Adams Family Correspondence, volume 10

John Adams to Abigail Adams, 31 March 1794 Adams, John Adams, Abigail

John Adams to Abigail Adams

My dearest friend Senate Chamber March 31. 1794

I have scarcely a moment to acknowledge the Rect of your favour of 22 this instant put into my hand. I rejoice in the Recovery of my dear Mother and hope to see her, but I cannot say how soon.

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We the old Sachems have enough to do to restrain the Ardour of our young Warriors.— We shall Succeed however, I still hope, in preventing any very rash steps from being taken. There is a dishonourable Motion before the House to sequestre or confiscate private Contracts: but it will not pass the House—if it should the senate will stop it.1

Break up as much as you please and sow as much as you think proper. I must leave All to you.— I cannot think of leaving senate yet. I sent you 500 dollars. purchase all the Tools &c that are wanted and stock.2

I am sincerely

J. A

I am grieved at the Dotage of the Lt Govr.. He is mad.

RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “Mrs A.”

On 27 March Rep. Jonathan Dayton of New Jersey proposed resolutions in the House of Representatives to sequester debts owed to British citizens as indemnification for the seizure of vessels by the British Navy and privateers in contravention to U.S. neutrality. Supporters argued that this was an appropriate response to British actions and that the United States had the right to reparations. Opponents, like JA, believed that under the law of nations, private debts should not be subject to reprisals and that such measures would undermine American credit. The resolutions were eventually superseded by other proposals and never formally approved ( Annals of Congress, 3d Cong., 1st sess., p. 535–556).

JA wrote to AA on 27 March sending her this money and “a fresh supply of Grass seeds” (Adams Papers).

John Adams to Abigail Adams, 1 April 1794 Adams, John Adams, Abigail

John Adams to Abigail Adams

My dearest Friend Philadelphia April 1. 1794.

Cheesman has at length arrived and I have recd my Trunk in much better order than I expected.

The People here are much cooler than they were last Week. The Embargo begins to be felt by many who have been the most noisy and turbulent. Speculation mingles itself in every political Operation and many Merchants have already made a noble Spec. of the Embargo by raising their Prices: but the foolish Tradesmen and Labourers who were so ready to follow the heels of their Scheeming Leaders are now out of Employment, and will loose 30 dollars at head by this Embargo. If they had been taxed half the sum to the most necessary and important Measure they would have bitterly complained. I can See little benefit in the Embargo except that it may cool down the Courage of such kind of People. It may be expected that We shall soon have a Clamour against the renewal of it, if not to have it repealed.

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The Assembly of Pensylvania have this day chosen a senator Mr James Ross of Washington County in the Place of Mr Gallatin.1

A violent Measure has been proposed in the House to Sequester all Debts due from American Citizens to British subjects. Such a Motion will do no honour to our Country.— Such Laws are injurious to the Debtor as well as the Creditor, for they cannot annul or dissolve the Contracts. It will not pass the House, and if it did, it would stop in the Senate.

We are rejoiced that the civic Feast in Boston Succeeded no better. It is astonishing that Mr Adams should ever have thought of implicating the Government in so indecent and hostile a frolick.

We have had an incessant Struggle, all Winter to restrain the intemperate Ardour of the People out of Doors and their too accurate Representatives in both Houses. Too many of our good Federalists are carried away at times by their Passions and the popular Torrent, to concur in motions and countenance sentiments, inconsistent with our Neutrality and tending directly to War. But I hope We shall be able to make a stand against all fatal Attempts.

I long to be at home, but I dare not ask leave to go. The Times are too critical for any Man to quit his Post without the most urgent necessity. Ways and Means must be provided to defrey the Expences incurred and I expect this will be put off till May. I Shall be very uneasy through this whole month, but I must take Patience.

I hope Mr Adams of Boston, the Lawyer is full of Business and making his Fortune— I hear so Seldom from him that I must Suppose him busy.

Tel my dear Mother that I hope to have the Pleasure of seeing her in the Month of May. Love to my Brothers & sister & Cousins &c

I am, most tenderly yours

J. A

RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “Mrs A.”; endorsed: “April 1st 1794.”

James Ross (1762–1847), a lawyer in Washington County, Penn., served as a Federalist senator from 1794 to 1803 ( Biog. Dir. Cong. ).