4906. MADISON (James), Administration of.—[further continued] .
Anxious, in my retirement,
to enjoy undisturbed repose, my knowledge
of my successor and late coadjutors, and my entire confidence in their wisdom and integrity,
were assurances to me that I might
sleep in security with such watchmen at the
helm, and that whatever difficulties and dangers
should assail our course, they would do
what could be done to avoid or surmount them.
In this confidence I envelop myself, and hope to
slumber on to my last sleep. And should difficulties
occur which they cannot avert, if we
follow them in phalanx, we shall surmount them
without danger.—
To William Duane. Washington ed. v, 533.
(M.
1810)
