OF POPULARITY, AN INORDINATE ÁMBITION, AND A WANT OF SINCERITY.

I write in confidence in your honor as well as your discretion, being your hearty well wish

I duly received your esteemed favor of the 16th ult. I assure you without reserve, that I shall not misuse nor abuse the confidence you repose in me.

By the first opportunity I had, after the receipt of your letter, I sent to Mr. Russell of Boston for a paper containing the outline that you have so flatteringly expressed a wish to see. Expecting, post after post, to receive the paper, I have delayed an answer to your obliging letter-Either he has not forwarded me a paper or it has miscarried. I have now transcribed, and have enclosed, a copy from the man

uscript. I notice a few marks in the manuscript which indicate, that when it was transcribed for the press a few trifling variations were made— an incorrectness in one of the dates was rectified. I wrote it under very considerable disadvantages, and its publication was hastened for the purposes mentioned in my last respects. I am very sensible of its insufficiency to do you justice, but of its adequacy to the proof of my high esteem, I feel the strongest confidence, and on that consideration, I allow myself hopes of your favourable reception of it.

I have taken leave to send you herewith a copy of my Eulogy upon the death of your illustrious predecessor in the Presidency.

Permit me to use this occasion to present my most cordial regards to your family.

With perfect respect I am, &c.

WM. CUNNINGHAM, JR.

Hon. John Adams.

Dear Sir,

LETTER VI.

QUINCY, Feb. 24, 1804.

I have received your favour of the

15th, with its enclosures. I thank you for the out

line, as well as the eulogy. I am sorry you had the trouble of transcribing the former, which I see was written, as the Italians speak, con amore. Speaking of the classification of scholars in our College before the revolution, you consider rank and wealth as anti-republican principles of precedence. Is this correct? About five and forty years ago, I was in company with the oldest Colonel, John Chandler, of Worcester, when a newspaper was brought in, containing an account of the last elections in Rhode-Island. All the principal magistrates were of ancient families. The old gentleman's comment upon it, was this "I have always been of opinion, that in popular governments the people will always choose their officers from the most ancient and respectable families." This has been the case generally in Connecticut as well as Rhode-Island, and in every republican government, in Greece and Rome and Modern Italy, in Switzerland and Geneva. The more democratical the government, the more universal has been the practice. If a family, which has been high in office, and splendid in wealth, falls into decay, from profligacy, folly, vice, or misfortune, they

generally turn democrats, and court the lowest of the people with an ardour, an art, a skill, and consequently with a success, which no vulgar democrat can attain. If such families are nume

.

rous, they commonly divide. Some adhere to one party, some to another, so that which ever prevails, the country still finds itself governed by them. Consider the conduct of the Winthrops, in this State, the Livingstons, in NewYork, the Madisons, in Virginia, &c. The whole power and popularity of Virginia, I am told, is now in the family connections of Mr. Madison. You are young, and have much time to observe and to reflect. In theory, all governments profess to regard merit alone, but in practice, democratical governments certainly regard it as little as any. You see I have reason to repeat my intimations of confidence.

It certainly was never any "humiliation" to me to see thirteen of my classmates preceding me. I never thought much upon that subject. Have you seen Mr. 's Manifesto, proposing Mr. Sullivan for Governor, and Mr. Heath for Lieutenant Governor. With what inimitable power of face it is written! These

people talk with as much gravity and solemnity as if they thought they spoke truth. Do you know the character of Mr.

? I have had some experience of his intrigues.Talents he has: But candour and sincerity belong to other people. Cool, dispassionate, and deliberate insidiousness never arrived at greater perfection.

With kind regard, I am, &c.
I

The unusual obstructions to travelling, prevented my receiving your favor of the 24th ult. till a day or two ago. I am sensible to that discernment, which has discovered in the "con amore" of the Italians, the real temper in which I wrote the outline. I wish it had been more just to you, and that I could find encouragement, now, that the public attention is en