Beschreibung:

ADAMS, John Quincy President . Autograph letter signed ("John Q. Adams") to Silvanus Bourne, The Hague, 19 February 1795. 2 full pages, 4to, integral autograph address panel, repaired seal, small hole affecting a few letters, otherwise fine. An interesting early letter as Minister to the Netherlands. Adams complains to Bourne about a letter from Mr. Skipwith, who "must know perfectly well that I cannot command a farthing of public money for the application of which I am not expressly authorized...I can have no authority to dispose of considerable sums, upon simple intimations of a purpose which I can only conjecture." Supicious of its authenticity, he writes: "The date is January 17. Before Amsterdam was taken, and while the German Posts from hence were free. At present the only communication with Switzerland is by the way of Paris." He asks whether Bourne received it "by the mail from France? what is its date? and whether it had the appearance of having undergone an intermediate inspection? That I received yesterday from General Eustace, was sealed; but it bore numerous markes of post office penetration." Fearful that complying with the request for money will "lead to circumstances unpleasant to me, and dangerous to those we are disposed to serve," Adams questions the vague manner in which the issue came to be addressed to him. He concludes: "If I can be satisfied that the remittance is practicable without danger, the money shall not be wanting."