George Washington Papers

From George Washington to Philip Freneau and Alexander Menut, 5 July 1797

To Philip Freneau and Alexander Menut

Mount Vernon 5th July 1797

Gentn

Declining by public notification to receive any of the Gazettes of United States after the first of March last (unless particularly ordered) I presumed the design of sending the “Time piece” was to discover whether I was inclined to become a Subscriber or not.

Under this persuasion I expected after a lapse of sufficient time to assertain this fact that every succeeding paper would be the last; but as they are still continued, I have to offer you my thanks for those which have been forwarded and to request that no more may be sent; having no disposition to engage in Politics and receiving all the news (foreign & domestic) from the Gazettes at the seat of the Government I require nothing more. I am Gentn Your Very Hble Servt

Go: Washington

LB, DLC:GW. The heading is “The Editors of the Time Peace New York.”

Philip Freneau (1753–1832) was the editor and Alexander Menut the printer of the triweekly Time Piece when it began publication on 20 Mar. 1797. Publication of the paper was continued by a succession of people until August 1798. At that time it suspended publication after one of its editors was arrested under the provisions of the Sedition Act.

Index Entries