Papers of John Adams, volume 20

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).

John Adams to Thomas Mifflin, 7 December 1790 Adams, John Mifflin, Thomas

To Thomas Mifflin

7th. December. 1790—

The Vice President of the United States presents his compliments to Governour Miflin, & informs him, that the President of the United States has signified his pleasure to meet Congress in the Senate Chamber, to morrow at 12. O’Clock, and that a Seat is ordered for Governour Miflin if it should be agreeable to him to be present—1

RC (PHi:Autograph Coll.); addressed: “His Excellency / The Governour / of the State of / Pennsylvania”; endorsed: “1790 / December / 7th: / From the / Honorable / John Adams Esqr. / Vice President of the United / States—”

442 1.

The third session of the first Congress convened in Philadelphia on 6 December. George Washington addressed both houses two days later. The president opened his speech by praising the nation’s prosperity, Kentucky’s imminent statehood, and the 7 May ratification of the fifth Dutch-American loan. Washington emphasized a need to meet “certain banditti” on the Ohio frontier with military force. Pointing to the “disturbed situation of Europe, and particularly the critical posture of the great maritime powers,” Washington underlined his support for the American carrying trade and the pressing need for a consular convention. Members of the House and the Senate made their replies on 13 December. Writing to JQA, JA confided that he found “the opening of this Sessions has been auspicious and agreable” (Washington, Papers, Presidential Series , 7:45–49, 65–68; JA to JQA, 8 Dec., Adams Papers).