some of the others. They also will leave a large Glass lamp in the entry or Hall, and will take one or more of my Glass lamps in lieu of it. In disposing of the Yards Mr Morris will take in (to the House he removes to) the part which formerly belonged to it. I mention this that you may not be surprised at the attempt. Nothing further occurs at present. Mrs. Washington unites with me in good wishes for Mrs. Lear and yourself and I am etc.1

To TOBIAS LEAR

Richmond, April 12, 1791.

Dear Sir: Since my last to you from Mount Vernon, your letters of the 3d. and 5th. Instant have been recd., the last at this place where I arrived yesterday to dinner.

If the case is as you suspect, it is expedient and proper to remove Washington to a School in which he will make some progress in his learning; and that it is so, I have had suspicions for some time, principally on account of his fondness of going to the College. Boys of his age are better pleased with relaxed discipline, and the inattention of their tutors, than with conduct that brings them forward. It would have been highly pleasing to me (for the reasons, which I have often expressed) to have continued Washington at the College, but, if after the enquiries you have made, it should appear, that there is either incompetency in the masters from the number of boys in the School, or from other causes, I will not waste his time in compliment to that Seminary, but before your finally decide on this matter, it is my wish as Colo. Hamilton, Genl. Knox and the AttorneyGeneral have sons in the same predicament (if they are not removed) that you would consult and act in Concert with

"From Letters and Recollections of George Washington, edited by Louisa Lear Eyre, New York: 1906.

SLAVES IN PENNSYLVANIA

573

them; and I shall be satisfied in whatever is done in consequence of it. And should like to have him at the same School that Hamilton's son goes to.

The Attorney-General's case and mine I conceive, from a conversation I had with him respecting our Slaves, is some what different. He in order to qualify himself for practice in the Courts of Pennsylvania, was obliged to take the Oaths of Citizenship to that State; whilst my residence is incidental as an Officer of Government only, but whether among people who are in the practice of enticing slaves even where there is no colour of law for it, this distinction will avail, I know not, and therefore beg you will take the best advise you can on the subject, and in case it shall be found that any of my Slaves may, or any for them shall attempt their freedom at the expiration of six months, it is my wish and desire that you would send the whole, or such part of them as Mrs. Washington may not chuse to keep, home, for although I do not think they would be benefitted by the change, yet the idea of freedom might be too great a temptation for them to resist. At any rate it might, if they conceived they had a right to it, make them insolent in a State of Slavery. As all except Hercules and Paris are dower negroes, it behoves me to prevent the emancipation of them, otherwise I shall not only loose the use of them, but may have them to pay for. If upon taking good advise it is found expedient to send them back to Virginia, I wish to have it accomplished under pretext that may deceive both them and the Public; and none I think would so effectually do this, as Mrs. Washington coming to Virginia next month (towards the middle or latter end of it, as she seemed to have a wish to do) if she can accomplish it by any convenient and agreeable means, with the assistance of the Stage Horses &c. This would naturally bring her maid and Austin, and Hercules under the idea of coming home to Cook whilst we remained there, might be sent

on in the Stage. Whether there is occasion for this or not according to the result of your enquiries, or issue the thing as it may, I request that these Sentiments and this advise may be known to none but yourself and Mrs. Washington. From the following expression in your letter "that those who were of age might follow the example of his (the Attorney's people) after a residence of six months", it would seem that none could apply before the end of May, and that the non age of Christopher, Richmond and Oney is a bar to them.

I offer Mrs. Lear the child and yourself my best wishes, and with Sincere Esteem I am etc.18

*To THE SECRETARY OF WAR

(Confidential)

Philadelphia July 22, 1791.

or

Dear Sir: If, without disclosing the object in the smallest degree, you can come at (from Mr. William Houston 19 through any other channel by the time you return) 20 the rate of abilities possessed by Colo. (Joseph) Habersham:" to what they would most usefully apply: whether he is a man of arrangement, of Industry, &ca. you would oblige me in making the enquiry. I wish also to be informed, if the means of accomplishing it should be within your reach of the law abilities and knowledge generally of Mr. John Houston,22 in case circum

18 From Letters and Recollections of George Washington, edited by Louisa Lear Eyre, New York: 1906.

19 William Houstoun (Houston), of Georgia.

20

"Knox went to New York for a few days, either July 22 or shortly thereafter. 21 Later the Postmaster General of the United States.

22 John Houstoun (Houston), Judge of the Superior Court of Georgia in 1792. A "Letter of Protection" issued to the Kaskaskia Indians May 7, 1793 (a printed broadside, signed in manuscript by the President and Secretary of State), is in the Chicago Historical Society. Six other similar protections were issued the same day to other tribes.

GOVERNMENT BUSINESS

575

stances might envite me to look to that quarter for an Associate Judge for the Supreme Court of the United States. Yours sincerely 23

*To THE SECRETARY OF STATE

Philadelphia, July 18, 1793.

Dear Sir: The Chief Justice and Judge Paterson are in Town. The former called upon me yesterday evening to know at what time he should receive my communications. I was embarrassed; but declared the truth, that by waiting for the Attorney General, the business wch. it was proposed to lay before them, was not fully prepared.

I shall expect to see you by Nine; And as the Judges will have to decide whether the business wch., it is proposed to ask their opinion upon is, in their judgment, of such a nature as that they can comply, it might save time if you were to draft some thing (before you come) that will bring the question properly before them.

I am always and sincerely yours

PS. As the Attorney General is not present, quere, would a verbal communication, and explanation of the wishes of Government made to them by you be better than by letter? 24

*To THE ACTING SECRETARY OF STATE

Baltimore, September 11, 1795.

Dear Sir: The extreme badness of the Roads prevented my arrival at this place until nine oclock this morning, of course

"From a photograph of the original in Pomona College Library, Claremont, Calif., through the kindness of Ralph H. Parker, librarian.

"From the Jefferson Papers in the Library of Congress.

In the Historical Review of Berks County, Pennsylvania, vol. III, No. 2, is facsimiled a brief note, in Washington's writing, dated Lebanon, Oct. 3 [1794], to William Pearce, introducing the engineer James Weston, and his wife, and requesting Pearce to make their visit to Mount Vernon “as agreeable as your situation will enable you to do."

too late for the Mail of this day. Monday therefore being next Post day, which will occasion a delay of three days, and this probably the loss of a passage to Europe of one of the sett of Letters, herewith enclosed, I have thought it best to return them by Express; and have accordingly requested the Post Master of this to do it.25 The Express he says shall be in tomorrow night. The cost of wch you will pay. Yours always

To TOBIAS LEAR

[MS. H. S.]

Chester, March 9, 1797.

My dear Sir: Thus far we have arrived safe, but found it disagreeably cold.

To give the greater surety to the large looking Glasses, and such other articles as are liable to be injured by the jolting of a dray; be so good as to have taken down by hand, and stowed where they will not be trod on; or tossed about in the Vessel's hold.

The grate (from Mr. Morris's) pray have packed first in some of the old Carpeting to keep it from scratching. The bedstead which Nelly Custis slept on belongs (Mrs. Washington says) to me. Let this and the trundle under it be sent in the Vessel.

I question whether enough of the small hooks were got; desire Mr. Dandridge to get a couple of dozen more, like the two he took out of my Room yesterday, and he was to have got me small awls, but I believe did not do it. I wish it to be done.

Mr. Hill told me he had done something (but what I do not recollect) with the livery clothes; I pray you to enquire and know they are sent around.

Mr. Slough of Lancaster had 600 dollars sent him to buy Horses: £160 of which was expended. The balance after de

See Washington's letter to the Secretary of War, September 16, 1795 (vol. 34, p. 306).