Adams Papers Digital Edition

Papers of John Adams, volume 19

From Samuel Fitch

From Richard Price
292 From John Adams to the Marquis of Carmarthen, 30 March 1788 Adams, John Carmarthen, the Marquis of
To the Marquis of Carmarthen
My Lord Bath Hotel March 30. 1788 1

The Letter of Recall, herewith enclosed never reached my hand till this Moment when I was ready to Step into the Carriage for Portsmouth where I am to embark. its omission in Season, was wholly owing to the Sickness of Mr Jay, our Secretary of State for foreign affairs.

With great / Truth and Respect I have the Honour / to be, my Lord, your Lordships / most obedient and most humble / servant

John Adams
ENCLOSURE
Copy Great and Good Friend [ 12 February 1788 ]

As the Time We had limited for the Duration of Mr Adams’s Residence in Quality of our Minister Plenipotentiary near your Majesty, will Shortly expire, We have directed him, then to take Leave of your Majesty and to assure you of our Friendship and Sincere Desire to promote the most perfect Harmony and Confidence between the two Nations. Our Opinion of Mr Adams persuades Us that he will do this in the manner most expressive of these Sentiments, and of the Respect and Sincerity with they are offered. We pray God to keep your Majesty under his holy Protection.

Written at the City of New York the 12th Day of February in the Year of our Lord 1788, by your Majestys good Friends the United States of America in Congress Assembled

Signed Cyrus Griffin President John Jay

RC and enclosure (PRO:FO 4, State Papers, vol. 6, f. 207–211); internal address: “The Right Honourable / The Marquis of Carmarthen / His Britannic Majestys Principal / Secretary of State for foreign affairs”; enclosure internal address: “To our great and good Friend / His Britannic Majesty.” LbC (Adams Papers); APM Reel 112.

 1.

This letter marked JA’s last official act as the first U.S. minister to Britain, and it brought to a close his diplomatic tenure abroad. By 26 March, AA and JA had relocated from the American legation at No. 8 (now No. 9) Grosvenor Square to the Bath Hotel. They left London on 30 March, traveling to Portsmouth. From 6 to 20 April they lodged at the Fountain Inn in Cowes and did some sightseeing on the Isle of Wight. After a two-week wait, JA and AA finally sailed for Boston aboard the Lucretia, Capt. John Callahan, on 20 April. AA chronicled the return voyage in a brief diary ( AFC , 8:247, 250, 255, 463; JA, D&A , 3:212–217).