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

3 April 1799: TO THE GRAND JURY OF MORRIS COUNTY, IN NEW JERSEY. - 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.

About Liberty Fund:

Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.


TO THE GRAND JURY OF MORRIS COUNTY, IN NEW JERSEY.

3 April, 1799.

Gentlemen,

Your obliging address at the Circuit Court of the State, in the March term of this year, has been transmitted to me by Elisha Boudinot, Esquire, one of the Justices of your Supreme Court, according to your request.

The indignation you express at the combinations to resist the operation of the laws, is evincive of the dispositions of good citizens, and does you much honor. That infatuation which alone can excite citizens to rise in arms against taxes laid in consideration of the necessities of the State, and with great deliberation, by their representatives, and which induces an obvious necessity of raising more taxes, in order to defray the expense of suppressing their own presumptuous folly, is indeed surprising. That the laws must be obeyed in a government of laws, is an all important lesson. For what can be more destructive of liberty and property than government without law, whether in one, few, or many? Insurrection itself is government assumed, and without law, though partial and temporary, and without right.

While the door is not closed by any foreign compact, or by obvious principles of policy or justice, it will always by me be held open, from a sense of my duty, for an accommodation of differences with any and all nations, however “powerful, insidious, or dangerous” they may be supposed to be, unless I could see a probable prospect of rendering them less so by our interference. “Dangers to the peace, rights, and liberties of mankind,” arising from their corruptions and divisions, are too numerous to be controlled by us, who from our situation have of all nations the least colorable pretensions to assume the balance and the rod. If we are forced into the scale, it will be against our inclination and judgment; and however light we may be thought to be, we will weigh as heavy as we can.

The end of even war is peace. Your approbation gives me pleasure. Whenever we have enemies, it will be their own fault; and they will be under no necessity of continuing enemies longer than they choose. In the present crisis, however, we ought to continue, with unabated ardor, all our preparations and operations of defence.

John Adams.

TO THE CITIZENS, INHABITANTS OF THE MISSISSIPPI TERRITORY.

8 April, 1799.

Gentlemen,

With much pleasure I have received, through your able and faithful Governor, your obliging address of the 5th of January.

As your situation on a frontier of the United States, near a nation under whose government many of you have lived, and with whose inhabitants you are well acquainted, qualifies you in a particular manner to maintain a benevolent, pacific, and friendly conduct towards your neighbors, and entitles you to a return of a similar behavior from them; it is to be hoped and expected that the peace and friendship between the two nations will be by these means preserved and promoted, and that the emissaries of no other nation that may be hostile, will be able to destroy or diminish your mutual esteem and regard.

The sentiments of attachment to the Constitution which you avow, are such as become the best Americans, and will secure you the confidence of government, and the esteem and affection of your fellow-citizens throughout the Union.

John Adams.