William Tudor to John Adams, July 9, 1789
Boston 9 July 1789
My dear Sir
However you & I may have been taught by Civilians, &
however History confirms the Maxim, that an Imperium in Imperio is a Solecism, this
Country will continue to learn from its own limited School, & by the most expensive
Experiments, those Truths which Statesmen, Legislators & enlightened Politicians
have in vain pointed out to them.—
Our present Confederacy is not very unlike the Monster of
Nebuchadnezzar, which was composed of Brass, Clay & Iron— It is neither completely
national, federal nor sovereign, for each State has reserved some seperate &
independent Powers. Was it composed of the four Eastern States only: Or did it embrace
the Inhabitants from the Hudson to the Potomack; or did the Limits of Virginia &
Georgia confine its Operations, the Inhabitants might soon agree in consolidated
national Principles. But a Country, extensive as the present united States, so
differently settled, & so widely dissimiliar in Manners & Ideas cannot easily be
reduced to a homogeneous Body—Nature & Circumstances have marked the dividing Lines
of the three Kingdoms that fifty Years hence will Occupy & part the present immense
Territory, which, the glorious Peace of Paris, gave to the united States. Twenty years
ago New England contained but one Set of People, the Middle Colonies two, & the
Southern Provinces three. It may be different now. Common Dangers
& Common Sufferings have had Effects in bringing Us nearer together, but it is a
Monarchy alone, limited & republican if they please, that can make Us great or
contented. While each State exercises the Powers of making distinct & particular
Laws, independent in numerous Instances of the general Governments, although perhaps
they may not amount to a direct Contravention of the Statutes of Congress, they will
operate in perpetuating local & different Principles of Action, in the distant Parts
of the Empire. I most heartily wish my Countrymen Freedom & an honest Independence,
because Myself & Children are to participate in it, but I also wish an energetic,
stable & magnanimous Government, that shall protect Us at home, and make our Country
respectable abroad.
M r. Ames & M r. Minot are two excellent young Men, & very capable of serving their
Country, in different Walks. I shew to the latter the Paragraph which so flatteringly
mentions him & his History. 1 He has
beg’d Me to return his Thanks for so obliging a Testimony of your Approbation of well
intended Labour.
I find by the Judiciary Bill which has been printed, that my Letter
to the President is superceeded by a certain Office being to be disposed of as the
District Judge shall think proper. And Of that Judge whoever he may be, I shall have no
Favours to sollicit.
I am with great Affection & Respect / Dear Sir / Your faithfull
Friend & Servant
W m Tudor