n* •*•'•♦ **o 
 
 v * >>. • » • <u 
 
 ^o* 
 
 
 
 O AV * 
 
 V . « • 
 
 <V - « • o „ > ^- 
 
 
 
 *-<& 
 
 
 
 .0* .•'-'-•« *o. 
 
 
 
 ■• ^^ 
 
 
 
 
 > 
 
 v *^^ J. ~ 
 
 VV 
 
 .0 ^ 
 
 
 A > « H A Ok . .V 
 
 
 
 : ^o* 
 
 ^<^ .i 
 
 
 
 •P v ,c v ^L% '°c 
 
 ^°-_ -BBS* > ^. v 
 
 ^°. 
 
 o_ s 
 
 
 "*£s A*^ 
 
 

 <> "'TYi 1 .0* 
 
 V J? 
 
 V «K 
 
 
 w 
 
 
 <^ * . . o ' . V. 
 
 
 % 
 
 
 ^o* 
 
 ♦<*-♦♦ .*ata W .-sssea;-. ^ 
 
 
 
 A 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 >^^--^ ^\^i:./V .^\^^Lv^ >°»;^-.% 
 
LETTERS OF WILLIAM BARRY GROVE 
 
 u 
 
 EDITED BY 
 
 Henry McGilbert Wagstaff 
 
 i 
 
LETTERS OF WILLIAM BARRY GROVE 
 
 Herewith are presented some letters, hitherto unpublished, of 
 William Barry Grove to James Hogg. Grove, a native of Fay ette- 
 ville, represented his district in Congress from 1791 to 1803. His 
 friend and correspondent, James Hogg, a merchant, formerly 
 resided in Fayetteville also, doing business in that town and in 
 Wilmington. At the date of this correspondence he lived in Hills- 
 boro. The letters cover the decade 1792-1802. Since they are 
 few in number and scattered irregularly through the period they 
 should be used only in connection with the Grove Letters (.also to 
 James Hogg) which have been edited and published by Dr. K. P. 
 Battle in the Sprunt Monograph No. 3, 1902. These cover the 
 same period and are complementary to those herewith presented. 
 It is believed that the two series together make up the complete 
 list of Grove's letters to Hogg while a member of Congress, The 
 whole collection should prove valuable, historically, in that they 
 portray the feelings and actions of a Southern Federalist at a time 
 of high party tension in our national councils; this aside from 
 their value as giving a more or less intimate view of the problems 
 confronting the federal government, its hopes and fears, during the 
 infancy of the Republic. 
 
 For an extended sketch of both Grove and Hogg sec the James 
 Sprunt Historical Monograph No. 3, 1902. 
 
 To James Hogg. 
 
 Phila. 20th Apl, 1792. 
 Dear Sir 
 
 The Session is drawing to a close & I hope the time is near at 
 hand when I shall see all my friends in Carolina, nevertheless as 
 Mr. Hunt' is going immediately to Hillsboro I cant omit writing 
 
 1 Probably Memucan Hunt, of Granville, member of the first North Caro- 
 lina Provincial Congress which met at Newbern August 25. 1774 to organize 
 
43 James Sprunt Historical Publications 
 
 you a few lines on the subject of Locks — Canals &c ; I have agree- 
 ably to your desire 2 made particular enquiry respecting the form 
 and materials proposed for Locks to be used in the navigation in 
 this State, and from all I can learn either from a model which I 
 have examined, or the conversation of some persons here who are 
 skilled in that kind of work, our Lock gate &c. is on exactly the 
 same plan & principles, We only differ as to the materials for the 
 Lock, Stone is plenty here and to be used altogether — I refer you 
 to the papers for the Political news; in one of these you will see a 
 communication between Mr. "Jefferson and Mr. Hammond 3 res- 
 pecting the operation and intention of a certain clause of the Brit- 
 ish Navigation act: I judge some neg Delations are going on between 
 The Plenipo. and The Secry. the nature of which are unknown; 
 some private inquireys have been made by the Secry. of the Dele- 
 gation of No. C. which induces this belief in me, I Avish they may 
 terminate to the interests and satisfaction of both Countries. 
 
 1 apprehend that nothing can be done this Session in Western 
 Land Business, 4 or indeed with the Merchants Memor., 5 both sub- 
 jects are attended with circumstances perplexing to Congress — 
 You may have heard that the L. House is to be finished, and that 
 
 resistance to England ; also member of the Provincial Congress that met at 
 Halifax, November 12, 1776, and formed the State Constitution. 
 
 2 Hogg was a member of the North Carolina Canal Company organized 
 and chartered for the purpose of making the Cape Fear River navigable to 
 the junction of the Haw and Deep rivers in the county of Chatham. It was 
 a visionary scheme and part of the general plan of canal construction 
 which amounted almost to a rage at this date, 1790-1800. See McMaster's 
 History of the People of the United States, IT., 74-75. 
 
 3 British Minister to the United States. Jefferson was Secretary of State 
 in Washington's first cabinet. 
 
 4 James Hogg, Grove's correspondent, was a member of the Transylvania 
 Land Company which assumed to buy of the Cherokee Indians an immense 
 tract of country making up a part of the present states of Kentucky and Ten- 
 nessee, hence he was vitally interested in the extinguishment of the Indians' 
 claims by the U. S. Government. A petition from the company to this end 
 rested before Congress in 1792-93. The sale was finally declared illegal by 
 the States of North Carolina and Virginia though at the same time the com" 
 pany was allowed a compensation of 200,000 acres by way of compromise. 
 
 5 North Carolina merchants had suffered the loss of a certain cargo, in 
 part slaves, that had drifted ashore upon one of the Bahamas and there con- 
 
James Sprunt Historical Publications 49 
 
 the District Fedl. Court is to sit at Wilmington alternately wh. 
 Newborn A; Edenton. The Indian business 6 has made it neces- 
 sary -to increase the duties on importation 2-£ p Ct.; I suspect in 
 these kind of matters two & two will not always make four: I con- 
 fess I think commerce is already pretty well burthened. Be so 
 good as remember me to all friends in and about Hillsboro. 
 I am 
 
 Dear Sir 
 
 with respect & Esteem 
 
 Your very Hum St 
 
 W. B. Grove 
 
 To James Hogg. 
 
 Phila. Jany. 21st, 1795 
 Dear Sir 
 
 About a fortnight ago the Deeds & papers respect- 
 ing your Indian purchase came forward, cv at same time I reed, 
 yours of the first Decemr. on the subject' — the first opportunity 
 was embraced to bring forward the Petition &c they were referred 
 as usual to a Committee viz Mr. Smith S. Carolina, Mr. Blount, 2 
 Mr Carnes Georgia, & two others who reported they conceived the 
 claim of the Transylvania Company's rested on the same ground 
 & principle that other claims for Lands in our Western Country, 
 
 fiscated by the British authorities. The parties interested in the merchan- 
 dise petitioned Congress to secure compensation but seem never to have been 
 successful. 
 
 6 The Western Indians defeated General St. Clair on the Wabash River in 
 the Northwest Territory, Nov. 3, 1791, causing general alarm in the whole 
 western country. To provide a war fund Congress increased the duties on 
 imports and sent out Mad Anthony Wayne to chastise the Indians. 
 
 1 Hoge's interest in the Transylvania hand Company has been explained 
 in a former note. Grove was a warm advocate of the claims of the Com- 
 pany. This letter within itself very clearly outlines the nature of the Com- 
 pany's claims and the nature of its activities up to 1795. 
 
 2 Thomas Blount, member of Congress from North Carolina 1793-1799; 
 1803-1800; 1811-1812. He was a brother of Wm. Blount of Tennessee, sena- 
 tor from that state and expelled by the senate July 8, 1797, for exciting hos- 
 tile incursions against Spain in the Louisiana Territory. 
 
50 James Sprunt Historical Publications 
 
 which had been ceded to theUn. States, & therefore that the Peti- 
 tion &c. of the Compy. should be referred to the Committee of the 
 whole House who had under consideration the Subject of the Peti- 
 tion of Thomas Person 3 & others with certain Resolutions of the 
 North Carolina Legislature — Mr Macon 4 & myself were of a differ- 
 ent opinion, & he stated the reasons why the claims of the Com- 
 pany & other holders of Land in the Western Country differed 
 from each other in some important points; but they were referred 
 without any Special Reports and are now before the Committee of 
 the whole House with the other claims of our State for La mis in 
 the Territory ceeded to the Cherokees; What the fate of the busi- 
 ness will be is quite uncertain, tho I assure you, I fear not favour- 
 able. 
 
 An opinion is very generally entertained here that North Caro- 
 lina had no good right to sell those Lands untill the Indian rights 
 had been fairly purchased, or extinguished, and the Members from 
 the State are not in possession of any Document to prove that has 
 been done, since the Treaty held by authority of the State at Long 
 Island of Holstein in May 1777 — whereby the Indians seem to 
 have been much favoured by the Boundary lines, & Treated with 
 as a Free & Independent People — That Treaty of 1777 & the Hope- 
 well Treaty were less favourable to the Whites, than the late 
 Treaty at Holstein by Govr. Blount, and therefore say many of 
 the Members of Congress the right of the Company's purchase in 
 1775 was affected by the Treaty of No. Carolina in 1777, and 
 therefore No. C. should settle the affair with the Company, A: that 
 the grant from the State to the Coy. in 1783-1 for 200,000 acres of 
 that Land which the State had actually in 1777 guaranteed by 
 Treaty to the Cherokees, could not he a good grant, untill the In- 
 dian boundaries was altered by Treaty to include that Land ; or 
 untill the State had some better right to it than a Law (of one 
 party only) — 
 
 It is true we have' no evidence of consent on the part of the In- 
 
 3 Thomas Person, of Granville, likewise had a state grant of land in the 
 limits of the present State of Tennessee. 
 
 4 Nathaniel Macon, M. C. from North Carolina, was the leader of the 
 Republican party in North Carolina and exceedingly influential in Congress. 
 
James Sprunt Historical Publications 51 
 
 dians to renlenguish any part of the Lands Becured to them in 
 
 1777 — and here we must insist on the right & Custom of Conquest 
 after 77, in consequence of a Violation on the part of theCherokees 
 of that very Treaty of 1777; & urge the Law of No Carolina passed 
 in 1783 — for opening the Land office & declaring the Indian 
 boundaries & hunting grounds — as the terms of the Conquerers — 
 that this Law is neither against the Laws of Justice or Nations, 
 that tis only taking into possession & preparing for Cultivation a 
 Territory within the Chartered Limits of the Slate not actually 
 occupied by Men — & to defray the expenses of the War against 
 the Natives who were leagued with the Common Enemy — that 
 regard & proper attention to the Natives are not neglected in as 
 much as a tract of Country nearly 200 miles by 40 is reserved for 
 them including nearly all their actual places of residence &c &c 
 &c— I cannot here omit saying that in my opinion the State of 
 No. C. had it fully in her power before the Cession to Congress to 
 have put every discussion or argument of this Subject out of the 
 question — That Henderson & Co. did fairly extinguish the Indian 
 claims to the Lands named in the Deeds appears to me clear 
 enough, but whether the titles to these lands could with propriety 
 Vest in them is a question I cant pretend to decide fully — if the 
 title however did not vest In them, it surely did in the Community 
 or State of which they were Members or Citizens Viz No. Ca. and 
 they should have been fully ((• generously compensated for such 
 eminent Service to the Community, and that community should 
 have enjoyed the advantages of the enterprize of their fellow Citi- 
 zens — but I believe our State declared the purchase of the Coy. 
 Void, and did not pretend to derive any advantage from it — this 
 was perhaps wrong. When our Troops marched into & subdued 
 these Cherokees in 1776, 80 or 81 — after they had broken the 
 Treaty of 1777 there might most certainly have been obtained by 
 Consent (through fear) some acknowledgment from them, either 
 that they would remain at Peace under the Protection ofN. Carolina, 
 or that they would agree the line fixed in 1777 should be so far 
 altered as to pay for the expenses of the War with Lands to the 
 West of that line — Nothing of this kind was done on the part of 
 No. C. whilst So. Carolina availed herself of that state of things to 
 
52 ' James Sprunt Historical Publications 
 
 substantiate claims for some of her Western Country — We have to 
 encounter with another great difficulty in ascertaining how and 
 where the several treaty lines run, & those lines in the Compy's 
 deed on Powell & Holstein Rivers to point out the part & probable 
 quantity of Land included in the Cession to the Cherokees at the 
 late Treaty — We have a map of the So. Ws. Territory made by 
 Doer. Williamson 5 from materials furnished by Genl Smith of 
 Cumberland as tis said, but all persons who know anything of 
 Powell River, Valley & mountains — Holstein, Cloud Creek &c &c 
 assert that the Map is most incorrect as respects that part of the 
 Country in particular — Which you will see is a great misfortune 
 as in that quarter all the Treaty Boundaries & purchases begin — 
 and it is in that country where the Company's 200,000 acres are 
 granted — I think your grant or patent should have been forward- 
 ed & the Law of the State granting the same — It being private is 
 not in Iredells Revisal which is only lately discovered — the sever- 
 al arguments and objections which I have stated to our claims & 
 rights are only those which in private conversation have been off- 
 ered, and I mention them to give you some idea of what may be 
 expected in a Public discussion 
 
 You may be assured that all the Members from the State will do 
 what they can towards effecting Justice to the Company & all 
 others claiming Lands under the State But between ourselves so 
 great and important a Subject should have very able, Learned & 
 Eloquent advocates, this (again between ourselves, as you don't 
 know it — ) is Not the case I fear — don't suppose I mean any 
 demerit to the Del n, 6 1 am certain we all mean well, but you 
 
 5 Dr. Hugh Williamson, of North Carolina, member of the Philadelphia 
 Conventien that framed the Federal Constitution ; member of the Congress 
 of the Confederation from 1784 to 1787; member of Congress from 1790 to 
 1793. Dr. Williamson was a physician, naturalist, and historian. For an 
 extended sketch of this interesting personality see Wheeler's History of North 
 Carolina, II., 91, et seq. 
 
 6 Delegation from North Carolina in the halls of Congress. Evidently 
 Grove wishes to transfer the burden of the canipany's interests from the 
 shoulders of the North Carolina delegation to the hands of counsel paid by 
 the company : yet he does not wish it to appear that he is not zealous for his 
 constituents' interests. 
 
James Sprunt Historical Publications 53 
 
 know better than I can tell you what one might say of us all: a 
 Man may be very capable of judging & forming a tolerable just idea 
 & determination on a subject when he hears all the arguments, 
 takes all the evidence that may be offered, who would make a bad 
 hand of stating & sinning up all these arguments with decency — 
 In short one may be an Excellent Jury man, who would be a bad 
 advocate or Lawyer — and a number of reasons seem to impress 
 me with a belief that the subject of our claims are more properly 
 a Judicial question, than a matter of Legislative interference, in 
 the first instance Was there any Court Competent to the Subject — 
 
 You shall hear from me as soon as anything is done in this busi- 
 ness, & therefore shall proceed to other matters of Congressional 
 deliberation &c 
 
 We have passed a Law for raising the pay of the Militia to 6 2-3 
 Dollars per Month when called into service I hope & believe there 
 may be few occations to trouble them — but you recollect there 
 was much uneasiness on this subject last summer in our State. 7 
 Some further Amendmants are proposed to the Militia Law — in- 
 cluding a proposition of arming those Citizens who are not able to 
 purchase & equip themselves &c — a Bill has passed our House 
 amending the Naturalization Law, 8 prolonging the time of Resi- 
 dence to 5 years before Aliens can become Citizens and to make 
 Noblemen & others holding titles in Europe renounce such titles 
 before they are admitted to the rights of Citizens — these amend- 
 ments have been brought forward & advocated under the impress- 
 ion that most of the Emigrants to this Country at this time & per- 
 haps for some time to come, are very highly charged with one or 
 other of two political manias — the spirit of Aristocracy or of anar- 
 chy — both have indeed been in some cases evident — but I confess 
 I was not so fully impressed with the Necessity or policy of this 
 Law as seemed to be generally the case with the Members — altho 
 there are & may be some such Characters, I am persuaded the 
 
 7 Caused by the general opposition to the federal Excise Law, culminating 
 in Pennsylvania in the so-called "Whiskey Rebellion" in 1794, the summer 
 previous to the date of this letter. 
 
 8 This Amended Naturalization Bill passed into law and was approved 
 January 29, 1795. 
 
54 James Sprurd Historical Publications 
 
 good sense of the whole will never give way to their follies, and 
 mad views I feared such a Law might check the spirit of Emegra- 
 tion to this Country, which in my opinion for a Century to come 
 should be encouraged by every reasonable means; I am led to this 
 impression the more strongly by being a Southern Man ; 9 tho many 
 differ with me as to the policy of this Subject — 
 
 A very important subject is under consideration as respects the 
 whole community, tis the forming and establishing a Systematick 
 plan by Law for paying off and Sinking the Public debt 10 — I think 
 it will be done, & if we remain at peace & our Revenues continue 
 increasing as for 2 years past & Government not extravagant, the 
 whole may be paid in 12 years, by redemption & purchase on the 
 part of Govert. without one penny additional tax — then being out 
 of debt the Government will have no excuse to continue any 
 Revenue Law" which may be thought impolitic or injurious — I 
 confess myself in favor of applying every nerve of the Governt. 
 towards melting down that Public debt which hangs over us, & 
 which has in many cases been considered as a Colossus of Specu- 
 lation 12 which had infused itself into the Administration of our 
 Federal Counsils to the dishonour &c. of C - gr — Whether this be 
 true, or not is not in my power to answer but I fear there has been 
 too much reason to found such an opinion on and from my heart 
 as a Man, as a friend to Justice, to the Constitution & the Peace of 
 my Country, I lament it — and the sooner the possibility of such 
 
 9 (Trove was singularly clear-sighted as to the needs of his own section, 
 though the vision of many of his compatriots had already begun to be 
 obscured by the incubus of slavery. 
 
 10 Upon the meeting of the 4th Congress in March, 1795, it was found that 
 the Republicans were in a majority in the lower house, quite a safe one at 
 first. This majority determined upon retrenchment in public finance as a 
 rebuke to the Federalist party. Grove, despite his ardent Federalist princi- 
 ples, sympathized with this purpose of his party opponents and lent it his 
 encouragement. Temporarily defeated, the plan was resumed when Jeffer- 
 son became president in 1801. 
 
 11 A reference to the federal Excise Law, passed by Congress May 8, 1702, 
 and repealed by the Republican Congress in 1802. 
 
 12 The assumption of State debts by the federal government daring the 
 first Congress gave rise to much speculation in the public securities that to a 
 degree cast discredit upon Hamilton's wise financial policy. 
 
James Sprunt Historical Publications 55 
 
 an influence (if it does exist,) is removed the better — and there- 
 fore instead of Indian Wars &c Let us pay our Debts — and make 
 a fair start — for so far as I am capable of judging from experience 
 in our own Country, and reading of others — I think a large Pub- 
 lic debt the very opposite to a Public Blessing — 
 
 I make no doubt you partake in the general anxiety respecting 
 the result of our Demand &c at the Court of St. James, 13 & at the 
 Silence of the President on that subject he having not laid before 
 either House one Syllable of Mr Jay's Communication — Some 
 here think this amiss in him, but perhaps while the business is in 
 a fair train & nearly completed it might be improper to disclose 
 parts— therefore We are on the top of hope & expectation that all 
 things are well, & like to be better in a little time — before the 
 Sessn. closes we must know everything, or — the public mind will 
 begin to despaii — If events in Europe can have any influence on 
 the British Court ( & 1 confess to think they must have important 
 effects ) these events seem to favour our Expectations to obtain all 
 our Just demands — 
 
 I have seen a letter of the 2d. Nov. from a Merchant of Conse- 
 quence in London to one of that kind here, which enters into 
 detail of the nature & objects of Negoceation between the British 
 & American Ministers, he says Commissrs. are to be appointed to 
 fix on the Boundary to the No. Es. as fixed in the Treaty viz to 
 determine on the proper River St Croix — that all our Western 
 Forts are to be immediately delivered to us — that Commissrs. are to 
 assertain the loss of Negroes actually taken by the British during the 
 War & payment made — that all kinds of impediment are to be 
 removed respecting the payment & recovery of old British debts — 
 and that we are to have a free trade to the Ws. Indies for Vessels 
 of or under 120 tons — altho all these things are probable, politic, 
 & just as respects both Nations, remember tis Merchants News — 
 
 13 John Jay, of New York, had been sent to England in May 1794 to ne- 
 gotiate a treaty of commerce with that country and to settle all outstanding 
 differences left over from 'lie Peace of Paris in 1783. As is well known, the 
 treaty when finally effected was entirely unsatisfactory to the bulk of opinion 
 in this country, yet the Federalist party, in an extra session of the Senate, 
 was strong enough to force its ratification despite the storm of protest 
 throughout the country. 
 
56 James Sprunt Historical Publications 
 
 that I may have the pleasure of Conferming it all & more from 
 official information before the 3 of March is my Sincere prayer — 
 That Prusia has solicited and obtained Peace with the French 
 Republic 14 Is Confermed from all quarters — that Spain & Germany 
 are Negotiating to that end with the French is also most certain — 
 that the States of Holland are Willing & must accept any terms is 
 evident for the French are nearly in Possession of their Whole 
 Country — The French begin to treat the Conquered People with 
 the strictest Justice & respect, & propose to grant the request of 
 the States of Holland, upon their, in every respect detaching them- 
 selves from England & its interest — Indeed it seems to be the 
 whole bent of the Convention & Nation of France to establish the 
 River Rhine as the extent and boundary of the Republic & to have 
 Peace with all the World but their old Rival and Enemy Gr Brit- 
 ain, who it seems they are Resolved to have one fair Campaign 
 with, perhaps with a view of paying that Nation in coin, as to dic- 
 tating a Form of Government for them — What the consequences 
 and results of all these transactions will come to the L — d only 
 knows — but I hope the Spirit of Moderation & humanity which 
 seems at present predominant in the Convention may bring about 
 a Speedy & glorious Peace to the advantage of the real liberty & 
 happeness of Mankind, in those Nations more particularly where 
 the reverse has been too prevalent. 
 
 That the French meditate some attack on G. B. and the Ws. 
 Indies seems the more probable, from the circumstance, that the 
 Paris papers say the Govt, are aware that too many of their Vast 
 armies should not be discharged at once & brought into the Body 
 of the Nation, before all things on a firm & proper basis are form- 
 ed on a Constitution & Laws &c. and therefore to humble the pride 
 &c &c of the British Court may be a proper object of Employment 
 
 14 The Republic of France, established September 2, 1792, was now rapid- 
 ly moving along that aggressive course which was to lead the nation into con- 
 flict with all Europe and was finally to culminate in Waterloo, 1815. All 
 public men in America were profoundly interested in European affairs during 
 all this period, and especially in that the influences of the European conflict 
 created the largest political problems of the young American Republic dur- 
 ing its first quarter century of life. 
 
James' 'Sprunt Historical Publication* 57 
 
 of a half a million or so of their brave Sans Ctdottes IS — This may 
 prove an obstinate and Vexatious Job to them for altho John Bull 
 has been shamefully treated in this War, & much of his treasure 
 exhausted yet if all his family cv: Connections unite and make War 
 their object without regard to Commerce as the French have done, 
 they would make a formidable and dredfuU resistance — 
 
 For my own part I dont think tis the real Intert. of America 
 that the Navy of Gr. Britain should be so formadable as it is, for 
 it makes them very arrogant & dictatorial to People they have no 
 business with, & therefore I wish that part of their force lessened — 
 
 Yet remember I should not like even our friends the French, to 
 have a Very decided Superiority on the ocean to all other Nations 
 in War Ships, and therefore I believe it would not be amiss for 
 them to distroy each others Floating War Machines down to a 
 moderate number — the Peace, Happiness, & Expenses of their 
 own People would be bettered by such an event — and the Ameri- 
 cans would have less to fear of either, of their future ambition or 
 mad projects — 
 
 I now thank you for your favr. of the 2d. Jany from Hillsboro — 
 the former part of this letter answers it so far as respects the Land 
 business. 
 
 I assure you I feel much obliged "for the acct. you gave me of the 
 affair between Bob & [One word illc, ible] by same post that 
 brt. your last. Mr Taylor' from Raleigh just mentioned some- 
 thing of the affair, in a slight & hasty manner, which would have 
 made me very uneasy but for your letter, giving a full account of 
 the cause & manner of Bob's attack on his old tutor;' 7 however 
 from your information of the business I approve of Bob's conduct, 
 only that he did not I fear give the Fellow a sufficient drubbing — 
 
 15 A name of reproach and ridicule conferred by the French aristocrats 
 upon those belonging to the extreme republican party, the members of which 
 had rejected short breeches, as an article of dress peculiar to the Upper 
 clrsses. 
 
 16 John Louis Taylor, of Fayetteville, (Trove's home, is very probably 
 meant here. lie was a member of the State Commons in 1792, 1793, 1794; 
 in 1798 he was elected a judge of the Superior Court, and in 1818 a judge of 
 the Supreme Court. 
 
 17 I have been unable to determine who was Bob or his tutor. 
 
58 James Sprunt Historical Publications 
 
 for surely there could not have been in my mind a Baser, more 
 brutal, unmanly behaviour than your account of [One word illegi- 
 ble] conduct — to be sure the Fellow is lost to every sense of De- 
 cency and I hope all who have any pretentions to it will treat him 
 accordingly — 
 
 I ask pardon for this Long letter, when I sit down to write or 
 taulk to you, I generally forget how the time passes until the Bell 
 rings — Be so good as remember me with respectful compliments to 
 all my Female friends & acquaintances in Hillsboro; and say to 
 any of my acquaintances among the Gentlemen that I should be 
 glad to hear from them — 
 
 Pray how does Mr. Ker' a go on at Chapel Hill and is things like 
 to do well there ; the more I think of that Seminary & the State of 
 our Country I mean No. C. — the more anxiou" T am for its suc- 
 cess — our Country wants Men of literature more than any other 
 want on earth — 
 
 Morse's Book 19 has injured the reputation of our State extreme- 
 ly, by his false, infamous account of the Country & its inhabi- 
 tants — the Book being the first of its kind published in America 
 since the Revolution was bought with avidity by Europeans, & has 
 undergone a French & German Edition — Dr. Williamson proposes 
 writing the History 20 of the State & I have Subd for 3 Copies, he is 
 a man of such prejudices that T fear all that time which he has 
 acted so conspicuous a part in the State — which is from his first 
 coming into it, that the Book will not be much prized — however 
 the early part of the History will probabty be correct, for he has 
 great industry in procuring materials — some say he furnished 
 Morse with some of the most objectional parts of his acct. of the 
 
 18 Dr. David Ker, first professor and also, as Presiding Professor, the first 
 executive of the University of North Carolina which institution had just been 
 opened Jan. 15, 1795, six days before the date of Grove's letter. 
 
 19 American Universal Geography, by Jedidiah Morse, D. D. This book 
 reached its fifth edition in 1812, being published in that year by Thomas and 
 Andrews, Boston, Mass. 
 
 20 Williamson's History of North Carolina appeared in 1812. Grove proved 
 to be singularly correct in his estimate of the probable value of William- 
 son's work, parts of it being of unusual value, due in the main to the author's 
 indefatigability in the collection of material. 
 
James Sprunt Historical Publications 59 
 
 State, if I thought so I would despise him — 
 
 Carey is now pu 1)1 ishing a Geography of the Un States, and I 
 have got him to expunge all Morse's libels — and Gov. Martin 2 ' 
 has written several little additions to the acct. of the State, that 
 in some measure may commence a refutation of that illiberal and 
 ignorant authors Book — (Morse's) — I have taken care that our 
 Town & Wilmington should not be unnoticed — as respects their 
 Trade &c &c 
 
 I intended to bid you Adieu two sheets ago but finding myself 
 entering on the last side of the fifth sheet & 20th . page — I feel 
 compassion for your Patience and bid you Farewell, with a confi- 
 dance that he who writes or taulks much must be troublesome to 
 his friends — pray then forgive all the Superfluous of this letter 
 and 
 
 believe me 
 
 with esteem 
 
 your friend 
 
 & very Hum. Ser. 
 
 W B Grove 
 
 To James Hogg 
 
 Phila. June 24th. 1797 
 
 Dear Sir 
 
 Mr Rich & Mr McDonald the Commis- 
 sioners on the part of G Britain arrived in May, & met Colo Innis' 
 & Mr. Fitzsimmons the Commissrs. on the part of the U States for 
 adjusting the Business of the old British debts agreeably to Treaty, 
 a Mr Guilmard was nominated by the British for the 5th Com- 
 
 21 Alexander Martin of Guilford, elected governor of North Carolina in 
 1782 and again in 1789; member of Philadelphia Constitutional Convention, 
 1787, and United States Senator 1793-1799. 
 
 1 Colonel Henry Innis of Virginia, afterward federal District Judge in 
 Kentucky before whom was had the Frankfort hearing of Aaron Burr just 
 before the latter's conspiracy was uncovered in 1806. 
 
(50 James Sprunt Historical Publications 
 
 missr. , & Mr Ames 2 on the part of the U States ; the Lot fell on the 
 former; they have formed a Board and are ready to enter on the 
 subject of their appointment, as you will see by their notice in the 
 Ns papers; No Business has been yet brought before them, & Mr 
 Innis with whom I am in habits of intimacy, tells me they have 
 agreed on no particular principles yet, as to the mode & manner of 
 establishing claims; He is opinion all claims must have gone 
 through the Courts of Law before they can be entered on, by Com- 
 missioners, who he thinks have not by the Treaty Original Juris- 
 diction, this however he fears is a point to be contended, and 
 should it be settled in such a way as to extend the powers of the 
 Commissn., from whose decision there is no appeal he expresses 
 an apprehension that considerable sums may be awarded against 
 the U States, which were not intended by the Treaty to be covered. 
 
 Mr Innis says he finds a disposition on the part of some of. the 
 Gentlemen to make this place the permanent Seat of the Board, 
 but that he shall urge a removal to the South in the fall : agents 
 will be appointed to attend to the interests of the U States, to 
 obtain testimony & prevent frauds & Collusions &c — A report was 
 some time ago in circulation that the Commissn. in London for 
 adjusting claims for Spoliations had refused to proceed, it seems 
 this is not so; the Court of Appeals had indeed adjourned, which 
 might retard the decisions of the Commiss. for a short time. I 
 suppose tis not improbable but the failure of the Federal Court in 
 N. C. 3 may have a like tendency — I regret really that our State 
 has been so unfortunate in failures of this kind, which must 
 increase the dissatisfaction of many, & bring those Courts into dis- 
 repute. — 
 
 Our affairs with France wear's a gloomy aspect, and yet many 
 
 2 Fisher Ames of Massachusetts, ardent Federalist, member of Congress 
 from his State, famous political orator, one of his best known speeches being 
 that in defense of the Jay Treaty made April 28, 1796, two weeks after the 
 Senate had ratified that document. 
 
 3 A quorum of the Judges of the Circuit Court for the District of North 
 Carolina did not attend for the June term, 1797, hence there was no court. 
 This made necessary a congressional act, approved July 5, 1797, for review- 
 ing and continuing suits and processes. See Annals of Congress, 5th Cong., 
 1797-1799. Vol. III., 3692. Acts of Cong. 
 
James Sprunt Historical Publications 61 
 
 have hopes that matters will he more amicably adjusted by our 
 new mission of Envoys 4 Extraory. ; I most fervently hope it may 
 be so, and for the sake of the Peace & happiness of our Country We 
 should suppress the honest indignation excited by their injuries & 
 insults, 5 provided they adjust matters with Justice & liberality — I 
 can not omit saying what I firmly believe, that many among us 
 have been induced to justify the French more from the enthusiasm 
 we felt at the blaze of their Successes, than from any candid inves- 
 tigation which can be made into their Conduct towards the Uni- 
 ted States — I suspect those 6 in our own Country who blame the 
 American Government for pursuing measures calculated to main- 
 tain the Neutrality of the Country, have themselves been neutral, and 
 therefore blame the Constituted authorities because their acts did 
 not go the length of their mad Views — While we rejoice at the pros- 
 pect of a great Nation obtaining rational Liberty, we ought not to 
 forget the Duty & respect we owe to our own rights & Country. 
 
 Congress will rise in seven or eight days, without doing any 
 thing more of Consequence than taking some preparitory steps for 
 Defence in case of the worst. 
 
 The Spanish Government has refused to run the line from the 
 Mississippi agreeably to Treaty 7 and offer some very flimsy pre- 
 
 4 This was Adams' first mission to France, composed of Charles Pinckney, 
 John Marshall, and Elbridge Gerry, the treatment of whom by France re- 
 sulted in the famous X.Y.Z. affair. 
 
 5 France was in a deadly grapple with England and resented America's 
 policy of neutrality. Her minister, Fauchet, accused the America, govern- 
 ment of the violation and inexecution of treaties, one of which, made in 1778, 
 he regarded as an offensive and defensive aliiance; the other of amity, navi- 
 gation, and commerce under which France claimed the right of bringing 
 prizes into United States ports, and of fitting out ships against her enemies, 
 all of which the American government opposed. 
 
 6 Grove's complaint here is directed against the Republican party, whose 
 sympathies were pro-French. The Federalists' sympathies were with the 
 English in the great international conflict. In case the policy of neutrality 
 was abandoned the Republicans wished to fight England, wlile the Federal- 
 ists wished to fight France. 
 
 7 In 1796 the United States had affected a treaty with Spain by which the 
 Mississippi River was to be opened, New Orleans made a port of deposit for 
 three years, and the thirty-first degree of latitude agreed upon as part of the 
 southern boundary of the United States. But in 1797 this excellent treaty 
 
62 James Sprunt Historical Publications 
 
 tences for this Conduct, but it is pretty well understood that 
 French influence is the real cause, & it is said the Florida's & 
 Louisiania 8 is to be relenquished to the Republic; perhaps Canada 
 may also fall into their hands — If so I fear from their power and 
 ambition, they may become troublesome neighbors to this Country. 
 
 The Empiror has certainly been driven into a separate Peace in 
 consequence of the wonderful victories of the French armies, the 
 terms have been dictated by Buonaparte 9 under the direction of the 
 Directory; a Congress is to be held at Basle' at which some of the 
 German Princes & G. Britain are to be permitted to send Negociators 
 to effect a general Peace ; in the mean time it seems from French 
 papers the Republic are resolved to annihilate the British Govern- 
 ment & destroy her Naval power if she can — 
 
 If these things are effected it must have great and important 
 consequences on the affairs of Europe and the Commercial Wourld, 
 and I am not persuaded but it would have an unhappy influence 
 on the affairs of our own Country; for either France, or G Britain 
 to have such a Complete power over the other, would destroy rival- 
 ship which has at times prevented both nations from overrunning 
 the rights of others. 
 
 Be so good as remember me to all friends & believe to be with 
 esteem D Sir 
 
 Your Hum Sert. 
 
 W. B. Grove 
 
 seemed for a time likely to fail. Spain had taken offense at the Jay Treaty 
 with England and refused for a time to rnn out the boundary line which 
 separated her possessions from those of the United States. 
 
 8 West Florida and Louisiana were both possessions of Spain at this date. 
 Louisiana was ceded by Spain to Napoleon at the secret treaty of San Ilde- 
 fonso, 1800. 
 
 9 Those terms were not actually signed between Emperor Francis II and 
 Bonaparte until October 17, 1797. It. was the treaty of Campo Formio dicta- 
 ted by Bonaparte to Francis, one hundred miles from Vienna and after his 
 wonderful victories in northern Italy. By it the Emperor agreed to the ex- 
 tension of France over the Netherlands and the Rhenish Provinces, and the 
 virtual annexation of Lombardy, Modena, and the Papal States, while Aus- 
 tria was allowed to take over the ancient Republic of Venice. 
 
 10 This Congress actually met at Rastadt, November, 1797, but did noth- 
 
James Sprunt Historical Publication* 63 
 
 To James Hogg. 
 
 Philadelphia Decern. 18. 1797 
 
 Dear Sir 
 
 I wrote you a few lines sometime ago and expect short- 
 ly to have the pleasure of an answer, In the mean time tis proper 
 I should give you some information on the subject of your Money 
 put into my Hands to be vested in some public fund here — In the 
 first place the Gold when weighed at the Bank amounted to $807.37- 
 of course you lost $2.61 — as the sum you gave me was $810.1 — 
 but had not the enclosed moidore (contained in parcel No 1 — ) 
 proved base, your money would have over run your calculation — 
 It was cut at the bank. — This money I deposited in the Bank on 
 the 18th. Nov. — and have since Deposited the $500 you gave me 
 in paper. 
 
 I mentioned to you that Mr Steele 1 & others had advised the 
 purchase of Bank Stock, Viz Bank Shares, in preference to 6 p Ct. 
 Stock as less liable to fluctuation or depreciation — Bank Stock is 
 above par, & the other something below, but on further enquiries 
 into the subject I dont perceive so much difference in their actual 
 Value as I at first apprehended — for instance a Bank Share say 
 $400 sells at 23 to 25 pr Ct. advance, and the Dividend on this is 
 generally 7 p Ct. to 8 p Ct. half yearly — 6 p Ct. Stock is about 17 
 having had 2 years of the original principal of 2 p Ct. on each 
 $100 paid agreeably to Law, and the redemption continues to go 
 on at that rate quarter yearly until the whole debt shall be re- 
 deemed — this redeemable quality in the Debt of the U. States, les- 
 sens its value with Stock Jobbers. But tis an admirable plan for 
 the public to get rid of the Debt — and should not be deviated 
 from under No Circumstances; but in case of War or any great pub- 
 
 ing beyond the ratification of the secret articles of the treaty of Campo For- 
 
 mio. England was not represented and continued the war against France. 
 
 1 John Steele, of Salisbury, N. C, Comptroller of the United States Treas- 
 ury under Washington's and Adams' administrations, and for two years 
 under Jefferson. He resigned his post in the fall of 1802. 
 
64 James Sprunt Historical Publications 
 
 He disturbance, this redemption of principal as well as payment of 
 interest might be delayed; but I hope & trust neither will happen, 
 notwithstanding the gloomy prospect of things for some time past 
 as regards our affairs with France. I have advised also with Mr 
 John Storey, 2 the friend of Mr Jno Hogg, 3 who I shall get to do 
 the necessary Business as regards the purchase of the Stock &c. 
 which I shall attend to, so as to see the proper transfer made — 
 
 The reason why nothing has been yet done, is, that it being so 
 near the end of the year, & quarter Mr S. thinks it best to purchase 
 so as to commence from the first of Jany., and he is now casting 
 about for a sum to or near the amt of Cash, I hope ere long to give 
 you further accounts, and I am now the more particular to afford 
 you a better idea of these matters than perhaps you may have 
 had before — 
 
 We have had more harmony in Congress than usual, & I hope a 
 Continuance of it, tho' there has been very little yet before us of a 
 nature to Excite the Spirit of Party — I send you the Report of 
 our Committee of last Sessn . & the Documents relative to Blounts 
 Conspiracy 4 — you will perceive Mr Liston 5 gave more Countenance 
 to the Scheme, than had been apprehended, and I would not be 
 surprised if the President should request his recall ; it would grati- 
 fy many who think Mr L. has had more to do in the Business than 
 has ever appeared, & it would silence those who wish to make a 
 Charge of partiality against the Government — You will also dis- 
 cover an attempt to insinuate that the Secrty. of State 6 was desir- 
 
 2 Probably a stock broker of Philadelphia. 
 
 3 Cousin of James Hogg. John Hogg was a merchant, doing business in 
 both Fayetteville and Wilmington and residing in the main in the latter 
 town. 
 
 4 William Blount, first United States Senator from Tennessee, impeached 
 before the bar of the Senate and expelled for exciting the Indians and Ten- 
 nessee and Kentucky adventurers to make hostile incursions against Spanish 
 territory. 
 
 5 Robert Liston, minister to the United States from Great Britain, was 
 included in the plan to make war on the Spanish Floridas. It was for co-op- 
 eration with this English scheme of wresting the Floridas from Spain that 
 Wm. Blount was impeached. 
 
 6 Timothy Pickering, Secretary of State under Adams. 
 
James Sjrrunt Historical Publications 65 
 
 ous to screen the British Minister — I suspect the insinuation pro- 
 ceeded from Malice, or a misunderstanding of Eatons 7 information 
 to Ripley. 
 
 Our Envoys 8 are at Paris, but We yet know nothing of their pros- 
 pects; I need not tell you that We are all anxiety on this Subject. 
 As the result of their Mission I apprehend must have an important 
 influence on the affairs of this Country, T earnestly hope it may be 
 favourable to Reason & Justice. 
 
 There is some flying Report that French Garrisons are in some 
 or all of the Ports on the Mississippi I hope tis not true nor never 
 may be; they are too Powerful and Ambitious to be honest and 
 Just Neighbors. 9 
 
 Few arrivals latterly from Europe, but what have long passages ; 
 but information has got here from several quarters that Admrl. 
 Duncan 10 had a most severe action the 12th. Oct. with the Dutch 
 Fleet — 8 or 9 of the Dutch line of Battle Ships are taken and 
 some of the British Vessels nearly disabled — 
 
 It was expected that 3 years after the Mint began to Coin, there 
 would be a Sufficiency of the Silver Coins of the Ud. States in cir- 
 culation," to admit the calling in such silver Coins as are supposed 
 to have more alloy than is proper, but it is proved to be otherwise, 
 & the time admitting those coins to circulate will be prolonged, 
 as well as for gold coins — 
 
 7 Probably General William Eaton, a captain at this date on the Seminole 
 frontier in Georgia, later, in Jefferson's administration the real hero of the 
 Tripolitan war. 
 
 8 Pinckney, Marshall, and Gerry. Grove's fears were fully realized a lit- 
 tle later in the X.Y.Z. explosion. 
 
 9 The general American dread of France as a neighbor on our southwest- 
 ern border accounts for Jefferson's disregard of constitutional scruples and 
 his hasty purchase of the Louisiana territory in 1803 after it had been trans- 
 ferred by Spain to France in 1800. 
 
 10 Admiral Duncan, of the English navy, defeated the Dutch fleet off Cam - 
 perdown, on the coast of Holland, Oct., 11, 1797. The Dutch were allied 
 with the French. 
 
 11 An act of Congress in 1793 had provided that, three years from the day, 
 on which the first silver coin and again three years from the day on which 
 the first gold coin was struck at the mint, gold and silver bearing the stamp 
 of foreign powers should, save Spanish milled dollars and parts thereof, 
 
f>6 James Sprunt Historical Publications 
 
 The Stamp tax 12 will not go into operation until 1st. July — I 
 hope we shall alter and amend the Excise Law 13 so as to remove 
 your objections, in part, at least — by permitting the Distillers to 
 enter for one week, at any time through the year, and from Week 
 to Week as they may think proper — 
 
 I will thank you to remember me to my friends Mr & Mrs Estes 
 and inform them, I mean to write Mr Estes soon — I suppose they 
 have heard of my Brother Robert Rowan 14 affliction with the Rheu- 
 matism. 
 
 When he arrived at New York from the Lakes he was as help- 
 less as a Child, he could neither use hands or legs — I Visited him 
 immediately on hearing of his situation, & am happy to saj 7 he 
 was much better before he left New York for Wilmington, & that 
 the Medical Men say they have no doubt but that the warm cli- 
 mate, warm bath & Electricity will soon restore him — Be pleased 
 to offer my respects to your family <k be assured I am Dear Sir, 
 with Esteem 
 
 yr. Hum Ser. 
 
 W B Grove 
 
 cease to be legal tender. In 1797 when the three years had expired it was 
 found that the TJ. S. mint had not supplied a sufficient coinage, hence the 
 time had to be extended. 
 
 12 In anticipation of war with France the Federal Congress in 1797 pass- 
 ed a stamp act that required a revenue stamp on such documents as insur- 
 ance policies, merchants' bonds, promissory notes, hills of exchange, law 
 licenses, and many other documents. It fell under severe criticism of the 
 Republican party in Congress and was repealed in 1802. 
 
 13 This was the Fxcise Law of 1791 against which the Pennsylvania distil- 
 lers rose in 1794; repealed during Jefferson's first term, hut reimposed in 
 Madison's administration under pressure of expense of war with England. 
 
 14 Half-brother of Grove. Grove's mother, as a widow, married Robert 
 Rowan, of Fayetteville, who gave the name Rowan Street in that town. The 
 elder Rowan was a member of the General Assembly from Cumberland coun- 
 ty in 1778, 1779, 1785. A daughter, Susan Rowan, became the first wife of 
 Dr. Joseph Caldwell, first president of the University of North Carolina. 
 
James Sprunt Historical Publications 67 
 
 To James Hogg. 
 
 Phila. Jany 18h. 1798 
 
 Dear Sir 
 
 I some time ago directed Clement Biddle, Broker, to 
 purchase Stock of the U. States to the amount of your money say 
 Sixteen hundred & Seven Hollars & 37 cents, & by mistake he has 
 omitted to invest 7 Dollars 37 cents — I now send you enclosed a 
 Regisd. Certificate being the evidence of the sum standing on the 
 Books of the Treasury of the U. States to your credit, the interest, 
 and reimbursement of 2 p Ct. thereof, can only be drawn by your 
 atty for that purpose. 
 
 Mr. Biddle 's acct. if inclosed by which you will see the real 
 state & nature of your Stock, leaving in my hands 7 Dolls. A: 37 
 Cents subject to your order, or to be added to any other sum you 
 may choose to invest in this way — 
 
 In reply to your enquiries how monies can be got from our 
 Country to this place, I can give you no information unless you 
 can meet with Bank notes. 
 
 I have made some enquiries about the Value and probability of 
 selling your Lands in Tennessee & Kentucky within Henderson 
 grants'; I am told these Lands must become Valuable, but at pres- 
 ent not more than half a Dollr. could be had for the Kentucky 
 Land, & the Value of Powels Valley will depend on the extin- 
 guishment of the Indian claims, and this event is likely to take 
 place shortly, as the President has nominated Mr Ad. Moore 2 of 
 N. C. Bushrod Washington 3 of Virga. & Fisher Ames, 4 to hold a 
 Treaty with the Cherokees under hope that they may be prevailed 
 
 1 The Transylvania Land Company, explained in an earlier note. 
 
 2 Alfred Moore, senior, of Brunswick, N. C, Attorney General of North 
 Carolina, 1790-1798 ; Superior Court Judge 1798-1799; Associate Justice of 
 the United States Supreme Court 1799-1805; resigned on accountofU] health, 
 and died Oct., 15, 1810. 
 
 3 Relative of President Washington, member of Congress from Virginia, 
 appointed by Adams an Associate Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court. 
 
 4 Fisher Ames, of Massachusetts, noted earlier. 
 
P)S James Sprunt Historical Publications 
 
 on to sell & relinquish some of their Lands to which the white 
 People have legal claims under N. Carolinia, and I am induced to 
 think tis probable, that part of the Country where your Lands are 
 situated is the most likely to be given up b} r the Indians — 
 
 I hope Mr Moore may be prevailed on to accept and act in this 
 Business; there are very considerable interest in No. Carolina de- 
 pending on this matter, & indeed the Peace of the Country is in 
 some measure at stake, for the honest claimants will never be at 
 ease until they see a fair attempt made on the part of the U. States 
 to obtain those Lands from the Indians, & the weight & respecta- 
 bility of the Commissioners will go far in satisfying good Men let 
 the result be as it may — I wish the frauds 5 lately discovered at 
 Raleigh may not have a bad effect in this Business, I assure every 
 Body here, the State ivill sift the matter to the bottom and not permit 
 any of those fraudulent claims to prevail — yet it may create 
 doubt &c &c 
 
 In haste I am 
 
 D Sir your Hum Sert 
 
 W. B. Grove 
 
 To James Hogg. 
 
 Phila. Jany 18th. 1798 
 
 Dear Sir 
 
 By this mail, & of this date, I have sent you a let- 
 ter covering a Certift. of the Six p Ct. Stock which was purchased 
 with Sixteen tomdred Dollars Cash at 16/lOd in the pound — I 
 hope that letter & its enclosures may arrive safe — you must have 
 an atty or agent here to convert your interest & dividend of reim- 
 bursement, as it becomes due at the end of each quarter into New 
 Capital by this means it has the effect of Compound inters — 
 
 5 Certain frauds in the Land Office at Raleigh under Glasgow. Glasgow 
 was removed from office in latter part of 1797 and a commission appointed 
 to sift the whole matter. 
 
James Sprunt Historical Publications 69 
 
 The Commissrs. 1 on British debts have done nothing decisive yet, 
 as Mr Fitzsimmons tells me; they have been delayed by their Col- 
 league Colo [nnis of Virga. who has been very ill; they have how- 
 ever been preparing Business and will probably soon proceed to fix 
 on principles after that is done they will make pretty short work of 
 such claims as may be brought before them — and I fear they will 
 bring its in deeper than was expected — this will certainly be the 
 case if it is determined to take up any Business that has not gone 
 through a Court. 
 
 I am amazed you have not urged your Brothers Creditors" for- 
 ward before now; If I have rightly understood the situation of 
 that Concern, they have claims for legal impediments if any in 
 America have — In my letter, of to-day I have told you what had 
 been done towards satisfying the No. Carolina land holders in 
 Tennessee; 3 I hope the result of it may be favourable to all sides 
 and that Mr. Moore may agree to act as one of the Commissioners — 
 I think it would be but Justice that some of the gentry lately taken 
 in committing frauds 4 should grace Gallows Hill — Nothing but 
 hemp will keep such fellows from preying on the honest part of 
 the World I apprehend as long as they live — 
 
 I am both ashamed & chagrined at the Conduct of my old friend 
 Genl. Willis; 5 I told him [Words illegible] delicate terms as I 
 
 1 Mr. Rich, Mr. McDonald, and Mr. Guilmard on the part of Great Bri- 
 tain and Mr. Innis and Mr. Fitzsimmons on the part of the United States. 
 
 2 James Hogg and his cousin, John, were rnemhers of a mercantile firm 
 doing business in Wilmington and Fayetteville and had suffered certain losses 
 at the hands of the British during the Revolution. They wi're now looking 
 to the commission for an adjustment. 
 
 3 Congress had lately appointed a commission consisting of Bush rod Wash- 
 ington of Virginia, Fisher Ames of Massachusetts and Alfred Moore of North 
 Carolina to undertake a negotiation with the Cherokee Indians with a view 
 extinguishing their claims to lands in Tennessee that had been granted hy 
 North Carolina before the cession of Tennessee to the federal government. 
 
 4 The frauds in the land office, mentioned in a former letter and explain- 
 ed in note. 
 
 5 I am unable to determine who General Willis was, or the import of this 
 reference. It may have been John Willis of Robeson county, member of 
 State Senate, 1787-1791, and member of the Commons 1794 and 1795; also a 
 trustee of the State University from 1795 to 1801, 
 
70 James Sprunt Historical Publications 
 
 could that he was [Words illegible~\ the first, but I had no concep- 
 tion he would have bottomed his opposition in the manner and on 
 the grounds his Petition held forth ; it seemed to be the mere effu- 
 sion of Violent Passion directed against a whole People. 
 With best regards 
 
 I am Dear Sir 
 
 your Very Hum Ser. 
 
 W. B. Grove 
 
 To James Hogg. 
 
 Phila. Feby 14h. 1798 
 
 Dear Sir 
 
 I have latterly had such a host of letters to answer 
 from different parts of the State, that I postponed writing you im- 
 mediately after the rect. of yours of the 18 Jany covering a line 
 for Mr Storey: 1 I am now to acknowledge that letter, also yours 
 of the 26 same month enclosing the unfortunate Generals paper 
 War, from which it appears he so exposed his lines as to suffer the 
 Enemy to break through them & cover him, v:ith disgrace 
 
 I can assure you I have felt not a little Chagrined at the whole 
 of this affair — With you, and many others I entertained a good 
 opinion of Genl. Willis, and indeed had a regard for him beyond 
 common friendship, and as I was confident he knew it, I took the 
 liberty of prevailing on him not to Contest the Election of his 
 opponent, and said more to him on that head than I would to most 
 of my acquaintances; but he was Resolved, little did I expect he- 
 could or would have gone on the ground he has taken — I have 
 written my mind to him pretty freely — 
 
 Mr Storey will write you in answer to your letter to him, and 
 says lie will attend to your Business, rest assured that I shall at all 
 times aid him, in .tny of your desires as to Matters here, with 
 pleasure. 
 
 1 A Philadelphia stock broker, referred to in letter of date Dec.. 18, 1767. 
 
James Sprunt Historical Publications 71 
 
 I hope theCertif. of your Stock has reached you in Safety, anP 
 that you are not dissatisfied with what I done, tho' I perceive that 
 (JpChave fallen to 16/ Sd. 
 
 I should advise you still to lay out your money in Bank Stock, 
 a Share originally was 400 Doll, they are over par from 20 to 22 
 pC — so one share costs $£80. to £88 — any Surplus over the price 
 of a Share to be laid out in 8 pCt. — so you will have all your 
 money Vested; and in case of any uproar, war &c. your Bank 
 Shares are safest — tho' I am of opinion all the funds are secure, 
 yet they may not be so in the public estimation — this is said to be 
 a fine time to purchase as the uncertainty of affairs have a greater 
 effect on the Stocks than the risk warrants — 
 
 As I wrote you fully on this subject before, I need add nothing 
 more; I also asked you the price of your Kentucky Lands &c &c, 
 this however is a bad Market I am told for new Lands, yet I might 
 fall in with some person inclined to purchase if I could say at what 
 price you held them. 
 
 Pray will Mr Moore accept the appoint, of Commissioner to treat 
 with the Indians, it is considered of importance here, that some- 
 thing should be done If Possible to obtain those Lands from the 
 Cherokees — The Executive is fully of this opinion, & therefore he 
 made so weighty an appointment as Moore, Washington and Ames. 
 In consequence of the Death of Genl Skinner the Commissi'. 2 of 
 Loans, our Senators 3 & Mr Steele, 4 recommended Colo Rowan 5 to 
 fill that offce, and the President has nomenated him, he will I sup- 
 pose be concurred with by the Senate — & the office will be kept at 
 Fayette Ville- 
 
 2 Joshua Skinner, of Perquimans county, appointed commissioner of 
 loans l>y President Washington; was member of State Senate 17!»0-1794. 
 
 3 Timothy Blood worth, of New Hanover, and Alexander Martin of Guil- 
 ford, both Republicans. Bloodworth succeeded Benjamin Hawkins, Feder- 
 alist, in 1795, and Martin succeeded Samuel Johnston, Federalist, 1793. 
 
 4 GeneralJohn Steele, of Salisbury, comptroller of the U. S. Treasury 
 under Washington, Adams, and throngha part of Jefferson's first term; was 
 influential in the distribution of federal patronage in North Carolina. 
 
 5 Robert Rowan, of Fayetteville ; Revolutionary patriot; first signer of the 
 "Cumberland Association," .lime 20, 1775, formed for the purpose of resis- 
 tance to Britain ; freqnently a member of the state legislature from the Revo, 
 lution to 1785. 
 
72 James Sprunt Historical Publications 
 
 No accounts from our Envoys in France that are official — some 
 late news state that 3 Commissrs. are named to adjust differences 
 with them at Paris, bad news is apt to travel fast, or I should have 
 no hopes left, as things are, I have yet some hopes 6 — 
 
 We have been shamefully perplexed with a Dirty matter com- 
 mitted in Congress Hall, by one of the members on the Person of 
 another, 7 on the outside of the Bar of the House — you read the 
 papers & need say nothing of it, as those Vehicles of Scandal are 
 filled with it, to our Shame — It may not be amiss to say Lyon 
 spit in the face of Mr Griswould, & we could not expel him for 
 this dirty assault — 64 Votes made 2-3d. & 52 only Voted for his 
 Expulsion, 44 against it— As an example I wish he had been Ex- 
 pelled, it is proper to deal with severity against those who shall 
 dare to Violate the Sanctuary of a Deliberative assembly. 
 
 I want to say a great deal more to you, but at present have not 
 time — Remember me to all friends, and be assured I am 
 D Sir 
 
 with regard & esteem 
 
 y Hum Ser 
 
 W B Grove 
 
 The Snow is 6 inches deep 
 d T the river again fast — 
 
 6 See Note 4, letter of date June 24, 1797. 
 
 7 Matthew Lyon, member of Congress from Vermont, rabid Republican 
 and very much hated by the Federalists, made an attack on the floor of the 
 House upon another member, Roger Gr is wold of Connecticut. The House 
 failed to expel him, though he was later tried under the Sedition Act for the 
 publication of a letter in a Vermont paper severely criticising the government 
 for its "ridiculous pomp, foolish adulation, and selfish avarice." He was 
 fined $1000 and sent to prison for four months. His friends got up a peti- 
 i i<M) for his pardon, hv.t as ho refused to sign it, the President refnsed to par- 
 ti !iim. But he wa- triumphantly re-elected to Congress while still in 
 pn.-'-n. 
 
James Sprunt Historical Publications 73 
 
 To James Hogg. 
 
 Phila. March 23d 1798 
 
 Dear Sir 
 
 My Correspondents have so increased latterly, which 
 in addition to my duty, in these unpleasant times, to extend my 
 Communications to my Constituents, has prevented me from 
 writing to you for sometime past — your favour of the 21st ult. 
 came to hand a few days ago, and afforded me pleasure to hear 
 you were well, and that my letter coveting the Certif. of your 
 Stock had reached you in safety — I perceive the Value of Stocks 
 are affected by the very unpleasant state of affairs with France — 
 this is to be expected in any Country, but especially in a young 
 Country like ours, where Capitals are invited into a thousand other 
 Channels — I cannot think however things can ever become so des- 
 perate among us as to induce a departure from the plighted faith 
 of the Govert. — It may be Possible the redemption of the 2 p C. 
 Capital may be diverted to more pressing objects — I say thus 
 much to you as I presume you may feel some anxiety on this 
 score — for myself I feel none, having never had one penny of 
 Funded debt, or Bank stock in my Life — this ha< been owing to 
 a thousand reasons, but one of them alone was sufficient — viz I had 
 it never in my Power or inclination to purchase — 
 
 To you it is unnecessary to go into detail on the state of our 
 affairs with France,' you can & have investigated with coolness 
 and candour the unremitted Solicitude of the Govert. of the Uni- 
 ted States to maintain Peace & amity with the French, while they 
 have been trying how far they can insult Plunder & degrade us, 
 because we w^erenot disposed to make our Country a Tool to their 
 Views & ambitions — I have on every occasion from the present 
 Revolution in France felt and expressed the most sincere hope that 
 
 1 Tie X.Y.Z. disclosures had readied I'hiladelphia March 5, and left 
 Adams' government sorely pcrpled and offended. Grove, as an ardent Fed- 
 eralist, shared the sentiments of that party relative to that course <•!' Ameri- 
 ca's relations with France. In this letter he is adroitly using the insult from 
 France to justify to his constituents his well known anti-French attitude. 
 
74 James S-prunt Historical Publications 
 
 the event might terminate speedily in a Government calculated to 
 make them a Free & Happy People — and while I lamented & 
 Shuddered at many of the transactions of that Country, I still 
 hoped and believed for a long time, that each of those horrid events, 
 would be the last act of Disgrace & Tyranny that should be com- 
 mitted under "Fair Liberty's sacred name" — But alas! how silly 
 have I been as well as thousands of others on this Subject — 
 
 Ambition, avarice, & Bloody Revenge seems now to be the order 
 of the Day among the Rulers of France, and these, they seem to 
 deal out to the Nations a found as if they meant to destroy the 
 Wourld — Even the Peaceful and unoffending Americans must par- 
 take of their overflowing Wrath — our increasing Wealth & happi- 
 ness has become painful to them — and as we were once their 
 allies they seem disposed to treat us, as they have their own Coun- 
 try, & reduce us to a State of Poverty, & wretchedness — as they 
 have Holland — 
 
 With all my attachment to the Cause of the French, let me here 
 avow what I defy the Wourld to deny, that my Love, Veneration & 
 Duty to my own Country was never shaken, by the blaze of French 
 Victories, or any other Circumstance on earth — and I can look 
 back with pleasure to every Vote I gave from the days of Genet 2 
 to the present moment, and console myself that those votes have 
 been in support of our own Govert. and the genuine principles of 
 Neutrality that was adopted. — even in 1794 when British Depred. 
 had agitated & inflamed all our Minds, 1 had the good fortune to 
 be on the Side of Moderation and Negotiation, tho it was then 
 called a Pussillanimous measure by men who now are as gentle as 
 Lambs in the Case of France who have denied to Negociate with 
 us, altho We have made two attempts. 
 
 1 have taken the liberty to write of myself thus freely to you, 
 to whom I am in some degree accountable as a friend, and my 
 constituent. — 
 
 The Presidents last Message on the 19th. March exorting us to 
 
 2 Edmond Charles Genet, first minister of the French Republic to the 
 United States, arrived in 1793. Genet insisted upon disregarding American 
 neutralitybetween England and France; treated President Washington in a 
 very boorish manner and finally forced the government to request his recall. 
 
James Sprunt Historical Publications 75 
 
 take vigorous measures for the Defense of the Country & Com- 
 merce of the Nation in case of the worst, is called here a Declara- 
 tion of War & is highly Censured hy those who have generally op- 
 posed every measure of the Admisn. since the Present War has 
 commenced in Europe — While General Washington was Presi- 
 dent, the same opposition existed as does now, for Mr Adams has 
 adopted and avowed he will pursue the same line of Conduct & 
 Principles — But let it he remembered that Mr Adams Character 
 however irreproachable it certainly is, does not carry with it that 
 Coufedence & Veneration which was entertained for Genl. Wash- 
 ington's, particularly in the Southern Country — It is therefore of 
 the utmost importance at a time like the present, that all men who 
 regard the Honour & interests of the Country, should come out 
 Boldly & plainly to Inculcate union, & Confidence in the Govern- 
 ment. 
 
 I mean that union of Sentiment whereby every Man pledges 
 himself to stand by his Country and support the National Politi- 
 cal institutions thereof, which secures to all in the Community 
 Life, Liberty, & Property — and that Honest Confidence, which 
 examines and appreciates whh Candour the acts of Public Men & 
 measures. — It is said and believed by some, that the French have 
 been taught to consider us to the Southward as Devoted to their 
 Will, and from a persuasion of this kind they expect to Divide 
 Distract and Govern ns — the Idea is as false as tis Degrading to 
 our Country, and I feel Confidt. If it should be ever Necessary to 
 Defend and Protect ourselves against an Invading Enemy, 3 the 
 People to the South will to a man repel the Foe, whether ho comes 
 under the name of a British, or Spanish Monarchy or a French 
 Republic — I have written fully to many of my friends in N. C. 
 on this subject, and I can not help adding that I hope a true 
 American Spirit of attachment and regard for our Government 
 may evidence itself among the Peor>le, and that they may set a 
 noble example of Self-respect, and Veneration for the Constituted 
 authorities of their Country — If they do not, We may become the 
 
 3 drove is anticipating war with France, a thing narrowly averted by Presi- 
 dent Adams' second mission to France in February, 1799. Indeed naval war 
 had already begun. 
 
76 James Sprunt Historical Publications 
 
 Sport of Foreign intrigues, and intestine Broils — and the Fate of 
 Poland may be our Lot — If so, it were better our Ancestors had 
 never found this New Wourld — 
 
 Remember me to all friends, & Be assured I am 
 Dear Sir 
 
 Your friend 
 
 & Humble Sert. 
 
 W. B. Grove 
 
 To James Hogg. 
 
 Phila. May 29th 1798 
 
 Dear Sir 
 
 I am now to acknowledge the receipt of your several 
 favors of the I7h. April, 2d. & 16th. May from Fayette Ville — in 
 reply to the former I can assure you [One 'word illegible] glad to 
 find the affairs of our University are getting forward so cleverly — 
 the Friends & promoters of that Institution are the real Patriots of 
 No. Carolina. 1 
 
 I can not but feel much satisfaction in the account I receive from 
 Various parts of the State, that it is likely our representation 2 in 
 Congress will be more respectable for Talents & proper qualifica- 
 tions for such a Situation — I can not help thinking that one of 
 the greatest causes of the loss of Confidence of many in the Feder- 
 al government arises from that Source — How in the name of God 
 is any Government to act wisely, or remain Reputable in the eyes 
 
 1 Grove was a member of the Board of Trustees for the University from 
 1785) to 1818; his correspondent, James Hogg, was a trustee from 1789 to 1802. 
 Both were deeply interested in its fortunes. 
 
 2 At the date Grove writes he was the only Federalist in Congress from 
 Norlh Carolina. The French war scare and the popularity the government 
 derived from its prompt resentment of France's course in the X.Y.Z. affair 
 caused North Carolina to return four Federalists in 1799, these being Grove, 
 Archibald Henderson, Win. H. Hill, and Joseph Dixon. North Caralina had 
 ten representatives in all at this date. 
 
James Sprunt Historical Publications 77 
 
 of a Jealous & discerning People, If they themselves appoint Men 
 totally incapable of thinking or acting on the great affairs of a 
 great Nation — permit me my good Sir, to say, what T do, with 
 sincere regret. I lament there are too many of this discription in 
 the Counsils of our Country, who are more the Representatives of 
 Prejudice and illiberal Suspicion, than of the true interests and 
 sound policy of the U States. I will add what I am sure you and 
 every reflecting Man in your District already knows full well, that 
 your member 3 is not among the most enlightened, of the most ignorant; — 
 and to learn that he is likely to have a majority of the Suffrages of 
 so Respectable a District again is certainly a singular thing, unless 
 indeed you are Resolved to Satirize Congress as some suggest. 
 
 Let me here assure you I am not actuated by Personal feelings, 
 or difference in Politics to make these remarks — they spring from 
 a higher Motive. - 
 
 Your remarks on Mr Harpers 4 speech are in a great degree just 
 enough, but as false Religion has been made the Cloak for great 
 Vices, so has a pretended Philosiphy been the ground work of Vast 
 mischiefs — In the eyes of the discreet & discerning, true Religion, 
 & real Philosophy, should not loose any of their important & Di- 
 vine influence, because base men have prostituted both by false 
 pretentions — 
 
 Your observations relative to the incorrect information on the 
 real State of affairs among the great mass of the People, & the 
 causes of it correspond entirely with my own opinion ; to find fault, 
 abuse, and write infamous insinuations to Degrade our own Gov- 
 ernment, is the bighth of some Mens Ambition, & the greatest evi- 
 
 3 Grove's party bias incapacitated him for a fair estimate of his party ap- 
 poncnts. His reference hrre is to Nathaniel Macon, Republican representa- 
 tive of the Hillsboro Districl (Warren, Franklin. Granville, Wake, and 
 Orange counties) from 1791 to 1815, in the latter year entering the United 
 States Senate where he served until 1828, resigning because of advancing 
 age. Macon was Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1801 to 1806. 
 Without showy qualities, Macon possessed a keen, fchoueh perhaps some- 
 what narrow intellect, and was unquestionably one of the ablest legislators in 
 Congress during his thirty-seven years of continuous service. 
 
 4 Robert Goodloe Harper, an able and active Federalist member of Con- 
 gress from South Carolina. 
 
78 James Sprnnt Historical Publications 
 
 dence of their attention to the Happiness & interests of their Coun- 
 try men; — their object is to flatter the ignorant, & to increase 
 their own Consequence among the Malcontents; this Kind of Patri- 
 otic information is jumbled together in a printed Circular and sent 
 throughout the Country to Poison the People like the effluvia which 
 rises from this City in the time of a Pestilence — I now and then 
 get a squint at these effusions of Congressional Literature, & base- 
 ness — for I consider it the basest act on earth to libel and Degrade 
 ones own Country — 
 
 I have lately seen a printed letter of this kind by chance, sent 
 by a Colleague to the Western District, I say sent, for tis evidently 
 not penned by him — tis replete with charges & insinuations the 
 most false and inimical to the Union, & the Independence of 
 America — and to confidence in the Government of our Country 
 that you can Conceive, and in my opinion If the People can rely 
 fully and implicitly on the Information, they should resist the 
 authority of their own Governt. — If a Copy of this Letter can be 
 had it will be and must be published — and indeed I am not sure 
 but some further notice must he taken of it — the name of Joe 
 McDowell 5 is annexed to the letter I allude to — and my reason for 
 Supposing he did not pen it, is that tis generally spelt right, & the 
 stile & grammer is tolerable tho this may have been done for him 
 by a contemptable wretch here named Calendar 6 who tis said gets 
 his bread by writing circulers for the more illiterate Jacobin Mem- 
 
 5 Colonel Joseph McDowell is here meant. He was a Republican of the 
 strongest type, and representative in Congress of the Western District of 
 North Carolina from 1793 to 1795 and from 1797 to 1799. Colonel McDowell 
 was a major at the battles of Cowpens and King's Mountain ; after the Revo- 
 lution was often a member of the General Assembly; was a member of the 
 State Constitution Convention of 1788; also a commissioner to ran the divid- 
 ing line between North Carolina and Tennessee. He died in August, 1801. 
 
 6 James Thompson Callender, a Scotchman, serving as a hack writer for 
 the Republicans in their attacks upon the Federalist Administration. He 
 was frequently used even by Jefferson himself to perform unsavory political 
 tasks. In 1800 Callender was tried under the Sedition Law for the produc- 
 tion and publication of ''The Prospect Before Us," an attack upon Adams 
 and the administration. Aline of two hundred dollars and imprisonment 
 for nine months failed to reform him, he devoting the period of imprison- 
 ment to the production of further scurrilous pamphlets. 
 
James Sprunt UiMoriccd Publications 79 
 
 hers 7 of Congress. 
 
 I made the enquiry you desired about Messrs. Laird & Edie, 
 and learn that no claims from thorn are hefore the Board — Wry 
 few claims are before the Commissrs., 8 their Determination on 
 these will establish the Principles that will govern them on all 
 Similar cases, & We are in great fear that very different Construc- 
 tions are intended to be put on the 6th. artic. of the Treaty than 
 we expected, which will have a Very unpleasant & arbitrary, nay 
 unjust, operation on the U. States. 
 
 I can assure you that I feel much gratified that your prospects 
 are so favorable from the rising Value of your Western Lands — 
 and I hope they may enable you to get through any and all old 
 embarrassments which has given you so much anxiety — It is said 
 that Kentucky Lands in the old Settlements are rather on the fall, 
 perhaps your's may rise in proportion being on the frontier. 
 
 Your last of the 16th. from F. Ville I can not now answer, as I 
 have seen none of the Heirs of Mr Morriss" to taulk to them on the 
 subject of your letter, but I will attend to its object. - 
 
 AVe had not learned by last accounts that our Commissrs 1 " had 
 left France, and We are astonished at their remaining in that 
 Country after assurances they would leave it before now, & the 
 accos. of Negociations being Commenced is without Foundation — 
 I fear they have been Deluded to remain under Various pretexts, 
 for the insiduous purposes of keeping alive the hopes & designs of 
 their friends among us, while they were preparing to take more 
 Hostile measures against us. 
 
 Our Coast -Bays, & mouths of Rivers have been for some time 
 past swarming with French Picaroons & Privateers w T ho take all 
 Vessels they meet with in, or outward Bound — Our Small Fleet 
 will soon he at Sea, & We have Authorized the taking &c all such 
 Piratical armed Vessels as may be found on our Coast Committing 
 
 7 The Republicans were called Jacobins by the Federalists because of their 
 pro-French sympathies. 
 
 8 Commissioners on British Debts, already noted. 
 
 9 Reference to the settlement of an estate of which Grove was administra- 
 tor . 
 
 10 Adams' first commission, Pinckney, Gerry, and Marshall. 
 
80 James Sprvnt" Historical Publications 
 
 Depredations on our Peaceful Commerce - this measure the oppo- 
 sition gentry have the folly & impudence to call waging war" on 
 the French - thus to Defend our property & Country against the 
 hasest plunderers, brings upon the Adminisn. the Vilest epithets- 
 and charges of partiality for Britain - These Gentlemen even try to 
 induce a Belief that all the Conversation of our Commissrs in 
 Paris was with a lot of Swindlers &c. &c. — & that the great 
 Directory had no hand in the Business — 
 
 However a Genel. Hedonville who the French have lately sent 
 to Command in the Ws. Indies having seen the Dispatches were 
 published in this Country, has written to the French Consul here, 
 a letter which he and their Emissaries in this Country thought 
 might be useful in taking off part of the odium on the French 
 Govert. & it has been published — but that letter Confirms if any 
 Confermation was wanting that the French Govert. had Resolved 
 to demand of us Contributions &c &c. 
 
 I shall end this letter by saying If I did not see a Spirit among 
 some People to prostrate our Country & its Independence to France, 
 I should feel no fear or apprehension from any Foreign Nation on 
 earth, for I verily believe we have little to fear from any Nation 
 except that Ambitious & avaricious quarter - 
 
 With best respects to all friends I am 
 
 Dear Sir 
 your friend 
 
 & Hum Sert. 
 
 W. B. Grove 
 
 To James Hogg. 
 
 Philadelphia July 8, 1798 
 
 Dear Sir 
 
 I wrote you a line immediately on the arrival of Genl. 
 
 11 Desultory naval warfare begun with France almost immediately after 
 the X.Y.Z. disclosures. 
 
James Sprunt Historical Publications 81 
 
 Marshall," & informed you of our expectation that your friend Genl 
 Pinckney would soon be with us as he left Paris about the 15th. 
 of April and went to the South of France only for a short time to 
 recruit the Health of his Daughter -since that we have no accounts 
 of him, I earnestly wish for his arrival & Safety. 
 
 Mr Gerry 2 remained in consequence of Tallyrand's intimation, 
 & contrary to the opinion of his Colleagues, & of Genl Pinckney's 
 in particular - this conduct of Mr G. has excited some uneasiness, 
 more especially as tis an evidence of "the Diplomatic Skill of 
 France" to Divide and Disunite us - Ids friends seem confident he 
 will do nothing to dishonour himself, or the Nation, and yet his 
 obstinacy may increase our Difficulties by keeping alive the Spirit 
 of the Partizans of France among us^-for it begins now to appear 
 pretty clearly that this Country must either become Tributary to 
 France, or Defend itself with Vigour & energy -The latter is cer- 
 tainly the Choice of all Men who regard the Independence, or rights 
 of a Free People, and under tins impression Congress have acted 
 since the Views of France have been fully unfolded - If We are 
 united & true to each other, We can procure Justice & an honor- 
 able indemnification, & will prove to the World, that tho' We are 
 slow to take Arms even to avenge our Wrongs, yet when insulted 
 into resentment, We will act like Men who know the Value of our 
 rights, & who are Resolved to Defend them at the risk of every 
 thing - We have greatly augmented our Maratime force, & from 
 the public spirit of the monied men in the great towns, It is ex- 
 pected we shall add several Frigates &c to our little Fleet - private 
 Subscripns. to an immense amount is obtained in Boston, N. York, 
 Phila. Baltimore &c. to Build Ships to be loaned to Government - 
 We have authorized the increase of our Military establishment to 
 ten thousand Men, In addition to a Provisional Army of the same 
 number, & such Volunteer Corps as may offer their services under 
 the 2d clause of this Law. - 
 
 1 John Marshall, of Virginia, one of the commissioners to France, recent- 
 ly returned to the United States. 
 
 2 Elbridge Gerry, the only Republican member of the commission, at the 
 invitation of Tallyrand, French minister of foreign affairs, remained at Paris 
 and had some further negotiations with the French government after his col- 
 
82 James Sprunt Historical Publications 
 
 Need I tell you that all our preparations for Defence will require 
 additional funds, We shall however try to apportion the sums to 
 be raised in as equitable a manner as possible. 
 
 It is proposed to raise 2 Million of Dollars in the U. States on 
 Houses, Lands, & Negroes, the latter are to be rated at half a Dol- 
 lar pr head from 12 to 50 years of age - Houses & Lands are to be 
 valued & pay a Certain pr. Centageon their value- each State pays 
 their own quota according to the Number of Inhabitants - White 
 Polls pay nothing. 
 
 1 hoped to have been at Home before now, and [Remainder of 
 letter missing.] 
 
 To James Hogg. 1 
 
 have the utmost respect & Confidence in Mr H integrity & good Policy 2 
 yet they are not so drilled as the opposition generally are, Not to 
 dare to express an opinion contrary to the sentiments of a Jef - - n, 
 a Gall - - n, 3 or a Nicholas 4 — Tis probable from the Divisions in 
 the Legislature of this State as to the mode of Electing Electors, 5 
 that they will have no vote; The Federal Men desire that Electors 
 
 leagues had departed, thus incurring the severe, displeasure of the adminis- 
 tration and the Federalist party generally. 
 
 1 The beginning of this letter is missing. Its precise date cannot he de- 
 termined, but from the content we know it to have been written a short time 
 before the presidential election of 1800. 
 
 2 Thomas Jefferson . 
 
 3 Albert Gallatin of Pennsylvania. 
 
 4 John Nicholas, Representative in Congress from Virginia and a staunch 
 Republican . 
 
 5 Grove wrote from Philadelphia. At that date, like all the other States, 
 three excepted, Pennsylvania chose her presidential electors in joint session 
 of her legislature. In 1800 the Senate being Federalist and the House Repub- 
 lican, there was a deadlock, the Senate hoping to defeat the will of the Re- 
 publican majority by refusing to go into joint session, thus to prevent the 
 vote of the State being cast at all. A compromise was finally reached by 
 which Adams was given seven votes and Jefferson eight. 
 
James Sprunt Historical Publications 83 
 
 should lie appointed by Districts, the other party, as in Yirgia. 
 want a general ticket by which Faction A- party have; a greater 
 field to display itself, & the People are obliged to vote for many 
 Men they know nothing of - 
 
 New York appoint by joint Ballot and no doubt is entertained 
 but Mr Adams will have the whole of that State, also Jersey and 
 the whole of the Eastern States - Deleware - and perhaps the whole 
 of Maryland, as the State Legislature have it in contemplation to 
 meet for the express purpose of Appointing the Electors them- 
 selves, to counteract the new Virginia plan. 6 If Maryland elect 
 Districts, it is supposed Adams will have 7 — I do hope that our 
 State will not be so completely under the guidance of her overgrown, 
 imperious Sister again the dupe of her local and insinuating 
 intrigues as upon a former occasion; 7 and tho' Commissioners may 
 be again sent to reside near our Board of Electors, and Coax, or 
 threaten them — I trust they will prove of no avail, and that every 
 Federal Man may be as firm as Martin, of Moore, who I hope will 
 be our Elector from F. Yille 8 again, and tho' him and myself have 
 some cause to be chagrined, at his not having been offered a Cap- 
 taincy upon my recommendation & without his knowledge, yet I 
 am persuaded he is above a resentment on the Country, by not 
 voting for Adams because there seems to have been some inatten- 
 tion or mistake, in paying that respect to him which his conduct 
 merited- I have explained the thing to him as far as I am Capa- 
 ble from the information I have had- & the neglect has produced 
 some censure on the War Depart, here, among those who the thing 
 has been mentioned to - But the President knew nothing of this 
 matter, till latterly - 
 
 Genl. Pinckney, 9 or Major Pinckney 10 is taulked of as Vice P- by 
 
 6 Virginia, North Carolina, and Maryland chose electors l»y popular vote 
 in districts. 
 
 7 A reference to Virginia's influence, politically upon North Carolina, es- 
 pecially in the election of 1790 when the North Carolina Federalists carried 
 only one electoral vote for Adams. 
 
 8 Fayetteville, Grove'shome. 
 
 Q Charles C. Pinckney of South Carolina, Federalist vice-presidential can- 
 didate lidate in 1804. In 18n0 Adams and 
 Pinckney secured o5 electoral votes as against 73 for Jefferson and Burr. 
 
84 James Sprunt Historical Publications 
 
 the Federal side- I dont know the GenL, hut what I hear he is a 
 man of more eclat of Character, but I am inclined to believe We 
 have few men in our Country possessing more of the qualities of 
 Washington than Major P — He is not a great Orator, but he is a 
 man of excellent practical sense, and Classical Education -a per- 
 fect Gentleman in his manners, Firm, mild, unaffected, & Dignified 
 in his Deportment; commanding at once respect, and Esteem from 
 all who are in his Company. - 
 
 It is supposed however by some that the Genl, is the most Pop- 
 ular, & more likely to succeed in getting Votes as he is more Per- 
 sonally known in many of the States, and is a very pleasant Com- 
 panionable Man - 
 
 As the latest European news is by the way of Charleston, I pre- 
 sume you will have seen the accounts before we had them here - 
 the only matters of importance is the new Constitun. of France; 
 & the Correspondence between Consul Buonaparte & Lord Gren- 
 ville 12 about Peace - 
 
 The Constitution seems to me to be a strange mixture of Despo- 
 tism, and insult offered to the nation, with Liberty equality & Re- 
 publicanism, hashed up in the French stile, to hide from the most 
 Vulgar & Ignorant, the Contemptable & deplorable Situation the 
 great Mass of the People are brought to by their own folly, and 
 the Infamous treachery of most of their Pretended Patriots - What 
 is to be the end of the Colossal Consul, & his Government is not 
 easy to conjecture in a nation like France, where nothing is to be 
 calculated on the ground of Reason or experience- some think He 
 will soon share the fate of Caesar, whilst others expect He will 
 become a second Cromwell, and make Crowned Heads tremble on 
 their throne, and renovate the energies of his Nation - It seems 
 from the reply of Lord Grenville, that notwithstanding the New 
 
 10 Thomas Pinckney of South Carolina, Federalist vice-presidential can- 
 didate in 1796 and a brother of C. C. Pinckney. 
 
 11 The French Directory was overthrown by Bonaparte in November, 
 1799, and the Consulate set up under a constitution that gave Bonaparte 
 supreme power. 
 
 12 Lord William Grenville, England's Foreign Minister in the younger 
 Pitt's cabinet, resigned office February 1801 ; Prime Minister 1806-1807. 
 
James Sjrrunt Historical Publications 86 
 
 King 13 had written in Very flattering terms to his Brother of Eng- 
 land, the old King 1 * seems to have Very little Confidence in his 
 proposals, & recommends him to restore the antient Princes, tho he 
 does not make that a Sine qua nan, to a Peace 15 - 
 
 We are in hourly expectations of hearing from the Envoys, and 
 think it somewhat Strange that Capt. Barry does not return -It is 
 fully expected from the Complexion of affairs that all our differ- 
 ences will be amicably settled and If the French let us alone, they 
 may have a Revolution every decade if they please - 
 
 I was not a little Vexed at seeing in Gales 17 paper a censure on 
 Cap. Truxton' 8 for having so Gallantly beat the French 54- Such 
 actions will tend more to insure Justice and Respect from France, 
 and the World, than a thousand whining speeches in Congress 
 about Peace, the Power of France, and the inability of this Coun- 
 try to Defend her national rights on the Ocean - 
 
 'Tis very late at night — please Remember me to Mr Alves. 
 I am 
 
 Or Sir 
 
 Yr Ilnml Sert 
 
 W B Grove 
 
 13 A contemptuous reference to Bonaparte and his assumption of Sover- 
 eign authority in France. 
 
 14 George II r. 
 
 15 These negotiations ultimately led to a temporary peace between Bona- 
 parte and England signed at Amiens in March, 1802. 
 
 16 This was Adams' famous second mission to France, composed of Oliver 
 Ellsworth, Wm. Vans Murray, and William R. Davie. 
 
 17 Joseph Gates, editor of the Raleigh Register. Phis paper was established 
 at Raleigh in 1789 as the organ of the Republican party in North Carolina. 
 
 18 Barry and Truxton were Commodores in the American Navy. Desul- 
 tory sea-fighting with France proceeded in 1799 and 1800 while the negotia- 
 tions of Adams' second commission were under way. In February, 1800, 
 Commodore Truxton, in command of tne American frigate Constellation, 
 attacked the French fifty-four gun frigate, La Vengeance, off Basseterre and 
 after a long drawn out and desperate engagement put her to flight. 
 
 19 Walter Alves, brother of Mrs; James Hogg and member from Orange 
 county of the lower branch of the State Legislature in 1703, 1794, 1795 ; also 
 Treasurer, Secretary, and Trustee of the University of North Carolina. He 
 later removed to Kentucky and settled near Henderson in that State. 
 
86 James Sprunt Historical Publications 
 
 To James Hogg. 
 
 Raleigh 14th. March 1801 
 
 Dear Sir 
 
 Some Business led me to take Halifax in my way 
 Home, that circumstance prevents me from adding to the length 
 of my journey by calling at your place -Before this you will have 
 seen Mr Jeffersons address to the public at his inauguration, 1 which 
 many think very clever and as moderate as could be expected - 
 
 If we compare it with those writings attributed to Mr J. viz his 
 letter to Mazzini etc. — one of two things occurs, either that he is 
 a great Hypocrite, or that his Notions of our Constitution is great- 
 ly changed- In his letter he says '"they have given us the 
 forms of the British Governt, & now endeavoring to give us the 
 Substance" -in his address our Constitution is the best & Strongest, 
 & the Worlds last hope &c 
 
 However, these are only trifles to the inconsistences & evidences 
 of Mr Jeffersons arts & machivelian policy to get at the head of 
 American affairs; I earnestly hope & pray we may have no worse 
 proofs of those arts & that policy, than his words & inconsistencies - 
 
 It is very certain our new Admin, have very strong prejudices 
 against Britain, & partiality for France, but they are aware that 
 tho' they expressed & inculcated those sentiments heretofore, that 
 now they are Responsible for the Peace of the Country, having the 
 direction of the Government, it will not do to indulge in those feel- 
 ings to the extent of their wishes, as it might endanger their Popu- 
 larity with the nation, who regard Peace & Commerce with our 
 best Customers as a primary object — this is a circumstance of 
 which Mr J. & his friends are fully aware of, & will tend to check 
 their hatred, & partiality not a little — for tho' these impressions 
 are strongly rooted in many of them, yet the wish & Love of Popu- 
 
 1 The Federalist party bad been overturned in ]800 and Jefferson, regard- 
 ed by his party opponents as a rabid radical in whose hands the fate of the 
 country was unsafe, was inaugu rated president, March 4th 1801. Grove was 
 correspondingly disgruntled. However, Grove was able to again effect bis 
 own re-election to Congres- this year, but this proved to be his last term. 
 
Jam ex Sprvnt Historical Publications 87 
 
 larih/ in the new Adminn. will in my opinion bear down all other 
 considerations — 
 
 As f presume you have seen Mr Henderson, 2 1 suppose, yon have 
 ree'd from him all the news of the day that I am possessed of, 
 therefore I shall add nothing more at present - 
 
 The Certift. about your Funded debt, I will forward you at some 
 other time after I get home — I could not get any Bank notes at 
 Washington, 3 but Columbia Bank notes, and I was informed they 
 did not pass freely in this State, or to the Westward, owing to the 
 small intercourse between the trading part of the Community & 
 the new City - 1 reed . three quarters Dividends of your Funded 
 debt amounting to $131 -as well as I now remember, but when we 
 meet, I will furnish you with an exact acct. in the mean time I 
 enclose you $109 - including one bank note of $10- If I am not at 
 your next Supr. Court, I hope to see you at Fayette - 
 In the mean time I am 
 
 with real regard 
 
 ~ Dr Sir 
 
 Yr. Humbl Sert 
 
 W. B. Grove 
 
 To Ji lines Hogg. 
 
 Washington 9th. March 1802 
 Dear Sir 
 
 Had anything very interesting occurred here, I 
 would have done myself the pleasure of troubling you with a let- 
 ter before now — You will have seen in the News papers, the 
 course & progress ^i Public measure under the new Adminisn. — 
 time, and wise men, will unfold how far some of those measures 
 are consistent with the Constitution & real interests of the Nation- 
 To undo, much of what had been done under former Adminisns. 
 seems to be the order of the day' - 
 
 2 Archibald Henderson, of Salisbury, Representative of his district in 
 Congress. A. Federalist, likeGrove, Henderson also lost his seat in 1803. 
 
 3 The government took up its permanent residence at Washington, the 
 new Capital, June 15, 1800. 
 
 1 The new Republican Administration, supported by Congress, set itself 
 
88 James Sprunt Historical Publications 
 
 On the arrival of the French troops at St Domingo the Blacks' 
 resisted their landing, & hurnt & massacred all before them — the 
 scene must have been dredful - 
 
 It is feared here, that part of the French forces are intended for 
 New Orleans, as tis believed the Spaniards have ceeded that coun- 
 try to Buonaparte 3 - this apprehension gives us some uneasiness, for 
 all Parties seem to prefer, the indolent Aristocratic Dons for Neigh- 
 bors, to the Ambkiovs and turbulent Monsieurs, notwithstanding 
 their high pretensions to Liberty & Republicanism. 
 
 I have reed, from Mr Hooper 4 your Power of atty to transfer your 
 Funded Stock to him, & the Dividends due from Jany 1800 - but 
 tho' the power is sufficient to transfer the Stock lis not sufficient to 
 receive the Dividends standing in your name — As Mr H. wishes 
 the Stock sold, and the Dividends received, I take the liberty to 
 request you to forward me by first Post, a power to draw & receive 
 the same, in the same form, as those you heretofore sent me, to 
 the end I may comply with Mr Ploopers request -I have dropped 
 Mr H. a line informing him of the defect in the old power in 
 regard to receiving the Dividends standing in your name - 
 
 1 hope to get away from this place about the middle of April, 
 tho' I suspect Congress will not rise before the 1st. May - 
 
 Mrs Grove is pretty well, & desires me to send her respects to 
 you, & Complems. to you and your Household - 
 With real regard 
 I am 
 
 Dear Sir 
 
 yr Plumb Ser. 
 
 W. B. Grove 
 
 the task of repealing much of the objectionable Federalist legislation effected 
 in its last years and months of power; among these were the Alien and Sedi- 
 tion Acts, the "Mid-night" Judiciary Act, etc. 
 
 2 The Island of Hayti was at this date in rebellion against French authori- 
 ty, the blacks being led by the famous Toussaint L'Onvertnre. 
 
 8 This supposition was correct, the transfer having been made in the 
 treaty of San Ildefonso in the year 1800. All America was stirred by the 
 transfer, fear not being allayed until the territory was purchased from Frante 
 in 1803. 
 
 4 Very probably Thomas Hooper, lawyer, of Ilillsboro, son of Wm. 
 Hooper, signer of the Declaration of Independence. 
 

 V ... 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 w 
 
 w 
 
 
 
 
 ^ •" \* .. + 
 
 
 
 
 x ^ * 
 

 GracuviUc, PA 
 
 jitiiuviiic, rr\