New Windsor, March 26, 1781.
I came here, my dear Hamilton, on Friday night, to bid adieu to the
General, to you, and to my other friends, as a military man, and regret
much that I have not had the happiness of seeing you. To-morrow I am
obliged to depart; and it is possible our separation may be for ever.
But be this as it may, it can only be with respect to our persons; for
as to affection, mine for you will continue to my latest breath. This
event will probably surprise you; but from your knowledge of me, I rely
you will conclude, at the instant, that no light considerations would
have taken me from the army; and I think I might safely have rested the
matter here. However, as the friendship between us gives you a claim
to something more, and as I am not indifferent about character, and
shall be anxious to have the esteem of all who are good, and virtuously
great, I shall detail to you, my friend, the more substantial reasons
which have led to my present conduct. I go from the army, then, because
I have found, on examination, that my little fortune, earned by an
honest and hard industry, was becoming embarrassed--to attend to the
education of my children--to provide, if possible, for the payment of
a considerable sum of sterling money and interest, with which I stand
charged, on account of the land I lately received from my honored
father, for equality of partition between myself and two brothers--to
save a house which he had begun, and which, without instant attention,
would be ruined, or at least greatly injured--to provide, if possible,
for the payment of goods, which far exceed any profits I can make from
my estate--and because the State of Maryland, in a flattering manner,
have been pleased to appoint me to a place, very respectable in its
nature, corresponding with my former, and very interesting to my
whole future life and support. They have appointed me to the Chair of
their Supreme Court. These, my friend, are the motives to my present
resolution. My own feelings are satisfied on the occasion, though
I cannot but regret parting with the most valuable acquaintances I
have; and I hope they will justify me most fully to you, my Hamilton,
especially when you consider, besides, the time I have been in service,
and the compensation I have received. I wish, seriously, I had been
sooner apprised of the good intentions of the State towards me, for
reasons which will occur to you. They were but very lately known, and
I was no sooner possessed of them, than I communicated the matter (that
I should leave the army) to the General--having found, on inquiry,
it was only in my power to accept the offer of the Chair, or decline
it for ever, as the filling it had become a measure of immediate
necessity; and there were other gentlemen, both of ability and merit,
who had been mentioned for it, and who would probably have willingly
accepted it. You are now to pardon me for this long relation, so very
personal. You must do it, as what I owed to your friendship produced
it, and as it is my hope and wish to stand fair in your opinion and
esteem.
I proceed to tell you that I live in Charles County, Maryland, where
I should be peculiarly happy to see you: but as I can have but little
hopes of being gratified in this, let me have the next pleasure to
it, the favor of a letter now and then; in which, write of matters
personally interesting to yourself, as they will be so to me. Present
me most respectfully to your lady, to General and Mrs. Schuyler. My
best wishes attend you all. Adieu.
Yours in haste, most affectionately,
Robt. H. Harrison.
Colonel Hamilton.