N. York. March 2d. 1786
My dear Genl
I did myself the honor to write to you some days past:1 since which an Arabian stud horse has arrived in this City & has been announced in the Gazettes a present to you, from his Catholic Majesty. I consider it not improper to inform you that the printers have mistaken the matter, the horse being sent to Mr. Jay.2
Our fœderal distresses gather fast to a point. New Jersey has refused the requisition, and will grant not a shilling, till New York accedes to the impost.3 Perhaps this intemperance in Jersey may bring this state to acquiesce in a system of finance long ago approved by ten states & whose operation might have saved the difficultys which impend over the Union.
I intended to have sent you Mr. Ramsays late publication, entitled The Revolution of So. Carolina but am anticipated by the Author who forwarded you a sett by a vessel from this port to Alexandria.4
Gordon's history has not yet made its appearance5 & many hope never may; as the character & genius of the writer illy corresponds with the subject.
I hope your lady enjoys her health & beg to be presented to her.
I have the honor to be, dear sir, Your most aff h sert,
Henry Lee Jur
Receiver's copy, Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
1 That is, on February 16.
2 Erroneous information concerning Charles III's gift of an Arabian stallion to Washington rather than to John Jay appeared in the Independent Journal or the General Advertiserfor March 1 and 4, the New York Journalfor March 2, and the New York Packetfor March 6. For Jay's exchange of correspondence with Don Diego de Gardoqui regarding the horse and his March 1 request to Congress for permission to accept the gift (to which Congress consented on March 3), see JCC, 30:95; PCC, item 80, 2:169 - 73, item 97, fols. 128 - 33; and Charles Thomson to Jay, March 3.
3 See Charles Thomson to Nathaniel Gorham, William Grayson, and Charles Pinckney, March 7.
4 See David Ramsay to Washington, February 22.
5 For William Gordon's "history," see Ramsay to Gordon, January 18, note.