Papers of John Adams, volume 5

From Barnabas Deane

From James Lovell

From James Lovell, 10 February 1778 Lovell, James JA

1778-02-10

From James Lovell, 10 February 1778 Lovell, James Adams, John
From James Lovell
My dear Sir Feb 10th. 1778

The week after Mr. C—— was appointed secretary,1 I saw the P.S. of a letter to Mr. S.A. in which he is said to be a very unworthy person, but he has so good a Character in the estimation of Congress and from Maryland Gentlemen, that I did not think proper to move for a power of Suspension to be given to the Commissioners, as I find it is the opinion of some here that the secretary should be independent.

I hope you will either give me your opinion before you go or write very early upon having conversed with Dr. Fr. and Mr. Lee.

I did not know whether the Commercial Committee had forwarded to you the Resolve of yesterday, therefore I send it on the other page.2 We are most horridly spunged3 by Mr. Le Balme and others who resigning their Commissions apply in forma pauperis or on pretences of a variety of kinds.4 I do not think it will do to make the Resolve hinted at by Dr. F. to me “that the Commissioners should be directed not to give even a letter of civil Introduction to any Foreigner,”5 but such letters are pleaded as a sort of implied Convention. Avoid them. Affectionately Yours

JL

RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “Honble John Adams Esqr.”; docketed by CFA: “Lovell J. Feby 10th 1778.”

1.

On William Carmichael, see Lovell to JA, 22 Nov. 1777, note 1 (above).

2.

A resolve empowering and directing the American commissioners to appoint commercial agents in France and elsewhere in Europe.

3.

Robbed ( OED ).

4.

On 13 Feb. the congress voted to pay La Balme $910 to settle all his claims and to inform him that his services were no longer required ( JCC , 10:157).

5.

See Lovell to JA, post 17 Dec. 1777, note 6 (above).