The Kentucky Gazette

[Pittsburgh Gaz. July 16.

An intercepted Letter.

MR. BRADFORD:

AS the following letter was intended in part for the public eye, perhaps it would not hurt the public as well, to see the whole of it. As the public spirited candidate however, did not wish the whole letter shewn, I thought it improper to give his name. What a consoling reflection is it, that so great is the patriotism of our citizens, that whenever an office is likely to be vacant, let that be ever so dignified or difficult, or let the qualifications requisite to its execution, be ever so great or uncommon, still there are ready, scores of patriotic citizens, of all professions, trades, & occupations; of all pursuits, whether civil, military, or divine; of all orders and conditions, down to the obscure simple, and unlettered yeoman; who are all supplicating to devote themselves to the PUBLIC GOOD.

A SUBSCRIBER.

MY DEAR SIR:

July 12th 1796.

This comes to let you know that we are all in the land of the living, thanks be to god for all his mercies, hoping these few lines will find you in the land. There is no news on S— worth relating. You will expect to be surprised to hear that I have been prevailed on to serve as a member to congress. All my friends pressed me so hard, that I was obliged at last to consent tho it will injure my concerns very much. Indeed I could not get over their strong arguments; for they told me, I could not deny, but I was as fit a person as some that offered, and had as good learning, and was as well beliked in our parts. This is all true, but you know I had much rather stay at home, if my country could do without my services. But between you and me, I know no more about the affairs they do in congress than I do about latin. What first put it into my head was, that I heard colonel —s should have said, that the members in congress paid themselves six dollars a day, and also drew six dollars for every twenty miles from where they lived to Philadelphia and back again. I got our school master last Saturday to count up how much my pay would come to and he brought me an account of what he said our members pay was last session, and he supposed I ought to make as much. His account is as follows.

Genl. Washington Dr.

to the Hon'ble. Mr..

To serving from 1st. Dec. (new stile) to 1st June—182 days, at 6 dollars per diem equal to £327-12

To traveling 1600 miles 144- 0

£471-12

(Ferriages excluded.)

Now, if there is no mistake in this business. I shall at least save myself:—You understand me. As to the expense of travelling, you know thats nothing. I can take a pack-horse well loaded, and from a former count kept by me, I shall not spend a farthing more than £5.14 9 When I get there, I can sell my horses, for a good price, and when they are done with me in congress, I can buy a pony for £12. which will do to carry me home.

Expences going £5. 11. 9.

Coming 5.14. 9.

Poney 12.

£23.8.8. if I have added up right.

I cant find out exactly what it will cost me in Philadelphia: but I can certainly make out on 3s. a day—then 182 days at 3s. a day, the master says is £27.6.0.

23.8.8.

£50. 14.8. is the total amount of every outlaying :— then subtract that from the £471. 12. and the balance is £421. 18. 4. which will be clear gains.

Besides all this, I am told there is a place at congress called a bank. where the members may go and trade at, and make money very fast. If this is true, my £421. 18. 4. shan't be idle; and if it is not true I can lay it out in goods and can make something very clever that way. For instance, after I get in, they cant get me out again for two years; and they tell me I can double, my money every year. Twice £421. 18. 4. is £843. 16. 8. & twice that sum is £1687. 13. 4. which is more (by zounds) than ever I thought Tom I should make in my life (I mean in a honest way.) And I intend if it is not all a joak to take you and cozin dick into partnership with me.

As the other Candidates are all sending a heap of letters into our parts persuading people I expect to vote for them, I think it would be well for me to send some letters too, and if before I can get any wrote and sent to you, the people in your parts should dispute your word, and fall about it and say I am only making fun about letting up for congress, you may show them enough of this epistle to convince them I am in earnest, but for gods