Autograph letter signed : Quincy, to Colonel [Joseph?] Ward, 1810 Jan. 8.

Foreseeing another war with England; noting that Britain "may proceed to war ... for the Sake of Plunder" because "the American Commerce would be a Feast for their Naval Friends"; saying he can "see no ground of hope for any arrangement between the two Governments while the present Ministry in Britain continues"; acknowledging that "the Repeal of the Taxes as well as the Neglect of the Navy were great Errors in [his] Judgment as well as [Ward's]," but adding that "they were both National Errors. The general Voice of the Nation declared loudly for both. [Thomas] Jefferson was chosen for this very purpose"; commenting on Jefferson's popularity; opining that he does not know how to fix the current situation and also does not have "life and strength left" to influence national affairs; mentioning journalists [James T.] Callender, [William] Cobbet, and John Ward Fenno; alluding to Fenno's "want of funds," and remarking that he wanted to help him but never dared "to hint any such thing for fear of the reproach of rewarding or hiring writers or printers to defend [him] or annoy [his] Enemies"; writing that "Callender and Sally [Hemings] will be remembered as long as Jefferson as Blots in his Character"; quoting "a great Lady who said she did not believe there was a Planter in Virginia who could not reckon among his Slaves a Number of his Children"; expressing his belief that "keep[ing] up the cry of of such disgraceful stories" will do nothing to "promote morality" and may "diminish" the "horror of the infamy" or "encourage" this "black Licentiousness"; mentioning [Alexander] Hamilton; emphasizing that "this scrawl is confidential" and telling him that he "may burn it."