1032. CABINET, Enmity in.—
I have
learned, with real sorrow, that circumstances
have arisen among our executive counsellors,
which have rendered foes those who once
were friends. To themselves it will be a
source of infinite pain and vexation, and
therefore chiefly I lament it, for I have
a sincere esteem for both parties. To the
President, it will be really inconvenient; but
to the nation I do not know that it can do
serious injury, unless we were to believe the
newspapers, which pretend that Mr. Gallatin
will go out. That, indeed, would be a day
of mourning for the United States; but I hope
that the position of both gentlemen may be
made so easy as to give no cause for either to
withdraw.—
To Dr. Walter Jones. Washington ed. v, 509.
Ford ed., ix, 273.
(M.
March. 1810)