Papers of John Adams, volume 20
I have received your favor of the thirteenth of this month, from
the hand of Mr McGuire, and am
much obliged to you for the information of your welfare, and the situation of your
family.1 A country life like yours,
retired on a farm is sedom acceptable to a man educated in a city and accustomed to the
sea: and therefore your inclination to return into the active world is no surprise to
me. Yet 96 there is more safety, more tranquility, and perhaps
better prospects for your family, in your present course. What opening there may be, for
the employment of your talents in the public service, I am not at present able to
conjecture. But I should be obliged to you, if you would write me, in confidence an
account of your former actions and services, which will at least be a pleasure to know,
if I should never have an opportunity to make use of it to your advantage.
My Family consists of a daughter and three sons. The former is
married to Col: Smith and has presented me with two grand sons. My Eldest son, John, is
in the study of the law at Newburyport with Mr Parsons—
Chas had his degree this month and is now with me— Thomas
will take his degree next year.
By this detail you will see, what you knew however very well before that I am not a young man. But I shall never be too old to wish well to your prosperity and that of your family: being with great esteem, Yours
LbC in CA’s hand (Adams Papers); internal address: “Peter /
Cunningham Esqr / Pomphret”; APM Reel 115.
Peter Cunningham (1750–1827), JA’s first cousin,
served aboard the Continental vessel Hazard during the
Revolutionary War (
AFC
, 2:341–342). Cunningham, who was struggling as a farmer in
Pomfret, Conn., wrote to JA applying for a naval post on 13 July (Adams Papers). He did not receive a
post in the Washington administration, and this is the last extant letter between
Cunningham and JA.
Mr Charles Adams, my Second son, the
Bearer of this Letter, I beg leave to introduce to you.— He took his degree at our
University of Cambridge this Year, and is destined to the Study of the Law.— I wish to
get him into some office in New York, and should give the Preference to yours1
But there are two Contingencies, one possible the other probable in the Way. The first is that Congress may force me to Philadelphia or the Lord knows where: the other that you may become a Minister of State, or some other Thing better or worse than the Practice of the Bar, but, however, incompatible with it.
As it is my Intention that my Son Shall board with me, he must follow, wherever Congress shall lead me— If you should leave the Bar, Some other Arrangement must be made for him.
He may go into Town, and come out, with me every day, and attend 97 your Office, from between ten and Eleven, to between three and four. When Your Business presses, he may attend earlier or latter as you shall direct.
If you will take him into your Office immediately, Subject to these Contingencies, I shall be obliged to you, and ask the favour of you to mention to me your Terms. The Circumstances of my Family and Fortune will not permit me to be generous: but it is my determination, in every Circumstance of Life, to be just.— With great Esteem I have the Honour to be, sir your most / obedient Servant
RC (DLC:Alexander Hamilton Papers); internal address: “Col Hamilton.”; endorsed: “21 July 1789 / John Adams”; notation: “COPIED.” LbC (Adams Papers); APM Reel 115.
Following his Harvard graduation in June, CA studied
law with Hamilton from July to September (
AFC
, 8:334, 401). When Hamilton stepped in to serve as
treasury secretary, CA removed to a new law office, for which see
JA’s letter of 19
Sept. to John Laurance, and note 1, below.