John Adams to John Jenks, July 15, 1789

New York July 15 1789

Sir

I received your letter of the first of this month and thank you for
you kind congratulations. 1 The
application in favor of Joseph Hiller to be naval officer for the port of Salem must be
made by himself or friends to the President. The indispensible duties of my office
render it impossible for me to give much attention to nominations and appointments in
the executive departments: but if this were otherways, the opinion and judgment of the
Senators and representatives from the neighbourhood, whose personal knowledge and other
means of information are so much superior will and ought to have much more influence. I
shall however be attentive to your recommendation, and those of others in favor of the
same person, and if a fair opportunity presents, mention them, leaving the decision to
that wisdom, to which the constitution has confided it

Your &

J Adams