William Cranch to Abigail Adams, June 14, 1798

Georgetown June 14 th. 1798.—

My dear Madam—

I have just closed a letter to the Pres t. on the subject of my Bro r. Greenleaf.— 1 I do not know whether I have not said too much,
but if I had not been restrained by a sense of Propriety I should have beg’d & pleaded that he
might have some appointment or other. I consider him as a man of uncommon abilities and
attention to Business, & he has no means of exercising his Talents at present,
having divested himself of every shilling of property. If his Conduct had not stood the test of the most severe investigation— If his misfortunes had not
been merely the Effect of the sanguine temper of a young man—or if I thought his mind
impaird by his misfortunes, I would not say a word on the subject. But knowing, as I
think I do, the goodness of his heart and the integrity of his morals, I feel myself
justified in saying even more than I have yet said.—

Pray have you seen the Fredicksburgh Resolutions, bro t. forward by Ker & supported by Mercer , the Pupil, the Diciple, and if we may believe himself the Confidant of
M r. Jefferson. For myself I do believe they contain the
pith of the Philosoper’s Creed political & philosophical. The letter to Cabell too
is a comment on the same.— 2

I am sorry to say that M rs. Johnson
does not enjoy good health. I am very fearful. if she does not Dissapate the Bile by
Change of Air, Exercise, and Amusements she will be very sick.—

We all enjoy good health.— I wrote you from Annapolis about the
1 st. of June.—

With the most affect e. Respect / I am,
your obliged Nephew

W. Cranch. 3