ⅭⅩⅥ. James McHenry: Anecdotes.[1]
18—
A lady asked Dr. Franklin Well Doctor what have we got a republic or a monarchy—A republic replied the Doctor if you can keep it.*
- The lady here aluded to was Mrs. Powel of Philada.
Mr. Martin said one day in company with Mr Jenifer speaking of the system before Convention—
I’ll be hanged if ever the people of Maryland agree to it. I advise you said Mr Jenifer to stay in Philadelphia lest you should be hanged.
ⅭⅩⅦ. Anecdote.[2]
When the Convention to form a Constitution was sitting in Philadelphia in 1787, of which General Washington was president, he had stated evenings to receive the calls of his friends. At an interview between Hamilton, the Morrises, and others, the former remarked that Washington was reserved and aristocratic even to his intimate friends, and allowed no one to be familiar with him. Gouverneur Morris said that was a mere fancy, and he could be as familiar with Washington as with any of his other friends. Hamilton replied, “If you will, at the next reception evenings, gently slap him on the shoulder and say, ‘My dear General, how happy I am to see you look so well!’ a supper and wine shall be provided for you and a dozen of your friends.” The challenge was accepted. On the evening appointed, a large number attended; and at an early hour Gouverneur Morris entered, bowed, shook hands, laid his left hand on Washington’s shoulder, and said, “My dear General, I am very happy to see you look so well!” Washington withdrew his hand, stepped suddenly back, fixed his eye on Morris for several minutes with an angry frown, until the latter retreated abashed, and sought refuge in the crowd. The company looked on in silence. At the supper, which was provided by Hamilton, Morris said, “I have won the bet, but paid dearly for it, and nothing could induce me to repeat it.[3]
- ↑ American Historical Review, XI, 618. The date of this is uncertain.
- ↑ This anecdote is taken from James Parton, Life of Thomas Jefferson, (1874), p. 369.
- ↑ This is doubtless the same story told in another form by W.T. Read in his Life and Correspondence of George Read (1870, p. 441 note):
“But it appears from the following anecdote, communicated to me by Mrs. Susan
