1798] A MILLER 243 My present one stands engaged to the middle of August only, and it is not probable the agreement will continue longer; because, altho' he is a pretty good Miller, and I have no charge against his honesty, he is far from being an active and industrious man; and because he is endeavouring to raise his wages, which the work of the Mill will not enable me to do. His present lay is $166 2/3 dollars pr. annum and provision of Meat, Bread and Fish found him in sufficient quantities, and by specification, to prevent dispute. He has a Cow allowed him for Milk, and wood without restriction, laid at his door. His house, Garden and other conveniences you will recollect are adequate to a man in his line; and a Coopers shop at hand. and a considerable distillery at the ... but this is not mentioned by way of inducement... just commenced work. 46 With this information, if, on the term before mentioned you could recommend a character that you conceive would suit me, it would be doing me a kindness. A married man with a small family would be preferred; and it would be needless to observe, to you, how essential honesty, sobriety and industry are in the person employed. It is not my wish that a Miller should be absolutely engaged ... until the middle of August; but I am desirous of knowing and as soon as enquiry can be made, if a good one could be had, on what terms, and whether he would be able to be here by the time above stated. This letter will go ... Colo. Clemt. Biddle. of Phila. of whom I have requested to converse with you on the subject matter there of... I am etc. *To HUGH WEST Mount Vernon, April 11, 1798. Sir: In reply to your letter of this date, I inform you that when I left the Chair of Government, I resolved not to intermeddle "The press copy was poorly made. Words indicated by leaders [...] are illegible. in any appointments which should take place by vacancies, in Offices, thereafter. From this determination I have not departed in any instance, although sollicited for recommendations in an hundred. If the certificate of your good behaviour (while you wrote in my Office in Philadelphia) would avail any thing, you have my free permission to use it; and wishing you success in your application for the Office lately occupied by Mr. Vincent Gray,* and well in every other respect. I remain with esteem, etc.48 *To PATRICK O'FLYNN 49 47 Mount Vernon, April 15, 1798. Sir: About the middle of August, the term of my present Miller will expire, and it is not probable the agreement will be renewed; first, because he wants to have his wages raised, next because the work of the Mill will not afford it; and lastly, because though a good Miller, he is far from being an industri ous man. The wages, and allowances I now give, and am willing to continue, are $166 2/3 pr Ann: flour, Meat, fish, &c. ample; but the quantity of each to be specified, to prevent disputes. A Cow to afford Milk, and wood sufficient, to be laid at his door; A house (and Garden adjoining) close by the Mill, and a Coopers shop at a convenient distance from it, all adequate to the wants of a person in that line. Knowing that no place is more likely to furnish a good Miller than Brandywine, and that you must be acquainted with the Millers there on whose recommendation of one you could "Surveyor for the district of Alexandria, Va., and inspector of the revenue for the port of same. 48 From a photostat of the original kindly furnished by the Department of State. "Of Wilmington, Del. 49 1798] A MILLER 245 depend, I give you the trouble of receiving this letter, praying you to make the enquiry, and to inform me of the result. You will perceive, that I have no call for a Miller until the middle of August; of course no engagement is to be entered into until you hear from me again; but it is essential I should be informed (and soon after the result of your enqueries are known) whether a good Miller, who can be recommended for his honesty sobriety and industry could be had; whether one would engage to be here by the middle of August, and on the terms before mentioned. My Mill stands at the head of a Creek about nine miles below Alexandria, and is accessable by Boats; the Packets therefore, which ply between that place and Philadelphia pass within view of it; and afford a ready, easy and cheap conveyance for Passengers between the two. I should prefer a married man with a small family to a single person. I hope your family are well. I am etc. TO GEORGE WASHINGTON PARKE CUSTIS Mount Vernon, April 15, 1798. Dear Washington: Your letter of the 2d instant come duly to hand, and gave us pleasure (as you may naturally conceive from our solicitude for your well-doing) at hearing that you had got over a short indisposition; was happy in your present situation; and going on well in your studies. Prosecute these with diligence and ardor, and you will, sometime hence, be more sensible than now of the rich harvest you will gather from them. It gave us pleasure, also, to hear that you are kindly treated by the families in Annapolis. Endeavor by a prudent, modest, and discreet conduct, to merit a continuance of it, but do not suffer attentions of this sort to withdraw you from your primary pursuits. 50 Young Mr. C came here about fortnight ago to dinner, and left us next morning after breakfast. If his object was such as you say has been reported, it was not declared here; and therefore, the less said upon the subject, particularly by your sister's friends, the more prudent it will be until the subject develops itself more. The family at this place are much as usual; your sister Peter, and her children are here, and Mr. Peter occasionaly so. Dr. Stuart is also here at present, and informs us that your mother and the family (one of your sisters excepted) are very well. Mr. Law has been here, and leaving Mrs. Law at Baltimore, went back for her, and is not returned that we have heard of. This is all the domestic news which occurs to me; and, therefore, with every good wish of those I have enumerated, and particularly the blessings of your grandmamma, I remain etc.51 Mount Vernon, April 15, 1798. Sir: For your kindness in forwarding a copy of the dispatches from our Envoys in France to the Government here, I pray you to accept my best thanks. What a scene of corruption and profligacy has these Communications disclosed in the Directors of a People with whom the United States have endeavoured to Treat upon fair, just and honorable ground! If they should be attended with the effect of "Speedily uniting our fellow-Citizens in a firm determination to support our From the printed text in Custis's Recollections of Washington. 1798] A THRESHING MACHINE 247 Government, and preserve our Independence" as you seem to expect, it wd. indeed be cause for much congratulation and no one would rejoice more at such an event than I should;—But— I wish it may be so. With esteem etc. *To WILLIAM BOOKER Mount Vernon, April 15, 1798. Sir: I am sorry to inform you that, the Machine you erected for me at the Union farm has by no means answered your expectation, or mine. You will recollect, that in its first performance; under your own direction, the execution in the course of the day fell short of 50 bushls., it has been growing worse, until I was obliged to disuse it, not being able to get out 25 bushls. in the day; and before 500 bushls. were got out, it had expended two bands which cost between eight and £10. I do not give you these details by way of complaint: other motives have induced them. Ist, a late Advertisement of yours, by which it appears that new, and important discoveries, or improvements have been made; 2d, a wish to erect another, but discouraged by the operation of the last; and 3d, (which more immediately affects yourself) from the unfavorable impression the failure has made upon those who, in these parts, were desirous of adopting them for the purpose of getting out their grain and came to see mine work. I should be glad to hear from you on this subject as soon as convenient, and am etc. *To FERDINAND FEVOT Sir: The Mount Vernon, April 15, 1798. which you were pleased to transmit to me papers from Baltimore are, agreeably to your request, returned. |