FitzSimons, Thomas (1741-1811) to Benjamin Rush re: politics under the Constitution

New York 30 May 1790
Dear Sir, 89
In my Last letter, I accounted Candidly for the delay of writing to you and the Gent to whom I promised you I would write. I hope my reasons were satisfactory for I should think myself very unfortunate indeed if [strike out] any part of my conduct should subject me to the imputation of duplicity, much less that of sacrificing, or making a cats paw of a friend. My policy is not of the Machiavelian [sic] kind, and tho bred a papist, I have never subscribed to the Doctrine (said to be held by the Jesuits) that is it might be committed if good was to result from it. My experience on the contrary, has satisfied me that tho duplicity may be usefull [sic] for a moment, it is pernicious in the end.
I suspect that the delay of this business may be very injurious to our views, but even under that conviction, it is absolutely necessary that the sense of the 2 candidates here should be so implicitly declared, as to have no room for doubt between thier [sic] friends -- and you cannot be surprized [sic] that there should be some hesitation in making it. The speaker has been flattered by his friends with hopes of success. I suppose it must have been very flattering to him and it Required time & Solid Reason to induce him to Relinquish [struck: as dignifyd] a prospect so very dignifyd [sic] and honorable as that of the [2] first Government in the Union. My share in this business has been uncommonly delicate. I know myself to be considered as warmly attached to Mr. Morris-- And might therefore [inserted: be] subject [struck: myself] to the suspicion of pressing the Speaker to Relinquish upon the imputation of promoting the views of the other. That was not my Motive yet it was Necessary I should conduct myself so as not to give Color to the imputation. I have been thus lengthy in the Reasons for my Conduct, as well to satisfy you for the present, as with a View to prevent any hasty suspicions in future-- I may with truth add here that the delicacy of our situation here with Respect to the question of Residence has Rendered an incessant attention to that Object Necessary, [struck: And] which Combined with other public duties and a Necessary attention to some private ones furnishes Me with Abundant Occupation every hour in the day-- We Mean to try our question of Removal tomorrow--it was deferred on Friday at the Request of some friends Who it would not be prudent to disoblige tho we were not convinced that their Advice was Salutary-- Today being Sunday, I have time to write to Mr. Latimer & Mr. McGoffin-- I mean in a day or two to do the Same to Lewis & Peters. I saw the former the Thursy. I left town & mentioned the Subject to him. [3] He Appeared to receive it with Cordiality and I have no [struck: doubt] Reason to doubt his sincerity. If application could be made to Peters in the Way you have hinted, I am sure it would be most Effectual--but as I [struck: have] do not admit the propriety of personal applications from the Candidates, I would not Recommend it. I think the man Capable of Soliciting an office under our Governmt. except it be a pecuniary one [struck: is] may be presumed to do it for his own Sake. And I hold it to be One of the great honors of the people to expect Solicitations. For What right to be given [text loss] Very different grounds-- As soon as I <text loss> from the Speaker sufficient authority to declare his Renunciation. I will extend my Correspondence & Communicate to you every step I take in the business--you may Rely that your communications to me are as Sacred as honor Can Render them, and that they Never shall be made use of without Your Approbation. If our attempt tomorrow Succeeds--you shall hear of it by next post. If not, I shall probably be too much Chagrined to write on the Subject. Tho always---
Yrs. with great sincerity
Thos. Fitzsimons
Doctr Rush
[docket:]
Doctr. Benj. Rush
Philadelphia
TFitzsimons
[postmark: Free New York*june 1]
86
T. Fitzsimons
30 May 1790