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

OLIVER ELLSWORTH TO JOHN ADAMS. - 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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OLIVER ELLSWORTH TO JOHN ADAMS.

Sir,

If the present convulsion in France, and the symptoms of a greater change at hand, should induce you, as many seem to expect, to postpone for a short time the mission to that country, I wish for the earliest notice of it. The Circuit Court in this State and Vermont fell through last spring from the indisposition of Judge Chase, and must now fall through again from the indisposition of Judge Cushing, unless I attend them. I am beginning the court here, and should proceed on to Vermont, if I was sure of not being called on in the mean time to embark. It is, Sir, my duty to obey, not advise, and I have only to hope that you will not disapprove of the method I take to learn the speediest intimation of yours.2

I have the honor to be, &c.

Oliver Ellsworth.

[2 ]This letter had been instigated by more than one member of the cabinet. Mr. Ellsworth seems to have sent it at a venture. See his letters to Mr. Wolcott in Gibbs’s Federal Administrations, vol. ii. pp. 265, 266.