Memoirs of the Administrations of Washington and John Adams; Edited from the Papers of Oliver Wolcott, Secretary of the Treasury Volume 7-8 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1846 edition. Excerpt: ... occasion. After adverting to the circumstances which led to the formation of the new constitution, he expressed the unqualified approbation with which, in a foreign land and apart from the seat of controversy, he had first perused it, and the undiminished confidence which, after eight years of experience, he entertained of its fitness. He remarked briefly on the abuses to which it was subject, and against which it became the duty of the people to guard; and .> having disclosed his opinions of general policy, pledged himself anew to the support of the government. The oath of office was then administered by Chief Justice Ellsworth, the other justices attending, after which he retired. As the history of the period now entered upon is obscure--existing in fact, so far as the public knowledge extends, chiefly in newspapers and fugitive publications; as misrepresentation and misunderstanding have prevailed widely respecting the policy of the dominant party, and the designs of its leaders; and as the then Chief Magistrate has himself recorded statements corroborative of these calumnies and errors, a more detailed narrative of its principal occurrences will be entered upon, than ha. hitherto been thought necessary, when following the beaten track of Washington's administration. To this object, an indispensable preliminary is an examination of the character of the new President. Among the sources from which it may be deduced, he has himself furnished some of the most important. His letters to the Boston Patriot," the papers known as the Cunningham Correspondence, b and the letters to his wife recently published, with some scattered documents, will * " Correspondence of the late Presi- ending in 1812." Boston. 8vo., 1823. dent...