Among the Candidates for the Honour of public Employment, under the New Government there is one, whose connection in my family, and public relation to me, in the late legation to St. James’s would render my total silence on his account, liable to misinterpretation, as proceeding, either from a want of esteem, confidence, or affection for him on the one hand, or to a failure of respect to The President on the other,

The Gentleman, I mean is Colonel Smith whose original, education and Services, during the late War are all better known to you, Sir, than to me, He was indeed so much a stranger to me, that, to my recollection I never heared his name, ’till he was announced as the secretary, of my Legation to Great Britain1

During the three Years that he resided with me in England, his Conduct was to my satisfaction—and his Character was much esteemed in England, France, spain, Portugal through all which Countries he had occasion to travel—

As his Qualifications, are as well known to you, sir, as to me, and the situations that require to be filled, and the merit of other Candidates, much better: it is not my intention to solicit any particular place for him. his inclination, as well as mine, would no doubt prefer something at home,—but if the public service require a minister to go abroad, and he should be thought a proper person, I presume he would have no objection

In England he has served three Years; is known at Court, and in the Nation, and is as much esteemed and would be as well recieved, as any other faithfull American. As all my Dispatches passed through his hands, he is well acquainted, with the rise, progress and present state, of the negotiations of the United states at that Court. I shall not however dissemble my opinion, that it would not consist with the dignity of this Nation, or Her Chief Majistrate, to send to 38 that Country, any Character higher than a Consul, before an explicit agreement shall be made on their part, to return to your Court a Minister of equal rank—

In Portugal Mr. Smith has already executed one Commission, to the satisfaction of that Court as well as of his Constituents. With the Present Prime Minister, The Chevelier De Pinto, he has had a personal Acquaintance in London for several years, and to my knowledge is much esteemed by that wise, able, and amiable Nobleman, one of whose most earnest Wishes, it is, to form a Treaty with this Country—2

In Holland Mr. Smith is known to many: and I flatter myself, that, from my long residence and numerous Acquaintances in that Republic; especially among the Capitalists, Stock-Brokers, Loan-Undertakers and money Lenders who have now in their possession, obligations under my hands, for more than nine Millions of Guilders.

And from his known Connection with me, he would be, as well received, both at the Prince of Orange’s Court, by their High Mightinesses, by the Corps Diplomatique, and the Nation, as any other Person—

While on one hand I shall hold myself under Obligation for whatever appointment The President may judge fit for him, I shall cheerfully acquiesse, on the other, in whatever may be the determination—

With every sentiment of Respect / and affection, I have the Honor to be / Dear sir. / Your most Obedt— / & most Humble servt—

I thank you for correcting my careless Appellation of federal Republic as applied to the National Government. We are so used to Absurdities & indefinite Terms when speaking of the great Constitution, that I am now to ask your Indulgence in future for sometimes 39 hastily adopting Expressions which are so often improperly used by our Massachusetts Politicians. And yet notwithstanding your just Idea of the sole Sovereignty of the national Government, was a Man to tell our general Court that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts was not a sovereign & independent State they would charge him with talking Treason. They admit that Congress now is sovereign, quoad certain Purposes, and this State alone sovereign for others. This Error & nonsense they will persist in, untill the full Operation of the National Statutes, & the new Officers get into Play. And give me leave to ask if Congress is not in a Degree countinancing this Delusion? Are they not, I mean the lower House, encouraging those extreme democratic Notions which have hitherto impeded the Advancement of that full Respectability that our Country is intitled to, by refusing to admit of those Distinctions & Titles which effect so much in European Governments? The News Papers inform that even the Title of Esquire is become an Abomination in their Ears.1 And on the same Principle so ought the Addition of Mr. to be. To act thoroughly consistent they ought to turn Quakers in Politicks, if not in Religion. This Silliness pleases Mr. Han. Mr. S. A. & Dr. J.2 I most heartily wish all the Fools of the same Stamp throughout the Union would unite & colonize. There is Land enough upon the Banks of the Ohio for all the democratic Simpletons in the united States. There let them found a Utopia & crack Acorns with the equal Commoners of the Woods.

It is owing to Envy & a contemptible Pride, that our chief Magistrates are to be denied those Titles which would be expressive of their Posts, because two only can possess them. and because thirteen Excellencies would be then out titled.

I inclose You the Copy of a Petition presented to the General Court in their May session of 1788.3 If it should not furnish an argument in favour of a national Bankrupt Act, it may furnish a very extraordinary & interesting Peice of private an Individual’s History. The Facts alledged in the Petition were fully substantiated before a Committee of both Houses, & a Bill in favour of the Petitioner was reported, but miscarried, for various local Reasons, of no Importance now to relate.

I most sincerely thank You for your two last Letters, & for your promised Care of the one I inclosed.4 That Letter occasioned me some Mortification. But a Wife & six Children with a sinking Profession, forbid me being the Dupe of Feelings, which, perhaps, all the Seekers & would be Devourers “of the Loaves & Fishes,” are not 40 troubled with. I hope before this Letter reaches New York You will have had the Pleasure of Meeting Mrs. Adams; that Friend of your Heart so well calculated to mitigate the Cares of your Station. Pray make my most affectionate Compliments to that Lady, & be assured of my unalterable & perfect Attachment.