Adams Family Correspondence, volume 12
th1797
I received yesterday your obliging favour of Feb’ry 27th.1 I have been so little a favorite of fortune, that I never once examined my Numbers by the News papers, or otherways, concluding that those who were equally interested would take proper care for me. as I had formd no expectations, I meet with no dissapointment, and am quite pleased that my adventure should be appropriated to the promotion of Science and Literature.
The few shillings in your hands be so kind as to lay out, in the purchase of some little Books, and present them for me, to the Lovely Marcia as a token of approbation for the Sweet engageing simplicity of manners, which were so conspicuous in her.2
9For your Congratulations upon a late important event, accept my acknowledgments, considering it as the voluntary and unsolicited Gift, of a Free and enlightned people. it is a precious and valuable Deposit, and calls for every exertion of the Head, and every virtue of the Heart, to do justice to so sacred a Trust. Yet however pure the intentions, or upright the conduct, offences will come.3
As to a Crown my Dear Madam I will not deny, that there is one which I asspire after, and in a Country where envy can never enter to plant Thorns beneath it. the fashion of this world passeth away, I would hope that I have not lived in vain, but have learned how to estimate, and what value to place upon the fleeting and transitory enjoyments of it.
I shall esteem myself peculiarly fortunate, if at the close of my publick Life, I can retire, esteemed beloved and equally respected with my predecessor.5
Old Friends can never be forgotten by me. in that number I have long been accustomed to consider the Gen’ll and Mrs Warren. it will always give me pleasure to see them at Peace Field, or where ever else, they may meet, their Friend and Humble Servant,
RC (MHi:Warren-Adams Papers); endorsed: “Mrs. Adams. / March 1797 / No. 18.” FC (Adams Papers). Dft (Adams Papers).
For Warren’s letter to AA and the latter’s success in the Harvard College Lottery, see vol. 11:576–577.
That is, Warren’s granddaughter, Marcia Otis Warren, for whom see same, 11:404.
In the Dft, AA wrote and then canceled here, “and the more elevated the station, the more conspicious the mark for the darts of envy and Jealousy—”
Edward Young, Love of Fame, the Universal Passion, Satire I, line 237.
The Dft ends at this point.
your dearest Friend never had a more trying day than Yesterday. A Solenm Scene it was indeed and it was made more affecting to me, by the Presence of the General, whose Countenance was as serene and unclouded as the day. He Seem’d to me to enjoy a Tryumph over me. Methought I heard him think Ay! I am fairly out and you fairly in! see which of Us will be happiest. When the Ceremony was over he came and made me a visit and cordially congratulated me 10 and wished my Administration might be happy Successful and honourable.
It is now Settled that I am to go into his House. It is whispered that he intends to take french Lave tomorrow.1 I shall write you, as fast as We proceed.
My Chariot is finished and I made my first appearance in it Yesterday. It is Simple but elegant enough. My horses are young but clever.2
In the Chamber of the House of Representatives, was a Multitude as great as the Space could contain, and I believe Scarcely a dry Eye but Washingtons. The Sight of the Sun Setting full orbut and another rising tho less Splendid, was a novelty.
C. J. Elsworth administered the oath and with great Energy. Judges Cushing, Wilson and Iredell were present. Many Ladies.
I had not Slept well the night before and did not sleep well the night after. I was unwell and I did not know whether I Should get through or not— I did however. How the Business was received I know not, only I have been told that Mason the Treaty publisher Said We should loose nothing by the Change for he never heard such a Speech in Publick in his Life.3
All Agree that taken all together it was the sublimest Thing ever exhibited in America.
I am my dearest friend most / affectionately & kindly your
RC (Adams Papers).
George Washington left Philadelphia on 9 March, traveling with Martha Washington, Eleanor Parke Custis, and George Washington Motier de Lafayette and his tutor, Felix Frestel. The party arrived at Mount Vernon on 15 March (Washington, Diaries
, 6:236–239).
For JA’s purchase of a new carriage and horses, see vol. 11:497, 508.
JA’s inauguration as the second president of the United States took place in the chamber of the House of Representatives before a joint Congress, members of the Supreme Court, various “Foreign Ministers and Ambassadors, the Heads of Departments … and a very crowded auditory of the principal inhabitants” of Philadelphia. Prior to receiving the oath of office, JA gave his inaugural address, in which he praised Americans for their revolutionary courage to “cutt asunder the Ties which had bound them and launched into an Ocean of Uncertainty” a new nation. He praised the unity that “good heads, prompted by good hearts” achieved through the Constitution, and he extolled the virtues of a republican government: “This is very certain, that to a benevolent human Mind, there can be no Spectacle presented by any nation, more pleasing, more noble, majestic, or august, than an Assembly, like that which has So often been Seen in this and the other chamber of Congress, of a Government, in which the Executive Authority, as well as that of all the Branches of the Legislature, are exercised by Citizens Selected, at regular periods, by their neighbours to make and execute Laws for the general good.” JA continued, warning that the “danger to our 11 Liberties” required vigilance to “virtuous and independent Elections” and the “Pestilence” of foreign influence. He stated his “conscientious determination to Support” the Constitution “untill it shall be altered by the Judgments and Wishes of the People,” and he offered his “inflexible determination to maintain … that System of Neutrality and Impartiality” previously established and supported by the government and people. About France, JA acknowledged “a personal Esteem for the French nation” and “a Sincere desire to preserve the friendship which has been so much for the honour and Interest of both nations,” but he underscored the need to do so consistent with the “honour and Integrity” of the United States. He finished: “With this great Example before me; with the Sense and Spirit, the Faith and Honour, the duty and Interest of the Same American People, pledged to Support the Constitution of the United States I entertain no doubt of its continuance, in all its Ennergy and my mind is prepared, without hesitation, to lay myself under the most solemn Obligations to Support it, to the Utmost of my Power.
“And may that Being, who is Supream over all, the Patron of order, the Fountain of Justice, and the Protector, in all Ages of the World, of virtuous Liberty, continue his Blessing, upon this Nation and its Government and give it all possible Success and duration, consistent with the Ends of his Providence.”
JA then “energetically repeated” the oath of office, “seated himself, and after a pause of a few moments, he rose and bowed to all around him and retired” (Philadelphia Gazette of the United States, 6 March; “No 11. Address of the President of the United States on the day of his Inauguration into office March 4th. 1797,” DNA:RG 46, Records of the U.S. Senate, Presidential Messages to the 5th Congress, 1797–1799; Philadelphia Gazette, 6 March).