Title: Enclosure: Richard Howell to Thomas Mifflin, 15 October 1794
From: Howell, Richard
To: Mifflin, Thomas

            Sir
            Fort Littleton [Pa.] Octr 15. 4 OClock a.m.

          I think it my Duty to inform your Excellency that such Difficulties occur in my Route, as should be guarded against on your approach. Colo: Bird shews every disposition to do his Duty, but the Situation of the Country renders many precautions necessary to enable him to do it. By his personal Exertions here, we have had forage, Straw & fuel, Aided as he was by a fatigue party in obtaining the last, but Sir, there are not waggons forward to hall in Necessaries, & I very much doubt any thing being procured in quantity at or near the next post, therefore empty waggons should be sent on, if you have not supernumerary Waggons with you; & if you have, they should advance immediately to draw in your Supplies. I recd late last Night, Letters from Quartermaster Edwd Fox, that it would probably [be] impossible to procure forage & even Wood for this Detachment. I have in that Case ordered 3/9 to be given for Oats, at the same time assigning for Reason of the Advanced price, that the necessity of the Occasion warrants it in this Instance only. I sent on to bring back if possible, some of the forage said to be in quantity at the crossings to be replaced as soon as possible; & ordered what was here to be drawn, the Hay trussed tight, & put into the Waggons, & the Baggage to be taken out of them. I have sent up the Cove or Valley, to all the Farmers to bring on at the Advanced Price, what they can, on Horses, forbid issuing more than 8 Quarts, & directed the Waggoners who I am told were to furnish themselves, to be refused. Here I apprehend We cannot stay, & onwards we must go of course. The march from Strasburg to Littleton, the post appointed by your Route after missing Skynner’s is too much to be accomplished without great Injury to the Horses, & even

men, embarrassed as they are, by the longest train of Baggage ever seen for so many, & it is advisab⟨le⟩ not to attempt it. All this sir, arises from the miserable Conduct of the forage Department which ought to have had 3 posts in advance always provided. I have had a fine time of it, but will do every kind of Duty, to be at Bedford near the 16th the time proposed by the president. I march this day ½ after 8 o’Clock at all events—Adieu Sir, & be good enough to consider this (as intended) as mere advice of difficulties you may meet & not bordering on directions.

            Rd Howell Commandg &c.


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 16 October 1794
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Washington, George

          Sir
          Philadelphia October 16. 1794. 11 o’clock.

        I do myself the honor of inclosing to you a letter from Mr Z. Hollingsworth, attorney for the district of Maryland, in favor of Mr Graybell, as successor to Mr Ramsay.
        The silver coin of the U.S. bears upon its face so much neatness and simplicity, that I cannot restrain myself from transmitting a dollar for your inspection.
        In a letter of the 29th of July from Colo. Humphreys, an

extract of another from Gibraltar on the 7th of July is contained; by which it appears, that there is reason to fear, that the frigates and gallies, of which we have heard so often from Muley Soliman’s dominions, may be destined against the American shipping. The writer of the letter from Gibraltar speaks thus: “On what fated head the storm will fall, we cannot say; but hints have been dropped, that the English, Spaniards and Portuguese are very safe.”
        The French government is believed by Colo. Humphries to possess no small share of credit with the regency of Algiers.
        The Spanish commissioners have made a violent complaint against a French privateer, said to be fitting out in this port. Upon inquiry it turns out to be as futile as Mr Bond’s some time ago. I have the honor sir to be; with the highest respect yr mo. ob. serv.

          Edm: Randolph.


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 16 October 1794
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Washington, George

          Private
          Sir
          Philadelphia October 16. 1794 12 o’clock.

        I did not mention to you in any of my late letters my request, that the heads, which I sent to you, should be returned; because I presumed, that this would be the case.
        In the contest between Fitzsimmons and Swanwick, many of the people cried out for “Swanwick and no excise.” This indicates the kind of address, which he must have made to the less-informed classes of men. But it was very singular, that the chief Justice should remark to a little group around him, that all the gentlemen voted for Fitzsimmons, and the next moment went and voted for Swanwick. The supposed conduct of Fitzsimmons at the time of the embargo has destroyed his interest; many respectable men voted for his antagonist, not from affection to him but hatred to Fitzsimmons; and many others, no less respectable, would not vote at all, because they hated them both. I have the honor, sir, to be with the highest respect and most affectionate attachment yr mo. ob. serv.

          Edm: Randolph

          Mrs Washington informs you in her own letter of the health of your family.


Title: To George Washington from William Bradford, 17 October 1794
From: Bradford, William
To: Washington, George

          Sir.
          Philadelphia. Oct. 17th 1794.

        Foreign Intelligence is conveyed to you so quickly and domestic occurrences have been so unimportant, that I have been unwilling to trouble you with a letter which could give you no material information: but I perceive, that if I indulge these scruples longer, I shall not have the honor of writing to you at all.
        I spent part of last week in New Jersey & had an opportunity of conversing with a good many gentlemen of information. I learnt from them all, that the late events & measures had excited & encreased the Attachment to the general government in every part of the state in a wonderful degree. Great indignation against the insurgents still prevails; and some fears were expressed lest the wound should not be thoroughly probed: for a report was in circulation that the Army would march no further than Bedford. Notwithstanding the inconveniences which result from the absence of so many men, it seemed to be the general wish that they should not return so early: but it was the hope of every one that the situation of things might be such as to prevent the necessity of your proceeding into the insurgent Country.
        As the election was approaching, exertions were making to render the subsequent state Legislature more respectable than usual. Judge Patterson, it seems, has completed his digest of the state-Laws & expects to make his report to the next Assembly. Both he & his friends, are anxious that men capable of understanding the work should be the Judges of it: & several respectable professional men have been prevailed on to permit themselves to be proposed as candidates. The election for members of Congress in that state will not be had till an act is passed for that purpose. Mr Boudinot has informed his friends that it will be inconvenient for him to serve longer than the period for which he has been elected.
        The affairs of the Manufacturing Society are exceedingly deranged and their funds so far exhausted that there are no hopes

the business can be carried on without an increase of capital. There is little prospect of accomplishing this; and unless some men of property embark in a purchase of the works, machinery & privileges of the Corporation, the objects of the institution will be wholly defeated.
        The march of the militia has produced a sensible rise in the price of all articles which are furnished by domestic labour. In this mild season wood sells at 8 dollars ⅌ cord: & common bricks have risen from 5 to 7 & 8 dollars the thousand. The price of day-labour is also greatly increased.
        The election for a representative in Congress in this City has so issued as to give little satisfaction. Neither of the Candidates were favorites. Many declined voting for either—& some voted for one merely to vote against the other. Under those circumstances success is not very gratifying. As the returns from the Army have not arrived, the successful candidate is not yet known.
        Reports are in circulation of new advantages gained by the french armies in the south—particularly of their irruption into Biscay and capture of Bilboa. But as far as I can learn it is ship-news by the way of Boston—tho’ by no means improbable.
        The Mercantile letters from London, I understand, discover great confidence that the issue of Mr Jay’s negociation will be a successful one. If the price of American Stock on the London Exchange may be considered as a thermometre of public opinion, that confidence was not only high but encreasing. The Stock of the bank U.S. was at 110£ sterling, & was still rising. In consequence of this advice, the price has risen here also to 26 & 27. ⅌Cent advance. It is devoutly to be wished that this confidence may not be delusive.
        Mr Hammond has returned to the City from New York.
        While I was in New Jersey, I was informed that Mr Genet, finding the times unfavorable for any political operations, was quietly reposing at his country house near Jamaica, on Long-island. His suit to the Lady was not abandoned; but it was believed that he would recieve no decisive answer, untill the Election of next spring was past. The event of that election will in some measure depend upon the event of Mr Jay’s negociations.
        No official returns of the elections for members of Congress for this state have yet been received in the Secretary’s office. But correct information states, that the majorities in Favor of

Mr Thomas, of Chester County, Mr Morris of Montgomery, & Mr Sitgreaves of Northampton are so great that they cannot be affected by the votes of the militia abroad. These gentlemen are supported by the federal interest in their respective districts. Mr Peter Muhlenberg is, of course, left out. There seems to be no doubt but Colo. Hartley & Mr Kittera will be rechosen.
        Our city continues to be healthy and the yellow fever as well as all conversation about it seems to have left the Place: but a messenger arrived from Woodberry last night, to Dr Rush with accounts of Mrs Stockton’s illness, and her friends there write, that they apprehend that her disorder is of that class. She is very ill, but is not thought to be in danger.
        You will perceive, Sir, that I have written this letter rather with a view of indulging my own feelings tha[n] with the hope of conveying any interesting information. I shall not be inattentive to any thing material that occurs & will take the liberty of apprizing you of it, if you are detained long with the army.
        I have only to add my best wishes for your health & to assure you of the respect & attachment with which I am Your faithful & Obedt Servt

          Wm Bradford.


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 17 October 1794
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

          Sir.
          War department, October 17th 1794.

        I have the honor to transmit you, enclosed, copies of two letters received from Governor Blount dated the 21st, and 22d of September last; also a letter from Major Craig of the 10th instant;

and one from Alexander Macomb of New York dated the 15th. I am Sir, with the highest respect, Your most obedt Servant.

          H. Knox


Title: To George Washington from Barbe Perbal Legaux, 17 October 1794
From: Legaux, Barbe Perbal
To: Washington, George

          Citoyen président
          paris ce 26 vendemiaire ou 17 octobre vieu Still lan 3emde la république une et indivisible

        Le citoyen Legaux mon mari, obligé il y a peu pres huit ans de quitter la goideloupe par les véxations que lon vouloit lui faire éprouver, Se retira a la nouvelle angleterre ou il a eu le bonheur de vous connoitre; dans toutes Ses lettres il ma parlé de vous, citoyen, et combien il avoit été flatté de la bienveillance avec la quelle vous avez accueellis ce quil a fait pour Se rendre util dans un pays ou il n’etoit pas connu, et ou il avoit a coeur de mériter l’estime des habitans dont les moeurs et la maniere de penser, Se rapportent a la Sienne; c’est la certitude quil Se trouvoit plus heureux a philadelphi que dans toutes les parties du monde, qui a un peu a douci la peine de Sa longue absence; des raisons dinterrets mont empècher longtems avant la révolution d’aler le joindre, j’en conservois lespoir qui étoit augmanté par le desir de voir et connoitre moi même celui qui cause l’etonement et ladmiration de tout lunivers—mais ce qui c’est passé en france mote le pouvoir, et la volonté, de la quitter, le décret qui vient d’avoir lieu contre tout françois absents de leurs patrie m’a fait trembler, je crains que mon mari ne Se trouve compri dans une mesure générale, ce qui me Séparerois de lui pour toujours, le confrondroit avec les ennemis de Sa patrie, (lui qui la chérie ainsi que la république) et entraineroit la perte de notre fortune. c’est pour parer a tout ces malheurs que je m’adresse au congres pour lui demander une atestation du Séjour que mon mari a fait a philadelphie, des motifs quils l’ont empeché de repasser en france, Si comme j’ai lieu de lesperer il a été assez heureux pour réussire dans les traveaux quil a offert a la république elle ne lui en refusera pas le témoignage, et Sa recommandation, qui Sera pour nous une puissante protextion aupres de notre nation qui a pour la votre une estime et une amitie particuliere, et la plus grande vénération pour vos vertus. Si vous daignes a joutter un mot d’interret, et votre opinion Sur le compte de mon mari nous n’aurons plus rien a craindre, et nous vous deverons notre

tranquilité. je ne vous parlerai pas de ma reconnoissance Votre ame bienfaisante trouve Sa récompense et Sa Satisfaction a obliger, et a rendre justice, c’est cette certitude qui fait que je m’adresse a vous avec confiance. recever avec bonté lassurence des Sentiments distingues, et de la parfaite considération que conservera toujours pour vous.

          La citoyenne Legaux


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

          (Private)
          Sir
          Philadelphia October 17. 1794

        It is circulated here, that Mr Fauchet has declined doing any business, until he shall learn his real position under the new turn of French affairs. I have not been able to see him; as he is said to be confined in the country by a bad leg.
        Mrs Washington was slightly indisposed this morning; but not enough so, to prevent her from going about as usual.
        The late abominable sacrifice of females at Paris led me to inquire after Madame la fayette. I can hear nothing of her; except

a pretty general agreement, that as she was arrested some time ago, she must have fallen.
        One effect of Mr Jaudenes’s apprehensions about the yellow-fever is shewn, in the quarantine imposed upon our vessels at Cadiz. I have the honor sir to be with the greatest respect and most affectionate attachment yr mo. ob. serv.

          Edm: Randolph


Title: Enclosure: John Jay to Edmund Randolph, 22 August 1794
From: Jay, John
To: Randolph, Edmund

            No. 14
            Sir,
            London 23rd August 1794.

          When you shall have received my letter enclosing copies of my Representation to Lord Grenville on the subject of Captures, and of his Answer; and a subsequent Letter enclosing a Copy of the order of Council, respecting Appeals and Claims; you will perceive that they who wish to prosecute either, should without Delay appoint Agents here to manage their Business; and to whom I may deliver such papers in my possession as relate to

those Cases of Capture which may be committed to their Care and Direction.
          I am inclined to think that the order of Council alone, will not be satisfactory to the Claimants; and therefore that the Representation, and the answer to it, and perhaps my Letter No. 10 of the 2d of August covering them, should be published at large—but of this the President and you who are on the Spot, will be better able to judge than I can be.
          I heard yesterday that Mr Monroe had arrived at Paris. Be so good as to inform me from time to time which of my Letters, and also the Duplicates (for of some, Duplicates have been sent) come to your Hands. I have the honor to be, with great respect Sir, &c.

            John Jay


Title: From George Washington to Edmund Randolph, 18 October 1794
From: Washington, George
To: Randolph, Edmund

          (Private)
          Dear sir,
          Cumberland [Md.] Oct: 18. 1794

        I have directed Mr Dandridge to acknowledge the recet of your public dispatches of the 13. Inst., whilst I enclose those of our Envoy to you, which came under cover to me in a letter from him dated the 5. of August, with the following P.S.—“I shall enclose with this my dispatches to Mr Randolph. If the

William Penn shou’d be stopped by a belligerent vessel, they will respect a letter directed to you more than one directed to him.” on opening it I find duplicates only.
        His private letter to me of the date above, & which he wishes may be considered as confidential (which, & the possible risque, prevents my sending it to you by the returning Express) is a very pleasing one; as it is more indicative of a hope, & expectation of general good success in his mission than any that had come from him before. He conceives that there is no indisposition in the present ministry to settle the several matters in dispute upon what they conceive to be just & liberal terms. But what these may appear to be, when they come to close discussion, no one can prognosticate—to give & take I presume will be the result. I am led to draw more favorable inferrences from this letter however, than from any of his preceding ones. I am always &c.

          Go. W.


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 18 October 1794
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Washington, George

          Private
          Sir
          Philadelphia October 18. 1794

        I mentioned in my letter of yesterday a slight indisposition of Mrs Washington. To day she is perfectly well.
        She sent me two letters, which came with two packages of books. She had opened them, and I now inclose them.
        In Childs and Swaine’s paper of the 17th instant is this passage under the London head. “Mr Jefferson the American Minister, at present in Paris, is charged with a special message to the king of Prussia, in favor of la Fayette.”
        Mrs Washington sent me the inclosed letter from Mr Spotswood, on the supposition of its being of a public nature. The first paragraph satisfied me of the contrary, and I shut it up.
        Mr Hammond is said to have returned hither the night before last.
        Since I wrote yesterday, Mr Fauchet has resumed by letter business of the smaller kind with my department. I have the honor sir to be with the highest respect and affectionate attachment yr mo. ob. serv.

          Edm: Randolph


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 18 October 1794
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Washington, George

          Sir
          Philadelphia October 18. 1794. one o’clock p.m.

        I have been employed this morning in communicating to the sufferers under British depredations Mr Jay’s letters of the 2d and 23d of August, copies of which have been forwarded to you. They have appointed a committee of five, at which Mr Fitzsimmons is the head, to confer with me from time to time. They are to meet this evening, and to call upon me again on Monday. I stated to the whole body so much of the measures of government, as seemed proper, and relative to them; and find, that they have a perfect conviction of the exertions of the executive.
        Mr Jaudenes has just left me; after expressing a wish, that Mr Villemont, whom I mentioned in my letter of yesterday, should receive a passport to travel thro’ the U.S. in quest of natural curiosities. I told him, that it should be considered. At the same time, altho’ I am persuaded, that the arcana of nature are the ostensible objects only, I do not well see, how the passport can be refused to him, when Mr Jaudenes has granted a similar one to our Countryman Peale, who is travelling in the Spanish dominions; when the denial may betray an unbecoming suspicion; and when there is no power to prevent him from travelling where he will.
        I have spoken at large of the nature of Messrs Findley’s and Riddick’s mission. The general opinion of it is that it is too equivocal for reliance on it. I have the honor sir to be with the highest respect yr mo. ob. serv.

          Edm: Randolph


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 20 October 1794
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

            sir
            Philadelphia 20th Octr 1794

          I have the honor to submit you the Copy of a letter just received from Colonel Pickering. I have conceived that it might be attended with good effects to assuage in the mind of the Governor, of this state, and of the militia Army, any apprehensions they may have entertained respecting the hostility of the six nations. Had they refused Colonel Pickerings invitation, the aspect would have been ill, but their decision to change the place of the Council fire, has a pacific appearance. No other information of sufficient importance to submit to your view. I have the honor most respectfully to be Sir Your humble Servant

            H. Knox


Title: Enclosure: Timothy Pickering to Henry Knox, 27 September 1794
From: Pickering, Timothy
To: Knox, Henry

            (Copy)
            Sir,
            Kanandaigua [N.Y.] Sept. 27. 1794

          On the 20th I wrote you, that two runners had arrived the day before from Buffaloe Creek with a message urging me to hold the treaty there, that I had answered them that I had no authority to remove the Council fire and that the Treaty must be held at Kanandaigua. That upon receiving this answer, the runners replied that they were directed by the Chiefs to inform me that if I could not go to Buffaloe Creek they would meet me at Kanandaigua.
          Two runners arrived this afternoon with a message from Buffaloe Creek to inform me that the former runners reached that place on the 22d—that on the 23d and 24. the Indians held Councils and sent runners to the Grand river to inform the Mohawks where the treaty was to be held and to invite them to attend: that in five days from this time (which will be the

2d of October) the Indians at Buffaloe Creek “would rise from their seats” to come to Kanandaigua: and that the Cornplanter had returned home to collect his people and bring them to the Treaty.
          The time fixed for leaving Buffaloe Creek appears to have been calculated on the number of days necessary for the Mohawks to join them and for the Cornplanter to return and bring forward his people.
          Considering that it will take about seven days for the main body to come from Buffaloe Creek and that contingencies may occasion further delays I see very little chance of opening the Treaty for business till the middle of October—From what I have heard there will be a great assembly.
          Enquiring of the runners for news from the Westward they answered that a variety of Stor[i]es had been told, but that they believed none of them, that the last report was that General Wayne after driving the Shawanese and their associates and burning a number of their Towns had returned over the high Grounds to where the Waters ran into the Ohio. That when Brant was on his way westward he was met by two Shawanees who gave him this information. Upon which the Onondagas and Cayugas (some of both these nations live at Grand river) who accompanied him returned: but the Mohawks proceeded with him to the Westward. I am with great respect Sir Your most obedt Servant

            (signed) Timothy Pickering

            P.S. About 150 Indians have arrived from Oneida, and but a small number of the Onondagas from their reservation, most of their families there being sick.


Title: Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to Edmund Randolph, 20 October 1794
From: Dandridge, Bartholomew Jr.
To: Randolph, Edmund

          Sir,
          Bedford [Pa.] 20th October 1794

        I wrote to you by direction of the President from Cumberland the 18 Inst: but on our arrival here last evening we found that the Express who carried the letter had been stopped & thrown into prison at this place on account of some expressions he had used, which were not relished by the soldiery.
        The President directs me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 14, which met him yesterday between this & Cumberland; & also of that of the 15. which was put into his hands on his arrival here. He directs me to request that every thing necessary to be laid before Congress at their meeting may be in readiness, & to mention to you that it is not necessary for him to write very particularly to you as he will leave this place in two or three days for Philada.
        The President further directs me to add that it will not be needful for you to send on any more Expresses to him after you receive this; but if it should be necessary to send dispatches to the army they may be directed: either to the Commander in Chief, or to Colo. Hamilton who remains with the army. With esteem & regard I am &c.

          B.D.


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

          Private
          Sir
          Philadelphia October 20. 1794. Monday 1 o’clock p.m.

        Mrs Washington having written herself, I need not add, that I saw her this morning in good health.
        A partial report from the army, leaves it extremely doubtful whether Swanwick will not be elected. Dunlap’s paper of this morning gives the numbers there; and those corps, whose votes have not been stated; will have a majority of eighty six votes in favor of Swanwick to bring up, before Fitzsimmons can be successful.
        Mr Morris has been very anxious for some days past, that you should return, if possible. I asked him, if he doubted your right to be absent from the meeting of congress. He said no; but he thought, that the remaining business could be adjusted by subordinate characters. I have the honor, sir, to be with the highest respect and affectionate attachment yr mo. ob. serv.

          Edm: Randolph


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

          Sir
          Philadelphia October 20. 1794. 1‘o’clock

        My anxiety has been awakened by the absence of all the expresses, which have probably reached Williamsport, since Sunday the 12th instant. But the general opinion is easy, from a conviction, that you will not encounter hostility, but will rather be occupied with milder arrangements for the restoration of order.
        Mr Rittenhouse has certified to me the distress of the mint for

money; and Mr Wolcott has sent me a message thro’ Doctor Way, the treasurer, that he would contrive its payment, if the statement was such an one, as would probably be satisfactory to you. I have certified to that effect; and presume, that the treasurer will receive the amount.
        I have answered all Mr Jay’s letters, up to the 23d of August inclusive; and have assigned my reasons, why, upon further reflection, I had determined not to publish his letter No. 10, of the 2d of August, without your direction, which I would take on your return. His memorial and Lord Grenville’s reply will appear in Brown’s paper of this evening. I have the honor to be, sir, with the highest respect yr mo. ob. serv.

          Edm: Randolph


Title: From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 21 October 1794
From: Washington, George
To: Hamilton, Alexander

          Dear Sir,
          Hartley’s [York, Pa.]Tuesday Even⟨ing⟩ 21st October 1794

        From Colo. Mentges’ inf⟨or⟩mation, there are detachments of Militia a considerable distance in the rear; composed in part, of those whose march was designe⟨d⟩ to be arrested. He adds, many of them are illy clad. This being the case, it appears to me, that an expence, without an equivalent advantage, would result from bringing them forward; and that the cloaths which they must draw to fit them for service would actually be thrown away.
        Under this view of the matter, and a full persuation that the Army which is alr⟨ea⟩dy advanced, is more than competent to an⟨y⟩ opposition that can be given by the Insurgent⟨s⟩ I request that you would advise with Governors Mifflin & Howell (after receiving the f⟨ul⟩lest information from Mentges) and cause all, which in your opinions cannot be up in time; all who are inadequately cloathed in the rear—[(]and in a word, all who do not upon mature consideration of circumstances appear to be essential) to return, that the Country may not be unnecessarily burthened with the cloathing, pay and rations of them.
        Open all letters of a public natu⟨re⟩ which may come to the Army addressed to ⟨me⟩—and such as are in the Military line a⟨nd⟩ relating to the business you are upon, t⟨urn⟩ over to the Commanding General. I am—&ca &ca

          Go: W⟨as⟩h⟨ington⟩


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

            Sir
            War department, Oct: 21. 1794.

          I have the honor to transmit you, enclosed, the copy of another letter just received from Colonel Pickering, dated the 8th instant. I am, with the highest respect, Sir, Your most obt Servt

            H. Knox


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

          Sir
          Philadelphia October 21. 1794

        A New York paper of yesterday declares in the most express terms, that the British instruction of the 8th of June 1793, so far as relates to the carrying of corn, meal and Flour to France, is revoked. It comes in such a shape, that I believe it; and we may hourly expect something on that head. You recollect, that this was the first order, which bore upon the United States, and is the same, upon which Mr Pinckney, Mr Hammond and myself kept up a controvery. If it be true, it is a very pleasant indication.
        By a letter from Baltimore, which was shewn to me this morning, it appears, that Colo. Monroe arrived in France, during the first week in August; and the fall of Robespierre is put beyond every possibility of question. The time of his arrival renders it impossible for him to be associated with Robespierrian

politics. I have the honor sir, to be with the highest respect yr mo. ob. serv.

          Edm: Randolph


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

          Sir
          Philadelphia October 22. 1794. 12 o’clock.

        The merchants have not yet made their report, as to the appointment of an agent.
        I cannot account for not receiving letters from Colo. Monroe by the return of the vessel, which carried him. I flatter myself still, that the Southern mail of tomorrow may bring some from Baltimore, where she arrived.
        William Mclung has refused to accept his commission, as attorney for the district of Kentucky. I suspect, that we must see some turn in the minds of the people there, before any body will venture upon an office, which will be chiefly conversant in the excise penalties. Colo. Innes may perhaps be charged with

advantage to explore the subject of excise also. He was on the 14th instant at Williamsburg and probably on his way to take a boat up the bay. I have had no letter from him for a considerable time. I have the honor to be sir with the highest respect yr mo. ob. serv.

          Edm: Randolph


Title: To George Washington from David Redick, 22 October 1794
From: Redick, David
To: Washington, George

          Sir
          Washington [Pa.] Octobr 22d 1794

        Since my arrival from Carlisle I have been waited on for news, by great numbers of people of various opinions and Spirits; and am Constrained from a Sense of duty to inform you Sir that I have not discovered that Contrition for past crimes which the inormity of them and the danger approaching ought to have produced—fear however, has opporated on many—Some have departed the country others appear still hardned against any sense of danger what effect the proposed meeting will have on friday Next I know not—the President will be early informed. I am Sorry to acknowledge my hopes are less Sanguine than they were Some days ago—I am Sir with profound respect your most obt Sert

          David Redick


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 23 October 1794
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

          Sir
          Bedford [Pa.] October 23. 1794

        Col. Mentges delivered me your letter from Hartley’s—Upon interrogating him, I do not find that there are more than two detachments of Militia on the way—one of New Jersey which by his account is likely to be pretty far advanced of Carlisle—& the other of Pensylvania from Allen Town, about fifty or sixty, more in arrear. Mentges is not very perspicuous which may have led you to a different apprehension. I found Governor Howel anxious that the Jersey Detachment which is so near at hand should be permitted to come up so as to make it difficult to urge their return. That from Pensylvania will I hope be arrested. If the Jersey Men should not arrive tomorrow it may be adviseable to halt them at Bedford, till the column gets through the mountains & then if pacific appearances continue send them back.
        The advanced corps moved this morning. The main body will move tomorrow.
        Nothing new has occurred. With the truest respect & attachment I have the honor to be Sir Your obed. servant

          A. Hamilton

          P.S. No doubt the measures taken ⟨re⟩specting Clarkes ⟨e⟩ncroachment on the Indians ⟨mutilated⟩ the issue will be noticed ⟨t⟩o Congress. Together with other events it will serve to give great credit to the Govert.


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 23 October 1794
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Washington, George

          Private
          Sir
          Philadelphia October 23. 1794 12 o’clock

        The letter from Dr Edwards, which I have the honor of inclosing, is remarkable; as it comes from a man, who has been always considered, as being associated in what are called the Blue-Stocking politics of Pennsylvania. The letter, to which he alludes from Mr Jay, is on the 31st of July, and the original had been long ago received.
        A Jersey paper of Yesterday contains the second number of a series of discourses, called the Crisis; in which is this passage addressed to the President. “It may not be disagreeable to your excellency to hear, that your proclamation of the 25th ulto (September) for the suppression of the spirit of insurgency, as well as for an expression of your intire satisfaction in the patriotic alacrity with which the militia summoned have taken the field, is peculiarly acceptable to all friends to good government and the laws. They are also happy to recognize in the first officer of State those invaluable properties of moderation and firmness, which were formerly so conspicuous in the field.” I have the honor, sir, to be with the highest respect and affectionate attachment yr mo. ob. serv.

          Edm: Randolph


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 25 October 1794
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

          Sir
          Berlin [Pa.] 3d days MarchOctober 25. 1794 7 oClock in the Evening

        We arrived here this afternoon. A very heavy rain has rendered the march extremely arduous and distressing; but we find here much better shelter than was foreseen. Our baggage & stores are just beginning to arrive—The Jersey line & Brigade of Cavalry took the right hand road about five miles back.
        Tomorrow we shall continue our march & I hope that we shall conform to the general arrangement though we must shorten tomorrows march & lengthen that of the day following.
        The troops have shewn all the patience that could have been expected. In short I perceive nothing amiss.
        Bradford & Fulton it is said are gone off. By tracing time, it is not probable they were at all influenced by the arrest of Husbands & Philson. with the highest respect & truest attachment I have the honor to be sir Your obed. ser.

          A. Hamilton


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 25 October 1794
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Washington, George

          (Private)
          Sir
          Philadelphia October 25. 1794

        In consequence of Mr Dandridge’s letter of the 20th instant from Bedford, the daily expresses are discontinued, and one is to go to the army only every other day.
        I should not have written now, but to inform you, that I shall have the draught in sufficient forwardness on your return; having made progress in it. Indeed if I knew your sense as to the matter, which you approve to be inserted, it would be complete for revision in a few hours. Shall I therefore beg the favor of you to let the express return immediately from the point, where he shall meet you, with the heads, which I sent you, marked with a pencil, indicating your pleasure as to them I expect that this letter will reach Carlisle to morrow evening, when I think you will be there. I have the honor, sir, to be with the highest respect, and affectionate attachment yr mo. ob. serv.

          Edm: Randolph.


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 26 October 1794
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

          Sir
          Berlin [Pa.] October 26. 1794

        The very late arrival of the waggons the injury to a number of them & the dispersed situation of the troops render it impracticable to leave this place today as was inten[d]ed—But the baggage & stores go forward & tomorrow the troops must move—I apprehend no material derangement of the general plan. An express has been dispatched to Governor Lee advising him of the state of things here.
        Nothing from the Western Country. With the greatest respect & attachment I have the honor to be sir Your Obed. ser.

          A. Hamilton


Title: To George Washington from Peter Trenor, 26 October 1794
From: Trenor, Peter
To: Washington, George

          Dublin [Ireland] 26th Octr 1794 32 Abbey St.

        I take the Liberty of annexing you Duplicate of what I had the Honour of writing your Excellency 9 May last—As Mr Pollock is at so great a distance from Mount Vernon & Philadelphia, he thinks ’tis my best mode to Employ a friend either in Baltimore or Philadelphia to wait on your Excellency—in consequence, have desired Mr Pollock to hand over all the Papers relative to Mrs. savages affairs to Mr David McCormick of Philadelphia with a Power of Attorney from him to Mr McCormick.
        I shan’t say further to your Excellency at present, than requesting a Speedy reply to Mr McCormick. having the Honour to be your Excellencys Obedt Hble St

          Peter Trenor


Title: To George Washington from Israel Shreve, 27 October 1794
From: Shreve, Israel
To: Washington, George

          Sir.
          Washingtons Bottom [Pa.] 27th October 1794

        Your Letter of the 28th of July Last came duly to hand but the Alarming troubles that for some time past Existed here prevented me from Acknowledging the receipt of it untill now, Numbers of us who have not been conserned in the Late riots, being freequantly threatened with tar & feathers, Burnt out, Drove out of the Country, Or put to death If we would not join them, and hearing and Seeing Militia officers Exerciseing their Authority by Calling their Companys together to know whether they were

firm to Stand Out against Goverment, Raiseing Liberty poles and even justices of the peace assisting In Exciteing the Ignorent to Acts of Treason, Ministers of the Gosple Accompanying their hearers to Bradocks field, Serveing on Committees &c., &c., kept me from determining what to do, untill the aproach of the Army, which Caused the Liberty poles to fall, and a humble Countinance put on, whether real or not I cannot determine, I just hint those things as facts.
        As there is a probability of peace being restored I beg Leave to make One more offer for the whole tract of Land whereon I Live If not already Sold, which is forty Shillings ⅌ Acre, If your Excellency will Consent to Let me have It for that price I beleave I can make payments by takeing in partners, I have not been able to See or even hear from Mr Ross Since I receivd your Letter, have not heard of Its being Sold as no person has been to Vew It as I know of I rather think It is not Sold, I have never heard any person that knew It Say It was worth more than 40/. ⅌ acre, I have rebuilt the mill but the dry weather in Somer and hard frost in Winter causes It to Stand Still So much that no great profits arises from It, It obliges the Neighbourhood I have Searched about the Mill for Oar but can only find it in Small Quantyties, I have not known any Land within this County where one hundred Acres or upwards have been Sold together for more than 60/. ⅌ acre and that in two Instances near the Redstone old fort, I wish not to remove If I can with propriety stay the Spot where I Live Suites me as well as any I have Seen In the Country But part of the tract is thin Land and Valued at a Lowe Rate, I do not mean to undervalue the Land have only mentioned Some facts.
        My Son John will Deliver this If he can, If It is Sold or that price Cannot be taken please to Send a Line or word by him If your Excellency should think the offer of 40/. worthy Consideration my Son will call upon you on his return from New Jersey at which time probably you will be in Philadelphia, I Expect Mr Ross will also be at Philadelphia. I am with unfeigned Respect your Excellencys Most Obedient Sert

          Israel Shreve


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 28 October 1794
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Washington, George

          Sir
          Philadelphia October 28. 1794

        I do myself the honor of inclosing to you the first draught of the speech. In its arrangement and matter no change is intended by me, unless you should think proper to say something as to the too great ease of naturalization. The propriety of this is perhaps doubtful. However a note is made in the margin for your consideration.
        The matter is compounded of the sketch sent me, and what occurred to myself.
        As soon as you shall have decided as to the arrangement and matter, I will write the paper over again; when I shall correct and polish; and endeavour to give it the coat of armour, which will withstand criticism. I have the honor to be, sir, with the highest respect yr mo. ob. serv.

          Edm: Randolph


Title: Henry Knox to Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., 30 October 1794
From: Knox, Henry
To: Dandridge, Bartholomew Jr.

          Dear Sir
          October 30. 1794

        Be pleased to Submit to the President of the United States the enclosed letter from Genl Blount, of the 2d instant, containing the account of the destruction of two of the lower cherokee Towns. I am Yours respectfully

          H. Knox


Title: From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 31 October 1794
From: Washington, George
To: Hamilton, Alexander

          Dear Sir
          Philadelphia 31st Octr 1794.

        By pushing through the rain (which fell more or less on Saturday, Sunday and Monday) I arrived in this City before noon on Tuesday; without encountering any accident on the road, or any thing so unpleasant as the badness of the ways, after the rains had softened the earth and made them susceptible of deep impression, of the Wheels.
        How you passed through the Glades after the various accounts we had received of them, in such wet weather, I am at a loss to conjecture; but am extremely anxious to know; as I also am to learn the operations of the army, and the state & condition of it, since.
        Nothing important, or new has been lately received from our Ministers abroad; and although accounts from London to the first of September, & from Ireland of still later date have been inserted in the Gazettes, they are not precise enough to be detailed in a letter. In general however, the French continue to be successful by land, and it might be added by Sea also, for they are capturing a great number of British merchantmen: Nor does the fate of Robespierre seem to have given more than a momentary stagnation to their affairs. The Armies rejoice at it, and the people are congratulating one another on the occasion.
        Mr Monroe is arrived in France and has had his reception in the midst of the Convention, at Paris, but no letter has been received from him.
        Few members have yet come to town. Tomorrow I presume will bring many. The papers say Mr Trumbull is elected to the Senate, in the room of Mr Mitchell who has resigned; but who has, or will, supply his place in the other house is not mentioned.
        Husbands and the other prisoners were safely lodged in this City on Wednesday afternoon. Press the Governors &ca to be

pointed in ordering the Officers under their respective commands, to march back with their respective Corps; and to see that the Inhabitants meet with no disgraceful insults, or injuries from them. The Secretary of War will, I expect, say something respecting the deposit of the Arms & public stores in proper places—to him therefore I shall refer.
        Mrs Hamilton & your family were very well yesterday afternoon. Your letter of the 23d has been recd. I am always—and Affectly Yours

          Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 31 October 1794
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

          Sir
          Camp 1½ Miles beyond Cherrys Mill [Pa.]October 31 1794

        The New Jersey Infantry and Brigade of Cavalry are at this place—The Pensylvania Infantry will be here this Evening—The light Corps is advanced about two Miles. No official account, since that heretofore communicated has come from the left wing—But a person who came from Union-Town yesterday informs, that Morgan with the advance was there—the main body about twenty miles behind—I propose in about an hour to set out for Union Town.
        All announces trepidation & submission. The new commissioners have been with Governor Mifflin charged with new declarations by townships, batalions of Militia &c. of a disposition

to obey the laws—The impression is certainly for the present strong but it will be stronger & more permanent by what is to follow. It does not appear that any great number have fled. With the truest respect & attachment I have the honor to be Sir Your obed. servant

          A. Hamilton


Title: From George Washington to John Jay, 1–4 November 1794
From: Washington, George
To: Jay, John

          (Private)
          My dear Sir,
          Philadelphia Novr 1st[–4] 1794.

        On tuesday last I returned from my tour to the westward; on monday, Congress, by adjournment, are to meet; and on the day following, Mr Bayard, according to his present expectation, is to leave this city for London.
        Thus circumstanced (having so little time between my return, and the opening of the Session, to examine papers, and to prepare my communications for the legislature) you will readily perceive that my present address to you must be hurried; at the sametime, my friendship & regard for you, would not let an opportunity, so good as the one afforded by Mr Bayard, pass without some testimony of my remembrance of you; and an acknowledgment of the receipt of your private letters to me, dated the 23d of June, 21st of July, and 5th & 11th of August. These

comprehend all the letters I have received from you since your arrival in England, to the present date.
        That of the 5th of August, dawns more favorably upon the success of your mission than any that had preceeded it; and for the honor, dignity and interest of this Country; for your own reputation and glory; and for the peculiar pleasure and satisfaction I should derive from it, as well on private, as on public considerations, no man more ardently wishes you complete success than I do. But as you have observed in some of your letters, that it is hardly possible in the early stages of a negociation to foresee all the results, so much depending upon fortuitous circumstances, and incidents wch are not within our controul; so, to deserve success, by employing the means with which we are possessed, to the best advantage, and trusting the rest to the All wise Disposer; is all that an enlightened public, and the virtuous & well disposed part of the community can reasonably expect—nor in this, will they, I am sure, be disappointed. Against the malignancy of the discontented—the turbulent—and the vicious, no abilities; no exertions; nor the most unshaken integrity are any safeguard.
        As far as depends upon the Executive, measures prepartatory for the worst, while it hopes for the best, will be pursued; and I shall endeavor to keep things in statu quo until your negociation assumes a more decisive form; which I hope will soon be the case, as there are many hot-heads, & impetuous spirits among us, who with difficulty, can be kept within bounds. This, however, ought not to precipitate your conduct; for as it has been observed, there is a “tide in human affairs” which ought to be watched; and because I believe all who are acquainted with you, will readily concede, that considerations both public & private combine, to urge you to bring your mission to a close with as much celerity as the nature of it will admit.
        As you have been, and will continue to be, fully informed by the Secretary of state of all transactions of a public nature, which relates to, or may have an influence on, the points of your mission; it would be unnecessary for me to touch upon any of them, in this letter, was it not for the presumption, that, the insurrection in the western counties of this State has excited much speculation, and a variety of opinions abroad; and will be represented differently according to the wishes of some, and the

prejudices of others; who may exhibit it as an evidence of what has been predicted “that we are unable to govern ourselves.” Under this view of the subject, I am happy in giving it to you as the general opinion, that this event having happened at the time it did, was fortunate, although it will be attended with considerable expence.
        That the self-created Societies, which have spread themselves over this country, have been labouring incessently to sow the seeds of distrust, jealousy, and, of course discontent; thereby hoping to effect some revolution in the government, is not unknown to you. That they have been the fomenters of the western disturbances, admits of no doubt in the mind of any one, who will examine their conduct; but fortunately, they precipitated a crisis for wch they were not prepared; and thereby have unfolded views which will, I trust, effectuate their annihilation sooner than it might otherwise have happened; at the sametime that it has afforded an occasion, for the people of this country, to shew their abhorrence of the result; and their attachment to the Constitution and the laws: for I believe that five times the number of Militia that was required, would have come forward, if it had been necessary, in support of them.
        The spirit which blazed out on this occasion, as soon as the object was fully understood, and the lenient measures of the government were made known to the people, deserve to be communicated: for there are instances of General Officers, going at the head of a single troop, & light companies; of field Officers, when they came to the places of rendezvous & found no command for them in that grade, turning into the ranks, & proceeding as private soldiers, under their own Captains. and of numbers, possessing the first fortunes in the country, standing in the ranks as private men, and marching day by day with their knapsacks & haversacks at their backs; sleeping on straw, with a single blanket in a soldiers tent, during the frosty nights we have had, by way of example to others. nay more of many young Quakers (not discouraged by the Elders) of the first families, characters & properties, having turned into the ranks, and are marching with the Troops.
        These things have terrified the Insurgents, who had no conception that such a spirit prevailed; but while the thunder only rumbled at a distance, were boasting of their strength, and

wishing for, & threatning the militia, by turns; intimating, that the arms they should take from them, would soon become a magazine in their hands. Their language is much changed indeed, but their principles want correction.
        I shall be more prolix in my Speech to Congress on the commencement, & progress of this insurrection than is usual in such an instrument; or than I should have been on any other occasion: but, as numbers (at home and abroad) will hear of the insurrection, and will read the Speech that may know nothing of the documents to which it might refer, I conceived it would be better to encounter the charge of prolixity, by giving a cursory detail of facts (that would shew the prominent features of the thing) than to let it go naked into the world, to be dressed up according to the fancy, or inclination of the readers, or the policy of our enemies.
        I write nothing in answer to the letter of Mr Wangenheim (enclosed by you to me)—Were I to enter into corrispondencies of that sort (admitting their was no impropriety in the measure) I should be unable to attend to my ordinary duties. I have established it as a maxim, neither to envite, nor to discourage emigrants. My opinion is, that they will come hither as fast as the true interest & policy of the United States will be benefited by foreign population. I believe many of these, as Mr Wangenheim relates, have been, and I fear will continue to be, imposed upon by Speculators in land, and other things. But I know of no prevention but caution—nor any remedy except the laws. Nor is military, or other employment so easy to obtain, as foreigners conceive, in a country where offices, and the seekers of them, bear no proportion to each other. With sincere esteem & great regd I am—Dear Sir Your Affecte Servant

          Go: Washington

          4th Novr
          P.S. Your corrispondence with New York is, I am persuaded, too regular and constant to leave you in any doubt as to the health of Mrs Jay. Yet, as I was told yesterday by Mr King that she, & all your family were well—I chose to mention it.
          For want of a Senate, Congress have not yet proceeded to business.

            G. W——n


Title: From George Washington to William Pearce, 2 November 1794
From: Washington, George
To: Pearce, William

          Mr Pearce,
          Philadelphia Novr 2d 1794.

        I have had neither leizure for, nor opportunity of, writing to you since I did it from Carlisle, ’till my return to this place; which happened on Tuesday last. In the meantime I have received your several letters of the 28th of Septr—and 5th 17th and 23d of last month.
        As the accident I met with in June last, prevented my riding about my farms when I was last at home, I should have been very glad to have made another visit to it in the course of last month; knowing if I did not do it then, It would not be in my power to do it before April; as Congress will, more than probably, set till March & the roads during that month will be in no condition to travel. The perfect confidence however which I place in your care, judgment and integrity; makes me quite easy under the disappointment; which I should not have been if my affairs were in the hands of a person of whom I did not entertain the same favorable opinion. By looking to the letters which, from time

to time I have written you, and to the written details I gave you of my plans when you first entered on my business, you will, without any additional direction to them, in this place, see what my views are, & can be at no loss to carry them into effect the ensuing year. To introduce system, & a regular course of crops; to introduce grass where, & when proper; to make meadows, & hedges; to recover my fields from the exhausted, and gullied state in which many of them are; to improve my stock, and to get into a way of establishing large dairies, & turning that stock to profitable uses (which may be the case so near as my estate lyes to Alexandria, George Town, and the Federal City)—and to make much Hay, which will always be in demand, and command a good price; are much more desirable objects with me than to push the best of my fields, out of their regular course, with a view to encrease the next, or any other year’s crops of grain. I know full well that by picking & culling the fields I should be able, for a year or two, to make larger crops of grain, but I know also, that by so doing I shall, in a few years make nothing, & find my land ruined.
        I am very sorry to hear of the loss of your daughter, but as it was an event long expected, you must have been prepared for the stroke. The country every where that I have been, or heard from, has been uncommonly sickly the past summer, & to the present moment. The ague & fever has been sorely felt where it was never known to be before, together with other complaints. The death of Paris is a loss, that of Jupiter the reverse.
        You have not informed me in any of your letters, which have come to hand, whether you have engaged Pyne or any other for the Mansion house; or whether McKoy continues another year, or is to be replaced by any other. I did not expect much from James Donaldson as an overlooker of my Carpenters, when I engaged him; & for that reason observ’d to you, that if my Nephew (Colo. Willm Washington of Westmoreland) should have engaged the man I wrote to him about, to keep both would be attended with no disadvantage; but I have not heard or received a syllable from my Nephew in answer to my letters—hence I infer they never got to his hands; and the demand for workmen at the federal City is such, & their wages consequently so high, that if Donaldson as an overlooker should prove incompetent, I know not how, or where you will get supplied. If he understands what he professes

to have been bred to, and is sober and industrious, he may prove a very useful man to me although he is unfit to have the care of my Carpenters. But what have you done with him, if Greens family still occupys the house? By my agreement with him, he is entitled to the use of that house, & Garden, & may consider it as a breach of contract to be deprived of it. What then is to be done with the other family. I cannot bear the thought of adding to the distress I know they must be in, by turning them adrift; and it would be as disagreeable to let them come into that part of the Green house adjoining the Shoemakers room; their habits are not good; & to mix them among the negros would be attended with many evils as it respected themselves; and no good as it respected me. It would be better therefore on all accounts if they were removed to some other place, even if was to pay the Rent; provided it was low—or make some allowance towards it. Donaldson & family will get disgusted by living among the Negros, if he is still in the Green house.
        I am glad to hear that your Fodder was got in good time, and that there was a good deal of it; also that your Corn is likely to yield well from the gathering you have made of it. It is to be regretted that your last sown Wheat looks so indifferently, especially the fallow field at Dogue run. Get all the Buck Wheat out of the Straw as soon as you can, & put it away securely; letting me know the quantity. The Straw will, I presume, make good litter.
        I am very sorry to hear that the fly is getting into the Wheat. This make⟨s⟩ it necessary to get it out of the straw as quick as possible, and either to grind it into flour—or sell it in the grain as soon as possible. To know which of these is most for my benefit, order a hundred bushels of neither your best nor worst wheat to be sent to the Mill, cleaned as it would & ought to be, for Sale. Let this hundred bushels be sent to the Mill and manufactured; then see whether the different articles which is made from it, at the Alexandria prices, with the Bran &ca justly rated, is worth, or would fetch more than the unground Wheat at the same market. If it does not, I encounter all the waste the trouble & expence of the manufactory to a loss. I have requested this experiment several times to be made by your predecessors in my business, but never could get it satisfactorily made, and have strong reasons for believing that my Wheat, for several years back, would have sold for more than the flour of all sorts, with the addition of the

bran, shorts & talings. The fact, with respect to the last crop, you ⟨m⟩ay, I conceive, ascertain with certainty, by having recourse to the Mill books; these will, or ought, to Shew, all the Wheat that had been received, & all the flour & other Articles which had been delivered. rating then the different sorts of flour (sold & used) at what it actually fetched, & fixing a proper price on the Bran & shorts, with some allowance for the talings, gives you the total amount of the Wheat after it is manufactured. then see what the whole quantity of Wheat which the Mill had received, would amount to, at what would be deemed the currt, or medium price of Wheat at Alexandria last season; this would give you the aggregate amount in both cases, & shew the difference of the two, upon a large scale.
        Are all the Cabbins, as well as the Quarters at Union farm, fixed in the lane opposite to the Overseers house? I fear the season is too late to go into fresh daubed Cabbins. I am Your friend &ca

          Go: Washington

          P.S. By not hearing fro⟨m⟩ you yesterday I ⟨pr⟩esume you were on th⟨e Ea⟩stern shore.


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 3 November 1794
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

          Sir
          Cherrys Mill [Pa.] Novr 3d 1794

        I have returned to this place from Union Town. A letter from Governor Lee which goes with this probably informs you of the plan of future operations—but lest it should not I shall briefly state it—The right wing is to take a position with its left towards Budds ferry & its right towards Greensburgh—The left wing is to be posted between the Yocghagani & Monongalia with its left towards the latter & its right towards the former. Morgan with his command including the whole of the light corps & perhaps a part of the Brigade of Cavalry will go into Washington County—It is not unlikely that in the course of the business a part of the troops will take a circuit by Pittsburgh—for the more places they can appear in without loss of time the better.
        In adopting this plan the circumstance of much delay in crossing & recrossing waters has weighed powerfully & the quiescent state of the Country renders the plan entirely safe—Boats however will be collected on both waters to facilitate mutual communication & support.

        I received the letter you was so good as to write me on the road with those that accompanied it.
        The rainy weather continues with short intervals of clear—The left wing has suffered from sickness but the right has been & continues remarkably healthy. The troops also continue to behave well—A Court Martial sits to day to try one or two riotous fellows & one or two Marauders—The appointment of it has checked the licentious corps. With the truest respect & attachment—I have the honor to be Sir Your obed. ser.

          A. Hamilton

          P.S. Not many fugitives from Justice as yet.


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 3 November 1794
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

          Sir,
          Department of War November 3d 1794

        I have the honor to submit to your view an estimate of Goods which has been made out by James Seagrove the Agent for the Creeks. The only question in my mind on the subject of this estimate is its amount, and yet when the importance of conciliating the Creek Indians be considered as well as their numbers, I respectfully submit it as my opinion that the amount of the estimate be furnished him under such instructions as to the distribution as shall be dictated by a regard to œconomy and the

public interests. I have the honor to be with perfect respect Your most obedient Servant

          H. Knox


Title: To George Washington from Edward Newenham, c.3 November 1794
From: Newenham, Edward
To: Washington, George

          Dear Sir
          [c.3 November 1794]

        It is in my mind an Age since I had the Honor of a Letter from you—I have often wrote by Different Conveyences—I hope some have arrived Safe, to shew Your Excellency that my Personal Respect & Regard can only End with my Life.
        In the present Critical Situation of Affairs in Europe, & respected America, I cannot Expect a Line of Politics or Even opinions from you, as the miscarriage or opening of Letters might be disagreable to you—but in my Situation, I can Speak my Mind.
        By Judgement—by affection—I have been & Shall Continue a Freind to the Liberties, Happiness, & Prosperity of the United States of North America, therefore I am much—Very Much Alarmed at reading Extracts of Letters from America of Some Insurrections against the Decrees & Laws of Congress, & that their Political Saviour is once more to take the Feild, to save his Country; may Providence Protect you—and may the Insurgents be soon Quelld, & Peace restord—do these deluded People imagine that their Country can be protected, the Laws Supported, or give them their due Weight & Consequence in the opinion of other Nations, if they oppose, instead of Supporting, the Government, that gave them, & now wishes to Support, their Liberties—Had you & your Fellow Soldiers given up the Contest against Great Brittain, these Settlers would have been a Subordinate Colony to Canada, & they would have been fixed as a forlorn Barrier

between Canada & the Indians; their Dissentions will prevent the Growth & Encrease of your States, & as bad men are found in Every Country, I fear, they may find Men, weak & wicked Enough in the rest of the Continent to join them—Should Such miscreants appear, I ardently Pray, that they may Suffer Instant Punishment—there are wretches from these Kingdoms now Seeking an Asylum in America, who would join the Enemies of Good Government in your Country—Watch them—& make them instantly abandon your Country, for belive me, they never were freinds to you—your Independance, or your Country—they Pretended to be such, & only opposed the Government in Ireland, in order to make themselves of Sufficient Consequence to be bribd by Some Employment—Such Men have been the Curse of this Country—at this Awfull Crisis—Men, the most, Inverate to the French Republic, appear its freinds & Supporters—only to be bought off.
        I have seen so much of this Duplicity in mankind, that I am doubtfull of most Men—I had a high opinion, personal regard & public Respect for a few Members of the Irish Parliament—one of these few (Mr Brownlow) died a few Days agoe—he has left few Equals—there Still remains 3 or 4, to whom I would give my Confidence.
        a Son of mine who was Captain in the first National Guards at Marsailles, & who was a Sanguine freind to the first Revolution has been in this Kingdom these 9 Months; he was well Established in the Mercantile Line in France, but forfeited all, because he could not approve of Such Men as Robertspiere, he lost all the fortune (& which was the Utmost I Could give him) I Gave him & all he had acquired—I flatter myself, that a Darling Daughter (married to Mr Folsch Consul for Sweden) is Still alive with her 5 Children at Marsailles—but I have not heard of or from her these 9 Months; Being Married to a Swede, her Life may have been Saved amidst the Massacres—Mr Jay has wrote to Marsailles to Enquire for her.
        In this Kingdom, the present opposition Party, (who had been hitherto (Gratten excepted) the most Subservient Court Slaves) are now offering themselves at the Lowest Market Price, for the Nation have no dependance on, or Confidence in, them—Government in both Kingdoms is as Strongly Supported, as any Government ever was—it is astonishing the Number of Men,

that have been recruited here Since august 1793—no Less than 57500—our Number of Regiments of Foot on the united Establishment of both Kingdoms were only 77, the Number now is 119 besides all the Fensibles & County Corps, & the Militia of both Kingdoms—the three Latter descriptions are not to Leave their respective Countries, almost all the rest are gone or going abroad—by accident one Regiment of our Light Horse has been in Rome these 9 Months—Lately I receivd a Letter from Italy giving an account of the Horse Sent by the King of Naples to his Brother of Sardinia—the Horses so weak, that they could not go more than 2 miles an hour, & the Men not half trained, & badly Armed—that their officers are ignorant Nobles incapable of disciplining a file of Men—that Letter further States, that the French were at Least 58,000 Strong in that part of Italy that joins the State of Genoa, besides their Army in Piedmont—that it is thought the Grand Duke of Tuscany will open Leghorn to them—That Paoli is gaining the affections of all the Corsicans by the Mildness of his Government—Corsica in the hands of the English may afford Protection to your Ships against the Barbary States.
        all is Anxiety in England (at this moment) for the safe Arrival of 3 Sail of the Line expected from the Mediteranean, among them is the Commerce of Marsailles, & there is another Squadron of 3 ships of the Line expected with upwards of 100 Merchant Ships from all Parts of the Mediteranean—much of the Credit of England depends on these two Grand Objects, as it is reported, that the Brest Fleet is out & 29 Sail of the Line in good order—& the Chief Fleet of England is in Harbour; were the French to Capture these two Fleets, it would repay all the lost at Toulon, & also what they Lost with Lord Howe.
        The Greatest Variety of weather, that my Memory can recollect, has occurred in this Kingdom within these 4 Months; it appears to me, that the seasons of Vegitation & the fall of the Leaf, are much altered since 1769—This year has been abundant in Hay, Wheat & Potatoes, & Beef & Mutton & the Culls have been adequate; The Farmers are happy & pay their Rent in due Time—a few years Peace, would have made this Island—more flourishing—more Wealthy & more Industrious—but the war has impeded our progress—Some Species of Fish have much deserted our Coasts—the Turbot, the Soals & Haddock, but

the Herrings, Sprats & Macarell have Encreased, particularly Herrings.
        At this moment I am in my Library—Alone—with my Bottle of Claret before me, Drinking your Health, which, in Every Change or Circumstance has been my most Ardent & fervant Prayer that you may Long Enjoy—for years, I have laid Plans & regulations, for a few Weeks absence from this Island to pay my Sincere Respects at Mount Vernon but Law—Cursed Law, has prevented me—I am now Grown old, & by many accidents am not, as well as I might be from having a Good Constitution—Public Meetings & Private Duels have much injured my bones & frame—a Public Meeting, in which 373 fell through two floors (27 Killed & 95 wounded) Shook me much, as it opened former Wounds—yet, thou Great and Respected Character, it is not impossible (if I live) that I may spend 6 Months at Mount Vernon—if I can do so, I will—and I shall consider it as the Grandest Period of a Long Life.


Title: Testimonial for Jacob Baur, 4 November 1794
From: Washington, George
To:

          Philadelphia, Novem: 4 1794.

        I hereby testif.—that Jacob Baur has lived with me in this City, since christmas last past, in the quality of Valet de chambre and

Butler. that he has discharged the duties of the above [trusts] with fidelity, promptness and sobriety; and that in all respects he has demeaned himself so as to merit my approbation.

          Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Bryan Fairfax, 4 November 1794
From: Fairfax, Bryan
To: Washington, George

          Dear Sir
          Novr the 4th 1794

        I have received Your Favor with the Letters inclosed but I did not receive it till last Week, owing to my not knowing that there was a Letter for me in the Office till it had lain there some time, and I then being from Home did not get it immediately, nor for some days, thro’ a mistake also on Accot of another Letter that had come to the Office for me in the mean time. And since, I have waited a little that I might inform You that I had sent the one inclosed for Mr Trenor; but upon different Enquiries being informed that there is no Vessel hereabouts going to Ireland, and Mr Herbert assuring me that he can get it put a Board a Vessel now at Baltimore about to sail there I have left the Letter with him.
        I have not thought much of the trouble I have had abt Mrs Savages Business in comparison to the concern I have had in not being able to do any thing effectually in it. I have grown very forgetful, and some delays have arisen on that account, but yet small in comparison to the unavoidable delays that have happened. I have this comfort that I have done more in it than I Should have done had it been my own Business. Your Letter to Mr Trenor must be satisfactory to him, as far as he can be satisfied under a disappointment, as he will perceive the unavoidable difficulties that have arisen. That variety of disappointmts I have met with is uncommon. After being disappointed in my Intentions this last Spring both of calling upon Doctor Jones in Northumberland, and of going from Norfolk to Edenton I wrote to the Attorney Genl in North Carolina thro’ the Medium of poor Mr Hipkins, and after some time when I was over the Ridge, I received an answer, promising to do what he could, after making the necessary Enquiries, and to inform me further about it. I paid I think

five Guineas and sent him the same Papers which I had before sent to Carolina, and which had been returned. From what little Information he had then been able to get, he seemed to think the Prospect of obtaining what we aim at is not very good. But I never received an Answer from Dr Jones.
        I spoke to Colo. Simms at the last district Court at Dumfries. He thought the Suit vs Mr Mason might come on & the matter tried with respect to his Plea: & that the Suit in Carolina might with propriety go on.
        Mrs Fairfax joins me in our Respects to You & Mrs Washington—And I remain with much Esteem Dr Sir Yr obliged & Obedt St

          Bryan Fairfax


Title: To George Washington from Tench Coxe, 5 November 1794
From: Coxe, Tench
To: Washington, George

          November 5th 1794.

        Mr T. Coxe presents his most respectful compliments to General Washington and has the honor to request his acceptance of a recent publication concerning the Affairs of the United States. He begs leave to remark, that this work contains his reflected opinions upon many of the greater operations of this country & government. He trusts that the General will excuse this observation in the present season, when local & personal politics have occasioned the opinions and conduct of many to be for a time misunderstood by some, and perhaps misrepresented.


Title: From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 5 November 1794
From: Washington, George
To: Hamilton, Alexander

          Dear Sir,
          Philadelphia 5th Novr 1794

        Since my last to you, I have received your several letters of the 25th 26th and 29th of last month, & am glad to hear that the Troops continued to be in good health & spirits, notwithstanding the bad weather & the Roads; and that further indications of submission were likely to be manifested by the Insurgents.
        I have not received the rout of either column of the Army—nor a copy of the order establishing them, issued on the day of my departure from Bedford.
        Upon enquiry, I find that it was copies only, of Papers, that had been sent from the Secretary of State’s Office, the originals being adjudge necessary for the Archives.
        For want of a quorum in the Senate, Congress have not yet proceeded on business; and it is questionable, it seems whether it will make a house to day; five members being wanting for this purpose, yesterday afternoon.
        Bache (as I expected) has opened his batteries upon your motives for remaining with the Army. As the papers (I presume) are sent to you, I shall not repeat them. Although there are some late arrivals, the Gazettes have not, as yet, announced any thing new.
        Mrs Hamilton & your family were well yesterday. Mrs Schuyler and Son ( John) and daughter, are there, but talk of going away to day, or to morrow. I am—Your Affecte

          Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 5 November 1794
From: Lear, Tobias
To: Washington, George

          My dear Sir,
          Washington, November 5th 1794

        A few weeks ago Mr William Bailey of this neighbourhood wished me to inform him, if I could, whether you had disposed of your lands on the Great & Little Kanawas & on the Ohio between these two Rivers, which he understood you were inclined to part with; and if you had not, he wished to know what you would be willing to take for them, as he and some others had

it in contemplation to obtain lands in that quarter. I informed Mr Bailey that I beleived you had not disposed of them yet, but that I had reason to think you would have no objection to doing so provided the price and terms were made agreeable to your wishes; and mentioned further that you had once actually disposed of them @ two french Crowns per Acre; but from a noncompliance with the contract on the part of the purchaser the lands were again in your possession and the whole of that business cancell’d. I further added that it was very doubtful whether you would now take that price for them.
        Since that time Mr Bailey has said nothing more to me on the subject, until yesterday, when he informed me that he was going to Philadelphia, and would be thankful if I would mention to you the conversation we had had upon this matter, in order that it might introduce the subject to your mind; as it was his intention to see you upon it while in Philadelphia. I have accordingly done so, which I hope will be an apology for troubling you at this time. And permit me to add, my dear Sir, that if in this, or any other business, you should think it may be in my power to be useful to you, you will gratify me exceedingly by pointing out the way in which my best services can be exerted; for I trust you will beleive me when I say, that to promote your wishes or happiness would afford me the most sincere & heartfelt pleasure.
        I was made very happy on learning that you had returned to Philadelphia in good health—for the continuance of which, and for your happiness my earnest prayers are constantly offered. And in the course of next week I promise myself the happiness of seeing you in Philadelphia, as I think it probable I shall go on to New York on business at that time.
        My best respects await Mrs Washington, and my love & best wishes Mr Dandridge and my young friends. With sentiments of the highest respect & gratitude, I have the honor to be my dear Sir, Your affectionate & sincere friend

          Tobias Lear.

          P.S. I trust to your goodness to pardon the roughness of this letter as Mr Bailey is going off & I have not time to copy it.


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 5 November 1794
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Washington, George

          Wednesday morning Novr 5. 1794

        E. Randolph has the honor of informing the President, that Mr Taylor finished the copy last evening, and will this morning compare it with Mr Dandridge. After this examination by them, E.R. will be glad to examine the two copies with Mr Dandridge over again—The senate were so far from a quorum yesterday, that there is no ground for expecting a house to-day.
        Mr Izard and Mr Muhlenberg, both disapprove the style, in which the copies were received from the President at the opening of the last session. They consider it, as an accident produced by the good humoured blundering of Mr Otis; and will have every thing rectified for the present session.
        Colo. Innes will have the honor of dining with the President to-day. He was dressed except as to shoes yesterday afternoon to wait upon him in the public room; but could not get a pair. E. Randolph respectfully requests the President to excuse him from dinner to-day, as the departure of the Ships will not leave him much time to prepare the letters, and encounter the constant interruptions from the current business of the day.


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 6 November 1794
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

          Sir
          Department of War, November 6 1794.

        I have the honor to submit the information hitherto deficient of the evacuation of the Creek lands on the frontier of Georgia—This is contained in Constant Freeman’s letter of the 29th of September and the enclosures therein contained, which with his letter of the 12th October are herewith submitted. As soon as you have perused them, they shall be copied for Congress. I am Sir, with the highest respect, Your most obedt Servt

          H. Knox


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 6 November 1794
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Washington, George

          Private
          Sir
          Philadelphia Novr 6. 1794.

        The two copies are completed; and I pledge myself, that the transcribers are as silent on the contents as the grave.

        Colo. Griffin tells me, that Parker and Blount are feeling the pulse of the members upon the article of expence, incurred by the late expedition. This circumstance enables me to say to you, without forcing an opportunity, that I am determined, let it cost what labour it may, to follow with answers all the observations of Mr Bache’s correspondents on the matter of the Speech. I hold the present to be in some degree a new æra in our government; and that if the measures, which you will impart to congress, be properly supported against misrepresentation, you will establish perfect tranquillity to the government: and (what to my private feelings is truly interesting) your administration will be found to have passed thro’ a trying crisis with dignity. You will, I am sure, believe me, when I say, that the fame of him, who has so long been my patron, is more dear to me, than any connection with any other man. I am carried into this remark by foreseeing, that the fermentation of parties will be great during this session; and that I may not trouble you again with any thing personal, I will just add, that a review of your administration, which is all but finished, will appear, without some unforeseen impediment, soon after the rising of congress. With the most affectionate attachment & respect I have the honor, sir, to be yr mo. ob. serv.

          Edm: Randolph


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 9 November 1794
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Washington, George

          Monday 2 o’clock Novr 9. 1794

        The Secretary of state has the honor of submitting to the President the translation of a letter, of this date from Mr Fauchet, and a proposed answer to him and a letter to Govr Clinton. If the President approves, it is wished to send Mr Fauchet’s letter immediately—The Messenger will accordingly wait.


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 9 November 1794
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Washington, George

          Monday p.m. [9 Nov. 1794]

        The Secretary of state has the honor of informing the President, that, if his leisure will permit, the calls from the treasury department render a further number of Sea letters necessary.


Title: From George Washington to John Sinclair, 9 November 1794
From: Washington, George
To: Sinclair, John

          Sir,
          Philadelphia Novr 9th 1794.

        By Mr Bayard (a respectable young Gentleman of this City) who will have the honor of presenting this letter to you, I take the liberty of putting into your hands, a work, which only made its appearance a few days ago. “A view of the United States of America in a series of Papers”.
        I have not read it yet, and therefore shall say nothing for, or

against the merits of it further than that the author, is a man of intelligence and accuracy; and (being the Commissioner of our revenue) possessed the means of official information; which, of course, has enabled him to detail matters depending thereon, with truth & precision.
        If the performance should afford you any satisfaction, or convey any information which was unknown to you before, it will give pleasure to Sir, Your most obedient & Very Hble Servt

          Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Arthur Young, 9 November 1794
From: Washington, George
To: Young, Arthur

          Sir,
          Philadelphia Novr 9th 1794.

        Your letter of the 2d of June, with the second edition of your travels; and two sets of the 19th 20th and 21st vols. of your Annals (one set of which I shall send to the Agricultural Society of this City) came to my hands a few days ago only. The letter alluded to therein, as being sent by some farmers—whom you had the goodness to recommend to me, has not yet been received; nor had I, before, heard any thing of such men.
        If the information which I have had it in my power to convey to you, respecting the climate, soil, agriculture and productions of the central states, has, in any degree, answered the end of your enquiries, or afforded you any satisfaction, the object I had in giving it, is fully accomplished; and my present situation, adds greater reluctance than heretofore, to see, or to know that any hastily written and indigested letters of mine, should be handed, with my name to them, to the public.
        From not being so explicit as I ought to have been in my letter of  my intention, respecting the Negros which reside on my farms, did not sufficiently appear to you. It was not my meaning (if it was so understood) to make it a condition that they should be annexed as an appendage thereto. I had something better in view for them than that. To accomodate—not to incumber the farmer, was the idea I meant to convey to you—that is—that he might, or might not as his inclination or interest

should dictate, hire them, as he would do any other labourers which his necessities wd require him to employ.
        To acquire land in fee, is, I am persuaded, among, if not the first inducement to emigration to the United States and therefore, I never was sanguine in my expectation of obtaining tenants from England, for my lands, on the terms suggested in a former letter. I am satisfied however, that if the midling, & lower classes of your farmers were fully acquainted with the real difference in the taxes of the two countries, it would not be a secondary consideration. To illustrate this, I enclose you the publication of a very intelligent farmer, from the county of Essex in England (A Mr Lambert) who has lately established himself and family in this country—given from his own actual experience.
        I take the liberty also of sending you “A view of the United States of America, in a series of Papers” by Tench Coxe, the Commissioner of our revenue. It is a new work just from the press, which I have not yet read; but as it is the production of an intelligent & accurate man, possessing official information in all matters of a fiscal nature—of the population—navigation—wealth—and resour[c]es of the country—you will find more than conjectural accounts and misrepresentation in it although it may be deficient in things interesting, or amusing to foreigners.
        I am much obliged by the books you have sent me, and thank you sincerely for the kind offer, of rendering me any other services in your power. With great esteem & regard I am—Sir Yr Obedt Servt

          Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Mathurin-Michel Amoureux, 10 November 1794
From: Amoureux, Mathurin-Michel
To: Washington, George

          Sir
          Georgetown [D.C.] 10th November 1794

        With a view to be useful to this my adoptive Country, I have publish’d a Short treatise on the culture of the wine-grapes, of which I take the liberty to Send you a copy, wishing that it may prove acceptable to you. whilst in france I had Selected notes on this Subject, & waited for their reception before I would publish this treatise; but the vessel, on board of which my papers & Cloths were Shipp’d, being lost, I have not been able, I believe, to enter into as many particulars, as I could have done, had I received these notes. nevertheless I am persuaded that, by paying a proper attention to the general directions, which this treatise Contains, and from the experience he will Soon acquire, the vine-planter can hardly fail of Succeeding. it is not meant however, that this culture Should be preferred to that of the wheat, & other useful grains; but I think at Same time that a proprietor can not make a better use of that part of his land, which he generally leaves uncultivated, on account of its not being fit to produce grain, nor luxuriant grass. when I mentioned to Some planters of Virginia my intentions of publishing Such a treatise, they remark’d that Several europeans had attempted the cultivation of european wine grapes without Success; but I am persuaded that their failing in this was owing to nothing else, but to a want of proper attention & management; I intend my Self to join the example to the precept, as Soon as I am So fortunate as to See my wife & children over to this happy Country. I am with respect sir

          M: Amoureux


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 11 November 1794
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

          Sir
          Rostraver Township [Pa.] November 11. 1794

        I have the honor of your note of the 5 instant.
        Tomorrow the measures for apprehending persons & seizing stills will be carried into effect—I hope there will be found characters fit for examples & who can be made so—Col. Hamilton Sheriff is now at our quarters come to make a voluntary surrender of himself—It is not yet certain how much can be proved against him; but otherwise he is a very fit subject.
        I observe what Mr Bache is about—But I am the more indifferent to it as the experience has proved to me (however it may be in ways which I could not allege in my justification) that my presence in this quarter was in several respects not useless—And it is long since I have learnt to hold popular opinion of no value—I hope to derive from the esteem of the discerning and an internal consciousness of zealous endeavours for the public good the reward of those endeavours.
        I propose, if no urgent reason to the contrary occurs, to leave this country for Philadelphia about the 15th instant and I shall lose no time in reaching it. Mean while I trust the business of my department will suffer no injury from my absence.
        Before I go I will try to see that a good arrangement is made with regard to arms stores &c. with true respect & affectionate attachment I have the honor to be Sir Your obed. ser.

          Alex. Hamilton

          P.S. Poor Lenox has been on the torture so long & has lately received such unpleasant accounts that we have all advised him to return to Philadelphia.
          The substitutes devised will guard against injury to the service. Intelligence having been received of some of the insurgents

having embodied about Beaver Creek a plan is laid provisionally for giving them a stroke—the execution of which will be speedily attempted if nothing to the contrary occurs.


Title: To George Washington from William Pearce, 11 November 1794
From: Pearce, William
To: Washington, George

          Sir
          Mount vernon Novr 11th 1794

        I Received your letter of the 2nd Int. The Reason you have not had the weekly reports Sent forward as Usial I have been to the Eastern shore of Maryland and was detained at the Ferrey by head winds both going & returning which kept me a way a few days longer than I Expected—I was a way Just two weeks.
        I am Sorrey it was not In your power to visit Mt vernon this fall and to have seen the Different crops on your Estate—and the Situation of your Business here In General as I had flattered my Self you would not have been displeased after makeing allowance for The wetness of the Season by which much time was lost—and the loss of time by Sickness that Continues even till this time, not only with the Negroes but all the Overseers Except Mr Stewart & he had a short spell—Mr Butler has been once or twic sinc he was First taken to all appeare[n]ce In a maner well—but he is now down again and Is Very Iill. This has preventd me from being so forward with my Business as I Could wish to be, but you will see the state of the Business by the reports—we are going on with our Fall plouging and shall if the weather keeps good git all the Corn In in good time.
        I will endeavour by every means In my power to fulfill ever

order and execute all the different plans that you have laid down, to the best of my Judgment—and as far as seasons & Circunstancs will admit of for I can truly say if I Can Give you Satisfaction In the Conducting your business I Can recive no Greater gratification My self.
        as to the Stock they are but indiferent and it will take some time before they can be brought to be so profitable as they ought or before much Can be made by butter the pr[e]sent stock of Catle are too small and dwindleing to Give much milk—and the sheep are Very Sickly and bad I Culled them at shearing time and have kept Them Constantly In the best pastures seperate From the rest & I have Tryed to sell them to The Butchers but they Could only Git a few that ware fit to kill and what to do with the rest I know not.
        I beleve Mr pine meanes to disapoint me he came here some short time before I went to the Eastern shore and Told me That I might depend on him—but that he had not time then to Enter In to a writen agreement and as to his wages he seemed to be willing he said to Leave that To my self—and I have heard nothing of him Since So I must try to git some other person—I could not git to the Eastern shore In Time Enough to Ingage overseers—or Else I would not have kept McCay who I have agreed with for another year—but it was because I did not see any chance of bettering my self.
        Since I wrote you Respecting the last sowing of our Crop of wheat which at that Time Looked Very bad—we have had some good rains and warm weather which has brought it on and it now Looks well & so does all most all the whole of the Crop sown this Fall and the gratest part I may say Looks fine The Crop of wheat that we Cut this year we have made but Very little more than we have sown Exept at river Farm and thare will only be some thing more than 500 Bushels and at Union Farm & Dogue Run none of any consequence It is not yet Measured—thare was but little straw and it Turned out the worst I ever saw wheat In all my Life—for from stacks that I Expected 60 Bushels we would not git more than 25 B.—and the fly Is in all both old & new Very bad I will make the Tryal imeedely as you have directed.
        I have been disopinted In the turn out of the B. wheat you will see from the reports of River & Union Farms what are made thare & at both Farms thare was a great groth of straw—but it

fell Down so Early that it Injured it what was made at Dogue Run Is not got out yet.
        The Cabbins are puting up at union Farm but are not yet done—I could have had the Quarter at Rive[r] Farm moved but several of the women who Live in it have had young children Lately and I must Let it reman Till spring.
        James Donaldson from what I have seen of his work I think he is a good workman In his way—and so far he apears to be Indutreous—but if a good Carpenter Could be got who undersood his Business well and was a man of spirit I think It would be a good thing—as I do not Think the Business can be carried on properly with out such a man to be Constantly with your Carpenters. Donaldson is still In the Green house as Mrs Green remains in her house yet I Let her know the Carpenter was to have That house and Let her know that if she Could git a house of a Low Rent you woud pay a part of it—She said she would remove as soon as she could git a house and she said she had rather git one in Town but I advised her against that as rents are high In Town and fire wood Dear—I told her I thought she had better try to git a house In the Country—but I can not Tell what she Intends to do yet—she seems to be in a bad state of health The Corn turns out well for the Land and we shall have a plentyfull crop and the potatoes you will see from the report has turnd Very well here and at river Farm for what they planted—what are made at Dogue run Is not Measured yet—but Davy has made a bad hand with his potatoes I am affraid he has suffered them to be made way with—I have not had Time this week to send the Carpenters reports but I will send them forward next week. I am Sir with the Greatest Respect your Humble Sevt

          William Pearce