Papers of John Adams, volume 21
Mr: Robert Bird, the bearer
of this letter, is a respectable merchant of this place, a brother of the
Gentleman with whom you had the pleasure of an acquaintance some years
since, at New-York. He proposes making a tour in the United States, during
the ensuing Season, and I am happy to have this opportunity of introducing
him to your acquaintance, and recommending him to your attentions.1
I am, very affectionately, your Son
RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “The Vice-President of the United States. / Philadelphia. / or Quincy / near Boston.”; internal address: “The Vice-President.”; endorsed: “John Q Adams / 1796.” FC-Pr (Adams Papers); APM Reel 131.
Robert Bird (b. 1760) was a partner in the London
mercantile and banking firm of Bird, Savage, & Bird, which later
held sway in the Adamses’ financial investments (Franklin, Papers
, 39:215;
AFC
, 10:239, 15:index).
th.1796.
Your Favor of 7th Inst ’till this moment I have not had convenient
Opertunity to answer but do it now with great satisfaction as it will inform
you of a very important Triumph gained in a Town meeting called by Jarvis
Austin and about 18 other Leaders to induce a Vote of Disapprobation of a
Memorial signed by about 13,00 Merchants Tradesmen Mechanics and others
Inhabitants of The Town of Boston. Dr Jarvis and
Mr Morton with Austin exerted their
respective Powers of Uterance to impress the Town against the Subject Matter
of the Memorial but it was in vain for after a full hearing of all their
Declamation the Vote obtained to adopt the Memorial in a Meeting perhaps the
fullest that was ever held since the Peace with a few only in the
negative.1
I hope these Measures with others now persuing by other Towns will have an effect in procuring the cooperation of The House of Representatives in the fulfilment of The Treaty.
I am Sir with great Respect Your Humble. Sr
RC (Adams Papers).
For public reactions to the Jay Treaty in Boston and across the country, see JA’s 10 Aug. 1795 letter to George Washington, and note 2, above.