To GEORGE WASHINGTON PARKE CUSTIS Mount Vernon, June 13, 1798. Dear Washington: It is now near five weeks since any person of this family has heard from you, though you were requested to write once a fortnight. Knowing how apt your grandmamma is to suspect that you are sick, or that some accident has happened to you, how could you omit this? I have said that none of us have heard from you, but it behooves me to add, that from persons in Alexandria, lately from Annapolis, I have, with much surprise, been informed of your devoting much time, and paying much attention, to a certain young lady of that place. Knowing that conjectures are often substituted for facts, and idle reports are circulated without foundation, we are not disposed to give greater credence to these than what arises from a fear that your application to books is not such as it ought to be, and that the hours that might be more profitably employed at your studies are mispent in this manner. Recollect again the saying of the wise man, "There is a time for all things," and sure I am this is not a time for a boy of your age to enter into engagements which might end in sorrow and repentance. Yours affectionately." *To JAMES LLOYD Mount Vernon, June 13, 1798. Dear Sir: I have received, and thank you, for your favour of the 6th. instant and its enclosure. It is very consoling to perceive such expressions of the spirited feelings of the Yeomanry, and other description of the 76 From the printed text in Custis's Recollections of Washington. 1798] OBTAINING A MILLER 289 people of this Country as appears in the Addresses, going from all quarters, to the President of the United States, and to Congress; and it is peculiar pleasing to find that this Spirit pervades the western parts of the Atlantic States. Much is it to be wished that, this unanimity might effect a change in the conduct, even if it should produce no conviction in the minds, of some of the leaders of opposition. What are the Sentiments of the People of Kentucky? Or has there been any reverberation yet? With esteem etc. To JOHN MCDOWELL Mount Vernon, June 13, 1798. Sir: An ardent wish that young Custis should apply closely to his studies, and conduct himself with propriety under your auspices, induces me to give you the trouble of receiving these inquiries, and to know if he is in want of anything that can be provided for him by, sir, Your etc." *To OLIVER EVANS Mount Vernon, June 14, 1798. Sir: I must give you the trouble of receiving one more letter from me, on the subject of a Miller. Your last was received the 26th. of April in which you promised to write to the Millers of Brandywine to know if one could be had from thence; since which I have heard nothing from you, or them; and the time is drawing near when I must be supplied, or be in the power of my present Miller, who has not many valuable properties to recommend him. I would thank you for an answer to this "From the printed text in Custis's Recollections of Washington. letter as soon as you make it convenient to yourself, that I may know what dependence there is of getting one, from thence, or whether I must look out else where. I am etc. *To REVEREND JEREMY BELKNAP Mount Vernon, June 15, 1798. Revd. Sir: Your favour of the 29th Ulto. accompanying the Discourse delivered on the day recommended by the President of the U States to be observed for a Fast, was received in the usual course of the Mail, from Boston; and the copies therewith sent, were forwarded agreeably to your desire. My best wishes attend the prosecution of your American Biography, and (not recollecting whether the request was made before) I desire I may be considered as a Subscriber to the first Volume. To the Proposal which came under cover to me, I have fixed my name; and will lodge the Paper in the hands of a Gentleman in Alexandria for the convenience of those who may incline to become Subscribers thereto; and thereafter to return it to you. My information relative to the family of Calvert, is more limited than the one detailed by you. I know little more of it than what is recited in the history of Virginia; but I will send a transcript of so much of your letter as relates to this subject, to a well informed Gentleman of my acquaintance in Maryland, Judge Chase, and give you the result. I know of no other Histories of Virginia than those mentioned in your letter. But I recollect well, to have heard the late Richard Bland of Prince George Cty. say, before the Revolution, that he was either possessed of, or was collecting materials, and hoped to furnish a more correct history of it than any that was then extant. He was very competent to the under 1798] THANKS FOR A DISCOURSE 291 taking, being a man of erudition and intelligence; long a member of the Councils of this State, and afterwards a member of the first Congresses that were held in Philadelphia: I cannot add however that he was the Author of the M. S78 transmitted to you by Carter B. Harrison. Colo. Bland, the person of whom I am speaking, has been dead more than twenty years. Bishop Madison, with whom you seem to be in the habit of corresponding, is as likely to give information on the point saught after by you, as any one person I am acquainted with. To the descendant of a Gentleman, (the Honble Richd Corbin, many years deceased) who it is said possessed some valuable notes relative to ancient transactions, and the actors of those times in this State, I will write; and if any thing worthy of notice is, obtained, you shall be furnished therewith. If I can render you any service, in procuring materials for your valuable Biography, I shall feel pleasure in doing it. I hope both life and health will be dispensed to you by him, in whose hands all things are, until this and many others of your good works are completed. For the Discourse, which you were so obliging as to send me, and for the favourable sentiments with which it was accompanied, I pray you to accept the best thanks of Revd. Sir, &c. *To THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES Mount Vernon, June 17, 1798. Dear Sir: I have heard with much pleasure, that you contemplate a visit to the City designated for the permanent Seat of Government of the U. States, in the course of the Summer, or early in Autumn. 78 Manuscript. It is unnecessary, I hope, for me in that event, to express the satisfaction it would give Mrs. Washington and me to see Mrs. Adams, yourself and Company in the shade of our Vine and Fig tree; but I shall request that while you remain in these parts, that you would make Mount Vernon your Head Quarters. It is but about 17 Miles by land, and less by water from the Federal City; and only half that distance from Alexandria, which is on the direct rout between them. I pray you to believe that, no one has read the various approbatory Addresses, which have been presented to you, with more heart-felt satisfaction than I have done; nor are there any who more sincerely wish that your Administration of the Government may be easy, happy, and honorable to yourself, and prosperous for the Country. Present, if you please, the best respects of Mrs. Washington, Miss Custis and myself to Mrs. Adams and Miss Smith, accept them yourself, and be assured of the high esteem and regard, with which I have the honor &c. *To JUSTICE SAMUEL CHASE Mount Vernon, June 17, 1798. Dear Sir: A letter of which the enclosed is an extract, has lately been received by me from the Reverend Mr. Belknap (of New Hampshire) who is writing an American Biography. As Mr. Belknap is a man of character and abilities, writes well, and seems anxious to be correct in what he gives to the World, he merits encouragement; and Aid from those who have it in their power to afford it. If I was able to solve the queries contained in the extract, I would have asked no assistance; but having no knowledge of the family of Calvert, further than is recited in the history of Virginia, and believing that |