William Tudor to John Adams, July 27, 1789

Boston 27 July 1789.

Dear Sir

Our Citizens here disapprobate the Compensations, as they are
called, which have passed the lower House of Congress. They generally think that the
Salary of the Vice President should have been Ten thousand Dollars, A Guinea Per Diem
for the Representatives, & six Dollars for a Senator. As it now stands, the first
Sum is a Disgrace to the Government; & is here considered as arising from Party
Views & illiberal Policy. 1

The Constitution intended a Distinction in the Rank & Dignity
of the Senate as being the Upper House of Congress, & that Difference, ought to be
extended to Pay as well as to Place.

Our Profession are waiting with some Impatience for the Judicial
Appointments. M r. Dana & M r. Lowell are supposed to be the Candidates for the Supreme Bench. Neither I believe
(indeed the latter I know) 2 would not,
accept the District. A certain Probate Judge is supposed to have taken great Pains to
obtain this Post. 3 To no Person but to
Yourself, unless my Letter to the President should be quoted against the assertion, have
I ever hinted a Wish to be noticed in the Places that must soon be disposed of. But you
will now give me leave to say that I should be pleased with an appointment to some
Office (the Advocateship is now out of the Question) which my Education might enable me
to discharge the Duties of. I am now advancing to forty, & as the Profession is at
present circumstanced, the Spirits & Feelings are too often affronted, for a
Gentleman not to wish a Removal from the Drudgery of earning, & the Mortification of
asking for fees, which are now become paltry. More than this, on such a Subject, I ought
not to say even to you, Sir. And less, at this Juncture, I might perhaps hereafter
regret, to have communicated.

I am, D r Sir, / yours

W m Tudor