From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 22 February 1784
To Arthur St. Clair
Mount Vernon 22d Feb. 1784
Dear Sir,
Your favor of the 29th of Jany in answer to my circular Letter of the 28th of Dec. is at hand. I am sorry to find by it, that so many Delegates from your State Society are likely to be Nonattendants at the General meeting in May. It would have an odd appearance (whatever may be the causes) for the Society of the State, in which the General meeting is held, to be unrepresented upon such an occasion; and it would give me concern I confess, to find any so; for it is my wish that the first meeting (at least) may be full.
Not only for the purpose of bare representation then, but that the abilities of the Society of Cincinnati may be convened at that time, I hope your business elsewhere may, without much inconvenience, be made to yield to this call for your attendance.1 With great truth & sincerity—I am Dr Sir Your most Obedt & Affecte Hble Servt
Go: Washington
ALS, DLC:GW; LB, DLC:GW.
1. St. Clair did not attend, but Pennsylvania was represented at the general meeting by John Dickinson, Stephen Moylan, Thomas Robinson, Thomas B. Bowen, and Abraham G. Claypoole. St. Clair when governor of the Northwest Territory changed the name of an Ohio town from Losantiville to Cincinnati in honor of the society.