 | Letters of Mrs. Adams, |  |
TO THOMAS JEFFERSON.
Sickness for three weeks past has prevented my
acknowledging the receipt of your letter of Sept.
11th. When I first addressed you, I little thought of
entering into a correspondence with you upon subjects
of a political nature. I will not regret it, as
it has led to some elucidations, and brought on some
explanations, which place in a more favorable light
occurrences which had wounded me.
Having once entertained for you a respect and
esteem, founded upon the character of an affectionate
parent, a kind master, a candid and benevolent
to obliterate them from my mind; I felt the truth
of the observation, that the heart is long, very long
in receiving the conviction that is forced upon it by
reason. It was not until circumstances concurred
to place you in the light of a rewarder and encourager
of a libeller, whom you could not but detest
and despise, that I withdrew the esteem I had long
entertained for you. Nor can you wonder, Sir, that
I should consider as a personal unkindness, the instances
I have mentioned. I am pleased to find that
which respected my son altogether unfounded. He
was, as you conjecture, appointed a commissioner
of Bankruptcy, together with Judge Dawes, and
continued to serve in it with perfect satisfaction to
all parties, (at least I never heard the contrary,)
until superseded by the appointment of others. The
idea suggested that no one was in office, and consequently
no removal could take place, I cannot consider
in any other light than what the gentlemen
of the law would term a quibble,—as such I pass it.
Judge Dawes was continued or re-appointed, which
placed Mr. Adams in a more conspicuous light as
the object of personal resentment. Nor could I,
upon this occasion, refrain calling to mind the last
visit you made me at Washington, when in the
course of conversation you assured me, that if it
should lay in your power at any time to serve
me or my family, nothing would give you more
pleasure. With respect to the office, it was a small
object, but the disposition of the remover was considered
by your declaration, is withdrawn from my mind.
With the public it will remain. And here, Sir, may
I be allowed to pause, and ask whether, in your
ardent desire to rectify the mistakes and abuses, as
you may term them, of the former administrations,
you may not be led into measures still more fatal
to the Constitution, and more derogatory to your
honor and independence of character? I know,
from the observations which I have made, that there
is not a more difficult part devolves upon a Chief
Magistrate, nor one which subjects him to more
reproach and censure, than the appointment to office.
And all the patronage which this enviable power
gives him is but a poor compensation for the responsibility
to which it subjects him. It would be well,
however, to weigh and consider characters, as it
respects their moral worth and integrity. He who
is not true to himself, nor just to others, seeks an
office for the benefit of himself, unmindful of that of
his country.
I cannot accord with you in opinion that the Constitution
ever meant to withhold from the National
Government the power of self-defence; or that it
could be considered an infringement of the Liberty
of the Press, to punish the licentiousness of it.
Time must determine, and posterity will judge,
with more candor and impartiality, I hope, than the
conflicting parties of our day, what measures have
best promoted the happiness of the people; what
raised them from a state of depression and degradation
them affluent at home and respected abroad; and to
whomsoever the tribute is due, to them may it be
given.
I will not any further intrude upon your time;
but close this correspondence by my wishes that you
may be directed to that path which may terminate in
the prosperity and happiness of the people over
whom you are placed, by administering the government
with justice and impartiality. And be assured,
Sir, no one will more rejoice in your success than
| Letters of Mrs. Adams, | |