Here is your smoking gun. I
can't find that Ron or Doug have pointed to
it already, but perhaps they
have.
Washington is very clear in this letter to Lincoln that the
'navigable
part of the business is to be undertaken by a company.' No
wonder he
paid so little attention to the business of the
Commissioners.
Ed
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/mgw:@field(DOCID+@lit(gw280055))
PREVIOUS
NEXT NEW
SEARCH
The
George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress, 1741-1799
George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, February 5, 1785
IMAGES
The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources,
1745-1799. John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor.--vol. 28
Mount Vernon, February
5, 1785.
My Dr. Sir: Not until within these few days have I been favored
with your letter of the 18th. of Octr. introductory of Mr. Porter. I beg you to
be assured that I shall have pleasure in shewing him every civility in my power
while he makes this region the place of his residence; as I shall to any other,
to whom you may give letters recommendatory.
A few days ago I received
from on board some vessel in the harbor of Alexana. two cheese's and a barrel
(wrote thereon Major Rice)86
of Cranberries, unaccompanied by letter, but said to be a present from you. If
this be the fact I pray you to accept my thanks for this token of your
recollection, or to offer them to Majr. Rice, if the barrel came from
him.
[Note 86: Maj. Nathan Rice. He was formerly
aide to General Lincoln.]
We have nothing stirring in this quarter
worthy of observation, except the passing of two Acts by the Assemblies of
Virginia and Maryland (exactly similar) for improving and extending the
navigation of the river Potomac from tide water, as high up as it shall be found
practicable, and communicating it by good roads with the nearest navigable
waters to the Westward: which acts in their consequences, may be of great
political, as well as commercial advantages: the first to the confederation, as
it may tie the Settlers of the Western Territory to the Atlantic States by
interest, which is the only knot that will hold. Whilst those of Virginia and
Maryland will be more immediately benefited by the large field it opens for the
latter. Books for receiving subscriptions are to be opened at Alexandria and
other places the 8th. instant, and continue so until the 10th. of May; as the
navigable part of the business is to be undertaken by a company to be
incorporated for the purpose. With great truth and sincerity I am, etc.87
[Note 87: From the "Letter Book" copy in theWashington
Papers.]
PREVIOUS NEXT NEW
SEARCH