Papers of John Adams, volume 20
I most sincearly Congratulate you on The accession of Rhode Island to the Union. by this event the Chain seems compleat. may our publick deliberations be conducted with that wisdom as shall insure Happiness to this great Nation.
I have just return’d from attending our Genl Assembly, Convened on purpose to Elet Senators and prescribe the mode of
Choosing the Representative. Your Humble Servant was a Candidate for a Senator, but was
not able to obtain; the whole of the Paper Money and Antifederal Intrest being oposed to
him. Theodore Foster Esqr. who is appointed is and has been
Federal. but being Brother in Law to Govr Fenner we fear
will be totally against the Assumption. Joseph Stanton the other Senator is a full
blooded Anti and a strong advocate for paper Money. hope they will both be for promoting
the General good when deteached from their old Connections.1
I have wrote the President of the United State praying him to
appoint my Son Oliver Bowen to the place of Navel Officer
for the District of Providence he is about Twenty two Years of Age has had a Liberal
Education and at present attends an Apothecarys Shop. the U. States owe me nearly Twenty
Thousand Dollars which I lent them in the Years 1776 & 77, which puts it out of my
power to provide for him at present. Theodore Foster Esqr
was the Navel Officer. by his appointment as a Senator it will become vacant. if you
will be so kind as just to second my application to the President shall esteem my self
under many Obligations to you therefor.2
I Remain with sentiments of the / highest Esteeme your Excellencys / most Obedient Humb. Servant
P.S. The Bill which originated in the Senate for stopping
intercourse with Rd Island & the demand for 27.
thousand Dollars. were the procuring Causes of the Adoption of the Constitution.3
RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “Honble
Excellency John Adams”; endorsed: “Jabez Bowen / 14. June. 1790.”
Antifederalist Arthur Fenner (1745–1805) was the clerk of the
Providence Court of Common Pleas. The Rhode Island legislature elected him governor on
5 May, and he served until his death (
AFC
, 14:299;
DAB
). For the election
of Rhode Island’s members of Congress, see Henry Marchant’s letter of 29 May, and note 2, above.
Bowen had written to George Washington a day earlier, soliciting
a post for his son Oliver (1767–1804), Brown University 1788, but he was unsuccessful
(Washington, Papers, Presidential Series
, 5:516, 517).
For the Rhode Island trade bill, see JA’s 19 May letter to William Ellery, and note 2, above.