Papers of John Adams, volume 19
tdApril 1789.
Permit me to join the Citizens of America in heart felt Congratulations on your Excellencys appointment to the Vice Presidency of the United States
May every blessing await you Sir in that, and all other important stations, you may be engaged in for the salvation of your Country.—
It is now about 11 years since I had the honor of seeing you in Philadelphia, and then as an inmate in my family— from your kind, and never to be forgotten friendship in interresting yourself unsollicited to procure me an Office under the Honorable Congress which I unfortunately was deprived from executeing by the removal with my family into the Country at the Battle of Brandywine, demands my warmest thanks.—1
Owing to my being a very great sufferer by the recent failure of a Mercantile House in Philadelphia and to comply with the friendly solicitude of my relations here, and at Haverhill, I have again returned with my family to my native City.— from whence for the first time I have to crave your forgiveness Sir in calling your attention for a single moment from great and important National matters to the concernes of an individual.—
I am so curcumstanced now,—the influence of that kindness you was then pleased to exert might be exceedingly beneficial to me and my family (who you once honored with your notice) at this time.—
I would beg leave to mention that haveing served a regular apprentiship to an eminent Mercht. in Boston and haveing for upwards of 20 years, been in trade (except dureing the war) I hope it may not be deemed arrogance in me in saying I am perfectly well acquainted with figures and Accounts.—
Any attention your Excellency may please to pay to this request, shall ever be held in gratefull remembrance by— / Your Excellency’s Obedt. Servant
RC (Adams Papers).
JA boarded with Capt. Robert Duncan, formerly of Boston, at his Walnut Street home in Philadelphia from 14 March to 12 Sept. 1777 (JA, D&A
, 2:257). Still seeking a federal post, Duncan wrote again to JA on 28 May 1789 and enclosed a 21 May letter of recommendation from James Lovell (both Adams Papers). JA replied on 4 June, explaining, “It is difficult to say any thing in Answer to either of these Letters, because it is yet undetermined what Employments there will be & who will have the disposal of them— The President alone must judge in the first instance of the merits and Qualifications of
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every Candidate for any of the most important Offices; and to him therefore all applications must be made—” (LbC, APM Reel 115). There is no indication that Duncan pursued the matter further, or that he received a post.
Lorsque nous nous Sommes quittés, Jeme Suis dit qu’il ne falloit pas penser a vous Ecrire parce que, quand on parle tout Seul, c’est le diable qui repond. Je ne Sai Sil Soccupera de cette lettre cy, J’en veux bien courir les risques, J’attens de vous moins de reponse que Jamaiz; mais Je ne puis me refuser la Satisfaction de vous parler de votre nouvelle dignite dont la nouvelle m’a fait un plaisir Extreme. Vous avez recu, My dear friend, Une marque eclatante de l’estime que tout un grand continent a pour vous; ce n’est pas une bagatelle de Ville ou de Province. Je crois Savoir tres bien qu’il ne pouvoit pas mieux faire, mais il y a de la presomption a le dire. Je me tais donc, En vous repetant que personne dans l’univers n’a pris plus de part que moy a cet Evenement.
Je vous prie de le dire a Madame Adams etc de lassurer de mon respect. Voicy une lettre pour Monsieur Smith,1 Je Suis bien aise de profiter de cette occasion cy pour me rappeller dans lhonneur de Son Souvenir Et celui de madame votre fille. J’ignore Son adresse.
M Et Me de la Vauguyon me chargent de vous dire mille choses de leur part Ils Sont dans ce moment icy tous les deux Et vont marier leur fils, fort bien.2
M Jefferson vous dira que nous Sommes icy Sens dessus dessous, nous y Serons Encore bien plus quand Il nous reviendra3
Adieu my dear friend. Vous me trouverez peut Etre bien familier quand Je devrois ne vous parler que Par Excellence mais ce Stile ne Saccorde pas avec lamitie Sincere Et lattachement qu’aura pour vous toute Sa vie
After we said goodbye, I told myself it was best not to write to you because when one speaks alone, it is the devil who replies. I do not know if he will busy himself with this letter; I will happily take my chances. I expect a reply from you less than ever, but I cannot refuse myself the satisfaction of speaking to you about your new office, the news of which greatly pleased me. You have received, my dear friend, a glorious token of the
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esteem in which an entire continent holds you; not some triviality of a city or province. I have faith that it could do no better, but there is some presumption in saying it. I will be silent, then, repeating all the while that no one in the universe has taken a greater part than me in this event.
I ask you to relay this to Mrs. Adams, and to assure her of my respect. Here is a letter for Mr. Smith.1 I am quite happy to take advantage of this occasion to recall the memory I have of him and madam, your daughter. I do not know his address.
Mr. and Mrs. de La Vauguyon insist that I tell you a thousand things from their end. They are both here now and will marry off their son very advantageously. 2
Mr. Jefferson will tell you that we are all topsy-turvy here. We shall be all the more when he returns to us.3
Adieu my dear friend. Perhaps you will find me quite familiar when I ought only to speak to you as Excellency, but that style does not go well with the sincere friendship and devotion to you that yours truly will have all his life
RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “His Excellency J Adams Esq.”
Not found.
That is, JA’s friend Paul Francois de Quelen de Stuer de Causade, Duc de La Vauguyon, former French ambassador to the Netherlands and to Spain, and his wife, Marie Antoinette Rosalie de Pons de Roquefort, Duchesse de La Vauguyon. Their eldest son, Paul Antoine, married Florence Constance de Rochechouart-Faudoas on 14 Sept. (vols. 16:Journal de Paris, 16 Sept. 1789).
Thomas Jefferson’s most recent letter to JA was of 14 Jan., above, and he wrote only one additional letter to JA in 1789, on 10 May, below. Throughout April, Jefferson wrapped up his personal and financial affairs, daily anticipating a formal recall to the United States, but he did not depart Paris until 26 Sept. (
Jefferson’s Memorandum Books
, 1:730, 743).