Volume II Part 25 (1/2)
[540] Morris to Colston, Feb. 25, 1797; _ib._
[541] Morris to James M. Marshall, April 27, 1797; _ib._
[542] MS. The entry was made in Amsterdam and Morris learned of the loan three months afterwards.
[543] Records at Large in Clerk's Office of Circuit Court of Fauquier County, Virginia, 200 _et seq._ The deed was not filed until 1806, at which time, undoubtedly, the Marshalls made their last payment.
[544] See _infra_, chap. VIII. It was probably this obligation too, that induced Marshall, a few years later, to undertake the heavy task of writing the _Life of Was.h.i.+ngton_, quite as much as his pa.s.sionate devotion to that greatest of Americans. (See vol. III of this work.)
[545] ”Anas,” March 21, 1800; _Works_: Ford, i, 355.
[546] _Ib._ Misleading as Jefferson's ”Anas” is, his information in this matter was indisputably accurate.
[547] See _infra_, chap. VI. A short time before the place on the French mission was tendered Marshall, his father in Kentucky resigned the office of Supervisor of Revenue for the District of Ohio. In his letter of resignation Thomas Marshall gives a resume of his experiences as an official under Was.h.i.+ngton's Administrations. Since this is one of the only two existing letters of Marshall's father on political subjects, and because it may have turned Adams's mind to John Marshall, it is worthy of reproduction:--
SIR,
Having determined to resign my Commission as Supervisor of the Revenue for the district of Ohio, on the 30th day of June next, which terminates the present fiscal year, I have thought it right to give this timely notice to you as President of the United States, in whom the nomination and appointment of my successor is vested; in order that you may in the meantime select some fit person to fill the office. You will therefore be pleased to consider me as out of office on the first day of July ensuing.
It may possibly be a subject of enquiry, why, after holding the office during the most critical & troublesome times, I should now resign it, when I am no longer insulted, and abused, for endeavoring to execute the Laws of my Country--when those Laws appear to be, more than formerly, respected--and when the probability is, that in future they may be carried into effect with but little difficulty?
In truth this very change, among other considerations, furnishes a reason for the decision I have made. For having once engaged in the business of revenue I presently found myself of sufficient importance with the enemies of the Government here to be made an object of their particular malevolence--and while this was the case, I was determined not to be driven from my post.
At this time, advanced in years and declining in health, I find myself unfit for the cares, and active duties of the office; and therefore cheerfully resign a situation, which I at first accepted and afterwards held, more from an attachment to the Government, than from any pecuniary consideration, to be filled by some more active officer, as still more conducive to the public service.
To the late President I had the honor of being known, and combined, with respect and veneration for his public character, the more social and ardent affections of the man, and of the friend.
You Sir I have not the honor to know personally, but you have filled too many important stations in the service of your country; & fame has been too busy with your name to permit me to remain ignorant of your character; for which in all its public relations permit me to say, I feel the most entire respect and esteem: Nor is it to me among the smallest motives for my rejoicing that you are the President; and of my attachment to your administration to know that you have ever been on terms of friends.h.i.+p with the late President--that you have approved his administration,--and that you propose to yourself his conduct as an example for your imitation.
On this occasion I may say without vanity that I have formerly and not infrequently, given ample testimony of my attachment to Republican Government, to the peace, liberty and happiness of my country and that it is not now to be supposed that I have changed my principles--or can esteem those who possess different ones.
And altho' I am too old [Thomas Marshall was nearly sixty-five years of age when he wrote this letter] and infirm for active services, (for which I pray our country may not feel a call) yet my voice shall ever be excited in opposition to foreign influence, (from whence the greatest danger seems to threaten, as well as against internal foes) and in support of a manly, firm, and independent, exercise of those const.i.tutional rights, which belong to the President, and Government of the United States.
And, _even opinions_, have their effect.
I am Sir with the most JOHN ADAMS, ESQ. entire respect and esteem President of the Your very humble Servt, United States. T. MARSHALL.
(Thomas Marshall to Adams, April 28, 1797; MS., Dept. of State.)
[548] See _infra_, chaps. XI and XII.
CHAPTER VI
ENVOY TO FRANCE
My dearest life, continue to write to me, as my heart clings with delight only to what comes from you. (Marshall to his wife.)
He is a plain man, very sensible and cautious. (Adams.)
Our poor insulted country has not before it the most flattering prospects. (Marshall at Antwerp.)