Washington, George, 1732-1799. The writings of George Washington from the original manuscript sources
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To MARQUIS DE CHASTELLUX

    Mount Vernon, August 18, 1786.

    My Dr. Marquis: I cannot omit to seize the earliest occasion, to acknowledge the receipt of the very affectionate letter you did me the honor of writing to me on the 22d. of May; as well as to thank you for the present of your Travels in America and the translation of Colo. Humphreys's Poem, all of which came safe to hand by the same conveyance.

    Knowing, as I did, the candour, liberality and philanthropy of the Marquis de Chastellux, I was prepared to disbelieve any imputations that might militate agst. these amiable qualities. For characters and habits are not easily taken up, or suddenly laid aside. Nor does that mild species of philosophy which aims at promoting human happiness, ever belye itself by deviating from the generous and godlike pursuit. Having notwithstanding understood that some misrepresentations of the work in question, had been circulated; I was happy to learn that you had taken the most effectual method to put a stop to their circulation, by publishing a more ample and correct edition. Colo. Humphreys (who has been some weeks at Mount Vernon) confirm'd me in the sentiment by giving a most flattering account of the whole performance: he has also put into my hands the translation of that part in which you say such, and so many handsome things of me; that (altho' no sceptic on ordinary occasions) I may perhaps be allowed to doubt whether your friendship and partiality have not, in this one instance, acquired an ascendency over your cooler judgment.

    Having been thus unwarily, and I may be permitted to add, almost unavoidably betrayed into a kind of necessity to speak of myself, and not wishing to resume that subject, I choose to close it forever by observing, that as, on the one hand, I consider it an indubitable mark of mean-spiritedness and pitiful vanity to court applause from the pen or tongue of man; so on the other, I believe it to be a proof of false modesty or an unworthy affectation of humility to appear altogether insensible to the commendations of the virtuous and enlightened part of our species. Perhaps nothing can excite more perfect harmony in the soul than to have this string vibrate in unison with the internal consciousness of rectitude in our intentions and an humble hope of approbation from the supreme disposer of all things.

    I have communicated to Colonel Humphreys that paragraph in your letter wch. announces the very favorable reception his Poem has met with in France. Upon the principles I have just laid down, he cannot be indifferent to the applauses of so enlightened a nation, nor to the suffrages of the King and Queen who have been pleased to honor it with their royal approbation.

    We have no news on this side the Atlantic worth the pains of sending across it. The country is recovering rapidly from the ravages of the war: the seeds of population are scattered far in the Wilderness: agriculture is prosecuted with industry: the works of Peace, such as opening rivers, building bridges &c., are carried on with spirit. Trade is not so successful as we could wish, our State Governments are well administered. Some objects in our foederal system might probably be altered for the better. I rely much on the good sense of my countrymen, and trust that a superintending Providence will disappoint the hopes of our Enemies. With sentimts. of the sincerest esteem etc. 60

[Note:From the "Letter Book" copy in the Washington Papers.

   On August 18 Washington wrote also to Clement Biddle, sending two window curtains "which I pray you to get new dyed of the same color, green , and returned to me as soon as may be.… The price of Mr. Howell's leather is not cheaper than it is sold in Alexandria, and the freight would make it come higher."' A copy of this letter is in the "Letter Book" in the Washington Papers .]