Title: From George Washington to James McHenry, 28 January 1799
From: Washington, George
To: McHenry, James

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon January 28th 1799

I have duly received your letters of the 5th 10th & 21st & 22d of this month, with their several enclosures.
It is well known to you that in selecting from the documents laid before us, suitable Characters to fill the respective grades in the twelve additional Regimts the Major Generals and myself spared no pains to find such as appeared, on every account, most likely to render efficient service to their Country and do credit to the

appointment. At the same time we were not inattentive to a proper distribution of Officers in the several States from which they were taken, so far as we had materials before us from which such distribution could be made. But it appeared in several instances that there were large districts of States from which there were few or no applications. In such cases we could only make up the quota from the other parts of the State from whence applications were more numerous. We had not a personal knowledge of Characters in the districts before mentioned to enable us to give them their due proportion without applications or recommendations; and even if we had possessed that knowledge, we must, without knowing whether certain persons would serve or not, have hazarded nominations & appointments which might not have been accepted. And the inconveniences & disadvantages attending this you know but too well.
That some persons would decline accepting an appointment in a grade below that for which they had applied, was to be expected. But unless evidence of disqualification, which was not known to the General Officers, should be brought forward, it was expected that their selection, made with the greatest care, uninfluenced by any local or personal considerations, and with an eye only to the public good, would not be set aside on light grounds.
In speaking on this subject I would not be understood as expressing any dissatisfaction on account of the withholding, postponing or rejecting names which were handed in; because I presume there is sufficient ground for such conduct. I would only wish to shew, that having before us all the evidence respecting characters which could at that time be obtained, and examining & comparing with the greatest care the relative qualifications & pretension⟨s⟩ of each, we were less liable to commit an Error than if we had to contend with any personal prejudices, or had the same motives to influence our conduct which others might have from local considerations.
I observe in the appointment of the Cavalry Officers that the name of Laurence Lewis is placed the third among the Captains. In the Schedule handed to you, they stood, Hite 1st Captn & Lewis 2d Captn in the six additional Troops. As Hite’s nomination has been withheld, I presume that Lewis comes in of course as the first Captain in these six troops. To this place he seems entitled as much from the service he has seen (which was on the Western

Expedition, where he acted as Aid to General Morgan during that time, and which I beleive is the only service that has been seen by either of the other Captains) as from his proper age and respectable standing in society.
In speaking of the Cavalry I must observe that in specifying their Uniform it was intended that their breeches should be of leather, and consequently buff instead of white. This, I doubt not, will strike you as being most proper on every account; and in that case no time should be lost in correcting the error before the officers shall have provided their Uniform.
Enclosed is a letter I recd last Eveg from Genl Spotswood, by which you will see that the name of Thomas instead of John shd be prefixed to Capt. Green of Spotsylvania. This young Gentln from all accounts promises to be a very valu⟨able⟩ Officer as he has been an useful & meritorious Citizen. You will be pleased to have the alteration made in its regular form. With great consideration & esteem I have the honor to be Dr Sir yr mo. ob. st

G. W——n


Title: To George Washington from Henry Lee, Jr., 29 January 1799
From: Lee, Henry Jr.
To: Washington, George

dear sir.
Richmond 29th Jany [17]99.

In our late session the views of opposition to govt have been disclosed with more than usual frankness.
That you may possess an accurate copy of the address on the part of the minority I beg leave to forward to you the enclosed.
If the people will generally read the proceedings of the legislature I console myself with the hope that the disposition of Virga

will change respecting congressional politics. I have the honor to be most respectfully Sir [your] real friend

H. Lee


Title: From George Washington to William Thornton, 30 January 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Thornton, William

Dear Sir
Mount Vernon 30th Jany 1799

Your favor of the 28th instant, enclosing Deeds for my Lots in the Federal City—and Messrs Blagden & Lenthals estimate and drawing of the Windows—dressed in the manner proposed—came to my hands yesterday.
The drawing sent, gives a much handsomer appearance to the Windows than the original design did; and I am more disposed to encounter the difference of expence, than to lessen the exterior show of the building—& therefore consent to the proposed alteration.
At the foot of the estimate sent me (relatively to the Windows) is an application for 152, two inch sash pullies (brass wheels in iron frames) and two groce of ⅞th Inch Screws. Be so good as to direct Mr Blagden to purchase these articles on the best terms, and of such sorts as will suit him. And also to employ a Painter to

prime the Sashes & Doors, although I know it will cost me five times what I could do it for myself. The job is too small to send a Person from hence for that purpose only.
As a Pump will, ultimately, be necessary for the Well, it may as well be fixed there now as hereafter—remembering in the construction thereof, that it be calculated to serve both houses.
I do not clearly comprehend how it should come to pass, that the Specification of the Work, should be at varience with the Plan of the Buildings. I had always conceived that when a Plan was exhibited & agreed to, that it gave the precise dimensions, and that the only use of the former was to ascertain the cost, and to explain the manner, in which the work was to be executed. Professing myself, however, to be a Novice in these matters, I shall readily conform to whatever you shall think right; and so I will do if any thing else of a similar nature should occur, in prosecuting the Work.
If a change in the Windows, should affect the size of the glass, I ought to be informed of it in time; indeed without delay; that no error may be committed in providing the latter.
Is my Deed for the Lot on which I am building, yet in the City Office, or have I mislaid it? I do not find it among the others. Complimts & best wishes—I am—Dr Sir Your Most Obedt Servant

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to John Sevier, 31 January 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Sevier, John

Sir,
Mount Vernon Jany 31st 1799

In acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 25th of December, I must observe, that as the law for raising a provisional Army was not acted upon during the recess of Congress, I presume, from its tenor, that it becomes void of course. And whether or not a similar law will be passed in the pressent session is very problematical.

I have reason to beleive that the President has already made his selection to fill the Offices which had become vacant in the Additional Army.
I am very happy to hear that a military Ardour prevails in the State over which you preside, and I trust it will be directed to the support of the true interest of our common Country if it should ever be called into Action. With due consideration I have the honor to be Sir, Yr most Obedt Servt


Title: From George Washington to Samuel Washington, 31 January 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Washington, Samuel

Dear Sir
Mount Vernon 31st Jany 1799

Into what channel you put your letter of the 7th of November—is not for me to say, but this I can add, that it never came to my hands until the 13 th Instant; when, if you had put it into any Post-Office, it would have been received at this place in three or four days, and whilst I was in Philadelphia in three or four days more.
It is of little avail, to investigate now, what has produced the difficulties and dis⟨tresses⟩ into which your fathers affairs, & your own ⟨have gone;⟩ Things passed, may be regretted, but can never be recalled.
At the time I wrote to your Mother, I had, as I thought, a moral certainty of receiving several thousand dollars for Lands which I

had sold, West of the Alligany Mountains; and although I had urgent call for the money myself, I was resolved that those evils which she seemed to apprehend should not come upon her, if a $1000 would prevent it, but so far from receiving sevl thousand as I expected, I have not receivd one, on the acct of Land sold. Yet, notwithstanding this—had she drawn, as she was authorised to do, I would, rather than have been worse than I had promised to be, have borrowed the money at the Bank of Alexandria at the ruinous interest at which it is loaned. But as the application of the money for the uses I intended it, will not answer the end I proposed, and as I have no other means at present to obtain it but from the Banks, my offer of course ceases.
⟨But⟩ if contrary to my expectation (and I own I have none) I should receive payment for my land, whch ought, some to have been made in June last, and other in December, I will let you have from one to three hundred pounds—according to the sum I shall receive myself—but I must add, that from present appearances little dependence can be placed on it, from Your Affecte Uncle

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to John Adams, 1 February 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Adams, John

Dear Sir
Mount Vernon 1st Feby 1799

The letter herewith enclosed from Mr Joel Barlow (though the old date) came to my hands only yesterday.
I have conceived it to be my duty to transmit it to you without delay—and without a comment; except that it must have been written with a very good, or a very bad design: which of the two, you can judge better than I. For, from the known abilities of that Gentleman, such a letter could not be the result of ignorance in him—nor, from the implications which are to be found in it, has it been written without the privity of the French Directory.
It is incumbent on me to add, that, I have not been in the habit of corresponding with Mr Barlow. The letter now forwarded, is the first I ever received from him; and to him, I have never written one.
If then, you should be of opinion that his is calculated to bring

on Negotiation upon open, fair and honorable ground, and merits a reply, and will instruct me as to the tenor of it; I shall, with pleasure and alacrity, obey your Orders; more especially if there is reason to believe that it would become a mean, however small, of restoring Peace and tranquillity to the United States upon just, honorable and dignified terms: which I am persuaded is the ardent desire of all the friends of this rising Empire. With great consideration and respect, I have the honor to be. Dear Sir Your Most Obedient and Very Humble Servant

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from James McHenry, 1 February 1799
From: McHenry, James
To: Washington, George

My dear Sir
Philadelphia 1 Feby 1799

I received last night your letter of the 27th of Jany and this morning sent for Mr McAlpin and gave him your orders.
It appears to me, that the round cuff and the usual pockets will be neater and handsomer than if slashed and also more dignified. I prefer for the same reason a plain waistcoat. I shall however take the advice of General McPhierson on the different points and endeavour to have the embroidery of the neatest pattern and done by an expert hand.
It is not easy to discover what Congress will do with the army. I incline to beleive that no reduction will be made in the establishment, and that it is possible there may be some companies added to one or other of the Regiments; I mean either to the cavalry or artillery. I am Dr Sir yours affectionately & sincerely

James McHenry


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Peter, 1–2 February 1799
From: Peter, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
George-Town [Md.] 1st[–2] Feby 1799

Your esteemed favor of this date was handed to me by Charles. My Brother George begs you will accept his sincere thanks for your letter of Recommendation to the Secretary of War, and I feel myself highly indebted to you for your friendship in this business.

It is my opinion your observations are very correct with respect to the removal of the Seat of Government before the appointed time. Since I wrote you there has been a Town meeting in consequence of Letters received from the Secretary of the Navey, the people in G.T. & the City have agreed to take into their own families to Board all the Members 2⟨6/⟩ pr Week & the Gentn that were appointed by the Meeting will report to Mr Stoddert To morrow that they have engaged Houses, conditionally at a very low Rent, and a sufficient number to accomodate the officers of Government &c. &c., but I sincerely wish Mr Stodderts zeal in this business may not be productive of more consequences than he is aware off, & should not be at all surprised if there were political manoeuvering by the Enemies of the City with him. We are all as usual excepting Eleanor who has just got some thing of the Hives, we have given her Wine drops & Bathe’d her and I think she is much easier in her breathing already & hope by the morning she will be restor’d to health again. I am, Dear Sir Yours with regard

Thomas Peter

2nd Feby 99. Eleanor this morning is tolerably well.


Title: From George Washington to James McHenry, 4 February 1799
From: Washington, George
To: McHenry, James

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon Feby 4th 1799

Presly Thornton, who is appointed a Captain in one of the Virginia Regiments, and in the list of Officers handed to you, is placed the first Captain in Colo. Bentley’s Regiment, and designated of Northumberland, informs me there has been a mistake in your office with respect to him; as a Relation of his, bearing the same names, & living in Caroline County, is understood by you to be the person intended. At the time of making the selection, and until informed of it by the Captn Thornton intended to be nominated, I did not know there was another of the same name existing. The person in my list is the son of Colo. Presly Thornton late of Northumberland County in Virginia. Since his nomination he has taken up his residence in the City of Washington, and he informs me that he will accept his appointment. The Gentleman whom he says is understood at the War Office to be the person intended, is the son of Colo. Anthony Thornton late of Caroline County. I pray you to have this mistake corrected without delay.
Mr Greene of Spotsylvania who had John instead of Thomas prefixed to his name, called upon me yesterday on his way to Philad. where he was going to have the error rectified, but as I

informed him that I had written to you on the subject, and thus his presence was not necessary to identify the person, he gave up his journey. With due consideration & esteem I am Dear Sr Yr mo. Ob. St


Title: To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 5 February 1799
From: Biddle, Clement
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Philad[elphia] February 5. 1799

I have now to answer to your several favors before me by forwarding the bill of loading of Captain Ellwood for the seven packages Containing the Book Case, a bundle with the shoes from Bedford, another with the hatts from parrish and a small Kag which I had prepared with the Grass seed & therefore thought best to send it, all which the Captain promises to have particular Care of and to land them at Mount Vernon, stowing them so as to be Come at next to the Goods he is to deliver at Norfolk—Your Account with the Bills of parcels is also inclosed and I have sent to Mr Fenno to furnish your Account for payment which I expect every moment.

The price of flour since I wrote you has advanced a little, say from 9½ to 10 Ds. for superfine which is owing to an Expectation that the trade to St Domingo may shortly be opened from the discretionary power vested in the president, on the Other hand it is supposed that it will not take place until the messenger from Toussaint who it is said is returning with our Consul to the Cape shall first have gone out to that Island, but if the trade does open, it will Certainly raise the price of flour throughout the United States. I am very Respectfully Yr mo. Obedt and very hume Servt

Clement Biddle


Title: From George Washington to William B. Harrison, 6 February 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Harrison, William B.

Sir,
Mount Vernon 6th Feb. 1799

I have received your letter of the 24th Ulto, and thank you for your kind assurance of suffering no tenant to remain on your land (near my mill) who is a nuisance to me.
But it was from a thorough conviction in my mind that no person,

or persons, who meant to get a livelihood by dint of labour—In short who did not depend more upon slight of hand, and unwarrantable shifts than labour, for a support, who would live on it in the exhausted state in which it is, that induced me to propose becoming your tenant, for the whole tract.
To this application of mine, your letter gives no answer, which is the cause of my giving you the trouble of ⟨A⟩ second Letter; forasmuch, if you are inclined to lease the Land to me for a term of years (and I could not take it on a short one, for the reasons mentioned in my last) I may know on what conditions; and if agreeable, be making my arrangements accordingly for the next year.
You will be able to judge, without any observations of mine, whether it will not be for your interest, and the advantage of the Land, that the whole shoud be in the hands of one person who will pay the rent regularly as it becomes due, with out trouble; and who, by proper inclosures (the fencing of which I should be obliged to do with timber from my own land) wd be improving, instead of rendering it less & less valuable every year, leaving it totally divested of even firewood, or any thing to support it, in the manner, and under the circumstances it now is, & is going on. I say your own good sense will enable you to judge of these matters as well as I can. All I request is, to be informed, whether you will lease the land to me, or not; and in the former case, on what terms; being certain that my enclosures will forever be subject to depredations while the tenements are in the hands of persons who cannot support their families by fair and honest labour, without being in a starving condition great part of the year.
With respect to John Javins I have nothing particular to charge him with, nor do I know any thing with which to impeach his honesty. Nor am I able to fix by legal proof any things against the others—but certain it is the best fences I can make are no proof against their hogs &ca; and my meadows & grain are continually destroyed by their Stocks. And it is not less certain that my Stock (of Hogs & Sheep in particular) are constantly diminishing and while one of the ⟨Pools⟩ has no visible way of raising them, sells more things than any other person of his condition in the County. In a word, I have lately been told that he keeps a tipling house which is a receptacle for such articles as Negros can steal from their Owners. I am Sir—Yr Very Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to James McHenry, 6 February 1799
From: Washington, George
To: McHenry, James

Dear Sir
Mount Vernon Feby 6th 1799

Enclosed are sundry letters which have come to my hands, requesting Appointments in the Army of the United States.
You will observe that all these letters, excepting one, are from foreigners; and as I presume it is a principle pretty well established, that it would be improper to admit persons of this description into our Army, unless it is a few Characters well skilled as Engineers or Artilleriests, I have sent those to your Office that may go into the proper channel for applications, and not rest in my hands.
The name of John Cooper, the writer of one of the enclosed letters, was not among those handed on to me from your office—You will see what he says on the subject of an appointt and will know whether the recommendations he mentions have been sent to you, and how far he may have a chance for an appointt from any vacancy, if he shd be found deserving. With due consider[atio]n &c. I have the Honor &c.

Go. W.


Title: From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., 6 February 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Trumbull, Jonathan Jr.

My dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 6th Feby 1799

By the Ship Nancy from London, just arrived at Alexandria, I have received four copies of the Prints of the Deaths of Montgomery & Warren (the number of setts I presume I subscribed for)—sent me by your Brother.
It is my wish to make him a remittance agreeably to the terms of the Subscription; but having taken no copy of it, and not being able to recollect what is to pay, must be my apology for troubling you with this letter: presuming that the original Paper or a copy thereof, might have been left with you; and more over, that you may be empowered to receive from the Subscribers in the United States, the amount of their subscriptions, in which case, upon receiving the advice, I shall, instead of making the remittance of mine to London, transmit it to you.
Whether any thing was to have been paid in advance—& whether in that case I paid mine—is more than I can decide without a resort (for the latter) to my Papers from Philadelphia, which are yet to be unpacked, and arranged.
By a Paper accompanying the Prints of Montgomery & Warren, the other part of the original design is suspended, on account of the peculiarity of the times.
As I shall not write to Mr Trumbull until I hear from you, the Sooner you can make it convenient to give me the information herein required, the more agreeable it will be.
I enquire frequently after you, & with pleasure hear always that you enjoy good health. Mrs Washington who is as well as usual, & Nelly Custis who on my birth day (the 22d instant) will change her name for that of Lewis, a Nephew of mine, and brother to those who lived with me in New York & Philadelphia, unite in best wishes and respectful compliments to Mrs Trumbull & yourself, with My dear Sir Yr Most Obedt & Affecte Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 8 February 1799
From: Pickering, Timothy
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Philadelphia February 8. 1799

It will give you additional pleasure to learn that such is the increased and increasing respectability of the U. States among the European powers—that from being viewed with indifference & even contempt, our friendship and commerce are courted.
The Russian minister at London has suggested to Mr King that a Commercial treaty with the U. States would be agreeable to the Emperor Paul; and added, That this would be a favourable time to negociate a commercial treaty with the Ottoman Porte; and that Russia would afford to the U. States all its aid to accomplish it. Lord Grenville has given the like assurance of aid on the part of Great Britain.
In consequence of these overtures, Mr King has just been appointed to negociate at London a Commercial treaty with Russia: and Mr Smith has been this day nominated to negociate a commercial treaty with the Porte. The former will create no expense; and the latter very little expence, besides the presents customary and indispensable in treating with the Eastern Powers; but which a few voyages of our vessels up the Levant will abundantly compensate. These presents I cannot ascertain. Mr Liston informs me that a new British minister to the Porte gives in presents £3000 sterling among the various officers. Ours must be accompanied with Treaty presents: but I conclude from the best information attainable here, that the whole will not exceed forty or fifty thousand dollars: & once made, the treaty will last forever: the expence may perhaps not amount to more tha[n] half of one of those sums.
Mr Smith will proceed from Lisbon—and no successor will be appointed to him at that court. The Chevalier de Freire has obtained leave of absence from the U.S.—and will no more return. This circumstance will comport very well with the vacancy we shall make at Lisbon.
Another striking proof of our National importance I must not omit: Mr Pitt has made to Mr King a proposition which implies an opinion, that in certain articles (sugar & coffee in particular) Great Britain & the U. States may regulate the commerce of Europe. The subject had not been fully investigated: facts were sought for. But the idea presented by Mr Pitt, whether it shall ever become a reality or not, demonstrates our commercial and even

our political importance. I have the honor to be with great respect Sir, your obt servant

Timothy Pickering


Title: From George Washington to James McAlpin, 10 February 1799
From: Washington, George
To: McAlpin, James

Sir,
Mount Vernon 10th Feb. 1799

Having requested in a former letter, that you would make me a uniform suit of Cloaths by such directions as the Secretary of War would give; of such kinds of Cloth as I mentioned to you in that letter; and moreover, that they might be with me by the 22d of the present month; I hope my desire in all these particulars will be complied with.
If Mr Washington, one of the Judges, has not left Philadelphia before you receive this letter, & is certain of doing it, so as to be here (where he means to call on his return) by the time abovementioned, he wd afford a good, & safe opportunity by whom to send them.
Let them be packed in a Port manteau to be made for that, & occasional uses thereafter, of very stiff and thick leather of the following size—viz.—two feet in length and two feet nine inches round—with a flap for the convenience of brushes, blacking &ca—and an iron bar (running through staples) and a good lock,

for its security. A workman in that line, will be at no loss in discovering what kind of a Portmanteau it is I want, from what is here said.
Transmit your account of the cost of all the articles required, and the amount shall be remitted to you, by Sir Your Hble Servant

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 10 February 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Pickering, Timothy

Dear Sir
Mount Vernon 10th Feby 1799

Your letters of the 24th of the last, and 2d of the present Month, have been duly received; for which, & their enclosures, I thank you.
I am not surprised that some Members of the Ho. of Representatives should dis-relish your Report. It contains remarks, and speaks truths which they are desirous should be unknown to the People. I wish the parts which were left out, had been retained. The crisis, in my opinion, calls loudly for plain dealing; that the Citizens at large may be well informed, and decide, with respect to public measures, upon a thorough knowledge of facts. Concealment,

is a species of mis-information; and misrepresentation and false alarms found the ground work of opposition. The plan of wch is, to keep the People as much as possible in ignorance & terror; for it is believed by themselves that a perfect understanding of our real situation, in regard to our foreign relations would be a death blow to their consequence and struggles; & for that reason, have always something on foot to disquiet the public mind.
I am sorry to hear that Mr Gerry is pursuing a mischevous path. That he was led astray by his own vanity & self importance, and was the dupe of Diplomatic Skill, I never had a doubt; but these doubts were accompanied by faint hopes (faint indeed they were) that he possessed candour, fortitude & manliness enough to have come forward with an open declaration that, he had been practised upon, & was deceiv’d—But Mr Gerry’s Mind is not enlarged enough for such conduct as this; especially, assailed as I presume it was on his arrival, by those whose labours are unceasing, to inculcate their doctrines of hostility against the proceedings of their own government.
The Session of Congress is drawing fast to a close; what traits it will leave behind of strong, & energetic measures, remains to be seen: Such I hope as will shew that, we are ready at all times to negociate upon fair, & honorable terms, but never to be bullied or duped into them. With very great esteem & regd I am always Yours

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from John Tayloe, 10 February 1799
From: Tayloe, John
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Mount Airy 10th Febry 1799

I had left Richmond before your letter of the 23rd Jany reached that place—The delay in answering it has proceded from this circumstance, which I trust you will see has been unavoidable.
The Appointment the President of the U. States has been pleased to confer on me is certainly highly honorable; a more flattering

testimonial of his approbation than I expected to receive, or had a right to reckon on—To doubt a moment of the acceptance of the commission must appear unaccountable to my friends in general. I beg however to be permitted to explain the reason which produces the hesitation, in the full hope, that you will favor me with your advice in my present dilemma, for I mean to be determined by your opinion. I have with an infinity of fatigue succeeded in my Election to the State Senate against a man who is a warm partisan, in opposition to Government. If I accept the Commission to which I am appointed—I shall vacate my Seat and the inevitable consequence will be—that my place will be supplied by my last opponent—The question then will be—whether I shall best serve my Country—at this momentous crisis in a Civil, or Military capacity, In either situation I shall endeavour to be usefull—Should you recommend a Non acceptance—I can accord only conditionally, that if the Provisional army should be called for—I may be permitted to take my present rank at least in the first Regiment of Cavalry raised—This will give time to my friend & Neighbour Landon Carter Esqr. to fill the seat I shall vacate, the unfortunate situation of whose family at this moment precludes his stepping forth—I beg leave in confidence to remark to you—that my pretensions to a Seat in Congress from this District are well grounded—if at the Election in 1801—I should be legally qualified to represent it—Judge therefore I beseech you what course I can with most honor & propriety take, & wherein I can best serve the essential interests of my Country—I have to beg you will interest yourself in producing the change—should you think it adviseable, should you deem it necessary for me to have a personal communication with the Secretary of War, I will repair to Phi[ladelphi]a as soon as Mrs Tayloes present confinement will permit my leaving home—& will do myself the pleasure of calling at Mount-Vernon—I stand much indebted to you for your polite attention—respecting the Jack—Since I saw you Mr Ogle has given me a very fine one—consequently my wants on that head [are] supplied—Beside this—I am anxious to appropriate every shilling I can raise—towards the improvements I contemplate putting up in the F. City—With best respects to Mrs Washington & Miss Custis—I am with Sentiments of respect Your obliged—& Obedt Servt

John Tayloe


Title: To George Washington from William Heath, 11 February 1799
From: Heath, William
To: Washington, George

Sir
Roxbury [Mass.] Febry 11th 1799

In the letter which you did me the honor to write me, some time since, you expressed a wish to be a reader of my memoirs of the American revolutionary war, if they were published, The work being now out of press, I take the liberty to forward a Copy, and pray you to do me the honor of accepting it. When you think proper to give the memoirs a perusal, I intreat you to exercise much candour, and to spread a mantle of friendship over their many imperfections, Brought up a farmer, without academic instruction, classic knowledge is beyond [m]y reach—indeed as an author I am quite a novice—My Journal kept without intermission, was intended for my own review, and the information of my own family and friends, and not for publication to the world, The Journal has been carefully continued, to the present time, now swelled to numerous pages, and will not be omitted while life, and health continue. It is therefore not improvable, from the present aspect of things, that if our lives are continued, and you should be again called into the Field in actual Service, (or Otherwise) I may be again, the narrator of your military Actions, Heaven grant, in such case, that I or some other, may have the felicity of recording, that you were a Second time, the successful leader of your fellow Countrymen, in defence and maintenance, of those their invalueable rights, and liberties, Independence and Sovereignty, Constitution and Government, (whoever may be the foe) the enjoyment of

which hitherto, was purchased at a vast expence of Blood and treasure, and in which you acted so conspicuous a part—Wishing you every felicity, which can be enjoyed here, and hereafter, and with best respects to your amiable Lady, which I pray you to present—I have the Honor to be with the most inviolable attachment Sir Your most humble Servant

W. Heath


Title: From George Washington to James Lloyd, 11 February 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Lloyd, James

Sir,
Mount Vernon 11⟨th⟩ Feby 1799.

Your favor of the 28th Ulto enclosing Mr Gerry’s correspondence with M. Talleyrand, came safe; but not so soon after its date as might have been expected; or an earlier acknowledgment thereof would have been returned. For your kind, and polite attention to me in sending me this curious interchange, with the Secretary of State’s Report thereon, I pray you to accept my best thanks.
It is not surprising that, the latter should not prove agreeable to the taste of some Gentlemen in the Ho. of R—p—s. It served to place the views & objects of the Fr: Government in too conspicuous a light to be mistaken; and of course did not accord with their purposes. I wish, however, they were in every man’s hand, for I am

persuaded the great mass of our Citizens require only to understand matters rightly, to form right decisions; whilst the business of some among us seems to be, to pervert, and lead their judgments astray by false alarms, and a misrepresentation of facts.
I recollect well, having received a letter from you sometime in July last on the Subject of Kentucky politics; but as it was in answer to my queries, and knowing that you wd have left Philadelphia, or in other words that the Session of Congress was about to close, and that an acknowledgment of it was not likely to reach that City ’ere this would happen, I did not reply to it. This is offered as my apology for not writing to you on that occasion. With esteem and regard I remain Sir, Your Most Obedt Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 12 February 1799
From: Henry, Patrick
To: Washington, George

Private
Dear sirCharlotte [County] feby 12th 1799
Your Favor of the 15th ulto reached me a few Days since. I sincerely thank you for it, & for the flattering Sentiments you entertain for me—But most highly do I thank & honor you for your unremitting Care of the public Welfare—Think not Sir that I mean to flatter when I say that the wise Caution which avoided an Increase of Connection with the French, in the early Stages of their Revolution, has rendered to America, Services equally important with those which secured our Independence. How rarely has it happen’d to be the Lot of one Man to save his Country twice!
The Salvation I speak of from the French was wrought against the Will of a great portion, if not a Majority of the people—Candour obliges me to acknowledge that I was amongst the Number of blind & deluded. And I have to thank Heaven, that our Goverment was guided by a clearer Intellect, & a happyer Foresight than mine. But notwithstanding the Check given to French men & their principles, Events have proved, that the Contagion of the latter has spread far & wide: & whilst they have sapped the Foundations of our Morality & Religion, have prepared the Minds of Men to equal Hostility against their own Government. And so far as I understand

those who nickname themselves “Democrats,” they are at Variance with those Truths which concern our Happiness in the World to come, alike with our Happiness in this—If an uninterupted Importation of French Principles had happened, our Ruin would have been certain & speedy. And even in the present State of Things, it may be doubted whether a Cure can easily be found for the Mischiefs they have occasioned. God grant it may be effected without coming to Extremity—yes my dear sir, I accord with every Sentiment you express to me—I am ashamed to refuse the little Boon you ask of me, when your Example is before my Eyes—My Children would blush to know, that you & their Father were Co[n]temporarys, & that when you asked him to throw in his Mite for the public Happiness, he refused to do it. In Conformity with these Feelings, I have declared myself a Candidate for this County at the next Election, since the Receipt of your Letter, but enjoying very indifferent Health I cannot leave my Home to make the Declaration efficacious as I could wish—The proceedings of the last Assembly have alarmed many thinking people hereabouts; & altho’ there be Cause, for serious Apprehension, I trust the Friends of Order, Justice, & Truth will once more experience the Favor of that God who has so often & so signally bestowed his Blessings upon our Country.
Whilst I am thinking of our public affairs, I cannot but feel an Anxiety for the part our Executive has to act with Relation to the naval Assistance so essential to us in Case of War with France. If peace is obtained by her, especially with Britain, in which we are not included, the consequences will be serious indeed—The present conduct pursued towards us, indicates strongly, these two Ideas. First Hostility to our Goverment; & secondly, a fixed purpose of supporting her Partisans here—For the last, Dr Logan seems to me a strong proof—The first is too evident to need Illustration—If, as is probable, it is meant to reserve us singly for future chastisement, when Leisure may suit the purpose how can this Calamity be avoided but by some suitable Arrangement with Britain? I own I know not. Such a Step however, will add largely to the Stock of Combustibles already in the Hands of the discontented—They are blind to the Duplicity of France, & to the Dangers which grow out of the present State of Suspence & Indecision. The Terms of Britain for her Assistance will be heighten’d by every Event which may shew our Want of it—But when, or how, this very

delicate Business is to be brought forward is not possible for me to say.
Forgive me for these Suggestions—They are produced in my Mind by the distant View of public Transactions, which Retirement affords—and for Fear of trespassing on your Patience, I conclude; but not ’til I assure you of that reverential Regard & sincere Attachment—with [which] I ever am Dear sir your affectionate humble Servant

P. Henry


Title: To George Washington from James McHenry, 12 February 1799
From: McHenry, James
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Philadelphia 12 Febry 1799.

McAlpin called upon me this morning to inform me finally, that after the most diligent inquiry for gold thread, both here and at New York, he has not been able to procure a sufficient quantity to complete the embroidery of the coat; and that of course it will be necessary to suspend making it up until after the arrival of the Spring ships in which the article is expected.
As yet the President’s cockade remains without the Eagle. Mine is also without one. I shall give you early notice when the alteration takes place; and shall send you to morrow four eagles of the pattern that has been adopted, which I find corresponds with your ideas. I contemplate the black ribbon in the old form for our cockade with the eagle fixed in the centre to the loop and cockade by small holes in its wings.
I have dispatched to Major Gen. Hamilton his instructions, and hope to be able to complete those for Gen. Pinckney to-day. I shall send you copies. I am Dr Sir always & affectionately yours

James McHenry


Title: To George Washington from John C. Ogden, 12 February 1799
From: Ogden, John C.
To: Washington, George

Sir
Prison in Litch field Con[necticu]t Feby 12th 1799

It is painful to trouble a man whom I have so long revered with these letters—But Oliver Wolcott whom you honored with a place, has cast me into prison for a small sum due honestly to him. The suit is pushed for two causes—One to defeat my hopes and expectations of the place of collector of the customs in New Haven. He wishes to have it given to Eli⟨zur⟩ Goodrich—Brother to the member of Congress who married Mr Wolcott’s sister.
A second reason is to revenge upon me for my errand to President Adams, with the petitions of the people of the western district of Vermont in behalf of Colol Lyon.
After Oliver Wolcott joined with the church plunderers in Portsmouth to destroy me—I went into Vermont, six years ago—during that period Colol Lyon has been my benefactor—and the general friend to the clergy of every faith. He is a churchman, mason and a man. For all these, he is entitled to my love, & care & good offices, as a clergy man & friend. He is an abused man—If his political opinions differ from others, he must abide the consequence.
President Adams was offended at my interference, and give me a very particular answer—He did not ask me reasons—he judged without hearing and evidence—Misinformation was circulated in Philadelphia concerning Colol Lyon—the church, My Mother in-law, & myself—All these things I strove to place right—The infringements upon religious liberty in New England came into view.
All this has freted Mr Wolcott—But he may do his best. The cell in this place is empty—I could live in it six or ⟨seve⟩n months—It is high ti⟨me⟩ th⟨ey⟩ had a Lyon in Connecticut, ⟨mutilated⟩ hierarchy & aristocracy are most oppressive. The press is fettered. Bigotry is exalting its head and forging chains.
These are serious sentiments. They are not expressed in the style, in which I love to write to Genl Washington. At all times & in all places I will revere your person, name and memory. I am Your devoted servant

John C. Ogden


Title: From George Washington to John Tayloe, 12 February 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Tayloe, John

Dear Sir
Mount Vernon 12th Feby 1799

By your Servant, I have this moment (on my return from Alexandria) been favoured with your two letters of the 10th instant.
For the compliment you have been pleased to pay me, in asking my opinion of the eligibility of accepting your late appointment in the Army of the United States, I pray you to accept my thanks.
However desirous I might have been of seeing you engaged in that line, candour requires that I should declare, that under your statement of the circumstances of the case, I am inclined to believe that your Services in the civil line, in the present crisis of our affairs, and the temper in which this State in particular, appears to

be (if it be fair to form a judgement from the Acts of its Legislature) would be more important. The first is contingent, of course may, or may not be called for, according to our doings in the latter. The second is in existence, and requires the active (and I will venture to add) the immediate, & unremitting exertions of the friends of Order & good government; to prevent the evils which it is but too apparent another description of men, among us, are endeavouring to involve the Unites States.
No evil, that I perceive, can result at this stage of the Recruiting Service, from the postponement of a final decision, respecting your appointment to a Majority in the Regiment of light Dragoons; and as you have it in contemplation (as appears by your letter to the Secretary of War) to visit Philadelphia shortly, I will suspend a further expression of my sentiments on this subject until I have the pleasure of seeing you at this place. With best respects to Mrs Tayloe, in which Mrs Washington & Miss Custis unite I am—Dear Sir Your Most Obedt Hble Servant

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from William Taylor, 12 February 1799
From: Taylor, William
To: Washington, George

Dr Sir
St⟨illegible⟩ Nr Manchester [England] Feby 12th 1799

I have taken the Liberty to send for your Acceptance a small cask of early pottatoes for planting, (if you think them worth notice); they are ship’d on board the Felicity of Alexandria and addres’d to Mr John Potts of that place, by whom myself and Mr Cripps were introduc’d to you on the sixth of May Last. there is two sorts of them Viz. early Dwarf and d[itt]o Champion, both of which are as good of their kind as any we have, the Dwarfs are at the bottom of the Cask. I am dr Sr with sincere Respect and Esteem and thanks for the Civilities I receiv’d at Mount Vernon Yrs

William Taylor

N:B: We generally plant them in March if the Season suits, in dry Light soil dung’d with Horse Litter about 4 inches asunder in the rows and the rows about 6 inches from each other,

this for the Dwarfs, the Champions a Little farther asunder, and 3 inches deep.


Title: To George Washington from William Thornton, 12 February 1799
From: Thornton, William
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
City of Washington 12th Feby 1799

This morning I received the Statement of the Glass requisite for your Buildings, which I take the earliest opportunity of transmitting. Mr Blagdin has not yet called for any part of the thousand Dollars you deposited in the Bank of Alexandria. If your forbearance to others should render any Application for Discounts at Bank necessary, I would advise that you do not take up any until it is immediately wanted, of which I shall never fail to give you due notice, and by this mode you would save the Interest, which being compound, by every two month’s renewal of the note, amounts to about 7½ ⅌ Centum pr Annum, even without the loss of any Days by Dates &c., which only those accustomed to Bank Transactions find easy: however, the rule is, to date so as to let the sixty Days expire the Day before the renewal at Bank is required, that the Directors may have it before them on the Discount Day; for if it fall the Day after, the note will require to be paid, & be renewed the following week; on which Account it is necessary to antedate the notes, one, two or three Days. Excuse me for mentioning these things.
Accept my best wishes for many returns of yesterday’s Anniversary. Yours most affectionately & with the highest respect

William Thornton


Title: To George Washington from Robert Lewis, 13 February 1799
From: Lewis, Robert
To: Washington, George

Hond Uncle,
Spring Hill February 13th 1799

Your favor of the 23d ulto came duly to hand with an inclosed copy of a letter to Major Harrison—Its contents and inclosure shall have their proper attention.
In regard to taking Young Royal Gift the ensuing season to cover at my Stable, I am still inclined to do it, not only on my own account, (as I am extremely anxious to get into the breed of Mules) but from a desire to accommodate my neighbours who have frequently expressed a wish to have one of your Jacks in this vicinity. I do not anticipate so great a profit from this business, as might have been expected the last year, and year before from the services of Compound; as a Mr Green of Culpeper has procured an imported Jack from some quarter or other which he has given notice a few days since will stand alternately in his County and Fauquier. I do not apprehend Royal Gift will loose many Mares by this circumstance, when the people have an opportunity of compareing one with the other, as a decided preference must be given to him from his superior size, and the Stock from which he sprung.
My Collection in the way of Rents has been rather unsuccessfull than otherwise—The painfull task of distraining has been resorted to in greater degree than usual on account of the general failure of the crops of Wheat for the three last years past, owing to the ravages of the Hessian flye, and a fluctuating climate—Indeed, many of the Tenants seem inclined to take advantage of a clause in the old Leases which says, “Where a failure (in their endeavors for a crop) has taken place by any providential stroke” the rent shall be remitted—But the lowness of their rents has deter’d them, I believe. Truly pitiable is the situation of some of those who have renew’d their Leases at a greater rent than formerly. Added

to this and the calamity above stated; the poverty of the soil below the ridge, owing to bad Husbandry; and a restriction from clearing more than what the old Leases required, (which wou’d enable them to make Tobacco now the staple of the upper Country) are almost unsurmountable obstacles to the payment of such rents. The Tenants in Frederick and Berkley have their complaints likewise, altho’ blest with a better soil & lower rents, with a few exceptions. They have generally paid up. I shall (if no accident intervenes to prevent) be at Mt Vernon by the 21st or 22d inst. with all the Money I have—and when I hope to be present at the celebration of the nuptials of my Brother and Miss Custis, which he informs me will take place on the latter day. Mrs Lewis begs me to present her respectful and affectionate regards to you—my Aunt—and family, with Your Much Obliged and dutifull Nephew

Robt Lewis


Title: To George Washington from William Thornton, 14 February 1799
From: Thornton, William
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
City of Washington Feby 14th 1799

I have this Morning obtained the Prices of the Boston Glass, which is of a very good quality; and, if, on enquiry, no cheaper can be had, equally good, it may be sent for at any time you will be pleased to direct. I should not have failed to make the necessary Enquiries here, but we have no Importers.
My Colleague Mr Scott has been for several Days indisposed, and incapable of meeting me. I visited him yesterday, and think him better: he will be well I hope in a few Days. Mr White is yet at Winchester.
We are affected by the news of yellow-fever still continuing at Philadelphia, and it is said some Families are removing thence. Mr [William] Craig [Craik] the Member of Congress writes that

there is no probability of obtaining any further Supply of Money from Congress. We shall push with Economy the Objects committed to our Care, and I doubt not our making ready in due time. I saw one of the Professors of the College of George Town this Morning, and I think the rooms in the new College amply sufficient for the Congress, if they should be disposed to accept the Accommodations offered by the Inhabitants of George Town. I am, dear Sir, with the greatest respect your affectionate & obedt Friend

William Thornton

Mr Law’s Family were expected last night. I delivered Mrs Washington’s Message to Mrs Peter the Day we returned. My Family join in best respects to her & Miss Custis. To the latter I have bid an eternal Adieu!
Since I closed this Mr Stoddert has written that there is a majority in the House of Reps. for Congress removg hither the next S.S. & he doubts not it will pass the Senate.


Title: From George Washington to William Augustine Washington, 14 February 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Washington, William Augustine

My dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 14th Feby 1799

Mr H: Washington affords me a very good opportunity to inform you, that if your Crop enables you to supply me with a hundred Barrels of Corn over and above the quantity Contracted for, I shall be willing to take it on the terms I do the Five hundred Barrels; and that I shall be willing to receive a part of the whole at any time you may find it convenient to forward it, as the danger of Frost, & shutting up my Creek, I hope is passed for this Season.
I am sorry I hear of your confinement, and trust if it is not quite at an end, that it cannot be far from it. Mrs Washington unites with me in best wishes for you, and I am—My dear Sir Your Affectionate Uncle

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 15 February 1799
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Sir
New York February 15. 1799

The Secretary at War has communicated to me the following disposition with regard to the superintendence of our Military forces and Posts—All those in the States South of Maryland in Tennessee and Kentucke are placed under the Direction of Major General Pinckney: those every where else under my direction—to which he has added the general care of the Recruiting service.
The commencement of the business of recruiting, however, is still postponed; for the reason, as assigned by the Secretary, that a supply of cloathing is not yet ready.
In conformity with your ideas, I have directed General Wilkinson to repair to the seat of Government, in order to a more full examination of the affairs of the Western scence and to the concerting of ulterior arrangements.
On this, and on every other subject of our military concerns, I shall be happy to receive from time to time such suggestions and instructions as you may be pleased to communicate.
I shall regularly advise you of the progress of things and especially of every material occurrence. With perfect respect I have the honor to be Sir Your very Obed. ser.

A. Hamilton


Title: From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 15 February 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Pickering, Timothy

PrivateDear Sir
Mount Vernon 15th Feby 1799.

Your favour of the 8th instt conveys very pleasing information, and I feel obliged by the communication.
Although you did not give your letter the stamp of privacy, I did not think myself at liberty to mention the purport of it to some good Federal characters who were dining with me at the time I received it, and who would have thought it the best Desert I could have offered.
Hence forward, I will consider your letters to me, in three distinct points of view; and I mention it now, that I may commit no error hereafter.
First, such communications as you may conceive proper to make to me, alone, and mark confidential, shall go no farther; those marked private, I may, occasionally, impart their contents to well disposed characters; and those without either, will leave me unrestrained. With very great esteem & regard—I am always—Yr Affecte

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 16 February 1799
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Private
Dear SirNew York Feby 16. 1799
Different reasons have conspired to prevent my writing to you since my return to New York—the multiplicity of my avocations, an imperfect state of health and the want of something material to communicate.
The Official letter herewith transmitted will inform you of the disposition of our Military Affairs which has been recently adopted by the Department of War. There shall be no want of exertion on my part to promote the branches of the service confided to my care.
But I more and more discover cause to apprehend that obstacles of a very peculiar kind stand in the way of an efficient and successful management of our military concerns, These it would be unsafe at present to explain.
It may be useful that I should be able to write to you hereafter some confidential matters relating to our Administration without the mention of names. When this happens I shall designate the President by X, the Secretary of State by V, of the Treasury by I, and of the department of War by C.

Everything in the Northern quarter, as far as I can learn, continues favorab⟨le⟩ to the Government. Very affecty & truly I remain My dear Sir Your obedt Servt

A. Hamilton


Title: From George Washington to James Anderson, 17 February 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Anderson, James

Mr Anderson,
Mount Vernon 17th Feb. 1799

I am not certain that I perfectly understood (when I was speaking to you on the subject the other day) what parts of the Banks in Union Farm Meadow, were sowed with Clover; and therefore make the enquiry now; first, because I am strongly impressed with an

idea that that part which is in Wheat, on the North Side of the Branch from the Barn lane downwards (especially as far as the rough plowed ground) would bring tolerable good Clover. and secondly, because no better time, or finer opportunity can possibly offer than the present Snow, for sowing it, if you have Seed ready, or can get that which is good in Alexandria.
I do not, by any means, expect that alone, it would yield a profitable Crop of Clover; but I am persuaded, mixed with Timothy, it would more than compensate for the cost of the Seed; and therefore, I am willing to encounter the expence; provided it can be sowed immediately, before the Snow dissolves, or is blown off the ground which is to receive it by the Winds.
If you have seed of your own ready, it would be very desirable to sow it to morrow. If not, and good Seed is to be bought in Alexandria I would send up for it in order that it might be sown as soon afterwards as possible.
As the ground is already sown with Timothy, on both banks of the large Meadow, and intended to lye to grass after the grain comes off; the worst that can happen if Clover does not Succeed, is the loss of the Seed. I am Your friend &ca

Go: Washington

P.S. I do not mean by sowing these Banks, to omit sowing any other grounds which were allotted for Clover. The Seeds of which if not to be had of a good quality can always (at this Season) be imported from Philaa.


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Law, 17 February 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Law, Thomas

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 17th Feby 1799

Knowing that Nelly Custis had announced her intended Marriage to her Sisters; informed them of the day on which it was to be celebrated; and invited their presence at the Ceremony; I have given no particular invitations. But lest Mrs Law and yourself should require something more formal than an Invitation from the Bride Elect, I inform you that Friday next is to make her and Lewis one flesh & one bone; Before which Mrs Washington & myself would be very happy to see you and Mrs Law at this place. Best

wishes attend you both, and little Eliza. I am—Dear Sir Yr Affectionate and Obedt Hble Servant

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 18 February 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Biddle, Clement

Dear Sir
Mount Vernon Feby 18th 1799

Your letter and a/c current, with the Bills enclosed, have been duly received; and under cover of this letter I send you One hundred Dollars to be placed to my Credit.
Ellwood has not yet called upon me, nor is he arrived at Alexandria that I have heard of.
I thank you for the information respecting the price of Flour; and shall be obliged by your mentioning of it occasionally; especially if the event you alluded to should cause a rise, or depression according to the issue. I am—Dear Sir Your most Obedt Hble Servt

Go: Washington

P.S. Remember the Lucerne & White Clover Seeds, written for in my last letter.


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 18 February 1799
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

My Dear Sir
New York Feby 18. 1799

Unwilling to take the liberty to ask you to give yourself any particular trouble on the subject I have written the enclosed letters. I beg you to dispose of them as you suppose will best answer the end in view—that is to obtain a speedy distribution of the State into Districts and sub-districts. With the truest attachment I have the honor to be My Dear Sir Your obedt servant

A. Hamilton


Title: To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 21 February 1799
From: Pickering, Timothy
To: Washington, George

(private)
Sir,Philadelphia Feby 21. 1799.
I have been honoured with your letter of the 21st. My letter of the 8th contained nothing that need be concealed from your friends. except when I mark a letter confidential, you will be pleased to make such use of it as you think proper. The subject of the present one is not an exception, as to your discreet friends: for I am sure no officer about the President can be willing to share any part of the responsibility of his nomination of Mr Murray to negotiate a treaty with the French Republic—it is solely the President’s act—and we were all thunderstruck when we heard of it. Confidence in the President is lost—the federal citizens thought the thing incredible: the Jacobins alone are pleased. The honor of the country is prostrated in the dust—God grant that its safety may not be in jeopardy.
The nomination is committed to a committee consisting of Sedgwick, Stockton, Read, Bingham and Ross: they will study to find some remedy—or rather alleviation—for the mischief is incapable of a remedy. You will see Porcupine’s pointed satire of yesterday:

I lament the occasion: but the satire is just as it is severe. If any thing could more deeply wound or more thoroughly mortify a man of feeling, it would be the slaver of praise since daily issuing from the filthy press of the Aurora. But news-paper satire and praise are of less moment to an honest man than the opinions of his judicious friends; and I believe the President has been informed, that the measure is condemned—that it is considered as dishonourable and disastrous—by all his real friends and the friends of his country; and this without a single exception.
Of the result in the Senate I will do myself the honor to give you early information. In the mean time I remain with sincere respect sir, your obedt servant

Timothy Pickering

This nomination damns the previous ones which gave you so much pleasure, of Mr King & Mr Smith, to negociate with Russia and the Porte—made under auspices so promising, and so grateful to every American sensible to the honor & interest of his country.


Title: To George Washington from Ezekiel L. Bascom, 22 February 1799
From: Bascom, Ezekiel L.
To: Washington, George

Respected Sir,
⟨G[ree]nf[ield]⟩ Massachusetts. County of Hampshire.February 22d A.D. 1799

Permit one of the sons of Columbia to state his situation, and if consistent to ask your patronage. I have a desire to enter some business under Government, either of a civil or military nature, where, by assiduity and attention, I may obtain a handsome support. To the flowers of language and politeness I do not pretend. I shall write that simplicity of style, in which my Father has instructed me. My situation at present is this; My Father is an industrious plowman, and by his economy, and the blessings of Providence, he has been enabled to give me an education such an one as I could obtain at Dartmouth, the honors of which I received in August last. I have since that time pursued my studies with an eminent Divine. I am now his pupil. By his precepts and examples, and by other acquirements, I endeavour to stand on the square with friends and enemies, to live within the compass of justice, and walk on the level of virtue and truth. My age is twenty-one years, my stature six feet. It is my earnest desire, Worthy Sir, through you, to come into the service of my Country. Be pleased to consider me as a son, on a supposition that what I have said is true. I have written plainly my situation which I wish to change for one more eligible to an ambitious mind. I submit all, Sir, to you, relying on your well known candor and generosity. If it is your pleasure to alter my situation, any recommendations, which may be necessary, may, perhaps, be had from his Honor Moses Gill Esq⟨r.⟩ Lieutenant Governor of this State, from the Reverend John Jackson, Pastor of the church in this town, or from the executive authority of Dartmouth College, in Hanover New Hampshire. Be pleased to excuse my freedom, as nothing but an earnest desire to change my situation could have induced the attempt. I am, Sir, with every sentiment of respect, Your obedient, humble Servent

Ezekiel L. Bascom


Title: To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., 22 February 1799
From: Trumbull, Jonathan Jr.
To: Washington, George

My Dear Sir
Lebanon [Conn.] 22d Febry 1799

I have recieved with much pleasure, your favor of the 6th inst. and take the earliest opportunity to give you such reply as is in my power.
I have no authority or instruction from my Brother respecting the Monies which remain to be paid for his Prints; nor have I any Copy of his original proposals, I find myself possessed of two Receipts from him for payment of One Half the price of two Copies, which I made to him at the time of subscribing; and I presume that you have similar ones, as that was the case generally with the subscribers, unless indeed in some few instances, the whole was paid at once; which however I know he was not inclined to take, but chose to leave the last Moiety until the delivery of the Prints—Lest you may not readily find your reciepts I enclose a Copy of one of mine, that you may see their tenor—As to the further payment, if any is due from you, I have reason to believe, that my Brother will not wish any Remittance to be made to him in London; since he expects so soon as he is discharged from his present Commission; to return to his native Country & friends, and is wishing to invest in the U. States, what Money he shall obtain in Europe. It is on my Mind that Mr Trumbull has three Agents in America, for delivery of his Prints & receipts of Money for them—Vizt—Mr Daniel Penfield in New York, for the subscribers in the Northern States, Mr Joseph Anthony in Phila. for the Middle States, and Mr  in Charl[e]ston So. Carolina—Your remittance

I suspect may be made to Mr Anthony, who probably has a Copy of the proposals, with a List of the Subscribers, with whom he is to negociate, and who also I presume, is furnished with a Copy of the original Subscriptions & payments.
I am extremely sorry to see the malign Influence, which at present reigns over the Counsels of your State. For myself however, I hope & trust, that the consequences will not be so unhappy, or so extensive, as some among us in our tranquil State, are apprehensive may be the case. I have been furnished with a Copy of their Resolutions, to be laid before our Legislature. I have replied to Govr Wood, That “Altho deeply regretting, that sentiments such as are expressed in the Resolutions, are adopted by the Legislature of our Elder Sister, yet I shall take the first opportunity to comply with his request”—this however, will probably not be in my power ’till May next.
Writing as I do on the 22d Day of Febry, I seize with avidity, the opportunity of felicitating my Country on another pleasing occasion of celebrating your Birth Day; and of expressing to you my sincere & most affectionate Wishes, that you may yet live to enjoy many such returng Anniversaries, in health, happiness & honor. At the same time, I pray you to present from me & Mrs Trumbull, our very respectfull & affectionate Regards to Mrs Washington—also to Mrs Lewis, for whose happiness I feel a tender solicitude, and for whom I very sincerely wish the possession of every felicity in her new situation, that her youthfull Imagination presents to her view. You will pardon me Sir! if I add to this Commission, my request that you will be pleased to present to Mrs Stuart, when you have opportunity, my kind remembrance of her, with my Congratulations on her Daughters Connexion, and my best wishes for her own future happiness. I have the pleasure—with unabated Affection & regard—to subcribe myself My Dear Sir Your most Obedient & humle Servant

Jona. Trumbull


Title: From George Washington to Jane Dennison Fairfax, 23 February 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Fairfax, Jane Dennison

Mount Vernon 23d Feb. 1799

General and Mrs Washington present their Compliments to Mrs Fairfax and family and request the favour of their Company at dinner with the newly married couple on Wednesday next.
An answer is requested.


Title: From George Washington to Andrew, Catherine, and William Ramsay, 23 February 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Ramsay, Andrew,Ramsay, Catherine,Ramsay, William

Mount Vernon 23d Feb. 1799

General & Mrs Washington present their Compliments to Mr Andw Ramsay, Mrs Ramsay and Mr Willm Ramsay and request the favour of their Company to dine on Tuesday next, with the couple Newly Married.
An answer is requested.


Title: To George Washington from James Anderson, 25 February 1799
From: Anderson, James
To: Washington, George

Mount Vernon 25 Feby 1799

Received

Bu.

Bu. lb.

1798 Novr
122 by Measure
And by Weight
109  15 p. Bu. 8/2
53

139 by  do
And by  do
127  25 p. do
56

1799 Feby 16
177 by  do
And by  do
163   1 p. do 8/6
55

438

399 41

from Doctor David Stewart Three hundred & ninety nine Bushels & 41/60 lb. of white wheat, weighing p. measured Bushel as stated in the Margin above, And that there are to be Deducted from the price of each Bushel 2d p. pound for every pound that this wheat does weigh less than 58 lb. p. Bushel.
And that Doctor Stewart shall have the same price paid Him whenever He shall call for the Money, that either Messrs Rickets & Newton, or Mr William Hartshorne does pay on that day for wheat of the like quality, and weight as the above Men[tione]d wheat is, And it is hereby understood that it is the Cash price by which I am to be thus regulated, It is also understood as it was particularly agreed upon, that Doctor Stewart Shall discount whatever is the Customary freight paid for bringing wheat from His Estate near George Town, to the Port of Alex[and]ria as I took away this wheat from His Landing, Witness my hand date as above for His Excellency General Washington.

Jas Anderson


Title: From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 25 February 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Sir,
Mount Vernon, Feby 25th 1799.

I have been duly favoured with your letter of the 15th instant.
When the disposition was contemplated for assigning to Major General Pinckney and to yourself your respective districts of superintendence, I was of Opinion (as you will see by the enclosed copy of a letter which I wrote to the Secretary of War on my way

from Philadelphia to this place) that the whole of General Wilkinson’s Brigade should be considered as under your immediate direction; because, if a part of it which is, or maybe stationed within States of Kentuckey and Tennessee, should be under the Superintendence of General Pinckney, and the other part under your’s, it might occasion great inconvenience, and perhaps confusion, for General Wilkinson to have to communicate sometimes with one of the Major Generals and sometimes with the other. This, I conceive, will still be the case, if the disposition, which [you] mention to have been communicated by the Secretary of War, should continue. I am therefore yet decidedly of opinion, that the whole of General Wilkinson’s Brigade should be under your superintendence.
If it be determined to pursue the recruiting business at all, I regret extremely that there should have been so much delay in it; for the favourable season is passing off every day, and when the Spring opens great numbers of those who would readily inlist now, will be then engaged in other avocations, and we shall lose the precious moment.
I shall hope to be regularly advised of every occurence which takes place in your military Arrangemt that you may think essential to communicate. With very great regard, I am Sir, Your most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington

P.S. I enclose herewith Returns of Troops, Stores &c. at Niagara, which have been forwarded to me by Major Rivardi—and shall, in acknowledging the receipt of them, desire that the Returns in future may pass through you to the War Office.


Title: From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 25 February 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Private
My dear SirMount Vernon 25th Feby 1799.
Your private letter of the 16th instant came duly to hand, & safe: and I wish you at all times, and upon all occasions, to communicate interesting occurences with your opinions thereon (in the manner you have designated) with the utmost unreservedness, to me.
If the augmented force was not intended as an interroram measure, the delay in Recruiting it, is unaccountable; and baffles all conjecture on reasonable grounds. The zeal and enthusiasm which were excited by the Publication of the Dispatches from our Commissioners at Paris (which give birth to the Law authorising the raising of twelve Regiments &ca) are evaporated. It is now no more. and if this dull season, when men are idle from want of employment, and from that cause might be induced to enlist, is suffered to pass away also, we shall, by and by, when the business of Agriculture and other avocations call for the labour of them, set out as a forlorn hope, to execute this business.
Had the formation of the Army followed closely the passage of this Act; and Recruiting Orders had tread on the heels of that; the Men which might have been raised at that time, would in point of numbers have been equal to any in the World; inasmuch as the most reputable yeomanry of the Country were ready to have stepped forward with alacrity.
Now, the measure is not only viewed with indifference, but deemed unnecessary by that class of People; whose attentions being turned to other matters, the Officers who in August & September could, with ease, have Enlisted whole Companies of them, will find it difficult to Recruit any; and if this idle & dissipated Season is spent in inactivity, none but the riff-raff of the Country, & the scape gallowses of the large Cities will be to be had.
Far removed from the Scene, I might ascribe these delays to wrong causes, and therefore will hazard no opinion respecting them; but I have no hesitation in pronouncing that, unless a material change takes place, our Military Theatre affords but a gloomy prospect to those who are to perform the principal parts in the Drama. Sincerely and Affectionately I am always Yours

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to James Ewing, 26 February 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Ewing, James

Sir
Mount Vernon 26th Feby 1799

The Columbian Alphabet which you were so polite as to send me, came safe, and for which I pray you to accept my thanks. It is curious, and if it could be introduced, might be useful for the purposes proposed; but it will be a work of time, it is to be feared, before it shall be adopted, generally. I am Sir Your most Obedt Hble Servant

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Henry Lee, Jr., 28 February–3 March 1799
From: Lee, Henry Jr.
To: Washington, George

dear sir
Stratford [Va.] feby 28th[–3 March 17]99

Last monday evening Mr C. Washington presented me with yr favor covering a duplicate of yr let. of the 4th Novr & accompanying deeds for the land given for Magnolio. The deeds have been executed agreably to desire. The duplicate is the first letr I recd from you on the subject it concerns, which fact will of course apologize for my silence.
I passed thro. alexa. early in Decr & should have called at Mt

Vernon, but you was then absent, having gone to Philada to meet the general officers of the army—Mr Simms did make every effort to procure Harrisons lands, as did I afterwards thro. Mr W. B. Page—But neither could move him from a his price 5£ pr acre. Yr offer was as many dollars—To attend longer to that subject or to trouble you with a let. upon it seemed to me equally useless.
I wish he could have been induced to have fallen near yr price, I would have made some sacrifice to have procured the land. For I never was more anxious to satisfy a demand than I am the one you possess—Relying on the promises of Judge Wilson the opinion of my worthy friend Mr Morgan, & afterwards on the honor of Mr Morris to whom I paid 10,000£ in cash for bills on his son interest in Loudon which I was assured would be duely paid, I have been brought into a trying & disagreable scene.
But it is vain to occupy yr time with a narrative of the causes of my unprepared condition—My Berkeley Lands I have offered for sale including the ore bank for 6£ pr acre—a price always deemed fair. The gentleman has engaged to meet me there the first week in may, if I sell I shall be ready to releive yr wants.
A sooner day I shd have appointed but having engaged very indiscreetly in a congressional election I cannot quit the district till after the 24th April.
On my return I will wait on you.
I am sorry you view my city lots in the light you do—I recd them in payment at the prices I offerd them for. My plats which you would have seen had we entered into treaty would have shewn their size, but as the proposal was pr square foot, the size of the lot could not effect the fairness of the contract; as the charge would have been commensurate with the quantity of the square feet sold.
I am very apt to give liberal prices for any thing I buy, & I suppose I may have done so in the city lots as in many other instances.
I calculated greatly on the advancing prosperity of the Country, in this I have been disappointed & shall submit to the suffering it will produce, without a murmur—Pecuniary loss I disregard, but there is another loss which I feel & shall for ever feel. Wishing you every happiness I remain with the highest respect yr friend & ob: sert

Henry Lee

Stratford 3d March 99
From Mr George Lee who owes me money I recd a letr of which the following is an extract since my writing to you.
I take the liberty of presenting the same to you that shd the land answer you, I may accede to Mr Lee’s proposal.
11 April Loudon
“Being very anxious to setde all my debts & finding it impossible unless I can sell my land in fairfax near Colchester I now make an offer of it to you—there is 408 acres a good house, ¼ timber, one mile from Colchester & 15 from Alexa. conveniently situated to the river”—this land is rented out, but for what sum the writer does not mention, nor can I inform—tho. this I will ascertain in May—His price is 50/ per acre.
With very high respect & attachmt I remain yr ob: frd & ser.

H.L.


Title: From George Washington to William Booker, 3 March 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Booker, William

Sir,
Mount Vernon 3d Mar. 1799

Mr Anderson has shewn me your letter of the 23d Ultimo, to him, with an estimate of the expence of building horse Mills, differently constructed. For the trouble you have taken in this business, I feel myself very much obliged.
A Mill grinding from 15 to 20 bushls a day, with two horses, would nearly, if not entirely, answer all my purposes; with the occasional aid of the Water Mill, which in the driest Seasons, grinds a little.
For this reason I prefer greatly your last plan—namely—fixing

a Mill to one of the threshing machines now erected; if you are perfectly satisfied in your own mind that it will grind according to your estimate—even the smallest quantity—that is 15 bushls a day—and I prefer moreover annexing it to the Machine at Union, as most central to the Farms, & more convenient on other accounts.
Having thus determined, I am now to request, that you will purchase the best pair of Cologn Stones (mentioned in your letter) and, if any thing else can be much better prepared at Richmond than here, to provide & send the whole round by the first conveyance; and be ready to come up yourself to put the whole together, so soon as you shall be advised of their arrival.
Being acquainted with the abilities of my tradesmen in their different lines, you know, of course, what they are capable of executing; and as materials of all sorts (with a little previous notice) can be provided, and in the forwardness you may direct, on the spot, I am persuaded you will run me to no other expence to obtain them from Richmond than shall, in your judgment, be essential. You will please to advise me of the time I may expect you, & them. With esteem—I am Sir—Your Very Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 3 March 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Pickering, Timothy

Confidential
Dear Sir,Mount Vernon 3d March 1799
The unexpectedness of the event, communicated in your letter of the 21st Ulto, did, as you may suppose, surprise me not a little.

But far, very far indeed was this surprise short of what I experienced the next day, when by a very intelligent Gentmn (immediately from Philadelphia) I was informed that there had been no direct overture from the Government of France to that of the United States, for a Negociation. On the contrary, that Mr Talleyrand was playing the same loose, and round-about game he had attempted the year before with our Envoys, and which, as in that case, might mean any thing, or nothing, as would subserve his purposes best.
Had we approached the ante-chamber of this Gentleman when he opened the door to us, and there waited for a formal invitation into the Interior, the Governments would have met upon equal ground; and we might have advanced, or receded, according to circumstances, without commitment. In plainer words, had we said to Mr Talleyrand through the channel of his communication, we still are, as we always have been, ready to settle by fair Negociation, all differences between the two Nations, upon open, just and honourable terms; and it rests with the Directory (after the indignities with which our attempts to effect this, have been treated, if they are equally sincere) to come forward in an unequivocal manner, and prove it by their Acts.
Such conduct would have shewn a dignified willingness on our part, to Negociate; and would have tested their sincerity, on the other. Under my present view of the subject, this would have been the course I should have pursued; keeping equally in view the horrors of War, & the dignity of the Government.
But, not being acquainted with all the information, & the motives which induced the measure, I may have taken a wrong impression, & therefore shall say nothing further on the subject, at this time. With sincere esteem & regard I am—Dear Sir Your Most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Alexander Addison, 4 March 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Addison, Alexander

Sir,
Mount Vernon 4th March 1799

Your favour of the 31st ofjany, enclosing your second charge to the Grand Juries of the County Courts of the fifth Circuit of the State of Pennsylvania, at the last Decr Sessions, has been duly received, and for the Enclosure I thank you.
I wish, sincerely, that your good example, in endeavouring to bring the People of these United States more acquainted with the Laws & principles of their Government, was followed. They only require a proper understanding of these, to judge rightly on all great National questions; but unfortunately, infinite more pains is taken to blind them by one discription of men, than there is to open their eyes by the other; which, in my opinion, is the sourse of most of the evils we labour under.
I would pray you, my good Sir, to use your endeavours, that I may be paid the balance of the last Instalment due to me from the Estate of the deceased Colo. Ritchie; & that no failure may happen in complying with that which will be due the first of June next ensuing.
I can assure you, most truly, that I am in real want of these payments; the most conclusive evidence I can give you of which, is, that I am driven to the necessity of borrowing at the Banks, by renewed notes every Sixty days—which, I am sure you will allow, is a ruinous mode of obtaining money, when I can receive common interest only for that out of which I am kept. With very great esteem—I am Sir Your Most Obedt and Very Humble Servant

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to James McHenry, 4 March 1799
From: Washington, George
To: McHenry, James

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon March 4th 1799

I have been duly favoured with your letter of the 12th ultimo—and am much obliged by your kind attention to the business which I desired McAlpin to execute for me.
Enclosed is a letter from Mr Alexr A. Peters requesting to be appointed Surgeon or Lieutt in the Army—also one addressed to yourself which came to my hands by the last Mail. I am dear Sir, with due respect & esteem, Your mo. ob. st


Title: To George Washington from Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 8 March 1799
From: Pinckney, Charles Cotesworth
To: Washington, George

Dear Sr
Charleston [S.C.] March 8th 1799

Mrs Pinckney, my Daughter Eliza & myself arrived in good health in this City without having met with any accident since we had the pleasure of seeing you, and return Mrs Washington & yourself our best thanks for the kindness we received from you at Mount Vernon.
On Wednesday next I shall set out with Brigr Genl Washington for Georgia to settle the Army arrangements & to reconnoitre the sea coast of Georgia to St Mary’s River which divides that state from Florida. I shall then proceed to the posts on the Indian Frontier on the Oconoce River where the Secretary of War informs me some differences & a spirit of insubordination are apparent among the officers. I shall endeavour to settle the differences and introduce order, as I am convinced of the necessity of enforcing a strict discipline in every part of the Army. When I have accomplished

this object, I shall return to this City, and as Brigr Genl Washington is desirous of going to Princeton to enter his Son in the College there I have very willingly consented to it, and on his return he will see what Men may have been raised in Virginia, and if the Regiments shall be nearly completed in that State, I shall on his arrival here set out agreeably to your plan for Harper’s Ferry to assist in training & disciplining the troops which may be there assembled. On my arrival at that station, I propose taking a Virginian for one of my Aids and will be much obliged to you to point out to me one of the Captains who has the requisite qualifications for that office.
Mrs Pinckney & my Daughter unite with me in best respects to you & Mrs Washington, & request you will remember us to Mr & Miss Custis, Coll Lear & Capn Lewis. I have taken measures to procure some Cran⟨e⟩ Feathers for your plume, & will forward them by Brigr Genl W. Mrs P. encloses to Mrs W. some Melon seeds. I remain with the greatest esteem & regard Your affectionate, obliged & faithful humble ser⟨vant⟩

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney


Title: To George Washington from James Welch, 10 March 1799
From: Welch, James
To: Washington, George

Sir
Rockingham County Virgna March 10th [17]99

No daut You Expected to have seen me sum time ago; I do ashure you that Sundry disapointments has been the cause that I have not cumplied with my contract I am prapereing as fast as posable to Start 20 Famileyes from this county on to the Kanawa by the time I get thrue that Bisenes I Expect the young Jentelman from Kentuckey that I sent there Last June in order to Sell my Lands for the porpos of Reseing money To pay you; when he arives I hope to have it in my power To make the first payment if you can with convenence in dulge me at this time and not Expose my property To the publeck; I shall deme it as a grate favour; and be more puntule for the future—you will plese write me by post To this place; with due Respect your Hm. St

James Welch


Title: To George Washington from Bartholomew Dandridge, 12 March 1799
From: Dandridge, Bartholomew
To: Washington, George

Duplicate
My dear sir,
London March 12. 1799.

I received your Favor of the 25 January two or three days ago, for which I thank you sincerely. Yours in answer to mine of 11 May & 16 July, I have not yet seen.
I was in hopes that Mr Murray’s letters to Mr McHenry & mine to you (for we both wrote) countermanding my request of a Commission in our Army, would have been time enough to have prevented my appointmt, supposing it should have been thought proper to have given me one. I remained in this hope ’till about ten days before the Receipt of your letter, I saw in an American Paper, my appointment announced among others.
I must beg you, Sir, to accept my acknowledgements for your indulgence in still giving me an opportunity of accepting the appt if I should think proper; but the Considerations which you have suggested, coinciding precisely with those which upon reflection had occurred to me, & Mr King whom I candidly consulted on the Subject being of the same opinion, I conclude to decline accepting the appointment with which the President & Senate have been pleased to honor me; at the same time Sir assuring you—& them that my feeble services will at no time be withheld whenever the Safety of our Country & Constitution shall require the actual aid & support of the Citizens of the U.S. Presuming this to be sufficient, I take no other mode of making known my Decision in this Case.
Mr K. is extremely kind to me—at the same time that he advised me as a friend to retain my present Employment, he left me perfectly free to stay or go. He is an exceedingly worthy man—fine talents & great firmness—a staunch republican & in no hands could the Honor & Interests of our Country be more safely reposed. My plan in coming to England (as I believe I mentioned to you) was and is when I quit Mr K. to endeavour to make some mercantile arrangement here which will give me permanent employment & livelihood when I get home. My intention is to fix at

Alexa. or the City of Washn. God Knows what changes may happen in the course of twelve or 18 months to frustrate the plans of shortsighted mortals.
Rumour has brought us an accot of the intended marriage of Nelly Custis. I will thank you to present her my sincere wishes for her complete Happiness in the Connubial State. Unless Craik is much more robust than he was when I saw him last, I advise him to lay aside, or rather not to take up his Broadsword. I was utterly at a loss to account for Custis’s appointment which I had seen mentioned in a Newspaper, as I supposed he was still at his studies. Your Letter accots for it⟨.⟩ It is much to be lamented that he could not have been induced to employ himself in the manner he ought to have done for a few years longer—he will bitterly regret it when it is too late. remember me kindly to him if you please Sir⟨.⟩ Pray what does Mr Lear do with himself? I have written to him time after time, but never got a scrip from him.
I thank you for the paragraph informing me of the Death of my dear brother; tho’ the Intelligence was no less sudden & unthought of, than it is truly & bitterly afflicting to me; for besides being an affectionate brother, there had always subsisted between us the closest friendship. But as it is not for man to arraign the acts or to murmur at the Dispensations of the author of his Being, I endeavour to submit with patient resignation to the Will of the Ruler of the Universe. His loss to his young family must be severely felt, and still more so if possible to my poor mother & her family; and my deepest regret is excited that Providence has not put it in my power to replace that aid & support of which she has been deprived, & which she must so much need. This is the first intelligence (tho’ I have repeatedly written) that I have recd of my family since I left america, nor do I know anything further of their situation.
I rejoice that my Aunt continues to enjoy her usual health—I hope she may long continue to do so. Make my affectionate respects & good wishes acceptable to her. I have been ill myself for several weeks & am but just able to write. I am however upon the recovery & hope as the Summer approaches to be entirely restored.
I trust that our Government will surmount & subdue all the Difficulties which it has to contend with from every quarter, & that the noisy turbulence or factious Discontent of some Districts,

though certainly to be regretted, will make no Impression on the Stability of the Union. In Europe everything seems to remain in perfect uncertainty, nor can a well grounded conjecture be offered as to what will rise out of the present confusion.
Mr & Mrs K. unite their respects for you & Mrs W. With a grateful sense of your Kind attentions, & my sincere wishes for your health & happiness, I beg you to be assured of my continued esteem & respectful attachment

B. Dandridge

I take the liberty to enclose a Letter for my mother which I pray the favor of you to forwd.

P.S. Knowing that you were in the habit of corresponding with Sir John St C——r, mr K. has several times, in conversation, seemed to express a wish that I should let you Know in what light he is viewed here. Until lately I fancy he was or pretended to be a firm & zealous supporter of Govt when he was appointed to the presidency of the Bd of Ag[ricultur]e—latterly however he made an attempt to gain a higher seat. he proposed to Mr P—— to have him created a Peer! & some other thing which I do not at present recollect—however, both his propositions were rejected by mr P.—he immediately tack’d about, became an oppositionist, & has very recently been removed from the Presidency. There is another in this Country not less unworthy your Consideration. I mean Sir Edwd N——m—of this I believe you have had a hint.


Title: List of Houses at Mount Vernon, 13 March 1799
From: Washington, George
To:

Mount Vernon 13 March 1799

List of Houses at Mount Vernon as taken by Mr Dulan (one of the Assessors) the 9th instant on the Premises.

 Dwelling House 96 feet by 32, of Wood; 2 Stories high

No. of Windows
No. of Paynes in each
Total

6
18
108

6
12
72

3
12
36

8
15
120

1
62
62

2
16
32

6
18
108

9
12
108

1
10
10

2
18
36

3
12
36

Kitchen
 40 by 20
Measured since Mr Dulan took the account

Servants Hall
 40  20

Gardeners house
 26  16

Store house
 26  16

Smoke house
 16  16
This building is added to the Assessors Report

Wash house
 20  16

Coach house
 20  16

Stable
 84  36

Salt house
 16  16

Spinning house
 38  18

Negro Quarters

in

Green house
170  18
one

Ice house within Arch
 12 by 12

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 14 March 1799
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Sir
New York March 14. 1799

I have the honor to send you the extract of a letter of the 8th instant (received two days since) from the Secretary of War, together with the Section of the Act to which it relates.
I am entirely of opinion with him, as to the expediency of causing the Pay Master General to reside at the seat of Government—But as the measure is of importance, and especially as the act expressly

refers the point to the “Commander in Chief”—I did not think myself at liberty to act without your previous decision.
I request instruction on the point, as soon as shall be convenient, unless you shall think it proper to give yourself the necessary orders to the Pay Master General. With perfect respect & attachment I have the honor to be Sir Your obed. servt

A. Hamilton


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 15 March 1799
From: Spotswood, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Newpost March 15. 1799

Altho, after peruseing the enclosure which came to hand Yesterday, you may determine not to possess A. Woodrows 300 acree Survey on Rough creek—Yet it must be pleaseing to you to Find (if Mr Hite be wright in his calculation) That your lands are of Superior Vallue to what you ever held them—for if Mr Hites Spot be worth 10$ pr Acree—certainly yours must be worth $5.
Supposeing greens paper to have no circulation yr way have cut out & inclosed you a peice for yr peruseal—and I suppose shoretly the Tales of the Tubs—will come forward. Mrs Spotswood & my family desires there best regards to you & Mrs Washington as well as Dr Sr yr Afft. & obt St

A. Spotswood


Title: From George Washington to Joseph Anthony, 17 March 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Anthony, Joseph

Sir
Mount Vernon March 17th 1799

I have, lately, received from John Trumbull Esqr. (now in London) four setts of the Battle of Bunkers Hill, and death of General Montgomery; for which I subscribed, & am ready to pay; if I knew who was authorised to receive what is due thereupon.
Conceiving it most likely that his brother, Governor Trumbull, was so empowered, I wrote to him on the subject, but received for answer that he was not. He added, however, that he thought it probably you might be so; being of opinion that it was not his brother’s wish that the Subscribers should remit the amount of their Subscriptions to him, in London. If the Govr is right in this conjecture, be so good as to inform me, and what I owe on this account; as I have entirely forgot the terms of the Subscription. I am—Sir Your Very Hble Servant

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to George Ball, 17 March 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Ball, George

Sir
Mount Vernon 17th March 1799.

It is somewhat singular, that instead of receiving Three hundred and three pounds in April of the last year, as per agreement for the land I sold you (lying in Gloucester County of this State) that I should never have seen, nor heard a tittle from you, respecting this payment, at the time it became due, nor since for near a year.
The first Instalment of the residue will become due the 10th of next month, & I beg you to be assured that I am in real want of the money; and that it was the want of money alone, which had induced me to part with this, and other landed property, which I have always considered as the most secure, and ultimately the most valuable, of any in this Country.
I shall expect to see, or hear from you to good effect, by the day abovementioned. I am—Sir Your Hble Servant

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 18 March 1799
From: Washington, George
To: Lear, Tobias

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon March 18th 1799

I recollect no business of sufficient importance to require your return hither, sooner than Doctr Thornton conceives will allow him sufficent time to effect your cure. Were the case however otherwise, far would it be from me, to request this return before so desirable an object is accomplished. I do not therefore wish you to hurry it, on account of my business.
Charles takes a horse up for Washington, which I pray may be sent to Mr Laws—or wherever he is.
Mrs Washington and myself are, as you left us; & join in best wishes for Doctr Thornton’s success in your case. With very great esteem, & compliments to enquiring friends, I am Your Affectionate

Go: Washington