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Subject Area: Political Theory
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

TO EDMUND RANDOLPH, ATTORNEY-GENERAL. - George Washington, The Writings of George Washington, vol. XII (1790-1794) [1891]

Edition used:

The Writings of George Washington, collected and edited by Worthington Chauncey Ford (New York and London: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1890). Vol. XII (1790-1794).

Part of: The Writings of George Washington, 14 vols.

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TO EDMUND RANDOLPH, ATTORNEY-GENERAL.

Mount Vernon, 23 October, 1793.

Dear Sir,

Your letter of the 14th instant only came by the post of last night to Alexandria, and this is sent thither today, that it may go by to-morrow’s mail, and thereby reach you as soon as the nature of the case will admit.

As you have given no positive opinion respecting the power of the executive to change the place for Congress to meet at,1 and as it is uncertain what will be the result of this business, I am really at a loss to decide which of the three houses, mentioned in the postscript to your letter of the above date, would best suit me, or whether either of them would.

If, from the present state of the malady, with which Philadelphia is visited, and there is an unfavorable prospect of its ceasing, Germantown should be thought unsafe, and of course an ineligible spot for Congress to sit in or meet at, even in the first instance, any kind of lodging and board would suffice for the short stay I should have to remain there, especially as all the time, not employed in business with the heads of departments and yourself, might be spent in little excursions to places at a small distance therefrom. Of course all idea of furnishing and keeping a house myself, being entirely unprovided with servants or means of any sort, ought to be banished entirely, if it be practicable, and some rooms, even in a tavern, if I could be retired in them, taken in preference. On the other hand, if my stay there is likely to be of any continuance, then unquestionably Colonel Franks’s (if to be had) would suit me best, because more commodious for myself and the entertainment of company; and, next to this, Bensel’s.

This is the light in which the matter strikes me at this distance. But, as you are on the spot, know more precisely than I possibly can do the real state of things, and besides, have been in the way of having the various opinions of people on the subject of what Congress ought to do, I would leave much to your judgment. I shall set out, so as to be in Germantown or thereabouts the 1st of November, if no difficulties should be encountered on the road. As there can be but a short interval between your receipt of this letter and my arrival, any place might do for my first reception.

It is not in my power to despatch a servant before me. I shall have but two, neither of which can be spared for such a purpose. These, with five horses, Mr. Dandridge, and myself, form the total of my family and equipage. It would be very convenient for me, therefore, to meet a letter from you at Wilmington, that I may know better how to proceed from thence, and where to cross the Schuylkill.

My best wishes, in which Mrs. Washington unites, attend you, Mrs. Randolph, and family. We are glad to hear, that your apprehensions on account of Peyton have subsided. With sincere esteem and regard, I am, dear Sir, &c.1

[1 ]The official paper by the Attorney-General on the subject came afterwards.

[1 ]By letter from Mr. Randolph, written a few days after the above, it appears that he had in contemplation an important undertaking.

“I have examined,” said he, “the addresses, resolutions, and answers, which are now returned. In many of them the Proclamation is called a declaration of neutrality; and therefore confirms the opinion, that the speech ought (as it clearly may) put this paper upon its true and a satisfactory footing.

“What has been published concerning it, united with numberless misrepresentations in other instances, determined me some months ago to begin a history and review of your administration. I had made some progress in it, and should have advanced further, had I not found some difficulty in asking from the Secretary of State access to the public archives, without communicating at the same time my object. However, had it not been for the interruption, which has been given for some time past to every business connected with Philadelphia, I should have persevered, and endeavored to procure the means of full and accurate information. The essay of Agricola convinces me of the importance of such a work, upon public as well as other interesting considerations; and, let my future arrangements be as they may, I shall not relinquish it. But I am extremely apprehensive, that the pestilence of Philadelphia will reduce the practice of the law within the city to such a modicum, as to force me to think of reëstablishing myself in Virginia. For although I do not doubt, that, were I to go into as large a field as some others of the bar here, my share of profit would content me; yet, as that cannot be done consistently with my office, the share which I had must be considerably diminished. Whatever delay may proceed from this circumstance, the work itself shall proceed; and I have now taken the liberty of saying thus much to you in confidence, only to prepare the way, if on some occasion I shall find it necessary to beg the communication of any particular information.”—November 10th.