Perhaps myself the first, at some expence of popularity, to unfold
the true character of Jefferson, it is too late for me to become his
apologist. Nor can I have any disposition to do it. I admit that
his politics are tinctured with fanaticism, that he is too much in
earnest in his democracy, that he has been a mischevous enemy to the
principle measures of our past administration, that he is crafty &
persevering in his objects, that he is not scrupulous about the means
of success, nor very mindful of truth, and that he is a contemptible
hypocrite.
-- Alexander Hamilton, Letter to James A. Bayard, January 16, 1801
