From John Adams to William Smith, 27 May 1789
To William Smith
New York May 27th 1789
Dear Sir—
I have received your obliging Letter of the 19th. a drawback on Rum exported is admitted by the House, and I believe will not be taken off by the Senate. The duty on Molasses will be reduced to 4 Cents and I hope to three. Your Reasoning appears to be very just and I think will prevail. The jealousies Distilleries and Breweries are natural and cannot be wholly prevented: but I hope they will not mislead us. The Subject has been argued in the Senate with great Candour and Moderation, and with a single eye to the public good— The result I hope will give satisfaction. Apologies are so far from being necessary that I shall be much obliged to you for any information on the Subject My Regards to Mrs Smith and Miss Betsey—1 Mrs Adams I hope to see in New york in ten or fifteen days at furthest. Mrs Washington arrived this day.2 I am with much Esteem Dr Sir / yr Friend & humble Servant
J Adams.
LbC in an unknown hand (Adams Papers); internal address: “Mr William Smith / Boston—”; APM Reel 115.
1. William’s wife, Hannah Carter Smith, and his sister Elizabeth.
2. Martha Washington set out from Mount Vernon on 16 May, and on the 27th she met George Washington, Robert Morris, and others at Elizabethtown, N.J. She then proceeded to New York City via “the President’s Barge,” and “on passing the Battery a salute was fired; and on her landing she was welcomed by crowds of citizens, who had assembled to testify their joy on this happy occasion” (, 2:205–206; New York Gazette of the United States, 27–30 May).