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.

376 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [-IET. 41.
I have desired him to get this quantity of land in one
tract, if to be had of the first quality; if not, then in two,
or even in three, agreeably to the several rights under
which I hold, rather than survey bad land for me, or
even that which is middling. I have also desired him
to get it as near the mouth of the Scioto, that is, to the
western bounds of the new colony* as may be; but'for
the sake of better lands, I would go quite down to the
Falls, or even below, meaning thereby to get richer
and wider bottoms, as it is my desire to have my lands
run out upon the banks of the Ohio. If you should go
down the river this fall, in order to look out your own
quantity under the proclamation, I shall be much obliged
to you for your assistance to Captain Bullitt, in getting
these ten thousand acres for me, of the most valuable
land you can, and I will endeavour to make you ample
amends for your trouble; but I by no means wish or
desire you to go down on my account, unless you find
it expedient on your own. Of this I have written to
Captain Bullitt, under cover to you, desiring, if you
should be with him, that he will ask your assistance.
As I have understood that Captain Thompson (by
what authority I know not) has been surveying a good
deal of land for the Pennsylvania officers, and that Dr.
Connolly has a promise from our Governor of two thousand acres at the Falls, I have desired Captain Bullitt
by no means to involve me in disputes with any person,
who has an equal claim to land with myself, under the
proclamation of 1763. As to the pretensions of other
people, it is not very essential; as I am told that the
Governor has declared he will grant patents to none but
the officers and soldiers, who are comprehended within' This newt colony was "Walpole's Grant," mentioned above in the
letter to Lord Botetourt, April 15th, 1770.