1798]

A RUNAWAY COOK

123

exclusive of freight, will not exceed fifteen shillings pr. barrel, and twelve and six pence would suit my finances much better. Let me hear, as soon as convenient, what is likely to be the result of this application. With great esteem etc.

*To CLEMENT BIDDLE

Mount Vernon, January 10, 1798.

Dear Sir: By leaving the enclosed letter to Mr. Kitt (who was my household Steward in Philadelphia) open for your perusal, it supercedes the necessity of my saying more on the subject than to beg your attention to and aid in the measure which is requested therein. Mr. Kitt lives, I believe, at the United States Bank, and if not, Mr. Wolcot, I am persuaded can inform you of the place of his residence.

Pray send a set of strings for Miss Custis's Harpsichord agreeably to the enclosed Memm. under cover to me by the first Post, and at the sametime inform me at what price good German and other Oznabrigs could be bought by the quantity. and that I may not, at any time over draw, or order goods please to let me know how my acct. stands with you. With great esteem etc.

*To FREDERICK KITT

Mount Vernon, January 10, 1798.

Mr. Kitt: We have never heard of Herculas our Cook since he left this; but little doubt remains in my mind of his having gone to Philadelphia, and may yet be found there, if proper measures were employed to discover (unsuspectedly, so as not to alarm him) where his haunts are.

If you could accomplish this for me, it would render me an acceptable service as I neither have, nor can get a good Cook to hire, and am disinclined to hold another slave by purchase.

If by indirect enquiries of those who know Herculas, you should learn that he is in the City, inform Colo. Clemt. Biddle thereof, and he will, I hope, take proper measures to have him apprehended at the moment one of the Packets for Alexandria is about to Sale, and put him therein, to be conveyed hither; and will pay any expence which may be incurred in the execution of this business; which must be managed with address to give it a chance of Success; for if Herculas was to get the least hint of the design he would elude all your vigilance. I wish you well and am etc.

*TO ALEXANDER WHITE

Mount Vernon, January 11, 1798. Dear Sir: Your favour of the 8th has been duly received, and I now write, more for the purpose of acknowledging the receipt of it, than from any sentiment I have to communicate relative to the Public buildings in the Federal City.

You are perfectly acquainted with my sentiments on that subject already, and if not, they may be comprised in a few words, thus: every effort should be made to obtain the means, and every exertion used (in the short time left) to accomplish the end, for which they are obtained. And, if they could be had without applying to Congress, I should prefer it; but, if this is impracticable (of which you are the best judges) then to do it; because there is no alternative, and because no event is more to be deprecated than the arrestation of the buildings, or a limping progress of them this year.

If the answer which the Commissioners expect from the President, should result in your journey to Philadelphia, I shall sincerely wish you all the success your assiduity in, and management of the business will entitle you to. If you should not

1798]

LOAN TO POTOMAC COMPANY 125

go thither, or from Frederick if you do, I shall hope to see you in George Town at the meeting of the Stock holders of the Potomack Navigation, the 8th. of next month, by notification; for I think that business requires serious attention also, and perhaps amendment, or explanation of the licence to a subordinate, or other Company, to open the navigation of the River Shanondoah; having understood that the Resolution entered into at the last General meeting of the Potomack Company, relative to this matter, has not had the effect wch. was expected, that in [sic] lingers at least. With great esteem etc.

or,

*To GOVERNOR JAMES WOOD

Mount Vernon, January 12, 1798. Dear Sir: This letter will be presented to your Excellency by Mr. Lear, President of the Potomack Company, who waits on the Legislature to solicit the loan of a sum of money to enable the Stock holders to proceed with vigour, to the completion of an Enterprise so great, honourable and useful, as is that of laying open the shortest and easiest communication between the Atlantic States and the extensive Country westward of us, on the Waters of Ohio. A communication which will be found not less beneficial than honourable for the States of Virginia and Maryland to encourage.

Mr. Lear has other matters relative to the Falls &ca. to lay before that Honble. body, equally claiming its attention.

Such facility as your Excellency can, with propriety give to these important objects, will not, I persuaded myself, be wanting.

Permit me to introduce Mr. Lear to your notice and civilities, and to assure you of the respect and regard etc.

*To THE SECRETARY OF STATE

Mount Vernon, January 12, 1798. Dear Sir: Permit me to request your care of the enclosed letter to Mr. Williams, our Consul at Hamburgh, in answer to a very polite and civil one informing me of the arrival of Genl. Lafayette and family at that place. Allow me also to ask the favour of you to send me Colo. Monroe's, and Mr. Fauchet's Pamphlets; and if you have leisure (not else) to let me know what the public sentiment respecting them, is. In one of these, or in some other way, I find by a writer in the Richmond Paper, a private letter of mine to Mr. Gouvr. Morris is given to the public. If given fairly, with the cause which produced it, I have no doubt of its operating against the measure it was intended to promote.

As Silver could not be transmitted in a letter, and I had no other small notes, I send two of the Bank of Columbia, to pay for the Pamphlets. Yours always.

*To FRANCIS DEAKINS

Mount Vernon, January 15, 1798.

Dear Sir: Your letter of the 28th of Decr. with a P. S of the 7th. instt. was delivered to me the 12th by Mr. Lear, with ninety one dollars enclosed therein on A/c of Rent due from Mrs. Beall, together with a statement of the A/c against her by Mr. Veatch.

I ought also, though late, and indeed to my shame for the delay, to acknowledge that your obliging letter of the 26th of Decr. 1796 came safe to my hands; but at a time (during the busy scenes of Congress) when I had no leisure to attend to private business, and laying by for a more convenient moment

1798]

MARYLAND TENANTS

127

it had escaped me altogether until a revision of some papers the other day brought it to light again.

Let me now, my good Sir, request the favour of you alone, or in conjunction with Mr. Veatch, to fix the value of the Tobo. due from Mr. Beall to me in money. In doing wch. permit me to assure you, that you cannot fail in giving me satisfaction, as I had rather you should under than over rate it in her case having no disposition to bear hard upon the Widow, but on the contrary to favor her.

It would much oblige me also if Mr. Veatch under your superintendance and concurrence would settle with all the Tenants up to the close of the last year (1797) and convert (if they have not the Tobacco to pay) the balances of Tobacco into cash at a reasonable rate, making an aggregate sum with other charges in money and reducing the same to specialties (with securities if necessary) that I may start anew from the commencement of the present year.

And as you and he are much better judges than I am, of what would be a reasonable cash rent for the Tenants respectively to pay, I leave it to you also to file what each shall pay for the present year, and until altered (if just for both parties) after a few years have elapsed, and whatever you shall do in the premises I will abide by.

A settlement with, and a specialty from Mr. Jones should also be had. If he has paid all the Tobacco, and Cash which he has received on my A/c he can be at no loss I presume, to produce vouchers for the same and it is necessary that the account with him should be closed.

Mr. Veatch will keep the specialties in his own hands for collection furnishing me with a list thereof and their amount. His commission on these will be the same as if they were not reduced to specialties. With very great esteem etc.