epresentatives: another says it is only of
one in each House: even the latter is sufficient for every purpose. The
opinion I originally formed has never been changed, that such of the
body of the people as thought themselves federalists, would find that
they were in truth republicans, and would come over to us by degrees;
but that their leaders had gone too far ever to change. Their bitterness
increases with their desperation. They are trying slanders now which
nothing could prompt but a gall which blinds their judgments as well
as their consciences. I shall take no other revenge, than, by a steady
pursuit of economy and peace, and by the establishment of republican
principles in substance and in form, to sink federalism into an abyss
from which there shall be no resurrection for it. I still think our
original idea as to office is best: that is, to depend for the obtaining
a just participation, on deaths, resignations, and delinquencies. This
will least affect the tranquillity of the people, and prevent their
giving in to the suggestion of our enemies, that ours has been a contest
for office, not for principle. This is rather a slow operation, but it
is sure, if we pursue it steadily, which, however, has not been done
with the undeviating resolution I could have wished. To these means of
obtaining a just share in the transaction of the public business, shall
be added one other, to wit, removal for electioneering activity, or open
and industrious opposition to the principles of the present government,
legislative and executive. Every officer of the government may vote at
elections according to his conscience; but we should betray the cause
committed to our care, were we to permit the influence of official
patronage to be used to overthrow that cause. Your present situation
will enable you to judge of prominent offenders in your State, in the
case of the present election. I pray you to seek them, to mark them, to
be quite sure of your ground, that we may commit no error or wrong, and
leave the rest to me. I have been urged to remove Mr. Whittemore, the
surveyor of Gloucester, on grounds of neglect of duty and industrious
opposition. Yet no facts are so distinctly charged as to make the step
sure which we should take in this. Will you take the trouble to satisfy
yourself on this point? I think it not amiss that it should be known
that we are determined to remove officers who are active or open-mouthed
against the government,