John Quincy Adams to John Adams, April 5, 1790

Newbury-Port. April 5 th: 1790.

Dear Sir.

I have more than once mentioned to you, the state of retirement
from political conversation in which I live, and the restraints which I am endeavouring
to lay upon a disposition inclining perhaps with too much ardor, to feel interested in
public occurrences. But it sometimes happens that I am accidentally witness to
conversations upon these subjects; from which I collect some trifling information, that I imagine might at least not be unentertaining
to you. In general I have supposed that your other correspondents in this quarter would
anticipate me and that I should only employ your time in reading a relation of
occurrences, which would not even have with you the merit of novelty. But from some late
Letters I have been led (though perhaps erroneously) to imagine your correspondents here
have not been so punctual in their communications, as they have been formerly, and I
have supposed I might mention some circumstances which though generally known here might
not be public; at New-York.— 1 It appears
to me that the hostile character of our general and particular governments each against
the other is increasing with accelerated rapidity; The Spirit which at the time when the
constitution was adopted, it was contended would always subsist, of balancing one of
these governments by the other has I think almost totally disappeared already; and the
seeds of two contending factions appear to be plentifully sown. The names of federalist
and antifederalist, are no longer expressive of the Sentiments which they were so lately
supposed to contain; and I expect soon to hear a couple of new names, which will
designate the respective friends of the National and particular Systems. The People are
very evidently dividing into these two parties. What the event will be, I hardly allow
myself to conjecture,

“but my soul akes,

To know when two authorities are up,

Neither supreme, how soon confusion

May enter twixt the gap of both, and take

The one by the other.” 2

In point of measures, the Government of the United States has
undoubtedly greatly the advantage. But while they are
strengthening their hands by assuming the debts, and by making provision for the support
of the public credit, the partizans of our State government are continually upon the
rack of exertion, to contrive every paltry expedient to maintain their importance, and
to check the operations of the Government, which they behold with terror. As they can
only clamour upon subjects of importance; their active efforts are used, in appointing a
premature fast, or in opposing the cession of a lighthouse.— In the last Session of our
general Court the light-houses in this Commonwealth were not ceded to Congress. And the
keeper of that at the entrance of Boston Harbour has been forbidden upon his peril to
receive any directions or pay from the federal officers. 3 But the imbecillity of
our Government renders all these exertions the more ridiculous: for while they endeavour
to prevent the assumption of their debt, they cannot even provide for the payment of the
interest upon it. And they have never yet paid for two light-houses at the entrance of
this harbour, although they are so solicitous to retain them.

The History of the additional amendments to the Constitution
proposed by a joint-committee of our two houses, affords further evidence of the petty
arts which are used by the enemies to the national union to turn the tide of popular
opinion against the national Government. 4 M r: Austin who as I have been informed had the principal
agency in that affair, never expected, that any amendments would be seriously proposed
to Congress by our Legislature; and there is an internal evidence in the report of the
Committee, that it was intended for a declamation to the people rather than for
amendments to the Constitution. They are not even pretended to be amendments but after
the long common-place rhapsody, upon the dangerous tendency of the government, when we
come to the articles , we find them pretended to be nothing
but principles for amendments.— The Committee consisted of
seven members; of whom only four were present when this report was agreed upon. M r: Dane who drew it up was one of the absent, and it is said,
afterwards declared that he should have objected to the two last articles, (perhaps the
most important of the whole number) though he drafted them himself. The two other absent
members utterly disclaimed the report; and the chairman, who did not vote, was equally
opposed to it. Three members only agreed upon the point; and when they produced the
paper in the Senate; they obtained a vote to have a certain number of copies printed. It
was then dismissed without being suffered to undergo the test of an examination, and
M r: Austin I am told, made no scruple to acknowledge that
he had answered his purpose.

Yet, even when opportunities are presented, where the importance of
our own Government might be really increased; some other little selfish interested
principle steps in, and produces measures calculated to bring it into contempt. The
appointment of N. Cushing upon the bench of our Supreme Court, has certainly not tended
to increase the confidence of the people in that important branch of the government: the
appointment was very unpopular; and what perhaps in a political view rendered the
measure the more injudicious, is that it is not his integrity but his abilities that are
called in question. But personal animosity against the characters who would have added dignity to that Station, the apprehension of giving
offence to the late chief Justice, who it is said recommended his cousin too strongly,
and the pleasure of removing a troublesome councillor, concurring together were too
powerful even for antifederal principles, and produced we
are told a nomination, which could be accounted for upon no other motives.— The only
liberal and generous measure by which they have pursued their System has been the
raising the Salaries of our Judges and I fear they would not have succeeded even in
that, had not the personal interest of certain influential men, of very different
principles been engaged, and assisted to promote it.— It is melancholy to observe how
much even in this free Country the course of public events depends upon the private
interests and Passions of individuals.

But the popularity of the general Government is, and for some time
to come must continue to be disadvantageously affected, by those very exertions to
support the public credit, which must eventually strengthen it so effectually. It must
suffer however chiefly in the Sea-ports and among the merchants who find their interests
affected by the operation of the revenue Laws. In this town and Still more in Salem
there have lately been considerable clamours raised by men who have been the firmest
friends to the constitution; and there is now I presume before Congress a petition from
the merchants in this town, praying relief from an evil, which has excited great
complaints, but which will probably be remedied without difficulty. 5

Those people among us who are perpetually upon the search, for
causes of complaint against the government, are cavilling at the dilatory manner with
which the Congress proceed in their business.— The decision upon the subject of
discrimination, has met with general approbation in the circles of company where I have
heard it mentioned; and from the complexion of our news-papers, I have concluded that
the public opinion of which so much was said in the debates, is here much in favour of
the measure. I do not think indeed that the public opinion can always be collected from
news-papers; but they are never silent upon unpopular topics of so great importance—
M r: Madison’s reputation has suffered from his conduct in
that affair; and Judge Dana is the only man I have known whose character gives weight to
his opinions, that has adopted those of M r: Madison.

The report of the Secretary of the Treasury, has in general met
with great approbation. I have heard it almost universally spoken of with great applause. Yet I am almost ashamed to acknowledge, that I know not how
justly it is admired, as I have never read it. This neglect has rather been owing to , Start deletion, my , End, accident than to inclination, for little as I
attend to the public prints I should certainly have noticed a publication of so
important a nature had I been in the way of seeing the Gazette of the United States
which contains it.— I am equally ignorant of the System for the establishment of the
militia; which is as much disliked as the treasurer’s report is esteemed; the most
favourable judgment that I have heard passed upon it was, that however excellent it
might be, it would never be submitted to by the people.— 6

I know not, but that I shall incur your censure, for departing even
in this instance from the line which I have prescribed to myself, and losing the lawyer
in the politician; and still more for the freedom with which I have express’d myself
upon public men and measures: if I should on this occasion meet with your
disapprobation, I shall without difficulty observe a more prudent silence upon these
subjects in future. The opinions which I have heard express’d are no evidence of the
general opinion even throughout the Commonwealth; but in some instances they have been
the opinions of men whose influence is great and extensive.— But if the information
contained in this Letter should compensate in your mind for its tediousness, I shall
from time to time continue to give you a similar supply.

In the mean time I remain, your affectionate Son.

J. Q. Adams.