The daily silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1903-1907, 1904-02-12
A GEORGE WASHING
TON LETTER
Communication Penned in
1888, Relative to Accepting
Presidential Nomination

A collection of unpublished letters
of American statesmen. recently given
to Colombia. is now on exhibition In
the university library. One letter re-
Gently delivered is from George Wash
ington.
The letter is written on a single
folded sheet and is in the stiff. formal
handwriting characteristic of the
writer. 1t is addressed to Alexande
Hamilton, ms was written befo e
Washington's first election to the presi-
dency.
The text of he letter follows:
Mount Vernon. Aug. q, 17ss.
Dear Sir:-I have had the pleasure
to receive your letter dated the 18th
accompanied by one addressed to Gen.
al Morgan. / will formwar the latte
70 General Morgan by the first on
veyance, and add my particular wish
that he would comply with the request
contained in 1t, although I can scarce
ly imagine how the watch of a Brit
ish officer, killed within their lines,
should have fallen into his hands (who
| WaS bioiiy AlAiC0 Noy iiOih liz ctCAt'
of action); yet, If 1t so happened, ]
natter myself there will be no reluct
ance or delay in restoring it to the
family.
AS the perusal Of the political papers
under the signature of Publius has af-
forded me great satisfaction, 1 shall
certainly consider them as claiming a
| pnocf JIctino,ichn ~ro.1 l. n.
brary. I have read every perform
ance which has been printed on one
side and the other of the great ques-
ton lately agitated ESQ far as I have
been able to obtain them), and, with
out any ~unmeaning compliment, I will
say that l have seen no others so we'll
calculated lin my judgment) to pro-
duce conviction on an unbiased mind,
as the Production of your "Triumvi-
ate" When the happiest circum-
stances and fugitive performances
which attended this crisis shall have
disappeared, that work will merit the
notice of posterity. because in 1t are
candidly discussed the principles of
freedom and the topics of government
iAS Riaail NC at0do itlCIGotlIk "
mankidn so long as they shall be con-
nected with civil society.
The circular letter from your con-
vention, / presume, was the equivalent
by which you obtained an acquies-
cence In the proposed Constipation.
Notwithstanding l am not very well
satisfied with the tendency of it, we;
the Federal affairs have nrOcapdad
With few executions, in so good a train
hat l hope a political machine may be
put in motion without much effort OF
hazard of miscarrying.
On the delicate subject with which
you conclude your letter l can say
nothing, because the event alluded to
may never happen; and because, in
case it should occur, it will be a point
of prudence to defer forming ones
ultimate and ~irrevocable decision, so
.ong as new data might be offered for
one to act with the greatest wisdom
and propriety. / would not wish t.
conceal my prevailing sentiment from
you. For you know me well enough.
my good sir. to be persuaded that ]
am not guilty of affectation. when ]
tell you, it is my great and sole desire
TO live and die in peace and retirement,
N my own farm.
Were it ever Indispensable, a differ
ent line of conduct should be adopted,
Will you M some others who are &C
quainted with my heart would acquit.
the world and posterity might prob
ably accuse me of inconsistency n
ambition. Still. l hope. l shall always
possess firmness, and virtue enough
TO maintain (what l consider the most
enviable of all titles) the character OF
an honest man as well as prove (what
I desire to be considered in reality
that I am, with great sincerity, & es-
TEEN, dear sir. your friend and
Most obedient Hble. Ser
G. WASHINGTON.
The HOnhle