1797] NEED OF A SECRETARY 3 shall expect no Services from you for which pecuniary compensation will be made. I have already as many on wages as are sufficient to carry on my business, and more indeed than I can find means to pay, conveniently. As both your aunt and I are in the decline of life, and regular in our habits, especially in our hours of rising and going to bed, I require some person (fit and Proper) to ease me of the trouble of entertaining company; particularly of nights, as it is my inclination to retire (and unless prevented by very particular company, always do retire) either to bed, or to my study, soon after candle-light. In taking these duties (which hospitality obliges one to bestow on company) off my hands, it would render me a very acceptable service, and for a little time only, to come, an hour in the day, now and then, devoted to the recording of some Papers which time would not allow me to complete before I left Philadelphia, would also be acceptable. Besides there is nothing at present, that would require any portion of your time, or attention; both of which, if you have inclination for it, might be devoted to Reading, as I have a great many instructive Books, on many subjects, as well as amusing ones, &c. &c &c Your Aunt unites with me in best regards for you, and I am your sincere friend and Affectionate Uncle." *To SIR EDWARD NEWENHAM Mount Vernon, August 6, 1797. Dear Sir: I am so much your debtor in the epistolary way, that it would upbraid me too severely was I to go into a particular acknowledgment of the receipt of all the letters with which you have honoured me in the course of the last two or three years: and avoiding this accustomed mode, I scarcely 'From the printed text in a sales catalogue, 1890. know how to begin my letter to you, or what apology to make for so long a silence.. As honesty however (in every transaction of life) is in my estimation, the best policy, I shall frankly declare to you, that soon after I entered upon the duties of my late station, I found that the multiplicity thereof allowed no leisure for the indulgence of private correspondencies; and having made it an invariable rule through life, to discharge every trust I engaged in, in behalf of the public, to the utmost of my judgment and abilities, I did not hesitate long in determining to relinquish the latter. I supposed, too, that when I should quit the arduous duties attached to the Presidency of this Country and return to the walks of private life, that I should have found abundant leizure to discharge all my epistolary obligations; but here also I have, hitherto, been disappointed; for my long absence from home (except in short occasional visits, which allowed no opportunities to look into the state of my personal concerns, and buildings) has so deranged matters which related thereto, and has committed such depredations thereon, as, at no period have I found closer employment than in the last five months I have been at home, to repair the damages: and this will continue to be the case for sometime to come. I am now seated in the shade of my own Vine and Fig tree, and shall devote the remainder of a life, nearly worn out to such Agricultural and rural amusements as will afford employment for myself, and cannot, or ought not, to give offence to any one; offering while I am on this Theatre, my sincere vows that the ravages of war, and the turbulance of passions; may yield their sceptors to Peace and tranquillity, that the world may enjoy repose. Having withdrawn myself from the scenes of political life, Politics will not be the theme for my letters; and having little 1797] A BLOODED CALF 5 to relate from the humbler, and placid walks into which I am now entered, that would be interesting or amusing to a person who is engaged in important matters, I shall only add that I have the honor etc. *To ARCHIBALD MCLEAN Mount Vernon, [August] 7, 1797. Sir: I know nothing of the Bond of which you speak, in your letter of the 4th instant. If any such is in my possession unsettled (which by the bye) I do [illegible], it must, by frequent shiftings and removals, have got so out of place as to render it impracticable for me to find; as there is no such bond where it ought to be, if I had it. By my books, I find the account of Mr Jas Kirk thus stated. To bale. of yr. acct. on my Mill Book £58.7.104 Cr. Settled by the Assignmt. of a Bond of Magee's 58.7.104 So far as my memory serves me, the Bond was inadequate to discharge the above bale. with the interest due thereon; but as it was with difficulty I could get any thing, and this was likely to be the whole, it was taken and recd. in discharge, and the Bond given up; for the name of Magee is not to be found in my Book of A/c. I am etc. *To NATHANIEL RAMSEY [N. Y.P.L.] Mount Vernon, August 11, 1797. Dear Sir: Your favours of the 20th. Ulto. and 7th. instant have both been received; the last yesterday. If nothing happens to prevent it, I will dispatch a light Cart (not being disposed to lead the Calf the whole distance this warm weather) for Mr. Lloyds present; and two or three sheep Misdated by Washington, July. from Mr. Gough, if he has of the sort I want, to dispose of. The Cart will leave this on Monday, and probably be at Baltimore on Tuesday. In the meantime, if you should perchance see Mr. Gough, you would do me a favour to ask if he has [any] of the Cape sheep to dispose of, that he would recommend for breeding from, the broad tail Sheep is the kind I want. If he has, a ram, and one or two ewe Lambs of his best I would take, at his own price. If he has none, my Cart would have no occasion to proceed there. For your kind attention to my late request I pray you to accept my thanks, and with great esteem etc. *To HENRY DORSEY GOUGH [N. Y.P.L.] Mount Vernon, August 13, 1797. Sir: Having occasion to send a light carriage to Baltimore, I have directed the person (Mr. Jno. Anderson son of my Manager) who has charge of it, to call upon you and get a ram, and two ewe lambs of the Cape (broad tail) Sheep, if you have any to dispose of, and such as you would recommend for breeding. I want them on account of the Mutton, and if the Ram was of the size and age to serve a score or more ewes this season, it would be desirable. If Mr. Anderson succeeds in his application for these sheep, the cost of them shall be paid to your order on demand. I am etc. *To NATHANIEL RAMSEY [N.Y.P.L.] Mount Vernon, August 13, 1797. Dear Sir: The bearer, Mr. Jno. Anderson, son of my Manager (with a light carriage) is sent for the calf from the Eastern 1797] THANKS FOR SERMONS 7 shore, and the sheep mentioned in my last, if Mr. Gough has them to spare. If you have not seen that Gentleman, and learnt that Andersons going to him would be fruitless, he is directed to proceed with the letter of which he is possessed, for Mr. Gough. I would thank you for causing the enclosed advertisement* to be inserted three times with the interval of a week between each, the expence of which I will pay the Printer as soon as it is made known to me. Mrs. Washington is greatly distressed and fatigued from the want of such a character as I am inviting. Does the Baltimore Telegraph come under the description of a Democratic Paper? or what is its character and reputation? With great esteem, etc. *To REVEREND ZECHARIAH LEWIS [N. Y.P.L.] 5 Mount Vernon, August 14, 1797. Sir: Your favor of the 17th. Ulto came safe, but a good while after date. For the Sermons you had the goodness to send me I pray you to accept my thanks. The doctrine in them is sound, and does credit to the Author. It does, indeed, give me pleasure to have such Sentiments as Mr. Custis has expressed to you, transmitted to me; and it would render him and all his friends an acceptable Service if in your letters to him you would endeavor to stimulate his pride, to impress upon his mind the advantages to be derived from education, and the wishes of his friends that he may turn "This advertisement for a competent housekeeper at $150 per annum, or in place of a housekeeper a house steward to act as a butler, was first published in the Federal Gazette and Baltimore Advertiser of Aug. 17, 1797. "He was a tutor at Yale College, New Haven, Conn |