restored, or annulled, according to the Presidents determination to accept, or reject, the terms on which I had offered to serve; and that, but for your assuring me, it would make no difference whether I retained or returned it, and conceiving that the latter might be considered as an evidence of distrust it would have been done. Subsequent events, evince that it would have been a measure of utility; for though the case in principle is the same, yet such a memento of the fact could not so easily have been forgotten or got over.

After the declaration in the Presidents letter to you, of Augt. 29th." (which is also accompanied with other sentiments of an alarming nature) and his avowed readiness to take the responsibility of the measure upon himself, it is not probable that there will be any departure from the resolution he has adopted; but I should be glad, notwithstanding, to know the result of the Representation made by the Secretaries," as soon as it comes to hand. And, if there is no impropriety in the request, to be gratified with a sight of the Memorial also. I am &c.

Printed in Charles Francis Adams's edition of Adams's Works as follows: "My opinion is and has always been clear, that as the law now stands, the order of the nomination or of recording has no weight or effect, but that officers appointed on the same day, in whatever order, have a right to rank according to antecedent services. I made the nomination according to the list presented to me by you, from General Washington, in hopes that rank might be settled among them by agreement or acquiescence, believing at the time, and expressing to you that belief, that the nomination and appointment would give Hamilton no command at all, nor any rank before any Major-General. This is my opinion still. I am willing to settle all decisively at present (and have no fear of the consequences) by dating the commissions, Knox on the first day, Pinckney on the second, and Hamilton on the third. If this course is not taken, and the commissions are all made out on the same day, I tell you my opinion is clear that Hamilton will rank after Hand, and, I fear, even after Lee ... the order of the names in the nomination and record was of no consequence. . . . The power and authority are in the President. I am willing... to be responsible for the exercise of it. All difficulties will in this way be avoided. But if it is to be referred to General Washington, or to mutual and amicable accommodation among the gentlemen themselves I forsee it will come to me at last after much altercation and exasperation of passions, and I shall then determine it exactly as I should now, Knox Pinckney and Hamilton. There has been too much intrigue in this business both with General Washington and me; if I shall ultimately be the dupe of it, I am much mistaken in myself."

"The representation was made by Wolcott alone to the President.

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449

P. S. If you see no impropriety in the measure, and do not object to it, it would be satisfactory to me to receive a copy of the Powers, or Instructions from the President under which you acted when here.

To JOHN MCDOWELL

Mount Vernon, September 16, 1798.

Sir: The enclosed was written at the time of its date, and, with Mr. Custis, I expected would have left this the next morning for St. John's college; but although he professed his readiness to do whatever was required of him, his unwillingness to return was too apparent to afford any hope that good would result from it in the prosecution of his studies. And, therefore, as I have now a gentleman living with me who has abilities adequate thereto, will have sufficient leisure to attend to it, and has promised to do so accordingly, I thought best, upon the whole, to keep him here.

He returns to Annapolis for the purpose of bringing back with him such articles as he left there, and discharging any accounts which may have remained unpaid. With great esteem etc.1

*To JOHN FRANCIS2

Mount Vernon, September 16, 1798. Sir: Your letter of yesterdays date, was received by me today. It is my intention to build two houses on an elevated lot, not far from the Capital, but not on so large a scale as you contemplate; and I certainly shall complete them in time for Congress; as I am never long in executing a measure I have once resolved on.

'From the printed text in Custis's Recollections of Washington. 'Of Philadelphia, Pa.

The ground work of my plan may be seen in the hands of Mr. White, or Doctr. Thornton; from whence you will be enabled to form an opinion yourself, of the number of Boarders they will accomodate, as there will be three flush stories in each building, besides Garret Rooms for Servants. If these buildings would suite you, there is little doubt of their being ready in time. I am etc.3

*TO ALEXANDER SPOTSWOOD

Mount Vernon, September 24, 1798. Dear Sir: As the Season is far advanced for good Overseers to be disengaged, and as you had heard nothing from Richard Rhodes at the date of your last, Septr. the 16th, and a man in your neighborhood one— Garrett, Overseer for a Mr. Fontain Murray at a place called White Plains near Fredericksburgh, has been strongly recommended to me by Mr. Batton and others, and who was willing to come to me, but informed I was supplied. Now, to avoid further delay I have desired Mr. Anderson to write to Garrett, which letter is enclosed, and left open for your perusal; to be sent to him or not, according to the Advice you may have received from Rhodes. If the latter declines coming, or requires higher wages than I mentioned in my last, in that case, you will oblige me by sending Anderson's letter to Garrett. On the other hand, if Rhodes positively accepts, on the terms mentioned, Mr. Anderson's letter may be destroyed, or returned to me: My object you will readily perceive is to be placed upon a certainty; and as soon as it can be done.

I shall depend upon your Overseer, Roger Farril, for my Mansion house concern; and Brookes Joiner, to overlook my

From a photostat of the original through the kindness of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union.

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451

Carpenters. If you have heard from the latter, since my acceding to his terms, be so good as to let me know at what time I may expect him to be here; as his services, as a Joiner, are immediately necessary. What age do you take him to be?

I thank you for the information you have been so kind as to give me respecting the characters of the officers in the Revolutionary Army; and shall do the same for your characters of the young Gentlemen who have never been in Service and are desirous of it; as it is my wish to see Corps formed of the best materials, but it wd. be useless to begin with Gentlemen under age, as I believe it is a rule at the War Office, to Commission none below that knowingly.

Believing, as I firmly do, that the opposers of Government will stick at nothing to injure it; I can readily conceive the probability of the Plan you have suggested; but I hope, and trust, they will be disappointed in that as they have been in all their other nefarious schemes.

I thank you, and the rest of the family at New Post, for your kind congratulations on my perfect recovery; and we offer ours on the safe arrival of yr. Son John, who has so often escaped the fraternal squeezes of our magnanimous friends. Our best regards are presented to you all, and I am etc.

PS. Since writing the aforegoing letter I have received your favour of the 23d. Instt. from the Post Office: but the contents thereof rendering no alteration necessary, I send it as it is, with a request, that as you have not heard from Rhodes, that you would be so good, instead of sending the letter of Mr. Anderson to Garrett, that you wd. send for the latter to come to you, and deliver it yourself, this will enable you to know Garretts determination; without which you would be ignorant, and consequently more at a loss for an answer to Rhodes, if he should come to you after Andersons letter goes to Garrett. Whereas, if

the latter accepts the offer made him by the former, the matter is finished as it respects Rhodes. On the contrary a conditional agreement with Rhodes and speedy advice thereof to me will bring the affair at once to a point with him. Yours as before.*

*To MAJOR GENERAL ALEXANDER HAMILTON (Private)

Mount Vernon, September 24, 1798.

My dear Sir: I have seen the correspondence between the President of the United States and the Secretary of War, on the subject of the relative rank of the three Major Generals first appointed. But as it was given in confidence, unaccompanied with an Official letter, I had no ground on which I could proceed, without betraying that confidence. I have therefore written for an official account of the Presidents determination," as the foundation of the representation I propose to offer him on this occasion.

Until the result of this is known I hope you will suspend a final decision, and let matters remain in Statu quo till you hear again from Your Affectionate, &c.®

*To REVEREND G. W. SNYDER'

Mount Vernon, September 25, 1798.

Sir: Many apologies are due to you, for my not acknowledging the receipt of your obliging favour of the 22d. Ulto, and for not thanking you, at an earlier period, for the Book you had the goodness to send me.

*From a photostat of the original in Cornell University Library.

"See Washington's letter to the President of the United States, Sept. 25, 1798, post. "From the Hamilton Papers in the Library of Congress.

'Of Fredericktown (now Frederick), Md.

*Proofs of a Conspiracy &c, by John Robison.