John Adams, letter to Thomas Jefferson (June 30, 1813):
The real terrors of both Parties have allways been, and now are, The
fear that they shall loose the Elections and consequently the Loaves and
Fishes; and that their Antagonists will obtain them. Both parties have
excited artificial Terrors and if I were summoned as a Witness to say upon
Oath, which Party had excited, Machiavillialy, the most terror, and which
had really felt the most, I could not give a more sincere Answer, than in
the vulgar Style "Put Them in a bagg and shake them, and then see which
comes out first."
Id. (July 3, 1813):
I know not which Party has the
most unblushing Front, the most lying Tongue, or the most impudent and
insolent not to say the most seditious and rebellious Pen.