Papers of John Adams, volume 21
t
thOctober 1793
Your having honoured me with your kind attention on
several Occasions during our strugles with Great Britain, and since that
period by Your friendship to my Brother John in Boston I am now emboldened
to take the liberty of intreducing to your Excellency the Bearer my Br James Montgomery of Philadelphia an
experienced Officer in the Marine service of the United States—1 Whose only Wish is to be able to
contribute further to the Honour & prosperity of the Country His
knowledge in tactices & of the Mediterranean Justly entitles him to
Stand Candidate for the command of any Squadron that may be sent Out against
the Algerins, & hopes will meet your Excellency protaction therein—
Permit me Sir to embrace this Oppertunity of returning you my best thanks for your patronage in Obtaining my Commission for Consul of the United States on this Coast in Which you may depend on my best exertions to do honour to your recommendations / being With every sincere respect / Sir / Your Excellency Most Obt / and Most Humble Servt
tMontgomery
Dupl (Adams Papers); internal address: “His
Excelly John Adams Esqr / Vice President of
the U:S.”
Irish-born James Montgomery (ca. 1747–1810) served in
the Continental Navy and commanded the Pennsylvania revenue cutter from
1790 to 1795 (Washington, Papers, Presidential Series
,
6:479; 17:645–646). For the Montgomery brothers’ various patronage
requests, see vol. 20:93.