8770. VACATIONS, Presidential.—
I
consider it as a trying experiment for a person
from the mountains to pass the two bilious
months on the tide-water. I have not
done it these forty years, and nothing should
induce me to do it. As it is not possible but
that the Administration must take some portion
of time for their own affairs, I think it
best they should select that season for absence.
General Washington set the example of those
two months; Mr. Adams extended them to eight
months. I should not suppose our bringing
it back to two months a ground for grumbling,
but, grumble who will, I will never pass those
two months on tide-water.—
To Albert Gallatin.
Ford ed., viii, 95.
(M.
Sep. 1801)
