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JOHN HAMM TO WORTHINGTON

Zanesville, Ohio June 18. 1812

Dr. Sir,

Not having heard from you for some time I feel gratified in being enabled to state to you the general regret which, I think, exists in regard to the failure of your election for Governor at the last election.

I have reason to believe (& have taken some pains to know the prevailing sentie- ments in various quarters of the state) that your election would now be rendered safe beyond a doubt. Believe not by these observations, that it is my design to solicit you to be a candidate -- you too well know my wishes upon that subject.

After the expiration of the Embargo law, I conclude, your stay at Washington will not be long -- if you pass this way homeward, if convenient, I should like to talk with you upon the subject.

I suppose that the great question of Peace or War will be decided before this reaches you. That the crisis is arduous and perplexing, doubtless, is sensibly felt by all the best friends to America -- that it may redound to the honor of representa- tive government & the present dominant party I most devoutly wish: Nothing, as it appears to me, is wanting to give life and vigor to the friends of the present ad- ministration but a prompt and manly stand against Great Britain. The belief of the existence of a temporising policy have caused the republican exertions to become re- laxed, -- distracted with doubts, fears, and jealousies, and worn out with promises -- And suffer me to declare it to you as my most solemn conviction, that unless the ad- ministration removed those impressions by a bold & vigorous attitude, I conceive the re-election of Mr. Madison is more than jeopardized.

You may be surprized that I say nothing against France. I feel a high sense of indignation at her injustice and outrages; but to couple both nations in a declaration of war, when our Minister declares his expectation that arrangements will probably be made before the return of the Wasp, would, I should imagine, be neither just nor poli- tic. If I am in an error, my ignorance must be my apology: knowing as you do the im- possibility of my having a full view of the whole ground.

I am sorry to see that Mr. Langdon declines being a candidate for the Vice Presidency.

From, Dr. Sir, yours Sincerely

Jno Hamm

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