, 1878-01-05
Americas First Eavoy.

L SlthOu.l pesscS DStNeeii 're7ts i'Eltdlii ii:i
the United States was deiinitiveiy eopelud-
ed on the 81 of September, l.S3, it was ROT
until the middle of l7s5 that any represer-
tative of the new power was officially reeeiv-
| ed n England The couSeS OF this delay are
not difficult to understand. There vas a
natural Discrimination on both sides to make
approaches. On the 2tth of February, l7S5,
congress elected John Adams to the post OF
/ envoy to the court OF St. James. He had 10
represent his country at the court OF lis
former sovereign, toward whom he had for
several years stood IN the position Of a rebel;
and il was necessary that he should do this
| in way which shou!d neither compromise
the new power nor o.fend the Old. 1t was
in the month of May that he arrived IN
| England on his delicate mission. 1t was ON
the first of June that he was presented to
George Ill, al st. James palace The only
other person present on this occasion Was
Lord Carmathen, the secretary for foreign
affairs and the addresses then delivered
have been reported only by Adams. 1t was
not the original intention or desire of the
envoy to deliver any address at all, but he
was informed by the master of ceremonies
that such a compliment was usual with 4
|
therefore complied A:teraSsu-:nS his ma jes-
ty that it was the unanimous disposition cf
the United States TO cultivate the most
friendly and liberal intercourse between his
majeSty's subjects and their citizens. and ex-
pressing the best wishes Of his country for
his majesty's health and happiness and for
that OF the royal family, Adams entered on
the real subject matter OF his speech. -
| think myself more fortunate than all rly fel-
| low citizens, said the American adiressin.
| TIE monarch to whom he had once borne
| allegiance, IN having the distinguished hon
/ or TO be the first 10 stand III your niajesty's
royal presence il adiplomatic character and
shall esteem myself the happieSt Of men if
| can be usefal IN recommending my country
more and more 70 your ma Iestys royal be
nevolcuce, aid OF restoring an cntireestecin,
| confidence and affection, or IN better words,
the CID good natr'e anl the old good humor
| between people Who though separated by
an ocean and under different governments,
| have the same language, 4 similar religion,
ard kindcrcd biond | bee yorr majesty 5
permission to add that a!thyugh have so;uc-
times before becs entrusted by my country,
| 1t was never in riy v ho!c life IN = manner so
king, 1.-The circumstances of this audience
are 50 extraordinary, the language you have
told lie is so extremely proper, aid tie feel
irgs you have discovered are SO Justly adapt
| ell to the occasion that l not only receive
! with pleasure the assurance OF the friendly
disposition OF the United States, but that
| an very glad the choice has fallen upon you
To be their minister | wish yoI my dear
s!r, to believe, al.,i that 1t MAJ be understood
in America, that have done nothing Ia the
late contes. lat what thought myself in
dispensibIy boanI to 10, the da;y wLici:
owed to my people. | viii BE- very frank
with rou. [ waS the last 10 consent to the
separation bat tie separation being made,
and having hrcome inevitable, | have al
ways said, as | say Gow, that | would I've TIE
;irst 10 meet the friendship Of the United
states a5 5a2l:ndepeEdei;t peacr. The moment
J see such sentiment ami language as yogrs
prevail, and 5 disposition 10 give u tbs
country preferences, t!Iatmo;Gcat shall say,
let the circumstances 81 language, religion
and blood have their natural and iull effect.
Georgc ;:al evidently heard something Of the
,lisitl,t Of France which Was SO prominent
feature in tue political character Of Adams;
and he oi,se:ved- (Which WAS certainly hot
in the besG taste, considering that England
and France were then at peacc-that the
American Eavoy was understood to have 10
prejudices IN favor OF the French Adams
replied by admitting the fact, with the sig
n!tcant addition, - | must avGw to yodr
Majesty that | have 10 attachment but TO
my country George responded with
heartiness that could not be mistaken ifor
the principle was one with which he natural
j. symiathized) -'An honest man Glll never
have any other" And with these words the
interview terminated The brief converse
ton had been conducted On bota sides with
much good feeling ana Adams has recorded
that both lie and the king were powerfully
alIected.-CGssefS HistoyyCftte CAited5tGtcs.