The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-02-16
THE ELDER ADAMS.
A Curious Insight into the Life Of Our Second
Pres ident.

Curious Insight into the Life of Our Second
Pres ident.
Yesterday morning a resident of this city
| who possesses a rich collection of his
torical Mss, had it still farther enriched by
| the receipt from Mr. Charles Francis Ad-
ans, Jr., of Boston, of letter written by
his great grandfather, John Adams, second
president of the United States. Copied
entire it is as follows:
PHILADELPHIA, April Z, 1896.
My DEAR Son: 1t is long time since [
have received letter from you and it is
too long since have written to you.
have read your dispatches as charge d
affaires at The Hague with much satisfac-
ton; but | find the secretary of the treasu-
ry is anxious to hear from you on the sub
ject of affairs in Holland which have more
immediate relation to his office.
The house of representatives of L. S.
are engaged in disputes about their powers
and authorities which have already con-
sumed much time; but hope they will now
come to a conclusion and resolve to do
what depends upon them to carry the
treaty into execution.
You have not lately given to me or
your mother any intimation of your de-
signs; whether you intend to remain in
Europe or to return to America. Your
prospects in Europe are unknown to me;
and while | should be very happy in your
company here, I would not advise you to
any course against your interest. If you
see any advantage in remaining where you
are another, that is third year, greater
than any to be expected from returning
home l would not interfere in your
prospects. Perhaps something May turn
up in Europe or America in the course of
few months 10 make your path more
easy to see. 1t is possible your brother
may be removed to some other situation,
and in that case you will of course either
be placed in bis stead at The Hague or
remain there as charge des affaires or re
turn home.
There may be some changes in America
which may make it proper for me to ad
wise yoa before the end of another year
to return home.
In America there are opportunities
opening constantly which a young lawyer
may take advantage of, provided he is
attentive and industrious as | doubt not
you are and would be.
Pray, has "The Defense ever been
transl 4ted into Dutch or German? If it
has send me a COPY wish too you
would send me one copy of the French
translation of it.
The Dutch are trying over again after
the French the experiment of ID govern
ment of single Assembly. Nedham, as
great changing as he was. and as great
a villain, has had more honor done to his
weak system than Sir Thomas Nor, Mr.
Harrington or even Plato.-It has cost
many hundreds of thousands of lives to
cure France of their idolatry to it, and
am afraid my good friends the Dutch will
have reason to repent of it. Oh franklin
Thy rods will not in a thousand years save
half the number of lives that has been de-
stroyed already in France by their incon-
siderate admiration of thy attachment to
Nedham's legislation,
The rascal Nedham leading Franklin,
forgot, Condenet and Rochforecault by
the nose, and the French nation bindly
following them and the Dutch nation
bringing up the rear is to be so astOnish-
ing picture. that no miracle could have
made me believe it, if had not lived to
see it.
Our family and friends are all WELL |
Alden my dear son-Go on in the ways of |
well doing and may the blessing of heaven |
follow you-So prays your
Afectionate Father
JOHN ADAMS.
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