5987. NEWSPAPERS, Writing for.—[continued].
From a very early period
of my life, I had laid it down as a rule of
conduct, never to write a word for the public
papers. From this, I have never departed in
a single instance; and on a late occasion,
when all the world seemed to be writing, besides
a rigid adherence to my own rule, I
can say with truth, that not a line for the
press was ever communicated to me, by any
other, except a single petition referred for
my correction; which I did not correct, however,
though the contrary, as I have heard,
was said in a public place, by one person
through error, through malice by another
[General Henry Lee].—
To President Washington. Washington ed. iv, 142.
Ford ed., vii, 82.
(M.
June. 1796)
