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

TO BENJAMIN ADAMS. - 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 BENJAMIN ADAMS.

Quincy, 22 April, 1799.

Sir,—

I have received your favor of the 15th. Our kinsman must apply to the senators and representatives of his own State for recommendations. You know it is impossible for me to appoint my own relations to any thing, without drawing forth a torrent of obloquy. If I were to nominate him without previous recommendations from the senators and representatives from your State, the Senate would probably negative him. I must, moreover, be informed what office he wishes or expects, and is fit for. I do not appoint officers because they want bread.

The Samuel Adams appointed a custom-house officer, was named by the senators and representatives of New Hampshire. I know him not.1

[1 ]It seems that a kinsman, Samuel Adams, of Newington, N. H., had written a letter inquiring whether there had not been some mistake, and he was not the person for whom this appointment had been designed. At the bottom of the sheet, Benjamin Adams had added a recommendation of the writer for some other situation, which occasioned the above reply.