I have read your letter of the 29th Ult to P. Johnston, on the subject of the Prince Edward Address" to the President: and with pleasure.

It ought to flash conviction of the impropriety of that address, on all minds that are open to it; but it is not easier to change the principles of the leaders of such measures, than it would be to wash a blackamoor white. Truth and information is not their object. To blind, and irritate the People against the Government (to effect a change in it) is their sole aim. With much truth and sincere regard, &c.

*To WILLIAM THORNTON

Mount Vernon, October 18, 1798.

Dear Sir: I regret, not having received your letter of the 16th. until last night. Had it reached me before I wrote to the Commissioners yesterday morning by Mr. Thos. Peter, I should have inclined more (although my wish is to have no trouble with the buildings) towards engaging Mr. Blagden's undertaking the Masonry, agreeably to his estimate; doing as much of the wood work myself, as my people are competent to, and employing others to do the remainder of it; the Painting, Plastering &ca; to the offer that was made Mr. Blagden, for compleating the whole; and furnishing every thing as therein expressed (except Painting, Glasing and Iron mongery): and if he boggles at that offer, I must proceed in this manner, to the Execution of the Work; and would be glad to have a contract entered into with him accordingly.

If this mode is adopted, I shall expect from Mr. Blagden, and without delay, a compleat Bill of Scantling and Plank; enumerating the quantity and quality; and the length, breadth and thickness of both scantling and Plank, to suit the different "Prince Edward County, Va.

1798]

HOUSES IN WASHINGTON

499

parts of the buildings, that I may take measures for obtaining them in the manner you have suggested. The length, width and thickness of the flooring plank ought to be specified; and whether Sap and knots are to be excluded. In short great particularity and exactness must be observed in making out the Bill, that every thing proper and useful may be had, without superfluity or waste. It would be expected of him too, to give the mouldings, and dimensions of such parts of the Work as would be prepared by my own people at this place.

It would be quite agreeable to me, that the foundation of the buildings should be laid this Autumn, if the weather will permit. At any rate, I conceive all the foundation Stone and sand should be carried to the Site. Sure I am, the Carting will be infinitely better before, than after Winter, and workmen I should think easier obtained. The materials must be good whether used in spring or Autumn.

The length of your letter, my good Sir, required no apology. It was kind, and I thank you for the details, as I shall do on similar future occasions. For the haste in which this letter is written I ought to ask your forgiveness. Mr. Law is waiting, and you know he does not wait patiently for any thing not even for dinner. If you can get at my meaning, my object will be answered. Complimts. to Mrs. Thornton from this family, and with very great esteem I am etc.45

*To THE COMMITTEE OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATI“

Mount Vernon, October 20, 1798. Gentlemen: I have been honored with your favor of the 30th. of August, communicating the Resolve of the Cincinnati

"From the original in the William Thornton Papers in the Library of Congress. "John F. Grimké, Thomas Pinckney, and Adam Gilchrist.

of the State of South Carolina respecting the propriety of altering the Ribband to which the badge of the Society was directed by the Constitution, to be appendant, as indicative of the Union between the United States and France; and have transmitted it to the Secretary General, to be laid before the Society at the next General meeting of its Delegates.** With very great esteem etc.

*To MAJOR GENERAL ALEXANDER HAMILTON

Mount Vernon, October 21, 1798. Dear Sir: The last mail to Alexandria brought me a letter from the President of the United States, in which I am informed that he had signed, and given the Commissions to yourself, General Pinckney and Knox, the same date, in hopes that an amicable adjustment or acquiescence might take place among you. But, if these hopes should be disappointed, and controversies should arise, they will of course be submitted to me, as Commander in Chief, and if after all, any one should be so obstinate as to appeal to him from the judgment of the Commander in chief, he was determined to confirm that judgment.

General Knox is fully acquainted with my sentiments on this subject, and I hope no fresh difficulties will arise with General Pinckney. Let me entreat you therefore to give, without delay, your full Aid to the Secy of War. At present I will only add that I am always, &c.**

48

"The alteration of the ribbon, which by the constitution of the Cincinnati, was indicative of the union between the United States and France, was proposed because "It was thought that such a distinction was no longer applicable to the relative situation of the two countries and that it became incumbent on us at such a moment to renounce every military Badge or appearance of connection with a nation whose civil and political Union by Treaty had been declared by the Legislative authority of our Country to be void and no longer binding on Us." The committee's letter (Aug. 30, 1798) is in the Washington Papers.

From the Hamilton Papers in the Library of Congress.

1798]

THE ADJUTANT GENERAL

501

*To THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

Mount Vernon, October 21, 1798.

Sir: The letter with which you were pleased to honor me, dated the 9th. instant, was received by the last Mail; and demands my particular acknowledgments.

It was with sincere concern I received the account of Mrs. Adams's low state of health, and your consequent indisposition. If my fervent wishes would restore her, and you, to perfect health, this object would soon be accomplished; and in these wishes Mrs. Washington unites, with great cordiality. In her behalf, and for myself, I thank you for your kind wishes respecting us. She is as well as usual, and I am quite recovered of the fever with which I was afflicted sometime ago, and nearly so of the debility in which it left me.

If the Office of Adjutant General had been vacant by the non-acceptance of Mr. North, no one could have filled it more agreeably to my wishes than either of the Gentlemen suggested by me in the arrangement made with the Secretary of War. Of course General Dayton would have been an acceptable appointment. It appears, however, by a letter I have lately received from the War Office, that Mr. North has not declined the honor you did him. With great consideration and respect I have the honor &c.

*To RAWLEIGH COLSTON

Mount Vernon, October 21, 1798. Sir: It is not more than three or four days since your letter enclosing one from Mr. Thomas Marshall, has been received. That Gentleman is, as I myself also am, in doubt whether more than one draught has not been made upon me by Colo.

Marshall, for the taxes which he has been so kind as to pay for my land in Kentucky. But as the voluminous papers which I brought from Philadelphia are not yet finally adjusted, and I am not in consequence, able to ascertain this fact by an easy reference to them; I shall pay to your order, on demand, the full balance as stated by Mr. T. Marshall, viz £17.7.3: leaving the sum of £8.17.3. to be" discounted hereafter, if, upon the assortment of my Papers it shall appear (as I think it will) that it has been paid to some one, authorised by Colo. Marshall to receive it. I am etc.

*To THE SECRETARY OF WAR

(Private and confidential)

Mount Vernon, October 21, 1798.

My dear Sir: Enclosed is a copy of the Presidents letter to me, which I request may be, with this letter, burnt as soon as they are read, and no more said respecting the contents than might be proper for him to hear repeated again; Otherwise, a knowledge that the contents of my letters to, and from him, are in possession of others, may induce him to believe, in good earnest, that intrigues are carrying on, in which I am an Actor. than which, nothing is more foreign from my heart.

I return the Press copies which were enclosed to me. But in future, whenever you require my opinion on any points, let them be stated in your letter, or on a paper to remain in my possession; without wch. my acts, and proceedings, will appear incomplete and misterious.

Do you mean to furnish me with a copy of the letter you wrote to the President from hence, and of his Instructions to

"Washington wrote this word, inadvertently, as “de.”