Docno: ADMS-06-06-02-0110
Author: Adams, John
Recipient: Continental Congress, Commerce Committee
Date: 1778-05-24
This is a summary of a document and does not contain a transcription. If it is available
elsewhere in this digital edition, a page number link will be provided below in the
paragraph beginning "Printed."
Passy, 24 May 1778.
printed:JA, Diary and Autobiography,
4:111–112. John Adams described the confusion that resulted from the multiplicity of commercial
agents, often operating from the same ports, each claiming his authority from a different
source. Adams recommended that order be imposed by designating a person in each of
the principal ports as the sole American agent. He also suggested that appointment
of one or more consuls by the congress might be appropriate. Realizing that his effort
to bring order to the Commissioners' finances was controversial, Adams noted that
its “Consequence has been, so many Refusals of Demands and Requests, that I expect
much Discontent will arise from it, and many Clamours.” See also
JA to Samuel Adams,
21 May (calendared above).
JA may have had second thoughts about this letter. The lack of a formal closing, the
presence of what is apparently the only extant copy in Lb/JA/5, the absence of the
notation “sent” on the Letterbook copy, as well as the general tone of this letter
make it unlikely that it was sent.