department, to have arrangements made for the payment of two thousand one hundred and seventy five dollars and one third, being the amount of the purchase of one hundred and ninety six acres of land, bot. for the United States, adjoining the public ground at Harper's Ferry.

You will be pleased to observe that the Money is to be paid on the 1st day of January next, and that Major Campbell, who made the purchase, has given his bond therefore; and I am persuaded there will be no delay in fulfiling the engagement which he has made for the United States. With due consideration etc.83

*To THOMAS PETER

Mount Vernon, December 3, 1799. Dear Sir: Have you succeeded, or are you likely to succeed, in procuring the Hemp seed I required?

The fly has got into my Wheat, very generally this Fall; and I lay my account for great revages thereon next Spring; which makes me desirous of laying (to use a Sea term) an anchor to windward for something else.

I congratulate you and Patcy on the birth of a "Manchild." My best wishes attend the Mother and Child, and I am etc.8*

*To ROBERT LEWIS

Mount Vernon, December 7, 1799. Dear Sir: Your letter of the 10th of Septr came duly to hand, but as there was nothing contained in it that required to be acted upon immediately, I postponed acknowledging the receipt of it at an earlier period.

The draft is in the writing of Tobias Lear.

"From a photostat of the original through the kindness of Walter G. Peter, of Washington, D. C.

1799]

TENANTS

453

The death of Mr. Airess, of which I have been informed, and the direct conveyance afforded by your brother Howells return, have induced me, to write you at this time.

What prospect the death of Mr. Airess may open to the attainment of the Farm which was leased for his, and life of Mrs. Airess, I know not; it may, however, be the subject of a round about enquiry of yours; for I must, if Mrs Washington and myself should both survive another year, find some place to which the supernumerary hands on this Estate could be removed. Being well convinced, that after that period, half the number employed on the Farms around me, would yield more nett profit, it behoves me therefore to make some change which may benefit myself and not render their condition worse.

For these reason, I request that you would keep a steady eye upon all my tenements in Berkeley and Frederick; and at a crisis you shall deem most favourable, learn with precision the most favourable terms on which I could repossess such adjoining ones, as would work eight or ten hands to advantage, regard being had at the sametime to the Improvements of different kinds, particularly, the quantity of cleared land, and the quality of it; and the number and sort of buildings; and for what purposes they wd answer.

There could be no doubt of the Utility, nor would there be any hesitation in attempting, to purchase leases at a Rent of Six pounds per annum, if you are founded in your hypothesis, of there letting for £60; provided I had, or could see how to come at, the means to pay for them: But, on monies owing to me, I would not engage to pay a shilling, for every pound that is promised to me; So little are engagements regarded, and so remiss are our Courts of Justice to enforce them.

Under these circumstances, and statement of facts, you will readily perceive that it would be hazardous in me to direct you

positively what decisive measures to take. But apprised as you are of my wishes, you may use preparatory means for carrying them into effect; without committing me, previously to the advice of them. The present state of things may change, and I may be differently circumstanced at the time you may learn, with precision what can be accomplished with the Tenants, in facilitation of my views.

You will perceive by the letter herewith enclosed, in what manner my land in Hampshire is treated. It is more than probably, if some effectual stop cannot be put to such depredations, that it will be stripped of all its valuable Timber.

I have a Jack younger than the lame one which you saw here, that will be full old enough to cover next spring. What number of Mares do you think, you could engage to come to him at your house next Season, and at what price? Your answer to these queries would enable me to decide on a stand for him, in time to advertise it.

You will have heard that Nelly Lewis has a girl born. She, Mrs. Washington and the family unite with me in best wishes for yourself, Mrs. Lewis and the Children, and I am etc.85

*To WILLIAM THORNTON

Mount Vernon, December 7, 1799.

Dear Sir: Your favour of the 5th. instant was received last night. Not sending up to the Post Office every day, is the cause of its not getting to hand in time for my answer by the Mail of this day.

Enclosed is a list of such fruit Trees as my Gardener has chosen. Be so good as to have them sent to the care of Colo. Gilpin in Alexandria, who will receive, take care of, and give me

From a photostat of the original through the kindness of Dr. A. S. W. Rosenbach, of New York City.

1799]

WATER TRANSPORTATION

455

notice of their arrival: when my Boat, or Waggon shall be sent up for them. Mr. Leplet will, of course, label the different kinds of fruit.

I have written to Colo. Carrington to know the terms on which Plaster of Paris may be had in Richmond; and what the owner would ask for it delivered at my landing or higher up. With much esteem etc."

86

*To WILLIAM THORNTON

Mount Vernon, December 8, 1799.

Dear Sir: For the communications contained in your letter of yesterday, I thank you. As a citizen of the United States, it gives me pleasure, at all times, to hear that works of public utility are resolved on, and in a state of progression; wheresoever adopted, and whensoever begun.

The one resolved on between the Chesapeake and Delaware is of great magnitude, and will be, I trust, the Precursor of another between the Delaware and sound, at Amboy. These, with the one now about, between the Chesapeak (for Norfolk) and Albermarle Sound, will, in a manner, open a kind of Inland Navigation (with what assuredly will be attempted in the Eastern States) from one extremety of the Union to the other. Never having read any of the late Acts of Congress relatively to the Federal City, or rather to the Public buildings, and property the Public is possessed of in that place; I know not on what grd. the Attorney General of the United States has founded the opinion communicated in your letter, of the insufficiency of the Presidents Powers to Authorize the Commissioners of the City to accept a loan, for the purpose of carrying on the public works, in that place. Under the original Act empowering the

From the Thornton Papers in the Library of Congress.

President to establish the permanent Seat of the Government on the Potomac no doubt ever occurred to my mind, nor I believe to the Minds of any of the Officers thereof, around me, of a want of this Power. But, by the obstructions continually thrown in its way, by friends or enemies, this City has had to pass through a firey trial. Yet, I trust will, ultimately, escape the Ordeal with eclat. Instead of a firey trial it would have been more appropriate to have said, it has passed, or is on its passage through, the Ordeal of local interest, destructive Jealousies, and inveterate prejudices; as difficult, and as dangerous I conceive, as any of the other ordeals. With very great esteem etc.

*TO ALEXANDER WHITE

[N.Y.P.L.]

Mount Vernon, December 8, 1799. Dear Sir: Your favour of yesterday I received this morning. Altho' the Legislature of Maryland has taken up the business of the Potomack Company upon different ground, than on that which was adopted at the last General meeting of the Stockholders, and less advantageous for them if they could have carried their mode into effect; yet, as my primary wish, is to see the work completed, I rejoice that the means are likely to be obtained which will accomplish this desirable object, and trust that on its progress to this end, there will be no more lingering.

Percieving no object Mr. Liston could have in misrepresenting the expression of Mr. Stoddard, respecting a site near the Capital; the presumption is, all other considerations apart, that he was correct in the recital. But to the attempts of diverting the followers of the Government from engaging houses in the vicinity of the Capital, Mrs. Liston was more pointed, and full than He was. I trust, notwithstanding, that the event will prove that accomodations will be found equal to the demand for them;