Papers of John Adams, volume 20
th1790.
I write at this time only to authorise and request you, to
subscribe for me, to the new loan, all the final settlements, Loan Office Certificates,
Indents, or other paper securities whether of the United 421 States, or particular States, which you have in your hands belonging to me.1 I know not that any more particular power is
necessary; if it is, upon notice, I will send it immediately. We remove to Bush-Hill,
about two miles out of the City of Philadelphia, in about ten days; Can’t you spare the
time make us a visit?2 You would make us
very happy. Compliments to Mrs Tufts; should be very glad to
see her with you. With usual affection, yours
LbC in CA’s hand (Adams Papers); internal address: “The Honble / Cotton Tufts / Esqr”; APM Reel 115.
Under the Funding Act of 4 Aug., three types of federal
securities were eligible for sale. JA invested $2,036.32 at 6 percent per
annum and $1,784.57 at 3 percent per annum, both beginning 1 Jan. 1791, and $1,018.16
at 6 percent per annum beginning 1 Jan. 1801. AA made similar investments
totaling $3,164. Significantly, in tandem with the Adamses’ investment activities,
JA also served as a commissioner of the Sinking Fund, for which see the
board’s summary report to Congress of
21 Dec. 1790, and note 1, below (JA to Tufts, 23 Dec., MBBS:Colburn Autograph Coll.;
AFC
, 9:xiv, 95, 197).
The Adamses departed the city on 7 Nov. on the New York packet,
Capt. Corwin, and reached Philadelphia five days later (
AFC
, 9:142, 150, 507; New-York Daily
Gazette, 8 Nov.; Pennsylvania Mercury, 13
Nov.).