University of Virginia Library

7120. PUBLICITY, War intelligence.—

When our constituents are called on for considerable
exertions to relieve a part of their
fellow-citizens, suffering from the hand of an
enemy, it is desirable for those entrusted
with the administration of their affairs to
communicate without reserve what they have
done to ward off the evil. [409]
To President Washington. Ford ed., v, 431.
(1792)


734

Page 734
 
[409]

The extract is from the draft of a letter written
by Jefferson for President Washington, to be sent
by him to the Secretary of War, as an introduction
to a report on Indian affairs. Hamilton doubted
“whether `our constituents' was a proper phrase to
be used by the President in addressing a subordinate
officer”, and suggested instead of it, “the community ”. Washington adopted it. Hamilton also
suggested that the close of the sentence after “ desirable
” be made to read, “to manifest that due pains
have been taken by those entrusted with the administration
of their affairs to avoid the evil”. Washington
made the change.—Editor.