494. ARMSTRONG (John), Secretary of War.—
I have long ago in my heart congratulated
my country on your call to the
place you now occupy. * * * Whatever you
do in office, I know will be honestly and ably
done, and although we who do not see the
whole ground may sometimes impute error,
it will be because we, not you, are in the
wrong; or because your views are defeated by
the wickedness or incompetence of those you
are obliged to trust with their execution.—
To General John Armstrong. Washington ed. vi, 103.
(M.
Feb. 1813)
