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.

382 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [IET. 42.
knowledgments in like manner to the professors. With
very great esteem andregard, Reverend Sir,
I am, your most obedient humble servant.
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? Whether they are to be had at all times, or at
particular seasons only, and when? 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 cus