New York, March 1, 1790.
Dear Sir: Since my last to you, dated the 13 of October, 1 have removed to a larger house (the one lately occupied by the Count de Moustier), enlarged my table, and of course my Guests; let me therefore request the favor of you to add two pieces to the number of plateaux required in the above letter, and ornaments equivalent, for it will take these in addition to what I before asked, to decorate the present Table.
I would thank you also for sending to me at the same time fourteen (of what I believe are called) Patent lamps, similar to those used at Mr. R. Morris's, but less costly, two or at most three guineas a piece, will fully answer my purposes. Along with these, but of a more ordinary sort (say at about one guinea each), I should be glad to receive a dozen other patent lamps for the Hall, Entries, and Stairs of my house. These lamps, it is said, consume their own smoke, do no injury to furniture, give more light, and are cheaper than candles. Order a sufficiency of spare glasses and an abundance of wicks.
If I had not in my former letter on this subject offered reasons accompanied with an apology for giving you so much trouble, I would, to keep up the custom, do it now, although I persuade myself you had rather comply with my request than be troubled with the best apology I could make for giving it.
Being well persuaded that you are regularly informed of the proceedings of the second Session of Congress, the disposition of that body, so far as it has been developed, and of the general complexion of our public affairs, I shall not trouble you with a repetition; but shall with much truth assure you that I am etc.35
[Note:From the "Letter Book" copy in the Washington Papers .On March 1 Washington wrote to Wakelin Welch concerning payment for the articles mentioned. This letter is recorded in the "Letter Book" in the Washington Papers.
On March 1 Lear wrote, by direction of the President, to Gov. Mor: Anseto Antone Freatz, of St. Jagto, Cape Verde Islands, informing him of the capture of the American sloop Brothers by the British frigate Pomona , and the captain, Thomas Hammond, pilot, and crew imprisoned. The reason for the seizure was that dollars were found on the sloop which were said to have been taken from wrecks on a reef near Bonavista Island. The President asked to be informed in the matter. Lear's letter is recorded in the "Letter Book" in the Washington Papers .
On March 4 the Society of Free Quakers, meeting in Philadelphia. delivered a complimentary address to Washington to which he replied at some unknown date. This reply, along with the address. is entered in the "Letter Book." In it Washington wrote: "Having always considered the conscientious scruples of religious belief as resting entirely with the sects that profess, or the individuals who entertain them, I cannot, consistent with this uniform sentiment, otherwise notice the circumstances referred to in your address, than by adding the tribute of my acknowledgment to that of our country, for those services which the members of your particular community rendered to the common cause in the course of our revolution. And by assuring you that, as our present government was instituted with an express view to general happiness, it will be my earnest endeavor, in discharging the duties confided to me with faithful impartiality, to raise the hope of common protection which you expect from the measures of that government." ]