1799] A MILLER 347 *To REVEREND MASON LOCKE WEEMS Mount Vernon, August 29, 1799. Revd Sir: I have been duly favored with your letter of the 20th. instant, accompanying "The Philanthropist" For your politeness in sending the latter, I pray you to receive my best thanks. Much indeed is it to be wished that the sentiments contained in the Pamphlet, and the doctrine it endeavors to inculcate, were more prevalent. Happy would it be for this country at least, if they were so. But while the passions of Mankind are under so little restraint as they are among us. and while there are so many motives, and views, to bring them into action we may wish for, but will never see the accomplishment of it. With respect etc. *To WILLIAM ROBERTS [N.Y.P.L.] Mount Vernon, August 29, 1799. Mr. Roberts: I have been much disappointed in not seeing you according to promise, and more so from your silence. My Millers time as I informed you would be the case, expired the 12th. of this month; but rather than leave my Mill to the care of Negros, he has consented to remain until this time; and will do so until the day after tomorrow, when he has engaged a Waggon to remove him and his things, to the place to which he is going, many miles from hence. I request to hear from you immediately, for it is better to know the worst of a thing, than to be held in suspence. I remain etc. *To WILLIAM HERBERT [N.Y.P.L.] Mount Vernon, August 30, 1799. Dear Sir: Although I have more than a sufficient deposit in the Bank of Alexandria to take up my note; yet, as I know also that there will be calls upon me that may not be conveniently answered without that aid; I have thought it advisable (as the 60 days has, or is about to expire) to renew it: and will thank you for taking the necessary steps to effect it accordingly. With very great esteem and etc. [N.Y.P.L.] *To GOVERNOR JONATHAN TRUMBULL Mount Vernon, August 30, 1799. My Dear Sir: Your favor of the 10th instant came duly to hand. It gave me pleasure to find by the contents of it, that your sentiments respecting the comprehensive project of Colo. Trumbull, coincided with those I had expressed to him. A very different state of Politics must obtain in this Country, and more unanimity prevail in our Public councils than is the case at present, 'ere such a measure could be undertaken with the least prospect of success. By unanimity alone the plan could be accomplished: while then a party, and a strong one too, is hanging upon the Wheels of Government, opposing measures calculated solely for Internal defence, and is endeavouring to defeat all the Laws which have been passed for this purpose, by rendering them obnoxious, to attempt anything beyond this, would be to encounter certain disappointment. And yet, if the Policy of this Country, or the necessity occasioned by the existing opposition to its measures, should suffer the French to Possess themselves of Louisiana and the Floridas, either by exchange or otherwise, I will venture to predict, without the gift of "second sight" that there will be "no peace in Israel." Or, in other words, that the restless, ambitious, and Intriguing spirit of that People, will keep the United States in a continual state of Warfare with the numerous tribes of Indians that inhabit our Frontiers. For doing which their "Diplomatic skill" is well adapted. 17991 RENOMINATION 349 With respect to the other subject of your letter, I must again express a strong, and ardent wish and desire that, no eye, no tongue, no thought, may be turned towards me for the purpose alluded to therein. For, besides the reasons which I urged against the measures in my last, and which, in my judgment, and by my feelings, are insurmountable, you, yourself, have furnished a cogent one. You have conceded, what before was self-evident in my mind, namely, that not a single vote would, thereby, be drawn from the anti-federal Candidate. You add, however, that it might be a means of uniting the federal Votes. Here then, my dear Sir, let me ask, what satisfaction, what consolation, what safety, should I find in support, which depends upon caprice? If Men, not Principles, can influence the choice, on the part of the Federalists, what but fluctuations are to be expected? The favorite today, may have the Curtain dropped on him tomorrow, while steadiness marks the conduct of the Anti's; and whoever is not on their side must expect to be loaded with all the calumny that malice can invent; in addition to which, I should be charged with inconsistency, concealed ambition, dotage, and a thousand more et ceteras. It is too interesting not to be again repeated, that if principles, instead of men, are not the steady pursuit of the Federalists, their cause will soon be at an end. If these are pursued, they will not divide at the next Election of a President; If they do divide on so important a point, it would be dangerous to trust them on any other; and none except those who might be solicitous to fill the Chair of Government would do it. In a word, my dear Sir, I am too far advanced into the vale of life to bear such buffiting as I should meet with, in such an event. A mind that has been constantly on the stretch since the year 1753, with but short intervals, and little relaxation, requires rest, and composure; and I believe that nothing short of a serious Invasion of our Country (in which case I conceive it to be the duty of every citizen to step forward in its defence) will ever draw me from my present retirement. But let me be in that, or in any other situation, I shall always remain your sincere friend and Affectionate &c.11 11 *To WILLIAM HAMBLY Mount Vernon, September 1, 1799Sir: I have been favoured with your favour of the 13th. of April from Falmouth, accompanying what I persuade myself will (when opened) be found to be, a very fine Cheese, as all which I have had from you, have proved. For this additional evidence of your kind, and polite attention to me, I pray you to accept my gratitude and thanks. Unsuccessful in my first attempt to get a few (Virginia) Hams to you I am making another trial through the medium of Messrs. Thompson and Veitch, and hope they will meet a better fate than the last. For your obliging wishes respecting me I feel very sensible. I reciprocate them cordially, and am Sir etc. *To ROBERT TREAT PAINE [N. Y.P.L.] Mount Vernon, September 1, 1799. Sir: I have duly received your letter of the 12th. of August, together with the Oration delivered by you in Boston on the 17th. of July. "From a photostat of the original through the kindness of Col. Arthur S. Dwight, of New York. On August 30 Washington wrote a brief note to Rev. Zechariah Lewis, acknowledging the orations of Mr. [David] Daggett and Mr. Lewis. A photostat of this letter is in the Washington Papers, 1799] A PROMISSORY NOTE 351 I thank you for the very flattering sentiments which you have expressed in your letter respecting myself, and I consider your sending me your Oration as a mark of polite attention which demands my best acknowledgment; and I pray you will be assured, that I am never more gratified than when I see the effusions of genius from some of the rising generation, which promises to secure our National rank in the literary world, as I trust their firm, manly and patriotic conduct will ever maintain it with dignity in the Political. I am etc.1 12 *To WILLIAM HERBERT [N. Y.P.L.] Mount Vernon, September 1, 1799. Dear Sir: Your letter with its enclosure, was not received until after candle light last night; owing, I presume, to my not having sent to the Post Office on friday: rarely sending oftener than every other day, for my letters and Papers. I have put my name to the enclosed note, although it ought to have been at the Bank yesterday; to be returned, or destroyed, as circumstances require. This business of borrowing and discount (as you will perceive) I am quite a novice in. What I meant by renewing my note, was no more than, instead of taking it up, by applying so much of my deposit in Bank to this purpose in payment thereof to let it remain, so as that, this sum might meet my command; whether I adopted proper means to effect this end, you are the best judge. It is quite immaterial to me, whether the discount was made last week, or may be this week, or the next, provided all things are right with respect to the old note; which being for Sixty days I know ought to be paid at the end thereof, or renewed. "From a photostat of the original through the courtesy of the American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Mass. |