The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1823-09-16
POLITICAL MISCELLANY.


REMARKS
On he Correspondence bet,reen The Hon. JOHN
ADAMS, late President Of the United States,
and The late WM. CUNNINGHAM, Esq.
In the year 1908, friendly, private and
confidential correspondence on desuItory sub
lects of political interest was commenced, and
continued at irregular intervals between the
Honorable John Adams, of Quincy, and Mr.
William Cunning ham, of Fitchburg. gentle
man greatly his inferior in years, and almost
wholly unknown to the public, who not long
since, in fit of insanity, destroyed his own
life.
The letters are now published by Ephraim
May Cunningham, his son and are given toI
the world from the press of Messrs. True &
Green, publishers of the American Statesman,
who in an advertisement appended to this
work solicit subscriptions for their paper
In addition to the anxiety which is always
felt to read the productions of the extraordin-
ary and distinguished citizen, whose part in
this performance gives il all its interest, great
curiosity has been excited by report of the
personal illusions and political character of
these letters, and of their supposed bearing on
matters Of some interest at the present time,
Of which the proprietors Of the pamphlet have
ACeNliN dfdHC0 tA~ho~AF~o IA thC GAlid
gance Of its pfice.
If this publication originated in a mere plan
TO make money, disgraceful and pitiabIe as
suchan attempt appears. il would excite more
detestation than surprise. The rapacity Of
avsrice has no limitation. Nothing is sacred
in iIs view. Character, reputation, morals
manners, the security of society and even the
interests Of religion, by turns feed its insatia-
l. So 4 -
gain. book that will sell is speedily pub
lshed, and the reward that is obtained by the
qualification of curiosity, is rarely the less ac-
ceptabe because il is procured at sacrifice
of principle, morality, or honor
Something of this kind, though affectedly
covered by other pictures, must have origina
ted the publication in question. The subjects
discussed have long since been numbered with
the days that are passed. The irritation and
luminosity which they disclose, the lenient
hand of time had smothered. if it had not who'll
ly efaced. The grave had successively closed
ovfr many of the distinguished individuals who
bad borne the battle and the breeze of polite
al controversy, and is waiting to receive the
most honorable among the champions of that
memorable time, whose fame belongs 10 his
country, indeed, but whose peace, tranquility
and rePose is personal possession, that hu-
mainly would disdain to disturb.
No great public advantage, no illustration
of past political events, no high or important
intelligence in the history of the American
government, as we shall presently demon-
strate, was to be displayed by the publication
of these confidential letters; nor can il. we
think, be supposed for moment, that sepa-
rate from the personal ill-feeling which NAV
be excited in some very few individuals. they
viii have any effect in the approaching polit-
ical canvass.
1t Is said, the unfortunate gentleman to
whom the ex-President addressed these let
tcrs, laboring in some degree under that de
rangement of intellect which terminated bis
life, brought the manuscs ipls some years since
to Boston aud offered. them to the perusal of
two distinguished gentlemen of the Federal
party. But these honorable men, seeing at
the first glance the " confidential seal of Sc
crecy and friendship under which they were
written, refused even to read. and much less
to purchase ihem." Recently tits said, COM
munIcatlon was made to distinguished citi-
zen of the South, offering them for his use,
and stating their presumed effects on the an
preaching election. This letter was handed
TO late member of Congress, not distinguish
ed Tor any personal regard to the present Sec
Rotary OF State, who entered into negocia-
uon Tor their publication, and under such aus
piees they are ushered from the press.
That they had passed from the controul Of
the unfortunate possessor is stated to have
been source of distress and anxiety to the
last moments OF his miserable life, and what
tendency it had to accelerate the awful act.
which hurried him beyond the accountable
ties OF this world, he only knows at whose
dread bar he rashly ventured to appear.
That our assertion of the strictly and sa-
credly confidential nature Of these letters
may not be doubted, we take Mr.. Adams let
Ter Of 10th January, 1910, as proof:
Quincy Jan 16. 1922
Dear Sir-I have received your three last let
tiers The correspondence and conversations which
have passed between us have been under the con.
hdential seal of secrecy and friendship. ANY vio-
laton OF 1t viii be breach Of honor and plighred
iailh shall never release you from il, il it were
IN my power; but il is After all the permis-
sion that could give, your conscience ought to re-
STRAIN you could as well release you from your
obligations of obedience to the Decalouge"
hope you will consider before you plunge
yourself into abyss, which the melancholy and
disturbed state of mind you appear TO be in seems
TO render you at this time incapable of perceiying
before you. II
" Ia hopes you will soon be more calm, lam
Your weilwiSher,
John ADAMS.
+" Mr.. William Cunningham, jr.
During the whole correspondence Mr.. Gun
nlnghsm gives the most solemn promises of
bis fidelity. Some of them follow:
The answer with which you may favour me
shar oe added to the stock OF my port folio, subject