2496. ELECTIONS (Presidential, 1804), Appeal to country.—
The abominable slanders
of my political enemies have obliged me
to call for that verdict [on my conduct] from
my country in the only way it can be obtained,
and if obtained, it will be my sufficient voucher
to the rest of the world and to posterity,
and leave me free to seek, at a definite time,
the repose I sincerely wished to have retired to
now. I suffer myself to make no inquiries
as to the persons who are to be placed on the
rolls of competition for the public favor. Respect
for myself, as well as for the public, requires
that I should be the silent and passive
subject of their consideration.—
To Thomas McKean.
Ford ed., viii, 293.
(W.
Jan. 1804)
