The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-06-30

There were other circumstances of more De.
rious and solid importance, indicative Of public
opinion, which Mr.. Hamilton, II he had been a
vHiiant and sagacious statesman, could not have
ton and Wythe, Of Virginia, Openly detained for
peace the former came out in print with his
name. protesting against war with our sister
republic Of France. Gen. Heath came cut with
i an address to the public in Massachusetts,, de-
ciaring that every man ne met was decidedly for
peace. When the election was coming on, the
legislature Of Massachusetts dare not trust the
people, either at large or in districts, to choose
electors, but assumed that Office TO themselves.
In New.York, the great interest and vast bodies
Of people, who are supposed to follow or direct
the two great families Of Clintons and Livings-
tons, aided by all the address and dexterity of
Aaron Burr, was decidedly for peace with France.
In Pennsylvania, Governor Mexican, with his
majority Of thirty Thousand votes, IT in other
words, at the head ofthe two vast bodies ofGer.
mans and Irish, reinforced by great numbers Of
English Presbyterizns, Ouakers and Anabaptists,
were decidedly against war with France.
After enumerating all these symptoms of the
popular bias, it would be frivolous to enlarge up
on the conversations Of which l was informed at
taverns & insurance Offices, threatening violence
to the President by pulling him out of his chair,
upon the French cockades, that were every
where paraded before my eyes, in opposition to
the black cockade, or upon the declarations and
oaths, which ] know were made by no small
numbers, that if we went to war with France,
and the French should come here. they would
join them against the federalists and the Eng.
lish. These things recollect with grier, be-
cause they do no honor to our country: but
must say they disgrace it no more than many
more solemn actions and declarations oftlle OPP
posite party against France, and in favor Of
England ,have done within the last twelve months
In these circumstances, it was the height Of
folly to say as Hamilton says, that it would have
been easier to negotiate at Philadelphia than ut
Paris AS to our ambassadors being overawed
IN Paris, by any fnessc of politicians, or triumphs
OF the French army We must take care to send
men who are equal to such trials. The French
have not, as yet, gained any great and unjust ad.
vantages of us by all their policy: Cur ENJOYS
were precisely instructed. Every article was
prescribed that was to be insisted ON as an slti
matum. In treaty they could not depart from
q punctilio. convention they might make, as
they did, at their own risQue. But the President
and Senate were under no obligation to ratify it.
Had it betrayed single point of essential honor
or interest / would have sent it back, as Mr.
Jefferson did the treaty with England, without
laying it before the Senate. If had been doubt.
full, the senate would have decided.
Where, then, was the danger of this negocia.
ton ! No where but in the disturbed iniagiha-
ton OF Alexander Hamilton. To me,only it was
dangerous. To me, as a.public man, it was ia
tai, and that only because Alexander Hamilton,
was pleased to WELD 1t, as poisoned weapon,
with the express purpose of destroying Though
owe him no thanks for this, most heartily re-
!oice in it, because it has given me eight years,
iacomParably the happiest of my life !: where
as, had been chosen President again, am GER
tam could not have lived another year II was
utterly Impossible that could have lived through
one year mere of such labors and cares as were
stndiously and rnaliciously accumulated upon me,
by the French faction and the British faction
the former aided by the republicans, and the lat
ter by Alexander Hamilton and his satellites
JOHN ADAMS.
9hincr Nav o. 1908