Title: From George Washington to William Thornton, 26 December 1796
From: Washington, George
To: Thornton, William

                            Sir,
                            Philadelphia 26th Decemr 1796

                        Your letter of the 4th of the present month came to my hands in the usual
                            course of the Post; but a pressure of other matters at that time, prevented my acknowledging
                            the receipt of it at an earlier period.

                        As you seem sensible of the propriety of the Commissioners residing in the
                            City, with the concerns of which they are intrusted, I have not the smallest doubt of your
                            removing thither as soon as you can be accomodated in the house you have chosen—with the
                            situation of which I am well pleased, as it is in the midst of your operations; and let me
                            give it strongly as my opinion, that all the Offices, and every matter, & thing, that relates to the City ought to be transacted therein, and the persons to whose care
                            they are committed Residents. Measures of this sort, would form societies in the City—give
                            it eclat—& by increasing the population, contribute not a little to the accomodation
                            of the Members, who compose the Congress; for it is of little Signification to prepare a
                            house for that body to sit in, unless there are others for their beds & board. The
                            latter of which are more enquired after than the former, by the present members of Congress,
                            now in this City. I have always thought therefore, that buildings between the Capitol
                            & Presidents house ought to be encouraged as much as possible; and nothing would
                            have a greater tendency towards accomplishing this, than the Commissioners making that part
                            of the City their residence, & compelling all those who are under their control to
                            do the same, as fast as accomodations can be provided for them there, & around the
                            Capitol. It may be relied on, that the residence in George Town, of those who are entrusted
                            wth the management of matters in the City is a drawback and a serious evil. Holding the
                            Office of Record there, is not a little complained of. These sentiments, although given to
                            you, at this time, as an individual of the board, I wish to have strongly impressed upon
                            that body. with great esteem & regard—I am—Sir Your Obedient Servant

                            Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to United States Senate, 26 December 1796
From: Washington, George
To: United States Senate

                            Gentlemen of the Senate,
                            United States December the 26th 1796

                        I nominate Nicholas Rousselet of the State of New Hampshire to be Consul for
                            the United States of America at the Colony of Essequebo and Demarara.

                            Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Alexander White, 26 December 1796
From: Washington, George
To: White, Alexander

                            Dear Sir,
                            Philadelphia 26th Decr 1796

                        Your letter of the 15th instt was not received until friday lasttoo late for
                            the Post of that day—of course the receipt of it could not meet an earlier acknowledgment
                            than by the Mail of this Morng.
                        I wish Mrs White’s determination had been otherwise than is announced in your
                            letter, but if I understand the expression of it, as it respects yourself, I do not see what
                            more the Public could reasonably require of you, than you are disposed to give, when after
                            saying this determination must occasion your resignation you add, "unless my personal
                            attendance may be considered as sufficient" and then subjoin, "My court business is so far
                            disposed of, and I shall make such arrangements with respect to my property, that I have no
                            doubt of being able to perform my full share of the duties of the Office, if under existing
                            circumstances, the residence of my family ought to be dispensed
                            with."
                        However desirarable on your account, and wished by others, that Mrs White could
                            have reconciled it to her inclination to have become a resident in the federal City, yet,
                            tho’ her not doing it is to be regretted, I am well disposed to accept the continuance of
                            your services upon the terms I understand they are offered—the residence there yourself. It
                            never was expected that a Commissioner should never be absent from his Post—though presumed
                            always that such absence would be so timed as to produce no dereliction of, or inconvenience
                            to the public concerns which are entrusted to their management—and while there are three in
                            Commission (if harmony prevails) matters may, certainly, be so arranged as to avoid these,
                            as well as the unpleasant animadversions which otherwise might attach themselves.
                        I am perfectly satisfied that your own sense of propriety, will never suffer
                            you to neglect any trust you wd accept, & in that confidence I remain Dear Sir, Your
                            Affecte & Obedt Servt

                            Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Virginia Legislature, 27 December 1796
From: Washington, George
To: Virginia Legislature

                            Gentlemen,
                            United States 27th Decr 1796

                        For your address be pleased to accept my acknowledgments.
                        That any services of mine should have produced a declaration of the friendship
                            and gratitude of the Legislature of Virginia cannot but be as pleasing as it is honorable
                            to me whose highest ambition has been by faithfully and zealously serving my country to the
                            utmost of my abilities in all the public employments of my life to merit the approbation
                            of my fellow-citizens.
                        It is with unfeigned thankfulness for the goodness of a kin Providence that I
                            look forward to the period when the first wishes of my heart are to be gratified in
                            returning once more to private occupation in the shades of rural retirement.

                            G. Washington


Title: To George Washington from Charles Lee, 28 December 1796
From: Lee, Charles
To: Washington, George

                        Dr Sir
                            28th decr 1796

                        The alteration is made conformably to your suggestion. The address seems to me
                            to have been studiously intended to prevent a proper expression of sentiments and a respect
                            to yourself seemed to require that nothing beyond mere civility should be found in the
                            answer. The people of Virginia are deluded by designing leaders and infatuated with whatever
                            concerns france; but I yet hope they will ere long see things in a better light. With the
                            most affectionate respect I am yours

                            Charles Lee


Title: From George Washington to William Moore Smith, 28 December 1796
From: Washington, George
To: Smith, William Moore

                            Fellow-citizens and Brothers,of the Grand lodge of Pennsylvania
                                    c. 28 December 1796
                        I have received your address with all the feelings of brotherly affection,
                            mingled with those sentiments, for the Society, which it was calculated to excite.
                        To have been, in any degree, an instrument in the hands of Providence, to
                            promote order and union, and erect upon a solid foundation the true principles of government,
                            is only to have shared with many others in a labour, the result of which let us hope, will
                            prove through all ages, a sanctuary for brothers and a lodge for the virtues.
                        Permit me to reciprocate your prayers for my temporal happiness, and to
                            supplicate that we may all meet thereafter in that eternal temple, whose builder is the
                            great Architect of the Universe.

                            Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 28 December 1796
From: Pickering, Timothy
To: Washington, George

                            Department of State Decr 28. 1796.

                        The Secretary of State respectfully lays before the President the
                            recommendations of Charles Marsh to be Attorney of the U. States (in the place of Amos
                            Marsh) for the District of Vermont—and of Joseph Cloud of the State of Delaware to be Melter
                            & Refiner at the Mint of the U. States. This will be the first appointment of Melter & Refiner with the approbation of the Senate; the
                            person hitherto employed having wrought only by the Directors appointment with the
                            President’s approbation.

                            T. Pickering


Title: To George Washington from Ann Welsh, 29 December 1796
From: Welsh, Ann
To: Washington, George

                        Sir

                                New London December 29  1796

                        	I have had the honor to address you when in Private life, you was  to Say as a Private Citizen you could not do anything for me without the appearance of assuming too  your Excellency  fit to Set as President, permit me once more to address your Excelly  which I am , the high Character you  my  had not necessity  me to make this application.you was pleased to honor me  that Certificate and a Petition. I have Apply to Congress for the  of the  or a Sum of fifty or Sixty pounds a year that I may Spend the Evening of my days in peace and Quietness. They refuse me  Small a recompense for the loss of a Husband and Brother in whose service both their Lives were Sacrificed—to you alone Sir I look for Justice in the Laws of our Country. Your Excellency possibly have forgot my Story among the many Scenes in which you have been engaged—my husband Capt  Welsh who Commanded the  in the unfortunate Attack upon the front in which he lost his life bravely fighting at the head of them—my Brother

                        Capt. Geo. Hurlbut who commanded a Company of light Horse in Coll Sheldons Regt till in defending a Vessel with Stores in the N. River he receiv’d a wound under which he languished till the 8th day of May 1783, when he expired haveing Sufferd the most excruciating pain beyond the power of Language to express.I leave it with you Sir to take Such measures as your Heart may dictate to relieve a Widow, whose thanks will be all in her power to return—may the Supreme Disposer of all events render the Journey of life both happy and prosperous, and when you retire from Government may your years be many and Happy, that our Legislature may Appeal to you in Cases of difficulty as the Children of Israel did unto Moses, is the Ardent prayers of your Exys Oblig’d and very Humble Servant

                    Ann Welsh


Title: From George Washington to John Carey, 30 December 1796
From: Washington, George
To: Carey, John

                            Sir,
                            Philadelphia 30th Decr 1796.

                        I have received your letters of the 8th and 9th of September and first of
                            October.
                        I am much indebted to you for the interest you feel, to have the imposition
                            that has been attempted upon the public, detected. With great truth you pronounced it such.
                            I shall leave something on this subject, to be used when I shall be permitted to enjoy peace
                            & repose.
                        In the mean while I pray you to accept of my thanks for your present, and
                            believe me to be Sir, Your obliged Hble Servt

                            Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to United States Senate, 30 December 1796
From: Washington, George
To: United States Senate

                            Gentlemen of the Senate,
                            United States December 30th 1796.

                        I nominate Charles Marsh, of Vermont, to be Attorney for the United States in
                            the District of Vermont; vice Amos Marsh, resigned. and Joseph Cloud, of the State of
                            Delaware, to be Melter & Refiner at the Mint of the United States.

                            Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington Craik to James Montgomery, 31 December 1796
From: Craik, George Washington
To: Montgomery, James

                            Sir
                            Philadelphia 31st Decr 1796

                        I am directed by the President of the United States to inform you that he has
                            not been unmindful of the receipt of your several letters. He transmitted them to the
                            Secretary of the Treasury and directed him to report thereon, which he accordingly did on
                            the 28th instant. By calling on me when convenient You shall have an opportunity of seeing
                            the report. I am Sir, Your Hble Servt

                            Geo. W. Craik


Title: To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 31 December 1796
From: Pickering, Timothy
To: Washington, George

                            Decr 31. 1796.

                        The Secretary of State respectfully lays before the President of the U. States,
                            a letter from Colo. Humphreys dated Octr 6. just received, with inclosures from Mr Barlow.
                        There is but too much reason to fear for the fate of Capt. O’Brien. He sailed
                            from Lisbon the 4th or 5th of August for Algiers, with 225,000 dollars on board.
                        The Secretary has also received to-day another letter from Colo. Humphreys dated
                            Septr 28. with numerous inclosures, being copies of correspondence between him & Mr
                            Montgomery our Consul at Alicant about Barbary affairs. These are not yet read: if there
                            should be any thing interesting, the Secy will have the honour to lay them before the
                            President.

                            T. Pickering


Title: To George Washington from Isaac Clason, 1796
From: Clason, Isaac,Bowne, Robert,Eddy, Thomas
To: Washington, George

                        To the President of the United States of America
                            1796

                        The Petition of the Merchants, Shipowners, and Masters of Ships trading from the City and Port of New York to the Port of Kingston upon Hull in Great Britain, and others whose Names are hereunto Subscribed.Respectfully Sheweth, That The Trade carried on by Means of shipping between the Inhabitants of the United States and especially these of the City of New York, and the said Port of Kingston upon Hull is very extensive and is rapidly increasing.That Disputes often arise at Kingston upon Hull between the Masters and Mariners of Ships belonging to the United States—that the Mariners of such Ships often desert—and that Instances not unfrequently occur of their being impressed at Kingston upon Hull aforesaid to the great Inconvenience and Damage of your Petitioners and to the Detriment of the Citizens of the United States in general.That the Grievances above complained of might be greatly remedied if a Resident Consul from the Unites States were appointed upon Kingston upon Hull aforesaid.That George Knox Merchant at Kingston upon Hull is extensively concerned in the Trade and Commerce carried on between the Citizens of the United States and especially those of the City of New York and the Port of Kingston upon Hull and that he is a Merchant of much Respectability of Character and we believe he is in every Respect a proper Person to be appointed Resident Consul there.Your Petitioners therefore Respectfully solicit that the said George Knox may be appointed Resident Consul from the United States at Kingston upon Hull aforesaid.

                            John ThurstonMinturn OChamplinMcDougallWilliam SheddersRobert DaleIsaac ClasonTredwell JacksonIsaac BellHatlett Bowne & Co.C.W. LivingstonPeter EltingSaml MansfieldSeton, Maitland Co.Robt BowneThomas EddyJames ScottFranklin, Robinson & Co.John Murray & SonPearsall Peter SchumacherJno. BroomJ. BlaggeW. NeilsonMurray & MusArmstrong & BarrowArch: GraceWm. LaighGeorge J Hugh Pot


Title: To George Washington from William Pearce, 1 January 1797 to 7 January 1797
From: Pearce, William
To: Washington, George

                                1-7 January 1797

                        A Meteorological Account of the Weather kept at Mount VernonJany 1797
                        1st In the Morning30N.W. Clear38N.W. Clear32NW Clear2d32N. Cloudy36N Clear32N Cloudy330NE Snow35No.E Snow31NE Clear426NW clear30NW clear26NW Clear528N.W clear30..NW clear28NW clear626SW clear24SW clear26SW Cloudy726NW cloudy24NW cloudy22NW clear

                        January 7" 1797daysDr.Mansion House for the Work of 12 hands ⅌ Week  Amounting to72Hauling Hay to the Mansion house by one Waggon3Hauling Corn from River Farm–by one Waggon2Hauling Hay to Alexandria—by do1one Cart hauling to Mill 2 days 1 do  Hauling Straw to Cows 24one do Hauling of Wood2one Tumbler Cart hauling Ice2one do Hauling wood4Cuting, & Raming of Ice10Cuting of Wood12Burning Brush in the new Ground8Ditchers cuting of Ice8Cuting of Wood10Cuting of Ice out of Mill race 672

                         Corn sent to Mill 34 1/2 BushelsMeal to John Neale     1 Bu.
Corn to do               1/2

                        Stock 1 Stud 4 Horses 2 Mares, 1 Colt 6 Jacks. 10 Jeanneys249 Working Mules 17 do not broke, 17 Cows, (John Neale  Milks two of these cows)4367
                        Dr.Mudy Hole for the Work of 14 Hands Amt. ⅌ Week84Carting Ice at Mansion 2 ds Carting Ivy at do, 2 ds4Hauling est. one Cart to Mill 1, Hauling  Manure 1 do2filling the Ice House at Mansion5
cuting on the new Road10  clearing on new Road, & burning Brush15Mauling Rails. 5 days & Grubing on new Road  35 days40Sick Will 6 days Elsey 2. 884

                        Stock Horses 7 Mules 4, Cows Steers & other Cattle 31 Year Olds 5 And
                            49 Sheep Decrease by Death 2
                        Sent to Mill 8 1/2 Bushels Corn
                        fed to Stock 5 Bush. Do.

                        Dr.Union Farm for the Work of 23 hands ⅌ Week138
daysBy Grubing Corn field15
" Cuting down Corn Stalks15" Cleaning Wheat14" Cuting. & Mauling Rails18" Cleaning of Flax 12 days And Cuting Wood 6 days18" giting Posts & Rails 4 days, And thrashing  Wheat 9 days13"  & Fanny working at Mill Race6" Rachel on new Road 6 days, one Cart at  Mansion hauling Ice 6 ds12" Hauling Rails & Wood 6 days, Paul going  to Mill 2 days8Sickness Tom 6 days—Cesar absent 6 days12Sick—Flavia 6 days Melia.1 day  7138

                        Stock Horses 14 Mules 6 Cows, Steers & othr Cattle
                            67 Year Olds 15 Calves 3 Sheep 125 Increase 3 Calves Decrease 1 Sheep
                        Sent to Mill——20 Bushels Corn
                        fed to Stock 12 1/2 do
                        Dr.River Farm for the Work of 27 Hands Amounting ⅌ Week to162
daysHauling Beef to Mansion house1Hauling Corn to Mill 2 days & Hauling Wood 2 ds4Hauling Rails 7 days Hauling Turnips to  Town 1 day8Building Shelter for two Colts2Cuting & Mauling Rails.& Mortoising Posts34Cleaning of flax 12 days Carrying Oats to  Barn & thrashing do 10 days22Cuting. & puting up Corn Stalks & Hauling do60Richmond giting his Shoes mended 1 day  Attendance on Stock 12 days13Sick Bridgey 6 days, Rose 6 Bett 6 18162

                        Sent to Mill 13 Bushels Corn
                        to Mansion 60 Bushels do
                        fed to Stock 17 1/2 Bush. Do
                        Sent ⅌ Mr Pearce Order to Doctor Craig Turnips 8 Bush.
                        Stock 10 Horses, 1 Colt & 11 Mules 74 Cows, Steers Cows & other
                            Cattle 10 Year Olds—Sheep 208. Killed one Cow. Sent. 32 of do to Mansion 251 lb. And kept one
                                 for Stewart the Overseer 83 lb. Sent to mansion house 2 Hides.

                        Dr.Dogue Run Farm for the Work of 16 Hands Amounting ⅌ Week to96 daysCuting & Mauling Rails 16 days, Hauling Corn Stalks to Farm Yard 3 days19Hauling Rails & wood 7 days, Joe working at  Mansion house 6 days13Working at Mill Race 6 days, Breaking Flax 12 days18Cuting. & puting up Corn Stalks23
Sick long Jack 4 days, Judith 6. Carter Jack 3,  Agnes 619Dick 496

                        Stock Horses 5 Mules 8, Cattle 66 and 1 Calf, Sheep 143 and one Colt 1
                        Sent to Mill of Corn   13 Bushels
fed to Stock            5 Bushels do

                        Dr. Carpenters & Brick layers Departments for  the Work of 10 men Amtg ⅌ Week60
daysBy lathing, dressing, & puting on Shingles20" Isaac, & Joe making & Mending Carts10Carpenters" Sawing Laths 4 days giting Timber for Carts  & Ploughs 812" Planeing Plank for Shades. & Planking one5" Repairing of Ice house 1Brick layers48" Tom Davis at Ice house in filling it1" dressing of Shingles3" giting the above Timber2" Herculees Attending to the above with Tom 61260

                        Dr. Coopers for one Man & one Boy 6 And Miller Ben 6 Days12 daysMill GristBy Cooper Tom Forrester & Jacob3/4 Bu.By Stoping Leaks in the Mill Dam & Cuting Ice1" Hooping Tubs, And pails for Mansion house1" Making flour Barrels4" Working with the Mansion house hands 612 days

                            StudHorsesMaresColtsTotalJacksJenneysMulesTotal& otr Cattle Cows C1Year oldCalves  TotalSheep   Mansion1421861026    42    17  17  Mudy hole774431 5   3649 Union Farm14146667153 85 125  River Farm10111111174 1084 208 Dogue Run5168852141671434671289525James Anderson 2James Anderson3Stud Horses Mares & Colts — 48Jacks Jeanneys & Mules71Horned Cattle 292Sheep 525

                            I observe these reports, & my Inventory will not fully agree, which
                                I will Advise in my next. The above are stated as rendered by the
                                Overseers, the difference may arise by Cattle being sent from the Mansion to come of the
                                Farms And Ommited to increase them in the Report.


Title: To George Washington from David Humphreys, 1 January 1797
From: Humphreys, David
To: Washington, George

                            My dear General
                            Lisbon Janry 1st 1797.

                        I would not trouble you with an acknowledgment of your friendly letter which I
                            received by the hand of Captn O’Brien, because I could only repeat my
                            sensibility of your kindness & my unalterable attachment to you. I wished not
                            therefore to consume your time in reading a letter which contained only what you knew
                            before—At present, the season of annual festivity seems to encourage me in offering a kind
                            of annual tribute of gratitude & friendship. May you, my dearest & most
                            respected friend, see in your shades (I mean at Mount Vernon also, & not in those
                            below, to which I have as great an aversion of hastening my visit, as you can possibly have
                            to receive it) as many returns of this day as you can wish, & attended with as much
                            happiness as human nature is capable of enjoying.

                        Although I have not had the opportunity, or rather the pain, of seeing but few
                            of the Gazettes published by the Printer whose name you mention yet I have seen enough to
                            have been provoked at the wanton abuse that has been thrown on you, to have admired at your
                            patience, but not to have been surprised that you have persevered in that system of policy
                            which was dictated by your Conscience, & which has fortunately hitherto preserved
                            our Country from hostility. By about the time when this letter may probably reach you, you
                            will happily have arrived at the period fixed by yourself for your final
                            retirement from public life; in which you have been placed, from the
                            eminence of your Situation, as a mark for the shafts of party slander, malice &
                            falsehood. But be assured (so far as I have had an opportunity of
                            obtaining information) you will withdraw from the political Stage with more applause than
                                ever Actor did before—or, in other words, you may be persuaded, that
                            your moral character is estimated as high, and your public character higher, than at any
                            former period. I have seen your late Address to the People of the U.S. in which it appears
                            to me you have adverted to every very important topic which ought to have been treated of in
                            such a publication. By that production you have, in my judgment, completed the pyramid of
                            your fame. There are however several things which could not have been noticed on such an
                            occasion, which perhaps for your own sake, as well as for that of the present Age &
                            Posterity, ought to be known. Such falsehoods as can be easily arrested in their course,
                            ought to be stopped from floating down the stream of time. And I sincerely think (among
                            other things of perhaps more consequence) it would be proper & useful for you to
                            deny publicly those forged letters which have been published under your signature, as
                            written by you in June & July 1776. The sentiments, at least some of them, are
                            unworthy of you. I more than once spoke to you at Mount Vernon on the subject, and you once
                            wrote to Cary (as well as I recollect) positively declaring them to be forgeries. Still they
                            are published & republished, as genuine. I have now enclosed a
                            rough sketch of which you can avail yourself, or not, as circumstances may
                            seem to justify. The Paper enclosed, as you will
                                perceive, extends likewise to an ulterior end.
                            I have meditated a good deal on the subject, whether it
                                would not  be wise for you and profitable
                                for the Public, that you should
                            bear public testimony against the atrocious misrepresentations
                                & falsehoods in general, which have been published
                            during your administation (evidently more with a design to
                            destroy the public confidence in the principal Officers of Government
                            & thereby to disorganise the Government itself, than to
                                injure your personal reputation), together with a
                            kind of apology for your having taken no notice of them, while you
                            continued in office. In taking this measure, or abstaining from
                                it, you must of course be governed by your own
                            feeling & superior judgment. If this letter should not arrive in America until after
                            your retirement, you could modify the Draft enclosed accordingly, or wholly suppress it, if
                            you should think best. For you know I can have no object, but that of wishing your character
                            may appear in its true point of light, and of deterring in a degree
                            impudent & malicious Printers from prosecuting a similar conduct towards your
                            Successors in Office. These, in truth, are two objects, to which I think
                            you cannot with propriety be indifferent.

                        While I congratulate you in a different manner from what the World in general
                                will (because I am certain I take a greater interest in your
                            happiness than the World, or even most of your friends can do) on your approaching exemption
                            from the troubles of public life, & the prospect of that felicity which you have a
                            right to promise yourself in retirement—I most sincerely regret, on a great number of
                            accounts, that I cannot be a sharer with you in it, in conformity to your most cordial
                                & affecting invitation. And will you permit me
                            to say, one reason of my regret is (I hope it
                            does not arise from vanity) I think I could—by demonstrations of sincere &
                            disinterested friendship for you—and by speaking the true sentiments of an honest heart on
                            all occasions without disguise, as I have always done to you—contribute something to your
                            own enjoyment, in the little social fire-side Circle. But, my dearest Sir, at my time of life
                            when perhaps the moral as well as physical faculties have arrived at that stage when one may
                            reasonably expect to be more capable of serving one’s Country than at a former period, and
                            especially when one is possessed of some small share of experience in a particular branch of
                            public affairs, I doubt whether it would be right to retire from public employment. The
                            sense of obligation for that cordial wellcome which you offer shall never be effaced from my
                            breast. And I entreat you to accept my sincerest thanks for the very affectionate manner in
                            which you had the goodness to recall my idea to your remembrance, when you was engaged in
                            the pleasing contemplation of those objects which must naturally occur on your return to
                            Mount Vernon. I do not despair of having the pleasure of visiting you at your happy Seat one
                            day, and of dwelling with interest on the events of former times—while we shall enliven the
                            conversation with anecdotes & observations on the multiplicity of characters & scenes with which we
                            have been acquainted. I would willingly travel a thousand miles for the purpose, if I had
                            not the obstacle I have mentioned to prevent it.

                        I have now to disclose to you a prospect of domestic happiness which is just
                            opening for myself, and at which I have no doubt you will likewise rejoice. Without farther
                            circumlocution, I am going to tell you, that I propose very soon to connect myself for life
                            with a young Lady of this City. She is the Daughter of a Mr John Bulkeley, an eminent
                            Merchant, of whose name you will probably have heard. The proposed connection is extremely
                            agreeable to every body concerned. If I am not much deceived, the character, manners, good
                            sense, good dispositions & accomplishments of that Lady will entitle her to some
                            portion of the friendly regard of yourself & Mrs Washington, whenever She shall have
                            the happiness of being made known to you. She has, from a long friendship for me, as well
                            as from other circumstances, formed exactly that opinion of you both which She ought entertain. Perhaps we are disposed to paint our future scenes in too favorable colours. If
                            that be an error, indeed I think it is not only a pardonable, but even an useful, one. The
                            delusion, if it be such, can do no harm—it may do good. Much, very much of our happiness
                            depends upon ourselves. If I shall not be as completely happy as my nature will allow, I
                            know it will not be for want of disposition in the Lady in question to make me so. And I am
                            conscious She has it more in her power than any other person with whom I have been
                            acquainted. So much Egotism I have not made use of to any other human Being on the
                                Subject; and this, I am confident, you will have the goodness to
                            pardon on so new, and to me so interesting an occasion.
                        I believe you know enough of my character to be persuaded that whenever I am
                            able to write any thing which is worth the trouble of being read, it must
                            be dictated by feeling. I write from the heart rather than from the head. If I should
                            survive you, I shall (I believe) complete a poetical work (the outlines of which I have
                            already sketched) with the intention & belief of doing more justice to your
                            character, than many an abler writer (less actuated by feeling) would be
                            able to do. The few detached parts which I have executed, I own please me more than any thing
                            else which I have written. But should my demise happen previous to yours, these fragments
                            will of course be destroyed, together with my other unfinished projects.
                            Still living, or dying, you will always be assured
                                of my affection &
                            gratitude. Mean while, I pray you to present my best
                            Compliments to Mrs Washington & our common
                            friends, and to beleive me, in a peculiar manner, Your sincerest friend & Most
                            affectionate Servant

                            D. Humphreys

                            P.S. If this letter should reach you before you should make your last
                                address to Congress, I know not whether it would not be useful (in
                                speaking of our means of defence in general, & particularly
                                at Sea) to recommend the Establishment of a certain Species of Naval Militia. I know not whether the Project be practicable,
                                but believe it is. And is it not very important to devise the most
                                just & efficient means of manning our Ships, even supposing it to be by Drafts for a
                                limited time? Do not all Persons who follow a maritime life, owe their personal Service
                                to the defence of their Country, as much in that way, as the standing Militia does in
                                the land Service? And might not every State be made to furnish its quota in a prompt
                                & decisive manner towards manning a fleet, without our being
                                subject to the evils resulting from enrollment or impress, which are experienced in
                                England & elsewhere?

                     Enclosure
                                                Sir.c.1 January 1797

                            Having not long since observed in your Paper a notification of a work for
                                sale in these words; "Letters of Genl Washington to several of his friends in June
                                & July 1776; containing much information, but little known. The authenticity of
                                these letters has been doubted, but never publicly denied; they bear some intrinsic
                                marks of authenticity:” I take occasion to declare them to be absolutely &
                                wholly forgeries—and I hope you will be persuaded to give as much publicity to this
                                declaration, as you have endeavoured to give currency to that publication. This I
                                request the rather because the letters contain (among much
                                miscellaneous & indifferent matter) some sentiments which were never entertained
                                by me, and which I hold to be utterly foreign to & derogatory of my character.
                            Whilst I thus think it incumbent upon to endeavour to destroy the
                                    circulation of false hood in a single instance, which is the more
                                easily to be done as it seems to depend upon a public
                                denial only; I am not ignorant how impracticable
                                it would be for me to prevent almost innumerable
                                errors, mistakes & falsehoods (which are
                                sometimes so blended & connected with facts as not
                                to be readily seperated) from flowing down from the present Age to
                                Posterity.

                            I need scarcely explain to you, Sir, perhaps how
                                    very inconvenient & disagreeable it is for Persons who
                                are or have been in public Offices (of some moment &
                                responsiblity) to be obliged to pay a public attention or give a
                                particular denial to every misrepresentation that may be
                                published concerning themselves or their conduct.
                                    Had I paid such a regard to that object, I
                                should indeed have had little time left to have devoted to the duties
                                of my Office. And I thought no personal consideration (however
                                irksome or distressing a tacit submission to the temporary
                                circulation of misrepresentations might be) ought to be put in competition with the loss
                                of the smallest portion of that time which could be employed in promoting the
                                public good. Neither my time or habits of life allowed me to enter the lists as a public
                                disputant. Nor, if I had possessed sufficient talents &
                                leisure for the purpose, would it have been a pleasant or easy task to have attempted to
                                have refuted the many unfavorable insinuations & imputations on the conduct of
                                the Executive Government of the United States, which (according to my sincere belief)
                                originated entirely in malice, falsehood & a desire to
                                overthrow the present Constitution: because such an attempt might have been protracted
                                into an indefinite political discussion, in the course of which proof & argument
                                might have been answered by declamation & abuse—for you know there are certain
                                Characters, who, however they may be convinced of being in the wrong, are always
                                determined to have not only the last, but also the most irritating, word.

                            But, for myself, believing that the most essential truth relating to our
                                federal Government & political interests will sooner or later come to be
                                generally known (notwithstanding any attempts to destroy the one
                                & disguise the other) and that their influence will prevail
                                (without any farther agency on my part) to direct
                                my Countrymen to pursue that straight political & moral path
                                which leads to national peace & happiness; I have unspeakable
                                pleasure in withdrawing to those tranquil & in a degree oblivious
                                    shades of retirement, where I shall not even know
                                when tongues addicted to lyes & pens
                                dipped in gall will hereafter be busied with my
                                Character or not. Although it must be owned it is a
                                    mortifying circumstance at the moment, to have our most
                                disinterested & best actions represented as merely the effect
                                of sinister & wicked designs; yet having this day finished my
                                public career forever & standing as it were on the verge of
                                two worlds, I firmly hope & trust that none of the envenomed
                                shafts of malignity will be able hereafter to reach me in such manner
                                as to give one moment’s pain. Sequestered as I now shall be from the world, with the
                                certainty of never mingling again in its busy scenes, I dare appeal to the present Age,
                                to Posterity, & to the Searcher of all hearts, to decide whether I could
                                possibly have been actuated by those motives of personal ambition &
                                aggrandisement which have, by some Persons, been ascribed to me. What interest could I
                                possibly have in attempting to give a tone to the Executive Department which did not
                                belong to it? Have I, Sir, any Child, any favorite, any Relation, any courtly Minion for
                                whom I wished to provide by subverting the present well balanced Constitution, and
                                substituting an hereditary Tyranny? The world will with indignation give the lye to such
                                Malevolent insinuations.
                            Notwithstanding the diffidence in myself which a knowledge of my own
                                frailties & imperfections inspired at the time when I entered upon the duties of
                                the high office to which I was called by the voice of my Country, I
                                have been so strengthened by the consciousness of the purity of my
                                own intentions, & by the cooperation of my several Coadjutors in Office, as to
                                have been enabled to reach the period fixed for my retirement, with perhaps fewer
                                difficulties & obstacles than I had a right to expect. And
                                notwithstanding the unwearied efforts of a few Individuals to destroy, or at least to
                                weaken, the confidence which my Countrymen had been pleased to repose
                                in me, I have great reason to be thankful for having always experienced, &
                                especially on all critical emergencies, their sincere, zealous & decided
                                support. And this, I presume, was occasioned by a belief on their part, that I could not
                                have any objects to promote, seperate from the prosperity of the
                                Community.

                            As this is the first Paper which I have addressed to any
                                Person, since the burden of the Executive Government has been
                                    removed from me, I was willing to make use of the occasion in
                                mentioning some of the reasons why I had not noticed several publications which have
                                appeared during the course of my Administration, in order that it might remain as a kind
                                of appendix to my public Documents. Having nothing farther to add, I bid you, Sir,
                                adieu.

   N.B. The following paragraph may be added or omitted, as it may be designed
                                to make the address more or less personal—"And did you seriously think, Sir, that I was
                                possessed of such littleness of mind as to have established Levees (as you was pleased
                                to call them) from motives of vanity & ostentation; or that I should have
                                continued to receive company at stated times, if I had not found that it was vastly more
                                convenient to give those who might wish to speak to me on occasion of doing in that
                                manner, rather than to suffer myself to be
                                interrupted with visits at every Moment? Or had not I a right to
                                drive the same number of Horses in my Carriage, while
                                President of the United States, which I had been
                                accustomed to do as a private Citizen?


Title: To George Washington from Gustavus Scott, 2 January 1797
From: Scott, Gustavus,Thornton, William
To: Washington, George

                            Sir,
                            Washington 2nd January 1797

                        We have your favor of the 26th Ulto, covering the opinion of the Attorney
                            General—It is by no means, our wish that any alterations should be made in the published
                            plan of the City—It may, with great truth, be asserted, that every change occasions infinite
                            trouble to the Commissioners, and creates confusion with the proprietors—We are yet without
                            a full board, and are therefore prevented from obtaining any effect from the Maryland
                            Loan—Should Mr White not come to Town to day, we shall send an express, requesting his
                            immediate attendance, as our hands are suffering very much for want of their wages.
                        We see the subject of a university is before Congress & hope that a
                            full discussion will gain it friends. We are, Sir, &c.

                            G. Scott
                            W. Thornton


Title: From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 4 January 1797
From: Washington, George
To: Pickering, Timothy

                            PrivateDear Sir,
                             January 4th 1797.

                        As it is very desireable that the papers respecting the discontents of France
                            should be got into Congress, and sent also to Mr Pinckney as soon as possible; if you mean
                            to give the other Gentlemen a perusal of the Statement for the latter, it would save time if
                            this was done as you are proceeding towards the close of that Statemt.
                        It is questionable whether the present, and pressing avocations of the other
                            two Secretaries will allow them to go carefully over it; but this, I conceive, does not
                            apply to the Attorney-General.
                        I have no doubt that you have taken care, & will continue to be
                            assured, of your facts; for as this business will certainly come before the public, not only
                            the facts, but the candour also, the expression, & force of every word, will be
                            examined with the most scrutinizing eye, and compared with every thing that will admit of a
                            different construction—and if there is the least ground for it, we shall be charged with
                            unfairness, and an intention to impose on & mislead the public judgment.

                        Hence, & from a desire that the statement may be full, fair, calm and
                            argumentative; without asperity, or any thing more irritating in the comments, than the
                            narration of facts, which expose unfounded charges & assertions, do themselves
                            produce, I have wished that this letter to Mr Pinckney may be revised over, & over
                            again. Much depends upon it as it relates to ourselves, and in the eyes of the world;
                            whatever may be the effect as it respects the governing powers of France.
                            I am always & affectionately Yours

                            Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to United States Senate, 4 January 1797
From: Washington, George
To: United States Senate

                            Gentlemen of the Senate,
                            United States January the 4th 1797

                        I lay before you, for your consideration, a treaty which has been negociated
                            and concluded on, the twenty ninth day of June last, by Benjamin Hawkins, Andrew Pickens,
                            and George Clymer, Commissioners, on behalf of the United States, with the Creek Indians,
                            together with the Instructions which were given to the said Commissioners and the
                            proceedings at the place of Treaty.
                        I submit also the proceedings and result of a Treaty held at the City of New-York on behalf of the State of New York with certain Nations or Tribes of Indians
                            denominating themselves the Seven Nations of Canada.

                            Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Alexander White, 5 January 1797
From: White, Alexander
To: Washington, George

                            Sir
                            Woodville 5th January 1797

                        Annexed is the copy of a letter written 15th Ulo to which I have rceived no
                            answer; had I been certain that it had reached your hands I should not have presumed to
                            trouble you again, and although I am sensible, that the necessary attention to more
                            important transactions might well justify the delay, yet your general punctuality in
                            business, and your pointed attention to my letter on the same subject last summer induce me
                            to suspect (though I know not how it could happen for I put the letter in the Post-Office
                            with my own hands) that my letter must have miscarried. I shall set out for Washington
                            Tomorrow where I hope you will favour me with your decision as soon as convenient. I am
                            with Sentiments of the highest respect Sir your most Ob. serv.

                            Alex. White


Title: To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 6 January 1797
From: Pickering, Timothy
To: Washington, George

                            Department of State January 6. 1797

                        To the President of the United States, The Secretary of State respectfully
                            makes the following brief representation of the affairs of the United States in relation to
                            Algiers.
                        When Colonel Humphreys left America in April 1795, he was accompanied by Joseph
                            Donaldson Esqr. who had been appointed Consul for Tunis and Tripoli; and him Colo. Humphreys
                            was authorized to employ in negociating a treaty with Algiers; while he should proceed
                            himself to France, for the purpose of obtaining the cooperation of that government in this
                            negociation.

                        They arrived at Gibralter the 17th of May. Colo. Humphreys concluded, that it
                            was expedient for Mr Donaldson to go first to Alicante, rather than Algiers, in order to be
                            near at hand to ascertain facts and profit of occasions. He gave him instructions
                            accordingly; and having also instructed Mr Simpson, our Consul at Gibralter, to renew our
                            peace with the Emperor of Morocco; Colo. Humphreys sailed from Gibralter the 24th of May and
                            arrived at Havre de Grace the 26th of June, from whence he set off immediately for Paris.
                            The object of his mission was communicated by our Minister, Colo. Monroe, to the Committee
                            of Public Safety. On the 21st of July he had received only a verbal answer, that the French
                            Government was disposed to interest itself and to do every thing in its
                            power, to promote the accomplishment of our wishes on the subject in question. On the 28th
                            assurances were received, that immediate measures should be taken for giving particular
                            instructions to the Agents of the Republic to use its influence in cooperation with us. The
                            multiplicity of affairs with which the officers of the government were occupied, and the
                            getting from London a sum of money necessary to purchase the usual peace presents, prevented
                            a conclusion of the arrangements at Paris until September. It had been judged expedient by
                            Colo. Humphreys and Colo. Monroe, that Joel Barlow Esqr. should be employed in the
                            negociations with the Barbary States; and his consent had been obtained. By the 11th of
                            September all the writings on the part of Colo. Humphreys were prepared for Mr Barlow, to
                            proceed with the instructions and powers from the Government of the French Republic to its
                            agents in Barbary, in favor of our negociations.
                        Colo. Humphreys left Paris the 12th of September and reached Havre the 14th,
                            where he found the master and mate of the United States’ Brig Sophia, both sick with fevers.
                            While waiting there impatiently for their recovery, he received intelligence from our Consul
                            at Marseilles that Mr Donaldson had concluded a Treaty of peace with the Dey of Algiers.
                            Nevertheless Colo. Humphreys thought it expedient, that Mr Barlow should proceed with the
                            presents prepared and preparing at Paris; for if not needed at Algiers, they would be wanted
                            in the negociations with Tunis and Tripoli.

                        About the 5th of October Colo. Humphreys sailed from Havre, and after a stormy
                            passage of more than forty days, arrived at Lisbon the 17th of November. There he found
                            Capt. OBrien, who had arrived about the 1st of October with the treaty with Algiers.
                        On the 3rd of September Mr Donaldson arrived at Algiers, and on the 5th the
                            treaty was concluded, and the peace present immediately given, by a loan from M. Bacri, the
                            Dey’s broker. Mr Donaldson, knowing that funds had been lodged in London to answer his
                            stipulations, engaged to make the payments in three or four months.
                        Colo. Humphreys had received advice, under date of the 30th of July, from the
                            Messrs Barings in London, to whom the funds had been remitted, that having made progress in
                            the sales of the United States’ stock, they should hold at his disposal the whole of the
                            value of 800,000 dollars, meaning to furnish by anticipation the value of that part, which
                            remained unsold, if the service of the United States required it. Colo. Humphreys counting
                            on the money as always ready after this period, sent Capt. OBrien from Lisbon to London in
                            the Brig Sophia to receive it. Owing to contrary winds, she did not leave Lisbon till the
                            24th of December. The other details relative to the pecuniary transactions appear in the
                            report of the Secretary of the Treasury.

                        The disappointments in the pecuniary negociations put the treaty in jeopardy.
                            The Dey became impatient, and threatened to abandon it; and it was with extreme difficulty,
                            that it was prevented. Mr Barlow did not arrive at Alicante until February 1796, where he
                            proposed to wait the arrival of the funds: but after a little time his intelligence from
                            Algiers showing, that our affairs were in a most critical situation, he determined to go
                            thither immediately, with the hope of soothing the Dey. He arrived there the 5th of March.
                            They had before prolonged the time to the 8th of April for the payment of the stipulated
                            sums. On the 3rd of that month the Dey declared what should be his final determination, that
                            in eight days Mr Barlow and Mr Donaldson should leave Algiers; and if in 30 days after the
                            money was not paid, the treaty should be at an end, and his cruizers should bring in
                            American vessels. Under these circumstances, and as the last hope of saving the treaty, they
                            were induced to offer the present of a frigate. This fortunately succeeded. For the
                            particulars of this transaction, the Secretary begs leave to refer the President to the
                            enclosed letter from Messrs Barlow and Donaldson.
                        Colo. Humphreys not deeming himself authorized to confirm this promise of a
                            frigate, refered the matter to the Executive of the United States: and for this end
                            dispatched Captain OBrien in the brig Sophia to America. There was evidently no
                            alternative; and the promise was confirmed. The frigate is now building in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and is expected to be
                            finished in the spring. Capt. OBrien returned to Lisbon, where he arrived on the  of July. Colo. Humphreys had advantageously
                            negociated bills on London for 225,000 dollars. This sum was embarked on board the Sophia,
                            and on the 4th of August Capt. OBrien set sail for Algiers. He has not since been heard of:
                            and there is room to fear, that some misfortune has befallen him. The money was insured at a
                            small premium against the dangers of the seas. Against all risks they demanded so high a
                            premium as Colo. Humphreys judged it inexpedient to give, seeing the Sophia was a vessel of
                            the United States, having a special passport from the President, as well as a passport in
                            the turkish language under the seal of the Dey of Algiers.
                        Such arrangements have been made by Mr Barlow and Mr Donaldson with the house
                            of the Messrs Bacri at Algiers and Leghorn, as will doubtless ensure the payment of the
                            400,000 dollars, orginally expected from the latter place, and the same house have become
                            engaged to the Dey and regency for the residue of the money, due as the price of peace,
                            without which he would not agree to the redemption of the captives. The Secretary of the
                            Treasury estimates these further sums to be provided, to fulfil the terms of the treaty——

                            255,759dollarsFor two years annuities to the Dey96,246To which are to be added the 10,000 sequins promised by Mr Barlow and Mr
                                Donaldson to Mr Bacri mentioned in their letter}18,000And the expenses of the captives performing quarantine at Marseilles and
                                transporting them to America, estimated by the Consul at Marseilles at about}6,500Dollars376,505On the 31st ult. I received a letter from Mr Barlow, dated the 12th of
                                July, informing that the agent Mr Famin, at Tunis, who had been recommended to him by
                                the French Consul Heculais, had concluded with the Dey of that Regency a truce for six
                                months from 15th day of June last, and this without any presents.

                            Timothy Pickering,
                            Secy of State

                     Enclosure

                                Sir
                                Algiers 5. April 1796

                            After finishing our dispatches on the 3d instt to send by the Courier to
                                Tangier we found that the port was to be opened immediately. We therefore gave up that
                                mode of conveyance for a more direct and speedy one by way of Alicant. We have now what
                                we hope will be more agreeable news to announce to you. For two days past we have been
                                witnesses to a scene of as complete and poignant distress as can be imagined, arising
                                from the State of total dispair in which our Captives found themselves involved, and we
                                without the power of administering the least comfort or hope. The threat which we
                                mentioned to you in our last, of sending us away, had been reiterated with every mark of
                                a fixed and final decision. And the Dey went so far as to declare that after the thirty
                                days, if the money did not come, he never would be at peace with the Americans.

                            Baccry the Jew, who has as much art in this sort of management as any man
                                we ever knew, who has more influence with the Dey than all the Regency put together, and
                                who alone has been able to soothe his impatience on this subject for three months past,
                                now seemed unable to make the least impression. And the Dey finally forbade him, under
                                pain of his highest displeasure, to speak to him any more about the Americans. His
                                cruisers are now out, and for some days past he has been occupied with his new war
                                against the Danes. Three days ago the Danish prizes began to come in, and it was thought
                                that this circumstance might put him in good humour, so that the Jew might find a chance
                                of renewing our subject in some shape or other. And we instructed the Jew, that if he
                                could engage him in conversation on his cruisers and prizes; he might offer him a new
                                Amercan built ship of 20 guns which should sail very fast, to be presented to his
                                daughter, on condition that he would wait six months longer for our money. The Jew
                                observed that we had better say a Ship of 24 guns, to which we agreed. After seeing him
                                three or four times yesterday under pretences of other business, without being able to
                                touch upon this, he went this morning and succeeded. The novelty of the proposition
                                gained the Dey’s attention for a moment, and he consented to see us on the subject. But
                                he told the Jew to tell us that it must be a ship of 36 guns, or he would not listen to
                                the proposition. We were convinced that we ought not to hesitate a moment. We
                                accordingly went and consented to his demand, and he has agreed to let every thing
                                remain as it is for the term of three months from this day. But desired us to remember
                                that not a single day beyond that will be allowed on any account.

                            We consider the business as now settled on this footing, and it is the best
                                ground we could possibly place it upon. You still have it in your power to say peace or
                                no peace, you have an alternative, in the other case you had none, but war was
                                inevitable, and there would have been no hope of peace during the reign of this Dey.
                            The guns are to be 8 pounders (English nines) 24 on the main deck, 8 on the
                                Quarter deck, and four on the Forecastle. The 12 last may be smaller. She ought to be
                                built long in proportion, and formed for sailing fast, a circumstance particularly
                                pleasing here. We think such a vessel fitted for sea may be delivered in America for
                                45,000 dollars. Then, as by the terms of the treaty we have to deliver a quantity of
                                long spars and other timber, this vessel will be a proper one to transport a cargo of
                                them to this place. And in this way a saving may be made of about 10,000 dollars in
                                freight.
                            In order to save the treaty thus far, which has been a subject of infinite
                                anxiety and vexation, we found it necessary some time ago to make an offer to the Jew of
                                ten thousand sequins (18,000 dollars) to be paid eventually if he succeeded, and to be
                                distributed by him at his discretion among such great officers of State as he thought
                                necessary and as much of it to be kept for himself as he could keep consistent with
                                success. The whole of this new arrangement will cost the United States about 53,000
                                dollars. We expect to incur blame, because it is impossible to give you a complete view
                                of the circumstances, but we are perfectly confident of having acted right.

                            With regard to the transfer of the funds to this place, we believe it can
                                be done with the least difficulty through Leghorn. That is, to draw from that place on
                                London, Madrid, or Lisbon, as shall be most advantageous, perhaps on all Unless you can
                                ship a part in specie from Lisbon, which we believe would be the preferable mode for
                                such a sum as you can ship.
                            Mr Donaldson sails tomorrow for Leghorn, there to wait your orders on this
                                head. There is no time to be lost. you will be pleased to instruct him as soon as
                                possible; and let our measures from this time forward be effectual. we are obliged to
                                incur a considerable expense to get this letter to Allicante, we hope it will reach you
                                soon. we remain Sir, with great respect Your obt and very hume Servts

                                Joel Barlow
                                Joseph Donaldson Junr


Title: To George Washington from James Montgomery, 7 January 1797
From: Montgomery, James
To: Washington, George

                            Sir
                            Philadelphia January 7th 1797

                        I do myself the Honour of transmitting the inclosed Certificates which I trust
                            will if any Suspicions of my deserving such unjust and malicious accusations should arise in
                            your Excellency’s mind effectually invalidate them.
                        Mr Wollcott must be swayed by the misrepresentations of the Collector as I
                            never had any kind of Knowledge of Mr Wollcott but in His Official Capacity He mentions the
                            testimony of respectable Persons I am unconsious who these can be but if it be requisite to
                            procure more Testimonies in my favour, if your Excellency will have the Goodness to point it
                            out to me However painful to my feelings to solicit such vouchers to my Character which
                            nothing but falshood & Malice could impeach I can Procure as many respectable
                            Citizens to vouch for the Rectitude of my Conduct as is necessary I just observe on the
                            subject of Ill Health the deprivation and restoration of Health is in the Hand of God I am
                            now in a very good state of Health and never at any Time when it was necessary for me to
                            attend to my Duty did my Health prevent me. I submit and Trust my Cause to your Excellency
                            and am with the Warmest and most Devoted Sentiments of Respect your Excellency’s most
                            devoted & obedient Humble Servant

                            James Montgomery


Title: To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 7 January 1797
From: Pickering, Timothy
To: Washington, George

                            Department of State Jany 7. 1797.

                        The Secretary of State with great pleasure lays before the President of the
                            United States the inclosed letters just received from Colo. Talbot, which confirm the
                            utility of his mission, & the good-will of the British naval officers.

                            T. Pickering


Title: Spinners Report, 7 January 1797
From: Anderson, James
To:

                            Jany 7th 1797

                        Dr. Spinners & nitters for the work of 15 womeen amt pr Week}90 DysByBetty Davis Spinning 6 Lib. of Yarn6ByAlse         Do      6 Lib. of Do6Carolina     Do      6 Lib. of Do6Anna         Do      6 Lib. of Do6Delia        Do      4 Lib. of Do4Matilda      Do      4 Lib. of Do4Delphia      Do      3 Lib. of Do6Judit        Do      4 Lib. of Stocking yarn6Charlotte Knitting three StockingsSick Doll 6 Dys, Sall 5 Dys Dalsy 6 Dys Kitty} 34 6 Dys Alsy 6 Dys Matilda 2 Dys Delia 2 DysBy Lame Peter Knitting 2 pr Stockings 690 DysDr. Gardner for the Work of three men Amt to pr Week }18By Grubing Up Ivy 16 1/2Lost by Snow  1 1/218


Title: From George Washington to James Anderson, 8 January 1797
From: Washington, George
To: Anderson, James

                            Mr Anderson,
                            Philadelphia 8th Jany 1797

                        Your letter of the 3d instant, & Mr Pearce’s of the same date, with the
                            weekly reports—were received by me yesterday, and I shall take notice of such parts of both
                            as may require an expression of my sentiments thereon.

                        I consent to your commencing a distillery, and approve of your purchasing the
                            Still, & entering of it. And I shall not object to your converting part of the
                            Coopers shop at the Mill to this operation. It is to be wished however, that it could be
                            nearer your own house, or at the Mansion house; for I fear at the
                            Mill, idlers (of which, & bad people there are many around it) under pretence
                            of coming there with grist could not be restrained from visiting the Distillery nor probably
                            from tempting the Distiller nay more robbing the Still; as the Mill would always afford a
                            pretext for coming to that place. If the advantages were certain, of wch from want of
                            experience in the business I have no adequate idea; I should have no objection to the
                            building of a house for the purpose of distillation; and in that case (unless the house
                            ought to be so situated as that water can be carried through it) I should prefer for this
                            purpose the point below your house at what used to be the ferry landing. There the house
                            might be sunk so as to bring the surface of the earth on the Northside and east end, nearly
                            upon a level (or rather a foot below the plates) and this end, and side, might be done up
                            with slabs from the Saw-pits, of which there ought to be many nailed (the sawed side
                            inwards) to substantial Posts morticed into a square frame below, in order to prevent the
                            earth which should be rammed around them, from falling in. The South front, and East end
                            might be boarded up with three quarter, or Inch plank in the usual manner, & covered
                            in the first instance, at least, with lap boards, as any other roof would be. The earth by
                            sinking the house in this manner after throwing enough up on the North
                            side, & East end for filling in, and ramming behind the Slabs, by being spread on the
                            other side & end, would form a level sufficient for casks, or any thing else to
                            stand. On an examination of the ground, something more simple & less expensive even
                            than this, might be found to answer. The situation on many accounts would be good—1.
                            because you would have it immediately under your own eyes, —2 because no body could
                            have any pretext for coming to it but on real business, —3 because it wd be convenient on
                            acct of the Hogs, as well as more secure, if they are to run at large—and 4. because every
                            thing might be brought to, or transported from it, by Water. I question too, whether the
                            expence of such a building as I have described, would be much
                            greater than what would necessarily attend making the alterations in the Coopers shop at the
                            Mill, to accomodate this business.

                        If upon full consideration of this matter, you should be of the same opinion,
                            and at the sametime are satisfied from your own experience, not
                            from theoretical calculations, that it can be carried on profitably, I authorise you to set
                            the Carpenters about getting the framing, & putting up such a building as I have
                            described. In the execution of wch do not crimp the matter, but rather look forward to an
                            extension of the work, than narrow it to the views of the present moment.
                        As an expeditious, and cleanly mode of getting grain out of the Straw, is of
                            the first importance to a farmer (especially in this country, where our wheat has so many
                            enemies) I highly approve of your providing the materials for erecting a Threshing Machine
                            in time, that the timber may be seasoning, but it will be time enough to put them together
                            before next harvest, by which I think it probable that some improvement will be made on the
                            one at Malborough; I know it is in contemplation.
                        I believe with you, that my stock of Hogs is inadequate, and I have no
                            objection to your increasing of them by purchase, of a good sort; and approve of your buying
                            half a dozen, or more cows, of a proper kind, and a Bull. A Mr Gough near Baltimore has the
                            imported breed, and Sells them high; the Bulls especially, but I should not stand so much
                            upon the price, provided the breed is to be depended upon.

                        I am sorry to find the Mill is unable to grind. What does the Negros do for
                            want of Meal? Secure the cracks in the manner you have recommended, or any other, in the
                            Walls of it, and without delay; lest they should give way, as was the case some years ago.
                            "A stitch in time," to make use of a homely proverb "will save nine."
                        My last letter (this day week) to Mr Pearce, gave him my ideas fully with
                            respect to the manner of opening the New road; but in case any circumstances may have
                            prevented his communicating these to you, they are as follow—viz.—If the large trees can be
                            cut so low, & even off, as that a carriage will run Smooth over them without
                            jolting, I had no objection to his pursuing this method, instead of
                            grubbing them up by the Roots. I added, that although the whole road was
                            to be opened 33 feet wide, I only required 20 or 24 of it directly in the middle, to be
                            cleansed of every thing, & made perfectly easy & agreeable for carriages;
                            but if ditched on each side, these ditches ought to be 33 feet, or the width of the whole
                            road, apart. I expect however, that ’ere this, he has communicated these ideas to you; and
                            turned over to you a long memorandum which I transmitted to him, of my views, soon after my
                            return to this City in October—It will be necessary for your government in a variety of
                            cases therein mentioned.

                        With respect to the Clumps of Trees on the Northern part of the North Visto, it
                            would certainly have been judicious, in the first clearing, to have left them on the knowls;
                            but as that was not done; or rather as the whole was designed for trees seperated from each
                            other; clumps can only be formed now from those parts which are
                            thickest of trees, whether on knowls or otherwise; as it is not my wish to thin the ground
                            too much of its growth.
                        The place where the Ice is deposited, was not intended originally, for that
                            purpose; and it was my design when I was last home, to have marked out, and prepared another
                            spot for an Ice house; but I found the Road, and other jobs would allow no time to execute
                            it; and therefore I postponed the matter until a more convenient period. If the weather (as
                            it threatens to do) shd continue cold & freezing after you receive this letter, I
                            would have you do what is proposed—that is, to put water upon the Ice. If it congeals
                            & turns to a solid mass it will be fortunate; but whether it does or does not do
                            this, I would have you, as long as Ice is to be had, & that in the house continues
                            to sink, replenish it with more; keeping up the greatest body of it you can, as long as the
                            exterior resource will enable you to do it; for having the means of preserving fresh meat
                            during the Summer will be of immense importance to me, after I get settled at home. I forgot
                            to mention it in time, & now I presume it is too late, that the wall all round, as
                            the Ice was put in & rammed, ought to have been lined with straw—that is—straw to
                            have been placed between the Ice & the wall 3 or 4 Inches thick, at least; for there
                            it is the Ice begins always to dissolve first. After the house is filled, and before do not
                            keep it close, for this also is injurious.

                        When you have taken an Inventory of every thing, examined the fields, and formed
                            your plans, I shall expect to receive an acct of them. I have provided five bushels of
                            Clover Seed for the use of the Estate, which I shall send to Mt Vernon so soon as the Water
                            communication is uninterrupted by Ice. If there are any other Seeds, or things wanting, let
                            me know it, that they may be provided and sent in due Season. Is rape seed desirable? if so
                            how much would you want? It is dear here & probably (being imported) not very good.
                            You talked of an early Potatoe.
                        I would not have the rotation (marked out for Dogue run farm) deviated from;
                            except by planting the Indian Peas, if to be had, in what otherwise would be a naked fallow
                            for Seeding wheat in Autumn, of the present year. Enquire if there is a probability of
                            getting seed to that extent within reach of Mount Vernon; and let me know as soon as
                            possible, as Mr Landon Carter of Cleve, has promised to supply me with seed if I can not
                            obtain it nearer home. this would be far to send for it.

                        The Gardener complains heavily of the injury which he sustains from my half
                            wild, half tame Deer; & I do not well know what course to take with them—especially as the
                            hard weather, if it continues, will make them grow more and more bold & mischievous.
                            Two methods have occurred, one or both combined, may, possibly, keep them out of the Gardens & Lawns; namely,
                            to get a couple of hounds—& whenever they are seen in, or near those places, to fire
                            at them with shot of a small kind that would make them smart, but neither kill or maim them.
                            If this will not keep them at a distance, I must kill them in good earnest, as the lesser
                            evil of the two. Possibly, if there was a rack for Hay—& aManger for grain and offal of the Garden placed in the Pines in the Clover lot front of the House & regularly supplied with provender (and Herculas knows how to do this as he used to feed them) it might prevent them from doing mischief—& I might derive some benefit from them.
                        In your next letter, give me the exact measurement of the chimney in the Small
                            dining room: that is—how wide & deep it is within the wood, or facing part; how much
                            the Slabs of stone on each side & at top, without the said wood, shewn; what the
                            size of the blocks or pedestals (of stone) are, on which these slabs stand; and what the
                            length and breadth of the hearth (without the fire place) are. You will readily perceive
                            that the object of this enquiry is to supply these with something else: exactness therefore,
                            in the measurement, is indispensible. I am your friend and well wisher

                            Go: Washington

                            P.S. Send me the size of the frame, from out to out, which contains the
                                family picture of the Marquis de la Fayette in the parlour.
                            If Mr Pearce should be still at Mount Vernon, tell him I sincerely wish him
                                better health & every prosperity he can desire.


Title: To George Washington from William Pearce, 8 January 1797 to 14 January 1797
From: Pearce, William
To: Washington, George

                                8-14 January 1797

                        A Meterological Account of the Weather
                                kept at Mount Vernon 1797
                        Jany826NW Clear30NW Clear26NW Clear920NW Clear27NW Clear27NW Clear1016N. Clear20NE Clear27NE Cloudy1130NE cloudy36NE raining40NW Clear1235NW Clear36NW Clear35NW Clear1334NW Clear36NW Clear34NW Clear1434SW Cloudy37S. Raining38S. Cloudy

                        Report January the 14th 1797
                        Dr. Mansion House for the work of 14 hands amounting to per Week to84 DysCr. By Halling plank from River Farm to the Distilery1By Halling Shells from Mr Lears Farm to sit up  Distilery 1"
Halling of Wood6
" Halling Joy 1 day & to mill & returning 2 days3" Halling Hay 2 days & Corn from Union Farm 1 Day3" Cutting wood 10 days & Burning brush 10 days20" Working in breaking Ice & stoping Leakes  in mill race6Stoped by rain8Sick. Frank & Sam12Amount of house Gang60Ditchers as Included in the above 14 hands Cutting of Wood12Working in Repairing the mill race & throwing  ice out of it8Stoped by Rain 424days 84

                        Stock 1 Stud Horse4 Horses3 Do Jacks2 Mares3 Do Young1 Colt10 Jeanias17 Cows Inclusive of one milked by
                        24        John Neal9 Working Mules2417 Do Unbroke 43

                        Dr. Muddy Hole for the Work of 14 Amt ⅌ Week to84Cr.Hauling to Mill 1 1/2 days Cedar Brush to finish the Cow Yard 1 1/2 days & manure 36" Cutting on new road 9 days Grubing on Do 24 days in all33" Cutting rail timber 9 days Mauling of rails 6 days in all15" Thrassing Wheat 4 days & Cleaning Wheat 12 days in all16" Burning Brush on new road 4 days & Cutting corn  Stalks 4 days8Sick Old Billy 684

                        Stock 6 Horses 4 mules 36 Horned Cattle 49 Sheep8 1/2 Bushels Corn Given out
                            to negroes (being Disapointed in meal) to grind on hand Mill 2 Do fed to stock &
                            sent 22 1/2 Busshells clean wheat to Mill

                        Dr. Union Farm for the work of 23 hands Amt ⅌ Week to138 DysCr. By Picking up corn Stalks 27 Days Hauling Do to Cow Yard 4 days31" Cutting & mauling of rails 18 days hauling Rails & wood 6 days24" Cutting timber & sawing rails9" Cutting of Wood 6 days Hauling Ivy at Mansion house 1 day7" Cleaning of Flax 12 days Thrashing & Cleaning of Wheat 416" Grubing in Corn field 25 days cleaning round the fence of Briars 3 days28Cleaning Oats 4 days Breaking of Ice and cleaning it out mill race 5 days9Sick Flora 6 Dys & Eddy 6 days Moses 2 days in
                                all 14138

                        Stock 17 Horses 6 Mules 71 Horned Cattle 14 Year olds & 3 Calves 125
                            Sheep
                        CornBushelsSent to mill20to Jas Andersons Horses15to Mansion house30to Stock 7 1/272 1/2Oats sent to Mansion house 15 1/2 Bushs

                        Finding the Consumtion of Corn Larger than should be have resolved to supply
                            the Horses at Mansion house with Oats—and Mix these with Bran when the mill grinds wheat
                            which will I hope be this Week.

                        DaysDr. River Farm for the Work of 27 Hands Amt pr Week162Cr.By Dresing Flax12By Halling Rails 6 days & Halling Wood Do 2 days8By cutting & mauling rails 20 days cutting mauling & mortoising posts 828" Cutting & heeping Corn stalks 20 dys halling Corn stalks 8 days28" Going & returning from mill 2 days & cutting wood 3 days5" Grubing 15 days & attending to stock 12 days27" Thressing Oats & shilling corn when it rained36Sickness Bridgy 6 days bet 6 days Rere 6 days 18162Days

                        Stock 10 Horses & one Colt, 11 Mules 74 Cows Steers & other
                            Horned Cattle 10 Calves Decrease 2 Sheep Sheep 206

                        DysDr.Dogue Run for the Work of 16 hands Amount ⅌ Week96Cr. By Cutting & Mauling Rails20" Halling rails 10 Dys Wood & hay 1 day11" Picking up Corn stalks 7 days Hauling Ditto  Yard 18" Grubing round the Fences21" Fenching 16 days shilling corn 3 days19"  Cleaning of Stables3Sick Dick 6 days, Agness 6 days Kitty 2 days1496

                        Stock 5 Horses 1 Colt & 8 mules—66 Horned Cattle & one Calf 143
                            Sheep Increased being sent from the mansion house 4 Horned Cattle in all of that kind 71
                        Corn fed to Stock5 Bushelssent to Mill13 Bushels

                        Sent to Mansion house 166 Lib of Flax

                        Mill Grist Dr.Cornwht.Cr. B. ⅌ D.To Union Farm21By Union Farm11" Jas Anderson1Mr Pearce 10 Lib. SuprTo Muddy hole Farm22-62 fine flourCorn Fed to Hogs1 1/2Elisher Gardner 25Toll This Week 1/2Lb.  MidlingsForester & Jacob 1
                            1/4Corn Ground to Farms21Meal Delivered13 1/4

                        Dr. Cooper for the work of one man & boy Amt ⅌ Week12 dysCr. By piling up Barrels & Laying floors in the  shop2" Making Flour Barrels1012Dr. Miller Ben for the Work of one man Amt6Cr. By Working with the Mansion house hands5"  Going to town16

                        Dr. Spiners & Kniters for the Work of 15 Women Amt ⅌ Week90 daysMatilda 6 lb. Yarn, Delia 6 lb. of do12Judeth 4 of Stocking & Kelly 2 of Sewing thread12Alsey 3 of Tow & Annie 2 1/2 Tow Yarn12Delphia 1 of do & Caroline 2 Tow do12Betty Davis 1 lb. Tow & Dalsey 6 lb. Yarn9Lucy Knitting one pr Stockings & Charlotte 2 pr Do12Sall Heckling6Lame Peter Knitting 3 Stockings 6 daysDr. Gardeners for the Work of 3 Men Amt. ⅌ Week18Cr. By Grubing up Honey Suckle & planting 15lost by rain
                            318Grubing up Honey Suckle Hercules 5 Siras 5 & Frank 313