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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.

Grosvenor Square, 22 September, 1787.

My Lord,—

I do myself the honor to inclose to your Lordship a letter this moment received from the master of a vessel belonging to the United States of America. His name is John Douglass, commander of the ship Four Friends, American built, and the property of Andrew Van Tuyl, merchant, of New York. He informs me that, as two of his people were going on shore for provisions for the day, they were seized by the pressgang and forced on board his Majesty’s brig Dispatch, then lying at Execution dock; that the gang then came on board his vessel and attempted to open his hatches, when his chief mate opposed them, and informed the officers that they were American citizens; that, although the officers of the pressgang then went away, there is reason to believe that another disagreeable visit will be made before morning, which will distress him exceedingly, as his ship is completed for sea and bound for New York.

The names of the two men pressed are Joseph Cowley, a native of the city of New York; the other is a negro man, called Primus, the property of Mr. Andrew Van Tuyl, merchant, of New York, but a native of the city.

It is my duty, my Lord, to make this representation to his Majesty’s ministers, and to request that orders may be given for the restoration of these men to the master of their vessel, and further propose to your Lordship’s consideration whether it be not expedient that some general order should be given, upon this occasion, to the officers of his Majesty’s navy, to give a particular attention to American vessels and seamen, lest perplexities and inconveniences of this kind should be multiplied.

With great respect, &c.

John Adams.