Adams Family Correspondence, volume 10
br4
th1794
This is the first fair morning we have had since you left me. you must have had an unpleasent journey Sunday the afternoon was pleasent, but Monday & twesday very rainy. I was anxious to learn how the Election went in Boston and sent to inquire last Evening of mr Black if he had heard from Town, and to my great Satisfaction learnt that mr Ames was chosen there; by what majority I did not hear. the present Post will however inform you. the Influence of the Jacobines has received a blow in concequence of it. tis said Jarvis will lose his senses— the publick will be no looser if that should be the case. Austin came forward in a publication last week with his Name in which he declares he will not stand a candidate in oppostion to Jarvis, concequently all his party were united with Jarvises1
you will want to know how the Farming Buisness goes on. the orchard is all coverd with sea weed as you desired. this day will compleat the spreading of it. about 90 Bushels of potatoes have been dugg at the two places to day the Hands propose to finish the Beach meddow
I am better than when you left me, So is Louissa. the Blister has proved very salutary in removing the pain from her stomack. I shall wish to hear soon from you. I forgot to request 2 Barrels of flower by the first vessel.
Yours most affectionatly
RC (Adams Papers).
In the Boston Independent Chronicle, 30 Oct., Benjamin Austin Jr. declined to be considered as a candidate for Congress against Charles Jarvis. Austin suggested that the appearance of his name as a possible candidate was actually a plot to divide Democratic-Republicans; he “hoped that the insiduous plans of his opposers, will be frustrated.”
We took the Packet at New Haven, and arrived at N. York as Soon as the Stage— Although We Saved no time, We avoided some bruizes, at the Expence of a little of the Mal De Mer.
Mrs Smith and Children all well. Charity Smith married to Mr Shaw, Brother of the late Consul at Canton.—1 Our Charles at Steuben after an Examination at Albany and an honourable Admission to the Rank of Counciller at Law. I was at his Office and Saw his Clerk who appears well pleased, and Says his Master has good Business.2 We arrived last night in this City and lodged at a Mr Alders opposite to Mr Binghams.
No Senate yet.—3 The President returned. All Submission, in the Whiskey Counties. But a Force will be kept there to ensure their Obedience for some necessary time.
Antifœderalism, Jacobinism and Rebellion are drooping their heads, very much discouraged.
Clark of N. Jersey and Comr. Gillon dead.4 Smith of Carolina elected with great Ecclat.5 Butler gone to Charleston last Week unaccountably.— &c &c &c. Bradley left out, for a Man of different Politicks.6 Langdon in danger.7 These are Symptoms. If Ames fails The next Congress will be more fœderal than any that has yet assembled. but I Still hope better Things.
Fine Weather— I will write nothing as yet of Agriculture. Take great Care of your health which is prescious to me beyond all Calculation.
The Fall of Robespierre, has a great Effect on the Public Mind.— It has Startled and terrified many, whose Confidence in him was excessive. I am as ever. yours / without reserve.
RC (Adams Papers); endorsed: “Novbr 8th / 1794.”
Benjamin Shaw (1758–1807), the son of a Boston merchant, married Charity Smith, WSS’s sister, on 1 November. Benjamin’s brother Samuel (1754–1794) had served in the artillery during the Revolutionary War, then went into business, sailing on the first American vessel to go to China. Appointed U.S. consul at Canton in 1786, he died while returning from his third voyage to Asia (
DAB;
New York Weekly Museum, 15 Nov.).
Probably Samuel Bayard Malcom (1776–1815), Columbia 1794, who later became private secretary to JA during his presidency (Jefferson, Papers, Retirement Series,
5:43;
JA to AA, 3 March 1797, Adams Papers).
While the 2d session of the 3d Congress was supposed to begin on 3 Nov. 1794, the Senate did not achieve a quorum until 18 Nov. (
Annals of Congress,
3d Cong., 2d sess., p. 787).
Abraham Clark died on 15 Sept. after suffering sunstroke, and Alexander Gillon, for whom see vol. 4:55, died on 6 Oct. (
DAB
;
Biog. Dir. Cong.
).
For William Loughton Smith, see vol. 1:69. He served in the House of Representatives from 1789 until 1797 (
Biog. Dir. Cong.
).
Stephen Row Bradley (1754–1830), Yale 1775, a lawyer and judge, had served as a Democratic-Republican senator from Vermont from 1791 to 1795. He was replaced in the 4th Congress by Elijah Paine, a Federalist (same).
John Langdon was reelected senator from New Hampshire (same).