1799]

A FAMILY LOAN

117

Is my Deed for the Lot on which I am building, yet in the City Office, or have I mislaid it? I do not find it among the others. Complimts. and best wishes. etc."9

69

TO SAMUEL WASHINGTON

Mount Vernon, January 31, 1799.

Dear Sir: Into what channel you put your letter of the 7th of November 7° is not for me to say but this I can add that it never came to my hands until the 13th instant: When if you had put it into any Post Office it would have been received at this place in 3 or 4 days and whilst I was in Phila in 3 or 4 days more.

It is of little avail to investigate now what has produced the difficulties and distresses into which your fathers affairs and your own have gone; things passed may be regretted but can never be recalled.

71

At the time I wrote to your Mother "I had as I thought a moral certainty of receiving several thousand dollars for Lands which I had sold West of the Allegany Mountains and although I had urgent call for the money myself I had resolved that those evils which she seemed to apprehend should not come upon her if a $1000 would prevent it; but so far from receiving several thousand dollars as I expected I have not received one on the account of land sold. Yet notwithstanding this had she drawn as she was authorized to do, I would, rather than have been worse than I had promised to be, have borrowed the money at the Bank of Alexandria at the ruinous interest at which it is loaned.

From the original in the Thornton Papers in the Library of Congress. To Not now found in the Washington Papers.

"Mildred Thornton, wife of Charles Washington. No copy of this letter is now found in the Washington Papers. (Cf. Washington's letter to Samuel Washington, July 12, 1797, vol. 35, ante.)

But as the application for the money for the uses I had intended it will not answer the end I proposed and as I have no other means at present to obtain it but from the Banks my offer of

course ceases.

But if contrary to my expectation (and I own I have none) I should receive payment for my land, which ought to have been made in June last and other in Dec I will let you have from one to three thousand dollars according to the sum I shall receive myself, but I must add that from present appearances little dependence can be placed on it. From your affectionate Uncle.""

To GOVERNOR JOHN SEVIER

Mount Vernon, January 31, 1799.

Sir: In acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 25th of December," I must observe, that as the law for raising a provisional Army was not acted upon during the recess of Congress, I presume, from its term, that it becomes void of course." And whether or not a similar law will be passed in the present Session is very problematical.

I have reason to believe that the President has already made his selection to fill the Offices which had become vacant in the Additional Army.

I am very happy to hear that a military Ardour prevails in the State over which you preside, and I trust it will be directed to the support of the true interest of our common Country if it should ever be called into Action. With due consideration etc."

* From a recent copy in the Toner Transcripts in the Library of Congress. In the Washington Papers.

75

"Sevier stated that he wished employment in the Army, and implied that he did not then know that he had been nominated a brigadier general by President Adams, and confirmed by the Senate on July 19, 1798.

75 The draft is in the writing of Tobias Lear.

1799]

A LETTER FROM FRANCE

119

*To CLEMENT BIDDLE

Mount Vernon, February 1, 1799. Dear Sir: Your letter of the 27th. Ulto. was received last Night. As the whole quantity of Blue-grass seed was purchased before my last letter to you got to hand, it may be sent on without diminution.

Let it be accompanied, if to be had fresh and good, with twelve pounds of White clover seed; and the like quantity of Lucern. You will remark how pointed I am with respect to the goodness and quality of the seeds I buy; the reason is, that no imposition upon a Farmer is felt so sorely as that of foul, and defective seeds; because it deranges a whole system, besides occasioning the loss of a year in his plans.

If Captn. Ellwood would heave to when off my house; or send a Boat a shore, which would be more certain, I would send off my Boat wch. would bring the Book cases without delay. I am etc.

[H. S. P.]

*To THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

76

Mount Vernon, February 1, 1799. Dear Sir: The letter herewith enclosed from Mr. Joel Barlow (though of old date) came to my hands only yesterday. I have conceived it to be my duty to transmit it to you without delay; and without a comment; except that it must have been written with a very good, or a very bad design; which of the two, you can judge better than I. For, from the known abilities of that Gentleman, such a letter could not be the result of ignorance in him, nor, from the implications which are to

"A certified copy of Barlow's letter (Oct. 2, 1798), by Lear, is in the Washington Papers. It is printed by Sparks in his Writings of Washington, vol. 11, p. 560.

be found in it, has it been written without the privity of the French Directory.

It is incumbent on me to add, that, I have not been in the habit of corresponding with Mr. Barlow. The letter now forwarded, is the first I ever received from him," and to him, I have never written one.

If then, you should be of opinion that his is calculated to bring on Negociation upon open, fair and honorable ground and merits a reply,78 and will instruct me as to the tenor of it; I shall, with pleasure and alacrity obey your Orders; more especially if there is reason to believe that it would become a mean, however small, of restoring Peace and tranquillity to the United States upon just, honorable and dignified terms: which I am persuaded is the ardent desire of all the friends of this rising Empire. With great consideration and respect etc.

*To THE SECRETARY OF WAR

Mount Vernon, February 1, 1799.

Dear Sir: The extract which follows, is from Mr. Thomas Peter, who married Patsey" Custis.

for an

I am applied to by my brother 80 to address and solicit you appointment in the Army. He would prefer being in the Cavalry if there are any vacancys, if not, in the Infantry. He appears to be fond of a Soldiers life and from his abilities and disposition, I should suppose he might make a useful man.

"A letter from Barlow introducing a Marquis de Marnasia, and dated Apr. 24, 1790, is, however, in the Washington Papers. (Also, see Washington's letter to Marquis de Lafayette, May 28, 1788, ante (vol. 30), introducing Barlow. There are not, however, any letters to Barlow found in the Washington Papers.)

In his answer (February 19) Adams stated: "The wretch [Barlow] has destroyed his own character to such a degree, that I think it would be derogatory to yours to give any answer at all to his letter. Tom Paine is not a more worthless fellow." From the Works of John Adams (Boston: 1853), vol. 8, p. 624.

79 "Martha.

80

George Peter. He was appointed second lieutenant in the Ninth Infantry, July 12, 1799 and honorably discharged in June, 1800.

1799]

AN APPOINTMENT

121

The young gentleman in whose behalf this application is made is between 18 and twenty years of age; likely, well grown and of good behaviour. He is the Son of Mr. Robert Peter of George Town, whom probably you know, and that all the family of them are warm Federalists. I am etc.

TO THE SECRETARY OF WAR

Mount Vernon, February 4, 1799.

82

Dear Sir: Presly Thornton,1 who is appointed a Captain in one of the Virginia Regiments, and in the list of Officers handed to you, is placed the first Captain in Colo. Bentley's 2 Regiment, and designated of Northumberland, informs me there has been a mistake in your office with respect to him; as a Relation of his, bearing the same name, and living in Caroline County, is understood by you to be the person intended. At the time of making the selection, and until informed of it by the Captn Thornton intended to be nominated, I did not know there was another of the same name existing. The person in my list is the son of Colo. Presly Thornton late of Northumberland County in Virginia. Since his nomination he has taken up his residence in the City of Washington, and he informs me that he will accept his appointment. The gentleman whom he says is understood at the War Office to be the person intended, is the son of Colo Anthony Thornton late of Caroline County. I pray you to have this mistake corrected without delay.

Mr. Greene of Spotsylvania who had John instead of Thomas prefixed to his name, called upon me yesterday on his way to

"Presley Peter Thornton. He was appointed captain in the Eighth Infantry in January, 1799, and honorably discharged in June, 1800. The Eighth Infantry was commanded by Lieut. Col. Thomas Parker.

Lieut. Col. William Bentley. He commanded the Seventh Infantry.