e returned them with an informal note,
suggesting an alteration or a query. If a doubt of any importance arose,
he reserved it for conference. By this means, he was always in accurate
possession of all facts and proceedings in every part of the Union, and
to whatsoever department they related; he formed a central point for the
different branches; preserved an unity of object and action among them;
exercised that participation in the gestion of affairs which his office
made incumbent on him; and met himself the due responsibility for
whatever was done. During Mr. Adams's administration, his long and
habitual absences from the seat of government, rendered this kind
of communication impracticable, removed him from any share in the
transaction of affairs, and parcelled out the government, in fact, among
four independent heads, drawing sometimes in opposite directions. That
the former is preferable to the latter course, cannot be doubted. It
gave, indeed, to the heads of departments the trouble of making up,
once a day, a packet of all their communications for the perusal of the
President; it commonly also retarded one day their despatches by mail.
But in pressing cases, this injury was prevented by presenting that case
singly for immediate attention; and it produced us in return the
benefit of his sanction for every act we did. Whether any change of
circumstances may render a change in this procedure necessary, a little
experience will show us. But I cannot withhold recommending to the
heads of departments, that we should adopt this course for the present,
leaving any necessary modifications of it to time and trial. I am sure
my conduct must have proved, better than a thousand declarations would,
that my confidence in those whom I am so happy as to have associated
with me, is unlimited, unqualified, and unabated. I am well satisfied
that every thing goes on with a wisdom and rectitude which I could not
improve. If I had the universe to choose from, I could not change one
of my associates to my better satisfaction. My sole motives are those
before expressed, as governing the first administration in chalking out
the rules of their proceeding; adding to them only a sense of obligation
imposed on me by the public will, to meet personally the duties to
which they have appointed me. If this mode of proceeding shall meet
the approbation of the heads of departments, it may go into execution
without giving them the trouble of an answe