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

TO ALEXANDER SPOTSWOOD. - 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 ALEXANDER SPOTSWOOD.

Philadelphia, 23 November, 1794.

Dear Sir,

It has not been in my power to acknowledge, with convenience, the receipt of your letter of the 14th until now; first, because it did not get to my hands until my return from the Westward—2dly because my attention, ever since to the present moment, has been occupied in examining the various papers on which my communications to Congress were to be founded.

I do not see how any one can decide so well on the project you have in contemplation as yourself, who has a view of all the circumstances of the case, before you; and who know how far so important a change in the scene as that of transplanting yourself and family into a new Country, is reconcilable to your own feelings and dispositions—and because from the enquiries you have undoubtedly made, you must better know than any other who has not turned his thoughts to the subject, what you can sell for here, and buy at there.

It has always been my opinion that new Countries (by this I mean the interior of our own) are the best to lay the foundation of wealth, in as much as lands which, comparatively speaking, are to be had there cheap, rise in a fourfold ratio to what they do in the Atlantic Sea—and it is to this circumstance, and the opportunities of acquiring them (by being in the scene) that the advantages consist.—As, until the navigation of the Mississippi can be obtained, or the communication between the Eastern, and Western Waters is made more easy, than is the case at present, the principal demand for the product of the land is found in the emigrants who resort to it.—To this cause also, is to be ascribed the rapidly increasing prices of those Lands.

In one part of your letter, you talk of removing to Kentucky; and in another, of vesting money in Lands West of the Ohio, which creates a doubt as to your principal view:—You are not uninformed, I presume, that there is no land office open at this time in the last mentioned District, and that there is no means by which land can be obtained there, at present, except by purchase of army rights, or from some of those Companies to whom Congress have sold large tracts;—and in the present stage of our disputes with the Indians, that no settlement is thought safe from the scalping knife, that is not under the protection of some fort.—The same indeed may be said of the frontiers of Kentucky, while the central lands in that state are, as I am informed, selling very high. But of these facts you must be better informed than I am.

I should think it perfectly expedient so soon as you shall have resolved to sell your land on Rappahannock—to advertize it in all the principal Gazettes from Richmond to New York inclusively; and not to be too hasty in disposing of it, except for a very good price; as there are reasons to believe that in the course of this winter, and the ensuing spring and summer, many men of property from Europe will remove to this country, or send over their property, with a view to invest it, either in our funds, or in Lands.

With respect to the other species of property, concerning which you ask my opinion, I shall frankly declare to you that I do not like even to think, much less talk of it. However, as you have put the question, I shall, in a few words, give you my ideas of it.—Were it not then, that I am principled against selling negroes, as you would do cattle at a market, I would not in twelve months from this date, be pos sessed of one, as a slave. I shall be happily mistaken, if they are not found to be very troublesome species of property ere many years pass over our heads—(but this by the bye). For this reason—and because there is but little sale for what is raised in the Western Country, it remains for you to consider whether their value would not be more productive in lands, reserving enough for necessary purposes, there. My love to Mrs. Spotswood and the family. I am, etc.