533
PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAl\IAR
ing him S'ecretary of the Navy, and when you will repair it. How often have I exclaimed on witnessing some absurd exhibition of Authority in the words of that wonderful reader of human char- acter "dressed in a little brief authority, he plays such fantastic tricks as make the angels weep.'' But enough of him. I have be- come since I wrote you last very well acquainted witli Dr. Reed of the Navy, and find not only pleasure but instruction in his society, he is inteligent, and even learned without ·being conceited, on the contrary he is a very modest, and unassuming gentleman- I talk to him a great deal about you, and express freely to him my warm attachment to your person, and enthusiastic admiration of your talents, and unimpeachable integrity- at such times, he expresses great regret, at not having been able to know you better, as there was always such a crowd about you that he felt it must be an intolerable tax, not only on your patience, but even on your health, and therefore refrained from visiting yon much-I have taken the liberty of prom- ising him an oportunity of cultivating your acquaintance when you come down to stay with us this summer. General Hunt says he re- signed in the Army at your request to become what he now is, the Senior Surgeon in the Navy, and I have heard many rejoice at the improvement in his situation- I wish all our officers were like him, his wife is coming in a few months, and from his description, will be a most agreeable addition to our little society here. There has been a vesel hovering around our coast that excites con- sidernble speculation since the night before last, Col Fisher ob- served it, and came in to the Zavalla (after having fired one or two guns without any effect) and apprised Capt. H-- of the cir- sumstance-the first, and second Left 's with Captain Taylor, were anxious to man some boats, and go in pursuit-but Capt H- would not allow it,. Some think it a l\fexican, but more that it is a slave trader-, endeavoring to land slaves,-last night about midnight we heard two other guns from the fort-the cause of which we have not yet heard. Capt's Taylor, and Wright have gone down there- ·we shall soon know what itj all means I suppose. I am delighted to hear of the peace established between you, and General Baker- as he seemsl to me a man of strong sense, and most determined character-and you have active enemies enough with- out him to organise them as he doubtles would if he had remained unfrie [nd] ly to you, being possessed of more mind, and energy than any of the othe[r]s. Have you heard any thing from General Hamilton relative to the loan- my boys prospects in life depend so mueh on it, that I am most anxious to hear of his success..- but it is too soon yet I fear. Papa has been, ~nd is yet, quite indisposed-owing to his having taken deep cold I think-but he is improving. I am glad the Zavalla is laid up, although I am in concequence obliged to give up my fine shoping expedition, with which I meant to astonish the ·world of fashion, and of taste, (notwithstanding your shamef1tl, and most itn- gallant negligence in sending me my p<I!sport) however I was quite independent of you, having an invitation from the Secretary- and that poor apology for a Capt of a Man of War, but I wanted from none but you, you naughty ungrateful gentleman. Must I come next
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