Papers of John Adams, volume 16
th.July 1784
In leaving the Hague, I fully intended returning the same way and acknowledging personally my gratitude for the polite reception I mett at Amsterdam in consequence of your Excellencys letters of introduction.1 I was hurried back from Holland in consequence of my affairs haveing advanc’d to a close more rapidly than I had reason to expect.
I have the pleasure to inform your Excellency that I am now totally, & honourably exonorated from my English debts, and preparing for America, expecting to sail for R. Island the 1st. Augt.— I shall always be happy in every stage of life, to pay the tribute of respect which I owe your Excellency in common with every American; Independant of the personal attention I have in frequent instances experienc’d during my residence in Europe.
Although I have freed myself from every claim in this country by a firm perserverance; yet a load hangs heavily upon my shoulders in France. My partner has Indeed come to a composition with his creditors, and will meet me in N. York, but as, in the progress of accomplishing this composition, I shall probably stand in need of the aid of the french Minister in America, and perhaps shall have occasion to make application to the Gouvenor of New York & Pensilvania; I shall therefore esteem it an additional obligation If your time will allow a letter of recommendation to them, stating my connections in New England—my establishment in France &c.2
Most respectfully wishing Your Excellency may injoy the happiness of soon seeing Mrs. & Miss Adams, and that you may continue to possess an uninterupted health, permit me to subscribe myself Very sincerely Your devoted / & greatly Oblig’d Hl. St.
r.
Please to direct to me under cover to Messrs. Blanchard & Lewis merchts. London.
Mr. Watson presents his respectfull compliments to Mons. Dumas thanks him cordially for his intoduction to Mons. Luzac and begs to be favour’d with a general sketch of the present system of Gouvernment in Holland for the regulation of his Journal.3
RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “À Son Excellence / Monsiuer Adams. / Plinipotentiare des Etats / Unis de l’Amerique / à la / Haye”; internal address: “His Excellency John Adams Esqr: / Hague”; endorsed: “Mr Elk. Watson / 5. July. 1784.”
In 1779 Watson, originally from Plymouth, Mass., had gone to Europe and established a mercantile firm, Watson & Cossoul, at Nantes. By late 1783 the firm was bankrupt and Watson had been in England in an effort to settle its affairs. In a letter of 25 May 1784, JQA indicated that Watson was about to leave London for a visit to the Netherlands (vol. 9:33–34; 14:255;
AFC
, 5:332–333).
Watson recorded his visit in the journal mentioned in the postscript. He later published his account as A Tour in Holland, in MDCCLXXXIV. By an American, Worcester, 1790, Evans, No. 23039. Watson reached The Hague on 3 June and on the 4th, at two o’clock in the afternoon, visited JA at “the grand hôtel belonging to the thirteen United States of America, lately purchased by Mr. Adams, for the residence of our future ambassadors. It is decently furnished, has a large library, and an elegant little garden. I was received in the most cordial manner, dined with the ambassador, and in the afternoon we took an airing in his carriage, through the best part of the city.” On the 6th Watson and JA visited Delft, and Watson wrote that “if I had not exerted myself, I should probably have witnessed the unpleasant scene of one of the most brilliant characters of the age (Mr. A—) scrambling in a muddy canal, his wig afloat upon the surface, and all from a laudable zeal to save a child then drowning; the moment he saw the struggling infant bobbing on the top, I thought he would have darted headforemost into the canal, regardless of his personal safety: But I restrained his impetuosity for a moment, as a lusty fellow had that instant soused himself in.”
According to Watson, “in popularity and influence at this court, Mr. A—undoubtedly bears the palm in the diplomatick body. He is universally esteemed, for his profound 276 penetration and extensive political knowledge, the first character our western world has yet produced.
“He talks but little—thinks a great deal—and what he says is always to the purpose; and in point of future events, his words seem to be the words of an oracle. He may indeed be considered as a veteran in politicks, having long acted a conspicuous and important part, and acquired vast experience at several of the courts of Europe, in a very serious crisis.
“Though he does not ape the graces of a Chesterfield, yet we have found in him the more important accomplishments of an ambassador; for his stern republican virtues, have in every instance rose superiour to the duplicity and affected consequence of European courtiers.”
Watson left The Hague with letters of introduction from JA and C. W. F. Dumas for people in Leyden and Amsterdam. Those from JA have not been found, but he likely wrote letters to the members of the loan consortium, for while in Amsterdam Watson dined with one of the Staphorsts (A Tour in Holland, p. 71–72, 82, 83–85, 134). But see also note 3.
No such letters of introduction by JA have been found.
On 7 June Watson dined with Jean Luzac at Leyden. Watson wrote that “this gentleman is celebrated throughout Europe for his uncommon talents and extensive knowledge; and more particularly for his patriotism, and being the editor of the Leyden Gazette, which is universally esteemed the best in circulation.” At the end of his account, Watson inserted a section entitled “Origin and Description of the United Provinces,” which included information on the country’s history, geography, climate, economy, and government, and then an appendix on its East India trade (same, p. 104–105, 162–191).
Empressé à vous faire plaisir en toutes occasions, je n’ai point tardé a faire envers le Gouvernement General des Pais Bas de la domination de S. Mté l’Empereur Roi, les demarches requises pour que non Seulement l’expres chargé de vos effets detenus à Bruxelles Soit imediatement remis en pleine liberté, mais aussi à ce que avantageat vos effets autant que faire se pouvoit quant aux droits de S. Majeste. Voila ce que Msr̃ Le Comte de Belgioyoso me mande en date de 5. du Courant à ce Sujet. Quand a la demande que Msr̃ Adams vous a faita il a d’abord eté pourvu Sur la Conoissance qu’on en a eu ici, a la levée des obstacles qu’as éprouvé le passage des effets qui devoient lui arriver de Paris. il reste des droits a payer a l’egard desquels je Scai qu’il a deja eté pris des arrangements, mais je crois que Msr̃ Adams aurat deja recu à l’heure qu’il est, les effets en question, lesquels ont d’aillieurs eté arretées avec raison, vu qu’il n’y avoit point de declaration et que le Conducteur n’etais pas a même d’y Supleer. je dois en Consequence de ces mots Suposer que vos effets Sont donc arrivés, et vous m’obligerez, Monsieur, en me le faisant Scavoir1 Les Douaniers Sont chez nous com̃t partout asses portés à rançoner les effets étrangers, mais com̃e on cherche et que tous les Superieurs en place Sont tenus a brider leur avidité, il est de l’utilité publique
277
qu’on les veille de près, et qu’en cas de contravention, on les fasse punir.
J’ai lhoñeur detre avec la plus parfaite Consideration / Monsieur / Votre très humble et / Obeissant Serviteur
Eager to please you on every occasion, I did not wait at all to take the necessary steps with regard to the general government of the Netherlands under the dominion of His Majesty the Emperor so that not only might the express charged with your effects and detained at Brussels be immediately given free passage but also your effects might receive favorable treatment in so far as that is possible with regard to His Majesty’s duties. Here is what the Comte de Belgiojoso wrote me on this subject on the 5th of this month: As for the request that Mr. Adams made to you, provision was made at the first word of it, on the basis of what we knew here, to remove the obstacles that impeded passage of his effects from Paris. There remain duties to be paid with regard to which I know that arrangements have already been made, but I believe that Mr. Adams should by now have received the effects in question, which, incidentally, were detained with good reason, given that there was no declaration at all and that the express himself was not able to make up the deficiency. From this information, I must suppose that your effects have in fact arrived, and I would be obliged to you, sir, if you would let me know.1 Customs officers in our country, like everywhere, are rather inclined to ransom foreign effects, but as we look out for their greed, and all their superiors are determined to bridle it, it is for the public good that they be closely watched and in case of infraction punished.
I have the honor of being with the most perfect respect, sir, your very humble and obedient servant
RC (Adams Papers).
JA replied later on the 6th, thanking Reischach for his efforts and informing him that “I had heard before, that the Express was released, but he is not yet arrived. I expect him every Moment” (LbC, APM Reel 107).