Would have preferred to talk with Washington in person, but "I have suffered so much by an unbounded zeal for the public welfare; and by an implicit confidence in the public faith; that the situation of my affairs, or to speak more plainly, the situation of my finances, too often supercedes my intentions." The Countess of Huntington, whose plan for colonizing and converting the Indians is enclosed, is "animated even to Enthusiasm with a desire to convert and civilize the Indians of North America." At first she intended to use property she owns in Georgia for the training of white and Indian missionaries to work among the tribes. With Sir James's help, she has elaborated her plan to include colonizing several states with English, Scotch, and Irish immigrants and has written to governors of several states pointing out the advantages of civilizing the Indians and the benefits to the growth of manufacturing which this would bring. Sir James would like to have Washington's opinion on the matter. He urges swift adoption of the Countess's plan, for, though very alert, she is very alert. Enclosures include: [8 April 1784], Selina, Countess of Huntington to the Friends of Religion and Humanity in America; [8 April 1784], the Countess's letter to Governor Patrick Henry of Virginia.
Subjects
United States--History--1783-1865; Jay, John, 1745-1829