University of Virginia Library

117. ADMINISTRATION, Disapproved.

—There was but a single act of my whole administration of which the federal party approved.
That was the proclamation on the
attack of the Chesapeake. And when I found
they approved of it, I confess I began strongly
to apprehend I had done wrong, and to exclaim
with the Psalmist, “Lord, what have I
done that the wicked should praise me.”—
To Elbridge Gerry. Washington ed. vi, 63. Ford ed., ix, 359.
(M. 1812)