University of Virginia Library

TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.

Dear Sir,—Recollecting to have heard you mention
a plan formed by the Empress of Russia for a
comparative view of the aborigines of the New Continent,
and of the N. E. parts of the old, through the
medium of their respective tongues, and that her
wishes had been conveyed to you for your aid in obtaining
the American vocabularies, I have availed myself
of an opportunity offered by the kindness of Mr.
Hawkins, of taking a copy of such a sample of the
Cherokee & Choctaw dialects as his late commission
to treat with them enabled him to obtain, and do myself
the honor now of inclosing it. I do not know
how far the list of words made use of by Mr. Hawkins
may correspond with the standard of the Empress,
nor how far nations so remote as the Cherokees

Choctaws from the N. W. shores of America, may fall
within the scheme of comparison. I presume however
that a great proportion at least of the words will
answer, and that the laudable curiosity which suggests
investigations of this sort will be pleased with
every enlargement of the field for indulging it. Not
finding it convenient to retain a copy of the inclosed
as I wished to do for myself, I must ask the favor of
your amanuensis to perform that task for me.

The appointments for the Convention go on very
successfully. Since the date of my last, Georgia, S.
Carolina, N. York, Massts, & N. Hampshire have
come into the measure. Georgia & N. Hampshire
have constituted their Delegates in Congs. their representatives
in Convention. S. Carolina has appointed
Mr. J. Rutledge, Genl. Pinkney, Mr. Laurens, Major
Butler and Mr. Chas. Pinkney, late member of Congs.
The deputies of Massts. are Mr. Dana, Mr. King, Mr.
Ghoram, Mr. Gerry, Mr. Strong. I am told that a
Resolution of the Legislature of this State which
originated with their Senate lays its deputies under
the fetter of not departing from the 5th of the present
articles of Confederation. As this Resolution passed
before the Recommendatory act of Congress was
known, it is conjectured that it may be rescinded;
but its having passed at all denotes a much great[er]
prevalence of political jealousy in that quarter than
had been imagined. The deputation of N. York consists
of Col. Hamilton, Judge Yates, and a Mr. Lansing.
The two last are said to be pretty much linked
to the anti federal party here, and are likely of course

to be a clog on their colleague. It is not doubted now
that Connecticut & R. Island will avoid the singularity
of being unrepresented in the Convention.

The thinness of Congs has been an obstacle to all
the important business before them. At present there
are nine States on the ground but this number, though
adequate to every object when unanimous, makes a
slow progress in business that requires seven States
only. And I see little prospect of the number being
increased.

By our latest and most authentic information from
Massts., it would seem that a calm has been restored by
the expedition of Genl. Lincoln. The precautions
taking by the State however betray a great distrust of
its continuance. Besides their act disqualifying the
malcontents from voting in the election of members
for the Legislature &c. another has been passed for
raising a corps of 1000 or 1500 men, and appropriating
the choicest revenues of the Country to its support.
It is said that at least half of the insurgents decline
accepting the terms annexed to the amnesty, and that
this defiance of the law agst. Treason, is countenanced
not only by the impunity with which they shew themselves
on public occasions, even with insolent badges
of their character, but by marks of popular favor conferred
on them in various instances in the election to
local offices.

A proposition has been introduced & discussed in
the Legislature of this State for relinquishing its claim
to Vermont, and urging the admission of it into the
Confederacy. As far as I can learn difficulties will

arise only in settling the form, the substance of the
measures being not disliked by any of the parties. It
is wished by those who are not interested in claims to
lands within that district to guard agst. any responsibility
in the State for compensation. On the other
side it will at least be insisted that they shall not be
barred of the privilege of carrying their claims before
a federal Court, in case Vermont shall become a party
to the Union. I think it probable if she should not
decline becoming such altogether, that she will make
two conditions if not more: 1. that neither her boundaries
nor the rights of her citizens shall be impeachable
under the 9th art: of Confederation. 2. that no
share of the public debt already contracted shall be
allotted to her.

I have a letter from Col. Jn°. Campbel,[96] dated at
Pittsburg, from wch. I gather that the people of that
quarter are thrown into great agitation by the reported
intention of Congs. concerning the Mississippi, and
that measures are on foot, for uniting the minds of all
the different settlements which have a common interest
at stake. Should this policy take effect I think

there is much ground to apprehend that the ambition
of individuals will quickly mix itself with the first impulses
of resentment and interest, that by degrees the
people may be led to set up for themselves, that they
will slide like Vermont insensibly into a communication
and latent connection with their British Neighbours,
and, in pursuance of the same example, make
such a disposition of the Western territory as will
entice into it most effectually emigrants from all parts
of the Union. If these apprehensions be not imaginary
they suggest many observations extremely interesting
to Spain as well as to the United States.

I hear from Richmond with much concern that Mr.
Henry has positively declined his mission to Philada.
Besides the loss of his services on that theatre, there
is danger I fear that this step has proceeded from a
wish to leave his conduct unfettered on another theatre
where the result of the Convention will receive its
destiny from his omnipotence.

With every sentiment of esteem & affection I
remain