1799] TRUMBULL'S PRINTS 247 *To THE SECRETARY OF WAR 89 (Private) Mount Vernon, June 25, 1799. Dear Sir: By transmitting General Hamilton's letter to me of the 15th. instant, respecting the expediency of promoting General Wilkinson to the Rank of Major General in the Armies of the United States, and my reply thereto of the present date, I find it the easiest mode of communicating the ideas of both of us on this subject; and the necessity of enlarging thereon is superceded thereby. I have only to pray that both may be returned to Dear Sir etc. *To JOHN TRUMBULL [H.S.P.] Mount Vernon, June 25, 1799. Dear Sir: Your favor of the 18th. of Septr last, with the small box containing four pair of Prints, came safe to hand, but long after the date of the letter. Immediately upon the receipt of these, having forgot the terms of the Subscription, and not knowing, as you were absent, to whom the money was to be paid, I wrote to Governor Trumbull for information on this head, without obtaining further satisfaction than that he thought it probable, Mr. Anthony of Philadelphia was authorised, by you to receive the amount. In consequence, I addressed this Gentleman; (who being 89 Hamilton had written: "It strikes me forcibly that it will be both right and expedient to advance this Gentleman to the grade of Major General. . . . I am aware that some doubts have been entertained of him and that his character on certain sides gives room for doubts. Yet he is at present in the service; is a man of more than ordinary talent. . . and will naturally find his interest as an ambitious man in deserving the favour of the Government; while he will be apt to become disgusted, if neglected, and through disgust may be rendered really what he is now only suspected to be." Hamilton's letter is in the Washington Papers. absent from that City, as he said, by way of apology for the delay in answering my letter in a reasonable time) and shall, immediately, pay what is due from me, thereon. I give you the trouble of this detail because I should feel unpleasant myself if after your marked politeness and attentions to me in this, as in every other transaction, any tardiness should have appeared on my part, in return for Prints so valuable. The two Vols. put into your hands by Mr. West" for transmission to me, are the productn. of a Mr Uvedale Price on the Picturesque; accompanied by a very polite letter of which the enclosed is an acknowledgment to that Gentleman, recommended to your care; with my best respects to Mr. West. I was on the point of closing this letter with my thanks for the favourable Sentiments you have been pleased to express for me, and adding Mrs. Washington's complimts. and best wishes thereto, when the Mail from Philadelphia brought me your interesting letter of the 24th of March. For the political information contained in it I feel grateful, as I always shall for the free and unreserved communication of your Sentiments upon subjects so important in their nature, and tendency. No well informed and unprejudiced man, who has viewed with attention the conduct of the French Government since the Revolution in that Country, can mistake its objects or the tendency of the ambitious plans it is pursuing. Yet, strange as it may seem, a party, and a powerful one too, among us, affect to believe that the measures of it are dictated by a principle of self preservation; that the outrages of which the Directory are guilty, proceeds from dire necessity; that it wishes to be upon the most friendly and amicable terms with the United States; that it will be the fault of the latter if this is not the case; that the defensive measures which this Country have 90 Benjamin West. 1799] FEELING TOWARDS FRANCE 249 adopted, are not only unnecessary and expensive, but have a tendency to produce the evil which, to deprecate, is mere pretence, because War with France they say is the wish of this Government; that on the Militia we should rest our Security; and, that it is time enough to call these when the danger is imminent, &ca. &ca. &ca. With these, and such like ideas, attempted to be inculcated upon the public mind (and prejudices not yet eradicated) with all the arts of sophistry, and no regard to truth, decency or respect to characters, public or private, who happen to differ from themselves in Politics, I leave you to decide on the probability of carrying such an extensive plan of defence as you have suggested in your last letter, into operation; and in the short period you propose may be allowed to accomplish it in. The public mind has changed, and is yet changing every day, with respect to French principles. The people begin to see clearly, that the words and actions of the governing powers of that Nation can not be reconciled: and that, hitherto, they have been misled by sounds; in a word that while they were in pursuit of the shadow they had lost the substance. The late changes in the Congressional Representation sufficiently evince this opinion: for of the two sent from the State of Georgia; one certain, some say both are Federal characters; of six from South Carolina five are, decidedly so; of ten from North Carolina, seven may be counted upon; and of nineteen from this State (Virginia) eight are certain, a ninth doubtful, and, but for some egregious mismanagement, Eleven supporters of Governmental measures would have been elected. I mention these facts, merely to shew that we are progressing to a better state of things; not because we are quite right yet. Time I hope will shew us the necessity, or at least the propriety of becoming so. God grant it, and soon. It is unfortunate when men cannot, or will not, see danger at a distance; or seeing it, are undecided [sic] in the means which are necessary to avert, or keep it afar off. I question whether the evil arising from the French getting possession of Louisiana and the Floridas would be generally seen, until it is felt; and yet no problem in Euclid is more evident, or susceptible of clearer demonstration. Not less difficult is it to make them believe, that offensive operations, often times, is the surest, if not the only (in some cases) means of defence. Mrs. Washington is grateful for your kind remembrance of her, and with Mrs. Lewis (formerly your old acquaintance Nelly Custis) Compliments and good wishes united, I am with sentiments of the most perfect esteem etc. *To WILLIAM HERBERT Mount Vernon, June 25, 1799. Dear Sir: In expectation of receiving considerable sums of money for Lands sold for the express purpose of raising it, I have (being able hitherto to get along without it) forborne to apply to the Bank for aid. But out of $15,000 which ought to have been paid by the first of June 1798, and nearly the same sum this month for Lands, sold..."1 I have recd. $1700 only. ... 91 This disappointment, and calls upon me which I... to parry under ly true, induced me to accept your kind offer of endorsing my notes for the money I may have occasion to desire. On, or about the first of July I shall have demands to answer (exclusive of the balance I have rem[ain]g ... of about $1,500 and wish... such steps as are necessary... (as borrowing.. new to me) I would thank you to point out; and to inform me of. Arrangement can be made . . . my attendance in Alexandria. ... my draughts will be honored. 91 ... ... "The press copy was poorly made. Words indicated by leaders [ ] are illegible. ... 1799] PERSONAL FINANCES 251 and if so, that you would be so good as . . . or prepare in my behalf, the needful. I have no stamps, if they be necsy. I would thank you also for information of the terms on which this accommodation at the Bank is to be obtained; for as I have observed before it is . . . new scene I am entering upon. With very great esteem etc. PS. Besides the $5000 above, I may, from... some causes be obliged...'ere long... desirous... taking the Land... before I do this.92 TO SAMUEL M. FOX 93 Mount Vernon, June 26, 1799. Sir: I thank you for the prompt answer to my enquiries respecting Ritchie's and Shreves Bonds deposited in the Bank of Pennsylvania for collection I pray you to inform me whether the circumstances attending the deposit of $250 to Mr. Ross's credit, my agent, as he was assured, were such as to enable me to transfer or rather would authorize the Bank to pay the same to my draught or not 02 From a photostat of an undated memorandum, in the writing of Washington, through the kindness of E. Francis Riggs, of Hyattsville, Md. The bank stocks held by Washington, at this (June 25) or an approximate date, are shown as: "Alexandria In my own name: Ten, dated the 5th. of July 1796 and Numbd. In the name of Wm. Herbert. Transferred to Tobs. Lear 24th. By sundry transfers before they came to Mr. Lear, 8th Jan. 1796, By Do. Do. Do. 29th May 1795 Numbd. 595.6 and 7; and $2000. 1200 800 1000 Columbia: In the name of Mr. Lear dated 6th. Aprl. 1796. No. 89: 100 Sh |