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

TO ALEXANDER HAMILTON. - 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 ALEXANDER HAMILTON.

Philadelphia, 20 June, 1800.

Sir,—

The itinerant life I have led1 has prevented me from acknowledging the receipt of your favor of May 24th till this time. Your sentiments are very satisfactory to me, and will be duly attended to. I anticipate criticism in every thing which relates to Colonel Smith; but criticism, now criticized so long, I regard no more than “Great George’s birth-day song.” Colonel Smith served through the war with high applause of his superiors. He has served, abroad in the diplomatic corps, at home as marshal and supervisor, and now as commandant of a brigade. These are services of his own, not mine. His claims are his own. I see no reason or justice in excluding him from all service, while his comrades are all ambassadors or generals, merely because he married my daughter.2 I am, &c.

John Adams.

[1 ]Mr. Adams had been on a visit to Washington, the proposed seat of government.

[2 ]Colonel Smith was soon afterwards appointed surveyor and inspector for the port of New York. The propriety of embracing or of excluding relatives in the consideration of appointments to office, opens questions upon which persons may honestly differ in opinion. One rule has been adopted by some, and another by others, of the Presidents. Mr. Adams followed one, and his son the other. There can be no doubt in cases of the selection of unworthy or incompetent persons. And every President who assumes the responsibility of appointing a relation, subjects the fitness of his choice to a severe scrutiny. Considered in this light, Mr. Adams is responsible for the transfer of his son, John Quincy Adams, from one diplomatic mission to another, for the appointments given to Colonel Smith, and for the selection of his wife’s nephew, William Cranch, to be chief justice of the Circuit Court of the district of Columbia.