I flatter myself the frankness with which I have delivered myself, will not be displeasing to you.

It has been prompted by motives which you would not disapprove." In answer to this letter General Washington opened himself without reserve.

"In acknowledging," said he, "the receipt of your candid and kind letter by the last post, little more is incumbent on me than to thank you sincerely for the frankness with which you communicated your sentiments, and to assure you that the same manly tone of intercourse will always be more than barely welcome,--indeed it will be highly acceptable to me.
"I am particularly glad, in the present instance, that you have dealt thus freely and like a friend.

Although I could not help observing from several publications and letters that my name had been sometimes spoken of, and that it was possible the _contingency_ which is the subject of your letter might happen, yet I thought it best to maintain a guarded silence, and to lack the counsel of my best friends (which I certainly hold in the highest estimation) rather than to hazard an imputation unfriendly to the delicacy of my feelings.

For, situated as I am, I could hardly bring the question into the slightest discussion, or ask an opinion even in the most confidential manner, without betraying, in my judgment, some impropriety of conduct, or without feeling an apprehension that a premature display of anxiety, might be construed into a vain glorious desire of pushing myself into notice as a candidate.