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Subject Area: Political Theory
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

O. ELLSWORTH TO JOHN ADAMS. - John Adams, The Works of John Adams, vol. 9 (Letters and State Papers 1799-1811) [1854]

Edition used:

The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: with a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations, by his Grandson Charles Francis Adams (Boston: Little, Brown and Co., 1856). 10 volumes. Vol. 9.

Part of: The Works of John Adams, 10 vols.

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O. ELLSWORTH TO JOHN ADAMS.

Sir,

Since you passed on, I have concluded to meet Governor Davie at Trenton, which he probably will expect, and which, besides putting it in our power to pay you our joint respects, and to receive as fully any communication of your views as you may wish to make, may enable me to accompany him eastward, should you continue inclined to such suspension of our mission, as, under present aspect, universal opinion, I believe, and certainly my own, would justify.

It is a matter of some regret, Sir, that I did not consult you on the propriety of this visit;1 but if I err, experience has taught me that you can excuse.

I have the honor, &c.

Oliver Ellsworth.

[1 ]The singular language used in this letter, indicating in the first paragraph a change, and in the second, a mere concealment of purpose, taken in connection with Mr. Pickering’s letter of the 24th, suggesting the presence of Mr. Ellsworth, might well justify a suspicion of concert between them, without meriting any reproach on Mr. Adams as being unreasonable.

On this same day, Mr. Ellsworth reported the substance of his conference with Mr. Adams, “to a friend.” Such is the guarded language of Mr. Gibbs. That friend was probably Mr. Pickering. Gibbs’s Fed. Adm., vol. ii. p. 267, note. p. 280.