The Sun is just making his appearance for the first time these five days, during which we have had a cold North-East Storm, and almost continual rains— In the midst of this gloom, which has confined us closely to the house, I received your letter of the 10th: with the account of our dear child’s illness— It has distress’d me much; and though I hope it is only the previous indisposition to the cutting of his teeth, I shall be uneasy till I hear from you again—

The same weather which has confined us at home, has produced the same effect upon our neighbours, so that scarce an incident has occurr’d since my last, that will bear relating— We have been cut off from communication with the world like Noah and his family in the Ark, and I have had nothing to do but to plod over the books in the Office—Sometimes alone—And some times in delightful tête a tête with my namesake Miss H. Adams, who as you know has the same propensity— You will not be alarm’d— She is a woman of few words though of manifold contemplations, so that although we have pass’d a considerable part of the last four days together, and quite by ourselves, yet all the words that have pass’d between us, would hardly 398 compose a Laconian apophthegm—1 The day before yesterday indeed my brother return’d from Haverhill—still alone— And since then he has turn’d the duet of Miss H. and myself into a trio.

The news papers inform us that Mr: and Mrs: Merry have left Washington, to visit Baltimore, Philadelphia, New-York and Boston—whether I shall see them in this last place or not is uncertain, for as I visit it scarcely oftener than once a month, it is a chance whether I shall be there at the same time with them.2

The first-Consul’s brother Jerome, it is said finds it difficult to get away from New-York, because two English frigates of much inferior force, are watching the departure of the two french frigates which are to convoy him— Or rather they were watching; for it seems the frenchmen applied to the Mayor at New-York, to prevent the sailing of the English frigates within twenty-four hours after them— The pilots on board the English frigates accordingly received orders not to carry out their charge, untill the expiration of that term after the departure of the french ships; whereupon the pilots were landed, and the English ships immediately went to sea.— The french frigates will attempt to slip out by the way of the Sound.— This is a strange sort of dodging, for the strongest side to use— But I confess I should be very sorry that a serious engagement should take place between these ships, with the Venus of Baltimore on board one of them— The villainous salt petre may be dug from the bowels of the Earth, to lay low the tall-fellows— But it should respect the beauties of the sex.— The Lady, may perhaps be one of the reasons, why the french frigates are so anxious to avoid a contest, with a smaller force than their own.3

I should be much surprized my self, if the report which you mention of the Chargé’s namesake having turn’d federalist, were well founded— It has appeared to me that the Dr: was never a very warm partizan, and certainly at this time federalism will not be much for his interest.

I enclose you a copy of the Song to Hebe, which you asked me for several times last Winter, when I had none at hand, and could not recollect it—4 You have I think the music with you.

Your’s ever affectionately

Your Letter of June 13th came duly to hand; if it had contained no other Sentiments and opinions than those which my Letter of condolence could have excited, and which are expressed in the first page of Your reply, our correspondence would have terminated here; but you have been pleased to enter upon some subjects which call for a reply; and as you observe that You have wished for an opportunity to express the your Sentiments, I have given to them every weight they claim.

“one act of Mr Adamss Life, and one only, you repeat, ever gave me a moments personal displeasure. I did think his last appointments to office personally unkind. they were from among my most ardent political Enemies”

As this act I am certain was not intended to give any personal pain or offence, I think it a duty to explain it so far as I then knew his views and designs. The constitution empowers the President to fill up offices as they become vacant. it was in the excercise of this power that appointments were made, and Characters Selected whom mr Adams considerd, as Men faithfull to the constitution and where he personally knew them, such as were capable of fullfilling their 400 duty to their country. This was done by President Washington Equally, in the last days of his administration so that not an office remaind vacant for his successor to fill upon his comeing into the office.1 no offence was given by it, and no personal unkindness thought of, but the different political opinions which have so unhappily divided our Country, must have given rise to the Idea, that personal unkindness was intended. You will please to recollect Sir, that at the time these appointments were made, there was not any certainty that the Presidency would devolve upon You, which is an other circumstance to prove that personal unkindness was not meant. no person was ever selected by him from such a motive—and so far was mr Adams from indulging such a sentiment, that he had no Idea of the intollerence of party spirit at that time, and I know it was his opinion that if the Presidency devolved upon you, except in the appointment of secretaries, no material Changes would be made.

I perfectly agree with You in opinion that these should be Gentlemen in whom the President can repose confidence, possessing opinions, and sentiments corresponding with his own, or if differing from him, that they ought rather to resign their office, than cabal against measures which he may think essential, to the honour safety and peace of the country, much less should they unite, with any bold, and dareingly ambitious Character, to over rule the Cabinet, or betray the Secrets of it to Friends or foes. the two Gentlemen who held the offices of Secretaries, when you became President were not of this Character. they were appointed by your predecessor nearly two years previous to his retirement. they were Gentlemen who had cordially co-opperated with him, and enjoyed the public confidence, possessing however different political sentiments from those which you were known to have embrased, it was expected that they would, as they did, resign.2

I have never felt any enmity towards You sir for being Elected President of the United States, but the instruments made use of, and the means which were pratised to effect a change, have my utter abhorrence and detestation, for they were the blackest calumny, and foulest falshoods. I had witnessd enough of the anxiety, and solicitude, the envy jealousy and reproach, attendant upon the office, as well as the high responsibility of the Station, to be perfectly willing to See a transfer of it. and I can truly Say, that at the time of Election, I considerd Your pretentions much superior to his, to whom an equal vote was given.

Your experience I venture to affirm has convinced you that it is 401 not a Station to be envy’d. If you feel Yourself a free man, and can act in all cases, according to Your own Sentiments, opinions and judgment, You can do more than either of your predecessors could, and are awfully responsible to God and your Country for the measures of Your Administration.

I rely upon the Friendship you still profess for me, and (I am conscious I have done nothing to forfeit it), to excuse the freedom of this discussion to which you have led with an unreserve, which has taken off the Shackles I should otherways have found myself embarrassed with— and now Sir I will freely disclose to you what has severed the bonds of former Friendship, and placed You in a light very different from what I once viewd you in—

One of the first acts of your administration was to liberate a Wretch who was suffering the just punishment of the Law, due to his crimes for writing and publishing the basest libel, the lowest and vilest Slander, which malice could invent, or calumny exhibit against the Character and reputation of your predecessor, of him for whom You profest the highest esteem and Friendship, and whom you certainly knew incapable of such complicated baseness. the remission of Callenders fine was a public approbation of his conduct. is not the last restraint of vice, a sense of shame, renderd abortive, if abandoned Characters do not excite abhorrence? If the chief Majestrate of a Nation, whose elevated station places him in a conspicuous light, and renders his every action a concern of general importance, permits his public conduct to be influenced by private resentment, and so far forgets what is due to his Character as to give countanance to a base Calumniater, is he not answerable for the influence which his example has upon the manners and morals of the community?

Untill I read callenders Seventh Letter containing your compliment to him as a writer, and your reward of 50 dollors, I could not be made to believe, that such measures could have been resorted to; to Stab the fair fame, and upright intentions of one, who to use Your own Language, “was acting from an honest conviction in his own mind that he was right.” this Sir I considerd as a personal injury.3 this was the sword that cut assunder the Gordian knot, which could not be untied by all the efforts of party Spirit, by Rivalship by Jealousy or any other Malignant fiend.

The Serpent You cherished and warmed, bit the hand that nourished him, and gave you sufficient specimins of his talents, his gratitude his justice, and his truth. When such vipers are let loose upon 402 Society: all distinction between Virtue and vice are levelld all respect for Character is lost in the overwhelming deluge of calumny that respect which is a necessary bond in the social union, which gives efficacy to laws, and teaches the subject to obey the Majestrate, and the child to submit to the parent.

There is one other act of your administration which I considerd as personally unkind, and which your own mind will readily Suggest to you, but as it neither affected Character, or Reputation I forbear to state it—4

This Letter is written in confidence— no Eye but my own has seen what has passed.5 faithfull are the wounds of a Friend— often have I wished to have seen a different course pursued by you. I bear no malice I cherish no enmity. I would not retaliate if I could—nay more in the true Spirit of christian Charity,6 I would forgive, as I hope to be forgiven. and with that disposition of mind and heart— / I Subscribe the Name of