1^3 s// 
 
341 
 24 
 >y 1 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 s»<2>®^^<§>^^G ^(3)<^< 
 
 ^litical giittolemiTce, 
 
 SHEWN IN 
 
 ■EXECUTIVE CONDUCT. 
 
 » ^® ^»<S)^'<e^®^»«s 
 
POLITICAL INTOLERANCE, 
 
 The Violence of Party Spirit ; 
 
 EXEMPLIFIED IN 
 
 a JSecent IBemotjal from®ffice: 
 
 WITH A 
 
 COMMENT u POM EXECUTIVE CONDUCT, 
 
 AND AN 
 
 AMPLE REFUTATION of CALUMNY ; 
 
 IN A 
 
 Sketch of the Services aiid Sacrifices^, 
 
 OF A 
 
 DISMISSED OFFICER. 
 
 ->^sis^r^dMf^=®!S'>s*Si^®«:^3*— 
 
 BY ONE OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. 
 
 " LET us reflcft, we have yet gained but little, if we countenance 
 
 a POLITICAL INTOLERANCE aS DESPOTIC aS WICKED." 
 
 PRESIDENT JEFFERSON'S FIRST SPEECH. 
 
 PRINTED IN BO^lOMf M.A.SiSACp J3ETTS, 
 
 Bv BENJAMIN RUSSELL, at the CfiNxiNEL-oFriCE, 
 
 IN THE YEAf. iSOl. 
 

 -^— 'ff""'"'"" 
 
 PRELIMINARY REMARK. 
 
 t^THE removal from ojice of ColleBors, Marjlials, Attorwes, 
 andfuhordinate ojficers, in any of the United States, viay be of bale- 
 fid tendency, or otherwife, as their places fJialL be fuppUcd .- — Buz 
 the removing frovi an imporiant comnan(l, upon the confine, of the 
 United States, where Energy, Talents, Integrity, and tried Nation- 
 al Attachment, are necejfary j and fupplying the Place with a 'm.i- 
 >fiON, a creature of party — and at the moment when the adjacent 
 country is probably to be poffejfed by an all-grafping, enter prifing 
 Forocr, hoflile to all but its own majefiy and overwhelmning great- 
 nefe — may involve our Country in perdition. — It makes broad the, 
 avenue to our invaluable Wefiern Pofjejfions, and to the difunion of 
 our once United States. The Author of fuch manifefl oppofitionio 
 the will of the People, has furniJJied jirong argument for his own 
 removal from office i for " with whatever meritorious intention, 
 '' his adininiftration may have been copdufted, it hath not hi- 
 " therto been fo fortunate as to lecure the general harmcny, an^ 
 <* the mutual attachment between the people and the public 
 ^'- funflionaries, fo particularly neceilary. for the profperity and 
 «' happineis of this New World." 
 
 -«^^SSSS$gJS«g^g^^;g5g5g5g^5^S5^fa,->-^ 
 
[-5-3 
 
 POLITICAL intolerance;, &c. 
 
 TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, 
 
 X^^ONSIGNED, by the imperious control of clrcum-. 
 ftances, to the fhades of retirement ; while my country has 
 poffeffed my ardent wifhes for its advancement, I have claimed 
 iio fliare of the emoluments in its gift ; nor am I aftuated in 
 this my voluntary affumed employment, by the moft rerriote de- 
 fire to entwine around my brow, thofe laurels, which the pride 
 of authorfhip is fo ailiduous to obtain. 
 
 But o'er the fweet and TequefLered haunts of rural life, the 
 v/rongs of one friend hath thrown a thick cloud ; and although 
 I have forborne to examine the politics of the day, my unbro- 
 Jien attachment to a man, with v/hom I have continued in inti- 
 macy from my boyifh years, hath rouled every latent fenfe of 
 equity, and impels me, however confcious that my abilities are 
 inadequade to my purpcfe, to prefent a narration, which being 
 the oftspring of truth, will not alk the glitter that may be nsref- 
 iary to embellilh fiftion. 
 
 While Mr. Jefferson's determination relative to Gover- 
 lior Sahgent was unknown, I remained in filent and anxious 
 expeftation of the Prefidential decilion ; Had the Governoi 
 been continued in office, as he might then legitimately, and pro- 
 perly have maintained, before the augufb council of our nation, 
 his own caufe, a foreign interference would have feemed unne- 
 ceffary. But, removed from his well-earned elevation, delicacy 
 may probably induce him to draw over both his fervices and 
 his fufferings the curtain of oblivion. Reftitude is indignant at 
 the progrefs of ingratitude, and impartiality becomes felicitous 
 to pour into the public ear, thofe fafts, which may originate 
 correft fentiments of perfons injured by the violence of party, 
 f.n'jereft'sd viey/s, and the atrocity of defamation. 1 hazai'd, ve- 
 
 ry 
 
ry pofilbly, tlie dirpleafure of Governer SarCE!7T, by the fo!« 
 lowing pages ; I cqnfefs I fhould be happy to find feme more 
 able pen engaged in a compilation which I hold to he atlolutely 
 indilpeniable ; but leifure is not often in the pofTeffion of ta- 
 lents. And, educated at the fame fchool, completing my fludies 
 at the fame univeffity, and honoured' from that period by the 
 ■unbounded confidence of the Governor, I am in this view qua* 
 lified for volunteering in a bufinefs fo worthy the exertion of 
 fuperior abilities'. -"" 
 
 I HAVE obtained accefs to the mofl fecret receffes of a mind, 
 ■which has ever been the feat of honour, and I am familiarly ac- 
 quainted with the leading events in a various, ufeful,and Iplen- 
 did life. To give "publicity to thefe events, circumftanced as 
 Governor Sargent at prefent is, I confider as a righteous tri- 
 bute to virtues, and to fervices, of no common defcription. 
 
 , . We r e I feeking to addreis the paflions of the reader, I 
 might'deiineate a man, mofl barbaroufly calumniated, and deni- 
 ed, by the fhrange caprice of arbitrary power, the privilege of 
 advantageoufly. vindicating himfclf — and I might dilate upon 
 the cruelty of this procedure ; but I defign only a fimple and 
 concife narrative of fafts-— of fafts open to the invefhigation of 
 every perfon, who may be folicitous for information. 
 
 Upon the -jth of July, 1775, Mr. Sargent, at that time 
 a young man of rich promiie, and conftituting the prime hope 
 of refpeclable parents, joined the army of the then Britifh colo- 
 nies, confidered in a ftate of actual rebellion ; by which flep he 
 obvioudy hazarded the halter. This was only I'even days aft£r 
 his arrival uppn the continent, from the Wejt-Indics, whither 
 parental tendernefs had transferred him, as to a place of fecurity 
 from the impending ftorm. The intelligence of Lexington bat- 
 tle fired the bofom of the youthful patriot ; and facrificing ad- 
 vantageous pecuniary hopes and profpefts, he repaired to the 
 American ftandard, haftenlng to contribute his efforts to the 
 coipmon defence, and cheerfully abiding the fortunes of his 
 country. He was very early offered the command of a compa- 
 ny in feveral of the marching regiments ; but diffident of his 
 own military knowledge, he preferred ferving as a volunteer, 
 and during the whole firft of the campaign, to theclofeof '75, he 
 bore raore than a common part in all the duties of the army ; for, 
 attached to no particular corps, and exempt from ufual camp 
 duties, he gladly joined all detachments for real lervice, and was 
 with the troops upon breaking ground at Winter, Plough'd, and 
 Coohk Hills, Lechmore's -point, and on board the floating batteries 
 
 in the;r lervices before Bojlon, 
 
 At 
 
At the clofe of '75, and new arrangement of the army, Mr, 
 Sargent having incurred, in this delultory fervice, expenfes 
 beyond his private means, afked, and received a Captain-Lieu- 
 tenancy in tlie corps of artillery, conceiving that the command 
 of a company, in a profeflion fo Icientific, might require more 
 than his experience and praElice. Antecedent to this, and when 
 an expedition againfl Halifax had been intended, he was offered, 
 and agreed to take command of one of the veflels deftined for 
 that important fervice. From the commencement of '76, to the 
 
 ' taking peffefiion oi Dor chejier Heights, he did duty in the mortar 
 batteries at Roxburyy having at the fame time a reierve command 
 of light artillery. At the breaking ground upon thofe heights, 
 and when it was confidently believed that an attack by the 
 \yhole Britifh army was intended, he was ordered there upon 
 fervice ; and from that time to the evacuation oi Bojion was con- 
 flantly thirty-fix hours upon duty, with the intermiilion of no 
 more than twelve \ — and by Major-General Thomas, the com- 
 manding officer, he had the honour of being particularly attach- 
 ed to the light artillery for the purpofe of receiving the enemy 
 at landing. 
 
 With only one intervening day, from the evacuation of the 
 metropolis, he was ordered to Nezo-York, and after a tour of du- 
 ty with the Earl of Sterling, to reviev/ and infpeft the ordnance 
 and m.ilitary flores u-pon Hudfon's river by direftion of the com- 
 mander in chief, he was attached to the light park of artillery 
 for the field fervice of that campaign. — Until the battle of Xohj» 
 Ijlai'd, although particularly enrolled in this detachment — pa- 
 tiently enduring fatigue— he was indefatigably indultrious, in 
 <-refting the multiplied fortifications then io fafliionable in our 
 army ; — mounting cannon, attending the artillery labaratory, and 
 oppofing the pafiage of the enemy's {hips up and down HucU 
 
 Jim's river .= — In the memorarbie and unfortunate aftion upon the 
 Ifland, although Mr. Sap.gent faw fome fervice, he was not 
 early, or importantly engaged ; he v/as ordered thitlier with two 
 pieces of artillery after its commencement, and he retired from 
 within four hundred yards of the tntmy'sjirjl parallel, in that 
 retreat, which didfo much honour to the immortal Wasihing- 
 TON. Upon the following day he boie a confpicuous part in 
 effecting a landing at, and bringing off from, Govtrnor' s-ljland, 
 the camp equipage and tents of a militia regiment, which had 
 been left there in a very precipitate and unfoloierly retreat.— 
 This fervic^ was performed under a heavy fire from a fix-gun 
 iJattery of the enscjy upoil ''Lvng-Tfiand, and a fevKnty-four gun 
 ftiip. 
 
 From 
 
From this period to the evacuation of York City, a feries of 
 difgrace and difafter to the American troops — Mr. Sargsnx 
 Xvas ftationed at Harhii, v/ith two pieces of artillery, and fome 
 infantry, to cover that part of the country, and to prevent a 
 landing of the enemy. — Upon the painfully memorable Sunday^ 
 ivhen the army quitted York ; when general diimay feemed to 
 pervade all ranks, he was ordered to the Heights of Harlem — 
 lome elevated grounds, commanding the avenues from the plains 
 End 'city ; and on the fucceeding day, when the firH check was 
 given to the viftorious enemy, by that excellent partilan officer. 
 Colonel Kkowlton, whofe death was the price of our fuccefs, 
 he direfted the artillery attached to his command. — He was with 
 the four pieces of artillery at the lines of Harlem, interpofed be- 
 tween the garrifon of Fort Wafiingtor., and the enemy, at the 
 evacuation of York IJland, and of courfe covered that retreat — 
 nnd a temporary command having been contemplated, for Valen- 
 tinc's-Hill, he v.'as to have been honoured as the fenior officer of 
 irtillery. 
 
 Mr. Sargent was actively engaged at the White Plains ; he 
 v/as with the divifion of Major-General Lee in his arduous 
 inarch through Jtrjty, when that officer was made a prifoner by 
 the Britifh, when our army was, during a mofl inclem.ent feafon, 
 defbitute of proviUons — very fcantily fupplied with ammunition, 
 or neceffaries of any kind, and when the blood from the feet of 
 a naked, and defponding foldiery, marked their route. 
 
 JoixiNG the army, with hisdivifion, at Niw Tozvn, in Penn- 
 Jylxjnilia, this perfevering folaier, was v/ith G/cufr'j brigade at the 
 Jirji fortunate change in the tide of our affairs at Trenton ; — he 
 croiied, jind re-croiled the Delaware to that place, with the rem- 
 nant of troops, v/hofe: time ofiervice v.'as then aftually expiring, 
 but he pofTelfed fufficient addrefs, to prevail upon the ftnall de- 
 tachment under his immediate command, to endure their fuffer- 
 ings a little longer, and after having one of his pieces dilmount- 
 cd, in an unequal cannonade with lome heavy Hefiian artillery, 
 tit a Ford upon a flrfeam, running through Trenton ; — on the 
 evening preceding Princetown aftion, he broiight off the refidue 
 at midnight, undifcovered by the enemy's guard (at no greater 
 difcance than the width of the rivulet) and having ferved with 
 the troops commanded by General St. Clair in that aftion, he' 
 covered the retreat of the army, and cutting away of the bridge 
 over Rocky Run, in the way to Morrijlozjyi. — Here a refpite of 
 Only three days was permitted, when he was ordered to Bound 
 5rooA by Mnjor-General GReene (in the abfence of General 
 Knox) who emphatically obferved to this young, and enterprif-' 
 
 inff 
 
ing officer, tnat the utmoft vigilance on his part 'vvss abfolutely 
 ellential — that it was in the vicinhy ot the enemy's head-quarters^ 
 and confidered as a poll of honour. For more than fix weeks, 
 and to the expiration of the time of fervice, ftipulated by thofe 
 loldiers, who, after the aftion of Trcriton^ had been induced by 
 confiderable pecuniary promifes, and private lacrifice, to remain 
 thus long, fcarcely three days elapfed in which there was not fkir- 
 milhing with the enemy, by this detachment, or others of the 
 Imall number of troops occupying the vicinity of QidbbU-Tuwny 
 and Mr. Sargent, his officers, loldiers, and hories of the artil- 
 lery, were day and night accoutred for aftion. 
 
 He was ordered to Bojlcn upon the recruiting fervice about 
 the middle of February, and his pieces were taken by the enemy, 
 a fliort time after he was relieved. 
 
 Early in '77, he marched a cotnptete company of artillery, to 
 the camp in Middle Brcck, a diftance of three hundred and twen- 
 ty miles in twelve days and a half : — And in the commence- 
 inent of this campaign, although deftined to no very important 
 iervice, he endured much fatigue, His fituation v.as with the 
 park of artillery, at Muddy Brook, Oidbhk Tozun, and its envi- 
 xoons ; but at Brandywine he was very honorably engaged. He 
 had the credit of laving the only two pieces, foiming the right 
 of thirteen, there{idue, eleven, falling into the4iands of the en- 
 emy ; and although he arrogated no merit from this circumllance^ 
 modeftly declaring, that he believed the exertions of his unfor- 
 tunate brother ofhcers, in a fimilar fituation, would have been 
 equally fucctfsful ; yet he had the felf-fatisfying confcioufnefs 
 of having deferved well, beyond the line of mere duty, for again 
 preferving one of them, upon the fame day. It had been fixed 
 between two trees, the limbers broken, and in the confufion of 
 retreat was fpiked by the officer immediately attached to it. — To 
 lofe a piece of artillery, in almcfl any circumftances, muft, for 
 a moment, unpleafantly affeftthe character of an officer, and un- 
 der this impreffion, my braVe friend, uniting more than ordina- 
 ry efforts with thoie of a trufty non-commifiioned ofHcer, and 
 driver, in defiance of a very heavy fire of muiquetry from tlie 
 enemy, brought offthepiece. This fervice neceilarily produced 
 ^ ffiort abfence from the company under his direftion, and occa- 
 sioned fome infidious reports, and obfervations particularly dif- 
 trefling, at the moment, to an officer Icrupuloufly correft in his 
 movements, and tenaeioufly difcharging his duty, to the very 
 utmoft, during the whole fervice of that unfortunate day ; who 
 when the brigade to which he had been attached was completely 
 routed joined the corps ordered to cover the retreat and contin- 
 B 11 cd 
 
icd under the immediate eye of General Knox, to (erve His 
 cannon until the clofe of the aftion. The malicious infinua- 
 tious, relative to a foldisr never impeached by the tongue of 
 veracity, were treated by his friends, and fuperior officers, with 
 io much difregaj-d and contempt, that he found much difHculty 
 in obtaining that court of inquiry, which his nice fenfe of honour 
 demanded. — Pie fucceeded, howevei", in the end, procuring the 
 defn-ed inveflig^tion in the regiment of artillery, a corps into 
 which he had- been introduced o\'er the heads of mofl of the of- 
 ficers, who could not be fuppofed totally divefled of the feel* 
 ings cf militaiy men in all cafes of rank.— Their report was 
 highly honourable to Mr. Sargent, and proceeding from gen- 
 tlemen thus previoufly biaffed, obvioufly refiefts no common 
 iuftre upon his charafter. The calumniator proved to be a 
 v/orthieis non-com millioned ofHcer, and was fentenced by a 
 court-martial to receive one hundred lafhes. From the aftionof 
 BrGndyz^iinc, to the poiTcfiion of Philadelphia by the Britifh, Mr. 
 Sargent continued to multiply his claims to the gratitude of 
 his country, zealoufly engaged in all the marchings, and coun- 
 ter-marching of our grcatly^harrafTed army, he cealed not to 6.C- 
 ferve well. He was aftively employed in the attack upon Gcr- 
 mayitozon, and under the immediate orders of General Wayne, 
 covered, by his well directsd artillery, the retreat from near 
 Barren-hill church. 
 
 From this to the taking poft at Valley Forge, Mr. Sargent 
 continued generally in the park of artillery, and occafionally in 
 the family cf General Knox, he attended that officer and Gen- 
 eral Greene, to the view of the works oppofite Mud IJland in 
 the Delaware, foun after the defeat of Count Do nop when the 
 svacuation of thole forts was determined upon. And when Gen- 
 eral Howe advanced to Bamn -hill to give battle, as it was fup- 
 pOibd, to our army, he was appointed to a command in the artil- 
 lery, defignated to march into Philadelphia, but prevented by the 
 fudden and unexp'etled return of the enemy's main body to 
 that city. 
 
 The {ufTerings of the troops during the cantonment of the 
 Valley Forge were ci\cc generally known ;— -they were to create 
 every thing and it was late in the fealon before their huts were 
 prepared. Often, at different periods of the war was the fitua- 
 tiohof our foldiery trulyineligible, and frequently through ma- 
 ny fucceeding days have the rations been altogether withheld. 
 Concurring teflimonies have defcribed them literally more than 
 fealf ftarved i — the coarfefi; food was a treat,— ^Blackfi-up once a 
 
 day 
 
<Jjy conftltuted the entertainment of fome oiScers of rank, and 
 iVhiflcey Icarce ever bleiled their boards. 
 
 Mr. Sargent, although accuftomed in early life to the ut> 
 moft indulgence, has repeatedly fpread his blanket upon the hard 
 earth, or foftened only by the; v/mter's fnow, with no other cov- 
 ering fave the canopy of heaven ; — nay, even the accommoda- 
 tion of a blanket or a fecond Tnirt to his' back has fcmetimes 
 been denied him. 
 
 Scarcely could a rapidly .depreciating currency (which 
 however the army rarely poffeiTed) procure the necelfary arti* 
 cles of clothing, and it was the common fate of officers to lofc 
 their little baggage, either by partial calualty, or by the dellruc- 
 tion of the magazines where they had been ordered to depofit it. 
 Thefe fufferings- were however for their country — Duke et decs- 
 nun eji pro-pairia, &c ; they were allured to perlevtrence by a. 
 perfpedtive- of that gratitude which feems at prefent banifhed- 
 from our fhores. 
 
 At the evacuation of Philadelphia, and confequent move- 
 ment of the army in "78, Mr. Sargent was left at Fully, Forge,i 
 tooindifpofed to take up the line of march, but he reached head- 
 quarters a fhort time before the clofe of Monmouth action, al- 
 though not feafonably for any. important command, and he con- 
 tinued upon that day, and during the refidueof the year, attach- 
 ed to the park of artillery. 
 
 Im '79, he was annexed to the divifion of the army, com^ 
 manded by Major-General Howe, as the artillery officer, and 
 was from thence, to the clofe of the war, attached, as an Aid-de- 
 camp, to that gentleman's family. This divifion of the army 
 had no participation in the brilliant fucceifes at Yorktozun, but 
 in the regular routine of duty, continued in fervice upon the 
 Hudfon, and except a march to the Britifh lines near Kinz's- 
 bridge, was much confiaed to garrifon duty at Wcjl-Point. 
 
 In this leafon, and upon this march, Mr. S. was feverely af- 
 fllfted by the gout in his feet ; — the paroxyfm was nearly in- 
 tolerable, but he hefitated not to repel its immediate effefts, by' 
 itit j'rce ufe of the cold bath, whenever the movements of the 
 enemy feemed to render his fervices neceffary, and this meallm: 
 with a difeafe fo inveterate, juftjfied only by the preffing exi- 
 gence of the moment, has confirmed him an invalid for life. — > 
 The garrifon was relieved by General Arnold, a few days be- 
 fore the dilcovery of his treachery and deferlion. 
 
 Upon the infult offered to Congrels at Philadelphia, and their 
 removal from that city, abouf the clofe of the war, Geneiai 
 Howe's divifion of the army, was detached to re (lore order, 
 
 and 
 
 ^ 
 
ind to apprehend the delinquents. Mr. Sarcbnt was zealous- 
 ly aftive in thofe exertions, which finiflied the military career of 
 th« General, but he, himfelf, continued with the corps of artil-' 
 lery, tp the clofe of '83. 
 
 At the commencement of the American war he poffefled 
 fome property which was necefTarily expended, during thatAari 
 fervice, where the troops were but nominally paid, and he might 
 truly be faid to have been reduced to the moft mortifying penu- 
 ry ! Under the influence of military habits, application to bufi- 
 nefs, or folicitation, are alike unpleafant. Six months pay in 
 Morris's notes and his fword, were all that were left him. The 
 fecurities for the commutation of the ftipulated half-pay, were 
 no currency, and it is notorious that they were refuled in pay- 
 ment, even for lands upon the St. Croix. 
 
 Thus circumflanced, Mr. Sargent turned his attention to 
 Holland, whofe commotion feemed to open a profpeft for the 
 needy foldier, and having fignified his intention to Major-Gen- 
 eral Knox, under whom he had moft immediately ferved dur- 
 ing the war, he received from that refpeftable officer, the fol- 
 lowing : 
 
 *^^i 
 
 NOTE AND CERTIFICATE. 
 
 Generai, WASHINGTON'S CERTIFICATE, 
 
 *' I Certify, that Major Winthrop Sargent, lately an Officer in 
 thi? line of artillery, and Aid-de-camp to Major-Gencral Hov^e— has fcrvcd 
 "Vvith great reputation in the Armies ot the United States of America ; — that he 
 entered into the fervice of his country at an early period of the war, and during 
 the continuance of it, difplayed a zeal, integrity, and intelligence which did 
 honor to him as an officer and a gentleman. 
 
 " Given under Tny hand andfea!, this i2>th day of June, 1785." 
 (Signed) GEORGE WASHINGTON, 
 
 late ComKander in Chief, &c. &(, 
 
 Most honorable, and glorious teflimony ! It confers un- 
 clouded effulgence, and its abundant weight, fhould be cortfid- 
 cred as incalculably viorc than a balance fox every llander which 
 
 the 
 
 M 
 
the tongue of malignity can utter. The reader will pardon this 
 ebullition ; it is extorted by the honefb pride of friendfhip for 
 the fubjeft of the well-earned Certificate and by due homage 
 for its illuftrious writer. 
 
 Just at this jun£lure, an affociation of the old American of- 
 ficers for a fettlement upon the Ohio Rivtr, was formed, and Mr. 
 Sargent embracing luch profpeft of bread, in preference to 
 expatriation, was elefted Secretary of the company. To pro- 
 mote the views of this affociation, he accepted from Congrei's 
 the appointment of a Sur'freyor, and in '86, joined the Geogra* 
 pher of the United States, at the Little Beaver upon the Ohio Riv- 
 er. The plan of Government, had been to divide the North 
 Weftern Territory into townfliips, for which purpofe furvey- 
 ors from each, and every State, had on the preceding year been 
 fent thither ; but the meafure proved extremely dilagreeable to 
 many of the frontier people, who calculating upon gratuitous 
 preference, of the moft eligible Ipots in that fertile foil, with^ 
 held their abfolutely neceffary aid — and this circumflance, to- 
 gether with iomt frightjid reports relative to the Natives, luf- 
 pended all operations. But Mr. Sargent, ever prompt in ex- 
 ertions for the public weal, cordially united his efforts, with 
 thofe furveyors who were moft folicitous to the Geogi'apher, 
 for an earneji effay, in a bufmefs, upon which many gentlemen 
 of Congrels, feem.ed to have been very intent, and it is but jui- 
 tice to ai'cribe to him high merit, for his indefatigable exertions 
 to carry into full effeft, in defiance of every difcouragement, 
 the views and order of government, 
 
 In this year, after confiderable progrefs had been made in the 
 furveys, the Geographer induced, by a falfe alarm, commanded 
 a fufpenfion and a retreat to the iouth-fide of the Ohio. Upon 
 this occafion Mr. Sargent took leave to remonftrate, in flrong 
 terms to his principal— he dated that it would be difgraceful, 
 thus to rclinquifh a fervice, againft the dangers of which, it 
 would be preiumed they were lufficiently provided, in having 
 received the quantum of efcort, that had been folicited- — that he 
 felt, upon the occafion, not only as a furveyor, but as a foldier, 
 {having troops at command) and that he was perluaded many of 
 the gentlemen were anxious to return to" bufmefs — further, he 
 obferved, that he would willingly take the exterior range, which 
 might be fury eyed as the poll of honour. Four ranges of town- 
 fnips were completed in this feafon ; and it is to be imputed to 
 ihe total lofs of the pack-horfes, belonging to Mr. Sargent, 
 and to the pofitive orders of the geographer to defift, (confe- 
 ouent upon fome information received from the Indians) that a 
 
 fifth 
 
fifth, which had been alllgncd to him, remained unfiniflied..— 
 At the clofe of the year, Mr. Sargent received an appointment 
 in the fmall army, then ordered to be raifed, and which ^vas ve- 
 ry foon difbanded. 
 
 In '87, he had the honour to be eleBed the Secretary to the 
 government of the North Wejtern Territory, by the OLD Con» 
 CTrefs; and in the April of '88, he repaired to that country, with 
 the firft lettlers of the Ohio Company. His duty, as the mere 
 Secretary, was to preferve the laws, keep the record of pro- 
 ceedings in the executive department, and tranfmit copies to 
 Congrefs, every fix months. — His falary for fuch feivice was 
 iixed at 750 dollars per annum. 
 
 In '89, he was commanded to do, and perform all tfhe fervi- 
 ces of the Governor, in the event of his death, refignation, or ab- 
 f^nfe, and in the J^iins of '90, when Governor St. Clair be- 
 lieving it neceffary to attend Congrefs, formally relinquiilied the 
 Government — he experienced fuch an accumulation of expenf'e, 
 as to render a ftatement upon the fubjeft, to the Prefident, abfo- 
 lutely indifpenfable, and abundantly to authorize an expeftation. 
 of augmented pay.— The particular fervices of the Secretary 
 were, at that time, upon the Oubajlie — laying off anew country, 
 examining, and confirming the rightful land claims of the peo- 
 ple of Vincennes, in v/hich arduous tafk, io peculiarly interclling 
 to the inhabitants, as fcatcely to give birth, even to an expefta- 
 tion oi general fatisfaftion, he had the felicity to fucceed Io well, 
 as to obtain high, and unequivocal approbation— Their addrefs 
 of thanks upon this occafion, with many other teflimonies of 
 full complacency, from the mod refpeftable charafters in the 
 feveral counties which he erefted in the North-Wejlcrn Territory , 
 are with the department of State. 
 
 Having condufted thefe arrangements to a defirable iffue, he 
 vilited the feat of government. His health, greatly injured 
 during an inaufpicious leaibn paffed in the Illinois country, 
 claimed this indulgence, and the rendering to the National Le- 
 p-iflature the requiiite reprefentation upon the penurious flipend 
 afficned him, became an objeft of abfolute and ferious import- 
 ance. He made immediate application to Mr. Jetferson, as 
 the then head of the department of State, and was informed by 
 that gentleman, that the Prefident had taken no effeftual meai- 
 ures in his buftnefs — not becaufe his lolicitation was deemed un- 
 veafonable, but from an impreflion that it was improper any pe- 
 cuniary motion fliould originate with the Executive. Mr. JeF- 
 fERSON added, that had he not been then preient, ways and 
 means fhould have been devifed to have introduced his mtmori- 
 
 a! 
 
al in form, but that being upon the fpot, It would come fof=. 
 ward with moft advantage, immediately from himlelf. — An am- 
 ple ftatement was accordingly made to the houfe of Reprefenta^ 
 lives, and referred, but before report could be had, the Secreta^ 
 ry was ordered to theWeflern country. The Indians had com-* 
 menced hoftilities upon the Mtijkingiim.'— Gov tvnoi St. Clair 
 was abfent from the territory, and one of the fettleraents had beep 
 deftroyed. 
 
 Antecedent to this event, Mr. Sargent had made up his 
 mind upon no more crofiing thofe far diftant mountains, iubjeft 
 to the toils, and refponfibility, of Governor, and Secretary, up- 
 on the fcanty flipend provided for the latter, although his friends 
 in Congrefs affured him, there was no doubt ample compenfa- 
 tion would be made — but under the circumflance of aninvafion. 
 of his country, it did not become him to difobey the mandate of 
 the Prefident, and he found his way down the Ohio, to the Mvf- 
 kingum, in the March of 'gi, at no inconfiderable ha^rrd, from 
 the ffcate of the rivers, then full of floating ice, and the war parr- 
 ties of the Indians, which were fo numerous upon the. banks, 
 that the whole country, from Pittjburgh to Marietta, was forted. 
 
 During March and April, the inhabitants continued in a 
 ftate of fiege, rendered peculiarly diitrefling, from fympathy for 
 their women and children, who as is commonly the cafe in fron^ 
 tier efhablifhments, were but ill fupplied, receiving even the ne- 
 ceffaries of life, only from the hand to mouth- — while agricul- 
 ture, and all profpeft of procuring the means of fubhflence, feem- 
 ed at an end. 
 
 In the following May, Mr. Sargent repaired to Fort Wajit- 
 ington, to perform the duty ol Adjutant-General to the army un- 
 der Gen. St. Clair, in an expedition againfl the Indians. — . 
 The fatal cataftrophe of that mofc dlfaftrous campaign, is fuffi- 
 ciently known, and will long be lamented. At a retroipefcl of 
 the lavage field ; and the laft look of his butchered companions^ 
 the foul of my war-worn friend ftill fickens. 
 
 Shocking indeed were the events of that day — ^but it fliould 
 ever be remembered that this moft tremendous aftion, v/as not 
 the /s/} meritorious for being unfortunate, Mr. Sargent was 
 among the wounded, in the general carnage, andelcaped%v"ith his 
 arms only — facrificing his camp equipage, horles and fervants ; 
 ail of which had been provided at hi« own expence ; and for 
 ■^Chich no compenfation has e\''er yet been made him — while even 
 the imall, inadequate appropriation, for the pay of Adjutant.. 
 General, from the deficiency of certain forms, cannot as yet— s 
 feys the War Accpmptant — ^ palTed to his credit^ 
 
In this army, made up in the moment, and devoted to imm^«l 
 diate and arduous fervice ; Gen. Sr. Clair extremely infirm 
 ilmoft the whole campaign, and the uncommon funftion of ex-* 
 amining the provifion returns, attached to the office of Adjutant- 
 General, his duties were neceifanly of very much fatigue, andj 
 not unfrequently, peculiarly unpleafant, from the murmurs, and 
 difcontents, which the iealous clilcharge thereof, could not fail 
 to occafion, amongft young and undifciplined loldiers. 
 
 But Mr. Sargent, however, amply merited, and was always 
 honoured with the confidence, and with the approbation, of the 
 Commander In Chief— who in his firft offieial letter, after his de- 
 defeat, has thus written ; — 
 
 " To '■many cj my officers 1 am under great obligation, but to none 
 tnore than to Colonel Sargent." 
 
 And in the courfe of the examination, into the caufes of the 
 failure of the expedition, before a Committee of Congreis, Gen. 
 St. Clair obfer\res, " That in an army railed upon the I'pur 
 of occalion, where, from long military habits, a punftilious o- 
 bcdience of orders is not made a point of honour, an Adjutant- 
 General, who does his duty, cannot be a favourite charatter, and 
 that prejudices were railed againil Col. Sarge nt, at the moment 
 of his entering on the ofHce, becaufe he was not, at the time, an 
 officer of the Arm.y ; that his particular attention to the provihon 
 returns (by which however a confiderable faving accrued to the 
 public) was <i plentiful knirce of difcontent — but that he owed 
 it in iuflice to him (then at a great diflancc) to declare, that al- 
 though he had leen many Adjutant-Generals, in many armies, he 
 had never fet^n one who difchairged the duties of that Office with 
 more caie, inteiligence% and exaftnefs.'* 
 
 Colonel Sargent was reappointed Adjutant-General to 
 ♦he Army under General Wayne, with the additional Service of 
 Infpetlor-General, but no lufficient rank having been legally an- 
 nexed, he declined thole appointments. 
 
 After dilcharging the levies, and the militia, a duty which 
 every military man knows, muft have been rendered peculiarly 
 unpleafant, by that lois of fubordination, almoft always the con 
 leqnence of a defeat fo diflreffingly decifive, and, which the in- 
 dilpofition of the General devolved very much upon Colonel 
 Sargent — he was left in the government of the country " ex- 
 officio" by Gen. St. Clair's departure for Congreis. 
 
 The apprchenhons of the people were, at this period, extreme 
 — and the country was vulnerable at every point. A train of 
 artillery had been left upon the field of battle, which there was 
 little doubt ^Vould be ufed, in the following fpring. ngainft the 
 
 out 
 
cut polls— and the fatal confequenccs were diftreflingly obvious. 
 Utxierfuch circumftances of alarm, in the February of '92— ithe 
 cold extreme (Mercury below o) and nearly two feet of fnow, 
 upon a level, throughout the country— an expedition was form- 
 ed by Gen. Wilkinson, and a fraall number of regular troops 
 — ihe militia oi Hsiir.ilt(^n County, and Col. SARGENT~for the 
 purpoie of recovering the cannon. The march was near a hun-> 
 dred miles into the wildernefsof our country— then almoft every 
 where in a (late of nature—and they were wholly unprovided 
 with tents ! Thele brave men were not fortunate enough to find 
 the artillery, but they rendered it ufelefs to the enemy, by def* 
 troying, or bringing off the carriages, thus accompli fhing a great 
 objeft of the expedition, and in fome meafure banilhing the fears 
 of the Weftern people. 
 
 From this memorable era, until his leaving the North Wef» 
 tern Territory, the almoft, conftant abfence of Gov. St. Clair, 
 invefhed him with the important duties of Government— and, 
 alike unv/earied in his application in this department, as unre« 
 mitting in his cares, and conftant fatigues, during his continu- 
 ance in the army, the country became flouriftiing, and rapidly 
 progrefTive, under his adminiftration, A diicretionary power in 
 granting lands was conferred upon him, but he economifed, and 
 yet gave pretty general iatisfaftion— frugal of the public intereft, 
 he has fufiered profecution, and arreft, fubmitting to be harraffed 
 in his perfon, and diftreffed in his private property, rather than 
 pennit impofition upon iXich lands and oflices of ihe public, as 
 were entrufled to him. It is true that his popularity has beeii 
 thus in a great degree hazarded, if not proftrated-i— but confcious 
 'integrity is a mighty, and abundant lupport. We find this me- 
 ritorious man, while in the Weftern Country, frequently engag- 
 ed in fervices — interefting, critical, and important. 
 
 The County of IVayne, comprehending Detroit, and upper 
 country, north to Michilimakinac, reclaimed from Britifh jurif. 
 diftion, and a full proportion of the other counties were ereft- 
 ed by him, v/hile a very large part of theexpences, were defray- 
 ed from his own private purjc — for government made no other 
 provifion than the lalary of the Secretary. 
 
 In the year '97, he received notice, that the Courts of Juftice 
 had been fuppreffed, in the Illinois Country, for nine months— 
 that there was a ftrong combination of defperate men, bound to» 
 gether by an oath of fecrecy •, that they had leafed lands from the 
 Indians, in open, and avowed violation of the law- hoilled the 
 French ftandard, and declared they owed no allegiance to the 
 United States ! That in the preceeding year there had been a 
 
 C plan 
 
plan laid, by the fame people, toaffaflinatethe Governoif, in their 
 country, for forne unpopular mea:fures in favour of the Indians, 
 and which had failed of fucceli. only from mere accident — that 
 there could be no hopes from civil law or magiftrates, without 
 a ftrong military force, and that the lives and property of all 
 well dilpoied perfons were in extreme danger. 
 
 Gen. Wilkinson, then at i>£f roz>, was addrelTed by this clafs 
 of men, and they took care to embody their well grounded fears 
 in full force. He had drawn a large party of troops to theWef- 
 tern waters of the Lakes, to tranfport them to that country, for 
 the pui"poie of co-operating with the Secretary, in the reeftab- 
 lifhment of government, and, ftrongly imprelled with the mag- 
 nitude of the rebellion, he reroonftrated upon the temerity of ef- 
 faying its luppreflion without military aid. — But Col. H — , was 
 then in force upon the Miffifippi, he might perhaps have tamper- 
 ed fuccefsfully with the leaders of fedition — the feafon of the 
 year, and the ftate of the waters, militated againft General WiL- 
 KiNSON'sfpeedlly tranfporting his troops to the Mijfifippi. The 
 laudible zeal of the country, was diminifhiiig for the lackof fome 
 head to countenance, andcherifli it, audit was evident there was 
 not a moment to loole. Requefting, therefore, from the Com- 
 mandant of Fort Majfac, an officer, and a few determined trufly 
 men, with only three hunters, (perlbns who had, however, me- 
 rited, and obtained his full confidence) he immediately repaired 
 to the Illinois, with a view of iurprifmg the principal oflenders, 
 and of lending them to the Fort, as hoftages for his own fafety, 
 and the public tranquility — until arrangements couldbe properly 
 made for a final accommodation. The circumflances of the gar- 
 rifon, however, then under alarm, did not admit of affording him 
 iriilltary aid, but by the extraordinary exertions of the well dif- 
 pofed of the country— -by prompt meafiires, and happily adju li- 
 ed perluafion, fome of the principal delinquents were apprehend- 
 ed, a few abfconded, the Courts of Juftice were again called into 
 being, and the Secretary had the fatisfaftion of fpeedily alluring 
 Gen. Wilkinson- — who had afted with all poffible promptitude 
 •—but who continued to be delayed by the ftate of the water — 
 that order being perfeftly reftoied, there was no more apparent 
 occafion for military aid. 
 
 Th IS tour of arduous duty, was detailed to the Department of 
 State, at the clofe of the year '97, and it unqueftionably did him 
 much credit with the patriotic, and truly iiluftrious President 
 — but it had nearly coft him his life. He fuffered from an epi- 
 demic, the fatalitv of which was Icarcely inferior to the yellow 
 fever «f FhiluddphiA — and conllrainad to a long and tedious 
 
 winter's 
 
-winter's ra^rch, on his way home, while only in a ftate of don- 
 valel'cence, it brought on the gout in his ftomach, and inteftines, 
 and he was continued the viftim of this diftreffing difeafe, with 
 the profpe£l of immediate diffolution always before him, until 
 fome time after his arrival in the Mijfifippi territory. 
 
 When he was appointed to that Government, his health was 
 fuch, that both phyficians and friends, concurred to pronounce 
 a northern journey, abfolutely neceffary to the continuance of 
 his life. But upon Col. Pickering's reprelentation, who ac- 
 companied the announcement of his unfolicited, and then unde- 
 fired appointment, with affurances of the Prelident's perfeft, and 
 very honorable confidence, with information of his particular 
 wifhes, that he Ihould not decline an office which evidently re- 
 quired much of judgment, and energy — adding, that although it 
 might interfere with his views for iuture life, it would proba- 
 bly be only a temporary interruption — fince, in a vacancy of the 
 North-weftern government, and of his defire to return — there 
 could be fcarce a doubt he would be gratified : — He confented to 
 facrifice the improvement of ten years agricultural operations 
 and improvements, and after advertifing Col. Pickerinc of 
 the impoffibility of his arriving at the place of deftination, from 
 his then ftate of health — in order that provifion for a fucceffor 
 might be made— he embarked for the Mijfifippi territory. The 
 feaion was particularly unpropitious, for luch a change of cli- 
 mate ; many perfons who departed for the territory at this peri- 
 od — expoled to the extreme heat of a vertical fun, fell viftims 
 to the difeafes of that country, and frequently, during his voyage 
 down the river, his extreme debility, neceffitated him to put on 
 Ihore, with no fairer hope or profpeft, than terminating exift- 
 ence, far removed from friends — attended only by his boat's 
 crew, and deflitute of all thofe folaces, which ufually flope the 
 paffage out of time. 
 
 When he arrived within the government, as early as his re- 
 duced fituation would admit, in a well concerted addrefs to the 
 inhabitants, he effayed to conciliate all ranks of people — he af- 
 fured them of the foftering care of the general government, of 
 the honorable intentions of the territorial Legiflature, and of his 
 own particular folicitude for their welfare. 
 
 It muft be obvious that the tafk of Governor Sargent was 
 complicated, and truly arduous. Individuals do not eafily a- 
 dopt new modes and habits, and a community is ftill more un- 
 wieldy. Mr. Sargent was the firft Governor deputed by the 
 United States, to the recently ceded territory, and he had to cre- 
 ate, and to organize,— The people of his government were a het- 
 erogeneous 
 
eregeneous colleftlon— it was anticipated, that this remote de- 
 pendency of the Union, would become the theatre of war, and 
 Its vicinity to Ncw-OrUans^-^conCidertd as the avenue to very 
 valuable Weftern pofleflions, furuifhed abundant realon for this 
 calculation. .A French invafion was momently expefcled. — 
 Squadrons, it was confidently aOTerted, were leen off the Balizt, 
 and this report received long and cmpk credit— -whi 1ft the Gov- 
 ernor, unaided by the Legiflature, or any of the officers of gov- 
 ernment, and urged by imperious necelhty, among a body of 
 men who knew nothing of military duty— for this fervice was 
 fcarcely uriderflood under the S:)ani{h government — was con- 
 ftrained to immediate arrangements. In a fituation lo truly em- 
 barraffing, the murmurs of dii'content, might have been whif- 
 pei-ed, even under the tuperintendance of a Washington— 
 and it cannot be denied, that appointments were nofoonermade, 
 than envy and malice became audacioufly clamorous, and that 
 thele baleful pafiions, pervaded the bofoms, even of iome per- 
 fons, who exercifing their own fober fenles, would have pre- 
 served a decent and becoming acquiefcence, and a refpeft for 
 officers that had not been appointed but upon information, and 
 counlel, from the moft, and be ft informed chara£lers in the ter- 
 r:tory. 
 
 The prime inftigator, and abettor, of all tlie inquietude, and 
 i>oify vociferation, fo prevalent in the Mifijippi government — 
 is fu'ppofed to be a Col. Hutchins : — He was early repreiented 
 to the Governor, as fraudulent, inftdious, and mo(l indefatiga- 
 ble in mifchief — yet, although generally believed to be fnper- 
 anuated — fuch was the fyftem of policy, and general concilia- 
 tion adopted by the Governor, that, in confideration of numer- 
 ous connexions — he would affuredly have been invefted with 
 . office, had it not feemed incompatible with the (pirit of the A- 
 merican government, to clothe with extraordinary power, zjer- 
 eign penjioner — a man who could not be ctherwile than under 
 £ritijh injluence. 
 
 It is to be lamented, that the refpe£lable inhabitants of the Mif- 
 fjtppi territory, have thought too contemptibly of Col. Hutch- 
 ins, and his adherents — that they have confided too much in 
 the accuftomed juftice, and correfinels of public proceedings, 
 Jdently fuffering meaiures to be taken by the general government, 
 which may eventually be attended, with the moft lerious con- 
 fequences ; but it is difficult to believe, that the iupplementafy 
 aft for the order of that government, will be perfifted in, againft 
 the rational remonftrance and prayer, of fo many reipettable 
 charafters, for its fufpenficn, imtil the fenfe of tht majority fliall 
 be known, Cato 
 
Cato West, who- is at t)is hea4 of th^ folicitatioa for, a 
 change of government, and who, in the execution of Colonel 
 HuTCHiNs's projefts, and ^\zr\s, fccjiu to be a man of confe- 
 quence, was reprefented to the Governor, by far the mofl con- 
 fiderable number of relpeftable men, in the part of the country 
 •where he refides, as a very obnoxious charafter ; and a formal 
 petition was made by them, that he ihould not be appointed ^o 
 office. 
 
 The philpfopher, and the moralifi, arc anxious to invefti- 
 gate the fource of that propenfity in human nature, -which ex- 
 ults to flrip, from the brow of probity, its fairefl honours — 
 which malignity attributes the mod upright condutl:, to mo- 
 tives and views, that could only obtain inthebofcm of attroci- 
 ty — and, right happy would it be, could they exterminate from 
 the intelleftual world, this deforming evil. The adminiftration 
 of Guv. Sargent was affailed by the darkefl: paffions.r— Malevo- 
 lence and detraftion, with a hoft of lubordinate, and incendiary 
 principles, led on by envy, were embodied againfl; him-rr-and they 
 efiefted, in the minds of the limple and uninformed, the mo|l 
 iniquitous purpofesr— he was rendered terrific in his private as 
 well as official charafter-rrhe was reprefented as mercenary, rj- 
 diculoufly inflated, and proudly abiorbed in falfe views of his 
 own greatnefs-Tr-snd the humble man conlidered him as the arro- 
 gant, haughty, and confirmed foe, to every focial, every milder 
 virtue. Thus impreHed, that ciais, which conftitutes the great 
 body of the people, deprecated the neceffuy of approaching hiin, 
 and when received v.-ith that irsnly fenfibilj^yj and benign con- 
 defcenfion, by which the intiir.ate ailociates of the Governor, 
 well know hi$ charafter is dignified, they retired, expreOing their 
 reientful aflonifhment at thoie nefarious calumnies, by which 
 they had been mofh unwarrantably deceived. A fingle anecdote 
 of much notoriety, may, perhaps, by way of illuflration, be 
 pertinently introduced. A diftrelfed man, believing himielf the 
 rightful heir to a contefted inheritance, had folicited coun{el:r- 
 an exorbitant fee was demanded — no lels than feventy dollars, 
 and the needy client could offer but ten. In this emergency, 
 advice being utterly denied him, he expreffed, in the bitternefs 
 of his foul, a determination to appeal to the Governor .r — " You 
 appeal to the Governor," cried the venal declaimer ; introduc- 
 ing his vociferating exclamation with much anathematizing, and 
 opprobrious language^ — " The Governor never Jpoke to a poor 
 ?nan in his life ; and fhould you perfifl in your defign, death 
 vvill be the confequence of your temerity." 
 
 The unfortunate fuilerer, hovvcver, cut off by penury from 
 
 every 
 
[—22 — 3 
 
 every other refourcc— all trembling, all abafhed, prefented him- 
 lelf before this tremendoufly delineated Governor. In a tremu- 
 lous and hefitating manner, he made his ftatement, and earneftly 
 folicited redrefs. The humane Governor, refponding in terms 
 calculated to calm, and aflure his agitated fpirit, informed him, 
 that he miftook his charafter — that he was not a Spanifh vice- 
 roy, invefl»;d with authority to diftribute the foil at his pleafure 
 — that he was himfelf amenable to the laws, poffefling no other 
 powers, than fuch as were awarded by the conftitution of their 
 common country — that if a judicial procefs was his objeft, his 
 regular courlewasa direft application to a profefTional charafter. 
 But the Governor, affefted by the marked perturbation, and ap- 
 parent terrors of a man, could not forbear obferving thereon, 
 when the preceding recital was produced. It is unneceflary to 
 add, that the affrighted fupplicant w.as fobthed to compofure— 
 that he received the beft poflible advice, and departed, blefling a 
 man whom he had been taught to execrate. 
 
 Sentiments hoftile to the fair fame of Governor Sargeni^ 
 reprefenting him as corrupted by power, and the tyrant of the 
 Weft, have been unblufhingly uttered upon the floor of Con- 
 grefs — but reftitude and talents, rich in unborrowed luftre, muft 
 eventually extort homage, and pofterity will dojuftice — they 
 ■will impartially trace the glowing effulions of gratitude ; and 
 x\'hen thefe defamers fhall be no more, they will learn from the 
 teftimony of men of cultivated abilities, and whofe lives were 
 adorned by truth that his unremitted exertions in favour of the 
 people, merited and received the higheft eulogy. It is by per- 
 lons of this defcription, who would have done honour to any 
 country, and who lived under the government he had long ad- 
 miniflered, that he has been charafterized as 
 
 " Habiis dans la paix — infrepideala guerre 
 " Dcs Cetoiens la Pere." 
 
 But thofe who confider innate reftitude, and correfl: judg- 
 naent among the properties of the human foil, will demand — " If 
 the adminiftration of Governor Sargent was altogether irre- 
 proachable, whence originated the difafI"e£lion which confeffedly 
 obtained in the minds of fomc ?'* To which we anfwer — Vari» 
 ous and obvious caufes combined to produce this very unpleaf- 
 ant effeft. The execution of laws in a frontier country, where 
 their operation mufl neceffarily clafh with the habits, and views 
 of many, cannot but procure for the magiflrate the deteftationof 
 the vicious, and the ignorant. The axiom which furrenders a 
 part, for the prefervation of thz whole, is the refult of more re»' 
 fleftion, than is found in common minds. 
 
 A PRINCIPLE 
 
A fRiNCi^LE ef Ucentioufnefs, mifnamed liberty, is prevalent 
 ia our nature. This principle fpurns all rule, and he that will 
 introduce a fyftem of iubordination^ will not fail to attach to his 
 name, and truly arduous efforts, at leaft a temporary odium. A 
 wife and energetic government is efpecially ncceffary in the ado- 
 lefcence of a community— particularly, when its component 
 parts are made up of the moft diffonant materials^ The laws of 
 the MiJJiftppi Territory appear to have been falutary, and calcu- 
 lated to prelerve good order ; yet from that ferocity, and impa- 
 tience of controul, too often apparent, murders, and other enor- 
 mous crimes, were much more frequently perpetrated,^ than in 
 an equal population in any of the tfnited States. A grand jury 
 for the county of Adams, is found prefenting and lamenting, in 
 the following emphatic words :— '• The grand jury vieztj with 
 *' horror the late prevailing dilorders of a moft alarming nature, 
 *' which pervade the territory, and which will always be the 
 *' confequence of fuch crimes, as haVe a manifeft tendency to 
 *' loofen the facred bonds that cement together the laws, the 
 *' people, and their magiftrates." From that ideal equality, and 
 afpiring difpofition, fo predominant in modern times, no appoint- 
 ment could be made, which did not feem to imply a kind of in- 
 jury to thofe who were paffed by ; and as all could not be ele£led 
 to office, the pernicious confequences miift be obvious. 
 
 As the deputed guardian of public property, Governor 
 Sargent had only a choice of evils. He muft either have fub- 
 aiitted to impofitions thereon, or have adopted energetic meal- 
 ures for its prefervation. But when the luminous path of du- 
 ty was extended, Governor Sargent could not hefitate — he 
 commenced, in behalf of the United States, his proceis ; and the 
 whole tribe of land fquatters were embodied againft him. 
 
 Gov. Sargent's official duties as Adjutant-General, in an 
 Undifciplined aTmy, did not add to his popularity ; eminent as a 
 difciplinarian, he conceived the public weal, the legitimate off- 
 spring of regularity, and he was confequently affiduous in the 
 promotion of order. 
 
 Th e meafures purfued during the infurre£lion in the Illinois, 
 unavoidably implicated fome turbulent charafclers. upon which 
 anarchy had conferred a degree of importance. A few of thefe 
 incendiaries, having fled from juftice in that country, extended 
 their baleful influence to the Mijjifippi government — and every 
 one knows, that faftious, and dilbrganizing principles, are dif- 
 feminated with but too much facility. It is not then matter of 
 wonder, that tumult and diffenfion were in fome meaiure pre- 
 valent — it is rather aftoniftiing, taking into view every circum- 
 
 ftanccj 
 
Sauce, that" tl-\*y wste not more permanent, and thac their m- 
 fiuence was fo much circumlcribed.— That Gov. Sargent uni- 
 fdnnly enjoyed the conlidence, aijd obuined the approbation of 
 a very large majority of the good, and enlightened part of the 
 conunuuity, is abundantly manifefted By the various petitions, 
 addrelles, letters^ and other documents lately publiflied — ^and ef- 
 pecially by the laft folemn teftimony of one of the mod relpeft- 
 able chara£ler,s in. thi Mijijippi Territory, now no more, whole 
 applauie is itlelf a eulogy — and who hefitate'd not to pronounce 
 him "ofthe moftunqueftionable integrity, and ever ledulous to 
 prcMote the honor, and intereft of his nation." To this publi- 
 cation the writer of this hafly produftion takes leave to refer tht 
 inq[uiring reader.— He is aware that fmall credit may be fuppoied 
 due fo his ov/n, anonymous allegations, but when fafts are open 
 to icVeSiigation, and can eafily be fubftanciated, it fliould be of 
 iititle confequence to the public, by whom they are compiled, 
 
 JusTiCB to the maligned charafter of a public lervant, fome-- 
 jjtorious as Gov. Sargent, extorts a repetition of the obferva- 
 tioa, that he has been neceflitatad to live upon his private pro- 
 peity, while engaged in the fervice of his country. The Iraall 
 j&Iaiies appropri.i.ed by government, were geneially inadequate, 
 even to a bare fubfiftence, and while afting as Governor of the 
 Itanrih-Wejlern Territory, he could not have expended lefs than 
 nfteen hundred dollars per annum, although his appointed fi:i- 
 pendj ^V3s no more than feven hundred and fifty. To iupply 
 tas d(iSicit, he has htixi necefliu^ed to have recoilrle to thoic. 
 laadsj into which he had convertecVhis commutation of half pay _, 
 zs 3 foldiei', and other pri\'ate funds — to the almoft total depri- 
 vation» of all pvovifion for future life — but fuch as may be de- 
 rived from that public, to the emolument of which he has fo 
 largely contnbuted — or, from his conaeftion, in the Mijfifippi 
 Territory — the latter are indeed prccaiious. Events which have 
 happened in other countries, and which may fpeedily take place 
 in that, would involve him, with a large family, inaftate of ruin ! 
 
 Hf: has, through life been engrofied in public affairs, and the 
 in£iinities of old age, being accelerated by afts of hardihood, and 
 danger — ir is fomediing too late, to acquire the abilities, requifite 
 to the heaping up wealth, in the ordinary v/ay, and the bold 
 Jlrskcsfor fortune he infidtivdy abhors. — Perhaps his conduft to- 
 wards fome projeftors, in this line, may have been amongfl the 
 caufes of enmity towards him. Propofals of a very iniquitous 
 nature, but leading to wealth — fpeciouily introduced, by repre- 
 fenting in ftrong colours, his country as ungrateful, and doing 
 him mudh wrong, were mado toliinjj and immediately tranfmii 
 
 ted 
 
ted tb government. Thefe propofals are no doubt to be fouad 
 in the Office of State. Gov. Sargent has upon file the Sec- 
 retary's acknowledgment, and approbation of his conduft. 
 
 The Governor was periuaded that thefe conflderations Vv'ould 
 produce their full effeft upon his friends, but, by the Prefident, 
 he was only folicitousto be weighed in the balance of rigidjufticcj 
 and to be rewarded according to the integrity, and acceptation 
 of his adminiflration. He was confcious that the teflimony of 
 every honeft, and refpeftable man in the Territory, would be in 
 his favor- — he was defirous only, that the procefs of inveftiga- 
 tion, commenced by Meffrs. Claiborne and Davis, might be 
 continued, and he pledged himfelf to profecute the fame, to very 
 honorable effeft, in the next leflioa of Congrefs — nor was it his 
 defign to folicit either generofity or indulgence— yet, that he pof- 
 felTed that high fenl& of reputation, and ardent thirfl for unlul- 
 iied fame, inherent in every noble mind, his reprelentations to 
 thofe Members of the National Legiilature, who from their ac- 
 knowledged patriotiim, and worth, were i/iere chiefly influential ; 
 will abundantly evince. He eflayed to convey to government, 
 luch teftimonies of the propriety of his official conduft, as feem- 
 ed fufficient to convince every candid mind, of its purity, and 
 patriotifm— and there were moments, when he periuaded him- 
 lelf, that even Meffrs. Claiborne and Davis, might be found 
 ingenuous enough to fubfcnbe to the correftnefs of his intentions. 
 Onod men, he knew, believed it far more noble to acknowledge 
 themfelves deceived, than to periift in error — and found policy, 
 or the afFeftation of candor, will lometimes produce the like ef- 
 feft, upon very different charaiElers. 
 
 In fair, and common ulage he could have nothing to fear — ■ 
 from covert or avowed enemies, either in the Territory, or at 
 the feat of government — indeed, under thefe aufpices, he could 
 iiever have been tortured, even by allegations, until tht fame had 
 been formally made known to him, until he had met his accu- 
 lers face to face, and been fully heard, either perfonally, or by 
 council ; in his own defence. But, fituated at a remote dif- 
 tance, more than two thoufand miles from the feat of govern- 
 ment — the unprecedented flyle of proceedings, in the Houfe of 
 National Reprefentatives, (we blufh while making the record) 
 evidently calculated by bafe, and defigning men, to effeftuate 
 llrong, and unfavorable imprefilons againfl his adminiftration, 
 furnifhed abundant reafon for apprehenfion ; not that he flroukl 
 be removed from office, cr fuperceded, but that he might fore- 
 *'er be deprived of the means of/wWaad/OTr invefligation. Are* 
 rnov^l from office, by the then Executive, or his illuftrious pre- 
 
 I^ deceffor 
 
 ■*^' 
 
fieceUor, under cii'cumflances fo peculiarly delicate, upon vdgup.' 
 pretence, or aecuiation unlubltantiated, could never have hap- 
 pened- With thole patriots of Avierica, he remained always un- 
 Ju!Detk^d,and he polfelled themoft honorable teftimonies of their 
 roniidcnce — but it was rumoured that either Col. Burr, or Mr. 
 Jefferson, would be the future Preiident. To Col. Burr, 
 educated in a militar,y Ichool, and confeifedly a man of honor, 
 his zeal mud have recommended him, he would have made all 
 his prefidential decifions/or hiivfelf, and there could be no doubt 
 that the fervices of Gov. Sargent would fhand the fuUefl tefl. 
 From Mr. Jefferson alone, had he ought to fear, and even 
 from him, his apprehenfions muft have arilen principally, from 
 ihatduftility, that v/ant of nerve, which has been afcribedto him, 
 and from the probable influence, which bad men, and bad min- 
 iftcrs might acquire ; for although evil report had afTailed the 
 contemplated Prefident, in his various public, as well as private 
 walks, it can never be forgotten that even a Washington, 
 and an Adams — PATRIOTS of the mofh diftinguifhed worth, 
 whole memory will remain right precious, when myriads of lit- 
 tie vien will be no more, have not eicaped the licentious tongue 
 of party. 
 
 From the induftry, and illiberal manner, in v/hich MefTrs. 
 Claiborne and Davis, perfifked in managing xhe matter of 
 complaint, againfh the adminiflration of Govei^nor Sargent, 
 it was long notorioufly evident, that they had loft all view of 
 truth and jufticc, and it re<;yiiire<l net the Ipirit of prophefy to 
 divine, that they aimed at oihces in the Mtjfijippi territory — in-/ 
 deed the mif placed confidence of Mr. Claiborne, early difcovw 
 ered, that he lifted his afpiring eye to the government. 
 
 Reflecting menobierved, that ina venal and mercenary go- 
 vernment, with the powers which this man would hold — upon 
 the prefumption that Mr. Jefferson, and Colonel Burr, ob- 
 tained an equal number of votes — he might flatter him.felf with 
 iuccefs, in any projeft, or chimera — but they forbore to fhotk 
 themfelves, or wound the feelings of their country, by fuppof- 
 ing a people already fo corrupt, as to fuffer the bafe traffic of of- 
 fice — " Mr, Claiborne" laid they, " a man who has efpouf- 
 ed the caufe of a milguided, and faftious minority, in the face 
 of, and oppofition to, the will of the mofb refpeitable part of 
 %h& community, can never be our Governor." 
 
 They were told that his talents were contemptible, ?nd God 
 knows they had abundant reaion to believe that foul difhonor 
 ll;-ongly miirked his public charafter, and coftduft. He had 
 •afelv, >ui<i they ^/eJ■e informed too fuccefefully, e-ffayed to de- 
 
 traft 
 
iraQ; from that eftablifhedj and abundant merit, v/hich the candor, 
 and even juftice, oi gcatltmcn upon the floor of Congrefs, would 
 have palled to the credit of their worthy Governor — -and they 
 became indignant at the communication. — The Governor himr 
 felf, could not but (land aftonifhed at the progrels of calumny— 
 in no inftance had the diiapprobation of his official conduft, 
 been authoritatively exprefled ; and he had uniformly been led 
 to believe it was perfeftly acceptable. Mr. Jefferson, when 
 Secretary of State — in obferving upon the adminiilration of 
 Governor St. Clair, and the then Secretary of the North, 
 weftern territory — wherein it was fuppofed a degree of cenlure 
 was implied, affured the Secretary, that whenever govei-nmenV 
 fhould deem the condu£l of their fervants improper, it would be 
 fignified to them, in due form. With the Hrm faith of this af- 
 furance, and a ftrong coalcioufnefs of reftitude. Governor Sar- 
 gent had every reafon to calculate, upon the moft public ac^ 
 quittdl in the Houfe of Reprefentatives, or luch immediate in- 
 yeftigation in the Senate, as fhould terminaie in the fuU and 
 honorable eftablilhment of his reputation. But proceedings 
 were fo ftrange, fo novel, and we cannot refrain to fay apparent- 
 ly fo unjufl, as to envelope in thick darknefs, an event which 
 integrity flionld have rendered luminous — his perlecutors had 
 the addrefs to eke out a kind of mock trial, for nearly tv/o iei- 
 fions of Congi-efs — " The Sun of Fed^ralifm" — faid they, " i$ 
 foon to fet forever." There mud be fome meaning annexed to 
 thefe words, and they feem to look forward tp a ijiidnight dark- 
 nefs of our country, when th^ fair profpecls ef all honoft meri 
 fhall be enwrapped in thicJc clouds and the red ftar pf party 
 Ipirit, eclipfe even the femblance of juftice. 
 
 But we turn from fuch views of horror and devallation, con- 
 fidently trufting, that the wifdom and the virtue of America, will 
 yet prevail, and that the all-protefling power, which has led us 
 on to greatnefs, will continue usajay? and a united people. 
 
 The Prefident pf the Union, having permitted Governor 
 Sargent to vifit the Atlantic fhates, when the government 
 fhould be organized, and peace reftored to our country — he ft ill 
 cherifhed the hope of being at the feat of government in the next 
 feflion of Congrefs, and he perfuaded himfelf, that he fhouid 
 then abundantly evince his adminiflration to have been perfeif - 
 ly correft; that he flood yet " uncorrupted by power." parti- 
 cipating the efteem and good will of the weftern world ; that 
 the honeft and refpeftable men of the territory over which he 
 prefided, and all the worthy charafters from the ftates — whence 
 Melfrs, Claibo.'ine and Davis have found theii way to Con- 
 
grefs-rr-any wife knowing, or known of him, to whom he had 
 not been grofsly mifreprefented, certainly did not fubfcribe to 
 the malevolence uttered by thoie very honourable gentlemen — nay, 
 that the bejl informed were in the lift of his particular friends. — 
 He could not but be coidcious that he had a ftrong claim upon 
 the gratitude of his country, and the worthy patriots thereof, by 
 the devotion of a whole life to public lervice, and a uniform en- 
 deavour to do and to dejerve well. There leems to be fuch a total 
 want of dignity, together with circumftances of equivocation 
 and dqplicity, attending the removal of Governor Sargent, as, 
 notwithftanding the fhoried infincerity of Mr. Jefferson to 
 the immortal Wjlshington, and his venerable luccelfor, with, 
 the multiplied inftances of dilTimulation that have been attribu- 
 ted to him, could fcarcely have been expefted from any Prefi- 
 dent of the United States. 
 
 Previous to Governor Sargent's leaving Orleans, for the 
 feat of gevernment, he had notice that he was to be continued 
 in office. This aflurance of his contem.plated renomination Avas 
 contained in a letter from a refpeftable charafter, faid to have, 
 communed with Mr. Jefferson ; and the intelligence was re- 
 peated, and pofitively afferted as a faft, from other quarters. 
 He arrived in Bojlon Ibme time in May, and upon the i8th of 
 that month, he advertized the Prefident of his leaving Bcfion, to 
 pay his refpefts to him at the fear of government. This notice 
 of his arrival, and intention of being upon the ground for the 
 purpofe of meeting his enemies, and juftifying his condufcl, muft 
 liave been with the Prefident about the 24th, and within two 
 or three days of this time, a commifiion was made out for Mr. 
 Claiborne ; but ^^ fub rofa." — Upon the 30lh, immediately 
 after his arrival at Waflnngton. the Governor waited upon the 
 Prefident, and was received apparently woxy graoioujly. Pie was 
 furnifhed with a recommendatory addrefs tolMr. Jefferson, 
 by General Knox, under whofe aufpices, and judicioufly pene- 
 tiating obfervation, he had paffed many an ordeal. We take ^ 
 peculiar pfleafure in tranfcribing this juft tribute to luperior me- 
 rit, in this place ; — 
 
 " B<]fcon, 11//1 Mtiy, 1801. 
 
 SIB. 
 
 '•' MY friend Winthro? Sargent, Governor of the MiffifippiTirritcry, 
 u'ill have the honour of prefenting this letter to you. This gentleman ferved 
 under my command, in the revohitionary army, with the higheft approbation of 
 the commander in chief, and of every officer in the army, whofe good opinion 
 was of any value. It is more than one quarter of a century fmce I have been 
 intimate with liim, and I never heard of any aflion of his, but what would ren-r 
 der him honour, in the affeinbled prefcnce of ail created, beings. I know well 
 
 ■ the 
 
tiie loftinels of his mind, and his unaccommodation to every thing mearij h|s 
 treatfd him enemies, aivd wc have ieen accutations brought forward, but not 
 lupported, before the national legiflature. All he afks is lair, iinpre)udiccd in- 
 vcltigation. 1 have allured him moll ftrongly, of that, of which he before had 
 no doubt, that you would molt certainly f'v before you corukmned, and that up- 
 on trial, all being right, ' you would vindicate his honour, and the honour of 
 government, by a re-appointment. 
 
 " I am, wuh high refpeft, and attachment, 
 
 " YouT obedient fcryant. 
 
 •' HENRY KNOX." 
 
 " T 11 o M A s J E F F E R s o N , Prijidcnt oj tht Un ;ud Stales. ' ' 
 
 The Governor took with him alfo, a very honorable tefli- 
 monial, contained in a letter, written by Mr. Ellicot. to Mr, 
 Maddison'. — Long habits of intimacy, and correijpondencc, 
 have put me in poileiTion of copies of many papers, of impor- 
 tance to my friend. I feel impelled to give to thefe letters, all 
 the publicity I cancommand. and although, as has beeahintea, 
 I rifk thofe cenfures from Governor Sargent, and other:, 
 which may be formidable to long eftablifhed attachments ; yet, 
 if the lover of juftice is properly interefted, and informed by 
 my recitals, it will be no inconfiderable compenlation, for indi- 
 vidual crimination. — A copy of Mr. Ellicot's letter imme- 
 diately follow? : — 
 
 " PhiLiddphia, May ^',tk, i8oi. 
 "dear sir, 
 " THIS will be handed you by my friend, Governor Sargent, who, a? 
 well as mylelf, has bcjn abuled and injured by a faftion m the MiJ/iJij-pi Tcrnti-^ 
 ry. — I call it a fr.flioi., btcaule with a I-vv exceptions, it is compoled of the 
 moil abandoned and profligate prrt of tiie (.ommunity, and confifts of Britiflv 
 fubjefts, diiconteuted Americans, aud fugitives from iullice. — If I were capa- 
 ble of making this ?jTertion from conjefture, or animofity, I fhould deem my- 
 felf unworthy your friendfhip, or that of any other American : But I Ipeak, 
 from a knowledge of the people, and from Cocuments which I have either ieen, 
 or have now in my pofrelTion. On the other hand, I Ipeak with the iame confi- 
 dence, and for the fame reafons, when I ailert, that the friends, and iupporters 
 of Goverrior Sargent are, \^-\ih as Jcio exceptions, the moll reipcftable, and 
 heft informed inhabitants ot the territory. My long refidence in that country, 
 during a very critical, and important period, when commotion followed com- 
 motion, and the jurifdiftion of Spain was, for fome time, confined to the nar- 
 row limits of the fort at Kalchez, and at length wholly withdrawn, and thst 
 event, taking place, feveral months before any government wrs extended to that 
 diitrift, by the United States, gave me a better opportunity of being acquainted 
 with the defigns, wifhes, views, and characters of the inhabitants, than has fal- 
 len to the lot of any other perfon. 
 
 " As Mr. Hunter, commonly called Captain Kuntep. , has been the mol^ 
 confpicuous of Gov. SARGEr;T's oppiments, I fliall take the liberty of faying a 
 few words, about fome part of his conduct, which came v* 'thin ray own knowl- 
 edge — In the year 1797 I employed Mr, Hunter to come on to this city, 
 with difpatches to our Executive, On his return, he was loud, and perfever- 
 ing, in hi^ abufeof the whole republican party, in both houfes of Congrefs — 
 and he urged, that the power of the Prefidcnt ought to be omnipotent, or the 
 
goyemment would not be vorih one cent ; and if it was not for Mr, Jiffzs.- 
 iiON, we might be a nation of power, inftesd of a people remarl<.able for weak- 
 nels and imbecility only. His abufe of Mr. Jeffk rson, Gallatin, and 
 the whole republican party, became fp flagrant, and indecent that he had, by z 
 I:int, to ceale vifiting at my hon'^e 
 
 " By pretending to have r.Tcivcd an important appointment, from the late 
 Secretary of War, Mr. M'Henry, he drew a imall fum of money from our 
 commillary, Mr. Andes son, which I believe has not yet been repaid. But 
 there is one piece ol his condu£l, which I fhall mention to you at a convenient 
 opportunity, that for depravity of heart, and proftitution of every moral prin- 
 ciple, equals any thing which has fallen withm the compals of my reading. I 
 fhall dole my oblervations tcfnefling Mr. Hunter, by doing him the juilice 
 to declare, that, in my opinion, many of his party are as bad, if not worle than 
 himself. 
 
 " I HAVE been long acquainted with Governor Sargent, and eftcemedhine 
 as a man of letters and of Icierxe, and believed his integrity to be' unimpeacha- 
 ble. — ^Integrity, and mental acquirements, have at all times commanded my ef- 
 teem, vi^hatever might be the political fei;timents, religious perfuaiion, or nation 
 t,o which the perion belonged. 
 
 "With Governor Sargent's adminiftraticn I sm acquainted; it com- 
 mcnced after I had left the Territory ; but fiom my knowledge of him, of his 
 friends, and of his opponents, particularly the latter, in the country, I am in- 
 clined to think favourably of it ; and am convinced that he, or any other perfoa, 
 would be oppofed, vilified and traduced, by the faftion I iiave already men- 
 tioned, if thty adminiiteied any government (however lenient) which admitted 
 of the liberty of fpeech. 
 
 " Since my return, I have continued to correfpond with my friends in the 
 Milftf-ppi Territory; and afifure you, from information, that there is fcarccly aa 
 inhabitant, whole friendfhip I fhould tliink did me any credit, who does noi 
 approbate the condudt of Governor S.^rgent. 
 
 " On' this fubjeft I have written with freedom, becaufe I fee! a confciouf- 
 nefs of being right. I have i;icd the f^me freedom (and for the lame realon) in 
 defending almolt every individual member of the preleut adminiilration of the 
 United States, againll the attacks of thole, who ^re now the principal opponents 
 of Governor Sargent, in the M/^A/'/? Territory. 
 
 •' Please to accept my beft wiihes for your health and happinefs, and be- 
 lieve me to be, 
 
 " With fmcere efteem and rcfpeft, 
 
 " Your friend and humble fervant. 
 
 « ANDREW ELLICOTT. 
 
 •' HiiH. James Maddison, Secretary of State for the United States." 
 
 May the enemies of Governor Sargent be all like Nas- 
 WORTHY Hunter! May his friends continue advocates for, 
 and lovers of juftice ! 
 
 Upon the morning of the 3tft, Governor Sargent was 
 informed, that a commilTion was attually made out for Mr. 
 Claieorne, appointing him Governor of the Mijfijtppi Terri- 
 tory : — He had previouQy learned, that this imbecile man had 
 given his friends to underftand, that fuch were his profpefts ; — 
 but the Governor had read the inaugural Jpeech—r-Yit was con- 
 
 fcious 
 
ff ious he could perfectly juftify all his official condufl:, even t9 
 Mr. Jefferson, — and he doubted. 
 
 One of the heads of the departments pledged himfelf, that it 
 was not true — that Claiborne never would be Goveriior-^' 
 that it was his own opinion, and that of another gentleman, high 
 in office, (believed to poffeis great influence) — that no parly 
 man, even in the event of his removal, fhould fucceed to that 
 government. Upon the firft of June, when indulged by the 
 Prefident v/ith an audience, he flated, that the great objeftof his 
 voyage to the Atlantic ftates,. and long journey to Wajhingtorij 
 was to r^-eftabiiili a reputation, which had been violently and 
 cruelly alTaiied by a party, at the head of which, and apparently 
 from verv impure motives, was Mr. Claiborne ; a man who 
 had evinced his enmity' towards him as early as '98 ; who had 
 declared himfelf a candidate for the Miffifippi government ; and 
 fince his return to Tennejfee, infinuated that it had been promifed 
 to him — that it was fuggefled a commiffion for him was a6tu- 
 ally made out, which, although the government was not, in 
 a pecuniary poiT\t of view, of much confequence, Would, how- 
 ever, affe£l him very fenfibly, as tending to deprefs all zeal fo;; 
 good order in the country of his refidence, and obviouQy affix 
 the public feal to the volume of calumnies that had been utter- 
 ed — that he wifhed only for an opportunity of making a ftate- 
 inent of all his official proceedings and conduft, which, under 
 the adminiflration of the Prefidents Washington and Adams, 
 liad been honoured with full approbation, and which he per- 
 fuaded himfelf, he, Mr. Jefferson, could not confider as rep- 
 rehenhble — that for this purpofe it was proper he fliould repair 
 to Bojlcm, where he had left papers important to his defence — 
 that the clamours againft his adminiftration had, he verily be- 
 lieved, originated, and been foftered, princinally by a ran- 
 corous Britifli penfioner, refident in the Milfifppi Territory,- 
 
 M H.Jefferson affured the Governor, that irom everything 
 which had come to his view, nothing difhonourable had ever at- 
 tached to his character — that Mr. Claiborne had no authority 
 for innnuating that he was to be the Governor — that no decifive 
 meafures zone, or Jlioidd be taken upon the fubject until he had 
 ample opportunity to make his reprelentations, which he pro- 
 poled to receive through the department of Ttate, and upon which 
 he would beftow his candid and impartial attention. The Pre- 
 fident afked, who difcharged the Governor's duties at the time ? 
 and was aniwered by the Governor, the Secretary, as he himfelf, 
 when Secretary of the North-Wejiern Territory^ had difcharged 
 Governor St, Claip's dvjties. Yet, Ibange as it may feem, at- 
 
 thi^ 
 
this identical moment, a commifTion was aftually made oht for 
 CtAiBbRNE, as Governor, though not publiflied in the Wajh- 
 ihgton paper until the middle of July. Upon the loth of Juncj 
 the Governor waited upon the Prefident, and through the me- 
 dium of his private fecretary, informed him of his intended de- 
 parture, upon the enfuing day, for Bcjion ; and upon the nth 
 he left Waflnngton, having previoully addrefled the following 
 note to the Hon. Mr. Maddison :- — 
 
 " MOST R E S P T C F U L L Y TO M R . MADDISON', 
 
 " SO ioon as Mr. Sargent arrives in iltjlon, he \vill take leave to tranf- 
 mit luch loucliers, tor the propriety of his public conduft, in military and civil 
 Jile, as fhall bring luUeft conviftion to the mind of the Prefident, \.hzt tuherc 
 and zaken he has been ccnfured, there have been, there are no grounds even for 
 fcomplaint ; and that malice vnAj'clf-intcrcfl Itrongly mark the charafters of his 
 hafe caluinniators. From the Prefident's alTurances, and Mr. Maddison's 
 cindour, and vifell known regard to jultice, he pcriuades liimlelf of a relult, 
 ihat fhall be honourable, and congenial to his willies. 
 
 ■' Sundry papers, eiTential to the true repreienlation of Mr. S.\rgent's of 
 ficiai conduft, feem not to be now in the office of State. He wiflics Mr. Mad- 
 tiisoN to perufe a commiiiiication trom Cincinnati, in a private letter to the Se- 
 cretary of State, dated lonietime about the clofe of 1797, upon his re- 
 iuru from the Illinois country, where he had been ordered to quell an i]i- 
 -iirrcttion, and reilorc the regular procefs of the civil la-*, long violently op ■ 
 poled. 
 
 " He wifKes Mr. M.'Iddiso; to perufe his addtefs to the people of theAf^- 
 J'ppi Territory^ at the ellablifliment of government there — letters to the Depart- 
 ment of State of Jane the 15th, Avgii[i 25th, September 5th, and November i2th, 
 toCO ; — alio, June 2t,th, 1799, iome ot which arc not now in the office, but 
 LiUcn, very probably, for the ule of the committee, inquiiinj into his official 
 conduft, and may be with the Clerks of tht Houle of Reprelentatives." 
 
 Upon his arrival in Bojloh he was noticed of hi's dirmifTiOrt 
 from the fervice of a country, to the emolument of which, he 
 had devoted his whole life, by a letter from the Department of 
 Stale ; which letter, and his reply, are here fubjoiued. 
 
 . " Department of State, > 
 
 '■ 7l'<ifiii7!gion, i6tli June, 1801.5 
 
 '• .SIR, 
 
 " In adverting t-i the la^v cnnflituting thfc govcfnmtnt of the Mijifppi Ter- 
 rifafyi it appears that theSv'cretary thereof is authorifed to difcharge the Extcu- 
 SJvc duties, in no *ther caies than thole of the death, removal, reiignation, or 
 aecelfary ablenr e of the Governor, It follows that fmce the expiration of your 
 term, on the 7th of Ma\'. no provifion exiRs for the emergency, and that it bc- 
 iiromes the duty of the Prefident to lupply the vacajicy with as little delay as 
 jioffible. The various, and lonie of them delicate confiderations, which at pre- 
 ient mingle theiulelves with the dchgiiation of tlie individual fur this purpofc, 
 Iiavc rendered it expedient, in the judgement of the Prciider.t, that the ftation 
 fliould be filled by anotlier than yourlclf, whofe ad?niRiitration, with whatever 
 inerit'-irlous intentions concluded, iias not been io iortunateas to kcure the gen- 
 eeil l^armony, and ti<.e mutual auachmcnt betv.'ccn the people and the pubii-; 
 
 finiftionnrief 
 
fLi£lionaries, fd particularly neceffary for the profperlty and happinefs of an ir.= 
 fant eftablifliment. 
 
 ♦« In communicating this determination, I have the pleafure to be aathoriztd 
 by the Prefident, to add, that lie wilhes it to be underftood, as not conveying 
 any definitive opinion whatever with relpeftto your officialor perional conduft 
 which might wound your feelings, or throw a blot on your charafter. 
 
 " With great refpeft and elleem, I have the honor to be, Sir, your moft obe* 
 4jent fervant, 
 
 <« JAMES MADISON.'* 
 
 THE ANSWER, 
 
 ■" Eojlon, yune 29th, 1803, 
 SIR. 
 •* THE hard ferviccs of a life which has been unceafmgly devoted to my 
 country, and the fatigues of the late journey to Wajhington, for the puroofe of re« 
 moving unfavorable imprefTions towards my adminillratibn, incapacitated me 
 from returning here, with that diipatch I fcould have wiflied, and pollponed 
 the receipt of your letter, to the laft evening. 
 
 " Mr. Jefferson's »«c(r?.7 determination to fuperfede me will ji^fyTaVn/ia/A; 
 ^ronfirm all the cruel calumnies that have been uttered ; and the appointment of 
 Mr. Claiborne, whofe motives for i'o illiberally wounding my fame are fuUy 
 linderftood, muft produce " not general harmony and mutual attachment be- 
 tween the people and the public fun£lionaries of the Mijijifpi Territory^ i'o par- 
 ticularly neceHary for the profperityand happinefs of annifant eftablilhment" 
 
 which ieems the avowed motive, but the very reverfe ; and either proftrate all 
 zeal for good, and orderly government, within the territory, or continue the 
 moft difcordant, and baleful paflions. 
 
 *• The Committee, ordered by Congrefs to inquire into my ofiicfal condufV 
 reported (as I leam by newspaper publications) that there did rot appear caufe- 
 for further proceedings upon the matters of complaint againft my adminiflra- 
 Jion ; — zuhich report has, it feems, been rejefted, thus continuing me the fubjeft 
 of moft malicious afperfion. 
 
 " The rejefting this report upon my official conduft is prefumed by my 
 friends, and myfelf, to have been good and lufficient ground for reappointment 
 as prefenting the only favorable mode for profecuting a fair, juft, and candid in- 
 quiry, if [uch alone had been the objeft. 
 
 " The moft refpeftable charafters of the Mijijippi. Territory, and gentlemen 
 whofe honour, and whole veracity have never yet been called in queflion, have 
 come forward to Mr. Jefferson, with teftimonies highly honourable to my 
 adminiftration. They have in ftrong language exprefTed a " confidence and a 
 hope, that I ftiouldmeet from the general government, with that reception which 
 was due to long and meritorious iervires ;" — not removal froman office, which 
 I (hall take care to eftablifh, has been adminiftered always, with the ftrifteil im* 
 partiality, and a view to the public good. 
 
 " Mr. Jefferson himfelf declared tomcat WaJIiington, that from every 
 thing which had been exhibited againft me, nothing difhonourable, in his view 
 had attached to my charsfter. " That no appointment fhould be m?de to the 
 MiJJifippi Territory, until I had had an ample opportunity, of making unto him 
 through your department, a full ftatement of my adminiilration, and fervices' 
 ■Which fliculd Kceive his impartial and candid attention. ' 
 
 E «' This 
 
 =;LifC. 
 
*' This affuranc?, from fo high authority, and fo eflcntial to ir,y rfeputation, I 
 received in full faitli and confidence; — my dilappointn:ents rt your notice are 
 proportioned tlieitto, and attended with the very unpleafant feniations of mif- 
 trult and dillruit ; — the bane of all government, and zvkich -will fometinies ob- 
 trude themtelves, to even the bell dilpofed minds, upon much Icfs intereiUng 
 occaliorts. 
 
 *' The gevernment of the Miffif.ppi Territory of confequence to me only, as I 
 allured the Prefident, iii the periuafion that my immediate removal, might hav^ 
 a tendency to proftrate good order, and laudable zeal in the country of my refi- 
 dence, is become lels delirable, by the continued difpofition to bellow it on Iilr. 
 Clayborne ; and as my official reputation ieems of very little confequence to 
 the Prelideiit, the ftatcmcnt which I was to have the honor of making him, 
 through your department, I (hall poilpoiu; to the feffion of the honourable Se- 
 nate of the United States. 
 
 " I HAVE the honour to be, Sir, with very refpeflfulefteem, your mod obe- 
 dient humble lervant, 
 
 WINTHROP SARGENT." 
 
 flonourable Mr. Madison. 
 
 Upon the 27th of June, his removal was ftill a fecret, as ap- 
 pears from the following letter, received from a confidential 
 friend, of very refpeftable information, then at the leat of gov- 
 ej-nment :— ;- 
 
 ^^ -City of Wajlivigton, June ZTl.'t, 1801. 
 " Dear Sir, 
 " I ARRIVED at this place a few days after I faw you laft, and was cor- 
 dially received by Mr. JEFFERSON, and the Secretaries of the feveral depart- 
 ments. 1 have had two long audiences, one of which occupied the greater part 
 of a day ; the heads of departments beinj all prelent. I am inclined to believe 
 my communications will have ionj'e effeft. 
 
 " There appears to me a well grounded hope, that your bufinefs will ter- 
 minste favi;urably to yourlcif. nnd to your reputation. 1 have been very lengthy 
 upon that fubjefl-, both to the Prefident, and to the Secretary of State. It is 
 pofltble, th-Tt from a conlciouineis of being right, and having nothing in view 
 but the good of my country, I may be too lan^uine ; and if this fliould appear 
 to be the cafe, I will give you the earlicll intimation. My docuincnts have 
 changed the opinions of feveral gentlemen of refpedabllity, and I can fee no 
 r^alon v/hv t'.iey (hould not have lome weight with our e.xecutive. 
 
 " Believe me to be your Ancerc friend and humble lervant," &c. £:c. 
 
 V/e proceed to tranfcribe Gov. S.'s refponfes to this letter: 
 
 " £ojlo7>, July -jtJi, i8oi, 
 " Dear Sir, 
 •' I IIECP:IVED your favour of the 27th ult. this morning. — I told you, 
 and I told you truly, thnt Mr. Jefferson had pro/rJfed me he would make no 
 appointment to the Mtf/ifippi Territory, until he had received my Uaiement, &c. 
 In this I could not miftake, for I committed our converiation to paper, im- 
 mediately after leaving him. As I owe the fulleil confidence to your Iriaid- 
 fhip, I iubioin a copy of a letter from Mr. Madison, written foon after my 
 departure from WaJlnngUm. 
 
 '• I CANNOT but take into view, that accmmi/fion was made out for Mr. 
 C'.aiborne before ray arrival at the feat of government, and juft about the 
 
 time 
 
[-35-1 
 
 Mine I advertifed Mr. Jefferson that I had reached Bojiov — that I was «c- 
 ticed I fliould aftually be reappointed, by the letter which I fliewed unto you, 
 and in another, which I have lately received here, via OfUar.s— that in all thp 
 inquiry into my official condutl, 1 have never been commanded, nor even per- 
 mitted, to attend ; but tied down to my own country, to the return of peace, ■ 
 and the very moment of my leaving it-r-tbat much of my communication, par- 
 ticularly Colonel Clark's long letter, had never been Icen by gentlemen of 
 Congrels, as they have affured me, and which they deeiri highly honourable to 
 my adminiftration ; — from all which confidcrstjons, I have but too much rea~ 
 fon to believe, there has long been a premeditated defign to iupercede mc-.-and 
 to give the bufineis tht go by without fair invelligation. 
 
 "An impartial attention to niiy iervices, and to the accufations sgainft me, 
 •would have brought fulleil convidtion to the mind of Mr. jEFFtR^ox, that t 
 have been always in the way of endeavouring to do well — that tny life has been 
 of peril, incelTant fatigues, and zealous devotion to my country ; for which I 
 have, at times, endured the moll mortifymg penury, and that my calumniators 
 are interelted, bale, and defigning men. 
 
 " But, by Mr. Madison's letter, the bufinefs feems for the prefcnt at an 
 end. Indeed, a reappointment would not now be acceptable, without an am- 
 |>le, and avowed exoneration, in the mind of the Prefident. 
 
 " The office, as I haveobferved to Mr. Jeffersok, and to you, is not de- 
 firable in a pecuniary point of view ; and I truft and hope, for the fake of my 
 country, that unfair and uncandid reinovals may end with me. 
 
 " I HAVE been, of late. North and South. — The difcontents and murmurs 
 arc great and mighty ; and at iome appointmcuts all parties Hand abafhed. — 
 God only knows where it may end. 
 
 " I SHALL make a full Ifatement, fo far as I am implicated, for my friends, 
 and perhaps for the public— retire to my own country— and endeavour to live 
 in peace. 
 
 '■ Accept my fincere regards, and good wilhes, and believe nie, always, 
 your obliged friend and humble fervant. 
 
 WINTHROP SARGENT." 
 
 We make no comment upon the JaEis obvioufly eftablifhed 
 in the foregoing letters — they are not very material to the char- 
 after of Governor Sargent ; but if they demonftrate duplici- 
 ty, and departure from the facred obligations of Truth, Juftice, 
 zndPromiJe J they are high crimes committed againft our coun- 
 try. 
 
 Governor S.^rgent candidly obfcrves, that when he in- 
 formed the Prefident, the Secretary was to difcharge the Gover- 
 nor's duties, as he had done, in the North-Weflern Territory, he 
 did not make any particular reference to the lapfe of the Gover- 
 nor's commiilion there, throughout a complete feiTion of Con- 
 grefs. He believed that it muit have been fully underflood, or an 
 explanation would have been demanded ; and that it was under- 
 flood, there can be little doubt : But if otherwile, and, frbm 
 ignorance, the Prefident was in a dilemma:, he fliould have con- 
 iidendpromifi as facred. He might have made the appointment — 
 ivowed as the motive opportunity for continuing the inveftiga- 
 
 tion I 
 
[-36-] 
 
 tisn ; and if tlie accufed had been convi£led of nothing but tuelt 
 doing, have difmiffed him for being a Federal Governor, S\ich 
 a procedure might, perhaps, by ihoie who are zveak enough to 
 advocate the caufe of Jujlicc and of Merit, been deemed wrong 
 •"-but it would have been more confiftent— more in the flyl- of 
 true jfacobin principles^ and INFURIATE MAN. 
 
 ERRATA —In page 19, iQth line, for " improvement," read advanta^a.^- 
 Inpage 2a, line igth, for *' a man," read " the man," 
 
 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
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