Scarce ALS as president signed “J. Adams,” one page, 8 x 10, July 10, 1800. Boldly penned letter to the “Secretary of the Treasury,” Oliver Wolcott, Jr. In full: “Inclosed is a Letter from Mr. Ralph Mather of Baltimore: it if you find any usefull hints in it, you know how to make use of them better than your humble servant.” In fine condition, with light edge chipping and a faint block of toning. The letter by Ralph Mather which Adams forwarded was presumably that of June 18, 1800, a lengthy missive in which Mather offered advice on international trade. In that letter, Mather pitched his services to the fledgling nation in the area of procurement and imports, describing the status of America’s overseas trade in language that continues to resonate in today’s politics.
Mather wrote: ‘Being somewhat acquainted with the best methods pursued by different governments in Europe, particularly France, England, and Portugal in purchasing Manufactures adapted to their Army and Navy—and being from early age acquainted with the different products and the several stages of manufacturing; I can the more confidently and warrantably descend to a narrative of this knowledge, and how it may be profitably applied to the United States when required. America confessedly assumes at present a great & growing posture. Her necessary supplies have increased and will still enlarge agreeably to the proportion of the property and country she does and will possess. I need not acquaint you that cheapness and goodness of the articles wanted for public use, must be an object both here and abroad…
I do not mean to accuse any one now employed in the service of Government, and thus reap advantage by such dishonest gain: but if I am not deceived I can assuredly render some service to the treasury by a considerable saving by my mode of purchasing the articles Staple, it requires, proposing a small commission only.’ Mather went on to describe his experience in the field, concluding with the observation: ‘Merchants are not the proper judges of manufactures; hence the exporters often select the best articles for European use, and dupe the importers here with the leavings. ‘It will do for America.’’ In other words, he felt that America was getting ripped off in the international marketplace, and promised that he could rectify the situation. Mather’s letter ended with a postscript, ‘If any of my observations afford any satisfaction, your recommending the measure to Mr Woolcott will be very much esteemed, as I learn his department goes to the arranging of such matters’—presumably the intimation which resulted in the present ALS. Adams is not common in autograph letters as president, and, within its context, this example reveals the nature of some of the challenges the fledgling country faced. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
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