James Greenleaf to John Adams, December 14, 1790

Amsterdam Dec r. 14. 1790

Sir

The partiality of some of my American friends, has induced them to
consider me, as not altogether uneligible, as Resident, from the United States, to the
Court at the Hague; & they have in consequence named me, to his Excellency the
President, as Candidate for that Appointment—the kind interest, I am informed, your
Excellency has been pleased to express in my behalf, claims my gratitude, & leads me
to hope, I may need no apology for the present intrusion— 1

So far as talents for public affairs—a mature age & experience,
find their due weight, I cannot be considered as so eligible to the appointment in
question, as many, who, perhaps, may alike stand candidates—but if, what may be found
wanting on this side, can in any measure be compensated for, by the few accidental local advantages I possess—I might, perhaps, with the aid of
your Excellencys kindness, flatter myself, with some hopes of obtaining, the suffrage of
his Excellency the President in my favour—

My numerous friends & family connections, in the several departments of the Government of this Country—my
long acquaintance with the manners of its inhabitants; and my Knowledge of the languages
most used here; constitute the principle advantages above alluded to—

It may perhaps also, not be improper I should mention to your
Excellency, the circumstance of my having been once honoured by an application from the
Grand Pensionary of Holland, for the procurement of a large quantity of Grain, at a time
when a dearth was apprehended—which, together with that, of my having had repeated
occasion to decline the acceptance of Offices under this Government, prove, that I enjoy
here no small share in the public confidence— 2

But I can urge no circumstance, on which to ground, any particular
claim, to the confidence of my Countrymen—unless it be, the unasked for, & almost
unknown influence, I have, in more than one instance, used with the Admiralty here, for
the releasement of American Vessels, arrested on suspicion, or proof of frauds—together
with the circumstance, of my having obtained authorization for the subscription of about
half a Million dollars, to the new Loan of Congress, with the view of lessining the
influence of a powerfull party of Annuitants, whose declared intentions are, to protest
against the Act of Congress, lessening the rate of Interest, on the national debt—

Unwilling to intrude further on your Excellencys time, I would only
add, that should it please his Excellency the President, to nominate me Resident; it
would be my wish, that the salary allowed, may be as small as propriety will admit of,
& to be increased, only, as my services may deserve—

I have the honour to be, / with the utmost esteem & veneration
/ Your Excellencys respectfull / and most obedient Servant

James Greenleaf.