Buckner Thruston letter to Robert Alexander, dated May 15, 1808.

Winchester May 15th 1808

Dear Sir Having been much hurried towards the Close of the Session, I have deferred writing until now, having got over the Bustle of my journey here & fixing myself in comfortable quarters for the summer. Let me intreat of you to forgive my not writing as often to you & others as I ought. I declare most solomnly that to the last moment of my Life I shall be deeply impressed with a sense of what I owe you, & the greatness of the claims you have on me both as a public & private character, I impute my seeming apathy & indolence many other cause that a want of Respect even for your distant hints & inseminations. for your delicacy forbids your suggesting yr. ideas to me in Relation to my conduct in any other manner.

The Embargo has excited much gloom & some [?] faction in the fertile grain country; but the Friends to the administration & those who take an impartial view of the existing state of things consider it in its true light as a measure of necessity and not of choice, and an [prepared?] to submit to it patiently. By the last accounts from England the People are becoming clamorous on the subject of the orders in [common?] & the probable effects of them in Regard to this country, and on petitioning in warm terms for a Restoration of amiable Relations with the U. States. It is impossible I think that either France or England can wish the Privations brought on them by this manner & the consequent want of the colonial Productions & the raw materials

of the U. States. I think it more than probable Congress will be called this summer, in which case I shall be near the spot, if I were ever so resolved to return to Kentucky this summer & the Inconvenience of the Journey & the Expense too large. then with the disarrangement of my plans having my Boys at a good school, & ourselves in cheap & very pleasant quarters would prevent it, if my People to whom I am I declare at least an honest & faithful servant complain of me I must try not to let it discompose my Peace of mind too much.

I spoke to Gallatin just before I left the City again about the Deposits & he answered me that he had written to the President of the Bank (yourself) on the Subject. you know then more of the Matter than myself. I can only say that the whole Representation addressed a little whim on the Business couched in Terms of as much Influence & Persuasion as we could use. I hope it has resulted satisfactorily to you. Your Protegé Craig will be gratified with a Captaincy I apprehend. We have done all we could for him.

I have written to J.B.J. of his views about 13 or 1400 $ of H.J.W. Taylor & near $600 of Robert which I expect he will do, to avail himself of good occasions to vest the money in Bank Stock of either Bank as you & he shall think adviseable; I will thank you for your advice in the Business. I have it a good deal at Hurst

as it will make a little addition to my Revenues without touching the Principal, which I am resolved not to do but from undispensible necessity.

G. has not yet signed not will he so long as Jefferson continues. I have no Expectations of a flattering nature.

Fortune owes me much to be sure; but I shall never seek her Favors at any Expense of Hessor & [illegible] of Propriety. I believe I stand tolerably well as yet, a[m?s?] [ord?]ering my little capacity to secure, & ability to attract notice. I hope I pass however for an honest if not a serviceable man, & I declare this is all I pretend to: my colleagues can give you details of every thing important, particularly my excellent & aimable Friend & colleage Mr. Pope.

If you see Bibb ask him when Satterwhites money will be got & let me know. I have written to him but perhaps he may omit to write.

Remember me to all Friends; & throw the [illegible] of Friendship over my imperfections. God bless you

Your sincere Friend & Servt.

B. Thurston.

1808 B Thruston Wash ny May 15

May 20 1808

Thee. B Thruston S.U.S.

Robert Alexander esqe Frankfort Kentucky.