They did so. However, he observed, the old fox was
too cunning for them. He answered every article of their address
particularly except that, which he passed over without notice. Rush
observes, he never did say a word on the subject in any of his public
papers, except in his valedictory letter to the Governors of the States
when he resigned his commission in the army, wherein he speaks of 'the
benign influence of the Christian religion.'
I know that Gouverneur Morris, who pretended to be in his secrets and
believed himself to be so, has often told me that General Washington
believed no more of that system than he himself did.
March, 1800. Heretical doctrines maintained in Senate, on the motion
against the Aurora. That there is in every legal body of men a right of
self-preservation, authorizing them to do whatever is necessary for that
purpose: by Tracy, Read, and Lawrence. That the common law authorizes
the proceeding proposed against the Aurora, and is in force here: by
Read. That the privileges of Congress are and ought to be indefinite: by
Read.
Tracy says, he would not say exactly that the common law of England in
all its extent is in force here; but common sense reason, and morality,
which are the foundations of the common law, are in force here, and
establish a common law. He held himself so nearly half way between the
common law of England and what every body else has called natural law,
and not common law, that he could hold to either the one or the other,
as he should find expedient.
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