Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-05-26

been erected al SO dear sacflnce OF DlOou anu
treasure. These were perpetual themes with
him in his letters to those, who, from their
weight of character, or public station, exercised
a commanding influence and when these let
ters shall be published, it will be seen, tina. the
agency Of Washington, IN preparing the way
for the new constitution, was much more efii-
cient, than has generally been supposed
Another subject, upon which he often dwell
with apparent fondness, was the internal i'm
provement OF the country, and particularly the
Importance of water communications between
the East and the West. His correspondence
with Mr.. Jefferson, and other gentlemen, on
this subject, is full Of information, combined
with sound views of policy, that have since been
successfully acted upon by the wisest men OF
the nation. Soon after the wan was closed. be
visited the internal lakes of New-York, and in
one of his letters, he emphatically predicts, that
a water communication would at no distant day
be opened through the Western parts of ,ha;
State, and enlarges on the benefits that wodld
be derived from such a work. In short, there
were few topics Of much interest at that time,
on which he was not led more or less to touch
IN his letters, and especially such as related 10
the political condition and prospects Of the
country.
BY his foreign correspondents he was made
acquainted with the impressions entertained in
Europe of the American States, and he was
thus enabled TO render some service by commu-
nicating intelligence and correcting errors. His
numerous letters to Lafayette, are fraught with
warmth of friendly feeling and kind recollec-
tion, which impart to them an uncommon
charm and his correspondence with Rocham-
beau, Count d'Estaing, Count de Grasse, and
other French officers, with whom he had shared
the tolls of war and the trumphs OF victory, is
highly honorable to the parties, and replete
with incidents that may be perused with plea.
sure at the present day.
The following are the names Of q very small
number only Of the persons, with whom he ha-
bitualy corresponded during the period to
which have 6een alluding In this country,
Franklin Jefferson, Madison. Hamilton, Rich
ard Henry Lee, Edmund Randolph, Patrick
Henry, Jay, Knox, Lincoln, Moultrie, Clinton,
Charles Carroll, Benjamin Harrison, Humph-
reys, Governour Morris, Grayson, George Ma
son, Arthur Lee, Boudinot, Robert Morris,
Trumbul, Henry Lee, Marshall, Pinckney,
Rutledge, Hopkinson, Thomas johnson, DR..
In Europe, Lafayette, Rochambeau, Count d.
Estaing, Count dc Grasse, Duke Lauzun, Chew
alier de Chasellux, Chevaier dc la Luzer rne
Count de Noailles, Marquis de la Rouicre,
Count de Moustisr, Dumas. Don Diego Gardo-
qui, Count du Florida Blanca, Paul Jones,
Countess Of Huntington, Mrs. Macauy, Gra-
ham, Arthur Young, Lord Fairfax, DIR. Gordon,
Sir Edward Newingham, and numerous others.
When Washington entered upon the arduous
Office ofthe Presidency, he was of course obliged
to relinqush a portion of his private CORES
pondence, yet his early formed and long con-
tinued habits Of industry, procured him leisure
from his public duties, and within the years Of
his Presidential labors are seven volumes of re-
corded private letters, besides many others Of
which press copies we're taken, and which were
not entered in books. A long letter he regu-
larly wrote once a week; and sometimes often
or, to the manager of his plantation, press
copies Of which he retained {; and he KEEP: up a
spirited correspondence Oh agricultural subjects
with Sir John Sinclair, arthur Young, Mr. An
derson, and other persons. His European cor
! respondents ather increased than diminished,
but his answers became brief and formal. Ma
ny, indeed, were turned over 10 his Secretary.
II appears 20 have been n fixed principle with
him, all his life, never 10 receive letter of any
description, respectful in its language, without
replying TO il, and commonly, with great prompt
ness The number of letters which came to him
from all quarters, on subjects having no rela-
ton to his own concerns, would hardly be
credited, without occular proof. Letters from
persons in distress, asking charity letters from
old soldiers and soldiers widows, making claims
on the Government letters suggesting projects
Of improvement letters innumerable from Eu-
rope, desiring information as to the inducements
for emigrating TO America, and inqulrng about
lost relatives and friends, supposed 10 be in this
country, or about lands or other property in
some oftho States 4; these are but few of the
topics on which he received almost daily COM
munications. All the World seemed TO think,
that, ifthoy wished to know any thing concerning
.,.k,, tl.a.,I I.I-
ly to write to Washington. In no instance did
he treat such applications, obtrusivc as they
wo!e, with harshness or neglect. In acts of
charity, he was open handed, to an extreme !;
where informaion was desired, he frequently
submitted to good deal Of trouble in collect
ing II ; where claims were presented, over
which he had no CONTROL he would put The pc
tItioner into the proper channel for having
them examined and adjusted. To all letters of
this sort, whether he could return a favorable
answer or not, and however humble a rank in
life The writer tnight sustain, he never failed
to reply in condescending and friendly manner
Among The letters demanding particular at
tention, while he was President, are those OF
private and confidential nature, to our Minis
ters acknowledgements Morris, Pincknsy, Jay,
Monroe, King and those TO the members of
the Cabinet, Jefferson, Hamilton, Randolph
Pickering, Knox, during his absences at Mount
Vernon, and while he was on the Western ex-
petition, caused b." the insurrection in Ponnsyl-
vania. Morris was IN France at the first
movements Of the Revolution, and the cores
pondence with him goes largely into discus
sion Of principles and events then shelving them
selves in that country. But in all the papers
left by Washington, there is nothing which can
be read with more satisfaction than his private
correspondence with Mr.. Jay, while the British
Treaty was in agitation and progress. Such
flamC did that instrument kindle in the nation,
when it was promulgated, that even a, the pres