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SAM FINLEY TO WORTHINGTON

Chilicothe Jany 24th 1812

Dear Sir.

Your favor of the 5th instant came to hand last Saturday. Owing to the severity of the weather the mail is become irregular. The Weather, for five or Six weeks past, has been severe for the last 4 or 5 days it has exhibited a degree of intenseness seldom experienced in this Country. I am pleased to find your Sentiments, on the subject of training our Militia, so accordant with my own. I perfectly agree with you in reprobating the Waste of time and the public treasure by the Studied and useless harrangues of many of our Oratorial characters in the house of Representatives. Their chief aim appears to be to overcome their opponents by the multitude of words rather than by sound argument: of course in proportion to the excess of words in the same proportion victory is claimed. Were those long winded Gentlemen to consider how few of their speeches are ready and how often fatiguing to the mind of the reader, they would not be so proper of them. Was the treasure, thus uselessly wasted, applied to the purchase of arms &c, and distributed among the militia of our Country, they would soon be well equipt and become, as they ought to be the sure bulwork of our Country -- We have a report prevailing of War being declared against great Brittain, but as the two last Mails are lying on the other side of the Ohio river, we are unable to ascer- tain its certainty. Dear Sir, applications for Commissions are becoming frequent. I did not imagine we had so many war characters amongst us. I begin to fear I shall be rather troublesome to you in that way. A young man (Son of Samuel Atchison) who says he is well acquainted with you, wishes to be recommended to Government for a first Lieutenancy. Should you know the young man his first name is George, and believe him meritorious of that post, I cannot see any reason why he might not have the commission as well as another. On the recommendation of Genl. Massie, I have joined with him in writing to you in his favor. I am ignorant of the youth myself. He exhibits a decent exterior and makes no doubt of his becoming a useful officer. Mrs. Finley & Martha send their best respects to Mrs. Worthington and the young ladies. We unite in wish- ing you health and happiness.

I am D Sir very respectfully your obedient Servant

Sam Finley

P.S> What an awful visitation has Richmond experienced. The relation is distressing; how must it have been to those who witnessed the awful Scene? We had a severe shock of an earthquake about 9 OClock this morning.

Honble Thos. Worthington
Senator in Congress
Washington

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