9138. WILKINSON (James), Confidence in.—
I am thoroughly sensible of the
painful difficulties of your situation, expecting
an attack from an overwhelming force, unversed
in law, surrounded by suspected persons,
and in a nation tender as to everything infringing
liberty, and especially from the military.
You have doubtless seen a good deal of malicious
insinuation in the papers against you.
This, of course, begot suspicion and distrust
in those unacquainted with the line of your
conduct. We, who knew it, have not failed to
strengthen the public confidence in you; and
I can assure you that your conduct, as now
known, has placed you on ground extremely
favorable with the public. Burr and his emissaries
found it convenient to sow a distrust in
your mind of our dispositions towards you;
but be assured that you will be cordially supported
in the line of your duties.—
To General Wilkinson. Washington ed. v, 39.
Ford ed., ix, 4.
(W.
Feb. 1807)
