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went out with the hounds but found nothing, tho much ground was gone over. December 28.-Went out with the hounds to day-took the drag of a fox within my Muddy hole Inclosures, and found him in Stiths field (lately Herberts) run him hard about half an hour-came to a cold drag & then lost him."-Washington's Diary.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29.

At Mount Vernon: "December 29.-Rid (the hollidays being end) to the Plantations at the Ferry, Frenchs, Dogue Run, and Muddy hole."- Washington's Diary.

1788.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 1.

At Mount Vernon: "I have the pleasure to inform you, that there is the greatest prospect of its [the Constitution] being adopted by the people. It has its opponents, as any system formed by the wisdom of man would undoubtedly have; but they bear but a small proportion to its friends, and differ among themselves in their objections. Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey have already decided in its favor, the first by a majority of two to one, and the two last unanimously."— Washington to William Gordon.

The National Constitution was ratified by the different States in the following order: Delaware, December 7, 1787; Pennsylvania, December 12; New Jersey, December 18; Georgia, January 2, 1788; Connecticut, January 9; Massachusetts, February 6; Maryland, April 28; South Carolina, May 23; New Hampshire, June 21; Virginia, June 25; New York, July 26; North Carolina, November 21, 1789; Rhode Island, May 29, 1790.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 5.

At Mount Vernon: "January 5.—About Eight oclock in the evening we were alarmed, and the house a good deal endangered by the soot of one of the Chimneys taking fire & burning furiously, discharging great flakes of fire on the Roof but happily by having aid at hand and proper exertion no damage ensued."- Washington's Diary.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 8.

At Mount Vernon: "There are some things in the new form, I will readily acknowledge, which never did, and I am persuaded never will, obtain my cordial approbation; but I did then conceive, and do now most firmly believe, that in the aggregate it is the best constitution that can be

obtained at this epoch, and that this, or a dissolution of the Union, awaits our choice, and is the only alternative before Thus believing, I had not, nor have I now, any hesitation in deciding on which to lean."- Washington to Edmund Randolph.

us.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9.

At Mount Vernon: "January 9.-Col' [Edward] Carrington came here to Dinner-I continued at home all day."- Washington's Diary.

"January 10.-Colo Carrington left this after breakfast (on my horses) for Colchester; to meet the Stage."— Washington's Diary.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5.

At Mount Vernon: "Perceiving that the Federalist, under the signature of PUBLIUS, is about to be republished, I would thank you to forward to me three or four copies, one of which to be bound, and inform me of the cost."- Washington to James Madison, at New York.

The Federalist," a collection of essays written in favor of the new Constitution by James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton, under the signature of PUBLIUS, was first published in book form at New York in May, 1788, in two 12mo volumes. Only one copy of the book is included in the inventory of the library at Mount Vernon, made after the death of Washington. It was valued at one dollar and a half. These volumes, handsomely bound, were sold at Philadelphia in November, 1876, for one hundred dollars, and resold February, 1891, in the same city, for nineteen hundred dollars.

Under date of August 28, 1788, Washington wrote to Alexander Hamilton, "As the perusal of the political papers under the signature of PUBLIUS has afforded me great satisfaction, I shall certainly consider them as claiming a most distinguished place in my library. I have read every performance, which has been printed on one side and the other of the great question lately agitated, so far as I have been able to obtain them; and, without an unmeaning compliment, I will say, that I have seen no other so well calculated, in my judgment, to produce conviction on an unbiassed mind, as the production of your triumvirate."

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13.

At Mount Vernon: "February 13.-The Marq' de Chappedelaine (introduced by letters from Gen' Knox, Mr Bingham &c) Capt Enew (a British Officer) Col° Fitzgerald, Mr Hunter, M' Nelson & Mr Ingraham came here to Dinner -all of whom returned [to Alexandria] after it except the last."-Washington's Diary.

"February 14.-On my return from Riding [to the plantations], I found the Marq' de Chappedelaine and Docter Lee here—both of whom stayed all Night. February 15.-Let out a Fox (which had been taken alive some days ago) and after chasing it an hour lost it. The Marquis de Chappedelaine & Mr Ingraham returned to Alexandria after Dinner."—Washington's Diary.

FRIDAY, MARCH 14.

At Alexandria: " March 14.-Went with M" Washington to Alexandria-Visited Capt Conway Doct' Craik, Col' Sam' Hanson, Mr Murray, & Mr Porter with the last of whom we dined-returned in the Even."- Washington's Diary.

"March 17.-Went up [to Alexandria] (accompanied by Colo Humphreys) to the Election of Delegates to the Convention of this State (for the purpose of considering the New form of Governm' which has been recommended to the United States); When Doct' Stuart and Colo [Charles] Simms were chosen with out opposition-Dined at Col Fitzgeralds and returned in the Evening."- Washington's Diary.

TUESDAY, MARCH 18.

At Mount Vernon: "March 18.-Mr Madison on his way from New York to Orange [County] came in before dinner and stayed all Night. March 20.—M* Madison (in my Carriage) went after breakfast to Colchester to fall in with the Stage."- Washington's Diary.

SUNDAY, APRIL 6.

At Mount Vernon: "April 6.-Sent my two Jackasses to the Election at Marlborough in Maryla that they might be seen."-Washington's Diary.

TUESDAY, APRIL 8.

At Abingdon: "April 8.-About 10 oclock, in company with Col Humphreys, M" Washington, Harriott Washington* and Washington Custis I set of for Abingdon-where we dined and stayed all Night. April 9.—Dined at Abingdon and returned home in the evening-all, except Harriot Washington."- Washington's Diary.

SUNDAY, APRIL 13.

At Alexandria: "April 13.-Went to Church at Alexandria accompanied by Col° Humphreys Mr Lear, & Washington Custis-brought Hariot Washington home with us who had been left at Abingdon & came to Church with Mr Stuart."- Washington's Diary.

At Alexandria, Washington attended Christ Church (Protestant Episcopal), erected in 1773, and still standing, the present rector being the Rev. Berryman Green. The Rev. David Griffith, chaplain of the Third Virginia Regiment in the Revolution, and who was a frequent visitor at Mount Vernon, officiated from 1780 until his decease in 1789. Dr. Griffith was succeeded by Bryan Fairfax, brother of George William Fairfax, of "Belvoir," who served from 1790 to 1792. The Rev. Thomas Davis, toward whose salary Washington made an annual subscription of ten pounds, and who officiated at his funeral, succeeded Mr. Fairfax. The church owns a Bible, presented to it by George Washington Parke Custis, which formerly belonged to General Washington.

MONDAY, APRIL 21.

At Alexandria: " April 21.-Went to Alexandria to the Election of a Senator for the district and delegates for the County in the General Assembly-when Mr Pope was chosen for the first and Mr Roger West, and Doct' Stuart for the latter-Dined at Doct' Crks and came home in the evening."- Washington's Diary.

MONDAY, APRIL 28.

At Mount Vernon: "All the public attention has been, for many months past, engrossed by a new constitution. It

*The youngest child of Samuel Washington, brother of the General, who died in 1781. She married (July 4, 1796) Andrew Parks, of Baltimore.

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