1798] CHOICE OF AIDES 383 I perceive, has been given to the public; and until that event takes place that I shall have no occasion for Aids de Camp. You also know, that it is an invariable maxim with me, never, before hand, and until the moment requires it, to pledge myself by promises which I might find embarrassing to comply with. And in the case before us, this precaution becomes peculiarly necessary, and Interesting; for in the choice of Aids de Camp, by the Commander in Chief, a variety of considerations (more powerful often than wishes, to gratify his own inclinations, or the desires of friends) must combine; among which, none is of greater, or more essential importance than experience and a thorough knowledge in his (first, and principal) Aids, of the duties they are to perform. With this and a single idea given to them by the General, they are enabled to enlarge upon, and convey his meanings in detail; which diffident young men without experience would not, nor ought not to hazard. Aids to the Commander in Chief, or Officer commanding a separate Army, ought also to be Men of business, and ready penmen; for the number of letters which are written, received and to be answered; Orders to be given; Instructions to draw &ca. &ca. call for these qualifications: and often close employment to all around him. I have been more diffuse in my reply to you, on the Subject of Aids de Camp, than I have been, or shall be to others; because I would wish you to understand the principle upon which I act, and the necessity there is, that my principal Aids should be men who have seen a good deal of Service, and are well acquainted with the Duties of their Office. of Camps, and regular rotine. Although I highly approve of the measures taken by Government to place this Country in a posture of defense, I even wish they had been more energetic, and shall be ready to obey its call, under the reservations I have made, whenosever it is made; yet I am not without hope, mad and intoxicated as the French are, that they will pause before they take the last step. That they have been deceived in their calculations on the devision of the People, and the powerful support they expected from their party, is reduced to uncertainty; though it is somewhat equivocal still whether that party, who have been the curse of this country, and the sourse of the expences we have to encounter, may not be able to continue their delusion. What pity it is, this expence could not be taxed upon them. But finding I am getting from Aids de Camp to Politics, I will halt where I am, and assure that with very great esteem and regard I remain etc. *To THOMAS NELSON Mount Vernon, August 2, 1798. Dear Sir: Your letter of the 27th. Ulto came to my hands by the last Post, and I thank you for the Offer you have made me of your Services as one of my Aids de Camp; But as you will have seen by the reservation made in my letter to the President of the U. States (which I perceive is published in the Gazettes) that my coming forward depends upon contingencies; so, the appointing of my Aids, will be regulated by that call upon me, until which, I shall have no occasion of Aids; and 'till then shall hold myself perfectly free; (unless some particular case should occasion a departure from it); as in the choice of mine, many considerations (some more powerful than friendship, or the indulgence of my own Inclinations) must combine. Mrs. Washington is thankful for your kind remembrance of her. And I am etc. 1798] MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS 385 *To THE SECRETARY OF WAR (Private) Mount Vernon, August 4, 1798. Dear Sir: The enclosed letter from Doctr. Brown 50 (of Port tobacco) to Doctr. Craik, was this day put into my hands by the latter; who speaks favourably of the Medical abilities of the former. I wish to be considered in no other light than as a Vehicle of the application to the President, through you; for of Doctr Brown I have no knowledge, and of his fitness I can say nothing. One thing however, merits attention. The State of Maryland is highly Federal, both in its collective and Individual character, and I see no office of any Importance allotted to a Member of it:51 whether the one sought for by Doctr. Brown (wch. I presume is second in the Medical Department) will come under this description you can decide as well as, Dr Sir Yr. etc. *To THE SECRETARY OF STATE Mount Vernon, August 4, 1798. Dear Sir: Your letter of the 12th. Ulto. came duly to hand, but the expectation that Congress would rise sooner than it really did, in the first place; and the supposition that Mr. Craik would return home, so soon as [it] did rise in the next; have delayed my acknowledgment of its receipt, and giving direc tion relative to the money paid you on my A/c by Judge Addison, until now. Dr. Gustavus Richard Brown. He was one of the attending physicians in Washington's last illness. Dr. William Brown, of Alexandria, Va., had been called, but was away from home at that time. At this point the press copy is starred by Washington and a marginal note is starred: "excuse this hint" [sic]. But learning from Doctr. Craik (now here) that his Son is gone to the Seaboard, for a stay of ten or twelve days; I do, in order to relieve you from further suspence, request, unless it would suit the Treasury Office to receive the money there and give me a draught upon the Collector in Alexandria, that you wd. retain it in your hands to be sent by Mr. Ck. or some other safe conveyance. But, previous thereto, let me pray you to pay Colo. Clem: Biddle Two hundred Dollars on my behalf, out of the $1700 deposited in your hands for my use, by Mr. Addison, as part of the Instalment due on the Bond of the deceased Colo. Matthew Ritchie. With great esteem and regard etc. *To THE POSTMASTER OF ALEXANDRIA Mount Vernon, August 4, 1798. Sir: The letters enclosed, were sent up to your Office yesterday afternoon, and were returned to me. It is not the first, nor second time I have been served in this manner; but it but it may be considered as an evidence of the inattention with which the duties of your Office are discharged. I am etc. *To JOSIAH DUNHAM 52 Mount Vernon, August 4, 1798. Sir: Your favor of the 13th. Ulto. accompanying the Oration delivered by you on the Anniversary of American Independence, I recd. by the last Post. For both I thank you. The sentiments expressed therein do me much honour. They flatter me highly and cannot fail to make a grateful impression on the sensibility of one who offers you in return his very best wishes and the assurances of being Sir Your etc. 62 Of Hanover, N. H. 1798] QUARTERMASTER GENERAL 387 *To EDWARD CARRINGTON Mount Vernon, August 5, 1798. Dear Sir: Your consent to accept the Office of Quarter Master General to the armies of the United States, gave me sincere pleasure. Not finding, after the arrangement of this matter with the Secretary of War, your name in the list of nominations and appointments (announced by the Papers), I wrote to him to be informed of the cause; and received the following answer. I inclose the Act to augment the army of the U. S. You will see that it does not provide for a Quarter Master General, and that the Provisional Army Law provides that the Qr Mr. Genl. under it shall have the Rank and pay of Lt. Colonel only. I thought it best therefore that no Quarter master General should be appointed 'till Congress meet again when they may amend their Act. cause, This explanation, though I regret the will allow you the time you seemed to wish, to make other arrangements, unless an actual Invasion (which I do not think probable) or such demonstrations of it as cannot be mistaken, should call us all to Arms, in which case I am persuaded you would be among the last to stand upon punctilio. When the Secretary of War was at this place, the Bill for augmenting the Army of the U. S. was then pending in Congress; and before he got back to the Seat of Government it had passed, and Congress had adjourned. This will account for the unfinished State in which (to my surprise I confess) the important Department of Quarter Master was left. I felt it incumbent on me to give you these details, lest my former letter, and attempt to embark you in the service, should, on the face of it, appear to be more strongly marked with perciptancy than discretion. With very great esteem etc. |