Papers of John Adams, volume 20

Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 26 November 1790 Jefferson, Thomas Adams, John

From Thomas Jefferson

Dear Sir Philadelphia Nov. 26. 1790.

From a letter received from the President mr̃ Lear is satisfied he cannot be here to-day and doubts even the possibility of his arrival tomorrow.1 of course our expedition of to-day would be certainly fruitless, and is therefore laid aside agreeably to a message I have received from Genl. Knox & the attorney Genl.

Your’s affectionately & respectfully

Th: Jefferson 440

RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “The Vice-president of the United / States / at / Bush-hill”; endorsed: “Mr Jefferson / Novr 26. 1790.”

Tobias Lear (1762–1816), of Portsmouth, N.H., Harvard 1783, was George Washington’s private secretary from 1786 to 1793. Explaining to Lear that he had been repeatedly delayed by the “most infamous roads that ever were seen,” the president reached Philadelphia at eleven o’clock on the morning of 27 Nov. 1790. Jefferson and other members of Washington’s cabinet postponed their plans to escort him from Gray’s Ferry into the city ( AFC , 8:380; Washington, Papers, Presidential Series , 6:689, 690; same, Confederation Series , 3:600; Jefferson, Papers , 18:78; New York Daily Advertiser, 1 Dec.; Boston Independent Chronicle, 9 Dec.).

Wilhem & Jan Willink to John Adams, 2 December 1790 Willink, Wilhem & Jan (business) Adams, John

From Wilhem & Jan Willink

Sir Amsterdam 2 Decemr: 1790.

Deprived of your agreable favors since we had the honor of Paying you our respects under date of 1 febry, the present will principally Serve to advise the drawing of the Lottery of the american 4 Per Cts: in which we are sorry to find that the Numbers of your obligations do not class among the fortunate ones; by this opportunity we beg leave to remind you of the prize of f1000.—which fell to your lot the former drawing, we pray you to send us a receipt for the amount together with the Coupons that are due, ordering us at the same time in what manner to dispose of the amount.—1

It gives us a very singular Satisfaction to observe the influence made on the Public Credit of America by the Wisdom with which the Legislative acts of Congress are fraught, we sincerely hope the same sage Councils may continue to direct their proceedings & that their encreasing Credit may arrive e’re long at the highest pitch.—

Our Ladies join us in respectfull Compliments to you & Lady praying you to be assured of the Esteem with which we have the honor to remain / Sir / Your most obedt Hmble Servants

Wilhem & Jan Willink

RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “To / The Honble John Adams Esqr: / Vice President of the United States / Philadelphia.”

For JA’s prize in the Oct. 1788 private lottery held by the Dutch loan consortium, see vol. 19:435.

William Stephens Smith to John Adams, 3 December 1790 Smith, William Stephens Adams, John

From William Stephens Smith

Dear Sir— New York December 3d. 1790.

Permit me to introduce to your acquaintance Mr. Blodget, tho’ I believe you may recollect seeing him in London—he will present himself to the President being charged with the prosecution of a plan 441 relative to the building of the fœdral City,1 he is a young man of great property and supported in his project by most undoubted security, he will if you give him an opportunity communicate his intentions out of civility and respect for your Character and station but has not the most distant wish, that you should in any manner interest yourself in the business, but as it will doubtless become a matter of conversation, your knowing from himself the principles of his project will be sufficient master of the subject to say when it is mentioned what you think of it, founding your observations on the engenuity of the project the Genius of a Boston Lad, & the effect it will have on the public purse— You will oblige me by telling him I have written to you on the subject as I promised him I would, & as a young rising Genius, I think him at least entitled to smiles and protection, remember me to Mrs: Adams Mr. Thomas & kiss my dear boy for me.2

I am Dr. Sir—yours sincerely

W: S: Smith

RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “The Vice President—”

Goffstown, N.H., native Samuel Blodget Jr. (1757–1814) was a real estate speculator and amateur architect. News of the president’s October tour of the Georgetown, D.C., area, which was designated for the capital, sparked the interest of investors like Blodget. Once the president finalized the federal seat’s location on the Potomac River in a 24 Jan. 1791 message to Congress, construction proposals poured in. Only then did Blodget act, purchasing five lots of land for $10,000 at the first auction, on 17–19 October. He also put forth an ambitious proposal to create a main thoroughfare in the new capital, but it was rejected (Jefferson, Papers , 23:225; 34:xli; Bryan, Hist. of the National Capital , 1:108–109, 119, 187–190; Washington, Papers, Presidential Series , 9:196, 230–231, 391; 10:649).

Shortly after writing this letter, WSS made a “sudden and unexpected” trip to England to settle family debts and to pursue a speculative business venture. In London he met unofficially with William Wyndham Grenville, 1st Baron Grenville, the British home secretary, on 9 April, and discussed the possibility of sending a minister to the United States. Failing to achieve success on any front, WSS returned to New York City on 5 June and relayed his private conversation to George Washington, who thanked WSS for his efforts ( AFC , 9:156, 157, 222).