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.
Col. Hamilton.