A quote from John Adams

Reason first--You are a Virginian, and a Virginian ought to appear at the head of this business. Reason second--I am obnoxious, suspected and unpopular. You are very much otherwise. Reason third--You can write ten times better than I can.

— Reasons John Adams gave why Jefferson would be a better choice for drafting the Declaration of Independence. Letter to Timothy Pickering [August 6th, 1822]