when I had the pleasure of conversing with you at Boston I took the freedom to recommend Mr. William Pickman of Salem for some place in the revenue Department at Salem—1 you was kind enough to suggest the Propriety of putting a recommendation in writing, where the Person is a Stranger— The Observation immediately struck me as perfectly just— He that recommends another ought to do it in that manner, that if any blame be cast on any body, it shou’d fall on the Person who sollicited the appointment, & not on him by whose kind influence it was obtained—

Mr. Pickmans pretensions are briefly these—he is a Son of one of the most respectable families in the county of Essex—has had a liberal Education is a representative for the town of Salem—in the course of the war, he was a Friend to his country’s cause, was largely concerned in Privateering which his Patrimony enabled him to engage in, but that interest was nearly destroy’d in the Penobscut expedition, which with other misfortunes in navigation has almost annihilated his interest—in private life his caracter is amiable, his integrity, I believe, is unspotted—his Friends, I believe, will be Sureties for his good conduct, to any amount, & their ability will be undoubted— I believe Mr. Wingate of the Senate & mr. Goodhue, who are intimately acquainted with him, will confirm this caracter— as desirous as I am that he may obtain some public employment, Yet I don’t so far forget my country as to wish that he may be employed to the exclusion of any one, who will serve it better— his employment has been wholly in the mercantile line—

Having been perhaps too tedious on this subject, permit me to suggest whether it is not expedient that congress pass some law, immediately, directing when & where the several Officers civil & Judicial should take the Oath, required by the form of Government, to support the constitution—

I conceive our Legislature have done wisely in not meddling with it,— if the several states shou’d undertake to prescribe the form, time & place for taking it, we shou’d perhaps have different forms, & probably substances, as well as times & places, & in some States 430 the Oath not taken at all— what led me to think of this matter is that it is our Duty to take that Oath & we don’t know before whom to do it— it is to be wished that we may set out pretty strong in our new Governmt. perhaps that might add some Strength to it, ’thô I have not charity enough to expect a great deal from it— The Judicial arrangemt. thrô the states is a matter of great delicacy but we feel ourselves very happy that we have a person engaged who is so very competent to that Business— perhaps nothing will disturb the New-England people more than to make their litigations lengthy & expensive which will be the case unless your courts are ambulatory

nothing in my view of things tends more to Strengthen Government in the extream Parts, than sometimes to have a court come among them—

perhaps the want of this may be one reason among many, why large & extensive Governments have not been so quiet & happy as smaller ones.—

Juries, Courts, & revenues are objects with the People of much solicitude if those matters are once so settled as to give tolerable satisfaction to them, we think the Herculean Task will be nearly over— Government will be strong & find a vigorous support— The People in general appear to be very well disposed, & I wish their expectations may not be too sanguine— There is danger of that & some evil disposed persons, who fare best in turbulent seasons, will embrace every opportunity to blow up their chagrine into a flame—

If I thought myself capable of throwing out any hints respecting those important matters that might be of any real Service shou’d do it with the greatest chearfulness, but I believe my Brother Sewall in his letters to Brother Strong has said every thing that I cou’d say— and said it better into the bargain—2

you was pleased to suggest to me that we were in great danger as a community, that things were not right, that we were afraid to speak out our minds freely—shall take it as a great favour if you wou’d inform what is your Idea of our danger & what can be our Remedy— I never supposed we were near right, but have quieted and flattered myself with a notion that we were getting right as fast as cou’d be expected from human nature constituted as it is— I don’t flatter myself with an Idea of living to see much improvement in our Governement but if I knew what cou’d be done, shou’d wish to have some hand in engaging People to begin those improvements—for I wish to see America the Glory of all lands—

Till I last saw you I had no Idea that despondency made up any part 431 of your constitution— sure I am, from what you have gone ’thrô, it must have been a very troublesome companion if you had it— my constitution is so sanguine, that I can’t believe, as you prophesied, that your station wou’d get you a Crown of Thorns. your Country, I believe are so perfectly satisfied, that you would never feel a prick from a Single Thorn in that crown if they could help it—

Hope you will excuse me for detaining you so long from your more important concerns & believe me to be, with the highest respect / and esteem, Dear Sr., your most / obedient Humble servant—

In Examining the Debates in the Lower House of Congress I find Melasses mentioned as Charged with a Duty on Importation of six Cents. which sum in my opinion is much to high.

Before the Revolution I was largely concern’d in Navigation, at which time Melasses paid a Duty of 3d pr Gallon, but it was found impossible with all the British severity with Americans that knew 432 the whole Business of Running for waiters &c to Collect the Duties. and the Dealers in it could generally compound for about one Dollar pr Hhd.

you are sensible Sir that Melasses is a Raw material in respect to the Numerous Distilleries of New England. if it is the intention of Congress to Discourage that Branch of Manufactury they may continue the 6 Cents on as the Duty if not it must be lowerd to 2. The Demand for our Rum will always continue on the Coast of Africa. a sensible Chief that had been Educated in England observed to one of our Captains when on the Coast that Northen Rum was the Madeira Wine of Africa. other spirits left them with the head ake &c. this always in high Spirits after a Frolick. large quantities have been carrid round the Cape of Good hope. and the Balltick has lately opened a New markett. &c, when it is also considerd that Melasses is used with us in N-England as a Necessary of Life by the midling and poorer Classes it will be found to give Universal dissatisfaction, and will have a verry great tendancy to alienate the affections of our hardy Yeomany from the New Government, which I wish may be put in motion in so gentle a manner that the most Violent opposers shall not be able to find fault with, I am afraid it will have a verry unfavourable effect in the politicks of this State in particular as we Import more Melasses that any other Massachusetts Excepted, you doubtless will hear from some of your Boston Salem & Newbury Friends on the Subject.

The Collection of a Revenue in all Governments seems to be the most nice and Critical part of it, and except it be done in such a manner as will give tolerable satisfaction, the end of Society will not be answered—and if we consider the oposition that has been made to the Federal Constitution—and the many Prophetick sayings of the Antis, I hope & Trust that every step will be taken to Conciliate the People. yet so as to have a good Government, by which Life Liberty & Property will be secured and Defended.

I am sensible that it will be observed that their is a great difference between paying a Duty to support a Free Government which protects and defends our persons & properties and paying money to be spent by Luxurious Revenue Officers appointed from a far Country &c. but all this will not make it politick to keep the Duty too high. I dont see any clause in the Debats for a Debenture on Exporting the Rum out of the States. if one is not allowed West India Rum will be soald at foreign marketts Cheaper to ours can.

The Artilce of Teas will bare to be raised verry considerably to make 433 up for lowering the Duty on Melasses Before the Revolution our Bohea Tea1 Cost us about 4/10 pr lb. our Green 28/. we now Buye the Bohea at 2/3 and the Green at 14/. indeed Bohea Tea is so Cheap that the Country people hardly think it reputable to Purchase or use it.

I hope it will be in the power of Congress to give our General Assembly a Remonstrance on their obstinately refusing to comply with the Recommendations of the Convention & Congress &c. The Assembly will be together only one Week.

I hope and Trust your Excellency will excuse my troubling you with this long Epistle. I can only say it is intended for the good of a Country That I have Risqued my all to Defend and protect. and I doubt not we shall be carrid to an Exalted pitch of Glory & Fame. with Every sentiment of Esteem I Remain Your Excellency Most Obedt. & verry Humb. servt.