With my lights, I can discover none; but, if the force is required at all, I can see very serious evils resulting from the non-appointmt. of the Battalion Officers, and consequent delay in the Recruiting Service; for reasons mentioned in a former letter, and unnecessary to be repeated in this. That Mr. Wolcott (on whom there may be more calls than he has funds conveniently to answer) is disposed to replenish the Magazines at the expence of the Recruiting Service, I do not much wonder; but if he were more experienced in the real difference, not only in point of Service but in point of expence also, between Militia or Raw Rects and discipd. Troops he would feel more for the Officer who was to conduct them and for the resources of the treasury too than he appears to do at present; for I think it is mathematically demonstrable, that ten thousand Militia (to say nothing of the incompetency of them) drawn out for short terms of Service, coming at different times, though required at one time, returning pointedly at the expiration of their term; Consumption of Provisions; waste of the Military Stores; destruction of Camp equipage of every species; and loss of Arms, will cost the public more than fifteen, I believe I might venture to say 20,000 well tutored, and permanent Troops. When Militia are called upon, you have two sets to pay, and supply at the sametime, one set are raising and Marching, to supply the place of the other set, who will be going; and both sorts of such uncertain dependence, as to baffle all calculation on their strength. If the Treasury is unable to accomplish both objects, completely, let the Magazines be less stored, and the recruiting Service progress. Soldiers are not made in a day, but the munitions of War may be contracted for in an hour: and I believe the Enemy will think the raising and training an army, a more 1798] RIFLES AND OFFICERS 479 serious operation than the replenishing of Magazines, which, at all times, ought to be well stored. Has Mr. Wolcott described the length of the Musket and Bayonet? the Calibre of the first, and shape of the latter? I again repeat, that they ought to be such as to place us on equal ground with the enemy we are to cope with. I am speaking of those he has, and is about to contract for. and I am of opinion a number of rifles ought also to be provided. They might be used to great advantage by skilful hands in a country covered with wood. You request me to express a strong sentiment to Mr. Pickering respecting clothing for the Army. What has the Secretary of State to do with the cloathing of the Army? Your letter of the 25th. of August to the Superintendant of Military Stores, has produced no effect, as yet; for no return of them is come to my hands. As no mode is yet adopted by the President, by which the Battalion Officers are to be appointed, and as I think I stand upon very precarious ground, in my relation to him, I am not over zealous in taking unauthorised steps, when those that I thought were authorised, are not likely to meet with much respect. It will naturally occur to you that to obtain information of proper characters for Officers in the two Carolinas, Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee, I must have recourse to others. If then the President should resolve upon a mode different from the one you have suggested, I shall be committed, and stand in an awkward predicament. I will however use some preliminary measures to accomplish yr. wishes, and am, &c. P. S. You have not furnished me with the letter written by you to the President from hence according to my request and your promise; nor with a copy of the Instructn. recd. from him. *To THE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTORS OF Mount Vernon, October 1, 1798. Gentlemen: Be pleased to deliver to the Honble. James Ross, or his order, the Judgment Bond of Israel Shreve to me. Deposited in the Bank of Pennsylvania for Collection, that the same may be put in suit for recovery of the Instalment due the first of June last. With respect I am etc. *To ISRAEL SHREVE Mount Vernon, October 1, 1798. Sir: I have waited four months to see if, in that time, you would discharge the Instalment of your judgment Bond, due the first of June last. and am determined to wait no longer than the proceedings in a regular course will compel me to do: for which reason I give you notice that by this days Post I have requested Mr. Ross to obtain from the Bank of Pennsylvania (where it was deposited for collection) your judgment Bond and put it in suit without further delay. I think myself extremely ill used by your Conduct in this business. You know that it was in order to raise money I sold the land. You have sold a part at nearly the double of what you was to have given me; and yet I have been trifled by you more than by any person I have had to deal with. My own want of money, to fulfil engagements, is such that I inform you before hand, that any application for further indulgence will be unavailing, and need not be attempted. And further, that henceforward, if the Instalments are not paid at the times they become due, the bond will be enforced without any questions being asked. I am etc. 1798] CORN CONTRACT 481 *To WILLIAM AUGUSTINE WASHINGTON Mount Vernon, October 3, 1798. My dear Sir: Your letter of the 27th. of July has remained unacknowledged 'till now, that I embrace the opportunity afforded by General Lee's return, to do it. To a person not in the habit of sending regularly to the Post Office, nearest to them, it is almost useless to write by the Mail; and with very few exceptions, addressing letters by private hands, is almost as bad, very few people paying much attention to them; which, with the shifting of hands, rubbing in the Pocket, and sometimes idle curiosity to know the contents, are great lets to a safe conveyance, in that way. With respect to the proposed contract for Corn, as my primary object is to be certain of getting it, I will agree to divide the freight from your landing to mine (at this place) equally with you; although it would make the Corn come all the higher to me; as neither land, or water transportation, would be more to my Mill (where it will be chiefly wanted) than it would be to the Warehouses, or Wharves in Alexandria. March being a windy month, often cold and disagreeable, about the middle of April would be better, and I would agree to receive it at that time. If with these alterations, from the proposals contained in my letter of the 26th. of June last, you incline to enter into a contract upon the terms therein mentioned, for five hundred Barrels of Corn, annually, I am ready to close the contract, to be binding for, and during our lives. Your answer to this point would be agreeable, as Genl. Lee is desirous of entering into a contract with me for the same quantity of Corn (500 Barls.), and, on A/c. of the payments, it would be very convenient for me to make it; but from the uncertainty of its fulfilment on his part, I feel no disposition to enter into one with him. I thank you for the old documents you sent me, respecting the family of our Ancestors. but I am possessed of Papers which prove beyond a doubt, that of the two brothers who Emigrated to this Country in the year 1657, during the troubles of that day, that John Washington, from whom we are descended, was the eldest. The Pedigree from him, I have, and I believe very correct; but the descendants of Lawrence, in a regular course, I have not been able to trace. All those of our name, in and about Chotanck, are from the latter. John, was the Grandfather of my father and Uncle, and Great grand father to Warner and me. He left two Sons, Lawrence and John; the former, who was the eldest, was the father of my father, Uncle and Aunt Willis. Mrs. Hayward 25 must have been a daughter of the first Lawrence, and thence became the Cousen of the second Lawrence, and John. We all unite in best wishes for you and family, and I am etc. *To WILLIAM HERBERT Mount Vernon, October 4, 1798. Dear Sir: A day or two ago, I received the enclosed letter. Will you be so good as to enable me to answer it. Observing to you, not long since, that the want of money prevented my doing something (I have forgot now what) you said, if I understood you rightly, that I might be accommodated at the Bank of Alexandria. 25 Martha Washington. She was the daughter of Lawrence, the rector of Purleigh; emigrated to America and married Samuel Hayward, of Stafford County, Va.; and died in 1697. |