1798]

APPOINTMENT OF CUSTIS

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public Siminary, or at home under the direction of any one, gave me the first idea of bringing him forward as a Cornet of Horse. To this measure too I was induced by a conviction paramount in my breast, that if real danger threatened the Country, no young man ought to be an idle Spectator of its defence; and that, if a state of preparation would avert the evil of an Invasion, he would be entitled to the merit of proffered service, without encountering the dangers of War: and besides, that it might divert his attention from a matrimonial pursuit (for a while at least) to which his constitution seems to be too prone.

But, though actuated by these ideas, I intended to proceed no farther in the business than to provide a vacancy in one of the Troops of light Dragoons, and to consult Mrs. Stuart and his Grandmother, as to their inclinations respecting his filling it, before any intimation of it should be given to him: But, Mr. Lear hearing the matter talked of, and not knowing that this was the ground on which I meant to place the appointment (if the arrangement met the President's approbation) wrote to Washington on the subject, in order to know if it would be agreeable to him, or not, to receive it.

Under these circumstances (and his appearing highly delighted) concealment, I mean an attempt at it, would have proved nugatory. He stands arranged therefore a Cornet in the Troop to be Commanded by Lawrence Lewis (who I intended as his Mentor), Lawrence Washington junr. (of Chotanck) is the Lieutenant of the Troop. But all this it will be remembered is to be approved, first by the President, and consented to by the Senate to make it a valid act; and therefore, the less it is publicly talked of the better.

Mrs. Washington does not seem to have the least objection to his acceptance of the Commission; but it rests with Mrs. Stuart

to express her Sentiments thereon, and soon; as I requested the Secretary of War to forward the Commissions for this Troop of Light Dragoons, under cover to me.

The only hesitation I had, to induce the caution before mentioned, arose from his being an only Son; indeed the only male of his Great great Grandfathers family; but the same Providence that wd watch over and protect him in domestic walks, can extend the same protection to him in a Camp, or the field of battle, if he should ever be in one.

With Compliments to the family, and with the greatest esteem and regard &c.39

*To WILLIAM THORNTON

Mount Vernon, December 30, 1798. Dear Sir: Your favor of the 25th. instant, enclosing Messrs. Blagden and Lenthals estimate of the cost of adding a Pediment, and Parapet to the roof of my buildings in the Federal City, has been duly received, but the plan, to which it refers, did not accompany it.

This plan, and other accounts, I ought to be possessed of, and Mr. Blagden is under promise to take a copy thereof for his own use, to work by, and send me the original draught. I pray you to remind him of this promise.

Presuming that it is not necessary for Mr. Blagden's convenience that I should, at this moment, decide upon the above estimate; nor whether I shall adopt the measure at all; I shall, if no disadvantage will attend the delay, suspend my determination until I can visit the City, and receive some further explanations respecting the consequent alterations which will be occasioned

39

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

1798]

CHANGES IN BUILDING

79

by this Pediment, not at present well understood by me; owing to my entire ignorance of the technical terms in which they are expressed. At which time also, I will make arrangements for giving further pecuniary Aids.

Rules of Architecture are calculated, I presume, to give Symmetry, and just proportion to all the Orders, and parts of building in order to please the eye. Small departures from strict rules are discoverable only by the skilful Architects, or by the eye of criticism; while ninety nine of a hundred, deficient of their knowledge, might be pleased with things not quite orthodox. This, more than probable, would be the case relative to a Pediment in the Roof over the doors of my houses in the City.

That a Parapet in addition (for the reasons you have assigned) would have a pleasing and useful effect, cannot be doubted. When the roof of a building is to be seen, and when it is designed for Chambers it must be seen, something to relieve the view of a plain and dead Surface, is indispensable: for this reason it was, I thought, and still do think that Dormars are to be prefered to Sky lights in the front; on the other hand, if the roof is so flat as not to be seen at all, or so low as, in a manner to be hid by a Parapet, I should give a decided preference to Sky lights.

These ideas, as you will readily perceive, proceed from a person who avows his ignorance of Architectural principles, and who has no other guide but his eye, to direct his choice: I never, for a moment; contemplated two Pediments, one over the door of each house: my great object, was to give them the appearance of one. But as I have observed in the former part of this letter: I will suspend coming to any decision until the consequences of the proposed alterations are better understood by me.

The freedom with which you have expressed your sentiments on this occasion, is highly pleasing to me. Sorry indeed should I have been on this, as I shall be on any future occurrence, when your opinion may be asked, if they are not rendered with the utmost frankness and candour.

The compliments of the Season are presented to Mrs. Thornton, yourself &ca. by all parts of this family, and with great

esteem etc.

*To BUSHROD WASHINGTON

Mount Vernon, December 31, 1798. My dear Sir: It gave me pleasure to hear by Judge Cushing, that you had returned from your Southern Circuit in good health. I presume you will soon have to undertake another journey, when I shall hope to see you.

40

I was not unmindful of your application in behalf of Captn. Blackburne. But when the list of applicants came to be unfolded, it was found that there were so many requests of a similar nature, from Officers of the existing Corps, that it was impossible to comply with them, and difficult to discriminate; for which reasons, it was deemed best to reject them in toto; especially, as in the raising of New Corps, it rarely happens, that Officers are drawn from the old; and nothing but length of Service, or very distinguished merit, or powerful interest or influence, gives birth to the measure.

By this conveyance, I have sent to Genl Marshall, Judge Addisons charge to the Grand Juries of the County Courts of the fifth Circuit, of the State of Pennsylvania, and requested, after he had read it, to give it to you, or dispose of it in any other

Richard Scott Blackburn (Blackburne). He was captain of United States Artillery and Engineers.

manner he might think proper. This charge is on the Liberty of Speech and of the Press, and is a justification of the Sedition and Alien Laws.

But I do not believe that any thing contained in it; in Evans's"1

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Pamphlet; or in any other writing, will produce the least change in the conduct of the leaders of opposition, to the measures of the General Government. They have points to carry, from which no reasoning, no inconsistency of conduct, no absurdity, can divert them. If, however, such writings should produce conviction in the minds of those who have, hitherto, placed faith in their assertions, it will be a fortunate event for this Country.

Has any thing been done, and what, with my correspondent Mr. Langhorne? I have heard, since my return from Philadelphia, that there has been some stir in the matter, but of the result I am ignorant. The family here present the Compliments of the Season to you and Mrs. Washington. I remain your sincere friend, &c.

PS. Let me pray you to get General Lee's Deed to me, drawn agreeably to your directions, acknowledged before Witnesses; who will prove it in the General Court; and I would thank you for causing this to be done.

My Deed to Lee is also sent, to be dealt with as you and he may deem proper: for further elucidation of this subject, I send (in confidence) my letters to Genl. Lee open for your perusal; after which please to seal and deliver them. You will perceive by the duplicate in what manner I am likely to be plaughed on obtaining payment for my Dismal Swamp Land, Sold him, but not conveyed.

"Thomas Evans, a Member of Congress from Virginia.

12 Supposed to be the Address to the People of Virginia Respecting the Alien and Sedition Laws, by "A fellow-citizen of Virginia." (Richmond: 1798.)