John Adams to John Lowell, September 14, 1789
New York Sept r. 14. 1789
Dear Sir
I received your Letter of the 7 th in
due Season and have delayed my Answer, in hopes it might be more determinate. I have
received also Letters from Governor Bowdoin and M r Higginson
on the Same Subject. 1 The Contents of
these Letters appeared to me of Such Importance, that I thought it my Duty to lay them
before the President, as [in]formation that he ought to be possessed of;—Since which I
have had more than one personal Conference with him on the Subject;—What his decision
will be I am not able to say. Applications and Recommendations and Representations are
made to him from all Parties. M r H. & M r A. are not Silent, 2 any more than others who are more zealous for
the new Gov t. — The President Examines and weighs with great
Attention and Care, and determines according to Principles which he has laid down for
himself, which in general are good & wholesome.
For my Part, I am So clearly convinced, of the Necessity of an Unity in the Executive Authority of Government, and of the
Propriety of having all Appointments vested in one Breast, that I wish my Friends would
excuse me from interfereing on any Occasion. The Daily Labour, of my Attendance in
Senate, is fatiguing, the delicacy of finding proper times to converse with the
President, on Appointments, renders it difficult, and after all, my information can be
but partial, when his, is compleat.— Especially as I am to be made the Scape Goat, on
whom all the sins of Unpopularity are to be laid.— My Exertions for Lincoln, have torn
open an hornets Nest at Boston, and my Vote for the Presidents Power of Removal,
according to the Constitution, has raised from Hell an host of political and poetical
Devils.—
I have waited on the President expressely in behalf of our Friend
Jackson: He listenened Attentively to all my Representations: but I found that other
Characters were in contemplation, meritorious Officers in the late Army and amiable Men,
it must be confessed.
In all Events, my Friend, Suffer not these Things to affect your
Spirits or your Happiness.— You may have cause to rejoice, that you have met a disappointment, if even that should happen.— Things are not enough
settled, to make any Place desireable.
at least this is still the Opinion of, dear sir / Your old Friend
and faithful humble / sert
John Adams