I have this moment received your Excellency's polite letter of to-day, and have the honor to inform you, that, in consequence of suggestions made by the gentlemen from Boston, and the deputy adjutantgeneral, whom I met at Worcester this morning, that it would make it more convenient for the troops, many of whom lived at a distance from the place of parade, if I should pass through Cambridge at an earlier hour than I intended, I thought it best to alter the time of my arrival at that place, which I had the pleasure to mention to your Excellency in my letter of yesterday; and the alteration, which I had made, I immediately communicated to you by a letter, which the gentlemen from Boston were so kind as to take charge of. But lest any accident should prevent that letter from getting to your hands, I would here mention, that it is my determination to be at Cambridge tomorrow at ten o'clock, and from thence proceed to Boston as soon as circumstances will permit, where it is probable I may arrive by twelve o'clock; and I will do myself the honor to accept your Excellency's polite invitation to take an informal dinner with you. I have the honor to be, &c.* * For further particulars respecting the President's visit to Boston, see APPENDIX, No. VII. While President Washington was on his return, he stopped for a short time at Hartford, whence he wrote the following note. "SIR, "TO MR TAFT, NEAR UXBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS. "Hartford, 8 November, 1789. "Being informed that you have given my name to one of your sons, and called another after Mrs. Washington's family, and being moreover SIR, TO WILLIAM DRAYTON. 1 Newt. Muse New York, 18 November, 1789. The office of judge of the District Court in and for South Carolina district having become vacant,* I have appointed you to fill the same, and your commission therefor is enclosed. You will observe that the commission, which is now transmitted to you, is limited to the end of the next session of the Senate of the United States. This is rendered necessary by the constitution of the United States, which authorizes the President to fill up such vacancies as may happen during the recess of the Senate; and appointments so made shall expire at the end of the ensuing session unless confirmed by the Senate. However, there cannot be the smallest doubt but the Senate will readily ratify and confirm this appointment, when your commission in the usual form shall be forwarded to you. I presume, Sir, it is unnecessary for me to advance any arguments to show the high importance of the judicial system to our national government, and of course the necessity of having respectable and influ very much pleased with the modest and innocent looks of your two daughters, Patty and Polly, I do for these reasons send each of these girls a piece of chintz; and to Patty, who bears the name of Mrs. Washington, and who waited more upon us than Polly did, I send five guineas, with which she may buy herself any little ornaments she may want, or she may dispose of them in any other manner more agreeable to herself. As I do not give these things with a view to have it talked of, or even to its being known, the less there is said about the matter the better you will please me; but, that I may be sure the chintz and money have got safe to hand, let Patty, who I dare say is equal to it, write me a line informing me thereof, directed to The President of the United States at New York.' I wish you and your family well, and am your humble servant." office. Thomas Pinckney was first appointed, but declined accepting the onit VOL. X. 7 E ential characters placed in the important offices of it. The love, which you bear our country, will, I am persuaded, lead you to do every thing in your power to promote its welfare; and upon this principle I flatter myself you will accept the above appointment. I am, Sir, &c. From the original letter, which I forward herewith, your Excellency will comprehend the nature of a proposal for introducing and establishing the woollen manufactory in the State of Virginia. In the present stage of population and agriculture, I do not pretend to determine how far that plan may be practicable and advisable; or, in case it should be deemed so, whether any or what public encouragement ought to be given to facilitate its execution. I have however no doubt, as to the good policy of increasing the number of sheep in every State. By a little legislative encouragement the farmers of Connecticut have, in two years past, added one hundred thousand to their former stock. In my late tour through the eastern States I found, that the manufacturers of woollens (for the manufacture of woollens is carried on there to very considerable extent and advantage) preferred the wool raised in Virginia for its fineness, to that raised in more northern parts of the continent. If a greater quantity of wool could be produced, and if the hands, which are often in a manner idle, could be employed in manufacturing it, a spirit of industry might be promoted, a great diminution might be made in the annual expenses of individual families, and the public would eventually be exceedingly benefited. Under these impressions I have thought proper to transmit the proposal, and I will only add, that, if it should be judged expedient to submit the subject to the legislature, or if any private company should engage in promoting the business, the necessity of keeping the manufacturer's name concealed would undoubtedly occur; as a premature knowledge of it might not only frustrate the success of the project, but also subject the person principally concerned to the most distressing consequences. I have the honor to be, &c. DEAR SIR, TO EDWARD RUTLEDGE.. Nuse New York, 23 November, 1789. I have been favored with your letter of the 31st ultimo, and am very happy to learn, that the appointments under the general government have given so much satisfaction in your part of the Union. Added to the consciousness of having brought forward such characters only to fill the several offices in the United States, as from my own knowledge or the strictest inquiries I conceived would do justice to the public, and honor to themselves, I have the happiness to find, so far as my information extends, that they are highly acceptable to the good people of this country. Your brother's acceptance of his appointment has given me much pleasure;* and I should have been glad, if Major Pinckney could have found it compatible with his interest to hold the office of District * John Rutledge had been appointed one of the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court. Judge. However, I am persuaded the duties of that office will be ably and faithfully discharged by Mr. Drayton, whom I have appointed to fill it, in consequence of your warm recommendation of him, and the concurrent testimony given of his abilities and integrity by those gentlemen, who are acquainted with him, and who have spoken to me on the subject. I am, dear Sir, with sentiments of affection, &c. TO ROBERT H. HARRISON. Mise New York, 25 November, 1789. Since my return from my tour through the eastern States, I have received your two letters, dated the 27th of last month, together with the commission, which had been sent to you as a Judge of the Supreme Court of the United States. I find that one of the reasons, which induced you to decline the appointment, rests on an idea that the judicial act will remain unaltered. But in respect to that circumstance I may suggest to you, that such a change in the system is contemplated, and deemed expedient by many in as well as out of Congress, as would permit you to pay as much attention to your private affairs as your present station does. As the first court will not sit until the first Monday in February, I have thought proper to return your commission, not for the sake of urging you to accept it contrary to your interest or convenience, but with a view of giving you a farther opportunity of informing yourself of the nature and probability of the change alluded to. This you would be able to do with the less risk of mistake, if you should find it convenient |