the reports of his . . . puerility and extravagances together with a variety of indecorums and imprudencies
multiply." Attorney-General Bradford wrote to Alexander Hamilton, August 4: "The crazy speech of Mr.
Rutledge, joined to certain information that he is daily
sinking into debility of mind and body, will probably
prevent him receiving the appointment. . . . But
should he come to Philadelphia for that purpose, as he
has been invited to do, and especially if he should resign
his present office, the embarrassment of the President
will be extreme; but if he is disordered in mind and in
the manner that I am informed he is—there can be but one course of prudence."[1] Timothy Pickering
wrote to Washington, July 31: "The Supreme Court is
to sit here next week, and perhaps the gentleman named
for Chief Justice may arrive. Private information,
as well as publications of his recent conduct, have fixed
my opinion that the commission intended for him ought
to be withheld." Oliver Wolcott wrote to Alexander
Hamilton, July 28: "Everything is conducted in a
mysterious and strange manner by a certain character
here, and to my astonishment, I am recently informed
that Mr. Rutledge has had a tender of the office of
Chief Justice. By the favor of Heaven, the commission
is not issued, and now I presume it will not be, but how
near ruin and disgrace has the country been! Cannot
you come and attend the Supreme Court for a few days
next week? A bed at my house is at your command."
Two days later, he wrote of Rutledge as "a driveller and
fool." "Many of the warmest advocates for the present
- ↑ Washington Papers MSS, letters of Randolph, July 29, Aug. 5, 1789, Hamilton Papers MSS, letter of Bradford, Aug. 4, 1798; Pickering Papers MSS; letter of Pickering of July 81, 1795; letter of Higginson, Aug. 29, 1795; Hamilton (J. C. Hamilton's ed.), VI, letters of Wolcott of July 28, 30, 1795; see also Administration of Washington and Adams (1846), by George Gibbs, I; History of the Republic (1860), by John C. Hamilton, VI; New Hampshire Gazette, Aug. 4, 1795.
