John Adams

James McHenry:
The people are animated, sir. Remove the French threat, and they're likely to desert us.

John Adams:
Government by fear is no government at all, Mr. McHenry.

Timothy Pickering:
Your intransigence on this matter--

John Adams:
[incensed] My intransigence?

Timothy Pickering:
Your stubbornness will be our ruin. You would surrender our party's interests to Mr. Jefferson and his so-called Republicans.

John Adams:
And you, sirs, are subservient to Hamilton, who ruled General Washington and would rule me, if he could. Mr. Jefferson, whom you despise, is an infinitely better man. [shouting] I would rather be vice-president under him, or resident minister to the Barbary pirates, than be indebted to a creature such as Hamilton for my present post! [beat] Now your immediate resignations will be accepted, gentlemen.

Timothy Pickering:
I-I do not feel it my duty to resign.

John Adams:
Oh... [sits back in chair, laughing] Excellent, excellent. Then you leave me with the far more satisfying remedy of removing you from office... Both of you.