Papers of John Adams, volume 21
I now do myself the honor of transmitting to the senate,
the abstract of vexations and spoliations of our commerce, which was
required by their resolution of the 13th. day of
March last. The volume sent will shew, that such a business could not be
immediately completed. Indeed, sir, I was compelled, by the burthen of
business daily depending and arising in the office, to engage a gentleman of
the law, to assist me in preparing the abstract.
Permit me to remark, that the documents, which have been forwarded to me, are in many instances so imperfect, as to render it impossible to make such regular statements, as I wished.
I ought at the same time to observe, that on the second day of march 1794, when I wrote my letter to the President of the United States, the cases of complaint against the British were thirty two; against the French twenty six; against the Spanish ten; and against the Dutch one.1 The propriety therefore of what that letter Contains, will not be determined by the great list, which has been exhibited since; nor will it be supposed, that I ever have undertaken, or do now undertake to vouch for a single fact; having made and being able to make, no inquiry beyond the allegations of the parties interested.
The abstract would have been drawn in the first instance; had it not been intended to endeavour to settle the business by 290 representations to the foreign courts. Unless the senate deems, that the papers be retained here, it is probable, that many of them will be sent abroad.
I have the honor, sir, to be / with very great respect / yr. mo. ob. serv.
RC (DNA:RG 46, Records of the U.S.
Senate); internal address: “The Vice-President / of the United States; /
and / President of the Senate.”; docketed: “Legis: 1st: Sess: 3d:
Cong: / Communication / to the Vice President / from the Secretary of /
State, accompanying / an abstract of vexa- / tions and spoliations / of
our commerce. / May 20th: / 1794.”
Shortly after he entered office on 2 Jan., Randolph
observed that he had “found a large volume of complaints, which the
notification had collected, against severities on our trade, various in
their kind and degree” and that he expected that “every day would
increase the catalogue.” He collated the claims for George Washington on
2 March, and the president transmitted Randolph’s report and various
supporting documents to Congress on 5 March (Washington, Papers,
Presidential Series
, 15:311, 315, 331–332).
th, 1794
I have taken the liberty of dedicating a history of the County of Worcester to You.
You will please to accept a Volume of the work.1
Though not personally known to Your honor, you will do me
the favor to believe that I have a Sincere respect for, & high esteem
of, You; & permit me to add, that I am, / Dear Sir, Your most obedient /
& most humble Servt.
RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “Honable. / Vice-President Adams.”
Rev. Peter Whitney Sr. (1744–1816), Harvard 1762,
minister of the First Congregational Church of Northborough, Mass., sent
a presentation copy of his History of the County
of Worcester, Worcester, Mass., 1793, now in JA’s
library at MB. He
dedicated the work to JA (
AFC
, 10:190).
26 May 1794]
You will be so good, as to let it be understood between
us, that the mention, which some time ago was made to you by me, of the
nomination of your son, was purely confidential
between us; and that on any occasion, which you may have to speak
of the time, when it was first known to you, you will refer to the
communication of this day only.
1
I am dear sir / with great truth / Yr. mo. ob. serv
RC (Adams Papers); notation by JA: “This Letter was
dated and recd, Monday May 26. 1794 / The
Day on which the Conversation alluded to, took place.”
JQA’s nomination as U.S. minister
resident to the Netherlands had long been under discussion, and
JA said as much in a letter of the same day to his
eldest son: “The President desired to know if I thought you would
accept. I answered that I had no Authority from you— But it was my
Opinion that you would And that it would be my Advice to you, that you
should.” JA informed him of the $4,500 annual salary,
instructed his son to exercise prudence, and, above all, to maintain
discretion until the Senate confirmed his appointment: “Be Secret. Dont
open your Mouth to any human Being on the Subject except your Mother. Go
and see with how little Wisdom this World is governed.” George
Washington nominated JQA on 29 May, and he was unanimously
confirmed by the Senate the next day. JQA’s commission,
dated 30 May, and signed by Washington and Randolph, is in the Adams
Papers. JQA hastened to Philadelphia to receive his
official instructions, for which see Randolph’s 8 Aug. letter, and note
1, below (
AFC
, 10:192, 199,
200).