Adams Family Correspondence, volume 10
As I wish to turn your Attention to those Political Questions which involve Points of the Law of Nature and Nations, and which have lately employed the Deliberations of the Executive Authority of our Government, I have turned to such Books as I have at hand, and made Extracts and References for your Use. And I wish you not only to read over carefully the Passages referred to, but to search the Parrallel Places in Grotius and Puffendorf and send your discoveries to me.1
It has been a Question, Whether our Treaties with France are binding on that Nation or ours, Since the Revolution of their Government from a Monarchy to a Republick? The Writers referred to will enable You to form your Judgment.
If it was clear, who have the Power and Confidence of the Nation for any duration, there would be no difficulty.
your Father
RC and enclosure (MHi:Seymour Coll.); internal address: “Mr Charles Adams.”; endorsed: “Jan 22 1794.” For the enclosure, see note 1, below.
JA enclosed with this letter four pages of extracts from Jean Jacques Burlamaqui, Johann Gottlieb Heineccius, and Emmerich de Vattel similar to the other material he was sending to CA at this time. For more on the nature and contents of these documents, see the Editorial Note, above.