Title: 6th.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       This day I dined at Mr. C. B. Wadström’s. In the evening I went to the assembly here, of which there are sixteen every winter. This was the first for this winter. I return’d home at about 11. o’clock.


Title: 7th.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       I dined at Mr. C. B. Wadström’s with a great deal of company. In the evening I went to the play, which can indeed hardly be call’d a play. However, it is as much as this small town can allow. After the play I return’d to Mr. Wadström’s where with all the company.


Title: 9th.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       Dined at Mr. Körners. In the evening I went to the assembly; at about 10 o’clock I return’d and supp’d at Mr. Körners.


Title: 10th.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       Dined with Mr. C. B. Wadström: bad weather all day.


Title: 11th.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       Snow storm, all day. Dined at Mr. Wadström’s.


Title: 12th.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       This day I went into the country, and spent the day at Mr. Kanterberg’s the brother in law of Mr. Wadström.


Title: 13th.[–16th].
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       This morning Mr. Schiebe set out for Gottenburgh Göteborg. I am to overtake him to morrow morning in Linkiöping. I dined at old Mr. Wadström’s and in the evening I went to the assembly. At about 10 o’clock I return’d and supped at old Mr. Wadström’s; went to my Lodgings and ordered horses, and at about 2. o’clock. A.M. of the 14th. I set out for Linkiöping where I arriv’d at about 7. o’clock. It is only 4. Swedish miles from Norrkiöping. I found here Mr. Schiebe, and at about 10 o’clock we set out to continue our journey to Gottenburgh, where we arrived on Thursday the 16th. at about eleven o’clock at night. The distance is about 250 Engh. miles. One part of the road is very good because of the snow, but there are some places in the province of Scania Skåne where there is no snow at all. It is very troublesome to travel these roads in the winter because from Stockholm to the entry of the Province you cannot go otherwise than in slays, and then very often you find no Snow at all; thro’ the whole Province of Scania there is never Snow enough for Slaying until the latter end of this month: and sometimes not even then.


Title: 17th.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       This Day I went with Mr. Schiebe to the exchange, and met there with Count Greco, who has been here already a week. He proposed to me to go with him and two other gentlemen to take a tour to Drolhetta Trollhättan where there are famous water falls about 8. Sweedish miles from this Place; he told me they shall set out to morrow, and I agreed to go with them. In the afternoon I went and delivered a letter of introduction to Mr. Lars Kåhre, a capital merchant of this town.


Title: 18th.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       I left Gottenburg this morning in Company with Count Greco, Mr. Khrumppöck a Sea officer in the Dutch service, and Mr. Gadelius a young Swedish gentleman who belongs to Uddevalla, we are at present (10 o’clock. P.M.) about half ways to Drolhetta; the roads are not very agreable (as we are with a coach,) on account of the Snow.


Title: 19th.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       We arrived at Drolhetta at about 5. o’clock this afternoon, but at the last post we were obliged to leave our carriage on account of the quantity of Snow, and take Slays.


Title: 20th.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       This morning we went to see the falls which did not answer my expectations, but this place is still more famous for the expence the Sweeds have been at to cut a canal from hence to the sea so that Swedish vessels might come from the Atlantic, without being obliged to pass the Sound: but after all they have not been able to succeed in their enterprize. After having seen everything remarkable here, we return’d in Slays to the first Post and then we took our carriage; but could not get further on than Wennersborg Vänersborg, which is the first Station. The road we took could have taken to return is not the same as the one we went. And there has fallen more Snow here than on the other road. Here the Count left us at about 10 o’clock in the evening and set out to return to Gottenburg in A Slay; as he is obliged to continue his journey.


Title: 21st.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       This morning we left our carriage at Wennersborg, and took slays, for Udevalla where we arrived at about 5. o’clock P. M. This is the town to which Mr. Gadelius belongs.


Title: 22d.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       This day we dined and supped at Mr. Gadelius’s mother’s, in company with several Gentlemen of this town.


Title: 23d.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       We dined at Mr. Williamson’s; a merchant of this place; in the evening we went to the assembly where we stay’d till about 1 o’clock in the morning, very stormy windy weather the greatest part of the day.


Title: 25th.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       This morning I arrived at Gottenburg at about 9 o’clock in the morning. Went to Change; found the Count left Gottenburg the day before yesterday. Mr. Lars Kåhre presented me to the French Consul here Mr. De L’isle who appears to be a clever sort of a gentleman. I dined with him at a tavern in the town and in the evening I went to the Coffee House.


Title: 26th. Sunday.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       I Dined this day at Mr. Kåhre’s in company with Mr. De L’isle and Mr. Cederström a merchant of this town who has a brother lately established in Boston.


Title: 28th. tuesd.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       Dined at Mr. Cederströms this day. In the afternoon I went to see a Gentleman whose name is Beckmann.


Title: 29th. Wednesd.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       I receiv’d this day several letters from Messrs. Wadström at Norrkiöping.


Title: 30th. Thursd.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       This day I din’d at Mr. Greigg’s a merchant of this Place. In the evening I went to the assembly, which is much more brilliant here than I have seen it any where: in Stockholm they are much more so, but there were no assemblies there while I was in town on account of the mourning for the Death of the Queen Dowager, which is at present finish’d: this is said to be for opulence the second City in the Kingdom. I believe there is no Country in Europe where the people are more hospitable and affable to Strangers, or more hospitable among themselves than the Sweeds. In almost every town however small it may be they have these assemblies at least once a week during three months. They are by subscription, but a Stranger may enter by paying 1 half of a Rixdaller. There one may dance Country dances minuets, or play cards just as it pleases you; and every body is extremely polite to Strangers. Besides this they have very often private balls, which without being expensive are very well calculated to pass away agreably, the long winter evenings which they have in this country. Even the peasants, the people of the lowest class are very polite here, and that I believe no other country can boast of. In general I think there can be no country in Europe where the Strangers are more civilly treated than in Sweden.


Title: 31st.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       This day I dined at a tavern in town with the French Consul and several other Gentlemen: in the evening I went to the Play, which is certainly nothing extraordinary, but is as much as can be expected from such a Place as this.


Title: Januarius. 1783.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       Parti de Stockholm le 31. Dec’re 1782. Arrivé à Norrkiöping le 1. Janvier. 1783. Depart de Norrkiöping le 14. à 2 heures du matin, arrivé á Gothenbourg le 17. à 11. heures du soir. Le 19. je partis de Gottenbourg pour Drolhetta, nous y arrivâmes le 20. Le 21. nous vîmes la cascade et nous partîmes pour Udevalla. Nous fûmes obligés de laisser nôtre voiture à Wennersborg à 3. lieues d’Udevalla à cause de la neige. Nous arrivames le 22 à Udevalla. Le 24. Je partis tout seul pour Gothenbourg et J’y arrivai le 25. à 9 heures du matin.


Title: [January 1783 – January 1782]
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

      January 1st. 1783.

       We found here Mr. Schiebe a gentleman who left Stockholm about a week before us.
       Norrkiöping is distant from Stockholm eighteen swedish miles or 120. English. Its situation is exceeding fine, at present every thing is covered with Snow; but it is in the midst of a plain which is bordered all round at about 6. or 8 English Miles from the town by high mountains from which you at first discover the city and in summer it seems to be in the midst of a large garden.
       After having dined I went to the coffee house, and found there Mr. Charles Bernard Wadström a gentleman whom I knew in Stockholm and whom I owed a great many obligations during my stay there; he presented me to all his family which was assembled together at one of his brother’s, where I stay’d and supped.

   Reporting to AA on his journey from St. Petersburg to The Hague, JQA wrote that he “was obliged to stop at a small town, called Norrköping ... for a fortnight, because of a very heavy fall of snow, which happened just at that time” (JQA to AA, 23 July, WritingsThe Writings of John Quincy Adams, ed. Worthington C. Ford, New York, 1913-1917; 7 vols., 1:8).

      Jany. 2d.

       This day I dined at Mr. C. B. Wadström’s. In the evening I went to the coffee house.

      3d.

       This morning the Count set off from here and continued his route for Carlscrona Karlskrona. I went with Mr. Wadström about 3. Swedish miles out of town, to pass there this day and tomorrow.

      4th.

       This afternoon at about 3 o’clock, we set out to return in town and arrived at about 6. o’clock. We went to the coffee house after our return.

      5th.

       This forenoon I went with Mr. Schiebe to the german church, but it happened this day that we had a Swedish sermon. I dined at Mr. C. B. Wadström’s. After dinner I went with him out of town to his brother’s where we stay’d till after supper, and then return’d in town.

   In the margin of the entry is a small pencil sketch of a minister at his pulpit with his congregation below.

      6th.

       This day I dined at Mr. C. B. Wadström’s. In the evening I went to the assembly here, of which there are sixteen every winter. This was the first for this winter. I return’d home at about 11. o’clock.

   In the margin of the entry are three small pencil sketches: several figures seated around a table; a man and woman dancing; and two couples dancing in a circle.

      7th.

       I dined at Mr. C. B. Wadström’s with a great deal of company. In the evening I went to the play, which can indeed hardly be call’d a play. However, it is as much as this small town can allow. After the play I return’d to Mr. Wadström’s where with all the company.

   In the margin is a small pencil sketch of two figures standing before a backdrop.

   Laid in between pages two and three of the Diary is the following four-line poem, written presumably in Wadström’s hand:

          Monsieur et chèr Ami !

         Tout se passe avec le Tems
         Le Tems se passe de même
         L’Eternité n’a point de Tems
         Mon Amitié de meme
         a Norrköping en Ostrogothie

   CB: Wadström.

   le 7me. Janvier 1783

      8th.

       I dined at Mr. Pasch’s with a great deal of company. We had a ball, in the evening which did not break up till about 4 o’clock in the morning of the 9th.

      9th.

       Dined at Mr. Körners. In the evening I went to the assembly; at about 10 o’clock I return’d and supp’d at Mr. Körners.

      10th.

       Dined with Mr. C. B. Wadström: bad weather all day.

      11th.

       Snow storm, all day. Dined at Mr. Wadström’s.

      12th.

       This day I went into the country, and spent the day at Mr. Kanterberg’s the brother in law of Mr. Wadström.

      13th.–16th.

       This morning Mr. Schiebe set out for Gottenburgh Göteborg. I am to overtake him to morrow morning in Linkiöping. I dined at old Mr. Wadström’s and in the evening I went to the assembly. At about 10 o’clock I return’d and supped at old Mr. Wadström’s; went to my Lodgings and ordered horses, and at about 2. o’clock. A.M. of the 14th. I set out for Linkiöping where I arriv’d at about 7. o’clock. It is only 4. Swedish miles from Norrkiöping. I found here Mr. Schiebe, and at about 10 o’clock we set out to continue our journey to Gottenburgh, where we arrived on Thursday the 16th. at about eleven o’clock at night. The distance is about 250 Engh. miles. One part of the road is very good because of the snow, but there are some places in the province of Scania Skåne where there is no snow at all. It is very troublesome to travel these roads in the winter because from Stockholm to the entry of the Province you cannot go otherwise than in slays, and then very often you find no Snow at all; thro’ the whole Province of Scania there is never Snow enough for Slaying until the latter end of this month: and sometimes not even then.

   This diary entry continues through 16 Jan. without a pause or break; the datelines for the 14th and the 16th (omitted here) are in the margin.

      17th.

       This Day I went with Mr. Schiebe to the exchange, and met there with Count Greco, who has been here already a week. He proposed to me to go with him and two other gentlemen to take a tour to Drolhetta Trollhättan where there are famous water falls about 8. Sweedish miles from this Place; he told me they shall set out to morrow, and I agreed to go with them. In the afternoon I went and delivered a letter of introduction to Mr. Lars Kåhre, a capital merchant of this town.

      18th.

       I left Gottenburg this morning in Company with Count Greco, Mr. Khrumppöck a Sea officer in the Dutch service, and Mr. Gadelius a young Swedish gentleman who belongs to Uddevalla, we are at present (10 o’clock. P.M.) about half ways to Drolhetta; the roads are not very agreable (as we are with a coach,) on account of the Snow.

      19th.

       We arrived at Drolhetta at about 5. o’clock this afternoon, but at the last post we were obliged to leave our carriage on account of the quantity of Snow, and take Slays.

      20th.

       This morning we went to see the falls which did not answer my expectations, but this place is still more famous for the expence the Sweeds have been at to cut a canal from hence to the sea so that Swedish vessels might come from the Atlantic, without being obliged to pass the Sound: but after all they have not been able to succeed in their enterprize. After having seen everything remarkable here, we return’d in Slays to the first Post and then we took our carriage; but could not get further on than Wennersborg Vänersborg, which is the first Station. The road we took could have taken to return is not the same as the one we went. And there has fallen more Snow here than on the other road. Here the Count left us at about 10 o’clock in the evening and set out to return to Gottenburg in A Slay; as he is obliged to continue his journey.

   That is, Öresund (the Sound), the strait between Sjælland Island, Denmark (on which Copenhagen is located), and southwest Sweden, connecting the Kattegat, an arm of the North Sea, with the Baltic. At its narrowest point the strait is two and one-half miles wide.

   The Göta Canal, a waterway of canals, lakes, and rivers which passes around the Trollhättan Falls and connects Göteborg with Stockholm, was not completed until 1832.

      21st.

       This morning we left our carriage at Wennersborg, and took slays, for Udevalla where we arrived at about 5. o’clock P. M. This is the town to which Mr. Gadelius belongs.

      22d.

       This day we dined and supped at Mr. Gadelius’s mother’s, in company with several Gentlemen of this town.

      23d.

       We dined at Mr. Williamson’s; a merchant of this place; in the evening we went to the assembly where we stay’d till about 1 o’clock in the morning, very stormy windy weather the greatest part of the day.

      24th.

       This morning at about 10 o’clock I set out from Udevalla all alone in a Slay for Gottenburgh. When I came to the third station I was obliged to Stop on account of the Storm, at the end of a couple of hours the Snow abated and I continued My Journey till about midnight when I arrived at the last Post where I shall be obliged to Stay untill the morning as the gates of Gottenburg are not opened before 7. o’clock. Very stormy weather.

      25th.

       This morning I arrived at Gottenburg at about 9 o’clock in the morning. Went to Change; found the Count left Gottenburg the day before yesterday. Mr. Lars Kåhre presented me to the French Consul here Mr. De L’isle who appears to be a clever sort of a gentleman. I dined with him at a tavern in the town and in the evening I went to the Coffee House.

      26th. Sunday.

       I Dined this day at Mr. Kåhre’s in company with Mr. De L’isle and Mr. Cederström a merchant of this town who has a brother lately established in Boston.

   Carl Söderström was the brother of Richard Söderström, Swedish merchant and consul at Boston, whom JQA met on 27 July 1785, after his return to America (The Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States of America, from the Signing of the Definitive Treaty of Peace, 10th September 1783, to the Adoption of the Constitution, March 4, 1789 . . ., 7 vols., Washington, 1833–1834, 7:478–480).

      27th. Monday.

       This morning I carried my Letters of introduction to the Baron Ahlströmmer’s and Mr. Arfvidson’s. I dined at Baron Claes Ahlströmmer; after dinner Mr. Podolyn, a gentleman who lives with Baron Claes, shew me a very compleat Cabinet of Roman medals. This gentleman has travell’d almost all over Europe; and speaks almost all the Languages of Europe very correctly, I went with him in the evening to the concert. Baron Patrick Ahlströmmer is a very great Lover of musick; and plays very well himself upon the violin.

   Clas Alströmer was originally an agriculturalist who studied sheep breeding in six European countries from 1760 to 1764. After his return to Sweden he joined the East Indian Company of Göteborg, an internationally known business firm. Later he formed a partnership with his brother Patrick. During the American Revolution the brothers, through the East Indian Company, planned a great trading venture in metal and cloth products to the American colonies, borrowing considerable capital for the purpose. As soon as peace was established, however, the market for Swedish goods collapsed, and the East Indian Company suffered a loss of 300,000 riksdalers (Svenskt Biografiskt LexikonSvenskt Biografiskt Lexikon, Orebro and Stockholm, 1857-[1907]; 10 vols.).

   Trained in the management of cloth manufacturing, Patrick Alströmer became director of manufactures of Alingsås, a town northeast of Göteborg, in 1758; four years later he visited cloth-manufacturing facilities in St. Petersburg and other Russian cities. After a catastrophic fire in Alingsås ruined Patrick’s business, he accepted an invitation from his younger brother Clas to enter into partnership with him. Patrick became director of the East Indian Company in 1777, and the two brothers were raised to the rank of baron the following year (same).

      28th. tuesd.

       Dined at Mr. Cederströms this day. In the afternoon I went to see a Gentleman whose name is Beckmann.

      29th. Wednesd.

       I receiv’d this day several letters from Messrs. Wadström at Norrkiöping.

   Letters not found.

      30th. Thursd.

       This day I din’d at Mr. Greigg’s a merchant of this Place. In the evening I went to the assembly, which is much more brilliant here than I have seen it any where: in Stockholm they are much more so, but there were no assemblies there while I was in town on account of the mourning for the Death of the Queen Dowager, which is at present finish’d: this is said to be for opulence the second City in the Kingdom. I believe there is no Country in Europe where the people are more hospitable and affable to Strangers, or more hospitable among themselves than the Sweeds. In almost every town however small it may be they have these assemblies at least once a week during three months. They are by subscription, but a Stranger may enter by paying 1 half of a Rixdaller. There one may dance Country dances minuets, or play cards just as it pleases you; and every body is extremely polite to Strangers. Besides this they have very often private balls, which without being expensive are very well calculated to pass away agreably, the long winter evenings which they have in this country. Even the peasants, the people of the lowest class are very polite here, and that I believe no other country can boast of. In general I think there can be no country in Europe where the Strangers are more civilly treated than in Sweden.

   Henry Greig, who had earlier forwarded letters to JA and offered his services “in these parts” to JA or his friends (Greig to JA, 12 May 1781, Adams Papers; Cal. Franklin Papers, A.P.S.,I. Minis Hays, comp., Calendar of the Papers of Benjamin Franklin in the Library of the American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia, 1908; 5 vols. 2:111, 390).

   Louisa Ulrica of Hohenzollern, sister of Frederick the Great and wife of Adolphus Frederick V, King of Sweden, 1751–1771. Her son, Gustavus III (1746–1792), was King at this time (Brockhaus Enzyklopadie, Wiesbaden, 1969).

   Words here and below partially obscured by water damage.

      31st.

       This day I dined at a tavern in town with the French Consul and several other Gentlemen: in the evening I went to the Play, which is certainly nothing extraordinary, but is as much as can be expected from such a Place as this.

      Januarius. 1783.

       Parti de Stockholm le 31. Dec’re 1782. Arrivé à Norrkiöping le 1. Janvier. 1783. Depart de Norrkiöping le 14. à 2 heures du matin, arrivé á Gothenbourg le 17. à 11. heures du soir. Le 19. je partis de Gottenbourg pour Drolhetta, nous y arrivâmes le 20. Le 21. nous vîmes la cascade et nous partîmes pour Udevalla. Nous fûmes obligés de laisser nôtre voiture à Wennersborg à 3. lieues d’Udevalla à cause de la neige. Nous arrivames le 22 à Udevalla. Le 24. Je partis tout seul pour Gothenbourg et J’y arrivai le 25. à 9 heures du matin.

   This monthly summary comes from the first entry in D/JQA/7, a small pocket almanac of 348 pages, approximately 2⅞″ × 5″, entitled Historisk Almanach För Året 1783 . . ., Stockholm [1783]. The first 13 pages consist of a calendar for the year 1783, interleaved with 12 blank pages on which JQA wrote in French short, scattered notes of his activities from 31 Dec. 1782 to 17 Oct. 1783. JQA began writing in this Diary in the form of a monthly summary of his activities, particularly his constant arrivals and departures as he traveled from country to country, but gradually the entries became scattered line-a-day memoranda. Monthly summaries from January through April are placed in the published Diary as the final entry for each respective month. After 26 Feb., when D/JQA/6 ends, D/JQA/7 constitutes the only Diary JQA kept until 6 Aug., when he briefly resumed longer entries in another Diary booklet, D/JQA/8. Entries in D/JQA/7 for 6, 9, 12, 16, and 22 Aug. and 22 Sept. have been omitted in favor of the fuller corresponding entries in D/JQA/8; in one instance, 29 Aug., entries from both of these Diaries have been printed because they contain different information. All other entries from D/JQA/7 after 6 Aug. have been retained.

   According to JQA’s main entry, above, he arrived in Göteborg on 16 Jan.

   JQA arrived at Trollhättan on 19 Jan., and the events recorded here for 21 Jan. occurred on the previous day.

   Likewise, JQA arrived at Uddevalla the day before, 21 Jan.


Title: February 1783. 1st. Saturday.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       This morning Mr. Schiebe left this place to go to Marstrand where he intends to stay some days.


Title: 2d. Sunday.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       I dined this day at Mr. Erskine’s the English Consul: in the evening I went to the play. Supped at Baron Patrick Ahlströmmer’s.


Title: 3d. Monday.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       I spent the evening and supped with a numerous company at counseller Arvidson’s.


Title: 6th. Thursd.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       Dined this day with a great deal of Company at Baron Claes Ahlströmmers; in the evening I went to the play and afterwards I return’d again to Baron Ahlströmmers where I supp’d.


Title: 8th. Saturday.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       This forenoon Mr. Schiebe arrived here from Marstrand, we decided to set out next Tuesday for Copenhagen.


Title: [10th.–]11th. [Monday–]Tuesday.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       Last evening at about 10 o’clock I went to a Mascarade Ball which we had in Town. As it was but the second that has ever been given in this place it was not very brilliant And the masks were almost all the same; the men dressed in sailors, and the women in Country girls almost universally, but it was very well for a beginning. I stay’d there till about 4. o’clock this morning, when I return’d to my Lodgings threw myself upon a bed and slept till about 7. o’clock then pack’d up my trunks, and set away from Gottenburg with Mr. Schiebe at about half past 8. We arrived at Kungsbacka which is 3 1/2. Swed: miles. from Gottenburg, at about 5. o’clock. P.M. We cannot go any further this night on account of the weather and roads which are very bad as within these three weeks there has been nothing but a continual rain. The winter in this part of Sweden is not agreable, as it is either extremely cold or else it rains continually.


Title: 12th. Wednesd.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       We came this day as far as Warberg Varberg which is about 6. miles Swed: from Kungsbacka. The roads are so terrible bad that we shall not be able to go at all, the nights. The weather has been pretty good all day, but very cold.


Title: 13th. Thursd.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       We rose this morning at about 7. o’clock and left Warberg, we rode till about Nine o’clock this evening when we arrived at Halmstad. The distance is about 7. Swed: miles. The roads are extremely bad all the way.


Title: 14th. Friday.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       After having rode this day about 8. miles Swedish, we arrived at about 9. o’clock, P.M. At Helsingborg Hälsingborg which is the last town in Sweden.


Title: 16th.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       This morning I went with the Count and Mr. Schiebe to see the royal Cabinet of curiosities which is vast; but not much in order; there are some very curious things in it; but there are others which are not worth looking at. There are two pieces of silver just as they came out of the mines in Norway, one of which is worth 5,000 Rxdallers, Danish and the other about 3,000. One would think seeing such enormous masses that the mines are very rich and that money is plenty, but it is quite the contrary, there is not scarce any specie in Copenhagen, all goes by bank bills, which are falling, and depreciating because they cannot be realized: if you carry one of these bills to the bank; suppose it to be a bill of 100. Rxdallers you will receive 10 Rxdallers Specie and all the rest in smaller bills.


Title: 18th. Tuesd.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       Mr. Schiebe and I have engaged places in the vessel that is to sail for Kiel but the wind is contrary at present. This day I went and carried a letter of Introduction I had for Mr. Soeren Lycke a merchant of this town. I walk’d about the town in the afternoon with Count Greco. In the evening we went to a Coffee House.


Title: 19th. Wednesd.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       This forenoon Mr. Heiliger; a Gentleman from the Danish West India’s, and who has liv’d in America some time, came to see me. The wind continues still bad.


Title: 22d. Saturday.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       We dined this day with a numerous company at Mr. Lycke’s. In the evening I went to the play and had there an occasion of seeing the King, and Prince royal. As I was in Company with a gentleman of the town I ask’d him some question about the King and royal Family; he did not say much about the King but when I spoke of the Prince royal ah! says he, “nôtre Jeune prince a beaucoup d’esprit.” As for the King he is neither remarkable for his wit nor for his understanding, and the people all over the City make no scruple to say it publicly.


Title: 23d. Sunday.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       This afternoon I went and paid a visit to the Baron de la Houze the French Minister here; he offer’d to send any letter I should write to my Father with his Dispatches to Mr. De Vergennes.


Title: 24th. Mond.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       This morning I went to pay a visit to the Baron de la Houze. When I return’d to the Hotel at about 12 o’clock I found the Count and Mr. Schiebe packing up, as the Captain has sent word that the wind is Good and that he intends to set sail this afternoon. (8. o’clock P.M.) We dined at about twelve o’clock and came on board soon after dinner. Since we are on board the wind has chang’d and is at present contrary but we hope it will become favourable in the night.


Title: 25th.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       The wind continued bad all day. In the afternoon the Count went on shore.


Title: 26th.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       The Count came on board to take us on shore with him so we left our trunks on board and having told the Captain to let us know when the wind became favourable, we return’d on shore.


Title: Februarius. 1783.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       11. Depart de Gottenbourg a 8. heures du matin. Nous arrivames á Copenhague le 15. à 8 heures du soir.


Title: [February 1783]
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

      February 1783. 1st. Saturday.

       This morning Mr. Schiebe left this place to go to Marstrand where he intends to stay some days.

      2d. Sunday.

       I dined this day at Mr. Erskine’s the English Consul: in the evening I went to the play. Supped at Baron Patrick Ahlströmmer’s.

      3d. Monday.

       I spent the evening and supped with a numerous company at counseller Arvidson’s.

      6th. Thursd.

       Dined this day with a great deal of Company at Baron Claes Ahlströmmers; in the evening I went to the play and afterwards I return’d again to Baron Ahlströmmers where I supp’d.

      8th. Saturday.

       This forenoon Mr. Schiebe arrived here from Marstrand, we decided to set out next Tuesday for Copenhagen.

      10th.–11th. Monday–Tuesday.

       Last evening at about 10 o’clock I went to a Mascarade Ball which we had in Town. As it was but the second that has ever been given in this place it was not very brilliant And the masks were almost all the same; the men dressed in sailors, and the women in Country girls almost universally, but it was very well for a beginning. I stay’d there till about 4. o’clock this morning, when I return’d to my Lodgings threw myself upon a bed and slept till about 7. o’clock then pack’d up my trunks, and set away from Gottenburg with Mr. Schiebe at about half past 8. We arrived at Kungsbacka which is 3 1/2. Swed: miles. from Gottenburg, at about 5. o’clock. P.M. We cannot go any further this night on account of the weather and roads which are very bad as within these three weeks there has been nothing but a continual rain. The winter in this part of Sweden is not agreable, as it is either extremely cold or else it rains continually.

   Editorially supplied here and below; words are obscured in MS owing to some water damage.

      12th. Wednesd.

       We came this day as far as Warberg Varberg which is about 6. miles Swed: from Kungsbacka. The roads are so terrible bad that we shall not be able to go at all, the nights. The weather has been pretty good all day, but very cold.

      13th. Thursd.

       We rose this morning at about 7. o’clock and left Warberg, we rode till about Nine o’clock this evening when we arrived at Halmstad. The distance is about 7. Swed: miles. The roads are extremely bad all the way.

      14th. Friday.

       After having rode this day about 8. miles Swedish, we arrived at about 9. o’clock, P.M. At Helsingborg Hälsingborg which is the last town in Sweden.

      15th. Saturd.

       Having left Helsingborg this morning at about 10’ o’clock, we pass’d the Sound and at about 11. we arriv’d at Elseneur Helsingör which is the first Danish town. We stay’d there about 2 hours to refresh ourselves and have our trunks examined and set out from there at about 1’ o’clock afternoon, and arrived at Copenhagen at about 7. o’clock. Copenhagen is distant from Elseneur 5 German Miles; we took up our lodgings at Vassal’s in the Strand, and I found here the Count, who has already been here a fort’night, and who has engaged a place in a Vessel, which is to sail next Tuesday for Kiel. As I have nothing of any consequence to do here and as there is nothing very extraordinary to be seen here, I believe I shall go at the same time if there is any more Place in the Vessel.

      16th.

       This morning I went with the Count and Mr. Schiebe to see the royal Cabinet of curiosities which is vast; but not much in order; there are some very curious things in it; but there are others which are not worth looking at. There are two pieces of silver just as they came out of the mines in Norway, one of which is worth 5,000 Rxdallers, Danish and the other about 3,000. One would think seeing such enormous masses that the mines are very rich and that money is plenty, but it is quite the contrary, there is not scarce any specie in Copenhagen, all goes by bank bills, which are falling, and depreciating because they cannot be realized: if you carry one of these bills to the bank; suppose it to be a bill of 100. Rxdallers you will receive 10 Rxdallers Specie and all the rest in smaller bills.

      17th. Mond.

       This forenoon We went to see a Gentleman who has a Cabinet of Curiosities, in Painting, sea shells and insects. His Cabinet is pretty well furnish’d but not entirely in order. In the evening we all went to the play but stay’d there only a few minutes because it was so full. The King goes almost every Night to the play, but was not there this evening because the Prince Frederick’s consort is unwell, and the King never stirs out of the Palace without having Prince Frederick, with him.

   Christian VII (1749–1808) became progressively more insane during his reign, and in 1784 his son, Prince Frederick (1768–1839), was made regent until his father’s death, when he assumed the throne as Frederick VI. The Prince Frederick mentioned here is Christian’s half-brother (1753–1805), who married Sophia Frederica of Mecklenburg-Schwerin in 1774 (La grande encyclopédic: inventaire raisonné des sciences, des lettres et des arts, 31 vols., Paris, [1886–1902]; Almanach royal, 1784Almanach royal, année M.DCCLXXVHI [8cc.]. Présenté à sa majesté pour la première fois en 1699, Paris, no date.).

      18th. Tuesd.

       Mr. Schiebe and I have engaged places in the vessel that is to sail for Kiel but the wind is contrary at present. This day I went and carried a letter of Introduction I had for Mr. Soeren Lycke a merchant of this town. I walk’d about the town in the afternoon with Count Greco. In the evening we went to a Coffee House.

      19th. Wednesd.

       This forenoon Mr. Heiliger; a Gentleman from the Danish West India’s, and who has liv’d in America some time, came to see me. The wind continues still bad.

   John Heyliger (sometimes Hyleger or Heiliger), a member of a trading and planting family from St. Croix with New York connections; JQA later recalled that he “was under many obligations” to Heyliger during his three-week stay in Copenhagen (entry for 10 Aug. 1785, below; NYHS, Colls., 14 [1905]:270.)

      20th. Thurd.

       This forenoon I went and pay’d a visit to Mr. Heiliger, who invited me to dine with him at a Club of which he is member; he invited at the same time Mr. Schiebe. We accepted his invitation. After dinner we left him, and return’d in the evening to sup with him at his own house.

      22d. Saturday.

       We dined this day with a numerous company at Mr. Lycke’s. In the evening I went to the play and had there an occasion of seeing the King, and Prince royal. As I was in Company with a gentleman of the town I ask’d him some question about the King and royal Family; he did not say much about the King but when I spoke of the Prince royal ah! says he, “nôtre Jeune prince a beaucoup d’esprit.” As for the King he is neither remarkable for his wit nor for his understanding, and the people all over the City make no scruple to say it publicly.

      23d. Sunday.

       This afternoon I went and paid a visit to the Baron de la Houze the French Minister here; he offer’d to send any letter I should write to my Father with his Dispatches to Mr. De Vergennes.

   Matthieu de Basquiat, Baron de la Houze, French minister plenipotentiary to Denmark, 1779–1792 (Repertorium der diplomatischen Vertreter aller LänderRepertorium der diplomatischen Vertreter aller Lander seit dent Westfalischen Frieden (1648), ed. Ludwig Bittner and others, Oldenburg, &c, 1936-1965; 3 vols., p. 112).

   Charles Gravier, Comte de Vergennes, minister of foreign affairs during the American Revolution.

      24th. Mond.

       This morning I went to pay a visit to the Baron de la Houze. When I return’d to the Hotel at about 12 o’clock I found the Count and Mr. Schiebe packing up, as the Captain has sent word that the wind is Good and that he intends to set sail this afternoon. (8. o’clock P.M.) We dined at about twelve o’clock and came on board soon after dinner. Since we are on board the wind has chang’d and is at present contrary but we hope it will become favourable in the night.

      25th.

       The wind continued bad all day. In the afternoon the Count went on shore.

      26th.

       The Count came on board to take us on shore with him so we left our trunks on board and having told the Captain to let us know when the wind became favourable, we return’d on shore.

      Februarius. 1783.

       11. Depart de Gottenbourg a 8. heures du matin. Nous arrivames á Copenhague le 15. à 8 heures du soir.

   Times of departure and arrival vary slightly from the main entries (above).

   JQA’s return to The Hague from Copenhagen, sketchily presented in this and the following two entries in his Diary, was marked with numerous delays, which characterized his entire journey from St. Petersburg. Arriving in the Danish capital on 15 Feb., he decided to go to Kiel by boat to avoid bad roads and an expensive fare. But after he had waited for nearly three weeks for a good wind, the harbor froze up and he was obliged to go to Hamburg by land. Arriving there on or about 10 March, he stayed for nearly a month before traveling to Bremen, where he remained four days before continuing his journey to Amsterdam. During his stay in the two German cities, he studied the commercial life and concluded that Hamburg would “carry on hereafter a great deal of Trade with America.” JQA arrived in Amsterdam on 15 April and settled in The Hague at his father’s residence, the Hôtel des Etats Unis, on 21 April (JQA to JA, 20 Feb., 12 March; JQA to AA, 23 July, all in Adams Papers; JA, Diary and AutobiographyDiary and Autobiography of John Adams, ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols., 3:ix–x).


Title: Martius. 1783.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       5. Depart de Copenhague et l’10 arriveé à Hambourg.


Title: [March 1783]
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

      Martius. 1783.

       5. Depart de Copenhague et l’10 arriveé à Hambourg.

   JA wrote to AA on 28 March, informing her that JQA had been impeded by “terrible Weather” on his journey from St. Petersburg and that “my Son has been another Source of Distress to me.” Receiving a letter from JQA dated 12 March from Hamburg, JA was hopeful that his son would arrive at The Hague by the end of March, but it was another three weeks before JQA reached his destination (Book of Abigail and JohnThe Book of Abigail and ohm Selected Letters of the Adams Family, 1762-1784, ed. L. H. Butterfield, Marc Friedlaender, and Mary-Jo Kline, Cambridge, 1975., p. 344).


Title: Aprilis. 1783.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       5. Depart de Hambourg arriveé à Breme Bremen le. 6. Nous y restames jusques au 12. À 3. heures de l’aprés midi que nous partimes pour Amsterdam. Nous voyageames nuit et jour jusques au 16. que nous y arrivames a 11. heures avant midi. J’y restai jusques au 20. Alors j’en partis et j’arrivai à la Hay le 21. à 9. heures du matin.


Title: [April 1783]
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

      Aprilis. 1783.

       5. Depart de Hambourg arriveé à Breme Bremen le. 6. Nous y restames jusques au 12. À 3. heures de l’aprés midi que nous partimes pour Amsterdam. Nous voyageames nuit et jour jusques au 16. que nous y arrivames a 11. heures avant midi. J’y restai jusques au 20. Alors j’en partis et j’arrivai à la Hay le 21. à 9. heures du matin.


Title: Majus. 1783. 20me.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       Diné à Rotterdam chés Mr. Van Berkel ancien bourguemaitre de la ville, et presentement ministre Plenipotentiaire de L. L. H. H. P. P. auprés du Congrés.


Title: 23.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       Diné à Schevening sur les dunes.


Title: Le 27.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       J’en partis a 11. heures et J’arrivai á la Haye le même jour à dix heures du soir.


Title: [May 1783]
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

      Majus. 1783. 20me.

       Diné à Rotterdam chés Mr. Van Berkel ancien bourguemaitre de la ville, et presentement ministre Plenipotentiaire de L. L. H. H. P. P. auprés du Congrés.

   JQA means L.H.P., Les Hautes Puissances, or Their High Mightinesses, the name given to the Dutch States General as a body (Guthrie, Geographical GrammarWilliam Guthrie, A New Geographical, Historical, and Commercial Grammar; And Present State of the Several Kingdoms of the World..., London, 1779., p. 406).

   JA was concerned about his son’s course of studies, but owing to the treaty negotiations with Britain being carried forward in Paris, he was not in the Netherlands when JQA returned from St. Petersburg. JA allowed his son a choice of either returning to Leyden to study with his former tutor or staying at The Hague and continuing his studies under the direction of C. W. F. Dumas, a close friend whom JA later described as “A Walking Library, and so great a Master of Languages ancient and modern which is rarely seen.” JA also encouraged JQA to improve his penmanship and writing style and recommended that he continue his study of mathematics, especially algebra. JQA decided to study with Dumas, in part because of the uncertainty of JA’s stay in Europe. Within a month he was beginning to translate Suetonius’ life of Caligula and the Greek testament; later he began to read the works of Plautus and Terence (JA to JQA, 18 Feb; JQA to JA, 22 April, 12 May; Dumas to JA, 18 July, all in Adams Papers; Book of Abigail and JohnThe Book of Abigail and ohm Selected Letters of the Adams Family, 1762-1784, ed. L. H. Butterfield, Marc Friedlaender, and Mary-Jo Kline, Cambridge, 1975., p. 349).

   For relaxation, JA suggested that JQA read some books, “along with your Severe Studies and laborious Exercises,” and recommended several volumes on morals. But for “amusement,” JQA turned to Virgil, reading a hundred verses of the Aeneid at a time with Dumas, who “explained to me every thing which regards the ancient rites; and ceremonies”; then he compared Dryden’s translation with the original (JA to JQA, 19 May; JQA to JA, 24 May, both in Adams Papers). JQA studied with Dumas for three and a half months before leaving The Hague with JA. Besides the translation of Suetonius, which is probably the one in French in the Adams Papers (M/JQA/45, Microfilms, Reel No. 240), he copied and translated into English verse ten Eclogues of Virgil (M/JQA/43, Microfilms, Reel No. 238) and began a series of translations into French of Horace’s Odes, Books I and II (M/JQA/42, Microfilms, Reel No. 237). The direction and stimulus provided by Dumas seem evident from JQA’s later readings and translations done while living in France and England, discussed in notes for entries of 20 Oct. 1783, and 8 Aug. 1784 (below).

      23.

       Diné à Schevening sur les dunes.

      24.

       Partis pour Amsterdam, y arrivai le 25. à 6 heures du matin.

      Le 27.

       J’en partis a 11. heures et J’arrivai á la Haye le même jour à dix heures du soir.


Title: [June 1783]
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

      Junius. 1783. 3me.

       Je fus diner à Rotterdam avec Monsieur Baron qui s’en retourne à Paris.


Title: Julius. 1783. 14.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       Je fus à Delft avec Monsr. Fitch et sa compagnie, qui partent pour L’Angleterre.


Title: 22.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       A 11 heures du soir mon Pere arriva de Paris.


Title: 26.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       Je partis de la Haye á 6 heures du matin avec mon Pere, arrivé a Amsterdam á 1. heure aprés midi.


Title: 28.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       Diné chés Mr. W. Willink.


Title: 29.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       Diné chés Mr. Ingraham.


Title: 30.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       Nous retournames à la Haye.


Title: [July 1783]
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

      Julius. 1783. 14.

       Je fus à Delft avec Monsr. Fitch et sa compagnie, qui partent pour L’Angleterre.

   Most likely Eliphalet Fitch, a native Bostonian, reputedly very rich, who may have held a crown office in Jamaica, and whom JA described to JQA as a grandson of Dr. Thomas Boylston “and consequently your Relation” (JA, Diary and AutobiographyDiary and Autobiography of John Adams, ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols., 3:134; JA to JQA, 12 June, LbC, Adams Papers).

      22.

       A 11 heures du soir mon Pere arriva de Paris.

   Absent from The Hague since late Oct. 1782, JA returned there on this day, and after two weeks of discussions with his Patriot friends at The Hague and merchants and bankers in Amsterdam, he departed for Paris with JQA. JA thought his stay in Europe would end shortly after negotiations with Great Britain were completed, and he wanted his son to come with him and serve as his secretary during the interim (JA, Diary and AutobiographyDiary and Autobiography of John Adams, ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols., 3:141–142; Book of Abigail and JohnThe Book of Abigail and ohm Selected Letters of the Adams Family, 1762-1784, ed. L. H. Butterfield, Marc Friedlaender, and Mary-Jo Kline, Cambridge, 1975., p. 360–362).

      26.

       Je partis de la Haye á 6 heures du matin avec mon Pere, arrivé a Amsterdam á 1. heure aprés midi.

      28.

       Diné chés Mr. W. Willink.

   Wilhem Willink of Wilhem and Jan Willink, one of the three Amsterdam banking houses which raised the first Dutch loan for the United States in 1782 (JA, Diary and AutobiographyDiary and Autobiography of John Adams, ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols., 3:125; 2:451).

      29.

       Diné chés Mr. Ingraham.

      30.

       Nous retournames à la Haye.


Title: August. 6th. 1783. Wednesday.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       This morning, I set out from the Hague, in Company with my Father; at about half past 4. o’clock in the morning. At 7. we arrived at Rotterdam; passed the Maes Meuse, and rode as far as Moerdyk, where we arrived at about 12. We were obliged to stay till 4. o’clock, because the wind, and tide were both contrary. We arrived at about 11. o’clock at night at the last Post before Antwerp, and cannot go any further because the gates of the City are shut from 9. o’clock at night untill 4. in the morning. The Land from the Hague to Moerdyk is good; and is for the most part planted with wheat, oats, and horsebeans; but for the 5. last Leagues the Land is very bad and produces nothing at all.


Title: Aug. 7th. Thursday.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       We were going this morning at about 3. We arrived at 7. at Antwerp. After breakfast we went to the cathedral Church, to see the Paintings. The most remarkable of them are.
       1.
       The descent from the Cross, regarded as the master Piece of Rubens. It is indeed most admirable: every Figure looks alive except the capital one and that equally accurately represents nature. On one side of the Picture is, another representing the annunciation, and on the other, is one representing the Purification. On the reverse is St. Christopher fording a river in the figure of an Hercules with the Child Jesus upon his back, and a Hermit holding a Lantern to Light him. Rubens has painted one of his wive’s for the Virgin Mary, and his Daughter for Mary Magdalen.
       2.
       The Ascencion of the Virgin, Mary: which being placed over the Altar, and the Priests saying Mass, I could not get a good look at. It is also one of the best Paintings, of Rubens; according to the Connoisseurs.
       3.
       The Martyr of St. Sebastian who is tied to a tree and pierced with arrows, by an Italian painter named Cocci. It is a good Picture.
       4.
       The battle of the Angels by Francis Florus. This Picture is good, but is the most remarkable for an Anecdote upon it. The Painter had a Daughter, who was beloved by a Black smith called Quintus Mezzus who demanded her in Marriage, but he would not consent to his Daughter’s marrying a Black Smith and refused him. Upon this, Mezzus set out for Rome and stay’d there 7. years, to learn the art of Painting. When he return’d, Florus, was about, (and had nearly finish’d) this picture. Mezzus one day went into his Cabinet while he was out; and painted a bumble bee upon the thigh of one of the fallen Angels. When Florus return’d to his work, he was deceiv’d and attempted to knock off the bee. But when he saw his mistake and found that Mezzus had done it; he granted him his request, and gave him his daughter. There are a number of other Paintings in this Church, but none of them are extraordinary.
       From thence we went to the Eglise de St. Jacques, which is only remarkable for the tomb of Rubens, and his Family. There is in it a Picture by Rubens: in which he has represented, his Grand-Father; his Father, himself, his two wives, his two Daughters, and his son. The Picture is a very fine one.
       We went also to see several private Collections; Mr. Stevens’s, Mr. van Lancker’s, and Mr. Beckman’s. There are a great number of very fine Picture’s at all of them; but, there is one, at Mr. Beckman’s representing Rembrandt’s mother; painted by Rembrandt; which surpasses all description. The art of portrait Painting was perhaps, never carried to so great a Perfection as in this Picture. She is represented with an old bible in her Lap; with a paper in it, her Spectacles in one hand, and the other; upon her breast, reflecting upon what she is supposed to have just been reading. Every step you take the bible shows itself in a different position. It is nature itself.
       At about 2. we left Antwerp, to continue our Journey, we rode as far as Halle, which is two Posts from Bruxelles on the Road to Paris. We arrived at about 9 o’clock in the evening.


Title: Aug. 9th. Saturday
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       We Left Roye this morning about 5. o’clock and rode as far as Chantilly without Interruption. We dined at Chantilly, and I went to see the Gardens and Stables of the Prince de Condé to whom this Place belongs. The Stables are a fine Piece of Architecture, and every thing is in order. There are 240. horses in them, and each horse has his own manger; with his name over it. Inside of the building is this Inscription.
       Louis Henri, de Bourbon. 7 me. Prince de Condé À fait Construire ces batimens, Et ceux qui en dependent, commencés en 1719, et achevés, en 1735.
       The Gardens are Superb; there is a small river which runs down from above the Gardens, and furnishes all the jet d’eau’s with water. There are in the Gardens several small, houses, which on the outside look like Peasants hut’s, but are most elegantly furnish’d, and are beautiful inside. There is an equestrian Statue of the Connetable de Montmarenci in bronze, and a marble Statue of the grand Condé. We left Chantilly at about 4. o’clock P.M. and arrived at Paris at about 7. o’clock in the evening. The Land as I have already said is very good thro’ Holland but is miserable from the entrance of the Emperor’s Dominions to Antwerp, for the Space of 10 leagues, from Antwerp, to several Posts this side of Cambray; there is perhaps not better Land, nor more universally cultivated, in Europe. From thence to Paris, it is still good, but not extraordinary. The Road is as Follows.
       From the Hague to Rotterdam. 3 Dutch, Hours which make about 12. English Miles.
       From Rotterdam (after passing the Maes) to Moerdyk 6. Hours.
       Passage of the Moerdyk about 3. English Miles.
       From Moerdyk to —— 3 Hours.
       From —— to —— 5.
       From —— to Antwerp. 5.

      Posts.

      From Antwerp to
      Mechlin
      2.

      Bruxelles.
      2
      1/2

      Halle.
      1
      1/2.

      From Halle to
      Braine le Comte
      2.

      Castillan Casteau
      1
      1/2

      Carignan Quaregnon
      1
      1/2

      Quievraing
      1
      1/2

      Valenciennes
      1
      1/2.

      Bouchain
      2.

      Cambray
      1
      1/2

      Bon-Avis Bonavy
      1
      1/2

      Fins
      1
      1/2

      Peronne
      2.

      Marché le Pot
      1
      1/2

      Fonches
      1.

      Roye
      1.

      Conchy les Pots
      1
      1/2

      Cuvilly
      1.

      Gournay
      1.

      Le Bois de Liheu
      1.

      Chantilly
      2.

      Luzarches
      1
      1/2.

      Ecouen
      1
      1/2.

      Saint Denys
      1.

      Paris
      1.
      Post Royal

   In Holland there are no establish’d Posts. If a Person wants horses, he must make a private agreement for them. In the Dominions of the Emperor you pay 3. schellings, (near 2. shillings sterling) for each horse per post and commonly 2. schellings to the Guide, and in France you pay 1. Livre 5. Sols. per post for each horse, and to the Postillions commonly 15. sols, altho’ their due is no more than 5.


Title: Aug. 10th. Sunday.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       This morning, at about 10 o’clock, I accompanied my Father to Passy, to see Dr. Franklin whom I knew already, and Mr. Jay, the american Minister at Madrid, whom I had never seen before; they were at breakfast and had a great deal of Company. Mr. Jay and my Father took a walk in the Garden and had a Conversation upon politicks, which, is of no Necessity here. From thence we went to Auteuil; to see Mr. Barclay, the American ConsulGeneral in France, but found he was gone, and therefore we saw only Mr. Ridley. The House where they are is a very fine one; but, above all there is in it, one thing, which is very curious. It is a small octogonal room with a bath in the middle of it, and in every one of the eight corners of it is a Looking-glass. The cieling, is also made of a Looking-glass; so that a person can see himself in more than thirty different positions in it. The garden is a small and pretty one filled with fruit Trees; we took a walk in it. Mr. Ridley told me that Sammy Cooper Johonnot and Ben. Bache, two of my old schoolmates here had returned from Geneva, where they have been for some time, and that Sam Cooper is gone to Nantes.


Title: Aug. 11th. Monday.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       This morning Mr. Hartley the British Minister for making Peace, came to pay a visit to my Father, but as he was out he desired to see me. I had some Conversation with him. He says he hopes the Peace will be soon signed. In the afternoon I went with my Father to Passy, and saw there Dr. Franklin and Mr. and Mrs. Jay. I also renewed my acquaintance with young Mr. Bache.
       We went at the same time to see the Abbés Chalut and Arnauld two gentlemen of letters, with whom my Father has been familiarly acquainted ever since his first arrival in Europe. We found with them the Abbé de Mably, famous for being the author of a work entitled Le Droit public de l’Europe; and of another entitled principes des Negociations, and the Abbé le Monnierwho has given to the world an elegant French Translation of Terence’s Comedies. As the general Turn of the Conversation was upon Politicks; there was nothing in it, necessary to be transcribed here.


Title: Aug. 12th. Tuesday.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       This morning my Father went to Versailles. At half past 12. I met the Abbé Arnaud at the Thuileries, and we walk’d together to Passy. I dined at the Abbé Chalut’s there, in Company with the Abbé de Mably and some other Gentlemen. The Abbé has travelled thro’ Poland, and talk’d a good deal about that Country. For the Climate he says that for the first fortnight in November it commonly snows there continually, and from that time untill the latter end of February, a continuation of very severe, colds. He has seen Reaumur’s Thermometer at the degree of 28 below.0. This is quite different from the weather at Petersburg. There, it snows every day more or less from the middle of November to the middle of January, and then commonly they have 3. weeks or a month of extreme colds. I have seen Réaumur’s thermometer in Petersburg at 31. degrees below.0. He also said something upon the Constitution of Poland, upon the Slavery of the people, the Tyranny of the Nobles, and the humiliations the Kings of Poland are obliged to undergo, and yet he said the Ambition of every one of the nobles was to be King. As they might expect it, because the Kingdom was Elective, and that they seldom choose, a King out of the Family of the preceding one, he said that in Poland the nobility had the vanity of desiring to be King, as the nobility in France, had the vanity of wishing to be a Duke. He says also that they could not Live in Poland without the Jews. T’was they who carried on all the commerce. The Nobility were too proud to engage in Commerce, the Slaves could not; every thing that was done there in that way, was done by the Jews, As there were very few other foreigners, who would chuse to settle in that Country. In the evening as my Father return’d from Versailles to Paris, he stopp’d at the Abbés, and took me in his Carriage. Mr. Hartley came and paid a visit to my Father; but it was intirely Political.


Title: Aug. 15th. Friday.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       This day I dined at Passy at Dr. Franklin’s with a numerous Company. In the evening I went to the Comedy at the Bois de Boulogne. Beverlei and le Français a Londres were the plays represented. Beverlei is what the French call a Tragedie bourgeoise, as Barnwell in English. The Subject of it is, a Man addicted to gaming, who ruins himself by it, or rather is ruined by a villain who pretends to be his Friend; and at last puts an end to his Life by Poison. It was intended to set the passion of gaming in its worst Light but the execution has not answered its Purpose, for it seems to encourage, a still worse passion; I mean suicide. However that was not the author’s intention. His design was very Laudable. Le Français a Londres is a Farce, calculated to show the difference of the French and English Characters and the author has carried both to a pleasing extravagance. I met at the Comedy, Mr. de Chaumont, whom I had not seen since I returned to Paris. He asked me a great many Questions, about Sweeden, Russia, Denmark, and all the Countries thro’ which I have been.


Title: Aug. 20th. Wednesday.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       Dined at Passy with the Abbé de Chalut.


Title: Aug. 21st. Thursday.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       This day My Father had a great Company to dine with him.


Title: Aug. 22d. Friday.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       This forenoon at 11 o’clock, I went, in Company with My Lord Ancram, Mr. Stewart and my father to see the Academy of the Abbe L’epée, who has undertaken to teach, people born deaf and dumb, not only to converse with one another very fluently, but also, to read and write, and he has succeeded entirely. It is astonishing to see how fast and how easily they make themselves understood, to one another, and still, more so to see them write, whatever he pleases, by the signs he makes them; there is not a word in the French Language which he has not found some way of expressing, and making them understand. He does it all gratis and receives whoever chooses to come to his Lessons. When the present Emperor of Germany visited Paris this was what pleased him the most in the whole City. He sent afterwards his Picture set in Diamonds to the Abbé, and accompanied it with a Letter written with his own hand; praising this humane institution.
       I Dined at the Duke de la Vauguyon’s the French Ambassador at the Hague, here by Congé at present. In the Evening I went to the French Comedy, where were represented Le Philosophe sans le savoir, and La Maison de Campagne; The first piece seems to be very Confused; all I could make of it was, that it was Calculated to show the foolishness and the wickedness of the Custom of Duelling: which have been shown many and many a Time; but always without effect and will be always so: as long as the laws which subsist about Duelling, have force in this Country. A Person here who fights a Duel is condemned to Death, and if any body is provoked and refuses to fight he is regarded as infamous, and if in the Army, he is broke and declared incapable of serving the King. This is exposing every one who is insulted by a scoundrel to the cruel alternative of infamy or Death.


Title: Aug 23d. Saturday.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       This morning I went and paid a visit to the Baron de la Houze the Minister of France at the Court of Denmark, who is here at present by Congé, and whom I had the honour of seeing at Copenhagen. He talked to me a great deal about America. He said he believed that France, England and Holland would carry on the greatest part of our Commerce; that the Nations of the North wanted a number of our Commodities, but had nothing but ready money (and very little of that) to give us in return. He said he believed that the population of America was equal to that of Sweeden and Denmark together; that he had made a Calculation, and that those two Kingdoms did not contain more than four millions of souls, that Denmark would never be more peopled, while the present Constitution lasted, for the whole Nation consisted of the Nobility and the Serfs: and that Nothing could discourage Population more than personal Slavery, that Sweeden it was true was not in that State; that the Peasantry were free, but that both the Population and the Finances of that Country had been exhausted, by the ruinous Wars of Charles the 12th. and their Consequences which were still felt in Sweeden, but that the Commerce of that Kingdom was increasing every day, and that it promised soon to be in a flourishing Condition, and in that Case, the Population would also increase. He then Spoke of the Duties which ships were obliged to pay for the passage of the Sound, he said it was an unjust tribute which all Nations were obliged to pay to Denmark, and it was the fault of the other Nations that suffered it. I asked him, how Denmark came by it, rather than Sweeden, the coasts of which are on the opposite Side. He said that all those coasts belonged formerly to Denmark when this imposition began, by some Dutch Ships having paid voluntarily a duty; and Denmark made herself a right of it, and have obliged every ship that passes to pay the duty; and altho’ the province of Scania which forms the Coast on the other Side, has been since ceded to Sweeden still Denmark has kept up that right; besides, he said, there was another reason, which was that on the Sweedish side there were several sand banks, and the water was not deep enough for large vessells to pass over, so that they were obliged to pass very near the Danish side. He said it brought the King a revenue of about 6 millions of livres per annum: and that the expences of the fortress &c. mounted to about two millions.


Title: 24.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       Comédie Italienne voyage de Rosine et Felix ou l’enfant trouvé.


Title: Aug. 28th. Thursday.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       The Journal de Paris of this day, says a great deal about the flying globe. It speaks of it as follows.

        “L’experience ingenieuse que M. M. de Montgolfier ont fait à Annonay interesse assés pour qu’on ne soit pas surpris de l’empressement qu’on a mis à la repeter. A peine la souscription qui devoit en faciliter les moyens fut elle ouverte par M. Faujas de Saint Fond et deux ou trois de ses amis, que le Public s’empressa de la remplir. Des Princes, des Ministres, les Academies, les Gens de Lettres, les Artistes envoyerent leur souscription; et l’ardeur generale prouva que si l’on présentait plus souvent aux Francois des experiences utiles ou brillantes, on leur trouverait le zele qu’on vante chéz leurs rivaux.”
        “M. Faujas fut chargé par l’assemblée des premiers Souscripteurs de diriger l’operation. On doit rendre justice à l’activité, à l’intelligence, à la chaleur qu’il mit a repondre à leur confiance. Il imagina d’employer le taffetas enduit de gomme elastique et l’air inflammable. Le gaz et l’enveloppe dont s’etoient servi M. M. de Montgolfier n’etant pas connus, Mr. Faujas instruit que M. M. Robert, jeunes Mecaniciens du premier merite, possedaient le secret de dissoudre la gomme elastique, eut recours à leur talent, à leurs lumieres. Mr. Charles voulut bien se preter et contribuer aux diverses experiences qu’on fit chéz lui.
        Jusqu’alors on n’avoit observé l’air inflammable que dans les pistolets de Volta, dans des bouteilles de gomme elastique, dans des bulles de savon; il etait à craindre qu’un grand volume de matiere aussi subtile ne donnat des resultats dangereux. Il parut prudent de n’assembler le Public qu’aprés quelques essais: ils furent faits, et tranquiliserent.
        Le vingt trois, la machine s’eleva jusqu’au dessus des toits. L’affluence du peuple indiqua quelle serait sa curiosité le jour de l’experience. On craignit que les barrieres du terrain de M. M. Perrier ne fussent trop foibles: cette sage consideration fit preferer le Champ de Mars. La nuit du 25 au 26. M. M. Robert et Mr. Charles ont poussé le zele jusqu’à se charger de porter et de veiller eux mêmes la machine.
        L’operation indiquée a eu lieu hier a cinq heures précises. Une mêche allumée a donné le signal, et deux coups de canon ont annoncé au Public le moment de l’experience; Ils avoient aussi pour object d’avertir les Observateurs, placés a differentes stations. Aussitôt aprés le signal, le Globe s’est élevé, et au bout de quelques minutes il a disparu. Deux autres coups de canon ont annoncé ce dernier moment, Le nuage qui eclipsait le Globe s’est dissipé, on la vu de nouveau. Son petit volume apparent a fait juger qu’il etait à une hauteur considerable, et la circonstance du mauvais tems en aura sans doute rendu l’appreciation difficile. Des applaudissemens réitérés on êtê de nouvelles preuves de l’interet du Public. On prie les personnes qui trouveront cette machine d’en donner avis au Bureau de ce Journal et d’en constater l’etat autant qu’il sera possible.
        Toute la gloire de cette decouverte appartient à M. M. de Montgolfier; cette experience n’a été faite, que pour la constater. Les Souscripteurs se croiront trop heureux si leur exemple excite a servir les Sciences et les Arts, en facilitant des épreuves trop couteuses pour être faites par de simple particuliers.
        Des esprits paresseux fatiguent de cette question: A quoi tout cela mene ’t’il? On prendra la liberté d’ajouter à ce qu’on leur a deja repondu, que le Sage ne presente les calculs de son imagination qu’aprés les avoir appuyés d’experiences qu’on n’a eu ni le tems ni la facilité de faire à l’aide du Globe aérostratique.”

       The following verses were also in the Journal de Paris of this day.
       Sur le Globe Ascendant.


Title: Aug 29th. Friday.
From: Adams, John Quincy
To:

       The Journal de Paris of this day, speaks as follows of the flying globe.

          “Nous venons d’apprendre que le Ballon, aprés avoir voyagé pendant trois quarts d’heure dans les regions de l’air et hors de la vue, est tombé à Gonesse, distant de Paris de quatres lieues; l’on y a reconnu une ouverture produite par l’explosion qui a dû se faire, lorsque ce Globe a atteint un air qui, lui opposant moins de resistance, a permis au gaz inflammable de réagir à son tour contre l’air atmosphérique. Cet accident ne seroit certainement pas arrivé, et l’on auroit eu le plaisir de jouir plus longtems de cette superbe experience et d’y appliquer les calculs, si l’on ne l’avait pas rempli d’une trop grande quantité de gaz. Plusieurs Savans Academiciens, et M. Faujas de S. Fond lui même etoient d’avis, avant l’operation de ne pas remplir le ballon en entier; mais une circonstance particuliere n’ayant pas permis à ces Messieurs dans l’enceinte, le ballon a été remplir sans combinaison et sans methode, et c’est ce qui a occasionné cet accident, qu’il serait injuste d’attribuer a M. Faujas de St. Fond, ni même à M. M. Robert. Lon doit dire aussi que le Public a été trés étonné de ce qu’on n’a pas admis dans cette même enceinte M. de Montgolfier que le voeu general y appellait, et que tout ce qu’il y a de plus illustre dans la Nation desiroit de voir.”