George Washington letter to James Tilghman, 0 February 1774

TO JAMES TILGHMAN, Philadelphia.

Mount Vernon, February, 1774.

DEAR SIR,

I am going to give you a little trouble, because I am persuaded you will excuse it. No good reason, you will say ; but it 'is the best I can offer for such a liberty.

Interested as well as political motives render it necessary for me to seat the lands, which I have patented on the Ohio, in the cheapest, most expeditious, and effectual manner. Many expedients have been proposed to accomplish this, but none, in my judgment, so likely to succeed as the importing of Palatines. But how to do this upon the best terms, is a question I wish to have answered. Few of this kind of people ever come to Virginia, whether because it is out of the common course of its trade, or because they object to it, I am unable to determine. I shall take it very kind in you, therefore, to resolve the following questions, which I am persuaded you can do with precision, by inquiring of such gentlemen, as have been engaged in this business.

Whether there is any difficulty in procuring these people in Holland? If so, from whence does it proceed 1 Whether they are to be had at all times, or at particular seasons only, and when 1 Whether they are engaged previously to sending for them, and in what manner ? Or do ships take their chance after getting there ? Upon what terms are they generally engaged ? And how much for each person do they commonly stand the importer landed at Philadelphia. ? Is it custernary to send an intelligent German in the ship, that is to bring them ? Do vessels ever go immediately to Holland for them, and, if they do, what cargoes do they carry? Or are they to go round, and where? In short, what plan would be recommended to me, by the knowing ones, as best for importing a full freight, say two or three hundred or more, to Alexandria ? In case of full freight, how are the numbers generally proportioned to the tonnage of a vessel ?

Your favor in answering these several queries, with any other information, which you may think necessary for me to be possessed of, I shall gratefully receive, as I am totally unacquainted with every thing of the kind.

I hope, though you have removed from this part of the world, that you do not mean to forsake us altogether, and that it is unnecessary to add, that I shall at all times be happy in seeing you at this place. My best respects attend your good father, sisters, and brothers ; and, with very sincere regard, I remain, dear Sir, &c.