Adams Papers
Documents filtered by: Recipient="Madison, James" AND Period="Madison Presidency"
sorted by: editorial placement
Stable but non-permanent link for this document:
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/99-02-02-5897

From John Adams to James Madison, 19 November 1812

Quincy November 19. 1812

Dear Sir

My Election to the Presidents Office was but by a majority of one, or at most of two Votes. Mr Jeffersons was by no Majority of the People, and by a Majority of one only in the House after Thirty or forty Votes equally divided between him and Mr Burr. Mr Jeffersons Second Election was by a great Majority and his third would have been by a greater Still, if he had not declined. Your Election was, I believe by as great a Majority, as his Second. I have entertained hopes, that no Such meagre Elections as mine and Mr Jefferson’s first, would ever have been again Seen. Indeed I wished and hoped and expected that your Second Election would have been more Unanimous than any Since Washingtons. I Still am confident that your reElection is certain: but by all Appearances it will be by a Smaller Majority than your first. There is a Strange Appearance, at present. I know not how to describe it. The light Souls of all Parties Seem to have mutually transmigrated out of, and in to one another. I really Should not be Surprised, if our Hyperfederalists in Boston, Should four years hence Sett up, Ben. Austin, whom they hate more than they do the Devil, for President.

But, to be more Serious, the Elections, in New England hitherto demonstrate a discontent from the Potomack to Nova Scotia, which is alarming, and it is to be feared will embarrass And weaken the Administration at a time when it ought to be the most energetic and the most unanimously and cordially Supported. The Causes of Such a Change are too numerous, besides the inherent and inalianable fickleness of the People, to be detailed at present

There is one of many years Standing, which has been constantly increasing in its operation, and has had a more malignant Effect in our Late Elections than a Stranger could well imagine, I mean the Claim to the Georgia Lands.

It has ever been my Opinion, and that of every other Lawyer in New England whose Judgment was worth one farthing to his Client in any case; and the Opinion of every other Man of honour and candour, that the Title of the Claimants is good and valid in Law.

Nor is there any doubt here among reasonable Men, that their Title is good in Equity. The Transaction, on the part of the Purchasers was bonâ fide. They had no Suspicion of buying a controverted Title. They had no intimation of any design to attempt a Repeal: and indeed, if Such notice had been given them, it was impossible they could have believed it Serious or feasible. They are now great Sufferers. Many are of respectable Situations in Society. Many are reduced to Poverty, by the Interference of Georgians and the consequent Interference of The United States, to injure a Title, which Stood on the legal, constitutional and Authentic Records of the highest Authority of a Sovereign State. They paid an adequate, and at that time an ample Consideration. These Facts are notorious and universally believed here; and the Characters of many Persons concerned, render it extreamly improbable, in the public opinion, that the general Opinion in this respect is erroneous.

Such a case, as this has a tendency to weaken the confidence of the People in the Justice and impartiality of the Nation, and to propagate And countenance an Apprehension that the Government of The United States is an Ennemy to the Northern part of them. And it really has in too great a degree that Effect.

Far from me, be the thought of prescribing for the Government; but as every Citizen has a right to give his Opinion, I may venture mine in Unison, with the Universal Opinion in this quarter; that Government ought, either to removal all Obstacles to the Claimants possessing the Lands, or to take them for the Nation, by the consent of the Purchasers, paying them an Adequate and liberal Indemnity, for all their Advances and damages.

Neither myself, nor any of my Connections have any Lot or Portion in this Business. A Sense of public and private Justice a Love of the Union and an ardent desire of its continuance in harmony are my only motives for giving you this trouble.

I am too Sensible of the Impropriety of your committing yourself, to any Individual, without necessity, upon a Subject like this that I neither expect nor wish for any Acknowledgment of this Letter: which is intended only to communicate the Sense of the public, with which in this case that of the individual coincides.

Wishing you Health, honour and long life, in and out of Office,. [I remain Sir with great respect and esteem your most obedient Servant]

[John Adams]

MHi: Hoar Autograph Collection.

Index Entries