Adams Family Correspondence, volume 8
This is the first Moment I have been able to Seize, in order to acquaint you of my Arrival and Situation. Governor Clinton The Mayor of New York,1 all the old officers of the Continental Government, and the Clergy, Magistrates and People, have Seemed to emulate the two houses of Congress, in shewing every respect to me and to my office.— For Particulars I must refer you to the public Papers.2 Yesterday for the first time I attended the Senate. Tomorrow or next day, The President is expected.— Mr Jay with his usual Friendship, has insisted on my taking Apartments in his noble house. No Provision No Arrangement, has been made for the President or Vice P.—and I See, clearly enough, that Minds are not conformed to the Constitution, enough, as yet, to do any Thing, which will Support the Government in the Eyes of the People or of Foreigners. our Country mens Idea of the “L'Air imposant” is yet confined to volunteer Escorts, verbal Compliments &c.
You and I however, are the two People in the World the best qualified for this Situation. We can conform to our Circumstances.— And if They determine that We must live on little, We will not Spend much.— every Body enquires respectfully / for Mrs A. of her affectionate
RC (Adams Papers).
James Duane.
The Massachusetts Centinel reported on 29 April that “the Cavalcade which escorted his Excellency into the city, was numerous, and truly respectable.” Among those meeting JA was a military escort, members of Congress, and “a large number of citizens, in carriages and on horseback. On passing the fort, a federal salute was fired. His Excellency alighted at the house of the Hon. John Jay, Esq.”
Major Gibbs Captain Beals & mr Woodard all are going to New-york, and all have desired Letters, but as they all go at the same Time one Letter must answer.1 I wrote you this week by mr Allen, since which nothing has transpired in our little village worth communicating. the Newspapers I inclose to you all that I get in the course of a week, but the printers or the persons to whom they are committed, think as you are absent, it is of little concequence whether I get 337them or not. the Torrent has subsided & a calm has ensued. Laco I see has advertized his Works to be sold in a pamphlet2
I wish to know where & How you are accommodated, and what ever else you may think proper to communicate. I have heard only once from you at Hartford & fear I must wait a week longer, before any intelligence reaches me. pray is it prudent discreet or wise, that the debates of the House should be publish'd in the crude indigisted manner in which they appear to be given to the publick?—
Have you seen your little Grandsons yet? how is mrs Smith I hope she will write me I shall be very lonesome when our sons are gone to colledg Next week, only I am buissy about the Garden, tho I have had Time to get very little done. I have been obliged to have all the wall of the great pasture poled the sheep became so troublesome & wandered every where, & to day have been building the wall against Mr Bass—
The Family are well. Esther is tolerable the Baby has a bad soar mouth— pray burn all these Scribles for fear you should leave or drop any of them—any where
Let me know how you do— I cannot Say I am very well, tho better for this fortnight than I was before you went away. I hope your journey will be of service to you but I fear too much perplexity in Buisness for you.
adieu & believe me most affectionatly / Yours—
RC (Adams Papers); addressed by TBA: “His Excellency John Adams / Vice President of the United States, / New York—”; endorsed: “Portia. Apr 6. / 1789”; notation: “Favored by / Mr Woodward.”
Major Caleb Gibbs (ca. 1750–1818) had commanded Washington's bodyguards from 1776 to 1779. He later served as the civilian superintendent of the Charlestown Navy Yard (James Archer O'Reilly III, Memorials of the Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati, Boston, 2004, p. 142–143).
Stephen Higginson, writing under the pseudonym Laco, published a series of articles attacking John Hancock in the Massachusetts Centinel. These pieces were gathered together and printed as The Writings of Laco, as Published in the Massachusetts Centinel, in the Months of February and March, 1789, Boston, 1789 (Boston Independent Chronicle, 23 April).