are among the small number of
those who know my invincible attachment to domestic life, and that my
sincerest wish is to continue in the enjoyment of it solely until my
final hour. But the world would be neither so well instructed, nor so
candidly disposed, as to believe me uninfluenced by sinister motives, in
case any circumstance should render a deviation from the line of conduct
I had prescribed to myself indispensable.

"Should the contingency you suggest take place, and (for
argument's sake alone let me say it) should my unfeigned
reluctance to accept the office be overcome by a deference
for the reasons and opinions of my friends, might I not,
after the declarations I have made (and Heaven knows that
they were made in the sincerity of my heart), in the
judgment of the impartial world and of posterity, be
chargeable with levity and inconsistency, if not with
rashness and ambition? Nay, farther, would there not be some
apparent foundation for the two former charges? Now, justice
to myself and tranquillity of conscience require that I
should act a part, if not above imputation, at least capable
of vindication. Nor will you conceive me to be too
solicitous for reputation. Though I prize as I ought the
good opinion of my fellow-citizens, yet, if I know myself, I
would not seek or retain popularity at the expense of one
social duty or moral virtue.

"While doing what my conscience informed me was right, as it
respected my God, my country, and myself, I could despise
all the party clamor and unjust censure which might be
expected from some, whose personal enmity might be
occasioned by their hostility to the government. I am
conscious that I fear alone to give any real occasion for
obloquy, and that I do not dread to meet with unmerited
reproach. And certain I am, whensoever I shall be convinced
the good of my country requires my reputation to be put in
risk, regard for my own fame will not come in competition
with an object of so much magnitude. If I declined the task,
it would lie upon quite another principle. Notwithstanding
my advanced season of life, my increasing fondness for
agricultural amusements, and my growing love of retirement,
augment and confirm my decided predilection for the
character of a private citizen, yet it would be no one of
t