Adams, Abigail

            I received your kind Letter, begun at Washington, and finished at Philadelphia. I received much pleasure from the perusal. The communications were of a nature to recite sober reflections: I find your sentiments in perfect unison with my own. We have both of us been for a series of years so intimately connected with political affairs that we must have been very inattentive observers not to have seen the motives which led to a change in the administration, and the chance some were determined to run, to effect that change. This we know could not have been produced, if the Federal part of the community had been united, if they had not sacrificed the interest of their Country to gratify their resentment, and ambition. I have you well know; reason to say this of some of the Leaders; to them, more than their opponents, is to be ascribed all that we have feard, all that we shall be made to feel. The axe is already laid to the root of the Tree; if it destroys only those which brought forth bad fruit; we ought to rejoice, but when we see a spirit of party, deaf to all reasoning, all argument, determined with rooted malignity to destroy all that is good wise and just, merely to glut their resentment; what hopefull prospect for the future? If we have nearly finishd our course still we cannot be unmindfull of the lot, and portion of those who are to succeed us. Must not the patriot say, veryly we have labourd in vain, and spent our strength for nought, [2] the repeal of the judiciary Law, (I take it for granted, it is decreed) is a measure so full of banefull consequences that like a comet it will end I fear in the conflagration of the constitution touch not mine anointed, and do my judges no harm; ought to have sounded terror to the evildoers.

            The golden age is past. God grant that it may not be succeeded by an age of terror. Of disorder and confusion. Peace and tranquility, are desirable objects in my eyes the few remaining days allotted me ... I frequently felicitate myself, and my partner that we are released of the ... cares and responsibility of a situation ... which the inconstancy of the people, and the Ambition of Demagogues renderd every day more burdensome."