Charles Storer to John Adams, February 23, 1790

Troy. 23 d. February. 1790.

dear sir,

From the friendship you have always expressed for me I am led to
acquaint you with some circumstances in which I am interested & to request your
advice & assistance— Pardon me this liberty, which I should not have taken, had not
my situation required it, & but from a reliance on the same good nature to which I
am already so much indebted.—

The speculation I am upon here does answer my expectations &
wishes, and I am induced to look elsewhere an establishment— Without a capital it is
extremely difficult to carry on business to advantage; and this, through the misfortunes
of my father, I am denied the benefit of— I must therefore seek that employment, which
requires the least capital, & which is more within the compass of my own abilities—
From these circumstances I have turned my thoughts to a public life again, & if
favored with your assistance may hope to succeed.— 1 M r: Jefferson is
appointed to the office of Secretary of State— 2 The office of his first Secretary is an
appointment in his gift, & one to which I am vain enough to think myself not
unequal— Being a stranger to M r: Jefferson, I have to
request your friendship to speak in my behalf— You have intrusted me with confidential
matters, & I trust have never found me unfaithfull— Whatever in your good nature you may please to advance in my favor shall serve as a stimulus to merit
M r: Jefferson’s esteem & confidence, and particularly
to approve myself deserving your recommendation.— Since there will doubtless be many to
seek this place, I would request you to write M r: Jefferson
on the subject when convenient—in order that, should he accept my services, I may be
made acquainted with the result timely enough to make the necessary arrangements
requisite on my leaving this place.— 3

To be employed in a place of trust is extremely flattering to
me—and to be admitted to the confidence of & habits of intimacy with M r: Jefferson would greatly add thereto— I have therefore to
request information of you on what footing his Secretary stands, and what allowance
Congress has made for him—

I am fearfull you may term my application improper, as
recommendation is a delicate matter—but, sir, this is between friends—this is not
seeking honor & emolument—and, if it does not meet your approbation, may be checked,
in deference to your opinion, which I shall at all times respect.—

Having explained myself thus openly, be pleased to communicate to
me your candid thoughts in return.

[. . . .] greatly oblige me—and in the mean time [. . . .]ther that
this matter remain a secret betwe[en] [. . .]

With respects to the family, I have the honor to be, d r. sir, / Your much obliged friend / & hum le. serv t:

Cha s: Storer.