that each should take and hold one; there being a moral certainty of

a great and increasing profit arising from them in the course [of a] few years.

James River Company

5 Shares, each cost $100..

500 (z)

(*) It is supposed] that the Shares in the James Ri[ver] Company must also be productive. But of this I can give no decided opinion for want of mo[re accur]ate informatn.

(&) T[hese are no ]minal prices of the [Shares of the Banks] of Alexandria and Columbia, the selling prices] vary according to circumstances.] But as the Stock [usually divided from] eight to ten per[cent per annum, they] must be worth [the former, at least,] so long as the [Banks are conceived] to be Secure, [though from circumstances may, so[me times be below it.]

Stock, living, viz:

1 Covering horse, 5 Coh." horses; 4 riding do; Six brood Mares; 20 working horses and mares; 2 Covering Jacks, and 3 young ones; 10 she Asses, 42 working Mules; 15 younger ones 329 head of horned Cattle 640 head of Sheep, and a large 15.653 Stock of Hogs, the pricise number unknown

My Manager has estimated this live Stock at £7,000 but I shall set it down in order to make rd sum at

Agregate amt...

$530.000 The value of live] stock depends more up[on the qua]lity than quantity of the [differen]t species of it, and this again [upon] the demand, and judgment [or fan]cy of purchasers.

** Coach.

A RECOMMENDATION

1799]

Mount Vernon 9th. July 1799

303

Go: WASHINGTON

At a Court held for the Coun[ty of] Fairfax the 20th. January 1800. This Last Will and Test [ament of] George Washington deceased late president of the United States [of Am]erica, was presented in C[ourt] by George Steptoe Washingtan [Samuel Washington and Lawrence Lewi[s], three of the Executors [therein name]d, who made oat[h thereto, and] the same being [proved by the] oath of Charles [Little, Charles Simms and Ludwell Lee, to be in the true handwriting of the said Testator, as al ]so the Schedule thereto [annexed, and the said will,] being sealed and signed [by him on motion, Ordered] to be recorded. and the [said Executors having given Securi]ty and performed what the Laws req[uire, a Certificate is] granted them for obtaining a probate thereof [in due form.]

Test. G. DENEALE, Cl: Fx: 67

TO THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY

Mount Vernon, July 10, 1799.

Sir: When I quitted the Chair of Government it was my full determination not to apply to the Executive in behalf of any person for an appointment, knowing the trouble and inconvenience which I must experience myself as well as give to others without forming this resolution. In some instances I have, however, been obliged to depart from this rule, where, from particular connexions or circumstances I am called upon to be the channel of application in a way that I cannot refuse, without being thought unkind or uncivil. But as few instances of this kind occur, I shall not have occasion to trouble you often in this way.

"The first pages of the Will and the last pages of the Schedule are badly damaged by the accidents of time. The missing words are from Ford's text and are inclosed in brackets. The text of both the Will and the Schedule of property, which Ford evidently took from one of the early publications, have been carefully corrected from a facsimile of the original Will, which is in the Fairfax County Court House.

Inclosed is a letter from General Spotswood, expressing a wish to have one of his sons appointed a Midshipman in the Navy of the U.S. As I am unacquainted with the regulations established in your department with respect to appointments, I am not able to judge how far the request made by Genl. Spotswood for his Son can be complied with. On this you will determine; and whatever answer you may think proper to give, I will thank you to transmit to me that I may forward it accordingly.

As I have no personal knowledge of the young man, altho a relation of mine, I cannot say how far he may be qualified for the place which is asked. I have the honor etc.68

*To JAMES MCALPIN

Mount Vernon, July 14, 1799.

your exertions;

Sir: Your letters of the 24th. and 27th. Ulto. have come duly to hand; and, persuaded as I am that, you have used your best endeavours to furnish my uniform Coat, agreeably to the regulations of the War department, I thank you for although they have failed of the desired effect. Some years ago (while the Governmt. was in New York) I had a cloke well embroidered there (at the instance of a Mr Bahr, who was then my Taylor), possibly, the same person, or some other, might be found there still, to do it, if Mr. Bahr is living and was applied to.

If a failure takes place there also, and the Coat is not already embarked for Europe, let it remain as at present, and inform me of the state of, and what can be done with it. I am etc."9

6 The draft is in the writing of Tobias Lear.

69

From a photostat of the original through the kindness of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union.

My dear Sir: After reading, and putting a wafer into the inclosed letter, be so kind as to send it as directed.

70

The young Cornet (in my family) is anxious to receive his Military equipments. Daily fruitless enquiries are made of me to know when they may be expected. Perhaps if you were to jog Mr. Francis, the Purveyor, the sooner they might be Purveyed, and the young gentleman gratified.

I wish them to be handsome, and proper for an Officer, but not expensive. In my last on this subject, I requested that the Sword might be silver mounted, but any other mount, such as the Officers of Cavalry use, would answer just as well. With

*To ALEXANDER SPOTSWOOD

Mount Vernon, July 15, 1799. Dear Sir: Your wishes, respecting your Son George, I have communicated to the Secretary of the Navy; although it is contrary to a determination I had entered into (when I left the Chair of Government) not to be the medium through which applications for appointments should be made; and from which I have not (before) deviated, except in the Military line, since it has been made my duty, consequent of my own appointment, to present them.

If the Secretary of the Navy should return any answer to my letter, you will be informed of the purport of it. I must question,

"George Washington Parke Custis.

"From a recent copy in the McHenry Photostats in the Library of Congress.

however, whether your proposition will comport with the rules of the Navy Department. In a word, I should not suppose that any persons will be received as Midshipmen, until they enter the ship, and perform the duties. The contrary (as I know the applications are numerous) would carry with it an appearance of favoratism which I should think, our government would not wish to be charged with.

If in the Military line, any characters should present themselves to you which are rightly deserving of Regimental appointments, I shall be obliged to you for sending in their names to me; as the Secretary of War has requested me to be provided with these, in case the President, in the recess of Congress, shd. think it expedient to raise the eventual Army of twenty four Regiments. Field and Artillery Officers for four Regiments,. allotted through this State, as nearly as may be to the population of the different parts, will be required, if this measure should take place.

72

I would thank you for asking, (when an opportunity presents itself) the Executor or person who has the keeping of the late Mr. James Mercer's Papers, for a conveyance from "George and James Mercer Esqrs., and Messrs. Lind & Covenove to me" the land purchased of them on four Mile run in this County. Having occasion to overhaul my land Papers lately this conveyance was missing; but the following memo.... (that is the one just mentioned (was sent March 15th. 1787 to... to draw a Deed of conveyance

...

This confirming... properly executed and recorded... other could not have been . . . as it is not to be found among my Papers. It is useless to... and is no otherwise essential... ing recorded) than in case of accident to the records; and for

12 The manuscript is mutilated. Words indicated by leaders [

...

] are illegible.