December 9th
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“Presents . . . to me, are of all things the most painful; but when I am so well satisfied of the motives which dictated yours, my scruples are removed.”
“Every man who is in the vigor of life, ought to serve his country, in whatsoever line it requires, and he is fit for.”
To David Humphreys
Mount Vernon, 26 June 1797
My Dear Humphreys,
Since I did myself the pleasure of writing to you by Captain O’Brian, I have been favoured with your letters of the first of Jany. and 18th. of Feby. The last in date was the first received; but neither came to hand until long after I had left the chair of Government, and was seated in the shade of my own Vine and Fig-tree.
The testimony of your politeness and friendship to Mrs. Washington and myself, which accompanied the latter, are accepted with the same cordiality and chearfulness with which I am sure they were presented. Presents however, to me, are of all things the most painful; but when I am so well satisfied of the motives which dictated yours, my scruples are removed; and I receive the Buckles (which are indeed very elegant) as a token of your regard and attachment; and will keep, and wear them occasionally for your sake.
David Humphreys
Yale University Art Gallery
As the Gazettes of this Country are transmitted from the Department of State to all our Diplomatic characters abroad, you will, of course, have perceived that the measure advised by you, relative to the disavowal of the forged letters (attempted to be imposed on the public, as written by me in 1776) had been previously adopted; without any of the accompaniments contained in your draught, wch was received long after the publication of it.
I am clearly in sentiment with you, that every man who is in the vigor of life, ought to serve his country, in whatsoever line it requires, and he is fit for; it was not my intention therefore to persuade you to withdraw your Services whilst inclination, and the calls of your country demanded your service, but the desire of a companion in my latter days, in whom I could confide, might have induced me to express myself too strongly on the occasion. The change however, which I presume has ’ere this taken place in your domestic concerns, would of itself, have annihilated every hope of having you as an inmate if the circumstance had been known at the time.
On this event, which I persuade myself will be fortunate and happy for you, I offer my congratulations, with all the sincerity and warmth you can desire; and if ever you should bring Mrs. Humphreys to the U. States, no roof will afford her and you a more welcome reception than this, while we are the Inhabitants of it.
. . .
Continuing Construction Appears in Background
Architect of the Capitol
The Public buildings in the Federal City* go on well: one wing of the Capitol (with which Congress might make a very good shift) and the Presidents house, will be covered in this autumn, or to speak more correctly perhaps, the latter is now receiving its cover, and the former will be ready for it by that epoch. An elegant bridge is thrown over the Potomack at the little Falls, and the navigation of the River above will be completed, nearly, this season; through which an immensity of Produce must flow to the Shipping Ports thereon.**
* Washington, D.C.
** The post script for this letter reads: “The Seal of this Letter being black is occasioned by the death of my only Sister, Mrs Lewis late of Fredericksburgh.”— FO17
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