315 



cient. I make this stipulation with the greater assur- 

 ance, as I have not had the indulgence extended to me 

 by which others of the army, who, like myself, have not 

 been patronized by any particular state, have received 

 on the settlement of their depreciation accounts, con- 

 siderable proportions of the balances due them. From 

 the impressions of one plate, I shall be able to judge, 

 whether it shall afterwards answer to undertake any 



The reply of General Washington to this application 

 is taken from an autograph now in the possession of this 

 society. It is as follows: 



Mount Vernon, Zd March, 1784. 



Dear Sir— By the interruption of the post, your letter, 

 dated the 12th of January, never got to my hands until 

 Sunday last. 



T have urged, not only in piiblic, but in private con- 

 versations with individual members of congress, the pro- 

 priety, indeed necessity, of having accurate maps of the 

 United States, and they know full well my opinion of 

 your worth, and ability to execute them. All seem sen- 

 sible of these, and yet, the want of funds, I suppose, 

 stops this, as it does many other wheels w^hich ought to 

 be moving. 



The propositions contained in your memorial of the 

 12th, to congress, appear to me exceedingly reasonable 

 and just. These sentiments I will express to a very va- 

 luable and respected member of that body, to whom I am 

 now writing. With great esteem, 

 I am, dear sir, 



Your most obedient servant, 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 

 Simeon De Witt, Esq. 



The disordered state of the national finances discour- 

 aged this laudable plan, and it was reserved for later 

 times to present these illustrations of the heroism and 

 sufferings of our forefathers. In the prospect of leav- 



