Browsing: Adams Family Correspondence, Volume 5

6. The Independent Chronicle for this date carried a piece labeled “Extract of a letter from an American gentleman in Holland, dated July 2,” which said in part: “America may felicitate herself in the success of her Minister in Holland, whose unwearied exertions to bring about this important event have answered the wishes of her best friends, and whose wisdom, patience and perseverance have baffled the strongest opposition of her enemies.” The letter went on to enumerate the difficulties that had to be overcome in achieving Dutch recognition, stressing that it was not enough to appeal just to the Dutch government, but that a direct appeal had to be made to the people. “Mr. Adams was admirably well adapted to answer these purposes.”