Washington, George, 1732-1799. The writings of George Washington from the original manuscript sources: Volume 3
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*To THOMAS JOHNSON
Mount Vernon, May 5, 1772.

    Dear Sir: As I wrote to you yesterday, I should scarcely have found any thing to have said to day, had not Mr. Ballendine's 54 desire of laying before Govt. Eden, 55 and the Gentlemen of Annapolis, a Scheme which he has been encouraged to adopt, of visiting the Duke of Bridgewaters Works, and other things of the kind in England, with a view of bringing himself better acquainted with the true principles of that sort of knowledge, laid me under a kind of necessity of giving him a line to Govr. Eden and &ca. (not that I would mean to recommend either the Man, or his Measures farther than they deserve) whilst I was doing this, it occur'd to me from an Advertisement of a desired meeting of the Clergy in Annapolis, that you might possibly be there, and therefore I recommended it to Mr. Ballendine to shew you the Plan also; as he has Met with pretty considerable incouragement on this side the Potomack, and

[Note:John Ballendine, of Fairfax County, Va. ]
[Note:Gov. Robert Eden, of Maryland. ]
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has got Letters (as he says) from Lord Dunmore to Mr. Brinley, 56 and other's, from whom he expects the Insight necessary to enable him to be instrumental in carrying into execution the present attempt of extending the Navigation of Potomack from Tide Water upwards, as far as Fort Cumberland. At the same time that I acknowledge that, Mr. Ballendine has a natural genius to thing's of this sort, which if properly encouraged may lend much to publick utility, I cannot help adding, that, his Principles have been loose; whether from a natural depravity, or distress'd circumstances, I shall not undertake to determine; how far therefore a Man of this cast is entitled to encouragement every one must judge for themselves, for my part I think, if he applies the Money Subscribed, to the end proposed, the Publick will derive great advantages from it; on this acct. it is, alone, I wish to see him encouraged, and on this principle it is, I have taken the liberty of mentioning of him to Govt. Eden, Colo. Sharpe, 57 Majr. Jenifer and yourself; because, I think the opening of the Potomack will at once fix the Trade of the Western Country at least till it may be conduct'd through the Mississipi, (by New Orleans) through that Channel, and end, in amazing advantages to these two Colonies. I shall not trouble you further on this Subject. Mr. Ballendine says he must be at Annapolis this Night, I am therefore detaining him. I am very sincerely, Dr. Sir, etc.

[Note:James Brindley, the great English engineer, whose principal interest was in canals. ]
[Note:Horatio Sharpe, formerly Governor of Maryland, and Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer. ]

    [H.L.]