Letter to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney from George Washington, July 8, 1796.

Letter to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney from George Washington, July 8, 1796.

1796-07-08

Signed duplicate of a letter written to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney by President Washington expressing sympathy and offering assistance on the event of the fire of June 13-14, 1796.

2020-10-12

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Ms. 178, George Washington Correspondence

Ms178let01

Mount Vernon 8th July 1796

My dear Sir,

Private & confidential

The situation of affairs, and the interests of this Country as they relate to France render it indispensably necessary that a fruitful organ near that government able & willing to explain its views, and to ascertain those of France, should immediately fill the place of our present Minister Plenipotentiary at Paris.

Policy requires that this character should be well attached to the government of his own Country

and not be obnoxious to the one to which he is sent

to be essentially serviceable.

Where then can a man be found that would answer this description better than yourself?

It is a fact too notorious to be denied, that the greatest embarrassments under which the administration of this government labours, proceed from the counteraction of people among ourselves, who are
Are more disposed to promote the views of another nation than to establish a national character of their own

and that, unless the virtuous, and independent men of this country will step forward, it is not difficult to predict the consequences.

Such is my decided opinion. After what has passed between us, on former occasions (respecting your filling some of the important offices in our government) I must confess that I hesitated before I resolved on this address, lest you might think I was too importunate

& that your former answers ought to have outweighed the desire of making it.

Had not the case been important & urgent, I might have hesitated longer

but in finding a character of the description I have mentioned, you will be at no loss to percieve [sic] the difficulty which occurs. He must be a man whose abilities, & celebrity of character are well known to the People of this Country

whose honor & integrity are unimpeached

and who out, as far as the nature of the thing with admit, be acceptable to all parties. Doubtless many such there are, but those who have been either in the Executive or Legislative departments of the General government, and are best known to me, have been so decisive in their politics, and possibly so frank & public in their declarations, as to render it very difficult to chuse [sic] from among them, one in whom the confidence of this country could be placed, and the prejudices of the other not excited.

Thus, my good Sir, you have a candid exposition of my sentiments & wishes. I have only to add to them, a request, that you would be so obliging as to give me a prompt answer

and, if in the affirmative, that you would repair to Philadelphia, prepared to proceed on this mission, with as little delay as can be avoided. Possibly you might have less objection to the excursion, if it would occasion a few months absence only, than to a permanent residence

but the Power of the Executive (in the recess of the Senate) extends
extends only to the filling of vacancies, and one will be occasioned by the reach of the present incumbent

a measure resolved on. It is unnecessary to add how much, and how sincerely

I am Dear Sir
Your obedt & affect. Servt,
G. Washington

Chas Cotesworth Pinckney Esq.