From Tench Coxe to John Adams, [ca. 25 June 1792]
From Tench Coxe
[ca. 25 June 1792]1
Sir
I had the honor to receive your letter relative to the house, and have since confer’d with Mrs. Keppele on the subject. She does not incline to take the lease off your hands, but is willing to let the house, if a satisfactory tenant shall offer, for a year after your time. If this can be effected the rent in the interim may be saved. I have therefore advised your Son by a note yesterday to put a bill on the door with reference to him, and have mentioned in several companies that the House will be to let—2 Every thing in my power to promote your convenience and interest on this occasion will be attended to.
As the franking clause in the post office act requires all persons receiving letters unfranked within their free letters to deliver them at the post office with the place from wch. they came noted on them, I was under the necessity of delivering the letters for Mrs. Dalton, Mr. Adams & Brisler marked as from Boston where I presume my letter entered the post office—3
I have very great satisfaction, sir, in noticing to you a material Change in the prospects of opposition in the next election— The situation in which Mr. Clinton is placed, by the circumstances of the votes which were rejected, has attracted universal Attention. The greater part of those I have conversed with appear to be very strongly impressed with the necessity of his resigning, and running the Race again, but I do not learn that there is any probability of this sort of Conduct on his part.4 he owes, in his situation, much attention to personal delicacy, and much to the undisputed (even if informal) expression of the peoples sentiments, and if he so far overlooks the obligations that lie upon him, as to enter upon the office I am convinced a great part of the antifederal interest will think him unfit for the office of Vice President of the United States. I cannot believe his prospect of Success was at all probable before, but I think it much diminished by the event abovementioned.
Mr. Pinckney is to sail this day in the American Ship Ceres for Dover—5 A fine Vessel on her third Voyage of about 310 Tons.
It is favorable to his prospects, I think, Sir, that Europe is likely to be much disturbed. GBritain, under all circumstances existing cannot help arming, and the encreasing ardor of Ireland will render her desirous of as strong a force as she can raise & be permitted to maintain without public Murmur.6 I hope in such a Conjuncture we may acquire the posts and an indian peace, when we may leave Europe to itself till it shall have fought its own Battles, and untill we can destroy or repress the evil spirit, which rages at home.
With the greatest respect, I have the honor to be, / Sir, your most obedt. / & most humble Servant
Tench Coxe
RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “The V. President of the U.S.”; endorsed: “Mr Coxe.” Filmed at [ante 8 July 1792].
1. The dating of this letter is based on Thomas Pinckney’s departure from Philadelphia.
2. Not found.
3. On 10 Jan. the House of Representatives passed a bill to establish a post office, which the Senate approved with amendments on 30 January. Congress passed a lightly revised version on 3 Feb., and George Washington signed the Postal Act of 1792 into law on 20 February. Coxe referred to the nineteenth section, which clarified the franking privileges of the executive branch (vol. 20:386; , 2d Cong., 1st sess., p. 490, 499, 502, 511; , 1:237–238).
4. In the contested New York gubernatorial election of 1792 between incumbent George Clinton and John Jay, sheriffs failed to deliver the votes from Otsego, Tioga, and Clinton Counties. Other messengers tried to submit the ballots, but they were deemed inadmissible and the votes were disqualified. Clinton won by a scant majority of 108 votes, and Jay’s Federalist supporters unsuccessfully challenged the result (, p. 301, 304, 306).
5. Pinckney sailed on the Ceres, Capt. Marsh, on 25 June and reached Dover, England, by 2 August. Six days later, he met with George III and presented his credentials (Philadelphia Federal Gazette, 26 June; London Star and Evening Advertiser, 2 Aug.; London Diary, 13 Aug.).
6. The Irish parliament was debating the Catholic Relief bill, which extended suffrage, the right to bear arms, broader military and legal opportunities, and admission to Dublin’s Trinity University to Roman Catholic citizens. The Protestant minority opposed these provisions, appealing to George III to “maintain unimpaired the Protestant ascendancy in Ireland” (, 9:695, 696; Philadelphia Gazette of the United States, 4 April). For similar reforms in England, see Thomas Brand Hollis’ 3 March [1791] letter, and note 3, above.