Benevolent Designs: The Countess and the General: George Washington, Selina Countess of Huntingdon, their correspondence, & the evangelizing of America

Benevolent Designs

The Countess and the General:

George Washington, Selina Countess of Huntingdon, their correspondence, & the evangelizing of America

Markham Shaw Pyle

Bapton Books

Copyright 2013

by Bapton Literary Trust No 1

(for Markham Shaw Pyle)

All rights reserved

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To the memories of

The Reverend CLD;

The Reverend CFH;

&

The Reverend DHI,

clerics;

and of

Mr. DWL,

layman and cherished friend.

… Credo in … Sanctorum Communionem,

Remissionem peccatorum,

Carnis Resurrectionem,

Et vitam æternam.

Amen.

Markham Shaw Pyle, author of this work and ofFools, Drunks, and the United States: August 12, 1941, and co-author of the much-praised When That Great Ship Went Down: the legal and political repercussions of the loss of RMS Titanic, and of '37: the year of portent, holds his undergraduate and law degrees from Washington & Lee. He is a past or current member of, inter alia, the Organization of American Historians; the Society for Military History; the Southern Historical Association; the Southwestern Social Science Association; the Southwestern Historical Association; the Southwestern Political Science Association; the Virginia Historical Society; and the Texas State Historical Association. He is also the co-author of The Transatlantic Disputations: Essays & Observations and The Bapton Books Sampler: a literary chrestomathy; and co-editor and co-annotator of The Complete Mowgli Stories, Duly Annotated, and The Annotated Wind in the Willows, for Adults and Sensible Children (or, possibly, Children and Sensible Adults).

Contents

The General and the Countess: The Correspondence

Preface: A foundation in America

With little business and less Command

That honorable Connection

The honour of Ferrers and Shirley

The pure Protestant faith

Warmly in favour of America

Humanity and charity ... made subservient to valuable political purposes

Good and responsible characters

A narrative of notes and sources

Notes

The General and the Countess:

The Correspondence

To George Washington from Selina, Countess Dowager of Huntingdon, February 20, 1783:

Sir:

Ill qualified as I am to pay you the various honours due to your uncommon privileges, you must nevertheless allow me to express the high esteem that so much belongs to that of your private character, and which I am but justly ambitious to acknowledge by every mark of my confidence. In this view I have taken the liberty of naming you as one of my executors for establishing a foundation in America principally intended as a College for a mission to the Indian Nations. My worthy and exceeding kind friend Mr Laurens, who obliges me by conveying this my best meant respect to you, will convey also to you the more general particular intentions and liberal purpose of my best moments. He will tell you I have a claim to your acceptance of this as done to a relation in which you certainly stand connected with me. Washington Earl Ferrers being my father, whose mother was a Washington and as her favourite love whom he was named after her. She was one that deserved and will ever have the greatest honour to her memory while the family or the honour of Ferrers and Shirley lasts.

Should your greater engagements render my hopes for your attentions less possible than I may flatter myself you will easily forgive what opinion and respect so fully must ever alike maintain to you. Mrs Washington must have my kind compli[men]ts while she is ever secure of my best wishes. I have the honour and privilege of remaining, Sir, with great respect, your faithful and most obed[ien]t, humble ser[van]t….

To Lady Huntingdon from General George Washington, Commander in Chief, the Continental Army, August 10, 1783:

To [the] Countess of Huntingdon

Head Quarters, August 10, 1783

My Lady: Within the course of a few days I have received the Letter you was pleased to Honor me with from Bath, of the 20th of febry. and have to express my respectful Thanks to your Goodness, for the marks of Confidence and Esteem contained therein.

Your Ladyships benevolent Designs toward the Indian Nations, claim my particular Attention, and to further so laudable an Undertakg will afford me much pleasure, so far as my Situation in Life, surrounded with many and arduous Cares will admit. To be named as an Executor of your Intentions, may perhaps disappoint your Ladyships Views; but so far as my general Superintendence, or incidental Attention can contribute to the promotion of your Establishment, you may command my Assistance.

My Ancestry being derived from Yorkshire in England, it is more than probable that I am entitled to that honorable Connection, which you are pleased to mention; independent however of this privelidge, the Veneration with which your Ladyships Character, heretofore known, has impressed me, justly entitled you to rank high in my Esteem. The same Sentiments of respect and regard lead Mrs Washington to thank you for the distinguishd mention you are pleased to make of her. With great considn. &c.

To General Washington from Lady Huntingdon, March 20, 1784:

I should lament the want of expression extremely did I believe it could convey with the exactness of truth the sensibility your most polite, kind and friendly letter afforded me. Any degree of your consideration for the most interesting views of my heart which stands so connected with the service of the Indian Nations eminently demands my perpetual thanks. No compliments can be accepted by you, the wise Providence of God having called you to, and so honoured you in a situation far above many of your equals, and as one mark of His favour to His servants of old has given The Nations to your sword and as the driven stubble to your Bow. Allow me then to follow that comparison till that character shall as eminently belong to you: He was called the friend of God.

May thenceforth the blessings obtained for the poor so unit[e] the temporal with the eternal good of that miserably neglected and despised Nations so they may be enabled to bless you in future ages, whose fatherly hand has yielded to the present and everlasting comfort. I am obliged to say that no early or intemperate zeal, unusual religious character, or those various superstitious impositions too generally taken up for Christian Piety, does in any measure prevail with my passions for this end. To raise an altar for the knowledge of the true God and Jesus Christ who He hath sent whence ignorance alike of Him and of themselves so evidently appears, i[s] my only object and thus to convey the united blessings of this life, with the lively evidence of an eternity founded in the sure and only wise testimony of immortal truth is all my wants or wishes in this matter and my poor, unworthy prayers are for these Providences of God that may best prepare the way to so rational and great an end.

I have been induced from this great object before me to accept the obliging offices of Sir James Jay (who was upon the point of embarking for America) to convey the outline of my design to each of the Governors of those states in which from nearest access to the Indian Nations and from soil and climate a situation for many hundred families for the services of the Indians and the establishment of a people connected with me, should appear best and whose object would be to support the Gospel and render those [m]issionaries sent by me for the Indians, and those various ministrations among themselves the most consistently useful for all. Should I be able to obtain a sufficient quantity of land suitable for such purposes my intentions would be to transfer both my trust estate with all my own property in Georgia for it's [sic] more extensive prospect and which from the extreme heat of the climate renders the labours of missionaries there of little advantage.

This with the poor and little all I have to give on earth has long been devoted to God. Should ever[] so happy a period arise as in His tender mercy to us, we might be made the fortunate and honoured instruments in that great day approaching for the calling of the Heathen Nations as His inheritance to the glorious Age of the Gospel or should this appear any [less?] prelude so important an event the hearts of all men for this purpose will be made subject and as certainly no interested motives can appear [or, possibly apply] but on the contrary, a ready willingness to do [and?] suffer His righteous will as His servants, so none can feel any effect from the accomplishment of the design but the increase of order, wealth, and the pure Protestant faith.

Conveying the glad tidings of peace and Christian love over the earth, I indulge myself with the hope of your forgiveness for an openness so due to you on a subject tho' interesting in its views to me and also consider it as so great an honour done me by your admitting a representative for your attention tho' but for an hour. My kind and most excellent friend Mr. Fairfax undertakes the care of this packet for me. His noble, just and equitable mind renders him the friend of my highest regard, and his ever willing and important services engage me as one under the greatest obligations to him and who on all occasions has my first confidence.

You must yet bear with me by the liberty I take in sending the copy of the letter to the Governor[s] and outlines of the Plan, as no reserve to you on the subject is compatible with the just honour and respect you must ever claim from me. Could my best compliments and best wishes to Mrs. Washington be rendered acceptable, she would help to plead my pardon with you for this unreasonable long letter but which does certainly contain in meaning the trust and most faithful regard, from Sir, your and her most devoted, obedient and most humble servant,

S. Huntingdon

To General Washington from Lady Huntingdon, April 8, 1784:

Gen. Washington:

I have long looked with pain and compassion on the unhappy condition of the poor Indians in America; a people destitute of religion or addicted to idolatry, given to revenge, bloodshed, and cruelty. I have often regretted that so little pains have been taken to bring them from darkness to light, to make them Christians, and good and useful citizens. I rejoice to think that something may now be done towards accomplishing those more desirable ends. Justice and humanity interested me warmly in favour of America. I trust in God that religion and benevolence will interest the rulers of America in behalf of those poor savages. One great and good effect of the late revolution, I hope will be to open a way for their conversion and civilization. It seems to me that the changes which have taken place in the government and political situation of America will greatly facilitate undertakings for these benevolent purposes.

I enclose you the outline of a Plan which I have much at heart to attain these objects. There is a happy coincidence in it. With the conversion and civilization of the Indians, it combines the liberty and welfare of great numbers of good, religious people in these kingdoms, who have been all along been [sic] the friends and would be glad to become citizens of America. To doubt that any State, or that even any individual in America would be backward to encourage and cooperate in a great and solid Plan for these purposes, would be to their this attachment [sic] to the great cause of universal liberty, to the glory of their country, as well as to the precepts of our holy religion and the dictates of humanity. I have no such doubt. I am persuaded of the contrary, and in that persuasion, I feel no difficulty in sending a copy of the Plan and in freely and sincerely explaining myself further on the subject, to the Governors and legislative bodies of those States which appear to me, from their local circumstances, to have it greatly in their power to encourage and cooperate in the Plan.

My design in addressing myself to several States, and not to one only, is to acquire the best fullest information, and to induce an extensive cooperation. From their opinion and advice, and the degree of encouragement they may severely [sic; presumably severally is intended] be disposed to give to the undertaking, I shall be enabled to judge better than I now can do, whether it will be best to plant all the settlers in one large settlement in one of the States, or to divide them into lesser settlements in several States. I wish to act in a way that will be most effectually, and of the most general utility, and I make no doubt but every benevolent person, whether in a public or private station, will take up the matter in the same large way, and act accordingly.

Though you have apprized me of your intention to retire from public life; and though I, like thousands more, acquiesce for your own sake in what we cannot, for the general welfare, but regret, I am confident the design will not want any assistance you can give it. I am confident of this, because I am confident that the man who is the Christian and the soldier cannot be insensible to the duty and to the glory of extending the knowledge of religion and civil life to heathen and savage Nations; and of making useful arts and peaceable industry flourish where ignorance and barbarity now prevail.

I have requested Sir James Jay to take an active part in this business, and he has candidly promised me to do it as far as his own affairs will permit. I have desired him to forward this to you, and to send a letter from me, containing a copy of the enclosed paper, to the Governors of North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and new York. I have desired him to correspond with you, Sir, and with the Governors of the above States and, if it be possible for him, to confer with you and them and the members of the several legislatures on the subject. I have desired him also to take the opinions of judicious individuals, and to acquaint me with the result of the application to the States and of his own enquiries. I rely much on his activity and judgment. The knowledge he has of both countries must render him very useful in combining a variety of circumstances in this country and in America into a solid and useful Plan. We have often conversed on the subject.

The outlines I send you is the product of our joint deliberations. He knows my views, and I have given him all the necessary information, so that he can judge very well of what may be done in these Kingdoms. He also knows my mind so well in regard to the land and other matters depending on America, that I am inclined to think that whatever may be offered on these heads by any of the States and should appear proper to him, will meet my approbation and consent. I beg therefore that you would freely consult and communicate with him on this great business.

General Washington to the President of the Congress, February 8, 1785:

Dear Sir:

Since my last, I have had the honor to receive your favors of the 26th. of Decr. and 16th. of January. I have now the pleasure to inform you, that the Assemblies of Virginia and Maryland have enacted Laws, of which the enclosed is a copy; they are exactly similar in both States. At the same time and at the joint and equal expence of the two Governments, the sum of 6666 2/3 Dollars are voted for opening and keeping in repair a road from the highest practicable navigation of this river, to that of the river Cheat or Monongahela, as commissioners (who are appointed to survey and lay out the same) shall find most convenient and beneficial to the Western Settlers: and have concurred in an application to the State of Pennsylvania for permission to open another road from Fort Cumberland to the Yohoganey, at the three forks or Turkey foot. A similar Bill to the one enclosed, is passed by our Assembly, respecting the navigation of James river, and the communication between it and the waters of the great Kanhawa, and the Executive authorised by a resolve of the Assembly to appoint Commissioners to examine and report the most convenient course for a canal between Elizabeth river and the waters of Roanoke; with an estimate of the expence: and if the best communication shall be found to require the concurrence of the State of No. Carolina thereto, to make application to the Legislature thereof accordingly.

Towards the latter part of the year 1783 I was honored with a letter from the Countess of Huntington, briefly reciting her benevolent intention of spreading Christianity among the Tribes of Indians inhabiting our Western Territory; and expressing a desire of my advice and assistance to carry this charitable design into execution. I wrote her Ladyship for answer, that it would by no means comport with the plan of retirement I had promised myself, to take an active or responsible part in this business; and that it was my belief, there was no other way to effect her pious and benevolent designs, but by first reducing these people to a state of greater civilization, but that I wou'd give every aid in my power, consistent with the ease and tranquility, to which I meant to devote the remainder of my life, to carry her plan into effect. Since that I have been favored with other letters from her, and a few days ago under cover from Sir James Jay the papers herewith enclosed.

As the plan contemplated by Lady Huntington, according to the outlines exhibited, is not only unexceptionable in its design and tendency, but has humanity and charity for its object; and may I conceive, be made subservient to valuable political purposes, I take the liberty of laying the matter before you for your free and candid sentiments thereon; the communication I make of this matter to you sir, is in a private way, but you are at full liberty to communicate the plan of Lady Huntington, to the members individually; or officially to Congress, as the importance and propriety of the measure may strike you. My reasons for it are these: 1st. I do not believe that any of the States to whom she has written (unless it may be New York) are in circumstances, since their cession of Territory, to comply with the requisition respecting emigration; for it has been privately hinted to me, and ought not to become a matter of public notoriety, that notwithstanding the indefinite expressions of the Address respecting the numbers or occupations of the emigrants, which was purposely omitted to avoid giving alarms in England, the former will be great, and the useful artisans among them, many. 2d Because such emigration, if it should effect the object in view, besides the humane and charitable purposes which would be thereby answered, will be of immense political consequence; and even if this should not succeed to her Ladyships wishes, it must nevertheless, be of considerable importance from the encrease of population by orderly and well disposed characters, who would at once form a barrier and attempt the conversion of the Indians without involving an expence to the Union. I see but one objection to a compact, unmixed and powerful settlement of this kind, if it is likely to be so, the weight of which you will judge. It is, (and her Ladyship seems to have been aware of it, and endeavours to guard against it) placing a people in a body upon our exterior, where they will be contiguous to Canada, who may bring with them strong prejudices against us, and our form of Government, and equally strong attachments to the country and Constitution they leave, without the means, being detached and unmixed with Citizens of different sentiments, of having them eradicated. Her Ladyship has spoken so feelingly and sensibly, on the religeous and benevolent purposes of the plan, that no language of which I am possessed, can add aught to enforce her observations. And no place I think bids so fair to answer her views as that spot in Hutchin's map, mark'd Miami Village and Fort, from hence there is a communication to all parts by water and at which, in my opinion we ought to have a Post.

Do not think it strange my good Sir, that I send you the original papers from Lady Huntington. Many, mistakenly, think I am retired to ease and that kind of tranquility which would grow tiresome for want of employment; but at no period of my life, not in the eight years I served the public, have I been obliged to write so much myself, as I have done since my retirement. Was this confined to friendly communications, and to my own business, it would be equally pleasing and trifling; but I have a thousand references of old matters with which I ought not to be troubled; but which, nevertheless, must receive some answer; these, with applications for certificates, copies of Orders &c. &c. &c. deprive me of my usual and necessary exercise.

I have tryed, but hitherto in vain, to get a Secretary or Clerk, to take upon him the drudging part of this business: that you might not wonder at my parting with original papers on an important subject, I thought it incumbent upon me to assign the reason, and I beg you to be assured, that I have no other motive for it.

Please to accept my thanks for the