estimation; for I am sure you were not to learn that I was to allow General Lee the full nominal amount of your Note; and I am moreover sure, that you could have had no reason to believe, because the fact is known to be notoriously otherwise; that I ever speculated in notes, or certificates, to the amount of a farthing in my life. Such a report then must have been conceived in malice, & propagated for the worst of purposes. I am Sir—Yr Hble Servt

Go: Washington