Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson, October 25, 1804

Quincy october 25 1804

Sir

Sickness for three weeks past, has prevented my acknowledging the
receipt of Your Letter of Sep’ br th 11 th. when I first addrest You I little thought of entering into a correspondence
with you upon political topicks. I will not however regreet it, since it has led to Some
Elucidations and brought on some explanations, which place in a more favourable light
occurrences which had wounded me.

Having once entertained for you a respect and esteem, founded upon
the Character of an affectionate Parent, a kind Master, a candid and benevolent Friend,
I could not suffer different political opinions to obliterate them from my mind, and I
felt the truth of the observation, that the Heart is long, very long in receiving the
conviction that is forced upon it by reason. Affection Still lingers in the Bosom, even
after esteem has taken its flight. It was not untill after circumstances concured to
place You in the light of a Rewarder and encourager of a Libeller whom You could not but
detest and despise, that I withdrew the esteem I had long entertaind for You. Nor can
you wonder Sir that I should consider as personal unkindnesses the instances I have
mentiond. I am pleased to find that, which respected my Son, all together unfounded. he
was as you conjecture appointed a commissoner of Bankrupcy together with Judge Daws, and
continued to serve in it, with perfect Satisfaction to all parties, at least I never
heard the contrary, untill Superseded by a new appointment. 1 The Idea Sugested, that no one was in office,
merely because it was not perminant, and concequently no removal could take place, I
cannot consider in any other light, than what the Gentlemen of the Law would term a
quible—as Such I pass it— Judge Daws was continued; or reappointed which placed mr Adams
in a more conspicuous light, as the object of personal resentment. nor could I upon this
occasion refrain calling to mind the last visit you made me at Washington, when in the
course of conversation You assured me, that if it should Lay in Your power to serve me
or my family, nothing would give You more pleasure. I will do you the justice to Say at
this hour: that I believe what you then said, you then meant. With respect
to the office it was a Small object, but the disposition of the Remover was considered
by me as the barbed arrow. this however by your declaration, is withdrawn from my mind.
With the public it will remain, and here Sir may I be permitted to pause—and ask you
whether in your ardent zeal, and desire to rectify the mistakes, and abuses as you may
consider them, of the former administrations, You are not led into measures Still more
fatal to the constitution and more derogatory to Your honour, and independence of
Character? pardon me Sir if I say, that I fear You are.

I know from the observations which I have made that there is not a
more difficult part devolves upon a chief Majestrate, nor one which subjects him to more
reproach, and censure than the appointments to office, and all the Patronage which this
enviable power gives him, is but a poor compensation for the responsibility to which it
subjects him— it would be well however to weigh and consider Characters as it respects
their Moral Worth and integrity. he who is not true to himself, nor just to others,
seeks an office for the benifit of himself, unmindfull of that of his Country.

I cannot agree, in opinion, that the constitution ever meant to
withhold from the National Government, the power of Self defence, or that it could be
considerd, an infringment of the Liberty of the press, to punish the licentiousness of
it;

Time Sir must determine, and posterity will judge with more
candour, and impartiality, I hope than the conflicting parties of our Day, what measures
have best promoted the happiness of the people; what raised them from a State of
depression and degradation to Wealth, honor, and Reputation; what has made them affluent
at home, and respected abroad, and to whom ever the tribute is due to them may it be
given—

I will not Sir any further intrude upon Your time, but close this
correspondence, by my Sincere wishes, that you may be directed to that path which may
terminate in the prosperity and happiness of the people over whom You are placed, by
administring the Government with a just and impartial hand.

Be assured Sir that no one Will more rejoice in your Success
than

Abigail Adams. 2