Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-11-12

Quincy, Oct. 90, 1912.
GENTLEMEN,
L have received the petite and ob!iginy
letter you did me the honor TO write me, on
the twenty third of this month and ought
perhaps, TO have taken longer time to con-
s'der the serious proposition you have made
to me.
To have remained inactive in nv solici-
tude would have been more agreeable o me
but com non decency and ci,ilty require of
me, respectful answer to gentlemen Of
your honorable characters and conditions in
society.
can acknowledge no authority in any os
those congregations of people, of whatever
character Hr station, that are called caucus
es, conventions, or asSemhlages, any moro
than in the same number of citizens scat
tered over an hundred hills or thousand
vallies.
1t Is very true that could never bear he
shack'es Of faction.-wear the livery of par
", or descend to low, dark, insidous or ie-
suitical ntrigues.
1t is very true that I have NO attachments
to individuals, e. parties, to states or T. pa..
tions, ant ia Their thar believe ,hsm disp,s-
cd to do justice to the United States of A.
merica
II is very true that have no private IN
terest, hopes, or wishes to promote. IN either
the -Nati1rai, or the STATE Government. fo.
myselt, my family, or my friends
IT Is very true, that have been so long
accustomed to consider the American Com
federation rs one; the Northern & Southern.
the Eastern and Western. he rransallega-
nian and the Atlantic divisions of it, as parts
OF the same great whole entitled to equal
| rights, privileges, immuni;ies. and advanta-
ges; and obliged To sust ain equal hurthen,. to
perform equal duties, and to afford equal
encouragement to Agriculture, Commerce.
Manufactures, and other Arts am Sciences.
in their proper places. that the habit has be-:
come second nature
must moreover, explicitly declare, that
| would not give my vote for any man, though
| re were the greatest and best i'm America.
| II had reason TO believe him hostile to Com
| mence, or Indifferent 70 Maritime Attitude.
and Armour for rs protection and defence
| Because, as a Naval Power is an essential
| and fundamental article in our National Sys-
/ tenn OF practical policy, for preservation and
perfection of our Union, our Constitution, cur
| Agriculture. Commerce, Manufactures, and
| all other Arts, Sciences, Comfprt., Convent
ences and Embellishments of Life so an nm
| derstanding, and a will to encourage and
promote Naval Power, is, in my humble
estimation, essential to the Character of a,
| President of the United States-If bv an
! error in judgement, or misconception Of
| character, ] should be left TO vote for any
! gentleman of different sentiments, and find
myself disappointed in my expectation, il
| you'd be source of modification, regret Is
remorse to the end OF my litc.
| Descended from that vigorous youth, who
| first leaped upon the rock at Plymouth, and
from other lines If ancestors. who all Ii, ed
in this District having been born and edu-
Gated in it, and in former parts of my life
| personally and familiarly acquainted with ev-
cry county OF il: if there is a spot Of earth
/ for which have more tender affection than
/ for any other, it is the Southern District Of
| MasSGchH8etfs.
| If, with these views and sentiments,
should be designated by the free, unbiased
| and unsolicited SURFACES of the Citizens &c
! this District, to the important Office Of an E.
lector-more important, perhaps, at this
! dangerous and disastrous crisis, than at any
former period, shall endeavour to execute
| the trust, according to the best of my know
| ledge, Judgment and conscience.
! With great respect, have the honor TO
| be, gentlemen, your affcctionate fellow ciii-
zen, and most obcdient humble servant.
JOHN ADAMS.
! Hon. 2E7R SPR4GUE,
JosEPH TJSDALE,
JoHE EEDIcoTT;
GRoRcE CANYON,