Papers of John Adams, volume 12

C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation

From M. Baraux

To Thomas Digges, 21 March 1782 JA Digges, Thomas

1782-03-21

To Thomas Digges, 21 March 1782 Adams, John Digges, Thomas
To Thomas Digges
March 21. 17821

Mr Adams will Stay, at home, for the Gentleman in No. 10, whom he will receive at ten o Clock, this Day, Sans Ceremonie, provided342the Gentleman is content the Conversation Should pass in presence of Mr Thaxter, Mr Adams’s Secretary.

But Such is the Situation of Things here and elsewhere, that it is impossible for Mr. A. to have any Conversation with any Gentleman from England, without Witness. And indeed, Mr Adams’s Advice to the Gentleman is, to proceed forthwith to Paris, and communicate, whatever he has to Say to Dr Franklin and the Comte de Vergennes in the first Place, without Seeing Mr A. who will certainly think himself bound to communicate, whatever may be made known to him, without Loss of Time to those Ministers, as he has no Authority to treat, much less to conclude, but in Concert with them and others.2

FC (Adams Papers); notation: “Mr Adams’s Answer to Mr Digges at the first Bible. Amsterdam.”

1.

This is the last extant letter from JA to Thomas Digges.

2.

For JA’s account of his conversation with Digges on 21 March, the first time the two men had met face to face, see JA to Benjamin Franklin, 26 March, below.