APPENDIX. 383 



I come now, my dear sir, to pay particular attention to that part 

 of your letter which respects myself. 



I remember well the conversation which you allude to, and 

 have not forgot the answer I gave you. In my judgment it ap- 

 plies with as much force now as then ; nay more, because at that 

 time the line between parties was not so clearly drawn, and the 

 views of the opposition so clearly developed as they are at pres- 

 ent : of course, allowing your observation (as it respects myself) 

 to be founded, personal influence would be of no avail. 



Let that party set up a broomstick, and call it a true son of 

 liberty, a democrat, or give it any other epithet that will suit 

 their purpose, and it will command their votes in toto ! * Will 

 not the Federalists meet, or rather defend their cause, on the op- 

 posite ground? Surely they must, or they will discover a want 

 of policy, indicative of weakness and pregnant of mischief; which 

 cannot be admitted. Wherein, then, would lie the difference 

 between the present gentleman in office, and myself? 



It would be matter of sore regret to me, if I could believe that 

 a serious thought was turned towards me as his successor, not only 

 as it respects my ardent wishes to pass through the vale of life in 

 retirement, undisturbed in the remnant of the days I have to so- 

 journ here, unless called upon to defend my country (which every 

 citizen is bound to do), but on public ground also ; for, although 

 I have abundant cause to be thankful for the good health with 

 which I am blessed, yet I am not insensible to my declination in 

 other respects. It would be criminal, therefore, in me, although it 

 should be the wish of my countrymen, and I could be elected, to ac- 

 cept an office under this conviction, which another would discharge 

 with more ability ; and this, too, at a time when I am thoroughly 

 convinced I should not draw a single vote from the anti-Federal 

 side, and, of course, should stand upon no other ground than any 

 other Federal character well supported ; and, when I should be- 

 come a mark for the shafts of envenomed malice and the basest 

 calumny to fire at, when I should be charged not only with 

 irresolution, but with concealed ambition, which waits only an 

 occasion to blaze out, and, in short, with dotage and imbecility. 



All this, I grant, ought to be like dust in the balance, when put 

 in competition with a great public good, when the accomplishment 

 of it is apparent. But, as no problem is better defined in my 



* As an analysis of this position, look to the pending election of Gov- 

 ernor in Pennsylvania. 



