Title: From George Washington to William Pearce, 7 December 1794
From: Washington, George
To: Pearce, William

          Mr Pearce,
          Philadelphia Decr 7th 1794

        Your letter of 30th Ulto, with the weekly reports, came safely to hand.
        By mistake, the sum of £300 was omitted in the charges against my bond, to Mr Lund Washington; as you have discovered in the above letter. By my mode of settling the bonded account, he will be £7.10.8 in my debt—and by the mode he proposes, I shall be £51.12.11. in his debt. Which of these is the mode by which a

Court of Law, or Equity, would settle it, I neither know, nor shall try; all that I can say on the subject, I have already said in my letter to him—viz.—that Mr John Mercer settled my acct with his father’s & Brothers Estates by charging me interest on all his payments; and when I objected thereto, he said it was the method by which the Chanceller in Virginia settled matters of a like nature; which was confirmed by Mr Randolph, who was well acquainted with the practice of that Court. However, as I am determined to have no dispute on the subject, Mr Washington may settle it by which account he pleases both are enclosed—or by striking a medium between the two methods, as shall be most agreeable to his own ideas of justice. Take up my bond, and after tareing my name from it, send it to me. Let all the accounts between him & me be finally closed—and unless there is an absolute occasion for it, do not run me to the expence of smiths work there, or elsewhere, in future.
        After you have discharged this account—and such others as are known to be due, from me, place the surplus of the money in the bank of Alexandria, and give me the amount of the sum. But on second thoughts, there will be your own wages—the wages of the Overseers—&ca which will be due in a very little time. Let all be paid—for I never like to be in debt to any one—or have any money in my possession that another has a right to call for. You had better therefore pay all these off—detain what is due to yourself—and not close, or transmit your accounts until these are done, and the year is ended, that your next, and every account may commence with the new year.
        In my last, I desired that my Wheat might all be manufactured and held in readiness for the first good market that shall offer, of which keep me advised. The price of Superfine flour at this place is 65/ pr Barl and that of fine 62/ & 62/6—Wheat from 9/6 to 12/6 according to quality.
        As your crop of fodder this year has been great, and got in good season—and much more grass than usual cut, I flatter my self you will have a good deal of hay for sale. Be this, however, as it may, do not sell close until you are able to see your way through the winter clearly. I wish that my horses, & stock of every kind should be fed with judicious plenty & œconomy; but without the least profusion or waste. And be particularly attentive whilst you are feeding away the Potatoes to reserve an ample

stock of them for seed; as also of Turnips. If there came no more than 600 bushels of Potatoes from the field No. 4 & the lots, at Dogue run, the crop must have been a very indifferent one at that place; but I was more anxious to know how many bushels grew in the field No. 4 that I might compare it with the yield of the same field in Corn.
        I think it would be no unsatisfactory experiment to fat one bullock altogether with Potatoes; another, altogether with Indian meal; and a third with a mixture of both: keeping an exact account of the time they are fatting, and what is eaten of each, and of hay, by the different steers; that a judgment may be formed of the best, and least expensive mode of stall feeding beef for market, or for my own use.
        You will recollect, that when No. 5 comes into tillage (which I believe it is to do in course, next year) that the Woods within the fence is to be cleared up, and prepared also, for Corn, in order to supply the place of the two lots by the Barn, & the barn yard itself, which were taken from that field.
        I intended that the sheds at that farm, which were intended to be erected on the brick foundations adjoining the two Corn houses, should be shingled with cyprus, & mention it now, that it may not be misunderstd when the work is gone about.
        As the wood on my four mile run tract, is the principal value of it, I would not have you delay enquiring into the nature of the tresspasses; nor in punishing of those who are guilty of them, if the proofs are clear.
        How does the new race at the Mill progress? & when do you conceive it will be fit for use?
        How does James Donaldson conduct himself? Does he appear to understand well those kinds of work which he professes to have been particularly bred to? And has he moved into the house below the hill? caution him against familiarities with the Negros.
        I perceive by your last letter that you have moved your family to the ferry, but have left a bed for yourself in the end of the Store. If you had liked it better it would have been quite agreeable to me that you should have retained a room in the house—the one in which I believe you were accustomed to lodge—but do in this matter as is most agreeable to yourself.
        What was expressed in a former letter respecting the manner

of treating visitors to Mount Vernon, was laid down as a general rule; but persons not always recommended, or introduced in the manner I described in that letter, may go there, who are entitled to equal civilities; & in such cases you must be governed by your own judgment; and in this I have so much confidence as to rely on it; being well convinced that your regard for propriety will not suffer any misapplication of the means that may be committed to your care, & as far as it is practicable, that you will not suffer the Servants to misapply them. Therefore, for such occasions, and for the use of the sick, I desire you will lay in a box of claret, and some lisbon, or Tenerif wine, that my Madeira may be reserved, as it is old, and not easy to be replaced, for my own use when I get home. I remain your friend & well wisher

          Go: Washington


Title: Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to Henry Knox, 8 December 1794
From: Dandridge, Bartholomew Jr.
To: Knox, Henry

          8 December ’94.

        By the President’s order Bw Dandridge sends the enclosed copy of a Resolution of the House of Representatives, to the Secy of War, & requests him to give the information required thereby. The President wishes to see the Secretary in order to converse with him on the subject of the resolution.


Title: Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to Edmund Randolph, 8 December 1794
From: Dandridge, Bartholomew Jr.
To: Randolph, Edmund

          Monday. [8 Dec. 1794]

        By the Presidents order Bw Dandridge returns the draft of a letter to Mr Pinckney, to the Secy of State—& informs him that the President has given it his approbation.


Title: Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to Alexander Hamilton, 9 December 1794
From: Dandridge, Bartholomew Jr.
To: Hamilton, Alexander

          Decem: 9. 1794.

        Bw Dandridge respectfully informs the Secretary of the Treasury that the President does not object to granting Mister Bowen’s request if it can be done without injury to the public service.

        B. Dandridge will thank the Secretary to cause a Warrant to be transmitted to him for two thousand dollars on account of The President’s compensation.


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 10 December 1794
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

          Sir,
          Department of War December 10th 1794

        I have the honor to submit to your view and correction a proposed statement, in pursuance of the resolve of the house of representatives, on the subject of the Militia. I have the honor to be with perfect respect Your obedient servant

          H. Knoxsecy of War


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Mifflin, 10 December 1794
From: Mifflin, Thomas
To: Washington, George

          Sir.
          Phil. 10th Decr 1794

        The Secretary at War, in a letter of the 5 inst., transmitted to me a Resolve, containing the unanimous thanks of the House of Representatives to the Militia in actual service for the suppression of the late insurrection; and stated at the same time, your acknowledgments upon the subject.
        I have taken measures immediately to communicate this honorable testimonial to the officers & privates of the Pennsylvania quota; but I cannot omit, more particularly, to express the high satisfaction which I derive from the assurances, that my conduct, on the late interesting occasion, has met with your approbation. I am, with perfect respect Sir, Yr most obedt &c.


Title: From George Washington to the U.S. Senate, 10 December 1794
From: Washington, George
To: United States Senate

          Gentlemen of the Senate,
          United States December the 10th 1794

        I nominate the following persons to fill the offices respectively annexed to their names, some of which became vacant during the recess of the Senate.
        Arthur St Clair, to be Governor in and over the Territory of the United States, northwest of the river Ohio. continued—the legal term of his former appointment having expired.
        Winthrop Sargent, to be Secretary in and over the Territory of

the United States, northwest of the river Ohio; continued—the legal term of his former appointment having expired.
        William Blount, to be Governor in and over the Territory of the United States, south of the river Ohio; continued—the legal term of his former appointment having expired.
        Daniel Smith, to be Secretary in and over the Territory of the United States, south of the river Ohio; continued—the legal term of his former appointment having expired.
        William Peck, to be Marshal of and for the Rhode-Island District; continued—the legal term of his former appointment having expired.
        Michael Payne, to be Marshal of and for the North Carolina District; vice John Skinner, resigned.
        Jacob Graybell, to be Marshal of and for the Maryland District; vice Nathaniel Ramsay, appointed Naval officer of Baltimore.
        Timothy Pickering, to be Post Master General, under the Act of Congress, of the 8th of May 1794.
        Henry Miller, of Pennsylvania, to be Supervisor for the Pennsylvania District; vice George Clymer resigned.
        Thomas Marshal, of Kentuckey, to be Supervisor for the District of Ohio; and Inspector of the revenue for Survey No. 1. in the said District.
        Ebenezer Sproat, to be Inspector of the revenue for Survey No. 2. in the District of Ohio.
        Robert Purviance, of Baltimore, to be Collector for the District of Baltimore; vice Otho H. Williams deceased.
        William Selby, of Maryland, to be Collector for the District of Snow-hill; and Inspector of the revenue for the several ports within the said District; vice John Gunby, resigned.
        Nathaniel Ramsay, of Maryland, to be Naval Officer for the District of Baltimore; vice Robert Purviance, appointed Collector.
        William Reynolds, of Virginia, to be Collector for the District of York Town; and Inspector of the revenue for the port of York Town; vice Abraham Archer superceded.
        Thomas Jones, of Virginia, to be Collector for the District of Hampton; and Inspector of the revenue for the port of Hampton; vice George Wray, resigned.
        Francis Coffyn, to be Consul of the United States of America for the port of Dunkirk in France; and for such other places as shall be nearer to the said port than to the residence of any

other Consul or Vice-Consul of the United States within the same allegiance.
        Philip Feliechy, to be Consul of the United States of America for the port of Leghorn; and for such other places as shall be nearer to the said port, than to the residence of any other Consul or Vice-Consul of the United States within the same allegiance; he having been nominated at the last session by the name of Peter Feliechy.
        Hans Heissel, to be Consul of the United States of America, to reside on the coast of Barbary.
        William Vans junior, to be Consul of the United States of America for the port of Morlaix in France; and for such other places as shall be nearer to the said port than to the residence of any other Consul or Vice Consul of the United States within the same allegiance.

          Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 11 December 1794
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

          Sir.
          December 11th 1794.

        I have the pleasure to submit the enclosed dispatches just received from Governor Blount. I have the honor to be, Sir, Most respectfully, Your obedt Servt

          H. Knox


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 11 December 1794
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

          Sir
          Department of War December 11th 1794

        Notwithstanding the agreeable view of affairs transmitted by Governor Blount I have the mortification of submitting to you a letter of more recent date of quite a contrary complexion which I presume is authentic. I have the honor to be with perfect respect Your obed. Servant

          H. Knoxsecy of War


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 11 December 1794
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Washington, George

        Philadelphia December 11. 1794. ½ past 12. o’clock E. Randolph with respectful compliments to the President, informs him, that he is obliged to go home, in order to take a dose of physic for the relief of his stomach and head from a load of bile, which is very oppressive and makes him very giddy.
        E.R. had the honor of calling at the President’s, while he was out on horseback; in order to deliver a copy of his account of expenditures up to the 1st of July last. Duplicates will be ready for the two houses of congress.
        Nothing new has occurred to-day.


Title: To George Washington from Giuseppe Chiappe, 12 December 1794
From: Chiappe, Giuseppe
To: Washington, George

          Excellence
          Mogador [Morocco] le 12 Decembre 1794

        Je me donne de rechef l’honneur de m’addresser par celle cy à V. Exce pour lui representer que je me trouve depuis longtemps privé de reponse aux diverses lettres que j’ai eu l’honneur

de lui ecrire par la voye de Londres ainsi que par celles de Cadix & Gibraltar, chose qui m’afflige & chagrine, n’en pouvant Savoir la cause, Si par hazard j’ai manqué en quelque chose à mon devoir je prie votre Exce de croire que ç’est involontairement ç’est pourquoi j’ose esperer de votre bonté que vous voudres bien m’absoudre vut l’innocence de mes intentions & croire en même temps que je Suis toujours plein de Zele & de respect pour l’honorable Nation Americaine. cecy presuposé je continuerai de faire part à Votre Exce des nouvelles Politique de cet Empire Maroc la Capitale a été assiegèe pendant pres de deux mois par les Provinces de Son Voisinage, Suscitèes a force d’argent par Sy Abdrahman Ben Assar Gouverneur de la Ville de Saffy & de toutte la Province de Abda, Son but etoit de Faire expulser Muley Ischem qui avoit cy devant été proclamé Roy ou Soit Empereur, la Ville de Maroc vouloit Souttenir cette proclamation, plusieurs batailles en ont etes les Suittes avec quelque mortalité des deux côtes, Surquoi Sy Abdrahman Ben Nassar pour prevenir une majeure effusion du Principeaux de Sa Province pour aller traitter la Paix qui S’est enfin conclue Sour la Condition qui a été accordée de retroceder de la Proclamation de Muley Ischem qui Se trouve reduit au rang de Simple Prince Sans aucune part au Gouvernement, les Habitants de Maroc & les Gens des Provinces vouloient le faire accompagner a Salé avec tous les honneurs dus a Son Sang, & en lui fournissant tout ce qui lui seroit necessaire, le jour du depart etoit fixé, mais l’avant veille il jugea convenable de S’enfuir durant la nuit à un Sanctuaire proche de Maroc nomé l’Eglise de Sy Ballabes, ou il paroit que Sy Abdrahman Ben Nassar n’est pas intentioné de le laisser en repos; cependant l’autre Prince qui a été Proclamé au Nort & que notre ville a egallement reconnu depuis quelque temps & qui Se nome Muley Soliman S’est attiré par Ses bonnes qualités, l’amour & l’obeissance de touttes les Provinces du Nort ou il Se fait aimer & respecter par la prudence avec la quelle il les Gouverne, on nous fait esperer que nous ne tarderons pas a le voir icy, ce qui est fort a Souhaitter pour remettre l’ordre dans les Provinces, & la Suretè des routes; j’ai l’honneur d’etre connu de ce Prince & de reçevoir de ses Lettres ou il daigne m’assurer de Sa Protection & me fait aussi bien des promesses tres flatteuses, a Sa venue je me flatte de les voir realizer & lorsque je Serai admis a Son Audience je ne manquerai pas de proffitter de la bonne volontè

qu’il me temoigne pour lui exposer & representer (Suivant mon devoir) tout ce que je croirai convenable pour L’Honorable Nation Americaine & aurai Soin d’instruire Votre Excellence du resultat de mes demarches; je ne dois pas obmettre de vous dire que Sur la nouvelle qu’il eut du Siege de Maroc & de la deposition de Son Frere Muley Ischem, il lui ecrivit, lui offrant de Se retirer a Salé, ou comme bon Frere il lui donnerá tout ce qui lui Será necessa⟨ire⟩ & agreable, Muley Soliman dezire fort que les Puissan⟨ces⟩ Europeennes envoyent leurs Ambassadeurs pour le reconnoitre & renouveller les traittes, aussitôt qu’elles l’auront fait j’en instruirai Votre Excellence afin que L’Honorable Congres puisse décider a cet egard Ce que leur prudence croira le plus Convenable, entre temps je prie Votre Excellence de vouloir bien rapeller mes Services aux Representants de l’honorable Nation & de me Croire avec une respectueu⟨se⟩ Soummission De Votre Excellence Le Tres hble & tres Obeissant Serviteur.

          Giuseppe Chiappe


Title: To George Washington from Caleb Gibbs, 12 December 1794
From: Gibbs, Caleb
To: Washington, George

          Dear Sir
          Boston Decr 12th 1794

        By the Schooner Porga Captn Coffin who sails to morrow for Philadelphia I do myself the pleasure to ship you two packages

of the very best of Isle of shoal dumb fish, which I beg your acceptance of.
        Knowing your fondness for those kind of fish (and being in possession of some of them) Induced me to forward a small quantity to you by this conveyance.
        Hopeing they may get safe to hand and in good order is the wish of him who ever was and ever will be With the greatest respect and personal attachment Dear Sir Your most Obedient and most humble servant

          Caleb Gibbs.

          P.S. Be pleased to offer me in terms of the highest Respect to Mrs Washington.
          Inclosed is the bill of lading for the fish.


Title: To George Washington from Amelie-Maxime-Rosalie de Grasse, 12 December 1794
From: Grasse, Amelie-Maxime-Rosalie de
To: Washington, George

          Monsieur
          ce 12 decembre 1794

        Il faut autent conter Sur votre bonté pour ozer renouveller, mes importunitees, Si ma premiere lettre vous Est parvenue, Elle vous a fait connoitre, et notre confiance En vous, et notre affreuse position, d’aggnez monsieur y avoir Egard, En vous Seule Est notre Esperence, nous Sommes absolument denuées de tout et ne prevoyant pas la fin de nos maux, nous ne

Subsistons depuis sept mois que de la vente de nos bijoux, mais Monsieur ces foibles resources, sonts totalement Epusées. Si vous ne venez a notre Secour nous ne pourons plus nous procurer, les premiers besoins, de la vie.
        Veuilliez donc Monsieur vous interesser a nous, et nous accorder soit quelques Acres de terre, que nous cultiverions, et nos premiers traveaux et leurs fruits Seroient Employez a nous acquiter de lavance que lon nous aurois faite.
        Lamitiez que vous vouliez bien avoir pour mon pere, cette bien Sincere, quil vous portoit, les Sentiments destime, et de vénération, quil nous a inspirées pour vos vertus, nous sonts un Sur garent de votre bienveuillance pour ces filles.
        Pardonnez monsieur ma témerité Elle na dexcuse que dans votre indulgence, et nos malheurs. Si rien ne peut Etre comparer a nos souffrances, il Seroit impossible de trouver un Sentiment Egale a notre reconnoissance. c’est En vous renouvellant mes regrets de vous Ennuyer de nos peines et en vous demendant vos bontés Et protection que j’ai l’honneur D’etre Monsieur Votre tres humble et tres Obëisante Servante

          de Grasse

          si vous m’honoré d’une réponce faite la moi adressez cet mr Robinson Salem.


Title: From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 12 December 1794
From: Washington, George
To: Lear, Tobias

          My dear Sir,
          Philadelphia Decr 12th 1794

        Your letter of the 5th instt, and the Receipt for the second payment of the lots I purchased on the Eastern branch, in the Federal City, came duly to hand.
        You are perfectly at liberty to examine my Presses and Trunks at Mount Vernon for any papers I may have respecting the transactions of the Directors of the Potomack Compa., or any matters & things which may concern the navigation of that River. Mrs Fanny Washington has the master key of all the others; from whom you can get it; but whether the papers you are in pursuit of are to be found in the Press, or in any trunk, I am unable to inform you. The keys of the locked trunks are, if I remember rightly, in my writing table; the key of which remains in it.
        For many very important reasons (unnecessary to enumerate to you) the navigation of that river ought to be pushed forward with all the celerity which the nature of the work will admit. viewing the matter as I do, I shall not neglect any fair opportunity of facilitating a visit from Mr Weston to that quarter—but (under the rose, I must say it) however fair the assurances of his going thither may be, you may take it for granted, that from motives of jealousy, there is a countertide to that measure; and I wish you may not find something similar to it in another quarter, if the operations on the Shanondoah are postponed much longer. Do not forget, how the trade of Fredericksburgh, Falmouth, Hanover town on York River, and indeed Richmond itself, will be affected by the opening of this navigation—I should not be at all surprized therefore, if future applications to the Assembly of V——a (if there be occasion to make any) respecting it, shd meet with much coldness & difficulty.
        I should not, any more than you, be disposed to confide in the opinion of Mr Claiborne’s Engineer; nor (in confidence to you) to Mr Claiborne himself; but as he speaks in exalted terms of this man (for you must know Claiborne is now in this City, and has mentioned the matter also to me) a little money might not be misapplied in obtaining the opinion of this Engineer; to see how far it would accord with Mr Weston’s—if he can be got there; without, if he shd follow after, letting him know what that opinion is. ’Tis possible, this person may unite (as Claiborne

says he does) both science & practice. If so, & he should possess other requisites, he might be useful—Tryal of, without a reliance upon him, cannot be injurious.
        Mr Jonathan Trumbull has once or twice asked me what reply the Comrs of the Federal City have made to the letter of his brother John which I sent to them—be so good as to remind them, or either of them wch you may first see, of this matter. I am Yours affectly

          Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 13 December 1794
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Washington, George

          Private
          Sir
          Saturday morning Decr 13. 1794.

        The Algerine captain; who has lately been travelling thro’ New England, and the states north of this place, is arrived here;

and called upon me yesterday with a kind of introductory letter from the Vice President. The Algerine tells me, that Mr Adams means to introduce him to you this morning; and therefore I think it my duty to give you my conjectures concerning him. They are, I confess, not capable of positive proof.
        His name is Ibrahim Argelon; speaks bad French, mixed with Italian and Spanish; and does not appear to be a man of any kind of learning. His story is, that he was born in Morocco; went early, about three years old, to Algiers; became a captain in the Alegerine Service; was taken about nine years ago by a Neapolitan privateer; was confined in consequence of his capture at Naples for two years; spent the other seven years in Spain and other places in Europe; and was driven to America in attempting to get to Denmark or Sweden. The reason assigned for his not returning to Algiers is, that he would be punished capitally there, for suffering himself to be taken alive. Now his intention is to go to Morocco, and intreat the emperor, who, by being a Mahometon prophet, has great influence over the Dey of Algiers, to intercede for him with the Dey.
        The Algerine brings with him many attestations of his worth under the hands of the Queen of Prussia, the Duke of Brunwick, and many other men with sounding titles; and if we could be sure of their authenticity, we might be also sure, that he is a man of some consideration. But it is so easy to fabricate them for deceiving those, who cannot possibly know, how to say, that they are not genuine, that I must form my opinion upon the following circumstances.

          1. His story is very oddly mixed up.
          2. He is clearly a beggar; as is manifested by a subscription in Boston to the amount of two hundred dollars.
          3. He has availed himself of his being a Freemason, to lay every lodge under contribution within his reach.
          4. He is precisely the same kind of character, which was here about eighteen months ago and took in several of the citizens; among whom were some of the sharpest Jews in America.
          5. He was very importunate to learn from me, what the French were doing for us in Algiers: three times I evaded his questions; but he returned to the charge without giving any reason for his solicitude.

        Governor Adams and Governor Fenner have given him very

hospitable passports; and every additional mark of attention is a groundwork for asking something more. He suggested to me, that his present object is to petition the President and Congress to furnish him with the means to go to Baltimore and from thence to Cadiz. I told him, that he had better put what he had in view upon paper, and I would inform him, whether I thought it right or not. He said he would do so. I have the honor to be Sir, with affectionate attachment and respect yr mo. ob. serv.

          Edm: Randolph


Title: From George Washington to William Pearce, 14 December 1794
From: Washington, George
To: Pearce, William

          Mr Pearce
          Philadelphia Decr 14th 1794

        Your letter of the 7th instt, enclosing the reports of the preceeding week, came duly to hand.
        I approve your idea of clearing up the wood between the fence and the road, and letting it lay over to another year; but quere, would it not be better, instead of cleaning the ground thoroughly, and exposing the earth to the rays of the summers sun, to have it well grubbed, & lye with all the brush on it until the proper period arrives for breaking it up for Corn? In many places, this is a universal practice; and in the opinion of some (especially in the Northern & Eastern States) an indispensable one. They have

two ways of doing this. The one is, by letting the brush lye on the ground until the leaves, and small twigs have fallen, & are beginning to rot; which, when plowed in, occasions putrefaction & fermentation, and of course more product, after these have happened. The other is, to let the brush lye (not in heaps, by piling it up, but as it is cut off) until the Spring, and then set fire to it; which spreading over the whole surface, equally, warms the earth, while the ashes serve as a manure. wch of these is best, or whether either of them are better than to expose the soil to the Sun (as it is of a cold & sour nature) deserves consideration. At any rate I agree with you in opinion, that it is best, as you have already plowed up No. 6 at Muddy hole, not to tend the ground (now in wood, and of wch we are speaking) in Corn next year. My wish, as I mentioned in a former letter, is, that when the ground is cleared, every thing that can be taken up by the Roots may be grubbed; for though more time will be required to do this—yet, in the end, labour will be saved by it; as to lay the grubs all one way, will also do.
        I am very willing that you shd tend the Number of Corn holes at the mansion house which you propose, & with the force belonging to that place; but do you not mean to comprehend the ground between the Orchard & outer fence, as well as the Orchard itself? the first is necessary in order to clean, & get the ground in order; as bushes & shrubs are spreading over it. But where, & in what manner do you mean to have the communication between the Stables & the pasture below the Hill? The most natural one, at least the one most out of sight, would be by a lane around the clover lot, by the Quarters back side. The fence to inclose that field, for Corn, ought not to appear in view of the house; & for that reason shd descend the hill (far enough to effect this purpose) that goes from the lot where the Potatoes grew last year to where the old cabbins stood.
        I likewise think with you that the field between the Meadows and Mill would hardly pay the cost of cultivation until all the woods which are therein is cleared up; and therefore have no objection to letting it remain awhile longer: but I cannot consent, in order to effect this, to be tending the same fields over & over again; because they may happen, at this moment, to be in somewhat better condition. This would be continuing a practice which has been the destruction of my land hitherto, and which

my great aim & endeavor is to avoid. By the last report from Union farm I perceive you are plowing in No. 6, but for what purpose I cannot conceive, as I have not recollection enough of my plan of rotine to decide whether it is agreeable thereto—but know that it was in small grain last year & in Corn the year before and parts of it extremely poor. Nor do I at this moment call to mind, what field, at that farm, goes into Corn next year; if it be No. 4, as part of it, according to both our ideas had better lay longer untilled, I would ask whether the difficiency might not be made up for the hands thereof by tending the Inclosure between the white gates & the gate in the hollow? Good part of that Inclosure, if the trees were trimmed up, and in some places thinned, would bring (for it has brought) good corn.
        I hope, and wish, Allison may turn out well. I know nothing of the one you have engaged—but it is a family of very little respectability, and closely connected with a set of people about my Mill—the Pools particularly—than whom I believe, a more worthless set are no where to be found. It was this Allison too, if I mistake not, with whom Crow spent, or rather mispent much of his time.
        I remember well your speaking to me concerning the erecting sheds for the Cattle by the New barn at Union farm & my consent thereto—nor do I object to them now—On the contrary am much pleased that you are extending them to all the farms—but desire that these may not prevent the erection of those I had contemplated by the Barn at Dogue run for the work horses & cattle, so soon as the Carpenters are enabled to build them.
        I perceive you are gathering thorn berries, with which I am pleased; but to turn them to account they must lye buried a year before they are sown—I presume however, you have informed yourself of all this.
        Is it possible that the Wheat you send to Mill should only weigh 48½ & 49 lbs. pr Bl? the Millers report says this.
        Let me have the dates of the deposits of the money which you placed in the Bank of Alexandria; they are not mentioned in the Memm which came in your last letter.
        Is Oneil still quarrying stone at Mount Vernon? What has he raised and what has become of it. I remain—Your friend &ca

          Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Moreau de St. Méry & Company, 15 December 1794
From: Moreau de St. Méry & Company
To: Washington, George

          Sir
          Philadelphia 15th Xber 1794.

        Deign receive with Goodness the advise of our new Establishment in a City where Lives the precious and dear father of the all united states. our most exciting encouragement would be that it could inspire your Excellency with Some Benevolence. We are with the utmost Respect sir of your Excellency The most obedient & very humble servants

          Moreau de st méry & Co.


Title: From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 15 December 1794
From: Washington, George
To: Randolph, Edmund

            (Private)
            Dear Sir,
            Philadelphia Decr 15th 1794.

          For the reasons mentioned to you the other day—viz.—the Virginia Assembly being in Session—and a plan being on foot for establishing a Seminary of learning upon an extensive scale in the Federal city—it would oblige me if you and Mr Madison would endeavor to mature the measures which will be proper for me to pursue in order to bring my designs into view, as soon as you can make it convenient to yourselves.
          I do not know that the enclosed, or sentiments similar to them are proper to be engrafted in the communications which are to be made to the Legislature of Virginia, or to the Gentleman who are named as Trustees of the Seminary which is proposed to be established in the federal city, but as it is an extract of what is contained in my Will, on this subject, I send it merely for consideration.
          The shares in the different Navigations to be located, & applied, in the manner which has been the subject of conversations. Yours affectionately

            Go: Washington


Title: Enclosure: Extract from GW’s Will, 1794
From: Washington, George
To:

          It has always been a source of serious reflection, and of sincere regret with me, to see the youth of these United States sent to foreign countries for the purpose of education (perhaps, before their minds are formed, or they have any correct ideas of the blessings of the country they leave)—Where, besides contracting habits of dissipation and extravagance—principles unfriendly to republican government, and to the rights of man, may be imbibed and found difficult to eradicate.
          For these reasons, it has long been an ardent wish of mine, to see some plan adopted by which a general & liberal diffusion of learning could be dissiminated, systematically, through all parts of this rising empire; thereby, and as far the nature of the thing will admit, and in itself would be proper, to do away local attachments, and state prejudices from our public councels.
          Hoping that so desireable an object will ’ere long be viewed in the important light I think it merits, my mind is unable to contemplate any measure more likely to effect it than the establishment of a University; where young men from all parts of the United States (after having passed through a preparative course of education) may, under Professors of the first reputation in the different branches of literature—arts & Sciences—compleat their studies; and get fixed in the principles of the Constitution—understand the Laws—and the true interests & policy of their Country, as well as the professions they mean to pursue. And moreover (which is not the least, among the advantages of such a plan) by forming acquaintances with each other in early life, avoid those local prejudices & habitual jealousies which, when carried to excess, are never failing sources of disquietude in the public mind, and but too pregnant of mischievous consequences.

          Under these impressions I give and bequeath for ever, the shares I hold under an Act of the Legislature of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the navigations of the Rivers Potomac and James towards the endowment of a University to be established within the limits of the Federal district, provided a well digested plan for the same shall be adopted for the purpose before the year 1800. If not then &ca &ca &ca.


Title: To George Washington from Richard Claiborne, 16 December 1794
From: Claiborne, Richard
To: Washington, George

          sir
          16 Decr 1794

        In consequence of the conversation I had the honour to have with Your Excellency the other morning—and the permission you were pleased to give me of making my communications to you—I have the satisfaction to inform you that the mechanical Concern in which I am engaged in Philadelphia—will undertake to effect the Canal and the Locks on the Potomac River, and the watering of the Federal City, with as much facility, and as well, as such works are executed in any part of Europe—and that the Concern are ready to appoint a resident Engineer upon the Premises, as soon as terms can be agreed on—and they will be responsible for his integrity and ample ability—And I beg leave further to observe, that, the Concern would recommend the suppression of the present intended Lock, on account of one of much greater utility, which they are in the possession of, and which they mean to introduce generally into the Country. I have the honour to remain—With the highest respect Your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble Servant

          Rd Claiborne


Title: Henry Knox to Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., 16 December 1794
From: Knox, Henry
To: Dandridge, Bartholomew Jr.

          Dear Sir
          9 oClock Evg 16. Decr 1794

        Please to submit to the President of the U.S., the enclosed letters from Genl Wayne of the 17th October, (duplicate the first not received) and the 12th of Novr. They have been just received I have not perused the enclosures conceiving it proper that the President should see the letters as early as possible in the morning as some measures may be proper to be taken thereon in order to lay them before Congress. I shall therefore wait upon him at 9 oClock tomorrow morning to take his orders respecting the papers. Yours

          H. Knox


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 17 December 1794
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

          Sir.
          December 17th 1794

        I have the honor to submit to you, letters from Governor Blount just received, dated the 18th 22d and 28th November—I submit the propriety of having these copied together with his former letters and laid before Congress immediately. I am, most respectfully, Sir, Your obedt Servt

          H. Knox


Title: From George Washington to the U.S. Senate, 17 December 1794
From: Washington, George
To: United States Senate

          United States, Decem: 17th 1794.

        Gentlemen of the Senate,
        I nominate Charles Cochran of South Carolina, to be Marshal of and for the District of South Carolina; vice Daniel L. Huger, resigned. and
        Thomas Waters Griffith, of Maryland, to be Consul of the United States of America, for the port of Havre Marat, in France; and for such other places as shall be nearer to the said port than to the residence of any other Consul or Vice-Consul of the United States within the same allegiance.

          Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 17 December 1794
From: Washington, George
To: United States Senate and House of Representatives

          United States, Decem: 17th 1794.
          Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives.

        I lay before Congress copies of the Journal of the proceedings in the Executive Department of the Government of the U. States, south of the river ohio, to the 1st of September 1794.

          Go. Washington.


Title: From George Washington to John Jay, 18 December 1794
From: Washington, George
To: Jay, John

          (private)
          My dear Sir,
          Philadelphia Decr 18th 1794.

        Since writing to you by Mr Bayard—about the first of November—I have been favored with your letters of the 13th of Septembr and 2d of October.
        As the sentiments contained in the first of these, respecting the communications of Mr Monroe to the National Convention of France, were also transmitted in a private letter from you to the Secretary of State, and replied to by him (both of which I have seen) I shall dwell no longer on that subject than just to observe—1st that considering the place in which they were delivered, and the neutral policy this country had resolved to pursue, it was a measure that does not appear to have been well devised by our Minister—2d Aware of this himself, & that his conduct would be criticised, he has assigned reasons for its adoption: a summary of which are, that the Navy officers, & Privateersmen of France, who had resorted to our Ports, and had been laid under such restrictions as neutral policy required, from us altho’ disagreeable to them had represented this country (and not without effect) as unfriendly to the French revolution; to do away wch he found himself necessitated to counteract them by strong assurances of the good dispositions of the people of these U. States towards that nation. And 3dly although I think with you that in order to accomplish this he has stepped beyond the true line, yet, under the then existing circumstances, the expression of such reciprocal good will, was susceptible of two views; one of which even in the pending state of the negotiation (by alarming, as well as offending the B: Ministry) might have no unfavorable operation in bringing matters to a happy & speedy result; than which nothing is more desirable, or can be more ardently wished for by the friends of peace & good order in this Ctry.
        As the Secretary of State has written to you several times since the receipt of your statement of the Negotiation on the 13th of

September, I shall add nothing to the observations which are contained in his letters, on the subject thereof.
        The business of the Session, hitherto, has been tranquil, and I perceive nothing at this time, to make it otherwise, unless the result of the Negotiation (which is anxiously expected by all) should produce divisions. As yet no details have been handed to Congress on this subject—indeed no communication of that business has been made to any body except those immediately about me in the Executive departmts.
        A paragraph, of which the enclosed is a copy, is running through all our Gazettes; accompanied with a report that the United States are contemplated as Mediator between France & England. To ascertain by what authority the first was inserted, Bache, in whose paper it first appeared, has been called upon by the Secretary of State but no satisfactory answer has been obtained from him as yet. With respect to the other it seems to have originated on the other side of the Water, and is of a delicate nature, the very idea of which, under the present successes of the French Arms (admitting it should be agreeable to the other power) would, it is conceived, convey unpleasant sensations, and be viewed in an evil light by that nation, unless intimations to the contrary should first come from them.
        The Virginia escheats of British property do not, as I am informed, stand upon the ground as related to you; but as I am not accurately enough read in the law respecting these escheats, to be precise in my recital of it, I will request the Secretary of State to give you the principles thereof.
        As I expected, and as you have been informed the result would probably be, so it has happened that, the Western Insurrection has terminated highly honorable for this country; which, by the energy of its laws, & the good dispositions of its citizens, have brought the rioters to a perfect sense of their duty without shedding a drop of blood. In the eyes of Foreigners, among us, this affair stands in a high point of respectability. With great truth I remain—Dr Sir Your Affectionate

          Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Hugh Williamson, 18 December 1794
From: Williamson, Hugh
To: Washington, George

          Sir
          Philada 18th Decr 1794.

        Being uncertain whether a Letter came to Hand that I presumed to forward last Year from Edenton I take the Liberty, before I leave Town, to repeat the substance of that Letter.
        Desirous as I am to be near my Children while they are educated and that in a healthy Climate I would be much gratified with any Employment at the Seat of Government to which my Industry and Talents are equal. It has lately been reported that several Heads of Departments are about to retire from Office, I refer not to those Places, but it may chance that some of those Places shall be filled by removing or promoting other Officers whereby other Places may become vacant which are less important, less enviable and therefore more desirable.
        Be this as it may, you shall not be troubled with personal solicitations by myself nor any other Person, with my consent, on this Subject. I remain with the utmost Respect Sir your most obedient and very humble Servant

          Hu. Williamson


Title: To George Washington from Burgess Ball, 19 December 1794
From: Ball, Burgess
To: Washington, George

          Dear sir,
          Leesburg [Va.] 19th of December 1794.

        Your Letter of the 25th of September I recd in due time, in which you mention’d your Expectation of seeing Genl Knox daily, and that you wd deliver him my Letter. Soon after you set out for the Army I recd a Letter from him, in which he inform’d me, that my Idea of the 100 Acres might be adapted, but that application must be made to the Assembly of Virga, and that after obtaing Permission, Arrangements wd be made by the Secretary of the Treasury for the Purchase. Being inform’d that an Act has pass’d, authorising the Purchase of 640 Acres on the Potomack, I thought I wd now again begg leave to trouble you on the Subject, just to request, that the Bussiness may be finish’d as soon as convenient, provided, the Purchase is made of me, as I am desireous of purchasing a small Farm near me, for which I’m to give 20 dollars ⅌ Acre. Lands in this part of the Country (in expectation of havg the River navigable in a Year or two) are rising very fast, and particularly Water situations. Your Sentiments respectg the Democratic Societies I ever thought were perfectly just, and I believe but few good men can be of a different oppinion, ’tho I sometimes find some men who are Advocates for ’em: I’m sorry to find our House of Representatives have had so much Altercation upon the Subject, especially, as the Matter was at length rejected, as I fear ’twill be rather an Encouragement than otherwise for them in future, but I still hope, the recollection of the trouble & Expence incur’d by the Insurrection will have a proper Effect on the Minds of the People at large. I will now take the liberty of touching on Domestic Matters, as I know that of Farming is always agreeable to you—The Early wheat I find a valuable Grain indeed—I sow’d Nine Bushells in Octr 93, on abt 10 Acres of Ground, and I measur’d 197 Bush: of good wheat—It was, from the time of being sow’d very much trespass’d upon by Horses and other kinds of Creatures (owing to my Indisposition and the Carelessness of the Overseer) and, even when in Shocks, so that I concieve (& so does all who observ’d it) upwards of 250 Bush: might have been made especially, had it been cut sooner, and which it might have been, at least 10 or 12 days—I have this Fall sown 185 Bush: of this wheat, & expect to exchange all, that I

shall not want for my own use, at the rate, one for two, which I hope will make my Crop pretty large the next year.
        I thank God! Mrs Ball and myself have again got pretty well, and our Childn are all perfectly hearty—We have just retd from an Excursion to Fredericksbg thro Orange and Culpeper, and found all our friends well; but Old Mrs Thornton and her Son Frank are dead since we moved from thence. Wishing you & yours every felicity, in which Fanny joins me, I am Dear sir with the highest Esteem Yr Affect. Hbe servt

          B: Ball


Title: To George Washington from Charles Peter Carpantier, c.19–21 December 1794
From: Carpantier, Charles Peter
To: Washington, George

          May it please your Excellency
          [c.19–21 Dec. 1794]

        Charles peter Carpentier takes the Liberty to lay under your Excellency’s perusal 1° the petition of Messrs Munnikhuysen & Saddler to juge paca. 2° the decision of his honour the Secretary of the treasury Concerning some difficulties arised between them and the Collector of Baltimore in which your petitioner is wholy concerned throu’ the medium of Said Munnikhuysen & Saddler agreably to the Law a Security of Six thousand dollars was given by them to the officers of the Custom’s which bond was warranted to them by your petitionner. by the perusal of the two peices of writing herewith annexed, your Excellency will be informed of the motives which gave rise to those difficulties. your petitioner dares to Expect from the Justice his Cause, the Equity and humanity of your Excellency you will be pleased to discharge Munnikhuysen and Saddler of their Bond, the Secretary of the treasury not thinking it to be within the limits of his power So to do, what will enable your petitioner to Enjoy a Little property by them detained on that account, the only remains of a fortune left to him to Support himself in a Strange Country. and your petitioner as in duty bound will pray

          Carpantier


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 19 December 1794
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

          Treasy Dept Decem: 19. 1794.

        The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to communicate to the President a letter from the Commissioner of the Revenue of the 13th instant, on the subject of a Keeper of the Lighthouse (Lighted Beacon) near Sherburn in Nantucket. He believes that it is adviseable to appoint the person therein mentioned. ’Tis a case, in which there is not likely to be much choice.

          A. Hamilton


Title: John Holland Barney to Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., 20 December 1794
From: Barney, John Holland
To: Dandridge, Bartholomew Jr.

          sr.
          Havre degrace [Md.] 20 Dcr 94

        I am Sorry to inform you that the Presidents servant Austin in Attempting this Morning to Cross a Run near Harford Town, is Likely to Loose his Life. he is now at Mrs Stiles at Harford but intirely Given over by the Docter. he was with Great Difficulty Draged Out of the Water by her servant. I am yrs in Haste

          Jno: H: Barney


Title: To George Washington from Herman Stump, 20 December 1794
From: Stump, Herman
To: Washington, George

          Sir
          Harford Maryland 20th Decr 1794

        I have to inform you of a disagreeable circumstance, this Morning before Sun Rise your Mullato Man in attempting to cross the Run by this place between this & Abbingdon fell from his Horse & went a small distance down the Stream a Negro Man of Mrs Stiless who keeps the Public Inn at this place & went

with him to see him cross the Run got him out speechless he was taken to Mrs Stiles & a Physician procured immediately but nothing could save his life. he expired about the middle of the day I thought it my duty to inform you by first Post. I had occasion to inform you of the death of your Horse at this place once before so that you may consider me the messenger of bad News I am sorry that I should have occasion so to do—A Coffin is bespoke & I expect he will be Burried to Morrow.
        Now while writing I beg leave to mention a circumstance to you I am informed an Unkle of mine Hermon Husband is taken up & confined in the Goal of Phila. on suspicion of being one of the Insurgents that resisted the execution of the Excise Law. I know that his Sentiments was always in favor of the Law & that he endeavored all he could to prevent the people of the Western Counties from opposing the execution of the Law & prevented the most of the people in Bedford County from opposing the Execution of it. & I know he is a good friend to Liberty & his Country & opposed British Tyranny very early though not with success at that time he was very active in the time of the War & did all he could against the British During the War & if we had not succeeded in the revolution he would have been one of the first sacrafises to British Tyranny as they thought his conduct with the Regulators in Carolina the first thing that brought on the War which brought on the seperation from Britain a Member of Congress informs me that he heard you say that Hermon Husband was an old offender this makes me think you are misinformd certainly his having always resisted British Tyranny could not make you view him as an old offender because you resisted them With success yourself he has many friends because he is a friend to Liberty & Mankind & is a friend to our Goverment which I hope will induce you from motives of Humanity to consider an old Man that intends no harm & has always been unfortunate & not be prejudiced againt him from hear say his Innocence I make not the least doubt will be proven if justice is done him by the Evidences & as he is confined on Suspicion if in your power please to alleviate his sufferings as much as consistent with Law I write in haste & hope youl excuse my Freedom wishing honor Health & Happiness I remain Your Humble Servt

          Herman Stump


Title: From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 21 December 1794
From: Washington, George
To: Lear, Tobias

          My dear Sir,
          Philadelphia Decr 21st 1794.

        Your letter of the 17th instt was received yesterday, and I am glad to find that an act of the Virginia Assembly has been obtained, for prolonging the term for the completion of the inland navigation of the Potomac. The like I hope has been, or will be obtained, this Session, in the Assembly of Maryland.
        A good opportunity presenting itself on thursday last, I embraced it, to enquire of Mr Morris, if the Directors of that company might entertain any hope of deriving aid from Mr Weston’s opinion, respecting the Lock seats at the Great fall of that river; his answer was, “Mr Weston, from some peculiar circumstances attending their own concerns, had been prevented from visiting that spot, as was intended; but that he was now expected to be in this City in a few days (as I understood) when he wd propose, & urge his going thither.”
        The plan of Mr Claiborn’s Engineer, as far as I understand it, is to avoid locks altogether. The vessels are received into a basket or cradle, and let down by means of a laver & pullies;

and raised again by weights at the hinder extremity of the laver, which works on an axis at the head of a substantial post fixed about the centre of the laver. On this principle, but differently constructed, Mr Greenleaf a few months ago shewed me a model, the efficacy of which he seemed to entertain the most exalted opinion. My doubts of the utility of both arise, first, from the insufficiency of any machinery of this sort to bear the weight of the cradle when charged with water, & a loaded boat therein; and its aptness to get out of order by means thereof; secondly I do not find that they are in general use; and thirdly because, if I recollect rightly, Mr Weston has told me (but of this I am not certain) that no method of raising & lowering boats, had been found equal to that of Locks—Still, as I observed in my last, I should be for hearing the opinions, & explanations of any, and every Scientific, & practical character that could be easily got at, on this subject: & therefore, would hear Claiborn’s Engineer, as well as Mr Weston; especially as he professes to be particularly well skilled in the application of steam, in propelling boats (in an easy & cheap manner) against the stream; & in conducting of water to cities, or for any other purpose whatsoever.
        The Bill you allude to has not passed, nor do I know what shape it will take if it does; & therefore can say nothing more on the subject, at this time, than that there will be no precipitancy in engaging either the Agent, or the means of carrying the law into effect, if the measure which I have recommended should be adopted; with the importance of it I am strongly impressed; consequently, if any thing should be required of the President towards carrying it into execution, I shall feel it, in a particular manner, my duty to set it a going under the most favorable auspices.
        I now have, & for some considerable time have had, twenty five Hhds of Tobo in the warehouses in Alexandria; wch, at sometimes I have forgot, and at other times have been indisposed to take the prices which were given for Potomac Tobacco on the Virginia side. Originally, this Tobacco was of the best sort—put up dry—& the quality of it reported to be exceedingly good. if the latter is the case still, it will in some respects, & for some purposes, have the advantage of new Tobacco; but what to do with it I know not. In Alexandria it might not bring me 18/. prCt when in George Town (I mean in the warehouses at these places) it might bring a guinea. I have thought, but whether it be

practicable to accomplish it without difficulty, I am unable to decide, that if the Tobacco could be removed from the Warehouses in which it now is, to those in George Town, & be reinspected at the latter, that I might be a considerable gainer by it. But admitting that this can be done without encountering impediments which might involve inconveniences; or that would excite notice, or remarks neither of which I should incline to subject myself to, it would be previously necessary to know whether the Tobacco would pass at the latter place; for if it should be brought there & be condemned, I should lose the whole, & sustain an expence besides, whereas in its present situation, it will, I presume, command the price current in Alexandria. If the suggestion here mentioned, can be accomplished (without involving the consequences expressed above) the best expedient that occurs to me to effect it, is, under the idea of its being purchased by, or rather offered for sale to, a Maryland Merchant, to have it reexamined where it is, in presence of the George Town Inspectors, who should be paid for their attendance, & who should declare to the supposed purchaser, whether they would pass it, were it brought to the Warehouses in George Town. If in the affirmative—& there is no other impediment to the measure, the whole business might be easily accomplished by the removal—reinspection—and issuing of new notes; either in my name, or in that of the supposed purchaser: the last of which, for several reasons, I think would have the best appearance. Whether this project can be carried into execution or not, is, to me, uncertain; but to avoid delay, and in order to enable you to do it, if it shall be thought eligable I send you the notes for this purpose, and to know what the Tobacco would sell for where it is, if it be not eligable to remove it—They may be kept, or returned, according to circumstances. In the Warehouses at George Town I have, or ought to have by this time, 9000 lbs. of Crop Tobo as you will perceive by the enclosed letter to me, from Colo. Deakins; the price of this also.
        I return Doctr Currie’s letter with thanks for the perusal of it. The picture drawn in it of the state of things in his own Country, and the details which he gives of those of the belligerent powers, are gloomy, for them, indeed. All here are well, & all join in best regards for you with Dear Sir—Your Affectionate

          Go: Washington

          P.S. I have sought in vain for the Tobacco notes mentioned in the body of this letter. Presuming I must have sent them to Mr Pearce—but of the doing it I have no recollection—I have directed him by this Post if he has them to forward them to you.

            G.W.


Title: From George Washington to William Pearce, 21 December 1794
From: Washington, George
To: Pearce, William

          Mr Pearce,
          Philadelphia Decr 21st 1794.

        Your letter of the 14th instant with the papers & reports, which were enclosed therewith, came safe to hand.
        The whole amount of the Corn Crop I perceive is, 1639 barrels. I perceive also, by the reports of the last week, & I believe it has been as much for several Weeks preceeding, your weekly consumption of this article is 22 barrels to the Stock, & about 14 to the Negros; amounting together to 36 barrls; which multiplied by 52, the number of weeks in a year makes 1872; and is 233 barrls more than is made. How far this extraordinary consumption has been occasioned by the Hogs which have been fatting, and how far it is capable of reduction, it is more than I am able at this distance, to determine. It wd, if continued, be using considerably more than ever was expended on the Estate; for which reason, as I observed in one of my late letters to you, at the same time that I wish nothing to be starved thereon, I would have the Corn—and indeed every thing else—administered with the utmost œconomy—for hard indeed will it be, upon me, if I can make no more from my estate—Wheat alone, excepted—than is consumed thereon; and from the produce of that article, Overseers wages, & every thing that is bought, is to be paid.
        Can you form any judgment from the Oats that have been threshed, what will be the amount of the Crop? I am really

mortified at not knowing the quantity of Potatoes that grew in No. 4 at Dogue run, that I might have compared it with the yield of corn in the same field; & thereby decided with more certainty & precision on cultivating of both in that manner. Do you suppose that that field wd have yielded more Corn if it had been planted in the usual way—that is—at the distance of 5½ or 6 feet apart, each way (which would have given about the same number of stalks to the acre) than it has done at 4 by 8. And does the growing wheat in that field, look as well as it does in others, equally exhausted? It is interesting to know this. I wish also to know how the Wheat & Barley, in general looks? and whether this mild autumn has not pushed it too forward? I am equally desirous of knowing how the Clover & other grass-seeds which were sown last spring & winter look at this time? A finer Summer & fall never could have happened for them, than we have had.
        The price of flour in Alexandria is far short of what it sells at here; ten dollars pr barrl being the price of it in this city. This is an additional inducement to hasten the manufacturing of all the wheat I have; for as the freight round does not exceed half a dollar, I shall not be disposed to receive there much less than the difference of freight & insurance, between the two places.
        When is it probable, with the force that is employed on the Mill race, it will be completed; & the water turned therein? I ask this question because I do not recollect the turn in it which you speak of; nor how far, nor what depth it is, from thence to the upper end of it.
        I am of opinion that you had better give the Barn at Muddy hole a thorough repair—and do all the jobs which are necessary, before the New Barn at River farm is undertaken. I should like to consult you on the spot, before any plan is formed for that; and to know with more precision than I do at present, the advantages, & disadvantages of the one at D. Run. As the brick foundations for the sheds which I propose to have built at the last mentioned place, were laid last October, I am surprized to hear you say that nothing can be done towards them ’till the spring, on acct of the Brick work. Let the old Barn at River farm be well shored or propped, to prevent accidents; which if the people should happen to be in it at the time, might prove a direful one.
        The field No. 4. at that place will require much aid of manure;

and much labour to recover it from the gullied state in which it was, when I viewed it last; and no work can be more necessary than to accomplish these; as far as the nature of the thing, & the means you possess, will enable you to perform them.
        I am glad to hear so good an account of Donaldson; encourage him to exercise spirit & industry; and convince him that you will support his authority. It may prompt him to exertion, & pride.
        I perceive by the Spinning report of last week, that each of the spinners have deducted half a pound for dirty wool. to avoid this in future (for if left to themselves they will soon deduct a pound, or more) it would be best to let them receive none but clean wool. I do not recollect what allowance of provision the Gardener was to have had by any former agreement, but being willing to allow him and his wife what they can fairly eat themselves, without misapplication—waste or giving it to others—you might let them have what they require, under those restrictions; and as they have no place out of the Cellars or meat house, to keep whatever is allowed them, query—whether it would not be better to give it out to them once in a while (weighing it to see how they go on) than all at a time? for they must know, positively, that no part of what they shall receive in any manner, is, by saving, or otherwise, to be considered as a perquisite, and disposed of as such—To what they can eat they are welcome; but none shall be sold or given away, unless perchance, it may be, now and then, to a person who visits, & may eat with them. I am Your friend &ca

          Go: Washington

          P.S. I have looked in vain for the notes, for the Tobo I have in Alexandria; If I should have sent them to you, let Peter carry them to Mr Lear of George Town; or you might send them by the Post—but the Postage you, not he, must pay. If you have them not enquire of Colo. Fitzgerald if I did not send them to him.

            G.W.


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Archer, 22 December 1794
From: Archer, Thomas
To: Washington, George

          Worthy sir,
          Harford County [Md.] Decr 22d 1794

        On the 20th Ins’t was calld on to Visit your Molatto Man, who was then at Mrs Stiles’s Bush Town; Early in the Morning, he got up, & to all appearance was in perfect health, when he started on his journey from the Tavern, immediately after he came to a Run (not more than two Hundred yards from the House) which was considerably rais’d the preceeding Night by a sudden fall of Rain, in attempting to cross it, he fell from his Horse, whither at that instant, he was seized with an apoplectic Fit, or whither he rec’d an injury on his Brain, from the fall, producing a concussion of the Brain, am at a loss to determine as the Symptoms of each are nearly similar, there was no mark on his Head, or symptom arose on pressure, which led me to suppose it was from an Injury from external violence, neither can I suppose it was the effects of water on his Lungs, as he was not under Water more than a Minute, before he was caught, & brought out, after which he breath’d with a kind of breathing which generally occurs in appoplexy. The Symptoms at that time, & for two Hours after when I visited him, were to all appearances from that of an apoplectic Fit. From his Age & the conformation of his Body, I must ascribe his Death to that Disease. The shock his system rec’d was too gra⟨te⟩ for a recovery, he was bled largely, every remedy used for his restoratio⟨n.⟩ He expired in three or four Hours from the time he fell. ys respectfully

          Thomas Archer.


Title: From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 22 December 1794
From: Washington, George
To: Lear, Tobias

          My dear Sir,
          Philadelphia Decr 22d 1794

        Looking into an old Portfolio, which I had not seen this many a day, I found the papers which accompany this note, relative to the River Potomac. I do not know that any of them will be useful to you; but as well for the purpose of keeping them together as to afford you an opportunity of deciding for yourself, they are now forwarded to you.

        I also send you the sketch which has been presented to me by Mr Claiborn, of the new method of lowering & raising boats, without locks. It will give you a better idea than my description which in the letter of yesterday, was capable of doing; & for that reason it is forwarded. I am Your affecte Servt

          Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from John C. Ogden, 22 December 1794
From: Ogden, John C.
To: Washington, George

          Sir
          Dartmouth College [N.H.] Decr 22d 1794

        The event which our Church had good reason to expect, for many years, has taken place.
        The Legislature of Verdmont, at their last session, converted our Glebes to other uses, than those to which they were appropriated, by ancient grants & charters. The lands of The Society for propagating the gospel, are also seized upon, as confiscate, The pretext for this is, that by the operation of the late treaty of peace, and laws of nature and nations, these lands, had become forfeit, and of course, the property was vested in the State.
        Ira Allen Esqr. introduced the measure, by petition, from the Trustees of the New College, for a conveyance of the Societys Lands, to that institution. His object was to enhance the value, of the settlement of Burlington on Lake Champlain, of which he is chief proprietor, by building a seat of learning and providing a revenue for it, from this property of the Society. These Trustees, are composed of the Governor of The State and Speaker of the house of Assembly, for the time being—of the present district judge—one of the Judges of the Superior Court, and several other Lay men, joined with a minister of religion from three denominations of Christian professors. The Episcopal Clergyman, however, was not consulted upon the designed petition, altho, he is brother to the Governor, and resides within a few miles of the Governor, Mr Allen & Mr Hitchcock.
        Doctor Williams, now minister of Rutland, formerly a Professor and Instructor in Cambridge, College, and author of the

natural and civil history of Verdmont, may be said to be the father of these measures. He was offended, because we would not make him our Bishop.
        His friends hold him up, as a Candidate for the Presidents Chairs in the New College.
        Stephen Jacobs Esqr.—under Doctor William’s influence, ushered the seizure of our Glebes, into public debate, in the legislature, of which he was a member, Mr Jacobs was lately the Attorney of The District of Verdmont.
        Mr Allen, by the independence and grants of Verdmont became possessed of extensive tracts of land—He has neglected to assign us our glebes, in some Towns in which he is largely interested, untill we considered ourselves bound, to make a small purse, to enable one of our Congregations, to sue him, for its right in that Township—The action was not commenced.
        Public Officers, and men enriched by revolution and places, in the national and state governments have effected a perversion of our glebes, in a State, which observed a neutrality, during part of the war, and was too feeble, to render any substantial aid to it. This after eleven years peace, in contradiction also to the opinion of able statesmen and Lawyers, and the whole Church.
        The Generals and other Officers, and the soldiers of the late Army—the slain veteran, and suffering citizen, have thus, been made the means of wresting a property from us, which religion, liberty, law, honor, and justice forbid, every man, from converting to other, than its original uses.
        This is, but, a part, of an uniform system, from the first settlement of America, to destroy the Church. Printed histories, and public papers, abundantly confirm this idea. A new injury is now intended to be added to those formerly done by the Legislatures of New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut, aided by Governors, Langdon, Hancock, and Huntington, and the political, civil and military influence of Presidents, Langdon, Stiles, Willard, Wheel⟨ock⟩ and the Colleges and Clergy of New England.
        The public files, authentic facts, and incontestible witnesses prove, that my charge, as to the above bodies, officers and in[di]viduals, are true. They have often departed, from their duty as christians, their honor as patriots, and their dignity as gentlemen, by forming partial laws, by taking public monies, and

using improper influence in their stations to injure the Church and the Societies, of Methodists, Baptists &c. By means of party Colleges they have excited unjust political prejudices against us. Our children often meet with and are constantly exposed to injury in the northern schools and colleges because of their religion. The Colleges have for many years taught that Episcopalians are attached to Monarchy. To present the facts, which corroborate, these charges, would be, to write a volume, The materials are at my command—My duty calls me to the task.
        I hoped that my respectful correspondence and the regular information, I have given, to my civil rulers, who belong to the Church, and to my ecclesiastical Governors, would have saved our property, by their aid. In pursuance, of that uniform conduct, which belongs to me, in my place, while time and health permit, I lay this before your Excellency, for a place in your files, for the inspection of posterity. Copies of it, will be sent to the Bishops in The States for the same purpose.
        By the perseverance of our Clergy and Brethren, and by our mutual exertions, we were recovering the property, which is chiefly entered upon by trespassers, and under considerable cultivation. Religion was about to extend in a more venerable degree than ever among professed christians, who are divided and co⟨nten⟩tious on so serious a subject.
        A plundered Church, late complaining army—tumultuous insurrections—and avaricious desires to plunder the neighbouring provinces, do not accord with the honor or prosperity of a christian nation—or men proud of a succesful war—an honorable peace, a good form of government and flourishing affairs.
        The Ecclesiastical History of America, is a very exact transcript from the history of England after the civil wars, and reformat⟨ion⟩.
        Presbyterianism, owing its power and orig⟨in⟩ to the people, will always call the popula⟨ce⟩ to its aid—The majority, will there determine, what is truth and right, however, ignorant, avaricious, or bigoted this majority may be.
        The Clergy and Churches, in general are happy and useful in the Provinces, while we are oppressed and timid in The States. Witnesses to constanty injury, we are scarcely permited to speak or remonstrate, in our defence. We are sold, in an age, vainly boasted to be an age of reason, into the hands of men, who

defy and revile christianity—who wrong us, with impunity. Very many of our foes compose the laws, and form the councils of America.
        Your Excellency remains as the disinterested friend of religion, liberty, and law—May your administration be always blessed, in extending what is regular and restoring what is right. I am Most respectfully Your Excellency’s devoted servant

          John C. Ogden


Title: To George Washington from Amelie-Maxime-Rosalie de Grasse, 23 December 1794
From: Grasse, Amelie-Maxime-Rosalie de
To: Washington, George

          Monsieur
          Salem [Mass.] ce 23 Xbre 1794

        Je viens a l’instant de recevoir La lettre dont il vous a plu de charger mr Randolph de nous honorer. mes Soeurs et moi vous adressons de vifs et sinceres remercyments votre bien veillance nous a senciblement touchez et nous ne doutions pas, de lautori⟨te⟩ que vous voudriez bien prendre a nous.
        permettez Monsieur que je remette sous vos yeux laffreuse position ou nous nous trouvons votre ame compatissante en seras sendoute touchez.
        ce ne sonts point les fils (mais bien les quatre fille) de celui qui avoit pour vos vertus une si haute Estime, qui reclament vos bontees. non Monsieur si aulieu de quatre Soeurs nous Etions frere, a l’exemple de notre Excelent pere nous vous offrerions nos bras, et nous nous rendrions utile, mais pour notre malheur nous Sommes que des femmes hors d’etat de travailler assez pour pouvoir subsister.
        nous nous Etions flattez de passer a St Domingue et dy vivre sur nos biens mais l’etat de Guerre ou sonts les colonies ne permet pas a des femmes dy sejourner.
        Nous contions trouver icÿ celui a qui depuis la mort de mon Pere nous avions affermer, nos possessions mais il a Ete forcé de ce Sauver des colonies et dabandonner ces proprietes et les notre, il vient de nous Ecrire de St marc ou il Est refugiez, il reconnoit et la dette et limpossibilité de Saquitter nous voila donc Sans ressources d’aucune Genre, ayant vendue tout nos bijoux nous avons pue vivre avec Economie jusquau jourdhui, mais a l’instant ou j’ai l’honneur de vous Ecrire je n’ai pas de quoi a

payer ma pension, et nous Sommes dans le plus grand Embaras, et dans la plus vive douleur, je ne vous Exagere pas ma position elle Est des plus cruele, j’aurois Eté moi même vous Exposer nos malheurs Si jen avois Eu les moyens, je Suis persuadée que nous aurions trouvées en vous ladou⟨ss⟩essement a nos maux mais helas nous Sommes privées de toutes consolation et bientot réduites a mourire de faim, ne pouriez vous pas Monsieur diminuer nos peines, quelques secours, en quelques genre quils puisse Etre quelques Acres de terre que vous obtiendariez pour nous du congrès pouroit Sil ne nous procurois pas laisance, au moins nous faire vivre, Si j’amais, nous rentrons Sur nos possessions notre premier Soins Serois de rendre au congres ce quil auroit bien voulu nous donner a titre de Secours.
        Vous avez Sendoute recue une Seconde lettre de moi. je vous demende un milion de pardon d’etre Si importune. votre indulgence et ma Situation Sonts mes Excuses. vous trouverez Extraordinaire Monsieur de me voir renoncer a lemprunt que j’avois osée vous demender. lors de la demende que je vous en fis j’avois lespoir de pouvoir macquiter promptement je contois Sur la creance du fermier de nos biens, depuis que je suis frustrée de cette Esperence et que jai appris que la republique françoise setoit Emparee de nos biens depuis la fuitte de notre fermier, apresent il ne m’est plus permis demprunter sur un doutte.
        ma delicatesse en souffrirois trop. nous renoncons donc a lemprunt et osons demender des secours. nous Esperons tout de vous monsieur en qui pourions nous mieux plasser notre confiance non nos interet ne peuvent Etre en meilleurs mains, mon Pere en vous quittant penetrée de vos vertus nous apprit a vous cherir et a vous Estimer nous Esperons que les filles de celui que vous avez honoré de votre amitiez trouverons En vous une partie des Sentiments que vous lui acordiez je vous demende bien pardon de mon indiscrette importunité. soyez convinçue que nous sommes avec veneration Monsieur Vos tres humble et tres Obëissante Servante

          Amelie de Grasse


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 23 December 1794
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

          Sir,
          Treasy Dept Decembr 23d 1794.

        The present state & prospects of the Treasury render it necessary, without delay, to exercise the power vested in the President by the Act passed the 18 instant, entitled, “an act authorising a Loan of two millions of Dollars.”
        To enable him to determine this a probable view of receipts & expenditures distributed quarter yearly is herewith presented and the form of a power as usual to The Secretary of the Treasury to make the Loan, is submitted. With perfect respect &c.

          Alexandr HamiltonSecy of the Treasy


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 23 December 1794
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

          Sir,
          Treasury Department Decr 23d ’94.

        I have the honor of transmitting to you an account between the Collector of New York, and the United States, which has been adjusted at the Treasury, and a balance of Dolls. 1533. 89/100. stated to be due to the said Collector.
        As all claims of a similar nature with the foregoing have been hitherto paid out of the Fund destined to defray the Contingent Charges of Government, I have deemed adviseable to ask your permission, to discharge the said sum of Dolls. 1533 89/100 out of the twenty thousand dollars appropriated for these purposes, at the last session of Congress. With the most perfect respect &c.

          A. Hamilton.


Title: From George Washington to Henry Knox, 23 December 1794
From: Washington, George
To: Knox, Henry

          Sir,
          Philadelphia Decr 23d 1794

        The letter of which the enclosed is a copy, was received yesterday.
        The information wch it contains being of a serious nature I request that strict enquiry may be instituted into the matter and a report thereupon made to me.

          G. Washington


Title: To George Washington from Israel Shreve, 23 December 1794
From: Shreve, Israel
To: Washington, George

          Dear Sir,
          Washingtons Bottoms [Pa.] 23rd December 1794

        I wrote to your Excellency by my Son dated the 27th of October Last Respecting the Bottoms So Called, my Son informs me that Some person had made An offer for the Land but had not Come forward to Conclude the Bargan, If It is not Actually Sold I wish to be the Purchacer, I have Wrote to Mr Ross fully upon the Subject, offering any Sum ⅌ acre your Excellency may please to fix not Exceeding Six Dollars I hold Considerable property in Lands at the Miami ⟨mutilated⟩ment Mr Ludlow my Agent there has Lately ⟨mutilated⟩ me and informs that those Lands will now command Cash, this Incourage’s me to offer a price I have Desired Mr Ross If my offer is Accepted to forward A Letter to me assoon as possable Expressing the Bargan ⟨in⟩ Such a manner as to Warrent me to Advertise and Sell Conditionally a part of the Land, as there are a number of famalies upon the Bottoms the Sooner It is known they are Sold and to whom the better for them, the weather and Roads being So bad and the Season So far advanced It would be Dificult for me to Come to philadelphia untill next Spring, I am Sorry to trouble your Excellency but thought It best to Send this Letter, I Expect the first payment to be made the first of April next and the residue draw Interest from that date, I am unfeignedly with Great Respect your Excellencys Most Obedient Servt

          Israel Shreve


Title: To George Washington from William Davy, 24 December 1794
From: Davy, William
To: Washington, George

          Germantown [Pa.] Decr 24th 1794

        To His Excellency George Washington Esqr. President of the united States of America, the following Statement is with great Respect addressed by His most Obedient Humble Servant William Davy Late of Crediton, Devon, England.
        Bred up in an extensive Manufactory of Woollen Goods in England, I have devoted myself to the Study of its different Branches & Operations. during the last seventeen Years I possessed, & successfully directed, an Establishment of this kind, as compleat as the latest Improvements could make it. The political Situation however, of Europe, portending the most extensive Calamities; & the severe Oppressions which have been allready exercised on certain Descriptions of valuable Members of Society in Britain, gave full Energy to the Predeliction which (I trust on well founded Principles) I had long entertain’d for this Country; Here, with a large Family, I sought, & am thankfull for having obtain’d a happy Asylum.
        On my Arrival in America my first Views were directed to Commerce, & Agriculture, in investigating these, much very interesting, & unexpected Information, arose on the Subject of Manufactures, allso; which, with the Advice of many Friends, induced me farther to pursue through various Channels the most diligent Enquiries on an Object so interesting to myself, & to this Country; to whose Prosperity I wish by the Exertion of my best Abilities to contribute; & differing as I do, from those who avow “an Enmity to the Manufacturing System” I am happy in giving my decided Opinion, that as America, now more than ever may

expect, from the actual, & impending Calamities of Europe, to want, so she possesses amply, the Means of establishing & the Resources for extending, the Manufacture of Woollen Goods, on a very large Scale. It must however be admitted that many Difficulties, & great hazards will arise on the first Establishment of Manufactories on European Systems, & considerable Disappointment, & heavy Losses must be calculated on, by the first Adventurer, who if left to encounter them alone & unsupported, will become the Victim of these natural & unavoidable Circumstances; Wherefore (aware as I am that National, & Subscription Manufactories regulated by Committees, (not themselves Manufacturers) never have & never will succeed—Yet) I am convinced, that the fostering Hand of Government, & the Generosity of the State must be extended to secure Prosperity to the Exertions, & Abilities, of such Individuals as may first venture on a New Manufactory, in a New Country.
        Much indeed will depend on the Situation decided on, for a Manufactory; & the Articles at first manufactured.
        As to Situation, that must be preferred in which the greatest local Advantages are concentrated, & where every necessary Article can with the greatest Facility be procured; A very large Proportion of the Wool grown in America gets into the Hands of the Skin Dressers in the large Cities, Oyl, Dye stuffs &c. must be procured from Sea Ports, If therefore Manufactories are at first establish’d at a Distance from them, the Difficulties will be proportionably increased, & their Failure render’d allmost certain. whereas by being first fix’d, near to such large Sea Ports, & in a populous Neighborhood, they will enjoy the best natural Means of Success—& in time they will spread & flourish, in more distant Places as thier Improvements proceed; too much Stress cannot be laid on this Truth; for want of attending to it, & by being influenced by one Advantage only, A good Mill Seat, important as that is, many Entreprizes have fail’d, & will fail in America.
        The Articles that can be most advantageously manufactured in America, are those requiring the least proportion of manual Labour—& particularly such Labour, the Price of which, most nearly approaches to that paid in Europe & several such Articles there are, for which the Wool of America is well calculated, as stockings, Flannells, Beavers, Serges, & Cloth Serges. I will now

state the Reasons inducing me to declare that America possesses, the Means for establishing, & the Resources for extending the Manufacture of Woollens.
        The Staple Article required is Wool, the Appendages are Soap, Olive Oyl, & Dye Stuffs.
        For the Utensils, Timber, Cast, & wrought Iron; Copper; Wire; twine; Leather; & Presspaper are wanted.
        The best Power that can be applied to the necessary Machinery is Water & to direct this, as well as for the Processes to which Machinery cannot be applied, a considerable Portion of Manual Labour will be requisite.
        From the Skin Dressers of New York & Philadelphia I have collected sufficient Data for the following Calculation,

            lbs.

            The Wooll collected annually by those of New York amounts to

            30,000

            of Philadelphia
            40,000

            Of Baltimore
            20,000

            lbs.—
            90,000

        Supposing this to be one fourth proportion of the Sheep killed annually, in the U:S: (many of these Skins are brought from considerable Distances) the whole Quantity collected in this Way amounts to 360,000 lbs. & the Sheep kill’d, bearg a Proportion of two to one, to those which are shorn, the total Produce may at this low Estimate be therefore counted at 540,000 lbs., Annually—in this Calculation it is consider’d that New England & Rhode Island grow much more than the Average of other States, This is a Quantity from which may be selected a very ample supply of such as is good, for a very large Manufactory, admitting that its Consumption amounts to 300000 lbs. or 958 lbs. daily. The best Quallity of Wool, I have met with, is as good, & nearly resembles the prime Rate of Dorsetshire, & Herefordshire, in England; but the greatest Quantity of what may be styled good Wool, corresponds with the Kentish; except that no part of the American Fleece, grows so long, or is so firm as that is. the longest Wool here, is in general remarkably harsh, wirey & coarse. In every Fleece there are indeed three Quallities of Wool, which an intelligent Manufacturer will allways seperate, it is in part attended to by the Skin Dressers; but the Prices at which they sell,

bear no Proportion to the actual Variations in the Quallities, all of them are too high; & produce more, than was paid for the Skin the Pelt therefore is a net Proffit to the Dresser. The Wool is not, it is certain so carefully attended to as it deserves, mistaken Opinions have generated among American Farmers great Negligence of & Indifference to, that valuable Animal Sheep, They are too generally turn’d adrift, allmost all the Year, on Lands where no other Cattle can exist, hence they are generally tall, & light; supposing that they bite the herbage too close, the Farmer objects to turning them into his Grass Meadows, & Pastures, in the Spring, & in the Winter indifferent dry Hay is thier best Food; Many Advantages would however be derived to the Farmer from a better mode of treatment. Were his Ewes & Lambs in particular early in the Spring & so soon as the Frost moderates, fed a Month or Six Weeks in good meadow Ground (not swampy) they would give it an excellent Manure, eat off all rough Sods, tread the Land level & the Roots close, whereby the Crops of Grass would be more copious & the Hay much finer, & sweeter, than at present, It is a maxim with English Farmers that the manure of Sheep is of more Value than the Grass they eat, the Ewes by a great Supply of Milk strengthen thier Lambs, whose Wool obtains firmness in this early Stage, & the Wool of the Ewe allso, increases very considerably, & the Carcases of both improve in an equal Proportion. during the heat of Summer, most of the Sheep of America are either expos’d in open Lands without Shelter, or a regular supply of Water; or range in the Woods to browse on wild Grass, & the buddings of the Underwood, thier Wool of course remains short, & downy, & of weak Staple or is thin, harsh, & hairy. Instances of both I have seen in the same Neighborhood in Pensylvania, the Quallities, & the Weight of the Fleeces vary more in the same Districts, & on the same Soil than is seen in Europe, arising no Doubt from different treatment, If Sheep were fed during the Summer on good Grass herbage, Clover or Rhye the Wool would increase in Quantity, & Strength, & in general improve in Quallity too, but Sheds should be provided as Shelter during the excessive heat of Mid Day, & Water for them, at Will to resort to, & if pounded late at Night, & let loose early in the morning, both they & the Land would be materially benefitted above all during the Winter Turnips or some other moist roots, should be provided for

them, instead of Hay, these should at least form a considerable portion of thier Winter Food. The Wool of America is less oily (or according to the common Phrase, less Yolky) than any I ever saw in Europe, from hence I presume arises the allmost universal Defect of a sharp, spiry, & frequently a withered top or point this Circumstance I presume may be remedied by the improved Mode of feeding—On some Farms such an abundance of Weed is suffer’d to grow, where the Sheep range, that the whole Flock is so compleatly coverd with the Seeds (in particular the Spanish Needles) as to destroy allmost the whole of thier Wool. But there are Exceptions to these Evils; & the beneficial Effects evidently resulting from them, will no Doubt soon operate. In Pensylvania, & in Jersey, in York State, & in Connecticut some Flocks are well managed, & no State I apprehend is destitute of these Exceptions, producing better Wool than thier Neighbors on the same Soil, & an increas’d Quantity of 3 lb. & 4 lb. ⅌ Fleece. The Lands of America are calculated to admit of an allmost immense Addition of Wool when the Farmers shall have learnt thier Interest, by Examples of Improvement & Experience of Proffit. In Jersey there are as fine Sheep Walks as Nature ever formed, & of vast Extent, on which the same kind of Herbage would arise, as on the Sheep Downs of Dorsetshire—I am assured that the coarsest Sheep of Pensylvania improve very rapidly on these Lands, in thier present State, & The Wool they produce, proves that the Climate is not unfavorable.
        It may be said that the whole of the Wool now grown, is wrought up, but it must be admitted too, that it is done in a very expensive & equally defective manner—by domestick Labour; & it would be easy to prove, that the Farmer would be benefitted by selling his Wool & buying it again perfectly manufactured; & by employing his Family in the more simple, & equally necessary Manufacture of Linnens, these he may Compleatly finish in his own House, but Woollens have allways pass’d through many Operations which he cannot perform.
        Thus I hope the Fact of a present, & the Prospect of an important increased Supply of Wool is established.
        The next Article is Soap of which no Doubt exists of an ample Supply from the Manufactories of this Country.
        The very extensive Commerce of America enables her Merchants to import Oyl, & Dyestuffs, with equal Facility on the

Average, as England does. Oyl is wanted in Considerable Quantities & must be procured from Gallipoli, or Naples, from Oporto, or Seville (the Price at this latter Place seldom admits of its Exportation) the Freight & Insurance will be higher to America than it is to England, to counteract this, it may be consider’d of Importance with the State, to relax or relinquish the Duties—Dye Stuffs may be divided into three Classes—first such as America at present is known to yield—Second Such as must be imported untill they are, as it is presumed they will be manufactured here, & thirdly such as must allways be imported. Of the first, are Indico—Potash—Sumac.
        The second are Chemicals—as Aqua Fortis, Oyl of Vitriol—Copperas, Allum, & Orchol—these must be imported from England, at present, but ere long they will be manufactured here.
        Lastly, Cocheneal, from New Orleans, Vera, Cruz, or from Cadiz—Argol (or Wine Lees) from the Rhine, from Naples, Leghorn, & Oporto—Cream of tartar—from Italy. Madder from Holland—Woad from England (this probably should rank with the last Class) as allso small Quantities of the best pure grain Tin (necessary for dying Scarlets, Crimsons & other Colours on which Cocheneal is used)—Logwood from Jamaica or the Bay of Honduras—Brazil, Redwood, & Fustic from Tobago & other Islands. It is I think probable that the Woods of America will soon furnish excellent Substitutes for many of the Woods above stated but until such Discoveries are made these will be wanted. For the Machinery & Utensils, America allready furnishes every necessary Article—Timber in profusion, & New York can boast of as compleat an Iron foundery for this kind of Casting, as any in Europe—Copper Mines are discovering & for dying Furnaces a considerable Quantity will be wanted. Wire & Leather are ingeniously wrought into Cards at Boston, Flax grows in Abundance & may be made into twine for Weavers—& Paper Manufactories are establishing in Jersey from which Hot presses may be supplied.
        Mill Seats abound, One in particular has attracted my Notice, being situated within a convenient Distance of New York, in a very populous Country where the Lands are fertile, & pleasant, & provisions plenty, & cheap—& above all is near to the Situation before described, as so advantageous a part of Jersey, for good Wool.

        Lastly as to manual Labour, the Scarcity, & high Price of this, is certainly one of the most serious Difficulties to be encountered, but is not insurmountable, it must be abridged as much as possible by Machinery, which may here without hazard be used to its fullest Extent. Many Men, & Families from England will join thier old Employers here, with firm Attachments, & others will from the Circumstances of the times, be induced cheerfully to prefer a peacefull Employment in this Country, to the Hazard of Want, of War in thier own, but they must be frank’d hither, & taken into Wages immediately on thier Arrival; These will instruct the Children of the Country, & train up in Apprenticeships a succession of usefull Manufacturers. The Expence of Labour is high. Those of Agency in London, or other Sea ports, Freights, Insurance, & Duties on the Goods now imported, amount to a serious Sum allso—After all however, it may be repeated, that the Difficulties will be Considerable—The Expence & Risk of bringing over Europeans, the Losses on the first Experiments on Wool, the Injury & Delay that will occur in instructing the first Set of Apprentices, will not be among the least of them: it will be a long time before any Considerable Proffit can be fairly Calculated on, even with every Support that can be afforded.
        The Capital to be employed in such an Undertaking as is here alluded to, should not be less than ten thousand, & need not be more than twenty thousand Guineas.
        Much of the Wool of America is calculated for cloathing the Army but the Colour in general Use, Blue, is very expensive both as to Ingredients used, & the Labour required. On a rich Brown two thirds of the Labour, & one half of the Expence of Dying would be saved, White Serges for Linings may be made with Convenience.
        To conclude, I would remark that the Manufacture of American Wool, appears to me to possess a superior Claim to, & merits the Patronage of the Country, more than, that of Cotton or of Wool imported from any other part of the World, as it will tend more to the Improvement of Agriculture, & a Consequent Increase of the Value of Land, produce an Addition, by the Increase of Sheep, to the Supply of the most wholesome animal Food, & generally beget a Spirit of active Industry throughout every Class of Society. whereas if the Staple Article is extracted

from foreign Markets, few of these beneficial Consequences can be produced.