Adams Papers Digital Edition

Papers of John Adams, volume 20

To George Washington

From the Abbés Chalut and Arnoux
From John Adams to Samuel Adams, 12 September 1790 Adams, John Adams, Samuel
To Samuel Adams
Dear Sir New York September 12th 1790

Upon my return from Philadelphia to which beloved City I have been, for the purpose of getting an house to put my head in next Winter1 I had the pleasure of receiving your favour of the Second of this month. The Sight of our old Liberty Hall, and of Several of our old Friends, had brought your venerable Idea to my mind, and continued it there, a great part of the last Week, so that a Letter from you on my Arrival Seem’d but in continuation. I am much obliged to the “confidential friend[”] for writing the short Letter you dictated, and shall beg a continuance of Similar good offices.2

Captain Nathaniel Byfield Lyde, whom I know very well, has my hearty good Wishes. I Shall give your Letter and his to the Secretary of the Treasury, the Duty of whose Department it is to receive and examine all applications of the kind. applications will probably be made, in behalf of the Officers who Served the last War in the Navy, and they will be likely to have the preference to all others: but Captn Lydes Application Shall nevertheless be presented and have a fair Chance.

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My Family as well as myself are I thank God in good health, and as good Spirits as the prospect of a troublesome removal will admit. Mrs Adams desires her particular regards to your Lady and yourself.

What? my old Friend is this World about to become.? Is the Millenium commencing? Are the Kingdoms of it, about to be governed by Reason? your Boston Town Meetings, and our Harvard Colledge have Sett the Universe in motion. Every Thing will be pulled down. So much Seems certain. But what will be built up? Are there any Principles of political Architecture? What are they? Were Voltaire and Rousseau Masters of them? Are their Disciples acquainted with them? Lock taught them Principles of Liberty: but I doubt whether they have not yet to learn the Principles of Government. Will the Struggle in Europe, be any Thing more than a change of Impostors and impositions?

With great Esteem and Sincere affection / I am my dear sir your Friend / and Servant

John Adams.

RC (NN:George Bancroft Coll.); addressed: “His Honour / Samuel Adams Esqr / Lt Governor of the / Massachusetts / Boston”; internal address: “His Honour / Samuel Adams Esqr / Lt Governor of the / Massachusetts.”; endorsed: “Letter from John Adams / to Saml. Adams / dated New York Sepr / 12 1790”; notation: “Free / John Adams.” LbC (Adams Papers); APM Reel 115.

 1.

JA visited Philadelphia in early September. He leased Bush Hill, a mansion located two miles outside the city, which became the Adamses’ home until spring 1791 ( AFC , 9:xii–xiii, 103). For Congress’ relocation, see Descriptive List of Illustrations, No. 8, above.

 2.

Adams wrote on 2 Sept. 1790, recommending Capt. Nathaniel Byfield Lyde to command the Massachusetts revenue cutter. Lyde, who frequently carried letters and goods for JA and AA, also made a direct appeal to the vice president in an undated letter enclosed by Adams (both Adams Papers). JA forwarded Adams’ letter and Lyde’s application to Alexander Hamilton on 27 or 28 September. Lyde did not receive a federal post, and by 4 Dec. John Foster Williams had been named to fill the command (vol. 12:238; AFC , 7:index; Hamilton, Papers , 7:97, 192).