Title: To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 15 March 1784
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Dr Sir
Annapolis [Md.] Mar. 15. 1784

Since my last nothing new has occurred. I suppose the crippled state of Congress is not new to you. we have only 9 states present, 8 of whom are represented by two members each, and of course, on all great questions not only an unanimity of states but of members is necessary, an unanimity which never can be obtained on a matter of any importance, the consequence is that we are wasting our time & labour in vain efforts to do business, nothing less than the presence of 13 states represented by an odd number of delegates will enable us to get forward a single capital point, the deed for the cession of Western territory by Virginia was executed & accepted on the 1st instant. I hope our country will of herself determine to cede

still further to the meridian of the mouth of the Great Kanhaway. further she cannot govern; so far is necessary for her own well being, the reasons which call for this boundary (which will retain all the waters of the Kanhaway) are 1. that within that are our lead mines. 2. this river rising in N. Carola traverses our whole latitude and offers to every part of it a channel for navigation & commerce to the Western country: but 3. it is a channel which can not be opened but at immense expence and with every facility which an absolute power over both shores will give. 4. this river & it’s waters forms a band of good land passing along our whole frontier, and forming on it a barrier which will be strongly seated. 5. for 180 miles beyond these waters is a mountainous barren which can never be inhabited & will of course form a safe separation between us & any other state. 6. this tract of country lies more convenient to receive it’s government from Virginia than from any other state. 7. it will preserve to us all the upper parts of Yohogany & Cheat rivers within which much will be to be done to open these which are the true doors to the Western commerce. the union of this navigation with that of the Patowmac is a subject on which I mentioned that I would take the liberty of writing to you. I am sure it’s value and practicability are both well known to you. this is the moment however for seizing it if ever we mean to have it. all the world is becoming commercial, was it practicable to keep our new empire separated from them we might indulge ourselves in speculating whether commerce contributes to the happiness of mankind, but we cannot separate ourselves from them, our citizens have had too full a taste of the comforts furnished by the arts & manufactures to be debarred the use of them, we must then in our own defence endeavor to share as large a portion as we can of this modern source of wealth & power, that offered to us from the Western country is under a competition between the Hudson, the Patomac & the Missisipi itself, down the last will pass all heavy commodities, but the navigation through the gulf of Mexico is so dangerous, & that up the Missisipi so difficult & tedious, that it is not probable that European merchandize will return through that channel, it is most likely that flour, lumber & other heavy articles will be floated on rafts which will be themselves an article of sale as well

as their loading, the navigators returning by land or in light batteaux. there will therefore be a rivalship between the Hudson & Patowmac for the residue of the commerce of all the country westward of L. Erie, on the waters of the lakes, of the Ohio & upper parts of the Missisipi. to go to N. York, that part of the trade which comes from the lakes or their waters must first be brought into L. Erie, so also must that which comes from the waters of the Missisipi, and of course must cross at some portage into the waters of the lakes, when it shall have entered L. Erie, it must coast along it’s Southern shore on account of the number & excellence of it’s harbours, the Northern, tho’ shortest, having few harbours, & these unsafe, having reached Cayahoga to proceed on to N. York will be 970 miles from thence & five portages, whereas it is but 430 miles to Alexandria, if it turns into the Cayahoga & passes through that, Big beaver, Ohio, Yohogany (or Monongalia & Cheat) & Patowmac, & there are but two portages, for the trade of the Ohio or that which shall come into it from it’s own waters or the Missisipi, it is nearer to Alexandria than to New York by 730 miles, and is interrupted by one portage only. nature then has declared in favour of the Patowmac, and through that channel offers to pour into our lap the whole commerce of the Western world, but unfortunately the channel by the Hudson is already open & known in practice; ours is still to be opened, this is the moment in which the trade of the West will begin to get into motion and to take it’s direction, it behoves us then to open our doors to it. I have lately pressed this subject on my friends in the General assembly, proposing to them to endeavor to have a tax laid which shall bring into a separate chest from five to ten thousand pounds a year, to be employed first in opening the upper waters of the Ohio & Patowmac, where a little money & time will do a great deal, leaving the great falls for the last part of the work. to remove the idea of partiality I have suggested the propriety & justice of continuing this fund till all the rivers shall be cleared successively, but a most powerful objection always arises to propositions of this kind, it is that public undertakings are car[e]lessly managed and much money spent to little purpose, to obviate this objection is the purpose of my giving you the trouble of this discussion, you have retired from public life, you

have weighed this determination & it would be impertinence in me to touch it. but would the superintendance of this work break in too much on the sweets of retirement & repose? if they would, I stop here, your future time & wishes are sacred in my eye. if it would be only a dignified amusement to you, what a monument of your retirement would it be! it is one which would follow that of your public life and bespeak it the work of the same great hand. I am confident that would you either alone or jointly with any persons you think proper be willing to direct this business, it would remove the only objection the weight of which I apprehend, tho’ the tax should not come in till the fall, it’s proceeds should be anticipated by borrowing from some other fund to enable the work to be begun this summer, when you view me as not owning nor ever having a prospect of owning one inch of land on any water either of the Patowmac or Ohio, it will tend to apologize for the trouble I have given you of this long letter, by shewing that my zeal in this business is public & pure, the best atonement for the time I have occupied you will be not to add to it longer than while I assure you of the sincerity & esteem with which I have the honour to be Dr Sir Your most obedient & most humble servt

Th: Jefferson

P.S. the hurry of time in my former letter prevented my thanking you for your polite & friendly invitation to Mount Vernon. I shall certainly pay my respects there to mrs Washington & yourself with great pleasure whenever it shall be in my power.


Title: To George Washington from Le Gardeur de Tilly, 15 March 1784
From: Tilly, Armand Le Gardeur de
To: Washington, George

a Son Exélance
Rochefort Ce, 15e mars. 1784.

agrée je vous prie L’homage De mon Respect et me perméte De vous Rappeler Les Sirconstances, qui Mont procuré La Satisfaction De méttre En Evidance tout Le zele et Lamprescement a Cegonder veaux vüe par mes Scitations Sur veaux Côttes Comendant Le vaisseau de Sa Majésté LEveillé et Deux frégate avec Lesquels je me Suis Rendüe Maitre Du vaisseau Le Romulusse, Le Duc De york, La Goilétte La Revange Et plusieurs Austre petits Batiments Dont je Remie Les prisoniers, au Commandant Demptone, qui men temoigna alors toutes Sa Satisfaction, par Les Déprédation quavoit Commies Ces Dernier, Surtoutes vos Côtte jovois désire mieux faire En Corre Sil mut Etée possible.
jay Egalement eü La Satisfaction, Descorter La Corvette Le Wasington Du Cap françois a Lavane, ou Elle prie un chargement En argent je Continues a lui Donner Lescorte jusque Sur Les Cotte de la Délavare, ou ayant Rencontré un vaisseau de Soixante et quatre Et Deux frégates Enemie je Crûe Devoir Combatre Les Deux frégates pour faciliter La Retréte De vôtre Corvétte, qui fut En, profiter avèc Succes Ce qui fait LEloge du Capitaine Dont les Differente Maneuvres pendant Le Cours De Nôtre Navigation merite Les plus Grand Eloge; je Novois jamais Rappelé a vôtre Exelance Daussy foible preuve De tous Mes Desir a Repondre a la Confiance Dont on mavez honnoré Sy jusse püe partager La joix et La Satisfaction quont tous Seux que vous avez Bien voulüe assossier a Lordre de Cincinatus je Ne peux Donc vous Dicimuler tout Le Desir que jay Di Estre assossie Comme un temoignage De Vôtre aprobation et Souvenir que me Cera toujour pressieux. je Suis avec Respect De Son Exelance Son tres humble et tres obeissant serviteur

Le Gardeur de Tilly Captin Des Vaux du Roi

p. S. Monsieur Le Comte De Barrasse Et Mr Le marquis De vaudreüille mon dit vous avoir fait part de Leurs Voeux a mon Egard


Title: To George Washington from Edward Newenham, 15 March 1784 [letter not found]
From: Newenham, Edward
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Edward Newenham, 15 Mar. 1784. On 10 June GW wrote to Newenham: “I had the honor to receive . . . your favors of the 30th of Jany & 15th of March.”


Title: To George Washington from Edward Carrington, 18 March 1784
From: Carrington, Edward
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Richmond [Va.] March 18th 1784

Permit me to offer you my most sincere congratulations on your return from the Feild to those pleasing scenes of domestic life which you left with regret. In contemplating the great event which has closed your Military life, be assured that no Fellow Citizen is inspired with more gratitude towards you than myself—but to the Common feelings of my Countrymen, I have to add, as an individual, my acknowledgements of, and unfeigned thanks for, the several instances in which you have been pleased to honor me with your attention, but more particularly your polite invitation to partake of the Honors of your Family, fills me with such an abundance of gratitude that I cannot suppress my declaration of it. diffident as I was of my abilities to serve you effectually, be assured that nothing prevented my accepting the honorable and flattering invitation, but the engagements I was under to my very Affectionate freind Genl Greene. In civil life which I now embrace with real satisfaction my prayers are that this great Empire may be managed with wisdom and Honor, equal to the pleasures you both feel in having contributed to its deliverance from Tyranny. I have the Honor to be Sir, with great Affection your Most Obt Servt

Ed. Carrington


Title: To George Washington from Elbridge Gerry, 18 March 1784
From: Gerry, Elbridge
To: Washington, George

Sir
Annapolis [Md.] 18th March 1784

By the last Post I received from the president of the Senate of Massachusetts a Letter, inclosing the papers herewith transmitted, & requesting me to write to your Excellency on the Subject. As I have no other Knowledge of the Matter, than what is derived from Colo. Gridley’s Letter & the Resolve accompanying it, I can only say, that when your Excellency is at Leisure, if You think it expedient to make any observations on the Subject or Answer to the Resolve, & should inclose them to me, I will direct them to Colo. Gridley.
I flatter myself with the Hopes that since your Retirement from publick Life You have not only enjoyed, Health, peace & Competence, but Likewise the pleasure of seeing all your Friends in the same happy Circumstances.
My Respects to your Lady, & be assured Sir I remain with every Sentiment of Esteem & Respect your most obedt & very humble sert

E. Gerry


Title: From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 18 March 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Randolph, Edmund

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 18th March 1784

I have seen the form of the answer which you have drawn in Savages suit, and approve of it; presuming the references are founded on facts. Mr Fairfax was to have compared these, & will prepare a fair copy. I will remind him of the matter, & have it sent to you as soon as I can.

The case of the depending petitions, in the General Court, is as follows.
The Land was obtained under a Proclamation of Mr Dinwiddie; issued by the advice of his Council Feby 19th 1754, for encouraging the raising of Troops for an Expedition to the Ohio. It was surveyed pursuant to warrants granted by Lord Dunmore, & Patented Decr 15th 1772.

                  For
                  10,990
                  Acres, in Fincastle

                  4,395
                  }

                  2,448
                  in Botetourt

                  2,314

In the month of March 1774, I encounter’d, in preparation only, an expence of at least £300; by the purchase of Servants, Nails, Tools & other necessaries for the purpose of seating and cultivating the above Lands, agreeably to our Act of Assembly; & for transporting the same over the Allighaney Mountains—but this was entirely sunk. The disturbances occasioned by the Indians, which immediately followed, put a stop to my proceedings. the Servants, some of them, engaged in the Militia—others squandered—& the whole were lost to me; while my Goods, as I am informed, were seized for the use of the militia & a fort which was built, upon the Expedition under Lord Dunmore, & no compensation made me for them—nor, if I am rightly informed, anything given upon which I can found a claim.
The March following I went thro’ the second edition of a similar expence, & find by having recourse to my papers, (since I came home) the Certificates which I enclose herewith.
Not knowing what had been, or might be done in this second essay to cultivate my Lands (for I left home in May, while my people were out)—I wrote from Cambridge (in Septr 1775) to Mr Everard requesting as a further security, that they might be covered by friendly Petitions; & presume I must have required Colo. Bassett to take measures accordingly. But never knew what, or whether any steps had been taken in this business, ’till Mr Mercer (whom I saw at Fredericksburg the other day) & your Letter of the 19th of Feby since, informed me of the depending Petitions.
Under this information and what follows, you will be so good as to do what shall appear necessary & proper in my behalf—The Lands, by the Proclamation and Patents, are exempted

from the payment of quitrent, ’till the expiration of fifteen years from & after the date of the latter: but my ignorance of the existing Laws of this State, since the change of its constitution, does not enable me to determine whether the old Act requiring cultivation & improvement, is yet in force, or not; consequently I can give no opinion upon the proper line of conduct to be pursued. Admitting however that this act is in force, so far as it may apply to Lands under the circumstances mine are—yet the two principal Tracts are nevertheless saved; as will appear by the records of Fincastle & Botetourt, where the agregate of the valuations amount to £1583.15.7½ & the sum required to save the number of acres contained in them amounts to no more than £1538.10.0—and had it not been for the hostile temper of the Indians towards the close of 1775 which rendered it unsafe for my people to remain out, & who were actually driven in, to my very great loss in other respects (besides the noncultivation) I should most undoubtedly, have saved the whole agreeably to Law.
Miss Lee, sister to the late Major Genl Lee, wrote, requesting me to obtain for her an authenticated copy of his will—the copy I have lately got, but Mr Drew thinks it may be necessary to affix the Seal of the State to it, as it is to go to England—I request the favor of you therefore to procure & send this to me by the Post—the cost when made known to me I will pay. With very great regard I am Dr Sir Your Most Obt & affecte Servant.

G: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Nathanael Greene, 20 March 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Greene, Nathanael

My Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon Mar. 20th—84

From the purport of your letter dated at New Port Feby 16th which only came to my hands yesterday I have little expectation that this reply to it will find you in the state of Rhode Island—If however the case should be otherwise it is to express an earnest wish that you might make it convenient to take the general meeting of the Cincinnati in your way to So. Carolina.
I was concerned to hear you say “one of your delegates only was expected to be there”—It were to be wished on many accts that the ensuing meeting might not only be full in representation, but that the best abilities of it might also be present—there are, in my opinion, very important reasons for this—& I cannot avoid expressing an earnest wish that yours may be amongst them.
I would add more, were I not apprehensive that this letter will not meet you in time. I have received Letters from France on this subject, which, with the Sentiments which many seem disposed to entertain of the tendency of the Society make it, I repeat it again indispensably necessary that the first meeting should be full and respectable.
As there is time (supposing this letter finds you in Rhode Island) to give me an acknowledgement of it, let me entreat an answer. My best wishes in which Mrs Washington joins attend Mrs Green, yourself, & family—Very sincerely & Affectionately I am—Dr Sir Yr faithful & Obedt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from David Humphreys, 20 March 1784
From: Humphreys, David
To: Washington, George

My dear General
New Haven March 20 1784

I arrived at this place just a Month from the time of my leaving Mount Vernon, perfectly free from Misadventures, altho’ attended with disagreeable roads & the coldest weather I ever experienced—in my route I had the pleasure of executing all your commands, except that of delivering your verbal Message to Govr Clinton, this, the impracticability of passing the Hudson below Kings-ferry prevented; I have however written a private Letter to His Excellency on the subject.
On the 17th inst. the Connecticut State Society of Cincinnati convened at Hartford; they appointed Generals Parsons, Huntington, & Swift, with Colo. Trumbull & myself to attend the General Meeting in May next as their Delegation—in consequence of which I expect the honor of seeing you at that time.
It is with no small satisfaction I inform your Excellency that the disposition of the People of this State respecting political subjects seems to be changing for the better with great rapidity; there is scarcely a doubt but that the Legislature will adopt the Impost at their next Session—and I am told that the influence of General Greene is operating very favorably in the State of Rhode Island; so that I still hope (agreeably to your old prediction) that every thing will terminate happily.
Having an accidental conveyance for Annapolis, I have only time to add my best wishes for Mrs Washington & the family, and to assure Your Excellency that I have the honor to be My dear General Your faithful friend and Hble Servant

D. Humphrys


Title: From George Washington to Francis Johnston, 22 March 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Johnston, Francis

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 22d Mar: 84

Inclosed you have the Certificates for Captns Pashke, De Mercellan  & Le Roy returned, with my Seal & Signature; but if I recollect right, they must be countersigned by the Secretary General to give them validity.
They only came to my hands yesterday, or you should have had them sooner. With great esteem I am—Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 24 March 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Jefferson, Thomas

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 24th March 1784

Your letter of the 15th came to my hands the 2 2d—at the moment the Governor & some other company came in. I can do no more at present than to acknowledge the rect of it, but will take the first leisure moment to write fully to you on the points it contains. Capt. Barney informs me that he has two packages on board, from the Marqs de la Fayette; the enclosed to him contains a request to land them under your care ’till I shall send for them, which will be in the course of a few days. They are valuable, & I pray you to give them house room. I am very truly &c. &c.

G: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Tench Tilghman, 24 March 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Tilghman, Tench

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon Mar. 24th 1784

I am informed that a Ship with Palatines is gone up to Baltimore, among whom are a number of Tradesmen. I am a good deal in want of a House Joiner & Bricklayer, (who really understand their profession) & you would do me a favor by purchasing one of each, for me. I would not confine you to Palatines. If they are good workmen, they may be of Assia, Africa, or Europe. They may be Mahometans, Jews, or Christian of any Sect—or they may be Athiests—I woud however prefer middle aged, to young men. and those who have good countenances & good characters on ship board, to others who have neither of these to recommend them—altho, after all, the proof of the pudding must be in the eating. I do not limit you to a price, but will pay the purchase money on demand—This request will be in force ’till complied with, or countermanded, because you may not succeed at this moment, and have favourable ones here after to do it in[.] My best respects, in which Mrs Washington joins, are presented to Mrs Tilghman & Mrs Carroll —and I am Dr Sir Yr Affecte Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Benjamin Walker, 24 March 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Walker, Benjamin

Dear Walker,
Mount Vernon 24th March 1784

I perceive by the Governors letter dated Feby 27th (which only came to hand yesterday—& learn also by a Letter from Colo. Varick) that you are of his Family.

Let me entreat you therefore, without giving the Govr any more trouble in the matter than is absolutely necessary, to clear up a mistake which must have happened somewhere.
The Govr in acknowledging the receipt of my Letters of the 15th & 28th of Decr—adds—“The former covering Mr Morris’s Notes to the amount of 2080 80/90 Dollars.” It ought to have covered (if any were enclosed) 4226 dollars & a fraction; arising first, from the balance of my warrant upon the Paymaster for 6000 Dollars, of which I recd 2500 only, taking Mr Morris’s Note for the remainder, (to wit 3500)—& next, for the balance of the Accot I had then deposited in the Auditors Office, amounting to £217.16.8 (Dols. at 6/) which together made the 4226 10/90 Dollars. This business was transacted by Colo. Cobb—the Notes, as I intended them for the Govr, never came into my hands, or only to look at—& to him, in the hurry we were all in, the morning of our departure from Philada, was given my letter to the Govr, open, with a request that the letter & notes might be delivered to His Excelly as he passed thro’ New York—the former informing him, that I should throw into his hands about £1700 towards the discharge of my bond—whether the letter was left open to receive the Notes, or merely for him to seal, as I was hurried by the crowd of visitors which pressed upon us at that time, I do not now recollect—but certain it is, the Govr, by the means here mentioned, ought to have received Notes for 4226 Dolls. instead of 2080.
The other sum of 857 52/90 Dollars (which is mentioned in the Govrs Letter) is a subsequent transaction altogether, arising from our Expenditures in Philada—on the road to Virginia &ca—a warrt for which on Mr Hilligas was drawn by Mr Morris & sent to me for indorsation, which it has accordingly received, & is sent back to him again for the Govrs use. Under this information you will confer a favor upon me by getting this mistake explained & rectified. If the Govr received no more than 2080 80/90 dollars, Colo. Cobb only can account for it; as the facts are literally as I have stated them.
I have obtained no answers yet to the circular Letters you took with you for New Jersey, New York & New Hampshire—the two first certainly must have got to hand; but it may not be amiss nevertheless for you to enquire (by a line) of the Presidents of those two (State) Societies, whether they have or have

not got them—accompanying the enquiry with information of the time & place of the Genl Meeting.
I understand the Society of Cincinnati is the cause of much jealousy & uneasiness in the New England States—Pray what is said of it in yours—& in the Jersey. Will you (for a letter may arrive at this place before I set out) be kind enough to give me full information on that head—who your Delegates are—whether they will attend &ca—It were much to be wished that the Genl Meeting might be full & respectable; that the several matters which may come before it, might be deliberately weighed, & wisely resolved on—A thin meeting will bring the Society into contempt.
Inclosed you have a letter which came under cover to me—My best wishes attend the Govr—I feel great concern for his own, & the indisposition of his Family, & very much so for the accident my namesake met with —Mrs Washington joins me in these & Complimts to you. I am very truly Yours &a

G: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Hugh Williamson, 24 March 1784 [letter not found]
From: Williamson, Hugh
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Hugh Williamson, 24 Mar. 1784. On 31 Mar. GW wrote to Williamson: “The last Post brought me your favor of the 24th.”


Title: From George Washington to James Craik, 25 March 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Craik, James

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 25th March 1784

In answer to Mr Bowie’s request to you, permit me to assure that Gentleman, that I shall at all times be glad to see him at this retreat—That whenever he is here, I will give him the perusal of any public papers antecedent to my appointment to the command of the American army—that he may be laying up materials for his work. And whenever Congress shall have opened their Archives to any Historian for information, that he shall

have the examination of all others in my possession which are subsequent thereto, but that ’till this epoch, I do not think myself at liberty to unfold papers which contain all the occurrences & transactions of my late command; first, because I conceive it to be respectful to the sovereign power to let them take the lead in this business—& next, because I have, upon this principle, refused Doctr Gordon & others who are about to write the History of the revolution this priviledge.
I will frankly declare to you, My Dr Doctor that any memoirs of my life, distinct & unconnected with the general history of the war, would rather hurt my feelings than tickle my pride whilst I lived. I had rather glide gently down the stream of life, leaving it to posterity to think & say what they please of me, than by an act of mine to have vanity or ostentation imputed to me—And I will furthermore confess that I was rather surprized into a consent, when Doctr Witherspoon (very unexpectedly) made the application, than considered the tendency of that consent. It did not occur to me at that moment, from the manner in which the question was propounded—that no history of my life, without a very great deal of trouble indeed, could be written with the least degree of accuracy—unless recourse was had to me, or to my papers for information—that it would not derive sufficient authenticity without a promulgation of this fact—& that such a promulgation would subject me to the imputation I have just mentioned—which would hurt me the more, as I do not think vanity is a trait of my character.
It is for this reason, & candour obliges me to be explicit, that I shall stipulate against the publication of the memoirs Mr Bowie has in contemplation to give the world, ’till I shou’d see more probability of avoiding the darts which I think would be pointed at me on such an occasion; and how far, under these circumstances, it wou’d be worth Mr Bowie’s while to spend time which might be more usefully employed in other matters, is with him to consider; as the practicability of doing it efficiently, without having free access to the documents of this War, which must fill the most important pages of the Memoir, & which for the reasons already assigned cannot be admitted at present, also is. If nothing happens more than I at present foresee, I shall be in Philadelphia on or before the first of May; where ’tis probable I may see Mr Bowie & converse further with

him on this subject—in the mean while I will thank you for communicating these Sentiments. I am very truly Your affectionate friend & Servt

G: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Nathanael Greene, 27 March 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Greene, Nathanael

My Dr Sir,
Mount Vernon 27th March 1784

A few days ago, by the post, on wch of late there seems to be no dependance, I wrote you a few lines expressive of an earnest wish that you could make it convenient to be at the Genl Meeting of the Society of Cincinnati, before you took your departure for South Carolina. I did not then, nor can I now, assign all my reasons for it; but to me it should seem indispensable, that the Meeting in May next should not only be full, but composed of the best abilities of the representation. The temper, of the New England States in particular, respecting this Society, the encreasing jealousies of it, a letter from the Marquis, & other considerations point strongly to wise determinations at this time. If then private interest or convenience withhold the first characters from the Meeting, what may be the consequence?—’tis easier, & perhaps better to be conceived than told. At any rate a bare representation will bring the Society into disrepute, & unfit it perhaps to decide upon the weighty matters which may come before it. besides, these excuses may be offered by one man as well as another, & sure I am none can urge them with more propriety than myself. I would add more, but that I fear this letter will not reach you in time & I am detaining a countryman of yours who has a fair wind, & I know is setting

upon thorns from his eagerness to embrace it. Most sincerely & Affectionately I am Yrs

G: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 29 March 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Jefferson, Thomas

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 29th Mar. 84

It was not in my power to answer your favor of the 15th by the last post for the reason then assigned. I wish I may be able to do it to your satisfaction now, as I again am obliged to pay attention to other Company (the Governor being gone).
My opinion coincides perfectly with yours respecting the practicability of an easy, & short communication between the waters of the Ohio & Potomack, of the advantages of that communication & the preference it has over all others, and of the policy there would be in this State, & Maryland, to adopt & render it facile. but I confess to you freely, I have no expectation that the public will adopt the measure; for besides the jealousies wch prevail, & the difficulty of proportioning such funds as may be allotted for the purposes you have mentioned, there are two others, which in my opinion, will be yet harder to surmount—these are (if I have not imbibed too unfavourable an opinion of my Countrymen) the impracticability of bringing the great, & truly wise policy of this measure to their view—and the difficulty of drawing money from them for such a purpose if you could do it. for it appears to me, maugre all the sufferings of the public creditors—breach of public faith—and loss of public reputation—that payment of the taxes which are already laid, will be postponed as long as possible! how then are we to expect new ones, for purposes more remote?
I am not so disinterested in this matter as you are; but I am

made very happy to find a man of discernment and liberality (who has no particular interest in the plan) thinks as I do, who have Lands in that Country the value of which would be enhanced by the adoption of such a scheme.
More than ten years ago I was struck with the importance of it, & dispairing of any aid from the public, I became a principal mover of a Bill to empower a number of subscribers to undertake, at their own expence, (upon conditions which were expressed) the extension of the Navigation from tide water to Wills’s Creek (abot 150 Miles) and I devoutly wish that this may not be the only expedient by which it can be effected now. To get this business in motion, I was obliged, even upon that ground, to comprehend James River, in order to remove the jealousies which arose from the attempt to extend the Navigation of the Potomack. The plan, however, was in a tolerable train when I set out for Cambridge in 1775, and would have been in an excellent way had it not been for the difficulties which were met with in the Maryland Assembly, from the opposition which was given (according to report) by the Baltimore Merchants, who were alarmed, and perhaps not without cause, at the consequence of water transportation to George Town of the produce which usually came to their market.
The local interest of that place (Baltimore) joined with the short sighted politics, or contracted views of another part of that Assembly, gave Mr Thomas Johnson who was a warm promoter of the Scheme, on the No. side of the River, a great deal of trouble. In this situation things were when I took command of the Army—the War afterwards called Mens attention to different objects—and all the money they could or would raise, were applied to other purposes; but with you, I am satisfied not a moment ought to be lost in recommencing this business; for I know the Yorkers will delay no time to remove every obstacle in the way of the other communication, so soon as the Posts at Oswego & Niagara are surrendered; and I shall be mistaken if they do not build Vessels for the Navigation of the Lakes, which will supercede the necessity of coasting on either side.
It appears to me that the Interest & policy of Maryland is proportionably concerned with that of Virginia to remove obstructions and to envite the trade of the Western territory into the channel you have mentioned. You will have frequent

oppertunities of learning the sentiments of the principal characters of that State, respecting this matter, and if you should see Mr Johnson (formerly Govr of the State) great information may be derived from him.
How far upon more mature consideration I may depart from the resolution I had formed of living perfectly at my ease—exempt from all kinds of responsibility, is more than I can, at present, absolutely determine. The Sums granted—the manner of granting them—the powers—and objects—would merit consideration. The trouble, if my situation at the time would permit me to engage in a work of this sort would be set at naught; & the immense advantages which this Country would derive from the measure, would be no small stimulus to the undertaking; if that undertaking could be made to comport with those ideas, & that line of conduct with which I meant to glide gently down the stream of life; and it did not interfere with any other plan I might have in contemplation.
I am not less in sentiment with you respecting the impolicy of this State’s grasping at more territory than they are competent to the Government of. And for the reasons which you assign, I very much approve of a Meridian from the mouth of the Great Kanhawa as a convenient and very proper line of seperation. But I am mistaken if our chief Majestrate will coincide with us in opinion.
I will not enter upon the subject of Commerce—It has its advantages & disadvantages, but which of them preponderates is not the question. From Trade our Citizens will not be restrained, and therefore it behoves us to place it in the most convenient channels, under proper regulation—freed, as much as possible, from those vices which luxury, the consequence of wealth and power, naturally introduce.
The inertitude which prevails in Congress—and the non-attendance of its Members, is discouraging to those who are willing & ready to discharge the trust which is reposed in them; whilst it is disgraceful, in a very high degree, to our Country. but I beleive the case will never be otherwise so long as that body persist in their present mode of doing business; and will hold constant, instead of annual sessions; against the former of which my mind furnishes me with a variety of arguments, but not one—in times of peace—in favor of the latter.

Annual Sessions would always produce a full representation and alertness in business—The Delegates after a recess of 8 or 10 Months would meet each other with glad Countenances—they would be complaisant—they would yield to each other as much as the duty they owed their constituents would permit—and they would have oppertunities of becoming better acquainted with the Sentiments of them, & removing their prejudices, during the recess. Men who are always together get tired of each others Company—They throw of the proper restraint—they say and do things which are personally disgusting—this begets opposition—opposition begets faction—& so it goes on till business is impeded, often at a stand. I am sure (having the business prepared by proper Boards or a Committee) an Annual Session of two Months would dispatch more business than is now done in twelve; & this by a full representation of the Union.
Long as this letter is, I intended to have been more full on some of its points, as well as to have touched upon some others; but it is not in my power, as I have been obliged to snatch the moments which have furnished you with this hasty production from Company. With very great esteem & regd I am Dr Sir Yr Most obt & very Hble Servt

Go: Washington

Quære, have you not made the distance from Cuyahoga to New York too great?


Title: To George Washington from Tench Tilghman, 29 March 1784
From: Tilghman, Tench
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Baltimore [Md.] 29th March 1784

I was yesterday honored with your Excellency’s letter of the 24th and immediately applied to the Gentlemen who have the consignment of the Palatines, to know whether there were any among them answering the description of those you want—I am sorry to inform you there are not. There are no Bricklayers at all—There are Carpenters, but they are of the common kind—I cannot find that any more of these people are expected—The charges of bringing them are so enormous, that the profits are not by any means adequate to the expence—I shall however keep a look out as you desire—A few may come in by chance—I need not say how happy it will ever make me to receive your Excellency’s commands, and Mrs Tilghman desires me to say to Mrs Washington, she hopes she will never make the least difficulty of calling upon her for the execution of any Commission in the line of the Ladies. I have the honor to be with true Respect and Esteem Your Excellency’s Most Affecte Hble Servt

Tench Tilghman


Title: To George Washington from William Fitzhugh, 31 March 1784
From: Fitzhugh, William
To: Washington, George

Dear General
Mount Washington [Md.] March 31st 1784

My delay to congratulate Your Safe return to Mont Vernon, after your long Absence, and the Eniment Services render’d Your Country—proceeded from my fixed Intention to do it personally, at your House soon after your arival there, of which, I recieved from my son Perry the pleaseing inteligence—But a Severe attack of the Gout, with eruptions in my Leg and foot, about the first of January, has confin’d me ever since until a few days ago—Permit me therfore at this late day Jointly with Mrs Fitzhugh, to Congratulate you, your Lady and friends, On the Happy Event—and to offer our warmest wishes for Health, and every other Felicity to you and yours. We still intend, so soon as the Season is favorable to the movement of Invaledes—to indulge ourselves with the Pleasure of Visiting Mont Vernon.
The bearer hereof, Capt. Thomas Trueman Greenfield informs me, That having purchased a lease from a Tenant of yours in Berkley County, you wish’d to know his Character, previous to a confirmation of His Purchase—Capt. Greenfield has resided in Calvert County for many years past, & there commanded a Company of Militia during the War—He is of a reputable family, of good Character and Credit, & I believe may be relyed on as a man of Integrity and punctuallity. My son William, who had the honor to serve in the Southern Army, under the Command of General Greene, was at Pitsburg the 8th of Febry on his way to Kentucki, there to Locate some Lands for himself and to compleat the Business on former Locations of mine—He Expresses an inclination to serve in the Military, If on the Peace Establishment, He can obtain an appointment in Virginia, or Maryland—He was a Lieutenant in the 3d Lt Dragoons—Baylors—& continued in the Service to the end of the War—The favorable testimony of General Green respecting His conduct and Service, Induces Me to recommend Him to your Excellencys Notice, but this is offered only as an introduction to what I shall say when I have the Honor to meet you.
Mrs Fitzhugh Joins with me in respectful Compliments &

best wishes to you, Your Lady & Family. I have the Honor to be with every sentiment of respect & Esteem Your Excellencys Affectionate & Oblig’d Hume Servt

Willm Fitzhugh


Title: From George Washington to Elbridge Gerry, 31 March 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Gerry, Elbridge

Sir,
Mount Vernon 31st Mar. 84.

Your favor of the 18th came to my hands last Week, but not in time to answer it by the last Post.
I have examined my Letter and orderly Books but find no such order as Mr Gridley alludes to, in his letter of the 21st of Feby, to you.
If his Father, or himself ever received such orders they are no doubt to be produced, and will speak for themselves. Mr Gridley never reported himself to the Chief Engineer (Genl Duportail) nor has he ever been returned to me by him, or any Senior Officer in that department that I remember as one of the Corps—in the Service of the United States—It is not in my power therefore, from any recollection I have of the circumstance he speaks of—or of his Services—to certifie anything on which his claim can be founded.
It would give me pleasure, at any time when your leizure and inclination would permit to see you, or any of your Brother

delegates at this retreat—being with great esteem Dr Sir Yr Most Obt & Most Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 31 March 1784
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Annapolis [Md.] Mar. 31. 1784.

Your servant delivered me your favor this morning; Capt. Barney is gone to Philadelphia and his vessel to Baltimore, having left with me one of your packages only. the persons who brought this could give me no certain account of the other package which you suppose to have been brought. this your servant now receives.
Being obliged to seize a moment in Congress of writing you these few lines, I can only mention to you that late advices from Europe mention another revolution in the British ministry, Mr Pitt & his friends having resigned. no new ministry was formed. this does not come however authentically. I am with very great respect & esteem Dr Sir Your most obedt & most humble servt

Th: Jefferson


Title: From George Washington to James Milligan, 1 April 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Milligan, James

Sir,
Mount Vernon 1st April 1784

Your favor of the 9th of March came to hand last week. I am perfectly satisfied (from the circumstances you have related) that the charge of £133.16.0 is just—The manner in which you have accounted for it, makes the matter appear quite clear—It was the only channel thro’ which I could have received the money unremembered, & it was from that consideration, I suggested the enquiry.
I am obliged by the readiness with wch you adopt the alterations pointed out in my last —& altho’ I am unwilling to add to the troubles of your office, I must pray you to examine the warrant on which the charge of 580 80/90 Dollars is placed to my debit. I drew no Warrt while I was in Philada for my own use, except for the balance of the Accot rendered Decr 13th, to wit £217. 16.8.—which amounting to 726 10/90 Dollars was credited in the subsequent Account of the 28th of the same month. It’s true I drew a Warrant, (and I believe, for I cannot readily come at my Warrt Book, for the identical sum of 580 80/90 Dolrs)—but this, if I recollect right was to give two or three months to each of my aids, & to a small party of Dragoons who were then with me. It was done with the consent, & (the mode) by the direction of the Financier: No charge of it was made by me, as will appear by a reference to my Accots—for I presumed the Paymaster General, would debit the persons for whose benefit the warrant was drawn with the respective sums annexed to their names. If however it is necessary that it should appear as an article of charge against me, in your Office, My Accot ought to have credit by these people, & they debited to the amount; as I only follow’d Mr Morris’s direction in the business, without deriving any other benefit from the draft than the satisfaction of Servg those whom I knew stood much in need of the money.
You will be so good as to excuse the trouble this alteration will make in your Accots—probably it is the last trouble I shall ever have occasion to give—You will receive at the same time, my thanks for your attention to my business, & the assurances of my being Sir, Your Most obt &c.

G: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Benjamin Harrison, 3 April 1784
From: Harrison, Benjamin
To: Washington, George

My Dear Sir
Rich[mon]d [Va.] Apr. 3d 1784

The enclosed letter from the clerk of the H. Delegates will inform you that the marquess’s thanks to the assembly have been presented. The resolution directing the Bust was order’d to be carried into execution by the commercial agent who was soon after dismiss’d from office, it never came to my hands till I sent for it yesterday, I will endeavour to have it comply’d with tho’ like other blunders of the assembly it was intended to be executed by their own officers.
I am endeavouring to procure a copy of the tender law, if I obtain it I will forward it by the first safe private opportunity. Please to present my compliments to your good lady Miss Bassett and her Major let Fanny know her father has had the gout but is getting better. I am Dr Sir your affecte & obed. Servt

Benja. Harrison


Title: Enclosure: John Beckley to Benjamin Harrison, 2 April 1784
From: Beckley, John
To: Harrison, Benjamin

Sir,
[Richmond, Va.] Friday 2d April 1784.

I do myself the honor to enclose your Excellency a Copy of the resolution of Assembly, voting a Bust in honor of the Marquis Fayette, and to inform you that the Speaker communicated to both Houses of Assembly the Marquis’s Letter of acknowledgment —and am, with due respect, Your Excellencys Most obedt & humble servt

John Beckley.


Title: To George Washington from Benjamin Walker, 3 April 1784
From: Walker, Benjamin
To: Washington, George

My dear General
New York 3d April 1784

Your favor of the 12th of March reached me the day before yesterday.
Walmsley shall be spoke to on the subject you desire, tho’ I believe he had no thoughts of returning to Virginia, he has his Wife here, and three or four days ago he informed me that he intended to quit Colo. Smith, with whom he has lived during the Winter, and commence Hair dresser in Town.
I am surprized at your not having received any Answers to the Circular Letters. I kept those for the Eastward of this about a Week after I arrived here, when, finding no better conveyance, I forwarded them by the post; least however any accident should have happend, I wrote yesterday, to the several persons to whom they were addressed, mentioning the purport of them, and desiring to know if they were received and if their Delegates will attend—the inclosed will shew you how far the Society in this State have proceeded.
Our Legislature have been sitting here these three months, and have done little or nothing except the Impost bill (which is horrid imperfect) they have past no bill of any consequence—they had began a bill to raise Troops for their Frontiers, but the two Houses differed as to the Number, and now I believe the matter rests till they hear from their Delegates —they must by this Time have arrived at Congress—Mr DeWitt and Judge Paine—are gone—the latter took it in his head to Preach in Mr Gano’s Meeting the Sunday before he sat out—and a Motion was made in the Assembly to chuse another Delegate—as no Minister of the Gospel can hold an Office under our Constitution—but it failed. The chief politics of the day here is whether the Tories shall be sent away or not—I was in hopes these matters would have subsided by degrees—but I see little prospect

of it. The Tories have acted the most imprudent part possible—It never could be supposed that Men who during Eight Years have been taught to consider those people as their greatest Enemies, as the murderers of their Friends, and as the worst of people, could drop their resentments in a day, and receive them as their friends, time and a proper conduct on their part could alone work such a change, and this would have done it. If the Tories had kept themselves quiet and not interfered in public Matters, all the liberal and judicious of the Whigs, would have been so far their friends as to have assisted in burying animosities, and in the course of time, when their conduct had proved they might be trusted—they would have shared in the Government with their fellow Citizens: but instead of adopting such a Conduct, they no sooner got over the first impression of fear, than they laid claim to every attention—and very foolishly contested with the Whigs of the Church in the Election of a Rector supporting with all their influence Mr Moore against Mr Provost and such has their conduct continued —the consequence is such as might have been expected—Resentments are rather heightend than decreased, and many of the most liberal of the Whigs, who came in with the most conciliatory disposition, are now their Enemies—it has helped to carry the spirit of Resentment against them into the Legislature, and two bills are going thro the House which if passed, must drive great part of them away.
The Winter here has been exceedingly severe, much more so than in 1780—and the very great number of poor who had flocked from all parts into Town made it extremely distressing—the River was still close at Esopus a few days since, but a Rain we have now must Open it.
When I left Mount Vernon I mentiond my hopes of getting the appointment of Collector or Naval Officer for this port—but I found so many Candidates whose sufferings and large families gave them better claims that I dropped it—Genl Lamb has the appointment—Willet is Sheriff and Mr Benson Clerk of the City and County the best Office—Colonel Smith put in for it but failed—Till I can get into business which is my ultimate determination I have accepted the Governors invitation to be his Secretary —a return of his fever has confined him these few days past to his Room and Mrs Clinton has also been unwell

—Washington recovers fast—I beg my respectfull Compliments may be presented to Mrs Washington—and to the rest of the family and that you would believe me, your very obliged and affectte hum. Servt

Ben Walker


Title: From George Washington to Duportail, 4 April 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Duportail, Antoine-Jean-Louis Le Bègue de Presle

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 4th April 1784

At present I can do no more than snatch a moment to acknowledge (by Monsr Le Compte de laval, who is going immediately to Paris & gave me the honor of a call as he travelled from Charles town to New York) the receipt of your letter of the 24th of Decr—to thank you for your kind remembrance of me—& to assure you that it will always give me great pleasure to hear from, or to see you in America.
Matters in this Country, since you left it, remain nearly in statu quo. It is said however, a more liberal sentiment is taking place in those States which were most opposed to commutation, & the other interests of the army—& that the impost, which has laboured so long in them, will certainly pass this Spring—this will be a principal move towards restoring public credit, & raising our sinking reputation. More competent powers it is thought will also be vested, in a little time, in Congress—& that all things will come right after the people feel the inconveniences wch they might have avoided if they had not been too fond of judging for themselves.
I have only news paper Accts of the Air Balloons, to which I do not know what credence to give; as the tales related of them are marvelous, & lead us to expect that our friends at Paris, in a

little time, will come flying thro’ the air, instead ploughing the Ocean to get to America.
Present me affectionately to Gouvernieur  (from whom I reed a letter just at his departure from Philada)—tell him he shall always have a first place in my esteem, & that whatever contributes to his happiness or interest will give me pleasure. With great esteem & regard I am Dr Sir Your most obedt & very humble Servt

G: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Lafayette, 4 April 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de

My Dr Marqs—
Mount Vernon 4th April 1784.

I have no expectation, that this Letter will find you in France. Your favor of Novr to me, & of Deer to Congress, both announce your intention of making us a visit this Spring. On this hope I shall fully rely, & shall ardently long for the moment in which I can embrace you in America. Nothing could add more to the pleasure of this interview than the happiness of seeing Madame la Fayette with you, that I might have the honor of thanking her in person for the flattering letter she has been pleased to write to me; and to assure her of the sincerity of my wishes, & those of Mrs Washington; that she wou’d make Mount Vernon her home, while she stays in America.
Lest I should be disappointed of this gratification, I accompany this letter with another to the Marchioness; & if I could express to her half what I feel upon the occasion it would, if

twenty years could be taken from the number of my days, make you diligent at your Post—Adieu—it is unnecessary to tell you how much I am Yours &a &ca

G: Washington

P.S. I have received the plate, you were so obliging as to send me by Captain Barney; and thank you for your great attention to my request though I endeavoured to countermand it. I shall be at Philada the first of May, when & where, I will buy a Bill, & remit you for the cost of it.

G. W——n


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Mifflin, 4 April 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Mifflin, Thomas

Sir,
Mount Vernon 4th Apl 1784.

I take the liberty of introducing to your Excellency’s civilities and attention, the Count de Laval Montmorency, Brother to the Duke de Laval, & Colonel in the Regiment of Royal Auvergne.
This Gentleman is on a tour from Charles Town  to New York, where he proposes to embark for Europe. His noble family, & personal merit, stand in need of no recommendation; but I could not with hold this testimony of my respect for him. I have the honor to be Yr Excellency’s Most Obt & Most Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., 4 April 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Trumbull, Jonathan Jr.

My dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 4th April 1784

The choice of your delegates to the General Meeting of the Cincinnati gave me pleasure, & I wish very sincerely that you would all attend;—Let me impress this upon you, with a request that you would impress it upon your Brothers of the delegation.
This meeting, taking into consideration the prejudices and jealousies which have arisen, should not only be respectable in numbers, but respectable in abilities—Our measures should be deliberate & wise—If we cannot convince the people that their fears are ill-founded we should (at least in a degree) yield to them and not suffer that which was intended for the best of purposes to produce a bad one which will be the consequence of divisions proceeding from an opposition to the currt opinion, if the fact is so in the Eastern States, as some have reported. Independant of this there are other matters which call for attention at the ensuing meeting.
You will oblige me by having the enclosed advertisement inserted twice, (& as soon as convenient) in a Gazette of your State—The one which is most diffused among that class of people whose views it is most likely to meet will answer my purposes best. Know the cost & I will pay it when we meet—Present my best regards to your good Father, whether in, or out of Office. Mrs Washington joins in best wishes for you & Mrs Trumbull  with Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt & Affecte Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from John Augustine Washington, 4 April 1784
From: Washington, John Augustine
To: Washington, George

My dear Brother
Bushfield [Westmoreland County, Va.]4th Apl 1784

I had flattered myself long before this to have paid my respects to you at Mt Vernon, and some time in this Month my Family intended a Visit—but many things have hapned to prevent the execucion of my plan heatherto—first the Frost which continued very late, & when the weather was brakeing up a little, we got the Melancholy Acct of the untimely death of my Son Augustine, whose loss affected me a gooddeal, as I had entertain’d very high expectations from him, he had nearly finished his Education, was bless with abilities, to quallify him for any of the Learned Professions—and possesed as sweet a disposicion as ever a Youth did, I intended this fall or at the farthest next spring to have sent him to Edinborough to study Phisick —I wish to God Mrs Washington could have borne this loss as well as myself—but the shock was too great for her infirm frame to bear with any tolorable fortitude, upon the first communication she fell into a Strong Convulsion which continued for some time, and when that went of, she lay for near four hours in a state of insencibility, when her reason returnd, her grief did also and she had a return of the Fit. she is now in a very low state both of Boddy and mind, I thought that the most likely way to quiet her mind, was to get her Children about her, Corbin has been down some time, and as soon as Potomack opened I wrote to Bushrod to come as far as Baltimore in the Stage where I would have horses sent (after allowing as many days as I thought it would take for my letters to reach him and for him to get to that place)—my Servant and horses have been gone of three weeks this day, & I can hear nothing of them which has induced me to send of another messenger to inquire after the first. I was about 10 days past attacked with the Gout the Fit I believe has been slight, tho for part of the time it was with difficulty I could hobble across the Floor with the assistance of Crutches, at present my foot is easy, but I am

not able to ware either Shoe or Boot—should Bushrod return shortly, as soon as he has spent some days with his Mama and recovered from the fatigue of his Journey, he and Corbin and my Self will do ourselves the pleasure of waitg on you, unless I should hear that you are gone to the northward, I think I have been informed you intended to Philadelphia this Month—if you do go, I should be happy to get information at Hooes Ferry or Mr Laur[enc]e Washingtons as I will regulate my comeing accordingly.
I most sincerely congratulate you, on the suckcess that has attended your unw[e]aryed diligence for 8 Years past, and on yr retirement to domestic happiness—that you may long injoy good health and every blessing this world can affourd is my most ardent wish in which Mrs Washington most cordially joins me, as also in our Love and best wishes to my Sister—I am with every Sentimen of true Affection My dear Brother Sincerely Yours

John Auge Washington


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Clegg, 6 April 1784
From: Clegg, Edmund
To: Washington, George

May it please Your Excellency
At Thomas Francis: 2d street near Market street.Philadelphia April 6 1784

I took the liberty to Address a Note to you when in this City, on the Subject of my Scheme, to establish the Weaving Manufactories of British Goods in these States—I am happy to find the plan may be executed with greater Success than I did at first expect—I have got some Looms to Work & some Machines for Spining, and the Assembly have partly determin’d to Support the Undertaking—That is a Committe has been Appointed to Consider the Matter—and have brought in their Report to Assist with £400 Curency for 7 years, Intrest free —I mean to do every thing in my power to render this Country Independant of Europe for Manufactured Goods in my Line, & if powerfull exertions were made I really think in 7 Years this might be accomplished—nor Need I say to You how much political Good would accrue thereby to these States—But I am of Opinion that only a very few in this State have a true Idea of the Effects of Such a scheme being executed—some of the Members told me as much, & desired my thoughts in Writing which I laid before the House and it was much approved of—and produced the above Mentioned Report, which was not Confirm’d by the House, being deferr’d ’till next Session—cheifly owing to the Warm disputes which arose upon a Bill for Emitting a Paper Currency.
As I esteem the Proposed aid inadequate to a Spirited push to Effect my design I hope you’ll pardon my freedom in sending You this Letter The object of which is to know if a more suitable support would be given under Your patronage.
If you honor me with Your reply please Inform me at what price Cacoons may be had per pound from the silk Worm & in what Quantities they might be had—I am—Hond sir Your Excellencys most obedient & very Humble sert

Edmund Clegg


Title: From George Washington to William Hamilton, 6 April 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Hamilton, William

Sir,
Mount Vernon 6th April 1784

I have been favored with your letter of the 20th of Feb. & pray you to accept my thanks for the information contained in it.
I expect to be in Phila. the first of May, but if, in the meanwhile, you should be perfectly satisfied of the skill of Mr Turner and the efficiency of his work you would add to the favor already conferred on me by desiring him not to be engaged further than to yourself until I see him.
I have a large room which I intend to finish in Stucco & Plaister of Paris—besides this I have a Piazza in front of my House (open & exposed to the weather) of 100 feet by 12 or 14 which I want to give a Floor to of stone or a cement which will be proof against wet & frost —and I am, as you were, plagued with leaks at a Cupulo &ca which requires a skilful artist to stop. These, altogether, would afford Mr Turner a good job, whilst the proper execution of them would render me an acceptable Service. I have the honor to be Sir Yr Most Obedt Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from William Smallwood, 6 April 1784
From: Smallwood, William
To: Washington, George

Dr Sir,
Mattawoman [Md.] April 6th 1784

Commodore Brook  who will address this acquaints me that you desired him to request me to inform you of the Circumstances of Mr Stromats taking out a Warrant to affect Vacancy contiguous to your Lands on this Side the Patowmack —I know very little of the Situation and Courses of your Lands or the adjoining Vacancy—but since Stromat took out his Warrant I have understood from Mr Dunnington the present Tenant who is an orderly honest Man, that there is some Vacancy.
Mr Stromat also Obtained a Warrant for Vacancy adjoining my Land below yours, which joined his & which I had also made Application for before our Land Office opened—but Stromat made a prior Application for the same, upon which I waved mine—he has since promised to let me have such part of this Vacancy as his convenient to mine, and retain the Residue

which may lye most convenient to his own Land—sometime before this, he made Application for the Courses of my Land adjoining yours and his, which I let him have—and afterwards he applied to me to get him the Courses of yours and other Lands from Annapolis, that he might also discover the Vacancy contiguous thereto, for which he informed me he had procured Warrants, which I then refused, and dissuaded him from executing them, & told him that I had understood he had taken possession of part of your Land under an Idea that the Courses of his own included it and yours left it out—which I urged he ought to have been very certain of, before he had taken such a Step, but he seemed very clear in the Matter, and Mr Dunnington informed me that he had understood that Stromats Father always claimed it—and that Majr Adams’s Father applied to him to rent it.
Stromat urged that if he had not taken out a Warrant some other Person might have done it—and that if I wou’d not get him the Courses of those Lands when I went to Annapolis that he coud readily get them—I then signified that as he seemed intent upon the Matter, that he ought to let you and the others have upon the Office Terms such parts of the Vacancy as lay convenient to your Lands, which he agreed to—except with Respect to Mr Samuel Moore, who had never cleared out his Land—afterwards he wrote to me at Annapolis for those Courses, which I obtained for him, urging when I delivered them, again what is above recited—which he promised to comply with.
Mr Stromat by a private Survey has run out the Lands since he got the Courses, and your Lands include that part or most of it which he had taken possession of, and settled a Tenant on, who he immediately removed—this I lately had from Information, and believe it to be fact—If he shou’d execute his Warrants by the County Surveyor, before I go to Philadelphia, I will endeavor to inform myself, and let you know how it affects your Lands.
I have received Answers to my Letters respecting the meeting of the Cincinnati in Philadelphia from Governor Paca and Colo. Ramsey (but none from Genl Williams whose punctual attendance you may depend on).

Accept and present my most respectful Compliments to Mrs Washington and believe me to remain with high Consideration and Regard Your most Obedt Hble Sert

W. Smallwood


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 8 April 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Jefferson, Thomas

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon April 8th 1784.

If with frankness, and the fullest latitude of a friend, you will give me your opinion of the Institution of the Society of Cincinnati, it would confer an acceptable favor upon me. If to this opinion, you would be so obliging as to add the Sentiments, or what you suppose to be the Sentiments of Congress respecting it, I would thank you.
That you may have the best Materials on which to form a judgment, I send you a copy of the proceedings of the Society. Consequent of their choice of me for Presidt Pro Tem and the

direction therein, I sent the Institution to the French land & Naval Commanders—and to the Marqs de la Fayette—as the Senr French Officer in the American Army—whose proceedings thereon I also enclose to you.
These Papers you will please to retain (for fear of accidents) ’till I shall have the pleasure (the Week after next) of seeing you in Annapolis on my way to Philadelphia; whither this, & other business, will take me; but the sooner I could receive your sentiments on this Subject, the more pleasing they would be to me.
The Pamphlet ascribed to Mr Burke, has I am told had its effect. People are alarmed, especially in the Eastern States. How justly, or how contrary to the avowed principles of the Society and the purity of their motives, I will not declare, least it should appear that I wanted to biass your judgment rather than to obtain an opinion—which, if you please, might be accompanied with sentiments (under the information here given) respecting the most eligable measures to be pursued by the Society at their next meeting.
You may be assured Sir, that to the good opinion, alone, which I entertain of your abilities & candor, this liberty is to be attributed; and I can truly add, that with very great esteem & regard I am—Dr Sir Yr most obt & Hble Servt

Go: Washington

P.S. I was on the point of closing this Letter, when Mr Hogendorff put your favor of the 6th into my hands.


Title: To George Washington from Lafayette, 9 April 1784
From: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de
To: Washington, George

My dear General
Paris April the 9th 1784

Among the Numberless Applications I Have Had for our Society, there is One which, in duty to My feelings, I Cannot decline to present, on my first Voyage to America, Monsieurs de Mauroy, Lesser, Valfort, and du Boismartin were with me, and Altho these Meritorious officers Had an Engagement with Mr Deane, Congress did not think it in their power to Employ them—My instructions Being positive, I Have Answered them, that it was not within My limits to present them with the Badge of the Assossiation—But upon their Request for a Representation of their Case, I found it the More Impossible for me to Neglect it, As independant of their Great Merit, zeal, and Sacrifices, they Were My first Companions in the Voyage, and went over with me in a Manner that lays me Under particular obligations to them—Give me leave therefore, my dear General, to Present You with this Sollicitation of mine, which they will forward to Yr Excellency—With the Highest Respect and Most tender Affection I Have the Honour to Be My dear General Your Obedient Humble Servant

Lafayette


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Pendleton, 9 April 1784
From: Pendleton, Edmund
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Edmundsbury [Va.] Apl 9. 1784.

Colo. Muse shewed me yr letter to his son requesting I would take charge of his Deeds to you, and procure them to be proved

and recorded in the General Court, which I would most cheerfully have done, but do not go to Richmond ’til after that Court rises. I have seen the Deeds Executed before 5 Witnesses, and they are to be carried by one of them who is our Sherif & a careful man, to be lodged with the Clerk and proved as they come in—so that I think you will run no risque in paying Colo. Muse the money you mention, especially as there will be time enough to compleat the proof in October, should any accident prevent its being made by three now. I have the honr to be with great regard Yr Excellys mo. Obt Servt

Edmd Pendleton


Title: Agreement with Lewis Lemart, 10 April 1784
From: Washington, George
To:

[Mount Vernon, 10 April 1784]

I hereby empower Mr Lewis Lemart to receive such Rents as are due to me upon the Land tract on which he himself lives, and which lyes partly in the County of Fauquier and partly in Loudoun.1 give him the same powers with respect to my other Tract on Goose Creek, near Mr Robert Ashby’s—and I authorize him to make distress for the annual or Transfer Rents which are reserved to me by the Leases. and this he is in a more especial manner to do from such persons as are about to remove from off the Land—He will see by the Lease (for I have it not ⟨in⟩ My power at this moment, to make out the Accts for each Man individually⟨)⟩ for many years they have been subjec⟨t⟩ to the payment of Rent, and he will make no allowances save such as appear by receipts from myself, Mr Lund Washington or any public Officer, by way of deduction without further authority from me. He is not to detain any money which he receives under this power, in his hands longer than can well be avoided; but shall transmit the same to me with an Acct of the sums, from whom, and when received as soon as possible.

For his trouble in all these acts and doings, and in full compensation for all his expences, I hereby agree to allow him five prCent all the monies which he shall actually pay into my hands, or to any other person by my order—this power to remain in force till revoked by me. Given under my hand at Mount Vernon the 10th day of April 1784

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Nicholas Simon van Winter and Lucretia Wilhelmina van Winter, 10 April 1784
From: Van Winter, Nicholas Simon,Van Winter, Lucretia Wilhelmina
To: Washington, George

Honoured Sir
Leydan in Holland 10th April 1784

From the Extremity of the Earth, Deign to accept, the Sincere Hommages of Two Persons more closely united by the Bonds of Mutual Affection than by those of Hymen; Admirers of Virtue, we were impelled by an irrestistable desire to testify to you our Veneration, as Soon as we were informed that your magnanimity of Soul had Shewn forth So conspicuously, in your relinquishing the Honourable charge of the Chief Command in the Armies of the Thirteen United States of North America, & in Preferring a rural life, to all the Charms that could allure an ambitious mind, a resolution worthy of the Grand Liberator of

his Country, & which has raised you in the Eyes of the World above the most illustrious Monarchs. But how can we make you Sensible of our admiration Since probably you are a Stranger to the Dutch Language? The zeal of my Spouse has Surmounted that embarrassing obstacle. She has ventured for the first time of her life to make Verse in a foreign language, for to make herself understood by the American Heroe, but She laments that She could not avail herself of her native language, Since in it She might have expressed herself with more Sublimity of Stile. Have the Goodness, Noble Sir, to let our Sentiments plead as an excuse for the faults of her Poetry; Last year about the latter end of Octr we Sent the original of the Inclosed Verses, to our Friend Mr Vogels, who Boasts an alliance with Mr Hillegas the Treasurer, & who has Since Married a Daughter in Law of Colo. Moulden’s at Philadelphia, but having never received any account of it from that time, we were apprehensive that the letter never arrived, this Consideration has induced us to take the liberty of Sending this by another Conveyance, Wishing to lose no opportunity of Demonstratg the Veneration that your Virtue, & that of your Illustrious & Dear Companion, has inspired us with, & which we though far Behind, will endeavour to follow, Preferring it to all the Grandeurs of the Earth, being content with a Happy independance in our own Country, & having no other ambition but that of Boasting one Day, that the Illustrious Washington has Deigned to Receive the Sincere Hommages of two persons, who will always be with the Most Profound Respect Noble Sir Your Very Hble Servts

Nicholas Simon Van Winter
Lucretia Wilhelmina Van Winter


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Walker, 10 April 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Walker, Thomas

Dear Sir
Mount Vernon 10th of Aprl 1784

Your favor of the 24th of Jan: only came to my hands by the Post on thursday last—if this letter is as long on its passage to you, the May Session will have ended before it reaches you.
The favorable sentiments you have been pleased to express for me, deserve my particular acknowledgements; and I thank you for your kind invitation to Castle hill; which I certainly shall avail myself of, if ever I should come into that part of the Country. In return, I hope it is unnecessary to give you assurances of the pleasure I should feel in seeing you, and my cousin at this retreat from all my public employments.
I much approve the proposal for a meeting of the Swamp Company, but I pray you to issue the summons, and to name the time and place for holding it. Richmond appears to me to be the most convenient place, but any other, or any time, shall have my attendance when it may be in my power. The first of May I am called to Philadelphia on business of different kind—how long I shall be absent is uncertain, for it is probable I may make a more extended tour, which would take much time to perform. I beg therefore that the meeting may not be delayed on my acct—Whatever resolutions the Company may come to, shall meet my concurrence.
Enclosed I send you the Copy of a letter from Doctr Williamson of North Carolina, who is a delegate in Congress, and member of a Company who holds that part of the Dismal swamp which lyes South of the Virginia line. I send it, that the proposition may appear before the next meeting of our Company, and be considered by it.
With respect to the private purchase made conjointly by yourself, our deceased friend, and me, I can only say that I gave my consent to the Sale because Colo. Lewis desired his part to be sold; and indeed, because my own circumstances made it

necessary for me to raise money by some such means; but I accompanied that consent with an opinion, that a Sale at this time would be premature, inasmuch as that the value of the Lands were not sufficiently known, nor had the spirit of emigration taken place in that extensive degree which was, and is, expected.
In February last at Fredericksburgh, I had an oppertunity of seeing and conversing with Mr John Lewis on this subject, when it was our joint opinion, that it would be imprudent to precipitate the Sale, before a just value could be obtained—but that it might be proper to advertise the Land under just descriptions, in the several Gazettes, to see if offers equal to our expectations, would be made for them. If you approve of this measure for the Tracts in which you are concerned, it may be carried into effect along with that of Norfleets, which his father and I had between us in equal Moieties. Mrs Washington unites in best wishes for you and Mrs Walker with Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington

P.S. As it is now nine years since I have heard a tittle from the company, or how the affairs of it have been managed, if you would devote an hour for the purpose of giving this information I should receive it very kindly. I should be glad also to receive a copy of Mr Andrews Survey of the Company’s Lands—or, if that would be troublesome, I should be very glad to know what quantity there is of it.
Since writing the above, I find (as I mean to send this letter by Post to Fredericksburgh), that I have not time to Copy Doctr Williamson’s letter to me, and therefore I give you the original.

Go: W——n.


Title: From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 11 April 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Livingston, Robert R.

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 11th Apl 1784.

Give me leave to introduce to your Civilities the Marquis de Fontinelle, Colonel of Infantry in the Service of France and a Gentleman of Merit & Fortune. The Marquis Was Aid to Count de Estaing at the Siege of Savanna and is now on a tour from Charleston to Boston—he is accompanied by Colo. Senf. I am Dr Sir Yr most Obedt Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from John Harvie, 12 April 1784
From: Harvie, John
To: Washington, George

Sir
Land Office [Richmond, Va.] April 12th 1784

Mr Griffith is so good as to present me an opportunity of answering your Letter of March the 18th. the Survey you Inclosed in it for 587 Acres call’d the Round Bottom must by Law lay in this Office Six Months before a Grant can issue upon it, at the Expiration of that time (unless a Caveat is hereafter Enterd) a Grant will be issued to you reciteing the date of the Survey and the Nature of the Right upon which it is founded agreable to your desire —there being no Caveat or other Legal Arrest to your Title as I can find, either in the Name of Michael Cresap or any other person, yet nothing is more probable than that a Survey may have been returned to this Office for the same Tract of Land under a different Description, as practices of this kind frequently prevail in Order to Cover Surreptitious designs, however if I should make any such Discovery I will give you Immediate Information of it.
Grants are not yet fully Compleated upon your two Surveys that I sent you the Copies of, nor can they be made ready in time to be Convey’d to you by Mr Griffith, the next Gentleman I see from your Neighbourhood will do himself the pleasure to take the Charge of them to you. I have the Honour to be Sir with every Sentiment of Respect & Esteam Yr Most Obt & Very Humble Servt

Jno. Harvie


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 12 April 1784
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

My dear sir.
Dorchester near Boston [Mass.] 12 April 1784

I received your favor of the 20th ultimo yesterday. I am fully persuaded of the importance of a general attendance at the meeting at Philadelphia, and I have now written to those concerned in this State, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Hampshire, urging their attendence to the utmost of my power. If General Greene shall not be gone before I reach Newport I will endeavor to bring him along.
I wrote your Excellency on the 4th of this month, and enclosed the report of the committee of the Legislature of this State, which was accepted by the Senate and assembly, but further measures were deferred untill the next session. This was supposed to be in tenderness to the members, to give them time to abandon so dangerous an association. The prejudices against the society have received great additional strength, by the thundering speech of the Governor of South Carolina.
I shall set out for New York, from providence by Water on the 21 instant—The roads are too bad to go by Land. It is not very probable this will reach you before I shall have the pleasure of seeing you in Philadelphia.
Mrs Knox prays her affectionate compliments may be presented to Mrs Washington, and hopes that Mrs Custis and her little flock are well. I am dear sir with the most perfect respect and attachment Your humble Serv.

H. Knox


Title: To George Washington from John Harvie, 14 April 1784
From: Harvie, John
To: Washington, George

Sir
Land Office [Richmond, Va.] April 14th 1784

Mr Griffith’s staying a day longer in this City than he expected to do when I first saw him, has allow’d me time to make out and forward your Grants by him, I am to Apoligize for there being on Common paper, by Assureing you that it was not in my power to procure as much Parchment at this place as was Sufficient to Contain the Grants, I have Written to Europe for a large Quantity of Parchment which I hope will Arrive this Spring, when that comes to hand if you then prefer it, by returning the Original Grants, I expect the Governour will have no Objection to Sign others on parchment and cancel those now made out upon paper.
You will find your Grants in the plainest Simplest Dress, without any addition to your Name or other Designation except the Seat of your Domestic Residence, when I first set down to Write these Grants this Simplicity of Expression did not Correspond with my feelings, and my Heart was about to Dictate to my pen a Long String of Illustrious Distinguishments, but in the Moment of Execution my mind felt such a Conviction that no Title that could be given you in the Grant could add Lustre to your Character, that I Concluded it best, and more Consistent with the Republicanism of your own Mind to leave out a plumage that could not Exalt a Character whose Dignity stands Recorded in the Warmest Corner of the Human Heart. I have the Honour to be Sir Yr most Obt & very H. Servt

John Harvie


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 16 April 1784
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Annapolis [Md.] April. 16. 1784

I received your favor of the 8th inst. by Colo. Harrison. the subject of it is interesting, and, so far as you have stood connected with it, has been matter of anxiety to me: because whatever may be the ultimate fate of the institution of the Cincinnati, as in it’s course it draws to it some degree of disapprobation I have wished to see you stand on ground separated from it; & that the character which will be handed to future ages at the head of our revolution may in no instance be compromitted in subordinate altercations, the subject has been at the point of my pen in every letter I have written to you; but has been still restrained by a reflection that you had among your friends more able counsellors, and in yourself one abler than them all. your letter has now rendered a duty what was before a desire, and I cannot better merit your confidence than

by a full & free communication of facts & sentiments as far as they have come within my observation.
When the army was about to be disbanded, and the officers to take final leave, perhaps never again to meet, it was natural for men who had accompanied each other through so many scenes of hardship, of difficulty & danger, who in a variety of instances must have been rendered mutually dear by those aids & good offices to which their situations had given occasion, it was natural I say for these to seize with fondness any proposition which promised to bring them together again at certain & regular periods, and this I take for granted was the origin & object of this institution: and I have no suspicion that they forsaw, much less intended those mischeifs which exist perhaps in the forebodings of politicians only. I doubt however whether in it’s execution it would be found to answer the wishes of those who framed it, & to foster those friendships it was intended to preserve, the members would be brought together at their annual assemblies no longer to encounter a common enemy, but to encounter one another in debate & sentiment, something I suppose is to be done at these meetings, & however unimportant, it will suffice to produce difference of opinion, contradiction & irritation, the way to make friends quarrel is to pit them in disputation under the public eye. an experience of near twenty years has taught me that few friendships stand this test; and that public assemblies, where everyone is free to speak & to act, are the most powerful looseners of the bonds of private friendship. I think therefore that this institution would fail of it’s principal object, the perpetuation of the personal friendships contracted thro’ the war.
The objections of those opposed to the institution shall be briefly sketched; you will readily fill them up. they urge that it is against the Confederation; against the letter of some of our constitutions; against the spirit of them all—that the foundation, on which all these are built, is the natural equality of man, the denial of every preeminence but that annexed to legal office, & particularly the denial of a preeminence by birth: that however, in their present dispositions, citizens might decline accepting honorary instalments into the order, a time may come when a change of dispositions would render these flattering; when a well directed distribution of them might draw into the

order all the men of talents, of office & wealth, and in this case would probably procure an ingraftment into the government: that in this they will be supported by their foreign members, & the wishes & influence of foreign courts: that experience has shewn that the hereditary branches of modern governments are the patrons of privilege & prerogative, & not of the natural rights of the people, whose oppressors they generally are: that besides these evils which are remote, others may take place more immediately: that a distinction is kept up between the civil & military which it is for the happiness of both to obliterate: that when the members assemble they will be proposing to do something, and what that something may be will depend on actual circumstances: that being an organized body, under habits of subordination, the first obstructions to enterprize will be already surmounted: that the moderation & virtue of a single character has probably prevented this revolution from being closed as most others have been by a subversion of that liberty it was intended to establish: that he is not immortal, & his successor or some one of his successors at the head of this institution may adopt a more mistaken road to glory.
What are the sentiments of Congress on this subject, & what line they will pursue can only be stated conjecturally. Congress as a body, if left to themselves will in my opinion say nothing on the subject, they may however be forced into a declaration by instructions from some of the states or by other incidents, their sentiments, if forced from them, will be unfriendly to the institution, if permitted to pursue their own tract, they will check it by side blows whenever it comes in their way, & in competitions for office on equal or nearly equal ground will give silent preferences to those who are not of the fraternity, my reasons for thinking this are 1. the grounds on which they lately declined the foreign order proposed to be conferred on some of our citizens. 2. the fourth of the fundamental articles of constitution for the new states. I inclose you the report, it has been considered by Congress, recommitted & reformed by a Committee according to the sentiments expressed on other parts of it, but the principle referred to having not been controverted at all, stands in this as in the original report, it is not yet confirmed by Congress. 3. private conversations on this subject with the members, since the receipt of your letter I have taken

occasion to extend these; not indeed to the military members, because being of the order delicacy forbade it; but to the others pretty generally: and among these I have found but one who is not opposed to the institution, & that with an anguish of mind, tho’ covered under a guarded silence, which I have not seen produced by any circumstance before. I arrived at Philadelphia before the separation of the last Congress, & saw there & at Princeton some of it’s members not now in delegation. Burke’s peice happened to come out at that time which occasioned this institution to be the subject of conversation. I found the same impression made on them which their successors have received. I hear from other quarters that it is disagreeable generally to such citizens as have attended to it, & therefore will probably be so to all when any circumstance shall present it to the notice of all.
This Sir is as faithful an account of sentiments & facts as I am able to give you. you know the extent of the circle within which my observations are at present circumscribed, and can estimate how far, as forming a part of the general opinion, it may merit notice, or ought to influence your particular conduct, it remains now to pay obedience to that part of your letter which requests sentiments on the most eligible measures to be pursued by the society at their next meeting. I must be far from pretending to be a judge of what would in fact be the most eligible measures for the society. I can only give you the opinions of those with whom I have conversed, & who, as I have before observed, are unfriendly to it. they lead to these conclusions. 1. if the society proceeds according to it’s institution, it will be better to make no applications to Congress on that subject, or on any other in their associated character. 2. if they should propose to modify it so as to render it unobjectionable, I think this would not be effected without such a modification as would amount almost to annihilation; for such would it be to part with it’s inheritability, it’s organisation & it’s assemblies. 3. if they should be disposed to discontinue the whole it would remain with them to determine whether they would chuse it to be done by their own act only, or by a reference of the matter to Congress, which would infallibly produce a recommendation of total discontinuance.
You will be sensible, Sir, that these communications are without

all reserve. I suppose such to be your wish, & mean them but as materials, with such others as you may collect, for your better judgment to work on. I consider the whole matter as between ourselves alone, having determined to take no active part in this or any thing else which may lead to altercation, or disturb that quiet & tranquillity of mind to which I consign the remaining portion of my life. I have been thrown back by events on a stage where I had never more thought to appear, it is but for a time however, & as a day labourer, free to withdraw or be withdrawn at will, while I remain I shall pursue in silence the path of right: but in every situation public or private shall be gratified by all occasions of rendering you service & of convincing you there is no one to whom your reputation & happiness are dearer than to Sir your most obedient & most humble servt

Th: Jefferson


Title: To George Washington from Jethro Sumner, 18 April 1784
From: Sumner, Jethro
To: Washington, George

Sir
Hillsborough [N.C.] April 18th 1784

It was with pleasure, we recd your circular letter, the eleventh of March last, and in a few days, a conveyance offered to the Gentlemen, Lt Col. Archd Lyttle, Majr Reading Blount, and Majr John Griffith McRee, who were appointed delagates in October last, to attend the Genl meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati.
This states society, being appointed to meet on the second monday of this month, it was necessary that the delegates attend, on there way to the General Convention—when every measure were taken in our power to hasten there departure.
We Sir, beg leave to recommend to you these Gentlemen, whose services to the Country, has continued from the commencement of the late war. I am Sir, with Esteem and Respect, yr very Hble Servt

Jethro Sumner


Title: To George Washington from Arthur St. Clair, 20 April 1784
From: St. Clair, Arthur
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Philada April 20th 1784

I was favoured with Your Letter of the 22d of February—if any thing could have induced me to postpone my Journey it was your Wish that I should do so—indeed I should have been extremly glad to have met the Society of the Cincinnati, but I had made such Arrangements last fall, previous to my being appointed a Representative, that I cannot dispense with going

to the back-Country at this time, without suffering very considerable loss.
Strong Prejudices are conceived against the Institution but as they are ill founded I doubt not but they will be got over—I own however that the hereditary Descent of the Medal appears to me an objectionable part, and could wish it might be altered in the Constitution; but I do not believe it is that has raised the cry so much as the Restriction with regard to honorary Members—had their number been left indefinite, or their proportion at least, it is probable they would never have exceeded that proposed in the Constitution. It would also have been well, perhaps, if all political purposes had been avoided—and it is probable some Alterations may take Place on these Points. It is surely ridiculous in the Legislatures to interfere, as, was there any thing Dangerous in the Society, that kind of opposition is the most likely way to establish it—but as the purposes are purely benevolent, and may have happy Effects too rigid an Adherence to the first outline should, in my Opinion, be avoided.
It would have aforded me a very singular Pleasure to have assured you personally with what sincere Respect and Esteem I Am Dear Sir Your Excellencys most obedient Servant

Ar. St Clair

I some time ago received a Letter from Capt. Paul Jones requesting that, at the general meeting he might be admitted a Member, and referring to Mr John Ross, for the Money to be paid. I cannot at present lay my hand on the Letter, but think I gave it to Coll Johnston—shall take the Liberty to request your interesting yourself in his Behalf.


Title: To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 20 April 1784
From: Trumbull, Jonathan Sr.
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Lebanon [Conn.] 20th April 1784

Having had the satisfaction to accord with you in the Sentiment of retiring from the busy Cares of public Life, to the

tranquil Scenes of private Enjoyment, I anticipate with much pleasure the Reflections which such a State will enable us to make upon the happy issue of those anxious & perplexing vicissitudes through which, in the Course of an Eight Years unusual War, you & I have had the Lot to pass, and in the Cares & solicitudes of which, we have born no ignoble part.
I felicitate you Sir! with great cordiality, on your having already reached the Goal of your wishes—and most devoutly invoke the divine Benediction on your Enjoyments & pursuits. A Month more I trust, will bring me to the Haven of retirement, in the Tranquility of which I hope to have leisure to attend to & cultivate those Seeds of private Friendship, which have been planted during the Tumults of War, and in the Cultivation of which I promise myself to reap much pleasure.
Indulging these prospects, I am induced to wish, & even to hope, that the Correspondence between you and me, which commenced under the pressure of disagreeable circumstances, may not wholly cease when we find ourselves in a happier situation—Altho enveloped in the shades of retirement, the busy Mind cannot suppress its activity, but will be seeking some employment, which will indeed be necessary to dispel that languor, which a Scene of Inactivity would be apt to produce. Subjects will not be wanting; far different, & more agreable I trust, than those we have been accustomed to dwell upon: and Occasions will present, which may serve to beguile a lingering Hour, and afford some pleasing Amusement, or instructive Information.
Let not the Disparity of Age, or the idea of a Correspondent, seventy three Years advanced on his Journey through Life, chill your Expectations from this proposal; I promise you my best Endeavours; and when you perceive, as too soon alas! you may, that your Returns are not proportionate to your disbursments, you have only to cease your Correspondence; I shall submit.
The fruits of our peace & Independence do not at present, wear so promising an Appearance as I had fondly painted to my Mind. The Jealousies, the Prejudices & Turbulence of the People, at Times, almost stagger my Confidence in our political Establishment; and almost occasion me to think that they will shew themselves unworthy the noble prize for which we have contended, and which I had pleased myself was so near our Enjoyment. But again I check this rising Impatience, & console

myself under the present prospect, with the consideration, that the same beneficent & wise Providence which has done so much for this Country, will not eventually leave us to ruin our own happiness, to become the Sport of Chance, or the Scoff of an admiring World, but that great things are still in store for this people, which Time & the Wisdom of the Great Director, will produce in its best season. In this better Confidence, I bid you Adieu for the present, wishg you every felicity, while I subscribe myself—with sincere Esteem & the most affectionate Regard Dear Sir Your most Obedient & most hume Servant

Jonth. Trumbull