Title: To George Washington from William Vans Murray, 9 October 1797
From: Murray, William Vans
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir,
The Hague 9 Octr 1797.

The day before yesterday I recieved a letter from Mr Williams, consul at Hamburgh, in which he informs me that M. La Fayette and his family were expected there on the next day—the Fourth Inst.—That all the family, except Madame la Fayette & one of her daughters, were well; & that they would probably embark in the Ship John, for America, if the health of the ladies permitted. I had written to the general, offering my services & enclosing to him the letter of his son, written in answer to the one which Mr Livingston wrote in March 1796—in which I thought he might perceive both

the marks of your goodness to him, & the promise of an ingenuous mind & a good understanding —In that letter I also informed him where & how situated his son was &c. &c.
The negociation at Lisle is over—Lord Malmsbury having had orders to quit the Republic upon his declaring that he had no instructions to agree to the Ultimatum of the Directory, which they sent soon after they had executed their plan against the Councils. The Ultimatum, it is said, was that Great Britain should restore all she had conquered from France & her allies & pay for the Ships taken at Toulon—the terms were extrava[ga]nt, and the manner it is said peremptory & offensive—the order being that if Lord M. had not powers to settle such a basis, he must quit France in twenty four hours, that he might go & get them —The day before yesterday I was informed, through a channel upon which I rely, that on the 3d a Secret overture reached the French cabinet proposing to renew the negociation, but to do it Secretly—or to so carry it on. Certain it is, that the Parliament of Great Britain, which was to have met on the 5th, is prorogued, to early next month—This confirms the idea that additional advances will be made immediately towards a fresh negociation, that the issue may be made known against the meeting of Parliament. Indeed scarcely any object short of national independence & their commerce can counterbalance the certain expence which the british nation will have to encounter if the war continue another year—for it appears that near Fifty millions Sterg will be the ensuing estimate-—& an anticipation of twenty years of the Land Tax is contemplated. On the other hand France has properly no Finance—She is perhaps the more terrible on that very account—Her energies proceed less from an organization than a disorganization of means—and as long as the Directory can command hundreds of thousands of troops, and there remains a years pay & clothing in her dominions, or in those of her dependencies & allies, she can carry on a land war—it is a struggle between a man in health, who husbands his muscular efforts, & a man in a convulsion. The Directory certainly are too artful to desire peace with great Britain—France would be a scene of civil war in six months from a general peace. The real crime of the Legislature which has brought ruin upon Sixty Four of them & upon two of the Directory, was the endeavour which they made with sincerety to put a regular government into practice—to reclaim the disorderly habits of the nation—to recall

all the public bodies to the adoption of principles & system—& especially to sanctify the Doctrines of the public Law of Europe & the law of nations that the ambition of the Executive & of its armies might be checked by public opinion & by the fair controul of the constitution—To accomplish this they seized upon the very first approaches of a general Peace, which they anticipated—& had peace taken place they would have accomplished these great objects or have proved to France that the Republican experiment was impracticable. In these indeavours, the Directory saw that the powers which they had assumed, were threatened; & they exceited the public odium against them—or rather that of the armies—As the councils had pretty strongly intimated their intention of revising the expenditures of certain generals, of those vast treasures with which they had been fairly debited, it was not a difficult thing to rouse those generals & their troops against the councils. Doubtless, Sir, the royalists did join with those moderates—but the moderates were perfectly innocent of the views of these who probably meant to go along with them & intended to direct any events which might occur in a crisis to their favourite object. Throughout America we have seen that the majority of the royalists chose to unite with the Federalists in favour of good government; but the Federalists were untainted with the british feelings of the former royalists, & the revolutionary moderates were unconnected with the prospects of the cidevant nobles.
The Dutch Fleet which has been so long in the Texel has at length gone to sea. On the day before yesterday they sailed. Seventeen of the line & eleven inferior Ships with two Dutch Battalions on board compose the fleet. The probability is that the troops are destined for Batavia in India. The French troops leave us here daily—they go to the Rhine. Among the wonders of the day is a new Republic on the Rhine—Bonn—Cologne & Coblentz—The people & their magistrates deny that the Sovereign people have consented—but the French say otherwise. I am with perfect esteem & profound respect faithfully Dear Sir yr mo. obt Sevt

W. V. Murray.


Title: From George Washington to Samuel Stanhope Smith, 9 October 1797
From: Washington, George
To: Smith, Samuel Stanhope

Dear & Revd Sir,
Mount Vernon 9 Oct⟨r⟩ 1797.

I have duly received your several letters of last month; but as an expression of my regret, at the conduct & behaviour of young Custis would avail nothing I shall not trouble you by the attempt.
I am persuaded that your conduct towards him has been such as friendship inspired, and the duties of your important trust required. And as you have seen, in a degree, what my solicitude, advice & admonition have been, he will have himself only to upbraid for any consequences which may follow—and this perhaps come too late.
By Mr la Fayette who is on his way to New York to embark for France, I send you Bank notes to the amount of $100 ⟨in discharge⟩ of the balance of the acct transmitted ($65)—the twenty advanced Mr Custis when he left Princeton and any other unpaid bills which may hereafter appear—And with thanks for your polite attention to, & care of him while he was under your superintendance, I remain with the highest esteem, regard & respect Your Obedt Hble Servant

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Bushrod Washington, 9 October 1797
From: Washington, George
To: Washington, Bushrod

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 9th Octr 1797

Mr Thomas Pearson, heir in tail to Simon Pearson his brother, has brought suit in the Court of this County for the lands which

the latter sold to Willm Triplett, George Johnson & myself, five & thirty years ago.
I understand from Colo. Simms who is Pearsons Lawyer, that his complaint is founded upon some irregularity in the proceedings of the Jury, who met on the land to value the same, pursuant to a Writ of Ad quod damnum. And the examination of the Evidence to prove these irregularities, went (for I attended) to the establishment of two points—1st that there was no survey of the premises in presence of the Jury, at the time of their enquiry into the value of the land. and 2⟨ly⟩ that the said Jury did not explore it sufficiently to ascertain with exactness, what the real value of the land was.
This is the amount of Grafton Kirks evidence who was one of the Jurors, and who, from your practice in Fairfax Court you may have learnt is a rare hand at all obsolete claims that depend much on a good Memory.
As I shall be ultimately affected in this business if Pearsons claim obtains (having sold my part of the tract (178 acres) to Mr Lund Washington, [)] it behoves me to look into the matter timously. Let me then ask your opinion on the following points?
1st Does the Law providing for the Docking of Entails, by a Writ of Ad quod damnum, make a Survey in presence of the Jury an essential part of the proceedings?
The Writ itself (of which I retained a copy) directing the Sheriff to Summon respectable men of his County for the purpo⟨se⟩ of ascertaining the value of the land &ca requires no such thing.
2d Who is to judge of the mode by which a Jury on Oath is to report their opinion of the value of the land, if they are not to do it themselves?
Mr Kirk swears he did not on that day traverse a foot of the land. Why? because says he, living adjoining thereto, I could not be made better acquainted with it than I was; neither did John Askins (another of the Jury men) stir from the house at which they met, on the Land. why again?—because John Askins knew it as well as he did. The rest of the Jurors he acknowledges rode o⟨ut⟩ but were not gone long enough to go over a quarter part of the land. These, if not the words are the litteral meaning of them, and the Sum of Grafton Kirks Evidence. No tampering with the Jury to under value the land, is even hinted at. And the transfers, devises, & descent to Simon Pearson are admitd to be good, in order to prove

that the said Simon held the Land in fee tail, and dying (as they say) without legitimate children, that Thomas Pearson his brother is heir in Tail.
3d Whether as Simon was lawfully married, and never legally divorced, the Childn by that Woman though begotten (no matter by whom) in the state of Separation from him, is not a bar to the claim of Thomas?
4th What operation will the act of Assembly of Virginia for Docking all Entails ⟨pas⟩sed many years after the land in dispute was Docked by a Writ of Ad quod damnum, and sold (in 1762), and many years too before the death of Simon Pearson, which only happened last Spring, have on this case? It being understood that the Said Simon conveyed the 178 acres to me with a general Warrantee.
5th I would ask how far my conveyance of the said land to Mr L. Washington with a General Warrantee also, makes me liable for the buildings as well as the Land, which have been placed thereon? and
6th Whether I had better interest myself in defending the suit already commenced in this county court, or await the decision there & take it up in the dernier resort if it shd be adv⟨erse⟩.
I wish also, as the case in myjudgmt turns upon simple points wch do not require much study or research, to be informed (confidentially) whether, in your opinion, Mr Swans demand for defending the suit is not unreason⟨able?⟩ viz. $100 in hand, and the like sum at the close of the business?
You may think me an unprofitable applicant in asking opinions, & requiring services of you without dousing my money; but pay day may come. If the cause should go to the higher Courts, I shall expect you will appear for me, and Mr Marshall also (if you shd not have quit the practice). If the latter should not be returned in time, say who else had ⟨I best⟩ employ? I beg you will send me, & as soon as you can, certified copies, from the Records in Richmond, of the Papers mentioned in the enclosed. With sincere friendship I remain Your most Affecte Uncle

Go: Washington

P.S. Whether Colo. Simms has any thing in petto, I am unable to say—I am told however that he is sanguine—& some add that he is to go snacks.


Title: GW to William Herbert, 10 October 1797 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Herbert, William

Letter not found: GW to William Herbert, 10 Oct. 1797. On 10 Oct. Herbert wrote GW “In Answer to your favor of this date.”


Title: To George Washington from William Herbert, 10 October 1797
From: Herbert, William
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir—
Alexandria 10th October 1797

In Answer to your favor of this date, I Have to Inform you, that the Notes of the Bank of Columbia are Received as payments here, with equal Currency to our Own.
As to the Stability of our Bank, I feel no Difficulty in giving you as my decided opinion, that it is perfectly Safe, this Arises, from the Mode of doing Business, which Requires an Approved Endorser on every Note that is Discounted. Since the first Establishment of it, to this period, there has not been one Dollar of a bad Debt Made. Several failures have taken place in that time, & in every Instance, the debt due to the Bank was first Secured, on the principle that the Innocent Endorser, Who lent his Name merely to Serve his Friend, without any prospect of Reward, Should not Suffer—and so Sensible are All other Creditors of the Justice of this principle, that I never have heard it Objected to, on the Contrary, it has Obtained the Sanction of an Established Custom. When

Mr La Fayette & his Friend Call, things shall be Accommodated to their Satisfaction—I am Very Respectfully Dear Sir your most obedt Hble Servt

Wm Herbert


Title: From George Washington to William Thornton, 10 October 1797
From: Washington, George
To: Thornton, William

Sir,
Mount Vernon 10th Octr 1797.

Your favours of the 6th & 8th instant have both been received, and I pray you to accept my best thanks for the rare & valuable present you have made me. Being the produce of your own Estate renders it more acceptable, and nothing will add more to the go’vt of it, than your coming sometimes to parcipitate in the taste—fog, or no fog.
I have no doubt but that the section of Square No. 21 is judiciously designed. It is perfectly agreeable to me. Mrs Washington unites with me in best regards for Mrs Thornton & yourself—& with great esteem I am—Dear Sir Your Obedient Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Francis Walker, 10 October 1797
From: Washington, George
To: Walker, Francis

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 10th Oct. 1797

In answering your favor of the 28th Ulto which has been duly received—I wish it was in my power to give you more satisfactory information than you will find, in this letter, relative to the lands near Suffolk.
Some years ago (before, if my memory serves me, I was called to administer the Government of the U. States) Mr John Lewis, as Executor of his father Colo. Fielding Lewiss Will, informed me that the circumstances of that estate required that his father’s interest in the lands wch were bought by him, your father & myself,

lying as above, should be sold. In reply, I told him that any bargain for it that Doctr Walker & himself would make, I would abide by. Since which I have never heard a tittle from either, on this subject—nor do I know in whose possession, or under what circumstances the lands now are. That they are not sold I am inclined to believe, because the title papers are still in my care, & no application has ever been made for them.
These, from a cursory examination, appear to be from.

                  Jos[ep]h Jones to G.W.—T.W. & F.L. for 2 tracts
                   872 acres

                  Jas Wright
                  Do
                  Do
                  Do

                    50

                  Stepn Wright
                     Do
                     Do
                     Do

                   100

                  Kings Patent
                  Do
                  Do
                  Do

                   188

                  Total
                  1210

I thank you for offering to sell me your interest in the above lands; but I have no disposition to become the purchaser, having lately sold my share of the Company’s property in the Dismal swamp, and formerly a tract adjoining thereto, held by the deceased Colo. Lewis & myself; I shall be willing, however, at any time, to join you & Mr John Lewis in disposing of them to any other purchaser. With esteem & regard I am Sir Your most Obedt Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Lewis, 13 October 1797
From: Lewis, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Sir
Point Pleasant October 13th 1797

The bearer of this, Mr Thomas Alsbury is a person who has resided in this County for a considerable time. In the wars with the

savages he has evinced his bravery, and has experienced their revenge in many instances, they having at one time, plunder’d & afterward burnt his house—He informs me that he has heretofore serve’d in your family, and wishes that the rememberance of him may not be intirely eradicated from your Excellencys Breast, at least that he might not be refus’d the previledge of Leasing a few Acres of Your Excellencys Lands on the Ohio, or Kanhawa, that thereby, with the assistance of his Sons, his steps toward the grave, may fall in a smoother path, than they trode since he had the honour to serve with you—He has supported the character of an honest industrious Citizen while he has resided here, and as such I recommend him to your Excellencys favor—I have the Honor to be with profound respect Your Excellencys Most Obedient Most Humble Servant

Thomas Lewis


Title: GW to Matthias Slough, 14 October 1797 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Slough, Matthias

Letter not found: GW to Matthias Slough, 14 Oct. 1797. Slough wrote GW on 20 Oct. “to acknoledge the receipt of your Esteemed favour of the 14th Currt.”


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 14 October 1797
From: Spotswood, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Newpost October 14 1797

I am sorry to inform you, with all my exertions I have not been Able to procure a household Steward. I have applied to three persons either of whoom would have Suited, but I could not prevail on either to Engage.
Mr Hoomes whose assistance I Solicited in this business, has just wrote me word, that his enquieries for a Suitable person, has not been crown’d with Success—nor did he know of any one that he would venture to recommend.
The enquieries which I promised to make in Westmoreland is at an end; my Vissit to Mr Washington being put a stop to, In consequence of the yellow feever breaking out in that Neighborhood.

Next Fryday I shall take the stage to Richmond, my enquieries shall be continued as I proceed, as well as in Richmond, where I shall remain three days—and if I meet with a person, you shall have immediate information, and if his character is Such as you like—I can by letter desire him to come on; Mrs Spotswood & family desire to be remembered Affectionately to Mrs Washington, Miss Custis & Miss Henly as well as Sr Yr Affectionate Hble St

A. Spotswood


Title: From George Washington to William Stoy, 14 October 1797
From: Washington, George
To: Stoy, William

Sir
Mount Vernon 14 Octr 1797

On monday last, the bearer was Bit by a Small Dog belonging to a Lady in my house, then as was supposed a little diseased—And Yesternight died (I do think) in a State of Madness—As soon as the Boy (Christopher) was Bit application was made to a medical Gentleman in Alexandria who has cut out so far as He could, the place Bit—applyed Ointment to keep it open, And put the Boy under a Course of mercury.
But being informed of Your success in performing cures on ⟨mutilated⟩ And worse cases—has induced me to send Him to You, & put Him under Your care, Trusting You will do every thing in Your Power, to prevent any bad consequences from the Bite, And have at the same time wrote to Mr Slough in Lancaster to pay whatever is Your charge. And whenever the Boy arrives do write me, And your Opinion of Him—for besides the call of Humanity, I am particularly anxious for His cure, He being my own Body servant. The Mercury will be mostly discontinued upon His leaving this place, and untill He reaches You, And am Sir Your’s &ca

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 15 October 1797
From: Washington, George
To: Biddle, Clement

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 15th Octr 1797.

Your letter of the 28th ulto has been received, and I sincerely regret the continuance of the malady which afflicts the City of Philadelphia, and other Seaport Towns; but hope the frosts which we have lately had, & the approaching cold, will eradicate the disorder.
The Season rendering the Room for which I wanted a stove in a manner useless for the purpose it was designed without one, I have procured one in Alexandria. Although it is not altogether such as I wanted, a very good shift can be made with it; and as it supercedes the necessity of those I had written to you for, I have now to request you will decline sending them, or either of them. The other matters you will be so good as to send when an opportunity offers. With esteem & regard I am—Dear Sir Your Obedient Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Benjamin Goodhue, 15 October 1797
From: Washington, George
To: Goodhue, Benjamin

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon—15th Oct. 1797

The Fish you had the goodness to send me, arrived very safe; and are excellent: for your recollection of that request of mine,

and the trouble you were at to obtain the best kind, I pray you to accept my grateful thanks.
The money, as you desired, was paid to Captn Silver, to the amount of your memorandum of their cost; and they shall be stored, & dressed agreeably to the directions contained in your letter; for giving which I feel myself obliged.
No man wishes more devoutly than I that a stop was put to the further effusion of blood; that harmony was restored to all Nations; and that justice was done to ours: but I must confess that my hope of seeing these accomplished, soon, exceed my expectation. The affairs of Europe seem to me to be in so purturbed a state, and the views of the principal Actors so discordant, that it is not easy, on rational principles and fair calculation, to predict events.
Nothing is wanting in ourselves to steer clear of the vortex of misery, which has brought so many of the Nations of Europe to the brink of ruin in this desolating war, but unanimity; and if a steady adherance to the principles which have hitherto directed our councils is unable to effect this, it will nevertheless, I hope, avert the evils which, otherwise might be expected to flow from the persevering opposition which is levelled at our government; and all those who stand forward in support of it. This is my Creed, and I shall believe in it until the contrary is verified, which Heaven avert! Adieu, with very great esteem and regard I remain Dear Sir Your most Obedient and very Hble Servant

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to William Gordon, 15 October 1797
From: Washington, George
To: Gordon, William

Revd Sir,
Mount Vernon 15 Octr 1797.

Your favour of the 20th of Feb: has been received, and I am indebted to you for many other unacknowledged letters. The truth is, I soon found after entering upon the duties of my late public station, that private correspondencies did not accord with official duties; and being determined to perform the latter to the best of my abilities, I early relinquished the former, when business was not the subject of them.

It might be asked, why suffer the letter of the 20th of February (which is of the latter description) to remain unacknowledged after I had, months past, bid adieu to my public walks? The answer is easy; an eight years absence from home (excepting short occasional visits) had so deranged my private affairs; had so despoiled my buildings; and in a word, had thrown my domestic concerns into such disorder, as at no period of my life have I been more engaged than in the last six months, to recover & put them into some tolerable train again.
Workmen in most countries, I believe, are necessary plagues; in this where entreaties as well as money must be used to obtain their work, and keep them to their duty they baffle all calculation in the accomplishment of any plan, or repairs they are engaged in; and require more attention to, & looking after, than can well be conceived. Numbers of these, of all descriptions, having been employed by me ever since I came home (to render my situation comfortable the ensuing winter) has allowed me little leisure for other occupations.
Rural employments while I am spared (which in the natural course of things cannot be long) will now take place of toil—responsibility—and the sollicitudes attending the walks of public life; and with vows for the peace, the happiness, & prosperity of a country in whose service the prime of my life hath been spent, and with best wishes for the tranquillity of all Nations, and all men, the scene will close; grateful to that Providence which has directed my steps, & shielded me in the various changes & chances through which I have passed, from my youth to the present moment.
I scarcely know what you allude to in your letter of the 20th of Feby when you say “I observed in the Philadelphia Papers, mention made of a publication of a volume of your epistles, domestic, confidential & official” unless it be the spurious letters which issued from a certain Press in New York during the War; with a view to destroy the confidence which the army & Community might have had in my political principles; and which have lately been republished with greater avidity & perseverance than ever, by Mr Bache, to answer the same nefarious purpose with the latter.
I suffered every attack that was made upon my Executive conduct (the one just mentioned among the rest) to pass unnoticed while I remained in public office, well knowing that if the general tenor of it would not stand the test of investigation, a News paper vindication would be of little avail. But as immense pains has been

taken by this said Mr Bache, who is no more than the agent or tool of those who are endeavouring to destroy the confidence of the people in the officers of Government (chosen by themselves) to dessiminate these counterfeit letters, I conceived it a piece of justice due to my own character, and to Posterity to disavow them in explicit terms; and this I did in a letter directed to the Secretary of State to be filed in his Office, the day on which I closed my Administration. This letter has since been published in the Gazettes by the head of that Department.
With respect to your own request, I can say nothing, so many things are continually given to the public of which I have no previous knowledge—nor time indeed to inspect them if I had been therewith informed—that I may mistake the meaning of it. The late Secretary of State (now Vice President) permitted a Mr Cary—my consent being first obtained—to take copies under his inspection of the letters I had written to Congress; which letters have since been published, and are I presume genuine, & must be those which you refer to. But as they are the work of another who is now in England on this business, I can not suppose that you had it in contemplation to derive a benefit from his labours. I shall only add therefore that discretion in matters of this sort must be your guide, without a Yea, or nay, from me.
For Politics I shall refer you to the Gazettes of this country, with which I presume you are acquainted; & with respect to other matters, I have nothing wch would be entertaining, or worth narrating. Mrs Washington unites with me in best wishes for the health & happiness of your self and Mrs Gordon—and I am with esteem & respect Revd Sir Your Most Obedt & very Hble Servt

⟨Go: Washington⟩


Title: From George Washington to John Langhorne [Peter Carr], 15 October 1797
From: Washington, George
To: Langhorne, John (Peter Carr)

Sir,
Mount Vernon 15th Octr 1797.

Your favour of the 25th Ulto has been received, but not so soon as might have been expected from the date of it.
For the favourable sentiments you have been pleased to express relative to my conduct in public life, I thank you.
For the divisions which have taken place among us, with respect to our political concerns; for the attacks which have been made upon those to whom the administration of the government hath been entrusted by the People; and for the calumnies which are levelled at all those who are disposed to support the measures thereof, I feel, on public account, as much as any man can do; because (in my opinion) much evil, and no good can result from such conduct, to this country.
So far as these attacks are aimed at me, personally, it is, I can assure you Sir, a mis-conception if it be supposed I feel the venom of the darts. Within me, I have a consolation which proves an antidote agt their utmost malignity; rendering my mind in the retirement I have long panted after, perfectly tranquil.1 am—Sir Your most Obedt and Very Hble Servant

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Hannah Bushrod Washington, 15 October 1797
From: Washington, Hannah Bushrod
To: Washington, George

My dear Sir
Haywood Octr the 15 [17]97

It was fully my intention to have spent part of my time whilst at my son Corbin’s at Mount Vernon, but the very day I had fixed for

   that pleasing visit, I received a melancholy letter from Col. Washington of this place informing me, that his sons had returned from Andover, & the eldest in a deep decline with a breast complaint, he intreated me to return immediat’ly to pay that attention to my dear G—son so very necessary for his comfort and convenience—Col. Washington also wrote me, the gout had attack’d himself in such a manner as to render him useless to his child, & feared that they would both suffer in my absence[.] with a distressed mind I set off next morning & got here as expeditiously as possible—I had the pleasure of finding Col. W——n much better than I expected, but Augustine was & still is extremely emaciated & sick—he is attend’d by two physicians of great eminence, how far they may succeed God only knows—My own unhappy anticipation leads me not to flatter myself —I may with truth say that the greatest part of my time for many sad years past, has been spent in the chamber of sickness and death—the repeated griefs which I experience are in some degree mitigated by reflecting that I have been & still am useful to those I love and (perhaps) am answering the purpose for which I was made.
Be assured my dear Sir as soon as I can command as much time, I shall with the highest heart felt satisfaction pay you & my sister a visit—& that you may both long—long injoy every gift of bountious Heaven ardently prays My dear Sir Your very Affe. relation & obt Humbe Servt

Hannah Washington


Title: To George Washington from Paul Ferdinand Fevot, 16 October 1797
From: Fevot, Paul Ferdinand
To: Washington, George

Right Honored Sir
New York 16th 8ber 1797

Though I have not the honour of being known personally to Your Excellency Yet I flatter myself you will grant me your protection

in consideration of a letter of recommendation which Marechal Count of Rochambeau has been kind enough to give me for Your Excellency. I hope that when you’ll be further informed of my circumstances & character Your Excellency will comply with my Protector’s wishes in my behalf.
I was a Lawyer in Switzerland & did practise with success when the French Revolution spread very dangerous seeds in my Country, & prompted many of it’s Inhabitants to act against the Sovereign; As to me I acted in a manner quite contrary to those; I readily served on all occasions the French Emigres who fled in our Country to seek for an azyle; in their number was the Countess of Des Salles sister to Marechal of Rochambeau, who being sensible, & ever gratefull for the attentions we paid to her during her stay in my Family gave me the most pressing recomandation for the Count her Brother when she quitted us about the end of last year to retire to Bareith where the King of Prussia had offered the Lady a peaceable Retreat.
The Sovereign of my Country acted manly against the Partisants of the French Revolution when it first broke out; exiled many Jacobines; But since French Armies have met with so uncommon successes He has thought He could avoid danger by manifesting the greatest lenity; He has recalled all the outlawed &ca. By these political proceedings I found myself exposed to the spirit of revenge of the numerous French Partisants, which rendered my situation very unpleasing & made me take the resolution to look out whilst I had strength for a more fortunate prospect, in this Land whose Inhabitants under the auspices of a Leader reverenced by the whole world made their Revolution not by the destruction of human Kind, but to increase his happiness.
I paid a visit to Count of Rochambeau at his Seat; he appeared to me much depressed by the scenes of the Revolution, & fearing still to be exposed to the evils he had undergone, having been confined under the reign of Robertspeirre, & hardly escaped the guilotine. This misfortune has rendered him very cautious & caused the interruption of his correspondance with Your Excellency. He has given me a few words in writing for You as earnest as his position permitted, without signing nor direction, but imparting me few particulars anecdotes which passed between Your Excellency & him to convince you that I enjoyed his most intimate confidence.
I thought I might take the liberty to write to Your Excellency

before I presented myself, (which I intend to do as soon as it will be in my power,) considering the various circumstances relating to the recomandation I am the Bearer of. I have the Honour to be with greatest respect Right Honored Sir Your most obedient most humble Servant

Fevot


Title: From George Washington to James McHenry, 16 October 1797
From: Washington, George
To: McHenry, James

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 16th Oct. 1797

Your favour of the 2d instt came duly to hand. For the perusal of the enclosure I thank you—It is returned.
We heard with much concern, but long after the thing had happened, of the accident which befel your son. We hope he is perfectly recovered from the fall, and you from your billious attack.
Having no news to entertain you with, and could only fill a letter with the perplexities I experience daily from workmen, and other occurrances of little moment to any besides myself, I shall conclude this letter with best respects in which Mrs Washington and Nelly Custis unite to Mrs McHenry and yourself and with assurances of being Dear Sir Your Affecte friend

Go: Washington

P.S. My mind during the last days of my remaining in Philadelphia was so much occupied with public & private concerns that I always forgot, when I was in your company, to enquire whether Mr Lear had accounted to the War Office for the money he had received to purchase the Site for the Arsenal on Potomac. As I was, in some measure, the cause of his Agency in that business, I wish to know whether it is settled to your Satisfaction.

Be so good as to send the letter for Mr Dandridge to his lodgings if he has not sailed, or left the City.


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Coleman Martin, 16 October 1797
From: Martin, Thomas Coleman
To: Washington, George

Sir,
King & Queen [County] Octr 16 1797

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 3d instant and it will afford me great satisfaction if the answer I am giving shall contribute to yours.
I have invented a machine for seperating the grain from the straw of wheat & other small grain which bears but a small degree of analogy either to the Scotch machine or Mr Bookers as I had no knowledge of either at the time of this invention.
The plan of this machine is so simple that its workmanShip would fall within the compass of twenty dollars and as it has no bands & but few wheels it cannot easily be disordrd—of corse in case of an accident (which is hardly possible) it would be easily repair’d.
The first I invented is worked by water by the help of the shaft of a small ⟨tred⟩ mill the upper stone of which is removed for the purpose. Sixteen square inches of water under a pressure of six feet discharged upon a ⟨sub⟩ mill wheal of two feet diameter is sufficient to give one machine the requisite velocity. The force bestowed by this power is competent to the geting out in great perfection three bushells of wheat in seven minutes with three hands to attend the machine. But as this is the effect of a first essay I can

venture to assert that the same power is adequate to a greater degree of execution.
This discovery has been so recently carried into execution that I have not yeat been able to apply for a patent though it is my purpose to do so nor have I fully satisfied myself how far it may answer if worked by a horse or hand. An experiment however which I have made in the latter mode encourages me to hope that, in this way also the machine may be of considerable utility.
This machine is as small as to be quite portable in a common wagon and therefore a house of very small dimentions will suffice—any barn whatsoever is abundantly sufficient to work it in.
As it would be hardly possible that a compleat idea of the machine could be colected from a ritten discription I will not trouble you with one—permit me only to observe that the chief complexity of it is comprised in four plain cogwheels the larger of which is three feet diameter and a perpetual screw of easy imitation.
Altho I purpose to apply for a patent yet as the good of mankind was my chief motive for turning my thoughts to this and other semilar objects so I have made no secret of my efforts nor of the results arising from them Here the machine has been submited to ⟨an⟩ discriminate examination as that which it could say for itself would have most influence towards bringing it into general use And if upon farther examination it should prove itself worthy of your patronage it will greatly incourage my hope of haveing contributed towards the publick good. I am with all due respect Sir yr mot obt Servt

Tho. C. Martin


Title: To George Washington from Matthias Slough, 20 October 1797
From: Slough, Matthias
To: Washington, George

Most Hond Sir
Lancaster [Pa.] 20th October 1797

I have the Honour to acknoledge the receipt of your Esteemed favour of the 14th Currt by your Domestick Christopher and to mention to you that I paid Imediate attention to its Contents by writeing to a Friend at Lebanon where Mr Stoy resides to render every assistance to the Lad which may be Necessarry during his Stay With the Docter and to pay any Expence attending the Cure, He has however returnd and informs me That the Doctr will Call on me for his Fee which when he Does I shall most Cheerfully pay and Transmit to you the Bill, Permit me my Dear Sir to assure you That I shall at all times Esteem it the highest Honour to have it in my power to render You every Service in my power which you may please to do me the Honour to require of me and that I remain your much Hond and Most Obediant Servant

Matthias Slough


Title: To George Washington from Bushrod Washington, 20 October 1797
From: Washington, Bushrod
To: Washington, George

Dear Uncle
Richmond Oct. 20. 1797

I now enclose you my opinion upon the points stated in your letter of the 9th.
As you may possibly wish to submit it to the consideration of your Counsel, I have left out of it, such parts of the subject as are unconnected with the cause, & need only be communicated confidentially to yourself.
Mr Swan’s demand for defending the suit, I think very extravagant. We seldom recieve such fees in the superior Courts in cases of this sort. But as the subject of controversy may be of importance to you, & much may depend upon the proper management of the cause in the inferior Court, it might be well to agree to his terms with this amendment which is common; that the second $100 should depend upon the successful issue of the cause. I ought to beg your pardon for advising where you are so much more competent to decide; but I understand your letter as warranting this liberty.
I think you will be liable for the value of the buildings placed upon the land, in case of eviction. The loss of them would be a damage to the Grantee of the land, consequential to the Sale & warranty, and would be properly recoverable I think in an action upon your Covenant.
I would by all means advise you to interest yourself in the defence of the suit, in the first instance. it’s future success may depend entirely upon the Judicious management of the cause in the County Court. I think the law most decidedly in your favor, and yet by mismanagement in the first instance, you may lose the opportunity of a fair decision in the superior Courts. I hope to see you before the cause can be tried when I should be glad to inspect the papers, & have some conversation with your counsel respecting the manner of conducting the trial.
I need not I trust assure you, dear Sir, of my aid, & best exertions should the cause come up to the superior Courts. That it should ever be in my power to be serviceable to you, is a consideration more pleasing to me, than any reward which I could recieve next to your regard, nor can I consider as an unprofitable Client, one to whom I owe more obligations than I can ever repay.

General Marshall will certainly be in before his assistance can be required, & if I were sure that he is disengaged I should prefer waiting for him. my reason for entertaining doubts upon this subject is, that I was sent for not long ago by a Man of the name of Pearson who I found at Mr Marshalls office. He was consulting Mr Marshall respecting some very extensive claims upon the town of Alexandria & its vicinity, in which he wished also to employ me. I refused to engage in it, Knowing that many of my friends in that place would be involved in the dispute. Your Name however was not mentioned, and it is possible that the subject of his pretensions is no ways connected with your case. on this account it may perhaps be best to wait until Gen. Marshall arrives—Should another be employed, I feel no hesitation in recommending Mr Wickham. Nancy Joins me in love to my Aunt & Yourself & believe me to be Dear Uncle Most sincerely Yr Affect. Nephew

B. Washington

P.S. The Copies you directed are not yet finished, they shall be sent by the next post.


Title: To George Washington from George Washington Motier Lafayette and Felix Frestel, 21 October 1797
From: Lafayette, George Washington Motier,Frestel, Felix
To: Washington, George

Sir
New-york October the 21rst 1797.

being after a tiresome journey of six days arrived in New-york, I take, according to the wish you so kindly expressed, the opportunity of the first post day after our arrival to inform you of it, and to renew to you the assurances of a gratitude which words can but imperfectly express. the sense of all my obligations to you, and the remembrance of the paternal care with which you have always treated me are firmly impressed in my heart, and will remain there, I assure you, as long as I live.
our Journey was as agreable as we could expect; as much so, as the regret we felt at leaving you and your family allowed it to be.
Christopher overtook us at Frederick-town on Sunday night, and came with us as far as Lancaster. Mr Slough after perusing

your letter promised he would take great care of him; and indicate to him the way to Lebanon. by the means of Mr Slough we found a conveyance to carry us to Frankford on the road to New-york, without passing through the city of Philadelphia. we took seats again in the stage at Frankford, and arrived in this city yesterday at about three o’clock in the afternoon.
as we passed through Princeton, we called at Dr Smith’s in order to deliver to him the letter and money which you entrusted to our care. he was not in town, and we left the letter and money both to his lady, who will transmit them to him at his return.
having learned that the President of the United-States was in New-york, we went to pay our respects to him, but we found that he was gone a few miles from town, on a visit to some of his relations.
we next waited on colonel Hamilton to whom I delivered your letter, and who gave us the same Kind and polite reception, which we always met with from him.
what remains now for me to do would be, sir, to ask your pardon for troubling you with all those tedious particulars: but we have been Mr Frestel and myself troublesome to you for so long a time, and you always so Kindly encouraged us to be so, that I am not afraid of being so still longer.
my friend Mr Frestel desires me to present to you his respects, and we will both be very much obliged to you if you will make the homage of our respectful gratitude acceptable to Mrs Washington, and remember us particularly to Miss Eleanor, Miss Fanny, to Washington and his two other sisters. our compliments, if you please, to Mr Lawrence Lewis. we have the honor to be, Sir, with the utmost respect your most obedient servants

G. W. Motier Lafayette
Felix Frestel


Title: To George Washington from Felix Frestel, 22 October 1797
From: Frestel, Felix
To: Washington, George

Sir
New-york October the 22d 1797.

I have never been in my life more deeply convinced than in this particular occasion, that I ought to renounce for ever to express

to you in a language which I am so little master of, any of the thoughts of my mind, any of the feelings of my heart. I have failed so often in the attempt, that I cannot hope to be now more successful. however I am confident that, although the expressions of my sentiments of gratitude may be ever so inadequate and imperfect, you will nevertheless always do justice to them.
I hope to be more easily understood, when in the idiom of my own country, and in the bosom of that deserving, though unfortunate family, ever so dear to your heart, I shall relate to the parents of my friend, what I have Known and seen better than any man whatever: I mean that constant and unabated interest with which you sympathised in all their misfortunes—that eager sollicitude and anxiety with which you took every measure in your power to lessen the weight of their chains and to break them at last—that Kind, tender and truly paternal affection, with which you received and treated him during all the time he stayed in America—and even that attentive politeness which you extended to me, although I was quite unknown to you before and availed myself, when I came in this country, of no recommendation, but that attachment and friendship for George, which brought me with him in America, and which now carries me back with him to our native country. thus, I hope, the proper expressions shall never fail me.
for my part, sir, I shall remember as long as I live the happy moments I have passed under your hospitable roof, and the examples of virtue which I have seen there daily practiced. they have impressed my mind with a deep sense of respect for its inhabitants and with this very pleasing idea, which I will never forget—“that all who are truly great, are consequently and necessarily good.”
to have been, Sir, and to be always honored with your esteem, shall be for ever the pride of my life, my best compensation for any sacrifices or sufferings whatever, and one of the most delightful recollections of my memory.
with a heartfelt gratitude, though but imperfectly expressed, and with very sincere and fervent wishes for your happiness and felicity, so intimately connected with the felicity and happiness of your own country, I have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient humble Servant

Felix Frestel


Title: To George Washington from William Hodgson, 24 October 1797
From: Hodgson, William
To: Washington, George

Sir
Alexandria Oct. 24 1797

Agreeably to your desire I subjoin the advances I charge on the different Goods, at the usual Credit of six Months, and for Cash. For the present I am deficient in Irish Linens & but a few pieces of the coarser Linens remain—the former however I am in daily Expectation of being supply’d with. With great Respect I am Sir Your mo. Ob. Servt

Wm Hodgson


Title: From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 24 October 1797
From: Washington, George
To: Lear, Tobias

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 24th Oct. 1797

You ask what is absolutely out of my power to comply with, unless I was to place myself exactly in the situation you represent yourself to be (without converting Bank stock into Cash, which I am not inclined to do)—that is, unprepared to face my own engagements; which, for Wheat, Rye, Workmens wages &ca &ca are hourly coming upon me, & expected. Three thousand dollars (without going into a correct examination of the Accts) is more than I have in the Bank of Alexandria, and (for running calls) in my Desk.
Had you asked for a thousand dollars of these, or if that sum would answer any valuable purpose I would, inconvenient as it might prove to me, Give a check on the Bank. Your letter being

just presented, company here, & dinner ready, I can only add that I am Yr obedt & Affecte

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from John Marshall, 24–27 October 1797
From: Marshall, John
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Paris October 24[–27]th 1797

I did myself the honor of addressing to you from the Hague by Capt. Izzard, a very long letter which I hope you have receiv’d. The offer therein made of occasionally communicating to you my observations on the great & interesting events of europe was not even intitled to the small value which in my own mind I had bestowd upon it. Causes, which I am persuaded you have anticipated, forbid me to allow myself that free range of thought & expression which coud alone apologize for the intrusive character my letters bear. Having however offer’d what I cannot furnish, I go on to substitute some thing else perhaps not worth receiving.
You have heard it said in the United States that the agriculture of France has in the course of the present war been considerably improv’d. On this subject I am persuaded there has been no exaggeration. In that part of the country through which I have passd the evidences of plenty abound. The whole earth appears to be in cultivation & the harvests of the present year appear to be as productive as the fields which yield them are extensive. I am informd that every part of the country exhibits the same aspect. If this be the fact, there will probably remain, notwithstanding the demands of the armies, a surplus of provisions. Manufactures have declind in the same ratio that the cultivation of the soil has increas’d. War has been made upon the great manufacturing towns & they are in a considerable degree destroy’d. With Manufactures France does not supply herself fully from her internal resources. Those of Britain flow in upon her notwithstanding the most severe prohibitory laws. The port of Rotterdam is purposely left open by the English & their goods are imported by the Dutch under Prussian & other neutral colors. They are smuggled in great quantities into France. Peace then will find this nation entirely competent to the full

supply of her colonies with provisions & needing manufactures to be imported for her own consumption. This state of things will probably change; but it is unquestionably the state of things which will exist at, & for some time after the termination of the present war. France can take from America tobacco & raw cotton she can supply us with wines, brandies & silks.
The papers which I transmitted to you contain’d the evidence on which were founded the transactions of the 18th fructidor or 4th of September. Since then a letter has been publishd bearing the signature of Genl Moreau & produc’d as an unequivocal testimonial of the treason alledg’d to have existed. You will have seen the letter & have made upon it your own comments, but you will be astonishd to hear that perhaps a majority of the people do not beleive that Moreau ever wrote it.
The existing political state of France is connected with certain internal & powerfully operating causes by which it has been & will continue to be greatly influenc’d. Not the least of these is the tenure by which property is held.
In the course of the revolution it is beleivd that more than half the land of France has become national. Of this a very considerable proportion has been sold at a low rate. It is true that much of this property formerly belong’d to the church but it is also true that much of it belongd to those who have fallen under the guillotine or have been termd emigrants. Among the emigrants are many whose attachment to their country has never been shaken, & what is remarkable, among them are many who were never out of France. The law upon this subject is worthy of attention. Any two persons no matter what their reputation, may, to some authority, I beleive the municipality of the district, write & subscribe against any person whatever a charge, that such person is an emigrant, on receipt of which the person so chargd is without further investigation inscribd on the list of emigrants. If the person so inscrib’d be afterwards apprehended while his name remains on the list, the trial, as I understand, is, not of the fact of emigration, but of the identity of the person, & if this identity be establishd, he is instantly fusillerd. This law is either rigidly executed or permited to be relax’d, as the occasion or the temper of the times may direct.
During intervals of humanity some disposition has been manifested to permit the return of those who have never offended, who

have been banishd by a terror which the government itself has reprobated, & to permit in cases of arrestation, an investigation of the fact of emigration as well as of the identity of the person accus’d.
There is too a great deal of property which has been sold as national but which in truth was never so, & which may be reclaimed by the original proprietors.
In this state of things the acquirers of national property are of course extremely suspicious. They form a vast proportion of the population of France. They are not only important in consequence of their numbers, but in consequence of their vigor, their activity & that unity of interest which produces a unity of effort among them. The armies too have been promisd a milliard. This promise rests upon the national property for its performance. The effect of these circumstances cannot escape your observation. Classes of citizens are to be disfranchisd against the next elections.
Our ministers have not yet, nor do they seem to think it certain that they will be, receivd. Indeed they make arrangements which denote an expectation of returning to America immediately. The captures of our vessels seem to be only limited by the ability to capture. That ability is increasing, as the government has let out to hardy adventurers the national frigates. Among those who plunder us, who are most active in this infamous business, & most loud in vociferating criminations equally absurd & untrue, are some unprincipled apostates who were born in America. These sea rovers by a variety of means seem to have acquird great influence in the government. This influence will be exerted to prevent an accomodation between the United States & France & to prevent any regulations which may intercept the passage of the spoils they have made on our commerce, to their pockets. The government I beleive is but too well disposd to promote their views. At present it seems to me to be radically hostile to our country. I coud wish to form a contrary opinion, but to do so I must shut my eyes on every object which presents itself to them, & fabricate in my own mind non existing things, to be substituted for realities, & to form the basis of my creed. Might I be permited to hazard an opinion it woud be that the Atlantic only can save us, & that no consideration will be sufficiently powerful to check the extremities to which the temper of this government will carry it, but an apprehension that we may be thrown into the arms of Britain.

The negotiations with the Emperor are said not to have been absolutely broken off. Yesterday it was said that peace with him was certain. Several couriers have arrivd lately from Buonaparte & the national debt rose yesterday from seven to ten livres in the hundred. Whether this is founded on a real expectation of peace with Austria or is the meer work of stock jobbers is not for me to decide. We are told that Mantua is no longer the obstacle to peace, that it is surrendred by the Emperor & that the contest now is for Istria & Dalmatia.

   October 27th
   The definitive peace is made with the Emperor. You will have seen the conditions. Venice has experiencd the fate of Poland. England is threatend with an invasion.


Title: To George Washington from Bushrod Washington, 25 October 1797
From: Washington, Bushrod
To: Washington, George

Dear Uncle
Rich[mon]d Oct. 25. 1797

I now enclose you a Copy of the Grant you wrote for. The Inquisition cannot be found. I have directed the Clerk to continue his search, and if he should succeed, a Copy shall be immediately forwarded, if you can give a more particular description of it, from any papers in your possession, it may assist in the discovery. with love to my Aunt I am my dear Uncle Most Sincerely Yr Affect. Nephew

Bushrod Washington


Title: From George Washington to James Barry, 26 October 1797
From: Washington, George
To: Barry, James

Sir,
Mount Vernon 26th Oct. 1797

Since you left this, yesterday I have conversed with my Manager on the subject of flour, according to your desire.
The result is, that on Tuesday next, provided immediate notice is given, he could have fifty barrels of Superfine at Alexandria. It would however, employed as my Boats are in getting materials together for my Distillery, be vastly more convenient for me to deliver it to a Vessel at my Mill.
If you take the above mentioned flour I shall expect eight dollars and a half per barrel for it. I am—Sir Your Obedt Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Robert Lewis, 26 October 1797
From: Lewis, Robert
To: Washington, George

Hond Uncle,
Spring Hill October 26th 1797.

My waggon going to Alexandria with a load of flour, affords me an opportunity of writing and sending you a barrel of orchard-grass seed which was put in my care with directions to send to you by the first conveyance—It is a present from my worthy neighbour Mr Francis Whiting—As he tells me you intend it for pasture grounds, I hope it will get to you in good season—It has laid in my possession five or six weeks for the want of an opportunity which cou’d be confided in.
Since I had the pleasure of seeing you at Mount Vernon, and within a few days past one of my neighbours has returned from a distance up the Potomac, where he has been to view some lands which he lately purchased, and at my earnest request, visited your small tract above Bath in order to examine into its real situation. He informs me that the Man, in whose care I trusted it, has lately removed with his family to Kentuckey, and that great has been the depredations committed on the timber since that time. As this place is surrounded by a sett of lawless rascals, I conceive it wou’d be prudent to let it out on a moderate rent for a short term of years, in order that some profit may be derived from a valuable property which is at present inactive, and a proportion of the best timber reserved, which in a few years must be totally lost, and the land rendered less valuable—It was always my opinion that the timber on the land was worth considerably more, than the land itself computed at its intrinsic value; therefore, I have always thought it best to retain it, and it coincided with your idea likewise: but as it cannot be preserved (for it appears the Man in whose care it was put has actually been driven off in defending the property) I do imagine, at all events, it wou’d be proper to let it out; therefore, please to direct me as soon as convenient, and let your letter be addressed to the care of my brother George Lewis in Frederickburg.
There has also been another very serious depredation on your

reserved land in the lost Mountain, in this County, by some tanners; who have barked several acres of land on the pinacle of the mountain by moon-light. As I had timely information from one of the tenants, who has a retaining fee annually for his services, I have been able to discover the principals in this business, and hope shortly to be able to inform you of their being brought to condign punishment. Mrs Lewis unites with me in sincere regards to my Aunt & family, and I remain, Your much obliged & very Affectionate Nephew

Robt Lewis

P.S. The barrel of seed will be deposited with Patton & Dykes Merchants in Alexandria. R:L.


Title: From George Washington to Robert Brooke, 27 October 1797
From: Washington, George
To: Brooke, Robert

Sir,
Mount Vernon 27th Octr 1797

The enclosed letter from Mr Brooke, your brother, to Mr Anderson my Manager (who were acquainted) is the best apology I can offer for giving you the trouble of receiving one from me.
It is the wish of Mrs Washington that Mrs Forbes would, without delay, repair to this place with her clothes &ca; where (if she has been an acceptable and competent house keeper to you, while you filled the Chair of Government of this State) there can be little doubt of her answering our purpose & will be retained on the terms mentioned in my Advertisement, which was inserted in a Richmond Paper.
If Mrs Forbes comes in the Stage, which I presume will be the case, she might stop at the Widow Lund Washington’s (close on the Road between Colchester & Alexandria) who will either send her hither, or let us know that she is there.
A previous knowledge of the characters, one has to do with, being

of some importance, you would do me a favour in giving (and it might be confidentially if you prefer it) that of Mrs Forbes. Besides care, & A knowledge of the duties of the Station—one who will see to the execution, as well as direct the measures of the Servants is indispensable in my family—One too who has spirit to enforce her orders—in doing which she will have every proper support. I pray you to excuse the liberty I have taken in making this request. I am Sir Your Most Obedt and Very Hble Servant

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Rufus King, 27 October 1797
From: King, Rufus
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir,
London Octr 27th 1797

I have had the honor to receive your Letter of the 31st of July, and according to your request, have procured, and now send inclosed

the Affidavit of Mr Harrison the Publisher of the London Gazette, that the Chancery Order which you some months since sent to me for that purpose had been published in that News Paper for nine weeks successively. With the most perfect Respect and Esteem, I have the honor to be, Dear Sir, Your ob: & faithful Servant

Rufus King


Title: To George Washington from Bushrod Washington, 27 October 1797
From: Washington, Bushrod
To: Washington, George

Dear Uncle
Rich[mon]d Oct. 27 [17]97

Your letter of the 23d I yesterday recieved. I waited upon Mr Brook today to make the necessary enquiries respecting Mrs Forbes. The Character he gives her, assures me that she will fully answer the purposes for which my Aunt wants her. She is honest, industrious, & well acquainted with nice as well as common Cooking, and other subjects of domestic employment necessary in her profession. But what surprizes me very much is, that she has recieved no letters from Mount Vernon—so Mr Brook informs me, & that she has remained in Richmond on that account. I shall tomorrow examine the post office under an expectation of finding your letters, & shall then wait upon her. By the next post I hope it will be in my power to write you fully on this subject—This I should have done today but for my engagements in the Court of appeals where I was detained ’till a very late hour—this must be my apology for the hurry in which this letter is written. Nancy

Joins me in love to my aunt & yourself & believe me to be Dear Uncle Most Sincerely Yr Affe. Nephew

B. Washington

You have I hope recd my letters respecting Pearsons suit before this.


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 28 October 1797
From: Spotswood, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Newpost Octr 28 1797

I am just returned from Richmond, and am happy to inform you, That I have at last procured a man, who I beleive is capable of acting as a household Steward, and pleased with the Idea of entering into your Service.
his name is Rawlins; and Recommended to me by his brother; who Says, he is 22 years of age, writes a fine hand, and well acquainted with figures, haveing been brought up in a Store, and the last year lived with him; he also gives me every assurance, of his Sobriety, and good Moral character; and Says if Necessary; he can bring with him a Recommendation from Mr John Hoomes—as to the young man, I Can Say nothing of—but his Brother I have known for upwards of 15 yrs as a Tavern keeper, on the road from this to Richmond—he is a Sensible man & of genteel deportment; and from the attention that he is treated with by every person I beleive him to be a Respectable man; and his recommendation of his brother to be depended on—who he assures me will Suit & please you—I have Told him the Salary was £50 pr yr—but that I would not agree for his brother to proceed on to Mt Vernon Until I had first wrote & recd yr answer—which I wish you to forward as early as possible. My family desires to be rem[em]bered Affectionately to you Mrs Washington and the young ladies—and well as Dr Sr Yr very Affectionate Hble st

A. Spotswood


Title: From George Washington to Daniel McCarty, 30 October 1797
From: Washington, George
To: McCarty, Daniel

Sir
Mount Vernon 30⟨th⟩ Octr 1797.

After suggesting (for it did not appear to have been meant, or received as a regular proposition) that the relative value of lands here, and on the Great Kanhawa might be estimated as one to three, & finding that this difference did not comport with my ideas, you requested that I would suggest something on my part.
This, after you had candidly stated the predicaments under which your Sugar land tracts lay, I was unable at the time to do. Having revolved the subject since and believing that it would be convenient to us both, to me it certainly would (as I should know better how to answer the applications of others) to ascertain whether there be any likelihood of our making an exchange, or not, I will propose the following—viz.
To give you my three upper tracts on the Great Kanhawa (which in reallity may be called two only; the river, not more than 100 or 150 yards wide, dividing the two uppermost ones). These cont[ai]n 7276 acres, 2950, & 2000 which should be 2050; all of them, I am persuaded, large measure, for your Sugar land tracts entire, as granted to your Ancester and Mr Pope by the Proprietor’s Deeds for 2983, and 2681 Acres.
It may appear a little singular to make this proposition after you had declared your intention of reserving a part of this land for the purpose of raising money. But as the professed object of this reservation was to effect that purpose, and as it appears to me that the object can be as well, or better answered by selling the land on which you live, I have been led to make it.
I believe this to be the case, because I have reason to expect from letters I have myself received from foreigners, and their enquiries that when tranquillity is restored in Europe & they ⟨recover⟩ their property, that many of them will seek establishments in this Country; and the probability is, that such Emigrants as I allude to, would prefer pleasant Seats on, or near Navigable Water, to a better soil at a greater distance from it; whilst it would be more

convenient to me to receive what I should get in exchan⟨ge⟩ in one body, than in several parcels.
If Sir, you should think the proposal I now make worthy of attention, you will be so good as to let me know your determination.
It is to be understood that I mean to be exempt from the expence of the Law-suit and its consequences; and to be secured also against any reclamation by your Son, of the part left him by his Grandfather. In the meantime, full possession on both sides, and all priviledges are to be granted, & enjoyed by the parties respectively; and obligatory instruments to pass; but legal titles to be withheld until your Son arrives at age, & in the mind to convey his right; for you well know that neither he, or anyone for him, can do it during his Non-age.
These are outlines—Details may be entered into hereafter if the proposition is acceded to. As you have seen the Plats of the land, & their relative situation to each other, I shall say nothing on that head; and only add, that as the three tracts together are marginned by the Kanhawa & Cole River near 25 miles, and were the first choice of the country, you may easily conceive of what quality the land is, and the quantity of River bottom contained [in] its boundaries. I am Sir Your Most Obedt & Very Hble Ser⟨vt⟩

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 30 October 1797
From: Pickering, Timothy
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Trenton [N.J.] Oct. 30 1797

The inclosed pamphlet on Orcharding, addressed to you by the author, I received this evening under cover from Mr King.
Another copy is also addressed to you, & has the following addition on the cover—“for the philosophical society of Philadelphia, with the author’s compts.” If you think proper to introduce it to the Society, & favour me with your letter for the purpose, I will put that under cover with the pamphlet, and send them to the Society: Otherwise I will hand it to the President or one of the Secretaries of the Society—of which I am a member. In the mean time I may find an opportunity of reading it. I am with great respect, sir your most obt servt

Timothy Pickering


Title: From George Washington to Bushrod Washington, 30 October 1797
From: Washington, George
To: Washington, Bushrod

My dear Sir
Mount Vernon 30 Oct. 1797

Your several letters—Opinion—and Copy of the Deed to William Williams for 589 Acres of Land have been duly received—and for which I offer you my best thanks.
It is a little singular that the proceedings for docking the Intail of the abovementioned Land, should not be found among the Records of the General Court, or in the Secretary’s Office, from whence it issued, and to which it most assuredly was returned.

As the Intail of this Land was docked on acct of my purchase of a part of it I retained a copy of the writ—the Pannel—and Sheriffs return—from whence the enclosed is taken and is the best information and clue it is in my power to give to direct a further Search. With affectionate regard I am always Yours

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Bushrod Washington, 30 October 1797
From: Washington, Bushrod
To: Washington, George

Dear Uncle
Rich[mon]d Octr 30 [17]97

I went in pursuit of Mrs Forbes this morning, but could not find her—with the assistance of Mr Brooke I obtained an interview with her this evening at her house, her price is $150 a year—She will be at Mount Vernon in a month from this time, if her terms are accepted—sooner she cannot go.
you will please inform me, whether the terms as to price & time will suit you—I shall at all events pursue my enquiries as to some other person, in case you should not approve of the person who now offers—The sum demanded by Mrs F. seems to me very extravagant—but if you think otherwise, I am persuaded, she will answer my Aunt’s purpose, from the Character I have of her. with love to My Aunt & yourself & many wishes for your health & happiness I am My dear Uncle Most sincerely Yr affect. Nephew

B. Washington


Title: To George Washington from William Vans Murray, 1 November 1797
From: Murray, William Vans
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir,
The Hague 1 Nov. 1797.

I do myself the honour of informing You that the Peace between France & the Emperor was settled & the Treaty signed at Udina on the Seventeenth of Octr. The French Have all the limits which they have gained during the war, adjoining their territories—& Belgium expressly ceded to them—They have also all the Venetian Islands below the gulph of Lodrino in the Adriatic, as Corfu,

Zante, & in the Levant, Cephalonia Saint ⟨Maure⟩, Cerigo & other dependent islands, also Larta, Butrinto, Vonizzo & other dependencies of Venice on the continent in albania which are below the gulph of Lodrino.
The Emperor has almost all the Venetian Republic including Venice! all on the left of a line, drawn from the Tyrollese line which touches the Lake of Garda, through the middle of this lake & then with the left bank of the Adige till it almost touches the Po, & then with the Po to the sea—all to the left of this line Formerly Venetian Dominions are now the Emperor’s.
The Emperor is to indemnify the Prince, or Duke, of Modina, out of territory in the fine country of the Brisgaw.
The Emperor has Istria, & all the Venetian Dalmatia with the rights of the adriatic, & all islands above the gulph of Lodrino—Great Britain is not mentioned in the Treaty, one copy of which I have seen—It arrived last night—though the news of it reached us here on the 30th Octr.
It is perfectly unnecessary to anticipate a single remark upon the strange principles upon which this Treaty has been made—a prominent feature of which is, that The French Republic, whose theories & whose language are full of revolutions for the propagation of Republican & anti Kingly forms, has sold to a crowned head, that very country which she revolutionised, robbed, & erected into a democratical Republic, & completely organised as such, under oaths of hatred to Kings & nobles & priestcraft—This great fact, speaks more forcibly, than the pen of Mr Burke, or the eloquence of Mr Ames. Thus has ended the Revolution of Venice! The natural restlessness of the wicked & the philosophies under the real infirmities of the Venetian government produced a party ready to catch at the professed assistance of the French—By various acts sedition reached that point that invited the French to begin the quarrel with the government—the exclusive patriots joined them, contrary to the will of the majority & the well informed—France disorganised the old government by a mandate, which has since been publicly & specifically authorised & applauded by the Directory (in their note to Buonaparte this summer[)]—She erected a new government upon democratic principles—She then parcels out their Territories to her enemy—& to the new Cisalpine Republic—& retains not only all the plunder & ships of the line which she had taken as an indemnity, for her trouble in going so far to carry them Liberty; but in this final settlement, she retains

some of their islands & dependencies for Herself! & thus one nation is wiped off from the Body politic of Europe.
Portugal refused to execute the late Treaty with France or rather to ratify it—Immediately as the Treaty of Peace arrived at Paris, on the 29th—the Portuguese negociator, the Cheva[lie]r d’Araujo, was ordered to quit the Republic—and an arretè of the Directory was immediately passed commanding Buonaparte to assemble an army immediately on the coast to be called the “army of England” which will probably by detachments penetrate through Spain & attack the Kingdom of Portugal. Spain will endeavour to prevent this—but I suppose in vain—They certainly meditate an invasion both under a hope of success, & on a calculation of at least oversetting the British government, if they do not succeed in an invasion. The immense superiority of the british Fleets—the strength gained to government by the late alarm of the mutiny, their complete State of Preparation, & the late elation produced by the defeat of the Dutch fleet, on the 11th octr off the Texel, will either prevent an invasion, or a fall of the government, or success, if even a landing should be made good. In this late action, Admiral Duncan, now Lord Camperdown, took eleven ships, nine of the Line—& lost none—except a small frigate which after the action in bearing off a prize went on shore in Zealand & was lost.
In the present unfavourable appearance of the American negotiation at Paris, whatever may have been the causes of just complaint against Great Britain, it is consolatory to see her in a state which, without the trammels, may operate the benefits of an alliance in a co:operation of forces, should war unfortunately be forced upon the U.S.
By a letter of the 21 octr from Mr Marshall to me—a very short one, he says “they are not received, nor does he believe they will be”—Of course this Treaty with the emperor, by liberating an immense force, becomes a serious object to the U.S. & all its consequences will doubtless be well weighed & lead us to a vigorous & earnest preparation—Nothing Sir but force & Union under God can save us—Those will. For G.B. is invulnerable—her fleets more powerful than France Spain & Holland can equal in two years, without our aid, & a maritime force can reduce the colonies of all Europe on our side of the water. Were an embargo laid in the U.S. upon our trade to the French Spanish & indeed all colonies except those of Great Britain, the Islands would be ruined—We it is true not benefitted, except by internal safety which would be at

hazard if the French can make their islands a place of embarkation, in the predatory war which they will commence, if this negociation fail—If our produce go to any other colonies to which they have access, the French will be thus supply’d. Unfortunately for ourselves, at some future day, as this would also aggrandise Great Britain only, we might suffer from her monopoly.
I must beg your pardon for so long a letter—I should be unpardonable however were I to omit that M. La Fayette & family are recovering health fast at Ploen or near it—I this morning received a letter from him in answer to mine of August.
My friend Mr Dandridge is well—at first the climate which is excessively moist & raw disagreed with him, & he had an illness for near a month.
Mr Adams was at Hamburgh on the 26 Oct. on his way to Berlin. He marry’d a niece of Mr Thomas Johnson of Maryland at London in July.
The King of Prussia is not dead—but very ill. His son & successor will be a man of enterprise. He gains nothing yet by the Peace.
This government have just voted nine millions of Florins to fit out a fleet. Their late one was 17 of the line & 11 Frigates. They fought most gallantly but had a superiority of guns by 54. I have the honour to be with the most sincere & profound respect affectionately Dear Sir, yr mo. ob. set

W. V. Murray.


Title: To George Washington from Daniel McCarty, 2 November 1797
From: McCarty, Daniel
To: Washington, George

Sir
Cedar Grove 2d November 1797

Your propositions with which I was honor’d a few days ago, respecting an exchange of Lands between us, I have considered with that deliberation which the importance of the subject requires, and am concerned at their not appearing so advantageous to me as to justify an acceptance of them —This exchange has long been the object of my wishes and has often been revolved in my mind, from which serious contemplation those suggestions made you the other day resulted; my hope was to obtain three acres for one and that of the choice of your Tracts, but th⟨mutilated⟩ by your determination to reserve to yourself the large Tract on the Kanhawa; it is highly probable the Tracts you mention may upon examination be found equally the objects of desire to me, as far as they will answer the purpose of exchange at the above mentioned rate, but I could not think of being confined to the choice of any particular spot; if you can think it compatible with your interest to unlimit me with respect to the choice of your Lands in that part of the country and can accede to my propositions of three for one, my Loudoun Lands shall be yours entire, with a reservation of the Sugerland Island only, consisting of three hundred and five Acres, the money arising from which must be applyed to the purpose of purchasing Slaves for my Sons use. I should expect to deliver it into your possession free from all incumbrance except four or five Lots which are Leased for a term of not more than four or five years and on high rents; if it appears that I have valued my property higher than may accord with your way of thinking, you will I

hope ascribe it to a laud⟨able⟩ zeal for my family’s interest and the necessity ⟨mutilated⟩ where my all is at stake. I am with gt respt yr obt hube Srt

Daniel McCarty


Title: From George Washington to Robert Lewis, 3 November 1797
From: Washington, George
To: Lewis, Robert

Dear Sir
Mount Vernon 3d Novr 1797

Your letter of the 26th ulto has been received. To Mr F. Whiting for presenting, and to you for forwarding the orchard-grass Seeds, I feel myself obliged, and request you to mention it to him accordingly.
I approve of your placing a Tenant upon my small tract of Land above Bath, at a moderate Rent, for the purpose of preserving the Timber thereon; and if decisive proof could be had of the Trespassers, I think Suits should be brought against them in the District court, by way of terror to others. In this court, if the proof was positive, justice might be expected—In the county Ct I should expect nothing but to pay the cost of suit—I would not let the land for more than 5 years—limit the quantity of ground to be cleared, and reserve all the Walnut timber for my use, which may stand thereon.
The other depredation, mentioned in your letter, will not, I hope, escape unpunished—Remember us to Mrs Lewis—and be assured of the friendship of Yr affectionate Uncle

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Daniel McCarty, 3 November 1797
From: Washington, George
To: McCarty, Daniel

Sir,
Mount Vernon 3 Novr 1797.

I shall preface this letter in answer to yours of yesterday, with a declaration as sincere as it is solemn, and that is, that if it was in my power, I would take no advantage of you in the proposed exchange of Lands; nor would I wish you to make a bargain with me that either you yourself, or your friends (such I mean as are competent

judges) should hereafter say was disadvantageous on your part: for be assured, I should derive no pleasure from a contract of which you might have just cause to complain.
Having made this declaration, it remains to be added, that both of us may err in the comparative value of our respective lands. You, perhaps, proceed upon what you conceive to be the present selling price of such lands as yours are, in this country; which, abstractedly is fair; but if I mistake not, Lands here are not only at a stand, but on the decline; while on the other hand, I go on a thorough conviction in my own mind, that such as I offer in exchange, and which in some instances I know, and in all believe, are of the first rate, will encrease. I form this opinion from analogous circumstances; for since I have been an actor for myself, Frederick and Berkeley counties were deemed much more remote—& in fact out of the inhabited world—than the Kanhawa is now: and lands which I then bought in the former at five pounds per hundred acres, and the highest (on account of small improvements) at twenty five pounds per hundd, I could now sell, very readily at five pounds an acre. But this is digressing from the point, and I will return to it again, after making one more observation which in my opinion, is litterally true & important—namely—that it is not the number of acres you receive in exchange for your land, that is to render that exchange valuable, there are a great many local considerations which must contribute to this. I aver, most seriously, that I wd not give my tract of 10,990 acres on the Kanhawa for 50,000 acres back of it, & adjoining thereto, nor for any 50,000 acres of the common land of the country, which I have seen, back from the water, & in one body. And I have no doubts but that the land immediately back of mine, might now be bought for half a dollar or less pr acre which, and on acct of the extensive range that cannot for a series of years be interrupted, renders these bottoms so extremely valuable.
In offering you three of my tracts on the Kanhawa, containing together 12,276 acres for your Sugarland tracts entire; I conceived I was by no means deficient in proposing an equivalent, especially, as these three tracts would have given you a boundary on the Rivers of near 25 miles, of the richest low grounds in that Ctry.
It is true and so I informed you, that I had never been on either of these tracts, and have only the Surveyors report, & other information on which to form my opinion of the quality of the Land.

They may be less, or they may be more valuable than the lower tract for ought I know to the contrary. Two reasons however, induced me to reserve the latter—1st a knowledge of the tract from my own inspection of it—and 2dly because it was the lowest on that River, and not more than 3 miles from Mount Pleasant. A Place which must, as soon as tranquillity is perfectly restored, be of considerable importance from its situation at the junction of two extensive Rivers running in different directions through so large and fertile a tract of country.
This letter is written more with a view to exculpate myself from any suspicion which might arise, of my not meaning to offer you an equivalent for your land, than from any expectation I entertain of our coming to a bargain; for it can hardly be supposed that I would allow the whole of my lands to be picked, whilst the most valuable part of yours (or your sons) is reserved. If however, upon reconsidering the matter you should be disposed to let the Island go with, and become part of the exchanged Lands, I will, on my part ⟨(⟩as you have expressed a wish to make an exchange) consent to part with my lower tract on the Kanhawa also; and if there is any likelihood of our agreeing on a just proportion of quantity, and value of my land for yours, I would, on some early day which you may name (before the weather gets cold) ride up with you and your son (for I shd like that he should be perfectly satisfied before hand, with whatever is done) and look at your Loudoun Lands; having at present not the least knowledge of the quality of them, neither from Investigation or information; and because, which I frankly declare to you previously that it is not a trifling consideration that wd induce me to part with my lower tract on the Kanhawa with the situation, local advantages quality and value of which, I have formed an opinion—not from information—but from my own accurate view; having been on it three or four days and traveled from ⟨illegible⟩ the whole of the bottom.
Your answer to this letter will at once decide whether there be any prospect of our bargaining, or not; and I should thank you for giving it to me as soon as it is conven[ien]t. I am—Sir, Your most obt Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Bushrod Washington, 3 November 1797
From: Washington, George
To: Washington, Bushrod

My dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 3d Novr 1797

Your letter of the 30th Ult. was receive by the last Post.
Your Aunts distresses for want of a good house keeper are such, as to render the wages demanded by Mrs Forbes (though unusually high) of no consideration; and we must, though very reluctantly, yield to the time she requires to prepare for her fixture here. We wish however that it might be shortned.
If you are in habits of free communication with Mr Brooke, or with others who had opportunities of judging competently of the qualifications & conduct of Mrs Forbes as a housekeeper, I would thank you for ascertaining & giving it to me in as precise a manner as you can obtain it. Among other things it wd be satisfactory to know—
What country woman she is? Whether widow or wife? if the latter Where her husband is? What family she has?
What her age is? Of what temper? Whether active & spirited in the execution of her business? Whether sober & honest? Whether much knowledge in Cookery, & understands ordering, and setting out a Table? What her appearance is? With other matters which may occur to you to ask, & necessary for me to know.
Mrs Forbes will have a warm, decent & comfortable room to herself, to lodge in; and will eat of the Victuals from our Table, but will not set at it, at any time with us, be her appearance what it may; for if this was once admitted, no line satisfactory to either party, perhaps, could be drawn thereafter. It might be well for me to know however whether this was admitted at Govr Brookes, or not.
Is it practicable do you think to get a good and well disposed Negro Cook on hire, or purchase? Mention this want of ours to Mrs Forbes. She, from the interest she would have therein, might make enquiry. Yours always & Affectionately

Go: Washington

P.S. Since writing the foregoing Mrs L. Washington informs me that Mr Swan is anxious to know from the Returns, or Records in the General Court—or from the best information you can obtain whether it has been the invariable practice to Survey the Land Docked by a writ of Ad quod damnum—whether it has been frequently dispensed with—and what has been the consequence. Let

me thank you for making this enquiry & furnishing me with the result of it. Yrs G: W—n


Title: From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 6 November 1797
From: Washington, George
To: Pickering, Timothy

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 6th Novr 1797.

Since writing to you a few days ago, I have been favoured with your letters of the 26th and 30th Ulto.
If you should have occasion to write to Mr Parish of Hamburg, you would oblige me, by thanking him in my behalf, for his very polite & friendly offer of sending me any thing I might have occasion for from that place.
It would be more formal than necessary, to introduce Mr Bucknall’s Orchardist to the Philosophical Society of Philadelphia otherwise than through you. If then you will be so good as to relate the manner in which it came, & present it with my best respects to that body, I will thank you. With very great esteem & regard I am—Dear Sir Your Obedt Hble Servant

Go: Washington

I ask your care of the enclosed Letters.


Title: From George Washington to James Ross, 6 November 1797
From: Washington, George
To: Ross, James

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 6th Novr 1797

Your favour of the 2d Ulto with its enclosure came duly to hand, and I feel myself very much obliged by the favourable footing on which you have placed matters with Colo. Shreve. These are perfectly satisfactory to me, and of which I should have informed you sooner, had I not supposed that the most certain—though perhaps not the quickest way of making it known to you would be to lodge my letter in Philadelphia against your arrival there. This I am about to do in the hands of Col. Pickering. Whatever mode,

under the derangements occasioned by the sore calamity which has afflicted that City, you shall find most convenient to yourself, will be agreeable to me, for depositing the sum in the Bank of Pennsylvania, which has been paid you by Colo. Shreve on my acct but it may not be amiss to add that if $500 have been paid into that Bank for my use, no advice of it has been given to me.
I am perfectly convinced that your observations and opinion, with respect to the most advantageous mode—to wit—laying off my lands on the Ohio into lots of about 200 acres—is correct; and is the best way to make the most of them. The reasons which have weighed against it hitherto, with me, are, first it is troublesome; 2d may be tedious in its operation; and 3d my object being to convert the Land, aggregately into money, or some kind of Stock, that I might derive a convenience & benefit from the interest, during the short stay which from the natural course of things I have to remain here, the end would not be answered in a retail way; without, in a manner, sinking the capital. But, as you have been so good as to mention this mode, will you permit me to ask what you think the lands would sell for by the Acre, divided in the manner you suggest; and whether there is within your view, any person in whom confidence could be placed as an Agent to manage this business, who has leisure and inclination to undertake it, for an adequate compensation? and what?
I wish you an agreeable Session and perfect unanimity in all great questions which involve the dignity, honor and interest of our Country. With very sincere esteem & regard, I am, Dear Sir Your Obedient and very Hble Servant

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to John Sinclair, 6 November 1797
From: Washington, George
To: Sinclair, John

Sir,
Mount Vernon 6th Novr 1797.

Since I had the honor of writing you on the 15th of July, I have been favoured with your letter of the 13th of Feby introductory of Thos Macdonald Esqr., and your note of the 9th of June by Genl

Kosciusko; together with the Surveys, and papers accompanying both. For your goodness in sending them, I pray you to accept my best thanks; and that I may not be a burthensome member of the Board, I enclose a small Bill of Exchange to be deposited in the hands of your Bookseller, to defray the cost of the several copies of your works which may be forwarded to me. When this is expended, I will make another deposit, for the same purpose.
As neither of the notes, the receipt of which is acknowledged above—nor any other, has intimated in the most distant manner that my letters of the 10th and 11th of December (the latter a private one) had ever reached your hands, I now do, as well for the purpose of evincing that I was not inattentive to your request, as to give information which may yet (though late) be useful, forward a duplicate of the private letter, from a Press copy taken at the time, and of my last also, of the 15th of July; being more disposed to trouble you with a repetition of the sentiments then expressed, than to lay under the suspicion of inattention to yr commds.
I can now, with more certainty than on the 15th of July, inform you that lands have fallen in price; ascribable to two causes, the shocking depredations committed on our Commerce (within the last Six or eight months by the French) and the reduction in price of our produce. Both contributing to render Cash a scarce, and of course a valuable article.
Our Crops of Grain are, in places, tolerable; but upon the whole, below mediocrity in quantity, whilst the grain is fine. This also, that is the shortness of the Crop, will assist in reducing the price of Lands still lower.
An eight years absence from home (except occasional short visits to it) has thrown my buildings, and other matters of private concern, into so much disorder, that at no period of my life have I ever been more engaged than in the last six or eight months to repair, & bring them into tune again. This has prevented me from looking into the Agricultural Surveys of the Counties of England & Scotland with the attention I propose to do the ensuing Winter: I shall certainly be very desirous of having a compleat sett of them, and if any are missing will apply accordingly; as it is my intention to have them classed, & bound, neatly. With great pleasure I receivd a visit from Mr Macdonald a few days ago, who fully answers the character given of him, as a polite & sensible man. With great

respect, & the highest esteem & regard, I have the honor to be—Sir, Your Most Obedt and obliged Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Jonathan Boucher, 8 November 1797
From: Boucher, Jonathan
To: Washington, George

Sir
Epsom [England] 8th Novr 1797.

Having taken the Liberty to dedicate to You a Volume of Political Discourses relating to America, I now have the Honour to entreat your Acceptance of it: having ordered a Copy to be sent to Mr Maury of Liverpool, who, I doubt not, will take due Care to forward it to You. That You will approve of all that I have written in this Volume is more than I presume to hope for: but You will do Me the Justice to believe, that I have not, to the best of my Knowledge, uttered a single Sentiment which I do not myself believe; & that I publish the Volume with no Motives but the fair Hope of doing some Good. And in no Part of my Work is it possible I can be more sincere than I am in those public Professions of Esteem & Respect with which I have declared Myself to be, Sir Yr mo: obedt & very Humble Servt

Jonan Boucher


Title: To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 9 November 1797 [letter not found]
From: Lear, Tobias
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Tobias Lear, 9 Nov. 1797. GW wrote Lear on 10 Nov.: “I have received both of your letters dated yesterday.”


Title: From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 10 November 1797
From: Washington, George
To: Lear, Tobias

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 10th Novr 1797

I have received both of your letters dated yesterday; & thank you for the information given in them.
If Mr Liston’s arrangement to proceed from Alexandria to this place by Water appeared to you to proceed from the want of Carriages (for I do not know in what manner he got to the City) say to

him, that you are sure mine would attend upon him at any hour he wd name at that place, to bring as many of them as it would contain to Mt Vernn. This however, as the presumption is that I am unacquainted with his intentions & movements must go as from yourself. Yours always and Affectionately

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from William Wilson, 10 November 1797
From: Wilson, William
To: Washington, George

Sir
Alexa[ndria] 10th Novr 1797.

I had the honor of receiving Your letter of this date.
Agreeably thereto I inclose my Bill on Findlay Bannatyne & Co.

London at 30 d[a]ys for Ten pounds Sterling which at 33⅓ ⅌ Ct exchange, amounts to £13.6.8 Curry. With great respect I am Sir Your Mo. Obedt st

Wm Wilson


Title: From George Washington to George Lewis, 13 November 1797
From: Washington, George
To: Lewis, George

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 13th Novr 1797

The running off of my Cook, has been a most inconvenient thing to this family; and what renders it more disagreeable, is, that I had resolved never to become the master of another Slave by purchase; but this resolution I fear I must break.
I have endeavoured to hire, black or white, but am not yet supplied. A few days ago, having occasion to write to Mr Bushrod Washington on other matters, I asked if one could be had in Richmond; the following is his answer.
“Mr Brooke (late Governor) informs me that he had a very excellent Cook, with no other fault than a fondness for liquor (which a town afforded him too many opportunities of indulging) who is now in Fredericksburg, and is to be sold. I shall write to the Gentleman who has him, not to sell him till he hears from you. Should you, under this character, wish to buy, or hire him, please address a letter to Mr George Murray of that place. He cooked for Mr Brook⟨e⟩ while he was in the Government.”
Let me ask you now, to see both Mr Murray, & the man himself; and if upon conversing fully with the latter, you should be of opinion (from the account he gives of himself) that he is a good Cook, and would answer my purposes, then discover the lowest terms on which he could be had by purchase, or on hire; & inform me of

the result by the first Post to wch an answer shall be immediately given.
I should like to know the age, and as far as you are enabled to ascertain it, the temper & looks of the man described—Whether he has a wife, and expects to have her along with him; and in that case, what children they have—with her age & occupation. By the time I can receive an answer from you, I expect Mrs Forbes, who was Govr Brooke’s housekeeper, will be here as my housekeeper; and from her own knowledge of the person, and your account I shall be enabled to determine what answer to give. Our loves to Mrs Lewis &ca. I am—Your Affecte Uncle

Go: Washington