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

TO O. WOLCOTT, SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY. - 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 O. WOLCOTT, SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY.

Quincy, 27 August, 1800.

Dear Sir,—

Inclosed is a letter from Mr. John C. Jones, of Boston, recommending Captain Joseph Coffin Boyd, to fill the place of Colonel Lunt. Also a letter from Richard Hunnewell, requesting the office for himself. Thus you see we have an ample choice of candidates. Fosdick, Titcomb, Mayo, Boyd, and Hunnewell, all well qualified, and recommended by very respectable men. The last, however, appears to me to have the best pretensions, though supported by no recommendations. These he might easily obtain, but I think it unnecessary. This gentleman resigned the office of a sheriff of a county, worth fifteen hundred dollars a year, for the sake of an appointment in the late army worth three hundred dollars less. He was lieutenant-colonel commandant of the fifteenth regiment, in the late brigade at Oxford. The public seems to be under some obligation to these gentlemen, who were so suddenly turned adrift. Hunnewell, though very young, was an officer in the army last war, and from his manners, appearance, education, and accomplishments, as well as from the circumstances before mentioned, I think we cannot do better than to appoint him. If you are of the same opinion, you may send him a commission; but if you are aware of any objection or of any reason for preferring any other candidate, I pray you to let me know it, before any appointment is made.

With great esteem.