The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

.ET. 63.] LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 509
tioned, as being highly creditable to Washington. In
preparing his vindication, Mr. Randolph applied for a
certain letter, and intimated that papers were withheld.
Washington said, in reply; "That you may have no
cause to complain of the withholding of any paper,
however private and confidential, which you shall think
necessary in a case of so serious a nature, I have directed that you should have the inspection of my letter
agreeably to your request, and you are at full liberty
to publish without reserve any and every private and
confidential letter I ever wrote to you; nay, more, every
word I ever uttered to you, or in your hearing, from
whence you can derive any advantage in your vindication." When it is remembered, that Mr. Randolph had
been in the cabinet from the beginning of the administration, the liberty here given affords a striking proof
of the consciousness felt by Washington of the perfect
rectitude of his own proceedings.
Mr. Pickering was transferred from the war department to the office of Secretary of State, and James
MCHenry of Maryland was appointed Secretary of War.
Mr. Bradford; the Attorney-general, had recently died.
He was succeeded by Charles Lee of Virginia.
The foreign relations of the United States had begun
to put on a more favorable aspect. Treaties were negotiated with Spain and Algiers, by which the prisoners
who had been in bondage for many years under the
latter power, were released, and the difficulties with
the former, respecting boundaries and, the navigation
of the Mississippi, were amicably adjusted. The victory of General Wayne had also smoothed the way to
a treaty with the Indians. On this state of affairs the
President congratulated both houses of Congress, when
he met them at the opening of the session.
But the British treaty was destined to be a cause of
Q.Q*