3804. HOSPITALITY, Natural laws of.—
Among the first of the laws of nature is that which bids us to succor those in distress.
For an obedience to this law, Don Blas Gonzalez
[241]
appears to have suffered; and we are
satisfied, it is because his case has not been
able to penetrate to his Majesty's ministers,
at least in its true colors. We would not
choose to be committed by a formal solicitation,
but we would wish you to avail yourself of any
good opportunity of introducing the truth to
the ear of the minister, and of satisfying him,
that a redress of this hardship on the governor
would be received here with pleasure, as a
proof of respect to those laws of hospitality
which we would certainly observe in a like case,
as a mark of attention towards us, and of
justice to an individual for whose sufferings we
cannot but feel.—
To William Carmichael. Washington ed. iii, 139.
Ford ed., iii, 155.
(N.Y.,
1790)