plicity of rural life. It will diversify the scene, and may give you a higher relish for the gayeties of the court, when you return to Versailles. In these wishes, and in most respectful compliments, Mrs. Washington joins me. With sentiments of strong attachment, and very great regard, I have the honor to be, Madam, &c.

MADAM,

TO MISS SIDNEY LEE.

*

Mount Vernon, 15 April, 1784.

I fear you will think me inattentive to your commands. Appearances are against me, but I have not been unmindful of your request, or my promise. During my continuance with the army, I wrote several letters to Mr. Drew, clerk of the court in which the will of Major-General Lee was recorded; all of which I presume miscarried; as the first letter he acknowledged having received from me was written in December last, after I had retired to this seat. His letter will account for the delay, which took place afterwards; and the 'sending to Richmond, which is at a considerable distance from hence, to obtain the governor's certificate, has filled up the great measure of time, which has elapsed since my promise to procure you an attested copy of the will; and this, I hope, will plead for my seeming neglect. Berkeley is a remote county, much out of the post road, which may account for the miscarriage of my letters to Mr. Drew. Your application to me, Madam, required no apology. I

* The sister of General Charles Lee. She resided at Chester in England, and after her brother's death she wrote to General Washington, requesting his aid in procuring a copy of her brother's will, and information respecting the state in which his affairs had been left.

only regret, that it has not been in my power to comply with your request sooner. If there is any thing further, in which I can be serviceable, I pray you to command me. I have the honor to be, &c.

TO GOVERNOR TRUMBULL.

DEAR SIR,

Philadelphia, 15 May, 1784.

It was with great pleasure and thankfulness I received a recognisance of your friendship, in your letter of the 20th of last month.

It is indeed a pleasure, from the walks of private life to view in retrospect all the meanderings of our past labors, the difficulties through which we have waded, and the happy haven to which the ship has been brought. Is it possible, after this, that it should founder? Will not the All-wise and All-powerful Director of human events preserve it? I think he will. He may, however, for some wise purpose of his own, suffer our indiscretions and folly to place our national character low in the political scale; and this, unless more wisdom and less prejudice take the lead in our government, will most certainly happen.

Believe me, my dear Sir, there is no disparity in our ways of thinking and acting, though there may happen to be a little in the years we have lived, which places the advantage of the correspondence on my side, as I shall benefit by your experience and observations; and no correspondence can be more pleasing to me than that, which originates from similar sentiments and similar conduct through (though not a long war, the importance of it and attainments considered,) a painful contest. I pray you, therefore, to

VOL. IX.

6

D*

continue me among the number of your friends, and to favor me with such observations and sentiments as may occur.

As my good friend, Colonel Trumbull, is perfectly acquainted with the proceedings of the meeting, which brought us together, our embarrassments and final decision, I will refer the detail of them to him. With the most perfect esteem and regard, I have the honor to be, &c.

TO PHILIP SCHUYLER.

MY DEAR SIR,

Philadelphia, 15 May, 1784.

It has long been my wish, and, until lately, my intention, to proceed from the present meeting of the Cincinnati to the Falls of Niagara, and probably into Canada. Two causes, however, prevent it. My private concerns are of such a nature, that it is morally impossible for me to be absent long from home at this juncture. It is indeed exceedingly inconvenient for me to be from home at all. The other is, that I am not disposed to be indebted for my passport to Niagara to the courtesy of the British, who are still I believe possessed of our western posts.

I cannot but thank you, however, my dear Sir, for the polite and friendly offers contained in your letters of the 6th and 12th instant, both of which are safe at hand. If ever I should have it in my power to make an excursion of that kind, nothing could add more to the pleasure of it than having you of the party.

We have been amazingly embarrassed in the business that brought us here. It is now drawing to a conclusion, and will soon be given to the public. Oth

erwise I would give it to you in detail.* Mrs. Washington is not with me at this place, otherwise sure she would join me in best respects to Mrs. Schuyler and yourself. I am, with great esteem, &c.

TO COUNT D'ESTAING.

Philadelphia, 15 May, 1784.

SIR,

I cannot express to you all the gratitude, which I feel, for the very great politeness manifested for me in your letter of the 25th of December, which I now have the honor to acknowledge. The very tender and friendly regards, which you are pleased to mention as possessing your mind for my person and character, have affected me with the deepest sensibility, and will be for ever remembered, as a most agreeable token from the Count d'Estaing; for whose character as a gentleman and a soldier, and for whose attention to the American interests and cause, I have been impressed with the highest veneration.

I feel myself happy, that your Excellency countenances with so much cordiality the association formed by the officers of the American army;' a bond of cement, Sir, which, if any thing could be wanting for that purpose, will, I trust, render durable and permanent those mutual friendships and connexions, which have happily taken root between the officers of your army and ours. And I am peculiarly happy to be able to inform you, that the wishes expressed in your letter are more than fulfilled; since, by the institution of our Society, as amended and altered at their general meet

* See APPENDIX, No. I.

ing in this city held during the present month, which will be officially forwarded to the Society in France, your Excellency will find that the honors of it are extended, not only to the few gentlemen honored by your particular mention, but to all the captains ranking as colonels in your navy; which, although not clearly expressed in the original constitution, is now in the fullest terms provided for, and not left to doubtful inference.

I am much pleased with the prospect of soon having the gratification of seeing in this country our mutual and worthy friend Lafayette. Be assured, Sir, I shall be among the warmest of his friends, who will welcome him to the American shore, and rejoice in an opportunity to embrace him in my arms. I am pleased that our confidence in Major L'Enfant has been so honorably placed, and that the business entrusted to that gentleman's conduct has been executed to so great satisfaction. With the highest regard, I am, &c.

TO COUNT DE ROCHAMBEAU.

MY DEAR COUNT,

Philadelphia, 16 May, 1784.

This letter will be handed to you by our mutual friend, General Armand, Marquis de la Rouerie. The merits of this gentleman, and his military services in this country, are too well known to you to require any commendation from me. If they did, he is possessed of the fullest testimony. He now wishes promotion and employment in the service of his country, and, as he is deserving of it, I wish he could be indulged; but good wishes are all I can afford, as it has been an established principle with me to avoid personal applications. The disposition of his Prince to reward the