Papers of John Adams, volume 21
par La derniere Lettre que j’ai eu l’honneur de vous ecrire de New-York,1 je vous annoncois des travaux qui Seroient dignes de votre attention, parce qu’ils interessent la prosperité de votre pays. 249 ils consistent dans La petition cy jointe, et dans le mémoire qui accompagne cette petition; il en est le Soutien par La série des principes, que j’y ai fait entrer.2 Leur Vérité ne peut point être contestée. Leurs bons effets ne peuvent pas L’être d’avantage. mais, une personne, à la quelle, j’ai communiqué ce travail, et qui désire dans son pays lintroduction de toutes les lois capables d’en accélérer la prosperité, me disoit, il ya un moment, que l’intéret privé des membres de la chambre des Communes seroit un obstacle au succès de cette pétition. Je suis persuadé qu’il n’y a pas d’objet d’utilité publique, qui ne puisse être obtenu d’une assemblée, selon la maniere de le presenter; et j’envois une qui ne pouroit pas être rejetée en la prenant pour cette petition.
en conséquence, je vous Serai infiniment obligé,
Monsieur, de vouloir bien examiner, sous le seul rapport de L’intéret
public, cette petition et particulierment les principes du mémoire. Si vous
reconnoissez que leur adoption puisse accélerer la prosperité de votre pays;
il ne faudra plus que changer la requete, et faire, dans les membres de la
chambre des Communes un choix d’hommes Zéles pour la chose publique, et qui
feroient valoir les principes, contre les objections de L’interet privé. ce
seroit alors encore un objet á communiquer á Mr
hamilton, comme relatif à son département. Je vais toujours refaire les
conclusions, de maniere qu’elles ne puissent pas etre rejettées, et que les
européens y trouvent egalement leur sûretè.
Je Suis avec respect / Monsieur / Votre tres humble / et tres obeissant serviteur
TRANSLATION
In the last letter that I had the honor of writing to you from New York,1 I made known to you a few works that would be worthy of your attention since they concern the prosperity of your country. They consist of the petition contained herein, and the memorandum which accompanies the petition. The memorandum supports the petition by means of the series of principles I had set down therein.2 Their truth cannot be disputed, anymore than can their good effects. However, one individual to whom I communicated this work, and who desires the introduction in his country of all laws capable of accelerating its prosperity, told me not long ago that the private interest of members of Congress would pose an obstacle to the outcome of this petition. I am convinced that there is no objective useful to the public that may not be obtained from an assembly, provided it be presented properly; so I am sending it in such a way that the petition cannot possibly be rejected.
250I would therefore be infinitely obliged to you, sir, if you would be so kind as to examine the petition in light of the public interest alone, and in particular the principles of the memorandum. If you acknowledge that their adoption may indeed accelerate the prosperity of your country, there will remain only to alter the petition and make a selection among those members of the House of Representatives most dedicated to the public good and who would enforce its principles over the objections of private interest. Being germane to his department, it would also then be an objective to pass on to Mr. Hamilton. I will still rewrite the conclusions in such a way that they may not be refuted and that the Europeans may equally find their surety therein.
I am with utmost respect, sir, your most humble and most obedient servant
RC (Adams Papers).
Of 18 Nov. 1793, above.
The enclosures have not been found.
y21. 1794.
For my Situation in this Office at 300 Dollars per Annum,
Mr. Coxe has informed me I am indebted to
you. My Respect and Veneration for you Sir needed not this Claim upon my
Gratitude to be riveted.1 To
Express Simply my thanks for the Honor you have done me, in representing me
as you have, and as I will endeavour to deserve, goes not half so far
towards an acknowledgment as I would; But I am Bankrupt in all save
Gratitude, with which I beg you to be content being all the Poor reward I can make. There is another, but like the Benifit it must spring
from yourself Sir, one I flatter myself you will enjoy, ’tis that which will
arise from the reflection of having done a Generous Action—of having eased
the Breast of a fond Mother, Comforted a no less tender Wife, and opened
pleasing Prospects to the View of a Husband & father.
I have the Honor to be / Sir / With the Greatest Respect
/ Your most ob Servt.
RC (Adams Papers).
Vallette wrote to JA on 9 May 1793, seeking a clerkship in the Treasury Department (Adams Papers).