Title: To George Washington from George William Fairfax, 23 June 1785
From: Fairfax, George William
To: Washington, George

My Dear Genl,
[near Bath] June 23d 1785.

By the receipt of your favor of Feby 27th I am well convinced of what I have long suspected, that your Letters to me, and mine to you are stoped, whether at the Post Office or by private Persons, I cannot guess, this I know, that you are looked upon as the most capable, and therefore the most dangerous Enemy on this side the Water, and that I am known to be such on this, as far as my abilities, and contracted power goes. For the reasons above given, I must request that your Excellency will enclose the Letters you do me the honor to write, to Mr Athawes, if they come by a London Ship, if to Bristol, be pleas’d to send them to Mr Benjn Pollard, Mercht at Norfolk, in which case I hope to get them safe. Be assured my good Sir, I have address’d you so frequently since the Peace, that I was apprehensive of being thought troublesome, and supposed my Letters being unnoticed proceeded from that cause. I believe Mrs Fx and I have blotted some Quire of paper to our Virginia friends, which has not been received, as the Letters has not been answer’d. I am very sorry my Packet enclosing the Countess’s Letter miscarried: also that one I wrote intreating the favor of your countena[n]ce, to poor Mr Pine, the ingenious painter & designer of the Print, of the great revolution, in which you had so Principal and active a part, did not get to hand; I informed you that Mr Pine was my near neighbour while he resided at Bath, that He was a Man of merit, had ever been the stanchest Friend to the American cause and the liberties of mankind, that from that reason only, he had lost his business and friends, and was obliged to leave England, tho’ acknowledged to be the best Portraite painter in it. from my own knowledge, I said, that it was his earnest wish to have your Person in the place of Herorick Virtue, could your likeness have been procured, while the Picture was painting. I wrote to you, and Colo. Fielding Lewis several times, to beg that a miniature one might be sent or even a profile for that purpose. Poor Pine has a very worthy Woman to Wife and six daughters, all highly accompld in their professional Art. he is now in Philadelphia, Mrs Pine, and one Daughter, just gone over to him. If you would be so good to write a line to some of your friends in Pensylvania in his favor, it would be doing a

charity, and I should esteem it as an additional favor confired upon me. I cannot quit the subject without adding that He merits every favor, from all true Americans. Mrs Fairfax, and I are extremely obliged, by your very friendly and polite Invitation to Mount Vernon, which it is impossible for us to think of accepting. do you good Sir, consider our time of Life, it’s much too late in it, to enter upon Building and improveing a Place of residence, as well as Emerging into the fatigue of a large Family, and keeping, or entertaining so much Company, as would be expected of a Man of my nominal fortune, for I can call it no other. The conviction of the Expediency of contracting business, and retireing from the busy Wor[l]d, induced Us, as soon as the Peace was concluded, to take a House in the Country about eight Miles from Bath. it is situated, in a plesant Vale, in a beautiful hilly Country, and surrounded by dairy-Farms, so that We have abundance of sweat Meadows to look upon, wherever we turn, those are enclosed with quick Hedges and many of them filled with fine Sheep and Cows, which altogether cons[t]itutes as perfect an Arcadia as ever Poet’s fancy formed, here we enjoy sweat Air, much composure, and time for contemplation, which We esteem the first of terrestial blessings. The American War (as it’s called here) humbled Us into the dust, and I trust totally eradicated the weeds of vanity and ostentation. We live in an humble, neat and comfortable way, have a Chaise and pair, have only two Men and two Women Servants, have every necessary of Life brought to our door, our Garden produces the sweetest Vegitables I ever tasted, and the Flowers and Shrubs employ me, and delight my old Woman. In short We enjoy the constant feast of content, and would not change situations with any Crown’d head, upon earth.
I blush to think, that the States should allow You to take the drudgery of regulating those Voluminous Accots. Fy, fy upon it, why should you my good Sir decline to accept the Compt that your Country, and all the world judge you so well merit; you must not come hither to look for such an instance of self denial. I believe it will be harder to find such a one, on this side the Atlantic, than it was for me to convince the People here, that you served all the War without Pay or Emolument. I will do my best to procure and send you a Buck and a doe of the best kind next Spring. Mrs Fairfax bids me say She will take care to send the

Seeds of many kind of Shrubs that She thinks is not in Virginia. when you inform that Your Hot House is ready to receive the Plants, We will also send many kind of Myrtles and Geraniums if possible from Bristol, and if we could borrow Fortunatus’s Cap, we would take a flight to see Cincinatus cultivating them in high delight. this is our Stile, you know a Flower was ever S. Fxs hobby, and at Bath we meet with the produce of all the World in that way.
I am sorry, and ashamed to reflect upon the trouble I have given you upon the business of Mrs Bristows and my Paper, which is not now an object of consequence, I having settled that matter as far as I could here. gladly would I have evaded Mrs Bristows application, but it was not to be done. sufferers will leave no Stone unturned, where interest is concerned, in vain did I plead your having no part in the Civil affairs, your multiplicity of business, &c. She was the importunate Widow that would be heard.
Before the communication was stoped between Us, & You I wrote to request, that you would accept the blue damask Furniture out of Belvoir House, and then petitioned, that you would remove the two Pictures in the Dining-Room to Mount Vernon, and keep them for me, till opportunity offer’d to send them over, whether Lord Dunmore, stoped that Letter, or if you received it, I never heard, but if those Pictures did escape the Flames, I would be much obliged to you, to have them well cased up, and send them to Mr B. Pollard Mercht at Norfolk, with directions to forward them to me at Bath by one of Mr Spans Ships, and could wish them to be addressd to Mr Span at Bristol for safety.
This my dear Sir, I hope you will receive from the hand of Mr William Baynham, a young Gent. of a most worthy Character, held in the highest Esteem by all that know him in Scotland, where he lived many years, prosecuting his Studies in Surgery. also in London, where I understand he was in considerable practice some time past, but the love of his Country was so prevalent, as to make him forego those advantages, when He had acquired the nec[e]ssary Professional knowledge, by attending the Hospitals, and every other close application to business. I never heard a young Man better spoke off for good Conduct, assiduity, and capasity. therefore it is with much pleasure, I comply

with his request of introducing him to the Glorious General. those are his own words. Your pathetic discription of the Ruin of Belvoir House produced many tears & sighs from the former Mistress of it, tho’ at the first hearing of the Fire, she felt no shock. the Peace, which she hoped, would place her Friends in safety and happiness, had extinguished every sentiment except that of gratitude to Heaven for their deliverance.
Adieu my Dear Genl we pray God to preserve you, and Dear Mrs Washington, long in health and happiness. I am Your sincere friend, and Affecte Humbe Servant

Go. Wm Fairfax


Title: From George Washington to William Fitzhugh, 25 June 1785 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Fitzhugh, William

Letter not found: to William Fitzhugh, 25 June. Fitzhugh wrote GW on 16 July: “I had the Honor of your favor of the 25th Ulto.”


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Montgomerie, 25 June 1785
From: Washington, George
To: Montgomerie, Thomas

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 25th June 1785.

In the evening of yesterday, I was favored with your letter of the 21st; & thank you for your early & friendly attention to the enquiry I made of you.
I do not now recollect whether I was so explicit as perhaps I ought to have been in communicating all the purposes for which I wanted an assistant: they are these.
A Gentleman who can compose a good letter from the heads which shall be given to him; do all other writing which shall be entrusted to his care; keep Accounts; examine, arrange & properly methodize my papers (which from hasty removals into the interior country, are in great disorder); ride, at my expence, to do such business as I may have in different parts of this, or the other States, if I should find it more convenient to send than attend myself to the execution therof; & occasionally to devote a small portion of time to inetiate two little Children (a Girl of six, & a boy of four years of age, descendants of the deed Mr Custis who live with me & are very promising, and whom I would not wish to confine) in the first rudiments of Education.
A fit person who inclines to accept these employments, will live as I do—be company for those who visit at the House—have his washing & mending found him, & such wages as we can agree upon; which I must be candid in declaring can not be high, as my finances & expenditures will not admit of it.
If you think Mr Shaw competent to these ends & find him

disposed to be employed for them, I wish to know it by the return of the Post, as there are others offering. If he would write to me, or to you upon this subject, the letter in the latter case to be enclosed to me, I could form some judgment of his hand writing & diction: he will please to signify the lowest wages which he will take per Ann: or quarterly—If he chooses a personal interview, which perhaps may be more agreeable, I should be glad to see him here, with some samples of his writing. With great esteem &c. I am

G: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Stephen Bloomer Balch, 26 June 1785
From: Washington, George
To: Balch, Stephen Bloomer

Sir,
Mt Vernon 26th June 1785.

My Nephews are desireous of going to the Dancing School in George town kept by Mr Tarterson (I think his name is)—and as it is my wish that they should be introduced into life with those qualifications which are deemed necessary, I consent to it. Sometime ago I expressed my approbation of their learning French, & a wish that when you had got your House in order to receive them, they might again board with you: Altho’ I have no occasion [to doubt] the care, attention and kindness of Mr Bailey to them, I conceive they can board at no place so eligably as at their Preceptors; for it is my wish that their morals as well as educations may be attended to; & tho’ I do not desire they should be deprived of necessary & proper amusements, yet it is my earnest request that they may be kept close to their studies. I am Sir &c.

G: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Samuel Fraunces, 26 June 1785
From: Fraunces, Samuel
To: Washington, George

Sir
New York June 26 1785

I rec’d yours pr Governor Clinton—and can but say I receive the greatest Honor in your kind Acceptance of the Grottesque Work.
I know not in what manner to apologize to your Excellency for my boldness in enclosing Mr Whites Letter in this, but my reliance on your goodness so often experienced—My Circumstance has obliged me to quit the City and dispose of my House—I have put some dependance in the State’s Assistance but find it Vain—I cannot either Collect in my debts so as to Clear me from the World—under this Situation I have made bold to beg your Excellencys favor in recommending the enclosed—Mr White perhaps you may be acquainted with and it will be of the greatest weight, as their is upwards of five hundred and Fifty pounds due me from the Estate of Gen. Lee—Mr White has the Acct from Col. Hamilton—The enclosed is open with a request to direct favors to me under cover to the Governor who will kindly forward any—I must again beg pardon for my Assurance but your Excellency may believe me I am forced thro Necessity and therefore reassume the hope of being once more relieved thro’ your Excellency’s goodness. I have the Honor to remain with the utmost respect to your lady and self Your Excellencys Most Obedient and very humble Servant—

Samuel Fraunces

Mrs Fraunces and family desire their respect to you and your Lady.


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Montgomerie, 28 June 1785
From: Montgomerie, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Dumfries 28th June 1785

Your favor of the 25th I duely received—I communicated the contents to Mr Shaw, who seems to have no objection to the line of duty you lay down, except that of being considered as a preceptor, and I believe except in the name he would take a pleasure in giving every assistance in forwarding your wishes with respect to the two little Children—He does not wish to engage for any certain time, and he means in this respect you should be equally at liberty—this desire does not proceed from an intention speedily to change his situation, he expects to be happily situated, and to give you satisfaction—He declines naming a sum in consideration of services, he wishes to leave this with yourself; however on a personal interview, in case matters are otherwise agreeable to you, this matter may be understood—Mr Shaw would have waited upon you this week at Mount Vernon, but I am informed of a good deal of Compy that will be at your House—Should you not engage with any other person in the mean time, and incline to see him, he will wait upon you any day next week you will please to name—a line by Sundays post will be obliging—I have the honor to be with great regard Dr Sir Your most Obed. & very Humbe Servt

Thos Montgomerie


Title: From George Washington to George William Fairfax, 30 June 1785
From: Washington, George
To: Fairfax, George William

My Dr Sir,
Mount Vernon 30th June 1785.

When I wrote you in Feby last, I intended to have followed it with a letter of earlier date than the present; but one cause succeeding another, has prevented it ’till now.
I proceeded to a diligent search for the paper requested in your favor of the 23d of August last year, & after examining every bundle, & indeed despairing of success, it occurred to me that your Accot with Lord Fairfax might afford some clue by which a discovery of it might be made; & in looking in your ledger for an index, I found the receipts pasted on the cover of the Book. Having a call to Richmond the latter end of April, I took the receipts with me intending to leave them in the hands of the Attorney General; but it being his opinion there would be no occasion for them, I brought them back, & restored them to the place from whence I took them: the enclosed are copies of those receipts, which I meant should supply the place of the originals, had they pass’d from me to the Attorney.
I have not yet received the Pictures which you were so obliging as to send me by Mr Bracken; but have some prospect now of getting them, as Colo. Bassett who left this lately & who expects to be up again in Octor to the marriage of his Daughter who lives with us, with a son of my brother Charles (who acted as an Aid de Camp to the Marqs de la Fayette from the year 1780, to the close of the War) has promised to bring them. Altho’ I have been so long deprived of the copy, I have lately had the plea[sure] of seeing the original in the hands of the designer

& executioner Mr Pine, who spent three weeks with me in May last.
Mr Pine has met a favorable reception in this Country; & may, I conceive, command as much business as he pleases; he is now preparing materials for historical representations of some of the most important events of the War; & if his choice and the execution is equal to the field he has to display his talents in, the peices (which will be large) will do him much credit as an artist, & be interesting for America & its friends as a deposit for their posterity.
The information which you have given of the disposition of a certain Court coincides precisely with the sentiments I had formed of it from my own observations upon many late occurrences, and from a combination of circumstances. With respect to ourselves, I wish I could add, that as much wisdom had pervaded our Councils; as reason & common policy most evidently dictated; but the truth is, the people must feel before they will see; consequently, are brought slowly into measures of public utility. Past experience, or the admonitions of a few, have but little weight—where ignorance, selfishness & design possess the major part: but evils of this nature work their own cure; tho’ the remedy comes slower than those who foresee, or think they foresee the danger, attempt to effect. With respect to the commercial system which G: B: is pursuing with this Country, the Ministers, in this as in other matters, are defeating their own ends, by facilitating those powers in Congress which will produce a counter action of their plans, & which half a century without, would not have invested that body with. The restriction of our trade, & the additional duties which are imposed upon many of our staple commodities, have put the commercial people of this Country in motion; they now see the indispensible necessity of a general controuling power, and are addressing their respective Assemblies to grant this to Congress. Before this every State thought itself competent to regulate its own Trade, & were verifying the observations of Lord Sheffield; who supposed we never could agree upon any general plan: but those who will go a little deeper into matters, than his Lordship seems to have done, will readily perceive that in any measure where the Foederal interest is touched, however wide apart the politic’s of

individual States may be, yet as soon as it is discovered they will always unite to effect a common good.
The Subscriptions for improving & extending the inland navigation of Potomac, have filled very fast: A Company is incorporated—a President & Directors are chosen—a Dividend of the money will soon be paid in, & the work will begin about the first of August. We still want a skilful Engineer—a man of practical knowledge to conduct the business; but where to find him we know not at present: In the meanwhile, the less difficult parts of the river will be attempted, that no time may be lost in effecting so important & salutary an undertaking.
Our course of Husbandry in this Country, & more especially in this State, is not only exceedingly unprofitable, but so destructive to our Lands, that it is my earnest wish to adopt a better; & as I believe no Country has carried the improvment of Land & the benefits of Agriculture to greater perfection than England, I have asked myself frequently of late, whether a thorough bred practical english Farmer, from a part of England where Husbandry seems to be best understood & is most advantageously practiced, could not be obtain’d? And upon what terms? The thought having again occurred to me, whilst I was in the act of writing this letter, I resolved as a more certain & eligible mode of having the questions determined, to propound them to you—That a man of character & knowledge may be had for very high wages there can be no doubt—money we know will fetch any thing, & command the service of any man; but with the former I do not abound. To engage a man upon shares as the Overseers of this Country are, might be productive of much discontent to the employed; for we could scarcely convey to a good English Farmer a just idea of the wretched condition of our Lands—what dressings they will require, & how entirely our system must be changed to make them productive: & if we do not, disappointment and continual murmurings would be the consequence. It follows then that the only means by which we can think of obtaining one, must be to give standing wages; for what then my good Sir, do you think a sober, industrious & knowing Farmer might be had to take charge of one of our Plantations—say, of ten labourers? Or to bring the matter nearer to his own conception of things—A Farm of about 200 or 250 acres

of cleared Land, to be stocked with a competent number of Plows—black Cattle—Sheep & hogs?
When I speak of a knowing Farmer, I mean one who understands the best course of Crops; how to plough—to sow—to mow—to hedge—to Ditch & above all, Midas like, one who can convert every thing he touches into manure, as the first transmutation towards Gold: in a word one who can bring worn out & gullied Lands into good tilth in the shortest time. I do not mean to put you to the trouble of actually engaging one, but I should be obliged to you for setting on foot the enquiry, & for communicating the result of it to me; because I could not receive your answer in time for the next year; the autumn being, as you well know, the season at which our Overseers are engaged, & our plans for the ensuing Crop must be formed. These enquiries, as you will readily perceive, are pointed to a Farmer of the midling class; which more than probably, would best answer my purpose: but, if it could be made convenient to you to extend your enquiries further; permit me to ask if one of a higher order could be had? And upon what terms? I mean for a Steward.
It may not in this place be amiss to observe to you that I still decline the growth of Tobacco; & to add, that it is my intention to raise as little Indian corn as may be: in a word, that I am desirous of entering upon a compleat course of husbandry as practiced in the best Farming Counties of England. I enquire for a man of this latter description with little hope of success—1st because I believe one who is compleatly fit for my purposes, wou’d be above my price; & 2dly because I have taken up an idea that an English steward is not so much a farmer, as he is an Attorney or an Accomptant; because few of the Nobility & Gentry having their Estates in their own hands—stand more in need of a Collector who, at the same time that he receives the rents, will see that the Covenants of the Leases are complied with, repairs made &c. &c., than of a Farmer. In this however I may be mistaken. One thing more & then I will close this long letter: if from your own observation, or from good information you should fix your eyes upon men of one or both of these descriptions—& could ascertain his or their terms (leaving me at liberty to accede to them or not, within a reasonable time for an intercourse by letter)—I had rather he or they should be personally known to you; or their characters well ascertained by a

friend in whom you can confide; because what you or such a person would say of them, I could rely upon: but how often do we find recommendations given without merit to deserve them—founded in a disposition to favor the Applicant, or want of resolution to refuse Him—oftentimes indeed, to get rid of a dependant who is troublesome or injurious to us, upon what are called decent terms. A man in the character of a Steward (if single, & his appearance equal to it) would live in the House with me & be at my table, in the manner Lund Washington was accustomed to do, who is now married and a House Keeper tho’ still attending my business. The common Farmer would live on the Farm which would be entrusted to his care.
I have lately had the pleasure of receiving your favor of the 19th of March, & to learn by it that Mrs Fairfax & you have enjoyed better health than usual, last winter: a continuance of it Mrs Washington & I most sincerely wish you.
I have not yet seen Mr Thos Corbin; he sent your letter under cover a few days ago with assurances of making me a visit as soon as he had recovered from a slight indisposition. He appears from your account to have been very ill treated by his brother Dick—but the latter I understand has not been behind him in charges to some of his friends in this Country, who think Thos in the wrong. Mrs Washington joins me in most affectionate regards, & in every good wish for you & Mrs Fairfax—With much truth I am Dr Sir &c. &c.

G: Washington

P.S. I thank Mr Heartley for the compliments he sent me thro’ you, & for his other polite attentions to me; & pray you to make mine acceptable to him whenever a proper occasion offers. I did not know of your Nephew’s intended trip to England or I would most assuredly have written to you by so good an opportunity.

G: W——n


Title: From George Washington to the Countess of Huntingdon, 30 June 1785
From: Washington, George
To: Huntingdon, Selina Hastings, countess of

My Lady
Mount Vernon June 30th 1785

In the last letter which I had the honor of writing to you, I informed Your Ladyship of the communication I had made to the President of Congress, of your wishes to obtain Lands for a number of Emigrants in the Western territory; as a means of civilizing the Savages, and propagating the Gospel amongst them.
In answer, he informed me that Mr Henry—the Governor of this State—had laid your Ladyships Letter and Plan (which were addressed to him) before Congress in a clear, & ample manner; but his private opinion of the matter was, that under the pressure of debt to which this Fund was to be appropriated; and the diversity of sentiment respecting the mode of raising it, that no discrimination would, or indeed could be made, in favor of Emigrants of any description whatever. I waited however a considerable time to know the result of Mr Henry’s reference, before I would give your Ladyship the trouble of another letter on this Subject; but hearing nothing more of the matter, and having had the enclosed resolution, & Ordinance sent to me by the

President himself, as the result of their long, and painful deliberation on the mode of disposing of the Western Lands; I will delay no longer to express my concern that your Ladyships humane & benevolent views are not better seconded.
The resolution & Ordinance herewith enclosed (on which I shall make no comment), will give the terms, and point out the mode by which the Lands belonging to the Union, are to be obtained. In other words, how difficult it is for foreigners to know when, or where, to apply for them. With the highest respect and Consideration I have the honr to be Yr Ladyships Most Obt & Most Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Montgomerie, 30 June 1785
From: Washington, George
To: Montgomerie, Thomas

Dr Sir,
Mount Vernon 30th June 1785.

I received your favor of the 28th, last night. I was under promise when I wrote to you on the 25th of giving an answer to an application which had been made to me, in a few days before, which are now nearly expired: that I may be decisive on it, I should be glad to know precisely what Mr Shaw would expect for his services if he comes to me; for altho’ I cannot as I observed in my last, afford to give high pay on the one hand, so neither would I, by any means, leave it indifinite on the other: whatever stipulations I enter into, shall be strictly complied with; which will leave no cause for discontent—I am the more explicit in these declarations because I am apprehensive that higher pay is expected from me than I can afford to give. Mr Shaw undoubtedly has set a value upon his (those wch are to be rendered) services—he knows what he has received for former services; It is not reasonable to expect that any Gentleman will lessen his prospects by coming to me, nor do I desire it—I do

not expect them for less than he can obtain elsewhere; but if my means will not enable me to give as much, I must do without, or get one less capable of assisting me.
Another thing in Mr Shaw’s proposals is not very agreeable to me: if a Gentn does not engage with me for some fixed time, I may in a month—nay less, be put to a greater non-plus than ever, which would be inconvenient, & perhaps injurious to me—short engagements & early notice of discontinuance might answer the purpose of Mr Shaw, & remove my difficulties.
That matters may be reduced to a certainty, & I enabled to give the answer above alluded to, in time, I send this by a special messenger. I am obliged to attend the Board of Directors in Alexandria tomorrow; but whether I shall be detained there longer is at present uncertain; I should be glad therefore if it is convenient to see Mr Shaw here this evening, or on Saturday—or at Alexandria tomorrow—when upon a little conversation we can readily determine whether our purposes can be reciprocally answered.
He will not, indeed cannot, be considered in the light of a preceptor—because this, as I observed in my last, is only occasional & secondary. I am &c.

G: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Montgomerie, 30 June 1785
From: Montgomerie, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Dumfries 30th June 1785

Mr Shaw will wait upon you at Mount Vernon on Saturday; should your business detain you in Alexa. till the evening of that day, you will find him there on your return home—He does not at any rate mean to leave you in a short time, and at no period untill you can provide yourself agreeably.
I have urged him strongly to name a sum in lieu of services, but I cannot get him to do it—He says it is no consideration to him for the present He does not expect such wages as he could obtain in business, he came into the Country with an intention of entering into business, but he thinks there may be hereafter a more favorable juncture; and it appears to me from conversing

with him, that should he answer your purposes and expectations, he may still thereafter be equally servicable to you and employ his money in that line—you need be under no difficulty of making him some small offer in consideration of Wages or expences—I am with very great regard Dr Sir Your most obt Hume Se⟨rvt⟩

Thos Montgomerie


Title: From George Washington to Charles Vancouver, 30 June 1785
From: Washington, George
To: Vancouver, Charles

sir,
Mt Vernon 30th June 1785.

Your favor of the 10th of last month came safely to hand.
You do me much honor by proposing to inscribe a work (of which you sent me a specimen) to my special patronage & protection: but tho’ willing to give every support to the encouragment of literature & useful knowledge, which may be within my sphere of action; yet, on the present occasion I must beg leave to decline the honor of having your labors dedicated to me. With chearfulness I will follow the subscriptions (wch I presume must ’ere this, be pretty well advanced) of Gentn of my acquaintance; & with a proper sense of the distinction meant for me—I am &:

G: Washington


Title: From George Washington to William Washington, 30 June 1785
From: Washington, George
To: Washington, William

Dear sir,
Mount Vernon 30th June 1785.

My nephew delivered me your letter of the 21st of April. For the kind attention shewn him by Mrs Washington & yourself he entertains a grateful sense, & I offer you my sincere thanks, which I should be glad to renew to you both, in person at this place. He enjoys a tolerable share of health, but is gone to (what

are called in this Country) the Sweet Springs, to obtain a better stock to fit him for the pleasures, & duties too, of a matrimonial voyage, on wch he is to embark at his return.
I would thank you my good Sir, for the Acorns, Nutts, or seeds of trees or plants not common in this Country; but which you think would grow here, especially of the flowering kind: the best method, I believe, to preserve those which are apt to spoil by withering & drying, & from worms, is to put them into dry Sand as soon as they are gathered; this retains the moisture in them, and vegitative properties, without sprouting. Mrs Washington joins me in best respects to you & your Lady, & I am with truth & affection, Dr Sir—&c.

G: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Guéniot, 2 July 1785
From: Guéniot, Charles François
To: Washington, George

My Lord
Avallon in Bourgoyne 2d July 1785

The Heroes of the War, are those who are the Authors of the Peace. Without Victory there would not have been any Peace; If you had not made the American People, a Nation of Heroes, You had not received any other Peace, but what had been given you; a New Fabius; You have known how to Conquer without Drawing the Sword, & Your Hands, My Lord, have the uncommon advantage of Being Victorious without being imbrued with Blood. what inexhaustible Subject for the Poets, I have tried to Join myself, in the General Voice, for to Sing your Pacifick Victory’s & I have Seen France & All Europe applauding my Songs, Since they can Assist, to Shew to Posterity your Name! The Heroes of Former times would not be known If it was not for the Assistance of the Muse. At Present the Muse themselves have need of a Celebrated Name, for to make themselves known, Your Name My Lord, is for mine, a Certain Passport, & as often as any One will Read the Name of Washington in my Verses, It will be Sufficient I Flatter myself, to render them immortal. But in Waiting for that immortality, very uncertain for my Muse, She languishes, in the Trouble, & in the Missfortune, of Being So Bold, My Lord, as to recommend her to your Noble Mind? before that it Can be immortal, It must live, & not be So unhappy as to Die, I have Chargd Madle Deon, my Compatriote & my Friend to Send you, My Lord, Some Copy’s of that Ode upon the Peace, & I have Desir’d her to write her Recommendation, with mine I am

Gueniot Med.


Title: From George Washington to Robert Hanson Harrison, 3 July 1785
From: Washington, George
To: Harrison, Robert Hanson

Dear Sir:
Mount Vernon, July 3, 1785.

In the interval between your leaving this and the arrival of Mr. Briscoe, Mr. Montgomery, of Dumfries, recommended a young man whom he thought would answer my purpose; and being desired to speak to him, he accepted my offer, and will be with me in the course of a few days. Had it not been for this, the good character given of Mr. Briscoe by you and others would have induced me, without hesitation, to have accepted of his services. I thank you very sincerely for the ready and early attention you paid to my inquiries. To assure you of the great esteem and regard I have for you is unnecessary, because you must be convinced of it; I shall only add, therefore, that I am, very affectionately, your obedient and obliged humble servant,

George Washington.


Title: To George Washington from John Rumney, Jr., 3 July 1785
From: Rumney, John Jr.
To: Washington, George

Sir
W[hite]haven [England] 3d July 1785

By the Casar I did myself the Pleasure of writing you, at same Time sent you Patterns of Flags made in this Country—which I hope you recd. By this Opportunity of the Ship Peggy, I send you the Patterns of three Irish Flags, which have but lately recd. you had the Particulars of them before & you can easily distinguish them. One of the Kilkenny Marble, one of the black Stone of the Country & one of Portland Stone, They seem to give the Preference to the Black Stone, rather than the Marble the latter is easily defaced. In my opinion the black Flag from the Isle of Man will answer your purpose best. I shall wait your Determination & upon receiving your Instructions, shall endeavour to execute them in the best Manner. I hope the Young Man I sent you out would give entire Satisfaction, which I should be very glad to hear. I cannot meet with a Bricklayer that would suit you, if you are not allready furnish’d with one, please at some Opportunity to mention it & I shall use my Endeavours to procure you one.
In a Letter from my Father lately, he requests his sincere thanks to you for your very polite & genteel Letter to him. Pray present my best respects to Mrs Washington & Family. I am with the greatest respect Sir Your mo. obt & hble Servt

John Rumney


Title: To George Washington from William Fitzhugh, 4 July 1785
From: Fitzhugh, William
To: Washington, George

Dear General
Millmont [Md.] July 4th 1785—

I had the Honor of your favor by Mr Bolton of the 21st of May—It came to me One month After date, Coverd by one from Him, informing me of his Contract to do your Business, but that his Creditors takeing Alarm at His going out of the state, had threatn’d to Sue him, & that he was Inform’d, some had Actually taken out writs against him—in consequence of which he had written to the care of Colo. Hooe of Alexandria Adviseing you that it woud not be in his power to Comply with His Contract—I have not seen Bolton, but am Inform’d he has been drunk The Greatest Part of the time since His return from Virga—I was at Colo. Platers yesterday, who says that Bolton, Immediately on his return acknowledged his Contract, and at the same time Declar’d he had no Intention to Comply with it—The Colo. is of oppinion that the Excuse he offers is without foundation, & that he has no other reason for disappointing you, than his unwillingness to seperate from His Idle & Drunken Associates Here—I am Extreamly Sorry that I recommended so Intemperate and Imprudent a Man to You—He is certainly one of the first Workmen on this Continent, & the most Capable of Performing the Business you wanted in an Elegant Manner—I did flatter myself that freed from an Idle Family, & distant from Worthless Associates—He wou’d compleatly Answer Your Purpose—But His Conduct on the present Occasion has convinc’d me, that He was unworthy of Attention—& I now wish your Excellency to have no dependance on him.
I shall be Happy in Supplying the Several things you want for Building, & amongst them will venture to send the Brass Spring Locks or hinges unless you forbid it—on a presumption that they will Answer your Purpose—as I do not Expect Boltons advice—you shall have the Crown Glass 8 Inches by ten, & a dividend of the other materials you mention—you say nothing of Hinges—I presume you have got the list of materials sent by Bolton—As from Boltons Conduct you will have no occasion to send for His tools, wou’d it not be convenient to Send the Waggon for the Building Materials, which I Suppose will weigh Near or upwards of 800 Ct—or wou’d you rather take the Chance of an opportunity by Water? Shou’d the first be prefer’d, I have

spoke to Colo. Plater to give your Servant an Immedeate Passage to me, & I will dispatch my boat with the materials to His Seat, where the Waggon may wait.
I Purpose going to Annapolis the 15th Inst. & shall return in a Week—and be at Home until the middle of September—And If not the Goods shall be Pack’d—ready for dispatch when Call’d for.
Be pleas’d to acept my thanks for your very friendly Offer of the Service of your Jacks next Spring in case they shou’d Arive, & will Accept it for two of my Mares. Mrs Fitzhugh Joins with me in respectful Complts & best wishes to you your Lady & Family. I have the Honor to be with every Sentiment of respect & Esteem Your Excellencys Affectionate & Oblig’d Humle Servt

Willm Fitzhugh—

P.S. The grass seeds and corn you were so kind to give me have been attended to—of the Guinea Grass not a seed has vegetated—the Orchard Grass is in growth & promises to be very valuable. the Corn is Also flattering. yrs W.F.


Title: To George Washington from William Shaw, 4 July 1785
From: Shaw, William
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Dumfries 4th July [17]85.

I have embraced the first opportunity of writing you my Sentiments, upon the Subject we were Speaking of at Mount Vernon. In the first Place, as to Wages, I hope your Excellency will not think Fifty Pounds Stg ⅌ Annum with Bed, Board, Washing &c. too great a Demand, as I Can Assure you I have refus’d much greater offers, but Preferr Staying with you, for a less Sum, as it will entitle me to be in Better Company, & a Genteeler line of Life; & Secondly as to the Time, I Shall Stay with you, I cannot at Present name, But Shall think myself always obligd to give you a Sufficient Notice, before I leave you, So as to enable you to look out for another Person Capable for doing your Bussiness, & Shall not part with you untill you have found one, &

lastly Shall expect to have it in my Power to come down to Dumfries, or any other Place at a Small dist. for a Day or Two, when your Bussiness does not interfere, which I Shall always look upon, not only as my duty, but interest to attend to; These, Sir, are my Sentiments upon the Subject, which I hope will Coincide with yours, & you will please let me know ⅌ return of Post, if they are So, & I Shall wait upon you Some time next week, as Bussiness will not allow me to Come Sooner, But Should you wish me before that time, I Shall Leave my own affairs unsettled, & wait upon you, & Believe me to be with respect Your Excellency’s Mo. Obet servt

William Shaw

N.B. You will excuse this Confus’d letter, as it is wrote in haste, the Stage Being just going off, & Please let the Ladies know that there are Black & White Sattin Shoes here, & if they Wish any to Send their Measure, & I Shall do myself the Pleasure of getting them. Yours &c. W.S.


Title: To George Washington from William Hartshorne, 5 July 1785
From: Hartshorne, William
To: Washington, George

Sir
Alexandria July 5th 1785

Your favor of this morning I recd with a Bill of Excha. for £20 Stg enclosed which I am willing to take myself 40 ⅌ Ct that being the rate at which I bought lately and I believe is the Currt Exchange—at which rate it shall be Passed to Col. Washingtons Credit, unless you think more can be had, if so I shall do my endeavor to sell them for the most they will fetch—The Bills shall not be remitted before the 15th. The £20 Stg shall be immediately placed in the Potomac Companys fund and the remr

accounted for with Col. Washington towards his next payment, or in any other way he pleases. I am very Respectfully Yours

Wm Hartshorne


Title: To George Washington from Samuel Powel, 5 July 1785
From: Powel, Samuel
To: Washington, George

Sir
Philadelphia July 5. 1785

The Society for promoting Agriculture, lately established in this City, having done themselves the Honor of electing you a corresponding Member, have charged me with the Care of communicating the same to you. It is with particular Pleasure that I fulfill this Injunction, & doubt not that you, after having so eminently contributed to the Establishment of the Independence of our Country in the Field, will, chearfully, become a Member of a Society whose Views are solely directed to the Increase of it’s Advantages, by cultivating one of the most usefull Arts of Peace.
In Conformity to the Directions of the Society, I have enclosed its Address to the public, & also a summary View of a Course of Crops &ca written by a Mr Bordely of Maryland. I have the Honor to be Sir Your most obedt humble Servt

Samuel Powel


Title: To George Washington from Pieter Johan van Berckel, 5 July 1785 [letter not found]
From: Van Berckel, Pieter Johan
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Pieter J. Van Berckel, 5 July. On 22 Aug. GW wrote Pieter J. Van Berckel: “The letter which your Excellency did me the honor to write to me on the 5th of last month, came to this place.”


Title: From George Washington to Tench Tilghman, 6 July 1785
From: Washington, George
To: Tilghman, Tench

Dear Sir:
[Mount Vernon 6 July 1785]

By Mr Go[u]v’r Morris I send you two Guineas and an half, which is about the cost of the plank you were so obliging as to send me by the Baltimore Packet. Please to accept my thanks for your attention to that matter, and the assurances of the sincere esteem and regard with which. I am, Dear Sir, Y’r Most Obed’t and Affect’d Hble. Serv’t,

Geo. Washington.


Title: To George Washington from Middleton Balt, 7 July 1785
From: Balt, Middleton
To: Washington, George

Sir
George Town [Md.] 7th July 1785

By this will Informe you of a Brother in Law of mine who has been bred a Military Enginere in the Tower of London and may Probably understand Something of inland navigation I am Desirous to Know from his Excey and the Directors Whether Such a person would meet with Encourgemt In the proposd Undertaking to render Potomac River navigable and Also what Incouragemet He might meet with from the Gentlemen Directers Heare If Such a Gentlemem Should Be wanting I will Immediately Wrighte him in the Jerseys and what he Knowes Conserning this Buisiness, He is a Compleat Drafsman And if wanted will p[r]oduce a Carector to Satisfacton. I Am Gentlem. Your Most Obt Hubl. Servt

Middleton Balt


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Corbin, 8 July 1785
From: Washington, George
To: Corbin, Thomas

Sir,
Mount Vernon 8th July 1785.

Yesterday afternoon I had the honor to receive your favor of the 24th of June; covering a letter from Colo. Fairfax of Bath, dated in Mar: last. The latter speaks of the injurious treatment you have met with, & of the aspersion of your character in England—for which I am exceedingly sorry; but as he draws no conclusion, & your letter is silent, I am a little at a loss to discover the tendency of the information of them to me; & therefore shall only add that whenever it is convenient & agreeable to you to come into this part of the Country, I shall be glad to see you at this place—& that, I am Sir—&c.

G: Washington


Title: From George Washington to William Shaw, 8 July 1785
From: Washington, George
To: Shaw, William

Sir,
Mount Vernon 8th July 1785.

Your letter of the 4th I receiv’d on the 6th. Altho’ the sum stipulated is above the mark I had prescribed myself yet, in consideration of the good character given of you by Mr Montgomerie—the idea I entertain of your knowledge of Accots, & the hope that you may answer my purposes in other respects; I accede fully to the terms of your letter, with this condition only—that in payment of this sum, Dollars shall be estimated at four & six pence Sterling, & other Gold & Silver coin (currt in this Country) in that proportion. This is the legal difference of exchange of it, and will render it unnecessary for either of us to enquire into the rise or fall, to ascertain the value of any payment.
I do not request you to come hither before the time mentioned in your letter; but should be glad if you would not exceed it. With esteem & regard, I am &c.

G: Washington


Title: From George Washington to William Grayson, 9 July 1785 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Grayson, William

 Letter not found: to William Grayson, 9 July 1785. GW wrote in his diary on 9 July that on that day he wrote and gave Arnold Henry Dohrman a letter to Grayson (DiariesDonald Jackson and Dorothy Twohig, eds. The Diaries of George Washington. 6 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1976–79., 4:163).


Title: From George Washington to Richard Henry Lee, 9 July 1785
From: Washington, George
To: Lee, Richard Henry

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon July 9th 1785.

Mr Dohrman who does me the honor of presenting this letter to your Excellency, is represented to me as a Gentleman of great merit; and one who has rendered most benevolent & important Services to the injured Sons of America, at a period when our Affairs did not wear the most favorable aspect.
He has some matters to lay before Congress which he can explain better than I. the justice due to which, & his sufferings, need no advocate; but I take the liberty nevertheless of introducing him to your countenance & civilities. With great respect, esteem & regard I am, Dr Sir Yr Excellys Most Obt & Affecte Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 9 July 1785
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Washington, George

Dear sir
Richmond July 9. 1785.

With this you will receive a copy of the proclamation, authenticated by the register’s seal. I was indeed hopeful to add the testimonials of the state: but the lieutenant governor, not being in town nor expected until the departure of the post, I thought it adviseable rather to send the inclosed, than delay you. I believe

that this will answer your purpose; but for fear of cavil, I will forward by the next post an act of the Lt Govr, declaring Mr Harvie to be register, & that his official proceedings are intitled to full faith and credit. I am Dear sir with the sincerest regard yr affte friend & serv.

Edm: Randolph


Title: From George Washington to James Wilson, 9 July 1785 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Wilson, James

Letter not found: to James Wilson, 9 July 1785. GW wrote in his diary on 9 July that on that day he wrote and gave to Arnold Henry Dohrman a letter to Wilson (DiariesDonald Jackson and Dorothy Twohig, eds. The Diaries of George Washington. 6 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1976–79., 4:163).


Title: To George Washington from George Gilpin, 10 July 1785
From: Gilpin, George
To: Washington, George

Dr sir
Sunday July 10th 1785

on Sunday the 3d of this month I went within one mile of the Seneca falls it then rain’d very fast which prevented me from going nearer, on monday the 4th I went to Mr Gideon Moss’s who lives the nearest to the Falls of any person on the Virginia Side and who Issued provisons to the hands that workd under Johnston & Clapham last year, I then Crossed over the river Just above the falls to the maryland Side and went down to Where the huts was in which the people lived last fall and then to a Mr Goldsborougs at whoes house Johnston & Clapham lodged When they attended the works I found no person at any of these places who wanted to engage immediately one person who had been At mr Goldsborougs on the 1st day of the month by mistake Went away he wanted work and Said he understood blowing rocks Mr moss and others informd me that they thought hands might be procured after harvest but they ware all employd in gathering their Grain and Hay; I left a Short advertizment at those places and Some Others I then View’d the falls on both Sides and then Went to Shenandoah I arvied at harpers ferry on the 5th in the evening.

on the 6th it was near 12 oclock before I Could procure an Express to Bath a few labourers Came but they did not want to enter to work there was one old dutchman who Came very drunk, I informed them of the 8th day of august as the day on which their wages would begin if they appeard and would go to work—from what I Could gather from a number of gentlemen that assembled there that labourers may be had I believe anough for our porpose and 40/ Virginia Curry is about the price, the reason assignd why more did not appear was that their harvest is great and all the labourers employd I wrote a letter to Goverr Johnston and one to Goverr, S. Lee and Sent them I wrote a few Advertizements Sent one to Fredericks Town and Some to other places I viewd the falls on both Sides and got Whate Intelligence I Could Concerning the river and then waited at Capt. Breadys till Friday evening when Mr Rumsay Came we had Some Conversation about the navigation of potomack in which he informd me that he would be down on the 14th he gave me a letter for you which the bearer will deliver to you as also one from a Member of the Company a Colonel Hunter in favor of Mr Rumsay.
I have Sent a State of the falls in the river as they now appear and have taken the liberty to make a few remarks on them, if your Excellency Should not have by you notes of this nature Sufficient Already they may be of Service & if you Should they Can be distroyd I thought it my duty to give you the best information I Could, I am with due Esteem your Excellencys Most Obt Servt

George Gilpin


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 10 July 1785
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Paris July 10. 1785.

Mr Houdon would much sooner have had the honour of attending you but for a spell of sickness which long gave us to

despair of his recovery & from which he is but recently recovered. he comes now for the purpose of lending the aid of his art to transmit you to posterity. he is without rivalship in it, being employed from all parts of Europe in whatever is capital. he has had a difficulty to withdraw himself from an order of the Empress of Russia, a difficulty however which arose from a desire to shew her respect, but which never gave him a moment’s hesitation about his present voyage which he considers as promising the brightest chapter of his history. I have spoke of him as an Artist only; but I can assure you also that, as a man, he is disinterested, generous, candid, & panting after glory: in every circumstance meriting your good opinion, he will have need to see you much while he shall have the honour of being with you, which you can the more freely admit as his eminence and merit gives him admission into genteel societies here. he will need an interpreter. I supposed you could procure some person from Alexandria who might be agreeable to yourself to perform this office. he brings with him a subordinate workman or two, who of course will associate with their own class only.
On receiving the favour of your letter of Feb. 25 I communicated the plan for clearing the Patowmac, with the act of assembly, and an explanation of it’s probable advantages, to mr Grand, whose acquaintance & connection with the monied men here enabled him best to try it’s success. he has done so, but to no end. I inclose you his letter. I am pleased to hear in the mean time that the subscriptions were likely to be filled up at home. this is infinitely better, and will render the proceedings of the companies much more harmonious. I place an immense importance to my own country on this channel of connection with the new Western states. I shall continue uneasy till I know that Virginia has assumed her ultimate boundary to the Westward. the late example of the state of Franklin separated from N. Carolina increases my anxieties for Virginia.
The confidence you are so good as to place in me on the subject of the interest lately given you by Virginia in the Patowmac company is very flattering to me. but it is distressing also, inasmuch as, to deserve it, it obliges me to give my whole opinion. my wishes to see you made perfectly easy by receiving those just returns of gratitude from our country, to which you are entitled, would induce me to be contented with saying, what is a certain

truth, that the world would be pleased with seeing them heaped on you, and would consider your receiving them as no derogation from your reputation. but I must own that the declining them will add to that reputation, as it will shew that your motives have been pure and without any alloy. this testimony however is not wanting either to those who know you or who do not. I must therefore repeat that I think the receiving them will not in the least lessen the respect of the world if from any circumstances they would be convenient to you. the candour of my communication will find it’s justification I know with you.
A tolerable certainty of peace leaves little interesting in the way of intelligence. Holland & the emperor will be quiet. if any thing is brewing it is between the latter & the Porte. nothing in prospect as yet from England. we shall bring them however to decision now that mr Adams is received there. I wish much to hear that the canal thro the Dismal is resumed. I have the honour to be with the most perfect esteem & respect Dr Sir your most ob⟨edie⟩nt & most humble servt

Th: Jefferson


Title: To George Washington from William Augustine Washington, 10 July 1785
From: Washington, William Augustine
To: Washington, George

Dr sir
Blenheim [Westmoreland County] July 10th 1785

Your favour by Francis Herbert together with a Gross of Bottles came safe to hand—I thank you for the information, of the demand of 5 Pr Ct upon each Share, from the Proprietors

of the Potomck Company; I have for some time past waited with impatience, for an opportunity to Alexandria, by which I might contrive my quota, but none offering, have determined to send my servant as far as your house with the Money, and have to request the favour of you to contrive it to Mr Hartshorn. Jenny joins me in our sincere Loves to you & Mrs Washington, concludes me Dr sir Your Sincerely Affe

Wm A. Washington


Title: To George Washington from William Shaw, 12 July 1785
From: Shaw, William
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Dumfries 12th July [17]85.

Your letter of the 8th Inst. Came duly to hand, & am Sorry you think the Sum mentioned in my last, above what you intended giving. But I Still leave you at liberty, & wish, that you will reward me, only as my Services may deserve. I am Sorry that I Cannot be with you, So Soon as I intended, as Bussiness obliges me to be at Fredricksburgh, the end of this Week, & Beginning of next, which will Detain me a few days longer, But Shall be up as Soon as it is in my power. Till then I remain Your Excellency’s Mo. Obedt Servt

William Shaw


Title: To George Washington from Catharine Sawbridge Macaulay Graham, 13 July 1785
From: Graham, Catharine Sawbridge Macaulay
To: Washington, George

New York July 13. 1785

The intemperate heat of the air which prevailed on the morning when we parted with our illustrious friends accompanied us

during the whole of our journey from Mount Vernon to New York.
When I arrived in this city I found my self too much indisposed to embrace so early as inclination prompted, the honor Sir of obeying the most obliging command you could have laid on me.
When we address ourselves to characters so eminently distinguished Sir as yours we wish to describe the impressions which very extraordinary virtues never fail to make on the candid mind. There are some scenes however too lively for painting to do justice too in the representation, and some sentiments too strong even for Oratory to express.
The voice of flattery has so often swelled moderate virtues into all the magnitude of excellence which speech can convey to the immagination, that we in vain search in the language of panigeric for some arrangement of words adequate to that superiority of praise which is due to the first character in the world—My present feebleness obliges me for the present to desist from the arduous undertaking especialy as I know the delicacy of your mind makes you as backward to meet applause as you are forward to deserve it. You must however give me leave to say that you above all the human race seem happily distinguished in the privilege of preserving and encreasing the esteem of mankind through the opportunity of a more intimate and correct knowledge of your character and talents.
The more attentively Sir you are examined by the inquisitive mind the more it finds, that the voice of fame tho noted for exaggerating the puny merit of mortals into a gigantic form of virtue has in your case even lessened truth; and whilst we contemplate with an exalted admiration the grand features of your public character we indulge with delight those softer sentiments of friendship which your domestic and private virtues are so well calculated to inspire. With impressions such as these Sir you may immagine that the virtues of the Great Hero of the Western World, the benevolence of Mrs Washingtons temper with that polite and captivating attention with which she exercises the virtues of hospitality to all the numerous visitors which resort to Mount Vernon are the favorite topicks of conversation on which we have dwelt ever since we have had the honor of being entertained

under your roof. These topicks are fortunately universally pleasing.
That Heaven may long preserve that mode of existence in which so many bright, useful, and aimable qualities, are united, and that it may long preserve to you Sir, every pleasing circumstance which marks the felicity of the present day is the sincere wish Of Your Most Obliged And Most Humbe Servnt

Cath. Macaulay Graham

Mr Graham joins me in best respects to yourself and to Mrs Washington, for whom our wishes for a long succession of happy years are most sincerely offered; we beg to be remembered to Major Washington, and Miss Basset, and that you will present our love to the very young Lady and Gentleman.


Title: To George Washington from Lafayette, 14 July 1785
From: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de
To: Washington, George

My dear General
Targuemines on the french fronteerJuly the 14th 1785

Before I leave the borders of france, I wish once more to Remind you of your absent friend, and to let You Hear that I am well and just Begining my German travels—I Have Been lately Visiting Some french towns where I Spoke grat deal about American trade, and fully Answered the views I Had the Honour to Communicate in a former letter —Now I am on my way to the deux ponts where Resides our friend the future elector of Baviera, to Cassel where I will See Again the Hessian Regiments, to Berlin where I am told lord Cornwallis is also going—from there I will wait on the King of prussia on His Grand Maneuvres in Silesia—Visit Saxony—See the austrian Camps in Bohemia—pay my Respects to the Emperor at Vienna—Return to Berlin, where grand Maneuvres are to take place at the end of September—and after I Have on My Way examined all the fields of Battle, I will Return through Holland and Be again in paris By the Middle of October This letter, my dear General, goes with our old friend doctor franklin who, I Hope, will Be Received with that Respect He So much deserves—it will Be forwarded By His Grand Son a very deserving Young Man who wishes Being introduced By me to You, and whom I Beg leave to Recommend to Your Attentions. He Has Been much employed in public Service

—got Nothing By it—and as the doctor loves Him Better than Any thing in the world, I think He ought to Have the Satisfaction to See Him Noticed By Congress—You will oblige me to let them know that I spoke to You My Mind about it.
You Remember an idea which I imparted to you three years ago—I am Going to try it in the french Colony of Cayenne—But will write more fully on the Subject in my other letters. Nothing New Now in the political world—war is far at a distance—adieu, my Beloved General, my most affectinate Respects wait on Ms Washington—Remember Me to the young ones—to my aid George—to M. lund—all our friends, and particularly to Ms Stuart—You Know My Heart, my dear general, and I Need not adding the assurances of the filial love, Respect, and gratitude I Have the Honour to Be with Your devoted friend

Lafayette

Gouvion is going with me and Has the Honour to present His Respects to You.


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Smith, 14 July 1785
From: Washington, George
To: Smith, Thomas

Sir,
Mt Vernon, 14th July 1785.

Your letter of the 9th of Feby was long on its passage to me; but my answer would not have been delayed ’till now, had not much time been spent in obtaining the several enclosures herewith sent you: a very necessary voucher however, viz.—the British

Kings proclamation, properly authenticated, forbiding the settlement of the Western Lands, in defiance of which the Defendants took possession of the Land which was surveyed for military service, is not yet come to hand—but shall be sent as soon as it does.
The signature to Poseys Bond has the best proof of the hand writing I can obtain without incurring much trouble & expence: there are numbers in this part of the Country, where he formerly lived, who are well acquainted with his hand writing; but these are far removed from the Executive of the State, or any of the judges of the Supreme Court of this Commonwealth. To me, I confess the proof seems unnecessary; for in my judgment there can be no higher evidence of the authenticity of the Bond, than the recognition of it in the Grant which was made in consequence; & which, if I mistake not, expressly declares that it is granted to me as Assignee of John Posey; consequently this Government must have been satisfied of the legality of the Assignment, & such as would warrant the Patent granted me thereon.
I transmit you the Act of our Assembly passed in the session of 1779, properly authenticated, in which is included all the Law relative to the present subject: in this you will find upon what footing settlement & pre-emption rights are placed; & what are the requisites necessary for rendering them valid. It is very certain the Defendants have not taken those necessary steps pointed out by the Law, in order to give them a title by settlement or pre-emption: they knew that the Land had been surveyed for me; that it was always called mine; that one Cabbin if no more was built upon it when they came there, & they were repeatedly forewarned from settling themselves there during the life of Mr Crawford. Being thus apprized that their claim was contested, they should have submitted it to the decision of the Commissioners sent out to that Country for the special purpose of adjusting all such disputed titles; & altho’ the jurisdiction of these Commissioners only extended to unpatented Lands, yet such a submission was necessary on the part of the Defendants, that they might obtain Certificates & act agreeably to the direction of the Law: as they failed to do this, I conceive they have precluded themselves from getting up a title by occupancy at this day: I say they failed to make this submission; because as

I was never summoned to litigate their Claim, any proceeding therein without such a process would have been illegal.
I expect that one objection to my title will be, that this Land was not surveyed by a County Surveyor, but only by one invested with a special commission for surveying the 200,000 acres which were given as a bounty to the 1st Va regiment. But you will find that my case comes fully within the first Clause of the Law; & as this Survey was covered with a Military warrant, such as is mentioned in the Act—no person could more legally have made it than Mr Crawford. I will observe here, that at the time this survey was returned to the Office—Mr Crawford was Deputy surveyor to Mr Lewis. You will observe by a subsequent clause in the Law, that all locations made by Officers and Soldiers upon the Lands of actual settlers, shall be void; but this cannot operate against me for several reasons: in the first place it is confined merely to Locations, & cannot extend to Patents; secondly, admitting that my survey was made lawfully, then it is evident that instead of being intruded upon—the Defendants themselves were the intruders; and thirdly, setting my survey & Patent out of the question, I was the prior occupant and entitled to at least 1400 acres, admitting only one Cabbin to have been built; altho’ I believe, & Capt. Crawford in letters which I left with you expressly declares it, there were more; so that whichever way you view their title, it appears to be defective. From what cause I know not, but I believe Capt. Posey’s warrant is dated subsequent to the return of the Survey made by Mr Crawford, and if I remember right the recital in the Patent which you have makes this appear: I apprize you of this lest any handle should be made of it by your Opponents.
The only difficulty which can arise in the prosecution of the ejectments, in my conception (if my legal title shou’d be thought insufficient, which I scarcely think possible) is to prove the extent of my improvement before the Defendants took possession of the Lands, & the warnings wch they received afterwards to quit it. Colo. Crawford who transacted my business in your County, or his Brother Val. could have placed these matters in a clear point of view, as I dare say many others are able to do, if I knew who to fix upon & how to come at them; but never having an idea that it was necessary, & the removal of persons &c., may give some trouble.

To ease you as much as I am able of this, I have in a paper enclosed, put down the ground & supports of my title under all circumstances as they have occurred to me; & the plea which I suppose will be urged in behalf of my Opponents in opposition thereto.
I feel myself under great obligation to Mr Wilson for signifying a readiness to serve me in this suit—because I am satisfied motives of friendship more than those of interest were at the bottom. His attendance in Congress must now render this impracticable if it were ever so necessary; but to me the case seems so clear & self evident, that I think nothing more is necessary but to state facts: however, as you understand the decision of your Courts better than I do, I leave it wholly to yourself to call in assistance or not, & from whom you please. I should be glad to know when you think the cause will come to issue: if I could be morally certain of the time & nothing of greater importance should happen to prevent it, I would be in the Western Country at that time. I am &c.

G: Washington

P.S: Since writing the above I have received an attested Copy of the Proclamation alluded to in the body of this letter, which with the letter enclosing it, from our Attoy General, I send. On a cursory reading of it, (for I was obliged to enclose it almost in the same instant I received it) it may be doubted, I think, whether military Locations beyond the sources of the rivers running into the Atlantic, do not come under the general restriction: to remove this objection, if it should be made, I will endeavor to obtain an attested copy of an order of the Governor & Council of this Dominion, recognizing the right of the Troops of this State, to Lands under the aforesaid Proclamation; & directing surveys thereof to be made on the Western Waters; tho’ I fear it will be difficult to come at, as I have understood that the records of the privy Council had fallen into the hands of the Enemy, or were otherwise lost. G: W——n


Title: From George Washington to Alexander White, 14 July 1785
From: Washington, George
To: White, Alexander

Dear Sir,
Mt Vernon 14th July 1785

Mr Fraunces’s letters to you & to me, the last of which I also enclose for your perusal, are so expressive of his wants as to render it unnecessary for me to add ought, on the occasion of them.
He has been considered (tho’ confined within the british lines) as a friend to our cause: It is said he was remarkably attentive to our prisoners in the City of New York; supporting them, as far as his means would allow, in the hour of their greatest distress: this it is which lead both Governor Clinton & myself to countenance & support him; & is the cause I presume of his applying, thro’ me, to you—& must be my apology for giving you the trouble of this letter.
With respect to his demand against the Estate of Genl Lee, I know nothing; his letter, to the best of my recollection, is the first intimation I ever had of his being a Creditor; the propriety & justice therefore of the Claim must speak for themselves, &

will no doubt have their due weight: the time of payment seems interesting to him.
The subject of this letter reminds me of an accot of my own against Genl Lee’s Estate, which I put into your hands at the Springs last year. With great esteem I am &c.

G: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Darrot, 15 July 1785
From: Arrot (Darrot), René-Marie, vicomte d’
To: Washington, George

General
Tobago 15th July 1785

Allow me the honor of recalling myself to your remembrance, and asking the news of you. Tho I have frequent opportunities by your Countrymen, who touch at this isle, (of which I am Governor) of learning this; yet I cannot resist the desire I have, of paying my respects to you, and solliciting a continuation of the kindnesses with which you loaded Coll Darrot while he had the honor of serving under you—My fears of being troublesome to you, have hitherto prevented me from making you this acknowledgement; which I assure you has been a real punishment to me—I shall be particularly happy, General, if you will continue your kindness to me so far, as to inform me of the news with you, and whether it will be agreeable to you, that I should profit occasionally of the opportunities of writing to you—If the little isle of Tobago furnishes any productions that would be agreeable to you, the Governor, who is, and will always be at your service, will take a pleasure in executing your commissions—If Mrs Washington recollects Col’l Darrot, who was with his regiment of Hussars to pay his respects to her, he begs permission to offer his respects to her. I have the honor to be with the most respectful attachment—Your very Hble Sert

Le Darrot


Title: From George Washington to Israel Shreve, 15 July 1785
From: Washington, George
To: Shreve, Israel

Sir,
Mt Vernon 15th July 1785.

Your letter of the 22d of June came safely to hand.
I have no Lands in the Western Country which I incline, at this time, to make actual sale of. Between the two Kanhawa’s on the banks of the Ohio, I hold (bounded by the river, & of rich bottom with good Mill Seats) about 10,000 Acres of as valuable land as any in that region; and on the Gt Kanhawa, from near the mouth upwards, I have about 30,000 acres more of equal quality with the first mentioned; all of which I have offered on Leases, for 21, 999, or 10 years, renewable forever, on encreasing rents; on certain conditions which were published in Claypoole’s paper in March or April of last year, & may easily be resorted to.
As I have not disposed of these lands yet, I presume the terms are thought too high; but as I know the situation & convenience of them, & that the quality of the soil is inferior to none in all the Western Territory, I do not incline to make any change in my terms, unless I am in a manner compelled to it by taxation, which (however inconvenient it may be to myself) I wish to see heavily laid on, that the Officers & Soldiers, & other public creditors may receive their just dues. I am &c.

G: Washington


Title: To George Washington from William Fitzhugh, 16 July 1785
From: Fitzhugh, William
To: Washington, George

Dear General
Millmont [Md.] July 16th 1785 Saturday

I had the Honor of your favor of the 25th Ulto Covering one for Mr Bolton—It did not come to Hand until last thursday Evening. & I yesterday sent Boltons L[ette]r to Colo. Platers, in hopes of obtaining His Answer to forward Herewith from Annapolis—where I Expect to be on Monday next & to return Home at the end of the Week.
My address of last week in Answer to your favor of the 21st of May, went by a Gentleman Immediately to Alexandria, who promis’d to deliver it to Colo. Fitzgerrald so that I have no doubt of its getting to hand, but lest it shou’d not, it may be necessary to repeat that your Excellency Shall have the Crown Glass 10 Inches by 8—& a dividend of the Other Materials—Nails—Oil, Paint—Glew, Sash Lines & Pullies—&c. as noted in your Letter of the 21st of may. And directly on my return from Annapolis about this day week, they Shall be divided—pack’d, & ready for your Call, at my Old Settlement of Rousby where they have remain’d as they were Imported—If you Shou’d find it convenient to Send Your Waggon to Colo. Platers, tho for a light Load, it perhaps may be most Elegible for the Safety & Security of the Goods—I have spoken to the Colo. who will be happy in the Accommodation of your Servants & hands, & has promis’d to give me Immediate Notice of their Arival at His House—When I will Send my Boat directly with the Materials to his landing—If you shou’d rather approve the Chance of a Water Passage the Goods Shall be ready for it at Rousby Hall.
The distress I feel for your disappointment—the disagreeable Situation of your House, & Boltons Infamous conduct—leaves me really at a Loss what to say on the Subject—cou’d I have foreseen that the Man had been Capable of Acting as he has done, I wou’d sooner have parted with my right hand than recommended Him to you. I knew him to be an Excellent Workman, & perfectly Qualify’d to Finish Your Large Room in the most Elegant Manner, And tho at times Imprudent & adicted to Liquor—Expected that when Seperated from his Idle & disorderly Connections, He wou’d Have perform’d to Your perfect Satisfaction—& I hope your Excellency will do me the Justice to

believe that those were the only motives which Induced me to recommend Him to You. I wish I had never seen him—He is an unworthy Man, & deserve to be prosecuted to an example, And If he has any friends who will risque their Character, in the Countenance or Support of Such Improper Conduct, they will perhaps, or at least ought to Pay the damage.
Mrs Fitzhugh & my Son William Join with me ⟨in⟩ respectful Complts & best Wishes to you your Lady and Family. I have the Honor to be with perfect, Respect & Esteem Yr Excellencys Affect. & Oblig’d Hie Sert

Willm Fitzhugh


Title: To George Washington from John Tucker, 16 July 1785
From: Tucker, John
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Barbados July 16, 1785

The sensible pleasure I feel at being Personally known to you, has Induced me to send you the Inclosed Dissertation on the Revolutions of States and Empires. It is the performance of a Worthy Clergyman of this Island; a Gentleman of a most amiable Character, and who I have the Happiness of being Intimately acquainted with.
As this Treatise Breaths Liberal sentiments, Favourable to the Future Happiness and Prosperity of my Country; so I please my self it will not only meet with Your Approbation, but also with the Approbation of all America.
Inclosd I send you a Letter Mr Bowcher wrote to me on the Subject; and to which I beg leave to Refer you by which you will find he has under Contemplation a Code of Laws respecting the future Prosperity and Happiness of America.
This Worthy Gentleman has a Numerous Family, and the Living

of his Parish does not admit him to make that Provision for them that his Friends wish him the Power of doing, a Circumstance that has in some Measure Induced many of his Friends to undertake the disposal of these Treatises, and as I have the pleasure of being of the Number, so I shall by the first Vessel to Norfolk, send to Mr Thos Newton and to Mr Wm Pennock at Richmond One Hundred Copies to be disposed of at a Dollar Each; so that should this Gentlemans Sentiments Coincide with your Ideas, Permit me, Sir, to request the Favor of your Countenance in the Disposal of them; An Obligation that I shall be Happy to make you any return for in this Island. I am, Believe me, Dear Sir, Your very Obedt hum. Servt

John Tucker


Title: From George Washington to Michael Hillegas, 17 July 1785
From: Washington, George
To: Hillegas, Michael

Sir,
Mt Vernon 17th July 1785.

The enclosed packet contains necessary & valuable papers, in a Suit which I have depending in Washington County in the State of Pennsylva., under the management of the Gentn to whom they are directed. Mr Smith requested me (tho’ by a circuitous rout) to address them to your care, & he should be certain of getting them: this must be my apology for the trouble I am giving you, & for which I hope to obtain your excuse.
The sooner the packet could be sent, by a safe hand, the better, as some of the papers point to evidence which may require time to obtain—& all of them want consideration. With esteem & regard, I am &c.

G: Washington


Title: To George Washington from David Humphreys, 17 July 1785
From: Humphreys, David
To: Washington, George

My dear General
Paris July 17. 1785

I cannot permit M. Houdon to depart for Mt Vernon without being the bearer of a line from me. I am very happy Mr Jefferson has been able to procure him to make the voyage, because I am persuaded he will be able to transmit an excellent likeness of you to the remotest ages. He is considered as one of the ablest statuaries in Europe & has performed some capital peices for the Empress of Russia. I hope Congress will also employ him to make the Equestrian Statue which they have voted for you. His having once taken a perfect likeness will facilitate very much the execution of it. The likenesses may likewise be multiplied to any number. Not only the present but future generations will be curious to see your figure taken by such an Artist. And indeed, my dear General, it must be a pleasing reflection to you amid the tranquil walks of private life to find that history, poetry, painting, & sculpture will vye with each other in consigning your name to immortality.

As I know you never found me guilty of adulation on any occasion, I am confident you will not believe me capable of flattery in the present instance, even if I were to express in still stronger terms the interest I feel in your reputation. Be assured the advocates of your fame are very numerous in Europe, and that they wish for the honour of human nature & the benefit of mankind to see it placed in a just & candid point of view. Since my arrival in France I have become acquainted with a circle of noble & literary Characters who are passionate admirers of your glory; and since my last letter to you I have been strongly urged by some of them to undertake to write either your life at large; or if I had not leisure & materials for that work, at least a sketch of your life & character—I have answerd “were I master of my own time & possessed of adequate abilities, there is no task I would more willingly impose upon myself—but with a consciousness of these defects, nothing but a fear that the work would ultimately devolve upon still worse hands could ever induce me to attempt it.” This makes me wish still more devoutly my dear General (after you shall be eased of the drudgery of business by the assistance of a Secry as you propose) that you would yourself rescue the materials from the unskillfull & prophane into which they will one day or another inevitably fall.
Some of my acquaintances here who had seen a little Poem of mine solicited for copies in such a manner as to make a publication of it necessary—it has also be[en] reprinted in London & occasioned the author to be the subject of many news paper paragraphs—tho the sentiments & discriptions were not calculated to please English readers: yet their criticisms, as far as I am able to learn, have been sufficiently favourable as to the merits of the composition—I have the honour of forwarding a copy herewith.
The certainty of peace & the consequent dearth of news & politics leave me nothing to say on these subjects—in the mean time I find myself here in circumstances agreeable enough for a man of moderate expectations. My publick character puts it in my option to be present at the King’s Levee every tuesday, & after the Levee to dine with the whole Diplomatique Corps at the Cte de Vergennes—It is curious to see forty or fifty Ambassadors, Ministers or other strangers of the first fashion from all the nations of Europe assembling in the most amicable manner &

conversing in the same language; what heightens the pleasure is their being universal men of unaffected manners & good dispositions—there is none of them more civil to us than the Duke of Dorset, with whom I often dine, & who is the plainest & best bred Englishman I have seen at Paris.
The Marquis la Fayette has just set off for Prussia—he is as much the favourite of the Americans here as in America—With my most respectful Complts to Mrs Washington & the family I have the honour to be my dear Genl Your sincere friend & hble Servt

D. Humphreys


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 17 July 1785
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Sir
Paris July 17. 1785.

Permit me to add, what I forgot in my former letter, a request to you to be so kind as to communicate to me what you can recollect of Bushnel’s experiments in submarine navigation during

the late war, and whether you think his method capable of being used successfully for the destruction of vessels of war. It’s not having been actually used for this purpose by us, who were so peculiarly in want of such an agent seems to prove it did not promise success. I am with the highest esteem Sir Your most obedt & most humble servt

Th: Jefferson


Title: From George Washington to Tench Tilghman, 17 July 1785
From: Washington, George
To: Tilghman, Tench

Dr Sir
Mt Vernon 17th July 1785

By Mr Gouverr Morris I sent you the amount of the cost of plank, which you were so obliging as to send me from Baltimore.
The packet enclosed with this, for Mr Hilligas contains necessary & valuable papers for Mr Thos Smith, in a suit I have been

obliged to commence in Washington County, State of Pennsylva., against sundry persons who taking adavantage of my absence & peculiar situation during the War, possessed themselves of a tract of Land I hold in the vicinity of Fort Pitt; for which I have a Patent, obtained in legal form, ever since the year 1774, and for which I am now compelled to bring ejectmts.
Mr Smith requested these papers to be sent to him under cover to Mr Hilligas as a certain mode of conveyance; but as much time has elapsed in obtaining them; as some of the papers point to evidence which may not readily be come at; as the Suit may come forward at the Septr term, & as the channel of conveyance pointed out by him is very circuitous; I should be much obliged, if good opportunities frequently offer from Baltimore to Carlisle, by your stripping off the address to Mr Hilligas, and forwarding the enclosure as directed to Mr Smith. With much truth & sincerity I am &c. &c.

G: Washington


Title: To George Washington from John Paul Jones, 18 July 1785
From: Jones, John Paul
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Paris July 18th 1785.

I avail myself of the departure of Mr Houdon to transmit to your Hands two sets of Certificats in favor of Captain Stack and Captain McCarty, who in consequence of their Service under my Orders pray to be admitted as Members of the Society of Cincinnatus. Although Count de Rochambeau has made difficulties about giving those Officers his Certificate to support their pretentions, I am persuaded that you will, from the very honorable testimony I now transmit you, think they have deserved the gratification they ask; which I shall consider as a favor confered on me by the Society. If their prayer is granted, the Diplomas may be sent to Mr Jefferson or Colonel Humphreys, who know their address.
I beg Pardon, if this mode of Application is irregular, and I

beseech you support the Object of the Certificates, if you think they deserve your protection. I am, wishing you perfect Happiness, Sir, your most obedient & most humble Servant

Paul Jones


Title: To George Washington from Noah Webster, 18 July 1785
From: Webster, Noah
To: Washington, George

Sir
Baltimore July 18th 1785

If the request I am now to make should need any apology but such as will naturally be suggested by its own importance, I am sure it will find it in your candour. The favourable reception of my grammatical publications in the northern States, has induced me to offer them for sale in the Southern; and I am happy to find they meet with the approbation of those literary Gentlemen, with whom I have conversed on my tour to Charleston. The performance may possibly appear, at first thought, trifling; & yet as containing the rudiments of our native language, the foundation of our other scientific improvements, it doubtless ought to be considered as extremely important. If you, Sir, view it in the latter point of light & have taken the trouble to examine the general plan & execution, your name, as a patron of the Institute, would be very influential in introducing it to notice in these States. I should be very unhappy to make any request, a compliance with which would require the least sacrifice from so distinguished a character; but if it can be done, consistently with the sentiments of your heart & the delicacy of your feelings, the addition of your name, Sir, to the catalogue of patrons, will, I vainly hope, be a continuation of your public utility—& will certainly be esteemed a singular favour conferred on one who is anxious to improve the literature & advance the prosperity of

this country. I have the honour to be Sir, with the highest respect, your most obedient most humble Servant

Noah Webster jun.

P.S. I shall probably remain here till October.


Title: To George Washington from Battaile Muse, 19 July 1785
From: Muse, Battaile
To: Washington, George

Honourable Sir
Berkeley County July 19th 1785

I wrote to you some Time ago respecting the Debt due you by Mr Henry Whiting[.] Least the Letters Fail’d I have to inform you that I expect to receive the money from the Sheriff in this County the Last week in Septr. When received I shall waite on you Immediatly I shall endeavour to Collect the money and be at Mount Vernon before the middle of October next. I am Sir your Obedient Humble servant

Battaile Muse


Title: From George Washington to Samuel Powel, 19 July 1785
From: Washington, George
To: Powel, Samuel

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 19th July 1785.

Consequent of your first letter respecting Mr Vancouver, & his proposed publication, I wrote to him, and declined the honor of his dedication—I thank you for your second Acct of his performance, which confirms me in the propriety of the measure.
It would have given me pleasure to have seen a Gentlemn of Doctr Moyes[’]s eminence; and I shall hope for the endulgence of it when he returns from Carolina. I am not less pleased at hearing that Mrs Macauly Graham was satisfied with her journey Southward, considering the extreme heat in which it was made & her unfitness to encounter it.
I pray you, Sir, to offer my best respects to Mrs Powel & to assure her that great care shall be taken of her letter to my

Nephew; who lives at present in Fredericksburgh. Mrs Washington unites in compliments & best wishes for your Lady & self with Dr Sir Yr Most obedt & very Hble Servant

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Samuel Powel, 19 July 1785
From: Washington, George
To: Powel, Samuel

Sir
Mount Vernon 19th July 1785.

The honor which the Society for promoting agriculture, lately established in the City of Philada, have done me by electing me an honorary member, is highly pleasing & flattering to me; the strongest assurances of which I pray you, at the next meeting, to communicate with my respectful compliments to the Society: Accept at the same time Sir, my acknowledgement of the flattering expression, with which you have accompanied the certificate of my election.
No measure, in my opinion, will be more conducive to the public weal than the establishment of this Society, if the purposes of it are prosecuted with spirit. Much is it to be wished that each State would institute similar ones; & that these Societies when formed would correspond regularly & freely with each other. we are not only in our infancy of agricultural improvment; but in this State the farmers are pursuing an unprofitable course of Crops, to the utter destruction of their Lands.
I am obliged to the Society for its address to the public, & for the summary of a course of crops by Mr Bordely: the latter I had before received from the author, who was so obliging as to send me several copies immediately after the publication thereof. I have the honor to be &c.

G: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Arthur St. Clair, 21 July 1785
From: St. Clair, Arthur
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Philad[elphi]a July 21st 1785

This is accompanied by a Letter from the State Society of the Cincinnati which was written to you more than a Year ago, and by some inadvertance of the under Secretary was never forwarded. I am very sorry that it has so happened, because it would have been some satisfaction to you to have known, at an early period, that this State Society had come into the proposed Alterations—It was not however without great Reluctance the first Institution was parted with; yet it was happy that it was parted with, for the Prejudices against the Society have since entirely subsided, and, if the paper Medium that has been introduced in this State can be supported, We are in the receipt of the Interest of our Funds. I have very often the Pleasure to hear of your Excellency and never fail to enquire after You with all the earnestness of Freindship and Affection. I request You to present my best Respects to Mrs Washington and to believe me ever with the greatest Respect and Esteem Dear Sir Your most obedient Servant

Ar. St Clair


Title: Enclosure: From Arthur St. Clair, 9 July 1784
From: St. Clair, Arthur
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Philadelphia July 9. 1784

The circular letter from the General Society of the Cincinnati addressed to the several State Societies on the 15th of May 1784 has been received, and laid before the Society of this State, and they have at their annual meeting held on the 5th of July, and continued by adjournment, agreed to accept the Institution, as altered and amended, that accompanied the said letter: But Sir, it is their opinion that the ground of the Society has been too much narrowed, and that without some farther alterations, the Society itself must necessarily, in the course of a few years, reach its final period. they have therefore directed me to lay before

the General Society, the following additions and amendments, which they wish may take place, and which, they, with great deference are of opinion would not only tend to render the Institution more permanent, but more extensively useful. I have the Honor to be with the greatest Respect Sir Your most obedient and very humble Servant,

Ar. St ClairPresident of the State Society of Pennsylvania


Title: From George Washington to John Fitzgerald, 23 July 1785
From: Washington, George
To: Fitzgerald, John

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon July 23. 1785.

If there is any ship in the Port of Alexandria by which the enclosed Letters could receive a proper conveyance, you would much oblige me by giving them a passage—if not, by returning them.
If I do not hear from my Lawyer in the Western Country before the first of August, it will be out of my power to proceed with the Directors (from the General meeting) to the Survey of the River. If my Suit should come to a hearing at the September term, wch he thought highly probable, occurances, of which he

is to advise me, may indispensably call for my attendance at the Tryal—To perform both journeys, I cannot ⟨do⟩ nor would it be prudent for me, to put it out of my power, by absence on the one, to avoid the other; as the decision of the Court may make a difference of between £3500 and £4000 to me for which I can sell the Land in dispute if I establish my right to it; of which there can be no doubt, if justice prevails, and the title is as clearly delineated as the case will admit of. I mention this matter in time, from a hope, that similar causes may not interfere to produce the same effect in any other of the Directors—with great esteem and regard I am—Dr Sir Yr Obedt friend and Affecte Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee, 23–31 July 1785
From: Lee, Richard Henry
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir,
New York July the 23d–31] 1785

I lately had the honor of forwarding a packet for you by Post that came enclosed to me from France, by the author of a Dramatic piece on the former situation of Capt. Asgil. The subject is not a bad one, but the Author of this work seems not to have made the most of it.
On the 1st of May Mr Du Mas writes us, that the parties still continue to negotiate the peace in a very threatening manner—In truth, this whole affair is involved in much mystery, and perhaps the truth is only known in the interior cabinets of the greatest powers. The Marquiss de la Fayette, in a late letter seems to think that the collected combustibles may be put in flame by various accidents. The Emperor he says is restless, the Empress of Russia ambitious, the King of Prussia old, with other combining causes renders the peace of Europe precarious—The Marquiss proposes to visit this summer the Manœuvering Troops of Austria & Prussia in the North of Europe. We have lately receivd a letter from his most Ch[ristia]n Majesty, in answer

to one from Congress to him recommending the Marquiss, in which his Majesty is pleased to express himself in such a manner of the Marquis as promises well for the future promotion of that Nobleman—Mr Adams writes that he has been received in due form at the Court of London, has had his audience, and deliverd his Credentials to that Sovereign—No treaty when he wrote had been commenced, but we expect soon to hear of the commencement & progress of that business. Mr Jay is commissioned by Congress to open negotiations with Mr Gardoque the Spanish Plenepo[tentiary] here, concerning the navigation of Mississippi, Boundary, Commerce &c. The Spanish Minister appears to be well disposed towards us. It gives me singular pleasure to hear that the plan for opening the navigation of Potomac goes on successfully, as it promises such capital benefits to our country. It is sometime since I wrote to Colo. Fitgereland desiring that he would put me down for a share.
Is it possible that a plan can be formed for issuing a large sum of paper money by the next Assembly? I do verily believe that the greatest foes we have in the world could not devise a more effectual plan for ruining Virginia. I should suppose that every friend to his country, every honest and sober Man would join heartily to reprobate so nefarious a plan of speculation. Be pleased Sir to present my best respects to your Lady and be assured that I am, with sentiments of the greatest respect, esteem, & regard, dear Sir Your most affectionate and obedient servant

Richard Henry Lee.

P.S. Altho I began this letter on the 23d my ill state of health and much business have prevented me from finishing it until this day the 31st of July—I thank God that my health is now much better than it has been. R.H.L.


Title: From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 23 July 1785 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Randolph, Edmund

Letter not found: to Edmund Randolph, 23 July. On 29 July Randolph wrote GW: “Your favor of the 23d instant came duly to hand.”


Title: From George Washington to George Weedon, 23 July 1785
From: Washington, George
To: Weedon, George

Dr Sir,
Mt Vernon 23d July 1785.

It is some time since I received the enclosed Bill, under cover from the Drawer: among a multiplicity of other letters it got buried & forgot; until a line from Mr de Marbois the other day, forwarding the third bill of same tenor & date, reminded me of it.
As I do not know who the Treasurer of the Society of the Cincinnati of this State is, I take the liberty of committing the Bill to your care, with a request that you would be so obliging as to

ask him personally if he is near you, or by letter if he is at a distance for a receipt for it, that I may transmit the same to Colo. De Corney, with an apology for my long silence. If I knew who the state Treasurer is, I would not give you any trouble in this business; but as I really do not, I hope it will be received as an excuse for having done it. I am &c.

G: Washington