Page:Henry Adams' History of the United States Vol. 2.djvu/67

50 generously than he might have done, considering that Monroe gained the political profit of the success. Acknowledging that his own share was next to nothing in the negotiation, he still encouraged the idea that Livingston’s influence had been equally null. This view was doubtless correct, but if universally applied in history, would deprive many great men of their laurels. Monroe’s criticism helped only to diminish the political chances of a possible rival who had no Virginia behind him to press his preferment and cover his mistakes.