Jabez Bowen to John Adams, June 16, 1789
Providence June 16. 1789
Sir,
I Returned yesterday from attending the Gen l Assembly, the great matters on which the in s. & outs differ were bro’t on. we lost the Convention by 11 Votes. The Repeal of the
Tender by 9. on the whole we gain a little. but our progress is so slow that we shall
never arive at our wish’d for point except something like M r Bensons motion in Congress, could be obtained. 1 it was usual for us to adjorn ’till August, but
no such motion was made. consiquently the Assembly will not meet ’till October (except
calld by Warrant.) in August the Lower house are Re:chosen. we shall do our utmost to
make a Change to our wishes, but have no great prospects. The oposition which consists
of the Debtors, with the midling & Lower Classes of Farmers continue firm in their
oposition. and I am afraid will so Continue Their Leaders keep up a Correspondence with
some of the Antifederal Members of Congress by which they are encouraged to stand out. our situation is Difficult & verry
disagreable and what further steps to take we know not. wish for your advice &
assistance. I think it was a great oversight in not putting the old Impost Bill in
motion the first moment Congress was organized, in that case no time would have been
lost, and every one would have been fully heard with patience. 2
From the forme of the Address used by The House of Representatives
of the U. States to the President, one would think that the House was composed of a
Majority of Quakers, and should we have no occasion to Talk to any Bodys of Men in the
old World, we might make out pretty well. but when the Respectable Republicks of America
determin that no Title shall be affixed to their Head, it will be looked upon as a piece
of Singularity & oddity. I hear President Manning is just arived shall call on him
before I Close this as I dont mean to be troublesome by the frequency of my Letters. 3 By him I learn that no plan seems to be
agreed on, that on the whole we must be endur’d with that most Excellent Virtue , Start deletion, Charity , End, Patience; and let Time bring us to that period
that shall deliver us out of the hands of unjust men.
Continue to be mindful of us, and Believe me to be with the
greatest Esteeme Your Excellency’ Most Obedient Servant
Jabez Bowen