at all probable, General Knox and myself will come forward as witnesses.

DEAR SIR:

Yours truly, &c.

HIGGINSON TO HAMILTON.

BOSTON, August 24th, 1793.

I have thought that in the present state of things it may be useful for you to know what has been done here relative to the French claims of a right to fit out privateers in our ports, and the feelings and conduct of people this way on that subject. Upon inquiry, I cannot learn that you will have received any further information than what the newspapers will give you; but from them you will not learn all that may be useful. Upon this subject there is but one opinion in every part, and throughout this State, except in this town; and here there are but a few who advocate the French claims, and these are made up of inveterate anti-federalists and men desperate in their circumstances.

The former will join any party, and pursue any measures to embarrass the Union; and among these are our Governor and Lieutenant-Governor, and some others in public life, together with some of the principal officers in your department, employed in the customs. These have thrown every obstacle in the way of the merchants and others who have endeavored to check the spirit for privateering which appeared among our citizens; and they encouraged the French consul and his partisans in fitting out cruisers, by advocating openly their right to do it, and by more privately advising them how to conduct. Mr. Gore has exerted himself much to restrain them; but he has derived no aid from the custom-house, and he has found it difficult to make them act even where the line of duty was too clear to be con

tested; and where it was not so clear, they have declined moving at all-their whole weight, indeed, has been obviously in favor of the French claims and against government. Some of them have so conducted from habit and inclination, having been always connected intimately with the disaffected opposers of all government, whether of the State or the Union; others may hereafter appear to have had a particular interest in promoting the business.

Nor will the executive of our government afford more aid to the Union. Memorials were presented to the governor by the merchants and Mr. Gore, when the privateers were fitting out, stating the facts supported by evidence. This led him to call on the attorney-general for his opinion, who replied in writing that the French had no such right by treaty. But the weight of his privy counsellors over-balanced, aided by his own feelings, every thing else; and they were permitted to go out and cruise at the mouth of our harbors. Fair promises were made of doing what should appear to be proper; but no decision was ever had upon any question, and the French consul met with no interruption from our government.

In a few days two prizes and a privateer arrived here on the day when your circular letter made its appearance in the papers. One of the prizes was replevied by the marshal. He took possession of her; but the consul with an armed force from the frigate dispossessed the marshal and carried the prize under the stern of the frigate, and gave the captain of the frigate written orders to protect her from any arrests. The marshal remained on board, in appearance a prisoner, for three days. Memorials and remonstrances were made during this time to the governor, the consul, and the captain of the frigate, to no purpose. The former would not move in the business-the consul would not order her to be released, and the captain said he could not release her by his instructions without an order from the consul, but added that the latter was a fool and blockhead so to conduct. Thus they remained till this day, when the captain of the frigate, provoked and tired of his situation, went to sea, leaving

the prizes behind, when the marshal again got possession of the prize, and has brought her to the wharf.

The other prize, American property, was ordered two days ago to be also replevied, and the precept given to the sheriff, a governor's man, who went to ask leave of the consul to take possession. He was refused leave, and has not dared to do it till after the frigate was gone, when he ventured on board, but was soon dispossessed by some armed men, or rather prevented taking possession, under the orders of the consul.

Thus has a small privateer been fitted out against law, under the eyes of the custom-house officers and the government of the State; she has sent in prizes which have remained here three days without any step being taken,-our laws have been trampled on, and our executive officers, the marshal and the sheriff, been prevented by force from doing their duty, by the orders of a French consul and the captain of this same privateer. The privateer is again equipping, and when ready will proceed on a new cruise.

The spirits of the people in town are inflamed. In other seaports they blaze, and in the country they begin to wax warm. It would be easy to destroy the privateer, prizes, and crew, but the laws ought to have their course, and no disorders should be committed by the people. But the operation of the laws must be slow and interrupted, when those whose official duty it is to execute, do themselves obstruct them.

There certainly is not a hundred men in this town who are even indifferent on this subject; but a full half of them, and the most zealous against government, are men in public office, either under the Union or the State government. Strange as it may seem, the most violent Anti's that we have, are men who eat the bread of the public; and this is the effect in most cases of that accommodating principle of bribing off opposition by offices.

I have taken the liberty of giving this short view of what has passed, that you may see how far you may rely on the energy of men in office to execute the laws, from a sense of duty and upon general principles. Those of the Union, some of them

will go no farther than the clear letter of instructions will oblige them. They like their offices too well to hazard them by disobeying positive and clear orders; but these they will execute with a slow and heavy movement. And where there is a doubt they will certainly obstruct. Nor will our State officers, who reside here, give you more aid; they are in the vortex of the governor's influence, and to this they owe their offices. If any thing is to be done by the officers here of either set, there must be the full force of clear and positive directions, and there being no laws positive, the path of duty is obscure, they must wait explanation. But if directions are given, then by dictating you offend the sovereignty of the State. They are a..... crew, and they will impede all they can.

I think you ought to know your ground to stand firm, and I have given you not a heightened view of it. My motive is friendly both as to you and the public, and I am with truth and respect,

Yours, &c.,

STEPHEN HIGGINSON.

Mr. Gore has behaved well, certainly. I shall be kept out of sight I know by you, as I wish, unless some good will come of appearing openly.

SEDGEWICK TO HAMILTON.

STOCKBRIDGE, 26th August, 1793.

MY DEAR SIR:

The inclosed will give you some pleasure, as an indication of public opinion. It was delivered to a very large assembly comprehending almost every man of influence in the county, nineteen-twentieths of whom approved the sentiments expressed in the apostrophe to Louis.

We are confidently told, that Congress will assemble before the constitutional period. I hope not, because it would evince the influence of the infamously seditious publications which have abounded in your papers. If indeed the question whether this country was under obligation to observe a neutrality in the present war was a doubtful one, and the executive wished information from Congressional investigation, the President's proclamation should not have preceded that event. I have another motive which induces me to wish this measure may not be adopted, however reluctant I was, not to be elected a member of the present house, and some part of that reluctance you was at the time acquainted with. I should now much regret its not being in my power to attend; and at present it would be altogether impossible. Mrs. Sedgewick, I have reason to hope, is now recovering from a most deplorable state of illness. Should my hopes be gratified, I will not desert my post.

AMES TO HAMILTON.

BOSTON, August 31st, 1793.

MY DEAR SIR:

I am happy to see the good effect of the exertions which have been made to keep our country from meddling with the war. Our fears have in a degree subsided. They have been strong enough to give their full impression to the services of the officers of government. The public mind seems to be open to receive the truth. Such periods occur rarely, and ought not to pass away in vain. There are many topics which ought to be touched. I have supposed one among many good ones, to be the attempt to point out the inconsistency of our Jacobins. The execution is defective in two particulars, at least. The catalogue wants addi