William Cranch to Abigail Adams, May 8, 1798

Annapolis May 8 th. 1798

My dear Madam

It has not been from want of the most affectionate Respect that I
have suffer’d your kind letter by M r. White to remain so
long unanswer’d. 1 The sickness and death
of a late worthy friend of mine, M r. James Cook of
Georgetown, and the business which has fallen into my hands in Consequence of that
Event, have occupied my whole attention and must be my apology. M r. Cook was about my Age, and was the only native young man of this Country with
whom I had form’d any degree of friendship. He was Nephew to M r. Joshua Johnson, and to the late Gov r. Johnson, and of Course his Connexions were extensive and
respectable. His great industry fidelity and attention to Business, without any very
Briliant talents had thrown an uncommon share of business into his hands, & he was
in a fair way of making a rapid fortune. His fees for the last year could not have been
less than 3 or 4 thousand dollars. Two days after his Death I call’d on M r. Johnson to pay my respects, which a variety of accidents
had obliged me to delay till that time— On mention of the death of M r. Cook, M r. Johnson said he did
not know, among all his acquaintance any suitable person to supply his place. M r. Ray, who was present, mentioned my intention of immediately
taking an office in Georgetown, to which M r. Johnson replied
that it was a very good opening, But that I must move into Georgetown, if I expected to
get any of the Business. 2 Nothing more
pass’d at that time, but on the next day M r. & M rs. Johnson came to my house— M r. Johnson took me out to walk, and then told me he had come on purpose to ask me whether I
had determined to move into Georgetown. I told him I had, provided I should go with the
full approbation of M r. Cooks friends, & that I had sent
an express to Gov r. Johnson & M r. Tho s. Cook, with letters to them on the
subject. 3 He then said he came to tell
me that no time was to be lost, but I must go into town instantly, & that if I did
so he would put all his business into my hands, which was
considerable—that he consider’d our families as connected, and that it was his wish to
see me succeed in my profession, and at the same time brought me an Account to be put in
suit upon immediately.— I mention these things to
shew how friendly M r. Johnson has been & because it is
undoubtedly oweing to your friendly kind
representations, that he has taken an interest in my affairs. As soon as M r. Tho s. Cook came into town, I
found him very well disposed to assist my views, and I instantly
agreed to take the office his Brother lately occupied and to purchase his Library and
office furniture, and he agreed to get me as much of his late Brothers Business as he
could, and that I should take the general Charge of all his unfinished Business. In
Consequence of this I took immediate possession of the office and wrote circular letters
to the principle Clients of M r. Cook, informing them of his
death and assuring them that their Business should not be neglected and that if they
thought proper to continue it under my Care it should be attended to with diligence
& fidelity. By these means I have secured a considerable part of the Business, and
there will be a good deal more which will devolve to me in Consequence of the Clients
not employing any one else. As soon as I return from Court I shall move my family into
Georgetown.— M r. Cooks Law-Library, consisting of 322
volumes mostly folio’s, is as good as any, if not the best, in the state. It was
collected by Gov r. Johnson, and has been considerably
augmented by M r. Cook. It cost me only $500, and is paid for , by M r. Ray’s
notes, who owed me that sum, so that if M r. Ray pay’s his
notes, which he is abundantly able to do, I shall be totally exonerated. I have taken an
Account of the first Cost of the Books in London 30 years ago, by a Catalogue in my
possession and find it to amount to upwards of $900. In consequence of my purchasing the
library entire, I have duplicates of several books, which I can easily dispose of.— This
with what I purchased in Philadelphia, will make a very complete Library, and put me on
an equality in that respect with my Brethren at the Bar. A few months ago M r. Luther Martin the Attorney Gen l. of this State, appointed M r. Cook prosecutor for
the State in the County Courts of Montgomery and Frederick. The Emoluments of the office
were considerable, perhaps a thousand dollars per Annum. I have had some acquaintance
with M r. Martin & he has discover’d a good Disposition
towards me;— One of my motives for wishing a letter from the President to M r. Carroll, was, that it is possible through him my name might
be mentioned to M r. Martin, in a general way; such as to say
he should be glad M r. M, would give me such Countenance
& support at the Bar as he should find me to deserve; or something of that kind not
looking too particular.— and that M r. M. may know something
of my Connexions Education & habits of life, & that he may know I have removed
out of Prince Georges County into Montgomery County, & have taken M r. Cooks office & business &c.— As the President is
not personally acquainted with M r. Martin, I am obliged to
try this roundabout way.— 4

I am much obliged to you for the pamphlets you was so kind as to
send me by M r. White.— Peter’s Judge afforded us a good deal
of Amusement. 5 The promptness which the
President display’d in sending to Congress the Instructions and dispatches, & the
public disclosure of their Contents, have silenced the voice of faction, every where,
but in Congress, and have excited an Enthusiasm in favour of the measures of
Administration, and indignation against France.

I am delighted with the manners of M rs. Johnson. So much spirit and so much gentleness are rarely united. M r. Johnson seems cool, collected, and decided—a most valuable
friend or a dreadful Enemy— I hope to know him only as the former.

M rs. Cranch and her Children were well
this morning. Rich d. was inoculated for the small pox about
4 days ago, and it seems to have taken well, but he is going to have more teeth, which I
am fearful may render the Disease troublesome.

I know not what to think of my father’s selling his farm. 6 It seemd to be a comfort to him, and a kind of
security from absolute want, the loss of which I am afraid will [. . .] him anxious.— I
have not yet written [to my] Parents respecting my late movements [be]cause I wish’d in
some measure to ascertain the degree of Influence they might be expected to have upon my
Affairs. It will give them great pleasure to know that my prospects brighten, and that I
have purchased & paid for so good a library.

I am sorry to hear that your son T. B. A, & M rs. J. Q. A. have been ill. M rs. Johnson is very anxious to receive letters from her daughter.—

I am, Dear Madam, most respectfully and / affectionately your
obliged Nephew

W. Cranch.