Jenks's Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland [Me.]) 1799-1802, 1800-11-17
rH1LApELRaIA, ocr. I7tb, lSot

the fifteenth Of september For the friendly
and refpeaful Ryle, in which IL is written,
pi ay you to accept Of my hearty thanks, and
you hall receive in my anfwer, all the latisfac'
tion in my power TO give you.
Ofthe letter which is publifhed in my name,
l have no copy nor any very particular recol-
lection. In general, remember, that wheR
Mr.. Coke was aGiRant to the Secretary OF the
Treafury, he was very af1iduous in his atten-
ton to me--made me many Wits at my houie
| and many invitations TO bis own, when was
at the feat of government and wrote me many
| letters when was abient from it. | have al
| 70 an indiRina idea of his writing me letter,
before your embarkation for Europe, expreh-
ing great anxiety, that an interview fhould
| take place, between you and me, before you
fhouid depart, and an opinion, that It would
be in my power to communicate to you fome
ufeful information, and advice, relative to the
| fubje6t Of your milton. As knew of nothing
that could maket necefary for you 10 take a
| journey TO Quincy, or for me to go 20 Philadel-
pLia. it is probable, l wrote him iomething,
like the letter. that is publilhed.-This how
ever, has been manifeily either 70 carelefsly
copied or uufaithfully printed, that mutt refer
to the original letter, which, if it is in my hand
writing, will be eaGly known.
1t may not be eafy for me TO give you a
clear idea of the Gtuation | was in, when that
letter was written. In order 70 accomplish this
necedary purpole, as we'll as | can, it mutt be
obierved, that in May, 1892, it was my mis-
fortune to be wholly unacquainted with all the
gentlemen who bear the name Of Pinckney |
had never feen one of them in my life as can
recolled, and know not that there were more
than two. When / heard of your appointment,
| recolleded the conveIiation with The Mar
quis of Carmarthen now Duke of Leeds, and
imagined il probable, that his Lordlhip might
have intimated directly or indirectly to fome
one near The Prefidenr, that one Of the Mr..
Pinckneys would be agreeable at Court. ne-
yer had an idea Of any other influence, than
that, which is very common in Europe, when
one government caules limitations to be given
to another, that the appointment of fome par
ticular gentlemen would be agreeable. And
now fully believe, that my fulpicion Of even
that kind of influence was wholly unfounded
in reality, though it had then iome color, in
appearance. The other inGnuation, concerning
the Pinckney family, had no other foundation
than this When I received my commi6ion to
the Court Of St. James, oblerved in it linn.
itation to three years. As did NOT recollet
any example Of this before, was at lofs for
the Iealon of it, but as did not intend at that
time to remain in Europe even 70 long time
as three years. | thought very little Of it, un-
til afterwards on my arrival in London 1885,
received information without inquiry, thar
Mr. Pnckney, a member Of Congrefs from
~ r. Il
I" TO three years had been inherited in my COM
" milton for the purPofe of getting rid Of me !;
" that the milton to London was too good
" thing for me and that the intention was, as
z ioon as | could be removed, TO fend a Mr.
{" Pinckney Of South Carolina in my room"
When l heard Of Mr.. Pinckney's appoint
ment, this London information came into my
mind and diverted me, becaufe fuppoied Mr..
Pnckney after eight years had carried his point,
and occaGoned the ientiment expreded in the
letter, which, from the fportive, playful, care
lefs air Of it throughout, mutt be eafly per-
ceived 70 have been confidential. 1t may be
eafly afcertaned, who was the Mr.. Pnckney,
who was member Of Congrefs in 1884, or
1885, when my comminion was granted, and
dated, and when the limitation 10 three years
was inherited.
" On this location, il is but iuRice and duty
in me to declare that have not at this time
the fmalleit reafon to believe or frlfped, that
you or your brother even lolicited any appoint
ment under government abroad or at home
that the whole conduit Of both as far as it has
come TO my knowledge land have had con.
Gderable opportunities to know the conduit Of
both lince 1891 has flown minds candid, able
and independent, wholly free from any kind of
influence from Britain, and from any improper
bias in favor Of that country or any other
and that both have rendered, with honor and
dignity to tl1emielves great ard important fer.
vices to our Country. And / will add in the
Gncerity Of my heart that know Of no two
gentlemen whole characters and conduct are
more delerving confidence.
:" / cannot conclud- without obferving that
we are fallen on evil times-on evil times in.
IoaI ava faliao e +. a..