Papers of John Adams, volume 10

To Samuel Adams, 20 September 1780 JA Adams, Samuel

1780-09-20

To Samuel Adams, 20 September 1780 Adams, John Adams, Samuel

To Samuel Adams

My dear Sir Amsterdam Septr. 20. 17801

Your Favour of the 10th. of July, is received.2 Mr. Searle, who is yet at Paris, I hope to see soon here. Am happy to learn that the People of Massachusetts have accepted the Constitution: May they be wise in the Choice of their Rulers, and happy under them. The Constitution, and the Address to the People have much Respect Shewn them in Europe.

The Accounts from various Parts of the Activity and Ardour of the People, are very pleasing and promise good Success. But I fear, that, without a clearer Superiority of naval Strength, nothing decisive will be done. The Accounts of Embargoes distress me, because they 163discourage Trade and Privateering, and I expect more benefit from them than from Exertions at Land. Nothing will ever be done to effect, untill the Allied Powers, apply all their Attention to the destruction of the British Commerce, Transports and Marine. I hope soon to see M. Laurens with a Commission of Plenipotentiary to their high mightinesses. This would be a great political Stroke, and have great Effects, many Ways.

The English are now all drunk. The Run of Elections indicate Continuance of War, and the most desperate obstinacy. The Nation however is impotent. The Loss of their E. and W. India fleets is a severe Blow. May they Soon have Repetition upon Repetition of such strokes.

Yours affectionately

John Adams

Mr. Lee and M. Izard are both with you, eer now I presume. My Regards to them, if you please. Mrs. Izard and Mr. W. Lee's Family are well.3

RC (NN: George Bancroft Coll.); endorsed: “From Mr J Adams Paris Sept 20 1780.”

In addition to this letter and those to Samuel Cooper, Samuel Huntington, and Benjamin Rush (all below), JA wrote to Joseph Reed (LbC, Adams Papers) in reply to Reed's letter of 10 July, introducing James Searle (Adams Papers).

Suggesting that it be published in the Gazette de Leyde, JA enclosed Samuel Adams' letter of 10 July (above) in his to Jean Luzac of 20 Sept. (LbC, Adams Papers). Luzac translated and printed a portion of the letter in the Gazette de Leyde of 29 September.

This sentence was written in the left margin.

To Samuel Cooper, 20 September 1780 JA Cooper, Samuel

1780-09-20

To Samuel Cooper, 20 September 1780 Adams, John Cooper, Samuel

To Samuel Cooper

My dear sir Amsterdam sept. 20. 1780

Yours of May 23,1 I received but 3 days ago, and am happy to find so agreable an Intercourse of good offices between the People and the french Gentlemen who have been lately there.

The final Accomplishment of the great Work of a civil Constitution, I hope soon to hear is followed by a wise and Satisfactory Choice of Officers to administer the Blessings of it. If the People are not happy under this Government I shall despair of finding happiness under any, for no one was ever formed by any People with so much deliberation, or I believe more Integrity: no one existing in the World ~~has more Admirers~~ is more esteemed by such as ought to be good Judges. It may truely be Said to be the Admiration and the Envy of the most enlightened Part of Mankind.

164

I have done My Utmost Endeavour, that your Grandson should be supported with all the Frugality that decency and Comfort will allow. But the Expence, has been vastly greater than I expected, which I am very sorry for, altho it has not been in my Power to avoid it.

We are in daily Expectation of News from N. A., the W. I., and from the Northern Congress. If these should all be unfavourable to England, she will not nevertheless, make Peace.

LbC (Adams Papers).

Suggesting that it be published in the Gazette de Leyde, JA enclosed Cooper's letter of 23 May in his to Jean Luzac of 20 Sept. (LbC, Adams Papers). Luzac translated and printed a portion of the letter in the Gazette de Leyde of 29 September.