Adams Family Correspondence, volume 13
th1798
As the vessel by which I have already written to you, did not sail yesterday, I can now inform you that the Bill for the protection of our commerce past yesterday in the House of Rep’s 50 to 40—1 it impowers our vessels of war to capture, and bring in all French cruizers and Privateers which shall be found hovering upon our Coast.— it will pass into a Law tomorrow.
We are still in the dark why our Envoys remain in Paris— we have
reason to believe that they were there as late as the 8th of
April, tho the Government is without any dispatches
of later date than those, which I have Sent you by this opportunity
I inclose the latest paper to you. Mr dayton the speeker of the
House of Rep’s, has been through the whole of this session as firm & steady as a
Rock. This state appears to have had an astonishing Change of sentiment. it is in the
City, more united in sentiment than Nyork2
The Levingstone aristocracy dominers there, tho according to there Education, and there means of dissipation & allurements they are apt scholors of the Orlean Faction. an insatiable Ambition devours the Chancellor. To see mr Jay stand higher in the publick estimation, and Elected Chief over him; fills him with the same sensations, which Milton puts into the mouth of the Arch fiend. “Better 59 to Reign in hell, than serve in Heaven.”3 If you wish to order your Books to America, and think it safe, I will find a shelter for them. most affectionatly Your / Mother
Ps To mrs Adams Love & to Thomas—
RC (Adams Papers).
AA had written to JQA the previous day,
noting the continuing flood of addresses in support of the president and government as
well as the ongoing attempts in the House of Representatives to block defensive
measures. She also recommended that JQA read John Robison’s Proofs of a Conspiracy Against All the Religions and Governments
of Europe. She wrote again to JQA on 29 May reporting the success
of convoys in protecting American vessels (both Adams Papers). Her letters of 26, 27, and 29 May
were likely all carried by the brig Peter, Capt. Hansen,
which sailed from Philadelphia on the 29th and arrived in Hamburg on 7 July
(Philadelphia American Daily Advertiser, 29 May;
Philadelphia Porcupine’s Gazette, 5 Oct.). For the law
authorizing the protection of American commerce and U.S. coasts, see AA to Cotton Tufts, 25 May, and
note 2, above.
The enclosure has not been found but was likely the Philadelphia
Gazette of the United States, 26 May, reporting on the
10 May debates over the provisional army during which Jonathan Dayton gave a lengthy
defense of the bill. He argued the opposition was promoting “Weakness and Submission”
as a new American motto and dishonoring the legacy of the Revolutionary War. Dayton
called on other members “to make their stand” and to defend the bill “inch by inch.”
The newspaper also printed two articles condemning Albert Gallatin for his opposition
to the administration and published a number of supportive addresses to
JA.
Milton, Paradise Lost, Book 1, line
263.
th.1798.
In my letter of the 27th. of last
Decr: I took the liberty thrô you to recommend my friend
Major John Hobby of Portland to some appointment in the stamp department of the revenue
but I find that business has been annexed to an existing office. I have now to solicit
for him one which probably will take place soon, I mean that of a purchasing &
issuing commissary for the troops which are to be stationed at Portland & elsewhere
in the District of Maine.1
I shall enclose you a recommendatory letter from Genl: Knox to the Secretary at War, with whom I have no
acquaintance to my knowledge, which I pray you to send to him. Of the character of the
Officer mentioned in it nothing need to be added by me: but it is proper to say Genl: Knox has misconceived his wishes in supposing him to be
desirous of an appointment of a Field Officer of Infantry with a prospect of promotion.
This he does not incline to accept, being during our revolutionary war constantly
employed in the Artillery Corps, and in the Laboratory; with which he feels himself well
60 acquainted. He supposed a body of Artillerists
wou’d be stationed, principally in Boston, under the command of a Majr: or Lt: Colo: Commandant, whose command wou’d be extended over the posts
in the other sea-ports of this State, or at least the neighbouring ones. This was the
appointment he wished to obtain, or if such an one shou’d not be made, but a Laboratory
shou’d be established there, or in the vicinity, or a commissorial department for
purchasing & issuing for the troops stationed for the defence of our Sea Coast, an
appointment in either of these departments, thô he wou’d prefer the first, he wou’d
willingly accept of— Madam, I will not again trouble you with applications of this
nature, they being exceedingly disagreable to my disposition: but I shall positively
decline ever making one, for any friend who shall apply for such purpose.
Suffer me to suggest to you, one matter not of the least
consequence to the public interest. I mean that of displacing forthwith every officer of
the United States, who in this crisis of affairs, shall refuse to come forward in
support of our national Government. I have a particular reference to some in Portsmouth,
whose dismission, I may venture to say, is in a sort demanded by the public voice, and
whose continuance in office has become exceedingly disagreable to the firm friends of
our Country. Their names & offices have been published in our Newspapers, otherwise
I shou’d not have been particular in my suggestion.—2 I view our public affairs in too serious a
light to admit of an indecisive line of conduct in our Administration. They will now
find their measures supported almost universally. This therefore is the moment for
Action, as well as Deliberation, and if not improved may be the cause of discouragement
of the present active friends of Government. In my opinion, it is impossible to stand on
better ground. I know who does not want the disposition to do all that is necessary or
expedient for freeing our Country from foreign influence & a vile domestic faction
more hateful because more wicked than all our foreign enemies, if possible.
I am with the greatest respect / Madam your obedt. hbl: Servant
RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “Madam Adams”; internal address: “Madam Adams”; endorsed: “Judge Dana 27th / May 1798.”
Dana’s letter requesting patronage for Capt. John Hobby has not
been found. Hobby (ca. 1750–1802), who had served as the federal marshal for the
district of Maine since 1793, was reappointed to the post in Jan. 1798 but did not
receive any further nominations from JA. He continued as marshal until
March 1799 but was later imprisoned for retaining monies belonging to the United
States while holding the position 61 (Washington, Papers, Presidential Series
, 12:195–196; Jefferson, Papers
,
33:375–377).
On 15 May 1798 Josiah Parker of Virginia asked the House of
Representatives to consider a declaration by Capt. Bernard Magnien and Lt. John
Brookes and their corps of grenadiers at Portsmouth, Va. The declaration stated that
the signers “view with extreme concern the attempts that are evidently making by men
high in authority, to widen the breach between the United States and the French
Republic.” While they pledged to fight if the country was invaded, they lamented that
the nation’s highest officials “strive to involve us all in the calamities of a war
with the most powerful Republic on earth.” After an extended debate, which centered on
whether the address was meant as a slight to JA, the House voted 46 to 43
to refer the matter to the Committee of the Whole. The address was printed in the
Boston Independent Chronicle, 21–24 May (
Annals of
Congress
, 5th Cong., 2d sess., p. 1707–1724).