Washington, George, 1732-1799. The writings of George Washington from the original manuscript sources
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To WILLIAM GRAYSON

    Mount Vernon, January 22, 1785.

    Dear Sir: Your letter, with the Books, Potomac bill and other papers, did not reach this until past eleven o'clock on Monday forenoon; at which hour having set off for Alexandria, I did not receive the dispatches until my return in the evening. The next morning I forwarded the Bill to Messrs. Fitzgerald, Hartshorn to act upon, and to get a number of copies struck for promulgation, and the benefit of those who might wish to become subscribers. For the trouble you have had with the Books and for your care of the letters and papers which accompanied them, you will please to accept my thanks.

    It would have given me much satisfaction if, instead of pursuing the rout thro' Frederick, you had resolved to have taken this road to the seat of Congress: besides the pleasure of seeing you, I wished to have had some conversation with you on the subject of the late generosity of the Assembly towards me; for I will freely confess to you my dear sir, that no circumstance has happened to me since I quited the walks of public life that has given me more embarrassment, than the act vesting me with 150 shares in the tolls of each of the rivers Potomac and James. On the one hand I consider this instance of the regard and attention of my native State as more than a mere compliment: this evidence of her good opinion and wishes to serve me is unequivocal and substantial , it has impressed me with sentiments of the deepest gratitude, and I should be hurt, if I could think that my non-acceptance… 48

[Note:The omitted portion is practically the same as Washington's letter to Benjamin Harrison, the same date as this letter (Jan. 22, 1785), q. v.]

    Did you not my good Sir tell me when I had the pleasure of spending an evening with you at Dumfries, that you either had or could procure me some Scions of the Aspin tree? Are there any young shoots which could he had of the Yew tree, or Hemlock (for I do not now recollect which of these it is) that grows on the Margin of Quantico Creek? Plantations of this kind are now become my amusement and I should be glad to know where I could obtain a supply of such sorts of trees as would diversify the scene. With great esteem and regard, I am, etc. 49

[Note:From the "Letter Book" copy in the Washington Papers.]