Title: To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 12 October 1786
From: Dumas, C. W. F.
To: Adams, John

      Monsieur
      Lahaie 12e. Oct. 1786

     Autant nous avons été en peine de Vous savoir avec Madame en mer par la tempête qu’il faisoit, autant nous a réjoui la nouvelle de votre arrivée à Londres, laquelle écrite ici par Mr. De Lynde, me fut com̃uniquée en son temps par Mr. Fagel, avec qui j’eus occasion de m’entretenir de V. E. à l’hôtel de France, & qui m’a chargé de vous faire parvenir ses complimens.
     Mr. Jrujo, mon très cher ami, Chargé d’Affaires d’Espagne, que j’ai eu l’honneur de vous présenter chez Mr. le Ms. De Verac, part pour résider en la même qualité à la Cour Britanique. Avec le juste desir qu’il a de cultiver l’honneur de votre connoissance, un excès

de modestie lui fait penser qu’il a besoin pour cela d’une recom̃andation de ma part, qui est bien à son service, bien que je sache que sa patrie, son caractere, son mérite & ses qualités aimables, lui serviront auprès de V. E., com̃e par-tout ailleurs, d’introduction bien supréieure à la mienne.
     Nous espérons de voir en ce pays, com̃e vous nous l’avez fait espérer, Made. Smith avec Mr. son Epoux, & de leur y rendre nos services agréables; & Madame Adams voudra bien recevoir avec eux les assurances de nos respects.
     Je suppose que V. E. lit assidument la Gazette de Leide. Elle décrit si exactement, quoique succinctement la succession des évenemens dans ce pays, que cela me dispense d’entrer dans des détails là-dessus.
     Aujourd’hui est le grand jour du renouvellement de la Régence à Utrecht. J’ai tout lieu de m’assurer que tout se sera passé avec la décence & la fermeté dont vous avez été témoin à une occasion analogue.— Les Etats postiches d’Utrecht à Amersfort ont accepté la Médiation de L. N. & G. P. & des autres Confédérés, entre la Ville & eux.— Les Bachas de Gueldre, avec leur Sultan, s’embourbent de plus en plus. Après avoir menacé de tout envahir, ils n’osent sortir avec les troupes dont ils ont farci la Province, de peur que leurs Bourgeoisies ne leur cassent le cou.— En Frise une autre Oligarchie veut imiter celle de Gueldre; mais les Frisons n’endureront pas cela.— En Groningue, Overyssel & Zélande, ainsi qu’en Hollande, l’horreur contre la tyranne n’y fait que croître & embellir.— Et nos Diplomatiques ici depuis quelque temps sont muets com̃e des Disciples de Pythagore.
     Je suis avec grand respect / De Votre Exc1. le très humble & / trèsobéissant serviteur,

      Cwf Dumas

     TRANSLATION

      Sir
      The Hague, 12 October 1786

     As much as we were grieved to hear you were on the seas with madam in such a storm, we were just as delighted to hear the news of your arrival in London, which was marked here by Mr. Lynden, and was communicated to me in time by Mr. Fagel, with whom I had the opportunity to speak about your excellency at the Hôtel de France, and who requested that I relay his regards.
     Mr. Irujo, my very dear friend, chargé d’affaires of Spain, whom I had

the honor of introducing to you at the Marquis de Verac’s, is departing to assume the same post at the British court. With the just desire that he has to foster the honor of your acquaintance, an excessive modesty causes him to believe that he needs a recommendation on my behalf, which is happily granted, though I know that his nation, his character, his merit, and his amiable qualities will serve as a far greater recommendation to your excellency, as to anyone else.
     We hope to see in this country, as you have caused us to hope, Mrs. Smith with her husband, and to render them our gracious services; and would Mrs. Adams kindly accept, along with them, assurances of our respect.
     I suppose that your excellency assiduously reads the Gazette de Leyde. It precisely, though succinctly, reports the succession of events in this country, which excuses me from having to enter into details.
     Today is the grand occasion of the renewal of the regency at Utrecht. I have every reason to believe that everything will transpire with the decency and firmness to which you were a witness on a similar occasion. The false states of Utrecht at Amersfort have accepted mediation between them and the city from Their High Mightinesses and other confederates. The pashas of Gelderland, along with their sultan, are becoming more and more mired in the mud. After having threatened to invade everything, they do not dare to mobilize the troops they have spread over the countryside for fear of getting their necks broken by their citizens. In Friesland another oligarchy wishes to imitate that of Gelderland, but the Frisians will not endure it. In Groningen, Overijssel, and Zeeland, as well as in Holland, a sense of repulsion against tyranny only grows greater and more beautiful. And our diplomats here have been, for some time, as silent as disciples of Pythagoras.
     I am with great respect your excellency’s most humble and most obedient servant

      Cwf Dumas


Title: To John Adams from John Singleton Copley, 15 October 1786
From: Copley, John Singleton
To: Adams, John

      George Street Hanover Square Octr: 15. 1786.
      Dear sir

     I thank you for the loan of the Memoirs of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, they have afforded me much entertainment particularly those written by Governor Bowdoin on the structure of the Heavens, and on Light; I feel my-self happy that my Countrymen are inspired with a thirst after knowledge, and to see them emulating the Nations of Europe in the cultivation of the Arts and Sciences.
     As you have done me the honor to desire my opinion of the plates in this work, I will give it to you without reserve; I think them well Engraved, much better than I should have expected, as there was no person that knew much of that Art, in the State of Massachusetts when I left it; but there is a total want of the knowledge of Perspective in every part of them; It is by this Art that all objects are truly represented just as they appear to the Eye be they ever so complex, and none of the Imitative Arts are capable of perfection but this, because it is the only one that is wholly within the sphere of Mathematical Science.
     All objects deminish as they recede from the Eye and finally lose themselves in a point in the Horizon, called the point of sight; this point is always opposite to the spectator and on a level with his Eye; but as example is always better than precept, I herewith send to you a Drawing of a pavement with eight square Pillars set in two rows and at equal distances from each other, with the process of drawing them explained by the dotted lines.
     I am / Sir / Your Most Obt: / Humbl: Sert.

      John Singleton Copley


Title: To John Adams from James Warren, 22 October 1786
From: Warren, James
To: Adams, John

       My dear Sir
       Milton Octr 22d. 1786

      A few days since, I had the pleasure of receiving yours of the 4th. July—
      You think the picture I gave you in my last too high wrought. You Cannot be of my opinion that there is here a total Change in Principles, & Manners. nor that Interest is the only pursuit. & that riches only are respected.
      Your distance will not permit you to form your Opinion from your own Observation. Your partiality for your Country Inclines you to more favourable Accounts, and that Patriotism which I revere Exhibits to your Imagination more Agreable Colours, & like self Love hides those deformities which disgust, & give pain. I sincerely wish that the present situation of the Country was such as to Justify your partiality & wishes, & to Condemn any picture, & the Opinion & Apprehensions I Expressed to you, but Unhappily it does not. We are now in a State of anarchy & Confusion bordering on a Civil War. The General Court at their last Session could not or would not see the general Uneasiness that threatneded this Event. however they did not provide for the public Tranquility dureing their recess. but dosed themselves into an Unusual Adjournment for 6 or 7 Months. They have been Called to Meet on the present Occasion sooner than the Time Adjourned to, have set near a Month without any Appearance of that Wisdom & Address necessary to redress the Unhappy situation we are fallen into.—
      I do not say that they are Incompetent to the Business before them, or that the State of things is Incapable of redress, but it is possible, (at least) that they should set, till next Election without deviseing the Mode of doing it. The Papers will Inform you that the Three upper Counties, (and Bristol is not much better) have refused submission to the Government Established by the constitution, & obedience to the Laws made under it, that is they have violated their Compact, & are in a State of Rebellion while the three

Eastern Counties are petitioning to be seperated from us, & formed into a New Government, of their own Construction. These are very Singular Events, which must have been produced by some singular Causes, if they are the Natural Consequences of that State of things I described in my last. you will not think my picture more horrible than the reality. I have long been Mortified by the Imbecility, & Inattention with which our public Affairs have been Conducted. it is probable that when I wrote that Letter I felt also some Indignation. I Claim a right to Express it to you. my small Efforts were Joined with yours, & others for many Years in rearing a Glorious Fabrick on Foundations that should have been as permanent as Time, but suffered to fall into ruin in less than half the Time it took to Build it. I feel for the Character of the Country. I am Mortified at the Triumphs of our Enemies. I am sorry for you, who must from your Situation be peculiarly Exposed to them. I wish every thing may be so Conducted as to restore order, & submission to Government, but I fear it will be some time first. The Scarcity of Money is a great Obstacle, and the folly and Extravagance that Made it scarce, in a great degree remains.— I am Acquainted with Coll Smith Character, tho I have not the pleasure of knowing his Person. I am glad you have given your Daughter to a Man of so much Merit. please to give her my Blessing & good Wishes
      Mrs. Warren desires her regards, to be Joined with mine to Mr & Mrs. Adams & Mr & Mrs. Smith.
      I am with great / Esteem & regard Your Most / Obedt. Humbl. Servt

       James Warren

       26th:

      I have Just heard that the Supreem Court are setting at Taunton supported by 450 of the Militia, which proved a Stronger Body than the Mob mustered to prevent it—


Title: To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 23 October 1786
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Adams, John

      Dear sir
      Paris Octr. 23d. 1786

     Your favor of Sept. the 11th. came to hand in due time & since that I have recieved the copies of the Prussian treaty you were so kind as to send me. I have recieved a short letter from mr. Barclay dated Cadiz Sept. 25th. only announcing his arrival there & that he should proceed immediately to Madrid. At this latter place he would meet my letter informing him that we did not propose any thing further with the Piratical states at this time. The inclosed extract of a letter from mr. Carmichael also mentions mr. Barclay’s arrival at Cadiz. A letter from mr. Carmichael some time ago informed me that a bill had been drawn on him by mrs. Lamb in America, by order as she said of mr Lamb; This gentleman not proposing to proceed either to New-York, London, or Paris to settle his accounts, I desired mr. Carmichael, if any money remained yet in the hands of mr. Lamb’s banker at Madrid, to obstruct its going out until he could give us information. His answer was that it was all withdrawn by mr. Lamb. By some means or other I omitted to mention these circumstances to you at the time. I mention them now to explain the reasons of mr. Carmichaels touching on that subject in the inclosed. We may now hourly expect from Mr. Barclay a copy of the preliminary treaty with Morocco. Is it your opinion that the definitive one should be executed through his agency, or that of Colo. Franks or of any other person? I beg you to present my most friendly respects to Mrs. Adams & to be assured yourself of the esteem & attachment with which I have the honor to be sir, your most obedient humble servant

      Th: Jefferson(Test W Short sec)


Title: To John Adams from Benjamin Hichborn, 24 October 1786
From: Hichborn, Benjamin
To: Adams, John

      Sir
      Boston 24th Octr: 1786

     I have long intended to write you, but the fear of giving you more trouble than Information, has hitherto prevented me— the present critical Situation of public Affairs, & the probable issue of them, so different from what is conceived by most of our Polititians, have at length overcome every other Consideration & I have now taken my Pen to communicate a Sentiment which I must entreat of you, by every tie of honor & friendship, (let the Event, be what it may) that you, never will mention it as having come from me— after this grave Introduction I may venture to tell you that there is a first determination in the Minds of Men of the greatest Influence, to change the form of Government thro’ the Continent, & shoud the present convulsions in this State continue the Change will most assuredly take Place in a very short time— you may wonder at my Confidence, but depend upon the prediction,—what form of Government will succeed the present I will not pretend absolutely to determine, but that a great change will happen soon, unless, contrary to all appearances & the uniform bias of the human Mind, the most violent civil Commotions which ever made thier appearance, shoud suddenly subside without either hope or fear to produce the change— perhaps I am writing not a word of news to you, & I think it not improbable, at least I can say I hope so because I never wish to see the political wheel in motion unless you have some share in the direction of it, & I most ardently wish shoud any great Event take place I hope before it is compleated, that you will be on the Spot— you have friends & Confidants I Know, & perhaps some of them, have wrote you on the same subject; but I know some of your confidential Friends, have no Idea of the Subject—; shoud you incline to receive any furthe communications on this head, if you will honor me with a line by the Packet, I will without Reserve let you know every thing that I may possess, respecting it— you may observe Sir, that I use very little ceremony, & I think I Know your Character too well to suppose it necessary— I have always wished for an opportunity of demonstrating the esteem & Confidence I feel & if possible to afford you a Satisfaction proportionate to the accidental injury I occasioned your feelings in suffering your letters to fall into the Enemies hands— I had determine to write you about two years since to inform you of

what I dare say no one else woud, which was that in case you returned to America, you without the least doubt have been chosen Governor— I suppose we[re y]ou here at any time before our next Elect[ion] you woud have almost an unanimous vote— Bowdoin I beleive will not be chosen & unless you shoud be here I suppose Hancock will— I write in a hurry that is scarcely decent, but as I do not write to recommend myself I hope it will be the more readily excused The Vessel which carries this will sail in a few minutes— I beg leave to recommend my much esteemed Friend & Brother Mr Gardner (who is again in London with Mrs: Gardne) to your notice & shall acknowledge any civilities you may shew them as doubly done to myself— please to present my respects for Mrs: Adams & beleive me your undissembled / Friend

      B Hichborn

      NB I shoud not dare to write this but under cover to Mr. Gardner you may answer it if you please thro […] channel as letters to & from Persons in your Station are frequently […]—


Title: From John Adams to John Jay, 27 October 1786
From: Adams, John
To: Jay, John

      Dear Sir
      Grosvenor Square October 27. 1786

     When the Ratification of Congress, of their Treaty with the King of Prussia, arrived here, the Term limited for the Exchange of it was near expiring. as a few Members of the States general, had discovered Uneasiness at my coming to London without going to the Hague to take Leave, it Seemed a convenient Opportunity to go over and Shew them as much of the Respect they required as remained in my Power. accordingly I went, and making the customary Visits to the President, Pensionary and Secretary, renewed the assurances of the Friendship, Esteem and Respect of the United States for their High Mightinesses and the Republic, and the Visit appeared to be kindly received. The Exchange of Ratifications was soon made with the Baron De Thulemeier who had time to transmit the Act of Congress to the great Prince, who first proposed the Treaty, Some days before he expired. The Ratification under the Signiture of Frederic the great is here inclosed.
     At the Same time, Sir, you will receive so much of the substance of a Treaty of Commerce, between France and England, as the Ministry have thought fit to publish. This is So great an Event. and must have Consequences so extensive, that I feel myself incapable of forming any Judgment of it upon the whole. Every Treaty of Commerce between these nations, for three hundred Years, has been found beneficial to France and hurtful to England.
     But at present, this Nation is very Sanguine, the Advantage will be theirs. They boast of the Superiour skill of their Manufacturers the Superlative Excellence of their Manufactures; the Multitude of Inventions and Machines peculiar to themselves, by which Time and Labour is Saved, and Productions Sold cheaper than in any other Country. A Markett like France, where five and Twenty Millions of People have Occasion for English Fabricks must be a valuable Acquisition. Commercial Connections by softening Prejudices, may lessen the Disposition to War. and a Friendship, even an Alliance with France, would enable the two nations to govern the World. This is at present the style of Conversation, and the Treaty appears to be popular.
     France and England, are both endeavouring, at this moment to impose upon each other by professing Desires of Friendship which they never felt. The secret Motive of both is to impose upon the

United States of America. The English imagine that by assuming an appearance of Friendship for France, they shall excite a Jealousy of France in America, and provoke Congress to break their Faith with her. The French are in hopes that by putting on a shew of Familiarity with England they shall stimulate Congress to make them Proposals of closer Connections. The whole at Bottom is a Farce of political Hypocrisy.— The United states will continue Steadily, it is to be hoped, on the Reserve.
     England is now pursuing her Proposals of Treaties of Commerce with the Emperor, the Empress of Russia, with Denmark, and Portugal, and perhaps spain. France & the Emperor took the only Way, to compell England to treat when they by their Edicts prohibited British Manufactures. The United States must imitate the Example, or they will never be attended to.
     The present Appearances of Friendship, are forced and fained. The time may not be far distant, however, when We may see a Combination of England and the House of Bourbon, against the United states. it is not in gloomy Moments, only but in the utmost Gaiety of Heart, I cannot get rid of the Perswasion that the fair Plant of Liberty in America must be watered in Blood. You have seen enough in Europe, to know that these melancholy forebodings are no chimæras. There is such a Disposition, in the principal Powers who have Possessions in the Indies, that Our Country will find no other Resource, but to swear her Children on the holy Altar, to fight them all at once in defence of her Liberties.— it may have some tendency, to save Us from Such Extremities if We enter into Treaties with the two Empires, for these will soon be jealous of any Connection between France and England.
     The Chevalier De Pinto’s Courier is not yet returned from Lisbon with the Treaty. This worthy Minister makes frequent Apologies, on Account of the Absence of the Queen in the Country and the Unsettled state of the Court, but perhaps there may be difficulties, which he is not apprized of, or not inclined to mention.
     Mr Barclays Treaty with Morocco is not yet come to hand. Congress will I hope determine whether We are to send him or any other to Algiers, without more Money in his Hands. it would cost Us three or four Thousand Pounds to send any one and unless he has Power to offer larger Presents he would only make matters worse.
     I hope our Country in every part of it, will cherish their Militia as the Apple of their Eyes, and put every Thing in as good a Posture of

defence as possible, and keep up a constant Expectation of War. This is the best and most Serious Advice that can be given, by, Dear sir / your most obedient and most / humble servant

      John Adams


Title: To John Adams from Edward Augustus Holyoke, 27 October 1786
From: Holyoke, Edward Augustus
To: Adams, John

      Sir.
      Salem Octr. 27th. 1786.

     I have the Honour to inclose Your Excellency a Vote of the Massachusetts medical Society; by which You will percieve the grateful Sense they entertain of your Excellencys. Favours: and, in Compliance with their agreable Injunction, to return You the Thanks of the Society, for the fresh Instance of your Excellencys. Attention to their Interests, in forwarding the Extract from the Register of the Royal Academy of Surgery at Paris.
     Permit the Society Sir, still to hope for the Continuance of your Excellencys. good Offices, and Me the Honour to subscribe myself, with all possible Respect, / Your Excellencys. most obedient / & very humble Servant

      E. A. Holyoke

     ENCLOSURE
     At a Meeting of the Massachusetts Medical Society—in Boston 18h October 1786
     Voted That the President return the Thanks of this Society to His Excelly: John Adams Esqr. for his kind attention to their interest, in forwardg. the Extract from the Register of the Royal Academy of Surgery at Paris, passed in March 1783—

      A true Copy from the RecordsAttestN. W. AppletonRecg Secry.


Title: To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 27 October 1786
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Adams, John

      Dear Sir
      Paris Oct. 27. 1786.

     I formerly had the honour of mentioning to you the measures I had taken to have our commerce with this country put on a better footing; & you know the circumstances which had occasioned the articles of whale oil & tobacco to be first brought forward. latterly

we got the committee, which had been established for this purpose, to take up the other articles, & on their report the king & council have come to the decisions explained in the inclosed letter from M. de Calonnes to me. the abandonment of revenue raised on articles of importation shews a friendly disposition. I have had thro this business a most zealous, & powerful auxiliary in the M. de la fayette, by whose activity it has been sooner & better done than I could otherwise possibly have expected. tho you are free to shew the inclosed letter as you please, I would wish it to be kept out of the public papers two or three months. I am Dear Sir your affectionate friend & servant

      Th: Jefferson


Title: To John Adams from the Board of Treasury, 31 October 1786
From: Board of Treasury
To: Adams, John

      sir
      Board of Treasury October 31st: 1786.

     In your Letter of the 19th May last, you were pleased to inform us that you had already accepted Bills which had been drawn on you to a considerable amount by Mr. Barclay and Lamb, in consequence of

the appropriation which had been made by Congress for forming Treaties with the Barbary Powers; but as we have no advice from you since that date, we are at a loss to know whether the whole or what part of the appropriation has been drawn for on the Dutch Commissioners to the present day— The Accounts transmitted by those Gentlemen to the first of June last do not specify the particular disbursements for this object; but as far as we are able to form an Estimate from the Accounts transmitted, we presume that out of the various drafts you have made on them to the first of June last, 76.000 Florins have been on Account of the Barbary Negociations— If this is the Case 114.000 Florins remained after that day subject to the appropriation abovementioned.—
     The Embarrassments of the Government for want of a steady and operative system of Revenue are daily growing more distressing; and such commotions have of late prevailed in the States of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, that we cannot promise ourselves that the complexion of our Affairs will soon change for a Better. Thus circumstanced it has not been in our power since the remittance of the last sum of 144,000 Florins, through your hands to make any considerable remittance to the Dutch Commissioners— We wish therefore most anxiously that the whole of the Monies appropriated by Congress may not have been exhausted by an unsuccessfull attempt to form Treaties; as we are Extremely apprehensive that in this case there may not be sufficient funds in the Month of February next, in the hands of the Dutch Commissioners to enable them to discharge the Interest which will then be due; and it is not in our power to remit in season any Funds to make up a deficiency.—
     If therefore you can possibly avoid drawing out of the hands of Messrs: Willinks the whole of Monies which have been appropriated for the Barbary Treaties till the February Interest is discharged, we must request the favor of you to do it; and no time shall be lost on our Part in making such further remittances, as may complete any part of the sum of 200.000 Florins, which may have been applied towards the Payment of Interest— We are / with great Respect & Esteem / Sir / Your Obedt: Huml. Servts.

      Samuel OsgoodWalter LivingstonArthur Lee


Title: To John Adams from François Adriaan van der Kemp, 31 October 1786
From: Van der Kemp, François Adriaan
To: Adams, John

      Monseigneur!
      Leyde Le 31 Oct. 86.

     L’accueil, dont vous m’avez honorés pendant votre Sejour dans cette Republique et les marqúes d’estime et d’amitie, avec lesquelles vous m’aves daigné de favoriser, m’ont animé, d’interrompre vos occupations Serieuses, et d’implorer en vous les secours d’un ami, qui je hesiterai de vous communique en qualite d’Ambassadeur, n’etant point accoutumé, de faire la cour aux gens en place, et ne Souhaitant jamais de briguer leurs faveurs.
     L’etat de cette Republique, comparé avec celle des Etats Unis, m’ont fait Souhaiter depuis Quatre ans de changer d’habitation, et la persuaion d’etre dans l’impossibilite de me Soutenir dans l’amerique Sans aucun biens a empeché l’execution, quoique cet empechement n’auroit point retardé ma retraite, Sitout que le coup fatal Seroit porté a la liberté ou par le Stadhouder, ou par les Aristocrates.
     A present ma fortune est un peu amelioré, et l’esperance, que celle Suffiroit en amerique et pour nourrir une Epouse et deux enfans et pour procurer aux derniers un etablissement convenable, j’ai taché de me procurer des informations—Sur les maniere et les moyens de vivre—principalement en New-hampshire et New-york. Je Souhaiterois de vivre dans la campagne— Sachant, que la vie champetre nourrit avec plus d’aisance au plus grand nombre que Le villes. On m’informe que le climat “de ces deux Provinces est plus heureux, qu’icÿ; le degrees de froid moindres, dans l’hiver, dans l’ete plus de chaleur, et en tout cas que the weather is not so variable as in Holland through the different Seasons— que 6 or 800 florins Suffiroit pour faire Subsister une famille dans les PLEASANT countrÿ parts of New-hampshire or New-York State—[”]
     Sont ces Rapports vraÿs—Sont ce contrées plaisantes—fertiles? Pourrois-je Subsister avec aisance (ease, dignity and in reputation) dans le New-york—or New-hampshire—aÿant 16000 a 17000 florins?
     Pourois-je esperer avec cette Somme—de pourvoir a la Subsistance de Ma Famille d’une maniere aisee—et laisser a mes enfans un patrimoine, dont ils pourroient Subsister?

     Ayez la bonté d’eclaircir mes doutes—rends moi un detail, ample asses pour persuader une respectable Epouse de quitter cet Sejour dans l’esperance de vivre heureux dans un pays libre, et d’ameliorer le Sort de Ses enfants, un detail de ce qui est necessaire a Savoir pour nous determiner. je le compterai toujours pour un bienfait, Monseigneur! et en ce cas Je ne hesterai point, en partant pour ces paÿs, de vous demander des recommandations. Procuré moi, [Situ?], que vos travails ministerielles le permettent, une reponse; a cause, qu’aÿant reçu une, Selon mes desirs, aÿant persuadé mon epouse, je ferois tous mes devoirs de me defaire des mes biens immobiles—meublements—Bibliotheque—pour une partie—afin de pouvoir m’embarquer en May or Juin de 1787. Je l’attend, je desire cet moment avec impatience.
     Les choses ne prennent point icÿ une bonne tour—quoique les aveugles instruments de l’Aristocratie, et une Bourgeoisie dupé crie triomphe—et certains personnes en place—chez vous connus—croyent le pouvoir du Stadhouder assez abattu, pour oser miner Sourdement, jusqu’icÿ, l’esperance de retablir une influence juste du peuple dans le gouvernement—et ils Sont Si aveugles, de ne voir point qu’eux memes Seront les dupes. Mons. le Stadh. et Son parti Se tiennent fermes, ceux d’Hollande tachent de conserver ce qu’ils ont escroques a lui, au moyen de l’appaiser par la conservation de Son influence dans la gueldre et autres provinces, et a cet fin ils cajolent Sous main les deux premiers Membres des Etats d’Utrecht, et jouent de tems en tems de mauvais tours aux villes de Utrecht et Wyek. Nous avons bien arrangé deja tous nos affaires domestiques dans ces deux villes—mais a quoi Sert-il Si non pour endormir; parceque nous restons dans le meme peril, tandis que les griefs Provenciaux ne Sont point redressées, et que les troupes, qui nous contraignent de vieller nuits et jour, restent cantonnés dans le plat paÿs—
     j’ai de raisons a craindre, que deux cours connues, asses intressés dans nos affaires, Se Sont arrangés a l’amiable—pour etre—dans un certain moment les medeateurs!! peut-etre qu’une proposition d’Amsterdam, pour appaiser tous ces troubles, et un certain plan d’assopiation et mediation: doivent crëer cet moment fatal—alors le pouvoir aristocrate que Seroi etablie—pour quelques ans! le Stadhouder regnera avec Ses esclaves Sur un ton moderé—les amis du peuple Seront peut-etre les victimes, Si on ne le dedaigne pas asses pour Se [servir?] d’eux, et Guillaume V ou plutost Madame Roÿale—

qui a tonjours bien fait! atteindra dans plus d’années cet Sommet, que Guill. IV. etant S[tadhou]der de Gueldre avoit en vue, et auroit atteint [S’il a]voit voulu, ou, S’il avoit osé—
     jecrira[is dava]ntage, Si je ne craignais d’abuser de votre tems precieux. jaurais ecris en Anglais, Si je n’avois point le malheur de m’exprimer encore plus fautif, et pour cela Seul je vous demande excuse. je me recommende, Monseigneur! et Suis avec le plus profond respect / Monseigneur / Votre plus devoué / et plus obeissant Serviteur

      Fr Ad[r van de]r Kemp

      P.S. S’il me reussit de pouvoir vivre honnetement avec un capital de 16000 des autres familles Suivront mes traces—cet espoir est un motif pour engager ma chere Epouse!

     TRANSLATION

      My lord!
      Leiden, 31 October 1786

     The reception, with which you have honored me during your stay in this republic and the tokens of esteem and friendship with which you have deigned to grace me have motivated me to interrupt your important business, and to implore your help on behalf of a friend whom I would hesitate to introduce in the quality of ambassador, being unacquainted with the courting of high-ranking individuals, and never wishing to solicit their favors.
     It has been four years that the state of this republic, compared to that of the United States, has caused me to wish to move, and the conviction of being unable to support myself in America without any possessions has impeded its fulfillment, though this impediment would not have delayed my retreat the moment the fatal blow were to have fallen upon liberty, either by the stadholder or by the aristocrats.
     My fortune has improved a little now, and with it, the hope that it would suffice in America to nourish a wife and two children and to procure for these last a suitable position. I have tried to procure some information on the manner and means of living, principally in New Hampshire and New York. I would like to live in the countryside, knowing that rural life provides more ease to a greater number than the cities. I am told that the climate “of the two states is more fortunate than here, the temperatures not so low in winter, in the summer more heat, and in any case that the weather is not so variable as in Holland throughout the different seasons—that 600 or 800 florins would suffice to sustain a family in the PLEASANT country parts of New Hampshire or New York state.[”]
     Are these reports true, are these lands pleasant and fertile? Could I subsist in comfort (ease, dignity, and in reputation) in New York or New Hampshire, having from 16,000 to 17,000 florins?

     With this sum, could I hope to provide a subsistence for my family in an easy manner and leave a heritage to my children with which they might survive?
     Have the goodness to clarify my doubts, send me a description, as ample as possible to persuade a respectable spouse to leave our abode in the hopes of living happily in a free country and to better the fortunes of our children, a description of what is necessary to know for us to make up our minds. I will always count it as a blessing, sir! And in that case, I do not hesitate, in leaving for this country, to request your recommendations. Provide me, your ministerial duties permitting, a response; because, having received one according to my desires and having persuaded my wife, I will do everything I can to cast off my property—furniture, library—in part, in order to be able to embark in May or June of 1787. I await. I desire that moment with impatience.
     Things here are not taking a turn for the better, though the blind instruments of the aristocracy and a duped bourgeoisie are crying victory, and certain high-ranking people—known to you—believe the power of the stadholder to be sufficiently beaten to dare to surreptitiously undermine, thus far, the hope of reestablishing a just influence of the people in the government, and they are so blind that they do not see it is they who will be duped. My lord, the stadholder and his party are holding fast, those of Holland are trying to preserve what they have swindled from him, by means of appeasement with the conservation of his influence in the Gelderland and other provinces, and to this end they secretly cajole the two first members of the States of Utrecht, and play tricks from time to time on the cities of Utrecht and Wyck. We have already arranged all of our domestic affairs in those two cities, but what does that serve other than to slumber? Because we remain in the same peril, while provincial griefs have not been redressed and our troops, who night and day force us to lie awake, remain billeted in the lowlands.
     I have reasons to fear that two known courts, rather interested in our affairs, have kindly arranged themselves to be, in a little while, the mediators! Perhaps a proposition from Amsterdam to appease all of these troubles, and a certain plan of association and mediation will bring about this fatal moment: then the aristocratic power will be established for several years! The stadholder will reign moderately with his slaves, and the friends of the people will perhaps be the victims, if the people are indeed condescended to be taken advantage of, and William V or rather Madame Royal, who always did so well! shall reach in a few more years that summit which William IV, being stadholder of Gelderland, had in his sights, and which he would have reached if he had wished to, or if he had dared.
     I would write more if I did not fear abusing your precious time. I would have written in English if I did not have the misfortune of expressing myself still worse, and for that alone I beg your pardon. I refer myself to you, sir, and am with the most profound respect, sir, your most devoted and most obedient servant

      Fr Ad[r van de]r Kemp

      P.S. If I am able to live honestly with a capital of 16,000, then other families will follow my lead—this hope is a means of persuading my dear spouse!


Title: To John Adams from John Jay, 1 November 1786
From: Jay, John
To: Adams, John

      Dr Sir
      New York 1st: November 1786

     My last to you was dated 4th: Ult: since which I have been honored with yours of the 15th. July last, which was immediately communicated to Congress.—
     My Report on the Answer of the british Minister to your Memorial respecting our frontier Posts is under the Consideration of Congress. Your Ideas and mine on those Subjects very nearly correspond, and I sincerely wish that you may be enabled to accommodate every Difference between us and Britain, on the most liberal Principles of Justice and Candor. The Result of my Enquiries into the Conduct of the States relative to the Treaty is that there has not been a single Day since it took Effect on which it has not been violated in America by one or other of the States—and this Observation is equally just whether the Treaty be supposed to have taken Effect either at the Date or Exchange of the provisional Articles, or on the Day of the Date of the definitive Treaty, or of the Ratification of it.—

     Our Affairs are in a very unpleasant Situation and Changes become necessary and in some little Degree probable. When Government either from Defects in its Construction or Administration, ceases to assert its Rights, or is too feeble to afford Security, inspire Confidence and overawe the ambitious and licentious, the best Citizens naturally grow uneasy and look to other Systems.—
     How far the Disorders of Massachusetts may extend or how they will terminate is problematical; nor is it possible to decide whether the People of Rhode Island will remain much longer obedient to the very extraordinary and exceptionable Laws passed for compelling them to embrace the Doctrine of the political Transubstantiation of Paper into Gold and Silver.—
     I suspect that our Posterity will read the History of our last four Years with much Regret.—
     I enclose for your Information a Pamphlet containing the Acts of the different States granting an Impost to Congress.—
     You will also find enclosed a Copy of an Act of Congress of 20th. and 21st. Ult. for raising an additional Number of Troops. This Measure was doubtless necessary, although the Difficulty of providing for the Expence of it, is a serious one. I flatter myself you will be able to obviate any improper Suspicions which the Minister may be led to entertain respecting the Object of this Force. I have pressed the Policy of deciding on my Report on the Infractions of the Treaty without Delay, that you may thence be furnished with conclusive Arguments against the Insinuations of those who may wish to infuse and support Opinions unfavorable to us on those Points.—
     The Newspapers herewith sent will give you Information in Detail of Indian Affairs, but they will not tell you what however is the Fact that our People have committed several unprovoked Acts of Violence against them. These Acts ought to have excited the Notice of Government and been punished in an exemplary Manner.—
     There is Reason to believe that the People of Vermont are in Correspondence with Canada. This Hint by calling your Attention to that Subject may possibly suggest Modes of Inquiry and further Discoveries on your Side of the Water. Some suppose that the eastern Insurgents are encouraged if not moved by Expectations from the same Quarter—but this is as yet mere Suspicion.—
     I have left my Dispatches for Mr. Jefferson (which you will find under the same Cover with this) open for your Inspection. You will perceive that the Nature of them is such, as to render it expedient

that they should be conveyed to him without Risque of Inspection. That Consideration induced me to decline sending them by the french Packet.—
     With great and sincere Esteem and Regard / I have the Honor to be / Dr Sir / Your most obt. & very hble: Servt.

      John Jay—


Title: To John Adams from John Jay, 1 November 1786
From: Jay, John
To: Adams, John

      Dear Sir
      New York 1 Novr 1786

     accept my thanks for your Letter mentioning the Marriage of your Daughter, and my cordial Congratulations on that pleasing Event.— they who best know the Coll: speake of him as brave and honorable; and Strangers to the Lady draw the most favorable Inferences from her Parentage, and from the attention and Example of a Mother whose charater is very estimable.
     I sincerely wish my dear Friend that you had as much Reason to be pleased with your political as with your domestic Situation— The sweets however of the latter, must greatly soften the asperity of the former; and when public cares and Considerations excite painful Emotions, you doubtless enjoy the Reflection that tho’ Patriots seldom rest on Beds of Roses, yet that your private Pillow, like your Conscience, is free from Thorns.

     as it is not right that the public should be charged for the postage of Papers not interesting to them or their concerns; I inclose an order in your Favor on Joshua Johnson, for any Sum within six Guineas— Be so good as to take as much from him as will replace what you paid for the Postage of the Pamphlets &c.—
     I am Dear Sir / Your affectionate Friend & Servt

      John Jay—


Title: To John Adams from Samuel Osgood, 14 November 1786
From: Osgood, Samuel
To: Adams, John

      Dear Sir.—
      New York Novr. 14th. 1786

     I have to acknowledge the Rect. of your Favor, which I should have answered sooner, had any Thing within the Compass of my Knowledge occurred, of sufficient Consequence to inform you of.— The present Secretary for foreign Affairs, I have no Doubt, keeps you well informed of all the political Occurances here.—
     But in a Government, where expedients only keep up its Existence; it is impossible to foresee what sudden & unexpected Changes may take Place—
     The federal Government seems to be as near a Crisis as it is possible for it to be— The State Governments are weak & Selfish enough; & they will of Course annihilate the first— Their stubborn Dignity will never permit a federal Government to exist— There are however a few Men in every State, who are very seriously impressed with the Idea, that without a proper federal Head, the Individual States must fall a Prey to themselves, or any Power that is disposed to injure them— with this Idea, they are thinking very seriously in what Manner to effect the most easy & natural Change of the present Form of the federal Government, to one more energetic; that will at the same Time create Respect, & secure properly, Life, Liberty & Property— It is therefore not uncommon to hear the Principles of Government stated in common Conversation— Emperors, Kings, Stadholders, Governors General, with a Senate, or House of Lords, & House of Commons, are frequently the Topics of Conversation Many are for abolishing all the State Governments, & for establishing some Kind of general Government. but, I beleive very few agree in the general Principles; much less in the Details of such a Government.
     How to effect a Change is the Difficulty— The Confederation provides that Congress shall make the Alterations, & that they Shall be adopted by the several Legislatures— Yet the Idea of a special Convention appointed by the States, to agree upon, & propose such Alterations as may appear necessary, seems to gain Ground— But the Danger is that neither Congress nor a Convention will do the Business—for the Situation of the United States, & of some of the particular States, is such, that an Army must be keept up— And the Probability is at present, that, that Army, will be seriously employed— And in Case of a civil War—The Men of Property will

certainly attach themselves very closely to that Army; the first issue of which, it is feared, will be, that the Army will make the Government of the united States.— Many say already, any Change will be for the better—And are ready to Risque any Thing to effect it— The Disturbances in Massachusetts seem most likely to produce some very important Event. It is a little surprising to some, how they come to break out in such a Manner there.— It is said that the Insurgents have two Objects in Veiw— One to reduce their State Debt, & those Securities given by the united States to Citizens of that State for their Servies, or Monies loand, to their current Value in the Market—the other, to annihilate private Debts.— Perhaps this may be in Part true— And the greater Number may have nothing farther in Veiw but to remedy some supposed Greivances Yet as it affords a fine Opportunity for the restless Enemies of this Country to sow Dissentions, we have too much Reason to beleive, that they are not only looking on as Spectators, but that they are industriously employed in disseminating Disaffection to the present Forms of Government— If these Enemies are british, or their old Adherents among, us, which seems to be the Case, because they are traced from Hampshire & Berkshire, to Vermont, & from thence to Canada. If they are british, their Object must be something farther than mere Revenge— And that Object can be nothing Short of establishing a monarchical Government in this Country, & placing some one of George’s Sons on the Throne.— If this Object is worth to the british, from five to ten Millions Sterg. & they can advance the Money— they can & will effect it. Not by Force of Arms, for if they should come out openly against us we Should fight again— But be assured, this Country is extremely poor, as well as extravagant—And I have no doubt but ten Millions artfully applied would secure nearly the whole Country.— That the british will, & do cherish all their old Adherents is not to be doubted—And that those Adherents never will be Americans, is a Principle founded in Nature—
     That the french will not be silent, unoperative Spectators in these Negociations, if they should happen, is most certainly to be expected— They wish to keep us Just where we are; or if a little more insignificant quite as well; they will therefore Veiw without Emotion any civil Commotions that tend to weaken us; But if there Should be any Danger of the Scale’s preponderating in favor of any other foreign Power, they will act with their usual Address.—
     The British Party is, & will be great— The french Party also— The genuine Americans few.— The Speculators numerous, who care not

what the Government is, so that they can speculate upon & spunge it.
     Mr. Jay will probably have furnished you with the News Papers of this Country, which will contain much with Respect to the Hostile Disposition of the Indians— That the british instigate them to make Depredations on us, is very natural— But why they are reinforcing Canada, which by the public Papers appears to be the Case, is not so easy to determine.—
     All Things are operating here to bring the Cincinnati into Vogue.— I cannot say, I think they are all for supporting Government; but they are for having Government—
     The Leader of the Insurgents in Massachusetts is entitled to the Ribbon & Eagle— He left the Army in the Fall of 1780 being then a Captain of good Reputation; his Name is Shays.— A Man without Education— But not without Abilities.— He is privately involved— which may be the Reason why he has adopted such violent Measures— It is generally supposed that he cannot Retreat.—
     As to the Situation of the Finances of the united States they can scarcely be in a worse Condition.— As to making any farther Attempts to discharge any Part of the Principal or Interest of our Foreign Debt it is in vain— The thirteen States do not pay enough to keep the civil List together, which do not require more than one hundred thousand Dollars a Year.— I have enclosed you a Schedule which will give you a full View of the Requisitions of Congress—the Payments & Balances due.—
     I am Sir / with great Respect / Your most obedient Servant

      Samuel Osgood.


Title: Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 15 November 1786
From: Barclay, Thomas
To: American Commissioners

      Gentlemen
      Escurial 15th. Novr. 1786

     I came here a few days ago to deliver a Letter from the Emperor of Morocco to the King, which I put into the Hands of the Count de Florida Blanca, acknowledging the Sense I had of his Attention & thanking him with great sincerity on the Part he had taken in our business at Morocco, He seemed very much pleased with our Success, and smiling replyed “Now that we have happily finished this Treaty we will see what we can do with others for you.” I am persuaded that this Minister is extreamly well disposed to serve our Country, & I doubt not but this Court will greatly strengthen our endeavors with the Barbary Powers. It is the decided opinion of the Count D’Espilly that nothing ought to be attempted with Algiers at present & that you should begin with the Porte; He proposes sitting out for Africa some time hence & promises a continuation of his good Ofices— He remarked that if we could capture one Algerine Cruiser it would greatly facilitate a Treaty. But this mode of negotiating would I think prove more expensive than any other & it ought to be our last Resort. I am informed by a Letter from Mr. Chiappi of Mogadore that a Vessel is arrived there, the Master of which Reports that on his Passage from Lisbon he saw an Algerine Frigate of 40 Guns & four Xebecs & that the people who were on board one of them informed him they were going to cruise on the Coast of America, but I cannot give entire Credit to the Account as the Season of the Year is far advanced, & we have not heard that any of the Algerine Cruisers have passed the Streights of Gibralter, within which I hope the portuguese Squadron will keep them, this being all that may be expected from them. Tomorrow I shall return to Madrid & from thence to Alicante from whence I shall give you as clear an Account of Mr. Lambs situation as Circumstances will admit of. I believe there are some Effects belonging to the United States at Corunna worth looking after, it is some Years since in Consequence of a Letter from Mr. Morris I endeavored to recover them I shall take all the information I can of their Value & if it appears clearly that they are worth so much Attention I will return to France by that

Place, if not, I shall go as soon as possible home by the shortest Rout. I am with Great Respect / Gentlemen / Your most obt. humble sert.

      Thos Barclay


Title: From John Adams to Rufus King, 29 November 1786
From: Adams, John
To: King, Rufus

      Dr Sir—
      Grosvenor Square Nov 29 1786—

     The tumultuous Conduct of many People in New England which is mentioned in your obliging Letter of the 3d of October, does not I hope arise from any Competitions for the Government. If the People who wish for Hancock, or those who prefer Bowdoin, those who vote for Sullivan—or such as desire Langden, are Capable of exciting such kinds of Discontent, and Convulsions in order to keep out—or to get in one or Another it will portend a long Course of Unhappiness and never will be remedied by making one or the other hereditary and that must produce hereditary Senates. But before the Body of the People Should be convinced of the Necessity of this, I Suppose they would go on pulling down the Governor—Senate, and Committing all to a Single House, for this is the Hobby horse of too many of Our People and too many of Our Clergy. According to this Calculation we may have half a Century of Anarchy to End at best in a limited Monarchy with an hereditary nobility— But I trust our People have Understandings to Comprehensive to Suffer the Present Disorders to proceed—
     Giving the Choice of Captains Lieutenants and Ensigns to the soldiers of the Militia in our Constitution was a Capital Mistake and the overthro of every democratical Constitution heretofore has

been Occationed by some such Little matter that nobody thought of much Importance at first
     with much Esteem I am yours &c—


Title: From John Adams to John Jay, 30 November 1786
From: Adams, John
To: Jay, John

      Dear Sir
      Grosvenor Square Nov. 30th 1786

     Your Favour of the fourth of october, I have had the Honour to receive, and have dispatched the Resolution inclosed in it to Paris to go from thence to Spain: but I hope Mr Lamb is already on his Passage for America.
     The Commotions in New England, will terminate in additional Strength to Government, and therefore they do not allarm me
     I have lately received from Lord Carmarthen officially the enclosed Treaty between France and England. Congress will be able to form a Judgment of it, with more Accuracy than I can pretend to.— There is no obvious particular in which it can be prejudicial to Us.

at first it appeared to be popular here: at present there is Some Appearance of opposition.
     There are no Symptoms of a more favourable Inclination to a Treaty with confederated America, although the Taxes have fallen short very considerably. Mr Pitt will be obliged to propose fresh Taxes and the People will bear them. For in this Country, The People Universally endeavour to reconcile themselves to their inevitable situation, and to encounter their Difficulties with Courage and Constancy. They know that the Interest of their public Debt must be paid, or they must be ruined: for nobody even here is profligate enough even to insinuate that public Faith and Credit is to be trampled under foot or trifled with.
     It is a Pity that every American could not be transported to Europe for a few Weeks, to take a View of the Taxes paid in France Spain Holland, and England; and see how the People live. it would soon reconcile them to their situation, and make them ashamed to have ever uttered a Complaint. The just Complaints of the People of real Grievances ought never to be discouraged, and even their imaginary Grievances may be treated with too great severity: But when a Cry is sett up for the Abolition of Debts, An equal Division of Property, and the Abolition of senates and Governors it is time for every honest Man to consider his situation. The People at large will be miserable Dupes indeed, if they indulge themselves in Slumbers, which may give scope to a few of the most worthless in society, in point of Morals as well as Property to render their Lives, Liberties, Religion Property and Characters insecure. The Laws alone can Secure any Man his own Body, Estate or Peace of Mind: and if these are Scorn’d in Gods name what is ever to be respected? What is there worth living for?
     Dr White & Dr Prevost &c are arrived at Falmouth but not yet come to Town: by them We expect more Letters.
     With great Respect I have the / Honour to be, Sir your most obedient and / most humble servant

      John Adams


Title: From John Adams to François Adriaan van der Kemp, 1 December 1786
From: Adams, John
To: Van der Kemp, François Adriaan

      Sir
      Grosvenor Square Decr 1. 1786

     I have received your Letter, and am much concerned to perceive your Apprehensions that Affairs might take an unfavourable Turn. The Questions you do me the Honour to propose to me, are very

difficult to Answer. I have ever been Scrupulous of advising Strangers to emigrate to America. There are difficulties to be encountered in every Exchange of Country. Arising from the Climate soil, Air, manner of Living &c, and Accidents may always happen.
     With the Sum of Money You mention, a Man and a Family may live in America: but it must be in a frugal manner— With a Taste for Rural Life, by the Purchase of a Farm, and diligent Attention to it, a Man might live very comfortably. You may have Views of Commerce, or other Occupations, which may improve the Prospect.
     If a Number of Friendly Families were to remove together, they would mutually assist each other and make the risk less as well as Life more agreable.
     If you determine to go, I will give you Letters of Introduction with Pleasure, being with / Sincere Esteem and Regard, your Friend / and humble Servant

      John Adams


Title: To John Adams from John Brown Cutting, 13 December 1786
From: Cutting, John Brown
To: Adams, John

      My Dear Sir
      Inner Temple. 13 Decr 1786

     A croud of thanks to You for the pleasure and instruction I have received from your defence of the american constitutions. I have as yet read it but three times, because I wish to forget it a little before I read it a fourth; but I find that impossible: I shall therefore only wait till you give us the augmentation promised. Let me intreat You for the sake of mankind in general and the united states in particular not to defer it long. I pant impatiently to peruse it entire.
     I beg my best compliments to Mrs Adams and am much obliged for the intelligence contained in the judicious letter of Judge Cranch; she will pardon my detention of it and a newspaper, which on being interrupted in reading, I pocketed, last sunday, without ceremony.
     The bussiness of Mr Atlee’s estate I mean immediately to undertake. For which purpose, agreably to the direction of Mr Chief Justice McKean, (who in his letter to me says, “his Excellency John Adams Esquire will advance any money, for searches in offices, copies of wills and deeds, travelling and all other expences about this enquiry”). I am to request a draught on your banker for five and twenty guineas, by the bearer, who is trusty and faithful.
     I have the honor to be with much esteem & respect / Your obliged and most obedient servt:

      John Brown Cutting


Title: To John Adams from James Sullivan, 16 December 1786
From: Sullivan, James
To: Adams, John

      My Dear Sir
      Hartford December 16th 1786

     I have neglected writing to you perhaps more than I Should have done had I not supposed that your Numerous correspondents had become a burden to you. indeed our Country has afforded but little lately to write upon.
     I have been here seventeen days on a mission to settle by a way of Compromise with the State of N York a Controversy between our Commonwealth and them respecting the Western Territory the business was concluded yesterday excepting the Sending of the parchment which is now engrossing and will be compleated today.
     N York cedes to the Commonwealth a tract of Territory bounded begining on Pensylvania Line Eighty Two miles from the N E Corner of that State thence running due north to Lake ontario and into the Lake to the British dominions then by the British Dominions through the Waters of Niagara and Lake Erie to a meridian passing through the Northwest corner of Pensylvania, then on the Line of that state to the beginning New York having one mile on the East Side of the Straight of Niagra and Parrell thereto, which includes the Forts. Masstts. has also 240,000 acres in the Forkes of the Susquehannah. N York has the Jurisdiction of the Whole. not to lay any Tax on the Land while ungranted by this Commonwealth: nor to tax

their Grantees till fifteen years after the Date of their Grants— All Grants to be recorded in the secretaries office of the Commonwealth, and we to march any armies necessary to Treaties with the Indians &c the Waters of the Two Lakes to be navigable by the Citizens of both States in common. The Tract Ceded to us exclusive of Waters is Six millions of acres or near seven. we were in fact glad to be excused from holding the Jurisdiction because the Country is too remote to be Governed by us and if we Colonized they would soon unite with the Wyoming people & revolt.
     we make a poor hand indeed of Governing the state as it is now. Insurgents are every day attacking and Stopping our Courts of Justice. some of the ring leaders have been lately taken by Coupe D main but the Government has neither learning ability energy or honesty the Legislature is parlementem indoctum compleatly the whole Tribe of Lawyers is excused from seats, and they have Scarcely a man who has Courage and ability to pen a useful act. the year has been spent in attempts to destroy the Men of the black robe and to lessen the numbers and expence of Lawsuits, to which purpose a variety of acts have been passed which make us the ridicule of the whole union. while the Doctors are only encreasing the malady they wish to cure; our G. has no Legal Ideas he wishes to do well but the path not being plain he is affraid to act and yet dares not to refuse. Laws are made altering the nature of private Contracts and rendering property totally insecure. this, while it disaffects all who have Supported the Government does by no means conciliate the affections of the Insurgents who have for their object being released from all Debts and Taxes without paying either.
     The Fœderal Government is Still weaker and we dare not try to compel a compliance with the requistions of Congress in any of the States. our old Whigs are all now talking very Seriously of a change of System. they consider these seperate sovereignties as insupportable and quite incompatible with a general Government. Congress are raising a small Trove which I consider as the beginning of a Standing army and am sorry to say that all our fine Spun ideas of Democratical Governments being founded in the Virtue of the people are vanished & that we find the americans like other people obliged by force only to yield obedience to the Laws. our Constitution with regard to the Militia has nearly ruined us. in N Hampshire where the officers are appointed by the president of the State they have quelled their rebellions with ease and dispatch.
     As you frequently see that great and good man Doctor Price pray

remember me to him. I Shall soon write him. and make my Compliments agreeable to your Lady and Famaly.
     I am Sir with the Most unfeigned Friendship your Most obedient Humble Servant

      James Sullivan


Title: To John Adams from Thomas Pownall, 18 December 1786
From: Pownall, Thomas
To: Adams, John

       Dear Sir.
       Decr 18 / 86

      I have often wished, since I came here into the Country, to fancy I could find a time when I might suppose you at leisure & Liberty having a few daies that you might pass in the Country. Christmass is a kind of Saturnalia when, for a week or ten daies, nothing but eating drinking & gambolling about is done in London I wish to seize this interval to claim a kind of promise You made me to come & pass a few daies with me & Mrs Pownall in our Country Retirement. & I will venture To ask the favor of You & Mrs Adams & Miss to do us The honor of coming this Christmass to us at Everton. We are but 49 miles from London, & about seven hours post— You can come between an early breakfast & dinner. In return for the pleasure You will do us We will endeavour to make the Christmass as pleasant To You as our house & neighbourhood will afford—
      The Earl of Scarb’rough, nephew to the late Sr George Saville, has been here with me & leaves me today: & hearing me say I wished his frank to You, desires Me to give him My Letter, that by carrying it to You himself he might, without the Ceremony of a formal presentation, take an occassion of makng himself known to you—& of knowing You.
      I will hope a favorable Answer & am Dr Sir / Yr most Obedt / & most humble / Sert

       T Pownall

      My address is Govr Pownall Everton House near Biggleswade


Title: To John Adams from the Marquis de Lafayette, 5 January 1787
From: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de
To: Adams, John

      My dear Sir
      Paris january the 5th 1787

     I Expected to write to You By cll franks, But as His departure Has Been daily differed, I will not delay Any longer My Hearty Wishes of an Happy New year to You, mr̃s Adams, mr̃s Smith, Your Sons, the Adoptive one I will write to By in Bye— May this New Year Afford You, and Your Worthy family and friends Every kind of Public and Personal Satisfaction! Had I Been less Acquainted With the forms of a Republican Government, and the temper of the Good Citizens of America, I would Have Been Greatly Alarmed at the late Accounts of disturbances in Some States, Which, However, in Spite of My Reasonings, Gave me Some Momentary Uneasiness— A letter from You to mr̃ jefferson did us Great deal of Good— I Hope the fœderal Councils will take No Measures that May Alarm the people Against fœderal ideas—and from the Wisdom, the Great Sense, and the patriotism of the people, I flatter myself, the More so when I Remember old times, that Good will Come from a temporary Evil, and that the very things in Which the Ennemies of America Now Have the Impudence to glory and Confide, will turn out to the Greater fame, and Advantage of the United States
     the [Empeor] of Morocco is a lovely Boy— I wish the Algerines Could do the Same— I Confess my old ideas do Still Smile to My fancy— Could we not Agree in a third proposal which Has Been Spoken of to You By an other Opportunity?
     I dare Say You Have Been pleased to Hear of the Meeting of an Assembly at Versaïlles to debate Several Matters of the Utmost Importance to this kingdom— it is not what we Call the Etats Generaux, But an Assembly of Notables Appointed By the king, Who does not take in Any Man Holding a place at Court— it Consists of 140 Members, and perhaps a few More— A Number of Arch Bishops and Bishops for the Clergy—Six and thirty Members for the Noblesse, among whom are two Acquaintances and a friend of Yours, Count d’estaing,

the duke de la Rochefoucaud and Your Humble Servant— it is Not ascertained if the princes of the Blood will Be at our Head, or in the king’s Suite— there will Be the first president and procureur General from Every parliament, three more from the parliament of paris, and Some Conseïllers d’etat, and Intendants— thirty towns will Send their Mayors— it is on the 29th that the Assembly Meet, for one Month at least, and probably for a longer time— our letters say that the king Wants to Communicate to us His views for the Soulagement des peuples, Arrangement des finances, et Reformation de plusieurs Abuse this is Certainly a Noble, patriotic Measure Which does great Honour to the king and May do much Good to this Country.
     Pray, what is Become of doctor Gordon? I know He is in England, But Have Not Heard from Him— I wish to know when His History Comes out, and to Enlist myself Among the Subscribers
     Adieu, My dear Sir, Most Affectionately and Respectfully / Yours

      Lafayette


Title: To John Adams from Wilhem & Jan Willink and Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, 5 January 1787
From: Willink, Wilhem & Jan (business),Staphorst, Nicolaas & Jacob van (business)
To: Adams, John

      Amsterdam 5th January 1787

     We had the honor to receive in due time Your Excellency’s ever respected Favor of    advising us to pay in Specie the Premiums of CPl ƒ60,000:—:—, drawn last October at the Charge of the United-States. We shall immediately publish the same, together with the Payment of the Interest due 1st proximo on the Loan of Two Millions: Which will we trust have the good effect upon the Credit of America Your Excellency and we promise ourselves. Such a Measure is the best possible Refutation of the exaggerated Reports published with avidity by Persons, thro malice or ignorance of the Confidence and Respect due to the Government of the United-States.
     Your Excellency will find inclosed a Letter from Mrs: Dumas, with the Report of Surveyors of the present Condition of the Hôtel of the United-States at the Hague. It appears to us something decisive ought to be done in this respect without delay: We therefore request Your Excellency, to transmit us, by the return of the Mail your Directions on this head, Which shall be punctually followed. In waiting them, We have begged of Mrs: Dumas, not to incur any but the indispensable necessary expence.—
     We request Your Excellency and Your Lady, together with Colonel and Mrs: Smith, to accept our best Wishes for their Health and Happiness during the present and many succeeding Years, and have the

honor to be most respectfully / Your Excellency’s / Very Obedient humble / Servants

      Wilhelm & Jan WillinkNics. & Jacob van Staphorst.


Title: To John Adams from Mercy Otis Warren, 7 January 1787
From: Warren, Mercy Otis
To: Adams, John

      Sir
      Milton Jan 7th 1787

     The most of my leasure hours since I have resided on the Hill at Milton have been devoted to my pen. Yet I have never adventured to lay any of the productions before the public Eye. But I have such full confidence in your judgment & Friendship that I now submit to you Either to dispose of to the best advantage or to return by some safe hand a Dramatic Work Composed about two years since, & locked up privately in my Cabinet.
     I am sensible the writing an unexceptionable Tragidy requires Judgment Genius & leasure. Therfore have felt a Great degree of diffidence in the attempt, & non Myself a very improper judge of the merits of the Execution. But two or three judicious Friends to whom I have shown it have pronouncd so Favorably as to induce me to offer it to your inspection who I know will make the most Candid & Generous use therof.
     I am told that works of this nature when they happen to Strike will yeald a Considerable profit by the sales— I had no Veiws of this kind when it was written, & it is now far from being a primary Object. it was wrote at the request of a young Gentleman, a Friend of yours while separated from his Connexions & Country.
     But as I am informed it is Customary for Men even of Fortune & ability in the Country where You reside not to Give away their time—it may not be thought Censuarable for your american Correspondent to make the best use of hers both for herself & her Family. Thefore if of any Value, you will dispose of this little Work to the

most advantage of your Friends. if it is of none you will never Expose the Temerity that attempted it.
     To no other Person would I entrust the secret.— of no other Gentleman whose time is Chiefly devoted to the most important National affairs would I ask such a Favour. But knowing Your unshaken Friendship I am sure it is perfectly safe. And that you will not regret the proper attention it may require.
     You will see the Dedication is to yourself, which you will Correct or Curtail as you shall Judge most for the Honour of the Patron and the patronized.
     Esteem & respect might have prompted me to say many more things which are justly due to the Character of my Honourable Friend. but anything that might bear the smallest imputation of Flattery would be Equally painful to him & to myself. And as I am ambitious to avoid both the principles & the stile of the Vulgar Dedication I have suppressed them.
     I have another work of the same kind (ready for the Press—) founded on the story of Padilla but dare not Venture it abroad till I know the success of this.
     And shall I go on to tell you sir that Certain annals recorded as Events took place have lately been thown into a Concise History of the American Revolution by the same Hand. It is finished no further than the action on sullivans Island, but if you recommend to the writer a further prosecution of her plan, you will transmit any important circumstances that she may not be perfectly acquainted with, and doubtless some particulars of your Foreign Negotiations would adorn the page of History as much as any thing the Revolution has offered. I am Conscious you will say this is a bold undertaking for your Friend, and the justice of the Observation has retarded my Pen, or I should have made a further progress before this. But if it answers no other purpose, as it has been an amusement to myself, it may in future Entertain a few select Friends & be useful to my Children.
     But perhaps an Exact portrait of the present situation of your Country might be as interesting to the feelings & at the same time hold up the imbecillity of human nature in as strong a light as any thing in The History of Mankind, at a more distant period.
     Emancipated from a Foreign Yoke, The Blessings of peace restored on the most Honorable terms, with the liberty of Framing our own laws Choosing our own Magistrates, & adopting Manners the most Favorable to Freedom & Happiness. I am sorry to say there

is too much reason to fear we have not Virtue sufficient to avail ourselves of Those superior advantages.
     The Glorious Fabrick which you And your compeers, with so much labour & assiduity succesfully Reared may totter to the foundation before the Civil Feuds are Hushed that have justly allamed the Continent, & the Massachusets in Particuler.— lately armed for an oppotition to Regal Despotism, there seems to be a boldness of spirit on the one side that sets at Defiance all authority Government or order. And on the other not a secret Wish only but an open avowal of the Necessity of drawing the Reins of power much too taught for Republicanism. if not for a Wise & limited Monarchy.—
     The Causes of the late Commotions may be Easily investigated but the Consequences must be left to the hand of time. Where abouts the Political ship will land is not Easy to say though I think the Rioters in the Western Counties will soon be quelled.
     But some think the Cincinnatee who are waiting a Favorable Tide to waft them on to the strong Fortress of Nobility are manifestly Elated by the present prospects. others are flattering themselves that an Aristocratic power is fast Forming, While many of the younger Class particularly the students at Law and the youth of Fortune & pleasure, are Crying out for Monarchy & a standing army to support it— yet perhaps a termination more Favorable to the system of the Genuine Patriot than has been apprehended, may still take place. in that hope I leave the Field of politics. But the Opinion of a Gentleman who has the Interest of his Country so much at Heart as to make it almost the Ultimatum of his Wishes would Gratify us all.—
     Why is my Worthey Friend Mrs Adams so sparing of her Epistolary Favours— Yet I would write her again But when she sees the Monsterus paket directed to you she will be Glad their is no further intrussion on your time—
     I long to see her— Yet sometimes almost dispair of a Repetition of those agreable intervews of Friendship we have mutually Enjoyed, till we reach a stage of higher perfection— How would her Company have Consoled in Many a trying hour Through the Various scenes I have Experienced since she left the American Shores—
     I have not lately seen Your sons. I sent for them to keep Christmas with me but the Rigours of a severe North american Winter interrupts the hours of sociallity we all love.
     With my best Regards to your Lady I subscribe with Every sentiment of Friendship / Hers & Your Excellencys, / Most Obedient &c

      M Warren—


Title: From John Adams to John Jay, 9 January 1787
From: Adams, John
To: Jay, John

      Dear Sir
      Grosvenor Square January 9. 1787

     I am unable to give you any Account, of the Reasons, which have prevented the Treaty with Morocco from reaching London. But it has not yet made its Appearance. The Tripoline Ambassador, Sent me a polite Message and desired a Conference. it was agreed to, and his Excellency was pleased to inform me, that he had received

repeated Letters to return home, and Should depart in a few Weeks. desired to be informed, whether any further Instructions had been received from Congress, relative to a Treaty with Tripoli, and being answered in the Negative, he Said the Decree was written in Heaven, and if a Peace was preordained between my Country and his, it would take Place.— He Should be happy, when he arrived in his own Country, to be Instrumental in so good a Work.
     The Chevalier De Pinto, with a great deal of real Anxiety has last Week, renewed his Apologies.— He has written to Mr De Melo that it is indecent, that he is ashamed to think how the Business has been delayed.— This worthy Minister Sent one of his own favourite Domesticks, who has called at the Ministers office every day: but has been detained, from the Month of May.— The Minister has been Sick. that is the Excuse.— In Short I Suppose there are Parties, and this late Negotiation between France & England, have Occasioned Divisions of Sentiment and the late Decease of the King of Portugal, and the Queens Retirement in the Country and the Ministers Sickness have prevented any determination of any Questions of Importance.
     According to the Usages of the Diplomatick order I ought, before now to have mentioned, the Death of her Royal Highness the Princess Amelia, Aunt of his present Majesty the King of Great Britain, on the Evening of the last day of October last.
     on Thursday the Fourth day of this Month, I had the Honour of a private Audience of his Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland, having been previously notified by the Master of the Ceremonies, and presented by him. all the foreign Ministers who had not been before presented to his Royal Highness were presented on that day.— The Same Ceremonies are used, as with the King.
     inclosed is Copy of a Letter from the Marquis of Carmarthen dated the 11. of Decr. last.— His Lordship is mistaken or misinformed, in Supposing that the American Ministers admitted the Justness of the Claim. That was wholly out of their Power. all they could do, was to transmit it to Congress, as I now transmit his Lordships Letter, without any Concession, or Denyal of the Justice of it.— in my Answer to his Lordship I Shall Sett him right in this particular.
     Inclosed likewise is a Letter of 5. Jany. from Messrs Willinks and Van staphorsts, relative to the Hotel of the United States. There is Such a corrosive Dampness in the Air of that Country that without

the continual Attention of an Inhabitant a Building falls to decay very fast.— I really think the best Thing that can be done is to order the House to be sold by Messrs Willinks & Vanstaphorsts as soon as possible. This is the best Advice to be given.— if it is not Sold, there will be constant Expences for Taxes and Repairs, without Saving the Building from Ruin.— As it is I dont believe any American Minister would now live in it. This subject deserves the immediate Attention of Congress.
     It is with great Pleasure, that I am able to inform Congress that the Credit of the United States in Holland has not suffered any material Shock, in Consequence of the Relations of Tumults and Seditions in the Massachusetts & New Hampshire.—
     With great Regard I have the Honour / to be, dear sir, your most obedient / and humble servant

      John Adams


Title: From John Adams to James Warren, 9 January 1787
From: Adams, John
To: Warren, James

       Dear Sir
       Grosvenor Square Jan. 9. 1787.

      I have received, Your Favour of October the 22d. and am Sorry to find you so true a Prophet.— Yet I am happy to perceive that Government arrouses itself with some degree of Dignity, and is likely to prevail.— It is apparent however that Discontents, and a restless Temper, have taken a deep root and will require much Prudence as well as firmness, to guard against their Tendency.— When We find ourselves disposed to think there is a total Change of manners and Principles We Should recollect, what the manners and Principles were before the War.— if you recollect the War of 1755, or even the War of 1745, you must remember, very Signal Proofs of a disposition in our People, to run eagerly after foreign manners and Fashions.—if you begin at 1760, and recollect, how many Persons satt out with Us, on the Same Side of the political question, and were warped off, Some by little Marks of distinction, Some by little Offices and some by great ones, some by their avarice, others by their ambition, some by their Vanity, others by their fears, some by Envy and others by Revenge, how much difficulty there was to keep the People Steady, but especially those who flattered themselves they were Leaders, You will be very Sensible that our Countrymen have never merited the Character of very exalted Virtue.— it is not to be expected that they should have grown much better.— I find myself very much averse to believe that they are grown much worse.— Yet this is very possible and your Situation affords you opportunities to know, which I have not.— if it is indeed true, that there is a general Degeneracy, it is an allarming Consideration.— The great Question is what can be done to check its further Grouth, or to restore Things to their former State?— When at home in 1779 I remarked a general Caution, and I thought timidity among the leading Characters, which made me apprehensive of disagreable Consequences.— If the People are upon the Watch, and are laying hold of every unpopular Idea or Expression, to propagate it, to exagerate it and to misrepresent it, this will naturally make Men afraid to pursue their own Judgments. Symptoms of this I thought appeared.— and I Should not wonder if the best Men became unpopular.— There is no Remedy,

but a general Conviction of the danger, and a general Agreement against it.— My own Sentiments differ very widely from many of the best Characters, even from Mr Adams & General Warren.— I think the first Magistrate must be sett up very high in real Power as well as in the Opinion of the People. Without this We may lament Disorders but never cure them. The appearance of County Conventions and their Resolutions, sett me upon throwing together, Some Disquisitions concerning our Governments, which are now printed. I will send you a Copy of it. Popularity was never my Mistress, nor was I ever, or shall I ever be a popular Man.— This Book will make me unpopular. But one Thing I know a Man must be Sensible of the Errors of the People, and upon his Guard against them, and must run the risque of their Displeasure sometimes, or he will never do them any good in the long run. I deliver the Book up, to the Mercy of a World, that will never show me much Mercy, as my Confession of political Faith.— Unpopular as it may be at present, the time will come, after I am dead, when the System of it in general must be adopted, with bitter Repentance that it was not heeder sooner.— It is much easier to pull down a Government, in Such a Conjuncture of affairs as We have Seen, than to build up, at such a Season as the present.— if the Massachusetts can be governed without a total Seperation of the Executive Power from the Senate, the House & the People, I am Altogether ignorant of the Character of that People, and have not made one Sound Observation upon the History of Nations.— My Situation here is mournfull and unpleasant enough.— and it would not be more gay, any where else.— You and I have not had an easy task in Life hitherto, and I at least have no Cause to hope that mine will become easier.— But I will be as chearful and contented under it, as I can, let it be what it will.
      My Family joins me, in affectionate Respects to yours, and I / remain with unalterable Esteem, your friend / and humble servant

       John Adams

      inclosed is a Letter of Mr Hartleys. it contains Knowledge of Iron, that may be useful in America.


Title: To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 11 January 1787
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Adams, John

      Dear Sir
      Paris Jan. 11. 1787.

     Mr. Jay, in his last letter to me, observes that they hear nothing further of the treaty with Portugal. I have taken the liberty of telling him that I will write to you on the subject, & that he may expect to hear from you on it by the present conveyance. the Chevalier del Pinto being at London, I presume he has, or can inform you why it is delayed on their part. I will thank you also for the information he shall give you.
     There is here an order of priests called the Mathurins, the object of whose institution is the begging of alms for the redemption of captives. about 18 months ago they redeemed 300, which cost them about 1500 livres a peice. they have agents residing in the Barbary states, who are constantly employed in searching and contracting for the captives of their nation, and they redeem at a lower price than any other people can. it occurred to me that their agency might be engaged for our prisoners at Algiers. I have had interviews with them, and the last night a long one with the General of the order. they offer their services with all the benignity & cordiality possible. the General told me he could not expect to redeem our prisoners as cheap as their own, but that he would use all the means in his power to do it on the best terms possible, which will be the better as there shall be the less suspicion that he acts for our public. I told him I would write to you on the subject, & speak to him again. what do you think of employing them, limiting them to a certain

price, as 300 dollars for instance, or any other sum you think proper? he will write immediately to his instruments there, & in two or three months we can know the event. he will deliver them at Marseilles, Cadiz, or where we please, at our expence. the money remaining of the fund destined to the Barbary business may I suppose be drawn on for this object. write me your opinion if you please, on this subject, finally, fully, & immediately, that, if you approve the proposition, I may enter into arrangements with the General before my departure to the waters of Aix, which will be about the beginning of February.
     I have the honour to be with very sincere esteem and respect Dear Sir your most obedient & most humble servt.

      Th: Jefferson


Title: From John Adams to the Marquis de Lafayette, 12 January 1787
From: Adams, John
To: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de

      My dear marquis—
      Grosr. square Jany. 12. 1787.

     Your kind favor of the 5th. of this month is just now brought to me, & I beg leave to reciprocate to you & your amiable family all

your obliging wishes— the latest accounts from the massachusetts assure us of a returning tranquility, altho the spirit of sedition in the County of Worcester was not wholly suppressed— I have no doubt it will all soon subside.
     With equal surprize & satisfaction I learnt that the King had determined to call together an assembly of Personages of the first dignity & Authority, from all Parts of this Kingdom— It is one of the most important events of this age, & must have great effect upon the Happiness & Prosperity of your Nation— I shall wait with impatience to see the result, a Little more liberallity in Religion, in Commerce in Letters & in Politicks, would not only augment the felicity of France, but be a good Example to the rest of Europe, & place the Glory of Louis the 16th. in a higher point of view than any King of france ever attained— It gives me pleasure to see that some of my noble friends & acquaintance are to be members of this Illustrious assembly,— I wish I could be a Sylph or a Gnome & flit away to Versailles on a sun-Beam—to hear your August Debates— But I am condemned to dream away my Life, with little satisfaction to myself, and no advantage to any one else— I had rather be an orderly sergt. in the Militia of Massachusetts. employed to push Bayonetts, with the Insurgents against Government. If they are not to be supressed any other Way, We shall soon have an assembly of notables here in London who will be as much more noisy, than yours at Versailles, as I believe they will be less judicious
     Will you be so good as to let me know from time to time, what is communicable—
     Yours

      J. A—


Title: From John Adams to Richard Cranch, 15 January 1787
From: Adams, John
To: Cranch, Richard

      My dear Brother.
      Grosvenor Square Jan. 15. 1787.

     Dr Tufts will give you a Strange Book. I know not whether, the Sentiments of it, will be approved, by the Men of Sense and Letters in America.— if they are, they will make themselves popular in time. if they are not, our Countrymen have many Miseries yet to go

through. if the System attempted to be defended in those Letters, is not the System of the Wisest Men among Us, I shall tremble for the Consequences, and wish myself in any Obscure hole in the World. I am myself, as clearly Satisfied of the infallible Truth of the Doctrine there contained as I am of any Demonstration in Euclid, and if our Countrymen are bent upon any wild Schemes inconsistent with the substance of it, the sooner they remove me, out of their sight the better for I can be of no Service to them, in promoting their Views. I Shall be anxious to know how it is received, and shall be obliged to you to inform me.
     I lament that it is so hasty a Production. it is only Since my Return from Holland in September that I began to collect the materials.— But the Disturbances in New England made it necessary to publish immediately in order to do any good. My Friends in Holland were much employed, in Revolutions. in Several Conversations there, I had occasion to mention some Things respecting Government, which some of those Gentlemen wished to see upon Paper. their desire falling in with the Seditious Meetings in the Massachusetts determined me to write.
     The Field is vast enough, the Materials are Splendid enough, and the subject is of Weight enough to employ the greatest Scholar of the Age, for Seven Years.— I am no great Scholar and have had but a few Months time. but I hope the Men of Genius & Science in America will pursue the subject to more Advantage.
     by the hurry and precipitation, with which the Work was undertaken conducted and compleated, I have been obliged to be too inattentive both to Method and the ornaments of Style, for the present Taste of our Countrymen: for I perceive that Taste and Elegance are the Cry.— This appears to me like establishing Manufactures of Lace, Fringe & Embroidery in a Country before there is any of Silk, Velvet or Cloth.— Our Countrymen are by no means advanced enough in Solid Science and Learning in Mathematicks & Philosophy, in Greek & Latin to devote so much of their Time to Rhetorick. The ignorance of old Mummius, who threatned the Master of the Ship to compell him to replace the Paintings of Apelles if he lost them would become Us much better. I am no Ennemy to Elegance. but I Say no Man has a right to think of Elegance, till he has secured Substance—nor then to Seek more of it, than he can afford. That Taste which for its Gratification will commit Knavery & run in debt beyond the Ability to pay, merits execration. That Elegance

which devours Honour, Truth and Independency: which Scorns Reputations, and can reconcile itself to ignominy, public or private is a Monster that Hercules ought to destroy.
     If the Courts of Justice must be Stopped at the Point of the Bayonet, if the Laws must be trampled under foot to Satisfy Elegance, it is a Dæmon that ought to be sent back to Hell.
     Libertatem, Amicitiam, Fidem, præcipua humani Animi bona. These are essential to human Happiness. Finery, of every kind may be dispensed with, untill it can be reconciled to the other.
     Yours affectionately

      John Adams.