Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04524

Author/Creator: Adams, John (1735-1826)

Place Written: Quincy

Type: Autograph letter signed

Date: 1812/06/17

Pagination: 2 p. 23 x 18.6 cm

Summary of Content: Politics, party & family feuds.

People: Adams, John, 1735-1826., Malcom, Samuel B., fl. 1812.

Historical Era: The New Nation, 1783-1815

Full Transcript: Quincy June 17. 1812, , [top left corner ripped away], I lost no time in writing to Mr. Madison and [ripped away] to all I could say in your favour inclosid [sic] your original letter which had a [illegible] a sort of honesty, and a Species Veri, in it, which I was confident would do you no harm. I added an affectionate recommendation of my own. Your Letter has been returned to me, as I requested, with information that the office had been given to another, before my Letter was received. In my Letter I said ”I believe there is no reasonable objection to his Politiks [sic].” This was hazarding Somewhat, because I really did not know your present political opinions. But I said it upon this Principle, that a mere diversity of sentiment concerning public Men or measures ought not invariably, and in deed very rarely to be a Criterion to determine the Selection to public Offices. This is and has been invariably my opinion through my whole Life and if it had been than that of your Brother in Law Hamilton and his implicit Believer Washington, this Country would have been in a very different situation. But you know the damnable Intollerance [sic] and despotism of Party., Now Sir, let me ask you do you know the Politiks [sic] of your State? Have you, in your mind the History of it? Have you investigated the Causes of the Surprising and unexampled Support of the Clintons for five and thirty years. Have you considered the Parties of Presbyterians and Episcopalians? of Irish and English? of Germans and both [illegible] and English. Do you know the Contest between the Familys [sic] of De Lancess and Livingstons and, between the Livingstons and Schussters? between the Livingstons and Clintons. and the Schussters and Clintons? Do you know that Family Feuds constitute the History of the World? , If you read the public Prints you must have Seen that Tacky Cracky has not forgotten ”The Raggamuffins.” you remember that instead of fighting the Officers who hustled him according to Maxims which he had vapoured [sic] and [torn away] he Sent a Baby to me a whining Sniveling [torn away] of his Priviledge. The ignorant Boy did not know the [torn away] Priviledge nor the Trybunal [sic] whose right it was to judge [torn away] to the House and turned the laugh of the Nation and [torn away] The continental Laugh was so loud that it has stunned [torn away] He dreams of [illegible] He raves about it in the [illegible] Congress and out. Poor Fellow; I pity him. Human Nature in his forlorn situation is always an Object of tender Compassion., How far are you from Vanderkemp? How far from Col Smith? Who has been appointed Judge in you district?, The Ages of Felton, Ravocillac and Damien have come again. The assassination of Mr. Percival in the Lobby of the House of Commons is a lamentable and deplorable Event, notwithstanding his hostility of America, I do not wish the World to be ridded of Percivals by assassination any more [illegible] of Hamilton by Duelling [sic]., We Sincerely grieve with you and Mrs. Malcom on the loss of your own Children., I forgot to mention that I wrote to Mr. Jefferson as well as Mr. Madison in your Subject. But you were a day after the Fair., I am you Friend and Servant , John Adams, , , , , Samuel B. Malcom Esq.

Sub Era: The Age of Jefferson & Madison