George Washington Papers

To George Washington from David Stuart, 13 November 1786

From David Stuart

Rich[mon]d Novr 13th 1786

Dear Sir,

I am informed by Mr Pendelton one of the Auditors, that it is unnecessary to lay your claims before the legislature—that by the law lately revived, they will be paid in Certificates, when passed by the Court of Fairfax. I therefore send them up to you, that you may have this done at the next Court—After which, you will be pleased to forward them on, again to me—You will see Pendletons advise noticed, at the bottom of the largest claim.1

Information is just recieved here, that the Indians have met with a considerable defeat from Logan, one of Clarke’s officers.2 The treaty reported to be made with Spain, respecting the navigation of the Mississippi, gives much displeasure here—Governor Henry in particular, is much incensed at it. If it is possible to defeat it, it will be done; and our members in Congress, will be instructed to that effect.3

I informed you in my last, what were my expectations of getting money—if not disappointed in these, I shall certainly be able to pay you, the greater part of the sum due you. If I should be able to dispose of the corn, made on the estates of New Kent & King William; I shall be able to pay you at the same time, your annuity—There is some probability that Mr Newton of Norfolk will buy it immediately4—I shall attend to the enquiries you have suggested, and also to the one from Mrs Washington. I am Dr Sir with great regard your Obt Serv:

Dd Stuart

ALS, DLC:GW.

2In October Col. John Logan made a devastating attack on the Shawnee towns on the Great Miami, which brought retaliations and further conflict. See George McCarmick to GW, 31 October.

3James Madison reported to Thomas Jefferson on 4 Dec: “The project for bartering the Missipi to Spain was brought before the Assembly. . . . The report of it having reached the ears of the Western Representatives, as many of them as were on the spot, backed by a number of the late officers, presented a Memorial, full of consternation & complaint; in consequence of which some very pointed resolutions by way of instruction to the Delegates in Congs. were unanimously entered into by the House of Delegates” (Rutland and Rachal, Madison Papers, description begins William T. Hutchinson et al., eds. The Papers of James Madison, Congressional Series. 17 vols. Chicago and Charlottesville, Va., 1962–91. description ends 9:189–92; see also Resolutions Reaffirming American Rights to Navigate the Mississippi, ibid., 181–84, and House of Delegates Journal, 1786–1790, description begins Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia; Begun and Holden in the City of Richmond, in the County of Henrico, on Monday the Sixteenth Day of October, in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty-Six. Richmond, 1828. description ends 17 Nov.). See Madison’s similar report to GW on 7 December.

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