Thomas Boylston Adams to William Cranch, January 30, 1802

Philadelphia 30 th: January
1802

Dear Sir.

I have to acknowledge your favor of the 13 th: ult o: . 1 The principal subject in which you dwelt; viz:
the intention to destroy the main pillar of our political edifice, has since undergone a
very serious discussion; and you have doubtless listened with peculiar interest to the
spirited debates, which the motion of M r: Brackenridge has
produced in the Senate of the United States. 2 The speculations under the signature of “a
friend to the Constitution,” were republished in the Port Folio, and so far as I have
heard them spoken of, are much admired; but you have lived long enough to be thouroughly
aware, that a Sheriff or other ministerial office, is not to be reasoned out of an
house, against the owner of which he may have an Execution; or in other words, when
argument & interest come in competition, it is “frightful odds,” against the
former. 3 The people of the South, look
upon an efficient judiciary as a permanent writ of execution against their persons and
estates; how can it be expected then that they will be open to conviction. If men will
differ on so essential & important points, as the dependence or independence of
judges, at this time of day, the dispute can be resolved into nothing but a contest for
power & an imperious call on the score of interest. There is no honesty in those who
pretend to doubt, on this subject.

I have been charmed with the energetic language, the manly
eloquence & the dignified style of Gouverneur Morris. I have seldom seen a more finished specimen of parliamentary elocution. Yet what effect! He spoke
to men as callous, I might say calcined as the walls that surrounded them. 4 They are in truth mere dust & clay; I mean
the majority of the majority. Our union has now no bond but the national debt ; if the Genevan could pay it off in seventeen hours instead of as
many years, he would sooner lose his hand than do it. He knows better. 5

A memorial has been drafted & signed by the principal members
of our bar, on the subject of the projected repeal of the last judiciary law &
recommending its continuance. 6 I signed
the first draft, but that being altered and a new one made less to my mind than the
former, I did not sign the last. Other motives prevented my signing; the very name of
Adams, would turn the stomach of every rascal in Congress and they would belch out their
windy insolence against any thing to which that name was annexed. You see I am in no
very coaxing mood. If I were a member of the State legislature of Massachusetts I would
propose certain amendments to the Constitution, such as would meet the approbation, I
think, of at least ten States in the Union. “The black cattle to the South, shall not be
represented, after the year 1803,” should be the first amendment on my list. If Virginia
is not gagged with something like this, there will be no end to her presumption &
impudence. 7

I should like to hear what reception our memorial meets—it will
arrive too late to be laid before Senate.

I have never heard how M r: Johnson is;
has he recovered his health?

With best regards to your wife & children / I am, dear Sir /
your friend

T B Adams 8