John Wayles Eppes to Alexander J. Dallas
| Dear Sir, | WashingtonNovr 26. 1814. |
Your letter to the chairman of the committee on the Bank question this morning has greatly mortified and astonished your friends—For myself I do assure you that nothing has occurred since my being in public life which has excited in my bosom such a sentiment of Despair—You have blasted our hopes and to use the expression of Mr Ingersoll damned the public credit—
Against the Federal clamour we can bear up—but who shall hope when the Secretary of the Treasury despairs & officially announces that public credit is destroyed—your caution and prudence which is known to the community will give greater force to the unfortunate sentiment which in a moment of despair you have uttered—
Your entrance into office was hailed by me with joy—For your character and talents I entertained the highest respect. I was prepared to surrender to you my whole heart and cordially unite in every measure of which conscientiously I could approve. The Bank was unfortunately one of these questions—I have done what an honest man alone could do—closed my lips—To all your other measures I have given every aid in my power and there is no doubt they will all be adopted—While thus struggling to support you your measures despair overwhelms you and you plunge a dagger in the breast of your friends—
I may err in my opinions as to the injurious effect of your communication—If I do it is an honest error and you will not I am sure attribute [. . .] its origin to any unfriendly motive.
With respect & esteem Yours