m too
much of a man for their purpose. Logan observing, that, notwithstanding
the pacific declarations of France, it might still be well to keep up.
the military ardor of our citizens, and to have the militia in good
order: 'The militia,' said Pickering, 'the militia never did any good to
this country, except in the single affair of Bunker's Hill; that we must
have a standing army of fifty thousand men, which being stationed in
different parts of the continent, might serve as rallying points for the
militia, and so render them of some service.' In his conversation with
Mr. Adams, Logan mentioned the willingness of the French to treat with
Gerry. 'And do you know why,' said Mr. Adams. 'Why, Sir?' said
Logan. 'Because,' said Mr. Adams, 'they know him to have been an
anti-federalist, against the constitution.'

January the 2nd, 1800. Information from Tench Coxe. Mr. Liston had sent
two letters to the Governor of Canada by one Sweezy. He had sent copies
of them, together with a third, (original) by one Cribs. Sweezy was
arrested (being an old horse-thief), and his papers examined. T. Coxe
had a sight of them. As soon as a rumor got out that there were letters
of Mr. Liston disclosed, but no particulars yet mentioned, Mr. Liston
suspecting that Cribs had betrayed him, thought it best to bring all
his three letters, and lay them before Pickering, Secretary of State.
Pickering thought them all very innocent. In his office they were seen
by Mr. Hodgen of New Jersey, commissary of military stores, and the
intimate friend of Pickering. It happens that there is some land
partnership between Pickering, Hodgen, and Coxe, so that the latter is
freely and intimately visited by Hodgen, who, moreover, speaks freely
with him on political subjects. They were talking the news of the day,
when Mr. Coxe observed that these intercepted letters of Liston were
serious things; (nothing being yet out but a general rumor.) Hodgen
asked which he thought the most serious. Coxe said the second; (for he
knew yet of no other.) Hodgen said he thought little of any of them, but
that the third was the most exceptionable. This struck Coxe, who, not
betraying his ignorance of a third letter, asked generally what part of
that he alluded to. Hodgen said to that wherein he assured the Governor
of Canada, that if the French invaded Canada, an army would be marched
from these States to his assistance. After this it became known that it
was Sweezy who was arres