The Papers of George Washington

Number 12 Newsletter Spring 2011

Lengel is New Editor in Chief at

GW Papers
Edward G. Lengel, former senior editor at
the Papers of George Washington, has taken
the helm as editor in chief of the project.
Lengel, 42, became the project’s sixth editor
in chief with the retirement of Theodore J.
Crackel in August 2010. Lengel earned his
Ph.D. in history from U.Va. in 1998, by which
time he already had worked for two years as a
graduate assistant on the project. Upon com-
pleting his Ph.D., he joined the staff as an as-
sistant editor, later becoming associate editor
and then senior editor. Prior to his appoint-
ment as editor in chief, he served on the
"Retirement" and "Revolutionary War" series
of letterpress volumes.
Lengel has authored several history books.
“Inventing George Washington,” published in Inventing George Washington ex-
plores Washington’s place in the
January by Harper Collins, separates fact from American mythology and memory.
fiction as it explores more than two centuries
of American mythology surrounding the na- The book was touted as a featured selection
tion’s first and greatest hero, and illustrates by the History Book Club
how the iconic Washington has continued to (historybookclub.com) shortly after its publi-
serve the nation long after his death. cation.
“Washington’s ghost brooded everlastingly on Other books include "General George
the national stage,” explains Lengel. Washington: A Military Life," a study of
“Memorialized in engravings, marble statues, Washington's life as a soldier; "This Glorious
and hefty biographical tomes, [he] acted as a Struggle," a collection of Washington's Revo-
bulwark to national pride. Like the flag, he lutionary War letters; and "To Conquer Hell,"
symbolized the principles that made the a vivid portrait of the bloody Meuse-Argonne
United States both admirable and unique.” campaign of World War I.
ALDERMAN LIBRARY, UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
P.O. BOX 400117, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA 22904-4117
PHONE: 434-924-3569 FAX: 434-982-4529
[email protected] http://www.gwpapers.virginia.edu
 As the longest-serving member of the cur- shipment of supplies to France. In the follow-
rent Washington Papers staff, Lengel has man- ing letter to John Jay, GW discusses both top-
aged to adjust to his new post with minimal ics.
“learning curve,” and the staff has benefited ——Carol Ebel & David Hoth
from a smooth transition. Lengel said that his
predecessor left the project in good shape.
"Ted not only established several important To John Jay
new public initiatives for the Papers of George
Washington, but also left the project humming (Private)
at a high level of efficiency and collegiality," he My dear Sir, Philadelphia Novr 1st[-4] 1794.
said. On tuesday last I returned from my tour to
Crackel, whose digital re-launch of the Pa- the westward; on monday, Congress, by ad-
pers of George Washington helped set a new journment, are to meet; and on the day follow-
course for traditional documentary editing ing, Mr Bayard, according to his present ex-
projects, retired after six years as editor in pectation, is to leave this city for London.
chief. Thus circumstanced (having so little time
Lengel expects to stay the course—for the between my return, and the opening of the
most part. “The Washington Papers project Session, to examine papers, and to prepare my
will maintain its already high standard of pro- communications for the legislature) you will
ductivity and scholarship," he said, but “I also readily perceive that my present address to you
look forward to steering the project toward must be hurried; at the sametime, my friend-
more active and visible participation in the ship & regard for you, would not let an oppor-
University community.” tunity, so good as the one afforded by Mr
——Thomas Dulan and UVa Today Bayard, pass without some testimony of my
remembrance of you; and an acknowledgment
of the receipt of your private letters to me,
♦♦♦♦♦ dated the 23d of June, 21st of July, and 5th &
11th of August. These comprehend all the let-
ters I have received from you since your arrival
Presidential Series, Volume 17
in England, to the present date.
Forthcoming in 2011
That of the 5th of August, dawns more fa-
vorably upon the success of your mission than
The Presidential Series editors are now
any that had preceeded it; and for the honor,
working on the documents that will comprise
dignity and interest of this Country; for your
volume 17: 1 October 1794 to 31 March
own reputation and glory; and for the peculiar
1795. Two of the more significant topics in
pleasure and satisfaction I should derive from
the volume will be the suppression of the
it, as well on private, as on public considera-
"Whiskey Rebellion" excise tax protests in
tions, no man more ardently wishes you com-
western Pennsylvania, and efforts of special
plete success than I do. But as you have ob-
envoy John Jay to negotiate a new treaty with
served in some of your letters, that it is hardly
Great Britain that would address British and
possible in the early stages of a negociation to
American grievances arising in the aftermath
foresee all the results, so much depending
of the Revolutionary War and new problems
upon fortuitous circumstances, and incidents
created by the British efforts to block the
wch are not within our controul; so, to deserve

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success, by employing the means with which erable expence.
we are possessed, to the best advantage, and That the self-created Societies, which have
trusting the rest to the All wise Disposer; is all spread themselves over this country, have
that an enlightened public, and the virtuous & been labouring incessently to sow the seeds of
well disposed part of the community can rea- distrust, jealousy, and, of course discontent;
sonably expect—nor in this, will they, I am thereby hoping to effect some revolution in
sure, be disappointed. Against the malignancy the government, is not unknown to you. That
of the discontented—the turbulent—and the they have been the fomenters of the western
vicious, no abilities; no exertions; nor the disturbances, admits of no doubt in the mind
most unshaken integrity are any safeguard. of any one, who will examine their conduct;
As far as depends upon the Executive, but fortunately, they precipitated a crisis for
measures prepartatory for the worst, while it wch they were not prepared; and thereby have
hopes for the best, will be pursued; and I shall unfolded views which will, I trust, effectuate
endeavor to keep things in statu quo until their annihilation sooner than it might other-
your negociation assumes a more decisive wise have happened; at the sametime that it
form; which I hope will soon be the case, as has afforded an occasion, for the people of
there are many hot-heads, & impetuous spirits this country, to shew their abhorrence of the
among us, who with difficulty, can be kept result; and their attachment to the Constitu-
within bounds. This, however, ought not to tion and the laws: for I believe that five times
precipitate your conduct; for as it has been the number of Militia that was required, would
observed, there is a "tide in human affairs" have come forward, if it had been necessary,
which ought to be watched; and because I be- in support of them.
lieve all who are acquainted with you, will The spirit which blazed out on this occasion,
readily concede, that considerations both pub- as soon as the object was fully understood,
lic & private combine, to urge you to bring and the lenient measures of the government
your mission to a close with as much celerity were made known to the people, deserve to be
as the nature of it will admit. communicated: for there are instances of Gen-
As you have been, and will continue to be, eral Officers, going at the head of a single
fully informed by the Secretary of state of all troop, & light companies; of field Officers,
transactions of a public nature, which relates when they came to the places of rendezvous &
to, or may have an influence on, the points of found no command for them in that grade,
your mission; it would be unnecessary for me turning into the ranks, & proceeding as private
to touch upon any of them, in this letter, was soldiers, under their own Captains. and of
it not for the presumption, that, the insurrec- numbers, possessing the first fortunes in the
tion in the western counties of this State has country, standing in the ranks as private men,
excited much speculation, and a variety of and marching day by day with their knapsacks
opinions abroad; and will be represented dif- & haversacks at their backs; sleeping on straw,
ferently according to the wishes of some, and with a single blanket in a soldiers tent, during
the prejudices of others; who may exhibit it as the frosty nights we have had, by way of ex-
an evidence of what has been predicted "that ample to others. nay more of many young
we are unable to govern ourselves." Under Quakers (not discouraged by the Elders) of
this view of the subject, I am happy in giving the first families, characters & properties, hav-
it to you as the general opinion, that this event ing turned into the ranks, and are marching
having happened at the time it did, was fortu- with the Troops.
nate, although it will be attended with consid- These things have terrified the Insurgents,
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who had no conception that such a spirit pre- tion—nor any remedy except the laws. Nor is
vailed; but while the thunder only rumbled at a military, or other employment so easy to ob-
distance, were boasting of their strength, and tain, as foreigners conceive, in a country
wishing for, & threatning the militia, by turns; where offices, and the seekers of them, bear
intimating, that the arms they should take no proportion to each other. With sincere es-
from them, would soon become a magazine in teem & great
their hands. Their language is much changed regd I am—Dear Sir Your Affecte Servant
indeed, but their principles want correction. Go: Washington
I shall be more prolix in my Speech to Con-
gress on the commencement, & progress of 4th Novr
this insurrection than is usual in such an in- P.S. Your corrispondence with New York is,
strument; or than I should have been on any I am persuaded, too regular and constant to
other occasion: but, as numbers (at home and leave you in any doubt as to the health of Mrs
abroad) will hear of the insurrection, and will Jay. Yet, as I was told yesterday by Mr King
read the Speech that may know nothing of the that she, & all your family were well—I chose
documents to which it might refer, I con- to mention it.
ceived it would be better to For want of a Senate, Con-
encounter the charge of pro- gress have not yet proceeded
lixity, by giving a cursory detail to business.
of facts (that would shew the G. W——n
prominent features of the
thing) than to let it go naked ♦♦♦♦♦
into the world, to be dressed
up according to the fancy, or Presidential Series,
inclination of the readers, or
the policy of our enemies. Volume 16
I write nothing in answer to Published in March 2011
the letter of Mr Wangenheim
(enclosed by you to me)— From May through Septem-
Were I to enter into corrispon- ber 1794, the period docu-
dencies of that sort (admitting mented by this volume, GW
their was no impropriety in the continued to face many of the
measure) I should be unable to issues that were prominent in
attend to my ordinary duties. I previous volumes, most nota-
have established it as a maxim, bly the maintenance of Ameri-
neither to envite, nor to dis- can neutrality in the ongoing
courage emigrants. My opinion marks Volume 16 of the Presidential Series European war and the problem
the 63rd volume the Papers of of Indian relations and frontier
is, that they will come hither as George Washington project has
fast as the true interest & policy published in its 43-year history.
defense.
of the United States will be As the volume opens, GW
benefited by foreign population. I believe and his cabinet were considering restrictions
many of these, as Mr Wangenheim relates, on the issuance of ship passports to prevent
have been, and I fear will continue to be, im- evasion of the embargo passed by Congress.
posed upon by Speculators in land, and other The activities of privateers and foreign naval
things. But I know of no prevention but cau- vessels in American waters continued to create

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problems as well. Moreover, America's diplo- commissioner reported little success in their
matic corps was overhauled with the appoint- effort, and on the last day of this volume, GW
ments of James Monroe as minister to France himself left Philadelphia to join the militia
and John Quincy Adams as minister to the army.
Netherlands, and the departure of John Jay as In GW's private life, his letters to his farm
envoy extraordinary to Great Britain. manager William Pearce, document his de-
To improve frontier defense, GW author- tailed oversight of Mount Vernon, even from
ized the erection of blockhouses and deploy- afar, while those letters and his correspon-
ment of a limited number of militia, and he dence with English agriculturalists show his
authorized reinforcements to Anthony keen interest in scientific farming. At this
Wayne's army for a campaign against hostile time GW also made an effort to sell his west-
Indians in the Northwest Territory. Negotia- ern lands.
tions, however, were also employed: GW met
with Cherokee and Chickasaw delegations at ♦♦♦♦♦
Philadelphia, and Timothy Pickering was dis-
patched to negotiate with the Six Nations. To Remembering George Washington
retain Iroquois favor, GW requested that
Pennsylvania suspend its effort to create a set-
tlement at Presque Isle. When reports from Every President’s Day historians tell us
Georgia indicated that group intended to set about how we need to get reacquainted with
up an independent government on Creek In- George Washington. Most of us, they say,
dian territory, GW promptly ordered the gov- know him only as the face on the dollar bill,
ernor to suppress that plan. but we must remember that he was much
Though these issues continue—news of more than that. He touched off the French
Wayne's victory at Fallen Timbers reached and Indian War. He commanded the Conti-
Philadelphia on 30 September, and Jay sent nental Army during the Revolutionary War,
several, mostly optimistic, letters to GW about and led us to victory at Trenton and York-
the progress of his mission—and other topics town. At the war’s end, he turned down offers
such as the Federal City, appointments, the to become king, and returned to Mount
fate of Americans held captive in Algiers, and Vernon. He was a prime mover behind the
dissatisfaction in Kentucky with the progress Constitutional Convention in 1787, and served
of negotiations about Mississippi River naviga- two terms as President of the United States
tion demand attention, the months of August from 1789 to 1797. And incidentally, he did not
and September are dominated by the govern- chop down the cherry tree, and did not wear
ment's response to anti-tax activities in west- wooden teeth. After establishing these facts,
ern Pennsylvania. Once news arrived that in- the historians retire to their academic dens.
surgents had burned the home of the inspec- Men and women nod sagely. Children memo-
tor of the revenue for that district, GW ob- rize the facts they need to pass their tests.
tained a judge's certification that the laws Then they forget. George Washington is back
could not be enforced by ordinary means and in his place—as the face on the dollar bill.
issued a proclamation calling on the insurgents Why is it so difficult to keep George Wash-
to disperse and threatening the use of militia. ington—the real man, as opposed to the sym-
Commissioners were sent to negotiate with bol—in the national memory? Perhaps it is his
the insurgents, and militia were called up from apparent lack of humanity. Washington the
four states to suppress the insurgency. The symbol, much like our national flag, is sacro-
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sanct. Neither may be insulted or burned, for known that his best chance of living on in the
they represent the values we hold dear. But national memory was not as a two-
how much do we know about either? Most dimensional symbol, but in the fullness of his
people have heard the story of Betsy Ross and humanity.
can recite the Pledge of Allegiance, but few Unfortunately, one side of George Washing-
could tell you how the flag came into being, ton’s character is closed to us forever, for
what it has meant through American history, Martha burned almost all of her correspon-
or what the stars and stripes represent. Much dence with her husband after his death. Yet
the same is true with Washington. We know much remains. Thus we have his letter of Sep-
(or think we know) that he was our greatest tember 12th, 1758, to Sally Fairfax—written
hero, America’s indispensable man, and could after his engagement to Martha—in which he
probably recite a few facts that we remember declares himself a “Votary to Love,” and sees
from school. Washington the man, however, Sally’s “amiable beauties in the recollection of
remains a mystery. That’s the problem with thousand tender passages that I could wish to
national symbols and icons. They are so omni- obliterate, till I am bid to revive them.” We
present that most of us hardly give them a sec- also have the letter he wrote to Martha—one
ond glance. of a handful that survive—on accepting com-
To rediscover George Washington, we must mand of the Continental Army in June 1775,
go right to the source. It is not as if he didn’t “not doubting but that I shall return safe to
leave anything behind; far to the contrary. His you in in the fall.” Not long ago, the staff of
collected correspondence, as cataloged by the the Papers of George Washington discovered
Papers of George Washington documentary another, previously unknown letter—a note,
editing project at the University of Virginia, really—that Martha wrote to George in 1777,
includes some 140,000 documents. Washing- in which she casually called him “my love.”
ton considered his papers to be perhaps his Equally interesting are the hundreds of
greatest legacy to the nation—“a species of seemingly more mundane letters that reveal
public property,” he called them, “sacred in episodes in Washington’s daily life, along with
my hands.” On his deathbed in December his hopes and fears, prejudices and insights—
1799, Washington said nothing about Mount all of the things that make us human. To cite a
Vernon, Martha and the family, or even the few random examples: in March 1778, during
afterlife. He did, however, command his secre- some of the worst days of the Valley Forge
tary, Tobias Lear, to make certain that all of encampment, he wrote a letter to a young fe-
his letters were properly arranged and cared male admirer, Kitty Livingston, enclosing a
for. lock of his hair. In January 1781, with part of
Why did Washington value his papers so his army in mutiny, he wrote to a quartermas-
highly? To be sure, they include documents of ter asking for six toothbrushes “of the strong-
the highest value to the nation, including his est & stiffest hair,” and a steward who under-
military and presidential records, his observa- stood how to lay a good dinner table. And in
tions on domestic and foreign policy, and his July 1781, just before his army departs for
farewell address; but they also include hun- Yorktown, Washington wrote to a French
dreds of letters concerning his personal life, general about the “hilarity which a glass of
clues to what he was like as a man. Washing- good claret seldom fails to produce.”
ton could have destroyed all of this personal All of this seems trivial. Yet it’s important to
correspondence, but as a man deeply con- remember that people—especially children—
cerned with his public legacy, he must have tend to retain knowledge only of things they
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can relate to themselves. Who are students would emphasize unity and make the new fed-
more likely to remember: a cold, impeccable eral government more of a reality in the minds
symbol, or a warm-blooded human being like of Americans. Washington first directed his
themselves? Another important lesson to be attention to New England, and then Rhode
gained from humanizing Washington, in par- Island, but a trip to the lower South would
ticular with respect to how we teach about have to wait until after North Carolina ratified
him in our schools, is that a god is impossible the Constitution in November 1789.
to emulate. Young people have been taught Washington finally determined to visit the
much about Washington’s greatness, but little South in the spring of 1791. He remained
about how he achieved it. He did not become anxious to visit North Carolina. First, he de-
great because he was perfect; he became great sired to cement the state’s recent admittance
because he was able to overcome the failures into the Union. He understood that federal-
and limitations which he shared with the rest ism, the idea of a strong central government,
of us. Realizing that is the first step, not only still remained a sensitive issue among many of
to appreciating Washington, but to under- its inhabitants. Second, the Congress had re-
standing that we, too, are capable of accom- cently adopted an excise tax on domestically–
plishing great things. produced spirits to help fund payment of the
——Edward G. Lengel nation’s Revolutionary War dept. While oppo-
sition took place in many states, significant
resistance initially occurred in North Carolina,
♦♦♦♦♦ and particularly in the western regions of the
state. Such resistance from citizens of one of
the newest states in the Union upset Washing-
Policies and Politics of ton’s idea of harmony, and it greatly worried
George Washington’s the president. In response to the opposition,
Southern Tour in North Carolina Washington “took great pains” to talk to Gov-
ernor Martin and other influential men in
North Carolina to ascertain whether residents
2011 marks the 220th anniversary of Presi-
of that state would adhere to the excise and
dent Washington’s tour of the southern states
encourage them to explain the excise and set
in the spring of 1791. Recently, Carol Ebel
and an example for the citizens.
shared information about the tour in North
Before the president left Philadelphia on the
Carolina as well as the overall political, cul-
21st of March, he prepared a careful itinerary
tural, and economic implications of his jour-
describing the dates, places, and mileages to
ney at a presentation given at historic Old Sa-
complete the journey before “the warm and
lem, North Carolina. All quoted material
sickly months” came upon the South. His plan
comes from the Presidential Series of The Pa-
covered more than 1,816 miles. The president
pers of George Washington.
decided to take an eastern route through Rich-
From the first days of his presidency,
mond and Petersburg, Virginia, New Bern and
George Washington expressed a determina-
Wilmington, North Carolina, Georgetown and
tion to visit every part of the United States.
Charleston, South Carolina, and culminate
He desired to obtain information about the
that leg of his journey in Savannah, Georgia.
nation, but also knew that Americans had en-
His return trip followed a western route from
dured a difficult decade during the Confedera-
Augusta, Georgia, Columbia and Camden,
tion era, in which local and state jealousies al-
South Carolina, Charlotte, Salisbury, and Sa-
most tore the nation apart. A tour of the states
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lem, North Carolina, and end in Fredericks- workshops where Moravians produced shoes,
burg, Virginia. leather goods, pottery, tin, distilled spirits, and
By the middle of April 1791, Washington paper which they supplied to the surrounding
entered North Carolina. area. The president could
Two important elements not help but be im-
of Washington’s southern pressed. The Moravian
tour, as with his visits to code of order, discipline,
all the states, concerned and productivity which
citizen participation and regulated every part of
sentimentality. While their lives struck a reso-
many of the town recep- nant chord with Washing-
tions were limited to in- ton, who adhered to re-
fluential male citizens of publican values of per-
the communities, when sonal and community in-
Washington entered a dependence. Throughout
town and rode or walked his presidency Washing-
through the streets, he ton insisted that Ameri-
became, for a brief time, cans needed more than a
part of the public do- reliance upon agriculture
main. His personal ap- if they hoped to compete
pearances enabled all gen- in world economic af-
ders, ages, and socio- fairs. Washington saw in
economic groups to see Salem a microcosm of the
the president and thus Self-portrait of Benjamin West, industry, self-sufficiency,
participate in the new govern- c. 1776. Image courtesy of the and independency that he envi-
ment, even if they did not possess Baltimore Museum of Art. sioned for the nation.
political rights. Washington’s tri- In all, Washington viewed his
umphal entries also enabled former Continen- excursion to the South with satisfaction. The
tal soldiers who served under him or militia journey had convinced him—for a brief time
troops who fought battles with Washington’s at least—that Americans grew more attached
regulars to look upon their former general one to the federal government and that the resis-
more time and remember the bonds that tance against the excise tax would continue to
united them during trials and sacrifices of the diminish. Although the nation experienced
Revolution. Parents eagerly brought their chil- divisive political division during the course of
dren to see the president in the hope that such the 1790s, Washington’s southern tour helped
an occasion would inspire images of heroic foster bonds and rituals of unity that enabled
leadership and thoughts of national unity in Americans to withstand those challenges.
the minds of their offspring. ——Carol Ebel
As he traveled through North Carolina,
Washington took notice of the soil, crops, and
manufacturing production there. He recorded ♦♦♦♦♦
particular approval of production efforts at
the Moravian settlement at Salem, North
Carolina. There, the religious leaders gave
Washington a detailed tour of the various
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 Papers of George Washington "Source needed." Full-text databases available
Editors Help Mount Vernon with through the University of Virginia did not in-
clude Gentleman's Magazine for the late eight-
Bibliographic Research eenth century, so this avenue could not be ex-
plored rapidly. About this moment, Huggins
On a sunny, warm, Friday morning, March reported that recent Washington biographies
19, the last day before the arrival of spring, typically included the anecdote, but the cita-
Joan Stahl, Mount Vernon librarian, phoned tion, if given, never reached back further than
the Papers of George Washington to ask if the Garry Wills, Cincinnatus: George Washington and
editors could provide a primary source citation the Enlightenment (Garden City, N.Y., 1984),
for a conversation between King George III where the conversation between the king and
and the artist Benjamin West, in which the West is recounted on page thirteen without
king raised the question of what Washington attribution.
would do after the war, and West replied that Intriguingly, the conversation under investi-
he would return to his farm. William M. gation appears in neither the Douglas Southall
Ferraro, an editor with the Revolutionary War Freeman nor the James Thomas Flexner biog-
Series, initially fielded the query and surmised raphies, probably the two most significant
that the answer would be found more readily treatments prior to the spate of Washington
in sources related to West than to Washing- books over the last few decades. Both Ferraro
ton. Checking VIRGO, the University of Vir- and Huggins noticed in VIRGO a 1978 biog-
ginia Library electronic catalog, he quickly dis- raphy of Benjamin West, notable because it
covered that nearly all the books on West came out after the publication of Freeman
were in the Fine Arts Library, and not Alder- and Flexner but before the more recent works
man Library, the location of the Papers of on Washington, and it was decided that
George Washington's offices. At this point, Ferraro would take the five minute or so walk
Ferraro informed Benjamin Huggins, a fellow to the Fine Arts Library to examine its con-
editor on the Revolutionary War Series, of the tents,
query. Huggins indicated familiarity with the which also simply followed up on his initial
anecdote from recent Washington biographies instinct that West sources would be more
and stated his belief that the original source likely to answer the query. Once in the library,
was an article in a late eighteenth-century Brit- it was not difficult to find Robert C. Alberts’,
ish periodical, such as Gentleman's Magazine. Benjamin West: A Biography (Boston, 1978), and
While Huggins began checking Washington scan the short index entry on Washington.
biographies, Ferraro scouted the internet and Page 123, the first item under the subheading,
electronic databases. It immediately became "West assures the king Washington would fa-
apparent that the exchange between King vor Britain after the war," led to the remarks
George III and West was known widely, as it of King George III, and in the page’s notes at
appeared on several websites, invariably add- the back of the book there was a short title,
ing the king's observation that if Washington "Far, I, 278-79." Checking the short title list,
returned to private life after winning inde- Ferraro discovered this source to be the
pendence for the United States he would be "Farington Diary, published Volumes I to
the greatest man in the world. Interestingly, a VIII." Happily, VIRGO showed that Alder-
Wikipedia page dedicated to providing sources man Library held the entire edition, and it was
for statements concerning Washington in- an easy matter for him to find the needed vol-
cluded the king's remark with the notation, ume of The Farington Diary on his way back to
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the project offices and confirm the accuracy —Jay were favorable to this country which
of the citation. The phone call to Joan Stahl would soon have a preference to any other
with this information pleased her greatly. European Nation.—During this conversation
Besides the primary source citation, we now the Queen was much affected, & shed
know that the heavily-used conversation be- tears."—Joseph Farington, The Farington Diary.
tween King George III and West gained its Edited by James Greig. 8 vols. 3d ed. (New
foothold in history because Joseph Farington York, 1923-28), 1:279.
(1747-1821), a second-tier British artist, met ——PGW Editors
West on December 28, 1799, and then wrote
in his diary entry for that date West's recollec- ♦♦♦♦♦
tion of an exchange with the king during the
early summer of 1782. (West recounted that Document Search
exchange to show the king's willingness and
ability to obtain information on his own, This year the project has initiated a thor-
which was then, in late 1799, again a point of ough search for Washington documents. Al-
issue.) Despite the gap of some seventeen though editors and research assistants have
years from the time of the actual event and found documents sporadically in the past and
West's recollection, it is plausible to believe its have always kept an eye open for Washington
authenticity and fundamental veracity, with material, this document search intends to be
any doubts stemming principally from one's more comprehensive with a wider scope. The
judgment of West's truthfulness and memory. project held an initial search in the 1960s and
At the very least, it is definite from the Alberts 1970s, and since then, new documents or new
biography that West, who maintained a paint- versions of documents have come to the pro-
ing room in Windsor Castle, was on familiar ject through various mediums such as micro-
terms with King George III, who paid the film, auction offerings, private ownership, and
artist from his privy purse. Additionally, Far- general research of repository holdings on the
ington definitely knew West very well and was part of our editors. The current search will
a faithful diarist. If only such a level of confi- consult all of these sources and take advantage
dence could be felt about all anecdotes and of new opportunities provided by digital tech-
stories concerning George Washington in nology. It will involve searching online data-
wide circulation! bases, contacting repositories worldwide for
The pertinent passage from Joseph Faring- copies of Washington-related manuscripts,
ton's diary entry for December 28, 1799, and scanning microfilm into digital form.
reads: "The King began to talk abt. America. As technology has increased, so has the
He asked West what would Washington do amount of Washington material online. The
were America to be declared independant. document search will include a general scour-
West said He believed He would retire to a ing of online databases to find listings of cor-
private situation.—The King said if He did He respondence and documents associated with
would be the greatest man in the world. He Washington. This leap in the capability of
asked West how He thought the Americans technology has also greatly influenced the way
would act towards this country if they became researchers and archivists handle document
independant. West said the war had made storage. Repositories now have a much more
much ill blood but that would subside, & the exact understanding of the materials they hold,
dispositions of many of the Chiefs, Washing- and often provide this information in digital
ton, Lawrence [Laurens],—Adams,—Franklin, guides online that are available for searching.
- 10 -
This map of Lower New York, created by Rick Britton
in 2005, appeared in Volume 17 of the Revolutionary
War Series.
This type of efficient searching was not avail-
able during our initial search, and now, from a
distance, we are able to look at the holdings of Staff News
repositories in depth making our process
much more focused when we inquire about In January 2011, Harper Collins Publishers re-
Washington holdings. With the acquisition of leased Edward G. Lengel’s latest book, Inventing
new microfilm scanning technology, we will George Washington: America’s Founder in Myth and
be able to search for previously unknown Memory. Lengel was on NPR’s “All Things Con-
documents with ease in collections stored on sidered” program in February and since then has
microfilm reels or in microfiche form. This participated in a number of speaking engagements
technology allows us to digitally scan micro- across the country. Inventing George Washington is
film and microfiche onto our computers and available for purchase at Amazon.com
shared network for reference and research.
Carol Ebel contributed an article about William
We will be able to enhance poor quality mi- H. Crawford in the Encyclopedia of the War of
crofilm, consult large volumes of film both 1812, ABC-CLIO Military History Series. She pre-
digitally and manually with the machine, and sented several programs to historical organizations
make the contents easily accessible as our edi- which focused on the activities of George and
tors work through current and future volumes. Martha Washington during the Revolution and the
Thus far, even in the earliest stages, the presidency. In February 2009 she presented a talk
search has proved fruitful. We have consulted entitled, “Dining with the President” at a south-
numerous dealers, and we have found new eastern Georgia meeting of the Daughters of the
documents that are of interest to our editors. American Revolution. The presentation explored
We are also now aware of many Washington Washington’s efforts to establish respect for the
documents being held in repositories all over new office of the presidency through the creation
of symbolic receptions and dining experi-
the country that will be valuable to our work.
ences. This past March she spoke to the Alexan-
As we continue to contact repositories all over der Martin Chapter of Highpoint, North Carolina
the world, we hope to increase our awareness about the role and experiences of Martha Wash-
and our collection. New advancements in ington during the American Revolution. That
technology have provided new opportunities same month she also presented the inaugural pro-
for communication about Washington hold- gram at historic Old Salem, North Carolina to
ings between dealers, repositories, private mark the 220th anniversary of President Washing-
owners, and documentary editors. The ease of ton’s southern tour in 1791.
this communication will benefit the project in
many ways, most notably by bringing in new Associate Professor/Associate Editor William
material, enhancing the work of our documen- M. Ferraro delivered an address, "George Wash-
tary editors, and enriching the experience of ington's Mind, Or, A General's Genius" to the
McLean Historical Society, in McLean, Virginia,
our readers
on 7 April 2010. An expanded version, simply
titled "George Washington's Mind," has been sub-
We could use your help! mitted as a chapter in the Blackwell Companions
If you hear of a Washington document that has
to American History series volume devoted to
surfaced please let us know. See contact informa-
current research on Washington under the editor-
tion on page 1.
ship of Edward Lengel, PGW editor-in-chief.
Ferraro presented "George Washington and
——Erica Mitchell James Monroe: Military Compatriots, Political Ad-
versaries, and Nationalist Visionaries," at the
- 12 -
"Sons of the Father: George Washington & His line and eventually a business. Over the past
Protégés" conference. This inaugural Sons of the twenty years I’ve illustrated maps for literally doz-
American Revolution Annual Conference on the ens of books, magazines, pamphlets, and bro-
American Revolution took place at the United chures.
States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y., 18-20 In today’s publishing world, most of the maps
June 2010. This paper has been expanded and are drawn on a computer screen. I believe that this
submitted as a chapter in a book featuring the type of cartography is acceptable for some pur-
conference presentations now under consideration poses, but if the topic is history that’s earlier than
by the University of Virginia Press. the mid-20th century the accompanying maps
Ferraro also served as the primary historical ad- should be illustrated as they were in the past—by
visor and a frequent on air commentator for Frac- hand. I employ the same techniques and symbols
tured Union, a one-hour film on the changing rela- used by map illustrators in the 18th and 19th cen-
tionships among George Washington, Thomas turies. The result, I believe, is cartography with the
Jefferson, James Madison, and George Mason “feel” of history, cartography that’s more rele-
from the end of the Revolutionary War to the vant—and valuable—to the book in which it ap-
1790s as they debated the meaning of nationhood. pears.
This was a production of the Fairfax Network, a For the past decade it’s been my honor to illus-
division of the Fairfax County, Virginia, Public trate maps for the Papers of George Washington
Schools, with support from Mount Vernon. It is at the University of Virginia. For some of the map
designed for school children and general audiences projects the source material—the base maps—
and is expected to be seen by over 10 million have been relatively scarce or, worse yet, contra-
viewers. dictory. For many of the projects, however, I’ve
He also gave a Power Point presentation on the been able to compile my maps from those done
private life and public career of Ulysses S. Grant by Washington’s cartographers (some of whom
to a class on that important Civil War general and were amazingly talented). The goal, of course, is to
18th President in the University of Virginia's produce cartography that features the best of both
School of Continuing & Professional Studies, 27 worlds—cartography that’s both accurate and au-
October 2010. He gave another Power Point pres- thentic to the period. I look forward to illustrating
entation, entitled “Creating and Defending the maps for the Papers of George Washington for
Capital City, 1790-1865,” on 2 October 2010 to many years to come.”
the annual conference of the United States Anti-
Doping Agency, held at the Landsdowne Resort For more information about Rick and his cartog-
near Leesburg, Virginia. raphy, see his website:
http://www.rickbritton.com/
Recent volumes of The Papers of George Wash-
ington have been enhanced with maps drawn by Three of our staff members, Editor in Chief
Charlottesville mapmaker Rick Britton. We Professor Edward Lengel, Associate Editor Bill
thought our readers might like to know a little Ferraro, and Assistant Editor Ben Huggins will
more about Rick and asked him to provide a brief be participating in a panel titled, “George Wash-
statement: ington’s Way of War, 1779” at the annual meeting
of the Society for Military History which will be
“Born in Richmond, Virginia, I spent many of taking place in Lisle, Illinois, June 9-12, 2011. The
my formative years in Argentina and Brazil. panel will present current scholarship on George
Thanks to my passion for 18th and 19th century Washington’s strategy, planning, and operations as
American history, I fell in love with maps while commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in
still a teenager. I started by reproducing the maps 1779. Edward will chair the panel, and Bill and
from a folio-size Civil War book published in the Ben will be presenting papers. Bill’s paper
1880s. What began as a hobby evolved into a side- examines Washington’s active and aggressive

-- 13
6 --
response to the British raids on coastal Connecti- inform and prepare leaders based on George
cut in the summer of 1779 and Ben’s paper inves- Washington’s character and example.
tigates Washington’s planning and preparations
for a bold and potentially decisive attack on New Management & Leadership:
York City in the fall of that year.. The panel will
also feature a paper on General Sir Henry Clin- Education
ton’s strategy as British commander in chief by The Director will oversee the management of all
Dr. Andrew O’Shaughnessy, Saunders Director of educational programs specifically designed to
the Robert H. Smith International Center for Jef- reach beyond Mount Vernon’s gates, as well as
ferson Studies at Monticello. Dr. Dennis Conrad expanded teacher education programs, symposia,
of the Navy History and Heritage Command, for- scholarly conferences, both printed and web-
merly an editor of The Papers of Nathaniel Greene, based publications, and leadership institute pro-
will also be featured on the panel as commentator grams.
on the papers.
Library
♦♦♦♦♦ The Director will guide Library staff in the opera-
tion of the Library and its collections, and also
Mount Vernon seeks director for expand our rare books and manuscripts acquisi-
tions program. The Director will build and main-
new library. tain important relationships with other libraries,
universities and museums.
General Description:
From the new 45,000 square foot facility that will Technology
serve as the international headquarters for The Director will lead the implementation of new
scholarship about the life and times of George technologies, strategic partnerships and
Washington, the founding Director of the new technological collaborations.
Library will provide strong leadership and vision
in the quest for and dissemination of knowledge Direct Reports:
about America’s most effective leader. The Direc- 1. Vice President, Education
tor will lead the enhancement of scholarly re- 2. Head Librarian
search, the creation of new programs that reach 3. Vice President, New Media
millions of Americans through classrooms and
other venues, and develop a leadership institute. Qualifications:
The Director will strive to showcase Washington 1. Experience with scholarly methods and re-
as America’s most respected and emulated hero. sources, knowledge of 18th-century American
history, and familiarity with the latest electronic
Essential Duties: outreach tools, is desirable.
• Dramatically enhance scholarly research on 2. A doctorate in history or other advanced de-
Washington and the founding era; gree is desirable, as is a record of publishing and
• Create and manage a wide range of fellowships speaking in public.
and scholarships; 3. The qualified candidate will have excellent in-
• Develop an aggressive plan to disseminate terpersonal, communication and managerial
knowledge about George Washington to a large skills and will view this endeavor as an entrepre-
and diverse audience including teachers and the neurial enterprise demanding a vigorous
public, using technology and 21st century work ethic driven by a vision to safeguard Wash-
techniques to underline Washington’s relevance to ington’s life and legacies for future generations
new generations; and to attract supporters to achieve these goals.
• Create innovative leadership programs which
 The Papers of George Washington are now sharing news and updates through
social media outlets. Follow us on Twitter @PapersofGW, like us on
Facebook, and read about the project's history and process on Wikipedia!

Acknowledgements
We gratefully acknowledge these people and organizations for their support this year:

Richard Dyke Jim & Jo Carol Porter

Emory & Winifred Evans Joe Rubinfine
Theodore & Marilyn Ferraro Richard Stazesky
Peter Henriques William Vodrey

Your gift, regardless of size, helps us meet the fundrais-

Major funding for the project is provided by: ing requirements of these grants and maintain the pro-
ject’s high standards of quality and productivity.
The National Historical Publications
and Records Commission We appreciate and acknowledge a gift of any amount.
The National Endowment for the Humanities All donors receive our newsletter and acknowledgement
The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association on the website. Gifts of $500 receive a future volume
The University of Virginia signed by the editors. Gifts of $1,000 receive a signed
The Packard Humanities Institute future volume as well as formal acknowledgement in
the book.

I wish to help support The Papers of George Washington:

Please make your check payable to:
Name The Papers of George Washington
Address and mail to:

The Papers of George Washington

Email
University of Virginia, P.O. Box 400117
Thank you for your support! Charlottesville, VA 22904-4117

- 15 -
 THE PAPERS OF GEORGE WASHINGTON

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
CHARLOTTESVILLE VIRGINIA
PERMIT NO. 164
ALDERMAN LIBRARY, UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
P.O. BOX 400117, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA 22904-4117
PHONE: 434-924-3569 FAX: 434-982-4529

[email protected] http://www.gwpapers.virginia.edu

The Papers of George Washington Staff

The Papers of George Washington at the
University of Virginia was established under the
auspices of the University and the Mount Vernon La- Edward G. Lengel, Editor in Chief
dies’ Association to publish a complete edition of William M. Ferraro, Associate Editor
Washington’s correspondence and other writings. David R. Hoth, Associate Editor
Jennifer E. Stertzer, Associate Editor
The complete published papers will include: Thomas E. Dulan, Assistant Editor
Carol S. Ebel, Assistant Editor
Benjamin L. Huggins, Assistant Editor
The Diaries of George Washington
(6 volumes)* Stacy Diggs-Allen, Fiscal Administrator
The Colonial Series (10 volumes)* Pamela J. Grizzard, Proofreader
The Revolutionary War Series Timothy Maness, Research Assistant
(40 volumes—20 to date) Erica Mitchell, Research Assistant
Jessica Brunelle, Research Assistant
The Confederation Series (6 volumes)*
The Presidential Series Erik Alexander, Jim Ambuske, Ryan Bibler, Michael
(21 volumes—16 to date) Caires, Amy Elikins, Jason Farr, David Flaherty, Frank
Journal of the Proceedings of the President Garmon, Gabriel Haley, Stephanye Hunter, William
(1 volume)* Kurtz, Aida LaTorre, Elizabeth Leis, Margaret Lewis,
Peter Luebke, Sarah Maxwell, Kelly McConnell, Evan
The Retirement Series (4 volumes)* McCormack, Sean Nalty, Kirsten Paine, Samuel Turner,
Sarah Storti,
(* series completed) Student Assistants