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

            Sir
            Philadelphia January 11. 1794.

          I saw Mr Bourne and Mr Bradford together yesterday. The former is disinclined to the
            office of district attorney, saying, among many other things by way of objection, that
            nothing would tempt him to bring down upon him the fire of both parties. They agreed in the superiority of Howell as to talents; but as he never
            read the law, until he began to practise, I cannot conceive, that he possesses any depth
            of law-knowledge. In other respects, they did not speak with much ardor in his
              behalf. Barnes is but moderate in skill, a new-comer, and
            would be liable to more exception, than his competitor  But they
            were decided in thinking, that Green was equal in abilities to the office; of fair and
            amiable character; universally beloved; and that the people would not only take an
            interest in any thing, which gratified him; but that his appointment would also content
            the parties. They seemed to me to go, as far as delicacy would permit, in pronouncing,
            that it would be an advantageous circumstance, if you were to fix on him.
          Did you hear, sir, the report, which was circulating yesterday, that Mr Genet intended
            to return to France immediately, and that he had taken a farewell dinner with the
            democratic society two days ago? The report came to me, without
            farther authenticity, than that Mr Wadsworth, and Mr Hunter, owner of my lodgings, told
            me of its general circulation. Indeed Mr Wadsworth added, that his recal had been
            debated in the national convention, and no result had transpired. I have the honor, sir, to be with sincere & respectful attachment yr mo. ob.
            Serv.

            Edm: Randolph


Title: To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 11 January 1794
From: Smith, William Stephens
To: Washington, George

            To the President of the United States–
            Philadelphia Jany 11th 1794.

          When I had the honor of addressing a Letter to The President, last, it was dictated by
            the necessity I was then under of retiring from public employment—in which I took the
            liberty of observing, that I should not discover a disposition to return to it, under
            the then administration.
          without entering into a detail of the Circumstances which produced that decission, on
            my part, I shall observe, that the late change in administration, removes all my
            personal objections to public stations.
          Considering the present unpleasing situation of my Country relative to European Powers,
            and the position of some of its internal affairs, and that for myself I have during my
            attention to private business, acquired a sufficiency to justify me, in offering my
            service, without injury to my family. I have the pleasure to
            inform The President, that I am ready to return to public employment, should it be
            supposed that I am capable of rendering service, either in the present, or expected
            situation of affairs. In making this communication, I gratify my own feelings on public
            Subjects, and flatter myself it will be pleasing to The President to learn, that I have
            no personal accommodation in view on this subject.
          It may not be improper to remark, that tho’ I am untainted with party Zeal, I am firmly
            attached to the Constitution and Government of my Country, that it is my lott to stand
            alone, free from personal commitment, that, in general I am rather attached to measures
            than under the influence of Individuals—and that I shall always study to carry with me a
            proper Zeal for my Country’s welfare, directed by that integrity and aided by that small
            weight of personal Character, which supported by the flattering opinions of my friends,
            have bouyed me thus far thro’ Life.

          If with such dispositions and thus situated, I should be considered as capable of
            rendering service, I shall always consider myself complemented by The Presidents
              notice. I have the honor to be The Presidents most Oblidged
            & very Humble Servant

            W. S. Smith


Title: From George Washington to William Pearce, 12 January 1794
From: Washington, George
To: Pearce, William

            Mr Pearce,
            Philadelphia Jany 12th 1794

          Taking it for granted that you have arrived at Mount Vernon, before this, I shall
            direct this letter to you at that place, & shall mention such things as have
            occurred to me, proper for your notice & government.
          From a review of the plan of rotation which has been already communicated to you, it appears (if it can be carried into affect this year) that you
            will want the following seeds, and at the following farms, &ca viz.

              Oats bushls
              B. Wht bushls
              Potato bushls
              Clover lbs.
              Timothy pint
              Orchd grass pints

              Mansion house
               10

               64
               80

              40

              Union farm
              120
               75
               40
              100

              D: Run farm
              150
               73
              120
              800
              250

              Muddy hole Farm
               60
               95
               40

              River farm

              120

              Total
              340
              363
              284
              980
              250
               40

          I have put none of these articles down to the River farm
            except Buck Wheat, because I do not know what you may find necessary to put into the
            ground between No. 6 at that place and the lane by the Barn; nor in any of the lots in
            front the latter; where, possibly, the Clover may be worn out and wanting to be renewed;
            Consequently if Oats, Potatoes, Clover or other grass seeds are required at this farm
            they will be in addition to the quantities of each, mentioned on the other side.
          To explain the uses of the foregoing articles at each place, it is necessary to observe
            if it has not been done so already, (in some former letters) that the ground at Mansion
            house (which was in Potatoes last year) I want to sow with Oats (thin) and clover, mixed
            with Orchard grass or Timothy this year; the size of the inclosure I
            guess to be about 10 Acres—and it is my wish to plant Potatoes in the other enclosure,
            (at the same place) which was in Oats last year; provided it shall, upon examination, be
            found to be too thinly taken with clover, with which it was sown last Spring. The part
            allotted for Clover at Union farm, has already been marked in the sketch which
            accompanied my letter of the 23d of December, numbered 1 & 2. The Potatoes (if any are planted there; the propriety of which you may be the judge)
            may be in the upper Meadow, adjoining to; but above the lane leading from the Mill road
            to the Barn where Corn grew as part of it wants cultivation to reclaim & fit it for
            the reception of grass. At Dogue run farm—the 5 acre lot by the New Barn will require about 40 B: of Pots., and the Corn ground in No. 4, every
            other row with Potatoes, will take as I calculate, about 80 Bushels more (allowing two
            Potatoes to a hill)—The field No. 4, for these two Crops, is to be prepared, and listed
            as if for Corn only; four feet a part each way; but, to be planted alternately through
            the whole of it with each; letting the Rows run No. and South, or as nearly so as the
            back fence near the Swamp does. No. 3d at this place will receive clover alone, &
            about eight pints to an Acre; the other Corn ground there will be sown with clover &
            timothy mixed, at the rate of about five pints each to the Acre, which will take
            according to my calculation, the quantity before mentioned, that is-–800 lbs. or pints
            of the first, and 250 pints of the latter. To plant the South west lot of grass at Muddy
            hole, will require about 40 bushels of Potatoes, there being five acres of it. I have
            said nothing respecting the disposal of the Oats & Buck Wheat at the different
            farms, at this time, because it is mentioned in the Plans of rotation. But that I may
            know how to provide for your want of ⟨any⟩ of these articles, it is necessary for one to
            be informed, with precision, ⟨the⟩ quantity on hand of each, & without delay.
          From a Gentleman at Leesburg (Colo. Ball) you are to look for Buck wht; and he has
            assured me I shall not be disappointed. It is to be sent to Mount Vernon as soon as the
            roads will permit. On yourself, I hope you may depend nearly, if
            not altogether, for Oats: It will be hard I think if the ⟨Stack⟩ at Dogue run does not
            yield 1⟨5⟩0 bushels—Stuart, If I recollect rightly, told me he
            had ⟨got out⟩ 30; but what to expect from the M⟨a⟩nsion house I know not. By the Weekly
            reports, already come to my hands, there had been 53 days spent in
            threshing them out ⟨of⟩ the straw; but I shall confess I am not
            able to form any conclusive ideas of ⟨illegible⟩ from hence, as
            my people will take a week to do what others would accomplish in a day or two, &
            Butler had not spirit, or authority enough to effect a change of this conduct. I am anxious therefore to know what quantity has come out of the
            stack at the Mansion house, and what quantity Stuart has; those at Dog. run can only be
            guessed at from the size of the Stack, & the ground on which they grew. The quantity
            of Clover seed, Timothy seed, & Orchard grass seed on hand you can ascertain
            exactly, and I ought to be informed of it immediately, that the dificiency may be got
            & sent round by the first vessel, as opportunities of doing it may not present at
            the moment of sowing. The Meadows at Union farm or that at
            Dogue run, should be well examined (as mentioned in a former letter) to see whether any,
            and what quantity of Seed may be required to make good the defects of the last sowing
            which was done greatly too late in the Season, and if more than I have enumerated is
            wanting for purposes which may occur to you though it has escaped me, let me know it and
            it shall be sent. Of Potatoes I presume (if care be taken to overhaul and keep them from
            injury) there will be a sufficiency as, by the report to me,
            there were 418½ Bushels put into the Cellar.
          If, after taking a full view of the several farms—the situation they are thrown into by
            the insufferable management of my Overseers, and considering the advanced season
            compared with the plowings necessary for my rotations, & the means to effect it, you
            should be of opinion that it cannot be adopted this year; suggest, as soon as you are
            able to make up your mind upon the Subject, some other plan for the present; keeping in
            mind what my ⟨intentions⟩ are—namely—to pursue the rotat⟨ion plan⟩ laid down as soon as
            possible, as my great object is to recover, & preserve my fields in good condition.
            At any rate howevr the plan for Dogue run farm, must be strictly adhered to this year,
            although it is accomplished at the expence of the other farms.
          Although I have called several times on Mr Lewis for the exact quantity of Corn made at
            the different farms, & how it has been disposed of; yet to this moment, I remain in
            ignorance, unless the reports, which in some weeks says so much has been measured, in
            others none, and added altogether make but 576 barrls, forms the sum
            total, which, surely, cannot be the whole produce of 666 Acres; which (at the different
            places) I had in Corn last year. If, however, this is all the Overseers mean to account
            for, I shall, in the first place, have very little doubt of their villainy; because,
            from the most reasonable Calculation I could make, after the fodder was gathered, and
            after repeated examinations of the respective fields, I had no doubt of making between
            one thousand & 1200 barrls at the least; and in the next place, because it will fall
            far short of my consumption of this article; which, as you will perceive by my
            calculations already forwarded to you, 1008 Bar⟨ls⟩ (including what the Mill will
            receive) is required for my annual supplies. If the case be, as I have here stated it,
            it will be necessary for you to substitute every article you can by way of help; &
            to ease me, as much as possible from the purchase of so much Corn. And this may be
            accomplished, in a degree at least, by the cultivation (at each farm) of Potatoes,
            Pease, Pumpkins, and such like things in the fields that were intended for Oats &
            Buckwheat, which will not interfere with the rotation System another year.
          You will perceive by the articles of agreement entered into with Thomas Green the
            quantity of Meat he is entitled to: let him have that, and no more. He will draw, if
            permitted, double that quantity, & when you come to settle with him either deny
            having ordered it, or dispute the price. and, as from appearances, I shall be obliged to
            buy Corn myself, let none of the Overseers have more of this article than they are
            entitled to by their agreements.
          As you have not your family with you, and will now eat my provisions, let there be as
            much Cooked every day as will serve the Gardeners &ca, after you have done with it,
            as the case used to be when I was at home.
          Let there be a piece of ground prepared in what is called the Vineyard Inclosure for
            about 40 lbs. of French furse seed (for hedging) which I shall send you by the first
            vessel from this place to Alexandria—And I would have the
            thorn berries, Cedar berries, honey locust seed and such other things as may be intended
            for hedges raised first in nurseries, that, when transplanted they may receive due
            ⟨culti⟩vation. As the case has been, they are sowed, or planted along the ditches and
            for want of attention afterwards are smothered & entirely destroyed by the Weeds. Do
              not neglect planting cuttings of the Willow & Lombardy poplars
            however, along these ditches, at such times as the Gardener may think best; especially
            on the ditches across the Mill swamp—But let the ground be well prepared by the Spade,
            or hoe, before the cuttings are put in. In a word, let whatever you do, be well done.
            Much labour & much time is saved by this means. both of which has been lost in the
            manner this business has been conducted: that is by putting in the plants, the cuttings
            or the Seeds and thinking no more of them afterwards.
          I would recommend it to you to read my letters & instructions over often, that you
            may understand & have them impressed upon your mind. I give this advice because I
            expect to have them complied with, or reasons assigned for not doing it; and here, as in
            your agreement, I leave you at full liberty at all times, to propose plans of your
            own⟨,⟩ or alterations in mine, which in your own judgment, on a nearer view of matters
            before you than I have, you may think is for the best; for you will in all things find
            me open to conviction.
          The Advertisements herewi⟨th⟩ enclosed, I found necessary some years ago to set up. It
            may be so still, and for that reason I send the remaining of what I happened to have by
            me, that they may be used, or not, as occasion shall require.

          Since I began this letter, yours of the 7th Instt and Mr Lewis’s of the 6th enclosing
            the Weekly reports have been recd.
          The man who supplies Butlers place ought to be stout, active & spirited, yet cool
            & steady; for I expect there will be some difficulty to encounter before my people
            can be brought into good habits, & a regular discharge of their duty; so long is it
            since they have been under any controul in my absence.
          With respect to the Seins, I wd have you, immediately upon the receipt of this letter,
            send for the man who usually does this work for me, to see if he will, at the accustomed
            prices, agree positively, to nett them in time. If so, let him chuse his twine (if it is
            to be had in Alexandria) & set about them immediately. If he will not do this, or if
            the twine (of good quality) is not to be had there, let me know it, that I may see in
            time what can be done here, in this matter. When he is at Mount Vernon let him examine
            the Seins thoroughly, and see how far they are capable of
            repairs—parts of them to the best of my recollection were new last Spring, if so there
            must have been abominable mismanagement of them to be unfit for use now—but this indeed
            I do not wonder at—for less care of things I believe was never used on any estate, than
            has been on mine of late years.
          I beg your particular attention to the Porke, and making it into Bacon; as, ever since
            I left home ⟨much⟩⟨illegible⟩ has been sustained in it; some
            ⟨sayg⟩ because it was not sufficiently salted; and others because fires instead of smoak
            was made under the Bacon. Send me a list of the numbers & weight ⟨of your Hogs from⟩
            each farm, ⟨&⟩ from the list⟨, how many⟩ have been disposed off.
          Having Wheat to ⟨gather at⟩ this time (by horses) is among ⟨illegible⟩serable conduct of my Overseers ⟨espe⟩cially as the horses were not
            ⟨employed⟩ in plowing as I had ordered. When you look into these things you may be able
            to discover the causes—At this distance I am unable to do it upon any ground that does
            not merit punishm⟨en⟩t.
          Let me know what remains to be done to the New Barn & sheds at Dogue run. The
            conduct of that Rascal Green is beyond all forbearance, and it is my repeated request,
            that if he does not proceed in such a manner as to give you satisfaction, that he may be
            discarded without hesitation or ceremony. I wish you to
            examine the flax that was ⟨made⟩ at Dogue run; knowing when it was put out to rot, &
            comparing it with the time it was taken up, I should conceive that it is entirely
            ruined; if so, I will make McKoy pay for it; because I not only charged him myself to
            wat⟨ch⟩ it, but wrote about it once or twice after I ⟨left home⟩ to see that it did not
            re⟨main⟩ out too long.
          The house in Alexandria must be repaired, & in order for Mrs Washington to go into
            in April, as I have promised this. When it is got in order, & made perfectly clean,
            I shall send paper from hence for the rooms.
          Charlotte at the Mansion house has been reported sick for several weeks—Mrs Washington
            desires you will examine her case, and if it appears necessary to request Doctor Craik
            to attend, & prescribe for her. A fellow Sam also, who
            under prete⟨nse⟩ (for I believe this is the greatest part of his complaint) of an
            Asthmatical complaint never could be got to work more than half his time, has not done a
            days work since I left Mount Vernon in October. examine his case also,
            but not by the Doctor, for he has had Doctors enough already, of all colours &
            sexes, and to no effect. Laziness Is I believe his principal ailment.
          I am in hope & expectation that after you have had time to examine & pry well
            into matters you will be able to give me your opinion fully upon the state of things. In
            the meanwhile let me know how the Wheat, which was too thin in the beginning, stands
            these open frosts; & see that there ⟨are⟩⟨illegible⟩ furrows
            to prevent injury from ⟨illegible⟩ standing on it. I am Your friend & Servant

            Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Juris Peritus, 13 January 1794
From: Juris Peritus (pseudonym)
To: Washington, George

            Sir
            13. Jany 1794.

          The promotion of Mr Randolph to the office of Secretary of State having left his place
            vacant, the public mind is considerably interested in conjecturing who will be his
              successor—Aware of your zeal for the public welfare &
            persuaded that you regard your power of nominating to office as a trust for the benefit
            of the people; the universal sentiment is, that in order to fix on the most suitable
            character for any office, in the genl govt it is only requisite that such a character
            should be presented to your view.
          Under these impressions a citizen who cannot communicate his sentiments to you
            personally, avails himself of the present mode of introducing to your attention a
            character which in every point of view, is consider’d as the most
            suitable one for the place to be filled; of perhaps any within the United States.
          The qualifications of an Attorney General of the U.S. it is presumed, should in
            substance be the following.
          1. Eminence as a counsellor at law
          2. A fair moral character
          3. That he should possess the entire confidence of the people
            of the State from which he is taken
          4. That he should be a known friend to the Genl Governt
          5. To the knowlege of the principles & practice of the
            law he should add, a general acquaintance with science in other words, he should be a
              scholar
          6. That his manners should be agreeable to you personally—in
            other words he should be a gentleman
          These are qualities not commonly united in one man but if the general Sentiment of Pennsylvania be right, they all meet in that of William Bradford. Introduced into
            public life under the enlighten’d administration of the late Governor Reed, & at the
            early age of 27. appointed Attorney General of Pennsylva. he has continued in that place
            until his late promotion to the office of Judge of the Supreme Court, (a period of above
            14 years,) with distinguish’d honor to himself & advantage to the State—At the Bar
            he was ev⟨er⟩ consider’d as one of its brightest ornaments, & on the Bench he is
            considerd as inferior to neither of his Bretheren—His political sentiments are known to
            be decisively favourable to the Governt of the U. States—while no one
            stands higher in the opinion of the people of this State His late publication on the
            subject of the penal Code of Pennsylvania, proves his talents in Composition, & his
            humane dispositon—a publication which seems to have arrested the attention of the
            legislatures of the different States & promises to produce the happiest effects.
          In private life no character can be fairer—his benevolency is
            diffusive & his charities unremitting.
          His delicacy would revolt at the present measure, had he any intimation of it—but
            though it is foreign from his nature to request in the most indirect way, the place now
            contemplated, yet were it offerd him, it would not probably meet
            a refusal.
          Mr Bradford from his abilities & charater, cannot but prove an acquisition to any
            governt in whose service he may be engaged—& his nomination to the post of Attorney
            Genl of the
          U. States would add to the many civic honors you have already acquired in calling forth
            modest merit & in filling the first stations under the Genl Governt with men of
            talents & integrity.
          This State also, has perhaps a claim to this place—for altho one of the 3. first, her
            citizens have not shared more of the first offices of the Genl Governt than some of the
            smallest of the United States. With the sincerest wishes for
            your personal welfare, that of the governt over which you preside with so much glory—I
            remain Sir Yours most humbly.

            Juris peritus


Title: To George Washington from William Pearce, 14 January 1794
From: Pearce, William
To: Washington, George

          Letter not found: from William Pearce, 14 Jan. 1794. In a letter
            to Pearce of 19 Jan., GW acknowledged receipt of “Your letter of the 14th instt.”


Title: To George Washington from John Taylor, 14 January 1794
From: Taylor, John
To: Washington, George

            SIR,
            [Philadelphia, c.14 January 1794]

          IN the spirit of truth, and not of adulation, does the following performance solicit
            your attention. Nor is its hope of acquiring some share of your countenance diminished,
            by the circumstance of your not having in an official character withheld your signature,
            from several of the measures investigated.
          A responsibility in the chief magistrate, for the effects of every legislative act—an
            avowal, that unforeseen consequences, however mischievous, ought to be submitted to, for
            the sake of consistency in error—that experiment in search of truth, is to be rejected;
            are positions to which a liberal and enlightened mind will never accede.
          Your general assent to laws ought to be ascribed to republican principles, and not to
            an indiscriminate approbation of their contents. To yourself therefore, as well as to
            every other citizen, remains intire the invaluable birth-right of freedom in the
            reexamination of public measures. For surely the right and duties of a citizen cannot be
            absorbed by official functions.
          Whilst, under the influence of republicanism, you have cautiously checked the will of
            the people, you have also reserved your negative power, to be exerted on great and
            momentous occasions, for the preservation of their rights. Such an occasion occured in a
              direct attempt upon the principles of representation, the defeat of which sufficiently evinces, that you cannot approve of the
              indirect means by which these principles have been so much more
            deeply wounded, than that attempt contemplated. Can it then be delusion to cherish a
            hope, that assaults directed against the vital organ of popular government, are destined
            to be defeated by the same laudable vigilance?

            The AUTHOR.


Title: From George Washington to Frederick William II of Prussia, 15 January 1794
From: Washington, George
To: Frederick William II (of Prussia)

            Sire,
            Philadelphia Jany 15th 1794.

          However unusual it may be for your Majesty to receive an address from a person, who, at
            the very moment of making it, disclaims the exercise of any public function, and acts as
            a private individual; yet it is believed from your illustrious character, that the
            Motives, which lead me to the Measure, will serve as an ample apology.
          I cannot longer resist the impulse of friendship, to lay before you, who know so well,
            how to appreciate its force, my personal and affectionate anxiety for
            the welfare of M. de la Fayette. Report informs us, that he is under confinement in the
            dominions of Prussia, and therefore at your disposal.
          At an early period of his life—at a season, and on an occasion, far remote from the
            time and causes, which have subjected him to his present condition, he pursued his
            military career, with so much benefit to my country, and honor to himself, that he
            acquired a most endearing place in my affections. A sincere
            attachment then commenced was strengthened by an intercourse which continued after the
            return of peace had seperated us until more active and interesting scenes served to
            interrupt it. Upon the events, which succeeded, I shall be silent; only entreating your
            Majesty to be persuaded, that as I seperate myself, in this letter, from my official
            station, to render a tribute to your liberality; so I beg to be understood as intending
            to observe that delicacy, which becomes every man, whose country has, with perfect
            sincerity, cherished peace and impartiality towards the whole world.
          Permit me then to ask and obtain from your Majesty, a favor, in which the most lively
            sensibility of my fellow-citizens is engaged—the release of M. de la Fayette on his
            parole—If his word should not be deemed a sufficient pledge, I shall regret, that your
            Majesty does not entertain the same conviction of fidility, as a full experience has
            impressed upon myself. But I can never be persuaded of the possibility of his departing
            from that innocence of conduct, which is always to be expected from a prisoner of
            war.
          This request, unsolicited by, and unknown to him asks the patronage of your Majesty’s
            sensibility; and is dictated by a confi dence, that he could not be in the power of any
            sovereign, who would more delight in indulging a friendship, which cannot acquit itself,
            without thus endeavouring to deliver him, under your benevolent auspices. I pray God to preserve your Majesty in his holy keeping

            Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 15 January 1794
From: Washington, George
To: United States Senate and House of Representatives

            Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives.
            United States 15. January 1794.

          I lay before you, as being connected with the correspondence, already in your
            possession, between the Secretary of State and the Minister plenipotentiary of the
            French Republic, the copy of a Letter from that Minister of the 25th of December 1793;
            and a copy of the proceedings of the Legislature of the State of South Carolina.

            Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from John Berrien, 16 January 1794
From: Berrien, John
To: Washington, George

            Sir,
            Savannah [Ga.] Jany 16th 1794

          By the unfortunate death of Major Forsyth, the Office of Federal Marshall of this State
            has become vacant—I beg leave to offer myself a Candidate for that appointment. I am Sir, with profound veneration & respect Your Most Obt
            huml. Servant

            John Berrien


Title: To George Washington from the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, 16 January 1794
From: Commissioners of the Sinking Fund
To: Washington, George

            Resolution of the Trustees of the Sinking Fund
            16. Jan. 1794.

          At a Meeting of the Vice President & President of the Senate, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury Philadelphia Jan: 16. 1794.
          Resolved, That the two last dividends of Interest on the several species of Stock
            standing on the books of the Treasury to the credit of the Trustees of the Sinking fund,
            and of Saml Meredith in trust for the United States, be applied to the purchase of the
            public debt within the limits of the last resolution of the board, and according to the
            Act in that behalf That Samuel Meredith, Treasurer, be the Agent, and Philadelphia the
            place of purchase. Signed in behalf of the board

            Approved Jan. 16.
              1794.
            John Adams.Go. Washington.


Title: GW’s Note Concerning the Recall of Edmond Genet, 16 January 1794
From: Washington, George
To:

            [c.16] Jany 1794

          Whilst the measure, which gave a rise to these papers, was under consideration—advice
            was recd from our Minister at Paris, that Mr Genet wd be immediately recalled which
            arrested the business in this stage of it.


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 17 January 1794
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Washington, George

            Sir
            Philadelphia January 17. 1794.

          Since I had the honor of seeing you this morning, I met with Colo. Nicholas Lutz, of
            the town of Reading. He has requested me to inform you, that he shall be obliged to you
            to nominate him to be the inspector of the excise for that district. His son stands
            recommended to you; but he wishes to take his place. Mr Lutz says, that he is known to
            you, and is a member of the legislature of Pennsylvania, and
            that Mr Forrest and Mr Nichols do not live in the district. I
            have the honor, sir, to be with the highest respect yr. mo. ob. serv.

            Edm: Randolph


Title: From George Washington to William Pearce, 19 January 1794
From: Washington, George
To: Pearce, William

            Mr. Pearce,
            Philadelphia 19th Jany 1794

          Your letter of the 14th instt came to my hands to day, when the Post ought to have been
            in yesterday.
          Having been very full in my late letters to you, I shall have less to say in this—The
            condition you describe my stock to be in at Union farm, and at Dogue run, & want of
            shelter for them at those places, is a fresh instance of the misconduct of Crow &
            McKoy; and of the neccessity of watching their ways well. As you have taken Butler
            again, you must make the most you can of him. The man means
            well, but he wants activity & Spirit to fit him for the Overlooker of Negroes. You
            will find him useful though in raising hedges, &ca—& particularly so in
            cultivating the French furze. It was he that induced me to send for the seed of it, wch
            will be sent to you by the first Vessel to Alexandria—about 40 lbs. of it.
          Let the most that can, be made of the pint of Oats which the Gardener raised last year,
            and of the Hemp seed; but more especially of the St foin seed which I desired him to be
            particularly choice of; as I wish much to get into a stock of it. The latter must not be
            sown where Hares can get to it, or they will cut it down as fast as it springs.
          When McKoy is getting out the Oats at Dogue run, have a strict eye to him. He told me
            he expected 150 Bushls from the stack, & if all the Oats which grew in what was
            called the New ground, went into it, there ought to be 200 at least—but what by waste,
            mismanagement, or something worse, I have, of late, got very little from any of my
            Overseers; what becomes of it is more difficult to determine.
          If you should have another freezing spell, do not by any means omit to fill the Ice
            house with Ice, as the advantage of it for keeping fresh meat &ca is indiscribable;
            but before you begin to put a weight on the floor let both it & the Joice (or
            Sleepers) be well examined, lest, by being rotten they may give way & destroy those who may be below pounding the Ice as it is thrown in. If the floor
            is found unsafe take it away altogether—I do not know but that the Ice will keep as well
            without, as with it.
          If on account of the springiness of the ground you cannot proceed in digging the Mill
            race, which is a thing to be regretted, you might employ the Ditchers on the fence from
            the Millers, leading upwards, for the purpose of securing the meadow lots if nothing more pressing calls for their labour.
            Opening the Visto is not a work of neccessity; & it never was intended to be
            extended beyond Muddy hole swamp; to which I think it ought to have got before this
            time.
          You may keep Isaac and the boy Joe, constantly employed about the Carts, Plows, Harrows
            &ca until they are in order. Let stuff, however, be always
            in the Barn that the other Carpenters may work upon, when the weather will not permit
            them to be out. What are Mrs Fanny Washington’s Carpenters employed about, that they
            should (altho’ hired by me) be withdrawn from mine so long. All I know they had to do,
            was, out of the materials of an old Tobacco house, to make a shed for her plow
            horses—Ask Tayler what more than this they have done, and by whose authority?
          The Midlings and ship stuff may be sold whenever you find the market good; & the
            money applied to such uses as are proper. If twine (for the Seins) is to be had in
            Alexandria, it will be better to get it there than to depend upon having it sent from
              thence. And you have my full consent to give the Cattle as
            much Salt as you judge necessary, preventing waste.
          I perceive by the Report from River farm that Stuart is plowing in No. 7 (a field that
            was in Wheat last year, & by the rotation which I have transmitted to you, was
            intended to remain in pasture this year)—What is the meaning of this? No. 1 by the copy
            I have by me is intended for Buck Wheat as a manure, and No. 3 for Corn, but I do not
            recollect that any direction has ever been given for plowing No. 7. If the case be otherwise I have forgot it; and the design must be for
            Oats & Buck wheat for Crops; & of course, if accomplished, will require 120
            bushls of the first, and 60 of the latter more than I had calculated to seed the field;
            the contents being 120 acres. Let me know how this matter really stands. How much of the field is already plowed. and whether you will be able
            to prepare the residue of it; and at the sametime execute your other plowing well, &
            in season, with your present force of horses, aided by Oxen; which, in
            the Eastern states is almost the only teams they plow with. I am your friend

            Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 20 January 1794
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

            Sir,
            Treasury Dept. Jan: 20. 1794.

          I have the honor to send herewith a letter to me from the Commissioner of the Revenues
            of the 17 of August 1793; relating to the then state of execution of the laws laying a
            duty on spirits distilled within the United States, and on Stills, which was directed
            with the ultimate view of laying before you the information which it contains.
          You will perceive that upon the whole the execution of the law has been progressive,
            though the obstacles to it are yet far from being entirely vanquished, and that
            supplementary provisions by the Legislature are necessary.
          I beg leave to submit to your consideration the expediency of calling the attention of
            the Legislature to the subject by a message. With perfect
            respect and the truest attachment, I have the honor to be &c.

            Alexr Hamilton


Title: Henry Knox to Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., 20 January 1794
From: Knox, Henry
To: Dandridge, Bartholomew Jr.

            Dear Sir
            War department January 20. 1794.

          Please to submit to the President of the United States the enclosed letters from James
            Seagrove, Major Gaither and Constant Freeman, all of which have just been received. I am Dear Sir Your obedt Servant

            H. Knox secy of war


Title: To George Washington from the Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates of the New-York Line, 20 January 1794
From: Non-Commissioned Officers Privates of the New-York Line
To: Washington, George

            Sir,
            [New York City, c.20 Jan. 1794]

          THE non-commissioned officers and privates of the New-York line, in the late American
            army, beg leave most respectfully to address you, and to present to you the services we
            rendered to our country during the late glorious struggle with the armies of the King of
            Great-Britain, and the mode in which we have been paid.

          That at the conclusion of the war we retired to private life, with assurances of
            compensation for our hard but approved of services.
          That for reasons unknown to us, we were paid (not in specie) agreeably to contract, but
            in certificates, which we were compelled through extreme distress and poverty, to sell
            for two ⟨and⟩ sixpence for every twenty shillings, after g⟨e⟩tting to our respective
            homes or to such places a⟨s coul⟩d be found as an asylum from fatigue, and which were
            after some time funded and paid to holders at the rate of sixteen shillings in the
            pound.
          That there at present remains a ballance of four shillings for every twenty shillings
            due to us in the hands of government, which we conceive ought in honor of the country,
            to be paid to those who earn’t it, or to their representatives, and which can be done
            without interfering with any system heretofore established.
          That in the last and former sessions of Congress, we were well pleased to hear that Mr.
            James Madison, with several other of the members of the House of Representatives of the
            United States, stept forward in our defence and proposed a mode of payment of the
            certificates so issued, in our favor; but to our unhappy situations add the failure of
            their good intentions.
          That a recital of our past services so well known to you, Sir, we conceive to be
            useless, but beg leave to say that for want of the ballance due, justly due us from our
            country, we are obliged to seek relief from the cold hand of charity, even from those
            who enjoy affluence through our earnings and the destruction of our families.
          We therefore relying on your wisdom, humbly implore your assistance and influence at
            the present session of Congress, to obtain for us the ballance due on the said
            certificates.
          And subscribe as well for ourse⟨l⟩ves as in behalf of the said line. Your most obedient
            humble servants. To be presented by Serjeant John Clark, on behalf of the said line.

            JOHN CLARK, late Serjt. 2d New-York Regt.


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 20 January 1794
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Washington, George

            Monday afternoon. [20 Jan. 1794]

          E. Randolph has the honor of informing the President, that the message of to-day,
            appears to have given general satisfaction. Mr M-d——n in particular thinks, that it will
            have a good effect. He asked me, whether an extract could not have been given from Mr
            Morris’s letter; and upon my answering, that there were some things interwoven with the
            main subject, which ought not to be promulged, he admitted, that the discretion of the
            President was always to be the guide.
          I have received a letter from Galbaud; insisting that he should be brought to trial
            upon the accusation of Genet, that he was concerned in a conspiracy in the U.S. The
            mail, which brought his letter, brought a paper, in which it was published.
          I am told, that a message is to be sent to the President, for a letter, which has been
            omitted from the correspondence between Mr Genet and Mr Jefferson.

          Hauterive, the french Consul, at N. York, has written to Mr Jefferson, to know, whether
            it was with his permission, that Bache’s paper assigned the cause of his resignation to
            be, that he was compelled to sign dispatches, which he disapproved: and particularly to
            ask, whether a particular letter, which related to himself, was among the number of
            things, disapproved by him.


Title: From George Washington to David Stuart, 20 January 1794
From: Washington, George
To: Stuart, David

            Dear Sir,
            Philadelphia 20th Jany 1794

          Your letter of the 6th instant came duly to hand. As you
            appear to have taken a final determination, I can say nothing more on the subject of its
            disclosure than that it would have been pleasing to me if it had been convenient to
            yourselves, that those who began shd have compleated the work; and not to have left the
            harvest to your labours to be reaped by others.
          As you are better acquainted than I am with characters in the vicinity of the federal
            City, and with those not so remote as to make an attendance therein inconvenient: Know
            also the connections of individuals in point of interest with the same, & how far
            those connections ought to disqualify them for Commissioners, I would thank you for the
            names, of such as in your judgment are most likely to subserve the public purposes.
            Wishing as I do to make a good choice of successors, every aid I can derive towards the
            accomplishment of it would be gratefully received.
          Well qualified men might perhaps be had in George Town, or among the Proprietors; but how far their local, & perhaps jarring interests and views
            might render them unfit for the trust, being questionable, your opinion thereon would be
            agreeable to Dear Sir Your Obedt & Affecte Servt

            Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from the United States House of Representatives, 20 January 1794
From: United States House of Representatives
To: Washington, George

            In the House of Representatives of the United States.
            Monday the 20th of January 1794

          Resolved, that the President be requested to direct the Secretary of State, to examine
            whether, among the papers relative to Great Britain, by him laid before the house, a
            letter from Mr Jefferson to Mr Hammond, of the 5th of Decr 1791. has not been omitted,
            and if so, to cause the same, or so much thereof as he shall think proper, to be laid
            before the House:
          Ordered, that Mr Cadwalader & Mr Holten, be a Committee to wait on the President,
            with the foregoing resolution.

            Extract from the JournalWilliam Lambert for John
              Beckley, Clerk.


Title: From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 20 January 1794
From: Washington, George
To: United States Senate and House of Representatives

            Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives.
            United States January 20th 1794.

          Having already laid before you a Letter of the 16th of August 1793, from the Secretary
            of State to our Minister at Paris; stating the conduct and urging the recal, of the
            Minister plenipotentiary of the Republic of France; I now
            communicate to you, that his conduct has been unequivocally disapproved; and that the
            strongest assurances have been given, that his recal should be expedited without
              delay.

            Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Josef Yznardi, Sr., 20 January 1794
From: Yznardi, Josef Sr.
To: Washington, George

            Very Honorable and respectable Sir, of my particular esteem:
            Rota [Spain] 20th January 1794.

          Having present to my mind the obligations that a Father contracts when favors are
            bestowed on his Children, because the latter ought to be imitators of their originals in
            good actions, I cannot do less than make known my acknowledgements for the multiplied
            favors which Joseph Yznardy Joven (who is my Son) has received from Your Excellency, and
            more especially, for the very great one of having given him the appointment of Consul of
            your Republic in the Port of Cadiz and its dependencies. That he may not forfeit the
            good opinion that he has deserved from the Senate and Congress, I shall give him on my
            part all the necessary assistance in this respect; as in effect,
            I shall relinquish the conveniences of my House; and the satisfaction that my fortune
            and family afford me, for two years, to place myself at his side, and with serious
            reflections, and my advice direct his conduct and proceedings in the discharge of his
            Duty. His Youth may be the cause of some emulation in him;
            besides it will be a great satisfaction to me to direct his conduct. Your Excellency
            will deign to believe that the advice and necessary aid requisite for the protection of
            the Commerce of those States shall not be wanting as long as my said Son shall continue
            in the Office, to whom I pray, Your Excellency, to continue your favor and Protection,
            assuring you that my actions will correspond with my offers. I have the honor of
            tendering my services to Your Excellency with all respect, praying God to lengthen your
            important Life for many years. Most Excellent Sir I Kiss Your Excellency’s hands, Your
            humble Servant

            Joseph Yznardi


Title: To George Washington from Benjamin Hawkins, 21 January 1794
From: Hawkins, Benjamin
To: Washington, George

            Senate Chamber 21st Jany 1794

          The gentleman who wrote the inclosed I have long known his character is
            unexceptionable, he is a brother of the late Colo. Richd Henderson, who purchased
            Kentuckey, one of the Royal Judges of North Carolina: He resides in the interior part of
            the State and is a native of it.
          I have no other intimation of the intention of Mr Thomas than this from Mr
              Henderson. With the most respectful attacmnent I have the
            honor to be sir, yr most obedient servt

            Benjamin Hawkins


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 21 January 1794
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

            Sir
            War department January 21st 1794

          I have the honor to submit to you a draft of a letter to the Governor of North Carolina
            in answer to his of the 8. instant.
          I also submit to you the propriety of my transmitting by your order to both houses of
            Congress such parts of Mr Seagrove’s letter as may be necessary to give a complete idea
            of the result of his mission, but not to communicate any of the corrosive parts relative
            to Georgia or individuals, or the Spanish Treaty with the Southern Indians. I have the honor to be with the highest respect Your obedient
            Servant

            H. Knox


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 21 January 1794
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Washington, George

            January 21. 1794.

          The Secretary of State has the honor of informing the President, that he has caused two
            copies to be made of the laws of the North Western territory, and now incloses them. It was long doubted, whether it was the duty of the Executive to
            lay them before congress. But upon a closer examination of the ordinance, the propriety
            of the step flows from the right, reserved to congress, to disapprove these laws. For how are congress to get official possession of them, but by an
            official communication from the executive files, among which they are lodged? The form
            of a message is not sent; because it is apprehended, that the President may choose to connect these laws with some other information, and one
            message may cover both.


Title: From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 21 January 1794
From: Washington, George
To: United States Senate and House of Representatives

            Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives.
            United States January 21st 1794.

          It is with satisfaction I announce to you, that the alterations which have been made by
            law in the original plan for raising a duty on spirits distilled within the United
            States, and on Stills, cooperating with better information, have had a considerable
            influence in obviating the difficulties, which have embarrassed that branch of the
            public revenue. But the obstacles, which have been experienced, though lessened, are not
            yet entirely surmounted; and it would seem that some further legislative provisions, may
            usefully be superadded; which leads me to recall the attention of Congress to the
            subject. Among the matters, which may demand regulation, is the effect, in point of
            organization, produced by the separation of Kentuckey from the State of Virginia; and
            the situation, with regard to the law, of the Territories North west and South west of
            the Ohio.

          The laws respecting Lighthouse establishments require as a condition of their permanent
            maintenance, at the expence of the United States, a complete cession of soil and
            jurisdiction. The cessions of different States having been qualified with a reservation
            of the right of serving legal process within the ceded jurisdiction, are understood to
            be inconclusive, as annexing a qualification not consonant with the terms of the law. I
            present this circumstance to the view of Congress, that they may judge whether any
            alteration ought to be made.
          As it appears to be conformable with the intention of the “ordinance For the Government
            of the territory of the United States, northwest of the river ohio,” although it is not
            expressly directed, that the laws of that territory should be laid before Congress, I
            now transmit to you a copy of such, as have been passed from July to December 1792,
            inclusive; being the last which have been received by the Secretary of State.

            Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from William Pearce, 22 January 1794
From: Pearce, William
To: Washington, George

          Letter not found: from William Pearce, 22 Jan. 1794. GW wrote
            Pearce on 26 Jan. that his “letter of the 22d and the Reports, came duly to hand.”


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 22 January 1794
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Washington, George

            Wednesday 12 o’clock. [22 Jan. 1794]

          E. Randolph has the honor of inclosing to the President a copy of the abstract from Mr
            Short’s letter.
          Mr Strong, of the Senate, called upon E.R. about half an hour
            ago, and desired me to mention in his name to the President, that Mr Bradford would be
            extremely acceptable to many persons, as the Atty General.
          There is a load of English papers, down to the middle of October, just come to hand;
            but without a letter. If the President wishes to see them, they shall be sent to
            him.


Title: To George Washington from William Thompson, 22 January 1794
From: Thompson, William
To: Washington, George

            sir,
            District of Georgia, Savannah, 22nd Jany 1794.

          The unfortunate Death and melancholy fate of Major Forsyth which have doubtless reached
            you ere this, embolden me to venture in the present application,
            I have acted in the capicity of Deputy Marshal for these last eighteen months, and was
            continued as such by the late Marshal’s Commission to me directed, a
            Copy of which I take the liberty of enclosing under Notary seal.
          The necessity of filling up the vacancy appearing obvious, I am induced from the
            Vouchers I forward, to address my self to the President’s notice for that appointment,
            and must with diffidence and submission suggest that probably the Title of an old
            Continental Officer of the ninth Pennsylvania Regiment, who served with some reputation
            from it’s formation in 1776, to it’s dissolution in 1781, as may appear by the
            certificates of Genls Moyland & Butler to Genl Knox in 1785, (which I have requested
            Genl Irvin to present you) may have some weight in the present decision, and should you, Sir, from these short truths think me worthy of the
            appointment in preference to other applications, as partiality is a stranger to your
            Actions, on the Following principles only I beg leave to ask it; as the merit and worth
            of Major Forsyth were known to all his friends and acquaintances when alive, that esteem
            which was then his share must in part be transferred to his family, and as probably they
            are in distress, I propose & happily submit to allow one half of all the Commissions
            from Marshals Sales in this district for the term often specified in his last Commission
            as Marshal.
          The incompatibility of holding two Offices, will make me resign the appointment of
            Collector of Hardwicke if chosen to the place of Marshal; I have
            the Honor to be, most respectfully, Your obedient Servt

            Wm: Thompson


Title: From George Washington to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 22 January 1794
From: Washington, George
To: United States Senate and House of Representatives

            Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives.
            United States 22d January 1794.

          I forward to you extracts from the last advices from our Minister in London; as being connected with communications already made.

            Go: Washington


Title: Henry Knox to Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., 24 January 1794
From: Knox, Henry
To: Dandridge, Bartholomew Jr.

            Sir.
            January 24. 1794.

          Please to submit to the President of the United States, the enclosed letters from Mr
              Dallas; and the proposed answer thereto to the Governor—The answer is according to the principles adopted. Yours sincerely

            H. Knox


Title: To George Washington from Isaac Senter, 24 January 1794
From: Senter, Isaac
To: Washington, George

            Sir,
            Newport State of Rhode Island, Jany 24th 1794

          By the Death of my worthy friend & fellow Citizen, William Channing Esqr. the
            office of District Attorney for this Department, some time since, became vacant, &
            as I have been lately informed Still continues so.
          There have been two gentlemen, I am told, residing in Providence, recommended to fill
            that vacancy.
          It is Sir, with great deference that I presume to address you on a Subject of this
            kind—and were I much more advantageously known to the President, than I can boast of
            being, it would never be my expectation, or desire, to influence his Judgement in
            matters of this nature—but only to give that kind of honest information, which perhaps
            in Some instances may be indulgantly considered as a Duty to my country, as well as to
            its first magistrate.

          David Howell Esqr. L.L.D. one of the gentlemen in nomination, by some of the Citizens
            of Providence, was one of the patriots of this State as early as
            the year, 1775 & to my Knowledge has unremittingly continued So through the
            revolution—He adds to the most extensive Erudition, a legal
            knowledge, Second to no one Among us—He has been formerly a member of the Continental
            Congress & has Sustained Several important officces in this State—Among which was
            that of Judge of the Superior Court, at a period when iniquity was established by Law—By
            his extensive Law Knowledge, firmness & perseverance, he was the greate cause on the
            bench, of preventing the extensive and ruinous application of the penal Law of this
            State, which made it a Crime to refuse a tender of paper bills at par, at a time when
            they could be purchased with gold & silver, of the framers of this law, at Six for one
            —Had it not been for this & I may add some other able &
            honest exertions of Dr Howell in the various State offices he has held, the names of
            Some who are now high in Office, in this Government, would have
            been Seen, Among those of the other Gentlemen who recommend him to the President to fill
            the office of District Attorney for this District.
          May I be permitted to add, that it is my opinion as relative to the two candidates in
            question, that it would be agreeable to the greate body of freemen of this State, as
            well to the Generality of the Bar, that Dr Howell, should fill that vancancy. Sir, I have the honor to be your most obedt & devoted Servant

            Isaac Senter


Title: To George Washington from the United States Senate, 24 January 1794
From: United States Senate
To: Washington, George

            Congress of the United States.
            In Senate January 24. 1794.

          The Senate resumed the consideration of the motion made the 17th instant, together with
            the amendment proposed on the 23d respecting the correspondences which have been had between the Minister of the United States, at the republic of France,
            and said republic:
          And on motion to agree to the resolution amended as follows:
          Resolved, that the President of the Ud States be
            requested to lay before the Senate the correspondences which have been had between the
            Minister of the United States at the republic of France, and said republic; and between
            said Minister and the Office of Secretary of State.

              It passed in the affirmative
              {
              Yeas 13.

              Nays 11.

          The yeas and nays being required by one fifth of the Senators present—those who voted
            in the affirmative are,

              Mr [Stephen R.] Bradley [Vermont],
              Mr [James] Jackson [Georgia],

              " [John] Brown [Kentucky]
              " [John] Langdon [New Hampshire],

              " [Aaron] Burr [New York]
              " [Alexander] Martin [North Carolina],

              " [Pierce] Butler [South Carolina]
              " [James] Monroe [Virginia],

              " [John] Edwards [Kentucky]
              " [Moses] Robinson [Vermont]

              " [Albert] Gallatin [Pennsylvania],
              and

              " [Benjamin] Hawkins [North Carolina],
              " [John] Taylor [Virginia]

          Those who voted in the negative are—

              Mr [William] Bradford [Rhode Island],
              Mr [Samuel] Livermore [New Hampshire]

              " [George] Cabot [Massachusetts],
              " [Stephen M.] Mitchel[l Connecticut],

              " [Oliver] Ellsworth [Connecticut],
              " [Robert] Morris [Pennsylvania],

              " [Theodore] Foster [Rhode Island],
              " [Caleb] Strong [Massachusetts],

              " [Frederick] Frelinghuysen [New Jersey],
              and

              " [Ralph] Izard [South Carolina],
              " [John] Vining [Delaware].

          Ordered, that the Secretary lay this resolution before the President of the U.
            States.

            Attest Sam. A. Otis—Secretary.


Title: To George Washington from John Gwinn, 25 January 1794
From: Gwinn, John
To: Washington, George

          Letter not found: from John Gwinn, 25 Jan. 1794. GW wrote Gwinn
            on 10 March that he “was favoured with your letter of the 25th of Jany.”


Title: To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 26–30 January 1794
From: Lear, Tobias
To: Washington, George

            My dear Sir,
            London, January 26th[–30] 1794

          Presuming on the wish which you had the goodness to express when I left you last, that
            you might sometimes hear from me after my arrival in Europe, I have ventured to write
            you one letter from Glasgow, and now improve the opportunity offered by the Ship
            Delaware, Capt. Truxon, to write to you again.
          I was between 3 & 4 weeks in Scotland, during which time I improved every occasion
            (and many offered) of making myself acquainted with the manufactures
            and other important objects in that Country. Altho’ my sailing for Scotland was a matter
            determined upon so short a time before I left America as to prevent my taking so many
            letters for that part of the Kingdom as I should otherwise have obtained; yet I found
            civilities and attentions heaped upon me in the most unbounded manner. An unreserved
            communication respecting the manufactures, commerce & agriculture of Scotland, as
            far as I had an opportunity of making enquiries, was a circumstance peculiarly
              pleasing.
          On my way from Edinburgh to London, I visited Dryburgh Abbey (about 30 miles from
            Edinbg) and deliverd to Lord Buchan the letter which you had the goodness to give me for
            him. Altho’ I had determined to spend but one day at this place; yet I found it
            impossible to carry that determination into effect; for so pressing were the entreaties
            of Lord & Lady Buchan that I should prolong my stay there, and such was the
            undisguised hospitality—and I may say affectionate treatment which I received from them,
            that at the end of three days I was obliged to say in strong terms that I must pursue my journy. Finding that I could stay no longer at
            Drybugh Abbey without inconvenience to my business—Lord & Lady Buchan put into my
            hands letters to some of their best friends in London & earnestly pressed me to make
            use of them to encrease the number of my useful or agreeable acquaintances in this
            City—And no resistance on my part could prevent his Lordship from taking me on for the
            distance of twenty miles in his Carriage to the town of Coldstream, and as little could
            my entreaties avail to prevent his going with me. As we were to set out at six o’clock
            in the morning (which at that season is nearly two hours before day light in Scotland)—I
            concluded that we should take breakfast at the first stage of ten miles; but when I came
            down at half past five, I was surprized and distressed to find Lady Buchan already up
            and breakfast provided. I expressed my concern; but in vain: the reply was—we love
            General Washington so dearly that we wish to conduct towards one who has been long a
            member of his family and is esteemed by him, as we would towards our own child if we
            were so happy as to have one.
          Lady Buchan wrote the enclosed note to Mrs Washington, begging her acceptance of the
            Earl’s likeness, in pa⟨s⟩te, taken by the famous Tassie, from whom I received it in
            London, and have transmitted it herewith.

          I have ventured, my dear Sir, to give the preceding detail because I felt myself most
            delightfully impressed in receiving such peculiar marks of kindness, in consequence of
            the letter which you gave me, as it discovered the veneration and affection with which
            you are considered in this part of the world. And altho’ I have had an opportunity of
            seeing & feeling it more peculiarly in this instance than in any others; yet I have
            every where met with enthusiastic expressions of admiration & affection for your
            character.
          Sir John Sinclair had left Scotland for this City before I got to Edinburgh, which is
            his place & residence in Scotland. I have had the pleasure of seing him here, and
            put into his hands the letter with which you honored me for him; he has been very
            particular in his attentions to me, and being possessed of a large fund of useful
            knowledge and very happy and ready in his communication of it, I expect much benefit
            from his Acquaintance. He is of one of the first families in Scotland—possesses a very
            large estate there—is a member of Parliament—President of the national board of
            Agriculture—and considered by all parties a useful & most valuable member of
            Society—He is a friend of the present ministry and said to be much in the confidence of
            Mr Pitt. He is above 35 years of age; but his appearance bespeaks him younger, his dress
            plain & his manners perfectly easy & free from formality.
          Mr Young came in town a few days ago, to attend a meeting of the national Society for
            promoting Agriculture, of which he is Secretary, with a salary of 500£ per year. He soon
            found me out, and I have been much with him since. He is a man whose appearance does not
            charge him with being more than 45 years old, which is less than his real age some 7 or
            8 years, as I am informed; he is about 5 feet 10 inches
            high—rather thin—an interesting countenance, aquiline nose & good eye; his
            conversation is animated and he handles his subject with dexterity; but many who know
            him well consider him rather as a theorist on the subject of farming—and even say that
            he never made half the experiments of which he has published the result—and his own farm
            is said to be one of the most slovenly in the part of the Country where he lives: It is
            however acknowledged by All, that he has done very great good to the cause of
            agriculture, by his writings and perseverence. In his political
            opinions it is said there has been a change since the commencement of
            the war with France—and some are so ill-natured as to impute it to the 500£ which he
            receives as Secy to the Board of Agriculture—Certain it is that he is now as high a
            monarchist as any in Britain.
          I have given this personal description of those persons with whom you are in the habits
            of correspondence; because I know one feels desireous of knowing something more of
            persons with whom they converse by letter, but have never seen, than what they can
            collect from a general account.
          Of the Earl of Buchan I should say something also. His Lordship is about the middle
            size, rather thin—his manner & conversation full of vivacity, the portrait which
            accompanies this resembles him; but I think it must have been a better likeness of him 8
            or 10 years ago—he now appears to be about 55. He has been married to his present and
            only lady about 23 years. They have no issue—and the title will
            go to his Brother Henry Erskine—who is at present at the head of the Scotch Bar—and what
            is remarkable, his Lordship’s Youngest Brother, the Honble Thomas Erskine, is considered
            at the head of the English Bar. We have often heard of this gentleman, from the
            conspicuous figure he has made in most of the important causes which have come before
            this Court for several years past. Had it not been the Earls
            misfortune to have been born a Lord, he would in all probability have made as
            conspicuous a figure in the law or some other literary pursuit as his Brothers have
            done; for he has been assiduous in the acquisition of knowledge—and is considered as
            possessing very considerable talents; his moderate disposition has however helped him
            from pressing himself forward in the political world in the manner that his rank &
            abilities would have given him a right to do. He has rather chosen to enjoy domestic
            life, and attend to the improvemt of his Estate, as well as to promoting the interest of
            agriculture & manufactures in general. In the former I understand he has been
            successful, and from being ranked as a poor nobleman 15 years ago, he has become the
            reverse—and what is much to his honor, all the tenants in his Estates have grown rich as
            well as himself.
          Mr Anderson, Professor of Mathematics & natural Philosophy in the University of
            Glasgow, informed me that he had written to you some months ago on the subject of an
            improvement which he had made in Artillery—and had also sent some
            publications which he had made therein. This Gentleman seems to be an enthusiastic
            admirer of America & her Government and is very anxious that our Country should
            derive an advantage from his improvements. The French, it is said, have received vast
            advantage from Mr Anderson’s Artillery; it being carried over there by himself in 1789,
            after the improvement was rejected by the Duke of Richmond, or rather after the proposal
            to let him have the improvement was rejected; for Mr A. tells me that he never deigned
            to make any enquiry into it. The most important point is his having found a method of
            destroying the recoil of the Cannon without moving or injuring the carriage. This Mr A.
            shewed to me very fully & clearly—and gave me every information on the subject of
            it. Its simplicity is as astonishing as its effects. Besides his improvement of
            Artillery, Mr Anderson has introduced many very useful & important inventions &
            improvements for their Manufacturing machines of various descriptions in Scotland, and
            having communicated them gratis & without reserve to the manufacturers he is much
            venerated & beloved by them. If we should carry into effect the intention of
            establishing a national University in Washington City, Mr A. would be a great
            acquisition to it, provided he could be drawn over there. He is spoken of whereever he
            is know[n] as a man of great talents as a natural Philosopher & Mathematician; but
            his liberality of opinion in politics gives great offence to the high government folks
              here.
          Before this reaches you, I trust you will have received a letter which I had the honor
            of writing to you from Glasgow, together with a Box containing a few Articles which I
            took the liberty of putting up for yourself & Mrs Washington, as Specimens of the
            manufactures of the Country. These I left to be sent to America by the first vessel
            sailing from Glasgow for that place, and they will either go to Norfolk in the Ship
            Alnomac or to New York, in the Brigantine John & Jane; these being the first Vessels
            to sail for America: and in whatsoever vessel they go, they will be forwarded to
            Philadelphia. I enclose a duplicate of the Invoice of the Articles.
          The watch for Mrs Washington is preparing; but cannot be got ready to go by this
            Vessel. It will be sent in the next that sails, which will be in about ten days. The man
            who is finishing the watch, wishes it to be a very good one, altho
            plain, and therefore choses rather to finish one on purpose than to send any one which
            he had ready, altho, he considered them as good—He is spoken of as one of the most
            honesst among the most eminent in his way. The white thorn plants will be ready for the
            next vessel also.
          In the Box from Glasgow there is some furze seed; which I sent under an impression that
            it might answer for hedges with you, as it was used for that purpose about Glasgow, and
            looked well; but I was afterwards informed, that the hedges of it were not secure
            against swine—and that when it once got root in the ground it spread over every part
            & became a troublesome weed.
          When I came to this Country I determined, as much as possible, to avoid all
            conversation on political subjects, knowing that any opinion of mine on those points
            could be of no use to any one, and that possibly they might be detrimental to me: Altho’
            I have adhered pretty well to this resolution, yet it has not prevented me from hearing
            opinions expressed, of such a nature, and with so much openness as astonished me, when I
            knew the excess of punishment which the Government had inflicted on some individuals who
            had openly avowed their sentiments. An Idea not uncommon in Scotland, and the northern
            parts of England through which I have passed, is, that it is now folly to talk of a
            reform in Government—nothing short of a revolution can be thought of—men of moderation
            who espoused the cause of a reform havg been run down & put out of countenance, they
            lay by to see the event of measures which they know to be disagreeable to the Country at
            large—and leave to the more violent to push matters with a high hand, which would not
            have been necessary if the voice of reason and moderation had not been violently
            suppressed in its early stages. The Government beleive, because these moderate &
            respectable Characters rest in silence at present, that they approve their measures; but
            the reverse of this is true. They cannot approve, and they do not venture to express
            their disapprobation openly, because the cry of “Mad Dog” against
            them would cause them to be hunted down by the Underlings of party, and make their lives
            very uneasy; they therefore chuse to let the matter work in the only way in which it now
            can work, fully convinced that no great length of time can elapse before the storm will
            burst upon those who seem to have taken peculiar pains in preparing materials for
            it.

          Altho’, as I observed before, I have avoided as much as possible entering into any
            political conversations; yet persons who would not openly express their sentiments to
            others, subjects of this Country, have spoken to me in a style which I have thought
            imprudent for them to use even tho’ they knew I should never use it to their
            disadvantage—and some of them have been persons of no inconsiderable standing here.
          After giving this detail of what I have observed respecting the sentiments of many
            here; it may, notwithstanding, be proper to remark, that so large is the majority in
            Parlament for supporting the present ministry and for prosecuting the war, no doubt can
            remain but that it will be pursued, and especially as it is said that Mr Pitt can
            command in loan any sums he may want, and upon better terms than he could make last
            year. The want of employment at the manufacturies gives a great number of men to the
            Army & navy. But the truth is, a strong spirit of discontent prevails more or less
            in every part of the Kingdom—the causes which first excited it not only still exist, but
            increase every day—Those who are discontented are not by any means altogether of the
            lower order of people—many of distinguished property—many of distinguished talents—and
            some of distinguished rank are among them.
          The Speech of the President on opening the Session of Congress arrived here the day
            before the Parliament met. It was universally approved & admired—at least so far as
            I could hear of any expressions respecting it—and very honorable mention was made of it
            as well as of America in general in some of the speeches on the day that Parliament met.
            Mr Fox in particular dwelt with enthusiastic energy on the—virtues—the talents—and the
            peculiar good fortune of General Washington. He drew, with much warmth, a lively
            comparison between the conduct of the American Governmt and that of this Country—much to
            the disadvantage of the latter. In an animated voice he cried—“All the Kings of Europe
            when compared with the great & the good Washington appear—small—and I had almost
            said contemptable”; but says he, in a lower voice, “I must except
            our own King.” The public papers, you will observe, have noticed this part of Mr Fox’s
            speech in the debates; but they have not given a just statement of it. I was present and
            felt his words strike my very soul—I wished to have embraced him for them.

          On your goodness, my dear Sir, do I rely to pardon me for the trouble of this tedious
            letter—I have written it for the purpose of giving you some idea of things here as they
            really are—and shall feel peculiarly happy if you find a moment’s amusement or one thing
            that is acceptable as information through the whole of it.
          Everything respecting my own affairs is a[s] favorable as I could expect, considering
            the prospect of a continuance of the war, which is always more or less detrimental to a
            regular system of mercantile business. I have found every disposition in the great
            manufactures and merchants with whom I have been particularly conversent, to promote my
            views in business; but I have done nothing yet decisive in business, as we shall not be
            ready ’till mid-summer to pursue our plan fully at the City of Washington. Generally speaking I find a strong affection towards the americans in
            the manufacturing part of the Community—it is less in the mercantile—and still less I
            beleive in another class.
          I take the liberty to enclose some papers from the opening of parliament to the present
            date, by which you will see something of what may be expected from the complexion of the
              debates.
          For Mrs Washington my best and grateful respects I beg may be made acceptable and to my
            young friends Nelly & Washington I send my love. And that
            they and yourself may enjoy all the health and happiness that this life can afford is
            the earnest prayer of my dear Sir, Your affectionate friend & grateful & obliged
            Servant

            Tobias Lear.

            P.S. Jany 30: 1794 Captn Truxon not sailing so soon as he expected has given time for
              finishing the watch for Mrs Washington, which I have committed to the special care of
              Capt. Truxon, together with the likeness of Lord Buchan. The watch, as you will see by
              the enclosed Bill has a little exceeded the sum which you put into my hands for the
              purchase of it. But this being a horizontal Watch (which are decidedly the best) and
              made with very particular care by one of the first hands in London, I thought I might
              venture to go a triffle beyond the mark, rather than send one which could not be so
              well warranted.
            I have engaged 5000 of the white Thorn plants which will be put on board the Ship
              Peggy bound to George Town, She will sail by or before the 10th of next month, and is
              addressed to Colo. Deakins.

            Having mixed very much in almost all ranks of people since I have been here, and
              heard with attention all sentiments on public matters: Besides which I have been
              sought for and have had communications pressed upon me from quarters where the best
              knowledge of the views of this Governmt are to be found—Summing up in my mind all
              circumstances & communication I hesitate not to say to you, my dear Sir, that I am
              clearly impressed with a beleif, that it is the wish & view of the present
              Governmt of this Country to quarrel with the U.S.—and that their object is to make the
              U.S. appear to be the first open Aggressors, then endeavour to persuade the people
              that on the part of Britain it is a war of defence. Sure I am however that this excuse
              will never be accepted by the people of this Country—and that if the present ministry
              should be mad enough to plunge the nation in a War with the U.S. it will only hasten their own ruin. Their ruin & a terrible crush in this
              Kingdom, I cannot help looking upon as inevitable and at no great distance. It is
              impossible for me to communicate to you at this time the grounds upon wh. this opinion
              is founded—And I should hardly venture to say as much as I have done; but that I shall
              deliver this letter into Capt. Truxon’s hands and rely upon his special care of
                it.
            The eyes of the people here are beginning to open with respect to France—It is openly
              said here & in Almost every part of the Kingdom that it is folly to contend longer
              with that Nation—which is now considerd as the most powerful & energetic at this
              moment in Europe. The great successes of France can no longer be hid from the
              people—and the reports of their internal divisions are no longer beleived—as all
              operations & the Accounts of impartial men coming from that Country give the lie
              therto.


Title: From George Washington to William Pearce, 26 January 1794
From: Washington, George
To: Pearce, William

            Mr Pearce,
            Philadelphia Jany 26th 1794.

          Your letter of the 22d and the Reports, came duly to hand by yesterdays Post.

          You will perceive by my rotation plan (with which you have been furnished—or rather by the notes annexed thereto) that if the fields allotted for
            Corn at the several farms were deemed inadequate to the consumption of this article,
            that such parts of the fields as were designed for Buck Wheat, as a Crop, might be converted to this purpose, and I repeat it again here; leaving the
            proportion thereof to your own judgment, with a proviso, however, that there be Buck
            Wheat enough sown to raise a sufficiency of Seed for all the purposes of my rotation
            system another year; as it is certainly a reflection upon a farmer to have his Seeds to
            buy. The reason why I prefered increasing the quantity of Corn ground in these fields,
            is, that nothing might interrupt the manurings of one field, at
            each farm, every year with green manure; whilst the Cowpens, & dung from the farm
            yards, would do the like to the poor parts of a second field,
            annually. By this means, and a judicious rotation, I am not without hope of bringing my
            land, in time, into a profitable state of cultivation; and unless some such practice as
            this prevails, my fields will be growing worse and worse every year, until the Crops
            will not defray the expence of the culture of them.
          By the report of the week before last, it appeared that Stuart was plowing in No.
              7; but as that field, according to the rotation which I have
            by me, was to remain this year in Pasture I could not account for it, otherwise than as
            a mistake in him, or a direction of mine which I had forgotten; the reason however of my
            mentioning the matter again, in this letter, is, that if that field is designed for Oats
            and Buck Wheat, the part, or such proportion thereof (as you like) which was designed
            for the latter, may go into Corn in like manner as is allowed at the other farms; but if
            it has not been touched, nor intended to be touched this year, (and I again desire that
            you will not undertake more than you can execute well) then such part of No. 1. as you
            may deem proper may be put into Corn: or you may do what Stuart suggested to me before I
            left home—namely—to plant all the good ground in both No. 1 & No. 3 with Corn & Sow all the
            broken & poor parts of them with Buck Wheat for manure; the same might be done at
            the other farms; remembering always, that these fields are to be sown with Wheat in the
            months of August & September next agreeably to the plan of Rotation, which you
            have.

          I will send by the first vessel going round to Alexandria 14 bushls of Clover Seed, as
            I fear what you have (except of your own growth) is bad; and because I would not be
            sparing of Seed, either to the ground you have to sow, or that which has been sown, and
            is now missing. Of Timothy Seed I shall send more, as 10 bushels
            is sufficient I conceive to answer all your purposes; but it is to be feared that the
            Timothy & Orchard grass seeds have got mixed (as they are very much alike) for I am
            sure there was Orchard grass seed saved, & Butler and old Jack ought to know what
            was done with it. That you may know what dependence to place on
            the Clover seed which went from hence last year, & put into the Store mix it well
            together, & then promiscuously take out a certain (precise) number of seeds &
            see what proportion of them will come up. The Gardener can ascertain this, or by putting
            them under a brick on the ground, in a warm place, you can do it yourself. I shrewdly
            suspect that that seed was bad, even last year, otherwise the clover lot at the Mansion,
            and the Meadows at Union & Dogue run farms, would not be so dificient now (the
            latter after twice sowing in some parts).
          Speaking of these Seeds, I must give you a hint of what I also very strongly suspect;
            and that is—that my Negro Seedsmen takes a considerable toll from every thing that goes
            into their hands—for this reason, make it an invariable rule before it is delivered to
            them, to mix in a bushel of Sand or well dried earth, as many pints of seed as you allow
            to an Acre, and let it be sown in this manner. Two valuable purposes are answered
            thereby-–1st in this State, the Seed is rendered unsaleable; and 2dly a person not
            skilled in sowing small seeds, will do it more regularly when thus mixed; for being
            accustomed to sow a bushel of Wheat to the Acre, the same cast, & fill of the hand,
            does for the small Seed when so mixed; in doing of which pains is to be taken that the
            mixture is perfect; otherwise one part of the Acre will have more sand & less seed
            than the other, & so vice, versa.
          Give what manure you can to the lot at Mansion house which is to be sown with Oats and
            grass seeds; or to the one which is to be planted with Potatoes, as circumstances and
            your own judgment shall direct: for both, I do not presume there is dung enough. It is
            better to do one well than both by halves.

          The Ground between No. 6 at River farm, and the Barn lane, you may apply to the
            purposes mentioned in your letter of the 22d, & let it remain under the fence which
            incloses No. 6 until a division fence can be run. It my be worth some consideration
            whether Potatoes (if some part of the Clover lot in front of the Barn does not require
            to be broke up) ought not to be planted in part of it.
          You may continue to eat of my meat, as the white people will take it after it goes from
            your table, until your family arrives, and afterwards also if it shall be found more
            convenient than to keep seperate stocks, as I believe it will. I perceive Thomas Green
            draws fine flour from the Mill when the Miller & others are content with Midlings;
            and which I am sure is good enough for him. Does his agreement in this respect differ
            from the others?
          The thorn berries should be buried a year before they are sown, in order that they may
            pass through a state of fermentation; unless they do this they will not come up. Butler
            ought to be acquainted with the process, if he is the practical farmer he pretends to
            be—The Ceder berries should have all the casing of the Seed rubbed of[f] before they are
            sown, or they will not come up.
          Mr Dulany is right in his application, but when you pay him the hundred dollars (which
            is herein sent you) take his receipt for £150 pounds on Acct of the Rent due to Mrs
            French for the year 1793; and give him a receipt for £120 for the Rent he owes me, for
            the same year.
          There is part of the Wages for 1793 due to the Estate of Mr Anthony Whiting; but how
            much I am unable at this moment to say presisely. They commenced the first of Jany and
            he died about the middle of June, but how much of my money which was in his hands he may
            have applied to his own use I cannot, without some investigation, decide. If the
            Administrators have any thing which leads to this, obtain it from them, that the Acct
            may be closed; as I do not want to keep them out of what is due, a day. I remain Your friend &ca

            Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 26 January 1794
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Washington, George

            Sir
            Philadelphia January 26. 1794.

          I have examined all Mr Morris’s ministerial correspondence; and after the impression,
            which I had received from others, whom I supposed to be conversant with it, I am really
            astonished to find so little of what is exceptionable, and so much of what the most
            violent would call patriotic. The parts to be witheld, will probably be of these denominations: 1. What relates to Mr G—-t; 2. some harsh expressions on the conduct of the rulers in France,
            which, if returned to that country, might expose him to danger; 3. the authors of some
            interesting information, who, if known, would be infallibly denounced. He speaks indeed
            of his court; a phrase, which he might as well have let alone. I
            shall do myself the honor of waiting on you in the morning; and I write now, only to
            give you an outline of the true state of the business. I have
            the honor, sir, to be with the highest respect yr mo. ob. serv.

            Edm: Randolph


Title: From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 26 January 1794
From: Washington, George
To: Randolph, Edmund

          Letter not found: to Edmund Randolph, 26 Jan. 1794. In his
            second letter to GW of this date, Randolph wrote that he “has just had the honor of
            receiving the President’s letter.”


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 26 January 1794
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Washington, George

            Sunday Evening [26 Jan. 1794]

          Mr Randolph has just had the honor of receiving the President’s letter, which came,
            while he was dining out.
          Mr R. writes this note for the consideration of the President.

          If the resolution was made in the executive character of the
            Senate; then a resistance in toto seems at present the true path;
            because they are executive, only on nominations or Treaties; and can call for papers relative
            to those subjects, only when the one or the other is propounded to them by the
              President.
          On the other hand, as a branch of the legislature, the Senate
            have a greater latitude of power. They may call for papers, altho’ they do not relate to
            a business, actually depending before them. They may call for them, with a view to
            originate business. But then, the President interposes his discretion, so as to give to
            them no more, than, in his judgment, is fit to be given.
          So that a very important question seems to be, whether the vote be a legislative or
            executive vote. It now stands on the legislative journal.
          Mr R. thanks the President for his kind enquiry, after his son, who is much better.