University of Virginia Library

TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.

I send you the enclosed paper chiefly for the sake
of the Edict which fixes on May for the meeting
of the States general in France. Letters from Mr.
Jefferson authenticate the document. They mention
also the disgrace as it is called of the Marquis.
The struggle at present in that Kingdom seems to be
entirely between the Monarchy & aristocracy, and the
hopes of the people merely in the competition of their
enemies for their favor. It is probable however

that both the parties contain real friends to liberty
who will make events subservient to their object.

The Count Moustier and the Marchioness Brehan
are to set out this day for Mount Vernon. I take it
for granted you are not only apprised of the intended
visit, but of the time at which the guests may be
expected.

The State of Connecticut has made choice of Docr.
Johnson and Mr. Elsworth for its Senators, and has
referred that of its representatives to the people at
large, every individual citizen to vote for every
Representative.

I have not heretofore acknowledged your last
favor, nothing material having turned up for some
time, and the purpose of Col. Carrington to see you
on his way to Virginia superseding all the ordinary
communications through the epistolary channel. It
gives me much pleasure to find that both the opposition
at first and finally the accession to the vote
fixing N. York for the first meeting of the New Congress
has your approbation. My fears that the
measure would be made a handle of by the opposition
are confirmed in some degree by my late information
from Virga. Mr. Pendleton the Chancellor
tells me he has already met taunts from that quarter
on this specimen of Eastern equity & impartiality.
Whether much noise will be made will depend on the
policy which Mr. Henry may find it convenient to
adopt. As N. York is at the head of his party, he
may be induced by that circumstance not to make
irritating reflections; though the fact is that the

party in this [State] which is with him is supposed to
be indifferent & even secretly averse to the residence
of Congress here. This however may not be known
to him.