accomodating me with the Order, in lieu of the like sum received from Mr. Ross on my account, I feel much obliged.

In the enclosed letter which I have taken the liberty of putting under cover to you (that I may be certain of its having been presented to Mr. Ross, as there is a Bond to a pretty considerable amount therein) contains a receipt for the money which had been paid him for my use by Colo. Shreve.

It is somewhat singular that the Government should have received no advices from our Envoys at Paris since their arrival there, about the 20th. of September, when accounts are detailed from thence as late as the middle of November. It is as necessary sometimes to be acquainted with the worst, as to know the best that can happen in matters of moment; and where facts cannot be narrated, to substitute conjecture; declaring it to be such. I cannot, even under the unpleasant aspect of things, believe the French Government mean to enter into a War with this Country; but I can, satisfactorily to my own mind, account for Its proceeding the length it has. I may be mistaken however. It is intoxicated with success, and when that is the case, nothing is too absurd, or unjust to be encountered.

Mr. Monroe, I am told, appears in voluminous work! 82 What is said of it? A writer under the signature of Scipio, will, I conceive, work him pretty well. Who is Scipio? I am fishing for no secrets, but if the Author is known, or conjectured, on good ground, I should like to know who he is. From whence proceeds the apparent harmony, perhaps it would be more correct to say calm, in Congress? is it for want of matter to ferment the passions, or because a change of sentiment (wch. I cannot flatter myself is the case) has taken place in the minds of the opposition members?

82 See remarks on Monroe's View of the Conduct of the Executive of the United States, March, 1798.

83 Alexander Hamilton.

1798]

84

A NON-PAYMENT

139

I asked your opinion, (on a small bit of paper, enclosed in my last) with respect to a particular character, whose name was then mentioned; but no answer was given in your last. If your silence proceeds from an unwillingness to touch on the subject, I drop it. If because it did not appear before you at the time of writing, and was forgot, I renew it.85 At all times, you will find me your sincere friend and Affectionate Servant.

P. S. Mrs. Washington and Nelly Custis unite with me in every good wish for Mrs. Wolcott.

*To HENRY LEE

[C. H.S.]

Mount Vernon, January 25, 1798.

Dear Sir: The period for payment of the second Instalment of your Bond is past, and the first Instalment is only partially complied with. Mr. Simms note, endorsed by you for $1000, is protested at the Bank, where it was deposited for collection.

It, Cannot be more unpleasant for you to hear, than for me to remind you of these things, but it is necessary for me to do so, and to express a hope that some vigorous measures are in train to fulfil your engagement with me. My own want requires it. For depending upon this fund, and induced thereto by my manager's statement of the utility of the measure, I have encountered a considerable expence in building a large Distillery (at my Mill) providing Stills, &ca. &ca.; and shall be unable to carry it on without cash to purchase the Grain that is requisite for this purpose. Let me entreat you to believe, that

"Of Dec. 17, 1797, q. v.

Wolcott replied (January 30), in which he wrote that he felt "much chagrin that I did not reply to your private Note: the fact is, that I destroyed it, after perusal and forgot the contents at the time I wrote: Mr. Biddles credit is as good as it has ever been; the misfortunes of the times have rendered his business more profitable than usual: he is understood to possess a handsome property." Wolcott's letter is in the Washington Papers.

at the time I entered into the contract with you for the property I held in the Dismal Swamp, I had no conception of such disappointments, and that it is a mode of dealing to which I am not accustomed.

If the purchase money for it, is to be paid in small driblets, instead of annual Instalments, the value of it will, in a manner, be lost to me: Yet as I must purchase Corn and Rye, or let my Distillery (now it is erected) stand idle, I will receive of either, and allow the Cash price for what you will deliver my landing, Or, if you think this is too indefinite, I will give the price pr. Barrel or Bushel that Mr. Burwell Bassett purchases for me at, being authorised to send me up a Vessel load. In short I am disposed to accomodate you in any reasonable manner I can, although nothing would answer my purposes like money, as the business would then be wholly in my own hands, and I should know my ground.

If you are able, and are inclined to furnish me with Corn, or Rye, or both, say with precision what quantity, and certainty by what time. And I pray you not to deceive me by erroneous calculations, either as to the quantity or time of delivery. If you have neither for sale, I beg to be informed thereof as soon as possible, as I must be supplied in some manner or another. With great regard etc.

*To ROBERT LEWIS

Mount Vernon, January 26, 1798. Dear Sir: The return of your brother Howel, affords me a direct and safe opportunity of enquiring whether any, and if any, what money you have of mine in your hands? What are your prospects of collecting the past years Rents, seasonably, and when I may look for the receipt of them?

1798]

RENTAL MATTERS

141

I have been induced, by the experience and advice of my Manager, Mr. Anderson, to erect a large Distillery at my Mill; and have supplied it with five Stills, Boilers &ca. which, with the (Stone) House, has cost me a considerable Sum already, but I find these expenditures are but a small part of the advances I must make before I shall receive any return for them, having all my Grain yet to buy to carry on the business. To accomplish this, all my resources are needed, and I beg you to exert yourself in the collection of my Rents, and that you would let me know, upon the best data you can form an opinion, what dependence I may place on you; not only as to the amount of the sum, but also as to the period of its payment, that I may regulate matters accordingly.

As a Rental, according to former Instructions, should be annually exhibited, in order to show, not only what has been received, but the arrearages, if any at the sametime, in one view, that by a referrence thereto I can always see the state and condition of each tenement. I must now add, as a further Instruction, that all casualties, such as the exchanging of Tenants, Increase, or decrease of Rents, etc. etc., may be specifically noted at the foot of the Rental; Which is considered always as a kind of Record of the Collectors proceedings. Columns in which, for the size of the tenements, Sums paid, and the arrearages due, you know are necessary.

Mrs. W. and Nelly Custis unites in best wishes with Your etc.

*To WINTHROP SARGENT 86

Mount Vernon, January 27, 1798.

Dear Sir: A few days since a Mr. Josh. Massey said to be a Surveyor of the North Western Territory passed through

Secretary of the Northwest Territory.

Alexandria on his way to Philadelphia, and there said to a Gentleman, without assigning reasons or having them asked, that I should lose my lands on the little Miami in that Country.

Never having heard of any claim to it, or being able to conjecture on what ground it can be jeopardised, I take the liberty of troubling you with this address: requesting the favour of you as the land lyes in the vicinity of Cincinnati, to make enquiry into the matter and to inform me of the result.

I hold 3,051 acres in three seperate tracts, under a Military claim. the first containing 839 Acres was surveyed the 28th of Decr 1787. and lies within a mile of the River Ohio. the second is about seven miles up the little Miami and contains by the Survey thereof, made the 26th of May 1788 Nine hundred and 77 Acres, and the third about three miles higher up the Miami was Surveyed the day following i e. the 27th of May for 1235 Acres: And letters Patent were granted by the Commonwealth of Virginia under the hand and Seal of the then Governor, Beverly Randolph for the same bearing date all the first day of Decr. 1780. The number of the Warrants and on what occasion granted was recited in the Deeds: but I presume for the mere purpose of an enquiry it is unnecessary to be more particular at present, until I learn upon what ground my right is assailed, or at what tribunal I am to defend that Right; for until the Report (as coming from Massey) was made to me, I had no suspicion of being disturbed in the property.

Under persuasion that you will oblige me in this request, I shall make no apology for giving you the trouble to make the enquiry. but will pray for your Answer as soon as convenient. With great esteem etc.87

"The press copy is badly faded and the text of this letter is checked by the "Letter Book" copy.