From John Adams to Thomas Welsh, 7 April 1796
To Thomas Welsh
Phila. April 7 1796
Dear sir
I have recd yours of March 28—and have laid aside the thought of purchasing seeds for you or myself in this Place.1
We have in America so many Elections to make and they recur so frequently and foreign Politicks are intermingled in them so much that the People are kept in continual Irritation and Agitation. It will not only weary out the Patience of the People, and give a Disgust to the most judicious & upright but it will sour the tempers and pejorate the Principles of all orders. We must however Submit to it and do the best We can.
Elections of one third of the federal senate, the whole House of Representatives and of President & V. President come on next fall and will keep the whole Continent in a blaze the whole summer. The Abby Sieyes and all his Spies & Agents American and French are at Work and We shall see curious Movements.
Our venerable Governor I expect will stand his Ground: but his Inveteracy against the general Government does much harm2
It must be a Dotage indeed that can make of him a Tool of French Finesse. But Changes in him are no Miracles.
With Regards to the Family I am your / good friend
John Adams
RC (private owner, 1970); internal address: “Dr Welsh”; endorsed: “Vice President of US / April 7. 1796.”
1. Not found.
2. For the results of the Massachusetts gubernatorial elections, see Welsh’s 15 Feb. letter, and note 4, above.