John Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, January 27, 1801

Washington January 27. 1801

Dear Sir

You have it right in yours of 22 d. — A Rivalry between George Cabbot and Elbridge Gerry, for the
Tittle of Excellency in Massachusetts, produced all the opposition of
Federalists in that State to my Administration and has now thrown the whole
Party in the back ground. I am afraid that is not the worst. Their unbridled
rage and violent opposition to Peace with France, will exasperate the
opposite Party into Such bitterness against England, that there is great
danger of their kicking up a dust with that Power, and in that Case the
Tories must fly to St. James or st. Stephens for compensation for their
Loyalty shall I say! no, their folly.

M r Gerry is as far from being
a Jacobin, and as far from being frenchified as any Man in the Union. There
is not a more genuine American. There is not a Man more impartial between
France & England. He is even for a more energetic Government, than our
Constitution can give. But I wish he understood himself better, on the
subject of Government.

I wish to see the Extract from Clarendon and the Remarks.
I read Clarendon, through and the Tryals of the Regicides, when I was 23
years of Age, and I know of no Work to which I have been more indebted, for
the little insight I have had into human Affairs 1

The little Gentlemen is not from S t. Croix: but from S t. Christophers
that is S t. Kitts, as I understand. D r Stevens, his Brother, Consull at s t. Domingo, is from s t. Kitts.— 2 Capt n. Little of the Boston, knew his family in the
West Indies.

I was informed, by M r Samuel
Lyman of Sprinfield one of the most upright and amiable Men in Congress,
that Hamilton had broken and divided the federal Interest in New York, long
before the Election for that City of Members of their Legislature in the
Spring of 1800, by declaring against Adams. He declared that Adams must not
be President. The Federalists declared he must & should. This division
threw all into the hands of Burr. Lyman Added with great earnestness that
[“]he hoped it was true: for if it was, it would be the total Ruin of
Hamilton and his faction, which he heartily wished.” 3

I am fully in Opinion with you concerning the Convention
with France.— Take it for better or for worse, it is an harmless thing.— It leaves us at full Liberty to Place
England and France on a footing of Equality in their relations with Us,
which I think is the precise point of Wisdom for Us to aim at.

Your Friend Manlius is a clever Man. He will make a
valuable Character: but he is out in his Politicks at present.

L. H. S. has been nominated sec. of War.— He is one among
the very few federalists of eminent Talents who have preserved their senses.
He has given proofs of an Understand, Penetration and Candor, which no other
federalist has equalled in any public Writing concerning the Negotiation
with France. 4 The Nomination
however I fear will be only a Compliment, for I presume he will not
continue, or at least will not be continued under the new Administration, if
he accepts.

My dear son, your Letters are delightfull at present, but
/ whether Politicks will not loose their Taste very soon / is unknow to him
who in a few days will / be

The Farmer of Stony Field