Adams Family Correspondence, volume 14
d:February 1801.
Your favors of the 24th:
& 27th: ulto:
are duly received. It seems not to be understood here, whether the
proceedings, in Senate, relative to the Convention, are conclusive, as to
the fate of that instrument, or whether, under any pretext, the discussion
can be revived upon it. I am, myself, unable to solve the question, though I
have some idea, that the rejection of the particular, modified, form of
ratification, which has been passed upon, is not a final rejection of the
Convention—
Manlius has finished his “examination,” which is the most
elaborate of any I have seen on the subject. There was very little of the
Spirit of candor discoverable in his strictures, nor did his consultation of
the Jurists appear so faithful, as it should have been, had it been the wish
of the writer, to create a correct opinion, in the public mind, as to the
merits & demerits of the Convention. He has written too much (in other
words) like an antagonist, and not enough like an unbiassed Civilian. I took
up the cudgels in reply to his N o 8, and gave to the public, the
extracts I had made & sent to you. I enclose the last number, which is a
recapitulation of the preceding Series—1 I think my friend, much too rapid
in his strictures to be correct, and he takes for granted, that conviction
must necessarily follow the perusal of his arguments. I can now take the
liberty to mention, that Mr: Charles Hare has
confessed himself to me, to be the author of the Speculations under the
Signature of Manlius—
I rejoice, that Such a flattering compliment has been
paid to the talents, the zeal & the correct principles of Mr: L. H. Stockton— Nothing could have been more
grateful to me than this honorable notice of so deserving a character, but I
thought there was incompatibility, between the Office to which he was
nominated, and the 554 habits
of life, professional pursuits, and personal qualifications of the man. Like
Mr: Dexter, he might say—“I am about as well
qualified for this Office, as my grandmother.” Considered as a compliment,
it will be very acceptable to Mr: Stockton &
his family connections. I hear he declines the honor.
Mr: Ingersoll will be at
Washington shortly— He will give in his resignation as District Atty and I am confident the appointment of Mr: William Tilghman would be agreeable to him,
as a Successor. Should the Judiciary Bill pass, there is a gentleman whom I
would venture to recommend, above all others, as a Judge for the Western
Pennsylvania District; his name is Thomas Dunkin or Duncan of Carlisle in
the County of Cumberland—2 In
point of professional character, respectability in private life—integrity
and independence of heart and amplitude of fortune—he is surpassed by no man
in this State. Mr: Ingersoll is his friend &
intimate acquaintance, & to him I refer for further information. I have
been thus strenuous in recommending this Gentleman because I have understood
there are other applicants, less
deserving.
I am, dear Sir, affectionately your Son
RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “The President of the U.S.”
Manlius’ eighth essay, published in the Philadelphia
American Daily Advertiser, 24 Jan.,
criticized Art. 24 of the Convention of 1800, which allowed U.S. and
French ships to enter each other’s ports without paying duties. Manlius
alleged the article violated the Jay Treaty. TBA responded
as Fabius in the American Daily Advertiser,
26 Jan. 1801, offering a legal interpretation of the convention that
mirrored his recent discussions with JA. TBA
called on Manlius and his readers to support the convention: “It is time
that the prerogatives of the constituted authorities should be
respected, and that an unreasonable jealousy should be suppressed, which
would prevent any future usurpation, on the part of the populace, of
powers which they have delegated to abler heads.” Manlius’ final essay
was published in the American Daily
Advertiser, 28 Jan., and included no mention of
TBA’s response.
Thomas Duncan (1760–1827) was a Pennsylvania lawyer
and native of Carlisle. On 3 March JA nominated him to be
attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and the Senate
confirmed the appointment the same day (Katherine Duncan Smith, The Story of Thomas Duncan and His Six
Sons, N.Y., 1928, p. 42; U.S. Senate, Exec. Jour.
, 6th Cong., 2d sess., p. 390).
ry1801
The Roads and Weather prevent my leaving this place this
day as I had designd; mrs cushing and otis advise me to take lodgings at mr
Staell’s in 3d street, Your former lodgings— I
shall want a chamber with two Beds and one Bed for a Man servant; I always
chuse to have my Maid and susan sleep in the Room with me. She has got the
hooping cough. I hope the worst part of it is over.
when I get to Quincy I can furnish the Letters you
request, but have them not here; I inclose to you the Subscription Money for
the port folio. I do not however approve all that I see in it; I knew Fabius
the Moment I read him in replie to Manlius— I do not expect to get to
Philadelphia untill next Week. mr shaw Will advertize you when I leave here—
as I have no hand in the approaching election, if it should go contrary to
the Wishes of the united Paddies, I hope they will not make a Riot whilst I
am in your city at least; I am as perfectly at a loss to conjecture which of
the candidates will be the chosen one, as I was the day it was first known
that there were two equals
is it not Jaffer in Venice Preserved who says “oh what dreadfull moments intervene between the Birth of plots, and their last active scene?—[”]1
I fancy our Presidents Elect feel Some of these moments.
the vice President made me a friendly visit yesterday in order to take leave
and wish me a good journey. it was more than I expected. I thought I would
Say Some things to him, provided he was, or Might be, so & so respecting
the house, and furniture &c he say’d—as I had mentiond the subject;
should he have any thing to do in the buisness, he would be very happy to
retain all domesticks that I could recommend,2 beged me to be assured nothing
would so much contribute to his happiness as to be able in any Way to be
Serviceable to mr Adams myself or any of My
Family— I thanked him, inquired particuliarly after mr J Q A—whether he
liked his residence at Berlin &c he never sees me but he inquires with
affection after him. I told him frankly, that I expected mr Adams would
return to America. I did not tell him I had just read the Secretary’s Letter
of leave of absence which was true—3
adieu company below. I must close
Your Mother
RC (Adams Papers).
A conflation of Thomas Otway’s Venice Preserved and Joseph Addison, Cato, Act I, scene iii, lines 53–54.
Thomas Jefferson retained three servants from the Adamses’ presidential household: the “vallient” Christopher, Jack, and their groom (William Cranch to JA, 13 June 1801, Adams Papers; AA to TBA, 12 Oct. 1800, above).
On 31 Jan. 1801 JA requested John
Marshall to prepare letters recalling JQA from his mission
to Prussia. Although JA felt that “justice” required
JQA to be sent to another post in Europe, he believed
it was his “duty to call him home.” Marshall complied with the
president’s request, drafting letters to Frederick William III of 31
Jan. (Adams Papers)
and to JQA of 3 Feb., in which the secretary of state
informed JQA that “the objects of your mission to Berlin
having been entirely accomplished,” he should take leave of the king and
return immediately to the United States. The letters and several
Dupl’s sent by 556
various routes were first received by JQA on 26 April. Two
days later JQA replied to Secretary of State James Madison
that he had requested an audience with Frederick William III to present
his letter of recall and would depart Prussia as soon as his personal
circumstances allowed. The Adamses left Berlin in July and arrived in
the United States in early September (Marshall, Papers
, 6:61, 67; Madison, Papers,
Secretary of State Series
, 1:124;
D/JQA/24, 8 July, 4 Sept., APM Reel 27).