Your favor of March 13th, declining to aid me in a publication of General Washington's Works, was duly received. I had already made such progress in the undertaking, that I could not reconcile myself to the idea of abandoning it, although compelled to prosecute it under many disadvantages. Since that time I have visited all the southern and middle states, examined thoroughly the public offices in each, and procured copies of all General Washington's letters, and the replies of the Governors. In addition to these I have obtained copies of the valuable revolutionary correspondence on file in the different offices. These letters contain a rich treasure of historical matter the substance of which I shall use in making the notes and historical illustrations to the edition of Washington's Works. I am now on the eve of a tour for a similar investigation in the New England states; after which I shall go patiently through all the files in the office of Secretary of State at Washington, and gather the materials deposited there. I have moreover, collected numerous letters from private sources, particularly from among the papers of the Major Generals of the army, which are with their descendants in different parts of the country.

     In short I am very confident of procuring nearly every thing, which can throw light on the public character and transactions of General Washington, and these are the points in which the public is generally interested, and with which posterity will seek to become acquainted. Yet my ambition was to make a perfect edition of his writings, one that should stand as a perpetual monument, worthy of his fame and of his country. I can truly say that I had no other motive in commencing this project, and although I doubt not the pecuniary results will be adequate to the expense of money, and perhaps of time and trouble, in carrying it on, yet this has been and is still a secondary consideration. My only regret is that the work must at last be imperfect, my great purpose defeated, my hopes but partially realized, and a reasonable expectation of the public disappointed.

     At this stage of the business, and with these views, I hesitate not to appeal again to you; and I do it the more confidently, as my design has met with universal favor, where I have made it known, and from gentlemen on whose judgment I can rely, and whose approbation ought to inspire confidence. I have not only received prompt assistance where it has been desired, but have invariably witnessed a strong and deep interest in my undertaking. I would now ask you, whether, upon reviewing the subject with the above facts and circumstances before you, it does not on the whole appear to you an object, worthy of your regard, to aid in laying before the public a full collection of General Washington's writings, by allowing those papers to be consulted, which are to be found only in your possession?

     The day must of course come, when all these papers will find their way to the public in some form or other. The voice of the country, the genius of history will demand them. As this will in the nature of things one day happen, is it not better that they should be published under your own eye, with your inspection and guidance? This seems to me so obvious a fact, that I cannot suppose it needs for a moment to be insisted on. Your only hesitation, therefore, must be in regard to the manner of issuing the publication. You propose to do it by selections, and in parts, publishing some of the letters written during the revolution first, and then those received by General Washington from other persons, and last of all his early letters relating to the French war. Having some knowledge of the details of literary undertakings, and of the public taste in these matters, I am fully convinced that this plan will not succeed. Works brought out in a shape so broken and disconnected will have but a limited sale, nor can a bookseller be found, who, at much hazard, would engage in such a scheme; whereas, if the entire works of Washington were presented to the public, in a form suited to the dignity of the subject, a national interest and a national feeling would be excited and a wide and honorable patronage might be expected.

     That the subject may at once be brought to a definite point, I have resolved to make you the following proposal. With the permission to have access to all the papers in your possession, and an unrestricted use of them, I will engage to execute the work according to the plan proposed in my former letter, taking upon myself the charge and responsibility of the literary part, and the business of finding a publisher, and superintending the publication, and I will agree then to divide with you equally the property of the copyright and the profits of sale, that is, you being entitled to one half and I to the other; it being understood on your part, that any paper may be withheld, which you do not deem suited for publication, and on my part, that the expenses which I¹ have incurred, & shall hereafter incur, in procuring materials for the historical illustrations of the work, shall be deducted before any division of the property, or of the profits of sales, shall be taken into consideration. This seems to me as liberal an offer as can reasonably be asked. In regard to other considerations, I know not that I can say more, but must leave you to decide as your judgement shall dictate.

     If you see objections to this proposal, which shall induce you to decline accepting it, I shall shortly make my project fully known to the public, solicit materials from every quarter and proceed in preparing the work with as much expedition as the nature of the undertaking will admit. I have the honor to be, Sir, with high respect, your most obt servt