With the most timid respect do I address Mrs: Adams on a subject so interesting to me that I tremble while I write from a doubt of the propriety of the step, however solicitude for an affectionate Husband and our young family outweighs my scuples and prompts me to the measure. I must therefore rely upon the noble generosity of a character I have known and revered from my infancy, to pardon any impropriety there may be in requesting she will honor me so much as to aid with her influence an application which Mr. Lee has made to the President of the United States for the Consulate of Bourdeaux. Letters of recommendation which have been deposited in the Office of the Secretary of State for upwards of two Years, will show he has some pretensions— they are testimonials from some a number of our worthiest Patriots which procured at the time they were lodged there such encouragement from Mr Pickering as induced Mr. Lee to wait the event of the pending negotiation with France.1 the prospect of the favorable termination of the Mission has brought forward other and new Candidates it is from the Apprehension that the length of time which has elapsed since Mr Lee’s application may have in a degree effaced the impression made in his favor by the recommendation of his friends, with a hint we have received that should he be thought of the Arts of the Hamiltonian faction (a Member of which has lately been elected Senator from this State) will be used to prevent his Nomination, in order to assist some favorites of their own;2 has induced me to endeavor to obtain by this Method that which has become of much importance to the 488 future comfort of our family, and has for two Years past been the sole Object of our pursuit.—

Should our great and good President find it indispensible otherwise to dispose of the Consulate of Bourdeaux by the honour of Mrs. Adams patronage this fact will be so fully evinced as greatly to Mitigate the pain of the disappointment.

Requesting Mrs. Adams will have the goodness to suffer me to plead a Mothers anxiety as an apology for thus intruding on her time—I have the honour to be with the most profound respect her most devoted Servant

I have recd this Evening yours of the 14th.— My little bark has been oversett in a Stor Squal of Thunder and Lightening and hail attended with a Strong Smell of Sulphur. Nothing remains for me, but to indulge that Vanity which I have found out lately is considered as the predominant feature in my Character, by Singing the Song of Horace

The Soothing considerations Suggested by you, my dear Son for the consolation of your Father, endear you to me more than ever. Indeed every Letter I receive from you increases my Esteem for your Character, for Understanding Discretion and benevolence. Be not concerned for me. I feel my Shoulders relieved from a Burthen. The Short remainder of my days will be the happiest of my Life. For my Children I consider my Retirement as a favor. They will now have fair play. They never had an equal Chance with their Comrades and never would have had, if I had continued in office. This is my Solid opinion with regard to your Brother, yourself, and your Sister. I shall write you more respecting your Brother, hereafter.

Pray Mr Ingersol to Suspend his Determination at least untill the third of March. The System will not be changed till then. I may possibly have Some Message to Send by you to that worthy Gentleman before March. The Law will be the Law under a new Administration as well as under the old, and the Professors of it, while they Adhere to that, will do well.

Your Mother and Louisa are gone to Mount Vernon. They went off, to day, after Dinner, intending to rest this night at Alexandria. Will return the day after tomorrow.

The melancholly decease of your Brother is an Affliction of a more serious nature to this Family than any other. Oh! that I had died for him if that would [have relieved him from his faults as well as his disease]

I am, my dear Child your affectionate Father