Adams Family Correspondence, volume 12
rMadam,
th.July. 1797:
Pardon my thus abruptly addressing you. I plead the occasion as my apology—
I am just informed that Mr: Leonard Jarvis expects soon to quit his Office. The Office is considered as a decent livelihood. Were I seeking emolument for myself I might be diffident; but when soliciting for the Interest & happiness of a Parent, I am emboldened, & venture to presume upon your friendship & goodness on the occasion.— For the discretion, prudence, integrity & honor of the Candidate you will not require a voucher from so near a friend as myself—& to the President I hope it will be unnecessary; but allow me to say that for exactness & correctness in accounts none exceed him— May I request you to mention my father to the President—at
207
the same time presenting him my best respects— Tis said some application has already been made: I would hope how ever mine may not arrive too late—1
With sentiments of esteem & respect, I am, Madm: / Yr: much obliged friend / & humle: servt:
s:Storer:2
RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “Mrs: Adams.”
Leonard Jarvis (1742–1813) was a Boston merchant whom George Washington had appointed an inspector of the excise for Massachusetts in 1792. Reports of Jarvis’ “delinquency” surfaced in June 1797, and on the recommendation of Oliver Wolcott Jr. JA dismissed Jarvis. Prior to his departure from Philadelphia, JA appointed Ebenezer Storer to fill the position because of Storer’s “established Character for Integrity and his well known Accuracy in Accounts.” Once Congress reconvened, JA formalized the nomination on 24 Nov., and the Senate gave its consent the following day (
Doc. Hist. Supreme Court
, 5:569; Washington, Papers, Presidential Series
, 3:412; Timothy Pickering, James McHenry, and Charles Lee to JA, 18 Dec., Adams Papers; JA to Wolcott, 4, 15 Sept., CtHi:Oliver Wolcott Jr. Papers; U.S. Senate, Exec. Jour.
, 5th Cong., 2d sess., p. 251).
In a reply to Charles Storer of 23 July, AA reported her compliance with his request and praised Ebenezer Storer’s “honour, integrity, and probity,” without which “the President would not knowingly appoint to office any Man, however nearly connected, or otherways bound to him” (MHi:Norcross Autograph Coll.).