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

TO J. MARSHALL, SECRETARY OF STATE. - 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 J. MARSHALL, SECRETARY OF STATE.

Quincy, 7 August, 1800.

Dear Sir,—

I inclose to you a letter from Governor Trumbull, of Connecticut, a petition for a pardon from Isaac Williams, in prison at Hartford, for privateering under French colors. His petition is seconded by a number of very respectable people. I inclose many other papers relative to the subject, put into my hands yesterday by a young gentleman from Norwich, his nephew. The man’s generosity to American prisoners, his refusal to act, and resigning his command, when he was ordered to capture American vessels, his present poverty and great distress, are arguments in favor of a pardon, and I own I feel somewhat inclined to grant it. But I will not venture on that measure without your advice and that of your colleagues. I pray you to take the opinions of the heads of department upon these papers, and if they advise to a pardon, you may send me one.1

With high esteem, &c.

John Adams.

[1 ]The trial of Isaac Williams is found in Wharton’s State Trials, &c., pp. 652-658, with a carefully prepared note touching the difficult question of expatriation, which can scarcely yet be pronounced settled in America. Mr. Marshall, in his reply to the above letter, dated the 16th, says;—

“The petition of Isaac Williams, with the accompanying documents, was, in conformity with your direction, laid before the heads of department, and by their unanimous opinion the fines are remitted. I have inclosed his pardon to the marshal for the district of Connecticut.”