LETTER CIII.--TO ELBRIDGE GERRY, June 11, 1812
TO ELBRIDGE GERRY.
Monticello, June 11, 1812.
Dear Sir,
It has given me great pleasure to receive a letter from you. It seems as
if, our ancient friends dying off, the whole mass of the affections
of the heart survives undiminished to the few who remain. I think our
acquaintance commenced in 1764, both then just of age. We happened to
take lodgings in the same house in New York. Our next meeting was in
the Congress of 1775, and at various times afterwards in the exercise of
that and other public functions, until your mission to Europe. Since we
have ceased to meet, we have still thought and acted together, '_et idem
velle, atque idem nolle, ea demum amicitia est_.' Of this harmony of
principle, the papers you enclosed me are proof sufficient. I do not
condole with you on your release from your government. The vote of your
opponents is the most honorable mark by which the soundness of your
conduct could be stamped. I claim the same honorable testimonial. There
was but a single act of my whole administration of which that party
approved. That was the proclamation on the attack of the Chesapeake.
And when I found they approved of it, I confess I began strongly to
apprehend I had done wrong, and to exclaim with the Psalmist, 'Lord,
what have I done, that the wicked should praise me!'
What, then, does this English faction with you mean? Their newspapers
say rebellion, and that they will not remain united with us unless we
will permit them to govern the majority.
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