23, 1796:-- "We have been very unfortunate in the delays which have attended the dispatches of our ambassadors.

Very lucky, Mr.John Quincy Adams, that you are not liable to criticism on this occasion! This demurrage would have been charged doubly, both to your account and that of your father.

It would have been a scheme, a trick, a design, a contrivance, from hatred to France, attachment to England, monarchical manoeuvres, and aristocratical cunning! Oh! how eloquent they would have been! "The southern gentry are playing, at present, a very artful game, which I may develope to you in confidence hereafter, under the seal of secrecy.
Both in conversation and in letters, they are representing the Vice-President [John Adams,] as a man of moderation.

Although rather inclined to limited monarchy, and somewhat attached to the English, he is much less so than Jay or Hamilton.

For their part, for the sake of conciliation, they should be very willing he should be continued as Vice-President, provided the northern gentlemen would consent that Jefferson should be President.