Papers of John Adams, volume 20
Your friendly answer to the letter, which I took the liberty of
addressing to you in favor of Colo. Heath, has increased the
attachment, which your civility to me in 1775, and your public conduct 87 since, first produced My application in that gentleman’s behalf being founded on a
conviction of his worth, I conceived, that it might not be improper to make that worth
known to all those, who might eventually decide on his pretensions.1
I am almost unable to inform you, where my uncle, Mr. Jenings, is, or how he is employed.2 I have not received a letter from him for five
months; and indeed he communicates so little concerning himself, that, notwithstanding
his affectionate letters, he is almost a perfect stranger to me. Among the few
particulars, however, which have fallen from his pen, respecting himself, his esteem and
veneration for you have been the most considerable. In both I beg leave to assure you,
that I cordially concur, and that I always am, / Dear sir, / your obliged and obt. serv
RC (Adams Papers).
Randolph last wrote to JA on 12 Feb. (Adams Papers), recommending retired
Maj. Gen. William Heath (1737–1814), of Roxbury, for a federal post. JA
replied on 25 May, instructing Randolph to apply to George Washington
(LbC, APM Reel 115).
Heath had been soundly defeated in the election for Massachusetts lieutenant governor
two years earlier. While JA thought highly of his military service, he
observed in 1776 that “Heath unfortunately has not a Reputation, equal to his Merit.”
Heath did not receive an appointment in the Washington administration (vol. 4:444;
AFC
, 8:99).
Edmund Jenings, who frequently dined with JA in
London, lived near Kensington Square and engaged in scholarly pursuits until his death
on 27 July 1819 (vol. 19:144;
Virginius Cornick Hall Jr., comp., Portraits in the Collection
of the Virginia Historical Society, Charlottesville, Va., 1981, p. 128).