University of Virginia Library

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Dear Sir,—I recd. your favor of the 29th. Ult: on
thursday. That by Col. Lee had been previously
delivered. Your letter for the Assembly was laid
before them yesterday. I have reason to believe that
it was received with every sentiment which could
correspond with yours. Nothing passed from which
any conjecture could be formed as to the objects
which would be most pleasing for the appropriation
of the fund. The disposition is I am persuaded much
stronger to acquiesce in your choice whatever it may

be than to lead or anticipate it; and I see no inconveniency
in your taking time for a choice that will
please yourself. The letter was referred to a committee
which will no doubt make such a report as will
give effect to your wishes.

Our Session commenced very inauspiciously with a
contest for the chair, which was followed by a rigid
scrutiny into Mr. Harrison's election in his county.
He gained the chair by a majority of 6 votes and retained
his seat by a majority of still fewer. His residence
was the point on which the latter question
turned. Doct Lee's election was questioned on a
similar point, and was also established; but it was
held to be vacated by his acceptance of a lucrative
post under the United States. The House have engaged
with some alacrity in the consideration of the
Revised Code prepared by Mr. Jefferson Mr. Pendleton
& Mr. Wythe. The present temper promises an
adoption of it in substance. The greatest danger
arises from its length compared with the patience of
the members. If it is persisted in it must exclude
several matters which are of moment, but I hope only
for the present Assembly. The pulse of the H. of D.
was felt on thursday with regard to a general manumission,
by a petition presented on that subject. It
was rejected without dissent, but not without an
avowed patronage of its principle by sundry respectable
members. A motion was made to throw it under
the table, which was treated with as much indignation
on one side as the petition itself was on the other.
There are several petitions before the House against

any step towards freeing the Slaves, and even praying
for a repeal of the law which licences particular manumissions.
The Merchants of several of our Towns
have made representations on the distress of our commerce,
which have raised the question whether relief
shall be attempted by a reference to Congs., or by
measures within our own compass. On a pretty full
discussion it was determined by a large majority that
the power over trade ought to be vested in Congress,
under certain qualifications. If the qualifications
suggested & no others should be annexed, I think
they will not be subversive of the principle tho' they
will, no doubt, lessen its utility. The Speaker, Mr.
M. Smith & Mr. Braxton, are the champions against
Congress. Mr. Thurston & Mr. White have since
come in, and I fancy I may set down both as
auxiliaries. They are, however not a little puzzled
by the difficulty of substituting any practicable regulations
within ourselves. Mr. Braxton proposed two
that did not much aid his side of the question: the
1 was that all British vessels from the W. Indies
should be excluded from our ports; the 2. that no
Merchant should carry on trade here until he sd have
been a resident—years. Unless some plan free
from objection can be devised for this State, its
patrons will be reduced clearly to the dilemma of
acceding to a general one, or leaving our trade under
all its present embarrassments. There was some little
skirmishing on the ground of public faith, which leads
me to hope that its friends have less to fear than was
surmised. The Assize & Port Bills have not yet been
awakened. The Senate will make a House to-day for
the first time.