Washington, George, 1732-1799. The writings of George Washington from the original manuscript sources
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*To JAMES DUANE

    Mount Vernon, April 10, 1785.

    Dear Sir: Enclosed you have my answer to the Acts of your Corporation, which I pray you to present. I thank you for the Arguments and judgment of the Mayor's Court of the City of New York in the Cause betwn. Elizabeth Rutgars and Joshua Waddington, 47 I have read them with all the attention I could give the subject, and though I pretend not to be a competent judge of the Law of Nations, or the principle and policy of the Statute upon which the Action was founded; yet, I must confess, that reason seems very much in favor of the opinion given by the Court, and my judgment yields a hearty assent to it.

[Note:A few papers concerning the case of Elizabeth Rutgers vs. Joshua Waddington are in the Hamilton Papers (Legal), 1784, in the Library of Congress. ]

    It is painful, to hear that a State which used to be the foremost in Acts of liberality, and its exertion to establish our fæderal system upon a broad bottom and solid ground is contracting her ideas, and pointing them to local and independent measures; which, if persevered in, must Sap the Constitution of these States (already too weak), destroy our National character, and render us as contemptable in the eyes of Europe as we have it in our power to be respectable. It should seem as if the Impost of 5 pr Ct. would never take place; for no sooner does an obstinate State begin to relent, and adopt the recommendations of Congress, but some other runs restive; as if there was a combination among them, to defeat the measure.

    >From the latest European Accts. it is probable an accommodation will take place between the Emperor 48 and the Dutch, but to reverberate News to a man at the source of intelligence would be idle, therefore Mum.

[Note:Emperor Joseph II, of Austria. ]

    The Dutch I conceive are too much attached to their possessions and their wealth, if they could yield to the pangs of parting with their Country, to adopt the plan you hinted to Mr. Van Berckel. The Nations of Europe are ripe for Slavery; a thirst after riches, promptitude to luxury, and a sinking into venality with their concomitants, untune them for manly exertions and virtuous Sacrifices.

    I do not know from whence the report of my coming to Trenton could have originated, unless from a probability of my accompanying the Marquis de la Fayette as far as New York should have caus'd it; he pressed me to the measure, but the season was too much opposed to it, to obtain my consent.

    Mrs. Washington and myself, entertain a grateful sense of the kind recollection of us by you, Mrs. and Miss Duane, and the other branches of your family, and beg leave to present our Compliments to, and best wishes for, them all.

    With very great esteem, &c.

    P. S. If our Rocky-hill acquaintance, Mrs. Vanhorne, has removed (as she talked of doing) to the City of New York I pray you to recall me, in respectful terms, to her remembrance.

    [N.Y.H.S.]