To Robert Walsh, Jr.

DEAR SIR,—I have received your favor of the 10th, in which you invite from me contributions for the pages of the "American Quarterly Review."

I have seen ample proofs in the Nos published, that my anticipation of the success of such a work, under your auspices, was not erroneous; and I should take a pleasure in offerings for its pages, were they but mites, if my age and other obstacles did not bar me from the undertaking.

It is an error very naturally prevailing, that the retirement from public service, of which my case is an example, is a leisure for whatever pursuit might be most inviting. The truth, however, is, that I have rarely, during the period of my public life, found my time less at my disposal than since I took my leave of it; nor have I the consolation of finding, that as my powers of application necessarily decline, the demands on them proportionally decrease.

Were it necessary to prove what is here observed, I might appeal to what continually passes to and from me through the mail; to the modes of neighbourly intercourse, unavoidable in rural situations, especially in this quarter of the Union; and to the cares incident to the perplexing species of labour and of husbandry from which alone is derived the support of a complicated establishment; to all which may now be added, the duties devolved on me since the decease of the late Rector of the University, as one of the standing Executive Committee and an organ of intercommunications among the Visitors when not in session. Nor must I omit, as a further addition, the effect of the age at which I am arrived in stiffening the fingers which use the pen, to say nothing of a concurrent effect, of which I may be less sensible, on the source which supplies the matter for it.

My respect for your friendly disposition, and the public object you have in view, has drawn from me an explanation which I am sure you will rightly appreciate. I might enforce it by the remark, that such has been the accumulated force of the causes alluded to, that I am yet to put a final hand to the digest and arrangement of some of my papers, which may be considered as a task due from me.

I am aware of the distinction of a communication of original papers composed for the occasion, and documents or extracts to be merely transcribed, such as would be the historical memorials to which you have pointed. But I may say to you what I have said in confidence to one or two others, that a posthumous appearance has been thought to be best suited to their character. The debates and proceedings of the Convention which formed the Constitution of the United States could not, indeed, be well published in detached parts, and are very far too voluminous to be inserted in any periodical work.

That in declining a compliance with your particular wishes, I may give some proof of my respect for them, I have taken from my files a paper of some length, which has never been in print, and which was copied many years ago from the original, then, as it may yet be, in the Archives of the Revolutionary Congress. It was drawn up by Mr. Wilson, as was told me by himself, and intended to mature the public mind for the event of Independence, the necessity of which was seen to be approaching, and which, in fact, approached so fast as to leave the ground taken by the document in the rear of the public sentiment. The paper is made interesting by its date, Feby 13, 1776, and by its complexion and scope; but it is not, perhaps, as a literary composition, the most favorable specimen of the classic talents of its author. As soon as I can get it transcribed you shall have an opportunity of judging how far it may deserve a place and find a convenient one in a reviewing chapter. In the mean time, I tender you anew my great esteem and good wishes.