Abigail Adams, December 31, 1796

Abigail Adams, as wife of Vice President and President-elect John Adams, Quincy, Mass., Dec. 31, 1796, to Elbridge Gerry (Mass. Signer of Declaration of Independence, Governor, Vice President of US), on the election of Thomas Jefferson as Vice President: "I have long known him, and entertain for him a personal friendship, and though I cannot accord with him in some of his politicks, I do not believe him culpable to the extent he has been represented.”