University of Virginia Library

7152. RANDOLPH (John), Florida purchase.—

He speaks of secret communications
between the Executive and members [of
Congress], of backstairs' influence, &c. But
he never spoke of this while he and Mr. Nicholson
enjoyed it almost solely. But when
he differed from the Executive in a leading
measure, and the Executive, not submitting
to him, expressed their sentiments to
others, the very sentiments (to wit, the purchase
of Florida) which he acknowledges they
expressed to him, then he roars out upon the
backstairs' influence.—
To W. A. Burwell. Washington ed. v, 21. Ford ed., viii, 470.
(M. Sep. 1806)
See Congress, Leadership.