Title: From George Washington to Thomas Peter, 18 May 1798
From: Washington, George
To: Peter, Thomas

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 18th May [17]98

Your letter of the 16th, and its contents, came safe, as you will perceive by the enclosed receipt for the money.
As neither your letter of the 16th nor Patsey’s of the 15th, has taken any notice of one written to her by Mrs Washington of the 14th and committed to the care of Mr White (Commissioner) we are left in doubt as to the receipt of it—I shall just mention, therefore that the purport of it was, to inform you, that tomorrow (if not prevented by any thing at present unforeseen) we proposed to visit Hope Park—stay there on Sunday, & dine with you on Monday—This we yet mean to do. Our best wishes are offered for you, Patcy & the Children—and I am—Dr Sir Your Affecte Hble Servt

Go: Washington

P.S. I decline saying any thing concerning the Bricklayer until I come to the City.


Title: To George Washington from Lafayette, 20 May 1798
From: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de
To: Washington, George

My dear General
Wittmold-Holstein [Germany] May the 20th 1798

Your Letter december the 5th Under Cover to George Has But lately Reached our Hands, and while Such delays make me more and more Lament the distance which Separates us from You, I Cannot Be easy about the fate of my part of the Correspondance—I Beg Leave, Amidst So Many UnHappy chances, to Hope that Omissions will not Be Laid on My Account and that Repetitions will Be allowed—Indeed, my dear General, the Best way I Have to answer Your affectionate Enquiries is to take a short Review of My past and present Situation.
On our Emerging from the Captivity in which, out of their Superlative Hatred to true liberty and Legal order, the Coalesced Governments Had, as Long as they Could possibly do it, obstinately detained my friends and me, I Became Acquainted with the Revolutionary Events of the 4th September—there were men in the victorious party who Had Greatly influenced my Rescue from the Olmutz-Bastille—But in that part of the Vainquished one which ought to Be distinguished from a few Real Conspirators, I Had friends Entitled to my Gratitude and Esteem—and while it must Be Acknowledged that a foolish plot was Going on, and Had in the Elegant Circles Become fashionable, while it is By the Best patriots, and undeserving victims now freely Confessed that in their Endeavours to fix the Republican System on the liberal Basis of Liberty and justice they ought to Have Better Expressed their dissentiment from the plotters, and Avoided Reducing the Executive Leaders to a necessity of Self defense, yet in the tyrannical measures of the 18th fructidor and obvious Consequences

there was a perfect incompatibility with the principles and the Sentiments of the man who Had Embraced the American Cause, Headed the french Revolution of 1789, and Opposed the AntiConstitutional Violences of 1792—I therefore Confined Myself to Acknowledgements of the Exertions whereby we Had Been Conquered out of the Coalitionary fangs, and to Every Act Becoming a french Citizen in foreign Countries—But I determined to Embark for America with My family as Soon as my wife’s Health Could permit it—and Now that, after Having So Long waited for Her, I find she Cannot for this year Bear the Voyage I Shall Send Her to france with Her daughters and Son in law while in the middle of july George and Myself Set out for the United States, unless my uneasiness for Her weak and precarious state of Health should force me to expect her Before we Embark. in the mean while, altho’ I Have very frankly Spoken of the fructidorian transactions, and Given to the estimable objects of the proscription Every mark of Respect in my power, I Cannot Say that I Have personally to Complain of the Actual Directors—no further at Least than that they wish for my temporary absence—So Long Say their friends to mine, as Arbitrary measures are Reckoned Necessary, which By me are in no Case allowed, and which I am known in Every Case to oppose—it is true that once a foolish Calumny Has, Say they, inadvertantly, Escaped their pen, and they are far from showing themselves friendly to my popularity in france—But upon the whole there is nothing Hostile in their manner to Speak of or to Act By me—My principles and Conduct are alwais By them and their friends in Conversation mentioned with Regard—My Suitable Return to france is Not Even questionned—and while a delay of that Return Agrees So well with them that they Seem jealous of Every thing which tends to promote it, I am By their Representatives Abroad treated not only as a fellow Citizen But as one to whom particular Attentions are to Be paid—this situation I am very well pleased with—I Cannot Aprove or abet despotic measures of Any kind—nor Can I Recede from the fundamental principles of liberty which in this European Revolution I was the first to proclaim—Now that the directory is affraid of the very jacobins who Had Supported the fructidorian Coup de main, the jacobins are very likely to be in their turn fructidorited—when a System more Congenial to the pure and liberal ideas of liberty will prevail in the Commonwealth I do not pretend to determine—But I am

Sure that at Such a time it Shall Be proper for me to Revise france, and to Revise it Sooner I Cannot By Any means wish—You See, my dear General, that no duty at this moment interferes and that Every Sentiment Conspirs in the Actual plan, and the ardent desire I Have to Be with you in the Month of September when I Hope to Be able on the 19th to Celebrate at Mount Vernon the Anniversary of My Restoration to Liberty and Life.
But there is a Circumstance which from Every public motives and private feelings makes me more UnHappy than I can find words to Express the Anxiety of My Mind—I mean the deplorable disputes Between the United States and france—I See that instead of Subsiding, as I Had Expected it would Be the Case, they Appear to Be worse than Ever—Let us Hope at Least that My Heart will not Be Rent with the dismal News of a declared war Between the two Nations—But there is Already too much of it. How I Lament that My present Situation puts it out of My power to Become the Useful instrument of an Honourable Reconciliation—I Have However Said and writen to france the little that now depends on me—And on this only point I never Have Received Significant Answers—You know on what Grounds, and with what Sentiments I Have in former times Emploied myself Between two Countries to Both of which I was Bound By the ties of patriotic duty and Affection—But in the present Circumstances I Have Nothing to Meddle with, But ⟨Some⟩ private Endeavours to Soften, Expostulate, and Convert, to Complain, and to Blame, and to those inefficacious Solaces of my Anxiety I join my incessant and fervent wishes for Such a Conclusion as may perfectly suit the interest of Both Countries and their most delicate feelings of National Honour. I am Sure, my dear General, that your powerful influence will be Emploied in Removing the obstacles that are found on your Side of the Atlantic, and that you will, in the Name of the Universal Respect that is so justly paid to you, and of Remembrances which recall the Happy times of union Among the American patriots, that you will, says I, Recommend to the Leading States men in Both parties not to Let political or personal piques Encrease the difficulties, already too Great, to fill up the Breach and Bring about a Reconciliation.
To the Confidential Communication of my personal Situation and to the very Unequate Expression of my feelings on the deplorable Misunderstanding which Could not But Rent my own Heart, I Beg Leave to add a short notice Respecting the whole family—

We Have spent the winter in Holstein, on danish territory, in a Hired Country Seat about Sixty English miles from Hamburgh—My friend Latour Maubourg and His family were with us—we had visits from france and other Countries—there Arrived, as you Have in time known it, our Son George with His Companion—But, after Having Received the friends who during So long a Captivity Had Been Entitled to our Gratitude, and Could Come to this distant place, we Have thought it Better to inHabit the Country Seat of our Aunt Madame de Tessé who Has purchased a few years Ago a Valuable and pleasing estate in Holstein where She Resides with my wife’s Sister. Here My eldest daughter Anastasie was Married to Charles Maubourg my friends’ Youngest Brother. I am Highly pleased with George whose Heart and Head will, I hope, Render Him worthy of the paternal protection you Have so affectionately Given to Him, the Sense of which is More warmly felt, more deeply Engraved in our Hearts than words Can Express it.
My wife, my daughters, my Son in law Beg the tender Homage of their Affection, Gratitude and Respect to Be presented to you, my dear General, and to Mrs Washington—I Hope she will with Her Usual friendship to me accept my most affectionate Respects—I beg also you will present them to Miss Eleanor with whom I will be inexpressedly Happy to renew my old Acquaintance—my compliments wait on Her Brother—Receive you all the fervent wishes, the Grateful Sentiments, the everlasting Attachment that Bind Every one of us to You—Adieu, my dear and Beloved General, you know How Happy I am to have so Good a Right to Call myself Your Respectful, filial, and obliged friend

Lafayette


Title: From George Washington to [John Fitzgerald], 21 May 1798
From: Washington, George
To: Fitzgerald, John

Sir:
Washington 21 May 1798

The enclosed, I would thank you for forwarding to the Postmaster in Alexandria. It is to request him to return any letters

which he may receive to my address at his office, between this and friday next, to your office: and I pray you Sir, if any should come there otherwise tha[n] in the Alexandria—that is—seperate therefrom for me, that you would be so good as to detain them until they are sent for by Sir Your Very Hble Sert

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to James Mease McRea, 21 May 1798 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: McRea, James Mease

Letter not found: to James Mease McRea, c.21 May 1798. On 21 May 1798 GW wrote to John Fitzgerald: “The enclosed, I would thank you for forwarding to the Postmaster in Alexandria.”


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Coleman Martin, 21 May 1798
From: Martin, Thomas Coleman
To: Washington, George

Sir
King & Q[uee]n County May 21st 1798

Your favor of the 10th is before me, in answer to which I beg lieve to express my thanks for your earnest wish for my success in the threshing machine which I have invented. I am sorry however that it is not yet in my power to give a full & satisfactory account of the extent of its utility: since I last wrote you I have had no more wheat with which I coul[d] make further experments.
I am now engaged in erecting a very considerable number to be usd as soon as our wheat harvest which is much earlier then yours comes on their powers then will be thoroughly tried the result of which I shall as soon as known communicate by letter to you.
Suffice it at present to say that the machine is simple & I have full confidence of ist utility—I am of opinion that manuel labour will be found to answer well & the aid of horses unne[c]essary.
I have in a few instances licenced some workmen to erect the machine on my plan for & in consideration of the sum of ten dollars for each & should have no objections to licence others. for those I make my Self I shall expect to receive sixty dollars.

Inclosd you will find a bill of scantling which will be necessary for building the machine.
I fear I shall not be able to send you a skilful workman as early as you might wish but have no dought should you not be sooner provided that I could send one some time in the summer. And am with great respect yours &c.

Thos C. Martin


Title: From George Washington to James Anderson, 22 May 1798
From: Washington, George
To: Anderson, James

Mr Anderson
Federal City 22d May 1798

Your letter of the 19th inst. has been received, but not with the surprise it would otherwise have occasioned, had I not been prepared in some measure for the notice it gave by the intimation contained in a former letter (not now by me, & the date forgotten) of your intention to withdraw from my employment, at the end of the year.
I shall repeat now, what I said upon that occasion—viz.—that I had no intention then, nor have I any desire now, to part with you as a manager; but having made this declaration I shall add (what I believe I then did) that I have no wish to retain any person in my Service who is discontented with my conduct; or who has prospects more congenial with their inclinations or their Interest, in the service of another; and this I must presume to be the case with you, for it can hardly be supposed that the reasons you have assigned for leaving mine, are all that have urged you to the measure.

Strange, & singular indeed would it be, if the Proprietor of an Estate (than whom no one can be so good a judge of the resources as himself) should have nothing to say in, or controul over, his own expenditures; Should not be at liberty to square his œconomy thereto; Nor should, without hurting the feelings of a Manager, point to such alterations, (admitting they were not the best) but such as he might incline to adopt or at least propose; especially too when it has been requested by that Manager over & over again to do so. It is a matter of regret, and if these things should operate equally on others, it might be a means of preventing my ever having another Manager—for I have no hesitation in declarg that I shall never relinquish the right of judging, in my own concerns (though I may be pleased always to hear opinions) to any Man living while I have health & strength to look into my own business—especially as my sole inducement to give standing wages was to prevent those complaints which might arise from a difference of opinion & interference if a share of the Crops was to constitute the reward for Services.
Having said thus much upon general principles, I am a little curious, I must confess, to know in what instances your plans have been thwarted?—that they have been altered by yourself, cannot be denied; I am equally desirous of knowing what improvements have been obstructed, or defeated, by my withholding the means of carrying them into effect? It will not be denied that you have planned your own Crops (except perhaps those at Dogue Run)—and that you have directed the Carpenters, Ditchers, Millers & Coopers in their work. If I have interfered in either, it has been no further, that I can recollect, than by expressing an opinion that shifting them from one work to another, before any thing was completed, is a waste of time, & a backwarding of labour. Have you ever been denied money when it was asked for? and have I not on a variety of occasions given it as my decided opinion that to improve my Farms by lessening the quantity of Tillage; by dressing the smaller quantity more highly; by hedging & keepg them clean by Ditching, & meadowg would be more agreeable to me than immediate profit? & that for want of a regular rotation system, (adapted to the nature of the soil, & to circumstances) my Land hitherto has been sorely pressed, & must ultimately be ruined if it is not adopted.

If all these things have happened, where have I been deficient? or in what have you just cause to complain? If I cannot remark upon my own business—passing every day under my eyes—without hurting your feelings, I must discontinue my rides, or become a cypher on my own Estate. you will, I am persuaded, do me the justice to say that I have never undertaken any new thing, or made any material change, or indeed any change at all in the old, without consulting with you thereupon; and you must further acknowledge, that I have never been tenacious of any matters I have suggested, when you have offered Reasons against the adoption of them. If your feelings have been hurt by my remarks on the bad clover Seed that was purchased, I cannot help that; my views & plan have been much more hurt by it; for it is a fact known to yourself that field No. 2, at D[ogue] R[un] would not have been sown with Oats but for the sake of the Clover (with a view to carry on my rotation system, at that farm) and that I required only three or four days to have ascertained by actual experiment whether it was good or not. In a case where facts could be resorted to, there was no occ[asio]n to exercise judgmt.
But as it is not my wish to hurt the feelings of any one, where it can be avoided, or to do injustice in any respect whatsoever, the foregoing is to be considered in no other light than as a reply to your letter, and as a development of the principles on which I have acted & shall continue to act; I shall proceed then to suggest now what I intended to mention to you some little time hence—and which was the ground on wch I proposed the plan of building a house at the Mill.
Two things have appeared very clear to me for sometime past; one, that your attention is too much divided, & called to so many different objects, that notwithstanding your Zeal, and Industry, with wch I always have been, & still am perfectly satisfied, some of them must suffer: the other, that my Mill, & Distillery, under the uncertainty of Cropping of late years, would, with good Management & close attention to them, be found my best & most certain support.
Under this conviction—Under a belief that to carry on the Millering and Distillery business to the extent of which they are susceptible, would, of themselves, be sufficient to occupy the time & attention of any one person; and under a persuasion that if you

were relieved wholly, or in part from all the other duties and perplexities of your present employments (still retaining the Sallary and emoluments you now have) that you would render these two branches more productive than the whole now is to me—These considerations then, had determined me to propose to you, to confine your attention to these objects, & to the Fishery; if not altogether, at least in a great degree; to enable you to do which with the greater convenience, was one of my motives for proposing to build a convenient house at the Mill. In this case you would be relieved from the responsibility of other matters, and in a great measure from the trouble which is now attached to them; altho’ I should still expect & stipulate to receive, all the aid that could be derived from your knowledge & advice in the Management of my Farms, especially at the three nearest to the Mill, & that you would ride round them with me whenever required so to do—and do business for me in Alexandria when called upon for that purpose. I am induced, in some degree, to make this proposition from another consideration; namely—a belief that one of the Overseers which I now have, altho’ he may obey orders, will never carry on business to advantage if controuled by any one except the owner of the Farm—if by him.
If you are inclined to accede to this proposition I will give the three concerns above mentioned up, entirely to your management the ensuing year under regulatns to be ag[ree]d upon & will furnish you with means to carry on the business to its utmost extent, and shall as mentioned before only require your advice, & assistance occasionally, in conducting the other parts of my concerns. By a plan of this sort, you will be relieved, from the most troublesome part of your present occupations; from all the responsibility annexed to them; and from those remarks which seem to be the sourse of your present uneasiness & complaints.
So soon as you shall have given this proposition due consideration I shall expect to be informed of the result—as decisive & timely measures must be taken on my part to arrange matters for the New order if you are determined to quit ⟨My⟩ Employ. I wish you well & am your friend &ca

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from James Anderson, 22 May 1798
From: Anderson, James
To: Washington, George

Sir
Mount Vernon 22d May 1798

I wrote You on the 19th to which I beg leave to refer You—In that letter I informed of the Robery of the Fish house. After some pains, have discovered Cooper Moses was in Town offering Fish in Barrels for Sale, He partly confesses that He did, But that I had given Him some. And He caught in the Run as many more as nearly filled one B[arre]ll. I have given some to Him. I do not think exceeding 40 or 50 Herrings—Others who have Familys have had more, But all were given, by taking their promise that they were not to sell any. I will not do any thing without Your Orders, which I will wait for.
Yesterday, Mr Rawlins, & our ⟨mutilated⟩ were Innoculated, when Mr Flood was performing. Neale (⟨mutilated⟩ taking down and puting up Bed frames in the House) was present He expressed a Strong desire for Innoculation and an apprehension of His having caught it by Infection—Without fully considering the matter did consent to His being Innoculated. And no sooner was it done than I severely repented it—for these reasons that probably He may loose some work—And that He may carry the Infection to the Negroe Children—I confess myself very wrong having acted imprudently & done what I ought not. And no other reason can I give, but the custom with which always I had been acquainted of every one Innoculating at pleasure. I hope & beg You will forgive this Transgression. And every possible care shall be taken to prevent the Infection being spread thro the Estate As after the Fever Neale shall not go near where Children are nor shall any of my Family, or any others from the Quarters have any Communication

with our Family—Indeed when I have fully considered the whole business—I do wish I had not Innoculated my Child—As I will never forgive myself, if the Infection does communicate to the Children at the Quarters—Being now done nothing but the greatest care can make any attonement.
On Saturday Mr Lear was on the Estate (tho I did not see Him) wishing to consult You respecting a general Innoculation.
I got the Corn from Mr Peters. It is very sound but very small. To morrow we shall plant the Orrange County Corn in the Mill Meadow. And that from Mr Peter in the lower part of the Union Farm Meadow. And Davies Meadow will be all planted with the Orrange Corn. I shall be in Town with Whiskee & Fish on Thursday—Bring down the Pump & 5 or 6 Blls Tar. If You thing on any thing I will call at the Post office where I may have the favour of hearing from You. The Baltimore man has paid me the few Fish He had, says they were all condemned at Baltimore—Altho He owns that He thot them good. I am told ⟨mutilated⟩ Fish will there condemn a whole Barrel. We will ⟨mutilated⟩ no difficulty in selling them. And with much esteem and great respect I am Sir Your most Obedt Humble Sert

Jas Anderson

Mr Neale will make up His lost time.


Title: To George Washington from James Piercy, 23 May 1798
From: Piercy, James
To: Washington, George

New Jersey Avenue [Washington, D.C.] May 23. 1798

Mr Piercy presents his Compliments to General Washington, requests he will do him the Honor to accept Two Loaves of Double refined Sugar, the produce of the Manufactory at Washington City.


Title: To George Washington from James Butler, 24 May 1798
From: Butler, James
To: Washington, George

Sir
24th May 1798 Alexandria poorhouse

In a few days after I had the honour of Waiting on you at Mt Vernon which is now upwards of two years—I agreed with Mr Alexander to teach his Children I remain’d in that station for twenty months, I then was Render’d incapable of Staying with him any longer on acct of a Severe linguiring complaint, which Still Continues. When I left Mr Alexanders I came to a boarding house where I remain’d till I see out the last Shilling I had, & was oblig’d

to come to the poorhouse, where I suppose I stay the remainder of my life as I have not the Smallest hopes of ever geting rid of the complaint that I have. I really am at present in distress tho’ particular care is taken of me I flatter my Self from the many favours you heretofore confer’d on me that you will send me assistance which I really Stand in need of, may the great god prolong your days which Shall always be the Constant prayer of your most obliged humble Servt

Jams Butler

I beg leave to Enclose you Mr Alexanders Certificate wch Coroborates what I tell you.
What causes my present distress is, that I want Several things that is not allowd into the poor house.


Title: From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 27 May 1798
From: Washington, George
To: Hamilton, Alexander

My dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 27th of May 1798

Yesterday, brought me your Letter of the 19th instant.
You may be assured, that my Mind is deeply impressed with the present situation of our public affairs, and not a little agitated by the outrageous conduct of France towards the United States; and at the enemical conduct of its partisans among ourselves, who aid & abet their measures: You may believe further, from assurances equally sincere, that if there was any thing in my power, which could be done with consistency to avert, or lessen the danger of the Crisis, it should be rendered with hand and heart.
The expedient however, which has been suggested by you, would not, in my opinion, answer the end which is proposed. The object of such a tour could not be veiled by the ostensible cover to be given to it; because it would not apply to the state of my health, which never was better: and as the measure would be susceptible of two interpretations, the enemies to it—always more active & industrious than friends—would endeavour, as much as in them lay, to turn it to their own advantage, by malicious insinuations; unless they should discover that the current against themselves was setting too strong, & of too serious a nature for them to stem; in which case the journey would be unnecessary, and in either case, the reception might not be such as you have supposed.
But, my dear Sir, dark as matters appear at present, and expedient as it is to be prepared at all points, for the worst that can

happen; (and no one is more disposed to this measure than I am) I cannot make up my mind, yet, for the expectation of open War; or, in other words, for a formidable Invasion, by France. I cannot believe, although I think them capable of anything bad, that they will attempt to do more than they have done; that when they perceive the spirit, & policy of this country rising into resistance; and that they have falsely calculated upon support from a large part of the People thereof, to promote their views & influence in it, that they will desist, even from those practices; unless unexpected events in Europe, or their possession of Louisiana & the Floridas, should induce them to continue the measure. And I believe further, that although the leaders of their party, in this country, will not change their sentiments, that they will be obliged nevertheless to change their plan, or the mode of carrying it on; from the effervescence which is appearing in all quarters, and the desertion of their followers, which must frown them into silence—at least for a while.
If I did not view things in this light, my mind would be infinitely more disquieted than it is; for if a crisis should arrive when a sense of duty, or a call from my Country, should become so imperious as to leave me no choice, I should prepare for the relinquishment, and go with as much reluctance from my present peaceful abode, as I should go to the tombs of my Ancesters.
To say at this time, determinately, what I should do under such circumstances, might be improper, having once before departed from a similiar resolution; but I may declare to you, that as there is no conviction in my breast that I could serve my country with more efficiency in the command of the Armies, it might Levy, than many others, an expression of its wish that I should do so, must, some how or other, be unequivocally known, to satisfy my mind that, notwithstanding the respect in which I may be held on account of former services, that a preference might not be given to a man more in his prime. And it may well be supposed too, that I should like, previously, to know who would be my coadjutors, and whether you would be disposed to take an active part, if arms are to be resorted to.
Before this letter can get to your hands, you will have seen the Resolutions & proposed Address from the Citizens of Charleston, in South Carolina. Their proceedings will, I am persuaded, give the ton to other parts of that State. Two or three very good Addresses have already appeared from No. Carolina; one with the

Signature of a late Governor thereof, Spaight. All the upper, most populous, and hardy yeomanry of this State, have come, & are coming forward, with strong Addresses to the Executive, and assurances of Support. The Address from Norfolk (I do not mean the impertinent one from Magnien’s Grenadier Company) is a good one. The middle counties of this state, with two or three exceptions, have hitherto been silent; they want leaders; but I shall be much mistaken if a large majority of them do not forsake, if they have heretofore been with, those who have pretended to speak their Sentiments. As to the Resolutions which were entered into at Fredericksburgh, it is only necessary to point to the Manager of them; & add, that the meeting was partial. From Georgia, no development of the public sentiment has yet made its appearance; but I have learnt from a very intelligent Gentleman just returned from thence, where he has been sometime for the benefit of his health; travelling, going & returning, slowly—and making considerable halts, that the people of that State, as also those of South & North Carolina, seem to be actuated by one spirit, and that, a very friendly one to the General Government. I have likewise heard, that the present Governor of the first (Georgia) professes to be strongly attached to it. These disclosures, with what may yet be expected, will, I conceive, give a different impression of the sentiments of our people to the Directory of France, than what they have been taught to believe; while it must serve to abash the partizans of it for their wicked, & presumptive information.
Your free communication on these political topics, is so far from needing an apology, that I shall be much gratified, & thankful to you, for the continuation of them; & I would wish you to believe that with great truth and sincerity, I am always Your Affectionate friend, & Obedt Ser⟨v⟩t

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Joseph Hopkinson, 27 May 1798
From: Washington, George
To: Hopkinson, Joseph

Sir,
Mount Vernon 27th May 1798

An absence of more than eight days from home (on a visit to our friends in the Federal City) is offered as an apology for my not giving your polite, and obliging favour of the 9th instant, an earlier acknowledgment.
I pray you now, my good Sir, to accept my best thanks for the Pamphlet and Song, which accompanied it; and still more, for the favourable sentiments you have been pleased to express, in my behalf.
To expect that all men should think alike upon political, more than on Religious, or other subjects, would be to look for a change in the order of nature; but at so dangerous a crisis as the present, when every thing dear to Independence is at stake, the well disposed part of them might, one would think, act more alike; opposition therefore to the Major will, and to that Self respect which is due to the National character, cannot but seem strange!

But I will unite with you in a fervent wish, and hope, that greater unanimity than heretofore, will prevail; for enough, I think we have seen, to remove the mist entirely; and that, the young men of the present day, will not suffer the liberty for which their forefathers fought—bled—died—and obtained—be lost by them: either by supineness, or divisions among themselves, disgraceful to the Country. I am Sir Your Most Obedt and very Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Edward Carrington, 28 May 1798
From: Washington, George
To: Carrington, Edward

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 28⟨th⟩ May 1798

The present dangerous crisis of public affairs, makes one anxious to know the Sentiments of our citizens in different parts of this Commonwealth; and no one ha[vin]g better opportunities to form an opinion of the central part thereof, than yourself—this will be my apology for giving you the trouble of a letter at this time.
Several Counties above the Blue ridge have come forward with warm addresses, & strong professions of support. From Norfolk two meetings, one good the other bad, have their proceedings detailed in the Gazettes. Meetings have taken place in a few of the middle Counties, with unpromising results; and an invitation was given for one, in Davis’s Paper of the ⟨15⟩th to be held in Richmond, but I have heard nothing more concerning it. Let not any enquiries or gratifications of mine, interfere with your more important concerns; the devotion of a moment or two, of leisure, will suffice for, Dear Sir Yr Affecte & Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Jeremy Belknap, 29 May 1798
From: Belknap, Jeremy
To: Washington, George

Sir
Boston May 29 1798

The kind reception which you gave to the first volume of the American Biography, encourages me to inform you that a second, tho’ long delayed by precarious health & other unavoidable Causes, is now going to the press, & will probably appear in about two months.
In this volume I am preparing to give the Lives of the first Calverts, founders of Maryland. The only authorities from which I have it in my power to collect are Ogilby, Oldmixon, Douglass & Chalmers. The 2d & 4th of these are by far the best. Some account of George the 1st Ld Baltimore I find in Kippis’s Biographia & Collier’s Historical Dictionary. I wish to know & I hope your

acquaintance with the Country will enable you to inform me, whether there be any other written or printed materials to which I could have access or of which I could obtain copies. I find a good Character of Leonard Calvert Brother of Cecilius Ld B. drawn by Oldmixon & Chalmers, but should be glad to have more particulars of both if any such are preserved. I know not whether Cecilius was ever in America. nor when Leonard died nor whether he died in England or America. The last account of him is in Cromwells time when Commissioners were appointed to direct the affairs of Maryland under the Protector. At the Restoration Philip Calvert was Govr. Was he a Brother or Son of Leonard? How long did he continue in office? & what was his Character?
In Carey’s Museum, Novr 1789 I find a poetical description of Maryland by Mr Lewis, which appears to be an Extract from a Carmen seculare, written at the end of the first century (1732) of the Charter. Who was this Lewis? & is it possible to procure the whole Poem? In a marginal note to the above Extract reference is made to Ld Baltimore’s Case delivered to Parliamt in 1715. Is it possible to procure a copy of this paper? I have seen the final decision of the Controversy between the Families of Baltimore and Penn by Chancellor Hardwicke, in Vesey’s Report.
With respect to the portion of Virginian History included in this Volume, I have availed myself of Capt. Smith’s, R. Beverley’s, Mr Stith’s, & Sir William Keith’s Histories, the Collections of Purchas, & the annals of Chalmers, and a MS account of Virginia written in the Time of Sir Edmd Andress, & by some person inimical to him. This MS was sent me by Carter B. Harrison of Prince George County, the first & last leaves are gone & I know not the Author. I believe it was never printed, but I intend to have it inserted in the Collections of our Historical Society, which have lately been resumed. In this Volume I come no further down with Virginian matters, than to the Time of Sir Francis Wyat, where Stith ends. Are there any other authorities than those abovementioned?
You will excuse, Sir, my importunity, when you consider the necessity of my having the best information & the most original & authentic materials. I never content myself with the streams when the fountain is accesible.
I am loth to trouble you any further at present. The 3d Volume, if my life & health will permit, is to be confined to New England. How much further I may proceed is a secret to all but the great

“Master of breath.” But should it be in your Power to assist me by any materials, or by recommending me to the Correspondence of other Gentlemen who may be likely to give me Information, I shall think myself highly honnored & shall acknowledge the favour with gratitude.
Be pleased to accept the enclosed discourses wh. are unmarked & forward the others either by public or private conveyance, I could have sent them by sea, but was loth to trust any thing to an element which is infested by the Rovers of the “terrible republic.”
My best respects are always due to you for your eminent services to my Country as well as for your personal Civilities to Yr most obedt Servant

Jeremy Belknap

P.S. I find the authorities differ respecting the first coming of L. Calvert with his Colony whether it were in 1633 or 1634. Is it in your power to decide the Question?

P.S. I think I will be pleasing to you to hear that Elbridge Gerry & Timothy Pickering two of my contemporaries at college are candidates for the Degree of Doctor of Laws at our next Commencement. It is a happy circumstance that our University is federal.


Title: From George Washington to Joshua Sands, 29 May 1798
From: Washington, George
To: Sands, Joshua

Sir
Mount Vernon 29th May 1798

The last Northern Mail brot me your favour of the 24th Instt. As the tin box therein mentioned, has not the addition of President annexed to the direction, there can be no doubt of its being addressed to me, in my private character, although I have received no other advice relative thereto than what you have been so obliging as to give.
From the size of it—as described by you—it must be too cumbersome for the Post Office—which, otherwise, would be the readiest—most expeditious—& safest mode of getting it to me: Next to this, if any Gentleman, coming through the whole route from New York to Alexandria, in the stage, would take charge of it, is to be preferred. If neither of these can obtain, water transportation, in any Vessel between the abovementioned places, seems to be the only, & least desirable mode left, as I presume, from the careful manner in which they are enclosed, that the contents are Papers; and having escaped so far, I would not risk them again, if to be avoided, to another fiery, as well as watery exposure. If however,

they must come by water (the same indeed by land) be so good as to direct them to the care of the Collector in Alexandria; & favour me with a line by Post, informing me of the measure. I am Sir Your obliged & Very Hble S⟨ervt⟩

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to William Fitzhugh, 30 May 1798
From: Washington, George
To: Fitzhugh, William

My dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 30th May 1798.

Particular business called me to Alexandria yesterday under a promise of returning to dinner, and under an expectation (in which I was disappointed) of finding Mr Law & family here on my arrival.
Just as I was about leaving town, and hardly in time for the above purpose (or I would have called upon you) Mr Lear informed me of the conversation you had had with him, relative to Mr Anderson’s tender of his Services to you as a Manager. Was Mr Stuarts offer for the same place or that of an overseer [?]
The letter herewith enclosed from Mr Anderson to me, & the rough copy of my answer to him, will let you know precisely on what footing the matter between us stands. To these, as well for your information, injustice to Mr Anderson, and by way of explanation

of my own conduct towards him, it is necessary I should add
1st That I believe him to be a very industrious man; a very honest, zealous & well intentioned man, and for any thing I know to the contrary (though when he goes to Alexandria he never returns but at very late hours) he is a very sober man: I believe moreover, that he understands how to prepare ground for all kinds of Crops (such I mean as he has been accustomed to cultivate) well; knows how to put them in, and to manage them afterwards. I think also, that he knows how to prepare for, and manage grass. So much for his good qualities. I must now give the counter part, the mentioning of which, occasionally to him (and no other) has produced his discontents; these are
2dly Want of system. want of foresight in the arrangement of his business—shifting from thing to thing, without finishing any thing at once; often at the loss of as much time (which he seems not to have estimated the value of) as would have accomplished the object which was left: Expence in providing for the Farms, & inattention to them afterwards; in a word, want of œconomy. To these may be added, that although he expresses a wish to be governed in all things, you can find fault with nothing without hurting his feelings; but these do not show themselves in the least kind of indecency, or impertinance; on the contrary there is no man more obliging.
This is a candid statement of facts and as I think his errors are overbalanced, and the consequences of them may be avoided under one’s own eyes, I had, as he has been informed, no intention of parting with him; especially as he has run me into a very considerable expence (contrary I may say to my intention, or wishes) in erecting a Distillery which I shall not know what well to do with.
Understanding that he has formed some business for town to day (no doubt to come to some understanding with you) I have thought it expedient before the interview, to apprise you of these details. With sincere regard, I remain your Affecte Servant

Go: Washington

P.S. Did Mr Anderson expect to fill the place of Mr Dance immediately, or that you would keep it unoccupied until his term expired with me—the 1st of January next? I would thank you also, to let me know the date, or dates of his letters of application to you, for the management of your Estate at Ravensworth. His letter to me, & my answer you will be so good as to return.


Title: To George Washington from William Linn, 30 May 1798
From: Linn, William
To: Washington, George

Sir,
New York, May 30th 1798.

Excuse the liberty I take in inclosing to you a discourse delivered on the late fast day. The reasons for the publication, in the manner which it appears, you will see in the preface. To confirm some of my sentiments, I have quoted, in the notes, a few passages from your address on your resignation; & I was sorry that more could not be conveniently introduced from a performance immortal as your fame.
I beg leave only to express my wishes, that the evening of your busy & eventful life may be peaceful & happy; that you may see your country established in the enjoyment of those blessings you toiled to secure; & that, when removed from this earthly scene you may, through the merits of the Redeemer, receive a crown of glory in heaven. I am with highest respect your Most Obedient

Wm Linn


Title: To George Washington from Rawleigh Colston, 1 June 1798
From: Colston, Rawleigh
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Frederick County June 1st 1798.

When I had the pleasure of conversing with you the last summer on the subject of the land purchased by William Hickman from the estate of the late Col. George Mercer, you seemed to be of Opinion, that under the decree of the high Court of Chancery Col. J. F. Mercer was impowered to pass conveyances to such of the purchasers as had not received them from you. In consequence of which I applied to him in person for this purpose in March last, but was refused a conveyance and referred by him to the decretal order, to prove that this power still rested in you—I now inclose you a Copy of the order & of Col. Mercers reply, and could wish, if you have any doubts remaining on this Subject, you would consult counsel and acquaint me with your determination. If you should conclude to make me a conveyance, I will with out delay furnish my friend Mr Keith of Alexandria with a description of the lott, and will get the favour of him to receive the conveyance. I am with the highest respect, Sir, your mo. Obt St

Rawleigh Colston


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 2 June 1798
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

My Dear Sir
New York June 2d 1798

I have before me your favour of the 27 of May.
The suggestion in my last was an undigested thought begotten

by my anxiety. I have no doubt that your view of it is accurate & well founded.
It is a great satisfaction to me to ascertain what I had anticipated in hope, that you are not determined in an adequate emergency against affording once more your Military services. There is no one but yourself that could unite the public confidence in such an emergency, independent of other considerations—and it is of the last importance that this confidence should be full and complete. As to the wish of the Country it is certain that it will be ardent and universal—You intimate a desire to be informed what would be my part in such an event as to entering into military service. I have no scruple about opening myself to you on this point. If I am invited to a station in which the service I may render may be proportioned to the sacrifice I am to make I shall be willing to go into the army. If you command, the place in which I should hope to be most useful is that of Inspector General with a command in the line. This I would accept—The public must judge for itself as to whom it will employ; but every individual must judge for himself as to the terms on which he will serve and consequently must estimate himself his own pretensions. I have no knowledge of any arrangement contemplated but I take it for granted the services of all the former officers worth having may be commanded & that your choice would regulate the Executive—With decision & care in selection an excellent army may be formed.
The view you give of the prospects in the South is very consoling. The public temper seems every where to be travelling fast to a right point. This promises security to the Country in every Event. I have the honor to remain very truly My Dr Sir Yr faithful & Affectionate servant

A. Hamilton


Title: To George Washington from Edward Savage, 3 June 1798
From: Savage, Edward
To: Washington, George

Sir
No. 70 South fourth street PhiladelphiaJune 3—1798

Agreeable to Col. Biddies order I Delivered four of the best impressions of your Family Print, they are Chose out of the first that

was printed, perhaps you may think that one two Dark, but they will Change Lighter after hanging two or three months, the fraims are good Sound work, I have Varnished all the Gilded parts which will Stand the weather and bare washing with a wet Cloth without Injury, the likenesses of the Young people are not much Like what they are at present, the Copper plate was began and half finished from the Likenesses which I painted in New York in the Year 1789, I Could not make the aulteration in the Copper to make it Like the Painting which I finished in Philadelphia in the year 1796, the portrait of your Self and Mrs Washington, are Generly thought to be Likenesses; as Soone as I got one of the prints Ready to be Seene I Advertized in two of the Papers that a Subscription would be open for about twenty Days within that time there was three hundred and thirty one Subscribers to the print, and about one hundred who had Subscribed Previously, all of them the most Respectable people in the City; in Consequence of its Success, and being generaly approvd of, I have Continued the Subscription: there is Every Probability at present of its producing me at Least ten thousand Dollars in one twelvemonth.
As Soone as I have one printed in Colours I Shall take the Liberty to Send it to Mrs Washington for her Acceptance, I think She will Like it better than a plain print. I am Sir with Great Esteem your Obt Humle Servt

Edward Savage

N.B. Mrs Savage Joines me in Respectfull Compliments to Mrs Washington.


Title: To George Washington from Edward Carrington, 4 June 1798
From: Carrington, Edward
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Richmond June 4 1798

I have had the honor to receive your letter of the 28th Ult. and have delayed a reply over a mail in order that the event of a meeting which took place in this City on the first instant, and upon the issue whereof the subscriptions have been closed this afternoon, might enable me to be the more perfect in my information. The events which have lately unfolded themselves have unquestionably had the effect of encreasing and confirming the Friends of Government here; and I believe in every part of the Country; the deluded have dropped off from those who have heretofore misled them: but, astonishing as it may seem, the leaders of opposition, as they have heretofore stiled themselves, but who cannot now disclaim the appellation of a French faction, have acquired additional zeal. this has been manifested at our meeting, I believe, more fully than in any other place—every effort was made without regard to propriety, or even decency, to procure a majority to Resolutions amounting to little short of a declaration to resist Government—On a division however, we had a considerable majority of a very large meeting in favor of an address to the President, declaratory of a confidence in government, and a determination to support it. You will see both the address & the Resolutions in the papers, and therefore I need not further remark on them. the division took place so late in the evening, that a count could not be had, there were however in my opinion about two for one. The address has received the Signatures of upwards of three hundred, a greater number than has ever on any occasion before, been placed to any political paper—the subscriptions were confined to actual residents within the City, from eighteen years upwards, and, unless the other side have swolen their numbers, by receiving School Boys and Strangers, I am confident they will make but a small shew. I however doubt not that the Resolutions, will be presented to Congress as expressive of the sense of the meeting, for with as much propriety may they be so presented, as some which were forwarded on a former occasion. I rather think, from a peculiar

cause, the faction will retain respectability as to strength & numbers in this City, longer than in any part of the United States, owing to a constant supply of heat by the elections of Councillors and other Officers of Government who are generally selected by the Legislature by seeking for high passions instead of sound reason—of the Executive, except the Governor and two Councillors, all are the highest toned democrats. The Attorney General is of the same description, & what is still more lamentable almost every student of Law takes the same course. these characters are active in courting and seducing the people, but their failure of success in the present instance, encourages me to hope and believe that, late events have made a real impression on the public mind generally. Virginia is unfortunate in a want of exertion amongst the Friends of Government, while the disorganizing possess unremitting activity. To this alone is it owing, that her character has fallen below that of the poorest state in the Union. From this want of activity in the Friends of order, it is probable that but little will be heard on the present occasion, which might have a tendency to revive her credit. It is however an evidence of a loss of influence amongst the Enemies of our happiness, that we do not hear so much of them, as has been usual.
At Norfolk I am well informed there exists an uniform spirit for supporting Government—the meeting in that Town was a very full one, & very unanimous—the other meeting of an unfavorable complection to which you refer was composed of only a Captain (a French Man) & a broken part of his Company.
Should further occurrences enable me to add to my information, I will do myself the honor of communicating it to you, as I can never think time mis-spent which I may have an opportunity of employing in a manner evincive of my affection and respect for you. I have the Honor to be Dear Sir Your Most Obt servt

Ed. Carrington


Title: From George Washington to Robert Lewis, 4 June 1798
From: Washington, George
To: Lewis, Robert

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 4th June 1798

Your letter of the 23d Ulto has been received. Mr Airesss draught on Mr Russell (of Alexandria) has been presented, & accepted, payable in ten days.
I am glad to hear of your good luck, with the eloped tenant in Berkeley county. Recovery of the Tenement is of more importance, than the security of the Rents. I am not disposed to lease it for more than Seven years, and if you could let it for a shorter term, to a good tenant, I should prefer it: but act from circumstances, & your best judgment in the case. If there is any defect in the old leases they must, by this time, have become obvious to you, and will, of course, be amended; I recollect nothing that requires alteration, if the Covenants are complied with, and if the old ones are not, it is not probable New ones will.
I am sorry to hear, the unpromising account given of your Wheat. Mine is bad enough, but many degrees better than the description of that in your part; nor do I perceive any fly, as yet, amongst it; but there is sufficient time between this and harvest for the entire destruction of it by that Insect. The drought could not have been more severe with you than it was here, until the 23d Ulto. Since which we have had (for my lands) a superabundance of Rain. If it had continued a few days longer we should have made neither Oats nor Flax; and our Pastures would have starved the cattle that had escaped the Winter. What effect it might have had on the Wheat I know not, but I never form an opinion of Corn until the Month of August; nor despair of making a tolerable crop of that grain unless a drought happens when it is shooting & filling, be the weather what it may before. All here unite in best regards for Mrs Lewis & yourself, and I remain Your Affecte Uncle

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from James Lloyd, 6 June 1798
From: Lloyd, James
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Philadelphia 6 June 1798

I do myself the honor to enclose a message from the President of the U. States which was communicated to both Houses, yesterday. Private letters have been received by the vessel that brought the dispatches from our Envoys which mention that General Pinckney and General Marshall intended leaving France and that Mr Gerry had determined to remain notwithstanding the pressing remonstrances of those Gentlemen. This is mentioned only in Confidence.
Letters from Mr Sedgwick who is in Massachusetts, Mr Ross at Pittsburg & from all quarters assure us of the change which has taken place in the public mind and that a firm determination generally prevails to support & defend the Independence & the Government of our Country. Be pleased to accept my congratulations on this subject and my warmest wishes for your welfare. I am Sir, with the highest respect Your most Obedt Sevt

James Lloyd


Title: To George Washington from John Sinclair, 6 June 1798
From: Sinclair, John
To: Washington, George

Sir
Whitehall [London] 6th June 1798

I request your acceptance, of the History of the origin and progress of the Statistical account of Scotland, in the appendix to which, I have taken the liberty of inserting an extract of a letter from you, which materially contributed to induce me to persevere in that laborious undertaking. I wish much, that you could prevail on the Government of America, to establish a Board of Agriculture, and to carry on Statistical enquiries. I have little doubt, that if America were to set about these undertakings, that she would not only derive the most essential benefits from them herself, but would also shew an example, that would be very generally imitated by other Nations. Can there be more powerful inducements? With great regard, believe me Sir Your faithful & obedient servant

John Sinclair


Title: To George Washington from John Sinclair, 6 June 1798
From: Sinclair, John
To: Washington, George

Private
SirWhitehall [London] 6th June 1798
Since I had the honour of writing you last, a change has taken place in the Board of agriculture, respecting which, I beg to refer you, to the inclosed papers, and the annexed Postscript.
Matters continue here, in so strange a state, that it is impossible to foresee, what may be the situation of this country, six, or even 3 months hence. We are, upon the whole, pretty safe at home, but the disturbances which have taken place in Ireland, though they will probably be quelled for the present, yet furnish a very alarming prospect in future.
Whatever happens, I shall always remember, with peculiar pleasure, my epistolary correspondence with General Washington. With great truth and regard, believe me, your most faithful and obedient Servant

John Sinclair

N.B. Mr Parkenson proposes leaving London in a few days, and, I hope, will render himself, an agreeable and useful neighbour to you at Mount Vernon.


Title: To George Washington from James Anderson, 10 June 1798 [letter not found]
From: Anderson, James
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from James Anderson, 10 June 1798. On 11 June GW wrote Anderson: “In replying to your letter of yesterday....”


Title: To George Washington from ——, 10 June 1798
From: Unknown
To: Washington, George

Sir
June 10 1798.

The time was, when I thought of you with the Reverence of a son, looking up to its venerable parent—blended with the tenderness of a fond father looking down on its infant, the fruit of ardent and virtuous love! had you sir, retired at the close of the first congress, the same ideas wd probably have attended you, by thousands, by millions! to the close of your days; and handed down to posterity the example of a man—approaching to a God!!! far be it from me to say anything intentionally rude; I shall therefore, close this poor sigh, to the past! with a couplet from pope. (and an “extract” inclosed.)
“one hour’s self applause whole years outweighs
of stupid starers—and of loud huzza’s!”
more in Sorrow than in Anger!


Title: To George Washington from George Washington Parke Custis, 11 June 1798
From: Custis, George Washington Parke
To: Washington, George

⟨mutilated⟩
Annapolis [Md.] June 11th 1798

⟨mutilated⟩ transmitted my last letter to you by the way of a gentleman who was going to Baltimore that it might arrive a little sooner and quiet your mind on the subject which you mentioned in yours preceeding viz.—on the subject of expence, if however it did not arrive I will in my next if you please transmit the same detail.

The class which I joined have at length finished their course of Collegiate studies and I have read with them Rownings Natural Philosophy twice, Paleys moral ethics and Watts Logic together with Geography & am now reading Euclid as directed by Papa.
I have lately heard from an intimate friend and confidant of young Mr Carrolls (tho without the least enquiry or hint on my part) that he meant to address my Sister shortly; this I only communicate as a peice of information perhaps worth knowing. Nothing has transpired since my last I conclude therefore with wishing you all health happiness and prosperity and am sincerely and affectionately Your

G. W. P. Custis


Title: From George Washington to James Lloyd, 13 June 1798
From: Washington, George
To: Lloyd, James

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 13 June 1798

I have received, and thank you, for your favour of the 6th instant and its enclosure.
It is very consoling to perceive such an expression of the spirited feelings of the Yeomanry, and other description of the people of this Country as appears in the Addresses, going from all quarters, to the President of the United States, and to Congress; and it is peculiarly pleasing to find that this Spirit pervades the western parts of the Atlantic States.

⟨Much⟩ is it to be wished that, this unanimity might effect a change in the conduct, even if it should produce no conviction in the minds, of some of the leaders of opposition.
What are the Sentiments of the People of Kentucky? or has there been any reverberation yet? With esteem & regard I am—Dear Sir—Yr Obedt Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from John McDowell, 14 June 1798
From: McDowell, John
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Annapolis [Md.] June 14th 1798

When Doctr Stuart, was here, it was thought best that young Mr Custis should apply himself to the study of Euclid’s Elements before he attempted any thing else. From this plan I have deviated a little, and have perhaps been somewhat remiss in not informing you of it sooner. I discovered in him a great aversion to Mathematics, and as there was a class reading Natural Philosophy; and he professed a fondness for the subject and likewise some knowledge of it, I permitted him to join the class. He appeared to have read it very superficially before; and I am sorry to add, has not made that accession to his stock of natural knowledge that I wished. This review of the subject however, will, I flatter myself, be of some advantage to him, as he has at least had an oppertunity of seeing the experiments repeated. Since the class has finished that branch of science, he has again returned to Euclid, tho with much reluctance,

but as he is more attentive, his proficiency is better, than when he first attempted it; and if he had application and any degree of fondness for the study, would soon have a tolerable knowledge of it, after which a regular course of practical mathematics would probably be agreeable & entertaining to him. A part of his time is employed in learning the French language. As I have a very imperfect knowledge of it, I can be no judge of his progress, but I fear there is a want of due application also to this study. He is unwilling to submit to the task of learning the Grammar, without which a compleat knowledge of the language is not to be acquired. The teacher in that department is a French Gentleman of a liberal education, and disposed to afford him every necessary assistance, so that he has an excellent oppertunity of not only learning to speak, but to write the language correctly I have proposed to him to devote some part of his time to the latin language, as an acquaintance with it, would at least be an elegant accomplishment, and which ought not to be entirely neglected after he had bestowed so much time upon it. But as this was no part of the original plan, I have not insisted on it.
I must do him the justice to say, that he seems to merit the character you gave me of him. His disposition and abilities are good. I have not discovered any vitious propensities in him, and with proper application to his studies he would become an useful and respectable member of society. I have little reason to complain of his want of attendance at the hours of college, tho the restraint is, I believe, somewhat irksome to him, and he expects, as I have heard, to be soon emancipated from it—He is at present absent on a visit to his mother, who he informed me was on this side of the Potomac. His Unkle sent a horse for him; and he applied to me for leave to go, which I thought my self not at liberty to refuse, particularly as he promised to return in a few days.
The attentions that have been paid to him in this place, however they might have been intended, have been rather unfavourable to his studies. But this I hope may be corrected, and a more studious turn gradually acquired. Whenever this is the case, I shall be enabled to give you pleasing accounts of him, which will be a real satisfaction to, Sir, Your most Obedt Humble Servant

Jno. McDowell


Title: To George Washington from Julian Ursyn Niemcewicz, 14 June 1798
From: Niemcewicz, Julian Ursyn
To: Washington, George

Sir
City of Washington 14 Jun[e] 1798

Your hospitability & Kindnes, impress me with stronger sensation than my knowledge of the Language enable me to convey. After quitting the unhapy scenes of my own country, the prosperity & tranquility of this made a most pleasing contrast & I exclaimed with the Poet who expresses the Sentiments of America
O Meliboe Deus [nobis]—haec otia fecit
Namque erit ille mihi semper Deus (Virgil’s Eclogues)
In my youth I was animated with the history of your patriotic Services, & have at length been gratified by beholding the Cause of his Country’s felicity, enjoing in the retirement the noble Work of his hands; as a Pilgrim who has travailed to a far distant shrine wishes to carry away some relick to shew his enquiring friends, permit me to request your Signature, that I may fulfill the wishes of many to have it deposited in our museum, & that I may have the honor of a donation more wellcome than the most precious jewell. With my most grateful acknowledgements to Mistris Washington for her unceasing attention & goodness, & for the present of a Cup marked with her Initials, which when sipping my Coffe will daily remind me of Mount Vernon, and to Miss Custis for the Music & painting which her hands conveyed & for other pleasures of Conversation & Harmony, which it would appear too flattering for an old Bachelor to enumerate, I have the Honor to remain with the highest Esteem and respect Sir Your most obedient Humble servent

Julien Niemcewicz

If you are so good Sir as to answer me a line, be pleased to direct it to Mr Law.


Title: To George Washington from Winthrop Sargent, 16 June 1798
From: Sargent, Winthrop
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Cincinnati Northwestern TerritoryJune 16th 1798

Your Letter of the 27th of January—enclosed in one from the secretary of State of the 2d of Feby by some misconduct in post masters (which indeed I have too oft experienced) has been delayd to this very morng which I trust will satisfactorily account for my Silence thereupon—I deem myself unfortunate in not receiving it a few Days sooner as I have lost, in Consequence, an Opportunity of demanding an Explanation from Massey himself and am now just departing for the Mississippi Territory—however Sir I shall ask Attention of a Freind to this Business and that you may receive Intimation if there be but the most distant probability of Loss—Massey’s Observations seem to me to have been but idle Words and your Deeds the best possible Evidence of Title to Lands upon the Miami.
I take Leave to enclose a News paper as containing necessary Information to all persons holding Lands in this Territory and which I hope the Virginia Printers may republish.
desirous Sir of contributing a mite to your pleasure in retirement I send you a few Seed of the Scarlet Alpine Strawberry which in my Garden produces most excellent Fruit during all the Summer and Autumn and which have not been till lately known to me in America—for twenty Years I was unsuccessfully essaying to procure it—with Sentiments of the most respectful Esteem for you and Mrs Washington I have the honour to subscribe myself your & her most obedient humble Servant

Winthrop Sargent


Title: From George Washington to John Adams, 17 June 1798
From: Washington, George
To: Adams, John

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 17th June 1798.

I have heard with much pleasure, that you contemplate a visit to the City designated for the permanent Seat of the Government of the U. States, in the course of the Summer, or early in autumn.
It is unnecessary, I hope, for me in that event, to express the satisfaction it would give Mrs Washington & me to see Mrs Adams, yourself & Company in the shade of our Vine & Fig tree; but I shall request that while you remain in these parts, that you would make Mount Vernon your Head Quarters. It is but about 17 Miles by land, and less by Water from the Federal City; and only half that distance from Alexandria, which is on the direct rout between them.
I pray you to believe that, no one has read the various approbatory Addresses, which have been presented to you, with more heart-felt satisfaction than I have done; nor are there any who more sincerely wish that your Administration of the Government may be easy, happy and honorable to yourself, & prosperous for the Country.
Present, if you please, the best respects of Mrs Washington, Miss Custis and myself to Mrs Adams & Miss Smith, accept them yourself, and be assured of the high esteem & regard with which I have the honor to be Dear Sir Your most Obedient and Very Humble Servant

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 17 June 1798
From: Washington, George
To: Biddle, Clement

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 17th June 1798

Your letter of the 9th instant is received. I am sorry to find that the old Coach is likely to find so bad a Market. This was slipped by Mr Dandridge, at the time I left Philadelphia. As the case now is, it will be better to break it up for the old Iron than keep it longer on expences. And if, after trying the Table Ornaments a while longer—at a reduced price—they will not sell, I must give some further order respecting them.

After the Pictures from Mr Savage are paid for, & such other exhibits as are against me, entered, let me know how our A/c stands, as I shall be unwilling, at all times, to call upon you faster than you have means to answer. In the meantime please to send me one gilt frame, for a Picture, of the following dimensions—viz.—four feet by three feet, two Inches in the clear; allowing a rabit of an Inch, all round, to receive the Picture; and ¾ of an Inch deep for the same purpose. Let this frame cost a dollar a foot—What I mean by the clear is, that so much of the Canvas, or Picture is to be seen, and by the Rabit, that so much thereof is to be covered by the Frame.
When the Picture for Mrs Miller (late Mrs Green) is sent, be so good as to accompany it with Mrs Washington’s compliments. With esteem & regard I am Dear Sir Your Obedient Humble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from George Washington Parke Custis, 17 June 1798
From: Custis, George Washington Parke
To: Washington, George

Dearest Sir:
Marlborough [Md.], June 17th, 1798.

I received your letter by mamma at this place, where I had come on my uncle’s horses, and with Mr. McDowell’s permission, in hopes of meeting her. She arrived the same day that I did, and informed me particularly respecting the subject of your letter, which appeared to set heavy on your mind. The report, as mamma tells me, of my being engaged to the young lady in question, is strictly erroneous. That I gave her reason to believe in my attachment to her, I candidly allow, but that I would enter into engagements inconsistent with my duty or situation, I hope your good opinion of me will make you disbelieve. That I stated to her my prospects, duty, and dependance upon the absolute will of my friends, I solemnly affirm. That I solicited her affection, and hoped, with the approbation of my family, to bring about a union at some future day, I likewise allow. The conditions were not accepted, and my youth

being alleged by me as an obstacle to the consummation of my wishes at the present time (which was farthest from my thoughts), I withdrew, and that on fair and honorable terms, to the satisfaction of my friends.
Thus the matter ended, and should never have proceeded so far had I not been betrayed by my own feelings. However rash and imprudent I may be, I have always remembered my duty and obligation to you, which is the guide of my actions. It was this which prevented my entering into any engagements which were not entirely conditional.
To my mother I disclosed the whole affair, who is now perfectly satisfied; and I hope this small statement of facts, which I can confirm, either upon oath or the testimony of my friends, will eradicate all uneasiness from your mind.
Let me once more, sir, on the shrine of gratitude, plight my faith to you; let me unclasp the sacred books of morality and lay my duty, nay, my all, at your feet. Your beneficence could not enhance your virtues; on my heart they are engraven as the benefactor, the friend, nay, the more than father of,

G. W. P. Custis.


Title: To George Washington from Bryan Fairfax, 17 June 1798
From: Fairfax, Bryan
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Hampton Road June the 17th 1798.

The further detention that our Ship has met with here gives me the Leisure to write to You a few Lines before we take our final Departure. It has been to me a very tedious time—indeed I have not for many years past had such an Exercise of Patience as I have had for the last four or five weeks; first from the delays in setting out when I was anxious to apply the remedy that I thought my health required, next the tediousness of the Passage down, we being a whole week in performing it, owing to calms, very light breezes, and even to sundry thunder Squalls, for they delayed us by forcing us to come to an Anchor; and last of all the head winds

since we arrived here; and add to this the heat on board has been distressing, not being able at any rate to go to my Room till towards the cool of the morning, after attempting to sleep, or rather dosing upon chairs in the Cabin.
We came into this road on Sunday last, when the Captain went to Norfolk. He is very civil—as kind as I could wish him, yet like many others, who strange as it may seem, think nothing of disappointing their neighbours, for We have been tantalized with the Hopes of seeing him from time to time almost from the first day of his going up. It is true there has been a Sweetheart and a Wife in the way; for when we thought him already married, and that on his trip down whilst the ship was loading, behold he was married only on thursday last; The Boat has been to Norfolk every day—and on Friday night the mate on his return told us of his marriage, and that he was certainly to be down with his wife the next day, and that she being to accompany him, he was to remain on board till the first fair wind enabled him to sail, but last night the Boat returned again without him, and is gone up again to day. You may judge of what it is to be thus tantalized when we expect any thing in vain from day to day.
I would not trouble You Sir with these particulars, only on Ship board our Ideas are pretty much confined to Sea Matters, and I have scarce any thing else to fill up another Farewel letter.
The Pilot has been impatient, for he thinks of how many vessels he might have had the chance to conduct either into this Road or elsewhere.
Many vessels are wind bound here, and lie with us under the Shelter of Sewell’s point; there seem now to be ten or twelve Sloops and Schooners bound to Sea collected at this place. What is a little singular, two Sloops loaded with Shingles at Norfolk and bound to N. York, lay along side or not far from us, at the Beginning of the week, and during the course of it they have attempted to get out to Sea, and have been into the Bay four or five Times and have returned here—some days ago on their return they went quite back to Norfolk for provisions; and they are come up and gone back again to day, tis supposed for the same Purpose. The Trade is surprisingly increased since I was last in these parts—almost every hour a Vessel is passing either up or down, and sometimes two or three at a time.
We were in hopes about the middle of the week of having the

Constellation Frigate from Baltimore, and that we shou’d have the Benefit of her convoy; but in a day or two these Hopes were all gone and we expected to sail in a day or two or rather the first fair wind without her. However the Captain with his new Spouse came on board about 12 o’Cl[o]c[k] and told us that the Frigate was certainly on her way down, and would soon be in the Road; which came to pass in the Afternoon. After she had anchored it was judged by those on board of us, that she was too crank, by her healing too much from a strong easterly Breeze that blew in the afternoon. But this morning (that is monday morning) she appeared to me to have a great Heal to Starboard, so that she may not be so crank as she appeared to be. We now expect to sail under her convoy, perhaps in a day or two—It appears tedious to me because I suffer from the Heat (and it was the Heat of this Summer I much dreaded in the Spring, but little expected that Delays would cause me to partake of it) and don’t expect Relief till I get into more temperature at Sea. I thank God I have had tolerable Patience—But I know that I fall vastly short of your Example, in Patience and Fortitude in particular, which I have often thought of, being so deficient herein that I ought to be ashamed of the little virtue I have. For virtue consists in rising superior to obstacles and surmounting them.
Before I left home I heard that it was reported that I was going to England to look after some great Estate there—I gave no cause for any such Report—It must have been a mere Suggestion—It is true I can’t tell what may turn out—I have had & have rich Relations witht apparent heirs, but a man may know this without saying any thing about it. When I went to England before I believe it was suggested to my Brother that I had some view with respect to what might have fallen to me from our Uncle’s personal Estate in Yorkshire, and also perhaps with regard to the Intail of Towlston; but I medled no more than any indifferent Person, and yet opportunities seemed to be afforded me by my Friends in respect to the latter, by the introduction to the acquaintance of some Lawyers, but I was always blind in taking hints; and was moreover not so inclined—My Brother seemed once offended much with me in something relating to it; but he was like my old Relation in Frederick whom I loved like a second Father—they would both give dark hints which You might unravel afterwards if you could—One day I asked the latter wherein I had offended him—He told me I

never shou’d know—And if it was what I suspected I Could easily have cleared it up. He gave my Brother reason to believe that he intended to provide handsomely for me, and this was rather conformable to what he himself told me.
You will perceive Sir that I write with Freedom under the Sanction of that old Friendship with which you have so long honoured me.
Wishing you and Mrs Washington & Family every Happiness, I once more bid You adieu, and remain Yr obliged & affectionate hble Servt

Bryan Fairfax


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Coleman Martin, 17 June 1798
From: Washington, George
To: Martin, Thomas Coleman

Sir,
Mount Vernon 17th June 1798

I have received your letter of the 21st Ulto in answer to mine, relative to the Wheat Machine.
At all events I shall—indeed have—provided the Scantling agreeably to your Bill for making one, as soon after harvest as your experiments shall have proved the Utility of their operation, by

Manual labour, and you shall be able to send me a skilful workman to erect it. If this should happen in all July—or even in August or September (but the sooner the better) I would thank you, provided your proofs answer your expectation, for sending a workman in whom you can confide, to me. Whatever your terms are, or agreement entered into with another, on my behalf, shall be strictly complied with on my part, by Sir—Yr Obedient Hble Servt

Go: Washington

P.S. As soon as it is in your power, be so good as to let me know what I may depend upon, to prevt disappointmt.


Title: To George Washington from Winthrop Sargent, 17 June 1798
From: Sargent, Winthrop
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Cincinnati June 17th 179[8]

Since writing unto you yesterday I have received from my Friend Capt. W. H. Harrison of this place the following Intelligence in relation to Lands located under the Order of Virginia between the Scioto and Little miami rivers and which I deem important for your Knowledge.
“The Lands between the before mentioned rivers he says were expressly reserved for the use of the Officers and Soldiers of the Virginia Line upon the continental Establishment—Warrants for State Services should have been located upon the South Side of Green river—but Warrants granted and Entries made in Consequence prior to the Session of Virginia to the United States upon unappropriated Lands must be good.”
Captain Harrison is interested in some ⟨doubtful⟩ Locations in the Tract described he is desirous of rendering Services to you and you may (I have Authority to say) command him. John Belli Esquire residing four miles below the Scioto in Adams County and who is my Friend will be always attentive to your Commands And in whatever Situation or Country I may be placed I take Leave to assure you it will afford unto me very great Satisfaction to contribute by all means in my power to your Interests pleasure or Amusement. I am Sir most respectfully your obedient humble Servant

Winthrop Sargent


Title: To George Washington from James Lloyd, 18 June 1798
From: Lloyd, James
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Philad[elphi]a 18 June 1798

I had the honor to receive your favor, dated the 13 Inst:, yesterday.
I enclose a handbill, this moment from the press, by which you will see that Mr Marshall has arrived at New York.

I sincerely wish that Mr Pinckney may not have cause to repent of having gone to the South of France. Mr Gerry remains at Paris. He has written a letter in which he declares that he does not consider himself authorised to treat, alone, with the Govt of France. He says his motive for remaining till he receives orders, is to prevent a war which he looked upon as inevitable if all the Envoys left France. He has not much credit here, for his judgment, and many are disposed to question his integrity.
You will, before this reaches you, have seen Talleyrand’s puny performance which was first published by Bache; and in a day or two I shall have the honor to forward to you the very able answer of our Envoys, which was read in the Senate today and is directed to be printed.
Bache was in possession of Talleyrand’s note before the dispatches were received by our Government but it was not known how he came by them ’till Saturday when a Mr Reeder told a number of Gentlemen at the City Tavern that he had received a packet for Bache sealed with the seal of the minister of exterior relations from a Mr Lee who was a passenger in the vessel in which he came to America, and that he had delivered the packet to Bache. He likewise mentioned having received a letter for a gentleman at New York sealed with the same seal. Today he declared that the last mentioned letter was delivered by him to Genet.
Reeder I am informed is about to give a statement on oath relative to those letters which I imagine will not be substantially different from the foregoing.
Mr Gerry is much blamed for having received a communication from Talleyrand which he did not disclose to Messrs Pinckney & Marshall. His excuse was that he was bound to secrecy before it was made to him. I fear the opinion that he wants integrity is too well grounded. We know nothing, yet, of the effect produced by the dispatches, in Kentucky. I fear it has been inconsiderable, for we observe no alteration in the conduct of the representatives of that State in either house. I have the Honor to be with the highest respect Sir, Your most Obedt Sert

James Lloyd

P.S. We shall very soon declare the Treaty with France void and pass a strong act to punish Sedition. Doctor Logan left the City this morning for France. The Govt had information of his intentions

but however mischievous his going may prove to be we have no law by which he could be laid hold of.


Title: To George Washington from James Lloyd, 21 June 1798
From: Lloyd, James
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Philada 21 June. 1798

I have now the honor to forward to you the letter of Talleyrand to our Envoys with their answer.
Mr Marshall arrived here on tuesday evening and was received in a manner highly pleasing to him & all the true friends of America. The information we have received from him is, that a great majority of the French nation wish for the reestablishment of monarchy but that they are disavowd and controuled by the ancienes—that the directory has succeeded in preventing the election of the Royalists into their Councils but that a majority of the new deputies are Jacobins who will not be permitted, he thinks to take their seats—that the ancienes—together with the hatred of the Royalists & Jacobins to each other, which induces each of those parties to prefer the present disposition to seeing the Government in the hands of the other will probably tend to prevent for a considerable length of time a new order of things in France. The general opinion was that the invasion of England would not be attempted. I have the honor to be, with respect & regard unbounded, Sir, Your most obedt & hume Sert

James Lloyd


Title: From George Washington to William Booker, 22 June 1798 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Booker, William

Letter not found: to William Booker, 22 June 1798. On 6 July Booker wrote GW: “I receivd your Letter of the 22 Ulto.”


Title: To George Washington from John Marshall, 22 June 1798
From: Marshall, John
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Philadelphia June 22d [17]98

Your letter to Genl Dumas was deliverd by me to his lady from whom in consequence of it I receivd during my stay in Paris the most polite & flattering attentions. She deliverd me the inclosd answer which was written in Copenhagen & forwarded to her. Having heard that Mrs Marshall is in Winchester I shall immediately set out for that place.
Permit me Sir to acknowledge the receipt of your very polite & obliging letter in answer to that which I did myself the honor to address to you from the Hague. I had not sir expected to draw you into a correspondence which might intrude on your liesure but meerly to do myself the pleasure of communicating to you occasionally such facts as it might be agreeable to you to receive. With the most sincere respect & attachment I remain Sir your obedt Servt

J. Marshall


Title: To George Washington from Henry Philips, 24 June 1798
From: Philips, Henry
To: Washington, George

Sir.
Philad[elphi]a June 24th 1798

About two years ago I had the honor of introducing to you my brother Francis who has since returned to his family & friends in England. He felt himself so much obliged by your attention to him that he has sent out to me an etching & proof Print of a celebrated Painting by the late Mr Wright of Derby in England, with a request that I would beg your acceptance of them in his name, which I now beg leave to do; the Print is called “the Dead Soldier.”
I sent it about two months ago to Your address by one of the Packets bound to Alexandria, but the letter intended to accompany it was I find, too late for the vessel. Mrs P. joins me in presenting our respects to Mrs W. & our wishes are united that long life attended with happiness may be both your lots. With real esteem I am Sir, Your very hble servt

Henry Philips


Title: From George Washington to James Lloyd, 25 June 1798
From: Washington, George
To: Lloyd, James

Dear Sir
Mount Vernon 25th June 1798

Your favour of the 25th Instant has been duly received, and I feel much obliged by your polite attentions to me.
I rejoiced to hear of General Marshall’s arrival, & wish sincerely that he had been accompanied by his Colleagues, for I believe no Country will afford them better protection than their own. The stay of one of them, has a misterious appearance after having jointly declared, “that no one of them is authorised to take upon himself a Negociation evidently entrusted by the letter of their Powers and Instructions to the whole,” and that too, after the invidious distinction was made by the minister of foreign Relations; which ought in my opinion, to have filled him with resentment, instead of complaisance.
I wonder the French Government has not more pride than to expose to the world such flimsy performances as the ministers of it exhibit, by way of complaint & argument. But it is still more to be wondered at, that these charges, which have been refuted over & over again, should find men


Title: From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 26 June 1798
From: Washington, George
To: Lear, Tobias

Dear Sir
Mount Vernon 26th June 1798

Mr Anderson requesting that the boy who was going to the Post Office yesterday, might call & deliver a letter to you, from him, concerning flour—Availing myself of that conveyance, I sat down, and was in the act of writing the hasty lines you received from me by him, when I was summoned to dinner. In my hurry to close and Seal it, I omitted the enclosure then refered to, and which is now forwarded.
I can only repeat, what I mentioned yesterday, that I never had the most distant suspicion that every farthing that you had received, or might receive on my A/c, would be justly credited; but this will not supply my wants, and it would be uncandid and inconsistent with the frankness of friendship, not to declare that I have not approved⟨,⟩ nor cannot approve, of having my money received and applied to uses not my own, without my consent; and even without advice of it; which, among other improprieties of the measure, involves the awkward, and unpleasant consequences mentioned in my letter of yesterday.
You must be too well acquainted with the product of my Farms, & the expence I live at, to need information that my income, arising from them, would not meet my expenditures—and that, had it not been for monies arising from the Sale of Lands, my business must have stopped; or my embarrassments at this moment would have been great: and in this last resourse, I have met with disappointments; for of three—nay four—Instalments for different tracts of land, now, & sometime since due, I see no likelihood of receiving a shilling.
I do not bring these facts to your view with intention of reminding you of your Debt to me. On the contrary, take your own time, & convenience, to pay it; but let the whole a/c be settled, that I may see, & know the precise statement of the Balance between us—With the greatest esteem & friendship—I remain Your Affectionate

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from James McHenry, 26 June 1798
From: McHenry, James
To: Washington, George

(Confidential)
Dear Sir.Philad[elphia] 26 June 1798
I have received your letter of the 2 2d by to-days mail.
If you could know how much I have had to do, and how much I have been compelled to neglect to do, since I received your letter inclosing one to Parker, and the other of the 6th of May, you would most heartily and readily pity and forgive me, had I utterly overlooked the several matters to which they related. You know how it was before you left the government, and must have perceived that my business has been ever since upon the increase.
  With respect to Parker, I would have delivered him your letter, had I not learned, that he had connected himself with a democrat printer, one Follwel, who conducts the work he had undertaken, I thought it best therefore, not to give a (person) the countenance of your name whose politics, according to my information in titled him to none. If you think this objection not very valid, it is by no means too late to give the letter, taking upon myself the detention.
You perhaps can guess at the difficulties I have had to encounter to do any thing for Shanondoah, when you recollect that nothing was done in your own time, altho’ the land was purchased and a law existed under which an arsenal might have been established. I have nearly accomplished the object, and hope in less than a fortnight to send a person to make the preparations and other arrangements for commencing immediately a manufactory of small arms. Thus you see, or will soon see, that altho’ I have not written to you, I have not been idle.
Gerry has been playing the double politician, and besides a very foolish and hurtful game. He held conversations and correspondences with Talyrand, which he concealed for some time from his colleagues, or till they could be no longer concealed, and in other respects has conducted himself in the most exceptionable manner. Lest he should have misconceived the dispatch of the 28th of March, he has been addressed to day, in a manner which he will find it difficult to misconstrue, and which, while it will mortify his

pride, will prevent him from doing further mischief, or longer sporting with the honour dignity & interests of his country.
I think it probable that letters of Marque & reprisal will be shortly declared. You see how the storm thickens and that our vessel will soon require its antient pilot. Will you, may we flatter ourselves, that in a crisis so awful and important you will accept the command of all our armies? I hope you will, because you alone, can unite all hearts & all hands, if it is possible that they can be united. With sincere respects to Mrs Washington and unalterable affection for your self I am Dr Sir Your ob. st

James McHenry


Title: From George Washington to William Augustine Washington, 26 June 1798
From: Washington, George
To: Washington, William Augustine

My dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 26th June 1798.

If you could have foreseen the length of passage, to which your letter of the 23d of April was destined, there would have been no occasion to have hurried yourself in writing it in order to receive a conveyance by the brother of Mr Neale: for Saturday last was (and by the way of Richmond too) the first of its appearance, in my hands.
Knowing that Mr Corbin Washington had arrived safe in Westmoreland, & presuming that he had delivered my letter to you; I was unable to account for your silence, as a letter, deposited in any of the Post Offices, would be certain of a conveye.
It would, I am certain, be very difficult to fix a price at this time, in a contract for Corn of seven years continuance, that might not bear hard upon one side or the other before the expiration thereof and my only reason for proposing of it (the chances being equal) was, that each party might know precisely what it had to trust to. I have no objection however to make the quantity, while both of us are alive, certain; that is, five hundred barrels; and leave the value to the Alexandria cash price at the moment of its delivery—to be ascertained by one, two or more respectable purchasers of that article in that place.
You will observe that I have marked the cash price, the reason is obvious, for all others are vague & indefinite; because there are

too many purchasers in that, as well as in other places who will engage to give anything on credit, and pay nothing, as I have, & you might have experienced, if your Agents had not been cautious men—and because I would contract to pay on the delivery of the Grain.
The times most convenient for me to receive it, would be in the months of Aprl May &June; after the Vernal Equinox: & if there were intervals between the delivery of the respective loads of a fortnight, three weeks, or even a month it would be more accomodating than inconvenient to me.
If you accede to these proposals, I will contract for five hundred barrels annually; and if my Distillery goes on, to the contrary of which I know nothing at present, it is more than probable I might take five hundred barrels more from you, yearly, which would give you a certain market & sure pay, at the Alexandria Cash Price at the time of delivering each load; to be ascertained in the manner beforementioned; to do which there can be no difficulty as the Books of the purchasers will shew what it was on any day in the year. On credit this would be uncertain, because the man who means to pay punctually at the end of two, three, four or six months, will not go beyond a certain price; whereas another, who knows before hand that he shall not be punctual, or possibly, that he shall never pay, is not very scrupulous with regard to price.
If I should see Mr Anderson (my Manager) before this letter is closed, I will enquire if he is in want of Corn for the Distillery & let you know. He (though I do not blame him) has made a bad hand in the purchase of that article, this year; having given Sixteen, & from that to 18/ in the winter ready money when two dollars Cash cannot now be had for it at Norfolk. So Doctor Stuart informs me, who has received this advice from the Manager of Mr Custis’s Estate on York River, where there is a large quantity of it for Sale. The price of Corn in Alexandria, at this moment, I know not. Our best wishes attend you & family, and I am My dear Sir Your Sincere friend & Affectionate Uncle

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to James Lloyd, 27 June 1798
From: Washington, George
To: Lloyd, James

Sir,
Mount Vernon 27th June 1798

Accept my thanks for your favour of the 21st Instant, and its enclosures. When the whole correspondence between our Envoys and the French Minister of Foreign Relations & his agents is brought into one view, and laid before the Public, it will be extremely interesting; and must, I conceive, carry conviction to every mind that is open to it, of what the French now are, and have been aiming at, from the beginning of their Revolution—or from an early period of it—at least. And will, at the same time shew them, in what manner they have been imposed upon by those whose objects were not to be promoted by truth, or a clear understanding of matters.
Genl Marshall is so capable of making accurate observations, that I am persuaded his information may be relied on with certainty. With great esteem & regd I am—Sir—Your Obedt & obligd Hble Ser.

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Samuel Chase, 28 June 1798
From: Chase, Samuel
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Baltimore 28 June 1798

I had the Honor to receive your favor of the 17th Instant, about a Week past, enclosing an Extract of a letter to You from the Reverend Mr Belknap, of New-Hampshire.
I have been very unwell, with very little Interval, for some Months, and confined to my House for the last Nine Weeks, with the Sciatica and Gravel.
I have no knowledge of the Family of Calvert than what I obtained in a Cause, which I argued, between the late Mr Benedict Calvert, of prince Georges County, and the Tenants of Ann Arundel Mannor. I have stated the pedigree of the Family from my Notes of the Special Verdict in that Case, and I beleive it to be

accurate. I have added a few facts taken from our old Laws. I beleive the Records of the old proprietary Council are at Annapolis, and I imagine some Information might be obtained from them.
I request the favor of You to present my most respectful Compliments to Mrs Washington, and I pray You both to accept my best Wishes for your Health, and prosperity. I have the Honor to remain, With every Sentiment of Respect, & Esteem, Your affectionate, and obliged Humble Servant

Samuel Chase