(seq. 29)
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Cambridge July 20th 1809
Honorable Albert Gallatin Esquire,
Sir,
You will not wonder at the liberty I
have taken of writing to you this private letter, when you are told that I am not mere
-ly uneasy, but [unhappy -crossed out] rendered absolutely unhappy by the present fortune and prospect of
my hospital affairs. The pecuniary loss is but a secondary object. I was sur-
prised as well as deeply afflicted at finding the unflavourable impression made on the
mind of the President. I cannot entirely account for it. I therefore am led to conclude that
there is something unexplained that I know not of. I am left in the dark reflecting some
-things essential to my happiness. Is it possible that I have been made to say more
than I ever intended? Be that as it may, of the two or three intimate friends whom I
have consulted, their advice is that I repair to Washington, to confer with you. Mr J.L
Adams dining with me today advises me to it, but previouly to such step he advises that I write this to
you, to ask of you whether my friends advice be such as in your opinion, I ought to follow.
Whether in the present stage of my affairs, if I came to Washington, you will be disposed
to listen to whatever I may have to advance by way of throwing some light on, what
to you [crossed out] some others may appear the most obscure parts of the hospital transactions.
I [therefore - crossed out] the first time, wrote to the President 2 days ago, proper or improper, I could not
resist the impulse. At that time I have not the journey to Washington urged upon me,.
and of course no intention of writing such a letter as this to you. I would avoid the long-
journey, at this season, if I could; but if I can wipe any foul [stain- crossed out] from my character by,
the trouble or risk of it, shall not hesitate a moment after I know from you that such
a presentation would be neither improper, nor disagreeable to the Government. The hospital
was never so thin, [of patience?]. Not more than 15. I can put it under the immedi-
ately mediate care of the first medical characters in Charleston and Boston I have only
to [beg?] of Mr Gallatin, not in his official but private character, which from knowing it,
I pressure on, just to inform me, by three lines whether he thinks I had better take the
advice of three of my [more?] intimate friends, of taking a jaunt [?] to Washington. [I hope of]
this, I remain, [will?] a high degree of respect. [?] B. Waterhouse
P.S. The more I reflect, the more I am convinced that some important things [mention?]
to myself as the hospital, are, even to this moment not rightly understood by youself & others
A Washington. For example the comptroller suspended the payment of the steward
on account, because he could see why he charged the [vegitables?] raised to the public.
This I could explain in a few minutes. The result would be that the Stewards had
out done himself justice. The comptroller asks why this account was not given in to the late
[?] The Steward answers, because "I mean to close all my accounts with the hospital,
the 31st of last march, & resign my stewardship, I found the compensation not equall to the
trouble of it." I can say for him that I have reason to believe that nothing but the reports
[mattered?] to his & my [disadvantage?] has induced him to hold his place to this time.
[?]
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