APPENDIX. LETTER I. GEORGE WASHINGTON, President of the United States of America, to DAVID HUMPHREYS, Minister of the United States of America, at Lisbon. MY DEAR SIR, Philadelphia, March 16th, 1791. As this letter is wholly of a private nature, I refer you to Mr. Jefferson's official communications for every thing relative to your appointment at the Court of Lisbon, &c. and shall confine myself ⚫ to acknowledging your two letters, viz. one from London, of October 31, and the other from Lisbon, of November 30, 1790; and to such general observations as may occur in the course of my writing.* * Congress finished their session the 3d inst. in the course of which they received and granted the applications of Kentucky and Vermont for admission into the union; the former after August, 1792, and the latter immediately. They made provision for the interest on the national debt, by laying a higher duty than that which heretofore existed on spirituous liquors imported or manufactured. They established a national bank. They passed a law for certain measures to be taken towards establishing a mint; and finished much other business of less importance; conducting, on all occasions, with great harmony and cordiality. In some few instances, particularly in passing the law for higher duties mentioned above, and more especially on the subject of the bank, the line between the Eastern and Southern interest appeared more strongly marked than could have been wished: the former in favour of, and the latter against those measures. But the debates were conducted with temper and candour. The convention between Spain and England seems once more to have composed the European powers, except the Empress and * The original letters will be deposited where they may be seen by the public. It is probable that the few lines now omitted will be published hereafter. the Turks: and the Emperor appears to have settled matters pretty thoroughly in his dominions. Of the state of things in France we can form no just idea, so various and contradictory are our accounts from thence; but we most devoutly wish a speedy and happy termination of the struggle which has for some time past convulsed that kingdom. Peace and tranquillity pervade the territory of the United States, except on the north-west side of the Ohio, where the frequent depredations of the Indians made it necessary to form an expedition against them last fall; but that has not been productive of the consequences which were expected from it. The Indians still continue their hostilities, and measures are now taking to convince them, if they do not see the folly of their way before they can be carried into effect, that the arm of the United States is as much to be dreaded as their friendship is to be desired. Our public credit is restored; our resources are increasing; and the general appearance of things at least equals the most sanguine expectation that was formed of the effects of the present government. I am about to set out, to-morrow or next day, on a tour through the Southern States. I am under the necessity of commencing my journey with very bad roads, in order that I may take such advantages of the season as to be leaving the southern extremity before the travelling shall be rendered disagreeable, and perhaps dangerous, by the heat. 'I expect to return to this city in the latter part of June or early in July. Since the rising of Congress I have been, and shall be till my departure, very busily engaged in making such arrangements with the several departments as will enable me to be absent for several months without interrupting public business. And if I have not said every thing in this letter that I intended, or that you might expect, it must be imputed to the hurry of the moment. But at any rate, there is one thing I must not omit, which is to tell you that I am very sincerely, Your affectionate friend, GEORGE WASHINGTON. P.S. Mrs. Washington and all the family cordially unite with me in best wishes for you. |