To George Washington from David Humphreys, 20 March 1784
From David Humphreys
New Haven March 20 1784
My dear General
I arrived at this place just a Month from the time of my leaving Mount Vernon, perfectly free from Misadventures, altho’ attended with disagreeable roads & the coldest weather I ever experienced—in my route I had the pleasure of executing all your commands, except that of delivering your verbal Message to Govr Clinton, this, the impracticability of passing the Hudson below Kings-ferry prevented; I have however written a private Letter to His Excellency on the subject.1
On the 17th inst. the Connecticut State Society of Cincinnati convened at Hartford; they appointed Generals Parsons, Huntington, & Swift, with Colo. Trumbull & myself to attend the General Meeting in May next as their Delegation—in consequence of which I expect the honor of seeing you at that time.2
It is with no small satisfaction I inform your Excellency that the disposition of the People of this State respecting political subjects seems to be changing for the better with great rapidity; there is scarcely a doubt but that the Legislature will adopt the Impost at their next Session—and I am told that the influence of General Greene is operating very favorably in the State of Rhode Island; so that I still hope (agreeably to your old prediction) that every thing will terminate happily.
Having an accidental conveyance for Annapolis, I have only time to add my best wishes for Mrs Washington & the family, and to assure Your Excellency that I have the honor to be My dear General Your faithful friend and Hble Servant
D. Humphrys
ALS, PHi: Gratz Collection.
1. Humphreys’ letter to George Clinton has not been found, but for GW’s present dealings with Clinton, see the references in Robert Morris to GW, 14 Feb., n.2. See also GW to Clinton, 25 Nov. 1784.
2. Samuel Holden Parsons (1737–1789), Jedediah Huntington, and Heman Swift all failed to attend the general meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati held in Philadelphia in May 1784.