Remarks on a Reprint of the Original Letters of Washington to Joseph Reed

39 Judge Marshall’s Text. dollars and five thousand pounds sterling of the public money as an interest therein ? Would not this (if I am entitled to any merit for the part I have performed, and without it there is no foundation for the act) deprive me of the principal thing which is laudable in my conduct? Would it not in some respects be considered in the same light as a pension ? And would not the apprehension of this induce me to offer my sentiments in future with the more reluctance ? In a word, under whatever pretence, and however customary these gratuities may be in other countries, should I not thenceforward be considered as a dependent?”—Vol.V.p.21. EETTER TO “ But, fortunately, they have precipitated a crisis for which they were not prepared ; and thereby have unfolded views which will, I trust, effect their annihilation sooner than it might have happened. An occasion has also been afforded for the people of this country Text of the Letter-Books. five thousand pounds sterling of the public money as an interest therein ? Would not this, in the estimation of it (if I am entitled to any merit for the part I have acted; and without it there is no foundation for the act) deprive me of the principal thing which is laudable in my conduct ? Would it not in some respects be considered in the same light as a pension ? And would not the apprehension of this make me more reluctantly offer my sentiments in future? In a word, under whatever pretence, and however customary these gratuitous gifts are made in other countries, should I not thenceforward be considered as a dependent ? ” JOHN JAY. Nov. 1, 1794. “ But, fortunately, they precipitated a crisis for which they were not prepared; and thereby have unfolded views which will, I trust, effectuate their annihilation sooner than it might otherwise have happened ; at the same time that it has afforded an occasion for

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