1To Thomas Jefferson from David Austin, 4 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
...so, consider it as a comment upon the failure of the Expedition. It has failed: & when the causes of the failure, become to be developed, the discerning & sensible will be apt to say, that the gingerbread stile of your Excelly’s Instructions, letters & offerings have been principally operative in murling the mouth of the expedition.—
2To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 22 September 1808 (Adams Papers)
. The disputes of children about their nuts & gingerbread have less folly and wickedness in them.