Thomas Jefferson Papers
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To Thomas Jefferson from Horatio Gates, 5 January 179[4]

From Horatio Gates

Rose Hill 5th: January 1793.1 [i.e. 1794]

Dear Sir

The Hermit of Rose Hill sees it confirmed by Yesterdays post, that you have actually Resign’d your Office! but his prophetic Soul, Augurs no Benefit to the State by such a Sacrafice; If the best Seamen abandon the Ship in a Storm, she must Founder; and if all Human means are neglected, Providence will2 not Care for The Vessel; She must Perish! A Hermit, as He knows little of what passes in the World, cannot reason from Causes, to Conduct; He can only Lament your going to Monte Celli, when you seem3 so much wanted at philadelphia. Your Report to Congress upon the Trade of the US., Has Filled every Patriot Breast with Gratitude; and Admiration; You therefore Retreat covered with Glory; The Public Gratitude may one day4 Force You from that Retreat, so make no rash Promises, lest like other great Men you should be Tempted to break them. If you go to Virginia, I request you will deliver the Letters, and Letter Book, which I had the pleasure to send you last Summer, to the Post Office.5 If you come this Way the Hermits Cell is open to receive You. That Heaven may prosper You, wherever you go, is the prayer of Your Faithful6 Humble Servant,

Horatio Gates

P.S. Mrs. Gates presents you her Compliments.

RC (DLC); misdated; endorsed by TJ as received 22 Jan. 1794 and so recorded in SJL. Dft (NHi: Gates Papers); lacks postscript; only the most important emendations and variations in wording are recorded below; at foot of text: “(Thos Jefferson Esq:).”

Gates sent TJ his letters, and letter book, on 15 and 19 Apr. 1793, not last summer (see also TJ to Gates, 12, 21 Mch. 1793).

1Corrected to “1794” in Dft.

2In Dft Gates here canceled “leave the Vessell to her fate.”

3Dft: “are.”

4In Dft Gates first wrote “and I trust, the Day will come when The public Gratitude will” and then altered the passage to read as above.

5Dft: “The Post,” interlined in place of “Col. Wm. Smith, now at philadelphia, who will bring them to me.”

6In Dft Gates here canceled “Friend &.”

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