be about him and employed by him, the fidelity of congress itself would be suspected, and a total loss of confidence would follow.  I am much concerned for the reputation of congress, and have laboured to support it because that body is and must be the cement of the union of the states.  I hope, therefore, they will always make it evident to reasonable men that their administration merits the public applause.  Will they be able to do this, if they should cease to be very watchful over men whom they trust in great departments, especially those who have the disposition of the public moneys?  Power will follow the possession of money, even when it is known that it is not the possessor’s property.  So fascinating are riches in the eyes of mankind!  Were our financier, I was going to say, even an angel from heaven, I hope he will never have so much influence as to gain the ascendency over congress, which the first lord of the treasury has long had over the parliament of Britain; long enough to effect the ruin of that nation.  These are the fears which I expressed in congress when the department was first instituted.  I was told, that the breath of congress could annihilate the financier; but I replied, that the time might come, and if they were not careful it certainly would, when even congress would not dare to blow that breath.  Whether these fears are the mere creatures of the imagination you will judge.

My regards to Dr. Holten and Mr. Higgenson, if he is still in Congress. 
Pray write to me often.

Adieu.

1 For a facsimile note by Adams to Gerry, dated September 11, 1783, see Brotherhead, Signers of the Declaration of Independence (1872), p. 172.

TO JOHN ADAMS.

[Ms., Adams Papers, Quincy; the text is also in John Adams, Works, vol. ix., pp. 519-521.]

Boston Novr 4 1783.

MY DEAR SIR

Colo John Trumbull, the Son of the worthy Governor of Connecticutt is the Bearer of this Letter.  I give the Governor this Epithet, because I think his faithful Services to our Country entitle him to it.  Yet even he has undergone the Suspicions of some, unsupported by any solid Reasons that I have heard of.  We live in an Age of Jealousy, and it is well enough.  I was led to believe in early Life, that Jealousy is a political Virtue.  It has long been an Aphorism with me, that it is one of the greatest Securities of publick Liberty.  Let the People keep a watchful Eye over the Conduct of their Rulers; for we are told that Great Men are not at all times wise.  It would be indeed a Wonder if in any Age or Country they were always honest.  There are however some Men among us, who under the Guise of watchful Patriots, are finding Fault with every publick Measure, with a Design to destroy that just Confidence in Government, which is necessary for the Support of those Liberties which we have so