Adams Papers Digital Edition

Papers of John Adams, volume 21

From John Brown Cutting

From Thomas Brand Hollis
304 Edmund Randolph to John Adams, 8 August 1794 Randolph, Edmund Adams, John
From Edmund Randolph
Dear sir Philadelphia August 8. 1794.

The letter, which Mr. Adams delivered to me from you, was truly acceptable, as well from its friendly style, as the opportunity, which it presented, of an Acquaintance with him.1 When he was first contemplated for the Hague, my mind readily embraced the idea, under the influence of his own merit. I must be permitted at the same time to own, that the public services of the father strongly confirmed the pretensions of the son. He will therefore find in me, that mode of conduct, which will mark my respect and esteem for both.

Mr. Adams will inform you, that we are upon the eve of a great crisis. He knows all the circumstances; or I would, notwithstanding my pressure, snatch a moment to detail them.2

In all situations, sir, I shall ever be / with real esteem and regard / yr. mo. ob. serv.

Edm: Randolph.

RC (Adams Papers).

 1.

Not found. JQA arrived in Philadelphia on 9 July to meet with George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and Randolph as preparation for his mission to the Netherlands. Following in his father’s footsteps, JQA was instructed to maintain the Dutch-American loans. He was also to report any changes in Dutch foreign policy toward revolutionary France. JQA spent ten days reading six volumes of JA’s dispatches from Europe, compiled by John Jay (vol. 19:125; AFC , 10:208, 211, 222, 224; Bemis, JQA , 1:50).

 2.

This “great crisis” erupted into the final confrontation of the Whiskey Rebellion, a powerful uprising of western Pennsylvania citizens who protested the 3 March 1791 tax on distilled spirits by assaulting excise collectors, burning their homes, and clashing with local militia. On 8 May 1792 Congress passed another excise tax. Opposition to the new tax blossomed on the frontier, where farmers grew corn and rye, which were used to make whiskey that was sold commercially. In western Pennsylvania, the antagonism grew fierce. Fruitlessly, Washington called for enforcement of the legislation and recommended protection for the excise collectors. The violence escalated on 16 July 1794, when armed men attacked John Neville, the regional supervisor for collection of the federal excise in western Pennsylvania, and then burned his estate. At least three people were killed. On 7 Aug., Washington called out the militia to suppress the rebellion. For the insurgency’s conclusion and consequences, see the Senate’s [22 Nov.] address to Washington, and note 2, below (vol. 20:xxxii; AFC , 10:xii–xiii, 187, 222, 224, 486; U.S. Statutes at Large , 1:267–71; Washington, Papers, Presidential Series , 15:275–277).