consent, and consistent with my own engagements, grant the time he asks for payment of the money due me, and which ought to have been paid weeks ago.

If my hold is not weakened by the Act, and he will give me unequivocal security (such I mean as you would be satisfied with) that the money with interest from the time it became due, and cost of protest &ca. at the Bank, shall be paid on, or before the first day of April next I will consent (although it may involve me in embarrassment) to wait until that then, for payment; beyond which I cannot extend it; and must request to be informed, and decidedly, whether he accedes to this, that my measures, if he does not, may be taken Accordingly. If he should to you as the mutual friend to both, I submit the Negociation. The former note is yet at the Bank. Mr. Sim will not forget, I trust, that his first application was for a few days only; and the forbearance has been upwards of six weeks. I stand, at this moment, engaged to pay for a quantity of Rye and Corn, and must buy more, or let my Distillery remain Idle, wch cannot, reasonably be expected. Yrs. etc.

*TO ALEXANDER MARTIN 99

Mount Vernon, February 22, 1798. Sir: The last Post brought me your favour of the 4th instant, accompanied by a Dramatic piece of Poetry. For both I thank

you.

The latter I have read with pleasure; highly applauding the motives wch gave birth to it: for lamentable, and much to be regretted indeed it is, that in a crisis like the present, when all hearts should be united and at their Post, ready to rejoice at the good, or repel the evil which await us, that nothing but inter

Senator from North Carolina.

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nal dissentions and political hostilities are to be found in the Councils of our common Country.

Although no longer an Actor on this Theatre myself, I cannot but view these things with deep concern. I have the honor etc. I do not know what Road you usually travel to and from the Seat of Government, but if it be by the way of Alexandria I should always be glad to see you at this place of my retreat.

*To DAVID STUART

Mount Vernon, February 26, 1798.

Dear Sir: When you were here last, I informed you, that from the reputation which the College at Annapolis had, I was most inclined under every view I could take of the case, to send Washington to that Seminary; and, accordingly, had requested Mr. George Calvert (who informed me that he was going to that City) to converse with the President of the College on this subject, and make other enquiries, and to acquaint me with the result.

Enclosed, I transmit his letter. It wd. have been more pleasing, and much to have been desired, to have got Washington fixed in the house with Mr. McDowall; but this it seems cannot be, for reasons assigned by that Gentleman. I think, notwithstanding, that he had best go there; as, from all accounts, there is less of that class of people which are baneful to youth, in that City, than in any other, from the nature of its composition, and strictness of its Police, according to Mr. Calverts Account. and for another reason also; seeing (as he confesses he has) what effect his misconduct has had upon his friends. Pride, when classed with other Students, will operate in addition

On February 22 Martha Washington wrote to Mrs. Robert Liston, wife of the British Minister. The draft of this, in the writing of Washington, is in the Washington Papers.

thereto, a more powerful stimulus, than it would in lonely, and solitary reading and studies, by himself.

If he was to go to Alexandria, his Studies must be conducted at the Academy, or in his own chamber. The first, after coming from a large and celebrated College, he would consider as degrading, and in the other case (being left alone) he would attend very little to them while Mr. Moffat was discharging the trust reposed in him at the Academy. To expect, after devoting the appropriate hours to his school there that he wd. apply much of the residue to Washington, is what he would not perform, strictly, was he to promise it. And besides, from the information I have been enabled to obtain, the young People (Storekeeper and clerks chiefly) are idle, dissipated and extravagant. Acquaintances with some of them would be soon formed, and the consequences not difficult to predict. From good authority I am informed that many of them spend in Taverns more than their wages amount to. The deficiency must be supplied in some way or another.

With respect to his (Washington's) remaining at this place, I am perfectly satisfied from the experience of the last few months that he has been here, that even under the constant care of a more illumined Preceptor than I am sure there is the least chance of obtaining, he would progress very little; and as the case now is, that he will forget what he does know, so inert is his mind.

He takes Alexandria in his way to Hope Park, to provide himself with such Clothes [illegible] At what time they will be ready, otherwise than by promise, must depend on the Tayler. The Suggestion of your accompanying Washington to Annapolis is contained in Mr. Calverts letter, and coincides perfectly with my ideas of the utility of the measure. If it be convenient, and agreeable to you to undertake the journey, you

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shall be informed when he is ready to commence it, or, if there could be any dependence upon the Tayler he could inform you himself. If you cannot go, I will ask Mr. Lear to do it, but this will not answer as well, in either case the expence will be mine. Mrs. Washington has a very bad cold, the rest of the family, at home, are as usual. best wishes to Mrs. Stuart and all with you. I am etc.

[N. Y.P.L.]

*To WILLIAM AUGUSTINE WASHINGTON

Mount Vernon, February 27, 1798. My dear Sir: Mr. Rice called here in his way to Alexandria, and delivered me your letter of the 15th. instant.

Of the recent afflicting event,' which was related therein, we had received previous accounts; and on that as on former occasions of a similar nature, sympathised sincerely in your sorrows. But these are the decrees of an Allwise Providence, against whose dictates the skill, or foresight of man can be of no avail; it is incumbent upon him therefore, to submit with as little repining as the sensibility of his nature will admit. This will have its course, but may be greatly ameliorated by philosophical reflection and resignation. As you have three children left, I trust they will be spared to you, and sincerely hope that in them you will find consolation and comfort.

2

Had your intimation of Mr. Ashton's wishes been announced to me about a fortnight ago, I would, gladly, have employed him in the character you have mentioned; provided his expectation of compensation had come within my means; which, in truth, are hardly able to support the heavy expences I am, in a manner, unavoidably run into, Finding it impracticable

'Ford thinks this was the death of the second wife of William Augustine Washington, who was Mary, the daughter of Richard Henry Lee.

'Burdett Ashton. He married Ann Washington, the sister of William Augustine.

to use the exercise (on horseback) which my health, business and inclination requires, and, at the sametime to keep my Accounts, and perform all the writing which my late public occupations have been the means of involving me in, I resolved to employ a Clerk (if to be had on moderate wages) and accordingly, about twelve or fourteen days ago, engaged one who writes a very good hand, and said to understand Accounts and Book keeping, at $150 a year. What would have been Mr. Ashton's expectations I know not; beyond this sum, or $200 at most, I could not have gone: and if he would have been contented therewith, and the application had been made in time, I should have received him with pleasure, in preference to the person who is to come, and who I expect here about the middle of next month, if he fulfils his promise.

The reason which you assign for giving the rudiments of education to your sons at home is a weighty and conclusive one; but much will depend upon the qualifications, and fitness of the Preceptor you employ, to render it more or less beneficial. To a certain point, tuition under the eye of Parents, or Guardians of Youth, is much to be prefered; because, the presumption is, that the propensities and passions, will be watched with more solicitude and attention by them, than by their Tutors: but when the direction of these are unfolded, and can be counteracted by the discipline of Public Schools, and the precepts of the Professors. Especially too, when the judgment is beginning to form; when pride becomes a stimulus; and the knowledge of men, as well as of Books, are to be learnt; I should give the preference to a public Seminary.

I make use of no Barley in my Distillery (the operations of which are just commenced). Rye chiefly, and Indian Corn in a certain proportion, compose the materials from which the Whiskey is made. The former I buy at 4/6 for the latter I have