a) To HENRY KNOX, Mount Vernon, September 20, 1795.
“If any power on earth could, or the great power above would, erect the standard of infallibility in political opinions, there is no being that inhabits this terrestrial globe that would resort to it with more eagerness than myself, so long as I remain a servant of the public. But as I have found no better guide hitherto than upright intentions, and dose investigation, I shall adhere to these maxims while I keep the watch; leaving it to those who will come after me to explore new ways, if they like; or think them better.”
b) To JOHN PARKE CUSTIS, February 28, 1781.
“To be disgusted at the decision of questions, because they are not consonant to our own ideas, and to withdraw ourselves from public assemblies, or to neglect our attendance at them . . . is wrong, because these things may originate in a difference of opinion; but, supposing the fact is otherwise . . . .it is the indispensable duty of every patriot to counteract them by the most steady and uniform opposition.”
c) To THOMAS JEFFERSON, August 23, 1792.
“Without more charity for the opinions and acts of one another in governmental matters, or some more infallible criterion by which the truth of speculative opinions, before they have undergone the test of experience, are to be fore-judged. . . I believe it will be difficult, if not impracticable, to manage the reins of government.”
d) To ALEXANDER HAMILTON, August 26, 1792.
“Differences in political opinions are as unavoidable, as, to a certain point, they may perhaps be necessary. But it is exceedingly to be regretted, that subjects cannot be discussed without temper on the one hand, or decisions submitted to without having the motives . . . improperly implicated on the other; and his regret borders on chagrin, when we find that men of abilities, zealous patriots, . . . will not exercise more charity in deciding on the opinions and actions of one another.”
4. Honesty
a) To DOCTOR JAMES ANDERSON, Philadelphia,
December 24, 1795.
“I have no inclination to touch, much less to dilate on politics. For in politics, as in religion my tenets are few and simple: the leading one of which, and indeed that which embraces most others, is to be honest and just ourselves, and to exact it from others; medling as little as possible in their affairs where our own are not involved. If this maxim was generally adopted Wars would cease, and our swords would soon be converted into reap-hooks, and our harvests be more abundant, peaceful, and happy. ‘Tis wonderful it should be otherwise and the earth should be moistened with human gore, instead of the refreshing streams, wch. the shedders of it might become, instruments to lead over its plains, to delight and render profitable our labours. But alas! the millenium will not I fear appear in our days. The restless mind of man can not be at peace; and when there is disorder within, it will appear without, and soon or late will shew itself in acts. So it is with Nations, whose mind is only the aggregate of those of the individuals, where the Government is Representative, and the voice of a Despot, where it is not.”
5. Disputes
a) FAREWELL ADDRESS, [First Draft, May 15, 1796.]
“That party disputes, among all the friends and lovers of their country may subside, or, as the wisdom of Providence has ordained that men, on the same subjects, shall not always think alike, that charity and benevolence when they happen to differ may so far shed their benign influence as to banish those invectives which proceed from illiberal prejudices and jealousy.”
b) To ALEXANDER HAMILTON, October 18, 1787.
“When the situation of this country calls loudly for vigor and unanimity, it is to be lamented that gentlemen of talents and character should disagree in their sentiments for promoting the public weal; but unfortunately this ever has been, and most probably ever will be, the case in the affairs of mankind.”
6. Non-Partnerships
a) To THOMAS JEFFERSON, Mount Vernon, July 6, 1796.
“I was no party man myself, and the first wish of my heart was, if parties did exist, to reconcile them.
“To this I may add, and very truly, that, until within the last year or two ago, I had no conception that Parties would, or even could go, the length I have been witness to; nor did I believe until lately, that it was within the bonds of probability; hardly within those of possibility, that, while I was using my utmost exertions to establish a national character of our own, independent, as far as our obligations, and justice would permit, of every nation of the earth; and wished, by steering a steady course, to preserve this Country from the horrors of a desolating war, that I should be accused of being the enemy of one Nation, and subject to the influence of another; and to prove it, that every act of my administration would be tortured, and the grossest, and most insidious mis-representations of them be made (by giving one side only of a subject, and that too in such exaggerated and indecent terms as could scarcely be applied to a Nero; a notorious defaulter; or even to a common pick-pocket). But enough of this; I have already gone farther in the expression of my feelings, than I intended.”
b) To JOHN ARMSTRONG, May 18, 1779.
“To please everybody is impossible; were I to undertake it, I should probably please nobody. If I know myself I have no partialities. I have from the beginning, and I hope I shall to the end, pursued to the utmost of my judgment and abilities, one steady line of conduct for the good of the great whole.”
7. Public Sentiment
a) To LAFAYETTE, July 25, 1785.
“It is to be regretted I confess, that democratical states must always feel before they can see; it is this that makes their governments slow, but the people will be right at last.” (emphasis in the original)
b) To EDWARD CARRINGTON, May 1, 1796.
“Whatever my own opinion may be on this or any other subject interesting to the community at large, it always has been and will continue to be my earnest desire to learn, and, as far as is consistent, to comply with, the public sentiment; but it is on great occasions only, and after time has been given for cool and deliberate reflection, that the real voice of the people can be known.”
8. Democrat
a) To JAMES MCHENRY, September 30, 1798.
“My opinion is . . . . that you could as soon scrub the blackamore white as to change the principle of a profest Democrat, and that he will leave nothing unattempted to overturn the Government of this country.”
9. Franklin
a) To HENRY HILL New York, June 3, 1790.
Benjamin Franklin, bequeathing to him his gold-headed Crabtree walking stick, said: “If it were a scepter, he has merited it and would become it.”
10. Lust for Power
a) To PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS, December 20, 1776.
“I have no lust for power.”
11. Minority and Majority
a) To CHARLES M. THUSTON, August 10, 1794.
“If the laws are to be so trampled upon with impunity, and a minority (a small one too) is to dictate to the majority, there is an end put . . . to republican government; and nothing but anarchy and confusion is to be expected hereafter. Some other man or society may dislike another law, and oppose it with equal propriety, until all laws are prostrate, and every one (the strongest I presume) will carve for himself.”
