at your service, and you shall be very welcome to the use of him for her. Mrs. Washington joins me in best wishes for Mrs. Tilghman and yourself; and with sentiments of sincere esteem and regard, I am, etc.25 TO JOHN RAWLINS Mount Vernon, November 30, 1785. Sir: Your Letter and plan came safe, tho' I do not pretend to be a competent judge of this kind of work, yet from the little experience I have had in it, and from a certain knowledge that most of the mouldings and decorations are with great ease and expedition cast, of a material too which is by no means expensive, I do not scruple to declare that your Estimate exceeded my expectation. This, and not understanding the plan fully from an unaccustomedness to drawings, together with the indefinite charge of travelling expences, which may be great or little; and a desire of having something finally determined without giving the trouble of coming here again; or of fixing matters by an intercourse of letters which might be tedious and troublesome, and the first of which by no means suiting me, as I must be upon a certainty, having been twice disappointed and put to much inconvenience for want of the room. These reasons I say, have induced me to communicate my ideas to Colo. Tilghman on this business, and to authorize him on the spot to fix matters decidedly with you. Any Agreement therefore which he may make on by behalf, will be as obligatory on me as if I was present to sign and ratify it. If an Agreement takes place, I wish to know precisely, and as soon as may be, what will be previously necessary for my 25 From the "Letter Book" copy in the Washington Papers. 1785] THE DISMAL SWAMP 333 Joiners and Carpenters to do, or to prepare that there may be no delay after you arrive; for besides the inconvenience I already feel from the want of the new room, you know that to complete this, the communication with another must be opened, and that unless both are finished before the season arrives which requires fire, I shall be much distressed. Whilst the weather is warm, the Common Hall and Piazza will do very well, as substitute for the Drawing Room or Parlour; but when the weather becomes cool we must retire to a fireside. I think it highly probable that the ceilings of my upper rooms may want plaistering, which would make the job more deserving attention; some of them I am sure do, and if we can agree upon a price I may be inclined to renew the whole. I am, etc." *To GOVERNOR PATRICK HENRY Mount Vernon, November 30, 1785. Dear Sir: I have had the honor to receive your Excellency's favor of the 11th. and am much obliged to you for the Commissioners report respecting the cut from the Waters of Elizabeth River to those of Albemarle Sound. And it is with great pleasure I have since heard that that matter is in a prosperous way in our Assembly, and placed on a footing (reasonable and just I think) which is likely to meet the approbation of the Legislature of No. Carolina. It has always been my opinion since I first investigated the Great dismal Swamp as a member and manager of that Company that the most advantageous Cut would be found to be through Drummonds pond to the head of Pasquetank and I have Surveys and Notes which prove it I think, incontestably. Mr. Andrews's conjectures, with respect to Locks, I conceive is justly founded; for if the bed of the lake is above 26 From the "Letter Book" copy in the Washington Papers. the level of the Water of Elizabeth River and Pasquetank the reflux by means of the Canal being greater than the influx must undoubtedly drain the Pond and render it useless as a reservoir without these Locks; but the places at which it may be proper to establish them must I should suppose depend upon the level and suitableness of the ground to receive them after the cut is made which should be begun at the extreme ends that the water may run of[f] (and if with any velocity) to contribute to the Work. If this cut is effected, the obstructions in the Roanoke removed (which will most assuredly follow) and the inland Navigation of the Rivers James and Potomack compleated according to Law it will open channels of convenience and wealth to the Citizens of this State that the imagination can hardly extend to and render this the most favoured Country in the Universe. These measures only require a beginning to shew the practicability, ease and advantage with which they may be effected. Rappahanock and Shanondoah (the latter through a long extent of it) will follow the example and I see nothing to prevent the two branches of York River from doing the same. The consequence in the article of draught Cattle alone, and to our Roads will be inconceivably great. The latter with small amendments will always be in good order when the present number of Carriages are no longer taring them to pieces in the most inclement seasons of the year; and the ease to, and saving in the former will be felt most interestingly by the farmer and Planter in their annual operations. But until these things are accomplished and even admitting they were done, do you not think, my good Sir, that the credit, the saving, and convenience of this Country, all require that our great roads leading from one public place to another should be 1 1785] STATE ROAD WORK shortned, straightned, and established by Law; and the in the County Courts to alter them withdrawn? 335 power To me these things seem indispensably necessary, and it is my opinion they will take place in time the longer therefore they are delayed the more people will be injured by the Alterations when they happen. It is equally clear to me, that putting the lowest valuation" upon the labour of the people who work upon the roads under the existing Law and custom of the present day the repairs of them by way of Contract to be paid by an assessment on certain districts (until the period shall arrive when turnpikes may with propriety be established) would be infinitely less burthensome to the Community than the present mode. In this case too the Contractor would meet with no favor; every man in the district wd. give information of neglects; whereas negligence under the present system is winked at by the only people who know how, or can inform against the Overseers; for strangers had rather encounter the inconvenience of bad roads than the trouble of an information and go away prejudiced against the Country for the polity of it. With great esteem and respect etc. *To JAMES MADISON [V.S.L.] Mount Vernon, November 30, 1785. My dear Sir: Receive my thanks for your obliging communications of the 11th I hear with much pleasure that the Assembly are engaged, seriously, in the consideration of the revised Laws. A short and simple code, in my opinion, tho' I have the sentiments of some of the Gentlemen of the long robe against me, would be productive of happy consequences, and redound to the honor of this or any Country which shall adopt such. "The word "possible" seems to have been crossed off at this point. I hope the resolutions which were published for the consideration of the House, respecting the reference to Congress for the regulation of a Commercial system will have passed. The proposition in my opinion is so self evident that I confess I am at a loss to discover wherein lyes the weight of the objection to the measure. We are either a United people, or we are not. If the former, let us, in all matters of general concern act as a nation, which have national objects to promote, and a national character to support. If we are not, let us no longer act a farce by pretending to it. for whilst we are playing a dble. game, or playing a game between the two we never shall be consistent or respectable; but may be the dupes of some powers and, most assuredly, the contempt of all. In any case it behoves us to provide good Military Laws, and look well to the execution of them, but, if we mean by our conduct that the States shall act independently of each other it becomes indispensably neces sary, for therein will consist our strength and respectabity in the Union. It is much to be wished that public faith may be held inviolate. Painful is it even in thought that attempts should be made to weaken the bands of it. It is a dangerous experiment, once slacken the reins and the power is lost, and it is questionable with me whether the advocates of the measure foresee all the consequences of it. It is an old adage that honesty is the best policy; this applies to public as well as private life, to States as well as individuals. I hope the Port and assize Bills no longer sleep, but are awakened to a happy establishment. The first with some alterations, would, in my judgment be productive of great good to this Country; without it, the Trade thereof I conceive will ever labor and languish; with respect to the Second if it institutes a speedier Administration of Justice it is equally desirable. |