Full free frank, measuring 9.75 x 7.75 unfolded with a 5 x 3.25 center panel, addressed in another hand to "Capt Partridge at the Military Academy, West Point, State of New York," franked in the upper right by Adams, "Free," and signed on the left side, "J. Adams." The original adjoining letter remains attached, written by "John Marston," August 8, 1813, requesting a thirty day furlough for his son, Ward Marston, recently commission to be a cadet at West Point, reasoning, "I wish my son to be more perfect in some of the studies he is now pursuing, before he goes to the academy." He writes that he had forwarded a letter through Vice President Elbridge Gerry two weeks earlier and had received no response, adding, "I fear that I omitted to pay the postage of my last letter…My venerable friend President Adams will frank this for me." In fine condition, with seal-related paper loss on the integral address sheet.



Marston again relied on Adams in 1818, sending a letter to say that his son failed a mathematics test and was thus not promoted after four years at West Point, again hoping that Adams may intercede on his behalf. A fantastic piece revealing the relationships and patronage that informed the politics of early America.