### *Rufus King to Elbridge Gerry, Nov. 5^th^, 1786*

My Dr. Friend New York 5 Nov. 1786

We are encouraged in our Hopes and wishes for the safety of the
commonwealth by the Papers and letters which the last post brought us.
Persevere and you will restore the authority of Government. While I
reverence the principles of rigorous Justice, and earnestly desire that
the Constitution and laws may be superior to all Opposition, I feel
compassion for those unfortunate men, who have thoughtlessly united in
measures unauthorised by their sober Reflections. We have supposed that
no men of consequence, have been connected with the Insurgents, and it
has been taken for granted, that no external Council or Aid has been, or
would be afforded them. But be assured, that neither you nor I
comprehend the combinations, which these Insurgents may in possible
Events be able to form. Let them shew their condition & numbers, and
advance a little farther in open resistance of the Government, and a
scene will then present itself of far more importance than has yet been
conjectured.

There will not be wanting leaders of name, and consideration, to conduct
them. We all have our preferences & aversions, and perhaps in general
they are both alike unfounded. I confess however, that with the single
exception of one French Nobleman,(1) I have always been more willing to
confide in the Citizens of our Country, novel as their employments have
been, than in the most plausible, or experienced, Foreigners who have
been among us. Although in some few instances we may have received
Benefits from Foreigners in the public service, yet I have rejoiced when
the Obligation has been discharged, and they have quitted America.

Some Adventurers yet remain, they have their Rendezvous & their
Leader(2)\-\--;concerning his merits and pretentions, even you and I my
Friend, have held different Opinions. I know that he was a soldier of
Fortune, and a mercenary in Europe; and notwithstanding his affected
Philanthropy, and artificial Gentleness, I hold his Character the same
in America. The only Difference is this, in Europe he received little
money, and less Flattery. In America, the Sovereign of it, having added
bounty to exact Justice, and possessed him of real monies exceeding in
amount the life Aggregate of the Revenues of a prince of the german
Empire, he has, from this Circumstance of preference, and from the
adulation of Sycophants, been buoyed up to the preposterous Belief, that
his military Talents are superior to those of any soldier in America.
\"Alieni Appetens, sui profusus,\"(3) was the character of the man who
plotted the Destruction of Rome: the same Dispositions, and the like
desperate Fortune, mark the man who openly justifies the Conduct of our
Insurgents, and who will head them if their cause prospers. I inclose
you his performance of the 1st instant, under the signature of
\"Bellisarius\"\-\--;these Opinions are his hourly conversation.(4)
Farewel\-\--;Remember that the Times are critical and that I write in
confidence. Rufus King\
\
\
RC (NHi: King Papers).\
1 Undoubtedly the marquis de Lafayette.\
2 That is, baron Steuben.\
3 Sallust Cataline 5.4. \"Desirous of another\'s \[property\], lavish of
his own.\"\
4 The November 1 issue of the New York Daily Advertiser printed a long
letter written by Steuben over the signature of \"Bellisarius\"
attacking Congress\' recent decision to increase the Continental
establishment from 700 to 2,040 troops, for the trivial reason of
suppressing insurgency in Massachusetts, which already had \"ninety-two
thousand militiamen\" on the rolls, and then publicly justifying the
action as meeting a non-existing threat from western Indians. For a long
extract from the letter and a discussion of Steuben\'s identity as
\"Bellisarius,\" see John M. Palmer, General von Steuben (1937; reprint
ed., Port Washington, N.Y.: Kennikat Press, 1966), pp. 339\--;41.

**Letters of Delegates to Congress:Volume 23 November 7, 1785-November
5, 1786\
**