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in the place of ours； without any change in the motion of the
machinery。 Its motion is from its principle； not from you or
myself。〃 〃I believe you are right；〃 said he； 〃that we are but passive
instruments； and should not suffer this matter to affect our personal
dispositions。〃 But he did not long retain this just view of the
subject。 I have always believed that the thousand calumnies which
the federalists； in bitterness of heart； and mortification at their
ejection； daily invented against me； were carried to him by their
busy intriguers； and made some impression。 When the election between
Burr and myself was kept in suspense by the federalists； and they
were mediating to place the President of the Senate at the head of
the government； I called on Mr。 Adams with a view to have this
desperate measure prevented by his negative。 He grew warm in an
instant； and said with a vehemence he had not used towards me before；
〃Sir； the event of the election is within your own power。 You have
only to say you will do justice to the public creditors； maintain the
navy； and not disturb those holding offices； and the government will
instantly be put into your hands。 We know it is the wish of the
people it should be so。〃 〃Mr。 Adams；〃 said I； 〃I know not what part
of my conduct； in either public or private life； can have authorized
a doubt of my fidelity to the public engagements。 I say； however； I
will not come into the government by capitulation。 I will not enter
on it； but in perfect freedom to follow the dictates of my own
judgment。〃 I had before given the same answer to the same intimation
from Gouverneur Morris。 〃Then；〃 said he； 〃things must take their
course。〃 I turned the conversation to something else； and soon took
my leave。 It was the first time in our lives we had ever parted with
anything like dissatisfaction。 And then followed those scenes of
midnight appointment； which have been condemned by all men。 The last
day of his political power； the last hours； and even beyond the
midnight； were employed in filling all offices； and especially
permanent ones； with the bitterest federalists； and providing for me
the alternative； either to execute the government by my enemies；
whose study it would be to thwart and defeat all my measures； or to
incur the odium of such numerous removals from office； as might bear
me down。 A little time and reflection effaced in my mind this
temporary dissatisfaction with Mr。 Adams； and restored me to that
just estimate of his virtues and passions； which a long acquaintance
had enabled me to fix。 And my first wish became that of making his
retirement easy by any means in my power； for it was understood he
was not rich。 I suggested to some republican members of the
delegation from his State； the giving him； either directly or
indirectly； an office； the most lucrative in that State； and then
offered to be resigned； if they thought he would not deem it
affrontive。 They were of opinion he would take great offence at the
offer； and moreover； that the body of republicans would consider such
a step in the outset as arguing very ill of the course I meant to
pursue。 I dropped the idea； therefore； but did not cease to wish for
some opportunity of renewing our friendly understanding。
Two or three years after； having had the misfortune to lose a
daughter； between whom and Mrs。 Adams there had been a considerable
attachment； she made it the occasion of writing me a letter； in
which； with the tenderest expressions of concern at this event； she
carefully avoided a single one of friendship towards myself； and even
concluded it with the wishes 〃of her who _once_ took pleasure in
subscribing herself your friend； Abigail Adams。〃 Unpromising as was
the complexion of this letter； I determined to make an effort towards
removing the cloud from between us。 This brought on a correspondence
which I now enclose for your perusal； after which be so good as to
return it to me； as I have never communicated it to any mortal
breathing； before。 I send it to you； to convince you I have not been
wanting either in the desire； or the endeavor to remove this
misunderstanding。 Indeed； I thoughtit highly disgraceful to us both；
as indicating minds notsufficiently elevated to prevent a public
competition fromaffecting our personal friendship。 I soon found from
thecorrespondence that conciliation was desperate； and yielding to an
intimation in her last letter； I ceased from further explanation。 I
have the same good opinion of Mr。 Adams which I ever had。 I know him
to be an honest man； an able one with his pen； and he was a powerful
advocate on the floor of Congress。 He has been alienated from me； by
belief in the lying suggestions contrived for electioneering
purposes； that I perhaps mixed in the activity and intrigues of the
occasion。 My most intimate friends can testify that I was perfectly
passive。 They would sometimes； indeed； tell me what was going on；
but no man ever heard me take part in such conversations； and none
ever misrepresented Mr。 Adams in my presence； without my asserting
his just character。 With very confidential persons I have doubtless
disapproved of the principles and practices of his administration。
This was unavoidable。 But never with those with whom it could do him
any injury。 Decency would have required this conduct from me； if
disposition had not； and I am satisfied Mr。 Adams' conduct was
equally honorable towards me。 But I think it part of his character
to suspect foul play in those of whom he is jealous； and not easily
to relinquish his suspicions。
I have gone； my dear friend； into these details； that you might
know everything which had passed between us； might be fully possessed
of the state of facts and dispositions； and judge for yourself
whether they admit a revival of that friendly intercourse for which
you are so kindly solicitous。 I shall certainly not be wanting in
anything on my part which may second your efforts； which will be the
easier with me； inasmuch as I do not entertain a sentiment of Mr。
Adams； the expression of which could give him reasonable offence。
And I submit the whole to yourself； with the assurance； that whatever
be the issue； my friendship and respect for yourself will remain
unaltered and unalterable。
〃THE SEEDS OF CIVILIZATION〃
_To John Lynch_
_Monticello； January 21； 1811_
SIR； You have asked my opinion on the proposition of Mrs。
Mifflin； to take measures for procuring； on the coast of Africa； an
establishment to which the people of color of these States might；
from time to time； be colonized； under the auspices of different
governments。 Having long ago made up my mind on this subject； I have
no hesitation in saying that I have ever thought it the most
desirable measure which could be adopted； for gradually drawing off
this part of our population； most advantageously for thems