2967. FEDERALISTS. Leaders of.—[further continued].
Contented with our government,
elective as it is in three of its principal
branches, I wish not, on Hamilton's
plan, to see two of them for life; and still
less, hereditary, as others desire. I believe
that the yeomanry of the federalists think
on this subject with me. They are substantially
republican. But some of their leaders,
who get into the public councils, would prefer
Hamilton's government, and still more the
hereditary one. Hinc illœ lachrymœ. I wish
them no harm, but that they may never
get into power, not for their harm, but for
the good of our country.—
To W. D. G. Worthington. Washington ed. v, 504.
(M.
1810)