New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-09-24
NEW PUBLICATIONS..
LIFE OF LOUN ADAMS.
TIIF WORKS OF JOHN ADAMS. WITH LnL o. Ihh
AUTHOR By his Grandson, CHARL-s fRNS's ANA'''
Vol. ]. Boston: Little Brown L Co.

LfandsDn,
Vol !. Boston: Little Brown Co.
lsecond Articlel
Upon the recall of Silas Deane from the coin-
mission to France, Mr.. Adams was nominated ~
his successor by Elbridge Gerry, and received
majority Of the votes of Congress for that ONCE
The news of his election reached bum while ell
gagged in a cause before the Admiralty Court IN
New-Hampshire. 1t came accompanied py letter.
earnestly pressing his acceptance Of the trust Ne
question thus presented was one of serious moment
10 Mr.. Adams. He had returned from Congress
with the purpose OF resuming the practice oil HIS
profession. The acceptance Of the oiier would oe
fatal TO his plans. Above all, it would remove MIN
from his wife and his young children, al time vi
peril, in conflict Of doubtful issue. Motives Vi
similar character had deferred Mr.. Jefferson rom
accepting the same place a few months earher'
On the other hand, it would afford him the oPpor-
tunity to promote the policy to which he had pedged
him self by the establishment OF relations win lor
cgn countries, that might serve as buttresses Oh III
dependence. Add TO this, the ambition natural 10
every 9eat mind TO labor in an adequate heid lot
its exercise These considerations carried Inc
hf hPp'hit"''"'i
made preparations for his departure.
He embarked in the frigate Boston, Feb. Is,
177e, and after periOus voyage TO Bordeaux
arrived al Paris on the 9Th of April. Since the
date Of his appointment, however, changes nad
occurred in Europe which diminished the utility OF
lis mission. The captuaton Of Burgoyne, with
tie close Of the Northern campaign in l117, SUD-
stantslly decided the result of the contest. France
was eager for the occasion to strike blow al her
ancient eremy and had sealed an alliance with the
United States just at the time when Mr. Adams was
embarking on his voyage. He had no sooner joined
the commission than be saw the necessity OF a
radical change in the diplomatic relations with
France. At his suggestion, fortified by the advice
Of Dr. Franklin and others, the old commission OF
three was dissolved. DR.. Franklin was made sole
minister at the court of France. Arthur Lee was
dispatched TO Madrid. But no provision was made
for Mr.. Adams. He was not informed even OF what
was expected Of him whether to wait or return;
whether to regard himself as under orders, or a.
left wholly to shift for himself His temperament
was averse TO delays, and instead of adopting DIR.
Franklin's advice to wait quietly for further orders,
be determined to return home on the first oppor-
tuuity. Embarking in French frIgate from
LOrient in June he arrived safely at Boston on
the Cd of August, aud Immediately rjoined his fam.
iy at Braintree having been absent about seventeen
months.
But though restored to home, a relaxation of
libor was not reserved for him. On the 10Th OF
September, he was appointed to negotiate with
Great Britain, and in the following November
again embarked for France, intending to remain in
Paris until called into active service. From his
previous experience he had been led TO place little
trust in the honesty of French diplomacy, and was
therefore anxious TO extend the connections of the
United States, so as 10 avoid atOo exclusive de-
pendencc On the good faith of France. On this
point he differed from Dr. Franklin, and this
emergency of opinion grew wider and wider at al
most every step of their subsequent career. Mr..
Adams's suspicious of France, according to his
bicgrapher were perfectly well founded. In the
diplomacy Of the day, evidence is to be found of
the exercise Of any exalted sentiment or generous
emotion. Not one &C the leading statesmen, with
tie exception perhaps of Turgot, was tingcd with
the notions Of the new school OF France. The
sovereign himself was by no means inclined toward
America There is proof from official documents
that sympathy with Americans as victims Of op-
preston or as champions of liberty had no share
whatever in the action of the French Cabinet
during the American Revolution. The cardinal
principle was pure and undiluted scllishness, seek
ing to gain advantage over n arrogant neghbor by
chershing the germs If permanent d.s;ord in his
bosom.
Mr. Adams reached Paris on the 9Th of February,
1850. Although without official duties, he could
not waste bis time in idleness when he could do any
thing which even in a remote form might be of ser.
vice to bis country He saw that the people on the
continent Of Europe were for the most part unac-
quainted with the history and resources of the
United States and the merits Of their dispute with
Great Britain. In order to remedy this evil, he en-
gagged in the preparation of papers explaining the
American side OF the question, which he published
in q semi-Cffcisl magazine. After few months,
however, finding himself Of little use in Paris he
determined on going to Holland. The object OF this
journey was to ascertain the probability of obtain
ing assistance for America from the people of that
country. Ills dtltlnptS 10 pIucuic ivan HUN tnO
capitalists of Amsterdam were frustrated. On the
LIST of January ISL he received commission from
Congress as Minister Plenipotentiary to the United
Provinces, with instructions TO negotiate treaty
of alliance whenever such measure should become
practicable. He at once proceeded to carry his
new powers into effect. In memorial TO the
States General he announced himself authorized,
on the part of the United States, TO give in their
accession to the Armed Neutrality, then looming
up ss an important combination, aud at the same