11To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 1 December 1790 (Madison Papers)
Expecting in a few days to embark for Hispaniola under a Consular Commission from the United States—I feel very desirous to have the Consular Bill now pending in Govt. matured & passed as early as other public Interests will permit; wishing not to have gone till it was finished I requested leave of Govt to tarry yet a while but the Secy of State informed me it was “peculiarly interesting to...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Sylvanus Bourne, 30 November 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honour some time since to acquaint you of my intentions of embarking for Cape Francois by the middle of this month, but the want of an opportunity has hitherto prevented me and I wait yet some days for a Vessell bound to that Port. You was pleased to suggest in your last the peculiar necessity of my departure as it related to the public and I doubt not under these circumstances your...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Sylvanus Bourne, 21 September 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Being absent from this place on a journey I was not honoured by the receipt of your last favor till yesterday.—I perfectly acquiesce in your relation of the circumstances attending my acceptance of the Consulate of Hispaniola while I recollect that at the time you observed it was very uncertain what arrangements Government might think fit to make relating to our Consuls abroad you gave it as...
14To John Adams from Sylvanus Bourne, 15 August 1790 (Adams Papers)
Observing by the Papers that you are one of the Comm rs: 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—M r 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...
15To James Madison from Sylvanus Bourne, 28 June 1790 (Madison Papers)
Being informed that some Members of the House of Representatives are opposed to allowing any emoluments whatever to our Consuls resident in foreign Ports—I am led to request the exercise of your influence in support of such a gratuity as may not have a tendency to burthen the trading Interest—which consequence I think cannot arise from a small contribution chargeable on each Vessell according...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Sylvanus Bourne, 19 April 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
New York, 19 Apr. 1790. Requests TJ to deliver officially to the President the enclosed memorial and to acquaint him with Bourne’s qualifications for a diplomatic or consular appointment. His concern for the public good forbids him to solicit a particular post, but if he is appointed he will endeavor to merit the public’s confidence. RC ( DLC : Washington Papers, Applications for Office); 1...
17To Thomas Jefferson from Sylvanus Bourne, 2[4?] March 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
New York, 25 [i.e. 24?] Mch. 1790 . Having had the honor of an introduction to TJ he feels he may disclose his wish for public employment and refers to “the Vice President and Chief Justice of the United States, the Secretarys of the Treasury and War Departments” for information, but is conscious that capacity to serve the public is “the only proper ground of my expectations, as the only one...
18To John Adams from Sylvanus Bourne, 17 January 1790 (Adams Papers)
I am pleased to find that the President in his late Speech to both Houses of the American Parliament has specifically called their attention to foreign Affairs and to those necessary provisions, preliminary to his nominations in that Department The rising consequence of this Country in the scale of Nations will doubtless be a subject of much political & commercial speculation in the European...
19To Alexander Hamilton from Sylvanus Bourne, 1 November 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Boston, November 1, 1789. Asks Hamilton to “Give me leave Dr Sir to request the favr of being in your remembrance should any situation in the Treasury Department occur in which my abilities may be equal to rendering my Country service.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Bourne applied for several posts in the government in 1789 and 1790. In June, 1790, George Washington appointed him...
20To John Adams from Sylvanus Bourne, 8 September 1789 (Adams Papers)
I was honoured by the due Receipt of your obliging fav r. of Aug t 30 th for which you have my Cordial thanks— I am fully sensible of the justness of your Observations, relative to the Presidents nominations, and doubt not, they will be all made free from any partial biass whatever, and on the principles of humanity, Wisdom, & justice to his Country, whose best interests, have been his uniform...