3268. FRIENDS, Inconstant.—
During
the whole of the Revolutionary war, which
was trying enough. I never deserted a friend
because he had taken an opposite side; and
those of my own State, who joined the British
government, can attest my unremitting
zeal in saving their property, and can point
out the laws in our statute book which I
drew, and carried through in their favor.
However, I have seen during the late political
paroxysm here [Philadelphia] numbers
whom I had highly esteemed, draw off from
me insomuch as to cross the street to avoid
meeting me. The fever is abating, and doubtless
some of them will correct the momentary
wanderings of their heart, and return again.
If they do, they will meet the constancy of
my esteem, and the same oblivion of this as
of any other delirium which might happen
to them.—
To William Hamilton.
Ford ed., vii, 441.
(Pa.,
1800)
