S MADISON, January 22, 1797

TO JAMES MADISON.

Monticello, January 22, 1797.

Dear Sir,

Yours of the 8th came to hand yesterday. I was not aware of any
necessity of going on to Philadelphia immediately, yet I had determined
to do it as a mark of respect to the public, and to do away the doubts
which have spread, that I should consider the second office as beneath
my acceptance. The journey, indeed, for the month of February, is a
tremendous undertaking for me, who have not been seven miles from home
since my re-settlement. I will see you about the rising of Congress; and
presume I need not stay there a week. Your letters written before the
7th of February will still find me here. My letters inform me that Mr.
Adams speaks of me with great friendship, and with satisfaction in the
prospect of administering the government in concurrence with me. I am
glad of the first information, because though I saw that our ancient
friendship was affected by a little leaven, produced partly by his
constitution, partly by the contrivance of others, yet I never felt
a diminution of confidence in his integrity, and retained a solid
affection for him. His principles of government I knew to be
changed, but conscientiously changed. As to my participating in the
administration, if by that he meant the executive cabinet, both duty and
inclination will shut that door to me. I cannot have a wish to see the
scenes of 1793 revived as to myself, and to descend daily into the arena
like a gladiator, to suffer martyrdom in every conflict. As to duty, the
constitution will know me only as the member of a legislative body: and
its principle is, that of a separation of legislative, executive, and
judiciary functions, except in cases specified. If this principle be
not expressed in direct terms, yet it is clearly the spirit of the
constitution, and it ought to be so commented and acted on by every
friend to free government.

I sincerely deplore the situation of our affairs with France. War
with them, and consequent alliance with Great Britain, will completely
compass the object of the executive council, from the commencement of
the war between France and England; taken up by some of them from that
moment, by others, more latterly. I still, however, hope it will be
avoided. I do not believe Mr. Adams wishes war with France; nor do I
believe he will truckle to England as servilely as has been done. If
he assumes this front at once, and shows that