Adams Papers Digital Edition

Papers of John Adams, volume 21

To Thomas Welsh

From Catharine Littlefield Greene
460 John Adams to Oliver Wolcott Sr., 9 March 1796 Adams, John Wolcott, Oliver, Sr.
To Oliver Wolcott Sr.
Sir, United States, In Senate March the 9th. 1796—

The Senate of the United States have requested me to notify your Honor, that the Seat of the Honorable Oliver Ellsworth in the Senate, is vacated by his acceptance of the Office of Chief Justice of the United States; as is stated in the Journals of Senate; an authenticated copy whereof, I have directed to be made out, and herewith transmit for your information, and for that of the Legislature of the State of Connecticut.1

With great and sincere esteem, / I have the honor to be, / Sir, Your Honor’s / most obedient and most hble. Servt.

[. . . .] Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.

RC (CtHi:Oliver Wolcott Sr. Papers); internal address: “His Honor / Oliver Wolcott / Lieut. Governor of the State of / Connecticut. / Litchfield.” Some loss of text where the signature was removed.

 1.

South Carolina politician John Rutledge lobbied George Washington for the post of chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, earning a nomination. The Senate rejected Rutledge based on his strident opposition to the Jay Treaty. Washington next solicited William Cushing, whose refusal cleared a path for Oliver Ellsworth, whom the president nominated on 3 March. The Senate approved his nomination the next day, and Ellsworth served until he retired in 1800 ( AFC , 11:75, 202).