University of Virginia Library

TO CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.[165]

(Private)

I have received your letter of Sept. 30th, with
a copy of "An Appeal from the New to the Old

Whigs." The pamphlet contains very able and interesting
"views" of its subject.

The claims for the Senate of a share in the removal
from office, and for the legislature an authority to
regulate its tenure, have had powerful advocates.

I must still think, however, that the text of the
Constitution is best interpreted by reference to the
tripartite theory of Government; to which practice
has conformed, and which so long and uniform a
practice would seem to have established.

The face of the Constitution and the journalized

proceedings of the Convention strongly indicate
a partiality to that theory, then at its zenith of
favor among the most distinguished commentators
on the organizations of political power.

The right of suffrage, the rule of apportioning
representation, and the mode of appointing to, and

removing from office, are fundamentals in a free
Government; and ought to be fixed by the Constitution;
if alterable by the Legislature, the Government
might become the creator of the Constitution, of
which it is itself but the creature: and if the large
states could be reconciled to an augmentation
of power in the Senate, constructed and endowed
as that branch of the Government is, a veto on
removals from office would at all times be worse than
inconvenient in its operation, and in party times
might, by throwing the Executive machinery out of
gear, produce a calamitous interregnum.

In making these remarks I am not unaware that

in a country wide and expanding as ours is, and
in the anxiety to convey information to the door
of every citizen, an unforeseen multiplication of
offices may add a weight to the executive scale
disturbing the equilibrium of the Government. I
should therefore see with pleasure a guard against
the evil by whatever regulations having that effect,
may be within the scope of legislative power; or if
necessary even by an amendment to the Constitution
when a lucid interval of party excitement shall
invite the experiment.

With thanks for your friendly communication
and for the interest which you express in my health
which is much broken by chronic complaints, added
to my great age, I pray you to accept the assurance
of my respect and good wishes.