777. BARLOW (Joel), Proposed History by.—
Mr. Madison and myself have cut
out a piece of work for you, which is to write
the history of the United States, from the close
of the war downwards. We are rich ourselves
in materials, and can open all the public
archives to you; but your residence here
[Washington] is essential, because a great deal
of the knowledge of things is not on paper,
but only within ourselves, for verbal communication.
John Marshall is writing the life of
General Washington from his papers. It is intended
to come out just in time to influence
the next Presidential election. It is written,
therefore, principally with a view to electioneering
purposes. But it will consequently be
out in time to aid you with information, as
well as to point out the perversions of truth
necessary to be rectified.—
To Joel Barlow. Washington ed. iv, 438.
Ford ed., viii, 151.
(W.
May. 1802)
