6902. PRESIDENCY, Jefferson, Adams and.—
My letters inform me that Mr. Adams
speaks of me with * * * satisfaction in
the prospect of administering the government
in concurrence with me. * * * If by that
he meant the Executive Cabinet, both duty
and inclination will shut that door to me. I
cannot have a wish to see the scenes of 1793
revived as to myself, and to descend daily
into the arena, like a gladiator, to suffer
martyrdom in every conflict. As to duty, the
Constitution will know me only as the member
of a legislative body; and its principle is,
that of a separation of Legislative, Executive,
and Judiciary functions, except in cases
specified. If this principle be not expressed
in direct terms, yet it is clearly the spirit of
the Constitution, and it ought to be so commented
and acted on by every friend to free
government.—
To Mr. Madison. Washington ed. iv, 161.
Ford ed., vii, 107.
(Jan. 1797)
