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Gentn: Your Letter of the 8th. of Jany.
Had you Gentlemen been as candid in your representation of Matters as I endeavourd to be in mine, some things woud not have been advanced for Facts that have so little corrispondance with truth: you must excuse the freedom of the expression because I can, to a JURY OF SENSIBLE HONEST MEN, to yourselves, or to any body else, evidently proove the palpable error of some of your assertions, and the absurdity of others; in order thereto I may run into greater prolixity than is consistent with the bounds of a Letter, but as it is (as I beforesaid) the last of the kind I ever purpose to give you the trouble of reading, I hope to be endulged with a patient hearing this once.
Your Letter shall be taken from the beginning, and traced to the end, that no part may escape unnoticed. You say then “It was your fixed resolution to sell my Wheat to the first saving Cash market shoud it not exceed 3/9, the truth of which Mr. Lund Washington can inform you of, and pay Colo. Washington to save him the trouble of writing, and ourselves of reading any more such severe Duns”. There needed no proof of this, I do most sincerely believe it was your Intentions to sell my Wheat for Cash: A Dollar pr. Bushel at Baltimore and other parts of Maryland (this I have been informd it sold at) and 4/6 at Norfolk, Williamsburg, and other places which of my own knowledge I can affirm, because I was offerd it myself, and heard a Vessel load agreed for at that rate in one Afternoon at the Coffee House, and moreover was told by one Mr. Lawson a Mercht. at Falmouth (whose name I mention as you seem to squint at my veracity,) and who left Wmsburg 3 days later in the Oyer Court than I did, that it had risen, were powerful temptations to your selling in this way. Again, “you say you have bought as large quantities of Wheat from others and lain longer in their debts than mine without paying Interest and without being threathened with a Suit”. This as it is a fact you can best determine yourselves I shall not take upon me to contradict, but presume I may take the liberty of remarkg., that tho it is no Inconvenience to one Man to lay out of his money, it may be the ruin of another to do so; this then according to my conception of things is no fair way of reasoning; but to explain myself a little more fully (I thought I had done so in my last). Do you not know that the year before last I even attempted to make but very little Tobacco, and last year none: How then am I to make remittances for Goods to Cloath a numerous Family, supply a House in various necessaries, and support it in all its various expences? Have I any hidden resources do you imagine, that will enable me to do this? or do you not think it more feaziable, that from the product of my Grain (Wheat and Corn) the means must be raised? Will the Merchts. send me these Goods without remittances? if they do, I must not expect to pay advanced prices for them? As Merchts. answer me. After keepg. my Corrispondts. in Engld., Madeira, or elsewhere out of the promised remittances from this, or that Genl. Court wd. they be satisfied do you think with my writg. thus, Messrs. Carlyle and Adam who bought my Wheat and was to pay me upon delivery thereof, has done it but in part, and therefore you are disappointed; woud they I ask be content with this excuse? or do you conceive it reasonable that, I shoud deny myself these conveniences, indeed for the most part absolute Necessaries because it may be attended with some difficulty to you to make the payment according to Contract, or more beneficial perhaps, to apply the money to some other purposes? These Gentlemen are plain, Simple, and obvious question's, meriting in my opinion different answers than those you have been pleasd to give. But for Argument sake let us suppose that necessity was out of the question, and that I wanted my money to endulge my fancy in the purchase of any thing which pleasd my Taste, or which I conceived I wanted [ 78. Carlyle & Adam's letter of January 8 is not in the sic .] (and God knows I have losses enough in Negroes to require something where
Washington Papers.
with to supply their places) have I not a right to call for my own engagd to me by solemn contract without giving offence? most assuredly I have, not all the Logick you are Masters of shall convince me to the contrary. If I have wherewith to lend, freely will I lend it; but not have it detaind as a right, or as a matter of ill usage (to use your own expressions) when asked for. In the next place if I can draw any meaning at all from these words “The Contract was left to yourself to write” (which by the by is a mistake I drew up such Articles as I proposd to Subscribe to, leaving you at large to sign or reject them as it best suited your Inclinations) “and really suspected no design, we signed it without examining of it so strictly as we ought to have done, (for which we ought to blush)” a queer thought this, “nor did we see the Intention of it till we were obligd to receive 54 and 55 lb pr. Bushl. &ca.” I say if I can extract any meaning at all from these Words it must be, that (you were either two fools, or) I was a knave employd as your Attorney (I suppose) to draw the contract and abused the Confidance; the former of these I will not presume you meant, and the latter I hope you did not, what then are the tendency of that; do you imagine Gentlemen that if the best groupe of Lawyers that ever gracd our Bar had been engagd in this work it woud have altered the Case? No: believe me it woud not, I know the terms on which I proposed to engage, Nor you, nor Lawyers, coud have altered my resolutions in the most trivial Instance; you had it in option I grant, to accept or reject by the Lump there was no other alternative, for I was not so fond of the Scheme as to alter the mode; as some small confirmation of which, I was condemnd before I proceeded to draw Articles (by some of the most judicious People of this County) who thought I was contracting too low, and this made me more cautious, nor were you hurried into this affair with so much precipitancy as you are now pleasd to think shoud raise your BLUSHES, you certainly had formd some Ideas of a Contract which this coud not be repugnant to. You had it to Copy, you had it to Consider, one of which I know was done, the other 'tis probable you did. That the exceptionable words of “as good as the year and Seasons woud generally admit of” were inserted in place of “sound Merchantable Wheat” with design, I do not hesitate a moment in acknowledging to you, and to the World, it was a fixed determination of mine to put it in the power of no person or persons whatsoever, to receive or reject my Wheat as their convenience, or Caprice might dictate, or, as Custom which might be changed, because in different places varying, shoud give them an advantage; but that I ever had such a motive in view as you are pleasd to insinuate I not only absolutely deny, but can give incontestable proofs of, by Witnesses full as unexceptionable as your Miller, or any other that has been entrusted to receive my Wheat and decry its weight. I will not deny, that the first Crop you receivd from me was bad, it was hurt by Rust and possibly weighd but 54 pr. Bushel; but pray how much was there of it? Why 257½ Bls. and for fear you may not choose to recollect what was done with my Bags (50 odd in number) that year, I will tell you, and can proove, that in down right violation of good friendship, and the most earnest and pressing entreaties, these Bags securd the Wheat in Colo. Carlyles Warehouse till some were entirely lost, others very much Rat eaten, and the whole a good deal damaged; whilst I for several Months under went numberless Inconveniences for want of them; add to this, that good Wheat according to your own Accts., sold that year at 4/6 pr. Bl., compare all those things together then, and see what Injury you sustaind by allowing 3/9 for my Wheat for I hardly know how to say paid 3/9 for it, because in April 1764 I deliverd the Wheat, in Sept. following I reed my Bond which I passd for the purchase, of some Lotts in Alexandria a s payment; this, so far from having any objection was equally as acceptable to me as the money; but what followed? Why in or about Septr. 1765 I had the money demanded of me again for the Lotts with a good deal of Interest thereon, and was at some pains to convince Mr. Jno. Alexander of the unreasonableness of paying twice for the same thing; so much for the first Crop. In respect to the Second and third, I can demonstrate to you (and to the publick if the matter comes to that length) by many and strong corrobating Evidences how much you have mistaken the weights of the first, and misrepresented the Character of both those Crops: Know then, that upon some mention of the lightness of my first Wheat by Colo. Carlyle I wrote to him, that in order to avoid any uneasiness which might arise from the Contract on that Score, I was willing
if a reasonable standed [ sic ] for the medium weight of the Wheat coud be hit upon, to give or take for every pound under or over one penny. In answer there to I receivd the following paragraph in a Letter dated Octr. the 3d. 1764 and which is to be produced at any time in Mr. Carlyles own hand writing: “Mr. Adam's tells me the standed for Wheat in and about Philadelphia is 58, in and near Lancaster 60 pr. Bushel, we shall fix I suppose the first, and to be well cleand or otherwise we shall clean it at the Mill as we expect every thing necessary to do it from Philadelphia In our Vessell.” In consequence of this Letter which I receivd just before my departure for the Octr. General Court, and long Session which immediately followed, I directed Lund Washington, who had just then come to live with me, to weigh the Wheat of each treading, and at each Plantation, that I might form an opinion of the general weight, and be enabled to determine whether I shoud gain or loose in the course of my Contract at 58 pr. Bushel. he accordingly did so, and found the weights of that Crop to run from 59 to 61 and upwards (I also caused some Wheat which I made at my own House that year to be weighed in my presence by Thorns. Bishop, and it greatly exceeded 60) these Facts can be provd by more evidences than one. In consequence therefore of these Experiments I acquainted you by Letter in March 1765, and to which I refer that I was willing to abide by the medium of 58; then forsooth 60 was the standard; from that hour then I gave up all thoughts of selling by weight, resolving to deliver such Wheat as the Weather permitted me to make. How then does this Acct. every tittle of which can be made manifest, corrispond with your partial weight of 57? You do not imagine that if I was even to be governd by weight, that two or 3 Bushels of the lightest is to regulate the whole? Surely not: and as to my last year's Crop, except some that was hurt by Rust, it was no ways in appearance (for weigh it I did not myself) inferior to the former; and for its cleaness I can venture to say, nay I will undertake to proove, even by your own people (the Captn. of your Brig in particular) that cleaner Wheat never was made in this County, I might extend it, I believe to the whole Colony. How shoud it be otherwise when not a single Bushel went less than twice and some three times through the Fans (all of which have Sieves) and was afterwards hand fiddled; a trouble few have the conveniences of doing, and fewer still the Inclination. But I have my reward in a very genteel insinuation, and shall know what use to make thereof. For your sakes Gentlemen, and for the encouragement of the trade, I coud wish that all the Wheat you buy was of the heaviest sort, but if mine gets only the length of 54 I shall be at no loss to know what is to be done with it. As to the price you gave for Wheat last year, and the years preceding, it by no means serves to fix the Market. A man who has only 40 or 50, or even a too Bushls to dispose of, and which perhaps is rather foisted into his Crop that becomes a principal part of it, scarce thinks it worth his while to seek abroad for purchasers; but this is not the case of those who have larger quantities, and whose Interest essentially depends upon a beneficial Sale. I know of several that sold at 4/6 last year, and I know of others which bought at that price; and I have been misinformd if you yourselves did not give Colo. Colvil and Mr. Jno. West more than 3/9 for Wheat of the former Crop. However all this is nothing to the purpose, what this Man gets, and tother Man receives is foreign to the point; I was by Contract to get 3/9 for mine, payable on delivery of the Crop, but here you are pleasd to introduce a remark couchd in these words “We did not expect it woud be rigidly demanded” and why, because the Article of Interest was Introduced this I confess was garding against a possible Evil; but by no means applicable to the Inference you have drawn from it, for I shoud be glad to know why People put themselves to the trouble and oft times expence of particularising agreements if they are afterwards to be disregarded; you coud not imagine that the time prefixd for payment coud be inserted merely to swell the paper; on the Contrary, as you acknowledge that you had your Advantages in view, you will not I am perswaded deny me mine; point out then any one of
the whole so obviously benificial as that of regular payments: was it not incumbent upon you therefore to have considered the chances of doing this before you subscribed to the terms? The answers are most certainly plain, so plain that I shall not wonder hereafter if you tell me (shoud Wheat fall to 3/or 2/6 pr. Bushl.) that you expected I woud not be so rigid as to demand 3/9, as your principal aim in the Contract was to secure my Wheat in order to find employment for your Mills; excuse me when I say you may do it, in my opinion, with equal propriety; for fixing the price, and fixing the payments, are matters of equal absurdity and Intrusion if liable to dispensation. You are pleasd to declare “you had rather be £1000 in any other Gentlemans debt than the trifling sum of £100 in mine”. This Gentlemen does not POSITIVELY give me a moments concern, I have asked you for nothing but my due, for nothing that I do not need, nay for nothing that I have not suffered for want off, otherwise 5 pr. Ct. might as you seem to think it ought, have softend the severity of my Duns; and whatever you may think of the payments (which have been made me I again say trifling, except Mr. Relfe's Bill which I remitted upon my own Acct. (and suppose it is excepted) true it is, some Accts. have been discharged; by this means, and to pay a just debt never fails to fill me with as much pleasure as to receive one; but if I had receivd money as it became due coud not all this been done, perhaps with more convenience to myself) and have had the wherewithal to answer some engagements which I have been obligd to fail in. The consequences I drew from a mode of bartering were by no means so unnatural as you seemd to conjecture; it was from yourselves I think I receivd an information that the scarcity of Cash was such, you were obligd to take West India Commodities, Wine, and other things for your Flour; these again being sold to the Planters for Wheat &ca. left me I think but too much grounds for the conclusion I drew, if the practice was continued, which I fancy was added.
I think I have at last got through your Letter, and am as willing as you are, for the Balle to be struck, that the hardships may appear; but as round assertions are not always convincing, I only intended mine as the counteract of yours, hoping they woud meet with equal credibility, but I am willing to rest the matter upon a much more enlargd and candid footing notwithstanding you are pleasd to harp upon the word candour if you thought I had abused it; I say I am willing to rest the whole matter upon a much more unexceptionable footing than bare assertion's; and that is to let sensible and honest Men, concernd with neither party, take the Contract and judge from thence, the payments, and plain stubborn facts such as can be incontestably proovd on both sides, who is the person injured. I fancy your grievances, woud not then appear so enormous, nor your Injuries cry so loudly for redress, as you seem to apprehend.
I have as I was affraid greatly exceeded the bounds of a Letter and doubtless the limits of your patience, which was put to so hard a tryal by my last but once more promising you it is the last letter of the kind I ever intend to give you the trouble of reading, I was willing to handle the matter at large this once, that Circumstances might be fully explaind, and hope your excuse for it, being Gentn., etc.
Gentn: Your Letter and Goods by Boyes for our Plantations on York River have come safe to hand as I wish Mrs. Dandridges also had done she being a good deal disappointed in having them withheld from her. I must now desire that the Inclosed order may be complied with, and the Goods sent by the first Ship bound to York River (chargd to me) still hoping that they may come to hand sometime this Fall.
I have directed Mr. Valentine to put all my Tobacco on York River on board of Captn. Boyes as also Master Custis's (two Tonn only excepted w'ch has been delivered to Captn. Easton this Month or more) and wish he may meet with ready dispatch but fear he will not from what I have heard.
Our Crops on that River were very short last year and, on this (Potomack), I did not make one pound of Tobacco. I shall delay writing fully till my Invoices are forwarded and am Gentn. etc.
Sir: It is difficult for me to tell which was greatest, my surprise, or concern at finding by your letter of the 20th. that instead of being able with the money I agreed to lie somewhat longer out of to discharge your debts, that you wanted to borrow a further sum of £500 to answer this purpose. I was in hopes, and you gave me the strongest assurance to believe, that when I lent you (and very inconvenient it was for me to do it) the first sum of £700, you could therewith not only discharge all your creditors, but in two years time sink the principal, which was lent to effect that end; how it comes to pass then, that instead of being prepared in twice two years to discharge my claim, you should require £500 more to satisfie others, is, as I at first said, entirely beyond my comprehension, and leaves but too much cause to apprehend, that if you could be supplied with the further Sum required, it would afford but temporary relief; and that at the end of any other prefixed period you woud be as unprepared and as reluctantly then, as now, part with your effects to discharge this debt; thinking it equally hard to be forced into compliance; For permit me to say again, if you have not been able in the course of 4 years to lay up any thing towards sinking even the Interest of a sum which you said woud entirely clear you of all demands, what prospect can you possibly have to expect when £500 more (and probably this woud be insufficient) is added to the other surety of between eight and nine hundred, that you will have it in your power to effect this end, when even the Interest thereof is a pretty little Income, and woud be such a Moth in your Estate as would inevitably destroy it, be your notions of saving and Industry extended to never so high a degree: Indeed Sir, the only purpose it could possibly answer woud be to put the evil day of for a moment, in comparison and then like most things swelled beyond their natural bounds, burst upon you like a torrent and redouble your distresses. Besides, you really deceive yourself greatly in estimating your Effects, as you will unhappily experience; you have viewed them but on one side, considering only what they cost you, not what they will sell at, which is a delusive way of calculating; For you will find that many things which you perhaps have lavished large Sums in the purchase of in order to gratify your own taste, will neither suit, nor probably please others; so in respect to buildings which are rarely considered in the purchase of lands, and principally I presume from the same causes, especially upon small bits of land divested of Wood and Timber.
I wish with all my Heart you may be strengthened by some able and friendly hand in such a manner as to keep your effects together; provided it may turn to your future good in enabling you to Work thro' the load of Debt you seem to be entangled in; but that it is entirely out of my power without Selling part of my own Estate to contribute further there to you may easily be convinced of when I tell you, and affirm it, that I find it next to impossible to extract any part of the money which is due to me; that I have struggled to the utmost of my power for two years past unsuccessfully
82. Posey owned and lived on a parcel of land just south of Mount Vernon. Washington finally (1769) took over the property in satisfaction of the loan, which was £750. This part of the Mount Vernon property was sometimes called the Ferry farm. Posey, though improvident, seems to have been liked by Washington. The Posey children were the recipients of many kindnesses and help from him.
to raise 4 or £500 to lend a very particular friend of mine, who I know must sell part of his estate without it; and that I have not yet discharged the Sums you Involved me in the payment of before, having my Bond out to Mr. Green's Estate for the £260 you borrowed of him and cannot raise money to discharge it, altho' I have used my true endeavours for that purpose; add to these some Engagements of my own which there is a necessity of complying with, or doing Acts of Injustice.
How absurd and Idle woud it be then, under these Circumstances, to enter myself security for the payment of your Debts, unless I foresaw some prospect of raising the money; True it is some of your Creditors might agree to wait, others 'tis presumeable, woud not, and certain it is pay day must come to all; what then is to be done? To tell a man who had been disappointed from time to time, and at last had waited in confidence of receiving his money from me, that I was unprovided with the means of satisfying his demand, would be gauling to me, unjust to him, and what I can by no means think of practising. The only favour therefore that is in my power to shew you, is to be easy and forbearing in my own demands, which I shall endeavour to do as long as I can with any sort of convenience to myself, notwithstanding I am in want of the money; and to point out any Person who coud lend so much money even if they liked the Security, I am equally at a loss to do: but few there are I believe, who woud choose to risque their money (unless influenced by motives of compassion) upon such hazardous and perishable Articles as Negroes, Stock and Chattels, which are to be swept of by innumerable distempers, and subject to many accidents and misfortunes; so upon the whole you will excuse me I hope if I am Inclind to offer you the same advice I woud give to my Bror: were he under the same circumstans; and that is, if you find it impracticable to keep your estate together for at least 3 or 4 years, till the country, I mean the indebted part of it, can immerge a little from the distress it must unavoidably fall into from the pressing of Creditors and want of Cash; then to sell of immediately (I mean this fail at furthest) before Cash grows into greater demand which it inevitably will do as our Currency is called in, and every thing of consequence sell worse; therewith discharging all your Debts: beging. with the Sales of such things as can be best spared, and so raising to Negroes, and even Land if requisite, For if the whole shoud go, there is a large Field before you, an opening prospect in the back Country for Adventurers, where numbers resort to, and where an enterprising Man with very little Money may lay the foundation of a Noble Estate in the New Settlemts. Upon Monongahela for himself and posterity. The Surplus money wch you might save after dischargg. your Debts, woud possibly secure you as much Land as in the course of 20 yrs woud sell for 5 times yr prest Estate. For proof of which only look to Frederick, and see what Fortunes were made by the Hite's and first takers up of those lands: Nay how the greatest Estates we have in this Colony were made; was it not by taking up and purchasing at very low rates the rich back Lands which were thought nothing of in those days, but are now the most valuable Lands we possess? Undoubtedly it was, and to pursue this plan is the advice I w'd offer my Br. were he in yr. Situation, but to you I only drop it as a hint for your serious reflectn; because I do not expect, nor woud by any means wish to see you adopt any Scheme of mine without duly attending to it weighing, and well considering of it in all points and advising with your friends. I woud only ask whether it woud be better to labr. undr. a load of debt, where you are, wch. must inevitably keep you in continual Anxiety, and dread of yr. Creditors; be selling the produce of yr. labour at under value, (the never failg. consequence of necessitous Circumstances) with other evils too obvious to need Inumeration, and which must forever lend a helping hand to keep you low and distressed or to Pluck up resolution at once and disengage yourself of these Incumbrances and Vexations Abiding where you are if you can save your Land and have a prospect of reaping future advantages from it, or to remove back, where there is a moral certainty of laying the foundation of good Estates to yr. Childn. I say I would but ask wch of these two is the best, and leave you to think of them at leisure, with the assurance on my part, that what I have propounded to you on this Subject proceeds from the utmost sincerity and Candor, and if you will have recourse to the Publick Gazettes, you may perceive by the number of Estates wch are continually advertising for Sale that you are not the only one under Misfortune and that many good families are retiring into the Interior parts of the Country for the benefit of their Children. Some of the best Gentlemen in this Country talk of doing so, who are not drove by necessity, but adopt the Scheme from principles of Gain. Whatever resolution you may come to, I wish you success in it.
Gentn: By this Conveyance you will receive Invoices of such Goods as we want for this and York River, and having your favours of the 19th. July 22d. of August 4th. of Septr., 17th. of Novr. 31st. of Jany. and 6th. of March past all lying before me I am enabled to answer such paragraphs as may respectively require it.
If the Facts then respecting the Freight of Captn. Boyes's Ship last year are as he represented them to you undoubtedly he will stand excusd in the Eyes of your Corrispondants but as he is otherwise chargd his acquitting himself to the rest of his Shippers (as I shall have no oppertunity of seeing him myself before his departure) will be satisfactory to me and this if he is conscious of Innocency he certainly will attempt. Little did I expect that Relfe's Bill on Abm. Hake & Co. woud come back protested whatever might befal the other I am sorry for the disappointment and must seek redress here. The last Wheat Riddles were such as I wished for but for want of an oppertunity of returning the others I suppose I shall be under a necessity of keeping them useless as they are to me.
In Order if possible, to make my Tobacco unexceptionable; to avoid bruising, or making it tender it was prizd so exceeding light last year that the Freight and other Incident charges swallowed up the Sales and rendered me very unprofitable returns much less so than I coud have had in the Country without risquing the hazard of a boisterous Eliment, this I am but too apprehensive will be the case again this year as Tobacco is likely to take a start here in consequence of the melancholy prospect of an ensuing Crop. Permit me also to say that tho Mssrs. Hanbury's out of 12 Hhds which I Shipd them (of Master Custis's Tobo.) last year sold three at 10½, yet the whole 12 carried £139.3.3 to his Acct. Currt. which is more than any of mine, or his other Tobacco netted altho' equal in weight and (as we thought here) superior in quality to this some of which sold at 11¼ and 11½ pt. lb. but what added not a little to the raising of it to the above Sum was their prompt payment of the duties which is but little short of three pound pr. Hhd and which had you paid woud have turnd much more to his Acct. than allowing him a 4 pr. Ct. for his Money. For here, before I quit this subject give me leave further to remark that observing in Mastr. Custis's Acct. Currt. the year before last that he was credited for the Interest of his Ball'e I did not try at what pr. Ct. never doubting but he woud be allowed at the same rate that I was charged but looking over the Subsequent years Acct. by Johnstown I readily perceivd that he was credited by 4 pt. Ct. only (both years) when I was at the same Instt. chargd five the Impropriety of which not being able to reconcile with my Ideas of Justice I led to think it must be owing to some mistake and should be glad to have it either rectified or explaind for to me it must seem strange if his money is not equal of value with yours but contrary to my conception it is not and that design not mistake is the cause of it, Justice to my Wardrenders it undubitably necessary for me to draw it out of your hands and place it in those who will thankfully pay five pr. Ct. for it; or have it applied to the purpose of paying the dutys on his Tobacco for I can by no means stand excused in letting his money remain at 4 pr. Ct. when I can just as easily obtain five. If from this consideration I am obligd to draw the money out of your hands, so much thereof as will discharge my debt to you I shall direct to be applied that way and the residue will otherwise be disposed of so soon as I receive your final answer on this Subject.
We have only 59 Hhds of Tobacco for Captn. Boyes this year; Sixteen of which are mine, the others Master Custis's on both of which parcels you will please to have Insurance made. This is all the Tobacco we made last year except 8 Hhds of Master Custis's which is gone to Messrs. Hanbury's and
83. See Washington's letter to Robert Cary & Company, July 22, 1766, ante.
more I fear (by odds) than we shall make this. For if the general complaint of drought and want of plants are not most notoriously falze a shorter Crop of Tobo. has not been made these 20 years than will be this; However as I live remote from the Southern parts of this Colony where the greatest quantities are made I must refer to your Corrispondants upon James and York Rivers for further Information assuring you that this is truely the case on Potomack. If there shoud be similarity in Accts. it will be unnecessary to add that by keeping up our Tobacco a favourable market may be obtaind. As there are a great many Ships which use this River (Potomack) from London, I shoud receive your Letters more directly were you to write by them, instead of the Vessels to the other Rivers; I shoud moreover save the postage which is extravagantly high in this Country 150 Miles of which I have to pay for all Letters which come into York, or James River. By Captn. John Johnstown (Mr. Russels Ship) I hope to receive my Goods as usual and am Gentn, etc.
Sir: Please to send the following Shoes &ca. and apply to Messrs. Cary & Co. for the amount.
For Geo. Washington &ca.
1 pr. dble Campaign Boots per
Mea'e
1 pr.
1 pt. Strg. Calfskin Slippers
6 pr. Womans bla: Callimanca pr.
Mea'e to be broader in the Soles
and not so strait over the Toes as
they were last year
For Mastr. Custis and to him
chargd.
6 pr. strong Shoes
2 pr. Neat Pumps
For a boy
14 yrs.
old, the
last were
too small
For Miss Custis and to her
chargd.
3 pr. bla Callema. Pumps
3 pr. leath'r Ditto
pr. Mease. flat Heels
Messrs. Cary and Company will pay the Accts. respectively and I am Sir, etc.
Sir: Inclos'd is a Measure for Breeches, by which please to send me a pair of black silk Knit ones. I shoud be glad also to have sent me a Sartout great Coat fashionably made of good Cloth. I presume you have my Meas'e and therefore have sent none but in case you shoud be at a loss, make it to fit a person Six feet high and proportionably made, and you cannot go much amiss, let the Breeches have cool linings fit for Summer wear and a side pocket.
Messrs. Cary & Co. will pay the amount of the above charge as also of a fashionable Suit of Cloth Cloaths which you are desired to make for Master Custis (who is about 14 yrs. of age and tolerably well grown) and to send them along with the above things of mine. I am Sir, etc.
By the Plantrs. Friend.
Gentn: Since mine of the 28th. of June, last year, I have been favourd with your two Letters of the 27th. of March, first of July, and 21st. of October in the past, and Sixth of April in the present year. Had any thing material occurd, (worth giving you the trouble of a Letter) I shoud not have been silent till this time; and even now, I have but little to say.
The Accounts Currt. transmitted by Necks were right, otherwise I shoud have noted it sooner; and by Easton you will receive two Tonns of Mr. Custis's Tobacco, which when sold, you will please to carry the credit of the young Gentleman's Acct. who falling very short in his Crops last year is the reason why Easton has only Eight Hhds of his Tobo. this. From the present face of things, there appears to be an almost absolute certainty that the Crops of Tobacco this year will be shorter than has been for many past, which I mention, that if other Accts. from different parts of this, and the other Tobo. Colony corrispond with it you may regulate the Sales in such a manner as to obtain a good price for the Tobacco just Shipped. I coud wish that it was a practice, to render an Acct. Currt. of the dealings between us once a year, that if any Errors shoud arise they may be rectified while the Transactions are recent. Unseasonable as it may be, to take any notice of the repeal of the Stamp Act at this time, yet, I cannot help observing that a contrary measure woud have Introduced very unhappy Consequences: those therefore who wisely foresaw this, and were Instrumental in procuring the repeal of it, are, in my opinion, deservidly entitled to the thanks of the well wishers to Britain and her Colonies; and must reflect with pleasure that through their means, many Scenes of confusion and distress have been avoided: Mine they accordingly have, and always shall have, for their opposition to any Act of Oppression, for that Act coud be looked upon in no other light by every person who woud view it in its proper colours.
I coud wish it was in my power to congratulate you with success, in having the Commercial System of these Colonies put upon a more enlargd and extensive footing than it is because I am well satisfied that it woud ultimately, redound to the advantages of the Mother Country so long as the Colonies pursue trade and Agriculture, and woud be an effectual Let to Manufacturing among themselves. The money therefore which they raise would centre in Great Britain, as certain as the Needle will settle to the Poles. I am Gentn., etc.
Dear Sir: From a sudden hint of your Brother I wrote to you a few days ago in a hurry, since which having had more time for reflection, I am now set down in order to write more deliberately, and with greater precision, to you on the Subject of my last Letter; desiring that if any thing in this shoud be found contradictory to that Letter you will wholely be governd by what I am now going to add.
I then desird the favour of you (as I understood Rights might now be had for the Lands, which have fallen within the Pensylvania Line) to look me out a Tract of about 1500, 2000, or more Acres somewhere in your Neighbourhood meaning only by this that it may be as contiguous to your own Settlemt. as such a body of good Land coud be found and about Jacobs Cabbins or somewhere on those Waters I am told this might be done. It will be easy for you to conceive that Ordinary, or even middling Land woud never answer my purpose or expectation so far from Navigation and under such a load of Expence as those Lands are incumbred with; No: A Tract to please me must be rich (of which no Person can be a better judge than yourself) and if possible to be good and level; Coud such a piece of Land as this be found you woud do me a singular favour in falling upon some method to secure it immediately from the attempts of any other as nothing is more certain than that the Lands cannot remain long ungranted when once it is known that Rights are to be had for them. What mode of proceeding is necessary in order to accomplish this design I am utterly at a loss to point out to you but as as your own Lands are under the same Circumstances self Interest will naturally lead you to an enquiry. I am told the Land, or Surveyors Office is kept at Carlyle, if so I am of Opinion that Colo. Armstrong (an Acquaintance of mine) has something to do in the management of it, and I am perswaded woud readily serve me to him therefore at all events I will write by the first oppertunity on that Subject that the way may be prepard for your application if you shoud find it necessary to make one to him. Whatever trouble or expence you may be engagd in on my behalf you may depend upon being thankfully repaid. It is possible (but I do not know that it really is the case) that Pensylvania Customs will not admit so large a quantity of Land as I require, to be entered together if so this may possibly be evaded by making several Entries to the same amount if the expence of doing which is not too heavy; but this I only drop as a hint leaving the whole to your discretion and good management. If the Land can only be secured from others it is all I want at present, the Surveying I would choose to postpone, at least till the Spring when if you can give me any Satisfactory account of this matter and of what I am next going to propose I expect to pay you a visit about the last of April.
The other matter, just now hinted at and which I proposed in my last to join you in attempting to secure some of the most valuable Lands in the King's part which I think may be accomplished after a while notwithstanding the Proclamation that restrains it at present and prohibits the Settling of them at all for I can never look upon that Proclamation in any other light (but this I say between ourselves) than as a temporary expedient to quiet the Minds of the Indians and must fall of course in a few years especially when those Indians are consenting to our Occupying the Lands. 84. Crawford was one of the well-known frontiersmen. He was a surveyor and assisted Washington to select the bounty lands on the Kanawha and Ohio Rivers for the Virginia officers and soldiers, for their services in the French and Indian War. He had been a captain in the Forbes campaign and was now settled on the Youghiogheny River. Afterwards a colonel in the Seventh Virginia Regiment in the Revolutionary War, he served on the frontiers; in the summer of 1782 he commanded an expedition into the Ohio country against the Indians, where, after a hard-fought battle, he was taken prisoner and tortured to death in a most cruel and shocking manner. Washington, writing to the board of war in 1778, said: “I know him to be a brave and active officer, and of considerable influence upon the western frontier of Virginia.” 85. The proclamation of Oct. 7, 1763, was issued to quiet the two principal causes of discontent among the Indians—the encroachments of settlers upon lands claimed by the tribes and the abuses committed by Indian traders and their servants. This proclamation restrained all persons from trading with the Indians without a license and prohibited all settlements beyond the limits described as the boundary of the Indian hunting ground, thus putting both the property and the commerce of the natives under the protection of officers acting under the immediate authority of the King. Washington was undoubtedly correct in his estimation of this edict, for the commissioners of trade, in their report on Indian affairs in 1769, characterized it as “mere provisional arrangements, adapted to the exigence of the time.” (See In 1764 the Indian commissioners prepared a plan for determining more definitely the limits of settlement and submitted certain bounds to the Indian tribes for their approval. The line of separation in the northern district was completed and accepted by the Indians in 1765, but Sir William Johnson, while acquiescing, declined to give a final ratification without further directions from the King. These limits gave the Middle Colonies “room to spread much beyond what they have hitherto been allowed,” a concession made to the fact that the “state of their population requires a greater extent.” The Crown had not given its assent to the acts of the commissioners, certainly as late as 1769, although the plan had received a partial indorsement by the lords of trade in 1767, and in the meantime the Virginians and Pennsylvanians were rapidly pushing their settlements on the Indian territory west of the Allegheny Mountains, in spite of Royal (Apr. 10, 1766) and Colonial (July 31, 1766) proclamations calling upon these settlers to leave the territory “which if they shall fail to do, they must expect no protection or mercy from government, and be exposed to the revenge of the exasperated Indians.”— Pennsylvania Archives, vol. 4, p. 315.) Similar views were generally entertained. Chancellor Livingston in a letter to Doctor Franklin, respecting the conditions of peace previous to the treaty of 1783, said: “Virginia, even after the proclamation of 1763 patented considerable tracts on the Ohio, far beyond the Appalachian mountains. It is true, the several governments were prohibited at different times from granting lands beyond certain limits; but these were clearly temporary restrictions, which the policy of maintaining a good understanding with the natives dictated. and were always broken through after a short period as is evinced by the grants above mentioned, made subsequent to the proclamation of 1763.”Ford.
upon me the part of securing them so soon as there is a possibility of doing it and will moreover be at all the Cost and charges of Surveying and Patenting &c. after which you shall have such a reasonable proportion of the whole as we may fix upon at our first meeting as I shall find it absolutely necessary and convenient for the better furthering of the design to let some few of my friends be concernd in the Scheme and who must also partake of the advantages.
By this time it may be easy for you to discover, that my Plan is to secure a good deal of Land, You will consequently come in for a very handsome quantity and as you will obtain it without any Costs or expences I am in hopes you will be encouragd to begin the search in time. I woud choose if it were practicable to get pretty large Tracts together, and it might be desirable to have them as near your Settlement, or Fort Pitt, as we coud get them good; but not to neglect others at a greater distance if fine and bodies of it lye in a place. It may be a Matter worthy your enquiry to find out how the Maryland back line will run, and what is said about laying of Neale's (I think it is and Companys) Grant.
I woud recommend it to you to keep this whole matter a profound Secret, or trust it only with those in whom you can confide and who can assist you in bringing it to bear by their discoveries of Land and this advice proceeds from several very good Reasons and in the first place because I might be censurd for the opinion I have given in respect to the King's Proclamation and then if the Scheme I am now proposing to you was known it might give the alarm to others and by putting them upon a Plan of the same nature (before we coud lay a proper foundation for success ourselves) set the different Interests a clashing and probably in the end overturn the whole all which may be avoided by a Silent management and the [operation] snugly carried on by you under the pretence of hunting other Game which you may I presume effectually do at the same time you are in pursuit of Land which when fully discovered advise me of it and if there appears but a bear possibility of succeeding any time hence I will have the Lands immediately Surveyed to keep others off and leave the rest to time and my own Assiduity to Accomplish.
If this Letter shoud reach your hands before you set out I shoud be glad to have your thoughts fully expressd on the Plan I have proposd, or as soon afterwards as conveniently may be as I am desirous of knowing in time how you approve of the Scheme. I am, &c.
86. “As to Nails [Neale] and Company's Grant, it was Laid on the fork of Monongahalia and Yochagania, which, if Pensilvania taks its charter, will take it. at any Rate they Ohio Company you are the best Judge your self what will be done in it, or wheare it will be Lade.”— Crawford to Washington, Sept. 29, 1767.
Mason and Dixon were at this time engaged in running the boundary line between Pennsylvania and Maryland. The controversy between Virginia and Maryland as to the western boundary of the latter was long undetermined, the “first fountain of the Potomac” having proved too indefinite a description.
87. Crawford answered this September 29, an extract of which is given in note 86, page 470, ante. The original is in the Washington Papers and is printed in Hamilton's Letters to Washington, vol. 3, p. 295.
Dear Sir: Since I had the pleasure of seeing you at the Warm springs I have been informd that much of the Land upon Yaughyaughgany and Monongahela which was formerly conceivd to lye within the limits of Virginia and on which many of our People have settled are taken into Pensylvania by the establishd Line now running between that Provence and Maryland and that Grants may at any time be obtaind from the Proprietary for Tracts on these Waters and being [informed], moreover, that the Office from whence these Rights are to Issue is kept at Carlyle it immediately occurrd from what you were telling me of the nature of your Office that I coud apply to none so properly as yourself for the truth of these reports it appearing but probable that you were the very person with whom Entries were made.
I have therefore taken the liberty Sir of addressing this Letter to you on the Subject of these enquiries, and to request the further favour of you to advise me of the mode of proceeding in order to take up ungranted Land in your Provence; What quantity of Acres will be admitted into a Survey; whether a Person is restricted in respect to the quantity of Land and number of Surveys. If the Surveys are requird to be laid in any particular form or optional in the taker up to lay them as the nature and goodness of the Land and Water courses may point out to him. What the Expence of Patenting these Lands amount to per Thousand Acres. And what the annual Rents are fixed at afterwards. Together with any other useful hints which may occur to you for my Information and Government as I woud most willingly possess some of those Lands which we have labord and Toild so hard to conquer.
I have desired one Mr. William Crawford who lives upon Yaughyaughgany, a friend of mine, and I believe an Acquaintance of yours as he was an Officer in my Regiment and in General Forbes' Campaign to look me a Tract of about 2000 acres and endeavour to secure it till he can give me advice of it. I have likewise taken the liberty of saying to him that I was fully purswaded if the Land Office was kept in Carlyle and you had any share in the management of it that you woud do me the favour of giving him any assistance in your power consistent with the Rules of Office. And for such assistance Sir after thankfully acknowledging myself your Debtor woud punctually [reimburse you] with any expence that might arise on my account so soon as I coud be advised thereof.
I heartily wish that Mrs. Armstrong and yourself may find all the good effects from the Waters of the Frederick Springs that you could desire.
Mrs. Washington makes a tender of her Compliments to your Lady and self—to which please to add those of Dr. Sir, etc
88. Armstrong was born in Ireland in 1725 and died at Carlisle, Pa., in 1795. He emigrated to Pennsylvania about 1745–1748 and settled in the Kittatinny Valley. Was a colonel in the Continental Army in 1775–76; promoted to brigadier general Mar. 1, 1776; resigned Apr. 4, 1777. In 1777 he was major general of Pennsylvania troops and in 1778 a Delegate to the Continental Congress. His son, John Armstrong, was the author of the Newburgh Addresses, and later Secretary of War of the United States under President Madison. Armstrong's answer, dated Nov. 3, 1767, is in the Washington Papers and is printed in Hamilton's Letters to Washington. vol. 3, p. 302.
Sir: Having receivd your Letters of Wednesday last and to day, it appears very clear to me from them, as well as from some other convincing Circumstances that you are not only reduced to the last Shifts yourself but are determined to involve me in a great deal of perplexity and distress on your Acct. also. Why else will you press so hard upon me to do more than I have already done, and consented to do, in waiting two years longer for my Money, when it is not only inconvenient, but very disadvantageous also for me to do so and when I have informd you as every body else I suppose may also do that the Security I have upon your Lands and Slaves is only answerable for the £750 lent and Interest. Besides when the nature of that Security is considered and how much people may differ in their Valuations of it; it is not to be wondered at that I shoud be so unwilling as to risk any thing more thereon: For in the first place I do not value your Six Acres bought of Marshall with the Improvements to any thing at all, for Reasons already known to you. True it is if Mr. West shoud recover from you, you may have a remedy against Mr. Marshall but in how ample a manner is in the breast of other Men to determine. In the next place, you rate the Land bought of my Brother and the Improvemnts to near £700; this at best is only worth what it will fetch and if it sells for half that Sum I will acknowledge myself extreamely mistaken. In the last place by the estimate you sent me some time ago of your Estate you value the Negroes you were then possessed of to £900 and upwards. Suppose for Argument sake they were worth this, does not every body know that the Small Pox, Goal Fever and many other Malignant disorders may sweep the greatest part of them off where then is the Security? and while I am mentioning this matter it is highly necessary to enquire what is become of Henley, Jacob, Winney, Sylvia, Lett, Sarah, Nan and Henrietta Farthing, Negroes contained in your Bill of Sale to me but which I see nothing of in the estimate above mentioned.
Thus much I have said on a Supposition that I was acting as a Money Lender only, and was looking for clear and indisputable Surety but in truth the prospect of gain and advantage to myself was not the motive that led me to advance you this money;'Twas done to serve your family and if possible to save your Estate from dispersion while there remained a probability of doing it the same motive therefore (and depend upon it, it is a friendly one) Inclines me to ask what possible reason you can have for thinking that by delaying the Sale of some part of your Effects and taking up more money upon Interest, will better your fortune when you are adding to the Load of Debt by accumulating Interest. I shoud be glad in the next place to know if you have ever considered the consequences of borrowing money upon the terms you say Colo. Mason will lend it and surely you have not, to stave off the dreadful hour of resigning part of your possessions into the hands of your Creditors engrosses too much of your thoughts. Do not understand by this that I mean to cast any reflections upon Colo. Mason No: he tells you in express terms and with candor that he is waiting for an opportunity making a purchase which when accomplished he must have his Money again giving you three or 4 Months' notice. It is As likely therefore that he may call for it in Six months as in a longer time because the distress of the country and number of Estates which are daily advertising afford great prospect of purchasing to advantage. What then is to be done in this case? One of these three things certainly: either that Colo. Mason must wait till he can recover his Debt in a course of Law, by which means your own, as well as the honour of your Bondsman must suffer. Or that the Security must
pay the Money out of his own Pocket which perhaps might reduce him to the utmost distress; or lastly that your Negroes must be immediately exposed to Sale for ready money after short notice (whereas they might now be sold on credit for perhaps at least 25 pr. Ct more,) in order to raise this Sum and this probably in the midst of a Crop, these being things worthy of consideration I woud recommend them to your serious reflection before you finally determine.
Was the money to be had of those who prefer lending it on Interest to other methods of disposing of it, and you had in the first place a prospect of keeping of it for some time, and in the next a moral certainty of raising the Sum with the Interest by the expiration of it there woud then be a propriety in your borrowing and I shoud feel pleasure in procuring it to you, but really I cannot see that you have any one good end to answer by it; on the contrary I am much misinformed if you were to get £300 to morrow to stop Suits and demands that are already commenced if there would not be £300 more wanting in less than Six Months for the same purpose. So that there appears no probability of its happily ending for as to your promising or expecting to do this and that you must give me leave to say that it is Works and not Words that People will judge from, and where one Man deceives another from time to time his word being disregarded all confidence is lost.
However, after having endeavourd to let you see in what light this matter appears to me and to set forth the evil consequennces of taking money upon these terms I shall conclude with telling you that if you are absolutely determined to prefer this method to any other of procuring present relief I will become your Security to Colo. Mason for Three hundd. pounds on conditions that you do at the same time add other things to my present security that are under no Incumbrance to any Person what so ever and allow me the absolute right and privilege (as you yourself proposd) of disposing of them for ready money to answer Colo. Mason's demand whensoever made and that some Lawyer (Mr. Ellzey I woud choose) shoud draw a Bill of Sale or Instrument of writing to this purpose without running me to any cost that may be authentick and binding; but I once more caution you against a Measure of this kind as it may be destructive of your Estate inasmuch as the money can be paid no otherwise than by an immediate Sale of your Effects (when calld for) and I can see no benefit that will result from the protection. It is for these Reasons and a Conviction that you will be as unwilling then as now, to part from your estate, that I dread the consequences of joining you in such a Bond knowing that after all I have, or can do more will still be required and as little content given this makes me ardently wish that some person or other woud take up my security and pay me the Money that I might be entirely clear of it for I do not want to avail myself of any sort of advantages.
P. S. I have this Instant been informd, that you have declard you paid me all you owed me except abt. £20; does such disingenuity as this deserve any favour at my hands? I think any body might readily answer for you, No.
Dear Sir: Your Letter of the 22d. Ulto. by Post did not reach my hands (being in Frederick County) till a few days ago, and knowing of no oppertunity of conveying an answer to you soon, otherwise than by Post, you will please to receive what follows, by that channel, as my further Sentiments of the Subject you wrote upon.
That I shoud be glad to make the place convenient to you for the sake of having it in the occupation of a good Tenant, and for the gratification of Mrs. Starke who you say is pleasd with its retired situation, I do not scruple to declare; but that I shoud fall from one concession to another in order to obtain these advantages is really not to be expected. Sufficient it ought to be, I think, that I have lowered the Rent from £45 to Thirty five pounds pr. Ann: in order to engage your acceptance of it, and to rid myself of all further trouble about these Lotts till Master Custis comes of Age; and sufficient it might also be to remove any doubts of the unreasonableness of requiring you or any other Person to keep the place in such Tenantable repair as your own conveniency made necessary during that term; for certain it is the considerations of engaging a good Tenant for a length of time and easing myself of all further trouble with the Lotts were my declard motives for abating in the Rent how then it coud be a matter of doubt with you whether I was really in earnest when I insisted upon these Conditions I can not conceive the one being a consequence of the other. As to the advantages and disadvantages of the Brick House you who have examined into them must be a better judge than I who never bestowd a thought upon them, but excepting the House itself (which may be larger) I never apprehended before that it had half the conveniencies of those Lotts you now live on. If they have pray what may the Rent be? for this I presume shoud come into the Acct. However, to put an end to all further Controversy, to remove every future doubt, and to enable you to determine at once of the ulitility of going or staying, I will upon Condition of your keeping the place till Master Custis comes of Age Post and Rail in the Lott (next Summer) in the manner I mentioned to you sometime ago, and allow any Sum not exceeding Ten pounds out of the first Rent (which is as much as you seem to think woud be requird in 7 years an Acct. of which to be renderd) towards making such other repairs as you may find necessary for the benefit and convenience of the place, after which I shall expect that the Lotts and Houses will not only be kept from destruction they have hitherto sustaind but in such decent repair as time &ca. will reasonably admit of and that Leases may pass at our first meeting expressive of these purposes.
If you Incline to continue longer than the year (for which you took the place) upon these terms it is well; if not please to let me know that I may have time to seek out another Tenant. I am Sir, etc.
Dear Sir: Having Perusd the Contents of Mr. Bernards Letter Inclosd, I am of Opinion that, if the scope of it is to draw an answer from us (as Executors of Colo. Colrills
90. Washington had been made an executor of Col. Thomas Colvill's estate. The settlement was an inconvenience and irritation to him for some years. Thomas Colvill was a brother of John, who established himself at Clish, on the lower side of Little Hunting Creek, Va. Thomas moved to Clish from Maryland, on his brother's death, and died there. The settlement of the estate was aggravated by claims of Colvill's relatives in England, who believed the estate to be a rich one.
Gentn. By Captn. Dent bound to the Madeira's (a careful honest Man) and, who will return with his Vessel to this River again, I shoud be obligd to you for sending me a Butt (of about One hundred and fifty Gall'ns) of your choicest Madeira Wine. A Small Box, not exceeding 15 or 20 lbs. of Citron. And, if there is nothing improper, or inconsistent in the request a few setts or cuttings of the Madeira Grape (that kind I mean of which the Wine is made) but if in requiring this last Articles there be any sort of Impropriety I beg that no notice may be taken of it. On Robt. Cary Esqr. & Co. (of London) you will please to draw for Cost of these things, who shall be advertizd thereof by the first oppertunity that may offer.
The Butt of Wine which you sent me by Captn. Montgomery in Augt. 1766 came safe to hand, and will I hope, proove good (having made no use of it yet). By coming safe to hand I woud be understood to mean that it did not appear to have undergone any kind of Adulteration; there was a good deal of ullage indeed, and what I dislikd still more was, a large Tap in the head of the Cask which left me in doubt whether it was done on the Passage (which occasiond the difficiency) or was in the cask before Shipping of it (as the Sailors, who deliverd it to me, affirmd).
Having the Pleasure of Mr. Murrays acquaintance whilst in Virginia, I beg his acceptance of my best wishes if he is returnd to the Island, and am Gentn., etc.
Sir: Your not sending me the Goods requird in a Letter of the 2Ist. of July 1766, nor acknowledging the receipt, neither of that Letter, nor one of the 22d. of Septr. following (both of which were sent by the Fryer Captn. Pollard) has given rise to a suspicion (knowg. he got safe home) not altogether favourable to the Character of that Gentleman, which is this, that he has nevr. deld. my Letters nor the Tobo. to you for Reasons easily conceivd from the Copies of those Letters wch. I now send. This is the only way I can acct. for your Silence, hag. never recd. a Line from you since the 22d. of April 1766.
I now Inclose you Captn. Pollards Second Bill of Lading, relying on your kind assistance in transacting the Affair for me. If my Suspicions are well founded, Captn. Pollard has not only treated me very injuriously, but at the sametime acted with a good deal of Ingratitude as I was amg. a very few who did not take advantage of a failure of his (in point of time for his arrival) to withhold my Tobo. from him, but complied strictly with my part of the Contract altho it was inconvenient for me to do so; expecting long, very long before this to have had the Salt and Sacks there Orderd (free from freight accordg. to Engagemt.) for want of wch. I hitherto have, and now do; suffer exceedingly, especially for the latter, wh'h I now beg may be made up 50 and numbered as tho they had Salt in them and were distinct parcels. If on the other hand the Captn. had deld. my Letter, and Tobo. and made good any damage it might have sustaind agreeable to his promise I freely ask his pardon for my uncharitable suspicions w'ch took rise from the causes aforementiond. I am Sir, etc.
By the Eagle Captn. Walker via Whitehaven.
Gentn: This Letter will, I expect, be delivered to you by Mr. Walter Magowan, who for many years has livd in my Family a Tutor to Master and Miss Custis, and now comes to England to get admittance into Holy Orders. Any little Civilities therefore which you may occasionally shew him during his short stay there, or assistance give, woud be very obliging as he is perfectly a Stranger, and may need a little Introduction, altho' he comes provided with proper Certificates &ca. to the Bishop.
He has Fifty pounds Sterling due to him on Acct. of his last years Wages which please to pay and charge equally to Master and Miss Custis. Besides this, you will please to advance him any Sum on the particular Acct. of Master Custis not exceeding Forty pounds Sterlg. with which he is to purchase Sundry Books &ca. for the young Gentleman. Mr. Magowan on this head desird he might have a credit to answer the purposes. Whatever money therefore you may advance in consequence of this Order you will please to charge as I have just directed because, I shall know what Sum to Debit each party with, and what to give him Credit for, when I come to settle with Mr. Magowan upon his return, w'ch is intended to be in a very short space of time.
Having a very good oppertunity a fewdays ago directly from my own door to the Madeira and back I desird Messrs. Scott, Pringle, Cheape and Company to send me a Butt of Wine and one or two other trifling things, and draw upon you for the amount which I hope will be paid.
Captn. Johnstown is arrivd, but having been some time in York and James River I have not got any Goods by him, though hourly expect them. At present I shall add nothing more than that I am Gentn. etc.
The Executors
of Colo. Thomas Colvill, late of Alexandria in Virginia, hereby intend notice to the Parties concernd, that, in the last Will of that Gentleman made Octr. the 8th. 1766 the following clause was inserted, and recorded in the County Court of Fairfax in the Colony aforesaid.
And Whereas &ca., here the whole clause relative to the above Persons was inserted at large.
The Executors
as yet, cannot even guess what may be the Surplus money of this Estate, when the Debts (which are of a complicated nature) and Legacies, are dischargd; but as it is more than probable there will be a residue, and there being a time limited for entering the Claims, and prooving the Relationship as above; this Second notice is given to the Parties that they may be timely advisd thereof by.
Francis Colvill Executrix
G Washington
John West Junr.
Executors
Note, The above Letter I sent by Mr. W Magowan, when he went to England for Orders; with particular injunctions to put it into the hands of some Person who had corrispondants in Durham, that proper enquiry might be made after these People, and I satisfied with having dischargd my Duty as an Executor.
Gentn: I have just time before I leave this place to acknowledge the rect. of your Letters of the 22d. of Deer. by Easton, and 1st. of Feby. by Captn. Outram. By the Latter I shall send you all my own Tobo. consisting of 15 Hhds, and about 25 of Master Custis's; on both of which parcels please to ensure £20 pr. Hhd. As the scarcity of Tobo and high prices thereof in the Country are Facts too well known to be doubted of it consequently becomes unnecessary for me to add, that unless the Sales with you are high, we shall be a considerable looser by adhering to our usual custom of assisting your Ships here, this we hope you will endeavour to avoid, and make the advantages reciprocal; at least that we do not suffer by our Attachment to your House.
Herewith you will receive a Bill of Exchange drawn by James Kirk on Messrs. Crosbies and Trafford for £107.10 Sterg. as also two other Bills of Mr. Jno. Wayles's drawing on Messrs. Farrel and Iones of Bristol amounting together to £120 Sterg. which Sums when reed. please to give my Acct. Credit for. At present I shall only add that, I am Gentn., etc.
8 Hhds.
7 Ditto D. P. C.
Sent by Captn. Mitchell.
Gentn: Your Letters to Master Gustis and myself of the 10th. of Decr. by Captn. Easton are both come to my hands and I have directed Ten Hhds of the young Gentn's. Tobo. to be put on board his Ship to your Address; which, considering the very short crop we made last year is a larger proportion of his Tobo. than you have had yet. On this quantity you will please to Insure £10 pr. Hhd and carry the proceeds to his Credit. Having discontinued the growth of Tobo. myself, except at a Plantation or two upon York River, I make no more of that Article than barely serves to furnish me with Goods, this is the Reason therefore why I send it undivided to Messrs. Cary & Co. as it is from that House I always get the necessaries wanted for my Family's use.
I shoud be very glad if you woud make it an invariable Rule (while our corrispondance in behalf of Mastr. Custis to whom am Guardian continues) to send me in his Acct. Currt. once a year; this, besides the satisfaction of comparing them with my own Accts. is necessary in Settling my Administration Accts. annually with the Genl. Court. I am Gentn., etc.
This and the above Letter were both intended to go by the Lord Baltimore Captn. Mitchell, but whether they got on board or not I cannot be absolutely certain.
Gentn: My old Chariot havg. run its race, and gone through as many stages as I could conveniently make it travel, is now renderd incapable of any further Service; The intent of this Letter therefore is to desire you will bespeak me a New one, time enough to come out with the Goods (I shall hereafter write for) by Captn. Johnstown, or some other Ship.
As these are kind of Articles, that last with care agst. number of years, I woud willingly have the Chariot you may now send me made in the newest taste, handsome, genteel and light; yet not slight and consequently unserviceable. To be made of the best Seasond Wood, and by a celebrated Workman. The last Importation which I have seen, besides the customary steel springs have others that play in a Brass barrel, and contribute at one and the same time to the ease and Ornament of the Carriage; One of this kind therefore woud be my choice; and Green being a colour little apt, as I apprehend to fade, and grateful to the Eye, I woud give it the preference, unless any other colour more in vogue and equally lasting is entitled to precedency, in that case I woud be governd by fashion. A light gilding on the mouldings that is, round the Pannels) and any other Ornaments that may not have a heavy and tawdry look (together with my Arms agreeable to the Impression here sent) might be added, by way of decoration. A lining of a handsome, lively cold. leather of good quality, I sh'd also prefer, such as green, blew, or &ca., as may best suit the col'r of the outside, Let the box that slips under Seat, be as large as it conveniently can be made (for the benefit of Storage upon a journey), and to have a Pole (not Shafts) for the Wheel Horses to draw by; together with a handsome sett of Harness for four middle sized Horses orderd in such a manner as to suit either two Postilions (without a box) or a box and one Postilion. The box being made to fix on, and take off occasionally, with a hammel Cloth &ca., suitable to the lining. On the Harness let my Crest be engravd.
If such a Chariot as I have here describd ed. be got at 2d. hand little or nothg. the worse of wear, but at the same time a good deal under the first cost of a new one (and sometimes tho perhaps rarely it happens so), it wd. be very desirable; but if I am obligd to go near to the origl. cost I wd. even have one made; and have been thus particular, in hopes of gettg. a handsome Chart. through your direction, good taste, and managt.; not of Copper however, for these do not stand the powerful heat of our sun.
Inclosd you will receive a Bill of Excha. on Laughlin Maccleane Esqr. for £302 Sterg.
P. S. The Orig'l of this was sent by the Keith to Glosgow and the Copies by Captn. Johnstown.
93. Vain September, 1768, a chariot was shipped from Christopher Reeves, described in Washington's copy of the invoice as follows:
“To a new handsome Chariot, made of best materials, handsomely carvd, carvd anticks to middle of Pillars, and carvd scrowl Corners to top of Pillars and roof, Batten sides, sweeps of Sides and mouldings rd. the roof carvd with dble ribings, hind battens and fore battens archd and carvd; panneld back and Sides Japand and Polishd, and roof Japand; lined wt. green Morocco Leather trimmed with Cuffoy Lace, an oval behind, a large Trunk under the seat, the bottom coverd with red leather and a handsome carpit to bottom: Plate Glass, diamd cut, handsomely Paintd, the Body and Carridge and whls. paintd a glazd. green; all the framd Work of Body gilt, handsome scrowl, shieIds, Ornamentd. wt. flowers all over the Panls, body and Carridge Oil Varnished, the carridge wt, iron Axletree screwd at ends handsomely carvd scrowl Standds. twisted behind and before, and stays of foot board barrs and beads carvd with scrowls and Paneled; Patent wootin Springs wt. brass sockets; a boot coverd wt. leather, Japand. and garnished, Brass nails, a hand. seat cloth, embroidered with bd wt brd. La: and 2 rows of hande. fringe wt. gimp head, all cornpt. 4 Venetian Patt. Blinds with Mahy. frames; 4 handsome harness bridles, brass Ornamt. pieces, on the Straps, brass arch'd Molden Housg. and Winkers, pollshr. Bitts all compleat; 2 ridg. Sadles, stirps. and Girts; 2 Setts of Splinters and 2 main barrs wt. Ironwork; 2 bass waterg. and Plates with high Rings; 4 high brass rings and 2 Waterg. hooks and Plates; a new covr. made of Green Bays; a strong deal case and casing up the Body.”
The cost of the chariot and transportation charges amounted to £315.13.6.
94. This amount was the repayment by Capt. Robert Stewart, in Jamaica, of the loan made him by Washington in 1763.
Gentn: Having wrote several times to you of late I have the less to say in this Letter, the principal design of which is to inclose Invoices of such Good as are wanted for this River; those for York I must take some other oppertunity of forwarding as Mr. Valentine has not yet sent me a list of those Articles we may want for the Plantation under his care.
The Reason I proposd (in my Letter of the 20th. of July last year) that so much of Master Custis's Money as was necessary for paying the Duties of his Tobacco shoud be applied to that purpose was on a presumption that it woud proove advantageous to him. And this I was led into a belief of as the readiest method of a counting for Mr. Hanbury's Sales out stripping yours in the manner they did for Tobacco's of the same Crop and as we thought of inferior quality. However, as you can determine with much more precission which of the two modes woud be most benificial to his Interest, that of allowing the Duties of his Tobo. or Interest on his money I shall leave it to your decision not doubting of your readiness of determining for the best.
In your last of the 12th. of March I perceive that 9 Hhds of our Tobo. were upon hand unsold, but as the Markets were daily advancing you dispaird not of selling them at 11½, you further added that as the whole were sold at 11 and 11½ great Accts. woud consequently be rendered. I cannot pretend to say what may be the amount of these Accts., but this I can affirm that I coud have got £10 Bills of Excha. for every thousd. Weight of Tobo. (by the Inspection notes) and this clear of Insurance, Freight, Commissions, and every incident charge which the Shippers is subjected to. If the Sales therefore do not turn out equivalent to this I loose the difference and can moreover affirm, with equal truth that I have lost (at least) four years out of five by my consignments having better prices offered in the Country than my Tobo. has sold for in England which is not only discouraging but almost sufficient to bring about a change in the System of my management. And I cannot help adding that I was sorry to hear you speak of Tobacco daily advancing after our's was disposed off. That Tobacco woud rise and sell almost as high as it ever had done was as clear to me as the Sun in its meridian height which was the Reason that induced me in my Letter of the 20 of July aforementioned to recommend deliberation in the Sales, especially if your Acct. of the Crops upon York and lames River corrisponded with mine. True it is 11d. and 11½ are good prices, but 12d. is better and I am much misinformd if there has not come in several Accts. of this kind every one therefore who consigns is willing to have the most that can be made of the Article of that Commerce from which their support is principally derived.
I shoud be obligd to you for directing the Chariot I wrote for in my last, to be packed up in a very secure manner before it is put on Ship board, as they are very apt to get a pannel split or some other damage with out it. I am Gentn., etc.
Sent by Captn. Buddicum to Liverpool
Mr. Lawrence: This is to desire you will send me a Suit of handsome Cloth Cloaths. I have no doubts but you will choose a fashionable coloured Cloth as well as a good one and make it in the best taste to sit easy and loose as Cloaths that are tight always look aukward and are uneasy to the Wearer. As I have sent you my measure once or twice I presume you can be at no loss for want of one but I think you have generally sent my Cloaths too short and sometimes too tight for which Reason I think it necessary again to mention that I am full six feet high which may be a good direction to you as to the length and as I am not at all inclind to be corpulent you might easily come at my size even if your measure of me shoud be lost, let the Breeches be made long.
You are also desired to send the following Cloaths for Mastr. Custis, to wit, a handsome Suit of fashionable Cloth. Also a riding dress of green Cloth, and two Suits of fine Jean's; the Cloaths you sent him last year fit very well except the Sleeves wh'ch are 4 Inches at least too short; but you must make allow'e for his grow. since those were made he being now 15 yrs. of age and growing fast. Let the Jean Suits be without Linings. I shoud be glad if you woud have his Breches made rather long, and get him a pair of Leather Breeches as you can direct the size, and likewise send for his Man a Suit a blew Livery, the Servt. is abt. five feet 8 Inches high and Slender. Robt. Cary Esqr. & Co. will pay the respective Acct. and you must make them out distinct. I am Sir, etc.
Sir: You will please to send me the following Shoes and charge them respectively. I have also sent my measure for a pair of light thin Boots for Summer wear which let come with the Shoes. As it will save me the trouble of preparing a fresh measure every time I may have occasion for new Boots I shoud be glad if you woud keep the measure now sent, by you.
One pair of Boots as above
4 pr. of neat Shoes for myself
6 pr. of bla. Callimanca Pumps for Mrs. W—n
4 pr. neat Pumps
6 pr. of neat and strong Shoes
4 pr. strong, course, and middling large Shoes for
his Servant
4 pr. of Leather Pumps
6 pr. bla. Callimanca Do
1 pr. bla. Sattin Do
1 pr. white Do Do
As Mrs. Washington's Shoes (last sent) did not fit her well She now sends her Measure again, and desires I will add that they were made out of bad materials having no last in them. I am Sir, etc.
Sir: Your Letter of the 16th. of July 1767 accompanied with 25 Bags of Salt came to my hands sometime in April last after I had given over all expectation of receiving this Supply from you and after I had laid in a Stock from a Liverpool Ship (in this River) abt. a month before.
I think I have great cause to complain of this delay, but the most aggravating circumstances attending the disappointment arc that scarcely any of the Sacks containd four Bushels (which I conceive they ought to have done) and not one of the Bags worth a Shilling, nor ever coud be as no two being alike, some extremely wide, others very narrow, and all, or mostly all, made of old, slaizy, and patchd Cloth. That I was more at a loss to Acct. for the detention of it from July till April (notwithstanding the Ship went to Baltimore) and for the ordinary quality of the Bags, without Marks or numbers, when both were expressly desired; and when, to get good, exceeding good ones, was almost the soul motive which induced me to send for the Salt, is easy to be imagined, and woud readily have been admitted as sufficient Reason for rejecting the whole; however this I did not do, but have acquiesced under the disappointment and loss, in hopes I may never be subjected to the like Inconvenience again.
I am obligd to you for the part you acted in respect to the Tobacco Ships in Pollard. I expected it woud come to a poor Market, being well convinced of the damage it had sustaind in the Country; which, had I consulted my own Interest, the Captn. ought to have paid for here, or taken the Tobacco upon himself, paying me the Country price for it, which woud have amounted to £50 Curry. (equal to £40 Sterlg.) indeed of £26.17.3½ which I have got. I shoud be glad to have your Accts. Currt. regularly rendered, especially with Master Custis, as his are necessary to my annual Settlement with our General Court. I am Sir, etc.
Sent by Capt. Buddicum
95. The salt, of course, could be used for pickling fish.
Sir: As you did not come down to our April Court according to promise, or according to your own expectation, I shoud be glad to know if you have considered anything further of the matter I mention'd to you at your own House.
The Slipe of Land which I then proposd to buy, is in my opinion, the most indifferent part of your Tract, because one half of it is cold wet ground, and the other half Stony Hill sides; but as it lyes upon my Line, and is pretty well stockd (that is the Wood part of it) with Rail timber, it woud answer the end for which I want it, as well as better. Nor woud my purchase of this small piece injure the Sale, or settlement of the residue, as you may see by the Plat Inclosd, which leaves the remainder in a very pretty figure and mostly upon the Hills where the level and tendable Land chiefly lyes for I woud take it in a long Square from the Creek to Mr. Russells Line adjoining my own, and either 60, 70, or 80 rod wide as you yourself might choose.
For this piece I woud pay you ready money, and as a security against any consequences which might result from Mr. Russells claim (under old Robt. Johnson) I woud take a Bond from you to refund me the neat sum which I shd. pay in case of a recovery (which is putting it upon the most favourable Issue imaginable for you as few others I presume woud take any thing less than a general Warrantee) by which means you woud have the use of my Money whilst I had the use of your Land and I am much mistaken if the Interest of it is not more than an equivalent for the Rent of the Loggd Cabin below the Hill.
I send this Letter upon purpose in hopes that you will favour me with a definitive answer because I have just come to a resolution of rebuilding my Mill, and fitting her for Mercht. Work and till the Mill wright comes up to the lay of the spot to fix her in (which will be on thursday or friday next from Fredericksburg Fair) I do not know but there may be a more convenient place found by drawing the Water from my present Pond a long a Race to a spot on the Creek so near to your Line as to be incommoded by it; for this Reason therefore and for the sake of Rail Timber more convenient than I at present have it I am inclind to make what I think a generous offer at once for this slipe of Land and that is a pistole an Acre; this sum when compard with the Land, when compard with the times, for let it be rememberd, that the Scarcity of our money at this juncture is such as to have raisd it in value almost equal to Sterling, whereas the time Doctr. Cockburne inclind to buy the Land, he coud have paid a hund'd pound Curry. with about £60 Sterg. and now I cannot do it with £80 Sterg. which makes a very material difference and causd me to add as above that this price compard with the Land and the times, must be th't a very gen's offer.
Perhaps you may imagine by my wanting to hurry you into an answer, that I have heard of some other Person or Person's who may want to buy it, and woud give this or a greater price; but you may rely upon it when I assure you upon my word and honour that I know of no such thing further than you yourself mentioned to me. I have no other Reason's for applying to you at this time than what I have candidly declard; on the contrary, I do know, that it is a general receivd opinion that there never will be the same price offered for the Land again, which Doctr. Cockburn talkd of giving for it in order to get fixd in this neighbourhood, for I know that that was his motive for offering such a price, and the Reason why I have straind the point is to see if the matter can be brought to a conclusion at once as it is, not worth my while in so trifling a purchase as 70, 80, or an 100 Acres to be hegling for a few pounds. I am Sir, etc.
5. West sold this land to Washington, whose statements of the value of the land to him are fairly confirmed by the fact that his accounts show he parted with some of it to George William Fairfax in 1772.
Sir: Hearing by your Son Price, and perceiving by the Maryland Gazette that you are again entered into the Estate of Matrimony I wish you joy.
Your Affairs in this County having now come to a Crisis, I am under a necessity of reminding you of matters as they stand between Us; and hope you will consider them with that attention and care which the Subject deserves.
You will no doubt be informd by your Sons, that every thing which is not under Security to me hath been attached. Many of them sold, and the rest on the point of selling; It remains however for me to add, that, some of the Effects which were Included in your Bill of Sale to me, have under gone the same fate, and many of the others continually wasting by various and unforseen Accidents. That Colo. Mason hath several times spoke to me on Acct. of your Bond (to which I am Security) since he wrote to you himself; and I shoud presume, must now have greater Calls for the money than he himself apprehended, inasmuch as he has been disappointed of receiving £350 of the Publick for his executed Negroes; but as I have not seen him since my return from Williamsburg, this is the result of my own Conjectures only. That Mr. Ross and others have brought a Bill in Chancery against you and me, to compel a Sale of your Estate (under Engagements to me) and which, in a Court or two, I expect will be finally decreed. And lastly, that whilst others are adopting the most short and easy method of obtaining their Money, I, by forbearance am not only lying out of mine (which I really stand in need of) but am Subjected in how to pay Colo. Mason's demand whensoever he shall say he can wait no longer; And moreover, by the Deminution of the Goods, which by one means or another are greatly lessen'd, I may, if some speedy steps are not taken to raise money to discharge my demand, be a considerable looser by that forbearance and Indulgence, which was meant as a favour to you, without you or yours, gaining any thing by it; as I coud easily demonstrate were I to set myself about it.
It is not at all probable; however, lest you shoud entertain any thoughts of redeeming your Estate in Virginia by a Sale of what you have lately acquired in Maryland, you will permit me to observe, that if it was for your Interest to do so, there is an effectual bar put to every attempt of that kind (for sometime to come) by the Bill in Chancery brought by James Chetton (which appears by the Gazette) against your pres't Wife, her Sister &ca. in behalf of Messrs. Sedgley and Hilhouse for Subjecting the real Estate of Robt. Idair (for want of suff't Personal Estate) to the payment of his Debts. But admitting that you coud raise wherewithal to do it, a moments consideration must convince you, that your Land in this Neck is of no value to you as a Seat to live on, since it is seperated from that which you held in right of your late Wife; and, as you will most assuredly loose the Six Acres with the Improvements thereon which you bought of Mr. Marshall (it being the concurrant opinion of the Lawyers, and every body else that I have heard speak of it, that Mr. West has an undoubted right to it) I say then, as distinct from other Land and as having neither Timber, Fencing, nor Firing upon it, It is of no other value than what it will sell for; this reason therefore in my opinion if no other existed, is sufficient to turn your thoughts another way. And having given you this short, and I flatter myself just state of the thing, and of your Affairs in general on this side of the Water, I am Inclind to make you a proposal, In which if I am not explicit enough to be clearly understood, I must refer you to Mr. Lund Washington (who is acquainted with my Sentiments on the matter) for further explanation.
As I have endeavourd to shew you, that the 200 Acres of Land which you bought of my Broth'r Charles considered distinctly from those of Mr. Wests, and the Slipe on which your dwelling House stands will never answer for a Seat; I have now desired Lund Washington to ask what you woud take for it, delivering me possession
immediately; He knowing the extent of my price, and being desired also to talk more fully to you on this, and some other matters, than I have time or recollection to mention in this Letter. One principal reason however for my wanting to know for a certainty, if I can purchase the Land, and get it at this time I shall candidly own to you, and this is it. I have it now in my power to Rent out some Lands which I hold near Williamsburg but durst not do it, nor give the Overseers on it notice to go of, unless I coud be upon a certainty of a place (in this Neighbourhood, where I want to draw all my force to) to put some of the Hands upon; there being too many to distribute among my other Quarters, and again, I shoud like to be making some preparations, and alterations on the place (agreeable to my own fancy) between this and the Fall for the Lands, and Crop.
Perhaps you may say, how is possession to be given when I have a Crop now growing on the Premises? This objection is easily removd: And as I conceive may turn out much to your advantage, I mean by a Sale of the Crop as it stands upon the Ground, the value of which may be ascertaind in one or t'other of these three ways, either by an agreement between ourselves, by the valuation of three Sensible and honest Men, Or, by setting it up to the highest bidder as it is growing. And that I may not appear to advance any thing without assigning reasons for it, I will explain what I meant by saying, that a Sale of the Crop in this manner (and in short of every thing that is containd in the Bill of Sales, at an early day) might turn to your advantage. In the first place then; if you coud with the greatest ease and convenience imaginable, Cut your Grain, and pull your Corn, I have but too much reason to believe, that both will be attached so soon as it happens; and by this means, and the neglect and waste, that consequently follows, the proceeds of either, woud turn to very little Acct. In the next place, Hanson informs me that in a very few days your People will be without bread, at present the Horses have nothing to eat; and how a Crop is to be made under these Circumstances, is beyond my management to discover. Again, if you can dispose of your Crop, as it now stands, to any tolarable advantage, the expences, and Inconveniences which are here pointed out, are avoided, your Negroes and other things will be then sold at once, and but a very little while perhaps before the Court may decree it; and at a time (it being about Market) when money is easily obtaind; which will be better in my opinion, than to make two Sales; for one must be made to raise money for Colo. Mason, if he will wait no longer, unless you intend to let me suffer in this matter, which I hope, and am convinced, you do not; the Articles therefore from which this Money of Colo. Masons is to be rais'd are such, (if sold) as to put an end to any further progress in the Crop; Horses, Carts, &ca. constituting a principal part of the Money.
These therefore are the Reasons which I offer in support of my opinion but as it is the Land which I have principally in view at this time, and for the Reasons mentioned, I should be glad to know your Ultimate determination in respect to it, even if you shoud not Incline to deliver possession till the Fall; because, a certain knowledge of what I have to depend upon, is to fix my own conduct in respect to the removal of my People from below; any agreement therefore which you and Lund Washington may come to on this head, will be binding on me. But it may not be amiss to observe, that no private agreement which even you and I can make, will be valid unless Mr. Ross accedes thereto; but as I am willing to give a greater price at this time for the Land (in order to put myself upon a certainty) than I am sure Mr. Ross expects it will sell at, there is no doubt of his readily agreeing to it, however it would be a good way to say nothing of it as yet to him, or any body else, till matters coud be properly prepared. It may not be amiss to observe also, that nothing more than a conditional agreement coud be made for the Crop; for if Mr. West recovers possession before it is gatherd, it goes with the Land for by this you may perceive, I mean to Include your whole Crops; as well that w'ch grows on Mr. Wests Land, as your own, that your Negroes maybe entirely disengag'd; But as the Crop is a matter I am by no means anxious abt., I only proposed it for your consideration; and to shew that by this method, wh'ch had a good deal of eligibility in it to me, you might remove every obstruction to a Sale, and dispose of the whole at once. I am Sir, etc.
Gentn: Inclosd you will receive Invoices of Goods wanted for myself and Master Custis for this place and our Plantations on York River, as also for Miss Custis which I beg may be sent by Captn. Johnstoun if the Orders gets to hand in time, if not by any other Vessel bound to this River. But if there are any Articles containd in either of the respective Invoices (Paper only excepted) which are Tax'd by Act of Parliament for the purpose of Raising a Revenue in America, it is my express desire and request, that they may not be sent, as I have very heartly enterd into an Association (Copies of which, I make no doubt you have seen otherwise I shoud have Inclosed one) not to Import any Article which now is or hereafter shall be Taxed for this purpose untill the said Act or Acts are repeal'd. I am therefore particular in mentioning this matter as I am fully determined to adhere religiously to it, and may perhaps have wrote for some things unwittingly which may be under these Circumstances.
Many of your Letters lying before me I shall take notice of such parts of them as require answering and shall begin with Mr. McLean because the trouble you have had with him on my Acct. deserves my particular acknowledgments; but even here, I hope there is but little occasion to be explicit, as he will undoubtedly have paid the Money before this Letter can get to hand. True it is, the Draft arose in consequence of a Debt, due to me from Colo. Robt. Stewart, and as true it is, that I shoud have been unwilling to have done any thing that might have distressed that Gentleman; but surely Mr. McLean will not pretend to say, that there was not time to have rectified the mistake he attributes the Non-payment to, between the hour of his Acceptance of the Bill and the date of your Letter of the first of March. Certain I am it woud give Colo. Stewart a good deal of uneasiness to think I had met with any obstacle in receiving the Money as I lent it to him five or Six years ago without Security and without Interest, having nothing but the Word of a Gentleman of no Estate to repay it to me again.
I observe what you have mentioned in a Letter of the 12th. of August, last year in respect to the payment of the Duties of Master Custis's Tobo. and not doubting the justice of the Remark, I have only to add, that I shall confide in your pursuing such measures as appears most conducive (under the change of Circumstances which are often happening) to his Interest.
By a Letter which I have just received from Mr. Jos'h Valentine I am informd that 37 Hhds of Mast'r Custis's Tobo. and all mine amounting to 17 Hhds are put on board Captn. Peterson to your Address, on both which parcels you will please to Insure Ten pounds pr. Hhds. I have no Tobo. on this River, having made none for two or three years past and believe I never shall again. There is in my opinion, a very great appearance of another short Crop of Tobo. owing to several concurrant Causes, but more especially to a Drought which has been severely felt in most parts of the Country during the whole Month of June, part of May, and till the middle of this Instt.
I am oblig'd to you for your notice of Mr. Magowan, who is now returnd and got fixed in a valuable living in the Province of Maryland not far from this place. As it is probable I shall have occasion to draw upon you at the next October Genl. Court for some part (perhaps four, five, or Six hundred pounds) of Master Custis's Money, I take this oppertunity of mentioning of it to you and am Gentn., etc.
*
3 pr. plain and strong Steel Nut Crackers
*
1 large huntg. Horn bound tight round
with sml. brass Wire from one end to the
other and sec'd in such a man'r as to prev't the Wires Slipping
50 best Sack Bags, Markd GW and nd. from
1 to 50
*
As handsome a fowling piece 3½ feet
in the Barl. as can be bot. for 3 Guins.
*
Sir: In answer to your Letter of yesterday, I must inform you that I am not a little surprizd, that you shoud begin now to tell me, that Colo. Mason's
What then did all these promises and Protestations mean? Were they intended for no other purpose than to deceive a Man, who had discovered by every means in his power an Inclination to serve you, and your Family with the best advice he was capable of giving, and with his purse also? Your delaying the matter from January till this time, and from this time to a future day, are strong marks of such an Intention; and therefore, I woud go further, and recommend it to your Sober, and serious reflection whether such treatment is due to a Man who has so often saved your Person, or Estate from the Officers of Justice, in hopes of your pursuing such measure's as wd. retrieve your Circumstances; and then say whether the appointing of this time, that time, and t'other time for fulfilling your Engagements are right.
It is true Colo. Mason has not brought Suit against me as yet, but it is sufficient for me to be reminded two or three times of the necessity of doing so, and to know that he wants the Money. He gave you and me both Notice so long ago as January, that he shoud expect the Cash in April and I waited patiently (under the solemn assurances I had receivd from you) from that time till I wrote to you at Baltimore, to see what steps you woud take to discharge the Bond; and now in the last of July, you tell me he shall be paid (you hope only) by the middle of October; true it is you add, that you “have expected a Gentleman from the Eastern shore with the needful, that he is not come, that I may depend Colo. Mason shall be paid and soon, you hope by the Middle of October”; these are your very words, but what dependance can I have in promises, when promises seems to be no more than words of Course, which when often repeated, and as often broke destroys all faith and confidance.
It is but the other day I heard you tell a Company at your own House (when Mr. West was there a Surveying) of the great Acquisitions you had obtaind by Marriage; and among other things, that your Wife had 300 half Joes by her. Why not then (if she has made over all her Estate to you, as we were informd) is not part of this money applied to the discharge of a Debt which is running upon Interest; and which you know I am every moment liable to a Suit for. For give me leave to tell you in this place, once for all, that Colo. Mason does not look to you for the
10. George Mason, of Gunston Hall, Va.
Money, and very probably may never mention the matter to you again, he knows where he is secured, and where to seek redress; and the first notice he gave you, was more for form's sake than any thing else. But to proceed, if you propose to redeem your Virginia Estate by the Sale of any part of your Wiles fortune is it not high time that there were some steps taken towards it? for the time is not only past in which Colo. Mason's shoud have been paid; but a time will quickly be here, when a Sum of much greater Dignity will be expected without any further delay, or procrastination. Surely this is not only a just and reasonable question to ask but a timely admonition of what you have to expect. But Sir, to deal Ingenuously with you, I shall tell you what I have heard, and that is, that your Wife not only denies her having conveyed her Estate, or any part of it, to you but has also declared that She never will do it; Why then do you endeavour (if this be true) to amuse the World with these kind of Tales, which in Fact, answers no Earthly end, or purpose; for People that have been put of from time to time, pay no regard to Words, whilst they see nothing effectual attempted towards carrying them into Execution; but are more and more confirmd in a belief that you never intend to part with any thing so long as you can hold it. This I can assure you is the firm belief of many people already; tho' I, for my part, can never harbour so ill an opinion of any Man, till I am convincd he has thrown of every principle of honour, honesty, and Virtue.
However, I have endeavoured to lay the State of my Affairs (with you) fully open, because I think the exigency of them requires it; and because I want you to be convinced, that I cannot live upon promises, nor satisfie my own Engagements upon the strength of your Assurances. I expect now to know, and to know with certainty, not only when, but in what manner (if it is not to be done by a Sale of the Mortgaged Articles) Colo. Mason is to be paid; for it is a matter of the most perfect Indifference to me, how the money is raisd, so that the Bond is taken in, and my Name with drawn from it. It is true a Month or two may not make any material difference with Colo. Mason if he has not some thing particular in view for his Money; but what surety have I, that when the Middle of October arrives you may not talk of fresh disappointments, and crave two or three Months longer, and so on to the end of time for to keep your Estate, and to pay your Debts too, is next to Impossible, and to no purpose to attempt it; the money must be raisd by a Sale here, or in Maryland (if you have the privilege of selling there) and it is in vain to think of amusing People any longer with other expectation's.
Upon the whole, and to cut the matter short, only let me know for certain, that you will assuredly have the Money ready by the middle of October, or expose as many things to Sale (with out further delay) as will raise a Sum Sufficient to take in the Bond, and I will endearour to keep Colo. Mason satisfied till that time. But take notice again, it is upon the express terms that no longer time may be asked, that I do it. And take notice also, that I shall want my own Money at the time (according to your own Acct.) it becomes due having a considerable payment to make between this and Christmas out of that Sum. I am Sir, etc.
Sir: In Return for my Venture of Fish, which are committed to your disposal, I shoud be obliged to you for bringing me the following Articles first deducting the Freight and Commissions).
One Hhd. of best Comm'r Rum
1 Barl. of very best bro: Sugar
200 Wt. of Loaf refind Sugar
if good and Cheap
1 Pot, abt. 5 lb. preservd Green
Sweetmeats.
2 or 3 doz. Sweet Oranges
1 dozn. Cocoa Nuts
A few Pine Apples
if in Season
And the residue of the money,
be it little or much, to be laid out in
good Spirits
I heartily Wish you a prosperous Voyage, and a safe and Speedy return to your Friends at Alexandria being Sir, etc.
Sir: The repeated, and pressing demands of Mrs. Savage for Money obliges Mr. Fairfax and myself (as Trustees) to put Doctr. Savage's Bond in Suit against Mr. Thomson Mason his Security for the Sum due thereupon to her. The Inclos'd Memm. which was given to me by Mr. Bryan Fairfax who has the Bond in possession, and much better acquainted with the Condition's of it than I am (for I never saw it) will Instruct you how to lay the Action which we desire may be commenced as soon as possible in Prince William Court against Mr. Mason unless Mr. Montgomery will pay at the Genl. Court Ensuing one years allowance for the present Support of Mrs. Savage (who complains of real distress) in that case we woud stay prosecution agst. Mr. Mason till the Doctr's. arrival for the residue (as we understand he is expected in shortly). We therefore beg the favour of you Sir to make application to Mr. Montgomerie previous to your Issuing the Writ and govern yourself by his answer as we woud willingly have the Suit against Mr. Mason commencd before he goes to the Genl. Court if Mr. Montgomerie does not choose to pay the Hundred pounds above mentioned. I am Sir, etc.
12. Of Dumfries, Va.
Dr. Sir: I am informed that the Bill in Chancery exhibited against me by Mr. Ross and others was presented and receivd last Court an Order made for me to answer. I formerly told Mr. Ellzey that seeing no cause why he might not prepare the answer also (as I wanted nothing but my due, and not to procrastinate matters) he might do it accordingly but how far his ill health may suffer him to prosecute business I do not know and therefore I shoud be glad if you woud take the Affair in hand so far at least as to assist in putting in the answer and to see that no delay happens that can be avoided. For this purpose I furnish you with all the materials which I conceive to be necessary (to wit) His Conveyance of the Land and Bills of Sale one of which you will perceive is a Counter Security against Colo. Mason's demand which was made eight Months ago in form. I also give you a Short Sketch of my claim on Captn. Posey (Including Colo. Masons Debt) but as there is a small open Acct. between Us I do not know precisely how the Ball'e stands and therefore mention this as I mean to be exact in nay answer. If it be judgd necessary that this Ball'e shoud be ascertaind previous to my answering I will endeavour to do it tho I believe it is no easy matter to find the Captn. at home and still more difficult to take him in a trim capable of business; and yet to do him justice he came here on Monday last perfectly Sober and proposed of his own voluntary motion to sell his Estate finding it in vain to struggle on longer against the Terms of Debt that oppresses him, and seeming desirous that I shoud be present at the Sale fixed it to the 23d. Inst. as I coud not delay my Journey to Williamsburg longer than the 25th. What Revolution may happen in the System of his Politicks between this and then I will not undertake to say but coud wish a final Decree (if now necessary under his present determination) coud take place this Court and the Sale depending confirmd as it will be sufficiently promulged by its appearance in the Virginia and Maryland Gazettes and at most publick places in this Colony notwithstanding the short notice. I might also add that Mr. Posey expects nothing else than a final determination of the matter next Court in as much as he told me that he neither had, nor intended to make, any defence to it and was desirous of knowing the worst at once. I am Dr. Sir, etc.
Sir: Before this, you undoubtedly must have seen some of Captn. Posey's Advertisements for the Sale of his Estate. At the time he proposed it to me which was on Monday last I observd to him that as there was a Bill exhibited against me and then depending in our Court I did not know whether a Sale coud be appointed before a decree for that purpose took place; to this he answered that as his Estate was certainly more than Sufficient to discharge my Debt and your Claim and as timely Notice woud be given of the Sale no injury coud possibly happen to any one consequently your concurrance woud not be wanting. These Reasons added to some others (which I do not want to publish but shall not scruple to inform you of) induced my consent to his setting out the Advertisements which appeared at Dumfries, Frederickburg, Boyds hole and other places; and will appear in the Virginia and Maryland Gazettes.
The Reasons which I have just above hinted at I am now going to communicate. Captn. Poseys effects of every kind (Stock only excepted) not Mortgaged are disposed of. Many of those which were Mortgaged have been seized and sold for Publick Dues. And others disposed of by himself. Some Articles are perishing fast, and the whole wasting and subject to continual deminution. Add to this, that the Mad and distracted manner in which he lives is alone sufficient to create unfavourable Idea's of a foul Intention but when those Suspicions are corroborated by the Information of a Person whom one would naturally suppose best acquainted with his secret Intentions it then becomes a matter of serious concern.
But that I may not speak altogether obscurely (as I am perswaded you will make no improper use of what I communicate) Mrs. Posey when she took refuge at Colo. Fairfax's about the time of my return from the Spring did in the presence of him and his Lady upbraid him (that is Posey) with a design of Transporting his and her Negroes to Pensacola and there selling them. This she not only did in the course of Altercation but afterwards in a serious manner assured Mrs. Fairfax that he was fully bent on it. I have taken occasion since of mentioning this matter to Posey who of course denied it that is the Intention only; but acknowledged that he had made use of such expressions to his Wife in Order to plague her. However there is a Circumstance or two lately happened which makes his Conduct appear extremely Suspicious and that is his removing her Negroes over to his own House (where he has no Earthly employment for them for his Corn is already lost in the Weeds and no preparation making that I can see for another year) and this from a Crop in which I suppose they might have been usefully engaged. He has also under very frivolous pretences forbid two or three of my People who had Wives in his Family from coming there again and expects a Vessel from the Eastern Shore with his Wife's Goods, which Vessel may for ought I know, be the one he intends to Imbark in and these Advertisements and promised Sale only a finess to bespeak Security.
It becomes extremely necessary therefore, in my opinion at least, to bring matters to as speedy a conclusion as possible with him, even if he has no Intention of removing his Effects and it is for this Reason I give you the trouble of this Detail that you may consider if a final Decree can be obtaind (in your Suit) this Court whether it is eligable to postpone the Sale to a Future day. For my part I freely confess, I see no reason for doing it as the time now fixed will be sufficiently promulged; and as it is a fact very well known that his Negroes and Stock never can be disposed of at a more favourable juncture than in the Fall when they are fat and lusty and must soon fall of unless well fed which I am sure cannot happen in the present case for very good reasons too obvious to mention.
13. A merchant of Colchester, Va.
I have no Sinester Inducements for desiring the Sale to be hastened indeed I have no other motives for it than what I have candidly confessed and such I conceive as most of his Creditors will find their advantage in. To Secure my own Debt is the object I have principally in view; and to effect it does in some measure (latterly) appear to be a matter of doubt when I compare one part of Poseys Conduct with another and take a retrospective view of the whole.
I have given you a Circumstantial Acct. of matters in the light they appear to me, that you may judge with more precission of the propriety or impropriety of acquiessing to the appointed time for the Sale (which I caused to be put of as late as I coud delay my journey to Williamsburg) imagining that you as the Acting Person in the Bill exhibited against me are the only person that can legally object to it nor do I see cause why any shoud do it if notice is given and purchasers appear.
From a tender concern for Characters you will readily perceive that great part of this Letter is intended for your private information only for if Captn. Poseys Intention's are honest and upright, I shall be sorry even for my Suspicions of him, but should be more so if any thing was propagated through my means that should cast any unjust odium on His Character tho I have some reason's to believe that what I have hear mentioned is pretty generally talked of. I am Sir, etc.
Sir: Your Letter of the 1st. of May 1769 Inclosing the Pedegree of Dulcibella Stott came to the Exrs. of the late Colo. Thos. Colvill about 1st. of Decr. last as your other Letter of the 25th.of May in the present year did to my hands about a Month ago.
I am sorry it is not in my Power to give you, or the poor Woman you seem so anxious to serve, a more favourable Acct. of the Surplus money of our Testatory Estate than I am now able to do. The Settlement of this Estate has been greatly retarded by an unhappy Sale made by Colo. Thomas Colvil as Executor of his Brothr. Jno. Colvil of a Tract of Land belonging to the latter for the Sum of between two and three thousand pounds Sterlg. out of which as a principal Creditor he himself (that is Thos. Colvil) was to receive a large part of the Money. This Land was sold to a Person neither very able, nor willing to pay for it; Bonds pass'd but no Conveyance of it made in the life time of Colo. Thomas Colvil and ever since his death we have been plagued with the letigeous person with whom the Contract was made. It is still unsettled, nor can I say when it will be finally adjusted; for want of which we are unable to discharge many of the Legatees and consequently cannot ascertain the Surplusage which is to be appropriated to the residuary Claimants tho' something there will be (but how much I really cannot say as I have had but little share in the Executorship of this Estate) and which it will be incumbent on us I believe either to lodge in the hands of the Chancellor, or in some Publick office in New Castle that the Person's claiming under the names of Stott, Wills Richardson and Smith may ascertain the Identity of their Person's if living, or their leneage if Dead; for we find it will be almost impossible for us to do it in an Epistolary way under a Seven years Corrispondance; so numerous, and confused are many of the Claims which are put in for a share of this Estate under the respective names above mentioned. I am Sir, etc.
14. Of Newcastle-on-Tyne, England.
Gentlemen: Our Goods by the Liberty, Captn. Walker, came to hand in good order, and soon after his arrival; as they generally will do when shipped in a Vessel to this River, and scarcely ever when they go to any others (unless they should be despatched in one of your own ships, and the Captain particularly Instructed concerning the delivery of them.) For it don't often happen that a Vessel bound to one River has goods of any consequence for another, and the Masters, in these cases keep the packages till an accidental conveyance offers, and for want of better oppertunities, frequently commit them to boatmen who care very little for the Goods so they get their freight, and often Land them where it suits their convenience, not where they have engaged to do, which was the case of those Parcels sent by Saunderson. It is to little purpose, therefore, to recommend it to us to seek redress of the masters for these delays or abuses (though it may be the only remedy left) unless the injury is of so extensive a nature as to make it worth while to be at some expense and trouble to watch for and find out the Captains. Our Situation in this Country differs very widely from yours; a ship going from Virginia to London is always, and with ease, to be met with at that part; but a ship from London to Virginia may be in Rappahannock, or any of the other Rivers, three months before I know anything of her arrival, and may make twenty Voyages without my seeing, or even hearing of the Captain; in the same manner that vessels may Trade to Liverpool, Whitehaven, or Bristol, unknown to you. It is more expedient, therefore, to prevent the Evil, than to redress it afterwards, and this is very easily done by sending the Goods out in ships belonging to the River they are destined for. So much in answer for that part of your Letter of the 13th of November advising me to make Saunderson (a man I never saw in my life, and perhaps never shall) pay the extra expence I was put to in getting my Goods from Mr. Bland's warehouse at Boyds Hole.
There are several other Passages in the letter above mentioned that I think it incumbent upon me to take some notice of; not that I am fond of dwelling upon a subject that is full as disagreeable to me as it can be to you, but because there is one paragraph in particular in it, respecting the Window glass, which appears to me to contain an Implication of my having deviated from the truth; why else should you require, in the name of the person you bought of, a Square to be sent you? And what end was it to answer, but to charge me indirectly with a misrepresentation of the Fact? For if it was supposed by Mrs. Dennis that I had related a Falsehood, it might as well have been imagined, that I would have practised a deceit; as there could have been no difficulty in making Mrs. Ann Dennis a square of 8 by 10 out of 9 and 11, and any one who would condescend to practise the one would not hesitate to execute the other; But, however
39. On the Potomac, in Stafford County, Va.Credulous
I may have been in relation to the Prices of Tobacco, I could not well have been so in respect to the measurement of the glass when I built a house with sashes 9 by 11, and got squares that would not fit them. I do not repeat this matter with a view of having any allowance made me; I neither want nor would accept of any; but to shew that it is much more likely Mrs. Dennis should put up a box of 8 by 10 through carelessness or by mistake, than that I should mistake the size when I came to use it. I had nothing more in view when I made the complaint first, than to shew how inattentive the tradesmen and shopkeepers sometimes are, that I might be relieved from the like inconveniences for the time to come.
This was my reason also for taking notice of the Duffield from Mauduit & Co, not that I expected any deduction from the price as he could not see the condition of the cloth for want of my having an opportunity of reshipping it, an inconvenience we are obliged to Submit to and is among the disadvantages attending my Shipping to a House that has no Connection with the River I live on, and it is seldom we have it in our power of sending any little trifling matters which want repairs, alterations, &c. to London, not choosing to put Captains of Vessels, with whom we have no concern, nor any way of obliging in return, to any trouble in sending for or taking the charge of them. So likewise is it a disadvantage on Acct. of your Letters which come chiefly by York and James River Ships, by which means I have the postage from Williamsburg to Alexandria always to pay, which upon a letter that contains an Account of Sales, or that has anything else Enclosed, amounts often to four, five, and sometimes eight or ten shillings, which in the end increases to no trifling Sum.
I observe what you have said in respect to the purchase of our Goods with ready Cash; it is what those who have money in your hands, or who pay Interest for the Loan of yours, have an undoubted right, to expect. And if we are allowed the benefits of debenture, and the prompt payment of Goods (for I am told, the Tradesmen and Shopkeepers generally, if not always, make out their Notes on twelve or more months' Credit, according to the general run of their dealings, and then discount according to the payments) I say, if these are allowed, it is all we have a right to expect; and yet, I do aver that I can buy Linnen and many other Articles in the Stores here in their Sterlingway of dealing, cheaper than I can Import them, which is a mistery not easy to be accounted for, as I do not conceive that you are charged the retail prices for the Goods you purchase: For though the quantity that I, or any other Individual, may want is small, yet, when it is considered that one Person has a demand for twenty pounds worth, another for Fifty, a third for an hundred, and so on to the amount of thousands for any Article (Linnen for example), to be shipped of at one and the same time, surely the whole is of dignity enough to bring you under the denomination of a wholesale purchaser, and sufficient to entitle you to all the benefits of a drawback upon the exported goods. This is the light in which things have always appeared to me. I may be mistaken, however, in my conjectures for want of better knowledge of trade; and if I expect any thing that is unreasonable, or inconsistent with the principles of a just, fair and practicable commerce, I am sure I do not desire to be indulged in it. But I cannot help adding that it has ever been my opinion that in return, for the heavy charges upon our Tobacco and the ample and uncommon Commissions which are drawn upon the Sales of it, we ought to reap every advantage which can be procured in the purchase of our Goods. Otherwise I should be glad to know to what end we Import them.***
40. The omitted paragraph is a minor detail of shipping directions.
I must request the favour of you to be particular in directing the Scythe Maker to furnish me Scythes exactly agreeable to my Order, otherwise they will be of very little use to me; As, in the first Instt. I have given the Size that suits our business best, in the next, as they are intended to fix to Cradles for cutting our Wheat and other grain, if one Scythe gives way in the throng time of Harvest another can be put to the same Cradle immediately, without loss of time; Whereas a Scythe differing in length or shape, requires a Cradle proportionate and takes more time to make than we have to spare at that busy Season; so in like manner I am to beg that, where particular direction's is given touching any other Article, it may be attended to accordingly.
Our Association in Virginia for the Non-importation of Goods is now at an end except against Tea, paper, glass, and painters' Colors of Foreign Manufacture: You will please, therefore, to be careful that none of the glass, Paper, &c., contained in my Invoices, are of those kinds which are subject to the duty Imposed by Parliament for the purpose of raising a Revenue in America.
The late great Calamity which has befallen this Country by the overflowing of the waters will be communicated to you I expect through so many different Channels that it is scarce worth my while to touch upon the subject. Neither my ward nor self has sustained any damage by this disaster, but it is expected, that it cannot fail to have some effect upon the prices of Tobo. In which case we suppose ours will reap the advantage of it as well as others.
Sir: Inclosd you have three measures, by which you will please to make the following Shoes and Boots.
3 pr. neat light Shoes stitch'd and bound
3 pr. neat but stronger Ditto
1 pr. neat and thin Boots for Summer Wear
with Straps and Buckles to Ditto
1 pr. Neat double vamp'd Do Do Do
*
I have sent you a fresh measure for myself because the Shoes w'ch I have had from you latterly were rather too small. Make out the above Accts. seperately. Messrs. Cary & Co. will pay for the whole and it will be necessary that you distinguish the Shoes &ca. by writing each person's name on their own.
37. This order included shoes for John Parke Custis and Lund Washington, the specifications for which are here omitted.
Gentn: On the 20th. Ulto. I wrote you fully, and Inclosed Invoices of such Goods as Mr., Miss Custis, and myself wanted; since then I have recollected some Articles which were omitted, and which I now beg may be added, and forwarded with the other Goods
Holster's, or Covers for a pair of Pistols
(about 12 Inches long streight measure, which
I have by me) to fit the Saddle order'd in my
last for GW, this to be in the newest Taste and
handsome
The like for Mr. Custis's Sadle with a handsome
pr. of Pistols to Suit Ditto,
A Fash'e and handsome small Sword wt. Belt
Swivels &ca. complt. for Ditto
A Neat Sword Belt with Swivels &ca. for GW
3 fash'e Watch Keyes, size of the Inclosd
6 More Horse Collars, than were wrote for in my last
8 Housings for Waggon Harness
100 Weight of Allum
And, which is an Article of more consequence than all the rest to me and the principal end of my writing to you at this time, a pair of French Burr Millstones of John Cooper agreeable to the Inclosed Letter of Daniel Williams's and the Memm. of William Roberts my Miller thereon. I must through you request this Cooper to be very particular in his choice of the Stone that the whole may be of a good and even quality. I should not Incline to give any extravagent Sum for them on the one hand nor miss of getting a pair of good ones by limiting the price on the other; and therefore leave it to you to consult with the Sellar on a price that a good pair can be bought for. It will be unnecessary to add that the sooner these can be sent to me the better; Williams's Letter (which I send in hopes of stimulating Cooper to a good choice) will shew that I have been disappointed in my first attempt and consequently must require them as soon as you can get them forwarded which I hope will be along with my Goods. I remain Gentn., etc.
Dear Sir: Since you first left this Country,
In respect to the first, I have only to inform you, that your own claim, as well that for your Brother as yourself, was entered before the receipt of your Letter, and that Stobo's and Vanbraam's are also put in. In answer to the Second, I can only add, that the same backwardness, which has ever appeared in our Honorable Board to recognise our right to these Lands, seems still to prevail, and that our business in this Affair, is by no means, in that forwardness, which I could wish, owing (I believe I may say) to other Causes, as well as to a lukewarmness in those from whom we seek redress. The unequal Interest and dispersed situation of the Claimants make a regular Cooperation difficult. An undertaking of this kind cannot be conducted without a good deal of expense and trouble; and the hazard of obtaining the Lands, after the utmost efforts of both is such, as to discourage the Major part from lending a helping hand whilst a few are obliged to wade through every difficulty, or relinquish every hope.
Circumstanced in this manner I did in behalf of those, who had contributed to the expence of exploring and Surveying the Lands, (of whom you are one by means of your Brother). Petition the Governor and Council, that the quantum of each Man's share, according to his Rank, should be ascertained; and each Claimant suffered to Locate and Survey distinctly by which means every Man would stand upon his own bottom and not a few burthend with the expence of the whole whilst the Major part are standing aloof waiting the Event; if favourable to come in for part of the Prize but to pay nothing for the Ticket in case of a Blank. This petition I thought so reasonable, and so consistent with every principle of common justice, to say nothing of the disadvantage of being forced into large Tracts, and the manifest inconvenience of dividing them afterwards, that I conceived it could not possibly be rejected; but to my great astonishment it was so, and we are now compelled to be at the expence of Surveying our whole quantity in twenty Surveys, and then each Individual subjected to the charge of Surveying his own Separately; by which means we are doubly Taxed, whilst the whole is held as a kind of joint Interest, and no man is certain of his property, or can tell how, or in what manner to dispose of it. In short, so many glaring obstacles opposd their mode of proceeding, that they did not even attempt to remove them, but contented themselves with putting the Soldiery upon a worse footing, than the meanest Individual in the Community, rather than be thought to give a License for the pillaging of his Majesty's, or the Proprietary Lands; when it is a fact well known, and every age evinces it, that no Country ever was, or ever will be settled without some Indulgence; What Inducements have Men to explore uninhabited Wilds, but the prospect of getting good Lands? Would any Man waste his time, expose his Fortune, nay, life, in such a search, if he was to share the good and the bad with those that come after him? Surely no! and here we have Surveyed Ten of the largest Tracts we can find in the district allowed us, and have been able to get 61,796 Acres, and for this we have been obliged to go between 2 and 300 Miles below Fort Pitt, as the Lands thereabouts are thought to be within the Pensylvania Government; at least, are Survey'd under those Rights, and held by such a number of Individuals, that it was thought to be Impolitick to engage in private disputes, whilst there appeard but a gloomy prospect of getting any Land
43. Mercer had been in England for upwards of six years as the agent of the old Ohio Company, Failing to establish the claims of the company, he approached the organizers of the new company, known as Walpole's Grant, and sought to merge the interests of the two claimants. This he accomplished, as on May 7, 1770, the following agreement was made: “We the Committee of the Purchasers of a Tract of Country for a new Province on the Ohio in America, do hereby admit the Ohio Company as a co-purchaser with us for two shares of the said Purchase [equal to two seventy-second parts of the entire purchase], in consideration of the engagement of their agent, Col. Mercer, to withdraw the application of the said Company for a separate grant within the limits of the said Purchase.” This agreement was repudiated by the old company. Mercer wrote to Washington from Dublin (Dec. 18, 1770): “Before I left England, I mentioned my having agreed with, or I may rather say prevailed with, the great Land Company [i.e., Walpole's Grant] there, that the 200,000 Acres, claimed by the officers of the Virginia Troops, should be allowed out of
their small Grant.”
at all.
The Claims, which have been presented to me, are now all given in, and the Governor and Council have determind, that each officer shall share by the Rank in which he enter'd the Service, and that the Land shall be distributed in the following manner, viz., to each Field Officer 15,000 Acres; each Captain 9,000; each Subaltern 6,000, the Cadets 2,500 each, 600 to a Sergeant, 500 to a Corporal, and 400 to each private Soldier. They have made a reserve of 30,000 Acres, as well to provide for any Claims, which may hereafter come in, as to compensate those, who have been and must necessarily continue to be saddled with this expence; which we find will not be very inconsiderable, as we have already advanced and expended near £200 and the Surveyor not paid.
This expence must now be greatly augmented, as we shall be run to a considerable charge in exploring the Lands, before we can proceed to Survey any more, as it appears from every thing we know at present impossible to get 200,000 Acres in 20 Surveys without Including Mountains and Inhospitable Hills to the amount of near one half of it, which will render the grant of little value, and be the source of much discontent at a division. It behooves Us therefore to examine the Lands well before we Survey. And give me leave to add, that it will be very proper for you to give Messrs. Stobo and Vanbraam a hint that, something more than entering their Claims is necessary for this Work cannot be carried forward without an advance, and I dare say they will hardly think it reasonable to profit by the labour and Purse of others; it is highly incumbent on them, therefore, to appoint an Agent in this Country to transact their business and advance their quotas of the expence if they expect to share in the Lands.
To give you a minute detail of the proceedings respecting this Grant, would be a Work of time to me, and afford little entertainment to you; what I have here said will serve to give you an idea of the matter and this is all I have aimed at in this Letter; which I shall readily acknowledge is the first I wrote you since you left this Country. It was my sincere wish, and full Intention to have kept up a regular and friendly intercourse with you by Letter, and I only waited to be advised (according to promise) of your arrival in London, and address to begin this; but in waiting for this pleasure, I waited long enough to be convinced that you had forgot your old acquaintance; for tho' I could hear of your Letters to almost every Gentlemen in this Country I never had the satisfaction of being favored with one. At first I attributed it to accident, or miscarriage of Letter's but finding it invariably the same I did not incline to drag you into a corrispondence you seemd desirous of avoiding. I should not however have delayed answering your first Letter till this time, had you not advis'd me therein of your Intention of Imbarking soon for this Continent; which being frequently corroborated by your Brother, of whom I often enquird after you, I thought a Letter could have little chance of finding you in England; and the Reason of my giving you the trouble of this long Scrawl now is that I have just been told by Mr. Mercer, that you are to remain in London for some advices from him, respecting the Affairs of the Ohio Company. Mrs. Washington makes a tender of her Compliments to you, and I am, with very sincere regard, dear Sir,
Dear Sir: Your claim to a share of the 200,000 Acres of Land under Governor Dinwiddie's Proclamation has been entered, and the Governor and Council have settled the proportion's which shall fall to each Man's Lott (according to the Rank he enterd the Service with) by which each Field Officer is allowed 15,000 Acres, each Captain 9,000, each Subaltern 6,000; each Cadet 2,500. A Sergeant 600, a Corporal 500, and each private Soldier 400 Acres a piece.
The Solliciting this matter with some other expences that have attended the prosecuting of our Claim have cost a few Individuals upwards of £200 already and instead of getting one half the Land contiguous to the Forks of Monongahela (Now Fort Pitt) where they are of some value, we are obliged to go down the Ohio near 300 Miles lower and take the Land in twenty Surveys; by which means, and the Nature of that Country which you know is very hilley and broken, we shall be obliged to include a large portion of bad Land so as not only to render the Grant of little value but will create a good deal of discontent at a division as it is absolutely impossible to make an equal distribution of the good and bad, nor divide it by Lott as differ't Ranks are entitled to different quantities; and when all is done what plague and trouble we are yet to meet with from the Proprietors of the New Governm't to the Westward of us whose Grant Includes every Inch of the Land we are expecting under our Order of Council I know not, time only can reveal it.
The expence attending this Grant of Ours, is in a manner but just beginning as we have not Surveyed a third part of the Lands yet, and are laid under the Inconvenience and hardship of first exploring the Country, then Surveying our whole quantity in twenty Surveys, and after that each Man his particular quantity seperately. A Grievance we have labour'd much to get removd, but could not. It is therefore Incumbant upon you to appoint an Agent here to attend to your Interest in these Lands; who should be enabled to contribute your proportion of the expence, for without money the business cannot go forward even if the way was smooth much less where there are difficulties in every Stage of it.
What I have here said will just serve to give you some Idea of this Affair; to relate the whole proceedings, with the troubles and Vexation's that have accompanied them in stating our Claims, drawing Petitions, presenting Memorials &ca. &ca. would require a Volume and afford little entertainment I shall therefore only add that I am, Dr. Sir, etc.
Note. A Letter of the same date of the above, and word for Word with it, I also wrote to Captn. Jacob Vanbraam, and sent them both, together with the foregoing and following by Mr. Robt. Adam.
Dear Sir: Since my Letter of the 7th. which will accompany this by Mr. Adam, who I beg leave to recommend to your Notice; I have thought it advisable to purchase Stobo and Vanbraams Rights to the Land under Governor Dinwiddies Proclamation; provided they will take a trifle for it, and more than a trifle circumstanced as things are, I will not give.
My only motive for doing this, is, that the progress of our Affairs may be less obstructed, by being more contracted. The whole trouble of late (in this Country I mean) has fallen upon me, and a good deal of expence which never has, nor indeed never can be brought into Acct. I have been Subjected to by my Activity in this matter; And, as it is very obvious that the whole Work must go on at the expence of a few, or not at all, I am Inclind to adventure a little further in order to take the chance of gaining in proportion to my loss; for no problem in Euclid is more clear than that those who do not choose to advance before hand whilst there is at least a hope of success will hardly draw their purse strings to reimburse the expences of others when even hope is departed from them.
If you can give Mr. Adam any assistance towards makg. these purchases, I shall acknowledge it as a singular favour. Colo. Cresap who I have seen since his return from England, gave it to me as his opinion that, some of the Shares in the New (Charter) Government on the Ohio might be bought very Cheap from some of the present Members. Are you of this Opinion? Who are they that would sell? And at what price do you think a share could be bought? I am Dr. Sir, etc.
Gentn: I have Commissioned the bearer of this Mr. Robert Adam a friend and acquaintance of mine and one who I beg leave to recommend to your Notice to purchase on my Acct. the Rights of two Officers to certain shares of a Tract of Land granted by Govr. Dinwiddies Proclamation in 1754 to the Troops that engaged in the Service of this Colony at that time. If he does this he may possibly have a call for about One hundred and fifty pounds Sterling to pay for them which I beg the favour of you to advance him on my Account, charging me Interest thereon; or, if you have any unwillingness to do this, I then request that the money may be paid out of Mr. Custis's money in your hands and I shall allow him Interest for it here.
Mr. Adam has also one or two other little Commission's to execute for me which possibly may require from Ten to Twenty Guineas, this Sum you will please to advance on my Account also, among [them] I have requested him to get me a Gardner, if one of an orderly, and Sober behaviour can be had upon good terms your advise in procuring of one may be of Service both to him and me and will merit my thanks as I am a good deal in want of one. Captns. of Ships (Johnstoun in particular) I know make a practise of engaging Tradesmen of difference kinds upon Indenture for four or five years and bring them over from whence I conclude a Gardner may be had in the same way but rather than fail I would give moderate wages. I do not desire any of your fine fellows who will con tent themselves with Planning of Work, I want a Man that will labour hard, knowing at the sametime how to keep a Gar den in good Order and Sow Seed in their proper Seasons in ground that he has prepard well for the reception of them. I am Gentn., etc.
Sir: In case of your going to England I should be obliged to you for using your Endeavours to purchase for me the Rights of Captns. Robt. Stobo, and Jacob Vanbraam, to part of the 200,000 Acres of Land claim'd by the Officers and Soldiers under Governor Dinwiddies Proclamation of the 19th of Feby. 1754 which by a late determination of the Governor and Council will be, if got at all, Nine thous'd Acres to each of these Gentlemen.
For neither of these shares would I give above an hund'd pounds Sterlg. at the Utmost because there is, in the first place a chance of our never getting the Land at all as it cannot yet be forseen what difficulties we are to meet with from the Members of the Proprietary Governm't to the Westward of us; who have it is said obtaind an actual Grant of the Country we are Surveying In. In the next place if we do get them it is under every disadvantage and discouragement that the nature of the thing can possibly be attended with for instead of getting one half of the Land Contiguous to Pittsburg as we were entitled to do by Proclamation and where it would be valuable we are obliged to go 300 Miles below and take the Land in large Tracts by w'ch means, and the Nature of the Country, we must necessarily Include a large portion of bad Land as we are con find to 20 Surveys and have made 10 of them, in the most extensive bodies of good L. we c'd find and have not got near one third of our q'ty which besides the hardship of compell'g us to receive, will be attend'd with much difficulty and great discontent at a division as it is almost impossible to divide the good and the bad in eq'e proport'ns am'g the different Claim'nts add to this, that we are obligd to be at a dble expence; first in Surv'g the whole q'ty and then each Man saddled with the charge of lay'g of his own part sepearately w'ch by the by appears to be subjected to the Manifest Inconvenience of being held in the Nature of a joint Interest and consequently no Man ascertaind of his particul'r spot till the whole are ready and willing to divide for which reason it is, I incline to buy, in order that this Inconv'e may be lessen'd by the principal Shares getting into fewer hands, and because hitherto the principal share of the advance (which has been upwards of £200) and almost the whole trouble has fallen upon me, otherwise I must have given up every hope of my own. Under these Circum stances which are justly and truely related I think those who have contributed nothing towards bearing the trouble, or ex pence of this business (among whom Stobo and Vanbraam are two) cannot expect much for their Shares and therefore I would give a trifle in order to take the chance of gaining as well as loosing as I must carry on the Work. Whatever Sums you agree for (and I have no doubts of y'r purcha'g upon the best terms you can) I have desired Robt. Cary Esqr. & Co. to pay; and I shall be much obligd to you for any trouble you may be at and will thankfully repay all expences.
I have furth'r to request the fav'r of y'o, if it sh'd happen in y'r way, to procure me a good Gardner; they, as well as other Tradesmen are frequently I am told to be had upon Indenture. Captn. Jno. Johnstoun I know used to bring in more or less every y'r in this man'r, and sell them in the Country. I do not want one of y'r fine fellows; a Man that can lay of a Garden, and will Work hard in it afterw'ds, and who knows how to sow Seeds in their proper seasons is all that I desire. In short a good Kitchen Gardner is what I want. If he underst'd something of Fruit Trees and could Graft and Innoculate so much the better.
The Gun herewith sent please to have handsomely Stock'd; let the Stock be of the same Bend, and Substance at the Britch as the old one. The Barl. to be scaled and properly cleans'd on the Inside and to have a new Lock of a piece with the Barl., the whole to be done in a compleat mann'r, with a pair of Bullet Moulds.
A Neat slip Cane, with a gold head (not expens'e) with my Arms engravd thereon. Also a Plate with my Arms engravd and 4 or 500 Copies struck.
46. This was the Washington bookplate. It was engraved on copper by S. Valliscure, who charged 14 shillings for the work and 6 shillings more for 300 prints therefrom. The plate and prints were shipped to Washington in the ship
Martha Rawlins, from London, Mar. 25, 1772. The original copperplate was discovered in 1929 by that discriminating and indefatigable collector, Dr. A. S. W. Rosenbach.
Gentn: Since I came to this place I have been informed of your Letter to Mr. Jos'h Valentine (who is now Dead) respecting the Tobo. Shipped you by Captn. Peterson. I cannot conceive how this mistake has happened, nor is it in my power at the time to remedy it otherwise than by sending the marks and numbers as under from the different Inspection's not having the Bills of Lading to Inclose. This method I suppose will sufficiently distinguish the property of the Tobo. and enable you to make out my Acct. of Sales distinct from Mr. Custis's.
I inform'd you in my last of the 20th. of Feby. of a Draft for Fifty pounds in favour of the Revd. Mr. Boucher, Tutor to Mr. Custis, to whose acct. it was to be placed; and I believe I shall have occasion to draw upon you on the same Acct. at the April Genl. Court to the amount of four or five hund'd pounds more to comply fully with a late purchase of Land made on the behalf of this young Gentlemen. I remain Gentn., etc.
Gentn: Inclosed you have mine, Mr. and Miss Custis's In voices for this River. The Goods you will please to forward by the first Vessel for Potomack (which possibly maybe Captn. Jordan the bearer of this) as there are some Articles that will be a good deal wanted especially the Sein, which will be altogether useless to me if I do not get them early in the Spring, or in other words I shall sustain a considerable disappointment and loss, if they do not get to hand in time. The Invoices for York River must be sent by some other oppertunity as the Steward there (Mr. James Hill successor to Mr. Valentine) has not yet furnished me with an Acct. of the Goods wanting.
The Wheat Riddles sent with my last Goods by [the] Mary Vaughan are by no means such as I desired, or such as I can make use of, and therefore I return them. I wanted these Riddles made open enough to let every thing smaller than the broken heads of Wheat and Straw through. In short to have had the Wire ⅝ th. of an Inch apart, and thought my directions on this head would have been expresive enough of my meaning to have obtaind my desire. I should still be glad to get such Sieves as these as they are very useful in taking out the broken heads and straws before the Wheat is winnowed, but want no others as we have a different method of cleaning Wheat here than that used in England.
Whatever Freight other's are charged for the Tobacco Shipped in Peterson last year I shall expect to pay for, Mr. Custis and myself but cannot help observing nevertheless that I have heard of no other Ships going at £10 pr Tonn from this Colony and have good Reason's to believe that they went at a much lower freight from Maryland.
Mr. Adam is not yet return'd to Virginia so that I do not know what success he met with in procuring a Gardner for me in Scotland. I am obliged to you however for the trouble you took in endeavouring to get one in London notwithstanding the attempt prov'd fruitless. It was not my Intention to give high Wages, Mr. Adam was right therefore in declining the matter when he found they were not to be had upon reasonable terms.
Peterson's late Sailing will, I fear proove very detrimental to us, not only in receiving our Goods so late in the Season but on Acct. of our Tobacco's not getting to an early Market. I remain, etc.
*INVOICE OF GOODS TO BE SHIPPED BY ROBERT CARY &
CO. AND FOR THE USE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON,
POTOMACK RIVER, VIRGINIA, VIZ.
Wearing Apparel for myself pr. Letter herewith
Inclosed to Mr. Thos. Gibson.
Shoes of Mr. Didsbury pr. Letter to him
Seins pr. Ditto Messrs. Bradshaw and Davidson
1 piece of best India Paduasoy, of a fine Mazarine blew
A White Sattin quilted Coat, £3
A piece of fine and well fancied India Chintz of the
bordered kind
2 handsome Caps of Minionet Lace one to wear in dress,
the other with a Night gown
2 Patent Nett handerchiefs
2 Do Do Hoods
4 handkerchfs. of Jackanot Muslin with borders to them
1 piece of pretty trim'gs for washing Gowns
15 yards of fash'e ribbon, difft. sorts
6 pieces of fine Tape 1/2 an Inch brd.
6 Flat white silk Laces
A Blew Sattin Bonnett
A pr. of Jean's stays pr, Meas'e sent
2 oz. of black Silk
4 oz. of ditto difft. colours properly sorted
3 fine Ivory Combs
3
M large Pins
3
M Midling Do
3
M short Whites
20/worth of Paste and Garnet Pins for the hair
A Small neat Gold Seal proper for a Lady's Watch
6 pr. of White Kid Mitts
2 pr. of Purple Do
4 pr. of White Kid Gloves
1 pr. of White Silk Do
2 pr. of Do Do Mitts
2 pr. of Mens strong and Course bro: thr'd
Gloves with slits in the forefing'r and thumb ***
1 pr. Toed Clogs, to be made by the Shoe sent (having
Martha Washington wrote therein) by Gresham at the
Crown in Covent Garden who is desired to keep
the Shoe by him to save the trouble of send'g a
Mea'e ev'y y'r.***
8 Damask Table Cloths 10/4 long and abt. 7/4 wide at
abt. 25/each.
1 ps. of Jean's (or Fustion) of the col'r and finess of the
Inclosed Patern
12 Loaves of dble refind Sugar
12 Do single Do
12 Jarrs best raison's
1 Jarrs best Currants
30 lbs Do Jordan Almonds
4 lbs White Ginger
4 oz of Mace
4 oz. Cinnam'n
4 oz Nutmegs
4 oz Cloves
2 lbs Fig blew
Bottle Anchovies
Do of French Olives
Do of Walnuts
2 do of Capers
1 Gallon best Salid Oil
Bottles best Durham Mustard ***
1 best White Saddle Cloth b'd with straps and
Leather Flaps, abt. 5/
1 ½ doz'n pt. strong dog Couples, with Rings, Swivels,
and Straps ***
2 doz'n pr. large Chinese great Ivory Table knives and
Forks, to suit those sent last year by Thos. Squire
and charged at 36/a doz'n ***
4 Hair House Brooms ***
4 Neat and fash'e Cut glass Decanters w' brd. Bott'ms,
that they may stand firm on the Table
6 Neat and fash'e Cut Beer Glasses to suit Ditto
2 ½ doz'n Do Do Wine Do to suit Do to be rather low,
and strong, as well as Neat
1 pr. of best Buck Breeches pr. Mea'e sent last y'r, to
J. Coleman, to have a side Pocket, and Buckle behind
A Gentleman's Hunt'g Cap, Coverd with black Velvet, to
fit a pretty large head, cushioned round or stuffd to
make it sit easy thereon. A Silk Band, and handsome
Silv'r Buckle to it.
1 pr. of Silver Spur's of the new'r Fashn.
1 Neat and Fash'e Silver Pencil Case
1 doz'n spare Pencils for Do, some of them red, some black
and pretty hard, at least not too soft
1 Best whole hunting Whip, pretty stout and strong, cap'd
with Silver and my name and the y'r engravd thereon
1 pr. of fash'e fold enameld Sleeve Buttons
A Ditto Broach Do
A Neat and very good two bladed Knife middle size to cost
5/
30 yards of yard wide Floor Matt'g
1 doz'n Neat and light 18 Feet oars for a Light Whale
Boat, the Blades scoop'd &ca. and Painted
1 Doz'n large Breakfast Tea Cups and 1 doz'n Saucers, with
8 Coffee Cups and 8 Saucers, Also 1 doz'n smaller
Tea Cups and the like number of saucers, together
with 8 Coffee Cups and Saucers to them, with a
Tea Pot, Milk Pot, Sugar Dish, and slop Bowl to each Set,
the whole to be of the same kind of China, of a fash'e
but not of a costly sort.
*INVOICE OF GOODS TO BE SHIPP'D BY ROBT. GARY ESQ.
& CO. FOR THE USE OF MISS. MARTHA PARKE CUSTIS,
AND TO HER CHARGED BUT CONSIGNED TO GEO:
WASHINGTON, POTOMACK RIV'R, VIRGINIA, VIZ.
A Suit of Fash'e Lace, Includ'g a Cap with Lappits, Ruffles, Tippet
(or handkerchief &ca), not to exceed £40, see Letter to S. Thorne.
2 Very handsome Caps of Min't Lace
3 Patent Nett Hoods
2 Ditto Handkerchiefs
A Taresa Handkerchief or Cloak
A handsome Suit of Tambour Worked Muslin
A Tambour Frame to Work Muslin in with proper needles and
Thread
A hand'e and fash'e Sattin Bonnett
A Black silk Apron
1 pr. Black silk Gloves, Nett
2 pr. Do Do Mitts Do
A handsome Velvet Collar with an Indian Pearle Bow to it
A String of Amber Beeds
A Sett of Firestone Necklace and Earings set round with
Paste with Pins &ca. to them, not to exceed £7
A Guinea's worth of Hair Pins set with Paste and Garnett
A pair of Fash'e and handsome Garnett Shoe Buckles
1 Small Silver thimble with a Steel Top
1 Very hand'e sm'l two blad'd knife, 7/6 A Sett of hande. Quadrille
Counters. made of Mother of Pearle w' Boxes &ca comp't
A Powder Box and Pull
1
M bla: Hair Pins
A Sacque and Coat of fash'e and well fancied Silk,
to be made by the Meas'e sent last Y'r
½ a ps. of hands'e fancied Call'o a 3/pr. yd.
½ a ps. of very pretty Dark G'd Do a Do
1 ps. of fine Cordid Dimoty
1 ps. Irish Linnen a
3 Ells of fine Holland a
3 ps. of fine White Tape ½ Inch broad
2 Oz. of 8d. Cotton thread
2 Do 10 Do Do
20 yds. hands'e and fash'e Ribbon difft. sorts
A hands'e Fan at a Guinea
2 pr. of fash'e Silk Shoes with Shapes, one of gold, the other of Silver
1 pr. of Shoes made of Queen's Silk
8 pr. bla: Callimanca Pumps
2 pt. Leather Do Note all these Shoes to be made by the one
sent (having Martha Parke Custis wrote therein) and to be made
by Gresham at the Crown in Covent Garden
6 pr. fine thread Hose
6 pr. Cotton Do
2 pr. White Silk DO
Fordices Semon's
A Large Family Bible bound in Morrocco with Cuts, and Silver
Clasps
A small and very neat Prayer Book with the new Version of
Psalms and Comp'm to the Alter, with Silv'r Clasps.
Ladys Magazine
Mr. Gibson: The Coat and Waistcoat which you sent me last year (by order of Robt. Cary Esq'r & Co.) fitted very well, except having the fault you apprehended of being too long in the Skirts (for I was obliged to cut of near three Inches from the length) and being at the sametime a little too tight in the Sleeves; with an allowance for these alteration's I have to desire you to make the following Cloaths for me now
A Fash'e Suit of Cloaths made of a handsome Super'e
Broad Cloth for dress
A Fash'e Ditto made of Cassimer for Summer Wear, well
fancied and only faced and Lined in the foreskirts
A Riding Frock of a handsome Drab colour'd broad Cloth
with plain dble gilt Button's
A Riding Waistcoat of Superfine Scarlet Cloth, and gold Lace
with Button's like those of the Coat.
A Blew Sartoot Coat, and
A pair of best black Silk Nett Breeches, made longer than
the Measure sent last y'r, all the Breeches to be worn w' Drawers
I have also to request you to send the following Cloaths for Mr. Custis, desiring at the same time that they may be made larger than those you sent him last year as the Breeches were too small for him every way especially in the Seat, and the Coats too narrow across the shoulders over and above these alteration's you are to make a proper allowance for his growth since as he is not only Taller, but lustier in ev' other resp't
A Fash'e Suit of Cloaths made of a handsome Super'e
brd. Cloath for dress
A Fash'e and hands'e Suit of Do for Summer Wear to
be faced and Lined in the Foreskins only.
A Fash'e Riding Frock, and Buff cloath Waist' w'
a gold Lace
Apr. of Fash'e Silk Nett Breeches, and
Apr. of very fine Black Everlasting Do
Robt. Cary Esqr. & Co. will pay you for these things and I am Sir, etc.
P.S. Send Mr. Custis also, a Waistcoat of Superfine Scarlet Cloth with a Neat light gold Embroidery (if Embroidery is in Fashion, if not then to have a gold Lace on it). In short he wants a fash'e Winter Waistcoat which you will please to let this be, Yrs. &ca.
Sir: Please to send the following Shoes and Boots and apply to Robt. Cary Esqr. & Co. for Payment.
3 pair of strong but neat Shoes
3 pt. of neat and light Do
1 pr. of Morrocco Leather Slippers
2 pair of neat dble Chan'd Pumps
3 pr. of strong but neat Shoes
4 pr. of neat and thin Do
2 pr. of neat dress'd Pumps
1 pr. neat red Morrocco Slippers
1 pr. neat but strong Boots
The Shoes which you sent me last fitted very well, but were in my opinion very ill shap'd; at least they do not please my taste as I am not fond of either long, or low hind Quarters, or Sharp Toes. I beg that none of the Shoes you now, or hereafter may send me, may be made of Dogskin unless particularly required to be so. I am Sir, etc.
PS Mr. Custis desires his Shoes may be made long and low in the hind Quarters. In short they may be made fashionable.
Gentn: That I may have my Seins Nett exactly agreeable to directions this y'r I give you the trouble of receiv'g this Letter from me to desire that 3 may be made. One of them 80 fathom long another 70, and the 3d. 65 fathom, all of them to be 12 feet deep in the middle and to decrease to 7 at the end when Rigged and fit for use; to be so close Mesh'd in the Middle as not to suffer the Herr'gs (for w'ch kind of Fishery they are intended) to hang in them because, when this is the case it gives us a good deal of trouble at the busy hurrying Season to disengage the Sein and often is the means of Taring it. But the Meshes may widen as they approach the ends; the Corks to be no more than 2 feet and half asunder and fixd on flat ways that they may Swim and bear the Sein up bett'r w'h a float right in the middle to shew the approach of the Sein with greater certainty in case the Corks should Sink, the Leads to be 5 feet apart. The Sein I had from you last y'r (by ord'r of R Cary Esqr. & Co.) had two faults, one of w'ch is that of hav'g the Meshes too open in the Middle; the other of being too strait rig'd; to avoid w'ch I advice you to loose at least ⅓ of the length in hanging these Seins; that is, to let your 80 Fathom Sein be 120 in the strait Meas'e (before it is hung to the Lead and Cork Lines) and the other 2 to bear the same prop'n. I c'd wish to have these Seins Tan'd but it is thought the one I had from you last y'r was inj'd in the Vat for w'ch reason I leave it to you to have these Tan'd, or not, as you shall judge most expedient. Robt. Cary Esqr. & co. will pay you for them also for 25 lbs of twine w'ch I desire may acompany them. It is absolutely necessary that I sh'd have these Seins as soon as possible for w'ch reason I hope no disapp't will happen from you as I possibly may be a pretty good customer for the time to come if you do me justice in these now ordered. I would not wish to have them made of thick heavy twine as they are more liable to heat and req'r great'r force to Work them; keep this Letter by you and I can from time to time point out any alter'ns I may find necessary to make in future with greater ease and certainty. I am Gentn., etc.
Sir: In reply to your Letter of the 4th. I think it a piece of Justice due to you to acknowledge that I was not lead to enquire into the price of the Goods I had purchased of you already, and might hearafter take from any thing that passed between us at the time I offered to discontinue my own Importations (upon Condition I could get my Goods at nearly what they would cost to Import them myself). I very well remember that nothing conclusive passd between you and me on that occasion; as a proof of w'ch I made out my own Invoice and sent it home by Captn. Jordan as usual, consequently you were not restraind on that Acct. from charging me what you pleased. My enquiry arose from an opinion that I was dealing with you upon better terms than common, and this opinion was founded upon what Mr. Adam told me of his Scheme when I came therefore to see an Article advanced a good deal higher than I expected I own to you that I was alarm'd and thought it high time to know upon what footing I was purchasing. If after this acknowledgement which I thought it incumbant on me to make in order that you might be released even from the apprehension of an engagement you still think proper to let me have the Goods I may find occasion to buy in the Country at 25 pr. Ct. Sterling advance upon the genuine Cost dischargeable at the Curr'y exchange I will confine my whole Country dealings to your Store and will endeavour to thro the Wages which I pay to hirelings into your hands also; provided you will let me know upon what certain reasonable advance they can have their Goods (upon the strength of my Credit) for unless they can deal with you upon better terms than with others I should not think myself justifyable in attempting to influence their choice, and this knowledge I must come at in order that I may convince them (if satisfied myself) of the propriety of the Measure.
You may believe me sincere when I assure you that no Man wishes to see your Company prosper in Trade more than I do and self Interest apart, I have always thought the way to do this was to Import largely and Sell low provided you could get a ready Vend and quick payments for your Goods but do not deceive yourself by the ready dispatch you have hither to met with; for tho' I do not pretend to dispute your Selling at a low advance in general (having had no oppertunity at all of Judging) yet give me leave to add that the progress you have hither to met with is by no means an evid't proof of it. The Mind of Man is fond of Novelty, Curiosity led many to your Store, and Inclination when there tempted them to be doing; to this they were excited by an opinion which most People had imbibd of your large Importation, and intended Scheme of Trade but my good Sir this is but the Work of a day, and like the Evening of it will sink into obscurity unless by a steady adherance to your Plan you convince the judgment as well as satisfie the curiosity of your Customers. You see that I have used a freedom which Friendship only can excuse me for. If I did not wish well to your undertaking, I should not take the liberty of troubling you with my Sentiments which however different from your own, or wrong in your principles, are truely genuine. If you are in any doubt, in respect to the advance upon the Goods I may get for my own use, or are got upon my Credit, I do not want to hurry you into a determination. The matter may rest till the arrival of Mr. Adam. I am, with very great esteem, etc.
67. A merchant of Alexandria, Va.
68. Ford prints this letter as of August 2.
Sir: In July last I shipd 273 Barr'es of Flour in the Brig Fair fax, Saml. Brodie Master for Barbadoes; or, in case of bad Markets there, to Jamacia and consignd them to Mr. D. Jenifer Adams who went in the Vessell, and was part owner thereof; directing the proceeds (together with £86.5.0 Virg'e Curr'y or £69 Sterg. Excha: 25 pr. Ct. being the amount of 115 Barr'es of Herrings sold him and to be paid for in the Freight of the Flour or) to be laid out as you will see by the Inclosd Letter of Instructions since which I have been Informd that a Misunderstanding has arisen between the Captn. and Mr. Adams; that the Vessell is Sold, purchased by Mr. Adams, and taken a Freight to the Bay of Honduras.
These things having happend contrary to the Intention of the Owners, when the Brig Saild from this Country, added to some more Cogent Reasons (unnecessary to Mention) has given rise to a Suspicion that my Property is in a very precarious way, and by no means safe in the hands of Mr. Adams; I must beg the favour of you therefore to make particular enquiry into the state of this matter; and, if you find, as I have much reason to fear, that the proceeds of my Flour has been Misapplied, that you will use your best endeavours to obtain redress for me; to this end, and to effect this purpose, I do hereby constitute and appoint you my full and Lawfull Attorney, to Act and do for me in any manner you shall think fit in the premises, in tending by these presents to Invest you with every power that I myself might have if there, to settle, Sue for, and recover the proceeds of my Flour, and the price of my Herrings from Mr. Adams; and remit them to me in the manner he was directed to do; and that you may with the greater ease effect this, I have, in the Inclosed Letter to Mr. Adams (left open for your perusal) desired him to settle with, and pay into your hands the sums respectively due to me. I am sorry I am laid under the necessity of giving you this trouble, but hope you will excuse it from Sir, Yr., etc.
Sir: By the Liberty Wm. Keath I send you 80 Barr'ls of Her rings pt. receipt Inclosed; which please to dispose of for April pay; or, if the price can be enhanc'd by it, for that of July.
As I have never yet sold a Barr'l of my Fish under 15/ at my Landing, as I know them to be good (equal if not superior to any that is transported from this Country), and in no danger of spoiling by keeping, being well cured, and well pack'd in tight Cask; I shall hope that you will be able, between this and the coming in of the New Fish, to sell these for 15/ clear of Freight and Commission. Some of the same Cargo ship'd in the Fairfax by a Gent'n to whom I sold them, fetch'd 25/ in Jamaica; when other Herrings on board the same Vessell scarce reach'd 12/6, and some again sold for less than 10/ a Barrell.
I have now a Vessell waiting (at the mouth of the Creek on which my Mill stands) to take in Flour to your address, but the Ice prevents the delivery of it. A few days may produce a change, and enable me to load it. The quantity to be sent can not be ascertain'd; as the Stoage of the sloop is unknown; perhaps there may be about 200 Barr'ls of Super fine Burr; 50 of Midling Do; and 50 of Bisquet stuff, as it is suppos'd the Vessell will carry about 300 Barr'Is in all. By that oppertunity I shall write you again, in the meanwhile I have to request the favour of you to give the Inclosed Letter to Mr. McMickan, the first conveyance that offers as the dispatch of it may, eventually be a matter of some Importance to Sir, Yr., etc. PS If you have an Oppertunity, I should be obliged to you for send'g a Barrel of these Fish to Mrs. Dawson
82. Newton was a son of Thomas and Amy (Hutchings) Newton, a merchant of Nor folk, Va. He held various public offices of trust during the Revolution and in 1786 was mayor of Norfolk. He married Martha Tucker.
83. Mrs. Elizabeth (Churchill) Dawson, widow of Commissary William Dawson, who was president of William and Mary College She kept a fashionable boarding house in Williamsburg, Va., and Washington stopped there frequently while attending the sessions of the House of Burgesses.
Sir: Inclos'd you have a Copy of my last. By the bearer Captn. Silby Harney, in the Willing Maid, I send you 200 Barrls of Superfine Flour, and 50 Barrls of Midlings (all the Vessell would carry) pr. Invoices Inclos'd, which please to dispose of for the best prices you can get, immediately, unless by keeping it a while, there is an apparent prospect of selling it higher. You may allow Credit till April, July, or even October for this Flour, according as you find my Interest can be advanced by it.
I have not, as yet, sold an Oz of Super fine Flour under 16/8 at my Mill; What you will now receive has been regularly Inspected the Inspectors Certificate being Inclosed. The Midlings must speak for itself, as I have had no Inspection thereon; but think I should not be much out if I was to add, that they are, in my opinion, of equal quality with common Flour, and in Philadelphia I am told, always bears the same price however as I am perswaded you will make the most of it I need only add that I am Sir, etc.
Sir: I am obliged to you for the notice you have given me of an intended meeting of your Vestr
If the Subscription to which among others I put my name was set on foot under Sanction of an Order of Vestry as I always understood it to be, I own myself at a loss to conceive, upon what principle it is, that there should be an attempt to destroy it; repugnant it is to every Idea I entertain of justice to do so; and the right of reclaiming the Pews by the Vestry in behalf of the Parish (which have been Built by Private contribution granting the Subscription Money to be refunded with Interest,) I most clearly deny; therefore, as a parishioner who is to be saddled with the extra charge of the Subscription Money I protest against the Measure. As a Subscriber who meant to lay the foundation of a Family Pew in the New Church, I shall think myself Injured; For give me leave to ask, can the raising of that £150 under the present Scheme be considered in any other light than that of a deception? Is it presumable that this money would have been advanced if the Subscribers could possibly have conceived, that after a Solemn Act of Vestry under faith of which the Money was Subscribed the Pews would be reclaimed? Surely not! the thought is absurd! and can be stated in no better point of view than this: Here is a Parish wanting a large Church but considering the Circumstances of its Constituents is content with a Small one, till an offer is made to enlarge it by Subscription (under certain Privileges), which is acceded by the Vestry; and when Effected and the Parish better able to bear a fresh Tax what does it want? Why to destroy a solemn Compact and reclaim the Priviledges they had granted. For I look upon the refunding of Money as totally beside the question. And for what purpose, I beg leave to ask, is this to be done? I own to you I am at a loss to discover; for as every Subscriber has an undoubted right to a Seat in the Church what matters it whether he Assembles his whole Family into one Pew, or, as the Custom is have them
85. Of Christ Church. Alexandria, Va. Washington was elected a vestryman of Fair fax Parish March 28, 1765, and his name had not been submitted at the Truro election on March 25. July 22. 1765, he was chosen a vestryman for Truro and his name omitted in the Fairfax election of July 25. The notice is in the
Washington Papers.
dispers'd into two or three; and probably it is these families will increase in a proportionate degree with the rest of the Parish, so that if the Vestry had a right to annul the agreement, no disadvantage would probably happen on that account.
Upon the whole, Sir, as I observed to you before, considering myself as a Subscriber, I enter my Protest against the measure in Agitation. As a Parishioner, I am equally averse to a Tax which is intended to replace the Subscription Money. These will be my declared Sentiments if present at the Vestry; if I am not I shall be obliged to you for Communicating them, I am, etc.
Sir: You will be surprized perhaps at the frequency of my Letters. I wish I had less cause to be troublesome to you, but having receivd Information of late, that, my Affairs in the hands of Mr. D: J: Adams are in a very desperate way, and vigorous measures necessary to be pursued, I send you a Copy of the power of Attorney which I forwarded on the 12th. Inst. to Norfolk (in order to get the Seal of the Borough affix'd to it) with the Seal of the County I live in, and the Clerks Certificate thereto; hoping that by Virtue of one or the other you may, if occasion requires it, be sufficiently empowerd to Act with Propriety.
I also send you a state of my Acct. against Mr. Adams,
90. A copy of this statement of account, in Washington's writing, follows this letter in the “Letter Book,” and a general discussion of it will be found in Washington's letter to Robert McMickan, June 14,
post.
Sir: Mr. Gilbert Simpson of your County and I, are upon a Scheme of settling some Lands of mine upon Youghioyany
Mr. Simpson: As the Negro Fellow I bought In Alexandria will by no means consent to leave this Neighbourhood and as you did not seem Inclind to take him without I have sent a young Fellow which I bought last Spring in his room. In coming from Boston here he got Frost Bit and lost part of his Toes which prevents his Walk'g with as much activity as he otherwise would but as they are quite well, and he a good temper'd quiet Fellow I dare say he will answer the purpose very well. I also send you a fine, healthy, likely young Girl which in a year or two more will be fit for any business, her principal employment hitherto has been House Work but is able, or soon will be to do any thing else.
These Negros along with the one you carry out had better be valued by the same Appraisers; for the Cost of them is nothing to the purpose as I bought them with my own Money and for ready Cash noways Connected till apprais'd with our joint Interest I have wrote to Mr. Craven Peyton to act in my behalf, you and he therefore may agree on proper Persons to appraise these Negros but your Waggon-Horses, and other things which have not a regular and fix'd value of themselves.
Inclose you have a List of such Articles as are furnish'd from my own Store and Smiths Shop; the prices affixd are as low as I could buy at in any of the Stores for ready Cash. Lund Washington who is now going up to Alexandria will Inclose you an Acct. of what things he will get there with the prices of each respective Article all of which I hope will not only get safe to your hands but safe to the Land of Promise; for which the Sooner you Imbark After the
91. Of Loudoun County, Va. He was a son of Valentine Peyton, of Prince William County, Va. 92. This copartnership was dissolved in 1784. Simpson built a mill for Washington on the tract on Millers Run, a branch of Chartiers Creek, Pa.
Weather will permit the Better as you will have more of the Spring before you to prepare for the Summers Crop.
I have wrote to Captn. Crawford to assist you with any thing you may want and I will see him paid. Vale. Crawford I am perswaded will also aid you in any matters in his power and I would advise you to lay in your Provision of Corn &ca. upon your first getting out as it is more than probable the prices of them will Increase as the Spring advances.
Let me have a List of all the Articles you furnish with the sev'l Prices annexd that I may be acquainted with our respective Advances and be enabled thereby to State the Accounts. I do not recollect any thing more at present to add except in general to advise you to look beyond a year or two and not suffer any present or immediate convenience in clearing Land or doing other things to break in upon any regular or settled Plan which may be beneficial hereafter; for this reason it is I would recommend it to you to examine the Land well and begin to Build and clear in that part of it which is most likely to answer the general end and design of your going there; so in like manner concerning your Houses letting those you do Build be good of their kind and in the end you will find them Cheapest. I heartily wish you your health, and Success and am Yr. Friend, etc.
Dear Sir: Herewith you will receive Lord Dunmore's Certificates of my Claims (as well in my own Right, as by purchase from Captain Posey and Mr. Thruston) in the Location of which in the Government of West Florida I shall rely on your Friendship and care.
Unnecessary it is to add that I should choose good Land or none at all; but as many things concur to make Land valuable it is impossible for me at this distance, and under my present knowledge of that Country to be explicit in any direction; suffice it then to observe, generally, that I would greatly prefer the Land upon the River, to Lands back from it; That I should not like to be in a low Morrassey Country, nor yet in that which is hilly and broken, and that, from the Idea I entertain of that Country, at this time, I should like to be as high up the Mississipi as the Navigation is good, having been informed that the Lands are better, and the Climate more temperate in the Northern parts of the Government than below.
If I could get the Lands equally good in one Survey, I should prefer it. If not, then in one or more as Circumstances require. Perhaps some Locations, already made upon the River might for a small consideration be bought, if so, I would rather advance a little money than put up with less valuable Land; You will please to have the Grant Surveyd and effectually Securd, with such Indulgences as those Claiming under the Proclamation of 1763 are entitled to; and do all and every thing in my behalf which shall to you seem Right and proper, the Cost of doing which I will pay, and moreover for your faithful discharge of this trust allow you the Sum of One hundred pounds Virginia Currency on the due Execution of it. Wishing you a pleasant tour and safe return to your Friends.
96. This move to colonize in Florida was made by an association styling itself the Military Company of Adventurers, composed of those who had served in the provincial army in the late war. This company expected to obtain the grant from the British Government of a large tract of territory in West Florida (now Mississippi), on the Mississippi and Yazoo Rivers—territory that had been thrown open to settlement by the creation of a new State—Florida—after the peace of 1763. This company appointed Gen. Phineas Lyman, of Connecticut, to press its claims on the ministry, but he found so much opposition to it that he was unable to effect his purpose. Without waiting for a formal grant, the company in January, 1773. sent a party from New York to take possession. After a long voyage they arrived at Pensacola, and there, to their great disappointment and chagrin, found that the governor had no authority to grant them lands as had been represented. Considerable time was spent in negotiations on the subject, and exploring the rivers and adjacent country; but no settlement was made.—
Ford. (See Walker's
History of Athens County, Ohio, vol. 1, pp. 26, 27;
Gentleman's Magazine (1772), pp. 63, 355, 509; and Franklin's
Works.)
Sir: Mr. Wood the bearer of this is a Gentleman of Virginia upon a Tour to Florida. He proposes before his return to explore some of the ungranted Lands in your Government; and, as I have never yet been able to Locate the Lands to which I am entitled under His Majesty's Proclamation
The entire ignorance I profess to have of the Climate and Soil, the advantages and disadvantages, of the Country of West Florida is the Reason why his Lordships certificates are Couchd in such general terms; and of my giving Mr. Wood a discretionary power to locate or not, as he may be influenced by these appearances; should he meet with a spot however favourable to my wishes, I have no doubt of your Excellency's Granting the Land with such Indulgences as have been practised in similar Cases, agreeably to His Majesty's gracious Intention, the terms of which I shall endeavour strictly to comply with, as I shall do for a greater quantity, if Mr. Wood should be able to procure it of such a quality, and under such favourable restrictions as he shall conceive advantageous, the matter being left to him to judge of, from observation and enquiry.
Could I, a stranger Sir, undertake with any degree of propriety to recommend Mr. Wood, I should briefly add that, he is a Gentleman well esteemed in Virginia, and, I am perswaded would not disgrace any little Civilities you might please to bestow on him. I have the honour to be with very great respect, etc.
Dear Sir: I intended to have had a little further conversation with you on the subject of the Florida Lands, but my haste to leave Williamsburg and your Dining out the day I did do so, prevented it. I addressed a short Letter to you by way of Memm, and left it with Mr. Southall.
These Certificates will be sufficient Authority for the Governor of West Florida to warrant the Surveys, and if any scruple is entertained of my purchases from Mr. Thruston and Captain Posey, I shall remove it by transmitting their Bonds which should have accompanied this Letter could I have been assured of its reaching your hands before your departure.
99. By this proclamation three new colonies were established in America; namely, Quebec, or Canada, East Florida, and West Florida. Lands were also granted to the officers and soldiers who had served in the late war, and who resided in America, on their personal application for the same, in the following quantities and proportions: To every field officer, 5,000 acres; to every captain, 3,000; to every subaltern or staff officer, 3,000; to every noncommissioned officer, 200; and to every private, 50; and all to be free of quitrents for 10 years. The lands could be chosen, however, only in one of the above three new colonies.—
Sparks.
1. James Barret Southall, proprietor of the Raleigh Tavern, Williamsburg, Va.
You will readily perceive by the Tenor of my last that it is good Land, or none I am now in pursuit of; and that, I could wish to have it procurd in such a part of the Country as from your own observation aided by information, you shall judge most valuable, altho in accomplishing of it I pay a little more. For these Reasons it is I avoid particular directions. I shall place a generous confidence in your Integrety, having no doubt either of your ability or Inclination to serve me. By meeting with Mr. Gist, and others of your old acquaintances you will have it in your power of forming, from their accts, a pretty general, and perhaps just Idea of the nature of the Country; and of determining by your own observations on them whether the Lands on the Mississippi, the Mobile, or elsewhere, promises in Futuro, to become most valuable, not till after which I would recommend it to you to fix on your Locations. Doctor Connelly
It would appear to me from the words of his Majesty's Proclamation of October 1763, that those who obtain Land under it are not only entitled to an exemption of Quitrents for ten years, but exempt also from Cultivation and Improvement for the same term; of this Latter however, please to be informd from the best Authority, as, in the event of it, I should be strongly [inclined] to extend my views beyond the quantity I here claim, especially as the time allowed for doing it is not short and difficult to be complied with. This therefore is a matter I would beg leave to refer to your consideration; requesting in case you find the Country from a comparative view of it, desirable, good Lands easy to be obtained, and not difficult to keep under the established Rules of Government, that you would Increase my quantity to Fifteen, Twenty, or Twenty-five thousand Acres. In short I could wish to have as much good Land Located in a Body or contiguous together (for the convenience of the Superintendence) as I could save without much difficulty or expence, even if the first Ten thousand should be subject to the same Laws of Cultivation with the rest.
Various are the reports concerning the Quitrents and purchase money of these Lands, but it appears evident to me, from the strict Sense and Letter of the Proclamation, that, the Governor has no right to exact more than is demanded in Virginia or any other of his Majesty's Colonies; in none of which, I believe, more than two Shillings Sterling Rent, and ten Shillings right money is requir'd. My Letter to Govr. Chester is under a flying Seal which please to Inclose before delivery. I heartily wish you an agreeable Tour, and safe return being, Dr. Sir, etc.
2. Dr. John Connolly. Later he was a royalist in the Revolution who gave the Colonies considerable anxiety and trouble. Lord Dunmore authorized him to raise a corps, to be called The Loyal Foresters. He was captured and held a prisoner of war during most of the Revolution.
Dear Sir: I am now set down to write to you on a Subject of Importance, and of no small embarrassment to me. My Son in Law and Ward, Mr. Custis, has, as I have been informed, paid his Addresses to your Second Daughter,
This acknowledgment being made you must permit me to add Sir, that at this, or in any short time, his youth, inexperience, and unripened Education, is, and will be insuperable obstacles in my eye, to the completion of the Marriage. As his Guardian, I conceive it to be my indispensable duty (to endeavor) to carry him through a regular course of Education, many branches of which, sorry I am to add, he is totally deficient of; and to guard his youth to a more advanced age before an Event, on which his own Peace and the happiness of another is to depend, takes place; not that I have any doubt of the warmth of his Affections, nor, I hope I may add, any fears of a change in them; but at present, I do not conceive that he is capable of bestowing that due attention to the Important consequences of a marriage State, which is necessary to be done by those, who are Inclin'd to enter into it; and of course, am unwilling he should do it till he is. If the Affection which they have avowd for each other is fixd upon a Solid Basis, it will receive no diminution in the course of two or three years, in which time he may prosecute his Studies, and thereby render himself more deserving of the Lady, and useful to Society; If unfortunately, (as they are both young) there should be an abatement of Affection on either side, or both, it had better precede, than follow after, Marriage.
Delivering my Sentiments thus, will not, I hope, lead you into a belief that I am desirous of breaking off the Match; to postpone it, is all I have in view; for I shall recommend it to the young Gentleman with the warmth that becomes a man of honour, (notwithstanding he did not vouchsafe to consult either his Mother or me, on the occasion) to consider himself as much engaged to your Daughter as if the indissoluble Knot was tied; and, as the surest means of effecting this, to stick close to his Studies, (in which I flatter myself you will join me) by which he will, in a great measure, avoid those little Flirtations with other Girls which may, by dividing the Attention, contribute not a little to divide the Affection.
It may be expected of me perhaps to say something of Fortune, But, to discend to particulars, at this time, may seem rather premature. In general therefore I shall inform you that Mr. Custis's Estate consists of about 15,000 Acres of Land, good part of it adjoining to the City of Williamsburg, and none 40 Miles from it; several Lotts in the said City; between two and three hundred Negroes; and about Eight or ten thousand Pounds upon Bond, and in the hands of his Merchants. This Estate he now holds Independent of his Mother's Dower, which will be an acquisition to it at her Death, and upon the whole such an one as you will readily acknowledge ought to entitle him to a handsome Portion in a Wife; But, as I should never require a Child of my own to make a Sacrifice of himself to Interest, so, neither do I think it incumbent on me to recommend it as a Guardian; but as I know you are full able, I should hope, and expect, if we were now upon the point of Settling these Preliminaries, that you would also be willing to do something genteel by your Daughter.
3. Eleanor Calvert. She married John Parke Custis Feb. 3, 1774, and, after his death, Dr. David Stuart. By her first husband she had Eleanor Parke (Nellie) Custis, two other daughters, and George Washington Parke Custis.
At all times when you, Mrs. Calvert, or the young Ladies can make it convenient to favor us with a visit we should be happy in seeing you at this place. Mrs. Washington and Miss Custis join me in respectful Compliments and I am, dear Sir, etc.
Gentn: I am now at this place with Mr. Custis (My Ward) who I have brought to the College here; in fixing him properly at it, I find it proper to draw upon you, on his Acct. for one hundred pounds Sterlg. in favour of the Reverend Doctr. Cowper the President thereof, which Draft bears date with this Letter; please therefore to make payment and place it to Acct. of this young Gentleman.
I shall, it is presumable, have occasion to draw in the same manner for his future expences as they may occur of which you will be duely advised by Gentn., Yr., etc.
Revd. Sir: Inclos'd wou have a Sett of Bills for One hundred pounds Sterlg., which please to Sell at the prevailing Exchange and retain the Money in your own hands to answer Mr. Custis's Expences at College and such Calls as he may have for Cash to defray the Incident Expences of his abode in that City. In respect to the first Articles of Charge I submit the matter wholely to your better judgment under a firm belief of your adopting such measures as will contribute, most likely to promote the principal end of Mr. Custis's coming here not regarding the extra charge incurrd in the accomplishm't of it. In regard to the Second, as I do not know what Sum he ought, with propriety, to expend in such a place as New York, I shall not undertake to liquidate it; but hope if, contrary to my expectation you should find him Inclind to run in to any kind of extravagance you will be so good by your friendly Admonition to Check the progress of it.
As Mr. Custis may probably want Cloathing, and other necessaries, you will please to establish a Credit, in his behalf, with such Merchants as you can recommend, and when the deposit now lodged with you is expended in this and other payments, be so good as to transmit me a Copy of the Disbursements and I shall furnish you with other Bills whereby to lay in a new Fund. I have nothing further to add at present than that at next vacation, or at any other time I shall think myself very happy in seeing you in Virginia, and that I am with very great respect and Esteem, Yr., etc.
Sir: Your favours of the 29th. of March, and 8th. of April
I think myself exceedingly obliged to you for the care and Attention you have given to the business I took the liberty of employing you in but fear it will avail me little. Mr. Carlyle in my absence, dispatched a Person to Edenton 6. President of King's College, which later became Columbia, New York City. 7. Neither of these letters is in the
8. North Carolina.Washington Papers in the Library of Congress.
my use I have little to expect from that Quarter. It is true indeed I have Attachd what Effects I could meet with of Adams's in Maryland; but from the best Accts. I can get, they will proove inadequate to my claim, and as to his Bond, which you say is the only Security he seems disposed to offer I would not give one farthing for an hundred of them.
I cannot comprehend by what devise it is Mr. Adams has contrivd to reduce my Claim upon him to £587.16.6¾ (Includg. £86.5.0 Virg'a Curr'y for 115 Barr'ls of Herrings). He surely does not recollect that he has already acknowledged, under his hand, that, 220 Barr'ls of the Flour actually sold at 20/ pr Ct. and that he should sell the rest immediately at the same price; nor can he, one would think, avoid knowing that the Invoice or Manifest will shew that the average Weight of the Flour pr. Barr'l was upwards of 231 lbs Nett. How then he has managed to make the whole 273 Barr'l yield no more than £491.19.10¾ when 220 by the Acct. rendered me at this average comes to £510.3.4 I am much at a loss to discover as he never Intimated by the most distant Insinuation that the Flour had Sustaind the least Damage but leaves me to infer from his manner of Writing that he had been endeavouring to get a better price for the residue and not that he had any doubt of closing the Sales at the same Rates.
As to the Credit which he has been pleasd to give for the Fish, the price of them he knew was fixed by a specifick agreement which could be proovd Incontestably so that it was to little purpose to make any alteration there otherwise as he has afforded so many ample proofs of his good Intentions to serve me in other Instances I should have had no doubt of his attempting it here also; but why Virginia Money should be turnd into Jamaica Curr'y at 9 pt. Ct. difference I knew not; Our Exchange when Adams had the Fish of me was at 20 pr. Ct. But throw this out of the question He knew that I should not have receivd Dollars in this Country had he paid me here at more than 5/9; which undoubtedly will cause a greater difference than 9 pr. Ct. I shall add no more at present than that I am Sir, etc.
Gentn: Inclosed you have an Invoice of such Goods as I want for my own use, which please to send by the first Ship to this River as many of the Articles will be wanted by the time they can arrive; among which the Second Mourning for Miss. Custis, who we had the misfortune to loose on the 19th. Ulto. will be necessary.
Your Acct. against this young Lady may remain as stated in your Books till further advise, in the meanwhile please to send me an exact transcript thereof.
As I shall have occasion soon, I expect, to send for many Articles preparatory to Mr. Custis's Housekeeping, when he returns from College, no Goods are sent for on his Acct. by this oppertunity, but a small Invoice of Sundries for Mr. Lund Washington is forwarded that they may be dispatchd with mine.
The Shoes by Captn. Gris are safe arrivd; so are the Goods by Peterson, saving a Bale of Cotton (of mine) which Mr. Hill writes me is damaged, but as he is not particular in the Acct. I do not know to what degree, or whether worth speaking of; I have wrote to him however on this head, and expect his answer, when I shall be better able to inform you. He complains a good deal of the enormous size of the Grindstones; adding that, some of them (if they had been of the proper quality) were full large enough for Millstones.
I have directed him to put all my Tobo. on Board of Peterson, as also Mr. Custis's except a few Hhds for Mr. Hanbury; but as he has not yet furnished me with the respective quantities, it is not, at this time, in my power to order Insurance. As soon as it is I will advise you thereof, and shall hope notwithstanding the Stagnation, and indeed Consternation which the trading World seem's to have been thrown into of late that you will endeavour to render us agreeable Accts. of Sale for these Tobacco's for if a steady adherence to one House carrys any merit along with it none I am Sure has a better claim to your particular Attention than my Ward and self hath.
As I shall probably have occasion to write to you again in a few days for Insurance &ca. I shall add no more at present than that I am Gentn., etc.
*INVOICE OF GOODS TO BE SHIPPED BY ROBT CARY & CO. FOR THE USE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON, POTOMAC RIVER, VIRGINIA
July 10, 1773.
*
A Black Silk Sacque and Coat prop'r for Second Mourning
1 Suit of fash'e Linnen to wear with it (containg. 2 Caps)
A White Silk Bonnett * * *
8 pr. Women's White kid Mitts, to fit a small hand and
pretty large Arm
4 pr. White kid Gloves to suit Do
2 pr. Mitt, and 2 pr. Gloves of Washd Leath'r
2 pr. Men's best Doe Gloves for a large hand
4 pr. white French Kid Do for do * * *
1 handsome Fan prop'r for Second Mourning
6 pr. black Callimanca Pumps of Gresham pr Measure sent
last year, but not so high heeld ***
1 Mans best Beaver Hart for a pretty large head.
6 Papers Patent Cake Ink Powder * * *
½ Rheam best large Folio Pap'r Mourning * * *
All the Numbers of the Covent Garden Magazine * * *
6 Doz'n very best Harry Cards
6 Books of best leaf gold * * *
1 large loud Hunting Horn, lap'd and securd in the strongest
manner * * *
A Suit of Second Mourning pt. Letter to Mr. Gibson * * *
Mr. Gibson: This Letter is intended to desire you to make me a genteel Suit of Second Mourning, such as is worn by Gentlemen of taste, not those who are for running into the extreame of every fashion. Make these Cloaths of Broad Cloth, but at the sametime send me a proper kind of Waistcoat and Breeches to wear with the Coat when the Weather is warm.
The Cloaths you sent me last year (agreeable to my last directions) fitted tolerably well except being rather too short in the Sleeve, from the Elbow downwards. I am Sir, etc.
Sir: Please to make me a dozen Scythes for Cradling Grain exactly as follow—viz.
All of them to be exactly three feet 10 Inches in the Cut; pretty strait in the Back for the greater ease in delivering the Grain out of the Cradle; all to have the same bend, the Plate, or Rim at the back to be short and strong; otherwise in the rough and stumpy ground we often use them in, they are constantly breaking; and the blade where it joins this Rim at the Back, to be of good substance altho the Scythe is made the heavier by it. The whole to be well temperd, that is, not so hard as to be always gapping, nor yet so soft as not to keep an edge; to have Nibs, Rings and Wedges. Robt. Cary Esqr. and Company will pay you the cost and I am, etc.
Sir: Please to send me the following Shoes and Boots; and make out your Bill as under. Messrs. Cary & Co. will pay the whole amount and I am Sir, etc.
3 pt. of strong Shoes
3 pr. dress'd Do Calf Short Quartd. and high.
1 pr. Mens Clogs, or Goloshes to fit the above Shoes * * *
14. The omission is an order for shoes for John Parke Custis.
Gentn: I had but just closed my Letter of the 10th, which goes by this oppertunity, and contains my Invoices, when I receivd advice from Mr. Hill of the Tobacco's which he either had, or intended to put on board of the Rising Sun; but as it seemd to be a matter of doubt whether the Eastern Shore Crop either had, or would be got to the Ship, I do not know how to ascertain the Insurance of Mr. Custis's Tobo. by the Hhd, as he will, if Peterson receives the whole have 74 Hhds in that Ship, and but 64 if the above Crop is left out. I would therefore have you Insure Five hundred pounds upon this Tobacco be it more or less. My quantity on Board of Peterson amounts to Fifteen Hhds, on which please to Insure about One hundred pounds.
Inclosed you have Invoices of such Goods as are wanted for Mr. Custis's Estate and mine upon York River which please to send as there directed. I imagine the Bale of Cotton which Mr. Hill sometime ago wrote me word was damaged cannot be much Injurd as he has said nothing further on this Subject in his last.
Should my Neighbour and Friend Colo. Fairfax apply to you for a few Guineas not exceeding Ten or a doz'n to assist in buy'g some Rings and other Mourning Trinkets for Miss Custis please to let him have it and you will very much oblige Gentn., etc.
15. Washington's invoice of goods ordered from Gary (July 26) contains an item of “A Genteel Mourng. Sword, with Belt Swivels &ca.”
Sir: I have receivd your favour of the 30th. June, and observe what you say in respect to the Midlings. As the Sale of it seems to be so dull in Norfolk I approve of your Shipping it to Madeira, and beg that it may be consignd on my behalf to Messrs. Lamar Hill Bisset & Co. who you will please to direct to apply the proceeds to my Credit, and wait my order for Wines by Captn. Conway who is to take some Super fine Flour of mine to that House for this purpose. As the returns for these Midlings will be in Wine by Conway please to signifie it in a Letter to that House as I shall not write to them till Conway Sails. Be pleasd also to let me know by return of the Post when your Vessell will Sail.
I have directed Mr. James Hill who looks after my business on York River to you at the Meeting of the Merch'ts in Williamsburgh this Month per the Money which is to be paid for the Ship-stuff and Herrings, please to pay him after deducting Commission and Freight, and furnish him with the Acct. I am well satisfied you have made the most of the several Articles Consignd you and am Sir, etc.
Dear Sir: As I neglected to have the Mortgage which you gave me on the — day of March twelve months (of Sundry Negroes therein Mentioned) Recorded in time by which the efficacy so far as others are concernd is lost to me, I should be obliged to you for renewing of it or giving me such other security for the Sum then due as shall be adequate to the purpose. The Duty which urges me to make this request will I am perswaded plead my excuse with you for the doing of it, as I have been told that both your Fathers and Brothers Affairs are a good deal Involvd in perplexity and distress towards which I do not want to contribute further than is necessary to my own justification and Security.
As Negro's are a very uncertain and precarious Security, and as you seem unwilling to ask any Gentleman to become personally bound, is there any Land unincumberd that you could give a Mortgage on? if there is I had rather have it, if the Title is clear and indisputable and of sufficient value than Negroes; but am content notwithstanding to have a fresh Mortgage on the same Negroes if they are still living and under no legal disability. Please to let me hear from you on this Subject by the Post, and you will very much oblige Dr. Sir, etc.
Sir: I wrote to you on the 14th. Ulto. to which I refer, having heard nothing from, or of, Danl. Jenifer Adams since.
By the Swift, Law'e Sanford, Master I consign you 500 Bush'ls of Indian Corn which please to sell for the highest price you can get, and after sending me the several Articles under written,
17. Mercer turned this land question over to George Mason, who wrote Washington (December 21) about two tracts — one on Pohick Creek, Va., and one on Four-Mile Run, Va. Mason's letter is printed in Hamilton's
Letters to Washington, vol, 4, p.286.
18. The articles are those ordered from Daniel Jenifer Adams July 20, 1772.
Gentn: I am almost ashamd to trouble you, in the same year, with such frequent Orders for Goods; but as I am under a necessity of making some repairs to, and alterations in my House, and did not get an Acct. before from the Undertaker of all the Materials wanting it must plead my Excuse for requesting you to send me the undermentioned Articles as also the following Books for the use of Mr. Custis to whom they are to be charged. I am Gentn., etc.
For Geo: Washington
100 Sqrs. of best Crown Glass 9 by 11
400 Wt of White Lead ground in Oyl
over and above the last Order
30 lb red Lead.
2 lb Lampblack
100 lb yellow Oaker.
10 lb Umber
20 Gallns. best Brittish Lintseed Oyl
for Inside painting
9 pr. dovetail Mortice Hinges mid: size
3 pr. Ditto larger
9 Comm. brass cased Locks
3 Do dble. Spd. best Do
3 M 2d. Brads
3 M 3d. Do
6 M 4d. Do
6 M 6d. Do
8 M Clasp Nails instead of Brads for Flooring
40 M 4d. Nails
100 lbs of Lead for Windows and 50
fathom Sash Line.
25 Lbs. best Glew
½ a Ton of unprepd. Plaist'r of 22. The omission is a list of books for John Parke Custis and, like other similar orders, was a requisition of the Rev. Jonathan Boucher. Some of the titles justify a suspicion that the Reverend Boucher was more interested than his scholar.
Paris * * *
Gentn: I am upon Terms for two Estates, for and in behalf of my Ward Mr. John Parke Custis. If I conclude the Bargain for them (and I must be on or off in a few days) I shall have occasion to draw upon you for the whole Money he has in your hands; indeed I do not know as yet, but I shall be obliged to draw for rather more; as it is with the ready Cash I am to make the purchase, if I do it at all. As I thought it might be satisfactory to you to have as much previous notice of this Draft as I coud give for it is not more than four days since I began the treaty, I take this first oppertunity of doing it.
One of these Estates is the Seat on which our late Treasurer Mr. Robinson lived, and will afford Mr. Custis a beautiful situation on Pamunkey River in King and Queen County with elegant Buildings thereon almost New which will save him much trouble, and great expence in placing as good on any of his own Lands (all of which are very contiguous to this Seat). The other is a large Tract of Land on Mattapony River in King William County opposite to the other on which Colo. Moore
In a former Letter, I informed you of the death of Miss Custis. By that Event her Estate, consisting in money upon Bonds to the amount of upwards of Sixteen thousand pounds devolves in equal moiety's to Mr. Custis and myself; and as I would choose to discharge my debt to you I would apply her money in the Bank to that purpose, provided I can sell out without loss; Be so good therefore as to let me know as soon as you can what steps are necessary to be pursued, in order to do this, and upon what terms it is to be done. In the meanwhile please to place the Ballance due to this deceased young Lady to my credit, and carry the Interest arising from the dividends of Stock to my Acct. Curr't regularly, till I either transfer or dispose of it in some other manner.
I shall add no more at present than that I am Gentn. etc.
27. Col. Bernard Moore.
Sir: By a Letter from Mr. McMickan of Jamaica I am inform'd of his having obtaind a Bottomry on the Brig Ann and Elizabeth, whereof you are now Master. That she was to proceed from that Island to Norfolk with about Thirty pounds freight, and thence to Alexandria. And that within Thirty days after her arrival at which place if Mr. Daniel Jenifer Adams did not pay my demand agreeably to the terms of the Bottomry Bond I am to dispose of the Vessel.
Under this information I have to desire that you will receive the freight of the Goods for Norfolk, be it more or less than Thirty pounds and detain it in your own hands for my benefit, and proceed immediately from thence to Alexandria, where if I should not be arrived before you, apply to Mr. Lund Washington in that Neighbourhood for further Orders before you leave that Port, I am Sir, etc.
30. Washington's “Diary” for Mar. 28, 1774, notes: “I went up to Alexandria to the Sale of the
Anne & Elizabeth which I bought myself at the price of £175.”
Sir: Inclosed you have Invoice of 26 Barr'l of Biscuit stuff; which, with 35 sent off before I came home, will be more than sufficient I conceive to mix with the midlings for Bread; if so, please to dispose of the overplus for, and on my acct., as also of the Bread when Baked, and send me an Acct. of the proceeds, with the Cash, if any proper oppertunity offers to Alexandria to the care of Messrs. Robt. Adam & Company. Please to let me know what you think my best Superfine Flour would sell at in Norfolk (freight to be paid by the purchaser) I have none, at least a very trifling quantity by me at present, having sold all I have hither to made at two pence pr. lb.
With the Flour, you will receive a Barrel of White thorn Berrys for his Excellency the Govr. which please to forward with the Inclosed Letter by the first opper'ty; charge the freight down to me. If you have heard any thing of the Brig Anne and Elizabeth Captn. Pollock please to inform me there of by the Post and you will much oblige, etc.
Sir: Leaving home about the middle of Octr. for Williamsburg and not returning to it again till Thursday last, is the excuse I offer for not taking earlier notice of your favour of the 19th. of October.
I have now to thank you for the Boulting Cloth you sent me wch. is exceeding good and very applicable to the use it was designd. I have also to thank you for your care of the Goods brought in by Captn. Cox and sent round by Daugherty, they came very safe to hand and I have to request the favour of you when you see Captn. Cox next to make my Complim'ts to him at the sametime you inform him of the safe arrival of these things and assure him if he should ever come to Potomack again (as he seems to expect) that I shall always be glad to see him at this House.
I have not been unmindful of my promise in respect to the Fish Ho. before the next Season I shall have one erected for your accom'n not doubting but it may turn out to both our advantages.
Having lately receivd a Letter from Jama. advg. me that the Brig Anne and Elizabeth Thomas Pollock Master burthen abt. 50 Tons would Sail from that Isl'd to Norfolk in this Colony and thence to Alexa. in all Novr. I should be obliged to you as I have a Bottomry Bond upon this Vessell to make Insurance upon it to the amount of £300 Pensylv'a Curr'y and forward me by the first Post an Acct. thereof. I will pay the cost of making this Insurance to your Order or settle it with you in the Spring as shall be most agreeable to yourself, being Sir, etc.
35. A merchant of Philadelphia, and, after the Revolutionary War, the first gauger of that port. A full biographical note of him will be found in Hamilton's
Letters to Washington, vol. 4, P. 271.
Sir: I am much indebted to you for the many unanswered Letters you have been pleased to Write me, and thank you very sincerely for the trouble you have had in the management of my business with Mr. Daniel Jenifer Adams; but as my Connexion with that worthless young Fellow began in an ill fated hour, so has it continued, and is like to end.
From his idle, and ill formed expectation of obtaining assistance from his friends here (if he had any) to redeem the Brig (Anne and Elizabeth); and in consequence, conditioning for its coming to Alexandria instead of suffering it to be sold at Norfolk, he has sunk the whole Subject, and involved me Thirty odd pounds deeper in the Mire than I was before; for the Counter part (or Copy) of the Bottomry Bond which was in the possession of Captn. Pollock requiring the Vessell to come to Norfolk only, the hands, it seems, were engaged for that Voyage, and refused to come any further with the Brig. This added (I believe to a little Tardiness in the Captn. detained the Vessel at Norfolk from the 6th. of December, the day of its arrival there, to the 25th. of the same Month when it left that Port, and that Night, or the next day, got drove on shore on Sewels point, lost its rudder, Cable, and Anchor, and sustaining other dam age, was obliged to put back to Norfolk to refit; to do which took till about the 20th. of Jany. when a Second attempt was made to get to Alexandria with almost the like success, for by means of Ice, and I believe the Indolence of the Captn., it took Forty days to accomplish this voyage in; so that with the New Anchors and Cables I was forced to buy. The repairs of the Vessell, Mens Wages, and Provisions, I was obliged to pay Two hundred and odd pounds before I got the Vessell to Alexandria; Where, after laying a Month agreeable to the terms of the Bond and being Advertized for Sale during that time in the Gazettes of Virginia and Maryland, I was compelld to buy it in myself at the price of One hundred and Seventy-five pounds this Currency much against my Inclination, as I had no desire of being Concerned in Shipping; but I was obliged to make the best of a bad Matter.
I have now been at the Expence of overhauling and repairing it, altering the Rigging, and in the opinion of many People, made a good Vessel of it. It now comes to your Island with a parcel of Herrings belonging to Messrs. Robert Adam & Co. And one hundred Barrels of Superfine Burr flour of my own which you will please to dispose of to the best advantage as I think the quality may be relied on. The Nett proceeds (after deducting the amount of your Acct. against the Anne and Elizabeth, which you Inclosed me) together with the freight of the Fish, half the Staves (which I am to receive as freight for the other half), and a small parcel of Shingles you will please to return me in the most Saleable kind of Rum and Sugars, and partly in Molasses provided it can be bought at One Shilling or at most 13d. pr. Gallon. In the Sugars let there be a Barrel of the Whitest, driest, and best brown (or Muscovado); also one hundred and Fifty or two hundred Weight of the cleanest clayed Sugar for my own use; to which please to add a Barr'l of Sweet Oranges two or 3 dozn. Coco-Nuts, and as many Pine Apples.
Mr. Adams must have been Master of more chacine and Cunning, as well as knavery, than I thought him capable of, to reduce my claim against him to what he has. One step towards it however is, to charge me 7½ pr. Ct. Commission on the Sales, when by express agreement which I can prove) I was only to allow this on the Sales and returns; but it is a matter of Moon shine whether he consents to allow £500 or £10000 as I never expect to receive the half of the least Sum.
Colo. Carlyle at the Sale of the Brig, gave me notice that he looked to me for one half of the price it sold at in Jama. without considering of himself as liable for any part of the disbursements since, but I believe it was no more than an unmeaning Sally of his fancy. However, if he should attempt any thing of this kind, I shall be obliged to give you a little trouble in sending me an Authentick Acct. of the Transactions respecting this Sale in Jamaica, that I may shew upon what grounds it was made.
I have only to add my hopes that, this Flour will come to a better Market than the Corn did, as I lost considerably by that adventure; and with some concern I add that, one thing may contribute to it, arising (if our fears are not greatly exagerated) from the severest stroke of Providence that this, or any other Wheat Country ever experienced and that is, a total destruction of our growing Crops of Wheat by a frost the 4th. Instr. which it is confidently reported from all the Wheat Counties has killd it entirely; as it hath also done our fruit, and the foliage of all most all the Forest Trees. If these fears of ours should be realized there can be no dependance upon North American for Flour the next year, and must, I should think affect the present prices. With a grateful sense of the favours you have conferd on me in negotiating my troublesome business with Daniel Jenifer Adams I remain with great esteem Sir, etc.
Gentn: Your Letter of the 5th. of March by Captn. Peterson came to my hands in this City. In answer to it I shall briefly observe that I am sorry my Drafts in behalf of Mr. Custis came to hand at an unseasonable time; but as his Guardian I could let no consideration of a Debt due from me to you influence me in a purchase which I thought, and others advised as tending much to the Interest of my Ward. To remove however as much as in my power lays at this time the inconvenience you com plain of I have executed the Bond and other Papers necessary for the prerogative Court of Canterbury in order to enable you to receive the Money in the Bank of England and I have only to beg of you upon this occasion to do it at such a time and in such a manner as will tend most to my benefit as I have no other motive for investing myself with this money but to apply it in discharge of my debt to you. The Ball'e so soon as I can with convenience shall be remitted to you, and I flatter myself it would not have been long before this would finally have been dischargd but for a fatal stroke which we have lately receivd in the destruction of our Wheat by a Frost (the like at that Season never known) which happened on the 4th. Instt. and which has fallen very heavy upon me as I shall loose the better half of more than 1000 Acres which I had growing in Wheat equal (before this accident) to my most flattering hopes.
The Inventory of the Goods Administred is returnd in the form drawn by Mr. Waller the preamble to which is rather more full than need be in order to keep pace in some measure with the requisition and Bond which seems to demand more than is requisite as there is nothing unadministred but the principle Sum in the Bank of England.
As I happened to meet with your Letter at this place where I was attending our Assembly (and Mrs. Washington with me) I was enabled thereby to return the requisition executed to the aforesaid Court without loss of time. I have also after reserving a few Hhds of Mr. Custis's Tobo. for Mr. Hahbury (according to promise) directed Mr. Hill to put all the residue, together with the whole of mine on board the rising Sun to your ad dress; the quantity Mr. Hill himself cannot yet ascertain as it is not Inspected, as soon as I do know net I will write for Insurance thereon.
Before I conclude (as the whole of my Force is in a manner confind to the growth of Wheat and Manufacturing of it into Flour) permit me to ask how Flour of a good quality would sell in London? What would be the Freight of it there? and Commission? and whether if our Commerce with Great Britain is kept open (which seems to be a matter of very great doubt at present) you would choose to accept a Commission to Sell one or two hund'd Barr'ls at a time as I could meet with a convenient Freight (for it will not do to be put into Tobo. Ships the Heat thereof being too great and apt to sower or render the Flour Musty. Your answ'r to these queries will much oblige, etc.
68. In Washington's “Diary” (June 1) appears this entry: “Went to Church and fasted all day.” This was in conformity with the vote of the burgesses to fast in sympathy with Massachusetts the day the Boston Port bill went into effect.
69. The letter sent is in the Huntington Library.
Virginia, June 1, I774.
An Inventory of the Estate of Danl. Parke Custis Esqr. which came to my hands or the hands of my Attorney under the general Letters of Administration of the said Decedents Estate Granted by the Arch Bishop of Canterbury in the year 1774 Inventories of the Virginia Estate having been returnd to the Court in that Colony where Administration was granted to me and the money due from the Merchants in England to that Estate having been also Accounted for to the General Court of Virginia.
One thousand Six hundred and Fifty Pounds in the Bank of England.
(Signed)
Martha Washington
Sir: Your favour of the 12th. of Feby. last came duely to hand immediately upon the receipt of which I wrote to Colo. Fair fax's steward (who lives 70 Miles above me) to know how much Tobo. he had, and when it would be ready, and was surprized at receiving for answer that there would not be above 16 Hhds, and that these could not be got ready before the 10th. of Septr. As I can see no just cause for this delay, I shall enquire into the meaning of it and will take the first app'y afterwards of letting Colo. Nelson know with certainty what Captn. punderson [ sic ] may depend upon.
I am glad to learn from your Letter, that Colo. Fairfax and his Lady are both recover'd from their Indisposition, especially as a report prevails in this place, that she is, or was, in a very bad state of Health. It gives me a sensible pleasure to hear also that my old acquaintance and friend Mr. Burnaby
70. This stock had been acquired by Col. John Custis and from him descended to his son Daniel Parke Custis; by him it was bequeathed to his daughter Martha Parke Custis. On her death half of this £1,650 reverted to Martha Washington and so, by law, became George Washington's property and the other half became vested in John Parke Custis. The Revolutionary War did not interfere in any way with this holding, and after the conflict matters subsided to their normal footing. The above record in the Washington “Letter Book” is in the writing of Washington.
66. Of London.
67. Archdeacon Andrew Burnaby.
Gentn: Captn. Eston this Instt. delivered me your Letters of the 24th. of March to Mr. Custis and myself with an Acct. Cur rent Inclosed. As you seem to be under a mistake in respect to my acting, or not acting, as Executor to Jno. Parke Custis I have delayed no time in rectifying the misapprehension you lay under. I always have, and still do act as the Guardian of Mr. Custis; and in every draft, either upon your House, or Robt. Cary & Cos. I always direct the Bills to be charged agreeably to the Letters of advice which either accompany's, or closely follows the Draft, which I judge full sufficient, and no doubts till now, hath arisen, upon it. Your placing the Bills drawn in favour of John Page Esqr. to the debit of Mr. John P. Custis was proper; because you were so advised, and the money was drawn for on his Acct.; so in like manner you will place the Drafts in favour of Captn. McGachin, and the Revd. Doctr. Miles Cooper to this Acct. also, and for the same Reason's.
I have given Captn. Eston orders for Twelve Hhds of Mr. Custis's Tobo., which please to Insure so as to receive Eight pounds pr. Hhd in case of loss. I hope the prices will be considerably advanced before this Tobo. gets to hand, or else I am sure it will not be worth continuing the business of Planting any longer. I shall compare your Acct. Cur't with my Books when I go home and see how they agree. I conceivd that prior to the drafts in favour of Mr. Page that Ball'e due from you to Mr. Custis had been greater than what you make it viz £519.7.7. I shall add no more at present than that I am, etc.
Gentn: A few days after receipt of your Letters by Captn. Eston and giving him orders for Twelve Hogshead off Tobo. (as mentioned in my last of the first of June) I came to the knowledge of your having noted the Bills which I drew in behalf of my Ward Mr. Custis and in favour of John Page Esqr. for Protest although it since appears by your Acct. that you did afterwards pay them.
Your Motives for this piece of conduct surprizing as they seem to me I do not mean to give you the trouble of Accounting for. I was going however upon the first notice of it, to recall my order to Captn. Eston; but, as my word was out to him, I did, upon Second thoughts forbare to do this, but now desire that the proceeds of these twelve Hhds of Tobacco-so soon as sold, together with the Ballance of Mr. Custis's Acct. be it more or less paid into the hands of Robt. Cary Esq. & Co. who shall be impowerd to receive them. I am Gentn. etc.
Sir: Your Letters of the 29th. of June, 3d. and 8th. of Augt., and 3d. of October are all before me, and I cannot help complaing. of the great hardship and injustice done me in detaining the Brigantine Farmer Six Weeks at Port Morant till the purchasers of Mr. Adam's Herrings could take them away, and replace Rum from different parts of the Country. Surely such a thing was never done before! What more had the Vessel to do, than deliver its Freight agreeable to the Bill of Lading at the Port it went to? Could it be supposed, that for the usual Freight, I would have engaged a Vessel to lay Six Weeks at the above Place till Planters from different parts of the Island, a thing I never heard of till return of the Brig, should find it convenient to fetch away the Commodities they had contracted for? Mr. Adams denies having any knowledge of such design, and I think it exceeding unreasonable that I should be the sufferer by such a practice.
As you have not sent me the Sugar and other Articles wrote for before now, you will please not to do it now, as, by an Article of the Continental Association I shall be obliged to return them if they arrive in Virginia after the first day of next Month; there being no other alternative after that date. I could have wished to have receiv'd these things in time, but must now forego the advantage of them and leave the Balle. due me in your hands till I can see how otherwise to apply it. I am Sir, etc.
Sir: Your Letter of the 8th., which is just handed to me, could not have given you more pain in writing, than it has done me in reading; Because I never deny, or even hesitate in granting any request that is made to me (especially by persons I esteem, and in matters of moment) without feeling in expressable uneasiness. I do not wonder at your sollicitude on acct. of your (only) Son. In Nurturing, and bringing him up in a proper Tract, is no doubt, an object of great concern to you, as well as Importance to him; but two things are essentially necessary in the Man to whom this charge is committed. A Capacity of judging with propriety, of Measures proper to be taken in the Government of a youth; and leizure sufficient to attend the Execution of these Measures. That you are pleased to think favorably of me, in respect to the first, I shall take for granted, from the request you have made, but to shew
my incapacity of attending to the latter with that good faith which I think every man ought to do, who undertakes a trust of this Interesting nature, I can solemnly declare to you, that for this year or two past, there has been scarce a Moment that I can properly call my own: For what with my own business, my present Wards, My Mothers (which is wholely in my hands), Colo. Colvills, Mrs. Savages, Colo. Fairfax's, Colo. Mercers (for Colo. Tayloe though he accepted of the Trust jointly with myself, seems no ways inclined to take any part of the Execution of it), and the little Assistance I have undertaken to give in the management of my Brother Augustines Affairs (for I have absolutely refused to qualify as an Executor) keeps me, together with the share I take in publick Affairs, constantly engaged in writing Letters, Settling Accts., and Negotiating one piece of business or another in behalf of one or other of these Concerns; by which means I have really been deprivd of every kind of enjoyment, and had almost fully resolved, to engage in no fresh matter, till I had entirely wound up the old.
Thus much Sir, Candour, indeed the principles of common honesty, obliged me to relate to you; as it is not my will to deceive any person by promising what I do not think it is in my power to perform, with that punctuallity and rectitude wch. I conceive the nature of the trust would require of me. I do not however give a fiat refusal to your request, I rather wish you to be fully informed of my Situation, that you may think, with me, or as I do, that if it should please the Almighty to take you to himself, so soon as you apprehend (but I hope without just cause) that your Son maybe placed in better hands than mine; if you think otherwise, I will do the best I can merely as Guardian.
I think you will act very prudently in having your Will Revised by some person knowing in the Law, as a Testators Intention's, is often defeated, by different Interpretations of Statutes, which require the whole business of a Man's life to be perfectly conversant In; and in such a case as yours where there are Children by different Ventures, it becomes still more necessary. I shall not, after what I have here said, add any thing more than my wishes, which are sincerely offered, for your recovery, and that you may live to see the accomplishment of your Son's Education &ca. being with very great esteem Sir, etc.
Dear Sir: Your favour of the 26th. Ulto. came to my hands by the last Post, and by its return you will receive this Letter. As Mr. John Gizage Frazer is unable to pay what he owes me, and my Signing his Letter of License necessary to his enlargement I do (although I cannot charge my Memory with ever having seen it) upon the information and strength of your Letter, hereby signify my consent to it; and do authorize you, or Mr. Lyon by these presents to put my name thereto. I expect from the Principles of equal and common justice to be put upon no worse a footing than Mr. Frazers other Creditors, and this is the only Condition I stipulate for.
Mrs. Washington presents her Compliments to Mrs. Aylett and yourself, to which please to add those of, Dr. Sir, etc.
Sir: As you have been kind enough to mention the Conversation we had respecting Mr. D. J. Adams' Land, to the Creditors of his Father and procurd answers from some of them the Inclosed Letters will inform you of my determination in consequence thereof.
I will pay Mr. Stormat at the time mentioned in my Letters to the other Gentn. with Interest but want to know whether he sets up a claim to more than the £150 Sterlg. with the Intt. wch. may be due thereon being told that he talks of demanding a larger Sum for Cost, Charges, or something else which I could not very well understand. I am very willing to abide by the Sum mentioned in the list of Debts given to me, and which you saw. I shall be ready to fix the Matter with Mr. Adams and the Creditors at any time upon the terms now proposed and did not care how soon the business could be accomplished.
The Skipper who was receiving Corn for Mr. Stone did not care to take your Flour on Board, I shall therefore send it over to Captn. Marshalls agreeable to your desire, I am etc.
Gentn: In answer to your favour of the 28th. Ulto. If Mr. Danl. Jenifer Adams (to whom I have now wrote) will suffer a Condemnation of the Land, Slave and Horse which I attached, will surrender possession of the two last; and join his Sisters in conveying the former to me, I will become answerable to you (upon Mr. Stromats
N.B. Exact Copies of the above Letter (acknowledging their Letters of the 5th. of March) were sent to Mr. Robt. Mundell, and Mr. George Gray, Merchts. of Port Tobacco.
Sir: If Mr. D. J. Adams will suffer a Condemnation of the Attachd Effects I will, as it may contribute something to the validity of my Title to the Land pay you the Sum stipulated for, to wit £5:5 common my. of Provence. I am, etc.
3. See spelling in preceding letter.
Sir: I have come to the Resolution of taking upon myself the payment of the Debts which your deceased Father has Taxed his Lands with provided you suffer a Condemnation of the Attached Effects, join your sisters in conveying the Lands to me, and surrender possession of the Negro &ca.
I shall have no objection's to your Sisters continuing on the Plantation this year, if peaceable and quiet Possession thereof is given to me as early in the Fall as may be convenient for a Tenant to come on it. If you agree to these proposals the sooner matters are fixed the better that every Person Interested in the Affair may know what they have to Trust to. I am Sir, etc.
Sir: The security you offer is, in our opinions, amply sufficient and we dare say will readily be received by Fairfax Court; to whom being given, our Bond for the Executrixship of Mrs. Savage becomes void of course. We do not mean to hurry you, or the Gentlemen proposed by you, into the execution of this securitiship, two or three Courts hence (being the same to us) may perhaps prove more convenient to yourself, and to them. Far be it from us to accuse you of any remissness, or neglect in not proffering this counter security before, it was our business to apply, not yours to offer; and we have done it now in consequence of information that the relations of the late revd. Mr. Green are making enquiries after his Estate here (for what end we know not). Your avowed intention of leaving the Colony, &ca.
That the devise to Mrs. Savage will admit of dispute, is a matter we are not to judge of; sufficient it is, that the Will was somewhat out of the Customary form; and tho' Mr. Mercerupon the whole ) was of opinion 'twas valid, yet, to the best of our reccollection he pointed out a necessary mode of proceeding, in order to give it authenticity which if Mrs. Savage ever complied with, is entirely unknown to us. We therefore hope to stand excused for the application we made to you on Monday last. and are Sir, etc.
G. Wm. Fairfax. G: Washington.
Madam: If the most solemn asseverations of a man are sufficient to give credit to his report. If the honor and veracity of a Gentleman are things sacred enough to extort the truth, we have all the reasons imaginable to conclude that Doctr. Savage is entirely ignorant of the part you act in respect to the bond given in Trust to Mr. Fairfax and myself for your use; because these several assurances he has given, of your willingness (if he can form any opinion from your words) to release him from the condition of it, and that it is not only with your approbation he makes the demand, but in consequence of your repeated requests that he does it. Consider then, I beseech you, the tendency of such conduct, and in what light (under these circumstances) our refusal must appear; what difficulties you throw upon Mr. Fairfax and myself to account for the motives of our conduct, if the true motive, and which in fact may prove the only justifiable one,
79. The matter of the Savage bond was a troublesome affair that dragged on until 1774 and 1775. Mrs. Margaret Savage, Doctor Savage's wife, complicated the matter by changing her mind. Apparently the bond in question was a joint one of George Washington and George William Fairfax, in a matter of bequest by the late Rev. Charles Green, of Pohick Church, to Mrs. Savage, in which bequest Washington and Fairfax acted as trustees. 80. James Mercer, the eminent Virginia lawyer.
lyes longer concealed. True it is we did refuse, (at our last Court) to execute a Deed of releasment which was presented to us with your privy Examination annexed; and assigned, at that time, two reasons for doing so; the one, an apprehension that the trust cou'd not be legally dissolved, the other, a persuasion that however things might be in appearance, yet we could not conceive that the relinquishing such a provision coud be agreeable to you, in short that we had some reasons to believe it was not: In answer to the latter, the Doctor appealed to the evidence of your public examination, and to the reiterated private acknowledgements which you had made him, for his belief, at least, of your willingness to give up the Bond: and to satisfy in respect to the other point, he said a Mr. Mercer had already given his opinion, and offered to procure that of any other we might choose, to evince the propriety of the measure; but it was unnecessary, indeed it wou'd have been very disengenuous, to run him to this expence, when we were well convinced, there was another, and more effectual bar to his desires; and therefore evaded the offer 'till we could inform you of our hope and expectation, that you wou'd become a little more frank in your declaration to the Doctr., as it is requisite, as well for our justification, as to avoid any litigeous consequences which may follow, to let the Doctor know from whence our denial proceeds. Indeed it becomes more immediately necessary to do so at this time, because the first payment of the Bond being due and demandable, I have with the advice of Mr. Fairfax wrote for it accordingly for the purposes therein expressed, which of course must bring things to a full explanation.
Upon the whole, we (I say we , because I have reasons to believe that Mr. Fairfax and myself are in the same sentiments) recommend to your consideration, that there are but two Plea's that can justify our holding fast this Bond, if one of them be removed, and it is a natural presumption, that the Doctor (if he has already been advised by so able a judge as Mr. Mercer, that it can) will spare no pains to accomplish it; the whole stress will then fall upon the others, i.e. upon your assent: how we are to act in that case,
and have a conduct suspected of double dealing, or chargeable with disingenuity can stand the test of examination, your own Breast is to determine, for my share I am, desireous of acting an open and consistent part throughout the whole, desirous whilst I am resisting the solicitations on one hand, to have good reasons to account for my conduct on the other. I am, Madam, etc.
Sir: In compliance with the Bond given to Mr. Fairfax and myself, as Trustees for the use of Mrs. Savage, we think it incumbent on us to request payment of the sum therein stipulated, for the purposes therein expressed. This demand we are induced to make, on full conviction that it is not in our power to release the Bond (of which, possibly, you may hereafter be convinced) without forfeiting the Trust with which we are invested; these are also the sentiments of Mr. Fairfax, and it is with his approbation and desire I now make demand of the £100 due last January. I am, Sir, etc.
Madam: Your Note without name or date to it I have just now received by your Maid. The contents knowing it to be your hand writing) I shall communicate to Mr. Fairfax, and concur with him, in pursuing such measures for recovery of the money, as the Bond directs; in the meantime, I beg you will be settled in your purposes, and no longer tantalize Doctor Savage, by giving him expectations of your surrendering the Bond, when you are fully resolved he never shall possess it. This becomes absolutely necessary,
as, from hence forward I shall not scruple to devulge the reasons for my refusal, that my conduct may not stand the reproach of insincerety or want of candour. I am Madam, etc.
Dear Sir: Herewith you will receive a letter and Sundry papers which were forwarded to me a day or two ago by Doctor Ross of Bladensburg.
At a time when our lordly Masters in Great Britain will be satisfied with nothing less than the deprication of American freedom, it seems highly necessary that some thing shou'd be done to avert the stroke and maintain the liberty which we have derived from our Ancestors; but the manner of doing it to answer the purpose effectually is the point in question.
That no man shou'd scruple, or hesitate a moment to use a-ms in defence of so valuable a blessing, on which all the good and evil of life depends; is clearly my opinion; yet A-ms I wou'd beg leave to add, should be the last resource; the denier resort. Addresses to the Throne, and remonstrances to parliament, we have already, it is said, proved the inefficacy of; how far then their attention to our rights and priviledges is to be awakened or alarmed by starving their Trade and manufactures, remains to be tryed.
The northern Colonies, it appears, are endeavouring to adopt this scheme. In my opinion it is a good one, and must be attended with salutary effects, provided it can be carried pretty generally into execution; but how far it is practicable to do so, I will not take upon me to determine. That there will be difficulties attending the execution of it every where, from clashing interests, and selfish designing men (ever attentive to their own gain, and watchful of every turn that can assist
2. Mason lived at Gunston Hall, Fairfax County, on the Potomac, just below Mount Vernon, and was possibly the greatest constitutionalist produced by Virginia. He was the author of the Virginia nonimportation resolutions of 1769, the Fairfax resolutions of 1774, and the Virginia bill of rights, 1776. Washington highly respected his judgment. 3. The papers forwarded by Dr. David Ross consist of Mason's draft of a proposed nonimportation association in Virginia (which was unanimously adopted by the burgesses in private meeting (May 18, 1769), after they had been dissolved by Governor Botetourt); a letter from the merchants and traders of Philadelphia (Mar. 15, 1769) to merchants and traders in other Colonies; agreements entered into by the merchants of Philadelphia (Feb. 6 and Mar. 10, 1769); the reply of the merchants of Annapolis, Md. (March, 1769); and a circular letter (Mar. 25, 1769) from the Annapolis merchants to merchants elsewhere. Washington evidently was unaware at that time of Mason's authorship of the nonimportation association. These papers are in the Washington Papers in the Library of Congress.
their lucrative views, in preference to any other consideration) cannot be denied; but in the Tobacco Colonies where the Trade is so diffused, and in a manner wholly conducted by Factors for their principals at home, these difficulties are certainly enhanced, but I think not insurmountably increased, if the Gentlemen in their several Counties wou'd be at some pains to explain matters to the people, and stimulate them to a cordial agreement to purchase none but certain innumerated Articles out of any of the Stores after such a period, not import nor purchase any themselves. This, if it did not effectually withdraw the Factors from their Importations, wou'd at least make them extremely cautious in doing it, as the prohibited Goods could be vended to none but the non-associator, or those who wou'd pay no regard to their association; both of whom ought to be stigmatized, and made the objects of publick reproach.
The more I consider a Scheme of this sort, the more ardently I wish success to it, because I think there are private, as well as public advantages to result from it; the former certain, however precarious the other may prove; for in respect to the latter I have always thought that by virtue of the same power (for here alone the authority derives) which assume's the right of Taxation, they may attempt at least to restrain our manufactories,; especially those of a public nature; the same equity and justice prevailing in the one case as the other, it being no greater hardship to forbid my manufacturing, than it is to order me to buy Goods of them loaded with Duties, for the express purpose of raising a revenue. But as a measure of this sort will be an additional exertion of arbitrary power, we cannot be worsted I think in putting it to the Test. On the other hand, that the Colonies are considerably indebted to Great Britain, is a truth universally acknowledged. That many families are reduced, almost, if not quite, to penury and want, from the low ebb of their fortunes, and Estates daily selling for the discharge of Debts, the public papers furnish but too many melancholy proofs of. And that a scheme of this sort will contribute more effectually than any other I can devise to immerge the Country from the distress it at present labours under, I do most firmly believe, if it can be generally adopted. And I can see but one set of people (the Merchants excepted) who will not, or ought
not, to wish well to the Scheme; and that is those who live genteely and hospitably, on clear Estates. Such as these were they, not to consider the valuable object in view, and the good of others, might think it hard to be curtail'd in their living and enjoyments; for as to the penurious Man, he saves his money, and he saves his credit, having the best plea for doing that, which before perhaps he had the most violent struggles to refrain from doing. The extravagant and expensive man has the same good plea to retrench his Expences. He is thereby furnished with a pretext to live within bounds, and embraces it, prudence dictated œconomy to him before, but his resolution was too weak to put in practice; for how can I, says he
, who have lived in such and such a manner change my method? I am ashamed to do it; and besides such an alteration in the system of my living, will create suspicions of a decay in my fortune, and such a thought the World must not harbour; I will e'en continue my course: till at last the course discontinues the Estate, a sale of it being the consequence of his perseverance in error. This I am satisfied is the way that many who have set out in the wrong tract, have reasoned, till ruin stares them in the face. And in respect to the poor and needy man, he is only left in the same situation he was found; better I might say, because as he judges from comparison his condition is amended in proportion as it approaches nearer to those above him.
Upon the whole therefore, I think the Scheme a good one, and that it ought to be tryed here, with such alterations as the exigency of our circumstances render absolutely necessary; but how, and in what manner to begin the work, is a matter worthy of consideration, and whether it can be attempted with propriety, or efficacy (further than a communication of sentiments to one another) before May, when the Court and Assembly will meet together in Williamsburg, and a uniform plan can be concerted, and sent into the different counties to operate at the same time, and in the same manner every where, is a thing I am somewhat in doubt upon, and shou'd be glad to know your opinion of. I am Dr. Sir, etc.
4. The following is an extract from Mason's reply to this letter, dated the same day:
“I entirely agree with you, that no regular plan of the sort proposed can be entered into here, before the meeting of the General Court at least, if not of the Assembly; when a number of Gentlemen, from the different parts of the Country, will have an Opportunity of conferring together, and acting in concert; in the mean Time it may be necessary to publish something preparatory to it in our Gazettes, to warn the people at least of the impending Danger, and induce them the more readily and cheerfully to concur in the proper Measures to avert it; and something of this Sort I had begun, but am unluckily stopped by a Disorder, which affects my Head and Eyes in such a Manner, that I am totally incapable of Business proceeding from a slight Colds checking an Attack of Erisipelas or St. Anthony's Fire (a Complaint I am very subject to) so soon as I am able, I shall resume it, and then write you more fully or endeavour to see you; in the mean Time pray commit to Writing such Hints as may occur.
“Our All is at Stake, and the little Conveniencys and Comforts of Life, when set in Competition with our Liberty, ought to be rejected, not with Reluctance, but with Pleasure: Yet it is plain, that in the Tobacco Colonys We can't at present confine our Importations within such narrow Bounds, as the Northern Colonies. A plan of this kind, to be practicable, must be adapted to our Circumstances; for if not steadily executed, it had better have remained unattempted. We may retrench all Manner of Superfluitys, Finery of all Denominations, and confine ourselves to Linnens, Woollens, &c. not exceeding a certain price: it is amazing how much this (if adopted in all the Colonys) would lessen the American Imports, and distress the various Traders and Manufacturers in Great Britain.
“This woud awaken their Attention; they would see, they would feel, the Oppressions We groan under, and exert themselves to procure Us Redress: this once obtain'd, We shou'd no longer discontinue our Importations, confining ourselves still not to import any Article, that shou'd hereafter be taxed by Act of Parliament for raising a Revenue in America; for, however singular I may be in my Opinion, I am thoroughly convinced, that (Justice and Harmony happily restored) it is not the Interest of these Colonies to refuse British Manufactures: Our supplying our Mother-Country with gross Materials, and taking her Manufactures in Return, is the true Chain of connection between Us; these are the Bands, which, if not broken by Oppression, must long hold Us together, by maintaing a constant Reciprocation of Interest; Proper Caution shou'd, therefore, be used in drawing up the proposed plan of Association. It may not be amiss to let the Ministry understand, that, until We obtain a Redress of Grievances, We will withhold from them our Commoditys, and particularly refrain from making Tobacco, by which the Revenue would lose fifty times more than all their Oppressions cou'd raise here.
“Had the Hint I have given with regard to the Taxation of Goods imported into America, been thought of by our Merchants before the Repeal of the Stamp Act, the late American Revenue Acts wou'd probably never have been attempted.”
The original letter is in the Washington Papers and is printed in Hamilton's Letters to Washington, vol. 3, p. 342.
The assembly in May was the first that met after the arrival of Lord Botetourt as governor. The burgesses agreed upon an address to the King, which Governor Botetourt disapproved and dissolved the assembly. The dismissed burgesses reassembled in the Apollo room of the Raleigh Tavern and drew up the Virginia Non-Importation Association. Washington was on the drafting committee and notes expenses, in his accounts, arising therefrom. Spark's note on this letter calls attention to the variation of Mason's draft of the association in the Washington Papers from the printed text in Burk's History of Virginia, vol. 3, p. 345.
My Lord: Being fully persuaded of your Excellency's inclination to render every just and reasonable service to the people you govern, or to any body or society of them, that shall ask it, and being encouraged in a more particular manner by a letter, which I have just received from Mr. Blair (clerk of the Council), to believe, that your Lordship is desirous of being fully informed how far the grant of land solicited by Mr. Walpole and others
By the extracts, which your Excellency did me the honor to enclose, I perceive, that the petitioners require to begin opposite to the mouth of Scioto, which is as least seventy or seventy five miles below the mouth of the Big Kanhawa, (and more than three hundred from Pittsburg,) and to extend from thence in a southwardly direction through the pass of the Ouasioto Mountain, which, (by Evan's map, and the best accounts I have been able to get from persons, who have explored that country,) will bring them near the latitude of North Carolina. From thence they go northeastwardly to the Kanhawa, at the juncture of New River and Green Briar, upon both of which waters we have many settlers upon lands actually patented. From thence they proceed up the Green Briar to the head of the northeasterly branch thereof, thence easterly to the Allegany Mountains, thence along these mountains to the line of Lord Fairfax, and thence with his line, and the lines of Maryland and Pennsylvania, till the west boundary of the latter intersects the Ohio, and finally down the same to the place of beginning.
These, my Lord, are the bounds of a grant prayed for, and, if obtained, will give a fatal blow, in my humble opinion, to the interests of this
6. The Walpole Grant, into which had merged the Ohio Company scheme, had for its originators Thomas Walpole, a London banker; Benjamin Franklin; John Sargent; and Samuel Wharton. The grant of land petitioned for was made in 1772, but the Revolutionary War brought the scheme to naught.
country. But these are my sentiments as a member of the community at large; but I now beg leave to offer myself to your Excellency's notice, in a more interested point of view, as an individual, and as a person, who considers himself in some degree the representative of the officers and soldiers, who claim a right to two hundred thousand acres of this very land, under a solemn act of government, adopted at a very important and critical period to his Majesty's affairs in this part of the world; and shall, therefore, rely on your Lordship's accustomed goodness and candor, whilst I add a few words in support of the equity of our pretensions, although, in truth, I have very little to say on this subject now, which I have not taken the liberty of observing to your Excellency before.
The first letter I ever did myself the honor of writing to your Excellency on the subject of this land, and to which I beg leave to refer, contained a kind of historical account of our claim; but as there requires nothing more to elucidate a right , than to offer a candid exhibition of the case, supported by facts, I shall beg leave to refer your Lordship to an order of Council, of the 18th of February, 1754, and to Governor Dinwiddie's proclamation, which issued consequent thereupon, both of which are enclosed; and then add, that these troops not only enlisted agreeably to the proclamation, but behaved so much to the satisfaction of the country, as to be honored with the most public acknowledgments of it in their legislative capacity. Would it not be hard, then, my Lord, to deprive men under these circumstances, (or their representatives,) of the just reward of their toils? Was not this act of the Governor and Council offered to, and accepted by the soldiery, as an absolute compact between them? And though the exigency of affairs, or the policy of government, made it necessary to continue these lands in a dormant state for some time, ought not their claim to be considered, when the causes cease, in preference to all others? We fain would hope so. We flatter ourselves, that in this point of view it will also appear to your Lordship, and that, by your kind interposition, and favorable representation of the case, his Majesty will be graciously pleased to confirm this land to us, agreeably to a petition presented to your Excellency in Council the 15th of last December; with this difference only, that, instead of Sandy Creek
(one of the places allotted for the location of our grant, and which we now certainly know will not be comprehended within the ministerial line, as it is called), we may be allowed to lay a part of our grant between the west boundary of Pennsylvania and the river Ohio, which will be expressly agreeable to the words of Governor Dinwiddie's proclamation, inasmuch as it is contiguous to the Forks of Monongahela. This favor, my Lord, would be conferring a singular obligation on men, most of whom, either in their persons or fortunes, have suffered in the cause of their country; few of them benefitted by the service; and it cannot fail to receive the thanks of a grateful body of men, but of none more warmly than of your Lordship's most obedient and humble servant.
Dear Sir: I laid your letter of the 26th. Ulto. (to me) before the Officers who met at Fredericksburg the first Inst.; but as they were unacquainted with the nature of your pretensions to a share of the 200,000 acres of Land granted in 1754 they did not choose to saddle you with any part of the expence, not conceiving that your commission as Commissary (if it is under that you claim) entitles you to any part of the Land which was offered to the Soldiery as an Encouragement to embark readily in the Service they were to engage in, must necessarily be exposed to hardships and Dangers.
This piece of information I thought it incumbent on me to give you; at the same time I shall add that I am ready to receive any, and every claim, that shall be offered, and will faithfully lay them before the Governor and Council to whom it belongs to judge of the
Right
from the
reason's
which may be offered pro and con. I am Dr. Sir, etc.
7. See Washington's letter to Lord Botetourt, Oct. 5, 1770,
post.
Sir: In return for the Herrings, (which will be shiped as a joint Stock by Mr. Campbell
1 Hogshead of good rum
1 Barrel of good Spirits
200 lb. of Coffee
100 lb. of best single refined Sugar
100 lb. of
100 or 200 Oranges if to be had good.
The balance of my half of the sales of the herrings you will please to bring me in Cash, and of such kinds as will pass here without loss. I wish you a pleasant and prosperous Voyage, and safe return to your Owners and Friends. I am Sir, etc.
Dear Sir: Captn. Crawford (who I expect will be the bearer of this letter to you has promised me, that so soon as he has rested a little from the fatigues of his last journey he will wait upon you in order to view the Lands you were offering for Sale. I have described the kind of Land to Capt: Crawford, I would choose to become the purchaser of, and if a
sufficient quantity thereof, is to be found in a body, I will take Fifteen thousand acres; the money to be paid so soon as there can be a legal title made to the acres, subject to a Quitrent (after the expiration of twenty years) of two shillings Sterlg. per hundred, and no more. If you incline to part with the above quantity of Land, on these terms, Capt. Crawford will proceed to view; and may, in company with any person you shall choose, run it out. It rests therefore with yourself to direct Mr. Crawford to go on the Land for the purposses above mentioned, or not; as it will be unnecessary for him to be at any further trouble if you do not incline to accept of the propossal.
If the Charter Government 15. Matthew Campbell, of Alexandria, Va. 17. Indian agent and widely known on the frontiers and in the Colonies as the most influential of all the agents. He was an Irishman and had settled in Pennsylvania in 1746. Ten years later Sir William Johnson appointed him deputy Indian agent to the northern Indians and sent him to England in 1763 on the business of the Indian boundaries. He served in the Braddock campaign and was usually referred to as Colonel Croghan. Died in 1782. 18. Of the proposed Walpole Grant.
in the manner proposed, I presume there will be Surveyors appointed to different Districts, in order that the Land may be run out as fast as possible; in that case I wou'd beg leave to recommend Captn. Crawford to your friendly notice as a person who would be glad to be employed, and as one who I dare say wou'd discharge the duty with honesty and care; thro' your means I am persuaded he might come in for a share of this business. I am persuaded also, that he would not be wanting in gratitude for the favor with very great esteem, I remain, etc.
P.S. If you still decline being one of the proprietors of the new Governmt., is it not better to sell, than resign ? If so, what will you take for your share, provided your name stands confirm'd in the charter?
Madam: Your letter of the 18th. of June came to my hands a few days ago (after my return from the Ohio, whither I had been upwards of two months). I am sorry to find by it, that you and the Doctr. continue to breathe the same discordant life, you did in this Country; especially too as there appears to be so little prospect of amendment; and it is with infinite concern I have further to observe to you, that your conduct is so full of inconsistency and unsteadiness that you render every attempt of your Trustee's, to serve you, abortive; such is the effect of your last power of Attorney to Mr. Montgomerie, 21. Thomas Montgomerie, of Dumfries, Va.fear was the governing principle in this transaction) and the impossibility of our
rendering you any desireable service, when you are counter-acting your own works, and leading us into a wilderness of difficulties and contradiction. It is highly incumbent on you therefore to be steady, and we earnestly recommend it to you either to live with the Doctor upon the best terms you can, giving him a discharge every year for the income of your Bond, if he supplies you with the necessary comforts of Life; or to renounce all connections with him and recourse to your Annuity invariably; for whilst Interest pulls one way, and your inclinations to the Doctr. the other, you are torn between the two, and your behaviour will continue to be so full of contradiction, as to remain the source of never failing uneasiness to yourself, and perplexity to others: for tho' Mr. Fairfax and myself shall never agree to relinquish the Trust, yet we have no right to withhold payment of the Bond from any person you empower legally to receive it, as it was for your benefit it was created. You will find it necessary therefore, if you expect payment of the Annuity, and are distrustful of Mr. Montgomerie, to appoint some other, to receive your money as we do not conceive it is optional with us to refuse settling this matter with a person whom you have legally authorized for that purpose, notwithstanding any private advice you may give to the contrary, if he shoud (as Mr. Montgomerie really has) call upon us to do so. Inclos'd you have a copy of the Bond which you sometime ago wrote to me for. I have nothing further to add at this time (as most things remain in statu quo) but Mrs. Washington's compliments, and good wishes for happier days to you, in which I heartily join, being Madam, etc.
Sir: Your letters of the 15th of December from Georgia, and 20th of April, from Charlestown, came duely to hand. In answer to them, I have only to inform you, that my advertisements which you refer to, issued in consequence of instructions from our late Governor and Council; and that I have nothing more to do in the affair, than to receive, and deliver in to them the several claims of the respective Officers and Soldiers who embarked in the service of this Colony in the year 1754 (under a proclamation of the then Governor, offering a reward of 200,000 acres of Land to all those who shou'd voluntarily engage in an Expedition against the French, who were at that time encroaching on his majesty's lands, on the Ohio;) among those who embarked under this encouragement was your son, and well entitled, not only by proclamation, but by his merit and bravery, to a Lieutenant's share of the Lands, which no doubt he (if any of us do) will obtain, as I have exhibited your claim for that purpose. Nothing final, however, is determined on with respect to this matter you will stand upon the same footing with the rest of the claimants, provided you contribute in the same proportion towards the incidental charges attending the Surveys &c which are now set about and for which each subaltern Officer has already been call'd upon for the respective sums of £6 and £4:10:0 current money of this government in order to prosecute the work; it will behoove you therefore to give some person a power of attorney to act on your behalf, who must be furnished with the means of contributing your quota past, and to come, for furthering of
34. Dandridge's “Letter Book” copy spells this as Polston; Ford prints it as to—Colston. The son referred to was probably John Polson, who, in Washington's “Ledger,” is given as a lieutenant in the First Virginia Regiment.
this business, which must, from the nature of it, be attended with trouble and expense. I know of no person better qualified to serve you in this matter, than the one who first exhibited your claim; I mean Mr. Alexr. Craig, who is a resident of Williamsburg, a man of very fair character, and lays more in the way of receiving your instructions and communicating such information as may be proper for you to receive, than I should be, or any one else I am acquainted with.
It may not be amiss to add for your further satisfaction, that all the claims are not yet given in, consequently the proportion and value of the land which may fall to each officer's share is not fully ascertained; and that we have many difficulties, and some uncertainties to struggle through, before our right to these lands will be fully recognized. Such powerful sollicitation is there at the Court of Great Britain for the lands to the westward of us, where our grant was located; and such the opposition we meet with; tho' it is hoped that the Equity of our claim will at length prevail.
In which case, the Land will be well worth the trouble and expence we may bestow to obtain it, notwithstanding the remote distance it is from navigation.
I am much obliged to you for the favorable opinion you are pleas'd to entertain of me, and wish I may continue to deserve it, and approve myself Sir, &c.
Madam: As I have some suspicion that my letters do not get to hand with the regularity they ought, I shall enclose you a copy of my last, since which, about the middle of June I was favou'd with yours, of the 10th. Decr. informing me of your third power of Attorney to Mr. Piper
For sometime, indeed for many months, we
35. This equity was based upon the somewhat nebulous title comprehended by an unaccepted offer of the Six Nations to cede all their lands east of the Ohio to the English for a fair consideration and a scheme formed by Gov. William Franklin, of New Jersey, for purchasing a large tract of territory on the Ohio and forming permanent settlements upon it. General Gage, Governor Moore, and Sir William Johnson were also interested in the scheme, which was urged upon the British ministry by Benjamin Franklin in 1766–1768. The original idea comprehended a colony in the Illinois; but on submitting the plan to Lord Shelburne it was found that “it did not quadrate with the sentiments of people here; that their objections to it were, the distance, which would make it of little use to this country, as the expense on the carriage of goods would oblige the people to manufacture for themselves; that it would for the same reason be difficult both to defend it and to govern it; that it might lay the foundation of a power in the heart of America, which in time might be troublesome to the other colonies, and prejudicial to our government over them; and that people were wanted both here and in the already settled colonies, so that none could be spared for a new colony.” (See Benjamin Franklin's letter to William Franklin, Sept. 27, 1766.) Gen. Phineas Lyman, of Connecticut, who had served with bravery and distinction in the late war, was in England urging the claims of the “military adventurers,” which were designed to cover the same territory as those of the Franklin company, and an effort was made to make the two schemes one. In October, 1767, Franklin could report that the plan had been approved in cabinet council and had been referred to the board of trade, where it appears to have slept for some years without being acted upon. “There is little doubt,” wrote Johnson to Governor Franklin, in May, 1768, “but that the intended settlement may be productive of a regular civil government in that valuable country, and this, too, without doing violence or overreaching the Indians, which from sentiments of policy as well as justice should Be always cautiously avoided.” The treaty of Fort Stanwix (September, 1768) established the bounds of English territory essentially as they had been proposed in Sir William Johnson's treaty of 1765, at the German Flats (now Herkimer County, N.Y.). Beginning at the mouth of the Tennesse river, it followed the Ohio and Alleghany rivers to Kittaning; thence in a direct line to the nearest fork of the west branch of the Susquehannah; and thence following the stream through the Alleghanies, it passed by way of Burnett's Hills and the eastern branch of the Susquehannah and the Delaware into New York, having its northern terminus at the confluence of Canada and Wood creeks. The line, thus proposed, was not in accordance with the instruction of the Board of Trade. Hillsborough, who had succeeded the liberal Shelborne as colonial secretary, and was bitterly opposed to any settlement in the interior, wished to have the line extended no farther than the mouth of the great Kenawha, where it would then meet the line which Smart, at a council in South Carolina, had recently established with the “Cherokees as the western boundary of Virginia.” Sir William Johnson claimed that the effect of this treaty, which was ratified in 1770, was to vest the claim of the northern Indians to the country south of the Ohio in the Crown, leaving the southern Indians only to be dealt with concerning it; “and should they refuse to give it up, it is in his majesty's power to prevent the colonies from availing themselves of the late cession in that quarter, till it can be done with safety and the common consent of all who have just pretensions to it.” (See Sir William Johnson's letter to Gage, Dec. 16, 1768.) This plan reappears in London in 1770. “A society of us, in which some of the first people in England are engaged, and in which you and Colonel Croghan are made original partakers, have concluded a bargain with the Treasury for a large tract of land lying and fronting on the Ohio (part of the lands lately ceded by the Indians to Great Britain), large enough for a government. Having it suggested to us by Lord Hillsborough that it would be right that we should have a charter of government, in consequence of this bargain so concluded, we are next to apply to the Council Board, that the grant may issue. We expect to meet with opposition, and some objections arising from the impressions made by such opposition, yet have no doubt of carrying this point, as we have settled the main point. As soon as the grant has issued we are to apply to the Lords of Trade on the subject of the charter.” (See Thomas Pownall's letter to Sir William Johnson, April, 1770.) The application for the grant was made in behalf of the company by Thomas Walpole, a London banker, Benjamin Franklin, John Sargent, and Samuel Wharton, but was opposed by Lord Hillsborough in a report that gave Franklin an opportunity to make such a crushing reply as to lead to Hillsborough's resignation from the cabinet. (See Franklin's
In September, 1768, Lieutenant Colonel Wilkins, armed with wide powers of administration and bringing “orders for the establishment of a court of justice in Illinois for the administration of the laws and the adjustment and trial of all controversies existing between the people relating to debts or property, either real or personal,” took command of Fort Pitt. In defiance of the King's proclamation of 1763, Colonel Wilkins began to make large grants of domain, and among others was one said to contain 13,986 acres, but in reality covered some 30,000 acres, made to John Baynton, Samuel Wharton, and George Morgan, merchants of Philadelphia, who “trading in this country, have greatly contributed to his majesty's service.” This grant lay between the villages of Kaskaskia and Prairie du Rocher in the present county of Randolph. In 1809 the commissioners rejected a claim based upon this grant on the ground that Wilkins had no authority to make it.—
41. Harry Piper, of Alexandria, Va.Works (Bigelow's edition), vol. 4, pp. 137, 495.) This company, known as the Grand Company, or Walpole's Grant, received its grant in 1772.Ford.
evaded a meeting with Mr. Montgomerie, and tho' we coud not absolutely refuse a settlement with him, we endeavour'd, and did delay it till the middle of April, when his importunity was no longer to be withstood; we were then obliged to give the Bond a discharge for the Annuity due thereon till the January preceeding; after Mr. Montgomerie had promis'd that he would remit the money into your own hands, which by the bye, was a promise we had no right to insist upon, and how far he is obliged to perform it under the power by which he acts, I cannot take upon me to determine, but this I can say, that if you will adhere to your 1st appointment of Mr. Piper (who is willing to act) it will then be in the power of the Trustees to serve you; as they can, at the expiration of every year, demand payment of the Annuity; and in case of refusal or delay commence Suit immediately; by which means, tho' you may be kept a while out of the first sum, the rest will come in tolerably regularly afterwards; and I do in behalf of Mr. Fairfax and myself beseech you to be steady, and no longer suffer the conflict between Love and Interest (which has been the source of your own disquietudes and our perplexities) to sway you any longer, you certainly must by this time, know the ultimatum of your dependance upon the Doctors affection and support; and as to his threats, and dreadful denunciations, if you are seperated from him, what have you to fear from them? A steady and resolute behaviour on your part will soon put an end to his persecution and relieve you from every apprehension of abuse; and though it is far, very far from me, to foment differences, or to instigate a separation of man and wife, yet under the circumstances you describe yourself to labour, it is highly eligable, and much to be wished.
I have nothing more to add at present, but my best wishes, in which Mrs. Washington joins, and that I am, etc.
Dear Sir: Your favour of the 18th. of August, never came to my hands till about the middle of this month. In answer to it, I shall beg leave to observe that, the Township contain'd in the Plat you sent me, includes more Land than I shou'd choose, or that would be convenient for me to purchase; and I suppose by your laying the Grant off in that manner, and offering me a Lott, instead of 15,000 acres which I proposed to buy, that you do not incline to sell less in a parcel, for which reason I must decline the purchase altogether, unless I can get some person to join me, and at present I know of none that chooses to be concerned; but as I am going to Williamsburg in a few days, it is possible I may meet with some Gentlemen there who may incline to engage in this Scheme, in which case, I will write to you by the first opportunity after my return, and let you know more of my Sentiments on the subject of your offer, than at present I am able to do, in the mean while I have only to request that you may not disappoint yourself of a Bargain on my account.
I am much obliged to you for your kind assurances in favour of Captn. Crawford, and shall add nothing more at present than that I am with very great esteem, Dr. Sir, etc.
Dear Sir: The inclosed I write to you in behalf of the whole Officers and Soldiers; and beg of you to be attentive to it, as I think our Interests is deeply concerned in the event of your dispatch.
I believe from what I have lately heard that there is no doubt now, of the Charter Government taking place on the Ohio; but upon what terms, or how the Lands will be granted to the people, I have not been able to learn: I shou'd be glad however if you would endeavour to keep
the Tract you surveyed for me till such time as we can tell where, and how, to apply for Rights; or, if you did any thing with McMahan, on my account, I will abide by that. As soon as the Tract at the Great Meadow's is enlarged, I should be glad to have the Surveys return'd to the Office, and to get a plat of it myself, as I am determined to take out a patent for it immediately.
I cannot hear of any reserve in favor of Colo. Croghan; for which reason I do not care to say anything more to him on the subject of a purchase untill matters are upon a more permanent footing, since no disadvantage can follow to him, after leaving him at liberty in my last letter to sell the Tract he made me an offer of to any body he pleased. I shou'd be glad however to hear from you how he goes on in his sales, and what is said, and thought of his claim; in short, what chance there appears to be of his getting it; for I suppose his right to the Lands he claims must either be confirm'd, or rejected by this time, and known at Pittsburg before now. I shou'd be glad to hear from you by the first opportunity in respect to these several matters; in the mean while I remain with my best wishes to Mrs. Crawford, yourself and Family, Dr. Sir, etc.
Dear Sir: Inclos'd you have a letter for Mrs. Savage and a Bill drawn upon James Gildart of Liverpool for £53 Sterling, being a balance in his hands, which you will please to remit of soon as possible for her use. If we are able to recover any part of her annuity from Doctor Savage, I shall lay claim to my money again and this is the reason of my passing it thro' your hands; if not, I wish it may prove the means of relieving the old Lady from distress,
Madam: From the purport of Mrs. Bomforts last favour by Captn. Grayson it wou'd appear that my letter (and the small sum I was able to advance out of my own pocket for your immediate support) had not then got to hand; but as there is no doubt of its having done so before this; I shall not give you the trouble of having the substance of it recapitulated. In pursuance of our request, I have at length, got the original Deeds w'ch passed from you to the Doctors previous to your marriage, as also an authentic copy of the Doctrs. Bond to you
47. Mr. Savage acknowledged this gift (August 19): “the Bill of £53 you were so good as to send for my relief, which believe me my dear Friend came most season ably; my situation is terrible, hut without it, it would have been wretched indeed. It would argue a base and ungrateful mind to omitt this opportunity of tendering you all in my power to bestow, the tribute of an Honest, Sincere and gratefull Heart for this Act of generosity and Friendship.”
both of which are herewith inclosed. In procuring the former, I met with a good deal of difficulty, being oblig'd to send to Williamsburg for them, after searching Prince William, Fairfax and Loudoun offices in vain. I have, at the same time, the further satisfaction of advising you, that I think we are in fair way of setting aside the transaction with Mr. Montgomerie respecting the annuity of your Bond; and consequently coming upon the Doctor for the whole sum due thereon, since the date of your marriage; but as the matter yet hangs in suspence, I would not advise you to be altogether sanguine, till you hear from me again, w'ch shall be as soon as we can get the matter finally fixed with Mr. Montgomerie. In the interim the suit goes on against the Doctor, and will, it is hoped, come to a hear'g in a Court or more; I wou'd advise you therefore to adhere steadily to your appointment of Mr. Piper, who seems to have taken a little umbrage at your changing the Channel of corrispondence from Mr. Dixon, as if you were suspicious of some inattention or remissness in one or the other of them. The Doctor begins, I fancy, to squeak at the prospect; and you may for ought I know, soon receive some proposals of accomodation from him, but I wou'd advise you not to be hasty in acceding to them, as I flatter myself we are not without a very good chance of recovering the whole sum due upon the Bond; and you may be assured that his offers will fall short of his expected payments. This packet was intended to go by Capt: Grayson, but being unluckily from home, when his Ship passed by, I missed the opportunity; but hope it will get safe to your hands not withstanding. I rejoice sincerely, that it is in my power from the information of Mr. Bomfort to congratulate you upon your recover'd state of health; at the same time I assure you that I receiv'd the acct. of your affliction with real concern; Persons, and things in this neighbourhood since the date of my last, remain nearly, in statu quo; Mrs. Washington and Miss Custis join their best wishes to mine, for you, and I am Madam, etc.
Madam: The tender concern you shew to the distressed is sufficiently exemplifyed in the case of Mrs. Savage, and will be attended, I am persuaded, with more pleasing reflections, than the acknowledgments of the Lady, or the thanks of her friends are capable of affording. Brutal as the Doctrs. behaviour must appear to the feelings of every dispassionate mind, he is unwilling to be thought the Culprit he proves himself; for he does not scruple to assert, that Mrs. Savage was not only provided with every necessary, but all kinds of conveniencies, when he left Ireland: little, however will these assertion's avail him, when oppos'd by your candid and disinterested account of his con duct towards that Lady nor will it, I apprehend, avail his purse; as we are not without hopes of bringing her Affairs to a more favourable issue than was expected in my last, there being good reason to believe, we shall now be able to set aside the Transaction with her former Agent, and consequently bring the Doctor to account for all the arrearages due on the Bond. In the mean time I send her the papers she requested thro' you, and with all due deference and respect remain, Madam, etc.
Dear Sir: Frequently as I have seen you of late, I have always forgot to inform you, that Mr. Adam, on whom I have depended for money, declare's his inability of supplying me; it is not only out of my power therefore to furnish you and Mr. Fairfax with the sum asked, but to comply with sundry engagements of my own; for both of which I am really sorry.
Having once or twice of late hear you Speak highly in praise of the Jersey College, as if you had a desire
1. One of the founders of Alexandria, Va. A warm friendship existed between Washington and Ramsay, who came to America from Scotland. He married Ann McCarty, a relative of Washington's mother. One of his sons, William, was a surgeon in the Continental Army, and Dennis, another son. was mayor of Alexandria.
of sending your Son William there (who I am told is a youth fond of study and instruction, and disposed to a sedentary studious life; in following of which he may not only promote his own happiness, but the future welfare of others) I shou'd be glad, if you have no other objection to it than what may arise from the expence, if you wou'd send him there as soon as it is convenient and depend on me for Twenty five pounds this Currency a year for his support so long as it may be necessary for the completion of his Education. If I live to see the accomplishment of this term, the sum here stipulated shall be annually paid, and if I die in the mean while, this letter shall be obligatory upon my Heirs or Executors to do it according to the true intent and meaning hereof. No other return is expected, or wished for this offer, than that you will accept it with the same freedom and good will with which it is made, and that you may not even consider it in the light of an obligation, or mention it as such; for be assur'd that from me it will never be known. I am, &c.
Dear Sir: From several concurring causes, which exist at this moment, the eve of my departure for Williamsburg, I have both my head and my hands too full of business to allow me time to write more than a hasty ill digested Letter; This, however, I shall attempt to do in answer to yours of the 4th. Inst.
In my last I informed you, (as well as I can recollect the contents of the letter) that the friends (I do not confine myself to the relations only) of Mr. Custis, were divided in their opinions, of the propriety of his travelling, not because they thought advantages would not result from it, but on account of the expense, as he would commence his tour with so heavy
a charge, as you thought sufficient to induce you to accompany him, which would at once anticipate half his income; for his estate is of that kind, which rather comes under the denomination of a
large
than a
profitable
one. He has it is true a good deal of land and a great many slaves, but the former is more to be esteemed for the situation than the quality, being indifferent and much worn, so that large crops cannot be made from them. These doubtful opinions was sufficient cause, I observed in my last for me to be circumspect in my conduct, as I had another tribunal to account to besides that in my own breast, for the part I was to act on this occasion. For you cannot but know, that every farthing, which is expended in behalf of this young gentleman, must undergo the inspection of the General Court, in their examination of my guardianship accounts, and that it would be imprudent in me to permit him to launch into any uncommon or expensive pursuits, (especially at a time when a heavy and expensive chancery suit is instituted against his estate,) without first knowing whether such an expence would be approved by those, who had a constitutional right to judge of the expediency or propriety of the measure.
These are the reasons why I said in my last letter, that my own inclinations were still as strong as ever for Mr. Custis's pursuing his travelling scheme, provided the Court should approve of the expense, (I did not want their opinion of the utility of travelling) and provided also that it should appear, when his judgment is a little more matured, that he is desirous of undertaking this tour upon a plan of improvement, rather than a vague desire of gratifying an idle curiosity, or spending his money; for by the bye, if his mother does not speak her own sentiments, rather than his, he is lukewarm in the scheme; and I cannot help giving it as my opinion, that his education, from what I have understood of his improvement, (however advanced it may be for a youth of his age,) is by no means ripe enough for a travelling tour; not that I think his becoming a mere scholar is a desirable education for a gentleman; but I conceive a knowledge of books is the basis upon which other knowledge is to be built; and that it is men and things more than books he is to be acquainted
with by travelling. At present, however well versed he may be in the principles of the Latin language (which is not to be wondered at, as he began the study of it as soon as he could speak), he is unacquainted with several of their classical authors, which might be useful to him to read. He is ignorant of Greek, (the advantages of learning which I do not pretend to judge of), knows nothing of French, which is absolutely necessary to him as a traveller; little or nothing acquainted with arithmetic, and totally ignorant of the mathematics; than which, so much of it at least as relates to surveying, nothing can be more essentially necessary to any man possessed of a large landed estate, the bounds of some part or other of which are always in controversy.
Now, whether he has time between this and next spring to acquire a sufficient knowledge of these, or so much of them as are requisite, I leave you to judge; and whether a boy of seventeen years old, which will be his age next November can have any just notions of the end and design of travelling ? I have already given it as my opinion, that it would be precipitating this event, unless he was to go immediately to the university for a couple of years, and in which case he could see nothing of America; which might be a disadvantage to him, as it is to be expected that every man, who travels with a view of observing the laws and customs of other countries, should be able to give some description of the situation and government of his own.
Upon the whole, it is impossible for me at this time to give a more decisive answer, however strongly inclined I may be to put you upon an absolute certainty in this affair, than I have done; and I should think myself wanting in candor, if I concealed any circumstances from you, which leads me to fear, that there is a possibility, if not a probability, that the whole design may be totally defeated; and therefore I add, that before I ever thought myself at liberty to encourage this plan, I judged it highly reasonable and necessary, that his mother should be consulted. I laid your first letter and proposals before her, and desired that she would ponderate well, before she resolved, as an
unsteady behavior might be a disadvantage to you. Her determination was, that, if it appeared to be his inclination to undertake this tour, and it should be adjudged for his benefit, she would not oppose it, whatever pangs it might give her to part with him. This declaration she still adheres to, but in so faint a manner, that I think, what with her fears and his indifference, it will soon be declared that he has no inclination to go, the consequence of which is too obvious to be mentioned. I do not say that this will be the case; I cannot speak positively. But as this is the result of my own reflections upon the matter, I thought it but fair to communicate them to you.
Several causes, I believe, have concurred to make her view his departure, (as the time approaches) with more reluctance than she expected. The unhappy situation of her daughter has in some degree fixed her eyes upon him as her only hope. Add to this the doubts of her friends, &c., to what I have already said, I can only add, that my warmest wishes are to see him prosecute a plan, at a proper period, which I am sure must redound to his advantage, and that nothing shall be wanted on my part to aid and assist him in it. In the event of his going, I should think myself highly favoured, and him much honored, by Governor Eden's letters of introduction. Such, with others that might be procured, could not fail of having their advantages.
You will please to make my compliments to Mr. Dulany, and assure him, that I have not the least vestige of a house at the Frederic Springs, otherwise it should have been, if unengaged, much at his service. The two seasons I spent there was in a house of Mr. Mercer's.
I scarce know what answer to give to the papers you transmitted to me as an executor of the will of Col. Thos. Colvill, deceased. The affairs of that estate are unhappily involved with John Semple, to whom Colo. Colvill in his life time sold a tract of land in Maryland, called Merryland, for I think £2600 sterling and from whom we can neither get the money nor land. Till this matter is settled the executors are unable to pay off the Legacies in this country, consequently can answer no demands of the residuary legatees in England, who only come in for the surplusage if any there be. I believe there will be more than sufficient to discharge the debts and legacies
here, but the overplus will be trifling. I am, &c.
36. The text is from Washington's “Letter Book,” in the writing of Bartholomew Dandridge. Ford's text, which differs in some particulars, was taken from page 336 of the Catalogue of the Stevens Sale (1872).
Sir: I have been inform'd, that a Survey which Captain Crawford made for me on the Ohio (being the first bottom on the So. East side of the river) above Capteening, and nearly opposite to Pipe Creek, at my particular request, You have either gone, or intend to go, and take possession of; Such a step as this, I cou'd hardly have expected from you. However as it is a piece of Land I viewed in Novr. 1770 before you had ever explored that Country, have had it surveyed by an Officer legally appointed by the Surveyors General of this Colony, and am resolved to take out a Patent for it (notwithstanding any improvement you either have, or may make upon it) so soon as Rights are to be had. I have judged it expedient to serve you with this notice thereof, (which I am told is not the first you have had) and to assure you at the same time, that I am determin'd not to relinquish my right to this Tract, which contains 587 acres, and which I am ready to pay for at any time, till I have at least spent the full value of the Land in support of my claim. I am Sir, etc.
My Lord: I have just been informed of Isaac Larews having enter'd in your Lordship's Office, a Tract of Land survey'd for my deceas'd Brother, Lawrence, in the name of Richd. Sanford, twenty odd years ago. The circumstances attending which, to the best of my recollection, will be found upon enquiry, to stand thus. This Land being survey'd just before the Death of my Brother, a Patent never issued for it; but the quantity appearing in the List of his other Lands in Frederick County, devised to my younger brothers; 84. Samuel, John Augustine, and Charles Washington.
regularly paid, ever since the division took place, at the time of which, I well remember it was thought wonderful what had become of the Patent, and your Lordship's Office in vain searched for it, nor was it till of late known, that the missing Land was the Tract surveyed in the name of Richard Sanford, but conceived to be in the possession of Mr. Chas. Dick under purchase from Robt. Worthington, who it was groundlessly conjectur'd, when the Land could not be found; ha d taken some advantage of my Brother's death and his own neglect in not passing Deeds, to sell it a second time, to Mr. Dick. In short, various were the conjectures, but nothing certain cou'd be hit upon, to Acct. for the loosing of the Land. Upon discovery, however, of the mistake, application was made to your Lord ship for a Patent, and I believe the issuing of it was postponed on Acct. of Mr. Sanford, as the Survey was made in his name, and who I am well satisfied, tho' I have never spoke to him on the occasion, has not the most distant thought of getting it.
I am no ways interested My Lord, nor can I be affected by the Grant either to one or the other, but as I am persuaded that your Lordship wou'd not wish under this state of the case, which I have not intentionally exagerated, grant the Land to Larew, without giving the other Claimants an opportunity of being heard. I thought it an act of Justice, as well as brotherly Kindness to apprize your Lordship of the circumstances, which will apologize, I hope, for my giving your Lordship the trouble of receiving this letter, being with the greatest respect, Your Lordships, etc.
Sir: Not knowing with certainty who to apply to, for the Quota of the Expences due from Colo. Fry's Estate towards prosecuting our claim to the Lands under Govr. Dinwiddie's Proclamation of 1754. I have wrote to yourself, and brother, alternately on this head, without receiving any answer. The Lands which have been surveyed and allotted by an order of Council of the 6th. of Novr. (as you may see by my publication in Rinds Gazette
To your propon. of the sum voted at the mettg.
in Winchester March 1771.
To yr. propn. of the contingent Acct. exhibited
at the meetg. in Fredericksburg, Novemr. 23d.
1772
To the Surveyors fees—Surveyg. the Land, patented
in yr. name, vizt. 4149 acres 2084 acres
and 1525 acres
Besides this, I have been necessarily involved in some expences (in getting the Patents passed) which I shou'd be glad also to receive, as it is really hard, not only to saddle me with the whole trouble of this business, but to lay me under the necessity of making the incidental advances or suffer the whole proceedings to stop. If no opportunity offers sooner of remitting the money to me, I shou'd be glad to receive it at the April Genl. Court, about the 25th. of the month, at which time I expect to be in this place, or to get Colo. Fieldg. Lewis to transact my business.
If you have any inclination to part with the whole, or any part of your property in these Lands, I should be glad to be advised of it, and upon what terms, as I know of some Gentlemen that want to buy Lands upon the Ohio. I am Sir, etc.
93. William Rind's
Virginia Gazette, established in Williamsburg in 1766.
Sir: Enquiring of Mr. Jefferson
Revd. Sir: Your favor of the 25th ulto. by Mr. Watson came duly to hand; in answer to it I must beg leave to inform you, that the short allotment of Land to Mr. Andw. Waggener was not the result of any determination of the Officers who met at Fredericksburg on the 23d of Novemr. (for they had nothing to do, either in settling the proportions, or distributing the Land,) but was a solemn act of the Governor and Council, on the sixth preceeding, (adopted after having a full state of the several advances laid before them, and in my opinion, upon the most just and equitable principles.) If Mr. Waggener therefore, is injur'd or thinks himself injured, he must appeal to that Board as the only Tribunal which can afford him redress.
From your statement of the case, however, it would appear that you have been deceived by Mr. Waggener's representation of this matter, he has been a culprit in respect to his contributions, from the very beginning as thus. In August 1770 a meeting of all the principal claimants, was required in Fredericksburg: accordingly Mr. Waggener, among others, attended, and
94. Thomas Jefferson. 95. Thruston, whose home was in Gloucester, Va., was born in 1738. He entered the Episcopal ministry and held a pastorate in Frederick County, Va.; was a colonel in the Continental Army and became known as “the fighting parson”; moved to New Orleans in 1808 and died there in 1812.
exhibiting the nature of his claim, was considered as the representative of his uncle Thos. Waggener. An advance was then voted, his proportion call'd for, but not paid 'till many months after.
In March, 1771, another meeting of the Claimants was summoned in Winchester; (for by, or before this time, it is necessary to be remarked, that our affairs, never in a very promising way, began to grow very alarming, from the sollicitation of a large Grant on the Ohio, by some of the most powerful men in England, and by Lord Bottetourt; notwithstanding the order of the council of the 15th December 1769, expressly forbidding the Surveys to go on) at this meeting, the few that attended, maugre all the discouragements, resolved, as the only chance left, to proceed at all hazards to surveying; altho' they were sensible that the expence would be great; and would inevitably light on their own heads, if it failed; accordingly, another sum was voted, and Mr. Waggener call'd upon in an earnest and pressing manner to advance his proportion: and what has he done? why, not paid one shilling of it to this hour; so that it was not for his non-attendance at Fredericksburg in November last (where, give me leave to add, if other business was an excuse for this negligence, no man could plead it with more propriety than myself, having left all my business in Williamsburg undone, by reason of the late coming in of the merchants, in order to be up there) that he was curtailed of his land in the first distribution, but, for want of his money to make the surveys, the effecting of which could not be done without. Whether this neglect proceeded from a disinclination to advance more under the circumstances, as they then appeared from disability, or any other cause, his own Breast can best determine; sufficient it is, that he was call'd upon on the 4th of March, 1771, to make this deposit, and that it is not done yet: The Council seeing, and having no reason to disbelieve these things, not only as they respected Mr. Waggener, but all others under the like predicament, thought it very just and reasonable, that those who, rather than give up their hopes, had waded thro' every difficulty and expence, should be first considered, and therefore determin'd, (without a dissenting voice, that I have hear'd of) that, of the first surveys, every one should receive in the proportion he had advanced; being well satisfied that this work could not have gone on without money; and that it never was expected, nor could with propriety be expected that I, who had had so much trouble in other respects,
was to ride about as a Collector, to receive five pounds of this man, ten pounds of that and so on; it being sufficient for the Parties to be apprized of their quotas, and to whom to pay it. To what I have here said, I must take the liberty of observing further by way of explanation of my own meaning and the Council's intention, that my offer which you hint at had no allusion to an alteration of the kind you apply for, for the matter under contemplation at the time of inserting that saving clause was the quality of the soil, it being supposed that the difference therein might cause an unequal division, tho' each man should obtain his quantum of Land.
These, Sir, are facts, and but part of the reasons which govern'd in the determination of this matter, under which you may judge how far Mr. Waggener has just cause of complaint. Colo. Fry, Lt. Savage &c. have shared the same fate; and Captn. Stobo, Vanbraam and others who have contributed nothing, have had no part of the Lands already survey'd, allowed them, but left to come in at the second distribution, when I dare say the Govr. and Council will measure their justice by the same Rule they observ'd upon the last occasion, if the same causes prevail, as they are left at large, by the Proclamation of 1754 under which we derive our claim, to divide the Land in any manner they think proper. That Mr. Wagener, or the greatest delinquent of the whole shou'd be now
ready and willing
to pay up their deficiencies and take a share of the patents, I neither wonder at or doubt; many men have objections to the purchase of Lottery tickets (in which light this Grant of ours, to the most sanguine of us all, has appear'd) that would be fond enough of partaking in the prizes; but let it be asked, would the delinquents have been
ready and willing
to have paid up their quotas, if the scheme had fallen through? (as it most assuredly would have done if a few had not stood forth in support of the claim) and where will be the answer? It does not need the gift of prophecy to make it; for if the money could not be got whilst there was the chance of a prize, there wou'd be little hopes of receiving it in a case of a Blank.
What kind of Land may be included in the next surveys, I cannot undertake to determine; but should think it hard if the District allow'd us, never yet half explored, shou'd not be able to afford more
than 127,000 acres of good, the quantity now patented. I have rather exceeded the bounds of a letter, by endeavoring to give you some idea of this matter; after which I have only to repeat, that I have no power to redress the complaint, even if I had adjudged it reasonable, which in truth I do not, as I have declared upon this, and shall do upon every other occasion, when call'd upon. Notwithstanding I am informed, formed, that you have been pleased to complain of the advantage which Doctr. Craik and I (why not Colo. Fry & Colo. Mercer also) have reaped in a distinct allotment, the reasons of which I endeavor'd, in as clear and distinct a manner as I could to account for; and as far as I was concern'd in the distinction, if it is considered in this light, with openness and candour; with what propriety am I accused then?
Did it matter anything, whether Doctr. Craik, Mr. West or Mr. Polson was left out of the large Survey, so far as the general end respecting quantity was answered by it? And if it did not, was there any person better entitled to the indulgence than the Doctor, considered in every point of view? I think not, and admitting that by fixing my Lott in this Survey, and turning others out, the amount of the Claims had corrisponded as nearly as now with the quantity of the Survey; was there any reason for doing of it? if not, why shou'd it have happened?
I did not on the one hand, pick the Surveys that were assigned me, either from the excellency of the Land, or convenience of situation; If I had, I should have avoided the largest Tract I now have (composing a full moiety of my quantum) as every inch of it, from the Surveyors' account, is subject to be overflowed, nor did I, on the other, object to the fifty thousand on account of the Land, for if I had my choice of the whole country, I should have fixed in this Survey, but because I thought (after the Land became patented) if any additional trouble was to be encounter'd (from the strange manner of granting it) it might as well fall upon others, as me; as my shoulders had supported the whole weight heretofore; and in as h as I might add without much arrogance, that if it had not been for my unremitted attention to every favorable circumstance, not a single acre of Land would ever have been obtained.
My Lord: In obedience to your Lordship's request, I do myself the honor to inform you that, by letters this day received from Dr. Cooper of King's College in New Lork, I find it will be about the first of next month before I shall set off for that place, and that it will June perhaps the middle of it, before I return. Harvest then coming on, and seldom ending 'till after the middle of July, I could almost wish to see it accomplished; but if the delay in doing of it, is attended with any kind of inconvenience to your Lordship, I will, at all events, be ready by the first of July, to accompany you thro' any, and every part of the Western Country you may think proper to visit. I beg the favour of your Lordship to inform me therefore, as near as you can, of the precise time you will do me the honor of calling here, that I may get ready accordingly, and give Mr. Crawford (if your Lordship purposes to take the route of Pittsburg) who I took the liberty of recommending as a good woods-man, and well acquainted with the Lands in that quarter notice of it; that he may be disengaged when we get to his house, which is directly on that communication, being persuaded that such a person will be found very necessary in an excursion of this sort, from his superior knowledge of the country, and of the inhabitants, which are thinly scattered over it.
No person can be better acquainted with the equipage, and simple conveniences necessary in an undertaking of this sort, than your Lordship, and, therefore it would be impertinent in me to undertake to mention them; but if your Lordship should find it convenient to have any thing provided in this part of the country, and will please to honor me with your commands, they shall be punctually obeyed. As also, if your Lordship chooses to have an Indian engaged, I will write to Colo. Croghan, (Deputy Indian Agent), who lives near Pittsburg, to have one provided.
The design of my journey to New York my Lord, is to carry my Son in law 4. Stepson.
I shall think myself honored, in being the bearer of them, as well as benefited by means of the introduction. I am, &c.
Dear Sir: I have heard (the truth of which, if you saw Lord Dunmore in his way to or from Pittsburg you possibly are better acquainted with than I am,) that his Lordship will grant Patents for Lands lying below the Scioto, to the officers and soldiers who claim under the Proclamation of October 1763. If so, I think no time should be lost in having them surveyed, lest some new revolution should again happen in our political System: I have therefore, by this conveyance, wrote to Capt. Bullet to desire he will have 10,000 acres survey'd for me; 5,000 of which I am entitled to in my own right, the other 5,000 by purchase from a Capt: and Lieut. I have desired him to get this quantity of land in one tract, if to be had of the first quality; if not, then in two, or even in three, agreeably to the several rights I hold under rather than survey bad land for me, or even that which is middling. I have also desired him to get it as near the mouth of the Scioto, that is, to the western bounds of the new Colony, as may be, but for the sake of better land, I would go quite down to the Falls, or even below it; meaning thereby to get richer and wider bottoms, as it is my desire to have my land run out upon the Banks of the Ohio. If you should go clown the river this fall, in order to look out your own quantity under the above Proclamation, I shall be much obliged to you for your assistance to Capt: Bullet in getting these 10,000 acres for me, of the most valuable land you can, and I will endeavour to make you ample amends for your trouble; but I by no means wish or desire you to go down on my account unless you find it expedient on your own; of this I have wrote Capt: Bullet
under cover to you, desiring if you should be with him to ask your assistance.
As I have understood that Captn. Thompson (by what authority I know not) has been surveying a good deal of land for the Pennsylvania officers, and that Dr. Connelly has a promise from our Governor of 2,000 acres at the Falls, I have desird Capt: Bullet by no means to involve me in disputes with any person who has an equal claim to land with myself, under the Proclamation of 1763. As to the pretensions of other people, it is not very essential; as I am told that the Govr. has declared he will Grant Patents to none but the officers and soldiers, who are comprehended within the Proclamation, aforementioned: but even of these claims, if I could get lands equally as good, as convenient, and as valuable in every respect elsewhere, I should choose to steer clear.
Old David Wilper (who was an officer in our regiment, and has been with Bullet running out land for himself and others) tells me that they have already discoverd Salt Springs in that Country; three of which Capt. Thompson has included within some Surveys he has made, and the other, an exceeding valuable one upon the river Kentucke, is in some kind of dispute. I wish I could locate one of my Surveys there; I would immediately turn it to an extensive public benefit, as well as private advantage: however as four are already discovered, it is more than probable there are many others, and if you could come at the knowledge of them by means of the Indians or otherwise, I would join you in locating them in the name, or names of some persons who have a right under the Proclamation, and whose right we can be sure of buying, (as it seems there is no other method of having lands Granted;) but this should be done with a good deal of circumspection and caution till patents are obtained.
I did not choose to forego the opportunity of writing to you by the Gentlemen, who are going to divide their land at the mouth of the great Kanhawa, tho' I could wish to have delayed it, till I could hear from the Governor, to whom I have written, to know certainly whether he will grant patents for the land which Capt: Bullet is surveying of, that one may proceed with safety: as also whether a discretionary power which I had given Mr.
20. Some Pennsylvania officers, claimants to land on the Ohio, among them being Col. John Armstrong, who sent Capt. William Thompson to meet Captain Bullet at the mouth of the Scioto and make surveys in that region. “Application was made to the Governor and Council of Virginia, in 1774, by the agent of these associated officers, for leave and permission to survey and lay off the portions of land which they were respectively entitled to under the proclamation of 1763. That the Governor and Council were of opinion that the claim of the said officers was well founded, and a commission was thereupon granted by the masters of William and Mary College, to Captain William Thompson, appointing him either a principal or deputy-surveyor for the purpose of making the said surveys within Virginia. The said Thompson, being duly authorized, proceeded to make the surveys, and did actually make and complete them on Salt Lick River, then in Virginia, now in Kentucky…Thompson, when he had completed a draft of the surveys, and made the necessary arrangements with the associated officers for the completion of the titles, proceeded, in the year 1775, to the office in Virginia, for the purpose of returning the said surveys, and having them duly accepted; but, as a previous condition to their acceptance, it was required of him that he should take an oath of allegiance to the King of Great Britain, which as a patriot, from principles of attachment to his country, he refused to take, and consequently, the surveys were not accepted, and the patents not issued.” (See Report of Mr. Boyle to the House of Representatives, Feb. 3, 1807.) —
Ford.
Wood to locate my land in West Florida, under an information, (even from his Lordship himself) that lands could not be had here, would be any bar to my surveying on the Ohio; especially as I have heard since Mr. Woods departure that all the lands on that part of the Mississippi, to which he was restricted by me, are already engaged by Emigrants, which have resorted to that Country. Should I, however, receive any discouraging account from his Lordship on these heads, I shall embrace the first opportunity that offers afterwards to inform you of it. I have lately been informed that the bottom wch. you survey'd for me above Capteening, Mr. Michl. Cresap has taken possession of; after Doctr. Brisco, in consequence of my letter to him, had relinquished it. I have by this opportunity wrote to you about it; and if you shou'd go down the Ohio this Fall, I should be obliged to you just to give Mr. Cresap (if you find him there, or the person in possession) notice that I shall not give up my claim to it, 'till I have at least spent a good deal in support of it.
By Mr. Leet, I informd you of the unhappy cause, which prevented my coming out this Fall, but I hope nothing will prevent my seeing you in that Country in the Spring: the precise time, as yet, it is not in my power to fix; but I should be glad if you would let me know how soon it may be attended with safety, ease and comfort, after which I will fix upon a time to be at your house. I am in the mean while, with sincere good wishes for you, Mrs. Crawford and Family, your friend, &c.
Sir: In my passage down the Ohio in the Fall of the year 1770, I made choice of a piece of Land, being the first bottom on the So. East side the river above Capteening, as also a little above a place where the effects of a hurricane appear among the Trees, and opposite to a Creek on the other side near the upper end of the bottom, call'd Pipe Creek.
21. Pipe Creek, W. Va. It enters the Ohio River just below Moundsville, in Belmont County, and it is supposed to have derived its name from the pipe clay along its banks which the Indians used.
Sir: In answer to your letter of the 16th.; I have to inform you that, I cannot accede to your proposals. I have taken some pains to bring myself as well acquainted with the value of your Lands in the Counties of King and Queen and King William, as I can; and having also been at some trouble to know the sentiments of Mr. Custis's friends in respect to the purchase, I have come to the following resolution, vizt.; to offer £3,000 for your Land and Mill in King Wm., or £5,000 for
that and the Land in King and Queen; suffering you to keep possession of both Tracts a year longer, when the whole is to be surrendered in as good condition, as they now are in; one half of the money to be paid upon executing good and sufficient Deeds, and the other half at the April meeting. I am Sir, etc.
Revd. Sir: The favourable account you was pleas'd to transmit me of Mr. Custis's conduct at College, gave me very great satisfaction; and I hope to have felt an increase of it by his continuance at that place under a Gentleman so capable of instructing him in every branch of useful knowledge, as you are: but these hopes are at an end; and at length, I have yielded, contrary to my judgment, and much against my wishes, to his quitting College; in order that he may enter soon into a new scene of Life, which I think he would be much fitter for some years hence, than now; but having his own inclination, the desires of his mother and the acquiessence of almost all his relatives, to encounter, I did not care, as he is the last of the family, to push my oppostion too far; and therefore have submitted to a Kind of necessity.
Not knowing how his expences at
28. Black was secretary to the Virginia commissioners who negotiated a treaty with the Six Nations under authority of Governor Gooch in 1744. He married a Miss Dent, of Maryland. Washington bought Woromonroke from him for John Parke Custis in December, 1773. 29. This letter is printed Hamilton's
33. Custis's marriage with Eleanor Calvert.Letters to Washington, vol. 4, P. 277.
College &ca. may stand, I shall be much obliged to you for rendering me an account of them. You will please to charge liberally for your own particular attention to Mr. Custis; and sufficiently reward the other Gentlemen who were engaged in the same good offices. If the money I left you is insufficient to answer these purposes please to advise me thereof, and I will remit the deficiency. I am very sorry it was not in my power to see you whilst you were in these parts. I thank you very sincerely, Sir, for your polite regard to Mr. Custis, during his abode at College, and through you beg leave to offer my acknowledgments in like manner to the professors &c, and with very great esteem and regard, am Rvd. Sir, etc.
34. Washington wrote practically the same letter, this same day, to John Vardill, of Kings College, in answer to one from Vardill (September 20) telling of Custis's exemplary conduct at college.
Madam: Your tender feeling on account of the distressed Mrs. Savage is exceedingly praiseworthy; and your last favor of the 21st. of Septe., which is just come to hand, exhibits a pleasing specimen of your humanity, and benevolent way of thinking. Apologies, in a cause like this, are entirely unnecessary; especially to a person, who conceives himself honored by your corrispondence, though begun, and like to be continued, upon an unfortunate, and painful subject; it not being in my power, as yet, to answer Mrs. Savage's hopes, or my own expectations, long ago communicated. What from the delays of our Courts (which are really insufferable), the quirks of the lawyers, and the Doctrs. determination of fighting the weapon's through; Mr. Fairfax and myself have not been able to render Mrs. Savage that acceptable service, we have aimed at, and wished to accomplish; nor is it in my power to say when we shall as her attorney (Mr. Harrison, a Gentle'n known to her, well skilled and diligent in his profession) thinks it is yet in the Doctor's power, if he exhibits all the special pleadings which he is threatened with, to procrastinate the matter at least eight months longer; but, tho fearful of this event, he still hopes to bring this unhappy dispute to a much speedier conclusion; to effect which, nothing shall be wanting on my part.
I cannot at this time charge my memory
with the date of my last letter to you, or Mrs. Savage, but am persuaded it might be posterior to that of September 1772, notwithstanding nothing has occurred since, worthy of her notice; I shall however, change the channel of corrispondence, and for the future, address my letters by post; at present, as I could only repeat the purport of this letter, to Mrs. Savage, I have judged it unnecessary to give her the trouble of receiving one from me; but thro' your friendly offices, hope for the favour of having this information communicated, with my best wishes, to her, and assurance, that upon any change in her affairs here, I shall lose no time in giving her the earliest advice of it.
I think myself exceedingly indebted for your favorable opinion of me, and wish I may be happy enough, so to conduct myself, as to merit a continuance of it. I thank you for your politeness, in signifying a desire of continuing our Corrispondence, and should be ungrateful if I neglected it, as the advantage will be on my side, in the pleasure I shall derive from your sensible and sympathizing letters. I am, Madam, with the greatest respect, etc.
Sir: After acknowledging the receipt of my Letter of the 22d of Novr. 1771 to Capt. Stobo declaring yourself his Representative, and promising to settle for his proportion of expense incur'd in obtaining our Lands, I little expected that I should have remained till this time without hearing from you or receiving the needful, By much pains and assiduity the whole quantity of 200,000 Acres claimed under the Proclamation of 1754 is now Patented your part of which lays (with others) in a Tract of 28, 400 Acres. on the little Kanheway a branch of the Ohio about 200 miles below Fort Pitt, and the uppermost. survey on the Ohio granted to the following Persons in the proportions annexed to their re's name, viz.
To Captn. Jacob Vanbraam
Danl. Richardson representative of Capt. Stobo
James Tower's heir
Andw. Towles
Thos. Napp
Arthur Watt's heir
Jesse May (assigned to Jno. Fox)
Frans. Self
Robtt. Stewart
Robt. Murphy
Jno. Smith
Alexr. Bonny
Wm. Horn's heirs
William McAnulty400
Total (also amt. of the Survey)
Yourself with the Patentees above are now to proceed to a partition of this Tract in the speediest and best manner you can among yourselves, and it may not be amiss to observe to you that by the tenor of the Grant and agreeable to the Laws of this Colony you are obliged to clear and cultivate three Acres for every Fifty Acres you respectively hold or make other improvements thereon to the value of five pounds for every Fifty Ac's as aforesaid, otherwise the Land is liable to forfeiture, and may be regranted to any person petitioning for the same.
This much by way of hint and information to yourself, Permit me now to add that the obtaining of these Lands has been a work of no small difficulty or expence and that by the time the Accts. all come in which are hourly expected the quota of each persons share of the Latter will amount to near (if not quite) Four pounds sterl'g for every thousand Acres, your part of w'ch coming to Thirty Six pounds, it is hoped and expected that you will remit immediately upon this notice that sum to me. It is needless to observe, for your own reason must suggest it to you, that it was an Imposition upon a few Officers to be burthened not only with the whole trouble but also with the whole expense of prosecuting this claim which they did at the hazard (for a long while) of two to one against succeeding, You are therefore bound by every type of honour and gratitude to replace the money without delay and I flatter myself it will be done accordingly otherwise (which is no means the wish or desire of any of us) some expedient must be fallen upon to subject the Land to the payment thereof. I am Sir, etc.
36. In Dandridge's copy in the Washington “Letter Book” this name is given as Andrew Fowler; the available records of Virginia colonial soldiers show an Alexander Fowler and no Andrew Towles.
37. The original A. L. S. is in the possession of Mr. George A. Ball, of Philadelphia, to whose courtesy the editor is indebted for a copy. The “Letter Book“ record in the
Washington Papers is in the writing of Bartholomew Dandridge.
Sir: I was not a little surprized when informed by your own letter, as well as from Mr. Hill's, of Mrs. Black's having refused to acknowledge her right of Dower in the Lands I bought of you. Did you not repeatedly assure me, that she was ready at all times, to relinquish her right? and did she not signify as much to me herself, as I brought her from Williamsburg to Colo. Bassett's? From whence then does this sudden change proceed? Is it because I placed more confidence than I ought, and to make things agreeable to you, and convenient to your creditors, paid the money in Williamsburg, when I was not obliged to do it 'till the Title was effectually secured, and had 'till the 25th. of Decr. to do this in? A generous mind would recoil at such a thought: and yet what other construction can I put upon this change. You say “I tell her, she only wants the customary compliment”; for my own part, I know of no compliment established by Custom; I have bought many pieces of Land before these, and never had a demand of the kind; nor can I harbour so unfavourable an opinion of Mrs. Black, as to think she is influenced by so low and pitiful a consideration; however, if I misjudge the matter, and the custom is, as you say, you must have comply'd with it yourself; whatever therefore you have given to others, for these very Lands, I will I think myself under no obligation to do it) give to Mrs. Black, which will remove that objection. But if I was surprized at this refusal of Mrs. Black's, how much more so ought I to be, at your attempting, according to Mr. Hill's account, to withhold the Mills, which is solely an act of your own? Under what pretext is this done? Do you not remember, that by our agreement you were to deliver possession of the plantations, Mills, and every thing thereunto belonging, immediately after the 25th of Decemr.; and that you are bound to do this in a Bond of £11,000—? But this bond you tell me must be given up to you, before you can surrender possession of the premises, when one of the express conditions of it, is to enforce a compliance: Is not your request, therefore, a very
[un]reasonable and [im]proper one? To convince you that it is so, I enclose you a copy of the Bond (as you certainly have forgot it) accompanied with this assurance, that I shall hold fast the Original, till you have complyed
swith the conditions of it; after which, as it is not intended, nor can have any further operation, it is a matter of moonshine in whose hands it is lodged, or what becomes of it.
Thus much respecting the Dower & Detainer in general, I shall observe further to you, that though it never was my intention or desire, to hasten Mrs. Black out of the House, whilst the weather continued unfavourable, yet, when you applyed for this and some other indulgences, did I not always tell you, that I thought myself under no obligation to enter into a second contract on this head? And did I not moreover refuse to sign an instrument of writing which you had drawn, declaratory of your wants because I chose to be govern'd by circumstances, and the future conduct of your people; not that I had any objection, (as I dare say I might tell you) to your Negroes staying on the plantations to finish your crops, and take care of your stock, provided there was room for my people, and yours behaved themselves well, neither disturbing of us in our operations, nor committing of waste; so in like manner respecting the vessell, but these being apply'd for as matters of indulgence, after you had enter'd into a Solemn contract to deliver up the whole, on or before the 25th. of December, whence comes it, that, after having fulfilled every tittle of the contract on my part, you should conceive yourself at liberty to withhold the Mills, and talk of not delivering up possession, 'till I should first surrender a Bond, wh'ch is the only security I have for your doing of it, and for indemnifying me against Mrs. Black's claim; after I have paid every farthing of the purchase money.
Is there honour, justice or equity in such kind of proceedings? No, Sir, there it not, and to cut the matter short, I have directed Mr. Hill to wait upon you, and before evidences to demand immediate possession of the two Mills, to view and note down, before the same evidences, the order and condition of the houses, &c., occupied by you and your people, to require you to hasten the finishing of your crops, that all your people, except such as are necessary for the care of your stock may be transported and lastly, that you may remove yourself and Family, as soon as the weather will permit Mrs. Black to go with convenience, that my people may have the free and uninterrupted management of the whole purchased premises. And to this, I have to add by way of hint to you,
that, whatever accident or damage comes to the Mills, Mill-Dams, or any house, houses, or other things in your occupation; I shall look to you for full and ample reparation for the same; as I also do, for the profits of the Mill, till surrender'd, which can easily be ascertained by your own advertisements.—It was far from my expectation, and much further from my desire, to enter into a litigation of those points, but I shall conceive it a duty incumbent on me to assert a just right; and to see that the bargain which we have made, is reciprocally complied with.
I do not incline to take any part of your household furniture; the fixtures appurtaining to the houses, I expect will remain entire, but if Mr. Hill should choose (I do not know that he does) to take any part, or all of your Stocks, and you and he can agree upon the terms, he has my consent: but as to the negro Miller and wife, I shall not interfere in the purchase of them, for if Mr. Hill should like the Negroes and price, I suppose he will buy them; if he does not, he would be to blame to do it.
P.S. The Bond from Col: Byrd's
Sir: I find my trouble is not like to be at an end with Mr. Black; Mrs. Black (by his procurement I think I could almost venture to say) has refused to execute the Deeds you drew from them to me; and which is still more extraordinary, he himself has denied possession of the Mills (as Mr. Hill 42. Col. William Byrd. 40. Wythe was born in 1748 and died in 1806. He was a Signer of the Declaration of Independence; speaker of the Virginia House of Burgesses, 1777, and chancellor of Virginia for 20 years; member of the United States Constitutional Convention. 41. James Hill, overseer of John Parke Custis's plantation on the York River, Va.
and indemnifying me against the claim of his Wife's Dower; (unless I relinquish the Bargain altogether, and resort wholely to Colo. Byrds Trustees for a return of the 5,000 pounds and to Black for the remaining £500, which I have no inclination to do, as I presume you were satisfied with the title). Under these circumstances I have directed Mr. Hill to wait upon you for your advice: he can inform you of matters as they stand, between him and Mr. Black, and shew you a letter which I have wrote to the latter, and sent open to him, that he may bear testimony to the contents, and execute my directions therein contained, provided you approve of them; otherwise to follow any other you may think proper to give him. You will also judge, Sir, from what you may hear from Mr. Hill, what I have wrote Mr. Black; and the whole matter in its present state (which you are pretty well acquainted with) whether I ought to give up the enclosed Bond, as I have accepted of Blacks title, tho' the conditions of the Contract, on his part, are not complied with; and resort wholely to his own bond, endeavouring under that to enforce a compliance; or whether with propriety, I can, or ought to hold both. Please to drop me a few lines, with your sentiments on this matter by the Post to Alexandria, and in the mean while advise Mr. Hill in what manner to proceed, if you disapprove of my directions to him. I am with very great esteem Sir, etc.
P.S. If Blacks Bond can have no operation against him (respecting Dower) 'till dower is actually claimed by Mrs. Black, in case she should be the Survivor, and the Bond from Colo. Byrds trustees is not render'd void, by my not declaring myself dissatisfied with the Blacks title, and reclaiming my money before the 25th. of Deer., query whether, if Black is pleased with his purchase of the Falls Estate, the keeping hold upon these Gentlemen's Bond, and requesting them not convey 'till Mrs. Black has first done it, may not prove the most effectual means of obtaining her consent. I only ask for information; if upon considering the matters this should be your opinion, please to let the Speaker know how the
matter stands between Black and myself, that they may not be imposed upon by him; as I believe he will stick at nothing to carry his points.
Sir: Your impertinent Letter of the 24th. ulto., was delivered to me yesterday by Mr. Smith. As I am not accustomed to receive such from any Man, nor would have taken the same language from you personally, without letting you feel some marks of my resentiment; I would advise you to be cautious in writing me a second of the same tenour; for though I understand you were drunk when you did it, yet give me leave to tell you, that drunkness is no excuse for rudeness; and that, but for your stupidity and sottishness you might have known, by attending tending to the public Gazettes, (particularly Rinds of the 14th. of January last) that you had your full quantity of ten thousand acres of Land allowed you; that is, 9073 acres in the great Tract of 51,302 acres, and the remainder in the small tract of 927 acres; whilst I wanted near 500 acres of my quantity, Doctr. Craik of his, and almost every other claimant little or much of theirs. But suppose you had really fallen short 73 acres of your 10,000, do you think your superlative merit entitles you to greater indulgences than others? or that I was to make it good to you, if it did? when it was at the option of the Governor and Council to have allowed you but 500 acres in the whole, if they had been inclin'd so to do. If either of these should happen to be your opinion, I am very well convinced you will stand singular in it; and all my concern is, that I ever engag'd in behalf of so ungrateful and dirty a fellow as you are. But you may still stand in need of my assistance, as I can inform you that your affairs, in respect to these Lands, do not stand upon so solid a basis as you may imagine, and this you may take by way of hint; as your coming in for any, much less a full share may still be a disputed point, by a Gentleman who is not in this Country at this time, and who is exceedingly dissatisfied therewith. I wrote to you [him?] a few days ago
concerning the other distribution, proposing an easy method of dividing our Lands; but since I find in what temper you are, I am sorry I took the trouble of mentioning the Land, or your name in a Letter, as I do not think you merit the least assistance from G: Washington.
Dear Sir: By my Deeds, the Tract which I hold, adjoining a Mr. Hunter contains 600 acres; whether it measures more or less, I really know not, as it never was survey'd to my knowledge. The value I always set upon the Land, on acct. of its situation, and contiguity to Fredericksburg was, two thousand pounds Virga. Currency; but having an eye to some other Land, more convenient to me; about eighteen months, or two years ago, I desit'd Colo. Lewis if an offer shou'd be made, to take (under a persuasion, that old tracts generally over measure) three pounds an acre for it. Since then, the Land I had in contemplation hath risen a good deal in price; with which, in point of policy, I ought to keep pace; but if you incline to take the Tract, as it stands, at the round sum of two Thousand pounds, you may have it, and pay for it in three, four, or five equal annual payments, as shall suit you; the purchase money to carry interest from the day of Sale, 'till discharged. I am Dr. Sir, etc.
58. Dr. Hugh Mercer, of Fredericksburg, Va., who, later, became a brigadier general in the Continental Army and died (January 12) from wounds received at Princeton, N. J, Jan. 3, 1777.
Dear Sir: The Land may be conveyed to you at any time, and for this purpose I will bring down my title papers and leave them with you, as I go to the Assembly. When, possession can be given, I am not altogether clear in, as I believe Mr. Fitzhugh and Mr. Hunter look upon the tillable and Pasture Land as engaged to them till the Fall; but Colo. Lewis can give you the best information on that head, as it was with him the Agreement was made. I apprehended their time was up last Fall, but in my way from Wmsburg in Decr. last, Mr. Hunter told me, that by his agreement with Colo. Lewis, he was to have notice of my wanting the place by seed time, and in case of failure, was to consider it as engaged to him another year; this I did not understand from Colo. Lewis's account, previous to my conversation with Mr. Hunter; and since, I have
had no oppertunity of mentioning the matter to him; but whatever agreement he made, I shall think myself bound by. If neither of those Gentn. put Corn into the Land, their winter Grain must soon come off; and I shou'd think they could have no use for the fields afterwards, and as to the other parts of the Land, they have not, or ever had any pretence to them. I am, Dr. Sir, etc.
Revd. Sir: As your letter (and acct.) to Mr. Custis, was receiv'd by him posterior to the one written to me, and not immediately given into my hands, (as the young Gentn. since his marriage has been good part of his time in Maryland) I could not make you the enclos'd remittance much sooner. You will now receive a Draft on Messrs. Osgood Hanbury & Co. for £65 Sterling, which please to dispose of, and with the money arising, discharge the several claims which you have taken the trouble to collect, against Mr. Custis; whose residence at Kings College, I little expected would have been of such short duration; otherwise, I shou'd not (as his Guardian) have thought myself justifyed in incurring so great an expence; not that I think he could have got conveniently and agreeably fixed in the College for less than what is charged on that Account, but then, for the benefit of only three months residence there, this might have been avoided; however, as his discontinuance at it, is an act of his own, and much against my judgement, he can only blame me (if he blames at all) for yielding too easily to his importunities, supported by the concurrence of his relations. I could have wished, Sir, you had been pleased to make a charge in the acct. for your own trouble, or that I knew what was customary and proper to be allowed on these occasions. I am, etc.
Dr. Madam: I am really sorry I cannot give you a more agree able account, than the following, of your Suit against Dr. Savage. At March Court for this County, with much difficulty, we brought the matter to a hearing, and obtained a judgment for five hundred and odd pounds, being the sum due on the Bond to the commencement of the Suit. Against this, the Doctor filed a Writ of Error, which (as there will be no Court this month) cannot be heard 'till May. At which time, it is more than probable, the judgment will be confirmed in this Court; but then, it is said, the Doctor, (merely to proscrastinate payment) will appeal to the General Court, where the matter may hang twelve months longer: This information I thought it incumbent on me to give; at the same time I assure you, that nothing has been, or shall be neglected, on the part of Mr. Fairfax or myself, to bring the matter to the speediest determination, the nature of the case will admit of; nor in prosecuting your claims to the money due since the commencement of the last Suit, and for each years Annuity, as it becomes due afterwards.
We have lost several of your old acquaintances since I wrote you last, among whom, Joseph Watson, and Harrison Manley are of the number; and we have had two or three weddings to wit, Mr. Custis to a daughter of Jno. Calvert, Peter Wagener to Sinat McCarty and Capt. Sanford to Miss Caty Porter. Mrs. Washington is very well, and joins in good wishes for you with Dr. Madam, etc.
61. Bartholomew Dandridge, who made the “Letter Book” copy of this letter, was careless in deciphering Washington's writing. Joseph should be Josiah Watson, a merchant of Alexandria, Va.; John Parke Custis married the daughter of Benedict, not John Calvert, and Miss McCarty's name was Sinai, not Sinat.
Sir: Your letter of the 31st. of March did not come to my hands 'till the later end of last month; and no direct opportunity that I have heard of, has offered since, this letter taking the chance of conveyance from place to place only.—
Immediately upon receipt of your favor by Mr. Young, I dispatched a letter to Capt. Crawford (covering yours to him) pointing out the necessity of his attempting to qualify as your Deputy, at your Court for April, before this I did not urge him (as he appeared anxious to return home) to take that rout, for two reasons: in the first place I did not advert to the necessity of this qualification; in the next place 'till your letter arrived (which was after he was gone) I did not know whether you would accept of him as an assistant or not. At the same time I wrote to him, I forwarded Letters under his cover, (in order to be deliver'd by him) to Mr. Madison, Mr. Jones and Capt: Hog, requesting the favour of each to facilitate his business if he came in on this errand; but what has been the result of all this I know not, never having heard a syllable from him since.
I come now to take notice of what you have said in respect to Mr. Michael Cresap, whose claim to the round bottom, and other Lands along the banks of the Ohio for (as I am credibly inform'd) thirty miles, is equally well founded; and founded upon no other right, or pretence than that of claiming every good bottom upon the river; building a cabbin thereon to keep off others, and then selling them, and going on to possess other Lands in the same manner. This if common report tells truth is the foundation of Mr. Cresap's claim to the round bottom; set up long after I had made choice of it, and had had it survey'd as a stage, or Lodgement between Fort Pitt, and my Lands on the Great Kanhawa: it is true, as this is esteem'd a valuable bottom, he may have taken more pains in the improvement of it, than of the others; but his choice, or even knowledge of it, was long after I had had it survey'd.
This being the amount of his claim, I will now give you the substance of mine, which cannot be
62. Surveyor of Augusta County, Va.
better done, than by in forming you, that in the fall of the year 1770, when I went to view the Lands, which had been since surveyed under the Proclamation of 1754, I made choice of this spot of Land (called the round bottom) marked Trees, and directed Captn. Crawford, when he went down the spring following to survey it, which he accordingly did, as may appear by his certificate inclosed you by Mr. Young. Sometime after this, hearing that Doctor Brisco had taken possession of it, and actually had or was going to fix Negroes on it, I wrote him a letter of which No I is a copy, upon which I was informed he had quit it. Sometime after this again, I learned that Mr. Michael Cresap had taken possession of it, built houses, and was working hands thereon, upon which I also wrote him a letter of which No. 2. is the copy; and was given to understand that Mr. Theobald (or Tibbles, as he is commonly called) who was Partner with Mr. Cresap in this Land, was determined to give it up; receiving at the same time a message by Capt. Crawford from Mr. Michael Cresap, that if I would let him have the Land he would pay me what I thought the worth of it; to which I returned for answer, that as it was the only piece of Land I had upon the Ohio, between Fort Pitt and the Kanhawas, and found it very necessary as a stage or Lodgment, in coming up the river, I could not agree to part with it, but again offered to pay for any labor or improvement, which he had made.
In this situation things were, when I wrote to you by Mr. Young; otherwise, if I had thought that Mr. Cresap could, with any color of Justice, or even at any rate (as he must be conscious, that the mode he has practiced, of engrossing and selling Lands is unwarrantable) have opposed my claim to this Land; I should have mention'd it to you before, but in truth, from every thing that has passed, I concluded that he had yielded to my prior claim In like manner may my title to the three thou sand acres on the waters of Shartee and Racoon be disputed: For after that also was surveyed for me; after I had bought the rights (or claims rather) of several people to it; & after I had actually built several houses thereon, by way of strengthening my right, numbers of People went, in a forcible manner, and in defiance of repeated notices, & took possession of the
Land, & built cabbins in such a manner as to prevent even entrance into my houses, & may, as Mr. Cresap has, dispute my title under pretence of having improved it;—but I do not expect that such claims as these can ever have an operation to my prejudice, or ought to retard my Patent; however, I do not wish to hasten any measure faster than it can be done with propriety. I am Sir,
Sir: Inclosed you will receive Mr. Hughes's
I got a Gentleman of my acquaintance, in Maryland, to mention his case to Governor Eden, who promised to have the matter enquired into, and do what he could for his relief: why it has not been done I cannot tell, but if my contributing twenty, or twenty five pounds to his relief will procure liberty to him, you may set me down for that sum, and I will pay it at any time when the subscription is full; but how is he to get over the other matter, of giving Maryland security for his good behaviour, I know not. You who are best acquainted with the circumstances of this case, can tell better than I, I am, etc.
63. “The late Col. Angus McDonald, near Winchester, and several other individuals, went out in the spring of 1774, to survey the military bounty lands, lying on the Ohio and Kanawha rivers, allowed by the king's proclamation to the officers and soldiers of the army for their services in the preceding war with the Indians, but were driven off.” (See Kercheval's
History of the Valley of Virginia, p. 145.) This survey led to what was called Dunmore's War, in which McDonald, who was a Scotchman, played an active part. His home was at Glengary, near Winchester, Va. On the verso of a letter from McDonald (Jan. 8, 1774), in the
Washington Papers, is the following indorsement, in Washington's writing: “On the 28th. of this Inst. Jany. I gave the within Majr. McDonald a power to Rent the Land there mentioned from year to year or for a term of years not exceeding five to the best advantage he could and to receive the Rents for my use. G. Washington. 1774.” McDonald attempted to raise a loyalist regiment in the Revolution and was arrested.
76. Captain Snickers lived at a pass in the Blue Ridge through which the Shenandoah River was crossed by old Castleman's Ferry. Snickers Gap has been lost in the name Bluemont, Va. The captain saw service in the French and Indian War and was well known to Washington, who offered him the appointment of Wagon Master General in the Continental Army. Snickers declined on the ground of age.
77. William Hughes was a lieutenant in the Virginia Regiment. Snickers had purchased Hughes's land rights and offered to subscribe £10 toward getting him out of jail, in which he had been confined for the last two years for some unmentioned offense. Hughes's name does not appear among those noted in Washington's copy of the certificate of the clerk of the council, of all petitions, etc, recorded for the bounty lands to Virginia soldiers. This copy, dated July 14, 1769, is in private hands, but a photostat of it is in the
Washington Papers. It shows that there were many claimants whose names are not given.
Dear Sir: Your letter without a date came to hand last post; and inclosed you have my Bond to Messrs. McCoul and Blair for £450 for your Brothers moity of the four Mile run Land; as also receipts for £40.11.11 the balance due from him on account of the Ohio Lands, under the Proclamation of 1754. Fifty four pounds (being the amount of £40 Sterling at 35 pr. ct. exchange) which he assumed the payment of for Vanbramms on the same Account; and £351.8.1 on acct. of your own bond given for the interest due on your Fathers Estate, making (the three sums) together Four hundred and forty six pounds which you say is right. I have passed receipts in this manner because you desired it; not because it made no difference to me; for in fact it does, in as much as I must account with the Surveyor (whom, and myself, are the only persons in advance; he for his labour, and I for my money) for his proportion of these sums. As I have now complied with every requisite of your Letter, respecting this Land, I am persuaded you will make a full and ample conveyance of it, and send it by next post; executed before such Witnesses as will certainly attend, either the General Court, or the Court of this County.
In examining the papers which I got from Colo. Mason, I do not meet with one scrap of information respecting that part of the Land which you hold under Gabriel Adams's Deed of the 19th. of September 1730, for seven hundred and ninety acres then in Stafford County, there being no paper relative to it, except an unattested copy of the Courses of the Deed: how you derive your Title therefore, I am ignorant; but do not doubt its being good. I confide in you for making it so, and am sure you will not deceive me. As you have made no mention of the want of the other papers, I presume you can do without them; but in case it was an omission, I shall add, that Stephen Gray obtained a warrant from the proprietors office for the Land (according to Mr. Pendletons state of the case) in December 1723: by Will, dated the 26th. of January following, he devised his whole real and personal Estate to Ann Gray his wife. Mr. Pendleton says in May 1724 the Deed
issu'd in the name of Stephen Gray; but he is mistaken, for it appears that the Patent for 378 acres, then in Stafford County, bears date the 17th. of July in that year. On the 20th. and 21st. days of March 1732, the Land was conveyed by Deeds of Lease and release, to Jno. Mercer Esqr.; what followed after that period you know better than I can relate. Thus much I have thought proper to communicate, that you may be enabled to recite the title, if need be. If you have yet come across John Hough's report of the Survey of these two tracts, made in 1770 I should be glad if you would forward it to me, as it will assist me greatly in surveying of it.
I am very thoroughly convinced of Mr. Dawsons being a consummate rascal, and Intended to have acquainted you with my suspicions, when I wrote to you, in order that you might be upon your guard at a settlement with him. Mr. Snickers told me; the day I parted with you (as we crossed the Mountain together) that it was three hundred Pines Dawson sold Shepherd, and that to his knowledge he had also sold a dozen or more horses; one in particular to Benji. Berry for twelve or fourteen pound, which Berry immediately sold for twenty six. These things may, and do, readily account for the deficiency we found in the Articles of Horses and stock: and I think from Snickers account, good part of the Crop of wheat has gone off in the same way. Only 73½ bushels have been brought to my Mill, by the Miller's Books; and from your Account of the remainder only 640 bushels are to come. Your Acct. of the quantity of Corn sold, at the different Plantations, is right, except as to that at Carters and Buck Marsh: at those places Snicker had ninety four barrels and Noble twenty six; whereas you set down only an hundred, and all to Snickers. The surplus be it more or less, after the wheat is brought away, should be sold; but who is to be entrusted with this, unless you can confide in your New Overseer, I know not.
If you still incline to dispose of Cattle from Marlborough, at the rates those sold at in Frederick, as you proposed, please to let me know the number you can part with, and the exact kinds, as soon as you can be Advised from your Manager there. The inclosed is a true Account of the Sales in Frederick, taking out the fatting Steers at Collin's and Carters, and the yoke of oxen at the last mentioned place. If among the Steers at Dawsons any were fatted, I did not
know it, and have ranked them in the common herd.
If Mr. Brent is to depend upon me for his rent let me know when it is to be paid, and the sum: he has always refused Gold and Silver otherwise than by weight, and Virginia paper we scarcely see a bill of in the space of twelve months, in this part of the Country. I left the Plat of the Land at Leesburg for Mr. Craven Peyton to make others by, so that it is not in my power to measure the Contents of your Low Ground on Shenandoa, but I should not suppose that there is more than 170 or 80 acres of it. I thank you for your kind offer of assisting me in collecting and remitting the proceeds of your brothers Estate, and doubt not but I shall have occasion for your assistance. I am, Dr. Sir, etc.
Dear Sir: Your letter of the 13th. ultimo from Boston gave me pleasure, as I learnt thereby, that you were well, and might be expected at Mount Vernon in your way to or from lames River, in the course of the winter.
When I have said this, permit me with the freedom of a friend (for you know I always esteemed you) to express my sorrow, that fortune should place you in a service, that must fix curses to the latest posterity upon the diabolical contrivers, and, if success (which, by the by, is impossible) accompanies it, execrations upon all those, who have been instrumental in the execution.
I do not mean by this to insinuate, that an officer is not to discharge his duty, even when chance, not choice, has placed him in a disagreeable situation; but I conceive, when you condemn the conduct of the Massachusetts people, you reason from effects, not causes; otherwise you would not wonder at a people, who are every day receiving fresh proofs of a systematic assertion of an arbitrary power, deeply planned to overturn the laws and constitution of their
92. Captain Mackenzie had been a captain of the Virginia Regiment commanded by Washington in the French War, and a friendly intimacy seems always to have subsisted between them. He had obtained a commission in the British Army and was now attached to the Forty-third Regiment of Foot. He was wounded at the Battle of Bunker Hill while fighting in that regiment.
country, and to violate the most essential and valuable rights of mankind, being irritated, and with difficulty restrained from acts of the greatest violence and intemperance. For my own part, I confess to you candidly, that I view things in a very different point of light to the one in which you seem to consider them; and though you are led to believe by venal men, for such I must take the liberty of calling those new-fangled counsellors, which fly to and surround you, and all others, who, for honorary or pecuniary gratifications, will lend their aid to overturn the constitution, and introduce a system of arbitrary government, although you are taught, I say, by discoursing with such men, to believe, that the people of Massachusetts are rebellious, setting up for independency, and what not, give me leave, my good friend, to tell you, that you are abused, grossly abused, and this I advance with a degree of confidence and boldness, which may claim your belief, having better opportunities of knowing the real sentiments of the people you are among, from the leaders of them, in opposition to the present measures of the administration, than you have from those whose business it is, not to disclose truths, but to misrepresent facts in order to justify as much as posible to the world their own conduct; for give me leave to add, and I think I can announce it as a fact, that it is not the wish or interest of that government, or any other upon this continent, separately or collectively, to set up for independencey; but this you may at the same time rely on, that none of them will ever submit to the loss of those valuable rights and privileges, which are essential to the happiness of every free state, and without which, life, liberty, and property are rendered totally insecure.
These, Sir, being certain consequences, which must naturally result from the late acts of Parliament relative to America in general, and the government of Massachusetts Bay in particular, is it to be wondered at, I repeat, that men, who wish to avert the impending blow, should attempt to oppose it in its progress, or prepare for their defence, if it cannot be diverted? Surely I may be allowed to answer in the negative; and again give me leave to add as my opinion, that more blood will be spilt on this occasion, if the ministry are determined to push matters to extremity, than history has ever yet
furnished instances of in the annals of North America, and such a vital wound given to the peace of this great country, as time itself cannot cure, or eradicate the remembrance of.
But I have done. I was involuntarily led into a short discussion of this subject by your remarks on the conduct of the Boston people, and your opinion of their wishes to set up for independency. I am as well satisfied as I can be of my existence that no such thing is desired by any thinking man in all North America; on the contrary, that it is the ardent wish of the warmest advocates for liberty, that peace and tranquility, upon constitutional grounds, may be restored, and the horrors of civil discord prevented.
I am very glad to hear that my friend Stewart was well when you left London. I have not had a letter from him these five years, nor heard of him I think for two. I wish you had mentioned his employment, poor Mercer! I often hear from him; much cause has he, I fear, to lament his having fallen into the accursed state of attendance and dependance. I remain with very great esteem, dear Sir.
Dear Sir: Your favor of the 3d. is come to hand: the Gentlemen for whom the forty musquets were intended, want no letters stamped on them; but I should think it would be an advantage to have them numbered. I cannot order Letters on the Cartooch Boxes, because I do not know the particular persons, for whom they are designed.
Your troubles, I find, are like to increase in proportion to your good nature in undertaking business, and the applications which are made to me
93. Mackenzie had written to Washington from Boston (September 13): “Mr. Atchison can sufficiently inform you of the State of this unhappy Province, of their tyrannical Oppression over one another, of their fixed Aim at total independence, of the Weakness and Temper of the main springs that set the whole in Motion, and how necessary it is, that abler Heads and better Hearts should draw a Line for their Guidance: Even when this is done, 'tis much to be feared, that they will follow it no further, than where it coincides with their present Sentiments. Amidst all these Jarrings we have until lately lived as in a Camp of Pleasure; but the rebellious and numerous Meetings of Men in Arms, their scandalous and ungenerous Attacks upon the best Characters in the Province, obliging them to save their Lives by-Flight, and their repeated but feeble Threats to disposses the Troops, have furnished sufficient Reasons to Genl. Gage to put the Town in a formidable State of Defence, about which we are now fully employed, and which will be shortly accomplished to their great Mortification.” Mackenzie's letter is in the
94. Ford quotes the following: “At that Congress (the first Continental), Washington had appeared as one of the representatives of Virginia, but apparently not yet clear as to what extent it was proper to involve himself in the difficulties into which Massachusetts was plunged. There is reason to suppose that he shared somewhat in the distrust generally felt, south of New England, of the purposes of the Massachusetts leaders. Whilst in this state of mind, he received a letter from Captain MacKenzie. MacKenzie was a native of Virginia, and an acquaintance of Washington, who had taken a commission in the British army, and was at this time attached to one of the regiments stationed at Boston. The object of the letter was to prejudice his mind against the action of the people of Massachusetts, and to induce him to exert his influence to counteract the policy their delegates were advocating in Philadelphia. Determined to satisfy himself as to the true character and designs of these delegates, he seems to have sought an interview and free conference with them at their lodgings. That interview took place on the evening of the 28th of September, 1774. Richard Henry Lee, and Dr. Shippen, of Philadelphia, were also present. It seems to have settled all Washington's doubts, if he had any; for instead of noisy, brawling demagogues, meaning mischief only, he found the delegates plain, downright practical men, seeking safety from oppression, and contemplating violence only as a result of an absolute necessity forced on them by the government at home. The effect of the conference is made visible in his answer to MacKenzie.” (See Charles Francis Adams's letter in
“I have this very day heard, that in that tract of Virginia called the Northern Neck, and which lies betwixt Rappahannock and Potomack Rivers, they have lately raised one thousand volunteers, as fine fellows and good woodsmen as any on our continent, who have put themselves under the command of Col. George Washington, a brave and experienced officer, whom it is said, has undertaken the command of them, and that they are soon to march for your place.” (See William Black's letter to Boston Committee in
“My necessary absence, on the occasion of the Indian disturbances will I hope, account and excuse me for my not having acknowledged your Lordship's several letters in due time and order, and for not having regularly communicated accounts of the public affairs of the colony to which some of them refer; and I wish I were now so fortunate as to have it in my power to make a representation of their appearing with a more favorable aspect than when I last wrote upon these important concerns. “The associations first, in part, entered into, recommended by the people of this colony, and adopted by what is called the Continental Congress, are now enforcing throughout this country with the greatest rigor. A Committee has been chosen in every county, whose business it is to carry the association of the Congress into execution, which committee assumes to inspect the books, invoices, and all other secrets of the trade and correspondence of merchants, to watch the conduct of every inhabitant without distinction, and to send for all such as come under their suspicion into their presence, to interrogate them respecting all matters which, at their pleasure, they think fit objects of their inquiry; and to stigmatize, as they term it, such as they find transgressing what they are now hardy enough to call the laws of the Congress, which stigmatising is no other than inviting the vengeance of an outrageous and lawless mob to be exercised upon the unhappy victims. Every county, besides, is now arming a company of men, whom they call an Independent Company, for the avowed purpose of protecting their Committees, and to be employed against government if occasion require. The Committee of one county has proceeded so far as to swear the men of their Independent Company to execute all orders which shall be given them from the Committee of their County. “As to the power of government which your Lordship in your letter No. 11 directs should be exerted to counteract the dangerous measures pursuing here, I can assure your Lordship that it is entirely disregarded, is not wholly overturned. There is not a justice of peace in Virginia that acts except as a Committee man; the abolishing the courts of justice was the first step taken in which the men of fortune and preeminence joined equally with the lowest and meanest. The general court of judicature of the colony is much in the same predicament; for though there is at least a majority of his Majesty's council who, with myself, are the judges of that court, that would steadily perform their duty, yet the lawyers have absolutely refused to attend, nor indeed would the people allow them to attend, or evidences to appear. The reason, commonly assigned for this proceeding, is the want of a fee bill, which expired the last session of Assembly; and it is a popular argument here, that no power but the legislature can establish fees, and the fee bill not having been renewed is attributed to the dissolution. But the true cause of so many persons joining in so opprobrious a measure was to engage their English creditors, who are numerous, to join in the clamors of this country; and not a few, to avoid paying the debts in which many of the principal people here are much involved. “With regard to the encouraging of those, as your Lordship likewise exhorts me, who appeared in principle averse to these proceedings, I hope your Lordship will do me the justice to believe I have left no means in my power unessayed to draw all the assistance possible from them to his Majesty's government; but I presume your Lordship will not think it very extraordinary that my persuasions should have been unavailing against the terrors which on the other hand are held out by the Committee. “Independent Companies, &c., so universally supported, who have set themselves up superior to all other authority, under the auspices of their Congress, the laws of which they talk of in a stile of respect, and treat with marks of reverence which they never bestowed on their legal government, or the laws proceeding from it. I can assure your Lordship, that I have discovered no instance where the interposition of government, in the feeble state to which it is reduced, could serve any other purpose than to suffer the disgrace of a disappointment, and thereby afford matter of great exultation to its enemies, and increase their influence over the minds of the people. “But, my Lord, every step which has been taken by these infatuated people, must inevitably defeat its own purpose. Their non-importation, non-exportation, &c., cannot not fail, in a short time to produce a scarcity which will ruin thousands of families. The people, indeed, of fortune may supply themselves and their negroes for two or three years; but the middling and poorer sort, who live from hand to mouth have not the means of doing so, and the produce of their lands will not purchase those necessaries (without which themselves and negroes must starve) of the merchants, who may have goods to dispose of, because the merchants are prevented from turning such produce to any account. As to manufacturing for themselves, the people of Virginia are very far from being naturally industrious, and it is not by taking away the principal, if not the only encouragement to industry, that it can be excited; nor is it in times of anarchy and confusion that the foundation of such improvements can be laid. The lower class of people too will discover that they have been duped by the richer sort, who for their part elude the whole effects of the association, by which their poor neighbors perish. What then is to deter those from taking the shortest mode of supplying themselves; and unrestrained as they are by laws, from taking whatever they want, wherever they can find it? “The arbitrary proceedings of these Committees, likewise, cannot fail producing quarrels and dissensions, which will raise partisans of government; and I am firmly persuaded that the colony, even by their own acts and deeds, must be brought to see the necessity of depending on its mother country, and of embracing its authority.”—
Washington Papers and is printed in Hamilton's
Letters to Washington, vol. 5, P. 49.Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society, vol. 4, p. 69.)Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society, Fourth Series, vol. 4, p. 187.)Dunmore to the Earl of Dartmouth, Dec. 24, 1774.
in the Military Department. I have lately received a request from the Officers of the Prince William Independant Company, for the following Articles;
4 Officers Sashes like the one you sent me
4 Gorgets
Arms engraved; but some what smaller than the last.
4 Shoulder Knots exactly like the one I had
8
made of Gold; but not so showy, finishing at the point
of the Shoulder with a round rose of gold fringe, the
rose to be a little broader than the double of the Lace
which it is on.
The above things are for the Prince William Company, and will be paid for by the Gentlemen to whom the enclosed Letter is directed, and to whom you are to apply for the cost. As Sashes are not to be had in Philadelphia, the Gentlem. beg that New York may be tried; and the whole to be sent as soon as ready. I am at the same time, in behalf of the Fairfax Independn., to request the favor of you to send,
8 Shoulder Knots for the Sergeant and Corporals of their
Company, exactly in all respects like those intended
for Prince William.
These last Shoulder Knots for the Fairfax Company you will please to charge to me; and as soon as you can ascertain what I owe you, let me know it, that I may pay the money to you, or to your order.
If Cobourn shou'd not have sailed, before this Letter reaches you, please to direct the Musquet you talk'd of sending per him, to Mr. Grayson of Dumfries (along with the colours and Drums for Prince William) as the forty stand of Arms are for that Company. Pray how soon cou'd an hundred stand more, be got?
Please to inform old Mr. Wilper, that we look upon the Peace, which Lord Dunmore made with the Indians to be conclusive and certain, and that I dare say it will be of lasting duration. Be so good at the same time to present him with the inclosed letter respecting his money, I was to receive from Mr. Cutbert Bullett. I am, with complimts. to Mrs. Milnor, Dr. Sir, etc.
Sir: The Acting Executors of my Brother Augustine, have been lately informed that you have taken possession of the Land, belonging to his younger Son, above Fort Cumberland; that you have filled it with Tenants, receive the rents, and, that the Land is in a fair way of being injured, to the great prejudice of the Orphan. As they cannot conceive under what pretext this is done, they would fain hope that the information is groundless; but that they may know from yourself the certainty of this report, and if true, under what pretence it is done, I have at their request (for I have never qualified as an Executor myself) given you the trouble of this Letter; sincerely hoping that you do not mean to involve them in a disagreeable Law contest in support of a Right, which was never before questioned, and which you yourself, within these five years, so far acknowledged to me, as to express a desire of buying the Land. I shall be glad to hear from you on this head, and am, Sir, etc.
Dear Sir: In looking over my Memorandums, I find that my own warrant for 5,000 acres of Land, was directed to the Surveyor of Botetourt, and executed in part by Mr. Lewis your Son, for 2,950 acres.
Recollecting at the same time to have heard the little Kanhawa spoken of as a temporary boundary between your County and Augusta, and having a survey on the lower side of that river as inclosed for 1800 acres, made by Capt. Crawford, to be returned, with a warrant which I have, to your Brother of Augusta, it has occurred to me, that, if a warrant to Botetourt
can be laid on this Land with equal propriety, that so much of my 5,000 acres had better be applied this way as is necessary to cover this survey; than to apply a warrant for Augusta to it, and to have the residue of the warrant (which will be 250 acres) located on the burning Spring, in which if you choose it, you may be an equal sharer under this survey. My whole warrant will then be executed in three Surveys in Botetourt, and much to my satisfaction.
I shall therefore my good Sir, rely on you to order and conduct this matter for me, and beg to be informd. by first opportunity, what I may expect. I should wish much to have the Certificates as soon as possible, in order to take the first favourable opportunity of obtaining Patents. Inclosed you have five pounds for your Son, for the last Survey made, which, as well as I recollect, is about what you thought the worth. I am, with sincere esteem, Dear Sir, etc.
Dear Sir: I have received your Letter of the 6th. inst: inclosing receipts for the delivery of Colo. Mercers wheat, as also an account of what is due to you for hauling it to my Mill, and threshing it out; by which you make a balance of Forty four pounds, seven shillings and nine pence due to you; which I dare say is right, and therefore acknowledge it to be so, as I keep the Millers rect.
I had sold my corn for ready money, which was to have been taken away by the first of this month, and of course I ought to have been in cash, to have answered yours and other demands but have not received a farthing of the money; for which reason, I can send you by Mr. Fenton only twenty pounds; the remaing. £24.7.9 I will pay to your order, so soon as I receive the Cash. If you do not send your wheat soon, it will be of little use to me, I am Dr. Sir, etc.
My Lord: At second hand, I learnt from Captain Floyd, that the Surveys made by Mr. Crawford under the Proclamation
I shall not presume, my Lord, to ask a patient hearing of the reasons which induced Mr. Dinwiddie to issue the Proclamation of 1754; the proclamation itself is sufficiently declaratory of them and, being an act of public notoriety, the utility of which was well known at the time of its promulgation, and as universally acknowledged to be just; I shall say nothing thereon; nor shall I undertake to prove how well men; at very small daily' pay, were entitled to this testimony of his Majesty's bounty; the experience your Lordship has lately had of a warfare in that country affords a recent instance of the hardship and difficulty which the first troops had in exploring a trackless way over those great ridges of mountains between Fort Cumberland and Pittsburgh, and making roads for the armies which afterwards followed, and in which they joined. But I
9. Dunmore's proclamation (March 21) against the claims of some “disorderly persons” to ownership of Virginia land under pretense of a purchase from the Indians. 10. Dunmore answered (April I 8) to the effect that the surveyor who surveyed the land “did not qualify agreeable to the Act of Assembly directing the duty and qualification of surveyors; if this is the Case the Patents will of Consequence be declared Null and Void.” The qualifications of the surveyors are printed in Hening's
Statutes at Large, vol. 6, p. 33.
will take the liberty humbly to represent, that instead of having extraordinary difficulties thrown in our way, we were in my opinion entitled, as well from the spirit, as the express words of the Proclamation, above mentioned, to the Lands free of all costs and trouble, for the truth of which, I should have no scruple in appealing to your Lordship's candor, if you would take the trouble of reading the Proclamation, wherein (after setting forth the necessity of raising Troops) are these words; “For an encouragement to all who shall voluntarily enter into the said service. I do hereby notify and promise, by and with the advice and consent of his Majesty's Council of this Colony,
that over and above their pay
200,000 acres of His Majesty, the King of Great Britain's Lands, on the east side of the River Ohio, within this Dominion (100,000 acres to be contiguous to the said Fort, and the other 100,000 acres, to be on or near the River Ohio) shall be
laid off, and granted
to such persons who by their voluntary engagement and good behavior in the said service; shall deserve the same; and I further promise that the said Lands shall be divided amongst them immediately after the performance of the said service,” &c. Is it not to be inferred, my Lord, from the natural import of these words, that the Lands were to be laid off for, and divided amongst the grantees, without involving them in either trouble or expence? Nothing, in my humble opinion, is more self-evident. But they finding that the most valuable part of their Grant, (respecting the location) was actually preoccupied; that Emigrants were spreading fast over that country, and that the same difficulties might arise in other quarters and contests ensue; application was made for liberty to make our own surveys, and a District assigned for it, at least 200 miles from any settlement, unexplored by any County-Surveyor, unknown in whose districts it lay, if it lay in any, as the jurisdiction of no county had extended within the number of miles above mentioned; and but few men at that early day, hardy enough to undertake a work, in a wilderness where none but savages and wild beasts inhabited. I say, under these circumstances, application was made for a special surveyor, and an order of Council obtained in the following words:
“The Council also advised that Colo. Washington should apply to the President and Masters of the College
requesting them to nominate and appoint a person properly qualified to survey the said Land with all possible expedition, signifying to them that their compliance herein will be agreeable to this Board.”
In consequence of this order, and of Capt. Crawford's qualification as a Surveyor, he was appointed to run out this 200,000 acres of Land; and having given Bond in the usual and accustomed form, to the College proceeded to the business, and making his returns to the Secretary's office, Patents have been issued under your Lordships signature and the seal of the Colony, ever since the first of December 1773. Would it not be exceedingly hard then, my Lord, under these circumstances, at this late day, after we had proceeded in all respects agreeably to the orders of Government and after many of us have been run to great and considerable expence, to declare that the Surveys are invalid? It appears in so uncommon a light to me, that I hardly know yet how to persuade myself into a belief of the reallity of it, nor should I have given your Lordship any trouble on the subject at this time, but for the importunity of others, and from a desire (as I shall leave home the first of May) of knowing if the account be true, what steps the grantees, under the afore-mentioned Proclamation, are further to take.
I beg your Lordships excuse for the length and freedom of this epistle. I am persuaded you possess too much candour yourself to be offended at it in others, in relating of facts, especially, as I profess myself to be, with the utmost respect, etc.
Sir: My Letter of the 4th. of December to Colo. Mercer (dispatched by the first opportunity that offered after the close of his Sales) would inform you of the total amount thereof; and that the contest between Miss Wroughton and Messrs. Dick and Hunter, respecting a preference of Mortgages, would, more than probable, be avoided.
I have now to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 29th. of August, and to acquaint you, that the packet herewith sent to Colo Mercer, contains such papers and documents as are necessary to give the fullest information of the state of his affairs in this country; which, circumstances considered, have turned out infinitely beyond my expectation, or the expectation of every one who bestow'd any thought upon them. I shall not therefore, at this time, trouble you either with a recital or copies of those papers, but add, that I have directed the Attorney General (Mr. Randolph) who was retained as Counsel for Colo. Mercer and his mortgages to appeal from any decision which might even appear to give Messrs. Dicks and Hunter's trust-Deed the preference, to Miss Wroughtoh's Mortgage; for as to Mr. Gravat's, it is entirely out of the question, no person disputing the validity of his mortgage. Mr. James Mercer, in a Letter which I received from him some time ago, proposed a matter, which if acceded to, might ultimately secure Miss Wroughton, and put an end to all controversy respecting the mortgage. I shall communicate the proposal in his own words, as follows:
“It appears to me to be yet of some consequence to Messrs. Dick and Hunter, if they are postpon'd to Miss Wroughton, tho' none to Miss Wroughton, in this way, if they are postpon'd, and the purchasers are not punctual, they will not receive their money but out of the last payments, by which Mr. Dick may be greatly affected; for in the mean time his Estate may be seized, and sold for half its value. As Miss Wroughton cannot want all her money at once, and will be sufficiently secured; I could wish she wou'd consent to let the Speaker's Debt be paid, next, after she will receive £1,000. Cou'd this be granted I shall not dispute her preference. My answer shews how much this Debt is, if she will consent, I will
guarantee her Debt, or let her have a preference. Pray be so kind as to mention this to Mr. Montague.”
After considering this proposal, you will be so good Sir, as to let me know Miss Wroughtoh's sentiments thereon, that I may communicate them to Mr. Mercer, and conform to them my self.
It gives me much pain to find two Gentln. brothers, who individually stand high in the esteem of their countrymen, imbibing unfavorable impressions, and to their joint Friends, mu[tu]ally arraigning the conduct of each other, when I am satisfied that both think themselves right, and that neither hath made proper allowance for the situation of the other. At Colo. Mercer's request, I propounded the queries he transmitted to his Brother, whose answers, in a letter to me, are forwarded to him; but these things only serve to irritate; for as I am thoroughly satisfied on the one hand, that Colo. Mercer has advanced nothing to you, or Mr. Gravat, but what was perfectly consistent with his Ideas of truth and justice: so on the other, I am as well persuaded, that Mr. James Mercer hath not intentionally wronged him of a farthing; and yet appearances may be against him, for want of a thorough knowledge of his situation, and the motives which influenced his conduct. That Colo. Mercer has been a considerable loser in the management of his Estate here, nobody will deny; but has not every gentleman in this country, whose other avocations, or whose inclinations would not permit them, to devote a large portion of their time and attention to the management of their own Estates, shared the same fate? Our Gazettes afford but too many melancholy proofs of it in the sales which are daily advertised; the nature of a Virginia Estate being such, that without close application it never fails bringing the proprietors in Debt annually, as Negroes must be clothed and fed, taxes paid, &c, &c, whether anything is made or not; and Colo. Mercer must, I think; have been well acquainted with two facts, namely, that his brother had neither leisure, nor a competent knowledge of plantation business, to become a fit person to undertake it, and that Steward's (in this country at least) far removed from the inspection of a Superior, are scarce ever to be entrusted. But all this is foreign from the main purpose of my letter
and is an evil out of the power of poor Mercer or his friends to remedy, at this day; the uneasiness I feel at seeing two Brothers, accustomed to live in perfect amity, now bickering and accusing each other of hardships occasioned by the other, led me into this digression, for which I ask your pardon.
I hope this Letter will find you in a better state of health than your last describes, and with esteem and respect, &c.
Dear Sir: The writing of this Letter, has been delayed longer than I expected, for the following reasons, want of opportunities if Collecting the inclosed papers; want of a conveyance to forward them afterwards; the necessity of comparing, and examining the Sales, and making some alterations with respect to the purchasers, executing Deeds for the Land, &c. This delay, I conceived, could be attended with no great inconvenience, as I did, immediately after the Sales, to wit on the 4th. of Decembr. last, advise you of the total amount thereof.
I now send you John Hough Survey of the Bull-run Lands, marked No. I. The commissioners report there upon No. 2. The decretal Order in consequence No. 3. The Commissioners second report No. 4. A copy of Colo. Peytons subdivision of your part of the Bull-run Land, for the accommodation of purchasers No. 5 and, a copy of both Sales, with a list of Balances No. 6. These taken together will give you as full a state of matters, as it is in my power to convey, and save me the trouble of recitals. I was going to send you the Survey of your own Frederick Lands, with the division thereof into Lots, but finding I had only one copy, and that necessary in filling up the remainder of the Deeds to the purchasers (and some of whom not giving such security as was altogether approved of, I have retained the legal Title, 'till the money is paid, therefore) am obliged to postpone this, 'till that business is accomplished, or another copy obtained.
I do not now think, that there can be any contest, in respect to a preference of Mortgages, especially if our exchange should happen to be low when the payments are made; but to guard against every possible contingency, I have wrote to your attorney to be attentive to this matter to oppose every measure that can have a tendency to obtain a preference in favor of Messrs. Dick and Hunter over Miss Wroughtons mortgage (for as to Mr. Gravatts, the validity of his mortgage hath never been questioned;) and, if ultimately a judgment should be rendered in their favor, to appeal from it, to his Majesty in Council agreeably to your desire, but your brother in a late letter, has desired me to propose an expedient to Mr. Montague on behalf of Miss Wroughton, which if acceded to, will remove all grounds of contest; and if that Lady is not in immediate want of money had in my opinion, better be closed with; but I do not mean to advise; the proposal is in these words;
“It appears to me, to be yet of some consequence to Messrs. Dick and Hunter if they are postponed to Miss Wroughton tho' none to Miss Wroughton. In this way, if they are postpon'd, and the purchasers are not punctual, they will not receive their money, but out of the last payments, by which Mr. Dick may be greatly affected; for in the meantime his Estate may be seized and sold for half its value. As Miss. Wroughton cannot want all her money at once, and will be suffiently secured, I cou'd wish she would consent to let the Speakers Debt be paid next, after she shall receive £1000. Could this be granted, I shall not dispute her preference. My answer, (inclos'd in May last to Mr. Montague) shews how much this Debt is. If she will consent, I will guarantee her Debt, or let her have a preference. Pray be so kind as to mention this to Mr. Montague.”
Agreeably to your request, I have propounded the questions as desired, to your Brother, and his Letter to me, (now enclosed) contains his answer to them. I could wish most sincerely that the unhappy jealousies which seem to prevail between you, were removed, and the confidence which I believe both of you are entitled to, restored. You do not, if I may be allowed to give my opinion, make proper allowances for the situation of each other. The great distance you are apart
miscarriage of Letters, and various other incidental causes have, I dare say, lead each of you into conjectural mistakes which might be explained at a personal interview, but scarce possible in an epistolary way, after the mind is corroded with unfavourble suspicions.
I enclose you a copy of my last letter of the 4th. of December, and an account of the proceedings of the Convention held at Richmond the 20th. ulto. A great number of very good companies were raised in many Counties in this Colony, before it was recommended to them by the Convention, and are now in excellent training; the people being resolved, altho' they wish for nothing, more ardently, than a happy and lasting reconciliation with the parent State, not to purchase it at the expence of their liberty, and the sacred compacts of Government. When you see my old friend Colo. Stewart,
11. Robert Stewart, who, as a captain, had commanded a troop of Virginia Light Horse during the French and Indian War.
Dr. Sir: I shall be much obliged to you for the interest due on your Bond in Novr. last, to wit £40. It is not in my power to attend the meeting of Merchants in Williamsburg this Spring, but Colo. Fielding Lewis will do me the favour to negotiate my business this Court. I am, with respectful compliments to Mrs. Lewis and your Family, and with very great esteem Dr. Sir, etc.
My Lord: Urged to it by repeated applications from a number of Officers whom I have had the honor to command in the service of this Colony, I take the liberty of addressing Your Excelly on the Subject of the Lands which the Gentlemen conceive themselves entitled to under his Majesty's bounty of October 1763.
The exception in favor of the Officers and Soldiers, contained in his Majesty's order in Council of the 6th. of April last, 25. This order in council is printed in O'Callaghan's
Documents Relative to Colonial History of New York, vol. 8, pp. 357–358.
for them, as these Lands have ever been considered as appertaining to Virginia; warranted, as they have been informed, by the Colony, charter, and sold by the Six Nations at the Treaty at Fort Stanwix in 1768: Nor is the right thereto, it is humbly presumed, by any means hurt by the nominal Line, commonly called the Ministerial Line, since that transaction seems to have been considered by Government as a temporary expedient (at the instigation of the Indian Agent) to satisfy the Southern Indians, who as it is said, have disclaimed any right to the very Lands in contest; no other regard having been paid to it by the Ministers themselves.
The Officers of Virginia Troops impressed with these sentiments, and having undoubted reason to believe that there is no other chance left them to obtain their Lands, but on the Ohio, and knowing at the same time that the Officers of Pennsylvania under a belief that these Lands do appertain to Virginia, and that patents will be granted for them have surveyed 200,000 acres, would fain hope that they may be allowed to proceed by authority to make their surveys also, any where upon the Ohio or its waters below the Scioto, humbly representing to your Lordship that a delay in this case, is, in effect, equal to a refusal, as the Country is spreading over with Emigrants, and experience has convinced all those who have had occasion to attend to the matter, that these people when once fixed are not to be dispossessed, were it politic to attempt it.
The Officers have an entire confidence in your Lordship's disposition to accelerate their just rights; they have no other dependance, and hope to start equal with those other Officers, whose pretensions are not better founded than their own. The part I take in bringing this matter to a hearing will I hope meet with your Lordship's excuse, as I am with the greatest respect. My Lord, etc.