The Correspondence of Thomas Jefferson
By Subject
UNITY / RESTORED
I addressed a letter to you, my very dear and ancient friend, on the
4th of March: not indeed to you by name, but through the medium of
some of my fellow citizens, whom occasion called on me to address. In
meditating the matter of that address, I often asked myself, is this
exactly in the spirit of the patriarch, Samuel Adams? Is it as he
would express it? Will he approve of it? I have felt a great deal for
our country in the times we have seen. But individually for no one so
much as yourself. When I have been told that you were avoided,
insulted, frowned on, I could but ejaculate, "Father, forgive
them, for they know not what they do." I confess I felt an
indignation for you, which for myself I have been able, under every
trial, to keep entirely passive. However, the storm is over, and we
are in port. The ship was not rigged for the service she was put on.
We will show the smoothness of her motions on her republican tack. I
hope we shall once more see harmony restored among our citizens, and
an entire oblivion of past feuds. Some of the leaders who have most
committed themselves cannot come into this. But I hope the great body
of our fellow citizens will do it. I will sacrifice everything but
principle to procure it. A few examples of justice on officers who
have perverted their functions to the oppression of their fellow
citizens, must, in justice to those citizens, be made. But opinion,
and the just maintenance of it, shall never be a crime in my view: nor
bring injury on the individual. Those whose misconduct in office ought
to have produced their removal even by my predecessor, must not be
protected by the delicacy due only to honest men. How much I lament
that time has deprived me of your aid. It would have been a day of
glory which should have called you to the first office of the
administration. But give us your counsel, my friend, and give us your
blessing; and be assured that there exists not in the heart of man a
more faithful esteem than mine to you, and that I shall ever bear you
the most affectionate veneration and respect.
to Samuel Adams, 29 March 1801
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