Title: To John Adams from the Abbés Chalut and Arnoux, 17–2 November 1785
From: Chalut, Abbé,Arnoux, Abbé
To: Adams, John

            Paris place vendome No. 17. 20. 9bre 1785

          Vos lettres, notre Cher ami, nous seront toujours fort agreables. nous aimons votre françois, vos Sentiments rendus dans Cette langue quelle qu’en Soit la maniere, nous Seront chers. nous voudrions Sçavoir l’anglois pour vous épargner La peine d’ecrire en françois; notre age ne nous permet pas d’apprendre votre langue. vous Sçavez assez La notre pour rendre toutes vos idées, notre amitié vous entendra toujours.
          nous avons mille remerciments à vous faire vous avec avez acueilli avec bonté et politesse M. Poncet que nous vous avions recommandé; à Son retour à Paris il nous a fait part de toutes les politesses que vous Lui avec faites, nous voudrions trouver des occasions pour vous en temoigner toute notre reconnoissance dans la personne de vos amis, ne craignez pas de nous les adresser, nous serons pour eux ce que nous ferions pour vous nous avons vu M. fox de Philadelphie. il est venu diner avec nous accompagné de son Compagnon de Voyage et du frere de son Compagnon. il vouloit passer Six mois à Paris. il nous avoit priés de lui chercher une pension où il put apprendre dans Cet espace de tems la langue françoise dont il begaye avec peine quelques mots. nous avions trouvè une pension qui lui offroit tout ce qu’il pouvoit desirer à Cet égard. il a changé de sentiment. il va quitter Paris ou Ses relations avec Les Americains auroient retardé Ses progrès dans notre Langue pour aller à st. florentin où il sera isolé. Ses moeurs et son Langage gugneront beaucoup dans Ce parti. nous lui avons dit de S’adresser à nous quand nous pourront L’obliger.
          nous ne vous avons jamais dit que l’abbé de st. Pierre fut L’auteur de L’ouvrage immortel de télemaque nous sçavions dès L’enfance que C’étoit M. de fenelon archeveque de Cambray, un étranger Seul peu instruit de notre litterature vous a Sans doute dit le Contraire.
          nous avons appris avec plaisir que vos Dames regrettoient la france. Les Sentiments qui ont encité ces regrets nous flattent beaucoup, nous le Serions davantage, Si nous avions l’honneur de les revoir avant leur retour en amerique et de les assurer des Sentiments respectueux qu’elles nous ont inspirés, en attendant Cet heureux moment nous Les prions de nous permettre de leur presenter nos respects
          Deux aides de Camp du General Wasington ont bien voulu se Charger de notre lettre, ils vous donneront des nouvelles de Paris, ils vous diront mieux que nous tout ce quil peut interesser votre Curiosité.
          nous vous offrons nos Services. quand nous pourrons faire des choses qui vous Soient agreables ne Craignez pas de faire valoir L’amitié que nous avons pour vous et avec laquelle nous avons l’honneur d’étre / Notre cher ami / vos très humbles / et très obeissants serviteurs

            L’Abbé Chalut L’abbé Arnoux

            M. de Chalut est très Sensible à l’honneur de votre Souvenir, il vous fait Ses Sinceres Compliments et il presente Ses respects à vos Dames.

            M. Petry a reçu vos Compliments avec beaucoup de reconnoissance, il vous assure de son attachement respectueux.
            Mlle. Lucile est bien flattée de ce que vous et vos Dames ne l’avez pas oubliée. elle touche au moment de Se marier, elle nous Charge de vous en faire part, parce qu’elle sçait que vous aurez la bonté de vous interesser à Cet heureux evenement, Son futur mari est M. Deville premier Secretaire de M. le Comte de Vergennes, Le Roi à donné à le jeune homme une place de fermier general. La fortune Sera associée à Ce mariage qui nous fait esperer le bonheur des deux futurs époux.
            nous desirons d’apprendre bientot Celui de Mlle. Adams et nous felicitons d’avance l’époux qu’elle Choisira Sous vos auspices.

          TRANSLATION

            Paris, Place Vendôme no. 17, 20 November 1785

          Your letters, dear friend, will always be a delight to us. We like your French. Your thoughts rendered in the language, whatsoever the topic, will always be dear to us. We would like to know English to spare you the effort of writing in French, but our age prevents us from learning your language. You know ours well enough to express all of your ideas. Our friendship will always allow us to understand your letters.
          A thousand thanks for having welcomed Mr. Poncet, whom we had recommended to you, with such kindness and graciousness. Upon his return to Paris, he let us know of all the kindnesses you bestowed upon him. We would like to have opportunities to host your friends in order to fully prove our gratitude to you. Do not hesitate to refer them to us. We will be for them as courteous as we would be for you. We saw Mr. Fox of Philadelphia. He came to dine with us accompanied by his traveling companion and the brother of his companion. He wanted to spend six months in Paris. He asked that we look for a boardinghouse where he might, over the course of his stay, learn the French language of which he barely stammers a few words. We found a boardinghouse that offered everything he could wish for in this respect. He changed his mind. He will be leaving Paris, where his ties with Americans would have delayed his progress in his language study, to go to Saint Florentin where he will be isolated. His culture and language will benefit much from this plan. We told him to refer to us whenever we might be of service to him.
          We never told you that Father St. Pierre was the author of that immortal work Telemachus. Since childhood, we have known that it was Mr. Fénelon, archbishop of Cambrai. Only a foreigner, lacking knowledge of our literature, would have told you otherwise.
          We were happy to learn that your ladies look back wistfully on France. The sentiments that prompted their recollection are quite flattering to us. We would be all the more flattered if we had the honor to see them again before their return to America and to remind them of the respectful sentiments they inspired in us. As we await this happy event, we beg them to let us offer our regards.
          Two of General Washington’s aides-de-camp were kind enough to deliver our letter. They will bring you news of Paris and will tell you better than we can of everything that may interest your curiosity.
          We offer you our services. Whenever we can do something to suit your pleasure, do not hesitate to call upon the friendship we share with you, and with which we have the honor to be, our dear friend, your most humble and most obedient servants

            L’Abbé Chalut L’abbé Arnoux

          Mr. Chalut is very touched by your recollections of him. He sends you his sincere compliments and his regards to your ladies.
          Mr. Petry received your compliments with much gratitude. He assures you of his respectful commitment to you.
          Miss Lucile is quite flattered that you and your ladies have not forgotten her. She is about to get married and counts on us to let you know, because she knows that you will have the goodness to be interested in this happy occasion. Her future husband is Mr. Deville, first secretary of the Comte de Vergennes. The king gave the young man a position as farmer general. Fortune will accompany this marriage, and makes us anticipate the happiness of these two future spouses.
          We wish to hear of that of Miss Adams, and we congratulate in advance the future spouse whom she chooses with your blessing.


Title: To John Adams from Charles Storer, 23 November 1785
From: Storer, Charles
To: Adams, John

            Dear Sir,
            New-York. 23d. November. 1785.

          ’Tis my duty to write you as well as my inclination— The first point I will not urge further than to assure you I am full sensible of it, as I know you are an enemy to useless words: The latter point, Sir, let me beg to be indulged in— I wish my Correspondance could be of benefit to you, and I am willing to think it may perhaps at some time or other— Should it afford you any degree of satisfaction, the reflection that you are countenancing & instructing one just coming upon the busy stage of life I am sure will be an addition in my favor— On this sentiment I build, Sir, & feel heartily disposed to thank you in advance— Je me trouve dans la politique— This disposition, Sir, I have mentioned to you more than once, & I find it grows upon me. The air of my native Country has inspired me with more zeal than ever in her behalf— I long to be one of her Champions— But I am yet a weak one you’ll say— True Sir—but you must assist me & I shall be strong.—

            Boston. 3d. December. 1785.

          At the above period I was called away to embark for Providence; and now am happy in having it in my power to finish my from my father’s house. I need not say how willingly the doors were set open to receive us after so long an absence. Parternal Sensibility you are no Stranger to, and suffice it to say, on the other side, that the feelings of the Child perfectly accorded with those of the Parent’s— To Mrs: Adams I must refer you for the particulars of our friends; if you are curious to know them—
          Shall I tell you some news, Sir? I mean what is news to me; tho’ perhaps it may not be so to you— While at NYork I was much with Mr: Geary, which I am indebted to your letter for—with Mr: King & several other Members of Congress— Mr: King has lately written you, and I desired him to continue the Correspondance; because you have often complained of being in the dark, as to what was going forward here, & as he is a man the most capable of giving you substantial information of any one I know. He has a great respect and esteem for you, & in his turn is in the highest estimation of any young man in America— His talents are universally acknowledged to be very great: he is deeply versed in the laws & politics of his Country, & withal is highly ambitious— He is nevertheless a staunch Republican— He assured me that your fears were groundless, as to their being French & Anti-french, English & Anti-English parties in Congress—that on the contrary there was no foreign influence whatever known there—but that the present Members were unanimously decided on the true interest & dignity of the U: States—and are men of perfectly independant Characters— Why your original Commission to G: B: was revoked he did not tell me; but I found there was very strong opposition made to your late one— The Southern States, who you know ever regarded the Northern with a jealous eye, cried out violently against you— Give us one, said they, whom we know—who is acquainted with us & our interest—that we may rely on him— Accordingly Mr: Chancellor Livingston & Governor Rutledge were made Competitors with you & Colo: Smith was joined to them, that, in case the Principals fell, he might be a reserve— So it happened; for as soon as you were appointed, they in a manner insisted on his being appointed, and his being strongly recommended by General Washington, who chose to have all his family provided for, facilitated the measure— From this circumstance you will know how to view the appointment.—
          I found the People of NYork highly insensed against England, for their retaining the Posts: so it is thrô out; but particularly there. Yet ’tis universally thought that this ill-natured policy will tend yet more to strengthen the union of the States— I found the Southern Members to be warm & high for Navigation-Acts & reciprocal restrictions. Colo: Greyson, fm. Maryland, told me his State was about adopting our Navigation Act— New-Hampshire has done it already; and Rhode-Island & New-Jersey have empowered Congress fully to regulate their Commerce— The Southern States do not incline that Congress should have the regulation of Trade & Commerce in their power— The ballc: between them & us, they say is against them, and therefore they wish to have the staff in their own hands— I hinted to Colo: Greyson that probably G: Britain, by way of Proclamation, might throw out some partial advantage to the Southern States; but he assured me that any such attempts to seperate them from us would be universally treated with contempt.— Upon the whole, Sir, I am inclined to hope that the Commerce of the U: States will soon be on a respectable footing, as I rely on our not being wanting in our usual perseverance & joint exertion. I understand that among the first resolves of Congress will be a Recommendation to the States to join in a general Navigation Act, & to encourage all necessary manufactures among ourselves; as I am told there have been many petitions fm. several parts to their respective Legislatures to be encouraged. Our State has granted a bounty upon Oyl—£5:4: & 3. Pds: Pr: ton on the 3. superior Qualities, which, by making a saving voyage, may tend to encourage the fishery— How the Contract with France goes on I do’nt know: the prices I hear do not suit, nor the being obliged to take french manufactures in return—
          While at NYork I was told, by a Gentleman who came fm: Falmouth in the English Packet, that Mr: Willm. Roach of Nantucket was surveying that harbor in order to establish there the fishery: that he had contracted with Government to employ a great number of Seamen & vessells and that great incouragement had been given him. But all this you are in the way of knowing better than I can tell you.—
          No wonder, Sir, you had not heard of the arrival of Mr: Lambe anywhere in Europe; since he was seen, so lately as the middle of October, in New-London— Why he remained so long on this side the water seems unaccountable, unless we take into consideration the Character he bears, which is that of an idle, drunken, ignorant man. Pardon me, Sir, speaking so disrespectfully of one wm: Congress have appointed their Minister; but, as it appears to be a party matter & as his Conduct has been so very blameable, I feel admissible what I say.—
          Thus much for general news. Our own State matters you will have fm. better hands than mine— Our Governor is much respected & the Government is pretty well established: they have been long employed during the last Cession about a Valuation, in order to know our proportion of debt, & are now adjourned to February— Trade is very dull here—& we have frequent failures— Our Navigation Act many dislike, as it has carried much of our trade to other States— It has been altered in regard to foreign vessells. We have priviledges in several European States—I mean up the Mediterranean, but by our late Act we denied them the same with us— Now we go on the footing of reciprocity.—
          Do you remember, Sir, being addressed by Dr: Holyoke in the Summer 1783., as President of our Medical Society, respecting a Correspondance with the one at Paris? You established one; but lately it has been stopped; & they have not ever recd. their Journal de Medicine which was to have been sent out to them regularly. Can you give the Society any information on this head? Dr: Appleton wished me to mention this to you—
          Since my return I have waited on Mr: S: Adams— He is staunch & plain in his principles: is striving hard against innovations & change of manners & politics—but striving against a strong Current he labors & can but just keep his ground—
          Enclosed you have an account of our Whale fishery at Nantucket & elsewhere—as also the resolve of Congress, receiving & acknowledging Mr: Temple—so have only room to say I am, with every sentiment of esteem & respect, / Yr: much obliged, humle: servt:

            C: S—


Title: From John Adams to John Jay, 24 November 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Jay, John

            Dear Sir
            Grosvenor Square. Nov. 24. 1785.

          I was Yesterday honoured, with your Letter of the 14th. of October, accompanied with the Gazettes and the Act of Congress of the 27. Septr.
          You will learn from Mr Dumas Letter, as well as by the public Papers, that the Treaty of defensive Alliance, between France and Holland was Signed at Paris on the tenth of this month. The vain Exertions of the Cabinet of St. James’s, to prevent it, are so far from being a Secret, that the English or Orange Party, which is the Same, have inserted them in their own Courier du Bas Rhin. The offers are there Stated to have been. the Restitution of Negapatnam the renunciation of the navigation of the Moluccas, the Payment of the Millions to the Emperor, the Warranty of the new Treaty with the Emperor, and the Alteration of the navigation Act, in favour of Holland. Sir James Harris, with his Secretary of Legation and three Clerks, are Said to have been very busy night and day: but all to no Purpose. it is not att all to be wondered at, that British Ministers should be allarmed. The only wonder is that they did not foresee and prevent the danger. two Years ago, by an honest Settlement with America, and less costly Offers to holland they might have maintained their Rank among the Powers of Europe. It is now lost forever. The Loss of the Empire of the Seas, which their Ambition has long aspired to, and which their Arrogance has long claimed, would be a benefit to Mankind, and no real Evil to them: but they will now find it difficult to defend their Liberty upon the Seas, and if the United States of America should acceed to this defensive Alliance upon any reasonable Terms, think of it as they will their Navigation their Possessions in the East & the West and their Empire will be at Mercy.
          I am not informed, whether Congress have any Such Measure in Contemplation: but if they have, they ought not to delay it from any Expectation of any Thing that I can do here. so far from entertaining any Sanguine hopes, I think there is Scarcely a possibility that I should do any Thing. There are divisions in the Ministry. Thurlow, Gower, Dundas & Jenkinson, are of the old Leaven, and the King will have them, or some other of the same Stamp to govern.— Pitt is but a Tool, and an Ostensible Pageant, a Nose of tender Virgin Wax.— He could not carry in Parliament nor in the Cabinet, any honest system with America if he meant to do it. but he is himself very far from being Steady, in his American Politicks, any more than Cambden or Richmond. and Sidney and Carmarthen, are ——— Cyphers. This is naked Truth, but I should be unworthy of your Confidence, if I did not expose it to you although your Prudence and that of Congress, will not proclaim it to the World. This great Event of the Dutch and French Alliance, must awaken the Feelings of this nation if they have any left.— and afords the only Opportunity which has yet presented, for offering with any Propriety a Memorial concerning the Evacuation of the Frontier Posts. It would have looked somewhat too emphatick, to have gone with a Memorial, the first moment of the Arrival of the News, and it would be imprudent to delay it, till the whole Impression is worn off.— as a Medium, then, I have concluded, on the Day of the next Stated Conferences of the foreign Ministers, which will be next Thursday before the Drawing Room, to wait on Lord Carmarthen with a Memorial, requiring in the Name of the United States the Evacuation of all the Posts.
          It will not be done however and I shall have no Answer. They have not the Courage to refuse, any more than to comply. I have no Answer to any of my Letters or Memorials to the Ministry nor do I expect any, before next Spring. perhaps not then.
          There is no Resource for me, in this Nation. The People are discouraged and dispirited, from the general Profligacy and Want of Principle from the Want of Confidence in any Leaders, from the frequent Dissappointments and Impositions they have experienced in turn from all Parties.— Patriotism is no more, nor is any hypocrite Successfull enough to make himself believed to be one.
          Fox and his Friends and Patrons are ruined by the endless Expences of the last Elections, and have no longer any Spirit or any Enterprize.
          North and his Friends are afraid of Impeachment and Vengeance, and therefore will avoid all hazardous Experiments by which the popular Cry might be excited.
          I See nothing therefore to prevent the states from compleating their Measures for the Encouragement of their own Manufactures and Navigation, or from deliberating upon a new Treaty of Commerce with France, or even a new Alliance. You might probably purchase a Market for your ready built ships and Your Oil, &c in France, and the Admission of your Flour and all other Things to their Islands, by Stipulating to lay greater Duties upon British than French ships & Goods, to lay Duties upon English West India Rum in favour of French Brandies &c. But in these Things I think We need not be in haste.—
          Mr Barclay & Mr Franks are gone to Morocco and Mr Lamb & Mr Randal to Algiers as I suppose.
          Russia, as well as Portugal are piqued at present with this Court, and Comte Warranzow has Several times lately asked a Friend of mine, why the United States did not make any Advances to his Mistress.— our Commissions for treating with the Powers of Europe expire next June, long before We shall have compleated the Business. Congress will determine, whether to renew them
          I have the Honour to be, with entire Esteem, sir your / most obedient & most humble servant

            John Adams


Title: To John Adams from Thomas Barclay, 24 November 1785
From: Barclay, Thomas
To: Adams, John

            Dear Sir
            Paris 24 Novr.

          I wrote you Yesterday advising My Bill on you to M Grand No. 6 for Two Hundred pounds Sterling—
          I shou’d have been before this time on the road to Madrid, but Mr. De Beaumarchais having had his Accounts returned from America with a Reference to me, M. Jefferson thought I ought to give them an Examination so that No reflections hereafter shou’d lye on one of the Servants of the Public, for having declined that business— I have Now made it, and wait only for some Vouchers which I have written to Mr. De Beaumarchais to lay before me If this is done I shall proceed immediately to a Settlement; and if it is not done he will have No person to Blame but himself—
          The affairs with Algiers Claiming an Immediate attention Mr. Lamb and Mr. Randle went from hence fifteen or sixteen days ago, Part of the Extraordinary time which I have spent here has been engaged in procuring the Best Information in my power respecting the Business I am Going on, and the result of those enquiries is that it is Usual to make one Present to the Emperor at the first Audience, and another at taking leave, Exclusive of some necessary to be Distributed among his Family and those who are about his person— I wrote you some time ago that I thought the Value of Twenty thousand livres wou’d be sufficient to begin with, but on Examining the lists of Presents made by other Powers, I Conclude it will be Necessary, at the Very least, to Double that sum, and indeed I beleive to go farther— I have availd my self of the Delay to Chuse with Caution the Necessary Articles and a Great Part of them are such as will sell without loss, if a failure shou’d happen to the Negociation— Those that I have purchased are Swords, Pistols, Snuff Boxes, two Very Rich Umbrellas, watches, a Clock, Lawns and Cambricks to the amount of Twenty thousand livres, the things I want are Rings Silk and Cloth for Vests, Velvits, Brocade Satin, some Rich Toys, Gold and Silver lace, Silver watches—together with some Lawns Cambricks and Muslins which I have orderd to be bought at L’orient, of which when the whole is Compleated I shall send you an Account— Having received All my Papers from Mr. Jefferson, some letters of Recommendation from the Marechal de Castries, and an order for My Passports to the Ferme General, I wait only until I Can arrange the account of M. De Beaumarchais, when I shall set out for L’Orient and pass immediately to Spain, through Bordeaux— I Beg you will beleive Me with the greatest Esteem and Respect, / Dear Sir / Your Most obed / Servant—

            Thos Barclay


Title: To John Adams from John Jay, 26 November 1785
From: Jay, John
To: Adams, John

            Dr: Sir
            New York 26th: Novemr. 1785

          Congress on Wednesday last made a House and chose Mr. Hancock President but he being absent they appointed Mr. Ramsay of South Carolina to fill the Chair for the present.—
          A considerable Time had elapsed during which a sufficient Number of States to proceed on Business were not represented— In this Interval I had the Pleasure of receiving your Letters of 25th: 28th: 29th: 30th: & 31st: August and 2d: 3rd: 6th: & 15th: September last together with the Ratifications of the Treaty and Convention between the United States and the United Netherlands with the Seals to each enclosed in a silver Box.—
          I have laid them all before Congress, and am persuaded that the Testimony they bear to your unremitted Attention to the Interest of our Country will make as strong an Impression on them as it does upon me.—
          There is Reason to hope and expect that Congress will soon find leisure to attend more assiduously to their foreign Affairs, and enable me to write more precisely on various Subjects than I have yet been able to do.—
          My last Letters to you were of the 1st: Novemr: by Mr. Chollet, and of the 2d: by Mr. Houdon.—
          I now transmit a Copy of the Proceedings of the Commissioners respecting the Negroes carried from hence at the Time of the Evacuation together with a List of them— It will enable you to negociate a Settlement of that Business with less Difficulty. It is to be observed that great Numbers were carried from other Places as well as from New York, and for whom the british Government ought in Justice to make Compensation— I shall endeavour to furnish You with such Evidence of their Numbers &c: as I may be able to collect.—
          Mr. Temple is here, and his Commission is now before Congress— I shall take the earliest Opportunity of communicating to you their Decision respecting it.
          I herewith enclose a Copy of an Act of Rhode Island for vesting Congress with the Power of regulating foreign Trade. In one of the Newspapers also sent, you will find another Act of that State respecting Navigation.—
          However discordant the various Acts of the States on these Subjects may be, they nevertheless manifest Sentiments and Opinions which daily gain ground, and which will probably produce a proper and general System for regulating the Trade and Navigation of the United States both foreign and domestic.—
          The fœderal Government alone is equal to the Task of forming such a System, and it is much to be wished that partial and local Politics would cease to oppose vesting Congress with Powers adequate to that great and important Object.—
          I intended to have devoted this Day entirely to writing to you; but I was unexpectedly called upon to attend a Committee of Congress this Morning, and the Business before them makes it necessary for me immediately to report on another Matter connected with it.—
          I am Dr: Sir with very sincere Esteem and Regard / Your most obt. & very hble: Servt

            John Jay—


Title: To John Adams from William White, 26 November 1785
From: White, William
To: Adams, John

            Sir
            Philadelphia Novr 26. 1785.

          I presume on the Circumstance of being not intirely unknown to your Excellency, to offer to you the inclosed Papers: knowing, that the President of Congress has already written to you on the Subject of them.

          As you formerly, Sir, communicated to Congress Information of the friendly Disposition of the Danish Government & Clergy towards the Episcopal Church in these States, it may be proper for me to state to you the Reason of the Non-Acceptance of their kind Offer of ordaining for us: however gratefully we acknowledge the Favor, as well as your Excellency’s liberal Intention to serve us on that Occasion.
          I believe I might mention, that there are Objections against the Succession of the Danish Bishops; but have not sufficiently informed myself of the Constitution of that Church, to say any Thing more on this Head.
          I might also mention, that before the Information reached us of a Door being opened in that Quarter, an Act had passed the British Parliament, allowing the Bp: of London to admit to the Orders of Priest & Deacon, Persons out of Allegiance to the King; without administering the Oaths.
          But, Sir, it is the Wish of all the well informed Members of our Church, to be independent & self-governed; principally from a Conviction of the unhappy Influence which a foreign spiritual Jurisdiction has always maintained in civil Matters, wherever it has been acknowleged. This we have severely felt in the late War; and, if persevered in, must at last be fatal, either to our Church or to the Commonwealth: in those States at least, where the Members of our Communion are a Majority of the People. There is Nothing wanting to the establishing of our Constitution, but the obtaining the Episcopal Succession in the first Instance from the English Bishops; which we trust will fix our Church on such a Footing, as must be desired by all who wish well to the present civil System of Confederate America. Should any political Objection arise from the British Ministry on the Point of Delicacy as to intermeddling with the Concerns of this Country, I cannot doubt of your Excellency’s Endeavours to remove it.
          With my best Wishes, Sir, for your Health & Happiness, I have the Honour to subscribe myself, / Your Excellency’s most obedient / & very humble Servant,

            Wm. White.

            PS. The Specimans of the Prayer Book herewith enclosed go as far as the Press has yet furnished.


Title: To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 27 November 1785
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Adams, John

            Dear Sir
            Paris Nov. 27. 1785.

          Your favor of the 5th. came to hand yesterday, and Colo. Smith & Colo. Humphries (by whom you will receive one of the 19th. from me) being to set out tomorrow, I hasten to answer it. I sincerely rejoice that Portugal is stepping forward in the business of treaty, and that there is a probability that we may at length do something under our commissions which may produce a solid benefit to our constituents. I as much rejoice that it is not to be negociated through the medium of the torpid uninformed machine at first made use of. I conjecture from your relation of the conference with the Chevalier de Pinto that he is well informed & sensible. so much the better. it is one of those cases (perhaps no others exist) where the better the interests of the two parties are understood the broader will be the bottom on which they will connect them.
          To the very judicious observations on the subjects of the conference which were made by you, I have little to add.
          1. Flour. it may be observed that we can sell them the flour ready manufactured for much less than the wheat of which it is made. in carrying to them wheat, we carry also the bran, which does not pay it’s own freight. in attempting to save & transport wheat to them, much is lost by the weavil, and much spoiled by heat in the hold of the vessel. this loss must be laid on the wheat which gets safe to market, where it is paid by the consumer. now this is much more than the cost of manufacturing it with us, which would prevent that loss. I suppose the cost of manufacturing does not exceed seven per cent on the value. but the loss by the weavil, & damage on ship board amount to much more. let them buy of us as much wheat as will make a hundred weight of flour. they will find that they have paid more for the wheat then we should have asked for the flour, besides having lost the labour of their mills in grinding it. the obliging us therefore to carry it to them in the form of wheat, is a useless loss to both parties.
          Iron. they will get none from us. we cannot make it in competition with Sweden or any other nation of Europe where labour is so much cheaper.
          Wines. The strength of the wines of Portugal will give them always an almost exclusive possession of a country where the summers are so hot as in America. the present demand will be very great if they will enable us to pay for them; but if they consider the extent & rapid population of the United states they must see that the time is not distant when they will not be able to make enough for us, & that it is of great importance to avail themselves of the prejudices already established in favor of their wines and to continue them by facilitating the purchase. do this & they need not care for the decline of their use in England. they will be independant of that country.
          Salt. I do not know where the Northern states supplied themselves with salt, but the Southern ones took great quantities from Portugal.
          Cotton & wool. the Southern states will take manufactures of both: the Northern will take both the manufactures & raw materials.
          East-India goods of every kind. Philadelphia & New York have begun a trade to the East Indies. perhaps Boston may follow their example. but their importations will be sold only to the country adjacent to them. for a long time to come the states south of the Delaware will not engage in a direct commerce with the East Indies. they neither have nor will have ships or seamen for their other commerce. nor will they buy East India goods of the Northern states. experience shews that the states never bought foreign goods of one another. the reasons are that they would, in so doing, pay double freight & charges, and again that they would have to pay mostly in cash what they could obtain for commodities in Europe. I know that the American merchants have looked with some anxiety to the arrangements to be taken with Portugal in expectation that they could get their E. India articles on better and more convenient terms, and I am of opinion Portugal will come in for a good share of this traffic with the Southern states, if they facilitate our paiments.
          Coffee. can they not furnish us of this article from Brazil?
          Sugar. the Brazil sugars are esteemed with us more than any other.
          Chocolate. this article when ready made, and also the Cacao becomes so soon rancid, and the difficulties of getting it fresh have been so great in America that it’s use has spread but little. the way to increase it’s consumption would be to permit it to be brought to us immediately from the country of it’s growth. by getting it good in quality, and cheap in price, the superiority of the article both for health and nourishment will soon give it the same preference over tea & coffee in America which it has in Spain where they can get it by a single voiage, & of course while it is sweet. the use of the sugars, coffee, & cotton of Brazil would also be much extended by a similar indulgence.
          Ginger & spices from the Brazils, if they had the advantage of a direct transportation might take place of the same articles from the E. Indies.
          Ginseng. we can furnish them with enough to supply their whole demand for the E. Indies.
          They should be prepared to expect that in the beginning of this commerce more money will be taken by us, than after a while. the reasons are that our heavy debt to Gr. Britain must be paid before we shall be masters of our own returns, and again that habits of using particular things are produced only by time and practice.
          That as little time as possible may be lost in this negociation I will communicate to you at once my sentiments as to the alterations in the draught sent them, which will probably be proposed by them, or which ought to be proposed by us, noting only those articles.
          Art. 3. they will probably restrain us to their dominions in Europe. we must expressly include the Azores, Madeiras, & Cape du verd islands some of which are deemed to be in Africa. we should also contend for an access to their possessions in America according to the gradation in the 2d. article of our instructions of May 7. 1784. but if we can obtain it in no one of these forms, I am of opinion we should give it up.
          Art. 4. this should be put into the form we gave it in the draught sent you by Doctr. Franklin & myself for Great Britain. I think we had not reformed this article when we sent our draught to Portugal. you know the Confederation renders the reformation absolutely necessary; a circumstance which had escaped us at first.
          Art. 9. add from the British draught the clause about wrecks.
          Art. 13. the passage “Nevertheless[”] &c. to run as in the British draught.
          Art. 18. after the word “accident” insert “or wanting supplies of provisions or other refreshments.” and again instead of “take refuge” insert “come” and after “of the other” insert “in any part of the world.” the object of this is to obtain leave for our whaling vessels to refit and refresh on the coast of the Brazils, an object of immense importance to that class of our vessels. we must acquiesce under such modifications as they may think necessary for regulating this indulgence, in hopes to lessen them in time, and to get a pied-a-terre in that country.
          Art. 19. can we get this extended to the Brazils? it would be precious in case of a war with Spain.
          Art. 23. between “places” & “whose” insert “and in general all others” as in the British draught.
          Art. 24. for “necessaries” substitute “comforts.”
          Art. 25. add “but if any such Consuls shall exercise commerce[”] &c as in the British draught.
          We should give to Congress as early notice as possible of the reinstitution of this negociation; because in a letter by a gentleman who sailed from Havre the 10th. inst. I communicated to them the answer of the Portuguese minister through the Ambassador here, which I sent to you. they may in consequence be taking other arrangements which might do injury. the little time which now remains of the continuance of our commissions should also be used with the Chevalr. de Pinto to hasten the movements of his court.
          But all these preparations for trade with Portugal will fail in their effect unless the depredations of the Algerines can be prevented. I am far from confiding in the measures taken for this purpose. very possibly war must be recurred to. Portugal is in war with them. suppose the Chevalier de Pinto was to be sounded on the subject of an union of force, and even a stipulation for contributing each a certain force to be kept in constant cruize. such a league once begun, other nations would drop into it one by one. if he should seem to approve it, it might then be suggested to Congress, who, if they should be forced to try the measure of war, would doubtless be glad of such an ally.— as the Portuguese negociation should be hastened, I suppose our communications must often be trusted to the post, availing ourselves of the cover of our cypher.
          I am with sincere esteem Dear Sir / Your friend & servt

            Th: Jefferson


Title: To John Adams from Charles van Notten, 28 November 1785
From: Notten, Charles van
To: Adams, John

            Sir
            Devonshire Square 28 Novemr 1785

          I beg pardon for troubling You on a very disagrable Subject, but not being able to procure a sufficient Information in any other manner, I must request the favor of Yr Ex’ Information & is if it is true, the Report circulated here, of a Party of Indians, having about the 29th: July last, fallen on a few Settlers at Great Kanhaves, & having there Scalp’t five Persons, amongst which were
          Mr: Jean Duval Senator of the Districht of Monougholie & the Ohio
          & Mr:Galatin who was known as a french Gentn (tho born at Geneve, from which Place he about a Year or Some Months back, on the troubles in that Town, went to Settle in America).
          An Uncle’s of this Gentn: is very uneasy, & it will be doing him a friendly act, to let Us know, if Yr: Ex: knows if it is true, & if MrGalatin is one of those unfortunate Persons, the Name was Spelt Galatan in an Article of 15 Augt: from New York—but differs you See but one Letter, I fear therefore it is so. The favor of a Line in answer at Your leisure directed as hereunder will oblige / sir Yr: Ex: / Most Obt Humb: Servt

            Chas Van Notten


Title: To John Adams from Joseph Palmer, 28 November 1785
From: Palmer, Joseph
To: Adams, John

            Dear Sir
            Germantown 28th Novr 1785.

          Your very friendly Lettr of the 26th August ’84, wou’d not have lain so long unnoticed, had not my embarrassments continued. When I wrote you in the June preceding, I then hoped Soon to emerge out of that flood of diffeculties in which I had long been Struggling; but my hopes being disappointed, I cou’d not Suppose it consistant with honor, & the rule of right, to make any proposels to any of the gentlemen of Amsterdam, mention’d in Your favor of Augst’84; especially as I found that the want of a commercial Treaty with G B, had discouraged the Whalers & Manufacturers; & which discouragemt was promoted by Some of the inhabitants of Nantuckett, who presented a petition to Our Court, praying that they might be Seperated from, & independt of this State; in Order to be Seperated from, & independt of the United States; & this, as T Folger Esqr told me (who presented the petition) in order to make an exchange with G B, of Nantuckett for a Settlemt on Falkland Isles! However, this discouragemt has been, in Some measure, counteracted by our Frd Genl Warren & others, whose representations to the Marquis of Fayette, has operated (as you will see by the inclosed paper of the 15th Sept past) the opening a Market in France, for Oil; how extensive it will be, or how great the prospects of those concern’d on this Side the Water, I know not, but suppose it considerable: My circumstances have not permitted my concern therein, & therefore I express myself in this doubtful manner.
          On your Mrs Adams’s leaving us, I no longer experienced Mr Tyler’s friendship, but rather the reverse; for ’tho’ what I said of him in June ’84 was true at that time, yet truth wou’d not permit my saying so much at this time: Thus much I tho’t it incumbent upon me to say, in order to acknowledge Mrs Adams’s friendship, & to give a proof of mine:— I do not wish greater happiness to myself & mine, than to You & Yours.
          Whether I shall or shall not remain at this place, is very uncertain, but must soon be determined; I think it most probable that I shall continue here, & if I do, may have it in my power to encourage the Whalefishery: But my great object, is Salt-making, which is the most lucrative business of any, I have been acquainted with; the Sea always furnishes Stock gratis, and the Market will not be overstock’d in my day with this necessary Article. Tho’ ’tis so obviously of public Utility to encourage this Manufr, yet the Mercantile interest blinds the eyes of the Legislature, & occasions great opposition. I was never so left alone in any undertaking, as in this; but if I live, I shall establish the Manufacture, maugre all opposition, & ’tho’ ruin’d & friendless: And if my life Shou’d be Spared a few years longer (it can’t be many) & I can get into this business, under the common Smiles of providence, I Shall Soon repair the ruins of past years.
          Mr Jo Cranch has been Armorer, at Springfield, a few months past, & arrived here on Saturday Eveng, & brot me the inclosed Pamphlet; I Send it you for the Sake of the intelligence it contains: I cut off Some waste paper from it, which wou’d only enlarge the packett with useless lumber.
          I have a Letter from Mr Perkins of Kentucky, which mentions the rapid growth of that Settlemt; 30 or 40 thousand, of all Ages. He also mentions the general face of the Country, as beautiful; rich in Soil, & healthy; plenty of Coal, Iron-Ore, Lead, & Salt Springs. It’s 700 Miles due West of Williamsburg, to the rapids of Ohio; near which are, as, I apprehend, their thickest Settlemts. He mourns the Stopage of our Navigation on the Mississippi by the Spaniard; & thinks they cou’d do much in Tobacco, if they had a free Navigation out to, & in from Sea. The nature of things will not long permit this Stopage, & it will disturb our peace, unless timeously Settled, as I hope it will. If the back-settlers on Virginia are, as Perkins says, 30 or 40 m̃; & there are Said to be nearly as many on the Western parts of N Carolina; & more above the Virginia North line, upon the various branches of the Ohio; & all those rapidly increasing; they will not long Suffer Such an interruption, for our Spirit of liberty, especially in our new Settlemts, inclines to licentiousness, & will not easily be kept within proper bounds.
          When Congress shall be vested with proper powers for the regulation of Weights, Measures, Coinage, Imports & Exports &c, it will Shorten the business of our general Courts, so that it will be Sooner dispatch’d, & probably be better done; & we Shall soon be convinced of the propriety of the Measure, either by rejoiceing in the blessings of Such a power exerted by Congress; or Suffering the evils consequent on withholding it. I dread the consequences of withholding this power from Congress, more than I ever did the power of G B: I think that we Shall come to rights, but it will be thro’ much tribulation. Much may be done by Such a plenitude of power in Congress, which cannot be done by the Seperate States. Congress, in this case may, by imposts, well regulated, do much for the payment of our debts, & encouragemt of Manufrs &c; & by bounties they might give other, or further encouragemts, such as our Seperate Legislatures wou’d never agree upon. Besides, the Several States will eternally be doing little things, to gain advantages over their neighbors, which will tend to the destruction of the whole. We cannot do without a Head; but let us keep a proper check over the particular Members which form this Head, & then we may be safe. My dear friend will forgive my zeal for the public good, & accept of the Sincere friendship of one who sends the purest love to Mrs & Miss Adams, & whose friendship & love will continue as long as he can write

            J: Palmer


Title: To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 29 November 1785
From: Dumas, C. W. F.
To: Adams, John

            Monsieur
            Lahaie 29 Nov. 1785

          Je dois réponse aux honorées vôtres des 1er. & 10 du court.
          J’écris ce fois à Mr. Cerisier afin de savoir pourquoi l’insertion n’a pas encore été faite de la piece que j’ai envoyée il y a 12 à 15 jours à Mr. Luzac, & pour le presser de me renvoyer l’original & sa traduction imprimée, pour pouvoir vous retourner le tout selon vos ordres.
          J’ai fait grand plaisir Aux Amis, en leur lisant les beaux complimens que vous avez eu la bonté de me com̃uniquer, & qu’ils ont très-fort goûtés, ainsi que moi-même. Nous avons tous senti la multitude d’idées renfermée dans les trois premiers, & l’extrême simplicité du dernier. Tous font bien leurs complimens à votre Exce. ainsi que Mr. De Sanafé à qui j’ai expliqué ce qui le regarde dans votre Lettre du 20.
          Je vous remercie, Monsieur, de la boñe nouvelle de l’arrivée de Mr. votre fils; com̃e aussi de celle de Mr. Franklin, à qui vous voudrez bien acheminer dans votre premier paquet la ci-jointe, qui est le juste retour d’une d’adieu qu’il a eu la bonté de m’écrire au mois de Juillet, en partant de Paris.
          Nous partageons sincerement le plaisir de la bonne santé & société dont vous jouissez avec Mesdames Adams, à qui nous présentons nos homages.
          Je ne suis pas surpris des difficultés que recontre l’affaire dont vous me parlez. Si ce qui leur arrive ici ne les rend pas plus traitables avec vous, je ne saurai plus qu’en penser.
          Mr. H——s continue de supposer que je n’existe pas. Je dois continuer de supposer de mon côté qu’il ne veut pas me connoître. Il me connoît pourtant: car Jeudi passé il sut fort bien dire mon nom à quelqu’un qui le lui demandoit, à un grand Souper que donnoit Mr. le Cte. de Maillebois, & dont j’avois l’honneur d’être. On vint me le dire à l’oreille un instant après. Je ne parle de cela, au reste, que parce que je crois qu’il est bon, Monsieur, que vous sachiez jusqu’aux minucies à cet égard, & aussi pour que je ne puisse jamais être taxé d’avoir manqué à mon devoir. Je suis avec grand respect, De Votre Excellence le très-humble & très-obéissant serviteur

            Cwf. Dumas

            Le Congrès verra par l’incluse pour lui, que la France ni la Hollande n’oublient pas, jusque dans leurs réjouissances, que les Etats-Unis sont leurs bons Alliés.

          TRANSLATION

            Sir
            The Hague, 29 November 1785

          I must reply to your honored letters of the 1st and 10th of the current month.

          I am writing to Mr. Cerisier this time to know why the insertion has not been made of the document I sent twelve to fifteen days ago to Mr. Luzac, and to urge him to send me the original and his printed translation, to be able to return the whole thing to you, per your request.
          I pleased my friends greatly by reading them the kind compliments which you had the goodness to transmit to me, and which they greatly appreciated, as did I. We all sensed the abundance of ideas in the first three, and the extreme simplicity of the last one. All kindly send their compliments to your excellency, along with Mr. De Sanafé, to whom I explained the matter that concerned him in your letter of the 20th.
          I thank you, sir, for the good news of the arrival of your son, and also of Mr. Franklin, to whom may it please you to forward the enclosed letter in your first parcel, which is the proper response to the farewell message that he had the graciousness to write to me in July upon his departure from Paris.
          We sincerely share with you the pleasure of good health and company which you enjoy with the Adams ladies, to whom we present our respects.
          I am not surprised by the difficulties encountered in the affairs you speak of to me. If what befalls them here does not render them more amenable to you, I will not know what to think.
          Mr. Harris continues to assume that I do not exist. I must continue, in turn, to assume that he does not wish to know me. Yet, he does know me, for Thursday last he was quite able to tell my name to someone who had asked it of him, at a grand dinner that the Comte de Maillebois was hosting, and which I had the honor to attend. This was whispered to me a moment later. By the way, I mention this simply because I think it good, sir, that you know even the minutiae of this matter, and also so that I might never be reproached for having neglected my duty. With utmost respect, I am your excellency’s most humble and most obedient servant

            Cwf. Dumas

            Congress will see from the enclosed letter, that though they rejoice, neither France nor Holland forgets that the United States are their good allies.


Title: To John Adams from the Marquis of Carmarthen, 30 November 1785
From: Carmarthen, the Marquis of
To: Adams, John

            Sir,
            St James’s Novemr: 30th 1785.

          The Commissioners for American Claims having notified to me, that, by Virtue of the Power given to them by the Act of Parliament now in force, they have appointed John Anstey of Lincoln’s Inn, Barrister at Law, to repair to the United States of America, to enquire into such Facts and Circumstances as may be material for the better ascertaining the several Claims which have been or shall be presented, under the Authority of the present, or former Act; and that they are of Opinion that the Countenance of the several States may tend to facilitate the Execution of this Employment: I am to request that You will communicate Mr Anstey’s Appointment to the Members of Congress, and recommend Him to their Protection and Countenance in the Execution of the Business with which He is charged.
          I have the Honour to be, / Sir, / Your most obedient / humble Servant.

            Carmarthen.


Title: From John Adams to Nathaniel Barrett, 2 December 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Barrett, Nathaniel

      Sir
      Grosvenor Square Decemr. 2d 1785—

     Last Night I received your Letter of Nov. 29. inclosing another written at sea give me Leave to Congratulate you, on your fortunate Escape from the Dangers of Shipwreck.
     I am indeed no stranger to the Marquiss’s exertions in the affair of the Oil, and it may not be improper to mention to you, the Particulars of the Rise and Progress of them. One day at dinner I beleive at his House or mine, He addressed himself to me, and said, He had been treated with so much affection and respect at Boston and its Neighbourhood that he wishd it was in his Power to do some service to that part of America. I said it would be easy to put him in a Way to do a very valuable service. He said I had but to mention any Thing in his Power and it should be done. I replied that we wanted to know. 1. With what sort of Oil, the Reverberes of Paris and other Cities were illuminated. 2 what was the Price of that Oil. 3 whether it was the Growth and Manufacture of France, or of Foreign Countries. 4. whether it were paid for in Cash or French produce or Manufactures. 5: Who had the Care of the Lamps, Oil and Illumination, whether the Court or the City. 6— What Duties were now payable on the Importation of Foreign Fish Oil. 7.— whether those Duties would be taken off. and lastly whether any plan Could be contrived to introduce into the Reverbers of France, the White Serma Cæti Oil of New England! He said he was very much obliged to me and I should hear further from him soon.— He was as good as his Word, and soon informed me that Monsieur Tourtille de Sangrain, had a Contract for Illuminating thirty Cities for 15 years, that he had seen him and concerted a plan, that he had obtained of Monsieur de Colonne his promise to take off the Duties for a Tryal, and without any more details he Obtained of Mr de Sangrain the

Proposals and samples sent to America by my son In an affair of such Consequence, and in so critical a moment it is to be wished that some voluntary association of private Gentlemen, or even the Legislature of the state had agreed to the proposals at a Venture.— perhaps however the method taken is a better One—
     Mr Thomas Boilstone has the start of you. He went from hence with a large Cargo of Oil which I am informed he has sold. He had Letters from me to several Gentlemen. He has Intelligence and a Capital equal to the Whole Contract. How far he has proceeded I know not— if you and Mr Boilstone can co-operate, so much the better.— I should advise you to see him, as soon as may be. you may hear of Him at the American Ambassadors—
     The best thing for him and you would be to get introduced to Mr de Sangrain and Communicate to him exact Information and receive from him in return all the Lights you want. Mr Boilstons’ Oil will afford you Samples of the Nature and Qualities of Our Oil. I need not mention to you that it resists Cold and yeilds light in greater degrees than other Oil— in all such things your knowledge as well as Mr Boilstones are infinitely superior to mine—
     Inclosed with this are Letters of Introduction to several Gentlemen I wish you every success in this Business—both for your own sake as that of the Publick—
     yours &c &c—


Title: From John Adams to the Marquis of Carmarthen, 2 December 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Carmarthen, the Marquis of

      My Lord
      Grosvenor Square December 2. 1785.

     I have received with a great deal of Pleasure, the Letter, which your Lordship did me, the honour to write me, on the thirtieth of last Month.
     I will take the earliest Opportunity, My Lord, to communicate Mr Ansteys Appointment to the members of Congress, and to recommend him to their Protection and Countenance in the Execution of the Business with which he is charged.
     And if your Lordship or Mr Anstey, should apprehend that it might be of any Service to him in his publick or private Capacity, I will with Pleasure give him Letters of recommendation to the Governors of the Several States, or to any other Characters to whom he may wish to be introduced, whenever Mr Anstey will do me, the Honour to call upon me.
     With great Respect, I have the Honour to be / My Lord, your Lordships, most obedient / and most humble Servant

      John Adams.


Title: From John Adams to John Jay, 2 December 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Jay, John

      Dear Sir
      Grosvenor Square Westminster Decr. 2. 1785

     Inclosed are Copies of private Letters, which have passed between Lord Carmarthen and me relative to the Appointment of Mr Anstey.

     The End of this Appointment, is to prevent Impositions upon the Commissioners, in ascertaining the Claims of the Loyalists. Mr. Anstey will have Occasion for Copies of publick Records, to which I suppose there can be no Objection in any State, and as his friendly Reception, will have a Tendency to Conciliation, I made no Scruple to promise to recommend him.
     I might have written a Letter, to this purpose to the Honourable, the Delegates of each state and it is not from any Want of sufficient Respect to them, but merely for Want of Time, that I have not done it. I hope therefore that the Gentlemen will excuse it, and accept of this General Recommendation of Mr Anstey, to all the Members of Congress in the Execution of his Business.
     To give the Loyalists facilities in procuring Evidence of their Losses, in order that they may be compensated by Great Britain, is to take away from them all reasonable Ground of Complaint so that I hope I Shall not be thought to have gone beyond my line, in so readily complying with his Lordships request.
     With great Respect I have the Honour to be / Sir your most obedient and humble / Servant

      John Adams


Title: From John Adams to George Chapman, 3 December 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Chapman, George

      Sir
      Grosvenor Square Decr. 3. 1785.

     I received in due Season your Letter of the 20. July, with a Copy of your Treatise on Education. As I was much engaged at that time, I was not able to read it, but Mrs Adams, who read it carefully through, admired it so much, that she took the first Opportunity to send it to a worthy Clergy man in America, Mr shaw of Haverhill, who is much concerned in the Education of Youth. There is no Subject so interesting to the United States of America, who ought to consider themselves, not merely as forming a rising Generation of Freemen but as filling up a new World capable of containing & nourishing Some hundreds of Millions of Inhabitants. As such a Trust is peculiar to them, they ought to be very carefull, that no bad Principles or degrading Habits or Institutions, be found in that Country. I have found with much Pleasure in the various Parts of

Europe, that the Men of Letters in general who are possessed of the best Hearts and most virtuous Principles, are anxious to assist Us in the great Work We have to do. And I hope Sir, that your sentiments on Education may contribute their share, towards the formation of a free and virtuous Race, on that side of the Atlantic. I have the Honour to be / sir your obliged &c


Title: To John Adams from Rufus King, 4 December 1785
From: King, Rufus
To: Adams, John

      Sir
      New York 4 Decr. 1785

     I had the honor to write to you under date of the second of November, at which time the congress of the last year was at the point of seperation to make way for their successors— states sufficient to form a new Congress did not assemble until the 23d. ult, when they proceeded to the choice of a President, and Mr. Hancock, although absent, was elected— whether he will accept the Appointment is uncertain—
     Mr. Temple arrived here about ten days since, and having presented his commission, Congress on the 2d. instant passed an act recognizing him as Consul General— I inclose a Copy of the act which explains itself, and manifests what would be the Opinion of congress on the question in Case no commercial treaty should take place between G Britain and the U.S— Perhaps the delays of the british ministry may operate more advantageously to the U.S. than those acts which now might be esteemed the most liberal, and Kind— you very well remember, that Spain delayed Mr. Jay formerly, as England now delays you— the Event may be such in the latter Case, as it was in the former; And the U.S. hereafter may decline what they once solicited;— Time is more favorable to young, than to old nations— the States are more and more embracing the Opinion

that they must rely upon themselves, rather than upon alliances or Treaties with foreign nations— the navigation law of Massachusetts has been literally adopted by New Hampshire, Rhode Island has even gone beyond them— New York probably will follow their example, Pensylvania has now a Bill before their legislature, the heads whereof, as printed in the Gazettes I inclose you— Maryland will do something, which will strengthen the common cause, South Carolina had a short Session of their Legislature this Autumn, adjourned to meet in January, having appointed a respectable committee to prepare a Bill for the regulation of Navigation & commerce— The Rotation of members established by the confederation, has returned many old delegates to their respective States; these Gentlemen, having a more comprehensive Knowledge of the Affairs of the Confederacy, impressed with the importance of a more close union between the states and a greater uniformity in their laws, as they affect foreign powers, will not only exert themselves to produce these desirable objects, but probably will have considerable influence in bringing them forth— the Merchants through all the states are agreed, they urge the necessity of commercial Regulations—and the Sessions of the several Legislatures during the winter will be employed on this subject. the opening of the Budget by the British Minister will not be more important to that Nation than the acts which the states may probably pass during the winter, will be to the united states—
     Much Time and almost the whole attention of the majority of the Citizens of this country, have been diverted since the war, from public employments, and engaged in the recovery of their private Affairs, deranged and injured by the progress of the Revolution— the success of their application is almost incredible; Towns have been rebuilt more beautiful upon their former Ruins, and the waste fields of the Husbandmen are again enclosed and covered with their Flocks and herds— these Citizens will again attend to the public concerns; and engage in every measure which can effectually secure their Peace and happiness with the Zeal and firmness of freemen— all opinions of the future character of the United States, which are founded upon their measures or pursuits since the war, must for the reasons alluded to, be in a considerable degree erroneous— A few years hence will exhibit this confederacy in a condition far different from that which has past, or is present— the conduct of England discovers their sentiments to the citizens of america, and being known, the latter will be guarded, & prepared for every event— Is it

so certain as Englishmen suppose it, that the United states cannot do without them— is it clear that because they prohibit the introduction of our Oil into England and our Fish into their Islands, that therefore our Fisheries will languish— How is the fact? France is desirous of purchasing our oil, and it comes to a good Market in some other states. The cod Fishery is in a prosperous condition, Plymouth, in Massachusetts, has as many fishermen or more as some say, than ever. Marble head has upwards of 40 Sail, besides boats—Salem 30, Beverly 30, Cape Ann 20, and other Towns to the eastward in proportion to their wealth— A few months since these Towns had no Fishermen; and by the next Summer, it is the Opinion of Good Judges, they will have a third more Vessels than they now possess; Nor is it probable they will want a Market for all the Fish they can cure— Are not these circumstances in our favor? they certainly are—
     But I will not be sanguine— on the other hand I see no cause to dispair— the letters you wrote to Mr. Jay in August and September, were very satisfactory to Congress, contained much valuable information, and by their timely arrival I hope will produce good Effects in the Southern states.
     Mr. Gerry who has not yet left me for home, presents his most affectionate Regards to you, some private concerns detains him here for a short Time, and I thereby enjoy his good society longer than I expected—
     With the most perfect consideration / & respect I have the honor to be / Sir, Your obt. Servt.

      Rufus King


Title: To John Adams from John Trumbull, 8 December 1785
From: Trumbull, John
To: Adams, John

      Sir
      Hartford Decr. 8th: 1785.–

     I must apologize for delaying to acknowlege the honour of your letter of the 28th. of April which I received by the hand of your Son. I had the pleasure of an hour’s interview with him, & from the proofs he gave in that time of his native genius, his literary improvements, & his just observations on the various parts of Europe, thro’ which he has travelled, I could not but regret that I had not a farther opportunity of cultivating his acquaintance.
     I feel myself highly flattered by your favourable opinion of the Pamphlet I sent you. As I have in contemplation a correction of that production, to accompany a miscellaneous publication of all my former poetical essays, if from your regard for the literary reputation of America, You can think the subject worth so much attention, I should esteem myself greatly obliged, if You would hint to me the passages, in which you have observed an inequality, which from the nature of the plan, can be amended by a correction.
     I am still more flattered by your opinion, that I could succeed in the higher veins of Poetry; though I am conscious, that I could never support the Sublime or Pathetic Style, even to my own satisfaction, in any attempt of considerable length. But were my genius equal to such a performance, as You recommend, I am precluded from it by want both of leisure & health. My Father, though possessed of an Estate considered as independant in Connecticut, was never disposed to lessen his Inventory for the sake of my happiness: and I have ever been nearly as dependent on my profession for a support, as though I had no future expectations. A violent attack on my constitution about Six years ago, has left me ever since subject to nervous complaints—from which though I have been gradually recovering, I fear I shall verify the observation, that an

Hypocondriac, tho’ he may live till himself & all his friends are tired of his existence, can never regain a competent share of health or spirits.—
     But tho’ from these & other reasons I must decline such a work, as your partial favour advises, I beg leave to recommend to your friendly attention, a production in a similar way, which, if not calculated on the Plan of a regular Epic Poem, is written in the same style. Mr. Joel Barlow, one of my particular Friends, with whose character, You must probably be acquainted, has for several years been employed in writing a Poem, entitled, The Vision of Columbus. The work is now finished for the press, & a Copy of it will be forwarded to Mr. Humphrys by the same Pacquet as this Letter. He proposes to publish the work in London. It is designed to do honour to our Country. It will be submitted to your Perusal, & I believe You will be of Opinion, that many parts of it have not been excelled in Sublimity since the days of Milton. The obvious difficulties in publishing such a work to advantage in America have determined him to send it to Europe. He will probably assign the Copy-right to some Gentleman in London to be sold after the publication of one Impression, a part of which he proposes to receive to satisfy his American Subscriptions. Colo. Humphrys will inform You of the measures that may be taken. I should be very happy, if in any manner, consistent with propriety, You could afford your assistance & encouragement to the Publication of the Poem, & your recommendation of it to the Public; as Mr. Barlow’s circumstances lay him under some disadvantages in procuring its publication, & render its success an object of consequence to his fortune, as well as his reputation.
     Tho’ a stranger to the works of the celebrated Abbe de Mably, I cannot but lament the loss of a writer, so respectable for Independence of spirit, & literary reputation; & I feel from your reputation an increased curiosity to become acquainted with his writings— I am happy to hear of your favorable reception at the British Court, & with every friend of our Country, wish You the highest success in the objects of your mission, with every share of personal honor & felicity
     With the greatest Respect, I have / the honour to be, / Sir Your most Obedient / humble Servant

      John Trumbull


Title: From John Adams to Elizabeth Brown, 10 December 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Brown, Elizabeth

      Madame
      Grosvenor Square Decemr 10th 1785

     I have this moment received your favour of the 8th of this month, inclosed a Letter from your unkle Warren of the 30th of August which is returned to you here inclosed.
     I sent off your former Letter with my first dispatches to New York, there not being any Vessell at that time bound to Boston.— you ask my advice Madame, and I hold myself bound by every obligation to give it you according to the best of my judgment: and if there is any Way in which I can be of service to you I beg of you freely to command me— I owe every Civility and service in my power to the Daughter of a Gentleman whom I always Loved as one of my best Friends, esteemed as one of the best and admired as one of the greatest Men I ever knew. If it can consist with your Views to go to Boston, there is no doubt to be made, that it would be the surest Course you can take, to secure your Property in the most advantageous manner. you alone are the judge of this.
     you ask my advice concerning a Lawyer. you have a Brother in Law Madame—Benjamin Lincoln Esqr, who although personally unknown to me has an undoubted Character as a Man of Honour & abilities in his Profession. But if his connections in the Family are an objection to him you will find either in the Honourable John Lowell Esqr or in William Tudor Esqr a Lawyer who will do your Business with all the Care and Fidelity you Can desire—
     If you go to America Madame—Mr Brown I presume will go with you— if you send a Letter of Attorney it must be executed by him as well as you—
     The Failure of your Uncles is an Event as unexpected and unaccountable to me as any thing that could have happened, and the state of affairs in and about Boston is so precarious in Money matters, that if Mr Brown and you can go there, I should certainly advise it.— you may there secure your Interest and Principle in any manner you may find most agreeable to you,—but if you write, I will with pleasure inclose any Letters for you by the earliest opportunities I hear of— it would be well to send Duplicates & Triplicates that the Chances of a safe arrival may be multiplied
     I am extreemly sensible Madame of your Politeness & Kindness in sending two Baskets of Game, yet I Confess to you they hert my feelings as I seemed to be accepting a reward for doing a very

inconsiderable service for a Lady whose Person and Family I hold in the highest estimation be so good as to present my Regards to Mr Brown—and / beleive me yrs &c—


Title: To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 10 December 1785
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Adams, John

      Dear Sir
      Paris Dec. 10. 1785.

     On the arrival of mr̃ Boylston I carried him to the Marquis de la Fayette, and received from him communications of his object. this was to get a remission of the duties on his cargo of oil, & he was willing to propose a future contract. I proposed however to the Marquis, when we were alone, that instead of wasting our efforts on individual applications, we had better take it up on general ground, and, whatever could be obtained, let it be common to all. he concurred with me. as the jealousy of office between ministers does not permit me to apply immediately to the one in whose department this was, the Marquis’s agency was used. the result was to put us on the footing of the Hanseatic towns, as to whale oil, & to reduce the duties to 11lt— 5s for 520lb. French, which is very nearly two livres on the English hundredweight, or about a guinea & a half the ton. but the oil must be brought in American or French ships, & the indulgence is limited to one year. however as to this I expressed to Ct. de Vergennes my hopes that it would be continued, & should a doubt arise, I should propose at the proper time to claim it under the treaty

on the footing gentis amicissimi. after all, I beleive mr̃ Boylston has failed of selling to Sangrain, and, from what I learn, through a little too much hastiness of temper. perhaps they may yet come together or he may sell to somebody else.
     When the general matter was thus arranged, a mr̃ Barrett arrived here from Boston with letters of recommendation from Govr. Bowdoin, Cushing & others. his errand was to get the whale business here put on a general bottom, instead of the particular one which had been settled you know the last year for a special company. we told him what was done. he thinks it will answer, and proposes to settle at L’Orient for conducting the sales of the oil & the returns. I hope therefore that this matter is tolerably well fixed as far as the consumption of this country goes. I know not as yet to what amount that is; but shall endeavor to find out how much they consume, and how much they furnish themselves. I propose to mr̃ Barrett that he should induce either his state or individuals to send us a sufficient number of boxes of the Spermaceti candle, to give one to every leading house in Paris, I mean to those who lead the ton: and at the same time to deposit a quantity for sale here & advertize them in the Petites affiches. I have written to mr̃ Carmichael to know on what footing the use & introduction of the whale oil is there, or can be placed.
     I have the honour to be with very sincere esteem Dear Sir / Your most obedient humb. servt.

      Th: Jefferson


Title: From John Adams to Richard Cranch, 12 December 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Cranch, Richard

      My dear Brother
      Grosvenor square Decr. 12th. 1785.

     I am much obliged to you for your judicious Letter of Octr. 15. you have described the Causes of the present Evil with Accuracy, and the Cure is equally obvious. I mean a partial Cure— as far as the difficulty arises from Property having been thrown by the Course of the War into Hands, unable to hold it, there is no remedy but time & the Course of Law, in this respect, the present times resemble the years 1763 & 4. immediately following the Peace with France & Spain— I remember there was then, great Complaints of hard times, and a remarkable multiplication of Law suits which subsided only by the shifting of Property from the Debtor to the Creditor— This alway’s, an unavoidable Effect of a Peace which throws numbers of Persons out of gainful Employments
     In addition to this all the causes you enumerate have operated, since the Peace of 1783.— The Cure is very simple— let the trade be opened to the West Indies, Nova scotia, Canada and newfoundland— Let our oil & Bone & ships be received by the English as Remittances— this would relieve us at once— But in whose power is this? not in ours, But the british Governments, and if they had rather their own merchants and manufacturers who have traded to America, should be ruined and loose the Commerce of New England to the Nation, than open these sources of remittances, they have both the right & the Power
     And this I believe to be the Principal & disposition of every Party & almost every Man, in the Legislative and Executive Departments of Goverment— the People in Power here, very well know, all the facts in your Letter— but a deadly malice is aimed deliberately at the Commerce, Population & Power especially at the Navigation of New England— and you may depend upon it you will never be relieved,

but upon this Principle, “If England dont receive their Remittances, France will”—
     The french Comptroller General, has reduced the Duties upon our Oil to 7lv. 10s. a Barrique of 520 Weight, that is to 30 Livr. or 1 Louis ’dr. & 1/4. pr. ton imported in french or american ships— The difference between this Duty & the British Alien Duty which is 16£. 3s sterg is so great, that in my opinion you may sell all your Oil in france to advantage— Mr. Boylston has sold his whole Cargo there— Mr. Barrett is now at Paris, But in my opinion our merchants may send their Oil to France, to advantage without waiting for Contracts— But if they are so attached to England, that they will not, or so indebted that they dare not send any thing any where else, what can we say?—
     Once for all, you may take it from me, that you must work out your own salvation at home— if you cannot find other Channels of Trade these will remain blocked up— When you have demonstrated to the World that you don’t want them, they will be opened but not before— I am informed that the Trade of Boston to the Cape of Good Hope & to Africa succeeds very Well, why has no attempt been made to China, Bengall or Pondichery or other parts of India—There have been very able Representations to me and others in Letters from Boston, & they have been made over & over again to the Ministery, by others as well as by me—by American merchants here too & west India merchants & Planters, but all to no Purpose as yet, since the signature of the Treaty of defensive alliance, between France & Holland, indeed, the Nation seems a little startled & Gentlemen begin in Conversation to wonder that Ministry dont think a little about the U.S. & begin to say that from our Climates soil &c We must increase fast & become important in Commerce & Politicks to this Country— You observe they dont allow us to be yet of any Consequence— In such a Delusion is this Nation still— My Love to sister & the Children, my duty to my aged, honourd & beloved Mother, whom I still hope to see— Yours

      J A—


Title: From John Adams to James Warren, 12 December 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Warren, James

      Dear Sir
      Grosvenor Square Decr 12. 1785

     Your Favour of October 6. I recd but Yesterday.— I had before written very fully to Mr Jay, a recommendation of your son to be Consull at Lisbon, and desired him to communicate it to the Members of Congress. I will write also to Mr Jefferson, and wish very heartily that he may be appointed. He is a modest and ingenious Man, and independently of the Merits of his Family, which are equal to any I know, his Pretensions personal are better than any one in Competition that I have heard of. There is a Probability of a Treaty with Portugal, but these Negotiations are so slow and capricious that I can never depend upon any Thing till it is signed and sealed. I will forward the Letter inclosed as I have before, to Winslow, in the Dispatches of the Chevalier De Pinto the Portuguese Minister, with whom I have the Pleasure of an agreable Acquaintance. He is a Man of Merit and offers me every civility in his Power. The Danger of the Letters being opened will be less in this Way than by the Post or any other Conveyance in my Power.
     I admire the Spirit of the Massachusetts Navigation Act but cannot pretend to judge of the Ability of the State to Support it.— It is thought by many that it would be better to confine it to British ships and Goods, or to those Nations who have no Treaty of Commerce with Us.— The French Ordinance giving a Bounty of ten Livres a Quintal upon Fish of the French Fishery imported into their own Islands, or sold in the Marketts of Spain, Portugal or Italy, and laying a Duty of five Livres upon foreign Fish in their Islands is suspected to be in Retaliation, for our Navigation Act. I dont know whether it is good Policy to begin a commercial Conflict with commercial nations with whom We have Treaties, if it is possible to distinguish between their Goods & British as no doubt it is between their ships.
     Mr Boylston, took Passage in his own ship for France and has there sold here Cargo. Mr Barrett is arrived there, and I hope they will be able to open the Trade in that Article.— What the British Ministry will do, I know not and cannot expect to know till the

session of Parliament. If they can Support their own Sperma Cæti Fishery and We cannot find a Markett in France, they will continue the high duty.—
     The Agents are gone, to Madrid, in their Way to Algiers. I have a Letter from one of them at Bayonne.
     With great Regard your Friend & / sert

      John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 12 December 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Warren, Mercy Otis

      Madam
      Grosvenor Square Decr 12. 1785.

     I am much obliged to you for your Letter and refer you to General Warren for what respects your son.—
     You suppose my present situation to be eligible and I confess it.— I have it in my Power here to enjoy the Society of Persons of great Worth, and if I please of high Rank, and if our publick Affairs here went well, I should not desire a better situation. but they do not.
     A Lady, who was born at Gibraltar, came to England and Married a Man of Merit, Fortune and Rank. She had every Thing which this Country offords, to make Life agreable. Yet she used to say, it was true, & England was very clever, but it was nothing to be compared to Gib.—
     If the Circumstance of Birth and Education could give Such an Attachment to that Barren Rock, it is not surprizing that I should be fond of my barren Mountain. Yet the World would laugh at me as well as the Lady of Gibraltar.
     I have been so long agitated in the World, and puzzled with Business, that indeed I dont know, whether I should feel my Existence at Braintree, and My Eyes and my Health will not admit of Reading

or Writing by Candle Light, so that I should want Amuzement of Evenings, but the Care of a Farm, and Books and Papers in the Day, would Serve me very well. and as far as I can judge of my own Inclinations I had rather live in that Retirement, for my personal Enjoyment, upon one hundred a Year than at any Court in Europe upon five Thousand. It may be depended on then that I have no dread upon my Mind of being obliged to return and plant Cabbages at the foot of Penns hill.
     The Dismall Accounts of the Misfortunes and Afflictions of our Friends in America, distress Us a good deal, but the Jewish Avarice in the Loan of Money, which We hear of much more. While Such Interest can be obtained, much Property will be diverted from Trade. But this must have an End— The great Fish will have eaten all the little ones, and then they must look out for other Prey. The Multiplicity of Law suits, is much like what I remember after the Peace of 1763. but when a certain Quantity of Property had shifted hands they diminished.— it is generally agreed that our People have been imprudent and extravagant, but I hope that Profligacy and Want of Principle have not taken any deep root. I wish it were in my Power to comfort them with any hopes of relief from this Country, but it is not. There is, instead of any Consideration of our Losses, Inconveniences, or Distresses, a visible and indecent Joy at all the Accounts of them.— If Revenge is sweet our People will have it, in a few Years, but that is no rational Consolation.
     Captain Stanhopes Letters to the Governor, are by no means approved at this Court, as Congress will be informed Officially before this reaches you.
     With the greatest Esteem and respect I have the / honour to be, Madam your sincere / Friend and humble servant

      John Adams


Title: To John Adams from Joel Barlow, 12 December 1785
From: Barlow, Joel
To: Adams, John

      Sir
      Hartford Dec 12 1785

     My friend Mr Trumbull has done me the honour to mention my name to you in a letter which is herewith enclosed. The Poem

which he mentions is likewise forwarded thro’ the hands of Col—Humphrey to Doct Price with an assgnment of the Copy Right. I have requested the Doctor to use his discretion in procuring an impression & disposing of the copy-Right. Out of the first impression I wish to have about one thousand copies to supply the subscribers in this country, & that whatever subscribers Col Humphrey my obtain in Paris may likwise be supplied from that impression. Your known attachment to the liberal arts & your knowledge of the difficulties we labour under in this respect in our early stage of society in America, give me the confidence to address you on the subject. Should you deem it worthy of your attention I beg you would suggest to Doct Price some method in which it may be brought forward to advantage. I am, like most other poor Poets, in circumstances which require my attention to the profits of a performance, which has cost me considerable labour, & in which I have attempted the advancement of literature & human happiness.
     As the Poem is dedicated by permission to the king of France & his name will probably give it some advantage, I am at a loss whether there would be an impropriety in causing a copy to be presented to the Emperor of Germany & another to the Empress of Russia, as their characters occupy a place in the list of worthies it professes to celebrate. I suggest this not because I imagin it would be a present worthy of their acceptance, as a Poem, but as a curiosity from the New World, & with the idea that it may operate in some degree as an emolument to the Author. Whether it could be done with propriety thro their Ambassadors or otherwise you can better determine.
     With the highest respect I have the / honour to be sir / your obedient & / very humble Servant

      Joel Barlow


Title: From John Adams to the Marquis de Lafayette, 13 December 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de

      Dear Sir—
      Grosvenor square Decr. 13. 1785—

     I have received your favour of the 30th. Ulto. and thank you for the extract enclosed— The Commerce of new England will follow their oil, wherever it may go and therefore I think it good Policy, in the Controller General to take of the duty— But there is another object of Importance I mean the sperma Cæti Chandles— Will you be so good as to inform me whether these are prohibited in france? or what duties they are subject to on Importation? whether these duties can be taken off,? Whether they are at all used or known in france? Whether they cannot be brought into fashion in private families, or even in Churches? they are certainly cheaper & more beautiful than wax, & emit a purer, brighter flame— Pot ash, too: I want to know, what quaintity of Pot ash & Purl ash, is annually consumed in France? from what Country imported? in what it is paid for? whether in Cash, Bills or Goods? & at what Prices ordinarily? This is another article, by which france may draw to herself a great share of the Trade of New England— Our Merchants will be obliged to alienate their Commerce from this Country, and transfer it in a great measure to France.— They are awkward and unskilful, at present, how to effect it, and every aid you can afford them will be gratefully acknowledged—
     I hope that Mr. Boylston and Mr. Barrett, will be able to compleat a Contract, with Monsieur Tourtille De Sangrain for the Illumination of your Cities— Boylston’s Capital will enable him to do what he pleases, but you may depend upon it, he will do nothing but what is profitable— No Man understands more intuitively, every thing relating to these subjects, and no man is more attached to his Interest— You sent your Letter by the post I suppose, in hopes it would be opened in the Post Office and sent to Court to assist me a Little in my negotiation— I have the Pleasure to inform you, that your intentions were probably fulfilled, for although they conceal their art with more care in the post offices here, then they think it necessary to make use of in Paris, yet I assure you there is not less Curiosity: And your Letter upon an attentive inspection may be plainly

perceived to have been opened— I am glad of it, because altho’ it will not assist me much, nor make any great impression I shall at least have the Pleasure to think we teaze them a little— my best respects to Madam La fayette & Love to Anastasie & George— Yours

      J. A—


Title: From John Adams to John Jay, 15 December 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Jay, John

      Dear Sir
      Grosvenor Square Decr. 15. 1785

     There are mysterious Movements, of various kinds, that ought to be observed and reflected on, although We cannot draw any certain Conclusions from them.
     General Faucett, is often at the Levee, not indeed, on Wednesdays, nor at the Drawing Room on Thursdays, on which occasions the Foreign Ministers attend, but on Frydays, when there are no Strangers, and when only the Ministers of State, and the Officers of the Army and Navy, and Some of their own foreign Ministers and other civil officers, appear.— from this Circumstance, certain warm

Imaginations, entertain Suspicions, that Faucett is to be Sent to Brunswick, Hesse, Anspack, &c, to inlist another Body of Mercenaries.— But it is more probable, it is to consult upon certain Points relative to the Pay, of the German Troops, for time And Services that are pass’d.
     General Arnold is gone out to America too. from this some Persons have conjectured, that War, is determined on, or at least thought not improbable.— He went to Hallifax in a Vessell of his own, with a Cargo of his own, upon a trading Voyage as it is given out.— This I can Scarcely believe.— it would hardly be permitted, A General Officer to go upon Such a Trade. He Said himself, he had a young Family, to provide for and could not bear an idle Life.— This is likely enough.— I rather think then that he has obtained leave to go out, and purchase himself a settlement in Nova Scotia or Canada, that he may be ready against the Possibility of a War, and that he may be out of the Way of feeling the Neglect and Contempt in which he is held by, not only the Army but the World in general.
     Joseph Brant, has lately arrived with Lt Governor Hamilton from Quebec, and the Indian has been presented to the King, at a Fryday Levee, I Suppose as a Colonel in the British service.— This confirms and increases the Reports of a general Confederation of the Indian Nations against the United States, which the Refugees propagate, partly from the Pleasure they take in the Thought and partly, to perswade Government to build ships and Forts upon the Lakes, Services in which they hope to get Employment under the Crown, and the Fingering of Some of its Money.— Brant has been heretofore in England and is probably sent for now to be consulted, as well as Hamilton.— But there are Such Disputes and Discontents in Canada, that the Ministry know not what course to Steer, and I Suppose, wish to have Carlton & Haldiman Hamilton and Brant, alltogether Face to Face, that they may determine what to do.— They will determine all at once, who shall be Governor, what Form the Government shall have; Whether to give up the frontier Posts, whether to Treat with the Indians, for Neutrality or Alliance, whether to build ships or Forts upon the Lakes &c. But as this Cabinet is extreamly undecided they cannot but be secret, untill they shall be forced to determine. We may learn something in the Winter session of Parliament, but shall not know the whole till next summer.
     The Marquis de la Fayette and Coll Smith, have returned from Germany, somewhat allarmed at the Impression made in that Country, by the English News Papers to our disadvantage. When I first

became acquainted a little in Europe I was constantly chagrined by this perpetual Impudence of the public Prints, and have all along done as much as my time and means would admit of to detect it: But I have long Since found it an Augean Stable.
     The Truth is, that these Misrepresentations, instead of being discountenanced are encouraged by every Court and Government in Europe.— The Secret Motive is, the Fear of Emigrations. America is popular. it is a Novelty.— There is an Abundance of Provisions, a plenty of Employment in Agriculture Handicrafts, Navigation and Commerce.— The Multitudes in every nation are poor, loaded with Taxes; the necessaries of Life dear, and Employment difficult to obtain, and very meanly paid. This occasions an Impatience and discontent at home, and an ardent desire to emigrate to the United States. Every Government in Europe is very sensible of this, and therefore, all the Scribblers in their Pay or under their Influence which are almost all that exist, are encouraged to collect every Circumstance, which can throw a damp, upon the Spirit of Emigration, and every Tale of the kind, every story which represents America disunited, in Confusion, Anarchy, poor, distressed miserable, is eagerly catched at, and true or false is industriously repeated by Setters and Runners and an ignorant People are thus deceived into a Belief that it is at least doubtfull whether they shall be more comfortable in America than at home.— if We look into the foreign Gazettes which circulate in France and are under French Influence, as the Gazette D’Avignon the Gazette de deux Ponts, the Brussells Gazette, & others We find as many political Inventions to this Purpose as in the English Newspapers. I say this from Knowledge, for I have examined those Publications with Attention with this very view, for a long time together. Even the French Mercury, published under the Inspection of Government, and avowed by it, is but little purer than the rest. for the French are averse to Emigrations, and much afraid of them.
     In England, there is not one Newspaper but is full of such dismal and such false representations; one Paper in the City, under the Influence of an Irish Volunteer, has lately discovered some Inclination to be more impartial. But all the Writers in the rest, are busily employed in abusing Us, and it so far encouraged by all Parties, chiefly from this dread of Emigrations, that it is unpopular to insert any Thing to the contrary. It has even been refused to insert the Acts of Congress or the states the Speeches of Governors and other public Proceedings in the Knowledge of which this Nation is greatly

interested, without paying at the rate of Advertisements, and this even by a News Writer who piques himself upon his Impartiality And boasts that his Paper is open to all Parties. Dr Price, is continually abused for his Pamphlet, and sometimes expressly because it tends to encourage Emigrations.
     In this State of Things, I must be cautious.— I am not able to pay the Scribes, like an Exchequer, nor to promise them pay or Promotion like an opposition.— And indeed Paragraphs in our Favour Seem only to provoke, ten Inventions against Us. Something might be done in time however, by mixing in Conversation and explaining or contradicting the grossest and worst Abuses. But this can be done in these Countries only by the Civilities of the Table and by a liberal Hospitality, in which We are much Streightened.— House Rent, Furniture, Carriage, and a certain Number of servants, with the daily expences of Living, which cannot be avoided without becoming the scorn of the World and without being insulted by every Footman and Porter, consumes all and more than all our Allowance.— I feel for the Circumstances of my Country as much as any Man in it, but I am sure those Circumstances will not be mended, by extream Parcimony in the Support of her servants and Negotiations in Europe. Frugality in America is a great Virtue, and it ought to be attended to by all Employed in Europe, but We shall find that Hospitality and even Splendor and Magnificence, is essential to the support of our Reputation in every Country of Europe, even in Holland, and much more so in England, than even at Versailles, tho We cannot make a formal distinction between these two. When your Ministers are seen to take Rank of Nobles and Bishops at saint James’s, who Spend many Thousands a Year and are observed to live at home and appear, abroad, with what is called “la plus infame Æconomie,” which is the Expression every day in Vogue, you will find, that neither you nor they will be considered as of any Consequence. To talk of Republican Simplicity is to make it worse.— Every Republican Idea is detested, and they think themselves bound in duty, to ridicule it and beat it out of Countenance, in self Defence.
     Your Ministers abroad, must keep a Table for the Entertainment of their Countrymen, for the Entertainment of strangers who are presented at Court and consequently to them, to return the Civilities that are shewn them by foreign Ministers, and by People of high Rank in the Country, they ought to keep a Table at Times for the Entertainment of Men of Letters and Eminence in Arts and sciences, by which they might remove the Prejudices of the World against

their Country & themselves, and attract some Attention and good Will to both.— How far any of these Things are in our Power to do, I chearfully submit to the Consideration and decision of Congress, being determined to do every Thing in My Power with the means I have, and to be happy myself whether I make a little Figure or a great one.
     With great Esteem and Respect I have / the Honour to be, dear sir your most / obedient and most humble servant

      John Adams