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1799]

A SERVANT'S MARRIAGE

367

If the British are resolved to keep up armed Vessels on the lakes, I presume it will be expedient for us to do the same; but in time of peace a better way, in my opinion, is, for neither to have any. In case of a rupture, or the appearance of one, with that nation, there can be no doubt of our arming on those waters much [more expeditiously] than they would be able to do.

I have now gone over the material points in your letter and General Wilkinson's Report; but, as I mentioned before, it has been done under circumstances unfavorable to minute investigation or mature deliberation, and my sentiments, where differing from you, given more for consideration than decision. Should any thing of importance on this subject, not noticed here, occur to me, I shall not fail to communicate it to you; for the measures now taken with respect to guarding our Frontiers and interior Country ought to be such as will be permanent and respectable. With very great regard, I am, &c.2

*To ROGER WEST

24

Mount Vernon, September 19, 1799.

Sir: Sometime ago the Servant who waits upon me, Christopher (calling himself Christopher Sheels) asked my permission to marry a Mulatto girl belonging to you. As he had behaved as well as servants usually do, I told him I had no objection to the union, provided your consent (which was necessary) could be obtained.

This I presume happened because I understand they are married. I was in hopes that this connexion (as I heard the Girl well spoken of) would have been some brake upon his future conduct; but the reverse is to be apprehended from the enclosed

"In the writing of Tobias Lear in the Hamilton Papers in the Library of Congress. The words in brackets in the draft (also by Lear, in the Washington Papers) are in the writing of Washington.

note, which was found in my yard; dropped it is supposed, by him. Whether the girl can write, or not; and whose writing it is, are equally unknown to me; but it undoubtedly came from her to the Husband, from the purport of it.

He is unacquainted with . . .25 my possession, as I think his wife ought to be, until proper measures can be taken... matters upon them; which, from the contents of the letter, your vicinity to Alexandria... friends in that place, you will be enabled, much better than I to do; I mean, particularly, the discovery of the Vessel, they contemplate to escape in.

I have made this communication, my good Sir, on the supposition that you, would be equally desirous to arrest their project; but if, as some say, she is free; and as others, that you are about to make her so, our cases differ; except in the example. But in either case I would thank you for any information you can give me respecting this matter, by a line left at... goes through the medium of Doctr. Craik, to avoid the suspicion that might arise by sending a messenger with it to your house. The Doctr. is made acquainted with the contents; but the fewer that are so, ... nts, in the business of detection, the better.

I have heard with pleasure, that you had received much benefit in your health, from your journey to the Springs; and I sincerely wish you the perfect restoration of it, etc. [N.Y.P.L.]

*To LAWRENCE LEWIS

Mount Vernon, September 20, 1799. Dear Sir: From the moment Mrs. Washington and myself adopted the two youngest children of Mr. Custis, it became my intention (if they survive me, and conduct themselves to my

23

25 The press copy was poorly made. Words indicated by leaders [ . ] are illegible.

...

1799]

LAND FOR THE LEWISES

369

satisfaction) to consider them in my Will, when I was about to make a distribution of my property. This determination has undergone no diminution, but is strengthened by the connexion which one of them has formed with my family. The expense at which I live, and the unproductiveness of my Estate together, will admit of no diminution of income, while I remain in my present situation; on the contrary were it not for occasional supplies of money in payment for Lands sold within the last four or five years, to the amount of upwards of Fifty thousand dollars; I should not be able to support the former without involving myself in debt and difficulties. But as it has been understood from expressions occasionally dropped (from Nelly Custis, now) your Wife, that it is the wish of you both to settle in this neighbourhood (contiguous to her friends) and as it would be inexpedient, as well as expensive for you, to make a purchase of land when a measure which is in contemplation would place you on more eligable ground, I shall inform you, that in the Will which I have by me, and have no disposition to alter, that part of my Mt. Vernon tract which lies North and West of the public road leading from the Gum Spring and Colchester (from a certain point which I have marked) containing about two thousand acres of Land, with the Dogue run Farm, Mill, Distillery, Gray's heights, &ca. is bequeathed to you and her jointly, if you incline to build on it; and few better sites for a house than Gray's hill, and that range, are to be found in this Country, or elsewhere.

You may also have what is properly Dogue run Farm, the Mill, and Distillery, on a just and equitable Rent; as also the hands belonging thereto on a reasonable hire, either next year, or the year following; it being necessary, in my opinion, that a young man should have objects of employment. Idleness is disreputable under any circumstances; productive of no good,

even when unaccompanied with vicious habits; and you might commence building as soon as you please; during the progress of which Mount Vernon might be made your home.

You may conceive, that building before you have an absolute title to the land, is hazardous. To obviate this I shall only remark that it is not likely that any occurrence will happen or any change take place that would alter my intention (if the conduct of yourself and wife is such as to merit a continuance of it) but, be this as it may, that you may proceed on sure ground with the buildings, I will agree, and this letter shall be an evidence of it, that if, thereafter, I should find cause to make any other disposition of the property here mentioned, I will pay the actual cost of such buildings to you, or yours.

Although I have not the most distant idea that any event will happen that could effect a change in my present determination, nor any suspicion that you, or Nelly would conduct yourselves in such a manner as to incur my serious displeasure; yet, at the same time that I am inclined to do justice to others, it behoves me to take care of myself, by keeping the staff in my own hands. That you may have a more perfect idea of the Landed property I have bequeated to you and Nelly in my Will I transmit a plan of it, every part of which is correctly laid down and accurately measured. Shewing the number of Fields, Lots, Meadows, waste land, &ca; with the contents, and relative situation of each. All of which, except the Mill swamp, (wch. has never been considered a part of Dogue run Farm, and is retained merely for the purpose of putting it into a better state of improvement,) you may have on the terms before mentioned. With every kind wish for you and Nelly, in which your Aunt who has been and is very much indisposed unites, I remain your Affectionate Uncle.

1799]

A BANK LOAN

371

*To MARY WHITE MORRIS 26

Mount Vernon, September 21, 1799.

Our dear Madam: We never learnt with certainty, until we had the pleasure of seeing Mr. White (since his return from Frederick) that you were at Winchester.

We hope it is unnecessary to repeat in this place, how happy we should be to see you and Miss Morris under our roof, and for as long a stay as you shall find convenient, before you return to Philadelphia; for be assured we ever have, and still do retain, the most Affectionate regard for you Mr Morris and the family.

With the highest esteem and regard, and best wishes for the health and happiness of the family you are in we are Dear Madam Your etc.27

*To THOMAS LAW

Mount Vernon, September 21, 1799. Dear Sir: In acknowledging the receipt of your note, which came to hand two days since, without date, I shall only observe, that whenever it suits the convenience of yourself and Mrs. Law to visit Mount Vernon, we shall be happy in seeing you.

I had a desire (not a strong one) to possess the corner lot belonging to Mr. Carroll on New Jersey Avenue, merely on account of its local situation; but have abandoned the idea. Disappointed in every expectation of receiving money, though most solemnly assured it, I am obliged to have recourse to borrowing from the Bank of Alexandria, much against my inclination to carry on my buildings in the City. It follows, that to

26 Mrs. Robert Morris.

"From a photograph of the original kindly presented by Frederick E. Atwood, of Boston, Mass. This letter is signed also by Martha Washington.

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