Papers of John Adams, volume 20

From John Adams to Samuel Barrett, 11 June 1789 Adams, John Barrett, Samuel

To Samuel Barrett

Dear Sir New York June 11th 1789—

I have received the letter you did me the honour to write me on the first of this month with its inclosures: The Letter to The President is conceived with propriety & expressed with decency. As the 18 Investigation of the Characters, Services, Qualifications, and all other pretensions of every Candidate for public employment, is constitutionally, in the President in the first Instance; General Knox’s Advice to you was very proper, and I know of no other Course you can pursue.1 As the Journals & debates of the House are regularly published you will have early information of all the Offices which may be created & will have opportunity to accomodate your application to the Circumstances as they rise—2

It would be to me at all times a pleasing Employment, if I had it in my Power, to contribute to the happiness of a deserving Man & a virtuous Family; but in this buisness is out of my sphere, I can do no more than relate the truth as far I may know it, whenever I may be interrogated concerning Facts—

I am Sir with much Esteem / Your most Obedt & humble Servant

John Adams—

LbC (Adams Papers); internal address: “The Honourable Saml Barrett Esqre— / Boston—”; APM Reel 115.

Frequently, JA replied to the flood of patronage requests much as he did here, reiterating the Constitution’s stipulation that such nominations were a presidential power alone.

Throughout the summer, American newspapers printed the full text of the judiciary bill, which included provisions for the appointment of clerks; see, for example, the Boston Gazette, 29 June; Pennsylvania Packet, 29 June. John Beckley, clerk of the House, and Samuel Allyne Otis, secretary of the Senate, contracted with private printers to publish journals that appeared at the opening of each congressional session (vol. 19:478; First Fed. Cong. , 1:x, 2:vii, 3:xiv).

From John Adams to James Bowdoin, 11 June 1789 Adams, John Bowdoin, James

To James Bowdoin

Dear Sir New York June 11. 1789

I have recieved the Letter you did me, the honour to write me, on the 30. of May: but have not yet had an opportunity to See Mr Boid.1

Whenever that Gentleman shall appear, it will be a pleasure to me to give him all the Attention and Assistance, in my Power, which may be due to public Justice, and to your Recommendation.

We proceed Slowly: but in digesting Plans so new, so extensive and so important, it is impossible to bring Bodies of Man to a clear Comprehension of Things and a mutual Satisfaction without long deliberation and debate.

I called on Sir John Temple last Saturday and tho I was sorry to find him in so ill health, I apprehend with Exercise and Care he will get the better of his Complaint.2

With great Respect I have the Honour / to be, Sir, your most obedient and / most humble servant

John Adams.

RC (MHi:Winthrop Family Papers); internal address: “Governor Bowdoin”; endorsed: “1789. / Letter from John Adams / Esqr. Vice President of / the United States. / dated New York June / 11th:—” LbC (Adams Papers); APM Reel 115.

For American sympathizer James Boyd’s efforts to reclaim land near Passamaquoddy, Mass. (now Maine), see vol. 19:484–485.

John Temple served as British consul general to the United States from Feb. 1785 to his death in 1798. He was married to Bowdoin’s daughter, Elizabeth (vol. 17:16; AFC , 4:240).