Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05588.01

Author/Creator: Cabot, George (1752-1823)

Place Written: Brookline, Massachusetts

Type: Autograph letter signed

Date: 12 May 1798

Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; 22.2 x 18.1 cm.

Summary of Content: Cabot, former United States Senator, informs Williams that he ”must decline the Secretaryship of the Navy; to this determination I was ultimately brought by a full conviction that I cou’d not go through the labor of an office so difficult ... in estimating the forces that cou’d be employed to overcome the obstacles in a path hitherto untrod in this country I assure you that my mind constantly resorted to you as the principle, & if I cou’d have been induced to take upon myself so weighty an engagement I shou’d have relied greatly upon your assistance in every part of the performance of it.” Referring to President John Adams, relates his regret ”to refuse anything of a public nature which the President had thought it expedient to require.” States that Mrs. Cabot sends her regards to Mrs. Williams.

People: Cabot, George, 1752-1823., Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815., Adams, John, 1735-1826.

Historical Era: The New Nation, 1783-1815

Full Transcript: Brookline May 12. 1798 -, Dear Sir - , The occupation of much company prevented me from acknowledging by this day’s post the receipt of your very friendly letter of the 2d - I cou’d only find a moment to write an official notice that I must decline the Secretaryship of the Navy; to this determination I was ultimately brought by a full conviction that I cou’d not go through the labor of an office so difficult - I say this because the solicitations of those, to whom I cou’d refuse nothing in my power to perform, had overcome all my private objections & led me to consider [inserted: simply] whether it wou’d be possible for me to [inserted: fulfil] their expectations. -- I saw plainly that I cou’d not & have therefore declined the undertaking. -- in estimating the forces that cou’d be employed to overcome the obstacles in a path hitherto untrod in this country I assure you that my mind constantly resorted to you as the principal, & if I cou’d have been induced to take upon myself so weighty an Engagement I shou’d have relied greatly upon your assistance in every part of the performance of it. [2] it has given me great uneasiness to be obliged to refuse anything of a public nature which the President had thought it expedient to require - but a thorough knowledge of my incompetency to a work of so much difficulty render’d a denial a duty. - , Mrs. Cabot unites with me in sincere regards for , Mrs. Williams & her amiable Daughter.- , I am ever your assured friend, G.CABOT. -, Jona. Williams Esqr -, , [address leaf], To, Jonathon, William Esq, as Mount Pleasant , near Philadelphia., [docket], 12 May 1798 Brookline, Geo Cabot

Sub Era: The Early Republic

Background: Williams, a grand nephew of Benjamin Franklin, served as Franklin’s secretary during the Revolutionary War. He was appointed as the first Superintendent of the United States Military Academy in 1802, and served as a United States Representative from Pennsylvania 1815-1816.