Papers of John Adams, volume 12
Since the repeated announcement in public German newspapers of the fact that the United States of North America is trying to find and hire experienced engineers and would guarantee them excellent and good conditions, so I have wished to do a favor for one of my friends, who as a practical engineer has worked for the French, and thus I have wanted, most 382obediently, to ask your right honorable sir for further information about the abovementioned conditions, before my friend, who is traveling for business at the moment, negotiates this matter further in writing and will not fail to recommend himself under your right honorable sir’s protection. In the meantime I have the honor to obediently request a reply to this inquiry,1 remaining with all respect, your right honorable sir’s obedient servant
There is no indication that JA replied to either this letter or a second of 16 May that is in French (Adams Papers).