knowledge, and, what is of equal importance, afford them the means of communicating what they have learnt to their countrymen.

"I scarcely think that any government can be properly constituted without such an establishment. As mere individuals, four things are necessary: 1, food; 2, clothing; 3, shelter; 4, mental improvement. As members of a large community, four other particulars seem to be essential; namely: 1, property; 2, marriage; 3, laws for our direction in this world; and, 4, religion to prepare us for another. But the foundation of the whole is food, and that country must be the happiest where that sine qua non can be most easily obtained. The surest means of securing abundance of food, however, is by ascertaining the best mode of raising it, and rousing a spirit of improvement for that purpose, for both of which the countenance and protection of the government of a country, through the medium of some public establishment, is essential. The trifling expense for which such an institution might be supported is another argument in its favour.

“I am induced more particularly to dwell upon this circumstance, as it might be in my power, on various occasions, to give useful hints to America, were I satisfied that they would be duly weighed, and if approved of, acted upon. For instance, you will herewith receive some Egyptian wheat, which produces at the rate of one hundred and eighty bushels per English acre. Indeed, without such a grain, so narrow a country as Egypt could never have fed such multitudes of people as it did in ancient times. I have no doubt of its thriving in America equally well. It also recently occurred to me, that in the southern states, other plants, as the New Zealand kind of hemp, might be raised in great perfection. But to introduce any new article of produce, the countenance, and in some cases the assistance, of the

government of a state is necessary. When once, however, the practicability of cultivating any article is ascertained, it cannot be of any real advantage to a nation if it stand in need of legislative aid.

"But I have already tired your Excellency with too long a dissertation, which I am persuaded you will attribute to its real cause, enthusiasm in favour of Agriculture, and respect for so valuable a friend to it as General WASHINGTON. For other particulars, I must refer to our intelligent friend Doctor EDWARDS, to whose charge I have taken the liberty of delivering a parcel, with some papers we have lately printed, &c.

"It will give me much pleasure to be of any use to Mr. KING, Mr. Gore, or Mr. PINCKNEY, during their residence in England. Indeed, I have always felt a strong desire of showing every attention in my power to any American gentleman who may have visited this country; for though our governments are now distinct, the people are in fact the same, without any possible inducement to quarrel, if they knew their respective interests, and with every reason to wish each other well, and to promote their mutual prosperity.

"Before I conclude, permit me to ask, is there no chance of seeing General WASHINGTON in England? I should be proud of his accepting an apartment in my house, and I am sure that he would meet with the most flattering reception in every part of the Island, but from none with more real attachment and regard, than from, &c."

As it is a singular circumstance, that a person in such an exalted situation as

General WASHINGTON, should have leisure to write, with his own hand, so many letters to an entire stranger, and some of them of considerable length, I have been induced to have them engraved in order to represent the hand-writing of their celebrated author: they are exact copies of those received by me. It is proposed to deposit the originals in the British Museum, as the precious relics of a great man, fit to be preserved in that valuable repository.

It may be proper to add, that the following collection contains all the letters I

have received, with the exception of two, the first of which was marked private, and is mentioned in General WASHINGTON's letters of the 15th of July, and 6th of November, 1797. It is a long and interesting paper, which, however, it would not be proper to publish at this time. The other letter was of a late date, and alludes to circumstances of a nature which it would be improper at present to communicate to the public.

To conclude, I hope that these letters will not only furnish much satisfactory information to the reader, as containing the sentiments of General WASHINGTON on agricultural and other important subjects, but will also display, to peculiar advantage, the character of the much respected author; and with the profits of the publication I trust it will be in my power to pay a proper tribute of respect to the memory of one, who, though the immediate cause of the separation between Great Britain and America, yet is the person to whom, in a great measure, is to be ascribed the good understanding which now so happily subsists between the two countries; and whose character must ever be revered, even by those with whom he contended, either in war or politics, as containing as much good, with as little alloy, as that of any individual whose memory is recorded in history.

LONDON, 29 Parliament Street, 1st March, 1800.

SINCE this Work was sent to the press, I find that one of General WASHINGTON'S most interesting letters has been lost. There is fortunately, however, an extract from it in the first volume of the Communications published by the Board of Agriculture, (p. 374,) a copy of which I beg leave to lay before the reader, from that publication.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM HIS EXCELLENCY GEORGE WASHINGTON, DATED PHILADELPHIA, 10TH DECEMBER, 1796.

"The result of the experiments entrusted to the care of Dr. FORDYCE, must be as curious as they may prove interesting to the science of husbandry. Not less so will be an intelligent solution of those queries relative to live stock, which are handed to the public.

"A few months more, say the 3d of March next, (1797,) and the scenes of my political life will close, and leave me in the shades of retirement; when, if a few years are allowed me to enjoy it, (many I cannot expect, being upon the verge of sixty-five,) and health is continued to me, I shall peruse with pleasure and edification the fruits of the exertions of the Board for the improvement of agriculture; and shall have leisure, I trust, to realize some of the useful discoveries which have been made in the science of husbandry.

"Until the above period shall have arrived, and particularly during the present

session of Congress, which commenced the 5th instant, I can give but little attention to matters out of the line of my immediate avocations. I did not, however, omit the occasion, at the opening of the session, to call the attention of that body to the importance of agriculture. What will be the result, I know not at present; but if it should be favourable, the hints which you will have it in your power to give cannot fail of being gratefully received by the members who may constitute the Board."