James Lovell to John Adams, March 20, 1790

Boston— March 20. 1790

Honored & dear Sir

You will have a Visit from your old Friend Gen l. Warren who supposed I could certify some Intentions of the former Congress greatly to his Advantage—
Your Namesake has done it; but I found it impossible for me upon a strict Review of the
Case. As you were absent part of the Time I think it my Duty to save you the Toil of
searching those Journals wherein this Business is scattered. The Sketch inclosed will
show you how Congress was obliged to turn & twist under the Difficulties of a
depreciating Currency, and to use sometimes Expressions of meer
Gloss ;—as upon Aug st: 4 & Oct r 31 1788, in this present Concern. 1

I am aware that the Gen l. would think
this Letter to be doubly not helping him; but I declare it
proceeds from an honest Affection for your Honor, without the least Wish to hinder any fair Advances of his Interest.
But really I am not free of Doubt whether M r Gerry’s Regard
for the Gen l. and perhaps his individual Intention may not add a Testimony similar to your Namesake’s. This
increased my Desire that you should see for yourself , in
Case you are addressed upon the Subject. Otherwise, and, if you please, at all Events,
let Lovell be out of Sight.

If Doctor Craigie should speak to you relative to a Peice of Justice due to me for which I shall furnish him with
Vouchers, you will certainly aid him because it is Justice: But I hope the Secretary of
the Treasury will find himself possessed of a discretionary Power similar to what
resided in the old Board of Commissioners for the Renewal of destroyed Securities. This Goverment and all Individuals here renewed all Obligations which depended on Them. But the Board
of Treasury of Congress have held me in Jeopardy for a Course of Years without
condescending to even an Answer of any Sort since my Letter to them of January 1786—in
which were inclosed all the Vouchers which the Nature of the Case would Admit and which
had given the fullest Conviction here where the Robbery of my Iron Chest was committed,
and the Criminals condemned and executed ; except the
State’s Evidence,—whose Testimony was uniform with the Confession, at times, of the two
other Wretches, that “every Scrap of Paper was burnt, from Fears of Discovery, except copperplate Loan-Interest Certificates,[”] which the
Wretches thought to be Bank Bills—good Plunder, not capable of being challenged by me or
any one.

Time adds Strength to my Claim because No Resurrection of a Scrap
has taken Place since Nov r. 1784.

I am Sir / With highest Esteem / Your most humble Servant

James Lovell