To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 4 June 1789
From Benjamin Rush
Philadelphia June 4th: 1789.
Dear Sir,
I find you, & I must agree, NOT to disagree, or we
must cease to discuss political questions. I could as soon believe that the British
parliament, never had once a right to tax America,
as believe that a fourth major part of the citizens
of New york were federal, or that many of the federal
minority were so, from proper motives.— I know from good authority that some of the
leading federalists of new york pressed the Senate at albany to relinquish the power of
appointing federal senators, to the assembly, rather than risk the loss of the residence
of Congress in new york.1 But my
principal Objection to the continuance in new York, is the influence which a city
contaminated by having been for seven years a garrison town to a corrupted British Army,
must have Upon the manners, & morals of those men who are to form the character of our Country. I already see
the effects of this influence, and hear much more of it.—
The citizens of Pennsylvania are truly republican; and will not readily concur in a
government which has begun so soon to ape the corruptions of the British Court, conveyed
to it, thro’ the impure channel of the city of new york. I think Philada: the most eligible Spot in the Union for the present
residence of Congress— Upon this Account, I am sure it will not be preferred,— But
Trenton—Annapolis—Chester town—or the Banks of the Ohio should all be prefer’d to New
york.— It is the sink of British manners & politicks. I
hope one of the last mentioned places will be fixed upon soon, otherwise such factions
will I fear arise, as will convulse our government. There is more known—said & felt upon this subject that is proper to be communicated, or
than will be believed while Congress is perfumed with British incense in new york.
When I speak of the influence of the New Engd: States, I mean that influence in favor of Virtue—order, & liberty which has long been a System with them, but which is only felt, by fitts & starts by most of the Other States. I wish to see such an influence revived, & perpetual in our Country, & to ensure this, I wish it not to be perceived, or opposed.
When I expressed a wish for a Union in Principle & conduct of massachussets—Virginia—& Pennsya:—I wished only for the predominance of numbers & property in the legislative & executive parts of our government.2
I highly respect Mr Jay, but supposed, he would have been continued in his present office.—3 After stating the Abilities—Sacrifices & services of Mr Wilson—could it be offensive to hear that he was your friend, p[. . .] opposed the narrow Views of those people who wished to so render your election abortive? or to dishonour you by the manner in which it was conducted?— In this he acted a manly part, and I have a right to say, that he was less influenced by personal regard, than by genuine—federal—and republican principles.— Letters from new York & maryland (which I saw) strongly urged him to an opposite Conduct. But he felt—what you have expressed, and could his advice have prevailed fully, you would have had ten, instead of eight Votes from Pennsylvania.—4
Why should we accelerate the progress of our Government towards monarchy?— Every part of the conduct of the americans tends to it. we will have but one deliverer—One great—or one good man in our Country. For my part, I cannot help ascribing the independance—& new government of our Country to thousands—all equally necessary & equally useful in both those great events.
This is not a time to mention nor are you in the proper place to hear, who were unfriendly to your election, in new york.
That you may never mistake any of my Opinions or principles in my future letters, I shall add to this long One,—that I am as much a republican as I was in 1775—& 6—that I consider heriditary monarchy & aristocracy as rebellion against nature—that I abhor titles, & every thing that belongs to the peagantry of government—that I love the people—but would sooner be banished to Iceland or Tobalski, than gain their favor by accommodating to one of their unjust popular prejudices,—that I feel a respect for my rulers bordering upon homage, but that I would not be jolted two hours in the Stage that plies between new york & Philada: to be the prime minister of the United States,—& that I have applied for no office, & shall apply for none. Under all circumstances, I hope I shall be excused in thinking for myself, at all times, & upon all subjects.— To this detail of my principles, I have only to add one feeling, and that is, that I am with as much Affection & respect as I was in 1775—(notwithstanding our present contrariety of sentiment upon some subjects) your sincere friend, and / humble / Servant
Benjn: Rush
RC (Adams Papers).
1. Fractured by a largely Federalist senate and an Antifederalist-dominated assembly, the New York legislature struggled to choose federal members of Congress, ultimately sending representatives in April and July (vol. 19:314, 390–391).
2. Rush was resuming his argument that given Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia’s joint support of JA for vice president, the three states would guide the choice of federal seat and the distribution of federal posts. JA was less convinced of their influence, writing: “Nor do I think that this Circumstance ought to have any Weight in Elections or appointments” (vol. 19:401, 460).
3. With an eye on nominating heads of the new treasury, state, and justice departments, George Washington met with John Jay in early August and “had some conversation . . . respecting his views to Office.” Although he was well-suited to continue as acting secretary of state, Jay informed the president that he was more interested in serving as the first chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, a choice strongly supported by JA (, 3:405; , p. 271–272).
4. According to Rush, James Wilson, a leading Federalist and Pennsylvania elector, intended for all ten of the state’s electoral votes to go to JA in the 1789 presidential election. Wilson received at least two letters, one of 19 Jan. from former loyalist Rev. William Smith of Chester, Md., and another of 25 Jan. from Alexander Hamilton of New York, both swaying him to steer votes away from JA in order to ensure Washington’s victory. The state’s final vote count was 10 for Washington, 7 for JA, and 3 for various other candidates (vols. 3:56, 19:424; , 1:384; Israel W. Morris, “Letters of Hon. Alexander Hamilton and Rev. William Smith, D.D., to Hon. James Wilson, 1789,” , 29:210–215 [1905]).