"I Will Not Enter Office But In Perfect Freedom To Follow The Dictates Of My Own Judgment." - Info and Reading Options

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From the 2008 "John Adams" HBO miniseries, adapted from David McCullough's biography of the same name. A biography worthy of its subject and an adaptation worthy of its source material. (Neither one could be made nowadays because neither one was morbidly obsessed with race and slavery.)<br /><br />I do not own the copyright to this video. Uploaded for educational purposes under "fair use." I hope that watching this piques interest into reading Mr. McCullough's book and watching HBO's show. <br /><br />from Mr. McCullough's book (pp. 561-562)<br /> "Years later, recalling the suspense of waiting for the House decision on the election, Jefferson would describe meeting with Adams on or about February 12 or 14.<br /> "'When the election between Burr and myself was kept in suspense by the Federalists,' Jefferson would write to Benjamin Rush, 'and they were mediating to place the President [pro tempore] of the Senate at the head of government, I called on Mr. Adams with a view to have this desperate measure prevented by his negative.' According to Jefferson, Adams acted extremely displeased.<br /> "'He grew warm in an instant, and said with a vehemence he had not used towards me before, "Sir, the event of the election is within your own power. You have only to say you will do justice to the public creditors, maintain the navy, and not disturb those holding office, and the government will instantly be put into your hands. We know it is the wish of the people it should be so."<br /> '"Mr. Adams," said I, "I know not what part of my conduct, in either public or private life, can have authorized a doubt of my fidelity to the public engagements. I say, however, I will not come into the government by capitulation. I will not enter on it, but in perfect freedom to follow the dictates of my own judgment."<br /> '"Then," said he, "things must take their course." I turned the conversation to something else, and soon took my leave. It was the first time in our lives we had ever parted with anything like dissatisfaction.'<br /> "There is nothing to contradict Jefferson's account, or anything to verify it. Neither Adams nor his secretary Billy Shaw made note of a visit by Jefferson, or said anything of such an exchange in later years. Nor is there evidence that Adams ever discussed such terms with the Federalists in the House or took an interest in Federalist strategy. But it was also understandable that the Federalists wanted some assurance on where Jefferson stood, since he had made no statements on public issues.<br /> "The suspense ended on Tuesday, February 17, when, on the thirty-sixth ballot in the House, Jefferson was chosen President. One Federalist representative, James A. Bayard of Delaware, decided at last to switch his vote.<br /> "Later, Bayard would say Jefferson had agreed to the three Federalist terms, but this Jefferson vehemently denied. The question of what actually happened would remain unsolved.<br /> "'The Revolution of 1776 is now, and for the first time, arrived at its completion,' proclaimed the Aurora. 'Till now the Republicans have indeed beaten the slaves of monarchy in the field of battle, and driven the troops of the King of Great Britain from the shores of our country; but the secret enemies of the American Revolution--her internal, insidious, and indefatigable foes, have never till now been completely discomfited. This is the true period of the triumph of Republican principle.'"

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