Details
WASHINGTON, GEORGE, President. Autograph letter signed ("G:Washington") to his nephew, Colonel William Augustine Washington of Bushfield plantation, Mount Vernon, 27 February 1798. 5 full pages, 4to, ___ x ___ mm. (___ x ___in.), on two four-page bifolia, the second leaf of each gathering neatly inlaid to another sheet. In very fine condition.
THE WASHINGTON GENEALOGY, MOUNT VERNON WHISKEY AND THE RESIDUAL BURDEN OF "MY LATE PUBLIC OCCUPATIONS"
A long, thoughtful letter. Washington opens with expressions of sympathy for a recent death, probably of his nephew's second wife: "Of the recent afflicting event...we had received previous accounts; and...sympathised sincerely in your sorrows. But these are the decrees of an Allwise Providence, against whose dictates the skill, or foresight of man can be of no avail; it is incumbent upon him therefore, to submit with as little repining as the sensibility of his nature will admit. This will have its course, but may be greatly ameliorated by philosophical reflection and resignation. As you have three children left, I trust they will be spared to you, and sincerely hope that in them you will find consolation and comfort."
His nephew had apparently suggested a Mr. Ashton be engaged as a clerk. The suggestion came too late: "...about a fortnight ago, I would, gladly, have employed him...; provided his expectation of compensation had come within my means; which, in truth, are hardly able to support the heavy expences I am, in a manner, unavoidably run into. Finding it impracticable to use the exercise (on horseback) which my health, business and inclination requires, and, at the same time to keep my Accounts, and perform all the writing which my late public occupations have been the means of involving me in, I resolved to employ a Clerk (if to be had on moderate wages) and accordingly, about twelve or fourteen days ago, engaged one who writes a very good hand, and said to understand Accounts and Book keeping, at $150 a year. What would have been Mr. Ashton's expectations I know not; beyond this sum, or $200 at most, I could not have gone: and if he would have been contented therewith, and the application had been made in time, I should have received him with pleasure, in preference to the person who is to come....
"The reason which you assign for giving the rudiments of education to your sons at home is a weighty and conclusive one; but much will depend upon the qualifications, and fitness of the Preceptor you employ, to render it more or less beneficial. To a certain point, tuition under the eye of Parents, or Guardians of Youth, is much to be prefered; because, the presumption is, that the propensities and passions, will be watched with more solicitude and attention by them, than by their Tutors: but when the direction of these are unfolded, and can be counteracted by the discipline of Public Schools, and the precepts of the Professors. Especially too, when the judgment is beginning to form; when pride becomes a stimulus; and the knowledge of men, as well as of Books, are to be learnt; I should give the preference to a public Seminary.
"I make use of no Barley in my Distillery (the operations of which are just commenced). Rye chiefly, and Indian Corn in a certain proportion, compose the materials from which the Whiskey is made... 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...."
"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 in their burying ground at Bridge Creek? Among your father's Papers, I thought it was likely, you might obtain some information on this head. From the coming over the 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...."
Published in Writings, ed. J.C. Fitzpatrick, 36:171-174.
THE WASHINGTON GENEALOGY, MOUNT VERNON WHISKEY AND THE RESIDUAL BURDEN OF "MY LATE PUBLIC OCCUPATIONS"
A long, thoughtful letter. Washington opens with expressions of sympathy for a recent death, probably of his nephew's second wife: "Of the recent afflicting event...we had received previous accounts; and...sympathised sincerely in your sorrows. But these are the decrees of an Allwise Providence, against whose dictates the skill, or foresight of man can be of no avail; it is incumbent upon him therefore, to submit with as little repining as the sensibility of his nature will admit. This will have its course, but may be greatly ameliorated by philosophical reflection and resignation. As you have three children left, I trust they will be spared to you, and sincerely hope that in them you will find consolation and comfort."
His nephew had apparently suggested a Mr. Ashton be engaged as a clerk. The suggestion came too late: "...about a fortnight ago, I would, gladly, have employed him...; provided his expectation of compensation had come within my means; which, in truth, are hardly able to support the heavy expences I am, in a manner, unavoidably run into. Finding it impracticable to use the exercise (on horseback) which my health, business and inclination requires, and, at the same time to keep my Accounts, and perform all the writing which my late public occupations have been the means of involving me in, I resolved to employ a Clerk (if to be had on moderate wages) and accordingly, about twelve or fourteen days ago, engaged one who writes a very good hand, and said to understand Accounts and Book keeping, at $150 a year. What would have been Mr. Ashton's expectations I know not; beyond this sum, or $200 at most, I could not have gone: and if he would have been contented therewith, and the application had been made in time, I should have received him with pleasure, in preference to the person who is to come....
"The reason which you assign for giving the rudiments of education to your sons at home is a weighty and conclusive one; but much will depend upon the qualifications, and fitness of the Preceptor you employ, to render it more or less beneficial. To a certain point, tuition under the eye of Parents, or Guardians of Youth, is much to be prefered; because, the presumption is, that the propensities and passions, will be watched with more solicitude and attention by them, than by their Tutors: but when the direction of these are unfolded, and can be counteracted by the discipline of Public Schools, and the precepts of the Professors. Especially too, when the judgment is beginning to form; when pride becomes a stimulus; and the knowledge of men, as well as of Books, are to be learnt; I should give the preference to a public Seminary.
"I make use of no Barley in my Distillery (the operations of which are just commenced). Rye chiefly, and Indian Corn in a certain proportion, compose the materials from which the Whiskey is made... 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...."
"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 in their burying ground at Bridge Creek? Among your father's Papers, I thought it was likely, you might obtain some information on this head. From the coming over the 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...."
Published in Writings, ed. J.C. Fitzpatrick, 36:171-174.