I set out with intimating, that my letter would be very short, but upon looking back I find it can hardly be said to have that fault; and, lest it should partake of another at least as bad, I shall close it with assuring you that you have the best wishes, for your health and happiness, of your sincere friend and affectionate servant.* TO GOUVERNEUR MORRIS. MY DEAR SIR, Philadelphia, 25 March, 1793. It was not till the middle of February, that I had the pleasure to receive your letter of the 23d of October. If you, who are at the fountain-head of those great and important transactions, which have lately engrossed the attention of Europe and America, cannot pretend to say what will be their event, surely we, in this distant quarter, should be presumptuous indeed in venturing to predict it. And unwise should we be in the extreme to involve ourselves in the contests of European nations, where our weight could be but small, though the loss to ourselves would be certain. I can however with truth aver, that this country is not guided by such a narrow and mistaken policy, as will lead it to wish the destruction of any nation, under an idea that our importance will be increased in proportion as *Mr. Barclay was the American consul in Morocco. He had died suddenly, and Mr. Humphreys, then resident in Lisbon as minister to Portugal, on hearing of his death, proceeded immediately to Gibraltar, and took charge of the public property in that place, which had been under the care of Mr. Barclay. The service was important, and, as it was performed without instructions, Mr. Humphreys had requested the President to state explicitly whether it met with his approbation. omit that of others is lessened. We should rejoice to see every nation enjoying all the advantages, that nature and its circumstances would admit, consistent with civil liberty and the rights of other nations. Upon this ground the prosperity of this country would unfold itself every day, and every day it would be growing in political importance. Mr. Jefferson will communicate to you such official information as we have to give, and will transmit the laws and public papers. I have thought it best, my dear Sir, not to let slip this opportunity of acknowledging the receipt of your letter, lest no other should occur to me very soon, as I am called to Mount Vernon by the death of my nephew, Major Washington, and am on the point of setting out for that place to-morrow. I need not tell you that this is of course a very busy moment with me. It will therefore account for the conciseness of this letter, by which, however, you must not measure my regard. You see me again entering upon the arduous duties of an important office. It is done so contrary to my intention, that it would require more time, than I have allowed myself, to assign the reasons; and therefore I shall leave them to your own suggestion, aided by the publications which you will find in the gazettes. I am your sincere friend and affectionate servant. TO HENRY KNOX, SECRETARY OF WAR. Mount Vernon, 5 April, 1793. SIR, In addition to the several matters contained in my circular letter to you before I left Philadelphia, which you were desired to take into consideration, I now submit to you (and to the other gentlemen to whom the abovementioned letter was directed, and whom you will now also consult) a request of the Society of Quakers to be permitted to make presents to the Indians at the proposed treaty at Sandusky. You will determine among yourselves as to the propriety of granting this request at all, and to what amount, and what kind of articles they may present to the Indians. The result of your united deliberations, as I am satisfied it will meet my approbation, you may communicate to the Society; as they may want to make some arrangements, in case their request should be granted, before the commissioners depart for Sandusky. On my way to this place I saw Captain Barney at Baltimore, who has just arrived from Havana. He says, the day before he left that place, which I believe was the 10th ultimo, advice had been received and generally believed, that our friend McGillivray was dead, and that Bowles, who was sent to Spain, had been hanged. Whether this news is true or not, I am not authorized to say, though Captain Barney seems to entertain no doubt of the facts. General Posey, who is now with me, informs me he is ready to receive any instructions you may wish to give him, and desires to know how he is to be disposed of. I supposed he had received your orders before this time to join the main army; but, as it is not the case, I hope you will without delay do this, or inform him for what particular service he is destined, if any thing more advantageous was in contemplation for him. I am, &c. P. S. If General Posey is ordered to join the main army, he desires to be permitted to take Philadelphia in his way, in order to provide himself with some necessaries, which he cannot conveniently procure elsewhere. TO THOMAS JEFFERSON, SECRETARY OF STATE. DEAR SIR, Your letter of the 7th was brought to me by the last post. War having actually commenced between France and Great Britain, it behoves the government of this country to use every means in its power to prevent the citizens thereof from embroiling us with either of those powers, by endeavouring to maintain a strict neutrality. I therefore require, that you will give the subject mature consideration, that such measures as shall be deemed most likely to effect this desirable purpose may be adopted without delay; for I have understood, that vessels are already designated as privateers, and are preparing accordingly. Such other measures as may be necessary for us to pursue against events, which it may not be in our power to avoid or control, you will also think of, and lay them before me on my arrival in Philadelphia; for which place I shall set out to-morrow, but will leave it to the advices, which I may receive to-night by the post, to determine whether it is to be by the most direct route, or by the one I proposed to come, that is, by Reading, &c. With very great esteem and regard, I am, &c. TO THOMAS JEFFERSON, SECRETARY OF STATE. J. M. SL SIR, Philadelphia, 18 April, 1793. The posture of affairs in Europe, particularly between France and Great Britain, places the United States in a delicate situation, and requires much consideration, as to the measures which it will be proper for them to observe in the war between those powers. With a view to forming a general plan of conduct for the executive, I have stated and enclosed sundry questions, to be considered preparatory to a meeting at my house to-morrow, where I shall expect to see you at nine o'clock, and to receive the result of your reflections thereon. I am, &c.* б TO THE EARL OF BUCHAN. MY LORD, Philadelphia, 22 April, 1793. The favorable wishes, which your Lordship has expressed for the prosperity of this young and rising country, cannot but be gratefully received by all its citizens and every lover of it. One means to the attainment of which, and its happiness, is very judiciously portrayed in the following words of your letter, "To be little heard of in the great world of politics." These words, I can assure your Lordship, are expressive of my sentiments on this head; and I believe it is the sincere wish of United America to have nothing to do with the political intrigues, or the squabbles, of * Sent as a circular to all the members of the cabinet. The Questions related to the celebrated proclamation of neutrality. See APPENDIX, No. XV. - VOL. X. 43 CC |