Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-08-13
]. II. THOMAS.
A. c. Hanson, esq.
Rc>Nviile, Montgomery.
GPost mark" Fredericktown, 18th july
.Alount PhfLih. Goth July.

My dear friend-rhe reason why | have
not written you a line by every mail, will APP
pear from the distressing circumstances Of
our situation, as / shall state it to you. do
not believe you need give yourself any unea-
siness about the disclosure of the plan
what Heath he 'rd, apprehend was rather
cohjectural than any thing else; certain it
is, no communication has proceeded from
me to that lady, or any one else by which
the matter could be known. But divers rI-
mors have prevailed here on the subject.
1t has been said that, the re establishment
of the press was relinquished altogether,
then it is said you are to recommence in
Georgetown only, and have issued pros
pectus to that effect. The other day, heard
from Shaw that some body from Baltimore
had said, that the paper would be renewed
there. But believe the general idea was,
and SD was the tenor of Harper's letter To
me, that Baltimore would be altogether aban-
doned. Yesterday, however, it was stated
as coming | believe in a letter from DR.. A.
leXander to my father, that the foreman of
the Office had said that the paper would re-
appear before the first of August
It is probable the lady alluded to having
heard some of these reports, connected with
Col. Lynn's declarations, who talked freely
and boldly to every one he met with, she has
imagined the rest. But 1T present, hear
nothing said as to your particular views, the
public curiosity being for the time absorbed
in the fate of our little squadron, and the
public interest here being ut this moment
much engaged in the in-gathering of har-
vest. The moment l received your letter
last week. l wrote note to Col. Lynn, en-
closed to- his brother at Cumberland, whom
| desired to forward it by express. Whe-
ther considered as pledged to go with you
or not, l should consider it a duty to offer,
and II know my own heart it would afford
1t the lIvelicst qualification. ] am sure YOU
know me too well to imagine that am
feigning excuses but will state the Cir
cumstances by which am precluded, and
l think ] might leave it to Lingan, Ander-
son, Lynn, Heath and yourself, as the most
honorable court martial that any man could
wish Tor, TO decide not simply whether am
eXcusable for not going, bur whether should
not be ineXcusablc for attempting to go at
this moment.
The mere parade of going down, unless
to remain with you for real service, would
be idle; and might be embarrassing-and it
IS likely, ii J could set off / should soon be
recalled by an alarm the most serious and
hazardous. You will rccolcct to have heard.
that last summer an accident had nearly de-
prived me Of my vie.
There will be some difficulty in fixing the
day for the Liberty meeting so as to suit MS.
shat be gone To Virginia in few DAYS. and
the week after next will be court. You will
be at Baltimore, of course, all next week
Captain Campbell, ! understand, as he told
! me he would the otner day, was to go TO ii
berry, believe, on Saturday last, to make
arrangements. have not heard from him.
I.tff lfa s,tfs.V
the eLpediency OF the thing. From par
| ticular quarter, which you viii Immediately
guess, apprehcnd lukewarmness and indif
terence. However, whenever the day is ap
pointed, shall act independently it necessa
~, and you will be informed of the time: SO
that under any circumstances We must make
a violent effort to be there. / want TO shcw
| you prompt, sensible letter have receiv-
ed from MIR. Stodaert, as TO the feasibility
and necessity Of cleCtiug John Marshall as
tho nest president. Another letter from