Under these circumstances, it is scarcely necessary to add, that I am not inclined to take the Tenements upon a short lease; for the reasons before mentioned; and because I should be obliged to have recourse to my own land to supply the deficiencies of yours; and that in a very short time too, to render the fields of any use. Unless the term therefore, for which it is granted, is commensurate with the expence to which I, or mine would be run, It would not answer my purposes to rent it. It is not my expectation, or desire to disturb the present tenants, or such as you may have engaged, the ensuing year. My views extend to the year after, only, presuming your arrangements are made for 1799. Your answer will be agreeable to, Sir, Yours etc. TO THE SECRETARY OF WAR Mount Vernon, November 4, 1798. Dear Sir: Your letter of the 30 ultimo, with its enclosures, has been duly received. And, agreeably to the arrangements made for the meeting of the general Officers on or about the 10th inst, I intend setting out tomorrow for Trenton; but, as I shall have some business in the Federal City which may detain me for a short time, and shall travel with my own Horses, which must necessarily be slower than to go on with Stage Horses, it may be Sunday, the 11th inst, before I reach Trenton, should the meeting be there. I shall, however, make no unnecessary delay until I reach the place of destination. As, under present circumstances, it is not likely that Lodgings, especially in Trenton, could be had without some pre 'On November 5 Washington set out from Mount Vernon for Philadelphia. His "Diary" states that he breakfasted at Susquehanna on November 8, to which he was escorted by the Harford County militia horse. He reached Philadelphia November 10. McHenry secured lodging for him at Mrs. Rosannah White's, No. 9, North Eighth Street, at the corner of Market Street. 1798] MASONRY 13 vious arrangements, I have to beg the favor of your securing for me the best you can, convenient to your Office, or wherever our business is to be transacted, against my arrival. A lodging Room is all I shall want particularly for myself; my Secretary, Mr. Lear, will be with me, who will also want to be accommodated with a lodging room. There will be four servants and six or seven horses, which may or may not be accommodated at the same place with myself, according to circumstances. I shall take on with me all the letters and papers in my possession relating to Applications, recommendations for Appointments &c. P.S. I have never yet recd from the Superintendant, any acct of the quantity of Military Stores belonging to the U.S. TO THE MARYLAND GRAND LODGE November 8, 1798. Gentlemen and Brothers: Your obliging and affectionate letter, together with a Copy of the constitutions of Masonry, has been put into my hands by your Grand Master; for which I pray you to accept my best thanks. So far as I am acquainted with the principles and doctrines of Free Masonry, I conceive it to be founded in benevolence, and to be exercised only for the good of Mankind; I cannot, therefore, upon this ground, withhold my approbation of it. While I offer my grateful acknowledgments for your congratulations on my late appointment, and for the favorable sentiments you are pleased to express of my conduct, permit me to observe, that, at this important and critical moment, when high and repeated indignities have been offered to the 'The draft is in the writing of Tobias Lear. Government of one Country, and when the property of our Citizens is plundered without a prospect of redress, I conceive it to be the indispensable duty of every American, let his situation and circumstances in life be what they may, to come forward in support of the Government of his choice, and to give all the aid in his power towards maintaining that Independence which we have so dearly purchased: And, under this impression, I do not hesitate to lay aside all personal considerations and accept my appointment. I pray you to be assured that I receive with gratitude your kind wishes for my health and happiness, and reciprocate them with sincerity. I am etc.R [MD. H. S.] *QUERIES PROPOUNDED TO MAJOR GENERALS HAMILTON AND PINCKNEY Philadelphia, November 10, 1798.9 Ist. Is an Invasion of the United States, by France, to be apprehended whilst that Power continues at War with Great Britain? 2d. In case such an Invasion should take place, what part of the United States, in their opinion, is most likely to be first attacked? 3d. Is it probable that the French will, in the way of exchange, or by other means, become possessed of the Floridas and Louisiana? 4th. In case of such an event, what, probably, will be the consequences, as they relate to the United States? What measures will be best to counteract them? And can those measures In the writing of Tobias Lear. Although dated November 10, Washington did not submit these queries to Hamilton and Pinckney until November 12. (See Washington's letter to Major Generals Hamilton and Pinckney under date of Nov. 12, 1798, post.) 1798] THE PROVISIONAL ARMY 15 be carried promptly into effect by the Commander in Chief of the Armies? or must they be previously submitted to the War Office? This question, it will be perceived presupposes a force in existence. 5th. What can be done to supply our present deficiency of Engineers? From whence, and by what means are they to be obtained? Should a Frenchman be employed at any rate? 6th. Would not riflemen, in place of Light Infantry, be eligable as a componant part of each Regiment? And in that case, would Ferguson's rifles claim a preference? 7th Under the idea that each grand division of the U. States is to furnish four regiments of the augmented force; and each state, according to the Census, the population, or medium between the two, is to raise its proportion; how many places in each (its extent being considered) and where, ought to be assigned as rendezvous'es during the Recruiting Service? At what place ought the general rendezvous in each State to be fixed, during the said period? And at what place, or places in the United States, ought the augmented force to assemble? If at more than one place, how many, where, and the number at each ? 8th of how many pieces of Ordnance, of what sorts, and of what Calliber, ought the Park of Artillery to consist, independently of what is attached to Brigades, or Regiments? And how many ought each of these to have? 9th. Would it be advisable (after an adequate force is Recruited) to withdraw the Troops which at present occupy the Posts on our Northern and Western Frontiers, replacing them with New raised Corps? 10th. Of how many Ranks do the French form their line of battle, Generally? Do they make use of Pikes much? and would it be an eligable weapon, with which to arm part of our Soldiery, as that is the Nation with which we expect to contend? Genl. Pinckney may, from personal observation, be enabled to solve these two questions. Queries, relative to smaller matters; but meriting consideration, as an army is now commencing more systematically than formerly; the rules, regulations and distinctions in which, may give a tone to measures which may prevail hereafter. Ist. If the clothing of the Regiments, and the fashion of that clothing; with distinctions between one Regiment and another, are not already ordered by the proper authorities, and in train of Execution, what had they best be? 2d. Would not Cotton, or (still more so) Flannel, be advisable for Shirting, and linings for the Soldiery? 3d What had best the distinctions in dress, in the badges, and other peculiarities, between the Commander in Chief and his suit, and the Majors General and their Aids? between the latter, and the Brigadiers and theirs? And between these again and the Regimental Offrs? Also among the Regimental Officers themselves, Commissioned and non-commissioned? And whether the Staff (not in the line of the Army) of the different departments, both Commissioned and Warrant Officers ought not to be designated by their dress or some appropriate mark or badge? and in every case and at all times be compelled to wear them; as well for the purpose of denoting the corps to wch. they belong, as a mean by which irregularities, rioting, and improper conduct may be discovered with more ease. 4th As there has been many objections to, and remarks made upon, the black Cockade; (being that of Great Britain); might not something be devised by way of annexation thereto to distinguish it from that of any other Nation? I have seen, and it |