Browsing: Diary of Charles Francis Adams, Volume 2

1. After the publication of Jefferson’s letter to W. B. Giles (see entry for 19 Oct., and note, above), JQA authorized the National Intelligencer to publish on 21 October a statement in his name which corrected some obvious errors in Jefferson’s recollections but which reaffirmed his belief that Massachusetts Federalists in 1808 were seeking the cooperation of Great Britain with a view to the “dissolution of the Union, and the establishment of a separate confederation” (HA, New-England Federalism , p. 23–26). The former leaders of the Massachusetts Federalist party were much disturbed, and one of them, probably John Lowell (1769–1840), signing himself “A Yankee Farmer,” called for a careful public investigation of JQA’s charge, warning that unless the President could substantiate his allegation of treason “it would seem to be impossible, that his character should not deeply suffer” (Boston Daily Advertiser, 18 Nov. 1828).