1797]

THE LANGHORNE LETTER 53

levelled at all those who are disposed to support the measures thereof, I feel, on public account, as much as any man can do; because (in my opinion) much evil, and no good can result from such conduct, to this country.

So far as these attacks are aimed at me, personally, it is, I can assure you, Sir, a misconception if it be supposed I feel the venom of the darts. Within me, I have a consolation which proves an antidote agt. their utmost malignity, rendering my mind in the retirement I have long panted after perfectly tranquil. I am, &c.

*To THE SECRETARY OF WAR

Mount Vernon, October 16, 1797. Dear Sir: Your favour of the 2d instt. came duly to hand. For the perusal of the enclosure I thank you. It is returned.

written to you, or to show you what danger your private letters have to encounter, in this quarter, if you have had no such late corrispondent."

The real name of "John Langhorne" is not mentioned by Nicholas, or by Washington, in his reply, November 30, post.

Nicholas writes further: "I caution you against unbosoming yourself to such corrispondts. in this part of the world, whatever their professions or requests may be... living where I do, immediately in cannon shot of the very head-quarters of Jacobinism; knowing how much you have been deceived in the principles and professions of friendship of certain characters in this quarter; and my own knowledge of their real dispositions; have determined me thus to hint to you some things which I shall make known more fully when I have the honor of a personal interview." Nicholas's letter is in the Washington Papers.

Nicholas again wrote to Washington (December 9): "Mr. Langhorne, if you know him not from his real name to that note, is a favorite nephew of your very sincere friend Mr. Jefferson, raised and educated directly by himself from a child, a constant dependent and resident in his house from that period almost to the present; and entertaining sentiments, I do assure you of my own personal knowledge, very different indeed towards you from those contained in his letter." This letter is in the Washington Papers; along with it is Nicholas's copy of the following note signed by Peter Carr, and addressed to Mr. John Scott, New Scotland. "I am informed there is a letter in your possession from General Washington to a Mr. Langhorne. I am the only person intitled to that letter, and have expected it for some time; but had began to fear from the delay, it had miscarried. Will thank you therefore to send it by the bearer." Nicholas has noted further: "Besides the above, Mr. C informed a respectable Gentleman, who first communicated this misterious business to me, that he had written to Genl. W under the name of John Langhorne."

you from

We heard with much concern, but long after the thing had happened, of the accident which befel your son. We hope he is perfectly recovered from the fall, and your billious attack. Having no news to entertain you with, and could only fill a letter with the perplexities I experience daily from workmen, and other occurrences of little moment to any besides myself, I shall conclude this letter with best respects, in which Mrs. Washington and Nelly Custis unite, to Mrs. McHenry and yourself, and with assurances of being etc.

PS. My mind during the last days of my remaining in Philadelphia was so much occupied with public and private concerns that I always forgot, when I was in your company, to enquire whether Mr. Lear had accounted to the War Office for the money he had received to purchase the Site for the Arsenal on Potomac. As I was, in some measure, the cause of his Agency in that business, I wish to know whether it is settled to your Satisfaction.

Be so good as to send the letter to Mr. Dandridge to his lodgings if he has not Sailed, or left the City.35

*To TOBIAS LEAR

Mount Vernon, Otober 24, 1797.

Dear Sir: You ask what is absolutely out of my power to comply with, unless I was to place myself exactly in the situation you represent yourself to be (without converting Bank stock into Cash, which I am not inclined to do), that is, unprepared to face my own engagements; which, for Wheat, Rye, Workmen's wages &ca. &ca. are hourly coming upon me, and expected. Three thousand dollars (without going into a 35 From the McHenry Photostats in the Library of Congress.

1797]

A HOUSEKEEPER

55

correct examination of the Accts.) is more than I have in the Bank of Alexandria, and (for running calls) in my Desk.

Had you asked for a thousand dollars of these, or if that sum would answer any valuable purpose I would, inconvenient as it might prove to me, Give a check on the Bank. Your letter being just presented, company here, and dinner ready, I can only add that I am Yr. etc.

[N.Y.P.L.]

Mount Vernon, October 26, 1797. Sir: Since you left this, yesterday I have conversed with my Manager on the subject of flour, according to your desire.

The result is, that on Tuesday next, provided immediate notice is given, he could have fifty barrels of Superfine at Alexandria. It would however, employed as my Boats are in getting materials together for my Distellery, be vastly more convenient for me to deliver it to a Vessel at my Mill.

If you take the above mentioned flour I shall expect eight dollars and a half per barrel for it. I am etc.

*To ROBERT BROOKE

[N.Y.P.L.]

Mount Vernon, October 27, 1797.

Sir: The enclosed letter from Mr. Brooke your brother, to Mr. Anderson my Manager (who were acquainted) is the best apology I can offer for giving you the trouble of receiving one from me.

It is the wish of Mrs. Washington that Mrs. Forbes would, without delay, repair to this place with her clothes &ca; where (if she has been an acceptable and competent house keeper to you, while you filled the Chair of Government of this State) there can be little doubt of her answering our purposes and will

be retained on the terms mentioned in my Advertisement, which was inserted in a Richmond Paper.

If Mrs. Forbes comes in the Stage, which I presume will be the case, she might stop at the Widow Lund Washington's (close on the Road between Colchester and Alexandria) who will either send her hither, or let us know that she is there."

A previous knowledge of the characters, one has to do with, being of some importance, you would do me a favour in giving (and it might be confidentially if you prefer it) that of Mrs. Forbes. Besides care; and A knowledge of the duties of the Station one who will see to the execution, as well as direct the measures of the Servants is indispensable in my family. One too who has spirit to enforce her orders, in doing which she will have every proper support.

I pray you to excuse the liberty I have taken in making this request. I am etc.

*To THE SECRETARY OF STATE

[N.Y.P.L.]

Mount Vernon, October 30, 1797. Dear Sir: Your favors of the 30th of August and 8th. of September have remained unacknowledged, because I had nothing to communicate that could compensate for the loss of a moment of your time, which I know is too much occupied in matters of business to be interrupted by unimportant letters. Having received the enclosed letter by the Ganges, in the twilight, and attending to the first part of the Superscription only, I broke the Seal before I discovered that it was of a public nature. And the direction of the Spanish letter being somewhat equivocal, I send it also, as well for that reason as because I could not read it after it was opened; both to be disposed as shall see fit.

you

Mrs. Forbes arrived at Mount Vernon, Dec. 6, 1797.

1797]

A LAND ENTAIL

57

I thank you for sending me your answer to the very improper letter of Mr. de Yrujo," who merited less respectful treatment. The Copying Press came safe, but does not work well; whether for want of more Springs I am unable to determine. Having a small one (which used to be getting out of order frequently, but at present does tolerably well) I do not use it at all. Should the small one fail, I will send you the other, and ask you to have its defects rectified.

From the last Philadelphia Reports respecting the Yellow fever, it is to be hoped that that dreadful malady has ceased, and the distressed Inhabitant are returning to their long forsaken homes. I wish it devoutly, on public as well as private considerations, for an equivocal state of that disorder would place the President in an embarrassing situation. With great

esteem etc.

TO BUSHROD WASHINGTON

[N.Y.P.L.]

Mount Vernon, October 30, 1797

My dear Sir: Your several letters, opinion and copy of the deed to Williams for 589 Acres of Land have been duly received and for which I offer my best thanks.

It is a little singular that the proceedings for Docking the Intail of the above mentioned Land should not be found among the Records of the Genl. Court or in the Secretary's office from whence it issued and to which it was most assuredly returned.

As the Intail of this Land was docked on account of my purchase of a part of it I retained a Copy of the writ the Pannel and Sheriffs return, from whence the enclosed is taken and is the best Information and clue it is in my power to give to direct a further search. With Affece. regard etc.

38

"Carlos Martinez, Marquis de Casa Yrujo. He was Spanish Minister to the United States.

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