1799]

THE PRESIDENT'S MOVE 327

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if it shall be found that it is all calumny ted to poison the minds of the People. disquietude, destroy all confidence in Public functionaries, prostrate the government and produce disunion of the States punishment ought to be inflicted on such . . . and Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are from home; the rest of the family unite in every good wish... Mrs Pinckney whose indisposition rest of the family; and I am etc.

*To THE SECRETARY OF WAR

[N.Y.P.L.]

(Private)

Mount Vernon, August 11, 1799.

My dear Sir: Your private letters of the 29th. Ulto. and 5th. instant, have been duly received. Mr. Bordley for presenting, and you for forwarding his Essays on Husbandry, are entitled to, and, accordingly receive, my thanks for these instances of both your kindnesses.

(Confidential)

I think you Wise men of the East, have got yourselves into a hobble, relatively to France, Great Britain, Russia and the Porte, to which, Allow me the priviledge of adding our worthy Demos. All cannot be pleased! Whom will you offend? Here then is a severe trial for your Diplomatic skill, in which the Editor of the Aurora says you are great adepts. But to be serious, I think the nomination, and appointment of Ambassadors to treat with France would, in any event, have been liable to unpleasant reflections (after the Declarations wch have been made), and in the present state of matters, in Europe, must be exceedingly Embarrassing. The President has a choice of difficulties before him, in this business; If he pursues the line he marked out, all the consequences cannot be foreseen: If he relinquishes it, it will be said to be of a piece with all the other Acts of the

Administration; unmeaning if not wicked, deceptious, &ca., &ca, &ca.; and will arm the opposition with fresh weapons to commence new attacks upon the Government, be the turn given to it, and reasons assigned, what they may. I come now, to the Scene of Bribery.

And pray, my good Sir, what part of the $800,000 have come to your share? As you are high in Office, I hope you did not disgrace yourself in the acceptance of a paltry bribe. a 100,000 $ perhaps. But here again I become serious. There can be no medium between the reward and punishment of an Editor, who shall publish such things as Duane has been doing for sometime past. On what ground then does he pretend to stand in his exhibition of the charges, or the insinuations which he has handed to the Public? Can hardihood, itself be so great, as to stigmatise characters in the Public Gazettes for the most heinous offences, and when prosecuted, pledge it-self to support the alligations unless there was something to build on? I hope and expect that the Prosecutors will probe this matter to the bottom. It will have an unhappy effect on the public mind if it be not so.

But how stands the charge, in verity and truth with respect to the Consul General (Stephens) purchase of Coffee, and breach of trust; or in other words taking advantage of his official knowledge to monopolise that article at a low price? This thing made a good deal of noise among the friends as well as the enemies of government; and if true, proves him unworthy, altogether, of public confidence; and denominates him a mercenary [illegible] one who would do anything for lucre.

Is the President returned to the seat of Government? When will he return? His absence (I mention it from the best motives) gives much discontent to the friends of government, while its enemies chuckle at it, and think it a favourable omen for them. I am always your affecte.

1799]

POTOMAC COMPANY MEETING

329

*To THE SECRETARY OF STATE

(Private)

Mount Vernon, August 11, 1799.

Dear Sir: A day or two after my last letter to you was sent to the Post Office, I received your obliging favour of the 2d. instant.

The embarrassments occasioned by the late appointment of Envoys, begin now to shew themselves; and must place the Government, whether it advances towards or retreats from the object, from which they were appointed, in a delicate situation. Of the two evils, the least no doubt will be chosen. I wish this may be pleasant in its operation.

The advantage taken of a Presidential trust, and monopoly of [office by] our Agent in St. Domingo,"1 is spoken of in severe terms by friends, as well as the enemies of our Government. With very great esteem etc.

*To WILLIAM BERKELEY 92

Mount Vernon, August 11, 1799. Sir: I thank you for your prompt answer of the 1st. instant to my letter of a preceeding date; and for the Power of Attorney enclos'd therein for Colo. Fitzgerald, as Proxy to represent the State at the General Meeting of the Potomack Company, lately held at George Town, the 5th. past.

It appearing at this meeting, that Colo. Fitzgerald was duly authorised by you, to act in behalf of the State, I return the Power you were so obliging as to send him, under cover to me. And my anxiety that the State should be duly represented on

Edward Stevens, United States Consul General at San Domingo. "Treasurer of Virginia.

that occasion, is the best apology I can make for the trouble I have given you.

I have only to add, as an earnest wish, that the Commonwealth of Virginia would afford its aid to the mode which was then adopted to raise money; and lend its influence to carry a Work of such utility into complete effect. I have no hesitation in giving it as my decided opinion, that in a pecuniary point of view alone, putting the policy of the measure entirely out of sight, there is no way in which it can employ its money more advantageously. To dilate on the benefits which would result from improving the great high way which nature has marked out as the easiest, and most direct communication with the Western World (maugre all the endeavours of Pennsylvania and New York to divert it into other Channels) would be a mere waste of time; because every one who is disposed to investigate the subject must see them at the first glance. But it must be acknowledged at the sametime, that habits and customs are not easily overcome. consequently, if the produce of upper Ohio, and the Lakes should settle in either of the channels above mentioned, it will require time, as well as convenience, to bring it back into the course which nature has ordered, and which ultimately it will effect. Excuse these sentimts, and believe me to be etc.

*To RICHARD KIDDER MEADE

[N. Y.P.L.]

Mount Vernon, August 12, 1799.

Dear Sir: I should have acknowledged the receipt of your favor of the 22d. Ultimo before this, had I not been for sometime in daily expectation of seeing Genl Wm. Washington, to whom I wished to communicate the contents of it. The General was here a few days since, when I put your recommenda

1799]

OFFICER RECOMMENDATIONS 331

tion of Captn. Edmund Taylor for Brigade Inspector into his hands, and as he is gone on to Philadelphia, I presume that he will, while there, have the proper arrangements made on the subject.

Can you, my dear Sir, give me any assistance in selecting proper characters from this State, to Officer four Regiments of Infantry which is the proportion allotted to Virginia of the 24 Regts. authorized to be eventually raised? The Secy. of War sometime since requested me to furnish him with names of suitable characters for this purpose.

From a variety of circumstances my personal acquaintance with the inhabitants of this State has become very limited. To others then, on whom I can rely, I must look for information. But...93 had only a small proportion of the names recommended to me, and these confined principally to particular spots, when it is the Secretarys duty to have them dissiminated through the State. Whether this is owing to its not being generally known that he ... determined to take preparatory ... to facilitate the raising of this Corps, or to . . . recommending characters for particular . . . with their own consent, when it is uncertain appointed or not, I cannot say. . . . unable to select proper ... for the command of the Regiments from

of the State, and through them obtain the selection of the Company Officers, of their respective Regiments.

If any persons occur to you as being well qualified and willing to accept appointments in the eventual Army; you will much oblige me by handing their names, with such information respecting them as you may be able to obtain, and on which I shall place great reliance.

Mrs. Washington unites in respects, and best wishes to Mrs. Meade and yourself with Dr Sir etc.

[N.Y.P.L.]

The press copy was poorly made. Words indicated by leaders [ ] are illegible.

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