61. ADAMS (John), Character.—
He is
vain, irritable, and a bad calculator of the
force and probable effect of the motives
which govern men. This is all the ill
which can possibly be said of him. He is
as disinterested as the Being who made him.
He is profound in his views and accurate
in his judgment, except where knowledge of
the world is necessary to form a judgment.
He is so amiable that I pronounce you will
love him, if ever you become acquainted with
him. He would be, as he was, a great man in
Congress.—
To James Madison. Washington ed. ii, 107.
(P.
1787)
