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Adams, John (1735-1826) To: Isaiah L. Green.

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03511 Author/Creator: Adams, John (1735-1826) Place Written: Quincy Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 09 December 1808 Pagination: 2 p. 23 x 19 cm Order a Copy

Written after retirement to Congressman Isaiah L. Green concerning repeal of Embargo Act and arming of ships.

Quincy Decr. 9. 1808.
Sir
I received, yesterday, from the Post office, under your frank the nervous Reply of Nine of our Representatives to (struck: the) [inserted: certain] Resolutions. Having read it with pleasure I thank you for Having read it with pleasure I thank you for your politeness in Sending it to me. While it treats our State Legislature with all the respect it deserves, it is written with as much candor and moderation as perversity and Energy. The facts are fairly stated and the conclusions [inserted: are] So urgent that I know of but one answer that your Antagonists can give, and that is "Repeal the Embargo let us arm our Ships give us Letters of Mark, and We will Seek our fortune and fight our Way, in the Mean time, build frigates as fast as you can to protect [inserted: and assist] us and We will [struck: chearfully pay] Conch Rates Stamp Duties Land Taxes and [inserted: bear] all other Burthens the "War may produce."
If I had not known, by fifty years Experience, the enormous Gullet of Party I, should scarcely have believed that a Majority of five hundred wise Men of the East, could have Swallowed such large lumps, as that "in the Embargo Laws only We are to look for the cause of the public distress" and that in their repeal We may look "for permanent relief."
But in a Letter intended only to thank you for your civility I am not about to trouble you with protocol disenssions [dissentions] of which I presume you have enough and to spare.
I am Sir respectfully your most
Humble Servt.
J. Adams

The Hon. Isaiah L. Green Esqr.
Member of Congress

Adams, John, 1735-1826
Green, Isaiah Lewis, 1761-1841

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