Adams Family Correspondence, volume 10

Abigail Adams to George Cabot, 8 January 1794 Adams, Abigail Cabot, George

Abigail Adams to George Cabot

Dear Sir [8 January 1794]1

When I had the pleasure of visiting you in the Summer you may recollect Some conversation which too place respecting a young Gentleman whom You was pleasd to say you wishd to see engaged in writing upon a certain subject as You thought many circumstances concured to render him the most suitable person. at that Time he declined.

But an opportunity has since offerd to discuss a subject, by which he conceived he might render some service to the publick

a Number of papers have been printed in Russels Centinal, under the signature of Columbus—begining the 30 of Novbr and closing the 21. of December. if you see them and read them in course you will judge Sir whether a Republication of them in Philadelphia in the News papers or a pamphlet, (as they have become fashionable) 34 will tend to throw any light upon a Subject which at present occupies much of the publick attention

you will be sensible why I address myself to you rather than to an other person, to whom I have not even communicated my intention I had rather upon this occasion resign Solely to your judgment and am Sir With Sentiments of respect for you and affectionate Regard to your Lady / Your Humble Servant

Izabella2

Dft (Adams Papers); docketed: “To Mr Cabot”; notations: “Gorge gen” and “pamphlet.”

For the dating of this letter, see Cabot to AA, 17 Jan., below.

Presumably a reference to Queen Isabella of Spain, who funded Christopher Columbus’ expedition to the Americas.

Charles Adams to John Adams, 8 January 1794 Adams, Charles Adams, John

Charles Adams to John Adams

My Dear Father New York Jany 8th 1794

Your letter inclosing the Pamphlet, came very safe to hand.1 I thank you, for your kindness. The Mails between this City and Philadelphia are very safe and secure. I have never heard of any accident happening to anything sent by this conveyance. Many of the communications published in this pamphlet have already appeared in our papers You know Sir that it is an idea cherished by many that a Republic should have no secrets. This doctrine carried to its full extent will no doubt lead us into some disagreable scrapes but I also think that we must pay the price of experience for all the wisdom we are likely to obtain. You letter I transcribed and gave in to the Printers of the Minerva I have taken such precautions that no person can know from whence it came. I gave it in the evening before last, it has not yet appeared. Whether there is anything in it which does not suit their palates I cannot say but I am sure there are truths which ought to be told and which ought to be regarded by Americans. Please to give my Love to Thomas and beleive me your affectionate son

Charles Adams

We are told that Genl Knox will resign. where is the man who can, and will supply his place?

RC (Adams Papers).

On 5 Jan. JA wrote to CA enclosing a copy of the pamphlet The Correspondence between Citizen Genet, Minister of the French Republic to the United States of North America, and the Officers of the Federal Government, Phila., 1794, Evans, No. 47056. JA also expressed his reservations about such a publication: “I am at a loss to conjecture 35 what will be the immediate Effects as well as remote Consequences, of committing to the Press, in this manner all our Negotiations with foreign Powers. It is so very opposite to every Practice that I was acquainted with or ever read or heard of in the Course of ten years Employment in diplomatic Services, that I shuddered at the first Idea of it” (MHi:Seymour Coll.). JA may have previously sent the same pamphlet to AA; see JA to AA, 6 Jan., and note 3, above.