th the
utmost sincerity and frankness of heart. And now, notwithstanding the
insinuations, which are implied in your letter, of the vicissitudes of
friendship and the inconstancy of mine, I will pronounce with decision
that it ever has been, and, notwithstanding the unkindness of the
charge, ever will be, for aught I know to the contrary, warm and
sincere.

"I earnestly wished, on account of that friendship, as well as on the
score of military talents, to have had the assistance of you and
Colonel Hamilton in the arduous scenes with which we are threatened. I
wish it still devoutly, as well on public as on private accounts; for
dissentions of this sort will have an unhappy effect among the friends
of government, while it will be sweet consolation to the French
partisans, and food for their pride."

Washington's letter touched the heart of Knox, and soothed his wounded
spirit. "In your welcome and much-esteemed favor," he wrote in reply, "I
recognize fully all the substantial friendship and kindness which I have
always so invariably experienced from you." His former letter was
written, he said, "under a pressure of various ideas, all sharpened by a
strong sense of the comparison which had been publicly made between
others" and himself. But, he said, in conclusion, "it is certainly far
from my intention to embarrass, or to force myself unbidden into a
station designed for another. It is neither my nature nor practice to
excite dissention. I shall, therefore, submit to any proper authority.
But, if an invasion shall take place, I shall deeply regret all
circumstances which would insuperably bar my having an active command in
the field. But, if such a measure should be my destiny, I shall
fervently petition to serve as one of your aids-de-camp, which, with
permission, I shall do with all the cordial devotion and attachment of
which my soul is capable."

During the autumn of 1798, Washington's time was alternately devoted to
the business of his estate, and the duties of his responsible office.
The latter occupied much the larger portion of his thoughts and
exertions. Difficulties, which gave him much trouble in the old war, now
appeared--namely, questions of rank, and tardiness in the
recruiting-service. The friends of Knox, lacking that officer's love and
veneration for Washington, importuned the president, in whose hands
resided the power to make military appointments, to reverse the order in
which the lieutenant-gener