Title: [September 1782]
From: Adams, John
To:

      1782 September 14. Saturday.

       Supped last Night at Court in the Maison du Bois. M. Boreel told me he had been to Paris which he quitted 8 days ago. That M. Franklin had been sick. It was at first reported that he had been struck with an Apoplexity. Then it was said he had a billious Cholick, and afterwards a Retention of Urine. But that he had got well before he left Paris.
       Fell into Conversation naturally with Don Joas Theolonico de Almeida, Envoy Extraordinary of Portugal.... He said to me, the Peace is yet a good Way off. There will be no Peace this Winter. There will be another Campain, and no Peace untill the Winter following.... Spain will be the most difficult to satisfy, of all the Powers. Her Pretensions will be the hardest for England to agree to. As to the Independance of America, that is decided. I said to him, it is reported that Portugal is about to open her Ports to American Vessells.—I have not yet received says he any Intelligence of that.
       The Comte Montagnini de Mirabel, Min. Plen. of the King of Sardinia, asked what was the Principle of the Indecision of G. Britain? Why dont they acknowledge your Independance? They must have some Intelligence, that is not publick.—I answered I dont believe there is any Principle, or System in it. It is merely owing to their Confusion. My Lord Shelburne, in complyance with the Will of his Master, refuses to do what all the World sees to be necessary.—Perhaps says the Comte they mean to annex certain Conditions, to the Acknowledgment of your Independance.—But says I, what if We should annex Conditions too? What if We should insist on an Acknowledgement of our Independence as a Preliminary Condition to entering into any Treaty or Conference?—Ay, says he, in that Case you may have work enough.
       Mr. Magis said to me afterwards, I see you often in Conversation with Mr. de Mirabel. He is a great Politician. He is very well informed of all affairs in General, but particularly with the Affairs and political System of Germany.
       Mr. De Llano, the Spanish Plenipo., said to me afterwards, do you know that Man, you have been in Conversation with this Evening so much, Mr. De Mirabel?—Very well says I.—The Baron de Thulemeyer, who was by, said Yes I see Mirabel often Attacks him.—I am told says I, that he is a great Politician.—Ay says Llano I see you know him—but he knows nothing else.
       Mr. Boreel, The Baron de Linden de Hemmen, and the President of the grand Committee, all Members of the Assembly of their High Mightinesses, told me, that five Copies of the Treaties would be made out, according to my Desire, the English and Dutch Side by Side upon every Page, and the Treaty would be signed next Week.
       The Baron de Thulemeyer chatted with me about riding on Horseback. Says he rides always in the Morning, at any Hour between 9 and Dinner, but never after Dinner.
       They shewed me this Evening the Lady who holds at her House an Assembly every Evening, where the whole Corps Diplomatick assists. The Lady, who used to preside at Sir Joseph Yorks Table, and see that all was in order there.

       The Comte de Welderen came as usual and made his Compliment to me. The Rhin Grave de Salm, Colonel Bentink, M. Van der Duesn, and other Officers. In short I never spent so social an Evening at Court. My Party was stronger this Evening, Mirabel and Bentink never play, and there were several others in the same Case.
       The Comte Sarsefield went with me and returned in my Carriage. The Duke de la Vauguion was not there.
       Agreed with Lt. Gen. Van der Dussen to ride with him this Morning at 9.
       Chatted at Supper with one of the Ladies of Honour, Madamoiselle Starembourg, in English, French and Dutch.
       At 9 took my Ride with Mr. Vander Dussen Lt. General of Cavalry. He was mounted upon a noble English Horse, with an embroidered Housing and a white silk net, and with his sword. A servant behind him in Livery, upon another fine Horse with a white silk net. We made a long Ride, of three of four Leagues. In our Way We saw People digging Turfs out of Heaps of Sand. Upon observing more Attentively, I found that they dug away the sand hills to the Depth of 15 or 20 feet, and then came to bodies of Peat or Turf, which they cutt up to sell and to burn. The General says, at the Depth of 10, 15 or 20 feet, they find this layer of Turf which is also some times 10 or 15 feet deep and then come to a fine Soil, upon a Level nearly with the general surface of the Meadows. The Generals Hypothesis is this. —Before the Dykes were built, there were frequent Inundations in Consequence of storms which are still frequent. It is supposed that the whole Country was originally level and covered over with thick and heavy Forrests of Woods. In great Storms, the Waves of the Sea threw up vast Heaps of Sand, and carried them sometimes several Miles in upon the Land. By which means the Forrests of Trees were thrown down, or at least covered up, with Mountains of Sea Sand. That the Wood of these Trees in the Course of many hundreds perhaps some thousands of Years, has putrified and dissolved into Peat or Turfe. So that you have nothing to do, but to dig through the Sand Hills first, and the Turf Beds next to come to the original Surface of the Earth which is yet very fertile. Many fine Meadows have been made, in this Way.
       In passing over the Spot of Downs between the Hague and Leyden, We saw three or four Hunters, Gunners, in search of Hares and Rabits and other Game, this being the Season of the Chase. The General seemed very apprehensive of these Sportsmen that they would not keep a good Look out but might be so eager for their Game, as to  be inattentive to Travellers and fire upon our Bodies. This was a fear that never occurred to me, and I never felt it after it was mentioned.
       The General was inquisitive after the American Savages and a great Part of our Conversation consisted in his Questions and my Answers concerning them. The Roads, the Woods, the Forests in America also, occasioned many Questions.—The General is a Relation as he told me, of the Minister of the same name at the Conferences of Gertruydenbourg.
       Upon Inquiry to day I find that the Lady, who was so intimate at Sir Joseph Yorks, as to oversee his Entertainments, is named Madame de Boetzelaar. She holds an Assembly every Night, at her House, to which resort all the Corps diplomatique. There they Play. She paints but is horridly ugly.
       The Baron de Kruyningen holds an Office of Intelligence, where the Ministers or Secretaries meet of Mornings as at a Kind of Coffee house to exchange with each other the News, and compare Notes.
       Mr. Magis holds such another. What these People get by their Assemblys and Offices, is a Question. Perhaps nothing more than a Reputation, an Acquaintance with foreign Ministers, and now and then an Invitation to dinner.
       The Foreign Ministers here all herd together, and keep no other Company, but at Court and with a few in this Way.—It is not from Choice but necessity. There is no Family, but Mr. Boreel that ever invites any of them, to breakfast, dine or sup. Nor do any of the Members of the States General, the States of Holland, Bleiswick, Fagel, any of the Lords of the Admiralty, Gecommitteerde Raaden, Council of State, high Council of War, or any Body, ever invite Strangers or one Another.
       Hospitality and Sociability are no Characteristicks here.
       This Day Mr. Van Asp made me a Visit. This Gentleman is Charge d’Affairs of Sweeden since the Departure of The Baron D’Ehrenswerd for Prussia. He is a solid prudent Man. He very much admired my House, and its Situation. I said smiling it was very well for a Beginning, and that I hoped We should have an House at Stockholm e’er long. He smiled in return, but said nothing. His Visit was not long. There is not a more sensible, manly, happy, or prudent Countenance in the whole Diplomatick Body. He has desired Mr. Dumas to inform him as soon as the Treaty is signed, that he may write itt to his Court before it arrives in the News papers.

   First entry in D/JA/33, which consists of a few folded leaves containing irregular entries through 3 Oct. 1782. On 23 April, the day following his  first audience with the Stadholder, JA formally proposed to Van Citters, the current president of the States General, that negotiations be commenced for a treaty of amity and commerce between the Dutch Republic and the United States. Accordingly, “a grand Committee” of deputies from each of the Seven Provinces was appointed to confer with the American minister on this subject, and JA laid before them “a Project of a Treaty, which I had drawn up, conformable to the Instructions of Congress” (JA to Livingston, 23 April 1782, LbC, Adams Papers; JA, WorksThe Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: with a Life of the Author, ed. Charles Francis Adams, Boston, 1850–1856; 10 vols., 7:572–73). Under Dutch constitutional procedures the projet had to be taken ad referendum to the provincial assemblies before the States General could act, but at length on 22 Aug. JA could report to Livingston that “Their High Mightinesses have . .. received their Instructions from all the Provinces, and I have this Day been in Conference with the grand Committee, who communicated to me the Remarks and Propositions in on their Part. To this I shall soon give my Replication on certain points not yet agreed on, and I hope the Affair will be soon ended” (LbC, Adams Papers; WorksThe Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: with a Life of the Author, ed. Charles Francis Adams, Boston, 1850–1856; 10 vols., 7:614). There were further delays, however, and the treaty was not signed and sealed until 8 Oct.; the final stages are reported in JA’s Diary entries of 3–8 Oct., below.

   Meanwhile, after some fumbling, “innumerable Vexations,” and weeks of intense effort, JA had negotiated a loan for the United States with a syndicate of Dutch banking houses. On 11 June he signed five bonds in the amount of 1,000,000 guilders each for a loan to be raised by Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, at 5 per cent interest and with a 4 1/2 per cent commission to the bankers, repayment to begin after ten years and to be completed in fifteen years. See JA to Livingston, 9 June, 5 July, letterbook copies, Adams Papers; Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev.Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States, Washington, 1889; 6 vols., 5:482–483, 594–595; a printed copy of the contract, in Dutch, is in Adams Papers, 11 June 1782. Congress ratified the contract on 14 Sept. (JCCWorthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789, Washington, 1904–1937; 34 vols., 23:579–580). This was the first of four loans obtained by JA in the Netherlands (in 1782, 1784, 1787, and 1788), totalling 9,000,000 guilders, or more than $3,500,000 “which,” as Samuel F. Bemis has observed, “at first were the sole effectual support to languishing American credit and which barely enabled the government of the Confederation to survive the peace, to function until the recognition of Washington’s new national government under the Constitution of 1787” (Diplomacy of the Amer. RevolutionSamuel Flagg Bemis, The Diplomacy of the American Revolution: The Foundations of American Diplomacy, 1775–1823, New York and London, 1935., p. 169). By far the most authoritative and detailed account of these negotiations is that by P. J. van Winter, Het aandeel van den Amsterdamschen handel aan den opbouw van het Amerikaansche gemeenebest, The Hague, 1927–1933, especially vol. 1: chs. 3, 6.

   That is, at Court. The Huis ten Bosch, built in the mid-17th century and enlarged in the 1730’s, is a small but charming palace in a wooded setting now in the eastern suburbs of The Hague. The woods surrounding it provided JA with one of his favorite walks. See illustration in this volume.

   Suspension points, here and below, in MS.

   Gen. Aegidius van der Dussen, who was, according to the bill of sale for the United States Legation building at The Hague, one of JA’s next-door neighbors on the Fluwelen Burgwal.

   In the following year, however, the Baroness van den Boetzelaer, a widow, married Sir Joseph Yorke at Antwerp (DNBLeslie Stephen and Sidney Lee, eds., The Dictionary of National Biography, New York and London, 1885–1900; 63 vols. plus supplements., article on Yorke).

   Though this is the first mention of C. W. F. Dumas in the text of the Diary, he has several times appeared in editorial notes above, because this remarkable man contributed in countless ways, large and small, to the success of JA’s Dutch mission. A polyglot man of letters, born in Germany of French parents, Dumas lived for some years in Switzerland but settled at The Hague in 1756 and made a small living by his pen. Long before the Revolution broke out he had become a fervent admirer of America; in the 1760’s he had considered emigrating to New England or Virginia and consulted Franklin in London to this end. On 19 Dec. 1775 Franklin addressed Dumas a letter on behalf of Congress’ secret committee of correspondence, asking his  advice and aid in promoting the Colonies’ interests in Europe (Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev.Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States, Washington, 1889; 6 vols., 2:64–67). This step opened up what eventually became a flood, for Dumas, as one student of his career has well said, was “anime de la manie epistolaire” (F. P. Renaut, Les Provinces-Unies et la guerre d’Amerique [1775–1784], Paris, 1924–1925, 5:37). After Franklin arrived in Paris Dumas was engaged on a small salary to serve as agent and correspondent at The Hague, and he worked hard and effectively in this capacity for years, though for reasons still not clear he never obtained a regular diplomatic appointment. Praised by JA as “indefatigable,” “a walking Library,” and “a Master of Languages ancient and modern,” he made himself indispensable as adviser, gatherer of intelligence, translator, amanuensis, go-between with Dutch politicians, officials, and journalists, and general errand boy. JA liked and trusted Dumas so well that he invited him and his family to move into the Hôtel des Etats-Unis at The Hague (for which Dumas arranged the purchase) when JA moved there himself, and Madame Dumas served as a capable housekeeper in that establishment. Dumas remained American charge d’affaires, in effect but not in title, for many years, dying in 1796 without fulfilling his ardent hope of visiting the United States. His papers are chiefly preserved in the Dumas Collection in the Rijksarchief at The Hague (the extensive American portions being available on microfilm in DLC: Dutch Reproductions), and in PCC, No. 93 (4 vols., 1776–1796). The best biographical sketch is one which precedes the printed inventory of his papers issued by the Algemeen Rijksarchief in its Verslag, or Revort, for 1918, p. 379–401, which is also available in separate form. The fifth volume of Renaut’s incomplete monograph, Les Provinces-Unies et la guerre d’Amerique, subtitled La propagande insurgente: C. W. F. Dumas (1775–1780), Paris, 1925, describes Dumas’ labors for the American cause up to the point of JA’s arrival in the Netherlands. JA’s voluminous correspondence with Dumas, disregarding that which passed between Dumas and the joint commissioners in 1778–1779, extends from early 1780 to the end of 1795.

      1782. Septr. 19.

       Went to the Comedy. Saw the Sage dans sa Retrait, and Le Jugement du Midas—both well represented. The Mustek was good, and the Show upon the Stage splendid. The Princess and all her Children were there. The foreign Ministers chiefly.


Title: 1782. Oct. 2.
From: Adams, John
To:

       Walked Yesterday to the House in the Woods in the rain. To day will dine with me Comte Sarseneld, Mr. Vischer and Mr. Gyselaer.— Received Yesterday a Volume of the Journals of Congress with some News papers by the Post from L’orient which cost me 37 Guilders.— The Comte, Mr. Vischer and Mr. Gyselaer, dined here. The Comte Sarseneld began as usual when We were alone to give me a Lesson of Etiquette. This is a Trait in his Character. No Man more attentive to the Rules of Ceremony, and Formality. No Man more precise. He says, that when I make an Entertainment, I should have placed the Ambassador of France, at my right Hand, and the Minister of Spain at my left, and have arranged the other Principal Personages. And when I rose from Table I should have said Messieurs, voudriez vous &c. or Monsieur Le Due voudriez vous &c—All this every one sees is a la Francaise. But it is very little regarded here. And it was because it is generally neglected here that I neglected it. But the Comte in every Affair of Dress, Billets, Rank &c. has from my first Acquaintance with him, ever discovered such a minute Attention to little Circumstances. How is it possible to reconcile these trifling Contemplations of a Master of Ceremonies, with the vast Knowledge of Arts, Sciences, History, Government &c. possessed by this Nobleman. An habit of living in the World, however, is necessary—a facility of living with Men. L’Habitude de vivre avec des hommes.
       It is the Fashion among the Dutch, to arrange all the Company, by putting a Card with the Name of each Gentleman and Lady, upon the Napkin in the Plate. This I never saw practiced in France. Indeed, they Attend but to one Person in France. The Feast is made in honour of one Person. That is the Ton.
       Mr. V. being told by the Comte that he and I were to dine tomorrow with General Vanderdussen, appeared surprized and said that the General, altho he had dined with me and rode with me, on horseback, would not have dared to have invited me, if he had not met me at Mr. Boreels.
       I saw the other day Joachimi Hoppii Hopperi Commentatio Succincta, ad Institutiones Justinianas, at Mr. Luzacs.
       Mr. Gyselaer informed me that the Committee, for examining the Administration of the Marine, were tomorrow to announce their Authority to the Prince. I told him he must make an harrangue, in order to give Dignity and Solemnity to his Commission. He said it was a delicate Thing to make a Speech upon the Occasion. This I agreed.

       I gave the Gentlemen an Account of the Practice of the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts when they first formed their Army. Dr. Warren, their President, made an Harrangue in the form of a Charge, in the Presence of the Assembly, to every Officer, upon the Delivery of his Commission, and that he never failed to make the Officer as well as all the Assembly shudder, upon those Occasions. C.S. appeared struck and affected with this Anecdote. I dare say he has it in his Journal.
       C.S. told me the News of the Destruction of the Spanish floating Batteries, by the English red hot Bullets. He seemed much affected. Said all Europe would laugh at them and that they deserved it, for attempting a Thing so evidently impossible.—No Governments says he but Monarchies are subject to this kind of Misfortunes from Absurdity. In France a Madame Pompadour or de Barry may ruin a Kingdom. In Spain an absurd Priest, the Father Confessor of a superstitious King, may so far gain his Confidence, by working upon his conscience and superstitious Fears as to lead him into such foolish Councils.—How much Mischief says I, has Spain done in this just Cause.


Title: Oct. 3. Thursday.
From: Adams, John
To:

       Dined with Mr. Vanderdussen, Lt. General of the Cavalry, in Company with Mr. De Llano Minister of the King of Spain and Mr. De Renovalis, Secretary of his Legation, Mr. and Madame Boreel, Mr. and Madame Geelvink, Madam Dedel, the Rhinegrave de Salm, Mr. Saumase, a descendant of the famous Salmasius whom John Milton disputed with. Mr. Boreel is a Deputy to the States General for the Prov. of Holland. Mr. Geelvink is a Member of the Council of State for Amsterdam.
       Gen. Vanderdussen told me he must ask me to take a Family Dinner with him one of these days in order to present me to a Couple of his Friends; one was his Brother and the other was Gen. Ponce; both zealous Americans he said.—I told him he would do me great Honour and give me much Pleasure.
       Mr. Boreel desired me to send him the American Gazette which contains the Resolution of their High Mightinesses, acknowledging me as Minister, with his Name to it.
       I forgot Mr. Magis, who said to me, entre Nous, Sir, if I were young I would endeavour to serve a great Power, because one has a Chance to be Something: but when one serves a small Power one is sure never to be any Thing.

       Madame Boreel next to whom I sat at Table asked me if I understood the Dutch. I answered, very little, but that I began to learn it. That I had with me two ingenious young Gentlemen with whom at Breakfast, I every Morning attempted with the Aid of a Dictionary to read the Dutch Gazettes, and that We began to comprehend some Paragraphs. Madame Boreel mentioned to the Company that I read the Dutch Gazettes. Mr. Geelvink called out to me, pleasantly enough, leese Mynheer de Diemer Meerche Courant.—Yea well, Mynheer says I, en de Hollandche Historische Courant oke.
       The Dutch Part of this Company, were all high, in Office and Service, and therefore attached to the Court.
       The Gen. Vanderdussen said laughing that he was ready to wish and to do any Thing to the English for they had almost ruined him. He was Governor of Ipres or Ypres one of the Barrier Towns, so that he has lost his Government, by the Demolition of the Barriers. I believe too they have done him some Damage in some Estates in the West Indies &c.
       Mr. Boreel promised me to speak to Mr. Fagel and let him know that I wish to have the Treaty signed, that I might be able to send it by several Vessells now ready to sail at Amsterdam.
       Somebody at Table said to C. Sarsfield that the Americans had laid aside the Use of Mr. Franklins Conductors. The C. appealed to me. I said by no means, on the Contrary the Use of them increased, and they were found very usefull.

       Questions.—What are the Powers of the Council of State?—how many Members? who appoints them?—Are they for Life, or Years, or at Will? When do they sit? What Objects of Administration have they? Is their Power Legislative, Executive or Judiciary? Is the Council of State, the same Body, with the Gecommitteerde Raaden—or are they two.
       Answer. The Council of State, and the Council of Commissioners, are two distinct Bodies.—De Raad van Staaten en de Gecommitteerde Raaden.—The 1. is for the 7 Provinces—the last for the Province of Holland only.


Title: Oct. 7. Monday.
From: Adams, John
To:

       Mr. Dumas has been out, upon the Discovery.—Neither Mr. V. nor Mr. G. could guess the Reason, why their High Mightinesses had sent their Agent De Spieringshoek to desire me to postpone the Signature of the Treaty untill tomorrow. Mr. B. whom he met in the Street explained it. He says the Prince had sent Word to their High M. that he desired a Conference with them to day, and as the Signature would take up some time they should be obliged to make the Prince or me wait. He learn’d afterwards from Mr. K. that the Council of War of the Navy Officers at the Texel, have sent an express to day, to inform the States, that it is impossible for the Fleet to go to Brest, according to the Resolution of their H.M. because they were not ready. They are in Want of Men, of Provisions, of Stores. Every Ship in the Fleet is in Want of Something essential. The Blame of this, will fall upon the Prince.
       The Prince, in his Conference, to day, has communicated his orders and Correspondence relative to the Navy.


Title: Oct. 10. Thursday.
From: Adams, John
To:

       The Comte de Sanafé wrote a Card to Mr. Dumas desiring a Copy in French of the 22d Article. Said that I had read it to him in french but his Memory had not retained it. I desired Mr. Dumas to send it. —Mr. D. at my desire had asked the Duke de la Vauguion what was the Usage in my Case, who am going to Paris. He brought me Answer, to take Leave of the President, Secretary Fagel and Grand Pensionary and after of the Prince and Princess. Mr. D. added that I should mention who I left as Charge des Affairs and present him. I told him there was none, and I had not Authority to constitute one.
       Mr. Van heukelom has been here.—1400 Persons in Leyden have signed an Address of Thanks to the Regency, for their Proposition to  enquire into the Administration of the Navy. Mr. John Luzac is now he says universally beloved. A Change of System, has made a Change of Circumstances. Mr. Elie Luzac was the most respected, and had the most Influence but his Anglomanie had brought him into Contempt. Elie Luzac’s Father and Johns Father were Brothers. Elies Father is dead. He is called at Leyden een Agt en Veertiger. These Nicknames of Agt en Veertiger and Twee en Agtiger, Eight and Fortyer and Two and Eightyer, are adopted as Party Distinctions instead of Whig and Tory, Anglomane and Republican &c.
       Received this day a Card, from the Baron de Linden de Blitterswyk, first Noble of Zealand, Brother of him who was Envoy in Sweeden, and his Lady to dine with them next Wednesday.
       As the Commerce of Bruges and Ostend, have grown out of the American Revolution, and the Neutral Confederation, it may be worth while to make the following Extract.

          Extract from the Journal of Comte Sarsfield, 5 June 1782.
          J’ay trouvé Bruges dans un grand Mouvement, par le Commerce qui y arrive. J’ai compté de 20 a 25 navires dans le Bassin, il en peut tenir beaucoup plus et on va l’agrandir. On abbat les fortifications, tous les magazins de la Ville sont remplis: on en construit de nouveaux, qui seront fort grands. La Journée d’un homme qui n’a que ses bras est de 16s. et nourri. 16s. du Pays font 1 l.t. 10s. de France.
          La Raison de cela est qu’Ostende est trop petit, pour toutes les affairs qui s’y font. Beaucoup de navires viennent a Bruges, ce qui est d’autant plus commode, qu’il faut toujous que les marchandizes y payent lors qu’on ne veut pas les expedier par mer. On m’a dit qu’en particulier les Espagnols expedioient toujous pour Bruges, ou ils n’ont point les memes lenteurs que le defaut de Emplacement occasionne a Ostende. On m’assure que le Canal a 21 Pieds de Profondeur. Tout ce que Je viens de dire se fait par les ordres qu’a donne, L’Empereur, lorsqu’il est venu ici. Il a declaré qu’on ne devoit regarder Ostende et Bruges que comme la meme Ville. L’Effect de cette Augmentation de Commerce, se fait sentir sur le Prix des Maisons, et s’etend surement sur tout.
          6 Juin Ostende. Il y a deux Chemins pour y aller. L’Un suit le Canal. Il faut passer the Port en batteau pour entrer dans la ville. L’autre est plus long De 2 1/2 Lieus a ce qu’on m’a dit. J’ay mis un peu moins de 4 1/2 heurs a le faire. Il est pave et pass par St. André, Wassenaar, un autre Village, dont J’ay oublié le nom et Ghistele. Il y a quelques barrieres a payer, excepté sur ce qui depend du Franc de Bruges, que fait et entretient les Chemins a ses frais. On demolit aussi les fortifications d’Ostende, pour y construire des Magazins. Le nombre des Vaisseaux que J’y ai vus est tres considerable: le mouvement prodigieux.
          On m’a dit a Middelbourg, que le Commerce se fait tres mal a Ostende: les Commercans sont, dit on, tres negligens, quelquefois meme infideles. Il m’a paru dans le detail, qu’il pouvoit bien n’y avoir pas de leur faute, mais les affairs y sont si multipliees qu’ils ne peuvent y satisfaire, et comme les Magazins leur manquent, ils ne peuvent empecher bien des Marchandizes d’etre avariees. Ainsi les reproches, qu’on leur fait pourront cesser d’etre merités, mais ceux qu’on fait a leur Port ne se dissiperont pas de meme. On en dit l’entree difficile, et effectivement la maniere dont on m’en a parlé a Ostende meme, me le persuade.

       It is an Observation in this Country, that the Wines of the Rhine and Moselle, have in them the Principles both of the Stone and the Gout, but that they loose these Principles, as they Advance in Age.

          Extract from the Journal of C. Sarsefield, 1. July at the Hague.
          Tout ce qui vient de se passer en Hollande, la Revolution qui s’y est faite dans les Esprits en favour de la France, la maniere dont Le Duc Louis de Brunswic a été ecarte des affairs, au moins en Apparence; enfin cet ouvrage de Mr. Le Duc de la Vauguion, merite que J’en parle un peu. Je dis un peu, parce qu’il m’est impossible d’en dire tout ce que l’on desireroit d’en savoir, M. de la Vauguion n’en parlant Jamais, et etant d’un Secret impenetrable sur lequel d’ailleurs J’ai été fort eloignee de vouloir l’attaquer. Tout Le monde connoit les liaisons de ce pays cy avec L’Angleterre. On n’en connoit pas moins le Principe, qui a été, si efficace que pendant long tems on a cru que ces deux nations etoient necessairement attachées l’une a l’autre, de maniere, a ne pouvoir s’en detacher. On eut dit que cette Union etoit l’ouvrage de la nature même. Et Il y a peut etre encore quelques gens chez lesquels ce Prejugé n’est pas entierement effacé. Le Stathouder n’a suivant toutes les Apparences aucun autre motif pour etre resté dans les Interets de L’Angleterre, au point ou Il l’est. Les liens du Sang ne seroient pas suffisans, puis qu’il a les memes, et  plus intimes avec la Prusse dont le Sisteme est tout a fait opposé a celui de la prosperité de L’Angleterre. Son Abbaisement est essentiel a sa Sureté. Il faut done que le Prince soit conduit par l’habitude de penser d’une certain maniere, et par le prejuge qué Je viens de dire. Il se peut aussi, et cela est meme vraisemblable que la Crainte des Armes Angloises l’y ait engagé. Je remarquerai, a cette occasion, que ce Sentiment a operé certainement sur plusieurs des membres de la Republique.
          Ainsi voicy, comme Je me la represente, au commencement de cette guerre cy. Le Chef decide en favour des Anglois, la plus grande Partie des Hollandois memes, ayant confusement dans la tete, L’Idee d’une Liaison avec L’Angleterre, necessaire, impossible a rompre ou tout au plus, pour des momens, effrayés d’ailleurs des Suites d’une conduite hardie, qui pourroit les entrainer dans une guerre, pour laquelle ils n’ont aucunes mesures prises. De grandes difficultés a vaincre, le danger de perdre les Juissance du moment, une tres ancienne habitude de Paresse, toute la nation semblant dans une sorte d’Etat de Lethargie, qui ne permet que difficilement d’en rien attendre, qui reponde a ce qu’elle a été autrefois.
          Il n’est pas aussi facile de rendre raison de la Conduite de M. le Duc de Brunswic. Il est trop homme D’Etat, pour que les memes causes qui ont engourdi le Stathouder, et la nation, aient agi sur lui. On doit croire qu’il est trop eclairé, pour n’avoir pas senti des le premier moment, combien il etoit important pour elle de se montrer dans cette occasion; et, cependant il est toujours reste attache a L’Angleterre. Il a toujours agi pour elle. Il a meme maneuvré suivant toute Apparence. Il y a, au moins, un fait, de ce genre qu’on ne peut nier, e’est la proposition fait end’augmenter l’armee deterre, au moment ou on alloit commencer, une Guerre de Mer. Quelques gens ont dit qu’il etoit payé, par l’Angleterre. J’en ai trouvé qui le defend sur ce point, et disent qu’il en est incapable. Et, quoiqu’ils ne l’aiment pas, rejettent cette Idee, avec une Sorte d’indignation. Il faut alors croire, que c’est l’attachment qu’il a pour son nom, qui le seduit, et lui fait penser qu’il est de l’interest de la Hollande de se soumettre a L’Angleterre de borner son commerce a la portion a laquelle elle jugera apropos de la reduire: d’etre, en un mot, aux terms d’une de ses Colonies, et de perdre sa place dans la Liste des Souverains d’Europe.
          C’est en effet a quoi les decisions du Ministere Anglois, auroient conduit la Republique, si le Roy avoit envoyé un Ministre moins actif, moins penetrant, moins capable que Mr. de la Vauguion qui a sçu, au tres grand Etonnement des Hollanders meme, demonter tous les moyens de leur Administration, et ouvrir aux gens bien intentionnes, les Routes, pour faire parvenir leurs Sentiments a l’assemblee des Etats et la ramener a des Principes plus conformes a ses vrais Interets, on pourroit dire a la raison, et a leur honneur.
          Quelques Gens pensent que malgré tous les Talens, et tout l’Art qu’il a develloppes, il auroit Eu beaucoup de peine a reussir, si l’Administration, n’avoit pas fait des fautes capitales. Je vais en exposer quelqu’unes. 1. Elle avoit poussé la Pusillanimité jusqu’a defendre, aux commandans des Escortes de prendre, sous leur Protection, les navires, chargés pour la France, D’Effets utiles a la marine. Cette resolution secrette, fut sçu. M. de la V. presenta un memoire. On y repondit, et par lá, on avouoit le fait, qui auroit été bien difficile a prouver si on s’etoit contente de le nier.
          2. Lorsque les Deputes d’Amsterdam vinrent presenter au Prince leur memoire, contre M. le Duc de Brunswic, ils annoncerent eux mêmes, que tout ce qu’ils alloient lui dire devoit etre renfermé sous un Secret impenetrable. On dit qu’ils paroissoient fort emus. Si le Prince avoit mis leur memoire dans sa poche, leur en avoit fait bien des Remerciemens, et les eut renvoyés en leur faisant sentir la necessité du Secret, que seroit devenue l’affaire? Rien probablement. Mais il leur rendit ce memoire, on les ranima, ils le publierent, ou plutot le rendirent public. Car Je ne sache pas qu’il y ait la de publication legale. 3. Alors M. Le Duc de Brunswic avoit un parti a prendre, qui etoit de laisser tomber, L’Affair, au moins Jusqu’au moment ou on feroit quelque Allegation speciale contre lui, ce qui auroit ete fort difficile. Au lieu de cela il se plaignit aux Etats Generaux, mit les formes contre lui tant parce qu’au lieu d’une requete ou d’un memoire, il fit une simple Lettre, que parce qu’il s’addressa, aux Etats Generaux pendant que c’etoient les seuls Etats de Hollande a qui il appartenoit de connoitre de cette affaire. On a vu les Suites qu’elle a eus, mais si le Duc, n’avoit rien dit, s’il avoit laissé aux Magistrats D’Amsterdam le Soin de donner le mouvement a cette affair, ils auroient pu se trouver fort embarrassés.
          4. Avant le tems dont je viens de parler, l’Administration fit encore une grande faute contre ses vues. Elle vouloit que les Anglois fissent ce qui leur plairoit, et ce qui leur plaisoit, etoit de prendre tous les Vaisseaux charges pour la France, de matieres propres a L’Usage d’une flotte. Il falloit leur dire, de payer aux prix courant les effets qu’ils auroient saisis. Le Commerce n’auroit peut etre jamais remué. Alors les villes seroient probablement restees tranquilles par les raisons que J’ay indiquées, au Commencement de cette note. Il est certain que ce ne sont que les Negotians qui les ont mis en Activite, ou au moins, Ils y ont bien contribues. Ceux qui parmi eux avoient le Sentiment de la Dignite de la Republique et qui souffroient de la voir aneantie, se sont fort appuyes sur les petitions des Negotians, mais quand les Negotians auroient été bien payés de leur Cargaisons, il auroit ete facile au parti anglois de les ecarter en leur repondant, qu’ils n’avoient aucun droit de se plaindre, aucun fondement legitime pour leurs representations. Etant payés suivant leurs factures, Ils ne pouvoient alors parler que du manque de respect pour le Pavillion, Chose qui ne les regardoit pas.
          Cela auroit ete d’autant plus aise a etablir que les Regences, seroient fort fachees qu’on crut que c’est le Commerce qui les conduit, ou, si l’on veut qui les engage a telle ou telle demarche. Plus elles sentent que c’est au commerce que le Republique doit L’Existence qu’elle conserve, et plus elles veulent cacher cette Verite, afain de ne jamais dependre d’un corps qui leur est a quelques egards etranger. Les magistrats, surtout ceux D’Amsterdam, seroient bien fachés que Ton crut qu’ils font le Commerce, Ils veulent meme cacher que leurs Ancetres aient été commercans. Et II y a tel homme, qui sauroit fort mauvais gré a celui qui lui diroit que son pere ou son grand Pere, avoit le premier Comptoir D’Amsterdam.
          5. Une autre faute a été, dans la celebre affaire du pensionaire D’Amsterdam, de rendre aux Deputés de cette Ville la Sentence que la Cour de Hollande, avoit prononcé. C’etoit une Arme qu’il falloit conserver, quitte a ne jamais s’en servir. Des qu’on l’eut abandonnée, La Regence D’Amsterdam n’eut plus rien a craindre et se trouva en Liberte d’agir, comme elle l’a fait.
          Nota. On ne m’a pas bien expliqué comment cette Sentence, n’existoit que dans un seul papier, ce que les notaires appellent en Brevet. Les Tribunaux ont des registres, ou sont leurs Sentences, et la Public ne peut en avoir que des Expeditions. Quand J’ay fait cette question, on ne s’est pas trouvee en Etat, d’y repondre.
          Voila une partie des fautes qu’on reproche a L’Administration. La premiere de toutes, fort anterieure a celles cy, a été, peut étre de se Iaisser voir de trop pres, mais certainement de ne s’etre pas attachée les gens les plus accredités dans les provinces pour en former son Conseil.
          Le Duc scait tres mauvais gré a ceux qui vont a L’hotel de France. II affecte le contraire, leur dit même non seulment qu’il y faut aller, mais qu’ils feront bien, et cherche ensuite de les desservir.


Title: Oct. 11. Fryday.
From: Adams, John
To:

       C.S. came in familiarly at Breakfast, and I had a hours Conversation with him upon the foregoing Extract. I shew him some Papers. He thinks the American Cause ought to come in.
       Walked to the House in the Wood.
       Near 3 O Clock Mr. Fagel came in Person, and in Ceremony to make me a Visit, and delivered to me, the four other Copies of the Treaty attested by himself, to be sent to America. Complaisant as usual.
       At 6 Mr. Van der Burg van Spieringshoek, the Agent of their H.M., came and delivered me their Resolution relative to Mr. Dubble de mutz’s Vessell desiring me to transmitt it to Congress which I promised to do.
       Spent most of the day in signing Obligations, for the United States. It is hard work to sign ones Name 1600 times after dinner.


Title: Oct. 13.
From: Adams, John
To:

       Sent 3 Copies of the Treaty of Commerce and as many of the Convention concerning Recaptures, by Mr. Storer to Amsterdam to go by three different Vessells.
       Finished packing my Papers for my Journey to Paris. Mr. Storer is to prepare every Thing for Us to set off, from the Arms of Amsterdam, on Fryday Morning. Mr. Thaxter and I are to be there on Thursday night.
       Walked the Tour of the Wood twice.
       Met the Court twice.
       The Names of the Lords the Deputies of the Committee of foreign Affairs who signed with me, the Treaty of Commerce and the Convention concerning Recaptures, on the 8 of this Month are

      George Van Randwick
      of Guelderland

      Van den Santheuvel
      of Holland

      P. Van Bleiswyck
      of Holland

      W. C. H. Van Lynden
      of Zeeland

      D. S. i.e. J. Van Heeckeren
      of Utrecht

      Joan Van Kuffeler
      of Friesland

      H. Tjassens
      of Groningen.

   Vischer and Gyselaer have been pumping D. to get out of him my Secret. But luckily it was not in him. They insinuated to him that Fitzherbert had received Instructions to exchange full Powers with the American Ministers. That these were about to speak in a high Tone, “tenir une haute Langage.” That there would be no Congress at Vienna nor Brussells, but the Peace would be made at Paris. This they learn I suppose from the Dispatches of their Ministers Berkenrode and Brantzen.


Title: 1782 Oct. 14. Monday.
From: Adams, John
To:

       Not long after my Reception here I was invited by Mr. Le Vaillant At Amsterdam, to dine with him in Company with Mr. Van Berckell, Mr. Bikker, and their Connections. When, according to the Ton in this Country, We came to that Period of the Feast, when the Toasts begin, Mr. Le Vaillant produced a beautifull Glass, round the Rim of which was engraved Aurea Libertas. He filled it, and first addressing himself to the Glass and then to me, pronounced these Words, with a profound Bow.

          Aurea Libertas gaude: Pars altera mundi
          Vindice te, renuit subdere colla jugo.
          Haec tibi, Legatum quem consors Belga recipit,
          Pectore sincero pocula plena fero.
          Utraque Gens nectet, mox suspicienda Tyrannis
          Quae Libertati vincula sacra precor.

         Never was Bumper quaffed with more good Will.
       The Duke de la Vauguion has invited me and my Family to dine with him to day. He advises me to present Mr. Dumas, to the President, Greffier and Grand Pensionary as my Chargé des Affairs in my absence. As Mr. D. has no Commission as Secretary to this Legation, nor any other Character than that of Correspondent of Mr. Franklin, or at most of an ancient Committee of Congress, which I suppose has ceased, I have some difficulty about this. Some members of Congress at least may think that I advance too fast.

       At have after 9 I waited on Mr. Bleiswyck, to give him Notice that I intended to set off, on Thursday Morning for Paris. He cryes “C’est une bonne Augure, Monsieur.”—”Oui Monsieur, Je m’en vais, avec la rameau d’olivier, dans la bouche, dans le Coeur et a la main.”—He seemed to be very happy to learn it. I asked him, if their Ministers at Paris, had given them any late Information, concerning the Negotiations for Peace. He said Yes, they had informed him that the Court of Great Britain had fully acknowledged the Independence of America. That Mr. Fitzherbert was instructed to exchange Full Powers with the American Ministers.—I told him that I was invited and pressed by my Colleagues to go to Paris, and that I should be happy to take his Commands, on Wednesday.—I went next to Mr. Fagel, and informed him of my intended Journey. He seemed really overjoyed. Said “C’est un bon Mark” &c. He repeated to me, that their Ministers had written, that Mr. Fitzherbert had received such Instructions, and that the Comte de Vergennes had told them that he was now fully perswaded, that Great Britain, i.e. the British Ministry, were now sincerely disposed to Peace. Mr. Fagel said he did not expect that I should have gone so soon. I told him, that I was urged by my Colleague to come. That I had the Honour to be at the head of this Commission. That I was sent to Europe 3 Years ago, with a Commission as sole Minister Plenipotentiary, for Peace. But that last Year Congress had thought fit to change the Plan a little. They had sent me a Commission to this Republick, and had associated with me in the Commission for Peace, Mr. Franklin, Mr. Jay, Mr. Laurens and Mr. Jefferson. Mr. Laurens had resigned, or rather not accepted. Mr. Jefferson was in America, so that there remained only Mr. Franklin, Mr. Jay and myself. That Mr. Franklin was infirm—had the Gout and Gravel or Strangury and could not Sleep—so that it became more necessary for me to go. He asked how old Mr. Franklin was? I told him 76. That he was born in 1706.—He said that is my Age. I am of 1706, but I have no Disorders—no Pains or Uneasiness at all. In my Youth I was very infirm, had the Gravel and several Disorders, but they are all worn away with time.—I asked him if he took the Air much? He said Yes, a great deal, and he was very fond of Walking. He walked Yesterday four hours in the Downs from 10 to 2., and he was very well. He asked me when I should return? I answered, that if the Negotiations for Peace, should begin and go on, it was impossible to say: but that otherwise I should return in three Weeks.... He said he hoped, then, I should not return before next Spring.
       This Gentleman has a very young Look—much younger than Mr. Franklin. A Countenance, fresh and ruddy, clear, unclouded. A small, spare Man.
       Dined with M. de la Vauguion, with M. De Llano, Renovalles, Sarsefield, Fenelon, Berenger, Dumas, Thaxter, Cremou, Creanci— very gay and social.
       Fell into Conversation after Dinner with Sarsefield, Renovalles &c. about Biscay, Friesland &c. S. said the Genius of certain People had preserved them Priviledges.—What is the Genius of People? says I. It is a Manufacture, it is the Effect of Government and Education &c—S. run on about the Panurge, Pantagruel &c. of Rabelais, the Romeo and Julliet of Shakespeare, the Mandragore of Machiavel, the Tartuff of Moliere, &c. &c.


Title: Oct. 15. Tuesday.
From: Adams, John
To:

       This Morning at 10 made my Visit to the President Van Randwick of Guelderland to take Leave of their High Mightinesses and presented Mr. Dumas as Chargé des Affairs in my Absence. Went next to the Hotel de Dordrecht to take Leave of Mr. Gyselaer, and next to that of Amsterdam, to take Leave of Mr. Vischer, who was more bold and open than ever I knew him. Said it was the Statholder who was the greatest; le plus g. t. de ce Pays ci—entete come une Mule, &c. He shewed me a Letter from Mr. Brantzen at Paris, which contained that the C. de Vergennes told him, Mr. Fitzherbert had informed him that the Independence of America, would meet with no longer Difficulty. That he had received a special Commission to treat with the Ministers of the United States of America.
       At 12 The Agent Vander Burg Van Spieringshoek enquired at the House If I could receive him at one. I answered in the affirmative. Accordingly at one he came, and said that he had it in Command from their High Mightinesses to inform me, that the President Mr. Van Randwyk had informed them of my Intention to take a Journey to France, that they had charged him to make me their Compliments, to wish me a good Journey, and a speedy Return in good Health.
       At 3 I went to the House in the Wood and took Leave of the Princess and afterwards of the Prince. He asked me, several Questions. What were my Sentiments of the Negotiation at Paris? Whether I thought the King of Great Britain had taken upon himself, without an Act of Parliament to acknowledge the Independance of America? Who were the Ministers on the Part of America to treat of Peace.—Mr. Franklin, Monsieur.—And who is the other.—Mr. Jay says I.—He who has been at Madrid? says he.—The same.
       In the Evening, Mr. Gyselaer came in, and We had a long Conversation. He told me, that a few Weeks ago, Mr. Thulemeyer visited the Duke de la Vauguion, and informed him that the King, (of Prussia) his Master, would not take it well that the Court of Versailles, or his Minister here, should intermeddle with the Interiour Parties and Disputes in the Republick. And at the same Time the Duke received a Letter from the C. De Vergennes, informing him that the Prussian Minister at Versailles had said the same Things to him: but that he had convinced him that all Jealousy of that kind was groundless.—He told me, that upon this Occasion He entered deep into Conversation, and said that he did not desire Versailles to intermeddle, unless as a Counterpoise to Prussias intermeddling. There was an Affair of 1714 which had made the Prince absolute in Utrech, Guelderland and Overyssell. That if the Patriots should attempt to change that, and Prussia should interpose to prevent it, unless they should be supported by France, they must succumb and pass for the Dupes. That he must be sensible, if they determined upon this Measure, and France should desert them, they must look out elsewhere.—Ay where?—Perhaps to the Emperor.—Furious.—Ay, but you must be sensible that I ought not to quit your House, without Satisfaction upon this Point.
       He says the Prince has lately said that some Foreigner would soon interest himself in the Affairs of the Republick. He wished, if I could be usefull to them at Versailles, or here with the Duke that I would.


Title: Oct. 16. Wednesday.
From: Adams, John
To:

       Dined with the Baron De Linden de Blitterswick, the first Noble of Zealand. Llano, Almeida, Thulemeyer, Mirabel, Gallitzin and Markow, were all there. Geelwink, Sarsefield, Heyden, Boreel &c. 16 in all.
       Mr. De Linden told me that their H.M. had lately consulted with all their Amirals and best Master Builders and had endeavoured to discover the best possible Model of a Ship, and that he would send it to me, as he did the next Morning. I have desired Mr. Dumas to send it to Congress.—Received an Invitation from Court to sup, tomorrow night. Sent an Excuse.


Title: Oct. 17. Thursday.
From: Adams, John
To:

       Began my Journey to Paris from the Hague, dined at Harlem and drank Tea at five O Clock at Amsterdam. Paid Mr. Bromfield 200 Ducats 1050 Guilders and took his Receipt upon Account.... Met Mr. Willink upon the Road, going to the Hague, with a Lady. He has left for me a Letter of Credit upon Paris, unlimited. He wished my Journey to Paris might have a Tendency towards Peace.


Title: October 19. Saturday.
From: Adams, John
To:

       From Utrecht to Gorcum is 8 Leagues. Here we dined, at the Doele kept by Mr. Van Dongen. He told Us that as soon as We should get out of Town We should come to the River, near the Junction of the Maes with the Wahal, a Branch of the Rhine, that if We looked up the River We should have a full View of the Castle of Louvestein. We had accordingly a fair View of it. It stands upon an Island in the Middle of the River. There is an high and large square Tour of a Church at no great Distance from it. Gorinchem or Gorcum is one of the 18 Cities of the Province of Holland.
       We dined at Gorcum, but as it was impossible to reach Breda before half after 6, when the Gates of that City are shut, my Servant rode forward on Horseback, and went to the Prince Cardinal a publick House, the Keeper of which applied to General Marsdam, the Governor, so that when We arrived at near 9 O Clock, We found an officer and a Guard at the Gate, who said he had orders to admit Mr. Adams the Ambassador of America. I gave the Guards 4 Guilders on the Spot and sent em 2 ducats afterwards.
       The 4 last Leagues being Sand, were tolerable, but the former 4 being Clay were very bad—muddy, and deep.


Title: Oct. 20. Sunday.
From: Adams, John
To:

       Rising early this Morning and ringing for a Servant, was told that my Servant and most of those of the House were gone to Mass.—The Name of the Keeper of the Prince Cardinal is Van Opdorp.
       Spent the whole day in travelling from Breda to Antwerp, without eating or drinking. The Distance is only ten Leagues. Put up at the grand Laboureur, opposite the Church with the Statue of the Prophet Elias upon it. The Coaches in great Numbers were driving backwards and forwards upon the Place Demier, as upon the Boulevards at Paris. It was Sunday Evening, and this March and Countermarch was for Pleasure and for Health.
       Thus four days have been compleatly consumed in passing from the Hague to Antwerp, and We have seen nothing and conversed with  Nobody, so bad have been the Roads and so cold and rainy the Weather.—Reached Antwerp at Night and lodged at the Gran Laboureur upon the Place de Mier, where the Emperor lodged last Year and left his Portrait, which We saw, and an Inscription, in the Entry. Joseph 2d logé ici  day of  1781.
       This Evening all the Carriages of the Town were parading in the Place de Mier, full of Ladies and Gentlemen as on the Boulvards at Paris.


Title: Oct. 21. Monday.
From: Adams, John
To:

       Went to the Cathedral Church, where We saw the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, the famous Altar Piece of Reubens, the Figures and Colouring are beautifull beyond description—and the Descent of Jesus from the Cross. Reubens has placed in this Piece his three Wives and Daughter, and his own head. The Colouring is all gloomy, accommodated to the Subject.
       In this Church each Trade has its Altar. We remarked the Martyrdom of Crispin, Patron of the Shoemakers, in another Part the Martyrdom of St. Sebastian shot by Arrows. This Church is remarkably clean. No Dust upon any of the Figures.
       Went next to the Church of St. James, principally To see the Tomb of Rubens. There is a Picture drawn by Rubens, containing in one Piece the Figures of his Grandfather, Father, two of his Wives and three of his Children. An Inscription at the Door, Ostium Monumenti Familiae Rubenianae.
       Rubens was born at Cologne, but removed at the Age of 10 Years, with his Family to Antwerp. He travelled into Italy. Mass is said 4 times a day at this Altar.
       Went next to see the private Collection of Jaques Van Lancker. Here is an Head of his second Wife by Reubens and a larger Picture of the Saviour delivering the Keys to St. Peter. There is a Jealousy very remarkable in the face of one of the Apostles. A Christ by Reubens, a Magdalene by Paul Veronese, an Italian, A Man and his Wife by Rembrant, and several other Pieces by him, Vandyke &c.
       We went in the last Place to see the private Collection of Pilaer and Beekmans, Negotiants en Dentelles, Diamans, Tableaux, Desseins, Estampes &c. Place de Mier.
       The most remarkable Piece in this Collection is an old Woman, his Mother, with a Bible on the Table before her, by Rembrant. This is called his Master Piece. It is indeed an Admirable Picture.

       The Son in Law of this house told me, there was a Society formed in this Town, which had begun to send Ventures to America.
       After Dinner, We rode to Bruxelles, and put up, at the Hotel de belle Vue. Mr. Jennings came in, and We had a very agreable hour with him.
       The Gate was shut before our Arrival. The Porter demanded my Name and Quality, in order to send them to a Burgomaster of the City, for a Billet du Porte. The Messenger returned with an order to admit Mr. Adams Minister Plenipotentiaire des Etats Unis &c. in stronger terms than usual. I did not know but the Burgomaster would have omitted the Quality in the order. But I am told that every body here is American.


Title: October 22. Tuesday.
From: Adams, John
To:

       Visited Mr. William Lee, in the Place de St. Mitchell with Mr. Jennings. Mr. Lee said that the Swallow was a Sign of Summer. My Appearance denoted Peace.
       Mr. Jennings let me into the Character of Mr. Fitsherbert.... His Father was prevailed on by Ld. North to vote with him, but he was never easy in his mind about it, and finally cut his own Throat. The Gentleman at Paris is about 33, wholly dependent on Ld. Shelbourne. Has Parts but very conceited, and assuming. Not liked by the English while at Brussells, because he did not keep a Table. He was only Resident and his Appointment small, not more than 1500£.
       He writes from Paris, that the C. de Vergennes has a Great Character, but that he sees nothing in him.... This is evidence of Vanity, for that Minister has at least a vast Experience, and too much reserve to give Proofs of Great or little Qualities so soon to this young Gentleman.... His Parts are quick and his Education has been good.... He has sometimes treated the English with cool Contempt and sometimes with hot Pride.
       We set off on our Journey about Twelve but before We reached Halle, the Iron Axletree of our fore Weels snapped off like a Piece of Glass, our Carriage fell, and We were put to great difficulty to drag it, to the Porte Verde a Tavern in this Village. Being thus detained for the Reparation of our Carriage, after Dinner We walked about the Village and visited the Church of Notre Dame de Halle, but saw nothing but what is very common. The Village is dirty and poor.... What a Contrast to the Villages of Holland.


Title: Oct. 24. Thursday.
From: Adams, John
To:

       Visited the Church at Valenciennes. Saw a notre Dame De Hall. She appears pregnant. A Collection of Portraits ancient and modern, and a Picture of the Virgin Mary in the Air, sending by Angels a Cord round the City with an Inscription importing, Valenciennes surrounded with a Cord by the blessed Virgin, and saved from the Plague Anno 1008.
       Dined at Cambray, visited the Cathedral, saw the Tomb of Fenelon, his Statue, Picture &c. Saw the Chapter where the Chanoines meet twice a Week, and saw also the Room where are the Portraits of all the Archbishops and Bishops ancient and Modern, and Fenelon among the rest. There is also in this Church a curious Piece of Clock Work, which represents the whole Proscess with Jesus Christ like that in the 7 Chappells of Mount Calvare.—Lodged at Peronne.


Title: Oct. 25. Fryday.
From: Adams, John
To:

       Dined at Gourney. Carriage broke again. Arrived at Night, at Pont-Sainte-Maxence, two Posts from Chantilly and one and an half from Senlis.

        The Ecchoing horn
        The ecchoing horn calls the Sportsmen abroad
        To horse, my brave Boys, and away
        The morning is up and the Cry of the hounds
        Upbraids our too tedious Delay.

        What Pleasure We find in pursuing the Fox
        O’er hills and o’er Valleys he flies
        Then follow, W’ell soon overtake him. Huzza
        The Traitor is seized on and dies.

        Tryumphant returning at night with our Spoils
        Like Bacchanals shouting and gay
        How Sweet with a Bottle and Lass to refresh
        And loose the Fatigues of the Day.

        With Sport, Love and Wine fickle Fortune defy
        Dull Wisdom all Happiness sours
        Since Life is no more than a Passage at best
        Let’s strew the Way over with Flowers.


Title: 1782 October 26. Saturday.
From: Adams, John
To:

       Parted from Pont Sainte Maxence, for Chantilly. The distance is two Postes, and We found the Road very good. We went to see the Stables, and Horses. I had on my travelling Gloves, and one of the Grooms run up to Us, with 3 Whip Sticks, and presented them to Us. This is an Air which the Grooms give themselves, in order to get Something to drink. They do the same to the Prince of Condé himself, if he enters the Stables with Gloves on his hands. I gave them six Livres, but if I had been in a private Character, I should have thought 24s. or even half of it, enough.
       We went round the Castle, and took a Look at the Statue of the grande Condé, in marble, half Way up the great Stair Case, and saw the Statue on Horseback in Bronze, of the grand Constable Montmorency. Walked round the Gardens, Fish Ponds, Grottoes and Waterspouts. And looked at the Carps and Swan that came up to Us for Bread. Nothing is more curious than this. Whistle or throw a Bit of Bread into the Water and hundreds of Carps large and fat as butter will be seen swimming near the Top of the Water towards you, and will assemble all in a huddle, before you. Some of them will thrust up their Mouths to the Surface, and gape at you like young Birds in a Nest to their Parents for Food.
       While We were viewing the Statue of Montmorency Mademoiselle de Bourbon came out into the Round house at the Corner of the Castle dressed in beautifull White, her Hair uncombed hanging and flowing about her Showlders, with a Book in her Hand, and leaned over the Bar of Iron, but soon perceiving that she had caught my Eye, and that I viewed her more attentively than she fancied, she rose up with that Majesty and Grace, which Persons of her Birth affect, if they are not taught, turned her Hair off of both her Showlders, with her Hands, in a manner that I could not comprehend, and decently stepped back into the Chamber and was seen no more. The Book in her hand is consistent, with what I heard 4 Years ago at the Palais de Bourbon in Paris, that she was fond of Reading....
       The Managery, where they exercise the Horses is near the end of the Stables and is a magnificent Piece of Architecture. The orangery appears large, but We did not look into it.
       The Village of Chantilly, appears a small Thing. In the Forest or Park We saw Bucks, Hares, Pheasants, Partridges &c. but not in such Plenty as one would expect.
       We took a Cutlet and glass of Wine, at ten at Chantilly, that We might not be tempted to stop again, accordingly We arrived, in very good Season at the Hotel de Valois, Rue de Richelieu, where the House however was so full that We found but bad Accommodations.

        Now the Hill Tops are burnished, with Azure and Gold
        And the Prospect around Us most bright to behold
        The hounds are all trying the Mazes to trace
        The Steeds are all neighing and pant for the Chase
        Then rouse each true Sportsman, and join at the Dawn
        The Song of the Huntsman, and Sound of the Horn.
        The Horn, The Horn, the Song of the Huntsman
        and Sound of the Horn.

        Wherever We go Pleasure waits on Us still
        If We sink in the Valley, or rise on the Hill
        See the Downs now we leave, and the Coverts appear
        As eager We follow, the Fox or the Hare.
        The Horn, The Horn, the Song of the Huntsman
         and Sound of the Horn.

        O’er Hedges and Ditches We valiantly fly
        For fearless of Death We ne’er think we shall die.
        Chorus.

        From Ages long past by the Poets we are told
        That Hunting was lov’d by the Sages of old
        That the Soldier and Huntsman were both on a Par
        That the health giving Chase made them bold in the War.
        Chorus.

        The Chase being over away to the Bowl
        The full flowing Bumper shall chear up our Soul
        Whilst Jocund our Songs shall with Chorus’s ring
        A Toast to our Lasses, our Country and King.
        Chorus.

        End.

       Arrived, at night at the Hotel de Valois, Rue de Richelieu, after a Journey of ten Days from the Hague, from whence We, Mr. John Thaxter, Mr. Charles Storer and I parted last Thursday was a Week.
       The first Thing to be done, in Paris, is always to send for a Taylor, Peruke maker and Shoemaker, for this nation has established such a domination over the Fashion, that neither Cloaths, Wigs nor Shoes made in any other Place will do in Paris. This is one of the Ways, in which France taxes all Europe, and will tax America. It is a great Branch of the Policy of the Court, to preserve and increase this national Influence over the Mode, because it occasions an immense Commerce between France and all the other Parts of Europe. Paris furnishes the Materials and the manner, both to Men and Women, every where else.

       Mr. Ridley lodges in the Ruë de Clairi Cléry, No. 60.
       Mr. Jay. Rue des petits Augustins, Hotel D’Orleans.


Title: 1782 Oct. 27. Sunday.
From: Adams, John
To:

       Went into the Bath, upon the Seine, not far from the Pont Royal, opposite the Tuilleries. You are shewn into a little Room, which has a large Window looking over the River into the Tuilleries. There is a Table, a Glass and two Chairs, and you are furnished with hot linnen, Towels &c. There is a Bell which you ring when you want any Thing.
       Went in search of Ridley and found him. He says Franklin has broke up the Practice of inviting every Body to dine with him on  Sundays at Passy. That he is getting better. The Gout left him weak. But he begins to sit, at Table.
       That Jay insists on having an exchange of full Powers, before he enters on Conference or Treaty. Refuses to treat with D’Aranda, untill he has a Copy of his Full Powers. Refused to treat with Oswald, untill he had a Commission to treat with the Commissioners of the United States of America.—F. was afraid to insist upon it. Was afraid We should be obliged to treat without. Differed with J. Refused to sign a Letter &c. Vergennes wanted him to treat with D’Aranda, without.
       The Ministry quarrel. De Fleury has attacked De Castries, upon the Expences of the Marine. Vergennes is supposed to be with De Fleury.—Talk of a Change of Ministry.—Talk of De Choiseul, &c.
       F. wrote to Madrid, at the Time when he wrote his pretended Request to resign, and supposed that J. would succeed him at this Court and obtained a Promise that W. should be Secretary. Jay did not know but he was well qualified for the Place.
       Went to the Hotel D’orleans, Rue des petites Augustins, to see my Colleage in the Commission for Peace, Mr. Jay, but he and his Lady were gone out.
       Mr. R. dined with me, and after dinner We went to view the Appartements in the Hotel du Roi, and then to Mr. J. and Mrs. Izard, but none at home. R. returned, drank Tea and spent the Evening with me. Mr. Jeremiah Allen, our Fellow Passenger in the leaky Sensible, and our Fellow Traveller through Spain, came in and spent the Evening. He has been home since and returned.
       R. is still full of Js. Firmness and Independance. Has taken upon himself, to act without asking Advice or even communicating with the Comte de Vergennes—and this even in opposition to an Instruction. This Instruction, which is alluded to in a Letter I received at the Hague a few days before I left it, has never yet been communicated to me. It seems to have been concealed, designedly from me. The Commission to W. was urged to be filled up, as soon as the Commission came to Oswald to treat with the Ministers of the united States, and it is filled up and signed. W. has lately been very frequently with J. at his house, and has been very desirous of perswading F. to live in the same house with J.—Between two as subtle Spirits, as any in this World, the one malicious, the other I think honest, I shall have a delicate, a nice, a critical Part to Act. F.s cunning will be to divide Us. To this End he will provoke, he will insinuate, he will intrigue, he will maneuvre. My Curiosity will at least be employed, in observing his Invention and his Artifice. J. declares roundly, that he will never set his hand to a bad Peace. Congress may appoint another, but he will make a good Peace or none.


Title: 1782. October 28. Monday.
From: Adams, John
To:

       Dined with Mr. Allen.


Title: Oct. 29. Tuesday.
From: Adams, John
To:

       Dined at the Hotel du Roi. Mr. R. dined with Us. In the Evening, I went out to Passy to make my Visit to Franklin.


Title: Oct. 30. Wednesday.
From: Adams, John
To:

       Dined with Mr. Jay.


Title: Oct. 31. Thursday.
From: Adams, John
To:

       Dined with Mr. Oswald. Dr. F., Mr. Jay, Mr. Oswald, Mr. Stretchy, Mr. Roberts and Mr. Whitford.


Title: November 1. Fryday.
From: Adams, John
To:

       Dined at Passy with Mr. F.


Title: Nov. 2. Saturday.
From: Adams, John
To:

       Mr. Oswald, Mr. Franklin, Mr. Jay, Mr. Strechy, Mr. W. Franklin, dined with me at the Hotel du Roi, Rue du Carrousel.
       Almost every Moment of this Week has been employed in Negotiation, with the English Gentlemen, concerning Peace. We have made two Propositions. One the Line of forty five degrees. The other a Line thro the Middles of the Lakes. And for the Bound between Mass. and Nova Scotia—a Line from the Mouth of St. Croix to its Source, and from its Source to the high Lands.


Title: 1782. November 3. Sunday.
From: Adams, John
To:

       In my first Conversation with Franklin on Tuesday Evening last, he told me of Mr. Oswalds Demand of the Payment of Debts and Compensation to the Tories. He said their Answer had been, that We had not Power, nor had Congress. I told him I had no Notion of cheating any Body. The Question of paying Debts, and that of com pensating Tories were two.—I had made the same Observation, that forenoon to Mr. Oswald and Mr. Stretchy, in Company with Mr. Jay at his House....  I saw it struck Mr. Stretchy with peculiar Pleasure, I saw it instantly smiling in every Line of his Face. Mr. O. was apparently pleased with it too.
       In a subsequent Conversation with my Colleagues, I proposed to them that We should agree that Congress should recommend it to the States to open their Courts of Justice for the Recovery of all just Debts. They gradually fell in to this Opinion, and We all expressed these Sentiments to the English Gentlemen, who were much pleased with it, and with Reason, because it silences the Clamours of all the British Creditors, against the Peace, and prevents them from making common Cause with the Refugees.
       Mr. J. came in and spent two hours, in Conversation, upon our Affairs, and We attempted an Answer to Mr. Oswalds Letter. He is perfectly of my Opinion or I am of his respecting Mr. Dana’s true Line of Conduct as well as his with Spain, and ours with France, Spain and England.

        I learn from him that there has not been an Harmony, between him and Carmichael. The latter aimed at founding himself upon a French Interest, and was more supple to the french Ambassador at Madrid, and to Mr. Gérard than was approved by the former. G. endeavoured to perswade him to shew him, his Instructions, which he refused at which offence was taken.

       Vergennes has endeavoured to perswade him to treat with D’Aranda, without exchanging Powers. He refuses. V. also pronounced Oswalds first Commission sufficient, and was for making the Acknowledgement of American Independance the first Article of the Treaty. J. would not treat. The Consequence was, a compleat Acknowledgment of our Independence by Oswalds new Commission under the great Seal of G.B. to treat with the Commissioners of the United States of America.—Thus a temperate Firmness has succeeded every where, but the base System nowhere.

        Ridley says that Jennings is in easy Circumstances, and as he always lives within his Income, is one of the most independent Men in the World. He remitted him 3000£ St. when he came over to France. His Father left him Ten Thousand Pounds. He kept great Company in England and no other. He is related to several principal Families in America, and to several great Families in England. Was bred to the Law in the Temple, and practised as Chamber Council, but no otherwise.

       D’Estaing has set off for Madrid and Cadix. Reste a Scavoir, what his Object is. Whether to take the Command of a Squadron, and in that Case where to go—whether to R. Island to join Vaudreul, and go vs. N. York, or to the W. Indies. Will they take N. York, or only prevent the English from evacuating it.—O. proposed solemnly to all 3 of Us, Yesterday, at his House, to agree not to molest the British Troops in the Evacuation, but We did not. This however shews they have it in Contemplation. Suppose they are going against W. Florida—how far are We bound to favour the Spaniards? Our Treaty with France must and shall be sacredly fulfilled, and We must admit Spain to acceed when She will, but untill She does our Treaty does not bind Us to France to assist Spain.
       The present Conduct of England and America resembles that of the Eagle and Cat. An Eagle scaling over a Farmers Yard espied a Creature, that he thought an Hair. He pounced upon him and took him up. In the Air the Cat seized him by the Neck with her Teeth and round the Body with her fore and hind Claws. The Eagle finding Herself scratched and pressed, bids the Cat let go and fall down.—No says the Cat: I wont let go and fall, you shall stoop and set me down.


Title: November 5. Tuesday.
From: Adams, John
To:

       Mr. Jay likes Frenchmen as little as Mr. Lee and Mr. Izard did. He says they are not a Moral People. They know not what it is. He dont like any Frenchman. —The Marquis de la Fayette is clever, but he is a Frenchman.—Our Allies dont play fair, he told me. They were endeavouring to deprive Us of the Fishery, the Western Lands, and the Navigation of the Missisippi. They would even bargain with the English to deprive us of them. They want to play the Western Lands, Missisippi and whole Gulph of Mexico into the Hands of Spain.
       Oswald talks of Pultney, and a Plott to divide America between France and England. France to have N. England. They tell a Story about Vergennes and his agreeing that the English might propose such a division, but reserving a Right to deny it all. These Whispers ought not to be credited by Us.


Title: November 9. Saturday.
From: Adams, John
To:

       The M. de la Fayette came in, and told me he had been to Versailles and in Consultation with him Vergennes about the Affair of Money as he and I had agreed he should.—He said he found that the C. de Vergennes and their Ministry were of the same Opinion with me. That the English were determined to evacuate New York.—After Sometime he told me in a great Air of Confidence, that he was afraid the Comte took it amiss that I had not been to Versailles to see him. The C. told him that he had not been officially informed, of my Arrival, he had only learn’d it from the Returns of the Police.
       I went out to Passy to dine with Mr. F. who had been to Versailles and presented his Memorial and the Papers accompanying it. The C. said he would have the Papers translated to lay them before the King, but the Affair would meet with many Difficulties. F. brought the same Message, to me from the C. and said he believed it would be taken kindly if I went. I told both the Marquis and the Dr. that I would go tomorrow Morning.


Title: November 10. Sunday.
From: Adams, John
To:

       Accordingly at 8 this Morning I went and waited on the Comte. He asked me, how We went on with the English? I told him We divided upon two Points the Tories and Penobscot, two ostensible Points, for it was impossible to believe that My Lord Shelburne or the Nation cared much about such Points. I took out of my Pocket and shewed him the Record of Governour Pownals solemn Act of burying a Leaden Plate with this Inscription, May 23. 1759. Province of Massachusetts Bay. Penobscot. Dominions of Great Britain. Possession confirmed by Thomas Pownal Governor.
       This was planted on the East Side of the River of Penobscot, 3 miles above Marine Navigation. I shew him also all the other Records —the Laying out of Mount Desert, Machias and all the other Towns to the East of the River Penobscot, and told him that the Grant of Nova Scotia by James the first to Sir William Alexander, bounded it on the River St. Croix. And that I was possessed of the Authorities of four of the greatest Governors the King of England ever had, Shirley, Pownal, Bernard and Hutchinson, in favour of our Claim and of Learned Writings of Shirley and Hutchinson in support of it. —The Comte said that Mr. Fitzherbert told him they wanted it for the Masts: but the C. said that Canada had an immense quantity. I told him I thought there were few Masts there, but that I fancied it was not Masts but Tories that again made the Difficulty. Some of them claimed Lands in that Territory and others hoped for Grants there.
       The Comte said it was not astonishing that the British Ministry should insist upon Compensation to them, For that all the Precedents were in favour of it. That there had been no Example of an Affair like this terminated by a Treaty, without reestablishing those who had adhered to the old Government in all their Possessions. I begged his Pardon in this, and said that in Ireland at least their had been a Multitude of Confiscations without Restitution.—Here We ran into some Conversation concerning Ireland, &c. Mr. Rayneval, who was present talked about the national honour and the obligation they were under to support their Adherents.—Here I thought I might indulge a little more Latitude of Expression, than I had done with Oswald and Stratchey, and I answered, if the Nation thought itself bound in honour to compensate those People it might easily do it, for it cost the Nation more Money to carry on this War, one Month, than it would cost it to compensate them all. But I could not comprehend this Doctrine of national honour. Those People by their Misrepresentations, had deceived the Nation, who had followed the Impulsion of their devouring Ambition, untill it had brought an indelible Stain on the British Name, and almost irretrievable Ruin on the Nation, and now that very Nation was thought to be bound in honour to compensate its Dishonourers and Destroyers. Rayneval said it was very true.
       The Comte invited me to dine. I accepted. When I came I found the M. de la Fayette in Conference with him. When they came out the M. took me aside and told me he had been talking with the C. upon the Affair of Money. He had represented to him, Mr. Morris’s Arguments and the Things I had said to him, as from himself &c. That he feared the Arts of the English, that our Army would disbande, and our Governments relax &c. That the C. feared many difficulties. That France had expended two hundred and fifty Millions in this War &c. That he talked of allowing six millions and my going to Holland with the Scheme I had projected, and having the Kings Warranty &c. to get the rest. That he had already spoken to some of Mr. De Fleury’s Friends and intended to speak to him &c.
       We went up to Dinner. I went up with the C. alone. He shewed me into the Room where were the Ladies and the Company. I singled out the Comtesse and went up to her, to make her my Compliment. The Comtess and all the Ladies rose up, I made my Respects to them all and turned round and bowed to the reste of the Company. The Comte who came in after me, made his Bows to the Ladies and to the Comtesse last. When he came to her, he turned round and called out Monsieur Adams venez ici. Voila la Comtesse de Vergennes. A Nobleman in Company said Mr. Adams has already made his Court to Madame la Comtess. I went up again however and spoke again to the Comtess and she to me.—When Dinner was served, the Comte led Madame de Montmorin, and left me to conduct the Comtesse who gave me her hand with extraordinary Condescention, and I conducted her to Table. She made me sit next her on her right hand and was remarkably attentive to me the whole Time. The Comte who sat opposite was constantly calling out to me, to know what I would eat and to offer me petits Gateaux, Claret and Madeira &c. &c.—In short I was never treated with half the Respect at Versailles in my Life.
       In the Antichamber before Dinner some French Gentlemen came to me, and said they had seen me two Years ago. Said that I had shewn in Holland that the Americans understand Negotiation, as well as War.
       The Compliments that have been made me since my Arrival in France upon my Success in Holland, would be considered as a Curiosity, if committed to Writing. Je vous felicite sur votre Success, is common to all. One adds, Monsieur, Ma Foi, vous avez reussi, bien merveilleusement. Vous avez fait reconnoitre votre Independance. Vous avez fait un Traité, et vous avez procuré de l’Argent. Voila un Succés parfait.—Another says, vous avez fait des Merveilles en Hollande. Vous avez culbute le Stathouder, et la Partie angloise. Vous avez donné bien de Mouvement. Vous avez remué tout le Monde.—Another said Monsieur vous etes le Washington de la Negotiation.—This is the finishing Stroke. It is impossible to exceed this.
       Compliments are the Study of this People and there is no other so ingenious at them.


Title: 1782 November 11. Monday.
From: Adams, John
To:

       Mr. Whitefoord the Secretary of Mr. Oswald came a second Time, not having found me at home Yesterday, when he left a Card, with a Copy of Mr. Oswalds Commission attested by himself (Mr. Oswald). He delivered the Copy and said Mr. Oswald was ready to compare it to the original with me. I said Mr. Oswalds Attestation was sufficient as he had already shewn me his original. He sat down and We fell into Conversation, about the Weather and the Vapours and Exhalations from Tartary which had been brought here last Spring by the Winds and given Us all the Influenza. Thence to french Fashions and the Punctuality with which they insist upon Peoples wearing thin Cloaths in Spring and fall, tho the Weather is ever so cold, &c. I said it was often carried to ridiculous Lengths, but that it was at Bottom an admirable Policy, as it rendered all Europe tributary to the City of Paris, for its Manufactures.
       We fell soon into Politicks. I told him, that there was something in the Minds of the English and French, which impelled them irresistably to War every Ten or fifteen Years. He said the ensuing Peace would he believed be a long one. I said it would provided it was well made, and nothing left in it to give future Discontents. But if any Thing was done which the Americans should think hard and unjust, both the English and French would be continually blowing it up and inflaming the American Minds with it, in order to make them join one Side or the other in a future War. He might well think, that the French would be very glad to have the Americans join them in future War. Suppose for Example they should think the Tories Men of monarchical Principles, or Men of more Ambition than Principle, or Men corrupted and of no Principle, and should therefore think them more easily seduced to their Purposes than virtuous Republicans, is it not easy to see the Policy of a French Minister in wishing them Amnesty and Compensation? Suppose, a french Minister foresees that the Presence of the Tories in America will keep up perpetually two Parties, a French Party and an English Party, and that this will compell the patriotic and independant Party to join the French Party is it not natural for him to wish them restored? 3. Is it not easy to see, that a French Minister cannot wish to have the English and Americans perfectly agreed upon all Points before they themselves, the Spaniards and Dutch, are agreed too. Can they be sorry then to see us split upon such a Point as the Tories? What can be their Motives to become the Advocates of the Tories? The french Minister at Philadelphia has made some Representations to Congress in favour of a Compensation to the Royalists, and the C. de Vergennes no longer than Yesterday, said much to Me in their favour. The Comte probably knows, that We are instructed against it, that Congress are instructed against it, or rather have not constitutional Authority to do it. That We can only write about it to Congress, and they to the States, who may and probably will deliberate upon it 18 Months, before they all decide and then every one of them will determine against it.—In this Way, there is an insuperable Obstacle to any Agreement between the English and Americans, even upon Terms to be inserted in the general Peace, before all are ready.—It was the constant Practice of The French to have some of their Subjects in London during the Conferences for Peace, in order to propagate such Sentiments there as they wished to prevail. I doubted not such were there now. Mr. Rayneval had been there. Mr. Gerard I had heard is there now and probably others. They can easily perswade the Tories to set up their Demands, and tell them and the Ministers that the Kings Dignity and Nations honour are compromised in it.
       For my own Part I thought America had been long enough involved in the Wars of Europe. She had been a Football between contending Nations from the Beginning, and it was easy to foresee that France and England both would endeavour to involve Us in their future Wars. I thought it our Interest and Duty to avoid them as much as possible and to be compleatly independent and have nothing to do but in Commerce with either of them. That my Thoughts had been from the Beginning constantly employed to arrange all our European Connections to this End, and that they would be continued to be so employed and I thought it so important to Us, that if my poor labours, my little Estate or (smiling) sizy blood could effect it, it should be done. But I had many fears.
       I said the King of France might think it consistent with his Station to favour People who had contended for a Crown, tho it was the Crown of his Ennemy. Whitefoord said, they seem to be, through the whole of this, fighting for Reputation. I said they had acquired it and more. They had raised themselves high from a low Estate by it, and they were our good Friends and Allies, and had conducted generously and nobly and We should be just and gratefull, but they might have political Wishes, which We were not bound by Treaty nor in Justice or Gratitude to favour, and these We ought to be cautious off. He agreed that they had raised themselves very suddenly and surprisingly by it.

        We had more Conversation on the State of Manners in France, England, Scotland and in other Parts of Europe, but I have not Time to record this.


Title: 1782 November 12. Tuesday.
From: Adams, John
To:

        Dined with the Abby Chalut and Arnoux. The Farmer General, and his Daughter, Dr. Franklin and his Grand Son, Mr. Grand and his Lady and Neice, Mr. Ridley and I with one young French Gentleman made the Company. The Farmers Daughter is about 12 Years old and is I suppose an Enfant trouvee. He made her sing at Table, and she bids fair to be an accomplished Opera Girl, though she has not a delicate Ear....

       The Compliment of “Monsieur vous etes le Washington de la Negotiation” was repeated to me, by more than one Person. I answered Monsieur vous me faites le plus grand honour et la Compliment le plus sublime possible.—Eh Monsieur, en Verite vous l’avez bien merité.— A few of these Compliments would kill Franklin if they should come to his Ears.

        This Evening I went to the Hotel des treize Etats Unis to see the Baron de Linden, to the Hotel de York to see the Messrs. Vaughans, and to the Hotel D’orleans to see Mr. Jay, but found neither. Returned through the Rue St. Honorée to see the decorated Shops, which are pretty enough. This is the gayest Street in Paris, in point of ornamented Shops, but Paris does not excell in this respect.

        The old Farmer General was very lively at dinner. Told Stories and seemed ready to join the little Girl in Songs like a Boy.—Pleasures dont wear Men out in Paris as in other Places.

        The Abby Arnoux asked me at Table, Monsieur ou est votre Fils Cadet qui chant, come Orphée.—Il est du retour en Amerique.—To Mademoiselle Labhard, he said Connoissez vous que Monsieur Adams a une Demoiselle tres aimable en Amerique?


Title: November 13. Wednesday.
From: Adams, John
To:

        This is the Anniversary of my quitting home. Three Years are compleated. Oh when shall I return?—Ridley dined with me. Captain Barney called in the Evening and took my dispatches. One set he is to deliver to Capt. Hill, another to Capt.  and the 3d he takes himself.


Title: November 18. Monday.
From: Adams, John
To:

       Returned Mr. Oswalds Visit. He says Mr. Stratchey who sat out the 5 did not reach London untill the 10.... Couriers are 3, 4, or 5 days in going according as the Winds are.
       We went over the old ground, concerning the Tories. He began to use Arguments with me to relax. I told him he must not think of that, but must bend all his Thoughts to convince and perswade his Court to give it up. That if the Terms now before his Court, were not accepted, the whole negotiation would be broken off, and this Court would probably be so angry with Mr. Jay and me, that they would set their Engines to work upon Congress, get us recalled and some others sent, who would do exactly as this Court would have them. He said, he thought that very probable....
       In another Part of his Conversation He said We should all have Gold Snuff Boxes set with Diamonds. You will certainly have the Picture. I told him no. I had dealt too freely with this Court. I had not concealed from them any usefull and necessary Truth, although it was disagreable. Indeed I neither expected nor desired any favours from them nor would I accept any. I should not refuse any customary Compliment of that Sort, but it never had been nor would be offered me.... My fixed Principle never to be the Tool, of any Man, nor the Partisan of any Nation, would forever exclude me from the Smiles and favours of Courts.
       In another Part of the Conversation, I said that when I was young and addicted to reading I had heard about dancing on the Points of metaphisical Needles. But by mixing in the World, I had found the Points of political Needles finer and sharper than the metaphisical ones.
       I told him the Story of Josiah Quincys Conversations with Lord Shelburne in 1774, in which he pointed out to him, the Plan of carrying on the War, which has been pursued this Year, by remaining inactive at Land and cruising upon the Coast to distress our Trade.
       He said he had been contriving an artificial Truce since he found we were bound by Treaty not to agree to a separate Truce. He had proposed to the Ministry, to give Orders to their Men of War and Privateers, not to take any unarmed American Vessells.
       I said to him, supposing the armed Neutrality should acknowledge American Independence, by admitting Mr. Dana who is now at Petersbourg with a Commission for that Purpose in his Pocket, to subscribe the Principles of their marine Treaty? The K. of G.B. could find no fault with it. He could never hereafter say, it was an Affront or Hostility. He had done it himself. Would not all Newtral Vessells have a right to go to America?—and could not all American Trade be carried on in Neutral Bottoms.
       I said to him that England would always be a Country which would deserve much of the Attention of America, independently of all Considerations of Blood, Origin, Language, Morals &c. Merely as a commercial Country, She would forever claim the Respect of America, because a great Part of our Commerce would be with her provided She came to her Senses and made Peace with Us without any Points in the Treaty that should ferment in the Minds of the People. If the People should think themselves unjustly treated, they would never be easy, and they were so situated as to be able to hurt any Power. The Fisheries, the Mississippi, the Tories were points that would rankle. And that Nation that should offend our People in any of them, would sooner or later feel the Consequences.
       Mr. Jay, Mr. Le Couteulx and Mr. Grand came in. Mr. Grand says there is a great Fermentation in England, and that they talk of uniting Lord North and Mr. Fox in Administration. D. of Portland to come in and Keppel go out.—But this is wild.
       You are afraid says Mr. Oswald to day of being made the Tools of the Powers of Europe.—Indeed I am says I.—What Powers says he.—All of them says I. It is obvious that all the Powers of Europe will be continually maneuvring with Us, to work us into their real or imaginary Ballances of Power. They will all wish to make of Us a Make Weight Candle, when they are weighing out their Pounds. Indeed it is not surprizing for We shall very often if not always be able to turn the Scale. But I think it ought to be our Rule not to meddle, and that of all the Powers of Europe not to desire Us, or perhaps even to permit Us to interfere, if they can help it.
       I beg of you, says he, to get out of your head the Idea that We shall disturb you.—What says I do you yourself believe that your Ministers, Governors and even Nation will not wish to get Us of your Side in any future War?—Damn the Governors says he. No. We will take off their Heads if they do an improper thing towards you.
       Thank you for your good Will says I, which I feel to be sincere. But Nations dont feel as you and I do, and your nation when it gets a little refreshed from the fatigues of the War, when Men and Money are become plenty and Allies at hand, will not feel as it does now.—We never can be such damned Sots says he as to think of differing again with you.—Why says I, in truth I have never been able to comprehend the Reason why you ever thought of differing with Us.


Title: 1782. November 19. Tuesday.
From: Adams, John
To:

        In the Morning Mr. Jay called and took me with him in his Carriage to Versailles. We waited on the C. de Vergennes and dined with him, in Company with all the Foreign Ministers, and others to the Number of forty four or five.

        Mr. Berkenrode the Dutch Ambassador, told me, that he thought We should see something very singular in England. The Conflicts of Parties and contentions for the Ministry were such, that he did not know where it would end. It was thought that Lord Shelburne could not support himself without an Union with Ld. North or Mr. Fox, and that the Choice of either would determine the Intentions of the Court and Parliament.

        Mr. Brantzen told me, that they had begun the Negotiations on their Part, but were as yet very far asunder, but hoped they should approach nearer in a little Time. Both he and Berkenrode asked me how We advanced? I told him Mr. Oswald was waiting for a Courier, in answer to his of the 5. which arrived the 10th. I told them both that We should not be behind hand of them. That if it was once said that France, Spain and Holland were ready, the British Ministry would not hesitate upon any Points between Us that remained. They both said they believed We should find less difficulty to arrange our affairs with England, than any of the others would.

        The Sweedish Minister went to a Gentleman and asked him to introduce him to Mr. Jay and me which he did. The Minister told us he had been here since 1766.

        The same Ministers are here from Russia, Denmark and Sardinia, whom I knew here, formerly.

        Mr. Jay made his Compliment to Count D’Aranda, who invited him to come and see him and dine with him.

        I see, by a long Conversation at Table with the Baron de Linden, that he has an Inclination to go to America, Yet he modestly gives Place to Mr. Vanberckel.

        The Marquis de la Fayette took leave of the King to day in his American Uniform and Sword. He told me, that the C. de Vergennes told him the day before that, Mr. de Rayneval was gone to England again. That he did not think the English so sincere, as he wished, for a speedy Peace. He wished it himself, but could not see a Prospect of it, suddenly, &c.

        In returning I asked Mr. Jay what he thought of the K. of Great Britains sending an Ambassador to Congress. After Mr. Oswalds Commission, he might do it, and Congress must receive him.—Jay said do you think with me upon that Point too? If I were the K. of G.B. I would send a Minister in the highest Character, he should be Ambassador Extraordinary, and I would accredit him, to our dear and beloved Friends. And I would instruct that Minister to treat Congress with as high Respect as any crowned head in Europe.

        But says I, he ought to be well instructed too in other Points—vizt. never to hint or to suffer an hint against the Treaties with France and Holland, never to admit the Idea of our failing in our public faith or national Honour—and farther never to interfere in our Parties, general or particular, with our internal Policy, or particular Governments, and to warn our People not to let the French Ministers do it.

        If the Britons should strike with Us, I would agree with you after the terms are signed to advise to the Measure. If I were the King of G. Britain, I would give Orders to all my Ambassadors at the Neutral Courts, to announce to those Courts the Independence of America, that I had acknowledged it, and given a Commission under the Great Seal to treat with the Ministers of the United States of America. That I recommended to these Courts to follow the Example, and open Negotiations with the said United States. That I recommended to those neutral States to send their Vessells freely to and receive Vessells freely from, all the Ports of the United States. I would send the Earl of Effingham Ambassador to Congress, instructed to assure them that I would do them my best Offices, to secure to them the Fisheries, their Extent to the Missisippi and the Navigation of that River. That I would favour all their Negotiations in Europe, upon their own Plan of making commercial Treaties with all Nations. That I would interpose my good offices with the Barbary States, to procure them Mediterranean Passes, &c.