The Boisterous Sea of Liberty by Davis David Brion;Mintz Steven;

Author:Davis, David Brion;Mintz, Steven;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Oxford University Press, Incorporated
Published: 1998-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

My opinion, after mature reflection, that if Jefferson and Burr come with equal votes to the House of Representatives, the former ought to be preferred by the Federalists. Mr. Jefferson is respectably known in Europe—Mr. Burr little and that little not advantageously for a President of the U{nited} States.—Mr. Jefferson is a man of easy fortune.—Mr. Burr, as I believe, is bankrupt beyond redemption unless by some coup at the expense of the public and his habits of expense are such that Wealth he must have at any rate,—Mr. Jefferson is a man of fair character for probity.—Very different ideas are entertained of Mr. Burr by his enemies and what his friends think, you may collect from this anecdote—A lady said to Edward Livingston ironically “I am told Mr Burr will be President. I should like it very well if I had not learned that he is a man without property.”—”Let him alone for that,” replied Edward,—”If he is President four years, he will remove the objection.”—Mr. Jefferson, though too revolutionary in his notions, is yet a lover of liberty and will be desirous of something like orderly Government.—Mr. Burr loves nothing but himself—Thinks of nothing but his own aggrandizement—and will be content with nothing short of permanent power in his own hands.—No compact, that he should make with any passion in his breast except Ambition, could be relied upon by himself.—How then should we be able to rely upon our agreement with him? Mr. Jefferson I suspect will not dare much. Mr. Burr will Dare every thing in the sanguine hope of affecting every thing.

If Mr. Jefferson is likely from predilection for France to draw the country into war on her side—Mr. Burr will endeavor to do it for the sake of creating the means of personal power and wealth.

This portrait is the result of long and attentive observation of a man with whom I am personally well-acquainted and in respect to whose character I have had peculiar opportunity of forming a correct judgment.

By no means, my Dear Sir, let the Federalists be responsible for his Elevation.—In a choice of Evils, let them take the least—Jefferson is in my view less dangerous than Burr.

But we ought—still to seek some advantages from our situation. It may be advisable to make it a ground of exploration with Mr. Jefferson or his confidential friends and the means of obtaining from him some assurances of his future conduct. The three essential points for us to secure is. 1 The continuance of the neutral plan bonafide towards the belligerent powers 2 The preservation of the present System of public credit—3 The maintenance &gradual increase of our navy. Other matters may be left to take their chance

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