W*/"&&^&^S$% ai
 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 AT LOS ANGELES 
 
 GIFT OF 
 
 Eugene E. Prussing
 
 DIARY 
 
 /WA 
 
 SHINGTON 
 
 I IKi.M INK FIKST DAY OF OCTOl'.KU. 1789, 
 
 THE TKXTH DAY OF MARCH, 1790. 
 
 NO\V FIRST PUIN'TKI). 
 
 NEW YORK: 
 
 1858.
 
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 FROM A MINIATURE BY ROBERTSON. 
 
 INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 
 
 IT has been truthfully said that posterity loves details. When we con- 
 template the men who have lived before us, and left impressions of their 
 acts upon the social aspect of the generation in which they moved, we fed 
 a great desire to become acquainted with the details of their daily lives 
 how they spent their time not devoted to those public duties which have 
 given them a title to a place in history what were their recreations in 
 times of leisure, and who were their family associates and their chosen com- 
 panions in private. Historic men really form a part of our own being, for 
 the man of to-day is only the more complete man of a thousand years ago, 
 made so by the intervening experiences. In this unity, felt, even though 
 not comprehended by us all, doubtless lies the secret spring of our yearn- 
 ings for knowledge respecting the past life of the race, and makes History 
 and Biography special delights,
 
 Vi INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 
 
 Of all the records of men's doings, none possess so lively an interest, 
 because evidently truthful, as DIARIES the current history of the common 
 every-day life of the men who made the chronicles of moving events, even 
 while the majestic procession of the hours was passing by. In these Pos- 
 terity find those details they so much love. The general historian must 
 necessarily omit many of them ; and the biographer too often leaves them 
 unnoticed while unfolding to view the public acts of his subject. And so 
 the world loses the best elements of history, by which one age may judge 
 philosophically of the character of another, which is revealed by the 
 knowledge of their common life. 
 
 There is a continual and rapid growth of a desire in the hearts of Ameri- 
 cans to know more and more of the life and character of Washington, in 
 all minute details. We listen with the most eager attention to the words 
 of revered men (now so few) who have seen the FATHER or HIS COUNTRY ; 
 and the memory receives these narratives so perfectly that, amid the thou- 
 sand other impressions, they are never effaced. Fortunately for posterity, 
 Washington was eminently a man of method. He was careful about small 
 things as well as great ; and it was his custom, from his early years, to 
 make a record of the events of his daily life, for future reference. This 
 habit he continued until the close of his life; and these notes, kept in 
 books convenient in size for carrying in the pocket, furnish some of the 
 most interesting pictures of the habits, and modes of thinking of the 
 beloved Hero and Sage, that have come down to us. Many of them have 
 disappeared, and are doubtless lost forever. Like the Sybilline leaves, 
 they are becoming more precious as their numbers decrease ; and we ought 
 to take special care that the contents of those that remain shall not be lost. 
 To do this, the agency of the printing press must be evoked in multi- 
 plying copies, in numbers sufficient to guarantee the preservation of the 
 precious words. 
 
 The DIARY printed on the following pages is one of the most interesting 
 of Washington's private recordf, made when he and his compatriots were 
 arranging and putting in motion the machinery of our federal government. 
 The original forms one of a series yet in existence, and is numbered "13" 
 on the back. It is in a small oblong volume, about four inches in width 
 and six in length, containing sixty-six leaves. In this printed copy, a few 
 illustrative and explanatory notes have been inserted, to render some 
 observations clearer to the reader.
 
 INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. Vll 
 
 The small portrait at the head of these introductory remarks was copied 
 by the annotator from a miniature painted by Archibald Robertson, in 1791, 
 who came to America in the spring of that year. It has never been 
 printed before. Robertson was the bearer to Washington of a box made of 
 wood of the oak tree that sheltered Wallace after the battle of Falkirk. It 
 was a gift to the First President, from the Earl of Buchan. The box had 
 been presented to the Earl by the Goldsmith's Company, at Edinburgh, and 
 from them he obtained leave to present it "to the only man in the world 
 to whom he thought it justly due." The President and Mrs. Washington 
 both sat to Mr. Robertson. From the miniature of the former, the artist 
 painted a large picture in oil, which he sent to the Earl of Buchan, by 
 Colonel Tobias Lear. It will be observed that Washington's artificial 
 teeth were not in his mouth when this picture was made. 
 
 B. J. L. 
 
 New York, April, 1858.
 
 lit
 
 OCTOBER, 1789. 
 THURSDAY, 1st. 
 
 Exercised in my carriage in the forenoon. 
 
 The following company dined here to-day, viz : 
 
 Mr. Read, of the Senate, Col Bland and Mr. Madison, 
 of the House of Representatives, Mr. Osgood and his lady, 
 Col- Duer, his lady and Miss Brown, Col- Lewis Morris 
 and lady, lady Christiana Griffin and her daughter, and 
 Judge Duane and Mr. Greene. 
 
 Mr. Thomas Nelson joined my family this day. 
 
 Dispatched many of the Com'ns for the Judiciary Judges, 
 Marshalls and Attorneys this day, with the Acts. 
 
 FRIDAY, 2d. 
 
 Dispatching Commissions, &c., as yesterday, for the Ju- 
 diciary. 
 
 The visitors to Mrs. Washington this evening were not 
 
 numerous. 
 
 SATURDAY, 3d. 
 
 Sat for Mr. Rammage near two hours to-day, who was 
 drawing a miniature picture of me for Mrs. Washington. 1 
 
 1. John Eamage was a native of Ireland. He married a lady in Boston, 
 and went to Halifax with the British troops in the spring of 1776. Early 
 in 1777, he established himself as a miniature painter, in William street, 
 New York, where he "continued to paint all the military heroes or beaux 
 of the garrison, and all the belles of the place," says Dunlap. For many 
 years after the war, he continued to be the best miniature painter in New 
 York, and occasionally made crayon or pastil sketches of life size. He is 
 represented as a handsome and fashionable man, of middle size, an intelli- 
 gent countenance and lively expression. He wore a scarlet coat, with
 
 12 DIABY OF 
 
 Walked in the afternoon, and sat about two o'clock for 
 Madam de Brehan, to complete a miniature profile of me, 
 which she had begun from memory, and which she had 
 made exceedingly like the original. 2 
 
 SUNDAY, 4th. 
 
 Went to St. Paul's Chapel 3 in the forenoon. Spent the 
 remainder of the day in writing private letters for to-mor- 
 row's post. 
 
 MONDAY, 5th. 
 
 Dispatched the Commissions to all the Judges of the 
 Supreme and District Courts ; and to the Marshalls and 
 Attorneys and accompanied them with all the Acts re- 
 specting the Judiciary Department. 
 
 Exercised on horseback between the hours of 9 and 11, 
 in the forenoon, and between 5 and 6 in the afternoon, 
 on foot. 
 
 Had conversation with, Col- Hamilton on the propriety 
 of my making a tour through the Eastern States during the 
 recess of Congress, to acquire knowledge of the face of the 
 
 mother-of-pearl buttons, a white silk waistcoat embroidered with colored 
 flowers, black satin breeches and paste knee-buckles, white silk stockings, 
 large silver shoe-buckles, a small cocked hat, well powdered curls, and car- 
 ried a gold-headed cane and gold snuff-box. He died soon after painting 
 the miniature of Washington. 
 
 2. This was the Marchioness de Brehan, (or Brienne,) sister of the Count 
 de Moustier, Minister from France, who, with her son, accompanied her 
 brother to this country. They all visited Mount Vernon in the autumn of 
 1788. The "miniature in profile " of the first President which she made 
 in New York, was engraved in Paris, and several impressions of it were 
 ent to Washington the following summer. See Count de Moustier 's let 
 ter to Washington, May 11, 1790, and Washington's letter to the Count- 
 November 1, 1790, in Spark's Life and Writings of Washington. 
 
 3. Washington's pew in St.- Paul's chapel was on the north side, under 
 the gallery, about half way between the chancel and the vestry room.
 
 WASHINGTON. 13 
 
 country, the growth and agriculture thereof and the tem- 
 per and disposition of the inhabitants towards the new 
 government, who thought it a very desirable plan, and 
 advised it accordingly. 
 
 TUESDAY, 6th. 
 
 Exercised in a carriage with Mrs. Washington in the 
 forenoon. 
 
 Conversed with Gen. Knox, Secretary at War, on the 
 above tour, who also recommended it accordingly. 
 
 Signed Letters of Instruction to the Governor of the 
 Western Territory respecting the situation of matters in 
 that quarter. And authorized him, in case the hostile dis- 
 position of the Indians was such as to make it necessary to 
 call out the Militia, and time would not allow him to give 
 me previous notice of it, to apply to the States of Virginia 
 and Pennsylvania for a number not exceeding 1,500 ; one 
 thousand of which to be taken from the former, and five 
 hundred from the latter. 
 
 WEDNESDAY, 7th. 
 
 Exercised on horseback, and called on the Vice-Presi- 
 dent. In the afternoon walked an hour. 
 
 Mr. Jay communicated the purpt. of the Instructions re- 
 ceived by Sir John Temple, British Consul, from the Duke 
 of Leeds, Secretary for Foreign Affairs, viz : 
 Trade. How many foreign vessels of what nations 
 
 whether from Europe or their Colonies. 
 What tonnage whether any and what difference between 
 
 British and others what on American. 
 What Port charges on foreign vessels whether any and 
 
 what difference, <fec. 
 
 What duties on foreign goods whether any and what 
 difference as to the Countries producing, and vessels 
 bringing them number of vessels built, where, &c. 
 3
 
 14 DIARY OP 
 
 Staple Commodities. Whether they encrease or dimin- 
 ishwhich in what degree and why. 
 Manufactures what where whether and how encour- 
 aged. 
 
 Emigrations From Europe, in what numbers from 
 where whether and how encouraged, &c. from Uni- 
 ted States to British and Spanish territories, <fec. 
 Population whether generally, or partially encreasing, 
 
 or diminishing, and from what causes. 
 Justice Whether there be any, and what obstructions, 
 and where, to the recovery of British Debts according 
 to treaty. 
 
 Upon consulting Mr. Jay on the propriety of my intended 
 tour into the Eastern States, he highly approved of it, but 
 observed, a similar visit w'd be expected by those of the 
 Southern. 4 
 
 With the same gentleman I had conversation on the pro- 
 priety of tak'g informal means of ascertain'g the views of 
 the British Court with respect to our Western Posts in 
 their possession, and to a Commercial treaty. He thought 
 steps of this sort advisable, and mentioned as a fit person 
 for this purpose, a Doctr. Bancroft, 5 as a man in whom en- 
 tire confidence might be placed. 
 
 4. Washington visited the Southern States in the spring of 1791. He set 
 out at about the middle of March, and was gone three months, during 
 which time he performed a journey of about nineteen hundred miles, with 
 the same span of horses. He followed the seaboard to Savannah, visited 
 Augusta, and returned by way of the ulterior of the Carolinas and Virginia. 
 
 6. Edward Bancroft, M.D , was an American by birth, but settled as a 
 physician in London. He was intimate with Dr. Franklin, and a friend to 
 the American cause during the war for independence. He was with Silas 
 Deane, in Paris, for some time ; and in the diplomatic operations of the 
 United States, during the war, he was an efficient auxiliary. Dr. Bancroft 
 was a Fellow of the Royal Society of London, and gained much repute as 
 author of ' ' An Essay on the Natural History of Guiana.' '
 
 WASHINGTON. 15 
 
 Col- Hamilton on the same subject highly approved 
 of the measure, but thought Mr. Gouv'r. Morris well 
 qualified. 
 
 THURSDAY, 8th. 
 
 Mr. Gardoqui 6 took leave, proposing to embark to-mor- 
 row for Spain. 
 
 The following company dined with me to-day, viz : 
 
 The.Vice-President, his lady and son and her niece, with 
 their son-in-law, Col- Smith and his lady Governor Clin- 
 ton and his two eldest daughters Mr. Dalton and his lady, 
 their son-in-law, Mr. Dubois, and his lady, and their other 
 three daughters. 
 
 In the evening, the Count de Moustier and Madam de 
 Brehan came in and sat an hour. 
 
 Mr. Madison took his leave to-day. He saw no impro- 
 priety in my trip to the eastward ; but with respect to the 
 private agent to ascertain the disposition of the British 
 Court with respect to the Western Posts and a Commercial 
 treaty, he thought if the necessity did not press, it would 
 be better to wait the arrival of Mr. Jefferson, who might 
 be able to give the information wanted on this head and 
 with me thought that if Mr. Gouv'r. Morris was employed 
 in this business, it would be a commitment for his appoint- 
 ment as Minister, if one should be sent to that Court, or 
 wanted at Versailles in place of Mr. Jefferson, and more- 
 over if either of these was his wish, whether his represent- 
 ations might not be made with an eye to it. He thought 
 with Col"- Hamilton, and as Mr. Jay also does, that Mr. 
 Morris is a man of superior talents but with the latter 
 that his imagination sometimes runs ahead of his judgment 
 that his manners before he is known, and where known, 
 
 6. Spanish diplomatic agent, who cauie to the United States in 1785.
 
 16 DIARY OF 
 
 had created opinions of himself that were not favourable to 
 him, and which he did not merit. 7 
 
 FRIDAY, 9th. 
 
 Exercised on horseback between the hours of 9 and 11. 
 Visited in my route the gardens of Mr. Perry and Mr. 
 Williamson. 8 
 
 Received from the French Minister, in person, official 
 notice of his having reed, leave to return to his Court, and 
 intended embarcation and the orders of his Court to make 
 the following communication, viz : 
 
 That his Majesty was pleased at the alteration which had 
 taken place in our Government, and congratulated this 
 Country on the choice they had made of a Presid't. 
 
 He added that Tie should take care to make a favourable 
 representation of the present state of things here to his Mas- 
 ter, who he doubted not would be much pleased therewith. 
 Hitherto he observed that the Government of this Country 
 had been of so fluctuating a nature, no confidence could be 
 placed on its proceedings ; wh'h caused foreign nations to 
 be cautious of entering into Treaties, &c. with the United 
 States. But under the present Government there is a head 
 to look up to and power being put into the hands of its 
 officers, stability will be derived from its doings. 
 
 The visitors this evening to Mrs. Washington were re- 
 spectable, both of gentlemen and ladies. 
 
 7. Mr. Morris was then in France, but not in any official capacity. He 
 was intrusted with the business alluded to, and Washington prepared the 
 necessary credentials for him on the 13th of October. 
 
 8. Perry's garden was on the west side of the Bloomingdale road, west of 
 the present Union Square, and occupied the ground whereon the Church 
 of the Puritans and other edifices now stand. Williamson's was a flower 
 and nursery garden, and a place of public resort, on the east side of Green- 
 wich street, extending about three squares up from Harrison street.
 
 WASHINGTON. 17 
 
 SATURDAY, 10th. 
 
 Pursuant to an engagement formed on Thursday last, I 
 set off about 9 o'clock in my barge to visit Mr. Prince's 
 fruit gardens and shrubberies at Flushing, on Long Island. 
 The Vice-President, Governor of the State, Mr. Izard, 
 Col- Smith and Majr. Jackson accompanied me. 
 
 These gardens, except in the number of young fruit trees, 
 did not answer my expectations. The shrubs were trifling, 
 and the flowers not numerous. 
 
 The inhabitants of this place shewed us what respect 
 they could, by making the best use of one cannon to salute. 
 
 On our return we stopped at the seats of General and 
 Mr. Gouvernr. Morris, and viewed a barn, of which I have 
 heard the latter speak much, belonging to his farm but it 
 was not of a construction to suit my fancy nor did the 
 conveniences of it at all answer the cost. From hence we 
 proceeded to Harlaem, where we were met by Mrs. Wash- 
 ington, Mrs. Adams and Mrs. Smith. Dined at the tavern 
 kept by a Capt. Marriner, 9 and came home in the evening. 
 
 SUNDAY, llth. 
 At home all day writing private letters. 
 
 MONDAY, 12th. 
 
 Received the compliments of the Count de Penthere, 
 commanding his most Christian Majesty's Squadron in the 
 harbour of Boston these were sent by the Marquis de 
 Traversy in the Active Frigate ; who, with all his officers 
 were presented by the French Minister about one o'clock. 
 
 9. Captain Marriner was an eccentric character, and was associated with 
 Captain Hyler in whale-boat warfare in the vicinity of New York, during a 
 part of the Ee volution. On one occasion he was concerned in an attempt 
 to capture Mayor Mathews and other violent Tories, who resided at Flat- 
 bush, near Brooklyn. Marriner lived at Harlem and on Ward's Island, for 
 many years after the war, and kept a tavern at each place.
 
 18- DIARY OF 
 
 TUESDAY, 13th. 
 
 At two o'clock received the Address from the People 
 called Quakers. 
 
 A good many gentlemen attended the Levee this day. 
 
 WEDNESDAY, 14th. 
 
 Wrote several letters to France, and about 7 o'clock in 
 the afternoon made an informal visit with Mrs. Washing- 
 ton to the Count de Moustier and Madame de Brehan, to 
 take leave of them. Into the hands of the former I com- 
 mitted these letters, viz : to the Count de Estaing, Count 
 de Rochambeau, the Marqs. de la Fayette and the Marqs. 
 de la Rouirie. 
 
 Having resolved to write to Mr. Gouvr. Morris, to re- 
 quest as a private agent that he wd. sound the intention of 
 the British Ministry with respect to their fulfilment of the 
 Treaty and dispositions towards a Commercial Treaty 
 with us, the letters were prepared and lodged in the hands 
 of Mr. Jay to forward. 
 
 THURSDAY, 15th. 
 
 Commenced my Journey about 9 o'clock for Boston and 
 a tour through the Eastern States. 
 
 The Chief Justice, Mr. Jay and the Secretaries of the 
 Treasury and War Departments accompanied me some dis- 
 tance out of the city. About 10 o'clock it began to Rain, 
 and continued to do so till 11, when we arrived at the 
 house of one Hoyatt, who keeps a Tavern at Kings-bridge, 
 where we, that is, Major Jackson, Mr. Lear and myself, 
 With six servants, which composed my Retinue, dined. 
 After dinner, through frequent light showers we proceed'd 
 to the Tavern of a Mrs. Haviland at Rye ; who keeps a 
 very neat and decent Inn. 
 
 The Road for the greater part, indeed the whole way,
 
 WASHINGTON. 19 
 
 was very rough and stoney, but the Land strong, well cov- 
 ered with grass and a luxuriant crop of Indian Corn inter- 
 mixed with Pompions (which were yet ungathered) in the 
 fields. We met four droves of Beef Cattle for the New 
 York Market, (about 30 in a drove) some of which were 
 very fine also a flock of Sheep for the same place. We 
 scarcely passed a farm house that did not abd. in Geese. 
 
 Their Cattle seemed to be of a good quality, and their 
 hogs large, but rather long legged. No dwelling house is 
 seen without a Stone or Brick Chimney, and rarely any 
 without a shingled roof generally the sides are of shingles 
 also. 
 
 The distance of this day's travel was 31 miles, in which 
 we passed through (after leaving the Bridge) East Chester, 
 New Rochelle and Mamaroneck; but as these places (though 
 they have houses of worship in them) are not regularly laid 
 out, they are scarcely to be distinguished from the inter- 
 mediate farms, which are very close together and separa- 
 ted, as one Inclosure from another is, by fences of stone, 
 which are indeed easily made, as the country is immensely 
 stoney. Upon inquiry we find their crops of Wheat and 
 Rye have been abundant though of the first they had sown 
 rather sparingly on acct. of the destruction which had of 
 late years been made of that grain by what is called the 
 
 Hessian fly. 10 
 
 FRIDAY, 16th. 
 
 About 7 o'clock we left the Widow Haviland's, and after 
 passing Horse Neck, six miles distant from Rye, the Road 
 through which is hilly and immensely stoney, and trying to 
 
 10. A small two-winged fly or midge, which has long been very destruc- 
 tive to young wheat in the United States. It has now almost disappeared. 
 It was a common opinion that it was brought from Europe by the Hessians, 
 as the German troops were called, who came over in the pay of Great 
 Britain, in 1776.
 
 20 DIARY OF 
 
 Wheels and Carriages, we breakfasted at Stamford, which 
 is 6 miles further, (at one Webb's,) a tolerable good house, 
 but not equal in appearance or reality to Mrs. Haviland's. 
 In this Town are an Episcopal Church and a meeting house. 
 At Norwalk, which is ten miles further, we made a halt to 
 feed our Horses. To the lower end of this town Sea Ves- 
 sels come, and at the other end are Mills, Stores, and an 
 Episcopal and Presbyterian Church. 
 
 From hence to Fairfield, where we dined and lodged, is 
 12 miles ; and part of it very rough Road, but not equal to 
 that thro' Horse Neck. The superb Landscape, however, 
 which is to be seen from the meeting house of the latter is 
 a rich regalia. We found all the Farmers busily employed 
 in gathering, grinding, and expressing the Juice of their 
 apples ; the crop of which they say is rather above medioc- 
 rity. The average crop of Wheat they add, is about 15 
 bushels to the acre from their fallow land often 20, and 
 from that to 25. The Destructive evidences of British 
 cruelty are yet visible both in Norwalk and Fairfield ; as 
 there are the chimneys of many burnt houses standing in 
 them yet. The principal export from Norwalk and Fair- 
 field is Horses and Cattle salted Beef and Pork Lum- 
 ber and Indian Corn, to the West Indies, and in a small 
 degree Wheat and Flour. 
 
 SATURDAY, 17th. 
 
 A little after sun-rise we left Fairfield, and passing 
 through Et. Fairfield breakfasted at Stratford, wch. is ten 
 miles from Fairfield, and is a pretty village over near Strat- 
 ford Rivr. The Road between these two places is not on 
 the whole bad (for this country) in some places very gd., 
 especially through Et. Fairfield, wch. is in a plain, and free 
 from stone. 
 
 There are two decent looking Churches in this place,
 
 WASHINGTON. 21 
 
 though small, viz : an Episcopal, and Presbyterian or Con- 
 gregationalist (as they call themselves). At Stratford 
 there is the same. At this place I was received with an 
 effort of Military parade ; and was attended to the Ferry, 
 which is near a mile from the center of the Town, by sevl. 
 Gentlemen on horseback. Doctr. Johnson 1] of the Senate, 
 visited me here, being with Mrs. Johnson in this Town, 
 (where he formerly resided). The Ferry is near half a 
 mile ; and sometimes much incommoded by winds and cross 
 tides. The navigation for vessels of about 75 Tons extends 
 up to Danby, ten miles higher, where it is said there is a 
 pretty brisk trade. At Stratford they are establishing a 
 manufactory of Duck, and have lately turned out about 400 
 bolts. From the Ferry it is abt. 3 miles to Milford, which 
 is situated in more uneven and stony grd. than the last 3 
 villages through wch. we passed. In this place there is 
 but one Church, or in other words, but one steeple but 
 there are Grist and Saw mills, and a handsome Cascade 
 over the Tumbling dam ; but one of the prettiest things of 
 this kind is at Stamford, occasioned also by damming the 
 water for their mills ; it is near 100 yds. in width, and the 
 water now being of a proper height, and the rays of the sun 
 striking upon it as we passed, had a pretty effect upon the 
 foaming water as it fell. From Milford we took the lower 
 road through West haven, part of which was good and part 
 rough, and arrived at New Haven before two o'clock ; we 
 had time to walk through several parts of the City before 
 Dinner. By taking the lower Road we missed a Commit- 
 tee of the Assembly, who had been appointed to wait upon 
 
 11. William Samuel Johnson, LL.D., who was a member of the " Stamp 
 Act Congress," held at New York, in 1765, and was active in public life 
 for about forty years. He was a member of the convention that framed 
 the Federal Constitution ; was the first Senator from Connecticut in the 
 new Congress; and was President of Columbia College from 1792 until 1800. 
 
 4
 
 22 DIARY OF 
 
 and escort me into town to prepare an address and to 
 conduct me when I should leave the City as far as they 
 should judge proper. The address was presented at 7 
 o'clock and at nine I received another address from the 
 Congregational Clergy of the place. Between the rect. of 
 the two addresses I received the Compliment of a visit 
 from the Govr. Mr. Huntington the Lieut. Govr. Mr. 
 Wolcott and the Mayor, Mr. Roger Sherman. 
 
 The City of New-haven occupies a good deal of ground, 
 but is thinly, though regularly laid out and built. The 
 number of Souls in it are said to be about 4000. There is 
 an Episcopal Church and 3 Congregational Meeting Houses 
 and a College, in which there are at this time about 120 
 Students under auspices of Doctr. Styles. The Harbour of 
 this place is not good for large vessels abt. 16 belong to 
 it. The Linnen manufacture does not appear to be of so 
 much importance as I had been led to believe. In a word, 
 I could hear but little of it. The Exports from this City 
 are much the same as from Fairfield, &c., and flax seed, 
 (chiefly to New York). The Road from Kingsbridge to 
 this place runs as near the Sound as the Baj's and Inlets 
 will allow, but from hence to Hartford it leaves the Sound 
 and runs more to the Northward. 
 
 SUNDAY, 18th. 
 
 Went in the forenoon to the Episcopal Church, and in 
 the afternoon to one of the Congregational Meeting- 
 Houses. Attended to the first by the Speaker of the As- 
 sembly, Mr. Edwards, and a Mr. Ingersoll, and to the latter 
 by the Governor, the Lieut. Governor, the Mayor, and 
 Speaker. 
 
 These Gentlemen all dined with me, (by invitation,) as 
 did Geul. Huntington. at the House of Mr. Brown, where 
 I lodged, and who keeps a good Tavern. Drank Tea at 

 
 WASHINGTON. 23 
 
 the Mayor's (Mr. Sherman). Upon further inquiry I find 
 that there has been abt. - yards of coarse Linnen manu- 
 factured at this place since it was established and that a 
 Glass work is on foot here for the manufacture of Bottles. 
 At 7 o'clock in the evening many Officers of this State, be- 
 longing to the late Continental army, called to pay their 
 respects to me. By some of them it was said that the peo- 
 ple of this State could, with more ease pay an additional 
 100,000<. tax this year than what was laid last year. 
 
 MONDAY, 19th. 
 
 Left New-haven at 6 o'clock, and arrived at Wallingford 
 (13 miles) by half after 8 o'clock, where we breakfasted, and 
 took a walk through the Town. In coming to it we passed 
 thro' East Haven about midway ; after riding along the 
 river of that name 6 miles, on which are extensive marshes 
 now loaded with hay stacks the ride is very pleasant, but 
 the Road is sandy, which it continues to be within a mile of 
 the Tavern (Carrington's, which is but an ordinary house,) 
 at Wallingford. This and about five miles of the Road 
 beyond that is west of New-haven is all the sand we 
 have met with on the journey. These Sandy lands afford 
 but ordinary Crops of Corn nor have the Crops of this 
 grain East of Stratford River appeared as heavy as on the 
 West side of it. The Lands (Stone being less) are in part 
 enclosed with Posts and Rails. At this place (Wallingford) 
 we see the white Mulberry growing, raised from the seed, 
 to feed the silkworm. We also saw samples of lustring 
 (exceeding good) which had been manufactured from the 
 Cocoon raised in this Town, and silk thread very fine. 
 This, except the weaving, is the work of private families, 
 without interference with other business, and is likely to 
 turn out a beneficial amusement. In the Township of 
 Mansfield they are further advanced in this business. Wai-
 
 24 DIARY OF 
 
 lingford has a Church and two meeting houses in it, which 
 stand upon high and pleasant grd. About 10 o'clock we 
 left this place, and at the distance of 8 miles passed through 
 Durham. At one we arrived at Middletown, on Connecti- 
 cut River, being met two or three miles from it by the re- 
 spectable Citizens of the place, and escorted in by them. 
 While dinner was getting ready I took a walk round the 
 Town, from the heights of which the prospect is beautiful. 
 Belonging to this place, I was informed (by a Genl. Sage) 
 that there were about 20 sea vessels, and to Weathersfield, 
 higher up, 22 and to Hartford the like number other 
 places on the River have their proportion, the whole 
 amounting to about 10,000 Tons. 
 
 The Country hereabouts is beautiful and the Lands good. 
 An average Crop of wheat from an acre of fallowed land 
 is estimated at 15 bushels ; sometimes they get as high as 
 
 25 and 30 bushs. to the acre from the best lands. Indian 
 Corn from 20 to 40 bushls. pr. acre. Their exports are 
 the same as from other places ; together with Potash. 
 Baving dined, we set out with the same Escort (who con- 
 ducted us into town) about 3 o'clock for Hartford, and pass- 
 ing through a Parish of Middletown and Weathersfield, we 
 arrived at Harfd. about sundown. At Weathersfield we 
 were met by a party of the Hartford light horse, and a 
 number of Gentlemen from the same place with Col- Wads- 
 worth at their head, and escorted to Bub's Tavern, where 
 we lodged. 
 
 TUESDAY, 20th. 
 
 After breakfast, accompanied by Col- Wadsworth, Mr. 
 Ellsworth and Col- Jesse Root, I viewed the Woollen 
 Manufactory at this place, which seems to be going on with 
 spirit. Their Broadcloths are not of the first quality, as 
 yet, but they are good ; as are their Coatings, Cassimeres^
 
 WASHINGTON. 25 
 
 Serges and Everlastings ; of the first, that is, broad-cloth, I 
 ordered a suit to be sent to me at New York and of the 
 latter a whole piece, to make breeches for my servants. All 
 the parts of this business are performed at the Manufactory 
 except the spinning this is done by the Country people, 
 who are paid by the cut. 
 
 Hartford is more compactly built than Middletown, and 
 contains more souls; the computed number of which amount 
 to about dble. The number of Houses in Middletown are 
 said to be 250 or 60 these reckoning eight persons to a 
 house, would make two thousand at least. The depth of 
 water which Vessels can bring to the last place, is about 
 ten feet ; and is as much as there is over Saybrook bar. 
 From Middletown to Hartford there is not more than 6 
 feet water. At Middletown there is one Episcopal and 
 two Congregational Churches. In Hartford there is none 
 of the first and 2 of the latter. 
 
 Dined and drank Tea at Col- Wadsworth's, and about 7 
 o'clock received from, and answered the Address of, the 
 Town of Hartford. 
 
 WEDNESDAY, 21st. 
 
 By promise I was to have Breakfasted at Mr. Ellsworth's 
 at Windsor, on my way to Springfield, but the morning pro- 
 ving very wet, and the rain not ceasing till past 10 o'clock 
 I did not set out till half after that hour ; I called, how- 
 ever, on Mr. Ellsworth and stay'd there near an hour 
 reached Springfield by 4 o'clock, and while dinner was get- 
 ting, examined the Continental Stores at this place, which 
 I found in very good order at the buildings (on the hill 
 above the Town) which belong to the United States. 
 
 The Barracks (also public property) are going fast to de- 
 struction, and in a little time will be no more, without re- 
 pairs. The Elaboratory, wch. seems to be a good building,
 
 26 DIARY OF 
 
 is in tolerable good repair, and the Powder Magazine, 
 which is of Brick, seems to be in excellent order, and the 
 Powder in it very dry. A Col- Worthington, Col Wil- 
 liams, Adjutant General of the State of Massachusetts, Gen. 
 Shepherd, Mr. Lyman, and many other Gentlemen sat an 
 hour or two with me in the evening at Parson's Tavern* 
 where I lodged, and which is a good House. About 6 miles 
 before I came to Springfield, I left the State of Connecticut 
 and entered that of Massachusetts. The Distance from 
 Hartford to Springfield is 28 miles both on Connecticut 
 River. At the latter the River is crossed in Scows set 
 over with Poles, and is about 80 rod wide. Between the 
 two places is a fall, and ten miles above Springfield is an- 
 other fall, and others above that again notwithstanding 
 which much use is made of the navigation for transportation 
 in flats of about five tons burthen. Seven miles on this side 
 Hartford is Windsor, a tolerable pleasant but not a large 
 village. Between Windsor and Suffield you pass through 
 a level, barren and uncultivated plain for several miles. 
 Suffield stands high and pleasant the Ld. good. From 
 hence you descend again into another plain, where the lands 
 being good are much better cultivated. The whole Road 
 from Hartford to Springfield is level and good, except being 
 too sandy in places and the Fields enclosed with Posts and 
 Rails generally, there not being much stone. The Crops of 
 Corn, except on the Interval Lands on the River, are more 
 indifferent (tho' not bad) in the Eastern than we found them 
 in the Western part of the State of Connecticut. 
 
 There is a great equality in the People of this State. 
 Few or no opulent men and no poor great similitude in 
 their buildings the general fashion of which is a Chimney 
 (always of Stone or Brick) and door in the middle, with a 
 stair case fronting the latter, running up by the side of the 
 latter two flush stories with a very good show of sash and
 
 WASHINGTON. 27 
 
 glass windows the size generally is from 30 to 50 feet in 
 length, and from 20 to 30 in width, exclusive of a back 
 shed, which seems to be added as the family increases. 
 
 The farms, by the contiguity of the Houses, are small, 
 not averaging more than 100 acres. These are worked 
 chiefly by oxen, (which have no other feed than hay,) with 
 a horse and sometimes two before them, both in Plow and 
 Cart. In their light lands and in their sleighs they work 
 Horses, but find them much more expensive than oxen. 
 Springfield is on the East side of Connecticut River ; be- 
 fore you come to which a large branch of it called Agawam 
 is crossed by a Bridge. It stands under the Hill on the 
 interval Land, and has only one Meeting house 28 miles 
 frm. Hartfd. 
 
 THUESDAY, 22d. 
 
 Sat out at 7 o'clock ; and for the first 8 miles rid over an 
 almost uninhabited Pine plain ; much mixed with sand. 
 Then a little before the road descends to Chicopee river it 
 is hilly, rocky and steep, and continues so for several miles; 
 the Country being Stony and Barren ; with a mixture of 
 Pine and Oak till we came to Palmer, at the House of one 
 Scott, where we breakfasted ; and where the land, though 
 far from good, began to mend ; to this is called 15 miles 
 among thin Pines, and Ponds of fresh water. 
 
 From Palmer to Brookfield, to one Hitchcock's, is 15 
 miles ; part of which is pretty good, and part (crossing the 
 Hills) very bad ; but when over, the ground begins to get 
 tolerably good and the Country better cultivated, tho' the 
 Crops of Corn do not look well and have been injured, it 
 is said, by an early frost in September. A beautiful fresh 
 water pond and large is in the Plain of Brookland. The 
 fashion of the Houses are more diversified than in Connec- 
 ticut, though many are built in their style. The Inclosures
 
 28 DIARY OF 
 
 have but indifferent fences ; wood or stone according as the 
 Country abounds with the latter of which it is full after 
 passing the pine levels. At Brookland we fed the Horses 
 and dispatclied an Express which was sent to me by Govr. 
 Hancock giving notice of the measures he was about to 
 pursue for my reception on the Road, and in Boston with 
 a request to lodge at his House. 
 
 Continued on to Spencer, 10 miles further, through pretty 
 good roads, and lodged at the House of one Jenks, who 
 keeps a pretty good Tavern. 
 
 FRIDAY, 23d. 
 
 Commenced our course with the Sun, and passing through 
 Leicester, met some Gentlemen of the Town of Worcester, 
 on the line between it and the former to escort us. Arrived 
 about 10 o'clock at the House of where 
 
 we breakfasted distant from Spencer 12 miles. Here we 
 were received by a handsome Company of Militia Artillery 
 in Uniform, who saluted with 13 Guns on our Entry and 
 departure. At this place also we met a Committee from 
 the Town of Boston, and an Aid of Majr. Genl. Brooks, of 
 the Middlesex Militia, who had proceeded to this place in 
 order to make some arrangements of Military and other 
 Parade on my way to, and in the Town of, Boston ; and to 
 fix with me on the hours at which I should pass through 
 Cambridge, and enter Boston. Finding this ceremony was 
 not to be avoided, though I had made every effort to do it, 
 I named the hour of ten to pass the Militia of the above 
 County at Cambridge and the hour of 12 for my entrance 
 into Boston, desiring Major Hale, however, to inform Genl. 
 Brooks 12 that as I conceived there was an impropriety in 
 
 12. John Brooks was an active military officer, in the Massachusetts line, 
 during the whole war for independence. He was major-general of the 
 militia of his county for many years ; and when the war with England
 
 WASHINGTON. 29 
 
 my reviewing the Militia, or seeing them perform manoeu- 
 vres, otherwise than as a private man, I could do no more 
 than pass along the line ; which, if he thought proper, 
 might be under arms to receive me at that time. These 
 matters being settled, the Committee and the Aid (Col- 
 Hale) set forward on their return and after breakfast I 
 ollowed. The same Gentlemen who had escorted me into, 
 conducting me out of Town. On the Line between Wor- 
 cester and Middlesex I was met by a Troop of light Horse 
 belonging to the latter, who Escorted me to Maryborough, 
 (16 miles) where we dined, and thence to Weston (14 more 
 where we lodged.) At Marlborough we met Mr. Jonathan 
 Jackson, the Marshall of this State, who proposed to attend 
 me whilst I remained in it. A good part of the Road from 
 Spencer to Worcester is Hilly, and except a,little nearest' 
 the latter, very stony. From Worcester to Marlborough 
 the road is uneven but not bad and from Marlborh. to 
 Weston it is leveller, with more sand. Between Worces- 
 ter and Marlborough the Town of Shrewsbury is passed 
 and between Marlborough and Weston you go through 
 Sudbury. The Country about Worcester and onwards 
 towards Boston is better improved and the lands of better 
 quality than we travelled through yesterday. The Crops 
 it is said have been good. Indian Corn, Rye, Buckwheat 
 and grass with Beef Cattle and Pork, are the produce of 
 these Farms. 
 
 SATURDAY, 24th. 
 
 Dressed by Seven o'clock, and set out at eight at ten 
 we arrived in Cambridge, according to appointment ; but 
 most of the Militia having a distance to come, were not in 
 
 commenced in 1812, he was appointed adjutant-general of Massachusetts. 
 He was elected Governor of that State in 1816, and was continued in office, 
 by re-election, seven years. 
 
 5
 
 30 DIARY OF 
 
 line till after eleven ; they made however an excellent ap- 
 pearance, with Genl. Brooks at their Head. At this place 
 the Lieut. Govr. Mr. Saml. Adams, with the Executive 
 Council, met me and preceeded my entrance into town 
 which was in every degree flattering and honorable. To 
 pass over the Minutiae of the arrangement for this purpose, 
 it may suffice to say that at the entrance I was welcomed 
 by the Selectmen in a body. Then following the Lieut't. 
 Govr. and Council in the order we came from Cambridge, 
 (preceeded by the Town Corps, very handsomely dressed.) 
 We passed through the Citizens classed in their different 
 professions, and under their own banners, till we came to 
 the State House ; from which across the Street an Arch 
 was thrown ; in the front of which was this Inscription 
 " To the Man who unites all hearts " and on the other 
 " To Columbia's favorite Son " and on one side thereof 
 next the State House, in a pannel decorated with a trophy, 
 composed of the Arms of the United States of the Com- 
 monwealth of Massachusetts and our French Allies, 
 crowned with a wreath of Laurel, was this Inscription 
 "Boston relieved March 17th, 1776." This Arch was 
 handsomely ornamented, and over the Center of it a Can. 
 opy was erected 20 feet high, with the American Eagle 
 perched on the top. After passing through the Arch, and 
 entering the State House at the S- End and ascending to 
 the upper floor and returning to a Balcony at the N- End; 
 three cheers were given by a vast concourse of people who 
 by this time had assembled at the Arch then followed an 
 ode composed in honor of the President ; and well sung by 
 a band of select singers after this three Cheers followed 
 by the different Professions and Mechanics in the order 
 they were drawn up with their colours through a lane of 
 the People, which had thronged abt. the Arch under which 
 they passed. The Streets, the Doors, windows and tops of
 
 WASHINGTON. 31 
 
 the Houses were crowded with well dressed Ladies and 
 Gentlemen. The procession being over, I was conducted 
 to my lodgings at a Widow Ingersoll's, (which is a very 
 decent and good house) by the Lieut. Govr. and Council- 
 accompanied by the Vice-President, where they took leave 
 of me. Having engaged yesterday to take an informal 
 dinner with the Govr. to-day, but under a full persuasion 
 that he would have waited upon me so soon as I should 
 have arrived I excused myself upon his not doing it, and 
 informing me thro' his Secretary that he was too much 
 indisposed to do it, being resolved to receive the visit. 
 Dined at my Lodgings, where the Vice-President favoured 
 me with his Company. 
 
 SUNDAY, 25th. 
 
 Attended Divine Service at the Episcopal Church, where- 
 of Doctor Parker is the Incumbent, in the forenoon, and the 
 Congregational Church of Mr. Thatcher in the afternoon. 
 Dined at my Lodgings with the Vice-President. Mr. Bow- 
 doin accompanied me to both Churches. Between the two 
 I received a visit from the Gov'r, who assured me that in- 
 disposition alone prevented his doing it yesterday, and that 
 he was still indisposed ; but as it had been suggested that 
 he expected to receive the visit from the President, which 
 he knew was improper, he was resolved at all haz'ds to pay 
 his Compliments to-day. The Lt. Gov'r and two of the 
 Council, to wit, Heath and Russell, were sent here last 
 night to express the Govr.'s concern that he had not been 
 in a condition to call upon me so soon as I came to Town. 
 I informed them in explicit terms that I should not see the 
 Gov'r unless it was at my own lodgings. 13 
 
 13. The conduct of Mr. Hancock on this occasion was severely censured, 
 because it was generally believed that his sense of his own dignity as chief 
 magistrate of Massachusetts, and not bodily illness, was the cause of his
 
 32 DIARY OF 
 
 MONDAY, 26th. 
 
 The day being Rainy and Stormy, myself much disor- 
 dered by a cold, and inflammation in the left eye, 14 I was 
 prevented from visiting Lexington, (where the first blood 
 in the dispute with G. Brit'n was drawn.) Rec'd the com- 
 plim'ts of many visits to-day. Mr. Dalton and Genl. Cobb 
 dined with me, and in the Evening drank Tea with Gov'r 
 Hancock, and called upon Mr. Bowdoin on my return to 
 my lodgings. 
 
 TUESDAY, 27th. 
 
 At 10 o'clock in the Morning received the visits of the 
 Clergy of the Town. At 11 went to an Oratorio and be- 
 tween that and 3 o'clock rec'd the Addresses of the Gover- 
 nor and Council of the Town of Boston of the President, 
 &c. of Harvard College, and of the Cincinnati of the State; 
 
 omitting to call upon the President immediately after his arrival. The 
 rebuke of official pride administered by Washington in his refusal to see 
 Governor Hancock, except at the President's lodgings, appears to have 
 decided the question of superior dignity in the mind of the Governor. 
 For further illustration of this matter, see Governor Hancock's letters to 
 Washington, dated respectively, October 21, and October 23d, 1789, in 
 Sparks' Correspondence of the Revolution, Volume IV., pages 289-' 90. In the 
 first, he invited Washington to stay at his house, and said, " I could wish 
 that the accommodations were better suited to a gentleman of your respect- 
 ability;" and in the second, written after Washington had declined his 
 invitation, Governor Hancock invited him to dine with him on Sunday, 
 ' ' en famille. ' ' He appears to have had his heart set on having the Presi- 
 dent call on him first. 
 
 14. Sullivan, in his ' ' Familiar Letters, ' ' says, that owing to some mis- 
 management in the reception ceremonials at Cambridge, Washington was 
 detained a long time, and the weather being inclement, he took cold. For 
 several days afterward a severe influenza prevailed at Boston, and its 
 vicinity, and was called the Washington Influenza. It may not be inappro- 
 priate to mention that when, in 1843, President Tyler visited Boston, a 
 similar influenza prevailed at New York, and throughout New England, 
 which was called the Tyler Grippe.
 
 WASHINGTON. 33 
 
 after wch. at 3 o'clock, I dined at a large and elegant Din- 
 ner at Fanuiel Hall, given by the Gov'r and Council, and 
 spent the evening at my lodgings. When the Committee 
 from the Town presented their Address it was accompanied 
 with a request (in behalf, they said, of the Ladies,) that I 
 would set to have my Picture taken for the Hall, that 
 others might be copied from it for the use of their respect- 
 ive families. As all the next day was assigned to various 
 purposes, and I was engaged to leave town on Thursday 
 early, I informed them of the impracticability of my doing 
 this, but that I would have it drawn when I returned to 
 New York, if there was a good Painter there or by Mr. 
 Trumbull when he should arrive, and would send it to them. 
 
 WEDNESDAY, 28th. 
 
 Went, after an early breakfast, to visit the duck manu- 
 facture, which appeared to be carrying on with spirit, and 
 is in a prosperous way. They have manufactured 32 pieces 
 of Duck of 30 or 40 yds. each in a week ; and expect in a 
 short time to encrease it to They have 28 looms at 
 
 work, and 14 Girls spinning with Both hands, (the flax 
 being fastened to their waist.) Children (girls) turn the 
 wheels for them, and with this assistance each spinner can 
 turn out 14 Ibs. of Thread pr. day when they stick to it, 
 but as they are pd. by the piece, or work they do, there is 
 no other restraint upon them but to come at 8 o'clock in 
 the morning, and return at 6 in the evening. They are the 
 daughters of decayed families, and are girls of Character 
 none others are admitted. The number of hands now em- 
 ployed in the different parts of the work is but the 
 Managers expect to encrease them to This is a work 
 of public utility and private advantage. From hence I 
 went to the Card Manufactory, where I was informed 
 about 900 hands of one kind and for one purpose or an-
 
 34 DIARY OF 
 
 other all kinds of Cards are made ; and there are Ma- 
 chines for executing every part of the work in a new and 
 expeditious man'r, especially in cutting and bending the 
 teeth, wch. is done at one stroke. They have made 63.000 
 pr. of Cards in a year, and can undersell the Imported 
 Cards nay, Cards of this Manufactory have been smug- 
 gled into England. 15 At 11 o'clock I embarked on board 
 the Barge of the Illustrious, Captn. Penthere Gion, and 
 visited his Ship and the Superb, another 74 Gun Ship in 
 the Harbour of Boston, about 4 miles below the Town. 
 Going and coming I was saluted by the two frigates which 
 lye near the wharves, and by the 74s after I had been on 
 board of them. I was also saluted going and coming by 
 the fort on Castle Isld. 16 After my return I dined in a 
 large company at Mr. Bowdoin's, and went to the Assem- 
 bly in the evening, where (it is said) there were upwards of 
 100 Ladies. Their appearance was elegant, and many of 
 them very handsome ; the Room is small but neat, and well 
 ornamented. 
 
 THURSDAY, 29th. 
 
 Left Boston about 8 o'clock. Passed over the Bridge at 
 Charles-Town, and went to see that at Maiden, but pro- 
 ceeded to the College at Cambridge, attended by the Vice- 
 President, Mr. Bowdoin, and a great number of Gentlemen. 
 At this place I was shown by Mr.Willard, the president, the 
 philosophical aparatus, and amongst them the Pope's Orrery 
 (a curious piece of Mechanism for showing the revolutions 
 
 16. These were implements for carding wool by hand, and were used 
 until several years after the close of the last war with Great Britain, when 
 woolen manufactories became common in this country. 
 
 16. This was called Fort Adams at that time. The island was ceded to 
 the United States in 1799, when President Adams named the fortification 
 Fort Independence. The present structure was erected during the years 1801, 
 '02, '03.
 
 WASHINGTON. 35 
 
 of the Sun, Earth, and many other of the Planets), the 
 library, (containing 13.000 volumes,) and a Museum. The 
 Bridges of Charlestown and Maiden are useful and noble 
 doing great credit to the enterprising spirit of the People 
 of this State. From Boston, besides the number of citizens 
 which accompanied me to Cambridge, and many of them 
 from thence to Lynn the Boston Corps of Horse escorted 
 me to the line between Middlesex and Essex County, where 
 a party of Horse, with Genl. Titcomb, met me, and con- 
 ducted me through Marblehead (which is 4 miles out of the 
 way, but I wanted to see it,) to Salem. The chief employ- 
 ment of the People of Marblehead (males) is fishing ; about 
 110 vessels and 800 men and boys are engaged in this 
 business. Their chief export is fish. About 5000 souls are 
 said to be in this place, which has the appearance of anti- 
 quity ; the Houses are old ; the streets dirty ; and the com- 
 mon people not very clean. Before we entered the Town 
 we were met and attended by a Com'e, till we were handed 
 over to the Select men, who conducted us, saluted by artil- 
 lery, into the Town, to the House of a Mrs. Lee, where 
 there was a cold collation prepared ; after partaking of 
 which we visited the Harbour, their fish brakes for curing 
 fish, &c., and then proceeded (first receiving an Address 
 from the Inhabitants) to Salem. 
 
 At the Bridge, 2 miles from this Town, we were also 
 met by a Committee, who conducted us by a Brigade of 
 the Militia and one or two handsome Corps in Uniform, 
 through several of the Streets to the Town or .Court House, 
 where an Ode in honor of the President was sung an Ad- 
 dress presented to him amidst the acclamations of the 
 People ; after which he was conducted to his Lodgings. 
 Rec'd the Compliments of many differt. classes of People, 
 and in the evening, between 7 and 8 o'clock, went to an 
 Assembly, where there was at least an hundred handsome
 
 36 DIARY OF 
 
 and well dressed Ladies. Abt. nine I returned to my 
 Lodgings. 
 
 The Road from Boston to this place is here and there 
 Stony, tho' level ; it is very pleasant : from most parts 
 you are in sight of the Sea. Meads, arable Land, and 
 Rocky hills are much intermixed the latter chiefly on the 
 left. The Country seems to be in a manner entirely 
 stripped of wood. The grazing is good the Houses stand 
 thick. After leaving Cambridge, at the distance of 4 
 miles, we passed through My stick then Maiden -next 
 Lynn, where it is said 175.000 pairs of shoes (women's, 
 chiefly) have been made in a year by abt. 400 workmen. 
 There is only a row of houses, and not very thick, on each 
 side of the Road. After passing Lynn you enter Marble- 
 head, wch is 4 miles from Salem. This latter is a neat 
 Town, and said to contain 8 or 9000 Inhabitants. Its ex- 
 ports are chiefly Fish, Lumber and Provisions. They have 
 in the East India Trade at this time 13 Sail of Vessels. 
 
 FRIDAY, 30th. 
 
 A little after 8 o'clock I set out for Newbury-Port ; and 
 in less than 2 miles crossed the Bridge between Salem and 
 Beverly, which makes a handsome appearance, and is upon 
 the same plan of those over Charles and Mistick Rivers ; 
 excepting that it has not foot ways as that of the former 
 has. The length of this bridge is 1530 feet, and was built 
 for about 4500, lawful money a price inconceivably low 
 in my estimation, as there is 18 feet water in the deepest 
 parts of the River over which it is erected. This Bridge 
 is larger than that at Charlestown, but shorter by feet 
 than the other over Mistick. All of them have draw 
 bridges, by which vessels pass. After passing Beverley, 2 
 miles, we come to the Cotton Manufactory, which seems to 
 be carrying on with spirit by the Mr. Cabots (principally).
 
 WASHINGTON. 37 
 
 In this Manufactory they have the new Invented Carding 
 and Spinning Machines ; one of the first supplies the work, 
 and four of the latter ; one of which spins 84 threads at a 
 time by one person. The Cotton is prepared for these Ma- 
 chines by being first (lightly) drawn to a thrd, on the com- 
 mon wheel ; there is also another machine for doubling and 
 twisting the threads for particular cloths ; this also does 
 many at a time. For winding the Cotton from the Spin- 
 dles, and preparing it for the warp, there is a Reel which 
 expedites the work greatly. A number of Looms (15 or 
 16) were at work with spring shuttles, which do more than 
 d'ble work. In short, the whole seemed perfect, and the 
 Cotton stuffs w'ch they turn out, excellent of their kind ; 
 warp and filling both are of Cotton. From this place, with 
 escorts of Horse, I passed on to Ipswich, about 10 miles ; 
 at the entrance of which I was met and welcomed by the 
 Select men, and received by a Regm't of Militia. At this 
 place I was met by Mr. Dalton and some other Gentlemen 
 from Newbury-port ; partook of a cold collation, and pro- 
 ceeded on to the last mentioned place, where I was received 
 with much respect and parade, about 4 o'clock. In the eve- 
 ning there were rockets and some other fireworks and 
 every other demonstration to welcome me to the Town. 
 This place is pleasantly situated on Merrimack River, 
 and appears to have carried on (here and above) the ship- 
 building business to a grt. extent. The number of souls is 
 estimated at 5000. 
 
 SATUEDAY, 31st. 
 
 Left Newbury-port a little after 8 o'clock (first break- 
 fasting with Mr. Dalton) and to avoid a wider ferry, more 
 inconvenient boats, and a piece of heavy sand, we crossed 
 the River at Salisbury, two miles above, and near that 
 further about and in three miles came to the line wch. 
 6
 
 38 DIARY OF 
 
 divides the State of Massachusetts from that of New Hamp- 
 shire. Here I took leave of Mr. Dalton and many other 
 private Gentlemen who accompanied me ; also of Gen'l 
 Titcomb, who had met me on the line between Middlesex 
 and Essex Counties Corps of light Horse, and many offi- 
 cers of Militia and was rec'd by the President of the State 
 of New Hampshire the Vice-President ; some of the Coun- 
 cil Messrs. Langdon and Wingate of the Senate Col- 
 Parker, Marshall of the State, and many other respectable 
 characters ; besides several Troops of well cloathed Horse 
 in handsome Uniforms, and many officers of the Militia also 
 in handsome (white and red) uniforms of the Manufacture 
 of the State. With this cavalcade, we proceeded, and 
 arrived before 3 o'clock at Portsmouth, where we were 
 received with every token of respect and appearance of 
 cordiality, under a discharge of artillery. The streets, 
 doors and windows were crowded here, as at all the other 
 Places ; and, alighting at the Town House, odes were sung 
 and played in honor of the President. The same happened 
 yesterday at my entrance into Newburyport being stopped 
 at my entrance to hear it. From the Town House I went 
 to Colonel Brewster's Ta'n, the place provided for my resi- 
 dence ; and asked the President, Vice-President, the two 
 Senators, the Marshall, and Majr. Gilman to dine with 
 me, which they did ; after which I drank Tea at Mr. 
 Langdon's. 
 
 NOVEMBER 1st. 
 
 Attended by the President of the State (Genl. Sullivan), 
 Mr. Langdon, and the Marshall. I went in the forenoon 
 to the Episcopal Church, under the incumbency of a Mr. 
 Ogden ; and in the afternoon to one of the Presbyterian or 
 Congregational Churches, in which a Mr. Buckminster
 
 WASHINGTON. 39 
 
 Preached. 17 Dined at home with the Marshall, and spent 
 the afternoon in my own room writing letters. 
 
 MONDAY, 2d. 
 
 Having made previous preparations for it, about 8 
 o'clock, attended by the President, Mr. Langdon, and 
 some other Gentlemen, I went in a boat to view the har- 
 bour of Portsmouth ; which is well secured against all 
 winds ; and from its narrow entrance from the Sea, and 
 passage up to the Town, may be perfectly guarded against 
 any approach by water. The anchorage is also good, and 
 the shipping may lay close to the Docks, &c., when at the 
 Town. In my way to the mouth of the Harbour, I stopped 
 at a place called Kittery, in the Province of Maine, the river 
 Piscataqua being the boundary between New Hampshire 
 and it. From hence I went by the old Fort (formerly built 
 while under the English government) on an Island which is 
 at the entrance of the harbour, and where the Light House 
 stands. As we passed this Fort we were saluted by 13 
 Guns. Having Lines, we proceeded to the Fishing banks 
 a little without the Harbour, and fished for Cod ; but it 
 not being a proper time of tide, we only caught two, with 
 w'ch, about 1 o'clock, we returned to Town. Dined at Mr. 
 Langdon's, and drank Tea there, with a large circle of La- 
 dies, and retired a little after seven o'clock. Before dinner 
 I rec'd an address from the Town, presented by the Vice- 
 President ; and returned an answer in the Evening to one 
 I had rec'd from Marblehead, and another from the Pres- 
 byterian Clergy of the State of Massachusetts and New 
 Hampshire, delivered at Newbury Port ; both of which I 
 had been unable to answer before. 
 
 17. The eminent Joseph Buckminster, D.D., the successor of Dr. Lang- 
 don.
 
 40 DIARY OP 
 
 TUESDAY, 3d. 
 
 Sat two hours in the forenoon for a Mr , Painter, 
 
 of Boston, at the request of Mr. Brick, of that place ; who 
 wrote Majr. Jackson that it was an earnest desire of many 
 of the Inhabitants of that Town that he might be indulged. 
 After this setting I called upon President Sullivan, and the 
 mother of Mr. Lear, 18 and having walked through most 
 parts of the Town, returned by 12 o'clock, when I was 
 visited by a Clergyman of the name of Haven, who pre- 
 sented me with an Ear and part of the stalk of the dyeing 
 Corn, and several small pieces of Cloth which had been 
 dyed with it, equal to any colours I had ever seen, of vari- 
 ous colours. This Corn was blood red, and the rind of the 
 stalk deeply tinged of the same colour. 
 
 About 2 o'clock, I received an Address from the Execu- 
 tive of the State of New Hampshire, and in half an hour 
 after dined with them and a large company, at their assem- 
 bly room, which is one of the best I have seen anywhere in 
 the United States. At half after seven I went to the as- 
 sembly, where there were about 75 well dressed, and many 
 of them very handsome ladies among whom (as was also 
 the case at the Salem and Boston assemblies) were a greater 
 proportion with much blacker hair than are usually seen in 
 the Southern States. About nine, I returned to my quar- 
 ters. Portsmouth, it is said, contains about 5,000 inhabit- 
 ants. There are some good houses, (among which Col 
 Langdon's may be esteemed the first,) but in general they 
 are indifferent, and almost entirely of wood. On wonder- 
 ing at this, as the country is full of stone and good clay for 
 bricks, I was told that on acct. of the fogs and damp, they 
 deemed them wholesomer, and for that reason preferred 
 wood buildings. Lumber, fish, and potash, with some pro- 
 
 18. Tobias Lear, the President's private Secretary.
 
 WASHINGTON. 41 
 
 visions, compose the principal articles of export. Ship- 
 building here and at Newburyport, has been carried on to 
 a considerable extent. During and for some time after the 
 war there was an entire stagnation to it ; but it is begin- 
 ning now to revive again. The number of ships belonging 
 to the port are estimated at . 
 
 WEDNESDAY, 4th. 
 
 About half after seven I left Portsmouth, quietly, and 
 without any attendance, having earnestly entreated that all 
 parade and ceremony might be avoided on my return. Be- 
 fore ten I reached Exeter, 14 miles distance. This is con- 
 sidered as the second town in New Hampshire, and stands 
 at the head of the tide-water of Piscataqua River ; but 
 ships of 3 or 400 tons are built at it. Above (but in the 
 town) are considerable falls, which supply several grist 
 mills, 2 oil mills, a slitting mill, and snuff mill. It is a 
 place of some consequence, but does not contain more than 
 1,000 inhabitants. A jealousy subsists between this town 
 (where the Legislature alternately sits,) and Portsmouth ; 
 which, had I known it in time, would have made it neces- 
 sary to have accepted an invitation to a public dinner, but 
 my arrangements having been otherwise made, I could not. 
 From hence, passing through Kingstown, (6 miles from Ex- 
 eter) I arrived at Haverhill about half-past two, and staid 
 all night. Walked through the town, which stands at the 
 head of the tide of Merrimack River, and in a beautiful 
 part of the country. The lands over which I travelled to- 
 day, are pretty much mixed in places with stone and the 
 growth with pines till I came near to Haverhill, where 
 they disappeared, and the land had a more fertile appear- 
 ance. The whole were pretty well cultivated, but used 
 (principally) for grass and Indian corn. In Haverhill is a 
 Duck manufactory, upon a small but ingenious scale, under
 
 42 DIABY OF 
 
 the conduct of Col" At this manufactory one 
 
 small person turns a wheel which employs eight spinners, 
 each acting independently of the other, so as to occasion 
 no interruption to the rest if any one of them is stopped 
 whereas at the Boston manufactory of this article, each 
 spinner has a small girl to turn the wheel. The looms are 
 also somewhat differently constructed from those of the 
 common kind, and upon an improved plan. The inhabit'ts 
 of this small village were well disposed to welcome me to 
 it by every demonstration which could evince their joy. 
 
 THURSDAY, 5th. 
 
 About sunrise I set out, crossing the Merrimack River at 
 the town, over to the township of Bradford, and in nine 
 miles came to Abbot's tavern, in Andover, where we break- 
 fasted, and met with much attention from Mr. Phillips, 19 
 President of the Senate of Massachusetts, who accompanied 
 us through Bellariki 20 to Lexington, where I dined, and 
 viewed the spot on which the first blood was spilt in the 
 dispute with Great Britain, on the 19th of April, 1775. 
 Here I parted with Mr. Phillips, and proceeded pn to Wa- 
 tertown, intending (as I was disappointed by the weather 
 and bad roads from travelling through the Interior Coun- 
 try to Charlestown, on Connecticut River,) to take what is 
 called the middle road from Boston. The country from 
 Haverhill to Andover is good, and well cultivated. In and 
 about the latter (which stands high) it is beautiful. A mile 
 or two from it you descend into a pine level, pretty sandy, 
 and mixed with swamps, through which you ride several 
 miles, till you begin to ascend the heights on which the 
 town of Bellarika stands, which is also pleasantly situated 
 
 19. Samuel Phillips, who was President of the Massachusetts Senate from 
 1786, until 1801, when he was chosen Lieutenant-Governor. He died in 
 February, 1802. 
 
 20. Billerica.
 
 WASHINGTON. 43 
 
 10 miles from Andover. From hence to Lexington eight 
 miles and thence to Watertown, eight more, the country 
 is very pleasant, and the roads in general good. We lodged 
 in this place at the house of a Widow Coolidge, near the 
 Bridge, and a very indifferent one it is. 
 
 FRIDAY, 6th. 
 
 A little after seven o'clock, under great appearances of 
 rain or snow, we left Watertown, and passing through 
 Needham, (five miles therefrom) breakfasted at Sherburne, 
 which is 14 miles from the former. Then passing through 
 Holliston, 5 miles, Milford 6 more, Menden 4 more, and 
 "Oxbridge 6 more, we lodged at one Taft's, 1 mile further ; 
 the whole distance of this day's travel being 36 miles. 
 From Watertown, till you get near Needham, the road is 
 very level about Needham it is hilly then level again, 
 and the whole pleasant and well cultivated, till you pass 
 Sherburne ; between this and Holliston is some hilly and 
 rocky ground, so there is in places onwards to Uxbridge ; 
 some of wch. are very bad. Upon the whole it may be 
 called an indifferent road diversified by good and bad 
 land cultivated and in woods some high and barren, and 
 others low, wet and piney. Grass and Indian Corn is the 
 chief produce of the farms. Rye composes a part of the 
 culture of them, but wheat is not grown on account of the 
 blight. The roads in every part of this State are amaz- 
 ingly crooked, to suit the convenience of every man's fields ; 
 and the directions you receive from the people equally blind 
 and ignorant ; for instead of going to Watertown from Lex- 
 ington, if we had proceeded to Waltham, we should in 13 
 miles have saved at least six ; the distance from Lexington 
 to Waltham being only 5 miles, and the road from Water- 
 town to Sherburne going within less than two miles of the 
 latter, (i. e. Waltham.) The clouds of the morning van-
 
 44 DIARY OF 
 
 ished before the meridian sun, and the afternoon was bright 
 and pleasant. The house in Uxbridge had a good external 
 appearance, (for a tavern) but the owner of it being from 
 home, and the wife sick, we could not gain admittance ; 
 which was the reason of my coming on to Taft's ; 21 where, 
 though the people were obliging, the entertainment was not 
 very inviting. 
 
 SATURDAY, 7th. 
 
 Left Taft's before sunrise, and passing through Douglass 
 wood, breakfasted at one Jacobs' in Thompson, 12 miles 
 distant ; not a good house. Bated the horses in Pomfret, 
 at Col- Grosvenor's, distant 11 miles from Jacobs', and 
 lodged at Squire Perkins' in Ashford, (called 10 miles, but 
 must be 12.) The first stage, with a small exception, is in- 
 tolerable bad road, and a poor and uncultivated country, 
 covered chiefly with woods the largest of which is called 
 Douglass, at the foot of which, on the east side, is a large 
 pond. Jacobs's is in the State of Connecticut, and here the 
 
 21 . While President Washington was at Hartford, on his return, he wrote 
 the following letter to Mr. Taft : 
 
 "HAKTFORD, 8th November, 1789. 
 
 "Sm Being informed that you have given my name to one of your 
 sons, and called another after Mrs. Washington's family, and being more- 
 over 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 there- 
 of, directed to ' The President of the United States at New York. ' I wish 
 you and your family well, and am your humble servant, 
 
 ' ' GEO. WASHINGTON. ' '
 
 WASHINGTON. 45 
 
 lands are better, and more highly improved. From hence 
 to Pomfret there is some woods and indifferent land, but in 
 general it is tolerably good, and the farms look well. In 
 and abt. Pomfret they are fine, and from thence to Ashford 
 not bad ; but very hilly, and much mixed with rock stone. 
 Knowing that General Putnam lived in the Township of 
 Pomfret, I had hopes of seeing him, and it was one of my 
 inducements for coming this road ; but on enquiry in the 
 town I found that he lived 5 miles out of my road, and that 
 without deranging my plan and delaying my journey, I 
 could not do it. 
 
 SUNDAY, 8th. 
 
 It being contrary to law and disagreeable to the People 
 of this State (Connecticut) to travel on the Sabbath day 
 and my horses, after passing through such intolerable 
 roads, wanting rest, I stayed at Perkins' tavern (which, by 
 the bye, is not a good one,) all day and a meeting-house 
 being within a few rods of the door, I attended morning 
 and evening service, and heard very lame discourses from a 
 Mr. Pond." 
 
 MONDAY, 9th. 
 
 Set out about 7 o'clock, and for the first 24 miles had 
 hilly, rocky, and disagreeable roads ; the remaining 10 was 
 level and good, but in places sandy. Arrived at Hartford 
 a little before four. We passed through Mansfield, (which 
 is a. very hilly country, and the township in which they 
 make the greatest qty. of silk of any in the State,) and 
 breakfasted at one Bingham's, in Coventry. Stopped at 
 Woodbridge's in Et. Hartford, where the level land is en- 
 
 22. Reverend Enoch Pond, who died in 1807. On his tomb-stone are in- 
 scribed these words " Generous in temper, correct in science, and liberal 
 in sentiment, the gentleman, the scholar, and the Minister of the Sanc- 
 tuary, appeared with advantage in Mr. Pond." 
 
 7
 
 46 DIARY OF 
 
 tered upon, and from whence, through East Hartford, the 
 country is pleasant, and the land in places very good ; in 
 others sandy and weak. I find by conversing with the farm- 
 ers along this road, that a medium crop of wheat to the 
 acre is about 15 bushels of corn, 20 of oats, the same 
 and in their strong and fresh lands they get as much wheat 
 as they can rye to the acre but in warm or sandy land the 
 latter yields most. They go more, however, upon grazing 
 than either ; and consequently beef, butter and cheese, with 
 pork, are the articles which they carry to market. 
 
 TUESDAY, 10th. 
 
 Left Hartford about 7 o'clock, and took the middle road 
 (instead of the one through Middletown, which I went). 
 Breakfasted at Worthington, in the township of Berlin, at 
 the house of one Fuller. Bated at Smith's on the plains of 
 Wallingford, 13 miles from Fuller's, which is the distance 
 Fuller's is from Hartford and got into New Haven which 
 is 13 miles more, about half an hour before sun-down. At 
 this place I met Mr. Gerry, 23 in the stage from New York, 
 who gave me the first cert'n acct. of the health of Mrs. 
 Washington. 
 
 WEDNESDAY, llth. 
 
 Set out about sunrise, and took the upper road to Mil- 
 ford, it being shorter than the lower one through West 
 Haven. Breakfasted at the former. Baited at Fairfield ; 
 and dined and lodged at a Maj. Marvin's, 9 miles further ; 
 which is not a good house, though the people of it were 
 disposed to do all they could to accommodate me. 
 
 THURSDAY, 12th. 
 A little before sunrise we left Marvin's, and -breakfasting 
 
 23. Elbridge Gerry, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independ- 
 ence, and then a member of Congress from Massachusetts.
 
 WASHINGTON. 47 
 
 at Stamford, 13 miles distant, reached the Widow Havi- 
 land's, 12 miles further ; where, on acct. of some lame 
 horses, we remained all night. The badness of these roads 
 having been described as I went, I shall say nothing of 
 them now. 
 
 FRIDAY, 13th. 
 
 Left Mrs. Haviland's as soon as we could see the road, 
 and breakfasted at Hoyet's tavern, this side King's-bridge, 
 and between two and three o'clock arrived at my house at 
 New York, where I found Mrs. Washington and the rest of 
 the family all well 24 and it being Mrs. Washington's night 
 to receive visits, a pretty large company of ladies and gen- 
 tlemen were present. 
 
 SATURDAY, 14th. 
 
 At home all day except taking a walk around the Bat- 
 tery in the afternoon. 
 
 At 4 o'clock received and answered an Address from the 
 President and Corporation of Dartmouth College and 
 about noon sundry visits. 
 
 SUNDAY, 15th. 
 
 Went to St. Paul's Chapel in the forenoon and after 
 returning from thence was visited by Majr. Butler, Majr. 
 Meredith and Mr. Smith, So. Car'a. Received an invitation 
 to attend the Funeral of Mrs. Roosevelt, (the wife of a 
 Senator of this State) but declined complying with it 
 first, because the propriety of accepting any invitation of 
 
 24. It will be observed that in this tour, the President avoided Rhode 
 Island, that state and North Carolina having, as yet, refused to ratify the 
 Federal Constitution, and were considered as essentially foreign states. On 
 the day when the President returned to New York, the new convention of 
 North Carolina voted to ratify the Federal Constitution ; and Rhode Island 
 was admitted into the Union on the 29th of May following .
 
 48 DIARY OF 
 
 this sort appeared very questionable and secondly, (though 
 to do it in this instance might not be improper,) because it 
 might be difficult to discriminate in cases which might 
 thereafter happen. 25 
 
 MONDAY, 16th. 
 
 The Commissioners,- 6 who had returned from the pro- 
 posed treaty with the Creek Indians before me to this city, 
 dined with me to-day, as did their Secretary, Col- Franks, 
 and young Mr. Lincoln, who accompanied them. 
 
 TUESDAY, 17th. 
 The visitors at the Levee to-day were numerous. 
 
 WEDNESDAY, 18th. 
 
 Took a walk in the forenoon, and called upon Mr. Jay 
 on business, but he was not within. On my return, paid 
 Mr. Vaughan, Senr. a visit, informal. 
 
 Sent a Commission as District Judge of So.. Carolina, to 
 the Hon'ble William Drayton, of that State. 
 
 THURSDAY, 19th. 
 
 The following company dined here to-day, viz : Mrs. 
 Adams, (lady to the Vice-President,) Col. Smith and lady, 
 
 25. The etiquette of the President's household and his intercourse with 
 the public at large, were matters of much greater moment than they might 
 at first thought appear. The precedents of Monarchy might not be fol- 
 lowed in a simple Kepublic, and yet a certain dignity was to be preserved. 
 The arrangement of official ceremonials connected with the President, ap- 
 pears to have been chiefly left to Colonel Humphreys, a former aid-de-camp 
 of Washington, and very recently Secretary of Legation at Paris. The cus- 
 toms which were established during Washington's administration concern- 
 ing the levees, the President not returning visits, et cetera, have ever since 
 prevailed ; and the Chief Magistrate of the Republic is never seen in the 
 position of a private citizen. 
 
 26. General Lincoln, Colonel Humphreys, and David Griffin, late Presi- 
 dent of Congress.
 
 WASHINGTON. 49 
 
 and Miss Smith, Mrs. Adams's niece Gov'r Clinton and 
 lady, and Miss Cornelia Clinton 27 and Maj. Butler, his 
 lady and two daughters. 
 
 FRIDAY, 20th. 
 
 The visitors of gent'n and ladies to Mrs. Washington 
 this evening were numerous and respectable. 
 
 SATURDAY, 21st. 
 
 Received in the afternoon the Report from the Commis. 
 sioners appointed to treat with the Southern Indians gave 
 it one reading and shall bestow another and more atten- 
 tive one on it. 
 
 SyNDAY, 22d. 
 
 Went to St. Paul's Chapel in the forenoon heard a 
 charity sermon for the benefit of the Orphan's School of 
 this city. 
 
 Had a good deal of conversation in the evening with the 
 above Commissioners on the more minute part of their trans- 
 actions at the Treaty with the Creek Indians and their 
 opinion with respect to the real views of Mr. McGillevey, 28 
 the principles of whose conduct they think is self-interest, 
 and a dependence for support on Spain. They think also, 
 that having possessed himself of the outlines of the terms 
 he could treat with the United States upon, he wished to 
 postpone the Treaty to see if he could not obtain better 
 from Spain. They think that, though he does not want 
 abilities, he has credit to the full extent of them, and that 
 he is but a short-sighted politician. He acknowledges, 
 
 27. Miss Clinton afterwards married the Minister of the French Repub- 
 lic, to the United States, Edmund Charles Genet. 
 
 28. Alexander McGillivray was then head chief of the .Creek nation. He 
 was the son of a Creek woman by a Scotchman, who was a wealthy Tory in 
 Georgia during the Revolution. His property was confiscated, and his son 
 took refuge among the Creeks, and by reason of his superior talents became 
 " the beloved man," or head chief of that nation.
 
 50 DIARY OF 
 
 however, that an alliance between the Creek Nation and 
 the United States is the most natural one, and what they 
 ought to prefer, if to be obtained on equal terms. A free 
 post in the latter seems to be a favourite object with him. 
 
 MONDAY, 23d. 
 
 Rid five or six miles between breakfast and dinner. 
 Called upon Mr. Vanberckel 29 and Mrs. Adams. 
 
 TUESDAY, 24th. 
 
 A good deal of company at the Levee to-day. Went to 
 play in the evening 30 sent tickets to the following ladies 
 
 29. Peter J. Van Berckel, of Rotterdam*, was the resident diplomatic 
 agent of the United Netherlands, near the government of the United 
 States. He died at Newark, New Jersey, on the 17th of December, 1800, 
 at the age of seventy-seven years. 
 
 30. The theatre was in John street, north side, not far from Broadway. 
 It was a small, ricketty affair, and capable of holding only about three 
 hundred persons. A German, named Feyles, was the leader of the orches- 
 tra. He composed the President's March for this occasion, and that tune 
 was played at the moment when Washington and his friends entered the 
 theatre. It was afterward slightly altered, and has been known as Hail 
 Columbia ever since. It was doubtless on this occasion that Wignell per- 
 formed the part of Darby in the interlude of Darby's Return, a play written 
 by William Dunlap. Darby, an Irish lad, recounts his adventures in the 
 United States and elsewhere. When he told of what befell him in New 
 York at the inauguration of the President, &c., " the interest expressed by 
 the audience," says Dunlap, "in the looks and the changes of countenance 
 of the great man [Washington] became intense. ' ' At the descriptive lines, 
 
 " A man who fought to free the land from wo, 
 
 Like me, had left his form, a soldiering to go, 
 
 But having gained his point, he had, like me, 
 
 Returned, his own potato ground to see. 
 
 But there he could not rest. With one accord, 
 
 He is call'd to be a kind of not a lord 
 
 I don't know what; he's not a great man sure, 
 
 For poor men love him just as he were poor,'' 
 the President looked serious ; and when Kathleen asked, 
 
 " How looked he, Darby ? Was he short or tall ?" 
 his countenance showed embarrassment, from the expectation of one of
 
 WASHINGTON. 51 
 
 and gentlemen and invited them to seats in my box, viz : 
 Mrs. Adams, (lady of the Vice-President,) Genl. Schuyler 
 and lady, Mr. King and lady, Majr. Butler and lady, Col- 
 Hamilton and lady, Mrs. Green all of whom accepted and 
 came, except Mrs. Butler, who was indisposed. 
 
 WEDNESDAY, 25th. 
 
 Exercised on horseback between breakfast and dinner 
 in which, returning, I called upon Mr. Jay and Gen. Knox 
 on business and made informal visits to the Gov'r, Mr. 
 Izard, Genl. Schuyler, and Mrs. Dalton. The following 
 company dined with me, viz : 
 
 Doctr. Johnson and lady and daughter (Mrs. Neely), Mr. 
 Izard and lady and son, Mr. Smith (So. Carolina) and lady, 
 Mr. Kean and lady, and the Chief Justice, Mr. Jay. 
 
 After which I went with Mrs. Washington to the dancing 
 assembly, where I stayed until 10 o'clock. 
 
 THURSDAY, 26th. 
 
 Being the day appointed for a thanksgiving, I went to 
 St. Paul's Chapel, though it was most inclement and stormy 
 but few people at Church. 
 
 FRIDAY, 27th. 
 Not many visits this evening to Mrs. Washington. 
 
 SATURDAY, 28th. 
 Exercised on horseback. 
 
 SUNDAY, 29th. 
 Went to St. Paul's Chapel in the forenoon. 
 
 those eulogiums which he had been obliged to hear on many public occa- 
 sions, and which must doubtless have been a severe trial to his feelings." 
 The President was relieved by Darby's declaration that he had not seen him.
 
 52 DIARY OF 
 
 MONDAY, 30th. 
 
 Went to the Play in the evening, and presented tickets 
 to the following persons, viz : Doctr. Johnson and lady, 
 Mr. Dalton and lady, the Chief Justice of the United States 
 and lady, Secretary of War and lady, Baron de Steuben, 
 and Mrs. Green. 
 
 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1st. 
 
 A pretty full Levee to-day among the visitors was the 
 Vice-President and all the Senators in town. Exercised 
 on horseback between 10 and 12. 
 
 Read the papers relative to our affairs with the Emperor 
 of Morocco, and sent them to Mr. Jay to prepare answers 
 to them. 
 
 WEDNESDAY, 2d. 
 
 Exercised in the post chaise with Mrs. Washington 
 visited on our return the Vice-President and family after- 
 wards walked to Mr. King's neither he nor his lady were 
 at home, or to be seen. 
 
 THURSDAY, 3d. 
 
 The following gentlemen and ladies dined here, viz : 
 Gen. Schuyler, his lady and daughter, (Mrs. Ranselaer) Mr. 
 Dalton and his lady, the Secretary of the Treasury and his 
 lady, Gen. Knox and lady, and Mrs. Greene, Baron de 
 Steuben, Col. Osgood, (Post Master Gen'l) and the Treasu- 
 rer, Majr. Meredith. 
 
 FRIDAY, 4th. 
 
 A great number of visters (gentlemen and ladies) this 
 evening to Mrs. Washington. 
 
 The Governor of New Jersey, and the Speaker of the 
 House of Assembly of that State, presented an Address 
 from the Legislature thereof, and received an answer to it, 
 after which thev dined with me.
 
 WASHINGTON. 53 
 
 SATURDAY, 5th. 
 
 Exercised on horseback between 10 and 12 o'clock. 
 
 The Vice-President and lady and two sons Col. Smith 
 and lady, and his sister, and Mrs. Adams's niece, dined 
 here. 
 
 SUNDAY, 6th. 
 Went to St. Paul's Chapel in the forenoon. 
 
 MONDAY, 7th. 
 Walked around the Battery in the afternoon. 
 
 TUESDAY, 8th. 
 
 Finished my extracts from the Commissioners' Report of 
 their proceedings at the Treaty with the Creek Indians 
 and from many other papers respecting Indian matters and 
 the Western Territory. A full levee to-day. 
 
 WEDNESDAY, 9th. 
 Walked around the Battery. 
 
 THURSDAY, 10th. 
 
 Exercised on horseback between 10 and 12 o'clock. 
 
 The following company dined here to-day, viz : Mrs, 
 King and Mr. Few, Mr. and Mrs. Harrison, Mr. and Mrs. 
 Wolcott, Mr. Duer, his lady, and Miss Brown, Mr. Griffin 
 and lady, and Lady Christiana and her daughter. 
 
 FRIDAY, llth. 
 
 Being rainy and bad, no person except the Vice-Presi- 
 dent visited Mrs. Washington this evening. 
 
 SATURDAY, 12th. 
 Exercised in the coach with Mrs. Washington and the
 
 54 DIARY OF 
 
 two children, (Master 31 and Miss Custis,) between break- 
 fast and dinner went the 14 miles round. 
 
 SUNDAY, 13th. 
 Went to St. Paul's Chapel in the forenoon. 
 
 MONDAY, 14th. 
 
 Walked around the Battery in the afternoon. 
 TUESDAY, 15th. 
 
 Exercised on horseback about 10 o'clock called on the 
 Secretary for the Department of War, and gave him the 
 heads of many letters to be written to characters in the 
 Western Country, relative chiefly to Indian Affairs. 
 
 Visitors to the levee to-day were not very numerous, 
 though respectable. 
 
 WEDNESDAY, 16th. 
 
 Dined with Mrs. Washington and all the family, (except 
 the two children) at Governor Clinton's where also dined 
 the Vice-President, the Mayor (Col- Varick) and his lady, 
 and old Mr. Van Berkel and his daughter. 
 
 THURSDAY, 17th. 
 
 The following company dined here, viz : The Chief Jus- 
 tice of the U. States and his lady ; Mr. King, Col- and 
 Mrs. Lawrence, Mrs. Gerry, Mr. Egbert Benson, Bishop 
 Provost, and Doct. Lynn and his lady. 
 
 FRIDAY, 18th. 
 
 Read over and digested my thoughts upon the subject of 
 a National Militia, from the plans of the militia of Europe, 
 those of the Secretary at War, and the Baron de Steuben. 
 
 31. George Washington Parke Custis, who was for a long time the last 
 surviving executor of the Will of Washington. He died at Arlington 
 House, near Alexandria, Virginia, on the 10th of October, 1857, at the age 
 of seventy-six years.
 
 WASHINGTON. 55 
 
 SATURDAY, 19th. 
 
 Committed the above thoughts to writing, in order to 
 send them to the Secretary for the Department of War, to 
 be worked into the form of a Bill, with which to furnish 
 the Committee of Congress which had been appointed to 
 draught one. 
 
 SUNDAY, 20th. 
 Went to St. Paul's Chapel in the forenoon. 
 
 MONDAY, 21st. 
 
 Framed the above thoughts on the subject of a National 
 Militia into the form of a Letter, and sent it to the Secre- 
 tary for the Department of War. 
 
 Sat from ten to one o'clock for a Mr. Savage, 32 to draw 
 my Portrait for the University of Cambridge, in the State 
 of Massachusetts, at the request of the President and Gov- 
 ernors of the said University. 
 
 TUESDAY, 22d. 
 
 A pretty full and respectable Levee to-day at which 
 several members of Congress, newly arrived, attended. 
 
 WEDNESDAY, 23d. 
 
 Exercised in the Post- Chaise with Mrs. Washington to- 
 day. 
 
 Sent the dispatches which came to me from the Assembly 
 
 32. Edward Savage was a native of New England. He had painted in 
 Philadelphia before going to New York in 1789. He was an indifferent 
 painter and engraver ; and John Wesley Jarvis, who was his pupil, soon 
 exceeded his master in skill. He had a kind of museum and picture gal- 
 lery in Greenwich street, New York, for a while. He published a print 
 called The Washington Family, which has been reproduced in lithography, 
 in our day. It was engraved by Edwin, a skillful engraver, assisted by 
 Jarvis.
 
 56 DIARY OP 
 
 of Virginia, and from the Representatives of several Coun- 
 ties therein, respecting the state of the frontiers and depre- 
 dations of the Indians, to the Secretary for the Department 
 of War, requesting his attendance to-morrow at 9 o'clock, 
 that I might converse more fully with him on the subject of 
 the communications. 
 
 THURSDAY, 24th. 
 
 The Secretary of War coming according to appointment, 
 he was instructed, after conversing fully on the matter, 
 what answers to return to the Executive of Virginia, and 
 to the Representatives of the frontier counties. 
 
 FRIDAY, 25th Christmas Day. 
 
 Went to St. Paul's Chapel in the forenoon. 
 The visitors to Mrs. Washington this afternoon were not 
 numerous, but respectable. 
 
 SATURDAY, 26th. 
 
 Exercised on horseback in the forenoon. Chief Justice 
 Morris and the Mayor, (Col- Varick) and their ladies, 
 Judge Hobart, Col- Cole, Majr. Oilman, Mrs. Brown, 
 Secretary Otis, and Mr. Beekley, dined here. 
 
 SUNDAY, 27th. 
 At home all day weather being bad. 
 
 MONDAY, 28th. 
 
 Sat all the forenoon for Mr. Savage, who was taking my 
 portrait. 
 
 TUESDAY, 29th. 
 
 Being very snowy, not a single person appeared at the 
 Levee. 
 
 WEDNESDAY, 30th. 
 
 Exercised in a carriage.
 
 WASHINGTON. 57 
 
 THURSDAY, 31st. 
 
 Bad weather and close house. 
 
 The Vice-President and lady, Col- Smith and lady, 
 Chan'r Livingston, lady and sister, Baron Steuben, Messrs. 
 White, Gerry, Partridge and Tucker, of the House of Re- 
 presentatires, dined here to-day. 
 
 JANUARY, 1790. 
 FRIDAY, 1st. 
 
 The Vice-President, the Governor, the Senators, Mem- 
 bers of the House of Representatives in town, foreign 
 public characters, and all the respectable citizens, came 
 between the hours of 12 and 3 o'clock, to pay the compli- 
 ments of the season to me and in the afternoon a great 
 number of gentlemen and ladies visited Mrs. Washington 
 on the same occasion. 
 
 SATURDAY, 2d. 
 
 Exercised in the carriage with Mrs. Washington. Read 
 the report of the Secretary of the Treasury respecting the 
 state of his Department and proposed plans of finance. 
 Drank tea at the Chief Justice's of the U. States. 
 
 SUNDAY, 3d. 
 Went to St. Paul's Chapel. 
 
 MONDAY, 4th. 
 
 Informed the President of the Senate, and Speaker of the 
 House of Representatives that I had some oral communica- 
 tions to make to Congress when each house had a quorum, 
 and desired to be informed thereof and of the time and 
 place they would receive them. 33 
 
 33. The second session of the first Congress commenced on the fourth 
 day of January, 1790. Ten members only of the Senate having answered 
 to their names, the Senate was adjourned for want of a quorum. A quorum 
 of both houses appeared on the 6th.
 
 58 DIARY OF 
 
 Walked around the Battery in the afternoon. 
 
 Received a report from the Secretary at War respecting 
 the state of the frontiers and Indian affairs, with other mat- 
 ters which I ordered to be laid before Congress, as part of 
 the papers which will be referred to in my speech to that 
 body. 
 
 TUESDAY, 5th. 
 
 Several Members of Congress called in the forenoon to 
 pay their respects on their arrival in town, but though a 
 respectable Levee, at the usual hour, three o'clock, the 
 visitors were not numerous. 
 
 WEDNESDAY, 6th. 
 
 Sat from half after 8 o'clock till 10 for the portrait 
 painter, Mr. Savage, to finish the picture of me which he 
 had begun for the University of Cambridge. 
 
 In the afternoon walked around the Battery. 
 
 Miss Anne Brown stayed here, on a visit to Mrs. Wash- 
 ington, to a family dinner. 
 
 THURSDAY, 7th. 
 
 About one o'clock rec'd a Committee from both Houses 
 of Congress, 34 informing me that each had made a house, 
 and would be ready at any time I should appoint to receive 
 the communications I had to make in the Senate Chamber. 
 Named to-morrow, 11 o'clock, for this purpose. 
 
 The following gentlemen dined here, viz : Messrs. Lang- 
 don, Wingate, Strong and Few, of the Senate, the Speaker, 
 Genl. Muhlenberg and Scott, of Pennsylvania, Judge Liv- 
 ermore and Foster, of New Hampshire, Aimes and Thatcher 
 and Goodhue, of Massachusetts, Mr. Burke, of South Car- 
 olina, and Mr. Baldwin, of Georgia. 
 
 34. Messrs. Strong and Izard on the part of the Senate, and Messrs. Gil- 
 man, Ames and Seney, in behalf of the House of Representatives.
 
 WASHINGTON. 59 
 
 FRIDAY, 8th. 
 
 According to appointment, at 11 o'clock, I set out for 
 the City Hall in my coach, preceded by Colonel Hum- 
 phreys and Majr. Jackson in uniform, (on my two white 
 horses) and followed by Messrs. Lear and Nelson, in my 
 chariot, and Mr. Lewis, on horseback, following them. In 
 their rear was the Chief Justice of the United States and 
 Secretary of the Treasury and War Departments, in their 
 respective carriages, and in the order they are named. At 
 the outer door of the hall I was met by the door-keepers of 
 the Senate and House, and conducted to the door of the 
 Senate Chamber ; and passing from thence to . the Chair 
 through the Senate on the right, and House of Representa- 
 tives on the left, I took my seat. The gentlemen who at- 
 tended me followed and took their stand behind the Sena- 
 tors ; the whole rising as I entered. After being seated, 
 at which time the members of both Houses also sat, I rose, 
 (as they also did) and made my speech ; delivering one copy 
 to the President of the Senate, and another to the Speaker 
 of the House of Representatives after which, and being 
 a few moments seated, I retired, bowing on each side to the 
 assembly (who stood) as I passed, and descending to the 
 lower hall, attended as before, I returned with them to my 
 house. 
 
 In the evening a great number of ladies, and many gen- 
 tlemen visited Mrs. Washington. 
 
 On this occasion I was dressed in a suit of clothes made 
 at the Woolen Manufactory at Hartford, as the buttons 
 also were. 
 
 SATURDAY, 9th. 
 Exercised with Mrs. Washington and the children in the
 
 60 DIARY OF 
 
 coach the 14 miles around. 35 In the afternoon walked 
 around the Battery. 
 
 SUNDAY, 10th. 
 
 Went to St. Paul's Chapel in the forenoon wrote pri- 
 vate letters in the afternoon for the Southern mail. 
 
 MONDAY, llth. 
 
 Sent my instructions to the Commissioners (appointed to 
 negotiate a Treaty with the Creek Indians) with the report 
 of their -proceedings to the Senate by the Secretary at War, 
 previous to their being laid before them and the other house 
 in their legislative capacities. 
 
 Also communicated to both Houses, transcripts of the 
 adoption and ratification of the New Constitution by the 
 State of North Carolina, with copies of the letter from His 
 Excellency, Saml. Johnson, President of the Convention, 
 enclosing the same. These were sent by my private Secre- 
 tary, Mr. Lear. 
 
 TUESDAY, 12th. 
 
 Exercised on horseback between 10 and 12 y c riding 
 bad. Previous to this, I sent written messages to both 
 Houses of Congress, informing them that the Secretary at 
 War would lay before them a full and complete statement 
 of the business as it respected the negotiation with the 
 Creek Indians my instructions to, and the Commission- 
 ers' report of their proceedings with those people the 
 letters and other papers respecting depredations on the 
 western frontiers of Virginia, and District of Kentucky. 
 
 35. The route was by the old King's Bridge road, which passed over 
 Murray Hill, where Lexington Avenue now does, to McGowan's Pass at 
 about One hundred and eighth street ; then across on a line with the Har- 
 lem river to Bloomingdale, and so down on the westerly side of the island.
 
 WASHINGTON. 61 
 
 All of which was for their full information, but communi- 
 cated in confidence, and under injunction that no copies be 
 taken, or communications made of such parts as ought to be 
 kept secret. 
 
 About two o'clock a Committee of the Senate waited on 
 me with a copy of their address, in answer to my speech, 
 and requesting to know at what time and place it should be 
 presented. I named my own house, and Thursday next, at 
 11 o'clock, for the purpose. 
 
 Just before Levee hour, a Committee from the House of 
 Representatives called upon me to know when and where 
 they should deliver their address. I named twelve o'clock 
 on Thursday; but finding it was their wish that it should be 
 presented at the Federal Hall, and offering to surrender the 
 Representatives' Chamber for this purpose, by retiring into 
 one of the Committee rooms, and there waiting until I was 
 ready to receive it, I would consider on the place, and let 
 them know my determination before the House should sit 
 to-morrow. 36 
 
 A respectable, though not a full Levee to-day. 
 
 WEDNESDAY, 13th. 
 
 After duly considering on the place for receiving the 
 address of the House of Representatives, I concluded that 
 it would be best to do it at my own house first, because it 
 seems most consistent with usage and custom 2d, because 
 there is no third place in the Federal Hall (prepared) to 
 
 36, As soon as the President and House of Kepresentatives had retired, 
 the Senate ordered the President's speech to be printed ; also appointed a 
 committee, consisting of Messrs. King, Izard and Paterson, to report the 
 draft of an answer to it. On the 9th, the House of Representatives took 
 similar action, and appointed as its committee, Messrs. Smith, of South 
 Carolina, Clymer and Lawrence. Mr. King reported an address to the 
 Senate on the llth, which was accepted; and the following day similar 
 action was had in the House. 
 
 9
 
 62 DIARY OF 
 
 which I could call them, and to go into either of the cham- 
 bers appropriated to the Senate or Representatives, did not 
 appear proper ; and 3d, because I had appointed my own 
 house for the Senate to deliver their's in, and accordingly 
 appointed my own house to receive it. 
 
 THURSDAY, 14th. 
 
 At the hours appointed, the Senate and House of Repre- 
 sentatives presented their respective addresses the mem- 
 bers of both coming in carriages, and the latter with the 
 Mace preceding the Speaker. The address of the Senate 
 was presented by the Vice-President and that of the 
 House by the Speaker thereof. 
 
 The following gentlemen dined here to-day, viz : 
 Messrs. Henry and Maclay, of the Senate and Messrs. 
 Wadsworth, Trumbull, Floyd, Boudinot, Wynkoop, Seney, 
 Page, Lee, and Mathews, of the House of Representatives ; 
 and Mr. John Trumbull. 
 
 FRIDAY, 15th. 
 
 Snowing all day but few ladies and gentlemen as visit- 
 ors this evening to Mrs. Washington. 
 
 SATURDAY, 16th. 
 
 Exercised in the coach with Mrs. Washington and the 
 two children, about 12 o'clock. 
 
 Sent the Report of the Post Master General relative to 
 the necessary changes in that office to the Secretary of the 
 Treasury, that it may be laid before Congress or such 
 parts thereof as may be necessary for their information. 
 
 SUNDAY, 17th. 
 At home all day not well. 
 
 MONDAY, 18th. 
 
 Still indisposed with an aching tooth, and swelled and 
 inflamed gum.
 
 WASHINGTON. 63 
 
 TUESDAY, 19th. 
 
 Not much company at the Levee to-day but the visitors 
 were respectable. 
 
 WEDNESDAY, 20th. 
 
 A Report from the Secretary at War, on the subject of a 
 National Militia, altered agreeably to the ideas I had com- 
 municated to him, was presented to me, in order to be laid 
 before Congress. 
 
 THUESDAY, 21st. 
 
 The above report was accordingly transmitted to both 
 Houses of Congress by the Secretary at War, in a written 
 message from me. 
 
 The following gentlemen dined here, viz : Messrs. Els- 
 worth, Paterson, Elmer, Bassett, and Hawkins, of the 
 Senate and Messrs. Sherman, Cadwalader, Clymer, Hart- 
 ley, Heister, Smith, (Maryland) and Jackson, of the House 
 of Representatives and Major Meredith, Treasurer of the 
 United States. 
 
 FRIDAY, 22d. 
 
 Exercised on horseback in the forenoon. 
 
 Called in my ride on the Baron de Polenitz, to see the 
 operation of his (Winlaw's) threshing machine. 37 The 
 effect was, the heads of the wheat being separated from the 
 straw, as much of the first was run through the mill in 15 
 minutes as made half a bushel of clean wheat allowing 8 
 
 37. The Baron de Poelnitz had a small farm in the vicinity of Murray 
 Hill, where he tried experiments in agriculture. He wrote a pamphlet on 
 the subject, and also suggested to Washington the propriety of establishing 
 a farm under the patronage of the government. The Baron was the in- 
 ventor of various agricultural machines. In a letter to him, written in 
 December previous, Washington proposed to take some occasion ' ' of seeing 
 the manner in which the threshing machine operates. ' ' That occasion is 
 here noted.
 
 64 DIARY OP 
 
 working hours in the 24, this would yield 16 bushels pr. day. 
 Two boys are sufficient to turn the wheel, feed the mill, and 
 remove the threshed grain after it has passed through it. 
 Two men were unable, by winnowing, to clear the wheat as 
 it passed through the mill, but a common Dutch fan, with 
 the usual attendance, would be more than sufficient to do it. 
 The grain passes through without bruising and is well sep- 
 arated from the chaff. Women, or boys of 12 or 14 years 
 of age, are fully adequate to the management of the mill or 
 threshing machine. Upon the whole, it appears to be an 
 easier, more expeditious, and much cleaner way of getting 
 out grain than by the usual mode of threshing ; and vastly 
 to be preferred to treading, which is hurtful to horses, 
 filthy to the wheat, and not more expeditious, considering 
 the numbers that are employed in the process from the 
 time the head is begun to be formed until the grain has 
 passed finally through the fan. 
 
 Many and respectable visitors to Mrs. "Washington this 
 evening. 
 
 SATURDAY, 23d. 
 
 Went with Mrs. Washington in the forenoon to see the 
 Paintings of Mr. Jno. Trumbull. 
 
 SUNDAY, 24th. 
 
 Went to St. Paul's Chapel in the forenoon. 
 Writing private letters in the afternoon. 
 
 MONDAY, 25th. 
 
 A Mr. Francis Bailey, introduced by Messrs. Scott and 
 Hartley, of Pennsylvania, and Mr. White, of Virginia, 
 offered a paper, in the nature of a Petition, setting forth a 
 valuable discovery he had made of marginal figures for 
 notes, certificates, &c.. which could not by the ingenuity of 
 man be counterfeited requesting I would appoint some
 
 WASHINGTON. 65 
 
 person to hear and examine him on the subject ; that 
 if the facts stated by him should appear well founded, he 
 might (being a printer, of Philadelphia) have the printing 
 of all that sort of the public business for which this dis- 
 covery should be found useful and which he would do on 
 as good terms as any other printer, independent of the dis- 
 covery above mentioned, all the advantage he should expect 
 from which being to obtain a preference. 
 
 Read a letter from George Nicholas, Esq., of Kentucky, 
 to Mr. Madison, which he put into my hands for informa- 
 tion of the sentiments of the people of that district. 
 
 The sentiments are 2d Nov'r. 
 
 That in the late Convention held in that district, the 
 most important characters of that party which has al- 
 ways been in favor of a separation, oppose the agree- 
 ing to it at this time, upon a supposition that the terms 
 have been changed by Virginia, so as to make them 
 inadmissible in their present form. Their enemies say 
 this cannot be their true reason : but be them what 
 they may, the scale is turned against separation. 
 
 That he believes no late attempt has been made by either 
 Spain or England to detach that district from the 
 Union but 
 
 
 
 That Spain is playing a game which, if not counteracted, 
 will depopulate that country, and carry most of the 
 future emigrants to her territory. That they have 
 established a new government, independent of New 
 Orleans at the Natchez, and sent thither a man of 
 character and abilities who would not for unimpor- 
 tant purposes have accepted the appointment. 
 
 That this new Governor has put a stop to the reception 
 of tobacco from the inhabitants of the United States 
 declaring that none shall be received into the King's
 
 66 DIARY OP 
 
 stores, (where it used to be purchased and deposited,) 
 except from Spanish subjects and that these shall 
 have ten dollars a hundred. 
 
 That other great advantages are held out to emigrants 
 from the United States to settle in the Spanish Terri- 
 tory such as a donation of lands, and a certain sum 
 in money for each family. 
 
 That the consequences of restriction on one hand, and 
 encouragements to settlers on the other, are obvious 
 the difference of religion and government are all that 
 can make any man hesitate in his choice and perfect 
 liberty in both these the strongest assurances are 
 given. 
 
 That the French inhabitants of that country, as well as 
 future emigrants from the old States, will certainly go 
 there. 
 
 That persevering steadily in this conduct will drain the 
 Western settlements. 
 
 That these considerations ought to make the Federal 
 Government take (he thinks) the most decided steps 
 as to the right of navigating the Mississippi, and induce 
 it to pay particular attention to the gaining the affec- 
 tions of the Western people. 
 
 That the steps hitherto taken with respect to them have 
 had a contrary effect : no support having been given 
 by the General Government, and the regulation of In- 
 dian Affairs having been placed in hands who were 
 interested in a continuance of their depredations on 
 the Kentucky district. 
 
 That if a trade is not established with them on such a 
 footing as to supply their wants, that they will do this 
 by plunder.
 
 WASHINGTON. 67 
 
 That the management of this business being in the hands 
 of persons North-West of the Ohio, it is inculcated on 
 the Jndians of the same side of the river, that as the 
 Kentuckians and they are separate people, and in sep- 
 arate interests, they may war with the first, and not 
 with them. That of this disposition and conduct there 
 are sufficient proofs whenever it is found that the inte- 
 rests of the two sides clash. 
 
 That the Commissioners being always named from per- 
 sons living on that (North-west) side of the river, and 
 always holding the Treaties there, contributes greatly 
 to establish in the Indian mind this opinion of their 
 being a distinct people. 
 
 That the Kentucky district being 20 times as numerous 
 as the inhabitants ofthe other side, ought to have as 
 great a share in the management of Indian Affairs as 
 the people on the other side have. 
 
 That he is well convinced the bulk of the people in that 
 district are strongly attached to the Union, and that 
 characters might be found there better qualified to 
 manage the business than those in whose hands it is 
 now placed. 
 
 That if it is not the desire of the New Government to 
 lose all its friends in that quarter, a change must be 
 made in this business. The Indians must be convinced 
 that the Americans are all one people that they shall 
 never attack any part with impunity and that in fu- 
 ture their real wants will be supplied in time of peace. 
 This is all they ask. 
 
 That they deny in positive terms what the officers on the 
 north-west side of the river assert, viz : that hostili- 
 ties are always commenced by the people of the Ken-
 
 68 DIARY OF 
 
 tucky district. Expeditions have and will be carried 
 on across the river in revenge for depredations of the 
 Indians, until the Government takes up the matter ef- 
 fectually. 
 
 That Mr. Brown (to whom he has written) can inform in 
 what light they are considered by the officers on the 
 other side of the river. 
 
 That the want of money, he knows, prevents the Govern- 
 ment from doing many things which otherwise would 
 be undertaken, but that need not stop the necessary 
 steps because, if sanctioned by it, they can raise any 
 number of men and furnish any quantity of provisions 
 that may be wanting, and will wait until their finances 
 enable them to make satisfaction. 
 
 That he fears the Government have taken up an idea that 
 that country can be defended by a few posts along the 
 river if so, it is a most erroneous one, for an army 
 would scarcely supply the chain that would be neces- 
 sary. 
 
 That the post at the mouth of Licking is considered by 
 many in the district of Kentucky as a check upon the 
 said district. To this he can only say, if they are 
 treated as fellow-citizens, checks are unnecessary but 
 if it is intended to withhold from all the benefits of 
 good government, a little time will shew that, as here- 
 tofore, they have found the troops useless and faithless 
 as friends, so in future they shall despise them as ene- 
 mies. 
 
 That upon the whole, he shall close the subject with assu- 
 rances that Government are deceived in the accounts 
 they have had from that country and that it is his 
 opinion that the most serious consequences will follow
 
 WASHINGTON. 69 
 
 from its persisting in the measures which have been 
 pursued for some time past. 38 
 
 TUESDAY, 26th. 
 
 Exercised on horseback in the forenoon. 
 The visitors at the Levee to-day were numerous and 
 respectable among whom was the Vice-President and 
 Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
 
 Read a letter handed to me by the Secretary of "War, 
 from a Col. Daniel Smith, of Miro settlement, in the State 
 of North Carolina, in reply to one which was an answer to 
 a letter received from the said Smith respecting Indian af- 
 fairs and state of the frontier of that part of the Union, 
 and giving (as he was required to do) an account of the 
 navigation of the river Tennessee and its waters the com- 
 munication between these and other waters and the dis- 
 tances of places, as follow, viz : 
 The distance between the settlements of white people 
 south of the French Broad River, (fl" French Broad 
 is a branch of Holstein 39 River, on the south side, 
 which is a branch of the Tennessee,) and the Indians 
 at and in the vicinity of Chota, (a Cherokee Indian 
 town,) is about 12 miles. 
 
 He never passed down the Tennessee himself. That part 
 of it on which Chota stands is a south fork of the Hol- 
 stein their junction is about 20 miles below Chota, 
 from which the whole river is called ye Tennessee. 
 
 Boats of 7 or 8 tons burthen have frequently gone down 
 the Holstein and the water is sufficient for those of 
 
 38. Kentucky was yet a district of Virginia. The people of the territory 
 adopted a State Constitution in 1790, but the separation from Virginia did 
 not take place until 1792. Kentucky was admitted into the Union on the 
 first of June, that year. 
 
 39. Holston. 
 
 10
 
 70 DIARY OP 
 
 greater burden ; but there is a place called the Suck, 
 or boiling pot, where the river runs through the Cum- 
 berland Mountains, that is somewhat difficult, occa- 
 sioned by the narrowness of the water and suddenness 
 of the turn, that causes a rebound and kind of whirl- 
 pool ; but many boats have passed it, and he has not 
 heard of damage to any of them, nor has he been in- 
 formed that there is any material difficulty in the nav- 
 igation more than is common in rivers of that size, 
 where there is no tide. 
 
 Between the Suck and the Muscle Shoals, he is sure there 
 is not. 
 
 Supposes the distance by water from Chota to the last 
 mentioned place, is between 3 and 400 miles; the width 
 of the river is very unequal generally about 500 
 yards, except at the Suck, where it is not half that 
 width. 
 
 The nature of the river, for the most part, is to have a 
 bluff on one side and low grounds on the other, (which 
 is liable to be overflowed) alternately ; the banks are 
 woody, and the low grounds thick with cane. 
 
 The Cherokees may be classed into three divisions. The 
 valley settlements on the Tennessee above Chota, east- 
 ward of the Iron Mountain those in the neighborhood 
 of Chota and those in the neighborhood of Chicka- 
 mogga, (which is a creek running into the Tennessee, 
 on the south side, a few miles above Suck) they have 
 detached villages besides but the number of their 
 towns is unknown to him nor can he say what num- 
 ber of souls they may consist of, but supposes of .... 
 
 Warriors, there may be about 2,000 or 2,500 and of the 
 three divisions, the Chickamoggas are perhaps the 
 most numerous.
 
 WASHINGTON. 71 
 
 Muscle Shoals have different accounts given of them by 
 people who have passed them some say they are 30 
 miles, others not 15 in length but all agree that the 
 river there is about 3 miles in width, very shallow, and 
 full of small islands occasioned by drift wood lodging 
 on the rocks, by which means mud and sand are accu- 
 mulated ; the lowest shoal is accounted rather the 
 worst. It is not possible for a large boat to pass them 
 in ascending the river at any season, nor can they pass 
 down them but in time of a flood. 
 
 Occhappo Creek he had never heard of nor has he un- 
 derstood there was any creek on the south side of the 
 river, near the Muscle Shoals, that was navigable, un- 
 less when the river was high. Seven or eight miles 
 below the Muscle Shoals, there was formerly a Chero- 
 kee village, at the mouth of Cold Water Creek, but he 
 never heard that it was navigable : 15 or 20 miles 
 below this again is Bear Crejek, on which a small tribe 
 of Delawares live. 
 
 From the mouth of Cold Water Creek, or Bear Creek, 
 to the highest navigation of the Mobile, he has heard 
 it accounted 60 miles, but cannot say that it is so ; the 
 head waters of the Mobile may be about half that dis- 
 tance from the Tennessee. 
 
 Miro is the name of the district on Cumberland that in- 
 cludes three counties. Nashville is the name of the 
 town where the Superior Court is held. From hence 
 to the lower end of the Muscle Shoals is about 150 
 miles, nearly south. 
 
 Duck River, a north branch of the Tennessee, where the 
 path which leads from Nashville to the Chickasaw Na- 
 tion crosses it, is about 60 miles from the Cumberland 
 settlement about a south-west course. About 100
 
 72 DIARY OF 
 
 miles further in the same direction is the nearest 
 Chickasaw towns the mouth of Duck River by water, 
 he supposes may be near 200 miles below the Muscle 
 Shoals. 
 
 Cumberland Settlements are not very compact they ex- 
 tend from the mouth of Red River, a north branch of 
 Cumberland River, up to Bledsoe's Creek, being about 
 80 or 90 miles. The strength of the militia about 800 
 and increasing fast thinks they may be now by the 
 late emigrations 1,000. 
 
 From Nashville to Lexington is about 200 or 210 miles, 
 by land and from Nashville to the Falls of Ohio is 
 about 140 miles, by land. 
 
 From the mouth of the Tennessee up to the Muscle 
 Shoals the navigation is good equal to that of the 
 Ohio below the Falls the width of the river near half 
 a mile, in places almost double the distance about 400 
 miles. 
 
 Chickasaws have no towns on the Tennessee the nigh- 
 est they have to it is about 60 miles from, or a little 
 below Bear Creek. Their principal towns he has un- 
 derstood are on the heads of a fork of the Mobile, and 
 on the head of the Yazoos ; the number of their war- 
 riors is about 800. 
 
 Choctaws lye farther to the southward than the Chicka- 
 saws, and are a numerous nation. They are in alliance 
 with the Chickasaws, and he has heard their numbers 
 estimated at 7 or 8,000 at least equal to those of 
 the Creeks, though not so well armed. 
 
 McGillivray's communications with the Cherokees he 
 conceives have a constant tendency to excite them to 
 war against the frontiers of Georgia and North Caro-
 
 WASHINGTON. 73 
 
 lina or at least cautioning them to be on their guard 
 against the white people, and infusing suspicions into 
 the minds of them. The Creeks have wanted them to 
 join in a war against the white people, but they have 
 refused, and would be glad to see them humbled for 
 the insolence with which they treat them. 
 
 It will be highly pleasing to his settlement Miro to 
 hear that Congress will protect it. 
 
 WEDNESDAY, 27th. 
 
 Did business with the Secretaries of the Treasury and 
 War. With the first respecting the appointment of Super- 
 intendents of the Light Houses, Buoys, <fec., and for build- 
 ing one at Cape Henry. With the latter for nominating 
 persons (named in a list submitted to me) for paying the 
 military pensioners of the United States and the policy 
 and advantages (which might be derived from the measure) 
 of bringing Mr. Alex'r McGillivray, Chief of the Creek 
 Nation here, being submitted to me for consideration, I re- 
 quested that a plan might be reported by which Govern- 
 ment might not appear to be the agent in it, or suffer in its 
 dignity if the attempt to get him here should not succeed. 
 
 THURSDAY, 28th. 
 
 Sent a letter (with an Act of the Legislature of the State 
 of Rhode Island, for calling a Convention of that State, to 
 decide on the Constitution of the Union,) from Governor 
 Collins, to both Houses of Congress to do which, was re- 
 quested by the act, of the President. 
 
 The following gentlemen dined here, viz : the Vice-Pres- 
 ident, the Secretary of the Treasury Messrs. Schuyler, 
 Morris, Izard, Dalton and Butler, of the Senate ; and 
 Messrs. Smith, (South Carolina,) Stone, Schureman, Fitz- 
 simmons, Sedgwick, Huger, and Madison, of the House of 
 Representatives.
 
 74 DIARY OP 
 
 FRIDAY, 29th. 
 
 Exercised on horseback this forenoon ; during my ride, 
 Mr. Johnston, one of the Senators from North Carolina, 
 who had just arrived, came to pay his respects, as did Mr. 
 Gushing, one of the Associate Judges the latter came 
 again about 3 o'clock, introduced by the Yice-President. 
 
 Received from the Governor of North Carolina, an Act 
 of the Legislature of that State, authorizing the Senators 
 thereof, or one of the Senators and two of the Representa- 
 tives, to make (on certain conditions) a Deed of Session of 
 their Western Territory, described within certain natural 
 boundaries ; and requesting that the same should be laid 
 before the Congress of the United States. 
 
 Received also a letter from the Baron de Steuben, decla- 
 rative of his distresses ; occasioned by the non-payment or 
 non-fulfilment of the contract which was made with him by 
 the Congress under the former Confederation, 40 and re- 
 questing my official interference in his behalf. The deli- 
 cacy of this case from the nature and long laboring of it, 
 requires consideration. 
 
 The visitors to Mrs. Washington this evening were nu- 
 merous and respectable. 
 
 SATURDAY, 30th. 
 
 Exercised with Mrs. Washington and the children in the 
 coach in the forenoon. Walked around the Battery in the 
 afternoon. 
 
 SUNDAY, 31st. 
 
 Went to St. Paul's Chapel in the forenoon. 
 
 40. On the 13th of June, 1785, the Continental Congress resolved to pay 
 Baron de Steuben the sum of $1,826, with the interest thereon. On the 
 27th of September following, a further sum of .seven thousand dollars was 
 voted to be paid to him. These sums were to be given in consideration of 
 his services during the Revolution.
 
 WASHINGTON. 75 
 
 Mr. Wilson, one of the Associate Judges of the Supreme 
 
 Court, paid his respects to me after I returned from church. 
 
 Spent the afternoon in writing letters to Mount Vernon. 
 
 FEBRUARY, 1790. 
 MONDAY, 1st. 
 
 Agreed on Saturday last to take Mr. Me Combs' house, 
 lately occupied by the Minister of France, for one year 
 from and after the first day of May next ; and would go 
 into it immediately, if Mr. Otto, the present possessor, 
 could be accommodated ; and this day sent my Secretary 
 to examine the rooms to see how my furniture could be 
 adapted to the respective apartments. 
 
 TUESDAY, 2d. 
 
 Exercised in the carriage with Mrs. Washington. 
 
 On my return found Mr. Blair, one of the Associate 
 Judges, the Attorney-General of the United States, and 
 Col. Bland here. 
 
 The Levee to-day was much crowded, and very respecta- 
 ble ; among other company, the District Judge and Attor- 
 ney, with the Marshall and all the Grand Jurors of the 
 Federal District Court, (and a respectable body they were) 
 attended. 
 
 Sent (yesterday) the Deed of Session of the Western 
 Lands, by the State of North Carolina, to the United 
 States, to both Houses of Congress. 
 
 WEDNESDAY, 3d. 
 
 Visited the apartments in the house of Mr. Me Combs 
 made a disposition of the rooms fixed on some furniture 
 of the Minister's (which was to be sold, and was well adapt-
 
 76 DIARY OF 
 
 ed to particular public rooms) and directed additional 
 stables to be built. 41 
 
 THURSDAY, 4th. 
 
 Received from a Committee of both Houses of Congress, 
 an Act entitled " An Act for giving effect to the several 
 Acts therein mentioned, in respect to the State of North 
 Carolina, and other purposes." 
 
 The following company dined here, viz : The Vice-Pres- 
 ident, the Chief Justice of the United States, Judges Gush- 
 ing, Wilson, and Blair, of the Supreme Court, and Judge 
 Duane, of the District Court ; the Attorney-General of the 
 United States (Randolph) ; the Marshall, Attorney, and 
 Clerk of the District, viz : Smith, Harrison, and Troup ; 
 Mr. Johnson and Mr. Hawkins, of the Senate, and the Sec- 
 retaries of the Treasury and War Departments, to wit : 
 Hamilton and Knox. 
 
 FRIDAY, 5th. 
 
 Received from Doctr. Williamson, of North Carolina, a 
 list of names whom he thought would be proper to fill the 
 Revenue offices in that State. Submitted the same to the 
 Senators of that State for their inspection and alteration. 
 
 . SATURDAY, 6th. 
 
 Walked to my newly engaged lodgings to fix on a spot 
 for a new stable which I was about to build. Agreed with 
 
 to erect one 30 feet square, 16 feet pitch, to contain 
 
 12 single stalls ; a hay loft, racks, mangers, &c. ; planked 
 
 41. This was on Broadway, west side, a little below Trinity Church. It 
 was subsequently occupied as a hotel, and was called The. Mansion House. 
 The residence previously occupied by the President was on Cherry street, 
 just out of Franklin Square. By the removal of some buildings at the 
 junction of Pearl and Cherry streets, that house had a front on Franklin 
 Square for many years. It was demolished in 1856.
 
 WASHINGTON. 77 
 
 floor, and underpinned with stone, with windows between 
 each stall, for .65. 
 
 The resignation of Mr. Harrison as an Associate Judge, 
 making a nomination of some other character to supply his 
 place necessary, I determined, after contemplating every 
 character which presented itself to my view, to name Mr. 
 Iredell, of North Carolina ; because, in addition to the 
 reputation he sustains for abilities, legal knowledge, and 
 respectability of character, he is of a State of some impor- 
 tance in the Union that has given no character to a fed- 
 eral office. In ascertaining the character of this gentleman, 
 I had recourse to every means of information in my power, 
 and found them all concurring in his favor. 
 
 SUNDAY, 7th. 
 Went to St. Paul's Chapel in the forenoon. 
 
 MONDAY, 8th. 
 
 Nominated officers for the Revenue department in North 
 Carolina. Mr. Iredell as an Associate Judge ; and all those 
 who had been temporarily appointed during the recess of 
 the Senate to fill resigned offices ; likewise Major Samuel 
 Shaw, as Consul for Canton, in China. 
 
 Sent the Bill which had been presented to me on Thurs- 
 day last, back to the House of Representatives, with my 
 approved signature. 
 
 TUESDAY, 9th. 
 
 A good deal of company at the Levee to-day. 
 Exercised on horseback in the forenoon. 
 
 WEDNESDAY, 10th. 
 
 Sat from 9 until 11 o'clock for Mr. Trumbull to draw my 
 11
 
 78 DIARY OP 
 
 picture in his historical pieces. 42 Dispatched Commis- 
 sions, and all the necessary Acts, to the Revenue officers 
 in North Carolina. 
 
 THURSDAY, llth. 
 
 Exercised on horseback in the forenoon. 
 
 The following gentlemen dined here, viz : Messrs. Leon- 
 ard and Groal, of Massachusetts ; Huntington and Sturges, 
 of Connecticut ; Silvester, of New York ; Sinnickson, of 
 New Jersey ; Gale, of Maryland ; and Bland, Parker and 
 Moore, of Virginia. 
 
 FRIDAY, 12th. 
 
 Sat from 9 o'clock until 11, for Mr. John Trumbull, for 
 the purpose of drawing my picture. 
 
 A good deal of company (gentlemen and ladies) to visit 
 Mrs. Washington this afternoon. 
 
 SATURDAY, 13th. 
 
 "Walked in the forenoon to the house to which I am 
 about to remove. Gave directions for the management of 
 the furniture, &c., and had some of it put up. 
 
 SUNDAY, 14th. 
 At home all day writing private letters to Virginia. 
 
 MONDAY, 15th. 
 
 Sat between 9 and 11, for Mr. John Trumbull. 
 
 Sent to both Houses of Congress a Letter from the Pres- 
 
 42. These ' ' historical pieces ' ' were the battles of Trenton and Prince- 
 ton. Mr. Trumbull had arrived from Paris in November, 1789, and pro- 
 ceeded to paint as many of the heads of the signers of the Declaration of 
 Independence as were present in Congress, at the second session, which 
 commenced hi New York on the fourth of January, 1790. At the same 
 time he painted the portrait of Washington on horseback, for his " histo- 
 rical pieces," above referred to.
 
 WASHINGTON. 79 
 
 ident of New Hampshire, enclosing the adopted articles of 
 amendments of the Constitution of the United States, pro- 
 posed by the latter at its last session, to the States indi- 
 vidually. Perused two letters to Col- Hawkins, of the 
 Senate, sent to me by the Secretary of War for my infor- 
 mation. The one from a Landin Clark, dated Nashville, 
 Warren County, the 8th of Sept'r, 1789 ; the other from 
 Brig'r Genl. Joseph Martin, dated Smith's River, Jan. 7, 
 1790. The first of these letters mentions that the loose and 
 disorderly people that first settled the district in which he 
 is, remove, as government (by means of the Superior Court) 
 is extended amongst them, and supplied by persons of bet- 
 ter character and morals. That the Spanish Governor of 
 Louisiana is holding out every lure to invite the citizens of 
 the United States to settle under that government. That 
 a Doctor White, who has been some time at New Orleans? 
 does not seem to like the government, and discourages our 
 settlers from migrating to it till it can at least be seen what 
 measures the government of the Union will take respecting 
 the navigation of the Mississippi. That conventions which 
 it had been proposed to hold in Kentucky, and other dis- 
 tricts of the western country, for the purpose of addressing 
 the old Congress on this subject, had been proposed for the 
 same reason. That there was no appearance of giving up 
 the Posts of the Natchez to the United States, though it 
 was within their territory ; on the contrary, Roman Cath- 
 olic Churches were built there, and provision made for 
 newly arrived priests. That the Spanish Governor has said 
 that it is not want of land that make them oppose our settle- 
 ments, or which causes them to withhold the navigation of 
 the Mississippi from us, but because they do not like our 
 advancing in such numbers, and so fast upon them. In 
 short, they act under the operation of fear and jealousy, 
 though they will not acknowledge these to be the motives
 
 80 DIARY OF 
 
 for their conduct. That it has been reported through the 
 Western Settlements that Mr. Gardoqui had invited them 
 to put themselves under the Spanish government, with as- 
 surances of peace and trade as consequences of it ; and that 
 the Governor, by proclamation, had invited them to become 
 inhabitants of Louisiana. That any person (he is informed) 
 may take produce to New Orleans, paying 15 pr. ct. duty 
 to the King. That the force (military) in the two Floridas 
 consist of two regiments, of 600 men each ; and he is told 
 a third is ordered to be raised, to consist entirely of Span- 
 iards by birth. That the district in which he is, populates 
 fast and will soon make a State. And as the navigation of 
 the Mississippi is essential to them, it must be obtained by 
 treaty, or by force, or they must connect themselves with 
 the Spaniards. That it is not supposed the two Floridas 
 and Louisiana contain more than 20,000 souls. That the 
 distance from Nashville to New Orleans by land (which he 
 has traveled) is about 450 or 500 miles, and not a mountain 
 and hardly a hill in the way. That this year he supposes 
 they will make 300 hhds. of tobacco for which 3^d. only 
 is given, when the Spaniard gets 10 dollars pr. hd. wt. 
 
 The other letter from Gen. Martin encloses the report of 
 a Committee of the Assembly of North Carolina, which had 
 been appointed to examine into a correspondence between 
 him and Mr. McGillivray, by which he stands acquitted of 
 any intention to injure the United States, or any of them. 
 Informs him that from tolerable good information, he has 
 just heard that the Chickasaw Nation had made a stroke at 
 the Chicamages Indians, and were driving all before them. 
 That several women and children of the latter had run to 
 the inhabitants of Little River for refuge. That he shall 
 set out in a few days, and as soon as the particulars can be 
 known will give information of them. Wishes to know 
 whether Congress approves of this war or not. Thinks he
 
 WASHINGTON. 81 
 
 can easily stop it, if it does not meet their approbation. 
 But adds, their wars with one another may be the means of 
 peace to our frontiers. Requests a hint on the subject by 
 way of Richmond, directed to the care of the Post-master 
 there. 43 
 
 TUESDAY, 16th. 
 
 Intended to have used exercise on horseback, but the 
 weather prevented my doing it. Rode to my intended 
 habitation, and gave some directions respecting the man- 
 agement of the furniture. 
 
 The Levee to-day was thin. 
 
 Received some papers from the Secretary at War respect- 
 ing a correspondence to be opened between Col. Hawkins, 
 of the Senate, and Mr. McGillivray, of the Creek Nation, 
 for the purpose of getting the latter, with some other chiefs 
 of that nation to this place, as an expedient to avert a war 
 with them. But, the commissioning a person to negotiate 
 this business with Mr. McGillivray, without laying the 
 matter before the Senate, and the expense of the business 
 appearing to bring in question the powers of the President, 
 I requested to see and converse with the Secretary of War, 
 to-morrow, on this subject. 
 
 WEDNESDAY, 17th. 
 
 The Secretary attending ; and reference being had to 
 the Act constituting the Department of War, and the Act 
 
 43. This matter is in relation to Tennessee, which had belonged to North 
 Carolina. It was erected into a Territory in 1790, (having been ceded to 
 the United States, by North Carolina, in 1784,) under the title of "Terri- 
 tory south of the river Ohio, ' ' as distinguished from the ' ' North-western 
 Territory." In 1789, the Legislature of North Carolina authorized its 
 representatives hi Congress to execute deeds of conveyance of Tennessee to 
 the United States, which they did the following year. Tennessee was ad 
 mitted into the Union in 1796.
 
 82 DIARY OF 
 
 appropriating 20,000 dollars for the expense of treating 
 with the Southern Indians seeming to remove (at least in a 
 degree) the above doubts, but not in an unequivocal man- 
 ner, I desired him to take the opinion of the Chief Justice 
 of the United States and that of the Secretary of the Treas- 
 ury on these points, and let me know the result. 
 
 THURSDAY, 18th. 
 
 Sat for Mr. Trumbull from 9 o'clock till 10 ; after which 
 exercised in the post-chaise with Mrs. Washington. On 
 our return home called on Mrs. Adams, lady of the Vice- 
 President. 
 
 The following company dined here to-day, viz : Judge 
 Gushing and his lady ; the Postmaster General and his 
 lady, and Messrs. Boudinot, Griffin, Coles, Gerry, and 
 White, and their ladies. 
 
 Sent a Message to the Senate with the copies of a letter 
 from the Governor of Massachusetts, and a resolve of the 
 Assembly of that State, respecting the disputed boundary 
 between them and the British of Nova Scotia. 
 
 FRIDAY, 19th. 
 
 Exercised on horseback about 9 o'clock. Walked after- 
 wards to my new house. 
 
 Received a Capt. Drew, Com'r of a British sloop of war, 
 sent express to Sir John Temple, Consul- General of that 
 nation in the United States. 
 
 The visitors this evening to Mrs. Washington were nu- 
 merous and respectable.. 
 
 SATURDAY, 20th. 
 
 Sat from 9 until 11, for Mr. Trumbull. Walked after- 
 wards to my new house then rode a few miles with Mrs. 
 Washington and the children before dinner ; after which
 
 WASHINGTON. 83 
 
 I again visited my new house in my coach (because it 
 rained). 
 
 SUNDAY, 21st. 
 
 Went to St. Paul's Chapel in the forenoon wrote let- 
 ters respecting my domestic concerns afterwards. 
 
 MONDAY, 22d. 
 
 Set seriously about removing my furniture to my new 
 house. Two of the gentlemen of the family had their beds 
 taken there, and would sleep there to-night. 
 
 TUESDAY, 23d. 
 
 Few or no visitors at the Levee to-day, from the idea of 
 my being on the move. After dinner, Mrs. Washington, 
 myself, and children removed, and lodged at our new hab- 
 itation. 
 
 WEDNESDAY, 24th. 
 
 Employed in arranging matters about the house and fix- 
 ing matters. 
 
 THURSDAY, 25th. 
 
 Engaged as yesterday. 
 
 In the afternoon a Committee of Congress presented an 
 Act for enumerating the inhabitants of the United States. 
 
 FRIDAY, 26th. 
 
 A numerous company of gentlemen and ladies were here 
 this afternoon. 
 
 Exercised on horseback this forenoon. 
 
 SATURDAY, 27th. 
 
 Sat for Mr. Trumbull this forenoon ; after which exer- 
 ci^ed in the coach with Mrs. Washington and the children.
 
 84 DIABY OP 
 
 SUNDAY, 28th. 
 
 Went to St. Paul's Chapel in the forenoon. Wrote let- 
 ters on private business afterwards. 
 
 MARCH, 1790. 
 MONDAY, 1st. 
 
 Exercised on horseback this forenoon, attended by Mr. 
 John Trumbull, who wanted to see me mounted. 
 
 Informed the House of Representatives (where the Bill 
 originated) that I had given my assent to the act for taking 
 a Census of the People. 
 
 Also communicated to both Houses the application from 
 the field officers of Harrison County, (made through the 
 County Lieutenant, Col- Duval,) for assistance, as they 
 apprehend the season was near at hand when Indian depre- 
 dations would be commenced. With these, some other 
 papers respecting the Western Frontiers were sent. 
 
 TUESDAY, 2d. 
 
 Much and respectable company was at the Levee to-day. 
 Caused a letter to be written to the Gov'r of St. Jago, 
 respecting the imprisonment of a Capt. Hammond. 
 
 WEDNESDAY, 3d. 
 Exercised on horseback between 9 and 11 o'clock. 
 
 THURSDAY, 4th. 
 
 Sat from 9 until half after 10 o'clock for Mr. Trumbull. 
 
 The following gentlemen dined here to-day, viz : The 
 Yice-President, Messrs. Langdon, Wingate, Dalton, Strong, 
 Ellsworth, Schuyler, King, Patterson, Morris, McClay,Bas- 
 sett, Henry, Johnson, Hawkins, Izard, Butler, and Few, all 
 of the Senate.
 
 WASHINGTON. 85 
 
 FRIDAY, 5th. 
 
 A very numerous company of ladies and gentlemen here 
 this evening. 
 
 SATURDAY, 6th. 
 
 Exercised in the coach with Mrs. Washington and the 
 children, and in the afternoon walked around the Battery. 
 
 Received a letter from the Governor of the western ter- 
 ritory, dated at the Rapids of Ohio, 44 giving an account of 
 the state of affairs in the western country. 
 
 SUNDAY, 7th. 
 At home all day writing letters on private business. 
 
 MONDAY, 8th. 
 
 Sent to both Houses of Congress the Resolves of the 
 Delaware State, to adopt and make part of the Constitu- 
 tion of the United States, the amendments proposed by the 
 General Government except the first article of the said 
 amendments, the consideration of which they postponed. 
 
 TUESDAY, 9th. 
 
 A good many gentlemen attended the Levee to-day 
 among whom were many members of Congress. 
 
 WEDNESDAY, 10th. 
 
 Exercised on horseback between 9 and 11 o'clock. On 
 my return had a long conversation with Col- Willet, who 
 was engaged to go as a private agent, but for public pur- 
 poses, to Mr. McGillivray, principal chief of the Creek 
 Nation. In this conversation he was impressed with the 
 critical situation of our affairs with that nation the im- 
 portance of getting him and some other chiefs to this city 
 
 44. Now Louisville, Kentucky. 
 
 12
 
 86 DIARY OP 
 
 the arguments justifiable for him to use to effect this 
 with such lures as respected McGillivray personally, and 
 might be held out to him. His (Col- Willet's) going was 
 not to have the appearance of a governmental act he, and 
 the business he went upon, would be introduced to McGil- 
 livray by Col- Hawkins, of the Senate, (from North Caro- 
 lina,) fc who was a correspondent of M'Gillivray's but he 
 would be provided with a passport to him and other Indian 
 Chiefs, if they inclined to make use of it ; but not to part 
 with it if they did not. The letter from Col- Hawkins to 
 McGillivray was calculated to bring to his and the view of 
 the Creek Nation the direful consequences of a rupture with 
 the United States. The disposition of the general govern- 
 ment to deal justly and honorably by them and the means 
 by which they, the Creeks, may avert the calamities of war, 
 which must be brought on by the disorderly people of both 
 nations, if a Treaty is not made and observed. His instruc- 
 tions relative to the principal points to be negotiated would 
 be given to Col- Willet, in writing, by the Secretary of 
 War. 
 
 THURSDAY, llth. 
 
 A Letter from Arthur Campbell, Esqr., of Washington 
 County, Virginia, to the Secretary at War, was put into 
 my hands by the latter, containing the following informa- 
 tionthe letter dated 6th Feb., '90 : 
 
 That half the Cherokee Nation would desire to remain 
 neuter in case of a war between the United States and 
 the Creek Indians, viz : those in the neighborhood of 
 Chota, and all those which are called the Middle Set- 
 tlements. The towns on the Tennessee below Hiwas- 
 see, and those on the heads of the Caussa, would aid 
 the Creeks.
 
 WASHINGTON. 87 
 
 That from the Long Island in Holstein to the Junction 
 of French Broad, the navigation is equal to that of 
 Monongahela between the mouth of Cheat and Pitts- 
 burgh below it, it is exceeding good to where the 
 river passes through Cumberland Mountain, a dis- 
 tance of about 150 miles by water. Here the river 
 runs with great rapidity against a steep rock, which 
 forms its bank and makes a short turn, and gives this 
 place the name of the whirl ; the river here being not 
 more than the fourth of its common breadth above 
 and below it is very deep but not dangerous, with 
 care. 
 
 That from this place the river runs with a gentle current 
 southerly, near the foot of the Cumberland Mountain, 
 on the west side for about 100 miles, (something east- 
 wardly of this distance the mountain ends,) then it be- 
 gins to turn northwardly 100 miles more to the upper 
 end of the Muscle Shoals. 
 
 That these Muscle Shoals are gentle rapids for about 30 
 miles, and the difficulty lays in strangers missing the 
 right channel the river being 2 miles wide and full of 
 small islands. 
 
 That the Creek landing on the Tennessee is about 80 
 miles below the whirl, from whence there is a good 
 road to the Caussa, on the branches of which, and the 
 Alabama river, (both waters of the Mobile) most of the 
 upper Creeks live. 
 
 That below the Muscle Shoals a row-boat of any size may 
 ascend the river with almost the same facility it passes 
 downwards. 
 
 That from Nashville to the lower settlements on Holstein 
 the new road is computed 180 miles. Miro is the 
 name of the district. 
 
 That from Nashville to the Muscle Shoals is 70 miles.
 
 3 DIARY OF 
 
 That it is the upper Creeks generally, the Cherokees of 
 
 the lower towns, to wit, Chickamaga, Jack and 
 
 Crews Town, that give annoyance to the Southern set- 
 tlements of Kentucky, the path through the wilder- 
 ness, and the Holstein settlements. 
 That the Miro District (which contains all the Cumber- 
 land settlements,) can raise 800 good militia men to- 
 tal number of inhabitants may be about 4,000, besides 
 slaves. 
 
 That Washington District in North Carolina contains 
 4,000 militia, and Washington District in Virginia 
 about 2,000 militia the two latter mostly in Holstein 
 Valley. 
 
 That Kentucky District has between 8 and 10,000 men. 
 That in his opinion a regiment of militia could be raised 
 to go against the Southern Indians, to serve one com- 
 pany in six weeks after the officers should receive or- 
 ders for the purpose, and that before the expiration of 
 that time 560 regular troops could be enlisted to serve 
 three years or better call them rangers. THe light 
 infantry companies and troops and horse of in the dif- 
 ferent western counties might be ordered into service 
 agreeable to the existing laws of Virginia. Out of 
 these a fine Ranging Regiment might be enlisted. 
 That the distances, aa computed, from place to place, are 
 as follows, viz : 
 
 From Lexington, in Kentucky, 
 
 To Danville 30 miles. 
 
 Green River 60 " 
 
 Big Barren River 60 " 
 
 Red River Station 40 " 
 
 Nashville, on Cumb'd. ..25 " 
 
 Muscle Shoals 70 " 
 
 285. 

 
 WASHINGTON. 89 
 
 From Lexington to Crab Orchard 40 miles. 
 
 To Cumberland Gap 100 " 
 
 The mouth of Hiwassee 75 " 
 
 Big Shoemac Town, (Cherokee). . .40 ' 
 
 Creek Towns 60 " 
 
 315. 
 
 From Nashville to Holstein 
 
 To Bledsoes Lick 30 miles. 
 
 Big Salt Lick, (Cumber'd) 30 " 
 
 Junction of the Holstein and Ten- 
 nessee 100 " 
 
 160. 
 
 From the mouth of Holstein, the direct way to the Creek 
 Towns 
 
 To Hiwassee old Town (Cherokees)...40 miles. 
 
 Big Shoemac 30 " 
 
 Upper Creeks or Caussa Waters.. 60 
 
 130. 
 
 The following gentlemen dined here to-day, viz : 
 Mr. Read, of the Senate, the Speaker, and the following 
 gentlemen of the House of Representatives, viz : Messrs. 
 Oilman, Goodhue, Aimes, WadsWorth, Trumbull, Benson, 
 Lawrence, Peter Muhlenberg, Wynkoop, Vining, Carroll, 
 Contee, Madison, Page, and Sumpter also Judge Bedford 
 and Mr. John Trumbull.
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below 
 
 NOV 8 1949 
 
 
 MAR 2 2 1960 
 
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