Adams Papers Digital Edition

Papers of John Adams, volume 19

To William Cranch

Memorial to the States General
261 To John Adams from the Marquis of Carmarthen, 24 January 1788 Carmarthen, the Marquis of Adams, John
From the Marquis of Carmarthen
Sir, Whitehall, Janry. 24th. 1788.

I have received the Honour of your Letter of the 21st. Instant, and I have given Directions for the necessary Notice to be sent to the Treasury of your Intention to embark your Effects on board the Ship Lucretia, and their Lordships will issue their Orders for your being allowed the Privileges usually granted to Foreign Ministers of equal Rank.

I have received His Majesty’s Commands to acquaint You, that whenever it may suit with your Convenience, His Majesty will admit You to an Audience to take Leave. When You have fixed upon a Day for this Ceremony, You will be pleased to give me previous Notice of it.

With regard to the Audience You desire of the Queen, it will be necessary for You to apply to the Earl of Ailesbury, Her Majesty’s Chamberlain, who will of Course receive and communicate to You Her Majesty’s Pleasure upon it.1

I am, with great Truth and Regard, / Sir, / Your most obedient / humble Servant.

Carmarthen.

RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “John Adams Esqr. &c &c &c.”

 1.

JA’s efforts to secure his farewell audience with George III proceeded in straightforward fashion, but his parallel request to see Charlotte quickly grew snarled in diplomatic protocol. JA wrote to Thomas Brudenell-Bruce, 1st Earl of Ailesbury, on 1 Feb. (LbC, APM Reel 112) to set a date for his leave-taking of Charlotte. Ailesbury answered JA the following day (Adams Papers), redirecting him to contact Sir Clement Cottrell Dormer, master of ceremonies at St. James’ Palace. JA did so on 4 Feb., and Dormer replied on the same day to confirm he would consult Ailesbury (LbC, APM Reel 112; Adams Papers). But, as JA’s 21 Feb. audience with George III approached, the queen’s illness repeatedly prevented a meeting. In haste to depart London and take his official leave at The Hague, JA wrote to Ailesbury on 28 Feb., below, rescinding his request. See JA’s Dft of his farewell address to Charlotte of [ante 28 Feb.], below.