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

TO B. STODDERT, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY. - John Adams, The Works of John Adams, vol. 9 (Letters and State Papers 1799-1811) [1854]

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. 9.

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

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TO B. STODDERT, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.

Sir,

I received last night your favor of the 5th. The gentleman you mention is a native of Boston, and well known. I shall make no observations on his character. None of the suspicions of the Americans in France, which the gentleman of Maryland mentioned to you, will surprise the federalists in this quarter.1 But the popularity of the French has so dwindled away, that no impression can be made to any great effect in their favor. The nomination of envoys to treat has taken away so many pretexts from some, and given such opportunities for others to “back out,” as my wagoners express themselves, that the French government at least has few advocates left. Hichborn is a man of talents, but of such mysterious, enigmatical, and incomprehensible conduct, that no party seems to have much confidence in him, though he is supposed to be inveterate in opposition to federal men and measures.

[1 ]These suspicions mentioned in Mr. Stoddert’s letter were, that Mr. Hichborn was an instrument of the French government, returning home to effect some secret purpose. This is the same gentleman mentioned in vol. ii. p. 410.