the experience and knowledge of preceptors that youth is to be advantageously instructed. If the latter are to mark out their own course, there would be little or no occasion for the former, and what would be the consequence it is not difficult to predict. One or other of the family will expect to receive a letter from you once a fortnight, that we may know how you are in health; in addition to which, I shall expect to hear how you are progressing in your studies, as time advanes. All here join in best wishes for you, among whom, your sister Peter is of the number; and you may be assured of the friendship of your affectionate etc.1 *To CLEMENT BIDDLE Mount Vernon, March 19, 1798. Dear Sir: Your letter of the 11th instant has been received; and I shall depend upon receiving samples of the Oznabrigs and Ticklenbirgs, with the prices annexed, so soon as you are enabled to give them; as I can not much longer delay purchasing the quantity I want, and am now making partial purchases to supply immediate calls, and not on good terms. By the first regular Packett from Philadelphia I shall expect to receive the Groceries, the Table Ornaments, and the Encyclopedia: Let the latter be accompanied by Mr. Dobsons acct. of cost; and say what sum will be necessary, in addition to any balance which I may have in your hands, after paying for such articles as have been ordered and which I am about to request; and the money shall be immediately remitted. 15 In consequence of the opinion given by you of Mr. Savages Print 16 (presuming it is his you allude to) I pray you to request "From the printed text in Custis's Recollections of Washington. 15 Edward Savage. 16 Probably the prints from Savage's first portrait of Washington, which was painted in 1789 for Harvard University. 1798] WASHINGTON CITY MATTERS 189 him to chuse four for me; and have them put into handsome, but not costly, gilt frames, with glasses (supposing them to be of a size to admit glasses) and send three of them to me; the other, Mrs. Washington (I believe) is under promise of presenting to Mrs. Green (now Mrs. Miller)." This is the additional expence alluded to in the last Paragraph; and which I request may be paid as soon as presented to you. I am very sorry to hear of the Capture of the Ship New Jersey. Where, or how, or when, these violations will end, is not for me to say. With esteem etc. *TO ALEXANDER WHITE Mount Vernon, March 25, 1798. Dear Sir: Your favors of the 10th and 14th Instant have been duly received, and for the information contained therein I feel grateful. Rarely going from home, I have nothing in the way of News to offer you in return. It has always been my opinion, and so I have expressed it, that the Proprietors of the City of Washington (with some exceptions) are, by their jealousies, and the modes they pursue to promote their local interests, amongst its worst enemies. But if your present exertion to obtain a loan from Congress should succeed, of wch the prospect seems good, all doubts respecting the intentions of that Body, towards the permanent establishment of the Government, at that place, will be removed; Confidence will take place in every mind; and the Public buildings will be accompanied by private ones for the accommodation of its Members. My wishes, and my labours have always tended to the accomplishment of these points; the 17 first is all I have left, to offer, and these shall be fervent. The principle which operated for fixing the sites for the two principal buildings, were well understood, and found necessary at the time to obtain the primary object; ie the ground, and means for either purpose: but it is always easy from an ignorant or partial view of a measure, to distort and place it in an unfavourable attitude. Nothing short of insanity can remove Congress from the Building intended for its sittings, to any other part of the City in the present progress of the Work. Where, or how the houses for the President and other public officers may be fixed, is, to me, as an individual, a matter of Moon-shine; but the reverse of the Presidents reason for placing the latter near the Capitol, was my motive for fixing them by the former. The daily intercourse which the Secretaries of the Departments must have, with the President, would render a distant situation extremely inconvenient to them; and not much less so would one be close to the Capitol; for it was the universal complaint of them all that while the Legislature was in Session they could do little or no business; so much were they interrupted by the individual visits of Members (in office hours) and by calls for Papers. Many of them have declared to me that they have been obliged, often, to go home and deny themselves, in order to transact the current business. No person will congratulate you more sincerely than I shall, on the final success of your mission, if it answers yr. expectations; nor is there any one, who reprobates more than I do improper interferences of all sorts. As your perseverance, however, is likely to be accepted, and as this will open a view which promises a pleasing prospect, I hope you will suffer no difficulties, or differences, to divert you from your course; and that you will not quit the business until you see the Legislature seated in the Capitol of the United States. 1798] ... A POLITICAL RUMOR 191 The last Message from the President to the Houses of Congress has brought matters to an Issue, and how it will...18 to repeat with names,... could be fixed... that some Members of Congress. been selected... correspondence, with the Directory of France and among other matters... advising that; or be received under ... continued... If that report be true "What ...would be too great... beast... owe their greatness to their Country .... The conversation related in your last, will never be repeated by me nor any thing else which is related in confidence. With very great esteem etc." 19 *To THE SECRETARY OF WAR Dear Sir: Your favour of Mount Vernon, March 27, 1798. came safe, and in due time; for the information contained in it I thank you; your request was immediately complied with, as every one of a similar nature shall be. A Report is circulated in Alexandria and its vicinity, transmitted, (it is said) in private letters from Philadelphia, that a correspondence has been discovered, or more properly, letters have been intercepted from some M—rs of C—g- -ss to the D-ct-y of F, of a treasonable nature. Containing, among other matters, advice not to receive our Envoys; on the contrary, to menace us with hostile appearances, and they might rely upon bringing the U. States to her feet. The name of one person has been mentioned to me. Cruel must these reports be, if unfounded; and if well founded, what punishment can be too great for the Actors in 18 The press copy is badly mutilated. The words indicated by leaders [ ... ] are illegible. The "Letter Book" copy in the Washington Papers ends with the word "Issue." 19 From District of Columbia Letters and Papers in the Library of Congress. so diabolical a Drama. The period is big with events, but what it will produce is beyond the reach of human ken. On this, as upon all other occasions, I hope the best. It has always been my belief that Providence has not led us so far in the path of Independence of one Nation, to throw us into the Arms of another. And that the machinations of those, who are attempting it, will sooner or later recoil upon their own heads. Heaven grant it may soon happen upon all those, whose conduct deserve it. With truth I am etc. *To MILES SMITH Mount Vernon, March 27, 1798. Sir: A few days ago I was favored with the receipt of a letter from William Strickland Esqr. of York in England; which, as it was introductory of you, to me, I presume it must have passed through your hands. It would have afforded me much pleasure if you had been the bearer of that letter; and if at any time, business or inclination should induce you to make a tour in this State (Virginia) I should be much gratified in seeing you at this retreat. and in conversing with you on the principles and practice of Husbandry, notwithstanding my thread is nearly spun, and my wish is to Lease out my Farms (containing from five hundred to 1200 Acres of Ploughable ground) before it is broken. I live within eight or nine miles (by land and water) of Alexandria. I am etc. *To THOMAS MARSHALL Mount Vernon, March 30, 1798. Dear Sir: General Spotswood, in my behalf, has requested Mr. Short to purchase a small piece of land (from a Mr. Hite) |