Papers of John Adams, volume 20
I duely received your obligin letter of the 27th of August; but a journey to Philadelphia, and the confusion
of preparations to remove to that City, have prevented an earlier answer to it. I concur
very freely and very fully with you, in your sentiments respecting the appointments of
Consuls abroad; but I find the President and Secretary of State, are impressed with an
apprehension of censure, for appointing too many from one State.1 Before your letter arrived to me, the President
and Mr Jefferson were both gone to Virginia— When I meet
them at Philadelphia, I will deliver the letter to the latter, and heartily wish your
Brother success.2 I think it is
adviseable for you to send on to me the best letters of recommendation of your Brother,
that you can readily obtain; and they shall be communicated too.
The Wine you received for me from Spain, I should be obliged to you, to Ship by the first good opportunity addressed to me at Philadelphia; I shall remove in ten days, and be there ready to receive it, before it will arrive.
I am Sir with much esteem your obliged humble Servant,
LbC in CA’s hand (Adams Papers); internal address: “John Codman /
Junr Esqr: / Boston”; APM Reel 115.
Of the eighteen consuls nominated by the president on 4 June and
2 Aug., four men were from Massachusetts, three apiece were from Virginia and New
York, and two were from Maryland. The remaining six were not Americans, which proved
the greater controversy. Senators hotly debated the issue, finally resolving to
support the candidates by midsummer. Tension lingered over the perceived regional
favoritism of the appointments. Reviewing the whole process on 26 Nov., Thomas
Jefferson observed that “so many Massachusetts men have already obtained Consular
appointments as to endanger considerable discontent in the other states” (Washington, Papers, Presidential Series
, 5:473–476, 6:183; Jefferson, Papers
,
18:80).
George Washington departed New York on 30 Aug. and visited
Philadelphia for several days, reaching Mount Vernon on 11 September. Jefferson left
for Monticello by 2 Sept., arriving home on 20 Sept. (Washington, Papers, Presidential
Series
, 6:380, 392, 393, 410; Jefferson, Papers
,
17:473, 511; Philadelphia Federal Gazette, 4 Sept.).
th1790.
I write at this time only to authorise and request you, to
subscribe for me, to the new loan, all the final settlements, Loan Office Certificates,
Indents, or other paper securities whether of the United 421 States, or particular States, which you have in your hands belonging to me.1 I know not that any more particular power is
necessary; if it is, upon notice, I will send it immediately. We remove to Bush-Hill,
about two miles out of the City of Philadelphia, in about ten days; Can’t you spare the
time make us a visit?2 You would make us
very happy. Compliments to Mrs Tufts; should be very glad to
see her with you. With usual affection, yours
LbC in CA’s hand (Adams Papers); internal address: “The Honble / Cotton Tufts / Esqr”; APM Reel 115.
Under the Funding Act of 4 Aug., three types of federal
securities were eligible for sale. JA invested $2,036.32 at 6 percent per
annum and $1,784.57 at 3 percent per annum, both beginning 1 Jan. 1791, and $1,018.16
at 6 percent per annum beginning 1 Jan. 1801. AA made similar investments
totaling $3,164. Significantly, in tandem with the Adamses’ investment activities,
JA also served as a commissioner of the Sinking Fund, for which see the
board’s summary report to Congress of
21 Dec. 1790, and note 1, below (JA to Tufts, 23 Dec., MBBS:Colburn Autograph Coll.;
AFC
, 9:xiv, 95, 197).
The Adamses departed the city on 7 Nov. on the New York packet,
Capt. Corwin, and reached Philadelphia five days later (
AFC
, 9:142, 150, 507; New-York Daily
Gazette, 8 Nov.; Pennsylvania Mercury, 13
Nov.).