Autograph Letter Signed

French policy and Construction at Mount Vernon

Request simple report from McHenry's office. Conduct of French. Notes on construction of his house. Requests forwarding of letter to Messr. Read and Ford.

1797

04

03

Mount Vernon

Private

James McHenry

George Washington

Messrs.

Ford

Read

General Lee

carpenters

masons

French

military

Mount Vernon

Philadelphia

roads

1797040340001

1

3

(undecipherable)
Mount Vernon [undecipherable] 1797

Dear Sir,
Your letter of the 24th. [undecipherable] has been duly received, and I thank you for the information given in it: -- Let me pray you to have the [undecipherable] to communicate to me occasionally, such matters as are interesting, and [undecipherable] contrary to the values of your office at duty to disclose._ We get so many detail in the Gazettes, and of such different con[undecipherable]ions that it is impossible to know whatere [undecipherable] to any of them. ---
The [undecipherable] of the French governments is so much beyond calculations, and so [undecipherable] upon any principle of justice or even to that sort of policy which is familiar to plain understand [undecipherable], that I shall not now puzzle my brains on attempt [undecipherable] to develop their motives to it. __
We get home without accident, and found the Roads drier, and better than I was [undecipherable] them at that Season of the year. __ The attentions we met with on our first undecipherable] were very flattening [undecipherable] to some [undecipherable] have minds are differently formed
[undecipherable]
from mine would have been haplly[?] relished; but favoreded in every instance where I had any previous knowledge go the intention, & could by earnest entreaties prevail a[undecipherable] parade, or escorts.-- Mrs.. Washington {undecipherable] a violent cold in Philadelphia, [undecipherable] upon her [undecipherable]h, but not as bad as it did.--
I find myself in the situation many of a young beginner; for although I have not houses to build (except one, which I must erect for the accommodation & security of my Military; [undecipherable] & private Papers which are voluminous and may be interesting) yet I h[undecipherable] , or scarcely any [undecipherable] about me that does not require considerable repairs.__ In a [undecipherable], I am already surroundad by [undecipherable], Masons, Painters, &ec[?]&. and such is my anxiety to get out of their Lands, that I have scarcely a room to put a friend into; or to set in myself, without the Music if hammers, or the odoriferous smell of paint.__
I will make no apology for putting the enclosed under cavier to you. __. If General Lee should have left Philadelphia, let me request the favor of you to open the letter to [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] that could [undecipherable]
delivered to Majsr. Reed & Ford, by persons who you can inform me with certainty, has done so; that I may know to what cause to [unkown word] (should it happen) any delay in their answer; and add, if you please, who then ^there be any cause to suspect a failure of there Gentlemen. __
You will readily perceive that what is said of the [undecipherable], and what I write to Genl. Lee is of a private nature, and [undecipherable] to be mentioned unless the reportres [undecipherable] Reed & Ford are facts of notoriely.

Mrs. Washington & Miss Custus[?] [undecipherable] that [undecipherable] for your kind [undecipherable] of them, and join me in best regards for MrsMcHenry & yourself with
Dear Sir
Your sincere friend and Affectionate
G:oWashington

James McHenry Espr