Title: From George Washington to George Augustine Washington, 15 June 1787
From: Washington, George
To: Washington, George Augustine

Dear George
Philadelphia 15th June 1787.

The only design of this letter is to acknowledge the receipt of the letters from Mount Vernon of the 10th & 11th; and to let you or your Aunt know that the Buckles and knives mentioned in my last as having been sent, were not forwarded—I expected when I was writing those letters that Mr Porter would have been the bearer of them, but he is yet in this City. By him I mean to send the Buckles and Knives if I should think of them; when I will also write again, more fully.

The letters which come from Alexandria on Tuesday Morning, do not arrive at this place till thursday evening, sometimes as late as 8 Oclock, & the Post goe[in]g off again next morning by 7 Oclock leaves so little time for writing that unless it is in cases which are pressing, I shall delay doing it till next Post day; which is on the Monday following; and which will be in Alexandria on the Wednesdays after, which I mention that in case my Letters do not reach you by the Post on Monday, they will probably be in Alexandria on the Wednesday.
When you send the two Coats wrote for in my last—accompany them with my Umbrella—I have a New one in my Study. Remember me Affectionately to all at home. I am sincerely Yrs

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from David Stuart, 17 June 1787 [letter not found]
From: Stuart, David
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from David Stuart, 17 June 1787. On 1 July GW wrote Stuart: “I have been favoured with your letter of the 17th Ulto.”


Title: To George Washington from James Varnum, 18 June 1787
From: Varnum, James
To: Washington, George

Sir
Newport [R.I.] June 18th 1787.

The inclosed address, of which I presume your Excellency has received a duplicate, was returned to me from New [York] after my arrival in this State. I flattered myself that our Legislature, which convened on Monday last, would have receded from the Resolution therein referred to, and have complied with the recommendation of Congress in sending delegates to the federal Convention. The upper House, or Governor and Council, embraced the measure; but it was negatived in the House of Assembly by a large majority, notwithstanding that the greatest exertions were made to support it.
Being disappointed in their expectations, the minority in the administration, and all the worthy Citizens of this State, whose minds are well informed, regretting the peculiarities of their situation,

place their fullest confidence in the wisdom and moderation of the National Council, and indulge the warmest hopes of being favorably considered in their deliberations. From these deliberations they anticipate a political System, which must finally be adopted, and from which will result the safety, the honour and the happiness of the United States.
Permit me, Sir, to observe that the measures of our present legislature do not exhibit the real character of the State. They are equally reprobated & abhorred by Gentlemen of the learned professions, by the whole mercantile body, and by most of the respectable farmers and mechanics. The Majority of the administration is composed of a licentious number of men, destitute of education, and many of them, void of principle. From anarchy and confusion they derive their temporary consequence, and this they endeavour to prolong by debauching the minds of the common people, whose attention is wholly directed to the abolition of debts public & private. With these are associated the disaffected of every description, particularly those who were unfriendly during the war. Their paper-money system, founded in oppression and fraud, they are determined to support at every hazard. And rather than relinquish their favorite pursuit, they trample upon the most sacred obligations. As a proof of this they refused to comply with a requisition of Congress for repealing all laws repugnant to the Treaty of peace with Great Britain, and urged as their principal reason, that it would be calling in question the propriety of their former measures.
These may be attributed partly to the extreme freedom of our Constitution, and partly to the want of energy in the federal Union; and it is greatly to be apprehended that they cannot speedily be removed, but by uncommon and very serious exertions. It is fortunate however that the wealth and resources of this State are chiefly in possession of the well affected, and that they are entirely devoted to the public good. I have the honor of being, Sir with the greatest veneration & esteem Your Excellency’s very obedient & most humble servant.


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Donald, 20 June 1787
From: Donald, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Sir
Richmond 20th June 1787

I had the honour of receiveing your letter of the 2d Current—By which, I saw that the former remittance which I made you, at Docr Stewart’s desire, had got safe to hand, I now beg leave to trouble you with a further remittance of 306 65/90 th of a dollar, at the request of same Gentleman, which I hope will also reach you. I am with undissembled respect—Sir your mo: obt Sert

A. Donald


Title: From George Washington to Charles Pettit, 24 June 1787 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Pettit, Charles

Letter not found: to Charles Pettit, 24 June 1787. Profiles in History, catalog 12, item 7, gives the date 24 June 1787 for a reproduced overleaf reading: “On public Service To Charles Pettit Esqr. Assistant Q.M.G. Philadelphia.” Washington’s signature appears to the left of “Philadelphia.”


Title: To George Washington from George Augustine Washington, 24 June 1787 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George Augustine
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from George Augustine Washington, 24 June 1787. On 1 July GW wrote George Augustine: “Your letter of the 24th . . . is before me.”


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 25 June 1787 [letter not found]
From: Spotswood, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Alexander Spotswood, 25 June 1787. On 26 Aug. GW wrote Spotswood and referred to “yours of the 25th of June.”


Title: From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 28 June 1787
From: Washington, George
To: Biddle, Clement

Dear Sir
[Philadelphia] Friday Morng 28th June 1787

By the Post of Yesterday, I received the enclosed Memo.—If you can comply with them in time, for the Alexandria Packet it wd oblige me.
If the Hatt is already got for Washington, it will be unnecessary to exchange it; If not, he prefers a black one, with such ornaments as would suit a boy of his age & the colour of the hat.
I beg leave to remind you of the Linnen—two pieces—from Mr Hazlehursts; and of the two pieces of finer than those you have purchased at 4/6 . For the purposes they are wanted indeed, they should be a good deal finer. I am—Dr Sir Yr Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 29 June 1787
From: Washington, George
To: McKean, Thomas

[Philadelphia] Friday—29th June [1787]

Gen: Washington presents his Complts to The honbl. The Vice Presidt of the Pensa State Society of Cincinnati, and will do himself the honor of dining with the Society on the 4th of July agreeably to Invitation.


Title: To George Washington from William Grayson, 30 June 1787
From: Grayson, William
To: Washington, George

Dr Sir
New York June 30th 1787

I do myself the honor of introducing Doctor Johnson of Connecticut, a gentleman of great abilities and worth, who has been lately appointed one of the Convention: I am very happy to hear you have recovered your health & remain with great respect yr Affectionate friend & most Obed. Serv.

Willm Grayson


Title: From George Washington to Lucy Flucker Knox, 30 June 1787
From: Washington, George
To: Knox, Lucy Flucker

[Philadelphia] Saturday.near 11 Oclock [30 June 1787]

Genl Washington presents his Compliments and best wishes to Mrs Knox. Business in the earlier part of the Morning, and

company since, having deprived him of the pleasure of taking a personal leave of her begs leave, before he goes to the Convention; to wish Mrs Knox a pleasent Journey, and happy meeting with her family in New York.


Title: From George Washington to Lafayette, 30 June 1787
From: Washington, George
To: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de

My dear Marqs,
Philadelphia June 30th 1787

The Gentleman who will do the honor of presenting this letter to you is Mr Shipping—Son of your old acquaintance Doctr Shipping of this City who having been at the Temple proposes to visit Paris, and of course to offer homage to you—He is a very sensible young man and as far as opportunities are offorded me to judge—possesses a well cultivated mind which unduces me without hesitation or apology to introduce him to your countenance and Civilities. To repeat to you the assurances of that Friendship with which I am warmed would not add ought to your conviction of it because you are already persuaded of the sincere regard and affection sentiments with which I always am Yr &c.

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Samuel Powel, 30 June 1787
From: Washington, George
To: Powel, Samuel

Sir,
Philadelphia June 30th 1787

In a letter which I have lately had the honor to receive from Arthur Young Esqr. Author of the Tours, and many other useful publications on practical farming in the following paragraphs.
“I am informed &c.
The annals alluded to accompany this letter, and I have particular pleasure in being the mideum thro’ which they are convd to the agricultural Society of this City, for the success of whose laudable endeavors to promote Agricultur, my best wishes are offered. I have the honor to be Sir Yrs &c.

G. Washington


Title: From George Washington to Annis Boudinot Stockton, 30 June 1787
From: Washington, George
To: Stockton, Annis Boudinot

Madam,
Philadelphia June 30th 1787.

At the same time that I pray you to accept my sincere thanks for the obliging letter with which you honored me on the 26th Ulto (accompaned by a poetical performance[)] for which I am more indebted to your partiality than to any merits I possess, by which your muse could have been inspir’d. I have to entreat that you will ascribe my silence to any cause rather than to a want of respect or friendship for you, the truth really is—that what with my attendance in Convention—morning business, receiving, and returning visits—and Dining late with the numberless &ca—which are not to be avoided in so large a City as Philadelphia, I have Scarcely a moment in which I can enjoy the pleasures which result from the recognition on the many instances of your attention to me or to express a due sense of them, I feel more however than I can easily communicate for the last testimony of your flattering recollection of me. The friendship you are so good as to assure me you feel for me, claims all my gratitude sensibility, & meets the most cordial return. with compliments to your good family I have the honor to be Madam Yrs &c.

G. Washington


Title: From George Washington to Samuel Powel, June 1787
From: Washington, George
To: Powel, Samuel

[c.June 1787]

Genl Washington presents his Compliments to Mr Powell and would, with much pleasure, dine with him on Thursday next, had he not been previously engaged to Mr Rutledge.


Title: From George Washington to David Stuart, 1 July 1787
From: Washington, George
To: Stuart, David

Dear Sir,
Philadelphia July 1st 1787.

I have been favoured with your letter of the 17th Ulto.
In May, Mr Alexr Donald made me a remittance in Bills on Robert Morris Esqr. of this City to the amount of 1094 85/90 Dollrs; and a few days since I received another drought on the same Gentleman for 306 65/90 Dollars making together 1401 60/90 Dollrs or Four hundred and twenty pounds ten Shillings Virginia Currency—which I have placed to the Credit of Mr Custis’s Estate.
Rhode Island, from our last Accts s[t]ill persevere in that impolitic—unjust—and one might add without much impropriety scandalous conduct, which seems to have marked all her public

Councils of late; Consequently, no Representation is yet here from thence. New Hampshire, tho’ Delegates have been appointed, is also unrepresented—various causes have been assigned—whether well, or ill founded I shall not take upon me to decide—The fact however is that they are not here. Political contests, and want of Money, are amidst the reasons assigned for the non attendance of the members.
As the rules of the Convention prevent me from relating any of the proceedings of it, and the gazettes contain more fully than I could detail other occurrances of public nature, I have little to communicate to you on the article of News. Happy indeed would it be if the Convention shall be able to recommend such a firm and permanent Government for this Union, as all who live under it may be Secure in their lives, liberty and property, and thrice happy would it be, if such a recommendation should obtain. Every body wishes—every body expects some thing from the Convention—but what will be the final result of its delibration, the book of fate must disclose—Persuaded I am that the primary cause of all our disorders lies in the different State Governments, and in the tenacity of that power which pervades the whole of their systems. Whilst independent sovereignty is so ardently contended for, whilst the local views of each State and seperate interests by which they are too much govern’d will not yield to a more enlarged scale of politicks; incompatibility in the laws of different States, and disrespect to those of the general government must render the situation of this great Country weak, inefficient and disgraceful. It has already done so, almost to the final dissolution of it—weak at home and disregarded abroad is our present condition, and contemptible enough it is.
Entirely unnecessary was it, to offer any apology for the sentiments you ware so obliging as to offer me—I have had no wish more ardent (thro’ the whole progress of this business) than that of knowing what kind of Government is best calculated for us to live under. No doubt there will be a diversity of sentiment on this important subject; and to inform the Judgment, it is necessary to hear all arguments that can be advanced. To please all is impossible, and to attempt it would be vain; the only way therefore is, under all the views in which it can be placed—and with a due consideration to circumstances—habits &ca—&ca—to form such a government as will bear the scrutinizing eye of criticism

and trust it to the good sense and patriotism of the people to carry it into effect. Demagogues—men who are unwilling to lose any of their state consequence—and interested characters in each, will oppose any general government but ought these not to be regarded right, and Justice it is to be hoped will at length prevail.
My best wishes attend Mrs Stuart, yourself and the girls—If I can render any Service whist I remain here, I shall be happy in doing it, being Dear Sir, &ca.

G. Washington


Title: From George Washington to George Augustine Washington, 1 July 1787
From: Washington, George
To: Washington, George Augustine

Dear George
Philadelphia 1st July 1787.

Your letter of the 24th, with the report, is before me; & such observations as occur, shall be handed to you.
In plowing the drilled Corn, it is to be remembered, that throwing the furrow always to the plant, will leave the land in high ridges; and make it more liable to wash, & run into Gullies; to avoid wch, was one of my principal motives for introducing the Hoe & common Iron toothed Harrows, because, had these succeeded, the Grain would have been wed, & the Earth pulverized at the sametime that the land would have been left smooth & even. As these (owing to the uncommonly dry Season) cannot be used to any good purpose, the other evil should, as far as it is practicable, without injury to the Corn, be avoided.
I am glad to find that your prospect for Carrots at Dogue run & Muddy hole is not quite so gloomy as it at first appeared. If all these things are equally unproductive with the Spring grain, I shall have a melancholy prospect before me. As the first Potatoes at Market will probably sell high, examine now and then your forwardest; and when they are of sufficient size, dispose of them (if the price is more than equivalent to the loss

which will probably be sustained by digging them prematurely) to those who may incline to purchase, in Alexandria—keeping an acct of the quantity, that I may form some estimate of the yield, & proportionate value of them to other Crops.
If the ground designed for fallowing, for wheat in the Autumn, is more than can be prepared well, the quantity should be reduced; as it is a folly to do things by halves; but before it is given up, Oxen, & every thing should be attempted in the Plow, to accomplish it; as my whole System will be deranged, and my next years Crop become nothing, without I again return back to Indian Corn, which I am aiming to get rid off. If however it is unavoidable, and the quantity must be reduced, let that field at Dogue run adjoining the upper meadow (& divided by the row of Stakes) be the first prepared, because it can be most conveniently inclosed; and will leave the rest in one common pasture. In fixing Youngs plow, go exactly by the directions he gives.
I am very glad to hear that all the imported Seeds have come up (except the rib grass, which in my opinion is the least valuable of any)—The Season for Sowing the Cabbage Seed for this years Crop, is no doubt over, and must be preserved for the next.
You may inform Thos Greene that if Drunkeness, or idleness constitutes any part of his conduct, that I have directed you to discharge him. practices of this sort are violations of the agreement, & I will keep no person in my Service who is addicted to them. Should he go, Mahony may be employed. In every place where I have been, there are many workmen, & little work, which will bring these people to their Senses again.
I dare say the distribution of the Cradlers is good; if otherwise, you can easily alter it when harvest is fairly entered upon, & the defect at one place, or surplusage at another, is discovered.
If the Jacks do not perform what is expected from them, the Mares, unquestionably, must be sent to Magnolio, rather than let them go over.
Gerard Alexander, as an additional Security, I should think would be good; but I question much whether he will enter himself as such, for Bob; and should this be the case, it will exhibit

a fresh proof of the necessity of bringing matters to a close with the latter, before it is too late.
Endeavor, not only for the sake of the Corn, but for cleansing the ground, to till the New ground in front of the House well; as I wish very much to destroy all the Succours, sprouts, roots, &ca in it most effectually, that I may lay it down in grass as soon as this can be accomplished perfectly.
The Jerusalem Artichokes ought not to be any more ploughed; or the roots will be all turned out of the ground. The only directions I have for their management was, I believe, left with you.
As you cannot do without a Fan for your grain, I ordered one of the best kind to be made; & expect you will receive it by a Vessel which has some things on board for me, and which, it is said, will Sail from this on Tuesday; tho’ it will probably be later, as it was to have gone last friday, and then to day, &ca.
By the letter you sent me from Mr Polk, he seems to understand the art of charging for his Plank, perfectly well; the payment however may be delayed till I return, and can enquire a little into matters.
I understand by Mrs Washington’s letter, that there is some part of the mouldings, or decorations with the plaister of Paris, that Mathew cannot put up; and says Mr Rawlins was to send a hand to do it. If this is the case it would be well to write to Rawlins about it. I do not recollect that circumstance myself but do perfectly remember, that the stains, & other blemishes in the Stucco, was to be removed; when, as he said, the Walls were sufficiently seasoned: when he left the work, he added, it was not, at that time, in a proper state for these attempts. I have desired Colo. Biddle to send glass for the New room and suppose it will go (cut to the proper size) with the other things. I have directed 48 instead of 36 lights. The Wood part of the New room may be painted of any tolerably fashionable colour—so as to serve present purposes; and this might be a buff. ’Tis more than probable it will receive a finishing colour hereafter. The buff should be of the lightest kind, inclining to white.
Give my love to Fanny, and best wishes to Mr Lear. I am Dear George Yr affecte

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from George Augustine Washington, 8 July 1787 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George Augustine
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from George Augustine Washington. GW wrote George Augustine on 8 July: “I have your letter of the first before me.”


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 3 July 1787
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Dr Sir.
[New York] July 3d ’87

In my passage through the Jerseys and since my arrival here I have taken particular pains to discover the public sentiment and I am more and more convinced that this is the critical opportunity for establishing the prosperity of this country on a solid foundation—I have conversed with men of information not only of this City but from different parts of the state; and they agree that there has been an astonishing revolution for the better in the minds of the people. The prevailing apprehension among thinking men is that the Convention, from a fear of shocking the popular opinion, will not go far enough—They seem to be convinced that a strong well mounted government will better suit the popular palate than one of a different complexion. Men in office are indeed taking all possible pains to give an unfavourable impression of the Convention; but the current seems to be running strongly the other way.

A plain but sensible man, in a conversation I had with him yesterday, expressed himself nearly in this manner—The people begin to be convinced that their “excellent form of government” as they have been used to call it, will not answer their purpose; and that they must substitute something not very remote from that which they have lately quitted.
These appearances though they will not warrant a conclusion that the people are yet ripe for such a plan as I advocate, yet serve to prove that there is no reason to despair of their adopting one equally energetic, if the Convention should think proper to propose it. They serve to prove that we ought not to allow too much weight to objections drawn from the supposed repugnancy of the people to an efficient constitution. I confess I am more and more inclined to believe that former habits of thinking are regaining their influence with more rapidity than is generally imagined.
Not having compared ideas with you, Sir, I cannot judge how far our sentiments agree; but as I persuade myself the genuineness of my representations will receive credit with you, my anxiety for the event of the deliberations of the Convention induces me to make this communication of what appears to be the tendency of the public mind. I own to you Sir that I am seriously and deeply distressed at the aspect of the Councils which prevailed when I left Philadelphia—I fear that we shall let slip the golden opportunity of rescuing the American empire from disunion anarchy and misery—No motley or feeble measure can answer the end or will finally receive the public support. Decision is true wisdom and will be not less reputable to the Convention than salutary to the community.
I shall of necessity remain here ten or twelve days; if I have reason to believe that my attendance at Philadelphia will not be mere waste of time, I shall after that period rejoin the Convention. I remain with sincere esteem Dr Sir Yr Obed. serv.

A. Hamilton


Title: To George Washington from Samuel Meredith, 4 July 1787
From: Meredith, Samuel
To: Washington, George

Sr
July 4, 1787.

In complyance with a promise made you, to give a short accot of the method I practised before the Warr of Sowing & plowing in Buck Wheat with a View of inriching the Land, & destroying in some degree a large Quantity of Garlic; I now take up my Pen, & will first mention that the land was a poor light sand, that had been under Cultivation for a great many Years & was exceedingly impoverished.
The first Plowing was performed in the Spring, the second just before seeding which was (to the best of my knowledge) the 25th April, the grain grew very well, & at a time when it was supposed there was a sufficiency of seed ripe to sow it again it was plowed in & produced a crop that was little if any inferior to the former, this was afterwards plowed in, & part of the Ground had a slight dressing of dung, which had been made in the Winter, & was frequently turned & well rotted[.] After the second turning in of the Buck Wheat the Ground became a perfect Ash Heap, & in this state it was sown with White, & red Chaff Wheat, & produced according to the best information 15 Bushels an acre, & had hardly any Garlic in it.
In order to turn in more effectually the Buck Wheat, about midway from the ⟨Coulter &⟩ the head of the Plow was fixed a With or rope to which was fastened a Wedge of Hickory Wood about one foot long & Six Inches diameter sharpened almost to a point at one end, into which a hole was bored large enough to take the with or rope, so that the Wedge reached the extremity of the mould board, & of consequence drew most of the Heads of the buck Wheat in parallel lines to the plow, & was covered by the Earth formed by the Mould Board before it had escaped the pressure of the Wedge—I dont pretend to take any merit to myself in this process, as it was entirely under the direction of an English Farmer.
I mention the Wedge ought to be hickory only because when green its very heavy, & of course requires less bulk & perhaps a ⟨illegible⟩ chain doubled might answer the purpose near as well—In Ground full of Garlic I should think the Land being plowed in the Fall would answer a much better purpose than in the Spring.

My Neighbours supposed the Land sown in the above Method would not produce more than the seed, & perswaded me against sowing it with Wheat.
It will afford me great pleasure to think I could give a moments satisfaction to one I so much esteem, & to whom I wish every happiness being with Respect Sr Your most humble Servt

Saml Meredith


Title: To George Washington from William Rawle, 6 July 1787
From: Rawle, William
To: Washington, George

Sir.
Third Street [Philadelphia] 6th July 1787

I have the honor to transmit to you as President of the Convention, a resolve of the directors of the Library Company in this City. I am Sir with perfect respect your most obedient humble servant

W: Rawle


Title: To George Washington from Chartier de Lotbinière, 8 July 1787
From: Chartier de Lotbinière, Michel, marquis de
To: Washington, George

Sir
[New York, 8 July 1787]

Having been informed on my Arrival in this City (the 26 of June) that your Excellency was hourly expected I have waited to deliver the Letter sent herewith which the Marquis de la fayette sent to me from Versailles to Paris the Day preceding my Departure for Havre. But General Knox having assured me

Yesterday, at Dinner with him, that I must forego the infinite Pleasure of I expected from seeing you here and at the same time told me that the Heat of Philadelphia was at least double that which I with great Difficulty support in this Season at New York that Moreover it was very Doubtful whether you could grant me a few Moments Conversation at a time in which you are so much occupied I determined Sir to send you thro his Assistance the Letter of your very good friend and wait your orders for my Approach.
It was With the greatest Satisfaction that I had frequently the Opportunity of conversing about your Excellency with the Marquis and I dare flatter myself that being recommended by one so strongly attached to you You will be pleased to give me some Share of the Kindness Esteem & friendship betwowed on him. I have the Honor to be with infinite Respect & Attachment Sir your Excellency’s most obedt & humble Servt

The Marquis of Chartier de Lotbiniere


Title: To George Washington from Charles Willson Peale, 8 July 1787
From: Peale, Charles Willson
To: Washington, George

Dr Sir
[Philadelphia] July 8th 1787

The Drapery and back ground of your Portrait is painted and if it is convenient to your Excellency to favor me with a setting to morrow morning, I will have my pallet sett with fresh ground Colours. I hope and believe this setting will make it equal to any ⟨Picture⟩ from the Pensil of your very much obliged friend & Hble Servt

C.W. Peale


Title: From George Washington to Crèvecoeur, 9 July 1787
From: Washington, George
To: Crèvecoeur, Hector St. Jean de

Sir
Philadelphia July 9th 1787

The letter which you did me the honor of writing to me by Commodore Paul Jones, came safe; as did the 3 Volumes of the Farmers letters. For both, particularly the compliment of the latter, I pray you to accept my best thanks.

Let me express my gratitude to you at the sametime, Sir, for the obliging offer of transmitting any communications I may have occasion to make to my good and much esteemed friend the Marqs de la Fayette, whose Services & zeal in the cause of his Country, merits as much applause from his fellow Citizens, as it meets admiration from the rest of mankind.
I congratulate you on your safe arrival in this Country—and with sentiments of esteem & regard I have the honor to be Sir—Yr most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Chavannes de La Giraudière, 10 July 1787
From: Chavannes de La Giraudière
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Charleston [S.C.] July 10th 1787.

Altho’ I am not personally known to your Excellency I hope that a summary acct of my situation and that of an ancient & illustrious family who are, at this time, overwhelmed with miseries, will be sufficient to excite your attention, and draw down your beneficience upon the father & the children. A particular detail of my misfortunes would be too long & tedious for your Excellency’s perusal; a number of respectable Characters by whom you are surrounded can attest to the truth of them.
A dispute with the late Count de Maurepas respectg a sum of Money for which the Royal treasurey was indebted to my father, (a sum which would have been thought considerable even for persons of the first rank) was the cause of my coming to America. Threatened with the Bastille, but entrusted with the conducting 60 invalids to the Château de Ham in Piccardy, I went to Amsterdam with my family, intending, after the peace, to retire to Virginia with Mr Mayo, my particular friend, with

whom I was very intimate at Paris, & to whom I had lent a sum of money which might be considered as a handsome fortune.
From the 4th of Jany 1782 to the 8th of October 1784 I was engaged in writing “America delivered”, a work in 2 Vols. in which I sung the triumph of the 13 States, that of your Excellency & all those heroes who partook of the laurels which crowned you with immortal Glory. Mr Govr Morris has a copy of it.
Scarce had the Marquis de la Fayette returned to Paris when my friend & particular patron M. the Count de Segur, recommended me to this hero. I have a number of Letters from him which Mr Robert Morris & Genl Pinkney have seen, your Excellency can satisfy yourself from them. In his last, the Marquis de la Fayette advised me to go to America, promised me as many letters of recommendation, as I wished, to his friends in any part of the United States which I should chuze to go, & informed me that he should be there himself in a short time. It was then that I sat out on my voyage (after an accident which detained me more than 3 months)—After a passage of 4 Months I arrived at Philadelphia on the 24th of feby 1785. The Marquis de la Fayette had left us & I found myself possessed of two bills of exchange which were protested because there were no letters of advice recd respecting them: sick, embarassed & without friends, to compleat my misfortunes Mr Mayo had died two days before the vessel, in which he was, arrived at Boston, his loss, under my present circumstances, was like a thunder stroke to my children & myself.
In this extremity I had recourse to Mr Robt Morris, who, without any knowledge of me, upon shewg him the Marquis de la Fayette’s letters, generously lent me 100 florins, with which I repaired to Charleston where I had two acquaintances which I had formerly made in Paris: they could do but very little for me.
Before my departure from Philadelphia I addressed myself to a very rich Mercht of St Eustatius; whose sister one of my family had married in Guadaloup. I recd his letter of the 10th of May 1785; he promised me large sums which he had in the hands of Mr Van Bibber at Baltimore, & in the treasurey at Charleston. I immediately applied for the latter myself, & Mr Robt Morris had the goodness to seek after that in Baltimore, & instead of 80,000 livres drew but 83 Dollars. For my support in Charleston I was

compelled to sell 1000, of 3000 Acres of land which I possessed in the Cty of Cambden.
I am now, with my Children, upon my land; after having drawn 30 Guineas instead of 60,000 livres deposited in the publick funds by M. Van Croffen, (the merchant whom I mentioned before,) I have built me a cottage in which my son, (the last sprig of his family, who has, circulating in his body, the blood of the house of Bourbon, & 3 Royal families,) with his unhappy father, lives, and we are obliged to cut down the trees to clear a small spot whereon we may raise something to subsist us & his two sisters.
I leave your Excellency to judge of the horrors of our situation; and as an addition to these calamities; I ship’d from Philadelphia, in feby last, 3 free German families, which I transpo[r]ted here at a great expence, where they quitted me. But so far are we from accepting any offers which are made us from the Spanish Colonies, that we are determined to die, if we must, in the woods of a free country, if we cannot subsist by the labour of our hands, & if we do not meet with succour in our miserable state.
I want nothing to make me happy but 3 Negroes or 200 Guineas, I could obtain the latter from Europe, but it would be two years perhaps before I could receive them, & in that time myself & children would perish with hunger & a complication of miseries.
I have not written to the Marqus de la Fayette since I have been in America, expecting his return to this Country every year, & more particularly this year, always hoping to be able to extricate myself from my difficulties, but I now find it is impossible unless I have assistance.
In the absence of the Marquis de la Fayette (who, I am certain, would not abandon me if he was in this country) I must have recourse to the benevolence of your Excellency for present aid, or we shall perish. Mr Govr Morris, who has read my genealogy, Mr Robt Morris, to whom I am under great obligations, & Genl Pinkney, to whom I am known, can attest to the truth of a part of what I have had the honor to inform you.
It is not the gift of 200 Guineas which I dare to ask of you, it is a loan of them for 5 years upon a mortgage of my lands, which men here, who are competent judges, estimate at 24,000 livres

of France, with interest, at 7 pr Cent, there is no person who has any claim upon them as Genl Pinkney can inform you, & without this aid we are lost, entirely lost!
A recommendation from your Excellency, but such an one as is worthy of you, Sir, to Generals Waine & Sumpter would certainly have great influence with these illustrious men. My only hope, at this moment, is in your humanity. A subscription which you might propose yourself among so many illustrious & rich citizens as are now around you wou’d, perhaps, be a happy relief to me. But if all these means are inadmissible, I close by beseeching you to procure me a retreat on one of your plantations. In this last case, it is necessary Sir that you should be at the expence of transporting us, for except my house & our tattered Clothes, I do not possess one dollar exclusive of my 2000 acres of land. My only brother was killed at Savannah under Count D’Estaing. I am the first man of letters who has sung, in verse, the glory of the American Empire, and if the first family in Europe, except a prince, whom the love of liberty has brot into the united States, should perish here, without succour, what ought the Countries of Europe to think of your Republick?
My family & myself do not blush at our situation; we have deserved better; Ambition did not bring us here, but the desire of living & dying in a free country. The storm which threatened me in Europe cannot continue long. M. de Maurepas was dead before my departure from Holland. The justice & goodness of Louis XVIth is perfectly known to me—I have written proofs of the esteem & friendship of the Count de Vergennes. M. D’Estaing was so attentive as to visit me before I left Paris; thus I have reason to hope for their protection & support. But here there is no one but your Excellency to whom I can address myself in this day of difficulty & distress.
I trust that you will not be insensible to this faithful picture of my misfortunes: I assure myself that your feeling heart, (the sensibility of which I have so fully described in every part of “America delivered”) will not be indifferent to this letter, & that you soon give that aid to myself & family which will entitle you to the rank of our first deliverer. In this hope, founded upon your Virtues, I dare to subscribe myself, with the most profound respect Sir Your Excellency’s Most Hble & Obedt Servt

De Chavannes de la Giraudiere

As I shall tomorrow set out for my land, I beg your Excellency to address your answer to M. D. C. d. l. G. Citizen of South Carolina at his plantn on Black River; County of Cambden, recommended to Mr Vernapper Mercht Charleston: & if it is favourable to me, desire it to be sent to me by express.


Title: From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 10 July 1787
From: Washington, George
To: Hamilton, Alexander

Dear Sir,
Philadelphia 10th July [17]87.

I thank you for your Communication of the 3d. When I refer you to the State of the Councils which prevailed at the period you left this City—and add, that they are now, if possible, in a worse train than ever; you will find but little ground on which the hope of a good establishment, can be formed. In a word, I almost dispair of seeing a favourable issue to the proceedings of the Convention, and do therefore repent having had any agency in the business.
The Men who oppose a strong & energetic government are, in my opinion, narrow minded politicians, or are under the influence of local views. The apprehension expressed by them that the people will not accede to the form proposed is the ostensible, not the real cause of the opposition—but admitting that the present sentiment is as they prognosticate, the question ought nevertheless to be, is it or is it not the best form? If the former, recommend it, and it will assuredly obtain mauger opposition.
I am sorry you went away—I wish you were back. The crisis is equally important and alarming, and no opposition under such circumstances should discourage exertions till the signature is fixed. I will not, at this time trouble you with more than my best wishes and sincere regards. I am Dear Sir Yr obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 12 July 1787
From: Washington, George
To: Biddle, Clement

[Philadelphia] Thursday [12 July 1787]

Genl Washington’s Complimts to Colo. Biddle and would thank him for sending the Upholsterer—Davis—to him as he is desirous of having one of the Venetian blinds made as soon as may be.


Title: To George Washington from Wakelin Welch & Son, 14 July 1787 [letter not found]
From: Wakelin Welch & Son
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Wakelin Welch & Son, 14 July 1787. On 8 Jan. 1788 GW wrote Welch & Son: “I have recd your letter of the . . . 14th of July.”


Title: From George Washington to George Augustine Washington, 15 July 1787
From: Washington, George
To: Washington, George Augustine

Dear George,
Philadelphia July 15th 1787

Your letter and report came to hand in the ordinary course of the Post. I do not recollect how I expressed myself with respect to the painting of the New room, that is whether, when speaking of this business, you would understand that it was to be done by a proper, & good painter. This was my meaning; and therefore, having no high opinion of the skill, though a favourable one of the Industry, of the one who was there last; I advise you to try Peales Nephew, or some one more knowing, both in the mixtures, & laying on of Paint, than Morrison (I think his name was)—It will require small brushes, and considerable attention to paint the carved mouldings, to prevent their filling too much with the paint. None but the wood work, & the ornaments annexed to them, are to be painted. I mean by this that the Stucco walls are not to be touched.
I am getting a Venetian blind made to send round; that others may be made at home, by it. Tell Mathew to have poplar sawed for this purpose, as thin as it can be, that it may Season against the Pattern arrives. When dressed the pieces will be about the length that the Window is wide; not more than the 1/8 of an Inch thick—and about 5 Inches wide each piece.
I only mentioned plowing with Oxen to shew my anxiety to get the ground, which was intended for Wheat, broke up for it; that I might, if possible, pursue my course; but if Carting, and other things are opposed to it, as I believe they are; the disappointment must be submitted to.
I would have you, as soon as possible, begin to Sow Wheat in Corn ground. I do not think that Corn receives any benefit from

working after it begins to Tassle & shoot—but sure I am, that nine years out of ten, early sown Wheat will be best. It was not my intention (could I have pursued my newly adopted course of cropping) to have sown wheat among the drilled Corn except at the Ferry and in the Neck; therefore, as necessity only will drive me to do it, I would let it be the last sown at the other place⟨s⟩. At the Ferry, there will be the Stoney field, besides the drilled and other Corn, for Wheat; as also the ground that was intended to be fallowed: but it is to be remembered that Rye must be sown in the poorest parts of these grounds. The like in the poorest part of the fallowed grd at French’s. The like also at Dogue run—(if you should be able to get it in order)—and the like at Muddy hole. In the Neck all the ground now in Corn will be laid down in Wheat and Rye. Robins field wholly in the first. The other (now in drilled Corn on the River) partly in both. The Rye going into the weakest, & sandiest land. It was also intended, if it could be effected, to put the Orchard Inclosure (now in Oats) into Wheat. Having mentioned these matters, circumstances must govern in the ordering of them. I must again repeat however, that the sooner your Seeding commences in Corn land, the better it will be for the Wheat; and none the worse I conceive for the Corn; as I do not believe the latter is benefitted by working after it Shoots and Tassles. The clearer however the ground is, when the grain is sown, the better.
The mode you propose to adopt, of following the Plows in the drilled Corn with the Harrows, to prevent high ridges, is very proper, & will be essential for the Wheat. If time would permit, I am of opinion, if the harrows were to follow the plows—the sowing follow the harrows—and then the harrows to cover the Seed, that it would be best. But experience has fully proved the efficacy of early sowing of wheat—to get it into the ground therefore soon, is of all others the most interesting consideration—next to it, is that of preparing the ground well for its reception.
What does the Farmer guess, the Barley and Oats will yield to the acre? to come at it with exactness, is not to be expected; but now it is cut, a Man acquainted with these matters can form a tolerable conjecture—at least of the fields he particularly attends to. Do not suffer the different kinds of Oats to get mixed—especially those of Spotswood⟨s⟩ with any other. Sprinkling

Brine with your Cut Oats, is very proper; but as soon as you can chop the Rye at the Mill, your work horses should be fed with it, and cut Straw; the cut Oats to be used for the Saddle Horses.
The ground on which the Flax grew, is as good as any to rot it on. I cannot find out by the Ditchers report, where they are at Work. Branagans staying—even on the terms I have proposed—is perfectly indifferent to me—on his, totally inadmissible. Mr Lear’s letter is franked and sent on. My love to Fanny, and good wishes to him. I am Sincerely & Affectly Yrs

Go: Washington

P.S. Have you thinned the Carrots which were too thick?


Title: From George Washington to Richard Henry Lee, 19 July 1787
From: Washington, George
To: Lee, Richard Henry

Dear Sir,
Philadelphia 19th July 1787

I have had the honor to receive your favor of the 15th Instt and thank you for the ordinance which was enclosed in it.
My sentiments with respect to the Navigation of the Mississipi have been long fixed, and are not dissimilar to those which are expressed in your letter; I have ever been of opinion that the true policy of the Atlantic States would be, instead of contending, prematurely, for the free Navigation of that River (which eventually, and perhaps as soon as it shall be our true interest to obtain it) must happen, to open and improve the natural communications with the Western Country through which the produce of it might be transported with convenience & ease to our Markets.
’Till you get low down the Ohio I conceive (considering the length of the voyage to New Orleans—the strength of the currt—and the time required to perform the voyage) that it would be the interest of the Inhabitants thereof to bring their

produce to our ports; and sure I am there is no other tie by which they will long form a link in the chain of fœderal union. I believe however, from the temper in which those people appear to be, and from the ambitious, and turbulent Spirit of some of their demagogues that it has become a moot point to decide (when every circumstance which attends this business is taken into view) what is best to be done. The state of Virginia having entered so warmly into the matter is not among the least embarrassing, & disagreeable parts of the difficulty.
Will you permit me to put the enclosed letter under cover to you. From the Gentleman to whom it is addressed, I have lately received a letter of which this is an acknowledgment. With very great esteem and regard, I have the honor to be Dear Sir Yr Most Obedt & Affe. Ser.

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Samuel Athawes, 20 July 1787
From: Athawes, Samuel
To: Washington, George

Gentlemen
London 20th July 1787.

It is with sincere & very heartfelt Concern that I communicate to you an Event, which will excite the same sentiments of Sorrow in your Breasts; a long & uninterrupted Attachment to & Friendship with the Object of it, has convinced me that where he was barely known he was honoured; where he was well known he was valued & venerated; & where Friendship had knot the Tie he was unreservedly beloved. You, Gentlemen, stand with me in this last predicament, & what I have felt will be communicated to your Breasts when I tell you that our most worthy & invaluable Friend George William Fairfax Esqr. departed this Life on the 3d of April last. His Health for several years past had been slender & precarious. I met him at Weymouth in the Autumn, & the Sea Air & bathing seemed to agree exceedingly well with him; he increased both in his Spirits & Appetite, & after his Return to Bath I received several Letters from him wrote in such a Strain of Chearfulness & even Hilarity as he had not been accustomed to, so that I flattered myself he

had laid in a good Stock of Health for the Winter. But this pleasing Prospect Soon shut in, & about Christmas he was attacked with a Fever which with Difficulty yielded to the power of Medicine; & while he was yet weak & languid from the Effects of the Fever, he was seized with a spitting of Blood. Alarmed at this Appearance, his Physician ordered him to the Hot-well at Bristol, & there were at first some weak Symptoms in his favour; but his Fever which had never been subdued, but only weakened, gathered fresh Force, & he gradually declined till at Length he fell under the inevitable Stroke. I paid him a melancholy Visit while at Bristol, & was Witness to the Firmness of Mind & christian patience with which he sustained his Malady; they continued with him to the last, & the Remembrance of them to those of his Friends who were admitted to the Scene will serve as an Example & Admonition, & to those who were not the Reflection upon them may alleviate their Sorrow for his Departure.
The Notification of this melancholy Event would have reached you sooner if the proving of the Will here had not necessarily taken up much Time from the Residence of the Executors in different parts of the Kingdom, & till they were all sworn it could not be deposited in the Registry of our prerogative Court, nor of Course an official Copy of it be obtained to send to you, who are appointed by the Testator, his Executors & Trustees for his Estates & Effects in Virginia. It is now herewith transmitted to you, & as it is unnecessary for me to enter into the particulars of it, I will only take Occasion to say that during the Visit I paid our departed Friend at Bristol he called for & opened his Will, & desired as he had appointed me one of his Executors, that I would peruse it. I did so, & the Impropriety of joining his Executors & Trustees here with those in Virginia for the Transaction of his Affairs in either or in both Countries & the Impracticability of acting with any Effect under a Trust so constituted, struck me very forcibly; & he was so well convinced of the Truth of my Remarks that his Attorney was sent for, & by a Codicil he appointed Executors & Trustees in each Country for his Estates & Affairs in each, separately & distinctly & without Dependance on each other for the performance of discretionary or legal Acts; & I flatter myself that this Alteration by simplifying the Trusts & rendering the Execution of them as easy as possible will be fully approved by you.

Heartily wishing that the Event we now deplore may be respectively removed to a great Distance from each of you, & that you may enjoy an uninterrupted Series of Health & Prosperity, I remain, very respectfully Gentlemen Your very obedient humble Servant

Saml Athawes.

P.S. There being no Opportunity at present directly to Potomack I have put the papers in a Case addressed to you & consigned it by James River Ship to my Friend Colo. Burwell near Williamsburg, whom I have requested to forward it to you, by an Express, the Expence of which you will please to pay & charge to the Estate. In the Case there is also inclosed a Gold Watch, Chain & Seals, bequeathed to Mr Ferdinando Fairfax on which I have insured £25 and two Letters from Mrs Fairfax, which you will have the Goodness to send to their respective Addresses.


Title: To George Washington from Mauduit du Plessis, 20 July 1787
From: Mauduit du Plessis, Thomas-Antoine, chevalier de
To: Washington, George

My dear General,
Paris St Mark’s Street 20th July 1787.

Previous to my departure from Georgia I had the honor of writing to your Excellency a particular account of the difficulties which I had encountered during 4 months, the disasters which I had met with by sickness & otherwise, and the necessity I was under of returning to France for the reestablishment of my health.
I embarked at Charleston on the 9th of April on board of an English Vessel, & arrived in France the first of June. I presume

that your Excellency is so well convinced of my attachment as to beleive that I felt a sincere regret at being so far distant from Mount Vernon & its respectable inhabitants. I assure you, my dear General, that I respect & revere Madam Washington with all my soul; I beg you would tell her so, & I hope she will have the goodness to beleive it.
The Count de Rochambeau, upon my arrival, made the most particular inquiries about you, and told me that he had written to you some time in the month of may last, by the way of Holland.
The Marquis de la Fayette is well. When I arrived I gave him the freshest accounts I was able of Mt Vernon in which he is warmly interested. The Count d’Estaing, who is exceeding attached to your Virtue⟨,⟩ has a great desire to see you. He received, not long since, a letter from you by the hands of Mr Rutledge; Your recommendation has the greatest weight with him, he has sought all occasions of rendering himself useful & paying attention to this young American.
I beseech you, my dear General, to let me hear of your & Madam Washington’s welfare often; by putting your letters under cover to the minister of France or to Mr Jefferson they will find a ready conveyance to me and I request that you will honor me with any commissions which you may have to execute in France.
I shall feel myself under a great obligation to you if you will send me an engraved copy of your portrait, such as I saw at your house. I shall hang it up in my room where I may have it always in view that it may inspire me with sentiments of benevolence, greatness, & Virtue; I ask it of you as a favor which will be peculiarly dear to me.
I send you, my dear General, some Ribband for the Cincinnati, because I observed it was scarce in America.
I beg that you would be so good as to address to me a diploma of the order of the Cincinnati, signed by yourself, as I have not received one. We all wear the decoration in France & look upon it as very honorary.
I beseech you, my dear General, to accept the tribute of my sincere attachment & the profound respect with which I am yr Excellency’s most Hble & Obedt servt

Duplessis


Title: From George Washington to Joseph Rakestraw, 20 July 1787
From: Washington, George
To: Rakestraw, Joseph

Sir,
[Philadelphia] 20th July. 1787.

Perceiving a Vessell advertized for Alexandria, you would oblige me much in hastening the work you have undertaken for me, that I may send it by her.
I should like to have a bird (in place of the Vain) with an olive branch in its Mouth—The bird need not be large (for I do not expect that it will traverse with the wind & therefore may receive the real shape of a bird, with spread wings)—the point of the spire not to appear above the bird—If this, that is the bird thus described, is in the execution, likely to meet any difficulty, or to be attended with much expence, I should wish to be informed thereof previous to the undertaking of it. I am Sir Yr very Hble Sen

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from George Augustine Washington, 22 July 1787 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George Augustine
To: Washington, George

 Letter not found: from George Augustine Washington, 22 July 1787. GW wrote George Augustine on 29 July: “Your letter of the 22d is before me.


Title: From George Washington to George Augustine Washington, 24 July 1787
From: Washington, George
To: Washington, George Augustine

Dear George,
Philadelphia July 24th 1787.

For the benefit of exercise, I left the City at 5 Oclock on Sunday Morning, and did not return in time to write by the Post on Monday. I now acknowledge the receipt of your letter and report of the 15th & shall observe upon such parts of them as may require it.
I would not wish you to ask Mr Lund Washington for Dows Bond—but when you see him you may tell him that I had directed you (if it was returned) to put it without delay in suit; this, no doubt will bring on an explanation of his intentions respecting it.
Notwithstanding the idea which I gave to you in my last, respecting fallowing, my wish now is, that the ground, be it little or much that is got into Wheat, may be well prepared (the Farmer no doubt can judge of this) and sowed in good time. I am now determined to sow no more Wheat in the Fallow ground than what can be put in in this manner—hoping that a smaller quantity sown in time, in well dressed Land, will yield as much as a larger qty put in late, and in a slovenly manner whilst the residue of the ground intended for fallow may be preparing (after the Winter grain is in) for Barley and Oats in the Spring.

I am in hopes you are mistaken with respect to the injury the Wheat has sustained by rust, if it only siezed it a few days previous to harvest. The grain never can be damaged by this malady if it has got hard before it appears—If the case, in the present instance is otherwise, mine is peculiarly a hard one not only to have a very thin crop, but that injured also when our accts from all parts of Virginia are, that a better Crop both as to quantity & quality has not been in that State for many years. If however the Rye, next adjoining the latter sowed Wheat at Morris’s has turned out well, it will make some amends; for in truth I did not expect, when I saw it last, that a Scythe would ever be put into that part which bordered on the lay Wheat.
If the Farmer disapproves of the Barley he grew last year, and will describe a better sort, I will make enquiry for, and if to be obtained, procure & send some home—but quæry, has not Mr Young sent the right sort? Three pecks is, from the best information I can procure, the quantity of Buck Wheat usually sown to an Acre; and may regulate your conduct in future.
Be careful to thresh the Oats wch grew in the experimental grounds by themselves, and in the manner directed, that the result may be precisely known. What kind (I mean as to their quality) of oats, grew in front of the house—and what prospect is there of that grounds being covered with clover and orchard grass?
How is the Corn in the New ground fronting the house likely to turn out? and what are your present prospects for that grain? I will enquire into the price of Timothy seed in this City; but the sooner you can, conveniently, ascertain the quantity you have, or will be able to save yourself, the better; that on advice thereof, I may know what quantity to provide.
Such parts of the Mill race (if the whole cannot be done) as is attempted, do well, agreeably to the direction I left. I beg that the Shrubberies on both sides of the Serpentine walks, between them & the Walls, may be spaded up, and the ground made not only clean but light. In doing this care must be taken not to injure any of the young plants.
It is indispensably necessary to lay Cills, & good heavy ones, well morticed together, on the brick work of the Stercorary—without it, the Walls will soon be down—You do very right in cutting every thing that will make Hay—The Pea vines I expect

will yield a good deal of food—especially for Sheep—for this reason, I conceive they ought to be cut in that State, when the Pease appear to be generally ripe, and before those which first ripen begin to open, or shatter with a stroke of the Scythe.
After finishing the part of No. 6, at the Ferry, in which the Plows were when you wrote, they may proceed next to the Part of it which was in wheat. And then, if I should not return home before, to the part that was in rye, provided the latter does not appear to be well taken with Timothy; in which case I would not break it up; but bestow more culture on the other parts of that field, No. 6. What kind of Oats did the New meadow at that place produce—and how does the ground appear to be taken with Timothy?
Remember me affectionately to Fanny, and offer my best wishes to Mr Lear. I am Yr sincere friend and Affecte Uncle

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from John Paul Jones, 25 July 1787
From: Jones, John Paul
To: Washington, George

Sir,
New York July 25th 1787.

Mr Jonathan Nesbitt, the bearer of this Letter, will deliver to your order the Bust you do me the Honor to accept. I am impressed with a deep sense of the favor you thereby confer on me, and it will be my ambition through the remainder of my Life to merit that mark of your esteem.
As Congress has not yet determined some things that regard my return to Europe, I am prevented from embarking in the Packet that sails this day. I expect to embark in the next Vessel, and shall be happy to be charged with your dispatches for France. On my arrival here I sent your Letter to Mr St John, who is at Boston.
I apprehend it will be difficult if not impossible for the Captains Edward Stack and Eugene Maccarthy to get themselves admitted members of the Cincinnati in France. And as I am very desirous to gratify them (especially Stack, who commanded the Party in the Bon-Homme-Richards Main-top, which was of singular service in the engagement with the Serapis) I must beg the favor of you to lay the Certificates I sent you in their favor before the Society, when you Preside at the next general Convention. I am, Sir, with profound veneration for your Virtues & Talents Your most obliged & most humble Servant

Paul Jones


Title: From George Washington to Philip Marsteller, 25 July 1787
From: Washington, George
To: Marsteller, Philip

Sir,
Philadelphia July 25th 1787

You would oblige me by letting me know whether there is a prospect of your purchasing, on the terms specified in my letter of Instructions, any of the Articles mentioned in the list handed to you therewith—particularly Blankets—as the Season in which these will be wanted, is now fast approaching, and against which they must be provided for the accomodation of my Negros. If there is a moral certainty of obtaining them through your means, I will depend thereon, if not, I must look out in time, and therefore give you the trouble of this Enquiry. I am Sir Yr most Obedt Servant

G. Washington


Title: To George Washington from Samuel Powel, 25 July 1787
From: Powel, Samuel
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
[Philadelphia] Wednesday 25 July 1787

I have just seen the Coach-painter, whose prices are as follows

                  chariot Ground
                  that is painting the Body
                  £ 5.

                  Solid Gilding
                  that is the whole Moulding
                  5. 5.

                  Full do
                  that is in all the Hollows
                  3.15.

                  Half do
                  that is only round the
                  2.10.

                  Pannels

                  Ornaments
                  that is Arms &c.
                  3.

                  Painting the Carriage

                  2.10.

                  Gilding the Springs

                  2.10.

At the above prices, the Chariot Body is to be painted in Varnish, the Surface polished & reduced to a perfect Smoothness—In this Case no Varnish is put on after the painting is perfected.

There is another Mode of doing the Work, which is by painting first & varnishing after the painting is perfected, which looks very well but is not equally durable. This last Mode lessens the Expence £2.10.
The Painter informs me that it will take from four to five Weeks, according to the Weather, to perfect his Work. I have not made any Sort of Contract or mentioned any Name to him but, simply, demanded Price & Time. The Coachmaker is from Home so that I do not yet know the Price of Lining, but ⟨sh⟩all know it to Day. I am, with great Respect Dear Sir, Your most obedt humble Servt

Samuel Powel

The price for lining is £3 exclusive of the Cloth & Lace. A tolerable Cloth may be had, as the Coachmaker tells me, for 32/ ⅌ Yard—It will take about Five Yards—Lace from 15d. to 2/ ⅌ Yard—about 20 Yards of Lace—One Week will be required for lining a Chariot.


Title: From George Washington to Samuel Powel, 25 July 1787
From: Washington, George
To: Powel, Samuel

Dear Sir,
Market Street [Philadelphia]Wednesday Afternoon 25th July [1787]

I pray you to accept my thanks, for the trouble of your enquiries into the prices for Painting, and lining Carriages. Your letter coming to me whilst I was at Dinner, prevented an immediate acknowledgment of it, & previous thereto having heard a Mr Clarke (Coachmaker in this Square) well spoken of—having seen some of his work—and having received the strongest assurances of fidelity and diligence in the execution of mine, I have committed my Chariot to him—induced thereto by the further consideration of seeing every day as I pass his workshop the progress he makes—My obligation to you, my good Sir, is not lessened thereby but with sentiments of great esteem and regard I am Dear Sir Yr most Obedt & obliged

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to George Augustine Washington, 29 July 1787
From: Washington, George
To: Washington, George Augustine

Dear George,
Philadelphia 29th July 1787.

Your letter of the 22d is before me. If the outer doors of the New room are adapted to receive Mortice locks, it will make the room more uniform; and I can get them here of good quality from Seven Inches downwards—I shall decline sending any kind ’till I hear from you again thinking it best that the whole should be of this kind if any are.
Perceiving you have little chance of sowing much Wheat in Fallow land this Fall (as the plowing of it at some of the Plantations is not yet begun) and little prospect of Plowing any ground well; it is indispensably necessary (in order that I may have something to depend upon next year) that all the Corn ground at all the Plantations, should be laid down in either Wheat or Rye, as shall be best suited to the land; and I request it may be done accordingly; and with as little delay as possible. The Season for it is now come—and putting it in, gives the last stirring to the Corn. A Bushel, or what my Seedsmen usually bestows to the Acre, of Wheat, is, I conceive sufficient; but where there is an exact similarity of Soil, it may not, for the sake of experiment, be amiss to try different quantities from two, to eight pecks, to the acre, and of Rye from two to Six pecks. If the Barley should turn out 16 Bushels to the Acre, I shall be very well satisfied; and according to your Acct of the drought, it is more than could be expected. Should the Oats turn out in that proportion, my case will not be quite so desperate as I expected.
I am glad you settled with Rawlin⟨s⟩ as I do not like to be in debt to workmen, & could you, if there is means, pay Elizabeth Alton part of her demand, it would also be pleasing; as her frequent applications are disagreeable.
Priming the roof of the Greenhouse may be delayed till I return, or till you hear from me again, on the subject. in the mean while inform me what the Alexandria prices of white & red lead ground in oil, and yellow Oaker unground, are. I desire that the honey suckles against the Houses & brick Walls, may be nailed up; and made to spread regularly over them. Should those near the Pillars of the Colonades, or covered ways, be dead, their places should be supplied with others; as I want

them to run up, and Spread over the parts which are painted green.
I am glad to hear that Mr Youngs Plow answers in practice, and approved of by the Farmer; who should take care to keep it in order. Is all that field at French’s the fallowing of which was begun before I left home (I mean the one which you enter after crossing the ford, between Manley’s houses & the south side of the Swamp) sowed, or Planted? and with what?
How does the grain which you have got out, yield, in quantity & quality? What has Morris been doing to his carts to require a new one to be made—& another repaired? I am certain he had a New one this spring or rather Past Winter & the old one repaired—his wants of these so soon again, is inconceivable upon fair ground.
If Hezh Fairfax is going to leave the Ferry, and John Fairfax is desirous of going there on the same terms his brother now is; I have no objection to it. but I shall not employ him at that place on standing wages; neither shall I encrease his present lay at the Home House; nor exempt him, if he lives with me, from looking after the Fishery, provided I keep it in my own hands—which is uncertain—as a good rent would induce me to let it, that I might have no trouble or perplexity about it. As to giving a Man standing wages who looks after a Plantation, & has the hands to himself, and engaged in cropping, I have no idea of it—about a home house where there is no settled work, from the profit of which an Overlooker can derive a proportionate benefit, there is a necessity for it. And whatever John Fairfax may think, he or I is a good deal mistaken if there is any business he can fall into, by which he can (Clothes excepted) clear £40 a yr; when it is next to impossible to get money on any terms. Like others however he is never to be satisfied; and strange it is to me, that so soon as a man, by doing his duty, becomes useful; and without it, would be turned away disgracefully; and perhaps have his wages stopped—that he immediately thinks his Services can never be sufficiently rewarded; & without considering what others really make, when all expences are paid, or what he himself could raise under like circumstances, is forever demanding what, from the Nature of the thing, cannot be given. I like John Fairfax very well, & have no inclination to change, but shall

make no alteration in his lay; and had rather he should remain about the house than go to the Ferry, as he has a better knowledge than a new hand would have, of what is required of such a character.
As to Cornelius’s brother, it is scarcely possible to decide any thing—In the first place he may not come. In the next place, his appearance may be very much against him; and he may have no testimonials that can be relied on: he may be too young, or he may not possess those qualities which Cornelius’s partiallity has bestowed on him. and lastly, I can hardly believe that a raw Irishman can be well qualified to manage Negros. If I could employ him to any advantage, I should have no objection to it, but I must see the man, and have something to judge by, before this can happen, or some body on my behalf must do it for me. Give my love to Fanny and good wishes to Mr Lear. Let him know that Mr Langdon is here, and very well—as is Mr Gilman (who used to be in the Adjutant Generals department) as Deligates from New Hampshire. request Mr Lear to translate the enclosed Letters. With great esteem & regard I remain Yr affecte Uncle

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from James Maury, 30 July 1787
From: Maury, James
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Liverpool [England] 30th July 1787

I am much obliged & highly honored by your kind Letter of the 25th February—& beg Leave to repeat my wishes to be useful to you.
For the News of the day I inclose your Excellency some News papers, observing to you that altho’ this Country, France & prussia are hovering over the United provinces with large Fleets & Armies, yet we hope, from the generally prevailing disposition of Europe for peace, that all Matters will be adjusted without Violence.
I am happy to add that Mr Jefferson’s Amendment to Mr Morris’s Contract with France for Tobaccoe has not only had a favor[a]ble Effect on the price both here & in America, but has also—in many Instances, of which this present Conveyance is one, obtained from British Merchants a preference to the American Flag. I have the Honor to be with the highest Respect your excellency’s most obt & most hble St

James Maury


Title: From George Washington to Elizabeth Powel, 30 July 1787
From: Washington, George
To: Powel, Elizabeth

[Philadelphia] Monday Morning [30 July 1787]

Genl Washington presents his respectful compliments to Mrs Powell, and would, with great pleasure, have made one of a

party for the School for Scandall this evening; had not every thing been arranged, & Mr Govr Morris and himself on the point of stepping into the Carriage for a fishing expedition at Jenny Moores; at which place Mr & Mrs Robt Morris are to be to morrow, to partake of the successes, of Mr Govr Morris & himself this day.
The Genl can but regret that matters have turned out so unluckily, after waiting so long to receive a lesson in the School for Scandal.


Title: To George Washington from Lafayette, 3 August 1787
From: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de
To: Washington, George

My dear General
Paris August the 3d 1787

I Have Received Your first favour from Philadelphia with the Greater Satisfaction, as it promises me the pleasure to Hear Again from you Before long—a pleasure, My Beloved General, which Your friend’s filial Heart wants to Anticipate, and Enjoys most Affectionately—I Have not Been surprised to Hear of Your Attendance at the Convention, and would indeed Have wondered at a denial—on the success of this Meeting the very Existence of the United states may depend—and You well know that Your Name will add a Great weight to its proceedings—I am sorry to say, But am Much More Unhappy to observe that the Name of America is declining—it Gives pleasure to Her Ennemies—it Hurts Her interest Even with Her Allies—it furnishes the opponents to liberty with And Republican Arguments—Her dignity is lowering—Her Credit vanishing, Her Good intentions Questionned By some, Her future prosperity doubted—Good God! Will the people of America, so Enlightned, so wise so Generous, after they Have so gloriously Climbed up the Rugged Hill, now stumble in the Easy path? I the more Heartly wish well to Your Meeting as I feel that the Happiness of My life would

not with[s]tand a disappointement in my fond Hopes for the prosperity of our good United states.
I thank you, my dear General, for the fine Birds, and excellent Beacons you Have sent to me—the poor ducks died at the Havre on their Arrival—I Beg you will send me some Again—and Beg leave to add a petition for an envoice of Mocking Birds.
The spirit of liberty is prevailing in this Country at a Great Rate—liberal ideas are Cantering about from one end of the Kingdom to the other—our assembly of Notables was a fine thing, But for those who imagined it—you know of the personal quarell I had respecting some Gifts Made to favourites at the expense of the public—it Has Given me a Great Number of powerfull and inveterate Ennemies—But was very well come to the Nation—I Have since that period presented some opinions of mine in very plain terms—I Can’t say I am on a very favourable footing at Court, if By Court You Understand the King, Queen, and and King’s Brothers—But am very friendly with the present Administration—the Arch Bishop of toulouse is a man equally great By His Abilities and up Rightness—and the King’s Council is Better Composed than it Has ever Been.
At the same time the parliaments, warmed by the example of the Notables, make a great Resistance Against the New taxes—they will Be forced to Register the Edicts—But it is well that they Have asked for a general assembly of the Nation, and altho’ it will not take place now, I anticipate the Event, when the Assembly of Representatives now settling in each province will Have taken a proper weight, and felt their own strength—I Hope the affair of the protestants will soon Be settled agreable to the motion I Had made the day Before our dismission.
it is not known wether the Emperor will make terms with the flemish deputies or Risk the sending of an Army from His austrian dominions to that Remote part of His empire—I Rather think He will Negociate—But would not Be surprised if He acted the Contrary way—prussia and Great Britain are supporting the state Holder—france interests Herself for the Republican party—preparations are Making on Both sides—But I Believe that this too, will take a Negociating turn, and Be Reduced to some skirmishes Among the dutch—unless the King’s of Prussia’s partiality to His sister leads Him into Hasty Measures which would involve them all farther than they now expect.

Adieu, My dear and Respected General—My Best Respects wait on Mrs Washington the family and all friends—mde de lafayette is in Auvergne where I am Going to Meet Her and Attend the first session of the provincial Assembly—with every sentiment of filial love and Respect I Have the Honour to Be my Dear General Your Respectfull and affectionate friend

lafayette


Title: To George Washington from George Augustine Washington, 5 August 1787 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George Augustine
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from George Augustine Washington, 5 Aug. 1787. On 12 Aug. GW wrote George Augustine: “This letter is in acknowledgement of yours of the 5th Instt.”


Title: Draft of the Federal Constitution: Report of Committee of Detail, 6 August 1787
From: Committee of Detail
To:

6 August 1787. On 6 Aug. John Rutledge delivered the report of the “Committee of detail” in the form of a printed draft of the proposed federal constitution and provided copies for the members. GW and the secretary of the Convention, William Jackson, entered on one printed copy those deletions and additions that were adopted by the Convention between 6 Aug. and 3 Sept. and were included in the draft referred to the committee of five elected on 8 Sept. “to revise the stile of and arrange the articles which had been agreed to by the House” (Madison’s Notes in Farrand, Records of the Federal Convention,Max Farrand, ed. The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787. Rev. ed. 4 vols. New Haven, 1966. 2:177, 553).


Title: From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 7 August 1787
From: Washington, George
To: Biddle, Clement

Dear Sir
August 7th 1787.

In addition to the articles contained in the Memo. given to you some time since, I pray you to procure, and send by Captn Steward the following.
A Wimble bit—compleat.
Pickled Walnuts & India Mangoes none were sent before.
Thompsons Seasons and Gutheries Geography and the Art of Speaking.
Some Pamphlets which have been sent to me since I came to Town; and Books purchased for my amusement whilst in it, I now send to be packed up, and sent round.
The Top of the Cupolo (from Mr Rakestraw)—The Venetian blind from Mr Davis. A hogshead of Plaister of Paris, & a coob with two or three fowls, from Mr Barge; and the Chair—I mean shall take the opportunity afforded by the Dolphin of going to Mount Vernon. and I pray you to recommend them to the particular care of the Captn.
I have bought one and mean to buy another, piece of fine linnen which I shall send to you. I am—Dear Sir Yr Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Edward Newenham, 10 August 1787 [letter not found]
From: Newenham, Edward
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Edward Newenham, 10 Aug. 1787. GW wrote Newenham on 24 Feb. 1788: “I have been favoured with your letter of the 10th of Augt.”


Title: Enclosure: Memorial, 12 August 1787
From: Roussilles, Pierre
To: Washington, George

[Bordeaux, c.12 August 1787]

   The Memorial of Pierre Roussilles sheweth—That he is the son of a merchant of Bordeaux; and that he entered as a volunteer on board the Boston Frigate commanded by Captn Tucker on the 22d of may 1778—on the 19th June they took a prize on board of which the memorialist embarked to sail for Boston; but on their way thither they were retaken by a British frigate & carried to Portsmouth in Engld where he was detained a prisoner for two years, during which time he hear’d nothing of the frigate.
On his return to France he learnt that the frigate had been very successful in taking a number of prizes which were sold in Nantz & their proceeds remitted to Captn Tucker, as he can prove by letters.
He thinks he ought to be entitled to a share of the prizes as well as those who remained on board, & it was particularly agreed upon between him & Captn Tucker before he left the Frigate that it should be so. He thinks a Citizen of France should be as much attended to in this case by the board of Admiralty as a Citizen of America.
He has written frequently to Captn Tucker & to the board of Admiralty, but could never obtain answers from either.
He laid his situation before the Marechal de Castries, who referred him to Doctor Franklin (then at Paris) who referred him to the marine department of the United States through the channel of the French Consul in America.
He accordingly wrote to Monsr de L’etombe the Consul at Boston who wrote him an answer in July 1784 informing him that Captn Tucker was dead. This however is a mistake, for I beleive Capt. Tucker is living at this time. & that he had laid his case before the marine board at Boston who could do nothing in the matter.
He has likewise made application through Monsr de Marbois but has recd no satisfaction.

He therefore begs your recommendations of his case to the consideration of Congress not doubting but that it will have sufficient weight to obtain for him his wages & prize money.
The letters are, one from the Secretary of the marine department to Mr Jay informing him that if Captn Tucker was Agent for the Captors he, the memorialist, must apply there for his prize-money & if wages are due that he must apply to Joseph Pennell Esquire who settles accts in the marine department. One from Mr Jay to Mr Marbois enclosing the secretary’s letter, not doubting but it would prove satisfactory. One from Doctor Franklin advising him to lay his compla[i]nts before the board of admiralty. Two respecting the Prizes which the Frigate took & informing the memorialist that Captn Tucker had recd the Captors share of them.


Title: From George Washington to George Augustine Washington, 12 August 1787
From: Washington, George
To: Washington, George Augustine

Dear George,
Philadelphia 12th Augt 1787

This letter is in acknowledgement of yours of the 5th Instt—and painful indeed it is to find that the drought should continue with such unremitting violence with you, when from other parts (and indeed in your own Neighbourhd) by acct, it is seasonable; and is as much so here as could be wished.
By the Dolphin, Captn Steward, I have sent some Goods, and other articles round; which I hope will arrive safe. Among them,

is a top for the Cupulo of the House, which has been left so long unfinished. I do not suppose there would have been any difficulty in fixing it without directions; but I requested the maker to give them; and they are sent accordingly. The sooner it is put up the better; but before it is done, the wood part (of what is sent) must receive a Coat of white paint. The spire (if it is not the case already) must have that of black; the bill of the bird is to be black. and the Olive branch in the mouth of it, must be green; these two last are otherwise by mistake—Great pains (and Mr Lear understands the Compass) must be taken to fix the points truly; otherwise they will deceive rather than direct—(if they vary from the North, South, East, and West)—one way of doing this may be by my Compass being placed in a direct North line on the ground at some distance from the House by means of which and a plumb line, the point may be exactly placed—that is by having the point in a true line between the plumb line and the Spire—So with respect to the other 3 points. What the paper means by cutting of the top of the present Cupulo, is no more than the small octagon at the very top, so as that the work of the old & New may fit well together; and this, if the sizes of the two do not exactly accord, must be so ordered as to do it. Let particular care be used to putty, or put copper on all the joints to prevent the leaking, & rotting of the wood as it will be difficult, & expensive to repair it hereafter.
Your letter came too late for me to get & send the Mortice locks by the Vessel, but they shall go by the first conveyance that offers as they are already purchased agreeably to Mathews directions. The hinges you will receive in a bundle with the wimble bit agreeable to your Aunts request in a former letter. If the wimble bit (which is a complete one) is given to Mathew take a Memo. of the number and quality of the pieces & make him sign it for I have suspicions that many of my tools are converted after a while to the uses of themselves & called their own.
At your Aunts request a Coach Dog has been purchased and sent for the convenience, & benefit of Madame Moose; her amorous fits should therefore be attended to, that the end for which he is sent, may not be defeated by her acceptance of the services of any other dog.
With respect to the money which has been called for by the

Directors of the Potomk Company, the treasurer must wait till I return; and this cannot be considered as any great indulgence as I have always been punctual hitherto in my payments. As I did not advert to the annual meeting of the Compy myself & did not receive your intimation of it till it was too late I could not appoint a substitute in time & must for these reasons be excused.
If Fairfax does not chuse to stay on his present lay, he must go. I like him very well, but I do not chuse to give away my substance to overlookers; who I am sure cannot make so much in any other way. He cannot I should think have forgot, that his Wages were only £30 a year, & that it was my own act to add ten pounds more, long after the Bargain was made, merely on acct of the trouble he wd have with the fishery.
If Mr Lund Washington wants Dows money he must have it; but really I see no more than the man in the moon, where I am to get money to pay my Taxes &ca &ca &ca if I have made no Crop, & shall have to buy Corn for my people.
You must endeavour to get stuff for the Venitian blinds—one ready made goes by the Vessel which will be more satisfactory than directions in writing, for the proper kind of materials which the rest are to be made.
I have sent the bust of Commodore Paul Jones (given to me by himself) which I request may be placed opposite to my own, in my study on a similar bracket, with that of the latter. I have also sent 14 bushels of prepared Plaister of Paris with which I mean to make another experiment but desire nothing more may be done with it than to have it preserved in a dry & safe place.
I will make enquiry for Gudgeons & let you know the result. Does your Turnip Seed come up? You have frequently in the reports, and in your letters, mentioned preparing ground for, & sowing them, but I do not recollect that in any one you have informed me of the coming up of a single Seed, and I should suppose not a Seed has come up, from the Acct you have given of the weather. It is now sometime since I wrote to Mr Marsteller to know whether there is any probability of his purchasing any of the articles mentioned in my Invoice to him, particularly Blankets—without receivg any answer—I wish you would make this enquiry & let me know—Give my love to Fanny—tell Mr

Lear I have recd & forwarded his letter to Young Mr Lincoln. I am with sincere regard Yr Affectionate Uncle

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from David Humphreys, 13 August 1787
From: Humphreys, David
To: Washington, George

Hartford [Conn.] Augst 13th 1787

I would not trespass upon your time, while I knew you was occupied in such momentuous affairs, as the revisal of the Confederation: but now that common Report says the principles are settled & the business, on which the Convenn assembled, nearly compleated, I take the liberty of addressing myself again to my dear General. And the rather as I do not know whether the letter I wrote from N. H., in which was enclosed the sketch of an answer to Mr Jefferson, has ever come to hand.
It gives all the friends of good Government much pleasure to be advised that so great candour & unanimity have prevailed in the Deliberations of your national Assembly. Nor have the well affected been wanting in efforts to prepare the minds of the Citizens for adopting whatever may be the Result of your Proceedings. In case that every thing turns out in the best manner,

I shall certainly be among the first to rejoice in finding that our apprehensions & predictions were not verified, as well as to felicitate you upon having contributed your assistance on so important an occasion.
Since I had the honor of seeing you, in Philadelphia, I have made the tour of the N. England States as far as Portsmouth. I was happy to find in Massachusetts the spirit of Insurrection pretty generally subsided, and an impression left on the minds of people in most of the States that something energetic must [be] adopted respecting the national Government, or we shall be a ruined People.
From speaking of the general tendency of our old Government, I may be allowed to descend with propriety to speak of its influence on Individuals. Republics have commonly been noted for ingratitude, and I fear we shall not be found an honorable exception.
I was unhappy to find from but too good authority that our friend Cobb (I did not see him, tho’ I previously wrote to have an interview in Boston) is not only in circumstances of indigence, but almost of distress. Would to God his Country might do somewhat for him.


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 14–15 August 1787
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Paris Aug. 14[–15] 1787.

I was happy to find by the letter of Aug. 1 1786 which you did me the honour to write me, that the modern dress for your statue would meet your approbation. I found it strongly the sentiment of West, Copeley, Trumbul & Brown in London, after which it would be ridiculous to add that it was my own. I think a modern in an antique dress as just an object of ridicule as an Hercules or Marius with a periwig & chapeau bras.
I remember having written to you while Congress sat at Annapolis on the water communications between ours & the Western country, and to have mentioned particularly the information I had received of the plain face of the country between the sources of Big beaver & Cayohoga, which made me hope that

a canal of no great expence might unite the navigations of L. Erie & the Ohio, you must since have had occasion of getting better information on this subject &, if you have, you would oblige me by a communication of it. I consider this canal, if practicable, as a very important work.
I remain in hopes of great & good effects from the decisions of the assembly over which you are presiding. to make our states one as to all foreign concerns, preserve them several as to all merely domestic, to give to the federal head some peaceable mode of enforcing their just authority, to organise that head into Legislative, Executive, & Judiciary departments are great desiderata in our federal constitution. yet with all it’s defects, & with all those of our particular governments, the inconveniencies resulting from them are as light in comparison with those existing in every other government on earth, that our citizens may certainly be considered as in the happiest political situation which exists. the assemblée des Notables has been productive of much good in this country. the reformation of some of the most oppressive laws has taken place & is taking place. the allotment of the state into subordinate governments, the administration of which is committed to persons chosen by the people, will work in time a very beneficial change in their constitution. the expence of the trappings of monarchy too are lightening. many of the useless officers, high & low, of the king, queen, & princes are struck off. notwithstanding all this the discovery of the abominable abuses of public money by the late comptroller general, some new expences of the court, not of a peice with the projects of reformation, & the imposition of new taxes, have in the course of a few weeks raised a spirit of discontent in this nation, so great & so general, as to threaten serious consequences. the Parliaments in general, & particularly that of Paris put themselves at the head of this effervescence, and direct it’s object to the calling the states general, who have not been assembled since 1614. The object is to fix a constitution, and to limit expences. the king has been obliged to hold a bed of justice to enforce the registering the new taxes: the parliament on their side propose to issue a prohibition against their execution. very possibly this may bring on their exile. the mild & patriotic character of the new ministry is the principal dependance against this extremity.

The turn which the affairs of Europe will take is not yet decided. the Emperor on his return to Vienna, disavowed the retro-cessions made by his governors general in the low countries. he at the same time called for deputies to consult on their affairs. this, which would have been the sole measure of a wise sovereign, was spoiled by contrary indications resulting from his Thrasonic character. the people at first refused to send deputies. at last however they sent them without powers, & go on arming. I think there is little doubt but the Emperor will avail himself of these deputies to tread back his steps. he will do this the rather that he may be in readiness to take part in the war likely to be produced by the Dutch differences. the kings of England & Prussia were abetting the cause of the Stadholder, France that of the Patriots: but negotiations were going on to settle them amicably, when all of a sudden, the Princess of Orange, undertaking a secret journey to the Hague to incite an insurrection of the people there, is stopped on the road, writes an inflammatory letter to her brother, he without consulting England, or even his own council, or any thing else but his own pride, orders 20,000 men to march into the neighborhood of Holland. this has been followed by the sailing of the English squadron somewhere Westwardly, & that will be followed by a squadron from Brest, & an army to the confines of Holland from this country. appearances therefore are within a few days past more like war than they had been. still however the negotiations are going on, & the finances both of France & England are so notoriously incompetent to war, that the arrest of hostile movements and an amicable adjustment are not yet altogether despaired of. a war, wherein France, Holland & England should be parties, seems primâ facie to promise much advantage to us. but in the first place no war can be safe for us which threatens France with an unfavourable issue. and in the next, it will probably embark us again into the ocean of speculation, engage us to overtrade ourselves, convert us into Sea-rovers under French & Dutch colours, divert us from agriculture which is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals & happiness. the wealth acquired by speculation & plunder is fugacious in it’s nature and fills society with the spirit of gambling. the moderate & sure income of husbandry begets

permanent improvement, quiet life, and orderly conduct both public and private. we have no occasion for more commerce than to take off our superfluous produce, & tho people complain that some restrictions prevent this, yet the price of articles with us in general shew the contrary. tobacco indeed is low, not because we cannot carry it where we please, but because we make more than the consumption requires. upon the whole I think peace advantageous to us, necessary for Europe, & desireable for humanity. a few days will decide probably whether all these considerations are to give way to the bad passions of kings & those who would be kings. I have the honour to be with very sincere esteem & respect dear Sir your most obedient & most humble servant

Th: Jefferson

P.S. Aug. 15. the Parliament is exiled to Troyes this morning.