Adams Family Correspondence, volume 13

Thomas Boylston Adams to William Cranch, 15 July 1799 Adams, Thomas Boylston Cranch, William
Thomas Boylston Adams to William Cranch
Dear William Philadelphia 15th: July 1799

I have scarcely heard of you since my return excepting once through Mr: Johnson, and as I had nothing interesting to 518 communicate, I have deferred it till now, when an occasion seems to authorise it.

On the removal of the Seat of Government to the City, the Office of Clerk of the Sup: Court of U. S. will most probably become vacant, as the present incumbent, Mr: Sam: Bayard, has since his return from England taken up his abode, chiefly at New York, with a design, as I hear & believe, of continuing there altogether. He will of course resign the Office of Clerk and as some one must be appointed in his stead, who resides either on the spot or near it, I should be very glad to assist you in making interest for the appointment, should you think it worth an application. The convenience of your situation, suggested the idea to me, and I mention it thus early, because I think that interest is making for the office by a person here, who though a friend of mine & a brother chip, has not in my opinion, pretentions equal to yours.1 The appointment rests with the Judges, & I am persuaded an application from you would meet success— Judges Cushing, Ellsworth & Chase, would be those to whom I would take the liberty of addressing myself in your behalf, if you will give me leave— The Supreme Court will sit here next month, Yellow fever a part. The duties of the Clerkship are by no means arduous & they are entirely professional— The Records must be at the seat of Government, and though the emoluments are inconsiderable, it serves as an introduction to other business— At all events there can be no harm in applying for it, & that seasonably. I wish it were in my power to hold up a more seducing prospect for your hopes, but I am a perfect nulity in point of influence respecting appointments—indeed I rejoyce, generally speaking, that I am. Write me your own notions of this matter and presenting me kindly to your wife & family, / Believe me sincerely

T. B. Adams.

PS. I leave the City tomorrow morning to pass some weeks in the Country— The town air begins to be unhealthy, though we have yet had no epidemic disorder. Tell Mrs: Johnson I have sent her shoes to Baltimore to Mr: Hellen.

If Mr: G—— is with you, let him read the opposite page.2

RC (OCHP:William Cranch Papers); internal address: “W. Cranch Esqr:”; endorsed: “T. B. Adams July 15 / 1799. / Ansd. 25th.— / recd. 24—”

1.

Samuel Bayard had served as clerk of the U.S. Supreme Court since 1791, retaining the title from 1794 to 1798 while he served as U.S. agent in London overseeing claims at British admiralty courts. Although TBA proposed Cranch for Bayard’s position, Bayard retained the post until 15 Aug. 1800 when he was succeeded by Elias Boudinot Caldwell ( Doc. Hist. Supreme Court , 1:162–163).

2.

TBA wrote again to Cranch on 30 July 519 1799 further commenting on Cranch’s potential appointment as clerk to the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as the possible appointment of James Greenleaf as a commissioner for Washington, D.C. TBA also commented on the assassination of French diplomats at Rastatt (OCHP:William Cranch Papers).

Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody, 19 July 1799 Adams, Abigail Peabody, Elizabeth Smith Shaw
Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody
my dear sister Quincy July 19 1799

I had the pleasure of seeing mr Peabody here, yesterday mor’g he got here the night before, but it was late, and I was gone to Bed, tho I had exceeded my usual Hour before the President arrived. he brought William with him. I think I do not feel my last Summers sickness in any way, so sensible, as by being languid, and wanting my rest at a particular Hour. if I vary much, I lose my sleep—

I have intended every day since my return to have written you, but every day has produced some cares which have retarded me; and the heat oppresses me very much. I had a pleasent Journey & have found myself better ever since. I was so sick last Summer, that I could not see company to dinner, and therefore we made no great dinners, so that I have a double share of that buisness to do. we had one last week and I got through better than I expected— we have an other next week— I am happy to learn the little present to mr Peabody proved acceptable. I lookd when I was at Boston at linnen, but I could not see any under a dollor fit to make up, and that not better than we used to get for 3 & 6—or 4 shillings— William chose to suit himself as in the purchase of a coat & Gown. the Coat I like much but could not fancy his choice for a Gown. We made it up and it does very well. I think he will do better as to linnen at Philadelphia—and as you have been so good as to send him two, he will not want, till then, and if I go, I will endeavour to persuade him to wear cotton in winter.— I think it will be for his Health— his cough has left him, and I think he is better. I would have you try upon abbe the worm wafers.1 they have been used with great effect, and I believe she has still some remaining I want you to come here in sep’br. do not defer your visit to a longer day. the days grow short and the weather cold— If I keep well enough to go to Philadelphia, I design to go the beginning of october—

I know you will rejoice to hear that I have received Letters from Berlin to the middle of May.2 my Children were then well, but mrs A—— continues to meet with one misfortune after an other. she was just recovering from the third— I heard from Thomas at Philadelphia this week; he is going into the Country—about six miles from the 520 city.3 the fever has not got to any Head yet, but I fear it will when the season arrives in which it used to Ravage— in Boston and new york, it is Healthy—

I will procure some stockings for the Boys I could have been almost angry with William—tho so handsomely supplied with Cloaths, do you think he put them on, but went to commencment in those he wore down which be sure, were proper enough for common use but when he had others & with him, to go into so much company—and so drest, it mortified me— but children want consideration— I send my little Neice a Book I did not Read it untill I bought it. there is no harm in it, many usefull lessons—but some which I do not assent to or approve of— I will never consent to have our sex considered in an inferiour point of light. let each planet shine in their own orbit, God and natur designd it so— if man is Lord, woman is Lordess— that is what I contend for—and if a woman does not hold the Reigns of Government, I see no reason for her not judging how they are conducted—

when you read the Book you will easily know the part alluded to—

I am my dear sister with Love and affection ever yours—

A Adams

to miss Palmer a kind Remembrance, and to John whose turn to commencment will be next year—

RC (DLC:Shaw Family Papers); addressed: “Mrs Elizabeth Peabody / Atkinson”; endorsed: “July 19th. 1799”; docketed: “July 1799.”

1.

Perhaps Ching’s Worm Lozenges, patented by John Ching in 1796 as a remedy for worms and offered for sale in Philadelphia briefly in the summer of 1797 before being widely advertised there and in New York beginning in Dec. 1798 (Anthony Morson, Operative Chymist, Atlanta, 1997, p. 55; Philadelphia Gazette, 22 June 1797; Philadelphia Aurora General Advertiser, 13 Dec. 1798; New York Commercial Advertiser, 13 Feb. 1799).

2.

JQA to AA, 7 May, above.

3.

TBA to AA, 6 July, above.