provisions and arrangements to avert it. In the other case, to share in the glory of defending your Country; and by making all secondary considerations yield to that great and primary object, display a mind superior to embarrassing punctilios, at so critical a moment as the present.

53

After having expressed these sentiments with the frankness of undisguised friendship it is hardly necessary to add that, if you should, finally, decline the appointment of Majr. General, that there is no one to whom I would give a more decided preference as an Aid de Camp, the offer of which is highly flattering, honorable, and grateful to my feelings, and for which I entertain a high sense. But, my dear Genl Knox, (and here again I speak to you in the language of candour, and friendship) examine well your mind on this subject. Do not unite yourself to the Suit of a man whom you may consider as the primary cause of what you call a degradation, with unpleasant sensations. This, while it was gnawing upon you, would (if I should come to the knowledge of it) make me unhappy; as my first wish would be that my Military family, and the whole Army, should consider themselves as a band of brothers, willing and ready, to die for each other. I shall add no more than assurances of the sincere friendship and affection with which I am, &c.

*To THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Mount Vernon, October 22, 1798. Gentlemen: Your favor of the 18th. instt, enclosing a letter from Mr. Blagdin of the same date, came duly to hand, and although I am perfectly satisfied by doing the Carpenters and

On October 23 Knox wrote to the Secretary of War, definitely refusing the commission of major general. In his letter of August 26, Knox offers to serve as an aide. A copy of the letter of October 23 and the original of that of August 26 are in the Washington Papers.

1798]

COST OF HOUSES

509

Joiners work with my own People, by a correct Bill of the materials required, and obtained from a reputable Mill on the Eastern Shore to suit the buildings, that I could save a thousand dollars under that head alone, yet, to avoid trouble to myself, to avoid disputes between workmen, having no controul over, but acting independently of each other; to avoid sending Negro Carpenters to the City, and having them to provide for there; and above all, taking into consideration what may, eventually, happen next year, and my employment in consequence. I have resolved to agree to Mr. Blagdin's terms: that is, to give him Eleven thousand dollars to build the two houses, according to the plan agreed on, and agreeably to the specification which has been presented to me; and must be produced and refered to, as the criterian by which the work is to be judged. I, taking upon myself the execution of the Painting and Glasing; and furnishing the Iron Mongery agreeeably to the Bill which he exhibited; the quantity of nails not to over-run the specification; that is, by allowing him the amount of that item, he is entitled to no further call upon me for an increase.

54

I have never entered into a contract of this sort, and of course little skilled in drawing one; for which reason, it would be an act of kindness if you would cause efficient articles to be drawn under your Inspection and correction: the cost of wch. I am willing to pay. Whatever is customary on the part of the Employer, I am willing to comply with; nothing occurs to me as necessary, at present, except defraying the cost; and this I am ready to do by depositing the means in the Bank of Columbia, to be drawn for by a Gentleman in the City, upon Mr. Blagdin's producing Bills of cost, of the materials for carrying on the Work, and the amount of Workmens wages, every Month, fortnight, or week, as shall be stipulated.

The "Letter Book" has "direction."

On the part of the Employed I presume there are many essentials, requiring him to be bound to the performance of. And is it not necessary, and usual, that these should be secured by Bondsmen?

But I will add no more on a Subject with which you are much better acquainted than I am. I shall be punctual in the fulfillment of my part of the agreement, and only wish to have the counter part equally well observed. For I find, including the price of the Lots and enclosing them, with the cost of the buildings, in the manner I am proceeding, the Rent I shall be able to obtain, will scarcely give me common interest for the money that will be expended. But having put my hand to the work I must not now look back. With very great esteem etc.

*To THOMAS MARSHALL, JUNIOR

Mount Vernon, October 22, 1798.

Sir: Your favor of the 4th. of August came safe to my hands under cover from Mr. Colston, whom I have authorised to draw upon me for the full balanec as stated in the a/c transmitted by you.

It dwells however upon my mind (but not perfectly) that the first item therein, viz, £8.17.3 has been paid to some person who appeared authorised to receive it; but as my voluminous Papers (brought from Philadelphia) are not yet all opened and assorted, I am not able to ascertain this fact, or speak with the least decision on the subject, and therefore have, as before mentioned, desired Mr. Colston to draw upon me, in favor of his correspondent in Alexa, for the whole amount.

If, hereafter, it should be recollected by Colo. Marshall, or appear by any receipt I shall find, that the above sum of £8.17.3 has been paid, it can be allowed in the next account.

65 From District of Columbia Letters and Papers in the Library of Congress.

1798] DELAY IN AUGMENTING ARMY

511

I feel much obliged by your kindness in paying the Taxes of my land upon Rough Creek, for the years 1796 and 1797; and for the services you have rendered me in entering them at the Auditors Office for future taxes, agreeably to your late Act of Assembly, relative to Non-residents. and you would add to the obligation by continuing to pay the dues thereon as they arise, and drawing upon me for the amt.

But previous to this, let me request the favour of you to enquire of Mr. Short (if you should see him) whether he has done any thing in this matter, or not; for not having heard for a long time in what Situation, or jeopardy the Land might be, Genl. Spotswood who had business to transact with that Gentleman, and he understood it was threatened, was requested to ask him to examine, and do what was needful to rescue it, if really in danger, from the threatned evil, which he kindly promised to do. My best wishes and respects are offered to Colo. Marshall. I am etc.

*To EDWARD CARRINGTON

Mount Vernon, October 22, 1798.

Dear Sir: To what cause, or causes, the delay in appointing Officers upon the "Act, to augment the Army of the United States, and for other purposes" is to be ascribed, I am unable to say. I fear the spirit that was enkindled at the time of its Passing has not a little evaporated.

No decisive plan has yet been formed for this purpose, that has come to my knowledge; but the Secretary of War having intimated to me the probability, that four of the twelve Regiments, and the Six Troops of Dragoons would be apportioned to the States south of Maryland; including Kentucky and Tennessee; and requesting me, to furnish him, with the names of

suitable characters for the different grades of Officers for these Corps; transmitting at the sametime a list of the Applicants, and of the Field Officers of the Revolutionary Army who had served to the end of the War, I am willing to render him all the aid in my power but am unable to do it efficiently, without the assistance of others, more intimately acquainted with the late Southern Army then I was.

I take the liberty therefore, in a private, and confidential way, to request you, General Marshall and Colo. Heth (in all of whom I can confide) to meet together, as soon as you can, with any sort of convenience, and note such characters in the different grades as you conceive best qualified, and would do most honor to their country, in an active and spirited war; if such were to be engaged in, as Officers.

To enable you to do this, and with a view to remind you of the old field Officers, as well as the present applicants, I send you, ist: a list of the former; 2dly. a list of the latter, their places of residence, Rank applied for, and by whom recommended; and 3dly. Pursuing the principle of the Secretary an apportionment of these four Regiments and Six Troops of Dragoons among the Southern and Western States; by a medium between the Representation, and population of each. These Papers to be retained with the selected list.

You will perceive that this request relates more immediately to Virginia, but if there are any prominent characters in either of the others, for either grade of Officers, it would be obliging to mention them also.

You will perceive further, that by the apportionment, a precise number of Officers, of the different grades, are required; but in your Selection, I had rather you should exceed, than fall short; and that I may understand the estimation in which they are held, let them be placed numerically.