1798] may ADDRESSES FROM STATES 273 should do so, must somehow or other be unequivocally known, to satisfy my mind that, notwithstanding the respect in which I be held on account of former services, that a preference might not be given to a man more in his prime. And it may well be supposed too, that I should like, previously, to know who would be my coadjutors, and whether you would be disposed to take an active part, if Arms are to be resorted to. 66 Before this letter can get to your hands, you will have seen the Resolutions and proposed address from Citizens of Charleston, in South Carolina. Their proceedings will, I am persuaded, give the ton to other parts of that State. Two or three very good Addresses have already appeared from No. Carolina; one with the Signature of a late Governor thereof, Spaight. All the upper most populous and hardy yeomanry of this State, have come, and are coming forward, with strong Addresses to the Executive, and assurances of Support. The Address from Norfolk (I do not mean the impertinent one from Magnien's Grenadier Company) is a good one. The middle counties of this State, with two or three exceptions, have hitherto been silent; they want leaders; but I shall be much mistaken if a large majority of them do not forsake, if they have heretofore been with, those who have pretended to speak their Sentiments. As to the Resolutions which were entered into at Fredericksburgh, it is only necessary to point to the Manager of them; and add, that the meeting was partial. From Georgia no development of the public sentiment has made its appearance; but I have learnt from a very intelligent Gentleman just returned from thence, where he has been Hamilton replied (June 2): "I have no scruple about opening myself to you on this point. If I am invited to a station in which the service I may render may be proportioned to the sacrifice I am to make; I shall be willing to go into the army. If you command, the place in which I should hope to be most useful is that of Inspector General with a command in the line." Hamilton's letter is in the Washington Papers. sometime for the benefit of his health; travelling, going and returning, slowly, and making considerable halts, that the people of that State, as also those of South and North Carolina, seem to be actuated by one spirit, and that, a very friendly one to the General Government. I have likewise heard, that the present Governor of the first (Georgia) professes to be strongly attached to it. These disclosures, with what may yet be expected, will, I conceive, give a different impression of the sentiments of our people to the Directory of France, than what they have been taught to believe; while it must serve to abash the partizans of it for their wicked, and presumptive information. Your free communication on these political topics, is so far from needing an apology, that I shall be much gratified, and thankful to you, for the continuation of them; and I would wish you to believe, that with great truth and sincerity, I am always Your Affectionate friend, &c. *To JOSEPH HOPKINSON Mount Vernon, May 27, 1798. Sir: An absence for more than eight days from home (on a visit to our friends in the Federal City) is offered as an apology for my not giving your polite, and obliging favour of the 9th. instant, an earlier acknowledgment. I pray you now, my good Sir, to accept my best thanks for the Pamphlet and Song," which accompanied it; and still more, for the favourable sentiments you have been pleased to express, in my behalf. To expect that all men should think alike upon political, more than on Religious, or other subjects, would be to look for a change in the order of nature; but at so dangerous a crisis as the present, when every thing dear to Independence "Hail Columbia." 1798] ADDRESSES RECEIVED 275 is at stake, the well disposed part of them might, one would think, act more alike; Opposition therefore to the major will, and to that self respect which is due to the National character, cannot but seem strange! But I will unite with you in a fervent wish, and hope, that greater unanimity than heretofore, will prevail; for enough, I think we have seen, to remove the mist entirely; and that, the young men of the present day will not suffer the liberty for which their fore fathers fought, bled, and died, and obtained, [to] be lost by them; either by supineness, or divisions among themselves, disgraceful to the Country. I am, &c. *To EDWARD CARRINGTON Mount Vernon, May 28,68 1798. Dear Sir: The present dangerous crisis of public affairs, makes me anxious to know the sentiments of our citizens in different parts of this Commonwealth;" and no one hag. a better opportunity to form an opinion of the central part thereof, than yourself. this will be my apology for giving you the trouble of a letter at this time. Several Counties above the Blue ridge have come forward with warm addresses, and strong professions of support. From Norfolk two meetings, one good the other bad, have their proceedings detailed in the Gazettes. Meetings have taken place in a few of the middle Counties, with unpromising results; and an invitation was given for one, in Davis's Paper of the 15th to be held in Richmond, but I have heard nothing more concerning it. Let not any enquiries or gratifications of mine, interfere with your more important concerns; the devotion of a moment or two, of leisure, will suffice for Dear Sir &c. Sparks and Ford date this letter May 30. *To CLEMENT BIDDLE Mount Vernon, May 28, 1798. Dear Sir: Enclosed you will receive my Power of Attorney to sell the sum of three thousand four hundred and ninety four dollars and thirty one cents, Six pr. Cent stock of the United States, which stands in my name on the Books in Philadelphia, and also the certificates of sd Stock. This stock is loaned by me for the use of the Potomack Company, and in the application thereof you will be pleased to follow the advice of Mr. William Hartshorne, of Alexandria, the Treasurer of that Company. There will yet remain a small sum to be received quarterly on the 3 pr Ct. Stock; but that I may not at any time draw for more than you have funds to answer, I pray you to inform me, (after the Coach and Table ornaments are sold) how the A/c between us stands, that I may make my remittances accord with the draughts. With esteem etc. *To JOSEPH SANDS Mount Vernon, May 29, 1798. Sir: The last Northern Mail brot. me your favour of the 24th Instt.T0 As the tin box therein mentioned, has not the addition of President annexed to the direction, there can be no doubt of its being addressed to me, in my private character, although I have received no other advice relative thereto than what you have been so obliging as to give. From the size of it, as described by you, it must be too cumbersome for the Post Office, which, otherwise, would be the read 70 Not now found in the Washington Papers. 1798] A TIN BOX 277 iest, most expeditious, and safest mode of getting it to me: next to this, if any Gentleman, coming through the whole route from New York to Alexandria, in the stage, would take charge of it, is to be preferred. If neither of these can obtain, water transportation, in any Vessel between the above mentioned places, seems to be the only, and least desirable mode left, as I presume, from the careful manner in which they are enclosed, that the contents are Papers; and having escaped so far, I would not risk them again, if to be avoided, to another fiery, as well as watery exposure. If however, they must come by water, (the same indeed by land) be so good as to direct them to the care of the Collector in Alexandria; and favour me with a line by Post, informing me of the measure. I am etc." *To WILLIAM FITZHUGH72 Mount Vernon, May 30, 1798. My dear Sir: Particular business called me to Alexandria yesterday under a promise of returning to dinner, and under an expectation (in which I was disappointed) of finding Mr. Law and family here on my arrival. Just as I was about leaving town, and hardly time for the above purpose (or I would have called upon you) Mr. Lear informed me of the coversation you had had with him, relative to Mr. Andersons tender of his Services to you as a Manager. The letter herewith enclosed from Mr. Anderson to me, and the rough copy of my answer to him, will let you know precisely on what footing the matter between us stands. To these, as well for your information, as in justice to Mr. Anderson, and by way of explanation of my own conduct towards him, it is "From a photograph of the original kindly furnished by the United States Naval Academy. T3 Of "Chatham," Va. 72 |