The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 9 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and PrivateJefferson, Thomas
History
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 9 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and Private
Jefferson, Thomas
United States -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783; United States -- Politics and government -- 1783-1865
In conversation with the President to-day, and speaking about General
Greene, he said that he and General Greene had always differed in opinion
about the manner of using militia. Greene always placed them in his
front: himself was of opinion, they should always be used as a reserve to
improve any advantage, for which purpose they were the _finest fellows_
in the world. He said he was on the ground of the battle of Guilford,
with a person who was in the action, and who explained the whole of it
to him. That General Greene's front was behind a fence at the edge of
a large field, through which the enemy were obliged to pass to get at
them; and that in their passage through this, they must have been torn
all to pieces, if troops had been posted there who would have stood their
ground; and that the retreat from that position was through a thicket,
perfectly secure. Instead of this, he posted the North Carolina militia
there, who only gave one fire and fell back, so that the whole benefit
of their position was lost. He thinks that the regulars, with their
field pieces, would have hardly let a single man get through that field.
* * * * *
_Eodem die_ (June the 7th). Beckley tells me that he has the following
fact from Governor Clinton. That before the proposition for the present
General Government, _i. e._ a little before Hamilton conceived a plan
for establishing a monarchial government in the United States, he wrote a
draught of a circular letter, which was to be sent to about ---- persons,
to bring it about. One of these letters, in Hamilton's handwriting, is
now in possession of an old militia General up the North River, who,
at that time, was thought _orthodox_ enough to be entrusted in the
execution. This General has given notice to Governor Clinton that he
has this paper, and that he will deliver it into his hands, and no one's
else. Clinton intends, the first interval of leisure, to go for it, and
he will bring it to Philadelphia. Beckley is a man of perfect truth as
to what he affirms of his own knowledge, but too credulous as to what
he hears from others.
* * * * *
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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