service,
their connections, property, and military merit, will not
submit much, if any longer, to the unnatural promotion of men
over them who have nothing more than a little plausibility,
unbounded pride and ambition, and a perseverance in application
not to be resisted but by uncommon firmness, to support their
pretensions: men who, in the first instance, tell you they wish
for nothing more than the honor of serving in so glorious a
cause as volunteers, the next day solicit rank without pay, the
day following want money advanced to them, and in the course of
a week want further promotion, and are not satisfied with any
thing you can do for them. The expediency and the policy of the
measure remain to be considered, and whether it is consistent
with justice or prudence to promote these military
fortune-hunters at the hazard of your army.

"Baron Steuben, I now find, is also wanting to quit his
inspectorship for a command in the line. This will be
productive of much discontent to the brigadiers. In a word,
although I think the Baron an excellent officer, _I do most
devoutly wish that we had not a single foreigner among us,
except the Marquis de Lafayette_, who acts upon very different
principles from those which govern the rest. Adieu.

"I am most sincerely yours,

"G. WASHINGTON."

[Vol. VI., p. 13.]

* * * * *

TO JOHN ADAMS, VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

"PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 27, 1794.

"DEAR SIR:--... My opinion with respect to immigration is, that
except of useful mechanics and some particular description of
men or professions, there is no need of encouragement. I am,
&c.,

"G. WASHINGTON."

[Vol. XI., p. 1.]

* * * * *

TO J. Q. ADAMS, AMERICAN MINISTER AT BERLIN.

"MOUNT VERNON, Jan. 20, 1799.

"SIR:--... You know, my good sir, that it is not the policy of
this country to employ aliens where it can well be avoided,
either in the civil or military walks of life.... There is a
species of self-importance in all foreign officers that cannot
be gratified without doing injustice to meritorious characters