This State did a handsome thing, and in a handsome manner for me; in each of these navigations they gave me and my heirs forever fifty shares; but as it is incompatible with my principles, and contrary to my declarations I do not mean to accept of them. But how to refuse them, without incurring the charge of disrespect to the country on the one hand, and an ostentatious display of disinterestedness on my part on the other, I am a little at a loss: time and the good advice of my friends must aid me, as the Assembly will not meet 'till Octor., and made this gratuitous offer among, if not the last act of the last session, as if they were determined I should not resolve what to do from the first impulse. Mrs. Washington joins me in every good wish for you, and with sentiments of attachment and regard, I am, &c.

DEAR SIR:

TO BURWELL BASSETT.

MOUNT VERNON, 23rd May, 1785.

It would have given me much pleasure to have seen you at Richmond; and it was part of my original plan to have spent a few days with you at Eltham whilst I was in the lower parts of the country; but an intervention of circumstances not only put it out of my power to do the latter, but would have stopped my journey to Richmond altogether, had not the meeting, the time and the place been of my own appointing. I left company at home when I went away who proposed to wait my return-among whom

a Mr. Pine, an artist of eminence, came all the way from Philadelphia on purpose for some materials for an historical painting which he is about, and for which he was obliged to stay till I got back, which I did after an absence of eight days only.

My nephew, Geo. Aug. Washington, is just returned from his perigrination, apparently much amended in his health, but not quite free from the disorder in his side. I have understood that his addresses to Fanny were made with your consent, and I now learn that he is desirous, and she is willing, to fulfil the engagement they have entered into, and that they are applying to you for permission to do so.

It has ever been a maxim with me through life, neither to promote nor to prevent a matrimonial connection, unless there should be something indispensably requiring interference in the latter. I have always considered marriage as the most interesting event of one's life, the foundation of happiness or misery. To be instrumental therefore in bringing two people together, who are indifferent to each other, and may soon become objects of disgust; or to prevent a union which is prompted by the affections of the mind, is what I never could reconcile with reason, and therefore neither directly nor indirectly have I ever said a word to Fanny or George, upon the subject of their intended connection, but as their attachment to each other seems of early growth, warm and lasting, it bids fair for happiness. If therefore, you have no objection, I think, the sooner it is consummated the better.

I have just now informed them both (the former through Mrs. Washington) that it is my wish they should live at Mt. Vernon.

It is unnecessary, I hope, to say how happy we should be to see you, her brothers, and any of her friends, who can make it convenient and are disposed, at this place on this occasion. All here join in best wishes for you.

SIR,

TO WILLIAM MINOR.

MOUNT VERNON, 27 May, 1785.

My objection to paying your account when herewas, now is, and whether it is done or not, will be— that it comes neither under the letter nor spirit of my letter to Mr. Baker. My object was to give Lawce. Posey' a year's schooling to fit him for some of the better occupations of life :-to do this, I agreed to pay his board also, both of which together, I was inform'd would amount at the free school to £17-Md. Curry. What followed? Why, he neither went to the school nor boarded with the person under whose care he was intended to be put-this by your own confession. Is it just, is it reasonable then that I should look back to expenses which had been incurred previous to the date of my letter, or even forward to what might be incurred, if the end which I had in view was not to be answered by it? If the child did not go to the school nor derive the benefits

1 Amelia Posey, his sister, was for some years in the keeping of Mrs. Washington.

which were intended him from it, could it be supposed I meant to pay for his board without; when his father's house and eye were more proper than any other? Might he not as well have been at home with his father, as at any other place idle? Upon these grounds it was, and under this state I repeat it, that if there is a disinterested man upon earth, who will say I ought to comply with your request, I will do it and you may have the chusing of him or them; for it does not suit me to go from home on this business. I am, &c.

DEAR SIR,

TO TENCH TILGHMAN. 1

MOUNT VERNON, 2 June, 1785.

As your letter of the 30th ulto. did not reach me until late this afternoon, and the Post goes from Alexa. at 4 oclock in the morning I have scarcely a moment (being also in company) to write you a reply. I was not sufficiently explicit in my last. The terms upon which Mr. Falconer came to this country are too high for my finances-and (to you, my dear Sir, I will add) numerous expences. I do not wish to reduce his (perhaps well founded) expectations; but it behooves me to consult my own means of complying with them.

1 Washington had for some time been endeavoring to hire a “single man of good character and decent appearance (because he will be at my table, and with my company,) of liberal education, and a master of composition," to serve as secretary, and had written Tilghman on the matter.

I had been in hopes, that a young man of no great expectations might have begun the world with me for about fifty or sixty pounds-, but for one qualified in all respects to answer my purposes, I would have gone as far as seventy-five-more would rather distress me.

My purposes are these-To write letters agreeably to what shall be dictated. Do all other writing which shall be entrusted to him. Keep Accts.-examine, arrange, and properly methodize my Papers, which are in great disorder.-Ride, at my expence, to such other States, if I should find it more convenient to send, than attend myself, to the execution thereof. And, which was not hinted at in my last, to initiate two little children (a girl of six and a boy of 4 years of age, descendants of the deceased Mr. Custis, who live with me and are very promising) in the first rudements of education. This to both parties, would be mere amusement, because it is not my wish that the Children should be confined. If Mr. Falconer should incline to accept the above stipend in addition to his board, washing and mending,—and you (for I would rather have your opinion of the gentleman than the report of a thousand others in his favor) upon a close investigation of his character, Temper and moderate political tenets (for supposing him an Eglish man, he may come with prejudices, and doctrines of his Country) the sooner he comes, the better my purpose would be promoted.

If I had had time, I might have added more, but to you it would be unnecessary.-You know my wants. -You know my disposition-and you know what kind