LETTER XXIII.--TO JUDGE SULLIVAN, May 21, 1805


TO JUDGE SULLIVAN.

Washington, May 21, 1805.

Dear Sir,

An accumulation of business, which I found on my return here from a
short visit to Monticello, has prevented till now my acknowledgment of
your favor of the 14th _ultimo_. This delay has given time to see the
result of the contest in your State, and I cannot but congratulate you
on the advance it manifests, and the certain prospect it offers that
another year restores Massachusetts to the general body of the nation.
You have indeed received the federal unction of lying and slandering.
But who has not? Who will ever again come into eminent office,
unanointed with this chrism? It seems to be fixed that falsehood and
calumny are to be their ordinary engines of opposition; engines which
will not be entirely without effect. The circle of characters equal
to the first stations is not too large, and will be lessened by the
voluntary retreat of those whose sensibilities are stronger than their
confidence in the justice of public opinion. I certainly have known, and
still know, characters eminently qualified for the most exalted trusts,
who could not bear up against the brutal hackings and hewings of these
heroes of Billingsgate. I may say, from intimate knowledge, that we