1798] THE WASHINGTON GENEALOGY

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not given more than 17/6, and latterly 17/. delivered at the Distillery. It has sold in Alexandria (in small quantities from the Waggons) at 16/. and 16/6. pr Barrl. but at what it goes now I am unable to inform you. So large a quantity as you have for sale may command a good price.

Is there any person in your neighbourhood in the practice of selling staves, proper for flour barrels? If so, be so good as to inform me, and at what price they could be delivered at my landing (at the Mill). Any letters for me, put into a Post Office meets a safe and ready passage but how to insure mine to you, you can best tell, and I wish to be informed.

Did you ever receive a letter from me transmitting the request of Sir Isaac Heard of the Heraldry Office in England respecting the Genealogy of our family? and my own desires to be furnished with the Inscriptions on the Tombs of our Ancestors on [illegible] Bridges Creek? Among your father's Papers, I thought it was likely, you might obtain some information on this head. From the coming over of John and Lawrence Washington brothers in the year 1657 I have been able to trace the descendents of the former; being the one from whom our family came; those of Lawrence, from whom the Chotanckers proceeded, I have not been able to give any correct account; and that is the Branch to which Sir Isaac Heard's enquiries particularly point, being tolerably well informed of the descendants from John. The enquiry is, in my opinion, of very little moment, but as Sir Isaac has interested himself in the matter and seems desirous of tracing the family from whence we are descended back, I wish to give him as correct information of it as I am able to procure.

I am very glad to hear that you enjoy tolerable good health at present, and that your children are perfectly well. It is unnecessary I hope to assure you, that at all times, when you can make it convenient, and the situation of your health will

permit, that we shall be very happy to see you at this place. Where is Mrs. Washington of Bushfield? I hope She is well. I acknowledged the receipt of her latter to me by the Post, but whether it ever got to her hands or not, I am unable to say. Probably not, as you lye out of the Post Road, and they may not be in the habit of sending to the Post Offices. Poor lady! I fear she will soon have another afflictive trial of her resignation to the Divine Will, in the death of Mrs. Corbin Washington, who from the last accts. we have had of her, cannot remain long among us. This family unite in best wishes for you, and yours, And I am &c.

*To CLEMENT BIDDLE

Mount Vernon, February 27, 1798. Dear Sir: In the latter end of Jany. I acknowledged the receipt of your letter of the 16th. of that month; writing you fully relative to several matters; on some of which (one in particular respecting the price of the best German Oznabgs.) I was in hopes I should have received an immediate answer to. Not having heard of the miscarriage of any Mail, I am at a loss to what cause to ascribe your silence; and yet, none appearing so likely, as a mishap of the letter, I forward a duplicate of it.

Ellwood arrived about the date of my last, and the articles sent by him were delivered in good order. By the first Vessel bound to Alexandria, I pray you to send me the several Articles mentioned in the enclosed list, addressed to the care of Colo. George Gilpin of that place. I am etc.

Sundries, to be sent from Philadelphia by Colo. Clement Biddle, for, and on A/c of George Washington; and addressed to Colo. Geo: Gilpin in Alexandria.

A Small box, say 20 or 30 lbs. of the best Imperial, or Hyson Tea

1798]

POLITICS

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Two Jars, or small boxes best Raisons

A barrel, or about 50 lbs. good Currants

50 lbs Almonds in the shell

Half a bushl. or bushel of the Ground Pease, or Pindars as they are called

A barrel, or smaller quantity of the best kind of Shell bark Hiccory Nuts or Kiska Toms as some call them.

To ALEXANDER WHITE

Mount Vernon, March 1, 1798.

Dear Sir: Your favor of the 20th. Ulto. was received yesterday. For the information it has given I thank you; although it is not of the most pleasing sort, some parts of it indeed has surprised me not a little, but neither the surprise or the cause of it, shall be communicated to any other.

My sentiments relatively to the memorial you are already possessed of, and therefore I shall add nothing more on that Subject, than the expression of a fear, that the disgraceful topic which has so long occupied the time and oratory of the House of Representatives will contribute nothing to the favorable reception and issue of it.

3

If time should hang a little heavy on your hands, while the memorial is pending in Congress the appropriation of an hour or two of it now and then, not only to inform me of the progress of that business but as a calm observer (and in confidence if you choose it) to give me your opinion of matters as they pass before you in review; for misrepresentation and party feuds have arisen to such a height, as to distort truth and to become portentous of the most serious consequences. Where or when

3

3 Representative Matthew Lyon's attack on Representative Roger Griswold.

they will terminate, or whether they can end at any point short of confusion and anarchy is now in my opinion more problematical than ever.

I had until lately entertained a hope, that the continued depredations which are committed on our Commerce, the Pacific measures, which have invariably been pursued to obtain redress, and to convince the French of our earnest wish to remain in Peace with them, and all the World; and the indignant treatment those efforts have met with, would have united all parties, and all descriptions of men (except those who wish to see the waters troubled) in a firm and temperate demand of Justice; or, in preparations for the worst: but the reverse seems more apparently than ever to be the case; and every thing that can be by the most unnatural construction is exhibited as a justification of the Conduct of France towards this Country, and in condemnation of the measures of the latter.

What seems to be the prevalent Opinion of Colo. Monroe's "View of the Conduct of the Executive of the United States ?" I do not mean the Opinion of either party; but (if such are to be found) of the dispassionate, or at least of the moderate part of both. I will make no remarks on it myself inclining rather to hear the observation of others, which I would wish to hear with the most unreserved frankness. But I will not enlarge on this or any other subject at present but conclude with assuring you that with sentiments of very great esteem etc.*

*To SAMUEL DAVIDSON'

Mount Vernon, March 2, 1798.

Sir: Your favour of the 19th. Ulto. came duly to hand, and as it was your opinion that your Nephew was not educated in

'From the "Letter Book" copy in the Washington Papers.

'Of Georgetown (District of Columbia).

1798]

DISTILLERY

177

such a manner as to answer the purpose for which I had written to Mr. T. Peter, I made no reply to it.

Since then, another opening of a different kind, has occurred, which would afford employment for your Nephew on the terms suggested to Mr. Peter, but at a different Place.

I have erected a pretty considerable Distillery at my Mill (about 3 Miles from this place) the operations of which are just commencing, under the Superintence [sic] of Mr. Anderson my Manager (an honest Countryman of yours) whose Son resides thereat, and carries it on. He requires some person of sobriety and good character, in whose integrity reliance can be placed, as an Assistant, and who, if he conducts himself with intelligence and propriety, may probably when qualified therefor, become the Manager of it himself as both the father and son will give him every insight to fit him for a competent Distiller, in their Power.

I will, as on the former occasion, allow One hundred Dollars pr. Annum on condition that he is bound to me until he is of the age of 21, or for 3 Years. His residence will be at the Distillery with young Anderson, where fit accomodations for lodging them, &ca. are provided.

I would thank you for an immediate answer as such a person as I have described is now requisite. I am etc.

*To CLEMENT BIDDLE

Mount Vernon, March 3, 1798.

Dear Sir: Since writing to you on the 27th and 28th Ulto, your letter of the 22d. has been received. I should be glad to know, as soon as you are enabled to furnish me with the means of judging, whether it will be best to buy Oznabrigs, or Ticklenbergs in Alexandria, or to send to Philadelphia for them;