I embrace the opportunity afforded me by a vessel that sails to day for Philadelphia to send you some newspapers and to tell You that the condition of the american seamen here claims the immediate attention of the Government of the United States.1

In the absence of any person invested with consular or ministerial authority from Congress—I cou’d not endure to see my fellow citizens first subjected to the outrages of british press gangs—and then drag’d on board british ships of war to be scourged at the mere will and base discretion of every mean or malignant petty officer of the navy into the performance of duties services which our native seamen dread and detest. In this crisis I came forward and did and have done and am continually doing all that a zealous persevering individual cou’d or can do in his private capacity.

It is now necessary to state that every seaman of the United States is impress’d for and retain’d in the service of his britannic majesty as a british subject—unless the Captain who ship’d him in America will positively swear that he was actually born in the United States and is a subject of them. No Commander of a british bottom in the American Trade can take such an oath: consequently every american seaman who happen’d to arrive here since the 4th of last May in a british bottom is now on board a british ship of war. Several applications have been made to me by seamen in this predicament—and some of these accompanied with strong evidence that the applicants 392 were really natives of the United States. In the next place there are several natives of G— Britain and Ireland who command american bottoms—but are unable—possibly unwilling to identify their american seamen by such an oath. And lastly when an american commander of an american bottom has sworn point blank that such and such seamen are natives & subjects of America—and in consequence thereof I have press’d the Lords of the Admiralty for their discharge and for a written exemption against another impress and have obtain’d both—both have been violated—by a new press-gang. On Wednesday evening last for instance such discharges and protections were totally disregarded: almost every american seaman in the thames—as well as mates of vessels and apprentices—were swept off in the night—some of these have been hardly treated by inferior officers of the british navy.2

It must be owned there are intrinsic difficulties in some cases to furnish even reasonable proof that a particular seaman is a subject of the United States: but in some of the cases to which I allude the most clear and absolute proof had been given and in the manner prescribed by the Lords of the Admiralty themselves.

Perhaps no immediate remedy that wou’d be effectual can be invented by Congress. A palliative wou’d be—the appointment of a consul here who might substitute prudence and management sustain’d by a suitable authority from the American government—in lieu of clear rules of proceeding and loftier powers than cou’d be now exercised here with utility to our country.3

Clad with that mild and modest capacity—I am vain enough to believe that even I shoud be enabled just now to render the United States essential service—which the experience and local knowledge of the past six weeks have afforded me peculiar facilities for performing in future. But at any rate I feel it my indispensable duty to continue exerting every nerve in endeavours to procure the release of as many of these impressed american seamen as possible. Before the late rigourous impress I had paved the way for liberating many of them—who have returned home rejoicing. Nor do I now despond of procuring the discharge of some—to the birth and citizenship of whom their commanders are this day again to swear. Patience, vigilance prudence and unwearied perseverance—are our only weapons.

I consider a war between Britain & Spain as inevitable—between Prussia and Austria as in the highest degree probable. Manifestos are expected to be published this evening.

I write this in the greatest haste— / very respectfully & affectionately / Yrs.

I have received the polite and obliging Letter, you did me the honour to write me, on the Seventh of May.—1 Although an intimate and frequent Correspondence with you, considering the relation between Us, and the agreable Acquaintance, I had with you in France and England would have been always agreable to me; Yet considering the different Countries and Governments in which We live, and the Avocations of Business, which demand the Attention of both of Us, I never expected more Intercourse than there has been.—

Your Countrymen, I dare say, would be very happy to see you in North America; and none of them more than myself: Yet considering the importance of your Affairs, where You are it is a favour little to be expected. Next to the Pleasure of seeing you here, I should esteem that of frequently hearing of your health and that of your family. You were not so kind in your Letter as to let me know the Situation of your son, whom I saw in London, and in whose good fortune I interest myself very much.—2 The last of my three sons is to commence at Cambridge this Week, and like his two elder Brothers is destined to the Bar.— My only Daughter married to Col. smith of New York, has two fine Boys, and a third perhaps not far from Seeing the light of our sun.3

Far advanced in my fifty fifth Year, and having run through a great Variety of scenes in Life, I can very heartily join with You Mr Burke the King of Prussia and King solomon, in pronouncing all Vanité des Vanités.—

Yet I have lived to see my Country free and prosperous, rapidly Advancing to Wealth and Grandeur, after having seen her in great danger and deep Distress: I have lived to see, Europe become the Pupil of Harvard Colledge and the Town of Boston; and if I were Sure she would profit of her Lesson as much as this Country has done, I should think I had lived and seen enough.

Mrs Adams joins with me and all mine in most respectful Compliments to yourself, Mrs Fitch and your son: and in grateful Acknowledgments for the very handsome present in Sugar, Wine and Spirits which you had the Generosity to Send Us, and which We have received in good order.

Your Packet to the President I had the honour to present to him, with my own hand.

With great and sincere Esteem, I have / the honour to be, dear sir, your most / obedient and obliged servant