USA > Delaware > Sussex County > Some records of Sussex County, Delaware > Part 33
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I inclose you here a speach of the Kings the attack made on him as Stated there is gainsaid in other papers and that he only had a Stone discharged against him.
The introduction of the governor to the general afsembly of this State for is qualification is to be vastly grand, I am sorry to tell you that he is now confined to his bed with the Gout.
You have underftood I make now doubt the situation you are in withregart to Sherriff-I am told that the two next highest on the return in Sufsex and Kent are to be appointed-I hope it will be no harm to say thank God for our Dear Moleston in Kent he is a fine fellow indeed.
Mrs Botson is yet in the City she desiered me when ever I wrote you to make her affectionate regard to yourself & Mrs. Wells
Davd Nixon has lately pranced off to the other World, and the Porson is in good Sperits of being Clark to the House of Represen- tatives. Will you Spend a Night with me on your way to the Leges- lature. it will give me much pleasure for you always to Consider the Grove as a second Home be pleased to make my sincere Refpects to Mrs Wells, your Dear little Son & Daughter
God bless you adieu JNO W. BATSON
P. S .- finding the Kings speach in the papers I have omided sending it.
J W B.
THE GROVE, SEPT. 19th, 1796
DEAR SIR :- Your interesting letter of the 20th Ulto never made its appearance before last Evening owing to my unfortunate detention in Philadelp. with a Shocking illness. The late Tour you and Mrs. Wells have taken through the moft healthy parts of Maryland, Vir- ginia, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, was a Circumftance of some little supprise to me" it being altogether a novel excurfion for any of our Gentlemen. I hope the journey will Tend to the reeftablish- ment of Mrs. Wells and Mifs Rachel's health and Totally baffle any defign the Dagsborough atmosphere might have had against yours. I am sure you have made your observation on the Federal City. I wish much to have some Converfation with you on that Subject : it was my intention some ago, to have Visited it this Summer but the destruction of my health from about the 15th of august to the present period, give a stab to that and every other pleasure. "The extreem lafsetude in which the deseas have left me I fear will make this letter too dull for my Friend " I remember that one of King Charles's Golden Rules, was to repeat no grievances, and amongst
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people that pity a greatdeal I am Cautious of doing it-I know the magnanimity of your mind on Such Occafions Seours to the proper Standard "a Bumper to my recovering health of your Salubrious Wine will do me the greatest honor and you the most good. I have Since Yestorday got to drinking same good wine but am obliged to dilute it [in consequence of my liver being much affected by the Malignant bilious fence which I have been Just Confined with in the City] .- I will now make a glass as potent as I dare and drink it to your health, and your late Traveling Party, and Succefs to the Federal Ticket. if the situation of my health will admit of it I will unques- tionably be with at your Ellection! mourn with me at the departure of Gods best [earthly] likenefs, from our Government-I am much flattered with the present prospect of our Kent Ellection. Heaven grant You Succefs in Sufsex and all will be right. I am much Obliged to you and Mrs. Wells for your interestednefs for Mrs. Batson & little Ann's Health they are now in the City but was tolerably well when I left them about three days ago. We shall undoubtedly expect you & Mrs. Wells &c in the winter-Honour me in making my most profound refpects to Mrs. Wells and believe me your very Sincere friend & most aff. St. JNO W. BATSON.
D SIR: I anticipated the pleasure of Seing you before this time - but my indisposition has been such Since you came home that I have not been out of my house till within two days paft. I am now upon the Recovery and hope in a few day to git out. the Election businefs I am apt to think as it Regards myself has been turning against me fom what on account of my Confinement and Robinsons activity-but if my friends dont forsake me I hope to bring that up. I think I am asking the voice of the public in a more proper manner than my aponant is as I was put in the General Tickett agreeable to the form of making ticket in our party-if I had not have been put in the Tickett I should not have thought myself so much intituled to the Interest of the party neither should I have offered myself in the manner that Robinson has but should have felt myself bound to push the Tickett (as I had declared before a Tickett was formed) but a free people will think for themselves and act for themselves and I hope they will in this instance-but as a friend to party I shall always feal my self bound to stand to what my party shall do. from what I have had the pleasure of hearing you Say on the Subject I hope I have your Interest and good wishes &c-if so I am not afraid of my Election. I am with great Esteeme your friend, &c KENDLE BATSON Geo: Town Septr 24th 1796.
WM. H. WELLS Esqr.
PHILADA. 25, Jany. 1798.
DEAR SIR :- You will excuse the liberty I take of begging you to consider how far it will be proper for the Legislature to interfere in fixing the allowance which each County shall pay to the Atty General. I presume you know the fact to be, that the Levy Court of NCastle County refused to make the Atty any compensation for his services. The consequence is that Kent & Sufsex support a State officer, and NC is equally benefitted by his services without paying any thing for them. A strong reason why the salary should be fixed, is that the Atty might always be placed beyond influence. At present
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the Levy Court is liable to indictmt. & if the Atty does his duty he loses the emoluments of his office.
There is no foreign intelligence of late date & no dispatches have yet been recd by our Governmt. The House of Reps. is still occupied in debates on the foreign intercourse Bill. We have used each other with very little ceremony. We have been charged as Monarchists and it has been returned with the charge of Anarchifts. the question which will follow the debates is the more important as it will go far in deciding the strength of the Parties. It is calculated that we have a small majority, but accident may occasion the lofs of the question.
I am with great regard my dear Wells, Your Obt Sert
JAMES A. BAYARD
GEO: TOWN August 27th 1798.
DEAR SIR :- Yours of the 17th instant came to hand Some days ago and I have to aske your pardon for not answering it before this time which neglect was owing to my receiveing your Letter just as I was leaving home and being gone three days. I forgot to answer yours as I intended upon my return. You will receive herewith 30 Stamps of 4 Cents each. I would have sent you a quire But have not got them by me but I expect Some down in a few days and if you want I will send some down. I have also inclosed you the Law Respecting Stamped paper &c, which you will please to Return after you have perused it &c. I expect to see you at Geo: Town Tomorrow as that is a day appointed by our friends to have Some Consultation Re- specting our Election &c.
I will forward you a Copy of my account with you in a few days. I am with esteeme your Sinseare and very devoted friend
KENDLE BATSON
W. H. WELLS EsQ
THE GROVE Sept 23rd 98
DEAR SIR :- From the contrariety of opinions circulated here relative To the Politics of Sufsex, I have felt anxious to have yours. The federal party in Kent is pretty well united; and I think we have reafon to calculate on a Majority of one hundred and 50 at least for Governor, and reprefentative; this with the ordinary superiority of Sufsex, I trust will counteract the democratical fetes of N. Caftle County. which by the bye I prefume will meet with a rub from the rage of the fever in Wilmington. Tho it is a calamity I very much lament, and most ardently wish a speedy period to its ravages.
I must Confefs my supprise in the Changes that has taken place with the Officers in Sufsex, that of the Prothonotary is an extra- ordinary Case indeed; and I doubt whether there is more than one more character, in the federal Party, cloathed with the same power, refulting from the People, as the Senate, that would at this time have braved the same act. all intimacy between the former Officer and my self, appears to have subfided: Yet I am not so much bereft of the feelings of Propriety as it regards the Public, and the individual, as to have no senfibilities on the Occafion.
Mrs. Batson unites with me in Sincere efteem for you, and Mrs. Wells.
believe me your devoted friend and Hub Sert
I. W. BATSON
WILLIAM HILL WELLS Esquire
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The Grove Febry 24th 1799.
DEAR SIR :- As the Conclufion of this Sefsion of Congrefs may take place, before the Refignation of Mr. Bassett as Commifsioner of the Fore may be Known in its proper department of Government; I have thought it not improper to resume the Subject at this time ; and Ob- serve to you that such is the Supposition here. The Confidence I feel in your political management, and favourable wishes for my happiness, Saves here the Communication of any further ideas on the Subject.
It is a pleasing circumftance to your friends in Delaware, to find the Federalists so Universally rejoiceing in your Ellection to the Senate of the United States. I have often blefs'd my Stars that not one d-n democrat voted for you. As I mean this for your own Eyes alone You can make such mention of me to Mefsrs L. & B. as you may deem proper.
I am your much devoted friend & Sincere Humb Sert
JOHN W. BATSON
GEORGE TOWN.
DEAR SIR :- I recd your last #mail, & as an apology for not writing you on the return of the Mail I would observe that I was engaged with the Board of Property which was sitting at that time.
I am informed that the Court of Apl will sit at Dover on the 2nd Tuesday in August.
If you have found the Whip which I left at your house please to send it by the Stage. If not be so kind as to look about the Garden or yard. It is a loaded whip Silver mounted & battered on the head. It belongs to Mr Batson & may probably have some mark on the head.
I send by Stage the Plate of Buonaparte, Koskiusko &c.
I am Dr Sir sincerely yours &c J. M. BROOM
GEO: TOWN 17. July '99.
DEAR SIR :- I understand that Broad Creek & Lewis Town are about to follow the worthy example of Dagsborough in establishing a public library. Geo: Town too I am sure will make the attempt. But I fear while these intended institutions are so seperated, and remain on the extremities of the County, neither can florish or be of that public benefit, for which they may be designed. But if they with the Dagsborough Library could be united and placed at Geo: Town, the most central spot, and where people from all quarters of the County resort at least once in two weeks, I should imagine we could not fail to have a good library. For it is highly probable that people from all parts of the County would subscribe, seeing it so easy of accefs. One of the leading gentlemen of the library at Broad Creek was yesterday talking with me on the subject, and observed he thought there would be no difficulty in supprefsing theirs, provided the one at Dags. could be moved to Geo : Town.
At the instance of that gentleman I have taken the liberty to addrefs you on the subject and to ask if you think it probable the Dagsborough library could be moved to Geo: Town in case the Gentle- men of Broad Creek, Lewis and this place will give up their design and join in promoting the one institution.
I remain, dear sir, with much respect your mo. obt hble Servt
OUTERBRIDGE HORSEY
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MISCELLANEOUS RECORDS.
GEO: TOWN 29. July '99. MONDAY.
DEAR SIR :- Tuesday the 20th of Aug. has been mentioned as the time for our meeting to form the County ticket, but as yet no time is absolutely fixed upon. You will please to pardon me for not answering yours sooner as I have been waiting for the time to be ascertained.
Our next election is certainly a very important one. I dread the effects of it. The obstinacy wth which the two candidates seem to contend, and the great zeal, to frequently accompanied with slander, displayed by the friends of each, I fear, will tend to encrease that discord wch unhappily has too long subsisted between the eastern and western friends, and which there is too much reason to apprehend, without great care and cercumspection will one day or other be fatal to our federal majority. But while we are apprehensive of so dread- ful an event, let us think how we shall" prevent its taking effect, and especially on the present occasion. As to my own part I have too little experience to suggest any ways or means, by which harmony could be restored; but I think if yourself with some of the leading friends of both the candidates could have an interview previous to the general meeting, and talk the matter over seriously, something might be done towards a compromise, or at least to put the election on such a footing that the contest between the two candidates should not effect the ticket in any other respect than that of sheriff. And even in this respect, I think it desirable, should a compromise not take place, that something could be done, that would induce the can- didates and their friends to electioneer in a candid, fair and liberal manner. For it is the false electioneering stories that irritate, & do most of the mischief of which the Demos. will not forget to avail themselves. These no doubt they will industriously circulate to set us by the ears.
Tomorrow is meeting day here if you can conveniently come per- haps an earlier time might be fixed on than before mentioned and some arrangement could be made preparitory to the general meeting that might be of happy effect.
With much regard I remain, Sir, your very obt & hble fervt
O. HORSEY
P. S .- I regret the death of Doc. Lacos. Isaac Davis is appointed to succeed him in the registers office. Cap. White I understand has marched to Elizabeth Town. The federalists in Kent I hear are likely to have considerable difficuly about their sheriff, or rather about the person to run with Brinkly Wear.
N. B .- As soon as the time of meeting is fixed I will drop you a line, but am in hopes you will be here tomorrow & that it will then be concluded upon.
GEO: TOWN 9. Sep. '99.
DEAR SIR :- You will not be a little surprised at my addrefsing you again on the subject of the election. It is doing what I did not expect to do when we parted last. But knowing the allimportance of our party, I could not reconcile it to my fealings, not to make one effort more, at least, to afsuage the impending storm.
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If you adhere to the ticket you made out on tuesday last you drive the friends of Mr. Batson to a measure, in my mind, highly alarming. To a measure which nothing but the kind of policy used by the friends of Mr. Robinson in forming their ticket could ever induce me to consent to adopt. I mean that of forming a seperate ticket. My dear sir shall we thus divide and destroy ourselves and suffer the common enemy to take the field, in wch they have been so often and so long defeated. They have already began to rally, and I am told, should we divide, mean to make a desperate effort. They care nothing about the Sheriffs. The representatives are their aim. But I yet indulge a faint hope they will be disappointed.
I understand you mean to meet us again tomorrow. Can't some- thing be done to unite us in forming the ticket as it regards senators, representatives, and Levy Court, if not as to Sheriffs. To attain this object I would propose that we meet and form the ticket in all respects excepting sheriff but about these say nothing. After we have formed the ticket in this way, the friends of our candidate can retire to another room and complete the ticket and those who remain can do the same. I do not know that Mr. Batson's friends can be brought into this meas- ure. But I flatter myself if the friends of Mr. Robinson would cor- dially acquiesce, it might be effected. As one of Mr. B's friends I declare I wish it from my heart and will do all in my power to bring it about, and I am authorised to say Gen. Mitchell will do the same, altho' it's relinquishing a right Mr. Batson is entitled to, and may operate against him. But any thing to disappoint and Shagrin the Jacobins. If something of this kind can't be done where is the use of our meeting? We had better not meet at all. For our meeting will only tend to exasperate and widen the breach.
I was at Little Creek on saturday last. I there saw a number of different tickets. But Batson's name in all. There was a large meet- ing, three companies, wch were for Batson Nemine Cont. Old Town- send has started the Union Ticket, headed himself Senator &c. Should this ticket be pushed with as much succefs at it was at the last election, I should think it very probable, if we should run sepa- rate tickets, that some of the Demos. would get into the Legislature. But I trust federalism has too many friends in this County thus to be wounded.
With sincere regard & esteem I am, dear sir, Your Most Obt & hble Servt
O. HORSEY
GEO: TOWN 18 Sep. '99.
DEAR SIR :- I should have been one of the last persons to attack Mr. Robinson's character in any shape, but especially in so serious a point as that of religion. But when he and his friends have made the afsault. When I see them labouring to degrade Mr. Batson, and to destroy his reputation, not only as a politician, but as a private man, I can't help emotions of resentment, and fealing a disposition to retaliate. It was no longer than monday last, Mr. Sam. Williams, in the presence of Mr. Robinson, as I am told by unquestionable au- thority, in a speech he made to the people, declared Mr. Batson was a damned rascal, a poor deceitful scroundrel, not to be trusted with the public money, and every man that voted for him was a damned rascal. Is it, my friend, to be expected that speeches of this kind
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are to pafs unnoticed? Is it to be expected that Mr. Batson's char- acter is to be tourn in pieces with, what we shall make appear, unfounded accusations and the most unprovoked slander, without recrimination? We have testimony in our hands completely to refute all the charges made against Mr. Batson, even the big story that is made out of what Mr France has said. Doc. Robertson con- versed with Mr. France on this subject yesterday was a week, and from what Mr. France told the Doc. I am most fully satisfyed that there has been a misconstruction on what Mr. Batson said to France.
It is to be regreted that any accusations have been made, but as Mr. Robinson & his friends gave the first blow, they must expect to re- ceive the last. And let it be remembered that all Mr. Batson has said & done or may say and do, is nothing more than Mr. Robinson's own strokes recoiling upon himself.
We collected several of Mr. Batson's friends last evening. I read to them your letter. The determination was that the affi- davit of Mr. Houston should be put into print.
I remain, dear Sir, with much regard your hble Servt
O. HORSEY
N. B .- I think when we saw each other last, it was understood that when we intended any part of our correspondence on the sub- ject of the election, to be in confidence, it was so to be expressly mentioned. I hope I did not do wrong in reading your letter.
GEO : TOWN 16. Oct. '99.
DEAR SIR :- I forgot to speak to you about the clerkship of the house of representatives. I understand Tho: Clayton has it in view. Should you give me the preference, will you be so good as to speak to Mr. Burton & Doc. Wolf on the subject & such other of the mem- bers as you may have an oppy. to speak with.
When I talked of offering there was no person who made any pre- tention excepting Mr. Fisher, whether Mr. Clayton knew I ment to apply I cannot tell, but should think it probable he did, as it was known by a number of gentlemen in Dover. As to the appointment itself I feel quite indifferent but do not wish to give it up before I can develop the mistery of Clayton's standing.
If I find Mr. Clayton did not know I intended to offer and that he stood simply in opposition to Fisher perhaps I shall relinquish. But wish to be prepared for the event of his opposing me.
White tells me I can certainly get four of the Kent members and if I can get sufsex there can be no doubt of my succefs. I should think it probable that New Castle will vote for Clayton. Your afsistance in this businefs will be greatfully acknowledged.
I remain as ever with Sincere regard your hbl Servt
O. HORSEY
I was informed yesterday by Mr. John Robinson that a Mr. Young of Cedar Creek declares that Mr. Rodgers told him that he Mr. Rodgers heard Mr. Bayard say "that the people of Delaware were not half taxed." This story this Young and Mr. Haygalett are making great use of and do not hesitate to make it known that Mr. Rodgers is the author. I am sure it is impofsible that Mr. R. could have
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SOME RECORDS OF SUSSEX COUNTY.
made any such declaration and that this story must be a mere creation of Youngs or some other Democrats brain.
Would it not be advisable for you to write to Mr. Rodgers and obtain a cerfificate on the subject. This story I understand is the most formidable Weapon against us. O. HORSEY
HON. SIR :- Although nearly a stranger, yet from the parental affection displayed by you to the people of your neighbourhood, I am emboldened to Addrefs you on the present occafsion.
I have been informed by our Poftmaster (Capt Frisbee) that at the expiration of the present quarter [Aexpires in April] he shall re- linquish the Poft Office and as I have been accustomed to conduct a P. O. I have to beg the favor of your intercefsion for me with the Poftmafter General as his Succefsor. If Sir thro your means I may be so happy as to get the Appointmt I shall consider myself under a lasting obligation.
With the profoundest respt I am, Sir, your obdt Servt
W. BLACK
DOVER Feb. 25th 1800
0 If Security or a recommendation is wanted I can procure the first from my friends and I make no doubt Mr. Nining would give me the latter tho' I have not asked him.
SIR :- I have recd your Letter of ye 25th of last Month relating to the Post Office. I do not know what may be the Intentions of the Post Mastr Genl, but I should suppose he would be much influenced in his Selection of a Person to succeed Mr. L. if [illegible] by a Rec- ommendation from ye Inhabitants of Dover. You will pardon me for saying that I cannot support your Application under any other Circumstances. As You have so lately become a Citizen of our State your Pretensions to this office ought to be maintained in the most unequivocal Manner by those among whom you reside-& more particularly so seeing yt they are the Persons.
GEO: TOWN 19 June 1800
DEAR SIR :- A number of gentlemen, both of Mr. Robinson's & Mr. Batson's friends having met on tuesday last to make some arrange- ments for the fourth of July, the subject of representatives to congress was mentioned ;- and tuesday the 15th of July was agreed on as the time of meeting, at this place, to appoint the conferrees to meet at the Court of Appeals.
The conferrees are appointed in New Castle. I am happy to say we met on both sides as if no differences had existed.
We calculate on the pleasure of your company the fourth of July. Accept my thanks for the loan of De Lome. I have sent you the Journal of the Senate & House of Representatives.
The Deed you sent me I have not been able to acknowledge owing to neither of the Witnefses attending to prove the excon of it which is required by the practice of the Court. Mr. Tunnel & Isaiah Long are the Witnefses. You had better get one of them to come in the next Court.
I remain as ever with great regard Your Obt Servt
O. HORSEY
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MISCELLANEOUS RECORDS.
GEO: TOWN 11. June 1801.
DEAR SIR :- If you have any of the bills containing Genl. Wash- ington's Certificate published at Mr. Bafsetts election to refute the charge that he was a tory, I'll thank you to send me one or two. Will you also be good enough to State if you recollect whether the bill verbatim or in substance was not printed in the Delaware & Eastern Shore Advertiser, or if you have the paper containing it be so good as to send it.
Have you heard of the letters Mr. Hargis lately has written to several of our friends in Little Creek.
For this two weeks past this place has been more sickley than it was ever known to be-I have been confined about a week but am now getting up.
In haste Yours with regard & esteem O HORSEY
GEO: TOWN 11. Sep. 1801.
DEAR SIR :- The following is the arrangement concluded on with regard to our meetings-Baltimore, at the Widow Waples' on Thurs- day 17th inst .; Dagsborough at Tho: Wests on Friday the 18th; Indian River at the Chapel on Saturday the 19th; Ceder Creek at Eli Williams on Thursday the 24th; North W. Fork at Bridge Branch on Friday the 25th; Little Creek at English's on Saturday the 26th; Nanticke at Wm. Jones' on Friday the 2d October and at Isaac Short's on Saturday 3d. We were forced to have meetings at both these places on account of both having been spoken to & ex- pecting it before the places of meeting were concluded on.
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