Chapter 6 Summary

Adams left the Presidency at age sixty-six and carried with him back to Quincy, MA, a soul filled with vengeance. Hamilton topped his list of enemies, followed by Jefferson, for whom the hate was less but the hurt greater. In 1804, Jefferson's youngest daughter, Maria Jefferson Eppes, died during childbirth, and Abigail wrote a touching letter of condolence. The usually astute Jefferson misjudged her intention and took it as an opportunity to resume their friendship. Reviewing his long collaboration with her husband, he stated only once had he felt personally offended — when the lame duck President appointed Jefferson's long-time enemy John Marshall as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Jefferson forgave this crafty move, however. Abigail flew into a rage and replied that Jefferson was the one requiring forgiveness — for political betrayal. She defended her husband's right to appoint the "midnight judges...