1. “Capt. Hutchings” was Thomas Hutchins, geographer of the U.S. (Papers of Madison description begins William T. Hutchinson et al., eds., The Papers of James Madison (9 vols. to date; Chicago, 1962——). description ends , VI, 373 n. 4). He supervised the survey of the Northwest Territory, as provided in the Land Ordinance of 20 May 1785 (JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, 1904–37). description ends , XXVIII, 375). Congress, on the recommendation of the state delegations, appointed a surveyor from each state to assist the geographer. Alexander Parker, formerly a captain in the continental 2d Virginia Regiment, was appointed from Virginia (JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, 1904–37). description ends , XXVIII, 398; Papers of Madison description begins William T. Hutchinson et al., eds., The Papers of James Madison (9 vols. to date; Chicago, 1962——). description ends , VI, 64–65 n. 6). Parker accompanied the surveyors to the western territory in the autumn of 1785 and submitted an account of his expenses (PCC; JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, 1904–37). description ends , XXXI, 660, 687). He evidently did not make the second surveying trip in 1786.

2. The editors have not been able to identify JM’s correspondent. A Benjamin Johnston was deeply involved in Kentucky land speculation during the 1780s. His holdings included lands on Licking and Sinking creeks and town lots in Louisville (Jillson, Old Kentucky Entries and Deeds, pp. 229, 504).