[Mth. G—h—m] [1049] [XXVI-35] My Dear Sir Charlestown April 17.^th 1790 It is a vulgar and pretty general proverb that rich People & those only have the gout, but to evince that there is no general Rule without exception — I have been laid up with it for this week past being seized pretty violently in both Feet; but I am in hopes it is now going, indeed it is quite necessary it should for I have engaged to be in Connecticut next Week — — I observed Sir in the Congressional proceedings that there is upon the Anvil [a] Bill to regulate [undecipherable] proceedings with the Indians. I wish for your attention to it in such manner as to extend it to our Indians of the Six Nations — it is of great consequence that those Indians should be kept in good temper — The more Southern Indians made application to them last Autumn to joyn with them in hostilities — but after a long consideration they refused — those overtures will undoubtedly be renewed & if some attention is not paid to them they may be successful — my Partner Mr Phelps has a personal acquaintance and influence with most of the great Men of those Nations — my Son who is again returned to that Country and means to spend his days there, is a likely & prudent Young Fellow about 25 Years of Age. I do not expect [that] my Son at his time of life is to stand in [the same light] as a Man more advanced [undecipherable: in years, — manners note of established] character — but if any thing turns up in which either of those Gent^m could be employed consistently with their respective situations & the public interest, I should be extremely obliged to you — I think no Persons however would be more likely to serve the Public — for one special reason & that is that it is consistent with their own interests so to do — The Anti^s are very often speaking of the slowness of proceeding in Congress — & comparing it with our own Legislatures — I say that the advantage is infinitely in favour of the State Legislatures — The Friends to the Government in general think it most a most ill judged measure to make so serious a matter of the Quaker Petition about the Negroes — indeed to us, who are at a distance, it does appear surprising that the business should have been so zealously pushed — in the Infancy of the Government & at a time when of all others they ought to have avoided every thing that would tend to irritate — more especially when the Constitution prevented any decisive measure — The loss of the question for the assumption is by many attributed to this Quaker Negro business — — one thing is clear, that unless Congress make greater dispatch in business — they will exceedingly Sink in the estimation of the People — Mr Phelps & myself have made a tolerable compromise with our Governments — Please to make my best respects to M^r Knox & believe me to be with sincerity Your Friend & very Humble Serv^t Nath Gorham