'' ' j *• V '^-i^‘ •' .•'-* * ' r • f ,» ^Vf.«v,vl . -^\I '• ' ' ?^^ i? •i . •: ’n is .» i :. ■-»-'■ ’•, V • / r.:i- >/-V' V'vV>?#- ■f.\\ i*.s' 7f- . *<. ,v. a ' ' . , * . ■» t' 1 • "l ( \ r i • I \ t V, / I i r,: s Su' ' '■; ' ' 1 , )■-?! ' ' ■* '. itV . ■ : - V " ■ u- MEMOIRS OF THE istonal ♦ VOLUME IV. GEORGE WASHINGTON AND MOUNT VERNON. BROOKLYN, N. PUBLISHED BY THE Y.: SOCIETY. 1889 . ,U7 V,+ TjO boston college library QHESTNUT HiLL, MASS. OFFICEES OF THE Cong ^t0torical Soctetg. 1889 - 90 . President, - - - EICHAED S. STOEES, D.D., LL.D. First Vice-President, - - - HON. JOSHUA M. VAN COTT. Second Vice-President, ----- SAMUEL McLEAN. Foreign Corresponding Secretary, - HON. BENJAMIN D. SILLIMAN. Home Corresponding Seo'etary, - - CHAELES H. HALL, D.D. Recording Secretary, FEEDEEIO A. WAED. Chairman of the Flxecutive Committee, - THOMAS E. STILLMAN. Treasurer, JOHN JAY PIEEEEPONT. Curator of the Museum, ELIAS LEWIS, Jr. DIEECTOES. RICHARD S. STORRS, D.D., LL.D., HON. JOSHUA M. VAN COTT, SAMUEL McLEAN, CHARLES H. HALL, D.D., JAMES R. TAYLOR, GEORGE I. SENEY, A. ABBOT LOW, ^ ALEXANDER M. WHITE, HENRY SHELDON, WALTER T. HATCH, JOSEPH E. BROWN, JOHN JAY PIERREPONT, HON. BENJAMIN D. SILLIMAN, TEMPLE PRIME, THOMAS E. STILLMAN, JOHN GIBB, ALEXANDER E. ORR, ELIAS LEWIS, Jr., FREDERIC A. WARD, BRYAN H. SMITH, HENRY D. POLHEMUS, JOHN CLAFLIN, CHARLES M. PRATT, C. DELANO WOOD. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. THOMAS E. STILLMAN, Chairman. HENRY SHELDON, SAMUEL McLEAN, JAMES R. TAYLOR, JOSEPH E. BROWN, ALEXANDER E. ORR, WALTER T. HATCH. COUNSELLOKS. KINGS COUNTY. HON. J. S. T. STRANAHAN, DAVID M. STONE, REV. CHARLES CUTHBERT HALL, WILLIAM B. LEONARD, JULIUS W. BRUNN, JOSEPH F. KNAPP, HON. JASPER W. GILBERT, FREDERICK A. FARLEY, D.D., PROF. DARWIN G. EATON, T. MORTIMER LLOYD, M.D., GEORGE L. NICHOLS, FLAMEN B. CANDLER. QUEENS COUNTY. A. N. LITTLEJOHN, D.D., D.C.L., WILLIAM FLOYD JONES, EDWARD W. GILMAN, D.D., JOHN A. KING, BENJAISHN D. HICKS, CHARLES B. MOORE. SUFFOLK COUNTY. HON. JAMES H. TUTHILL, PROF. EBEN N. HORSFORD, CHARLES R. STREET, EPHER WHITAKER, D.D., WILLIA3I NICOL, HON. JOHN R. REID. WASEffiMOlOlTo FROM THE ORIGINAL BY C. W. PEALE. IN POSSESSION OF REV. MASON GALLAGHER. ARTOTYPE, E. 8IERSTADT, X. Y. '! - i A'^'O A - • m\: * 1^ (:‘r V ^ r/ :/ . •vpjrft^acAu ■“ ■ Ir^ . ■C |.0rTRl> « W» .1 om^Ai PlTDLii?KrV iitN, • T- r,.. fe\r‘ f'L-nWi^ I ’>-V U- >fi : t*3T, r ’ > 80CUCTV GEORGE WASHINGTON AND MOUNT VERNON A COLLECTION OF WASHINGTON’S UNPUBLISHED AGRICULTURAL AND PERSONAL LETTERS EDITED WITH HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION BY MONCURE DANIEL CONWAY Author of "Omitted Chapt^s of Histoi'y disclosed in the Life and Papers of Edmund Randolph” BROOKLYN, N. T. PUBLISHED BY THE LONG ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY 1889 1 1 • LE7 V.Li- Copyright, 1889, by LONG ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY. TROWS PRINTING AND BOOKBINDING COMPANY, NEW YORK. OCT 2 1981 PREFACE. This volume is not only a monument of the first president of the United States, but, in a sense, of the first president of the Historical Society by which it is published. For it is the munificence of the late James Carson Brevoort which adds this contribution to the Centenary of Washington’s inaugura- tion. He whom the nation calls Father was as deeply inter- ested in the literary and scientific, as in the industrial, culture of the country, and his homage was especially given to men who promoted both. Of these Mr. Brevoort was a remarkably fine type. From the infant school in Hew York, where he was born (in Bloomingdale, 10 July 1818) he passed to the Bound Hill School, Horthampton, Mass., where he was under the care of George Bancroft and Joseph Cogswell ; his edu- cation was continued in Paris, then in Switzerland — at BaroTi Fellenberg’s School, Hofwyl ; this being followed by a three years’ course at the Ecole Centrale des Arts et Manufactures^ in Paris, from which he received a diploma as Civil Engineer. After studying railway-construction in France and England he returned to Hew York in 1838, and for nearly a year was employed at the West Point foundry, in which his father was interested. In ISJl, as surveyor, he accompanied Prof. James Benwick, one of the Commissioners of the Horth-east Bound- ary Survey. In 1842 he accompanied Washington Irving, United States Minister to Spain, as private secretary and at- Y1 PREFACE. tache of the Legation. An intimate friendship between Mr. Brevoort and Washington Irving continued until the latter’s death. In 1845 he married Elizabeth Dorothea, daughter of the Hon. Lelfert Lefferts, first Judge of King's Count j, and first president of the Long Island Bank, — the earliest incor- porated bank in Brooklyn. After Mr. Brevoort’s marriage he made Brooklyn his home, and became actively interested in whatever concerned the welfare of that city. As a member of the Charter Convention (1847), as a member of the Board of Education, and of the Board of Water Commissioners, as a trustee of Greenwood Cemetery, his services were of much value. In 1863 he took an active part in the formation of the Long Island Historical Society, was its President until 1873, Chairman of its Executive Committee until 1876, and Director until his death, 15 December 1887. Mr. Brevoort’s services were by no means limited to any locality. For twenty-six years (1852-1878) he was a trustee of the Astor Library, and for two years its superintendent. His scientific and historical contributions were recognized by honorary membership in many American Societies, and in the Archseological Society of Madrid. In Natural History he was especially interested in Ichthyology ; his collections were ex- tensive and his writings on that subject have high authority. His Notes on some Figures of Japanese Fish by Artists of the United States Expedition to Japan his ‘‘Early Spanish and Portuguese Coinage in America and “ Yerrazzano, the Navigator; or Notes on Giovanni da Yerrazzano, and on a planisphere of 1529, illustrating his American Yoyage in 1524 ; ” are monographs of much value. His thorough ac- quaintance with ancient and modern languages opened to him original sources of information, which he was always willing to impart, selfishness being unknown to his nature. PREFACE. vii By many learned Societies Mr. Brevoort was honored ; by his associates of the Long Island Historical Society he was beloved as well as honored ; and these Washington Papers, of his donation, are affectionately inscribed to James Carson Brevoort, from whom the patriot and the student will receive them as a bequest. With the exception of the papers collected by the editor, and used in the Introduction and the Appendix, this volume consists of 127 Washington MSS., of which nearly all are letters to the manager of his Mount Yernon estates during his absence while President. They were bought from the family of that manager, William Pearce, by the Hon. Ed- ward Everett, to whose eloquence the purchase and preser- vation of Mount Yernon are mainly due. Mr. Everett had intended to edit and publish them, but the task was never undertaken. At his death they passed to a member of his family, from whom they were purchased by Mr. Brevoort and presented to his cherished Long Island Historical So- ciety. HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION. A LEGENT) relates that Augustine Washington planted seeds which, when they grew, wrote the name of his child — George Washington. It sounds like a fable of Mount Yernon, in whose growths is perennially repeated the name of Washing- ton. The present volume bears to the world a finer fruitage of that estate, in letters genuine as its oaks, fresh as its sward, sweet as its brier roses. Here is the man. Xot in the battle- field, nor in the executive chair, shall we be intimate with the heart of Washington, but at Mount Yernon, where he wrote on the landscape what near life’s close he repeated on paper : “ The more I am acquainted with agricultural affairs the better I am pleased with them ; insomuch that I can no- where find so great satisfaction as in these innocent and use- ful pursuits. In indulging these feelings I am led to reflect how much more delightful, to an undebauched mind, is the task of making improvements on earth, than all the vain glory which can be acquired from ravaging it by the most uninterrupted career of conquests.” The visitor at Mount Yernon still finds a charm no art alone could give, in trees from various climes, each a witness of the taste that sought, or the love that sent them, in fields which the desolating step of war reverently passed by, in flowers whose root is not in graves, yet tinged with the life- blood of the heart that cherished them from childhood to old age. On those acres we move beneath shade or shelter of the invisible tree which put forth whatever meets the eye, X HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION. and has left some sign on each object, large or small. Still planted beside his river, he brings forth fruit of his season. Kor does his leaf wither. It is still a living inquiry — how grew W ashington himself ? The inquiry is appropriate for this volume, largely concerned with local and family details, and some contribution towards its satisfaction must be attempted. But for the present every such contribution must amount mainly to the collection of neglected materials, by aid of which the tree, to continue the similitude, may be distinguished from its mythical mosses, and freed from parasitic traditions. Much of the Washington Mythology is a folklore such as must always invest the founders of nations or the man of the people. Washington is entitled to his Washington-lore, by which, indeed, he is rather draped than disguised. It is the fashion to smile at Parson Weems’s romances of Washington’s early life ; but the quaint “ Pector of Mount Yernon,” as he called himself, to whom Washington in his last year wrote a kindly letter, needs only more time-perspective to be seen as an humble Homer reciting to Virginia villagers legends and ballads of their great men. One would travel far to surprise him reading the Bible to the negroes in their cabins, then tuning his fiddle for their dance ; or to observe the lank figure beside his ancient buggy and bony horse, attracting his court- green audience with his music, and selling his patriotic leaf- lets. The very soul of his time, picturesque as it recedes, is in his ballad of Lord Fairfax, who, on hearing that Great Britain had surrendered to his surveyor, said, in Weems’s recitative : Come, Joe, I’m sure ’tis high time for me to die.” “ Then up rose Joe, all at the word, And took his master’s arm. And to his bed he softly led The lord of Greenway farm : There oft he called on Britain’s name. And oft he wept full sore. And sighed ‘ Thy will, O Lord, be done ! ’ And word spake never more.” HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION. XI The legends of Washington’s physical strength connect him with the race of heroes whose moral greatness gained traditional expression in a symbolism of size. When Henry II. would terminate the superstition of his Celtic subjects that King Arthur was not dead, but would reappear to expel the Saxons, he arranged that certain large animal bones should be discovered at Glastonbury and buried with pomp as those of Arthur. Ordinary human bones would have been popularly repudiated. The tale of Washington’s father plant- ing seeds which in springing up wrote his son’s initials in green shoots, and suggested a sermon on creative design, does not lose interest by being borrowed from Dr. Beattie’s sketch of his son. There were legends to suggest the contrivance to Beattie, stretching back as far as that of the infant Hilde- brand who arranged the chips with which he played into the prophetic sentence, Dominabitur a mare ad mare.” Arthu- rian and Gregorian mythology that has migrated across the seas and twined round the childhood of a certain Yirginian is not to be explained as falsehood nor dismissed as rubbish. Augustine Washington compelling the growing seed to write his son’s name turns out to be Weems and others planting old stories to spring up asL^Washington-glories. The nation out- grows that particular folklore ; it can not linger in the nur- sery where Washington’s name is written in goody-goody stories ; but it is not mature enough to dispense with the mythological figure altogether. It clings to the fable that Frederick the Great sent Washington a sword, with homage of the oldest general in the world to the greatest,” to the legend that our fiag was evolved from his coat of arms, and the tradition that he never laughed. By varieties of portraiture, pictorial and historical, Wash- ington’s individuality was made by one and another pious or political party into its own image, with result of the com- posite efligy with which the real personality revealed by re- search has to contend. To restore Washington to the place xii HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION. occupied by this conventionalized Holy Picture has become the necessity of political history. The literary manipulation of Washington’s writings, now generally condemned, was only part of a system of pious suppression and conventionaliza- tion. The great need of the world is a complete and critical biography of Washington, but to write it would require a cour- age equal to his own. And indeed, for the present, it is on Washington's own courage that the truth of his history is mainly depending. He has fearlessly left to the certain in- spection of mankind, diaries and letters, in which his public and private life are faithfully recorded. These remains, more than 4,000, mainly preserved by his own drafts, amount to an autobiography so candid that, when fully published, other biographies will be shelved. It is natural that some should have misgivings concerning this complete publication of Washington. The historiog- rapher of the Diocese of Virginia, Dr. Philip Slaughter, (whose eloquent centennial discourse in Washington’s church at Alexandria all should read) wrote to me last year : What a terrible ordeal Washington’s character will have to endure at the many hands now plying their scalpels and critical glasses to its dissection. To have all one’s doings and say- ings in the abandon of private life proclaimed upon the house-tops is a trial through which no one could pass un- scathed save that peerless person who stood alone with noth- ing like to him.” Since this was written (18 Dec. 1888) fragmentary publications of the intimate correspondence of Washington, often with ignorant inferences, have subjected his fame to an unfair ordeal. The danger now lies rather in partial than in full publicity. When Washington appears as delineated by himself in his simple record some small haloes may fade ; but it will be found that such haloes have ob- scured a greater brain than is commonly recognized, a larger heart, a life more pathetic, a character formed by the eigh- teenth century of America which in turn he largely formed. HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION. xiii At any rate, it is inevitable that every word of Washington shall be brought to light. American history is not yet really written, and cannot be written, nor our future stand firmly on the shoulders of the Past, unless we can freely study this man both as an individual and a type of his time, instead of a supernatural avatar. And this emancipation from thral- dom to a mere name is a final service done by the pen of him whose sword liberated us from the previous superstition of royalty. There is a further reason why Washington alone can reveal his true self beneath his traditional effigy. He was an un- witting party to his own conventionalization. His patriotism and his humility induced him to sacrifice his preferences, in ceremonial matters, to statesmen more learned than himself, but often less wise. American society was under sway of courts for some time after political independence was achieved. It was expected,” wrote Edmund Randolph, “ at the commencement of our revolutionary government that these gaudy trappings w^ould be abandoned. They were re- tained indeed by usage, not by any authoritative recognition, nor yet from any admiration of the empty baubles in the country of our origin^ or an anti-republican tendency in the people ; but they may be ascribed to a degree of pride which would not suffer the new government to carry with it fewer testimonies of public devotion than the old.” By such in- fiuences Washington was induced to accept, as President, a ceremonial regime which he disliked, — his wife declaring her environment of etiquette a virtual imprisonment. Washing- ton also attitudinises in heroic portraits through submission to their painters. Such irksome concessions helped to diffuse a misconception of his character which, had it not been erro- neous, might have made him a king. Yet just this consti- tutes what one may almost call a Washingtonology. He stands like an obelisk, whose substance tells the story of a geologic formation, but is yet less important than the symbols xiv HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION. and histories engraved on it. Washington is our eighteenth century. At Wakefield, the birthplace of Washington, I have found, on a document of 1695, a seal with modifications of the AYashington arms which may shed light on the genealogical problem. For their appreciation the reader will find the fol- lowing facts important, and, indeed, of interest apart from the question of pedigree. In 1785 the Countess of Huntington, a connection of the Northamptonshire Washingtons, claimed relationship with the General, whom she sought to enlist in her scheme for In- dian evangelization. In 1791 Sir Isaac Heard, Garter King of Arms, enclosed to AYashington a genealogical statement on the same theory. In his reply (2 May 1792) AYashington says : “ I have often heard others of the family, older than myself, say, that our ancestor, who first settled in this coun- try, came from some one of the northern counties of Eng- land ; but whether from Lancashire, Yorkshire, or one still more northerly I do not precisely remember. The arms en- closed in your letter are the same that are held by the family here ; though I have also seen, and have used, as you may perceive by the seal to this packet, a flying griffin for the crest.” The seal here referred to was no doubt Washington’s pri- vate seal, now in possession of Kobert J. Washington of Westmoreland, to whom I am indebted for the impression here given. The Sul- grave crest has a raven instead of a griffin. Notwithstanding AYashington’s suggestion of a more northerly origin the pedigree of the family from that of Northamptonshire had been generallyae- cepted until 1867. In that year Col. Private Seal. ^ *' Joseph L. Chester, in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register^ proved that the John HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION. XV and Lawrence 'Washington of Northamptonshire, previously identified as the Yirginia immigrants, never came to America. Washington used a curious variety of seals. The ‘‘ private seal ” differs from another, used at the same period, in its foliations, being also without the motto, ‘‘ Exitus acta jprobat^'^ which occurs on two other seals. At what time Wash- ington began to use the arms, — three mullets in chief, and two bars, — is un- certain. His early seals had no armorial character. By the favor of Mr. Howell, of the N. Y. State Library, and skill of Miss Sutermeister, his assistant, I am enabled to present fac-similes of Wash- ington’s watch-chain (reduced from 7f in. to 6) and two seals (full-sized), pur- chased by New York from the estate of Lewis W. Washington. The earlier, or ‘‘silver seal,” was lost on Braddock’s field and there found by Daniel Boone Logan in 1842. The ‘^golden seal” no doubt succeeded the other. Dr. A. M. Hamilton of New York owns a very old china plate from Mount Yernon, with the letters “ Geo. and M. W.” beneath a spread eagle with thunderbolts in its talons. This ap- pears to me earlier than the mirror and silver plate, in the National Museum, on Silver Seal. Gold Seal. Chain. xvi HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION. which the Sulgrave arms are represented. In a letter of 6 June 1768, toKobert Cary & Co., London, ordering a chariot, Washington directs that it shall be decorated “with my arms agreeable to the impression here sent.” This is his earliest mention of arms. In vol. I. of Washington’s Letters (State Department) p. 701, a letter to Hancock, 18 May 1776, bears traces of a seal that may have had some armorial character ; but the earliest certain use of any device by Washington is a griffin, wdiich seals a letter to Robert Morris, 27 Jan. 1777. {Ib. vol. III. p. 509.) In the same volume, p. 571, the arms occur on a letter of 3 March 1777 to Messrs. Morris, Clymer, and Walton, Members of Congress. The shield is here, as on the furniture in the Rational Museum, of the “heater” (flatiron) shape. As yet no motto ap- pears. In 1777 Washington used other seals : on July 31 he seals a letter to Hancock with an urn (vol. lY. p. 471) ; on Sep. 13 and 16, to the same, he seals with a dove bear- ing an olive branch over a flood, and motto “ La Pax ” (vol. Y. pp. 55, 67). From an early period Washington appears to have gener- ally used some kind of envelope, and the rarity of examples of his seals may thus be partly accounted for ; but he also often used wafers. On four letters only of the present volume are there arms. On the letter (1779) to Lund Wash- ington, p. 320, the crown and griffin alone appear ; this also is the seal on a Letter to Bushrod Washington 15 Jan. 1784 in this Introduction. A letter (1796) to Pearce, p. 269, has the Sulgrave arms as engraved above, with the crooked shield, but with the motto added ; such is also the seal on the letter (1797) to Bushrod Washington, p. 339. The foliations around this motto-shield are different from the “private seal.” The earliest use of the latter which I have found is on a leave of absence to Major L’Enfant 16 Oct. 1783. Sir John Sinclair engraved the same on two of his facsimiles of Washington’s letters to him (20 Oct. 1792, and 6 Rov. 1797). HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION. xvii The Sulgrave arms appear on the frame of an engraved portrait of Louis XYI. sent by him to Washington (in the Na- tional Museum) ; also in the Columbian Magazine, Feb. 1787, under a portrait of Washington, who is decorated as if to satisfy monarchists of the Constitutional Convention. This represents the only publication I can find of the arms, which some have strangely supposed to be the origin of our stars and stripes ! At what time Washington began to use his motto I cannot discover, but apparently late in life. Mr. Cabot Lodge (George Washington, II. p. 386) relates that ‘Gie said to one officer, ‘I never judge the propriety of actions by after events’” — which precisely reverses his motto Exitus acta jyrohat. Mr. Garnett of the British Museum sends me a let- ter of Washington to ‘^Mrs. AYright in England,” 30 Jan. 1785, which is unique in having the motto under the private seal (p. xiv.) and the raven crest, — this, however, different from the Sulgrave raven in Sparks I. 174. The originals of the Wills of the earlier Washingtons of Yirginia being lost, it was with but little hope that I resolved on an exploration of records in AYestmoreland. But under the hospitable roof of Wakefield, residence of Mr. and Mrs. John E. AYilson — the latter a descendant of Col. Wm. Aug. AYashington — was made the discovery to which I have re- ferred. Among Mr. YBlson’s papers is an Indenture of Lewis Markham, dated 28 May 1695, convey- ing land to ‘^Lawrence AVashington Gentl,” to complete which he borrowed Lawrence’s seal. The shield has the three mullets in chief, two bars, and no crescent. Crest a helmet (I think), supporting coronet, and eagle issuant. One significance of this Crest is that the eagle is used by the German AVashingtons who come of the Ad- wick-le-Street branch. This makes a third coincidence with the German family, which uses the griffin and motto also. Xviii HLSTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION. In the Historical Magazine (III. p. 83) the Adwick branch is traced to the family which named Washington parish, Dur- ham — the only parish so named save that in Virginia. On the marriage of their heiress Dyonis Washington with Sir William Tempest, of Stndley Royal, the minor branch dis- persed. In 1577 James Washington owned the manor of Adwick-le-Street. John Washington came to Virginia from South Cave, and it may be noted that the castle there was thirty years ago owned by an heiress named Lawrence.^ Another member of the family founded a family in Ger- many. To Baron Von Washington of Munich the President wrote, 20 Jan. 1790: “There can be but little doubt. Sir, of our descending from the same stock” {Hist. Mag.^ IV. p. 86).'* ^ That John Washington emigrated from South Cave (30 miles from Ad- vrick-le-Street) is a tradition, but with many probabilities in its favor. Wakefield, which reappears as name of the Virginia homestead, is also in Yorkshire. As to the name “ Lawrence,” so much used by the American family, it may he mentioned for what it is worth that in the early annals a marriage is recorded of Sir James Lawrence of Trafford, Lancashire, with Matilda, heiress of one John Washington. The name “Lund ” also appears at the head of the Adwick-le-Street pedigree in Sparks (I. 554). It should be borne in mind that the coronet from which a crest issues signifies noth- ing in the way of rank. ® The account given by the Bavarian Barons Von Washington of their family is that their ancestor James Washington (brother of the Virginians) was involved in the Duke of Monmouth affair (1683-4) and fled to Hol- land. This corresponds with the Rotterdam merchant of that name men- tioned in Sparks’ table of the Adwick-le Street family. In the same table, besides this Rotterdam James, appears “ John, drowned in 1661.” Possibly John was not drowned. (Magazine of Ain. Hist. Feb. 1879.) In Rietstap (Armorial General) the arms of the German family are given as follows: — “Washington. Bav. (Barons 8 dec. 1829). D’arg. a deux fasces ah. de. gu. acc. de trois etoiles du meme, ranges en chef. Cq. cour. C : une tete et col d’aigle de sa. , tenent en son bee une rose blanche tigee et f euillee de sin. S : deux griffons de sa. D : Exitus acta prohat."''' It will be seen that this is sub- stantially the coat of arms on the Wakefield seal, — the crest also, excepting the white rose in the eagle’s beak. This Wakefield eagle also seems to hold something in its beak. The Germans are the only other Washington family in which I can discover the use of the General's motto. His crest appears in their griffin supporters. In England the motto is used by several fam- ilies, and the three stars and two bars by the Freke family. HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION. XIX In 1626 a Lawrence Washington lived in Bermuda; and Mr. Alexander Brown of Ya. has discovered the indictment of one George Washington at the Bermuda Assizes, Yov. 1648, for saying that “the King has sould his subjects to Popery” and “ deserved to be hanged 7 years ago.” Whence came the griffin, as the Washington crest, I do not know. At W akefield Mr. W ilson showed me an arbitra- tion (3 Dec. 1742) between Augustine and John, — the Gen- eral’s father and uncle — on their boundaries ; to this they have affixed, if we make it out correctly, each the same seal, — which appears to me a griffin, but with wings more dis- played than those used by the General, and more like the Yorkshire family’s eagle. Ko arms are on this seal used by the brothers. Indeed Augustine does not appear to have been particular about his seal, and on an important Agree- ment of 1737 (owned by Dr. Emmet) his round seal, perhaps borrowed from a bystander, represents two Cupids playing Avith hearts.* The first Washingtons in Virginia may therefore be re- ^ After the above was in type I was favored by Mr. Dean, editor of the New England Histoi'ical and Genealogical Register^ with sheets of an impor- tant contribution on the subject by Henry F. Waters, A.M. The paper now appears in the October Register. It adds to our knowledge the fact that the younger of the Virginia immigrants, Lawrence Washington, was from Lu- ton, Bedfordshire. Twelve miles from Luton is Tring, Co. Herts, where ]Mr. Waters discovers the presence of a Lawrence Washington, and two sons — John and Lawrence — who, at the time of immigration (1657) would he 23 and 24 years of age. Mr. Waters believes this Lawrence, the father, to be the one who was supposed, until Col. Chester’s paper of 1867, to be him- self the immigrant ; that is the Rev. Fellow of Brasenose, Oxford, and rec- tor of Burleigh. This would restore the Sulgrave connection though in an- other generation. The theory, however, is doubtful. There is no certainty that Lawrence of Tring was a clergyman, and Mr. Waters does not explain why the sons of a rector of Burleigh, Essex, from 1632 to 1643, should he born at Tring, Herts, in 1634 and 1635. And these were young, in 1657, to have families. There were several Lawrence Washingtons of that generation, and it is not easy to identify the one at Tring, but Mr. Waters has shown probabilities that it is in that region we are likely to discover further traces of the brothers who migrated to Virginia. It may be hoped that Mr. AVaters will find some seal at Tring to compare with that just found at AA'akefield. XX HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION. garded as of the minor gentry.’- The archives of Maryland {Bist. Mag. 2nd Series, I. p. 29) show that John Washing- ton, on his arrival, complained to Governor Fendall, of Mary- land, against Captain Prescott for having hung an alleged witch, Elizabeth Richardson, on the voyage. When the trial came on John excused to the Governor his non-attendance (30 Sept. 1659), Because then, God willing, I intend to gett my young Sonne baptized. All ye Company and Gossips be- ing already invited.” Col. John Washington’s indignation against Prescott (who pleaded that he was not in command at the time, and that the crew were on the verge of mutiny) .is some offset against his ferocity against the Indians, who called him Conotocarius, — town-destroyer, — a title which his famous grandson found fallen to himself when in youth he was sent on a peaceful mission to the Indians. The land which John occupied in Westmoreland is still called Indian Town. Washington village, Durham, was the place of the dragon which the Knight Lambton encountered, and John may have fancied he was fulfilling the tradition of his elders when he dragooned red men. John brought his first wife and two children with him from England. These having all died, he married Anne Pope of Pope’s Creek, about 1660. About the same time the other immigrant, Lawrence, mar- ried Mildred Warner (second wife) and reciprocally named his first son after his brother John,^ — whose first American son was named Lawrence. These brothers were among the earliest settlers of West- moreland, Virginia, which is first mentioned in an act of July, 1653, as extending “from Achoactoke river where Mr. Cole lives : And so upwards to the ffalls of the great river of Paw- tomake above the Kecostius towne.” (1 Hening 381.) Nor- thumberland had been formed seven years earlier, and Stafford is first mentioned in 1666. The brothers together held pat- ents for many acres, which they swiftly multiplied, — John on the Upper Potomac, Lawrence on the Rappahannock. HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION. XXI Although Major John Washington was rebuked by Gov. Sir William Berkeley for his conduct towards Indians he was friendly among his neighbors. Mrs. Frances Peyton, widow of Col. Valentine Peyton did, on the 21 July 1665, ordain her “ trusty and well beloved friend Major John Washing- ton ” to be her attorney for all purposes. In General Washington’s time the descendants of the im- migrant brothers do not appear to have known their degrees of relationship. In his letter to Sir Isaac Heard, Washington says the descendants of Lawrence were numerous, but that he is unable to give a satisfactory account of them ; and to two of them he leaves bequests with the words, ‘‘ To the acquaint- ances and friends of my juvenile years, Lawrence AYashington and Bobert M^ashington, of Chotanck, I give, etc.” By the assistance of Prof. Chapman Maupin (of the University School, Ellicott City, Md.), a descendant of this line, I am able to make the relationship clear. Lawrence (the immi- grant), a widower, married Jane (called Joyce) Flemming in Virginia : their son John married Mary Townshend (1691- 2) : of this last-named marriage the eldest son was John, who married Miss Massy, and the youngest Townshend, who mar- ried Elizabeth Lund. This last-named John had a son named Lawrence, and his brother Townshend a son named Pobert ; and these first cousins were the two “ acquaintances and friends” of Washington’s juvenile years. A brother of Pobert was Lund AYashington, so long the manager of Mount Vernon, some of AYashington’s letters to whom are quoted in Appendix. John, son of the immigrant, who married Mary Townshend, married a second wdfe (name not discovered). A grandson of this second marriage was Col. Bailey AYashington, whose son William Augustine AYashington was the hero of Cowpens. This Col. William AYashington’s admirable qualities won the esteem of General AYashington, and there was even an in- timacy betw^een them. xxii HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION. For the following I am indebted to Dr. Toner of Washing- ton: “ Charleston S. C. Nov. 1790. “ Sm, “Your Excellency’s favor of March 25* accompanied with a Medal struck by order of the late Congress I have received. “ This flattering mark of respect confered on me by the Represen- tatives of my Country will make a indelible impression of gratitude on my mind. “ The people of this State indulge themselves with the hope that your Excellency will pay them a visit the ensuing year, it will give me much pleasure if your Excellency and family will abide with me whilst in Charleston. “ Mrs. Washington flatters herself with the pleasure of your Lady’s company. I am sir With the greatest respect and esteem Your Excellency’s Very obedi’* Servt. W. Washington.” Col. William, it is said, declined the title General,” say- ing “ there can be but one General Washington in America.” Ilis military career in the revolution was cut short by capture and parole ; but in 1Y98, when Washington was again made Commander (on the prospect of war with France) he ap- pointed Col. William Washington to the command of ^N^orth and South Carolina and Georgia, with the rank of Brigadier General. Col. Washington was then living at Charleston, S. C., where he had married (a Miss Elliot), and where his de- scendants are numerous. To one of these I am indebted for a letter written by Brig. Gen. William Washington to General Washington 19 Oct. 1798, the closing paragraphs of which are as follows : — “ I bad indulged the pleasing hope that I had made a flnal retreat into the peaceful shades of retirement, but at this momentous crisis I shall not hesitate when I shall have my appointment officially an- nounced (at present I know nothing of it, except what appears in the HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION, xxiii public prints,) to obey the summons of my country, especially when I know that the army is to be commanded by a chief for whom I have had the highest respect and veneration. “Please to make a tender of my best respects to Mrs. Washington. With the greatest respect and esteem, your very obedient servant.” The well-known paternal ancestry of Washington may be omitted in order to give more space to his maternal genealogy. For. this, Capt. George Washington Ball of Fauquier, great- great-grandson of Mary Washington, has placed at my dis- posal his useful monograph on “ The maternal ancestry and nearest of kin of Washington.” The following is from an old MS. preserved in the Downman family of Yirginia : ‘ ‘ History of the Ball family of Baricham, comitatis Berks, taken from the Visitation Booke of London, marked 0. 24 in the College of Arms : “William Ball, Lord of the Manor of Barkham, com. Berks, died in the year 1480. “ Robert Ball, of Barkham, com. Berks, his son k heii*, died in the year 1543. He left two sons, William and Edward. To William he gave his personal estate, ..and he dwelt at Wokingham. Edward in- herited the landed estate. “William Ball died at Wokingham in 1550, and was succeeded by his son John Ball, who married, first, Alice Haynes of Finchhamp- stead, by whom he had four children, William, Richard, Elizabeth, Joane ; and, second, Agnes, daughter of Richard Holloway of Bark- ham, by whom he had four children, John, Robert, Thomas, and Rachel, and died in 1599. “ He was succeeded by his son John Ball, who married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Webb of Rascombe, com. Berks. He died in 1628 leaving five sons and six daughters, William, Thomas, George, Richard, k Samuel, Rachel, Elizabeth, Susan, Als, Dorothy, k Mary. “William Ball of Lincoln’s Inn, and one of four attorneys in the Office of Pleas in the Exchequer, was living in 1634. “ His son. Col. William Ball, emigrated to Virginia in the year 1657, and settled at ‘ Millenbeck ’ (his plantation) on the Rappahannock river, Lancaster County, Parish of Saint Mary’s, White Chapel. He xxiv HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION. married Hannah Atherald (Atherall ?) and died in 1680, leaving two sons, William and Joseph, and one daughter, Hannah, who married David Fox. “ Captain William Ball married Margaret, daughter of Rawleigh Downman, and resided at ‘ Millenbeck.’ He died Sept. 30th 1694, leaving eight sons and one daughter, William, Richard, James, Joseph, George, David, Stretchlej, and Samuel. The daughter, Margaret, married her first cousin Raleigh Downman. “Joseph Ball, second son of Col. William Ball, of ‘Millenbeck,’ lived at ‘ Epping Forest ’ in Lancaster County, Va. He was married twice ; first to [several words illegible here. Miss Rogers is doubtless meant,] by whom he had one son, Joseph, and second to Mrs. Mary Johnson, by whom he had five daughters : Hannah, who married Mr. Raleigh Travers, of Stafford ; Anne mamed Col. Edwin Conway ; Esther married Mr. Raleigh Chinn ; Elizabeth married Rev’d Mr. Carnagie ; and Mary who married Mr. Washington, and was the mother of Gen’l George Washington. “Joseph Ball died in June 1715 [1711] and is buried at ‘Epping Forest,’ [Va.] His son Joseph, by his first wife, was educated in Eng- land, became a Barrister at Law, and married Frances, daughter of Thomas Ravenscroft of London. He returned to Virginia, and re- sided, for some years at ‘ Moratico,’ in Lancaster County, but finally went back to England, and lived at Stratford-by-Bow, in Essex Co., where he died Jan. 10th 1760. He had only one child, Frances, who married Raleigh Downman. They returned to Virginia in 1765, and lived at Moratico. They had three children : Joseph Ball Downman, Raleigh Wm. Downman, and Frances, who married James Ball of ‘ Bewdly,’ Lancaster Co., Va.” This paper requires a correction : Mary was the only child of Col. Joseph Ball by his second wife; the others were children of his marriage with Miss Rogers. The Ball arms are in Burke : Lion rampant, sable, holding in the dexter paw a fireball ppr. Crest : out of a ducal cor- onet a hand and arm embossed in mail, grasping a fireball ppr. Motto: “Coelumque tueri.” Concerning the widow Mary Johnson, Col. Joseph Ball’s second wife, Washington’s grandmother, history is silent. Capt. G. W. Ball, in his Monograph, prints the follow- HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION. xxv ing from a letter of Col. James Ball of Bewdly, 11 Sept. 1789 : “The death of old Mrs. Washington we had heard of before the re- ceipt of yours. I have according to your request made inquiry into her genealogy, but have gained very little satisfaction relative to her mother’s family. Old Mrs. Sherman her niece, of whom I expected most, knows nothing more than that her [Mary Washington’s] mother was an Englishwoman.” Mrs. Sherman’s ignorance, even of the maiden name of Col. Ball’s second wife, and some other circumstances, incline me to credit a rumor that the widow Mary Johnson had been a housekeeper in the family. Before the marriage her name appears as witness to the signature of Col. Joseph Ball, on a conveyance of land (12 Feb. 1703) to his son-in-law Chinn. Col. Joseph Ball’s will, dated June 5, and admitted to probate July 11, 1711, devised lands and slaves to his five children by his first wife, and bequeathed to his ‘‘loving wife Mary Ball, the feather-bed, bolsters, and all the furniture thereto belong- ing, whereon 1 now lie in my own lodging chamber, as it stands now and is used, and all the chairs in the house which are single nailed.” He" also devises to her land, slaves, crops, horses, cattle, stills, chaise and harness, and an “ Irish woman, by the name of Ellen Grafton, for the time she has to serve.” To his daughter Mary he gives “ 400 acres of land in Bich- mond County, in ye freshes of Bappahn. Biver.” To his wife’s daughter, Eliza Johnson, he gives a hundred acres. Mary Ball was born in 1706 ; lier husband, Augustine Washington, was born in 1694. The estate on which George Washington was born, — some years subsequently called “Wakefield,” — was a tract of 400 acres bought by Lawrence Washington, grandfather of the General, from Bobert, Thomas, and Dorothy Liston, of Bris- tol. Their agent was Lewis Markham, and it was in this very transaction that he used the Washington seal already XX vi HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION. described. Among the papers at Wakefield is a note of Lawrence Washington to Markham (dated 16 June 1695) : “ Sir, — I herewith deliver youe a Coppey of your convaance of y® Liston’s Land I bought ; and a Coppey of youre bond ; by which youe will see wh'^ is to bee p*^ for mee one your partt ; and when they make there assurances youe had best have your power Eenued for acknowl- ed’g itt & bring power from their wifes for dower ; & there bonds for defending y titell & recording itt ; soe hope you will Actte as securely for me as your Selfe ; Well knowing y‘ a hunderd pound is a great deale of money to lay outt one a peace of Land withoutt timber ; and houses tumbling downe. Nott doubting your Ceare, I wish youe a good voayge and subscribe your reayall freind. Law : Washington.” The home of Washington, now known as Mount Yernon, is on a tract still earlier in possession of the familj^ In 1670 a tract of 5000 acres above Dogue Run was granted jointly to John Washington of Westmoreland, Ya., and Nicholas Spencer (of Bedford, England) from Gov. Berkeley. John Washington’s moiety was between Dogue Run and Little Hunting Creek. His will, dated at Bridge Creek, 26 Feb. 1675, was proved 10 Jan. 1677. He bequeathed his ‘^Hunt- ing Creek plantation” to his son Lawrence Washington. The will of this son (Lawrence) is dated 11 March 1697. In it he bequeathes to his son Augustine (the General’s father) the estate afterwards called AYakefield, and to his daughter Mildred all his “land in Stafford Co. [which then included Mount Yernon] lying upon Hunting Creek where Mrs. Eliza Minton & Mrs. Williams now lives, by estimation 2500 acres.” But Mildred died in infancy, and the Hunting Creek estate (Mount Yernon) became the joint possession of the widow and two sons, until it fell to the survivor of them all, Augustine, about the year 1730.‘ ’ In his Will, Lawrence (the General’s grandfather) desires burial beside his parents, brothers, sister, and children ; that his debts shall be “ con- tented ; ” a mourning ring to Wm. Thompson, clerk, and Mrs. Sarah HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION, xxvii An Agreement, already referred to as in possession of Dr. Emmet, shows the General’s father largely interested in the Spotswood iron enterprises of Yirginia and Maryland. He is described as ‘‘Captain Augustine Washington of Prince AYilliam County.” This is in 1737 ; and I am indebted to Dr. Slaughter for the information that in the same year Au- gustine went to England, returning in July “ with convicts.” On the voyage a passenger, Capt. Hugh French, died of “gaol distemper contracted on board,” but “Captain Washington” was reported in “ good health.” It appears probable that Augustine got his title by commanding some ship for a time. At any rate he had a more adventurous career than has hitherto been supposed, — unless by the author of “ Lacon,” who says that an accident in Cheshire, England, threw Au- gustine Washington into the company of the lady who went to Yirginia as his wife. It is possible that Joseph Ball, the London lawyer, was visited there by his father’s widow and her daughter, and that Captain Augustine, after the death of his first wife (Jane Butler) in 1728, met and married Mary Thompson, each, of 30/ price ; to his godson Law. Butler 2 cows ; to his ‘‘ sister Ann Writt’s childrea-one man-servant apiece of 4 or 5 years to serve,’’ 3000 lbs. tobacco to purchase the same when they are 20 yrs. of age ; to his sister Lewis a mourning ring, 40/ ; to his cousin John Washington of Staf- ford all wearing apparel ; to cousin John’s oldest son Lawrence, his godson, when 20 yrs. 3000 lbs. tobacco to purchase a man servant ; to godson Law. Butler, and Lewis Nicholas tract of land, 225 acres, adjoining Meridah Ed- wards and David White ; to the upper and lower churches, Washington parish, pulpit covers and cushions ; for funeral sermon 3000 lbs. tobacco; his personal property to be divided between, wife, daughter, and sons, Jno. and Aug. ; to Jno. tract he lives on and another from mouth of Mochodock Ck. to Round Hills; to Augustine the Liston land, “lying between my brother and Baldridge’s, (400 acres) also land that was Richard Hill’s, and Markham’s when M’s family are deceased (700 acres.)” Then follows be- quest of the Hunting Creek land in text. To John his water mill ; also “that land which I bought of my brother Francis and Wright, being 200 acres near Stork’s quarter.” Exiecutors : cousin Jno. Washington of Staf- ford, Sam’l Thompson and loving wife Mildred. Signed in presence of Robt. Readman, Geo. Weedon, Thos. Howes, and Jno. Rosier. Probate 30 March 1698: Jas. Western, C. C. xxviii HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION. Ball in England. There would be nothing in this to cast any doubt on George Washington’s assertion that he himself was born in Virginia. There is no foundation for the statement that Wakefield was burned soon after the birth of Washington therein. The fire did not occur until 1779. Nor is the generally accepted account true, that Augustine’s removal, in 1735, was to the farm in King George Co. near Fredericksburg. He was from 1735 to 1739, a resident of Prince William. This county was formed from Stafford and King George in 1730. By this change the tract now known as Mount Vernon (in Fairfax) which had been successively in Westmoreland and in Stafford, became included in Prince William. The Truro Parish Vestry-Book — the invaluable possession of Dr. Slaughter, save one page with autographs of Washington, Mason and other great men which has found its way to the New York Historical Society, — bears witness to some surprising facts. Truro Parish (Prince William) was instituted in 1732, and Captain Augustine Washington was sworn a vestryman, 18 Nov. 1735. On Jan. 17 of this year he lost his daughter (by the first wife) Jane. He also represented in the House of Burgesses, as Prince William, the same county his brilliant son Lawrence represented later as Fairfax. In August 1736 Augustine signed the Parish “Minutes,” and recommended Charles Green to the Bishop of London for orders. He was present at a Vestry of 13 August 1737, at which Bev. Charles Green was elected Hector. He also at- tended the Vestry in October, 1737, between which date and October 1739, there is a gap in the Truro MS. Dr. McGuire, who married a granddaughter of Gen. Wash- ington’s sister Betty, says that Augustine came to reside near Fredericksburg in 1739. This is confirmed by the fact that in 1740 he conveyed to his son Lawrence the 2500 acres which the latter afterwards named Mount Vernon. This deed, re- corded in the General Court Office, 23 Oct. 1740, was burned HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION, xxix during the Civil War. The Will of Augustine, who died 12 April 1743, confirmed this gift. It was recorded in King George County, May 1743. From Lawrence the estate passed to George Washington. It appears clear that Mount Yernon, on which Washington lavished his devotion, was a heritage from his first ancestor in Virginia, and the homestead of his own earliest recollections. Tlie hopeless loss of the Truro Kegisters may account for the absence of data concerning the children of Capt. Augus- tine and Mary Washington beyond the meagre entries of their Bible, — in which have been inserted some particulars concerning George, evidently after his celebrity. “ Augustine Washington and Maiy Ball was married the Sixth of March 17^^. “ George Washington Son to Augustine & Mary his Wife was Born ye 11 th Pay of February 1731/2 about 10 in the Morning & was Bap- tiz’d the 3‘ of April following M*" Beverley Whiting & Cap‘ Christo- pher Brooks Godfathers and M'' ® Mildred Gregoiy Godmother. “ Betty Washington born 20‘ ^ June 1733 about 6 in y® Mornin. De- parted this life the 31st of March 1797 at 4 o’clock. “ Samuel Washington was bom y® 16 of Nov. 1734 about 3 in y® Mornin. ^ “John Augustine Washington was born y® IJ'** of Jany about 2 in y® Morn 1735/6. “ Charles Washington borne y® 2 day of May about 3 in y® Morne 1738. “ Mildred Washington was Bom y® 21st of June 1739 about 9 at night. “ Mildred Washington departed this Life Ocf y® 23<^ 1740 being Thursday abt 12 a Clock at Noon, aged 1 year & 4 months.” An interesting inquiry is suggested by Capt. Augustine 'W'ashington’s importation of “convicts.” Tradition says that George Washington was taught in childhood by a sexton named Hobby ; but the only contemporary statement is that of Bev. Jonathan Boucher, teacher of Jacky Custis, who says Washington was “taught by a convict servant whom his XXX HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION. father bought for a schoolmaster.” The sexton of Truro Parish in 1747 was a “convict” — William Grove. It may be that “ Hobby ” was this man’s nickname, and that he had previously taught the Washington children; or “Hobby” may have been another of the “convicts” — probably political. Dr Slaughter’s researches have led him, as he tells me, to the conclusion that “ Hobby ” was sexton of the’ church at Falmouth, and that the Washington children went to school there. Falmouth was founded, as a military station, in 1675. In 1732 the House of Burgesses ordered the erection of a church “ in the new parish of Brunswick,” “ in the town of Falmouth.” Fredericksburg was founded in 1727, and the church edifice there (St. George’s) was not completed until sixteen years later. Education being in clerical hands, it may be assumed that between 1739 and 1743 (the year of Augus- tine’s death) the nearest school was at Falmouth, two miles above the Washington farm, on the same side of the river. The “ Little Falls” farm on the Bappahannock, often men- tioned in Washington’s diaries, was the maiden property of Mary Ball, — the 400 acres devised, as we have seen, by Col. Joseph Ball. It was contiguous with the estate of her brother, Joseph, the London lawyer, and when bequeathed (1711) was in Bichmond County. “Sherwood Forest,” Jo- seph’s portion, seems to have been a dowry of his daughter Frances Downman, and passed to Henry Fitzhugh, who married a Downman. The Ball homestead was “ Traveller’s Best,” so long occupied by Col. Burgess Ball, — possibly handed down from his great-grandmother. Col. Joseph Ball’s daughter Anne (Conway), Mary Washington’s half-sister. In the Will of John Augustine (date 19 Xov. 1784, probate in Westmoreland 31 July 1787) we find: “Item, to my son Bushrod . . . my Land in Stafford County conveyed to me by my mother Mrs. Mary Washington adjoining the lands of Downman’s estate and Col. Burgis Ball in Bappahannock and containing 400 acres.” HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION, xxxi The Will of Capt. Augustine Washington, and its record, disappeared during the Civil War, but I have made out the following bequests. Augustine, probably his oldest son, re- ceived the homestead in Westmoreland; Lawrence the Fair- fax land, then in a wilderness ; John Augustine was given “Bushfield” Westmoreland ; Samuel, Chotanck, Stafford (533 acres, which it cost his half-brother Augustine £600 to free from a claim) : he divided his iron shares between them : he gave his widow her own inheritance, 400 acres, and some land near the furnace on Accokeek (the furnace shares going to Lawrence,) also a bit on Deep Bun, — near another iron forge (twenty miles above Falmouth on the Bappahannock) whose ruins remain. The daughter was excluded from the distribution of negroes. Although Mary Washington dwelt near her daughter, and depended on her unfailing devotion, Betty received by her Will only her horse and phaeton. Having given her farm down the river to her son John, she bequeathed in her Will (dated 20 May 1788) her remaining lands to the General, — swelling the forty thousand acres he already owned. It does not appear to have occurred to any one that there was injustice in this, except that a letter else- where quoted shows the General’s surprise that Betty should not have had a child’s portion of her father’s negroes. George Washington’s inheritance of land, when he should come of age, is called in his Diary the “Upper Place.” It was 280 acres, purchased by his father, 3 Bov. 1738, from Margaret Grant, executrix of William Strother. The Cap- tain may have added to the property, or he may have deemed its proximity to the new town as an equalization with the be- quests to the other sons by his second wife. But he seems to have been conscious of some meagreness in his bequest to George, since he devised Mount Yernon to him if Lawrence should be without issue. The value of George’s inheritance may be inferred from a letter to his mother, four years after her husband’s death, from her half-brother Joseph in Lon- xxxii HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION. don. He warns her against sending George to sea, as “a planter that has three or four hundred acres of land and three or four slaves,” may do better. It is probable, however, that Capt. Augustine knew that his wife would give the larger of her farms (that on the Accokeek) to George, as she did. Its size may be estimated by the fact that the General paid, in 1760, quit-rents for 1250 acres in that region. (Worthington Ford, in The Nation^ 19 Sep. 1889). This included the Ac- cokeek lands, his own “ Upper Place,” opposite Fredericks- burg, and his mother’s ‘^Little Falls,” two miles lower. The topography has points of interest. George, writing from his mother’s home, 5 May 1749, to his half-brother Lawrence (in the House of Burgesses), says : “ As my mother’s term of years is out at the place at Bridge Creek, she designs to settle a [Negro] quarter on the piece at Deep Run, but seems backward in doing it till the right is made good for fear of accident. — It is reported here that Mr. Spotswood intends to put down the feriy at the wharf where he now lives, and that Major Francis Taliaferro intends to petition the Assembly to have it kept from his house over against my mother’s quarter, and through the very heart and best of the land. Whereas he can have no other view in it, than for the convenience of a small mill which he has on the water-side, that will not grind above three months in the twelve, and on account of the great inconvenience and prejudice it will be to us, I hope it will not be granted. Besides, I do not see where he can possibly have a landing-place on his side, that will ever be sujQficient for a lawful landing, by reason of the steepness of the banks. I think we suffer enough from the free ferry, without being troubled with such an unjust and iniquitous petition as that ; but I hope, as it is only a flying report, that he will consider better of it, and drop his pre- tensions.” By the assistance of Judge Wellford of Biclimond, whose ancestors belonged to the region, and William A. Little of Fredericksburg, I have made out the following facts. The Ferry alluded to by Washington is described in 6 Hening p. 18 as ‘‘from the wharf above the mouth of Massaponax Creek HISTORICAL AND GEXEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION, xxxiii to tlie opposite landing upon Mr. BalPs land.” The wharf on Spotswood’s place “ Nottingham ” was fully four miles below Fredericksburg, and Taliaferro's (“Epsom”) just above that, — both on the Spottsylvania side. The “ Ball’s Land ” (“ Traveller’s Best ”) contained 600 acres ; Downman’s (“ Sherwood Forest ”) north of it 900 acres ; next these being Mary Washington’s “Little Falls,” between which and the Wahsington Farm came the Strother Farm. Mr. A. K. Phillips, of Fredericksburg, writes : “ I remember when the Washington Farm contained between 600 and 800 acres, and belonged to Col. Hugh Mercer, son of the General, but it has been sold off to different parties. My father told me that when he removed to Fredericksburg in 1806 the Washington house was standing. It was a plain wooden structure of moderate size, and painted a dark red color. The Strother farm a few miles below the Farm is known as ‘ Albion.’ It is thought that long years ago the Washington Farm was a part of the Strother Farm, because there was found on the Washington tract a stone inscribed: ‘John Strother, Gentle- man,’ — no doubt placed there by the old gentleman as a boun- dary mark. The Strother farm at present contains about 700 acres.” In the Will of Mary (of which a facsimile appears in the ILag. Am. Hist., March 1887) she bequeathes the General her “ lands on Accokeek Bun in Stafford County.” These I have identified as part of a tract now called “Furnace,” on which are still traceable cinders of the old iron-works in which Cap- tain Augustine Washington speculated so largely. It was one of five forges in Virginia and Maryland, which appear, by the Will of his son Lawrence, to be still bringing some profits in 1752. But Captain Augustine Washington might have made more by his ventures had he not died prematurely (aged 49). At any rate his widow and her five children were left poor. The half-brothers, who had been left the main properties, acted handsomely. Augustine took George, now xxxiv HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION. twelve years, to the old home in Westmoreland, and there sent him to school, — it is said to a Mr. AYilliams. There, however, he seems to have become restless, and probably re- turned to his mother in the summer of 1745. The winter’s schooling was probably in Fredericksburg. It is certain that the summer of 1746 was passed at Mount Yernon, then re- cently built by his half-brother Lawrence, whose young wife was Anne, daughter of William Fairfax by his first wife, Sarah Walker.* This William Fairfax, kinsman and agent of Lord Fairfax, had married as his second wife Deborah Clarke, of Salem, Mass., with whom he settled in Westmoreland, Ya., in 1734. He and Capt. Augustine Washington had migrated to the upper Potomac about the same time, 1735, — Fairfax fixing his abode at Belvoir (which some called Beaver, i.e. Beauvoir). In the said summer (1746) George passed a happy week at Belvoir. A letter from Mr. Fairfax to Lawrence mentioning the visit, and saying that George had promised to be “ steady,” suggests that there had been some youthful de- claration of independence. George returned home and con- tinued at school in Fredericksburg. Fredericksburg was mainly settled by relatives of the Wash- ingtons. Col. Harry Willis, chief founder of the town, m. first George’s aunt, 2d. his cousin, — both christened Mildred Washington. This aunt had first m. Boger Gregory, their three daughters having m. three brothers Thornton in the neighborhood. Another founder of the town, John Lewis, was descended from Augustine Warner, whose daughter was ^ “ The family of Fairfax’s in Virginia, of whom you speak, are also re- lated to me by several intermarriages before it came into this country (as I am informed) and since .” — Washington to the Earl of Buchan, 22 April 1793. (Mag. Am. Hist. Feb. 1888.) That all parties concerned were rather late in discovering this relationship (if it existed) may be supposed from the tenor of Joseph Ball's letter from London (1747) to his half-sister, Mary Washington, advising her not to send George to sea. He could not hope to be more than a common sailor, every higher post being sought for there (in England) by “ those who have interest, and he [George] has none.''* HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION. XXXV Gen. Washington’s paternal grandmother. Thus at fifteen George was schoolmate of many cousins. The newly built church, St. George’s, was under charge of a brilliant French Huguenot, — Rev. James Marye, — who had taken orders in London. He would naturally have charge of the first school also, and probably taught it. Dr. Toner, in his excellent edition of the “Rules of Civility,” found in Washington’s boyish writing, with the date 1745, shows probabilities that they were mainly his own composition. Some of the “ Rules,” however, resemble those in the Latin work (of the Jesuit Mussipontarius) “ Communis Yitce inter homines scita urhanitasY Leonard Perm’s translation of this book (1617) passed through several editions, and from it the Rev. James Marye may have instructed the boys of Fredericksburg in those rules of civility of which the school children of our own time are unfortunately left ignorant. On such basis the pre- cocious boy may have built his “ Rules ; ” for, though we must not forget that we are here under Old Style, according to which Washington was born in 1731, and in 1745 was four- teen, — he certainly was precocious. Major Bju’d Willis, — whose towering form was a striking figure in the Fredericks- burg of my boyhood, — grandson of Col. Harry Willis and Washington’s aunt Mildred, says in a MS. (owned by his granddaughter Mrs. Tayloe of Fredericksburg) : “ My father, Lewis Willis, was a schoolmate of General Washington, his cousin, wdio was two years his senior. He spoke of the Gen- eral’s industry and assiduity at school as very remarkable. Whilst his brother and other boys at playtime were at bandy or other games he was behind the door ciphering. But one youthful ebullition is handed down while at that school, and that w’as romping with one of the largest girls ; this was so unusual that it excited no little comment among the other lads.” Perhaps this romp was with Jane Strother, in whom and her sister Alice (daughters of William) the Washington chil- XXXvi HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION. dren had found their best playmates across the river. Jane married Hon. Thomas Lewis of Augusta Co., and Alice Robert Washington of Chotanck. Other neighbors were the Fitzhughs and the Alexanders. It may have been to one of the latter family that George wrote his boyish acrostic : “From your bright sparkling eyes I was undone ; Eays you have more transparent than the Sun Amidst its glory in the rising Day, None can you equal in your bright array : Constant in your calm and unspotted mind ; Equal to all, but will to none Prove kind, So knowing seldom one so young you’ll find. Ah, woe’s me that I should love and conceal Long have I wished but never dare reveal. Even though severely Love’s Pain I feel ; Xerxes that great wan’t free from Cupid’s dart, And all the greatest Heroes felt the smart.” “ Alexa,” however, was the abbreviation of Alexandria, and possibly the acrostic may be on some fair Fanny of that town. Various young ladies have been traditionally named as objects of George Washington’s youthful love, but I can discover no evidence of any early passion save for his Lowland Beauty and it is tolerably certain that this was either Francis Alexa” of the acrostic, or Betsy Fauntleroy. The youthful letters which have raised so many fair claimants to the honor of having rejected Washington are known only in their writer’s drafts. They are without date but bear indications of early 1749 (H. S.) when Washington was near seventeen. The similar phrases and allusions in the three letters prove them written about the same date. The Mrs. Fairfax al- luded to was the Sally Cary, whose legendary love-affair with Washington is thus shown to have been impossible be- fore her marriage, which occurred 17 Dec. 1748. Another hypothesis, that her sister Mary (who m. Edward Ambler in 1752) was the “ Lowland Beauty,” is disproved by the refer- HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION, xxxvii ence to her in the very letter containing that famous phrase, — the letter to “Dear Dobin.” The letter preceding this may have been to John, the son of Townshend Washington of “Greenhill” (now “Panorama,” near the head of Cho- tanck Creek), grandson of Lawrence the immigrant. The Lawrence alluded to in it may have been J ohn’s twin brother, but more probably his (John’s) first cousin Lawrence of Cho- tanck, mentioned in Washington’s will as a friend of his juvenile years. The entire rough draft is given. “ Deae Feiexd John, “ As it is the greatest mark of friendship and esteem yon can show to an absent Friend In often writing to him so hope youl not deny me that Favour as its so ardently wish’t and desired by me. its the great- est pleasure I can yet forsee of having in fairfax to hear from my friends Particularly yourself was my affections disengaged I might perhaps form some pleasui’es in the conversasion of an agreeable young Lady as theres one now lives in the same house with me [crossed out : but as that only serves to make me more dull by putting me oftener in remembrance of the other] but as that’s only nouinshment to my former aflfec* for by often seeing her brings the other into my remem- brance whereas perhaps was she not often (unavoidably) presenting herself to my view I might in some measure eleviate my sorrows by burying the other in the^rave of oblivion I am well convinced my heart stands in defiance of all others but only she thats given it [crossed out : too much] cause enough to dread a second assault and from a different Quarter tho I well know let it have as many attacks as it will from others they cant be more fierce than it has been I could wish to know whether you have taken your intended trip downwards or not if you with what success as also to know how my friend Law- rence drives on in the art of courtship as I fancy you both neai’ly guess how it will respectively go with each of you.” The next letter is addressed to “ Dear friend Robin,” — probably Robert Washington, of Chotanck, remembered in Washington’s AVill. “My place of residence,” he writes, “is at present at his lordship's, where I might, was my heart disengaged, pass my time very pleasantly as there’s a very agreeable young lady lives in the same house (Col. XXXviii HLSTORICAL AST> GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION. George Fairfax’s wife’s sister.) Bat as that’s only adding fuel to fire, it makes me the more uneasy, for by often and unavoidably being in company with her revives my former passion for your Lowland beauty ; whereas, was I to live more retired from young women, I might elevi- ate in some measure my sorrows by burying that chaste and trouble- some passion in the grave of oblivion or eteamall forgetfulness, for as I am very well assured, that’s the only antidote or remedy that I ever shall be relieved by or only recess that can administer any cure or help to me, as I am well convinced, was I ever to attempt anything, I should only get a denial which would be only adding grief to un- easiness.” The next letter is to a female confidant, — who may have been, Eev. Horace E. Hayden writes me, either of his young contemporaries and relatives, Sarah Ball, Sarah (Ball) Jones, or Sarah Conway (niece of Col. Edwin Conway, who married Mary Ball’s half-sister). The fair alluded to was probably that of June, though there was also an annual October fair in Fredericksburg. The entire draft is here given. “ Deae Sally “This comes to Fredericksburg fair in hopes of meeting with a speedy Passage to you if your not there which hope youl get shortly altho I am almost discouraged from writing to you as this is my fourth to you since I receivd any from yourself. I hope youl not make the Old Proverb good out of sight out of Mind as its one of the greatest Pleasures I can yet foresee of having in Fairfax in often hear- ing from you hope you’l not deny it me. “ I pass the time of much more agreable than what I imagined I should as there’s a very agreeable young Lady lives in the said house where I reside (CoP. George Fairfax’s wife’s sister) which in a great measure chears my sorrow and dejectedness tho’ not so as to draw my thoughts altogether from your Parts I could wish to be with you down there with all my heart but as it is a thing almost Impractakable shall rest myself where I am with hopes of shortly having some Minutes of your transactions in your Parts which will be very wel- comely receiv’d by your ” We have, however, a letter of Washington in which is found the only name with which his youthful affections can HISTORICAL AXD GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION, xxxix be safely associated. It is addressed to “ William Fauntleroy Sr. ill Richmond,” (i.e. ■ Richmond County, in which was XayloFs Hold, seat of the Fauntleroy s). “ May 20, 1752. “Sir, “ I should have been down long before this, but my business in Frederick detained me somewhat longer than I expected, and immedi- ately upon my return from thence I was taken with a violent pleuiise which has reduced me veiy low ; but purpose as soon as I recover my strength, to wait on Miss Betsy, in hopes of a revocation of the former cruel sentence, and see if I cannot obtain an alteration in my favor. I have enclosed a letter to her, which should be much obliged to you for the delivery of it. I have nothing to add but my best respects to your good lady and family, and that I am. Sir, “ Y’r most ob'd’t humble servant, “G. Washes*gton.” The first courtship of Betsy Fauntleroy, to whose grand- father this letter was written and sent (the original was once owned by Gov. Fitzhugh Lee) must have occurred before 2S Sept. 1751, when Washington accompanied his invalid brother Lawrence to the Barbadoes, — from which he returned in 1752, reaching Wakefield March 4, his mother the 5th ; (jour- neying next day to Mount Vernon to bear Lawrence’s wife tidings of her husband, and, it would appear, going to Fred- erick soon after to see after Lawrence’s estates there). It will be seen then that having courted and been rejected by Miss Betsy when he was little over nineteen, if not earlier, there is good reason to identify her with the “ Lowland Beauty ” be- loved at seventeen. Betsy Fauntleroy, great-granddaughter of the famous cava- lier Moore Fauntleroy, of Xaylor's Hold, was in every re- spect a “ Lowland Beauty.’' She married an Adams, and be- came the mother of the lion. Thomas Adams. It is said that when, after her marriage, she saw her rejected lover, — now master of Mount Vernon and a famous Colonel, — riding into Williamsburg, — she fainted. But there is no reason to xl HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION. suppose that she ever regretted her choice. To this disap- pointment we may ascribe the other sonnet by Washington : “ Oh Ye Gods why should my Poor resistless Heart Stand to oppose thy might and Power At last surrender to Cupid’s feather’d Dart And now lays bleeding every Hour For her that’s Pityless of my grief and Woes, And will not on me Pity take. I’ll sleep among my most inveterate Foes And with gladness never wish to wake, In deluding sleepings let my Eyelids close That in an enraptured dream I may In a rapt lulling sleep and gentle repose Possess those joys denied by Day.” The little poem was written by a poor youth, uneducated as compared with the Fauntleroys, who were graduated in Scottish universities. George Washington had been com- pelled to leave school at sixteen and earn his living. In this same pathetic little book is his first entry of a survey, “March 11, 1747/8.” Then we have such notes as these : — “ March y« 15, 1747/8. Suiwey’d for George Fairfax Esq'' a Tract of Land lying on Cate’s Marsh and Long Marsh.” “ Read to the Reign of K : John.” “ In the Spectator Read to 143.” “ Memorandum of what clothes I Carry into Fairfax. Razor, 7 Shirts 2 D“ Carr^ by Mr. Thornton 6 Linnen Waistcoats 1 Cloth Do 6 Bands 4 Neck Cloths 7 Caps.” “ M. The regulator of my watch now is 4 m : and over the fifth from the Slow end.” “ Twas perfect Love before But now I do adore S. Young M : A.” “ Whats the noblest Passion of the Mind. Qy.’* HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION. xll Tradition has made Washington’s mother a “belle ” in early life, and a saint in later years. President Jackson, who dedi- cated her monument at Fredericksburg (May, 1833), had received from Washington himself and others ample informa- tion. “ She acquired and maintained,” he said, “ a wonder- ful ascendency over those around her. This true character- istic of genius attended her through life ; and even in its decline, after her son had led his country to independence, he approached her with the same reverence she taught him to exhibit in early life. This course of maternal discipline no doubt restrained the natural ardor of his temperament and conferred upon him that power of self-command which was one of the remarkable traits of his character.” Mary Wash- ington hated to display any of her emotions. George Kiger, well remembered by the present writer, used to relate how he galloped a long way to bear a letter from Washington to his mother, in the latter part of the revolution. He found her in her garden in her usual short yellow gown, occupied with her vegetables. Kiger waited, but the old lady went on with her work, without opening the letter. At length the youth exclaimed, “ Madam, this whole community is interested in that letter.” Thereupon she opened the despatch, which an- nounced a victory ; but all the news she vouchsafed the mes- senger was the smiling remark, “ George generally carries through anything he undertakes.” The anecdote recalls one concerning the General, who had just begun a sitting for his portrait when despatches were brought. He glanced at them, and continued the sitting without remark. The despatches announced the capture of Burgoyne. Historians, by the way, have overlooked a remarkable in- stance of Washington’s self-command. When Cornwallis surrendered Washington saved him the humiliation of per- sonally delivering up his sword ; but Gen. O’Hara, who per- formed this task, repaid the magnanimity by offering the sword to Bochambeau, who stood at the head of a file of xlii HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION. Frencli soldiers on tlie left, while Washington headed the Americans on the right. The Frenchman promptly refused to touch the sword, and O’Hara then offered it to Washington, who did not touch it, but said coldly, “ Pass on.” O’Hara was compelled to pass on between files of angry soldiers and deliver up the sword to a distaiff subaltern. Local traditions say that Mary AYashington could never think of George as other than ‘‘ her boy,” and that he either felt the same or humored her. On one occasion her servant told her that “ Mars’ George ” had put up at the tavern. Go and tell George to come here instantly ! ” she cried. The General presently appeared with his baggage, meek before her reproach, explaining that he could not feel certain that his sojourn with her would be convenient. Her small house in Fredericksburg could not accommodate AYashington’s family, and it had no stables ; but he was careful, on proper occasions, to alight with his wife at his mother’s door, the chariot being quietly taken around to Kenmore (the Lewis residence) where they also lodged. An instance of his mothers habit of domestic dependence on AYashington is shown in his letter to her from the camp at AYill’s Creek, in June 1755, while on the great Braddock campaign (printed by E. E. Hale): “Hon’d Madam,” he writes, “I was favored with your letter, by Mr. Dick, and am sorry it is not in my power to provide you with a Dutch servant, or the butter, agreeably to your desire. We are quite out of the part of the country where either is to be had, there being few or no inhabitants where we now lie encamped, and butter cannot be had here to supply the wants of the army.” “I hope,” he also says, “ you will spend the chief part of your time at Mount Ternon, as you have proposed to do, where I am certain every thing will be or- dered as much to your satisfaction as possible, in the situation we are in there.” In a letter to her brother Joseph, in London, 26 July 1759, the mother writes : “ There was no end to my troubles while HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION. xliii George was in the army, but he has now given it up.’’ (Am. Hist. Mag.^ i. p. 413.) Another letter to the same (loaned me by Dr. Emmet) contains interesting items. “July the 2, 1760. “ Dear Brother, this Corns by Cap* Nickelson You Seem to blam me for not writing to you butt I doe a Shour you it is Note for wante of a very great Regard for you & the family butt as I Dont Ship tobacco the Captins Never Calls one me Soe that I Never knows when tha Come or when tha goe. I believe you have got a very good overseer at this quarter now Capt Newton has taken a large peace of grownd from you which I dear say if you had been hear your Self it had not been Don Mr. Danial & his wife & family is well Cozen Hannah has been married & Lost her husband She has one Child a boy pray give my Love to Sister Ball & Mr. Downman [Joseph Ball’s son-in law] & his Lady & am Dear Brother Your Loving Sister Mary Washington.” The “ Mr. Danial ” alluded to in the above note was Mr. Peter Daniel, a magistrate of Stafford County, who resigned rather than enforce the Stamp Act ; he married the daughter of Hannah (Ball) Travers, Mary Washington’s half-sister. The “Hewton Farm” 4s still known in the neighborhood. The next letter was sent me by my late brother, Pichard M. Conway. It is without date, and addressed to her son John Augustine Washington, Bushfield, Westmoreland, Ya. “ Dear Johnne, — I am glad to hear you and all the family is well, and should be glad if I could write you the same. I am a going fast, and it, the time, is hard. I am borrowing a little Cornn — no Cornn in the Cornn house. I never lived soe poore in my life. Was it not for Mr. French and your sister Lewis I should be almost starved, but I am like an old almanack quite out of date. Give my love to Mrs. Washington — all the family. I am dear Johnne your loving and af- fectionate Mother. “P.S. I should be glad to see you as I dont expect to hold out long.” xliv HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION Dr. Toner, on mv account of this letter, suggests that it was written in the troubled year preceding the revolution, before her children persuaded her to move into Fredericks- burg. I have not been able to trace her on the farm across the river later than 1772, but she certainly remained there long after her children had left, and despite their desire that she should dwell with them.^ In the grumbling letter is reflected her horror of dependence. The house in Fred- ericksburg, still standing, is small but preserves traces of the neat home arranged for her. The lot adjoins Kenmore. As the place is not mentioned in her Will it probably be- longed to Col. Fielding Lewis or the General. A chariot, phaeton, three horses, and six negroes were among her be- quests. A few hundred yards from Kenmore Mary Washington was buried. It is a picturesque place, with a cluster of trees shading gravestones, chiefly of the Gordons, who so long oc- cupied Kenmore. Tradition points out a rock overlooking the vale as the spot where the aged mother of Washington was wont to repair for meditation. Kear tliis stands her monument, whose unflnished condition gave rise to a maga- zine romance which some have taken seriously. It is said that a maiden of Fredericksburg plighted her troth on con- dition that her suitor should build a monument over her relative, the Mother of Washington ; but before it was com- pleted her lover was jilted and the work stopped. As a matter of fact the work was generously undertaken by Mr. Burroughs, a citizen of Kew York, whose failure in business caused the cessation of work. The monument stood in a ^ By his first wife, Jane Butler, Augustine Washington had children : 1. Butler {d. infant) ; 2. Augustine (m. Anne Aylett) ; 3. Lawrence {m. Anne Fairfax) ; 4, Jane {d. infant). Of the issue by Mary Ball, George m. Martha Dandridge Custis ; Betty m. Col. Fielding Lewis ; Samuel m. successively Jane Champe, Mildred Thornton, Lucy Chapman, Anne Steptoe, Mrs. Perrin, — dying in 1781, aged 47; Jno. Augustine m. Hannah Bushrod ; Charles m. Mildred Thornton ; — the 6th child, Mildred, d. infant. HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION. xlv centre of the battles which raged in and around Fredericks- burg, during the Civil War ; it is of pretty design, and strik- ing in the distance, but scarred with shot and shell, — a dismal memorial indeed. Beside it lies the long marble spire which in May 1833 a procession, headed by President Jackson, fol- lowed to the spot with patriotic rejoicings. It may be that from his mother and plebeian grandmother (as I suppose) the Widow Johnson, Washington derived a certain strain of blood which, at the first gun of indepen- dence, was strong enough to bid farewell to his aristocratic friends at Belvoir and Williamsburg palace, and take the side of the people. Mary Washington has been suspected of “Toryism” be- cause she hated war ; declared “ this fighting and killing ” a bad business, and wished that “ George would come home and attend to his plantation.” The spirit which animated her crude utterances was Washington’s best inheritance from his mother. It is a fine omen on the new world’s horizon that its great commander was a man of peace. An arbitrator of the playground in boyhood, his first commissions were for peaceful negotiations with the Indians and the French. There was, indeed, a spirit of adventure in him ; but it found satis- faction in the chase, arid in exploring the wilderness. Miss Jessie Stabler, of Sandy Spring Md., sends me an extract from the letter-book of her great-great-grandfather, Edward Stabler, a leading Quaker at Petersburg Ya. in the last cen- tury. Under date of “12 mo: 20th. 1756,” he writes to English Friends : “In the Spring there was an Act made for Drafting the Militia by Lot, in which Friends were not exempted but on whomsoever the Lot fell upon were obliged to go as Soldiers or pay £10 to hire another man in their stead, & I am sorry to say the generallity of Friends complyed with it. Except seven young men who would not comply to go nor hire another in their stead, & so were taken by Force & carried over the Mountains to the Army, & after they had been there xlvi HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION. some time I understood they were like to meet with cruel usage if they did not comply to bear arms & tho’ most Friends acknowledged it would be right for some to visit them yet none seemed forward to go as it appeared dangerous to travail over the Mountains at that time, the Indians having done much mischief in them parts yet I could not be easy in my own mind without going myself, & use what endeavours I was capable of for their release out of Prison where they had been kept close confined for about 10 weeks, I had several good oppor- tunities with Coll. Washington to open our principles to him & rea- sons why we could not be active in the carrying on of War. he seemed very moderate before we parted & inclined to favor them, but said as they were sent to him by the Government he could not release them and had rec’d orders from the Gov.'' to have them Whipped every day ’till they would comply. I requested him to omit putting the Gow’® orders in execution ’till I could go & speak with him (w.'"*' was upward of 250 miles part of the way through an uninhabited country & over very high Mountains) & four more Friends accom- panied me to the Gov.'' we had a great deal of Discourse w‘^ him & he promised us he would write to Coll. Washington to be favourable to them, w.‘= ^ he did — I got them releas’d out of Prison when I was there, & to have liberty to go to some Friends Houses that liv’d about 5 or 6 miles distant upon being bound for their appearance there when the Coll, rec’d other orders from the Gov.'' but they were not called upon afterwards nor anything required of them.” In sending the above Miss Jessie Stabler adds : “ I heard Mr. Henry Stabler of this neighborhood tell another story of Washington and the Friends. Warner Mifflin was on a committee to remonstrate with President Washington about War, and during the conversation, remarked that the advantages gained by War do not compensate for the loss of life and limb. Washington thought for some minutes and then said, ‘ Mr. Mifflin, there is more in that than most people are willing to admit.’ ” When Washington and his wife met, the days of romance were perhaps over for both of them, but they grew together. At her Six Chimney House,” Williamsburg, where the honeymoon passed, Martha planted a Yew which remains, and is a fair symbol of her never-failing loyalty and devotion. HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION, xlvii “A most amiable woman,” wrote S. Johnston to James Iredell (1790); “if I live much longer I shall at last be rec- onciled to the company of old women for her sake.” Her husband’s frank admirations excited no jealousy. The Hon. Jasper Yates writes to his wife: “Mr. Washington once told me, on a charge which I once made against the President at his own table, that the admiration he warmly professed for Mrs. Hartley was a proof of his Homage to the worthy part of the Sex, and highly respectful to his wife.” Put she was, in the old sense homely as she was comely. While following her husband to the field she longed, even amid plaudits, for home. She writes to her brother from Philadelphia (2 Hov. 1778) : “ I am very uneasy at this time — I have some reason to think that I shall take another trip to the northward — the poor General is not likely to come to see us, from what I can hear. I expect to hear cer- tainly by the next Post. If I doe I shall write to inform you and my friends. If I am soe happy as to stay at home I shall hope to see you with my sisters as soon as you are at leisure. Please to give Patty a kiss for me. I have sent her a pair of shoes. There wasn’t a doll to be got in the city of Philadelphia or I would have sent her one.” Mr. Ferdinand Dreer of Philadelphia has a letter of Mar- tha Washington (it appeared in Harper^ s Magazine^ April 1889,) written, the year after her marriage, to her sister Anna (Mrs. Burwell Bassett) congratulating her on the birth of a girl — “ I wish I could say boy as I know how much one of that sex was desired by you all” — she adds : “I think my- self in a better state of helth than I have been in for a long time and dont dout but I shall present you a fine healthy girl again when I come doun in the Fall which is as soon as Mr. W ns business will suffer him to leave home.” This longing for a daughter at the moment of desiring for her sister a son is pathetically suggestive. The great soldier loved to have little Patsy and Kelly nestling at his side, and xlviii HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION. the unsatisfied paternal longing of his great heart was keenly felt by his wife.^ The following was written to Mrs. Fanny Washington, then keeping house at Mount Yernon : New York Oct. the 22d 1789 “ My Dear Fanny, — I have by Mrs. Sims sent you a watch ; it is one of the cargoe that I have so long mentioned to you, that was expected, I hope is such a one as will please you — it is of the newest fashion, if that has any influence on your tast, the chain is of Mr. Lears choosing and such as Mrs. Adams the Vice presidents lady and those in the polite circle wear. “ Mrs. Sims will give you a better account of the fashions than I can — I live a very dull life hear and know nothing that passes in the town — I never goe to any public place — indeed I think I am more like a State prisoner than anything else ; there is certain bounds set for me which I must not depart from — and as I cannot doe as I like, I am obstinate and stay at home a great deal. “ The President set out this day week on a tour to the eastward ; Mr, Lear and Major Jackson attended him — my dear children has had very bad colds but thank god they are getting better. My love and ^ Washington’s tenderness towards children is traceable in many a flower along the track of war. One instance which has not been published I have found among the papers of Gen. Artemas Ward, in the possession of his de- scendant Mr. Alfred Dix of New York. At a time when the British in Bos- ton were using non-combatants to convey correspondence to abettors outside, Washington made a rigid order that none should enter or come out of the city. But one day an appeal came to Cambridge that a little child might be taken into Boston to receive medical care. The order was returned : “ His Excellency desires that when Mr. Loring’s child is brought in order to go into Boston that you will have its deaths examined lest there should be letters concealed in them.” The poet who so long wrote hymns of peace in Craigie House, where Washington gave that order, would have left us a lyric of the incident, had he known it. Washington was known to have gone out of his way to warn children, eager to gaze at the soldiers, that they were in danger, — generally patting them kindly on the head. In the biog- raphy of Judge Phillips of Andover, it is related that when Washington breakfasted in that town (5 Nov. 1789), “he asked the little daughter of Deacon Abbot to mend his riding-glove for him ; and when she had done it, took her upon his knee and gave her a kiss; which so elated Miss Pris- cilla that she would not allow her face to be washed again for a week.” But a similar story, glove included, is recorded of his visit to Haverhill ! HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION. xlix good wishes attend yon and all with you — remember me to Mr. and Mrs L. Wn [Lund Washington] how is the poor child — kiss Marie I send her two little handkerchiefs to wipe her nose. Adue.” The Lewis family, so intimately connected with Washing- ton, is not of any known relationship to the Lewises who founded Augusta Co. Ya. Its ancestor in Virginia was Gen. Eobert Lewis, of Brecon, Wales, who in 1650 obtained a grant in Gloucester Co. Va. of 33,333 J acres. His son John, educated in England, married Elizabeth (daughter of Augus- tine and Mildred) Warner, and built ‘‘Warner Hall” — the great mansion of twenty-six rooms in Gloucester. Major John Lewis, eldest son of John of “ Warner Hall,” m. Frances Fielding (supposed surname) who d, 1731 ; her husband lived until 1754. This Major John Lewis was the lawyer with whom Chancellor Wythe studied, and a member of Council. He was the “ John Lewis, Gentleman,” who, with Col. Harry Willis, laid out the site of Fredericksburg in 1727. Major John and Frances (Fielding) Lewis had four sons : Warner, h. 7 Oct. 1720; John, h. 1723 ; Fielding, h. 7 July 1725 ; Charles, 1. 25 Feb. 1729. Col. Fielding Lewis of ‘rKenmore,” third son of Major John, became an active citizen of Fredericksburg in its early days, . and is said in its official annals to have owned nearly half of the town. In 1746 he m. Catharine Washington, — great-granddaughter of the above-named Augustine Warner, his (Fielding’s) great-grandfather. (Lawrence Washington, the General’s grandfather, m. Mildred Warner.) Issue of Col. Fielding and Catharine (Washington) Lewis : 1. John, h. 22 June 1747 ; his uncle John Lewis and Charles Dick, Godfathers ; and Mrs. Mary Washington and Mrs. Lee, Godmothers. He m. five times, — 1st (1768) and 2nd (1770) widows named Thornton, his cousins ; 3, (1773) a daughter of the eminent lawyer Gabriel and Margaret (Strother) Jones ; 4, (1785) Mrs. Armistead, nee Fountaine ; 5, Mrs. Mercer dau. of Landon Carter. By three of these wives he had families, and his descendants are numerous, especially in Ken- tucky, where he settled. — Col. Fielding and Catharine (Washington) Lewis had 2. Frances, h. 25 Nov. 1748 ; Fielding Lewis and George 1 HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION. Washington, Godfathers ; Miss Hannah Washington and Mrs. Jackson, Godmothers. Without issue. 3. Warner, h. 29 Nov. 1749; his uncle John Lewis and Capt. Bagley Seaton, Godfathers ; Mrs. Mildred Sea- ton, Godmother. Died 5 Dec. 1749. Some entries in the Lewis Family Bible at Marmion were made after the adoption of New Style (1752), and this must be borne in mind to avoid confusion. Thus, Catharine Lewis d. 19 Feb. 1749-50 ; but on 7 May 1750, Col. Fielding Lewis m. his second wife, Betty Wash- ington. A year must be added to that and the birth dates of the next two children. Issue : 1. Fielding, h. 14 Feb. 1751 ; George Washing- ton and Robert Jackson, Godfathers ; Mrs. Mary Washington and Mrs. Frances Thornton, Godmothers. Married in Fairfax settled in Fred- erick Co., Va. ; his son G. W. Lewis mentioned in Washington’s diary as visiting Mount Vernon 1787. 2. Augustin, h. 22 Jan. 1752 ; his uncles Charles Lewis and Charles Washington, Godfathers ; his aunt Lucy Lewis, and Mrs Mary Taliaferro, Godmothers. Died infant. 3. Warner, h. 24 June 1755 ; his uncle Charles Washington and Col. John Thornton, Godfathers ; Mrs. Mildred Willis and Mrs. Mary Willis, Godmothers. Died infant. 4. George, h. 14 March 1757 ; Charles Yates and Lewis Willis, Godfathers ; IVHs. Mary Dick and his mother. Godmothers. He married (1779) Catharine Daingerfield of Spottsylvania, was distinguished as a soldier, and was bequeathed one of Washington’s swords, now in the possession of his grandson, Capt. Henry Howell Lewis of Baltimore. Mr. Byrd Lewis, an eminent lawyer of Washington, is his great-grandson. 5. Mary, h. 22 April 1759; Samuel Washington and Lawrence Washington, Godfathers; Mrs. Washington and Miss Mary Thornton, Godmothers. Died in- fant. 6. Charles, h. 3 Oct. 1760 ; Gen. George Washington and Roger Dixon, Godfathers ; Mrs. Maiy Washington and Mrs. Lucy Dixon, Godmothers. 7. Samuel, h. 14 May 1763 ; Rev. Musgrave Dawson and Judge Joseph Jones, Godfathers ; Mrs. Dawson and Mrs. Jones, Godmothers. Died infant. 8. Betty, b. 23 Feb. 1765 ; Rev. Thomas Kice and Warner Washington, Godfathers ; Mrs. Hannah Washington and Miss Frances Lewis, Godmothers. Married Charles Carter of Culpeper Co. 9. Lawrence, b. 4 April 1767 ; Charles Washington and Francis Thornton, Godfathers ; Mrs. Mary Dick, Godmother. Mar- ried Nelly Custis. His descendants live chiefly at “ Audley,” Clark Co., Va., the Hon. Edward P. C. Lewis, late Minister to Portugal, being his grandson. 10. Robert, b. 25 June 1769 ; George Thornton and Peter Marye, Godfathers ; Miss Mildred Willis and Mrs. Ann Lewis, Godmothers. See, in this Volume, pp. 53, 305. He died in , .V I;. ■ m ' tP. ' ‘:.v . It e ■^p'■ a 1 i *i » .’H ^^..y tr ')i ^ cM .,, t '■ rt ■ viv- -: ■ sl**^'.^''* - ' ' 4f1^ ^' 7 At r 4 /jz. /' /rr*^ ' ’4v ;3c ./ ^ '» V*K__ C-t/~>0 /fw? «. IT'/Ka^ ^ ^ ^ y^ 561- 7 ^ /A-4r \J^ ^ /n t' /ii>w aa <^^//^>. ^ ^ u^ ♦ r. ■ * . V ^ I' ^ 'f .< JO^iw ,wii : JudfTcrs jow^n'. ' .V»'v -a .* »f.tbeTTinnTi?uT!o ;-«rT.- /- !Iii!L :: ^ ':nu 4 .of li^iUy ■ ;»T^. 1 . " _*■'•' / \Vo<\m.v;j; frhouid *V-- -' *" ‘ .Miti thio, Gt*Do rt»orcsentin^ } • *v . -rfjK- iC*'' k f, * . , y^..' . ’ 1 i;ry ^-•-- ^ I’le iu lifts ’..^. \ . <’>f ‘-‘r- • ,»f **'ii : : ^ « ..- ■. ■■': v5ii ■ .ed H uji ’ »■•. > Tk»> ' aL»»e, itic vu.' ' • '<■■;- .. V * 4 ^ • S 'fiik? r..i f ^ jiupdu >T « ‘ W'aaL i 'j ;i U>n, >v iv"^ \n '*^:e 'i-m'..’ -.rid i'- f rieTivl F redenck ,/:. '^^ihliinyT Jii. V Washir.gt • - . . 1;*? jj^Il:' ^ * .' ■ * ' - ’.. .. ' ■ t ... i. • '.i 5 _. c^\]U • «..• rfi^g 0^ >15*^- ..t* -i* y - ^O. ••' !, who ha ■ r ..■••,lv* TO- clI In -arr ■ • '.-• r « f ' * ' 'V'TtiiJ >rtjs: Ula — r.* ’. 4 'peiaber. J ■..'•'ni;iij.'-[’'''*k : ^ / ■ je ! e-’rr , f . \ . ftTl '4 wta^v^T £Ttu/U Hi:u;. i (fc . . porlr; it ■ ■ •• The ' - ill • \xlic ./ //■ 9 ^^^^ A • ;g: ''' -ii*. ZZ ~fm^ :^» «c A :, Cv'-^ . 1*1 i -i V I • 1 •’■' ) . • [ # HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION. li 1829, the 4th year of his mayoralty of Fredericksburg, during which office he welcomed Lafayette {Mag. Am. Hist., Jan. 1888). 11. How- ell, b. 12 Dec. 1771 ; Judges Joseph Jones and James Mercer, God- fathers ; Miss Mary and Miss Milly Dick, Godmothers. See, in this volume, pp 10, 293. It is one of the many curiosities of Washington portraiture that the portrait of Betty Lewis at “ Marmion ” (probably by AYoolaston) should be going about the world as that of Martha, General Washington’s wife ! There are portraits representing Martha Washington at all ages, and it appears inconceivable that any one could discover a resemblance be- tween her and the portrait published as hers in Sparks (i. p. 106), in the “ Republican Court,” and even in the centennial Century Magazine^ April, 1889. How this delusion origi- nated one can hardly conjecture. I have asked several artists whether they could imagine the Martha Washington in the last volume of Sparks identical at any period of her life with her so called in the first, and they have declared it unimagin- able. The accompanying copy of the misnamed picture in Sparks bears an inscription from the late Col. Lewis W. Washington, written in the home and in the presence of my friend Frederick McGuire of Washington. In 1855 Col. Lewis Washington made a special study of the family por- traits, and his judgment as well as his information are trust- worthy. He corresponded with many members of the Wash- ington and Lewis families then living and comparatively near to the sources of information ; among others with G. W. Parke Custis, who has been supposed, no doubt erro- neously, to be responsible for the mistake of Sparks. In one of his letters (4 Aug. 1855) Mr. Custis says : “ Mrs. Lewis, the only sister, whom I very well remember, was the most majestic and imposing-looking female I ever beheld, and she was very dearly beloved by the great man. There is a good portrait of her.” The portrait alluded to is certainly that copied in this volume. The original at Marmion (the Lewis lii HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION. homestead in King George), is beside its companion -picture, that of Col. Fielding Lewis. Fine copies of both are in the possession of Captain Williams of Kew York, a descendant of the family. Another copy of Betty Lewis’s portrait, now at Mount Yernon, is probably that alluded to by Col. Lewis Washington as in his possession, — placed there, I believe, by his widow, Mrs. Ella Bassett Washington, a vice-Begent of Mount Yernon. In another letter (4 March 1857) to Col. Lewis Washing- ton, Mr. Custis tells the following anecdote : “ 'When in 1781 the Chief, accompanied by the Count de Eocham- beau, was en route for New York, following close upon the rear of the French army, he halted in Fredericksburg, and, having consigned the Count to the best hotel of the village, the Commander-in-Chief hast- ened to the residence of his sister. The lady had gone out to visit a neighbor. Judge of her surprise when, on her return, she sa;w that her pleasant mansion and the area around it — the abode of peace, do- mestic happiness, and liberal hospitality — had suddenly assumed ‘ the pomp and circumstance of glorious war.’ She entered the mansion, where her servants, struck dumb with amazement, could only point to her chamber door. She rushed in, and there discovered her beloved brother stretched upon her bed and asleep. She uttered a wild ex- clamation of surprise and joy.” In 1773 Col. Fielding Lewis was chosen a member of the House of Burgesses. The defect in his eye prevented his entering the field in the Bevolution. His title “ Colonel ” was probably earned by his activity in the manufacture of arms at the “ Gunnery ” established by the Assembly in his town, whose patriotic ladies made cartridges while their male relatives were in the field. Col. Lewis freely advanced his means in this work and was never repaid except in depre- ciated paper. However he had large lands in the West. He died in Jan. 1781, and was buried in the vestibule of St. George’s Church, of which he was a vestryman. Washington’s diaries and letters show his affection for this brother-in-law, and con- HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL INTRODUCTION. ]iii fidence in his judgment. The portrait of Col. Fielding Lewis at Marmion, a companion to that of his wife, shows that his veracity would not allow the artist to omit the defective eye. He was an able man, and his descendants, known in every part of this country, are generally persons of character and influence. For most of the following letters of Washington and the Lewises I am indebted to Luther Kountze, Esq. The letters of Col. Fielding Lewis are both to Washington. In the flrst (6 March 1776), he says : “ Our nine Eegements are nearly compleat and our people seem to be fond of entring into the service. Col° [Patrick] Henry has resigned his Commis" which I believe most people are well pleased with, as his acquaintance in the military seivice was little. Clinton has been here with his men, stay’d a few Days, & is gone it’s said to S° Carolina & taken some of the Kings Ships that were here with him. We ex- pect Lord Dunmore is recalled as he has offer’d his service and request to be sent home as a mediator. Our Committee of Safety are too well acquainted with his Lordships abilitys and friendship for this Colony to intrust a matter of so much importance to one of his insig- nificancy, nor would they were his Ability ever so great take a step of that sort without the sanction of Congi’ess. Korfold is totally dis- troyed not one House remaining. Gosport Mr. Sprowls seat has shared the same fate. Portsmouth is safe ; we have men at the great Bridge & Kemps Landing, little for them to do. The opinion for in- dependentcy seems to be gaining ground ; indeed most of those who have read the Pamphlet Common Sense say it’s unanswerable. Our Manufactory has not yet made one Musquet ; the Hands have been imployed in repairing the old Gunns from the Magazine which L^ Dunmore took the Locks from, and repairing the Gunns belonging to the several Companys that have passed thro’ this Town. We have a great many Barrells ready forged which we are now preparing for the Stockers ; our men had the business to learn, begin to be expert at Lock making about Thirty of which pr week we now make that are equal to the English ; and what Barrells are ready I think are better. The Tory Factors are leaving of us daily, few will remain in a month, or two. Mrs. Lewis joins me in our Love to Mrs. Washington on the enquiry I have made into his late pursuits. I find he has been a good deal of a Hover. — 'Was Butler away, he might suit the home house very well, as he appears to be (though middle aged) an GEORGE WASHINGTON active man ; and says, if lie was put on a place lie would not stir from it from years end to years end. — He appears, from bis vouchers, to have been a sort of household Steward, as well as farmer, and might therefore be useful at the mantion house if Butler was not engaged at that place. — Was grass seed sown with the Flax at Union farm? — or do you propose to sow the whole of that inclosure at one and the same time ? — How does Mr. McXeil (Oneil I believe I should have said) like the appearance of the Quarry at Mount Yernon as he uncovers it ? — and has he begun yet to raise stone ? — If you will pay particular attention to the conduct of the Overseers, or plowmen, with respect to the treatment of the young Mules, I have no objection, when there is a real ne- cessity for it, to their being used, gently^ at three years old, because they ought to be handled at that time, to prevent their becoming obstinate, and restive ; — but to use them as mine hitherto have been, is to all intents and purposes their inevitable destruction. — A Mule does not come to his strength until he is eight or nine years old, nor said to be in his prime until he is 12 or 15 ; — to put them in the plough therefore when they are rising three, and work them as my Overseers have done mine, as they would have done a dray horse in his prime — is, in one word, an infallible mean to prevent me from raising any to be valuable ; — whereas with proper usage, and due care, they would serve well for thirty odd years. — Is there anything particular in the cases of Ruth, Hannah, and Pegg, that they have been returned sick for several weeks together ? — Ruth I know is extremely deceitful ; — she has been aiming for some time past to get into the house, exempt from work; but if they are not made to do what their age and strength will enable them, it will be a very bad example to others — none of whom would work if by pretexts they can avoid it. — AND MOUNT VERNON. 95 Having said nothing of jonr daughters health, in jonr last letter, I hope she is better. — I wish you both well, and am Your friend Washington. XXXI. German Town Aug* 3^^ 1794. Mr. Pearce, I removed to this place on Wednesday last, in order to avoid the heat of the City of Philadelphia. — It is probable I shall remain here until about the middle of September — but letters will come to me as regularly as if I had remained in the City. — Your letter of the 27*^ ulP, and the reports, I received yes- terday as usual ; and wish the rains we have been complain- ing of, may not be much wanted before the end of this month ; as the weather since that fall, has put on the appear- ance of drought — which, if it happens, will he almost as in- jurious to the Crop of Corn as if those rains had not fallen. — If your Corn ground has got foul by the rains which have fallen, or even if they are not perfectly clean, I had rather, although it will inevitably delay your seeding, put off sowing Wheat — or any thing else indeed — until it is clean, light and in good order for the reception of them : — for I have never found anything but disappointed hopes from a contrary prac- tice ; — which has long decided me in an opinion that to aim at the cultivation of more ground than one can, under almost any circumstances, master completely, is not the certain way to make sure, or even large Crops ; but an infallible one to destroy the land. — I have long been convinced moreover, that if the same labour, and expence of manure, &c* (which in the common mode of management in Virginia) was be- stowed on 50 acres of land, that is now scattered over an 100, that the former would be more profitable and productive to 96 GEORGE WASHINGTON the owner. — THiat I would be understood to mean by this, is, that afield not more than half prepared for a crop — the Crop not more than half tilled — and the ground but indifferently manured, wdll not produce as much as the half of it would, if these were bestowed in full proportion to the requirements of the land. — If ones means is equal to the accomplishment of the whole there can be no doubt — in that case— but that the whole will double the half. — All I mean to express is that whatever is attempted, should be well executed as it respects Crops — and as it respects meadows and other improvements, to complete, and make good as one goes. — It was not my in- tention to apply what I have here said, to the state in which you have described your Corn ground to be under from so much rain, or to any particular case ; but as general observa- tions which I am persuaded will hold good in all cases. — An essential object with every farmer ought to be the destruction of weeds. — His arable and pasture gr^® should produce nothing but grain, pulse if he raises them, vegitables of different sorts, according to his designs, and grasses. — Nothing then but deep and frequent plowing, hoeing, and hand weeding, can eradicate weeds ; and such other trash as foul, and ex- haust the fields, and diminish the Crops : and these, neither in season, in quantity, or quality can be given, if more is un- dertaken than the force and means are competent to. — I am glad to hear that the young Timothy is beginning to shew it- self in the New Meadows. — It is an ardent wish of mine to have the whole well covered with grass — free from sprouts and weeds, and smooth for the scythe. — How does the Clover which was sown with the Oats at Mansion house come on ? — Does the Potatoes at that place look well? — and what is the general appearance of them at the Farms? — Crow has been applying to Colonel Ball (near Leesburgh in Loudoun County) for a place — if therefore, he or M^Koy remains, it will only be because (after enquiry) they find they cannot do better. — I would have you therefore, make your AND MOUNT VERNON. 97 agreements with whomsoever you may think will answer your purposes on the Eastern shore, or elsewhere, conclusive ; otherwise you may meet with some disappointment ; and at a late hour perhaps, be obliged to put up with any you can get. — For your own ease and satisfaction, I am persuaded you will endeavor to provide men of good character ; and such as have the reputation of being industrious, sober, and knowing in the management of Xegros, and other concerns of a farm. — These things being ascertained to your own satisfaction, is all I require ; as you know what has been, or ought to be given for such Overlookers as I stand in need of. — It seems to me, to be indispensibly necessary that some person should be engaged in place of Thomas Green, to look after my Carpenters ; for in the manner they conduct under his superintendancy, it would be for my interest to set them free, rather than give them victuals and cloaths. — James, by the Reports, has been 9 days I perceive, in plaining the floors of the house in town — Muclus (besides what was done to it before) six days paving, and sanding the Cellar which a man in Philadelphia w*^ have done in less than as many hours. — Davis eight or nine days papering, and so on : — whilst Green himself, and the others, appear determined (as it would seem to me) to make the new house at Union farm a standing job for the Summer ; — as the chimney, and underpinning will, more than probably be, for ‘Davis the same time. — When this last work is done, that is, underpinning the house, it must be remembered that air holes is left in it, to prevent the Sleepers from rotting. — It may not be amiss to say beforehand, that no trifling character (unless he means to tread in the footsteps of Green) will do for an Overlooker of these workmen. — Besides the usual requisites of skill, honesty, sobriety and industr}*, he must be a man of temper; firmness, and resolution. — for it is not to be expected that men who have been in the habits of such extreme idleness so long, probably of a great deal of 7 98 GEORGE WASHINGTON villainy, can be recovered from it without prudent manage- ment, and much resolution, properly tempered. — I do not mean that a person in the place of Green should be employed before his year expires, unless his conduct, in the meantime should, in your judgment, indispensibly require it. — I would not have you engage any person in the room of Butler yet, though it would be but fair and candid to let him know, that by his age, inactivity, and unacquaintedness with the management of Xegros, it would not suit me to continue him longer than for the term he stands engaged, at present. — If it suits him equally to go away before the expiration of that term, I would, in that case, write to the farmer I have mentioned to you in my two last letters, to see if he is still disengaged, and would go there — But unless Butler’s inclina- tion leads him to go, I shall neither require it, nor write to the other. — As soon as you are able to fix up on the precise time at which you shall leave Mount Yernon for the Eastern shore, mention it in a letter, and when it is probable you will be back, that I may regulate my letters accordingly. — The Bacon and other things which you sent up to Alex- andria are arrived in good order, in the City of Philadel- phia. — I have nothing more to add than that, as this is the critical month for Corn, which is also a plant that is subject to great and sudden changes, my desire is that you will mention the ap- pearance of it in every letter you write. — I want also to know how the Buck Wheat, sown for Seed, has come up, and looks ? — and whether, of that you turned in as a manure, there was seed enough ripe to stock the ground again with this plant. — I am Your friend &c^ G® Washington. AND MOUNT VERNON. 99 XXXII. German Town Aug*^ 10^^ 1794. Mr. Pearce, I have duly received your letter of the 3 ^, witli the reports of the preceding week. — If you think the Oat ground at River farm, will not be too much drawn by a succeeding Crop of Wheat, for Clover ; I have no objection to your sowing it with Wheat. — but I have serious doubts on this head ; and doubts equally serious of another kind, — viz — that on such stiff and baking land as mine is, sowing Clover on Wheat, in the Spring, (or which is still better, on light Snows in the Month of January or February) will rarely answer. — A proof of this you have had both at Dogue Run and Union Farm the present year ; and to the best of my recollection I have not been much more successful in former years. — But I leave it to you to act in this case according to your own judgment. — (As I have understood from you, that your own land is equally stiff with mine, you will know better how to manage the latter than if it had been different.) It is my wish to lay the ground you speak of to Clover as soon as possibly it can be put into condition to bear it, to any advantage ; — for until this happens, the seed is, in a manner, thrown away ; and an expence, without profit, is incurred. — When the Money becomes due, for the fiour sold in Alex- andria, receive the same ; — take from it what your necessities may require ; — and deposit the rest in the Bank at that place; where it will be ready for my call, or any order I may give concerning it ; inform me thereof. — I do not perceive by the Spinning report, that any of the Girls are employed in mak- ing woolen cloaths for the people ; — nor do I know what cloth you have on hand (from the Weavers) for this purpose. — All ought to be ready by the first of November, to deliver to them. — 100 GEORGE WASHINGTON I do not, at this distance, pretend to determine when your people, generally^ will have most leizure for the purpose, but this I can determine, that whenever it does happen, all hands that can be spared, ought to be employed on the ~New Kace to the Mill ; — for the time spent in repairing the old Kace after every Kain, would go a good way towards the comple- tion of the new one ; — besides the great saving of water. — If you think the Fall a better time to sow the Seeds wdiich have been saved from the little garden, and the Vineyard, than the Spring, I could wish to have it done, as I am ex- tremely anxious to encrease the quantity of each as fast as I am able ; — particularly the Sainfoin ; but if, on the other hand, the Spring is thought the safest season, the sowing may be delayed until that period : — wh^^^, on one acc*^, would be convenient, as I wish to sow them in squares in the lot now in Potatoes at the Mansion house. — Desire the Gardener to save as much seed as he can from the everlasting Pea, in the Vineyard. — I cannot but be of opinion that this Pea, cut young, will make an excellent Hay. — The quantity of it will be great — and its continuance in the ground, long. — J^or do I believe it requires very strong land to produce it. I am — Your friend G ° Washington. P. S. Sow the early, that is the drilled Wheat, in good ground and in good time, that the most that can, may be made of it. — If there is nothing in the ground (in the little garden) ad- joining to the few plants of Sainfoin, you might put one half the seed of that plant which the Gardener saved therein — let the rows be about 12 inches apart — and the seed very thin in the Rows — the. other half may be kept for Spring sowing to take both seasons. AND iVIOUNT VERNON. 101 XXXIII. ' German Town Aug^ 17^^ 1794. Mk. Pearce, Your letter of the 10*"^ has been duly received, and 1 am glad to find by it that your Corn still retains a favorable appearance, and that the ground on which it grows is in tolerable good order for the reception of Wheat. — I wish it had been in perfect order, as I have no idea of the propriety of' seeding where it is not. — You have not yet answered a cpiestion in one of my late letters — viz — whether the Buck Wheat which had been plowed in for Manure, had so seeded the ground as to bring forward a second crop of that article, for the same purpose — that is, for manure. — I cannot with certainty recollect, whether I saw the India hemp growing when I was last at Mount Yernon ; — but think it was in the Yineyard ; — somewhere I hope it was sown, and therefore desire that the seed may be saved in due season and with as little loss as possible : — that, if it be valuable, I may make the most of it. — What appearance does the Potatoes, which the Gardener attempted to raise from the Sprouts, put on at this time ; and what are they likely to come to, compared with such as might have been produced in the same ground, planted at the same time, in the usual way. — When I was at home, an application was made to me by Kate at Muddy hole (through her husband. Will) to serve the Xegro Women (as a Grany) on my estate; intimating that she was full as well qualified for this purpose as those into whose hands it was entrusted ; and to whom I was pay- ing twelve or £15 a year; and why she should not be so, I know not ; but wish you to cause some enquiry to be made into this matter, and commit this business to her, if there- upon you shall be satisfied of her qualifications. — This sei*- vice, formerly, was always performed by a Xegro woman 102 GEORGE WASHINGTON belonging to the estate, — but latterly, until now, none seemed disposed to undertake it. I perceive by the George Town Gazette, that the Potomac Company, by their Treasurer William Hartshorn of Alex- andria, has called upon the holders of Shares in that Naviga- tion for twelve pounds ster^ each, to be paid on, or before the first day of next month (September). — I hold five shares in this Company, which will make the call upon me £60 Ster" which is to be discharged at an exchange of 33|- p*^ C^ ; w®^' amounts to about £80 Yirg^ Curr^ or 266f.doll^. — Let this sum be paid by the day, or I shall have interest to pay for every day it runs over. — You will pay it out of the money due for the Flour which was sold in Alexandria, and w^^^ I desired should be placed in the Bank. Not having CoP Lyles Bond by me, I cannot make a clear statement of the matter in my Books, without knowing the precise condition of it. — I therefore desire you will send me an exact copy of the condition of the said bond, with the date thereof, in your first letter. — I do not conceive that you will sustain any loss in parting with Crow — for a mans abilities, or knowledge of business is of little avail if they are not exerted ; or if he suffers in- dolence, or amusements to overcome them — and a bad temper to keep all around him in a state of disquietude which was too much the case with him, as well as loss of Stock and injury to other things, by his inattentions and neglect. — Do what you think best with M^Koy, but recollect always, that the season for providing good overseers is passing away, and none will be to be had late, except such as, with difficulty, can get places at all ; — yet, I had rather you should take the chance of the Eastern shore before you engage any on the other shore or round ab^ you ; as they are more accustomed to farming. — But it may not be amiss to let it be generally known, before you go to the Eastern shore, that you are in want of Overseers; that if you fail to obtain any, while AND MOUNT VERNON. 103 there, your chance may be the better after you return. — I have not the smallest doubt but that a considerable portion of the materials which falls into the hands of Green, and those under him, are applied to pui-poses of their own. — A letter is enclosed for Butler, who must take his own wa,y . — as to going or staying. I hope your sick daughter has got well again. — I am Your friend &c* G® Washington. What rare ripe corn will you be able to save from what I sent home last Spring ? in part of an Ear. — XXXIY. German Town 24^^ Aug*^ 94. Mr. Pearce, In reply to your letter of the 16^^ which, with the reports, came duly to hand, I have only to observe that it never was my intention to withdraw the hands from other essential work to employ them on the Xew Mill-Bace ; on the con- trary I only wish that this job may be prosecuted at times — and at all times, when their other avocations will permit it, without detriment. — Xo _work is more essential, nor is their any that can be more pleasing to me, than that of getting the meadows in nice order ; — of course, employing the Ditchers to effect this cannot but be satisfactory. I wish the Overseer you have lately engaged may turn out well. — The Masons’ may judge tolerably of his industry, but they are very incompetent (in my opinion) to decide on his ’ Of the adjoining estate, “ Hollin Hall,” residence of Thomson Mason, an eminent lawyer (3d son of George Mason of Gunston). Thomson Mason’s estate is mentioned in Washington’s Will. Stafford County was the earlier home of the Masons, and was for many years represented by an earlier Thomson Mason. Washington’s neighbor was father of the eminent Sena- tor, Stevens Thomson Mason, and grandfather of the Hon. Armstead T. Mason. (Appendix I.) 104 GEORGE WASHINGTON skill in any of the branches of farming — particularly those of Meadowing, grazing, and the care of stock ; — being plant- ers themselves and little used to either. — However, if he is sober, honest, industrious and docile, he may do under your immediate instructions, if you can keep him always with his people (and this I hope you will do) and make him be atten- tive to your orders and whatsoever is trusted to his care, es- pecially work horses and Cattle. Alexandria will be no good school for Pine ; and if you can find by enquiry after his having been there, that he falls into bad habits, or bad company, do not be concerned with him, let his promises be what they may ; for these will fol- low him to Mount Yernon, where I would have neither intro- duced. — I am under no sort of obligation to him, and there- fore he can have no cause to complain if he is not employed by me. Enclosed is a letter from Mr. Butler. — On what ground he can expect further compensation than the agreement stipu- lates, I am at a loss to conceive. — He will recollect that he represented himself to me as a person who had, and was qualified to superintend, a large concern. — Under this idea it is highly probable I might, and I dare say did, tell him that if he was found competent to it, on tidal, that he would be entrusted with the management of one of the Farms, where the wages were higher than could be afforded at the Man- sion house — but has this been the case ? — On the contrary, has it not been found, from experience, that from his age, inactivity, and want of authority, he is incompetent to the present concern, with which he was entrusted ; and for these reasons I part with him ? and They are, surely, a sufficient bar to his application ; — unless, as possibly is the case, he means not to be charged with the money which was given to him to bear his expences from Philadelphia to Mount Yernon. — This I did not intend to do ; and further, if he goes away be- fore the expiration of the year, he may, notwithstanding, re- AND MOUNT A^ERNON. 105 ceive the whole wages of one ; — what agreement you made with him for the last year, I know not — I always supposed he was on the same lay as the year before ; and this must cer- tainly be understood if no new agreement was made. — Is Groves a married or single man ? — If the former, what family has he ? How did your Turnips come up ? and what is the present appearance of them for a Crop ? — What is the matter with your youngest daughter ? and how is your eldest now ? I remain Your friend &c,^ G® Washington. XXXY. German Town 31®^ of Aug*^ 1794. Hr. Pearce, In your last letter of the 24*"^ inst^, came a copy of the con- ditions of CoP Lyles Bond ; but you did not give the date of it ; for which reason the purpose it was wanted for, cannot be accomplished until the date is transmitted. — In one of the early letters I wrote to you, I pointed out a method, which if you would observe, it would be impossible to omit any thing to which an answer was required : — that is, when you are going to write, take up the letter, and in read- ing it, make a short note of every part as you come to it, on the back of a letter, a piece of waste paper ; or Slate, to which a reply is necessary. — Having gone through the letter in this manner, you begin your own ; and note after note, as the contents are inserted in your letter, is scratched out. — By this means no part of a long letter can ever escape notice ; by not carrying the whole in your memory, when you sit down to write, or by being called off while you are writing it. — You have not, in any of your letters, said any thing of what you had done, or was about to do, respecting the drilled Wheat and Barley. — I would have you make the most you 106 GEORGE WASHINGTON can of the first, — and give the other another fair trial ; for if it yields on my Estate in the proportion that Wheat does to Barley in this Country, the culture of. the latter must be more profitable than that of the former. — Whenever the sow- ing of any field is compleated, let it be noted in the Weekly report ; with the quantity of Seed which has been given to it. — The usual practice on those who have been siezed with the ague and fever, has been, after the third fit, or as soon as it intermits regularly, to give an emetic, which often carries it away without the Bark, or other application. — The land Mr. Gunnel speaks of, lyes in Loudoun County, although it is within 18 or 20 miles of Alexandria — But if the facts which he relates with respect to the Trespass thereon can be clearly proved, request Col® Simms of Alexandria, or any other who practices in Loudoun Court, and is well recom- mended to you, to bring suit against them : — for it is really shameful to be treated in the manner I am by people who take such liberties with my timber and wood during my ab- sence — under a supposition they may do it with impunity. — You may inform Mr. Pierce Bailey that my selling, or not selling that tract, depends upon getting the terms of my asking, complied with. — These are Fifteen hundred pounds (Yirg^ currency) — Five hundred of which to be paid down, and interest on the other two thirds until discharged — the credit to be agreed on which may be 3, four, or more years ; provided the land and a Bond is given as security for pay- ment of the principal ; and some unquestionable surety for the regular discharge of the interest on the day it becomes due. — Mr. Gill of Alexandria came up to my price, but we differed with respect to the Interest. — There is about 300 acres of it, with two good Mill Seats on it — one wholly mine, the other on difficult run which divides my land from others. — There is also a good deal of Meadow land on the tract. — I have no objection to your putting up the Still which is at AND MOUNT VERNON. 107 Mount Yernon, if any advantage from it can be derived under the tax, which is laid upon it ; — which Doct^ Stuart ' and others, who have Stills, can give you better information than I am able to do. — What is the matter with young Boatswain ? who, to the best of my recollection has been on the sick list many Weeks. — I wish you well and am Your friend &c^ Washington. XXXYI. German Town SepU 7 ^^ 1794. Mr. Pearce, Your letter of the 31®* ult° with the Reports, I have re- ceived. — A few days ago I received a letter from Mr. Pyne dated in the City of Washington still expressing a desire to be em- ployed at Mount Yernon, and a wdsh to be there some short time before Butler left it, that he might get a little insight into the nature of the business, previous to his entering upon duty. — I referred him for his being employed at all, and for the terms and time, to you ; not chusing to enter into any agreement with him myself lest it might militate with any views of yours; — desiring him to shew you the letter I wrote to him on this subject, that you might be acquainted with my ideas thereon. — Enclosed is a certificate for Mr. Butler. — The latter part I suppose he w*^ have dispensed with ; — but in my opinion it is necessary that the whole truth on such occasions should be told ; for I have no idea that with a view to serve one person it is justifiable to deceive another ; — and wdthout that part, it * Dr. David Stuart, of Ossian Hall, Fairfax Co., who married (1783) the widow of Mrs. Washington’s son, John Parke Custis. Dr. Stuart was the son of George the Third’s Minister of that name. He was a much trusted adviser of Washington who remembered him in his will : “To Doctor David Stuart I give my large shaving and dressing table, and my telescope.” 108 GEORGE WASHINGTON might with propriety be asked why I parted with him. — If his activity, spirit, and ability in the management of Negros were equal to his honesty, sobriety and industry there would not be the least occasion for a change. — It is not possible for me, at this distance, to say when the Carpenters and Negros on the respective farms will be most at leisure for removing the Negro quarters at Union, and Uiver Farms ; but if this work is not set about before the weather gets cool, it may be dangerous (as the daubing and lilling in will be green, and not sun enough to dry them be- fore winter) to put the Negros in them ; — and besides, after > the ground gets soft and slippery, the trouble, and time neces- sary to accomplish the removal of the houses will be double. — I have nothing further to add at present than to wish you and family well. — Being Your friend G® Washington. XXXYII. German Town [Pa] Sep* 14**^ 1794. Mr. Pearce, I am well satisfied that the omission of the date of CoP Lyle’s bond was accident, and not design — and for that rea- son suggested a mode, by the observance of which, no in- formation that is required will ever be omited.- — When is that Gentleman, by promise, to discharge this bond ? 1 think you were quite right in sowing the early (or drilled) Wheat at different seasons, with a view to discover the best season for it. — But have you been told, or do you know, that the drilled Wheat at Union farm was of two kinds — one of them double-headed. — Unless Crow kept them asunder, the next growth from these seeds will be a curious botch potch. — I am soriy to hear of the heavy rains you have had, on many accounts ; but on none more than throwing you back- AND MOUNT VERNON. 109 ward in the Mill swamps, and the hard and unfit condition it will put them grounds for the reception of the grass seeds, even if it should not have gullied and washed the soil off, in places. — I know too, that besides stopping your ploughs on acc^ of the wetness of the land, that such rains are apt to gully the fields already sown with Wheat ; and to render those which have not received the seed, in a much worse con- dition for this purpose ; but as these are the effects of Prov- idential dispensations, resignation is our duty. — I am per- suaded you will render the disadvantage as light as possible, and that is all I can expect. — Under these circumstances I hope the season has not urged you to sow faster than the ground was in order ; for I know no practice worse than ploughing and sowing when it is too wet. Drains in all the fields that require it (and none requires it more than 6 at Dogue Pun) if those heavy rains^had not come, ought to be made before the winter wets set in ; as, for want of these, and notwithstanding I am continually in- culcating this doctrine upon my Overseers, I have much Wheat drowned every year. I am sorry to hear that you, among others, have the Ague and fever. — It has, from what I hear, been uncommonly rife this year ; — occasioned it is presumed, by the wetness of the Summer. — An emetic, "after it becomes regular, as I men- tioned in one of my former letters, and care, generally re- moves it. — The actual spitting of young Boatswain should be carefully investigated, and medical aid administered if it be real ; — which, from the temper of the boy's mother, and her desire of keeping him with her as a waiter, may well be questioned. — Under pretence once before, of a hurt by a Cart she kept liim three months (if I recollect rightly) in the house witli lier, until he was forced out ; and this may be the case again. Wliilst some deny, other affirm, that the yellow fever is in Baltimore — I shall decide nothing on this head myself, and 110 GEORGE WASHINGTON only mention the matter, that if that should be jour rout to the Eastern Shore, whensoever you may go, that you may be on your guard. I am Your friend Washington. XXXYIII. Philadelphia Sep. 21®*^ 1794. Mr. Pearce, Your letter of the 14^^ inst*^ and the weekly reports, have been rec^. We left our Quarters at German Town yesterday, and are again fixed in this City. Thomas Green’s quitting my business of his own accord — whatever the pretence may be — is in my opinion a lucky cir- cumstance, as my repugnance to turning him away was on account of his helpless family. — These you may suffer to re- main where they are, until he can provide a place for them ; — or until you may have occasion for the house for his successor ; provided this is not unreasonably delayed. — Old Bishop must be taken care of whether he goes or stays. It would be well that you should be off — or on with Pyne, without more delay ; — first because the season for providing Overseers is getting late ; — 2*^^^ because he may have found employment, or received offers in the Federal City (where wages are high) of such a nature as to raise his expectations above what the services you want him for, would enable me to give. — What have you done with McKoy ? — Does he go, or stay another year ? and what are the present appearances of the stone quarry at Mount Yernon? — Last year a Xephew of mine living in Westmoreland County, about 70 miles below you ; ' had partly engaged a man (who was master of two or * Col. William Augustine (1757-1810), son of the General’s half-brother, Aug. Washington. His mother was Anne Aylett. He married first Jane AND MOUNT VERNON. Ill three Negro Carpenters of his own, which he was to bring with him) to look after mj Carpenters ; but the unwilling- ness, on acc* of Green’s family, to turn him away, prevented it. — This objection being removed, the enclosed letter, left open for jmur perusal, may be forwarded, or destroyed, ac- cording to circumstances, at the time you receive it ; as you will best know what steps you have taken, and your prospect of succeeding, to supply the place of Green with a competent character by other means. — I am glad to find by your last letter that the several Crops which are now on the ground look as well as could reasonably be expected. — It is, and has been, much my wish to make a visit to Mount Yernon before the meeting of Congress, on the first monday in Novem”^; — and I assuredly should have done it, had it not been for the Insurrection in the Western counties of this State ' — which, for ought I know to the con- trary, at present may, instead of it, make it necessary for me to move that way. — The state of things at this moment does not, however, enable me to decide on either movement with precision. — One thing certain, is, that if I am not at Mount Yernon before the 15^^ of October, it is not within the bounds of probability that I shall, before the Spring, be at that place ; as public business will compel me to be at the Seat of Government (in this City) before the first of Novem- ber (a few days before the Meeting of Congress)^ — Washington, daughter of the General’s own brother, John Aug. ; second a daughter of Richard Henrj Lee ; third a daughter of Col. John Tayloe. To this nephew (Wm. Aug.) Washington bequeathed the first choice of his four swords. He selected the dress sword, since decorated with a myth that it was presented by Frederick the Great, as “ from the oldest general in the world to the greatest.” The same nephew was one of the executors of Washington’s Will. ’ The Whiskey Rebellion at Pittsburgh. ^ This is a passage of some historical significance. A stormy discussion was going on as to the constitutional right of the president to command the army in person, the “republicans” generally denying, the “ federalists ” aflBrming that right. It presently turned on the right of the president to 112 GEORGE WASHINGTON Mrs. Fanny Washington has requested leave for her Over- seer Tayler to get as many boards from my land in the iN’eck, or else where, as will cover a Corn house at her Plantation, w®^ it is deemed necessary to erect ; — this you may permit, without waste, to be done by her own Carpenters, without any aid of mine. — Mrs. Washington requests that the Gardener would send her some Artichoke seed of the best kind he has, and by the tirst Post under cover to me. — I remain your friend and well wisher, G” Washington. XXXIX. Philadelphia SepP 28^^^ 1794. Mr. Pearce, In a seperate letter of this date, I have wrote you pretty fully respecting the Xew Koad which you are appointed Overseer of, with orders to open ; — that the letter may be absent himself from the seat of government during the session of Congress. I have a private note written hj the Secretary of State (Edmund Randolph) to Washington, while he was with the army at Carlisle, in which (Oct. 11, 1794) he says : “ If I conceived it possible that an opinion uttered in Bache's paper of this morning, against the propriety of the President holding the command of the army after the meeting of Congress, should suggest any doiibt in your mind, I should take the liberty of offering to you my de- cided sentiments to the contrary.” Washington preserved silence on the dispute ; but this letter to his agent Pearce shows that he had made up his mind, before leaving, to be present at the opening of Congress. In this connection the following unpublished letter of Washington may be in- serted. It is in reply to a letter of Major John Clark (York Borough, Sept. 27) and dated at Carlisle, 6 Oct. 1794 : “ I thank you for your polite offer of attending me to the field, but my going thither or returning to the seat of Government in time for the meeting of Congress depends upon circum- stances not within my information at present as to enable me to decide. Nothing short of imperious necessity can justify my being absent from the seat of Government while Congress is in session. Under this view of the matter I decline making any establishment of a sute unless that necessity appears when in the choice of Aids I miist have regards to considerations of different kinds.” AND MOUNT VERNON. 113 shewn to the Court — to Mr. Mason — or whomsoever is the mover in this business, without having other matters of a more private nature blended therewith. — Since writing to you this day week, I have engaged a Scotchman, just arrived in this country, in the place of Green. — I do not expect much from him as an overlooker ; that is, I do not believe he will carry much authority among my negro carpenters, as he appears to be a simple, inoffensive man; and because, that of House Carpentry or Joinery, is not his profession; but as he has the character of a very honest, sober, and industrious man, his example, with such representations as he may make to you, of neglect and misconduct, may be serviceable. — Making of all sorts of Plows, Carts, wheels of all kinds, and various impliments of husbandry, is what he has been brought up to ; though lie says he has worked two or three years at house work, and can make a Sash or a pannel door. — The buildings in liis country being all of Stone, he knows nothing of fram- ing. — The enclosed memorandum contains the out lines of the agreement between us ; which has yet been verbal only.— I have told him he is to have Green’s house. Garden, &c\ but if you have not an eye to it. Green will burn the fence of the latter, and strip the former of everything he can. — This man (James Donaldson) wdll, with his family, embark this day for Mount Yernon, on board Capt“ Mitchell. — But if Greens family should not have removed, they, or Donaldson’s may go into the room next the Shoemaker’s till Green finds a place to carry his family to ; which he is to do witliout waste of time ; — for I do not mean to keep them there, after he is gone : — Bishop, as I mentioned in a late letter, must be provided for in some way or other, to keep him from suffer- ing. Donaldson, if he is really skilful in making plows. Carts, Wheels, after she is fl.xed in Alexandria. — If she deals with them ai aU >he 132 GEORGE WASHINGTON will be unable to distinguish between stolen, or not stolen things ; — and if her conduct should lay her open to suspicion, she need expect no further countenance or support from me. What demands the Mill swamp may have upon your labourers for the next year I do not know independant of that, I should think the Mansion house and Muddy hole gangs, with such force as you might draw from the other farms, would not fall much short of clearing up the skirt of woods mentioned in my former letter ; and if well grubbed, and thoroughly broke up, it would be infinitely better for Corn than 6 at Muddy hole, which is extremely poor and much worn. — However, as I observed in my former letter, I leave the matter to your own judgm^; but desire, (not only for the sake of the Corn which will go into the ground, but for the pasture afterwards, and for prevention of sprouts choking it) that every thing may be grubbed that can be grubbed ; although it will require more time to clear the land in the first instance. — And as it will look as well to be cleared in clumps (letting these clumps be, some of them large, and some small) I would have it done so ; as the corn will be much better than if growing among single trees, as was the case in the In closure by the white gate. — This inclo- sure might be cleaned and brought into Corn also. — As soon as your Corn is all gathered and measured, let me have the account of it in one view — naming the farms and fields in which it grew ; — Do the same by the other crops ; and I wish to know, as nearly as possible, if M^^Koys bludering will not suffer it to be done accurately, the quantity of Pota- toes that grew in 4 at Dogue Pun. Have you fixed nothing yet with Pyne, nor with any other for the Mansion House ? — The person living there, if you remove to the ferry, ought to be a careful and trust worthy character. — You speak of stuff for sheds, but do not say where. — I wanted sheds on the foundations which were laid of brick, at AND MOUNT VERNON. 133 Doge run, to be erected for the work horses, oxen, cfec*" — the Corn houses making one of the ends to them. — My plan was fully explained to Green, but whether Isaac or Tom Davis understood it, or not, I am unable to say. — They were to be half roofs, open in the front so high as to admit horses &c^ freely into them without danger of rubbing their heads or backs. — above that to be boarded. — I will get four or five bushels of clover seed and send it to you in time and shall depend upon your having enough of all other sorts. — I am your friend G® Washington. P.S. I hope you received my last letter, with the 1300 dollars safe. XLYIII. Philadelphia Dec^ 7^^ 1794. Mr. Pearce, Your letter of the 30^^ ult°, with the weekly reports, came safely to hand. By mistake, the sum of £300 was omitted in the charges against my bond, to Mr. Lund Washington; as you have discovered in the above letter. — By my mode of settling the bonded account, he will be £7. 10. 8 in my debt — and by the mode he proposes, I shall be £51. 12. 11. in his debt. — Which of these is the mode by which a Court of Law, or Equity, would settle it, I neither know, nor shall try ; all that I can say on the subject, I have already said in my letter to him — viz — that Mr. John Mercer * settled my ac(4 with his father’s and Brothers Estate by charging me interest on all his payments; and when I objected thereto, he said it was the method by which the Chanceller in Vir- ’ Son of John Mercer of Marlborough, of Stafford Co., Va., first editor of Virginia Laws. 134 GEORGE WASHINGTON giiiia settled matters of a like nature ; which was confirmed by Mr. Randolph, who was well acquainted with the practice of that Court \ — However, as I am determined to have no dispute on the subject, Mr. Washington may settle it by which account he pleases, (both are enclosed,) or by striking a medium between the two methods, as shall be most agreeable to his own ideas of justice. — Take up my bond, and after tareing my name from it, send it to me;— Let all the accounts between him and me be finally closed — and unless there is an absolute occasion for it, do not run me to the expence of smiths w^ork there, or elsewhere, in future. — After you have discharged this account — and such others as are known to be due, from me, place the surplus of the money in the bank of Alexandria, and give me the amount of the sum. — But on second thoughts, there will be your own wages — the wages of the Overseers — &c* which will be due in a very little time. — Let all be paid — for I never like to be in debt to any one — or have any money in my possession that another has a right to call for. — You had better there- fore pay all these off — detain what is due to yourself — and not close, or transmit your accounts until these are done, and the year is ended, that your next, and every account may commence with the new-year. — In my last, I desired that my Wheat might all be manu- factured and held in readiness for the first good market that shall offer, of which keep me advised. — The price of Super- fine flour at this place is 65/ p^ Bai-^ and that of fine 62/ and 62/6 — Wheat from 9/6 to 12/6 according to quality. — As your crop of fodder this year has been great, and got in good season — and much more grass than usual cut, I flatter ^ Edmund Randolph, at this date Secretary of State, had been Wash- ington’s legal adviser for many years before and after his appointment as the first Attorney General of the United States. (Appendix F, 3d letter, and Appendix H.) AXD MOUNT VERNON. 135 myself yon will have a good deal of hay for sale. — Be this, however, as it may, do not sell close until you are able to see your way through the winter clearly. — I wish that my horses, and stock of every kind should be fed with judicious plenty and oeconomy ; but without the least profusion or waste. — And be particularly attentive whilst you are feeding away the Potatoes to reserve an ample stock of them for seed ; — as also of Turnips. — If there came no more than 600 bushels of Potatoes from the field 4 and the lots, at Dogue run, the crop must have been a very indifferent one at that place ; — but I was more anxious to know how many bushels grew in the field 4 that I might compare it with the yield of the same field in Corn. — I think it would be no unsatisfactory experiment to fat one bullock altQgether with Potatoes ; — another, altogether with Indian meal; — and a third with a mixture of both: — keeping an exact account of the time they are fatting, and what is eaten of each, and of hay, by the different steers ; that a judgment may be formed of the best, and least expensive mode of stall feeding beef for market, or for my own use. — You will recollect, that when 5 comes into tillage (which I believe it is to do in course, next year) that the Woods within the fence is to be cleared up, and prepared also, for Corn, in order to supply the place of the two lots by the Barn, and the barn yard itself, w’hich were taken from that field. — I intended that the sheds at that farm, which were intended to be erected on the brick foundations adjoining the two Corn houses, should be shingled with Cyprus, and men- tion it now, that it may not be misunderst"^ when the work is gone about. — As the wood on my four mile run tract, is the principal value of it, I would not have you delay enquiring into the nature of the tresspasses ; — nor in punishing of those who are guilty of them, if the proofs are clear. 136 GEORGE WASHINGTON How does the new race at the Mill progress ? — and when do you conceive it will be fit for nse ? — How does James Donaldson conduct himself? — Does he appear to understand well those kinds of work which he pro- fesses to have been particularly bred to ? — And has he moved into the house below the hill ? — caution him against familiar- ities with the ^Tegros. I perceive by your last letter that you have moved your family to the ferry, but have left a bed for yourself in the end of the Store. — If you had liked it better it would have been quite agreeable to me that you should have retained a room in the house, the one in which I believe you were ac- customed to lodge — but do in this matter as is most agreeable to yourself. — What was expressed in a former letter respecting the man- ner of treating visitors to Mount Vernon, was laid down as a general rule ; but persons not always recommended, or intro- duced in the manner I described in that letter, may go there, who are entitled to equal civilities ; and in such cases you must be governed by your own judgment ; — -and in this I have so much confidence as to rely on it ; being well con- vinced that your regard for propriety will not suffer any mis- application of the means that may be committed to your care, — and as far as it is practicable, that you will not suffer the Servants to misapply them. — Therefore, for such occasions, and for the use of the sick, I desire you will lay in a box of claret, and some lisbon, or Tenerif wine, that my Madeii’a may be reserved, as it is old, and not easy to be replaced, for my own use when I get home. — I remain your friend and well wisher Washington. AST) MOUNT VERNON. 137 XLIX. Philadelphia Dec’' 14*^^ 1794. Mr. Pearce, Your letter of the 7^^ inst*, enclosing the reports of the pre- ceeding week, came duly to hand. — I approve your idea of clearing up the wood between the fence and the road, and letting it lay over to another year ; — but quere, would it not be better, instead of cleaning the ground thoroughly^ and exposing the earth to the rays of the summers sun, to have it well grubbed, and lye with all the brush on it until the proper period arrives for breaking it up for Corn ? — In many places, this is a universal practice and in the opinion of some (especially in the Xorthern and East- ern States) an indispensable one. — They have two ways of doing this. — The one is, by letting the brush lye on the ground until the leaves, and small twigs have fallen, and are beginning to rot ; which, when plowed in, occasions putre- faction and fermentation, and of course more product, after these have happened. — The other is, to let the brush lye (not in heaps, by piling it up, but as it is cut off) until the Spring, — and then set fire to i^ ; which spreading over the whole surface, equally, warms the earth, while the ashes serve as a manure. — w^'^ of these is best, or whether either of them are better than to expose the soil to the Sun (as it is of a cold and sour nature) deserves consideration. — At any rate I agree with you in opinion, that it is best, as you have already plowed up X° 6 at Muddy hole, not to tend the ground (now in wood, and of we are speaking) in Corn next year — My wish, as I mentioned in a former letter, is, that when the ground is cleared, every thing that can be taken up by the Hoots may be grubbed ; — for though more time will be required to do this — yet, in the end, labour will be saved by it ; as to lay the grubs all one way, will also do. — 138 GEORGE WASHINGTON I am very willing that you sh*^ tend the Number of Corn holes at the Mansion house which you propose, and with the force belonging to that place ; but do you not mean to com- prehend the ground between the Orchard and outer fence, as well as the Orchard itself ? — the first is necessary in order to clean, and get the ground in order ; as bushes and shrubs are spreading over it. — But where, and in what manner do you mean to have the communication between the Stables and the pasture below the Hill ? — The most natural one, at least the one most out of sight, would be by a lane around the clover lot, by the Quarters back side. — The fence to inclose that field, for Corn, ought not to appear in view of the house ; and for that reason sh^ discend the hill (far enough to effect this purpose) that goes from the lot where the Potatoes grew last year to where the old cabbins stood. — I likewise think with you that the field between the Meadows and Mill would hardly pay the cost of cultivation until all the woods which are therein is cleared up ; and therefore have no objection to letting it remain awhile longer: — but I cannot consent, in order to effect this, to be tending the same fields over and over again ; because they may hap- pen, at this moment, to be in some what better condition. — This would be continuing a practice which has been the de- struction of my land hitherto, and which my great aim and endeavor is to avoid. — By the last report from Union farm I perceive you are plowing in N° 6, but for what purpose I can- not conceive, as I have not recollection enough of my plan of rotine to decide whether it is agreeable thereto — but know that it was in small grain last year and in Corn the year be- fore and parts of it extremely poor. — Nor do I at this moment call to mind. What field, at that farm, goes into Corn next year ; if it be N® 4, as part of it, according to both our ideas had better lay longer untilled, I would ask whether the diffi- ciency might not be made up for the hands thereof by tend- ing the Inclosure between the white gates and the gate in the AND MOUNT VERNON. 139 hollow ? — Good part of that In closure, if the trees were trimmed up, and in some places thinned, would bring (for it has brought) good corn. I hope, and wish, Allison may turn out well. — I know no- thing of the one you have engaged — but it is a family of very little respectability, and closely connected with a set of people about my Mill — the Pools particularly — than whom I believe, a more worthless set are no where to be found. — It was this Allison too, if I mistake not, with whom Crow spent, or rather mispent much of his time. I remember well your speaking to me concerning the erect- ing sheds for the Cattle by the new barn at Union farm and my consent thereto — nor do I object to them now — On the contrary am much pleased that you are extending them to all the farms — but desire that these may not prevent the erection of those I had contemplated by the Barn at Dogue run for the work horses and Cattle, so soon as -y® Carpenters are en- abled to build them. — I perceive you are gathering thorn berries, with which I am pleased ; but to turn them to account they must lye buried a year before they are sown — I presume however, you have informed yourself of all this. — Is it possible that the Mheat you send to Mill should only weigh 48J and 49 p*" B^ ? — the Millers report says this. — Let me have the dates of the deposits of the money which you placed in the Bank of Alexandria they are not men- tioned in the Mem“ wdiich came in your last letter. — Is Oneil still quarrying stone at Mount Yernon ? — What has he raised and what has become of it. — I remain — Your friend Ac*^ Washington. 140 GEORGE WASHINGTON L. Philadelphia Dec'' 21®^ 1794. Mr. Pearce, Your letter of the 14^^ instant with the papers and reports, which were enclosed therewith, came safe to hand. — The whole amount of the Corn Crop I perceive is, 1639 barrels. — I perceive also, by the reports of the last week, and I believe it has been as much for several Weeks preceeding, your weekly consumption of this article is 22 barrels to the Stock, and about 14 to the Negros ; amounting together to 36 bari-^ which multiplied by 52, the number of weeks in a year makes 1872 ; and is 233 barP® more than is made. — How far this extraordinary consumption has been occasioned by the Hogs which have been fatting, and how far it is capable of reduction, it is more than I am able at this distance, to determine. — It w*^, if continued, be using considerably more than ever was expended on the Estate ; — for w^hich reason, as I observed in one of my late letters to you, at the same time that I wish nothing to be starved thereon, I would have the Corn — and indeed every thing else — administered with the ut- most oeconomy — for hard indeed will it be, upon me, if I can make no more from my estate — Wheat alone, excepted — than is consumed thereon ; and from the produce of that article. Overseers wages, and every thing that is bought, is to be paid. — Can you form any judgment from the Oats that have been threshed, what will be the amount of the Crop ? — I am really mortified at not knowing the quantity of Potatoes that grew in N° 4 at Dogue run, that I might have compared it with the yield of corn in the same field ; and thereby decided with more certainty and precision on cultivating of both in that manner.- — Do you suppose that that field w^^ have yielded more Corn if it had been planted in the usual way — at the distance of 5J AND MOUNT VERNON. 141 or 6 feet a part, each way (which would have given about the same number of stalks to the acre) than it has done at 4 by 8. — And does the growing wheat in that field, look as well as it does in others, equally exhausted ? — It is interesting to know this. — I wish also to know how the Wheat and Barley, in general looks ? and whether this mild autumn has not pushed it too forward ? — I am equally desirous of knowing how the Clover and other grass-seeds which were sown last spring and winter look at this time ? — A finer summer and fall never could have happened for them, than we have had. The price of flour in Alexandria is far short of what it sells at here, — ten dollars p^ barr^ being the price of it in this city. — This is an additional inducement to hasten the manufactur- ing of all the Wheat I have ; — for as the freight round does not exceed half a dollar, I shall not be disposed to receive there much less than the difference of freight and insurance, between the two places. — When is it probable, with the force that is employed on the Mill race, it will be completed ; and the water turned therein ? — I ask this question because I do not recollect the turn in it which you speak of ; nor how far, nor what depth it is, from thence to the upper end of it. — I am of opinion th^t you had better give the Barn at Muddy hole a thorough repair — and do all the jobs W'hich are necessary, before the Hew Barn at Biver farm is undertaken. —I should like to consult you on the spot, before any plan is formed for that ; — and to know with more precision than I do at present, the advantages, and disadvantages of the one at D[ogue] Bun. — As the brick foundations for the sheds whicli I propose to have built at the last mentioned place, were laid last October, I am surprized to hear you say that nothing can be done towards them ’till the spring, on acc^ of the Brick work. — Let the old Barn at Biver farm be well shored or propped, to prevent accidents ; which if the people should happen to be in it at the time, might prove a direful one. — 142 GEORGE WASHINGTON The field X® 4. at that place will require much aid of manure ; — and much labour to recover it from the gullied state in which it was, when I viewed it last ; — and no work can be more necessary than to accomplish these; as far as the nature of the thing, and the means you possess, will enable you to perform them. — I am glad to hear so good an account of Donaldson ; en- courage him to exercise spirit and industry ; — and convince him that you will support his authority. — It may prompt him to exertion, and pride. — I perceive by the Spinning report of last week, that each of the spinners have deducted half a pound for dirty wool. — to avoid this in future (for if left to themselves they will soon deduct a pound, or more) it would be best to let them receive none but clean wool. — I do not recollect what allowance of provision the Gardener was to have had by any former agree- ment, but being willing to allow him and his wife what they can fairly- eat, themselves, without misapplication — waste, or giving it to others — you might let them have what they re- quire, under those restrictions ; — and as they have no place out of the Cellars or Meat house, to keep whatever is allowed them, — query — whether it would not be better to give it out to them once in a while (weighing it to see how they go on) than all at a time? for they must know, positively, that no part of what they shall receive in any manner, is, by saving, or otherwise, to be considered as a perquisite, and disposed of as such. — To what -they can eat they are welcome ; but none shall be sold or given away unless perchance, it may be, now and then be, to a person who visits, and may eat with them. I am Your friend G® Washington. P.S. I have looked in vain for the Xotes, for the Tob° I have in Alexandria ; — If I should have sent them to you, let Peter carry them to Mr. Lear of George Town ; — or you might send AND MOUNT VERNON. 143 them bj the Post — but the Postage you, not he, must pay. — If you have them not enquire of CoP Fitzgerald ' if I did not send them to him. G. W. LI. Philadelphia Dec^ 28^^ 1794. Mr. Pearce, I have duly received your letter of the 21®* inst* with its enclosures. — Your idea of fencing the ground at the Mansion house for Corn, accords exactly with mine (as far as I understand it) except in joining the fence which comes from the first (outer gate) in the hollow to the corner of the clover lot, north of the road, by the deep washed gully. — My idea was to continue that fence on, (making a lane there between it and the clover lot) until it descends the summit of the hill which goes down to the Creek — then continue along that hill, just out of view of the house, and walks about it, by the old Cabbins, until it should strike the outer fence, which runs from the first men- tioned gate to the Cr^ — in the most convenient manner ; wfithout enclosing too much ground ; — that is, without enclos- ing more than is cultivated. — If the first course of fence (as proposed by you from the gate in the hollow) is to join the corner of the clover lot as above, how can there be a passage, as usual, into the lower pasture, when the fence from that corner continues round the several Inclosures quite to the Wharf or lime kiln ? — I conclude from hence that you eithei- misunderstand me, or I mistake you, because in this instance our ideas are not to be reconciled. — I do not conceive that all the gr*^ comprehended within the line of fence as I have described it, will much, if any, exceed 35 or 40 acres : — but of this I speak by guess, never having Formerly on Washington’s staff, and sometime Mayor of Alexandria. 144 GEORGE WASHINGTON measured it. — The woods without the pasture fence from the Inclosure by the white gate, up to the little old field on the road to Alexandria, I have measured ; the contents of which (as you may see by the enclosed draught of it) is 74 Acres; and in the part comprehended from the turn in the road, at a kind of pond, to the place where the gate used to stand (on the old road leading into the house) contains 38 acres. — Within the white gate Inclosure (as the fences runs) there is, to the best of my recollection about 40 acres. — AYhether to put this last mentioned inclosure into Corn, with the Union farm hands, or that part of N® 4, at that farm, which adjoins the lane leading up to the Barn, in Oats — or whether both can be accomplished, I shall leave to your own judgment, with this caution — viz — never to undertake more than you can execute well ; allowing for the usual chances of weather. — I do not hesitate to confess, that reclaiming, and laying the grounds down handsomely to grass, and in woods thinned, or in clumps, about the Mansion house is among my first objects and wishes. — If corn should be attempted in this enclosure, the trees may, in places, be thinned a little ; but not much ; but all must be trimmed up — Will knows how to do it. — The grubs should be compleately eradicated to prevent the ground from fouling again with succours &c^ — and the hill sides (liable to wash into gullies) ought not to be broke. — The other fields at this (Union) farm, will go on agreeably to what is mentioned in y^ letter. And I perceive the rotations for Dogue-run, Muddy hole and River farms are right as you have described ; and the two first may go on agreeably thereto. — One reason why Dogue-run has only two fields for cultivation next year is, on account of the Mill swamps wdiich it has been my anxious wish to get in grass — one lot after another — and in complete order, and on acc^of grubs in K® 5. For the reason you have mentioned, that is, the want of a partition fence between fields U® 4 and 5 at River farm and AND MOUNT VERNON. 145 the difficulty of enclosing the whole securely, I consent to your managing of them in the manner you proposed next year ; and letting T lye over to another year, — and that you may put Oats and clover in the ground where Buck wheat grew this year, agreeably to your proposal. — In clearing the AYood in 5 at Dogue-run, leave two or three clumps of trees standing, for the purpose of shade and ornament. — and by attending to the rotation of Crops at that place you will perceive that 4 is to be sown with clover — let this be done at a proper time this winter, or early in the Spring, on light snow. — Presuming you keep all my letters, that you may have re- course to them occasionally for the opinions, sentiments and directions they convey to you, I request you will carefully peruse two long letters I wrote to you at your first going to Mount Yernon — Many things were contained therein which require attention ; — and some others wffiich circumstances might not, at that time permit the execution of, that may be attempted now. — Many matters of importance were suggested in those letters and to refer to them is all that is necessary to bring them to view, and into operation where they can be, as I do not know that any change respecting them, have taken place in my sentiments.--* In bad weather, when the carpenters are unable to w'ork out, let them prepare frames, shingles &c^ for putting in more dormant windows in the back of the Stables at Mansion house, and two in the front part of them ; — one on each side the pediment — in the centre between it and the ends — for the purpose of giving air to the Corn and hay loft. The weather has been so extremely favorable for plough- ing that I hope this part of your business is in great forward- ness. — Tell house Frank it is my hope, and expectation (now there is nothing for him to do in the house) that his whole time will not be spent in idleness. — He might find enough to do 10 146 GEORGE WASHINGTON (under the Gardeners directions) in the gardens, yards and lawns — Nor ought Lucy to be idle when she is not Cooking and doing other work about the house. — In spinning, knitting and such like things her leizure hours ought to be employed. — I send you the seed of the cucumber tree * to be given to the Gardener, whose particular care of it I request — lie may plant them in the little garden by the Salt house with a label by them. — Let him know that Mrs. AVashington sent his wife as a present the things contained in the following list, by poor Austin, who died on his way to see his wife and family (at Hartford, on Saturday last) of, as is supposed an appo- plexy. Mrs. Stiles, at whose Tavern he died has been desired to send on the Mare, he road, with her Mule Colt ; and all the things (clothes included) he had with him, with a list thereof to Mount Yernon, where I hope they have arrived safe — amon" these was the bundle containing the articles for the Gardeners wife, and another containing two pair of Gloves for Mrs. Stuart — AYhat other things besides his clothes might be in the Portmanteau I know not — probably he might be carrying things home for his wife. — I wrote to you by him, but whether the letter may reach you or not is uncertain, now. The Gardener complains of the injury which the shrubs (even in the yard) sustain from the Deer. I am at a loss therefore in determining whether to give up the Shrubs or the Deer ! — Is there no way of frightning them from these haunts ? — I hope every possible attention has been, and will continue to be used to preserve the Porke from receiving injury from the warm weather. — The enclosed letter from old Butler shews his distress. — I think you were perfectly right in detaining part of his wages for lost time ; — yet, as I can better afford to be without the Magnolia Acuminata. ® Wife of an Overseer. AND MOUNT VERNON. 147 money than he can, you may pay him for the full time he was at Mount Yernon without deduction. I will endeavor to procure and send you some honey locust seed as I conceive very formidable hedges may be made of them. — I find Doll at the Ferry is constantly returned sick — the Overseer at that place ought to see that this sickness is not pretence. — Flour is still at ten dollars a barrel in this City and not likely to fall. — I am your friend &c^ CD AVasiiington. LII. Philadelphia Jan^ 4^*^ 1795. Mr. Pearce, I have received your letter of the 28^^ of last month with its enclosures, and am sorry to hear you were unwell, at that time ; — but hope you have quite recovered. — the warmth, and changeability of the weather have been productive of violent colds in this part of the country. — Such has been the goodness of the last autumn, and mild- ness and openess of the winter, hitherto, that I hope all the Oat grounds will be got in good order for early Seeding of this grain, and clover, (where the latter is to accompany it ;) for I have always found that late sowed oats, or clover, unless followed by a dripping spring, and in other respects suitable weather, rarely come to much. — Dry and hot weather pre- vents the growth of the first, and entirely destroys the latter, in the young and tender stage of its growth. — After getting out as many of your hest qualitied Oats for seed, as the ground by the rotations, and such other as you shall allot for them, may require, — take care that the residue is not used so near as to disfurnish my horses when I may come to Mount Yernon ; which, probably, will be twice be- tween the adjournment of Congress on the 3^ of March, and US GEORGE WASHINGTON their meeting again in autumn. — The first for a flying trip (as soon as the roads will permit me to travel after the ad- journment) with not more than five horses; — the other, during the hot weather, for a longer term ; and with more than double that number of horses; as Mrs. Washington and the family will accompany me. — What chimney has fallen, by w®^ negro children were hurt, and how are they now ? — Under real, or pretended sickness, I perceive Doll, at the Ferry, rarely does any work; — it would be well to place her in a situation where her ways can be at- tended to. — If she is really unable to work, none will be re- quired of her; if she is able, deceitful complaints, of which she is very capable of making, ought not to avail her. Pursue the rotation of Crops at Dogue-run farm rigidly, in all its parts ; and as directed in all the fields. — However I may license alterations, and departures from it at the other farms, I will not deviate from it in the smallest degree at this. — Therefore, clover must be sown on the Wheat in 4 (and I hope in good time, and the sooner the better) — and Potatoes is to be planted in 5, along with the Corn ; in the same manner they were last year in 4. — Let the rows of each, range and South ; — that is as the fence between N® 5 and the Wood runs. — As soon as the clover seed comes to this market, and a vessel is up for Alexandria, I will ship you five bushels of it ; — If more be wanting, let me know it, as I am not disposed to stint the ground, nor to prevent your putting it into any lots you may think proper ; — or to scatter seed in places where it is now too thin, if you conceive benefit will result therefrom. — A year or more ago, I had made, in the neighbourhood of this City, a large and strong plough for turning a broad and deep furrow. — This plow I sent to Mount Yernon to be em- ployed for those puiq)oses; — and in I^ovember 1793, a drilled plow which had been sent to me from England,! also shipped at this place for Mount Yernon. — Has the first ever been AND MOUNT VERNON. 149 used ? — and to what useful purposes can tlie other be applied ^ — I forgot when I was at Mount Yernon in June last, to en- quire for either of these plows, and the latter (that is the drilled plow) having arrived here, and was reshipped during the prevalence of the Yellow fever in this City, I never saw it. — consequently know not for what uses it was intended, oi- ls fit for. — I wish you well and am Your friend G® Washington. LIIL Philadelphia Jan^ 1795. Mr. Pearce, Your letter of the 4^^ insP, wdth the reports, is received — but the Miller, I perceive has left off, or rather I believe, has not yet begun to report wdiat Wheat is manufactured, and what flour is made. — The price of both these articles have fallen in this market as well as in that of Alexandria ; but as I see no permanent cause for it, and know that the last years crop of Wheat was very short indeed, in all parts of the United States, I have no doubt of its getting up again ; if the holders of it, and the flour are not too precipitate in their sales thereof. My ideas with respect to the Inclosure for Corn at the Mansion house, (within the present pasture fence) are clearly understood by you ; — and I wish the fence to run accord- ingly ; and if all the ground which shall be inclosed by it cannot be cultivated in this article, I should prefer putting that part into it which you deem (and I believe very properly) the poorest for the produce of either part, is not so much an object with me, as cleaning — ornamenting — and laying the grounds to grass ; after preparing and improving of them as fully as my means will allow. — On this principal also it is, I tend the field by the White gates ; — and want to clear up (as 150 GEORGE WASHINGTON fast as I can) the Woods between the Alexandria road and the pasture fence. — That the grubbing in this wood will be found very bad I have no doubt, — and though the clearing of it may not keep pace with my wishes, yet my expectations are not unreasonable. — All the force that can be bestowed in the accomplishment of these objects, I wish may be given ; but I do not mean that labour, more essential at other places, is to be neglected in order to effect them. — As I shall be at Mount Yernon (if nothing unforeseen pre- vents it) before the Corn in the white gate inclosure will be planted, the thinning of the trees in it may be left till I come j — but the vistos as well as the other parts of the field had better be plowed altogether that the whole face of the ground may be smooth and even. — When you clean up within the pasture fence, do not meddle with the trees that grow on either side of the road leading to the first gate on the sides of the hills — nor in the valley which leads from the first gate for some distance up it. — The lane back of the clover lot will pass over very bad and dangerous gr*^ for horses, or stock of any kind to be crowded and quarrelling in ; — but you will, I have no doubt, fall upon some expedient to guard against the accidents which otherwise might arise from the deep gullied part of it. — My plan for the two sheds at Dogue-run (one on each side of the barn, and adjoining the Corn houses, which were to make the south ends of them) was, to lay Cills on the brick foundations, which were intended to be raised high enough above the ground to prevent their rotting. — On these Cills a frame was to be erected, the plates of which was to be high enough to be out of the way of the horses heads ; with a range of troughs for feeding ; and either racks, or places back of the troufichs or manorers as in the stables at the Mansion house, for Hay. — The backs, and ends next the barn to be boarded up : — and the fronts also, as low as to admit a tall horse to pass under with ease. — The Posts and studs may be AND MOUNT VERNON. 151 placed at such distances as to suit for Stalls now, or hereafter. — The enclosed rough sketch, with what I have here said, will give you a full idea of my design. — A door in the middle of each shed must be left, through which to carry out the dung, or litter to the stercoraries back of them. — As it is my wish to plant many Irish potatoes this year, be sure to reserve enough for seed, by making ample allowance for thefts, waste, and rotting. — I shall send you by the first vessel a bushel and half of clean honey locust seed ; which I would have raised in a nursery for the purpose of hedging. — By an experiment I have made a (large) quart contains 4,000 seed ; this, allowing ten Seed to a foot, would sow, or plant, four rows of 100 feet each ; — at this rate, 40 quarts (which I think you may count upon, at least) would require 160 rows ; gr*^ for which I would have you prepare whenever you shall find most convenient, that the seed may be put in as soon as it arrives : — two feet apart will be enough for the rows, as to weed the plants until they are fit to transplant is all that will be required — and this will be done in two years. I am sorry to hear that French AYill is resuming his old tricks again. — The lye he tells, respecting my promise of freedom to him, after seven years service, carries its convic- tion along with it ; — inasmuch as I had no certainty of hold- ing him an hour after Mrs. French’s death ; which might have happened within the year I hired him ; how then could 1 promise freedom to a person I held under such a tenure ? — Harsh treatment will not do with him ; — }’OU had better therefore let him piddle, and in this way (though I believe little trust is to be placed in him) get what you can out of him. — AYhat is the matter with Dick at Dogue-Run, who has been reported lame for sometime ? — I am Your friend Washington. 152 GEORGE WASHINGTON LIY. Philadelphia tlan^ 25^^ 1795. Mk. Pearce, Since my last of this day week, I have received your letters of the and 18*^^ inst^, with the weekly reports — and an acc^ of sundry payments and the rec^ therefor. — The latter (that is the vouchers) I did not wish to have had sent — it would have been time enough to exhibit these when I come home, and settled the acc^ regularly. — xVll I wanted for the present, — or rather for the past year — was a gen^ acc^ of all the monies you had received, and paid, from the time of your taking charge of the business, up to the close of the year 1794. comprehending therein the Overseers Wages — and whatever belonged properly to that year, that I might have a view of the receipts and expenditures thereof, and might see how I was going on. — In looking over your acc‘ curP, and comparing it with the Millers receipt, I find an error of £9-4-6 to your disadvan- t[a]ge — that is, you have only charged me with £22-18-0 cash paid him, whereas by his receipt, it appears that he had • got from you £32 .2.6 cash, and acknowledges to have re- ceived the first named sum in other articles. I am sorry to find that flour has fallen so considerably be- fore the little I made was ready for market, and was disposed of ; — but as there is no reason that I can perceive for this great fall (knowing, that the Wheat crop last year was ex- tremely short, in all the States of the Union which raise this grain for exportation) I have no doubt of the price being up again (possibly not so high) before the warm weather ; when it must be sold at any rate, for fear of its spoiling. — How does, or did whilst the ground was uncovered, your early Wheat look ? — I was unlucky in my growth of it last year. — Docf^ Stuart had a good return for what he sowed ; — AND MOUNT VERNON. 153 and CoP Ball a very great one. — I wish there might not have been some imposition on me, the year before last in the seed ; of this I entertained some suspicion when you informed me last harvest that it appeared to be very little forwarder in ripening than the common wheat — Does, or did your crops of Wheat continue to look well before the Snow fell ? — and your grass lots, and meadows also ? — How does the treading floor in the new barn at Dogue-run answer ? — Having tried it now in both Wheat and Oats, you must be enabled to decide, whether it is a more expeditious mode than to tread on the ground, or not. — That it is more clean and safe, if the lower door is always kept locked it ought to be, except when the fan is at work) can admit of no doubt. — I approve of your idea of putting the little old field at the ferry into Corn, and laying it down with Wheat and clover. — From the length of time it has lain out, it ought to produce well. — If there is any part to clear, do not deprive it of all the Wood — either leave single trees, or clumps ; — indeed 1 would, without always giving particular directions, have this attended to as a general rule. — It is always in one’s power to cut a tree down, — but time only can place them where one would have them, after the gr*^ is stripped of thein.^ — The Gardener may go on with his nursery — and be told that he shall be allowed the fifth of what are sold — or raised. — Altho’ Bishop should never have wanted victuals or cloaths whilst he lived, yet his death cannot be cause of regret, even to his daughter ; to whom, from the imbecility of age, if not when he died, he soon must have become, very troublesome to her, and a burthen to all around him.** ^ The only flag Washington ever suggested for the Colonies was a tree in a field. Had he ever heard of the mythical cherry tree fallen beneath his hatchet he would probably have repudiated it, not only as a lover of truth, but of trees. ^ Bishop, — as to the care necessary for whom the reader will recall an 154 GEORGE WASHINGTON I never saw Donaldson’s son, but from what you have said respecting him, I am very willing to allow him his victuals, and course cloathing : — but ascertain the quantum, and sort of both, in writing, to prevent mistakes and grumbling here- after. — I am always ready, and willing, to fulfil every engage- ment I enter into ; — and hating disputes, I wish always that contracts may be clearly understood ; — for this reason also, it is necessary he should know that the boy must work duly and truely. — And whilst I am on this subject, — I would repeat my expectation that he will take pains to teach those who work with him (especially Isaac and the boy Jem) in the^??*m6‘^Z^?6* of the several kinds of work they are employed in ; — particular in Carts, AVheels, Plows, Harrows, AVheel barrows, and such kinds of impliments as are used about a farm, or dwelling house. — I would also have him cautioned against an error which I have felt no small inconvenience from ; — and that is, that rather than persevere in doing things right themselves, and being at the trouble of making others do the like, they will fall into the slovenly mode of executing work which is practiced by those, among whom they are. — I have experienced this not only from European tradesmen, — but from farmers also, who have come from England ; and from none in a greater degree, than from Mr. Whiting, and one Bloxham, who proceeded him ; — and who, tho’ perfectly acquainted with every part of a farmers business; — and peculiarly so (the lat- ter I mean) in the management and use of Oxen for the Cart or plow, double or single, with yokes or with harness ; yet, find- ing it a little troublesome to instruct the Kegros, and to com- pel them to the practice of his modes ; he slided into theirs / and at length (which I adduce as a proof) instead of using proper flails for threshing the grain, I have found my people at this work with hoop poles. — and other things similar thereto. — admonition (p. 110), — had been the English body servant of Braddock, who, it is said, when dying confided him to Washington. He married at Mount Vernon, and lived beyond fourscore years. AND MOUNT VERNON. 155 I am glad to find you are engaged in so useful, and desir- able a work as that of filling up gullies in the fields that are coining into cultivation. — Nothing can be more benificial on the farms than this ; — but where they are deep, use old trees, stumps, stones, broken rails, and such things for the bottom ; — otherwise the quantity of litter and leaves which w^ be re- quired, would be immense. — I served N° 5. at Union farm in this manner, where a gully was, almost across the whole field, in which a horse might have been hid ; — and where, at this day, I believe there is scarcely any trace of it. — I think it not unlikely that French’s Will is in Maryland: — when he was guilty of these tricks formerly (before I had him) his walks, and harbouring place was, as I have been in- formed, somewhere within the circle of Broad Creek, Bladens- burgh and upper Marlborough : — the precise spot I do not know, nor is it worth while (except for the sake of example, nor for that, if it stops with him) to be at inucli trouble, or at any expence over a trifle, to hunt him up. — Let the Gardener know that I will endeavor to procure the Seeds he has wrote for, but tell him at the same time that he must endeavor to save seeds for himself : — Besides the high prices of Seeds in the Shops in this City, he knows from the experience of those I have heretofore sent him from hence, that they are not to be relied on. — Get from him all the Seed of the S*^ Foin which he saved last year, and plant it to the best advantage you can the ensuing spring, for the purpose of raising seed. — I am extremely anxious to raise all the seed I can from this plant : — It must not be planted where hares can get to it ; — they are so fond of it as not to let it rise to seed. — With the Trees which were sent by Mr. Lear last spring, or from hence (I am not sure which) was sent you furze seed — as also Cale, or Cole seed — Let these also be made the most of, as well as the other grass seeds which were saved > BrcLsdca mapua. 156 GEORGE WASHINGTON from the plants in the Vineyard — and from those in the little garden by the Salt house — The books you have will tell when to sow. — Fifty or Sixty bushels of Oats, indeed less, will be more than enough to save for my horses, the first trip I shall make to Mount Vernon, after the rising of Congress; and by the time the second trip is made, the new crop will be harvested, or on the point of it ; — yet, to make the matter sure (as the second trip will consume two or three hund*^ bushels, in all probability) put by 100 bushels for my use ; — after which sell all you can spare, reserving enough of the hest for seed and for such other uses as you know they will be wanted for. — I do not know what ground except 7 at Dogue-run you mean to sow with Oats next spring ; but have no doubt you will take care to put in enough. — This induces me to ask, whether, as the ferry people will have the field at Mansion house to tend in Corn, as well as 1 at home, it would not be as well to put the little old field at that farm, if it could be fenced, and well prepared in time^ into Oats and clover this Spring, as to let it go into Corn ; and then into Wheat and clover in the fall ? — The Oats would answer for the horses as well as the Corn, whilst the clover would be sooner fit for use. But in this do as you like best. — If Mr. L[uiid] Washington is indebted for fish, the charge, I presume, is on the fish acc*^ and where that is I know not at present. — I wish you well — and am Your friend G° Washington. P.S. — What things were sent to Mount Vernon when the Mare and Colt which Austin rode was carried tliere ? — And among them was there a bundle for Mrs. Elder ? AND MOUNT VERNON. 157 LY. Philadelphia Feb^ 1795. Mr. Pearce, I write to you this week, more for the sake of letting you know that your letter of the 25*"^ ult° with the reports, came safe, than because I have anything to communicate that is in any degree material. I have no doubt of Ceder making a good hedge — but I have very great ones of your getting them to live, when transplanted ; — and if they should not, your labour as well as the plants will be lost. Were there not Cedar berries sown in the Vineyard last year ? or the year before ? and whether did they come up or not ? There are various opinions as to the proper season for re- moving these trees : — some say spring : — some say autumn : — and others insist upon it that mid summer is the proper season. — I never succeeded even tolerably, until I removed them in deep frosts ; with a block of frozen earth hard bound (by the frost) to their roots. — In this manner few or none will be lost ; but in all probability the winter is too far spent for the adoption of this mode of transplanting them. — My opinion is, that any trees or shrubs that will bear to stand close together without injuring each other, will do for par- tition fences against horses, cattle, and even sheep ; — but that nothing short of a close rail fence, or stone wall, is secure against hogs. — This, among other reasons has made me anx- ious to try (as an experiment at least) to raise these animals in Sties from pigs. — It has succeeded well where tried. — ^ It is happy for old Betty, and her children and friends, that she is taken of [f] the stage ; — her life must have been miserable to herself, and troublesome to all those around her. — I am — Your friend &c^ Washington. 158 GEORGE WASHINGTON LVI. Philadelphia Feb^ 8^^^ 1795. Mr. Pearce, Your letter with its enclosures, came to my hands as usual, by the Mail of yesterday. — The general accounts, as 1 mentioned in a late letter, may remain for settlement, until my arrival at Mount Vernon, and up to the close of the last year. I do not, among the things sent to Mount Vernon by Mrs. Styles (as in the possession of Austin) see any shirts men- tioned. — Was it an omission, or were there none sent? — Some of the articles, I presume, belonged to himself, and were designed for his wife, which she may still have if they are known. — I had doubts myself, whether the little old field at the ferry could be got in good order, in time^ for Oats and clover, when I suggested the idea to you ; I consent very readily therefore to your tending it in Corn, and laying it down in Wheat and clover, — (what quantity is there of it, that is how many acres will there be cultivated in the piece) — and if there is the least reason to apprehend that the field by the white gates will be wanted for pasture, or cannot be %vell cul- tivated, I as readily give this over also — for you will recollect that my constant admonishment has been never to undertake more than you can (in the common course of weather, and other circumstances) accomplish well. I agree likewise to the arrangement which you propose with respect to the fields 2s o. 1, 3, and 6 at Muddy hole ; — and desire that you would, at all times, suggest any plans which you think may be advantageous ; — always keeping in mind, that immediate profit is not so much an object with me as the restoration of worn out and gullied fields ; — bringing them in condition to bear grass ; — reclaim- ing and laying swamps to meadow ; making live fences (espe- AND MOUNT VERNON. 150 cially where hogs are not suffered to run) ; — and ornamenting the grounds about the Mansion house. — The old clover lot at that j)lace it is niy wish should be planted this year with Potatoes ; and the poor parts thereof, as far as your means will extend, to be well manured. — You should take care to advertise, in time, the horse and Jacks for covering, the ensuing season. — Let them stand at the same rates they did last year. — If they were lower I might get more Mares to them, without adding much to the profit ; especially as my pastures would be injured (that is to say eaten barer) thereby. — I am sorry to hear that your AVIJ fields have been so thinly covered with snow, during the late frosts and wet weather. — If this should continue to be the case, it is much to be feared that the remainder of this month, and the succeeding one, will prove very injurious. — Herewith are the garden seeds which Elder wrote for : — but tell him that such seeds as he can save, he ought to save. — It is shameful for Gardeners and farmers to be buying seeds that their own soil and climate will produce, after being once furnished. — I remain Your friend G” Washington. LYII. Philadelphia Feb^ 15*^^ 1795. Mr. Pearce, Your letter, and the reports of the proceeding Week, came duly to hand. — It is my earnest wish to have my land on four-mile run re- surveyed, and the bounds thereof ascertained ; that the pre- tence of not knowing the lines may — no longer — be an excuse for the trespasses which are committed thereon, to the great diminution of its value ; — the wood being the more important, as the land is of a mean quality. — For the purpose of survey- 160 GEORGE WASHINGTON ing, it was, that I left the papers with you ; and more than once liave called your attention to this business. — It might be well to agree upon some day with Mr. AVashington ‘ and others, (amongst whom a Mr. Terret joins) that are knowing to the lines, and interested in the business ; that it may be effectually done if every thing is clear, and no difficulties sh^^ arise with respect to title, or bounds. — If tliese, or either of them, should happen, enter into no agreement that will be obligatory on me. — I attempted, as will appear by some notes amongst the papers I left with you, to Survey this land my- self ; but having no person with me who was acquainted with the lines, I was unable to find more than two or three of the Corners. — A Moses Ball, if living, must have some knowledge of the lines : — Air. also, but as he is interested in this business, and is accused of being a pretty considerable tres- passer on the part which joins him, it would not be strange if corner and line trees both are cut down ; — nor vcr]j strange, if it has not happened from entire ignorance, if he should not endeavor to perplex, and mislead, thereabouts. — As the Survey is not in consequence of a law suit, and made by order of the Court, there is no necessity of employing the County Sur- veyor, unless he possesses more skill than any other who can readily be got ; and will do it upon as moderate terms, as any other. — Do not let my papers go out of your hands — or any copies be taken from them. — The Surveyor, if he is a man of Science, will know what the variation of the compass is, and what allowance to make for it, if any difficulty should arise from the want of the Corner, and line trees. — I am sorry to hear that it is not likely I shall have more than a 1000 bushels of Oats to spare. — The crop must have fallen far short of my calculation, or the quantity consumed much greater than I had conceived, to reduce the stock on ‘ Lund Washington. The survey may have been suggested in the con- sultation (p. 106) with Col. Simms (eminent as an ofl&cer and a jurist, — a pall-bearer of Washington.) (Appendix F.) AND MOUNT VERNON. 161 hand, so low. — From the appearance of them growing, I had hopes that nearer four than three thousand bushels would have been produced by the several fields and lots, which were in this article, last year. — I am not disposed to take half a crown (that is 2/6) for them, yet — they certainly must be liigher before the Month of April passes off, or they will bear no proportion in price to other grain. — I have no objection to your transplanting the young cedars which grow in the nursery ; but not knowing the number there may be of them, I am at a loss to what fence they should be removed. — If there was a sufficiency of them, to plant them thick enough for a hedge, from the gate which leads into K** 1 at Union farm to the Barn (along the ditch) and from thence onwards as far as that ditch runs I should prefer this as a hedge of them, to any other — next to this, I should prefer an avenue of them from the Mill road up to Union Barn (along the fence on each side). — If they are incompetent to this pur- pose also, perhaps it would be best to make good the hedge, with them, at Biver farm ; which is of Cedar from the river up to the Woods. — If they are insufficient for either of these purposes, plant them wherever you think they will answer best. — You say that the seed which was sown last year did not come up. — In what manner it was prepared and sown I know not ; but if they ai’e not soaked in water (warmed I suppose would be best) and all the gum, or coat that is around them rubbed off, quite to the naked seed, it will be to no pur- pose to sow them — for without this is done, or they pass through the body of some animal, the gathering of the seed — preparing the ground — and sowing them, will be entire lost labor. — If the lot between the Stable and the spring is not well^ and thickly taken with Lucern, and entirely free from grass and weeds I wish you would put a heavy harrow with sharp teeth thereon, and tare the ground in a manner to pieces — without regarding how much the lucern plants are torn and maimed. — 11 162 GEORGE WASHINGTON In a word, make tlie top of the ground fine, and perfectly free from grass and weeds ; and then sow it at the rate of 5 lbs of Lucern, and the same quantity of red clover, to the acre. — If none of the former has been saved from that which you grew in the Vineyard, let me know your want, and it shall be sent from hence. — If the Lucern, in the lot I have been speaking of is too thin, or overdone with grass or weeds, I would prefer plowing it up first, and then harrowing it until it is in the mo^i ])e7ifect order imaginable, before it is sown in the manner before mentioned. If you depend upon me for Linnen to cloath my Negros, let me know without delay the quantity necessary, that it may be sent in time. — And let me entreat that proper care and atten- tion may be given to the Bacon, to prevent spoiling ; and that we may find it good when we come home. Enclosed you will find two letters, one from Smith, respect- ing the fishery at Union farm, and the other from old Butler. — My answer to the first, left open for your perusal before it be sent to him, will be a sufficient indication of what will be best for you to say to him on the subject of his application. — To the other I have given no answer ; — but would have you enquire from time to time into his real situation, and afford him such relief as his necessities shall appear to require. The tedious manner in which my carpenters seem to execute every thing they take in hand, is extremely to be regretted. — They seem, from the reports, to have been weeks getting scantling for the Sheds at D: Bun ; when, from the idea I had of this work, I presumed a few days would have sufficed. — I beg therefore that you will make them report how much hewing, — and how much sawing they perform in the Week. — One may know then what it is they have really done ; and can judge, by what is known to be the performance of others, at this season in similar timber, and of similar work. — I re- quire no more of them than others do ; — but this I must have AND MOUNT VERNON. if;3 by fair means, or by coercion, — the first would be vastly more agreeable to me. By the Heports I perceive also, that for every day Betty Davis works she is laid up two. — If she is indulged in this idleness she will grow worse and worse, for she has a disposi- tion to be one of the most idle creatures upon earth ; and is, besides, one of the most deceitful. — I remain Your friend G® AVasiiington. LYIII. Philadelphia 22*^ Feb. 17h4. Mr. Pearce, Your letter of the 15^^ inst^ and the reports, have come to hand as usual. I was affraid the open weather we have had, with frost, would liave injured the Wheat. — A short crop of this article two years running, wo*^ fall heavy upon me ; as it seems to be the only thing, to any sort of amount, from which the means is derived, by which the various, and heavy expences of my estate, is borne. — If the Wheat is thrown much out of the ground, and the roots exposed, try the roller thereon — re- peatedly — as soon as the earth is a little settled, and the roller will pass over it without its sticking thereto; — over the parts I mean (of the fields) that are injured. I tried this metliod one year with very good success ; and it is a practice strongly recommended by all the Books on farming. — I have, myself, seen bunches of Wheat the roots of which have been entirely out of the ground, take again by the Boilers compressing them to the earth : and the chance of doing it is well worth the expence, and time which is required by the Boiler, drawn with Oxen. Put such part of the field (intended to be enclosed) at the Mansion house, into Corn, or other things, as you shall judge lU GEORGE WASHINGTON best ; — regarding however, what I hav^e repeatedly mentioned, tliat profit from any thing that can he raised there (at the Mansion house I mean) is not so much an object with me, as cleaning the ground ; — beautifying it with trees ; — and laying it to grass. — I had no idea of there being 70 acres within the bounds you have described ; — nor do I perfectly comprehend your description of them ; — or rather, the length of each line is greater than I had any conception of. — For in the first place, 1 had no idea of its measuring 80 perches from the black gate (in the hollow) to the turn of the road by the cor; ner of the clover lot ; — or, that from thence to the declivity of the hill, towards the Creek, could be 87 more. — I do not mean that the fence from thence, sh. descend the hill lower than merely to hide it from the house, and from the road going up to the house. — To what part of the outer fence you propose to join the last mentioned course, I know not ; and therefore cannot judge so well of the distance. — I am a little at a loss for an answer to ^Ir. Tho® H s request, respecting the Jack. — I should have no objection to letting one of my Jacks stand on the Eastern shore, if entire confidence could be placed in the person to whose care he was entrusted; but from the loose, and dissipated character of the above named Gentleman so far as I have heard it spoken of, I have doubts of the propriety of committing one of them to his management: — and besides, it is almost, if not quite too late now, to negotiate this matter with him, or any other at a distance; as the season would be too far advanced before the removal could be made, and sufficient notice thereof given for Mares to be bro*^ to his stand. — A year or two ago I was offered by a Connecticut man (who could, and would have given good security for the performance of the agreement) Five hundred guineas for four (or five) years service (I am not certain which) of the Maltese Jack ; although he would (for he went to Mount Vernon to see them) have preferred the one which I think is named Compound — and if I ever AND MOUNT VERNON. ItJf) part with another, it shall he in that way ; in order that 1 may know certainly what I am to rechive. — Letting one on shares, I never will ; — for in that case expences are trumped up ; — one may be told of difficulties in collecting money ; — and many other things, when accounts come to be settled : with a view of staving off payud which, if they do not breed disputes, are at least unpleasant things, and ought to be avoided. — The Connecticut man whom I have before men- tioned, would have paid the money doxon^ and run the risk of the Jack's living. — The advantage of which was very con- siderable ; as it was the best security possible for his care of the Animal. — If you, who ought to know Mr. II as well as any body does, should be of opinion that he would pay live hun- dred guineas down^ or give security for his doing it within a year ; and should moreover th^ that his care of the Animal might be depended on, — you might write him word that upon these conditions, he might have either of the Covering Jacks for four years ; at the expiration of which he is to be returned in good condition, if living. — xVs there is a young Jack from Royal Gift coming on, I believe it would be best to part with Compound^ but it is not, to me, very material which of them is disposed of, on the terms before men- tioned ; as I do not kimw to which of their colts to give the preference from any knowdedge I have of them. — If you should write to Mr. R , and he should accede to the terms here mentioned, the agreement must be drawn up in writing, by a professional man (that is by a lawyer, Mr. Ch® Lee ^ for instance) and all the objects of it clearly expressed. — ^Charles Lee (1758-1815), born at Leesylvania, Westmoreland, Va., had been in the Virginia Assembly, and the Continental Congress, and was given prominenfcommand in the expedition against the Whiskey Rebellion ; he was afterwards naval officer of. the Potomac, until 1795, when he was ap- pointed U. S. Attorney General, after the death of William Bradford. 166 GEORGE WASHINGTON Mr. Pearce Bailey may be informed that I never lower my price of land ; it is infinately more likely that it will be en- creased, than to stand at even what it has been offered for. — This he might reasonably expect, as landed property is rising fast in value every where ; from the number of emigrants, and others who are wanting to vest their money in that species of property. — I am sorry my letter was so long getting to the hands of my Nephew CoP Washington ; * — for if I have not formed a very erroneous, and unjust opinion of the conduct of my Negro Carpenters — there is not to be found so idle a set of Rascals. — In short, it appears to me, that to make even a chicken coop, would employ all of them a week ; — buildings that are run up here in two or three days (with not more hands) employ them a month, or more. — I will cause enquiry to be made here, into the price of Oznabrigs, but have little expectation that it can be bought on better terms in this City, than in Alexandria — for every thing is amazingly dear here. — By the Trial, Capt” Hand (I believe the Masters name is) I have shipped three bushels of Clover seed ; — two bushels of honey locust seed ; and a keg of scaley bark hiccory nuts ; — the two last are in one Cask : — the high price of clover seed prevented me from sending more ; — what goes, is fresh and good. — Tell the Gardener he must plant the hiccory nuts in drills ; — as the Illinois nuts herewith sent, must also be : — and they may be put near together in the drills, as they will be to be transplanted when they get to a proper size. — Have your ground for the honey locust seed in readiness against the arrival of the Vessel, which will leave this, it is said, tomorrow ; — or as soon [as] the floting Ice in the river will permit her to go down. — The sooner the locust seeds are in the ground the better. — I do not care where you put them, ^ Wm. Aug. Washington, of Westmoreland. AND MOUNT VERNON. 167 SO they are under a secure fence ; at the Mansion house, or at any of the farms where tliey will be attended to, will be equally convenient, and agreeable to me. — 1 am Your friend cVrc*” G° AVasiiinoton. LIX. Philadelphia March 1“^ 171)5. Mk. Pearce, I have to acknowledge the rec*^ of your letter of the 22‘^ ulP, and shall give you my sentiments upon the several mat- ters required. — AYith respect to the fishery, I am of opinion, that, selling thein^xZ^ to one man, is best: — and that if Mr. Smith will give five shillings p*^ thousand for herrings, and twelve shillg” a liundred for the shad, and will oblige himself to take all you have to spare, that you had better strike, and enter into a written agreement with him. — By which agreement, he must be hound to receive or pay for, all you do not want for my own use, and to fill the 100 bai*^ you are getting made ; — for 3^ou will recollect, that>both these species of fish run in what are called gluts ; at which time if he is not prepared for their reception, and compelled to take them, I shall loose the market ; and fishing thereby will become rather a loss than benefit ; — as, without this, he being the only purchaser, you would only draw the Sein as he could (conveniently) cure the fish by w*^^ means, when the fish are moving up in a body and when ten for one (at another time) might be caught, he might not receive them ; and, of course, your harvest would be lost. — Having an hundred barrels of your own, will, in some measure secure you against the extent of this evil ; but it ought, nevertheless, to be guarded against. — Another thing is to be understood between you, and that is, that he is not to interfere with the house where your fish and salt will 168 GEORGE WASHINGTON be. — I never chose to sell to AVaggoiiers ; — there horses have always been found troublesome, and themselves indeed not less so, being much addicted to the pulling down and burning the fences. — If you do not sell to Smith, the next best thing is to sell to the Watermen. — I do not know for what purpose an order of Court is to be obtained (by Mr. Washington for the purpose of surveying the land which he, for himself, or others, hold on four mile run. — If all the parties concerned agree to survey, and make their boundaries, it may be done without the interference of the Court. — If they do not (as there is no suit pending) 1 should not like to have any line marked that is to establish my boundary without being present myself, to see that I had justice done me. — As far as I am able, at the present moment, and under probable events, to form an opinion I expect to be at Mount Vernon about the 15**' or 20**^ of April. — If there- fore the parties interested, will endeavor to accomodate matters to that time, I will endeavor to be present at the Survey of the Lands adjoining to mine. — It is to be observed however, that public business will not put it so much in my power to accomodate myself to their convenience, as it may be in their power to yield to mine ; which obliges me to speak more in general terms of being at Mount Vernon — than definitely.’ — I agree to your taking up the young Cedars along the Creek side, and transplanting them in the lane you propose ; and am glad to find you have managed the Cedar berries in the man- ner you have mentioned ; they certainly will make a good hedge ; and are a tree of quick growth. — I agree also, and indeed strongly recommend, your break- ^ Lund Washington. -The Jay Treaty despatched from England on 20 Nov. 1794, did not reach the United States till 7 March 1795. Congress was to adjourn on March 4, and it was supposed the Treaty would have to lie over 90 days. Congress was convened, however, on June 8. AND MOUNT VERNON. 10 !) ing up the lucern lot by the Spring ; and wish that it may be extremely well plowed, harrowed and prepared for lucern and clover seed mixed ; the former of which (if any fresh and good can be had) I will send from hence. — Oznabrigs also shall be sent from hence: — but do not let the w’ork stop for w'ant ; — for I do not suppose it is to be purchased upon much, if any better terms here, than in Alex- andria. Do you not mean to spin, for linnen, the llax that has been raised on the Estate the two last years ? — You may inform Mr. Bayley, when occasion offers, that It is not certain now^ that the same price for which I offered the small piece of land I hold on Difficult run,* would tempt me to part with it; since I find by enquiry, that lands of worse quality, and not more convenient to the federal City, on the Maryland side of the Potomack, are selling from twenty to 30 dollars p*^ Acre without any extra : advantage to recom- mend them, whereas mine has a good Mill seat on the Main run of Difficult ; and, in my opinion, a still better one on what is called the Bridge branch thereof ; and a considerable — [re- mainder of letter missing]. " LX. Philadelphia 8*^ March 1795. Mr. Pearce, I am sorry to find by your letter of the 1®^ of this insP en- closing the weekly reports — that the Wheat on the ground is in so unpromising away. — Another short crop of this article will fall very heavy upon me. — How does the Barley look ? — It was not my intention to use the Pollers until the frosts were over, and the ground was settled. — If the absconding of French’s Paul did not proceed from a quarrel with, or threats from, his Overseer, it will be found, ^ On tlie V a. side of tlie Potomac Falls, into whicli it empties. Pearce Bayley was Collector of Truro Parish. 170 GEORGE WASHINGTON I expect, that lie has been guilty of some piece of roguery ; of the discovery of whicli he was affraid : — pains therefore ought to be taken to apprehend and bring him to punishment. — What sort of lameness is Dicks (at D. Dun) ; that he should have been confined with it for so many weeks ? — and what kind of sickness is Betty Davis’s, that it should have had a similar effect upon her ? — If pretended ailments, without ap- parent causes, or visible effects, will screen her from work, I shall get no service at all from her ; — for a more lazy, deceit- ful and impudent huzzy, is not to be found in the United States than she is. — Is it Sarah that was among the Spinners at the Mansion house that is now in child-bed ? — If so, she seems to have be- gun in time. — I have bought about 1000 yards of Oznabrigs (German) for cloathing of my people at Mount Yernon ; but there is no conveyance for it at present. — It shall be sent by the first vessel direct to Alexandria ; but you must not delay this work on acc*^ of the non-arrival thereof. — I have made considerable enquiry after lucern seed, but do not find, as yet, that I have any certainty of getting that which is good. — You had better therefore see if any, on the good- ness of which reliance is to be placed, can be had in Alexan- dria. My enquiries shall not cease on that account. How does your Hew Overseer at Mansion house and at Union farm conduct themselves ? — Is Allison sober, industri- ous and attentive ? — Is he not too much on a level with those he overlooks, and of course too familiar with them ? — Or does he keep them at a proper distance, remain always with them, and turn the labour of those hands who come to his aid, to the best advantage ? — To do this is a matter of considerable importance ; — otherwise the labour which will be lost at the respective farms, will not be gained at the Mansion house. — I wish you well and am friend Washington. AND MOUNT VERNON. 171 P.S. Wliat price does flour bear in Alexand'^ now ? — Superline has again got up to ten dollars in this City and flue flour to 7*2; p*^ barP. LXI. Philadelphia ^[arch 1705. Mr. Pearce, I have received your letter of the ins‘ with the rej)orts of the preceding week. — By the Sloop Harmony, Capt" Ellwood, who talked of Sail- ing to-day, I send you as p*" Bill of lading enclosed, a bale of Oznabrigs consisting of ten pieces, amounting to 972^ yards. — The Box, and band box, therein mentioned, are for Mrs. Fanny Washington as marked; and is to remain with CoP Gilpin ’till she calls for them ; — Besides these, and since the Bill of lading was signed, I have put on board another small box, containing seeds Ac*^ of various kinds; some of them rare, and valuable. — Enclosed is a list of them for your own information and government. — There is besides, on each parcel, a label descriptive thereof for the Gardener. — All these seeds, except the different sorts of Turnips; — the Chiccory ; — and Botany bay grass-seeds, may be given to the Gardener ; with very particular directions to use his utmost skill and care to raise plants from them ; — and that one thing may not be put here, and another there, and never thought of, or attended to afterwards (which has been too often the case with many curious and valuable seeds — stones — and nuts which I have sent to Mount Yernon) I desire he will prepare a piece of ground well for them ; and place them altogether, either in the Yineyard, or else- where, as he may think best, when he comes to examine the different papers; — taking especially care to distinguish by labels (that will not be injured by weather, for it seems 172 GEORGE WASHINGTON some of the Seeds may not come up the first year) the particular spots where each sort is sown, or planted. — And as all will be to be transplanted, and the seeds besides, (being imported), may not be good, he need not regard crowding them a little in the first instance. — Let him have also as much of each kind of the Turnip seed, and Turnip rooted Cabbage, as he can spare ground to put them in. — the rest, with the Chiccory and Botany bay grass seeds, I shall com- mit to your care, as there is enough of the former, that is of the different kinds of Turnips, if good, to sow a good deal of ground ; — but to prevent any waste of gr*^, or mis- application of labour in preparing it for seed that may not come up, prove all that will admit of it, in time, to see if it will vegitate: for if the seed is old, or has been in- jured by crossing the seas, and will not come up, prepar- ing ground for it would be lost labor and improper. — This trial may readily be made in time, of all the different sorts of Turnips, Cabbage, and possibly of the Chiccory and Botany bay grass seeds. — If the latter will come up I recommend the greatest attention to it. — The other, that is the Chiccory, is what I wrote to you some time ago to saA^e all the seed you could from that grow® on my estate. I have not been able to get any Lucern seed in this City ; I wrote on Friday last to Xew York for five pounds of it ; — if I succeed there, it shall be sent by Post : — in the mean time, let the ground intended for it, be got in the mry hest order ; and the natural grass and weeds totally eradicated therefrom ; that they may not spring up and choke the lucern as was the case when sowed before. — Let Sam supply the place of Bristol, until I come home ; unless (which does not occur to me at present) a likely and well disposed young fellow of man’s growth, or near it, should be found on my estate fit to make a Gardener of. — If one, not among the Dower l!segros, could be selected, it would be AND MOUNT VERNON. 173 prefered. — Honesty, with some degree of acuteness, are desir- able ; but in whom am^ iny people these are to be found, I know not. — Sam lias sense enough, and has bad a little ex- perience, but be wants honesty, and every other reijuisite ; particularly industry. — Cyrus, besides being a Dower slave, is strongly suspected of roguery and drinking ; — otherwise be would do very well, as be is likely, young, and smart enough. — The children of Daphne at the river farm are among the best disposed negros I have, but I do not recollect whether there be any of a lit size. — I have no objection to your complying with the promise you made Mr. Smith, provided his salt is kept distinct from mine ; and the latter is guarded from embezzlement. — I again repeat, that when the Schools of fish run, you must draw night and day ; and whether he (Smith) is prepared to take them or not, they must be caught and charged to him : — for it is then, and then only — I have a return for my expences ; — and then it is, the want of several purchasers, is felt ; for unless one person is extremely well prepared, he cannot dispose of the fish as fast as they can be drawn at those times and if the Sein, or Seins do no more than to keep pace with his conven- ience, My harvest is lost, and of course my profit ; for the herrings will not wait to be caught, as they are wanted to be cured. If Mrs. Fanny Washington does not draw a Sein at her own landing, herself, or rent it with a reservation of fish for her own use, let her get what she wants for this purpose, at my landing ; — and at any rate, when you have occasion to send to Alexandria, always send some for her Table. — And tell DocU Stuart if you sh*^ see him, or send him word if you should not, that he may always get fish for the latter purpose, by sending for them — so may Mr. Lund Washington. — Do you receive Rent from Gray or make him account for it when you pay for the weaving he does for me ? — Presuming you saved all the seed you could from the India 174 GEORGE AVASHIXGTON hemp, let it be carefully sown again, for the purpose of getting into a full stock of seed. — I wish you well and am Your friend Washington. P.S. Among other things sent by Capt“ Ellwood, is a small -paper bundle of Pair graffs of an extraordinary fine kind w'^^ desire the Gardener to be particular attentive to. LXIL Philadelphia March 1795. ^[r. Pearce, Your letter of the 15"^ and the reports of the preceding week, have come duly to hand. — I am glad to hear that your new Overseers turn out so well. — Of Groves I had not the least knowledge ; — my fear of x\llison was, that he would be too familiar with those he overlooked, and of course would carry no authority. — If he avoids this error, and is sober, honest, industrious, and stays at home and with his people, when at work, it is all that can be required of him ; for I never meant to entrust anything to him that did not pass under your directions. — I received twenty pounds of Lucern seed from New York, as a present from a gentleman there of my acquaintance ; — on the goodness of which entire dependence may be placed. — Five pounds of which shall accompany this letter, that the lot for which it is intended, may be more plentifully sown with this seed than I at first designed, under the bad prospect I then had of obtaining any at all of it. — Not knowing how much ground the lot contains, I am unable to direct the quantity of seed which it ought to receive ; — but I would have you allow at the rate of eight pounds of lucern, and the like quantity of clover mixed, to the Acre. — And as I know that AND MOUNT VERNON. 175 ground was extremely foul, it has occurre Rev. Dr. McGuire, for many years rector of St. George’s Church, Fred- ericksburg, who married a daughter of Robert Lewis, Washington’s nephew, relates: “Returning to his house one day, from a ride over his farm, he [Washington] found his overseer in the act of chastising severely one of his servants. Indignant at the sight as being in the mode or degree contrary to his orders, he dismounted hastily, and advancing towards the overseer with his horsewhip in his hand, the affrighted man retired towards the fence, exclaiming, ‘Remember your character, General, remember your character ! ’ The General immediately stopped, and reprimanding him for disobeying his commands, admonished him to beware of again correcting liis people in a manner so cruel .” — The Itdigious Opiniona and Character of Washi?igton, Ed. 1836, p, 400. AND MOUNT VERNON. 185 Fences run straight, in the manner here described, and at sufficient distances from the back parts of the sheds or stables, would afford ample room for the grain in stacks; — and I believe it would be sufficiently capacious also for cow yards, but it would have a bad exposure ; and besides, is in low ground ; therefore a yard, or yards for this purpose (cattle and Sheep) might adjoin (one on each side the Stable yard) the Lane between 3 and the lots — and the Stable yard fences ; as will appear more distinctly in the sketch enclosed. The number of Bricks which will be required for the Barn ill the Neck (Biver farm) will fall very little short of 140,000 of those that are sound and good, as you will see by the calcu- lation herewith. — And that no other than hard [torn] bricks may be put into the Walls, letting it as soon as it is burnt, and cool, be immediately taken down and the— [remainder of letter missing]. LXYIII. Philadelphia 24*^^ May 1795. Mr. Pearce, I have duly received your letter, and the reports of the instant. — ^ The enclosed sketches, will give my ideas so fully, of the Barn, proposed to be built at Biver farm, as to leave me scarcely anything to add to it. — If 2 Inch (white oak) plank, is thought sufficient for the threshing floor of the Barn, I do not want it to be got any thicker ; — and if Inch and quarter (Pine) plank, is thick enough for the lower floor of the grain- eries, I do not wish it to be more. — Inch Plank is fully ade- quate to the floors over them, to support the grain in the straw. — I mention these things now, that the Oak plank may be sawed as soon as you are able to do it, that there may be time for it to season ; and that the Pine plank may be got with- 1S6 GEORGE WASHINGTON out delay, not only for the same purpose, but for security of the Bricks also, before they are burned. — Of the oak plank, it will require for the threshing floor, 30 feet square, 900 feet when laid ; — allowance for waste must be made. — For the lower floor of the graineries, the like quantity of IJ (if that is the thickness resolved on) with the like allowance for waste, will be required. — And for the upper floor of the graineries precisely the same ; — But as the pine plank wdll waste more than the oak ; — is more liable to be stolen — and besides will sustain injury in the Brick yard; and moreover may be want- ing for a variety of uses in the building ; — you had better lay in 1500 or two thousand feet of each sort, at once. — And I would have you enquire of those (who deal in that way) on what terms they would deliver at one of my landings, shingles of the following dimensions — viz — 3 feet, — 2 feet, — and 18 Inches ; specifying the width, and thickness of each, they will warrant them to average. — When you furnish mo with this account I shall be better able to decide on the kind of covering to bestow on the building, and the sort, and number of nails it will require. — Of the last, I find they can be had in this city on better terms than in Alexandria ; and of course will be sent from hence. — The body of the Barn (as you always understood, independ- ant of the sheds) is to be 60 feet long, and 30 feet wide. — I have allowed 12 feet sheds only, which I conceive is suffi- cient, as the Backs and Mangers will be close to the wall (and not as those are at Union farm) — and in case I should not think of it at the time they are about, let the latter be dug out of the solid wood. — Such will last as long as the wood itself does, whilst those made of plank, however thick, are soon coming a sunder ; — wasting the grain ; — and requiring repairs. — What sort of Clay is found where you are making bricks? — Desire Mr. Stuart to keep a regular acc*^ of the number that are made — or (as has been the case before) hundreds will be AND MOUNT VERNON. 187 magnified into thousands ; — and deception follow of course. — It is highly necessary too, that he should have an eye to the tempering, and beating the clay well before it is moulded ; — for on this the goodness of the bricks depend ; — especially as it was not exposed to the frosts of last winter. — I think as you do, that the Oak plank, and all the scantling, ought to be got off my own land ; — but this is not to with hold the Carpenters, or any others, from the Harvest field, when their services are required there. — In time, be laying shells in, or you will meet with disappointment. — Did you ever enquire particularly into the character of the carpenter who built Mrs. Peak’s Barn ? — If so, what was the result? I find I was mistaken, respecting Posts and Bails for the farm yard at Dogue-run. — The sketch of one — sent you in a former letter, may be preserved notwithstanding — it will serve wiien they are provided. — If you hav^e transplanted any of the Honey locust plants (in the manner before directed) and find they succeed, continue the practice as long as the season will allow’ it. — I send a book for your perusal betw’een this and my next visit to Mount Vernon, wiiicli contains many useful experiments, and ob- servations on Hedging &c*^. — At that time it may be returned to me after information is got from it. (This book is written by a man of established character — of course, except what may proceed from difference of climate is to be depended upon — and followed by us.) — A bundle of Pekan, or Illinois nuts is also sent ; which de- sire the gardener to plant along with those I sent him some time ago. — These are fresh, and I have no doubt will come up. — Enclosed likewise, is the copy of a list of Plants which w^ere sent by a Gentlemen of Jamaica to Norfolk, for me. — If they should have been forwarded to Mount Vernon desire Elher to pay particular attention to them. — Let DocP Craik, if he has not already done it, examine the case of Cooper Jack and prescribe the needful for him.— No 1S8 GEORGE WASHINGTON report of Carpenters work was among the enclosures of your last letter. — I am Your friend G° Washington. LXIX. Philadelphia 31®*^ May 1795. Mr. Pearce, I am quite surprized to find by your letter of the in- stant (which with the Reports came duly to hand) that your crops had stood in need of Rain. — There has been no three days together without it, at this place, since I arrived here ; and some times for whole days and nights, with little or no intermission. — The exhausted state of Provisions (bread) in Europe ; — the demand for flour there ; — and the bad prospect for grain where most of it was usually grown, leaves not a doubt but that every thing of the bread kind, or substitutes for it, will bear a high price in autumn. — Some time ago I recommended it to you to plant a good many Potatoes — this I repeat, and wish also that you w*^ lay yourself out for more Buck wheat than usual for a crop. — 1 have heard much of the white (homony) Bean as being very productive, and a ready sale : — suppose you were to devote an acre of Corn ground to this purpose, to see what the yield would be: — or, if they would do without something to run upon, and support them, to plant an acre or two without Corn, in 6 at Union farm ; by the side of the Corn you cultivate in that field. — Cut the forward Wheat in good season, and save all for Seed. — DocP Stuart thinks it more subject to weavil than the common wheat ; — If so, you will judge whether it can best be preserved from them in stacks or otherwise, and do with it as shall seem best to you. — How does the honey locust stand transplanting ? — If well, follow it up as long as the season will answer. — AND MOUNT VERNON. 181 ) Tlie Gardener does not, I perceive, take any notice of the boy in his report. — this he ought to do. lias no remedy been discovered for the disorder in horses i — If 1 should loose my riongli horses — or even have them rendered unfit for work, it will be unfortunate. — 1 am Your friend and well wisher G® Washington. LXX. Philadelphia 7^^ June 1705. Mr. Pearce, Your letter of the 31®*^ of last month, enclosing the weekly reports, came duly to hand — ^}’esterday. — Let the person who is to supply you with plank and Shingles, have the precise length of the first given to him, that it may not waste in cutting. — This length you will be able to ascertain from knowing the uses for which it is in- tended ; and by consulting the plan which 1 sent you. — The plank for the lower floor of the Graneries, as 1 mentioned at first, ought, I have no doubt, to be of Inch and half stuff ; and if the floors above them, were of Inch and quarter pine, they would not be the worse for it. — Care too slP be taken that the shingles are of the dimensions (both in length, and the average width) that is agreed for ; — nothing being more common of late than to contract for 18 inch shingles, and give those of not more than 16 inches, — and in that proportion with respect to the two, and three feet shingles : — which is an unjustifiable imposition, as more nails, as well as more shingles, are consequently required. — Are the Cabbins at River and Union farms all removed, as were intended ? — I ask because I have seen work of this sort reported, but know not if it be compleated. — I wish you could find out the thief who robbed the Meat liouse at Mount Yernon, and bring him to punishment. — And 190 GEORGE WASHINGTON at the same time secure the house against future attempts ; — for our drafts upon it will be pretty large, I expect, when we come home ; — w^^^ probably may be about the middle or 20^^ of next month. — Nathan has been suspected, if not detected, in an attempt of this sort formerly ; and is as likely as any one to be guilty of it now. — Postilion Joe has been caught in similar practices ; — and Sam, I am sure would not be re- strain [ed] by any qualms of conscience, if he saw an opening to do the like. — I am Your friend of Corn, as well as a tolerable one of AVheat, is diminishing. — As the latter of these is got out, and the horses more at liberty, I hope every diligence will he used in breaking up the fields intended for the ensuing crop, when the weather will permit, and the ground is in order for it : — and I request also, that your shelters may he prepared for the reception of the different species of Stock, at all the Farms, by, or before the season requires them to be used ; for if Cattle suffer in the early part of winter, they rarely recover it. — 212 GEORGE WASHINGTON By the Eeport from Biver farm I perceive shelter is pre- paring for the horses at that place ; — what this means I know not ; but it reminds me of the necessity of giving substantial shoi’es to the Barn and Stables there : — otherwise some very disasterous accident may befal not only the horses, but negros also, in a high wind, or storm. — flow does Xeale seem to conduct himself in the superin- tendence of the workmen ? — I hope he will have a little more command over them than Green or Donaldson had ; or he will get little more done by them than they did. — I take it for granted, that by his agreement, he is to work himself. — If then, you perceive any backwardness in his doing so re- mark it to him at first appearance of it. — Neglects of this sort come on by degrees ; and increase in proportion as they are overlooked. — Let him cast his eyes round, and see what kind of work is, or will be wanting, and can be done within doors ; — when the weather is such as to prevent tlie people from working out to advantage, or with safety ; and have the materials previously lodged in the Barn, to go on with it. — Among these, I recollect at once — Dormant Windows to the Barn ; — Sashes to the Kitchen where they are falling to pieces ; — Plank tried up for the North end of the Mansion house, that is now rotting ; — (Plank of a proper width and thickness, and without sap should be procured for this pur- pose) — the same for the Pillars of the covered way going into the Kitchen ; — Locust Posts for the circle before the door ; — Harrows, Ploughs, rakes. Wheels, Carts, cradles for the grain harvest ; — repairing spinning Wheels, and many other things which might be thought of, and executed within, to advan- tage, when the weather is rainy, snowy, very sloppy, or very cold. — If he is a man of industry and contrivance, and will give his attention to these things, more will be done by a proper arrangement of the business than can easily be con- ceived ; and by such an arrangement, work might be so for- AND MOUNT VERNON. 2i;j warded out of the rough, as to superceed the necessity per- liaps, of calling hands in, to do occasional jobs ; — or keeping Isaac and Joe always, as it were, from the other people, doing less, it is presumed than they would do, if they were under the eye of a man who would attend to them. — Enclosed, is a copy of the Invoices of the Oznabrigs and Blankets ; — there are, as you will perceive, two kinds of each. — let the better sort of Linnen be given to the grown people, and the ‘most deserving; whilst the more indifferent sort is served to the younger ones and worthless. — I recpiest that particular attention may be given to the cutting out that, there may be neither waste, nor embezzlement if it is cut out by the Negro women ; and a piece at a time only used. — the number of yards in each piece appears by the Invoice, and it is easily ascertained what quantity a shirt ; or shift will take (of the different sizes) and calculate thereby. — All my People that want blankets (or rather all that are entitled to them) must be supplied ; giving to the grown Negros the larger, or better sort. — Many have lately been given to the laying in Women, — but where the children are living, it is usual to let them come in with the rest notwithstanding ; — but where dead, not to do so. — You said something to me about Sein twine, but nothing was fixed that I recollect ; if you depend upon me for it, not a moment is to be lost in sending round, as the Navigation may soon be stopped by Ice. — Have you rec‘^ the money yet for my fiour and Corn ? — Pay yourself. Overseers, and everything I owe with it, and let me know how the acc^ stands. — Charge Peter to be careful of the Mules designed for my own particular use — and let the num- ber be Six instead of four. I am Your friend, Washixgtox. GEORGE WASHINGTON 2U LXXXY. Philadelphia 6^ Dec^ 1795. Mr. Pearce, I have received your letter of the ulP with the Weekly reports of the 6^^ and 28^ of Xoveinber. I wish you to make the most you can of the materials you have within yourself, for hedging ; for I do not believe you will get any berries of the white thorn from Newcastle; for the reason given in one of my letters after I arrived at this place, from Mount Yernon last. — I hope the Ceder berries will prove better than you expect, that you may, as soon as possible, get the lane from the New barn (at Union farm) to the Mill road compleated with that kind of hedge on both sides. — Make good the hedges as you proceed, in this busi- ness ; otherwise you will have incomplete ones, that will render no service. — Anxious as you perceive I am, to substi- tute hedges instead of dead fences, I have full confidence in your exertion to raise them ; — and as I have observed in a former letter, those for inner and cross fences, where no hogs are suffered to run, may, in the first instance, be made of any- thing that suits the soil, and will grow quick ; altho’ they should be doubled hereafter. — When I speak of tilling too much land, and add that a less quantity would be more pro- ductive than the greater quantity, which is now tended in order to produce an adequate quantity of Corn ; I would not be understood to mean that half of one of your fields in the condition they now are, would produce you as much corn (or other things) as the whole of it would do ; — that would be absurd ; — but for example, suppose ten hands are necessary to cultivate a field of 100 acres (more or less) and that this quantity, in common seasons, can be cultivated as well as usually is done, but will allow no spare time, or labour for any extra work — my idea then is, that by turning half that field out, or rather let it be enclosed, and nothing suffered to run AND MOUNT VERNON. 215 upon it (that all the grass and weeds it produces may fall, rot, and ameliorate the soil) — Cultivate the other half better than you could do the whole ; — and bestow all the spare labour of the ten hands in raking, — scraping, — collecting and carrying out all the manure that can be obtained from Swamps, ponds, trash about houses, and in the lanes, — and even leaves and rotten trees from the woods ; that more would be produced in a year or two from the 50 acres, than is now got from the hundred : — and by this means gullies might be filled up — and many other improvements made on the farms that are not, nor cannot be done, with a full crop. — Is it not better to get 20 bushels of Wheat (and other things in proportion) from one acre of ground, than from two acres ? — That worn land, undressed and unimproved will not produce the latter, that is 20 bushels, and when well cultivated and manured, will pro- duce the former, is known to every man who has attended to these things ; — and yet, such is the force of habit, that people will not cpiit the path their fathers have trod in. — Besides, I am so well persuaded of the injury, land sustains from the growth of Indian Corn, I never desire to raise more than enough for my Kegros (who cannot do without it ;) substitut- ing other species of food for Horses, Hogs etc" — or even buy- ing, from the sales of other crops if I cannot do this. — I agree to your putting X® 1 at Muddy-hole in Oats instead of X® 6. — xVnd one object which makes me desirous of clear- ing ground at the Mansion house, and tilling what has been grubbed, is to relieve those worn out fields at the former ; whilst the principal design, is to improve and beautify the grounds about the latter. — But altho’ I wish very much to have the new road (sketched out in one of my late letters,) opened, yet I cannot, nor do not request it, if more essential matters are to suffer by it. — perhaps it may be done on a streight line from the sweep by the white gates, to the inter- section of the proposed road, and the fence, which was marked out the morning I left home. 216 GEORGE WASHINGTON I am glad to hear that your growing grain looks well. — take care to make drains, in time, to take the water from all low places ; — and let me know, as soon as the matter is ascer- tained, the amount of your AVheat and Corn Crops at each place ; and in each field ; if the acc^ have been kept dis- tinct. — I remain your friend and well wisher AVasiiington. r. S. AVhat Hogs have you put up for Porke ? and when will they be fit to kill ? LXXXVl. Philadelphia 13^*^ Dec*" 1795. Mr. Pearce, Your letter of the 6^*^ inst‘, enclosing the AVeekly reports, has been duly received. I am glad to find by it that the sickness among my people is abating. — If Cyrus* continues to give evidence of such qualities as would fit him for a waiting man, encourage him to persevere in them ; and if they should appear to be sin- cere and permanent, I will receive him in that character when I retire from public life, if not sooner. — To be sober, attentive to his duty, honest, obliging and cleanly, are the qualifications necessary to fit him for my purposes. — If he possesses these, or can acquire them — he might become useful to me, at the same time that he would exalt, and benefit himself. When you receive the money for my last years fiour and Corn, I wish that every demand, of whatsoever nature or kind, may be discharged. — I never like to owe anything, lest I might be called upon for payment when I am not possessed of the means. — A Dun, would not be agreeable to me, at any * A negro boj. I AND MOUNT VERNON. 217 time ; — and not to pay money \vhen it is due, and miglit really be wanting, would hurt my feelings. — Wheat in this market is at from 15 to 20/. ]»*■ bush, and flour thirteen dollars and an half p*' barH. — Probably this may be occasioned by the desire of Shipj)ing it before the frost sets in, to stop the Navigation. — 1 therefore recpiest that the ^filler would exert himself in grinding mine ; and if you can get the above price (allowing for the deduction of freight from Alexandria to this City) to sell, on a reasonable credit, all the flour he has, or can get ready, at that price. — I will make enquiry for Sein twine and if it is to be had on better terms here than in Alexandria, and a Vessel offers (which is not the case at present) I will send a quantity round. — Two more mules (altho’ they may be older than the four now up) may be turned over to Peter — Let him chuse those which are most promising, and nearest in colour. I am Your friend Ac® Washington. LXXXVII. Philadelphia 20*^'' Dec^ 1795. Mr. Pearce, Having received neither the Weekly reports nor a letter from you yesterday, as usual, I fear you are unwell, or some- thing else is the cause of it, as I got other letters by the Southern Mail. — Flour keeps up to ISi dollars p*^ baP. If I have any there- fore on hand, to dispose of, I wish it were sold at that price, on a reasonable credit ; allowing for the freight to this place ; which is all that the purchaser ought to require, unless he contends for Insurance also. — One cause for this price is, to get it out before the frost sets in, so as to impede the Naviga- tion. — Whether a fall afterwards may be permanent, or not, 218 GEORGE WASHINGTON I will not undertake to decide ; — but I had rather sell at that price than run the hazard of its doing it. — I could buy Sein twine in this city at | this money, but no ‘Yessel offers for Potoinack, and probably will not before the river closes ; you must do therefore what seems to you best under these circumstances — that is to buy there — weight, and take the chance of getting it from hence in time — or to rent the Landing for a certain sum ; obliging the Hire, er of it, to furnish you from the first running, with as many Shad and Herrings as you usually put up for family use. — Sometime last year, I wrote you a letter on this subject which may con- tain (altho’ I dont know that it does) some useful ideas, if the latter mode should be preferred. — I am your friend and well wisher Washington. LXXXVHI. Philadelphia 3'^ Jan. ITOG. Mr. Pearce, Your letter of the 27*^^ with the reports came to hand yesterday — and I am glad to find you have met with a supply of twine in Alexandria, as there is no prospect that has yet opened, of getting it from hence in time and I have no doubt that under all chances fishing yourself will be more profitable than hiring out the landing for Sixty pounds. — I am not disposed to take any thing less for my flour than it sells at here (allowing for freight and Insurance) for if it is well manufactured, it will pass Inspection in this Market, and of course command the price of other flour, without the credit which is required in Alexandria and would be for my interest to bring it hither, rather than sell at an under rate. — In any case, however, I request that Davenport may hasten the grind- ing as much as possible, that you may be enabled to take the advantage of a Yessel wanting a quantity to dispatch her, and AND MOUNT VERNON. 211 ) the badness of the roads, which may prevent its coming from the upper country by land ; which must be the case now, from the opeiiess of the winter, hitherto ; and will bo the case in the spring when it is breaking up which circumstances are favorable for a good sale if you keep a good lookout. — My letter to you, must have been opened after it went from me, for I think it never could have left my hands with- out a seal.' — But letters for sometime past have Ixjen ojKJiied, to come at Bank and Post notes ; and some persons are now under trial for this practice. I am Your friend cVc* G® Washington. BXXXIX. Philadelphia 17^ Jan. 171)0. Mr. Pearce, Your letters of the 3*^ and inst^ are both before me, — the last came yesterday, and the first on tuesday. I should bo sorry if Davenports disorder should prove fatal to him ; it would be a heavy stroke upon his family at any time, and unlucky for me at the present. — I am under no concern for the fall which has taken place ill the price of fiour — that it will be up again, and higher than ever in the spring there is but little doubt — indeed some well informed Merchants declare they should not be surprized to find it at twenty dollars p*’ Barrel at that season. — There can be no question, in my mind that herrings will be at 10/. p*" Thousand and Shads at three dollars at least p*" hun- dred for which reason, my advice to you is, not to take less from Mr. Smith, or any other who may offer to contract, be- forehand. You may manage the fields at Union farm in whatever manner you think best — My great object (more than making ’ See Introduction. 220 GEORGE WASHINGTON crops) is to preserve the land and tlie inode you have sug- gested for the ensuing crop, may answer that purpose. — I have no objection to your disposing of all the fallen tim- ber to Waggoners that you see no prospect of getting up yourself upon the best terms you can obtain. — taking care to prevent, as far as possible, impositions and inconveniences from admitting them within your outer fences. — To keep which up, is an object of great importance ; and I wish it to be done as far as it is in your power without neglecting things of greater moment. — It was always my intention, and is my earnest wish, to get a hedge of the honey locust, or some plant of quick and stubborn growth upon the outer ditch as soon as possible. — Ilow does your winter grain stand this open weather ? — It has been fine for grubbing, and I hope that business has, and is going on well. — Have you a prospect of getting all grubbed within the line I laid off the morning I left home ? — and is it likely you can do anything towards the Kew road from the White gates this winter or Spring ? As Allison knew that it never was contemplated to bring, or have a married man about the Mansion house as an Over- seer, he would be rightly served to be turned of[f] ; but as it might be difficult to supply his place at this season I can give no direction about it, but leave the matter to yourself to act as circumstances dictate. It is hardly possible it can be three years since I subscribed to the Salary of Mr. Davis ‘ — how then can there be two years due when one has been paid ? Surely it was not the terms of the Subscription to pay ten pounds at the beginning, and ten pounds at the end of the first year. But you can as- certain this matter by having recourse to the paper — or, Mr. Herbert, who was the gentleman that obtained my name to it. — ^ Rev. Thomas Davis. (See ante.) AND MOUNT VERNON. 221 It is not want of water, but the great quantity of it tliat is wastetl, that makes the scarcity at the Mill, and this will con- tinue to he the case until the New race is done and all the rotten and week parts below it are tliorouglily repaired. — after which, except in very dry summers I do not conceive there will ho much cause for complaint. — 1 remain your friend and well wisher G° Washington. XC. Philadelphia 25^ Jan. ITJd. Mr. Pkarce, The letter which accompanies tlie two parcels of llice herewith sent, gives all the information I am able to trans- mit, respecting the cultivation of them ; — and to which I re(]uest you to pay particular attention. — As these small things may he laid hy^ and forgot when the season for sowing or preparing ground for tliem arrives; — and even after sowing them, may he forgotten in the due cultiva- tion of them — It would he proper to avoid the first, to put them in places wliere they cannot he overlooked — and as a re- membrancer of the latter, to note down in your book of re- ports the time — and place — where and when, they are put into the ground. — ^ I am Your friend G° AVasiiington. XCI. PhiP 31^ Jan^ 1796. Mr. Pearce, Your letter of the 24*^^ inst. with the reports, came to hand, at the usual time, yesterday. — And I am sorry to find bv them that sickness is so prevalent among the people. — 222 GEORGE WASHINGTON It is occasioned I presume by the cliangeableness of the weather ; — and will I hope, be carried off by the steady cold which seems to be now setting in. — Has yonr grain been covered with snow ? — If not, how does it, and is it likely, to withstand these open frosts ? If you cannot get a Miller until the first of June — (I mean who will remain with you until that time) — let me know it, and I will endeavor to send one from hence : — but the season will, in a manner, be passed away before one could reach you . from hence ; for which reason, if you could get a fit character nearer home, it would be better. — I hope the loss of Ben will not be added to that of Davenport. — Let care be taken of him, and all the rest of the sick. — As I am almost as confident as I can be of anything, that depends upon a bad memory, that it is not three years since I subscribed to a Salary for Mr. Davis, I cannot discover upon what ground it is he claims three years payment ; unless my subscription anticipated a years payment, of which I have no recollection ; — but which must certainly be known to Mr. Herbert who was the Gentleman that solicited my name to the instrument. — I am always willing to pay what I owe — but never that which I do not owe. I wish you well and am y*" friend G® Washington. XCII. Philadelphia 7^^ Feb^ 1796. Mr. Pearce, Your letter, begun on the 31^ of last month, and ended the 2*^ of this, came, with the Deports enclosed, duly to hand yesterday ; together with the list of Dower Negros which are taken exactly as I wished. — I now wish ycfu would forward to me a list of all the remaining Negros on the Estate ; — dis- AND MOUNT VERNON. 223 tinguisliing Frencirs from the others ; ami both made out in the maimer of the last — giving the ages cV:c*.' After I hear from you again, respecting a Miller, I sliall be better able to determine than now, whether to send a Miller from hence or not ; — especially as, all circumstances con- sidered, it may be found as well to sell the AVheat in grain as to grind it, if the ^Lill can be rented on Advantages terms before the next Manufacturing season comes on — of which I request you to bo particular in your enquiries that I may know the utmost she will Kent for. — Let me know in your next (for the Mill report gives no ac- count of it) what quantity of Hour is ground : — and 1 should be glad to know as nearly as you can give a guess from what you have already got out of the Straw, the quantity remaining in it. — In short I wish to know as nearly as may be con- jectured (with certainty I am sensible it cannot be) the whole amount of the last years crop, of this article. — I never was under any apju’ehension, from the fall in the price of AVheat or flour in Alexandria, that I had missed the market for mine ; — and I am more convinced now than ever, that both will be higher than it ever has been. — The high bounty given by the British Parliament for the importation of both these articles into that country ; — the scarcity in Europe generally, and the great demand for the latter in the AVest Indies; will raise the market beyond any thing ever known in this countTy. — AVheat at this moment is at 20/. p'’ Bushel, and flour at fourteen dollars p^ Barrel and rising in this City. — Keep me advised of the Alexandria prices. — If you can get a good workman who will be industrious and sober (and not extravagent) it would not only be my ’ The exact date of Washington’s Will is unknown, a blank being left after “ seventeen hundred and ninety — The information requested of Pearce was probably desired for the preparation of that characteristic docu- ment, in which his own negroes are carefully distinguished, from those of his wife, for immediate emancipation. 224 : GEORGE WASHINGTON wish to have the North end of the Mansion house thoroughly repaired, but every other part of it ; with the Pillars of the \ Piazza — covered ways to the Kitchen and Servants hall, com- j pleatly repaired also ; — together with the sashes of all the I houses where they require it. — And I would have Venetian blinds made for the 'Windows above, on the west side of the house like those below, but to fit better than they do. — Or, if f the windows are so framed as to permit it, these Venetian ^ blinds would look, and be better on the out side ; to open and shut (by means of hinges) like those on the front door, but | in a neater Stile. — If they are made for the outside above, ;| the same must be below, in order to correspond ; or it would f| have an odd appearance. — In that case the blinds now in use I may be worked up. — It must be a good workman to execute I these several jobs (for I would have none of them done in a bungling manner) — and that they may come lighter to me, as jobs of this sort must be undertaken at day wages, let Isaac and the boy assist, under his direction, in slitting out and trying up the stuff from the rough. — The check which DocP Stuart has given you on the Bank of Alexandria you may lay out in Stock (or shares) therein. — I do not know the cost of a share, but if it wants a little aid to complete a share, or certain number of shares, and you have the means of affording it, I would have you do so. — But tell DocP Stuart when you see him, that I apprehend he is under a mistake in charging me three years hire of Peter. — The last time he paid me money (which cannot be three years ago) the hire of Peter was allowed for therein ; and a receipt taken for the same ; or else my memory has failed me exceedingly. — This however, if an error, can easily be recti- fied by having recourse to that settlement, or to the receipts. If Mrs. Davenport means to remove to Norfolk, you may aid her with a little money to do so ; — to the amount of three, four or five pounds, according to circumstances. — You will perceive by the enclosed advertisement, which is AND MOUNT VKIINON. 2‘J5 intended more as an essay to see whether I can rent my farms — [p'emainder of letter misslnf. XCIII. Philadelphia 2P‘ Feh. 1700. Mu. Pearce, Since my last to yon, I have received your letters of the 7^^ and Instant. I am under no apprehension of flour falling ; but keep me ae it will be by, or before the midle of June. — Have good meats ready for us by that time ; and tell the Gardener I shall expect an abundance of every thing in the Gardens;— and to see every thing in prime order there, and in the Lawns. I am with best wishes Your friend G® Washington. Paschal seems to be pretty regularly reported sick. Six days in the Week. — What is the matter with him ? Appendix F. AND MOUNT VERNON. 249 CY. Philadelphia 22^ May 1796. Me. Peaece, Your letter of the 15^^ inst*, enclosing the Peports of the preceeding IrVeek, came duly to hand. — I am glad to hear that the weather has been seasonable of late ; but sorry indeed, to find by your letter that the grain and grass has received so little benefit from the rains which have fallen, here, in great abundance. — And it is peculiarly unfortunate after giving so high a price for Clover Seed, that it should either not have come up, or been destroyed after- wards, by the droughts. — Has your Corn come up well, and how does it thrive ? — And how does the Oats — Peas — Chic- ory — and other things which have been sown, and planted this Spring come on ? — It is much to be regretted, and I do regret exceedingly, that the Honey locusts which have been set out, should have perished. — It would seem I think as if I never should get for- ward in my plan of hedging. — With respect to the trans- planting of Cedar (or any other evergreen) I am persuaded there is no other sure way of getting them to live, than by taking them up in the winter with a block of frozen earth around the Roots (and as large as it can conveniently be ob- tained — proportioned to the size of the plant). — This not only gives them their mother earth, but by its adhesion to the principal roots, it nourishes the body until the fibres from the former shoot sufficiently to secure the vegitation and thrifti- ness of the plant. — I transplanted thousands of Pine and Cedar without getting scarcely one to live until I adopted the above method ; after which, so long as it was practised, I never lost one. — Witness the pine groves by the Gardens ; both of which were planted in this manner, and to the best ' of my recollection not one of them died : — whereas, out of the 250 GEORGE WASHINGTON first planting, just as they now are, not more than two or three of them lived. — I am very sorry indeed to hear of the damage which the family piece of the Marquis de la Fayette has sustained. — and am unable to account for it. — If the window shutters had been left open, I should have attributed it more to the sun, than to the dryness of the Air. Ask Feter, if some of the Mares w^^ I took down with me, when I went alone to Mount Yernon in April of last year, did not go to the Jack at that time? — If they did not, their foaling will be much about the time I shall be on the Road which will be unfortunate. — For what purpose is the Well house from the Mansion, car- ried to Union Farfn ? — Save a plenty of the best Hay of last year for my horses, as I had rather they should be fed upon old, than the Hay of this season, when I come home. — I am Your friend Washington. CYI. Philadelphia 29*^ May 1796. Mr. Pearce, ~No Mail beyond Baltimore (Southerly) was received at the Post Office in this City yesterday ; — consequently, I got no letter from you ; — what may have been the cause I know not, unless the considerable falls of rain which happened here during last week, may have rendered the waters between Alexandria and Baltimore (if they extended so far) impassi- ble.— You have never mentioned in any of your late letters, nor has it occurred, at the time of writing mine, to ask, whether a Pipe of Wine, and box of Tea, which was sent from this place for Mount Yernon, had arrived, and in what condition. — It was in March, or the beginning of April they left this — AND MOUNT VERNON. 251 And another Vessel with AVindsor Chairs and sundry other articles for the same place, have been gone from hence long enougrli to have heard of their arrival ’ere this. — These occur- rences ought always to be noticed in your letters, to relieve one fi’om the suspence which otherwise follows. — Before we leave this, we shall send several other matters round, but whenever they are shipped you shall have notice thereof that they may be taken from Alexandria so soon as they arrive there ; — at which time procure a groce of good Porter to be taken down along with them. — In the mean time, have a few Bottles of Porter there, and some wine for particular com- pany, who may recommended to you by my- self : — among these Mr. Aimes,^ a respectable member of Congress (travelling for his health) will, I expect, be one ; as he proposes to set out from hence for the Federal City about the middle of this week, and is one I wish to be well treated, while he stays. — I have requested Mr. Lear to shew him the way down to Mount Vernon. Is Maria and the two boys at that place now, or where are they ? — Xo mention has been made of them for some time. — When (from present appearances) will your early Wheat be ready to cut ? — and how does that, and the other small grain. Peas, and grasses come on ? — What was done with the Seed saved from the India Hemp last Summer ? — It ought, all of it, to have been sown again ; — that not only a stock of seed sufficient for my own purposes might have been raised, but to have dissiminated the seed to others ; as it is more valuable than the common Hemp. — Congress talk of Hsing about the middle of this week ; but there is no dependauce on it. — In about ten or twelve days ' Fisher Ames (1756-1808) of Massachusetts ; served in Congress 1789- 1797 ; author of the Address of the House to Washington on his retirement from the presidency. The speech of Ames in favor of the appropriation for the British Treaty probably secured the majority of three by which it passed the House. 252 GEORGE WASHINGTON after the Session closes, it is likely I shall commence my jour- ney homewards : — as soon as I can fix the day, I will advise you of it. — I have several times spoke concerning a necessary for the Quarter People, at Mansion house ; and once or twfice shewed Thomas Green the precise spot to place it — viz — in the drain that leads from the old brick kiln back of the Well, towards the gully leading towards the gate ; — that, having this advan- tage the offensive matter might be washed off by the Pain water that collects in the gutter. — I wish you would have this done before Ive come home that the yard of the Quarter may be always clean and Sweet. — If the old necessary on the brow- of the Hill can be moved wfith more ease than building a new one, let it be done, as it is not only useless where it is, but is an eyesore. — Order the other two to be well cleaned and kept in good order. — During my stay at Mount Yernon I ex- pect much company there, and of the most respectable sort, it would be pleasing to us therefore to find everything in nice order. — I wish you well and am your friend Washington. CYII. Philadelphia 5^^ June 1796. Mr. Pearce, Since my last I have received your letters of the 22*^ and 29^^ of last month. — The first came to hand on Tuesday, the other on Saturday, as usual. — On Wednesday last Congress closed their Session; but there is yet a good deal for me to do, before I can leave the Seat of the Government. — My present expectation however is, that I shall be able to do this on tomorrow week : but as this is not certain, and as I shall travel slow, to avoid what usually happens to me at this season — that is — killing, or AND MOUNT VERNON. 253 knocking up a horse ; and as we shall, moreover, stay a day or two at the Federal City, it is not likely we shall arrive at Mount Yernon before the 20*^, or 21®^ of this month. — In a few days after we get there, we shall be visited, I ex- pect, by characters of distinction ; I could wish therefore that the Gardens, Lawns, and every thing else, in, and about the Houses, may be got in clean and nice order. — If the Gardener needs aid, to accomplish as much of this as lyes within his line, let him have it ; and let others rake, and scrape up all the trash, of every sort and kind about the houses, and in holes and corners, and throw it (all I mean that will make dung) into the Stercorary and the rest into the gullied parts of the road, coming up to the House. — And as the front gate of the Lawn (by the Ivies) is racked, and scarcely to be opened, I wish you would order a new one (like the old one) to be immediately made — and that, with the new ones you have just got made, and all the boarding of every kind that was white before, to be painted white again. — If ^eal and my own people cannot make the front gate, above mentioned, get some one from Alexandria to do it — provided he will set about and finish it immediately. — This must be the way up to the House. — Let the Kooms in the Servants Hall, above and below, be well cleaned ; and have the Beds and bedsteads therein put in order ; after which have a good lock put on the door of the west room, above, and order Caroline, or whoever has the charge of those rooms, to suffer no person to sleep, or even to go into it, without express orders from her Mistress or my- self. — Let exactly tlig same things be done with the Booms over the Kitchen ; as there will be a white Cook with us that will require one of them ; and the other may also be wanted for some other Servants, or use. it being likely, there will be a call for all these places and things. — And I hope, especially as there is no Ice to keep fresh meats, that you will have an abundant supply for the demands that will probably be made 254 GEORGE WASHINGTON thereon during our stay at home. — And besides, will ascertain from the Butcher in Alexandria, the stated days on which Beef and Yeal are killed, that we may know what dependence to place on him. — Tell the Gardener, I shall expect every- thing that a Garden ought to produce, in the most ample manner. — There may be many other things necessary to be done, as well for appearance as use, that do not occur to me at this mom^ but as you can judge from what I have said, what my wishes are, I have no doubt but that you will contribute all you can to accomplish them ; and give the whole as neat, and clean an appearance as they are capable of. — About the time you were employing a Joiner to do the Xorth end of the House, I directed Venetian blinds to be made, and painted green, for all the windows on the West side of the House; and mentioned the manner in w'^^ I thought it best to execute them : — but have never been in- formed what, or whether any thing has been done in conse- quence of it. The omitting to give information of what has^ or what cannot be done in consequence of such requests, often throws me into a disagreeable suspence, and frequently occa- sions me to write often on the same subjects. — I am equally ignorant whether the dormant windows are yet put into the stable, and Corn lofts ; both of which, for the purpose of Air, is indispensably necessary ; besides adding to the appearance of the building. — Take care to keep a sufficiency of Oats, and the best of your old Hay on hand. I shall have eight or ten horses of my own with me^ and there will be many others with Visitors. — You had better, I conceive, get the Midlings and Ship-stuff off your hands at what they will fetch ; as the weather is get- ting warm, and the flour may turn Sower. — Unless you want the money for current expences, it might be sold on such a credit as to receive payment on the same day your demand AND MOUNT VERNON. 255 upon Smith, for the other flour, will become due: so as to have the whole at once. — This credit may enhance the price, and will be (if the money is not wanted for the purposes be- fore mentioned) no disadvantage to me in giving it. — I hope, at your last shearing, there was a complete cull, and seperation of all the old, scabby and disordered Sheep. — I do not know how to account for the weekly loss you sustain, in this species of Stock, unless it be by keeping such poor and diseased sheep in the flocks as contaminate others. — I have no doubt but that you will endeavor so to arrange matters, as to keep your grain, and Hay harvests from inter- fering as much as possible with each other ; and this too with- out either suffering, by standing too long, if it can possibly be avoided. — Begin the former as soon as it can be cut without loss. If Miss Nelly Custis * should apply to you for a Cart to Transport her Trunk and other things from Doctor Stuarts to Mount Yernon — let it be sent as soon as applied for, and something to cover and secure the contents against Eain — in case any should fall while they are on the Road. — I perceive Mrs. Washington’s Mem°^ herewith sent contains nearly the same requests that are made in this letter — but I send it notwithstanding. — I wish you well and am Your friend G® Washington.- P.S. Direct your next letter to me, to be left at the Post Office in Baltimore till called for. — If I set off according to my present expectation, I shall, probably lodge in that Town on ^ Mrs. George Washington’s granddaughter, whose marriage with the General’s nephew, Lawrence Lewis (his only sister’s son), 22 Feb. 1799, made the romance of Washington’s last years. Washington (who adopted her on her father’s death, when she was a child) was much attached to her. 256 GEORGE WASHINGTON thursday Mght ; — which is the Night the Mail of that day from Alexandria reaches that place/ — CYIII. Philadelphia 5*^ SepP 1796. Mr. Pearce, Your letter of the 31®*^ of Aug^ from Chester Town, came duly to hand ; but as you did not acknowledge the receipt of the one I wrote you from hence, this day week, I presume it had not got to hand ; — Owing, I conceive to a misapprehension of mine as to the time of closing the Mail for the Eastern shore which I find is an hour and an half earlier than those which go Southerly or Easterly. — 1 put my letter under cover to the Postmaster in Chester Town with a request to forward it to Mount Yernon if you should have left that place. — As you appear (by your letter above mentioned) to have attended to most of the matters which were recommended in mine, your not receiving it at Chester Town was not very material. — By my letters from Mount Yernon I find the weather up to the date of them has continued extremely wet — of course Seeding must have gone on slowly, if not badly. — 1 On June 26, Washington wrote from Mount Vernon to his nephew, Robert Lewis: “We arrived at this place on Monday last, where it is probable I shall remain till the middle of August, when public business will require my attendance in Philadelphia, until towards the end of September. I shall then return to this place again for Mrs. Washington, with whom, in the latter part of October, I shall make my last journey, to close my public life the 4th of March ; after which no consideration under heaven, that I can foresee, shall again withdraw me from the walks of private life.” “My house, I expect, will be crowded with company all the while we shall be at it, this summer, as the ministers of France, Great Britain, and Portu- gal, in succession, intend to be here — besides other strangers.” (The new French Minister was M. Adet; and the British Minister, Mr. Liston, — the same that stole Arthur Lee’s papers in Berlin during the Revolu- tion.) AXD MOUNT VERNON. 257 Washington Custis^ writes me that Mr. Stuart, at tlie Kiver farm was very ill of a fever, on thursday last. — I hope it will not prove a fatal one, and thereby add to your present diffi- culties in providing good Overseers. — If Scoon is a first rate Overseer, I had rather give him £75 Maryland curr^ than run the risk of getting an indifferent one ; especially if he can bring another whom you hnow to be a good one, along with him ; although the wages of that other should exceed 133J dollars. — I do not know what Violet’s and Cash’s present wages are, I did not care to increase it with them (although the}^ may be industrious men) as they c*^ have no plea to ask higher wages for the year to come, than for the year past. — Men wdio are old, experienced, and of established reputation and skill, have better ground to stand upon, than they. — Washington [Custis] in his letter mentioned further that the Weavil was very much in Stuarts Wheat. — If this is really the case, it is much to be regretted, but there is no other remedy but to get it out as quick as possible ; — and as he has no place to keep it securely in the Chaff, — to grind it up with all the dispatch the Mill is capable. — He said something also about one of the Bolting cloths being out of order, or unfit for use — this will require attention. — Write me by the first Post (fridays) after you get this letter, how every thing is, and going on ; for if I can accomplish the business which bro^ me here, I hope by Wednesday, or thurs- day in next week, to leave this, on my return to Mount Ver- non. — I wish you well and am Your friend G® Washington. ^ George Washington Parke Custis, Mrs. Washington’s grandson, adopted by Washington, on the death of his father, John Parke Custis, in 1781. Washington Custis (1781-1857) wrote “Recollections and Private Memoirs of Washington.” He married Mary Lee Fitzhugh of Chatham, Stafford Co., near Fredericksburg and these were the grandparents of Gen. Robert E. Lee. 17 258 GEORGE WASHINGTON CIX. Philadelphia 11*^ Sep. 1796. Mr. Pearce, Pour letter of the 4^^ inst*^ came to my hands yesterday, and the one you wrote me from Chester Town has also been received. — My last would have informed you of the reason, which, probably, prevented your receiving a former one at that place, but which I expect has got to hand ere this ; as the Postmaster was requested, in case you had left it, to send it by the Mail to Alexandria. As your letter says very little with respect to the situation of Matters on the Farms, I have the less to say in answer to it. — But wish that the Wheat may be sown as soon as pos- sible ; — but not faster than the ground can be put in good Order for its reception ; especially for that which was sent by Mr. Lewis. — Having made no mention of Stuart, I hope he has got well again ; from the Tenor of Washington’s letter, I began to ap- prehend he was in danger. — As you have said nothing con- cerning the Fly, in your stacks, I hope his account in this respect also was more the effect of his fears, than of accurate examination ; but let it be closely attended to ; — for neither interest nor policy will suffer a Crop made, to be lost, in order to prepare for another which a thousand accidents may destroy before it gets into the Barn : and when, possibly, and even probably, the price may be lower than it is at present by 50 p^ C^. — This, supposing no danger from the fly, is a strong ’ reason for grinding up — and selling the flour before the Market is glutted with this article, from Wheat of this years growth. — Do not let the proper Season escape you, for sowing the Winter Yetch — I should conceive it ought not to be much longer delayed. — But among the Books you have, of mine, it AND MOUNT VERNON. 259 is probable the precise time, and quantity of Seed to the Acre, may be mentioned. — Let these be attended to ; — and unless the directions are given in some authors of modern date, be more sparing of your seed than is mentioned by them.' — I recollect a year or two ago to have sent some rape Seed to Mount Yernon, but do not recollect what has been the result of it : — but particular care ought always to be paid to these kind of Seeds as they are, generally, given to me, because they are valuable — rare, — or curious. — I hope you have received favorable answers from the per- sons you were in treaty with on the Eastern Shore. — It is very interesting to me, at all times, to have good Overseers ; but may be particular so next year. — Did you receive any benefit from DocU Perkins’s Metallic application. — which, possibly ought to be repeated and continued for some time. — I wish you well and am Your friend Washington. CX. Federal City, 26*^^ Oct. 1796. Mr. Pearce, Cyrus was obliged to come on to this place, in order to take the horses back, which Mr. Frestal and Mr. Lafayette'' rode, which is the cause of his delay. — Mrs. Washington desires me to inform you that there was some Butter left in the Cellar, and some Beef in a Tub which (after supplying James) may be applied to any uses you think proper. — ’ Appendix L. - Son of tlie Marquis, Mr. Frestal being his tutor. On his father’s impris- onment at Olmiitz young Lafayette came to America and sought Washing- ton’s protection. In view of the excitement of the anti-French party, Washington confided the youth to his friend. Colonel Hamilton, for a time ; but he passed a year or two under Washington’s roof in Philadelphia and Mount Yernon. 260 GEORGE WASHINGTON Let my Study be cleaned out, and the Room afterwards locked up. — Do not miss the opportunity of getting our Bag- gage, and James, round by the first Yessel to Philad^ — taking a Bill of Lading for the several parcels, and sending it in a letter, that we may know when we get them All. — When your family quit the house they are now in, and you remove to the Mansion, let Dinah and the other girl join the Mansion house people and Mrs. Washington may, afterwards chuse either for a Washer woman. — Have the Earth removed from the stone quarry where I showed you — that Mr. Blagden may be able to examine it when he calls there. — Let all the Saddles and Bridles that I have left at home be cleaned and locked up — or they will be hacked about, injured, and perhaps lost. — The Mules for my , Carriage — the two Colts from the Chariot Mares — and the one from the Augusta Mare must be well kept and attended to, till I come home. — I shall wudte you more fully as soon as I get to Philadelphia in the mean- while I remain your friend &c® G® Washington. CXI. Philadelphia Nov'' 1796. Mk. Pearce, Your letter of the 6^^ was received (with the Reports) on Saturday ; — but I do not clearly understand by it, whether James Wilkes re embarked with, or without a bed, — or is yet at Mount Yernon. — If the latter, he had better (if his health is sufficiently restored) offer himself to Mr. Law^ as A Coachman ; for before he could get here, and be well settled, I shall be making my arrangements to return to Yirginia ; An English gentleman, who married Elizabeth Parke Custis. {Ante.) AND MOUNT VERNON. 261 when I shall have no further occasion for hired Servants, un- less to carry me there. — I am extremely sorry that Mr. Alex** Smith will not be able to take up his note when it becomes due. — I wish that may be the worst of it, notwithstanding the Language he makes his Book of Accounts speak. — However dangerous and incon- venient it is to me, to lye out of the money (for the reasons which were given to you in my last letter or Memorandum) — I have informed him in a note of this date, that I should di- rect you to make an estimate of the several sums which were wanting to pay of[f] every farthing that is due from me, be- fore you go (which is my earnest desire) and that if he will give you unequivocal surety of paying you the aggregate amount of them, on, or before the 24^^ day of December, I would (however inconvenient it was to me) wait until the first day of March next for the balance ; — Provided he would give indubitable security for the payment of both sums at the times above mentioned, with interest thereon, from the time his note becomes due. — You will perceive I lay a stress upon the goodness of the Security, and the surety of payments. — I do it, because I know speculators (without meaning to apply the term to Mr. Smith, whose pursuits I am unacquainted with) may be men one day, and mice the next. — If he is a responsible character he can find no difficulty in giving the security required. — If he is not, the sooner I take effectual means to secure the debt, the less risk I run of loosing it. — I hope Bichmond was made an example of, for the Rob- bery he committed on Wilkes Saddle bags. — I wish he may not have been put upon it by his father (although I never had any suspicion of the honesty of the latter) for the purpose perhaps of a journey together. — This will make a watch, with- out its being suspected by, or intimated to them, necessary ; nor w^^ I have these suspicions communicated to any other lest it should produce more harm than good. 262 GEORGE WASHINGTON The drought here, is also very severe. — It is unlucky that I cannot get my Wheat ground into flour, on acc^ of the sale of it, and the fly also ; — but the latter, I hope, is not very bad, or you would have mentioned it, that I might decide whether to await the operation of the Mill, or sell the grain unground, if it should appear to be in much danger. — Did you get the Quarter at River farm removed without much difliculty, or injury? — and is it now, or soon will be, comfortable to its inhabitants? — Let that at Muddy-hole be made tight, if by patchwork only, as I am unwilling the people should suffer. — As I wish to have Venetian blinds for all the Windows in the West front of the Mansion house — on the outside — I re- quest you will give me the dimensions of the window frames, above and below ; — and though R’eal is not a competent judge of the manner of hanging them, — or precisely where the hooks should be drove, on which the Venetian Shutters are to be hung — yet understanding that these hooks are to go as far back as there is solid wood to drive them into (the shutters being double, and coming together as they do at tlie front or West door.) he cannot be much at a loss to give the wddth, and height, of those in the flrst and second stories ; — allowing them to cover as much of the frame on both sides, and at top, as the Mouldings will permit : — into which the hooks, on which the shutters hang, might be drove, if there be solid wood to receive them (for this is all important, other- wise the hooks would get loose, and be a constant plague) ; — the Shutters, or blinds would, in that case, go from moulding to moulding at the sides and at top. — The shutters which are now to the lower Windows will be to be taken away alto- gether. as two sets cannot be on the outside ; and there is no place for them within. — I wish you well and am Your friend G® Washington. AND MOUNT VERNON. 263 P. S. If Mr. Smith cannot give unquestionable Personal security and has real property (unincumbered and) adequate thereto, you had better have me secured that way, and in time. — I pay but little regard to fair promises ; — as I know that distressing times are coming upon the Merch*^^ for their Speculate. CXII. Philadelphia 20*^^ Kov’^ 1796. Me. Peaece, Your letter of the 13*^ ins*, and the Reports of the pre- ceeding week, were received yesterday. — I am sorry to hear that the growing Wheat is suffering for want of Rain — but hope you had some on Tuesday last (three days subsequent to the date of your letter). — If the fact how- ever is otherwise, let the ground in which the Egyptian Wheat was deposited, be watered, and continued to be so until the Rains fall. — I have no doubt but that the Causey through the Swamp would prove a pretty heavy job to execute the work in the manner I proposed ; — but when so done — I shall have no plague with it thereafter ; — and the other part will be much less tedious and laborious. — To form a judgment however of this matter, when the Causey is completed, work onwards to- wards the Mansion until you cross (or rather come to) the in- tended road leading from Muddy hole Barn. — Working thus far — as it will pass through as grubby ground as any there is in the whole road, you will be able to form a judgment of the time necessary for the completion of the whole ; — and be- sides, after this junction is formed, there can be no mistake afterwards. — Let Davy know, and Mr. AndersoiL also, that wliere the Road turns on the top of the Hill (South of the ' James Anderson succeeded Pearce as Superintendent at Mount Vernon. 264 GEORGE WASHINGTON Causey) the fence is to turn also ; and run with the road until it strikes the line of the other fence, in which the Gate stands ; — which fence is to be continued streight until the two meet, by the side of the Road. — I expected the line of the Road, when extended back to the River, would have struck it nearer to Hell hole, by several hundred yards, than where Cupids house stood. — What sort of ground does it go over ? — and, if you can form a judgment from your present view of it, would the River, or vessels passing thereon be seen in travelling along it from the Causey to the White Gates ? — I had no idea that Oznabrigs was scarce in Alexandria after the great Importations we had heard of ; — or that the price c^^ have been so high. — I will make enquiry into these matters here, and inform you of the result in my next ; — as I shall also do ab*' Paints and Oil ; — but when you spoke of White Lead ground in Oil being 24/. Reg, you ought to have men- tioned what the Reg contained, as they are of various sizes from 25. to 100 lbs weight. — As Mr. Lear is very frequently at his farm, I wish you would consult him with respect to Mr. Alex^ Smiths circum- stances ; and the best mode of having the sum he owes me, and the payments, according to my last to you, jperfectly se- cured. — I can run no risks in this matter; — the sum is too large to be trifled with ; — and I am not one of those who place implicit confldence in strong assurances, or in outward appearances, unless they are corroborated by corresponding actions. — You might, at the same time, advise with him on the prices of Oznabrigs — Paints — Oil — Rails Ac^ that I may decide in time whether to provide them here — or in that quarter. I presume Mrs. Washington’s Bed Chamber is the same pitch of the other rooms on that floor — but that I may be certain of it, I wish you would measure the height from the floor to the ceiling, and inform me thereof. — I request also AND MOUNT VERNON. 265 that you let me know the exact widtli, and height (in front of the fire place) of the Chimney in the Xew di^-Koom, that, if I should want to get a stopper (or chimney board) for it, as in some of the other rooms, I may be at no loss to fit one to it. — And with respect to the Cellar windows at the South end of the Mansion house, I did not, in my former re- quest, describe, clearly, what I wanted — which was, to know how far it was from the top of the frame which is about the level of the brick pavement and projecting into it without, to the top — or within an inch of the top of the window frame. — This, and not the whole size of the frame, I wish now to know. (Is the width, and ^1-^2 height of the Cellar windows in front — the dimensions of the frame from out to out of it — or from in, to in ? — Are the Stone Cills, at bottom of these window frames, wider than the wood frames thereon ? — And how much ?) Order Peter to take good care of the three young (as well as the three covering) Jacks this Winter ; and to feed them in such a manner as to keep them in very thriving order, that I may turn them to a good Account hereafter. — I am Yom’ friend Washington. P. S. Let me know the size of the blue Parlour — that is the length and breadth of it — and how far it is from the hearth on each side to the sides of the Poom that the size of the hearth may be taken out — the Carpet as it now is with the [torn] . The dimensions of the 4 sides must be sent also. CXIII. Philadelphia 27^^ Xov”^ 1796. Mr. Pearce, Your letter of the 17^^ under cover from Mr. Lear came duly to hand, as did the Weekly reports of the yester- day.— 266 GEORGE WASHINGTON I am disposed to let Mr. Smiths debt stand upon the security you have placed it — unless before the 24:*^^ of next month any circumstances should occur to render other meas- ures necessary — or, on that day he should be unprepared to make payment and require further indulgence. — In either of these cases, it is my desire that you will consult with Mr. Lear and pursue effectual measures by requiring additional personal, or real Security, or both, to place my debt out of danger. — As you mentioned nothing relative to the Farms in your last letter I have nothing to add in this but to request infor- mation, and answers to the queries contained in my last let- ters — and a wish, to know how the Winter grain and Yetches look, and How your Wheat and Corn is likely to yield. — I am Your friend Washington. P. S. In one of your letters, you mentioned, that you had recov- ered eleven dollars of Ja® Kirks money, but do not say whether it was returned to him or not. — If it was not, give me credit for it, as he will be paid here. — CXIY. Philadelphia Dec’' 1796. Mr. Pearce, Getting no letter from you by the Post of yesterday — nor receiving any account from home, leads me to conclude that something more than common has happened, as your last letter is dated the 17^^ of Kovember. — Hearing nothing of the state, in which my business is, for so long a time, — especially too as the weather, for the Season, has been severe — I have but little to found my letter upon at this time. — Enclosed you have a bill of lading, and Invoice of Goods shipped on board of CapP Ellwood, on my account. — Let the Oil and paint be put into some secure Cellar, there to remain AXD MOTOT YERXON. 267 until I come home ; — and such of the Oznabrigs as is neces- sary for cloathing the people (most 'wanting) to be cut out and made up as fast as circumstances will permit. — In doing this, I beg every care and attention may be used to prevent waste or embezzlement in the Act of cutting out ; — and by taking a list, to be left, of all who are served ; — otherwise the same persons, if they thought they could succeed, would apply over and over as:ain. — Give out but one roll of Oznabrigs at a time, and see how that is cut, — worked up, — and disposed of, before another piece is delivered. — How far the Gardeners wife, or Allisons wife is to be depended upon in a business of this sort, I know not ; — but this I know, it is as little as either of them can do for the inconvenience I sustain by their living there, and the attendance they receive from my People. — The enclosed letter to the Gardener, relative to the planting of shrubs, seal and deliver to him after you have read it ; — and if such freezing weather should arrive, before your de- parture, as I have described, give him all the assistance you can to improve it ; and in case it does not, let Mr. Anderson know what my wishes are respecting this matter. — I repeat to you my solicitude to have the Ice house prepared for, and yjell filled, and rammed, when Ice is formed. — It will be of immense importance to me when I get home. I hope Frank has taken particular care of the Tarriers. — I directed him to observe when the female was getting into heat, and let her be immediately shut up; and no other than the male Tarrier get to her. — I wish you well, and am Your friend ^ G° Washes GTOx. CXY. Philadelphia Dec’' 1796. Mr. Pearce, Since my last to you was dispatched, I have received your letters of the 30th of Xov’' and insb — 268 GEORGE WASHINGTON I am sorry to hear that your Wheat begins to heat. — If it does this in a degree to do it much injury, it ought to be dis- posed of for the best price you can get ; — but otherwise, as I have waited so long to grind it, and shall have occasion for the Bran, I had rather Manufacture it myself. — It is a matter of astonishment to me, that the lower floor of the Barn at Dogue-Bun has given way so soon. — How it was laid at .flrst, being from home, I know not ; — but if it had been extended according to my directions, and the end of the sleepers, by the tenons had rested on a Wall, it could not have given way until the Sleepers themselves had failed. — As the case is, I must endeavour, after I come home, to make the floor without the circle, of some well tempered earth, or com position, to guard against the expence of such frequent de- cays. — In the meantime, the best shift that can, must be made. — I must remind you of having the Fork killed and salted before you go away ; — and above all things attend to the Ice house, as it is of serious importance on account of fresh meat next summer, that it should be fllled. Kot perceiving by the weekly rep*^, that any of the Trees at the Mansion house have been taken up, or trimmed ; and as little, if anything, can be done at it now, give Mr. Ander- son all the information you can relative to this business ; and turn the string of Memorandums (which I sent to you some- time ago) over to him. Belying on Mr. Smiths making you the flrst payment (on the ins^) according to promise, I request again, that no demand against me may be left unpaid ; — among these pay Gray the Weaver ; — and let all that is owing to me, be re- duced to promissary notes. — I hope all the Shelters for the Cattle are up, that they may be secure from Snows, Bain and cold weather ; for it is al- ways observable, that if they suffer in the early part of the AVinter, they rarely get perfectly recovered of it. — AND MOUNT VERNON. 269 Mr. Craik informs me that Clark (I think his name is) whom you recommended to him, has been very sick, but, not- withstanding, has given evident demonstrations of his fitness as an overlooker. — I wish you would make it a point to see Clark, and fix him to me, as agreed, for the next year ; — otherwise I may have more difficulty in doing it, than at the present time ; from causes which you will be at no loss to conjecture. — It was extremely unlucky, after waiting so long to get an answer from the Eastern Shore, that I had not waited a few days longer — until Clark arrived — Pray did you see the person on the Eastern shore, when last there, from whom you had been expecting to hear ? — and what excuse did he make for not fulfilling his promise of writing to you ? — In my next letter, I will send you a certificate of my satis- faction in your Services as a Manager. — I would have done it now, but am hurried, and it will be in time then. — I am Y’' friend and well wisher Washington. CXYI. Philadelphia 18^^ Dec*^ 1796. Mr. Pearce, Your letter of the IP^, with the enclosures, came to my hands yesterday ; and I am sorry to find by it that so late as that, you were still without rain. I hope what has fallen to-day, will have extended to you: — here it has rained the whole day without ceasing. — I do not know whether I understand Mr. Alex*^ Smiths proposition, with respect to putting the note for 4839 dollars in the Bank, to be discounted at the end of Sixty days; making the Bank (instead of himself and securities) liable therefor. — If he means, that at the end of the Sixty days, I am to receive that sum from the Bank without interest 270 GEORGE WASHINGTON thereon for that time, 1 shall not accept the offer ; because there is neither reason nor justice why I should suffer that loss for my indulgence to him ; — but on the other hand, if at the end of 60 days, it is to be paid at the Bank with interest, in the same manner that it would be paid by him, I should suppose it ought to be preferred : — however, as I know very little of Bank transactions, but believe that money matters stand rather on ticklish ground, 1 would (if you have an opportunity) have you consult Mr. Lear, and be governed by his advice in this business. — If you have not that oppor- tunity, act for me in the case, as you would for yourself, and I shall be satisfied therewith.- — I will not have the ground, in which I directed Ivy and the wild honey suckle to be planted, plowed beforehand. — I7or can I find what it is the Gardener means by saying he has as mucli to do between this and Christmas as he is able to accomplish, when one of his own hands (according to his report) is at work with the House gang, and might be re- called, — besides which he has been authorised to employ Frank, Hercules and Cyrus — nay, even to call for more aid if necessary. — If he won’t do it, or makes any delay, or difii- culty in doing it, desire him to give up my letter of directions; and order Allison to set about the work agreeably thereto. — If the ground is as hard frozen as I presume it is, there being no Snow on it, he has missed the most favourable opportunity of taking the Plants up, with frozen earth to their roots, that ever occurred, or may occur again in seven years. — And I suppose, after plowing the ground up, would give me a naked furrough to look at all next spring and summer, instead of a Plantation of fiowering Shrubs. — I am much displeased at his conduct. — It would give me gi*eat pleasure to have the Hew road compleated, or in a state of forwardness, this Winter and Spring ; — but I would not have this attempted at the expence of more important concerns. — you have crossed the road AND MOUNT VERNON. 271 leading into Muddy-hole farm, let the Koad from thence in a line as marked he opened into it — 16J feet wide on each side of the stakes, which were set'np. — I am sorry to hear that Mr. Xeal continues so much indis- posed, for my Carpenters really appear to me to do nothing ; — and there is Sail who was constantly at work when we were at home, is now regularly returned sick six days in the Week ; — and Mima, Dick, and some others, nearly as bad. — I had a letter from Mr. Anderson by the last Post, who in- forms me that it was not in his power to leave the concern he was engaged in at the time I wished him to be at Mount Yernon ; — but that he certainly would be there by the 27^^^ or 28^^ of this month, if he was alive and well. — I wish it may be convenient for you to stay a few days after he comes to give him a thorough insight into the business, and then transfer the directions I have given concerning it to him. — Shall I not want Clover, and other Grass seeds for the next year ? — and how much ? — As these things can neither be pro- cured, or sent at all times, they slP be noticed in season. — I wish you well and am Your friend G® Washington. P. S. What has Frank, Hercules and Cyrus been employed in. — Ho mention is made of any work performed by them in the Gardeners or other Peports. CXYII. [Certificate] Mr. William Pearce having Superintended the Farms, and other business appertaining to my estate of Mount Yernon, during my absence as President of the United States for the last three years (ending the 31st of the present month) — It is 272 GEORGE WASHINGTON due to him to declare, and I certify it accordingly, that his conduct during that period has given me entire satisfaction ; and that I part with him reluctantly, at his own request, on account of a Rheumatic affection which he thinks would pre- vent him from giving that attention to my business which from laudable motives he conceives would he necessary. His industry and zeal to serve me, during the period above mentioned have been conspicuous on all occasions. — His knowledge in Farming, and mode of managing my business in all its relations, have been highly satisfactory to me. — and I have every reason to believe that his conduct in paying and receiving money has been strictly regular and just. — In a word, I have had great confidence in his honesty, sobriety, in- dustry and skill ; and, consequentl}^ part with him with regret. Given under my hand at Philadelphia this 18*^ day of December 1796.^ G° Washington. CXYHI. Mount Yernon, July 1797. Mr. Pearce. Sir, My Overseers at Hnion and Dogue-run Farms are endeav- ouring to play the same game they did last year — that is — to raise their wages ; but as I am fully resolved not to do it (especially as the price of produce is reduced a hundred p^ C^) I am induced to ask you — as Clark who engaged with Mr. Craik is dead, and expectation from that quarter is at an end — if you could recommend a person whom you know would suit me, for Hnion farm ? It is not impossible but that I may reduce the hands at Union farm and place it and Dogue-run Farm under the same Overlooker : — but even in this case, I will not give more than ^Appendix M. AND MOUNT VERNON. 273 Sixty pounds wages, with the Usual allowances of Provis- ions. — I shall insist upon a Dairies being attended to by the Over- seers wife, and that Fowls shall be raised for my Table ; — and that nothing shall be sold from the Farms for their benefit ; as the wages, with the allowances of Provisions, is all the man and his wife have to expect. — I would thank you for acknowledging the receipt of this letter by the Post, as soon as it gets to hand, that I may be certain of its safe arrival : — and as soon after as possible, let me know (without absolutely engaging any one) what depend- ence I could place on your getting a good man ; with, or with- out a wife, but not too large a family. — It is necessary I should hear from you soon on this subject, as some are offer- ing, and the season for engaging good Overseers is at hand. — I hope to hear your health is restored to you, and that your crops have been, and are likely to be, good. — My Crop of Wheat is as good as I had any reason to expect ; but the Hes- sian fly began just before harvest to cut it down. — Next year I expect their attack will be formidable and severe. — Could there be any dependance on purchasing three or 4 hundred bushels of Eye in your Neighbourhood, and at what price ? — I wish you and family well and am your friend and H'^^® Servant Washington. P. S. The drought is, and has been extremely severe upon us : — Corn not half leg high ; what will be the consequence I know not. CXIX. Mount Yernon 14^^ Aug^ 1797. Mr. Pearce. Sir, Your letter of the 24*^ of July has been received, and I thank you for your ready compliance with my request ; but 274 GEORGE WASHINGTON recollecting how 1 was served last year, I must remind you, that the season will not allow me to wait long for your decis- ive answer — especially too, as persons are now applying in this quarter. — I must repeat in this, what I said, or meant to say in my last — that is — that I do not wish you to enter into any engage- ment that will be binding on me ; — but to make enquiry for such an Overseer as you know would suit me ; — know precise- ly the lowest terms on which he could be obtained for Union Farm ; — and give me as speedy notice thereof as is in your power. — Mr. Anderson seems to think that one man may Overlook both Union and Dogue-run Farms for the wages of Sixty pounds, but whether this would be more eligable than two at about £70 or £75 between them is questionably, as there are few Negros who will work unless there be a con- stant eye on them — or who will not slight it if there is not this eye. — The fallow fields at Union and Dogue-run farms looked well at Harvest ; and I believe will yield well, but the Hes- sian fly had made an attack upon the latter which had injured it in some degree. — Next year I expect this attack will be much more formidable, which is one reason why I propose to encrease my seeding with Hye, considerably this Fall. — I per- ceived no difference between the French plowed part and the parts adjoining from hence the inference is that it was attend- ed with no advantage ; in the last Crop at least. — We have been as wet latterly as we were dry before; which, to me, has produced both good and evil. — My Corn is much amended by it, but my Hay ruined ; and I have had Wheat injured in the Stack. — I am glad to hear that your Crop has, and promises to be, tolerable good. — But am sorry that your own, and daughter Nancy’s indispositions con- tinue. — A small bag of Rye-grass seeds came here without any letter. — We guessed from whence it came, but was not cer- AND MOUNT VERNON. 275 tain until some time after, when your letter announced it. — For sending it I thank you, and if several bushels of the Seed could be purchased and sent to me, I would with pleasure pay the cost to your order. — Mrs. Washington and the rest of the family are as usuaP — and I am your friend and Servant G® Washington. cxx. Mount Vernon 6^^ May 1798. Mr. Pearce, A few days ago the enclosed a/c was sent in, and others of a similar nature have also been presented. — To guard against these after claps was the reason why I urged you with so much earnestness to leave no accounts unpaid, of your own con- tracting. — Why The balance, if just, was left unpaid, when you had money to go to, at pleasure, or why it was referred to Mr. Lear to pay, T am unable to say. — Some accounts which have been presented, I have caused to be proved ; — but in the case of Mess”^® Fosters & May, they have been informed that the account should be transmitted to you for explanation. — I request therefore you would let me know whether the Bal- ance claimed by them is really due — In short, be kind enough to give me such information concerning it as you are possessed of, that the matter may be settled with those Gentlemen ; and with it, return their Account. In cradling my Wheat the coming Harvest I wish to catch it in the hand, in the manner practised on the Eastern Shore and other places ; but as none of my People have been in the habit of cutting in this way, they might need an Instructor. — Would it be in your power to engage a person who under- stands this business perfectly^ and fixing the Cradles, to be ’ Appendix N. 276 GEORGE WASHINGTON here by the 25*^^ June — to be paid by the day while here, and for coming and returning — and his reasonable travelling ex- pences ? — At any rate I pray you to let me know, and as soon as you conveniently can, if I might depend upon it. — Inform me at the same time, if you please, whether the Cradles and Scythes differ in any respect from those which you know I use — and if they do, to inform me in what the difference consists, that I may be preparing against Harvest. — The Scythe, I presume must be the same, but the fixing of it to the sneed may differ ; — and the Cradle may vary from the usual Kind, by having more, or less fingers — more or less coming — &c^. — All of which can readily be described in a letter, by a person well acquainted with the two sorts, so as to enable me with the assistance of Mr. Stuart, who you know is, from his own account, acquainted with all things to go on in this mode even if you sh*^ not be able to procure me a very skilful hand (for none other I would have sent). — I remain Your friend and Servant G® Washington. CXXI. Washington Ocfi^ 24^^ 1795. Mr. Willia^i Pearce — Dear Sir, This will be handed to you by Mr. Philips, a gentleman from England, who is travelling in this part of the Country, and is desireous of Seeing the Seat at Mount Yernon. — You will be so good as to shew him attentions and civilities and Oblige Your most Obed^ Serv^ Tobias Lear. AND MOUNT VERNON. CXXII. Alex^ Xov'^ 11. 1796. Mr. Peirce Dear Sir Permit me to introduce to your acquaintance Mr. Ja: Potts a Gentleman lately from England, who being on his way to Fredericksburgh, and having heard much of the Seat of the President, impelled by the curiosity so natural to Strangers in the neighbourhood of Mount Yernon to visit the residence of the Man whose Fame all Europe Ac- knowledge — will take Mount Yernon in his way — any civilities shown him or his Friend a Mr. Millburn who will accompany him — will not only be pleasing to them, but particularly ac- knowledged by Your Humble Serv^ Tho® Patten. CXXIII. Articles of Agreement entered into between George Wash- ington of Mount Yernon in Yirginia, at present President of the United States and residing in Philadelphia of the one part, and of the County of Westmoreland and State aforesaid House Carpenter and Joiner of the other part. Witness that the said for the wages and other considerations hereafter mentioned, doth oblige himself and four Xegro Carpenters belonging to him, who he engages to be good workmen, to wit, to serve the said George Washington one year from the time they shall enter upon the execution of their duties at Mount Yer- non (which he promises shall be on or before the day of next ensuing. — During which time he, and tliey, will conduct themselves soberly, honestly and diligently in what- ever business (in the line of their profession) they shall be employed in. — That he will besides attending to his own, 278 GEORGE WASHINGTON superintend all such Kegro Carpenters belonging to the said George Washington as shall be placed under his care and direction ; and to the utmost of his skill and industry, so order and contrive the work for the whole, or any part thereof, as to carry it on to the best advantage and with the greatest facility. — That he will be particularly attentive as well to the conduct of his own as to such other Carpenters as may be en- trusted to him, suffering no idleness when they are in health, nor no neglect of them when sick. — That he will cause proper care to be taken of the Tools, and see them forthcoming when- ever called for ; or a satisfactory account rendered of them if they are not. — That he will enter in a book to be kept for that purpose an acc^ of all the Work which has been done by himself and the Carpenters over whom he is placed, and re- port the same weekly. — That he will never be away from his people when they are at work and he is in health ; nor be ab- sent from his duty without permission from the said George W ashington or his Manager ; but on the contrary, by close attention, and an industrious conduct, will set an example to them worthy of imitation. — And Whereas it too often hap- pens that men (regardless of their engagements and of course their reputation) when working on standing wages are apt to be idle, careless and indifferent to the interest of their Em- ployers, thereby setting the reverse of good examples, it is hereby clearly understood and expressly agreed to by the said that he will be at his business as soon as it is light, and remain thereat until dark, when he is in health ; and when not employed in laying out, or marking off work for others, that he will labour as faithfully, and as effectually as any hand under him ; as well for the purpose of fulfilling this agreement as for the good example he would set by so doing to those who are under his care, and who are not so ignorant (knowing this is required of him) as not to relax as he relaxes, and be idle in proportion as he is idle ; because all of them have discernment enough to know that no man can, with pro- AND MOUNT VERNON. 279 priet}% or a good conscience, correct others for a fault he is guilty of himself the consequence of which is, that indo- lence and sloth take possession of the whole. — Lastly^ the said doth hereby oblige himself, during the term aforesaid, to conform to all orders and directions in the line of his business, or in any other that is reasonable (his time being paid for by the said George W ashington) which he the said George Washington, or person having the general Super- intendency of his business, shall require. In consideration of these Services well and truly performed on the part of the said and his four Kegro Carpenters before named, the said George Washington doth hereby oblige himself to pay the said the sum of ten pounds p’^ Kalender month — estimating dollars at Six shillings and other gold and silver at that rate ; for the hire of the said and the four [N’egro Carpenters before mentioned ; and in that proportion in case any of them should be unable to come, or die in the service after they have entered upon it. — The said George Washington doth moreover agree to furnish the said and his four Negro Carpenters with provisions ; himself with lbs. of Porke or Beef, and bushels of Indian Meal or midling flour equivalent in value, thereto ; and his Negros with the same provisions in quantity and qualit}^ as his own Negro Carpenters are allowed — And will provide the whole with Tools, and pay their taxes. — He also agrees to furnish the said with a house to live in, or if this cannot be done in time, conveniently, then, and in that case, a room seperate and distinct from any other person or persons. — But the said is to provide his own bed and necessaries ; as also such kind of bedding as he chuses to allow his own Negros. — For the true and faithful performance of this agreement, the parties do bind them- selves each to the other in the sum of pounds this day of 1793. G® Washington. Test, for G° Washington B^ Dandredge. 280 GEORGE WASHINGTON CXXIV. Calculation of the nmnber of Bricks wanting for the Barn at Riv^ farm. From the foundation (which ought to be below the penetration of frost) to the Sleepers, suppose 3 feet ; — this of a 2^ brick wall, would require ab^ 30 bricks to the foot, and the 2 sides and 2 ends making together 180 feet running meas- ure, will take ' Bricks. ^16,200 From the Sleepers, or water table, to the top of the wall — 16 feet high, and 2 brick thick, will re- quire at the rate of 24 to foot -69,120 The two inner walls of the sheds from the barn (in- tended for Stables) being 30 feet each, and 2 brick thick to the water table, of the Barn — say 3 feet high — requires 1 K,320 From hence to the top of the wall 16 feet, a brick and half thick — Twice 30 feet 17,280 Two outer walls of d® 60 feet long each and If brick thick ; and within, and out of the gr'^ 10 feet high ; will require -21,600 The 4 ends of the sheds 12 feet each makes 48 feet — the medium height of w®^ will be about 15 feet and these of a brick and half will need .... -11,460 Total 139,980 Lane between the lots and number AND MOUNT VERNON. 281 Part of number 5. 282 GEORGE WASHINGTON cxxv. Rotation of Crops for Dogue Run Farm. First Corn and Potatoes in alternate Rows — to be laid down in Wheat — with Clover sown therein at the breaking np of the Frost. — Second . . . Wheat — and Clover. Third. . . .Clover. fourth.. . .Clover — but to be sown in the Fall with Wheat on a single plowing. Fifth . . . .Wheat — and Buck Wheat on the Stubble as soon as the Wheat comes off. — Sixth .... Oats. — Seventh. .Pasture to Pen on — and to receive all the Manure which can be procured — for the purpose of again beginning with. Corn and so on as above. — Rotation for the other Farms. 1®^ Corn and Potatoes (if to be had) as above to be laid down with Wheat. 2"^ Wheat. 3^ Buck Wheat to be plowed in for Manure and Wheat sowed thereon in the Fall. ^th "VVheat. 5^^ Half in Oats and half in B : Wheat. 6^^ Pasture. 7^^ Ditto — to be penned on and manured as above. AND MOUNT VERNON. 288 CXXYI. Xorth side of the Road cleared formerly 43 — 3 — 4 S®of the Road 17 — 0 — 19 Cleared last WinU 21 — 2 — 3 82—1—26 » Within Corn field. . . . .' 22 — 3 — 19 Total — M : House 105 — 1 — 5 CXXYII. Terms on which the Farms at Mount Vernon may he obtained. There not being much difference in the quality of the soil of River, Union, and Dogue-run farms, the rent of each, by the acre, will be the same. The soil of River farm has, gen- erally, been most productive ; but not having the meadow grounds of the other two,*it will hardly be esteemed more valuable, or more profitable in future. The rent of these three farms (in which the meadow grounds at the two latter will be blended with the arable) is a bushel and an half of Wheat for each acre contained within the limits of the present fencing, or on failure of that Crop an equivalent in Cash at the Market price of the article : — the bounds of which shall be correctly described in the Leases, and the quantity precisely ascertained by accurate resurveys, for the purpose of rectifying former errors, if any have been committed, — or alterations, if any have been occasioned by the removal of fences, since the fields were first established. (The reasons why I fix the rent in Wheat are, V because it is the staple produce of the part of the country in which the Estate lies. 2*^ because it is convenient to the Tenant, and 284 GEORGE WASHINGTON equitable for both him and the Landlord; there being no more trouble or expense in raising this article when it bears a high, than when it is at a low price : — consequently as it now is, and probably will continue to be a regulating standard for the price of other articles foreign and domestic, the Kent thus established will keep pace therewith. Whereas was it fixed in money, the depreciation in that, and progressive rise in other things might render a good rent now a mere nominal one fourteen years hence. To fix the rent in wheat now when it bears so high a price, may be thouglit extravagant; but no person of information can, or does suppose otherwise, than that the price of this article will be reduced to its old or progressive price so soon as the wars in Europe cease and tranquillity is again restored. It is to be understood, that the rent when paid in wheat, is to be delivered on or before the first of December in every year, to the Collector.) To the two farms which lie on the river, the Fisheries which now are, have been, or again might be used as such, may be annexed ; and may be obtained for the same term of years that the Lease is given for the farm adjoining, and at a reasonable rent ; — or they will be let separately to others, with the priviledge of ingress and regress thro’ the farms. Dogue-run farm will comprehend no part of the Mill meadows, or mill swamp ; nor any gi’ound without the present outer fences of the fields, except the woodland w^^ is, in a manner, encompassed by fields Is® 2. 3. 5 and 7, which if the farm is let in an undivided state, may be enclosed merely for a woodland pasture. In like manner the other farms are to be circumscribed by the outer fences of the respective fields ; and no more land is to be cleared within them, than what is now in use, except by special agreement, and for a certain fixed compensation. — Each farm, whether in its present or divided state, will be supplied with fuel from the woodland ; and with timber for all sorts of farming implements and for fencing, with the AND MOUNT VERNON. 2S5 necessary repairs to it, until hedges can be raised ; a measure which will be insisted upon as far and as soon, as it is reason- ably practicable. Muddy hole farm being more indifferent than either of the other three, will be let for a quarter of a bushel less per acre ; but subject in other respects to the same regulations. — Tobacco will not be allowed to be cultivated for market, on any of the farms ; ^ nor more than a sixth part of the ara- ble Suffered to be in Indian Corn, in any year during the term of the Leases ; and the rotation which is annexed, or some other not more oppressive to the land, will be insisted upon ; as also that Hogs shall not run at large. If the farms are let in their undivided state, no more buildings will be necessary than what are already on the premises : — but if they are divided, houses in proportion to the number, and size of the Lots which will be separated from those which may contain the present buildings, will be required ; tire materials for which must be provided by the tenants themselves, except small aids from the woodland. But as the earth at every farm, and in every part of each farm, is good for brick or mud walls, (the last of which are warm and good when judiciously made) they would be rec- ommended ; especially the former, as infinitely preferable, more durable, requiring less repairs, and very little, if any, dearer than wood buildings, even in their first cost. Leases will be given, conformably to the advertisement in the Gazettes ; namely, for fourteen years, if the farms are undivided ; and for eighteen years, if they are divided, for such lots as will be excluded from the present buildings; ^In 1789 Washington planted 30,000 tobacco plants at Dogue Run farm, but afterwards reached the conclusion that tobacco was injurious to the soil. With reference to the use of tobacco bj Washington personally, an Alex- andria legend says he was once nearly choked by a bit of tobacco, kept in his mouth as he lay down ; but Dr. McGuire says, “ He never used tobacco in any shape, always expressing a great aversion to it.” 286 GEORGE WASHINGTON- with the usual covenants for the security of the rents ; keep- ing the farms in tenantable repairs ; planting fruit trees The Mill, and every thing appertaining to it, is, at the time of letting, to be critically examined, and must be returned in like good order at the expiration of the Lease. The present farms, as has been mentioned before, may be divided into large, or small lots, so as to suit the convenience of those who may incline to associate ; but less than one of the present fields, at any of the farms, except where they are large, ought not to compose a lot ; and to lay them off by fields, would be convenient and desirable, on account of the Ditches, hedges and fences that are now in use. — x\lthongh the admission of slaves with the tenants will not be absolutely prohibited ; it would nevertheless, be a pleasing circumstance to exclude them ; if not entirely, at least in a great degree : — to do which is not among the least induce- ments for dividing the farms into small Lots. — Adjoining to River farm, are grounds which noware a com- mon, between the fences of fields 1. 2 and 3. and the river. These may become part of those Lots at the rent per acre of the other part, whether the farm is divided or not ; making the river, instead of the present fences, the boundary. For every acre contained in the Lease, an apple tree of good grafted fruit is to be planted on the premises, in a reg- ular orchard truly laid out in rows forty feet a part each way. Between which (also in regular order) rows of peach trees will be required. G® Washington. February 1796. AND MOUNT VERNON. 28T CXXVIIL Eotation referred to, for a Farm containing six fields; besides a homestead, or Inclosnre for the Houses, garden, and yards. . . .Indian Corn, with intermediate rows of Potatoes, or any root more certain or useful (if such there be) that will not impede the plough, hoe or harrow in the cultivation of the Corn. 2^ . . . .Wheat, Eye, or Winter Barley at the option of the Tenant — sown as usual when the Corn receives its last working. 3*^ . . . . Buckwheat, Peas, or Pulse ; or Vegetables of any sort, or partly of all ; or any thing else, except grain (that is corn crops) — for which this is preparatory. . . . Oats, or Summer barley, at the discretion of the Ten- ant, with Clover, if and when the ground is in con- dition to bear it. — 5 To remain in Clover for cutting, for feeding, or for both — or if Clover should not be sown — or if sown should not succeed ; — then and in that case tlie field may be filled with any kind of Vetch, pulse or Vegetables. 6 To lie uncultivated in pasture, and for the purpose of manuring, for the same round of crops again. The other fields passing through the same courses will, supposing the rotation to commence in the year 1797, appear in one view by the plan on the other side. A Farm containing 100 acres, gives six fields of 16 acres each ; and leaves 4 acres for the houses, garden and yards. — The following plan shews what crops will be taken from the 288 GEORGE WASHINGTON said farm annually ; and these at a very moderate estimate will produce as follows 16 acres in Indian Corn at 12 busli^® is 192 bush® a 3/. is £28 . 16 Same in Potatoes. . . . .D° .. ..DV... 2/.. 19. 4 16 acres. .Wheat . .10 ...160... 00 16 acres. .Buckwheat . . .10 ...160..., 2/.. 16... 16 acres. .Oats , .15 ...240..., 2/6. 30... 16 acres. .Clover or Yegetables. .uncertain Total, besides Clover or &c®“ £142. 0 Rent of 100 acres at a bushel and a half of Wheat, or a dollar and half acre 45 . 0 Remains for the Tenant 97. 0 ROTATION FOR A FARM OF SIX FIELDS. Number of the Fields. 1797. 1798. 1799.1 1800. 1801. 1802. 1. Corn & Potatoes Wheat Rye &ca Buck- wheat or &c» Oats or barley with Clover Clover or Pulse. Pasture Si Manure- 2. Pasture & Manurs. Corn & Potas Wheat Rye or Sica Buck- wheat or Sica Oats or barley with Clover Clover or Pulse. 3. Clover or Pulse Pasture & Manure Com Si Pota» Wheat Rye or &ca Buck- wheat or Sica Oats or barley with Clover. 4. Oats or barley with Clover. Clover or Pulse Pasture Si Manurs Corn Si Potas Wheat Rye or Sica Buck- wheat or Sica 5. Buck- wheat or &c» Oats or barley with Clover Clover or Pulse Pasture & Manure Com Si Pota* Wheat Rye or Sica 6. Wheat Rye or &c» Buck- wheat or &c» Oats or barley with Clover Clover or Pulse Pasture Si Manure. Com & Pota® 1 Appendix O. AND MOUNT VERNON. 289 In England, where taxes and rents are both high, it is estimated that if every thing which is raised on the farm, will sell for three times the rent, that the farmer is in eligible circumstances. — One- third pays the rent — another third the taxes, and all other incidental expenses of the farm — and the remaining third is applied to whatever purposes the farmer may chuse. — The above principles and proportions, apply equally to large and small farms. — APPENDIX. . A (p. 3). Washington’s earlier managers were his relatives, — Lnnd Washington, George Augustine Washington, Robert Lewis, Howell Lewis, successively. Circumstances having deprived him of their services, — though Robert Lewis continued to be his general agent for collections etc. on his estates in Yir- ginia, — he employed in succession Messrs. Whiting, Pearce and Anderson. It appears also that for a time he employed a Mr. Peake in this capacity. This is mentioned by the Rev. Dr. E. C. McGuire, in his little book on The Religious Opinions and Character of Washington,” published in 1836. Dr. McGuire, for many years rector of St. George’s Church, Fredericksburg, Ya., married Judith, daughter of Robert Lewis, Washington’s nephew and agent, and had good sources of information. The contents of a letter which I have not seen have been reported to me, in which Washing- ton (while President) gives Robert Lewis, when undertaking the management of Mount Yernon, detailed instructions. He is to send in careful and minute weekly reports of every event on the estate, of the smallest incidents, especially re- lating to the negroea^ In the letters he shall receive from Washington, ever}^ question is to be noted for answer and then cancelled with a pencil. The work involved was by no means small and, though liberally paid, it is not wonder- ful that the managers were changed pretty often. The one who served him longest was Lund Washington, concerning whom see Appendix H. 292 APPENDIX. The following letter shows that at one time Washington thought of employing the elder brother of Robert and Howell Lewis. It is probable, however, that the mother of Lawrence could not spare him, for there appears no indication of that young gentleman’s having resided at Mount Yernon until after Washington had retired from the presidency. The letter was written to his relative Col. Burgess Ball, and 1 am indebted for its use to his grandson Capt. George Washington Ball, author of an invaluable monograph on “ The Maternal Ancestry and nearest of kin of Washington.” Philadelphia, Aug. 4th, 1793. Dear Sir, Previously to the receipt of your letter of the 25th ulto, some persons had been mentioned to me as well qualified for the Superintendence of my business at Mount Yernon, and until something is decided with respect to them, (letters hav- ing passed on the subject,) I can say nothing farther with respect to Mr. Lawrence Lewis. So much am I engaged in public business, and so little have I it in my power to visit or attend to my private concerns, that it becomes extremely necessary (besides fidelity) to have an experienced and skilful man of some weight to manage my business — one whose judgment is able to direct him in cases which may arise out of circumstances that can neither be foreseen nor previously guarded against. What the age of Mr. Lawrence Lewis is, what opportunities he may have had to acquire any knowledge in the manage- ment of a farm, what his disposition, whether active or indolent, whether clear in his perceptions and of good judg- ment, whether sober and sedate, or fond of amusements and running about, with other queries which might be asked as well applying to a young man just entering on the career of life, are all matters to which I am an entire stranger, and if you can give me information respecting them, I shall thank you. APPENDIX. 293 You will readily perceive that my sole object in these en- quiries is to ascertain the competency of a character to whom I should commit an important trust. Consequently going no farther can operate nothing to the prejudice of my nephew, whatever in confidence you say to me on the foregoing points and such others as may occur to you. So far as integrity, and I presume sobriety, would qualify him, I should give him my entire confidence ; but though these are very essential, something more, circumstanced as I am, is equally necessary. Was I at home myself, I should prefer a person connected with me, as he is, to a more skilful man that was not, (provided he had no thoughts of soon forming a matrimonial alliance) because he could aid me in attention to company, which I should stand as much in need of as of one to look after my estate, as my disposition would lead me to endulge in retirement whenever I shall quit my public walks. My love to Mrs. Ball and your family, in w’ch Mrs. Washington joins. With sincere regard and friendship, I am y’rs affectionately, G® Washington.” By the favor of Governor Wilson, of West Yirginia, a con- nection of the Washington and Lewis families, I am able to print a characteristic letter from Washington to Howell Lewis, his nephew (see p. 10) while managing Mount Yernon. Germantown, Hov. 3, 1793. Dear Howell, The short time I was with you, and the hurry into which I was thrown by the pressure of many matters, public and private, prevented my mentioning many things which ought to have been communicated to you before I left home; but I shall do it by letter as they may happen to occur to me. I have already told you, that the corn is to be gathered without loss of time as soon as circumstances will permit — 294: APPENDIX. when this is done, let all that is intended for the use of the respective plantations be pat into corn houses by itself ; and the overplus into other Houses. As there is but one corn house at Muddy hill, Davy must put all that grows at that place into it. I hope the quantity will exceed 150 barrels; but if it should fall short of it, that quantity must be made up from the field he tended at Dogue Hun — after which, the residue of that field of his, may be lofted along with McKoy’s corn. Let McKoy put 180 barrels into one of his corn houses for the use of the Farm, and the residue in the other. — Crow may put 250 barF^ in one house, and the residue in an- other ; — and Stuart may do the same — that is — put 250 barrels in one house, and all that remains in the other. — Tell all of them that I exhort them most earnestly to be extremely careful of the Corn. — I know this article will fall short of my demands for it ; and I know not where it is to be bought, or where to find monej^ if I did. — Unless you can buy oats, the horses at the Mansion house must be fed with Corn and Bran, and that sparingly, except the five horses which are to come this way with your Aunt. — Have an eye that Martin does not neglect them ; — nor spare the curry comb. — He wants look- ing after. — The Corn with which these five horses are fed should be ground into small homony, and if Bran was mixed with it, it would be none the worse, and would go farther. — The Horses on the different Farms, tell the overseers, must be kept in good heart (notwithstanding the sparing use of the corn) as they will have a great deal of heavy plowing to do this Fall and Winter ; which, not being sure I fully explained to all of them, I herewith enclose a list ; with which you will furnish each of them, tliat is, with so much as relates to his own business. — As a house will be built for Crow at the place marked out (not far fi’om the Barn) the corn house near to the one in which he now lives, ought to be removed to the Barn, and APPENDIX. 295 set in uniformity with the other, before the corn is lofted (if it can be done conveniently) and as there is no spring near to the house which is to be built for Crow, a well should be dug in the Barn lane, opposite to the centre of that house, and exactly half way between the same and those which will be opposite to it for the Xegros. — My ideas on this head have been explained to Thos. Green, as to the spot. — This well need be no larger in the diameter than is sufficient to contain a pump, which it must receive ; and the size proper for this you must enquire into. — I should think Thomas Davis and Muclus must have ingenuity enough to sink this well as I hope and expect it will be very shallow after they have laid the foundation (with Brick) for the Overseer’s house ; but if they have any doubts themselves of their sufficiency, employ the well-digger in Alexandria, who sunk the well at the Man- sion house lately ; and if it is to be done by him let it be undertaken immediately — For water found at this season of the year, and especially after so parching a drought, may be depended upon — this is a good reason for its being done soon, by whomsoever it is undertaken. — I directed the Miller to put up 6 Hogs for forward Bacon, and to call upon McKoy for corn to feed them. — I always forget to tell the latter to send it, and possibly it has been neglected. — enquire into, and see that it is done. As I am almost certain I shall want feed next year, both for man and beast, more than I have made this ; and as a good deal of my wheat (unless it surprisingly alters from the Bain which has lately fallen here, and I hope with you) tell Mr. Stuart and Mr. Crow (whose wheat I think was next) that if they could sow a^ part of that which is most missing with Bye, if to be had, it will be a pleasing thing to me. — I mean such parts of the field only as are not likely to produce Wheat next year with any prospect of success. — It is not too late to sow Bye, and the straw will be useful for thatching sheds for the cover of my cattle ; which I should wish to do before 296 APPENDIX. the winter, next after this which is now approaching sets in. — If you cannot get oats, about ten bushels of old corn ought to be reserved for feeding the horses with, which are to come this way, some days before they set out, otherwise travelling them after being fed upon new corn may be the loss of some of them on the road, besides the detention it would necessarily occasion to your Aunt. Just before I left home, I discovered that the Carters and Waggoner, in order to get their horses easily of mornings, turned them into the clover lot by the quarter. — forbid this absolutely. — They have injured it considerably already, by eating it so bare as for the frosts to kill the roots but will ruin it entirely if they are suffered to continue this practice any longer. — When the Potatoes are taken up, tell Butler to have the tussocks of course grass or Broom, and large weeds (which I noticed on the lower part of that lot) taken up also ; that the ground, when sown next Spring, may be in better condition for the oats and clover which is to be put in it. Whenever the weather appears to be settled, and the morn- ing promises a good day, get Peter and Martin, or Charles (for I know not what he does) and take every thing out of the Store that requires to be aired — cleaned from Mould, and the other injuries they are sustaining — and when thoroughly cleaned and dried, returned and put away again together with the other things in that place ; with that regularity and order that whatever is wanted from thence may be seen and got at without difficulty. — When this is done, take an exact inven- tory of the whole (even to minute things) and send it to me. That I may know what is there. — The Yaleses (that is things like Portmanteaus) which contain my Marquee and other things, ought all to be opened, wiped clean, and dried. — The Trunk, belonging to my camp equipage should be served the same way (The Keys you will find in my writing table) and APPENDIX. 297 ill short every thing rescued from the disorder and injury which they seemed to be undergoing. — The nails, where they are not in whole Casks sh^^ be counted (which is soon done by counting 125 and putting the same weight of nails in the other scale and keep doubling of them until you get 1000 in a scale ; after which you wdll soon ascertain the whole num- ber of thousands in the Cask). — I sent (not a great while ago) a considerable quantity of Paint from Philadelphia to Mount Yernon ; but do not recollect to have seen any in the store. — enquire for this, and let it be put there for safety (if it can be stored there conveniently) or kept under a lock the key of which is in the box ; for unless this is done there will be a flemish account of it when it is wanted for use. — Before I left home I directed old Jack to clean the seed left over the green house thoroughly, that the several Bins might be in order for the reception of oats or other grain in quantities, which might be placed there for Spring seeding. — To put the Casks which liad Timothy and Orchard grass seeds by themselves, so as to be known — and all the empty Casks by themselves, and as much out of the way as they could be. — See that this is done, and tell Butler it is my wish as soon as his Potatoes are up, and secured in the manner already mentioned to you ; I de- sire he will immediately thrash out all the oats at the Man- sion on the Barn floor if it can be spared by the w^ork people — Measure and put them in the seed loft above mentioned, and inform me of the quantity. — Then in the corn lofts, if any remains after the others are thrashed, might be thrasljed also ; as I want all I have for seed ; being of a good kind. — The straw after the oats are taken from them, may be still cut for the Work h'brses as usual, but Bran or chopped corn must be mixed therewith, to give the more nourishment to them. — As the Corn house at Crows is of frame work, and not heavy, while empty, it may be removed on Pollers ; — and as Mr. Stilart pretends to be well acquainted with the manner 298 APPENDIX. of doing this work having been frequently engaged therein consult him, as well as Green on this business. — Stuart says there is a gum tree on the Farm he is at that will make excellent rollers — Let these be got from thence and well made that they may serve for other purposes here- after. It will naturally occur to you that this work (if done at all this season) ought not to be delayed until the ground gets soft, for that would increase the labour four fold, if not render it impracticable at all. — And speaking of this I will mention a proverb to you which you will find worthy of at- tention all the days of your life ; under any circumstances, or in any situation you may happen to be placed ; — and that is, to put nothing off ’till the Morrow, that you can do to day. — The habit of postponing things is among the worst in the world doing things in season is always beneficial — but out of season, it frequently happens that so far from being beneficial, that oftentimes, it proves a real injury. — It was one of the sayings of the wise man you know, that there is a season for all things, and nothing is more true ; apply it to any occurrence or transaction in life. I am your sincere friend and Affectionate Uncle G. Washington. P.S. If you could get a fair rope for the well by the quarter it would be desirable. — I directed Peter two or three times to make enquiry for one at the Rope Makers in Alex^, but I do not know the result of it. — As your Aunt may wish to see my letters to you, always show them to her. as above, G. W. APPENDIX. 299 B (p. 5). Col. Bassett’s sister Elizabeth married Benj. Harrison, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and great-grand- father of our present President (1889). Washington’s pleasant personal and political relations with his connections at Eltham appear in the following note, for which I am indebted to Miss Virginia Carter Minor, of Hew York, a descendant of Washington’s aunt, Mildred Willis, of Fredericksburg. The Association alluded to was the Hon- importation Association, formed in May, 1769. The “Patsy” mentioned was Mrs. Washington’s daughter, who died in 1773. She had fits, for which Washington’s diary mentions an application of “ the iron ring.” Mount Vernon, June y® 18*^, 1769. [Col. Burwell Bassett, Eltham.] Deau Sir, As we have come to a Pesolution to set of (if nothing un- forseen happens to prevent it) for the warm springs about the 18^^ of next Month ; 1 do, according to promise give you no- tice thereof, and should be glad of your Company up with us, if you still entertain thoughts of trying the effect of those waters. — You will have occasion to provide nothing, if I can be ad- vised of your Intentions before the waggon comes down for my necessaries, so that I may provide accordingly. We are all in the usual way, no alteration for better or worse in Patsy. — The Association in this, and the neighbouring Counties of Prince William and Loudoun is compleat, or near it, how it 300 APPENDIX. goes on in other places I know not, but hope to hear of the universality of it. — We all join tendering our Loves to Mrs. Bassett and your- self, Family and Mrs. Dandridge and Betsy, and 1 am Sir Most Affec^ .Hbl Serv^ Washington. APPENDIX. 301 C (p. 12). German Town 24*^ 1793. Col. Buegess Ball, Leesburgh Dear Sir, I have duly received your letter of the 16^^ Instant, from Leesburgh. In answer to which, respecting the purchase of Buck Wheat, I send you a Bank note for two hundred dollars ; being more disposed to give two and six pence p’^ Bushel in Loudoun than depend upon the purchase here, and the uncertainty of get- ting it round in time. — What the Waggonage of it to my house from thence (as fast as it is bought, for that I make a condition in order that no disaj)jpointment may happen) will be, I know not ; but with a view to place the matter upon an absolute certainty I had rather give three and six pence for it, delivered at Mount Yernon, than encounter delay, or trust to contingencies ; because as it forms part of my system of Hus- bandry for the next year, a derangement of it would be a serious thing; for which reason a small difference in the price can be no object when placed against the disconcertion of my plans ; especially too, as I am persuaded you will purchase, and transport the B. Wh^ for me on the best terms you can. Four hundred and fifty bushels, or call it 500, is the quan- tity I shall want ; and more money shall be sent to you as soon as I know your prospects, and the expenditures of what is now forwarded. For the reason I have already assigned, I must encounter no disappointment ; if therefore your pros- pects (as you proceed in this business) are not so fiattering as those detailed in your letter, inform me of it in time, that I may supply myself from hence before the frost sets in. The malady with which Philadelphia has been sorely afflicted, has, it is said, entirely ceased ; — and all the Citizens 302 APPEXDESL ai-e returning to their old habitations again. — I took a house in this town when I first arrived here, and shall retain it until Congress get themselves fixed ; although I spend part of my time in the City. Give my love to Mi’s. Ball and Milly, and be assured of the sincere esteem and regard with which I am Dear Sir, Your affect® Serv'^ YTashingtox. [The original of the above letter belongs to Mr. O. L. Svpher of Xew York.] APPENDIX. 303 D (p. 47). I am indebted to the ZST. E. Historic-Genealogical Society for the following extract from a letter to Gen. Knox. Mount Yernon, 28^^ Feb. 1785. ‘^The State of Virginia accompanied these proceedings with another Act, which particularly respected myself, and tho’ orenerous in the extreme, is rendered more valuable bv the flattering yet delicate expression of its recitals. It directs their Treasurer to subscribe for my use and beneflt one hun- dred shares (50 in each navigation), which it declares vested in me and my heirs for ever. But I can truly aver to you, my dear sir, that this Act has given me more pain than pleasure. It never was my inclination — nor is it my inten- tion — to accept anything pecuniary from the public ; but how to decline this gift without appearing to slight the favor (which the Assembly ascribe to a sense of gratitude) of my country, and exhibiting an act of seeming disrespect to the Legislature on the one hand, or incurring the imputation of pride or an ostentatious display of disinterestedness on the other, is my embarrassment. But I must endeavor to hit upon some expedient before the next session (for I had not the smallest intimation of the matter before the rising of the last) to avoid any of these charges, and yet follow the bent of my wishes, which are to be as independent as the air. I have nobody to provide for, and I have enough to support me through life in the plain and easy style in which I mean to spend the remainder of my days.” The number of shares presented, Jan. 1885 (see Hening’s Statutes, vol. xi. p. 525) is inexactly stated above, — 100 being given in the Potomac Co., and 50 in the James Biver Co. (Value 8100 each Potomac, and £100 each James River share.) 304 APPENDIX. In 1795 the 50 Potomac Shares were appropriated for the erection of a University in the Federal City. The 100 James Fiver Shares were given to Liberty Hall Academy, Kock- bridge Co., Ta., — an endowment now enjoyed by 'Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Y a., where 'W ashington's letter of presentation is framed. The donations were conhrmed in perpetuity by 'Washington's WiU. APPENDIX. 305 E (p. 53). The following is from the account-book of Robert Lewis, for which I am indebted to his grand-daughter, Mrs. Lewis Washington, a distinguished Regent of Mount Yemon. “ Robert Lewis in acc^ with the President of the U. S. 1791. 1792. Dec. 25. To amonnt of Rental £. s. d. | Apr. 14. By cash paid £. s. d. rendered for this year, 314 .4.0 | Battaile Mnse, 39. 3. 54 By D" paid John Manzy Surveyor for running (Robert Scott) the line between yon and Scott 3.2.6 By Cash paid Maj" G. A. Washington 125.0.0 By Do. Do. 36.0.0 By Cash paid for taxes on yonr land 2.3.5 By Do. paid Mrs. Haney agreeable to order. . 10.0.0 By my commission on the whole at 10 p' cent. 31.8.0 By expences in collecting 1.10.0 “1794. £248.7.44” By Cash remitted Howell Lewis for rent \ditto 1795,1796) 17.9.0 By Cash remitted to Tho' Greenfield who had his barn burnt in 1793, which I omitted charging 10.0.0 By cash paid L. Lewis for 40 Bus. wheat and expences 28.0.0.” “ 1798. By my travelling expenses to and from Fred- erick and Berkley collecting and attending law suits on replevins 3.0.0 By cash to Col. McGill, Attorney agt Ken- nedy, who proved insolvent 1.4.0. 1792 Rental 302. 1.6. 1793 “ 315.15.0V 1794 • “ 355.17.0. 1796 “ 376.12.0. 1797 “ 412.12.0.” Concerning the Mrs. Haney mentioned in the account, a pensioner of Washington, see Introduction. 20 306 APPENDIX. The following has been sent me by Dr. William T. Dar- lington of Pittsburgh. Mr. Pobert Lewis, Spring Hill, Fauquier Cty. Mount Yernon June 1798. Dear Sir, Your letter of the 23^^ ult° has been received. — Mr. Airass’® draught on Mr. Pussell (of Alexandria) has been presented and accepted ; payable in ten days. I am glad to hear of your good luck with the eloped ten- ant in Berkeley county ; Pecovery of the Tenement is of more importance than the security of the Pest. — I am not disposed to lease it for more than seven years, and if you could let it for a shorter time, to a good tenant, I should pre- fer it ; — but act from circumstances and your best judgment in the case. — If there is any defect in the old leases they must by this time, have become obvious to you, and will of course, be amended ; I recollect nothing that requires altera- tion, if the Covenants are complied with, and if the old ones are not it is not probable new ones will. — I am sorry to hear the unpromising account of your Wheat. Mine is bad enough, but many degrees better than the description of that in your parts ; nor do I perceive any fly, as yet, amongst it ; but there is sufficient time between this and harvest for the entire destruction of it by that In- sect. The drought could not have been more severe with you than it was here until the 23^*^ ulP, — since which we have had (for my lands) a superabundance of Pain. If it had continued a few days longer we should have made neither oats nor Hay — and our Pastures would have starved the cat- tle that had escaped the Winter. — What effect it might have had on the Wheat I know not, but I never form an opinion of Corn until the month of August ; nor dispair of making a tolerable crop of that grain unless a drought happens when it is shooting and filling, be the weather what it may before. — APPENDIX. 307 All here unite in best regards for Mrs. Lewis and yourself, and I remain your Affect® uncle G. Washington. (Endorsed.) Alex. O. Inne Free. Mr. Robert Lewis Spring Hill Fauquier C^. Recom*^ to the care of ) Mr. Ja®. Lewis Fredericksburgh. S G. Washington.” The following is from the collection of Dr. Thomas Addis Emmet. Fredericksburg, March [Postmarked 7] 1801. Gentlemen, I am fav*^ with your circular letter respecting Mrs. Wash- ington’s wish to surrender into the hands of the Executors of the late Gen^ Washington, all that part of her life Estate at present taxable, — which derives her no profit, and yet is in her possession. — I cannot but agree with you in opinion that such property as would be inconvenient to divide should be sold. — The Kenhawa Lands ought to be an exception — These are extensive — nearly equal in quality taken agregately, and might with very little trouble or difficulty be divided — At all events it is my wish, and would be carrying into effect the desires of the Testator. — To elucidate, however, my ideas more clearly, I will only add, shou’d any obstacle arise in the division of the above property (which I do not anticipate at present) I wou’d have you to understand that no impediment is to be expected from me in your proceedings, as I am clearly determined to go with the majority of Legatees, and will aid and assist the Executors in the execution of their duty all that lies in my power. — I am. Gentlemen, Respectfully, Your mo. Ob^ SeP Rob'^ Lewis. Endorsed. The Executors to the Estate of the late Geffi Washington now at Mount Yernon. 308 APPENDIX. F (Pp. 75, 160, 248). The beginnings of W ashington City brought into the Dis- trict of Columbia a large number of folk who seemed to re- gard it as the abode of freedom to an extent which the chief landowner on the Virginia side of the river had vainly con- tested. The following, to Bushrod Washington, is owned by Mr. O. L. Sypher of Isew York. Philadelphia, Jan^ 8^ 1792. Dear Bushrod,' I have long suspected — but such has been my situation for some years back that I have not been able to ascertain the fact — that a tract of about 1200 acres w- I hold on four-mile- run near Alexandria has had the wood thereon dealt pretty freely with by unauthorized persons in its vicinity. The en- closed from Mr. Whiting gives information of a particular Act. He is directed in a letter of this date to wait upon CoP Little ; and with such proofs of the trespass as he can obtain to call upon you therewith. If they shall appear to you indubitable, I am resolved — as an example — to punish the agressors ; and pray you to issue a process against them, and prosecute the same in the name of George Aug® Wash- ington as my Attorney, who I think has been announced as such in the Gazettes of Alexandria and Bichmond ; and, I presume, has a power from me to that effect. Lest any misconception of Whiting’s should lead me or you into an error, I beg you will, when an opportunity shall pre- sent itself, enquire of CoP Little whether the Hoop poles were, incontestibly, taken from my land ; who the persons are that did it — and whether there can be any demur to the propriety (legality I mean) of bringing the suit in the name APPENDIX 309 of G. A. Washington as my Attorney — not being willing to have my own name called in Court on this occasion. Your aunt joins me in best wishes, and the compliments of the season to you and Xancy, — and I am your sincere friend and affectionate uncle G° Washes GTOx.” Col. Charles Little was a fidend of Washington and one of his pallbearers. 310 APPEXDK. G (Pp. 76 imd 192). "W ashington was so reserved in religious matters that every word of that kind may be regarded as well weighed. The subjoined letters may here be placed on record. The first letter is in possession of the Pev. Dr. J. G. Van Slyke, pas- tor of the First Deformed Church of Kingston, K. Y., to the consistory of which it was written in reply to a congratula- tion on the close of the war. Gentlemen, I am happy in receiving this public mark of the esteem of the Minister Elders and Deacons of the Deformed Protestant Dutch Church in Kingston. Convinced that our religious liberties were as essential as our civil, my endeavors have never been wanting to encourage and promote the one while I have been contending for the other — and I am highly fiattered by finding that my efforts have met the approbation of so respectable a body. In return for your kind concern for my temporal and eter- nal happiness, permit me to assure you that my wishes are reciprocal — and that you may be enabled to hand down your Deligion pure and undefiled to a Posterity worthy of their ancestors is the fervent prayer of A letter to Gen. Knox (for which I am indebted to the Xew England Historic-Genealogical Society) concludes as follows : Gent“. most obed^ serv’ G° Washington. APPENDIX- 311 “Mrs. 'Washington joins me in offering compliments of congratulation to Mrs. Knox and yourself on the increase of your family by the birth of a son ; and I pray you to accept the acknowledgment of my sense of the honor you have con- ferred on me by giving him my name. I hope he will live to enjoy it long after I have taken my departure for the world of Spirits, and that he may prove a blessing and comfort to you both in your declining years.” This was written Jan. 10, 1788. The boy died in 1797. In a note of sympathy on the death of another of his chil- dren Washington wrote to the same friend (8 Sept. 1791): “ He that gave, you know, has a right to take away. His ways are wise — they are inscrutable — and irresistible.” The next letter is to the Rev. Joseph Buckminster. Xew York, December 23, 1789. See, Your letter of the 27^^ of Xovember and the discourse which it enclosed have been duly read. I consider the ser- mon on the death of Sir William Pepperell which yon were so good as to send me by the desire of Lady Pepperell his Relict as a mark of attention from her which requii’ed my particular acknowledgments ; and I am sorry that the death of that lady, which I see is announced in the public papers, prevents my thanks being returned to her for her respect and good wishes. You, sir, will please accept them for yourself in forwarding the discourse, and my request that they may be added to the^Rev^ Clark with my approbation of the doctrine therein inculcated. I am. Sir, G ° Washington. This letter to Dr. Buckminster is especially notable, be- cause, though the larger part was dictated, Washington has 312 APPENDIX. added iu his own hand his approbation of the doctrine of the discourse. It is doubtful if in all his wn-itings similar ap- proval of any statement of doctrine can be found. The title of the able discourse alluded to is “ A Sermon occasioned by the Death of the Honourable Sir William Pepperell, Bart., Lieut. Gen. in His Majesty’s Service, etc., who died at his Seat in Kittery, July 6, 1759; Preached the next Lord’s Day after his Funeral by Benjamin Stevens, A.M., Pastor of the First Church in Kittery. Boston, etc., 1759.” The text selected for this most eminent personage of Maine — the only native of America ever baroneted, though two were knighted (Fitch and Pandolph) — was from the 82nd Psalm, ‘‘ But ye shall die like men.” Peferring to the previous part of the verse (7), I have said ye are Gods,” the preacher said that rulers might in a sense be properly so styled, because govern- ments being appointed of God, magistrates were His repre- sentatives. He defined God as a moral governor, engaged in a great plan of wisdom and benevolence. “ As this world is not a state of Retribution, it is requisite that these earthly Gods should be removed by Death as well as other Men, in order to compleat the Plan of the Divine Government. In- deed the great ends of the moral administration of God seem to require this, to suppress the progress of vice and promote virtue and goodness in the present state, but especially for the final adjustment of all things with equity.” This, prob- ably, is the doctrine of which Washington intimates his ap- proval. It will be seen by the references in the letters to Pearce, to Alexandria clergymen, that Washington kept on strict busi- ness relations with them. This is further shown by the fol- lowing letter concerning a clergyman whom he held in much esteem, — the Rev. David Griffith (1711-1789), the first Bishop elect of the Virginia Convention (1786), but not ordained because the expenses of a journey to England could not be raised. This letter, at once kind and cautious, has APPENDIX. olo been loaned me by Llewellyn Hoxton Esq. (of the Episcopal High School, Alexandria), a grandson of Mr. Griffith. It is addressed to the Hon. Charles Carroll of Carrolton. Mount Yernon Apr^ 5^^ 1786. SlE, The Kev'^ Mr. Griffith, who will present this letter to you, is possessed of much property in the Town of Alexandria, the value of which he is desirous of increasing, by buildings. — To enable him to do this, he wishes to borrow, on interest about Two thousand five hundred pounds. — As security for such a loan, he is willing to mortgage his interest in the above place, and proposes as a further security, to offer other means. — The nature of all, he will explain to you. They are, in my opinion, amply sufficient ; such as I should not hesitate to take if I had the money to lend ; but you will be able to judge more fully of the matter when they are laid before you. From a long and intimate acquaintance with Mr. Griffith, I have a high opinion of his worth, and entire dependence on his representations, which (as he may, in some degree, be a stranger to you) I have thought it a piece of Justice to men- tion — I have the honor to be — Sir, Most Obed^ H^^ Ser G® Washington. 314 APPENDIX. H (pp. 89 and 134). Lund Washington (1737-1796), several times referred to in the letters to Pearce, managed Mount Yernon for 25 years, retiring in 1785. His degree of relationship to the General, probably unknown to either of them, may be traced in the Introduction. He married Elizabeth Foote (1782). He is chiefly known by Washington’s rebuke (in the famous letter of 1781) of his over-loyalty to the owner of Mount Yernon, which, after his own severe losses, led him to conciliate the British officers with refreshments from Mount Yernon ; but the subjoined letters, and others, show that Washington was always grateful to Lund Washington, but for whom his property might have gone to ruin. After the revolution Lund remained with the General, who parted from him with reluctance. “Mr. Lund Washington,” he writes to Dr. Wil- liam Gordon (20 April 1786), “ having expressed a wish to quit business and live in retirement and ease, I could not op- pose his inclination, and his having carried these desires into effect, that kind of business which he usually transacted for me is now thrown on my shoulders, in addition to what they bore before, and has left me less time than ever for my numer- ous correspondences and other avocations.” Lund resided in the neighborhood, until his death, however, his residence be- ing known as “ Hayfield,” — 1200 acres. The original of the following letter is in possession of Mr. Grenville Kane, of Hew York. Head Middlebrook, Dec. the 18“^ 1778. Dear Lund, Your letter of the 9^*^ Insfl came to my hands this day after I had dispatched a long letter to you by CoP Harrison — The quantity of land mentioned therein, as appears by my plats. APPENDIX. 316 is I dare say, the exact number of acres held by M. ; for more than which he ought not to expect payment — The three small quantities which serve to compose the aggregate 480^ are (I presume) those which lye on Muddy hole — the ITorth-side of the Main Koad joining Wade’s and my line — and on the South adjoining Manley and me — This as it is by actual and careful measurement and intended for my own satisfac- tion and government, does I am persuaded, contain to the utmost inch all that he holds ; and chearfully acquiesce in it as just — But at all events fix the matter with him by a re- survey or any other way to close the bargain ; letting him know however, that if it is resurveyed and the Surveyor makes it less than 480|^ I shall pay for no more than is found by the last survey (if it should even fall short of 400 a[c]res) and unless you have conditioned to the contrary, I shall ex- pect, as the survey will be made to gratifie him, that it will be done at his expense and by the Surveyor of the County — or at least a sworn Surveyor. — you will see that the chain is full 33 feet in length. With respect to the small slipes which he engaged to let me have, the matter taken up in a strict sense, may be determined in a moment, by only solving a single question — to wit — did he, or did he not agree to take 40/. an acre for the Land in the event of not getting Alexander’s ? — If he did not do this, the matter is at an end, because there is not in that case room for even the shadow of argument — If he did, where is the hardship of it ? — or in other words, why is it a greater hard- ship to receive money (short of one’s wishes) for lands sold, than for any other^ thing. — The money which General Weedon was to pay you is due for Lands I sold Doct’^ Mercer and for the very purpose of enabling me to pay for this and other Lands in that Heck as opportunities might present ; what difference then is there in the cases more than in the Sum ? — and a case still more in point is, that the very money advanced Alexander was in fact for the payment of this land 316 APPENDIX. of M’s. — It is not harder then upon him to suffer a part than for me the whole — Such local disadvantages as these are to be placed to the misfortunes of the times — some men indeed are benefitted by them while others are ruined — I do not it is true come in under the latter class (so far as it extends to ruin) but I believe you know, that by the comparative worth of money, six or seven thousand pounds which I had in Bonds upon Interest is now reduced to as many hundreds because I can get no more for a thousand at this day than a hundred would have fetched when I left Virginia — Bonds, Debts, Bents (in Cash) and annuities undergoing no change while the currency is depreciating every day in value and for ought I know may in a little time be totally sunk. I do not labour this point because I expect much from it, but simply to shew Mr. M. the light in w®^ he should consider the matter if he has a mind to act upon such principles as ought to actuate every honest man — and to shew him more- over the falacy and error of his arguments when he endeav- ours to prove that I have derived benefits from his Land which he has not experienced from Alexanders — The falacy of them — because if I have taken the timber of [f], it is not there, consequently the land now is of so much less value — The error of them — inasmuch as I am exceedingly mistaken if he has not inclosed and worked part of Alexanders Land — which (now I am upon the subject) is a matter that you ought to enquire into, as I have some recollection of Alexanders telling me, that he had not only put M. in possession of the whole, or such part of the land as he wanted, but that the Bents which usually came to him ceased ; intimating, that the bargain between him, me, and M. was so far compleated as that he no longer received the Bents or act. of them nor was I to expect Interest for the money lent him — If therefore I am to pay M. for his whole land at the price now agreed at by the acre, and to receive no Interest from Alexander I shall be very prettily handled between the two. APPENDIX. 317 This circumstance is mentioned for your government ; at the same time I leave you at full liberty to close the bargain with M. on any terms if you should even be obliged to allow as much for the slipes as other parts of his land and even to come up to 500 acres for the quantity as I neither wish to dis- appoint you, or be disappointed myself in our present views — You will do the best you can to have justice done me — their impositions afterw^® I must submit to as a tax to dis- honorable men. Among these plats which contained the quantity of M’s land you will also find one which shews the contents of those tracts I bought of the two Ashfords and Simon Pearson, which with so much of the waste land (taken up by me) as lyes above the tumbling dam shews (after taking of [f] what Mr. Triplet is to get) the amount of what you are to have of me, and how far it will fall short of the purchase from M., thereby enabling you to make a proper settlement — If you find more than one plat of these Lands (as I think there is) the last is the truest and most correct. It is not reasonable that Mr. Triplet should remain longer out of the land which he is to get in exchange for his by my Mill Pace as there is no prospect of my seeing home this Winter ; and yet I really am at a loss to find out how it can be done without my being present, as no person knows the true and complex state of that matter as well as I do — I7ever- theless if he desires it, I will give you the best direction I can in order that possession may be given him this winter. — The way that I always expected and wished to have it done was, to extend a line from the bridge, at the head of the race by the tumbling dam to the little branch between that and Morris’s field at the road leading thither — thence by a direct line to the County road, as (if my memory serves me) my fence runs ; This, if the fence is removed in, as I think it was six or seven years ago, wiU give as many acres as I shall receive between the race and the line of my new Patent. — 318 APPENDIX. but if it should not, then to pay for the difference at what- ever the land would sell for at the time of ascertaining the several quantity we give and take — even if it should be £50 acre. — If Mr. Triplet will agree to this, the matter, so far as respects the land, and the use of it to both of us may be settled at any time ; and a sum may also be deposited in his hands to be adjusted hereafter ; which will prevent his suffer- ing any delay or injustice on acc^ of the money he is to re- ceive — Or if this will not do, from his apprehension that he shall give more land than he will get (in which I think he will be mistaken, if I am not wrong in my ideas respecting the removal of my fence which was done to this very view) I would in order to satisfie him, and bring the matter as far as possible to a close and without further delay let the line from the branch at the Koad as before mentioned bear a little more to the right to include a little more land — a measure of this kind must remove every difficulty and will certainly give content — The legal fees of the County surveyor in ascertain- ing this work would amount to the value of botli pieces of land ; for not knowing, or not depending the circumstances, or with a view perhaps to increase his fees, he would survey Harrisons patent (on which Mr. Triplet lives) — Pearsons (the Patentee of which I do not recollect) — my Land, lately taken up as waste — and part perhaps of that I bought of George Ashford — all of which may be avoided by the mode I speak of ; and the disadvantage resulting from the want of a final settlement thrown upon me, by giving him more land, and more money, than he will be entitled to upon a fair and im- partial measurement of the exchanged tracts — If you and Mr. Triplet should agree without anything further from me, have a stone, or a locust Post fixed at the Poad for the corner. With respect to your bargain with Lanphire I can say nothing — I wish every contract that I make, or that is made for me should be fulfilled according to the strict and equi- table sense of it — and this in the present case you must be a APPENDIX. 319 better judge of than I am — if at the time of engaging him the extra allowance of Corn etc more was expected and prom- ised than has been performed you are certainly under no ob- ligation to comply with your part till he has fulfilled his — if on the other hand he has fulfilled his you are bound to com- ply altho it may prove hard — But from your statement of the case, the true and equitable construction of the bargain seems to me to be that he ought to have the corn and wool, but should be obliged to continue his and servants labor at their present wages till the covered way and such work as was particularised or had in contemplation at y® time is finished. — Without this his wages will be monstrous, the end not answered — and what neither of you at the time could possibly have in view — I therefore think that this is the proper foot- ing to place it on, and tho slow he had better be kept on those terms till you can at least bring his wages within the bounds of moderation by time if he should not quite compleat the work expected of him. — The Corn (which I am told Master Finnie is now giving six pounds p. BaF for) should be delivered to him by little at a time for if he gets the whole at once you may, I suppose, catch him as you can. I come now to mention a matter which more particularly respects yourself — The depreciation of money and the sudden rise in the price of produce in the course of this year and other things principally to this cause owing render your pres- ent wages especially under short crops totally inadequate to your trouble and services — I am therefore willing that you sh^ receive a certain part of the last crop, to be disposed of by you for your own benefit — and so in future — this will give you the reward of industry without subjecting you to the peculiar hardship resulting from depreciation as it is presum- able that the price of produce will rise in proportion to the fall of the other — I do not at this time ascertain what the part shall be, because I wish you to say what you think is just and right — that it is my full wish to give, and more I do not 320 APPENDIX. think you would ask, therefore we cannot disagree. — Being little acquainted with the produce of my estate, amount of Crop etc is the reason of my wishing to leave the matter to yourself as it is my first wish that you should be satisfied. Mr. Archer has got the letter you inclosed — and I have only to add that I am sincerely and affectionately, G°. Washington. For the two following letters I am indebted to Mr. H. E. Treadwell, of New York : West-point Sep”" 14^ 1779. Dear Lend,. Your letter of the 25^^ ult° which ought to have come by the last Post, and the one of the inst^, both came to my hands yesterday. Two reasons induced me to except the M s when I de- sired you to decline receiving payment of any more old Bonds — the one was a presumption that theirs actually were paid — the other that you might be under obligation or prom- ise to receive them, and I never choose to be worse than my word — What has passed between you and Mr. M. on this sub- ject, and how far it is obligatory on me you are the best judge — What were the precise words of my answer to your qu£ere, concerning Mr. M’s proposition, I cannot at this time say — the idea that filled my mind at the time I perfectly well recollect — and it was this — If Mr. M. possessed so little honor — I may say honesty — as to attempt paying me two shillings in the pound for a debt he was greatly indulged in ( — the de- preciation at the time he made the offer not exceeding this) — I must be content ; for knowing nothing of your Laws, and being unwilling that any act of mine should injure the curren- cy, I chose to make no difficulties in the case if the loss of the whole debt should be the consequence of it. — but why he should withhold payment from that time to this when less APPENDIX. 321 than a shilling in the pound will pay it, he can acc^ better than I. — Might he not with the same parity of reason — if the depreciation is still going on — wait six months longer and pay me with sixpence or even a penny in the pound ? — Surely yes ; and the palpable and obvious injustice of it needs no comment, though I will give an instance in proof. — About the time he offered you this money Marshall’s Land was bought for £12 p^ acre, and I presume Barry’s might then have been had for the same. — If Marshall was in possession of his Land again could I get it for that money ? — Is BaiTy’s to be had for it ? — This proves at once the difference between paying the money at the time he offered it and now. — You say he may think it hard to receive money in one way and pay it in an- other, — in other words to receive at the nominal, and pay at the real value. This may or may not be so according to the time these debts were contracted, and the circumstances attending them, for if they are of recent date both parties knew what they were about, so far at least as to make it a mere matter of judgment between themselves; each having equal knowledge of the depreciation at the time of the con- tract, and forming their own judgment of the consequences of it. — If the sales which you speak of his having made of his Father’s Estate for the purpose of paying this debt of mine and others, are of old standing, how comes he to be without the money at this day ? — He cannot have had it by him, because he would have paid it to me at the time prof- ered, and stopped interest, if this had been the case — and if it is not, why did he not receive the money in time, and why will he receive nothipg (I may say) for something now ? — Be- sides, I make some distinction between a bond given for pay- ment of a sum of money at a future period, and money lent to be returned upon demand — the first is subject to the con- tingencies which may happen between the periods of contract- ing and paying — the other being on demand puts it in the power of the lender to call in his money upon any unfavour- 322 APPENDIX. able appearances, or have it secured to him in any manner he likes; and Mr. M. cannot but be sensible that letting his Father’s bond lay, and at length taking his own bond for pay- ment of a certain sum instead of pressing payment of the whole, was a mere matter of favor and indulgence ; how well requited I shall be for these, his own feelings must determine if I am to receive a shilling or 8^ pence in the pound. — But in all matters of this kind as I mentioned to you in a former letter, I had much rather you would advise with, and pursue the advice of, some sensible Whigs who are known to be men of discernment, and of honor and probity (that are acquainted with the laws and practises of the State in like cases) than to consult, and refer things to me, who am totally unacquainted with both — {Remainder of letter lost.'] Kewburgh, 25^^ Dec^ 1782. Dear Lund, I approve of your conduct with respect to Dow’s Land and am very glad you have bought it whether I get Dulany’s or not, as I have no idea of loosing by it if it will Bent for £120 p’’ aim. — which is more than the Virginia Interest of the sum given though less than what I am to pay for the loan of it in this State. — This circumstance, independent of the desire I have to repay the money borrowed in this State makes it in- dispensably necessary to collect my Bents — my debts — and to use every means possible to raise money to answer this pur- pose. I have already mentioned A ’s debt — he has not the slightest pretensions to further indulgence, and there may be other debts (which do not strike me at this moment) the payment of which may be demanded with equal propriety. — to enable me to judge of this, I shall be obliged to you to send me a list of my Bonds — (I suppose Mr. Custis took all his after the settlement made by Col. Mason) — the sums for which they are given — and what Interest is due on them. — I used, if I recollect right to keep a list of the Ballances when APPENDIX. 323 I settled iny acc*"^ — if this is to be found in my Ledger, and no alterations have taken place since, I wish to have a copy of this also. As it does not appear that you had any notice from Mr. [Edmund] Eandolph (the Attorney General) to whom 1 had committed the management of the business relative to the affairs of CoP Mercer and his mortgagees — nor no authentic information or proof of Mr. Jn° Mercer’s having complied with the requisition of the Court respecting the security, I think you acted with proper caution in withholding the Bonds — but as there can be no doubt of the decree — and as I wish very much to get quit of the business, it is my earnest desire that the Bonds and other securities and money (if any there be) in your hands may be given up when he has done this, and upon the passing of a proper receipt for them. — An acc^ should also be rendered of the money that has been received and how applied, that the produce of the Sales agreeably to my report thereof to the Court may be accounted for. — This is all the decree requires of me, nor should I be willing to give up (more than copies of) the Sales and other Original Papers ; depriving myself thereby, if it should thereafter be found necessary, of the only means by which a proper account of my transaction of this business could be rendered. — The Attorney General has been furnished with copies of the Power of attorney under which I acted. — Acc^’^ of sales in Berkeley — also of those in Loudoun — with a memorandum respecting the Latter and the purchasers, from whom Mr. Mercer conveniently can — if it is necessary — obtain Copies at any time. — The only money that has ever passed through my hands was the Bills of Loan Office certificates — amounting to 1392 Dollars which were sold in PhiP by ClP Petitt Esq. at my request and the money placed in the Virginia Funds agreeably to the request of James Mercer Esq*^. — I say this from the information of Mr. Petitt, who wrote me to this effect — the Bills sold at 35 for 1. — That you may be certain 324 APPENDIX of pursuing a proper and cautious conduct on this occasion I have requested the Attorney General as you will see by the Inclosed letter to him — left open for your perusal — and to he sealed and forwarded immediately by Post to give you his Sen- timents. — There should be a particular enumeration of the Bonds and other Papers which are surrendered — a lumping receipt may be liable to exceptions from the generality of it, in case of disputes hereafter. If you purchase the Young horse belonging to the Estate of Mr. Custis, I should be glad to get him ; and shall think it rather hard if so small a part of my Debt cannot be received by '^’ay of discount, when I am willing to forbeare and have not the smallest intention of putting the Estate to the least inconvenience to pay what it owes me. On this subject I wrote Mr. Dandridge a Post or two ago, but if the Sale did really take place on the 20th, agreeably to the advertisement, I do not suppose the Letter reached him previous to it. — I should have been well pleased to have got both the Horses ; but readily relinquished one that the produce of the Sale might be applied to the wants of the Estate. I observe what you say respecting the Flowering Shrubs and other Oniamental Trees at the X® end of the House — and as the locusts by the goodness of their growth may lay claim to an establishment there — I wish that the afore-mentioned shrubs and ornamental and curious trees may be planted at both ends that I may determine hereafter from circumstances and appearances which shall be the grove and which the wilderness. It is easy to extii-pate Trees from any spot but time only can bring them to maturity. In a drawer in the Locker of the Desk which stands in my study you will find two small (fore) teeth ; which I beg of you to wrap up carefully, and send inclosed in your next letter to me. — I am positive I left them there, or in the secret drawer in the locker of the same desk. Mrs. Washington and myself are sorry to hear that Mrs. APPENDIX. 325 Washington has been delivered of a dead child, but very glad to find she is so well after it. — We have nothing new and are beginning to be hard bound in frost. O O I am sincerely and affecfi^ y” G® Washington. P.S. When the case will admit of it — The Trees and Tlow- oring Shrubs that are. transplanted to the ends of the House have a better chance of living if taken from the open fields than the woods. — In the first case they have been more ac- customed to bear drought and are hardier than those taken from the Woods, where sun, winds, frost, nor drought has had much power on them, — and besides are handsomer.” The allusion to his teeth in the foregoing letter may lend a certain interest to the following note (loaned me by Dr. Coutant of Tarrytown,) from Washington’s dentist. Hew York, Jan’y 11, 1799. Sm, Your Letter of the 6 ^^ with the two enclosed Bills, contain- ing fifteen dollars, came safe to my hands, for which I Be- turn you thanks. I will Bite and let you know if 1 Bemove from here, and where to, as I meain to perform for you in my present professional line when I have done with every other person. I am Sir your very humble Servant John Greenwood. Lh G. George Washington Esq. P.S. I never make any Charge Against you either in book or other ways.” Edmund Bandolph, whose legal services are alluded to in the third letter to Lund Washington, (see also p. 134) refused to accept payment from Washington, though such services 326 APPENDIX. were continued for many years. In a letter of IT July 1784 Randolph writes to AYashington : “You will excuse me, I Lope, from accepting fees for any business which I may execute for you in the line of my profession. It is indeed a poor mode of acknowledging the repeated acts of friendship which I have experienced at your hands, hut I beg to be gratified in this, the usual way in which lawyers give some small testimony of their attachment. The grants [i.e. of lands, secured by Randolph for AYashington] which accom- pany this letter are of a bulky nature, but I thought I ought to enclose them by post, the stage having been found in one instance not to be the most certain conveyance.” APPENDIX. 327 I (p. 103). For the following letter I am indebted to Ferdinand Dreer Esq., of Philadelphia. Mount Yernon, 24 May — 99. Thomson Mason, Esq. Sir, I mean to renew the outer fence, on the line between you and me, — and in a manner more substantial than usual. Mr. Anderson wdll explain the method by w*^^ I propose to accomplish this, to you, and ask your leave to profit by your Ditch, and present fence : — which can be attended with no temporary inconvenience to yourself — and may, ultimately, be of singular advantage to you, as well as myself ; as my fence may subserve your purposes as well as my own. With esteem and regard I am — Sir Your most Obed^ Serv^ Washington. 328 APPENDIX. J (p. 130). Washington’s cosmopolitan ideas of farming made him curious in breeds of cattle, and particularly of pigs. In 1788 Gouverneur Morris offered to send him a couple of Chinese pigs, “ and in conpany with the pigs shall be sent a pair of Chinese geese, which are really the foolishest geese I ever beheld ; for they choose all times for setting but in the spring, and one of them is even now [l^ovember] actually engaged in that business.” To which Washington responds, “You will be pleased to accept my thanks for the exotic animals which you are meditating to send me.” (Constance Cary Harrison in the Century^ April 1889.) Washington made an effort to improve these pigs, which are alluded to in the following letter, loaned me by Mr. O. L. Sypher, of Hew York. Philadelphia, IP^ Peb. 1796. Bushrod Washington, Esq., Pichmondin Ya. Dear Sir, Since my last to you, relative to my Executorship of Col? Colvell’s Estate, I sent as therein mentioned, to the person from whom I had purchased the Guinea, or Chinese Hogs which you saw at my Mill ; and obtained two ; a boar and a sow ; — the latter with Pig. He informed me, however, that they were not of the whole blood, — but, in his opinion, improved from their mixture with another breed of Hogs, which he has. — They were accompanied with as much Corn as would serve them — plentifully — on the passage, and ordered immediately to the Yessel, which was on the point of sailing, and did sail yesterday ; and a receipt to be taken therefor APPENDIX. 329 and brought to me. — This not being received until today, I was surprised, (but too late to remonstrate ag*^ it) at the freight that is charged. But it is the way we are imposed upon here in almost everything. — My love to Mrs. Wash- ington, w®^ your aunt joins. — I am always, and affect^^ Yours Washington. 330 APPENDIX. K (p. 259). Washington’s Library contained a large number of works on agricultural science. The improvement of Virginia methods was a subject of consultation between him and his connection, Landon Carter, of Cleve, (1750-1810) whose scientific studies excited the attention of Dr. Rush. The original of the following letter to Landon Carter is in pos- session of Mrs. Lewis Willis Minor, of Norfolk, Ya., whose husband was a grandson of Landon Carter, who was a de- scendant of the famous “King Carter,” administrator of Lord Fairfax’s vast estates. Mount Vernon, 17^^ Oct. 1796. Sir, The letter with which you have favoured me, dated the 28*"^ ult. came duly to hand. A few months more will put an end to my political exist- ence, and place me in the shades of Mount Vernon under my Vine and Fig Tree ; where at all times I should be glad to see you. It is true (as you have heard) that to be a cultivator of Land has been my favorite amusement ; — but it is equally true that I have made very little proficiency in acquiring knowledge either in the principles or practice of Husbandry. My employments through life, have been so diversified — my absences from home have been so frequent, and so long at a time, as to have prevented me from bestowing the attention, and from making the experiments which are necessary to establish facts in the Sience of Agriculture. — And now, though I may amuse myself in that way for the short time I may remain on this Theatre, it is too late in the day for 7ne to commence a scientific course of experiments. APPENDIX. 331 Your thoughts on the mode of cultivating Indian corn, appeared to me, to be founded in reason, — and a judicious management of the Soil for different purposes, is as highly interesting to, as it has been neglected by, the People of this Country ; to the consequent destruction of much valuable land. — How to restore it to its original fruitfulness ; — and to in- crease the means by Stercoraries etc. ; to preserve it in that or an improving state ; — what rotation in crops is best adapted to soils, of different qualities, in order to keep our fields in health and vigour, and at the same time to derive immediate profit from them, are the great desiderata of the Husbandman. It is what the People of the interior parts of our country must come to soon, or emigrate to the exterior parts of it for subsistence on more productive Soil. Hothing has contributed, nor will any thing contribute more to effect these desirable purposes than the establishment of Agricultural Societies in this, as they have been in other countries : that the community may derive advantages fi’om the experiments and discoveries of the more intelligent com- municator through such channels. — Besides the numerous local Societies which are to be found in all parts of Great Britain and Ireland, a national one is now established under the auspices of the government of those countries ; which will, I conceive, be found among the most useful and bene- ficial institutions in them, if it is prosecuted with as much assiduity as it has commenced, under Presidency of Sir JiP Sinclair — I shall always feel myself obliged by your communicating any useful discovery in Agriculture ; and for the favourable sentiments you have been pleased to express for me, I pray you to accept the thanks of Sir, Your most obed^ and very IH^® Servant G° Washington. 333 APPENDIX. L (p. 272). The gap of time between this and the succeeding document may be partly filled by the letters following. For the corre- spondence with Landon Carter of Cleve I am indebted to his great grandson, L. M. Blackford, Principal of the Episcopal High School, near Alexandria, Ya. Philadelphia, 27*^^ Feb., 1797. Landon Cartek, Esq. Sir : Your favor of the inst. came duly to hand ; and I hope, as the season is approaching fast when the ground should be prepared for it, that you have informed Mr. James Anderson (my manager) in a letter directed to the care of the Post- master in Alexandria, at what time he may send for the Peas you were so obliging as to promise me. Having informed Mr. Anderson of my expectation of Peas from you, he suggested (and I thought it a good expedient) that instead of sending my own Waggon along the heavy road between Mount Yernon and Stafford Court House, that one should be hired by you to transport them to some land^ on the Potomack at which my Boat at an appointed time, might meet them. — As the roads, 1 am told, were never worse than at present ; and as no road in the world can be deeper or more distressing for horses to plunge through than the one from Occoquan to Stafi:’ord Court House ; the expedient before mentioned has, in a manner, become essential : and I will cheerfully add the cost of Waggonage to the price of the Peas, and pay the whole by your order ; or remit it in Bank notes as soon as the amount is made known to me. As delay or uncertainty in any respect, may prove injurious, I have put this letter (open) under cover to Mr. Anderson, APPENDIX. 333 with a request that he may also write you on the subject, for the purpose of having a time and place fixed, that my Boat may not be disappointed when it arrives. — The matter there- fore now rests between 3^011, and him. — With great esteem I am — Sir Your Obedient Serv. G® Washington. Mount Yernon, 3 ^^ March 1797 . Landon Carter, Esq. Sir: At the request of the President of the United States I have to beor leave to hand His letter under the same cover with o this. I have only to add to that wrote by the President — that the sooner 3’ou have 40 Bushels of the White Indian pease, with black eyes — readjq you will the more Oblidge the Presi- dent, I do not wish any of the small kind either the round kind called the Gentlemen pease, nor of the other small kind, which resemble the large — It is not for sale that I intend raising them — Our Stock of Sheep being upward of 600 and probably may increase them. These pease are meant to be fed away to them, which with the assistance of Turnip will (3^011 know) make an excellent Winter food — Have 3"ou any of the gre3^ pease raised in the County of Glocester, under the name of the Yeatman pea ? If so. It will be conferring a still greater Obligation Your leting us have 2 Bushels of them. As I will raise a-little Cotton for Mrs. Washington, please send us 2 Bushels of the seed of white Cotton, such as you can recomend, and place this with the Carriage &c to the same account. Your Superior knowledge of the Potomack and its Creeks makes me refer the place of delivery to Yourself. May there- fore please mention the nearest and most convenient Shiping 334 : APPENDIX. place on this Eiver, or its Creeks for Your delivery. And such as our Boat will come into. — She draws 2 to 3 feet water when Loaded — I will expect the favor of hearing from you on receipt hereof. And will be sure to send when and where you direct being with much respect Sir Your most Obed*^ Humble Serv^ Jas. Anderson.’’ The next letter (for which I am indebted to my friend Dr. F. B. Coutantj of Tarrytown) is unsigned. It is in AYash- ington’s handwriting, and endorsed by him: ‘^From Mrs. AVashington to Col. Humphreys, 26 June 1797.” Mount A^ernon, June 26‘^ 1797. Dear Sir, Your polite and obliging letter of the 18*^ of Feh^ came safe to my hands as did the gold chain which you have pre- sented me with as a token of your remembrance. I wanted nothing to remind me of the pleasure we have had in your company at this place ; but sliall receive the chain notwith- standing, as an emblem of your friendship, and shall value it accordingly. About the middle of March we once more (and I am very sure never to leave it again) got seated under our own Koof, more like new beginners than old established residenters, as we found everything in a deranged, and the buildings in a decaying state. Poor Mrs. Stuart has had very ill health for the last six or eight months but is better now. Her two oldest daughters as you know, or have heard, are both married, and each have a daughter, Yelly lives as usual with us, to all of whom I have presented you in the terms you required, and all reciprocate your kind wishes in an affectionate manner. Mr. Lear who APPENDIX. 335 often visits us, has lost liis second wife more than a year ago. Mr. Lund Washington died in August last. Our circle of friends of course is contracted, without any disposition on our part to enter into new friendshi^ys though we have an abun- dance of acquaintances and a vast variety of visitors. Dr. Craik is alive and enjoys tolerably good health, but Mrs. Craik declines fast. They have lately lost their second daughter, Mrs. West, who has left five young children. Perceiving from your letter to Mr. W. that you were upon the eve of an important change, I wish you every possible happiness in it. With very great esteem and regard I am Dear Sir Y"" obed’t Hble Serv’t. 336 APPENDIX. M (p. 275). During the last year of her husband’s presidency Mrs. Washington had aged greatly, and indeed remained an in- valid to the close of her life (1802). The unhappy separation from old friends, through political differences (alluded to in her letter to Col. Humphreys, Appendix L) was accompanied by domestic worries, some of which are indicated in the fol- lowing letters, which fall within the long interval left by the Pearce Letters. For the first I am indebted to Mr. Q. L. Sypher, of Hew -York. Mount Yernon, 3 Hov’^ 1797. Bushrod Washington, Esq., Bichmond. . My Dear Sir, Your letter of the 30^^ ult. was received by the last Post. Your aunt’s distresses for want of a good housekeeper 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 shortened. If }'OU are in habits of free communication with Mr. Brooke or with others who had opportunities of judging competently of the qualifications and conduct of Mrs. Forbes as a house- keeper, I would thank you for ascertaining and giving it to me in as precise a manner as you can obtain it. Among other things it would be satisfactory to know — What countrywoman she is ? Whether Widow or Wife ? if the latter Where her husband is ? What family she has ? What her age is ? APPENDIX. 337 Of what temper ? Whether active and spirited in the execution of her busi- ness ? Whether sober and honest ? Whether much knowledge in Cookery, and understands ordering and setting out a Table ? What her appearance is ? With other matters , which may occur to you to ask, — and necessary for me to know. Mrs. Forbes will have a warm, decent and comfortable room to herself, to lodge in, and will eat of the Yictuals of our Table, but not set at it, at any time with us^ be her ap- pearance what it may ; for if this was once admitted^ no line satisfactory to either party, perhaps, could be drawn there- after. — It might be well for me to know however whether this was admitted at Gov^ Brookes or not. Is it practicable do you think to get a good and well-dis- posed 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. — Tours always and affec- tionately G° Washington. P.S. Since writing the foregoing Mrs. L. Washington informs me that Mr. Swan is anxious to learn from the Beturns, or Records in the General Court, — or from the best information you can obtain whether it has been the invari- able practice to survey the Land Docked by a writ of Ad quod damnum — wLether it has frequently been dispensed with — and what has been the consequence. — Let me thank you for making this enquiry and furnishing me with the result of it. Yrs. G. W n ” The next letter is to his nephew. Major George Lewis of Fredericksburg, for which I am indebted to his great grand- son R. B. Lewis Esq. of Washington. 22 338 APPENDIX. Mount Yernon, 13 JSTov. 1797 Dear Sir, The running off of my cook has been a most inconvenient thing to this family, and what rendered it more disagreeable in that I had resolved never to become the Master of another slave by purchase, but this resolution I fear I must break. I have endeavored to hire, black or white, but am not yet sup- plied. A few days ago, having occasion to write to Mr. Bushrod Washington on other matters, I asked if one could be had in Bichmond. The following is his answer : “ Mr. Brooke (late Governor) informs me that he had a very ex- cellent cook, with no other fault than a fondness for liquor (which a town affords him too many opportunities of indulg- ing), who is now in Fredericksburg and is to be sold. I shall write to the gentleman who had 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. Brooke while he was in the government.” Let me ask you now to see both Mr. Murray and 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 purpose, then discover the lowest terms on which he could be had by purchase, or on hire, and inform me of the result by the first post, to which an answer shall immediately be given. I should like to know the age, and as far as you are enabled to ascertain it, the temper and 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 and occupation. By the time I can receive an answer from you I expect Mrs. Forbes, who was Governor Brooke’s house- keeper, and from her own knowledge, of the person and your APPENDIX. 339 account I shall be enabled to determine what answer to give. Our loves to Mrs. Lewis etc. I am your affectionate uncle G. Washington. Mount Yernon, 18^^ Dec’^ 1797. Bushrod Washington, Esq My Dear Bushrod, Your letter of the 26*^ ult° came safe in the usual course of the mail, and about a week ago Mrs. Forbes arrived ; and from her appearance, and conduct hitherto, gives satisfaction to your aunt. — Having, as she says, obtained ten dollars of you, to defray her expences to this place ; I herein return them, with thanks for the aid it afforded to get her here. — and as you may have paid for the copies of sundry papers taken from the Becords of the General Court, let me know the amount and it shall be remitted also. About a month ago a Mr. Woodward, living, according to his own account, at Greenbrier Courthouse presented draughts (of which the enclosed are copies) from the Sheriff of Kan- hawa for taxes of my land in that County. I did not incline to pay the amount wdthout making further enquiry into the matter. — Upon this he informed me that I might obtain the necessary information at the Treasury, or Auditor’s Office in Kichmond ; to which the returns were made, and where the money might be, and often was, paid, instead of doing it to the Sheriff of the Back counties, by non-residents. You would oblige me by making this enquiry, and if the taxes are correctly stated, and the amount of them can be paid with propriety in Bichmond, to inform me thereof ; and measures shall be taken as ^on as I am in Cash, to discharge the same. The enclosed paper, after it has enabled you to make the necessary enquiry, may be returned to me again. — The family here join me in offering you and Mrs. Washington the com- pliments of the approaching festival — and I am with much truth Your sincere friend and affectionate uncle G® AYashington. 34:0 APPENDIX. ]S^ (p. 288). There is something pathetic in these dates. The national horizon cleared of the clouds which had threatened to call him again from his beloved Mount Yernon, there opened before the farmer a prospect of farther years in which he should en- joy his estate and his repose. His physical decline was more apparent to careful observers than to himself ; among others to Landon Carter of Cleve, who, though not a physician, was a careful student. My friend L. M. Blackford (Principal of the Episcopal High School, near Alexandria) sends me a cor- respondence between his great-grandfather, Landon Carter, and Washington of which a portion is here inserted. In a letter dated ‘‘ Cleve, King George Co., Ya., 1 Oct. 1798’’ Landon Carter says to Washington : “Health is a grand object with man but it becomes all important when the preservation of it in any one person comprehends all the relations of a People ; when like a focus the views of all direct to a single point : Permit me therefore to lay before you some leading principles ; some conclusions ; and some consequent practice for the security of health. “ I believe it is a fact generally admitted, that all the works of nature are sustained by principles which, beyond a certain point, become destructive — or technically speaking, “ all things contain within them the seeds of their own dissolu- tion.” In pursuance of a conviction of this truth, I sought for that principle in Man : “ Dust thou art and unto dust thou shalt return ” are solemn words pronounced in that last office performed by his weeping friends. “A great modern Philosopher in his nomenclature has arranged five Elements as the constituents of all the variety APPENDIX. 341 in nature. One of these I trace to the characterising the matter of Earth — the same is found, by experiment, to form the basis of oils — I therefore suppose it to be the fundamental principle of the animal Oeconomy. This principle is also found to be the basis of fixed air, and that compound is de- nominated an asscid. I trace many diseases to an asscid for their source when it is detained in the stomach and is taken up in too great quantities into the system. I conclude then that, by arresting that superabundance while yet in the stomach and before it is taken up I arrest incipient disease.” The letter then proceeds to give, at some length, prescrip- tions drawn from the writer’s experience and studies. Wash- ington’s reply follows. Mount Yernon, 5^^ Oct., 1798. Dear Sir, Your favor of the 1®^ inst. has been received, and if it had been convenient, I should have been glad of your company as you travelled to Annapolis. — As you propose, however, to send in your servant, and I am generally on horseback be- tween breakfast and dinner, that he may not be delayed or disappointed, you will receive, enclosed, one letter for the Gov’^ of Maryland (an old acquaintance of mine) and another for Mr. McDonah, President of the College. — which, I hope may answer your purposes. — They will be left under this cover for whomsoever you may send, in case I should be out. I thank you foi:^the trouble you have taken in delivering your thoughts on the means of preserving health. Having, through life, been blessed with a competent share of it with- out using preventatives against sickness, and as little medicine as possible when sick ; — I can have no inducement now to change my practice. — against the effect of time and age, no • remedy has ever yet been discovered ; — and like the rest of 342 APPENDIX. my fellow-mortals, I must (if life is prolonged) submit, and be reconciled, to a gradual decline. With esteem and regard I am — Dear Sir Your Most Obed^ Serv* Washington. Please to put wafers in the ' letters before delivery. The last year of Washington’s life opened with schemes for the rounding out of his beautiful district on the Potomac. The following letter, with which I am favored by Professor Chapman Maupin, of Ellicott City, Maryland, a descendant of Lawrence Washington the immigrant, refers to a piece of land between Mount Yernon and Occoquan Creek. Mount Yernon, 18^^ Mar : 1799 Capt^’ Will^^ Thompson. Dear Sir, Col. Tho® Lee (of Loudoun) is possessed, I am informed, of a tract of about 400 acres of Land within a mile of Colchester, which he is disposed to sell. — Let me request the favour of you to describe it to me as accurately as you can from your own knowledge, or from the information of others on whose judgment you can rely. In doing this, say what the kind and quality of the soil is ; — whether level or broken ; — what the nature of the growth ; — what proportion is in wood ; — How timbered ; what tenements are on it ; — the condition of them ; — whether much worn and gullied, or in good heart ; — and whether they are tenants at will or on leases ; and what kind of leases ; with the scms of improvements. — How watered also. — To this catalogue of enquiries, permit me to ask, what, in your opinion, and the opinion of such as are acquainted with the value, and prices of land in that neighbourhood, and APPENDIX. 3-i3 situated as it is, it is worth in Cash — also on credit, and what credit. I will offer no apology for giving you the trouble to make these enquiries, but shall thank you for answering them ; as I have an object in requesting this kindness from you. — With esteem, I am Dear Sir Your Obedient Serv^ Washington.” The original of the next letter is in possession of Dr. Wil- liam T. Darlington of Pittsburgh; it is to his Manager, James Anderson, then, it would appear, on a remote part of the estate. Mount Yernon, 8^ Sep. 1799. Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Washington passed a good night — is clear of fever today — and is taking the Bark — which I hope will prevent a return of it. I am much hurried and pressed, with one thing and an- other, but do what humanity requires for Boberts : — who ought not to have engaged in the situation he is in without first informing me of it. — Dr. Craik is not noio here ; — nor collected if Mrs. Washington should not relapse; — but the case may be stated to him against tomorrow afternoon, when I shall send up to the Post Office. — If it be found that he is not now — nor soon vnll be, in a condition to discharge the duties of a miller, some other must^ undoubtedly, be got ; as I cannot loose the J^all woi*k of the mill. — He may have medi- cine, or anything else from hence. I did not send to the Post Office yesterday — of course no papers came. — I was sorry to hear of your indisposition. — I fear the charge with which you are entrusted, is too much for your healtli, and that to execute it properly will rather increase than diminish your complaint. APPENDIX. SU I shall therefore, so soon as company — sickness — and other circumstances will allow me time to digest my thoughts on this subject — express them to you in a more full and ample manner than I can do at present — I am always Your friend &c® G : Washington.” This volume may fitly close with the following letter to Col. Burgess Ball, to whose grandson. Col. George Washing- ton Ball of Alexandria, I am indebted for it. Washington died eighty-three days after writing this pathetic note con- cerning the death of his brother Charles. Mt. Yernon, Sept. 22d, 1799. Dear Sir : Your letter of the 16th inst. has been received, informing me of the death of my brother. The death of near relations always produces awful and affecting emotions, under whatsoever circumstances it may happen. That of my brother has been so long expected, and his latter days so uncomfortable to himself, (sic) must have prepared all around him for the stroke, though painful in the effect. I was the first, and am, now, the last of my father’s chil- dren by the second marriage, who remain. When I shall be called upon to follow them is known only to the Giver of Life. When the summons comes I shall en- deavor to obey it with a good grace. Mrs. Washington has been and still is very much indis- posed, but unites with me in best wishes for you, Mrs. Ball, and family. With great esteem and regard, I am. Dear Sir, your affec- tion’te serv’t G° Washington. INDEX, A BIXGDON, Va., Ixxv. Abram, negro, 58. Academy, Alexandria, Ixxv ; An- dover, Ixxxviii ; Fredericksburg, Ixxxviii. Achoactoke, river, xx. Acquia, Ixxiv. Acrostic, Washington’s, xxxvi. Adams, Mrs. John, xlviii. Adams, Hon. Thomas, xxxix. Adet, French Minister, 256. Adwick-le-Street, xvii. Airass, Mr., 306. Aix-la-Chapelle, Ixviii. Alexanders, xxxvi, 315. Alexandria, relics at, Ixxi ; ball at, Ixxiii. Allison, overseer, 220, 270. Allison, Col. Thomas, 231. Ambler, Mary (Cary), xxxvi. Ames, Hon. Fisher, 251. Anderson, James, manager, 263, 267, 271, 274, 327, 332, 343. Andover, Washington at, xlviii ; academy, Ixxxviii. Archer, Mr., 320. Arms, Washington, xiv. Ashby, Capt., Ixvii. Ashford, (leorge, 318. Asses, from Spain, Ixxiv, Ixxv. Association, non-importation, 299. Atherall, Hannah, xxiv. Augusta County, Va., xlix. Aylett, Anne (see Washington). gAILEY, Pierce, 406, 166, 169, Ball, arras, genealogy, etc., xxiii ; Agnes, Alice, Als, xxiii ; Anne, xxiii, XXX, 85 ; Col. Burgess, XXX, Ivii, Ixxxv, 11, 41, 48, 53, 54, 96, 231, 233, letters to 292, 301, 344 ; David, xxiv ; Dorothy, xxiii ; Edward, Elizabeth, xxiii ; Esther, xxiv ; Frances, xxiv ; George, xxiii ; Capt. George Washington, xxiii, 292, 344 ; Hannah, xxiv, xxxviii, xliii ; James, xxiv, xxv, 85 ; Jeduthun, 12 ; Joane, John, xxiii ; Col. Joseph, xxiv, xxx ; Joseph, xxiv, xxxi, xlii ; Margaret, xxiv ; Mary, xxiv, xxx (see Washiog- ton) ; Richard, Samuel, xxiv ; Sa- I rah, xxxviii ; Stretchley, xxiv ; ! William, xxiii, xxiv, 12. i Ball, Moses, 160. ' Bancroft, George, v. : Barbadoes, xxxix. ; Barn, old, Ixix ; bricks for new, ; 280. ■ Barney, Capt., Ixxvi. Bassett, Col. Burwell, 5, 62, 299 ; ' Mrs., xlvii, Ixxiii. I Bassett, Ella (see Mrs. Lewis W ash- ington). Beattie, Dr., xi. Belvoir, xxxiv. i Benjamin, Walter R., Ixvi. Bentley, Caleb, Ixxxi ; Mrs. Rich- j ard, Ixxxi. ' Berkeley, Sir William, xxi. j Berkeley Springs, Va., Ixiv. I Bermuda, xix. I Bible, Washington family, xix ; I Lewis, 1. j Bishop, servant, Ixxiii, 143 Blackburn, Col., Ixxvii. Blackford, L. M., 322, 340. Blagden, Mr., xc, 260. Blair, President, Ixxiv. Boatswain, negro, 107, 109. Boston, Ixxi. Boucher, Rev. Jonathan, xxix, Ixxxii. Bowcock, Capt., xci. Braddock, xlii, Ixxiii. Braddock House, 126. Bradford, William, attorney-gen- eral, 165, 201, 205. Brevoort, James Carson (see Pref- ace). 346 INDEX. British cruisers, 59, 229. British treaty, 168, 244. Broad well, Mrs., Ixx. Brooke, Gov., Ya., 336. Brown, Alexander, xix. Browne, Judith, 53. Brunswick, parish, Va., xxx. Buckminster, Rev. Joseph, 311. Burroughs. Silas, xliv. “ Bushfield,” xxxi, xliii. Bushrod, Hannah, xliv. Busts, Ixxiv. Butler, Jane, xxvii ; wife of Capt. Augustine Washington, xliv. Butler, Lawrence, xxvii. Butler, overseer, 16, 29, 31, 37, 92, 103, 107, 114, 146, 191. Buttons, symbolical, Ixxi. (HANDLES, funeral, Ixxi. ^ Carlyle, Col., Ixxv. Carnagie, Rev., xxiv. Caroline, servant, 253. Carroll, Hon. Charles, Ixiv, 313. Carter, Betty (Lewi.s), 1, Ixi. Carter, Charles, Ivii, Ixxvi. Carter, Landon, Ixxii, Ixxiii, 178, 233, 330, 340. Carter, Robert (“King Carter”), 330. Carpenter, agreement, 277. Cary, Robert & Co., xvi. Cary, Sally (see Mrs. G. W. Fair- fax). Champe, Col., Ixxiii. Champe, Jane, xliv. Chapman, Lucy, xliv. Charlemagne, Ixviii. “Chatham,” Ixxvii. Cheiza d’Artignan, Count, Ixxv. Chester, Col. Joseph L., xiv. Chichester, Mr., lx. Chinn, Raleigh, xxiv. Cincinnati, the, Ixxi. Clark, Maj. John, 112. Clark, overseer, 269, 272. Coach, xvi, Ixix. Cogswell, Joseph, v. Colchester, Ixvii, Ixxvii, 116, 342. College, William and Mary, Ixxii ; Carlisle, Pa., Ixxviii ; Harvard, Ixxvii. Colville, Col., 328. Company, Potomac, 47, 66, 102, 303 ; James River, 303. Congress, 77, 80, 112, 117, 147, 242, 246, 251. Constable, Mr., Ixvi. Convention, Constitutional, Ixxvi. Conway, Col. Edwin, xxiv, xxviii, 85. Conway, Capt., 85. Conway, Joseph, 85. Conway, Mary, 85. Conway, Nelly, 85. Conway, Richard, 85. Conway, Richard M., xliv. Conway, Sarah, xxxviii, 128. Cooper Jack, negro, 187. Cornwallis, Lord, xli. Cotton, Dr. , letter of, xxxii. Coutant, Dr., 325, 334. Cowpens, hero of, xxi. Craik, Dr., Ixvii, Ixxvi, Ixxxviii, 128, 187, 239, 269, 343 ; William, Ixvii. Cresap, Col., Ixiii. Crest, Washington, xvii seq. Crow, overseer, 6, 9, 15, 19, 31, 41, 58, 92, 96, 102, 294. Culpeper County, Ixvii. Cupid, negro, 264. Custis, children, Ixxii, 255. Custis, Daniel Parke, Ixviii. Custis, Eleanor (Nelly), xlvii, lix, Ixxiv, Ixxxix, 182, 255. Custis, Elizabeth, 201, 260. Custis, G. W. P., li, 182, 257. Custis, Jacky, xxix. Custis, John P., 107, 257, 322, 324. Custis, Martha Dandridge (see Washington). Custis, Martha (Patsy), xlvii. Cyrus, negro, 216, 270, 271. TYAINGERFIELD, Catharine, 1. Dandridge, Anna, 5. Dandridge, Bartholomew, 31, 71, 279, 324. Dandridge, John, Ixviii ; Mrs., 300. Daniel, Hannah, xliii ; Peter, xliii, 37. Darlington, Dr., 306, 343. Darnes, Mr., 235, 248. Davenport, miller, 218 ; Mrs., 224. Davis, Thomas, 20, 62, 82, 97, 295. Davis, Rev. Thomas, 47, 126, 131, 220 , 222 . Davy, overseer, 13, 20, 24, 194, 263, 294. Dawson, Rev. M., 1. Deer at Mount Vernon, 146. Dick, MaJ. Charles, xlii, xlix, Ixxxv. Dick, Mary, 1. Dick, Milly, li. Digges, Mr., Ixxiv. Dinwiddie, Governor, xlvii, Ixiii. INDEX. 347 Dix, Alfred, xlviii. Dixon, Lucy, 1. Dixon, Roger, 1. Donaldson, James, carpenter, 113, 119, 127, 136, 142, 178, 198, 205. Douglass, Mr., 79. Downman, Frances, xxiv, xxx. Downman, Raleigh, and Rawleigh, xxiv, xxx. Dreer, Ferdinand J., xlvii, Ixxi. Dulany, Benjamin, 37, 322 Dumfries, Va., Ixiii, Ixxvi, Ixxxvi. Dunmore, Lord, liii. Durham, England, xx. ‘P'ARLY, Widow, Ixviii. ^ Edwards, Meridah, xxvii. Ehler, gardener, 22, 40, 44, 267 ; Mrs., 156, 227. Elliot, Miss, xxii. Embargo, 59, 64, 76. Emmet, Dr. Thomas A., xix, xxvii, 307. England, seeds from, 234 ; farming in, 289. Everett, Hon. Edward, vii. Ewell, President, 128. Echstein, artist, Ixxiv. T^AIRFAX, Ann (Mrs. Lawrence Washington, afterwards m. George Lee), xxxiv, xliv. Fairfax, Rev. Bryan, 126. Fairfax, Col. George W., xxvi, xl, liv, Ixxix ; Mrs. (Sally Cary), xxiii, xxxvi. Fairfax, Lord, x, xxxiv, Ixi, Ixiv, 127. Fairfax, William, xxxiv. Fairfax County, xxviii, xxxviii. Fairfax, John, overseer, Ixxv. Falmouth, xxx, 70. Fauchet, French minister, 68, 195. Fauntleroy, Betsy, xx*xvi, xxxix. Fauntleroy, Moore, xxxix. Fauntleroy, William, sr., xxxix. Federal City, Ixxxix, 114, 119, 253, 308. Federalist, ship, Ixxvi. Fellenberg, Baron, v. Ferry, Posey’s, 115. Ferry, Spotswood’s, xxxii. Fendall, Governor Mar5dand, xx. Fitzgerald, Col., Ixxv, Ixxxvii, 143, 225, 229. Fitzhugh, family, xxxvi. Fitzhugh, Col. and Mrs. William, Ixxvii, Ixxxv, Ixxxvii, Ixxxix. Fitzhugh, Mrs., at Mount Vernon, Ixxxii Fitzhugh, Mary Lee, 257. Fitzhugh, William of Ravensworth, Iv. Flemming, Jane, xxi. Forbes, Mrs., housekeeper, 336. Ford, Worthington C., xxxii, Ixii. Foote, Elizabeth (Mrs. Lund W.), 314, 325. Fox, David, xxiv. “Frances Alexa,” xxxvi. Franklin, Dr., Ixxiv, Ixxvi. Frederick the Great, xi. Fredericksburg, xxviii, xxx ; fair at, xxxviii ; club, Ixxiv, Ixxxiv, 70. Freemason, Ixxi, Ixxxiv. Freeman, Mr., Ixxv. Freke arms, xviii. French, Daniel, 37 ; Mrs., 151, 230. French, Capt. Hugh, xxvii. French, George, xliii. “French Paul,” negro, 162, 176. Frestal, M., 259. Frost, Amariah, 23. Fry, Col., 128. Furnaces, xxxi. ^ALLAGHER, Capt., Ixxxvi. ^ Gallagher, Rev. M., Ixxxvi. Gallop, Joseph, 240, 242. Garnett, Richard, British Museum, xvii. Gazette, Alexandria, 226 ; George- town, 102. Genet, French minister, 68. Gibourne, Rev. Isaac, Ixxiii. Gill, Mr., Alexandria, 106. Gilpin, Col., 52, 53, 210. Gordon, Dr. William, 314. Gough, Mr., 247. Graham, Mr. and Mrs. Macauley, Ixxi. Grant, Margaret, xxxi. Gray, Asa, cit., 40. Gray, weaver, 268. Green, Rev. CJharles, xxviii, Ixxiii. Green River lands, liv. Green, Sally, 122, 131, 236. Green, Thomas, carpenter, 27, 36, 43, 65, 97, no. Greenfield, Thomas, 305. Greenwood, John, dentist, 325. Gregory, Roger, xxxiv. Grenville, Lord, 324. Griffith, Rev. David, 312. Grove, William, “ convict,” xxx. 348 INDEX. UALE, Rev. E. E., xlii. Hale, J. P., letter, Ixiv. Halley, Mr., Alexandria, 190. Hamilton, Col., Ixxxviii, 205, 259. Hamilton, Dr., xv. Hancock, John, xvi. Harrison, Benjamin, 299. Harrison, Constance, 328. Harrison, Maj., lx. Harrison, President, 299. Hartley, Mrs., xlvii. Hartshorn, Mr., Alexandria, 47, 210. Haverhill, Washington at, xlviii. Hawkins, senator, 124. Hayden, Rev. H. E., xxviii. “Hayfield,” 116, 314. Haynie, Mrs., Ixxviii, 305. Heard, Sir L, xiv. Hening, cit., xxxii. Henley, Frances Dandridge, 63. Herbert, William, Alexandria, Ixxv, 126, 220, 222. Hercules, negro, 270. Hildebrand, Pope, xi. Historical and Genealogical Regis- ter, xix. Historical Society, New York, liv. Hobby, Sexton, xxix seq. Houdon, Ixxiv. Hough, John, Ixxv. Howell, George R. , librarian, xv. Howes, Thomas, xxvii. Hoxton, L., 313. Hughes, Mr., 242. Humphreys, Col., 334. Husbandry, books, 234, 245, 259, 330. Huntington, Countess, xiv. TREDELL, James, xlvii. Irving, Washington, v. JACKSON, President, xli. ^ Jackson, Robert, 1. Jay, his treaty, 59, 64, 68, 234. Jefferson, 30, 63, 244. John, gardener, 91. Johnson, Mary, general’s grand- mother, xxiv, xiv. Johnston, S., xlvii. Jones, chaplain, Ixxiv. Jones, Joseph (Judge) and Mrs., 1. Jones, Paul, Ixxxv. Jones, Sarah (Ball), xxxviii. TTANAWHA. Ixiii, 10, 307, 339. Kane, Greenville, 314. “ Kenmore,” xliv, 10. Kiger, George, anecdote, xli. King George County, xxviii. Kingston (N. Y.) Church, 310. Kirk, James, 266. Kitt, steward, 200. Knox, Gen., Ixxi, Ixxii, 303, 310. Kountze, Luther, liii, Ixxxvii. “ J ACON,” story of the general’s father, xxvii. Lafayette, Marquis, Ixxv ; bust of, 250, 259. Lambton, Knight of, xx. Lamphire, Mr., 318. Lawrence, Sir James, xviii. Laurie, Dr., Ixxiii. Law, Mr., 201, 260. Lear, Tobias, xlviii, Ixxii, Ixxv, 5, 31, 63, 66, 142, 243, 264, 266, 270, 275 ; letter, 276. Lee, Arthur, 256. Lee, Charles, Ixxv, 165. Lee, George, Ixii. Lee, R. H., 111. Lee, Gen. Robert E., 257. Lee, Col. Thomas, 342. Lefferts, Dorothy, vi. L’Enfant, Major, xvi. Lewis, Andrew, Ixiv, Ixvii. Lewis, Ann, Mrs., 1. Lewis, Augustin, 1. Lewis, Betty, the general’s sister, xliii, xliv ; portrait, li ; letters, Iv seq., Ixi, Ixxii, Ixxvi, Ixxxiv, 10, 53, 58, 114. Lewis, Betty (see Carter). Lewis, Catharine (Washington), 1. Lewis, Charles, xlix, 1. Lewis, Hon. Edward P. C. , 1. Lewis, Col. Fielding, xliv, xlix, lii ; letters, liii, Ixxiv, Ixxxv, 10. Lewis, Fielding, jr., 1, Ixxvi. Lewis, Frances, xlix, 1. Lewis, Major George, 1, Ixiv, Ixxx, 195, 337. Lewis, G. W., Ixxvi. Lewis, Howell, li, Iviii, Ixxx, 10, 18, 27, 53, 291 ; letters to, 293, 305. Lewis, Capt. H. Howell, 1, Ixi. Lewis, James, 307. Lewis, Maj. John, xxxiv, Ixix. Lewis, John, xlix, Ixxvi. Lewis, Lawrence, 1, lix, Ixi, Ixxx, 255, 292, 305. Lewis, Lucy, 1. Lewis, Robert, of Wales, xlix. Lewis, Robert, 1 ; mayor, li ; agent, lx, Ixxviii, Ixxx, 41, 44, 53, 231, 233, 240, 241, 256, 291 ; account- book, 305, 306. INDEX. 349 Lewis, R. Byrd, 1, 195, 337. Lewis, Samuel, 1. Lewis, Hou. Thomas, xxxvi. Lewis, Warner, brother of Col. Fielding, xlix. Lewis, Warner, son of Col. Field- ing, 1. Lincoln, Gen., 63. Liston, family, xxv. Liston, British minister, 256. Little, Col. Charles, Ixxxvii, 308. Little, William A., xxxii. ‘ ‘ Little Falls, ” farm, xxx seq . , Ixxvii. Lodge, Hon. Cabot, xvii ; his “Washington,” 195. Logan, chief, Ixiii. Logan, Daniel Boone, xv. Lomax, Judge, Ixxvii. Long, Miss (Mrs. Lear), 63. Loring, his child, xlviii. Louis XVI., portrait, xvii. Lovell, Howell L., Iviii. “ Lowland Beauty,” xxxvi. Lucy, cook, 23. Lund, the name, xviii. Lyle, Col., 56, 102, 105, 108. ]\f‘CRAE, Mr., Ixxiii. M‘Donough, president, 341. M‘Guire, Rev. E. C., xxviii, Ixxx, 184, 285, 291. M'Guire, Frederick, li, lii, Ixxiv, Ixxix. Madison, James, 85 ; Mrs., Ixxxiv. Magazine of American History, liv ; Harper’s, xlvii ; Historical, xviii, XX, xliii ; Lippincott’s, Ixxxii. M‘Koy, overseer, 13, 15, 20, 25, 31, 41, 44, 86, 92, 96, 110. Markham, Louis, xvii, xxv. “ Marmion,” 1. 3Iarshall, Mr., 321. Marshall, Mrs., Ixxxviii. Mar}"e, Rev. James, xxxv. Marye, Peter, 1. Mask of Washington, Ixxxvii. See portrait. Mason, Hon. Armstead T., 103. Mason, Col. George, Ixxiv, 103, 322. Mason, Stevens Thomson, 103. . Mason, Thomson, lx, 103, 113, 115, 117, 327. Massaponax Creek, xxxii. Massey, Rev. Lee, Ixxvi. Massy, Miss, xxi. Maupin, Prof. Chapman, Ixx, 342. Mauzy, John, surveyor, 305. Meigs, John, Ixv. Meigs, Col. R. J., Ixv. Mercer, Col. George, 323. Mercer, Gen. Hugh, Ixxxv, 315. Mercer, James (Judge), li, Ivii, Ixxv, Ixxvi, 323. Mercer, John, 133, 323. Mercer, John F., Ixxix. Mifflin, Warner, xlvi. Milburne, Mr., 277. Mills, Clark, Ixxxvii. Minor, George, 75, 131, 235. Minor, John B., 75. Minor, Virginia Carter, 299. Minor, Mrs., 330. Minton, Mrs., xxvi. ]\Iochodock Creek, xxvii. Monroe, James, Ixxxv. Morris, Gouverneur, 68, 328. Morris, Robert, xvi, Ixvi, Ixxxviii, Ixxxix. Motto, Washington’s, xv. Mount Vernon, xxviii, Ixii ; build- ing, Ixx ; alterations, 236, 254, 262, 265 ; school-house, 248 ; com- pany, 252 ; managers, 291 ; cot- ton, 33 ; and in loc. Muclus, negro, 21, 82, 97, 295. “ Muddy Hole Will,” overseer, 22. Muir, Rev. James, 47, 191. “ Mulatto Will,” 74. Murray, George, 338. Muse, Battaile, 305. Mussipontarius, on urbanity, xxxv. XTEALE, superintendent, 202, 212, 262, 271. Negroes, their names, 119. Nicholas, Lewis, xxvii. Norton, John, 126. (^’HARA, Gen., xli. O’Neill, stonemason, 82, 87, 94, 139. Overdursh, Dutch family, bought, Ixxvi. pAGE, John, 126. Page, Mann, Ixxvii. Paine, Thomas, “ Common Sense,” liii, 47. Parin, M., Ixxiv. Parks, Ixxxiv. Paschal, negro, 119, 248. Peake, manager, Ixxviii, 291. Peale, C. W., Ixxxvi. Pearce, William, manager, in loc.; certificate, 271. Pearson, Simon, 317. Peekskill, Ixv. Pendleton, E. B., letter, Ixiv. 350 INDEX. Pepperell, Sir W., 311. Perin, Leonard, xxxv. Perrin, Mrs., xliv. Peter, keeper of stud, 48, 87, 142, 217, 224, 238, 265. Pettit, Charles, 323. Peyton, Mrs, Frances, xxi. Peyton, Col. Valentine, xxi. Pinckney, American minister in England, 234. Philips, Mr., 276. Phillips, A. K,, letter, xxxii. Pollard, Miss, 10. Pope, Ann, xx. Port Royal, Ixxiii. Port Tobacco, Ixxvi. Posey, Capt. John, 115. “ Postilion Joe,” 190, 203. Potts, James, 277. Powell, Elizabeth, letter to, Ixxxviii. Prescott, Capt,, xx. Prince AVilliam County, xxviii,lxvii. Pursh, cit., 30. Pyne, Mr., 107, 110, 114, 123, 131. T> AXDOLPH, Edmund, xiii, Ixxv, Ixxxvii, 59, 89, 112, 134, 195, 201, 205, 323 ; declines Washing- ton’s fee, 325. Readman, Robert, xxvii. “ Redemptiouers,” Ixxv, Ixxvi. Renwick, James, v. Richmond, negro, 119, 261. Ridgway, Gen., Ixx. Rietstap, cit., xviii. Rogers, Miss (Mrs. Joseph Ball), xxiv. Rosier, John, xxvii. Rotation, of crops, 282, 287. “ Rules of Civility,” xxxv. Russell, Mr., 306. Stabler, Edward, xlv ; Henry, xlvi ; Jessie, xlv. Stafford, County, xxviii ; C. -H., Ixxvii. Steptoe, Anne, xliv. Stevens, Rev. B., 312. Stewart, Robert, Ixii. St. George’s Church, Fredericks- burg, XXX, Ixxvii. Strickland, Mulliam, 178. Stuart, Dr. David, Ixxiv, 107, 152, 188, 224 ; Mrs., 334. Stuart, overseer, 6, 13, 24, 34, 41, 81, 258, 276, 287. Storke, xxvii. Strother, Alice, xxx ; Jane, xxxv ; John, xxxiii ; William, xxxi, xxxv. Sullivan, Capt., Ixxv. Swan, Mr., 337. TALIAFERRO, Maj., xxxii ; A Mary, 1. Tayloe, Delia, xxxv. Thompson, Rev., Ixxiv. Thompson, Capt. William, 342. Thornton family, xxxiv ; Frances, 1 ; George, 1 ; John, 1 ; Mildred, xliv ; William, Ixxxix. Thorn, the Washington, 36, 67. Tilghman, Col. Oswald, 3 ; Col. Tench, Ixvi, Ixxi ; William (Judge), 3. Tobacco, 385. Toner, Dr. J. M., xxxv, xliv, Ixxxvii. Townshend, Mary, xxi. Travers, Hannah, xliii. Travers, Rawleigh, xxiv. Triplett, Mr., 317. Truro Parish, xxviii, xxix, 75, Turner, Mr., of Alexandria, 45. CAM EELS, Judge, Ixxix. ^ Scott, Robert, 305. Seals, xiv. Seatons, 1. Shearman, Mrs., xxv. Simms, Col., Ixxxvii, 106, 160. Sims, Mrs., xlviii. Sinclair, Sir J., xvi, 178, 331. Slaughter, Rev. Dr., xii, xxvii. xxx, 75, 128. Smith, Alexander, 53, 167, 219, 238, 261, 266, 269. Smyth, Dr., Ixxxiv. Spencer, Nicholas, xxvi. Spotswood, Col., xxxii, Ixxvii, Ixxxv. TTNIVERSITY, Washington and ^ Lee, 304. yAN SLYKE, Rev. Dr., 310. T\7AKEFIELD, xvii, xxvi ; burnt, xxviii, xxxix. Ward, Gen. Artemas, xlviii. Warner, Augustine, xxxiv, xlix ; Elizabeth, xlix ; Mildred, xx ; “Warner Hall,” xlix. Washington, arms, family, etc., xiv seg. Washington, Captain Augustine, father of the general, ix, xix. INDEX. 351 xxiv, xxvi, xxvii seq.; will, xxxi, Ixii. Washington, Augustine, half-broth- er of the general, xxiii, xliv, xci, no. Washington, Anne (Aylett), xliv, no. Washington, Col. Bailey, xxi. Washington, Baron, xviii. Washington, Betty (see Lewis). Washington, Bushrod, Judge, Ivi, Ixvii, Ixx, Ixxxvii, xcii, 308, 328, 336. Washington, Catharine, xlix. Washington, Charles, xxix, xliv, 1, lix, 62 ; death, 344. Washington, Corbin, Ixvi. Washington, Dyonis, xviii. Washington, Frances, xlviii, 5, 12, 18, 22, 32, 40, 69, 82, 87, 112, 128, 171, 173. Washington, George, Gen., on war, ix, xlvi ; character and works, xii ; seals, xv ; education, xxix, XXXV ; inheritance, xxxi ; rules of civility, xxxv ; poems, xxxvi, xl ; early love, xxxvi ; anecdotes of, xli, 57 ; self-command, xlii ; with his mother, xlii ; wife, xliv ; and Quakers, xlv, Ixx, Ixxxi ; love of children, xlviii ; inherits Mt. Vernon, Ixii ; lands, xxxii, Ixii ; elm, Ixiv ; taste, Ixx ; chancellor- ship, Ixxii ; diaries, Ixxiii seq.; plow, Ixxiii ; charities, Ixxviii, 255 ; gaiety, Ixxxii ; a Mason, Ixxxiv ; portraits, xiii, Ixxiv, Ixxxvi ; will, xci, 63, 111, 223, 304, 307 ; his flag, 153 ; cherry- tree story, 153 ; humanity, 184 ; desire for retirement, 227, 256, 339 ; religion, 76, 192, 310 seq. ; death, xcii, 344. Washington, George, of Bermuda, xix. Washington, George Augustine, lx, Ixxiv, Ixxvi, 5, 62, 74, 291, 305, 309. Washington, George Steptoe, 128. Washington, Harriot, Ixxviii, 195. Washington, Herbert, Ixxix. Washington, James, xviii. Washington, Jane, xliv. Washington, Col. John (immigrant), xviii, XX. Washington, John, of Stafford, Va., xxvii. Washington, John, son of Towns- hend, xxxvii. Washington, John Augustine, broth- er of general, xxix, xxx, xliii, Ixvi ; death, Ixxvi, xcii, 110. Washington, John Augustine, son of Corbin, Ixxxvii. Washington, Lawrence (Bermuda), xix. Washington, Lawrence (Chotanck, Va.), xxi. Washington, Lawrence (Virginia immigrant), xv, xx, xxv, xc, 342. Washington, Lawrence, son of Col. John, xxvi ; will, xxvii. Washington, Lawrence, half-broth- er of general, xxxi, xxxiv, xxxix, Ixii, Ixxxii ; his will, xci. Washington, Lawrence, son of Sam- uel, Ixxx, 128. Washington, Lewis W., xv, li ; Mrs. (Ella Bassett), lii, Ixxviii, Ixxxi, 53, 305. Washington, Lund, xxi, xlix, 89, 116, 124, 126, 131, 133, 156, 160, 168, 173, 291 ; letters to, 314 ; death, 335. Washington, Martha, general’s wife, xliv ; portrait, li ; marriage, Ixviii ; anecdote, Ixxxiii ; 45, 58, 90, 112, 126, 128, 146, 148, 179, 246, 255, 256, 275, 298, 307, 336, 343. Washington, Mary, general’s moth- er, xli, xliii ; monument, xlv ; will, Ivii, Ixxiii ; at Fredericks- burg, Ixxiv, Ixxvii. Washington, Mildred (Warner), general’s grandmother, xxvi. Washington, Mildred, general’s sister, xxix, xliv. Washington, Richard, Ixviii. Washington, Robert, xxi. Washington, Robert, of Chotanck, xxxvi, xxxvii. Washington, Robert J., xiv. Washington, Samuel, general’s brother, xxix, xliv, 1, Ixxiii, 128. Washington, Samuel, son of Charles, Ixxx. Washington, Townshend, xxi, xxxvii. Washington, Warner, Ixxix. Washington, Col. William, xxi seq. Washington, William Augustine, general’s half -nephew, Ixxxvii seq.; correspondence, xc, 110, 114, 119, 127, 166, 199. Washington farm, xxxi seq. Washingtons, the German, xvii. Waters, H. F., cit., xix. 352 INDEX. AVeedon, George, xxvii. ' Wilson, Gov. West Virginia, 293. AVeedon, Gen. George, Ixxiv, Ixxvi, Wine, at Alount Vernon, 128, 178. Ixxxiv, 315. Wodron, Mr., Ixiii. Weems, Rev. Mason, x, Ixxvi. Wolcott, Secretary of Treasury, 195. Wellford, Judge Beverley, xxxii, > Woodford, Gen., Ixxxv. Ixxx ; Surgeon-,Gen. Robert, Ixxx ; Woodward, Mr., 339. bis career, Ixxxv. i Wormeley, Katharine, anecdote, Westmoreland County, Va., xxviii. Ixxxii. Whiskey Rebellion, Ixxxv, 111, 165. j Wright, Ann, xxvii ; Francis, AVhite, David, xxvii. . xxvii. AVhiting, Anthony, manager, 14, Wright, artist, Ixxiv; Mrs., xvii ; 24, 29, 37, 41 ; estate, 62, 154. I letter to, Ixxiv. Whiting, Francis, Iv. Wythe, Chancellor, xlix. Williams, Mrs., xxvi. j Williams, Mr., teacher, xxxiv. j Willis, Maj. Byrd, xxxv ; Col. yATES, Charles, 1. Harry, xxxiv, xlix ; Lewis, xxxv, Yates, Hon. Jasper, xlvii. Ixxvii, Ixxxv ; Mildred, 1, 299. Young, Arthur, Ixxii. Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. John E., xvii. ‘ Young, Kotley, 52. 7 - : BOSTON COLLEGE 3 9031 01121 'F il6 .L37 v*4 W a iii 1 ^^ i i- i ^ t o n :/ G e o y' e ? 1 7 3 2 ; 1799 Gl^r^e Washin«^ton and Mount : Me r- non? * 'j