N. by. Mrs: A. Adams Quincy.

Ghent. 24 December 1814

My dear and honourable mother.

A Treaty of Peace between the United States and Great Britain has this day
been signed by the British and American Plenipotentiaries at this place. It is to be dispatched to-morrow,
by Mr Hughes the Secretary of the American Mission, who is to sail in the Transit from Bordeaux. I have
not time to write a single private Lettter excepting this, but I request you to inform my brother that I
have received his Letter of 2. October, brought by Mr William Wyer to France. I was much disappointed in
not receiving either by him, or by the Ajax, the second Dutch vessel arrived from Boston, any Letter from
you. I have none later tha than of 1. May.

You know doubtless that heretofore the President intended in case of Peace to send me to England. If the
Treaty should be ratified I am uncertain whether he will still retain the same intention or not. I have requested
to be recalled at all Events from the Mission to Russia. I shall proceed from this place, in a few days, to Paris,
to be there, in readiness to receive the President's orders; and I shall write immediately to my wife, requesting
her to come and join me there. If we go to England I beg you to send my sons George and John there to me.
After the Peace there can be no want of good opportunities for them to come, and I wish them to embark at the
most favourable season for a safe passage. If any other person should be sent to England, I intend to return
as soon as possible to America, and shall hope before midsummer to see once more my beloved Parents.

Of the Peace which we have at length concluded, it is for our Government, our Country and the world to
judge. It is not such as under more propitious circumstances might have been expected, and to be fairly
estimated must be compared not with our desires, but with what the situation of the parties and of the world
at and during the negotiation made attainable. We have abandoned no essential right, and if we have left
everything open for future controversy, we have at least secured to our country the power, at her own option
to extinguish the War.

With my duty to my dear father. I remain your ever affectionate son. John Quincy Adams.

J Q A Ghent 24
December 1814
No 67.
Peace

Mrs. A. Adams
Quincy
Massachusetts
United States of America