Philadelphia
Feb. 15.
1796
My Dearest Friend
This Morning I have
your favour of the
3d.
[Abigail to John, 03 February 1796]
which raised my Spirits again after the
mortification of passing the whole of last Week without one.
Benjamin has grown very dull. No Abuse. No lies, no
Terrors, no Panicks, no Rant -- in comparison of what
he used to have.
The Subject which you think will excite all their feelings is well known to
every body in public Life, but is talked of by
nobody: but in Confidence.
I could name you however as good Federalists and as good Men as any, who
think and say that he will retire and that they would, if they were he. And who
would not? I declare upon my honour I would. After 20
Years of such Service, with such Success, and with no Obligation to
any one, I would retire before my Constitution
failed, before my Memory failed, before my Judgment failed, before I should
grow peevish and fretfull, irresolute or
improvident. I would no longer put at hazard a Character so dearly earned at
present to uncontaminated, but liable by the Weakness of Age to be impaired in
a Moment.
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He has in the most solemn manner Sworn, before many
Witnesses at various times and on several occasions, and it is now by all who
are in the Secret considered as irrevocable as the Laws of Meads and Persions.
Your Comments to Knox were perfectly delicate and perfectly
wise. You need not trouble to think of the subject. In my Opinion there is no
more danger in the Change than there would be in changing a Member of the
Senate and whoever lives to see it will own me to be a Prophet. If
Jay or even
Jefferson and one or the
other it certainly will be,
if it is not the next in Line if the
Succession should be passed over, should be the Man, the Government will go on
as well as ever.
Jefferson could not stir a step in
any other system than that which is Jay would not wish it. The
Votes will run for three Persons -- two I have mentioned. The third being the
Heir apparent will not probably be wholly
overlook'd. If
Jefferson and
Jay are President and Vice President, as is not improbable,
the other retires without Noise, or Cries or Tears to his farm. If either of
those two are President and the other Vice President, he retires without Murmur
or Complaint to his farm, forever. If this other should be P. and Jefferson or
Jay V. President, four Years more if Life lasts, of Residence in
Philadelphia will be his and your Portion, after which Tie shall
probably be desirous of imitating the Example of the present Pair: or if by
reason of thoughts
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and Fortitude Eight Years should be
accomplished, that is the Utmost Limit of time that I will ever continue in
public Life at my rate. Be of good Courage therefore and tremble not. I see
nothing to appall me and I feel no ill forebodings or faint Misgivings. I have
not the Smallest dread of private Life, nor of public -- if private Life is to
be my Portion my farm and my Mare shall employ the rest of my days.
The Money of the Country the Paper Money is the most unpleasant Object I
see. This must have a Remedy, and I fear it will be reserved for me to stem the
Torrent, a worse one than the Western Rebellion or the opposition to the
Treaty.
This is all in Confidence and Affection.
J. A.
Mrs. A.
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[Endorsement -- see page image]
