Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, September 1788
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
New York September 1788

Your Excellency’s friendly and obliging letter of the 28th Ulto came safely to hand. I thank you for your assurance of seconding my application to General Morgan. The truth of that affair is, that he purchased the watch for a trifle of a British soldier, who plundered Major Cochran at the moment of his fall at York Town.
I should be deeply pained my Dear Sir if your scruples in regard to a certain station should be matured into a resolution to decline it; though I am neither surprised at their existence nor can I but agree in opinion that the caution you observe in deferring an ultimate determination is prudent. I have however reflected maturely on the subject and have come to a conclusion, (in which I feel no hesitation) that every public and personal consideration will demand from you an acquiescence in what will certainly be the unanimous wish of your country. The absolute retreat which you meditated at the close of the late war was natural and proper. Had the government produced by the revolution gone on in a tolerable train, it would have been most adviseable to have persisted in that retreat. But I am clearly of opinion that the crisis which brought you again into public view left you no alternative but to comply—and I am equally clear in the opinion that you are by that act pledged to take a part in the execution of the government. I am not less convinced that the impression of this necessity of your filling the station in question is so universal that you run no risk of any uncandid imputation, by submitting to it. But even if this were not the case, a regard to your own reputation as well as to the public good, calls upon you in the strongest manner to run that risk.
It cannot be considered as a compliment to say that on your acceptance of the office of President the success of the new government in its commencement may materially depend. Your agency and influence will be not less important in preserving it from the future attacks of its enemies than they have been in recommending it in the first instance to the adoption of the people. Independent of all considerations drawn from this source the point of light in which you stand at home and abroad

will make an infinite difference in the respectability with which the government will begin its operations in the alternative of your being or not being at the head of it. I forbear to urge considerations which might have a more personal application—What I have said will suffice for the inferences I mean to draw.
First—In a matter so essential to the well being of society as the prosperity of a newly instituted government a citizen of so much consequence as yourself to its success has no option but to lend his services if called for—Permit me to say it would be inglorious in such a situation not to hazard the glory however great, which he might have previously acquired.
Secondly. Your signature to the proposed system pledges your judgment for its being such an one as upon the whole was worthy of the public approbation. If it should miscarry (as men commonly decide from success or the want of it) the blame will in all probability be laid on the system itself. And the framers of it will have to encounter the disrepute of having brought about a revolution in government, without substituting any thing that was worthy of the effort—They pulled down one Utopia, it will be said, to build up another. This view of the subject, if I mistake not my dear Sir will suggest to your mind greater hazard to that fame, which must be and ought to be dear to you, in refusing your future aid to the system than in affording it. I will only add that in my estimate of the matter that aid is indispensable.
I have taken the liberty to express these sentiments to lay before you my view of the subject—I doubt not the considerations mentioned have fully occurred to you, and I trust they will finally produce in your mind the same result, which exists in mine. I flatter myself the frankness with which I have delivered myself will not be displeasing to you. It has been prompted by motives which you would not disapprove. I remain My Dear Sir With the sincerest respect and regard Your Obd. & hum. serv.

A. Hamilton

The letter inclosed in yours was immediately forwarded.


Title: From George Washington to La Vallée, 1 October 1788
From: Washington, George
To: Chastel de La Vallée, ——

Sir,
Mount Vernon October 1st 1788

I have been duly honored with your letter dated in Philadelphia, accompanied by one from the Marqs de la Fayette and another from the Marqs de Bouille. Whensoever your affairs will induce you to make the visit you propose to Virginia, I shall be happy to be favored with your company at Mount Vernon and to bestow the attentions due to your merits and their recommendations.
I take the liberty of putting under cover to you a letter in acknowledgment of that from the Marqs de Bouille, which I request you will be pleased to forward to him with your Packets. With due consideration I am Dear Sir Your Most Obedt and Very humble Sert

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 2 October 1788
From: Washington, George
To: Biddle, Clement

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 2d Octr 1788.

Your letter of the 17th Ulto came duly to hand, and the one enclosed therein from Mr Dubey has received an answer. In my last letter to you I requested that you would not put yourself to any trouble in procuring Winter barley for me as I expected to get a supply from the brewer in Alexandria.
You will oblige me by forwarding the enclosed letter to Pittsburg—and also by informing me, in your next, at what rate I could procure a large quantity of red Clover Seed, say 3000 lb., of the best quality, to be delivered here before the River closes, or upon its first opening in the spring. If Mr Peters has got a Riddle (I believe it is) for cleaning Potatoes ready for me, you will be so good as to send it in the next packet that sails for Alexandria, and likewise the articles mentioned in the enclosed memorandum. With very great esteem, I am, Dear Sir, Yr Most Obedt Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 2 October 1788
From: Biddle, Clement
To: Washington, George

Philada October 2d 1788

I have to answer your favour of 16th Ulto. I had not Purchased the Winter Barley altho’ I had secured it in Case you had not provided it elsewhere—I have spared no Pains I have not been yet able to sell the Herrings & shad except a few Barrels by Retail but have the promise from two french Houses to take some for Hispaniola on the Course of this month & hope to get them off I expect to do this without any inconvenience to replace the small Balance now Due me & I have paid Mr Powell 13/4 for the Chair per his receipt to your Debit The Letter to Mr Smith at Carlisle was forwarded by the first post which now goes thro’ there to Pittsburg.

C. Biddle


Title: From George Washington to William Bird, 2 October 1788 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Bird, William

Letter not found: to William Bird, 2 Oct. 1788. As president and director of the Potowmack Company, GW signs a notice that the company is seeking a judgment against Bird for the indebtedness on Bird’s subscription to the company.


Title: To George Washington from Samuel Hanson, 2 October 1788
From: Hanson, Samuel (of Samuel)
To: Washington, George

Sir
Alexandria 2d October 1788

Agreeably to your desire I have examined into the State of the Boys Cloathes, and find they want as follows viz. George—1 pr common Shoes, 1 pr do for Dancing—2 pr common winter Stocks. & 1 pr of every-day Breeches. Lawrence—1 pr common

Shoes—2 pr coarse Stocks.—1 pr ditto Breeches—1 everyday Coat.
They desire me to request you will let them have Leather Breeches, which are to be had in this town, and would be much the cheapest in the end.
They have, both, wore their new Breeches almost constantly since they got them. I spoke to Lawrence abt it. He said his others wanted mending. I then informed him of your request that he would write to you to direct a Servant to call for them that they might be mended at Mount-Vernon. This, however, he has never done, tho I have urged him at four different times. From this information you will, I trust, conclude that no great rigour or fondness for chastisement, whatever he or his Brother may represent to the contrary, can be justly imputed to be Sir Your most respectful & much obliged humble Ser.

S. Hanson of Sam.


Title: To George Washington from Rochambeau, 5 October 1788 [letter not found]
From: Rochambeau, Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de
To: Washington, George

 Letter not found: from Rochambeau, 5 Oct. 1788. On 13 Oct. 1789 GW wrote to Rochambeau: “I have been honored with the receipt of your letter ... of the 5th October 1788.”


Title: To George Washington from William Irvine, 6 October 1788
From: Irvine, William
To: Washington, George

Sir
New York Octr 6th 1788

I do myself the honor to enclose a sketch of the waters of the Alleghany, which approach near to Lake Erie it is taken from an actual survey made by the persons who ran the line between the states of New York & Pennsylvania—These gentleman say that the main branch of the Alleghany falls in Pennsylvania and that there is only seven or eight miles land carriage between it and the heads of a branch of Susquehanna called Tioga which is navigable for large boats at most seasons. The navigation of

Carriages I know is much prefarable to French Creek. I have the honor to be with the highest respect—Sir Your Excellency’s Most obedient and Humble Servant

Wm Irving


Title: To George Washington from William Persse, 11 October 1788
From: Persse, William
To: Washington, George

Dr Sr
Roxburrow Near Loughrea Ireland Octr 11th 1788

Some time ago I mentioned to Sr Edwd Newenham my Intention of sending you some goosberry plants of a remarkable fine Line which I now send you by a ship from the Port of Galway, which is but sixteen miles from my place, I intended sending you some grass seeds, but our sumers are so uncertain I Could not get any this season fit to send.
It would give me particular pleasure to have it in my power to

Contribute to your rural Amusements it is the Line of Life I take the greatest pleasure in, & feel for those that delight in so plentifull & pleasing a study—it would make me extreamly Happy if you would mention to me any kinds of Corn or seeds you would wish to have I Could send them to you with the greatest Ease.
plant the goosberries in a rich deep soyle; put a good Deal of roten Dung into Each hole before you plant them keep them open in the Midle, dont allow to many Branches on a Tree, & the fruit will be very Large & fine, I have them as Large as Wallnuts, give them a North Aspect & as Little sun as you Can, but not the shade of Trees, I fear your Climate is to hot.
Sr Edwd Lady Newenham & Family are now here, also Mr Wallace who often mentions your name with the greatest gratitude, he often Entertains me with the plantifull situation of your place[.] Sir Edwd & I often Talk of Visiting America but I fear the Attention of our Families wont permit us, tho’ our wishes are to see it, it is the Country of all on Earth I long most to see, it would give me new life & Vigor to see the upright & Honest men of America give me leave Dr Sr to assure you, I have been in the Worst of Times your Wellwisher, & a Sincere Freind to the liberties of America, I have the Honor to be Dr Sr your sincere & afft. Huml. Servt

Willm Persse


Title: From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 15 October 1788
From: Washington, George
To: Biddle, Clement

Dear Sir
Mount Vernon Oct. 15th 1788.

The enclosed ought to have accompanied my last letter to you but in the hurry of making up my dispatches by the mail it was omitted. I am Dr Sir Yr Obedt Servt

Go: Washington

P.S. If the Black India Paduasoy’s are strong and lasting, Mrs Washington begs you will send her as much (of that which is good) as will make her a Gown without a Petticoat.

G.W.


Title: To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 16 October 1788
From: Biddle, Clement
To: Washington, George

Philada Octr 16. 1788

I am honored with yours of the 2d 6th & 13th Inst, the last of which this minute Came to hand, in which you mention having inclosed a Bank Note for 100Ds. but as no such Note was inclosed I conclude you must have omitted to put it in the Letter. if you have and any accident has happened as I presume it was a post Note (payable Certain Days after Date) it may [be] traced or Stopped at Bank if you have the Number—wch Kind do not bear Interest. The Potatoe Machine & all the Articles you have wrote for will come by Capt. Ellwood who sails the begining of

next Week. The Letter to the Care of Colo. Bayard (for Colo. Lewis) went by last post to Pittsburg as it was free of postage. Mr Haines tells me that a Cargo of Summer Barley from Rhode Island has been now sold at 4/6 & He thinks it probable that the price will be 4/9 shortly—the freight is about 9d. ⅌ Bushel—he also tells me that if you wish to make use of yours for seed Barley you may put for a short time in a tub of Water & Stir it, when the Oats and all the Bad grains of Barley will rise to the top & may be taken off; pour off the Water immediately & Sow the grain the same or the next day—by this mode you will have Clean barley for seed & all of it he says has more or less Oats in it. The Dealers in Red Clover seed Cannot yet fix their price nor Can it be got to advantage before winter when I think a large quantity may be Collected to ship by first Vessel on the Ice breaking up—I expect in a few Days to see a person from the Country who Can put me in the best way to get it & I will inform you immediately—It has been an Uncommon year for great abundanc of Grass. I am &ca

C. Biddle


Title: To George Washington from Embree & Shotwell, 17 October 1788
From: Embree & Shotwell
To: Washington, George

Respected Friend
New York 17th 10 mo. 1788

We duly Recd thine of 3d Inst. Have made Application to a person of Integrety in the Borders of Masachusetts, to know on what terms he can furnish the Quantity of Clover Seed thou mentions, from whom we hope an early Answer—We propose knowing the Terms from this Quarter on Account of the Quality

being better approved than almost any other, suppose the price will be about 9d. Specie ⅌lb.—possibly a little less—Be the Current price what it may we shall not exceed it—We doubtless shall be able to ship it by the time proposed, if early instructed by thee—The Money for the Seeds sent last year were punctually paid by Murray Mumford & Bowin. We are Respectfully Thy Obliged Friends

Embree & Shotwell


Title: From George Washington to Eliza Harriot O’Connor, 17 October 1788
From: Washington, George
To: O’Connor, Eliza Harriot

Madam,
Mount Vernon October 17th 1788

The letter with which you favored me, on the 7th inst. did not get to my hand till the 15th or it should have received an earlier acknowledgment. Whenever you can make it convenient and agreeable to visit Mount Vernon Mrs Washington and myself will take pleasure in shewing you every civility in our power.
Governor Johnston of No. Carolina is a Gentleman with whom I have not the honor of an acquaintance, nor one with whom I have had any intercourse by letter—therefore, consistantly with rules of propriety, I should find myself at a loss to address him on the subject of your request. To me, it would seem, that the evidence of those characters whose children have been under your tuition would be the best recommendation you could obtain (and is indeed necessary) without any particular address—At the foot of which I would readily add my concurrance, as far as I have knowledge or can be warranted. I am Madam Yrs &c.

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 18 October 1788
From: Washington, George
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon October 18th 1788

A day or two ago the enclosed letters came to my hands. The watch of Genl Morgan you have for what it cost him—what he expects for it is also signified. It is a repeater with a chaced outer case with open work in parts—The Inner case is open, nearly in the whole—It is of an old fraction make, and appears to have seen better days—perhaps its chief merits lay in being a family piece, perhaps I am mistaken it may possess intrinsic merit unknown to me; for silent it came to my hands; and silent it shall depart; having made no attempt to wind it up.
If a safe and direct conveyance presents itself I will forward it without waiting your orders—If not, say what shall be done with it—with very great esteem and regard I am dear Sir Yr Most Obedt & Very Hble Servant

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Brice McGeehon, 18 October 1788
From: McGeehon, Brice
To: Washington, George

Washington County [Pa.]
May it please your ExcellencyOctober the 18th 1788
I am one of those unfortunate people who first settled and Improved your land on Millers run, in this County: and the only surviving settler that yet lives upon your tract, I have a small family, and finds myself unable at present, either to pay rent, or purchase. I find my strength much exausted, and my health impared, by the fatigue and hard labour I underwent in makeing my first improvements here. and now I can see no alternative, but either Cast myself upon your Excellencys Clemincy and patronage, or expose myself and small family to all those evils which are the Sure and Constant attendants on indigence and want.
I have ventured to Choose the former, drawing the same

Conclusion of your Excellency, which the servants of the Assyrian monarch did of the Kings of Israel, that you are Mercifull: and therefore request that your Excellency may make me a donation of the Spott I have improven together with what number of acres you may deem expedient.
No doubt upon hearing this application, this Queerie will naturely suggest itself in your Excellencys mind; is this person one of those people who withstood me in a lawsuit for that land? I frankly acknowledge I am. When I first settled this spott, I was newly married, and began the world (as the saying is) and my improvement together under the Idea that the land was unappropriated. Under the same Idea, I carried on my improvements, Confiding, that the laws of my Country would protect and secure me in the possession of that which I had acquired by occupancy, I therefore risqued the lawsuit with your Excellency, and the event has proved that I was mistaken; and I now look up to you Excellencys goodness, for that, which was legaly taken from me, and vested in you, by the Laws of my Country.
The spot I occupy is situate on the south west corner of the tract, and I am of opinion, that should your Excellency Indulge me with a small quantity together with my improvement, the real quantity Called for by your patent will not be much, if any thing, affected thereby.
To Conclude Sir—If that goodness which has ever marked the Character and Conduct of your Excellency, Considers my situation, as a medium, thro’ which it can extend itself in giving relief to a distress’d parent and family, you will Comply with my request, and I shall ever pray, that an Indulgent Providence, may not let you feel that large Patrimony he has been pleased to Confer upon you any thing diminished by such an act of generousity.
I hope your Excellency will please to vouchsafe me an answer by the bearer. I am your Excellencys most obedt Humble Servant

Brice Mcgeehon


Title: From George Washington to Moustier, 18 October 1788
From: Washington, George
To: Moustier, Eléanor-François-Elie, comte de

⟨Sir,⟩
Mount Vernon Oct: 18th 1788

It was not until the last evening, that I had the pleasure of receiving the letter which your Excellency, did me the honor to write to me, on the 5th of this Month, from Boston. So that I could not have an opportunity of returning my acknowledgment, before the Post which will depart the 21st from Alexandria, to the Northward. I hope, however, it will be in time to meet you at New York, or on the road; with assurances, that I shall be at home at the period proposed and that I anticipate very great happiness from your intended visit. The Lady, who has taken so much interest in the New World as to honor it with her presence, may be assured t⟨hat⟩ I shall cordially rejoice in an occasion of demonstrating how welcome she ⟨is.⟩ I shall also expect that your Nephew ⟨and⟩ M. dupont will not fail to lay me ⟨under⟩ additional obligations, by being of your Party.
As I now promise myself, in ⟨so⟩ few days, to have the felicity of a pe⟨rso⟩nal acquaintance & oral communication with your Excellency I will not ⟨enlarge,⟩ at this time, any farther than to exp⟨ress⟩ an earnest hope, that you will, by ⟨tra⟩velling, have found repeated circumstances to convince you of the ge⟨neral⟩ good will of the Americans for yo⟨ur⟩ Nation. Be persuaded, Sir, the ⟨sligh⟩test suggestion, or the very suspicion ⟨that⟩ a few individuals had been want(ing) in respect to the representative of ⟨your⟩ Sovereign, would have excited ⟨an⟩ universal indignation against ⟨them⟩. Of the sincere desire which prev⟨ails⟩

throughout the United States to promote and extend the most liberal intercourse with France, on a footing of reciprocal advantage, I flatter myself, it would not be more difficult to adduce demonstrations; than of the profound respect and real esteem, with which I have the honor to be Sir, Your Excellency’s Most Obedient and Most Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Eliza Harriot O’Connor, 18 October 1788
From: O’Connor, Eliza Harriot
To: Washington, George

Sir
[Alexandria] Saturday Morng [18 October 1788]

I have this moment the honor of your Excellencies polite favor, and return my most sincere thanks to Mrs Washington and you for your polite invitation to Mount Vernon which nothing but my inability to obtain a carriage for that purpose obliges me to decline, as there is none to be hired in Town—It would be the height of my ambition exclusive of the honor I must feel in an acquaintance with Mrs Washington to take hers and your advice, upon some matters of very material consequence respecting my intended departure from Alexandria, which does not meet the approbation of the parents of my Children. I have the honor to be Sir Your Excellencies Much Obliged Hume Sert

Eliza Harriot O’Connor


Title: To George Washington from Robert R. Livingston, 21 October 1788
From: Livingston, Robert R.
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
New York 21. Octr 1788

It is very long since I have done myself the honor to write to you. The respect I had for your time induced me to restrain my inclination & confine my Letters to occassions on which I conceived

they might be of use—My brother designing to do himself the honor of paying you a vissit, affords me an opportunity of gratifying his wishes by introducing him to your Excellency, & my own, by the means it offers of congratulating you upon the great events which under your Excellencys Auspices have just taken place—Never I believe was such a revolution effected in so short a time and in so tranquil a manner—Which I attribute (under heaven) not only to a sense of the imperfections of our old constitution, but to the general confidence which people of every rank reposed in the virtues & ability of the man their common voice had designated to preside over the new one. When I look round me and consider the local & personal objections that might be offered to any other, I am ready to acknowlege, in your Excellencys health & popularity, the same providential attention to the happyness of this country, which was displayed by heaven, in the preservation of your life amidst the dangers of the late war—And I can not but hope that your civil administration will be equaly blessed with your late military command, & equaly conduce to your honor & the happiness of the community.
I have expressed no doubt of your acceptance of the station to which you will shortly be called, because I persuade myself, that no motives of private ease, or personal convenience will weigh with you when the great interests of the community require your service.
An important revolution is probably about to take place in France which if the proposed reforms are effected will render her extreamly powerful, her resources are great, but this can never be commanded in any but a free country. I am sorrey to find our freind DeLafayette has incurred the displeasure of his sovereign, and the more so as I believe he has mistaken on this occasion the true interests of the nation. Mr Necker is again called to the administration of the finances, which either proves that the king does not want ⟨illegible⟩ment in the choice of ministers, or that the sentiments of the people have acquired some influence over the opinion of the court.
permit me Sir to request you to present my most respectful comps. to Mrs Washington, and to express the pleasure which Mrs Livingston & myself feel in the hope of seeing her & your

Excellency here. I have the honor to be Dr Sir with the sincerest esteem & respect Yr Excellencys Most Obt & Hum. Servt

R. R. Livingston


Title: To George Washington from James Madison, 21 October 1788
From: Madison, James
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
N. York Ocr 21.88

I send you the inclosed paper chiefly for the sake of the Edict which fixes on May for the meeting of the States general in France. Letters from Mr Jefferson authenticate this document. They mention also the disgrace as it is called of the Marquis. The struggle at present in that Kingdom seems to be entirely between the Monarchy & aristocracy, and the hopes of the people merely in the competition of their enemies for their favor. It is probable however that both the parties contain real friends to liberty who will make events subservient to their object.
The Count Moutier & the Marchioness Brehan are to set out this day for Mount Vernon. I take it for granted you are not only apprized of the intended visit, but of the time at which the guests may be expected.
The State of Connecticut has made choice of Docr Johnson and Mr Elseworth for its Senators, and have referred that of its representatives to the people at large, every individual Citizen to vote for every Representative.
I have not heretofore acknowledged your last favor, nothing material having turned up for some time, and the purpose of Col. Carrington to see you on his way to Virginia superseding all the ordinary communications through the epistolary channel. It gives me much pleasure to find that both the opposition at first and finally the accession to the vote fixing N. york for the first meeting of the new Congress has your approbation. My fears that the measure would be made a handle of by the opposition are confirmed in some degree by my late information from Virga. Mr Pendleton the Chancellor tells me he has already met taunts from that quarter on this specimen of Eastern

equity & impartiality. Whether much noise will [be] made will depend on the policy which Mr Henry may find it convenient to adopt. As N. York is at the head of his party, he may be induced by that circumstance not to make irritating reflections; though the fact is that the party in this which is with him are supposed to be indifferent & even secretly averse to the residence of Congress here. This however may not be known to him. I am Dear Sir yours most respectfully & Affectly

Js Madison Jr


Title: To George Washington from John Mary, 21 October 1788
From: Mary, John
To: Washington, George

Sir
Philadelphia October 21st 1788.

I took the liberty to write some time ago to your honour to beg of you to recommend me as a french instructor to the University, which goes by your name. My terms would be as reasonable as possible 50. guineas per annum & my lodging in the College.
I have compiled a grammar, which by its simplicity will render the language easy to learn.
If said University should not chuse to maintain a french instructor, as there are many persons of abilities in the part your honour inhabits, if you would be Kind enough to speak for me to some of them, i should be forever very thankful.
I can teach english, french, writing & arithmetick.
Your honour will surely recollect the time i was at New Windsor, where you Kept your quarters, about flour for the french navy i had undertaken to provide with a certain quantity. I lost by this 4000. dollars, the british having taken from me two boats loaded with part of said flour, so that i have no other resource to get an honest living, but to profit of the education my father has given me, & as i Know how much your honour is inclined to be useful to the french, i made bold to make application to you. You are sensible, Sir, that the more the french language will be introduced in the Continent, the more advantageous it will be for both nations.
I beseech your honour to give me an answer & to direct it at the Coffeehouse. I am with great respect Sir Of your honour’s Most obedient & humble servant

John Marylate secretary to the Consul generalof France under M. Gerard’s orders.


Title: To George Washington from Peters & Company, 21 October 1788
From: Peters & Company
To: Washington, George

Sir
Baltim. Octr 21st 88

We received your favour of 16th Sepr and request your Pardon for not Answering it sooner, You have not mention’d what quantity of Barley you have or it’s Weight which would have enabled us to judge what price to offer for it, the Cash price we have given has been from 3/9 to 4/ for Barley weighing from 47 lb. to 49 lb. per Bushell which has been the price given in Philadelphia—It would not by any means suite us to take the Barley from your Landing as it is Totally out of our line in business but if it is agreeable to you to send it here We will give you 4/6d. if it weighs from 48 to 50 lbs. per Bushl and so in proportion if less, on condition you will give us Six Months Creditt for the amount, and you may rest assurd we will be punctual to the time agreed on the reason we cannot purchase it on any other Termes is we have expended most of our Cash in the purchase of a large Stock of Barley now on hand, and owing to the great Scarcity of

Money we have a large Stock of last Years Beer yet unsold Should our present Termes be acceptabl we shall the next Season be prepaird to remitt you Cash for your Crop, and as our demands ⟨illegible⟩ increase and from the Liberal price we give for Barley hope it will induce you to raise all you can and be assurd we shall take all you can make your an⟨swer⟩ will much oblige Your most Obt Humbe

Peters & Co.


Title: To George Washington from Garrett Cottringer, 22 October 1788 [letter not found]
From: Cottringer, Garrett
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Garrett Cottringer, 22 Oct. 1788. On 15 Jan. 1789 GW wrote to Cottringer: “Your letter of the 22d of October, having with some others been mis-laid. . . .”


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Montgomerie, 22 October 1788 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Montgomerie, Thomas

 Letter not found: to Thomas Montgomerie, 22 Oct. 1788. On 24 Oct. Montgomerie wrote to GW: “I duely received your letter of the 22d Instant.”


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Montgomerie, 24 October 1788
From: Montgomerie, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Dumfries [Va.] 24th October 1788

I duely received your letter of the 22d Instant—I can have no objection to a review of the settlement made with the Executors of Colo. Colvill—I could have wished that you had named a day to meet at Alexandria on this business, I would have made any day convenent that should have been agreeable to you—you desire a short day—I therefore beg leave to name Monday the 3d of Novemr next—It is necessary however to carry Mr Wilson along, and in case there should be any very urgent business to prevent his attending at that time, I have wrote him by this post to advise your Excellency so, and to crave a few days longer, to which I will readily accede, should it be agreeable and convenient to you, in respect to which I shall be informed by Mr Wilson.
I intended, in every event, to have wrote your Excellency by this post, in regard to the payment of the Bond given by Mr Adam Stewart Cumberland Wilson and myself to Colvill’s Excrs, but as I shall so soon have the pleasure of a personal interview, I shall delay taking up the subject till that period, and the final adjustment of the Accounts—I have the honor to be with great regard and respect Dear Sir Your most Obt Hume Servt

Thos Montgomerie


Title: To George Washington from Joseph Mandrillon, 25 October 1788
From: Mandrillon, Joseph
To: Washington, George

My General,
Amsterdam 25th Octr 1788

I had the honor to send your Excellency some months ago a specimen of my last work under the title of Literary and Political Fragments during a journey to Berlin. It was to have been forwarded to you, my General, by——Boinod, bookseller in Philadelphia. I wish that the new homage which I have rendered with so much pleasure to your exalted merit, may interest you.
Your Excellency will see that I have added some new sketches to your Elogy. But I feel that my efforts will never be equal to the subject; and I hope your Excellency will rather judge me by my intentions than by the execution.
I take the advantage of putting this under the cover of Mr Praegers of Philadelphia, my correspondent. I have received great pleasure from my personal acquaintance with him, by his giving me much information respecting your Excellency whose admirer he is no less than my self. He dwells upon the civilities which you shewed him while he was in Your Country. This young man is Of a very rich & respectable family—he has, himself talents which render him interesting, and I am pleased to do him this justice to Your Excellency.

I have had your portrait, my General, for several years, which I always carry with me; I have shewn it to Mr Praegers who does not think it a sufficiently good resemblance for a person who cherishes it so much as I do. He has promised to get me a better one, and you may Conceive, my General, how much I shall rejoice in possessing an exact likeness of you, since I never had the happiness of enjoying your presence.
I wish Your Excellency may know the ⟨Zeal⟩ which I have to prove the unalterable sentiments of devotion & respect with which I have the honor to be My General, Your very Hble and Very Obedt Servt

Jh Mandrillon


Title: To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 26 October 1788
From: Biddle, Clement
To: Washington, George

[Philadelphia] October 26th 1788

Herewith you have Invoice & Bill of Lading for sundries shipped for your Account by Capt. Ellwood who saild from here the 24th Inst, for Alexandria—he has a Certificate with him of the Porter[,] Potatoe Machine & Fan Riddles being American Manufacture the other articles being foreign Must be entered for Duty—I could not meet with two pieces of fine Linen to please me but hope I may to send by Captain Ingraham’s Brig who sails this week for Alexandria & by her shall send a Bundle of Plate Iron for plow Mold omitted. Mrs Morris sent a ps. of Black India Sattin for Mrs Washington which Mrs Biddle thinks may supersede the Order for the Paduasoy & advises that I omit sending it til I can have Mrs Washington’s determination—Mrs Biddle also says that the china Lute strings which are very good and better than a Ducape  are here prefered to paduasoys which are however very good—the piece of Sattin is in Capt. Ellwoods particular Care to deliver. My Endeavours to

sell the herrings have not yet met with success but the present season I think will soon bring it about—The Bank Note for 100Ds. Came safe & is to your Credit—have not yet been able to get the necessary information respecting the Cloverseed but shall very soon.

C. Biddle


Title: From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 26 October 1788
From: Washington, George
To: Lincoln, Benjamin

My dear Sir,
Mount Vernon Oct: 26th 1788

I have been lately favored with the receipt of your letters of the 24th and 30th of September, with their enclosure, & thank you sincerely for your free & friendly communications.
As the period is now rapidly approaching which must decide the fate of the new Constitution as to the manner of its being carried into execution & probably as to its usefulness, it is not wonderful that we should all feel an unusual degree of anxiety on the occasion. I must acknowledge my fears have been greatly, but still I am not without hopes. From the good beginning that has been made in Pensylvania a State from which much was to be feared, I cannot help foreboding well of the others. That is to say, I flatter myself a majority of them will appoint fœderal Members to the several branches of the New Government. I hardly should think that Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, South Carolina & Georgia, would be for attempting premature amendments. Some of the rest may, also, in all probability be apprehensive of throwing our affairs into confusion, by such ill-timed expedients. There will, however, be no room for the advocates of the Constitution to relax in their exertions; for if they should be lulled into security, appointments

of Antifœderal men may probably take place; and the consequences, which you so justly dread, be realised. Our Assembly is now in session; it is represented to be rather antifœderal, but we have heard nothing of its doings. Mr Patrick Henry, R. H. Lee & Madison are talked of for the Senate. Perhaps as much opposition, or, in other words, as great an effort for early amendments, is to be apprehended from this State, as from any but New York. The constant report is, that North Carolina will soon accede to the New Union. A New Assembly is just elected in Maryland, in which it is asserted the number of Fœderalists greatly predominates; and that being the case, we may look for favorable appointments, in spite of the rancour & activity of a few discontented, and I may say apparently unprincipled men.
I would willingly pass over in silence that part of your letter, in which you mention the persons who are Candidates for the two first offices in the Executive, if I did not fear the omission might seem to betray a want of confidence. Motives of delicasy have prevented me hitherto from conversing or writing on this Subject, when ever I could avoid it with decency. I may, however, with great sincerity & I believe without offending against modesty or propriety, say to you that I most heartily wish the choice to which you allude might not fall upon me: and that, if it should, I must reserve to my self the right of making up my final decision, at the last moment when it can be no longer postponed; when all the circumstances can be brought into one view, & when the expediency & inexpediency of a refusal can be more judiciously determined than at present. But be assured, my dear Sir, if from any inducement I shall be persuaded ultimately to accept, it will not be (so far as I know my own heart) from any of a private or personal nature. Every personal consideration conspires to rivet me (if I may use the expression) to retirement. At my time of life and under my circumstances, nothing in this world can ever draw me from it, unless it be a conviction that the partiality of my Countrymen had made my services absolutely necessary, joined to a fear that my refusal might induce a belief that I prefered the conservation of my own reputation & private ease to the good of my Country. After all, if I should conceive my self in a manner constrained to accept,

I call Heaven to witness, that this very act would be the greatest sacrafice of my personal feelings & wishes that ever I have been called upon to make. It would be to fore go repose and domestic enjoyment; for trouble, perhaps; for public obloquy: for I should consider myself as entering upon an unexplored field, enveloped on every side with clouds & darkness.
From this embarrassing situation, I had naturally supposed that my declarations at the close of the War would have saved me; and that my sincere intentions, then publicly made known, would have effectually precluded me for ever afterwards from being looked upon as a candidate for any Office. This hope, as a last anchor of worldly happiness in old age, I had still carefully preserved; untill the public papers & private letters from my Corrispondents in almost every quarter, taught me to apprehend that I might soon be obliged to answer the question, whether I would go again into public, or not?
You will see, My dear Sir, from this train of reflections, that I have lately had enough of my own perplexities to think of, without adverting much to the affairs of others. So much have I been otherwise occupied, and so little agency did I wish to have in electioneering, that I have never entered into a single discussion with any person, nor expressed a single sentiment orally or in writing respecting the appointment of a Vice-President. From the extent & respectability of Massachusetts it might reasonably be expected that he would be chosen from that State. But having taken it for granted, that the person selected for that important place would be a true Fœderalist; in that case, I was altogether disposed to acquiesce in the prevailing sentiments of the Electors without giving any unbecoming preference or incurring any unnecessary ill-will. Since it here seems proper to touch a little more fully upon that point, I will frankly give you my manner of thinking; and what, under certain circumstances, would be my manner of acting. For this purpose I must speak again hypothetically for argument sake & say, supposing I should be appointed to the Administration & supposing I should accept it, I most solemnly declare, that whosoever shall be found to enjoy the confidence of the States so far as to be elected Vice President, cannot be disagreeable to me, in that Office. And even if I had any predeliction, I flatter myself, I

possess patriotism enough to sacrafice it as the shrine of My Country; where, it will be unavoidably necessary for me to have made infinitely greater sacrafices, before I can find myself in the supposed predicament—that is to say—before I can be connected with others, in any possible political relation. In truth I believe that I have no prejudices on this subject; and that it would not be in the power of any evil-minded persons, who wished to disturb the harmony of those connected in the government, to infuse them into my mind. For, to continue the same hypothesis one step farther, supposing myself to be connected in Office with any Gentleman of character, I would most certainly treat him with perfect sincerity and the greatest candour in every respect. I would give him my full confidence & use my utmost endeavours to co-operate with him, in promoting & rendering permanent the national prosperity—this should be my great—my only aim—under the fixed & irrevocable resolution of leaving to other hands the helm of the State, as soon as my services could possibly with propriety be dispensed with.
I have thus, my dear Sir, insensibly been led into a longer detail than I intended; and have used more egotism than I could have wished—for which I urge no other apology, but my opinion of your friendship, discretion and candour. With sentiments of real esteem & regard I am—My dear Sir, Your Most Obedt & Affecte Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Mathew Carey, 27 October 1788
From: Washington, George
To: Carey, Mathew

Sir,
Mount Vernon Oct. 27th 1788.

In reply to yours of the 20th of this month, I have to observe, that the fragment of the letter in question, supposed to be written by me, is spurious; and that there was a Pamphlet containing a great many letters of the same description published, in New York, at the same time. It should farther be observed that this publication was made soon after several of my letters were really intercepted with the Mail and that the pretended copies of them not only blended many truths with many falsehoods, but were evidently written by some person exceedingly well acquainted with my domestic & general concerns. Advantage was adroitly taken of this knowledge to give the greater appearance of probability to the fiction.
From these circumstances you will perceive, Sir, how prudently you have acted in making an application to me previous to your meditated republication. Otherwise, I might have found myself under the necessity of denying that they were genuine; from an apprehension, that being thus preserved in a manner under my own eye and with my acquiescence, they must have assumed the seal of veracity in the estimation of Posterity. For whatever credit some of those letters might be thought to have done to my literary or political talents, I certainly cannot choose to avail myself of the imposition. With due regard I am—Sir Yr Most Obed. Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from John Dandridge, 27 October 1788
From: Dandridge, John
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Richmond Octr 27th 88.

I take the liberty of drawing your attention a little to the subject of the Debt due you from my Fathers Estate—I have now in my possession a tract of Land in Gloucester County, entirely level, situate on the navigable waters of north river, but a small distance from the Bay & containing four hundred acres: The soil is very rich & strong—It was sold under a mortgage, to my Father, foreclosed, & I became the purchasor of necessity—I have also the balance of a Tract of land of about 1400 acres, situate on Elkhorn creek, in Fayette county & the soil of the best quality, besides a considerable quantity of meadow land—Now, Sir, the present situation of trade & commerce, internal as well as foreign is such, & such the exhausted state of our currency from the former & continued extravagance of Individuals, that

no one who deals in that way, can give the value of these lands in money: Any kind of exchange would be leaving me in the same situation, if no worse: Wherefore unless a crediter will take them I know not what I can do—Either of the Tracts I should suppose to be worth one thousand pounds; the first I am sure is—The purpose of this Letter is to know if either of them will answer your convenience—If they will, I shall be very happy to make a conveyance according to your directions at any time.
You will be so good as to present my affecte duty to my Aunt, my love to my Sister & Cousins & respect to the Major. I am Sir, with respectful Esteem, Yr Sert

Jn Dandridge


Title: To George Washington from Mark Prager, Sr., 27 October 1788
From: Prager, Mark Sr.
To: Washington, George

Sir
Amsterdam 27 Octr 1788

A Friend of mine in this place requests me to forward the inclosed. I embrace this opportunity to assure His Excellency and Lady of my best respects.
I fear the Last Garden Seeds did not answer my Expectations, as I have been informed that Several Seeds which have been purchased here by the Gardiner of Whom I had the pleasure of forwarding to Your Excy the Seeds previous to my departure from Philadelphia did not Succeed, as my Business will Keep me at Least a 12 month Longer in Europe A Line will afford me the Satisfaction to obey Your Excellency’s Commands.

With the Greatest Attention I will be happy if His Excy puts it in my power that I might be Serviceable in Any Way. I have the Honor to Subscribe my Self Respectfully Sir Your most obliged and most obedient Servant

Mark Prager Senior

Any Letter to me Will be Carefully forward by my Partners in Philadelphia.


Title: To George Washington from William Wilson, 27 October 1788
From: Wilson, William
To: Washington, George

Sir
Alexandria 27th October 1788

Upon my return from Annapolis last night I received a letter from Mr T. Montgomerie, informing me, that you had wrote him to meet you at this place for the purpose of Settling Mr Semple’s Accots with the Executors of Coll Colville and that he had accordingly named Monday the 3d of next month for the meeting In case I could attend on that day—It unluckily happens that I am under a necessity of being then at Richmond, where business may detain me for ten days longer, consequently it will be out of my power to attend—But I will be back by the 20th of next month and if it will be agreeable to your excellency to put off the meeting untill then I shall be prepared—I request the favor of an answer by the Bearer, that I may communicate Your determination to Mr Montgomerie by to morrow’s Post. I am very respectfully Sir Your Mo. Obedt Sert

Wm Wilson


Title: To George Washington from William Gordon, 28 October–1 November 1788
From: Gordon, William
To: Washington, George

My Dear Sir
London Ocr 28[–1 Nov.] 1788

The leisure I have enjoyed for a few weeks past, has enabled me to look over my letters, from which I have learned that your remittance was for forty two sets. They will be sent accordingly

to your Excellency the first opportunity that offers. The plates I expect will be finished this week: have sent a specimen of the maps & plans already wrought off. If you should observe any material errors, pray you to inform me of the same, that they may be corrected in future impressions. There are to be beside—a general map of the United States—a map of North & South Carolina with a part of Georgia—a map of Vermont, Hampshire, the Main, and lower than Albany—a map of the part of Virginia which was the seat of war—& a map of York Island & part of Long Island. I unexpectedly heard of the present opportunity by the way of New York, & must decline the pleasure of enlarging that I may be in time for the bag. Mrs Gordon joins most sincerely in affectionate regards to Your Excellency, your Lady & other friends with my Dear Sir Your most obedient humble servant

William Gordon

Nov. 1 The delay of the bag has given me the opportunity of adding the maps of the United States, & of New Hampshire &c.


Title: To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., 28 October 1788
From: Trumbull, Jonathan Jr.
To: Washington, George

My Dear Genl
Lebanon [Conn.] 28th October 1788

Nothing worthy of your notice having fallen in my Way to communicate, since the receipt of your very esteemed favor of the 20th July—I have forbore to trouble you with my acknowlegments therefor until this time. I can now inform—That the Genl Assembly of this State has lately been in session for a few Days. After passing some resolves for organizing the Congress under the new Constitution, & doing but little other business they were adjourned to Janry—the time for appointing Electors. this appointment the Assembly have retained in their own power—thinkg it more likely to be exercised with Judgment & discretion by the legislature, than it would probably be, was n⟨ot⟩ to be entrusted to the people at large. Our Senators are The Hono. Wm Saml Johnson & Oliver Ellsworth Esqrs.—two very worthy & respectable Members. The Representatives are

to be chosen by the people before Janry next in a mode very similar to that by which our Assistants & Delegates to Congress have been won’t to be Elected.
The circular Letter from the Convention of the State of N. York, being among the Letters which the Govr laid before the Assembly—had of course a reading among the other public communications—this was all that passed respecting it—for—altho we had in our Assembly the Champion of our Antis with some of his principal Aides, yet no one had hardiness enough to call up the consideration of that Letter, or to mention one word of its subject—thus passed, in silent review, that formidable communication.
Excepting a few—very few discordant Souls, whose unharmonious principles will never suffer them to act in general concert—we continue very unanimous in sentiment & salutary measures in this State; and are progressing with much cheerfulness & great good humour to the commencement of the new Constitution. In the Choice of a President, we have I believe, no discordant Voice: all minds are agreed; & evry heart exults in the pleasing prospect of having their wishes so nobly gratified in this first great Appointment.
I wish the States were like to be as happily unanimous in their Vice President—for myself—since our minds seem so much to be turned towards Massachusetts for filling that Office—& since Mr Adams is so much talked of as One, if not the first, of the supreme fœderal Court—I could wish to hear the Name of Mr Bowdoin more generally mentioned than it is for the Vice Presidency—from a long knowlege of this Gentleman, in private as well as in public Life, I am led to entertain a high veneration for his character. I view him as a Gentleman of liberal Sentiments, extensive knowlege & enlarged Mind—a Gentleman to whose wise, firm & determined exertions, during the late troubles in Massachusetts; much more than to the studied popularity of their present Governor; is owing the happy tranquility which that State now enjoys. It would afford me much satisfaction to reflect on the Aid & support which you my Dear Sir, would receive from the Wisdom, Prudence & Discretion of such a Character, in the arduous situation to which you will—you must be, advanced.
If my friend Humphryes continues to reside with you Sir—I

mention this circumstance with doubt, because from his long silence & reserve many of his friends consider him to be dead or absconded—if he should prove to be still with you—may I pray your Excellency to be so good as to mention to him the kind remembrance of his old friend T——& whisper in his Ear—that if he should find himself not too fat—or too indolent—his friend will be much pleased in hearing from him—or at least in hearing of him. With sentiments of the highest Esteem respect & regard—I have the honor to be My Dear General—Your very affectionate—Obliged & faithfull Friend—& humble Servant

Jona. Trumbull


Title: To George Washington from Charles Lee, 29 October 1788
From: Lee, Charles
To: Washington, George

Sir
Richmond 29th October 1788

For a few days past the Assembly has been engaged upon the subject of the federal constitution: The house of delegates in committee has come to several resolutions with respect to putting it into operation. One of them distributes the commonwealth into ten districts each of which is to choose a representative in Congress, and another appoints that there shall be twelve districts each of which is to choose an Elector of the President, and every free man is at this election to have a vote. These matters were introduced by Mr Corbin who seems to me not to have the confidence even of those who are friends to the fair trial of the new government and as they have made but small progress, I cannot tell what will become of them. For Mr Henry to day took occasion to declare that he should oppose every measure tending to the organization of the government unless accompanied with measures for the amendment of the Constitution for which purpose he proposes that another General Convention of deputies from the different states shall be held as soon as practicable. He offered to the Committee of the whole house several resolutions to be agreed to upon this point, one of them that the Legislature of Virginia should apply to the new Congress expressive of the desire of this state that another General Convention be immediately held to amend the constitution—The language of this resolution contains a direct and indecent censure on all those who have befriended the new constitution holding them forth as the betrayers of the dearest rights of the people—Applying to the constitution these words are used “whereby the most precious rights of the people if not cancelled are rendered insecure.” With some difficulty and after much entreaty Mr Henry conceded (I use his expression) to suffer the resolution to lie on the table for consideration till tomorrow. Mr Corbin who spoke several times but never against

the resolution concluded with saying that the resolution as proposed was unobjectionable and Zach. Johnson was the only member who declared his disapprobation in positive terms. If Mr Henry pleases he will carry the resolution in its present terms, than which none in my opinion can be more exceptionable or inflamatory, though as he is sometimes kind and condescending, he may perhaps be induced to alter it. The other resolution proposed that a committee should be appointed, to answer the circular letter of New York and in conformity with the object of that letter, to address the assemblies of the other states.
I am told Mr Henry has publickly said that no person who wishes the constitution to be amended should vote for Mr Madison to be in the senate, and there is much reason to fear he will not be elected. Col. R.H. Lee is considered as certain—and Col. Grayson is expected to be the choice of the Senate.
Mr Mayo has completed his bridge, & the greater part is strong and substantial; and this is now the common passage for waggons chariots &c. across the river —you will please to pardon the abrupt manner of my communication as I have been much fatigued with the business of the court, and have been much chagrined with the conduct of the federalists in the assembly who seem in general to stand in fear of their opponents. I remain with every consideration of respect and esteem sir your most obed. hble sert

Charles Lee


Title: To George Washington from John Woddrop, 29 October 1788
From: Woddrop, John
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Glasgow, the 29th day of October, 1788.

Since the 28th of November, the last year, think I did myself the honour for to write to your Excellency; by different opportunitys of some of the Glasgow Ships: bound to the State of Virginia.
And the letters, went under cover to John Buckley, Esquire, Clerk to the house of Delegates, in Virginia. I do refer your Excellency, to these letters, and also, I do beg leave for to refer, the Honb. Richard Henry Lee, &ca and the other Gentlemen,

your own & his friends, to these said letters, &ca. I can only now add to them, at this time the same disposition not only continues, but truly does increase, in numbers of people inclining for to come out, and settle in Virginia, &ca notwithstanding the many settlements making in Islands, on the coast of Scotland, by errecting towns, and different Stages, for the fishing. I have advice so late, as the 2d of this month from the spots, Vizt from Stornoway, & the Island of Mull.
The Ling, Cod, & Tuck Fish, is Fifteen Pounds Sterg the Ton Weight, for Export, this present year, & it was thought, that it would be the same price the next year.
When I may have the honour for to receive a letter from your Excellency. All due attention will be observed by me, to the fulfilling of the commands in the contents of your Excellencys said letter to me.
With the most becoming, and justly merited Esteem, pure regard, and perfect respect, To you, Sir, to the Gentlemen, in the Circle of your Excellencys very Honourable Acquaintance. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your Most Obedient, and Most Humble Servant,

John Woddrop.


Title: To George Washington from Battaile Muse, 1 November 1788
From: Muse, Battaile
To: Washington, George

Honorable Sir,
Alexandria Novr 1st 1788

If my waggone Comes to this Place Next Friday—or before, as I have directed—I Shall waite on you For Colo. Fairfaxes Desk and Papers—I have no order for them—the Executors said it was not Necessary—as my Power of attorney was Sufficient

To Call for them—If you think it Necessary To List the Papers I Shall be Glad it Could be done before I Come down—Should any accident Prevent my going To Mount vernon the Last of Next week I Shall be down as Soon as Possable—If necessary Please write to me at this Place by my Servant—I am too unwell To ride or I should have waited on you this Day—I am Sir yr Hble Servt

Battaile Muse


Title: To George Washington from William Pierce, 1 November 1788
From: Pierce, William
To: Washington, George

Sir
Savannah Novr 1st 1788.

As the time is appointed for the operation of our new Government, and as the attention of every one is turned towards you as President, I hope it will not be considered as premature and improper to solicit your notice in the appointment of a Collector for the Port of Savannah. I feel myself adequate to the faithful discharge of that Office, and having established my principal interest here, I trust I may be thought worthy of it.
My sincere, and respectful good wishes attend you through life. I have the honor to be sir Your most obedient and most humble servt

Wm Pierce


Title: To George Washington from Philemon Downes, 3 November 1788
From: Downes, Philemon
To: Washington, George

Caroline County, Eastern shore of Maryland
Sir,3 November 1788
When a man have lived beyond what may be called the Middle Stage of Life, partly as a Recluse, and being defrauded of his Living at that Stage; lays a Stranger under Manifest imbarisments in making his Applications to those whom he may hope for employment to Precure bread for a Distressed Wife and Children; Such is the unhappy situation of your now humble Petitioner. It being the general received opinion that your Excellency will be Appointed to the Presidency of the now happy ratified Federal Government, emboldens me to lay those my Present Sircumstances before you, Nothing doubting but that some little attention will be paid to them by your goodness when I assure you (tho a strainger to your Excellency) that nothing but Absolute Necessity compels the measure, for which intrudement I must begg your Pardon. It is my wish and desire

to be a useful Citizen, as far as ability of body will permit. My chief employment the greater part of my life, has been in writing and Accompts which I Profess to kno’ something off, and which I am willing to engage in, in some Publick employment to Precure bread for my little family; I therefore hope your Excellency will not think me an insolent intruder, nor Premeture in applying when I humbly solicit your goodness for some place of employ under the Federal Government, that may be in my power to execute, in order to Precure the Necessarys of life, in which I should exert all my abilities to give a general satisfaction both to my employer and fellow Citizens—I do not Pretend to Aspire to any great office; this, if I am happy enough to meet with your Excellencys approbation I shall leave to your goodness, and shall seriously hope to hear that I may be admitted as a labourer in your Vine-Yard. As I am a Strainger to your Excellency, and ^haps all these Gentlemen with whom I have any Acquaintance may be also; This I can venture to inform you off, and can Produce undeniable Testimony for your Excellencys satisfaction, That I have had the honor, and still am a Magistrate in the County of my Residence, also, One of the Judges of the Orphans Court, as well as Commissioner of the Publick Tax, to which I add a Commission in the Militia, If your Excellency should think those recommodations Sufficient to entitle me to your honors approbation, I shall think myself happy to have the honor of Presenting them to you. I am Sir Your Excellencys Most Obediant Humble Servant

Philemon Downes


Title: To George Washington from David Griffith, 3 November 1788
From: Griffith, David
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir,
Fairfax Glebe [Va.] 3rd Novr 1788

Being much in want of Money to furnish my family with the necessary Winter clothing, my Son waits on you for your Pewrent (£5) which was due the 1st day of August last. With respectful

compliments to Mrs Washington, I am, Dr Sir, Your most huble Servt

David Griffith


Title: To George Washington from David Stuart, 3 November 1788 [letter not found]
From: Stuart, David
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from David Stuart, 3 Nov. 1788. On 10 Nov. GW wrote to Stuart: “Your letter of the 3d came duly to hand.”


Title: To George Washington from William Duer, 4 November 1788
From: Duer, William
To: Washington, George

Sir
New York Novr 4th 1788

Mr Warville who will do me Favor of presenting this Letter, has been particularly introduced to Colo. Wadsworth, Colo. Hamilton, and myself, by our Freinds in France, as a Gentleman truly attach’d to the Interests of this Country, and capable, from his Talents, of making such a Representation of our present State, and future Prospects, as may Efface the unfavorable Impressions, which the Policy of other Countries is industriously making, against our National Character—To Enable him to Effect this Point I have, as far as it lay within my Power, furnished him with all the Information, I have been able to obtain—as to the Resources of the Country, and the Character, and Sentiments of the People in those States, where I am best acquainted: but as it does not Extend as fully as I could wish to the Southern States, I have taken the Liberty to assure him that he would Experience every disposition on the part of yourself to augment the Stock of useful Information, which he Is already possest of—Colo. Hamilton, who is at present at Albany proposed to have written by Mr Warville; but having left Town suddenly, I take the Liberty of acting as his Substitute—I have the more Pleasure of doing it, as it affords me an Opportunity of Expressing my ardent Wishes for your Health and Happiness, and of assuring you, that I shall at all Times consider myself Your Obliged, and devoted Humble Servt

Wm Duer


Title: From George Washington to Du Buat, 5 November 1788
From: Washington, George
To: Du Buat, Pierre-Louis-Georges

Sir,
Mount Vernon November 5th 1788

I have had the honor to receive your two books upon Hydrolicks which you were so polite as to transmit to me through the hands of M. de la Tombe. The general utility of this subject renders it highly worthy the attention of those who have a taste

for Physics, and are desireous of promoting the interests of society.
Although I have not yet had time to peruse your books having received them but a few days since yet I promise myself much satisfaction and information from them, and must beg you, Sir, to accept of my best thanks for them, and must beg you, Sir, to accept of my best thanks for your polite attention in sending them to me. With due respect, I have the honor to be Yr most Obedt Hbe Sert

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from James Madison, 5 November 1788
From: Madison, James
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
N. York Novr 5th 1788

The inclosed memorandum was put into my hands by Mr St John the French Consul. He is a very worthy man & entitled by

his philanthropy and zealous patronage of whatever he deems useful, to much esteem and regard. You will therefore oblige me by putting it in my power to afford him the little gratification he asks. I have another request to trouble you with, which concerns myself. Col. H. Lee tells me that he has purchased the tract of land thro’ which the Canal at the great falls is to run, and on which the bason will be, for £4000. The tract contains 500 Acres only and is under the incumbrance of a rent of £150 Sterlg per annum; but on the other hand derives from its situation, as he supposes, a certain prospect of becoming immensely valuable. He paints it in short as the seat of an early Town, the lots of which will be immediately productive, and possessing other peculiar advantages which make the bargain inestimable. In addition to many instances of his friendship he tenders me a part in it, and urges my acceptance on grounds of advantage to myself alone. I am thoroughly persuaded that I am indebted for the proposal to the most disinterested and affectionate motives, but knowing that the fervor with which he pursues his objects sometimes affects the estimate he forms of them, and being in no condition to make hazardous experiments, it is adviseable for me to have the sanction of other judgments to his opinions. You are well acquainted with the situation and can at once decide whether it presents the material and certain advantages on which Col. Lee calculates. A general intimation therefore of the light in which the matter strikes you, will lay me under a very particular obligation. I am by no means sure, that in any result it will be in my power to profit by Col. Lee’s friendship, but it may be of some consequence whether the opportunity be worth attending to or not.
My information from Richmond is very unpropitious to federal policy. Yours is no doubt more full and more recent. A decided and malignant majority may do many things of a disagreeable nature; but I trust the Constitution is too firmly established to be now materially vulnerable. The elections for the Legislatures of Penna N. Jersey, & Maryland ensure measures of contrary complexion in those States. Indeed Virginia is the only instance among the ratifying States in which the Politics of the Legislature are at variance with the sense of the people expressed by their representatives in Convention. We

hear nothing from Massachts or N. Hampshire since the Meeting of their General Courts. It is understood that in both the appointments & arra[n]gements for the Government will be calculated to support and as far as possible to dignify it. The public conversation seems to be not yet settled on the Vice President. Mr Hancock & Mr Adams have been most talked of. The former it is said rejects the idea of any secondary Station; and the latter does not unite the suffrages of his own State, and is unpopuler in many other places. As other Candidates however are not likely to present themselves, and New England will be considered as having strong pretensions, it seems not improbable that the question will lie between the Gentlemen abovenamed. Mr Jay & Genl Knox have been mentioned; but it is supposed that neither of them will exchange their present situations for an unprofitable dignity.
I shall leave this in a day or two, but am not yet finally determined how far my journey may be continued Southward. A few lines on the subject above mentioned will either find me in Philada or be there taken care of for me. Should any thing occur there or elsewhere worth your attention it shall be duly communicated by Dear Sir your very respectful and Affectionate Servant

Js Madison Jr


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Newton, 5 November 1788 [letter not found]
From: Newton, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Thomas Newton, 5 Nov. 1788. On 17 Dec. GW wrote to Newton: “I have received your letter of the 5th Ulto.”


Title: To George Washington from Battaile Muse, 6 November 1788
From: Muse, Battaile
To: Washington, George

Honorable Sir,
Alexandria Novr 6th 1788

Mr Lear Informed me that you did not Think Proper To deliver Colo. Fairfax Papers without Informing Mr F. Fairfax of the matter, I Sent up To Mr Fairfax, In consequnce of which He has come down—My Illness and uncertainty of my waggones Comeing Tomorrow will Ocation my Puting of waiteing on you

untill Some Time Next month at which Time I shall Bring with me your accts in order To make a full Settlement the Exact Time will be uncertain as it’s Impossable for me at this day To Fix the Time I shall Arrive at Mount vernon—I have and order from Colo. William Darke on Mr Hartshorne For £33.6.8—altho I am not Indebted to you one Shilling I wish if agreeable To you To Settle your dividend (with Mr Hartshorn) that you have To Pay the Potomack Company It’s Likely I may Collect that Sum from your Tenants Next month—which will Save the risk of Conveyance of the money.
Should any one Come from Mount vernon To this place Tomorrow I shall be oblige To you For and answer as I Leave this place on Satterday if I am able To Travel.
any Commands I will Execute that is in my Power. I am Sir your Obedient Hble Servant

Battaile Muse


Title: From George Washington to William Smith, 6 November 1788
From: Washington, George
To: Smith, William

Sir,
Mount Vernon Novr 6th 1788

The Count de Moustier—Minister from the Court of France—and the Marchioness de Brehan &ca—being on their return to New York, and proposing to pass through Baltimore I have the honor of introducing them to your personal acquaintance; being persuaded that you will have pleasure in paying them those attentions which are not only due to their Rank but to their great Merit. I am Sir Yr Most Obedt & Very Humble Servant

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Battaile Muse, 7 November 1788
From: Washington, George
To: Muse, Battaile

Sir,
Mount Vernon Novr 7th 1788

Although it is my wish, & desire, that the Papers belonging to the deceased Colo. Fairfax was in the hands of his Executors, or in those of any other whom they may think proper to appoint to receive them—yet, prudence dictates to me the propriety of an order from them for their delivery. This, as I have never seen your power of Attorney—and as you decline sending your Waggon for them now, can, (I should suppose) be obtained without much difficulty ’ere you apply again. In the meanwhile, I shall readily furnish you with any papers which may be wanted to answer particular purposes—or his Book of Accts if necessary. Mr Hartshorn’s receipt for £33:6:8 will be very satisfactory

to me—and when you send it your Acct shall be credited for that sum.I am—Sir Yr Very Hble Servt

Go: Washington

P.S. I hope you have got the better of your Indisposition.


Title: To George Washington from Bushrod Washington, 9 November 1788
From: Washington, Bushrod
To: Washington, George

Dr Uncle
Bushfield Novr 9th 1788

As an Executor to my Father, I am involved in an affair which has given me much concern, and which is likely to afford me some trouble, and as it is difficult for me to determine in what manner to act, I take the liberty of asking your advice, and as fare as you can give it, your assistance. Doctor Stewart as administrator to Mr Custis had a Bond agt my uncle Sam, which was very nearly out of date, and rendered it necessary for him either to commence suit immediately, or to have it renewed. My father some short time before his death in order to prevent the distress which so heavy a demand at that time would reduce the Estate to, took in the Bonds agt my uncle Sam, and gave his own for the debt, amounting to near £1000. Since I was informed of this transaction, I have been endeavouring to get Uncle Charles to settle it, and had prevailed upon him to give me an order on Colo. White  (who acts for him) for the amt of this Bond to be paid to Doctor Stewart—but upon examining the amount of debts in his hands yet to collect, we found that there would not be sufficient to answer the orders which he had previously accepted, and that another sale of Property would be absolutely necessary. Of this I have informed my uncle, but he seems unwilling to sell more of the Estate. Thus am I exposed to be sued at any moment for this debt, and were this to be made one in addition to the many against my fathers Estate, it would take the whole of his personal property to discharge them. My uncle Sam’s Estate must pay this Bond either to Doctor Stewart or to myself, and I am sure it could afford little relief to that Estate, that I should suffer in the first Instance. If uncle Charles will not settle this affair with Doctor Stewart, it will be necessary for

me to bring suit against him which I should be very much distressed to do. If you consider this subject in the same light that I do, and would so fare favour me as to write to my Uncle, I am convinced that his opinion of your Justice and disinterestedness on the occasion, would determine him immediately to take such steps as might save me from suffering. I entreat you to excuse me for this liberty; the many favours which I have recieved from you have emboldened me to make the above request. Nancy Joins me in Love & best wishes for you & my Aunt. & believe me to be Dr Uncle Your sincerely affectionate Nephew

Busho. Washington.

P.S. The Bearer will bring down my mares. The price of the Season I will endeavour to send you so soon as I can procure it. I write in a hurry, and upon the only piece of paper in the house.


Title: From George Washington to David Stuart, 10 November 1788
From: Washington, George
To: Stuart, David

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon Novr 10th 1788.

Your letter of the 3d came duly to hand. I thank you for the communications contained in it, though they are not of the best complexion. ’Tis possible, however, that out of evil good may come. A mark is sometimes overshot, and when this happens to be the case, the shaft is as far from the object as when it passes in the other extreme.
We have nothing in this quarter either new or entertaining. Mrs Stuart who is here and talks of putting a letter under this cover, will, I presume, give you an acct of her own health (which appears to be good) with the occurrences which have taken place since your departure from Abingdon.
We are anxious to know who are to be our Senators—How the districts are formed—and whether the Electors of the representative Branch of the Assembly are to vote for the whole number (ten) which are allowed them—or for one only, in the district wherein they reside? You have the best wishes of this family and I am Dr Sir Yr Obedt & Affecte Hble Servt

Go: Washington

P.S. As Colo. Lewis declines taking charge of my business on the Kanhawa, &ca I have no Letter, or other dispatches for him; but if it should fall in your way to enquire of Colo. Clendenning (first knowing his character well) who, in that Country, would be likely to serve me with fidility & abilities in the disposal of my Lands it would oblige me. As to Mr B——ks, I have no idea of committing my business to his management, or recommendation, unless the latter is well backed by other testimony. Yrs &ca

G.W.


Title: To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 12 November 1788
From: Morris, Gouverneur
To: Washington, George

Dear General
Morrisania 12 Novr 1788

After many unforeseen Delays I am about shortly to take my Departure from Philadelphia for the Kingdom of France and expect to visit both Holland and England. When I desire to be favored with your Commands it is not the meer ceremonious Form of Words which you every Day meet from every Man you meet and which you know better than any Man to estimate at its true Value. Whether I can be useful to you in any Way I know not but this I know that you may command my best Endeavours And I now desist from farther Profession on that Subject because I am sure you know my Sincerity.
You will oblige me by giving me Letters of Introduction to those Persons who may in your opinion be useful to me and to whom you may think it proper to present me—Among others to Mr Jefferson with whom I have only a slight Acquaintance[.] I beleive I once mentd to you my Wish not to be encumbered with the Letters introductory of the many who are prone to give them. I think them a Kind of Paper Money which is not only of little Value but which is not always a reputable tho perhaps a legal Tender. I solicit yours as an undoubted Bill of Exchange which is Gold wherever it goes. Permit me however to pursue the mercantile Phrase (or Metaphor) and honestly to request

that you do not give me Credit for more than I am worth lest proving a Bankrupt you be called on by my Creditors.
I will pray your Care of the enclosed to Colo. Humphreys who I doubt not is still with you and will I expect come on with you in the Spring. I promised you some Chinese Piggs A Promise which I can perform only by Halves for my Boar being much addicted to Gallantry hung himself in Pursuit of meer common Sows And his Consort to asswage her Melancholy (for what alas can helpless Widows do) took up with a Paramour of Vulgar Race and thus her grunting Progeny have jowls and Bellies less big by Half than their Dam. Such however as I have such send I unto you And to piece and patch the Matter as well as I may In Company with the Piggs shall be sent a Pair of Chinese Geese Which are really the foolishest Geese I ever beheld for they chuse all Times for Sitting but the Spring And one of them is now actually engaged in that Business.
It would be too degrading to the Noble Race of Man should I introduce Politics after Hogs and Geese. This is a tolerable Excuse for saying Nothing but the Truth is I have Nothing to say I am of the Breed of Optimists and beleive that all will go well for you will certainly be seated in the Presidents Chair and will I am certain when there greatly Labor to prevent Things from going ill[.] As to the Rest I heartily agree in the Text that the Wisdom of Man is Foolishness with God having seen both Fools and Folly succeed in a most surprising Manner. And the only Key to such Sort of Success that ever I met with was in a sarcastic Remark on three old Lawyers of New York Smith given to the Study of Divinity Alexander deep in Mathematics & Chambers deep in Nothing. Smith said the Wag is always in the Clouds Alexander looses himself in Angles and Triangles The only sensible Man at the Bar is John Chambers for he talks nonsense to a common Jury.
Present I pray you my sincere Respects to Mrs Washington It is my fervent Wish that neither She nor you may regret the Shades of Mount Vernon But this is more my Wish than Expectation For I do not beleive it possible for you to be more happily placed at least if I may judge from what I saw and what I felt—It is Time to say Adieu having only Space to say I am Yours

Gouvr. Morris


Title: To George Washington from Anna Welsh, 12 November 1788
From: Welsh, Anna
To: Washington, George

Sir
New London [Conn.] November 12th 1788

The readiness which your Excellancy has ever shewn to Assist the Injurd, the distress’d, and the Widow, Induces me tho’ unknown to you, to trouble you on a matter in which I am deeply Interested, the high character you bear would have forever clos’d my mouth in Silence, had not dire necessity forc’d me to make this Application to you as the last resource.
Your Excellancy will per mitt me to relate the matter to you, when I shall leave it with you Sir, to take such measures as your heart may dictate to relieve a widow, whose thankes will be all in her power to return—a widow whose Sufferings for her Country, in the loss of a Husband & Brother, on whom alone She depended for Subsistance, certainly demands Justice, if no more, of that country in whose service both their lives where Sacrific’d.
not to trouble you too much Sir I will begin with my Story—I am the widow of Capt. Jno. Welsh, who commanded the Marines in the unfortunate attack upon Penobscott, in which he lost his life bravely fighting at the head of them —The loss of my Husband left me in very disagreeable circumstances, which the kindness of a Brother in some measure relieved, this Brother was Capt. Geo. Hurlbut who commanded a company of light Horse in Sheldons Regt, till in defending a Vessel with Stores in

the N[orth] River (for which he had the honour of receiving your Excelys thanks in Genl Orders) he receiv’d a wound, under which he languished till the 8th day of May 1783 when he expired—having sufferd the excruciating pain beyond the power of Language to express—this diserving brother having made a Will in my favour, & appointed me Exect., I have applied to Mr Pierce for the Commutation Notes due him, which Mr Pierce once paid out to a Mr James Agent for Coll Sheldons Regt, but finding Capt. Hurlbut miserable life was not continued to the close of the warr, he remanded them & refuses to deliver them tho’ so Small a recompence for a life spent & lost in the service of I am sorry to say an ungratefull Country.
The State of facts alone I have it in my power to prove—some of them are within your Excelys own knowledge, tho among the many senes in which you have been engaged, this trivial one may have been forgot—To you alone Sir I look for relief having tried every other method without affect for the recovery of the Commutation Notes—Should your Excely think it beneath your notice to interest yourself for me I must Sit down in dispair—Everything Sir is in your power—they will not surely refuse the Saviour of their Country in his application for Justice to a distressed widow—as a reward Sir you will recive the thanks of your Excellancy’s Most Obedient & very Humble servant

Anna Welsh


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Montgomerie, 14 November 1788
From: Montgomerie, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Dumfries [Va.] 14th Novr 1788

Mr Wilson called on me on his way to James river, and informed me that you had consented to the 20th Inst. for the settlement of the Accounts concerning your administration, to which at the time I could have no objection—but since that, a Sale of 2000 Hhds of public Tobo has been advertised at Richmond on the 25th Inst., which may necessarily oblige me to attend there—in every event the correspondence, the watchfullness and the establishment of funds in view of so considerable an object and purchase, call for all my attentions (in this time of scarcity of Cash) and forbid my taking up other objects for a time—I crave, therefore, that I may be permitted to be discharged from my present pursuits, before I address you again to name another day that shall be agreeable to you—I name to you my business that, you may see ⟨that⟩ it can be only matters of consequence that I would allow to interfere with an engagement in which you are concerned—I have the honor to be with great respect and regard Dear Sir Your most Obt Hube Servt

Thos Montgomerie


Title: To George Washington from Lewis Morris, 14 November 1788 [letter not found]
From: Morris, Lewis
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Lewis Morris, 14 Nov. 1788. On 13 Dec. GW wrote to Morris: “The letter which you did me the honor to write to me on the 14th of November, has been duly received.”


Title: To George Washington from Robert Dick, 15 November 1788
From: Dick, Robert
To: Washington, George

Philadelphia 15 Novmr 1788

May it please your Excellency, I am lately from North Britain other ways called Scotland, and there from the County of East Lothian, a place above others famous for understanding & practising in all Branches of Agriculture, now known, there every effort & indeavour is used to find out by Books, and not only So, but also by Experience which far Excells any Book ever wrote on the Subject, to find out I Say, what is agreeable to the nature of the Soil & Climate, that that may be followed & improven by art, for it is foolish and absurd not to follow nature, or to force it, for that never served a good End, but terminates in the lose & damage of the forcer in less or more degrees, according to the length of his pursuit, in that Country are meetings of farmours, or farmer Clubs, where improvments in Agriculture from Experience is the Subject, & when carried on with prudince & judgment is found to be productive of the great benifits intended, viz. both the knowledge & practice of Agriculture in all its various branches, which is both profitable & pleasent to the farmer himself, and likeways to the Country or Commonwelth to whom he belongs, & with all necessary being the foundation on which all other arts & Secinces Stands, from my youth I have been bred a farmer, and from the middle of East Lothian I am of late, I have Cultivate both farms & grain with Succiss, for a feild altho properly dressed, if not Cropt with judgement is Soon ruined, but if after the above dressing a rotation of Cropts Suitable to its nature, then one Cropt is likeways a mean condusive for the producing both great quantities and good quality in after Cropts, often that which is good So far, or in part, is distroyed by after misconduct, I have been two three hundred miles out in a zig zag derection throw the State of Pennsylvania only, from farmer to farmer I went to hear what they Said on the Subjects, & See what they did on there farms, and finds them almost all destitute of the principles of farmory, but in a very Sloven manner proceeds on after the mods that there fathers or Nighbours had Shoun them, which I think in many instances is very absurd, but Shuch forse & power has Example with many, that it is followed altho it leads

to Emberassments hardships & Struggles in life, there are Some instances can be produced tho rare of people getting from under the power of Example, of that Number I have the honour to be one, among many other things that of flax raising is one, about ten years ago after Considering the Soil of my farm, thought that flax might be raised with advantage in East Lothian, I proposed that to my Brother farmors who remonstrated against the practice, notwithstanding I persisted & improved it to a degree far above any thing of that nature ever known in Scotland before, and from the Example Shoun, my Nighbour farmers allmost all Commenced flax raisers, but least I incroach on time & paticence, I make bold to write from the good Character in many respects, I have heard of your Excellency in Scotland, and wants to know if any, or what incouragment Could be given to me to Come and Settle in the State of Virginia, and I think I am positively Certain I Could bring over a good Number, from there youth bred farmers in Scotland to Settle with me, had I Considerable tracts of good land a good Situation & Safe from trouble of indians, men that are Sober Civel industrius & Skilfull in there profession, Can dress Land well and cropt it to great purpose, of all kinds used in Scotland, Such as wheat barley oats Beans pease hemp & flax, and from there Sober industry & knoledge in farmery, they may be a blessing to the Country or Commonwelth where they Come, if any Shuch men is wanted in Virginia I think I Could bring them over had I inducments Strong Enough, if its agreeable I Expect an Answear as soon as possible with due respect to your Excellency I am your most humble obedint Servant

Robert Dick

P.S. please direct to me to the Care of Colonol Francis Gurney, Philadelphia.


Title: From George Washington to James Madison, 17 November 1788
From: Washington, George
To: Madison, James

My dear Sir,
Mount Vernon Novr 17th 1788.

It has so happened, that the letter which you did me the favor of writing to me on the 5th, did not get to my hands until the 15th instant; owing, in part, to the uncertainty of the Mail (on account of the change from the Summer to the Winter establishment of the Stages) and partly to some engagements which prevented my sending to the Post Office agreeably to my usual custom.
I wish it was in my power to be as precise & satisfactory in answering your enquiry respecting the value of the purchase made by Colo. Lee at the Great Falls of this River as your purposes require, and my inclination would prompt me to give

you. But however deficient they may be, I will hazard the best information I am possessed of on this subject.
Of the quantity of Land in this purchase, and the incumbrences thereon, it should seem you have been apprized. It only remains therefore for me to add (as far as I am able) an Account of its situation, and the probable advantages which are to be derived from it. With respect to the first, if my ideas of the matter (for I do not speak from absolute certainty) are just, it includes the entire Canal, Bason, &ca at the Great Falls; and the Mill Seats (for there are more than one) of which Governor Johnson & a company connected with him, in this business, had formed very sanguine hopes, ’till the unexpected purchase by Colo. Lee, arrested the prospect. For Water works of any kind these Seats must be exceedingly valuable if the navigation obtains; of which no one I believe entertains a doubt, at this time. How far they may be impeded, or even endangered at times by remarkable freshes, I am not a competent judge. The opinion of better informed persons in these matters than I am, is, that they may be rendered secure. Another advantage to be derived is, that under all possible circumstances a town must be established there (it is now much wished for by Mercantile people) whether the Navigation is extended from thence to tide Water, or not. In the last case, the lotts will be of great value—in the first very desirable, because all Water borne produce must pass by, if it is not deposited here; which must take place if the difficulties from hence to tide Water (about nine miles) should prove insurmountable—and between you and me it is the most doubtful part of our Work. Having gone so far, I will hazard another idea in proof of my opinion of this Navigation; and consequently of the importance of this pass. It may be a singular one, but I am not less clear in it on that account. It is, that the Navigation from the Great Falls to and through the Shenandoah falls, will not be opened five years before that of the latter river will be improved at least 150 miles; & the whole produce of that rich and extensive vale between the Blue ridge and the Alligany Mountains will be brought through it, and the South Branch, as far South Westerly as Staunton, into the Potomack; and thence by the Great falls to the place or places of Exportation. Add this to what will be drawn from the upper parts of Maryland, and parts of Pensylvania (which at present go to

Baltimore by an expensive Land transportation) and then annex thereto the idea of what may come (under a wise policy) from the Western waters, and it opens a field almost too extensive for imagination; and will induce the Merchants of Alexandria, George Town and perhaps other places, to establish there advanced Posts at the Falls to catch the produce on its passage.
From these premises—but I beg leave to subjoin they may be too sanguinely dilated—I leave you to draw your own conclusions of the property which is offered to you; the profits of which, as you will readily perceive, cannot be immediate. Not much I belive can be said in favor of the 500 Acres (if there is that quantity of it)—or of the growth thereon; but to this tract if I have been rightly informed, a priviledge (but under what conditions I know not) is annexed of cutting wood from a large body adjoining. It has also been said that in the vicinity of this tract another purchase (connected with the expanded designs of Semple) has been made by Colo. Lee of a most valuable Mine bank. These, I presume, are included in the offer to you, for as much as they were parts of the Original plan.
With respect to the Sulla—before I attempt to give you an acct of my cultivation of it, and the result—I must request the favor of you to apologize for me to Mr St John for not having acknowledged the receipt of it before. The truth is, that until I was informed by you from whom the Seeds came, I knew not to whom I was indebted for them. In my room at Mr Morris’s (where papers addressed to me were generally laid, during my attendence in Convention) I one day found a bundle containing these Seeds—unaccompanied by a letter—card—or clue of information to direct my acknowledgment of the receipt—or application. I remember to have received a letter from Mr St John whilst I was in Philadelphia, written in French, the purport of which I got Mr Gouvr Morris to explain to me in English; but if any mention of Sulla was made therein, he omitted, or I have forgot it. Thus much by way of exculpation of myself. And now, I am sorry to add, that, this plant (for want perhaps of knowing the nature & uses of it, and possibly from mismanagement) came to nothing—The Seeds vegitated partially, and not being able to find the name in any botanical list of Plants in my possession,

or to come at the properties of it—and it appearing moreover, ungrateful for the attentions I gave it, it was neglected afterwards.
The Accts from Richmond are indeed, very unpropitious to fœderal measures. The whole proceedings of the Assembly, it is said may be summed up in one word—to wit—that the Edicts of Mr H—— are enregistered with less opposition by the Majority of that body, than those of the Grand Monarch are in the Parliaments of France. He has only to say let this be Law—and it is Law. With very sincere esteem & regard I am My dear Sir Your Affecte Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to John Dandridge, 18 November 1788
From: Washington, George
To: Dandridge, John

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon November 18th 1788

Your letter of the 27th Ulto came duly to hand, but company and other occurrences have with-held my acknowledgment of it till now.
It is not my wish to add Land or Slaves to my present possessions but much less is it my desire to distress your father’s Estate by insisting on Cash in discharge of his Bonds. Western Lands,

however valuable and productive they may be to residents have been found and incumbrance to me, although in point of quality, situation and natural advantages, mine are exceeded by none—the tract therefore on Elk-horn would by no means suit me—but if you will inform me in whose occupation the Gloucester tract is and on what terms—Who was the former Propietor of it, and how it is employed, and at the same time furnish me with a plat, on the courses of it that I may see the shape and to have it examined, I will, as soon after as it can well be done, give you a decisive answer with respect to your proposal.
Your Aunt and sister offer their love to you, the rest of the family unite in every good wish but none with more sincerity than. Dear Sir Yr Obedt & Affect. Hble Servant

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 18 November 1788
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Dr Sir
[New York] 18th Novr 1788

Your last two letters have duly come to hand & the Count De Moustier has delivered me the watch you committed to his charge. Your obliging attention to this matter claims my particular acknowledgements. I will make no apology for asking you to take the additional trouble of forwarding the inclosed to the General—I take the liberty of passing it through you that you may by perusing the contents know the situation of the business.
The demand of fifty Guineas, is to me quite unexpected—I am sorry to add that there is too good evidence that it cost a mere trifle to the General—This however I mention in confidence. Nor shall I give you any further trouble on the subject. whatever may be proper will be done.
Mrs Hamilton requests her affectionate remembrances to Mrs Washington & joins me in the best wishes for you both. I remain D. Sir Yr Affect. & hum. ser.

A. Hamilton

P.S. Your last letter on a certain subject I have received—I feel a conviction that you will finally see your acceptance to be indispensable—

It is no compliment to say that no other man can sufficiently unite the public opinion—or can give the requisite weight to the office in the commencement of the Government. These considerations appear to me of themselves decisive—I am not sure that your refusal would not throw every thing into confusion—I am sure that it would have the worst effect imaginable. Indeed as I hinted in a former letter I think circumstances leave no option.