Jeremy Belknap to Abigail Adams, June 14, 1798
B o June 14 1798
Dear Madam
As the extract which you marked in y r Son’s letter was too long for one paper I divided it & gave one half to Benj n & the other half to John Russell, the latter part
appears in the Commercial Gazette of this day, the former I hope will come out on
Saturday. 1
I have read Robisons Conspiracy with astonishment, it contains
the seeds of all the mischiefs which we have been tormented with for years past— God
grant we may be able to stop the progress of this worse than mortal pestilence.
Thinking men are very much alarmed about the matter— The book is getting into repute
notwithstand g the acc o w h the Analytical Reviewers have given against it— Are not
they probably among the illuminati ?
Pray who or what is General Eustace ?
& what is his errand to this Country? 2
Will you be so good as to ask the Presid t whether he has in his Library Thurloe’s State papers? 3 & if so whether he will allow me the
inspection or loan of such part of the work as I may want?
I send you another & the only Subscription paper w ch I have. I am much obliged by your very kind offer of
assistance— I wish to have both returned by the beginning of next month. The book is
now at the press & will probably be published in all July.
If you are not tired, Madam, with my Queries I beg to know one
thing more, & that is Whether any of our armed Vessels will be employed to convoy
trading vessels to the W. Indies this Summer— The reason of my asking is that one of
my Sons who has had a mercantile Education & is now of age has some prospect of
making a Voyage thither as Super cargo, but it will depend on the prospect of safety either by insurance or convoy & the latter may
sensibly affect the former. 4
I will not trouble you with another Word but only to assure you
of my readiness to do you or the public thro’ your means any Service in my Power.
M rs B reciprocates your obliging
Salutations & joins me in respectful & cordial compliments to the Presid t & yourself—
I am madam / y r obliged friend &
/ hbl serv t
Jeremy Belknap 5
M r Appleton the Loan Commissioner
lies dangerously ill of a putrid fever & will probably not recover.