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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.

About Liberty Fund:

Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.


TO THE MARQUIS OF CARMARTHEN.

London, 3 October, 1787.

My Lord,—

It is with concern that I do myself the honor to inclose to your Lordship a letter which I received this morning from Charles Baldwin, a citizen of the United States of America, who represents that, on the 22d of last month, he was involuntarily taken out of the ship Favorite, Henry Cooper commander, belonging to New York, by a pressgang, and taken, without any of his property but the clothes he had on, and sent on board the Dispatch, tender, where he remained till next day, when he was sent on board the Vestal, frigate, at Long Reach, which, two days afterwards, sailed for Sheerness. When arrived there, he was sent on board the Conqueror, guard-ship; he remained there one day, and was then sent on board the Scipio, of 64 guns, which sailed the next day for Spithead. This letter is dated on board the Triumph, of 74 guns, at Spithead, under the command of Lord Hood, where, probably, this Charles Baldwin (whose father and family are well known to the secretary of legation of the United States) now is.

According to his representation, there are six or seven others, American citizens, on board the same ship in similar circumstances.

It is my duty, my Lord, to remonstrate against this practice, which has been too common, of impressing American citizens, and especially with the aggravating circumstances of going on board American vessels, which ought to be protected by the flag of their sovereign.

It is my duty, also, to request your Lordship’s interposition, to obtain for this person and his companions their liberty.

With great respect, I have the honor to be, &c.

John Adams.