Family-histories and genealogies : containing a series of ...

C!^trfstiiollr
despotism ? Justice has but little to do in the adjustment of disputes between nations,
and, so long as America appeared willing to put on the chains of servitude, the Gallic
Tyrants were willing to supply them. Wou'd to God that our experience even at
this time taught us wisdom ;
but an unaccountable spirit of timidity and weakness
still prevails among a certain class of persons who are strongly attached to the Gov-
ernment ; this conduct is gradually undermining the main pillar of our existence
it is sapping the foundation of that confidence on which alone our nation can rest ;
the truth really is that no one measure has been adopted by the Legislature for the
national defence which has not been forced upon it by the pressure of public opinion ;
and the Government, consisting of all its departments, which ought by its united
energy to give a tone to the public mind, and point out the path of honour and Inde-
pendence, has been driven like chaff before a torrent of public spirit which cou'd not
be entirely resisted.
energy ;
"I hope the return of Mr. Marshall will bring along with it new spirit and
and
those honest men who have heretofore sought for peace with meekness
and humility, will at last learn that it is only to be found in firmness, energy and
honour.
" Mr. Marshall declares that, in his opinion, the French have taken their ground
in respect to this Country, from which they will not, without a new revolution in
Paris, recede—that we are to expect nothing but War or Tribute, that we have our
choice of these alternatives ; and
the breast of every American.
I trust that the choice has been long since made in
" I remain, with esteem,
Your friend and very Humble Serv'
R. Griswold."
Of letters addressed to Governor Griswold, preserved in the family,
the following are all which it seems worth while to use for this memorial :
"Dear Sir,
"New London, January i8th, 1800."
" I most sincerely concur with you in your sentiments on the death of Gen"'
Washington. The citizens of this town joined last week with the garrison in paying
funeral honors to the memory of the illustrious deceas'"—the proceedings were indeed
solemn, and calculated to make a strong impression. May the honorable sensibility
excited in this and other places have the effect to allay the envy and malignity nat-
urally arising in narrow minds towards the authors of great and noble actions, and
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