6148. OFFICE-HOLDERS, Executive explanations and.—[continued].
These letters [from you]
all relating to office, fall within the general
rule which even the very first week of my
being engaged in the administration obliged
me to establish, to wit, that of not answering
letters on office specifically, but leaving the
answer to be found in what is done or not
done on them. You will readily conceive into
what scrapes one would get by saying no,
either with or without reason, by using a softer
language which might excite false hope, or
by saying yes prematurely. And to take away
all offence from this silent answer, it is
necessary to adhere to it in every case rigidly,
as well with bosom friends as strangers.—
To Aaron Burr.
Ford ed., viii, 102.
(W.
Nov. 1801)
