Papers of John Adams, volume 21

Thomas Welsh to John Adams, 6 January 1794 Welsh, Thomas Adams, John

From Thomas Welsh

Dear Sir Boston Jany 6. 1794.

This will be delivered by Dr Appleton who has been my particular Friend ever since we were fellow Students at the University; I shall feel myself greatly obliged if you will be so good as to introduce him to the President.1

The Doctor is able to give you Information of the State of Things here, of the Impression which the Accounts of the Peace procured for the Portuguese made upon the Merchants here; of the State of Electioneering for Governor;2 of the Zeal, Industry, and Progress of The Democratic Club. &c—

Columbus you perceive has been clumsily and feebly I may say hypocritically assailed by Sullivan under the Signature of Americanus. Barnaveld, however has sallyed forth and with trusty weapons is making mortal Thrusts into the Vitals of his Adversary.

The old Patriot remains as motionless as a Statue he has never acted upon Dannery’s Application3

Mr Welsh & I were at Quincy last Friday being the 3d Inst. Mrs Adams is very well. I think I have not seen her Countenance more 246 healthy for three or four Years. my Daughter Charlotte is with her on a Visit.

I am Sr: with great Respect your Humble. Sr

Thomas Welsh

RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “The Vice President of The United States.”

Born in Boston, Dr. Nathaniel Walker Appleton (1755–1795), Harvard 1773, was instrumental in producing the Massachusetts Medical Society’s publications ( DAB ).

For the Massachusetts gubernatorial election results, see Welsh’s 31 March letter, and note 4, below.

Beginning in Nov. 1793, JQA issued several essays in the local press, commenting on domestic and foreign affairs. At first, he wrote five pieces as Columbus, portions of which were widely republished, for example, in the New York American Minerva, 16, 17, 19, 21, 23, 24 Dec., and the New York Daily Advertiser, 17, 28, 30 Dec., 1, 2 Jan. 1794. He resumed the same themes in four essays as Barneveld, which appeared in the Boston Independent Chronicle, 26 Dec. 1793, 2, 6, 16 Jan. 1794. JQA lashed out at the behavior of Edmond Charles Genet, and supported the president’s flexing of executive power to dismiss Antoine Charbonnet Duplaine, the French vice consul at Boston. Massachusetts attorney general James Sullivan replied as Americanus with six essays printed in the Boston Independent Chronicle, 19, 23, 26, 30 Dec. 1793, 2, 6 Jan. 1794. “Columbus and Barneveld were both written with Elegance and Spirit and the poor Wretches who so justly fell under their Lashes were never before nor Since so exemplarily and so justly punished,” JA observed in a 4 Feb. letter to AA.

The debate reignited questions about the status and interpretation of Franco-American treaties and about the chief executive’s power to dismiss a foreign minister. Jean Baptiste Thomas Dannery (1744–1806), the French consul at Boston, appealed to Gov. Samuel Adams and the Mass. General Court, seeking intervention and enclosing an English translation of Genet’s 27 Oct. 1793 letter to Thomas Jefferson stating the issue. Despite mounting political pressure and widepread newspaper coverage, Adams, the “old Patriot,” took no action in the matter ( AFC , 9:469; 10:1, 11, 67; 11:469; Jefferson, Papers , 27:272–274).

George Washington to John Adams, 8 January 1794 Washington, George Adams, John

From George Washington

Dear Sir, Wednesday 8th. Jany. 1794.

I would thank you for giving the papers herewith sent a perusal—and for the result of it.—1

I am now deliberating on the measure proper & necessary to be taken with respect to Mr. G——t and wish for aid in so doing; the critical state of things making me more than usually anxious to decide right in the present case.—

None but the heads of departments are privy to these papers, which I pray may be returned this evening or in the morning

With very sincere esteem & regard I am always / Your obedt. & affect Servant

Go: Washington

RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “Honble. Mr. Adams / Vice President—U. States.”

Seeking his cabinet’s advice, the president sent JA materials pointing to Edmond Charles Genet’s recruitment of troops in the Carolinas and Georgia, part of the French minister’s alleged plan to launch an invasion of Spanish Florida. The enclosures, not found, likely included South Carolina governor William Moultrie’s 7 Dec. 1793 letter to Washington, 247 accompanied by state resolves, affidavits, and Moultrie’s 9 Dec. proclamation denouncing Genet’s efforts. Washington may also have sent Genet’s 25 Dec. denial to Thomas Jefferson that he had formed a military force within U.S. territory. The president transmitted all of these documents to Congress on 15 Jan. 1794 (Washington, Papers, Presidential Series , 15:50).