Episode 3: Don't Tread on Me
On his first diplomatic mission to Europe as the newly appointed
minister plenipotentiary to France, John Adams joined Benjamin Franklin
who was already stationed near Paris. Adams and Franklin had similar
goals--financial and military support from the French government for the
newly-formed United States-- but very different styles. Franklin
delighted in the social sphere of diplomatic life and on 25 April 1778,
Adams writes to Abigail, describing the affable and affectionate
interactions between Franklin and the attractive ladies of Paris.
Letter excerpt from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 25 April 1778
My venerable Colleague enjoys a Priviledge here, that is much to be envyd. Being seventy Years of Age, the Ladies not only allow him to embrace them as often as he pleases, but they are perpetually embracing him. -- I told him Yesterday, I would write this to America.
Other Adams documents related to the events of Episode 3
- For Abigail Adams's concern about John crossing the Atlantic Ocean:
"Tis a little more than 3 weeks since the dearest of Friends and tenderest of Husbands left his solitary partner" (from a Letter from AA to JA, 8 March 1778)
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For Abigail Adams's note to her son, John Quincy Adams:
"To my dear Son Remember me in the most affectionate terms" (from a Letter from AA to JA, 8 March 1778)
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For John Adams's description of his malady:
"Soon after my Return from Paris, I was seized with a Fever..." (From Letter from JA to AA, 9 October 1781)