6726. POLITICS, Conversations on.—
Political conversations I really dislike, and
therefore avoid where I can without affectation.
But when urged by others, I have
never conceived that having been in public
life requires me to belie my sentiments, or
even to conceal them. When I am led by
conversation to express them, I do it with the
same independence here which I have practiced
everywhere, and which is inseparable
from my nature.—
To President Washington. Washington ed. iv, 142.
Ford ed., vii, 83.
(M.
1796)
