INDIAN LANGUAGES.

Should any efforts of mine, to procure information respecting the different dialects of the aborigines of America, serve to reflect a ray of light on the obscure subject of language in general, I shall be highly gratified. I love to indulge the contemplation of human nature, in a progressive state of improvement and amelioration; and, if the idea would not be considered visionary and chimerical, I could fondly hope, that the present plan of the great potentate of the North might, in some measure, lay the foundation for that assimilation of manners and interests, which should, one day, remove many of the causes of hostility from among mankind.

1788.

To know the affinity of tongues, seems to me to be one step towards promoting the affinity of nations.

1788.

The Empress of Russia, Catharine the Second, who was com piling a Universal Dictionary. She obtained, through Washington. vocabularies of the Delaware and Shawnese languages.

5. CHRISTIAN CHARITIES.

Public Charities and benevolent Associations for the gratuitous relief of every species of distress, are peculiar to Christianity; no other system of civil or religious policy has originated them; they form its highest praise and characteristic feature. C. C. COLTON.

I had orders from General Washington, to fill a corn-house every year, for the sole use of the poor in my neighborhood, to whom it was a most seasonable and precious relief, saving numbers of poor women and children from extreme want, and blessing them with plenty. J. PEAKE

THE POOR.

Let the hospitality of the house, with respect to the poor, be kept up. Let no one go hungry away. If any of this kind of people should be in want of corn, supply their necessities, provided it does not encourage them in idleness. And I have no objection to your giving my money in charity, to the amount of forty or fifty pounds a year, when you think it well bestowed. What I mean by having no objection is, that it is my desire it should be done.

You must consider, that neither myself nor my wife is now in the way to do these good offices. In all other respects, I recommend it to you, and have no doubt of your observing the greatest economy and frugality, as I suppose you know that I do not get a

* This direction is addressed to the manager of his estates, Lund Washington.

farthing for my services here, more than my expenses. It becomes necessary, therefore, for me to be saving at home.

1775.

WIDOWS AND ORPHANS.

I am at a loss, for whose benefit to apply the little I can give, and in whose hands to place it; whether for the use of the fatherless children and widows, made so by the late calamity,* who may find it difficult, whilst provisions, wood, and other necessaries are so dear, to support themselves; or to other and better purposes, if any, I know not, and therefore have taken the liberty of asking your † advice. 1794.

I will direct my manager to pay my annual donation, for the education of Orphan Children, or the children of Indigent Parents, who are unable to be at the expense themselves. I had pleasure in appropriating this money to such uses, as I always shall have in paying it.

1794.

Mrs. H. should endeavor to do what she can for herself. This is the duty of every one. But you must not let her suffer, as she has thrown herself upon

* An epidemic fever at Philadelphia.

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Wm. White, Protestant Episcopalian Bishop of Pennsylvania, and Rector of the church which Washington attended, when in Philadelphia.

+ His agent.

me.

Your advances, on this account, will be allowed always at settlement.

I agree readily to furnish her with provisions; and, from the good character you give of her daughter, make the latter a present, in my name, of a handsome but not costly gown, and other things which she may stand mostly in need of.

You may charge me also with the worth of your tenement on which she is placed; and where, perhaps, it is better she should be, than at a greater distance from your attentions to her. Feb., 22, 1795.

I am sorry to hear of the death of Mrs. H.; and will very cheerfully receive her daughter, the moment ⚫ I get settled at this place; sooner, it would not be possible, because this house will be, as it has been, empty, from the time we shall quit it in October, until my final establishment in the spring.

Such necessaries as she needs in the mean time, may, however, be furnished her at my expense; and if it is inconvenient for you to retain her in your own house, let her be boarded in some respectable family, where her morals and good behavior will be attended to; at my expense also.

Let her want for nothing that is decent or proper; and if she remains in your family, I wish, for the girl's sake, as well as for the use she may be of to your aunt, when she comes here, that Mrs. would keep her

*Mount Vernon.

industriously employed always, and instructed in the care and economy of housekeeping.

June, 1796.

Enclosed is a letter for S. H., left open for your perusal, before it is forwarded to her; with the contents of which, respecting the payment of ten pounds, I request you to comply; and charge the same to the account of your collection of my rents.

1798.

EDUCATION OF A STUDENT AT COLLEGE.

Having once or twice heard you speak highly of the New Jersey College, as if you had a desire of sending your son William there, (who, I am told, is a youth fond of study and instruction, and disposed to a studious life, in following which he may not only promote his own happiness, but the future welfare of others,) I should be glad, if you have no other objection to it than the expense, if you would send him to that college, as soon as convenient, and depend on me for twenty-five pounds a year for his support, so long as it may be necessary for the completion of his education.

If I live to see the accomplishment of this term, the sum here stipulated shall be annually paid. And if I die in the mean time, this letter shall be obligatory upon my heirs or executors to do it according to the true intent and meaning hereof.

* His agent