surprise me not a little. But far, very far indeed was this surprise short of what I experienced the next day when by a very intelligent gentemn., (immediately from Philadelphia) I was informed that there had been no direct overture from the Government of France to that of the United States, for a Negociation.1o On the contrary, that Mr. Talleyrand was playing the same loose, and round-about game he had attempted the year before with our Envoys; and which, as in that case, might mean any thing, or nothing, as would subserve his purposes best.

Had we approached the ante-chamber of this Gentleman when he opened the door to us, and there waited for a formal invitation into the Interior, the Governments would have met upon equal ground; and we might have advanced, or receded, according to circumstances, without commitment. In plainer words, had we said to Mr. Talleyrand through the channel of his communication, we still are, as we always have been, ready to settle by fair Negociation, all differences between the two Nations, upon open, just and honourable terms; and it rests with the Directory (after the indignities with which our attempts to affect this, have been treated, if they are equally sincere) to come forward in an unequivocal manner, and prove it by their Acts. Such conduct would have shewn a dignified

10 The first overtures for a renewal of treaty negotiations with France, after the break in diplomatic relations caused by the X. Y. Z. insult, came from France in the form of conversations between Pichon, Secretary of the French legation at the Hague, and Vans Murray. The latter thought these overtures of little value; but in September, 1798, Murray was handed a note from Talleyrand to Pichon, dated 7th Vendemiaire (September 28), in which Talleyrand stated that Pichon was right in asserting that "whatever plenipotentiary the... United States might send to France to put an end to the existing differences between the two countries, would be undoubtedly received with the respect due to the representative of a free, independent, and powerful nation" (Executive Journal of the U. S. Senate, vol. 1, p. 313). On receipt of this assurance President Adams nominated Murray to be United States Minister Plenipotentiary to France, Feb. 18, 1799, and on February 25 nominated Oliver Ellsworth and Patrick Henry to act with Murray.

1799]

AN ENVOY

143

willingness on our part, to Negociate; and would have tested their sincerity, on the other. Under my present view of the subject, this would have been the course I should have pursued; keeping equally in view the horrors of War, and the dignity of the Government.

But, not being acquainted with all the information, and the motives which induced the measure, I may have taken a wrong impression, and therefore shall say nothing further on the subject, at this time. With sincere esteem &c.

*To THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

Mount Vernon, March 3, 1799.

Dear Sir: I have been duly honoured with your favour of the 19th. Ulto, mentioning the nomination of Mr. Murray11 to be Minister Plenipotentiary to the French Republic.

With the writer of the letter,12 which I did myself the honour to enclose in my last to you, I truly observed that I had never held any correspondence; and I only knew him in his public mission from this Country to the Barbary States, the functions of which he discharged at that time with ability and propriety. I have indeed, lately, heard of a letter that has been published, which he wrote to Mr. Baldwin, filled with abuse of this Government and its Administration: But I have never met with it in any of the Papers wch. I take.

As you have had more opportunities of knowing this man's character than have fallen to me, I have no doubt but you have formed a just estimate of him; and as I had no other desire than to be useful, in transmitting any sentiments you might wish to

11

"William Vans Murray. He was at the time United States Minister to Holland. "Joel Barlow.

convey, I shall, impressed with your observations, take no notice of his letter.

I sincerely pray, that in the discharge of these arduous and important duties committed to you, your health may be unimpaired, and that you may long live to enjoy those blessings which must flow to our Country, if we should be so happy as to pass this critical period in an honourable and dignified manner, without being involved in the horrors and calamities of War.

Mrs. Washington and Mrs. Lewis (late Miss Custis) thank you for your kind remembrance of them, and offer their best respects to you, at the sametime that they unite with me in every good wish for the perfect restoration of health to Mrs. Adams. With sentiments of very great respect etc.

*To WILLIAM BOOKER

Mount Vernon, March 3, 1799.

Sir: Mr. Anderson has shewn me your letter of the 23d. Ultimo, to him, with an estimate of the expence of building horse Mills, differently constructed. For the trouble you have taken in this business, I feel myself very much obliged.

A Mill grinding from 15 to 20 bushls. a day, with two horses, would nearly, if not entirely answer all my purposes; with the occasional aid of the Water Mills which in the driest Seasons, grinds a little.

For this reason I prefer greatly your last plan, namely, fixing a Mill to one of the threshing Machines now erected; if you are perfectly satisfied in your own mind that it will grind according to your estimate, even the smallest quantity, that is 15 bushls. a day; and I prefer moreover annexing it to the Ma

1799]

POPULAR JUDGMENT

145

chine at Union, as most central to the Farms, and more convenient on other Accounts.

Having thus determined, I am now to request, that you will purchase the last pair of Cologn Stones (mentioned in your letter) and, if anything else can be much better prepared at Richmond than here, to provide and send the whole round by the first conveyance: and be ready to come up yourself to put the whole together, so soon as you shall be advised of their arrival.

Being acquainted with the abilities of my tradesmen in their different lines, you know, of course, what they are capable of executing; and as materials of all sorts (with a little previous notice) can be provided, and in the forwardness you may direct, on the spot, I am persuaded you will run me to no other expence to obtain them from Richmond than shall, in your judgment, be essential. You will please to advise me of the time I may expect you, and them. With esteem etc.

*To JUDGE ALEXANDER ADDISON

[N.Y.P.L.]

Mount Vernon, March 4, 1799.

Sir: Your favour of the 31st of Jany, enclosing your second charge to the Grand Juries of the County Courts of the fifth Circuit of the State of Pennsylvania, at the last Decr. Sessions, has been duly received; and for the Enclosure I thank you.

I wish, sincerely, that your good example, in endeavouring to bring the People of these United States more acquainted with the Laws and principles of their Government, was followed. They only require a proper understanding of these, to judge rightly on all great National questions; but unfortunately, infinite more pains is taken to blind them by one

discription of men, than there is to open their eyes by the other; which, in my opinion, is the sourse of most of the evils we labour under.

I would pray you, my good Sir, to use your endeavours, that I may be paid the balance of the last Instalment due to me from the Estate of the deceased Colo. Ritchie; and that no failure may happen in complying with that which will be due the first of June next ensuing.

I can assure you, most truly, that I am in real want of these payments; the most conclusive evidence I can give you of which, is, that I am driven to the necessity of borrowing at the Banks, by renewed Notes every Sixty days; which, I am sure you will allow is a ruinous mode of obtaining money when I can receive common interest only for that out of which I am kept. With very great esteem etc.

TO JOHN MOODY 18

Mount Vernon, March 4, 1799.

Sir: I have received your letter of the 23d Ulto. enclosing one addressed to the Secretary of War, which has been forwarded to that Officer according to your desire.

The usual course of applications for Military appointments is to the Secretary of War, who lays the same before the President of the United States, and your application, through that channel, will undoubtedly meet the attention which it may merit. I am etc.14

13 Of Richmond, Va.

14

"The draft is in the writing of Tobias Lear.

On March 4 Washington wrote a brief note to the Secretary of War, thanking him for his "kind attention to the business which I desired McAlpin to execute for me." Lear's draft of this letter is in the Washington Papers.