Adams Papers

To John Adams from Francis Dana, 3 November 1798

Cambridge Saturday Eveng Nov: 3d. 1798.

Sir

Agreably to the request of the Grand Jury of this County, I do myself the honor to present to you their address.

Next Monday it will be determined by the choice of a Representative in Congress from this District, in some good degree, whether “The inexpressible advantages derived from a free elective Republic are duly appreciated by the people of the County of Middlesex”. I say in some good degree, because the Towns of Newton, Weston, Billerica, & Medford, all staunchly federal, are cut off from us & annexed to other districts—And whether “the people of this County are firmly attached <the> to the national Government” &c In my opinion Norfolk and Middlesex are the most antefederal frenchified Counties in the whole Commonwealth; and for Disorganizers exceed in a vast proportion.

Lest you shou’d not be acquainted with the hand writing of the enclosed address, I wou’d inform you that it is none other than that of the Attorney Genl: who has thus late come forward as the apparent supporter of your administration & of the Federal Government against the Great Republic. What his friend Jefferson with whom he corresponds, wou’d think of this measure I presume not to say.—But this is not all he cou’d’nt rest without a work of super erogation, the drawing up a short complementary address to myself, with his own hand—The fellow knows I dispise him, & hold no converse with him but in our official relations.

I have wished for an opportunity before your departure of suggesting the expediency of something being done under the Alien Act; to rid ourselves of every Frenchman not naturalized, & of certain Irishmen, who have been & still are busy in scattering among our people their pestiferous principles. It is a fact that a strange Irishman is concern’d in the late outrageous insult upon our national Government committed in Dedham.

We were much disappointed in not being [. . .] your company at dinner to day. Hearing your carriage was in Boston at noon, we waited for you an hour.

I am Sir with the greatest Respect & Esteem / your most obedient humble Servant

F M Dana

P.S. You will be pleased to enclose the original address & answer as before for publication. I will return the Bristol Address as soon as it is received from the Printer.

MHi: Adams Papers.

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