ll temper of their administrations. I am so much attached
to my domestic situation, that I would not have wished to leave it at
all. However, if I am to be called from it, the shortest absences and
most tranquil station suit me best. I value highly, indeed, the part
my fellow-citizens gave me in their late vote, as an evidence of their
esteem, and I am happy in the information you are so kind as to give,
that many in the eastern quarter entertain the same sentiment.

Where a constitution, like ours, wears a mixed aspect of monarchy and
republicanism, its citizens will naturally divide into two classes
of sentiment, according as their tone of body or mind, their habits,
connections, and callings, induce them to wish to strengthen either the
monarchical or the republican features of the constitution. Some
will consider it as an elective monarchy, which had better be made
hereditary, and therefore endeavor to lead towards that all the
forms and principles of its administration. Others will view it as an
energetic republic, turning in all its points on the pivot of free
and frequent elections. The great body of our native citizens are
unquestionably of the republican sentiment. Foreign education, and
foreign connections of interest, have produced some exceptions in every
part of the Union, north and south; and perhaps other circumstances in
your quarter, better known to you, may have thrown into the scale of
exceptions a greater number of the rich. Still there, I believe, and
here, I am sure, the great mass is republican. Nor do any of the forms
in which the public disposition has been pronounced in the last half
dozen years, evince the contrary. All of them, when traced to their true
source, have only been evidences of the preponderant popularity of
a particular great character. That influence once withdrawn, and our
countrymen left to the operation of their own unbiassed good sense, I
have no doubt we shall see a pretty rapid return of general harmony, and
our citizens moving in phalanx in the paths of regular liberty, order,
and a sacrosanct adherence to the constitution. Thus I think it will
be, if war with France can be avoided. But if that untoward event comes
athwart us in our present point of deviation, no body, I believe, can
foresee into what port it will drive us.

I am always glad of an opportunity of inquiring after my most ancient
and respected friend Mr. Samuel Adams. His principles, founded on the
immovable