1799] OHIO LAND VALUES 427 by the way of Pittsburgh, especially) that you would do me the favour of making the following enquiries, and reporting the result on your return. First, what is the supposed value (by the Acre) of three tracts of Land which I hold on the Ohio River (East side) between the mouths of the two Kanhawas; the upper part of wch. containing 2314 acres, is the first large bottom below the little Kanhawa, running upwards of five miles on the River; the second, containing 2448 acres is about sixteen or eighteen miles lower down the River; and is bounded more than three miles by the River; the 3d. tract measuring 4395 acres, is still lower down (four or 5 miles, opposite to the Great Bend in the Ohio) and all of them said to be of the first quality. What I mean by the value thereof is, what they probably would sell for, one third of the purchase money paid down, and the other two thirds in annual Instalments, with Interest. Let me further request the favour of you to make precisely the same enquiry with respect to three tracts of Land which I hold in the Northwestern Territory on the Little Miami River; [illegible] about a Mile of the Ohio River, containing 839 acres, another about Seven miles up the former of 977 Acres; and the third about 10 miles up the same, measuring 1235 acres. I pray you to enquire whether the lands on the other side the Ohio are taxed, and under what predicament mine are; And if any of the tracts hereinmentioned (on either side of the River) have settlers on them; what kind; and what sort of Improvements with the number of them. If you should pass by the Great Kanhawa, let me repeat my request with respect to my lands thereon also. I wish you a pleasant tour, and safe return, being with esteem etc. [N. Y. P. L.] *To THE SECRETARY OF WAR 74 (Private) Mount Vernon, November 17, 1799. My dear Sir: Your confidential and interesting letter of the 10th. instant, came duly, and safely to hand. With the contents of which I have been stricken dumb; and I believe it is better that I should remain mute than express any sentiment on the important matters which are related therein. I have, for sometime past, viewed the political concerns of the United States with an anxious, and painful eye. They appear to me, to be moving by hasty strides to some awful crisis; but in what they will result, that Being, who sees, foresees, and directs all things, alone can tell. The Vessel is afloat, or very nearly so, and considering myself as a Passenger only, I shall "McHenry had written: "The great and important successes of the Allies, engaged against France, the changes in the Directory, and the rapidity with which every matter and thing in France seemed hurrying to a restoration of monarchy, indicated to the heads of departments, the propriety of a suspension of the mission [to France]. We accordingly, while he was at Quincy, presented the idea to the President, as a subject for his consideration. Without taking any notice of the subject of this letter, a few days succeeding his arrival at Trenton, he convened us, to conclude upon the instructions, and shortly after gave his final orders for the departure of the Commissioners. .. The President believes, and with reason, that three of the heads of departments have viewed the mission as impolitic and unwise. . . . I find that he is particularly displeased with Mr. Pickering and Mr. Wolcott, thinking they have encouraged opposition to it, to the Eastward; seemingly a little less so with me; and not at all with Mr. Stoddert and the attorney General. . . . Whether he will think it expedient to dismiss any, or how many of us, is a problem. I believe the Attorney General and Secretary of the Navy are of opinion he ought, and would perhaps, if asked, advise to the dismission at least of one. There are however powerful personal reasons, especially at this juncture, which forbid it, and it is more than possible, as these chiefly respect the Eastern quarter of the union, they will prevail. But in my view of the subject the evil does not lay in a change of Secretaries . . . as these may be replaced with good and able men, but in the mission, which as far as my information extends, is become an apple of discord to the federalists, that may operate upon the ensuing election of President as to put in jeopardy, the fruits of all their past labours, by consigning to men, devoted to French innovations and demoralizing principles, the reins of government. It is this dreaded consequence which afflicts, and calls for all the wisdom of the federalists." McHenry's letter is in the Washington Papers. 1799] A POLITICAL MYSTERY 429 trust to the Mariners whose duty it is to watch, to steer it into a safe Port. The charge of British influence, in the appointment of Major Pinckney," to be Minister at the Court of London, is a perfect enigma; my curiosity leads me to enquire on what ground it is built, and you would oblige in giving me an explanation. Was it the measure, or the Man, that gave rise to this insinuation? the first it cannot be; because an exchange of Ministers had long been invited; sought after; and the tardiness of G. Britain in not meeting the advances of the U. States in this respect, was considered, and complained of, as an Indignity. Could it be the Man? Could he, who had fought against that Country; had bled in defence of his own, in the conflict; of acknowledged abilities, and irreproachable character, be suspected of undue influence? if neither, I ask again, on what is the accusation founded? The whole, is a mistery to me! And merely to satisfy my curiosity, I wish to have it unriddled; and not, from the present view wch. I have of the subject, because I shall think myself bd. to answer any interrogatories which may be dictated by insiduous impertinence. With the greatest esteem etc. *To THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE Mount Vernon, November 18, 1799. Gentlemen: Your letter of the 13th instt. and its enclosure, did not reach my hands until Saturday morning. Enclosed you will find a check on the Bank of Columbia for my dividend on Stock, in that Bank, for the last half year. Not Thomas Pinckney. 76 A photostat of the original of this check is in the "Washington Photostats" in the Library of Congress, the gift of E. F. Bonaventure, of New York. knowing precisely, what per centage it drew, I am uncertain whether it will exceed, or fall short of your demand on me for the 2d. Instalment on lot No. 16, in the City. If the latter, please to inform me of the deficiency, and the amount shall be transmitted in Bank Notes. With great esteem etc. *To WILLIAM THORNTON [H.S.P.] Mount Vernon, November 18, 1799. Dear Sir: Your favour of the 13th. inst: came duly to hand. I am now making arrangements at the Bank of Alexandria for obtaining money. When this is accomplished, I will forward a check on that Bank for the $1000 required by Mr. Blagden; and hope it will be in time to answer his purposes. I have no objection to Mr. Blagden's frequent calls for money; but I fear the work which is not enumerated in the Contract with him, is pretty smartly whipped up in the price of it. I had no expectation (for instance) that a Well little more than 30 feet deep, was to cost me upwards of £70. I may, however, have misconceived the matter from ignorance of the usual rates. With great esteem etc." *To RALPH WORMELEY Mount Vernon, November 18, 1799. Dear Sir: Your favour of the 3d Instant came duly to hand. Whence the Report of my visiting Norfolk could have arisen, I know not. From any intention of mine it did not, for nothing was ever more, foreign from them. I have never been farther from home since I left the Chair of Government, than the Federal City except when I was called to Philadelphia by "From the Thornton Papers in the Library of Congress. 1799] DIFFICULT RUN LAND 431 the Secretary of War; and that distance, I am persuaded will circumscribe my Walks; unless, which heaven avert! I should be obliged to resume a military career. I am not less obliged to you, however, my good Sir, for your polite invitation to Rosegill; and if events (at present unforeseen) should ever call me into those parts, I certainly shall avail myself of it. Mrs. Washington feels obliged by your kind remembrance of her; and unites with me in best respects to yourself and Lady. I am etc. *To CHARLES LITTLE Mount Vernon, November 20, 1799. Dear Sir: The week before the last, I went up to Difficult Run to Survey a small tract of land which I hold thereon, at the Bridge; and to view a lot (No 10) which Mr. Jno. Gill, late of Alexandria, purchased as part of the land formerly belonging to the Earl of Tankerville, and which he (Gill) had offered to me in discharge of a demand I had upon him. I was plagued, and indeed unable to find, either the Corner trees or lines of my tract. The upper corner on Difficult was entirely gone; a place was designated by Mr Thos. Gunnell, near to which, he thought it had stood. The only corner which seemed to be well established, was at the end of the first course from the run above, a large white Oak, by the spring, marked IC near Stone's house. From hence I run the course of my tract which is also a line of Tankerville's, until I came to the Bridge branch (sometimes called Colvills branch) but could find neither line tree nor corner at the end thereof, on the branch; and was informed by Captn. Wiley, Mr. Wherry, Mr. Yates, and others who accompanied me, and by some whom it was said had been with you, when Tankerville's land was run |