207 
 135 W3 
 
 LETTER 
 
 OF 
 
 GENERAL ANTHONY WAYNE. 
 
 reprinted from 
 *'The Pennsylvania Magazine op History and Biography,' 
 
 April, 1895. 
 
■ #3 5 "Sz 
 
 
 
LETTER OF GENERAL ANTHONY WAYNE. 
 
 [The following letter of General Wayne is addressed to " Captain 
 "William Hayman in Wellestown, Chester County," to whom it was de- 
 livered by Sharp Delany, Esq.] 
 
 Legion Ville 28'" Decb' 1792. 
 Dear Sir 
 
 It's uow seven Months since I left — Waynesborough, 
 without having received a single line, either from my own 
 family or you — you may repl}' that this is the first from me 
 — true but that is not the case with M" Wayne — besides 
 every moment of my time is absorbed in publick business — 
 the defence of a portion of upwards of One thousand miles 
 — & in providing for, & disciplining a i^ew Army — who 
 have yet to learn the dreadful trade of death. 
 
 You have undoubtedly had rumours of a general peace 
 with the Indians — but the Contrary is the fact — in the 
 "Western Country it is serious war. 
 
 However neither War nor Politicks, were the Motives 
 of this letter, I will therefore come to the point, — when I 
 parted with you — you had the goodness to promise — to see 
 that satisfaction was entered upon all Judgments obtained 
 in the Supreme and other Courts — against me — is that 
 business done. I have very recently had a serious caution 
 to be prepared for an Awful charge — k my Monster still 
 continues to visit & warn me of its approval. I have had a 
 most serious & an alarming attack from a violent lax & 
 bilious vomiting — nor has it been in the power of the 
 Physicians to check it — but as I have some knowledge of 
 my own Constitution — I peremptorily insisted upon taking 
 
2 Letter of General Anthony Wayne. 
 
 an emetic — which they assured me was both improper & 
 dangerous to the last degree in my present weak Condition, 
 however I have found considerable relief from it, & by the 
 aid of the bark — which I have also taken contrary to their 
 Opinion — I had the tone of my Stomach altered for the 
 better, yet I am very weak & rather more reduced, than 
 when I first arrived with the Army from Georgia in 1783. 
 
 Notwithstanding I have almost every fair day been able 
 to ride for one or two hours at a time to direct our Eedouts 
 & chain of defence, which are so far perfected, that all the 
 Indians in the Wilderness cou'd not force them : 
 
 But as life's uncertain — & mine at this time rather more 
 so than usual, I wish to settle the Property I may leave be- 
 hind me, so as to prevent any litigation after I am gone 
 hence for shou'd I survive this attack, ray breast is not 
 bullet-proof — nor can I step a single foot aside to shield it. 
 Therefore I pray you let me know what you have done in 
 the premises the soonest possible. 
 
 My best — perhaps last — and kindest love and wishes to 
 my poor old mother sister & friends & believe me to be with 
 sincere Esteem 
 
 Your Affectionate 
 
 Hum. Ser* 
 
 Ant^ Wayne 
 
 Capt W" Hayman 
 
\ 
 
LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 
 
 011 699 901 8