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

23 Jan. 1791: TO JOHN TRUMBULL. - 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 JOHN TRUMBULL.

Philadelphia, 23 January, 1791.

I have been so much of an anti-economist, as to leave your letter of June the 5th unanswered to this day. “The Defence of the American Constitutions” is not, I apprehend, a “misnomer.” Had the patriots of Amsterdam repulsed the duke of Brunswick from the Harlaem gate, a history of the action might have properly been called an “account of the defence of Amsterdam,” although the city on the side of the Leyden gate and Utrecht gate had been so ill fortified as to have been indefensible, had the Prussian attack been made on either of these quarters. My three volumes are a defence of the American Constitutions on that side on which they are attacked. Mr. Turgot attacked them for aiming at three orders and a balance. I defended them in this point only. Had he attacked them for not making their orders distinct and independent enough, or for not making their balances complete, I should have been the last man in the world to have undertaken their defence. If another edition should ever be published, I would insert in the title page: “A defence, &c., against the attack of M. Turgot.” This, I apprehend, would cure all defects in point of title. But, as you observe, the feelings of mankind are so much against any rational theory, that I find my labor has all been in vain, and it is not worth while to take any more pains upon the subject. The rivalry between the State governments and the National government, is growing daily more active and ardent. Thirteen strong men, embracing thirteen pillars at once, and bowing themselves in concert, will easily pull down a frail edifice. If the superiority of the national government is not more clearly acknowledged, we shall soon be in a confusion which we shall not get out of for twenty years. There was never more occasion for firmness in all who wish in sincerity for peace, liberty, or safety.

The Secretary of the Treasury is all that you think him. There is no office in the government better filled. It is unhappy that New York has taken away one of his supports. Your sentiments of other characters, and of measures in general, appear to me to be so just that I cannot but wish that you had more to do in public affairs. But they say that you “love wit better than your friend,” and although I do not believe this, I expect from you for this piece of information, by way of revenge, a sheet or two of their sarcasms upon me. I know that although the ridiculous can never escape your observation in a friend or an enemy, yet you love the former and have no ill will against the latter. The independence of your fame and fortune, and your happiness in private life, are more to be envied than any public office or station. For myself, I find the office I hold, though laborious, so wholly insignificant, and, from the blind policy of that part of the world from whence I came, so stupidly pinched and betrayed, that I wish myself again at the bar, old as I am. My own situation is almost the only one in the world, in which firmness and patience are useless. I have derived so much pleasure from your correspondence, that, notwithstanding the long interruption of it, I hope you will not deny it in future to your friend and humble servant.

TO HANNAH ADAMS.

Philadelphia, 10 March, 1791.

I have this day received your obliging letter of the 21st of February, including a copy of a proposed dedication. Your request of my permission to dedicate to me the second edition of your View of Religions, is very flattering to me, because, although I am ashamed to acknowledge I have never seen the book, I know its reputation to be very respectable, not only in this country, but in Europe. Although I am conscious that some of the compliments intended me have not been so well merited as I wish they had been, I shall leave to your inclination and discretion every thing of that kind; only requesting that all titles, literary or political, may be omitted, and that the address may be only to John Adams, Vice-President of the United States of America. If you please, you may receive me into the list of your subscribers for three copies bound.

You and I are undoubtedly related by birth, although personally unknown to each other, and although we were both “born in humble obscurity,” yet I presume neither of us has any cause to regret that circumstance. If I could ever suppose that family pride were any way excusable, I should think a descent from a line of virtuous, independent New England farmers for a hundred and sixty years, was a better foundation for it than a descent through royal or noble scoundrels ever since the flood.

I am, Miss Adams, very sincerely your well wisher.