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Subject Area: Political Theory
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

TO THE MARQUIS OF CARMARTHEN. - John Adams, The Works of John Adams, vol. 8 (Letters and State Papers 1782-1799) [1853]

Edition used:

The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: with a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations, by his Grandson Charles Francis Adams (Boston: Little, Brown and Co., 1856). 10 volumes. Vol. 8.

Part of: The Works of John Adams, 10 vols.

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TO THE MARQUIS OF CARMARTHEN.

My Lord,

Last night I received the card your Lordship did me the honor to write me yesterday, inclosing a petition to the right honorable the lords commissioners of his Majesty’s treasury, from John Hales, relative to sixteen Chinese seamen who are alleged to have informed Mr. Hales that they came from India in the Hyder or Hydrœa, Captain Clark, belonging to the United States of America, to Ostend, where they were discharged and caused to take passage to London, in hopes of obtaining a passage to their own country.

All these allegations, my Lord, are very surprising to me; having no knowledge of any such ship as the Hyder or Hydrœa, or of any such person as Captain Clark. Humanity, my Lord, requires that the unhappy men should not be left to suffer; but as I have no knowledge, information, or instructions concerning them, I have no authority to do any thing for their relief.

There is reason to apprehend, my Lord, that there is some mystery in this business, which it will be for the interest and honor of both countries to clear up; for which reason, I shall do myself the honor to transmit your Lordship’s note and the memorial to congress, that the truth of the facts may be searched to the bottom, and such measures taken as the interests of humanity, as well as the honor and interests of both countries require.

With great respect, &c.

John Adams.