True Tales of Old-Time Kentucky Politics by Berry Craig

Author:Berry Craig
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing Inc.
Published: 2012-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

Matthew Lyon (1749–1822). Courtesy of the Vermont Historical Society.

Lyon started his version of a Dear John letter at 12:01 a.m. on March 4, 1801, Jefferson’s inauguration day. He told Adams he was retiring to Kentucky, a safe haven from the Federalists. He also reminded Adams of the Sedition Act, Adams’s “darling hobby horse,” according to Lyon.

“You thought by its terrors to shut the mouths of all but sycophants and flatterers, and to secure yourself in the Presidency at least; but how happily have you been disappointed,—the truth has issued from many a patriot pen and press,—and you have fallen, never, never to rise again,” Lyon roared.

While the Sedition Act (and companion Alien Acts) would lapse after Jefferson became president, Lyon warned Adams not to cause grief for the new chief executive.

“Your vindictive spirit prompts you to do everything in your power to give the succeeding administration trouble; but you are as unfortunate in this as in most of your calculations,” Lyon wrote.

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