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its circulation could forever be confined within narrow limits."

"I am sensible," he said, "of the inconveniences of giving publicity to a similar development of the character of the Chief Magistrate of our country; and I lament the necessity of taking a step which will involve that result. Yet to suppress truths, the disclosure of which is so interesting to the public welfare, as well as to the vindication of myself, did not appear to me, justifiable." "To refrain from a decided opposition to Mr. Adams's re-election, has been reluctantly sanctioned by my judgment, which has been not a little perplexed between the unqualified conviction of his unfitness for the station contemplated, and a sense of the great importance of cultivating harmony among the supporters of the government; on whose firm union hereafter will probably depend the preservation of order, tranquillity, lib. erty, property, the security of every social and domestic blessing."

Had there been any sufficient cause for desisting from the examination, a disclosure was now made, which did not permit longer silence. On the twenty-eighth of August, a gross breach of faith was committed towards Adams, (such are seen to have been the frequent resorts of the Democratic leaders at critical moments,) in the publication of a private letter, a letter addressed by him when Vice President, to Tench Coxe, in the leading opposition press, the "Aurora," avowing "the suspicion that the appointment of Pinckney to the Court of London had been procured or promoted by British influence ;” and the family of the Pinckneys was charged by Adams with "a long intrigue" against him. The appointment of Pinckney was the act of Washington, and was approved by every member of his cabinet. If Adams's suspicion was well founded, then, it was a charge, that Washington acted under British influence; and, that thus actuated, he had the approval of Jefferson.

Gross, and groundless, and puerile, as this calumny

was,

* it was conclusive proof of the dark fact which must ever lower over his memory, that the man whom the Federalists had raised to the highest office in the gift of the American people, had long been their reckless concealed calumniator. When called upon for an explanation, Adams often unmindful of truth, gave a weakly fabricated apology, and acknowledged, that his "suspicion of that kind of influence was wholly unfounded in reality."

Hamilton proceeded to his purpose, as the vindicator of the founders of this government. But to guard against any advantages the opposition might derive from it, he directed his "Letter to John Adams," to be printed confidentially, and addressed it to those persons, whose influence was important to the only chance, which remained of success, the election of General Pinckney. †

Burr was apprised ‡ that this examination was in the

* Washington wrote to McHenry 17 Nov. 1799. "The charge of British influence in the appointment of Major Pinckney to be minister at the Court of London, is a perfect enigma. My curiosity leads me to inquire on what ground it is built, and you would oblige me by giving an explanation. Was it the measure or the man that gave rise to this insinuation? The first it cannot be, because an exchange of ministers had long been invited, sought after; and the tardiness of Great Britain, in not meeting the advances of the United States in this respect, was considered and complained of as an indignity. Could it be the man? Could he who had fought against that country, and bled in defence of his own in the conflict, a man of acknowledged abilities and irreproachable character, be suspected of undue influence? If neither, I ask again on what is the accusation founded. The whole is a mystery to me." Washington's Writings, xi. 468.

It is a sufficient answer to a comment on the proposed circulation of this "Examination" without its coming to the knowledge of Adams, that a copy of it was sent by Hamilton to a connection of his, now alive.

That a spy had been placed in Hamilton's office is to be inferred from the early disclosure to Burr of the printing of this paper, and also from the fact

press. By the instrumentality of one of his tools, a copy was surreptitiously obtained. Extracts were immediately taken and transmitted to several of the leading Democratic gazettes. †

The immediate partisans of Adams were now loud in their denunciations of Hamilton, and even among men who equally censured him, there were found those who joined in the disapproval. "I smile," Ames wrote, "to hear Hamilton and his book condemned by men who go on to find fault with the President, at least, as harshly. They seem to admit the weight of his objections, except such as they make themselves."

The imputation of bad faith against those Federalists, who distrusted Adams at the previous Presidential election, was now vehemently and widely repeated. So far otherwise is the fact, that it was the good faith of those Federalists, and the bad faith of the supporters of Adams,

that the purport of his letter to Jay of the seventh May preceding, advising an extra session of the legislature to district the State of New York for the choice of electors, appeared in the Aurora, before the letter was sent. •

"Colonel Burr ascertained the contents of this pamphlet, and that it was in the press. Its immediate publication, he knew must distract the Federal party, and thus promote the Republican cause in those States where the elections had not taken place. Arrangements were accordingly made for a copy, as soon as the printing of it was completed; and when obtained, John Swartwout, Robert Swartwout and Matthew L. Davis, by appointment, met Colonel Burr at his own house. The pamphlet was read, and extracts made for the press. Davis was charged with forwarding these extracts," which was done, and they were immediately published. Life of Burr, ii. p. 65, by Matthew L. Davis, who obtained the pamphlet from the printing office.

† Alluding to the murder of Hamilton by Burr, this comment is made by C. F. Adams. Life of Adams, i. 582. "Yet, with the singular fatality of retribution, which more than once attended the acts of Mr. Hamilton, the sequel showed, that, at the instant of this publication, he was striking the first spade into what was ere long to be to him a du-llist's grave." The author of this paragraph has thereby ensured to himself a memory which can never be effaced.

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which prevented Pinckney being chosen President. The plan of jointly and equally supporting Adams and Pinckney, met with all the opposition from Adams, "and his personal friends, that could be made, and with all the virulence that could give an edge to their passions." To insure his election, Rhode Island withheld one of her two votes from Pinckney-her vote being two for Adams, one for Jay. On the other hand, South Carolina, would willingly have voted for Jefferson and Pinckney, but the latter "with singular good faith and honor, adhered to the compact, and rejected the offer."* Had such been the vote of South Carolina, and had Rhode Island been true, the electoral vote of Pinckney and Jefferson would have been equal; and the House of Representatives being Federal, would have elected General Pinckney, President. †

* Ames to Gore. Works of Ames, i. 287.

† General Gunn to Hamilton. December 13, 1800. "It may with truth be said, that John Adams has damned our cause, for the double chance was lost in South Carolina, owing to General Pinckney refusing to give up Adams." The total vote was, Jefferson, 73; Burr, 73; Adams, 65; Pinckney, 64.

CHAPTER CLV.

GREAT discord existed in Pennsylvania, one branch of its legislature was Federal, the other Democratic.* McKean recently elected Governor, appeared, in this emergency, to have abandoned all his violence. His address, soothingly urged, that they should be "superior to the sugges tions of party, disdain a contest about forms, and yield to the precedents of other States." Each house was nevertheless resolute. The contest terminated in a compromise, which gave one Democratic majority in the number of electors.

Adams was now seen to vary his course with each change in the aspect of his fortunes. For a time he endeavored to be calm and discreet, and discovered a desire to propitiate the Federalists, whom he had denounced. At another time, the dangers of party spirit, were deprecated by him. The support of him was stated to turn upon the question, whether

"a man is fit to administer the government who confides more in his own reading and experience than in the advice of younger men ;

* "Pennsylvania is reduced to a situation truly to be commiserated. A high spirit in favor of the Government had been excited; and, if it had not afterwards been discouraged, Ross would have been elected Governor. In no State, has the mission to France produced so violent a counteraction as in Pennsylvania." Wolcott to Ames. Gibbs, ii. 403.

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