Papers of John Adams, volume 18
th.1786
By Dr Gibbon a young Gentleman of Philadelphia whom I beg Leave introduce to you,1 I have the Honour to send you a few more Copies of the Prussian Treaty: and to inclose in this, a Resolution of Congress of september 26. annulling Mr Lambs Commission & Instructions.2 Mr Jay desires me to transmit it to him, and although I hope Mr Lamb is on his Passage to New York or already arrived there, it is proper to send it along to Mr Charmichael who will be so good as to convey it, if Mr Lamb should not be departed. The favour of transmitting it to him let me ask of you.
You ask me in your last Letter3 my Opinion who should be sent to exchange the Treaty with Morocco? I am content that either Mr Barclay or Mr Franks should go, or to leave it to Mr Barclay to go in Person or send Mr Franks as you shall judge best. But I wonder the Treaty has not arrived, to you.
Dont be allarmed at the late Turbulence in New England, The Massachusetts assembly had in its Zeal to get the better of their Debt, laid on a Tax, rather heavier than the People could bear. but all will be well, and this Commotion will terminate in additional Strength to Government.
With great and sincere Esteem, I have the / Honour to be, sir your most obedient and / humble servant
RC (DLC:Jefferson Papers); internal address: “His Exy Mr Jefferson”; endorsed: “Adams John. Nov. 30.” LbC (Adams Papers); APM Reel 112.
Dr. John Hannum Gibbon or Gibbons (1759–1795) graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1786 and returned to Philadelphia, where he opened a medical practice on Arch Street and joined the University of Pennsylvania’s medical faculty (Francis Randolph Packard, The History of Medicine in the United States, Phila., 1901, p. 188–189).
The 26 Sept. congressional resolution regarding John Lamb’s commission directed John Jay to “take the necessary measures for directing Mr. Lamb immediately to repair to New York.” Jay sent another copy of the resolution with his 14 Dec. letter to Jefferson (
JCC
, 31:692; Jefferson, Papers
, 10:597).
Of 23 Oct., above.
r1. 1786
I have received your Letter,1 and am much concerned to perceive your Apprehensions that Affairs might take an unfavourable Turn. The Questions you do me the Honour to propose to me, are very 515 difficult to Answer. I have ever been Scrupulous of advising Strangers to emigrate to America. There are difficulties to be encountered in every Exchange of Country. Arising from the Climate soil, Air, manner of Living &c, and Accidents may always happen.
With the Sum of Money You mention, a Man and a Family may live in America: but it must be in a frugal manner— With a Taste for Rural Life, by the Purchase of a Farm, and diligent Attention to it, a Man might live very comfortably. You may have Views of Commerce, or other Occupations, which may improve the Prospect.
If a Number of Friendly Families were to remove together, they would mutually assist each other and make the risk less as well as Life more agreable.
If you determine to go, I will give you Letters of Introduction with Pleasure,2 being with / Sincere Esteem and Regard, your Friend / and humble Servant
RC (PHi:John Adams’ Letters); internal address: “The Reverend Mr / Van der Kemp / Leyden.” LbC (Adams Papers); APM Reel 113.
Of 31 Oct., above. Not having yet received JA’s reply and fearing that his earlier letter concerning his possible immigration to New York State had miscarried, Van der Kemp wrote again on 7 Dec. (Adams Papers). There he summarized his much longer 31 Oct. letter and asked JA to recommend an American atlas superior to Thomas Jefferys’ The American Atlas, Paris, 1776, which had been loaned to him by Jean Luzac.
Writing to JA on 29 Dec. 1787, following his release from prison on 19 Dec. and subsequent removal to Antwerp, Van der Kemp indicated that he had finally decided that he must leave the Netherlands for America. In his reply of 6 Jan. 1788, JA as promised sent him letters of introduction, also dated 6 Jan., to New York governor George Clinton (DLC:J.P. Morgan Papers) and to John Jay (MBU). In the letter to Clinton, JA described the “beloved” clergyman as “a gentleman of very brilliant Talents and great Merit: who is at Present Suffering Persecution for his Attachment to Liberty.”