The Correspondence of Thomas Jefferson
By Subject
PUBLIC SERVICE / VICE PRESIDENCY
Yours of December the 19th is safely received. I never entertained a
doubt of the event of the election. I knew that the eastern troops
were trained in the schools of their town meetings to sacrifice little
differences of opinion to the solid advantages of operating in
phalanx, and that the more free and moral agency of the other States
would fully supply their deficiency. I had no expectation, indeed,
that the vote would have approached so near an equality. It is
difficult to obtain full credit to declarations of disinclination to
honors, and most so with those who still remain in the world. But
never was there a more solid unwillingness, founded on rigorous
calculation, formed in the mind of any man, short of peremptory
refusal. No arguments, therefore, were necessary to reconcile me to a
relinquishment of the first office, or acceptance of the second. No
motive could have induced me to undertake the first, but that of
putting our vessel upon her republican tack, and preventing her being
driven too far to leeward of her true principles. And the second is
the only office in the world about which I cannot decide in my own
mind, whether I had rather have it or not have it. Pride does not
enter into the estimate. For I think with the Romans of old, that the
general of today should be a common soldier to-morrow, if necessary.
But as to Mr. Adams, particularly, I could have no feelings which
would revolt at being placed in a secondary station to him. I am his
junior in life, I was his junior in Congress, his junior in the
diplomatic line, and lately his junior in our civil government. I had
written him the enclosed letter before the receipt of yours. I had
intended it for some time, but had put it off, from time to time, from
the discouragement of despair to make him believe me sincere. As the
information by the last post does not make it necessary to change
anything in the letter, I enclose it open for your perusal, as well
that you may be possessed of the true state of dispositions between
us, as that if there be any circumstance which might render its
delivery ineligible, you may return it to me. If Mr. Adams could be
induced to administer the government on its true principles, quitting
his bias for an English constitution, it would be worthy consideration
whether it would not for the public good, to come to a good
understanding with him as to his future elections. He is the only sure
barrier against Hamilton's getting in.
to James Madison, 1 January 1797
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