Title: From George Washington to Samuel Powel, 5 February 1789
From: Washington, George
To: Powel, Samuel

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon Feby 5th 1789

The letters which you did me the honor of writing to me on the 6th & 26th of last month, came duly to hand; and their enclosures were safely delivered to my Nephew, Bushrod Washington, who has lately become a resident of Alexandria—where, and at the Courts in its vicinity, he means to establish himself in the practice of the Law. No apology, my dear Sir, on this or any other occasion was, or will be, necessary for putting any letter you may wish to have safely conveyed to a friend in these parts, under cover to me.
All the political manœuvres which were calculated to impede, if not to prevent the operation of the new government, are now brought to a close until the meeting of the new Congress; and although the issue of all the Elections are not yet known, they are sufficiently displayed to authorise a belief that the opposers of the government have been defeated in almost every instance. Although the elections in this State are over, it will be sometime (from the extent of it) before the Representatives to Congress can be finally announced. From conjecture however, it is supposed the majority will be federalists—some are so sanguine as to believe that seven out of the ten will be so—but this, as I have already said, is altogether conjecture—and vague conjecture—for much pains has been taken—and no art left unessayed to poison the mind, and alarm the fears of the people into opposition. In the list of the Electors which has been published by the Executive authority of this State, there appears (as far as I am acquainted with the characters of the gentleman) eight decided friends to the New Constitution.
Be the cause of the British Kings insanity what it may, his situation (if alive) merits commiseration. Better, perhaps, would it have been for his nation, though not for ours (under present prospects) if this even had happened at the time Doctr Franklin,

you say, supposes his Majestys constitution was first tinged with the malady under which he is now labouring.
Mrs Washington, the Major & Fanny, and others under this roof, write in best wishes & affectionate regard for Mrs Powell and yourself—and I am Dear Sir Your Most Obedt and very humble Servant

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 11 February 1789
From: Washington, George
To: Biddle, Clement

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 11th Feby 1789.

I have now before me your letters of the 19th Ultimo & 1st Inst. The Vessels from Philadelphia have arrived, and the articles shipped on my Acct come safe to hand.
You inform me in your’s of the 19th of January that the freight of Buckwheat will be 3/ per barrel; but I do not know whether you mean that a barrel is to contain 5 bushels, as we measure Corn here, or only the quantity of a common flour barrel—if the latter, the freight will be very high. I will thank you to inform me, as soon after your receive this as possible, what will be the exact price of it per bushel del[ivere]d here, that I may be able to determine whether it will be cheaper for me to get it from Berkley or Louden Counties in this State, or from Philadelphia; and if I should procure it at the latter place I think it would be better for me to have it sent in Sacks than barrels (provided it cannot be brot round without either) as the former will be serviceable to me—and the latter almost a total loss. I should likewise imagine that the freight would be something less for Sacks than barrels as they can be stowed in a smaller space.
Mrs Washington is much obliged to you for your agency in obtaining her slippers, which arrived last evening, and will thank you to have two pair more, of stuff, made for her by Mr Palmer, of the same size—and a pair of Clogs to fit them. She will likewise thank you to get 20 lb. of the shells of Cocoa nuts, if they can be had of the Chocolate makers.
You will please to accept my thanks for your attention to my

letter sent to Mr Smith —and for your inquiries respecting the Cloth & Barley, with great esteem, I am, Dear Sir, Yr most Obedt Hble Servt

Go: Washington

P.S. If the Vessel, which you mention in your last was about to load for Alexandria, has not sailed, and the Buck wheat can be obtained and put on board her I should wish it to be done. If it cannot be brought in bulk I should prefer good sacks to barrels. Should the Vessel have sailed, or the Buck wheat not procured in time to put on board her, I will then thank you for the information respecting it which I before requested.


Title: To George Washington from James Gibbon, 12 February 1789
From: Gibbon, James
To: Washington, George

Sir
Petersburgh Virga Feby 12 th 1789

Tis not without reluctance I am about to trouble you on a Subject, in which, if rightly inform’d you will shortly become the arbiter.
When I offer it at this early period, I offer it upon a hope that my motive will be consider’d as favourably of as that of other candidates.
The new Government, over which, we are led to hope you will preside, will necessarily have many offices in their gift—From my situation, I’m led, for the first time in my life to offer myself a candidate for public favour—I have hitherto avoided it from an idea that it was incansistant in a young man having few friends to interest in my behalf, having little in myself to recommend me to it, I have only to trust to generall character for success; The little merrett, however, sir, which has heretofore apparantly been necessary to the attainment of it in some degree encourage me now to offer.
From the Elections to Congress of this state an immediate vacancy occurs, in the instance of Coll J. Parker, Collector and navall officer for James river district; this Vacancy will I judge

necessarily be early filld up, for this sir I offer; as a place in which the little abillity I possess may be made serviceable.
If there is any thing in yr little knowledge of me which can justify yr putting me in nomination for this place, I trust there will be nothing in my conduct which will cause you to regrett the good office. Being Sir unaccustom’d to that style, by which men are most likely to succeed in attempts like mine being at the same time perswaded it wou’d be illy applied to you, I offer no appology for the direct manner in which I have introduc’d the subject; to your candour, and a character that is, I trust, at least, free from more than common blemish I rest my pretensions, And Am sir with respect yr Mo. Obt Hmb. Servt

J. Gibbon

P.S. Shou’d I fail in this instance, as there will no doubt be many candidates of superior pretensions, I shall be happy if any thing can afford me the countenance in any other instance of public employ.


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 12 February 1789
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

My dear Sir
New York 12 February 1789.

I had the pleasure by the post of Yesterday to receive your favor of the 29th ultimo.
I immediately sent to the store where the american cloths were advertised for sale, and to all other stores where it was probable there were any, but was exceedingly chagrined to learn there were none in Town at present. Four peices are however expected hourly, the invoice being received, and information of the goods being on their way, as far as New Haven. They are of the following colors and widths.

            Light Grey
            6 qrs wide

            Hartford ditto
              do

            Bottle green
              do

            dark brown
              do

I shall have the choice of them and will secure the quantity you request for yourself and Mrs Washington and forward the same by the stage. But I am a little apprehensive You will be disapointed with respect to the fineness, it being about the quality of a second english cloth.
I have been confined to my chamber and mostly to my bed for three weeks past by a severe attack of an accute Rheumatism. I am now getting better fast and hope in a few days to be able to go abroad. This circumstance has prevented my acknowledging the receipt of your esteemed favor of the 28th of December which I received a few days before my confinement.
Mrs Knox unites in presenting our affectionate respects to Mrs Washington and I am my Dear Sir Your respectful Affectionate

H. Knox


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Marshall, 12 February 1789
From: Marshall, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Fayette County [District of Ky.]
Dear General12th Feby 1789
The nature of the subject upon which I do myself the honor to address you will I hope be admitted as an excuse for the

trouble you will have in reading this letter. The political situation of this western country appears to me to be something crittical & there therefore I have undertaken tho’ reluctantly to give you a state of facts preceeding our present situation so far as they have fallen within my knowledge.
In the spring 1787 Genl Wilkinson went to New Orleans with a cargo of Tobo. &c. And was requested by the Governor of that place to give his sentiments freely in writing respecting the political interest of Spain and the Americans of the United States inhabiting the western waters. This he did in an Essay as he calls it contain’d in about 15 or 20 sheets of paper. I saw the Governors letter to him acknowledging the receit of it & informing him that he would lay it before the King of Spain; A copy of this essay he produced and read in our late convention held for the District, and as well as my memory (which I acknowledge is not very accurate) serves me the substance of it as follows.
He urges our natural right of following the current of rivers flowing through our country into the Sea. He states the extent of our country, the richness of our soil abounding in choice productions proper for foreign markets, to which we have no means of conveying them should the Missisipi be shut up against us. He states the advantages Spain might derive from allowing us the free use of that river. He goes on to shew the rappid population of this country and the eagerness with which every individual looks forward to that navigation. He states the general abhorrence with which the people of the western waters recieved the intelligence that Congress was about to sacrifice their dearest interest by ceeding to Spain the navigation of the Missisippi for 29 or 30 years, and represents it as a fact that they are on the point of seperating themselves totally from the union on that account. He addresses himself to their fears by a pompous display of our force & urges that should Spain be so blind to her true interest as to refuse us an amiable participation in the navigation of that river, & thereby forces us into violent measures “Great Britain stands with her arms expanded ready to recieve us” & assist our efforts for the accomplishment of that object, and quotes a conversation he had a few years ago with a member of the British Parliament to that effect. He states the facility with which their province of Louisana might be invaded by the united forces of the British and Americans by

means of the river Illinois, and the practicability of proceeding from thence to their province of New Mexico, it not being more than twenty Days. Britain he says will in that case aim at the possession of Louisana & New Orleans for herself & leave the freedom of the navigation to America; and urges pretty forcibly the great danger the Spanish interest in North America would be in from the British power should that nation possess herself of the mouth of the Missisippi and thereby hold the two grand portals of North America—that river and the St Lawrence; and concludes with an apology for the freedom with which he has treated the subject, and adds that it has at their own particular request been drawn from a man “whose head may err but whose heart cannot decieve”.
This essay has I am told been laid before the Court of Madrid; and as a violent seperation from the United States seems to be laid down as the ground work upon which every other consequence depends, I think probably has produced instructions from that Court to the Spanish resident at Congress that if the western Country should declare itself seperate from the Union, to avail himself of that event. I found this conjecture upon Mr Browns confidential letters from Congress to his friends in this District, some of those letters I have seen. He mentions that in a private conversation which he had with Don Gardoqui he was informd that so long as this country remained a part of the Union we had nothing to expect from Spain; but were we to declare ourselves seperate from & independant of the United States he was authorised to treat with us respecting commerce and the navigation of the Missisipi. Mr Brown having returnd from Congress was called upon in conversation in Novr last to give such information respecting our affairs in Congress as might be proper for us to know. He told us that he did not think himself at liberty to mention what past in private conversation between himself and Don Gardoqui respecting us: but this much in general he would venture to inform us, that provided we were united in our councils every thing we could wish for was within our reach, meaning as it appeard fully to me that if we would assume government and declare seperate from the union Spain would give us every indulgence we could ask for.
About this time arived from Canada the famous Doctor (now

Colonel) Connelly his ostensible business was to enquire after & repossess himself of some lands he formerly held at the falls of Ohio, but I believe that his real business was to sound the disposition of the leading men of this district respecting this Spanish business. He knew that both Colonel Muter & myself had given it all the opposition in Convention we were able to do, & before he left the District paid us a visit tho’ neither of us had the honor of the least acquaintance with him. He was introduced by Colonel John Cambell formerly a prisoner taken by the Indians & confined in Canada, who previously inform’d us of the proposition he was about to make. He (Connelly) presently enterd upon his subject, Urged the great importance the navigation of the Missisipi must be of to the inhabitants of the western waters, shew’d the absolute necessity of our possessing it and concluded with assurances that were we dispos’d to assert our right respecting that navigation Lord Dorchester was cordially dispos’d to give us powerful assistance; that his Lordship had (I think he said) four thousand British Troops in Canada beside two Regiments at Detroit, & could furnish us with arms ammunition cloathing & money: that wth this assistance we might possess ourselves of New Orleans fortify the Balise at the mouth of the river & keep possession inspight of the utmost efforts of Spain to the contrary. He made very confident professions of Lord Dorchesters wishes to cultivate the most friendly intercourse with the people of this country and of his own desire to become serviceable to us & with so much seeming sincerity that had I not before been acquainted with his character as a man of intrigue and artful address I should in all probability have given him my confidence. I told him that the minds of the people of this country were so strongly prejudiced agains[t] the British, not only from circumstances attending the late war, but from a persuasion that the Indians were at this time stimulated by them against us, and that so long as those Savages continued to commit such horrid cruelties on our defenceless frontiers & were recieved as friends and allies by the British at Detroit it would be impossible for them to be convinced of the sincerity of Lord Dorchesters offers let his professions be ever so strong; and that if his Lordship would have us believe him really dispos’d to be our friend he must begin by shewing his disapprobation

of the ravages of the Indians. He admitted of the justice of my observation and said he had urged the same to his Lordship before he left Canada. He denied that the Indians are stimulated against us by the British & says Lord Dorchester observ’d that the Indians are free & independant nations & have a right to make peace or war as they think fit, and that he could not with propriety interfere. He promisd however on his return to Canada to repeat his arguments to his Lordship on the subject; and hopes, he says, to succeed. At taking his leave he beg’d very politely the favor of our corrispondance: we both promis’d him provided he would begin it and devise a means of carrying it on. He did not tell me that he was authorised by Lord Dorchester to make us these offers in his name, nor did I ask him; but General Scott informs me that he told him that his Lordship had authorised him to use his name in this business.
It appears plain to me that the offers of Lord Dorchester as well as those of Spain are founded on a supposition that it is a fact, that we are about to seperate from the Union: else why are these offers not made to Congres⟨s? we⟩ shall I fear never be safe from the machinations of our Enemies as well internal as external until we have a seperate state and are admitted into the union as a federal member. I have the honor to be with the most respectful esteem and regard Your most obedient and very humble servant

T. Marshall


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 13 February 1789
From: Washington, George
To: Jefferson, Thomas

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon Feby 13th 1789

Having found that there is a vessel on the point of sailing from Alexandria for Havre de Grace I would not forego so good an opportunity of addressing a letter to you; although nothing very material has occurred since the date of my last, which was transmitted by Mr Gouverneur Morris. As you will doubtless have seen in the Gazettes the Measures taken by the different States for carrying the new government into execution, I will not, therefore, enter upon any report of News or discussion of political topics. Exclusive of these things, the greatest & most important objects of internal concern, which at present occupy the attention of the public mind, are manufactures &

inland navigation. Many successful efforts in fabrics of different kinds are every day made. Those composed of Cotton, I think, will be of the most immediate and extensive utility. Mr Milne, an English Gentleman, who has been many years introducing those manufactures into France, and whose father is now carrying them on (under the protection of government) at the Royal Chateau of Muette in Passy, was at my House this Week & is of opinion that they may be prosecuted in America to greater advantage than in France & England. He has been almost two years in Georgia stimulating & instructing the Planters to the production of Cotton. In that State, & So. Carolina, it is said, the Cotton may be made of a most excellent quality, and in such abundt quantities as to prove a more profitable species of agriculture, than any other Crop. The encrease of that new material and the introduction of the late-improved Machines to abridge labour, must be of almost infinite consequence to America. A desire of encouraging whatever is useful & œconomical seems now generally to prevail. Several capitol artists, in different branches, have lately arrived in this Country. A factory of Glass is established, upon a large scale on Monocasy, near Frederick-Town in Maryld. I am informed it will this year produce Glass of various kinds, nearly to the amount of ten thousand pounds value. This factory will be essentially benefitted, by having the navigation of the Potomac completely opened. But the total benefits of that Navigation will not be confined to narrower limits, than the extent of the western territory of the U: States.
You have been made acquainted, my dear Sir, with my ideas of the practicability, importance & extent of that navigation, as they have been occasionally, though fully expressed, in my several letters to you, dated the 29th of March 1784, the 25th of Febry 1785, the 26th of Septr 1785, the 30th of May 1787, the 1st of Jany 1788, & the 31st of Augt in the same year. Notwithstanding my constant & utmost endeavours to obtain precise information, respecting the nearest & best communication between the Ohio & Lake Erie, I am not yet able to add any thing more satisfactory to the observations which I had the honor to make on the subject, in my letter of the 1st of January 1788. But I have lately received a correct Draught executed principally

from actual Surveys, of the Country between the sources of the Potowmac and the navigable waters, that fall into the Ohio. The Roads; & Rivulets at the places where they are crossed by these roads, together with the mouths of the latter (but not the meanders) are laid down from actual surveys. Hence the approximation of the Eastern & western waters, in those parts, is discovered with certainty. It is, however, supposed by some—not professional men I should add—that the navigation of Potowmac from the Mouth of Savage to Stoney river, is impracticable, on account of the many falls, rapid water and rugged banks which are to be found in its course: But as there is an abundance of water, I should conceive that with the aid of Canals & Locks, it might be accomplished. From hence thro’ the Glades, to the principal stream of the Yohiogany River, the portage is not more than 8 or ten Miles: and this distance, if little Yough affords water sufficient, might be reduced to five miles. From the mouth of little Yough to Pittsburgh there is no want of water: but it is said there are falls, & many rapid places in the River (not insurmountable one would suppose). It is conjectured by many that Savage River and Green glade Creek—or the former and little Yough, are capable of being improved—if so, the course is more direct—but of this I can say nothing for want of better information, or a more accurate examination of these streams. Of the Draught  wch has been sent me, I enclose you such a rough sketch, as my avocations would permit me to make: my principal object therein being to shew, that the distance between the Eastern & Western Waters is shorter, and that the means of communication are easier, than I had hitherto represented or imagined. I need not describe what & how extensive the rivers are which will be thus in a wonderful manner connected, as soon as the Potomac shall be rendered entirely passable. The passage would have been opened from Fort Cumberland to the Great Falls (nine Miles from tidewater) before this time, as I mentioned in my letter of the 31st of Augt last, had it not been for the unfavourableness of the Season. In spite of that untoward circumstance, I have the pleasure to inform you, that two or three boats have actually arrived at the last mentioned place; one with 50, & another with near 100 Barrl of flour.

I am going on Monday next to visit works, as far as the Seneca Falls. Could I have delayed writing this letter untill my return from thence & afterwards availed myself of the same conveyance, I might have been more particular in my account of the state of the several works, & especially of the situation of the Land adjoining to the Canal at the Great Falls. Whensoever the produce of those parts of the Country bordering on the sources of the Potomac & contiguous to the long rivers that run into it (particularly the Shanandoah & South Branch) shall be waterborne down to Tide-water for exportation, I conceive this place must become very valuable. From the conveniency of the Bason a little above the Spot where the Locks are to be placed, & from the inducements which will be Superadded by several fine Mill-Seats, I cannot entertain a doubt of the establishment of a Town in that place. Indeed mercantile People are desirous that that event should take place as soon as possible. Manufactures of various commodities & in iron particularly will doubtless be carried on to advantage there. The Mill Seats, I well know, have long been considered as very valuable ones. How far buildings erected upon them may be exposed to injuries from freshes, or the breaking up of Ice, I am not competent to determine from my own knowledge: but the opinion of persons better acquainted with these matters than I am, is, that they may be rendered secure. On the commodiousness of Alexandria for carrying on the Fur trade throughout the whole western Country, I treated, in a very minute and I may say almost voluminous manner, in my communication to you of the 30th of May 1787. Probably George-Town & the place which I have just mentioned, will participate largely & happily in the great emoluments to be derived from that and other valuable articles, through the inland navigation of the upper & Western Country. With sentiments of the highest esteem & regard—I have the honor to be Dear Sir Your Most Obedt and very Humble Servant

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Henry Lee, 13 February 1789
From: Washington, George
To: Lee, Henry

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon Feby 13th 1789

I send you the letter you requested for Mr Jefferson under a flying seal, which, af⟨ter⟩ perusal, you will be pleased to have closed for transmission. After revolving the subject in many different points of view, I could find no expedient for communicating the information in question, in so unexceptionable a manner, as by making the latter a continuation of my corrispondence on the inland Navigation of America. I hope that the sentiments contained in it, which are the result of some reflection,

will not be the less useful ⟨to⟩ you, for being delivered in this Manner; and, at the same time, in case of any undesirable event, that I shall avoid the imputation of having interfered in the business from selfish or improper motives. For I ho⟨ld⟩ it necessary that one should not only be conscious of the purest intentions; but should also have it in his power to demonstrate the disenterestedness of his Words & Actions at all times & upon all occasions. With very great esteem & regard I am—Dear Sir Yr Most Obed. & Affecte S⟨ervt⟩

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Henry Lee, 14 February 1789
From: Washington, George
To: Lee, Henry

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon February 14th 1789

I shall pass through Alexandria Monday on my way to George Town—and thence to the Great and Seneca Falls—And shall bring with me the Plats and Pattents for the Land on Rough Creek in Kentucke; in order to receive a Conveyance in the usual and accustomed mode or to return them to you. With my usual esteem and regard—I am Dear Sir Yr Obedt & Affecte Sert

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Henry Lee, 14 February 1789
From: Lee, Henry
To: Washington, George

14h Feby 89 Alexa.

I am most thankful my dear General for your transmission of this day—the mode you have adopted, is certainly unexceptionable, & the information you communicate will doubtless answer our wish, which is to acquaint our friend in Europe from the most respectable source, of the advantages of the scite at the great falls.

Permit me however to add, that I cannot conceive it possible for the most envenomed malignity, in the most profligate hour of society to accuse with shadow of proprity your assistance of your countrymen to improve the advantages which nature has bestowed on us.
I will be ready on Monday to execute conveyances for the Kentucke Land—I am my dear General unalterably yours

Henry Lee


Title: To George Washington from Lachlan McIntosh, 14 February 1789
From: McIntosh, Lachlan
To: Washington, George

Dear General,
Savannah in Georgia 14th February 1789

From circumstances which made me Sufficiently easy and Independent I am reduced, by the fortune of the late War, to Apply the first time in my Life, and much against my grain, for some public Office, which a Man past Sixty two years of Age, as I am, can execute for the support of myself and the helpless part of my Family during the short remainder of my Life.
It is unnecessary to trouble you my dear General with the particulars of the Loss of my Active Property, which I readily foresaw from the beginning was Unavoidable, as I was the Southern frontier Settler in the United States who stood forth early for our present happy Revolution, amongst a great Majority of diferent Sentiments and Principles. I will only mention that I have little else now left, than some Lands I held before the War, which I am not able to improve and the Tax upon them is far beyond my Ability to pay, and must Shallow the whole up in a short time being. I conceive much Overated, as the predicament we stand in, with the Spaniards, and our imprudent Quarrel with the Indians, both of whom bound us on the South & West, have rendered Lands in these Quarters of our State of Little Value, and altogether Unsalable for my present relief.
I have had, it is true, Certificates for the Comutation of my half pay, and arrears of pay, with Moneys I advanced for raising and Supporting our quota of Continental Troops when our

State was not able, or not so willing as I could then wish to do it. These Certificates have at times appreciated above twenty for one, yet I have been obliged to part with most of them for a scanty Subsistance, which I still stand in need of.
I cannot complain of the Gratitude of my Country who have amply acknowledged the small services I was Capable of, which had little other merit than the early and continued efforts and Zeal with which they were performed. Most of our public Offices did not suit my time of Life, and all of them, in the gift of this State, have lost much of their respectability in the Mode of Annual Elections by the Legislature, and the Management and Intrigues by which they are generally obtained, which some Men cannot Submit to.
I therefore take this Liberty of Applying directly to you without the interferance of any others, as there can be no doubt of you being Unanimously Elected President of the United States, for the Appointment of Collector of the Customs for the Port of Savannah, or all the Ports in this State, which I conceive myself Qualified for, if you can place Sufficient Confidence in my Integrity from your former experience and knowledge of me.
I am informed that Mr Reuben Wilkinson a young Man of North Carolina, the present possessor of that Office and several Gentlemen from other States are making great Interest for it, but I will Submit to you alone Sir whether a Residency Since the first Settlement of the State, now fifty Six years, Long and hard Services Since I was a Boy in all its Struggles and difficulties untill I am worn out, and now unfit for any Active department with the Losses and Suffering which have brought me to distress in my old Age, does not deserve some Consideration. I am my Dear General Your faithful and most Obt Humble Servt

Lachn McIntosh


Title: To George Washington from James Monroe, 15 February 1789
From: Monroe, James
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Fredericksburg [Va.] Feby 15. 1789.

I take the liberty to submit the enclos’d to your perusal. It was written before the meeting of the late Convention, but being inaccurately printed and delay’d in the press untill the week it assembled, it was for those reasons at that time suppressed. Had not the propriety of making my sentiments known upon a late occasion, suggested this mode, in that situation it would have remain’d. Having suffer’d it to escape me, it is with pleasure that I enclose you a copy. I am not aware that it contains any thing worthy of attention. It was however written in haste, and whilst other ingagments imploy’d much of my attention—Be so kind as [to] present my most respectful compts to Mrs Washington and be assur’d of the respect and esteem with which I have the honor to be your very humble servant

Jas Monroe


Title: To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 16 February 1789 [letter not found]
From: Biddle, Clement
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Clement Biddle, 16 Feb. 1789. On 15 Mar. GW wrote to Biddle: “I have now before me your letters of the 16th Ulto⟨.⟩


Title: To George Washington from William Gordon, 16 February 1789
From: Gordon, William
To: Washington, George

Ringwood in Hampshire (97 miles from London)
My Dear SirFeby 16. 1789
I have at length finished that arduous undertaking, in which I have been engaged for many past years. I shall have peculiar pleasure in learning that it meets with your Excellency’s approbation; & that you are not disappointed in that reliance you exercised on my honor & prudence, when you admitted me to a free inspection of your valuable papers. I apprehended it to be often necessary to introduce sentiments & information, while I suppressed the names of the writers from whose letters they were taken, & at times inserted them as though they were originally my own.
The binding, the paper, the print & the quality, will I hope satisfy the Subscribers to the History that I meant not to make a penny of them. The maps I doubt not will meet with their approbation. The benefit accruing to me from the advance of the money will be compensated for, by the insurance upon the books, & the freight which I pray you to deduct from the subsequent payments.
The cost I have been at, exclusive of the trouble, has been very great. The charges of the present edition will not fall short, I expect, of seven hundred pound sterling. One thousand sets have been printed of the demy paper, & two hundred & fifty of the best wire-wove. A set of the latter has been ordered to be very elegantly bound, & if it can be got in readiness to be sent with the forty & two sets. I beg your Excellency’s acceptance of it, as a small token of the sincere & warm affection that the writer entertains for you: which leads him to wish that your answer of May 22. 1782 to a certain proposal might appear in print in case of a second edition, while the name of the

proposer is concealed; that so the United States may have the fullest possible proof of their having made a right choice of your Excellency to the Presidency in the new Constitution, which is an event that has undoubtedly taken or will take place; & with which, I hope, you will concur notwithstanding your attachment to domestic life, upon the same principle that induced you to accept of the appointment of congress to the military command—a true patriotic desire of promoting the welfare & freedom of America.
I am warranted in looking out for another edition from the sale of the present. This makes me desirous, that if your Excellency discovers any capital mistakes, you would be so obliging as to point them out in order to future correction. Whatever alterations or additions may be made hereafter & wrought into the body of the work, I propose having printed likewise on a single sheet or more for the service of the first purchasers, that the encouragers of the work may not be the sole sufferers. Very few copies, besides those subscribed for, are or will be sent to America. Should the work be approved of on your side the water, so as to occasion any considerable demand would wish to know it that the more may be printed. The greater the number the larger the profits the expence of setting the press is the same. Was any trader to order a number, upon his sending a bill to pay for the same when ready for delivery, he should be charged only seventeen shillings ster. a set in sheets—if bound the binder’s demand in addition, beside the cost of care & putting them on board. Should particular maps, or whole sets be wanted, he should be supplied upon the most reasonable terms.
I have not yet got settled. Congregations prefer younger persons; & individuals, who have influence & are anti-Americans naturally cooperate in preventing my being chosen. But notwithstanding this & the dislike that many have entertained to me for the part I took during the late war, I am far from repenting the little share I had in the Revolution, which I consider as being a glorious part of my life. Though I have done with all public interference in politics; yet I now & then say to those protestants who do not relish the Revolution—Before many years you may be glad that it has taken place; & the United States may prove an asylum to you or your children.

Notwithstanding all the assertions in the house of commons, & Mr Fox’s declaration, there are numbers who believe that the prince has been married both by a popish & protestant priest:& no sensible man who has considered the matter & been conversant with history, but knows that the same parliamentary omnipotence that made marriage without the king’s consent illegal, can reverse a former act & legitimate a bastard, if so minded. The highest incomiums have been passed upon the prince in the debates of both houses by each party. Who but will worship the rising sun, unless he has a singularly independent spirit! Princes & Nobles possess virtues, as maids of honor do beauty by their places.
Fox & his party fairly outrun themselves, & by their over eagerness to gain too much fell into a Pitt, in which they have been held fast without being once able to get out, with all their strugglings, or to procure a single alteration in the ministerial plan of regency.
The visitation with which his majesty has been afflicted, happened at a time when the whole nation was engaged in the centurial commemoration of that Revolution which placed the Brunswick family on the throne; ⟨and⟩ his derangement furnished the occasion & opportunity for the two houses to declare in favor of the Majesty of the people to fill up the executive branch when the same was interrupted, by supporting their right, ⟨of⟩ doing it as the representatives of the last Majesty. I have laughed in this my retirement, upon observing how whigs have turned tories & tories whigs in the business of the regency: but been fully gratified that this occurrence has produced a new edition of the people’s rights, with some important additions to serve as precedents to future generations. I have enjoyed my absence from the capital during the general conversation on the subject, which has secured me from taking a part in it.
When I had seen to the delivery of the History in & about London, I retired with Mrs G. to this place, that I might escape impertinent questions; & leave every one to vent his observations upon the work at pleasure, without being betrayed into any meannesses by the censures of some & the commendations of others.
Here we have been since the 12th of December. I mean to

pitch my tent at Ipswich in Suffolk, 70 miles from the capital, where we settled in the early part of life & have many friends. Should we be spared expect to be there by the middle of May: but till you hear of my being fixed, pray you to direct all such letters as you may honor me with to the care of Mr Thos Field No 11. Cornhill London. Our not having the opportunity of enjoying the benefits of a congregation, makes it prudent in me to think of some way of adding to our present stock; & induces me to mention that if any traders or gentlemen should want any number of books from this quarter, I might find my account in supplying them, & have it in my power to do it as cheap & as completely as a bookseller by exchanging copies of my history for what I should want from them. But then I should be desirous of an order to receive the money upon sending the books, making the usual allowance for prompt payment. I should be particularly attentive to their being bound well & agreeable to direction. Should not the set of my history be in readiness to accompany the others shall forward it in a parcel to Mr Hazard the Post Master General at New York.
Mrs Gordon’s nephew Mr John Field, being now settled in a house his father has built for him I have made bold to send you four of his cards. So far as you can promote his interest without interfering with previous engagements, you will oblige me greatly by attending to it.
I trust you will find nothing in the History leading you into a suspicion of my being unfriendly to the United States of America. I can safely say that it is my daily prayer, that good government may be established among them, & that they may be an holy free & happy people.
Mrs Gordon joins most Sincerely in wishing your Excellency, your Lady, & your other dear connexions the best of blessings—many more happy & honorable days on earth & a glorious immortality as the gift of God through Jesus Christ. My respectful compliments to Dr & Mrs Stewart & children, to Mr Lund Washington & family, to the last married Mr Washington & Lady & to the young Washington who startled me at the table, before I had time for recollection, by saying that he loved the devil. I hope he will hate all that goes under that name, except the broiled & peppered gizzard or what is equally innocent.

I would wish to be remembered to all other friends, & remain my Dear Sir, Your Excellency’s most obedient servant

William Gordon


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 16 February 1789
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

My dear Sir
New York 16th February 1789.

The cloths have not yet arrived although expected by the first wind. The moment they come to hand I will forward those for you and Mrs Washington by the stage.
It appears by the returns of elections hitherto obtained which is as far as Maryland southward that your Excellency has every vote for President, and Mr John Adams 28 for Vice President exclusively of New Jersey and Delaware whose votes for Vice are not Known. I am My Dear Sir Your affectionate

H. Knox


Title: From George Washington to James Madison, 16 February 1789
From: Washington, George
To: Madison, James

My dear Sir,
Mount Vernon Feby 16th 1789

Having heard of your Election by a respectable majority of the suffrages of the District for which you stood and conceiving it probable that you would soon be on your journey to New York—possibly before my return from the Seneca Falls—for which place, by appointment, I am this moment setting off by the way of George Town; where I expect to meet Governors Johnson & Lee. I take the liberty of submitting the Papers herewith enclosed, for your perusal, in case of that event.
  You have the rough draught only of the letter I had in contemplation to write to you—so soon as I should have received your answer to the one I had written to you, soon after you left this. But having heard nothing from you since, I concluded that the intercourse between this & Orange was not very regular although, ultimately, it might be safe. Therefore, & because I expected you would soon be on, I gave up the intention of forwarding the enclosures you will now receive.

I shall certainly be back on Friday—probably on Thursday—when if you should in the mean time have arrived, it would give me much pleasure to see you at this place—being always with the sincerest regard & friendship Your Most Obedient & Affectionate Hble Servt

Go: Washington

P.S. If it should be your own desire, I have not the smallest objection to your conversing freely with Colo. H—— on all matters respecting this business.

G.W.


Title: To George Washington from Battaile Muse, 16 February 1789
From: Muse, Battaile
To: Washington, George

Honorable Sir,
February 16th 1789

Since I wrote To you by Magor George Washington—I have Sent Expresly To Every Tenant under me altho they all had been Called on the First of January yet they have not Provided Payment at this Time.
I have received only £17.3 9—I have not the Least Expectation of receiveing any money until april and then but Little Considering the Ballance due I have several replivey Bonds been due last fall—the Bad Execution of the Law Prevented my Puting the Bonds in Force also I expected the People would Pay

Sooner than I could recover it by Law—I Shall do Every thing in my Power to Collect the rents—I am Sir your Very Hble Servant

Battaile Muse

  I inclose a Bill on Mr Wales for £20 which I expect He will discharge.


Title: To George Washington from Hugh Young, 16 February 1789
From: Young, Hugh
To: Washington, George

Respected Sir
Balto. [Md.] 16th Feby 89

It’s with pleasure I inform you, your Goosberry Slips are in excellent Order  Captn Dwyer has taken such care of them & kept them so warm that notwithstanding the intense cold Season they have now buds near an inch long. I find it will not answer to send them by the Land Stage, as the Jolting would effectually destroy the⟨m⟩.
You may therefore expect them by the first Packett after the Navigation is Open which I hope will soon take place, at present but little prospect of it.
Captn Dwyer behaves very polite & refusd accepting any freight.
Mrs Young Joins in most respectful Compts to you & Good Lady, With, Sir Your Most Obedt Hble Servt

Hugh Young


Title: To George Washington from Armand, 17 February 1789 [letter not found]
From: La Rouërie, Armand-Charles Tuffin, marquis de
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Armand-Charles Tuffin, marquis de La Rouërie, 17 Feb. 1789. On 13 Oct. 1789 GW wrote to Armand: “I have been

honored with the receipt of your letters of the 31st of January and 17th of February last.”


Title: To George Washington from Rochambeau, 17 February 1789
From: Rochambeau, Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de
To: Washington, George

Paris february the 17th [1789]

I have seen with great pleasure, my Dear General, the Governor morisse and I have been charmed with the good News he gave me of your health—We hope that you are going to put yourself again at the head of a fine and good government—I expected not when I left you that your Constitution would be sooner and more solidly setled than our[s]. our Generals States are to begin at the end of april—I Set out ⟨illegible⟩ at all the commanders of provinces to go in our respectives provinces, to maintain good order and the liberty in all the elections and convocations. I hope they will be made with tranquillity in Picardie, Boulounois, Calaisis and artois: Which is the extent of my Command—our heads there are more cold than in the province of Bretagne, at last god will my Dear General, that all this have a good End—our Sovereing and his people desire franckly the public good, but We have aristocratical men which will not be So easy to bring back at the Reason. I am with the most inviolable attachment, my Dear General your most obedient and Very humble Servant

le Cte de Rochambeau


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Barclay, 18 February 1789
From: Barclay, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Sir
Philadelphia 18 Feby 1789

I never was more Embarrassed about the propriety of writing a letter than I am at this Moment and nothing but the information which I have received that some Applications will be made to you on the same subject by others, wou’d have induced me—at this time to take the liberty which I Now do—Fearing therefore

that the omission of writing to you might operate against me at a future day, I am Bold enough to tell you that it has been for a long time my intentions to Endeavor to prevail on the President General of the New Government to nominate me for the office of Collector of the Imposts at this place.
Shou’d I be so happy as to succeed in those Endeavors, I have little doubt but I will be supported by many of the Senators to whom my Exertions to discharge the several Trusts that have been Committed to my Care, with attention are known and I hope the sentiments of Mr Jefferson, Mr Jay, Doctor Franklin and Mr Adams on that subject will shew that I am not altogether unworthy of the Confidence of my Countrymen.
Shou’d there appear any thing improper or provacative in what I have written I trust to your known goodness to forget and forgive it—I am Very respectfully Sir Your very obed. Humble Servant

Thos Barclay


Title: To George Washington from Samuel Hanson, 19 February 1789
From: Hanson, Samuel (of Samuel)
To: Washington, George

Sir
Alexa. 19th Feby 1789

I was in hopes there would be no occasion to trouble you again with Complaints against your Nephews. But it is unavoidable.
I cannot persuade them that Morning Hours are as profitable for Study as those of the Night. I conceived that 10 O’Clock was late enough for students to be out of bed; and that to rise with the Sun was more commendable than to sleep till 9 O’Clock. They, however, are of a different opinion, and wish to sit up after my family have retired to rest. If they gained any time by their late hours, I would be inclined to indulge them, though it would entirely derange the order of my family. But it is plain, from their time of rising, that their fondness for late hours does not arise from a passion for their Studies. George informs me you directed him (on the day of the late Election) to tell me “it was your desire that they should sit up as late as they please.” In this I am confident there is a mistake. However, Sir, if you think 10 O’Clock too early, you will please to mention some other hour. For I am persuaded you will agree with me that there ought to be some fixed time, after which my doors should not be open, nor the Boys suffered to disturb my family; who may go to bed indeed, but it is impossible they should go to rest, while the Boys are up. They have lately made a practice of applying to Mr McWhir for leave to be out of an Evening, and though he has granted it to them, it was upon the express condition of obtaining my Concurrence. But they do not now think proper to pay me the Complement of asking it. I have been with Mr McWhir to see if he would interpose his Authority with regard to getting them to bed; but he says this is a Care which does not come within the sphere of his duty; though I should suppose that if his Authority extends to giving them permission to leave their lodgings of an Evenings, it might with equal propriety, be exerted to make them behave themselves well there. I thought it necessary you should know upon what footing my Authority over them is at present; and that you should say who is to have the direction of their conduct out of School, Mr McWhir or myself.
If at any time I remonstrate with George upon the impropriety

of his Conduct, I am threatened with the loss of them as Boarders, whether the execution of this threat ought to be considered by me as an inconvenience or a blessing, I am at some loss to determine; while, on one hand, your removing them would hold out an idea that my house is not an eligible situation for Students; and, on the other, it would most certainly relieve me & my family from a grievous Burthen. If Mr McWhir, who took them merely to oblige, has declared (as he frequently has) that no Consideration should benefit him to take them again; and that they gave him more trouble than 10 other Boys it is not surprizing that they should behave amiss with me, who took them at my own request, and with a view to my own Convenience. The fact is, except beating Mrs H., and striking myself, there is no outrage or indecorum they have not committed. Neither my Servants nor my children have escaped their fury and violence. I had the misfortune lately to incur George’s displeasure by attempting to check his irregularities He evidently grows more & more impatient of those restraints which are in my apprehension, absolutely necessary to save him from ruin. I beg you, Sir, not to impute what has been said to any improper motive, but merely to the desire of preserving the peace of my family, and at the same time of discharging the duty ⟨owed⟩ to those you were pleased to place under my Care. With the utmost respect & esteem I am Sir your most obedt & most humble Servant

S. Hanson of Saml


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 19 February 1789
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

My dear Sir
New York 19 February 1789

I forward you by the stage which sets out this day 13 1/2 yards

of 3/4 Wide bottle green cloth of the Hartford manufacture —I would there were more of it for your and Mrs Washingtons purposes but it was all of the color which came—The greys & the dark browns were too mean and coarse either for you or Mrs W.
There will probably be enough for a coat and waiscoat for you and for Mrs Washingtons riding dress. The price is not very high only two shillings ⅌ yard New York paper & pet below pur[chase].
As it is packed in a box I hope you will Receive it safely and speedily as I have addressed it to the proprietors of the Stages at Philadelphia Baltimore and Alexandria—I am my dear Sir Your affectionate

H. Knox


Title: From George Washington to Battaile Muse, 19 February 1789
From: Washington, George
To: Muse, Battaile

⟨Sir,
[Mount Vernon, 19 February 1789]

I have received your letter of the 7th Inst. together with your account, a List of my Tenants, and £8.19.4 in Cash.
It was not my intention to have wounded your feelings by my last letter, as you say I did—I only meant to express my earnest desire to have a Rent Roll of my lands under your care, and not knowing the causes which prevented its being made out, I conceived that so long a delay of it was improper.
I have examined the statement of my tenants which you sent me, and will be applicable to every individual, as the tenor of the leases are the same, or nearly the same. In those cases where you have desired my particular direction I will give it now; but request that in future, the leases may govern your conduct, as I am determined to adhere strictly to the covenants of them and will not relinquish any thing therein specified.
When I gave leases of those lands my great object was to have such improvements made on them as would encrease their Value and enable me to dispose of them to advantage hereafter the Rents were consequently very low—Now, as the Rent of Land in that part of the Country has risen to 3 or 4 times the

amount of the rent required by my leases, I shall not only be frustrated in my main design with respect to improvements, if the covenants of the leases are not complied with, but am likewise deprived of the benefit which I could draw from the land by leasing it at this time if it was unoccupied: and shall very probably suffer greatly by its being imporvished I am therefore determined to set aside every old Lease where the covenants, with respect to the Orchards and buildings, are not complied with; if there is reason to believe that the Lotts will let for more than their present Rent; and I desire that you will have this done: But previous to your attempting it, I would have you take the opinion of some eminent Lawyer upon the matter (not that of a young County Court Lawyer but that of some man who has been much conversant with business of this kind and whose Judgement can be depended upon) and if you should be advised to put the leases to issue—the determination upon one will be a [rule] by which you can govern yourself with respect to the others. The sooner this matter is determined the better—and if these leases are set aside and new ones given I will not have them for lives, because it can never be determined (without disputes) when they end—neither would I give them for a longer term of years than will be sufficient to induce the tenant to make such improvements and cultivate the land in such a manner as may redound to the advantage of the Landlord as well as himself; for I think there can be no doubt but the Rent of land in that and every other part of the Country, will rise in a few years much above what it is at present.
If any of the tenants pretend that they have been released from any covenant in their leases by me, or any person acting for me, let them produce proof of it, and without that you must pay no regard to assertions. Certain I am I have never released any and as certain that Lund Washington never did.
I observe (by your notes) that several tenants have agreed to pay the Land tax in consequence of their being released from complying with some covenant in their leases with respect to improvements—where this composition has been made it must, I suppose, be complyed with on my part; but I had rather that nothing of this kind had taken Place, for it is my wish and desire to comply with every thing that is incumbent on me—and it

is my intention to oblige them to do the like. When the matter is any ways disputable whether the Land tax is to be paid by the Landlord or Tenant—I had much rather pay it than relinquish any part of the lease, for they on the other, may suppose that the smallest concession is adequate to it.
I would, henceforward, have you give no indulgences in the Collection of the Rents; but destrain as soon as they become due, unless the Tenant, by some act of Providence—Fire or unavoidable events is disabled; for I am convinced that a delay in the payment of the Rent from year to year is as prejudicial to the Tenant as the Landlord. To indulge a person whose inability to pay arises from laziness would only encourage him to continue in it, and the final distress for Rent After it has been accumulating 3 or 4 years may compleatly ruin the Tenant without satisfying the Landlord; whereas, when it is known that no favor will be granted (except under the circumstances above mentioned) every man will make an exertion to pay his rent when it becomes due, and the sum is so small that it will hardly be felt if paid annually.
I would wish you to settle the Arrears of Rent in the best manner you can where the persons owing cannot pay the whole take such a part as you can get and make a final settlement of them—and in future let there be no arrers; whenever a Tenant is disabled by some a[c]t of Providence—Fire, or unavoidable event from paying the whole of his Rent, you must settle with him upon the best terms that his situation will admit of—but those who delay payment from any other cause must expect no favor.
I will never take any thing but the specific Rents. This will avoid disputes, and suspicion of allowing too little for the Commodity. The Tenant may as well dispose of this produce as for me to do it.
The foregoing is my General determination with respect to the lands under your care, and a reference to the leases will always direct you what to do when any obsticle arises in the collection of the Rents or management of the business.⟩
Thomas Truman Greenfield’s r⟨eser⟩ve must be laid off at my expense; but previously endeavour to annul his Lease if he will not comply with the Covenant for planting Orchards.

If John Dimmitt does not work more than the number of hands allowed—and the Lease does not restrain him from keeping Sub-Tenants nothing is to be done in the case.
If Joseph Winsor thinks he has not got his quantity of Land, let him employ the County (sworn) Surveyor, at his own expense; and if the payment by the lease is according to the quantity of Land he holds it must govern.
Abner Grig’s quibble with respect to the error in filling up the blank is inadmissable; put the Lease to issue.
Get what arrears you can from Lemart—the whole if he is able to pay it.
[Enoch] Furr must be made to comply with the Covenants of the lease.
Robt McWherter is not to have the place gratis to encourage laziness; if he is sickly it may be a reason for favouring him in the back rents—and in that case he should quit the place or I shall always be plagued with him.
It is of little avail what Hansbury says. Let him produce from under mine, or Lund Washington’s hand what he asserts, and the matter will be then ascertained. Without proof pay no regard to assertions.
Let Lott No. 9 in Fauquier County upon the best terms you can.
No. 1 on Chattins Run may be divided and leased for a number of years as proposed.
I am willing to refer my dispute with Scott to the Gentlemen mentioned in your letter, viz. Colo. Francis Peyton, Colo. Leven Powell and Mr Morse D.C.S. of Fauquier.
Ten per Cent (and charges) is, in my opinion, a very high Commission to be given for the Collection of Rents, and such an one as I never heard of before: but if it is given by others I cannot expect to have my business done for less. Quare. Are not some extra Services requred for this 10 p. Ct.
There is another part of the business no less essential than the Collection of the Rent, and which, I trust, you pay a proper attention to—I mean that of visiting each tenement once or twice a year to see that no waste is made by the Tenant or others, and that everything is kept in due order according to the tenor of the Leases. But for this I should have no occasion

for a Collector, for if the Rents were not punctually paid at a given time the Sheriff would answer the purpose.
As you have now furnished me with a statement of my Lands I shall have them entered agreeably to their numbers; and I expect that you will transmit me annually (in the month of March, for Instance, when I suppose all collections for the preceeding year will be settled) an Acct of the receipts for each Tenement—the charges which may arise from destraining &c. (which must be paid by the Tenant) together with any changes that may take place in the Tenants. I shall then have them en⟨ter⟩ed in their proper places, and shall always be able to see upon what footing they stand.
As you express yourself much hurt by the report of your having been concerned in locating some Land belonging to the Estate of the late Colo. Fairfax which was under your care, and have requested me to give you my opinion upon the mode which you propose to take for finding out the Author of it, or to obviate any aspersions which might have been thrown upon your Character in consequence of it, I have enclosed you the form of a publication which I conceive will either bring forth the propagator of it or sufficiently clear you from the Charge.
It is my duty to deliver whatever papers are in my hands belonging to the Estate of the late Colo. Fairfax whenever required by an Order from the Executors; but as there are among them many papers of considerable consequence, which do not relate immediately to the Estate that is under your care, I should advise you to have the desk in which they are contained put into the hands of the Revd Mr Bryan Fairfax, Father to the young Gentleman who is heir to the Estate, and receive, from time to time, such papers only as you may have occasion for; at least ’till the above mentioned report is fully obviated; for although the persons for whom you act may have the highest confidence in you, yet if any paper of consequence should, by any means, be lost you must feel yourself very much hurt at not being able to account for it. With due Regard I am, Sir, Yr most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington

P.S. You have herewith the Leases which you requested might be sent.

Whatever Cash you have, or may collect for me I should be glad to have on or before the 10th of March.


Title: To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 20 February 1789
From: Lincoln, Benjamin
To: Washington, George

My dear General
Boston Feby 20th 1789

I had the last evening the pleasure of receving your Excellencys very kind and welcome favour of the 31st Ulto—It will be pleasing indeed to our citizens, when they find that federal ideas increase in your part of the United States. Things here wear a complexion, which evince, that a large majority of our people are friends to the new constitution, and I am confident they will embrace the government with affection. Esteem it not, my dear sir, the language of adulation, when I tell your Excellency, that the late elections of President, and vice President, are so perfectly agreeable to the general voice of the people, that joy flashes in the countenance of every real federalist, whilst those of a different character, feeling a security therein, cannot but unite in applauding the wisdom of the electors.
When I left public life I had not the least idea of ever returning to it again, or that I should much interest my self in the affairs of this, or of the United States. I then supposed, that by the exercise of industry and œconomy, in the habits of which I was early educated, I should be able to give bread to my family in

the evening of life—But painful to relate, Things are changed from causes over which I had no controul.
From the deranged state of the continental funds, I was induced to vest the property I had therein, in uncultivated lands in the eastern part of this State, these will not now sell, or yeild any considerable profit—and from the disordered state of the finances of this common wealth, that little property I had in State securities, from which I expected to draw aid equal to the interest at the least, is no longer productive; and it seems to be the wish of many to annihilate the State debt, or pay it off in a manner as dishonest and unjust as have been the debts of Rhode Island. Many attempts have been made with success, to depreciate our public securities, and in proportion as they succeeded, is the aversion of many increases to the payment of them at any rate—Finding my self thus embarrassed, for I entered this war with no other property than a small New-England farm, a considerable part of which I spent during the contest, I accepted the office of Lieutenant Governour of this common wealth as the emoluments of that office, with the command of the Castle annexed, gave an honourable support to my predecessor—The command of the Castle was in the Gift of the Governour, I was not a favorite, consequently the office was withheld from me, though it had been a perquisite enjoyed by the Leiut. Governour from the first establishment of the Garrison—A committee of the General court was appointed to consider what would be a proper support for the Lieutenant Governour, they reported three hundred pounds, which was to be in addition to his pay as councillor, but from a certain influence in the house, joined with the aversion of many to grant monies however necessary, it was reduced to one hundred and sixty pounds, and I left to feel the chagrin, and mortification, arising from the great distinction made between me and my predecessor in office, with little hope that it would ever be altered. Thus sir after forty years close application to business, a number of them under your Excellencys eye, I am stripped of those means of support, upon which I had leaned with too much confidence, for my own interest and happiness; the consequence of which is that I must as a farmer, at this late hour of life, begin the world anew, in our eastern country, or offer my self as a candidate for some office in the new government; was I unconnected with a

family, I should not hessitate one moment which to do, but the change of removing would be painful to them, I must therefore adopt the latter. To your Excellency I am as fully known as to any one gentleman in the States—If there should be an opening for me to enjoy an office, which in your Excellencys opinion, I can fill with advantage to the public, and honour to my self, and one to which I can approach, with equal pretentions in every respect, as any other, permit me to hope for your Excellencys patronage.
Nothing I hope has been offered improper for me to say as it relates to my self—Nor can your Excellencys delicacy be wounded by this application, as it is now reduced to a certainty, that you are elected President of the United States—In the important event none enjoys more real happiness than him who has the honour of being with the highest esteem My dear General Your Excellencys most obedient humble servant

B. Lincoln


Title: From George Washington to Denis-Nicholas Cottineau de Kerloguen, 21 February 1789
From: Washington, George
To: Cottineau de Kerloguen, Denis-Nicolas

Sir,
Mount Vernon February 21st 1789

I have had the honor to receive your letter of the 4th September 1788 which was handed to me by your friend Captn Zellickoffer—to whom I fully delivered my sentiments upon the purport of your letter, and who will undoubtedly take every necessary step towards your legal or honorary admission into the Society of the Cincinnati.
It is not in my power to say anything decidedly upon the propriety of your claim, as I was at the last General Meeting of the Society, exonerated from the duties of the Presidency—have not the Institution by me—and it will not be expected that I shall attend the next General Meeting, which will take place on the first Monday in May 1790 in the City of Philadelphia, nor perhaps any future meeting of the Society—I have therefore transmitted your letter to the Secretary General Genl Knox to

be laid before the next Genl Meeting where the merits of your pretentions will claim that attention which they deserve. I have the honor to be Sir, Your Most Obedt & Most humble Sert

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Henry Knox, 21 February 1789
From: Washington, George
To: Knox, Henry

My dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 21 February 1789

I have the honor to enclose a letter from Monsr Cottineau de Kerloquin requesting an admission into the Society of the Cincinnati—and one from the Chevalier D’Anmours setting forth the services of that Gentleman and his pretensions to admission. Both of which I must beg you to lay before the Society at their next General Meeting that they may take the necessary steps thereon; unless it shall appear (by the Institution) that he is a member of right. I am, my dear Sir, very affectionately, Yr most Obedt & Hbe Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Battaile Muse, 21 February 1789 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Muse, Battaile

Letter not found: to Battaile Muse, 21 Feb. 1789. On 12 Mar. GW wrote to Muse: “I wrote to you on the 21st Ulto.”


Title: To George Washington from John Dawson, 23 February 1789 [letter not found]
From: Dawson, John
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from John Dawson, 23 Feb. 1789. On 5 Mar. GW wrote to Dawson: “I have duly received your letter of the 23d of last Month.”


Title: From George Washington to William Gordon, 23 February 1789
From: Washington, George
To: Gordon, William

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon February 23d 1789

In a letter which, I had the pleasure of addressing to you lately, I mentioned my private business and numerous avocations

as an apology for the concisness and irregularity that might be observable in my correspondence. I shall therefore be excused for only acknowledging the receipt of your favor dated the 28th of Octr last, and thanking you for the Maps enclosed in it. Not having been able to compare them minutely with other plans of the same places, or to bestow that attention upon them which would be requisite for forming a correct Judgement; I am not at liberty to give any opinion as to their accuracy. They appear to be engraved with sufficient neatness, and to augur well as to the execution of the mechanical part of your publication. I shall only add, that the present state of tranquility in this Country affords no topics of importance for communication, and that I remain—with great respect & consideration Dr Sir yrs &c.

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Samuel Meredith, 23 February 1789
From: Meredith, Samuel
To: Washington, George

Sir
Green Hill [Pa.] February 23, 1789

As the Unanimous voice of America will very soon call you to a Station which I flatter myself you will not decline filling, I hope this application (which perhaps I ought to have deferred till this universally wished for event had realy taken place) may not appear indelicate in your Eyes—The Fall of Landed property, added to losses occasioned by a too great confidence in Continental money, have so extreemly diminished my income as to render it necessary I should do something for the present support of my Family, I therefore take the Liberty of requesting the favour of your Interest in order to procure some office under Congress, in which I may be of service to the Publick, & at the same time benefit myself—It is generally supposed the import will immediately in the meeting of Congress engage

their attention, and as an Officer will be required for that department; I should esteem myself very fortunate if thro your Influence I could be appointed, and be assured Sir I shall endeavour by a faithful discharge of the duties of the Office to make some returns for the Obligation your friendship will lay me under on this particular occasion—As for the unspeakable one I and all America owe you as the Preserver of your Country they must ever remain in full force—Mrs Meredith joins me in respectful compliment to yourself & Mrs Washington I am Sr most Sincerely Your very humble Servt

Sam. E. Meredith


Title: To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 23 February 1789
From: Morris, Gouverneur
To: Washington, George

Dear General
Paris 23 Feby 1789

Upon my Arrival at this Place I spoke to Mr Jefferson on the Subject of your Watch. He told me that the Man who had made Maddison’s was a Rogue and recommended me to another—Romilly—But as it might happen that this also was a Rogue I enquired at a very honest Man’s Shop, not a Watch Maker, and he recommended Gregson. A Gentleman with me assured me that Gregson was a Rogue and both of them agreed that Romilly is of the old School, and he and his Watches out of fashion. And to say that of a Man in Paris is like saying he is an ordinary Man among the friends of Philadelphia. I found at last that Mr L’Epine is at the Head of his Profession here; and in Consequence asks more for his Work than any Body else; I therefore waited on Mr L’Epine and agreed with him for two Watches exactly alike one of which will be for you and the other for me. This is the best Excuse I can make for putting you to a greater Expence than was necessary. To alleviate it in some Degree I have disposed of your Bill at the best Exchange and am in Consequence your Debtor 657.7s.10d. being better than twenty seven Louis for your twenty five Guineas.
I will not have the Presumption to say any Thing about the Politics of this Country. Mr Jefferson will doubtless convey the best information on that Subject and you will I hope and beleive be (by the time this Letter arrives) officially possest of his Communications. I say, I hope so and more (if possible) since I am here than before I left America Our new Constitution has greatly raised our Reputation in Europe. But your appointment and Acceptance would go far to fix the general opinion. I shall not in this Place, discuss the Question whether Mankind is right or wrong in that universal Idea: but you who have so long been devoted to your Country ought not to be ignorant of the fact. By the Bye, in the melancholy Situation to which the poor King of England has been reduced there were, I am told, in Relation to you some whimsical Circumstances His first Outset was to seize Mr Pitt by the Collar and, with outrageous Language addressed to the Rebel General, had nearly strangled him before he could get Help. Afterwards the Defender of the faith,

in one of his Capricios, conceived himself to be no less a Personage than George Washington at the Head of the american Army. This shews that you have done Something or other which sticks most terribly in his Stomach And the Prince of Wales, I am told, intends (no Doubt from filial Piety and Respect) to be very good freinds with the Country and the Man who have turned his fathers Head.
Adieu my dear Sir. That you may long be alike hated by the Enemies and beloved by the freinds of America is the sincere Wish of your most obedt humble Servant

Gouvr. Morris


Title: To George Washington from Edward Newenham, 23 February 1789
From: Newenham, Edward
To: Washington, George

My Ever respected Friend
Dublin 23 Feby 1789

I did not Know of a Vessell being to sail for Philadelphia, untill this moment, or I should have collected the news papers for you, but I send one, that contains the Important debates on the Regency buisiness, & the Severe censure on the Lord Lieutenant; so that Virtue still remains in this Island; it was a Glorious act; I attended, but was so ill with a Cough, that I could not Speak; I had a long Speech prepared but could not Venture to rize—how our Embassadors will be received in London, I Know not; Various opinions are circulated; Some talk of their being Sent to the Tower—others, that the Prince will not receive them—others, that, he will tell them, he cannot accept of their offer, untill a Bill from the Irish Parliament for Such an appointment, passes the Great Seal of England—others, that the Embassadors will not Enter London, untill the Prince has acted as Regent of England, by a Speech from the Throne.
The King has been gradualy mending Eleven days, but great Doubts, whether he will soon Venture to assume the reins of Government—he is certainly much weakned in body, & the drain is very great from the Sore in his Neck, but which sore breaking out is imagined to have begun his Recovery—Ireland & England act diametricaly opposite—This makes a Grand Precedent for our Independancy—the whole Nation is on the side of the Parliaments—Bishop divided against Bishop—a Circumstance that never happnd in this Kingdom, but once, these Sixty years—how this grand affair will End, Time only determine—we have gone so far, that we Cannot recede—as Mansfield Said the Rubicon is passed—& we Cannot retreat.
The state of Politics in Europe seems to portend an almost General war, unless Peace is made Early in the Spring—no Answer can or has been given to foreign Courts these 3 Months—much depends on the Part Little-Brittain will take.
I return you my most Sincere thanks for your last Letter—your Name was Needless, for none but a Washington could have wrote those Sentiments—they are his Sentiments; it is possible to Equal them, in the Globe, but impossible in past, present or future Times to Exceed them for Philanthrophy, Virtue & Sence.

The Captain has Twice called for this Letter, & given me Time to Collect a few Scattered Papers, which I Send to the Care of Mr John Chaloner of Philadelphia.
Lady Newenham joins in the most Sincere & perfect Respect to you & Mrs Washington. I have the Honor, to be, My Ever Respected & Esteemd Freind your most obt & obliged Humble Sert

Edward Newenham


Title: To George Washington from Montlezun, 25 February 1789
From: Montlezun, Jean-François du Moulin de La Barthette, chevalier de
To: Washington, George

Bordeaux, France, 25 Feb. 1789. Forwards to GW papers supporting his eligibility for membership in the Society of the Cincinnati and requests GW’s support for his request to join the society.


Title: To George Washington from John Spotswood Moore, 25 February 1789
From: Moore, John Spotswood
To: Washington, George

Dr sir,
West point Virginia Feb. 25th 1789

I take the Liberty of addressing Yr Excellency in order to Sollicit Yr Interest in continuing me in a post which I have for some time enjoyed under the present Constitution of Government, but which, I am now informed, devolves on Yr honourable Body to conferr—namely the office of Searcher at the Port of West point—Tho’ the Sallary annexed thereto is but small being £50 per Annum, Yet to a person of a Small fortune, & a growing family, it becomes an Object with worthy attention.
If an honest attention & unremitted to the various & often irksome duties of this office can entitle me to Yr Excellency’s Suffrage, as I am Sure they will, I have a confidence that this application will not be fruitless—Shou’d however the Post here be discontinued I shall think myself happy on any other appointment which Yr Excellency shall please to confer; and in every Event I hope Yr Excellency will believe me to be with sentiments of the highest Esteem Yr Obt Hble

John Spotswood Moore


Title: To George Washington from Battaile Muse, 25 February 1789
From: Muse, Battaile
To: Washington, George

Honorable Sir,
Feby 25th 1789

By Maj. Geo. Washington I expect you received your rentroll & accts, about the 16th of Instant I wrote you To the Care of Mr W. Hodgson in Alexandria Inclosed a Bill for £20 on Mr Wales, I have only received £17.3.9 To this day, Since I Sent down my accts altho I have been Pushing For the rents, as I expected you wanted Money Knowing that but Little Can be made From the Farming or Planting Business I have distressed the Tenants Last week in Frederick which may be recovered next august—in April I shall distress all the Tenants that will not Pay, I do not Expect but a Very Few will Pay unless Competed by Law as I have now replevey Bonds that has been Long Standing, yet they will not Pay—I Should have got Judgements on those Bonds only that I expected they would Pay Sooner than the sheriffs who will Probably detain the money or make no Sales—I am Frequently Served in that manner. I have Exerted myself For redress—none to be had, nor do I expect to see any amendment untill the corn Laws are Put on a Better footing when that will be I am not able to Judge, not untill their is better Councils than has been for Some Time—You will Please To give me answers To my Several applications and your Commands Shall be Executed To the Utmost of my abilities—Should you think Proper To Continue me in the Collection—Please To advise me what is To be done with those Tenants in Fauquier & Loudoun that has Come Into the Tenaments without Leases—they will Suffer a Law Suit rather than Take one of the Late Leases, the old ones being on a Better footing I allowed one Tranceferrence To a Man—on His Entering into a written agreement with me To Pay the Land Tax—which If all would that Come on do; it would be a Small Saveing and prevent Law Suits If they are to be Sued the Sooner the Better receiving rents From them will acknowledge them Tenants, a Letter on this Subject Shewn them From you might have weight—as they think its not your desire that they Should Comply with their Leases. I will Pay to the Sheriff of Fairfax the 1st day of may next in Interest warrants £200—or £250 for your Taxes and will run the risk in the chance of the Collection of the rents you to allow me Six pr Sent on the Collection as us[u]al—or 200

Barrels Flour for £260 as above 100 Barrels delivered on Sight of my order, & 100 Barrels in three or Four weeks From this date Burr Flour, that is my Price on Credit, or I Ship it on my own acct & Risque—Cash is not to [be] had at any reasonable price—I am Sir your Hble Servt

Battaile Muse

I expect I have 100 Barrels at Mr Wales & 100 more Can be delivered in Two or three weeks if the roads are Passable as the wheat is now ⟨grinding⟩ To make that Quantity.


Title: To George Washington from Benjamin Harrison, 26 February 1789
From: Harrison, Benjamin
To: Washington, George

My dear Sir
Berkley Feby 26. 1789

It is long since I had the pleasure of any of your favors; which I hope does not proceed, from any alteration in your friendship for me; as I am not conscious of any cause that could produce such an alteration, in a breast so perfectly liberal, as I know yours to be. That we have differ’d in sentiments is true; yet as that difference arose from the same pure motives in both of us; that is, what we both thought was for the general good of the whole community; a friendship of such standing, and so cemented, can not be shaken on that account.
That you will be call’d to the helm of government by the unanimous voice of america, I hope and believe; the gratitude we all owe you, and our own happiness, point to the choice. Whether we shall be gratified or not, rests with you to determine. When I consult the welfare of america, it is my most ardent wish that you should accept the trust; but there I must pause. Your own good sense will dictate to you, what you owe to the community, and to yourself, in a much stronger light than I can pretend to do. To that good sense, and the protecting hand of providence that has guided us hither to, I shall therefore leave it.
when I had the pleasure of seeing you last, I had little thoughts of ever being reduced to the necessity of wishing to become a placeman; but the depredations of the enemy during the war,

and the great fall of property in this country, owing to the scarcity of money, will in a very short time, bring on me and my deserving family, very deep distress; thinking that I have some claim on america for assistance, as my attachment to her cause mark’d me out to the enemy as a particular object of vengeance; I ask of her the appointment to the naval office of Norfolk, Portsmouth, and that district. I make the application to you my friend with confidence, as you have a perfect knowledge of me, and of every step I have taken, from the beginning of the dispute with Great Britain, to the end of the war; from which you will determine whether my pretensions are well founded or not. Colo. Parker who held the place, is chosen to congress, and has resign’d the office, and our executive have appointed a Capt. Lindsay to it. I believe he was a good officer, but as such he has been amply rewarded; or if not, he is young, and may wait a little longer. If I obtain the appointment I shall certainly remove down.
It gives me pain my dear sir, to make this application, as I well know you will be pester’d with them from every quarter; and I hope you will believe me when I say, that nothing but dire necessity, could have prevailed with me to do it.
Mrs Harrison has been for a long time in a bad state of health, she is however well enough to request her compliments to you, and your lady, to whom you will be so obliging as to present mine, and believe me to be with every sentiment of perfect esteem and friendship Dear Sir your most obedient Humble Servant

Benj. Harrison


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Donald, 28 February 1789
From: Donald, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Sir
Richmond 28th Feby 1789

I hope you will have the goodness to pardon me, for embracing the oppertunity by Doer Le Mayeur, of returning you my thanks for the unmerited kindness & attention you have been pleased to honour me with. and which has made such an impression, as never can be obliterated from my memory.
It will give me much pleasure to be able to pay my personal respects to you at Mount Vernon, before you go to New York, You observe Sir, that I make no doubt of your accepting the High and Honourable Office of President, I am confident that in point of Happiness, & enjoyment, you will be a great looser by your change of situation, as every person of your rural turn of mind must be, in relinquishing the pleasures of Mount Vernon, for the fatigue & bustle of business, which you must unavoidably experience at New York. But still I am satisfied you cannot resist the unanimous wish of United America, especially if you could be brought to think as all other good men do, That The Happiness & Prosperity of the Thirteen United States, intirely depends on your acceptance of the President’s Chair. Allow me to add, that it is the general opinion of the Friends to the New Government, that if you decline being at the Head of it, It never can, or will take effect.
I intend returning to London in a few months, where I carry on business under the Firm of Donald & Burton, Give me leave to say, that my House will consider it as a high honour to be favoured with your commands for any thing you may want

from thence, Be so good as present me most respectfully to your Lady. I am with great respect Sir Your very obedient & obliged Servant

A. Donald


Title: To George Washington from Travers Nash, 1 March 1789
From: Nash, Travers
To: Washington, George

Honorable Sir
Dumfries [Va.] March 1st 1789

In the arrangement of civil Government under the new proposed System I have no doubt but that a Number of lucrative offices will be created & as a needy beggar I do in the most humble manner beg leave to introduce myself to your memory—I do not mean honorable Sir, to Solicit your Honor for this that or the other post perticularly—but in the midst of your wise deliberations, should any then cast up that you think will suit me, I sha⟨ll⟩ forever be thankfull to find I am not forgot—it is with reluctance & a modest diffidence that I am induced to address you on this Subject should I be so happy as to merit your attention, it will forever lay the greatest obligation of gratitude

upon the mind of ⟨you⟩r Excellency’s Most Obedient & ⟨m⟩ost obliged hble Servt

Travers Nash


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Barclay, 2 March 1789
From: Washington, George
To: Barclay, Thomas

Sir
Mount Vernon March 2nd 1789

The letter which you addressed to me, on the 18th of last month, has come to hand; and requires that I should write to you a few words on the subject of it.
Previous to the receipt of your letter, I had been apprised of your desires by Colo. Humphreys, and made acquainted with the favorable opinion of your services, entertained by the several public Characters from America in Europe. You will permit me to say; that, although I have reason to coincide with them in sentiment, yet it would be a departure from a rule, which I had laid down for myself, to go beyond the acknowledgment of having received applications of a similar nature. For should it become indispensable for me to occupy the office, in which your letter pre-supposes me, I shall endeavour to enter upon it as free from all kinds of prejudices, as I shall certainly be from all pre-engagements of every possible description. As my sole object would be to adhere strictly to justice & my country’s good, I should wish to be in a predicament, which would allow me to weigh with the utmost impartiality the pretensions of the different Candidates for appointments. This being my general manner of thinking, you will be pleased to consider this answer as in no respect intended to affect your particular claims to the public attention.
I request, in all personal considerations, you will be persuaded that, I remain, with the greatest regard & esteem Sir Your Most obedient & Most humble Servant


Title: From George Washington to Harry Innes, 2 March 1789
From: Washington, George
To: Innes, Harry

Sir.
Mount Vernon March 2nd 1789.

I have been favored by the receipt of your obliging letter, dated the 18th of Deer last, just in time to send my acknowledgment by a person, who is immediately returning to Kentucky. This circumstance prevents me from expressing, so fully as I might otherwise have done, the sense I have of the very patriotic sentiments you entertain respecting the important matter, which is the subject of your letter. As a friend to United America, I embrace, with extreme satisfaction, the proposals you are pleased to offer of transmitting farther intelligence. For which purpose, I will endeavour to arrange & send you a Cypher by the earliest safe conveyance. In the mean time, I rely implicitly upon that honour which you have pledged, & those professions which you have made; and sincerely hope, that your activity & discretion will be successful, in developing the machinations of all those, who, by sowing the seeds of disaffection, may attempt to seperate any portion of the United States from the Union. I will only add; for myself, I have little doubt, but that a perseverance in temperate measures & good dispositions will produce such a system of national policy, as shall be  mutually advantageous to all parts of the American Republic. I am, Sir, With much esteem, your Most obliged & Most Obedt Servt


Title: From George Washington to Edward Newenham, 2 March 1789
From: Washington, George
To: Newenham, Edward

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon March 2d 1789

I am taking up my pen to present my acknowledgment for your letter of the 10th of Octobr last; and wish I had any thing to communicate in return, which might make mine equally acceptable to you. Notwithstanding my various endeavours to procure the articles I was desirous of transmitting to you, I have only been able to succeed in obtaining a couple of opossums, of the different sexes. I have been prevented from sending them, for some time, for want of a direct opportunity. The[y] will be forwarded by the first conveyance.

We had last summer, in some parts of this country, as rany a season, I believe as you had in Ireland; though it was not perhaps attended with such destructive consequences here, as it was with you. Indeed the seasons with us have been uncommonly in opposite extremes for two years past. The summer before the last was so dry, and last summer so wet, as to prevent me from acquiring any accurate result from many of my agricultural experiments. I have only been made more sensible, upon every new tryal, that this county is susceptible of various and great improvements in its agriculture. It is on that resource it must depend essentially for its prosperity. The useful arts and commerce ought not, however, to be altogether neglected. Nor are they—though they have been hitherto a subordinate concern, in comparison with the tillage of the earth. Much good to the community is predicted from the spirit of industry and economy, which begins to prevail (by the best information I can obtain) more extensively, than it has ever before done. Our direct trade to the East Indies, which has encreased very considerably, I am led to believe has been successful in every instance, More Manufactures of cotton, wool, and iron have been introduced within eighteen months past, than perhaps, ever before existed in America. Our settlements on the Western waters are progressing with unexampled rapidity. We are surrounded by the blessings of nature: and, in short, it seems as if we should want little, besides common sense and common honesty, to make us a great and a happy People.
I have just been returning my thanks for his Gooseberry plants to your friend Colonel Persse, who I perceive is a fond admirer of a Country life, as well as myself.
The request that you will have the goodness to offer the joint respects of Mrs Washington and myself to Lady Newenham concludes me, with sentiments of the highest regard and esteem Dear Sir &c.

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to William Persse, 2 March 1789
From: Washington, George
To: Persse, William

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon March 2d 1789

Your polite letter, dated the 11th of October last, has been duly received; & merits my particular acknowledgment. I have also to thank you very sincerely for the Gooseberry plants, which have arrived at Baltimore, from whence I have not yet been able to obtain them on account of the ice in our river. I shall have your directions as to the mode of culture particularly observed, and hope the plants may succeed as happily as in your climate. For you may be assured the greater care of them will be taken, because it is a natural circumstance for us, to feel a predilection for whatever comes from one, whose ordinary pursuits and political principles are consonant to our own.
I am not without hopes that Sir Edward Newenham and yourself will find time, at some period in your lives, to make a visit to America, for which you have both witenessed so ardent an attachment.
I cannot conclude this letter without expressing my great obligations for your kind offers of contributing, by the transmission of other natural productions of your Country, to my rural amusement; and assuring you that I have the honor to be with great consideration Dr Sir Yr &c.

G. Washington


Title: From George Washington to Robert Adams, 3 March 1789
From: Washington, George
To: Adams, Robert

Sir,
Mount Vernon 3d March 1789

I have received your Letter of the 18th of Octr 1788 informing me of your having shipped a box of plants for me by desire of Sir Edward Newenham & Colo. Persse. The Box has arrived

at Baltimore, and, I am informed, the plants are in good order; but the severity of the season has closed our Rivers and prevented their being sent round.
You will please, Sir, to accept my thanks for your attention to this Commission, and for the polite offer of your future services. I am, Sir, Yr most Obedt Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Francis Hopkinson, 3 March 1789
From: Hopkinson, Francis
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir,
Philada March 3d 1789

I could, if the Subject was worth so much Attention, justify my Musick against your Complaints—for I insist that it is as good melting Musick as could be expected at that severe Season of the Year, and would have found its way to you by water if you had but allowed a reasonable Time. A Lover who is all over Flames will require two & sometimes three years to melt the frozen heart of his Mistress, which is but a little affair, and you would not indulge a few simple Songs with even two or three months to dissolve the whole Ice of the Potowmack—which I think very unreasonable—and, besides, you seem not to be acquainted with a modern Discovery respecting ancient Musick, made by Dr Burney—or if not by him, by somebody else—that all those Passages in the ancient Poets which mentions the Miracles wrought by the Musick of their Ancestors were founded in an Error occasioned by an accidental Transposition of Words in the original Text—when we read of Forests being cleared and Cities built by the magical operation of Musick’s silver Sound it should have been written by the musical Sound of Silver—and this brings the Matter within the Compass of any reasonable Persons Belief. But I have another way of getting rid of the Difficulty—Orpheus was a Legislator and a civilizer of his Country. In those Days Laws were promulgated in Verse and sung to the Harp, and the Poets by a Figure in Rhetoric have attributed the salutary Effects of his Laws to the Tunes to which they were

play’d and sung—as to the Story of Hell & the Devil and his Wife I confess I do not understand it: but sincerely hope I may never have Occasion to compose Musick for such a melancholy Purpose.
I now send you a little Rhime and a little Reason. I would have mix’d them for your immediate use, but as I did not know how much Reason you might expect in Rhime or how much Rhime you could in Reason expect I thought it best to send them seperate.
_______________
I have been careful to keep accurate Reports of all the litigated Cases determined in the admiralty of Pennsylvania since my administration which is now Nine Years. The little Book I enclose contains a few of those Cases selected for the Information of Merchants & others whom they may concern the whole work will probably be published hereafter.
My Attention has now been so long fixed in this Department that I should find myself very unfit at this Time of Life for any new Pursuit—My present Commission will shortly expire by the Commencement of our new Government—As it can be no longer in Doubt but that you will (most worthily) be placed at the Head of that Government I am encouraged by some of my Friends & urged by my own Wishes to make an early Application for the Admiralty Department under the United States. Should your Judgement coincide with my Views I shall be happy in spending the Remainder of my Days in the Service of a Government whose Establishment I have so anxiously desired and in a Line wherein I think myself best qualified to render those Services.
In whatever Situation my future Lot may be cast I shall always endeav⟨or⟩ to merit & be always happy in the Enjoyment of your Friendship I am, Dear Sir, Your truly affectionate and very humble servant

Fras Hopkinson