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the Turks: and the Emperor appears to have settled matters pretty thoroughly in his dominions. Of the state of things in France we can form no just ideá, so various and contradictory are our accounts from thence; but we most devoutly wish a speedy and happy termination of the struggle which has for some time past convulsed that kingdom.

Peace and tranquillity pervade the territory of the United States, except on the north-west side of the Ohio, where the frequent depredations of the Indians made it necessary to form an expedition against them last fall; but that has not been productive of the consequences which were expected from it. The Indians still continue their hostilities, and measures are now taking to convince them, if they do not see the folly of their way before they can be carried into effect, that the arm of the United States is as much to be dreaded as their friendship is to be desired.

Our public credit is restored; our resources are increasing; and the general appearance of things at least equals the most sanguine expectation that was formed of the effects of the present government.

I am about to set out, to-morrow or next day, on a tour through the Southern States. I am under the necessity of commencing my journey with very bad roads, in order that I may take such advantages of the season as to be leaving the southern extremity before the travelling shall be rendered disagreeable, and perhaps dangerous, by the heat.

I expect to return to this city in the latter part of June or early in July. Since the rising of Congress I have been, and shall be till my departure, very busily engaged in making such arrangements with the several departments as will enable me to be absent for several months without interrupting public business. And if I have not said every thing in this letter that I intended, or that you might expect, it must be imputed to the hurry of the moment. But at any rate, there is one thing I must not omit, which is to tell you that I am very sincerely,

Your affectionate friend,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

P.S. Mrs. Washington and all the family cordially unite with me in best wishes for you.

LETTER II.

GEORGE WASHINGTON, President of the United States of America, to DAVID HUMPHREYS, Minister of the United States of America at Lisbon.

MY DEAR SIR,

Philadelphia, July 20, 1791.

I HAVE received your letters of the 16th of February and 3d of

May, and am much obliged by your observations on the situation, manners, customs, and disposition of the Spanish nation.

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In my last I mentioned my intention of visiting the Southern States, which I have since accomplished; and have the satisfaction to inform you, that I performed a journey of 1887 miles without meeting with any interruption by sickness, bad weather, or any untoward accident. Indeed, so highly were we favoured, that we arrived at each place where I proposed to make any halt on the very day I had fixed upon before we set out. The same horses performed the whole tour, and although much reduced in flesh, kept up their spirits to the last day.

I am much pleased that I have taken this journey, as it has enabled me to see, with my own eyes, the situation of the country through which we travelled, and to learn more accurately the disposition of the people than I could have done by any information. The country appears to be in a very improving state, and industry and frugality are becoming much more fashionable than they have hitherto been there. Tranquillity reigns among the people, with that disposition towards the general government which is likely to preserve it. They begin to feel the good effect of equal laws and equal protection. The farmer finds a ready market for his produce, and the merchant calculates with more certainty on his payments. Manufactures have, as yet, made but little progress in that part of the country, and it will, probably, be long before they are brought to that state to which they have already arrived in the middle and eastern parts of the union.

Each day's experience of the government of the United States seems to confirm its establishment, and render it more popular. A ready acquiescence in the laws made under it shows, in a strong light, the confidence which the people have in their representatives, and in the upright views of those who administer the government. At the time of passing a law imposing a duty on homemade spirits, it was vehemently affirmed by many, that such a

law could never be executed in the Southern States, particularly in Virginia and North-Carolina. As this law came into force only on the first day of this month, little can be said of its effects from experience; but from the best information I could get on my journey respecting its operation on the minds of the people (and I took some pains to obtain information on this point), there remains no doubt but it will be carried into effect, not only without opposition, but with very general approbation in those very parts where it was foretold that it would never be submitted to by any

one.

It is possible, however, and perhaps not improbable, that some demagogue may start up-produce, and get signed some resolutions declaratory of their disapprobation of the measure.

Our public credit stands on that ground which, three years ago, it would have been considered as a species of insanity to have foretold. The astonishing rapidity with which the newly-instituted Bank was filled, gives an unexampled proof (here) of the resources of our countrymen, and their confidence in public measures. On the first day of opening the subscriptions, the whole number of shares (25,000, including the 5000 subscribed on account of the United States) were taken up in one hour, and application made for upwards of 4,000 shares more than were granted by the institution, besides many others that were coming in from different quarters.

For sometime past the western frontiers have been alarmed by depredations committed by some hostile tribes of Indians. Such measures are now in train as will, I presume, either bring them to sue for peace before a stroke is struck at them, or make them feel the effects of an enmity too sensibly to provoke it again unnecessarily; unless

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Though I must, at the same time, confess I cannot see much prospect of living in tranquillity with them so long as a spirit of land-jobbing prevails; and our frontier settlers entertain the opinion that there is not the same crime, or indeed no crime at all, in killing an Indian as in killing a white person.

You have been informed of the spot fixed upon for the seat of government on the Potowmack, and I am now happy to add, that all matters between the proprietors of the soil and the public are settled to the mutual satisfaction of the parties; and that the business of laying out the city, the grounds for public buildings, walks, &c. is progressing under the inspection of Major L'Enfant with pleasing prospects.

Thus much for our American affairs. I wish I could say as

much in favour of circumstances in Europe. But our accounts from thence do not paint the situation of the inhabitants in very pleasing colours. One part exhibits war and devastation; another, preparations for war; a third, commotions; a fourth, direful apprehensions of commotions; and, indeed, there seems to be scarcely a nation enjoying uninterrupted or unapprehensive tranquillity.

The example of France will undoubtedly have its effects on other kingdoms. Poland, by the public papers, appears to have made large and unexpected strides towards liberty; which, if true, reflect great honour on the present King, who seems to have been the principal promoter of the business. By the bye, I have never received any letter from Mr. Littlepage, or from the King of Poland, which you say Mr. Carmichael informed you were sent to me last summer.

I yesterday had Don Jaudenes (who was in this country with Mr. Gardoqui, and is now come over in a public character,) presented to me, for the first time, by Mr. Jefferson. Colonel Ternant is expected here every day as Minister from France.

I am glad to learn that the air of Lisbon agrees so well with you. I sincerely hope that you may long-very long enjoy the blessings of health, accompanied with such other blessings as may contribute to your happiness. I have been in the enjoyment of very good health during my journey, and have rather gained flesh upon it. Mrs. Washington desires her best wishes may be presented to you: you are always assured of those of,

My dear Sir,

Your sincere and affectionate friend,

GEO. WASHINGTON.

LETTER III.

GEORGE WASHINGTON, President of the United States of America, to DAVID HUMPHREYS, Minister of the United States of America at Lisbon.

MY DEAR SIR,

Philadelphia, March 23, 1793.

CLOSELY engaged in the business incident to my office during

the session of Congress, and as closely employed since, in making arrangements for carrying into effect the laws then passed, and

in discharging other duties, I have not, till this moment, found myself enough at leisure to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23d of July; and being now on the eve of setting out for Mount-Vernon, I shall be able to do little more than barely acknowledge the receipt of it, and of your favours of the 23d of January and 8th of February, both of which have reached my hands within these few days.

I shall therefore content myself at present, my dear Sir, with making a few general observations on the existing state of things, and rely upon your being assured, that however concise my letter may be, it does not become so from any diminution of my regard for you.

If it can be esteemed a happiness to live in an age productive of great and interesting events, we of the present age are very highly favoured.

The rapidity of national revolutions appears no less astonishing than their magnitude; and the consequences of them seem to baffle every calculation. In what they will terminate is known only to the Great Ruler of events; and confiding in his wisdom and goodness, we may safely trust the issue to him, without perplexing ourselves to seek for that which is beyond the human ken, only taking care to perform the parts assigned us in a way that reason and our own consciences approve of.

All our late accounts from Europe hold up the expectation of a general war in that quarter. For the sake of humanity I hope such an event will not take place: but if it should, I trust that we shall have too just a sense of our own interest to originate any cause that may involve us in it-and I ardently wish we may not be forced into it by the conduct of other nations. If we are permitted to improve, without interruption, the great advantages which nature and circumstances have placed within our reach, many years will not revolve before we may be ranked not only among the most respectable, but among the happiest people on this globe.

Our advances to these points are more rapid than the most sanguine among us ever predicted. A spirit of improvement displays itself in every quarter, and principally in objects of the greatest public utility; such as opening the inland navigation, which is extensive and various beyond conception; improving the old roads, and opening new ones; building bridges and houses; and, in short, pursuing those things which seem eminently calculated to promote the advantage and accommodation of the peo

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