To George Washington from Alexander Henderson, 11 January 1785
From Alexander Henderson
Dumfries [Va.] 11th Janry 1785
Dear Sir
Your favor of the 20th came duly to hand, neither Ryan nor Mr Rumsey were in Richmond while I was there, Ryan was sick at Petersburgh.
The acts for opening the Navigation of Patowmack and James river passed all the forms fortunately the day before the hard weather obliged the assembly to separate—Resolutions similar to those in Maryland have also passed both Houses—of these Copies will be brought up by Mr Grayson,1 I do myself the pleasure to inclose a Copy of one other Act passed during the present Session.2 I have the honor to be with the greatest Esteem Sir Your obedt Sert
Alexr Henderson
You have inclosed Ryans Note 3—and some of the proceedings of the Assembly.
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. For the passage of the Potowmack Company act and the adoption of ancillary resolutions, see James Madison to GW, 9 Jan., and enclosures. GW received Madison’s letter and enclosures and William Grayson’s missing letter with its enclosures on 17 Jan. (see GW to John Fitzgerald and William Hartshorne, 18 Jan.).
2. On 24 Dec. 1784 the Virginia house of delegates voted 45 to 38 to postpone further consideration of a bill for “establishing a provision for the teachers of the christian religion” until “the fourth Thursday in November next.” The delegates then decided: “That the engrossed bill . . . together with the names of the ayes and noes . . . be published in hand-bills, and twelve copies thereof delivered to each member of the General Assembly, to be distributed in their respective counties; and that the people thereof be requested to signify their opinion respecting the adoption of such a bill, to the next session of Assembly” Henderson voted against deferral. The enclosed broadside of the bill and a broadside of reports on public accounts as printed in the House of Delgates Journal for 28 and 29 Dec. are in DLC:GW.