5158. MERCER (John Francis), Politics of.—
Our old friend, Mercer, broke off
from us some time ago; at first professing to
disdain joining the federalists, yet, from the
habit of voting together, becoming soon identified
with them. Without carrying over with
him one single person, he is now in a state
of as perfect obscurity as if his name had never
been known. Mr. J. Randolph is in the same
track, and will end in the same way.—
To James Monroe. Washington ed. v, 9.
Ford ed., viii, 447.
(W.
May. 1806)