Memoirs of John Adams Dix; comp. by his son, Morgan Dix.

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MEMOIRS OF JOHN ADAMS DIX.

children and such business connected with his profession as might be
committed to him, and by country air and exercise to repair the inroads
made upon his health by the severe labors and close confinement to
which he has been subjected by his present office. Your wish in respect
to his residence in Albany was the subject of our conversation while he
remained with us. We are fully sensible how necessary it is that some
one who took an active part in all the measures of the administration
at Albany, and who is capable of defending them, should remain there;
but, without him, are there not there those who are eminently so qualified? The difficulty with him, and in respect to a continued residence
in Albany, is, that he will be without sufficient employment, and that, to
a man of his turn of mind and active habits, would be very distressing.
Still, the expression of a wish from you in the matter is sufficient to
make us pause. At all events he will not leave Albany till the latter
part of April, and by that time he may be better able to decide upon his
course. The victory over us here is a commercial victory, and I have
not a doubt that our loss in this State will greatly contribute to our gain
elsewhere, and will only the more certainly secure our final success in
this great struggle. You boldly brought before the people the question
on which I think their freedom depends; you knew the hazards to which
it would subject your popularity, and that many of those who called
themselves your friends would desert you, and that possibly even your
native State might for a while abandon you; but you knew the people,
and you knew that they would finally and in good season determine
to govern themselves, and not be governed by merchants, banks, and
speculators. Very sincerely yours,
" JOHN J. MORGAN."
In sending a copy of this correspondence to my mother
Mr. Morgan generously removed one of the obstacles in the
way of a continued residence at the capital, as shown in the
following lines:
" Mr. Dix must not be deterred from doing what he wishes
on account of pecuniary calculations. We, and I say emphatically we, can afford to be above them, when consistency of
character, health, or real comfort requires it."
It was then decided that General Dix should remain at
Albany. The President earnestly desired it; and Mr. Morgan
again proved his devoted friend, by averting the inconvenience of the loss of salary at a time when his income from