Washington heads this: "The following, as far as my recollection serves, are among the most intelligent and active Officers of the late American Army."

There may be among the foregoing some of bad political principles. and others whose true characters I have mistaken and the whole of them requiring to be investigated.*

1798]

OFFICER APPOINTMENTS

335

ANSWERS TO QUERIES OF THE

SECRETARY OF WAR

[Mount Vernon] July 14, 1798.

Ist. If the bill pending in Congress to augment the present force of the United States should pass into a law, it becomes the duty of the President to carry that law into execution promptly; of course all such officers as are necessary for the purpose of recruiting, Inspecting the Recruits, superintending their discipline &ca. at the several places of Rendezvous must be appointed without delay. The necessity of appointing the higher Grades is not so urgent; but, in my opinion the sooner they are also fixed on, and their acceptance known, the better. Not however to be called out, nor to receive pay and emoluments of Office until their services are required, which circumstances must decide.

2d. It would be inexpedient, I conceive, to appoint, but very proper to fix upon the General and Field Officers (Colonels Commandant at least) for the Provisional Army, without much delay; and know whether they would accept the appointments that are announced to them. To proceed further might excite alarm and give rise to remarks which would be more than a counterpoise to the facility intended to be answered by it.

3d. If two things could be combined, and the evidence thereof pretty well ascertained, the measure would certainly be advantageous. These are, that the Field Officers should be composed of proper and fit men, and acceptable to the Companies. But if both cannot be attained, the first is most important and ought to be preferred.

"In the writing of Tobias Lear.

[N. Y.P.L.]

The queries submitted by McHenry, which are sufficiently indicated by Washing. ton's answers, are also in Lear's writing in the New York Public Library. A photostat

*To THOMAS PETER

Mount Vernon, July 15, 1798.

Dear Sir: In discharge of Rent, for some land I have in Charles County, State of Maryland I have received the Tobacco, noted below.

If it will sell in George Town for its worth, I would thank you to dispose of it along with that last sent you, on the best terms you can, and it will much oblige Dear Sir Your etc.

Sir: I have received your letter of the 9th in reply to the answer I gave you, relative to the proposed exchange of property in Alexandria, for my small tract of Land on the Ohio, generally known and distinguished by the round bottom.

You undoubtedly, have a right to fix your own price, upon your own property. but to prevent trouble, I beg leave to inform you, in decisive terms, that I will allow no more than what disinterested men (each of us chusing one, and a third, in case of disagreement, by those two) shall say it is worth.

Doctr. Craik has forgot the situation of my land. It is on the hither side of the Ohio, about 15 Miles from Wheeling and if I mistake not, in the same County. It is, without question (and

of them is also in the Library of Congress. A copy of the queries and Washington's answer was hastily made by McHenry (July 14), and left with Washington. It is in the Washington Papers.

1798]

A DELAYED RENT

337

allowed to be) the most valuable tract for its size in that Country and it is a matter of perfect indifference to me, whether I dispose of it for ten dollars an Acre, or not, two, or more years ago I refused eight dollars an acre and at this moment I have letters (unanswered on my Table) from four persons in pursuit of the tracts, some to buy, and others to Lease it.

That land within eight miles of Pittsburgh is to be bought for 20/. an Acre, I have no doubt; and if you had said for half that sum, it would have met with my entire belief; and yet the bargain might have been a hard one. I sold land 40 miles from it to Colo. Shreve for about 50/. an acre, and what followed? Why he kept as much as he wanted and sold the residue for upwards of four pounds an Acre, almost in the same breath. The value of land is estimated for the quality and local advantages; not by the cost. I am etc.

PS. Mr. Anderson my Manager, will look at your property in Alexa. and report any thing that you are disposed to say to G. W.

*To DANIEL OF ST. THOMAS JENIFER

Mount Vernon, July 15, 1798. Dear Sir: Your favour of the 6th, enclosing notes for two hogsheads of Tobo. paid you by Mr. Dunnington on a/c of Rent due me, has been received; and a receipt given to him for the same.

For your continued trouble in this business, I thank you; and although I am in real want of the amount of the Bond he gave, payable last January; yet, if he will exert himself to discharge it in the course of the year I shall [not object to?] waiting that time to [enter] a suit for the recovery of it as you conceive he means fair; otherwise it would be only gaining on his, and loosing time on my part.