John Jay Papers
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From John Jay to John Lowell, 29 February 1796

To John Lowell

New York 29 Feb. 1796

Dear Sir

I have been fav[ore]d. with your’s of the 15 Inst:1 by Mr Parkman, and am much pleased with him and his fellow Traveller Mr. Coolidge.2 Their Representation of the State of Things in Massachusetts, corresponds with the Hints on that Head suggested in your Letter. There is too much Intelligence in the northern States to admit of their being greatly and long decieved and misled; and I hope the same Remark will in Time become equally applicable to all the others. Considering the nature of our Governments, a Succession of Demagogues must be expected; and the strenuous Efforts of the wise and virtuous will not cease to be necessary to frustrate their artifices and Designs. They will always be hostile to merit, because merit will always stand in their way; and being actuated by Every ambition or avarice, and not unfrequently by them ^all^, will be diligently at work, while better men take their Rest.

It seems strange, but so it is in all Republics, that many excellent men, who are happy in their Families and Fortunes, and in the Esteem and Society of their Friends; who enjoy their Villas and their Gardens, and neglect not to guard their Trees and Vines from Caterpillars, and their favorite Plants and Flowers from nipping Frosts, and yet omit attending to the political Grubs, who are constantly & insidiously labouring to wound and prey upon the Roots of all their temporal Enjoyments. Several Gentlemen of this Description with us, becoming alarmed have been very useful, and I presume this has been more or less the Case in other States— Be pleased to present Mrs. Jay’s and my best Compliments to Mrs. Lowell, and be assured of the Esteem & Regard with which I am Dear Sir your most obt. & hble Servt.

John Jay

The Hon’ble Judge Lowell

ALS, NHi: Jay (EJ: 02959). Addressed: “The Hon’ble / J. Lowell Esqr / Judge of Massachusetts District / Roxbury / near / Boston”. Endorsed. LbkC, NNC: JJ Lbk. 10 (EJ: 12871); C, SR: C.F. Libbie & Co. (27 Jan. 1903) (EJ: 11271); WJ, 2: 265–66; HPJ description begins Henry P. Johnston, ed., The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay (4 vols.; New York, 1890–93) description ends , 4: 204–5.

1Letter not found.

2Samuel Parkman (1751–1824) and Joseph Coolidge (1747–1820), both merchants of Boston.

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