6174. OFFICE-HOLDERS, Removals.—[continued].
I believe with others,
that deprivations of office, if made on the
ground of political principles alone, would revolt
our new converts, and give a body to
leaders who now stand alone. Some, I
know, must be made. They must be as few
as possible, done gradually, and bottomed on
some malversation or inherent disqualification.
Where we shall draw the line between
retaining all and none, is not yet settled, and
it will not be till we get our administration
together; and perhaps even then, we shall
proceed à tâtons, balancing our measures according
to the impression we perceive them
to make.—
To James Monroe. Washington ed. iv, 368.
Ford ed., viii, 10.
(W.
March. 1801)
