Adams Family Correspondence, volume 13

Abigail Adams to John Adams, 27 February 1799 Adams, Abigail Adams, John

Abigail Adams to John Adams

my dearest Friend Febry 27th 1799— Quincy

yesterday afternoon mr Greenleaf returnd from Boston, and as he, as well as my others Neighbours, are particuliarly attentive and kind, in bringing Letters and papers to me as well; as of communicating all New’s, he came full fraught, with the appointment of Mr Murrey Minister Plenipo to France, a measure which had astonishd all the Federilist; and was a subject of great speculation, in Boston. Soon after Thomas returnd from Boston, thinking to bring me great New’s but found himself forestall’d. he however got a Good story in Boston. some of the Feds who did not like being taken so by surprize, said they wisht the old woman had been there; they did not believe it would have taken place; this was pretty sausy, but the old woman can tell them they are mistaken, for she considers the measure as a master stroke of policy; knowing as she did that the pulse had been feeling through that minister for a long time. beside’s the appointment, shows that the disposition of the Government is still pacific, and puts to the test the sincerity of the Directory, who if they are really inclined to accommodate, have the door held open to them; and upon them rests in the Eyes of all the World, the responsibility. it is a measure which, strikes in the Head Jacobinism. it come as unexpected to them, as to the Federilists— it will also prevent the directory sending a French minister here which was not desirable, knowing the Nature of the animal. it cannot be considerd as a degradation restricted as I lean the appointment is, that no negotiation shall commence—but with a minister of equal Rank specially appointed to treat; I have not heard an opinion upon it, but revoleving the subject upon my pillow, I call it a master stroke of polocy, even tho it should terminate in a buble it brings the ~~Nation~~ directory, to the touch stone—

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I was vext however to see our House of Rep’s stop in the midst of a wise measure, and take for granted, what they had no buisness to consider; not a cord should be relaxed in concequence of the appointment— to ensure any kind of success to the negotiation, they should be prepared at all points for War, if it fails—1

Pray am I a good politician?

we have had for the last ten days winter as severe as any before. it has frozen the Rivers & bay more than any time before, and it is now snowing with voilence as to my own Health, it has its up’s & down’s. as soon as I feel any thing tolerable, I get out, and will not lose the air then. I get housed a day or two; but I endeavour to keep up my spirits, and take what comfort I can; as I go along comforting myself, that it will be better by & by—

In my last I mentiond to you leaving clinker for Thomas but I did not calculate that he was the only saddle Horse you had, untill afterwards—when I recollected the loss of one, and that I had two here;

you mention that dr Tufts might draw upon you for any sum within Reason. the sum which he will draw for will be 500 dollors—unless you should give orders that any further sum should be laid out in public Securities; I know not the reason, but the funds are allways a shilling in a pound higher here than at Philadelphia. they are now 6 pr cents, at 16. & 4 pencee, fallen a shilling in a pound since the new loan— as to defered stock, there is not any to be had the 6 pr cents are the most advantages, only that two pr cent is annully paid off—

I wrote you that French would give with Belchers place—, 52 pound ten shilling—

It looks so like the depdth of winter, that spring appears far off. I hope you will be at home before much is wanted to be done.

I am my dear Friend / affectionatly / Your

A Adams 28th

I forgot to mention to you that the Lot of mrs Veseys sold at Auction for 4 hundred and 90 dollors. prat has bought it as he did the pew I suppose2

RC (Adams Papers); endorsed: “Mrs A. Feb. 25. 1799”; docketed: “1798 & 1799”; and by JA: “Family Letters.”

On 20 Feb., two days after the announcement of the second mission to France, the House of Representatives renewed debate on a bill to encourage American privateers to attack their French counterparts by paying a bounty on captured guns. Congressmen in opposition argued that the bill should be rejected to avoid derailing the upcoming peace talks. Those in favor argued that the House should approve the bounty as 423 an example of “the good effects of buckling on our armor, at the same time that we hold out the olive branch.” The bill was ultimately defeated ( Annals of Congress , 5th Cong., 3d sess., p. 2935–2954).

The sale of land to Thomas Pratt was not recorded. Instead Mary, Ebenezer, and Mottram Veasey on 30 May sold the four acres bordering JA’s land to John Newcomb of Quincy for $480 (Norfolk County Deeds, 12:27).

Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 1 March 1799 Adams, Thomas Boylston Adams, John

Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams

Dear Sir. Quincy March 1st: 1799.

My time has been so occupied between going to Boston to get my dinner and coming back to Quincy again, that I have written to you but once since my arrival. I should have considered these frequent visits as time lost to improvement, but that they have enabled me to attend the Session of the Supreme Court, which commenced on the 19th: ulto.. Having now complied with all the necessary forms of a first arrival in the center of ones friends & relations, I hope to be spared any further material interruption from the pursuits of my inclination.

The charge of Chief Justice Dana, to the Grand Jury of Suffolk, which I had the satisfaction to hear from the Bench, was fraught with wisdom, both legal & political. It took a concise but very intelligent view of the distribution of powers in the State & National Governments, of the checks & balances in each of them, and pointed out the superiority of these forms over any others of which experiments had been made. The independence of the Judiciary, he maintained to be, not only, the chief corner stone of the political edifice, but its most ornamental pillar. The examination of and animadversion upon, the interference of some State legislatures, with laws passed by the National Government, of whose constitutional validity they assumed to be the Judges, produced many spirited remarks, and when he noticed the two laws, which gave rise to their resolves, he gave them his cordial and unequivocal approbation. He called the attention of the Jury in a very pointed manner to the Chronicle, a number of which he held in his hand; this contained a piece, which the Judge declared to be of a mischievous & seditious tendency, as it was clearly meant thereby to alienate the confidence of the good people of this State from their lawful Representatives & Government, by spreading false, scandalous & wicked slander against their characters; accusing them not only of a want of honor & integrity, but with the actual commission of crimes & misdemeanours, which were in themselves indictable offenses.

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As the charge was delivered in a great measure ex-tempore from the bench, and it is doubtful whether it will be published, I have been thus particular in noticing it, and I am happy to add that it was generally received by those who heard it with unequivocal satisfaction.1 I have felt myself highly flattered by the cordial reception I have met with upon my first interview with the chief Magistrates of this State. I esteem their notice as very precious & honorable.

I was present at the celebration of Washington’s birth day Ball & Dinner, and felt animated by the glow of patriotism, which distinguished the occasion. As a respectful tribute to the family of the General, I thought it decorous to remember in our toasts, one member of it, who, as I had been informed, was to undergo an interesting change of situation on this anniversary. I accordingly gave as a volunteer in a bumper, “Miss Nelly Custis;—may her nuptials, on this day, lay the foundation for a numerous race of heroes & of patriots.” It was received with boisterous applause.2

We Boston Yankees were sadly confounded the other day, by the news from Philadelphia, announcing the nomination of a Minister to treat with the french Republic. To use the true cant & drawl of our yankee tone, they could-n-’t make nothing at all on ’t,—fact If we don’t see into every thing done or to be done by our Government, and know the reasons & motives & principles whole-sale & retail, that led to Executive measures, why there’s not one man in ten, among us, but what thinks all’s a going wrong. I have been highly diverted at the operation of this late news, upon all parties, federalists, french or English. The first & last no sooner heard it than they exclaimed “A Minister nominated to France! No sure! Impossible! It cannot be!” With the Jacobins, the President of the U. S. was “the first character that ever lived as a Statesman. Glorious news! An Envoy nominated to the french Republic, where live those virtuous & energetic republicans! We see a treaty concluded already, no more need of defence, no Army—no Navy—no direct taxation”!!! Such is Chronicle language. The federalists hung their nether lip at first, but the Jacobin crow, roused their rage and turned it to its natural attraction. “The Administration had its reasons, no doubt, for such a step; it might be necessary— we don’t know what intelligence has been received, but something recent must. However, go on with your preparations for defence, dont relax a fibre or a muscle in your hostile countenance—such is the language of the President & such the public interest.” So much for the awakened federalists. The English party adhere to their original text. “We are mortified, say they, at 425 the weakness & hastiness of this measure of the Executive; Can it be presumed that france will treat with us, and is not every probability against it? What will England and the rest of Europe think of us when they hear of it; ten chances to one, that England renews her depredations on our Commerce in consequence of it. It paralizes the arm of Government; damps & discourages hostile enterprize and deafens the ear of the public to the voice of our Country’s defence.— In short it seems to us an ill-timed & unadvised measure, and we heartily wish THE OLD WOMAN had been with the President to prevent it.”3

Such is a brief account of the purport of all the conversation I have heard since this news arrived; a great portion of this is hearsay with me, but my sources are authentic. It is further to be remarked that this intelligence has been the theme of many letters from the fountain head, since it issued thence. These indite that the Secretaries or heads of departments had no share or portion in this nomination;—and why? Because the President did not consult them. And why did he not???— Some have answered—because he did not think fit, and was not bound to do it. All wrong again— Washington did not do so. All right & proper, say others, if Adams likes the responsibility, and if he dont, he cant help himself, for the heads of departments, consulted or not, do not share the burden with him in any such measures. So we go on Sir, questioning & answering, quarreling & wrangling, happy if from the collision any spark of comprehension should kindle an attachment & respect for the measures of our Government.

I am in duty bound your Son

Thomas B. Adams.

P.S. I am directed to add, that one letter in particular, from Philadelphia observes—“This is the first great measure in which I have not been consulted.”4

RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “President U. S.”; endorsed: “T. B. Adams / March 1. 1799”; docketed: “Family Letters.”

The Mass. Supreme Judicial Court convened in Boston on 19 February. In his charge to the grand jury of Suffolk County, Francis Dana commented on the “traiterous enmity to the Government” expressed by the Boston Independent Chronicle, 14–18 Feb., which suggested that the refusal of Massachusetts politicians to “decide on the constitutionality of any acts of Congress” undermined the sovereignty of the General Court. The newspaper also raised the hope that “some gentleman skilled in federal logic” would show future politicians “how the oath of allegiance is to be understood.” Dana’s charge was not published; however, TBA approved of Dana’s comments on the “seditious publication,” believing them delivered “with great energy and impressed conviction” (Massachusetts Mercury, 22 Feb.; TBA, Diary, 1798–1799, 19 Feb.).

On 21 Feb. TBA and Louisa Catharine Smith attended the Boston ball held in George Washington’s honor. Reporting that 426 he met several old acquaintances and was introduced to Gov. Increase Sumner, Lt. Gov. Moses Gill, and Boston sheriff Jeremiah Allen, TBA claimed, “Mirth, good fellowship and patriotism were the conspicuous emblems of the Evg.” The following day he accompanied William Smith to the Boston Concert Hall to again “celebrate with a numerous and Patriot band” Washington’s birthday. Although a number of the proffered toasts were recorded by the Boston press, TBA’s to Eleanor Parke Custis was not among them (TBA, Diary, 1798–1799, 21, 22 Feb.; Boston Columbian Centinel, 23 Feb.; Massachusetts Mercury, 26 Feb.).

The initial response in the Boston press to the nomination of William Vans Murray as minister to France was varied. Under the heading “Better LATE than NEVER,” the Independent Chronicle, 25–28 Feb., celebrated the nomination and stated, “We sincerely hope that no articles of a political nature will clogg the negociation.” The Columbian Centinel, 27 Feb., applauded JA’s “wisdom” and “firmness” in nominating Murray, although it questioned France’s sincerity and advocated for continued defensive measures. The Russell’s Gazette, 28 Feb., reported the news without comment, and the Massachusetts Mercury, 1 March, questioned the veracity of the news. See also JA to AA, 22 Feb., and notes 3 and 4, above.

TBA was probably referring to Timothy Pickering, whose letters on the topic of Murray’s nomination repeatedly noted that JA had acted alone (Hamilton, Papers , 22:500; Henry Cabot Lodge, Life and Letters of George Cabot, Boston, 1878, p. 221; Washington, Papers, Retirement Series , 3:389).