From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 21 November 1794
To Thomas Jefferson
Philadelphia Nov. 21. 1794
Dear Sir
I am desired by our old Acquaintance Mr D’Ivernois to transmit you the inclosed Papers for your inspection Opinion and Advice. The poor Fellow has been obliged to fly a Second time into Banishment. The first time, he was driven out as a Democrat: but it is now, Day about, as they Say, in Geneva, and he is compelled to run, as an Aristocrat.1
Shall We print his History? What Shall We do with his Academy?
I have Spent my Summer So deliciously in farming that I return to the old story of Politicks with great Reluctance. The Earth is grateful. you find it so, I dare say. I wish We could both say the Same of its Inhabitants.
When will the Crisis of this fever in human Nature be over, and in what State of Health will it be left? Solitudinem faicunt, Pacem Libertatem appellant.2
Virginia I hope will send Us some good Senators, We grow very thin.3 I begin to think the Senate Scarcely numerous enough for so large a People. But this is not a time for Changes: We must go on as well as we can. Make my Compliments, if you please to your Daughters, whom I had once the Pleasure to see, and for whom I retain much Esteem. I am, sir / with great Regard, your / most obedient
John Adams
RC (DLC:Jefferson Papers); internal address: “Mr Jefferson”; endorsed: “Adams John Nov 21. 94. / Recd. Dec. 2.”; docketed by Jefferson: “Adams John. Nov 21. 94. / recd Dec. 2.”
1. See François d’Ivernois’ 30 Aug. letter, and notes 1 and 2, above.
2. “They make a desolation and they call it peace” (Tacitus, Agricola, transl. M. Hutton and W. Peterson, Cambridge, Eng., 1914, ch. 30).
3. Virginia senators James Monroe and John Taylor both resigned in May. By 18 Nov. Henry Tazewell and Stevens Thomson Mason were chosen as replacements. Tazewell took his seat on 29 Dec., but Mason did not attend the 2d session of the Senate (; , 3d Cong., 2d sess., p. 138).