1775. CONTROVERSY, Avoiding.—
So
many persons have of late found an interest
or a passion gratified by imputing to me sayings
and writings which I never said or wrote,
or by endeavoring to draw me into newspapers
to harass me personally, that I have found
it necessary for my quiet and my other pursuits
to leave them in full possession of the
field, and not to take the trouble of contradicting
them even in private conversation.—
To Alexander White. Washington ed. iv, 201.
Ford ed., vii, 174.
(M.
1797)
