From John Adams to John Trumbull, 31 January 1793
To John Trumbull
Philadelphia January 31. 1793
My dear Sir
Are you acquainted with the natural History of Mother Careys Chickens?1 I know not the Latin Name of these chattering Birds, having never consulted the Dictionaire D’Histoire naturelle, nor Buffon nor Tournefort for information concerning this important Subject: but as a Mariner I have had frequent occasion to curse the rascally Species of Mischief makers. In the calmest Moments at Sea, they Surround the Ship, and fill the Ears of the Sailors with a mixed Sound so ambiguous that you can Scarcely know whether they are laughing or Scolding. The Superstitious foremast Men are so affected with their Gibberish, that they are filled with gloomy Presages of Storms and shipwreck and every Species of bad luck: and such is the contagious nature of these Passions that the old Seamen and most experienced officers seem in some degree infected with the general Terror.
There is a little contemptible flock of these disastrous animals about our foederal Ship at this Moment, Mathew and John are here— James is at Richmond. James wrote Henrico to himself.— John, writes Cincinnatus Mirabeau and most of the other vile abuses in the national Gazette.2 a sett of despicable Fugitives from Justice in Ireland whether in Case of Debt or Crime it seems are able to disgrace the American Nation in its own Eyes as well as in the sight of Europe. But the most abominable part of the whole Story is that these People are perpetually about a Jefferson, a Madison and a Beckley.
I do not write this of my own certain Knowledge but I have heard it, and have no reason to disbelieve it.— It may be a curious Clue to you but you will not compromise me, nor make any other Use of it, than to suggest further Inquiry and more certain Evidence. I have read Several of the Ecchos and the 2d. & 3d American.3 an infernal faction have deserved it all.
your sincere friend
RC (NjP:Andre De Coppet Coll.); addressed: “John Trumbull Esqr / Councillor at Law / Hartford”; endorsed: “Honble: John Adams V.P. / Jany. 31st. 1793.”; notation by JA: “Free / John Adams.”
1. This was the circle of writers nurtured by Dublin-born printer Mathew Carey (1760–1839), who immigrated to Philadelphia and published the American Museum (, 9:287).
2. An anonymous author known as “Mirabeau” addressed a letter to “Fellow Citizen” Thomas Jefferson in the Philadelphia Federal Gazette, 7 Jan., pleading with him to remain at his post and counter perceived monarchical elements in the federal government. Another writer, “Cincinnatus,” lashed out at George Washington, Congress, and French Army officers in the pages of the Philadelphia General Advertiser on 8, 11, 14, and 21 Jan., seeking long-deferred compensation for Revolutionary War veterans (, 9:395).
3. Connecticut Wit Richard Alsop’s satirical poem The Echo was published in the Hartford American Mercury, 14 January. Trumbull had recently published several short commentaries on domestic and foreign affairs under the pseudonym “An American”; see, for example, Philadelphia American Daily Advertiser, 12 Dec. 1792; New York Morning Chronicle, 18 Dec.; Philadelphia Federal Gazette, 27 Dec.; Portland, Maine, Eastern Herald, 3 Jan. 1793; Boston Argus, 15 Jan.; and New-York Journal, 16 January.