Papers of John Adams, volume 21

Tench Coxe to John Adams, [ca. 2 September 1791] Coxe, Tench Adams, John

From Tench Coxe

Sir [ ca. 2 September 1791 ]1

I have the honor to inform you that I have been engaged thro this week in attempts to provide for you an house fit for the reception of your family but have not yet succeeded. Genl. Knox is also paying attention to the matter & we shall certainly accommodate you, if in our power. He is of opinion that it will not be proper to refuse £300 per Annum for Mrs. Keppele’s2 house at the corner of Arch & fourth streets, should it be obtainable at that price. To morrow she is to inform me— Mr Hamilton gives £250 for a single house of about 26 or 27 feet front in Market street opposite the presidents— Mr. delaforest after a fruitless trial of a week has bought a new house for £1560—3

I merely write, Sir, to inform you of the present train of things, and assuring you of my unremitted Attention to your instructions, I have the honor to be with the highest respect, / sir, your most obedt. / & most hum. Servant

Tench Coxe

RC (Adams Papers). Filmed at [Oct.–Nov. 1793].

The dating of this letter is based on Coxe’s 3 Sept. letter to JA, below.

That is, Catharine Keppele (or Keppley) ( AFC , 9:296).

Alexander Hamilton resided at 164 High Street, while George and Martha 57 Washington then lived at 190 High Street, commonly known as Market Street. Antoine René Charles Mathurin, Comte de Laforêt La Forest (1756–1846), who served as the French vice consul to the United States from 1785 to 1793, resided at 113 Spruce Street (Hamilton, Papers , 8:511; Philadelphia Directory, 1791, p. 124, Evans, No. 23205; Washington, Papers, Presidential Series , 6:399–400; AFC , 8:296, 9:xvi; Philadelphia Directory, 1793, p. 34, Evans, No. 25585).

Tench Coxe to John Adams, 3 September 1791 Coxe, Tench Adams, John

From Tench Coxe

Sir Philada. Septr. 3d. 1791—

I have the honor to inform you that I have after many efforts procured you a house at the corner of 4th & Arch streets now in the Tenure of Judge Bradford late Attorney Genl. of Pennsa. 1 The rent is very extravagant and we have to procure a stable and coach house in the neighbourhood unless you chuse for the six months of the Session to have your horses at livery. General Knox agreed with me that we would take on us the responsibility of giving £270 Lawful Money of your state or 900 Drs. per Annum. Possession is to be delivered on the 1st. Novemr. or sooner, if Mr. Bradford can get out before. there are several points which we wished to have been otherwise but we could not vary them in your favor, and we saw no prospect of doing better—nor any certainty, if we delayed to take this. I secured a right to have three of the Apartments painted, if I found on examination that it would be desirable, and the first fair day I will inspect them in order to determine. I shall also press Mr. Bradford on the point of removal earlier of which I have great hopes & some expectations.

I am sensible the rent is very high yet I am sure better cannot be done, and I rely on your goodness & that of Mrs. Adams to believe that my respectful Attachment has prompted me to do every thing in my power for your suitable Accommodation.

Presenting myself very respectfully to Mrs. Adams, I have the honor to be, / Sir / your most obedient / & most humble Servant

Tench Coxe

Your Steward’s sickness has prevented my deriving any assistance from him.

RC (Adams Papers); endorsed: “Tench Coxe / 1791.”

Philadelphia lawyer William Bradford (1755–1795), Princeton 1772, served as attorney general of Pennsylvania from 1780 to 1791, and as U.S. attorney general from 1794 to his death ( DAB ).