[* In the margin is written, by Mr. Jefferson; ’Impossible
     as to Hamilton; he was far above that.]

In conversation with the President to-day, and speaking about General Greene, he said that he and General Greene had always differed in opinion about the manner of using militia.  Greene always placed them in his front:  himself was of opinion, they should always be used as a reserve to improve any advantage, for which purpose they were the finest fellows in the world.  He said he was on the ground of the battle of Guilford, with a person who was in the action, and who explained the whole of it to him.  That General Greene’s front was behind a fence at the edge of a large field, through which the enemy were obliged to pass to get at them; and that, in their passage through this, they must have been torn all to pieces, if troops had been posted there who would have stood their ground; and that the retreat from that position was through a thicket, perfectly secure.  Instead of this he posted the North Carolina militia there who only gave one fire and fell back, so that the whole benefit of their position was lost.  He thinks that the regulars, with their field-pieces, would have hardly let a single man get through that field.

Eodem die (June the 7th).  Beckley tells me that he has the following fact from Governor Clinton.  That before the proposition for the present General Government, i.e. a little before Hamilton conceived a plan for establishing a monarchical government in the United States, he wrote a draught of a circular letter, which was to be sent to about -------persons, to bring it about.  One of these letters in Hamilton’s hand-writing, is now in possession of an old militia General up the North River, who, at that time, was thought orthodox enough to be entrusted in the execution.  This General has given notice to Governor Clinton, that he has this paper, and that he will deliver it into his hands, and no one’s else.  Clinton intends, the first interval of leisure, to go for it, and he will bring it to Philadelphia.  Beckley is a man of perfect truth as to what he affirms of his own knowledge, but too credulous as to what he hears from others.

June the 10th, 1793.  Mr. Brown gives me the following specimen of the phrenzy which prevailed at New York on the opening of the new government.  The first public ball which took place after the President’s arrival there, Colonel Humphreys, Colonel W. S. Smith, and Mrs. Knox were to arrange the ceremonials.  These arrangements were as follows:  a sofa at the head of the room, raised on several steps whereon the President and Mrs. Washington were to be seated.  The gentlemen were to dance in swords.  Each one, when going to dance, was to lead his partner to the foot of the sofa, make a low obeisance to the President and his lady, then go and dance, and when done, bring his partner again to the foot of the sofa for new obeisances, and then to retire to their chairs.