Benjamin Rush to Abigail Adams, October 13, 1800

Philad a Octob r 13th. 1800

My dear Madam.

By the post on the 9 th instant I intruded a hasty line upon you, upon a reference Tench Coxe had
made to me upon the subject of M r Adam’s
political principles. 1 I
wrote to M r Coxe on the same day to demand
justice from him for the injury he had done me. His publication has been
contradicted as far as it relates to me in several of our papers. Tomorrow
an Avowal of what I wrote to you a few days ago will appear in the Aurora
with the following addition to it. “that I have uniformly heard M r Adams say, what he has published in his works,
that our present government was best calculated for our Country.”— 2

I cannot express to you the distress which I continue to
suffer from this cruel Act of M r Coxe. I am
consoled it is true, not only by a
Consciousness of my integrity towards M r Adams,
but by the universal indignation and horror which M r Coxe’s friends as well as enemies
express, in speaking of his Conduct. They both knew my tenderness for him.
My connection with him began in early life. He was my groomsman when I was
married, and I felt disposed to forgive his defection from his Country when
a , Start deletion, body , End, boy, in beholding his able &
successful exertions in the establishment of the general government. Since
his dissmission from Office I have seldom seen him. The only hour I have
passed with him for two Years, was the one from which he has taken Occasion
to misapply a general declaration to him. Indeed his publication contains
not a word from me upon the subject of M r Adams’s monarchical principles. It is an artful
reference only , expecting no doubt that I would be compelled if any
thing had come to my knowledge to divulge it, or by my Silence give a
currency to , Start deletion, it , End, his insinuation. My
declarations have hitherto not only defeated his views, but had a contrary
effect. I lament that they were necessary, for my heart sickens at the idea
of taking any part in the present disputes which divide our Country. M r Adam’s character did not require my feeble
testimony in its favor.

I have called upon several of my democratic patients, and
asked them to recollect whether they ever heard me utter a word, that could
lead to an inference unfavorable to M r Adam’s
principles. They have not only declared they had not, but have added, that
every thing I have ever said of him, was calculated to beget esteem and
respect, and a Confidence in the integrity, and wisdom of his
Administration. Indeed Madam since the year 1774 his name, and the
independance, and happiness of , Start deletion, the , End, our
Country have always been associated in my mind, and there is no One
circumstance in my political life, that I review with half the pleasure that
I do the uninterupted friendship with which he has honoured me for six &
twenty years. My whole family have often heard me exult in it.

Since T Coxe’s publication I have learned, that he has
harboured a secret enmity to me for not interceding with the President to
restore him to his Office, or to confer some Other Office upon him. This
would have been highly indelicate, for I well knew he was not dismissed on
account of his democratic principles, or Opposition to M r Adams’s election but for his disputes with
M r Wolcot. 3 I am the more disposed to ascribe
his publication to this cause, from having experienced similar, but more
open resentment from an old School mate, whose recommendation to the
President for an Office I refused to subscribe.

I have only to add to this long letter, that all Cobbet’s
cruelties to me, were tender Mercies, compared with Tench Coxe’s.— 4 Our language does not afford a
word sufficiently expressive of , Start deletion, its , End, thier baseness.

My dear M rs Rush who
sympathizes with me in my distress, and who, better than any One else knows
the Ardor and extent of my respect & Affection for M r Adams, joins in love to you and all the
family, with my dear Madam your / sincere and / Affectionate friend

Benj n: Rush