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ment of their choice, and looked to for support with the preparatory measures gone into by Congress; will convince them I trust, that they have proceeded upon false estimates, that they have been deceived by misrepresentation; and that it is time to pause. If, notwithstanding, there can be no limit to their injustice and rapacious conduct; If intoxicated with success their lawless ambition cannot be restrained by any principle of moral rectitude; I shall hold myself ready to meet them in the field of contest; but till then, or until circumstances make it indispensible for me to come out, I hope to be endulged in sitting quietly under my Vine and Fig tree.

I have not neglected to present you in the way requested, to Mrs. Washington ... from them to offer you, in return their complimts. and best wishes, to which permit me to [P. S.] The letter... it is unnecessary to say anything on that head... It is necessary to inform you that from the combination of public and private concerns I have been very much hurried for some days past.

*To RAWLEIGH COLSTON

[N. Y.P.L.]

Mount Vernon, July 16, 1798.

Sir: Your letter of the Ist. of last month got safe to my hands, but long, very long after its date.

It would give me great concern if any act of mine should produce difficulty, or loss, to any of the purchasers of Colo. George Mercers land, sold under the Power of Attorney given to me, and others, for that purpose. But as this business has been taken out of my hands by a Decree of the High Court of Chancery, of this State; after the Papers have passed from me, and without recollecting (at this time) why a Deed did not pass in due form and time, or what, what the circumstance of the case is now; to render my Agency, after an absolute

relinquishment of it, conveys to my mind an odd appearance. Besides, the Conveyances which were made at the Sale, had a number of parties to them; to all of whose signatures there were Witnesses. Not less than five or six of these parties (to my knowledge) are dead; and the witnesses for the most part dead also, or dispersed; and, supposing the case otherwise, of what avail would their evidence be to Deeds of 25 years standing, which ought to have been recorded within eight months? The farthest I have ever gone, since relinquishing the trust, was where the old Deed has, by neglect of the person to whom it was granted, been suffered to exceed the time, required by Law for its record, to certify before fresh witnesses on the back of it, that it was duly executed at the time and in the manner therein expressed. And this I am ready to do in your case, if the case will admit of it; but to go into an entire new Conveyance under the circumstances I have mentioned, I should be very unwilling; unless I was well advised of the necessity and propriety of the measure by a professional and well informed character; who would consider, thoroughly, the case in all its relations, and under all its circumstances; to encounter the expence of which, I am not disposed; having already been saddled with a good deal on account of my Agency in that business, without ever receiving, or charging a copper for the trouble or expence for my several trips to Bullrun, Shannandoah, &ca; and paying Clerks and Sheriff notes, for many of the Bonds put in suit by Colo. Jno. F. Mercer for as much as they were instituted in my name, and being blended with others, could not well be separated or a farthing for Commission.

If Genl. Marshall, as the mutual friend of us both, would consider the case as above, with my difficulties, express in this letter, I dare say before hand, but I should find no scruple in carrying what he would advise, into effect. I am etc.

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*To HENRY KNOX

Mount Vernon, July 16, 1798.

My dear Sir: Little did I imagine when I retired from the theatre of public life, that it was probable, or even possible, that any event would arise in my day, that could induce me to entertain, for a moment, an idea of relinquishing the tranquil walks, and refreshing shades, with which I am surrounded. But it is in vain, I perceive, to look for ease and happiness in a world of troubles.

The call of my Country, and the urgency of my friends to comply with it, have produced a letter from me to the President of the United States, which, probably, will be given to the public; but if it should not, the principal feature thereof, is, that with the reservation of not being called into the Field until the Army is in a situation to require my presence, or it becomes indispensable by the urgency of circumstances, that I will accept the Commission with which the Secretary of War came charged. Desiring, however, that it might be understood, that my Coadjutors, in the first grades, and principal staff of the Army, must be men in whom I could place entire confidence; for that, it was not to be expected, at my time of life, that I would forsake the ease and comforts which are essential in old age; encounter the toils and vicissitudes of War, with all its concomitants, and jeopardize the reputation which the partiality of the World has been pleased to bestow on me (when the hazard of diminishing, is at least equal to the prospect of increasing it,) without securing such assistance as would enable me to go with confidence into such a field of responsibility.

After this exordium, it is almost unnecessary to add, that I have placed you among those characters on whom I wish to

lean, for support. But my dear Sir, as you always have found, and trust ever will find, candour a prominent trait of my character, I must add, that causes, which would exceed the limits of an ordinary letter to explain, are in the way of such an arrangement as might render your situation perfectly agreeable; but I fondly hope that, the difficulty will not be insurmountable, in your decision.

For the present, and augmented force, three Major Generals, and four Brigadiers are allowed by the Act establishing the latter; and in a consultation with the Secretary of War, the characters proposed for the former are Colo. Hamilton, Genl. Chas. Cotesworth Pinckney and yourself. The first of these, in the public estimation, as declared to me, is designated to be second in command; with some fears, I confess, of the consequences; although I must acknowledge at the sametime that I know not where a more competent choice could be made. General Pinckney's character as an active, spirited and intelligent Officer you are acquainted with, and know that it stands very high in the Southern Hemisphere; it being understood there, that he made Tactics as much, if not more his study, than any Officer in the American army during the last War. His character in other respects in that quarter before his late Embassy, was also high; and throughout the Union it has acquired celebrity by his conduct as Minister and Envoy. His connexions are numerous; their influence extensive; but most of all, with me, when to these considerations I add, as my decided opinion (for reasons unnecessary to enumerate) that if the French intend an Invasion of this Country in force, their operations will commence South of Maryland; and probably of Virginia; you will see at once the importance of embarking this Gentleman and all his connexions heartily in the active scenes that would follow, instead of damping their ardour, and thereby giving more

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activity to the leaven that is working in others, where unity of sentiment would be most desirable.

Viewing things in this light, I would fain hope, as we are forming an Army A New, which Army, if needful at all, is to fight for every thing that ought to be dear and sacred to freemen, that former rank will be forgot; and among the fit and chosen characters, the only contention will be, who shall be foremost in zeal at this crisis, to serve his Country, in whatever situation circumstances may place him. Most of those, who are best qualified to oppose the enemy, will have sacrifices of ease, Interest, or Inclination to make; but what are these, when put in competition with the loss of our Independence or the Subjugation of our Government? both of which are evidently struck at, by an intoxicated, ambitious, and domineering Foe.

The arrangement made with the Secretary of War is on a separate Sheet of paper,1 and meant for your perusal only, until the decision of the President relative to it, is announced.

With that esteem and regard which you know I feel for you, I remain your sincere friend and Affectionate Servant.

P. S. From the best recollection I have of them, the Secretary of War is furnished with a list of Field and other Officers of the late Army of most celebrity, from whence to draw the Field Officers for the Corps to be raised. If you would afford your aid also, it wd be obliging.15

24

"A press copy of the list is incorporated in the letter to Alexander Hamilton, July 14, 1798, q. v.

15

"The mutilated original is in the Massachusetts Historical Society.

Knox answered (July 29): "Yesterday I received your favor of the 16th instant, which I opened with all the delightful sensations of affection which I always before experienced upon the receipt of your letters. But I found on its perusal, a striking instance of that vicissitude of human affairs and friendships, which you so justly describe. I read it with astonishment, which however subsided in the reflection, that few men well know themselves, and therefore that for more than twenty years, I must have been acting under a perfect delusion. Conscious myself of entertaining for you a sincere, active, and invariable friendship, I easily believed it was reciprocal. Nay more, I flattered myself with your esteem and respect in a military point of view.