Adams Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/06-20-02-0239

To John Adams from Sylvanus Bourne, 15 August 1790

From Sylvanus Bourne

Boston Augt 15th 1790

Dr Sir—

Observing by the Papers that you are one of the Commrs: appointed for purchasing part of the public Debt at Markett in which you will doubtless probably wish to employ an agent—if this should be the Case—Mr Woodward occurred to my mind as a person well calculated for such an employ—both for integrity & a thourough acquaintance in this kind of buisness—having been for a long enrolled in the list of speculators in Boston & with reputation— should it be convenient to employ him as an agent while you will serve the publick—you will also confer an essential favour on a meritorious Individual—1

I am at a loss to determine why the Consular Bill has been short of sight—it will prevent my Departure for some time2

I have the honour to be with great / Respect Yr Ob Servt

Silva. Bourne

RC (Adams Papers); endorsed by CA: “Silv. Bourn / Augst. 13— 1790.”; notation by CFA: “S. Bourne. / Augt 13th 1790.”

1Approving a key component of Alexander Hamilton’s economic plan, Congress on 9 Aug. passed an act “making provision for the reduction of the public debt,” which George Washington signed into law three days later. JA was one of five commissioners empowered to purchase public debt on behalf of the federal government. However, JA did not need an agent, since state loan officers were deputized to handle the sale of securities. Bourne recommended Braintree surveyor of highways Joseph Woodward, who wrote to JA on 15 and 30 May 1789 (both Adams Papers), soliciting the Boston collectorship (U.S. Statutes at Large description begins The Public Statutes at Large of the United States of America, 1789–, Boston and Washington, D.C., 1845–. description ends , 1:186; First Fed. Cong. description begins Documentary History of the First Federal Congress of the United States of America, March 4, 1789 – March 3, 1791, ed. Linda Grant De Pauw, Charlene Bangs Bickford, Helen E. Veit, William C. diGiacomantonio, and Kenneth R. Bowling, Baltimore, 1972–2017; 22 vols. description ends , 3:567–568; AFC description begins Adams Family Correspondence, ed. L. H. Butterfield, Marc Friedlaender, Richard Alan Ryerson, Margaret A. Hogan, Sara Martin, Hobson Woodward, and others, Cambridge, 1963–. description ends , 8:360, 9:108, 109).

2On 15 July 1790 Elbridge Gerry introduced a bill in the House of Representatives to establish salaries for U.S. consuls, and it was passed six days later. The bill was read in the Senate on 21 and 26 July but postponed until the next session (First Fed. Cong. description begins Documentary History of the First Federal Congress of the United States of America, March 4, 1789 – March 3, 1791, ed. Linda Grant De Pauw, Charlene Bangs Bickford, Helen E. Veit, William C. diGiacomantonio, and Kenneth R. Bowling, Baltimore, 1972–2017; 22 vols. description ends , 3:514, 522, 824).

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