The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1904-03-17

DR.. James II. Garfield, librarian Of
Columbia university, while examining
some old manuscripts recently, discOv-
cred an original and hitherto unpub-
Hshed letter of George Washington,
says the New York Post The letter is
addressed to Alexander Hamilton and
bears the date of Aug. %, 1893. It is
written on a single large sheet In
Washington characteristic hand. The
manuscript is in remarkably good
state Of preservation, there being few
evidences Of Disagreement or discolor-
alton. After commenting upon the loss
Of a watch by British officer, Wash
ington compliments Hamilton upon his
political papers which had appeared
over the signature of Publius, and
in response to an inquiry Of Hamilton,
probably in regard to his acceptance
of a denomination for the presidency,
he expresses his desire to pass the rest
Of his life in retirement. The letter
follows:
Mount Vernon, Augt. 18th. 1893.
Dear Sir: have had the pleasure to re-
receive your letter dated the 13th-accom-
panied by one addressed to General Nor
gan 1 will forward the letter to General
Morgan by the first conveyance. and add
my particular wishes that he would COM
ply with the request contained in it.--Al-
though / can scarcely imagine how the
watch OF British officer, killed within
their lines, should have fallen into his
hands (who was many miles from the
scene Of action, yet, IL it so happened, I
natter myself there will be no reluctance
or delay in restoring 1t to the family.
AS the perusal of the political papers UNI
der the signature Of Publius has afforded
me great satisfaction, I shall certainly
consider them as claiming a most dtstin-
guished place in my library. have read
every performance which has been printed
on one side and the other Of the great
question lately agitated ESQ far as have
been able to obtain them), and without an
unmeaning compliment, / will say that /
have seen no other so we'll calculated Gin
my judgment to produce conviction Of an
unbiased mind, as the Production of your
Triumpiratc. When the happiest circum-
stances and fugitive performances which
attended this crisis shall have disappear
ed. that work will merit the notice of Pos
terity; because in. it are candidly dis
cussed the principles of freedom; the top
les of government, which will be always
interesting to mankind 50 long as they
shall be connected in Civil Society.
The Circular letter from your Conven-
ton, I presume, was the equivalent by
w'ch you obtained an acQuiescence in
the proposed Constitution. Notwithstand-
ing am not very well satisfied with the
tendency of IT. yet the Federal affairs
have proceeded. with few exceptions. in
30 good a train, that I hope the political
machine may be put in motion without
much effort or hazard of miscarrying.
On the delicate subject with which you
conclude your letter. can say nothing;
because the event alluded to may never
happen; and because in case it should oc-
cur, 1t will be point of prudence to de-
fer forming ones ultimate and irrevocable
decision, so long as new data might be
afforded for one to act with the greatest
wisdom and propriety. / would not wish
to conceal my prevailing sentiment from
you. For you know me well enough, my
good Sir, to be persuaded that I am not
guilty Of affectation when tell you it il
my great and sole desire to live and die in
peace and retirement, on my own farm
Were 1t ever indispensable, a different line
Of conduct should be adopted; while you
and some others who are acquainted with
my heart would dcQttit. the world and Pos
terity might probably accuse me of incoa-
sistency and ambition. Still I hope I shall
always possess firmness and virtue enough
to maintain (what | consider the most en-
viable of all titles) the character of an
honest man. as we'll as prove (what desire
to be considered in reality that I am,
with great sincerity & esteem,
Dear Sir,
Your friend and
Most obedient I'ble Ser
G. WASHINGTON
The Honble
Alex Hamilton ESQ