From John Adams to Commissioners of Washington City

28 March 1797

No. 56.

Gentlemen

Philadelphia march 28. 1797

I have received the Letter you did me, the honour to write me on the 22d. of this month.

your congratulations, “on the preference given” by my Fellow Citizens, in the Choice of the first Magistrate of the Union, and the Expressions of your Confidence are very obliging.

I am not apprized of any reasonable objection to the measure Suggested, of offering Scites for houses to the Ministers of Foreign nations: but I think the Proposition to them would be made with most Propriety by you, Gentlemen, the Commissioners, and to enable you to do it, consistently, I will desire the Secretary [of State] to make out a List of the foreign Ministers with their Several Titles.

The Subject is new to me, and there may be difficulties in it, which have not occurred to me. The Opinion of President Washington, expressed in his Letter to you fo the 18. of September 1796, has great Weight with me. He mentions however, difficulties which have occurred to you, as hinted to him by the Spanish Minister or Mr. Barry: but these are not explained. If you are aware of any, I Should be glad to have them Stated to me. With great Esteem I am / Gentlemen, your humble Servant

John Adams

DLC: RG 42--Records of the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, Letters Received.

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