Title: From George Washington to Albin Rawlins, 31 January 1798
From: Washington, George
To: Rawlins, Albin

Sir,
Mount Vernon 31st Jany 1798

Your letter of the 26th instant came to my hands yesterday.
There has been some misconception of the application from General Spotswood to your Brother, for it was not a person to be employed in writing and riding he was desired to enquire after—but for a house keeper—or, if a housekeeper could not be had—then for a man who was qualified for the Office of Butler—who could set out a Table—attend at the side board—and being in the capacity of a head Servant in the family would attend to, and make all the others do their duty properly—In a word to answer all the purposes of a house keeper & to supercede the necessity of employing one. If any other idea was embibed from what General Spotwood said, or wrote—It has proceeded, as I have said above, from misconception.
It is sometime since I have been provided with a housekeeper; of course my enquiries on that head have ceased. I have, it is true, some business to do in the way you speak of, particularly writing; and if, in order to save myself the trouble of doing it, I could engage a single man competent thereto on very moderate wages;

One who would confine himself closely; be content to eat with, and live in the same manner the Housekeeper does, having a room to himself to write in, & another to lodge in, over the ⟨same⟩ I would employ one, & if that mode of living, & manner of treatment would comport with your views; Say, in one word, what is the lowest wages you would agree to take by the year? and you shall receive a decisive answer by the return of the Post. I am Sir Yours &ca

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from James McHenry, 1 February 1798
From: McHenry, James
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Philadelphia 1 Feby 1798

I have been for a long time past so hurried and so loaded with business as not to have a moment which I could devote to private correspondence. This is not an apology for neglect or indolence. I am exceedingly sorry it is true, because I foresee, it may without some change become quite unsupportable. Enjoy your happy situation; or if it is to be disturbed, let it be only by transient domestic cares, and the pain of sympathising with those whom you have stationed in places where there are more thorns than roses.
I enclose you a letter from Mr Murray and two or three to myself from Mr Smith which tho’ of old dates may contain something to amuse you.
Do you recollect that your old State carriage is still here at expensive lodgings. A Wm Small has paid 4: 0: 0 to one Allen as he says, for keeping it, and has called upon me for instructions respecting it. Will you be pleased to give them.
I have been laid up for near a week with a rheumatism, something like the gout. It is now in my right wrist.
My sincere complements to Mrs Washington and to Miss Custis. Yours most affectionately

James McHenry


Title: To George Washington from James McHenry, 1 February 1798
From: McHenry, James
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir.
Philad[elphia] 1 Febry 1798

I have received this moment your letter of the 28th ulto. The land business being with Mr Wolcott I shall give him the letters and see that they are forwarded by to-morrows mail and the inquiry aluded to made of the Deputy Surveyor if found.
Munroe’s memoir has been little read and has made no converts to his party. He has I think sunk in the public opinion. Fauchets publication has done no harm, and has been as little successful as Munroes.
The letter from the late commissioner of the revenue to the house of representatives has produced as yet no effect. It seems to be pretty well understood that they can have nothing to do with its object.
The calm in the house of Representatives has been lately interrupted by an attempt to trench upon the power of the President relative to foreign intercourse and more recently by one member spitting in the face of another; Whether this affair has more meaning than appears I cannot say but the spitter Lion is a great beast.
Not one word direct from our commissioners. To keep alive opposition here and give it more energies, France may neither come to an open war, nor yet require impossibilities. Yours most affectionately

James McHenry


Title: To George Washington from Alexander White, 1 February 1798
From: White, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir,
Woodville 1st Feb: 1798

On my arrival at this place on Tuesday se’night I found the letter with which you honoured me in answer to mine from Washington. On this day week I was followed by a Messenger from the City with a copy of a letter from the President to the Comrs approving of our laying a State of the Federal Buildings before Congress, Which he observes will render his responsibility and that of the Comrs less formidable The stage goes but once a week from Winchester to Philada I was therefore reduced to the alternative of going last monday or waiting till next I was constrained reluctantly to adopt the latter. I hope there will be no further delay, and flatter myself that no evil will arise from that which has taken place, as Congress will have sufficient time to deliberate, and if foreign Politics are to have an effect, the final determination of this business would be postponed at whatever time it might be introduced, till the result of those should be known. I shall advise you of my prospects, and the progress of the business after my arrival at Philada. Mrs White unites in Complts to yourself Mrs Washington and Miss Custis—I am with Sentiments of the highest respect Dear Sir Your most Obt Serv.

Alexr White


Title: To George Washington from Henry Lee, Jr., 2 February 1798
From: Lee, Henry Jr.
To: Washington, George

dear sir
Shirley feby 2d 1798

Mr Hopkins presented me with yr letter of the 25th ultimo. I learn with much surprize & chagrin that Mr Simmes has failed to pay his note—He used to be considerd as very punctual & therefore I recd his paper for a debt due to me.
Nothing but the untoward & unexpected course of fiscal concerns in this country could have produced delay in my payment of yr debt. I am pained in a great degree to hear of any inconvenience accruing to you thro me & will see you in March for the purpose of placing our negotiations in some agreable & certain train. With best wishes for yr health & happiness I remain yr true friend & Ob. Ser.

Henry Lee


Title: To George Washington from James Ross, 2 February 1798
From: Ross, James
To: Washington, George

Sir
Philadelphia 2d Feby 1798

In consequence of your letter of the 22d Ulto I lodged your bonds in the Bank of Pennsylvania & received the enclosed receipt, so that in future there will be no difficulty when the debtors offer money to the Bank.
Your lands on the Kenhawa are well sold if the purchaser is an industrious & wealthy man. Altho the lands are certainly of the first quality & the credit very considerable, yet I cannot be persuaded that he will be able to subdivide & sell for such a Sum as

will yeild him a profit. The Country beyond the Ohio is now opening, Adventurers who have money will seek a Settlement there, & purchase public lands of the first quality at a Moderate price. This must greatly retard the sale of high priced lands upon the Kenhawa and on this side of the Ohio. In the mean time interest is running upon the purchase money & adding every day to the first cost, And probably an Additional capital must be employed in furnishing provisions or making improvements—I have lately had some experience as to difficulties and expence in the improvement of new lands. My agents were skilful, honest and industrious, but the result was not such as to incourage me in the prosecution of a system I had partly adopted. I have resolved to sell without improvements, or to effect by leases on conditions of clearing lands &c.
The legislature is as much divided, and the parties in it, as much embittered against each other, as it is possible to conceive. The more our danger encreases, the factious, discontented spirit seems to become bolder, & to assume a more desperate attitude. One party or the other must obtain a decisive Victory before the Machine of Government can move with any efficacy. The sooner this is decided the better. At present the House of Represts. is engaged in a deep, learned discussion of a knotty question—whether spitting in the face of a member while attending his duty in the house is an insult or not. Those who know the house best seem to think that the ruffian who was guilty of this rudeness, will be protected by his party. With most sincere respect I have the honour to be Sir your most Obedient & most humble Servant

James Ross


Title: From George Washington to John Fitzgerald, 3 February 1798
From: Washington, George
To: Fitzgerald, John

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 3d Feby 1798

Thursday next is the day on which the Stock holders in the Potomack Navigation, are summoned to meet, in George Town. I have been pressed to attend; and mean to attend, if the weather will permit, and no unforseen event happens to prevent it—and if you are not otherwise engaged will take a family dinner with you, on my way up, the preceeding day (Wednesday).
I wish, & hope that the meeting may be full, for the state of that business does, in my opinion, require serious attention; It would be very agreeable to me, therefore, to have some conversation with you & Colo. Gilpin previous to the meeting. Among other things to suggest a fit character to supply the place of Mr Lear, who is determined to withdraw from the place he at present fills. I am Your Affecte Servant

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Martin, 4 February 1798
From: Martin, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Philadelphia Feby 4th 1798.

I beg you to permit the enclosed little dramatic piece to wait on you in your present Retirement, it was written by me this Session of Congress partly for Amusement, and partly with a view by bringing forward in this Manner the most prominent Characters in our late Revolution, to reconcile in some Measure if possible the present jarring political Sentiments that unfortunately distract our public Councils. As in the great Events of the Revolution, so in this ⟨mutilated⟩ poetic Essay you Sir, justly hold the most distinguished place, and should the perusal afford you any agreeable Entertainment it will give me Pleasure; otherwise it may be treated as other Trash and flung away. I have the Honour to be with very great Respect Sir, your most humble Servant

Alex. Martin


Title: From George Washington to James Anderson, 6–7 February 1798
From: Washington, George
To: Anderson, James

Mr Anderson,
Mount Vernon 6th & 7 1798

It would seem by the reply you handed to me yesterday, in explanation of the observations I had made, in going over your A/cs that you were hurt by the remarks.
The notes were not taken with that view—and you were told so in explicit terms. On the contrary, I remarked that the A/cs were perfectly fair, & only required explanation in one or two instances to make them clear.
Not having the Bank book (for it was in your possession at the time) I could only refer to my own Cash Memorandums for the $200 drawn on the Bank of Alexandria in Jany last. When I saw the Book, and heard your explanation of that, & the other matters which had been noted, I told you more than once, & in strong terms, that I was fully satisfied.
I find no complaint exhibited in the observations; nor do I perceive a single thing required in them, that is repugnant to, or not warranted by our Agreement. I little expected then, to see among your explanations, a hint so early given, of leaving the business at the close of the present year; after having induced me to encounter a very serious expence in erecting a Distillery of which I had no knowledge, nor the smallest intention to do, depending on your experience & Judgment to carry it on. But do as you please in this matter; I never did, nor Ever shall wish to retain any person in my employ contrary to their inclination.
I observed, it is true, that the expences of last year were very great. You had done the same several times before, to me; and I urged the necessity of retrenchment where it was practicable, & care where it was not.
You will recollect that before you received my Observations, or I your explanation, that I suggested the idea, & even asked your aid to procure from Scotland a young man who could ease both you & me of much writing. And you will recollect also that it was to save you from those frequent rides to, & consequent expences

in Alexandria, that I proposed engaging the most respectable Retail dealer to supply me from his own, or provide from other Stores, with such articles as I wanted, on written Orders.
The business of Distilling, last year was, it must be confessed, an uncontemplated, & of course an extra: business; but for what purpose the Dairy, & saving of Clover Seed are mentioned I know not. If saving one’s own Seed (where it will ripen) is not the duty of a farmer, I am yet to learn the duties of one.
The moment it was resolved to establish a Distillery upon the Plan it now is, I declared my entire approbation that it should be under the immediate care of your Son John, and my willingness at the sametime to allow him whatever you thought reasonable, or others received. and this I repeat.
Calling for a quarterly Cash A/c proceeded from no distrust of their not being fairly rendered at the end of the year—but for mutual convenience, & to ⟨save⟩ the trouble of tedious examination, and also that I might see how matters were going on.
If a Cash A/c was exhibited on a loose sheet, it has escaped me. I recollect nothing of it. I am willing to receive the Vouchers, & to certify my approbation of the A/cs in the fullest manner. I should have done it at the foot of the Cash A/c if it had been Posted; or I would have done it before (and am ready to do it now) in the seperate Book, had I not understood from you, that it was intended to be entered therein. And it is no new thing for me to declare, that I never harboured the most distant suspicion of your applying any thing from the Store, or elsewhere to your own use, that you were not justly entitled to. In a word, you have had it from under my hand before, and I repeat it again, that I have been perfectly well satisfied with your conduct at the same time that I have and must continue to do so, ⟨illegible⟩ my business ⟨illegible⟩ & attentions to particular matters, as I expected to ⟨illegible⟩ and this I have done—I think in a friendly matter. I wish you well, and am Your friend

Go. Washington


Title: From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 6 February 1798
From: Washington, George
To: Pickering, Timothy

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 6th Feby 1798.

Your letters of the 20th & 27th Ulto have been duly received; and the Pamphlets, with Colo. Monroe’s View, came safe.
If no direct opportunity to Alexandria should present itself soon, by which the W[or]ks of Mr Nancrede could be sent with convenience & without liability to damage, I would thank you for putting them (carefully wrapped up) into the hands of Colo. Biddle, who is the Agent employed by me for transacting the small matters I have to do in Philadelphia; & who, generally, sends such things as I require, by the Packets to Alexandria.
I am sensible of the honor done me by Mr Nancrede in the dedication of this work to me; and for his politeness in sending it; and shall, as soon as I know on what terms the Studies of Nature are offered, make him my acknowledgments accordingly.
I have not had leisure, yet, to look into Monroes View, nor to read more than the first numbers of Scipio, although I have them to the 15th inclusive. Postponing the latter until I had obtained the former.
Notwithstanding there existed no doubt in my mind that the charge exhibited against you in the Aurora was a malignant falsehood, yet, satisfied as I am of the motive, and the end intended to be answered by the publication, I have read with much gratification your explicit disavowal of its application. But the more the views of those who are opposed to the measures of our Government are developed, the less surprised I am at the attempt, and the means—cowardly, illiberal and assasin like—which are used to subvert it; and to destroy all confidence in those who are entrusted with the Administration thereof. Among these, is to be classed an assertion, in the Pamphlet written by Mr Fauchet, in these words “It is the general opinion that Mr Talon came to Philadelphia on a confidential mission from the Pretender” to Genl Washington “He was admitted to a very particular audience with the President before the arrival of Mr Genet at Philadelphia.” What the general opinion of the French party might have been is not for me to say, but I pronounce the latter part of the quotation to be an impudent—a wicked—and groundless assertion—and accordingly authorise any, and every person who chuses to be at the trouble of doing it, to contradict it in the most unqualified terms. With Mr Talon I had

no acquaintance. If he ever was in my company it must have been in the drawing room (or at what was called the Levees) on company days. Whether I ever exchanged a word with him during the time of his stay in this Country is more than my memory, at this time, is able to decide. If his arrival in it was posterior to the proscription, or cloud which hovered of such characters, the probability is that I never did; be this however as it may—I will pledge myself that I never, directly nor indirectly exchanged a word with him out of the public rooms—on public days—& on commonplace subjects—And if it should be adjudged expedient by you, & those with whom I usually conversed on subjects of this sort, I would announce as much in the Gazettes; when it might not be amiss perhaps to let my whole letter to Mr Gouvr Morris, & his to me, to which it was an answer, appear also in order to do away the effect of another charge which extracts drawn from the former was intended to impress on the Public mind—namely, a dereliction to France & the contrary to Great Britain. To go into a justification of one’s conduct, in matters of this sort, would be very unpleasant; and if it was unconnected with public concerns, I should treat the essays to injure me, with the contempt they deserve; but when it is evident that the shafts which are aimed at me are calculated for a more important purpose than simply to wound my reputation it becomes a matter of more magnitude, & merits consideration; which, if you have leisure to bestow, I would thank you for the result—being with much truth, & very great regard Dear Sir Your Obedt Servant

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 6 February 1798 [letter not found]
From: Spotswood, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Alexander Spotswood, 6 Feb. 1798. On 11 Feb. GW wrote Spotswood about his “letters of the 14th Ulto & 6th Instt.”


Title: From George Washington to James McHenry, 7 February 1798
From: Washington, George
To: McHenry, James

Dear Sir
Mount Vernon 7th Feb: 1798

Your two letters, both dated the 1st instant, came to hand yesterday only. I thank you for giving me the perusal of their enclosures; and as I am upon the point of setting out to a meeting of the Stockholders of the Potomack Navigation, and may be from home two or three days, I return them without delay.
I had, it is true, entirely forgot my old Coach until reminded thereof by Mr Small; upon which, I wrote to Colo. Biddle (who transacts all matters of that sort for me in Philadelphia) to sell it for whatever it would fetch, and took it for granted that all expences (as he had money of mine in his hands) had been paid. Let me entreat you, therefore, to direct Mr Small to that source for payment.
As the Gout & Rheumatism are said to be cousin germans, it is no matter on which Acct (I hope I may) congratulate you on a recovery from—Complimts &ca—and I am always Your Affecte

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Bushrod Washington, 7 February 1798
From: Washington, George
To: Washington, Bushrod

My dear Bushrod,
Mount Vernon 7th Feb. 1798.

Your letter of the 1st instant came to my hands by Saturdays Post; with the Auditors Receipts. If no bad consequences flow, from the delay, in that Office, it is immaterial when I obtain the result of his investigation of the state of my taxes, on the Western Waters; but to prevent it, let me request you, to keep his enquiries alive. The tract of 587 Acres lyes, I presume, in the County of Harrison; or if divided, in the part taken therefrom, below, on the River Ohio, lying about 15 miles below Wheeling. The other tract, on the Ohio, is situated 3 or 4 Miles below the Mo. of little Kanhawa; & if not in the County bearing that name, must be in the one next above it. And the other missing tract, assuredly lyes in what is now called Kanhawa.
Yesterday, the enclosed came to my hand, and is forwarded without

delay. I am exceedingly glad to hear that you are quite well. Accept, & present, our Affectionate regards—I am always Yours

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from John Parker, 9 February 1798
From: Parker, John
To: Washington, George

George Washington esq.
Philad[elphi]a Feb. 9th 1798(No. 253, Market street)

Permit me, great sir, to address you and solicit the honor of your name and patronage to the work which I am now engaged in—“The Journals of Congress” from the year 1775 to the present time, including the reports of the Heads of Departments &c. My undertaking has met with the encouragement of Mr Jefferson & the Committee of Congress to whom the printing the old Journals was referred—The assembly of this state have also shewn their opinion, by subscribing for a number of copies, for the use of the state.
Although I am convinced of the success of my proposals, yet the honor of your name to my list of patrons will be the greatest satisfaction I can feel—My terms are
It shall be printed in octavo volumes of 400 pages, on a good paper & new type, delivered in boards, at one dollar per volume. I am, sir with great respect your most obedient very humble servant

John Parker


Title: To George Washington from George Richards Minot, 10 February 1798
From: Minot, George Richards
To: Washington, George

Sir
Boston February 10th 1798

It is with eagerness I find an apology for presenting myself to your notice in your second retirement. My only solicitude is, that you may not think the occasion which I make, a sufficient justification of my intrusion upon you. The volume accompanying being a continuation of Massachusetts history, necessarily embraced many general transactions in the late British Colonies. In these you were so essentially concerned, that the detail of them must be a familiar subject in your mind: and I am aware that you cannot avoid marking the imperfections of one, who tells the story from the traditions of accidental narrators, and the few publications written at the time, more perhaps with a view of aiding some particular measures, than the future history of general events. This observation however, applying in a greater or less degree to all history except that of the current period would, if too far indulged, prevent the attempting of any other. Upon this point I can only repeat the apology in my preface. It was expedient that somebody should do it, and, from the barrenness of the period, compared with a subsequent one, or some other cause, no person would undertake it in detail. I am a voluntier in a forlorn service. If it be rather necessary than dignified the fault is not mine: if I have failed in the execution the loss of the effort will be less injurious to the cause I have engaged in, than to myself.

In requesting your acceptance of this copy I shall be gratified if the value of so small a present can be appreciated by the disinterestedness of my motives, and the great respect with which I am Sir, Your most obedient & humble Serva.

George Rds Minot


Title: From George Washington to Robert Lewis, 11 February 1798
From: Washington, George
To: Lewis, Robert

Dear Sir
Mount Vernon 11th Feb. 1798.

Your letter of the 31st Ulto came safe to hand; and the Deed therein enclosed, shall be executed in the manner, and in time, to obtain a certificate from the Clerk of this County at the Court next to be held for it, on the 19th instant, & transmitted to you.

Enclosed is a letter for Sally Haynie, left open for your perusal before it is forwarded to her; with the contents of which, respecting the payment of ten pounds, I request you to comply; and charge the same to the A/c of your collection of my Rents.
With regard to my Land above Bath, I am really at a loss what direction to give concerning it. To have the valuable Walnut trees, with which it abounds, taken off by a parcel of lawless intruders, is extremely disagreeable (if they cannot be punished) on the one hand—and for the sake of obtaining a better Rent, to engage to take them off myself, within a given period, & that perhaps a short one, would be attended with great inconvenience, perhaps expence & loss, on the other. For unless I could get them to this place the cost of felling, preparing them for transportation, and attending them down the River would be a dead charge—and without the latter was done—that is to attend the logs down—I should not get one of them; of course all that preceeded would be lost. I see but two modes by which I can be benefitted by these Logs; one to let some person occupy the land without paying Rent, for the sole consideration of taking care of them. The other, if a good rent could be obtained, to oblige the Tenant to deliver them to me—noting the quantity of the trees, at a certain price—to be allowed out of the Rent. A third method indeed occurs, but it is one by which I should, apparently, get little for them—namely, to sell them on the spot: and yet, ultimately, if they would sell there for near their value, it might be the most productive mode of the three.
Under this dilemma, make the best investigation of the subject you can, & act as shall seem most conducive to my interest. I am not inclined to give a lease for more than Seven years and if the tenant is permitted to kill the Walnuts by girdling the trees, I do not believe that the Crops would sustain much injury by their standing. They would season in this manner, and a few years hence, when the Navigation of the River is in a more improved state might be brought down with more ease & safety. Perhaps, upon the whole, this may be found the most eligable Plan.
We are all tolerably well at this time and unite in offering our best wishes for you, Mrs Lewis & the family. With sincere friendship, and affectionate regard—I am always Yours

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 11 February 1798
From: Washington, George
To: Spotswood, Alexander

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 11th Feby 1798

Your letters of the 14th Ulto & 6th instt have been duly received. The receipt of the first, would have met with an earlier acknowledgment, had I not waited for the coming of the latter, agreeably to your assurances of forwarding one, so soon as the documents could be obtained from the Records in Richmond.
The description which you have been at the trouble to give me in your former letters, of my lands on Rough Creek; the view of the country generally, contained in that of the 14th Ulto; and the particular description of the Waters of Rough Creek & Green River; together with the bounteous provisions made by Providence to accomodate the Inhabitants of it, is clear, precise, & extremely satisfactory; and I felt myself much gratified, & obliged by the recital of them.
All the Papers, transmitted in your letter of the 14th of January, are herewith returned, as they may be of use to you in the prosecution of the business, which you have kindly undertaken in my behalf, & can be of none to me, in the present stage of the business; nor ever, perhaps, if matters are amicably settled, and I should not become the purchaser of the tract formerly Wodrows.
From your account of the prices of Land on rough Creek, I should suppose that twenty shillings an Acre for Hite’s 300 Acre tract (formerly Wodrows) would be considered a high price—

especially as the whole, in a manner, is periodically flooded; to this extent I would go; having a little previous notice after the purchase is made to provide for the paymt. If the Land cannot be obtained at this price, Mr Short might be requested as from yourself to ascertain the lowest sum Mr Hite would take, & await the result of an answer, from me. Mr Short is, I have no doubt, a Gentleman of character; but it will not escape you, that in treating with a neighbour, perhaps an intimate friend, he wd feel no disposition to bring Mr Hite to his lowest price, or ultimatum. But if he should make the purchase, one thing will be indispensably necessary, and that is, to see that Mr Hite’s title is clearly derived; for it does not appear from the Papers you sent me (& which are returned) by what transfer, or process, Mr Isaac Hite became the Grantee. The Record says, that Andrew Wodrow assigned the Survey of 300 acres to Isaac Hite, Abraham Hite Junr, & Joseph Hite—and by another endorsement Andrew Hynes is introduced, as standing between the Hites and the Grantee.
With respect to the other contemplated addition to my land on Rough Creek, I would not wish to proceed further, in the first instance, than to an enquiry whether all the Lands, to be included by a straight line, to be run from the upper corner of my 2000 Acre tract, at G in the connected plat I sent you, to the lower corner on the Creek, of the 3000 acre tract, at D, could be had? at what price? and on what credit? If Mr Field, at your request, would be so obliging as to ascertain these points, it would be rendering me an acceptable service; and my ulterior measures would be regulated thereby. As it is not an unusual thing for People to have their expectations raised, & to raise their prices accordingly, upon enquiries of this sort, it may not be amiss for him to understand, that my sole object is to shape my land, and to include the ⟨waters⟩; having very little inclination to increase the quantity, and none for the purposes of speculation. If, therefore, the Proprietors of the lands, which would be included by such a line as is described above, should be induced to advance their price in consequence of these enquiries, they will deceive themselves, at the sametime that they defeat my object.
I pray you to keep an A/c of the cost, of obtaining copies of any Records in my behalf, and to let me know the amount; as also of any other expences which may be incurred in the transaction of this business, and they shall be paid on demand, with thanks, &

with pleasure: for though I give you trouble in it, I do not mean to load you wth expence. I wish also to be informed whether the Postmaster in Fredericksburgh charges postage on my letters to you, or not, when they are Franked with my name.
We are all tolerably well, and unite in best regards to you, Mrs Spotswood & the rest of your family. With very great esteem I remain Dear Sir Your ⟨obt &⟩ affecte Servant

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Albin Rawlins, 12 February 1798
From: Washington, George
To: Rawlins, Albin

Mr Rawlins,
Mount Vernon 12th of Feby 1798

Your letter of the 7th instant in reply to mine of the 31st of January, was recd by the last Post; in which you say, the mode of living will be agreeable to you, and that you think two hundred dollars would be little enough to receive, as wages by the year.
Wages are always high, or low, according to the abilities of the employed, and wants of the employer; and also, and essentially, on account of the quantum of the employment. That which I shall have to do would be easy in the execution, but the person must always be at hand, and in readiness to perform it; and for doing so

I had never contemplated giving more than $100; & for this sum characters have offered knowing that as they would have an easy birth, and exposed to little or no expence, Bed, board & washing being found them—but as they do not write so good a hand as you (presuming the letters I have received from you are of your own penning) I would allow you $150 provided you can bring sufficient testimony (as you are an entire stranger to me) of your Sobriety, integrity & good dispositions, and provided also that you understand accounts, or could soon acquire a knowledge of them.
In my last, I informed you where, and in what manner you would live, if you came to me; that is, you would have rooms to yourself, and would eat & drink with my Housekeeper, who is a very respectable character.
I wish now that you may be enabled fairly to decide, ⟨to⟩ give you the outlines of the duties which would be required of you, for to go into all the minutiæ that, in the course of business, might occur, would be as impracticable as it would be useless.
To copy & record letters & other Papers; to keep Books (if required) & an account of articles received from, & delivered to the Farms; and such other matters & things as relate thereto; to go (by land or water, at my expence, when expence is necessary) to such places as my business may require. To receive grain, and attend to the measurement of it, and other things when it is necessary to send a trustworthy person to see it done, would constitute your principal employments—out of these, as has been observed before, smaller matters may arise, but altogether will not be laborious.
I have been thus particular that you may decide, at once, whether you will, or will not accept the offer here made. If the former, I shall, to accomodate you, consent to your remaining three or four weeks where you are; to arrange your business; but in either event shall wish to have your determination as early as possible that I may act accordingly, as I must engage some one and soon to do the business I have enumerated.
As Judge Lyon lives in the Vicinity of Hanover Court house, you may, possibly, be known to him from whom, Judge Pendleton, ⟨illegible Jones⟩ or any one I am acquainted with a recommendation would be acceptable and satisfactory. I am Your friend & Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Peter, 13 February 1798
From: Peter, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Dr Sir
George Town 13th Feby 1798

I have called on Mr Davidson to enquire the business his Nephew’s are suitable for, & whether they were not looking out for places to be engaged in; to this he answered one of them was taken by the Potowmack Compy & the Other at my service—I then mentioned you were wanting a Young Man who could keep accounts, write a plain round Hand (as you had much Recording to do) & who must be entirely at your command, He observed this Nephew was only eighteen Years old just from School & the Highlands of Scotland; could spell well, correct in his calculations, industrious, sober, & Honest—I saw his Writing, it is a hand perfectly plain & with practice, attention & such directions as you may give would soon be a very good one. I told Mr Davidson from the business you wished him imployed in, you would not give great Wages, & the Person you get must be bound to stay two or three Years; he said his Nephew was Father & Motherless a Poor Boy without any dependance but his own industry, & therefore thought that it would take 100 dollars to Cloath him; that sum I informed him was the utmost you would give; his answer was you should certainly have him for two Years, from the Sum above mentioned he could not lay up any thing, but the advantage that would result to him in future, if he gave satisfaction would be more infinately, than a small additional Sallery—I am pritty certain rather then not be in your imployment you might get him bound for three years, & if

you will suggest to me your wishes, I will endeavour to Treat accordingly. We are all Well, Mrs Peter joins me in respects to you & Mrs Washington and I am Dear sir your obedt Servt

Thomas Peter


Title: From George Washington to John Fitzgerald, 20 February 1798
From: Washington, George
To: Fitzgerald, John

Dear Sir
Mount Vernon 20th Feby 1798

In answer to your letter of yesterday’s date, I request you would inform Mr Sim’s that I cannot with my own consent, & consistent with my own engagements, grant the time he asks for payment of the money due me, and which ought to have been paid weeks ago.
If my hold is not weakened by the Act, and he will give me unequivocal security (such I mean as you would be satisfied with) that the money with interest from the time it became due, & cost of protest &ca at the Bank, shall be paid on, or before the first day of April next I will consent (although it may involve me in embarrassment) to wait until then, for payment; beyond which I cannot extend it; and must request to be informed, and decidedly, whether he accedes to this, that my measures, if he does not, may be taken Accordingly. If he should, to you as the Mutual friend

to both, I submit the Negociation. The former note is yet at the Bank. Mr Sim will not forget, I trust, that his first application was for a few days only; & the forbearance has been upwards of six weeks. I stand, at this moment, engaged to pay for a quantity of Rye & Corn, & must buy more, or let my Distillery remain Idle, wch cannot, reasonably be expected. Yrs Affectly

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Alexander White, 20 February 1798
From: White, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Philadelphia 20th Feb: 1798

I arrived in this City on Saturday senight and immediately waited on the President; He gave me a Memorial which my Colleagues had forwarded to him addressed to the Congress for my perusal & signature I urged him as far as propriety would admit, to transmit the Memorial addressed to himself, but could not prevail he said he would transmit the Memorial of the Comrs and requested me to prepare a Message such as I thought proper to accompany it, informing me at the same time that he should want two copies, in terms which indicated his expectation, that I would have another drawn—On Monday I again waited on him, and proposed with his consent to make a small alteration in the Memorial shewing him an authority from my Colleagues to draw a Memorial and sign their names. he would not agree to this, but said I might send it to my Colleagues, and have it altered by them. I told him I did not consider the proposed alteration of sufficient consequence to justify the delay; he said the delay would be attended with no bad consequence; for while the House were engaged in the business of Lyon, any application on that subject would meet an unfavourable reception; beside, he wished to have a copy for each house signed by the Comrs I then mentioned the draft of a Message, and asked him whether it would not be proper to state, that the subject had first been submitted to the President and that he deemed it deserving the consideration of Congress; at this he shewed an uncommon degree of Warmth, said he should not make himself a Slave to the Federal City; that the People there had belied him, that he would do what his official duty required of him and no more:

he resumed the subject of Lyon, and said if he were not expelled the Seat of Government would be in N. York; that it was impossible the Eastern People should bear to be tyrannised ever by Giles & such men—I was astonished at this conversation but restrained my feelings so far as to avoid an offensive reply; I have not communicated it to my Colleagues or to any other Person; neither shall I. I have been much among the Members of Congress from differrent parts of the Union, and Officers of Government I find some Friends of the Federal Seat particularly the attorney General clearly of opinion, that nothing in the present State of things can be obtained from Congress; all think the event doubtful, but pretty generally agree that the experiment ought to be made—I expected a return of the Memorial to-day, it is not arrived—I am with sentiments of the highest Respect Dear Sir Your most ob. Serv.

Alexr White


Title: To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 22 February 1798 [letter not found]
From: Biddle, Clement
To: Washington, George

 Letter not found: from Clement Biddle, 22 Feb. 1798. On 3 Mar. GW wrote Biddle: “your letter of the 22d has been received.”


Title: To George Washington from Francis Deakins, 24 February 1798
From: Deakins, Francis
To: Washington, George

Sir
George Town 24th Feby 1798

I Requested Mr Veatch las fall before I moved from Monococy, to Compell paymts of Your rents at the expiration of 1797—& on the rect of your Letter of the 15th Jany again ordered it—in Answer recd his Letter which I now enclose you—from what I know of the Circumstancs of the Tenants—I believe his Conduct & Opinion on this Occasion the most Advisable & Secure—because as he Observes & I expect it would be the Cause of preventg their Making a Crop next Summer & Leave them in a more disagreeable Situation then probably they may be put next fall—they promise—if not distressed to Attend & pay in differant kind of produce as it is Seccured Mr Veatch also promises to see Closly into it—& knowing it will be more agreeable to you to get it without distress than by it. I wish you to Let it rest with the Superintender. & I will keep it in View to have what I may conceive best put into execusion without your further Notice.
I am Sorry to inform you that B. Perry after repeatedly promising to Assist his Sister Beale now refuses Joining in a Bond for her Back Rents.
I have Seen her—She Says She has about 2000 lb. Tobo for paccking as Soon as the Season will permit—that & the hire of a negro Carpinter She hopes will enable her to pay up in all next Summer. Should it not be So, her Crop I Suppose will be Sufficient—upon the whole Mr Veatch who is on the Spot promises to take every Step in his power to Close the account next fall & if he has any further order to give the present Tenants timely Notice to go off that he may put on Such as will not give Trouble, & as those was not put on by you, he hopes—tho you may not order it—youl not forbid it—the Rents may then with New Tenants be better changed into Money then at present—we have therefore Said nothing of money rents for this year—A ful Statmt of B. Jones Accts with the Rects to whom paid was Sent to Mr Lear Some time ago—if not to be found Jones & Veatch no doubt can Send other Copys if requested—that acct was at last fully paid as I am Told by Mr Jones & from the time he gave up Mr Veatch now renders the acct. I am Sir with great Respect Yr Mt Obedt St

Francis Deakins


Title: To George Washington from John Sinclair, 24 February 1798
From: Sinclair, John
To: Washington, George

Sir
Board of Agriculture Whitehall [London]24th February 1798.

I have the honour to inform you, that at the last Meeting of the Board of Agriculture, it was unanimously resolved, that the £10 remitted by you, as a Subscription for the Publications of the Board, shall be laid out in binding a complete set of the same, in the handsomest manner, and that they be sent to you, with a letter expressive of the Sentiments which the Board entertains for so distinguished a character.
It is with much satisfaction, that I communicate to you a Resolution, in which I so cordially partake. I regret much that you do not permit us to indulge the hopes of our having the pleasure of seeing you in this Country, and of your taking a Seat at the Board, as an Honorary Member. I have the honour to be, with much respect, Sir, Your faithful, and Obedient servant

John Sinclair President


Title: From George Washington to David Stuart, 26 February 1798
From: Washington, George
To: Stuart, David

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 26th Feby 1798

When you were here last, I informed you, that from the reputation which the College at Annapolis had, I was most inclined under every view I could take of the case, to send Washington to that Seminary; and, accordingly, had requested Mr George Calvert (who informed me that he was going to that City) to converse with

the President of the College on this subject, & make other enquiries, and to acquaint me with the result.
Enclosed, I transmit his letter. It wd have been more pleasing, and much to have been desired, to have got Washington fixed in the house with Mr McDowell; but this it seems cannot be, for reasons assigned by that Gentleman. I think, notwithstanding, that he had best go there; as, from all accounts, there is less of that class of people which are baneful to youth, in that City, than in any other, from the nature of its composition, and strictness of its Police—according to Mr Calverts account. and for another reason also; seeing (as he confesses he has) what effect his misconduct has had upon his friends—Pride, when classed with other Students, will operate in addition thereto, a more powerful stimulus, than it would in lonely, & solitary reading & studies, by himself.
If he was to go to Alexandria, his Studies must be conducted at the Academy, or in his own chambers. The first, after coming from a large and celebrated College, he would consider as degrading; and in the other case (being left alone) he would attend very little to them while Mr Moffat was discharging the trust reposed in him at the Academy. To expect, after devoting the appropriate hours to his school ⟨duties⟩ that he wd apply much of the residue to Washington, is what he would not perform, strictly, was he to promise it. and besides, from the information I have been enabled to obtain, the young People (Storekeepers & clerks chiefly) are idle, dissipated and extravagant. Acquaintances with some of them would be soon formed, and the consequences not difficult to predict. From good authority I am informed that many of them spend in Taverns more than their wages amount to. The deficiency must be supplied in some way or another.
With respect to his (Washington’s) remaining at this place, I am perfectly satisfied from the experience of the last few months, that he has been here, that even under the constant care of a more illumined Preceptor than I am sure there is the least chance of obtaining, he would progress very little; and as the case now is, that he will forget what he does know, so inert is his mind.
He takes Alexandria in his way to Hope Park, to provide himself with such Clothes ⟨illegible⟩. At what time they ⟨will be⟩ ready, otherwise than by promise, must depend on the Taylor. The Suggestion of your accompanying Washington to Annapolis is contained in Mr Calverts letter, & coincides perfectly with my ideas of the utility

of the measure. If it be convenient, & agreeable to you to undertake the journey, you shall be informed when he is ready to commence it, or, if there could be any dependence upon the Tayler he could inform you himself. If you cannot go, I will ask Mr Lear to do it, but this will not answer as well—in either case the expence will be mine.
Mrs Washington has a very bad cold, the rest of the family, at home, are as usual, best wishes to Mrs Stuart and all with you. I am Dr Sir—Your Obedt & Affecte

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 27 February 1798
From: Washington, George
To: Biddle, Clement

Dear Sir
Mount Vernon 27th Feby 1798

In the latter end of Jany I acknowledged the receipt of your letter of the 16th of that month; writing you fully relative to several matters; on some of which (one in particular respecting the price of the best German Oznabgs) I was in hopes I should have received an immediate answer to. Not having heard of the miscarriage of any mail, I am at a loss to what cause to ascribe your silence; and yet, none appearing so likely, as a mishap to the letter, I forward a duplicate of it.
Ellwood arrived about the date of my last, and the articles sent by him were delivered in good order. By the first Vessel bound to Alexandria, I pray you to send me the several articles mentioned in the enclosed list, addressed to the care of Colo. George Gilpin of that place. I am—Dear Sir Your Obedient Hble Servant

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Dumas, 27 February 1798
From: Dumas, Gabriel-Mathieu (Guillaume-Mathieu), comte de
To: Washington, George

Sir,
⟨Tremsbüttel in the dutchy of Holstein⟩⟨the 27th of February⟩ 1798.

I receive, but this very moment, the Favour of your Excellency’s Letter of the 24 of june Last; Genl Marshal has been so kind as to transmitt it to me as soon as he Could discover, my Retiring-place; for this I am much endebted to the Gentln whose introduction and Acquaintance you intended to honour me with. it should had been a blessing for me, to welcome your Friends, the Envoys of our american fellow-Citizens, with those hospitable Feelings they were intitled to, and had Reason to expect from every good Frenchman. Such a Blessing God deny’d: after an unsuccessful opposing to Tyranny and a very narow Escape from it’s Jaws, I lament the Fate of my bleeding, and shamefully subdued Country.
The Approbation and particular Esteem of your Excellency are at once a Relief and a Reward for a true Friend to Liberty who suffers for it’s sake: Those Feelings has Lafayette experienced in the highest Degree, and in such Exilii Decorum I would rival our worthy Friend. his inclosing the present will sufficiently inform your Excellency of our mutual Satisfaction in meeting in this hospitable Country where the Wisdom of Government and the morality of the People shine the more through the Clouds of the allover-spred Corruption. I will not repeat particular Circumstances to you already known, I had but a small Share in the Restoration of Genl La Fayette and his Family to their Liberty, but however a sufficient one to grace with a soft Remembering the very last Exertions

of mine in public Station before the rash Dissolving of the Legislative Body.
I did Myself the honour of waiting upon Genl Pinckney on his first coming up to Paris, and join’d with my Friends (as far as it was in our Province) to make amends for the shocking manner in which his Character, and I will venture to say, the Public Faith were abused in his Person. I could have done more this time and it has been to me a heart felt Disappointmt to be suddenly deprived of the Long since planed Satisfaction of bringing a helpful hand in the Adjusting the Differences which exist so unfortunately between the two Nations. ever since the Beginning of the Dispute in the year 1792 (the Epoch of our first Proscription) I follow’d the gloomy Track in the News-Papers during my long Retirement from public Business. I never approved of any sort of Inducement, of any public or secret Endeavours to involve the U.S. of America in the Calamities of the War; I looked at those Transactions, if they may be so called, as utterly unjust from our Part, and on both Sides impolitick.
that we had lately a fair Prospect to have the Matter settled on equal Terms, Your Excellency knows better than I could properly explain in the narow Compass of this Letter; I do flatter myself that in enumerating amongst the French the most steady Friends to the american Cause, the Citizens the Freemen of both Nations, my name more than once was recalled to your Kind Remembering.
What now can be expected is no more in the Hands of Men; we must under the Scourge of Providence run the shameful Race of tyrannical Power—would not the concerns of a tender Wife, of a sweet young Family forcibly detain me on this Side of the Atlantick I should seek for a new Mother-Country, where under your paternal Protecting I would feel myself quite at home. I have the honour to be most respectfully, Sir, Your Most Obedient Servant

Elias Funck [Dumas]


Title: From George Washington to William Augustine Washington, 27 February 1798
From: Washington, George
To: Washington, William Augustine

My dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 27th Feby 1798

Mr Rice called here in his way to Alexandria, & delivered me your letter of the 15th instant.
Of the recent afflicting event, which was related therein, we had received previous accounts; and on that, as on the former occasions of a similar nature, sympathized sincerely in your sorrows. But these are the decrees of an Allwise Providence, against whose dictates the skill, or foresight of Man can be of no avail; it is incumbent upon him therefore, to submit with as little repining as the sensibility of his nature will admit. This will have its course, but may be greatly ameliorated by philosophical reflection & resignation. As you have three children left, I trust they will be spared to you; and sincerely hope that in them you will find consolation & comfort.
Had your intimation of Mr Ashton’s wishes been announced to me about a fortnight ago, I would, gladly, have employed him in the character you have mentioned; provided his expectation of compensation had come within my means; which, in truth, are hardly able to support the heavy expences I am, in a manner, unavoidably run into. Finding it impracticable to use the exercise (on horseback) which my health, business & inclination requires, and, at the sametime to keep my accounts, & perform all the writing which my late public occupations have been the means of involving me in, I resolved to employ a clerk (if to be had on moderate wages) and accordingly, about twelve or fourteen days ago, engaged one who writes a very good hand, & said to understand Accounts & Book keeping, at $150 dollars a year. What would have been Mr Ashton’s expectations I know not; beyond this sum, or $200 at most, I could not have gone: & if he would have been contented therewith, & the application had been made in time, I should have received him with pleasure, in preference to the person who is to come, & who I expect here about the middle of next month, if he fulfils his promise.
The reason which you assign for giving the rudiments of education to your Sons at home, is a weighty & conclusive one; but much will depend upon the qualifications, & fitness of the Preceptor you employ, to render it more or less benificial. To a certain point, tuition under the eye of the Parents, or Guardians of Youth, is much

to be prefered; because, the presumption is, that the propensities & passions of the latter will be watched with more solicitude & attention by the former than by their Tutors: but when the direction of these are unfolded, & can be counteracted by a discipline of Public Schools, & the precepts of the Professors—Especially too, when the judgment is beginning to form; when pride becomes a stimulus; and the knowledge of men, as well as of Books, are to be learnt; I should give the preference to a public Seminary.
I make use of no Barley in my Distillery (the operations of which are just commenced). Rye chiefly, & Indian Corn in a certain proportion, compose the materials from which the Whiskey is made. The former I buy at 4/6, for the latter I have not given more than 17/6, and latterly 17/ delivered at the Distillery—It has sold in Alexandria (in small quantities from the Waggons) at 16/ & 16/6 pr Barrl, but at what it goes now I am unable to inform you. So large a quantity as you have for sale may command a good price.
Is there any person in your neighbourhood in the practice of selling staves, proper for flour barrels? If so, be so good as to inform me, and at what price they could be delivered at my landing (at the Mill). Any letters for me, put into a Post Office meets a safe & ready passage, but how to insure mine to you, you can best tell, & I wish to be informed.
Did you ever receive a letter from me, transmitting the request of Sir Isaac Heard, of the Heraldry Office in England, respecting the Genealogy of our family? and my own desire to be furnished with the Inscriptions on the Tombs of our Ancesters in their burying ground at Bridge Creek? Among your fathers Papers, I thought it was likely you might obtain some information on this head. From the coming over of John & Lawrence Washington, two brothers, in the year 1657 I have been able to trace the descendants of the former; being the one from whom our family came; those of Lawrence, from whom the Chotanckers proceeded, I have not been able to get any correct account; and that is the Branch to which Sir Isaac Heard’s enquiries particularly point, being tolerably well informed of the descendants from John. The enquiry is, in my opinion, of very little moment, but as Sir Isaac has interested himself in the matter & seems desirous of tracing the family from whence we are descended back, I wish to give him as correct information of it as I am able to procure.

I am very glad to hear that you enjoy tolerable good health at present, and that your children are perfectly well. It is unnecessary I hope to assure you, that at all times when you can make it convenient, & the situation of your health will permit, that we shall be very happy to see you at this place. Where is Mrs Washington of Bushfield? I hope she is well. I acknowledged the receipt of her letter to me, by the Post, but whether it ever got to her hands, or not, I am unable to say. Probably not, as you lye out of the Post Road, & she may not be in the habit of sending to the Post Offices. Poor lady! I fear she will soon have another afflictive trial of her resignation to the Divine Will, in the death of Mrs Corbin Washington, who from the last accts we have had of her, cannot remain long among us. This family unite in best wishes for you, & yours and I am my dear Sir Your sincere frd & affecte Uncle

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 28 February 1798 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Biddle, Clement

Letter not found: to Clement Biddle, 28 Feb. 1798. On 3 Mar. GW wrote to Biddle of “writing to you on the 27th & 28th Ulto.”


Title: To George Washington from William Stoy, 28 February 1798
From: Stoy, William
To: Washington, George

Sir!
Libanon in Pensilvania febr: 28th 1798

Some months ago you Send your Christopher to me on account of the bite of a mad dog, and by him a letter in which you Said you had directed Mr Slough in Lancaster to pay my charge for Christophers cure. consequently i had no right to charge Christopher, nor did Christopher offer to pay me, and when he went away, I

told him what I charged desiring him according to your request to tell Mr Slough my charge was four dollars and So he went off. Seeing affter a while Mr Slough paid no regard to your request in your letter to him, & one of my Sons having business at Lancaster I calld upon Mr Slough according to your order in your letter to me and the direction given to Mr Slough, when Mr Slough told my Son, that Christr told him before he left Lancaster, that he Christr had paid the doctor, which he did not, and which I by your order had no right to demand of him. this is not written on behalf of a few dollars, which I lost many times: but I will not be Suspected to make bad use of your direction, and to ask one debt Twice, which is the behaviour of rogues not mine. All I want to know is, whether Christopr or Slough hath told a lye.
you know Mr Marsteller in Alexandria & he knows my character. with due regard I am Sir! your Excellencys Very humble Servant

W. Stoy


Title: To George Washington from David Stuart, 1 March 1798
From: Stuart, David
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir,
Hope Park March 1st 1798

Altho’ it is by no means convenient to me at this time and season, to go to Annapolis, yet as it is of such importance to Washington to be fixed there as soon as possible, I cannot decline it. It will be most agreeable to me from some business which I have now postponed ’till my return, to set off immediately—On the expectation that he will not be disappointed by his Taylor, I will be down on Sunday, so as to proceed on monday: or if prevented by any unforeseen cause at present, within a day or two after. I am very respectfully Your Obt Serv:

Dd Stuart.


Title: From George Washington to Alexander White, 1 March 1798
From: Washington, George
To: White, Alexander

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 1st March 1798.

Your favor of the 20th Ulto was received yesterday. For the information it has given, I thank you; although it is not of the most pleasing sort. Some parts of it indeed, has surprized me not a little, but neither the surprise or the cause of it, shall be communicated to any other.
My sentiments, relatively to the Memorial, you are already possessed of, and therefore I shall add nothing more on that subject, than the expression of a fear, that the disgraceful topic which has so long occupied the time, & oratory of the House of Representatives will contribute nothing to the favourable reception, & issue of it.
If time should hang a little heavy on your hands, while the Memorial is pending in Congress, the appropriation of an hour or two of it, now and then, not only to inform me of the progress of that business but as a calm observer—(and in confidence if you choose it) to give me your opinion of matters as they pass before you, in review; for misrepresentation & party feuds have arisen to such a height, as to distort truth and to become portensious of the most serious consequences. Where, or when they will terminate; or whether they can end at any point short of confusion and anarchy, is now, in my opinion, more problematical than ever.
I had, until lately, entertained a hope, that the continued depredations wch are committed on our Commerce; the pacific measures, which have, invariably, been pursued to obtain redress—& to convince the French of our earnest wish to remain in Peace with them, & all the world—and the indignant treatment those efforts have met with, would have united all parties and all discriptions of men (except those who wish to see the waters troubled) in a firm & temperate demand of Justice; or, in preparations for the worst: but the reverse, seems more apparently than ever to be the case; and every thing that can be by the most unnatural construction, is exhibited as a justification of the conduct of France towards this Country, and in condemnation of the measures of the latter.
What seems to be the prevalent opinion of Colo. Monroes View of the Conduct of the Executive of the United States? I do not mean the opinion of either Party. but, if such are to be found, of the dispassionate; or at ⟨least⟩ of the moderate part of both. I will make

no remarks on it myself, inclining rather to hear the observations of others, ⟨this⟩ I would wish to hear with the most unreserved frankness. But I will not enlarge on this or any other subject at present but conclude with assuring you that with sentiments of very great esteem & regard, I am Dear Sir Your Obedt & affecte Servant

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Francis Deakins, 5 March 1798
From: Washington, George
To: Deakins, Francis

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 5th of Mar. 1798

Your letter of the 24th Ulto from George Town, enclosing Mr Veatch’s letter to you, and account of Rents due to me, got safe to my hands.

It is not my wish, or request, that any of my tenants near Monoeasy (who manifest a real disposition to discharge their Rents honestly) should be injured by distraining on their effects. All therefore that is incumbent on Mr Veatch to do, in this case, is to keep an eye upon them, and not to suffer the means by which these Rents are to be discharged, to slip thro’ his fingers; and to take care also, if they are not paid in the specific article stipulated, that is Tobacco, that he receives the value thereof in money at the price it actually sold, at the time it became due, & ought to have been paid. Of these matters you will please to inform Mr Veatch, and with whatever else you & he may judge it expedient to do, in my behalf I shall be perfectly satisfied, & will abide the issue.
If Mr Lear has received the Bale due from Mr Jones, he has no doubt given me credit for it, and it will appear in his A/c when I come to settle it.
I can only repeat to you, my thanks for the trouble you have taken in these concerns of mine, and add to them, assurances of being—Dear Sir Your Most Obedient & Obliged Servant

Go: Washington

P.S. At the moment I was going to close this letter for the Post Office, I was informed & heard with sincere regret, the death of your worthy brother, Colo. William Deakins, for whom when alive I had a high esteem & regard. On this melancholy occasion I offer you my heart felt condolance. G: W——n


Title: From George Washington to John McDowell, 5 March 1798
From: Washington, George
To: McDowell, John

Sir,
Mount Vernon 5th March 1798

Consequent of a letter which I have lately received from Mr Geo: Calvert, this letter will be presented to you by Doctor Stuart; who is so obliging as to accompany young Mr Custis to Annapolis for the purpose of entering him at College, under your auspices; and for making such arrangements respecting his boarding; the proper line of conduct for him to observe; and course of Studies, as you

& he (the temper & genius of the youth being considered) shall conceive most eligable for him to pursue.
Mr Custis possesses competent talents to fit him for any studies, but they are counteracted by an indolence of mind which renders it difficult to draw them into action. Doctr Stuart having been an attentive observer of this, I shall refer you to him for the developement of the causes, while justice, from me, requires I should add, that I know of no Vice to which this inertness can be attributed. From drinking and gaming he is perfectly free—and if he has a propensity to any other impropriety, it is hidden from me. He is generous, and regardful of truth.
As his family, fortune and talents (if the latter can be improved) give him just pretensions to become a useful member of Society, in the Councils of his Country, his friends (and none more than myself) are extremely desirous that his education should be liberal, polished, and adapted to this end. Any exertions of yours therefore to promote these wishes, would be gratefully received.
Whatever is agreed upon by Doctr Stuart in my behalf, with relation to Mr Custis, will meet the approbation of, and be complied with by, Sir Your Most Obedt & Most Humble Servant

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Benjamin Fendall, 6 March 1798
From: Washington, George
To: Fendall, Benjamin

Sir
Mount Vernon 6th Mar. 1798

Mrs Washington has been long in expectation of receiving what you took away unfinished, and was to have completed and sent to her; and prays that it may be done with out further delay, as she is in want of them; & must apply elsewhere if not done. I am Sir Your Obedt Hble Ser.

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from John Trumbull, 6 March 1798
From: Trumbull, John
To: Washington, George

Sir:
72 Welbeck Street London, March 6th 1798

At length I have the satisfaction of informing you, that my two first Plates of the American Revolution are finished, and in a Style perfectly satisfactory to me: I had hopes of sending out their impressions to my Subscribers by this Convoy, but it has been impossible to print a sufficient number to deliver to all, and as I can make no distinctions, I must suffer the whole to wait the next Convoy, when they will all be sent.
In the mean time I have shipped on board the Suffolk, Capt. Wm Lovel, bound to Alexandria, a case directed for you, of which the Bill of Lading is enclosed, and which contains a pair of Proofs of these Prints, which I beg you will do me the Honour to accept: these, with those for which you are a Subscriber, & which you will receive by the next Ships, will form a complete Series of impressions, in the various Stages of the progress of this Work.
I have only to regret that the Talents which I had to employ in this Work, were not more worthy of the greatness of the Subject; and that the Times in which I live, are so little favorable to its successful continuation. I beg to be remembered to Mrs Washington, and that you will believe me to be with the highest respect Sir Your much obliged Servant & Friend

Jno: Trumbull


Title: To George Washington from James Ash, 8 March 1798
From: Ash, James
To: Washington, George

Sir
Baltimore March 8th 1798

I take the liberty of inclosing you, my proposals for printing, a Digest of, the Laws of Maryland, from 1785 to the time of publication. The manifold Services, which you have rendered our Country, in the walks of public and private life—the love and veneration to which your character is so deservedly entitled, renders it an incumbent duty, approved by the warmest affections of my heart, to present this plan to you, for your approbation and encouragment. If you think it will have a useful tendency, I feel the fullest assurance of your patronage, and if it appear to you a reversed view, it would be unreasonable to expect it.
May you long live, to enjoy the virtuous reflections, which flow, from the judicious application, of a useful, illustrious, and memorable life: and may the evening of your day be as happy, unclouded, and Serene, as the preceeding part of it has been wise, unsullied, distinguished, and glorious. I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect, Sir, Yr mo: ob: Hble st

James Ash.


Title: To George Washington from Elizabeth Swan Bornick, 8 March 1798
From: Bornick, Elizabeth Swan
To: Washington, George

Sir
Philadelphia march 8th [17]98

I hope you will be so very good as to Pardon the liberty taken by a Stranger who has never had the pleasure to see you since She was a small Child I am a native of Virginia and have most Part of my life resided in that State. I have Property in the west indies and on account of that Property I am here on my way to the Islands the Person who was to transact business for me here has failed and I am in much Distress for the want of one Hundred Dollors, if my Good Sir you will do me the very great favour to let me have the lone of that sum I can go to the west indies with Conveninance

and with thout God only knows what I shall do there is no person here that I Could get that sum off[.] should you be so good as to let me have it you may rely on haveing it sent to Baltimore or al[e]xandrea to the care of aney Person you will do me the Honor to name I was formerly acquainted with your nephew jorge Washington and with your Ladys 2 Nephews B. and j. Danderidge I resided in Hanover County for some years past, was Born in Orange County and well acquainted with the family of Colo. madison my reason Sir for mentioning this is that you may not be at a loss intirely to know who it is that takes this great liberty but as I am writing to a good man I am sure if he will not grant me the favour requested he will pardon the liberty, taken by a distressed widow I have a Brother in richmond and another in orange very able to send me as maney Pounds as I have asked Dollors but as they knew my situation and did not offer aney releaf I Could not ask it so soon as from a stranger such as I believe you to be. H. Burnley one of the Council is a Brother of myne. I hope Dear Sir to save me from Deep distress you will Confer that great favour on one who I hope you will find very griatfull, should you Honor me with a line you will please to direct for me No. 899 Arch Street or to the Care of the Vice President in Fourth Street at Francises Hotell. I have the Honnor to be Sir with much respect your Humble Servant

Elizabeth Swan Bornick


Title: To George Washington from John Marshall, 8–10 March 1798
From: Marshall, John
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Paris March 8[–10]th 1798

Before this reaches you it will be known universally in America that scarcely a hope remains of accomodating on principles consistent with justice, or even with the indep[end]ence of our country, the differences subsisting between France & the United States. Our ministers are not yet, & it is known to all that they will not be, recognizd, without a previous stipulation on their part, that they will accede to the demands of France. It is as well known that those demands are for money—to be usd in the prosecution of

the present war. It was some little time past expected that, convinc’d of the impracticability of effecting the objects of their mission, our ministers were about to demand their passports & to return to the United States—but this determination if ever made is, I am persuaded, suspended if not entirely relinquish’d. The report has been that so soon as it shall be known that they will not add a loan to the mass of american property already in the hands of this government, they will be order’d out of France & a nominal as well as actual war will be commenc’d against the United States. My opinion has always been that this depends on the state of the war with England. To that object the public attention is very much turnd, & it is perhaps justly beleivd that on its issue is stakd the independence of Europe & America. The preparations for an invasion are immense. A numerous & veteran army lines the coast, & it is said confidently that if the landing of 50,000 men can be effected, no force in England will be able to resist them. The often repeated tale that the war is made not against the people but the government, maintains in spite of experience some portion of its credit, & it is beleiv’d here that a formidable & organizd party exists in Britain, ready, so soon as a landing shall be effected, to rise & demand a reform. It is suppos’d that England revolutionizd under the protection of a french army, will be precisely in the situation of the batavian & cisalpine republics & that its wealth, its commerce, & its fleets will be at the disposition of this government. In the meantime this expedition is not without its hazards. An army which arriving safe woud sink England may itself be encounterd & sunk in the channel. The effect of such a disaster on a nation already tir’d of the war & groaning under the pressure of an enormous taxation, which might discern in it the seeds of another coalition, & which perhaps may not be universally attachd to existing arrangements, might be extremely serious to those who hold the reins of government.
It is therefore beleivd by many who do not want inteligence that these formidable military preparations cover & favor secret negotiations for peace. It is rumord (but this is meer rumor) that propositions have been made to England to cede to her the possessions of Portugal in America, in consideration of her restoring the conquests she has made on France Spain & Holland & of her consent that Portugal in Europe shall be annexd to the Spanish monarchy. This report is derivd from no source in any degree to be relied

on, & is supported by no circumstance rendering it in any degree probable—other than the existing disposition for partitioning & disposing of empires. I am however persuaded that some secret negotiation with England is now on the tapis. I know almost certainly that a person high in the confidence of this government, who is frequently employd in unofficial negotiation, has passed over into that island. We can only conjecture his objects.
You probably know that the affairs of Rastadt are substantially decided. The Emperor & the King of Prussia have declard themselves in favor of ceding to France the whole territory on the left of the rhine on the principle of compensation in the interior of Germany. This woud seem to me to take from England the hope of once more arming Austria & Prussia in her favor, for certainly had those powers contemplated such an event they woud not have effected the pacification of the empire. This circumstance will probably influence the secret negotiations with England. It will probably too very much influence the affairs of Swisserland. The determination of France to revolutionize the helvetic body has been long known. In the pais de vaud belonging to the Canton of Berne the revolution has commenc’d & is completely effected under the protection & guidance of a french army for which that litde country has already paid about 800,000 livres Swiss. France has insisted on extending the revolution throughout Swisserland. The existing governments in some of the cantons & especially in Bern declare their willingness to reorganize their constitution on the base of an equality of rights & a free representation, but they protest against foreign interposition & against a revolutionary intermediate government. In support of this resolution they have collected all their force & most of the cantons which have already chang’d their form of government have furnishd their contingents. The mass of the people in Bern are firmly united & seem to join the government in saying that they will to the last man bury themselves under the ruins of their country rather than submit to the intermeddling of foreigners in the formation of their constitutions. Such is the present truely interesting state of Swisserland. A powerful military force is advancing upon them & at the same time it is said that the negotiations are to be opend. The terms offerd however are supposd to be such as if accepted will place that country in the same situation as if conquerd. A revolutionary government is insisted on.

The Swiss have observ’d an exact neutrality throughout the late war on the continent & have even since the peace sought to preserve the forbearance of France by concessions not perfectly compatible with the rights of an independent nation.
On the side of Italy it is beleivd that materials are preparing to revolutionize Sardinia & Naples. Some jealosies exist with respect to Spain. Augereau has been orderd sometime since to Perpignan a position from which he may with advantage overawe that monarchy, invade Portugal or preserve order in the south during the insuing elections. It is the common opinion that shoud the elections in any respect disappoint the wishes of the Directory it will be on the side of Jacobinism. The existing government appears to me to need only money to enable it to effect all its objects. A numerous brave & well disciplind army seems to be devoted to it. The most military & the most powerful nation on earth is entirely at its disposal. Spain Italy & Holland with the Hanseatic towns obey its mandates. Yet there is a difficulty in procuring funds to work this vast machine. Credit being annihilated, the actual impositions of the year must equal the disbursements. The consequence is that notwithstanding the enormous contributions made by foreign nations France is overwhelmd with taxes. The proprietor complains that his estate yields him nothing. Real property pays in taxes nearly a third of its produce & is greatly reduc’d in its price. The patriotic gifts for the invasion of England to which men have been stimulated by all possible means have not exceeded by the highest calculation 100000 livres. This is the amount stated by a person who charges the officers of the treasury with peculation. The treasury admits 65,000 livres. It is supposd that recourse will be had to a forc’d loan & that the neighbors of the republic will be requird to contribute still further to its wants. A very heavy beginning has been made with Rome.
March 10th
The papers announce that the troops of France & Swisserland have had some severe encounters in which those of the latter have been worsted & the french have enterd Fribourg & Soleure. Report (which as yet wants confirmation & indeed is disbeleivd) also says that Berne has submitted.


Title: From George Washington to John Nicholas, 8 March 1798
From: Washington, George
To: Nicholas, John

Sir,
Mount Vernon 8th of Mar. 1798

The letter which you did me the favor of writing to me under date of the 22d Ulto came safe to hand.

Nothing short of the Evidence you have adduced, corroborative of intimations which I had received long before, through another channel, could have shaken my belief in the sincerity of a friendship, which I had conceived was possessed for me, by the person to whom you allude. But attempts to injure those who are supposed to stand well in the estimation of the People, and are stumbling blocks in their way (by misrepresenting their political tenets) thereby to destroy all confidence in them, is one of the means by which the Government is to be assailed, and the Constitution destroyed. The conduct of this Party is systematized, and every thing that is opposed to its execution, will be sacrificed, without hesitation, or remorse; if the end can be answd by it.
If the person whom you suspect, was really the Author of the letter under the signature of John Langhorne, it is not at all surprising, to me, that the correspondence should have ended where it did; for the penetration of that man would have perceived at the first glance of the answer, that nothing was to be drawn from that mode of attack; In what form, the next insidious attempt may appear, remains to be discovered. But as the attempts to explain away the Constitution, & weaken the Government are now become so open; and the desire of placing the Affairs of this Country under the influence & controul of a foreign Nation is so apparant, & strong, it is hardly to be expected that a resort to covert means to effect these objects, will be longer regarded.
With respect to Mr Monroe’s “View of the conduct of the Executive of the United States” I shall say but little; because, as he has called it a view thereof, I shall leave it to the tribunal to which he himself has appealed, to decide 1st how far a correspondence with one of its Agents is entitled to the unqualified epithet he has bestowed thereon; 2d How, if it is not, it is to exhibit a view thereof; and 3d, how far his Instructions, and the letters he has received from that Executive through the Constitutional organ, and to which he refers, can be made to subserve the great points which he and his Party are evidently aiming at; namely, to impress upon the public mind that favouritism towards Great Britain, has produced a dereliction in the Administration, of good will towards France.
As to the propriety of exposing to public view his private Instructions, and correspondence with his own Government, nothing need be said; for I should suppose that the measure must be

reprobated by the well informed and intelligent of all Nations; and not less so by his abettors in this Country; if they were not blinded by Party views, and determined at all hazards to catch at any thing, that, in their opinion, will promote them.
The mischievous, and dangerous tendency of such a practice, is too glaring to require a comment.
If the Executive, in the opinion of the Gentleman you have alluded to, is chargeable with “premeditating the destruction of Mr Monroe in his appointment, because he was the centre around which the Republican party rallied in the Senate” (a circumstance quite new to me) It is to be hoped he will give it credit ⟨illegible⟩ for its lenity towards that Gentleman, for having designated several others (not of the Senate) as Victims to this office before the sacrafice of Mr Monroe was ever had in contemplation. As this must be some consolation to him and his frds I hope they will embrace it.
But as you have given me assurances of a visit at this place with Governor Wood in the Spring which is now commencing I shall only add that with esteem and regard I am Sir Your Most hble ⟨illegible⟩

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Bushrod Washington, 8 March 1798
From: Washington, George
To: Washington, Bushrod

My dear Bushrod,
Mount Vernon 8th Mar: 1798.

As some time has elapsed since I have heard from you, and some things remained to be done by the Auditor of which you were to give me the result I have been apprehensive of a return of your fever and wish to hear of the perfect recovery of yourself & Mrs Washington who we are informed has also been sick.
In one of my last letters to you, was enclosed a certified copy of the publication of the Chancery decree in the London Gazette

relative to Colvills Affairs. Did it get safe to your hands? and in that, or another letter I asked what steps I ought to take to legalize Genl Lee’s Conveyance of Land to me, as the proof thereof was not in time? and whether the Post master in Richmond charged you with the Postage of my letters? To none of these have you made any response.
But the motive which has induced me to write you, at this moment, will be found in the enclosed correspondences & with the observation and enquiry which follow, will explain the object of giving you the trouble of reading them.
Mr Nicholas (who is a conspicuous performer in this business) is a Gentleman with whom I have no recollected acquaintance, and the political conduct of all those of the name, whom I do know, adds nothing to my esteem of them. He seems very desirous of drawing me into a correspondence on Party subjects; which—of all others—is not the most pleasant: and even civil answers upon this topic to one of whose character I know nothing, might be imprudent.
Enquiring, upon the receipt of the first letter from Mr Nicholas, who he was, it was answered—I think by Doctr Stuart—that he was Clerk of Albemarle Court; was a respectable man; well disposed to the Government; and the reputed author of a number of pieces under the signature of Americanus. Since that, he has doubted whether it is the person he had in view, or not; this circumstance, and Mr Nicholas in his last letter speaking of you as his intimate friend, has induced me to give you the reading of all the letters; and to rest it with you, from a view of the subject, and the knowledge you possess of the character of Mr Nicholas, to forward, or return to me, the letter herewith enclosed, to its address. It is left open for your perusal—If it goes on, seal & put it under another cover, or not, as you please. The other enclosures will be returned to me of course. Our love to Mrs Washington and with sincere friendship I remain Your Affectionate Uncle

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Alexander White, 10 March 1798
From: White, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Philadelphia 10th March 1798

I was much gratified with the receipt of your letter of the first instant, it was in Post later than it ought to have been in course, and I since waited a day or two, that I might have some what to write on the subject of the Federal Buildings—It will be recollected that Mr Law and Mr Walker were in this City before me. I had been but a few days here till General Forrest and Mr Dunlop arrived—I soon found opinions circulating among the Members of Congress which never came from me, savouring strongly of the clashing interests which have occasioned so much discord in the City of Washington—some suggested that there should be a small House erected near the Capitol for the residence of the President, and that the Executive offices should be built in the same vicinity; some wished this House to be the permanent, others the temporary residence of the President; those who wished it permanent spoke of making a Judiciary of the Presidents House and seemed to suppose the Seat of justice might be as advantageous, as the residence of the President, to the adjacent Proprieters—Others mentioned the Presidents House as proper for the reception of Congress; and many seemed to be of opinion that only one of these Houses ought to be finished; and that if money was granted by Congress, it should be appropriated by the Act to the purpose of finishing that House which should be judged most eligible—Another opinion prevailed that we ought only to ask 100,000 dollars; and the old clamour against the style of the buildings was revived. I endeavoured to suppress all these opinions; and to shew, that altho the buildings may be too extensive, yet the mode pointed out by the late President for their completion is the most proper[.] By an adherence to this line of conduct I have given offence probably to Mr Law, certainly to General Forrest, between whom and myself some letters passed, and an explanatory conversation took

place; this discussion brought to light several facts of which I had previously no knowledge; and one which had been communicated to me confidentially; this was, that the Commissioners had authorised or requested General Forrest to aid in promoting the business on which I was sent; situated and interested as he is no doubt could exist, but that so far as opportunity offered he would state in conversations such facts or reasons as might tend to promote the general interest of the City without any request from the Comrs. the letter therefore which he shewed me must be considered as appointing him an Agent, or confering an authority, and that this should be done without notifying me, and giving instructions to co-operate with each other is to me inexplicable—The facts previously unknown to me are, that the Presidents House had been from the beginning through the influence of some of those interested in the adjacent property calculated for the accommodation of Congress and that General Forrest had lately procured from Mr Hoban estimates of the expence of finishing it both for the reception of Congress, and for the residence of the President, and that the first, (exclusive of slating the roof) might be done for 12,000 dollars and the last would cost 54,000 dollars—General Forrest said Mr Hoban at first doubted the propriety of giving him those estimates, but at length consented. How easy might this point of delicacy have been settled by the Board had General Forrest thought it prudent to make known his object in demanding them? In this state of things the Committee had several meetings before they could come to any resolution. On thursday however a Majority agreed to recommend the appropriation of 100000 dollars only, for which measure Mr Craik was a strenuous Advocate; but part of that Majority wished the money to be applied to finishing the North Wing of the Capitol, and erecting a temporary House for the President and the Executive offices as near the Capitol as may be, and an amendment to that effect was offered by Mr Sprigg—this after some consideration was with-drawn, and another amendment offered confining the appropriation to the Capitol. These amendments brought up Mr Craik with great warmth against them; first on the ground of their breaking in on the original System; and secondly because he considered the Presidents House as the most proper place for the residence of Congress, should the original System be broke through—at length this amendment was also with-drawn, and a resolve agreed to recommending

the appropriation of 200,000 dollars by three annual instalments; which it is expected will compleat both the Houses now on hand; and the Executive Building. This resolution is refered to a Committee of the Whole House on Monday next—My opinion is that no Law will pass without directing the purposes to which the monies shall be applied—unless it be previously known how the present President would apply them; he had spoken pretty freely to me on the subject, but I did not think myself authorised to mention his opinion—and I this morning called on him to know whether I might do so; He said that what he had said to me he had mentioned to no one else—that he had a great regard for the opinion of his Predecessor, and would not reverse any of his orders without weighty reasons, that with respect to the Presidents House he had no concern about it so far as respected himself he could go a mile & an half whenever his duty required his meeting the Legislature but that he thought the Executive offices ought to be near the Legislature for the convenience of the Members who had frequent occasion to recur to them, but more particularly as it would tend to draw matters to a point, and encourage the necessary buildings convenient to the Capitol—That I might write these Sentiments to my Colleagues, and if we agreed with him, he should not hesitate to make known his intentions—I am to dine with him Tomorrow and shall shew him my letter to the Commissioners before it is sent off—Nothing like the circumstances mentioned in my former letter has since occurred I have been treated with great attention, and do not entertain a doubt of the Presidents sincere disposition to promote the Federal Seat in the most effectual manner.
With regard to the general complexion of affairs I can say little—Party spirit appears to have encreased, and with it a greater degree of acrimony is apparent among the Members of Congress than even during the discussion of the British Treaty—The letters from our Ministers in France written in Cypher are not yet decyphered, Nor is the business of arming taken up—An embargo is by some talked of as an alternative, it meets little countenance out of Doors—I know not what numbers may support it in the House—I have heard little of Monroes Book. What I have heard has been in redicule or disapprobation—but I find it has not been generally read I have latterly asked opinions respecting it, and have not yet met with a man that has read the whole, and

some had never looked into it—I am myself of the first description I have had it in my room some weeks but have not yet gone through it—I have read enough to see proofs of two facts which I knew before, to wit that the French depredations commenced previous to the British Treaty—and their discontent was manifested as soon as they knew a Minister was sent from this Country to England; it is not then the nature of the treaty that gives displeasure; any measure tending to preserve Peace between that Country and this would have had the same effect on the Councils of France; but the project of lending money to France in order to engage her to cause Spain and England to do us justice, was new to me—its tendency to involve this Country in War is too obvious to admit of a doubt of Mr Monroes being fully sensible of the Consequences.
The invasion of England by France is treated here as chimerical—and it is generally said France is not serious in her preparations for the attempt—I think otherwise—it is no doubt an hazardous enterprize: but it is my opinion France has more to gain than to lose—Should she fail it is but a defeat, her internal Strength will not be affected, and she may still obtain a Peace—but should she make good her landing and defeat one British Army, there is no knowing the consequences with respect to the British Isles But it is vain to waste time in conjectures—I will therefore conclude with assurances, that I am with the highest respect and esteem Dear Sir Your Most Obt Servt

Alexr White


Title: To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 11 March 1798 [letter not found]
From: Biddle, Clement
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Clement Biddle, 11 Mar. 1798. GW wrote Biddle on 19 Mar.: “Your letter of the 11th instant has been received.”


Title: To George Washington from George Washington Parke Custis, 12 March 1798
From: Custis, George Washington Parke
To: Washington, George

Dearest sir
Annapolis [Md.] March 12 [1798]

I arrived here in due season after a very agreable journey; I found all my relations well and Annapolis a very pleasant place. I visited the principle inhabitants while the Doctor was here and found them all very kind—Mr McDowell is a very good and agreable man he has examined me and I am now pursuing Natural Philosophy and hope to destinguish myself in that branch as well

as others Arithmetic I have likewise reveiwed and shall enter immediately on the French language with the Professor here—I was so fortunate as to get in with a Mrs Brice a remarkable clever woman with whom I live very well and contented, There are several very clever young men boarding in this house with whom I assosiate and who are very friendly and agreable The mail is going and I have only to add that I have constantly in mind your virtuous precepts which I hope to benefit by and am Most sincerely and affectionately Your Dutifull

G. W. P. Custis


Title: From George Washington to James Keith, 13 March 1798
From: Washington, George
To: Keith, James

(Private)
Dear Sir,Mount Vernon 13th Mar. 1798
A few days ago I received the enclosed letter and Papers from Mr Lear, but before I execute the Deed to the President of the Potomack Company alone, I wish to be informed from you (as one of the Directors) whether this would be agreeable to the letter of the Resolutions, on which the measure is founded—and if not strictly so, whether the Act of the President & Directors in this case had not better be made to be so. I shall not enlarge; but submit the matter to your reflection on the mode most secure, & satisfactory to those who place their Stock in this situation. I do not recollect precisely enough, the transactions on that occasion, to give a pointed opinion thereon; Nor do I know for the same reason what is to follow the Conveyance of the Stock to the President of the Company—intermediate between that Act, & the moneys getting into the hands of the Treasurer. This is a matter which claims the serious attention of All those to whom the business is entrusted, and in whom confidence is placed. A letter in answr to this, with the Papers returned, lodged in the Post Office by thursday morning will Come safe, & be in time. With great estm and regard—I am—Dear Sir Your Obedt Servt

⟨Go: Washington⟩