10 Sep. 1783
Original paper slip text:10 Sept. 1783
Paris
Original paper slip text:Paris
Unable to lookup name for paris.5 p.
- Tidd Collection
- 1. ADAMS, John. Signer of the Declaration of Independence; President U. S. A.L.S. 2 full pp., 4to., closely written. Paris, June 26, 1783. To Richard Cranch. $250.00
- A Long and Exceedingly Interesting Historical Letter in reference to the Treaty of Paris, which had just been concluded and in the negotiating of which Adams had played an important role. His correspondent, who was his wife's brother-in-law, had congratulated Adams on his part in the Peace Conference. Adams disclaims any great credit, says that the Treaty must speak for itself and particularly cautions Cranch against quoting him "in explanation of the Treaty." He refers to the fisheries, which was one of the most difficult problems of the negotiations and hopes that his townsmen of Marblehead, Salem, Plymouth, etc. will be pleased. He also mentions the articles concerning the Tories which likewise presented difficulties and concludes the letter with an affectionate reference to his brilliant wife, Abigail Adams. "If my Townsmen of Marblehead, Salem, Cape Anne, Plymouth, &c. are pleased with the Peace I am very glad. But we have yet to secure, if we can, the right to carry some of their Fish to market. This and other things is like to detain me longer here than I expected. I do not regret this on account of what you say is meditated, because I have not the qualifications necessary to give satisfaction in such a station, which no Man can obtain without divisions or hold without reproach in these turbulent times. A great deal of dangerous and disagreeable service, it is true, has fallen to my lot and it has been done with as much success as could be expected and I am content.
- 10 Sept. 1783. Paris (cont'd)
- JA to Richard Cranch
- I regret the Articles concerning the Tories, even for their sakes as well as ours. I thought and still think it would have been better to have said nothing about them. But what was done, was insisted on and could not be avoided.
- The Treaty must speak for itself. I do not think myself qualified for a commentator, nor should I think myself at liberty to comment if I knew how. From the Treaty itself, the stipulations may be easily distinguished from the Recommendations. The former should be sacred and the latter coolly considered, at least.
- It will never do to quote me in explanation of the Treaty. Your Ministers have said and will say in their letters to Congress as much as they think proper upon the subject, and such parts as Congress think fit to communicate you will have from them. All I can say is I wish the real sense and spirit of the Treaty may be complied with, and would recommend to all a dispassionate Consideration of it. If there are any serious things among men such a Treaty is one of them.
- I am much obliged to you for your particular account of my Friends and particularly of the death of my aged uncle, for whom I had a great regard, and am much affected with his kind remembrance of me in his last Days. When I shall be released and see you. I know not. We must finish off in Europe, if such is the will of Congress, which may take us a year, and may be done sooner, or may require longer time. I should hope to finish all in a year. I have written to my dear Partner to come to me this fall if she can, but have small hopes that my letters will reach her soon enough, and I would not have her think of a winter passage. It is a cruel punishment to me to live without her, but I should choose this for 6 months longer rather than expose her health to a turbulent winter passage without me."
- Information transferred from blue slip now deleted. ER 8/27/2015
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PRINTED: AFC, 5:239–240
;PRINTED: AFC, 5:239–240
Adams Family Correspondence, volume 05, page 239
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