James Lovell to John Adams, December 19, 1789

Boston Dec r 19 th. 1789.

Sir

Though I know your extreme Delicacy as to any Interference in the executive Affairs of the U.S s. yet to you I must apply; for, Heaven &
Secretary Jackson know I may be chagrined in an Attempt to address the President.

I am in Dread least an Action should take Place which will renew
the Vigour of the Opponents & damp the Spirit of the Friends of Government: And, it
will be out of Time to await the Motions of a deliberate Legislature

The enclosed Copy of a Letter will explain my Dread. 1 If it appears well-founded and of sufficient
Importance to call for a speedy Remedy, a very mild but efficacious one may be
suggested. The President may see the circular Instruction of Oct r 31 st. and advise that it
be immediately followed by another stating the Point “to
appear, upon Review, to be of such a Kind as to need, perhaps, Legislative Attention”;
and therefore proposing to the Collectors to stay all Proceedings therein “till they
hear again from the Treasury.[”]

I am totally rong in my Conceptions of the Business, or else it may
be expected that one single Suit commenced in each of the States would produce a
Multitude of News paper Suggestions of a very unpleasant Sort both respecting the
General Government and its new Law Courts.

Am I consummately impudent in this
Application? Whatever may be your Judgement of it, you may be assured I will attribute
so much of that Charge to myself as to keep my Doings herein a profound Secret. —

I am endeavouring to break the Neck of some Enemies to the french
Consulate here. You must know I admire that Institution, because by the Kings
Ordonnances it’s Chancery has all the Spirit & Essence of our Jury of Equals.

The Herald inclosed proclaims my first
Onset, as the Printer of it did not feel my sly
Knock at his Licentiousness so sensibly as to refuse me the
Use of his Types. 2

Here, I am aground: For, as your Lady has all my Regards, what have I left for You? The Jus Mariti 3 must relieve me. Demand your Quantum from the
Bone of your Bone or as RTP Esquire would quaintly gallicize it—from that Bonne of You Bon.

James Lovell