388 APPENDIX. 



The account you give of the great water communication through 

 those countries which I saw, for the most part, a wilderness, while 

 I acted as commander in the Northern Department, is truly en- 

 chanting. In those wonders of freedom, national sense, and unshac- 

 kled industry, my mind seeks a refuge from too many disgusts and 

 disappointments on this side of the Atlantic. Let us not, however, 

 despair of European liberty, much less range among those who 

 create discouragement by proclaiming it; but let it be also the fun- 

 damental rule of the American Republics to beware of any sort of 

 European influence, whether hostile or friendly, the pretended 

 benevolence of the British government having of late been as 

 much if not more fatal to Italy, the Peninsula, and by and by, 

 probably, to Greece, than all the violence of the pretended holy 

 alliance of a gang of continental monarchs and aristocrats. Amidst 

 so much despotism, privilege, corruption, perfidy, and servility, the 

 message of the President has suddenly appeared as an admirable 

 mass of light to show to the nations of Europe what is a free people, 

 and a popular magistrate. Receive my most affectionate thanks, 

 good wishes, and regards, and believe me, forever, 



Your sincere constant friend, 



LAFAYETTE. 



JOHN ADAMS TO COLONEL TRUMBULL. 



QUINCY, January 1, 1817. 



MY DEAR SIR, Your kind letter of the 26th of December 

 has given me more pleasure than it would be prudent or decent 

 for me to express. 



Your design has my cordial approbation and best wishes. But 

 you will please to remember that the burin and the pencil, the 

 chisel and the trowel, have in all ages and countries, of which we 

 have any information, been enlisted on the side of despotism and 

 superstition. I should have said, of superstition and despotism, for 

 superstition is the first and universal cause of despotism. 



Characters and counsels and actions, merely social, merely civil, 

 merely political, merely moral, are always neglected and forgotten. 



Architecture, sculpture, painting, and poetry, have conspired 

 against the rights of mankind ; and the Protestant religion is now 

 unpopular and odious, because it is not friendly to the fine arts. 



I am not, however, a disciple of Rousseau. Your country ought 



