1798] MILITARY QUERIES 17 appeared to have no bad effect, a small eagle (of Pewter, tin, and in some instances silver) fixed by way of button in the Centre of a rose cockade; which was not only very distinguishable, but somewhat characteristic. The sooner these queries are taken into consideration and opinions given on them, the more agreeable will it be to' *To MAJOR GENERALS HAMILTON 10 Philadelphia, November 12, 1798. Sir: Herewith you will be furnished with the Copy of a letter from the Secretary of War to me," suggesting many important matters for consideratn and to be reported on. It is my desire, that you will bestow serious and close attention on them and be prepared to offer your opinion on each head when called upon. I also propose for your consideration and opinion, a number of queries which had been noted by me, previous to the receipt of the Secretary's letter (now enclosed). In stating these, I had endeavoured to avoid, and make them additional to, the objects which the Secretary of War, in a letter to me dated the 16th. Ult, informed me would be subjects for my consideration. I find however that several of them, in substance, are contained in his last letter. But as they were digested previous thereto and written I shall to save copying lay them before you as they are without expunging those parts which now appear in the Secretarys statement. With very great esteem &c.12 12 10 From the draft in the Washington Papers. A clear copy by Washington is in the Hamilton Papers in the Library of Congress, as is also a rough draft by Hamilton of notes for his answers to these queries. "McHenry's letter (November 10) is in the Washington Papers and is printed by Sparks in his Writings of Washington, vol. 11, p. 552. "The signed letter, in the writing of Tobias Lear, is in the Hamilton Papers in the Library of Congress. *MEMORANDUM OF AN INTERVIEW Tuesday, November 13, 1798. Mr. Lear, My Secretary, being from our lodgings on business, one of my Servants came into the room where I was writing, and informed me, that a Gentleman in the Parlour below, desired to see me; his name was sent up. In a few minutes I went down, and found the Revd. Doctr. Blackwell, and Doctr. Logan there. I advanced towards, and gave my hand to the former; the latter did the same towards me, I was backward in giving mine. He possibly supposing from hence, that I did not recollect him, he said his name was Logan. Finally in a very cool manner, and with an air of much indiffence, I gave him my hand and asked Doctr. Blackwell to be seated, the other took a seat at the sametime. I addressed all my conversation to Doctor Blackwell; the other all his to me, to which I only gave negative or affirmative answers, as laconically as I could, except asking how Mrs. Logan did. He seemed disposed to be very polite, and while Doctr. Blackwell and myself were conversing on the late calamitous fever, offered me an asylum at his house if it should return, or I thought myself in any danger in the City. and two or three Rooms by way of accomodation. I thanked him slightly, observing there wd be no call for it. About this time, Doctr. Blackwell took his leave, we all rose from our Seats and I moved a few paces towards the door of the room, expecting the other would follow, and take his leave also; instead of which, he kept his ground proceeded to inform me more particularly (for he had mentioned it before) that he had seen Genl. [la Fayette] at Hamburgh, and his lady and daughter (I think in France) and related many things concerning their health &ca. He said something also respecting an Interview he had had with our Minister, Mr. Murray in 1798] FRENCH RELATIONS 19 Holland; (but as I wished to get quit of him; remained standing; and shewed the utmost inattention to what he was saying) I do not now recollect what the purport of it was; except that, he hurried from thence to Paris. His object being, he said, to get there before the departure of our Commissioners (as he called them). He observed that, the situation of our Affairs in this Country, and the train they were in, with respect to France, had induced him to make the Voyage; in hope, or expectation or words to that effect, of contributing to their amelioration. This drew my attention more pointedly to what he was saying, and induced me to remark that, there was something very singular in this. That he who could be viewed as a private character; unarmed with proper powers; and presumptively unknown in France; should suppose he could effect what these gentlemen of the first respectability in our Country specially charged under the authority of the Government, were unable to do. With this observation he seemed a little confounded; but recovering, said, that not more than five person's had any knowledge of his going; that he was furnished by Mr. Jefferson and Mr. McKean with certificates of his Citizenship. That Mr. Merlin President of the Directory of France, had discovered the greatest desire that France and America should be on the best terms. I answered, that he was more fortunate than our Envoys, for they could neither be received nor heard by Mr. Merlin or the Directory. That if the Powers of France were serious in their professions, there was a plain and effectual way by which that object could be accomplished, namely, to repeal the obnoxious arrets, by which the Commerce and Rights of this Country had been invaded; put an end to further depredations on both; and "Antoine Christophe Merlin de Thionville. make restitution for the Injuries we had received. A conduct like this I said would speak more forcibly than words, for that the latter never made an impression on my mind, when they were contradicted by actions. He said that the Directory was apprehensive that this Country, viz the Government of it, or our Envoys, I am not now sure which he mentd. or alluded to was not well disposed towards France. I asked what better evidence could be given in refutation of this opinion, than its long suffering of the outrageous conduct of that Nation towards the U States, and dispatching three Gentlemen of unquestionable worth, with ample powers to reconcile all differences, even at the expence of great sacrafices on our parts. He replied, they had taken of[f] the embargo and were making restitution of property, enumerating one instance I think. With respect to the embargo, I observed that taking it off, or continuing it on, was a matter of no great importance if, as I had been informed, our Vessels in French Ports were few. He said that the attempt at a Coalition of European Powers against France would come to nothing; that the Directory were undr. no apprehns. on [that ground] and that Great Britain would have to contend alone; Insinuating, as I conceived his object at the time to be, that we should be involved in a dangerous situation if we persisted in our hostile appearances. To this I finally replied that we were driven to those measures in self defence, and asked him if the Directory looked upon us as worms; and not even allowed to turn when tread upon? for it was evident to all the world that we had borne and forborne beyond what even common respect for ourselves required and I hoped the spirit of this Country would never suffer itself to be injured with impunity by any nation under the Sun. To this he sd. he told Citizen Merlin that if the U. S. were Invaded by France they wd. unite to a man to oppose the Invaders. 1798] ARMY MATTERS 21 To THE SECRETARY OF WAR November 13, 1798. Sir: I observe by the concluding paragraph of your letter of the roth. instant that you contemplate conferences between the Secretaries of State and of the Treasury and myself, for the purpose of obtaining auxiliary information from their departments. Several of the questions which you state seem indeed to require such information. But on reflection, it has occurred to me as most regular, that you should settle with those officers what it may be reciprocally deemed necessary and proper for them to communicate; to the end that they may themselves bring forward, either through you or directly to me as may be agreed, but without any previous application from me, such communications as the case shall be supposed to require. Wherever, too, I am to report a formal opinion, you will I dare say think with me, that the data upon which it shall be given ought substantially to be deposited with me in writing. Personal conferences besides, for more full explanation, may be useful and will be very agreeable to me. Allow me to request your speedy attention to this matter. I find also, that the documents referred to in your letter of the roth. inst. did not accompany it. As these will be necessary in forming an opinion on several points submitted to me in your letter aforesaid, and which I have communicated to Majr. Genls. Hamilton and Pinckney, I must beg you to furnish me with them without delay. The documents referred to are as follows, viz, "List of persons who have been recommended for Commissions in the Army, with their letters of pretensions." (N. B. A list of Applicants south of the River Potomac, and their letters, are in my hands. The list and letters from the other parts will be wanting) |