SCHUYLER TO HAMILTON.
Philadelphia, April 8, 1780.
Dear Sir:
* * * * * * You have been mentioned in private conversation to go as Secretary to the Embassy at the Court of Versailles; there is but one obstacle which prevents me from making up my mind on the subject; that you will know when I have the pleasure of seeing you. In the mean time revolve the matter in yours.
The pride, the folly, and perhaps, too, the wickedness of some on a certain floor, combine to frustrate every intention to promote the public weal, and relieve my amiable Chief from his well-grounded anxiety; the few that feel for him, and are alarmed at the critical state of our public affairs, in every department, within as well as without, have not been able to carry a measure which they believed would have had salutary consequences. They have now proposed that a Committee should repair to head quarters, invested conjointly with the General, with a kind of dictatorial power, in order to afford satisfaction to the army, and to arrange the great departments thereof. Livingston, Elsworth,and Matthews, are appointed to prepare Instructions. Some good may result, if gentlemen who love the General, are not jealous of the army, and of a generous turn are sent; but should General Sherman be at the head of the Triumviri, the General will be tormented with a thousand little propositions which Roger has thrown together, and which he entitles a System. I shall not be sent on this business, “because, it would not be proper to send a person who, as he has been in the army, will probably have a bias in its favor.” This reasoning is conclusive.
Beware of communications to this quarter, which you would not wish the world to know; this hint will prevent you from writing but by a safe hand.
It is amusing to observe the effect Sir Harry Clinton’s private No. 15 has. The Southernites have their spirits much raised by it. The Northerns look big, and the enemy’s distress is owing to their virtue and exertions. They wish for the 12,000 Hessians to have the pleasure of devouring them. The war is to be at an end next winter, and as they wish to conclude handsomely, they will insist that their constituents complete their quotas without delay, and furnish aids of money, &c. En verité there are only two or three of the club who believe the letter spurious, but two who are decidedly of that opinion.
My best wishes to all at head quarters.
I am, dear Sir, sincerely yours,Ph. Schuyler.
I am, dear Sir, sincerely yours,Ph. Schuyler.
I am, dear Sir, sincerely yours,Ph. Schuyler.
Col. Hamilton.