TO MR. HENRY GUEST.
Washington, January 4, 1809.
Sir,—A constant pressure of business must be my apology for being so late in acknowledging the receipt of your favor of November 25th. I am sensible of the kindness of your rebuke on my determination to retire from office at a time when our country is laboring under difficulties truly great. But if the principle of rotation be a sound one, as I conscientiously believe it to be with respect to this office, no pretext should ever be permitted to dispense with it, because there never will be a time when real difficulties will not exist, and furnish a plausible pretext for dispensation. You suppose I am "in the prime of life for rule." I am sensible I am not; and before I am so far declined as to become insensible of it, I think it right to put it out of my own power. I have the comfort too of knowing that the person whom the public choice has designated to receive the charge from me, is eminently qualified as a safe depository by the endowments of integrity, understanding, and experience. On a review therefore of the reasons for my retirement, I think you cannot fail to approve them.
Your proposition for preventing the effect of splinters in a naval action, will certainly merit consideration and trial whenever our vessels shall be called into serious service; till then the perishable nature of the covering, would render it an unnecessary expense. I tender you my best wishes for the continuance of your life and health, and salute you with great esteem and respect.