ALS, one page, 4.75 x 7, no date [but circa 1790s, likely during his vice-presidency]. Letter to Joshua Johnson at Great Tower Hill. In full: “The Bearer is represented to me as an American Prisoner. He is informed that you have a Vessel bound to Baltimore, and desires to engage on board of her if you have a place for him. I would pray you to admit him.” Reverse of second integral page bears an address panel in another hand. Attractively double-cloth-matted and framed with a portrait of Adams and a small plaque to an overall size of 25 x 18.25. In very good to fine condition, with intersecting folds, a couple passing through single letters of signature, some brushing of ink to recipient’s name in lower left, and scattered toning and soiling, mostly to second integral page.
Sent to France on behalf of the colonies to negotiate a treaty of alliance in 1778, John Adams made the acquaintance of agent Joshua Johnson for the first time; twelve years later, Johnson was appointed US consul at London, a position that kept him in contact with Vice President Adams. The two would become significantly more familiar during Adams’s presidency, when his son, John Quincy—who had joined him on the initial trip to France, as well as subsequent diplomatic visits to Johnson in London—married Johnson’s daughter Louisa in 1797. Despite his reservations about his son marrying a non-American-born woman, he quickly welcomed his new in-laws to the family. A handsome letter with interesting family and diplomatic association. Oversized. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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