15 

 JAMES McHENRY May 29, 1797. 



While this letter does not throw much light upon Washing 

 ton as a farmer, yet it does give us a delightful glimpse of his 

 home life after a sojourn of eight years in Philadelphia as 

 President. It contains a concise description of how Wash 

 ington at 65 spends a typical day. Incidentally, it leads us 

 to the comforting thought that in one respect, at least, he is 

 human ; for in regard to letter writing he says : &quot; but when the 

 lights are brought, I feel tired and disinclined to engage in 

 this work, conceiving that the next night will do just as well.&quot; 



TO JAMES McHENRY 



Mount Vernon, 29 May, 1797. 

 Dear Sir, 



I am indebted to you for several unacknowledged letters; 

 but never mind that ; go on as if you had them. You are at 

 the source of information, and can find many things to re 

 late ; while I have nothing to say, that could either inform or 

 amuse a Secretary at War in Philadelphia. 



I might tell him, that I begin my diurnal course with the 

 sun ; that, if my hirelings are not in their places at that time 

 I send them messages expressive of my sorrow for their in 

 disposition; that, having put these wheels in motion, I ex 

 amine the state of things further; and the more they are 

 probed, the deeper I find the wounds are which my buildings 

 have sustained by an absence and neglect of eight years ; by 

 the time I have accomplished these matters, breakfast (a 

 little after seven o clock, about the time I presume you are 



