John Adams to Samuel Barrett, June 11, 1789

New York June 11 th 1789—

Dear Sir

I have received the letter you did me the honour to write me on the
first of this month with its inclosures: The Letter to The President is conceived with
propriety & expressed with decency. As the Investigation of the
Characters, Services, Qualifications, and all other pretensions of every Candidate for
public employment, is constitutionally, in the President in the first Instance; General
Knox’s Advice to you was very proper, and I know of no other Course you can pursue. 1 As the Journals & debates of the House
are regularly published you will have early information of all the Offices which may be
created & will have opportunity to accomodate your application to the Circumstances
as they rise— 2

It would be to me at all times a pleasing Employment, if I had it
in my Power, to contribute to the happiness of a deserving Man & a virtuous Family;
but in this buisness is out of my sphere, I can do no more than relate the truth as far
I may know it, whenever I may be interrogated concerning Facts—

I am Sir with much Esteem / Your most Obed t & humble Servant

John Adams—