Not knowing with precision, what time is allowed by the Laws of Kentucky for proofs of this kind, the Deed may come to your hands out of season. Should this happen, I would thank you to adivse me in order that I may be certain of its having got to your hands, you would do me a favour in acknowledging the receipt [illegible] under any circumstances. The expence attending this business, be what it may, will, with thanks also, be most chearfully paid by Dear Sir Your etc. *To WILLIAM THORNTON [N.Y.P.L.] Mount Vernon, August 1, 1799. Dear Sir: I shall be obliged to you for letting Mr. Blagden know, that I forsee nothing, at present, that will prevent my being at the Union Tavern in George Town on Monday next (the 5th instant) by eleven oclock. When, and where, if he will attend I shall be provided with, and ready to pay him, a thousand Dollars in Columbia Notes. I thank you for the information, and sentiments given in your last favour of the 19th. Ulto, which came duly to hand; and for your kind invitation to lodge at your House: but as the same cause which takes me up, will, at least ought to carry Mr Law there also, one, if not both the families at whose Houses we usually lodge will be there. With very great esteem etc. *To THE SECRETARY OF STATE [N.Y.P.L.] (Private) Mount Vernon, August 4, 1799. Dear Sir: Your favor of the 18th ulto. came to hand in due course, of the Mail, and I thank you for the information contained in it. 1799] A BRIBERY CHARGE 323 Is it not time to learn officially, and unequivocally; the result of the Presidents message, and consequently (I presume) intimation to the French Government, respecting the appointment of Envoys to Treat with it? Having no Church nearer than Alexandria (nine miles distant) I usually postpone writing, or answering letters that do not require immediate attention, until then; that the regular exercise I take, and the avocations which employ me, may be less interrupted. On this principle, the present acknowledgment of your letter (above) has been delayed, and thereby a question which I intended to propound in it I find solved, in the Aurora which came to hand last night. The question I allude to, is, whether the Officers of Government intended to be acquiescent under the direct charge of bribery, exhibited in such aggrivated terms by the Editor of the above Paper? The most dangerous consequences would in my opinion, have flowed from such silence, and therefore could not be overlooked. and yet, I am persuaded that if a rope, a little longer had been given him, he would have hung himself up something worse; if possible: for there seems to be no bounds to his attempts to destroy all confidence, that the People might, and (without sufficient proof of its demerits) ought to have, in their government; thereby dissolving it, and producing a disunion of the States. That this is the object of such Publications as the Aurora and other Papers of the same complexion teem with, those who "run may read." the motives which are ascribed to them, notwithstanding. They dare not, at present act less under cover; but they unfold very fast; and like untimely fruit, or flowers forced in a hot bed, will, I hope, whatever my expectation may be, soon wither and in principle, die away like them. 86 All of the Administration, or some of the members are now to look to it, for Mr. Duane I perceive, in his address to the Public on the occasion of his arrest, has assured it "that he has not published a fact which he cannot prove, and that neither persecution nor any other peril to which bad men may expose him, can make him swerve from the cause of republicanism.” With very great esteem etc. *To GEORGE WALKER Mount Vernon, August 7, 1799. Sir: Your letter of the 5th instant was presented to me yesterday, on my way home, and not read until I reached it. As I have no concern in public matters, unconnected with Military duties; so it is neither my wish, or intention, to interfere with them, if they do not relate to myself personally. Having neither Doctr. Thornton's letter nor my answer to it before me, I mean to express no sentiment on either; or on the subject to which they related, further than that, a question was askd me to which I gave an answer from the best recollection I had of the case. Because you have requested it, and forasmuch as I had no opportunity of complying therewith while I was in the City, I now enclose your letter to me of the above date, to the Commissioners.87 The list transmitted therein you will receive under this cover. I am etc. 86 William Duane. [N.Y.P.L.] On August 4 Washington wrote to Jeremiah Olney, thanking him for [Jonathan] Moxcy's oration. This letter is in the Rhode Island Historical Society. "On August 7 Washington wrote briefly to the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, forwarding Walker's letter. The press copy of this letter is in the New York Public Library. 1799] ENVOYS TO FRANCE 325 *To MAJOR GENERAL CHARLES COTESWORTH PINCKNEY Mount Vernon, August 10, 1799. 88 My dear Sir: Daily expectation of Genl Washington's " arrival must be received as my apology for not having given your obliging favour of the 25th. of June, an earlier acknowledgment. He did not on account of the indisposition of his Son, in North Carolina) reach this place until the 6th. instant. He left us yesterday, with the young Gentleman, both in good health and Spirits. Permit me to offer you my best thanks for the Plumes you had the kindness to send me; which are, indeed, very handsome. Colo. Lear has, I presume, done the same in the enclosed letter; and the one for Captn. Thornton (for the whole came hither in a general case) shall be sent to him by the first safe conveyance to Fredericksg. his recruit Station. I thank you too, my good Sir, for the transcript of Major Mountflorence's letter to you, which is an interesting one. But whether the knowledge the French Directory has of the President's appointment of three Envoys, to treat, on certain previous stipulations, in France; and their reverse of fortunes, may not have given a different complexion to the business, remains to be decided. I wish this Nomination and appointment, may not be productive of ambarrassmt. in the measures of this Gov ernment. Had the Gentleman,89 whose name is mentioned in Montflorences letter, been actually appointed as the Negociator of Peace, little doubt remains in my mind of his acceptance thereof; notwithstanding the admonitions which had been given him of the delicate situation in which he would be involved, in a visit to the United States at this crisis of our affairs, in any capacity whatsoever. Lest Captain Thornton should not have been written to by you, or seen your orders appointing him one of your Aids, and have understood that you do not require his attendance to the Southward, I will cause him to be advised.". ... ... ... ... Recruiting in the . . . has progressed tolerably well, . . . others it is at a stand; and indeed. . . tion that can be . . . the enemies to our government. . . . In a word, the Aurora, . which emanate from it, ... which which supports the same are endeavouring by every ... and alarm, to create . . Law, insubordination in . . . In short, to prostrate... introduce anarchy in the Military .. have attempted to do in the Civil government of this Country. When, where, and how such things are to terminate, is beyond the reach of human Ken; but . . . they cannot progress much further without an explosion. Indeed ... the Aurora (if one. publications) seem desirous . . . Crisis. His inuendos, and charges . . . longer to be borne, and . . . to his account (and I have no doubt . . . ) there is a contest in Philadelphia for the honor of becoming his Bail . . . other things, in language, and . . . impossible to be misunderstood, the Government is not only accused of being under . . . influence, but of bribery to a considerable amount. If the semblance of this. . . fair and impartial investigation of the case shall appear, I will not only acknowledge myself to be among those who... in the Officers of it, but . . . him, not only a bold, but Printer; deserving of thanks, and high reward for bringing to light conduct so abominable. On the other hand, 90 a ... ... The press copy was poorly made. Words indicated by leaders [ . ] are illegible. |