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TRANSCRIPT GLC 2437.53.061
George Washington. Letter signed: Mount Vernon, to Henry Knox,
1785 January 5. 5 p. + doc.
Mount Vernon 5th. Jan. 1785
My dear Sir,
About the beginning of last month I wrote you a pretty long
letter, & soon after, received your favor of the 23d.
of November. – It is not the letters from my friends
which give me trouble – or adds ought to my perplexity.
– I receive them with pleasure, and pay as much attention
to them as my avocations will admit. – It is references
of old matters with which I have nothing to do . – Applications,
which oftentimes cannot be complied with. – Enquiries,
which would employ the pen of a historian to satisfy. –
Letters of compliment, as unmeaning perhaps as they are troublesome,
but which must be attended to. – And the commonplace
business, which employs my pen & my time; - often disagreeably
-.
Indeed, these with company, deprive me of exercise, and unless
I can obtain relief, may be productive of disagreeable consequences.
–I already begin to feel the effect. – Heavy,
& painful oppressions of the head, and other disagreeable
sensations, often [strike-out] trouble me. I am determined
therefore to employ some person who shall ease me of the drudgery
of this business. – At any rate, if the whole of it
is thereby suspended, I am resolved to use exercise. –
My private concerns also, require infinitely more attention
than I have given, or can give, under present circumstances.
– They can no longer be neglected without involving
my ruin. This [2] my dear Sir, is a friendly communication
– I give it in testimony of my unreservedness with you
- & not for the purpose of discouraging your letters;
- for be assured that, to corrispond with those I love is
among my highest gratifications, and I perswade myself you
will not doubt my sincerity when I assure you, I place you
among the foremost of this class. – Letters of friendship
require no study, the communications are easy, and allowances
are expected, & made. – This is not the case with
those which require re-searches, consideration – recollection
– and de[vi]l knows what to prevent error, and to answer
the ends for which they are written. –
In my last I informed you that I was endeavoring to stimulate
my Countrymen to the extension of [inserted: the] inland Navigation
of our rivers; and to opening of the best and easiest communication
for Land transportation between them and the western waters.
– I am just returned from Annapolis to which place I
was requested to go by our Assembly (with my bosom friend
Genl. G[a]tes, who being at Richmond contrived to edge himself
into the Commission) for the purpose of arranging matters,
and forming a Law which should be similar in both States,
so far as it is respected the river Potomack, which separates
them. – I met the most perfect accordance in that legislature;
& the matter is now reported to ours, for its concurrence.
–
The two Assemblies (not being in Circumstances to undertake
this business wholly [3] at the publick expence) propose to
incorporate such private Adventurers as shall associate for
the purpose of extending the navigation of the River from
the tide water as far up as will admit Craft of ten Tons burthen,
& to allow them a per[pe]tual toll & other emoluments
to induce them to subscribe freely to a Work of such magnitude;
whilst they have agreed (or, I should rathersay, probably
will agree, as the matter is not yet concluded in the Virginia
Assembly) to open, at the public expence, the communication
with the Western territory. – To do this [inserted:
will] be a great political work – May be immensely extensive
in a commercial point – and beyond all question, will
be exceedingly beneficial for those who advance the money
for extending the Navigation of the river, as the tolls arising
therefrom are to be held in perpetuity, & will increase
every year. –
Rents have got to such an amazing height in Alexandria, that
(having an unimproved lot or two there) I have thoughts, if
my finances will support me in the measure, of building a
House, or Houses thereon for the purpose of letting.
-In humble imitation of the wise man, I have set me down to
count the cost; and among other heavy articles of expenditure,
I find lime is not the smallest.
-Stone lime with us, owing to length of (land) transportation
comes very high at that place. Shell lime, from its weakness,
& the consequent quantity used, is far from being low
– These considerations added to a report that this article
may [4] be had from your State by way of Ballast, upon terms
much easier than either can be bought here, inclines me without
making an apology, to give you the trouble of enquiring from
those who might be disposed to enter into a contract therfor,
& can ascertain the fact with precision,
1st. – At what price by the Bushel, a quantity of slaked
stone lime could be delivered at one of the Wharves at Alexandria
(freight & every incidental charge included), or to a
Lighter opposite to my own House. –
2d. – At what price burnt limstone, but unslaked (if
it be safe to bring such) could be delivered as above.
3d. – At what price unburnt limstone, could be delivered
at the latter place.
In the last case, it might I should suppose, come as Ballast
very low. – In the Second, it might also come as Ballast,
and (tho’ higher than the former, yet) comparatively,
cheap, if the danger of waters getting to it, and its slaking
& heating in the Hold, would [inserted: not] be too great
– In the first case, there would be no certainty of
its goodness, because lime from the late judicious experiments
of a Mr. Higgins, should be used as soon as it is slaked;
and would be still better, if it was so, immediately after
burning; as Air as well as Water; according to his observations,
weakens & injures it. – Your information upon these
points from those who might incline to Contract, and on whom
dependance could be placed, would much oblige [5] me –
and the sooner I get it the better, as my determination is
suspended. –
Our amiable young friend the Marquis de la Fayette could
not be otherwise than well pleased with his reception in America.
– Every testimony of respect, affection & gratitude
has been shewn him, wherever he went; - if his heart therefore
has not been impressed with these [inserted: expressions]
(which I am far from supposing) the political consequence
which he will derive from them must bear them in [ inserted:
his] remembrance, & point to the advantages wch. must
flow. –
You informed me that Mrs. Knox had got another – but
left me to guess, boy or girl. – On the birth of either
Mrs. Washington & I sincerely congratulate you both; and
offer our best wishes for you all. – hoping the good
health which Mrs. Knox & the children enjoyed at the time
your letter was written, may be of long continuance. –
The report of my coming to Boston was without foundation
- I do not, at this time, know when, or whether ever, I may
have it in my power to do this, altho’ to see my compatriots
in War, would be great gratification to my mind. – With
every sentiment of esteem and friendship,
I am, My dear Sir,
Yr. Most Obedt., & Affect Ser
Go: Washington
General Knox
[docket]
from his Excell Gen Washington
5 Jany. 1785
[inserted – diff. hand: Original No 25- ]
Notes: Pulbished in Fitzpatrick, John C. The Writings of
George Washington. v. 28, pp.23-6. GLC 2437.52.154 is a duplicate
of this document.
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