The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1809-07-12

my inauguration that kad ccnnslrl.: catt !!
that conversationto one or more OF the heads
of departments. the same morning II is
probable therefore, that Mr. Hamilton .rcceiy-
ed hints from some Of his correspondents
that l had thought of Madison and Hamilton,
andthat he was not displeascd with the idea.
1 asked one Of the heads OF departments how
he could account for Hansilton's recommends
ing Jefferson or Madison Sc Why, said the
gentleman, suppose Hamilton Is weary oi
his practice, as an attorney, at Newly ork and
is wiling to enter into some other employ
ment." MIR. Hamilton, however, might thank
those who had been bis warmest friends fox
his disapr ointment : for had it not been for
their opposition to Madison, / should have
appointed him and Hamilton.
The army Of fifty Thousand men, ten thous-
and of them to be horse, Appeared to me to
DO sone OF the widest extravagances of a
knight Errant Ii proved to me that Mr..
Hamilton knew no more Of the sentiments
and feelings Of the people of America, than
Inc did Of those of the inhabitants Of one of the
planets. Such an army without an. enemy to
combat, would have raised rebellion in
every state in the union. The very idea of
thesexpense Of it would have turned President,
Senate and House ont Of doors. sdopted
none Of these chimeras into my speecf, and
only recommended the raising ola few regi
ments Of artillery to garrison the Notifications
of the most exposed places. Yet such was
the influence OF Mr.. Hamilton in Congress,
that, without any recommendation from the
President, they passed a bill TO raise an army,
not large one, indeed, but enough to over
turn the then federal government.
Nor did adopt his idea of an alien or Sc
dition law. l recommended no such thingin
my speech. Congress, however, adopted
both these measures. knew there was need
enough of both, aad therefore consented to
them. But as they were then considered as
war measures, and intended altogether against
the advocates Of the French, and peace with
France, was apprehcnsive that a hurricane
of Glamour would be raised against them, as
in truth there was, even more fierce and vio-
lent than had anticipated
Selling on all the taxable articles not yet
taxed, to support an army of fifty Thousand
rnen, at a time when SO many tax laws, al
ready enacted, were unexecutcd In SO many
states, and when Instructions and rebellions
had already been excited in Pennsylvania, on
account of taxes, appeared to me altogether
desperate, and altogether delirious.
wanted. no adlnonition from Mr.. Hamil-
ton to institute a'national fast. had deter
mined on this measure long enough before
Mr.. Hamilton's letter was written. And
here let me say, with great sincerity, that
think there is nothing upon this earth more
sublime and affecting, than the idea of great
nation all ON their knees At once before their
God, acknowledging their faults and inplor-
ing his blessing and protestion,o when the
prospect before them threatens great danger
and calamity. 1t can scarcely fail to have a
favourable effect ON their morals III general,
or to inspire them with warlike virtues in par
ticular When most, il not ali the religious
sects' in the nation hold such fasts among
themselves,i never could see the force Of the
objections against making them, on great and
extraordinary occasions, national unless it
be the jealousy of the separate states, lest the
general government should became too ma
tional Those however, who differ from me
in opinion on this point, have as good right
to their Judgment as i have to mine, and /
shall submit mine to the general will.
In fine, MIR. Hamilton, in the passage
have been commenting, in this letter, has let
cut facts, which if he had possessed grain
of common sense, he would have wished
should be forever colcealed. should never
have revealed or explained them il he, and
his partizans, had NOT compelled me.
JOHN ADAMS.
Qaiacy, Nay 29th, 1909.