YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

WASHINGTON LETTERS

'YALE'VNIVERSITY • L I B RA RY »

MOHICAN POINT,
• •OLTON-ON-LAKK-OBOROK •
NEW YORK.

Dr. D. S. H. Smith,
3646 Washington Avenue, St.Loui
Dear Doctor Smith:- I am sending you t
letters, which I have Just had
Tobias Lear, which I secured fr
never been published. Many o:
originals and which I have prir
think you will be interested ir.
two by Martha Washington and or
Martha would not have stood up
I expect to re+.urr
month. I hope that you have
this Summer. As ever,

September 5th, 1905.

tuIb, Mo.
u to-day No. 1P9 of the Washington
<d privately printed. The letters to
from the widow of John Fiske, have
of the other letters, of which I have the
inted, have been published before. I
in the last three letters in the book,
ono by Betty Lewis, Washington's sister.
sp long In a New Tlngland spelling boe.
rn to Rt. Louis about the last of this
o boen well and been enjoying yourself

Your friend,

/
i

WASHINGTON TO LEAR

/*;

NUMBER
OF THREE HUNDRED
COPIES PRINTED FOR PRIVATE
DISTRIBUTION ONLY

mt

LETTERS

FROM

GEORGE WASHINGTON

TO

TOBIAS LEAR

WITH AN

APPENDIX

CONTAINING MISCELLANEOUS
WASHINGTON LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS

REPRINTED FROM THE ORIGINALS IN THE COLLECTION OF
MR. WILLIAM K. BIXBr, OF ST. LOUIS, MO.

WITH INTRODUCTION AND NOTES

Rochester, N. Y,
iooj

COrVBlOHT IQOJ
¦y WILLIAM K. BIXBY
PUBLISHED 190;
ALL BIGHTS BB8BRVBD

THI OBNBIM Kilt
thi kit ixrasat FBIKTINO CO.
KOCHBSTBK, M. V,

INTRODUCTION
^TOTHING more than a brief sketch of Tobias Lear has ever been written,
¦*¦ though for many years he was a prominent and very useful man in national
affairs. He was closely associated with President George Washington, served as
his private secretary, was a tutor in his family, and was honored with his particular
friendship. Mr. Lear was born in the Lear mansion, on Hunking street, in
Portsmouth, N. H., September 19, 1762, and was the son of Captain Tobias Lear,
once a shipmaster and later in life a successful farmer. He received a liberal
education and was graduated from Harvard in 1783.
Immediately after the close of the Revolutionary war, General Washington
retired to Mount Vernon in the belief that his public career had closed, and in the
fervent hope that he might resume the quiet life of a country gentleman. His
correspondence, however, steadily increased and soon became so burdensome that
the services of a private secretary were needed. It was also necessary that a tutor
be provided for Eleanor Parke Custis and George Washington Parke Custis, grand
children of Mrs. Washington and children of John Parke Custis, whom
Washington had adopted immediately after the death of the father, which occurred
soon after the surrender of Cornwallis. Accordingly, late in 1785, Washington
wrote to his friend, General Benjamin Lincoln, and asked him to recommend a
suitable person. General Lincoln consulted the Rev. Dr. Joseph Willard, president
of Harvard college, and the Rev. Dr. Samuel Haven, pastor of the South Parish of
Portsmouth, N. H., and recommended Mr. Lear, in a letter dated January 4, 1786,
saying: "I have at last found a Mr. Lear, who supports the character of a
gentleman and a scholar. He was educated at Cambridge, Mass. Since he left
college he has been in Europe, and in different parts of this continent. It is said
he is a good master of languages. He reads French, and writes an exceedingly
good letter." In his reply, written at Mount Vernon, February 6, 1786, Washington
said : " Let me, in the first place, thank you for your kind attention to my inquiries;
and in the next, pray you to know precisely from Mr. h/tit upon what terms he
would come to me. I am not inclined to leave matters of that kind to after
discussion or misconception. Whatever agreement is previously made shall be
pointedly fulfilled on my part, which will prevent every cause of complaint on his.
" Mr. Lear, or any other who may come into my family in the blended
characters of preceptor to the children, and as a clerk or private secretary to me,
will sit at my table, will live as I live, will mix with the company who resort to the
house, and will be treated in every respect with civility and proper attention. He
will have his washing done in the family, and have his linen and stockings mended

INTRODUCTION
by the maids of it. The duties, which will be required of him, are generally such
as appertain to the offices above mentioned. The first will be very trifling, till the
children are a little more advanced; and the latter will be equally so, as my
correspondences decline (which I am endeavoring to effect), and after my accounts
and other old matters are brought up. To descend more minutely into his
avocations I am unable, because occasional matters may call for particular services ;
but nothing derogatory will be asked or expected. After this explanation of my
wants, I request Mr. Lear will mention the annual sum he will expect for these
services, and I will give him a decided answer by the return of the stages, which
now carry the mail and travel quick. A good hand, as well as a proper diction,
would be a recommendation on account of fair entries, and for the benefit of the
children who will have to copy after it."
A satisfactory arrangement was made, and Mr. Lear entered Washington's
family as private secretary and tutor at an annual salary of $200. After he had
been there for two years on the most familiar footing, he wrote : " General
Washington is, I believe, the only man of an exalted character who does not lose
some part of his respectability by an intimate acquaintance. I have never found a
single thing that could lessen my respect for him. A complete knowledge of his
honesty, uprightness, and candor in all his private transactions has sometimes led
me to think him more than a man." On his part, Washington was fully satisfied.
He held Mr. Lear in high esteem, trusted him implicitly, and relied upon him in
many emergencies.
A few months after entering Washington's family, Mr. Lear was sent on a tour
of observation to Pittsburg, to obtain accurate information respecting Washington's
lands in Pennsylvania. The young man attended to the business with intelligence
and fidelity. During the next six months he acted as secretary and tutor at Mount
Vernon. In May, 1788, he visited his birthplace and wrote Washington an
important letter regarding the proposed Federal constitution, then under discussion
in the New Hampshire convention. After Washington's election to the presidency,
Lear accompanied him to New York and wrote an interesting account of the
inauguration. In the procession Washington rode in the state coach, Tobias Lear
and David Humphreys, his two secretaries, following immediately after in the
President's own carriage. In October, 1789, President Washington made a tour
of New England, accompanied by Mr. Lear. When he entered Portsmouth, Lear's
native place, Washington rode on horseback, and Lear in an open carriage. A
chronicle of the times says : " As they passed on, many, from his position and
dignified appearance, mistook the Colonel for the President, and bestowed upon the
Secretary that honor which was meant for ' The Father of his Country.' " Alighting
from his horse, Washington went on foot to visit the house where his secretary was
born and to pay his respects to Lear's venerable mother.

INTRODUCTION
The national government, organized in New York, soon resolved to remove to
Philadelphia, where a house belonging to Robert Morris, the financier of the
Revolution, was secured for the use of the President, and to Mr. Lear was entrusted
the duty of removing Washington's household goods and superintending the
establishment of the new residence. In 1793 Lear went to Europe on private
business and remained for a year, during which time his correspondence with
Washington continued. Among the letters which Lear received was one of great
historical importance. Upon his return he became associated with Washington in
the Potomac company, organized to improve internal navigation ; and when war
with France seemed imminent, and Washington was appointed lieutenant-general
and was ready once again to lead the armies of his country, he invited Mr. Lear to
become his military secretary, and Lear undertook the work. He was with
Washington in his last illness, watched over him tenderly, and sent the announcement
of his death to the President of the United States in the following words :
" Mount Vernon, December 15, 1799.
« Sir, " It is with inexpressible grief that I have to announce to you the death
of that great and good General Washington. He died last evening between 10 and
1 1 o'clock, after a short illness of about 24 hours. His disorder was an inflamma
tory sore throat, which proceeded from a cold, of which he made but little complaint
on Friday. On Saturday morning about 3 o'clock he became ill. Dr. Dick
attended him in the morning, and Dr. Craik, of Alexandria, and Dr. Brown, of Port
Tobacco, were soon after called in. Every medical assistance was offered, but
without the desired effect. His last scene corresponded with the whole tenor of his
life. Not a groan or a complaint escaped him, in extreme distress. With perfect
resignation and a full possession of his reason he closed his well spent life.
" I have the honor to be, &c,
" Tobias Lear."
After Washington's death Mr. Lear arranged the private papers of his
illustrious chief; in 1802 he was appointed consul-general to Santo Domingo; in
1804 was transferred to Algiers; in 1805 was appointed commissioner to conclude
a peace with Tripoli, and in 1812 returned to the United States and was appointed
to a position in the War department. He died in Washington by his own hand,
October 11, 1 8 16, and was buried in the Congressional cemetery. His grave is
marked by a finely finished and substantial table monument, constructed of marble,
about three feet wide, six feet long, and two feet six inches high. On the horizontal
slab is the following inscription: "Here lies the remains of Tobias Lear. He
was early distinguished as the private secretary and familiar friend of the illustrious
Washington, and after having served his country with dignity, zeal and fidelity, in

INTRODUCTION
many honorable stations, died, Accountant of the War Department, 1 1 October,
1816, aged 54. His desolate widow and mourning son have erected this monument
to mark the place of his abode in the City of Silence."
The first wife of Tobias Lear was Mary Long, to whom he was married
April 18, 1790. She was the beautiful and accomplished daughter of Colonel
Pierce Long, a distinguished citizen of New Hampshire. She died of yellow fever
in Philadelphia, October 4, 1793, while a member of Washington's family. His
second wife, to whom he was married August 22, 1795, was Frances Bassett
Washington, widow of Colonel George Augustine Washington, and a niece
of Martha Washington. His third wife was Frances Dandridge Henley, also a
niece of Martha Washington. She was born November 17, 1779, died December
2, 1856, and was buried by the side of her husband. Benjamin Lincoln Lear, son
of Tobias and Mary Long Lear, was born March 11, 1792, became a prominent
member of the Washington bar, and died of cholera October 1, 1832. He was
named for General Benjamin Lincoln, who had recommended Tobias Lear to
Washington, was called Lincoln, and was a great favorite with Washington. His
remains rest in the Congressional cemetery beside those of his father.
The remarkable letters to Lear which follow were purchased by Mr. Bixby
from the executors of the estate of the late John Fiske, the American historian,
and are now published for the first time. The peculiarities and inaccuracies of
spelling and punctuation are faithfully preserved, so that the letters appear precisely
as Washington wrote them. They will prove of great interest and importance to
all students of American history, of Washington's life and character, and of the
times in which he lived. They show not only the affection which Washington felt
for Lear but throw a strong light on Washington's character and domestic life.
The new capital of the Republic — which Washington in his modesty always
called the Federal City — was an object of his special care, for he had selected the
site and appointed the commissioners to superintend the erection of the public
buildings. There were lotteries in those days, and in one of Washington's letters
to Lear he says he has sent to Lear's little son " a ticket in the lottery now drawing
in the Federal City," and expresses the hope that the boy will be lucky enough to
draw a handsome prize. In several letters there are particular references to the
prices of farm products, showing Washington's sagacity and the care with which he
watched over his business interests. He was, indeed, the most successful farmer in
America and prided himself quite as much upon his success in this sphere of human
activity as in any other. The letter in which he expresses a desire to sell Mount
Vernon, but not to " the slovenly farmers of this country," shows that he had a
poor opinion of his neighbors, so far as the management of a plantation was concerned.
A letter of great importance and the longest in the collection is that which
Washington wrote to Lear while the latter was in England. He discussed political

INTRODUCTION
questions with great freedom, reciting the fresh grievances of his countrymen against
England, dwelling upon the anger of the American people, declaring their determin
ation to obtain a compliance with the terms of the treaty of peace, and showing
their elaborate preparations for war. It is difficult to resist the thought that
Washington expected this letter would be opened in the mails and that a copy of it
would be sent to the British ministers. If it was so treated it certainly gave them
a clear- view of the whole situation and showed them the wisdom of conciliation and
a prompt negotiation of a new treaty. One of the most interesting paragraphs in
the correspondence gives Washington's views on the question of slavery and shows
his strong desire to liberate the negroes on his estates. On this subject he was far
in advance of the vast majority of his fellow citizens. There arc many other
valuable references to the history of the times and to those associated with
Washington in the development of republican government. The letters will, indeed,
be a revelation to those whose knowledge of Washington is confined to his career
as a soldier and a statesman. Here we are afforded a close view of his home life ;
here we see the man as he was known only to his intimate friends — painstaking,
thorough, and scrupulously exact in his business affairs; watchful that he might not
do an unintentional wrong; attentive to the minutest details of domestic arrange
ments, that Mrs. Washington might be relieved of as many cares as possible;
courteous, kindly, and considerate in all his dealings ; strong in his friendships,
constant in his affections, and abundantly blessed with cheerfulness and good humor.
In the Appendix will be found a miscellaneous collection of Washington letters
and documents, reprinted with exactness from the originals in the collection of Mr.
Bixby. Many of these are of extraordinary interest. The most important of all
documents bearing the name of Washington is undoubtedly his commission as
commander-in-chief of the Continental army, which is in the Library of Congress,
and assuredly the next most important is the Letter of Instructions from the
Continental congress, the original of which is in Mr. Bixby's collection. This not
only notifies him of his appointment to the command of the army but gives him
precise directions for the discharge of his duty. It is here correctly printed for the
first time. Among the miscellaneous letters will be found some of the greatest
interest to students of American history, notably Washington's letters to Jones,
Jefferson, Tilghman, Robert Morris, and Patrick Henry. They throw a flood of
light upon the history of the times and strikingly exhibit Washington's intense
patriotism and far-sighted statesmanship.
The publication of the letters contained in this volume seems desirable because
the loss to students of American history and of Washington's life and character
would be irreparable if, through some accident, the originals were destroyed. All
the illustrations and, with three or four exceptions, all the letters, are now published
for the first time, and both illustrations and letters are copyrighted.
William H. Samson.

\2^P^^^aa?.

WASHINGTON TO LEAR

INSTRUCTIONS for M' Lear:
You will proceed to Pittsburgh by the following
rout — Leesburgh, Key's Ferry, Bath, Old Town and
Fort Cumberland.' — From the latter pursue the New
road by the Turkey foot to Col" John Stephenson (com
monly called Stinson) wch is on the road to Pittsburgh.
When you are at Bath enquire the way to a piece of Land I have on
the River about 14 Miles above the town on the way to Old Town and
see if it is in the occupation of any one, and on what terms it is held. —
A Col0 Bruin in Bath, or a Mr McCraken near the Land will I expect be
able to give you information on this head.
When you arrive at Col" Stephenson's you will deliver the letter
which is addressed to him & receive what money he may be in circum
stances or inclination to pay you on my ace'.
At Pittsburgh I expect you will find General Butler to whom you
have a letter and from whom it is probable you may receive an answer. —
If he is not there leave the letter for him in the care ofhis brother (who
lives at that place) or some other. —
Col" Nevill lives at a place called Shirtees1 Six miles below Pittsburgh
and I believe not much out ofthe road to my Land on Millers run (lately
recovered) or to Col" Cannons in the vicinity of it.
You will converse fully and freely with Col0 Nevill on the points
touched on in my letter — hear his sentiments on them — and find out if
you can how far and with what cordiatlity he is disposed to serve me in
providing Tenants and securing the Rents of the newly recovered Lands —
You will be able to learn from him also whether Col" Cannon is at home

I Tblt route lay along tbe northern boundary of Virginia end Into the louthweitera pert of Penniylrnnll.
1 For Chirtien.

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
or at the Assembly in Philadelphia. — Probably Col° Nevill will ride
there with you in the former case or to the land in the latter one — The
condition the last is in you will examine and inform the residents thereon
of the person I have named as my Agent — and though they have little
right to expect favor from me, yet I have no inclination to distress them
more than can be avoided.
As Col° Canon lives near my land & is esteemed a worthy and
respectable character it would be more convenient and perhaps better —
everything considered — that he should superintend my tenants than any
other person — but if he declines it and Col° Nevill discovers an inclination
to serve me in this business he would be my next choice — and Major
McCormick the third — In case either ofthe first (in the order they are
named) should incline to accept this trust there will be no necessity for
you to deliver the letter to the latter in person if he should not pass in
your way. —
The name of the person accepting the trust must be inserted in the
blank power herewith given you. —
You will endeavor to discover from those to whom I have written as
also from others what probably is the highest price that can be obtained
for the tracts I wish to dispose of — viz — that on Miller's run in Washing
ton county containing about 3,000 Acres — and that on Yohiogany (com
monly called Washingtons bottom) in Fayette County' of 1,650 acres
giving the credits & receiving the payments in the manner mentioned in
my letters — & if you should find that none are of opinion that the first
will exceed 30/- pr acre and the other 40/- both Pennyl3 currcy. you may
give it out that although I have not named the prices of these tracts in
my letters yet you have good reason to believe and indeed to know that
if these prices could be averaged (in case the Lands are sold in parcels)
that I would be content therewith and assurances might be given of my
disposing of them on these terms.
After having finished the business which takes you to Washington
County, return home by the way of my other Land in Fayette County
the condition of which I wish you to examine over and above the ace' you
will receive from Major Freeman & then return in by Braddock Road at
the
I Tbe»e counilei ire in the touihweitera part of Pennsylvania,

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
the Great Meadows lying on which I have a small tract which sometimes
has and at other times has not a tenant (though no rent has ever yet been
paid me for it) see in what state & condition this tenement is in.
Your road from hence will cross the N° Branch of Potomack above
Fort Cumberland and pass through Rumney' and thence to Winchester
where you will deliver my letter to Mr White and receive the money due
from Gen1 Lees Estate to me if he inclines to pay it.
In this trip you will have an opportunity of satisfying yourself fully
with respect to Col" Hulls enquiries which I wish you to do — and also
what the legal fees of my Lawyers are in the ejectments lately decided in
my favor that I may know better what to add to them.
If Major Freeman can give any ace' of the suit (an ejectment I believe
it is) brought by my Brother Col" Jn" Washington in Fayette Court I
should be glad if you would obtain it that I communicate the same to him
Wishing you good health and as pleasant a journey as can be expected
from the season I am your sincere friend G? Washington.
Mount Vernon )
Nov 30th 1786 j

Whereas it may be necessary, during my absence from the Seat of
Government to pay certain monies and accts. out of the fund of ten
thousand Dollars appropriated to the discharge of Contingent Expenses
of Government by a law passed on the 26th day of March 1790; I there
fore do authorize Tobias Lear, my Secretary, to direct such payments to
be made in my name, out of said fund, as may come properly within the
Same, provided that previous to such direction for payment, all accounts,
demands Sec shall be exhibited to the Secretary of the Treasury, and shall
be pronounced by him to come properly and clearly within the Law
making the above appropriation. And I moreover certify that three pay
ments which have been made out of said fund previous to this time, viz.
one for Seals procured for the Supreme and Circuit courts of the United
States, amounting to ninety one dollars & tUtf— - one to Jeremiah Wads worth

For Aontney, In Virginia.

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
worth for monies advanced and payed to him for the purpose of taking
up and securing certain persons who had counterfeited public Securities,
amounting to one thousand and sixty one dollars — and one for a seal
procured for the District Court of Connecticut, amounting to Eight Dollars
were by my order.
Given under my hand in the city of New York this 30th day of
August, 1790.
G? Washington.
[Endorsed : Power from the President of the United States to Tobias Lear
authorizing him to draw money for the payment of certain accts. August 30,h 1790.]

Philadelphia Sept' 5th 1790.
Dear Sir,
After a pleasant Journey we arrived in this City about 1 o'clock on
Thursday last. — To-morrow we proceed (if Mn Washington's health,
for she has been much indisposed since she came here) towards Mount
Vernon. The house of Mr R. Morris had, previous to my arrival, been taken
by the Corporation' for my Residence. — It is the best they could get. —
It is, I believe, the best single house in the City; yet, without additions it
is inadequate to the commodious accommodation of my family. — These,
I believe, will be made.2
The first floor contains only two public Rooms (except one for the
upper Servants). — The second floor will have two public (drawing)
Rooms & with the aid of one room with the partition in it in the back
building will be sufficient for the accomodation of M™ Washington & the
children & their maids — besides affording me a small place for a private
study & dressing Room. — The third story will furnish you & M" Lear with
I Ol ihe cny of Philadelphia.
x Tbc teat ofthe national government wn removed from New York to Philidelphia in 1700 by act ofcongreaa, which adjourned
00 Auguat Iith, and ll wu neccaiary to provide a reildencc for the Prealdent In the latter city. In New York Waahlngton occu-
tied the mamion al No. 10 Cherry alrcel for about nine monthi, and then moved 10 a more apacloua home owned by Alexander
lacomb on Ihe wen aide of Broadway, bclwecn Trinity church and Bowling Green, where M. de Mounier, Ihe French miniater,
bad rcaided. It waa a very plcaaanl bouie with a garden extending 10 the ahore ofthe Hudaon and from the upper wiodowa a fine
view waa bad of the river. Waahinglon'a leaae of Ihe properly ran for one year from May 1, 1790, and he made cxtenalvc Improve
ment! and addllrona, which entailed a beavy financial Iota when he waa compelled 10 remove to Philadelphia.

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
with a good lodging room — and a public Office (for there is no place
below for one) and two Rooms for the Gentlemen of the family. —
The Garret has four good Rooms which must serve Mr and M™ Hyde
(unless they should prefer the room over the wash House) — William —
and such Servants as it may not be better to place in the addition (as pro
posed) to the Back Building, — There is a room over the Stable (without
a fire place, but by menus of a Stove) may serve the Coachman & Postil
ions; — and there is a smoke House, which, possibly, may be more useful
to me for the accomodation of Servants than for Smoking of Meat. —
The intention of the addition to the Back building is to provide a Ser
vants Hall, and one or two (as it will afford) lodging rooms for the
Servants ; especially those who are coupled. — There is a very good
Wash House adjoining to the Kitchen (under one of the rooms already
mentioned). — There are good Stables, but for 12 Horses only, and a
Coach House which will hold all my Carriages. —
Speaking of carriages, I have left my Coach to receive a thorough
repair against I return (which I expect will happen before the first of
December) and I request you will visit Mr Clark (into whose hands it
is committed) often, to see it well done ; & that I may not be disap
pointed in the time allowed him for the completion which is by the ajth
of November. — The Harness is also left with him, and he has my ideas
on this subject: generally they are, if the Wheel Harness (which I
understand was left at New York) can be made complete, and to look as
well as if they were New, then, and in that case, he is to make a set of
Pole and Harness to suit them, both to be plated — but if this cannot be
accomplished, the set is to be made entirely new, and in the stile.1 —
I have requested Col0 Biddle to take measures for laying in wood for

I Soon after entering apon the duties oT the presidency at New York, Waihlngton ordered a fine coach from England, In
which, iaw.nl) the cloie of hi. rcildence there, he often rode with hli family, attended by outriders. It wai drawn by four, and
sometimes by six, horse... Lowing gives the following description of it i " This coach wai one of the beit of In kind, heavy and
iub»lanlul. The body and wheels were a cream color, with gilt mouldlngi) and the former wai .impended upon heavy leathern
strapi which reited upon Iron iprlngi. Portloni of the ildci ofthe upper part, a> well ¦¦ the front and rear, were furnlihcd with
neat green Venetian blinds, and the remainder waa enclosed with black leather curtains. The latter might be railed io aito make the
coach quite open In fine weather. The blinds afforded iheltcr from the ilorm while allowing ventilation. The coach was lined with
bright black leather t and the driver'* ical wai trimmed with the lame. The axlei were wood, and the curved reathei Iron. U pon
the door Washington's arms were handsomely emblazoned, having icroll ornaments liming ftom the space between the ihleld and
the crest( and below waa a ribbon with his motto upon it— Exiiui acta frthaf. Upon each ofthe four panels ofthe coach waaan
allegorical picture, emblematical of one ofthe seasons. These were beautifully painted upon copper by Cipriani, an Italian artist.
The ground was a very dark green— so dark that II appeared nearly black { and Hie allegorical figure! were executed In bronxe, In
¦Ize nine and a half fay ten Inches." David Clarke, who was repairing the coach, wai an Englishman who settled In Philadelphia
¦bout 1781, He constructed a traveling coach for Washington and waa lomellmei called " Washington ¦ ceachmakar.

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
for me — this being, he thinks the proper time for doing it, and to draw
upon you for the amount of Cost. —
The pressure of business under which I laboured for several days
before I left New York, allowed me no time to inquire who, of the
female Servants, it was proposed or thought advisable to remove here
besides the Wives of the footmen — namely James & Fidas. — The
Washer Women I believe are good, but as they, or one of them at
least, has a family of children — quere whether it is necessary to incumber
the March — and the family afterwards, with them ? — I neither contradict
or advise the measure — your own judgment, & the circumstances of the
case must decide the point : — but unless there is better reasons than I am
acquainted with for bringing M" Lewis — her daughter — and their families
along, they had better, I should conceive, be left : — but as I never inves
tigated the subject I will give no decisive opinion thereon. —
As Mr Hyde some little time before I left New York expressed
some dissatisfaction ; signifiying that he could neither enjoy under the
conduct of the Servants the happiness he wished ; or render those ser
vices he thought might be expected from him ; it might be well for you,
before I am at the expence of his removal, to know decidedly, what his
determination is, and his views with a respect to a continuance. — There
can be no propriety in sadling me with the cost of his transportation, &
that of his baggage, if he has it in contemplation to leave me at, or soon
after his arrival. — And I am the rather inclined to make this suggestion
now as time will allow you to scrutinize his accts. & to form a good com
parative view of them with Francis'. — As a Steward, I am satisfied
William (independent of the Woman & what her Excellence is I really
know not) would be full his equal, and I think the Dinners if the Cook
had more agency in the planning of them, would be better; — at least
more tasty — but this Mr or M" Hyde's pride will not submit to. — As
I have got to the end of the Paper, and am tired, I shall only add that
your letter of the 3d with its enclosures came safe — and that M™
Washington joins me in best wishes for M" Lear & yourself — I am
sincerely & affect1' Y»
G? Washington. P. S.

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
P. S. In a fortnight or twenty days from this time it is expected
M' Morris will have removed out of the House — It is proposed to
add Bow Windows to the two public rooms in the South front of the
House — But as all the other apartments will be close & secure the
sooner after that time you can be in the House with the furniture the
better, that you may be all fixed and see how matters go on during my
absence.

Mount Vernon, Sept' 20th 1790.
Dear Sir,
The Servant who carried my letter of the 17th to the Post Office in
Alexandria returned with yours of the 12th which shall be the subject of
this reply. —
Whatever Ideas, or remarks may have been excited by my going
into Mr Morris's House I know not; but this I am sure of, that to do
it was farthest from my expectations. — The Corporation of the City
(by whom it was engaged) made attempts, it seems, to get other places,
but none being to be obtained to their liking Mr Morris' was offered &
accepted, subject to my decision. — To the Academy there were excep
tions, which it was said could not be overcome. — To Hunters Houses
there were impediments. — The Houses of M" Allan and Mr Guirney
could not be had because M" Pollock (tenant in the latter) would not
relinquish it — and M' or M" Kepleys was found not to answer.— This,
I was told, as the history of the business. —
I have not the least objection to Fidus's Wife coming to Philadel
phia in the Vessel with the other Servants ; nor to her continuing in the
family afterwards if she chuses it & can do. the duties of her station
tolerably ; because I think he merits indulgences. — On James account
(who I also think is a very good Servant) I consent readily, if it was his
expectation and wish, that his wife may accompany the Servants in the
manner suggested by you — or as a House Maid if she is thought fit for
it ; but not being acquainted with the views of the parties (James &
wife I mean) I can only say that I shall be perfectly satisfied with what-

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
ever you do respecting the matter. — As I do not believe the House
can be better supplied with Washer women, I think it best to bring those
you have ; on condition that I shall not be burthened with Fanny's
Children after they arrive. — Thus much for the lower Servants & their
connections. —
With respect to Mr Hyde & his wife, if the duties of the family are
too much for both will Mr Hyde alone be able to discharge them? — If
she quits, will not a substitute be necessary? — In that case, or in case
Mr Hyde acts alone, does he expect the same wages as are now given to
both ? — If it is not stated in some paper handed in by M' Hyde, it is
nevertheless strong in my recollection, that his wife's services were stated
at one, and his own at 200 dollars per ann. — I have no wish to part
with Mr or Mri Hyde ; first, because I do not like to be changing ; — and
secondly, because I do not know where, or with whom to supply their
places. — On the score of AccB I can say nothing, never having taken
a comparative view of his & Francis's ; but I am exceedingly mistaken if
the expences of the Second Table at wch Mr Hyde presides, has not
greatly exceeded that kept by Francis ; for (but in this I may be mistaken)
I strongly suspect that nothing is brought to my Table of liquors, fruits,
or other things, that is not used as profusely at his. — If my suspicions
are unfounded, I shall be sorry for having entertained them ; and if they
are not, it is at least questionable whether his successor might not do the
same thing; — in which case (if Hyde is honest & careful, of which you
are better able to judge than I am) a change without a benefit might
take place, and is not desirable, if they are to be retained on proper
terms. — I say they, for if M" Hyde is necessary for the purposes
enumerated in your letter, and the Cook is not competent to the Desert,
making Cake, &c, I do not see what use Hyde, more than William,
would be without her — nor do I see why she should execute part of bis
duties and thereby make her own too burthensome. — Francis, besides
being an excellent Cook, knowing how to provide genteel Dinners, and
giving aid in dressing them, prepared the Desert, made the Cake, and did
every thing that Hyde & wife conjointly do ; — consequently the Services
of Hyde alone is not to be compared with those of Francis's ; and if his
Accts. exceed (in the same Seasons) those of Francis', 4 or ^5 a Week, and
8

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
and at the same time appear fair I shall have no scruple to acknowledge
that I have entertained much harder thoughts of the latter than I ought
to have done, although it is inconceivable to me how other families on 2 j
hd or 3000 dollars, should be enabled to entertain more Company at least
more frequently than I could do for twenty-five thousand dollars,
annually. —
I am glad to hear that the furniture of the large drawing room —
especially the glasses — are packed in a manner which you think secure —
with respect to the Table Ornaments, my opinion has been so fully given
on the mode of putting them up, that I shall say nothing further on the
subject in this letter ; and as I presume a correspondence has been
opened between Mr Morris & you, I have no doubt of your embracing
the proper moment for their removal ; & the best mode of accomplish
ing it.— Mr Macomb may in reality be indifferent as to taking the House off
your hands, but it is highly probable he will assume the appearance of
it, in order to derive an advantage in the terms — therefore, as I shall
have to pay rent for it until May, if he or some other does not take it, it
would be well to bring him to some decision at once, or advertise the
renting of it, & the Sale of the buildings I have put up at the same
time. — You will make better terms for these than any Agent that will
be left behind — and besides, it may hasten Mr Macomb (who, from what
I have heard I am sure wants the house) by alarming his fears that others
may step in. — To receive some compensation, would be better than to
sink the whole rent, and loose the buildings which I have erected on the
lots. If there is no likelihood of my getting a tenant for the House you
are in would not Mr Macomb be glad to take it at the difference which
disinterested & impartial men would fix between it & the House he is in,
& for me to pay the Rent of the latter until a tenant for it could be
obtained ? — This would be a step gained, and is perhaps what he is
driving at. —
With respect to Dingwell, I join Col0 Hamilton & Mr Jefferson in
opinion that it is no more than a catch-penny plan ; — yet for the reason
assigned by Gen1 Knox I think twenty or twenty dollars may be given
him ; professedly for his trouble ; with an assurance that it is believed B 

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
B  has meant an imposition on him, inasmuch as part of his informa
tion we know is unfounded, and are sure, from the complexion & expres
sion of some of the letters, pretended to be received from some of the
King of G. B.'s Ministers that they are spurious ; yet nevertheless, as it
is supposed he — Dingwell — meant well, & has been at some trouble in
his report, this sum is given expressly on those Accts. —
We have all us been very well since we came to this place & all join
in best wishes for you and M™ Lear.
With sincere regard & affection I am Y"
G? Washington.
Mr Lear.

Mount Vernon Septr 27th 1790.
Dear Sir,
Since my last to you (the date I do not recollect, keeping no copies
of my letters to you) I have received yours ofthe I7'h and 20th instant, &
shall answer such parts of them as require it. —
I am glad to find that the House, according to Mr Morris's notifi
cation to you, will be ready about the time you had made arrangements
for the removal of my furniture — the mode of doing which, is, I am
persuaded, the cheapest and best. — How have you disposed (for safety)
of the Pagoda ? — It is a delicate piece of stuff, and will require to be
tenderly handled. —
I expected that Mr Macomb, if he found no other person was dis
posed to take the House off my hands, would endeavour to impose his
own terms : and allowing me only ^100 for Seven Months use of it,
when the rent (independent of the houses I put on the lots) is ,£400, is
a pretty strong evidence of it. — And if you do not take some meas
ures to see what can be had for the Wash house & Stable he will impose
his own terms there also. — But after all, we are in his power and he
must do as he pleases with us.
As the Lustre is paid for and securely packed up, and may suit the
largest drawing room at Mr Morris's, I do not incline to part with it 
The
10

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
The Franklin Stoves & other fixtures if they cannot be disposed of with
out loss must be brot. round with the other furniture — We may find
use for them. — Such things as are freighted in the common way (if the
Vessel you desired Col" Biddle to procure is unable to carry the whole)
had better be of the kinds which require least care. — The Sale of the
old Chariot was proper ; for although the price is small it will be so much
saved for the public. — If much worn or lumbering articles, could be
disposed of to any tolerable account, might it not be better to sell them
at New York & buy (if necessary) new ones at Philadelphia than to pay
freight for them round ? —
M" Morris has a Mangle (I think they are called) for Ironing of
Clothes, which, as it is fixed in the place where it is commonly used, she
proposed to leave, and take mine. To this I have no objection, provided
mine is equally good & convenient ; but if I should obtain any advant
age besides that of its being up & ready for use I am not inclined to
receive it. —
M" Washington and all of this family unite in best wishes for you
and M" Lear and I am Your Sincere friend and
Affectionate Servant
G° Washington.

Mount Vernon October 30 1790.
Dear Sir,
Your letters ofthe 22d ult° came safe. — I wish the information given
by Mr Dan1 Parker to Doct' Craigee may prove true — No mention of
such event is in Morris's letter to me ; but the date is prior to that of
Mr Parker's by six days. — The Declaration & Counter-declaration of
the Ministers of Britain & Spain are published with the communication
thereof to the Lord Mayor of London ; and yet, it seems to be the opin
ion of some of the paragraphists, that the matter remains unsettled. —
Further information (not contained in the Newspapers) of these, or any
other interesting matters, you would do well to give me the earliest intel
ligence

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
ligence of. — Mr Jefferson being from New York will, more than
probable, delay official advices through the Office of Foreign Affairs longer
than it otherwise would be, in coming to me. —
I request after you get to Philadelphia, & previous to your arrival
there, that you wd use your best endeavors to ascertain the characters, or
reputation of such Schools as it may be proper to place Washington' at,
so soon as we shall be fixed in our New habitation ; — particularly if there
be any fit School in the college for him, under good and able Tutors, &
well attended. — His trip to Mount Vernon will be of no Service to
him, but will render restraint more necessary than ever. — If the college
is under good regulations, and have proper Tutors there for boys of his
standing to prepare them for the higher branches of education quere
whether it would not be better to place him in it at once ? — The pre
sumption being, that a system prevails, by which the gradations are better
corrected than they are in Schools which have no correspondence with
each other. — Mr S  is a man of acknowledged abilities, but 
it may not be well perhaps to say more in a letter, — especially as his
re-instatement may have given rise to a reform of that conduct wch did
not escape censure formerly. —
The enclosed letters having been put under cover to me, will of
course occasion delay in the receipt of them by you, & Fidas — In all yr
communications respecting the Servants, no mention has been made of
John's wife — What do you understand to be her plan ? — Enclosed
is a letter from him to her, or some friend, I suppose, of hers — and
another from James to his del Toboso. —
If I have not already advised you of it, it is necessary now to do so,
that M" Stuart has paid for the tickets you purchased for her and Mn
Alexander, — that was —
When you can get at the last letter, or letters of the Count de Estaing to
I Meaning George Washington Parke Cuatia, the grandson of Mra. Washington. She waj bom in 1712 and married Daniel
Parke Custis in 1749. They bad lour children, ol* whom two died In infancy. Martha Parke Cuatia waa born in 17s! and died in
her aeventeenlh year. John Parke Cualia, Ibc aon, born in 175J, married Eleanor Calvert, and had four children. He was serving
under Waehinglori aa an aide when Cornwallis surrendered, October 19, 17BI, and died November J, 1781. General Washington
immediately adopted bia two youngest children, Eleanor Parke Cuaus and George Washington Parke Custis. Eleanor waa born
al Abingdon, Va., in March, 1779, married Lawrence Lewia, Washington', favorite nephew, in 1799, and died July Is, IBS*.
She was greatly beloved by Washington and was one of the most beautiful women of her lime. Her brother was born at Mt. Airy,
Md., April lOj 1781, and died al Arlington House, on the Potomac, October 10, 1857. After the death of hia eislcr in 18CI, he waa
the aole surviving member of Washington's family, and for many years his residence was a favorite resort, owing tn Ibc interesting
relics of the family which il coniained. Hia estate is now tbe site of Aflington cemetery. In early life he married Mary Lee
Fiuhugb,and his daughter, Mary Randolph Custis (1806-187)), married Robert E. Lee, in June, 18 Jl.
12

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
to me, I wish you would send me a transcript of what he says, or whether
anything, of a Bust he has sent me of Mr Necker,1 together with a number
of prints of that Gentleman and the Marquis de la Lafayette which are
come to my hands in a package from Baltimore. We all join in best
wishes for you & M" Lear and I am Yr Sincere friend
and affecf Serv'
G? Washington.
M" Lear.

Mount Vernon Oct' 10th 1790.
Dear Sir,
Your letters of the 26th & 30th of the last, & 3d ofthe present Month,
have duly come to hand. —
Without entering into the details, I can assure you that I am per
fectly satisfied with the steps you have taken respecting the Vessel which
is to bring the furniture & Servants to Philadelphia — With your agree
ments with Mr Macomb, & whatever you shall do with the Houses I was
compelled to build, on his Lots. — With your conduct towards, &
agreement with Mr & Mn Hyde. — And with your taking the Carpet
ing from Barry & Rogers, although it arrived much after the time it ought,
by agreement, to have been delivered. — As Mr Macomb will, more
than probable, get the Houses for little or nothing, you acted very
properly I think in taking down the Closets, partitions & fixtures which
I purchased of the French Minister and which would have been equally
convenient to him rather than encrease his gain at my loss. — If the
Vessel will bring them, they can unquestionably, be made useful in our
intended habitation — if not they will probably fetch something.
The easy and quiet temper of Fanny is little fitted I find for the care of
I jHmM Nrtckrr wit (h> Kreuch mlnlifcr of finance wh«n iho revolution broke out In franco In 17H9. Kewrti a nillva of
Geneva, BwlUorlnnd, arid went lo franco as ambassador for the republic. In 176* he obtained the ofllco of syndic to the Knit
India Cnmpnny, and In 177c was made illrccior or the royal treasury. He exhibited great ability, and twice , though a foreigner,
was prime minister of Prance. He wai popular with the people nt the breaking out of the revolution, but fearing a change In public
sentiment returned to Switzerland, where be remained till hli death In 1K04, aged 7a. His daughter married Uaron de Sta'cl Hoi-
steln, a Swedish ambassador at the court of Prance, Bhe was the Madame do Bia'dl, well known In tho world of letters. Count
D'Estaing was born In Ruvel, Auvergne. Prance, in 1719. He became vice-admiral In the Prcnch navy In 1767, He had twice
commanded a French fleet on our emit, In co-operation with American land forcei, during the war for Independence. He became
¦ member ofthe Assembly of Notables In the earl/ part of the French revolution and In 179a was chosen admiral. Bslng sui-
peeled of an unfriendly feeling towards the Ttrrorllti, ha was destroyed by the guillotine April 18, 1794,
13

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
of my Niece Harriot Washington', who is grown almost, if not quite a
Woman ; & what to do with her at the advanced size she is arrived at, I
am really at a loss. — Her age (just turned of 14) is not too great for a
Boarding School, but to enter now with any tolerable prospect, the Mistress
of it must not only be respectable, but one who established & will enforce
good rules. — She is prone to idleness, & having been under no controul,
would create all the difficulty. — I have formed no resolution respecting
what will be proper for me to do with her ; but that I may the better
judge, I request that you will enquire whether there be a proper School
(for her to board At) in Philadelphia. — If so, whether there are- at it,
genteel girls of her size & age. — Who the Mistress of it is, — what her
character —Terms &c are — the numbers at it, — who of the principal fami
lies and how they are entertained & accomodated. — I have not intimi
dated anything of this matter to Harriot as yet ; who, if it should be,
would I dare say be a good deal alarmed as she had, I dare say, rather
mix with other company than be in a Boarding School. — Among other
things, enquire what is taught at these Schools. — I must further desire,
that, in pursuing your enquiries after a School for Washington, particu
larly if one is to be found in the College at Philadelphia fit for him ; that
you would extend them to the reputation of the higher branches in that
Seminary; & whether much good could be expected from my fixing my
Nephews George & Lawrence in it. — From what I can find they are
doing but little in Alexandria, having left the study of the Languages, &
indeed Mr McWhir, and are learning French & the Mathematics under a
Mr Harrow. — George & indeed Lawrence, I am told are well disposed
Youths— neither of them wanting capacity; and both, especially the first,
very desirous of improvement. — I would wish to know what their Studies
& board would stand them annually. — In a word, the best estimate
(exclusive of Cloaths) the expence of fixing them at that place. —
As I have no account yet of what has been done, or is doing to our
new habitation, or what ideas to annex to Mr Morris' information to you,
that the House would not be ready for your reception before the 10th of
the present Month, I should be glad to receive a full statement of these
matters as soon as you arrive at Philadelphia & have time to look into
things. We
1 Harriet Washington in the daughter of George Washington', brother Samuel. She Heed it Mount Vernon Kvelal reari.
»4

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
We all join in best wishes to you & M" Lear — and for your & the
safe arrival of everything in Philadelphia.
With sincere regard and Affec"
I am, Yours
G? Washington.
M" Lear.

Mount Vernon Oct' 27th 1790.
Dear Sir,
On Sunday last I returned from a twelve days excursion up the
Potomack & found your letters of the 6th & 10th from New York, and the
14th & 17th from Philadelphia. — I am very glad to hear that you are all
arrived at the latter place safe — and the furniture, as you conceive, in good
order. — It was very right to give Johns wife the same privilege that
was allowed to others, and M' & M" Hyde's coming in the stage, is equally
agreeable to me. —
I have no particular directions to give respecting the appropriation
ofthe furniture. — By means of the Bow windows the back rooms will
become the largest, & so of course will receive the furniture of the largest
dining 8c drawing rooms, & in that case, although there is no closet within
the former, there are some in the Steward's room directly opposite which
are not inconvenient; or (but here I am speaking somewhat at random,
not knowing to what use it has hitherto been applied) there is a small
room adjoining the Kitchen (by the Pump) that might if it is not essen
tial for other purposes be appropriated for the Images, Sevres China1, and
other things of this sort which are not in common use. — M" Morris
who is a notable lady in family arrangements, can give you much infor
mation in all the conveniences about the House & buildings ; and I dare say
1 Undoubtedly Washington referred to the sets of china that bad been presented, one to himself and the other to Mrs, Wash
ington, by the officcri of the French army. Lotting says 1 "The former waa a dull white In color, with heavy and confused
scroll and leaf ornaments in bandeaux of deep blue, and having upon the sides of the cups and tureens, and In the bottom of the
plates, saucers, and meat dlihes. the Order of the Cincinnati, bcid by Fame, personated by a winged woman with a trumpet,
These designs were skillfully painted In delicate colon. Theie set* of china were presented lo Washington and his wife at the time
when the elegant and coiily Order ofthe Cincinnati wai icni to him. The set of china presented to Mrs, WaiMngton was of
similar material, but more delicate In color than the General's, The ornamentation was also far more delicate, excepting the
delineation of the figure and Cincinnati Order on the former. Around the outside of each cup and tureen, and the Inside of each
plate and saucer. Is painted In delicate color, I chain of thirteen largo and thirteen elilptical links. Within cncb large link Is tho
name of one oftne original thirteen states. On the sides ofthe cupi and tureens, and In the bottom of eachptate and laucer is the
Interlaced monogram of Martha Washington enclosed in a beautiful green wreath, composed of the leaves of tbe laurel and olive.
Beneath this is a ribbon, upon which is Inscribed, In delicately tracedloltert, Dhhi tt tutamtn Mk Hit, Prom tbe wreath are rays
of gold,, which give a brilliant appearance to the pieces. There !• alio 1 delicate colored stripe around ibo edges of tbe cupi,
aiucerif and plate*," '5

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
say would rather consider it as a compliment to be consulted in these
matters (as she is so near) than a trouble to give her opinion of them or
in putting up any of the fixtures as the House is theirs & will revert to
them with the advantages or disadvantages which will result from the
present establishment of things. — I am very glad you pressed them not
to incommode themselves by an inconvenient remove — We are very
happy to hear of her recovery, & request you to present our compliments
of congratulation to her & Mr Morris on the occasion. —
I am very anxious to have the Rent which I am to pay for my new
residence ascertained before I take up my quarters in it — You will
perceive by the enclosed answer to a letter I wrote to M' Morris on the
subject that this point is yet unsettled. — Previous to my application to
Mr Morris, I was informed by the Committee with whom I had con
versed on the subject that it was well understood I was to pay rent — I
have therefore to request that you will get the matter fixed in some
way or other with them. — A just value I am willing to pay — more I
have no idea will be asked but my fears rather are that they want to make
it the expence of some public body (which I shall not consent to) and
that they do not care to avow it. —
If the Servants can be conveniently accomodated without using
the Stable loft it will certainly be much the best & safest ; for I am cer
tain no orders given to my people wd restrain them from carrying lights
if they were to be in it as lodgers. —
I send you a letter with the Bill of loading for wines shipped by
Fenwick, Mason &c which, if arrived you will give the necessary orders
about. — By return ofthe person who carries this & other letters to the
Post Office in Alexandria I expect to receive accounts of later date than
the i7,hfrom you; and, possibly, something more indicative of Peace,
or War between Spain & England which has hung long in suspence. 
Our best wishes attend you and M" Lear and
I am Dear Sir
Y' affect, friend
G? Washington.
M" Lear.

16

WASHINGTON TO LEAR

Mount Vernon Oct' 31" 1790.
Dear Sir,
I have received your letter of the 24th since the date of my last to
you ; and am very glad to hear that the most valuable parts of the furni
ture have borne their transportation without receiving damage, and that
your expectation of equal success with respect to the remainder, is
sanguine. — I am pained, however, to find there is a doubt that the
House will not be completely finished & ready for our reception towards
the latter end of next month. — At all times this would be attended
with inconvenience, but at that season, & while Congress are in Session,
it would be exceedingly so. — As the Pagoda can be put up in half an
hour, at any time, it may (if not already disposed of) remain unfixed
until we arrive ; and, that I may be in Philadelphia in time, it is my
present intention to leave this place on Monday the 22d of next
Month. — I could not clearly understand Col0 Van Home when I
applied to him (as I came through Baltimore) for a proper is? convenient
Stage Coach for part of the family to return in. — He said he could pro
vide, & would provide, & so on, but altho' he wanted to convey the idea
of a certain reliance on him, it did not appear clear to me that I could rely
on him for more than the common Stage Coach or Waggon ; — this being
the case, and the driver who brought us hither being desirous of coming
for us again, adding, that he could always get a freight to Alexandria,
induces me to request that you would, as his was a large & roomy close
Coach, his Horses good, & himself a careful driver, make enquiry (with
out entering into any engagement with the Proprietor) whether the same
Coach, Horses & Man could be had ; and whether he wd. positively
engage to be here on the 20th or 21" of Nov' if after hearing from you,
I should request it. — The terms on which he would come must be
explicitly defined, that I may, without delay, return a precise answer. —
You will readily perceive, that I do not mean to place my sole depend
ence upon this Stage. — No : I shall by this conveyance, also write to
Col0 Vanhorne to know what absolute dependence may be placed on
him. — Thus by having two Strings to my bow I may chuse the one
which promises best. — You will readily perceive also, that there is no
time
17

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
time to spare in my hearing from you— you from me — and for the Coach
to be here in time. — Col0 Biddle can point out to you the man, who
ought to know that his terms should be moderate, because Col0 Van-
horne's (as Horses will go from Stage to Stage only) must be lower than
the last trip cost me. —
I should conceive that, a wreath round the Crests that will be on
the panels of the Coach, would be more correspondent with the Seasons
wch. will remain thereon, than the Motto". — And that the Motto on
such of the Plates as require it upon the Harness wd be best but as this
is mere matter of opinion, unaccompanied with a view of the work, I am
so far from being tenacious of it that I shall leave it to you & him
(Clarke) to adopt which of the two shall appear best, when the whole is
taken into one view. — What appearance does the Coach assume at
present ? — and how will it look when finished ?
Is M™ Brodeau's terms such as do actually exist — or, does she mean
to avail herself of the occasion to commence a new sera in them ? — they
(especially the Board) appear to be high. — Pray, without giving any
expectation of Harriot to either, for I have decided nothing respecting
her — know what are M" Pines terms. — M" Brodeau was, I under
stand, one of M™ Morris's family — this may occasion a predilection in
that quarter — M" Pines' standing in that way not being long, little may
be said of her on that account, but she may be equally capable — &
possibly more respectable than the other. —
Let us know what answer was given or notice taken of the Extract
which you have sent me from the letter of Count de Estaing when he
was written to on the subject. — I fear I might not have been suffici
ently polite & thankful for his present, as the thing itself has entirely
escaped me, & the Box with the Prints scarcely brought any recollection
of the circumstances to my mind. —
I have heard nothing yet of Capt" Vance, but am glad you sent the
Sugar. — By mistake, a letter from James Tilghman, Esq', respecting a
Legacy

I The change here .uggeMed In the emblazoning waa made and Instead of Ihe entire coat of arm. on the door., tbe creat
y was retained. When the effccrs of W"k'~~' ~  ¦-'¦' * '¦
and In later years It became the prop.
had It taken apart and broken up and tt
third, of one of the wheels brought $140. 18

only was retained. When the eUecrs of Washington were sold after hia death, this coach waa purchased by Mr Cuatia of Arlin.
ton and in later years it became the property of the Right Re». William Meade, biahop of Virginia, vVben it began to deca?
he had It taken apart and broken up and the piece, were distributed and sold, the proceeds being applied to charity. About two-'

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
Legacy to Miss Anderson, from Col0 Colville, was enclosed to you in
my last, which I desire may be returned in your next after the receipt of
this as I shall want to answ', even if I cannot comply with it. As we
shall have new connections to form with different Tradesmen, find out
those in each branch who stand highest for skill and fair dealing. — 'Tis
better to be slow in chusing, than to be under the necessity of changing —
and that it may be done upon sure grounds, compare one ace' with
another (for partialities, perhaps less laudable motives, mix very much in
all these things) and see where the preponderancy is. —
We all join in best wishes for you and M" Lear & with affect"
regard I am Yr sincere friend,
G? Washington.
M" Lear.

Mount Vernon Nov' 7th 1790.
Dear Sir,
Your letters of the 28th & 31" ult. are now before me, & the parts
of them vtch require it shall be answered. —
If the Schools in the College are under good Masters, and as fit for
Boys of Washington's standing as a private School, I am still of opinion
(for the reasons mentioned in a former letter) that he had better be
placed there in the first instance. — The propriety, however, of this will
depend — 1" upon the character and ability of the Master under whose
tuition he will be — 2d upon the police and discipline of the School — and
3d'y upon the number of Boys ; — for I lay it down as a maxim, that if
the number of the pupils is too great for the tutors, justice cannot be
done, be the abilities of the latter what they will. — What the due pro
portion, beyond which it ought not to go, is in some measure matter of
opinion, but an extreme must be obvious to all, & you will easily decide
upon it in your own mind if nothing should be finally resolved upon by
me, previous to my arrival.
Enclosed I send you a letter from M' Gouvr Morris with the Bill
of cost of the articles he was requested to send me. — The prices of
the
'9

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
the plated ware exceeds — far exceeds the utmost bounds of my calcula
tion ; but as I am persuaded he has done what he conceived right, I am
satisfied, and request you to make immediate payment to Mr Constable
if you can raise the means. — The duties are also to be paid. You will
see by the enclosed (left open for your perusal) that I have promised
this. — Ought not the Sum remitted by Col" Humphreys to Mr Morris
to be deducted ? — Make this, without creating any difficulty, the subject
of arrangement with Mr Constable. — As these Coolers are designed for
warm weather, & will be, I presume, useless in cold, or in that which the
liquors does not require Cooling ; — quere, would not a stand like that for
Castors, with four apertures for as many different kinds of liquors, just
sufficient (each aperture) to hold one of the Cut decanters sent by M'
Morris, be more convenient for passing the Bottles from one to another,
than handling each bottle separately ; by whh it oftens happens that one
bottle moves, another stops, & all are in confusion ? — Two of these,
one for each end of the Table, with a flat Bottom with or without feet, (to
prevent tilting) — open at the sides, but with a raised Rim as Castors have
and an upright by way of handle in the middle, could not cost a great
deal were they made wholly of Silver. — Talk to a Silver Smith &
know the cost — & whether they could be immediately made, if required
in a handsome fashion. — Perhaps the Coolers sent by Mr Morris may
afford ideas of taste — perhaps too (if they are not too heavy when exam
ined) they may supersede the necessity of such as I have described, by
answering the purpose themselves. — Four dbu flint glasses (such I
expect Mr Morris has sent) will weigh, I conjecture, 4lb ; the wine in
them when full, will be 8lb more ; these added to the weight of the Cool
ers, will, I fear, make these latter too unwieldly to pass ; especially by
Ladies, which induced me to think of a frame in the form of Castors ;
wch by being open at bottom wd save Silver'.
I approve — at least till inconvenience or danger shall appear — of
the large table ornaments (images) remaining on the Side-boards ; & of
the
B Washington's suggestion was adopted and Mr. Lear ordered a silversmith to make two ofthe ca.ler.iike frame, of solid all.er
and these were used when the President gave bis first dinner to the officers ol government and their wi.es and other distinguished'
guesls. Los.ing .ays : " Their llghtnes. and convenience commended them, and from that time they became fashionable under
Ihe appropriate title of i.au.ri. I henceforth the wine cooler wa. left upon the aideboard, and tbe coa.ler alone waa used for
sending the wine around the table. Por more Iban a quarter of « century afteiwarda, the coaster might be seen upon the table
nf evely fashionable family In Philadelphia. Few persons, however, ire aware that Washington wa. the Inventor ol it."
20

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
the Pagoda's standing in the smallest drawing Room as you may have
fixed it. — Had I delivered any sentiment from hence respecting the
fixture, that is the apartment I shd have named for it. — Whether the
Green which you have, or a new yellow Curtain, shod be appropriated to
the Stair case above the Hall, may depend upon your getting an exact
match in colour &c of the latter. — For the sake of appearances one wd
not, in instances of this sort, regard a small additional expence. —
If the Servants can be accomodated without the rooms which were
intended for them at the end of the Hall, the use you propose to put
them to is certainly a good one. — But what is to become of Phidas
and James' wives ? — Is it not their wishes to have their wives (if they
incline to act as House Maids) with them ? — and will not the contrary
be a foundation for the loss of their Husbands ? —
I hope my Study (that is to be) will be in readiness against I
arrive. — And if the Rubbish and other litter occasioned by the People
of Mortar, & the Carpenters, is at a stand, I wish that everything of
the sort may be removed, and the yard made & kept as clean as the
Parlour. — This was always the case in M™ Morris's time, and has
become more essential now, as the best rooms are now back, and an unin
terrupted view from them into the Yard & Kitchen, which is nearly upon
a level with the Dining Room.
I am really sorry — on public as well as private ace" — to hear of Mr
Hares loss. — You wd do well to lay in a pretty good stock of his, or
some other Porter, — As M" Washington writes to M™ Lear I shall add
my best wishes to her only & affectionate regards to you — being
Y' sincere friend
G? Washington.

Mount Vernon Nov' I4'h 1790.
(Private.)
Dear Sir,
Having wrote two letters to you on the subject of Page's Stage
Coach (one or the other of which,. if not both, it is presumable will cer
tainly

21

WASHINGTON T O L E A R
tainly have got to hand before this can) 1 shall add no more thereto than
that, the Coach of Page, is now my dependence. —
I am, I must confess, exceedingly unwilling to go into a house with
out first knowing on what terms I do it ; and wish that this sentiment
could, in a delicate way, be again hinted to the parties concerned with
me. — I cannot, if there are no latent motives whh govern in this case,
see any difficulty in the business. — M' Morris has, most assuredly
formed an idea of what ought — in equity — to be the Rent of the tene
ment in the condition he left it ; and with this aid, the Com™ I conceive
ought to be as little at a loss in determining on the terms it should rent
for, with the additions & alterations which are about to be made ; — pre
sumably in a plain and neat manner — not by any means in an extrava
gant stile, because the latter is not only contrary to my wishes, but would
in reality, be repugnant to my interest & convenience ; — principally,
because it would be a means of keeping me from the use & comforts of
the House to a later day ; and because the furniture and everything else
would require to be accordant therewith besides its making me pay an
extravagant price perhaps, to suit the taste of others ; — to comply with
reasonable charges of the workmen^or to be taxed with the blended
expences of the two Houses (if they sometimes work at one, & some
times at the other). — I do not know, nor do I believe that anything
unfair is intended by either Mr Morris or the Committee, — but let us for
a moment suppose that the rooms (the new ones I mean) should be
hung with tapestry or a very rich and costly paper (neither of wch would
suit my present furniture) — that costly ornaments for the Bow windows —
extravagant Chimney pieces, &c, &c, were to be provided — that work
men were to charge a pound for that, which ought not to cost ten shill
ings ; — and that advantage would be taken of the occasion to new-paint
every part of the House, Buildings, &c, would there be any propriety in
adding ten, or I2j^ p' Cent for all these, to the rent of the house in its
original state, for the two years that I am to hold it ? — If the solution
of these questions are in the negative, wherein lyes the difficulty of
determining that the Houses & lots when completed, agreeably to the
plan proposed, ought to Rent for so much ? — After all is done that can
be done, the residence will not be so commodious as the house I left in
New York
22

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
New York (with the buildings I added) ; for there — (& the want of it at
M' Morris's will be found a serious inconvenience) — my office was in a
front room below, where persons on business immediately entered ;
whereas in the present case, they will have to ascend two pairs of Stairs,
and to pass by the public Rooms as well as private chambers, to get to
it ; — notwithstanding which, I am willing to allow as much as was paid to
M' Macomb, — & shall say nothing if more i9 demanded — unless there is
apparent extortion; and that the policy of delay is to see to what height
Rents will rise before mine is fixed. — In either of these cases I should
not be pleased, — and to occupy the premises at the expence of any public
body I will not.' — There is one expression in your letter of the 4,h the
meaning of which is somewhat doubtful — viz — " The additions, repairs,
&c of the house .in which Mr Morris now lives, are likewise to be com
prehended in the expenditures to be refunded by the Rent of this
House." — Is it meant by this that the Rent of the House I am to go
into is to be encreased by the expenditures on the one M' Morris has re
moved to, or that the Rent of the first i9 to be considered as a security only
for payment of the latter? — If this is all, I have nought to say against
it. — But dire necessity would only induce me to submit to the other. —
We all unite in best wishes for you and M" Lear and I am
Y' Sincere and
Affectionate friend
G? Washington.
Tobias Lear, Esq"
t As these letters ihow, Waihlngton was greatly concerned regarding the rent of Robert Morris's home, which had been
fitted up for his occupancy. Various cities earnestly desired to be chosen a* tbe permanent seat of the government and the ilrlfe
soon became very bitter. Indeed, it wai feared that the Union Itself might fall. As early as December, 1788, the legislature of
Virginia had offered lo present lo the United States a tract of land ten miles square, anywhere within tbe bounds of that common*
wealth. Maryland made a similar offer. The residents of New York, Lancaster, Princeton and Annapolis urged their claim** upon
the congress. The people of Trenton, N, J,, petitioned to have the capital there, while the people of Philadelphia, elated at the action
of congress In removing from New York, were determined that Philadelphia should be selected. Some representatives, learning
that Wright's Perry, now Wrighuville, on the Suiquchanna, In Pennsylvania, was the nearest to the center of population and
wealth, declared that il would remain 10 indefinitely and the houie passed a resolution making this place the national capital.
The senate amended by inserting Germantown ( ihe house refused to concur and the controversy continued. Meanwhile Alex
ander Hamilton had been Insisting that the Federal government ihould assume the debts of the several states which had come at
legacies of the Revolution and which, he declared, constituted the '* price of liberty." Though beaten on this point, the con*
grctimen from the Nottb were strong enough to prevent the selection of a Southern city ai ibc national capital, and auggciied a
compromlie. At length one was agreed upon 1 the nation auumed the debti ofthe slates and on July 16, 1790, congrcii passed an
act which provided " thai a district of territory not exceeding ten miles ii|uare, to be located on the river Potomac at mnie place
between tne mouths of (be Eastern Branch and Conogochcague be accepted for tbe permanent scat of ihe government of ihe
United Stales." The necciiary cesilons of land were mode by Virginia and Maryland, the survey was made, and on March jo,
1791, the President lnucd a proclamation making known the bounds ofthe Federal district. Por ten years, pending the erec
tion of suitable buildings, Philadelphia was to remain the national capital. One of ihe plans of those residents of Philadelphia
... L_  ,. J..  I  I .L.. nL-1. .!... .L-..I.I .._ -I  ... ik.  • ..-!._! ..... •- -.  . I .1 - .1.  U  ., . ¦!.. l>  1. 1--.

who were determined that their city should be chosen as the permanent capital was to provide the residence for the President,
thinking If they could pay the rent they would have a powerful argument on their side. Washington, of coune, was aware of
this, would not be a party to the scheme, and was determined to occupy an independent position. No doubt, loo, he favored

another location. The rent for Morris's houie was finally fixed at jti.oooand on November 11, 1790, Washington left Mount
Vernon accompanied by Mrs. Washington and Master and Miis Cuslii. They traveled In 1 coach drawn by four hone* and
reached Philadelphia on Ihe 181 h. Mr, Lear bad brought the f\irnlturt from New York, purchased some In Philadelphia, and had
• rrsngrd Ihe housi lo the tail. faction of the President and his wile.

«3

WASHINGTON TO LEAR

George Town March 2 8th 1791.
Dear Sir,
Late this afternoon your letters of the 23d & 24th instant came to
hand, and as the Mail is about to be closed (leaving this before sun rise in
the morning) I shall, as I must, be short.
I return some letters to be filed; — one from Col0 Blaine to be given
to Gen1 Knox, to be acted upon as he pleases ; — he is as well acquainted
with the man as I am, & knows the want of such a character better than
I do; — another letter from Col0 Cannon, which I may venture to say
proves him to be, what I will not call him ; and, that I need never look
for any Rents from him. — I pray you to say to him, if he does not
come to Philadelphia during my absence, that his own statement — given
in at New York — does not justify his pres* report — and that I am too well
acquainted with the prices of grain and the demd for it last year in his own
neighbourhood to be imposed upon by such a tale as his letter exhibits. —
In a word, that I am by no means satisfied with his treatment of me; —
for sure I am I shall get nothing from him but assurances of improve
ments, whilst he is either applying my rents to his own use — or suffering
the tenants to go free from the payment of them.
One of the Pads to the Waggon harness was left, it seems, at M'
Clark's — send it by the Stage to Alexandria; — if it comes too late the
matter will not be great. — I am not able to say yet, how long I shall
be detained in this place — where I arrived, before breakfast this morning.
I am — Your affect'
G? Washington.
P. S. — I send with my best remembrance a Sermon for M™ W  n —
I presume it is good, coming all the way from New Hampshire, but do
not vouch for it not having read a word of it. — It was one of your
enclosures. — Mount Vernon April 3d 1791.
Dear Sir,
Since my last to you — from George Town — I have, I believe,
received your letters ofthe 23d, 24th, & 27th ult. Whether
24

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
Whether a certain Gentleman is the man I conceived him to be, or
such a one as is hinted at in the letter you enclosed me, is not yet certain ;
but, admitting the latter, it is too late to look back. — I cannot be in a
less productive situation by the engagement than I was ; — the principal
disadvantage resulting from it will be, that I can never count upon the
payments until they are actually made; — consequently, can never specu
late upon the money which I wished to have done. — If I recollect rightly,
there is something in Col" Cannons letter (transmitted to you) concerning
the Kanhaway lands — if it is indicative of an intention to let them, or, that
he conceives himself empowered to do it, I desire you will inform him of
the Sale of them. —
You did well in forwarding the letters from the Western territory,
although they were, upon opening of them, found to be laws only. —
Until we can restrain the turbulance and disorderly conduct of our
own borderers it will be in vain I fear to expect peace with the Indians, —
or that they will govern their own people better than we do our's.
Mr Jefferson's ideas with respect to the dispatches for me, is a very
good one, & I desire it may be put into execution. — I send you some
letters to file, not finding it convenient to be encumbered with them on
my journey. — My best wishes attend M" Lear and I am
Yr sincere friend and
Affectionate Servant, G? Washington.

Fredericksburgh June 12th 1791.
Dear Sir,
Yesterday we arrived at this place in good health, but with horses
much worn down.' — To-morrow I expect to reach M' Vernon — where,
even if my horses were able to proceed, I am obliged to remain until the
27th instant — the day appointed by me at the last meeting, to meet the
Commissioners* at George Town, in order to fix on the spot for the public
buildings, and for other purposes, arising from the residence Act. — I
1 During tbe past few weeks Washington had been making a tour ofthe Southern state*.
1 Tbe first commissioner* of the new Federal district were appointed by the Prcaldent on January at, 1701— Thomas Johmon
and. Daniel Carroll of Maryland, and David Stewart of Virginia. 25

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
I have, at this place, received your letter of the 30lh ult ; but none
of an intermediate date between that of the 1 5th and it. — Your directions
to have them sent cross-wise the Country, was unlucky — first, because
there are no cross-posts. — 2d because my rout back was not irrevocably
fixed — and 3d because I had, knowing these circumstances, directed from
Charleston all letters which might be following me, to be returned to this
place to await my call. — The slow movement of the Mail in the three
Southern states prevented (I presume) these directions getting to Rich
mond before the letters were forwarded to Taylors Ferry — & my crossing
at Carters (a ferry much higher up James River) has been the cause, or
causes, I imagine, of my missing them. —
Being interrupted by visitors, I shall postpone until I arrive at M'
Vernon, further communications ; — the principal, indeed the only purpose
of this letter being, to advise you of my arrival at this place, and of my
intended stay at Mount Vernon, for the reason which I have assigned. —
My best wishes attend you, M™ Lear & the Child ; and I am sincerely
& affectionately Y"
G? Washington.
M" Lear.

Mount Vernon I5,h June 1791.
Dear Sir,
Your letter ofthe 29th ult° I acknowledged the receipt of from Fred-
ericksburgh — since which, another of the 5th inst' has been received. —
The Commissions for Whitaker and McDonell were properly issued
as those also are ment/1 in yr letter ofthe 5th — and it was on my mind, that
blank Commissions signed by me, were left with you for the Officers of
the Revenue Cutters ; — This not being the case, quere, if there is not a
necessity of sending some to me for my signature, as I shall not leave this
before the 27th — may be detained at George Town two or three days —
and must, afterwards, proceed slowly, on ace' of the low condition of my
horses. — The Secretary of the Treasury will be able to decide on this
point, & I wish you to act in the matter accordingly as he shall advise
you. —
26

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
you. — I find another of the Federal Judges (Hopkinson) has by his death
occasioned a vacancy in the district of Pennsylvania. — As some have,
Sc . others unquestionably will apply for the appointment, I wish you
would use every indirect means in your power, to ascertain the public
opinion with respect to the fittest character as a successor to Hopkinson. — :
Pursue the same mode to learn who it is thought would fill the present
auditors office (as he will be appointed Comptroler) with the greatest abil
ity & integrity. — Several have been brought to my view for the Comp-
trolers place (who I suppose would accept of the Auditors) as able &
meritorious characters ; — among these are the names of Mr Richmond, the
present Comptroler or Auditor of Maryland — Col° Pickering, M' Kean,
Col" Drayton, a Gent" of S° Carolina — Col0 Forrest and others.
It is hardly to be expected by the Trustees of any college, that com
plaints will not be made by the parents or friends of the boys who go to
it if they conceive they are neglected ; — and if Trustees mean to do their
duty, & support the reputation of the Siminary, they ought, I am sure,
to be thankful for such founded representations of neglect in the ceconomy
— police — or inattention of the professors & teachers. — -
I am glad to hear that the affairs of our own family are going on
well — and it might not be improper to hint to the Servants who are with
you (before they are joined by those with me) that it will be very idle &
foolish in them, to enter into any combinations for the purpose of sup
planting those who are now in authority — for the attempt in the first place
will be futile, & must recoil upon themselves ; — and because, admitting
they were to make the lives of the present Steward and house-keeper so
uneasy as to induce them to quit, others would be got to supply their
places ; and such too, as would be equally, if not more rigid in the exac
tion of the duties required of Servants. — In a word, that these characters
are indispensably necessary to take trouble off the hands of M" Wash
ington & myself, & will be supported; any attempt therefor to counteract
them in the line of their duty, whilst they act agreeably to established rules,
& their conduct is marked with propriety, will be considered as the
strongest evidence they can give of their own unworthiness, and dispositions
to be lazy, if not dishonest. — A good & faithful servant is never afraid,
or unwilling to have his conduct looked into, but the reverse; because the
27

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
the more it is inspected, the brighter it shines. — With respect to the
other matters of a domestic nature — mentioned in your letter ofthe 5th —
I shall postpone touching upon them till I see you. — We are suffering
in these parts by a severe drought — grass is scarcely worth cutting — &
Oats, if Rain keeps off two or 3 days longer must be ruined — corn is bad,
but it is too early in the year to form an opinion of the yield of it. —
Remember me to M" Lear and be assured of the sincere esteem &
friendship of Y' affect1 G? Washington.

Mount Vernon June 19th 1791.
Dear Sir,
Since my last to you (from this place) I have received your letters
ofthe 12th immediately from Philadelphia, and those of the 17th and 24th
of April after their having taken a trip to the Southward. —
I find by M" Washington's letters that Mr Frauncis is very desirous
of introducing M" Read into the family again ; this idea it would be well
for him to relinquish at once, & forever ; — for, unless there are reasons
inducing it, which my imagination cannot furnish, it will never happen. —
Herculas can answer every purpose that M™ Read would do, and others
which she will not ; and sure I am that the difference in the expence
between the two will bear no comparison ; — besides, supposing M" Read
to act fairly & honestly (which by the bye I do not believe she is disposed
to do) if she is not to be absolute mistress of her own conduct — in a word,
uncontroulable, she would not remain in the family a month. — She
would also increase the number, and of course the expence of the second
Table; which under the administration of Mr Hyde, I believe was equal
to the first (public days excepted). — But I hope it is a matter clearly
understood by M' Frauncis that Wine is not to be used at it again under
any pretence whatsoever ; for there can be no line drawn if it be once
admitted ; either as to the quantity or quality that will be drank at it. —
By the last Post, the letter of Mess" Fenwick & Mason, explanatory
of the Wine from Charleston, was forwarded to you ; — & I should be
glad
28

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
glad that the wine was recd. in good order ; for no attempts of that Ho.
hitherto, seems to have succeeded well, so far as I am concerned in them. —
The other Wine to M' Jefferson will, I presume, be divided, and settled
for, as soon as he shall have returned from his Northern tour. —
Without going into the detail on the several points of yr letters I can
assure you that the measures you have adopted with regard to Washing
ton — George & Lawrence — my black people — Sc the employment of M'
Frauncis Sc M™ Emerson, as far as they have been communicated, meet
my entire approbation ; — and I wish you to inculcate strongly upon the
white Servants of the family, (as mentioned in my last) that it will be vain
& idle in them to suppose, that by a combination they will avoid their
own duties — or can effect the discharge of those to whom the management
of the Household business is committed. — They must be sensible, that
they have as high wages as are given to any Servants in their respective
stations — that they are as well provided — Sc perhaps better paid than most
— and no extra duties imposed upon them ; consequently, that if an
attempt of this sort is made, it will recoil upon themselves. — I shall
communicate the same sentiments to those who are with me, that, if they
do sin, it shall be with their eyes open, and under a knowledge of the
consequences. As I shall have occasion for a number of blankets for my people this
fall ; — and as the best time to purchase them, I am told, is after the
Winter's demand is over ; I should be glad if you would make a pretty
diligent enquiry after them before I arrive ; that I may know whether and
upon what terms, I can get supplied. — It is probable I may want near
two hundred. —
The Maj' desires' me to write for half a bushel of Turnip seed of
the best kind — viz — a peck of White Summer — and the other peck of the
red winter ; — but a good winter and good Summer Turnip of any other
kind, I suppose will do. — It must be sent soon, or both will be useless.-r-
I should like to see Mr Payne's answer to M' Burke's Pamphlet;2 —
if it is to be had, & could be sent off by the Post on friday, it would meet me
1 The Major wa. George Augustine Washington, .00 of George Washington', brother Ch.rlei, and at ihis time .M .sil.t-
Ing In tbe supervision ofthe Mount Vernon properly.
a Referring to Tboma. Paine, whose pamphlet on the " Right, of Man " wa. written In answer to Edmund Burke's famou.
letter to a French gentleman In 1790 entitled " Reflection, on the Revolution In France,"
29

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
me at George Town on Monday the 27th ; where I shall be, & from
whence I shall proceed ; — but on what day is more than I am able to
determine until I go there, and shall see what is necessary to be done at
that place towards carrying the Law respecting the permanent residence
of the Government into effect. — To do this, there are many matters to
decide upon ; and some of them not a little difficult. — It is not very
probable therefore that I shall leave George Town before Thursday; but
I would not have such dependence placed on this, as to expect letters will
meet me there on Wednesday evening ; — especially as it is in distant con
templation (if upon enquiry at George town it shall be found that the
difference in the length of the two roads is not great) to return by the way
of Frederick town, York Sc Lancaster, to Philadelphia.
Paris has become so lazy, self willed & impudent, that John (the
Coachman) had no sort of government of him ; — on the contrary, Jno.
says it was a maxim with Paris to do nothing he was ordered, and every
thing he was forbid. — This conduct, added to the incapacity of Giles
for a Pistilion, who I believe will never be able to mount a horse again
for that purpose, has induced me to find Paris some other employment
than in the Stable — of course I shall leave him at home. — A boy, or
two may be necessary there, to assist about the horses — Carriages — & har
ness — but these (dutch ones) it is possible may be had for their victuals
Sc cloaths ; especially if there are large importations from Germany (as
some articles in the papers say there will be). — I mention the matter
now, that in case arrivals should happen before I get back, of these kind
of People, you may be apprised of my wishes — low and squat (well made)
boys, would suit best. — If emigrants are not to be had, there can be no
doubt, but that some of the Dutch Servants in the family could easily
procure such as are wanted from among the Citizens — &' perhaps none
readier, or better than by John himself when he arrives. — Remember
me to Mrs. Lear — and be assured of the esteem and regard of
Y' affect"
M- Lear. G? Washington.

30

WASHINGTON TO LEAR

Mount Vernon Septr. 26th 1 791 .
Dear Sir,
Since my last to you I have received your two letters of the 21"
instant ; one dated in the morning, and the other in the evening of that
day. — What appeared to you to be the object of the formal enquiries of Mr
Powell and the Mayor of the City, in their late interrogatories ? — Did
they mean to convict M' Gallatine of mis-representation — or me of an
improper interference in the building of the House for the President of
the United States ? — If the first, Mr Gallatine may speak for himself; —
If the latter, I have no scruple in declaring to those Gentlemen or to any
others that no one has a right to publish sentiments as mine that were '
never uttered, or conceived by me ; — especially too after the reverse had
been explicitly declared to Mr Fisher at his own request wch. was made
as he professed to answer a particular purpose. — Previous to the above
communication to Mr Fisher, I do not recollect that I ever expressed a
sentiment respecting the public building. — To a Pennsylvanian, or one
wishing to promote the measure, I am certain I never did : — but after
wards, when I found my want of accomodation & consequent dissatisfac
tion was adduced as argument to support the measure, I was inclined that
the following truth should be known — first, that I never had, since I got
rid of the workmen, expressed any dissatisfaction with my accomodations. —
Secondly, That as I have already made two expensive removals, and had
not long to remain in office, I would not make a third, unless I was com
pelled to do it — and thirdly, under these circumstances, and a thorough
conviction that the proposed building might be delayed, and still erected
in time for my Successor — It was candid and fair to make these sentiments
known — especially as they were accompanied with a pointed declaration
that it was only as the building regarded myself personally that they were
communicated ; having no desire to intermeddle in the politics of the
State. —
I am glad you stated the matter in writing to Mr Powell. — Senti
ments, and communications expressed in that manner, cannot be
misconceiv'd or mis-represented, from the wont of recollection. — I hope
there
3'

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
there is no intention of adding near 50 pr C' to the Rent of the House I
occupy; for I well remember my desiring you to inform the Committee
that I must and would know upon what terms I was to Inhabit the House
and y* you told me they had fixed the Rent at ^500 pr Ann. —
If you have not already made a purchase of Blankets, I wish you to
suspend doing it until you hear from me again. — I am about to send
this day to Alexandria, where it is said large importations of this article
have been made, to learn the qualities, and price of the Dutch Blanket
ing. — Sitgreaves Mem0 is not explicit enough to enable me to judge of
the size, or quality of his — The only sort of them which are applicable to
my use, are inserted thus " Striped Duffells 1 1 5/ to 1 80/ per piece of 1 j
blankets"; this brings the lowest of these to 9/ & the highest to 12/ each
which is high, supposing them ofthe largest size, & ofthe first quality. —
If you will mention in your next the length & breadth of the different
sizes, & whether they are of the best quality, I shall be better able to
decide. —
I do not recollect whether I mentioned to you in my last that the
N'ajor got home a day or two before us — He is much better than he
was ; but not yet free from the pain in his breast & Cough. —
M" Washington and all the family (which at present is pretty num
erous) join me in best wishes for yourself, M" Lear, Maj' Jackson & the
Child. I am, Dear Sir
Your sincere friend
and affect' Servant,
G? Washington.

Mount Vernon Oct' 2d 1791.
Dear Sir,
Since my last to you, which I think was written on this day week, I
have received your letters ofthe 25th and 27th ult°,
I am not yet enabled to speak decisively with respect to the Blank
ets. — Many have arrived, but are not yet opened, in Alexandria. —
M' Wilson
32

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WASHINGTON TO LEAR
Mr Wilson, who has imported of them largely, at from 56/ to 75/ sterg.
pr piece of 1 5 blankets ; has offered them to me at 70 pr C' but as he cannot
before they are opened give the size, or quality, it is impossible to say
whether they will come cheap or dear. — I shall ascertain this matter
before Friday next & will then write you on the subject again. —
Letters & Papers from you by the Posts on Wednesdays & Fridays
will come to me as soon as those which may be forwarded on Mondays,
as I do not send to the Office on Wednesdays ; which is the day the Mail
arrives there that leaves Philadelphia on Monday. — Those which leave
that place on Wednesday comes in on Friday — and the Friday's mail
arrives on Monday & these are the days I shall send up for letters &c.
I send two French letters to be translated & forwarded to me. —
It is a little singular, when considered on the score of candor, that
Mr P  should suffer Mr S  to assert what he did in the
S  without contradicting him ; — but the views, and conduct of the
City Influence stands in need of no development in my mind. — Nor
have I a much higher opinion of the candor of Mr F  . He is very
welcome however to the copy of the letter you wrote to Mr P. Sc with
which you furnished him, as I wish the sentiments therein expressed to
be generally known ; since the matter has been introduced into the Legis- '
lature of the State, & so unfairly stated, as it appears to have been done,
by both parties. — The details you have given me of this matter was
very proper, & I am glad you furnished me with them. — It is quite
right that I should be made acquainted with these things.
I am very well satisfied with the determinations of the Comee respect
ing the Rent, and the time of its commencing ; and am glad of your
expression to that effect. —
How does the engraving ofthe Federal City advance? — Send me
some ofthe first that are struck off & let the others be disposed of as was
agreed on. — If you should learn with certainty that the Minister of
France is coming to this place advise me of it and when he sets out. —
All the family here are well except the Major who seems to be in a
poor way and join me in best wishes for you and yours — and for Major
Jackson. I am, sincerely and affectly., Yours
Mr Lear. G? Washington.
33

WASHINGTON TO LEAR

Mount Vernon Oct' 7th 1791.
Dear Sir,
Your letter of the 30th ult° came duly to hand, with the enclosures. —
I have had samples ofthe Alexandria Blankets sent me — the quality
of them is not good ; inferior to those I had from Watson — & far, very
far indeed, inferior to those which I used to import myself. — The prices,
length & breadth of three kinds, enclosed. —
Mess" Sitgreaves give no length to their Blankets — and if Col"
Biddle has been accurate in his account, and I understd him, the Blankets
he has had offered to him, however good in other respects, are intolerably
narrow. — Under this view of matters I am perplexed. — I by no
means like the prices, or quality, of the Blankets in Alexandria ; and
scarcely know what judgment to form of those in Philadelphia ; but if
whilst hesitating between the two I should miss both, it would be bad
indeed, as my people would in that case be in great distress the ensuing
Winter. — Upon the whole, I have resolved to refer the matter once
more to you, with the Alexandria prices and sizes (the quality you can
only form an opinion of from the description I have already given) ofthe
Blankets in that place and to request that you & Col° Biddle will endeavor
to procure me the quantity wanting — viz — 200 ; if upon comparison you
shall conceive I may be benefited thereby. — One hundred ofthe largest
size, and best quality is required ; — the other hundred may be of the
middle size, but good in quality. — But in truth, if I am to form an
opinion of the sizes by the accB sent, the largest of them scarcely comes
up to my ideas of a middle sized Blanket. — At all events let me know
by the Wednesday's Post after you receive this (and which will reach me
only the day before I leave home) what I have to trust to, as I shd. regret
a disappointment exceedingly.
I recollect asking you, if among my Pamphlets you had seen the
Journal of my tour to the French on La beauf in the year 1753 ?  I
understood you No; but M" Washington thinks you said Yes.— I have
searched in vain for it here. — Pray decide this point between us. 
As I shall have but little time between my return to Philadelphia
and the meeting of Congress to arrange matters for the Communications I
34

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
I shall have to make at the opening of the Sessions, I desire you will (for
my time is so much occupied here by company, Sc the necessary attention
to my domestic concerns, as not to allow me time to do it) examine my
Speeches at the opening ofthe three last Sessions of Congress, and com
pare the several matters recommended in them with the Laws that have
passed ; noting the things recommended, and not acted upon at all — as
also the measures recommended and taken up by Congress but not finished ;
— such as the Militia Law &c that I may, by seeing the State of the busi
ness, decide on the propriety (as I am about to meet a new House of
Representatives) of bringing the same matters before Congress again. —
It will do, if this enquiry is compleated against my arrival, and I pray you
to be correct in it. — The Journals, or M' Beckley, can inform you of
those cases which have been taken up, but never finished ; & I wish you
to ask at the Secretary of State's office what has been the result of the
enquiries which had issued from thence in consequence of the resolution
of Congress to ascertain the quantity, and State of the Lands ceded by
N° Carolina. —
I ought, when speaking of the Blankets, to have desired, if you make
the purchase in Philadelphia, to forward them by the first vessel which is
bound to Alexandria as my Negros are all teasing me for them, and the
season will soon make them necessary. —
What progress does Mr West make ? and has he learnt to write with
more facility and ease than when I left him ? —
M™ Washington requests you to get her Six pieces of Ginghams
according to the inclosed Memm Sc to send them along with the Blank
ets. — She and all here join in best wishes for you &c — and I am ever
Y' affect" fd &c
G? Washinoton.
M' Tobias Lear.

35 r

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
Mount Vernon Oct 14th 1791.
Dear Sir,
Your letter of the 9th was forwarded to me yesterday morning by the
Post-Master in Alexandria (having sent no person to that place the even
ing before). —
I am glad of the intimation given of the intentions of the Minister
of France ; — and pleased, tho' distressed at the same time, at the informa
tion that, the 24th inst' is the day fixed on for the meeting of Congress. —
I had no more idea of this than I had of its being dooms-day. — Sup
posing the 3 1" to be the day, I meant to have spent Monday, and possibly
Tuesday, at George Town ; and then to have proceeded leizurely on ;
but as the case is I shall endeavor to reach Bladensburgh at least, the first
night (that is Monday) and delay no time on the Road afterwards that
can be avoided ; as I shall have scarce any time to prepare my communi
cations for the opening of the Session on the 24th if there should be
punctuality in the Members. —
This unexpected event makes it more essentially necessary to look,
without de.'-.y, & with accuracy, into the Speeches & Laws (at the past
Sessions) agreeably to my former directions ; that, among other matters,
they may be considered of when I arrive. — If anything else should
have occurred to you, fit for recommendation, or communication in the
Speech, note it, that, in case it shd not be among my memorandums, it
may be ready for consideration.
There is a mistery attending the engraving of the Federal City which
I do not comprehend. — It appears somewhat singular that the incor
rectness of the Plan should not have been discovered till now, when Major
L'Enfent1 was detained many days in Philadelphia to prepare & fit it for
the purpose. —
If the Memorial of Mess" Triol Roux & Co. has not already been
sent it may await my arrival in Philadelphia as I shall have no leizure to
give it a consideration until after my Communications have been prepared for

I Meaning Pcnr Charles l.'Enfani, who wa. born In France In 175c, cane to this country with Lafayette In 1777, and died
here in |8»J. He enlisted In the Continental army, rose 10 the rank of major, .erved under the Immediate command of Waahlnt-
on, and long after tbe war drew the plan, for the capital city.
3°

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
for Congress. — Being much hurried I have only time to wish you and
M" Lear well, & to assure you of the sincere esteem -and regard of
Y" Affect1*

Tobias Lear, Esq'

G? Washington.

Mount Vernon July 30th 1792.
Dear Sir,
Your letter from New York came duly to hand, and I was glad to
find you had got that far in safety. — I wish the remainder of your jour
ney may prove equally pleasant and prosperous. — My journey was not
of this sort, for after I had parted with the Coach horses I was plagued
with those which succeeded them, the following day; — and the sick Mare,
by a dose of Physic which had been administered the night I reached Ches
ter, was so weakened, & failed so much, that she was unable to carry
Austin any farther than Susquehanna ; — from thence she was led to Hart
ford and left — and two days afterwards gave up the ghost, —
I found the face of the Country here, and on the road this side
Baltimore, much, very much indeed, parched by a severe drought ; and
the Corn in miserable plight ; — but the day & night we reached home there
fell a most delightful & refreshing rain, and the weather since has been as
seasonable as the most sanguine farmer could wish; Sc if continued to us
may make our Indian corn crop midling — great it is hardly possible to
be — so much was it in arrears when the rains set in. —
Great complaints were heard ofthe Hessian fly, and ofthe Rust or
Mildew, as I travelled on ; and in some places I believe the damage has
been great; — but I conceive more is said than ought to be on this sub
ject; and, that the Crop upon the whole will be abundent of Wheat; —
mine in quantity (and the quality is good) will, I expect, greatly exceed
any I have made these several years past.
I found at George Town many well conceived, & ingenious plans
for the Public buildings in the New City: — it was a pleasure indeed, to
find in an infant Country such a display of Architectural abilities, — The
Plan
37

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
Plan of Mr Hoben,' who wa9 introduced to me by Doct' Tucker, from
Charleston, & who appears to be a very judicious Man, was made choice
of for the President's House ; and the Commissioners have agreed with
him to superintend the building of it — & that of the Capitol also, — if
they should, hereafter, be disposed to put both under one management. —
He has been engaged in some ofthe first buildings in Dublin — appears a
master workman — and has a great many hands of his own. — He has
laid out the foundation which is now digging & will be back in a month
to enter heartily upon the work. — The Plan for the Capitol was not fixed
on when I left George Town — two or three very elegant ones (among a
great many of less merit) had been presented— but the draughtsmen not
being there, a postponement became necessary to receive explanations. —
The Bridge will be accomplished (it is said) by the time specified in the
Contract; and every thing that could be put in motion before the Plans
for the public buildings were fixed on, is in as much forwardness as could
be expected — Sc will now, I have no doubt, advance rapidly.
As you did not mention your having spoke to M' Morris about the
house, I am under some apprehension that you omitted to do it ; — which
will be unlucky. — Give me an Acct. of what I suggested to you as a
matter for indirect enquiry. — All here are well, except the Major, whose
situation I think is unpromising & precarious — growing worse — they all
join me in best wishes for M" Lear, yourself Sc the Child. — I am
D' Sir Y' affect' friend
G? Washington.

Mount Vernon, Sep' 21" 1792.
Dear Sir,
I have written but one letter to you since I came to this place — I
was on the point of writing a second when yours of the 5th of August
came to my hands informing me of your intention to leave Portsmouth
about the first of this month and expectation of reaching Philadelphia (if no
I Meaning Jamea Hoben. He wa. a native of Ireland and aettlcd In Charleston before Ihe Revolution. He waa employed
In July 1791, .s architect sod superintendent and received a compensation of )oo guinea, a veal. He not only drew the plan.
of Ihe President e house, which waa bm occupied by Ple.ident John Adam, in November, 1800, but .upervl.ed the construe ion
of oincr public buildings. ' vwu..,un,wu
38

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
no unforseen delays happened) the 20th — This information arrested my
intention, as it was uncertain at what place to direct to you — or, that the
letter would reach your hands before it re-verberated back to that City.
I feel myself much obliged by the information contained in your
letters ofthe 21" of July and 5th of August; — but as I expect soon to see
you I shall only take notice of that part of it which respects a tutor for a
few boys, and my ardent wish that you may have been able to succeed in
your expectation of getting one. — I am more and more persuaded of
the utility of the measure ; — Sc that without it, the loss to Washington
will be irreparable. —
I have nothing agreeable of a domestic nature to relate, and I go not
abroad to collect information of any other kind. — ¦ Poor George ! — He
is, I believe not far from that place, from whence no traveller returns.' —
He is but the shadow of what he was ; he has ndt been out of his room Sc
scarcely from his bed these six weeks. — At times he has intervals of
ease which flatter a little, but I have little hope of his surviving the
Winter. — This adds not a little to my distress & perplexity on a sub
ject you are already acquainted with — but no more of this — at least for
the present.: —
My family, and this part of the Country are more sickly than they
have been since the recollection of the oldest of us ; — first with the flux
(but that did not prevail in my family) and next with intermittant &
remittant fevers. — AU the whites of it, however, have kept up, except
William, whose fever is by an act of his own imprudence. —
Not knowing what delays you may have met with on the Road, I
have directed M' Francis in a letter of this date, to engage Mr Page's
Coach to be here, to accomodate our journey to Philadelphia ; for which
place I expect to set out the 8th though I may not arrive in that City before
the 13* or 14th of Oct. — The Stage however is to be at this place on
the 7th at Night. — If you should be in Philadelphia by the time this
letter reaches it, I shall rely on your usual punctuality & exertion to effect
this. — If the Carriage should not be here before the 8th the case will not
be altered, as I do not expect M" Washington will leave this place before the
I Oe«r|fl Angattlna Washington — referred to heretofore In these letter* tt lb* Major— ion of George Washington'* brother
Cbarlca.
39

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
the 9th — The Sale may require my remaining in George Town one day. —
If this letter should find you in Philadelphia, let me know the result
of your application to Mr Page by the first Post after it is received. —
Our united and best wishes are offered for yourself, M™ Lear & the Child
and with sincere & affectionate regard I am always
Your friend
G? Washington.
P. S. If M' Page cannot send his Carriage some other equally con
venient if to be had must be sent for our accomodation as it is thereon
we depend.

Mount Vernon Oct' i" 1792.
Dear Sir,
Expecting this letter will find you in Philadelphia — I wish you wd
begin in time to compare all my Speeches in Congress with the subsequent
Acts of that body; that I may see what parts of them have passed alto
gether unnoticed, or which have been only partially noticed ; thereby
enabling me to judge whether any, and what parts of them should be
brought forward again. — It is my request also, that you would note
everything that may occur to you as fit subjects of information, or for
recommendation at the opening of the Session — and such other matters as
result from the Laws with wch. it is proper to make the Legislature or the
Senate acquainted. — I want to have all the materials collected for my
Communications previous to my arrival, that when the whole are before
me I may select & digest into order, such as will be proper for my Speech.
It is my present intention to commence my journey to Philadelphia
on this day week ; & to spend that, and part of the following day in
George Town ; but whether I shall be able to do it is not absolutely cer
tain, as yet. — William and Richard have both been confined to their
rooms, and mostly to their beds for ten or twelve days with intermittant
fevers ; which, never before yesterday, was moderate enough to admit the
Bark which makes it doubtful at this moment whether they will be in
condition
40

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
condition to undertake the journey if they keep well, & a return of the
fever I am sure will prevent it. — As to poor George I shall say noth
ing — His fate is unquestionably fixed, and Fanny's from prest. appear
ances is very unpromising, probably terminating in the same disorder. —
These occurrances throws my private affairs into considerable embarrass
ment. — But as they, especially the Major, is not likely to get better,
and if they do will spend the Winter at her fathers, I must leave them in
it, as there is no remedy at present.
The light house on Cape Henry, in this State, will soon want a
Keeper, & if my memory serves me many have offered. — Pray examine
the characters and have them ready to be decided on by the time I arrive. —
M™ Washington went up this morning to bid M" Stuart (who has
lately added a Son to the family) farewell. — My best wishes attend M™
Lear yourself and the Child and I am — Dear Sir
Your sincere friend
and Affect5 Servant,
G? Washington.
M» Lear.

I do hereby certify that I have examined the accounts which have
been kept by Mr Tobias Lear, on my behalf, from the commencement
of my Administration of the Government of the United States down to
the 31" day of December One thousand seven hundred and ninety two—
as will appear by the Journal & Ledger which contain them — and that I
am perfectly well satisfied with the clearness and justness of them. —
Given under my hand in the City of Phil
adelphia this 25th day of March 1793.
G? Washington.

4»

WASHINGTON TO LEAR

Mount Vernon Apr1 5th 1793.
Dear Sir,
From Baltimore I acknowledged the receipt of your letter of the 29th
ult° ; as I am about to do that of the first instant from hence. —
I had no idea of your obtaining money from M' de Barth, if it was
even more abundant than you represent it to be — nor do I believe he had
any expectation at the time we bargained to make the payment stipulated —
It was, I am satisfied, a speculation on his part — depending upon the
chapter of accidents to comply with. — Such was the opinion of others
at the time — and such has his conduct evinced since. — The disappoint
ment to me is great, as I wanted to apply the money to particular uses. —
Public securities, (but of these I dare say he is as scarce, as he is of Cash)
would do. —
Let me know in your next, after the receipt of this, what are the real
selling prices of Flour in Philadelphia— and the opinion of the knowing
ones whether the probability is, that it will rise, fall, or remain where it is
for any time. — In this state it has fallen — but the scarcity of Cash, and
War, or the probability of one between France & G. Britain, are
assigned as the causes — together with the want of Vessels to export the
produce of the Country. —
Offer my best wishes to M™ Lear and our little friend Lincoln and
believe me to be as I really am Your sincere friend and
Affectionate Servant,
G? Washington.
M" Lear.

Mount Vernon April 8th 1793.
Dear Sir,
Since my last to you from this place, your letter of 3d inst' has been
received transmitting Col0 Cannon's Rental, and M' de Barth's profession
of inability to discharge his Bond. — The latter seems to be a more
candid ace' than the former ; but with both, I must be satisfied — presum
ing, I shall never obtain better, from either. — Before
42

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
Before you say anything to Mr C  with respect to the lands
which M' de Barth had of me, & is willing to relinquish ; I beg you to
have some conversation with the Attorney General on the subject he
mentioned to me respecting Mr C  which I did not very clearly
understand at the time, and know less of it now. — It seemed to squint
(if I recollect rightly) at a sort of speculation which might implicate the
latter ; but in what manner I know not. — As I do not mean, however,
to place it in the power of malice itself to charge me with any agency in
measures that can even be tortured into impropriety on this head, I
wish the above enquiry to be previously made. —
If it is not too late — I mean if the Assembly of Pennsylvania has not
risen, & the opportunity lost — I wish you would enquire of Mr Gallitan,
and others from the Western Country, into whose hands I could, to
advantage, entrust the management of my business in the Counties of
Fayette & Washington : for I am sure it will not do to leave it in the
hands of Col0 Cannon ; — who, if nothing else is against him, is too depend
ent for his election as representative of the latter County to fix my Rents
at a just medium ; or to collect them in the manner he ought to do — lest
his popularity should be affected by it. — And, if the Rents are liable to
be applied, (when under leases for five years, & after farms have been
settled 12 or 15 years) towards repairs & improvements, I may bid adieu to
any prospect of profit from them ; as nothing can be easier than to balance
the acct. by fence rails — and other such like improvements ; which every
man who ever had a farm, & expected to make anything on it, always did, &
for their own sakes ever will be obliged to provide for the security of their
Crops at their own expence. — It is usual when a tenant goes on a New
place, and has every thing to provide, to allow him one, two, and some
times (according to situation & circumstances) three years rent free ; — but
I never heard before, of a continuance of it on farms so long settled as I
have mentioned, & which have always been in occupation. — Nor is it
to be sups'd that a tenant will ever do any thing at his own expence, if, by
agreement, he can charge it to the account of his Landlord. —
As the Will of my deceased Nephew will not be proved at next
Court for this County, I shall not (unless obliged to wait for M' Robert Lewis,
43

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
Lewis, who has written me that he shall be here with some Rents, & to
settle other business with me) remain here till Monday the 15th — but as I
shall (unless advices from Philadelphia or other occurrences unknown to
me at present render it inconvt.) go by the way I had contemplated to
come, if the Roads would have permitted it ; — that is, by Fredericktown in
Maryland, Carlisle, Harrisburgh, the upper Canal, Reading and the lower
Canal ; it is not in my power at this time to name the day when it is prob
able I shall be in Philadelphia — but at any rate, if no accident happens, nor
my horses fail me, it will be by the 25th of the month at farthest. —
Fanny Washington thanks you for your friendly remembrance of her
& joins me in best wishes for yourself, Mrs. Lear and Lincoln. — I am
always and sincerely Y' affect* friend G? Washington.
M" Lear.

Philadelphia June 21" 1793.
Dear Sir,
Your letter of the 1 7th came by the Post of yesterday — and as, by the
purport of it, there is a probability that this letter may find you either at
George town or Mount Vernon, I write it for the purpose of declaring
that, your going to the latter place is viewed by me as a very kind &
friendly Act. — The Ace' given of Mr Whiting by Doct' Craik, is a very
distressing one ; — not only as it respects the poor fellow himself, but on
ace' of the effect it must have on my business, present & to come ; during
this year, at least. —
Getting an ace' from him (if his situation will enable him to give it)
of the monies received Sc paid, Sc such as may be due to & from me, is
of importance. — A general view given by him of other matters, is more
to be wished than expected. — - I shall bring with me the account he
rendered to M' Dandridge when I was last at Mount Vernon. —
If M' Clarke fulfils his engagement (and he says he will, tho' I think
it questionable) I shall, if no business more than I am apprized of at
present intervenes to prevent it, set out on my journey on Monday; &
expect
44

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
expect to be at George Town, if not at Mount Vernon, on Thursday
evening. — This being the case, and as I shall see you at one or the
other of those places, or must meet you on the Road, I shall only add
that with much truth Sc friendship I am Dear Sir,
Your Affect" G? Washington.
P. S. M" Lear and Lincoln are perfectly well.
M" Lear.

Mount Vernon Sep' 25th 1793.
My Dear Sir,
I have not written to you since we parted, but had just sat down to
do it when your letter ofthe 13th inst. was brought to me from the Post
Office in Alexandria. —
It gave M" Washington, myself and all who knew him, sincere pleas
ure to hear that our little favourite1 had at rived safe, Sc was in good health at
Portsmouth. — We sincerely wish him a long continuance of the latter
— that he may always be as charming & promising as he now is — that he
may live to be a comfort & blessing to you — and an ornament to his
Country. — As a token of my affection for him, I send him a ticket in
the lottery now drawing in the Federal City; and if it should be his for
tune to draw the Hotel, it will add to the pleasure I feel in giving it.
We remained in Philadelphia until the 10th inst' — It was my wish
to have stayed there longer; but M" Washington was unwilling to leave
me amidst the malignant fever which prevailed, I could not think of
hazarding her & the children any longer by my remaining in the City —
The house in which we lived being, in a manner blocked by the disorder
which was becoming every day more Sc more fatal. — I therefore came
off with them on the above day, and arrived at this place the 14th without
encountering the least accident on the Road.
You will learn from Mr Greenleaf that he has dipped deeply in the
concerns of the Federal City ; — advantageously I think for himself, and I
am
I Benjamin Lincoln Le.r, .on of Tobla. Leer. 45

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
am pleased with it on public ground also ; as it may give facility to the
operations at that place, at the same time that it is embarking him in a
measure which, although it cannot well fail under any circumstances that
are likely to happen, may be considerable promoted by men of Spirit with
large capitals. — He can, so much better than I, detail his engagements,
& the situation of things in and about the City, that I shall not attempt
to do it at present. —
M" Washington having decided to let Nelly Custis have her watch
& Chain, is disposed to receive substitutes in lieu thereof at about Twenty
five guineas price; and leaves the choice of them to you. — The plain
ness of the watch &c will be no objection. — One hundred and twenty
dollars in Bank notes are enclosed for the purchase of them. — '
If it should be convenient, and perfectly safe for you to engage for
me, on reasonable terms, a compleat Black Smith, you would oblige me
by doing so. — As there are laws in England prohibiting such engage
ments under severe penalties, and such may exist in other Countries, you
will understand me clearly, that, for no consideration whatsoever would I
have you run the smallest risk of encountering them. — You know full
well what kind of a Smith would suit my purposes — it is unnecessary
therefore for me to be particular on this head. — He must, however,
have a character on which you can rely not only as a compleat workman
for a Farm, but as an honest, sober & industrious man. — If he comes
on Wages they must be moderate ; Sc with, or without wages he must be
bound to serve me three years, four would be better. —
M™ Washington thanks you for your kind recollection of her request
respecting Lincoln, and desires me to assure you of her sincere love for
him — in which I join — and of her friendship and regard for you. — In
whatever place you may be, or in whatever walk of life you may move, my
best wishes will attend you, for I am & always shall be
Your sincere friend and
Affectionate Servant,
G? Washington.
P. S. 1 have just received a letter from the Earl of Buchan in which
he says my letter intended to accompany the Portrait had got safe to his
 hands
I Mr. Lear wa. about to go abtoad.
46

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
hands, but that he had seen heard nothing of the Picture. — If you
should, while in New York see the Painter of it, be so good as to mention
this circumstance to him, & enquire into the cause ofthe failure.1
The District Attorney for New Hampshire has sent his resignation —
I am entirely unacquainted with the characters in that line, in that State,
and would thank you to. name the person whom you think best qualified
to succeed Mr. Sherburne, Sc most likely to give general satisfaction.
G. W.

Philadelphia 6th May 1794.
My Dear Sir,
Your letter of the 26th of Jan? with a Postscript of the 30th of the
same month, by Capt" Truxton, and another of the 12th of Feb^ by a
Vessel to New York, I have safely received. — But neither the one from
Glasgow (with the box) nor the other by the Peggy, referred to in the
above letters, are yet come to hand. —
The Watch, and Portrait of the Earl of Buehan, were received in
very good order. — The first pleases, and for your attention to it M™
Washington prays you to accept her thanks. — The extra cost, together with
t The portrait lo which reference Is made, was painted by Alexander Robertson, wbo came to thla country from Scotland on
Ihe inv-iiailon of Dr. Kemp of Columbia college and Chancellor Livingston of New York. Hearing of his Intended departure, the
Earl of Buehan requested an Interview in Edinburgh and committed to hi* care a small box, four Inches lone, three broad, and two
deep, and an eighth of an inch thick, made of six pieces of the heart of the oak tree that sheltered Sir William Wallace after the
bailie of Falkirk. This box the Kari of Buehan wished to present to General Washington, with tbe request for his portrait " from
the pencil of Mr. Robcrison." Under date of January 18. 1791, the Karl wrote to Washington 1 " This box was presented to me
by the Goldsmiths' company of Edinburgh, of whom — feeling my own unworthlocsi to receive this magnificent and significant
f resent — I requested , and obtained leave to make it over to the man in the world to whom I thought It moil Justly duet into/our handl
commit It, requesting you to pass it, in the event of your decease, to the min In your own country, who shall appear lo your Judg.
mrni to merit il best, upon the same conilderatlnns (hat have Induced me lo send It lo your Excellency," Tbe Wallace box had an
elegant silver binding, and (he lid, opening on binges one-lbird down the side, had a silver plate inside, inicribed 1 " Presented by
the Goldsmiths of Edinburgh to David Siuart Erskine, Earl of Buehan, with the freedom of their Corporation, by (heir Deacon,
1791," On the death of Washington the box wai returned to ihe Earl of Buehan, or his heirs, according to the following clause
In Washington's will 1 " To the Earl of Buehan I recommit Ihe * box made ofthe oak that sheltered Ihe brave Sir William Wai*
lace after the battle of Palklrk,' presented to me by his lordship in terms too flattering for me to repeat, with a request ' 10 pais It,
on (he event of my decease, to the. man In my country who should appear 10 merit it best, upon the lame conditions that have
Induced blm to send It to me.'— Whether caiy or not, lo select the man who mlghl eomporl wllh hll lordship's opinion In this
respect, Is not for me 10 say 1 but conceiving thai no disposition of this valuable curiosity can be more eligible Ihan the recommit'
ment of it to hll own cabinet, agreeably to ihe original dcilgn ofthe Goldsmith'* company of Edinburgh, who presented It lo him,
and, al his requcii, consented (hat It should be transferred to me— I do give and bequeath ibe same Io his lordihlpi and, In caie of
his deceaie, to his heir, with my grateful thanks for the distinguished honour of preienting It lo me, and more especially for the
favourable sentiments wltb which he accompanied It,"
When Robertson wai ready to execute hll commission for the Earl of Buehan be spent six weeka at Ihe residence of President
Waihlngion, He made his first aitcmpt in miniature and in water colon. Al Ihe tame time he painted a miniature of M". Wash
ington, Theie be retained, leaving them " lo remain in bis family ai an heirloom, and memorial of hli veneration for the great
and successful champion of American liberty." After tucceedlng happily In miniature, Robernon painted fin May, 1701,) a large
portrait In oil, corresponding In site to thai* of a collection of portraits ofthe most celebrated characieri In liberal principles and In
useful literature. In the poiieiilon of Lord Buehan, at Drybergb Abbey. When flnlthed, ihe portrait received Washington*!
approval | he said 1 " The msnnr r nf ihe execution of ll doct no discredit, I am told, to the artist ( It wai »nl to Scotland, and
wai welcomed with eordlal approbation by Lord Buehan. A nlnlaiure portrait of Colonel Tobiai Lear, reproduced In tbli volume,
was painted about ibli lime. Whether It wai executed In this country or during Colonel Lear's Will to Europe Is aot known.
47

WASHINGTON TO LEAR

with the prices of the other articles from Glasgow Sc London, shall be
paid so soon as I can find a person disposed to receive the amount ; &
this I shall know, probably, when I converse with Mr Dalton; who, I
believe, is on a visit to the Federal City; as he proposed to set out for it
on Monday last. —
The reception you met with from the Earl of Buehan & Sir John
Sinclair gives me sincere pleasure, and I am glad to find they have intro
duced you to characters which may not only contribute to your present
gratifications, but which, in the revolution of events, may be of service in
a future walk of life ; without a possible disservice, that results not from
imprudence ; against which your own good sense will always secure you. —
I am much obliged to you for the several communications in your
letters which have come to hand. — I place great reliance on them. —
The opportunities you derive from mixing with people in different walks
— high & low — of different descriptions — and of different political senti
ments, must have afforded you an extensive range for observation &
comparison : — more so, by far, than could fall to the lot of a Stationary
character, who is always revolving in a particular circle. —
I am equally well pleased to hear that the concerns in which you are
more immediately interested, are in as promising a train as the peculiarly
disturbed state of matters in Europe would allow you to expect. — I
hope they will continue, and that your plans may be accomplished to the
fullest extent of your wishes. —
Mr Pearce, my present manager at Mount Vernon, has been directed
to send for your fruit Trees the moment he hears of the Peggy's arrival
at George Town ; — and my Gardener is instructed to take particular care
of them until they are otherwise disposed of by you ; — but as the Vessel
had not arrived the 29th ult° (when I heard from Mr Pearce) there is much
reason to fear they will come too late, as a mild & placid March & pleasant
April (except the first days of it) have caused a most luxuriant vegitation
this spring, with us, from North to South. —
Not knowing where you may be, when this letter shall have reached
London — nor the hazard it might run in following you if you should have
left that metropolis — I shall do little more than touch political subjects. —
To tell you that the order ofhis Britannic Majesty in Council of the 8th
June
48

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
June last, respecting Neutral Vessels had given much discontent to the
United States — and, that that of the 6th of November, & its results, had
thrown them into a flame, will hardly be news to you when you shall have
received this letter. — The subsequent order of the 8th of Janu? has, in
a degree, allayed the violence of the heat ; but will by no means satisfy
them without reparation for the Spoliations of our Trade & the injuries
we sustain from the non-performance ofthe Treaty of Peace. —
To effect these, if possible by temperate means, by fair, & firm nego
tiations, an Envoy extraordinary is appointed, and will, I expect, sail in a
few days. — Mr Jay is chosen for this mission. — Mr John Trumbell
goes as his private Secretary. —
Many measures have been moved in Congress in consequence
of the aforementioned orders of the British Cabinet. — Some have
passed into Acts, and others are yet pending. — Those which have
become Laws are ; one for fortifying our principal Sea ports (which is
now in vigorous execution) and another for raising an additional corps of
800 artillery men for the defence of them, & for other purposes. — The
bills which are pending, are to complete our present Military establish
ment. — To raise an Army of 25,000 men in addition thereto. — And
to organise — put in training — and to hold in readiness at a minute's
warning, a select Corps of 80,000 Militia.-^ Of the passing of the first
& last of these, no doubt seems to be entertained on either side of the
House ; — but those who are fearful of what they call a standing army,
will give all the opposition they can to the other. — The result there
fore none will predict in the present stage of the business.
Besides these, a Bill passed the House of Representatives' by a large
Majority, founded on the following preamble, & resolution. " Whereas,
the injuries which have been suffered, and may be suffered by the United
States, from violations committed by Great Britain, on their neutral rights
& commercial interests, as well as from her failure to execute the seventh
article of the treaty of peace,1 render it expedient for the interests of the
United States, that the commercial intercourse between the two Countries
should not continue to be carried on in the extent at present allowed :
" Resolved,
I April il, 1794, by ¦ vole of j8 to JB.
t Thla ankle stipulated Indemnity to the owners of the deported slave*.
49

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
" Resolved, That from and after the first day of November next,
all commercial intercourse between the citizens of the United States, and
the subjects of the King of Great Britain, or the citizens or subjects of
any other nation, so far as the same respects articles of the growth or
manufacture of Great Britain or Ireland, shall be prohibited."
This measure was arrested in the Senate, at the third reading, by the
casting vote of the Vice-President ;¦ not, as it is said, and generally
believed, from a disinclination to the ulterior expediency of the measure,
but from a desire to try the effect of negotiation previous thereto. —
Sequestration of British property (not including that in the funds)
and other expedients of a similar kind, have been agitated in the House
of Representatives, but seems, I think, to be talked off the stage.
The Packet from M' Bartrand to Mr Jefferson was forwarded by the
first Post after it reached my hands. — Mr. Jefferson resigned the office
of Secretary of State the first of January, Sc was succeeded by the late
Attorney General Mr Randolph ; whose place of Attorney General is
filled by Judge Bradford, of this state (Pennsyl3).
Enclosed I give you the trouble of receiving the copy of a letter
which I wrote to Mr Arthur Young, by Mr Will"1 Morris, on the 12th of
december last. — At the time that letter was written I had no knowledge
of Mr Young's late appointment, as Secretary of the National board of
Agriculture, nor of the change of his political sentiments. — It is not
improbable but that he has, already, or will, make you acquainted with
the purport of the above letter. — Be this however, as it may, my
inducement to send you a copy of it, is, that if the case should be other
wise — if there appears to be any repugnance on his part to comply with
my wishes — and a fair occasion should occur of mentioning the matter
in the course of your perigrinations through England, Scotland, Or else
where, and you see no impropriety from circumstances, or your view of
the subject at the moment, I should be glad if you were to do it. — My
wish further is, to dispose of the lands I have had restored to me by Mr
de Barth ; — and in short my settled lands in the Western parts of this
State, in the counties of Fayette Sc Washington. — I have raised the
price

I John Adams.

5°

<3-*:d?<%*^. ¦Z^<?/:fc**-&<Z^' <2&~/?£L&'&. /5€*^y*>j'^ 4sCi^4&.:

Ic^Toa^j.

Washington and His Slaves
Facsimile

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
price of my lands on the Ohio & great Kanhawa to twenty shillings
Virga currency pr acre; — the tract in Fayette (about 1700 acres) to forty,
and that in Washington to thirty shiUs* p' acre, Pennsylvania curtf — 3000
acres. I have no scruple to disclose to you, that my motives to these sales
(as hath been, in part, expressed to Mr Young) are to reduce my income,
be it more or less, to specialties ; that the remainder of my days may
thereby, be more tranquil Sc freer from cares ; and that I may be enabled
(knowing precisely what my dependence is) to do as much good with it
as the resource will admit — for although, in the estimation of the world I
possess a good & clear estate; yet, so unproductive is it, that I am often
times ashamed to refuse aids which I cannot afford, unless I was to sell
part of it, to answer the purpose. ("') You are so well acquainted with
the situation and quality of the lands which are here mentioned, for Sale,
that it is almost unnecessary to go into detail respecting them, with you. —
Those, however on the Ohio, between the Mouths of the little and
Great Kanhawa, are in three tracts containing 2314 acres, laying on the
Banks of the River, ab' 12 miles below Mariatte — the 2d 2448 acres, still
lower down (being the 4th large bottom on the East side of the River) —
and the 3d, on the same side, opposite to the Great Bend in the River,
containing 4,395 acres ; all of which are of the first quality. — The
Lands on the Great Kanhawa are in no respect inferior. — They are con
tained in four Patents ; — the first, beginning within two miles of the
mouth of that river, and contains 10,990 acres ofthe richest bottom;
stretching 17 or 18 miles along the river. — The next of 7,276 acres is
a little above the last, on the opposite side of the River ; and the other two
(Private.)
"'Besides these, I have another motive which makes me earnestly
wish for the accomplishment of these things — it is indeed more powerful
than all the rest — namely to liberate a certain species of property which I
possess, very repugnantly to my own feelings ; but which imperious
necessity compels; & until I can substitute some other expedient, by
which expences not in my power to avoid (however well disposed I may
be to do it) may be defrayed. — 5'

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
two are still higher up, at the Mouth of, & on Coal River, both are of
the first quality ; Sc containing together about 5,000 Acres. —
Although it is my wish to convert these lands into Cash on the
terms, and for the purposes mentioned — yet, for reasons which will
readily occur to you, I would not hawk them about as some do, if they
were never to be sold. —
I wish most sincerely that some inducement could be offered Pro
fessor Anderson which would bring him to this Country. — His labours
are certainly ingenious, Sc worthy of encouragement ; but I fear it will
not be in my power to avail these States of them. — His communica
tions however, are under consideration. —
Often through the medium of Mr Langdon, we hear of your son
Lincoln, Sc with pleasure that he continues to be the healthy & sprightly
child he formally was. — He declared if his Ticket should turn up a
prize, he would go and live in the Federal City. — He did not consider,
poor little fellow, that some of the prizes would hardly build him a Baby
house, nor foresee that one of these small tickets would be his lot. —
Having drawn no more than ten dollars.
Mr Bl  ts agency in this lottery will, it is feared, be more produc
tive of thorns than roses ; — the matter is not yet wound up — Sc the
Commissioners appear to be uneasy. — In all other respects, matters as
far as the acct. of them have come to my knowledge, are going on well.
My public avocations will not, at any rate, admit of more than a
flying trip to Mount Vernon for a few days, this Summer : — this not suit
ing Mrl Washington, I have taken a house in German town to avoid the
heat of this City in the months of July Sc August. — She, Nelly, &
the rest of the family, unite with me in every good wish for your health,
prosperity and safe return ; than whom none, you may be assured, offers
them with more sincerity. —
With affection & regard I am
and always shall be — Yours
G? Washington.
Tobias Lear, Esq"

52

WASHINGTON TO LEAR

German Town Aug* a 8th 1794.
My Dear Sir,
It gave me very sincere pleasure to find by your letter of the 22d
inst' (which by the by did not come to my hand until the evening ofthe
26lh, not time enough to acknowledge the receipt of it by the Post of next
day) that you had arrived in good health at George Town with a valuable
cargo of Goods, Sc that you had arranged your business to your satisfac
tion in England, Scotland and Holland. — When you shall have arranged
your business at George Town, Sc business or inclination may turn your
face towards the Eastward, it will be unnecessary to add, that to see you,
wd make this family happy; & with a little roughfing on your part you
could be accomodated therein. —
If you have no ace" later, I have the pleasure to tell you that by a
letter from your good mother to M™ Washington, that she, & little Lin
coln were perfectly well on the 11th of this month — and, by her account,
— that he continued to be the fine sprightly child you left him. —
The enclosed, though out of season now, will serve to show that your
letters did not sleep with me in silence. — It went by Mr Jay, and was
returned by him with the following paragraph in a letter dated London
23d June :
" On Sunday the 15th of this month I arrived here. — The next day
I made enquiries for Mr Lear, and was informed that he had gone to
Liverpool to embark for America. — I asked whether it was probable
that letters sent by the Post would find him still there — the answer was, ,
that it was highly improbable.— Under these circumstances Sc well
knowing the jealous attention now' paid to letters passing through the post
office, I thought it most advisable to forebear making the experiment, &
to return that letter to you."
The copy of my letter to M' Young, from whom I have received no
acknowledgement, will be of no other use to you now, than to show what
were, and still are, my wishes ; that if any enquiries after for back lands
should be made in your presence, you might be enabled to bring mine
into view. — The plan with respect to my Mount Vernon Estate I have
no idea could be carried into effect in this Country. — I
S3

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
I had it in contemplation to visit that place about the last of Septem
ber, or beginning of October, but the rebellious conduct of the people in
the Western counties of this State renders the journey uncertain — &
may defeat it altogether.
With very great sincerety and affection —
I am always yours
G? Washington.
M» Lear.

German Town 28th Aug* 1794.
Dear Sir,
M' Johnson & Doct' Stuart having resolved to withdraw themselves
as Commissioners of the Federal City,' and not to act after the meeting
which is proposed to be held on the 15th of next month, it has become
necessary to appoint two others in their places. — One of whom, it is
said, ought to possess a considerable stock of legal abilities ; as cases are
frequently occurring to render Law knowledge necessary for the purpose
of deciding as well on points depending thereon as for the draughting of
agreements & other instruments which are requisite in the progress of the
business. —
Mr Scott (at present of Baltimore) a gentleman eminent in the pro
fession of the Law — a man of character & fortune — and one who has the
welfare of the New City much at heart, — has been applied to and accepts
the appointed trust. — And if it is convenient and agreeable to you to
accept also, the Commission will be again compleated ; and the business
go on without interruption, from Sc after the ensuing meeting as before.
It has been found from experience, indispensably necessary that the
Commissioners should reside in the City (in George Town would be
tantamount) and devote, by some arrangement amongst themselves, much
of their time to the multitudinous concerns of the same ; thereby super
ceding the necessity of employing a superintendant. — As the rendering
of such duties are not to be expected on the terms the late Commissioners served
1 The commissioatr. called the sell of government ** the City of Washington in the territory of Colombia," naming the citv
after George Washington, but without hit knowledge or con.cnt. He slvsys referred to it aa the Federal City.
54

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
served (and two of them decline it under any terms) I have now fixed
the Salery for each at Sixteen hundred dollars pr annum & am obliged to
provide successors.
Were it not that I am unwilling to add anything that might carry
with it the appearance of influencing your judgment, in the decision you
are called upon to make, in this case ; I shd. have expressed a wish that it
might be found convenient to you to accept the appointment. — If,
however, you should find it incompatible with your other plans & views
and should decline the acceptance — I pray you to let me know, as far as
you may be able to discover, in how respectable a light Doct' Thornton
stands, or would be considered by the Proprietors of the federal City
(amongst whom he spent some time in the month of July last). — The
Doct' is sensible, and indefatigable, I am told, in the execution of what
ever he engages. — To which may be added his taste for architecture ; but
being little known, doubts arise on that head. — If (in case of your not
acceptance) any other person, or persons shd. occur to you, as fit for this
business, be so good as to mention (under the rose) their names to me. —
The appointment is necessary, Sc can be delayed no longer.
With very great esteem & regard
I am — Dear Sir,
Your affec" Serve
G? Washington.
M" Lear.
Philadelphia Jan' I2'11 1795.
My Dear Sir,
On friday last I wrote you a few lines and assigned reasons for not
writing more fully. —
In addition to what I then said, which was only to inform you that
permission had been given, by the Canal Company' of this State, for Mr
Weston
1 Soon after the close of the Revolutionary war Washington lurncd his attention to the development of Internal commerce,
hoping that Virginia and Maryland might secure, through the Potomac river, the trade ofthe West. Eafly In 17R5 tbe legislatures
of the two stales passed laws lor the formation of a company and subscription books were opened February 8th. In the following
May, Washington was elected president of the canal company and Jamea Ramaey waa appointed general manager. Tbe three
Impediments to the navigation of the Potomac were immediately attacked — Great Palls, Seneca Falls, and Shenandoah Falle. The
Great Pall, .re .till .0 called and are the rapid, and falla above Washington ; the Seneca Falls were early known as Slncgar Pall.,
lying above the Gteat Pall, near the mouth of Seneca creek. Shenandoah Pall, were .1 the present Harpers Ferry at tbe mouth
of the Shenandoah river. The taak wa. found to be gigantic, money came slowly, Washington wa. elected Pre.ldent of Ibe
United State, for the term beginning March 4, 1780, and thereafter the affair, of tbe canal company langul.bed. On ten different
occasion, between 1786 and 1810 the legislature, ol Virginia and Maryland extended tbe time for Ibe completion of th. work, but
tbe project finally failed and the Baltimore and Ohio canal and railroad succeeded.
55

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
Weston to visit the falls of Potomack, and that he might be expected at
the federal city about the first of next month, I shall notice with concern
— it being contrary to the heretofore entertained opinion — that the funds
for carrying on that navigation are, from your view of them, likely to fall
short ;£ 10,000 sterU of the object. —
What expedient had best be adopted for supplying the deficiency
will merit serious consideration under existing circumstances. — On an
abstract view of the case, I should give it as my opinion without hesita
tion, that the present shares ought to continue their advances until the
final completion ; — and for this plain and interesting reason (with me)
that no speculation to which money can be supplied, will be more pro
ductive with so much honor and so little resque. — But how far the
majority of the company (many of whom, probably, never bestowed
a thought on the subject) may be of this sentiment — or how far their
inclination and abilities might induce the adoption of the measure if they
were, is not for me to decide ; — and, as individuals of the company will
be as free as others to become purchasers, if the shares are encreased ; —
it does not appear to be a matter of much moment which of these
modes is preferred, or whether by loan, if the money is to be obtained. —
No doubt remains in my mind of what will be the productiveness of
the tolls when the navigation is in full operation. — To the best of my
recollection they were calculated to amount (at the time of passing the
Acts of incorporation) to 15 pr O on the capital, by an estimate that was
then made of the several articles which from their contiguity to the river
it was known would be water borne. — Since that period, the population
of the counties bordering on the potk." and of course the produce arising
therefrom, has encreased greatly ; & when the Shenandoah is added
thereto (which formed no part of the original estimate) it must equal the
most sanguine expectation. —
Mr Claiborn's Engineers (for it seems that he has two for different
purposes) are fixed in this city ; either of wch, according to the use for
which you want one, might be had at any time ; but as I am not strongly
impressed with a belief that men of eminence would come to this country
in the manner, and under the circumstances they have done (but this I
say
I Meaning Potomac River. 56

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
say without having any knowledge of the real characters of these Gentle
men, and without design to injure them) might it not be politic to obtain
the opinion of the most competent of them, before M' Weston (who is
known to be a scientific & experienced engineer) gives his ? — He will
not adopt their opinions contrary to his experience & judgment ; but if
his opinion is first taken and transpires, it may be given in to by them
from the want of these in themselves ; endeavoring thereby to erect a
character on his foundation. —
I am much obliged by the trouble of your enquiries respecting my
Tobacco in the Warehouses at Alexandria & George Town ; & as the
disposal of it is somewhat out of my way, at present ; and in truth is a
matter that rarely occurs to me except when I am reminded of it by Mn
Washington, you would add to the favor by making sale of it on such
terms, and whensoever in your judgment the moment is favorable. — I
am in no hurry, nor under any necessity to precipitate the Sale ; and to
your judgment also it is left, to continue where it is, or to remove the
Tobacco from Alexandria to George Town. — We are all tolerably well,
Sc join in good wishes, and the compliments of the season to you. —
With regard & affection I am always Yours
G? Washington.
M' Lear.

Mount Vernon 5th Aug' 1795.
My Dear Sir,
It is my intention at present to be in George town tomorrow ; but
as I have been sending to the Post-Office in Alexandria every day since
friday last for letters, without having received any from the pfficers of
Government; and may, by this days mail find such an accumulation of
them, as to make it impracticable for me to give them proper attention —
prepare answers against Saturday morning — and be on business in George
town at the same time ; I send you a power of attorney to act for me
(if I should not be there) in the latter case. — In haste
I am Your Affect' Serv'
G? Washington.
M" Tob' Lear. 57

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
i i ¦ '-   * 
I do by these presents, constitute Sc appoint Mr Tobias Lear my
attorney, to represent my interest of fifty-five shares in the Potomack
Company ; a general meeting of which is to be held in George town (by
adjournment) on Thursday next, the 6th instant. — And I do hereby
authorise & require him to vote in my behalf, on any question, or ques
tions which may come before the said meeting on that day, or during the
continuance thereof by adjournment if I am not present — and his Acts and
doings in the premises (conformably to Law) will be obligatory on me.
/ ) Given under my hand and seal this fourth
( Seal ( day of August 1795.
//////// G? Washington.
Witness
D" Stuart.
William Pearce, Jun*

Philadelphia 2d Nov' 1795.
My Dear Sir,
Your letters of the 19th &  ult. came duly to hand, and I expected
ere this to have been decisive upon the contents of them ; — but the case
being otherwise, I shall postpone writing fully to you until the next, or
another Post. —
It may not be amiss however, briefly to observe, that Col0 Rochfontain
(being in this city) was asked how it came to pass, as he had seen the site
at the confluence of the Rivers Potomac & Shenandoah, he had made no
mention of it in his general report ? — His answer was, there was no
ground on which convenient buildings could be placed, & assigned
other reasons in a written report, which he made. — But since the receipt
of your last, with a letter from Gen1 Darke to the Secretary of War — I
have suggested his going there again, in order to view the ground more
accurately. — This, if nothing more pressing should require his attend ance
58

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
 _  1
ance in another quarter, will be the case. — I shall defer therefore saying
anything further on the subject till this matter is decided. — If the Col0
goes at all, he will probably pass through George Town, and if it could be
made convenient for Col0 Gilpin (who understands the nature, & application
of water well) and yourself, to accompany him, advantages, I am persuaded,
would result from the journey. — One of the Col01 objections to this site
is, that no water work (on ace' of freshes) would be safe there. — These
lands, however, considering the reservations of the Ferries, buildings, &c,
will come much higher than I had any idea of. —
If you have not already agreed for the Rent of my house in Alexan
dria at Sixty pounds p' annum, I wish this sum might be compared with
other rents, before it is fixed on. — I was told by severals as I passed
through Alexandria, that I might readily dispose of the lot, if I was so
inclined, for j£i200: Sixty pounds rent wd. be only an interest of five
p' C', which is inadequate for house Rent. —
Give my love to Fanny and the Children, in which M" Washington
joins, and be assured of the sincere esteem & regard of
Dear Sir
Your Affectionate
M" Lear. G? Washington.

Philadelphia 30th Nov' 1795.
My Dear Sir,
Your letter ofthe 17th inst* came safe to hand, but not before the
26th.— I intended to have written tp you by Col0 Rochfontaine, but he went
off unknown to me. — Upon a second view ofthe site at the confluence
of the Rivers Potomack and Shenandoah, with the explanations he will
receive from Col0 Gilpin and yourself, I hope Sc expect the advantages of
that spot will strike him more favorable than was indicated in his report ; —
and that something will be decided upon with precision. —
It is with great pleasure I learn from your letter that the River
between the Great & little falls has been so much improved this fall ; &
that
S9

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
that the prospect of getting some ofthe new shares subscribed for by the
Maryland assembly, is so good — I wish as good a disposition may be
found in the other assembly; — but above all, that your means would enable
you to proceed vigorously to the improvement of the navigation of the
Shenandoah River : for that is the source from whence the wealth of the
city is to be derived.—
If the directors are in want of such a character as the enclosed letter
describes, it may be well to intimate it as soon as possible ; as it is not
likely that M' Myers will remain long unemployed, as lock navigation is
contemplated in many parts of this country. — I have not seen the Gen
tleman myself, but understand from others that his testimonials are full
and ample ; & that he is a stout, healthy man.
Your opening of M' Maury's letter to me, was a thing of necessity,
and I am obliged to you for having done so ; and for the steps you took
consequent thereupon — and for sending the goods to Mount Vernon. —
If I cannot get a full rent for my house in Alexandria I must be
content with what it will fetch, and that without delay; otherwise (the
cold weather approaching) the Inclosures will be torn down for firing, if
no other damage is sustained from its being left unoccupied. — My love
to Fanny Sc children. I am always, Sc sincerely,
Yours Affectionate
G? Washington.
P. S. I will send to Sc will have a little conversation with Mr Myers,
& give you the result in my next. —

Philadelphia 15th Feb 1796.
My Dear Sir,
On Thursday last I received your letter of  (now in the hands
of Col0 Pickering, Sc date not remembered).
The business relative to the Arsenal at the mouth of Shenandoah,
has been shamefully neglected : — and, (but under the rose I make the
observation)
60

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
observation) I fear with design ; — for I was continually reminding the
Officer whose duty it was to carry the measure into effect, of the improvi
dent delay; and about a fortnight ago, finding the matter remained in
Statu quo, I gave a peremptory order for the execution : and was informed
since by the Gentleman, that he had written to you on the subject —
How it comes to pass that you should be ignorant of this, at the date of
your letter, — there being sufficient time for the receipt of the former — is
somewhat misterious. — Allowances ought, unquestionably, to be made
for the multiplied duties of two Offices, which were discharged by one
person — but the footing on which this business stood, and my frequent
enquiries into it, ought to have produced more promptness in the Execu
tion. — I hope no change in price, will force a change of place ; — and
that the thing will go on as if no delay had happened. —
I am very glad to find that the affairs of the Potomack Company are
in so promising a train, and wish Capt. Myers may prove an acquisition
in the Superintendance of them. —
I pray you to let me have a statement of my account with you ; and
for informing me precisely, what shares I hold in the Banks of Alexandria
and Columbia. — ' My love to Fanny and the Children — and with very
great esteem and regard I remain Your Aflfecf friend & Serv'
G? Washington.
P. S. Mr White seems to entertain no doubt of a favorable issue to
his Mission— but it goes (as everything else does) slowly. —
M" Lear.

Philadelphia 13* Mar 1796.
My Dear Sir, ,
Your letters ofthe 26th ult° and 2d Instant came safe to hand, after
some delay. — The first, with the Will of Harper, has been put into the
hands of the Attorney Genl. to aid him in the conveyances. — To such
parts

61

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
parts of the second, as require it, 1 am about to reply ; first expressing my
satisfaction at the happy termination of the business which you undertook
in behalf of the Public. —
Having no doubt of the correctness of the account, which was trans
mitted in the last mentioned letter ; I have only to beg that you would
favor me with the numbers and other designation or description of all the
shares I now hold in the Banks of Alexandria & Columbia, by your pur
chases, — and to request, if you wish to part with any of the twenty shares
you purchased in the Potomac Navigation, that you would appropriate the
Balance due me, by your account, in as many as it will command; — first
paying up the Instalment on the old ; called for I perceive, to be paid on
the first of the present month. — If my present purposes and gratifications
could be answered by prospects of future emolument, I would devote all the
money I could command to this Investiture; but for the few years I have
to remain here, the enjoyment of less, with ease & certainty, will be more
convenient and desirable. —
If my resources were adequate to the purchase ofthe Lot & houses
which are offered for sale in Alexandria, I would gladly have been the
purchaser of them ; on the terms mentioned in your letter of the 2d inst.;
but as these depend upon contingencies, which may baffle calculation ; I
chuse to tread on sure ground in all my engagements ; — being as unwill
ing to embarrass others, by uncertain contracts, as I am to be deceived
myself in my expectations, from the assurances which I receive of
promised payments.
From the enquiries which have already been made of you, relative to
my farm at Mount Vernon, I take the liberty of enclosing you the terms
on which I mean to leave them. — My expectation of disposing of them
at the Rents therein mentioned, to such tenants as I should chuse, is not
very sanguine ; — nor would I incline to do it to the slovenly farmers of
this country, if I had a tolerably well founded hope of getting them from
any other, where husbandry is better understood and more rationally prac
ticed ; the mention'g of which to some of your acquaintance, as you may
chance to fall in with them (particularly English & Scotch, the latter more
especially) might be a means perhaps, of their suggesting it to others, in
the land they come from. It
62

Proposed Lease of Mt. Vernon
Facsimile

frig- &> '&-a~ £ &ASZJK- <r?~ <&&£ £sis#«-s /%2l^^.
8f.- 

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
It is not my intention, at least at the present moment, to let the
Negros go with the Land ; but if enquiries on this head should be
repeated, it might be useful to me, to learn on what terms these, and the
lands conjointly, could be disposed of. — Remember me kindly to Fanny
Sc the Children, and be assured of the
Sincere friendship of
Your affectionate Serv'
G? Washington.
M' Tobias Lear.

Philadelphia 3d of June 1796.
My Dear Sir,
Your letter of the 30th ult" was received yesterday. — As I expect
(nothing new or unforeseen happening to prevent it) to commence my
journey for Mount Vernon in ten or twelve days, I shall enter into no
details respecting any of the matters touched upon in your letter of the
above date. —
The chief design of my writing to you by this Post, is to inform you
that your good Mother, and lovely son, arrived in this City on Tuesday
evening ; and left it yesterday about ten o'clock on their way to the Fed
eral City. — Mrs Lear is very well, & Lincoln as sprightly as ever ; but
both disappointed at not meeting you here.
It was with great difficulty a carriage could be procured to take her
on ; for it so happened, that Congress closed their Session yesterday —
that the members were struggling for, and bidding on each other for con
veyances — and your Mother's anxious desire to get to you, would not
permit her to wait. — At length, after some unavailing attempts, Mr
Craik succeeded in getting a carriage & pair of horses, which I hope will
take her safe down.
I will send sugar, and some other things, from hence. — We are all
as well as usual, and join in best wishes for you. With sincere esteem
Sc regard, I am Your affectionate,
G? Washington. P. S.
63

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
P. S. A M' Prescot attends M" Lear & Lincoln. — And it is not
unlikely, as the weather is cool, but that they may be with you as soon as
this letter as the Post does not travel on Sunday.
I did not know until after the Post had left the City on Wednesday,
that M" Lear was in the city, or expected ; or you should have been
advised of the circumstance by the Mail of that day. —

Mount Vernon 25th Mar 1797.
My Dear Sir,
Your letter of the 20th inst' with the Bill of lading for the Goods in
the Sloop Salem, and another letter of the 1 5,h are both received and I
hope this will find you safely arrived in the Federal City. —
I have got Painters at work to prepare my rooms for the furniture
which is expected ; but I find I have begun at the wrong end, for some
joiners work (of the deficiency of which I was ignorant before it was
examined) ought to have preceeded theirs, as the fixing of the chimney
pieces ought also to do. — The first I have engaged, but cannot, on
enquiry, find that a skilful hand is to be had in Alexandria to execute the
latter. — I would thank you therefore for engaging one, if to be had in
the Federal City or George town, to be here on Monday or tuesday at
farthest as my work will be at a stand without. — To prevent imposition,
and to avoid disputes, I would prefer employing the artisan by the day. —
The work immediately foreseen, and which must be done without delay, is,
to refix the marble chimney piece in the Parlour which is almost falling
out ;— to fix the New one (expected from Philadelphia) in the small dining
room; — to remove the one now there into what is called the School
room ; — to fix the Grate which is coming round in the large dining room ;
—and to give some repairs to the Steps ; which (like most things else I
have looked into since I have been at home) are sadly out of repair. —
'Tis possible either of the Commissioners or Capt" Hoben could
point out a proper character, as they have had to do with the best work
men ; and tis possible, but I do not think it very probable, that Cornelius (my
64

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
(my old Servant) might be competent to it. — Two things however are
necessary — viz — skill & dispatch. — Our best regards are presented to
all with you — and I am Your sincere friend and
affectionate Servant,
G? Washington,
M* Lear.
P. S. If Cornelius had knowledge in practice or theory sufficient
for the job, I should be disposed to give him a preference ; — first because
I am acquainted with his temper and industry; — and 2dl'r because I foresee
many other things in his line that must be done as fast as I can accomplish
them ; by engageing a workman upon moderate terms, make Bricks or
raise stone, and procure lime. —
The winds have been favorable to Capt" Elkins, but we see nothing
of his Sloop yet. — As soon as it arrives I will let you know, as it would
be very pleasing to me, to have you here at that time.
Y" &c G. W.

Mount Vernon 2° Aug' 1798.
Dear Sir,
I was glad to hear by Charles that you were much better than when
we saw you last. — If you have missed the Ague, care, & Bark, is neces
sary to prevent a relapse ; & this prudence requires. —
Monday next being the day fixed on by the Constitution of the
Potomack Company for its annual meeting, & as you seem resolved to
relinquish your present office of President, — I wish you would turn your
thoughts attentively to the situation of it, and revolve seriously on charac
ters fit and proper to supply the places of those who perhaps ought to,
as well as those who will quit, the Directorship ; that our struggles in that
interesting & expence concern, — the labour of years — may not end in dis
grace Sc loss. The
65

WASHINGTON TO LEAR
The little leisure I had before my late appointment (from Visits, —
my necessary rides — & other occurrences) to overhaul, arrange — and
seperate papers of real, from those of little or no value, is now, by that
event, so much encroached upon by personal & written applications for
Offices, and other matters incidental to the Situation of the Commander
in Chief, that without assistance I must abandon all idea of accomplishing
this necessary work, before I embark in New Scenes ; which will render
them more voluminous Sc of course more difficult. — A measure which
would be extremely irksome to me, to submit to, especially as it respects
my a/cK which are yet in a jumble — My earnest wish and desire being,
when I quit the Stage of human action, to leave all matters in such a situ
ation as to give as little trouble as possible to those who will have the
management of them thereafter.
Under this view of my situation ; — which is far from being an agree
able one ; & at times fills me with deep concern — when I perceive so little
prospect of complete extrication — I have written to the Secretary of War
to be informed whether (as my taking the Field is contingent, & no pay
or emolument will accrue to myself until then) I am at liberty to appoint
my Secretary immediately; who shall be allowed his pay & Forage from
the moment he joins me. — If he answers in the affirmative, on those
terms, can you do this?1 — Have you heard from the Master ofthe
Academy at Charles town ? — At any rate, my opinion is, you had better,
with the least possibly delay, get the boys fixed permanently at some good
school they will, otherwise, lose precious moments. — Let me hear from
you — I am in haste — but always Your affect*
G° Washington
M' Lear.

I Mr. Lear accepted the appointment.

66

APPENDIX

MISCELLANEOUS WASHINGTON LETTERS AND
DOCUMENTS

FROM THE ORIGINALS IN THE LIBRARY OF MR. BIXBY.

Survey by George Washington
Facsimile

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(idbtovj/j^

MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS

instructions to washington upon his appointment as commander-
in-chief by the continental congress.
In Congress
To George Washington Esq'
This Congress having appointed you to be General & Commander
in chief of the army ofthe United Colonies and of all the forces raised or
to be raised by them and of all others who shall voluntarily offer their
service and join the said army for the defence of American liberty and for
repelling every hostile invasion thereof, you are to repair with all expedition
to the colony of Massachusetts bay and take charge of the army of the
United Colonies.
For your better direction
First. You are to make a return to us, as soon as possible of all forces,
which you shall have under your command, together with their military
stores and provisions ; and also as exact an account as you can obtain of
the forces which compose the British army in America.
Secondly. You are not to disband any of the men you find raised until
further direction from this Congress ; and if you shall think their numbers
not adequate to the purpose of security, you may recruit them to a num
ber you shall think sufficient not exceeding double that of the enemy.
Thirdly. In all cases of vacancy occasioned by death or a removal of a
Colonel

Note, — This ii a document of tbe highest importance— the Instructions of tbe Continental congress to Washington upon
taking command ofthe army. Washington wai a member of the firm and second congreiiei «nd wai unanimously elected com*
mandcr-ln-chief of the army on June is, 177;, upon the nomination of Thomni Johnson of Maryland. Tbe sum of $joo a month
was allowed for pay and expense*. On the following day when notified of bis election he said 1
" Though 1 am truly sensible ofthe high honour done me, in this appointment, yet I feel great distress from a consclouinen
that my abilities and military experience may not be equal to the extensive and Important truil. However, as tbr Congress desire
11, 1 will enter upon the momentous duty, and exert every power I poisess In their service, and for the support of the glorious cause,
I beg thoy will accept my most cordial thanks for this dlitlngulihed testimony of their approbation. But lest some unlucicy event
should happen, unfavourable to my reputation. I beg it maybe remembered by every gentleman In the room that I, this day,
declare with the utmost sincerity, I do not think myself equal to the command I am honoured with. As to pay, Sir, I beg leave to
assure the Congress that, as no pecuniary consideration could have tempted me to have accepted this arduous employment, at the
expense of my domestic ease and happiness, I do not wish to make any profit from It. I will Keep an exact account or my expenses.
Those, I doubt not, they will discbarge, and that Is all I deilre."
Richard Henry Lee. Edward Rutledge, and John Adams were appointed 11 committee to draft a commission and Instructions.

The Commission was adopted June 17, 1771, and the original Is In the Library of Congress. The Instructions were adopted June
io, <77ft *nd tbe resolution! at tbe close were added two days later, Tbli Is tbe first time thli document bu ever been print. '
from the .original.

MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS
Colonel or other inferior officer, you are by Brevet or Warrant under your
seal to appoint another person to fill up such vacancy, until it shall be other
wise ordered by the provincial Convention or Assembly of the colony, from
whence the troops, in which such vacancy happen, shall direct otherwise.
Fourthly. You are to victual at the continental expence all such volun
teers as have joined or shall join the united army.
Fifthly. You shall take every method in your power, consistent with
prudence, to destroy or make prisoners of all persons, who now are, or
who hereafter shall appear in arms against the good people of the United
Colonies.Sixthly. And whereas all particulars cannot be foreseen, nor positive
instructions for such emergencies so before hand given, but that many
things must be left to your prudent and discreet management, as occurrences
may arise upon the place or from time to time fall out ; you are, there
fore, upon all such accidents or any occasion, that may happen, to use
your best circumspection and (advising with your council of war) to order
and dispose of the said army under your command, as may be most
advantageous for the obtaining the end, for which these forces have been
raised, making it your special care, in discharge of the great trust com
mitted unto you that the liberties of America receive no detriment.
Philadelphia June a2d 1775.
By order of Congress, John Hancock President.
In addition to yr Instructions it is
Resolved by Congress, That the troops including the volunteers be fur
nished with camp equipage & blankets if necessary at the continental
expence. That the Officers now in the army receive their commissions from
the Genl. & commander in chief.
That a Sum not exceeding two Millions of Spanish milled dollars be
emitted by the congress in bills of credit for the defence of America.
Cha. Thomson Secy.
By order of Congress John Hancock President.
[Endorsed by Washington : Instructions from Congress 22d June 1 775.]
74

MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL WOOSTER.

Camp at Cambridge September ad 1775.
Sir I have just received your Favour of the 29th ult. by Express. I am
very sensible that the Situation ofthe Inhabitants of Long Island, as well
as of all those on the Coast, exposes them greatly to the Ravages of the
Enemy; & it is to be wished General Protection could be extended to
them, consistent with the Prosecution of those great Plans, which have
been adopted for the common Safety. This was early foreseen, & the
Danger provided for by a Resolution of Congress, that each Province
should depend on its own internal Strength against these Incursions : the
Prejudice arising from them (even if successful) not being equal to that
of separating the Army into a Number of small Detachments, who would
be harassed in fruitless Marches, & Countermarches after an Enemy whose
Conveyance, by Shipping is so advantageous, that they might keep the
whole Coast in constant Alarm without our being able perhaps at any Time
to give them vigorous Opposition. Upon this Principle I have invaria
bly rejected every Application made me here, to keep any Detachments
on the Coast for these Purposes. I should therefore most probably have
thought it my Duty to have ordered the three Companies mentioned ih
your Letter, to have joined your Army to act on the general Service, had
they not been under Command from General Schuyler to join him : But
as it is, I can by no Means interfere. He is engaged in a Service of the
greatest Importance to the whole Continent, his Strength & Appoint
ments far short of his Expectations, and to give any Counter-orders may
not only defeat his whole Plan, but must make me responsible to the Pub
lick for the Failure. — Instead therefore of their further Stay, I would
have them march immediately. I fear, the Delay of the Ten Days may
have very bad Effects, as by my last Advices from Ticonderoga Gen1
Schuyler was to march in a few Days for Canada, & it is highly probable, he
75

MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS
he may depend upon these Companies to occupy the Posts of Communi
cation, which otherwise he must weaken his Army to do. —
No Provincial Congress can with any Propriety interfere in the Dis
position of Troops on the Continental Establishment, much less controul
the Orders of any General Officer, so that in this Instance the Congress
at New York have judged properly in declining to counteract General
Schuyler's Orders. I wish I could extend my Approbation equally to the
whole Line of their Conduct.
Before you receive this Letter you will most probably be able to
judge how far your Continuance on Long Island.will be farther necessary.
If the Fleet which last sailed was destined for those Coasts, it must be
arrived — if it is not, it is certainly gone to the Eastward, & your present
Station is no longer necessary. The Importance of preserving the Com
munication of the North River, & many other Reasons induce me to wish
you were returned to your former Post. The late Transactions at New
York, furnish additional Reasons for your being as near that City as is
consistent with the Discipline & Convenience of your Troops. Your
next therefore I flatter myself will inform me of your having resumed
your former Station. I am, Sir, with much Regard &
Esteem Your most Obed'
& very Hbble Serv'
G° Washington.
General Wooster."

— .-.army
and on hia return to Connecticut was made Ibe first major-general of tbe milina of Ibat atate. He wa. In command at Danbury
when the place waa attacked by Governor William Tryon a troopa on April 26, 1777. Woostei, al the head of 100 men, attacked
Ihe tear of the British forces ; several discbarges of artillery caused the Americans to break, whereupon Wooster cried, "Come on,
my boys I Never mind such random shot. !" But a musket-bail pierccu bit body and he died at Danbury May 1, 1777. In tbe
following June the Continental congress appropriated #500 for a monument to hia memory, but the money waa never paid and the
grave ofthe hero toon became unknown.

76

MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS
GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL CLINTON.
Head Quarters N. York 9th Aug' 1776.
Dear Sir,
Yours of the 2d Instant is duly Received, enclosed you have a Reso
lution of the Provincial Convention which came to hand last Evening, by
which you will please to Regulate your Conduct. I must beg you to
Inform Me as soon as possible what number your Brigade now consists
of — and what number it will contain when a fourth part of the Militia are
drafted agreeable to Order of provincial Congress.
My Intelligence Received, and movements observed of the Enemy,
we have the greatest Reason to believe a general Attack will be made in
the Course of a very few Days, — our numbers are much short of the
Enemy. I hope no time will be lost in Marching the Reinforcements
expected to our Assistance from different Quarters, with all possible
Dispatch. I am Sir Your Most Hum. Serv"
G° Washington.
Gen. Clinton.'

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO ROBERT MORRIS.
Camp above the Falls at Trenton1
Decb. 22"1 1776.
Dear Sir.
Your favour of yesterday came duely to hand, and I thank you for
the several agreeable articles of Intelligence therein contained. — For
godsake
1 James Clinton waa born in Ulster county, N. V., August 9, 1716, became an en.lgn In the militia and wa. advanced to be
lieutenant-colonel before the beginning of Ibe Revolution. He di.tingul.bed himself in tfie Ffench and English war at Fort P rou
te nan, captured a sloop of war on Lake Ontario, was appointed colonel ofthe Third New York regiment In 177?, and accompanied
Montgomery 10 Quebec. He was made a brigadier-general August 9, 1776, (tbe date ofthe above lettcf), commanded Fort Clinton
when it was attacked In October ofthe following year by Sir Henry Clinton and alter . gallant defence (600 men against Jooo)
Wat compelled to dy. He wa. Ibe last man to leave the works, received a severe bayonet wound, but escaped by riding , abort
distance and then allding down a precipice of too feet to a creek. He participated In ISuIlivan'. campaign again.! the New Yotk
Indians, commanded at Albany, was present at the siege of Yotktown and the evacuation of New Yotk, and died in Orange county,
N. Y., December 11, 1811.
a This I. one ofthe mo.t Interesting of all the Washington letter*. It gives, vivid account of tbe condition of the patriot
army and call, earnestly for assistance. No doubt some wa* granted, and a few dav. later W.ihlngton fought and won the battle
of Trenton. Robert Mor rl«, to whom the appeal wa. made, waa "tile financier ofthe Revolution. ' He waa born In Liverpool,
England, January 10, 1714. came to thi. countty when IJ year, of age, and though In middle life be wa. a remarkably aucceatfui
business man, he died In Philadelphia May 8, 1806, in poverty and distress. Morris was a member of the Continental congress for
several years, took a leading part in Ita work and wa. particularly energetic In railing money to support tbe army. In February,
1781, he wa. elected superintendent of finance and served a. such till November. 1704. He wu a member of the convention that
framed the Constitution and wa. elected a member ofthe first senate. 77

MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS
godsake hurry Mr. Mease' with the clothing as nothing will contribute
more to facilitate the recruiting Service than warm & comfortable clothing
to those who engage. — Muskets ate not wanted at this place, nor should
they, or any other valuable Stores (in my judgment) be kept in Philadelphia,
for sorry I am to inform you, my dear Sir, that unless the Militia repair to
the City for defence of it, I see no Earthly prospect of saving of it after
the last of this Instant ; as that fatal vote of Congress respecting the
appointment of new officers has put the Recruiting business upon such a
footing, and introduced so much confusion into the old Regiments, that
I see no chance of raising men out of them ; by the first of next month
then, we shall be left with five Regiments of Virginia, one of Maryland
Col" Hands and the Remains of Miles'; reduced so much by Sickness,
fatigue &c as in the whole not to exceed, but fall short of, 1200 men. —
Upon these and the Militia is all our dependence, for you may as well
attempt to stop the winds from blowing, or the Sun in its diurnal, as the
Regiments from going when their term is expired. —
I think with you Sir (that however missed you may be in Congress)
your presence in the City cannot be dispensed with — I will give you the
earliest information in my power of immediate danger ; in the meantime,
I advise for the reasons before mentioned that you detain no Papers you
can possibly do without — for I am satisfied the Enemy wait for two events
only to begin their operations upon Philadelphia. Ice for a Passage, and
the dissolution ofthe poor remains of our debilitated army.
Gen1 Sullivan is just come up with the Troops under Gen1 Lee, about
2000 men — Gen1 Gates is here, and a small division under him of about
600 expected to-day; this with about four or five and twenty hundred at
most, here before, composes the strength of my army (the City Militia
excepted) but this under the rose.
Alas poor Lee ! taken by his own Imprudence ! We have no distinct
accts. of him, if any should arrive Mr. Tilghman or I, will communicate them
¦ The reference Is lo John Mea.e whose service, during the Revolution wcle In the highest degree valuable. He was born
in Slrabane, Ireland In 1746, came 10 this country in 17,4, wa. one ofthe original members of tbe first troop of Philadelphia cav
alry, and wa. one of the twenty-four men of th.t Corp. who cro.sed the Delaware with Washington on Decembet It, 1779 He
was one ofthe five men detailed 10 keep alive Ihe files along the line of Ibe American encampment at Ttenton In deceive the enemy
when the armv marched 10 attack the rcar.guard of the enemy at Princeton. Mr. Mcaae .erved throughout the war suffered
heavy losses of properly through Ihe depredationa of Ihe enemy but in 1780 gave Jio.ooo for the support of the army. He died in
I of lb k oh "" ' '"" C°° "^ "° ""' """-"'""d °" °f Revolutionary time, and waa called " The
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MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS
them to you.' — Insults accompanied the taking of him, since that I
have heard that he was treated well by Lord Cornwallis to whom he was
first Carried. The Commissary (Mr. Wharton) informs me that, he cannot prevail
on the Millers to grind ; & that the Troops in consequence, are like to
suffer for want of Flour — this if I understand him proceeds either from
disaffection, or an unwillingness to take Continental Money in pay, which
in fact is the same thing — this must be remedied by fair, or other means.
With sincere regard and esteem
I am Dr Sir Yr Most Obd<
G? Washington.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO CENERAL SMALLWOOD.1
Head Quarters Middle
Brook 28th May 1779.
Sir, The knowledge you have of the general Situation of the enemy makes
it unnecessary I should enter into any further detail than barely to inform
you — That their number at New York Staten and Long Island — suppos
ing the detachment which went to Virginia to consist of two thousand men,
agreeable to the accounts I have received — amounts according to the best
estimate I have been able to form to about 9000 Men. At Rhode Island
their strength is about 5 or 6000. Their remaining force in these States is
I Thin wai Cbarlei Lee, of whoie dligraceful character and treaionable deilgni Waihlngton wai at thli time In utter Ignor*
ance. Lee wai born In Dernhall, Cbcihlrc, England, In 17, 1, wai (he ion of a colonel in the Qrltlih army. and bad a remarkable
career at a loldler of fortune in Europe before entering the Colonial army, of which he aiplrcd to the chief command. He wai
placed iccond on ihe lilt of major generall, became the firit on the rciignation of General Ward, and look command of the right
wing of Waihington'a army. When Waihlngton wai trying to check the movement ofthe Drlllin troopi on Philadelphia. Lee wai
expected to co-operate. He proved, however, to be Insubordinate and recklcn, and for lome unexplained reaion made nil head-
quarlen at Baikfngrldge, four mile» from hli army, and there he wai captured on December 11.1776, by a party of Orlliih dragooni.
Relieved of hli pretence, bli troopi marched to Waihlngton '• anliiance In time lo lake part In the baltlei of Trenton and Prince
ton. Lee wai liken to New York, where be ocean an Intrigue again! the American! and actually wrote a plan of operation!
agalnit them. He wai exchanged In May, 1778, and Joined Waihlngton, who wai •till in Ignorance ol hli character. In the
cniulng campaign he ihowed treachery or cowardice, wai removed from command, and court-martialed, He 10 angered congrcii
by hi* Tniolence that be wai dlimliied from the army, and be died friendlcn and alone la 1 Philadelphia tavern, October 1, 1781,
1 William Smallwood wai one of tbe dlitlngulihed officer, of the Revolution, He wai born In Kent county, Maryland, lo
I7it and died In that itate In 1791. The Maryland troopi under hli command took a prominent pan In tbe battle of Brooklyn
Height., bore tbe brunt ef the debt at White Plain*, and laved the day at Germantowfi. Smallwood wai wounded aeveral tlmai,
wai repeatedly promoted, and titer the war «rved Id congreai and ai governor ofbll native itate.
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MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS
is in Georgia and Virginia — In addition to these, their whole influence
is exerted to stimulate the Indians from one end of the Western frontier
to the other against us, and reinforcements are expected from Europe.
But what may be their precise destination or amount is uncertain — The
«. rrent of intelligence points to New York and to at least 5000 Men.
Our own force and present disposition are pretty well known to you;
but to give you a more exact idea, I shall observe, that, besides the Penn
sylvania, Maryland and Virginia troops now in this camp and the North
Carolina troops at Paramus, there are three Brigades of Massachusetts
troops and one of Connecticut on the North River — one of the latter at
Danbury and about 2500 Continental troops at Rhode Island. You will
be able to form a sufficiently accurate judgment of the collective strength
of these Corps; but if you should wish for more precise information, you
can obtain it by applying to me. The rest of our force except about 6 or
700 on the Ohio will be employed to the Westward against the Indians —
I can say scarcely anything of the reinforcements we have reason to
expect — The measures persuing by the several States to augment their
battalions and the success with which they are attended have as yet come
but partially to my knowledge. I fear our prospects are very incon
siderable. Under this concise account of matters and taking a comprehensive
view of our affairs in general — particularly the state of our supplies and
the depreciation of our currency — I am to request you will favor me with
your opinion of the plan of conduct which it will be proper for us to
persue at this juncture for the advancement of the common cause and for
the honor & interest of the American Arms ; in doing which, I shall be
obliged by a very free and full communication of your sentiments —
I am Sir
Your Most Obet. servant,
G? Washington.
Brigadier Gen1 Smallwood.

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MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL ST. CLAIR.
Head Quarters Middle
Brook June 2d 1779.
Sir, I have received your letter of this date \ past eight —
The Virginia division marched this day with orders to endeavor to
reach Morris Town to-morrow and to communicate with you and proceed
according to intelligence and circumstances — You will be pleased to
open a correspondence with the commanding officer for this purpose.
To-morrow if possible the Maryland division will march also and by
the same route —
I send you a small addition of Cavalry —
I rely entirely upon your prudence and judgment for taking such
measures as the exigency of the case shall require —
So soon as the last troops move I shall come immediately forward to
join you — by the way of Pluchamin1 and Morris Town,
I am, Dr. Sir,
Yr most Obe' Servant
G? Washington.
General St. Clair.1
[Inscribed : Major Gen' St. Clair. Go. Washington. Endorsed : General
Washington June 2* 1779. Middle Brook.]

I For Pluckemin, a town in New Jer.ey, which derived Its lingular name from an old Irl.bman noted for hia addrea. In Impos
ing on the credulous.
a Arthur St. Clair was born In Thurso, Caithness, Scotland, In 17J4, received a .dentine and classical education, went Into
the army, and came [o thi. country In 17(7. He .erved under General Amherst .1 Ihe captufe of Louisburg .nd under Wolfe at
Quebec. In 1764 he settled dawn .t . farmer In Ligonier valley, I'ennsylvanla, and held many civil offices. He wa. appointed
brigadier-general In the Continental army In 1 77<**, organized the New Jcrsev militia, participated in Ihe battles of Trlnceton and
Trenlon, and succeeded Gates In command of Ticonderoga. When attacked by . superior force he ev.cualed the foil .nd thereby
Incurred Ihe di.ple.sure of Washington. Nevertheless he acted as his aide at Drandy wine and assisted Sullivan In organizing hll
expedition .gainst the Sil Nations. He was a member ofthe court that condemned Major Andre, was active In raising Itoopt and
sending them lo the South, and Joined Washington shortly before Ihe sutrender of Cornwallis, He was a delegate to the Conll.
nenlal congress nnd served as president In 1787. On the organization of the Norlhwcstefn territory he was appointed Itt governor
and served till 1801, Although Washington's last words to Mm were," Beware of . .urprl.e," he wa. Incautlou. and being .ur.
prised ncsr the Miami village on November 4, 1791, wa. defeated by tbe lndl.nl led by Blue Jacket, Little Turtle, and Simon
Olrty, tbe renegade. Wa.Mngton refused a cnurl of Inquiry, but congre.. appointed a committee to Investigate hi. conduct and II
eloneroted him. ft. Clair died In Orernsburg, Pa., August 11, 1818,
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MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS

GENERAL WASHINQTON TO GENERAL ST. CLAIR.
Head Quarters Morris Town ia"1 Feb)' 1780.
Dear Sir
I received yours of yesterday, late last night. I am pleased to find
that the Vigilance of your Guards and patrolls disappointed the enemy
whatever might have been their intentions. I have taken precautions to
guard against an attempt by such a party as might be reasonably supposed
to be able to reach this in the course of a night, and I hope that a short
continuance of this Weather will make the Ice impassable by Horse —
from Foot there is no danger at this distance.
If you still think an attempt upon Buskirk's Corps practicable you
are at full liberty to try the experiment. I am confident you will under
take nothing but what will be justified by appearances and a probability
of success. I am with great Regard
Dear Sir
Yr most Obt. Serv'
G? Washington.
General St. Clair.
P. S. As the enemy have made an incursion with their Horse by
the way of Hackensack, will it not be prudent in you to extend your
patrols of Horse more to your left while the Ice is passable. Whenever
persons apply for liberty to go within the Enemy's lines having the per
mission ofthe Executive of any ofthe States, Congress or Board of War,
you may suffer them to pass without an application to me. Mons. Thierry
will call upon you for a passport either by Staten Island or Paulus Hook
as he may find admission.— You will be pleased to grant it to him 

82

Washington s Coat of Arms
Used as His Bookplate

HHIVATK t'LATR

^fbtty.

MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS
GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOR JEFFERSON.
Head Quarters New Windsor 4th April 1781.
Sir, I am to acknowledge the honor of your Excellency's favors of the
19th and 21" ult° and again to thank you, for your uniform and speedy
communication of every southern event which comes to your knowledge.
I have the pleasure to find, from General Greene's official letter, that
Lord Cornwallis is not likely to reap any great benefits from his late Vic
tory — indeed — were we certain that he would not soon receive fresh
succours, we might hope that he would ultimately be obliged to quit his
present ground in consequence of the incumbrance which his wounded
must be to him. But I very much fear, we shall soon hear that General
Phillips, who sailed from New York about a fortnight ago with a detach
ment said to be 1500 Men, is bending his course towards his Lordship.
You have been, by this time, made acquainted with the unfortunate
event which prevented the execution of the plan against Arnold. Had
the French Fleet luckily gained the Chesapeak before they were overtaken
by the British, I think we could not have failed of Success.
The Pennsylvania Line will be pushed forward, by detachment, as
fast as they can be reassembled or recruited. I hope the 1" division will
consist of five or six hundred, and that they will be soon upon their march.
Having heard nothing from them very lately, I cannot ascertain the time,
but I am certain that General Wayne, who will go forward with the first,
will be active on the occasion. I have the honor to be with very
great Respect and Esteem
Y' Excellency's
Most ob' and humble Serv*
G? Washington.
His Excellency Gov. Jefferson.
[Endorsed: General Washington'i Letter. April 26,b 1 781.]
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MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS
GENERAL WASHINGTON TO MR. JOSEPH JONES.'
Newburgh 14th Dec' 1782.
Dear Sir,
In the course of a few days Congress will, I expect, receive an Address
from the Army on the subject of their grievances.
This address, tho' couched in very respectful terms, is one of those
things which tho' unpleasing, is just now unavoidable. — For I was very
apprehensive once, that matters would have taken a more unfavorable
turn from the variety of discontents wh. prevail at this time. — The
temper ofthe army is much soured, and has been more irritable than at
any other period since the commencement of the War. — This consider
ation alone prevented me (for everything else seemed to be in a state of
inactivity and almost tranquillity) from requesting leave to spend this
Winter in Virginia, that I might give some attention to my long neglected
private concerns. —
The dissatisfactions of the Army had arisen to a great & alarming
height — & combinations among the officers to resign in a bodv — at given
periods — were beginning to take place, when by some address & manage
ment their resolutions had been converted into the form in which they
will now appear before Congress — What that Honorable Body can, or
will do in the matter, does not belong to me to determine ; but policy in
my opinion should dictate soothing measures, as it is an incontrovartible
fact, that no part of the community has undergone equal hardships and
borne them with the same patience and fortitude that the Army has done. —
Hitherto the Officers have stood between the lower order of the Soldiery
Sc the public — Sc in more instances than one have quelled, at the hazard of
1 Joseph Jonci wai a distinguished member ofthe Continental congrcii from Virginia and wai born in (hat state in 1717 ind
died there in 1805. la thii and the two succeeding leiieri General Washington gave a vivid account of the suffering! and wrongi
of the loldicn of tbe Continental army, and pleaded with him to exert hit influence 10 sec that the account* ofthe soldiers were
liquidated, that they might return to their homes latiificd. The leitcn throw new light on a moil critical period in Washington'!
life — the intrigue of the officen against the authority of congrcii. Anonymous addresses had been circulated and a deiperaie effort
was made to rouse the army to reientment. When a meeting of tbe officer* wai called, Waihlngton Iniiited upon attending, and
delivered a most Impressive addrcn. After reading the first paragraph of what he bid prepared, be begged the indulgence of '(bote
present while he pauied to put on hit ipectaclei, laying that he " had grown gray in the icrvice of hit country and now found him
self growing blind." Proceeding with hii addrcia, he dwelt upon tbe tervkei and lacriiicei of the army, reminded them of the
poverty of congress and urged them tl lo express their utmoit horror and detestation ofthe man who withes, under any ipccioui
prctencei, 10 overthrow the liberties of our country, and who wickedly attempts to open the floodgate! of civil discord and deluge
our riling empire in blood." He retired with a bean full of grief and foreboding!, but the officen, who regarded him with tbe
utmoit tendcrneii and had the highest respect for his opinions, followed hit advice. " Every doubt wai dispelled," wrote Major
Shaw In hli journal, " and (he tide of patriotism rolled again in its wonted course."
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MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS
of their lives, very dangerous Mutinies — But if their discontent should
be suffered to rise equally high, I know not what the consequences may be.
The spirit of enthusiasm which overcame every thing at first, is done
away — It is idle therefore to expect more from Military Men than from
those discharging Civil offices of Government. — If both were to fare
equally alike with respect to the emoluments of office I would answer for
it that the Military character should not be the first to complain. — But it
is an inviduous distinction, and one that will not stand the test of reason or
policy, that one set should receive all and the other no part (or that which
is next to it) of their pay; in a word the experiment is dangerous and tho'
it should succeed, would only prove that the one is actuated by more Zeal
than the other — not that they have less occasion for their money.
G? Washington.
The Honble
Joseph Jones Esq"

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO MR. JOSEPH JONES.
Newburgh, i2'h March, 1783.
Dear Sir,
I have recd. your letter of the 2j'h ult. Sc thank you for the infor
mation & freedom of your communications. My official letter to Con
gress of this date will inform you what has happened in this quarter.
In addition to which, it may be necessary it should be known to you, &
to such others as you may think proper, that the temper of the Army.
tho' very irritable on acct. of their long and protracted sufferings, has
been apparently extremely quiet while this business was depending before
congress, until four days past. — In the meantime it should seem reports
have been propagated in Philadelphia, that dangerous combinations were
forming in the army & this at a time when there was not a syllable of the
kind in agitation in camp.
It also appears that upon the arrival of a certain gentleman from
Philadelphia in camp, whose name I do not at present incline to mention,' such
1 Walter Stewart, In tbe opinion oi J. mrs M.dl.en, 85

MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS
such sentiments as these were immediately Sc industriously circulated. —
That it was universally expected that the army would not disband until
they had obtained justice. — That the public creditors looked up to
them to redress their grievances, would afford them every aid, and even
join them in the field if necessary. — That some members of Congress
wished the measure might take effect in order to compel the public, particu
larly the delinquent States, to do justice — v. ith many other suggestions of a
similar nature, from whence & a variety of other considerations, it is gener
ally believed the scheme was not only planned, but also digested &
matured in Philadelphia and that some people had been playing a double
game — spreading at the camp and in Philadelphia reports, Sc raising jeal
ousies equally void of foundation, until called into being by their vile
artifices ; — for as soon as the minds of the officers were thought to be pre
pared for the transaction, an anonymous invitation was circulated, request
ing a general meeting of the officers next day — at the same instant, many
copies of the address of the officers of the army were circulated in every
State line of it.
So soon as I obtained knowledge of these things I issued the order
ofthe 11th (transmitted to Congress) in order to rescue the foot that
stood wavering on the precipiece of despair, from taking those steps wh.
wd. have led to the abyss of misery, while the passions were inflamed, and
the mind tremblingly alive to the recollection of past sufferings, & their
present feelings. — I did this upon the principle that it is easier to
divert from a wrong to a right path, than it is to recal the hasty Sc fatal
steps which have been already taken.
It is commonly supposed, if the officers had met agreeably to the
anonymous summons, resolutions might have beeh formed, consequences
of which may be more easily conceived than expressed. — Now, they
will have leisure to review the matter more calmly & seriously. —
It is to be hoped they will be induced to adopt more rational measures,
and wait awhile for the settlement of their accounts, the postponing
of which gives more uneasiness in the army than other anything. —
There is not a man in it who will not acknowledge that Congress have
not the means of paying him ; — but why not say they — one and all —
liquidate the accounts and certify their dues ? Are we to be disbanded &
sent
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MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS
sent home without this ? — are we afterwards to make individual applica
tions for such settlement at Philadelphia, or at any auditor's office in our
respective states ; — to be shifted perhaps from one board to another, &
dance attendance at all ; and finally be postponed till we lose the sub
stance in pursuit of the shadow. — While they are agitated by these con
siderations, there are not wanting invidious characters who tell them " It
is neither the wish nor intention of the public to settle your accounts, but
to delay them under one pretext or another, till peace, which we are upon
the verge of, Sc a separation of the army takes place ; when it is well
known, it will be difficult, if not impracticable a general settlement can be
accomplished, and that individual loss, in this instance will be a public
gain." However derogatory these ideas are to the dignity, honor & justice
of Government, yet in a matter so interesting to the army, Sc at the same
time so easy to be effected by the public as that of liquidating the accounts
is delayed, without any apparent or obvious necessity, they will have their
place in a mind that is soured & has become irritable. — Let me intreat
you therefore, my good Sir, to push this matter to an issue and if there
are delegates among you who are really opposed to doing justice to the
army, scruple not to tell them, if matters come to extremity, that they
must be answerable for all the ineffable horrors which may be occasioned
thereby. With great respect, etc
G? Washington.
The Honble Joseph Jones, Esq"
[Note : This letter is in the autograph of James Madison and is endorsed by
him : Copy taken by permission.]

»7

MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO MR. JOSEPH JONES.
Newburgh i8'h March, 1783.
The Storm, which seemed to be gathering with unfavorable prognos
tics, when I wrote to you last, is dispersed ; and we are again in a state of
tranquility — But do not, My Dear Sir, suffer this appearance of tran
quility to relax your endeavours to bring the request of the Army to a con
clusion. — Believe me, the Officers are too much pressed by their present
wants, & are rendered too sore by the recollection of their past sufferings
to be touched much longer upon the string of forbearance, in matters
wherein they can see no cause for delay — Nor would I have further
reliance placed on any influence of mine to dispel other clouds if more
should arise from the causes of the last. —
By my official letter to Congress, and the papers enclosed in it, you
will have a full view of my assurances to, and the expectation of the Army ;
and I persuade myself that the well wishers to both — and of their country,
will exert themselves to the utmost to irradicate the seeds of distrust, Sc
give every satisfaction that justice requires, and the means which Con
gress possess will enable them to do. —
In a former letter I observed to you, that a liquidation of accts. in
order that the ballances might be ascertained is the great object of the
Army, and certainly nothing can be more reasonable. — To have these
Ballances discharged at this, or in any short period, however desirable,
they know is impracticable — and do not expect it; altho' in the mean
time, they must labour under the pressure of those sufferings which is felt
more sensibly by a comparison of circumstances. —
The situation of these Gentlemen merit the attention of every think
ing and grateful mind. — As Officers, they have been obliged to dress
Sc appear in character. — To effect this they have been obliged to antici
pate their pay, or participate their Estates.— By the first, debts have
been contracted. — By the latter, their patrimony is injured. — To dis
band men therefore under these circumstances, before their accounts are
liquidated and the Ballances ascertained, would be to sett open the doors
of gaols and then to close them upon seven years' faithful and painfu
services. —
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services. — Under any circumstances which the nature of the case will
admit, they must be considerable sufferers ; because necessity will compell
them to part with their cirtificates for whatever they will fetch, to avoid
the evil I have mentioned above. — And how much this will place them
in the hands of unfeeling — avaricious speculators, a recurrence to past
experience will sufficiently prove. —
It may be said by those who have no disposition to compensate the
services of the Army, that the Officers have more foresight than to place
dependence (in any alternative) upon the strength of their own arm —
I will readily concede to these Gentlemen that no good could result from
such an attempt, but I hope they will be equally candid in acknowledg
ing, that much mischief may flow from it — and that nothing is too extrava
gant, to expect from men, who conceive they are ungratefully and
unjustly dealt by, — especially too, if they can suppose that characters are
not wanting to foment every passion which leads to discord — and that
there are — but, — time shall reveal the rest.
Let it suffice, that the very attempt would imply a want of justice,
and fix an indelible stain upon our national character; as the whole world
— as well from the Enemies publications (without any intention to serve
us) as our own, must be strongly impressed with the sufferings of this
Army from hunger, cold and nakedness in almost every stage of the war.
With great respect, etc.
The Honble G? Washington.
Joseph Jones Esq"

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO LIEUTENANT-COLONEL TILGHMAN.'
Newburgh io,h Janr 1783.
My Dear Sir,
I have been favored with your letters of the 22d & 24th of last
month from Philadelp"; & thank you for the trouble you have had with my
1 Tench Tilgbman was born In Maryland in 1744 and died in Baltimore In 17S6. He began life .. t Ri.rch.nl In Philadel
phia, bni joined the army on the outbreak of tbe Revolution and In Augu.t, 1776. became military secretary and aide upon Well
ington's natf, (erving *. .ueb to the end of the war. He w.. .elected' by Washington to bear to Congrea. th. new. of tbe *ur-
render of Cornwall!., and received the thank, of that body. 89

MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS
my small Commissions. — I have sent M' Rittenhouse the glass of such
spectacles as suit my eyes, that he may know how to grind his Christals. —
Neither Du portail nor Gouvion are arrived at this place. — To the
latter, I am refered by the Marq' la Fayette for some matters which he
did not chuse to commit to writing. — The sentim" however which he
has delivered — (with respect to the Negotiations for Peace) accord pre
cisely with the ideas I have entertained of this business, ever since the
secession of Mr Fox, — viz. that no peace would be concluded before the
meeting of the British Parliament. — And that, if did it not take place
within a month afterwards, we might lay our ace" for one more Campaign
— at least.
The obstinacy of the King, and his unwilling to acknowledge the
Independency of this Country, I have ever considered as the greatest
obstacles in the way of a Peace. — Lord Shelburne who is not only at
the head of the Administration, but has been introducing others of simi
lar sentiments to his own — has declared, that nothing but dire necessity
should ever force the measure. — Of this necessity men will entertain dif
ferent opinions. — M' Fox it seems, thought the period had arrived
sometime ago; and yet Peace is not made — nor will it, I conceive, if the
influence of the Crown can draw forth fresh supplies from the Nation,
for the purpose of carrying on the War.
By the meeting of Parliament, Lord Shelburne would have been
able to ascertain two things — first, the best terms on which G. Britain
could obtain Peace. — Secondly, the ground on which he himself stood. —
If he found it slippery, & that the voice of the People was for pacific
measures — he would then, have informed the Parliament that, after many
months spent in Negotiation — such were the best terms he could obtain —
and that the alternative of accepting them or preparing vigorously for the
prosecution of the War, wns submitted to their consideration (being an
extraordinary case) and decision. — A little time therefore, If I have
formed a just opinion of the matter, will disclose the result of it — conse
quently, we shall either soon have Peace, or not the most agreeable
prospect of War, before us — as it appears evident to me, that the States
generally, are sunk into the most profound lethargy, while some of them,
are running quite retrograde. — The
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MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS
The King of G. B. by his Letters Patent (which I have seen) has
authorized Mr Oswald to treat with any Commissioner, or Com™ from
the United States of America, who shall appear with proper powers —
This, certainly, is a capital point gained. — It is at least breaking ground
on their part, — and I dare say proved a bitter pill to Royalty ; but, it was
indispensably necessary to answer one of the points above mentioned, as
the American Commissioners would enter on no business with Mr Oswald
till his Powers were made to suit their purposes. — Upon the whole, I
am fixed in an opinion that Peace — or — a pretty long continuance of the
War will have been determined before the adjournment for the Holli-
days ; and as it will be the middle or last of February before we shall
know the result, time will pass heavily on in this dreary mansion — where
we are, at present, fast locked in frost & snow. —
Nothing new has happened in this quarter since you left it, except
the abuse of me in a New York Paper for having given false information
to the Count de Vergennes ; which (says the writer) was the occasion of
the insinuation in his Letter to me of a want of British justice. — I have
not seen the Paper but am told the author of the piece is quite in a
passion at my want of ingenuity — and ascribes the release of Capt" Asgill
to a peremptory order from the Court of France (in whose service he
places me) notwithstanding the soft and complaisant language of the
French Minister's Letter.
M" Washington has received the Shoes you ordered for her, &
thanks you for your attention to her request — I receive with great sensi
bility & pleasure your assurances of affection and regard. — It would be
but a renewal of what I have often repeated to you, that there are few
men in the world to whom I am more attached by inclination than I am
to you. — With the Cause, I hope — most devotedly hope, — there will
soon be an end to my Military Services — When as our places of resi
dence will not be far apart, I shall never be more happy than in your
company at M' Vernon. — I shall always be glad to hear from and keep
up a correspondence with you. — •
M™ Washington joins me in every wish that can tend to your happi
ness. — Humphrys Sc Walker, who are the only Gentlemen ofthe Family that
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MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS
that are with me at present — will speak for themselves. — If this finds
you at Baltimore, I pray my respects to M' Carroll and family. — With
the greatest esteem and regard I am — Dear Sir
Y' most Obed' and
Affect. Hbl< Serv'
G? Washington.
Lieutt Col0 Tilghman.

DISCHARGE OF A CONTINENTAL SOLDIER.
By His Excellency
GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esq ;
General and Commander in Chief of the Forces of the
United States of America.
HpHESE are to CERTIFY that the Bearer hereof
John Southerd private
in the Second N. York Regiment, having faithfully served the United
States Six Years and Six Months and being inlisted for the War only, is
hereby DISCHARGED from the American Army.
Given at Head-Quarters the G? Washington.
By His Excellency's
Command,
J. Trumbull, Junr Secy.
Registered in the Books
of the Regiment,
Christ. Hutton, L' & Adjutant.
The above John Southerd private has been honored with the Badge
of Merit for Six Years faithful Service. P. Cortlandt, Col0
Head-Quarters
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MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS
Head-Quarters, June 8th 1783.
THE within CERTIFICATE shall not avail the Bearer as a Dis
charge, until the Ratification of the definitive Treaty of Peace ; previous
to which Time, and until Proclamation thereof shall be made, He is to
be considered as being on Furlough.
G? Washington.
[On the face of the discharge appear the words : Warrant Issued for one
hundred acres. War Office October 16th, 1790.]

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO MARQUIS DE CHASTELLUX.1
Mount Vernon, 18th Aug. 1786.
My Dear Marquis:
I cannot omit to seize the earliest occasion, to acknowledge the
receipt of your very affectionate letter you did me the honor of writing
to me on the 22nd of May ; as well as to thank you for the present of
your Travels in America and the Translation of Colonel Humphreys
Poem, all of which came safely to hand by the same conveyance.
Knowing as I did, the candour, liberality Sc philanthropy of the
Marquis de Chastellux, I was prepared to disbelieve any imputations that
might militate against those amiable qualities. For character Sc habits
are not easily taken up, or suddenly laid aside. Nor does that mild
species of philosophy, which aims at promoting human happiness, ever
belye itself by deviating from the generous & godlike pursuit. — Hav
ing, notwithstanding, understood that some misrepresentations, of the
work in question, had been circulated ; I was happy to learn that you had
1 francnii Jean, Chevalier de Chailellux, was born In P-irli In 17J4 and died In (hat city October xB, 1788, He entered the
army when a hoy, made a gnllant record, and came to UiU country, serving hi major-general under Kochnmbeeu, and gaining the
friendship of Washington. Hli " Voyage dim I'Amcrltiue icptcnirlonale dim lei annci " wm published In i'Arli In 17(70 and
contains an Intercitlng account of the war nnd ohicrvatloni on the character ofthe chief aclon In It. The Colonel David Humph
reys mentioned In tbe above letter wa* born In Derby. Conn., July 10, 1711, and died In New Haven, Conn., February 11, ihiH,
He wm graduated from Yale In 1771, wai at. itched (0 (ne naiT of General Putnam In 1778 and In 1760 wm appointed aide-de-camp
to W Ashing! on, whirl, place he retained (III the close of hnillllllei. At the ilege of Yorktown he particularly dlitlngulihed Mm-
¦elf nnd coiigrcii nave him a aword, He wm a poet of no mean ability and during (he war wrote stlrrl-ip lyrics designed to utmu-
late the patriotism of ihe soldlcn. On the dlibandlng of (be (roopi be accompanied Washington (0 Mount Vernon and lived
there a year. He wai (brn appointed •acretary of legation to Benjamin Franklin, John Adami, and Tho mm JeiTenon, who were
sent to negotiate traallei of commerce and amity with Efuropean powerf. He returned In 178ft, and remained a member of Wash
ington'! family till 17170, when he wai appointed mlnliter lo Portugal. Hli "Add'cii to ih« Armlei of tbe United lum" wai
trenilAfed Into French by Mari)uli de Cbaitellux. 93

MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS
had taken the most effectual method to put a stop to their circulation, by
publishing a more ample and correct edition. Col" Humphreys (who
spent some weeks at Mount Vernon) confirms me in the sentiment, by
giving a most flattering account of the whole performance. He has also
put into my hands the translation of that part in which you say such,
Sc so many handsome things of me ; that (altho* no sceptic on ordinary
occasions) I may perhaps be allowed to doubt whether your friendship
Sc partiality have not, in this one instance, acquired an accendency over
your cooler judgment.
Having been thus unwarily, and I may be permitted to add, almost
unavoidably betrayed into a kind of necessity to speak of myself, and
not wishing to resume that subject, I chuse to close it forever by observ
ing ; that as, on the one hand, I consider it an indubitable mark of mean-
spiritedness & pitiful vanity to court applause from the pen or tongue of
man ; so on the other, I believe it to be a proof of false modesty or an
unworthy affectation of humility to appear altogether insensible to the
commendations of the virtuous & enlightened part of our species. Per
haps nothing can excite more perfect harmony in the soul, than to have
this string vibrate in unison with the internal consciousness of rectitude
in our intentions, and an humble hope of approbation from the supreme
disposer of all things.
I have communicated to Colonel Humphreys that paragraph in
your letter which announces the very favorable reception his Poem has
met in France. — Upon the principles I have just laid down he cannot
be indifferent to the applause of so enlightened a nation, nor to the suf-
ferages of the King & Queen who have been pleased to honor it with
their royal approbation.
We have no news on this side of the Atlantic, worth the pains of
sending across it. The Country is recovering rapidly from the ravages
of War. — The seeds of population are scattered far in the Wilderness
— agriculture is prosecuted with industry — The works of peace, such
as opening rivers, building bridges, &c. are carried on with spirit —
Trade is not so successful as we could wish — Our State Governments
are well administered. Some objects in our Fcederal system might
probably be altered for the better — I rely much on the good sense of
my
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MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS
my Countrymen Sc trust that a superintending Providence will disap
point the hopes of our enemies. With sentiments of the sincerest
friendship, I am, my dear Marqs., Y' Obed' and Affecf Servf
G? Washington.
The Marqs. de Chastellux.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL KNOX.
Philadelphia 31" May 1787.
Dear Sir,
It gave me great pleasure to find by your letter of the 29th that
you were freed from all apprehension on ace' of Miss Lucy's eye — and that
we might flatter ourselves with the expectation of seeing M" Knox &
you at this place. — It was not untill Friday last that Seven States as
sembled in Convention. By these I was, much against my wish, unani
mously placed in the chair — Ten States are now represented, and
Maryland probably will be so in the course of a few days. — Should
New Hampshire corne forward, Rhode Island will then stand very singu
larly alone.
As it is not even certain that this letter will get to New York before
you shall have left it I will only add Compliments to M" Knox and
assurances of the sincerest friendship of Y' affec' G? Washington,
[To General Knox.J

PRESIDENT WASHINGTON TO THE COMMISSIONERS.
Philadelphia Sep. 5th 1793.
Gentlemen, Mr Winstanley, a celebrated Landskip Painter, is disposed to take
a view of the Federal City, or of the grounds in the vicinity of it. —
As

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MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS
As you will be there about the time he may arrive, I take the liberty of
giving him this letter of introduction to you.
His designs are more extensive and I have suggested the Great &
little Falls; — the passage ofthe River Potomac through the Blue Moun
tains — the Natural bridge ; &c as grand objects. — I am always
Your Most Obed. Ser'
G? Washington.
[Directed to Thomas Johnson, David Stuart and Dan' Carroll Esquires,
Comm" of the Federal District, George Town. Favored by M' Winstanley.]

GEORGE WASHINGTON TO PATRICK HENRY.
Confidential. I Mount Vernon, I5,h Jan* 1799.
Dear Sir
At the threshold of this letter, I ought to make an apology for its
contents ; — but if you will give me credit for my motives, I will contend
for no more, however erroneous my sentiments may appear to you. — ¦
It would be a waste of time, to attempt to bring to the view of a
person of your observation Sc discernment, the endeavors of a certain
party among us, to disquiet the Public mind with unfounded alarms ; —
to arraign every act of the Administration ; — to set the People at varience
with their Government ; — and to embarrass all its measures. — Equally
useless would it be, to predict what must be the inevitable consequences
of such policy, if it cannot be arrested. —
Unfortunately, and extremely do I regret it, the State of Virginia
has taken the lead in this opposition. — I have said the State Because the
1 This letter, which ii of very great Importance and in the composition of which Waihlngton took special pains, relate! lo
ibe alien and sedition laws which bad been passed by Congrcii, and 10 the resolution:* of the legislature! of Kentucky and
Virginia in denunciation of them, passed in November and December, 1798. The resolutions of the Kentucky legislature declared
these acts " not law but altogether void and of no force " and those of tbe Virginia legislature denounced them ai " palpable and
alarming Infraction! of the constitution." Waihlngton wai greatly alarmed, not only at the attempt of nates to nullify the acti of
tbe nation but at ibc efforts to Involve the United Statei In quarrels with European nattoni. No reply lo thii letter has ever been
found, but there ii little doubt that Patrick Henry'i successful candidacy for a seal in the home of repreicntativci wu in rcsponie
to Washington's urgent appeal. 96

MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS
the conduct of its Legislature in the Eyes of the World, will authorize
the expression ; — because it is an incontrovertible fact, that the principle
leaders of the opposition dwell in it ; — and because no doubt is enter
tained, I believe, that with the help of the Chiefs in other States, all the
plans are arranged ; and systematically pursued by their followers in other
parts of the Union ; — though in no State except Kentucky (that I have
heard of) has Legislative countenance been obtained, beyond Virginia. —
It has been said, that a great mass of the Citizens of this State are
well affected, notwithstanding, to the General Government, and the
Union ; — and I am willing to believe it — nay do believe it : — but how is
this to be reconciled with their suffrages at the Elections of Representa
tives ; both to Congress & their State Legislature ; who are men opposed
to the first, and by the tendency of their measures would destroy the
latter ? — Some among us, have endeavored to account for this incon
sistency and though convinced ourselves, of its truth, they are unable to
convince others ; who are unacquainted with the internal policy of the
State. —
One of the reasons assigned is, that the most respectable & best
qualified characters among us, will not come forward. — Easy Sc happy
in their circumstances at home, and believing themselves secure in their
liberties & property, will not forsake them, or their occupations, and
engage in the turmoil of public business ; — or expose themselves to the
calumnies of their opponents, whose weapons are detraction. —
But at such a crisis as this, when everything dear & valuable to us
is assailed ; when this Party hang upon the Wheels of Government as a
dead weight, opposing every measure that is calculated for defence & self
preservation ; — abetting the nefarious views of another Nation, upon our
rights ; — preferring, as long as they durst contend openly against the
spirit & resentment of the People, the interest of France to the Welfare
of their own Country ; — justifying the first at the expence of the latter : —
when every act of their own Government is tortured by constructions
they will not bear, into attempts to infringe & trample upon the Consti
tution with a view to introduce Monarchy ; — when the most unceasing,
& purest exertions were making to maintain a Neutrality which has been
proclaimed by the Executive, approved unequivocally by Congress, by the
State
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MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS
State Legislatures, — nay by the people themselves, in various meetings;
and to preserve the Country in Peace, are charged as a measure calcu
lated to favor Great Britain at the expence of France, — and all those who
had any agency in it, are accused of being under the influence of the
former, and her pensioners ; — when measures are systematically and per
tinaciously pursued, which must eventually dissolve the Union or pro
duce coercion. — I say, when these things have become so obvious,
ought characters who are best able to rescue their Country from the pend
ing evil to remain at home? — Rather, ought they not to come forward,
and by their talents and influence, stand in the breach wh. such conduct
has made on the Peace and happiness of this country, and oppose the
widening of it ? —
Vain will it be to look for Peace and happiness, or for the security
of liberty or property, if Civil discord should ensue, — and what else can
result from the policy of those among us, who, by all the means in their
power, are driving matters to extremity, if they cannot be counteracted
effectually ? — The views of Men can only be known, or guessed at, by
Their words or actions. — Can those of the Leaders of Opposition be
mistaken then, if judged by this Rule ? — That they are followed by
numbers who are unacquainted with their designs, and suspect little, the
tendency of their principles, I am fully pursuaded — But, if their con
duct is viewed with indifference : — if there is activity and misrepresenta
tion on one side, and supiness on the other, their numbers, accumulated
by Intriguing, and discontented foreigners under proscription, who were
at war with their own governments, and the greater part of them with all
Government, their numbers will increase, Sc nothing, short of Omnisci
ence, can foretell the consequences. —
I come now, my good Sir, to the object of my letter — which is — to
express a hope, and an earnest wish, that you wd. come forward at the
ensuing Elections (if not for Congress, which you may think would take
you too long from home) as a Candidate for representative, in the Gen
eral Assembly of this Commonwealth.
There are, I have no doubt, very many sensible men who oppose
themselves to the torrent that carries away others, who had rather swim
with, than stem it, without an able Pilot to conduct them — but these are
neither
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neither old in Legislation, nor well known in the Community. — Your
weight of character and influence in the Ho. of Representatives would
be a bulwark against such dangerous sentiments as are delivered there at
present. — It would be a rallying point for the timid, and an attraction
to the wavering. — In a word, I conceive it to be of immense import
ance at this crisis that you should be there ; — and I would fain hope that
all minor considerations will be made to yield to the measure.
If I have erroneously supposed that your sentiments on these sub
jects are in union with mine ; — or if I have assumed a liberty which the
occasion does not warrant, I must conclude as I began, with praying that
my motives may be received as an apology ; and that my fear, that the
tranquillity of the Union, and of this State in particular, is hastening to
an awful crisis, have extorted them from me.
With great, and very sincere regard and respect, — I am — Dear Sir
Your Most Obed' & Very Hble Servf
G? Washington.
Patrick Henry Esq"

GEORGE WASHINGTON TO GENERAL KNOX.
Mount Vernon 22d May 1799.
Dear Sir,
Ralph Wormeley Esqr (who will present this letter to you) carries
one of his sons to Harvard College, to be fixed there as a Student. —
Being a Stranger in the New England States, I beg leave to introduce
him to your acquaintance & civilities.
He is a Gentleman of respectability in his own State ; — a friend to
the Constitution & Government of the Union ; — and a person of Infor
mation ; — qualifications which, I persuade myself, will insure him a ready
reception with you.-^
Present M" Washington's best regards along with mine, to M" &
Miss Knpx ; — and be assured of the sincere &
Affectionate esteem of Yours
always
G? Washington.
General Knox. 99

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MARTHA WASHINGTON TO MRS. WASHINGTON.

Mount Vernon June the aad 1 784.
My Dear Madam —
After a very long passage the Cotton arrived safe. — I was much
concerned that I should have given Mr. B. Washington the troble, —
He thought it would be a very easy thing to percure, — it was to add to
some thread I have had spun several years in the House, — I thank
you for the cotton, and should be very unhappy if you have disfirnished
your self by spairing it out of your own stock, — it would have been noe
inconveniance to me, to have stayed another year, for to have my piece,
of cloth finished, — my spinners had just spun up all the wool and had
little to doe, was the reason I thought of spinning cotton — and I could
not get any in this part of the country — the West India cotton not be
ing brought to Alexandria in the shops —
It would in deed give me much pleasure to come to Bushfield to
visit you and will when it is convenient to the General to leve Home on
a visit ; he has so much business of his one and the publicks to gather
that I fear he will never find lezure to goe to see his friends ; — I would
with pleasure have sent you the weeping willow but the man told me he
was not going down derectly, — if he had, it was too late to plant it this
summer, at the proper time for planting it, you may have as much as you
please as it would give me pleasure to send you any thing of that sort
that is worth sending to you from here —
I am happy to hear Mrs. Washington has increased her family and
is well I wish she could make it convenient to come to see us.
The General joins me in love and good wishes to you and all with
you. I am Dear Madam
Your affectionate sister
and friend —
M. Washington.
[Inscribed : Mrs. Washington, Bushfield.]

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MARTHA WASHINGTON TO FRANCES WASHINGTON.
Philadelphia June icth 1797.
My Dear Fanny :
I am sorry to hear by your Letter of the tenth that your little girl
has been so ill — I hope she has got quite well before this — I have
not a doubt but worms, is the principle cause of her complaints. Chil
dren that eat everything as they like and feed as heartily as your does
must be full of worms — Indeed my dear Fanny I never saw children
stuffed as yours was when I was down and reather wondered that they
were able to be tolarable with such lodes as they used to put into their
little stomacks — I am sure thare is nothing so pernisious as over
charging the stomack of a child — with every kind of food that they will
take — Expearance will convince you of the impropriety if nothing
else will —
I can with much truth say that I am realy sorry that I cannot come
down to Mt. Vernon this summer particularly on your account — The
president says he cannot make a longer stay than a few days — which
would make it very inconvenient to me, to be thare without him — besides
I should not like to have any thing to do with Mr. Pearce's Family in
the House.' The President will bring two white men with him — one of
them may sleep in Whiting's room, the other in the Garret — Let thare
be a bed put in the Garret room — and one for the other man as they may
be ready — The President talks of leving this on Tuesday morn — and
I suppose he will make all the dispatch he can as he does not expect to
be for long from hear —
I sent to Mr. Palmer as soon as your letter came to my hands —
He is out of town and his work men knows nothing of your measure :
it will be as well for you to send one of your old shoes when the Presi
dent return, and then you will be scertain that your shoes will fitt — and
I will have them done as soon as I can it is difficult to get any thing
done hear — The trades people suffered very much in the Yallow
fever — the shoe makers complain of the want of journey men — I hope
it will be better now that Congress is gone — every man must have some
thing either to send or carry home — which constantly imployed the trades
people in this city.
I Mr. P..rc« w.» W.»hlrigtrjn'» m.ri.|er al Mo.nt V.rnon. iviy
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My dear Fanny, if Mrs. Herbert's spinout is not sent home — I beg
you will have it carefully sent up in the Boat, when your things * * * *
with many thanks to him for the lone of it — I hope that it has not got
any injury staying in our house this winter — I charged Frank to have
it sent up derectly but I fear thar is not much dependance on him —
My love and good wishes attend you and children and believe me my
dear Fanny your
most affectionate
M. Washington.
[Inscribed : Mrs. Fran. Washington, Mt. Vernon, and endorsed, in her
autograph: From Mrs. M. Washington June is'k 1794.]

BETTV LEWIS TO HER BROTHER GEORGE WASHINGTON. June 26th 1796.
My Dear Brother
Your letter of the 27th of April I received and should have Answered
it sooner but expecting you in dayly postponed writing untill you arriv'd
at Mount Vernon, not hearing from you again on Harriot's subject, I
have been makeing all the enquirey I Could concerning Mr. Parks that
was in my power I have heard nothing to his disadvantage on the contrary
he is respected by all his acquaintance he is a constant Visitor here and I
believe Harriot's affections are plac'd intirely on him, and engaged so far
as this if your consent can be obtained.
Harriot begs you will pardon her not writing her self but hopes
your being fully acquainted with her sentiments Concerning Mr. Parks
will be some apology she is not well I believe her anxiety for fear of
offending and not gaining your consent has Produc'd this, your long
Silence has given her much uneasiness.
My Dear Brother if you have any Mules for sale and can let me
have one I will with pleasure pay you the Price of it I am under the
necessity of purchasing a Work Nag and prefer A Mule.
Harriot Joines me in love and good wishes for you and my sister
Washington and believe me to be Your Affecte. sister Betty Lewis.
[Inscribed : Free. The President of the United' States, Mount Vernon.
Endorsed in Washington's autograph: From Mrs. Betty Lewis 26,h June 1796.]
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