3347. GALLATIN (Albert), Cabinet dissensions.—
In the earlier part of the administration,
you witnessed the malignant and long continued efforts which the Federalists
exerted in their newspapers, to produce misunderstanding
between Mr. Madison and myself.
Those failed completely. A like attempt
was afterwards made, through other channels,
to effect a similar purpose between General
Dearborn and myself, but with no more success.
The machinations of the last session
to put you at cross purposes with us all, were
so obvious as to be seen at the first glance of
every eye. In order to destroy one member of
the administration, the whole were to be set to
loggerheads to destroy one another. I observe
in the papers lately, new attempts to revive
this stale artifice, and that they squint more
directly towards you and myself. I cannot,
therefore, be satisfied, till I declare to you explicitly,
that my affections and confidence in
you are nothing impaired, and that they cannot
be impaired by means so unworthy the notice
of candid and honorable minds. I make the
declaration, that no doubts or jealousies, which
often beget the facts they fear, may find a moment's
harbor in either of our minds.—
To Albert Gallatin. Washington ed. v, 23.
Ford ed., viii, 475.
(W.
Oct. 1806)
