The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-11-22
-S@A .>sNA


10 which we referred the other day. and which was found
among the papers OF the late Hon. Hugh Nelson The
reader will observe thatit begins abruptly The rs part
OF the letter. including the date &cs Is gone put u Is
evident from the remainder that il must have been writ
ten at Cambridge in the beginning OF the revolutionary
struggle The reader cannot but be struck with Me calm
self possession The conscientious adherence 10 duty the
caution and discretion, characteristic Of Gen. Washing
ton which stfikngly prominent in this letter II is
also made evident, by this document il there were no
other proof thai Gen. Washington entered the revolution
airy struggle from no motives OF personal ambition
II indeed appearshat he had not the most remote idea
that the would serious shape much less
that he 10 be made instrument of establishing the
independence OF the greatest republic the world has
known, and Of influencing the political Institutions Of all
Christendom
There is an aluson in this letter TO difficulties be.
tween northern and southern officers which will amuse
readers II would that the mpulsve character
of the South then, since, often threw the advantage
into the cooler hands OF our northern associates
We may add, that copy OF the letter had been placed
in the hands OF Hon. VIM G. Rives who intended to pre-
sent il to the Virginia Historical Society That gentle
man is now, however, absent foreign post We have
been authorized TO publish the letter. and shall also CON-
ply with pleasure with Mr. Nelson's request to place the
manuscript in the hands of the Virginia Historical So
ciety;
$50 SOW the additional supply
Of hemp and aaxseed. which Mr.. Mifin has procured
for me in Philadelphia, and which hope will be with
you before this letter. For obvious reasons you will not
il the island, by the water side. But hope
you will have good account Of your crop the Ohio
II Bridgey continues refractory and riolous tho know
you i'll spare him. let him by all be sent Off as
hope Jack Cusiiss boy Joe already is for his saucness
at Cambridge.
My attention is this moment called OIL to the discov-
cry of most wild and daring plot Il is impossible
yet TO develop the mystery in which either is or is
with certainty that il will be fine field for war of lies
on both sides. No doubt it will make a good deal OF
noise in the country and there are some who think it
useful to have the minds OF The people kept constantly on
the fret by of this For my part T. who am
said TO be the object principally aimed in il, find myself
perfectly at my ease, and have mentioned il TO you only
from apprehension that hearing IT from Others you
might msgine was in the midst Of danger that know
not OF.
"The perpetual soicude Of your poor heart about me
certainly highly faiierng 10 me- yet should be happy
be able to quiet your fears Why do you complain OF
my reserve or how could you imagine that distrused
either your prudence or your hdelty! have the high
est opinion of them both. But why should teaze you
with tedious details Of schemes and views which are
perpetualy varying, and which therefore might not
~. %sssa where ss mean, 70 inform
you, that, far have the control OF them, all
preparations for aim only peace Neither do l, at
this moment the least likelihood OF there being any
considerable military operations this season and Il NO,
in this season, certainly in other 1t is impossible to
suppose that in the leisure and quiet of winter quarters,
will not have the virtue 10 listen 10 the dictates OF
plain common sense and sober reason The only true in
teres OF both parties is reconciliation there be
point in the world clearer than that both sides be
losers by which peace cannot soon
compensate for We must at last agree and be friends
for cannot live without them, and they will not with
out us; and bystander might well be puzzled to find
out why good terms cannot be given and taken now,
when shall have well nigh ruined each other by
the mutual madness OF cutting one aDothefs throais
For all these reasons which cannot but be obvious
the English commissioners and ours as they TO
me, am at loss 10 imagine how anything can
arise TO obsruct negotiation, and OF consequence
pacihcation. You. who know my heart, know that
fkorof ia ,nfa mis- rff.f than
prepared for every event, one only excepted-l
dshonorable peace Rather than that, lei me, though il
be with the loss Of everything else hold dear, connse
this hod trade, and by the most unlikely MEANS be the
unworthy instrument OF preserving political security and
happiness TO them, well TO ourselves. Pity this
not be accomplished without fixing on me The sad name
rebel love my king; you know do A soldier,
good man, cannot but love him How particularly hard,
then. fortune, TO be deemed traitors to so good
see cause 10 do me Justice Pps,eriiy. am sure. vii
Meanwhile comfort myself with the reflection that this
has been the late of the best and bravest menven Of
the barons who Obtained Magma Charawhilst the dis
pute depending This, however, anxously as wish
for il, IL s not mine TO command. my duty-hat Of
standing up for the hberi'ss Of my country; and what.
dare not shrink from IL and rely that Being, who
has not left TO the choice OF duties that whilst
scientiousy discharge mine, shall not finally lose my
reward II really am not bad man, shall not long
Assure yourself. will pay all possible attention to
your Recommendations But, happy as am in oppor
OIL ODlKnK you, even IN tnt SMALLEST
Il not amiss that the freedom with you TO whisper
in your ear, TO be sparng OF them. You know how |
am crcumsianced; hardy the promotion Of subaltem
s left 10 me- and free and independent am, resolve
10 remain 90. owe the Congress no obligations for any
personal favors done myself, nor will in debt
Them for favofs TO others am mortified to have TO ask
OF them what, in sound policy, (if ether motives had
been wantng) they ought 10 have granted unasked
cannot describe 10 you the inconvenience this army
suffers Tor want OF this consequence being given TO its
commandern. chief. But, these might be increased
were my peculiar situation in this respect generally
known, forbear, only enjoining your cautious silence
on this bead In regular army, our Virginia young
men would certainly in general make the best officers
Justly to pay them this compliment They dislike their
northern allies, and this dislike is the source of Infinite
mischieis and vexatons TO me. In the many disputes
and Quarrels Of this sort which have had thing
has particularly struck my countrymen inferior
in understanding and certainly superior in that dis
ngushed spirit and high OF honor which should
form the character OF officer; yet, somehow OF other
IL forever happens that in every alteration, they are
proved 10 be in the wrong and they expeo OF me aen
ions and paralties which il IL not IN my power to show
them.
Lst me rely that your answer to this will be dated In
Philadelphia. II am not very busy engaged, (which
hope may not be the ease perhaps Imay find ways and
means 10 pay visit OF day or two bur this rather
hint what wish than what dare bid you expect n
you still think the fragments OF the Of grays bought
Of Lord boueiourt unequal 10 the journey, let Lund
washington sell them. sngy Otherwise as he can 10
the best advantage, and purchase new set Of BAYS
could you DESIRE get them here and perhaps on better
terms; but have noionwhether we'll or ILL founded
know not-that they never answer well in Virginia
beg to be asctionasey remembered to all friends