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the payment which was made inserted on the back. By placing both Bonds in that Bank, and transmitting me its statement, you will add to the obligations you have already confered on me in this business. Having made an important contract (if the person with whom it is made can fulfil his part) for all the lands I hold On the Great Kanhawa; which are more than half I possess on the Western Waters; I have become less inclined than before, to lay the residue off into lots for the purpose of retailing them; conceiving, however advantageous it might prove in the end, my immediate purposes would not be answered thereby: while expence, trouble, and probable imposition unless a person of known integrity as well as activity could be engaged as an Agent, would be the inevitable result.

Could I dispose of the three tracts which I hold on the River Ohio (between the mouths of the little and Great Kanhawa, on the terms my lands on the latter are Let. and my other lands in the Northwestern territory, composed, on each side of the River, of three tracts, containing aggregately 9,157 Acres on the Ohio (exclusive of what is called the round bottom, of 587 acres) and 3,051 acres on the little Miami, not more than ten or a dozen miles from Cincinnati. I say, if I could get these lands off my hands on similar terms with those of the Kanhawa, my views would be completely answered. These, I shall take the liberty of mentioning to you (as it would seem you are frequently troubled with enquiries relative to my Western Lands) although I do not expect a like offer will be suggested to you in my behalf.

The four tracts of Land which I held on the Great Kanhawa, amount to 23,216 Acres: these I have leased for 30 years, at the expiration of which, by doubling the Rents, thence forward, they are engaged for 99 years more; for the first yr. (1798) the Rent is to be $5,000; for the 2d. $8,000 and thence to the

completion of the 30 years, the Rent is to be equal to the interest of eight dollars an Acre, upon the aggregate quantity of 23,216 Acres; with the priviledge at the end of Six years from the commencement of the Lease (the 1st of the present month) to purchase the fee simple at the price of two hundred thousand dollars; paid in four years, $50,000 annually.

The Rents for the first six years are secured (besides the usual mode of Distress and recovery) by a Deed of trust, for a considerable landed property; to be sold for ready money if I should be inclined to resort to it for payment thereof; and the writings are so well drawn, I believe, as to save me against every contingent that can happen, except tying my hands against any other disposition of the lands untill the inability of the Lessee to perform the Covenants of the Lease, are clearly ascertained.

The person with whom this agreement is entered into, lives in the county adjoining the Land, is perfectly well acquainted with all the land; and seems to be morally certain of stocking it with tenants (which he is authorised to do) immediately. That he is a Speculator; I need not add; but he must be a fool as well as a Speculator, if he does not see his way tolerably clear to fulfil the bargain on his part. His mind (he acknowledges) is made up for loss in the outset, but he looks forward to ample compensation in the result. His grand object is apparent to me, without any confession thereof on his part; Knowing the quality, situation, and value of the Land; he wanted, but for lack of means, was unable to become, at this time, the purchaser in fee; and therefore he agreed to pay a Rent equivalent to the interest of what would have been the purchase money, had he taken the whole quantity, viz, eight dollars pr. acre. His interest (and all his exertions now) coincide with mine to plant the land with settlers; which, admitting he should be unable to comply with the contract in all its parts, will render

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the property more valuable on account of the improvements,

to me.

I should not, my good Sir, have given you the trouble of all this detail respecting my concerns, at a time when I know your head and hands must be engaged in National matters of the utmost importance to our country, but from a consideration, if further enquiries should be made of you, of my intentions respecting the lands On the Ohio, between the Kanhawas, and of those No. Wt. of that River, that you may be enabled to say what I have done and am willing to do. For the round bottom alone an offer of eight dollars an Acre has been refused already. The quantity in this Survey, is less than in either of the others on that River, or on the Miami; but whether the quality of it is much, if any better, I am not sufficiently acquainted with them to pronounce.

If Mrs. Ross is with you in Philadelphia, I pray you to present me to her in respectful terms. And at all times be assured of the sincere esteem, and affectionate regard, etc.

*To DAVID STUART

Mount Vernon, January 22, 1798. Dear Sir: Washington leaves this today, on a visit to Hope Park, which will afford you an opportunity to examine the progress he has made in the studies he was directed to pursue.

I can, and I believe do, keep him in his room a certain portion of the 24 hours, but it will be impossible for me to make him attend to his Books, if inclination, on his part, is wanting; nor while I am out, if he chuses to be so too, is it in my power to prevent it. I will not say this is the case, nor will I run the hazard of doing him injustice by saying he does not apply, as he ought, to what has been prescribed; but no risk will be run,

and candour requires I declare it as my opinion, that he will not derive much benefit in any course which can be marked out for him at this place, without an able Preceptor always with him, nor then, for reasons, which do not require to be detailed.

What is best to be done with him, I know not. My opinion always has been that the University in Massachusetts 8° would have been the most eligable Seminary to have sent him to, 1st, because it is on a larger Scale than any other; and 2nd, because I believe that the habits of the youth there, whether from the discipline of the School. or from the greater attention of the People, generally, to morals and a more regular course of life, are less prone to dissipation and debauchery than they are at the Colleges South of it. It may be asked, if this was my opinion, why did I not send him there? the answer is as short, as to me it was weighty; being the only male of his family and knowing (although it would have been submitted to) that it would have proved a heart rending stroke to have him at that distance. I was disposed to try a nearer Seminary, of good repute; which from some cause, or combinations of causes, has not, after the experiment of a year, been found to answer the end that was contemplated. Whether to send him there now, or indeed to any other public School, is at least problematical, and to suffer him to mispend his time at this place, will be disgraceful to himself and me.

If I was to propose to him, to go to the University at Cambridge (in Massachusetts) he might, as has been usual for him on like occasions, say he would go whereever I chose to send him; but if he should go contrary to his inclination, and without a disposition to apply his time properly, an expense without any benefit would result from the measure. Knowing how much I have been disappointed, and my mind disturbed by his NO Harvard.

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conduct, he would not, I am sure, make a candid disclosure of his sentiments to me on this or any other plan I might propose for the completion of his education; for which reason I would pray that you (or perhaps Mrs. Stuart cd. succeed better than any other) would draw [mutilated] and explicit disclosure [mutilated] wishes and views are: for if they are absolutely fixed, an attempt to counteract them by absolute controul would be as idle as the endeavour to stop a rivulet that is constantly running. Its progress while mound upon mound is erected, may be arrested; but this must have an end, and everything would be swept with the torrent.

The more I think of his entering at William and Mary, (unless he could be placed in the Bishop's family) the more doubtful I am of its utility, on many accounts; which had better be the subject of oral communications than by letter. I shall wish to hear from you on the subject of this letter. On occasion of severe reprimand, I found it necessary to give Washington sometime ago, I received the enclosed from him. I have little doubt of his meaning well, but he has not resolution, or exertion enough to act well. Our best wishes attend Mrs. Stuart and the family, I am, etc.1

*To THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY

Mount Vernon, January 22, 1798. Dear Sir: Your letter of the 12th. instant enclosing one from Mr. Ross, and the Treasurers draught on Colo. Fitzgerald for $1,961.30, came duly to hand; and for your kindness in thus

From a photostat of the original through the kindness of W. S. and Cornelia Johns Grice, of Norfolk, Va.

In the Washington Papers, under date of Jan. 24, 1798, is a letter of thanks from the Rev. James Muir, William Herbert, Samuel Craig, and John Dundas, of Alexandria, Va., and indorsed by Washington: "A Comee. for Distributing donatn. to the Poor." Accompanying this is a list of the names and the amounts distributed.