December 8th
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“I can religiously aver that no man was ever more tired of public life, or more devoutly wished for retirement, than I do.”
To Edmund Pendleton
Philadelphia, 22 January 1795
Dear Sir,
From a long acquaintance with, and a sincere regard for you, I always feel pleasure in hearing from you, and of you, consequently, your letter of the 30th. ult was an acceptable annuity.
Notwithstanding you have passed your 73 year, whilst you enjoy tolerable health, and retain your faculties in the vigor they are, I wish as well on public, as on private account, that length of days may be added to those which you have already numbered. A month from this day, if I live to see the completion of it, will place me on the wrong (perhaps it would be better to say, on the advanced) side of my grand climacteric; and altho’ I have no cause to complain of the want of health, I can religiously aver that no man was ever more tired of public life, or more devoutly wished for retirement, than I do.
Edward Pendleton
New York Public Library
I hope, and believe, that the spirit of anarchy in the western counties of this State (to quell which the force of the Union was called for) is entirely subdued;* and altho’ to effect it, the community has been saddled with a considerable expence, yet I trust no money could have been more advantageously expended; both as it respects the internal peace and welfare of this country, and the impression it will make on others. The spirit with which the Militia turned out, in support of the Constitution, and the laws of our country, at the sametime that it does them immortal honor, is the most conclusive refutation that could have been given to the assertions of Lord Sheffield**, and the prediction of others of his cast, that without the protection of G. Britain, we should be unable to govern ourselves; and would soon be involved in anarchy and confusion. They will see that republicanism is not the phantom of a deluded imagination: on the contrary, that under no form of government, will laws be better supported, liberty and property better secured, or happiness be more effectually dispensed to mankind.
* Whiskey Rebellion
** “John Baker Holroyd, Earl of Sheffield. He had published shortly after the treaty of peace, in 1783, his Observations on the Commerce of the American States.” — Fitzpatrick, et al., WGW
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