9015. WASHINGTON (George), Jefferson and.—
I learn that he [General H. Lee]
has thought it worth his while to try to sow
tares between you and me, by representing me
as still engaged in the bustle of politics, and in
turbulence and intrigue against the government.
I never believed for a moment that this could
make any impression on you, or that your
knowledge of me would not overweigh the slander
of an intriguer, dirtily employed in sifting
the conversations of my table, where alone he
could hear of me; and seeking to atone for his
sins against you by sins against another, who
had never done him any other injury than that
of declining his confidences. Political conversations
I really dislike, and therefore avoid where
I can without affectation. But when urged by
others, I have never conceived that having been
in public life requires me to belie my sentiments,
or even to conceal them. When I am led by
conversation to express them, I do it with the
same independence here which I have practiced
everywhere, and which is inseparable from my
nature. But enough of this miserable tergiversator,
who ought, indeed, either to have been
of more truth, or less trusted by his country.—
To President Washington. Washington ed. iv, 142.
Ford ed., vii, 82.
(M.
1796)
